Anshookherhead。\"Youshouldnothavedonethat,\"shesaid;\"ourdeadwhomwesenddownoverthefallscomebackinthebodyofyonderlittlebird。Buthehasgonenow,\"sheadded,withrelief;\"see,hesettlesfarupstreamuponthepointofyonderrottenbough;IwouldnotdisturbhimagainifIwereyou——\"
WhatevermoreAnwouldhavesaidwaslost,foramidstasoundofflutesandsingingroundthebendoftheriverbelowcameacrowdofboatsdeckedwithflowersandgar—
lands,allclusteringroundabargebarelyabletomove,sothickthoselesserskiffspresseduponit。Soclosethosewherrieshungaboutthatthegarlandedrowerswhosatattheoarscouldscarcelypull,but,hereaseverywhere,itwasthesamegoodtemper,thesamecarelessnessoforder,aslikeafloweryislandinthedancingbluewaterthemotleyfleetcameup。
Isteeredourskiffaspaceoutfromthebanktogetabetterview,whileAnclappedherhandstogetherandlaughed。\"ItisHath——hehimselfandthoseofthepalacewithhim。Steeralittlenearerstill,friend——so!betweenyonfloatingrubbishflats,forthosewithHatharegoodtolookat。\"
NothinglothImadeoutintomid—streamtoseethatstrangeprincegoby,littlethinkinginafewminutesI
shouldbeshakinghandswithhim,awetanddrippinghero。
Thecrowdcameup,andhavingtheadvantageofthewind,itdidnottakemelongtogetafrontplaceintheruck,whenceIsettowork,withrepublicaninterestinroyalty,tostareatthemanwhoAnsaidwastheheadofMartiansociety。Hedidnotmakemedesiretorenouncemydemo—
craticprinciples。Theroyalfellowwassittinginthecentreofthebargeunderacanopyandonathronewhichwasamassofflowers,notbunchedtogetherastheywouldhavebeenwithus,butsocunninglyarrangedthattheyrosefromthefootstooltothepinnacleinarhythmofcolour,apoeminbudandpetalsthelikeofwhichforharmoniousbeautyIcouldnothaveimaginedpossible。Andinthisfairydenwasathin,gauntyoungman,dressedinsomesortofblackstuffsonondescriptthatitamountedtolittlemorethanashadow。Itookitforgrantedthatasubstanceofboneandmusclewascoveredbythatgloomysuit,butitwasthefaceabovethatalonerivetedmygazeandmademereturnthestarehegavemeaswecameupwithre—
doubledinterest。Itwasnotanunhandsomeface,butashygreyincolourandamongsttheinsipidcountenancesoftheMartiansabouthimmarvellouslythoughtful。Idonotknowwhetherthosewhohadkilledthemselvesbylearn—
ingeverleaveghostsbehind,butifsothiswastheveryidealforsuchaone。AthisfeetInoticed,whenIun—
hookedmyeyesfromhisatlast,satagirlinaloosecoralpinkgownwhowashisveryantipode。PrincessHeru,forsoshewascalled,wasrestingonearmuponhiskneeatourapproachandpullingablueconvolvulusbudtopieces——acharmingpictureofdaintyidleness。Anythingsosoft,sosilkenasthatlittleladywasneverseenbefore。WhoamI,apoorquarter—deckloafer,thatIshouldattempttodescribewhatpoetandpainteralikewouldhavefailedtorealise?Iknow,ofcourse,yourstockdescriptives:themeltingeye,thecorallip,thepeachycheek,theraventress;
butthesewerecoinedformortalwoman——andthiswasnotoneofthem。Iwillnotattempttodescribetheglorioustendernessofthoseeyessheturneduponmepresently;
theglowingradianceofherskin;theinfinitegraceofeveryaction;theincrediblesoul—searchingharmonyofhervoice,whenlateronIheardit——youmustgathersomethingofthesethingsasIgo——sufficeittosaythatwhenIsawherthereforthefirsttimeintheplenitudeofherbeautyIfelldesperately,wildlyinlovewithher。
Meanwhile,eventhemostinfatuatedofmortalscannotstareforeverwithoutsayingsomething。Thegratingofourprowagainstthegarlandedsideoftheroyalbargerousedmefrommyreverie,andnoddingtoAn,toimplyIwouldbebackpresently,IlightlyjumpedontoHath’svessel,and,withtheassuranceofafreeandindependentAmericanvoter,approachedthatindividual,holdingoutmypalm,andsayingasIdidso,\"Shakehands,Mr。President!\"
Theprincecameforwardatmybiddingandextendinghishandformine。Hebowedslowandsedately,inthatpeculiarwaytheMartianshave,arippleofgratifiedcivilitypassinguphisflesh;lowerandlowerhebowed,untilhisfacewasoverourclaspedhands,andthen,withsimplecourtesy,hekissedmyfinger—tips!Thiswassomewhatem—
barrassing。ItwasnotliketheprocedurefollowedinCourtsnearertoWashingtonthanthisone,asfarasmyreadingwent,and,withdrawingmyfingershastily,Iturnedtotheprincess,whohadrisen,andwaseyeinghersomewhatawkwardly,thewhilewonderingwhatkindofsalutationwouldbesuitableinhercasewhenastartlingincidenthappened。Theriver,assaid,wasfulloffloatingrubbishbroughtdownfromsomefar—awayuplandsbyaspringfreshetwhiletheroyalconvoywasmakingslowprogressupstreamandthusmetitallbowon。Someofthisstuffwasheavytimber,andwhenasuddenwarningcrywentupfromtheleadingboatsitdidnottakemysailorinstinctlongtoguesswhatwasamiss。Thoseinfrontshotsidetoside,thosebe—
hindtriedtodropbackas,bearingstraightdownontheroyalbarge,therecamealogofblackwoodtwentyfeetlongandasthickasthemainmastofanoldthree—decker。
Hath’sboatcouldnomoreescapethanifithadbeenplantedonarockypedestal,garlandsandcurtainstrailinginthewaterhungsoheavyonit。Thegildedpaddlesoftheslenderrowersweresofeeble——theyhadbutmadeahalf—
turnfromthatgreatjavelin’sroadwhendownitcameuponthem,knockingthefirstfewprettyoarsmenheadoverheelsandcracklingthroughtheiroarslikeabullthroughdrymaizestalks。Isprangforward,andsnatchingapolefromahalf—heartedslave,jammedtheendintotheheadofthelogandborewithallmyweightuponit,divertingitalittle,andtherebyperhapssavingtheshipherself,butnotenough。Asitflashedbyabranchcaughtuponthetrailingtapestry,hurlingmetothedeck,,andtearingawaywithitallthatfinery。Thenthegreatspar,tossinghalfitsdrippinglengthintotheair,wentplungingdownstreamwithshredsofsilkandflowerstrailingfromit,andwhitewaterbubblinginitsrear。
WhenIscrambledtomyfeetallwasludicrousconfusiononboard。Hathstillstoodbyhisthrone——anislandinaseaofdisorder——staringatme;allelsewaschaos。Therowersandcourtierswerekickingandwallowinginthe\"waist\"oftheshiplikefishnewlyshotoutofatrawlnet,buttheprincesswasgone。Wherewasshe?Ibrushedthesprayfrommyeyes,andstaredoverboard。Shewasnotinthebub—
blingbluewateralongside。ThenIglancedafttowherethelog,nowfifteenyardsaway,wassplashingthroughthesun—
shine,and,asIlooked,afairarmcameupfromunderneathandwhitefingersclutchedconvulsivelyatthesky。Whatmancouldneedmore?DownthebargeIrushed,anddrop—
pingonlymyswordbelt,leaptintoherrescue。ThegentleMartiansweretoonumbtoraiseahandinhelp;butitwasnotnecessary。Ihadthetidewithme,andgainedateverystroke。Meanwhilethataccursedtree,withpoorHeru’sskirtscaughtonabranch,wasdrowningheratitsleisure;liftingherupasitroseuponthecrests,afair,helplessbundle,andthensousingherinitsfallintothenetherwater,whereIcouldseehergleamnowandagainlikepinkcoral。
Iredoubledmyeffortsandgotalongside,clutchingtherindofthatoldstump,andswimmingandscrambling,atlastwaswithinreachoftheprincess。Thereonthelogliftedherplayfullytomyarms,andwhenIhadlaidholdcamedown,acrushingweight,andforcedusfarintotheclammybosomofMartiansea。Againwecameup,coughingandchoking——Ituggingfuriouslyatthattangledraiment,andthelady,amerelumpofsweetnessinmyotherarm——
thendownagainwiththatloguponmeandallthenoisesofEblisinmyears。Upanddownwewent,overandover,tillstrengthwasspentandmyribsseemedbreaking;then,withalastdesperateeffort,Igotakneeagainstthestem,andbysheerstrengthfreedmyprincess——thespitefultimbermadealastuglythrustatusasitrolledaway——andwewerefree!
