Buthadhenotreadenough?Didnotthelastsentencesuffice?——
\"BewareofFear!\"ItwasasifMejnourhadpurposelyleftthepageopen,——asifthetrialwas,intruth,thereverseoftheonepretended;asifthemystichaddesignedtomakeexperimentofhisCOURAGEwhileaffectingbutthatofhisFORBEARANCE。NotBoldness,butFear,wasthedeadliestenemytoKnowledge。Hemovedtotheshelvesonwhichthecrystalvaseswereplaced;withanuntremblinghandhetookfromoneofthemthestopper,andadeliciousodorsuddenlydiffuseditselfthroughtheroom。Theairsparkledasifwithadiamond-dust。Asenseofunearthlydelight,——ofanexistencethatseemedallspirit,flashedthroughhiswholeframe;andafaint,low,butexquisitemusiccrept,thrilling,throughthechamber。Atthismomentheheardavoiceinthecorridorcallingonhisname;andpresentlytherewasaknockatthedoorwithout。\"Areyouthere,signor?\"saidthecleartonesofMaestroPaolo。Glyndonhastilyreclosedandreplacedthevial,andbiddingPaoloawaithiminhisownapartment,tarriedtillheheardtheintruder\'sstepsdepart;hethenreluctantlyquittedtheroom。Ashelockedthedoor,hestillheardthedyingstrainofthatfairymusic;andwithalightstepandajoyousheartherepairedtoPaolo,inlyresolvingtovisitagainthechamberatanhourwhenhisexperimentwouldbesafefrominterruption。
Ashecrossedhisthreshold,Paolostartedback,andexclaimed,\"Why,Excellency!Iscarcelyrecogniseyou!Amusement,Isee,isagreatbeautifiertotheyoung。Yesterdayyoulookedsopaleandhaggard;butFillide\'smerryeyeshavedonemoreforyouthanthePhilosopher\'sStonesaintsforgivemefornamingiteverdidforthewizards。\"AndGlyndon,glancingattheoldVenetianmirrorasPaolospoke,wasscarcelylessstartledthanPaolohimselfatthechangeinhisownmienandbearing。Hisform,beforebentwiththought,seemedtohimtallerbyhalfthehead,solithesomeanderectrosehisslenderstature;hiseyesglowed,hischeeksbloomedwithhealthandtheinnateandpervadingpleasure。Ifthemerefragranceoftheelixirwasthuspotent,wellmightthealchemistshaveascribedlifeandyouthtothedraught!
\"Youmustforgiveme,Excellency,fordisturbingyou,\"saidPaolo,producingaletterfromhispouch;\"butourPatronhasjustwrittentometosaythathewillbehereto-morrow,anddesiredmetolosenotamomentingivingtoyourselfthisbillet,whichheenclosed。\"
\"Whobroughttheletter?\"
\"Ahorseman,whodidnotwaitforanyreply。\"
Glyndonopenedtheletter,andreadasfollows:——
\"IreturnaweeksoonerthanIhadintended,andyouwillexpectmeto-morrow。Youwillthenenterontheordealyoudesire,butrememberthat,indoingso,youmustreduceBeingasfaraspossibleintoMind。Thesensesmustbemortifiedandsubdued,——
notthewhisperofonepassionheard。ThoumaystbemasteroftheCabalaandtheChemistry;butthoumustbemasteralsoovertheFleshandtheBlood,——overLoveandVanity,AmbitionandHate。Iwilltrusttofindtheeso。Fastandmeditatetillwemeet!\"
Glyndoncrumpledtheletterinhishandwithasmileofdisdain。
What!moredrudgery,——moreabstinence!Youthwithoutloveandpleasure!Ha,ha!baffledMejnour,thypupilshallgainthysecretswithoutthineaid!
\"AndFillide!Ipassedhercottageinmyway,——sheblushedandsighedwhenIjestedheraboutyou,Excellency!\"
\"Well,Paolo!Ithanktheeforsocharminganintroduction。
Thinemustbeararelife。\"
\"Ah,Excellency,whileweareyoung,nothinglikeadventure,——
exceptlove,wine,andlaughter!\"
\"Verytrue。Farewell,MaestroPaolo;wewilltalkmorewitheachotherinafewdays。\"
AllthatmorningGlyndonwasalmostoverpoweredwiththenewsentimentofhappinessthathadenteredintohim。Heroamedintothewoods,andhefeltapleasurethatresembledhisearlierlifeofanartist,butapleasureyetmoresubtleandvivid,inthevariouscoloursoftheautumnfoliage。CertainlyNatureseemedtobebroughtclosertohim;hecomprehendedbetterallthatMejnourhadoftenpreachedtohimofthemysteryofsympathiesandattractions。Hewasabouttoenterintothesamelawasthosemutechildrenoftheforests。HewastoknowTHERENEWAL
OFLIFE;theseasonsthatchilledtowintershouldyetbringagainthebloomandthemirthofspring。Man\'scommonexistenceisasoneyeartothevegetableworld:hehashisspring,hissummer,hisautumn,andwinter,——butonlyONCE。Butthegiantoaksroundhimgothrougharevolvingseriesofverdureandyouth,andthegreenofthecentenarianisasvividinthebeamsofMayasthatofthesaplingbyitsside。\"Mineshallbeyourspring,butnotyourwinter!\"exclaimedtheaspirant。
Wrappedinthesesanguineandjoyousreveries,Glyndon,quittingthewoods,foundhimselfamidstcultivatedfieldsandvineyardstowhichhisfootstephadnotbeforewandered;andtherestood,bytheskirtsofagreenlanethatremindedhimofverdantEngland,amodesthouse,——halfcottage,halffarm。Thedoorwasopen,andhesawagirlatworkwithherdistaff。Shelookedup,utteredaslightcry,and,trippinggaylyintothelanetohisside,herecognisedthedark-eyedFillide。
