Worshippingandwonderstruckallpeoplesoftheworld，Blinded，shallfallbeforeourbeautyandourmight。
　　Fromtimeuntotimesshallourgreatnessthunderon，Rollinglikeachariotthroughthedustofendlessdays。
　　Laughingshallwespeedinourvictoryandpomp，LaughingliketheDaylightasheleapsalongthehills。
　　Onward，stilltriumphanttoatriumphevernew！
　　Onward，inourpowertoapowerunattained！
　　Onward，neverweary，cladwithsplendorforarobe！
　　Tillaccomplishedbeourlate，andthenightisrushingdown。”
　　_i_She_i_pausedinherstrangeandmostthrillingallegoricalchant，ofwhichIam，unfortunately，onlyabletogivetheburden，andthatfeeblyenough，andthensaid，“Perchancethoudostnotbelievemyword，Kallikrates——
　　perchancethouthinkestthatIdodeludethee，andthatIhavenotlivedthesemanyyears，andthatthouhastnotbeenbornagaintome。Nay，looknotso——putawaythatpalecastofdoubt，foroh，besurehereincanerrorfindnofoothold！Soonershallthesunsforgettheircourseandtheswallowmisshernest，thanmysoulshallswearalieandbeledastrayfromthee，Kallikrates。Blindme，takeawaymineeyes，andletthedarknessutterlyfencemein，andstillmineearswouldcatchthetoneofthineunforgottenvoice，strikingmoreloudagainsttheportalsofmysensethancanthecallofbrazen-throatedclarions——stopupminehearingalso，andletathousandtouchmeonthebrow，andIwouldnametheeoutofall——yea，robmeofeverysense，andseemestanddeafandblindanddumb，andwithnervesthatcannotweighthevalueofatouch，yetwouldmyspiritleapwithinmelikeaquickeningchildandcryuntomyheart，beholdKallikrates！behold，thouwatcher，thewatchesofthynightareended！behold，thouwhoseekestinthenightseason，thymorningStarariseth。”
　　_i_She_i_pausedawhileandthencontinued，“Butstay，ifthyheartisyethardenedagainstthemightytruthandthoudostrequireafurtherpledgeofthatwhichthoudostfindtoodeeptounderstand，even：nowshallitbegiventothee，andtotheealso，OmyHolly。Beareachoneofyoualamp，andfollowaftermewhitherIshallleadyou。”
　　Withoutstoppingtothink——indeed，speakingformyself，Ihadalmostabandonedthefunctionincircumstancesunderwhichtothinkseemedtobeabsolutelyuseless，sincethoughtfell，hourly，helplessagainstablackwallofwonder——wetookthelampsandfollowedher。Goingtotheendofher“boudoir，“sheraisedacurtainandrevealedalittlestairofthesortthatwassocommoninthesedimcavesofKo^r。AswehurrieddownthestairIobservedthatthestepswereworninthecentretosuchanextentthatsomeofthemhadbeenreducedfromsevenandahalfinches，atwhichIguessedtheiroriginalheight，toaboutthreeandahalt。Now，alltheotherstepsthatIhadseeninthecaveshadbeenpracticallyunworn，aswastobeexpected，seeingthattheonlytrafficwhicheverpasseduponthemwasthatofthosewhoboreafreshburdentothetomb。
　　Thereforethisfactstruckmynoticewiththatcuriousforcewithwhichlittlethingsdostrikeuswhenourmindsareabsolutelyoverwhelmedbyasuddenrushofpowerfulsensations;beatenflat，asitwere，likeaseabeneaththefirstburstofahurricane，sothateverylittleobjectonthesurfacestartsintoanunnaturalprominence。
　　AtthebottomofthestaircaseIstoodandstaredatthewornsteps，andAyesha，turning，sawme。
　　“Wondersthouwhosearethefeetthathavewornawaytherock，myHolly？”sheasked。“Theyaremine——evenmineownlightfeet！Icanrememberwhenthesestairswerefreshandlevel，butfortwothousandyearsandmorehaveIgonedownhitherdaybyday，andsee，mysandalshavewornoutthesolidrock！”
　　Imadenoanswer，butIdonotthinkthatanythingthatIhadheardorseenbroughthometomylimitedunderstandingsoclearasenseofthisbeing’soverwhelmingantiquityasthathardrockhollowedoutbyhersoft，whitefeet。Howmanymillionsoftimesmustshehavepassedupanddownthatstairtobringaboutsucharesult？
　　Thestairledtoatunnel，andafewpacesdownthetunnelwasoneoftheusualcurtain-hungdoorways，aglanceatwhichtoldmethatitwasthesamewhereI
　　hadbeenawitnessofthatterriblescenebytheleapingflame。Irecognizedthepatternofthecurtain，andthesightofitbroughtthewholeeventvividlybeforemyeyes，andmademetrembleevenatitsmemory。Ayeshaenteredthetombforitwasatomb，andwefollowedher——I，forone，rejoicingthatthemysteryoftheplacewasabouttobeclearedup，andyetafraidtofaceitssolution。
　　CHAPTERXXI——
　　THEDEADANDLIVINGMEET
　　“SEEnowtheplacewhereIhavesleptforthesetwothousandyears，“saidAyesha，takingthelampfromLeo’shandandholdingitaboveherhead。Itsraysfelluponalittlehollowinthefloor，whereIhadseentheleapingflame，butthefirewasoutnow。Theyfelluponthewhiteformstretchedtherebeneathitswrappingsuponitsbedofstone，uponthefrettedcarvingofthetomb，anduponanothershelfofstoneoppositetheoneonwhichthebodylay，andseparatedfromitbythebreadthofthecave。
　　“Here，“wentonAyesha，layingherhandupontherock——
　　“herehaveIsleptnightbynightforallthesegenerations，withbutacloaktocoverme。ItdidnotbecomemethatIshouldliesoftwhenmyspouseyonder，“andshepointedtotherigidform，“laystiffindeath。HerenightbynighthaveIsleptinhiscoldcompany——till，thouseest，thisthickslab，likethestairsdownwhichwepassed，haswornthinwiththetossingofmyform——sofaithfulhaveIbeentotheeeveninthyspaceofsleep，Kallikrates。Andnow，mineown，thoushaltseeawonderfulthing——living，thoushaltbeholdthyselfdead——forwellhaveItendedtheeduringalltheseyears，Kallikrates。Artthouprepared？”
　　Wemadenoanswer，butgazedateachotherwithfrightenedeyes，thewholescenewassodreadfulandsosolemn。Ayeshaadvanced，andlaidherhanduponthecorneroftheshroud，andoncemorespoke。
　　“Benotaffrighted，“shesaid;“thoughthethingseemwonderfultothee——allwewholivehavethuslivedbefore;noristheveryshapethatholdsusastrangertothesun！Onlyweknowitnot，becausememorywritesnorecord，andearthhathgatheredintheearthshelentus，fornonehavesavedourgloryfromthegrave。
　　ButI，bymyartsandbytheartsofthosedeadmenofKo^rwhichIhavelearned，haveheldtheeback，O
　　Kallikrates，fromthedust，thatthewaxenstampofbeautyonthyfaceshouldeverrestbeforemineeye。
　　’Twasamaskthatmemorymightfill，servingtofashionoutthypresencefromthepast，andgiveitstrengthtowanderinthehabitationsofmythought，cladinamummeryoflifethatstayedmyappetitewithvisionsofdeaddays。
　　“Beholdnow，lettheDeadandLivingmeet！AcrossthegulfofTimetheystillareone。Timehathnopoweragainstidentity，thoughsleepthemercifulhathblottedoutthetabletsofourmind，andwithoblivionsealedthesorrowsthatelsewouldhoundusfromlifetolife，stuffingthebrainwithgatheredgriefstillitburstinthemadnessofuttermostdespair。Stillaretheyone，forthewrappingsofoursleepshallrollawayasthunder-cloudsbeforethewind;thefrozenvoicesofthepastshallmeltinmusiclikemountainsnowsbeneaththesun;andtheweepingandthelaughterofthelosthoursshallbeheardoncemoremostsweetlyechoingupthecliffsofimmeasurabletime。
　　“Ay，thesleepshallrollaway，andthevoicesshallbeheard，whendownthecompletedchain，whereofoureachexistenceisalink，thelightningoftheSpirithathpassedtoworkoutthepurposeofourbeing;