Iturneduponmyback,and,sureofrescuenow,tookthelady’sheaduponmychest,holdinghersweet,whitefistsinminethewhile,and,floating,waitedforhelp。
Itcameonlytooquickly。ThegallantMartians,whentheysawtheprincesssaved,cameswiftlydownuponus。
OverthelappingofthewaterinmyearsIheardtheirsigh—
likecriesofadmirationandsurprise,therattleofsprayonthecanoesidesmingledwiththesplashofoars,theflittingshadowsoftheirprowswereallaboutus,andinlesstimethanittakestowritewewerehauledaboard,revived,andtakentoHath’sbarge。Againtheprince’slipswereonmyfingertips;againtheflutesandmusicstruckup;andasI
squeezedthewateroutofmyhair,andtriedtokeepmyeyesofftheoutlineofHeru,whoselovelinessshonethroughherdamp,clinging,pinkrobe,asifthatrobewerebutagauzyfancy,IvaguelyheardHathsayingwondrousthingsofmygallantry,and,whatwasmoretothepurpose,askingmetocomewithhimandstaythatnightatthepalace。
CHAPTERIV
Theylodgedmelikeaprinceinatributarycountrythatfirstnight。Iwastired。’TwasastiffstageIhadcomethedaybefore,andtheygavemeacouchwhoseetherealsoftnessseemedtocloselikethewingsofabirdasIplungedatitstouchintofathomlessslumbers。ButthenextdayhadhardlybrokenwhenIwasawake,and,stretchingmylimbsuponthepiledsilkofaleglessbeduponthefloor,foundmyselfinagreatchamberwithapurpletapestryacrosstheentrance,andasquarearchleadingtoaflatterraceoutside。
Itwasagloriousdaybreak,makingmyheartlightwithinme,theairlikenewmilk,andthecoloursofthesunriselaypurpleandyellowinbarsacrossmyroom。Iyawnedandstretched,thenrising,wrappedasilkenquiltaboutmeandwentoutintotheflatterracetop,wherefromallthecitycouldbeseenstretchedinanivoryandemeraldpatchwork,withopen,bluewaterononeside,andtheMartianplaintrendingawayinillimitabledistanceupontheother。
DirectlyunderneathinthegreatsquareatthebottomofHath’spalacestepsweregatheredaconcourseofpeople,brilliantinmany—coloureddresses。TheyweresittingorlyingaboutjustastheymightforallIknewhavedonethroughthewarmnight,withoutmuchorder,savethatwheretheblackstreaksofinlaidstonemarkedacarriage—
wayacrossthesquarenonewerestationed。WhileIwon—
deredwhatwouldbringsomanytogetherthusearly,therecameasoundofflutes——forthesepeoplecandonothingwithoutpipinglikefinchesinathicketinMay——andfromthestorehouseshalf—wayovertotheharbourtherestreamedalineofcartspiledhighwithprovender。Downcametheteamsattendedbytheirslaves,circlingandwheelingintotheopenplace,andastheypassedeachgroupthoselazy,lollingbeggarscrowdedroundandtookthedoletheyweretoothriftlesstoearnthemselves。Itwasstrangetoseehowlistlesstheywereaboutthemeal,eventhoughProvi—
denceitselfputitintotheirhands;tonotehowtheyellow—girtedslavesscuddedamongstthem,servingouttheloaves,themselveshadgrown,harvested,andbaked;
slippingfromgrouptogroup,rousing,exhorting,admin—
isteringtoahelplessthrongthattooktheireffortswithoutthoughtorthanks。
Istoodtherealongtime,onefootuponthecopingandmychinuponmyhand,notingthebeautyoftheruinedtownandwonderinghowsuchafeebleraceasthatwhichlayabout,breakfastinginthelimpidsunshine,couldhavecomebyacitylikethis,orkepteventheruinsofitswallsandbuildingsfromthecovetousnessofothers,untilpresentlytherewasarustleofprimrosegarmentsandmyfriendofthedaybeforestoodbyme。
\"Areyourested,traveller?\"shequestionedinthatprettyvoiceofhers。
\"Restedambrosially,An。\"
\"Itiswell;IwilltelltheGovernmentanditwillcomeuptowashanddressyou,afterwardsgivingyoubreakfast。\"
\"Forthebreakfast,damsel,Ishallbegrateful,butasforthewashinganddressingIwilldefendmyselftothelastgaspsoonerthansubmittosuchadministration。\"
\"Howstrange!Doyouneverwashinyourcountry?\"
\"Yes,butitisamatterleftlargelytoourowndiscretion;
so,mydeargirl,ifyouwillleavemeforaminuteortwoinquestofthatmealyouhavementioned,Iwillguaranteetobereadywhenitcomes。\"
Awaysheslipped,withashrugofherrosyshoulders,toreturnpresently,carryingatraycoveredwithawhitecloth,whereonwerehalfadozenglitteringcoverswhencecamemostfragrantodoursofcookedthings。
\"Why,comrade,\"Isaid,sittingdownandliftinglidbylid,forthecold,sweetairoutsidehadmademehungry,\"thisisbetterthanwashopedfor;IthoughtfromwhatIsawdownyonderIshouldhavetotrotbehindatumbrilformybreakfast,andeatitonmyheelsamongstyoursleepyfriendsbelow。\"
Anreplied,\"Thestrangerisaprince,wetakeit,inhisowncountry,andprincesfarenotquitelikecommonpeople,evenhere。\"
\"So,\"Isaid,mymouthfullofastrange,unknownfish,andacakesoftasmilkandwhiteascottoninthepod。
\"Nowthatmakesmefeelathome!\"
\"Wouldyouhavehaditotherwisewithus?\"
\"No!nowIcometothinkofit,itismostnaturalthingsshouldbemuchalikeinallthecornersoftheuniverse;
thesplendidsimplicitythatrulesthespheres,worksmuchthesame,nodoubt,upononesideofthesunasupontheother。Yet,somehow——youcanhardlywonderatit——yes—
terdayIlookedtofindyourworld,whenIrealisedwhereIhadtumbledto,aworldofdjinandgiants;ofmadpossibilitiesoverrealised,andhereIseeyoudwellersbytheutterlyremotelittlemoremarvellousthanifIhadcomeamongstyouontheintroductionofacheaptouristticket,androundsomeneglectedcornerofmyowndistantworld!\"
\"Ihardlyfollowyourmeaning,sir。\"
\"No,no,ofcourseyoucannot。Iwasforgettingyoudidnotknow!There,passmethestuffonyonderplatterthatlookslikecakedmudfromananchorfluke,andswellslikebreathofparadise,andletmequestionyou;\"andwhileI
satanddrankwiththatyellowservitorsittinginfrontofme,Ipliedherwithquestions,justasababymightwhohadcomeintotheworldwithafull—blowngiftofspeech。
