TomeheseemsveryunworthytobeHester'slover，forsheisabeautifulwomanoffleshandblood。Mr。Dimmesdalewasnotonlyimmoral；hewasunsportsmanlike。Hehadnomorepluckthanachurch-mouse。Hismiserablepassionwasdegradedbyitsbrevity；
howcouldheseethiswoman'sdisgraceforsevenlongyears，andneverpluckuphearteithertosharehershameorpeccareforliter？
Heisalayfigure，verycleverly，butsomewhatconventionallymadeandpainted。ThevengefulhusbandofHester，RogerChillingworth，isaMr。Casaubonstungintojealousanger。Buthisattitude，watchingeverbyDimmesdale，tormentinghim，andyetinhisconfidence，andeverunsuspected，remindsoneofaconceptiondeartoDickens。Heusesitin"DavidCopperfield，"whereMr。Micawberofallpeople!playsthistrickonUriahHeep；heusesitin"HuntedDown"；hewasaboutusingitin"EdwinDrood"；heuseditoldMartinandPecksniffin"MartinChuzzlewit。"ThepersonofRogerChillingworthandhisconductarealittletoomelodramaticforHawthorne'sgenius。
InDickens'smanner，too，isHawthorne'slongsarcasticaddresstoJudgePyncheonin"TheHouseoftheSevenGables"，asthejudgesitsdeadinhischair，withhiswatchtickinginhishand。
OccasionallyachanceremarkremindsoneofDickens；thisforexample:Heistalkingoflarge，blackoldbooksofdivinity，andoftheirsuccessors，tinybooks，Elzevirsperhaps。"Theselittleoldvolumesimpressedmeasiftheyhadbeenintendedforverylargeones，buthadbeenunfortunatelyblightedatanearlystageoftheirgrowth。"ThismightalmostdeceivetheelectasapieceofthetrueBoz。Theirwidelydifferenttalentsdidreallyintersecteachotherwheretheperverse，thegrotesque，andtheterribledwell。
Tomyself"TheHouseoftheSevenGables"hasalwaysappearedthemostbeautifulandattractiveofHawthorne'snovels。Heactuallygivesusalovestory，andcondescendstoaprettyheroine。Thecurseof"Maule'sBlood"isagoodoldromanticidea，terriblyhandled。Thereismoreoflightness，andofacobwebbydustyhumourinHepzibahPyncheon，thedecayedladyshopkeeper，thanHawthornecommonlycarestodisplay。Doyoucareforthe"firstlover，"thePhotographer'sYoungMan？Itmaybeconventionalprejudice，butIseemtoseehimgoingaboutonatricycle，andI
don'tthinkhimtherightpersonforPhoebe。Perhapsitisreallythebeautiful，gentle，oppressedCliffordwhohauntsone'smemorymost，akindoftragicandthwartedHaroldSkimpole。"Howpleasant，howdelightful，"hemurmured，butnotasifaddressinganyone。
"Willitlast？Howbalmytheatmospherethroughthatopenwindow!
Anopenwindow!Howbeautifulthatplayofsunshine。Thoseflowers，howveryfragrant!Thatyounggirl'sface，howcheerful，howblooming。Aflowerwiththedewonit，andsunbeamsinthedewdrops……"ThiscomparisonwithSkimpolemaysoundlikeanunkindcriticismofClifford'scharacterandplaceinthestory——itisonlyachancenoteofachanceresemblance。
Indeed，itmaybethatHawthornehimselfwasawareoftheresemblance。"AnindividualofClifford'scharacter，"heremarks，"canalwaysbeprickedmoreacutelythroughhissenseofthebeautifulandharmoniousthanthroughhisheart。"Andhesuggeststhat，ifCliffordhadnotbeensolonginprison，hisaestheticzeal"mighthaveeatenoutorfiledawayhisaffections。"ThiswaswhatbefellHaroldSkimpole——himself"inprisonsoften"——atCoavinses!TheJudgePyncheonofthetaleisalsoamasterlystudyofswaggeringblack-heartedrespectability，andthen，inadditiontoallthepoetryofhisstyle，andthecharmofhishauntedair，Hawthornefavoursuswithabraveconclusionofthegoodsort，theoldsort。Theycomeintomoney，theymarry，theyarehappyeverafter。Thisisdoingthingshandsomely，thoughsomeofourmodernnoveliststhinkitcoarseanddegrading。Hawthornedidnotthinkso，andtheyarenotexactlybetterartiststhanHawthorne。
Yethe，too，hadhiseconomies，whichweresent。IdonotmeanhisnottellinguswhatitwasthatRogerChillingworthsawonArthurDimmesdale'sbarebreast。Toleavethatvagueisquitelegitimate。
ButwhathadMiriamandthespectreoftheCatacombsdone？Whowasthespectre？Whatdidhewant？TohavetoldallthiswouldhavebeenbetterthantofillthenovelwithpaddingaboutRome，sculpture，andtheEthicsofArt。Asthesillysayingruns:"thepeoplehasarighttoknow"aboutMiriamandherghostlyacquaintance。{10}Butthe"MarbleFaun"isnotofHawthorne'sbestperiod，beautifulasareahundredpassagesinthetale。
Beautifulpassagesareascommoninhisproseasgoldintherichestquartz。HowexcellentarehiswordsonthefirstfaintbutcertainbreathofAutumnintheair，felt，perhaps，earlyinJuly。
"AndthencameAutumn，withhisimmenseburthenofapples，droppingthemcontinuallyfromhisoverladenshouldersashetrudgedalong。"
KeatsmighthavewrittensoofAutumnintheorchards——ifKeatshadbeenwritingprose。
Therearegeniusesmoresunny，large，andgladthanHawthorne's，nonemoreoriginal，moresurefooted，inhisownrealmofmoonlightandtwilight。
CHAPTERXI:THEPARADISEOFPOETS
WeweretalkingofLove，Constancy，theIdeal。"Whoeverlovedlikethepoets？"criedLadyVioletLebas，herpure，palecheekflushing。"Ah，ifeverIamtolove，heshallbeasinger!"