　　quickeningandfusingthoseseparateddaysoflife，andshapingthemtoastaffwhereonwemaysafelyleanaswewendtoourappointedfate。
　　“Therefore，havenofear，Kallikrates，whenthou——
　　living，andbutlatelyborn——shaltlookuponthineowndepartedself，whobreathedanddiedsolongago。IdobutturnonepageinthyBookofBeing，andshowtheewhatiswritthereon。
　　“_i_Behold_i_“
　　Withasuddenmotionshedrewtheshroudfromthecoldform，andletthelamplightplayuponit。Ilooked，andthenshrankbackterrified;since，saywhatshemightinexplanation，thesightwasanuncannyone——
　　forherexplanationswerebeyondthegraspofourfiniteminds，andwhentheywerestrippedfromthemistsofvagueesotericphilosophy，andbroughtintoconflictwiththecoldandhorrifyingfact，didnotdomuchtobreakitsforce。Forthere，stretcheduponthestonebierbeforeus，robedinwhiteandperfectlypreserved，waswhatappearedtobethebodyofLeoVincey。IstaredfromLeo，standingtherealive，toLeolyingtheredead，andcouldseenodifference;
　　except，perhaps，thatthebodyonthebierlookedolder。Featureforfeaturetheywerethesame，evendowntothecropoflittlegoldencurls，whichwasLeo’smostuncommonbeauty。Itevenseemedtome，asI
　　looked，thattheexpressiononthedeadman’sfaceresembledthatwhichIhadsometimesseenuponLeo’swhenhewasplungedintoprofoundsleep。IcanonlysumuptheclosenessoftheresemblancebysayingthatIneversawtwinssoexactlysimilarasthatdeadandlivingpair。
　　IturnedtoseewhateffectwasproduceduponLeobythissightofhisdeadself，andfoundittobeoneofpartialstupefaction。Hestoodfortwoorthreeminutesstaringandsaidnothing，andwhenatlasthespokeitwasonlytoejaculate——
　　“Coveritupandtakemeaway。”
　　“Nay，wait，Kallikrates，“saidAyesha，who，standingwiththelampraisedaboveherhead，floodingwithitslightherownrichbeautyandthecoldwonderofthedeath-clothedformuponthebier，resembledaninspiredSibylratherthanawoman，assherolledouthermajesticsentenceswithagrandeurandafreedomofutterancewhichIam，alas！quiteunabletoreproduce。
　　“Wait;Iwouldshowtheesomething，thatnotittleofmycrimemay。behiddenfromthee。Dothou，OHolly，openthegarmentonthebreastofthedeadKallikrates，forperchancemylordmayfeartotouchhimself。”
　　Iobeyedwithtremblinghands。Itseemedadesecrationandanunhallowedthingtotouchthatsleepingimageofthelivemanbymyside。Presentlyhisbroadchestwasbare，andthereuponit，rightovertheheart，wasawound，evidentlyinflictedwithaspear。
　　“Thouseest，Kallikrates，“shesaid。“KnowthenthatitwasIwhoslewthee;inthePlaceofLifeIgavetheedeath。IslewtheebecauseoftheEgyptianAmenartas，whomthoudidstlove，forbyherwilessheheldthyheart，andherIcouldnotsmiteasbutnowI
　　smotethewoman，forshewastoostrongforme。InmyhasteandbitterangerIslewthee，andnowforallthesedayshaveIlamentedthee，andwaitedforthycoming。Andthouhastcome，andnonecanstandbetweentheeandme，andofatruthnowfordeathIwillgivetheelife——notlifeeternal，forthatnonecangive，butlifeandyouththatshallendureforthousandsuponthousandsofyears，andwithitpompandpowerandwealth，andallthingsthataregoodandbeautiful，suchashavebeentonomanbeforethee，norshallbetoanymanwhocomesafter。Andnowonethingmore，andthoushaltrestandmakereadyforthedayofthynewbirth。Thouseestthisbody，whichwasthineown。Forallthesecenturiesithathbeenmycoldcomfortandmycompanion，butnowIneeditnomore，forIhavethylivingpresence，anditcanbutservetostirupmemoriesofthatwhichIwouldfainforget。LetitthereforegobacktothedustfromwhichIheldit。
　　“Behold！Ihavepreparedagainstthishappyhour！”andgoingtotheothershelforstoneledge，which，shesaid，hadservedherforabed，shetookfromitalargevitrifieddouble-handedvase，themouthofwhichwastiedupwithabladder。Thissheloosed，andthen，havingbentdownandgentlykissedthewhiteforeheadofthedeadman，sheundidthevase，andsprinkleditscontentscarefullyovertheform，taking，Iobserved，thegreatestprecautionsagainstanydropofittouchingusorherself，andthenpouredoutwhatremainedoftheliquiduponthechestandhead。
　　Instantlyadensevaporarose，andthecavewasfilledwithchokingfumesthatpreventedusfromseeinganythingwhilethedeadlyacidforIpresumeitwassometremendouspreparationofthatsortdiditswork。Fromthespotwherethebodylaycameafiercefizzingandcrackingsound，whichceased，however，beforethefumeshadclearedaway。Atlasttheywereallgone，exceptalittlecloudthatstillhungoverthecorpse。Inacoupleofminutesmorethistoohadvanished，and，wonderfulasitmayseem，itisafactthatonthestonebenchthathadsupportedthemortalremainsoftheancientKallikratesforsomanycenturiestherewasnownothingtobeseenbutafewhandfulsofsmokingwhitepowder。Theacidhadutterlydestroyedthebody，andeveninplaceseatenintothestone。Ayeshastoopeddown，and，takingahandfulofthispowderinhergrasp，threwitintotheair，sayingatthesametime，inavoiceofcalmsolemnity——
　　“Dusttodust！thepasttothepast！thedeadtothedead！Kallikratesisdead，andisbornagain！”
　　Theashesfloatednoiselesslytotherockyfloor，andwestoodinawedsilenceandwatchedthemfall，tooovercomeforwords。
　　“Nowleaveme，“shesaid，“andsleepifyemay。Imustwatchandthink，forto-morrownightwegohence，andthetimeislongsinceItrodthepaththatwemustfollow。”
　　Accordinglywebowed，andlefther。AswepassedtoourownapartmentIpeepedintoJob’ssleeping-placetoseehowhefared，forhehadgoneawayjustbeforeourinterviewwiththemurderedUstane，quiteprostratedbytheterrorsoftheAmahaggerfestivity。
　　Heassleepingsoundly，goodhonestfellowthathewas，andIrejoicedtothinkthathisnerves，which，likethoseofmostuneducatedpeople，werefarfromstrong，hadbeensparedtheclosingscenesofthisdreadfulday。Then。weenteredourownchamber，andhereatlastpoorLeo，who，eversincehehadlookeduponthatfrozenimageofhislivingself，hadbeeninastatenotfarremovedfromstupefaction，burstoutintoatorrentofgrief。Nowthathewasnolongerinthepresenceofthedread_i_She_i_，hissenseoftheawfulnessofallthathadhappened，andmoreespeciallyofthewickedmurderofUstane，whowasboundtohimbytiessoclose，brokeuponhimlikeastorm，andlashedhimintoanagonyofremorseandterrorwhichwaspainfultowitness。Hecursedhimself——hecursedthehourwhenwehadfirstseenthewritingonthesherd，whichwasbeingsomysteriouslyverified，andbitterlyhecursedhisownweakness。
　　Ayeshahedarednotcurse——whodaredspeakevilofsuchawoman，whoseconsciousness，foraughtweknew，waswatchingusattheverymoment？
　　“WhatamItodo，oldfellow？”hegroaned，restinghisheadagainstmyshoulderintheextremityofhisgrief。“Iletherbekilled——notthatIcouldhelpthat，butwithinfiveminutesIwaskissinghermurderessoverherbody。Iamadegradedbrute，butI
　　cannotresistthat“andherehisvoicesank——“thatawfulsorceress。IknowIshalldoitagainto-morrow;
　　IknowthatIaminherpowerforalways;ifIneversawheragainIshouldneverthinkofanybodyelseduringallmylife;Imustfollowherasaneedlefollowsamagnet;IwouldnotgoawaynowifIcould;
　　Icouldnotleaveher，mylegswouldnotcarryme，butmymindisstillclearenough，andinmymindIhateher——atleast，Ithinkso。Itisallsohorrible;andthat——thatbody！WhatcanImakeofit？Itwasme！I