Butthoughshewasreadyandwillingenoughtoanswer,andlaughedgailyatmyquaintignoranceofsimplethings,yettherewaslittlewaterinthewell。
\"Hadtheyanykindofcraftsorscience;anycultofstarsorfigures?\"Butagainsheshookherhead,andsaid,\"Hathmightknow,Hathunderstoodmostthings,buther—
selfknewlittleofeither。\"\"Armiesornavies?\"andagaintheMartianshruggedhershoulders,questioninginturn——
\"Whatfor?\"
\"Whatfor!\"Icried,alittleangrywithherengagingdulness,\"Why,tokeepthatwhichthestronghandgot,andtogetmoreforthosewhocomenext;naviestosweepyonderblueseas,andarmiestowardwhattheyshouldbringhome,orguardthecitywallsagainstallenemies,——forI
suppose,An,\"Isaid,puttingdownmyknifeasthecheeringthoughtcameonme,——\"Isuppose,An,youhavesomeen—
emies?ItisnotlikeProvidencetogivesuchrichesasyoupossess,suchlands,suchcities,andnottosupplytheanti—
doteinsomeonepoorenoughtocovetthem。\"
Atoncethegirl’sfacecloudedover,anditwasobviousatendersubjecthadbeenchancedupon。Shewavedherhandimpatientlyasthoughtochangethesubject,butIwouldnotbeputoff。
\"Come,\"Isaid,\"thisisbetterthanbreakfast。Itwastheonething——thisunknownenemyofyours——wantingtoleverthedullmassofyourtoopeacefulness。Whatishelike?
Howstrong?Howstandsthequarrelbetweenyou?Iwasasoldiermyselfbeforetheseaalluredme,andlovehorseandswordbestofallthings。\"
\"Youwouldnotjestifyouknewourenemy!\"
\"Thatisasitmaybe。Ihavelaughedinthefaceofmanyastrongerfoethanyoursisliketoprove;butanyhow,givemeachancetojudge。Come,whoisitthatfrightensallthebloodoutofyourcheeksbyabarementionandmaynotbelaughedatevenbehindthesesubstantialwalls?\"
\"First,then,youknow,ofcourse,thatlongagothislandofourswasharriedfromtheWest。\"
\"NotI。\"
\"No!\"saidAn,withalittlewarmth。\"Ifitcomestothat,youknownothing。\"
WhereatIlaughed,and,sayingthereplywasjust,vowedIwouldnotinterruptagain;soshewontonsayinghowHath——thatinterminableHath!——wouldknowitallbetterthanshedid,butlongagothelandwasoverrunbyapeoplefrombeyondthebroad,bluewatersoutside;apeoplehugeofperson,hairyandsavage,uncouth,unlettered,andpoorAn’svoicetrembledeventodescribethem;apeoplewithoutmercyorcompunction,dwellersinwoods,eatersofflesh,whoburnt,plundered,anddestroyedallbeforethem,andhadtoppledoverthiscityalongwithmanyothersinanancientforay,thehorrorsofwhich,stillburntluridinherpeople’sminds。
\"Eversincethen,\"wentonthegirl,\"theseodiousterrorsoftheouterlandhavebeenanightmaretous,makinghecticourpleasures,andfillingourpeacewithhorridthoughtsofwhatmightbe,shouldtheychancetocomeagain。\"
\"’Tisunfortunate,nodoubt,lady,\"Ianswered。\"Yetitwaslongago,andtheplunderersarefaraway。Whynotriseandraidtheminturn?Toliveundersuchanightmareismiserable,andapoetonmysideoftheetherhassaid——
\"’Heeitherfearshisfatetoomuch,Orhisdesertsaresmall,Whowillnotputittothetouch,Towinorloseitall。’
Itseemstomeyoumusteitherbustleandfightagain,orsittamelydown,andbypayingthecoward’sfeeforpeace,buyatheavyprice,indulgencefromthevictor。\"
\"We,\"saidAnsimply,andwithnoshowofshame,\"wouldratherdiethanfight,andsowetaketheeasierway,thoughaheavyoneitis。Look!\"shesaid,drawingmetothebroadwindowwhencewecouldgetaglimpseofthewestwardtownandtheharbouroutbeyondthewalls。
\"Look!seeyonderlongrowofboatswithbrownsailshangingloosereefedfromeveryyardrangedallalongthequay。Evenfromhereyoucanmakeoutthethinstreamofporterslavespassingtoandfrobetweenthemandthegranarieslikeantsonasunnypath。Thoseareourtax—men’sships,theycameyesterdayfromfaroutacrossthesea,aspunctualasfatewiththefirstdayofspring,andtwoorthreenightshencewetrustwillgoagain:andgladshallwebetoseethemstart,althoughtheyleavescupperdeepwithourcloth,ourcorn,andgold。\"
\"Isthatwhattheytakefortribute?\"
\"Thatandonegirl——thefairesttheycanfind。\"
\"One——onlyone!’Tisverymoderate,allthingsconsidered。\"
\"Sheisforthethitherking,Ar—hap,andthoughonlyoneasyousay,stranger,yethewholosesherisaptsometimestothinkheronetoomanylost。\"
\"ByJupiterhimselfitiswellsaid!IfIwerethatmanIwouldstirupheavenandhelluntilIgotherback;
neitherman,norbeast,nordevilshouldstaymeinmyquest!\"AsIspokeIthoughtforaminuteAn’sfingerstrembledalittleasshefixedafloweruponmycoat,whiletherewassomethinglikeasighinhervoiceasshesaid——
\"Themaidsofthiscountryarenotaccustomed,sir,tobesostronglyloved。\"
Bythistime,breakfastedandrehabilitated,Iwasreadytogoforth。Thegirlswungbacktheheavycurtainthatservedinplaceofdooracrosstheentranceofmychamber,andleadingthewaybyacorridorandmarblestepswhileIfollowed,andwhetheritwastheMartianairorthemealIknownot,butthinkingmightywellofmyselfuntilwecamepresentlyontothemainpalacestairs,whichledbystatelyflightsfromtheuppergalleriestothewidesquarebelow。
Aswepassedintothefullsunshine——andnosunshineissocrisplygoldenastheMartian——amongsttwinedflowersandshrubsandgay,quaintbirdsbuildinginthecornices,asleekyouthroseslowlyfromwherehehadspreadhiscloakascouchuponastepandapproachingasked——
\"Youarethestrangerofyesterday?\"
\"Yes,\"Ianswered。
\"ThenIbringamessagefromPrinceHath,sayingitwouldpleasurehimgreatlyifyouwouldeatthemorningmealwithhim。\"
\"Why,\"Ianswered,\"itisverycivilindeed,butIhavebreakfastedalready。\"
\"AndsohasHath,\"saidtheboy,gentlyyawning。\"YouseeIcamehereearlythismorning,butknowingyouwouldpasssoonerorlaterIthoughtitwouldsavemethetroubleifIlaydowntillyoucame——thosequaintpeoplewhobuilttheseplacesweresoprodigalofsteps,\"andsmilingapologeticallyhesankbackonhiscouchandbegantoyingwithaleaf。
