第21章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Zanoni",免费读到尾

  lightofheaven;oneveryleafinthenumberlessforests,ineverydropoftheunmeasuredseas,hesurveyeditsseparateandswarmingworld;farup,inthefarthestblue,hesaworbuponorbripeningintoshape,andplanetsstartingfromthecentralfire,toruntheirdayoftenthousandyears。ForeverywhereincreationisthebreathoftheCreator,andineveryspotwherethebreathbreathesislife!Andalone,inthedistance,thelonelymanbeheldhisMagianbrother。There,atworkwithhisnumbersandhisCabala,amidstthewrecksofRome,passionlessandcalm,satinhiscellthemysticMejnour,——livingon,livingeverwhiletheworldlasts,indifferentwhetherhisknowledgeproduceswealorwoe;amechanicalagentofamoretenderandawiserwill,thatguideseveryspringtoitsinscrutabledesigns。

  Livingon,——livingever,——assciencethatcaresaloneforknowledge,andhaltsnottoconsiderhowknowledgeadvanceshappiness;howHumanImprovement,rushingthroughcivilisation,crushesinitsmarchallwhocannotgrappletoitswheels\"YoucolonisethelandsofthesavagewiththeAnglo-Saxon,——youcivilisethatportionofTHEEARTH;butistheSAVAGEcivilised?

  Heisexterminated!Youaccumulatemachinery,——youincreasethetotalofwealth;butwhatbecomesofthelabouryoudisplace?

  Onegenerationissacrificedtothenext。Youdiffuseknowledge,——andtheworldseemstogrowbrighter;butDiscontentatPovertyreplacesIgnorance,happywithitscrust。Everyimprovement,everyadvancementincivilisation,injuressome,tobenefitothers,andeithercherishesthewantofto-day,orpreparestherevolutionofto-morrow。\"——StephenMontague。;ever,withitsCabalaanditsnumber,livesontochange,initsbloodlessmovements,thefaceofthehabitableworld!

  And,\"Oh,farewelltolife!\"murmuredthegloriousdreamer。

  \"Sweet,Olife!hastthoubeentome。Howfathomlessthyjoys,——

  howrapturouslyhasmysoulboundedforthupontheupwardpaths!

  TohimwhoforeverrenewshisyouthintheclearfountofNature,howexquisiteisthemerehappinessTOBE!Farewell,yelampsofheaven,andyemilliontribes,thePopulaceofAir。Notamoteinthebeam,notanherbonthemountain,notapebbleontheshore,notaseedfar-blownintothewilderness,butcontributedtothelorethatsoughtinallthetrueprincipleoflife,theBeautiful,theJoyous,theImmortal。Toothers,aland,acity,ahearth,hasbeenahome;MYhomehasbeenwherevertheintellectcouldpierce,orthespiritcouldbreathetheair。\"

  Hepaused,andthroughtheimmeasurablespacehiseyesandhisheart,penetratingthedismaldungeon,restedonhischild。Hesawitslumberinginthearmsofthepalemother,andHISsoulspoketothesleepingsoul。\"Forgiveme,ifmydesirewassin;I

  dreamedtohaverearedandnurturedtheetothedivinestdestiniesmyvisionscouldforesee。Betimes,asthemortalpartwas###第23章

  strengthenedagainstdisease,tohavepurifiedthespiritualfromeverysin;tohaveledthee,heavenuponheaven,throughtheholyecstasieswhichmakeuptheexistenceoftheordersthatdwellonhigh;tohaveformed,fromthysublimeaffections,thepureandever-livingcommunicationbetweenthymotherandmyself。

  Thedreamwasbutadream——itisnomore!Insightmyselfofthegrave,Ifeel,atlast,thatthroughtheportalsofthegraveliesthetrueinitiationintotheholyandthewise。BeyondthoseportalsIawaityeboth,belovedpilgrims!\"

  FromhisnumbersandhisCabala,inhiscell,amidstthewrecksofRome,Mejnour,startled,lookedup,andthroughthespirit,feltthatthespiritofhisdistantfriendaddressedhim。

  \"Faretheewellforeveruponthisearth!Thylastcompanionforsakesthyside。Thineagesurvivestheyouthofall;andtheFinalDayshallfindtheestillthecontemplatorofourtombs。I

  gowithmyfreewillintothelandofdarkness;butnewsunsandsystemsblazearoundusfromthegrave。IgowherethesoulsofthoseforwhomIresigntheclayshallbemyco-matesthrougheternalyouth。AtlastIrecognisethetrueordealandtherealvictory。Mejnour,castdownthyelixir;laybythyloadofyears!Whereverthesoulcanwander,theEternalSoulofallthingsprotectsitstill!\"

  CHAPTER7。XV。

  Ilneveulentplusperdreunmomentd\'unenuitsiprecieuse。

  Lacretelle,tom。xii。

  Theywouldnotloseanothermomentofsopreciousanight。

  Itwaslatethatnight,andRene-FrancoisDumas,PresidentoftheRevolutionaryTribunal,hadre-enteredhiscabinet,onhisreturnfromtheJacobinClub。Withhimweretwomenwhomightbesaidtorepresent,theonethemoral,theotherthephysicalforceoftheReignofTerror:Fouquier-Tinville,thePublicAccuser,andFrancoisHenriot,theGeneraloftheParisianNationalGuard。

  Thisformidabletriumviratewereassembledtodebateontheproceedingsofthenextday;andthethreesister-witchesovertheirhellishcaldronwerescarcelyanimatedbyamorefiend-likespirit,orengagedinmoreexecrabledesigns,thanthesethreeheroesoftheRevolutionintheirpremeditatedmassacreofthemorrow。

  Dumaswasbutlittlealteredinappearancesince,intheearlierpartofthisnarrative,hewaspresentedtothereader,exceptthathismannerwassomewhatmoreshortandsevere,andhiseyeyetmorerestless。Butheseemedalmostasuperiorbeingbythesideofhisassociates。ReneDumas,bornofrespectableparents,andwelleducated,despitehisferocity,wasnotwithoutacertainrefinement,whichperhapsrenderedhimthemoreacceptabletothepreciseandformalRobespierre。Dumaswasabeauinhisway。Hisgala-dresswasaBLOOD-REDCOAT,withthefinestruffles。ButHenriothadbeenalackey,athief,aspyofthepolice;hehaddrunkthebloodofMadamedeLamballe,andhadrisentohispresentrankfornoqualitybuthisruffianism;

  andFouquier-Tinville,thesonofaprovincialagriculturist,andafterwardsaclerkattheBureauofthePolice,waslittlelessbaseinhismanners,andyetmore,fromacertainloathsomebuffoonery,revoltinginhisspeech,——bull-headed,withblack,sleekhair,withanarrowandlividforehead,withsmalleyes,thattwinkledwithasinistermalice;stronglyandcoarselybuilt,helookedwhathewas,theaudaciousbullyofalawlessandrelentlessBar。

  Dumastrimmedthecandles,andbentoverthelistofthevictimsforthemorrow。

  \"Itisalongcatalogue,\"saidthepresident;\"eightytrialsforoneday!AndRobespierre\'sorderstodespatchthewholefourneeareunequivocal。\"

  \"Pooh!\"saidFouquier,withacoarse,loudlaugh;\"wemusttrythemenmasse。Iknowhowtodealwithourjury。\'Jepense,citoyens,quevousetesconvaincusducrimedesaccuses?\'I

  think,citizens,thatyouareconvincedofthecrimeoftheaccused。Ha!ha!——thelongerthelist,theshorterthework。\"

  \"Oh,yes,\"growledoutHenriot,withanoath,——asusual,half-

  drunk,andlollingonhischair,withhisspurredheelsonthetable,——\"littleTinvilleisthemanfordespatch。\"

  \"CitizenHenriot,\"saidDumas,gravely,\"permitmetorequesttheetoselectanotherfootstool;andfortherest,letmewarntheethatto-morrowisacriticalandimportantday;onethatwilldecidethefateofFrance。\"

  \"AfigforlittleFrance!ViveleVertueuxRobespierre,laColonnedelaRepublique!LonglifetothevirtuousRobespierre,thepillaroftheRepublic!Plagueonthistalking;itisdrywork。Hastthounoeaudevieinthatlittlecupboard?\"

  DumasandFouquierexchangedlooksofdisgust。Dumasshruggedhisshoulders,andreplied,——

  \"Itistoguardtheeagainsteaudevie,CitizenGeneralHenriot,thatIhaverequestedtheetomeetmehere。Listenifthoucanst!\"

