"Butwhencecametheirresistibledesiresofthatwildandunholyknowledge?Iknewthemnottillthineevileyefelluponme,andIwasdrawnintothemagicatmosphereofthybeing!"
"Thouerrest!——thedesireswereinthee;and,whetherinonedirectionortheother,wouldhaveforcedtheirway!Man!thouaskestmetheenigmaofthyfateandmyown!Lookroundallbeing,istherenotmysteryeverywhere?Canthineeyetracetheripeningofthegrainbeneaththeearth?Inthemoralandthephysicalworldalike,liedarkportents,farmorewondrousthanthepowersthouwouldstascribetome!"
"Dostthoudisownthosepowers;dostthouconfessthyselfanimposter?——orwiltthoudaretotellmethatthouartindeedsoldtotheEvilone,——amagicianwhosefamiliarhashauntedmenightandday?"
"ItmattersnotwhatIam,"returnedZanoni;"itmattersonlywhetherIcanaidtheetoexorcisethydismalphantom,andreturnoncemoretothewholesomeairofthiscommonlife。Something,however,willItellthee,nottovindicatemyself,buttheHeavenandtheNaturethatthydoubtsmalign。"
Zanonipausedamoment,andresumedwithaslightsmile,——
"InthyyoungerdaysthouhastdoubtlessreadwithdelightthegreatChristianpoet,whosemuse,likethemorningitcelebrated,cametoearth,'crownedwithflowersculledinParadise。'
'L'aureatestaDirosecolteinParadisoinfiora。'
Tasso,"Ger。Lib。"iv。l。
"Nospiritwasmoreimbuedwiththeknightlysuperstitionsofthetime;andsurelythePoetofJerusalemhathsufficiently,tosatisfyeventheInquisitorheconsulted,execratedallthepractitionersoftheunlawfulspellsinvoked,——
'PerisforzarCocitooFlegetonte。'
ToconstrainCocytusorPhlegethon。
Butinhissorrowsandhiswrongs,intheprisonofhismadhouse,knowyounotthatTassohimselffoundhissolace,hisescape,intherecognitionofaholyandspiritualTheurgia,——ofamagicthatcouldsummontheAngel,ortheGoodGenius,nottheFiend?
Anddoyounotrememberhowhe,deeplyversedashewasforhisage,inthemysteriesofthenoblerPlatonism,whichhintsatthesecretsofallthestarrybrotherhoods,fromtheChaldeantothelaterRosicrucian,discriminatesinhislovelyverse,betweentheblackartofIsmenoandthegloriousloreoftheEnchanterwhocounselsandguidesupontheirerrandthechampionsoftheHolyLand?HIS,notthecharmswroughtbytheaidoftheStygianRebelsSeethisremarkablepassage,whichdoesindeednotunfaithfullyrepresentthedoctrineofthePythagoreanandthePlatonist,inTasso,cant。xiv。stanzasxli。toxlvii。"Ger。
Lib。"TheyarebeautifullytranslatedbyWiffen。,buttheperceptionofthesecretpowersofthefountainandtheherb,——
theArcanaoftheunknownnatureandthevariousmotionsofthestars。His,theholyhauntsofLebanonandCarmel,——beneathhisfeethesawtheclouds,thesnows,thehuesofIris,thegenerationsoftherainsanddews。DidtheChristianHermitwhoconvertedthatEnchanternofabulousbeing,butthetypeofallspiritthatwouldaspirethroughNatureuptoGodcommandhimtolayasidethesesublimestudies,'Lesolitearteel'usomio'?
No!buttocherishanddirectthemtoworthyends。AndinthisgrandconceptionofthepoetliesthesecretofthetrueTheurgia,whichstartlesyourignoranceinamorelearneddaywithpuerileapprehensions,andthenightmaresofasickman'sdreams。"
AgainZanonipaused,andagainresumed:——
"Inagesfarremote,——ofacivilisationfardifferentfromthatwhichnowmergestheindividualinthestate,——thereexistedmenofardentminds,andanintensedesireofknowledge。Inthemightyandsolemnkingdomsinwhichtheydwelt,therewerenoturbulentandearthlychannelstoworkoffthefeveroftheirminds。Setintheantiquemouldofcaststhroughwhichnointellectcouldpierce,novalourcouldforceitsway,thethirstforwisdomalonereignedintheheartsofthosewhoreceiveditsstudyasaheritagefromsiretoson。Hence,eveninyourimperfectrecordsoftheprogressofhumanknowledge,youfindthat,intheearliestages,Philosophydescendednottothebusinessandhomesofmen。Itdweltamidstthewondersoftheloftiercreation;itsoughttoanalysetheformationofmatter,——
theessentialsoftheprevailingsoul;toreadthemysteriesofthestarryorbs;todiveintothosedepthsofNatureinwhichZoroasterissaidbytheschoolmenfirsttohavediscoveredtheartswhichyourignoranceclassesunderthenameofmagic。Insuchanage,then,arosesomemen,who,amidstthevanitiesanddelusionsoftheirclass,imaginedthattheydetectedgleamsofabrighterandsteadierlore。TheyfanciedanaffinityexistingamongalltheworksofNature,andthatinthelowliestlaythesecretattractionthatmightconductthemupwardtotheloftiest。
Agreeably,itwouldseem,tothenotionofIamblichusandPlotinus,thattheuniverseisasananimal;sothatthereissympathyandcommunicationbetweenonepartandtheother;inthesmallestpartmaybethesubtlestnerve。AndhencetheuniversalmagnetismofNature。Butmancontemplatestheuniverseasananimalculewouldanelephant。Theanimalcule,seeingscarcelythetipofthehoof,wouldbeincapableofcomprehendingthatthetrunkbelongedtothesamecreature,——thattheeffectproducedupononeextremitywouldbefeltinaninstantbytheother。
Centuriespassed,andliveswerewastedinthesediscoveries;butstepafterstepwaschronicledandmarked,andbecametheguidetothefewwhoalonehadthehereditaryprivilegetotracktheirpath。
Atlastfromthisdimnessuponsomeeyesthelightbroke;butthinknot,youngvisionary,thattothosewhonursedunholythoughts,overwhomtheOriginofEvilheldasway,thatdawningwasvouchsafed。Itcouldbegiventhen,asnow,onlytothepurestecstasiesofimaginationandintellect,undistractedbythecaresofavulgarlife,ortheappetitesofthecommonclay。
Farfromdescendingtotheassistanceofafiend,theirswasbuttheaugustambitiontoapproachnearertotheFountofGood;themoretheyemancipatedthemselvesfromthislimbooftheplanets,themoretheywerepenetratedbythesplendourandbeneficenceofGod。Andiftheysought,andatlastdiscovered,howtotheeyeoftheSpiritallthesubtlermodificationsofbeingandofmattermightbemadeapparent;iftheydiscoveredhow,forthewingsoftheSpirit,allspacemightbeannihilated,andwhilethebodystoodheavyandsolidhere,asadesertedtomb,thefreedIDEAmightwanderfromstartostar,——ifsuchdiscoveriesbecameintruththeirown,thesublimestluxuryoftheirknowledgewasbutthis,towonder,tovenerate,andadore!For,asonenotunlearnedinthesehighmattershasexpressedit,'Thereisaprincipleofthesoulsuperiortoallexternalnature,andthroughthisprinciplewearecapableofsurpassingtheorderandsystemsoftheworld,andparticipatingtheimmortallifeandtheenergyoftheSublimeCelestials。Whenthesouliselevatedtonaturesaboveitself,itdesertstheordertowhichitisawhilecompelled,andbyareligiousmagnetismisattractedtoanotherandaloftier,withwhichitblendsandmingles。'FromIamblichus,"OntheMysteries,"c。7,sect。7。
Grant,then,thatsuchbeingsfoundatlastthesecrettoarrestdeath;tofascinatedangerandthefoe;towalktherevolutionsoftheearthunharmed,——thinkyouthatthislifecouldteachthemotherdesirethantoyearnthemorefortheImmortal,andtofittheirintellectthebetterforthehigherbeingtowhichtheymight,whenTimeandDeathexistnolonger,###第21章
betransferred?Awaywithyourgloomyfantasiesofsorcereranddemon!——thesoulcanaspireonlytothelight;andeventheerrorofourloftyknowledgewasbuttheforgetfulnessoftheweakness,thepassions,andthebondswhichthedeathwesovainlyconqueredonlycanpurgeaway!"