"Tenorsarepopular，very，"saidLordWalter。
"Imeanapoet，"sheansweredwitheringly。
NearthemstoodMr。Witham，theauthorof"Heart'sChordsTangled。"
"Ah，"saidhe，"thatremindsme。Ihavebeentryingtocatchitallthemorning。Thatremindsmeofmydream。"
"Tellusyourdream，"murmuredLadyVioletLebas，andhetoldit。
"Itwasthroughanunfortunatebutpardonableblunder，"saidMr。
Witham，"thatIdied，andreachedtheParadiseofPoets。Ihad，indeed，publishedvolumesofverse，butwiththemostblamelessmotives。Otherpoetswerecontinuallysendingmetheirs，and，asI
couldnotadmirethem，anddidnotliketoreplybycriticalremarks，Isimplyprintedsomerhymesforthepurposeofsendingthemtothegentlemenwhofavouredmewiththeirs。Ialwayswroteonthefly-leafaquotationfromthe"Iliad，"aboutgivingcopperinexchangeforgold；andthefewpoetswhocouldreadGreekweregratified，whiletheothers，probably，thoughtacomplimentwasintended。Nothingcouldbelessculpableorpretentious，but，throughsomemistakeonthepartofCharon，IwasdraftedofftotheParadiseofPoets。
"OutsidetheGoldenGateanumberofShadowswerewaiting，indifferentattitudesofdepressionandlanguor。BaviusandMaeviuswerethere，stillcomplainingof'cliques，'railingatHoraceforamererhymerofsociety，andatVirgilasaplagiarist，'TakeawayhiscribsfromHomerandApolloniusRhodius，'quothhonestMaevius，'andwhatisthereleftofhim？'Ialsometasocietyofgentlemen，inGreekcostume，ofvariousages，fromahalf-nakedminstrelwithatortoiseshelllyreinhishandtoanelegantoftheageofPericles。Theyallconsortedtogether，talkingvariousdialectsofAeolic，Ionian，AtticGreek，andsoforth，whichwereplainlynotintelligibletoeachother。Iventuredtoaskoneofthecompanywhohewas，buthe，withasweepofhishand，said，'WeareHomer!'WhenIexpressedmyregretandsurprisethattheGoldenGatehadnotyetopenedforsodistinguished，thoughcollective，anartist，myfriendansweredthat，accordingtoFick，Peppmuller，andmanyotherlearnedmen，theywereHomer。'ButanimpostorfromChioshasgotinsomehow，'hesaid；'theydon'tpaytheleastattentiontotheGermansintheParadiseofPoets。'
"AtthismomenttheGoldenGateswerethrownapart，andafairlady，inanearlyItaliancostume，carryingalaurelinherhand，appearedattheentrance。AlltheShadowslookedupwithanairofwearyexpectation，likepeoplewaitingfortheirturninadoctor'sconsulting-room。Shebeckonedtome，however，andImadehastetofollowher。Thewords'Charlatan!''Youapoet!'inavarietyoflanguages，greetedmebywayoffarewellfromtheShadows。
"'TherenownedLaura，ifIamnotmistaken，'Iventuredtoremark，recognisingher，indeed，fromtheminiatureintheLaurentianlibraryatFlorence。
"Shebowed，andIbegantoaskforheradorer，Petrarch。
"'Excuseme，'saidLaura，asweglideddownamossypath，undertheshadeoftreesparticularlydeartopoets，'excuseme，butthesonneteerofwhomyouspeakisonewhosenameIcannotbeartomention。HisconductwithBurns'sClarinda，hisheartlessinfatuationforStella——'
"'Youastonishme，'Isaid。'IntheParadiseofPoets——'
"'Theyarepoetsstill——incorrigible!'answeredthelady；thenslightlyraisinghervoiceofsilver，asabeautifulappearanceinatogadrewnear，shecried'Catullomio!'
"Thegreetingbetweentheseaccomplishedghostswastookindlytoleaveroomfordoubtastotheardouroftheiraffections。
"'Willyou，myCatullus，'murmuredLaura，'explaintothispoetfromthelandoffogs，anymatterswhich，tohim，mayseempuzzlingandunfamiliarinourParadise？'
"TheVeronese，withacharmingsmile，tookmyhand，andledmetoashadowyarbour，whenceweenjoyedaprospectofmanyriversandmountainsinthepoets'heaven。AmongtheseIrecognisedthetriplecrestoftheEildons，GrongarHill，CithaeronandEtna；
whilethereed-fringedwatersoftheMinciusflowedmusicallybetweenthebanksandbraeso'bonnyDoontojointheTweed。
Blitheghostswerewanderingby，inallvarietiesofapparel，andI
distinctlyobservedDante'sBeatrice，leaninglovingonthearmofSirPhilipSidney，whileDantewascloselyengagedinconversationwiththelostLenore，celebratedbyMr。EdgarAllanPoe。
"'InwhatcanmyknowledgeoftheParadiseofPoetsbeserviceabletoyou，sir？'saidCatullus，asheflunghimselfatthefeetofLaura，onthevelvetgrass。
"'Iamdisinclinedtoseemimpertinentlycurious，'Ianswered，'buttheladiesinthisfair，smilingcountry——havethegodsmadethempoetical？'
"'Notgenerally，'repliedCatullus。'Indeed，ifyouwouldbewellwiththem，Imaywarnyounevertomentionpoetryintheirhearing。
Theynevercaredforitwhileonearth，andinthisplaceitisatopicwhichtheprudentcarefullyavoidamongladies。Totellthetruth，theyhavehadtolistentofartoomuchpoetry，andtoomanydiscussionsonthecaesura。Thereare，indeed，afewladypoets——
veryfew。Sappho，forexample；indeedIcannotrecallanyotheratthismoment。TheresultisthatPhaon，ofalltheshadowshere，isthemostdistinguishedbythefair。Hewasnotapoet，youknow；
hegotinonaccountofSappho，whoadoredhim。Theyareestrangednow，ofcourse。'
"'Youinterestmedeeply，'Ianswered。'Andnow，willyoukindlytellmewhytheseladiesarehere，iftheywerenotpoets？'
"'Thewomenthatwereouridealswhilewedweltonearth，thewomenwelovedbutneverwon，or，atallevents，neverwedded，theyforwhomwesighedwhileinthearmsofarecognisedandlegitimateaffection，havebeenchosenbytheOlympianstokeepuscompanyinParadise!'