\"Sweetfellow,\"Isaid,andyouwillnotehowIwasgettingintotheirstyleofconversation,\"getbacktoHathwhenyouhaverested,givehimmymostgraciousthanksfortheintendedcourtesy,buttellhimtheinvitationshouldhavestartedaweekearlier;tellhimfromme,younimble—
footedmessenger,thatIwillpost—datehiskindnessandcometomorrow;saythatmeanwhileIprayhimtosendanyillnewshehasformebyyou。Isthemessagetoobulkyforyourslendershoulders?\"
\"No,\"saidtheboy,rousinghimselfslowly,\"Iwilltakeit,\"
andthenhepreparedtogo。Heturnedagainandsaid,withoutatraceofincivility,\"Butindeed,stranger,Iwishyouwouldtakethemessageyourself。ThisisthethirdflightofstairsIhavebeenuptoday。\"
Everywhereitwasthesamefriendlyindolence。Halfthebreakfasterswerelyingoncolouredshawlsingroupsaboutthesquare;theotherhalfwerestrollingoff——allinonedirection,Inoticed——asslowlyascouldbetowardstheopenfieldsbeyond;noonewasactiveorhadanythingtodosavetheyellowfolkwhoflittedtoandfrofosteringtheothers,anddoingthecityworkasthoughitweretheironlythoughtinlife。Therewerenoshopsinthatstrangecity,fortherewerenoneeds;someboothsIsawindeed,andtemple—likeplaces,buthollow,andusedforbirdsandbeasts——thingstheselazyMartianslove。Therewasnotrampofbusyfeet,fornoonewasbusy;noclankofswordsorarmourinthosepeacefulstreets,fornoonewaswarlike;nohustle,fornoonehurried;nowide—packedassesnoddingdownthelanes,fortherewasnothingtofilltheirpackswith,andthoughacartsometimescamebywithaloadoflollingmenandmaids,orasmallhorse,forhorsestheyhad,pacedalong,itselfnearlyaslazyasthemasterhebore,withtrappingssewedoverbitsofcolouredshellandcoral,yetsomehowitwasallextraordinarilyunreal。
Itwasacityfulloftheghostsofthelifewhichoncepulsedthroughitsways。Thestreetswerepeopled,thechatterofvoiceseverywhere,thesingingboysandlaughinggirlswandering,armslinkedtogether,downthewaysfilledeveryechowiththeirmerriment,yetsomehowitwasallsoshallowthatagainandagainIrubbedmyeyes,wonder—
ingifIwereindeedawake,orwhetheritwerenotapro—
longedsleepofwhichthetomorrowwerestilltocome。
\"Whatstrikesmeasstrangestofall,goodcomrade,\"I
observedpleasantlytothetrippingpresenceatmyelbow,\"isthatthesecountrymenofyourswhoshirktoclimbaflightofsteps,andhavepalmsassoftasrosepetals,thesewidewayspavedwithstonesashardasausurer’sheart。\"
Anlaughed。\"Thestoneswerestillintheirnativequar—
rieshaditbeenlefttoustoseekthem;weareliketheconiesintheruins,sir,theinheritorsofwhatotherhandshavedone。\"
\"Ay,andundone,Ithink,aswell,forcomingalongIhavenotedaxechippingsuponthewalls,smudgesofancientfireandsmokeuponthecornices。\"
Anwincedalittleandstareduneasilyatthewalls,mut—
teringbelowherbreathsomethingabouttryingtohidewithflowergarlandsthemarkstheycouldnotbanish,butitwasplaintheconversationwasnotpleasingtoher。Sounpleasantwastalkorsightofwoodmen(Thither—folk,asshecalledthem,incontradictiontotheHitherpeopleaboutushere),thatthegirlwasclearlyrelievedwhenwewerefreeofthetownandoutintotheopenplay—
groundofthepeople。Thewholeplacedowntherewasagay,shiftingcrowd。Theboothsofyesterday,thear—
cades,thearchways,werestillstanding,andduringthenightunknownhandshadredeckedthemwithflowers,whileanotherday’ssunshinehadopenedthecoppicebudssothatthewholeplacewasbrilliantpastexpression。AndheretheHitherfolkwerevaryingtheiridlenessbyageneralholiday。Theywerestandingaboutingroups,orlyingrankedlikenew—pluckedflowersonthebanks,pipingtoeachotherthroughreedsassoftandmelodiousasrunningwater。Theywereplayinginconsequentgamesandbreakingoffinthemiddleofthemlikechildrenlookingfornewpleasures。Theywereidlingaboutthedrinkingbooths,delicatelystupidwithquaint,thinwines,dealtouttoallwhoasked;themaidswerereadytochevyorbecheviedthroughtheblossomingthicketsbyanyonewhochanceduponthem,themenslippedtheirarmsroundslen—
derwaistsandwandereddownthepaths,scarceseemingtocareevenwhosewaistitwastheycircledorintowhoseeartheywhisperedtheremainderofthelove—taletheyhadbeguntosomeoneelse。Andeverywhereitwas\"Hi,\"
and\"Ha,\"and\"So,\"and\"See,\"asthesequaintpeoplecalledtooneanother,knowingeachotherasfamiliarlyasantsofanest,andbythesamemagicitseemedtome。
\"An,\"Isaidpresently,whenwehadwanderedanhourorsothroughthedriftingthrong,\"havethesegoodcountry—
menofyoursnoothernamesbutmonosyllabic,nothingtodesignatethembutthesechirrupingsyllables?\"
\"Isitnotenough?\"answeredmycompanion。\"Oncein—
deedIthinkwehadlongernames,but,\"sheadded,smiling,\"howmuchtroubleitsavestolimiteachonetoasinglesound。
Itisunciviltoone’sneighbourstoburdentheirtongueswithdoubledutywhenhalfwoulddo。\"
\"Buthaveyounopatronymics——nothingtoshowthechildcomesofthesamesourceashisfathercame?\"
\"Wehavenofathers。\"
\"What!nofathers?\"Isaid,startingandstaringather。
\"No,normotherseither,oratleastnonethatweremem—
ber,foragain,whyshouldwe?Mayhapinthatstrangedis—
trictyoucomefromyoukeepcountofthesethings,butwhathavewetodowitheitherwhentheirinitialdutyisdone。
Lookatthatpaintedbutterflyswingingonthehoney—
ladencatkinthere。Whatknowssheofthemotherwhoshedherlifeintoaflowercupandforgotwhichfloweritwastheminuteafterwards。We,too,areinsects,stranger。\"
\"Anddoyoumeantosayofthisgreatconcoursehere,thateveryatomissolitary,individual,andcanclaimnokin—
dredwithanothersavetheloosebondsofageneralfraterni—
ty——aspeciousidea,horrible,impracticable!\"
WhereatAnlaughed。\"Askthegrasshoppersifitisim—