ThisaddresswassodifferentfromwhatGlyndonhadanticipated,thatheremainedforsomemomentsspeechless,andatlengthfalteredout,——
"Butwhy,then,tome——"
"Why,"addedZanoni,——"whytotheehavebeenonlythepenanceandtheterror,——theThresholdandthePhantom?Vainman!looktothecommonestelementsofthecommonlearning。Caneverytyroathismerewishandwillbecomethemaster;canthestudent,whenhehasboughthisEuclid,becomeaNewton;cantheyouthwhomtheMuseshaunt,say,'IwillequalHomer;'yea,canyonpaletyrant,withalltheparchmentlawsofahundredsystem-shapers,andthepikesofhisdauntlessmultitude,carve,athiswill,aconstitutionnotmoreviciousthantheonewhichthemadnessofamobcouldoverthrow?When,inthatfartimetowhichIhavereferred,thestudentaspiredtotheheightstowhichthouwouldsthavesprungatasinglebound,hewastrainedfromhisverycradletothecareerhewastorun。Theinternalandtheoutwardnatureweremadecleartohiseyes,yearafteryear,astheyopenedontheday。HewasnotadmittedtothepracticalinitiationtillnotoneearthlywishchainedthatsublimestfacultywhichyoucalltheIMAGINATION,onecarnaldesirecloudedthepenetrativeessencethatyoucalltheINTELLECT。Andeventhen,andatthebest,howfewattainedtothelastmystery!
HappierinasmuchastheyattainedtheearliertotheholygloriesforwhichDeathistheheavenliestgate。"
Zanonipaused,andashadeofthoughtandsorrowdarkenedhiscelestialbeauty。
"Andarethere,indeed,others,besidestheeandMejnour,wholayclaimtothineattributes,andhaveattainedtothysecrets?"
"Otherstherehavebeenbeforeus,butwetwonowarealoneonearth。"
"Imposter,thoubetrayestthyself!IftheycouldconquerDeath,whylivetheynotyet?"GlyndonappearstoforgetthatMejnourhadbeforeansweredtheveryquestionwhichhisdoubtshereasecondtimesuggest。
"Childofaday!"answeredZanoni,mournfully,"haveInottoldtheetheerrorofourknowledgewastheforgetfulnessofthedesiresandpassionswhichthespiritnevercanwhollyandpermanentlyconquerwhilethismattercloaksit?Canstthouthinkthatitisnosorrow,eithertorejectallhumanties,allfriendship,andalllove,ortosee,dayafterday,friendshipandlovewitherfromourlife,asblossomsfromthestem?Canstthouwonderhow,withthepowertolivewhiletheworldshalllast,ereevenourordinarydatebefinishedweyetmayprefertodie?Wonderratherthattherearetwowhohaveclungsofaithfullytoearth!Me,Iconfess,thatearthcanenamouryet。
Attainingtothelastsecretwhileyouthwasinitsbloom,youthstillcoloursallaroundmewithitsownluxuriantbeauty;tome,yet,tobreatheistoenjoy。ThefreshnesshasnotfadedfromthefaceofNature,andnotanherbinwhichIcannotdiscoveranewcharm,——anundetectedwonder。
Aswithmyyouth,sowithMejnour'sage:hewilltellyouthatlifetohimisbutapowertoexamine;andnottillhehasexhaustedallthemarvelswhichtheCreatorhassownonearth,wouldhedesirenewhabitationsfortherenewedSpirittoexplore。Wearethetypesofthetwoessencesofwhatisimperishable,——'ART,thatenjoys;andSCIENCE,thatcontemplates!'Andnow,thatthoumayestbecontentedthatthesecretsarenotvouchsafedtothee,learnthatsoutterlymusttheideadetachitselffromwhatmakesuptheoccupationandexcitementofmen;somustitbevoidofwhateverwouldcovet,orlove,orhate,——thatfortheambitiousman,forthelover,thehater,thepoweravailsnot。AndI,atlast,boundandblindedbythemostcommonofhouseholdties;I,darkenedandhelpless,adjurethee,thebaffledanddiscontented,——Iadjuretheetodirect,toguideme;wherearethey?Oh,tellme,——speak!Mywife,——mychild?Silent!——oh,thouknowestnowthatIamnosorcerer,noenemy。Icannotgivetheewhatthyfacultiesdeny,——IcannotachievewhatthepassionlessMejnourfailedtoaccomplish;butIcangivetheethenext-bestboon,perhapsthefairest,——Icanreconciletheetothedailyworld,andplacepeacebetweenthyconscienceandthyself。"
"Wiltthoupromise?"
"Bytheirsweetlives,Ipromise!"