\"Hist!\"shesaid,archlyputtingherfingertoherlip;\"donotspeakloud,——mymotherisasleepwithin;andIknewyouwouldcometoseeme。Itiskind!\"
Glyndon,withalittleembarrassment,acceptedthecomplimenttohiskindness,whichhedidnotexactlydeserve。\"Youhavethought,then,ofme,fairFillide?\"
\"Yes,\"answeredthegirl,colouring,butwiththatfrank,boldingenuousness,whichcharacterisesthefemalesofItaly,especiallyofthelowerclass,andinthesouthernprovinces,——
\"oh,yes!Ihavethoughtoflittleelse。Paolosaidheknewyouwouldvisitme。\"
\"AndwhatrelationisPaolotoyou?\"
\"None;butagoodfriendtousall。Mybrotherisoneofhisband。\"
\"Oneofhisband!——arobber?\"
\"Weofthemountainsdonotcallamountaineer\'arobber,\'
signor。\"
\"Iaskpardon。Doyounottremblesometimesforyourbrother\'slife?Thelaw——\"
\"Lawneverventuresintothesedefiles。Trembleforhim!No。
Myfatherandgrandsirewereofthesamecalling。IoftenwishI
wereaman!\"
\"Bytheselips,Iamenchantedthatyourwishcannotberealised。\"
\"Fie,signor!Anddoyoureallyloveme?\"
\"Withmywholeheart!\"
\"AndIthee!\"saidthegirl,withacandourthatseemedinnocent,asshesufferedhimtoclaspherhand。
\"But,\"sheadded,\"thouwiltsoonleaveus;andI——\"Shestoppedshort,andthetearsstoodinhereyes。
Therewassomethingdangerousinthis,itmustbeconfessed。
CertainlyFillidehadnottheseraphiclovelinessofViola;butherswasabeautythatequallyatleasttouchedthesenses。
PerhapsGlyndonhadneverreallylovedViola;perhapsthefeelingswithwhichshehadinspiredhimwerenotofthatardentcharacterwhichdeservesthenameoflove。Howeverthatbe,hethought,ashegazedonthosedarkeyes,thathehadneverlovedbefore。
\"Andcouldstthounotleavethymountains?\"hewhispered,ashedrewyetnearertoher。
\"Dostthouaskme?\"shesaid,retreating,andlookinghimsteadfastlyintheface。\"Dostthouknowwhatwedaughtersofthemountainsare?Yougay,smoothcavaliersofcitiesseldommeanwhatyouspeak。Withyou,loveisamusement;withus,itislife。Leavethesemountains!Well!Ishouldnotleavemynature。\"
\"Keepthynatureever,——itisasweetone。\"
\"Yes,sweetwhilethouarttrue;stern,ifthouartfaithless。
ShallItelltheewhatI——whatthegirlsofthiscountryare?
Daughtersofmenwhomyoucallrobbers,weaspiretobethecompanionsofourloversorourhusbands。Weloveardently;weownitboldly。Westandbyyoursideindanger;weserveyouasslavesinsafety:weneverchange,andweresentchange。Youmayreproach,strikeus,trampleusasadog,——webearallwithoutamurmur;betrayus,andnotigerismorerelentless。Betrue,andourheartsrewardyou;befalse,andourhandsrevenge!
Dostthoulovemenow?\"
DuringthisspeechtheItalian\'scountenancehadmosteloquentlyaidedherwords,——byturnssoft,frank,fierce,——andatthelastquestionsheinclinedherheadhumbly,andstood,asinfearofhisreply,beforehim。Thestern,brave,wildspirit,inwhichwhatseemedunfemininewasyet,ifImaysosay,stillwomanly,didnotrecoil,itrathercaptivatedGlyndon。Heansweredreadily,briefly,andfreely,\"Fillide,——yes!\"
Oh,\"yes!\"forsooth,ClarenceGlyndon!Everylightnatureanswers\"yes\"lightlytosuchaquestionfromlipssorosy!Haveacare,——haveacare!Whythedeuce,Mejnour,doyouleaveyourpupiloffour-and-twentytothemercyofthesewildcats-a-
mountain!Preachfast,andabstinence,andsublimerenunciationofthecheatsofthesenses!Verywellinyou,sir,Heavenknowshowmanyagesold;butatfour-and-twenty,yourHierophantwouldhavekeptyououtofFillide\'sway,oryouwouldhavehadsmalltastefortheCabala。
Andsotheystood,andtalked,andvowed,andwhispered,tillthegirl\'smothermadesomenoisewithinthehouse,andFillideboundedbacktothedistaff,herfingeroncemoreonherlip。
\"ThereismoremagicinFillidethaninMejnour,\"saidGlyndontohimself,walkinggaylyhome;\"yetonsecondthoughts,IknownotifIquitesowelllikeacharactersoreadyforrevenge。Buthewhohastherealsecretcanbaffleeventhevengeanceofawoman,anddisarmalldanger!\"
Sirrah!dostthouevenalreadymeditatethepossibilityoftreason?Oh,wellsaidZanoni,\"topourpurewaterintothemuddywelldoesbutdisturbthemud。\"
CHAPTER4。VII。
Cernis,custodiaqualisVestibulosedeat?faciesquaeliminaservet?
\"Aeneid,\"lib。vi。574。
Seeyouwhatportersitswithinthevestibule?——whatfacewatchesatthethreshold?
Anditisprofoundnight。Allisatrestwithintheoldcastle,——allisbreathlessunderthemelancholystars。Nowisthetime。
Mejnourwithhisausterewisdom,——Mejnourtheenemytolove;
Mejnour,whoseeyewillreadthyheart,andrefusetheethepromisedsecretsbecausethesunnyfaceofFillidedisturbsthelifelessshadowthathecallsrepose,——Mejnourcomesto-morrow!