　　amsoldintobondage，oldfellow，andshewilltakemysoulasthepriceofherself。”
　　Then，forthefirsttime，ItoldhimthatIwasinabutverylittlebetterposition;andIamboundtosaythat，notwithstandinghisowninfatuation，hehadthedecencytosympathizewithme。Perhapshedidnotthinkitworthwhilebeingjealous，realizingthathehadnocausesofarastheladywasconcerned。Iwentontosuggestthatweshouldtrytorunaway，butwesoonrejectedtheprojectasfutile，and，tobeperfectlyhonest，IdonotbelievethateitherofuswouldreallyhaveleftAyeshaevenifsomesuperiorpowerhadsuddenlyofferedtoconveyusfromthesegloomycavesandsetusdowninCambridge。Wecouldnomorehaveleftherthanamothcanleavethelightthatdestroysit。Wewerelikeconfirmedopiumeaters;
　　inourmomentsofreasonwewellknewthedeadlynatureofourpursuit，butwecertainlywerenotpreparedtoabandonitsterribledelights。
　　Nomanwhooncehadseen_i_She_i_unveiled，andheardthemusicofhervoice，anddrunkinthebitterwisdomofherwords，wouldwillinglygiveupthesightforawholeseaofplacidjoys。Howmuchmorethenwasthislikelytobesowhen，asinLeo’scase，toputmyselfoutofthequestion，thisextraordinarycreaturedeclaredherutterandabsolutedevotion，andgavewhatappearedtobeproofsofitshavinglastedforsometwothousandyears？
　　Nodoubtshewasawickedperson，andnodoubtshehadmurderedUstanewhenshestoodinherpath，butthenshewasveryfaithful，andbyalawofnaturemanisapttothinkbutlightlyofawoman’scrimes，especiallyifthatwomanbebeautiful，andthecrimebecommittedfortheloveofhim。
　　Andthenfortherest，whenhadsuchachanceevercometoamanbeforeasthatwhichnowlayinLeo’shand？True，inunitinghimselftothisdreadwoman，hewouldplacehislifeundertheinfluenceofamysteriouscreatureofeviltendencies，butthenthatwouldbelikelyenoughtohappentohiminanyordinarymarriage。Ontheotherhand，however，noordinarymarriagecouldbringhimsuchawfulbeauty——
　　forawfulistheonlywordthatcandescribeit——suchdivinedevotion，suchwisdom，andcommandoverthesecretsofnature，andtheplaceandpowerthattheymustwin，or，lastly，theroyalcrownofunendingyouth，ifindeedshecouldgivethat。No，onthewhole，itisnotwonderfulthatthoughLeowasplungedinbittershameandgrief，suchasanygentlemanwouldhavefeltunderthecircumstances，hewasnotreadytoentertaintheideaofrunningawayfromhisextraordinaryfortune。
　　Myownopinionisthathewouldhavebeenmadifhehaddoneso。ButthenIconfessthatmystatementonthemattermustbeacceptedwithqualifications。IaminlovewithAyeshamyselftothisday，andIwouldratherhavebeentheobjectofheraffectionforoneshortweekthanthatofanyotherwomanintheworldforawholelifetime。Andletmeaddthatifanybodywhodoubtsthisstatement，andthinksmefoolishformakingit，couldhaveseenAyeshadrawherveilandflashoutinbeautyonhisgaze，hisviewwouldexactlycoincidewithmyown。OfcourseIamspeakingofanyman。Weneverhadtheadvantageofalady’sopinionofAyesha，butIthinkitquitepossiblethatshewouldhaveregardedthequeenwithdislike，wouldhaveexpressedherdisapprovalinsomemoreorlesspointedmanner，andultimatelyhavegotherselfblasted。
　　FortwohoursormoreLeoandIsatwithshakennervesandfrightenedeyes，andtalkedoverthemiraculouseventsthroughwhichwewerepassing。Itseemedlikeadreamorafairytale，insteadofthesolemn，soberfact。Whowouldhavebelievedthatthewritingonthepotsherdwasnotonlytrue，butthatweshouldlivetoverifyitstruth，andthatwetwoseekersshouldfindherwhowassought，patientlyawaitingourcominginthetombsofKo^r？WhowouldhavethoughtthatinthepersonofLeothismysteriouswomanshould，asshebelieved，discoverthebeingwhomsheawaitedfromcenturytocentury，andwhoseformerearthlyhabitationshehadtillthisverynightpreserved？Butsoitwas。Inthefaceofallwehadseenitwasdifficultforusasordinaryreasoningmenanylongertodoubtitstruth，andthereforeatlast，withhumbleheartsandadeepsenseoftheimpotenceofhumanknowledge，andtheinsolenceofitsassumptionthatdeniesthatwhichithasnoexperienceoftobepossible，welaidourselvesdowntosleep，leavingourfatesinthehandsofthatwatchingProvidencewhichhadthuschosentoallowustodrawtheveilofhumanignorance，andrevealtousforgoodorevilsomeglimpseofthepossibilitiesoflife。
　　CHAPTERXXII——
　　JOBHASAPRESENTIMENT
　　ITwasnineo’clockonthefollowingmorningwhenJob，whostilllookedscaredandfrightened，cameintocallme，andatthesametimebreathehisgratitudeatfindingusaliveinourbeds，whichitappearedwasmorethanhehadexpected。WhenItoldhimoftheawfulendofpoorUstanehewasevenmoregratefulatoursurvival，andmuchshocked，thoughUstanehadbeennofavoriteofhis，orheofhers，forthematterofthat。Shecalledhim“pig“inbastardArabic，andhecalledher“hussy“ingoodEnglish，buttheseamenitieswereforgotteninthefaceofthecatastrophethathadoverwhelmedheratthehandsofherqueen。
　　“Idon’twanttosayanythingasmayn’tbeagreeable，sir，“saidJob，whenhehadfinishedexclaimingatmytale，“butit’smyopinionthatthatthere_i_She_i_
　　istheoldgentlemanhimself，orperhapshiswife，ifhehasone，whichIsupposehehas，forhecouldn’tbesowickedallbyhimself。TheWitchofEndorwasafooltoher，sir;blessyou，shewouldmakenomoreofraisingeverygentlemanintheBibleoutoftheseherebeastlytombsthanIshouldofgrowingcressonanoldflannel。It’sacountryofdevils，thisis，sir，andshe’sthemasteroneofthelot;andifeverwegetoutofititwillbemorethanIexpecttodo。Idon’tseenowayoutofit。Thatwitchisn’tlikelytoletafineyoungmanlikeMr。Leogo。”
　　“Come，“Isaid，“atanyrateshesavedhislife。”’
　　“Yes，andshe’lltakehissoultopayforit。_i_She_i_’llmakehimawitch，likeherself。Isayit’swickedtohaveanythingtodowiththosesortofpeople。Lastnight，sir，IlayawakeandreadinmylittleBiblethatmypooroldmothergavemeaboutwhatisgoingtohappentosorceressesandthemsorttillmyhairstoodonend。Lord，howtheoldladywouldstareifshesawwhereherJobhadgotto！”
　　“Yes，it’saqueercountry，andaqueerpeopletoo，Job，“Ianswered，withasigh，for，thoughIamnotsuperstitiouslikeJob，IadmittoanaturalshrinkingwhichwillnotbearinvestigationfromthethingsthatareaboveNature。
　　“Youareright，sir，“heanswered，“andifyouwon’tthinkmeveryfoolish，IshouldliketosaysomethingtoyounowthatMr。Leoisoutoftheway“——Leohadgotupearlyandgoneforastroll——“andthatisthatIknowitisthelastcountryaseverIshallseeinthisworld。Ihadadreamlastnight，andIdreamedthatIsawmyoldfatherwithakindofnight-shirtonhim，somethinglikethesefolkswearwhentheywanttobeinparticularfull-dress，andabitofthatfeatherygrassinhishand，whichhemayhavegatheredontheway，forIsawlotsofityesterdayaboutthreehundredyardsfromthemouthofthisbeastlycave。
　　“’Job，’hesaidtome，solemn-like，andyetwithakindofsatisfactionshiningthroughhim，morelikeaMethodyparsonwhenhehassoldaneighboramarkedhorseforasoundoneandclearedtwentypoundsbythejobthananythingIcanthinkon——’Job，time’sup，Job;butIneverdidexpecttohavetocomeandhuntyououtinthis’ereplace，Job。SuchadoasIhavehadtonoseyouup;itwasn’tfriendlytogiveyourpooroldfathersucharun，letalonethatawonderfullotofbadcharactershailfromthisplaceKo^r。’“