Glyndonlookedandbelieved。Hewhisperedtheaddresstothehousewhitherhisfatalstepalreadyhadbroughtwoeanddoom。
"Blesstheeforthis,"exclaimedZanoni,passionately,"andthoushaltbeblessed!What!couldstthounotperceivethatattheentrancetoallthegranderworldsdwelltheracethatintimidateandawe?WhointhydailyworldeverlefttheoldregionsofCustomandPrescription,andfeltnotthefirstseizureoftheshapelessandnamelessFear?Everywherearoundtheewheremenaspireandlabour,thoughtheyseeitnot,——intheclosetofthesage,inthecouncilofthedemagogue,inthecampofthewarrior,——everywherecowersanddarkenstheUnutterableHorror。
Butthere,wherethouhastventured,aloneisthePhantomVISIBLE;andneverwillitceasetohaunt,tillthoucanstpasstotheInfinite,astheseraph;orreturntotheFamiliar,asachild!Butanswermethis:when,seekingtoadheretosomecalmresolveofvirtue,thePhantomhathstalkedsuddenlytothyside;
whenitsvoicehathwhisperedtheedespair;whenitsghastlyeyeswouldscaretheebacktothosescenesofearthlycraftorriotousexcitementfromwhich,asitleavestheetoworsefoestothesoul,itspresenceiseverabsent,——hastthouneverbravelyresistedthespectreandthineownhorror;hastthouneversaid,'Comewhatmay,toVirtueIwillcling?'"
"Alas!"answeredGlyndon,"onlyoflatehaveIdaredtodoso。"
"AndthouhastfeltthenthatthePhantomgrewmoredimanditspowermorefaint?"
"Itistrue。"
"Rejoice,then!——thouhastovercomethetrueterrorandmysteryoftheordeal。Resolveisthefirstsuccess。Rejoice,fortheexorcismissure!Thouartnotofthosewho,denyingalifetocome,arethevictimsoftheInexorableHorror。Oh,whenshallmenlearn,atlast,thatiftheGreatReligioninculcatessorigidlythenecessityofFAITH,itisnotalonethatFAITHleadstotheworldtobe;butthatwithoutfaiththereisnoexcellenceinthis,——faithinsomethingwiser,happier,diviner,thanweseeonearth!——theartistcallsittheIdeal,——thepriest,Faith。
TheIdealandFaithareoneandthesame。Return,Owanderer,return!FeelwhatbeautyandholinessdwellintheCustomaryandtheOld。Backtothygatewayglide,thouHorror!andcalm,onthechildlikeheart,smileagain,OazureHeaven,withthynightandthymorningstarbutasone,thoughunderitsdoublenameofMemoryandHope!"
Ashethusspoke,Zanonilaidhishandgentlyontheburningtemplesofhisexcitedandwonderinglistener;andpresentlyasortoftrancecameoverhim:heimaginedthathewasreturnedtothehomeofhisinfancy;thathewasinthesmallchamberwhere,overhisearlyslumbers,hismotherhadwatchedandprayed。Thereitwas,——visible,palpable,solitary,unaltered。
Intherecess,thehomelybed;onthewalls,theshelvesfilledwithholybooks;theveryeaselonwhichhehadfirstsoughttocalltheidealtothecanvas,dust-covered,broken,inthecorner。Belowthewindowlaytheoldchurchyard:hesawitgreeninthedistance,thesunglancingthroughtheyew-trees;hesawthetombwherefatherandmotherlayunited,andthespirepointinguptoheaven,thesymbolofthehopesofthosewhoconsignedtheashestothedust;inhisearrangthebells,pealing,asonaSabbathday。Farfledallthevisionsofanxietyandawethathadhauntedandconvulsed;youth,boyhood,childhoodcamebacktohimwithinnocentdesiresandhopes;hethoughthefelluponhiskneestopray。Hewoke,——hewokeindelicioustears,hefeltthatthePhantomwasfledforever。Helookedround,——Zanoniwasgone。Onthetablelaytheselines,theinkyetwet:——
"Iwillfindwaysandmeansforthyescape。Atnightfall,astheclockstrikesnine,aboatshallwaittheeontheriverbeforethishouse;theboatmanwillguidetheetoaretreatwherethoumaystrestinsafetytilltheReignofTerror,whichnearsitsclose,bepast。Thinknomoreofthesensuallovethatlured,andwellnighlostthee。Itbetrayed,andwouldhavedestroyed。
Thouwiltregainthylandinsafety,——longyearsyetsparedtotheetomuseoverthepast,andtoredeemit。Forthyfuture,bethydreamthyguide,andthytearsthybaptism。"
TheEnglishmanobeyedtheinjunctionsoftheletter,andfoundtheirtruth。
CHAPTER7。X。
Quidmiraremeastotinunocorporeformas?
Propert。
WhywonderthatIhavesomanyformsinasinglebody?