Seizethenight!Bewareoffear!Never,orthishour!So,braveyouth,——bravedespiteallthyerrors,——so,withasteadypulse,thyhandunlocksoncemoretheforbiddendoor。
Heplacedhislamponthetablebesidethebook,whichstilllaythereopened;heturnedovertheleaves,butcouldnotdeciphertheirmeaningtillhecametothefollowingpassage:——
\"When,then,thepupilisthusinitiatedandprepared,lethimopenthecasement,lightthelamps,andbathehistempleswiththeelixir。Hemustbewarehowhepresumeyettoquaffthevolatileandfieryspirit。Totastetillrepeatedinhalationshaveaccustomedtheframegraduallytotheecstaticliquid,istoknownotlife,butdeath。\"
Hecouldpenetratenofartherintotheinstructions;thecipheragainchanged。Henowlookedsteadilyandearnestlyroundthechamber。Themoonlightcamequietlythroughthelatticeashishandopenedit,andseemed,asitrestedonthefloor,andfilledthewalls,likethepresenceofsomeghostlyandmournfulPower。
Herangedthemysticlampsnineinnumberroundthecentreoftheroom,andlightedthemonebyone。Aflameofsilveryandazuretintssprungupfromeach,andlightedtheapartmentwithacalmandyetmostdazzlingsplendour;butpresentlythislightgrewmoresoftanddim,asathin,greycloud,likeamist,graduallyspreadovertheroom;andanicythrillshotthroughtheheartoftheEnglishman,andquicklygatheredoverhimlikethecoldnessofdeath。Instinctivelyawareofhisdanger,hetottered,thoughwithdifficulty,forhislimbsseemedrigidandstone-like,totheshelfthatcontainedthecrystalvials;
hastilyheinhaledthespirit,andlavedhistempleswiththesparklingliquid。Thesamesensationofvigourandyouth,andjoyandairylightness,thathehadfeltinthemorning,instantaneouslyreplacedthedeadlynumbnessthatjustbeforehadinvadedthecitadeloflife。Hestood,withhisarmsfoldedonhisbosomerectanddauntless,towatchwhatshouldensue。
Thevapourhadnowassumedalmostthethicknessandseemingconsistencyofasnow-cloud;thelampspiercingitlikestars。
Andnowhedistinctlysawshapes,somewhatresemblinginoutlinethoseofthehumanform,glidingslowlyandwithregularevolutionsthroughthecloud。Theyappearedbloodless;theirbodiesweretransparent,andcontractedorexpandedlikethefoldsofaserpent。Astheymovedinmajesticorder,heheardalowsound——theghost,asitwere,ofvoice——whicheachcaughtandechoedfromtheother;alowsound,butmusical,whichseemedthechantofsomeunspeakablytranquiljoy。Noneoftheseapparitionsheededhim。Hisintenselongingtoaccostthem,tobeofthem,tomakeoneofthismovementofaerialhappiness,——
forsuchitseemedtohim,——madehimstretchforthhisarmsandseektocryaloud,butonlyaninarticulatewhisperpassedhislips;andthemovementandthemusicwentonthesameasifthemortalwerenotthere。Slowlytheyglidedroundandaloft,till,inthesamemajesticorder,oneafterone,theyfloatedthroughthecasementandwerelostinthemoonlight;then,ashiseyesfollowedthem,thecasementbecamedarkenedwithsomeobjectundistinguishableatthefirstgaze,butwhichsufficedmysteriouslytochangeintoineffablehorrorthedelighthehadbeforeexperienced。Bydegreesthisobjectshapeditselftohissight。Itwasasthatofahumanheadcoveredwithadarkveilthroughwhichglared,withlividanddemoniacfire,eyesthatfrozethemarrowofhisbones。Nothingelseofthefacewasdistinguishable,——nothingbutthoseintolerableeyes;buthisterror,thatevenatthefirstseemedbeyondnaturetoendure,wasincreasedathousand-fold,when,afterapause,thephantomglidedslowlyintothechamber。
Thecloudretreatedfromitasitadvanced;thebrightlampsgrewwan,andflickeredrestlesslyasatthebreathofitspresence。
Itsformwasveiledastheface,buttheoutlinewasthatofafemale;yetitmovednotasmoveeventheghoststhatsimulatetheliving。Itseemedrathertocrawlassomevastmisshapenreptile;andpausing,atlengthitcoweredbesidethetablewhichheldthemysticvolume,andagainfixeditseyesthroughthefilmyveilontherashinvoker。Allfancies,themostgrotesque,ofmonkorpainterintheearlyNorth,wouldhavefailedtogivetothevisageofimporfiendthataspectofdeadlymalignitywhichspoketotheshudderingnatureinthoseeyesalone。Allelsesodark,——shrouded,veiledandlarva-like。Butthatburningglaresointense,solivid,yetsoliving,hadinitsomethingthatwasalmostHUMANinitspassionofhateandmockery,——
somethingthatservedtoshowthattheshadowyHorrorwasnotallaspirit,butpartookofmatterenough,atleast,tomakeitmoredeadlyandfearfulanenemytomaterialforms。As,clingingwiththegraspofagonytothewall,——hishairerect,hiseyeballsstarting,hestillgazedbackuponthatappallinggaze,——theImagespoketohim:hissoulratherthanhisearcomprehendedthewordsitsaid。
\"Thouhastenteredtheimmeasurableregion。IamtheDwelleroftheThreshold。Whatwouldstthouwithme?Silent?Dostthoufearme?AmInotthybeloved?Isitnotformethatthouhastrenderedupthedelightsofthyrace?Wouldstthoubewise?