　　“Regularcautions，“Isuggested。
　　“Yes，sir——ofcourse，sir，that’sjustwhathesaidtheywas——’cautions，downrightscorchers’——sir，andI’msureIdon’tdoubtit，seeingwhatIknowofthemandtheirhot-pottingways，“wentonJob，sadly。
　　“Anyway，hewassurethattimewasup，andwentawaysayingthatweshouldseemorethanwecaredforofeachothersoon，andIsupposehewasa-thinkingofthefactthatfatherandInevercouldhititofftogetherforlongernorthreedays，andIdaresaythatthingswillbesimilarwhenwemeetagain。”
　　“Surely，“Isaid，“youdon’tthinkthatyouaregoingtodiebecauseyoudreamedyousawyouroldfather;ifonediesbecauseonedreamsofone’sfather，whathappenstoamanwhodreamsofhismother-in-law？”
　　“Ah，sir，you’relaughingatme，“saidJob;“but，yousee，youdidn’tknowmyoldfather。Ifithadbeenanybodyelse——myAuntMary，forinstance，whonevermademuchofajob——Ishouldnothavethoughtsomuchofit;butmyfatherwasthatidle，whichheshouldn’thavebeenwithseventeenchildren，thathewouldneverhaveputhimselfouttocomeherejusttoseetheplace。No，sir;Iknowthathemeantbusiness。Well，sir，Ican’thelpit;Isupposeeverymanmustgosometimeorother，thoughitisahardthingtodieinaplacelikethis，whereChristianburialisn’ttobehadforitsweightingold。I’vetriedtobeagoodman，sir，anddomydutyhonest，andifitwasn’tforthesuperciluskindofwayinwhichfathercarriedonlastnight——asortofsniffingatme，asitwere，asthoughhehadn’tnoopinionofmyreferencesandtestimonials——Ishouldfeeleasyenoughinmymind。
　　Anyway，sir，I’vebeenagoodservanttoyouandMr。
　　Leo，blesshim！Why，itseemsbuttheotherdaythatI
　　usedtoleadhimaboutthestreetswithapennywhip;
　　andifeveryougetoutofthisplace——which，asfatherdidn’talludetoyou，perhapsyoumay——Ihopeyouwillthinkkindlyofmywhitenedbones，andneverhaveanythingmoretodowithGreekwritingonflower-
　　pots，sir，ifImaymakesoboldastosayso。”
　　“Come，come，Job，“Isaid，seriously，“thisisallnonsense，youknow。Youmustn’tbesillyenoughtogogettingsuchideasintoyourhead。We’velivedthroughsomequeerthings，andIhopethatwemaygoondoingso。”
　　“No，sir，“answeredJob，inatoneofconvictionthatjarredonmeunpleasantly，“itisn’tnonsense。I’madoomedman，andIfeelit，andawonderfuluncomfortablefeelingitis，sir，foronecan’thelpwonderinghowit’sgoingtocomeabout。Ifyouareeatingyourdinneryouthinkofpoisonanditgoesagainstyourstomach，andifyouarewalkingalongthesedarkrabbitburrowsyouthinkofknives，andLord，don’tyoujustshiverabouttheback！Iain’tparticular，sir，providedit’ssharp，likethatpoorgirl，who，nowthatshe’sgone，Iamsorrytohavespokehardon，thoughIdon’tapproveofhermoralsingettingmarried，whichIconsidertooquicktobedecent。Still，sir，“andpoorJobturnedashadepalerashesaidit，“Idohopeitwon’tbethathot-potgame。”
　　“Nonsense，“Ibrokein，angrily，“nonsense。”
　　“Verywell，sir，“saidJob，“itisn’tmyplacetodifferfromyou，sir，butifyouhappentobegoinganywhere，sir，Ishouldbeobligedifyoucouldmanagetotakemewithyou，seeingthatIshallbegladtohaveafriendlyfacetolookatwhenthetimecomes，justtohelponethrough，asitwere。Andnow，sir，I’llbegettingthebreakfast，“andhewent，leavingmeinaveryuncomfortablestateofmind。IwasdeeplyattachedtooldJob，whowasoneofthebestandhonestestmenIhaveeverhadtodowithinanyclassoflife，andreallymoreofafriendthanaservant，andthemereideaofanythinghappeningtohimbroughtalumpintomythroat。BeneathallhisludicroustalkIcouldseethathehimselfwasquiteconvincedthatsomethingwasgoingtohappen，andthoughinmostcasestheseconvictionsturnouttobeuttermoonshine——andthisparticularoneespeciallywastobeamplyaccountedforbythegloomyandunaccustomedsurroundingsinwhichitsvictimwasplaced——stillitdidmoreorlesscarryachilltomyheart，asanydreadthatisobviouslyagenuineobjectofbeliefisapttodo，howeverabsurdthebeliefmaybe。Presentlythebreakfastarrived，andwithitLeo，whohadbeentakingawalkoutsidethecave——toclearhismind，hesaid——andverygladIwastoseeboth，fortheygavemearespitefrommygloomythoughts。Afterbreakfastwewentforanotherwalk，andwatchedsomeoftheAmahaggersowingaplotofgroundwiththegrainfromwhichtheymaketheirbeer。Thistheydidinscripturalfashion——amanwithabagmadeofgoat’s-
　　hidefastenedroundhiswaistwalkingupanddowntheplotandscatteringtheseedashewent。Itwasapositiverelieftoseeoneofthesedreadfulpeopledoanythingsohomelyandpleasantassowafield，perhapsbecauseitseemedtolinkthem，asitwere，withtherestofhumanity。
　　AswewerereturningBillalimetus，andinformedusthatitwas_i_She_i_’spleasurethatweshouldwaituponher，andaccordinglyweenteredherpresence，notwithouttrepidation，forAyeshawascertainlyanexceptiontotherule。Familiaritywithhermightanddidbreedpassionandwonderandhorror，butitcertainlydidnotbreedcontempt。
　　Wewereasusualshowninbythemutes，andafterthesehadretiredAyeshaunveiled，andoncemorebadeLeoembraceher，which，notwithstandinghisheart-
　　searchingsofthepreviousnight，hedidwithmorealacrityandfervorthanstrictcourtesyrequired。
　　_i_She_i_laidherwhitehandonhishead，andlookedhimfondlyintheeyes。“Dostthouwonder，myKallikrates，“shesaid，“whenthoushaltcallmeallthineown，andwhenweshallofatruthbeforoneanotherandtooneanother？Iwilltellthee。First，mustthoubeevenasIam，notimmortalindeed，forthatIamnot，butsocasedandhardenedagainsttheattacksofTimethathisarrowsshallglancefromthearmorofthyvigorouslifeasthesunbeamsglancefromwater。AsyetImaynotmatewiththee，forthouandI
　　aredifferent，andtheverybrightnessofmybeingwouldburntheeup，andperchancedestroythee。Thoucouldstnotevenenduretolookuponmefortoolongatimelestthineeyesshouldache;andthysensesswim，andthereforewithalittlecoquettishnodshallI
　　presentlyveilmyselfagain。”This，bytheway，shedidnotdo。“No：listen，thoushaltnotbetriedbeyondendurance，forthisveryevening，anhourbeforethesungoesdown，shallwestarthence，andbyto-morrow’sdark，ifallgoeswell，andtheroadisnotlosttome，whichIprayitmaynotbe，shallwestandinthePlaceofLife，andthoushaltbatheinthefire，andcomeforthglorified，asnomaneverwasbeforethee，andthen，Kallikrates，shaltthoucallmewife，andIwillcalltheehusband。”
　　Leomutteredsomethinginanswertothisastonishingstatement，Idonotknowwhat，andshelaughedalittleathisconfusion，andwenton。
　　“Andthou，too，OHolly;ontheealsowillIconferthisboon，andthenofatruthshaltthoubeanevergreentree，andthiswillIdo——well，becausethouhastpleasedme，Holly，forthouartnotaltogetherafool，likemostofthesonsofmen，andbecause，thoughthouhastaschoolofphilosophyasfullofnonsenseasthoseoftheolddays，yethastthounotforgottenhowtoturnaprettyphraseaboutalady’seyes。”
　　“Hullo，oldfellow！”whisperedLeo，withareturnofhisoldcheerfulness，“haveyoubeenpayingcompliments？Ishouldneverhavethoughtitofyou！”