  \"Oh,talkaway!thymetieristotalk,minetofightandtodrink。\"

  \"To-morrow,Itelltheethen,thepopulacewillbeabroad;allfactionswillbeastir。Itisprobableenoughthattheywillevenseektoarrestourtumbrilsontheirwaytotheguillotine。

  Havethymenarmedandready;keepthestreetsclear;cutdownwithoutmercywhomsoevermayobstructtheways。\"

  \"Iunderstand,\"saidHenriot,strikinghisswordsoloudlythatDumashalf-startedattheclank,——\"BlackHenriotisno\'Indulgent。\'\"

  \"Looktoit,then,citizen,——looktoit!Andharkthee,\"headded,withagraveandsombrebrow,\"ifthouwouldstkeepthineownheadonthyshoulders,bewareoftheeaudevie。\"

  \"Myownhead!——sacremilletonnerres!DostthouthreatenthegeneraloftheParisianarmy?\"

  Dumas,likeRobespierre,apreciseatrabilious,andarrogantman,wasabouttoretort,whenthecraftierTinvillelaidhishandonhisarm,and,turningtothegeneral,said,\"MydearHenriot,thydauntlessrepublicanism,whichistooreadytogiveoffence,mustlearntotakeareprimandfromtherepresentativeofRepublicanLaw。Seriously,moncher,thoumustbesoberforthenextthreeorfourdays;afterthecrisisisover,thouandIwilldrinkabottletogether。Come,Dumasrelaxthineausterity,andshakehandswithourfriend。Noquarrelsamongstourselves!\"

  Dumashesitated,andextendedhishand,whichtheruffianclasped;and,maudlintearssucceedinghisferocity,hehalf-

  sobbed,half-hiccoughedforthhisprotestationsofcivismandhispromisesofsobriety。

  \"Well,wedependonthee,mongeneral,\"saidDumas;\"andnow,sinceweshallallhaveneedofvigourforto-morrow,gohomeandsleepsoundly。\"

  \"Yes,Iforgivethee,Dumas,——Iforgivethee。Iamnotvindictive,——I!butstill,ifamanthreatensme;ifamaninsultsme——\"and,withthequickchangesofintoxication,againhiseyesgleamedfirethroughtheirfoultears。WithsomedifficultyFouquiersucceededatlastinsoothingthebrute,andleadinghimfromthechamber。Butstill,assomewildbeastdisappointedofaprey,hegrowledandsnarledashisheavytreaddescendedthestairs。Atalltrooper,mounted,wasleadingHenriot\'shorsetoandfrothestreets;andasthegeneralwaitedattheporchtillhisattendantturned,astrangerstationedbythewallaccostedhim:

  \"GeneralHenriot,Ihavedesiredtospeakwiththee。NexttoRobespierre,thouart,orshouldstbe,themostpowerfulmaninFrance。\"

  \"Hem!——yes,Ioughttobe。Whatthen?——everymanhasnothisdeserts!\"

  \"Hist!\"saidthestranger;\"thypayisscarcelysuitabletothyrankandthywants。\"

  \"Thatistrue。\"

  \"Eveninarevolution,amantakescareofhisfortunes!\"

  \"Diable!speakout,citizen。\"

  \"Ihaveathousandpiecesofgoldwithme,——theyarethine,ifthouwiltgrantmeonesmallfavour。\"

  \"Citizen,Igrantit!\"saidHenriot,wavinghishandmajestically。\"Isittodenouncesomerascalwhohasoffendedthee?\"

  \"No;itissimplythis:writethesewordstoPresidentDumas,\'Admitthebearertothypresence;and,ifthoucanst,granthimtherequesthewillmaketothee,itwillbeaninestimableobligationtoFrancoisHenriot。\'\"Thestranger,ashespoke,placedpencilandtabletsintheshakinghandsofthesoldier。

  \"Andwhereisthegold?\"

  \"Here。\"

  Withsomedifficulty,Henriotscrawledthewordsdictatedtohim,clutchedthegold,mountedhishorse,andwasgone。

  MeanwhileFouquier,whenhehadclosedthedooruponHenriot,saidsharply,\"Howcanstthoubesomadastoincensethatbrigand?KnowestthounotthatourlawsarenothingwithoutthephysicalforceoftheNationalGuard,andthatheistheirleader?\"

  \"Iknowthis,thatRobespierremusthavebeenmadtoplacethatdrunkardattheirhead;andmarkmywords,Fouquier,ifthestrugglecome,itisthatman\'sincapacityandcowardicethatwilldestroyus。Yes,thoumaystlivethyselftoaccusethybelovedRobespierre,andtoperishinhisfall。\"

  \"Forallthat,wemustkeepwellwithHenriottillwecanfindtheoccasiontoseizeandbeheadhim。Tobesafe,wemustfawnonthosewhoarestillinpower;andfawnthemore,themorewewoulddeposethem。DonotthinkthisHenriot,whenhewakesto-

  morrow,willforgetthythreats。Heisthemostrevengefulofhumanbeings。Thoumustsendandsoothehiminthemorning!\"

  \"Right,\"saidDumas,convinced。\"Iwastoohasty;andnowI

  thinkwehavenothingfurthertodo,sincewehavearrangedtomakeshortworkwithourfourneeofto-morrow。IseeinthelistaknaveIhavelongmarkedout,thoughhiscrimeonceprocuredmealegacy,——Nicot,theHebertist。\"

  \"AndyoungAndreChenier,thepoet?Ah,Iforgot;webeheadedHIMto-day!Revolutionaryvirtueisatitsacme。Hisownbrotherabandonedhim。\"Hisbrotherissaid,indeed,tohavecontributedtothecondemnationofthisvirtuousandillustriousperson。Hewasheardtocryaloud,\"Simonfrereestcoupable,qu\'ilperisse\"Ifmybrotherbeculpable,lethimdie。Thisbrother,Marie-Joseph,alsoapoet,andtheauthorof\"CharlesIX。,\"socelebratedintheearlierdaysoftheRevolution,enjoyed,ofcourse,accordingtothewontedjusticeoftheworld,atriumphantcareer,andwasproclaimedintheChampdeMars\"lepremierdepoetesFrancais,\"atitleduetohismurderedbrother。

  \"Thereisaforeigner,——anItalianwomaninthelist;butIcanfindnochargemadeoutagainsther。\"

  \"Allthesamewemustexecuteherforthesakeoftheroundnumber;eightysoundsbetterthanseventy-nine!\"

  HereahuissierbroughtapaperonwhichwaswrittentherequestofHenriot。

  \"Ah!thisisfortunate,\"saidTinville,towhomDumaschuckedthescroll,——\"granttheprayerbyallmeans;soatleastthatitdoesnotlessenourbead-roll。ButIwilldoHenriotthejusticetosaythatheneveraskstoletoff,buttoputon。Good-night!I

  amwornout——myescortwaitsbelow。OnlyonsuchanoccasionwouldIventureforthinthestreetsatnight。\"DuringthelatterpartoftheReignofTerror,Fouquierrarelystirredoutatnight,andneverwithoutanescort。IntheReignofTerrorthosemostterrifiedwereitskings。AndFouquier,withalongyawn,quittedtheroom。

  \"Admitthebearer!\"saidDumas,who,witheredanddried,aslawyersinpracticemostlyare,seemedtorequireaslittlesleepashisparchments。

  Thestrangerentered。

  \"Rene-FrancoisDumas,\"saidhe,seatinghimselfoppositetothepresident,andmarkedlyadoptingtheplural,asifincontemptoftherevolutionaryjargon,\"amidsttheexcitementandoccupationsofyourlaterlife,Iknownotifyoucanrememberthatwehavemetbefore?\"

  Thejudgescannedthefeaturesofhisvisitor,andapaleblushsettledonhissallowcheeks,\"Yes,citizen,Iremember!\"

  \"AndyourecallthewordsIthenuttered!Youspoketenderlyandphilanthropicallyofyourhorrorofcapitalexecutions;youexultedintheapproachingRevolutionastheterminationofallsanguinarypunishments;youquotedreverentlythesayingofMaximilienRobespierre,therisingstatesman,\'Theexecutioneristheinventionofthetyrant:\'andIreplied,thatwhileyouspoke,aforebodingseizedmethatweshouldmeetagainwhenyourideasofdeathandthephilosophyofrevolutionsmightbechanged!WasIright,CitizenRene-FrancoisDumas,PresidentoftheRevolutionaryTribunal?\"