Mineisthewisdomofthecountlessages。Kissme,mymortallover。\"AndtheHorrorcrawlednearandnearertohim;itcrepttohisside,itsbreathbreatheduponhischeek!Withasharpcryhefelltotheearthinsensible,andknewnomoretill,farinthenoonofthenextday,heopenedhiseyesandfoundhimselfinhisbed,——theglorioussunstreamingthroughhislattice,andthebanditPaolobyhisside,engagedinpolishinghiscarbine,andwhistlingaCalabrianlove-air。
CHAPTER4。VIII。
Thusmanpursueshiswearycalling,Andwringsthehardlifefromthesky,WhilehappinessunseenisfallingDownfromGod\'sbosomsilently。
Schiller。
InoneofthoseislandswhosehistorytheimperishableliteratureandrenownofAthensyetinvestwithmelancholyinterest,andonwhichNature,inwhom\"thereisnothingmelancholy,\"stillbestowsagloryofsceneryandclimateequallyradiantforthefreemanortheslave,——theIonian,theVenetian,theGaul,theTurk,ortherestlessBriton,——Zanonihadfixedhisbridalhome。
Theretheaircarrieswithittheperfumesoftheplainsformilesalongtheblue,translucentdeep。SeeDr。Holland\'s\"TravelstotheIonianIsles,\"etc。,page18。Seenfromoneofitsgreenslopingheights,theislandhehadselectedseemedonedeliciousgarden。Thetowersandturretsofitscapitalgleamingamidstgrovesoforangesandlemons;vineyardsandolive-woodsfillingupthevalleys,andclamberingalongthehill-sides;andvilla,farm,andcottagecoveredwithluxurianttrellisesofdark-greenleavesandpurplefruit。Fortheretheprodigalbeautyyetseemshalftojustifythosegracefulsuperstitionsofacreedthat,tooenamouredofearth,ratherbroughtthedeitiestoman,thanraisedthemantotheirlessalluringandlessvoluptuousOlympus。
Andstilltothefishermen,weavingyettheirantiquedancesonthesand;tothemaiden,adorningyet,withmanyasilverfibula,herglossytressesunderthetreethatovershadowshertranquilcot,——thesameGreatMotherthatwatchedoverthewiseofSamos,thedemocracyofCorcyra,thegracefulanddeep-taughtlovelinessofMiletus,smilesasgraciouslyasofyore。FortheNorth,philosophyandfreedomareessentialstohumanhappiness;inthelandswhichAphroditerosefromthewavestogovern,astheSeasons,handinhand,stoodtowelcomeherontheshores,Natureisallsufficient。HomericHymn。
TheislewhichZanonihadselectedwasoneoftheloveliestinthatdivinesea。Hisabode,atsomedistancefromthecity,butnearoneofthecreeksontheshore,belongedtoaVenetian,and,thoughsmall,hadmoreofelegancethanthenativesordinarilycaredfor。Ontheseas,andinsight,rodehisvessel。HisIndians,asbefore,ministeredinmutegravitytotheserviceofthehousehold。Nospotcouldbemorebeautiful,——nosolitudelessinvaded。TothemysteriousknowledgeofZanoni,totheharmlessignoranceofViola,thebabblingandgarishworldofcivilisedmanwasalikeunheeded。ThelovingskyandthelovelyeartharecompanionsenoughtoWisdomandtoIgnorancewhiletheylove。
Although,asIhavebeforesaid,therewasnothinginthevisibleoccupationsofZanonithatbetrayedacultivatoroftheoccultsciences,hishabitswerethoseofamanwhoremembersorreflects。Helovedtoroamalone,chieflyatdawn,oratnight,whenthemoonwasclearespeciallyineachmonth,atitsriseandfull,milesandmilesawayovertherichinlandsoftheisland,andtocullherbsandflowers,whichhehoardedwithjealouscare。Sometimes,atthedeadofnight,Violawouldwakebyaninstinctthattoldherhewasnotbyherside,and,stretchingoutherarms,findthattheinstincthadnotdeceivedher。Butsheearlysawthathewasreservedonhispeculiarhabits;andifattimesachill,aforeboding,asuspiciousawecreptoverher,sheforeboretoquestionhim。
Buthisrambleswerenotalwaysunaccompanied,——hetookpleasureinexcursionslesssolitary。Often,whenthesealaybeforethemlikealake,thebarrendrearinessoftheoppositecoastofCephalleniacontrastingthesmilingshoresonwhichtheydwelt,Violaandhimselfwouldpassdaysincruisingslowlyaroundthecoast,orinvisitstotheneighbouringisles。EveryspotoftheGreeksoil,\"thatfairFable-Land,\"seemedtohimfamiliar;
andasheconversedofthepastanditsexquisitetraditions,hetaughtViolatolovetheracefromwhichhavedescendedthepoetryandthewisdomoftheworld。TherewasmuchinZanoni,assheknewhimbetter,thatdeepenedthefascinationinwhichViolawasfromthefirstenthralled。Hisloveforherselfwassotender,sovigilant,andhadthatbestandmostenduringattribute,thatitseemedrathergratefulforthehappinessinitsowncaresthanvainofthehappinessitcreated。Hishabitualmoodwithallwhoapproachedhimwascalmandgentle,almosttoapathy。Anangrywordneverpassedhislips,——anangrygleamnevershotfromhiseyes。Oncetheyhadbeenexposedtothedangernotuncommoninthosethenhalf-savagelands。Somepirateswhoinfestedtheneighbouringcoastshadheardofthearrivalofthestrangers,andtheseamenZanoniemployedhadgossipedoftheirmaster\'swealth。Onenight,afterViolahadretiredtorest,shewasawakenedbyaslightnoisebelow。
Zanoniwasnotbyherside;shelistenedinsomealarm。Wasthatagroanthatcameuponherear?Shestartedup,shewenttothedoor;allwasstill。Afootstepnowslowlyapproached,andZanonienteredcalmasusual,andseemedunconsciousofherfears。
