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