ZanonitoMejnour……
"Sheisinoneoftheirprisons,——theirinexorableprisons。ItisRobespierre'sorder,——IhavetrackedthecausetoGlyndon。
This,then,madethatterribleconnectionbetweentheirfateswhichIcouldnotunravel,butwhichtillseveredasitnowis
wrappedGlyndonhimselfinthesamecloudthatconcealedher。Inprison,——inprison!——itisthegateofthegrave!Hertrial,andtheinevitableexecutionthatfollowssuchtrial,isthethirddayfromthis。Thetyranthasfixedallhisschemesofslaughterforthe10thofThermidor。Whilethedeathsoftheunoffendingstrikeawetothecity,hissatellitesaretomassacrehisfoes。
Thereisbutonehopeleft,——thatthePowerwhichnowdoomsthedoomer,mayrendermeaninstrumenttoexpeditehisfall。Buttwodaysleft,——twodays!InallmywealthoftimeIseebuttwodays;allbeyond,——darkness,solitude。Imaysaveheryet。Thetyrantshallfallthedaybeforethatwhichhehassetapartforslaughter!ForthefirsttimeImixamongthebroilsandstratagemsofmen,andmymindleapsupfrommydespair,armedandeagerforthecontest。"……
AcrowdhadgatheredroundtheRueSt。Honore;ayoungmanwasjustarrestedbytheorderofRobespierre。HewasknowntobeintheserviceofTallien,thathostileleaderintheConvention,whomthetyranthadhithertotrembledtoattack。ThisincidenthadthereforeproducedagreaterexcitementthanacircumstancesocustomaryasanarrestintheReignofTerrormightbesupposedtocreate。AmongstthecrowdweremanyfriendsofTallien,manyfoestothetyrant,manywearyofbeholdingthetigerdraggingvictimaftervictimtoitsden。Hoarse,forebodingmurmurswereheard;fierceeyesglaredupontheofficersastheyseizedtheirprisoner;andthoughtheydidnotyetdareopenlytoresist,thoseintherearpressedonthosebehind,andencumberedthepathofthecaptiveandhiscaptors。
Theyoungmanstruggledhardforescape,and,byaviolenteffort,atlastwrenchedhimselffromthegrasp。Thecrowdmadeway,andclosedroundtoprotecthim,ashedivedanddartedthroughtheirranks;butsuddenlythetramplingofhorseswasheardathand,——thesavageHenriotandhistroopwerebearingdownuponthemob。Thecrowdgavewayinalarm,andtheprisonerwasagainseizedbyoneofthepartisansoftheDictator。Atthatmomentavoicewhisperedtheprisoner,"Thouhastaletterwhich,iffoundonthee,ruinsthylasthope。Giveittome!I
willbearittoTallien。"Theprisonerturnedinamaze,readsomethingthatencouragedhimintheeyesofthestrangerwhothusaccostedhim。Thetroopwerenowonthespot;theJacobinwhohadseizedtheprisonerreleasedholdofhimforamomenttoescapethehoofsofthehorses:inthatmomenttheopportunitywasfound,——thestrangerhaddisappeared……
AtthehouseofTallientheprincipalfoesofthetyrantwereassembled。Commondangermadecommonfellowship。Allfactionslaidasidetheirfeudsforthehourtouniteagainsttheformidablemanwhowasmarchingoverallfactionstohisgorythrone。TherewasboldLecointre,thedeclaredenemy;there,creepingBarrere,whowouldreconcileallextremes,theheroofthecowards;Barras,calmandcollected;Colletd'Herbois,breathingwrathandvengeance,andseeingnotthatthecrimesofRobespierrealoneshelteredhisown。
Thecouncilwasagitatedandirresolute。TheawewhichtheuniformsuccessandtheprodigiousenergyofRobespierreexcitedstillheldthegreaterpartunderitscontrol。Tallien,whomthetyrantmostfeared,andwhoalonecouldgiveheadandsubstanceanddirectiontosomanycontradictorypassions,wastoosulliedbythememoryofhisowncrueltiesnottofeelembarrassedbyhispositionasthechampionofmercy。"Itistrue,"hesaid,afterananimatingharanguefromLecointre,"thattheUsurpermenacesusall。Butheisstillsobelovedbyhismobs,——stillsosupportedbyhisJacobins:betterdelayopenhostilitiestillthehourismoreripe。Toattemptandnotsucceedistogiveus,boundhandandfoot,totheguillotine。Everydayhispowermustdecline。Procrastinationisourbestally——"Whileyetspeaking,andwhileyetproducingtheeffectofwateronthefire,itwasannouncedthatastrangerdemandedtoseehiminstantlyonbusinessthatbrookednodelay。
"Iamnotatleisure,"saidtheorator,impatiently。Theservantplacedanoteonthetable。Tallienopenedit,andfoundthesewordsinpencil,"FromtheprisonofTeresadeFontenai。"Heturnedpale,startedup,andhastenedtotheanteroom,wherehebeheldafaceentirelystrangetohim。
"HopeofFrance!"saidthevisitortohim,andtheverysoundofhisvoicewentstraighttotheheart,——"yourservantisarrestedinthestreets。Ihavesavedyourlife,andthatofyourwifewhowillbe。IbringtoyouthisletterfromTeresadeFontenai。"
Tallien,withatremblinghand,openedtheletter,andread,——
"AmIforevertoimploreyouinvain?AgainandagainIsay,'Losenotanhourifyouvaluemylifeandyourown。'Mytrialanddeatharefixedthethirddayfromthis,——the10thThermidor。
Strikewhileitisyettime,——strikethemonster!——youhavetwodaysyet。Ifyoufail,——ifyouprocrastinate,——seemeforthelasttimeasIpassyourwindowstotheguillotine!"
"Hertrialwillgiveproofagainstyou,"saidthestranger。"Herdeathistheheraldofyourown。Fearnotthepopulace,——thepopulacewouldhaverescuedyourservant。FearnotRobespierre,——hegiveshimselftoyourhands。To-morrowhecomestotheConvention,——to-morrowyoumustcastthelastthrowforhisheadoryourown。"
"To-morrowhecomestotheConvention!Andwhoareyouthatknowsowellwhatisconcealedfromme?"
"Amanlikeyou,whowouldsavethewomanheloves。"
BeforeTalliencouldrecoverhissurprise,thevisitorwasgone。
BackwenttheAvengertohisconclaveanalteredman。"Ihaveheardtidings,——nomatterwhat,"hecried,——"thathavechangedmypurpose。Onthe10thwearedestinedtotheguillotine。I
revokemycounselfordelay。RobespierrecomestotheConventionto-morrow;THEREwemustconfrontandcrushhim。FromtheMountainshallfrownagainsthimthegrimshadeofDanton,——fromthePlainshallrise,intheirbloodycerements,thespectresofVergniaudandCondorcet。Frappons!"
"Frappons!"criedevenBarrere,startledintoenergybythenewdaringofhiscolleague,——"frappons!iln'yaquelesmortsquinereviennentpas。"
Itwasobservableandthefactmaybefoundinoneofthememoirsofthetimethat,duringthatdayandnightthe7thThermidor,astrangertoallthepreviouseventsofthatstormytimewasseeninvariouspartsofthecity,——inthecafes,theclubs,thehauntsofthevariousfactions;that,totheastonishmentanddismayofhishearers,hetalkedaloudofthecrimesofRobespierre,andpredictedhiscomingfall;and,ashespoke,hestirreduptheheartsofmen,heloosedthebondsoftheirfear,——heinflamedthemwithunwontedrageanddaring。Butwhatsurprisedthemmostwas,thatnovoicereplied,nohandwasliftedagainsthim,nominion,evenofthetyrant,cried,"Arrestthetraitor。"Inthatimpunitymenread,asinabook,thatthepopulacehaddesertedthemanofblood。
Onceonlyafierce,brawnyJacobinsprangupfromthetableatwhichhesat,drinkingdeep,and,approachingthestranger,said,"Iseizethee,inthenameoftheRepublic。"
"CitizenAristides,"answeredthestranger,inawhisper,"gotothelodgingsofRobespierre,——heisfromhome;andintheleftpocketofthevestwhichhecastoffnotanhoursincethouwiltfindapaper;whenthouhastreadthat,return。Iwillawaitthee;andifthouwouldstthenseizeme,Iwillgowithoutastruggle。Lookroundonthoseloweringbrows;touchmeNOW,andthouwiltbetorntopieces。"
TheJacobinfeltasifcompelledtoobeyagainsthiswill。Hewentforthmuttering;hereturned,——thestrangerwasstillthere。
"Milletonnerres,"hesaidtohim,"Ithankthee;thepoltroonhadmynameinhislistfortheguillotine。"
WiththattheJacobinAristidesspranguponthetableandshouted,"DeathtotheTyrant!"