  \"Pooh!\"saidDumas,withsomeconfusiononhisbrazenbrow,\"I

  spokethenasmenspeakwhohavenotacted。Revolutionsarenotmadewithrose-water!Buttrucetothegossipofthelong-ago。

  Iremember,also,thatthoudidstthensavethelifeofmyrelation,anditwillpleasetheetolearnthathisintendedmurdererwillbeguillotinedto-morrow。\"

  \"Thatconcernsyourself,——yourjusticeoryourrevenge。Permitmetheegotismtoremindyouthatyouthenpromisedthatifeveradayshouldcomewhenyoucouldserveme,yourlife——yes,thephrasewas,\'yourheart\'sblood\'——wasatmybidding。Thinknot,austerejudge,thatIcometoaskaboonthatcanaffectyourself,——Icomebuttoaskaday\'srespiteforanother!\"

  \"Citizen,itisimpossible!IhavetheorderofRobespierrethatnotonelessthanthetotalonmylistmustundergotheirtrialforto-morrow。Asfortheverdict,thatrestswiththejury!\"

  \"Idonotaskyoutodiminishthecatalogue。Listenstill!Inyourdeath-rollthereisthenameofanItalianwomanwhoseyouth,whosebeauty,andwhosefreedomnotonlyfromeverycrime,buteverytangiblecharge,willexciteonlycompassion,andnotterror。EvenYOUwouldtrembletopronouncehersentence。Itwillbedangerousonadaywhenthepopulacewillbeexcited,whenyourtumbrilsmaybearrested,toexposeyouthandinnocenceandbeautytothepityandcourageofarevoltedcrowd。\"

  Dumaslookedupandshrunkfromtheeyeofthestranger。

  \"Idonotdeny,citizen,thatthereisreasoninwhatthouurgest。Butmyordersarepositive。\"

  \"Positiveonlyastothenumberofthevictims。Iofferyouasubstituteforthisone。IofferyoutheheadofamanwhoknowsalloftheveryconspiracywhichnowthreatensRobespierreandyourself,andcomparedwithoneclewtowhich,youwouldthinkeveneightyordinarylivesacheappurchase。\"

  \"Thataltersthecase,\"saidDumas,eagerly;\"ifthoucanstdothis,onmyownresponsibilityIwillpostponethetrialoftheItalian。Nownametheproxy!\"

  \"Youbeholdhim!\"

  \"Thou!\"exclaimedDumas,whileafearhecouldnotconcealbetrayeditselfthroughhissurprise。\"Thou!——andthoucomesttomealoneatnight,toofferthyselftojustice。Ha!——thisisasnare。Tremble,fool!——thouartinmypower,andIcanhaveBOTH!\"

  \"Youcan,\"saidthestranger,withacalmsmileofdisdain;\"butmylifeisvaluelesswithoutmyrevelations。Sitstill,I

  commandyou,——hearme!\"andthelightinthosedauntlesseyesspell-boundandawedthejudge。\"YouwillremovemetotheConciergerie,——youwillfixmytrial,underthenameofZanoni,amidstyourfourneeofto-morrow。IfIdonotsatisfyyoubymyspeech,youholdthewomanIdietosaveasyourhostage。ItisbutthereprieveforherofasingledaythatIdemand。ThedayfollowingthemorrowIshallbedust,andyoumaywreakyourvengeanceonthelifethatremains。Tush!judgeandcondemnerofthousands,doyouhesitate,——doyouimaginethatthemanwhovoluntarilyoffershimselftodeathwillbedauntedintoutteringonesyllableatyourBaragainsthiswill?Haveyounothadexperienceenoughoftheinflexibilityofprideandcourage?

  President,Iplacebeforeyoutheinkandimplements!Writetothejailerareprieveofonedayforthewomanwhoselifecanavailyounothing,andIwillbeartheordertomyownprison:

  I,whocannowtellthismuchasanearnestofwhatIcancommunicate,——whileIspeak,yourownname,judge,isinalistofdeath。Icantellyoubywhosehanditiswrittendown;Icantellyouinwhatquartertolookfordanger;Icantellyoufromwhatcloud,inthisluridatmosphere,hangsthestormthatshallburstonRobespierreandhisreign!\"

  Dumasgrewpale;andhiseyesvainlysoughttoescapethemagneticgazethatoverpoweredandmasteredhim。Mechanically,andasifunderanagencynothisown,hewrotewhilethestrangerdictated。

  \"Well,\"hesaidthen,forcingasmiletohislips,\"IpromisedI

  wouldserveyou;see,Iamfaithfultomyword。Isupposethatyouareoneofthosefoolsoffeeling,——thoseprofessorsofanti-

  revolutionaryvirtue,ofwhomIhaveseennotafewbeforemyBar。Faugh!itsickensmetoseethosewhomakeameritofincivism,andperishtosavesomebadpatriot,becauseitisason,orafather,orawife,oradaughter,whoissaved。\"

  \"IAMoneofthosefoolsoffeeling,\"saidthestranger,rising。

  \"Youhavedivinedaright。\"

  \"Andwiltthounot,inreturnformymercy,utterto-nighttherevelationsthouwouldstproclaimto-morrow?Come;andperhapsthoutoo——nay,thewomanalso——mayreceive,notreprieve,butpardon。\"

  \"Beforeyourtribunal,andtherealone!NorwillIdeceiveyou,president。Myinformationmayavailyounot;andevenwhileI

  showthecloud,theboltmayfall。\"

  \"Tush!prophet,looktothyself!Go,madman,go。IknowtoowellthecontumaciousobstinacyoftheclasstowhichIsuspectthoubelongest,towastefurtherwords。Diable!butyegrowsoaccustomedtolookondeath,thatyeforgettherespectyeowetoit。Sincethouofferestmethyhead,Iacceptit。To-morrowthoumaystrepent;itwillbetoolate。\"

  \"Ay,toolate,president!\"echoedthecalmvisitor。

  \"But,remember,itisnotpardon,itisbutaday\'sreprieve,I

  havepromisedtothiswoman。Accordingasthoudostsatisfymeto-morrow,shelivesordies。Iamfrank,citizen;thyghostshallnothauntmeforwantoffaith。\"

  \"ItisbutadaythatIhaveasked;therestIleavetojusticeandtoHeaven。Yourhuissierswaitbelow。\"

  CHAPTER7。XVI。

  UnddenMordstahlseh\'ichblinken;

  UnddasMorderaugegluhn!

  \"Kassandra。\"

  AndIseethesteelofMurderglitter,AndtheeyeofMurderglow。

  Violawasintheprisonthatopenednotbutforthosealreadycondemnedbeforeadjudged。SinceherexilefromZanoni,herveryintellecthadseemedparalysed。Allthatbeautifulexuberanceoffancywhich,ifnotthefruitofgenius,seemeditsblossoms;allthatgushofexquisitethoughtwhichZanonihadjustlytoldherflowedwithmysteriesandsubtletiesevernewtohim,thewiseone,——allweregone,annihilated;theblossomwithered,thefountdriedup。Fromsomethingalmostabovewomanhood,sheseemedlistlesslytosinkintosomethingbelowchildhood。Withtheinspirertheinspirationshadceased;and,indesertinglove,geniusalsowasleftbehind。

  Shescarcelycomprehendedwhyshehadbeenthustornfromherhomeandthemechanismofherdulltasks。Shescarcelyknewwhatmeantthosekindlygroups,that,struckwithherexceedingloveliness,hadgatheredroundherintheprison,withmournfullooks,butwithwordsofcomfort。She,whohadhithertobeentaughttoabhorthosewhomLawcondemnsforcrime,wasamazedtohearthatbeingsthuscompassionateandtender,withcloudlessandloftybrows,withgallantandgentlemien,werecriminalsforwhomLawhadnopunishmentshortofdeath。Butthey,thesavages,gauntandmenacing,whohaddraggedherfromherhome,whohadattemptedtosnatchfromhertheinfantwhilesheclaspeditinherarms,andlaughedfiercescornathermute,quiveringlips,——THEYwerethechosencitizens,themenofvirtue,thefavouritesofPower,theministersofLaw!Suchthyblackcaprices,Othou,theever-shiftingandcalumnious,——HumanJudgment!