practicable;askthelittlebuzzingthingsofgrassandleaveswhodrifthitherandthitheruponeachbreathofwind,findingkinsmenneverbutcomradeseverywhere——askthemifitishorrible。\"
Thismadememelancholy,andsomehowsetmethinkingofthefriendsimmeasurablydistantIhadleftbutyesterday。
Whatweretheydoing?Didtheymissme?Iwastohavecalledformypaythisafternoon,andtomorrowwastohaverundownSouthtoseethatfreckledladyofmine。
Whatwouldshethinkofmyabsence?WhatwouldshethinkifsheknewwhereIwas?Gods,itwastoomad,tooabsurd!Ithrustmyhandsintomypocketsinfiercedes—
peration,andtheretheyclutchedanolddanceprogrammeandanout—of—datecheckforaNewYorkferry—boat。I
scowledaboutonthatsunny,helplesspeople,andlayingmyhandbitterlyuponmyheartfeltinthebreast—pocketbeneathapacketofunpaidBostontailors’billsandanotefrommylandladyaskingifIwouldletherauntdomywashingwhileIwasonshore。Oh!whatwouldtheyallthinkofme?Wouldtheybrandmeasadeserter,apoltroon,andathief,lettingmynamepresentlysinkdowninshameandmysteryintheshadowyrealmoftheforgotten?Dread—
fulthoughts!Iwouldthinknomore。
MaybeAnhadmarkedmymelancholy,forpresentlysheledmetoastallwhereinfantasticvaseswinesofsortsI
havedescribedbeforewereputoutforallwhocametotrythem。Therewasmedicinehereforeverykindofdulness——notthegrosscurewhichearthlywineeffects,butsonicelyproportionedtoeachspecificneedthatonecouldregulateone’sdebauchtoahairbreadth,risingthroughallthegamutofsatisfaction,fromthestaidcontentmentcomingofthatflasktheretothewildextravagancesofthefurther—
mostvase。Somystriplingtoldme,runningherfingerdownthelineofbeakerscarvedwithstrangefiguresandcasedinsilver,eachinitsclusteroflittleattendantdrinking—
cups,like—coloured,andwaitingroundonthewhitenapkinsastheshoreboatswaittounloadacargoroundthesidesofamerchantvessel。
\"Andwhat,\"Isaid,aftercuriouslyexaminingeachliquorinturn,\"whatisthatwhichstandsalonethereinthehumbleearthenjar,asthoughunworthyofthecompanyoftheothers。\"
\"Oh,that,\"saidmyfriend,\"isthemostessentialofthemall——thatisthewineofrecovery,withoutwhichalltheothersweredeadlypoisons。\"
\"Thewhich,lady,looksasifithadamoralattachingtoit。\"
\"Itmayhave;indeedIthinkithas,butIhaveforgotten。
PrinceHathwouldknow!Meanwhileletmegiveyoutodrink,greatstranger,letmegetyousomething。\"
\"Well,then,\"Ilaughed,\"reachmedownanantidotetofate,aspecificforanabsentmistress,andforgetfulfriends。\"
\"Whatwasshelike?\"saidAn,hesitatingalittleandfrowning。
\"Nay,goodfriend,\"wasmyanswer,\"whatcanthatmattertoyou?\"
\"Oh,nothing,ofcourse,\"answeredthatMartian,andwhileshetookfromthetableacupandfilleditwithfluidIfeltinthepouchofmysword—belttoseeifbychanceabitofmoneywasIyingthere,buttherewasnone,onlythepipsofanorangepoorPollyhadsuckedandlaughinglythrownatme。
However,itdidnotmatter。Thegirlhandedmethecup,andIputmylipstoit。Thefirsttastewasbitterandacrid,liketheliquoroflong—steepedwood。Atthesecondtasteashiverofpleasureranthroughme,andIopenedmyeyesandstaredhard。Thethirdtastegrossnessandheavi—
nessandchagrindroppedfrommyheart;allthecom—
plexionofProvidencealteredinaflash,andastupidirresistiblejoy,unreasoning,uncontrollabletookpossessionofmyfibre。Isankuponamossybankand,lollingmyhead,beamedidioticallyonthelollingMartiansallaboutme。HowlongIwaslikethatIcannotsay。Theheavyminutesofsoddencontentmentslippedbyunnoticed,un—
umbered,tillpresentlyIfeltthetouchofawine—cupatmylipsagain,anddrinkingofanotherliquordulnessvanishedfrommymind,myeyescleared,myheartthrobbed;
afantasticgaietyseizeduponmylimbs;Iboundedtomyfeet,andseizingAn’stwohandsinmine,swungthatdamselroundinagiddydance,caperingasneverdancerdancedbefore,tillspentandwearyIsankdownagainfromsheerlackofbreath,andonlyknewthereafterthatAnwassittingbymesaying,\"Drink!drinkstranger,drinkandforget!\"andasathirdtimeacupwaspressedtomylips,achesandpleasures,stupidnessandjoy,lifeitself,seemedslippingawayintoasplendidgoldenvacuity,ahazyepi—
sodeofunconsciousElysium,indefinite,andunfathomable。
CHAPTERV
WhenIwoke,feelingasrefreshedasthoughIhadbeendreamingthroughalongnight,An,seeingmeopen—eyed,helpedmetomyfeet,andwhenIhadrecoveredmysensesalittle,askedifweshouldgoon。Iwasmyselfagainbythistime,sowillinglytookherhand,andsooncameoutofthetangleintotheopenspaces。ImusthavebeenunderthespelloftheMartianwineslongerthanitseemed,foralreadyitwaslateintheafternoon,theshadowsoftreeswerelyingdeepandfar—reachingoverthemotleycrowdsofpeople。Outhereasthedaywanedtheyhaddevelopedsomesortofmethodintheirsports。Infrontofuswasabroad,grassycoursemarkedoffwithgarlandedfinger—posts,andinthisspaceralliesofworkfolkweretakingpartinallmannerofgamesundertheeyesofagreatconcourseofspectators,doingtheMartians’pleasuresforthemastheydidtheirlabours。Anledmegentlyon,leaningonmyarmheavier,Ithought,thanshehaddoneinthemorning,andeverandanonturninghergazelle—likeeyesuponmewithalookIcouldnotunderstand。AswesaunteredforwardInoticedallaboutlessercircleswheretheyellow—girtedonesweredrawingdelightedlaughterfromgood—temperedcrowdsbytricksofsleight—of—hand,andposturing,ortoss—
inggildedcupsandballsasthoughtheywerecatering,asindeedtheywere,foroutgrownchildren。Othersflutedorsangsongsinchorustotheslowclappingofhands,whileothersweredoingIknewnotwhat,sittingsilentamongstsi—
lentspectatorswhoeverynowandthenburstoutlaughingfornocausethatIcouldsee。ButAnwouldnotletmestop,andsowepushedonthroughthecrowdtillwecametothemainenclosureswhereadozenslaveshadrunaracefortheamusementofthosetoolazytoracethem—
selves,andweresittingpantingonthegrass。