Thenextmorningthreemenwerefounddeadatthethresholdoftheprincipalentrance,thedoorofwhichhadbeenforced。Theywererecognisedintheneighbourhoodasthemostsanguinaryandterriblemaraudersofthecoasts,——menstainedwithathousandmurders,andwhohadneverhithertofailedinanyattempttowhichthelustofrapinehadimpelledthem。Thefootstepsofmanyothersweretrackedtotheseashore。Itseemedthattheiraccomplicesmusthavefledonthedeathoftheirleaders。ButwhentheVenetianProveditore,orauthority,oftheisland,cametoexamineintothematter,themostunaccountablemysterywasthemannerinwhichtheseruffianshadmettheirfate。Zanonihadnotstirredfromtheapartmentinwhichheordinarilypursuedhischemicalstudies。Noneoftheservantshadevenbeendisturbedfromtheirslumbers。Nomarksofhumanviolencewereonthebodiesofthedead。Theydied,andmadenosign。FromthatmomentZanoni\'shouse——nay,thewholevicinity——wassacred。
Theneighbouringvillages,rejoicedtobedeliveredfromascourge,regardedthestrangerasonewhomthePagianaorVirginheldunderherespecialprotection。
Intruth,thelivelyGreeksaround,faciletoallexternalimpressions,andstruckwiththesingularandmajesticbeautyofthemanwhoknewtheirlanguageasanative,whosevoiceoftencheeredthemintheirhumblesorrows,andwhosehandwasneverclosedtotheirwants,longafterhehadlefttheirshorepreservedhismemorybygratefultraditions,andstillpointtotheloftyplatanusbeneathwhichtheyhadoftenseenhimseated,aloneandthoughtful,intheheatsofnoon。ButZanonihadhauntslessopentothegazethantheshadeoftheplatanus。InthatisletherearethebituminousspringswhichHerodotushascommemorated。Oftenatnight,themoon,atleast,beheldhimemergingfromthemyrtleandcystusthatclothethehillocksaroundthemarshthatimbedsthepoolscontainingtheinflammablemateria,allthemedicalusesofwhich,asappliedtothenervesoforganiclife,modernsciencehasnotyetperhapsexplored。
Yetmoreoftenwouldhepasshishoursinacavern,bytheloneliestpartofthebeach,wherethestalactitesseemalmostarrangedbythehandofart,andwhichthesuperstitionofthepeasantsassociates,insomeancientlegends,withthenumerousandalmostincessantearthquakestowhichtheislandissosingularlysubjected。
Whateverthepursuitsthatinstigatedthesewanderingsandfavouredthesehaunts,eithertheywerelinkedwith,orelsesubordinateto,onemainandmasterdesire,whicheveryfreshdaypassedinthesweethumancompanyofViolaconfirmedandstrengthened。
ThescenethatGlyndonhadwitnessedinhistrancewasfaithfultotruth。Andsomelittletimeafterthedateofthatnight,Violawasdimlyawarethataninfluence,sheknewnotofwhatnature,wasstrugglingtoestablishitselfoverherhappylife。
Visionsindistinctandbeautiful,suchasthoseshehadknowninherearlierdays,butmoreconstantandimpressive,begantohaunthernightanddaywhenZanoniwasabsent,tofadeinhispresence,andseemlessfairthanTHAT。Zanoniquestionedhereagerlyandminutelyofthesevisitations,butseemeddissatisfied,andattimesperplexed,byheranswers。
\"Tellmenot,\"hesaid,oneday,\"ofthoseunconnectedimages,thoseevolutionsofstarryshapesinachoraldance,orthosedeliciousmelodiesthatseemtotheeofthemusicandthelanguageofthedistantspheres。HasnoONEshapebeentotheemoredistinctandmorebeautifulthantherest,——novoiceuttering,orseemingtoutter,thineowntongue,andwhisperingtotheeofstrangesecretsandsolemnknowledge?\"
\"No;allisconfusedinthesedreams,whetherofdayornight;
andwhenatthesoundofthyfootstepsIrecover,mymemoryretainsnothingbutavagueimpressionofhappiness。Howdifferent——howcold——totheraptureofhangingonthysmile,andlisteningtothyvoice,whenitsays,\'Ilovethee!\'\"
\"Yet,howisitthatvisionslessfairthantheseonceseemedtotheesoalluring?Howisitthattheythenstirredthyfanciesandfilledthyheart?Oncethoudidstdesireafairy-land,andnowthouseemestsocontentedwithcommonlife。\"
\"HaveInotexplainedittotheebefore?Isitcommonlife,then,tolove,andtolivewiththeonewelove?Mytruefairy-landiswon!Speaktomeofnoother。\"
Andsonightsurprisedthembythelonelybeach;andZanoni,alluredfromhissublimerprojects,andbendingoverthattenderface,forgotthat,intheHarmoniousInfinitewhichspreadaround,therewereotherworldsthanthatonehumanheart。
CHAPTER4。IX。
Thereisaprincipleofthesoul,superiortoallnature,throughwhichwearecapableofsurpassingtheorderandsystemsoftheworld。Whenthesouliselevatedtonaturesbetterthanitself,THENitisentirelyseparatedfromsubordinatenatures,exchangesthisforanotherlife,and,desertingtheorderofthingswithwhichitwasconnected,linksandminglesitselfwithanother——
Iamblichus。
\"Adon-Ai!Adon-Ai!——appear,appear!\"
Andinthelonelycave,whenceoncehadgoneforththeoraclesofaheathengod,thereemergedfromtheshadowsoffantasticrocksaluminousandgiganticcolumn,glitteringandshifting。Itresembledtheshiningbutmistyspraywhich,seenafaroff,afountainseemstosenduponastarrynight。Theradiancelitthestalactites,thecrags,thearchesofthecave,andshedapaleandtremuloussplendouronthefeaturesofZanoni。
\"SonofEternalLight,\"saidtheinvoker,\"thoutowhoseknowledge,gradeaftergrade,raceafterrace,Iattainedatlast,onthebroadChaldeanplains;thoufromwhomIhavedrawnsolargelyoftheunutterableknowledgethatyeteternityalonecansufficetodrain;thouwho,congenialwithmyself,sofarasourvariousbeingswillpermit,hastbeenforcenturiesmyfamiliarandmyfriend,——answermeandcounsel!\"