  Asqualid,andyetagayworld,didtheprison-housesofthatdaypresent。There,asinthesepulchretowhichtheyled,allrankswerecastwithaneven-handedscorn。Andyetthere,thereverencethatcomesfromgreatemotionsrestoredNature\'sfirstandimperishable,andmostlovely,andmostnobleLaw,——THE

  INEQUALITYBETWEENMANANDMAN!There,placewasgivenbytheprisoners,whetherroyalistsorsans-culottes,toAge,toLearning,toRenown,toBeauty;andStrength,withitsowninbornchivalry,raisedintorankthehelplessandtheweak。TheironsinewsandtheHerculeanshouldersmadewayforthewomanandthechild;andthegracesofHumanity,lostelsewhere,soughttheirrefugeintheabodeofTerror。

  \"Andwherefore,mychild,dotheybringtheehither?\"askedanold,grey-hairedpriest。

  \"Icannotguess。\"

  \"Ah,ifyouknownotyouroffence,feartheworst!\"

  \"Andmychild?\"——fortheinfantwasstillsufferedtorestuponherbosom。

  \"Alas,youngmother,theywillsufferthychildtolive。\'

  \"Andforthis,——anorphaninthedungeon!\"murmuredtheaccusingheartofViola,——\"haveIreservedhisoffspring!Zanoni,eveninthought,asknot——asknotwhatIhavedonewiththechildIborethee!\"

  Nightcame;thecrowdrushedtothegratetohearthemuster-

  roll。Called,inthemockingjargonoftheday,\"TheEveningGazette。\"Hernamewaswiththedoomed。Andtheoldpriest,betterpreparedtodie,butreservedfromthedeath-list,laidhishandsonherhead,andblessedherwhilehewept。Sheheard,andwondered;butshedidnotweep。Withdowncasteyes,witharmsfoldedonherbosom,shebentsubmissivelytothecall。Butnowanothernamewasuttered;andaman,whohadpushedrudelypasthertogazeortolisten,shriekedoutahowlofdespairandrage。Sheturned,andtheireyesmet。Throughthedistanceoftimesherecognisedthathideousaspect。Nicot\'sfacesettledbackintoitsdevilishsneer。\"Atleast,gentleNeapolitan,theguillotinewilluniteus。Oh,weshallsleepwellourwedding-

  night!\"And,withalaugh,hestrodeawaythroughthecrowd,andvanishedintohislair……

  Shewasplacedinhergloomycell,toawaitthemorrow。Butthechildwasstillsparedher;andshethoughtitseemedasifconsciousoftheawfulpresent。Intheirwaytotheprisonithadnotmoanedorwept。Ithadlookedwithitscleareyes,unshrinking,onthegleamingpikesandsavagebrowsofthehuissiers。Andnow,aloneinthedungeon,itputitsarmsroundherneck,andmurmureditsindistinctsounds,lowandsweetassomeunknownlanguageofconsolationandofheaven。Andofheavenitwas!——for,atthemurmur,theterrormeltedfromhersoul;upward,fromthedungeonandthedeath,——upward,wherethehappycherubimchantthemercyoftheAll-loving,whisperedthatcherub\'svoice。Shefelluponherkneesandprayed。Thedespoilersofallthatbeautifiesandhallowslifehaddesecratedthealtar,anddeniedtheGod!——theyhadremovedfromthelasthouroftheirvictimsthePriest,theScripture,andtheCross!

  ButFaithbuildsinthedungeonandthelazar-houseitssublimestshrines;andup,throughroofsofstone,thatshutouttheeyeofHeaven,ascendstheladderwheretheangelsglidetoandfro,——

  PRAYER。

  Andthere,intheverycellbesideherown,theatheistNicotsitsstolidamidstthedarkness,andhugsthethoughtofDanton,thatdeathisnothingness。\"MademeureserabientotLENEANT\"

  Myabodewillsoonbenothingness,saidDantonbeforehisjudges。His,nospectacleofanappalledandperturbedconscience!Remorseistheechoofalostvirtue,andvirtueheneverknew。Hadhetoliveagain,hewouldlivethesame。Butmoreterriblethanthedeath-bedofabelievinganddespairingsinnerthatblankgloomofapathy,——thatcontemplationofthewormandtheratofthecharnel-house;thatgrimandloathsomeNOTHINGNESSwhich,forhiseye,fallslikeapallovertheuniverseoflife。Still,staringintospace,gnawinghislividlip,helooksuponthedarkness,convincedthatdarknessisforeverandforever!……

  Place,there!place!Roomyetinyourcrowdedcells。Anotherhascometotheslaughter-house。

  Asthejailer,lampinhand,usheredinthestranger,thelattertouchedhimandwhispered。Thestrangerdrewajewelfromhisfinger。Diantre,howthediamondflashedintherayofthelamp!

  Valueeachheadofyoureightyatathousandfrancs,andthejewelismoreworththanall!Thejailerpaused,andthediamondlaughedinhisdazzledeyes。OthouCerberus,thouhastmasteredallelsethatseemshumaninthatfellemploy!Thouhastnopity,nolove,andnoremorse。ButAvaricesurvivestherest,andthefoulheart\'smaster-serpentswallowsupthetribe。Ha!

  ha!craftystranger,thouhastconquered!Theytreadthegloomycorridor;theyarriveatthedoorwherethejailerhasplacedthefatalmark,nowtobeerased,fortheprisonerwithinistobereprievedaday。Thekeygratesinthelock;thedooryawns,——

  thestrangertakesthelampandenters。

  CHAPTER7。XVII。TheSeventeenthandLast。

  CosivinceGoffredo!

  \"Ger。Lib。\"cant。xx-xliv。

  ThusconqueredGodfrey。

  AndViolawasinprayer。Sheheardnottheopeningofthedoor;

  shesawnotthedarkshadowthatfellalongthefloor。HIS

  power,HISartsweregone;butthemysteryandthespellknowntoHERsimpleheartdidnotdesertherinthehoursoftrialanddespair。WhenSciencefallsasafireworkfromtheskyitwouldinvade;whenGeniuswithersasaflowerinthebreathoftheicycharnel,——thehopeofachild-likesoulwrapstheairinlight,andtheinnocenceofunquestioningBeliefcoversthegravewithblossoms。

  Inthefarthestcornerofthecellsheknelt;andtheinfant,asiftoimitatewhatitcouldnotcomprehend,bentitslittlelimbs,andboweditssmilingface,andkneltwithheralso,byherside。

  Hestoodandgazeduponthemasthelightofthelampfellcalmlyontheirforms。Itfelloverthosecloudsofgoldenhair,dishevelled,parted,thrownbackfromtherapt,candidbrow;thedarkeyesraisedonhigh,where,throughthehumantears,alightasfromabovewasmirrored;thehandsclasped,thelipsapart,theformallanimateandholywiththesadserenityofinnocenceandthetouchinghumilityofwoman。Andheheardhervoice,thoughitscarcelyleftherlips:thelowvoicethattheheartspeaks,——loudenoughforGodtohear!

  \"Andifnevermoretoseehim,OFather!CanstThounotmakethelovethatwillnotdie,minister,evenbeyondthegrave,tohisearthlyfate?CanstThounotyetpermitit,asalivingspirit,tohoveroverhim,——aspiritfairerthanallhissciencecanconjure?Oh,whateverlotbeordainedtoeither,grant——eventhoughathousandagesmayrollbetweenus——grant,whenatlastpurifiedandregenerate,andfittedforthetransportofsuchreunion——grantthatwemaymeetoncemore!Andforhischild,——

  itkneelstoTheefromthedungeonfloor!To-morrow,andwhosebreastshallcradleit;whosehandshallfeed;whoselipsshallprayforitswealbelowanditssoulhereafter!\"Shepaused,——

  hervoicechokedwithsobs。

  \"ThouViola!——thou,thyself。Hewhomthouhastdesertedisheretopreservethemothertothechild!\"

  Shestarted!——thoseaccents,tremulousasherown!Shestartedtoherfeet!——hewasthere,——inalltheprideofhisunwaningyouthandsuperhumanbeauty;there,inthehouseofdread,andinthehouroftravail;there,imageandpersonationofthelovethatcanpiercetheValleyoftheShadow,andcanglide,theunscathedwandererfromtheheaven,throughtheroaringabyssofhell!