　　“Ithankthee，OAyesha，“Ireplied，withasmuchdignityasIcouldcommand，“butiftherebesuchaplaceasthoudostdescribe，andifinthisstrangeplacetheremaybefoundafieryvirtuethatcanholdoffDeathwhenhecomestopluckusbythehand，yetwouldInoneofit。Forme，OAyesha，theworldhasnotprovedsosoftanestthatIwouldlieinitforever。Astony-heartedmotherisourearth，andstonesarethebreadshegivesherchildrenfortheirdailyfood。Stonestoeatandbitterwaterfortheirthirst，andstripesfortendernurture。Whowouldendurethisformanylives？Whowouldsoloaduphisbackwithmemoriesoflosthoursandloves，andofhisneighbor’ssorrowsthathecannotlessen，andwisdomthatbringsnotconsolation？Hardisittodie，becauseourdelicatefleshdothshrinkbackfromthewormitwillnotfeel，andfromthatunknownwhichthewinding-sheetdothcurtainfromourview。Butharderstill，tomyfancy，woulditbetoliveon，greenintheleafandfair，butdeadandrottenatthecore，andfeelthatothersecretwormofrecollectiongnawingeverattheheart。”
　　“Bethinkthee，Holly，“shesaid;“yetdothlonglifeandstrengthandbeautybeyondmeasuremeanpowerandallthingsthataredeartoman。”
　　“AndwhatOqueen，“Ianswered，“arethosethingsthataredeartoman？Aretheynotbubbles？Isnotambitionbutanendlessladderbywhichnoheightiseverclimbedtillthelastunreachablerungismounted？Forheightleadsontoheight，andthereisnoresting-
　　placeuponthem，andrungdothgrowuponrung，andthereisnolimittothenumber。Dothnotwealthsatiateandbecomenauseous，andnolongerservetosatisfyorpleasure，ortobuyanhour’seaseofmind？
　　Andisthereanyendtowisdomthatwemayhopetoreachit？Rather，themorewelearnshallwenottherebybeableonlytobettercompassoutourignorance？Didwelivetenthousandyearscouldwehopetosolvethesecretsofthesuns，andofthespacebeyondthesuns，andoftheHandthathungthemintheheavens？Wouldnotourwisdombebutasagnawinghungercallingourconsciousnessdaybydaytoaknowledge。oftheemptycravingofoursouls？Woulditnotbebutasalightinoneofthesegreatcaverns，thatthoughbrightitburn，andbrighteryet，dothbutthemoreservetoshowthedepthsofthegloomaroundit？Andwhatgoodthingistherebeyondthatwemaygainbylengthofdays？”
　　“Nay，myHolly，thereislove——lovewhichmakesallthingsbeautiful，anddothbreathedivinityintotheverydustwetread。Withloveshallliferollgloriouslyonfromyeartoyear，likethevoiceofsomegreatmusicthathathpowertoholdthehearer’sheartpoisedoneagle’swingsabovethesordidshameandfollyoftheearth。”
　　“Itmaybeso，“Ianswered;“butifthelovedoneproveabrokenreedtopierceus，orifthelovebelovedinvain——whatthen？Shallamangravehissorrowsuponastonewhenhehathbutneedtowritethemonthewater？Nay，O_i_She_i_，Iwilllivemydayandgrowoldwithmygeneration，anddiemyappointeddeath，andbeforgotten。ForIdohopeforanimmortalitytowhichthelittlespanthatperchancethoucanstconferwillbebutasafinger’slengthlaidagainstthemeasureofthegreatworld;and，markthis！theimmortalitytowhichIlook，andwhichmyfaithdothpromisetome，shallbefreefromthebondsthatheremusttiemyspiritdown。For，whilethefleshendures，sorrowandevilandthescorpionwhipsofsinmustendurealso;butwhenthefleshhathfallenfromus，thenshallthespiritshineforthcladinthebrightnessofeternalgood，andforitscommonairshallbreathesorareanetherofmostnoblethoughtsthatthehighestaspirationofourmanhood，orthepurestincenseofamaiden’sprayer，wouldprovetooearthlygrosstofloattherein。”
　　“Thoulookesthigh，“answeredAyesha，withalittlelaugh，“andspeakestclearlyasatrumpetandwithnouncertainsound。AndyetmethinksthatbutnowdidstthoutalkofthatUnknownfromwhichthewinding-sheetdothcurtainus。Butperchancethouseestwiththeeye，ofFaith，gazingonthisbrightnessthatistobe，throughthepaintedglassofthyimagination。
　　Strangearethepicturesofthefuturethatmankindcanthusdrawwiththisbrushoffaithandthismany-
　　coloredpigmentofimagination！Strange，too，thatnooneofthemdothagreewithanother！Icouldtellthee——butthere，whatistheuse？whyrobafoolofhisbauble？Letitpass，andIpray，OHolly，thatwhenthoudostfeeloldagecreepingslowlytowardsthyself，andtheconfusionofsenilitymakinghavocinthybrain，thoumayestnotbitterlyregretthatthoudidstcastawaytheimperialboonIwouldhavegiventothee。Butsoithatheverbeen;mancanneverbecontentwiththatwhichhishandcanpluck。Ifalampbeinhisreachtolighthimthroughthedarkness，hemustneedscastitdownbecauseitisnostar。
　　Happinessdancetheverapacebeforehim，likethemarsh-firesintheswamps，andhemustcatchthefire，andhemustholdthestar！Beautyisnaughttohim，becausetherearelipsmorehoney-sweet;andwealthisnaught，becauseotherscanweighhimdownwithheaviershekels;andfameisnaught，becausetherehavebeengreatermenthanhe。Thyselfthousaidstit，andI
　　turnthywordsagainstthee。Well，thoudreamestthatthoushaltpluckthestar。Ibelieveitnot，andI
　　thinktheeafool，myHolly，tothrowawaythelamp。”
　　Imadenoanswer，forIcouldnot——especiallybeforeLeo——tellherthatsinceIhadseenherfaceIknewthatitwouldalwaysbebeforemyeyes，andthatIhadnowishtoprolonganexistencewhichmustalwaysbehauntedandtorturedbyhermemory，andbythelastbitternessofunsatisfiedlove。Butsoitwas，andso，alas，isittothishour！
　　“Andnow，“wenton_i_She_i_，changinghertoneandthesubjecttogether，“tellme，myKallikrates，forasyetIknowitnot，howcameyetoseekmehere？
　　YesternightthoudidstsaythatKallikrates——himwhomthousawest——wasthineancestor。Howwasit？Tellme——
　　thoudostnotspeakovermuch！”
　　Thusadjured，Leotoldherthewonderfulstoryofthecasketandofthepotsherdthat，writtenonbyhisancestress，theEgyptianAmenartas，hadbeenthemeansofguidingustoher。Ayeshalistenedintently，and，whenhehadfinished;spoketome。
　　“DidInottelltheeoneday，whenwedidtalkofgoodandevil，OHolly——itwaswhenmybelovedlaysoill——
　　thatoutofgoodcameevil，andoutofevilgood——thattheywhosowedknewnotwhatthecropshouldbe，norhewhostruckwheretheblowshouldfall？See，now：
　　thisEgyptianAmenartas，thisroyalchildoftheNilewhohatedme，andwhomevennowIhate，forinawayshedidprevailagainstme——see，now，sheherselfhathbeentheverymeanstobringherlovertominearms！
　　ForhersakeIslewhim，andnow，behold，throughherhehathcomebacktome！Shewouldhavedonemeevil，andsowedherseedsthatImightreaptares，andbeholdshehathgivenmemorethanalltheworldcangive，andthereisastrangesquarefortheetofitintothycircleofgoodandevil，OHolly！
　　“Andso，“shewenton，afterapause——“andsoshebadehersondestroymeifhemight，becauseIslewhisfather。Andthou，myKallikrates，artthefather，andinasensethouartlikewisetheson;andwouldstthouavengethywrong，andthewrongofthatfar-offmotherofthineuponme，OKallikrates？See，“andsheslidtoherknees，anddrewthewhitecorsagestillfartherdownherivorybosom——“see，herebeatsmyheart，andtherebythysideisaknife，heavyandlongandsharp，theveryknifetoslayanerringwomanwith。
　　Takeitnow，andbeavenged。Strike，andstrikehome！——
　　soshaltthoubesatisfied，Kallikrates，andgothroughlifeahappyman，becausethouhastpaidbackthewrong，andobeyedthemandateofthepast。”