CHAPTER7。XI。
Lelendemain,8Thermidor,Robespierresedecidaaprononcersonfameuxdiscours。
Thiers,"Hist。delaRevolution。"
Thenextday,8thThermidor,Robespierreresolvedtodeliverhiscelebrateddiscourse。
Themorningrose,——the8thofThermidorJuly26。RobespierrehasgonetotheConvention。Hehasgonewithhislabouredspeech;hehasgonewithhisphrasesofphilanthropyandvirtue;
hehasgonetosingleouthisprey。Allhisagentsarepreparedforhisreception;thefierceSt。Justhasarrivedfromthearmiestosecondhiscourageandinflamehiswrath。Hisominousapparitionpreparestheaudienceforthecrisis。"Citizens!"
screechedtheshrillvoiceofRobespierre"othershaveplacedbeforeyouflatteringpictures;Icometoannouncetoyouusefultruths……
Andtheyattributetome,——tomealone!——whateverofharshoreviliscommitted:itisRobespierrewhowishesit;itisRobespierrewhoordainsit。Isthereanewtax?——itisRobespierrewhoruinsyou。Theycallmetyrant!——andwhy?
BecauseIhaveacquiredsomeinfluence;buthow?——inspeakingtruth;andwhopretendsthattruthistobewithoutforceinthemouthsoftheRepresentativesoftheFrenchpeople?Doubtless,truthhasitspower,itsrage,itsdespotism,itsaccents,touching,terrible,whichresoundinthepureheartasintheguiltyconscience;andwhichFalsehoodcannomoreimitatethanSalmoneuscouldforgethethunderboltsofHeaven。WhatamIwhomtheyaccuse?Aslaveofliberty,——alivingmartyroftheRepublic;thevictimastheenemyofcrime!Allruffianismaffrontsme,andactionslegitimateinothersarecrimesinme。
Itisenoughtoknowmetobecalumniated。Itisinmyveryzealthattheydiscovermyguilt。Takefrommemyconscience,andI
shouldbethemostmiserableofmen!"
Hepaused;andCouthonwipedhiseyes,andSt。JustmurmuredapplauseaswithsternlookshegazedontherebelliousMountain;
andtherewasadead,mournful,andchillingsilencethroughtheaudience。Thetouchingsentimentwokenoecho。
Theoratorcasthiseyesaround。Ho!hewillsoonarousethatapathy。Heproceeds,hepraises,hepitieshimselfnomore。Hedenounces,——heaccuses。Overfloodedwithhisvenom,hevomitsitforthonall。Athome,abroad,finances,war,——onall!Shrillerandsharperrosehisvoice,——
"Aconspiracyexistsagainstthepublicliberty。ItowesitsstrengthtoacriminalcoalitionintheverybosomoftheConvention;ithasaccomplicesinthebosomoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety……Whatistheremedytothisevil?Topunishthetraitors;topurifythiscommittee;tocrushallfactionsbytheweightoftheNationalAuthority;toraiseupontheirruinsthepowerofLibertyandJustice。SucharetheprinciplesofthatReform。MustIbeambitioustoprofessthem?——thentheprinciplesareproscribed,andTyrannyreignsamongstus!Forwhatcanyouobjecttoamanwhoisintheright,andhasatleastthisknowledge,——heknowshowtodieforhisnativeland!
Iammadetocombatcrime,andnottogovernit。Thetime,alas!
isnotyetarrivedwhenmenofworthcanservewithimpunitytheircountry。Solongastheknavesrule,thedefendersoflibertywillbeonlytheproscribed。"
Fortwohours,throughthatcoldandgloomyaudience,shrilledtheDeath-speech。Insilenceitbegan,insilenceclosed。Theenemiesoftheoratorwereafraidtoexpressresentment;theyknewnotyettheexactbalanceofpower。Hispartisanswereafraidtoapprove;theyknewnotwhomoftheirownfriendsandrelationstheaccusationsweredesignedtosingleforth。"Takecare!"whisperedeachtoeach;"itisthouwhomhethreatens。"
Butsilentthoughtheaudience,itwas,atthefirst,wellnighsubdued。Therewasstillaboutthisterriblemanthespellofanovermasteringwill。Always——thoughnotwhatiscalledagreatorator——resolute,andsovereignintheuseofwords;wordsseemedasthingswhenutteredbyonewhowithanodmovedthetroopsofHenriot,andinfluencedthejudgmentofReneDumas,grimPresidentoftheTribunal。LecointreofVersaillesrose,andtherewasananxiousmovementofattention;forLecointrewasoneofthefiercestfoesofthetyrant。WhatwasthedismayoftheTallienfaction;whatthecomplacentsmileofCouthon,——whenLecointredemandedonlythattheorationshouldbeprinted!Allseemedparalyzed。AtlengthBourdondel'Oise,whosenamewasdoublymarkedintheblacklistoftheDictator,stalkedtothetribune,andmovedtheboldcounter-resolution,thatthespeechshouldbereferredtothetwocommitteeswhomthatveryspeechaccused。Stillnoapplausefromtheconspirators;theysattorpidasfrozenmen。TheshrinkingBarrere,everontheprudentside,lookedroundbeforeherose。Herises,andsideswithLecointre!ThenCouthonseizedtheoccasion,andfromhisseataprivilegepermittedonlytotheparalyticphilanthropistM。
ThiersinhisHistory,volumeiv。page79,makesacuriousblunder:hesays,"Couthons'elancealatribune。'Couthondartedtowardsthetribune。PoorCouthon!whosehalfbodywasdead,andwhowasalwayswheeledinhischairintotheConvention,andspokesitting。,andwithhismelodiousvoicesoughttoconvertthecrisisintoatriumph。
Hedemanded,notonlythattheharangueshouldbeprinted,butsenttoallthecommunesandallthearmies。Itwasnecessarytosootheawrongedandulceratedheart。Deputies,themostfaithful,hadbeenaccusedofsheddingblood。"Ah!ifHEhadcontributedtothedeathofoneinnocentman,heshouldimmolatehimselfwithgrief。"Beautifultenderness!——andwhilehespoke,hefondledthespanielinhisbosom。Bravo,Couthon!