  Withacrynever,perhaps,heardbeforeinthatgloomyvault,——acryofdelightandrapture,shesprangforward,andfellathisfeet。

  Hebentdowntoraiseher;butsheslidfromhisarms。Hecalledherbythefamiliarepithetsoftheoldendearment,andsheonlyansweredhimbysobs。Wildly,passionately,shekissedhishands,thehemofhisgarment,butvoicewasgone。

  \"Lookup,lookup!——Iamhere,——Iamheretosavethee!Wiltthoudenytomethysweetface?Truant,wouldstthouflymestill?\"

  \"Flythee!\"shesaid,atlast,andinabrokenvoice;\"oh,ifmythoughtswrongedthee,——oh,ifmydream,thatawfuldream,deceived,——kneeldownwithme,andprayforourchild!\"Thenspringingtoherfeetwithasuddenimpulse,shecaughtuptheinfant,and,placingitinhisarms,sobbedforth,withdeprecatingandhumbletones,\"Notformysake,——notformine,didIabandonthee,but——\"

  \"Hush!\"saidZanoni;\"Iknowallthethoughtsthatthyconfusedandstrugglingsensescanscarcelyanalysethemselves。Andseehow,withalook,thychildanswersthem!\"

  Andintruththefaceofthatstrangeinfantseemedradiantwithitssilentandunfathomablejoy。Itseemedasifitrecognisedthefather;itclung——itforceditselftohisbreast,andthere,nestling,turneditsbright,cleareyesuponViola,andsmiled。

  \"Prayformychild!\"saidZanoni,mournfully。\"ThethoughtsofsoulsthatwouldaspireasmineareAllPRAYER!\"And,seatinghimselfbyherside,hebegantorevealtohersomeoftheholiersecretsofhisloftybeing。Hespokeofthesublimeandintensefaithfromwhichalonethedivinerknowledgecanarise,——thefaithwhich,seeingtheimmortaleverywhere,purifiesandexaltsthemortalthatbeholds,thegloriousambitionthatdwellsnotinthecabalsandcrimesofearth,butamidstthosesolemnwondersthatspeaknotofmen,butofGod;ofthatpowertoabstractthesoulfromtheclaywhichgivestotheeyeofthesoulitssubtlevision,andtothesoul\'swingtheunlimitedrealm;ofthatpure,severe,anddaringinitiationfromwhichthemindemerges,asfromdeath,intoclearperceptionsofitskindredwiththeFather-Principlesoflifeandlight,sothatinitsownsenseoftheBeautifulitfindsitsjoy;intheserenityofitswill,itspower;initssympathywiththeyouthfulnessoftheInfiniteCreation,ofwhichitselfisanessenceandapart,thesecretsthatembalmtheveryclaywhichtheyconsecrate,andrenewthestrengthoflifewiththeambrosiaofmysteriousandcelestialsleep。Andwhilehespoke,Violalistened,breathless。Ifshecouldnotcomprehend,shenolongerdaredtodistrust。Shefeltthatinthatenthusiasm,self-deceivingornot,nofiendcouldlurk;andbyanintuition,ratherthananeffortofthereason,shesawbeforeher,likeastarryocean,thedepthandmysteriousbeautyofthesoulwhichherfearshadwronged。Yet,whenhesaidconcludinghisstrangeconfessionsthattothislifeWITHINlifeandABOVElifehehaddreamedtoraiseherown,thefearofhumanitycreptoverher,andhereadinhersilencehowvain,withallhisscience,wouldthedreamhavebeen。

  Butnow,asheclosed,and,leaningonhisbreast,shefelttheclaspofhisprotectingarms,——when,inoneholykiss,thepastwasforgivenandthepresentlost,——thentherereturnedtoherthesweetandwarmhopesofthenaturallife,ofthelovingwoman。Hewascometosaveher!Sheaskednothow,——shebelieveditwithoutaquestion。Theyshouldbeatlastagainunited。Theywouldflyfarfromthosescenesofviolenceandblood。TheirhappyIonianisle,theirfearlesssolitudes,wouldoncemorereceivethem。Shelaughed,withachild\'sjoy,asthispictureroseupamidstthegloomofthedungeon。Hermind,faithfultoitssweet,simpleinstincts,refusedtoreceivetheloftyimagesthatflittedconfusedlybyit,andsettledbacktoitshumanvisions,yetmorebaseless,oftheearthlyhappinessandthetranquilhome。

  \"Talknotnowtome,beloved,——talknotmorenowtomeofthepast!Thouarthere,——thouwiltsaveme;weshallliveyetthecommonhappylife,thatlifewiththeeishappinessandgloryenoughtome。Traverse,ifthouwilt,inthyprideofsoul,theuniverse;thyheartagainistheuniversetomine。IthoughtbutnowthatIwaspreparedtodie;Iseethee,touchthee,andagainIknowhowbeautifulathingislife!Seethroughthegratethestarsarefadingfromthesky;themorrowwillsoonbehere,——TheMORROWwhichwillopentheprisondoors!Thousayestthoucanstsaveme,——Iwillnotdoubtitnow。Oh,letusdwellnomoreincities!Ineverdoubtedtheeinourlovelyisle;nodreamshauntedmethere,exceptdreamsofjoyandbeauty;andthineeyesmadeyetmorebeautifulandjoyoustheworldinwaking。To-

  morrow!——whydoyounotsmile?To-morrow,love!isnotTO-MORROW

  ablessedword!Cruel!youwouldpunishmestill,thatyouwillnotsharemyjoy。Aha!seeourlittleone,howitlaughstomyeyes!IwilltalktoTHAT。Child,thyfatheriscomeback!\"

  Andtakingtheinfantinherarms,andseatingherselfatalittledistance,sherockedittoandfroonherbosom,andprattledtoit,andkisseditbetweeneveryword,andlaughedandweptbyfits,aseverandanonshecastoverhershoulderherplayful,mirthfulglanceuponthefathertowhomthosefadingstarssmiledsadlytheirlastfarewell。Howbeautifulsheseemedasshethussat,unconsciousofthefuture!Stillhalfachildherself,herchildlaughingtoherlaughter,——twosofttriflersonthebrinkofthegrave!Overherthroat,asshebent,fell,likeagoldencloud,herredundanthair;itcoveredhertreasurelikeaveiloflight,andthechild\'slittlehandsputitasidefromtimetotime,tosmilethroughthepartedtresses,andthentocoveritsfaceandpeepandsmileagain。Itwerecrueltodampthatjoy,morecruelstilltoshareit。

  \"Viola,\"saidZanoni,atlast,\"dostthourememberthat,seatedbythecaveonthemoonlitbeach,inourbridalisle,thouoncedidstaskmeforthisamulet?——thecharmofasuperstitionlongvanishedfromtheworld,withthecreedtowhichitbelonged。Itisthelastrelicofmynativeland,andmymother,onherdeathbed,placeditroundmyneck。ItoldtheethenIwouldgiveittheeonthatdayWHENTHELAWSOFOURBEINGSHOULDBECOMETHE

  SAME。\"

  \"Irememberitwell。\"

  \"To-morrowitshallbethine!\"

  \"Ah,thatdearto-morrow!\"And,gentlylayingdownherchild,——

  foritsleptnow,——shethrewherselfonhisbreast,andpointedtothedawnthatbegangreylytocreepalongtheskies。

  There,inthosehorror-breathingwalls,theday-starlookedthroughthedismalbarsuponthosethreebeings,inwhomwereconcentratedwhateverismosttenderinhumanties;whateverismostmysteriousinthecombinationsofthehumanmind;thesleepingInnocence;thetrustfulAffection,that,contentedwithatouch,abreath,canforeseenosorrow;thewearySciencethat,traversingallthesecretsofcreation,comesatlasttoDeathfortheirsolution,andstillclings,asitnearsthethreshold,tothebreastofLove。Thus,within,THEWITHIN,——adungeon;

  without,theWITHOUT,——statelywithmartsandhalls,withpalacesandtemples;RevengeandTerror,attheirdarkschemesandcounter-schemes;toandfro,uponthetideoftheshiftingpassions,reeledthedestiniesofmenandnations;andhardathandthatday-star,waningintospace,lookedwithimpartialeyeonthechurchtowerandtheguillotine。Upspringstheblithesomemorn。Inyongardensthebirdsrenewtheirfamiliarsong。ThefishesaresportingthroughthefresheningwatersoftheSeine。Thegladnessofdivinenature,theroaranddissonanceofmortallife,awakeagain:thetraderunbarshiswindows;theflower-girlstroopgaylytotheirhaunts;busyfeetaretrampingtothedailydrudgeriesthatrevolutionswhichstrikedownkingsandkaisars,leavethesameCain\'sheritagetotheboor;thewagonsgroanandreeltothemart;Tyranny,upbetimes,holdsitspallidlevee;Conspiracy,thathathnotslept,hearstheclock,andwhisperstoitsownheart,\"Thehourdrawsnear。\"Agroupgather,eager-eyed,roundthepurlieusoftheConventionHall;to-daydecidesthesovereigntyofFrance,——aboutthecourtsoftheTribunaltheircustomaryhumandstir。Nomatterwhatthehazardofthedie,orwhotheruler,thisdayeightyheadsshallfall!……