"'Thenwherefore，'Iinterrupted，'doIseeRobertBurnsloiteringwiththatladyinaruff，——Cassandra，Imakenodoubt——Ronsard'sCassandra？AndwhyistheincomparableClarindainseparablefromPetrarch；andMissPattyBlount，Pope'sflame，fromtheSyrianMeleager，whileHISHeliodoreismanifestlydevotedtoMr。Emerson，whom，bytheway，Iamdelighted，ifrathersurprised，toseehere？'
"'Ah，'saidCatullus，'youareanew-comeramongus。Poetswillbepoets，andnosoonerhavetheyattainedtheirdesire，anddweltinthecompanyoftheirearthlyIdeals，thantheyfeelstrangely，yetirresistiblydrawntoAnother。Soitwasinlife，soitwilleverbe。NoIdealcansurviveadailycompanionship，andfortunateisthepoetwhodidnotmarryhisfirstlove!'
"'Asfarasthatgoes，'Ianswered，'mostofyouwerehighlyfavoured；indeed，IdonotrememberanypoetwhoseIdealwashiswife，orwhosefirstloveledhimtothealtar。'
"'Iwasnotamarryingmanmyself，'answeredtheVeronese；'fewofuswere。Myself，Horace，Virgil——wewereallbachelors。'
"'AndLesbia!'
"Isaidthisinalowvoice，forLaurawasweavingbayintoachaplet，andinattentivetoourconversation。
"'PoorLesbia!'saidCatullus，withasuppressedsigh。'HowI
misjudgedthatgirl!Howcruel，howcauselessweremyreproaches，'
andwildlyrendinghiscurledlocksandlaurelcrown，hefledintoathicket，whencetheresoonarosethemelancholynotesoftheAusonianlyre。'
"'Heisincorrigible，'saidLaura，verycoldly；andshedeliberatelybegantotearandtossawaythefragmentsofthechapletshehadbeenweaving。'Ishallneverbreakhimofthathabitofversifying。Buttheyareallalike。'
"'Istherenobodyhere，'saidI，'whoishappywithhisIdeal——
nobodybuthasexchangedIdealswithsomeotherpoet？'
"'Thereisone，'shesaid。'Hecomesofanortherntribe；andinhislife-timeheneverrhymeduponhisunattainablelady，orifrhymehedid，theaccentsnevercarriedhernametotheearsofthevulgar。Lookthere。'
"Shepointedtotheriveratourfeet，andIknewthemountedfigurethatwasridingtheford，withagreen-mantledladybesidehimliketheFairyQueen。
"SurelyIhadreadofher，andknewher-
"'Shewhoseblueeyestheirsecrettold，Thoughshadedbyherlocksofgold。'
"'Theyaredifferent；Iknownotwhy。Theyareconstant，'saidLaura，andrisingwithanairofchagrin，shedisappearedamongtheboughsofthetreesthatbearhername。
"'Unhappyheartsofpoets，'Imused。'Lightthingsandsacredtheyare，butevenintheirParadise，andamongtheirchosen，witheverywishfulfilled，andunitedtotheirbeloved，theycannotbeatrest!'
"Thusmoralising，Iwendedmywaytoacrag，whencetherewasawideprospect。Certainpoetswerestandingthere，lookingdownintoanabyss，andtothemIjoinedmyself。
"'Ah，Icannotbearit!'saidavoice，and，asheturnedaway，hisbrowalreadyclearing，hispainalreadyforgotten，IbeheldtheaugustformofShakespeare。
"Markingmycuriositybeforeitwasexpressed，heansweredtheunutteredquestion。
"'ThatisasightforPagans，'hesaid，'andmaygivethempleasure。ButmyParadisewereembitteredifIhadtowatchthesorrowsofothers，andtheirtorments，howeverwelldeserved。Theothersaregazingonthepurgatoryofcriticsandcommentators。'
"Hepassedfromme，andIjoinedthe'Ionianfatheroftherest'——
Homer，who，withacountenanceofunspeakablemajesty，wasseatedonathroneofrock，betweentheMantuanVirgilofthelaurelcrown，Hugo，Sophocles，Milton，Lovelace，Tennyson，andShelley。
"AttheirfeetIbeheld，inavastandgloomyhall，manyanhonestcritic，manyaneruditecommentator，anarmyofreviewers。Somewerecondemnedtorolllogsupinsuperableheights，whencetheydescendedthunderingtotheplain。Othersweresettoimpositions，andIparticularlyobservedthattheHomericcommentatorswereobligedtowriteoutthe"Iliad"and"Odyssey"intheircompleteshape，andwerealwaysdrivenbyfiendstothetaskwhentheyprayedforthebarecharityofbeingpermittedtoleaveoutthe'interpolations。'Others，fearfultonarrate，weretornintoasmanyfragmentsastheyhadmadeoftheseimmortalepics。Others，suchasAristarchus，werespittedontheirowncriticalsignsofdisapproval。Manyreviewerswerecompelledtoreadthebookswhichtheyhadcriticisedwithoutperusal，anditwasterribletowatchtheagoniesoftheworthypressmenwhoweresettothisunwontedtask。'Maywenotbeletoffwiththepreface？'theycriedinpiteousaccents。'Maywenotglanceatthetableofcontentsandbedonewithit？'ButthepresidingdemonswhohadbeenExaminersinthebodilylifedrovethemremorselesstotheirtoils。
"AmongthecondemnedIcouldnotbutwitness，withsympathy，thepunishmentreservedfortranslators。ThetranslatorsofVirgil，inparticular，wereavastandmotleyassemblageofmostrespectablemen。Bishopswerethere，fromGawainDouglasdownwards；Judges，intheirermine；professors，clergymen，civilservants，writhinginallthetorturesthattheblankverse，theanapaesticmeasure，themetreofthe"LayoftheLastMinstrel，"theheroiccoupletandsimilardevicescaninflict。ForallthesemenhadlovedVirgil，thoughnotwisely:andnowtheirpenancewastoheareachotherreadtheirowntranslations。"
"Thatmusthavebeenmorethantheycouldbear，"saidLadyViolet"Yes，"saidMr。Witham；"Ishouldknow，fordownIfellintoTartaruswithacrash，andwrithedamongtheTranslators。"
"Why？"askedLadyViolet。
"BecauseIhavetranslatedTheocritus!"