Fromthecolumnthereemergedashapeofunimaginableglory。Itsfacewasthatofamaninitsfirstyouth,butsolemn,aswiththeconsciousnessofeternityandthetranquillityofwisdom;
light,likestarbeams,flowedthroughitstransparentveins;
lightmadeitslimbsthemselves,andundulated,inrestlesssparkles,throughthewavesofitsdazzlinghair。Withitsarmsfoldedonitsbreast,itstooddistantafewfeetfromZanoni,anditslowvoicemurmuredgently,\"Mycounselsweresweettotheeonce;andonce,nightafternight,thysoulcouldfollowmywingsthroughtheuntroubledsplendoursoftheInfinite。Nowthouhastboundthyselfbacktotheearthbyitsstrongestchains,andtheattractiontotheclayismorepotentthanthesympathiesthatdrewtothycharmstheDwelleroftheStarbeamandtheAir。Whenlastthysoulhearkenedtome,thesensesalreadytroubledthineintellectandobscuredthyvision。OnceagainIcometothee;butthypowereventosummonmetothysideisfadingfromthyspirit,assunshinefadesfromthewavewhenthewindsdrivethecloudbetweentheoceanandthesky。\"
\"Alas,Adon-Ai!\"answeredtheseer,mournfully,\"Iknowtoowelltheconditionsofthebeingwhichthypresencewaswonttorejoice。Iknowthatourwisdomcomesbutfromtheindifferencetothethingsoftheworldwhichthewisdommasters。Themirrorofthesoulcannotreflectbothearthandheaven;andtheonevanishesfromthesurfaceastheotherisglasseduponitsdeeps。
Butitisnottorestoremetothatsublimeabstractioninwhichtheintellect,freeanddisembodied,rises,regionafterregion,tothespheres,——thatonceagain,andwiththeagonyandtravailofenfeebledpowerIhavecalledtheetomineaid。Ilove;andinloveIbegintoliveinthesweethumanitiesofanother。Ifwise,yetinallwhichmakesdangerpowerlessagainstmyself,orthoseonwhomIcangazefromthecalmheightofindifferentscience,Iamblindasthemerestmortaltothedestiniesofthecreaturethatmakesmyheartbeatwiththepassionswhichobscuremygaze。\"
\"Whatmatter!\"answeredAdon-Ai。\"Thylovemustbebutamockeryofthename;thoucanstnotloveastheydoforwhomtherearedeathandthegrave。Ashorttime,——likeadayinthyincalculablelife,——andtheformthoudotestonisdust!Othersofthenetherworldgohandinhand,eachwitheach,untothetomb;handinhandtheyascendfromthewormtonewcyclesofexistence。Forthee,belowareages;forher,buthours。Andforherandthee——Opoor,butmightyone!——willtherebeevenajointhereafter!Throughwhatgradesandheavensofspiritualisedbeingwillhersoulhavepassedwhenthou,thesolitaryloiterer,comestfromthevapoursoftheearthtothegatesoflight!\"
\"SonoftheStarbeam,thinkestthouthatthisthoughtisnotwithmeforever;andseestthounotthatIhaveinvokedtheetohearkenandministertomydesign?Readestthounotmydesireanddreamtoraisetheconditionsofherbeingtomyown?Thou,Adon-Ai,bathingthecelestialjoythatmakesthylifeintheoceansofeternalsplendour,——thou,savebythesympathiesofknowledge,canstconjecturenotwhatI,theoffspringofmortals,feel——debarredyetfromtheobjectsofthetremendousandsublimeambitionthatfirstwingedmydesiresabovetheclay——whenIseemyselfcompelledtostandinthislowworldalone。Ihavesoughtamongstmytribeforcomrades,andinvain。AtlastIhavefoundamate。Thewildbirdandthewildbeasthavetheirs;andmymasteryoverthemalignanttribesofterrorcanbanishtheirlarvaefromthepaththatshallleadherupward,tilltheairofeternityfitstheframefortheelixirthatbafflesdeath。\"
\"Andthouhastbeguntheinitiation,andthouartfoiled!Iknowit。Thouhastconjuredtohersleepthefairestvisions;thouhastinvokedtheloveliestchildrenoftheairtomurmurtheirmusictohertrance,andhersoulheedsthemnot,and,returningtotheearth,escapesfromtheircontrol。Blindone,wherefore?
canstthounotperceive?Becauseinhersoulallislove。Thereisnointermediatepassionwithwhichthethingsthouwouldstcharmtoherhaveassociationandaffinities。TheirattractionisbuttothedesiresandcravingsoftheINTELLECT。WhathavetheywiththePASSIONthatisofearth,andtheHOPEthatgoesdirecttoheaven?\"
\"Butcantherebenomedium——nolink——inwhichoursouls,asourhearts,canbeunited,andsominemayhaveinfluenceoverherown?\"
\"Askmenot,——thouwiltnotcomprehendme!\"
\"Iadjurethee!——speak!\"
\"Whentwosoulsaredivided,knowestthounotthatathirdinwhichbothmeetandliveisthelinkbetweenthem!\"
\"Idocomprehendthee,Adon-Ai,\"saidZanoni,withalightofmorehumanjoyuponhisfacethanithadeverbeforebeenseentowear;\"andifmydestiny,whichhereisdarktomineeyes,vouchsafestomethehappylotofthehumble,——ifevertherebeachildthatImayclasptomybosomandcallmyown——\"
\"Andisittobemanatlast,thatthouhastaspiredtobemorethanman?\"
\"Butachild,——asecondViola!\"murmuredZanoni,scarcelyheedingtheSonofLight;\"ayoungsoulfreshfromheaven,thatImayrearfromthefirstmomentittouchesearth,——whosewingsImaytraintofollowminethroughthegloriesofcreation;andthroughwhomthemotherherselfmaybeledupwardovertherealmofdeath!\"
\"Beware,——reflect!KnowestthounotthatthydarkestenemydwellsintheReal?Thywishesbringtheenearandnearertohumanity。\"
\"Ah,humanityissweet!\"answeredZanoni。
Andastheseerspoke,onthegloriousfaceofAdon-Aitherebrokeasmile。
CHAPTER4。X。
Aeternaaeternustribuit,mortaliaconfertMortalis;divinaDeus,perituracaducus。
\"Aurel。Prud。contraSymmachum,\"lib。ii。
TheEternalgiveseternalthings,theMortalgathersmortalthings:God,thatwhichisdivine,andtheperishablethatwhichisperishable。