Robespierretriumphs!ThereignofTerrorshallendure!Theoldsubmissionsettlesdovelikebackintheassembly!TheyvotetheprintingoftheDeath-speech,anditstransmissiontoallthemunicipalities。FromthebenchesoftheMountain,Tallien,alarmed,dismayed,impatient,andindignant,casthisgazewheresatthestrangersadmittedtohearthedebates;andsuddenlyhemettheeyesoftheUnknownwhohadbroughttohimtheletterfromTeresadeFontenaitheprecedingday。Theeyesfascinatedhimashegazed。Inaftertimesheoftensaidthattheirregard,fixed,earnest,half-reproachful,andyetcheeringandtriumphant,filledhimwithnewlifeandcourage。Theyspoketohisheartasthetrumpetspeakstothewar-horse。Hemovedfromhisseat;hewhisperedwithhisallies:thespirithehaddrawninwascontagious;themenwhomRobespierreespeciallyhaddenounced,andwhosawtheswordovertheirheads,wokefromtheirtorpidtrance。Vadier,Cambon,Billaud-Varennes,Panis,Amar,roseatonce,——allatoncedemandedspeech。Vadierisfirstheard,therestsucceed。Itburstforth,theMountain,withitsfiresandconsuminglava;flooduponfloodtheyrush,alegionofCicerosuponthestartledCatiline!Robespierrefalters,hesitates,——wouldqualify,retract。Theygathernewcouragefromhisnewfears;theyinterrupthim;theydrownhisvoice;theydemandthereversalofthemotion。AmarmovesagainthatthespeechbereferredtotheCommittees,totheCommittees,——tohisenemies!Confusionandnoiseandclamour!
Robespierrewrapshimselfinsilentandsuperbdisdain。Pale,defeated,butnotyetdestroyed,hestands,——astorminthemidstofstorm!
Themotioniscarried。AllmenforeseeinthatdefeattheDictator'sdownfall。Asolitarycryrosefromthegalleries;itwascaughtup;itcircledthroughthehall,theaudience:"Abasletyrant!Vivelarepublique!"Downwiththetyrant!Hurrahfortherepublic!
CHAPTER7。XII。
Aupresd'uncorpsaussiaviliquelaConvention,ilrestaitdeschancespourqueRobespierresortitvainqueurdecettelutte。
Lacretelle,volumexii。
AmongstabodysodebasedastheConvention,therestillremainedsomechancesthatRobespierrewouldcomeoffvictorinthestruggle。
AsRobespierreleftthehall,therewasadeadandominoussilenceinthecrowdwithout。Theherd,ineverycountry,sidewithsuccess;andtheratsrunfromthefallingtower。ButRobespierre,whowantedcourage,neverwantedpride,andthelastoftensuppliedtheplaceofthefirst;thoughtfully,andwithanimpenetrablebrow,hepassedthroughthethrong,leaningonSt。
Just,Payanandhisbrotherfollowinghim。
Astheygotintotheopenspace,Robespierreabruptlybrokethesilence。
"Howmanyheadsweretofalluponthetenth?"
"Eighty,"repliedPayan。
"Ah,wemustnottarrysolong;adaymayloseanempire:
terrorismmustserveusyet!"
Hewassilentafewmoments,andhiseyesrovedsuspiciouslythroughthestreet。
"St。Just,"hesaidabruptly,"theyhavenotfoundthisEnglishmanwhoserevelations,orwhosetrial,wouldhavecrushedtheAmarsandtheTalliens。No,no!myJacobinsthemselvesaregrowingdullandblind。Buttheyhaveseizedawoman,——onlyawoman!"
"Awoman'shandstabbedMarat,"saidSt。Just。Robespierrestoppedshort,andbreathedhard。
"St。Just,"saidhe,"whenthisperilispast,wewillfoundtheReignofPeace。Thereshallbehomesandgardenssetapartfortheold。Davidisalreadydesigningtheporticos。Virtuousmenshallbeappointedtoinstructtheyoung。AllviceanddisordershallbeNOTexterminated——no,no!onlybanished!Wemustnotdieyet。Posteritycannotjudgeustillourworkisdone。WehaverecalledL'EtreSupreme;wemustnowremodelthiscorruptedworld。Allshallbeloveandbrotherhood;and——ho!Simon!
Simon!——hold!Yourpencil,St。Just!"AndRobespierrewrotehastily。"ThistoCitizenPresidentDumas。Gowithitquick,Simon。TheseeightyheadsmustfallTO-MORROW,——TO-MORROW,Simon。Dumaswilladvancetheirtrialaday。IwillwritetoFouquier-Tinville,thepublicaccuser。WemeetattheJacobinsto-night,Simon;therewewilldenouncetheConventionitself;
therewewillrallyroundusthelastfriendsoflibertyandFrance。"
Ashoutwasheardinthedistancebehind,"Vivelarepublique!"
Thetyrant'seyeshotavindictivegleam。"Therepublic!——faugh!
Wedidnotdestroythethroneofathousandyearsforthatcanaille!"
THETRIAL,THEEXECUTION,OFTHEVICTIMSISADVANCEDADAY!Bytheaidofthemysteriousintelligencethathadguidedandanimatedhimhitherto,Zanonilearnedthathisartshadbeeninvain。HeknewthatViolawassafe,ifshecouldbutsurviveanhourthelifeofthetyrant。HeknewthatRobespierre'shourswerenumbered;thatthe10thofThermidor,onwhichhehadoriginallydesignedtheexecutionofhislastvictims,wouldseehimselfatthescaffold。Zanonihadtoiled,hadschemedforthefalloftheButcherandhisreign。Towhatend?Asinglewordfromthetyranthadbaffledtheresultofall。TheexecutionofViolaisadvancedaday。Vainseer,whowouldstmakethyselftheinstrumentoftheEternal,theverydangersthatnowbesetthetyrantbutexpeditethedoomofhisvictims!To-morrow,eightyheads,andherswhosepillowhasbeenthyheart!To-morrow!andMaximilienissafeto-night!
CHAPTER7。XIII。
ErdemagzuruckinErdestauben;
FliegtderGeistdochausdemmorschenHaus。
SeineAschemagderSturmwindtreiben,SeinLebendauertewigaus!