"Mr。Witham，"saidLadyViolet，"didyoumeetyouridealwomanwhenyouwereintheParadiseofPoets？"
"Sheyetwalksthisearth，"saidthebard，withatoosignificantbow。
LadyVioletturnedcoldlyaway。
***
Mr。WithamwasneverinvitedtotheBluesagain——thenameofLordAzure'splaceinKent。
ThePoetisshutoutofParadise。
CHAPTERXII:PARISANDHELEN
Thefirstnameinromance，themostancientandthemostenduring，isthatofArgiveHelen。Duringthreethousandyearsfairwomenhavebeenborn，havelived，andbeenloved，"thattheremightbeasongintheearsofmenoflatertime，"but，comparedtotherenownofHelen，theirgloryisdim。Cleopatra，whoheldtheworld'sfateinherhands，andlayinthearmsofCaesar；MaryStuartMariaVerticordia，forwhosesake，asanorthernnovelisttells，peasantshavelainawake，sorrowingthatsheisdead；AgnesSorel，FairRosamond，labelleStuart，"thePompadourandtheParabere，"
canstillenchantusfromthepageofhistoryandchronicle。"Zeusgavethembeauty，whichnaturallyrulesevenstrengthitself，"toquotetheGreekoratoronthemistressofthemall，onherwho，havingneverlived，canneverdie，theDaughteroftheSwan。
WhileHelenenjoysthisimmortality，andistheidealofbeautyuponearth，itiscurioustoreflectonthemoderniteofherstory，theoldestofthelovestoriesoftheworld。InHomerwefirstmeether，thefairestofwomeninthesongofthegreatestofpoets。ItmightalmostseemasifHomermeanttojustify，byhisdealingwithHelen，someofthemostrecenttheoriesofliteraryart。Inthe"Iliad"and"Odyssey"thetaleofHeleniswithoutabeginningandwithoutanend，likeafriezeonaGreektemple。Shecrossesthestageasafigurefamiliartoall，thepoet'saudienceclearlydidnotneedtobetoldwhoHelenwas，noranythingaboutheryouth。
ThefamousjudgmentofParis，thebeginningofeviltoAchaeansandIlianmen，isonlymentionedoncebyHomer，late，andinapassageofdoubtfulauthenticity。Ofherreconciliationtoherweddedlord，Menelaus，notawordissaid；ofherendwearetoldnomorethanthatforherandhimamansioninElysiumisprepared-
"Wherefallsnothail，orrain，oranysnow。"
WeleaveherhappyinArgos，asmileonherlips，agiftinherhands，aswemetherinTroy，beautiful，adoreddespiteherguilt，assweetinherrepentanceasinherunvexedArgivehome。Womenseldommentionher，intheepic，butwithhorrorandanger；menneveraddressherbutingentlecourtesy。Whatishersecret？HowdidsheleaveherhomewithParis——beguiledbylove，bymagic，ordrivenbytheimplacableAphrodite？Homerissilentonallofthesethings；thesethings，doubtless，wereknownbyhisaudience。
InhispoemHelenmovesasathingofsimplegrace，courtesy，andkindness，savewhensherebelsagainstherdoom，afterseeingherloverflyfromherhusband'sspear。HadweonlyHomer，byfarourearliestliterarysource，weshouldknowlittleoftheromanceofHelen；shouldonlyknowthatalawlesslovebroughtruinonTroyandsorrowontheAchaeans；andthisisthrownout，withnomoralcomment，withoutpraiseorblame。Theend，welearn，waspeace，andbeautywasreconciledtolife。Thereisnoexplanation，nodenouement；andweknowhowmuchdenouementandexplanationshamperedScottandShakespeare。FromthesetrammelsHomerisfree，asagodisfreefrommortallimitations。
Allthismanneroftellingatale——amannersoancient，sooriginal——isakin，inpractice，torecenttheoriesofwhatartshouldbe，andwhatartseldomis，perhapsneveris，inmodernhands。
Modernenough，again，isthechoiceofamarriedwomanfortheheroineoftheearliestlovetale。ApolloniusRhodiussingsandnomanhaseversungsowellofamaiden'slove；Virgil，ofawidow's；Homer，oflovethathasdefiedlaw，blindlyobedienttodestiny，whichdominatesevenZeus。Onceagain，Helenisnotaveryyounggirl；ungallantchronologistshaveattributedtoherI
knownotwhatage。WethinkofherasabouttheageoftheVenusofMilo；intruth，shewas"agelessandimmortal。"Homerneverdescribesherbeauty；weonlyseeitreflectedintheeyesoftheoldmen，whiteandweak，thin-voicedascicalas:buthersisaloveliness"toturnanoldmanyoung。""Itisnomarvel，"theysay，"thatforhersakeTrojansandAchaeansslayeachother。"
Shewasembroideringatavastweb，workingingoldandscarletthesorrowsthatforhersakebefellmankind，whentheycalledhertothewallstoseeParisfightMenelaus，inthelastyearofthewar。
Thereshestands，inraimentofsilverywhite，herheartyearningforheroldloveandherowncity。AlreadyherthoughtisfarfromParis。WasherhearteverwithParis？Thatishersecret。Averyoldlegend，mentionedbytheBishopofThessalonica，Eustathius，tellsusthatParismagicallybeguiledher，disguisedintheformofMenelaus，herlord，asUtherbeguiledYgerne。SheseesthesonofPriamplaythedastardinthefight；sheturnsinwrathonAphrodite，whowouldlureherbacktohisarms；buttohisarmsshemustgo，"forthedaughterofZeuswasafraid。"Violenceisputuponbeauty；itissoiled，orseemssoiled，initswaythroughtheworld。HelenurgesParisagainintothewar。Hehasaheartinvinciblylightandgay；shamedoesnotweighonhim。"Noteverymanisvalianteveryday，"hesays；yetonceengagedinbattle，hebearshimbravely，andhisarrowsraindeathamongthemail-cladAchaeans。
WhatHomerthinksofPariswecanonlyguess。HisbeautyisthebaneofIlios；butHomerforgivessomuchtobeauty。Intheendofthe"Iliad，"HelensingstheimmortaldirgeoverHector，thestainlessknight，"withthylovingkindnessandthygentlespeech。"