Togivethemtimetogettheirbreath,perhaps,amansteppedoutofthecrowddressedinadarkbluetunic,astrangevacuous—lookingfellow,andthrowingdownasheafofjavelinsmarchedoffadozenpaces,then,facinground,calledoutloudlyhewouldgivesixteensuitsof\"summercloth\"toanyonewhocouldprickhimwithajavelinfromtheheap。
\"Why,\"Isaidinamazement,\"thisisthebestoffools——
noonecouldmissfromsuchadistance。\"
\"Aybut,\"repliedmyguide,\"heisagiftedone,versedinmystics。\"
Iwasjustgoingtosayagoodjavelin,shodwithiron,wasastrongerargumentthananymysticIhadeverheardofcouldstand,whenoutofthecrowdsteppedayouth,andamidthederisivecheersofhisfriendschoseareedfromthebundle。Hepoiseditinhishandaminutetogetthemiddle,thenturnedonthelivingtarget。Whateverelsetheymightbe,theseMartianswerecertainlybeautifulastheday—
time。NeverhadIseensuchaperfectembodimentofgraceandeleganceasthatboyashestoodthereforamomentpoisedtothethrow;theafternoonsunshinewarmandstrongonhisbunchedbrownhair,agirlishflushofshynessonhishandsomeface,andthesleekperfectionofhislimbs,clearcutagainsttheduskybackgroundbeyond。Andnowthejavelinwasgoing。Surelythemysticwouldthinkbetterofitatthelastmoment!No!theinitiateheldhisgroundwithtight—shutlipsandretrospectiveeyes,andevenasI
lookedtheweaponflewuponitserrand。
\"Theregoesthesoulofafool!\"Iexclaimed,andasthewordswereutteredthespearstruck,orseemedto,betweentheneckandshoulder,butinsteadofpiercingrosehighintotheair,quiveringandflashing,andpresentlyturningover,fellback,andplungeddeepintotheturf,whilealowmurmurofindifferentpleasurewentroundamongsttheonlookers。
ThereatAn,yawninggently,lookedtomeandsaid,\"A
strong—willedfellow,isn’the,friend?\"
Ihesitatedaminuteandthenasked,\"WasitWILLwhichturnedthatshaft?\"
Sheansweredwithsimplicity,\"Why,ofcourse——whatelse?\"
Bythistimeanotherboyhadsteppedout,andhavingchosenajavelin,testeditwithhandandfoot,thenre—
tiringapaceortworusheduptothethrowingmarkandflungitstraightandtrueintothebaredbosomoftheman。
Andasthoughithadstruckawallofbrass,theshaftleaptbackfallingquiveringatthethrower’sfeet。Anotherandanothertriedunsuccessfully,untilatlast,vexedattheirfutility,Isaid,\"Ihaveasomewhatscantywardrobethatwouldbeallthebetterforthatfellow’ssummersuiting,byyourleaveIwillventureathrowagainsthim。\"
\"Itisuseless,\"answeredAn;\"nonebutonewhoknowsmoremagicthanhe,orisespeciallybefriendedbytheFatescantouchhimthroughtheenvelopehehasputon。\"
\"Still,IthinkIwilltry。\"
\"Itishopeless,Iwouldnotwillinglyseeyoufail,\"
whisperedthegirl,withasuddenshowoffriendship。
\"Andwhat,\"Isaid,bendingdown,\"wouldyougivemeifIsucceeded?\"WhereatAnlaughedalittleuneasily,and,withdrawingherhandfrommine,halfturnedaway。SoI
pushedthroughthespectatorsandsteppedintothering。
Iwentstraightuptothepileofweapons,andhavingchosenonewentovertothemystic。\"Goodfellow,\"Icriedoutos—
tentatiously,tryingthesharpnessofthejavelin—pointwithmyfinger,\"whereareallofthosesixteensummersuitsofyourslyinghid?\"
\"Itmattersnothing,\"saidtheman,asifhewereasleep。
\"Ay,butbythestarsitdoes,foritwillvexthequietreposeofyoursoultomorrowifyourheirsshouldsweartheycouldnotfindthem。\"
\"Itmattersnothing,\"mutteredthewill—wrappedvisionary。
\"ItwillmattersomethingifItakeyouatyourword。Come,friendPurple—jerkin,willyoutakethecouncilwithyourlegsandrunwhilethereisyettime,orstanduptobethrownat?\"
\"Istandhereimmoveableintheconfidenceofmyinitia—
tion。\"
\"Then,bythunder,Iwillinitiateyouintothemysteriesofajavelin—end,andyourbloodbeonyourhead。\"
TheMartianswereallcraningtheirnecksinhushedeagernessasIturnedtothecasting—place,and,poisingthejavelin,facedthemagician。Wouldherunatthelastmoment?Ihalfhopedso;foraminuteIgavehimthechance,then,asheshowednosignofwavering,Idrewmyhandback,shookthejavelinbacktillitbentlikeareed,andhurleditathim。
TheMartians’headsturnedasthoughallononepivotasthespearspedthroughtheair,expectingnodoubttoseeitrecoilasothershaddone。Butittookhimfullinthecentreofhischest,andwithawildwaveofarmsandaflutterofpurpleraimentsenthimbackwards,anddown,andoverandoverinashapelessheapoflimbsandflyingraiment,whilealowmurmurofawedsurpriserosefromthespectators。Theycrowdedroundhiminadensering,asAncameflittingtomewithastartledface。
\"Oh,stranger,\"sheburstout,\"youhavesurelykilledhim!\"butmoreastoundedIhadbrokendownhisguardthangrievedathisinjury。
\"No,\"Iansweredsmilingly;\"asorechesthemayhavetomorrow,butdeadheisnot,forIturnedthelance—pointbackasIspunit,anditwasthebutt—endIthrewathim!\"
\"Itwasnonethelesswonderful;Ithoughtyouwereacommonman,aprincemayhap,comebutfromoverthehills,butnowsomethingtellsmeyouaremorethanthat,\"andshelapsedintothoughtfulsilenceforatime。
Neitherofuswerewishfultogobackamongstthosewhowereraisingthebruisedmagiciantohislegs,butwanderedawayinsteadthroughthedeepeningtwilighttowardsthecityovermeadowswhosedamp,softfragranceloadedtheairwithsleepypleasure,neitherofussayingawordtilltheduskdeepenedandthequicknightdescended,whilewecameamongstthegardenedhouses,thethousandlightsofanunrealcityrisinglikeajewelledbankbeforeus,andthereAnsaidshewouldleavemeforatime,meet—
ingmeagaininthepalacesquarelateron,\"ToseePrincessHerureadthedestiniesoftheyear。\"
\"What!\"Iexclaimed,\"moremagic?Ihavebeenbroughtuponmoresubstantialmentalstuffthanthis。\"
\"Nevertheless,Iwouldadviseyoutocometothesquare,\"
persistedmycompanion。\"Itaffectsusall,and——whoknows?