EXTRACTSFROMTHELETTERSOFZANONITOMEJNOUR。
Letter1。
Thouhastnotinformedmeoftheprogressofthypupil;andI
fearthatsodifferentlydoescircumstanceshapethemindsofthegenerationstowhichwearedescended,fromtheintenseandearnestchildrenoftheearlierworld,thateventhymostcarefulandelaborateguidancewouldfail,withloftierandpurernaturesthanthatoftheneophytethouhastadmittedwithinthygates。
Eventhatthirdstateofbeing,whichtheIndiansageTheBrahmins,speakingofBrahm,say,\"TotheOmniscientthethreemodesofbeing——sleep,waking,andtrance——arenot;\"distinctlyrecognisingtranceasathirdandcoequalconditionofbeing。
rightlyrecognisesasbeingbetweenthesleepandthewaking,anddescribesimperfectlybythenameofTRANCE,isunknowntothechildrenoftheNorthernworld;andfewbutwouldrecoiltoindulgeit,regardingitspeopledcalmasmayaanddelusionofthemind。Insteadofripeningandculturingthatairysoil,fromwhichNature,dulyknown,canevokefruitssorichandflowerssofair,theystrivebuttoexcludeitfromtheirgaze;theyesteemthatstruggleoftheintellectfrommen\'snarrowworldtothespirit\'sinfinitehome,asadiseasewhichtheleechmustextirpatewithpharmacyanddrugs,andknownoteventhatitisfromthisconditionoftheirbeing,initsmostimperfectandinfantform,thatpoetry,music,art——allthatbelongtoanIdeaofBeautytowhichneitherSLEEPINGnorWAKINGcanfurnisharchetypeandactualsemblance——taketheirimmortalbirth。Whenwe,OMejnourinthefartime,wereourselvestheneophytesandaspirants,wewereofaclasstowhichtheactualworldwasshutandbarred。Ourforefathershadnoobjectinlifebutknowledge。
Fromthecradlewewerepredestinedandrearedtowisdomastoapriesthood。WecommencedresearchwheremodernConjectureclosesitsfaithlesswings。Andwithus,thosewerecommonelementsofsciencewhichthesagesofto-daydisdainaswildchimeras,ordespairofasunfathomablemysteries。Eventhefundamentalprinciples,thelargeyetsimpletheoriesofelectricityandmagnetism,restobscureanddiminthedisputesoftheirblindedschools;yet,eveninouryouth,howfeweverattainedtothefirstcircleofthebrotherhood,and,afterwearilyenjoyingthesublimeprivilegestheysought,theyvoluntarilyabandonedthelightofthesun,andsunk,withouteffort,tothegrave,likepilgrimsinatracklessdesert,overawedbythestillnessoftheirsolitude,andappalledbytheabsenceofagoal。Thou,inwhomnothingseemstoliveBUTTHEDESIRETOKNOW;thou,who,indifferentwhetheritleadstowealortowoe,lendestthyselftoallwhowouldtreadthepathofmysteriousscience,ahumanbook,insensatetothepreceptsitenounces,——thouhasteversought,andoftenmadeadditionstoournumber。Buttothesehaveonlybeenvouchsafedpartialsecrets;vanityandpassionunfittedthemfortherest;andnow,withoutotherinterestthanthatofanexperimentinscience,withoutlove,andwithoutpity,thouexposestthisnewsoultothehazardsofthetremendousordeal!Thouthinkestthatazealsoinquisitive,acouragesoabsoluteanddauntless,maysufficetoconquer,whereaustererintellectandpurervirtuehavesooftenfailed。Thouthinkest,too,thatthegermofartthatliesinthepainter\'smind,asitcomprehendsinitselftheentireembryoofpowerandbeauty,maybeexpandedintothestatelyfloweroftheGoldenScience。Itisanewexperimenttothee。Begentlewiththyneophyte,andifhisnaturedisappointtheeinthefirststagesoftheprocess,dismisshimbacktotheRealwhileitisyettimetoenjoythebriefandoutwardlifewhichdwellsinthesenses,andcloseswiththetomb。AndasIthusadmonishthee,OMejnour,wiltthousmileatmyinconsistenthopes?I,whohavesoinvariablyrefusedtoinitiateothersintoourmysteries,——Ibeginatlasttocomprehendwhythegreatlaw,whichbindsmantohiskind,evenwhenseekingmosttosethimselfalooffromtheircondition,hasmadethycoldandbloodlesssciencethelinkbetweenthyselfandthyrace;why,THOUhassoughtconvertsandpupils;why,inseeinglifeafterlifevoluntarilydroppingfromourstarryorder,thoustillaspiresttorenewthevanished,andrepairthelost;why,amidstthycalculations,restlessandunceasingasthewheelsofNatureherself,thourecoilestfromtheTHOUGHTTOBE
ALONE!Sowithmyself;atlastI,too,seekaconvert,anequal,——I,too,shuddertobealone!Whatthouhastwarnedmeofhascometopass。Lovereducesallthingstoitself。EithermustIbedrawndowntothenatureofthebeloved,orhersmustbeliftedtomyown。AswhateverbelongstotrueArthasalwaysnecessarilyhadattractionforUS,whoseverybeingisintheidealwhenceArtdescends,sointhisfaircreatureIhavelearned,atlast,thesecretthatboundmetoheratthefirstglance。Thedaughterofmusic,——music,passingintoherbeing,becamepoetry。Itwasnotthestagethatattractedher,withitshollowfalsehoods;itwasthelandinherownfancywhichthestageseemedtocentreandrepresent。Therethepoetryfoundavoice,——thereitstruggledintoimperfectshape;andthenthatlandinsufficientforititfellbackuponitself。Itcolouredherthoughts,itsuffusedhersoul;itaskednotwords,itcreatednotthings;itgavebirthbuttoemotions,andlavisheditselfondreams。Atlastcamelove;andthere,asariverintothesea,itpoureditsrestlesswaves,tobecomemuteanddeepandstill,——theeverlastingmirroroftheheavens。
Andisitnotthroughthispoetrywhichlieswithinherthatshemaybeledintothelargepoetryoftheuniverse!OftenIlistentohercarelesstalk,andfindoraclesinitsunconsciousbeauty,aswefindstrangevirtuesinsomelonelyflower。Iseehermindripeningundermyeyes;andinitsfairfertilitywhatever-