Inthe"Odyssey，"sheisathomeagain，playingthegraciouspartofhostesstoOdysseus'swanderingson，pouringintothebowlthemagicherbofEgypt，"whichbringsforgetfulnessofsorrow。"ThewanderingsonofOdysseusdepartswithagiftforhisbride，"towearuponthedayofherdesire，amemorialofthehandsofHelen，"
thebeautifulhands，thatinTroyorArgoswereneveridle。
OfHelen，fromHomer，weknownomore。Grace，penitenceinexile，peaceathome，thesearetheportionofherwhosetEastandWestatwarandruinedthecityofPriamoftheashenspear。AsinthestrangelegendpreservedbyServius，thecommentatoronVirgil，whotellsusthatHelenworeared"star-stone，"whencefellgoutsofbloodthatvanishederetheytouchedherswan's
Theseuscarriedheroff；herbrothersrescuedher。AlltheprincesofAchaeacompetedforherhand，havingfirsttakenanoathtoavengewhomsoevershemightchooseforherhusband。Thechoicefellonthecorrectandhonourable，butratherinconspicuous，Menelaus，andtheydweltinSparta，besidetheEurotas，"inahollowoftheriftedhills。"Then，fromacrossthesea，camethebeautifulandfatalParis，sonofPriam，KingofTroy。Asachild，Parishadbeenexposedonthemountains，becausehismotherdreamedthatshebroughtforthafirebrand。Hewasrescuedandfosteredbyashepherd；hetendedtheflocks；helovedthedaughterofarivergod，OEnone。ThencamethenakedGoddesses，toseekatthehandofthemostbeautifulofmortalstheprizeofbeauty。Aphroditewonthegoldenapplefromthequeenofheaven，Hera，andfromtheGoddessofwarandwisdom，Athena，bribingthejudgebythepromiseofthefairestwifeintheworld。Noincidentismorefrequentlycelebratedinpoetryandart，towhichitlendssuchgraciousopportunities。PariswaslaterrecognisedasoftheroyalbloodofTroy。HecametoLacedaemononanembassy，hesawHelen，anddestinyhaditsway。
Concerningthedetailsinthismostancientlove-story，welearnnothingfromHomer，whomerelymakesParisremindHelenoftheirbridalnightintheisleofCranae。ButfromHomerwelearnthatPariscarriedoffnotonlythewifeofMenelaus，butmanyofhistreasures。Tothepoetofthe"Iliad，"thepsychologyofthewooingwouldhaveseemedasimplematter。Likethelatervase-
painters，hewouldhaveshownusParisbesideHelen，Aphroditestandingnear，accompaniedbythefigureofPeitho——Persuasion。
HomeralwaysescapesourpsychologicalproblemsbythrowingtheweightofourdeedsandmisdeedsonaGodoraGoddess，orondestiny。Tohavefledfromherlordandheronechild，Hermione，wasnotinkeepingwiththecharacterofHelenasHomerdrawsit。
HerrepentanceisalmostChristianinitsexpression，andrepentanceindicatesaconsciousnessofsinandofshame，whichHelenfrequentlyprofesses。Thusshe，atleast，doesnot，likeHomer，inhischivalrousway，throwalltheblameontheImmortalsandondestiny。ThecheerfulacquiescenceofHelenindestinymakespartofthecomicelementinLaBelleHelene，butthemirthonlyarisesoutoftheincongruitybetweenParisianideasandthoseofancientGreece。
Helenisfreelyandbitterlyblamedinthe"Odyssey"byPenelope，chieflybecauseoftheruinousconsequenceswhichfollowedherflight。Still，thereisonepassage，whenPenelopeprudentlyhesitatesaboutrecognisingherreturnedlord，whichmakesitjustpossiblethatalegendchronicledbyEustathiuswasknowntoHomer，——namely，thetalealreadymentioned，thatParisbeguiledherintheshapeofMenelaus。Theincidentisveryold，asinthestoryofZeusandAmphitryon，andmightbeusedwheneveralady'scharacterneededtobesaved。Butthisanecdote，onthewhole，isinconsistentwiththerepentanceofHelen，andisnotinHomer'smanner。
Theearlylyricpoet，Stesichorus，issaidtohavewrittenharshlyagainstHelen。Shepunishedhimbyblindness，andheinditedapalinode，explainingthatitwasnotshewhowenttoTroy，butawomanfashionedinherlikeness，byZeus，outofmistandlight。
TherealHelenremainedsafelyandwithhonourinEgypt。Euripideshasmadethisidea，whichwascalculatedtopleasehim，thegroundworkofhis"Helena，"butitneverhadastrongholdontheGreekimagination。Modernfancyispleasedbythepictureofthecloud-brideinTroy，GreeksandTrojansdyingforaphantasm。
"Shadowsweare，andshadowswepursue。"
Concerningthelaterfeats，andthedeathofParis，Homersaysverylittle。HeslewAchillesbyanarrow-shotintheScaeangate，andprophecywasfulfilled。Hehimselffellbyanothershaft，perhapsthepoisonedshaftofPhiloctetes。Inthefourthorfifthcenturyofoureraalatepoet，QuintusSmyrnaeus，describedParis'sjourney，inquestofahealingspell，totheforsakenOEnone，andherrefusaltoaidhim；herdeathonhisfuneralpyre。Quintusisapoetofextraordinarymeritforhisage，andscarcelydeservesthereproachoflazinessaffixedonhimbyLordTennyson。
Onthewhole，Homerseemstohaveakindofhalf-contemptuouslikingforthebeautifulParis。Laterartrepresentshimasabowmanofgirlishcharms，wearingaPhrygiancap。Thereisalatelegendthathehadason，Corythus，byOEnone，andthathekilledtheladinamomentofjealousy，findinghimwithHelenandfailingtorecognisehim。OnthedeathofParis，perhapsbyvirtueofthecustomoftheLevirate，Helenbecamethewifeofhisbrother，Deiphobus。
HowherreconciliationwithMenelauswasbroughtaboutwedonotlearnfromHomer，who，inthe"Odyssey，"acceptsitasafact。Theearliesttraditionalhintonthesubjectisgivenbythefamous"CofferofCypselus，"aworkoftheseventhcentury，B。C。，whichPausaniassawatOlympia，inA。D。174。Here，onabandofivory，wasrepresented，amongotherscenesfromthetaleofTroy，Menelausrushing，swordinhand，toslayHelen。AccordingtoStesichorus，thearmywasabouttostoneherafterthefallofIlios，butrelented，amazedbyherbeauty。