  Andshesleptsosweetly。Weariedoutwithjoy,secureinthepresenceoftheeyesregained,shehadlaughedandweptherselftosleep;andstillinthatslumberthereseemedahappyconsciousnessthatthelovedwasby,——thelostwasfound。Forshesmiledandmurmuredtoherself,andbreathedhisnameoften,andstretchedoutherarms,andsighediftheytouchedhimnot。

  Hegazeduponherashestoodapart,——withwhatemotionsitwerevaintosay。Shewouldwakenomoretohim;shecouldnotknowhowdearlythesafetyofthatsleepwaspurchased。Thatmorrowshehadsoyearnedfor,——ithadcomeatlast。HOWWOULDSHE

  GREETTHEEVE?Amidstalltheexquisitehopeswithwhichloveandyouthcontemplatethefuture,hereyeshadclosed。Thosehopesstilllenttheiriris-colourstoherdreams。Shewouldwaketolive!To-morrow,andtheReignofTerrorwasnomore;

  theprisongateswouldbeopened,——shewouldgoforth,withtheirchild,intothatsummer-worldoflight。AndHE?——heturned,andhiseyefelluponthechild;itwasbroadawake,andthatclear,serious,thoughtfullookwhichitmostlywore,watchedhimwithasolemnsteadiness。Hebentoverandkisseditslips。

  \"Nevermore,\"hemurmured,\"Oheritorofloveandgrief,——nevermorewiltthouseemeinthyvisions;nevermorewillthelightofthoseeyesbefedbycelestialcommune;nevermorecanmysoulguardfromthypillowthetroubleandthedisease。NotsuchasI

  wouldhavevainlyshapedit,mustbethylot。Incommonwiththyrace,itmustbethinetosuffer,tostruggle,andtoerr。Butmildbethyhumantrials,andstrongbethyspirittoloveandtobelieve!Andthus,asIgazeuponthee,——thusmaymynaturebreatheintothineitslastandmostintensedesire;maymyloveforthymotherpasstothee,andinthylooksmayshehearmyspiritcomfortandconsoleher。Hark!theycome!Yes!Iawaityebothbeyondthegrave!\"

  Thedoorslowlyopened;thejailerappeared,andthroughtheaperturerushed,atthesameinstant,arayofsunlight:itstreamedoverthefair,hushedfaceofthehappysleeper,——itplayedlikeasmileuponthelipsofthechildthat,still,mute,andsteadfast,watchedthemovementsofitsfather。AtthatmomentViolamutteredinhersleep,\"Thedayiscome,——thegatesareopen!Givemethyhand;wewillgoforth!Tosea,tosea!

  Howthesunshineplaysuponthewaters!——tohome,belovedone,tohomeagain!\"

  \"Citizen,thinehouriscome!\"

  \"Hist!shesleeps!Amoment!There,itisdone!thankHeaven!——

  andSTILLshesleeps!\"Hewouldnotkiss,lestheshouldawakenher,butgentlyplacedroundhernecktheamuletthatwouldspeaktoher,hereafter,thefarewell,——andpromise,inthatfarewell,reunion!Heisatthethreshold,——heturnsagain,andagain。

  Thedoorcloses!Heisgoneforever!

  Shewokeatlast,——shegazedround。\"Zanoni,itisday!\"Noanswerbutthelowwailofherchild。MercifulHeaven!wasitthenalladream?Shetossedbackthelongtressesthatmustveilhersight;shefelttheamuletonherbosom,——itwasNO

  dream!\"OGod!andheisgone!\"Shesprangtothedoor,——sheshriekedaloud。Thejailercomes。\"Myhusband,mychild\'sfather?\"

  \"Heisgonebeforethee,woman!\"

  \"Whither?Speak——speak!\"

  \"Totheguillotine!\"——andtheblackdoorclosedagain。

  Itcloseduponthesenseless!Asalightning-flash,Zanoni\'swords,hissadness,thetruemeaningofhismysticgift,theverysacrificehemadeforher,allbecamedistinctforamomenttohermind,——andthendarknesssweptonitlikeastorm,yetdarknesswhichhaditslight。Andwhileshesatthere,mute,rigid,voiceless,ascongealedtostone,AVISION,likeawind,glidedoverthedeepswithin,——thegrimcourt,thejudge,thejury,theaccuser;andamidstthevictimstheonedauntlessandradiantform。

  \"ThouknowestthedangertotheState,——confess!\"

  \"Iknow;andIkeepmypromise。Judge,Irevealthydoom!I

  knowthattheAnarchythoucallestaStateexpireswiththesettingofthissun。Hark,tothetrampwithout;harktotheroarofvoices!Roomthere,yedead!——roominhellforRobespierreandhiscrew!\"

  Theyhurryintothecourt,——thehastyandpalemessengers;thereisconfusionandfearanddismay!\"Offwiththeconspirator,###第24章

  andto-morrowthewomanthouwouldsthavesavedshalldie!\"

  \"To-morrow,president,thesteelfallsonTHEE!\"

  On,throughthecrowdedandroaringstreets,onmovestheProcessionofDeath。Ha,bravepeople!thouartarousedatlast。

  Theyshallnotdie!Deathisdethroned!——Robespierrehasfallen!——theyrushtotherescue!Hideousinthetumbril,bythesideofZanoni,ravedandgesticulatedthatformwhich,inhispropheticdreams,hehadseenhiscompanionattheplaceofdeath。\"Saveus!——saveus!\"howledtheatheistNicot。\"On,bravepopulace!weSHALLbesaved!\"Andthroughthecrowd,herdarkhairstreamingwild,hereyesflashingfire,pressedafemaleform,\"MyClarence!\"sheshrieked,inthesoftSouthernlanguagenativetotheearsofViola;\"butcher!whathastthoudonewithClarence?\"Hereyesrovedovertheeagerfacesoftheprisoners;shesawnottheoneshesought。\"ThankHeaven!——thankHeaven!Iamnotthymurderess!\"

  Nearerandnearerpressthepopulace,——anothermoment,andthedeathsmanisdefrauded。OZanoni!whystilluponTHYbrowtheresignationthatspeaksnohope?Tramp!tramp!throughthestreetsdashthearmedtroop;faithfultohisorders,BlackHenriotleadsthemon。Tramp!tramp!overthecravenandscatteredcrowd!Here,flyingindisorder,——there,trampledinthemire,theshriekingrescuers!Andamidstthem,strickenbythesabresoftheguard,herlonghairblood-bedabbled,liestheItalianwoman;andstilluponherwrithinglipssitsjoy,astheymurmur,\"Clarence!Ihavenotdestroyedthee!\"

  OntotheBarriereduTrone。Itfrownsdarkintheair,——thegiantinstrumentofmurder!Oneafteronetotheglaive,——

  anotherandanotherandanother!Mercy!Omercy!Isthebridgebetweenthesunandtheshadessobrief,——briefasasigh?

  There,there,——HISturnhascome。\"Dienotyet;leavemenotbehind;hearme——hearme!\"shriekedtheinspiredsleeper。\"What!

  andthousmileststill!\"Theysmiled,——thosepalelips,——andWITHthesmile,theplaceofdoom,theheadsman,thehorrorvanished。Withthatsmile,allspaceseemedsuffusedineternalsunshine。Upfromtheearthherose;hehoveredoverher,——athingnotofmatter,anIDEAofjoyandlight!Behind,Heavenopened,deepafterdeep;andtheHostsofBeautywereseen,rankuponrank,afar;and\"Welcome!\"inamyriadmelodies,brokefromyourchoralmultitude,yePeopleoftheSkies,——\"welcome!O

  purifiedbysacrifice,andimmortalonlythroughthegrave,——thisitistodie。\"Andradiantamidsttheradiant,theIMAGE

  stretchedforthitsarms,andmurmuredtothesleeper:

  \"CompanionofEternity!——THISitistodie!\"……

  \"Ho!whereforedotheymakeussignsfromthehouse-tops?