——mayaffectyoumorethanany。\"
ThereinpoorAnwasunconsciouslywearingthecloakofprophesyherself,and,shruggingmyshouldersgood—
humouredly,Ikissedherchin,littlerealising,asIletherfingersslipfrommine,thatIshouldseehernomore。
Turningbackalone,throughthecity,throughwaystwinklingwithmyriadlightsaslittlelampsbegantoblinkoutamongstgarlandsandflower—deckedboothsoneveryhand,Iwalkedon,lostinvaryingthoughts,until,fairlytiredandhungry,IfoundmyselfoutsideastallwheremanyMartiansstoodeatinganddrinkingtotheirhearts’
content。Iwasknowntononeofthem,and,forgettingpastexperience,waslookingonratherenviously,whentherecameatouchuponmyarm,and——
\"Areyouhungry,sir?\"askedabystander。
\"Ay,\"Isaid,\"hungry,goodfriend,andwithallthezestwhichanemptypurselendstothatcondition。\"
\"Thenhereiswhatyouneed,sir,evenfromherethewinesmellsgood,andthefriedfruitwouldmakeamouse’seyetwinkle。Whydoyouwait?\"
\"Whywait?Why,becausethoughtherichman’sdinnergoesinathismouth,thepoormanmustoftenbecontenttodinethroughhisnose。ItellyouIhavenothingtogetmeamealwith。\"
Thestrangerseemedtospeculateonthisforatime,andthenhesaid,\"Icannotfathomyourmeaning,sir。
Buyingandselling,goldandmoney,allthesehavenomean—
ingtome。Surelythetwinblessingsofanappetiteandfoodabundantreadyandfreebeforeyouareenough。\"
\"What!freeisit——freelikethebreakfastservedoutthismorning?\"
\"Why,ofcourse,\"saidtheyouth,withmilddepreci—
ation;\"everythinghereisfree。Everythingishiswhowilltakeit,withoutexception。Whatelseisthegoodofaco—
herentsocietyandaGovernmentifitcannotprovideyouwithsorudimentaryathingasameal?\"
WhereatjoyfullyIundidmybelt,and,withoutnicelyexaminingtheargument,marchedintothebooth,andthereputMartianhospitalitytothetest,eatinganddrinking,butthistimewithgrowingwisdom,tillIwasanewman,andthen,payingmyleavingwithawaveofthehandtotheyellow—girtedonewhodispensedthecommonprovender,Isaunteredonagain,caringlittleornothingwhichwaytheroadwent,andsoonacrossthecurrentofmymedita—
tionsapealoflaughterbroke,accompaniedbythepipingofaflutesomewherecloseathand,andthenextminuteIfoundmyselfamidaringoflight—heartedroistererswhowerelinkinghandsforadancetothemusicacurly—
headedfellowwasmakingcloseby。
Theymademejointhem!Onerosey—faceddamselatthehitherendofthechaindrewuptome,and,withoutaword,slippedhersoft,babyfingersintomyhand;ontheothersideanothercamewithmeltingeyes,breathlikeabedofviolets,andbanked—upfunpuckeringherdaintymouth。WhatcouldIdobutgiveherahandaswell?Theflutebegantogurgleanew,likeadrinkingspoutinspring—
time,andawaywewent,fasterandfastereachminute,theboysandgirlsswingingthemselvesintimetothetune,andcaperingpresentlytilltheirtenderfeetweretwinklingoverthegroundingayconfusion。Fasterandfastertill,astheinfectionofthedancespreadeventotheoutsidegroups,Icaperedtoo。Myword!iftheycouldhaveseenmethatnightfromthedeckoftheoldCarolina,howtheywouldhavelaughed——swordswinging,coat—tailsflying——
fasterandfaster,roundandroundwewent,tilllimbscouldstandnomore;thegaspingpiperblewhimselfquiteout,andthedanceendedasabruptlyasitcommenced,thedancersmeltingawaytojoinothersorcastingthemselvespantingontheturf。
CertainlytheseMartiangirlswereblessedwithanin—
gratiatingsimplicity。Mynewfriendoftheviolet—scentedbreathhungbackalittle,thenafterlookingatmede—
murelyforaminuteortwo,likeachildthatchoosesanewplaymate,camesoftlyup,and,standingontiptoe,kissedmeonthecheek。Itwasnotunpleasant,soIturnedtheother,whereon,guessingmymeaning,withoutthesmallesthesitation,shereachedupagain,andpressedherprettymouthtomybronzedskinasecondtime。Then,withalittlesighofsatisfaction,sherananarmthroughmine,saying,\"Comrade,fromwhatcountryhaveyoucome?