OfherlaterlifeinLacedaemon，nothingisknownonreallyancientauthority，andlatertraditionsvary。TheSpartansshowedhersepulchreandhershrineatTherapnae，whereshewasworshipped。
HerodotustellsushowHelen，asaGoddess，appearedinhertempleandhealedadeformedchild，makingherthefairestwomaninSparta，inthereignofAriston。Itmay，perhaps，beconjecturedthatinSparta，HelenoccupiedtheplaceofalocalAphrodite。InanotherlatestoryshedwellsintheisleofLeuke，ashadowybrideoftheshadowyAchilles。ThemockingLucian，inhisVeraHistoria，meetsHelenintheFortunateIslands，whencesheelopeswithoneofhiscompanions。Again，thesonsofMenelaus，byaconcubine，weresaidtohavedrivenHelenfromSpartaonthedeathofherlord，andshewasmurderedinRhodes，bythevengeanceofPolyxo，whosehusbandfellatTroy。But，amongalltheseinventions，thatofHomerstandsoutpre-eminent。HelenandMenelausdonotdie，theyaretoonearakintoZeus；theydwellimmortal，notamongtheshadowsofheroesandoffamousladiesdeadandgone，butinElysium，theparadiseattheworld'send，unvisitedbystorms。
"Beyondthesevoicesthereispeace。"
Itisplainthat，asalove-story，thetaleofParisandHelenmusttomodernreadersseemmeagre。ToGreece，ineveryage，themaininterestlaynotinthepassionofthebeautifulpair，butinitsworld-wideconsequences:theclashofEuropeandAsia，thedeathsofkings，theruinwroughtintheirhomes，theconsequentfallofthegreatandancientAchaeancivilisation。TotheGreeks，theTrojanwarwaswhattheCrusadesareinlaterhistory。AsintheCrusades，theWestassailedtheEastforanideal，nottorecovertheHolySepulchreofourreligion，buttowinbackthelivingtypeofbeautyandofcharm。Perhaps，erethesungrowscold，menwillnomorebelieveintheCrusades，asanhistoricalfact，thanwedointhesiegeofTroy。Inasense，averyobvioussense，themythofHelenisaparableofHellenichistory。Theysoughtbeauty，andtheyfoundit；theyboreithome，and，withbeauty，theirbane。
WhereverHelenwent"shebroughtcalamity，"inthisatypeofallthefamousandpeerlessladiesofolddays，ofCleopatraandofMaryStuart。RomanceandpoetryhavenothinglessplausiblethanthepartwhichCleopatraactuallyplayedinthehistoryoftheworld，aworldwelllostbyMarkAntonyforhersake。TheflightfromActiummightseemasmuchamerepoet'sdreamasthegatheringoftheAchaeansatAulis，ifwewerenotcertainthatitistrulychronicled。
Fromtheearliesttimes，evenfromtimesbeforeHomerwhoseaudienceissupposedtoknowallaboutHelen，theimaginationofGreece，andlater，theimaginationofthecivilisedworld，hasplayedaroundHelen，devisingaboutherallthatpossiblycouldbedevised。ShewasthedaughterofZeusbyNemesis，orbyLeda；orthedaughteroftheswan，orachildofthechangefulmoon，broodingon"theformlessandmulti-formwaters。"Shecouldspeakinthevoicesofallwomen，henceshewasnamed"Echo，"andwemightfancythat，likethewitchoftheBrocken，shecouldappeartoeverymaninthelikenessofhisownfirstlove。TheancientEgyptianseitherknewher，orinventedlegendsofhertoamusetheinquiringGreeks。ShehadtouchedatSidon，andperhapsAstarothisonlyherSidonianname。Whatevercouldbetoldofbeauty，initscharm，itsperils，thedangerswithwhichitsurroundsitslovers，thepuritywhichitretains，unsmirchedbyallthesinsthataredoneforbeauty'ssake，couldbetoldofHelen。
Likeagoldencup，asM。PauldeSt。Victorsays，shewascarriedfromlipstolipsofheroes，butthegoldremainsunsulliedandunalloyed。Toheavenshereturnsagain，toheavenwhichisherown，andlooksdownserenelyonmenslain，andwomenwidowed，andsinkingships，andburningtowns。Yetwithdeathshegivesimmortalitybyherkiss，andParisandMenelauslive，becausetheyhavetouchedthelipsofHelen。ThroughthegraceofHelen，forwhomhefell，Sarpedon'smemoryendures，andAchillesandMemnon，thesonoftheMorning，andTroyismoreimperishablethanCarthage，orRome，orCorinth，thoughHelen"BurntthetoplesstowersofIlium。"
Inonebriefpassage，MarlowedidmorethanallpoetssinceStesichorus，or，atleastsincetheepithalamiumofTheocritus，forthegloryofHelen。Romanpoetsknewherbestasanenemyoftheirfabulousancestors，andinthe"AEneid，"Virgil'sherodrawshisswordtoslayher。ThroughtheMiddleAges，intheromancesofTroy，shewandersasashiningshadowoftheideallyfair，likeGuinevere，whosooftenrecallsherintheArthurianromances。ThechivalrousmediaevalpoetsandtheCeltscouldunderstandbetterthantheRomansthephilosophyof"theworldwelllost"forlove。
Modernpoetry，eveninGoethe's"SecondpartofFaust，"hasnotbeenveryfortunatelyinspiredbyHelen，exceptinthefewlineswhichshespeaksin"TheDreamofFairWomen。"
"Ihadgreatbeauty；askthounotmyname。"
Mr。WilliamMorris'sHelen，inthe"EarthlyParadise，"charmsatthetimeofreading，but，perhaps，leaveslittleabidingmemory。
TheHelenof"TroilusandCressida"isnotoneofShakespeare'simmortalwomen，andMr。Rossetti'sballadisfantasticandsomewhatfalseintone——aromanticpastiche。WhereEuripidestwicefailed，inthe"Troades"andthe"Helena，"itcanbegiventofewtosucceed。Helenisbestlefttoherearliestknownminstrel，forwhocanrecapturethegrace，thetenderness，themelancholy，andthecharmofthedaughterofZeusinthe"Odyssey"and"Iliad"？