Elegie。
Earthmaycrumblebackintoearth;theSpiritwillstillescapefromitsfrailtenement。Thewindofthestormmayscatterhisashes;hisbeingenduresforever。
To-morrow!——anditisalreadytwilight。Oneafterone,thegentlestarscomesmilingthroughtheheaven。TheSeine,initsslowwaters,yettrembleswiththelastkissoftherosyday;andstillintheblueskygleamsthespireofNotreDame;andstillintheblueskyloomstheguillotinebytheBarriereduTrone。
Turntothattime-wornbuilding,oncethechurchandtheconventoftheFreres-Precheurs,knownbythethenholynameofJacobins;
therethenewJacobinsholdtheirclub。There,inthatoblonghall,oncethelibraryofthepeacefulmonks,assembletheidolatersofSt。Robespierre。Twoimmensetribunes,raisedateitherend,containtheleesanddregsoftheatrociouspopulace,——themajorityofthataudienceconsistingofthefuriesoftheguillotinefuriesdeguillotine。Inthemidstofthehallarethebureauandchairofthepresident,——thechairlongpreservedbythepietyofthemonksastherelicofSt。ThomasAquinas!AbovethisseatscowlstheharshbustofBrutus。Anironlampandtwobranchesscatteroverthevastroomamurky,fuliginousray,beneaththelightofwhichthefiercefacesofthatPandemoniumseemmoregrimandhaggard。There,fromtheorator'stribune,shriekstheshrillwrathofRobespierre!
Meanwhileallischaos,disorder,halfdaringandhalfcowardice,intheCommitteeofhisfoes。Rumoursflyfromstreettostreet,fromhaunttohaunt,fromhousetohouse。Theswallowsflitlow,andthecattlegrouptogetherbeforethestorm。Andabovethisroarofthelivesandthingsofthelittlehour,aloneinhischamberstoodheonwhosestarryyouth——symboloftheimperishablebloomofthecalmIdealamidstthemoulderingActual——thecloudsofageshadrolledinvain。
Allthoseexertionswhichordinarywitandcouragecouldsuggesthadbeentriedinvain。AllsuchexertionsWEREinvain,where,inthatSaturnaliaofdeath,alifewastheobject。NothingbutthefallofRobespierrecouldhavesavedhisvictims;now,toolate,thatfallwouldonlyservetoavenge。
Oncemore,inthatlastagonyofexcitementanddespair,theseerhadplungedintosolitude,toinvokeagaintheaidorcounselofthosemysteriousintermediatesbetweenearthandheavenwhohadrenouncedtheintercourseofthespiritwhensubjectedtothecommonbondageofthemortal。Intheintensedesireandanguishofhisheart,perhaps,layapowernotyetcalledforth;forwhohasnotfeltthatthesharpnessofextremegriefcutsandgrindsawaymanyofthosestrongestbondsofinfirmityanddoubtwhichbinddownthesoulsofmentothecabineddarknessofthehour;
andthatfromthecloudandthunderstormoftenswoopstheOlympianeaglethatcanravishusaloft!
Andtheinvocationwasheard,——thebondageofsensewasrentawayfromthevisualmind。Helooked,andsaw,——no,notthebeinghehadcalled,withitslimbsoflightandunutterablytranquilsmile——nothisfamiliar,Adon-Ai,theSonofGloryandtheStar,buttheEvilOmen,thedarkChimera,theimplacableFoe,withexultationandmaliceburninginitshell-liteyes。TheSpectre,nolongercoweringandretreatingintoshadow,rosebeforehim,giganticanderect;theface,whoseveilnomortalhandhadeverraised,wasstillconcealed,buttheformwasmoredistinct,corporeal,andcastfromit,asanatmosphere,horrorandrageandawe。Asaniceberg,thebreathofthatpresencefrozetheair;asacloud,itfilledthechamberandblackenedthestarsfromheaven。
"Lo!"saiditsvoice,"Iamhereoncemore。Thouhastrobbedmeofameanerprey。NowexorciseTHYSELFfrommypower!Thylifehasleftthee,toliveintheheartofadaughterofthecharnelandtheworm。InthatlifeIcometotheewithmyinexorabletread。ThouartreturnedtotheThreshold,——thou,whosestepshavetroddenthevergesoftheInfinite!Andasthegoblinofitsfantasyseizesonachildinthedark,——mightyone,whowouldstconquerDeath,——Iseizeonthee!"
"Backtothythraldom,slave!Ifthouartcometothevoicethatcalledtheenot,itisagainnottocommand,buttoobey!Thou,fromwhosewhisperIgainedtheboonsoftheliveslovelieranddearerthanmyown;thou——Icommandthee,notbyspellandcharm,butbytheforceofasoulmightierthanthemaliceofthybeing,——thouservemeyet,andspeakagainthesecretthatcanrescuethelivesthouhast,bypermissionoftheUniversalMaster,permittedmetoretainawhileinthetempleoftheclay!"
Brighterandmoredevouringlyburnedtheglarefromthoselurideyes;morevisibleandcolossalyetrosethedilatingshape;ayetfiercerandmoredisdainfulhatespokeinthevoicethatanswered,"Didstthouthinkthatmyboonwouldbeotherthanthycurse?HappyfortheehadstthoumournedoverthedeathswhichcomebythegentlehandofNature,——hadstthouneverknownhowthenameofmotherconsecratesthefaceofBeauty,andnever,bendingoverthyfirst-born,felttheimperishablesweetnessofafather'slove!Theyaresaved,forwhat?——themother,forthedeathofviolenceandshameandblood,forthedoomsman'shandtoputasidethatshininghairwhichhasentangledthybridegroomkisses;thechild,firstandlastofthineoffspring,inwhomthoudidsthopetofoundaracethatshouldhearwiththeethemusicofcelestialharps,andfloat,bythesideofthyfamiliar,Adon-Ai,throughtheazureriversofjoy,——thechild,toliveonafewdaysasafungusinaburial-vault,athingoftheloathsomedungeon,dyingofcrueltyandneglectandfamine。Ha!
ha!thouwhowouldstbaffleDeath,learnhowthedeathlessdieiftheydaretolovethemortal。Now,Chaldean,beholdmyboons!
NowIseizeandwraptheewiththepestilenceofmypresence;
now,evermore,tillthylongraceisrun,mineeyesshallglowintothybrain,andminearmsshallclaspthee,whenthouwouldsttakethewingsoftheMorningandfleefromtheembraceofNight!"
"Itellthee,no!AndagainIcompelthee,speakandanswertothelordwhocancommandhisslave。Iknow,thoughmylorefailsme,andthereedsonwhichIleanedpiercemyside,——IknowyetthatitiswrittenthatthelifeofwhichIquestioncanbesavedfromtheheadsman。Thouwrappestherfutureinthedarknessofthyshadow,butthoucanstnotshapeit。Thoumayestforeshowtheantidote;thoucanstnoteffectthebane。FromtheeIwringthesecret,thoughittorturetheetonameit。Iapproachthee,——Ilookdauntlessintothineeyes。Thesoulthatlovescandareallthings。Shadow,Idefythee,andcompel!"