Ineversawonequitelikeyoubefore。\"
\"FromwhatcountryhadIcome?\"Againthefrowndroppeddownuponmyforehead。WasIdreaming——wasImad?WhereindeedhadIcomefrom?Istaredbackovermyshoulder,andthere,asifinanswertomythought——
there,wheretheblacktraceryoffloweringshrubswavedinthesoftnightwind,overagapinthecrumblingivoryramparts,theskywasbrightening。AsIlookedintothecentreofthatglow,aplanet,magnifiedbythewonderfulair,cameswingingup,palebutsplendid,andmappedbysoftcolours——green,violet,andred。Iknewitonthemin—
ute,Heavenonlyknowshow,butIknewit,andades—
peratethrilloflonelinesssweptoverme,aspasmofcom—
prehensionofthehorriblevoiddividingus。Neverdidyearn—
ingbabestretcharmsmorewistfullytoanunattainablemotherthanIatthatmomenttomymotherearth。Allhermeannessandprosaicnesswasforgotten,allherim—
perfectionsandshortcomings;itwashome,theonetangiblethingintheglitteringemptinessofthespheres。Allmysoulwentintomyeyes,andthenIsneezedviolently,andturninground,foundthatsweetdamselwhosesilkyheadnestledsofriendlyonmyshoulderwasticklingmynosewithafeathershehadpickedup。
Womanlike,shehadforgottenallaboutherfirstquestion,andnowaskedanother,\"Willyoucometosupperwithme,stranger?’Tisnearlyready,Ithink。\"
\"Tobeabletosaynotosuchaninvitation,lady,isthefirstthingayoungmanshouldlearn,\"Iansweredlightly;
butthen,seeingtherewasnothingsavethemostinnocentfriendlinessinthosehazeleyes,Iwenton,\"butthatsternrulemayadmitofvariance。Only,asitchances,Ihavejustsuppedatthepublicexpense。If,instead,youwouldbeasailor’ssweetheartforanhour,andtakemetothisshowofyours——yourprincess’sbenefit,orwhateveritis——
Ishallbeobliged;mypreviousguideishulldownoverthehorizon,andIamcleanoutofmyreckoninginthiscrowd。\"
Bywayofreply,thelittlelady,lightasanelf,tookmebythefingertips,and,gleefullyskippingforward,pilotedmethroughthemazesofhercityuntilwecameoutintothegreatsquarefrontingonthepalace,whichrosebeyonditlikeawhitechalkcliffinthedulllight。Notatapershowedanywhererounditscircumference,butamysteriouskindofradiancelikeseaphosphorescencebeamedfromthepalaceporch。Allwasinsuchdeathlikesilencethatthenailsinmy\"ammunition\"bootsmadeanunpleasantclankingastheystruckonthemarblepavement;yet,bytheuncertainstarlight,Isaw,tomysurprise,thewholesquarewasthrongedwithMartians,allfacingtowardstheporch,asstill,gravenimages,andasvoiceless,foronce,asthoughtheyhadindeedbeenmarble。Itwasstrangetoseethemsittingthereinthetwilight,waitingforI
knewnotwhat,andmyfriend’svoiceatmyelbowalmoststartledmeasshesaid,inawhisper,\"Theprincessknowsyouareinthecrowd,anddesiresyoutogoupuponthestepsnearwhereshewillbe。\"
\"Whobroughthermessage?\"Iasked,gazingvaguelyround,fornonehadspokentousforanhourormore。
\"Noone,\"saidmycompanion,gentlypushingmeupanopenwaytowardsthepalacestepsleftclearbythesittingMartians。\"Itcamedirectfromhertomethisminute。\"
\"Buthow?\"Ipersisted。
\"Nay,\"saidthegirl,\"ifwestoptotalklikethisweshallnotbeplacedbeforeshecomes,andthusthrowawholeyear’sknowledgeout。\"
So,bottlingmyspeculations,Iallowedmyselftobeledupthefirstflightofworn,whitestepstowhere,ontheterracebetweenthemandthenextflightleadingdirectlytothepalaceportico,wasaflat,havingacircleabouttwentyfeetacross,inlaiduponthemarblewithdarkercolouredblocks。Insidethatcircle,asIsatdownclosebyitinthetwilight,showedanothercircle,andthenafinaloneinwhoseinmostmiddlestoodatallirontripodandsomethingatopofitcoveredbyacloth。Andallroundtheoutercircleweremagicsymbols——IstartedasIrecognisedthemeaningofsomeofthem——withintheseagaintheinnercircleheldwhatlookedliketherepresentationsofplanets,ending,asIhavesaid,inthatdishedhollowmadebycountlessdancers’feet,anditssolitarytripod。Backagain,Iglancedtowardsthesquarewherethegreatconcourse——
tenthousandofthem,perhaps——weresittingmuteandsilentinthedeepeningshadows,thenbacktothemagiccircles,tillthesilenceandexpectancyofastrangescenebegantopossessme。
Shadowdownbelow,star—dustedheavenabove,andnotafiguremoving;whensuddenlysomethinglikealong—
drawnsighcamefromthelipsoftheexpectantmultitude,andIwasawareeveryeyehadsuddenlyturnedbacktothepalaceporch,where,aswelooked,afigure,wrappedinpalebluerobes,appearedandstoodforaminute,thenstoledownthestepswithaneagernessineverymovementholdingusspellbound。Ihaveseenmanysplendidpageantsandmanysights,eachofwhichmightbethetalkofalife—
time,butsomehownothingeversoengrossing,sothrilling,asthatghostlyfigureinflowingrobesstealingacrossthepiazzainstarlightandsilence——theprincessofabrokenkingdom,thepriestessofaforgottenfaithcomingtoherstationtoperformajuggleryofwhichsheknewnoteventhemeaning。ItwasmyversatilefriendHeru,andwithquick,incisivesteps,herwholeframeambentforthetimewiththefervourofhermission,shecameswiftlydowntowithinadozenyardsofwhereIstood。Heru,indeed,butnotthesameprincessasinthemorning;aninspiredpriestessrather,herslimbodywrappedinblueandquiver—
ingwithemotion,herfaceashinewithDelphicfire,herhairloose,herfeetbare,untilatlastwhen,asshestoodwithinthelimitofthemagiccircle,herwhitehandsuponherbreast,hereyesflashinglikeplanetsthemselvesinthestar—
shineshelookedsoghostlyandunrealIfeltforaminuteIwasdreaming。
Thenbeganastrange,weirddanceamongsttheim—
ageryoftherings,overwhichmyearthplanetwasbegin—
ningtothrowahazeoflight。Atfirstitwashardlymorethanawalk,aslowprocessionroundthetwincircumfer—
encesofthecentredtripod。Butsoonitincreasedtoanextraordinarygracefulmeasure,acadencedstepwithoutmusicorsoundthatrivetedmyeyestothedancer。Pres—
entlyIsawthosemystic,twinklingfeetofhers——asthedancebecameswifter——wereperformingameasuredroundamongsttheplanetsigns——spellingoutsomething,Iknewnotwhat,withquick,lighttouchamongstthezodiacfigures,dancingoutasoundlessinvocationofsomekindasadumbmanmightspellamessagebytouchingletters。Quickerandquicker,forminuteafterminute,grewthedance,swifterandswiftertheswingofthelightbluedraperyasthepriestess,witheagerfaceandstaringeyes,swungpant—
ingrounduponherorbit,andredderandredderoverthecitytopsrosethecircumferenceoftheearth。Itseemedtomeallthesilentmultitudewerebreathingheavilyaswewatchedthatgiddydance,andwhateverTHEYfelt,allmyownsensesseemedtobewindingupuponthatre—
volvingfigureasthreadwindsonaspindle。