ThesightlesseyesofHomersawherclearest，andHelenwasbestunderstoodbythewisdomofhisunquestioningsimplicity。
Asiftoprovehowentirely，thoughsomanyhandspalteredwithherlegend，HelenisHomer'salone，thereremainsnogreatortypicalworkofGreekartwhichrepresentsherbeauty，andthebreastsfromwhichweremodelledcupsofgoldfortheserviceofthegods。Wehaveonlypaintingsonvases，orworkongems，which，thoughgraceful，isconventionalandmightrepresentanyotherheroine，Polyxena，orEriphyle。NoHelenfromthehandsofPhidiasorScopashassurvivedtoourtime，andthegrassmaybegrowinginTherapnaeovertheshatteredremainsofheronlystatue。
AsStesichorusfabledthatonlyaneidolonofHelenwenttoTroy，so，exceptinthe"Iliad"and"Odyssey，"wemeetbutshadowsofherloveliness，phantasmswovenoutofclouds，andthelightofsettingsuns。
CHAPTERXIII:ENCHANTEDCIGARETTES
Todreamoverliteraryprojects，Balzacsays，islike"smokingenchantedcigarettes，"butwhenwetrytotackleourprojects，tomakethemreal，theenchantmentdisappears。Wehavetotillthesoil，tosowtheseed，togathertheleaves，andthenthecigarettesmustbemanufactured，whiletheremaybenomarketforthemafterall。Probablymostpeoplehaveenjoyedthefragranceoftheseenchantedcigarettes，andhavebroodedovermuchwhichtheywillneverputonpaper。Herearesomeof"theashesoftheweedsofmydelight"——memoriesofromanceswhereofnosinglelineiswritten，orislikelytobewritten。
OfmyearliestnovelIrememberbutlittle。Iknowtherehadbeenawreck，andthatthevillain，whowasbelievedtobedrowned，camehomeandmadehimselfdisagreeable。Iknowthattheheroine'smouthwasNOT"toolargeforregularbeauty。"Inthatrespectshewasoriginal。Allheroinesare"muckle-mou'd，"Iknownotwhy。Itisexpectedofthem。Iknowshewasmelancholyandmerry；itwouldnotsurprisemetolearnthatshedrownedherselffromacanoe。
Butthevillainneverdescendedtocrime，thefirstloverwouldnotfallinlove，theheroine'sownaffectionswereprovokinglydisengaged，andthewholeaffaircametoadeadstopforwantofaplot。Perhaps，consideringmoderncanonsoffiction，thismighthavebeenaverysuccessfulnovel。Itwasentirelydevoidofincidentorinterest，and，consequently，wasagooddeallikereallife，asreallifeappearstomanycultivatedauthors。Ontheotherhand，allthecharacterswereflippant。Thiswouldneverhavedone，andIdonotregretnovelNo。I。，whichhadnotevenaname。
Thesecondstoryhadaplot，quantitiesofplot，nothingbutplot。
Itwastohavebeenwrittenincollaborationwithaverygreatnovelist，who，asfaraswewent，confinedhimselftomakingobjections。Thisnovelwasstoppednotthatmyfriendwouldeverhavegoneonby"CalledBack，"whichanticipatedpartoftheidea。
Thestorywasentitled"WhereisRose？"andthemottowas-
"RosaquolocorumSeramoratur。"
Thecharacterswere——1Rose，ayoungladyofquality。2TheRussianPrincess，herfriendneedIaddthat，tomeetapublicdemand，HERnamewasVera？。3YoungmanengagedtoRose。4
Charles，hisfriend。5Anenterprisingpersonnamed"TheWhiteleyofCrime，"theuniversalProviderofIniquity。Infact，heanticipatedSirArthurDoyle'sProfessorMoriarty。Therestweredetectives，oldladies，mob，andawealthyyoungColoniallarrikin。NeithermyfriendnorIwasfondofdescribinglovescenes，sowemadetheheroinedisappearinthesecondchapter，andsheneverturnedupagaintillchapterthelast。Afterplayinginacomedyatthehouseofanearl，RosaandVeraenteredherbrougham。Soonafterwardsthebroughamdrewup，EMPTY，atRose'sowndoor。WhereWASRose？Tracesofherwerefound，ofallplaces，intheHauntedHouseinBerkeleySquare，whichisnothauntedanylonger。AfterthatRosewaslongsoughtinvain。
This，briefly，iswhathadoccurred。ARussiandetective"wanted"
Vera，who，tobesure，wasaNihilist。TocatchVerahemadeanalliancewith"TheWhiteleyofCrime。"Hewasamanwhowoulddestroyaparishregister，orforgeawill，orcrackacrib，orbreakupaPro-Boermeeting，orburnahouse，orkidnaparightfulheir，ormanageapersonation，orissueamateurbank-notes，orwhatyouplease。Thinkingtokilltwobirdswithonestone，hecarriedoffRoseforherdiamondsandVeraforhisfriend，theMuscovitepoliceofficial，lodgingthembothintheHauntedHouse。ButthereheandtheRussiancametoblows，and，intheconfusion，Veramadeherescape，whileRosewasconveyed，ASVERA，toSiberia。Notknowinghowtodisposeofher，theRussianpoliceconsignedhertoanunneryatthemouthoftheObi。Herlover，inayacht，foundherhiding-place，andgotafriendlynuntogivehersomenarcoticknowntotheSamoyeds。ItwastheoldtrucoftheFriarin"RomeoandJuliet。"AtthemouthoftheObitheydonotburythedead，butlaythemdownonplatformsintheopenair。Rosewaspickeduptherebyherloveraccompaniedbyachaperon，ofcourse，wasgotonboardthesteamyacht，andallwentwell。Iforgetwhathappenedto"TheWhiteleyofCrime。"AfterhimIstillratherhanker——hewasahumorousruffian。Somethingcouldbemadeof"TheWhiteleyofCrime。"SomethingHASbeenmade，bytheauthorof"SherlockHolmes。"
Inyetanotherromance，agentlemantakeshisfriend，inacountryplace，toseehisbetrothed。Thefriend，whohadonlycomeintotheneighbourhoodthatday，isfounddead，nextmorning，hangingtoatree。Gipsiesandothersaresuspected。Buttheloverwasthemurderer。Hehadbeenapriest，inSouthAmerica，andtheladywasaCatholicwhoknewnotofhisOrders。Nowthefriendfellinlovewiththeladyatfirstsight，onbeingintroducedtoherbythelover。Asthetwomenwalkedhome，thefriendthreatenedtorevealthelover'ssecret——histonsure——whichwouldbefataltohishopes。Theyquarrelled，parted，andtheex-priestlassoedhisfriend。Themotive，Ithink，isanoriginalone，andnotlikelytooccurtothefirstcomer。Theinventorisopentooffers。