Thespectrewanedandrecoiled。Likeavapourthatlessensasthesunpiercesandpervadesit,theformshrankcoweringanddwarfedinthedimmerdistance,andthroughthecasementagainrushedthestars。
"Yes,"saidtheVoice,withafaintandhollowaccent,"thouCANSTsaveherfromtheheadsman;foritiswritten,thatsacrificecansave。Ha!ha!"Andtheshapeagainsuddenlydilatedintothegloomofitsgiantstature,anditsghastlylaughexulted,asiftheFoe,amomentbaffled,hadregaineditsmight。"Ha!ha!——thoucanstsaveherlife,ifthouwiltsacrificethineown!Isitforthisthouhastlivedonthroughcrumblingempiresandcountlessgenerationsofthyrace?AtlastshallDeathreclaimthee?Wouldstthousaveher?——DIEFORHER!
Fall,Ostatelycolumn,overwhichstarsyetunformedmaygleam,——fall,thattheherbatthybasemaydrinkafewhourslongerthesunlightandthedews!Silent!Artthoureadyforthesacrifice?See,themoonmovesupthroughheaven。Beautifulandwiseone,wiltthoubidhersmileto-morrowonthyheadlessclay?"
"Back!formysoul,inansweringtheefromdepthswherethoucanstnothearit,hasregaineditsglory;andIhearthewingsofAdon-Aiglidingmusicalthroughtheair。"
Hespoke;and,withalowshriekofbaffledrageandhate,theThingwasgone,andthroughtheroomrushed,luminousandsudden,thePresenceofsilverylight。
Astheheavenlyvisitorstoodintheatmosphereofhisownlustre,andlookeduponthefaceoftheTheurgistwithanaspectofineffabletendernessandlove,allspaceseemedlightedfromhissmile。Alongtheblueairwithout,fromthatchamberinwhichhiswingshadhalted,tothefartheststarintheazuredistance,itseemedasifthetrackofhisflightwerevisible,byalengthenedsplendourintheair,likethecolumnofmoonlightonthesea。Liketheflowerthatdiffusesperfumeastheverybreathofitslife,sotheemanationofthatpresencewasjoy。Overtheworld,asamilliontimesswifterthanlight,thanelectricity,theSonofGloryhadspedhiswaytothesideoflove,hiswingshadscattereddelightasthemorningscattersdew。Forthatbriefmoment,Povertyhadceasedtomourn,Diseasefledfromitsprey,andHopebreathedadreamofHeavenintothedarknessofDespair。
"Thouartright,"saidthemelodiousVoice。"Thycouragehasrestoredthypower。Oncemore,inthehauntsofearth,thysoulcharmsmetothyside。Wisernow,inthemomentwhenthoucomprehendestDeath,thanwhenthyunfetteredspiritlearnedthesolemnmysteryofLife;thehumanaffectionsthatthralledandhumbledtheeawhilebringtothee,intheselasthoursofthymortality,thesublimestheritageofthyrace,——theeternitythatcommencesfromthegrave。"
"OAdon-Ai,"saidtheChaldean,as,circumfusedinthesplendourofthevisitant,aglorymoreradiantthanhumanbeautysettledroundhisform,andseemedalreadytobelongtotheeternityofwhichtheBrightOnespoke,"asmen,beforetheydie,seeandcomprehendtheenigmashiddenfromthembeforeThegreatestpoet,andoneofthenoblestthinkers,ofthelastage,said,onhisdeathbed,"Manythingsobscuretomebefore,nowclearup,andbecomevisible。"——Seethe"LifeofSchiller。",sointhishour,whenthesacrificeofselftoanotherbringsthecourseofagestoitsgoal,IseethelittlenessofLife,comparedtothemajestyofDeath;butoh,DivineConsoler,evenhere,eveninthypresence,theaffectionsthatinspireme,sadden。Toleavebehindmeinthisbadworld,unaided,unprotected,thoseforwhomIdie!thewife!thechild!——oh,speakcomforttomeinthis!"
"Andwhat,"saidthevisitor,withaslightaccentofreproofinthetoneofcelestialpity,——"what,withallthywisdomandthystarrysecrets,withallthyempireofthepast,andthyvisionsofthefuture;whatartthoutotheAll-DirectingandOmniscient?
CanstthouyetimaginethatthypresenceonearthcangivetotheheartsthoulovesttheshelterwhichthehumblesttakefromthewingsofthePresencethatlivesinheaven?Fearnotthoufortheirfuture。Whetherthouliveordie,theirfutureisthecareoftheMostHigh!InthedungeonandonthescaffoldlookseverlastingtheEyeofHIM,tendererthanthoutolove,wiserthanthoutoguide,mightierthanthoutosave!"
Zanonibowedhishead;andwhenhelookedupagain,thelastshadowhadlefthisbrow。Thevisitorwasgone;butstillthegloryofhispresenceseemedtoshineuponthespot,stillthesolitaryairseemedtomurmurwithtremulousdelight。Andthusevershallitbewiththosewhohaveonce,detachingthemselvesutterlyfromlife,receivedthevisitoftheAngelFAITH。
Solitudeandspaceretainthesplendour,anditsettleslikeahaloroundtheirgraves。
CHAPTER7。XIV。
DannzurBlumenflorderSterneAufgeschauetliebewarm,Fass'ihnfreundlichArminArmTrag'ihnindieblaueFerne。
Uhland,"AndenTod。"
ThentowardstheGardenoftheStarLiftupthineaspectwarmwithlove,And,friendlikelink'dthroughspaceafar,Mountwithhim,arminarm,above。
Uhland,"PoemtoDeath。"
Hestoodupontheloftybalconythatoverlookedthequietcity。
Thoughafar,thefiercestpassionsofmenwereatworkonthewebofstrifeanddoom,allthatgaveitselftohisviewwascalmandstillintheraysofthesummermoon,forhissoulwaswrappedfrommanandman'snarrowsphere,andonlytheserenergloriesofcreationwerepresenttothevisionoftheseer。Therehestood,aloneandthoughtful,totakethelastfarewellofthewondrouslifethathehadknown。
Coursingthroughthefieldsofspace,hebeheldthegossamershapes,whosechoraljoyshisspirithadsooftenshared。There,groupupongroup,theycircledinthestarrysilencemultiformintheunimaginablebeautyofabeingfedbyambrosialdewsandserenestlight。Inhistrance,alltheuniversestretchedvisiblebeyond;inthegreenvalleysafar,hesawthedancesofthefairies;inthebowelsofthemountains,hebeheldtheracethatbreathetheluridairofthevolcanoes,andhidefromthe
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