  Whereforegatherthecrowdsthroughthestreet?Whysoundsthebell?Whyshrieksthetocsin?Harktotheguns!——thearmedclash!Fellow-captives,istherehopeforusatlast?\"

  Sogaspouttheprisoners,eachtoeach。Daywanes——eveningcloses;stilltheypresstheirwhitefacestothebars,andstillfromwindowandfromhouse-toptheyseethesmilesoffriends,——

  thewavingsignals!\"Hurrah!\"atlast,——\"Hurrah!Robespierreisfallen!TheReignofTerrorisnomore!Godhathpermittedustolive!\"

  Yes;castthineeyesintothehallwherethetyrantandhisconclavehearkenedtotheroarwithout!FulfillingtheprophecyofDumas,Henriot,drunkwithbloodandalcohol,reelswithin,andchuckshisgorysabreonthefloor。\"Allislost!\"

  \"Wretch!thycowardicehathdestroyedus!\"yelledthefierceCoffinhal,ashehurledthecowardfromthewindow。

  CalmasdespairstandsthesternSt。Just;thepalsiedCouthoncrawls,grovelling,beneathtable;ashot,——anexplosion!

  Robespierrewoulddestroyhimself!Thetremblinghandhasmangled,andfailedtokill!TheclockoftheHoteldeVillestrikesthethirdhour。Throughthebattereddoor,alongthegloomypassages,intotheDeath-hall,burstthecrowd。Mangled,livid,blood-stained,speechlessbutnotunconscious,sitshaughtyyet,inhisseaterect,theMaster-Murderer!Aroundhimtheythrong;theyhoot,——theyexecrate,theirfacesgleaminginthetossingtorches!HE,andnotthestarryMagian,theREAL

  Sorcerer!AndroundHISlasthoursgathertheFiendsheraised!

  Theydraghimforth!Openthygates,inexorableprison!TheConciergeriereceivesitsprey!NeverawordagainonearthspokeMaximilienRobespierre!Pourforththythousands,andtensofthousands,emancipatedParis!TothePlacedelaRevolutionrollsthetumbriloftheKingofTerror,——St。Just,Dumas,Couthon,hiscompanionstothegrave!Awoman——achildlesswoman,withhoaryhair——springstohisside,\"Thydeathmakesmedrunkwithjoy!\"Heopenedhisbloodshoteyes,——\"Descendtohellwiththecursesofwivesandmothers!\"

  Theheadsmenwrenchtheragfromtheshatteredjaw;ashriek,andthecrowdlaugh,andtheaxedescendsamidsttheshoutofthecountlessthousands,andblacknessrushesonthysoul,MaximilienRobespierre!SoendedtheReignofTerror……

  Daylightintheprison。Fromcelltocelltheyhurrywiththenews,——crowduponcrowd;thejoyouscaptivesmingledwiththeveryjailers,who,forfear,wouldfainseemjoyoustoo;theystreamthroughthedensandalleysofthegrimhousetheywillshortlyleave。Theyburstintoacell,forgottensincethepreviousmorning。Theyfoundthereayoungfemale,sittinguponherwretchedbed;herarmscrosseduponherbosom,herfaceraisedupward;theeyesunclosed,andasmileofmorethanserenity——ofbliss——uponherlips。Evenintheriotoftheirjoy,theydrewbackinastonishmentandawe。Neverhadtheyseenlifesobeautiful;andastheycreptnearer,andwithnoiselessfeet,theysawthatthelipsbreathednot,thatthereposewasofmarble,thatthebeautyandtheecstasywereofdeath。Theygatheredroundinsilence;andlo!atherfeettherewasayounginfant,who,wakenedbytheirtread,lookedatthemsteadfastly,andwithitsrosyfingersplayedwithitsdeadmother\'srobe。Anorphanthereinadungeonvault!

  \"Poorone!\"saidafemaleherselfaparent,\"andtheysaythefatherfellyesterday;andnowthemother!Aloneintheworld,whatcanbeitsfate?\"

  Theinfantsmiledfearlesslyonthecrowd,asthewomanspokethus。Andtheoldpriest,whostoodamongstthem,saidgently,\"Woman,see!theorphansmiles!THEFATHERLESSARETHECAREOF

  GOD!\"

  ThecuriositywhichZanonihasexcitedamongthosewhothinkitworthwhiletodiveintothesubtlermeaningstheybelieveitintendedtoconvey,mayexcusemeinaddingafewwords,notinexplanationofitsmysteries,butupontheprincipleswhichpermitthem。Zanoniisnot,assomehavesupposed,anallegory;

  butbeneaththenarrativeitrelates,TYPICALmeaningsareconcealed。Itistoberegardedintwocharacters,distinctyetharmonious,——1st,thatofthesimpleandobjectivefiction,inwhichoncegrantingthelicenseoftheauthortoselectasubjectwhichis,orappearstobe,preternaturalthereaderjudgesthewriterbytheusualcanons,——namely,bytheconsistencyofhischaractersundersuchadmittedcircumstances,theinterestofhisstory,andthecoherenceofhisplot;oftheworkregardedinthisview,itisnotmyintentiontosayanything,whetherinexpositionofthedesign,orindefenceoftheexecution。Notypicalmeaningswhich,inplaintermsarebutmoralsuggestions,moreorlessnumerous,moreorlesssubtlecanaffordjustexcusetoawriteroffiction,fortheerrorsheshouldavoidinthemostordinarynovel。Wehavenorighttoexpectthemostingeniousreadertosearchfortheinnermeaning,iftheobviouscourseofthenarrativebetediousanddispleasing。Itis,onthecontrary,inproportionaswearesatisfiedwiththeobjectivesenseofaworkofimagination,thatweareinclinedtosearchintoitsdepthsforthemoresecretintentionsoftheauthor。Werewenotsodivinelycharmedwith\"Faust,\"and\"Hamlet,\"and\"Prometheus,\"soardentlycarriedonbytheinterestofthestorytoldtothecommonunderstanding,weshouldtroubleourselveslittlewiththetypesineachwhichallofuscandetect,——noneofuscanelucidate;noneelucidate,fortheessenceoftypeismystery。Webeholdthefigure,wecannotlifttheveil。Theauthorhimselfisnotcalledupontoexplainwhathedesigned。Anallegoryisapersonationofdistinctanddefinitethings,——virtuesorqualities,——andthekeycanbegiveneasily;butawriterwhoconveystypicalmeanings,mayexpresstheminmyriads。Hecannotdisentangleallthehueswhichcommingleintothelightheseekstocastupontruth;andthereforethegreatmastersofthisenchantedsoil,——FairylandofFairyland,PoetryimbeddedbeneathPoetry,——wiselyleavetoeachmindtoguessatsuchtruthsasbestpleaseorinstructit。TohaveaskedGoethetoexplainthe\"Faust\"wouldhaveentailedascomplexandpuzzlingananswerastohaveaskedMephistophelestoexplainwhatisbeneaththeearthwetreadon。Thestoresbeneathmaydifferforeverypassenger;eachstepmayrequireanewdescription;andwhatistreasuretothegeologistmayberubbishtotheminer。Sixworldsmaylieunderasod,buttothecommoneyetheyarebutsixlayersofstone。

  Artinitself,ifnotnecessarilytypical,isessentiallyasuggesterofsomethingsubtlerthanthatwhichitembodiestothesense。WhatPlinytellsusofagreatpainterofold,istrueofmostgreatpainters;\"theirworksexpresssomethingbeyondtheworks,\"——\"morefeltthanunderstood。\"Thisbelongstotheconcentrationofintellectwhichhighartdemands,andwhich,ofallthearts,sculpturebestillustrates。TakeThorwaldsen\'sStatueofMercury,——itisbutasinglefigure,yetittellstothoseconversantwithmythologyawholelegend。Thegodhasremovedthepipefromhislips,becausehehasalreadylulledtosleeptheArgus,whomyoudonotsee。Heispressinghisheelagainsthissword,becausethemomentiscomewhenhemayslayhisvictim。Applytheprincipleofthisnobleconcentrationofarttothemoralwriter:he,too,givestoyoureyebutasinglefigure;yeteachattitude,eachexpression,mayrefertoeventsandtruthsyoumusthavethelearningtoremember,theacutenesstopenetrate,ortheimaginationtoconjecture。Buttoaclassicaljudgeofsculpture,wouldnottheexquisitepleasureofdiscoveringtheallnottoldinThorwaldsen\'smasterpiecebedestroyediftheartisthadengravedindetailhismeaningatthebaseofthestatue?Isitnotthesamewiththetypicalsensewhichtheartistinwordsconveys?Thepleasureofdiviningartineachisthenobleexerciseofallbywhomartisworthilyregarded。