　　Helookedather，andthenstretchedouthishandandliftedhertoherfeet。
　　“Rise，Ayesha，“hesaid，sadly;“wellthouknowestthatIcannotstrikethee，no，notevenforthesakeofherwhomthouslewestbutlastnight。Iaminthypower，andaveryslavetothee。HowcanIkillthee？——
　　soonershouldIslaymyself。”
　　“Almostdostthoubegintoloveme，Kallikrates，“sheanswered，smiling。“Andnowtellmeofthycountry——
　　’tisagreatpeople，isitnot？withanempirelikethatofRome！Surelythouwouldstreturnthither，anditiswell，forImeannotthatthoushouldstdwellinthesecavesofKo^r。Nay，whenoncethouartevenasI
　　am，wewillgohence——fearnotbutthatIshallfindapath——andthenshallwecrosstothisEnglandofthine，andliveasitbecomethustolive。TwothousandyearshaveIwaitedforthedaywhenIshouldseethelastofthesehatefulcavesandthisgloomy-
　　visagedfolk，andnowitisathand，andmyheartboundsuptomeetitlikeachild’stowardsitsholiday。ForthoushaltrulethisEngland——“
　　“Butwehaveaqueenalready，“brokeinLeo，hastily。
　　“Itisnaught，itisnaught，“saidAyesha，“shecanbeoverthrown。”Atthiswebothbrokeoutintoanexclamationofdismay，andexplainedthatweshouldassoonthinkofoverthrowingourselves。
　　“Buthereisastrangething，“saidAyesha，inastonishment;“aqueenwhomherpeoplelove！SurelytheworldmusthavechangedsinceIdweltinKo^r。”
　　Againweexplainedthatitwasthecharacterofmonarchsthathadchanged，andthattheoneunderwhomwelivedwasveneratedandbelovedbyallright-
　　thinkingpeopleinhervastrealms。Also，wetoldherthatrealpowerinourcountryrestedinthehandsofthepeople，andthatwewereinfactruledbythevotesofthelowerandleasteducatedclassesofthecommunity。
　　“Ah，“shesaid，“ademocracy——thensurelythereisatyrant，forIhavelongsinceseenthatdemocracies，havingnoclearwilloftheirown，intheendsetupatyrant，andworshiphim。”
　　“Yes，“Isaid，“wehaveourtyrants。”
　　“Well，“sheanswered，resignedly，“wecanatanyratedestroythesetyrants，andKallikratesshallruletheland。”
　　IinstantlyinformedAyeshathatinEngland“blasting“
　　wasnotanamusementthatcouldbeindulgedinwithimpunity，andthatanysuchattemptwouldmeetwiththeconsiderationofthelawandprobablyenduponascaffold。
　　“Thelaw，“shelaughed，withscorn-“thelaw！Canstthounotunderstand，OHolly，thatIamabovethelaw，andsoshallmyKallikratesbealso？Allhumanlawwillbetousasthenorthwindtoamountain。Doesthewindbendthemountain，orthemountainthewind？
　　“Andnowleaveme，Ipraythee，andthoutoo，myownKallikrates，forIwouldgetmereadyagainstourjourney，andsomustyeboth，andyourservantalso。
　　Butbringnogreatquantityofthingswith。thee，forItrustthatweshallbebutthreedaysgone。Thenshallwereturnhither，andIwillmakeaplanwherebywecanbidfarewellforevertothesesepulchresofKo^r。Yes，surelythoumaystkissmyhand！”
　　Sowewent，I，forone，meditatingdeeplyontheawfulnatureoftheproblemthatnowopenedoutbeforeus。
　　Theterrible_i_She_i_hadevidentlymadeuphermindtogotoEngland，anditmademeabsolutelyshuddertothinkwhatwouldbetheresultofherarrivalthere。WhatherpowerswereIknew，andI
　　couldnotdoubtbutthatshewouldexercisethemtothefull。Itmightbepossibletocontrolherforawhile，butherproud，ambitiousspiritwouldbecertaintobreaklooseandavengeitselfforthelongcenturiesofitssolitude。_i_She_i_would，ifnecessary，andifthepowerofherbeautydidnotunaidedproveequaltotheoccasion，blastherwaytoanyendshesetbeforeher，and，asshecouldnotdie，andforaughtIknewcouldnotevenbekilled，whatwastheretostopher？Intheendshewould，Ihadlittledoubt，assumeabsoluteruleovertheBritishdominions，andprobablyoverthewholeearth，and，thoughIwassurethatshewouldspeedilymakeoursthemostgloriousandprosperousempirethattheworldhaseverseen，itwouldbeatthecostofaterriblesacrificeoflife。
　　Thewholethingsoundedlikeadreamorsomeextraordinaryinventionofaspeculativebrain，andyetitwasafact——awonderfulfact——whichthewholeworldwouldsoonbecalledontotakenotice。Whatwasthemeaningofitall？AftermuchthinkingIcouldonlyconcludethatthiswonderfulcreature，whosepassionhadkeptherforsomanycenturieschained，asitwere，andcomparativelyharmless，wasnowabouttobeusedbyProvidenceasameanstochangetheorderoftheworld，andpossibly，bythebuildingupofapowerthatcouldnomoreberebelledagainstorquestionedthanthedecreesofFate，tochangeitmateriallyforthebetter。
　　CHAPTERXXIII——
　　THETEMPLEOFTRUTH
　　Ourpreparationsdidnottakeusverylong。WeputachangeofclothingapieceandsomesparebootsintomyGladstonebag，alsowetookourrevolversandanexpressrifleeach，togetherwithagoodsupplyofammunition，aprecautiontowhich，underProvidence，wesubsequentlyowedourlivesoverandoveragain。
　　Therestofourgear，togetherwithourheavyrifles，weleftbehindus。
　　AfewminutesbeforetheappointedtimeweoncemoreattendedinAyesha’sboudoir，andfoundheralsoready，herdarkcloakthrownoverherwindingsheet-
　　likewrappings。
　　“Areyepreparedforthegreatventure？”shesaid。
　　“Weare，“Ianswered，“thoughformypart，Ayesha，I
　　havenofaithinit。”
　　“Ah，myHolly，“shesaid，“thouartofatruthlikethoseoldJews——ofwhomthememoryvexesmesosorely——
　　unbelieving，andhardtoacceptthatwhichtheyhavenotknown。Butthoushaltsee;forunlessmymirroryonderlies，“andshepointedtothefontofcrystalwater，“thepathisyetopenasitwasofoldtime。
　　Andnowletusstartuponthenewlifewhichshallend——whoknowethwhere？”
　　“Ah，“Iechoed，“whoknowethwhere？”andwepasseddownintothegreatcentralcave，andoutintothelightofday。Atthemouthofthecavewefoundasinglelitterwithsixbearers，allofthemmutes，waiting，andwiththemIwasrelievedtoseeouroldfriendBillali，forwhomIhadconceivedasortofaffection。Itappearedthat，forreasonsnotnecessarytoexplainatlength，Ayeshahadthoughtitbestthat，withtheexceptionofherself，weshouldproceedonfoot，andthiswewerenothingloathtodo，afterourlongconfinementinthesecaves，which，howeversuitabletheymightbeforsarcophagi——asingularlyinappropriateword，bytheway，fortheseparticulartombs，whichcertainlydidnotconsumethebodiesgiventotheirkeeping——weredepressinghabitationsforbreathingmortalslikeourselves。Eitherbyaccidentorbytheordersof_i_She_i_，thespaceinfrontofthecavewherewehadbeheldthatawfuldancewasperfectlyclearofspectators。Notasoulwastobeseen，andconsequentlyIdonotbelievethatourdeparturewasknowntoanybody，exceptperhapsthemuteswhowaitedon_i_She_i_，andtheywere，ofcourse，inthehabitofkeepingwhattheysawtothemselves。
　　Inafewminutes’timeweweresteppingoutsharplyacrossthegreatcultivatedplainorlakebed，framedlikeavastemeraldinitssettingoffrowningcliff，andhadanotheropportunityofwonderingattheextraordinarynatureofthesitechosenbytheseoldpeopleofKo^rfortheircapital，andatthemarvellousamountoflabor，ingenuity，andengineeringskillthatmusthavebeenbroughtintorequisitionbythefoundersofthecitytodrainsohugeasheetofwater，andtokeepitclearofsubsequentaccumulations。Itis，indeed，sofarasmyexperiencegoes，anunequalledinstanceofwhatmancandointhefaceofnature，forinmyopinionsuchachievementsastheSuezCanaloreventheMontCenisTunneldonotapproachthisancientundertakinginmagnitudeandgrandeurofconception。