teemingnoveltiesofthought!OMejnour!howmanyofourtribehaveunravelledthelawsoftheuniverse,——havesolvedtheriddlesoftheexteriornature,anddeducedthelightfromdarkness!AndisnotthePOET,whostudiesnothingbutthehumanheart,agreaterphilosopherthanall?Knowledgeandatheismareincompatible。ToknowNatureistoknowthattheremustbeaGod。Butdoesitrequirethistoexaminethemethodandarchitectureofcreation?Methinks,whenIlookuponapuremind,howeverignorantandchildlike,thatIseetheAugustandImmaterialOnemoreclearlythaninalltheorbsofmatterwhichcareeratHisbiddingthroughspace。
Rightlyisitthefundamentaldecreeofourorder,thatwemustimpartoursecretsonlytothepure。Themostterriblepartoftheordealisinthetemptationsthatourpoweraffordstothecriminal。Ifitwerepossiblethatamalevolentbeingcouldattaintoourfaculties,whatdisorderitmightintroduceintotheglobe!HappythatitisNOTpossible;themalevolencewoulddisarmthepower。ItisinthepurityofViolathatIrely,asthoumorevainlyhastreliedonthecourageorthegeniusofthypupils。Bearmewitness,Mejnour!NeversincethedistantdayinwhichIpiercedtheArcanaofourknowledge,haveIeversoughttomakeitsmysteriessubservienttounworthyobjects;
though,alas!theextensionofourexistencerobsusofacountryandahome;thoughthelawthatplacesallscience,asallart,intheabstractionfromthenoisypassionsandturbulentambitionofactuallife,forbidsustoinfluencethedestiniesofnations,forwhichHeavenselectsruderandblinderagencies;yet,whereverhavebeenmywanderings,Ihavesoughttosoftendistress,andtoconvertfromsin。Mypowerhasbeenhostileonlytotheguilty;andyetwithallourlore,howineachstepwearereducedtobebutthepermittedinstrumentsofthePowerthatvouchsafesourown,butonlytodirectit。Howallourwisdomshrinksintonought,comparedwiththatwhichgivesthemeanestherbitsvirtues,andpeoplesthesmallestglobulewithitsappropriateworld。Andwhileweareallowedattimestoinfluencethehappinessofothers,howmysteriouslytheshadowsthickenroundourownfuturedoom!Wecannotbeprophetstoourselves!WithwhattremblinghopeInursethethoughtthatI
maypreservetomysolitudethelightofalivingsmile!……
ExtractsfromLetterII。
Deemingmyselfnotpureenoughtoinitiatesopureaheart,I
invoketohertrancethosefairestandmosttenderinhabitantsofspacethathavefurnishedtopoetry,whichistheinstinctiveguessintocreation,theideasoftheGlendoveerandSylph。Andthesewerelesspurethanherownthoughts,andlesstenderthanherownlove!Theycouldnotraiseheraboveherhumanheart,forTHAThasaheavenofitsown……
Ihavejustlookedonherinsleep,——Ihaveheardherbreathemyname。Alas!thatwhichissosweettoothershasitsbitternesstome;forIthinkhowsoonthetimemaycomewhenthatsleepwillbewithoutadream,——whentheheartthatdictatesthenamewillbecold,andthelipsthatutteritbedumb。Whatatwofoldshapethereisinlove!Ifweexamineitcoarsely,——ifwelookbutonitsfleshyties,itsenjoymentsofamoment,itsturbulentfeveranditsdullreaction,——howstrangeitseemsthatthispassionshouldbethesuprememoveroftheworld;thatitisthiswhichhasdictatedthegreatestsacrifices,andinfluencedallsocietiesandalltimes;thattothistheloftiestandloveliestgeniushaseverconsecrateditsdevotion;that,butforlove,therewerenocivilisation,nomusic,nopoetry,nobeauty,nolifebeyondthebrute\'s。
Butexamineitinitsheavenliershape,——initsutterabnegationofself;initsintimateconnectionwithallthatismostdelicateandsubtleinthespirit,——itspoweraboveallthatissordidinexistence;itsmasteryovertheidolsofthebaserworship;itsabilitytocreateapalaceofthecottage,anoasisinthedesert,asummerintheIceland,——whereitbreathes,andfertilises,andglows;andthewonderratherbecomeshowsofewregarditinitsholiestnature。Whatthesensualcallitsenjoyments,aretheleastofitsjoys。Trueloveislessapassionthanasymbol。Mejnour,shallthetimecomewhenIcanspeaktotheeofViolaasathingthatwas?……
ExtractfromLetterIII。
KnowestthouthatoflateIhavesometimesaskedmyself,\"Istherenoguiltintheknowledgethathassodividedusfromourrace?\"Itistruethatthehigherweascendthemorehatefulseemtousthevicesoftheshort-livedcreepersoftheearth,——
themorethesenseofthegoodnessoftheAll-goodpenetratesandsuffusesus,andthemoreimmediatelydoesourhappinessseemtoemanatefromhim。But,ontheotherhand,howmanyvirtuesmustliedeadinthosewholiveintheworldofdeath,andrefusetodie!Isnotthissublimeegotism,thisstateofabstractionandreverie,——thisself-wrappedandself-dependentmajestyofexistence,aresignationofthatnobilitywhichincorporatesourownwelfare,ourjoys,ourhopes,ourfearswithothers?Toliveoninnodreadoffoes,undegradedbyinfirmity,securethroughthecares,andfreefromthediseaseofflesh,isaspectaclethatcaptivatesourpride。Andyetdostthounotmoreadmirehimwhodiesforanother?SinceIhavelovedher,Mejnour,itseemsalmostcowardicetoeludethegravewhichdevourstheheartsthatwrapusintheirfolds。Ifeelit,——theearthgrowsuponmyspirit。Thouwertright;eternalage,sereneandpassionless,isahappierboonthaneternalyouth,withitsyearningsanddesires。Untilwecanbeallspirit,thetranquillityofsolitudemustbeindifference