  Weofthehumblerracenotunreasonablyshelterourselvesundertheauthorityofthemasters,onwhomtheworld\'sjudgmentispronounced;andgreatnamesarecited,notwiththearroganceofequals,butwiththehumilityofinferiors。

  TheauthorofZanonigives,then,nokeytomysteries,betheytrivialorimportant,whichmaybefoundinthesecretchambersbythosewholiftthetapestryfromthewall;butoutofthemanysolutionsofthemainenigma——ifenigma,indeed,therebe——whichhavebeensenttohim,heventurestoselecttheonewhichhesubjoins,fromtheingenuityandthoughtwhichitdisplays,andfromrespectforthedistinguishedwriteroneofthemosteminentourtimehasproducedwhodeemedhimworthyofanhonourheisproudtodisplay。Heleavesittothereadertoagreewith,ordissentfromtheexplanation。\"Ahundredmen,\"saystheoldPlatonist,\"mayreadthebookbythehelpofthesamelamp,yetallmaydifferonthetext,forthelamponlylightsthecharacters,——themindmustdivinethemeaning。\"Theobjectofaparableisnotthatofaproblem;itdoesnotseektoconvince,buttosuggest。Ittakesthethoughtbelowthesurfaceoftheunderstandingtothedeeperintelligencewhichtheworldrarelytasks。Itisnotsunlightonthewater;itisahymnchantedtothenymphwhohearkensandawakesbelow……

  \"ZANONIEXPLAINED。

  BY。\"

  MEJNOUR:——ContemplationoftheActual,——SCIENCE。Alwaysold,andmustlastaslongastheActual。LessfalliblethanIdealism,butlesspracticallypotent,fromitsignoranceofthehumanheart。

  ZANONI:——ContemplationoftheIdeal,——IDEALISM。Alwaysnecessarilysympathetic:livesbyenjoyment;andisthereforetypifiedbyeternalyouth。\"IdonotunderstandthemakingIdealismlessundyingonthissceneofexistencethanScience。\"——Commentator。Because,grantingtheabovepremises,IdealismismoresubjectedthanSciencetotheAffections,ortoInstinct,becausetheAffections,soonerorlater,forceIdealismintotheActual,andintheActualitsimmortalitydeparts。TheonlyabsolutelyActualportionoftheworkisfoundintheconcludingscenesthatdepicttheReignofTerror。Theintroductionofthispartwasobjectedtobysomeasoutofkeepingwiththefancifulportionsthatprecededit。Butifthewriterofthesolutionhasrightlyshownorsuggestedtheintentionoftheauthor,themoststronglyandrudelyactualsceneoftheageinwhichthestoryiscastwasthenecessaryandharmoniouscompletionofthewhole。TheexcessesandcrimesofHumanityarethegraveoftheIdeal——Author。IdealismisthepotentInterpreterandProphetoftheReal;butitspowersareimpairedinproportiontotheirexposuretohumanpassion。

  VIOLA:——HumanINSTINCT。HardlyworthytobecalledLOVE,asLovewouldnotforsakeitsobjectatthebiddingofSuperstition。Resorts,firstinitsaspirationaftertheIdeal,totinselshows;thenrelinquishestheseforahigherlove;butisstill,fromtheconditionsofitsnature,inadequatetothis,andliabletosuspicionandmistrust。ItsgreatestforceMaternalInstincthaspowertopenetratesomesecrets,totracesomemovementsoftheIdeal,but,toofeebletocommandthem,yieldstoSuperstition,seessinwherethereisnone,whilecommittingsin,underafalseguidance;weaklyseekingrefugeamidsttheverytumultsofthewarringpassionsoftheActual,whiledesertingthesereneIdeal,——pining,nevertheless,intheabsenceoftheIdeal,andexpiringnotperishing,butbecomingtransmutedintheaspirationafterhavingthelawsofthetwonaturesreconciled。

  ItmightbestsuitpopularapprehensiontocallthesethreetheUnderstanding,theImagination,andtheHeart。

  CHILD:——NEW-BORNINSTINCT,whiletrainedandinformedbyIdealism,promisesapreter-humanresultbyitsearly,incommunicablevigilanceandintelligence,butiscompelled,byinevitableorphanhood,andtheone-halfofthelawsofitsexistence,tolapseintoordinaryconditions。

  AIDON-AI:——FAITH,whichmanifestsitssplendour,anddeliversitsoracles,andimpartsitsmarvels,onlytothehighermoodsofthesoul,andwhosedirectedantagonismiswithFear;sothatthosewhoemploytheresourcesofFearmustdispensewiththoseofFaith。Yetaspirationholdsopenawayofrestoration,andmaysummonFaith,evenwhenthecryissuesfrombeneaththeyokeoffear。

  DWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD:——FEARorHORROR,fromwhoseghastlinessmenareprotectedbytheopacityoftheregionofPrescriptionandCustom。Themomentthisprotectionisrelinquished,andthehumanspiritpiercesthecloud,andentersaloneontheunexploredregionsofNature,thisNaturalHorrorhauntsit,andistobesuccessfullyencounteredonlybydefiance,——byaspirationtowards,andrelianceon,theFormerandDirectorofNature,whoseMessengerandInstrumentofreassuranceisFaith。

  MERVALE:——CONVENTIONALISM。

  NICOT:——Base,grovelling,malignantPASSION。

  GLYNDON:——UNSUSTAINEDASPIRATION:WouldfollowInstinct,butisdeterredbyConventionalism,isoverawedbyIdealism,yetattracted,andtransientlyinspired,buthasnotsteadinessfortheinitiatorycontemplationoftheActual。Heconjoinsitssnatchedprivilegeswithabesettingsensualism,andsuffersatoncefromthehorroroftheoneandthedisgustoftheother,involvingtheinnocentinthefatalconflictofhisspirit。Whenonthepointofperishing,heisrescuedbyIdealism,and,unabletorisetothatspeciesofexistence,isgratefultobereplungedintotheregionoftheFamiliar,andtakesuphisresthenceforthinCustom。MirrorofYoungManhood。

  ARGUMENT。

  HumanExistencesubjectto,andexemptfrom,ordinaryconditionsSickness,Poverty,Ignorance,Death。

  SCIENCEiseverstrivingtocarrythemostgiftedbeyondordinaryconditions,——theresultbeingasmanyvictimsasefforts,andthestriverbeingfinallyleftasolitary,——forhisobjectisunsuitabletothenatureshehastodealwith。

  ThepursuitoftheIdealinvolvessomuchemotionastorendertheIdealistvulnerablebyhumanpassion,howeverlongandwellguarded,stillvulnerable,——liable,atlast,toaunionwithInstinct。PassionobscuresbothInsightandForecast。AllefforttoelevateInstincttoIdealismisabortive,thelawsoftheirbeingnotcoincidingintheearlystageoftheexistenceoftheone。Instinctiseitheralarmed,andtakesrefugeinSuperstitionorCustom,orislefthelplesstohumancharity,orgivenovertoprovidentialcare。

  Idealism,strippedofinsightandforecast,losesitsserenity,becomessubjectoncemoretothehorrorfromwhichithadescaped,andbyacceptingitsaids,forfeitsthehigherhelpofFaith;aspiration,however,remainingstillpossible,and,thereby,slowrestoration;andalso,SOMETHINGBETTER。

  Summonedbyaspiration,FaithextortsfromFearitselfthesavingtruthtowhichSciencecontinuesblind,andwhichIdealismitselfhailsasitscrowningacquisition,——theinestimablePROOFwroughtoutbyalllaboursandallconflicts。

  Pendingtheelaborationofthisproof,CONVENTIONALISMplodson,safeandcomplacent;

  SELFISHPASSIONperishes,grovellingandhopeless;

  INSTINCTsleeps,inordertoaloftierwaking;andIDEALISMlearns,asitsultimatelesson,thatself-sacrificeistrueredemption;thattheregionbeyondthegraveisthefittingoneforexemptionfrommortalconditions;andthatDeathistheeverlastingportal,indicatedbythefingerofGod,——thebroadavenuethroughwhichmandoesnotissuesolitaryandstealthyintotheregionofFreeExistence,butenterstriumphant,hailedbyahierarchyofimmortalnatures。

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