　　Whenwehadbeenwalkingforabouthalfanhour，enjoyingourselvesexceedinglyinthedelightfulcoolwhichaboutthistimeofthedayalwaysappearedtodescenduponthegreatplainofKo^r，andwhichinsomedegreeatonedforthewantofanykindorseabreeze——forallwindwaskeptoffbytherockymountainwall——webegantogetaclearviewofwhatBillalihadinformedusweretheruinsofthegreatcity。Andevenfromthatdistancewecouldseehowwonderfulthoseruinswere，afactwhichwitheverystepwetookbecamemoreevident。ThecitywasnotverylargeifcomparedtoBabylonorThebes，orothercitiesofremoteantiquity;perhapsitsouterwallcontainedsometwelvesquaremilesofground，oralittlemore。Norhadthewalls，sofaraswecouldjudgewhenwereachedthem，beenveryhigh，probablynotmorethanfortyfeet，whichwasabouttheirpresentheightwheretheyhadnot，throughthesinkingofthegroundorsomesuchcause，fallenintoruin。
　　Thereasonofthis，nodoubt，wasthatthepeopleofKo^r，beingprotectedfromanyoutsideattackbyfarmoretremendousrampartsthananythatthehandofmancouldrear，onlyrequiredthemforshowandtoguardagainstcivildiscord。But，ontheotherhand，theywereasbroadastheywerehigh，builtentirelyofdressedstone，hewn，nodoubt，fromthevastcaves，andsurroundedbyagreatmoataboutsixtyfeetinwidth，somereachesofwhichwerestillfilledwithwater。Abouttenminutesbeforethesunfinallysankwereachedthismoat，andpasseddownandthroughit，clamberingacrosswhatevidentlywerethepiled-upfragmentsofagreatbridgeinordertodoso，andthenwithsomelittledifficultyuptheslopeofthewalltoitssummit。Iwishthatitlaywithinthepowerofmypentogivesomeideaofthegrandeurofthesightthatthenmetourview。There，allbathedintheredglowofthesinkingsun，weremilesuponmilesofruins——columns，temples，shrines，andthepalacesofkings，variedwithpatchesofgreenbush。Ofcourse，theroofsofthesebuildingshadlongsincefallenintodecayandvanished，butowingtotheextrememassivenessofthestyleofbuilding，andtothehardnessanddurabilityoftherockemployed，mostofthepartywallsandgreatcolumnsstillremainedstanding。
　　Straightbeforeusstretchedawaywhathadevidentlybeenthemainthoroughfareofthecity，foritwasverywide，widerthantheThamesEmbankment，andregular。Being，asweafterwardsdiscovered，paved，orratherbuilt，throughoutofblocksofdressedstone，suchaswereemployedinthewalls，itwasbutlittleovergrownevennowwithgrassandshrubs，thatcouldgetnodepthofsoiltolivein。Whathadbeentheparksandgardens，onthecontrary，werenowdensejungle。Indeed，itwaseasyevenfromadistancetotracethecourseofthevariousroadsbytheburned-upappearanceofthescantygrassthatgrewuponthem。Oneithersideofthisgreatthoroughfarewerevastblocksofruins，eachblock，generallyspeaking，beingseparated。fromitsneighborbyaspaceofwhathadonce，Isuppose，beengarden-ground，butwasnowdenseandtangledbush。Theywereallbuiltofthesamecoloredstone，andmostofthemhadpillars，whichwasasmuchaswecouldmakeoutinthefadinglightaswepassedswiftlyupthemainroad，thatIbelieveIamrightinsayingnolivingfoothadpressedforthousandsofyears。
　　Presentlywecametoanenormouspile，whichwerightlytooktobeatemplecoveringatleastfouracresofground，andapparentlyarrangedinaseriesofcourts，eachoneenclosinganotherofsmallersize，onaprincipleofaChinesenestofboxes，whichwereseparatedonefromtheotherbyrowsofhugecolumns。
　　And，whileIthinkofit，Imayaswellstatearemarkablethingabouttheshapeofthesecolumns，whichresemblednonethatIhaveeverseenorheardof，beingfashionedwithakindofwaistinthecentre，andswellingoutaboveandbelow。Atfirstwethoughtthatthisshapewasmeanttoroughlysymbolizeorsuggestthefemaleform，aswasacommonhabitamongtheancientreligiousarchitectsofmanycreeds。
　　Onthefollowingday，however，aswewentuptheslopesofthemountain，wediscoveredalargequantityofthemoststatelylookingpalms，ofwhichthetrunksgrewexactlyinthisshape，andIhavenownodoubtbutthatthefirstdesignerofthosecolumnsdrewhisinspirationfromthegracefulbendsofthoseverypalms，orratheroftheirancestors，whichthen，someeightortenthousandyearsago，asnow，beautifiedtheslopesofthemountainthathadonceformedtheshoresofthevolcaniclake。
　　Atthefacadeofthishugetemple，which，Ishouldimagine，isalmostaslargeasthatofEl-Karnac，atThebes，someofthelargestcolumns，whichImeasured，beingbetweeneighteentotwentyfeetindiameteratthebase，byaboutseventyfeetinheight，ourlittleprocessionwashalted，andAyeshadescendedfromherlitter。
　　“Thereusedtobeaspothere，Kallikrates，“shesaidtoLeo，whohadrunuptohelpherdown，“whereonemightsleep。TwothousandyearsagodidthouandIandthatEgyptianaspresttherein，butsincethenhaveI
　　notsetfoothere，noranyman，andperchanceithasfallen，“and。followedbytherestofus，shepassedupavastflightofbrokenandruinedstepsintotheoutercourt，andlookedroundintothegloom，Presentlysheseemedtorecollect，and，walkingafewpacesalongthewalltotheleft，halted。
　　“Itishere，“shesaid，andatthesametimebeckonedtothetwomutes，whowereloadedwithprovisionsandourlittlebelongings，toadvance。Oneofthemcameforward，and，producingalamp，lititfromhisbrazierfortheAmahaggerwhenonajourneynearlyalwayscarriedwiththemalittlelightedbrazierfromwhichtoprovidefire。Thetinderofthisbrazierwasmadeofbrokenfragmentsofmummycarefullydamped，and，iftheadmixtureofmoisturewasproperlymanaged，thisunholycompoundwouldsmoulderawayforhours。AssoonasthelampwaslitweenteredtheplacebeforewhichAyeshahadhalted。Itturnedouttobeachamberhollowedinthethicknessofthewall，and，fromthefactoftherestillbeingamassivestonetableinit，Ishouldthinkthatithadprobablyservedasaliving-room，perhapsforoneofthedoor-
　　keepersofthegreattemple。
　　Herewestopped，andaftercleaningtheplaceoutandmakingitascomfortableascircumstancesandthedarknesswouldpermit，weatesomecoldmeat，atleastLeo，Job，andIdid，forAyesha，asIthinkIhavesaidelsewhere，nevertouchedanythingexceptcakesofflour，fruit，andwater。Whilewewerestilleating，themoon，whichwasatherfull，roseabovethemountain-wall，andbegantofloodtheplacewithsilver。
　　“WotyewhyIhavebroughtyouhereto-night，myHolly？”saidAyesha，leaningherheaduponherhandandwatchingthegreatorbassherose，likesomeheavenlyqueen，abovethesolemnpillarsofthetemple。“Ibroughtyou——nay，itisstrange，butknowestthou，Kallikrates，thatthouliestatthismomentupontheveryspotwherethydeadbodylaywhenIboretheebacktothosecavesofKo^rsomanyyearsago？Itallreturnstomymindnow。Icanseeit，andhorribleisittomysight！”andsheshuddered。
　　HereLeojumpedupandhastilychangedhisseat。
　　HoweverthereminiscencemightaffectAyesha，itclearlyhadfewcharmsforhim。
　　“Ibroughtyou，“wentonAyesha，presently，“thatyemightlookuponthemostwonderfulsightthatevertheeyeofmanbeheld——thefullmoonshiningoverruinedKo^r。Whenyehavedoneyoureating——IwouldthatI