Thenextnovel，basedonadream，wascalled"InSearchofQrart。"
WhatisQrart？IdeclinetodivulgethissecretbeyondsayingthatQrartwasaproductofthecivilisationwhichnowsleepsunderthesnowsofthepole。Itwasanarticleoftheutmostvaluetohumanity。FartherIdonotintendtocommitmyself。TheBrideofaGodwasoneofthecharacters。
Thenextnovelis，atpresent，myfavouritecigarette。ThesceneispartlyinGreece，partlyattheParthianCourt，about80-60B。C。
Crassusisthevillain。TheheroinewasanactressinoneofthewanderingGreekcompanies，splendidstrollers，whoplayedattheIndianandAsiaticCourts。Thestoryendswiththerepresentationofthe"Bacchae，"inParthia。TheheadofPentheusiscarriedbyoneoftheBacchaeinthatdrama。Behold，itisnotamask，butTHEHEADOFCRASSUS，andthusconveysthefirstnewsoftheRomandefeat。Obviously，thisisanovelthatneedsagreatdealofpreliminarystudy，asmuch，indeed，as"Salammbo。"
AnotherstorywilldealwiththeIcelandicdiscoverersofAmerica。
Mr。Kipling，however，hastakenthewindoutofitssailswithhissketch，"TheFinestStoryintheWorld。"ThereareallthemarvelsandportentsoftheEyrbyggjaSagatodrawupon，thereareSkraelingstofight，andwhyshouldnotKarlsefni'ssonkillthelastmastodon，and，asQuetzalcoatl，bethewhite-beardedgodoftheAztecs？AfterthataromanceontheintriguestomakeCharlesEdwardKingofPolandsoundscommonplace。Butmuchmightbemadeofthat，too，iftherightmantookitinhand。Believeme，thereareplentyofstoriesleft，waitingforthemanwhocantellthem。
Ihavesaiditbefore，butIsayitagain，ifIwerekingIwouldkeepcourtofficials，Mr。StanleyWeyman，Mr。Mason，Mr。Kipling，andothers，totellmemyownstories。IknowthekindofthingwhichIlike，fromthediscoveryofQrarttothatoftheFrenchgoldintheburnatLochArkaig，orin"thewoodbythelochside"
thatMurrayofBroughtonmentions。
AnothercigaretteIhave，theadventuresofaPoet，aPoetborninaPuritanvillageofMassachusettsabout1670。Hawthornecouldhavetoldmemystory，andhowmyfriendwasdrivenintothewildernessandlivedamongtheRedMen。IthinkhewaskilledinanattempttowarnhiscountrymenofanIndianraid；IthinkhisMS。poemshaveabullet-holethroughthem，andbloodontheleaves。
TheywereinCarew'sbestmanner，thesepoems。
AnothertaleHawthornemighthavetoldme，thetaleofanexcellentman，whoseveryvirtues，bysomebanefulmoralchemistry，corruptandruinthepeoplewithwhomhecomesincontact。Idonotmeanbygoadingthemintotheoppositeextremes，butrathersomethinglikeamoraljettatura。Thisneedsagreatdealofsubtlety，andwhatistobecomeofthehero？Ishetoplungeintovicetilleverybodyisvirtuousagain？Itwantsworkingout。Ihaveomitted，afterall，aschoolboyhistoricalromance，explainingWHY
QUEENELIZABETHWASNEVERMARRIED。AScottishpaperofferedaprizeforastoryofQueenMaryStuart'sreign。Ididnotgettheprize——perhapsdidnotdeserveit，butmystoryranthus:YoumustknowthatQueenElizabethwassingularlylikeDarnleyinpersonalappearance。Whatsonaturalasthat，disguisedasapage，herMajestyshouldcomespyingabouttheCourtofHolyrood？DarnleyseesherwalkingoutofQueenMary'sroom，hethinksheranhallucination，discoversthatsheisreal，challengesher，andtheyfightatFaldonside，bytheTweed，ShakespeareholdingElizabeth'shorse。Elizabethiswounded，andiscarriedtotheKirkofField，andlaidinDarnley'schamber，whileDarnleygoesoutandmakeslovetomyruralheroine，theladyofFernilee，aKerr。ThatnightBothwellblowsuptheKirkofField，Elizabethandall。Darnleyhasonlyoneresource。Borrowingtheridinghabitoftheruralheroine，theladyofFernilee，hefleesacrosstheBorder，and，fortherestofhislife，personatesQueenElizabeth。ThatiswhyElizabeth，whowasDarnley，hatedMarysobitterlyonaccountoftheKirkofFieldaffair，andTHATISWHYQUEENELIZABETHWAS
NEVERMARRIED。Side-lightsonShakespeare'sSonnetswereobviouslycast。TheyoungmanwhomShakespeareadmiredso，andurgedtomarry，was——Darnley。ThisromancedidnotgettheprizetheanachronismaboutShakespeareisworthyofScott，butIamconceitedenoughtothinkitdeservedanhonourablemention。
Enoughofmyowncigarettes。Butthereareothersofamorefragrantweed。WhowillendformethenovelofwhichByrononlywroteachapter；who，asBulwerLyttonisdead？Afineropening，onemoremysteriouslystirring，youcannowhereread。Andthenovelinletters，whichScottbeganin1819，whoshallfinishit，ortelluswhathedidwithhisfairVenetiancourtezan，acharactersomuchoutofSirWalter'sway？Hetosseditaside——itwasbutanenchantedcigarette——andgaveus"TheFortunesofNigel"
initsplace。Iwantboth。Wecannotcallupthosewho"lefthalftold"thesestories。Inahappierworldweshalllistentotheirendings，andallourdreamsshallbecoherentandconcluded。
Meanwhile，withouttrouble，andexpense，anddisappointment，andreviews，wecanallsmokeourcigarettesoffairyland。Wouldthatmanypeoplewerecontenttosmokethempeacefully，anddidnotrushonpen，paper，andink!
CHAPTERXIV:STORIESANDSTORY-TELLING
FromSTRATHNAVER
Wehavehadadroughtforthreeweeks。DuringawholeweekthisnorthernstrathhasbeenassunnyastheRivieraisexpectedtobe。