　　couldteachtheetoeatnaughtbutfruit，Kallikrates，butthatwillcomeafterthouhastlavedinthefire。
　　OnceI，too，atefleshlikeabrutebeast。Whenyehavedonewewillgoout，andIwillshowyouthisgreattempleandthegodwhommenonceworshippedtherein。”
　　Ofcoursewegotupatonce，andstarted。Andhereagainmypenfailsme。Togiveastringofmeasurementsanddetailsofthevariouscourtsofthetemplewouldonlybewearisome，supposingthatIhadthem，andyetIknownothowIamtodescribewhatwesaw，magnificentasitwaseveninitsruin，almostbeyondthepowerofrealization。Courtupondimcourt，rowuponrowofmightypillars——someofthemespeciallyatthegatewayssculpturedfrompedestaltocapital——spaceuponspaceofemptychambersthatspokemoreeloquentlytotheimaginationthananycrowdedstreets。Andoverall，thedeadsilenceofthedead，thesenseofutterloneliness，andthebroodingspiritofthePast！Howbeautifulitwas，andyethowdrear！Wedidnotdaretospeakaloud。Ayeshaherselfwasawedinthepresenceofanantiquitycomparedtowhichevenherlengthofdayswasbutalittlething;
　　weonlywhispered，andourwhispersseemedtorunfromcolumntocolumn，tilltheywerelostinthequietair。Brightfellthemoonlightonpillarandcourtandshatteredwall，hidingalltheirrentsandimperfectionsinitssilvergarment，andclothingtheirhoarmajestywiththepeculiargloryofthenight。ItwasawonderfulsighttoseethefullmoonlookingdownontheruinedfaneofKo^r。Itwasawonderfulthingtothinkforhowmanythousandsofyearsthedeadorbaboveandthedeadcitybelowhadgazedthusuponeachother，andintheuttersolitudeofspacepouredfortheachtoeachthetaleoftheirlostlifeandlong-departedglory。Thewhitelightfell，andminutebyminutethequietshadowscreptacrossthegrassgrowncourtslikethespiritsofoldpriestshauntingthehabitationsoftheirworship——thewhitelightfell，andthelongshadowsgrewtillthebeautyandgrandeurofthesceneandtheuntamedmajestyofitspresentdeathseemedtosinkintoourverysouls，andspeakmoreloudlythantheshoutsofarmiesconcerningthepompandsplendorthatthegravehadswallowed，andevenmemoryhadforgotten。
　　“Come，“saidAyesha，afterwehadgazedandgazed，I
　　knownotforhowlong，“andIwillshowyouthestonyflowerofLovelinessandWonder’sverycrown，ifyetitstandstomocktimewithitsbeautyandfilltheheartofmanwithlongingforthatwhichisbehindtheveil，“and，withoutwaitingforananswer，sheledusthroughtwomorepillaredcourtsintotheinnershrineoftheoldfane。
　　Andthere，inthecentreoftheinmostcourt，thatmighthavebeensomefiftyyardssquare，oralittlemore，westoodfacetofacewithwhatisperhapsthegrandestallegoricalworkofartthatthegeniusofherchildrenhasevergiventotheworld。Forintheexactcentreofthecourt，placeduponathick，squareslabofrock，wasahugeroundballofdarkstone，somefortyfeetindiameter，andstandingontheballwasacolossalwingedfigureofabeautysoentrancinganddivinethatwhenIfirstgazeduponit，illuminatedandshadowedasitwasbythesoftlightofthemoon，mybreathstoodstill，andforaninstantmyheartceaseditsbeating。
　　Thestatuewashewnfrommarblesopureandwhitethatevennow，afterallthoseages，itshoneasthemoonbeamsdanceduponit，anditsheightwas，Ishouldsay，atrifleundertwentyfeet。Itwasthewingedfigureofawomanofsuchmarvellouslovelinessanddelicacyof。formthatthesizeseemedrathertoaddtothantodetractfromitssohumanandyetmorespiritualbeauty。Shewasbendingforwardandpoisingherselfuponherhalf-spreadwingsasthoughtopreserveherbalanceassheleaned。Herarmswereoutstretchedlikethoseofsomewomanabouttoembraceoneshedearlyloved，whileherwholeattitudegaveanimpressionofthetenderestbeseeching。Herperfectandmostgraciousformwasnaked，save——andherecametheextraordinarything——theface，whichwasthinlyveiled，sothatwecouldonlytracethemarkingofherfeatures。Agauzyveilwasthrownroundandaboutthehead，andofitstwoendsonefelldownacrossherleftbreast，whichwasoutlinedbeneathit，andone，nowbroken，streamedawayupontheairbehindher。
　　“Whoisshe？”Iasked，assoonasIcouldtakemyeyesoffthestatue。
　　“Canstthounotguess，OHolly？”answeredAyesha。
　　“Wherethenisthyimagination？ItisTruthstandingontheWorld，andcallingtoitschildrentoveilherface。Seewhatiswrituponthepedestal。WithoutdoubtitistakenfromthebookoftheScripturesofthesemenofKo^r，“andsheledthewaytothefootofthestatue，whereaninscriptionoftheusualChinese-
　　lookinghieroglyphicswassodeeplygravenastobestillquitelegible，atleasttoAyesha。Accordingtohertranslationitranthus：
　　“’Istherenomanthatwilldrawmyveilandlookuponmyface，lo！itisveryfair？UntohimwhodrawsmyveilshallIbe，andpeacewillIgivehim，andsweetchildrenofknowledgeandgoodworks。’
　　“Andavoicecried，’Thoughallthosewhoseekaltertheedesirethee，behold！Virginartthou，andVirginshaltthougotillTimebedone。Nomanistherebornofwomanwhomaydrawthyveilandlive，norshallbe。
　　ByDeathonlycanthyveilbedrawn，ohTruth！’
　　“AndTruthstretchedoutherarmsandwept，becausethosewhosoughthermightnotfindher，norlookuponherfacetoface。”
　　“Thouseest，“saidAyesha，whenshehadfinishedtranslating，“TruthwastheGoddessofthepeopleofoldKo^r，andtohertheybuilttheirshrines，andhertheysought;knowingthattheyshouldneverfind，stillsoughtthey。”
　　“Andso，“Iadded，sadly，“domenseektothisveryhour，buttheyfindnot;and，asthisscripturesaith，norshallthey;forinDeathonlyisTruthfound。”
　　Then，withonemorelookatthisveiledandspiritualizedloveliness——whichwassoperfectandsopurethatonemightalmostfancythatthelightofalivingspiritshonethroughthemarbleprisontoleadmanontohighandetherealthoughts——thispoet’sdreamofbeautyfrozenintostone，whichInevershallforgetwhileIlive，thoughIfindmyselfsohelplesswhenIattempttodescribeit，weturnedandwentbackthroughthevastmoonlitcourtstothespotwhencewehadstarted。Ineversawthestatueagain，whichIthemoreregret，becauseonthegreatballofstonerepresentingtheWorldwhereonthefigurestood，linesweredrawn，thatprobably，hadtherebeenlightenough，weshouldhavediscoveredtobeamapoftheUniverseasitwasknowntothepeopleofKo^r。Itis，atanyrate，suggestiveofsomescientificknowledgethattheselong-deadworshippetsofTruthhadrecognizedthefactthattheglobeisround。
　　CHAPTERXXIV——
　　WALKINGTHEPLANK
　　NEXTdaythemuteswokeusbeforethedawn;andbythetimethatwehadgotthesleepoutofoureyes，andgonethroughaperfunctorywashataspringwhichstillwelledupintotheremainsofamarblebasininthecentreofthenorthquadrangleofthevastoutercourt，wefound_i_She_i_standingbythelitterreadytostart，whileoldBillaliandthetwobearermuteswerebusycollectingthebaggage。Asusual，AyeshawasveiledlikethemarbleTruthbytheway，I
　　wonderifsheoriginallygottheideaofcoveringupherbeautyfromthatstatue？。Inoticed，however，thatsheseemedverydepressed，andhadnoneofthatproudandbuoyantbearingwhichwouldhavebetrayedheramongathousandwomenofthesamestature，eveniftheyhadbeenveiledlikeherself。Shelookedupaswecame——forherheadwasbowed——andgreetedus。Leoaskedherhowshehadslept。
　　“Ill，myKallikrates，“sheanswered，“ill。Thisnighthavestrangeandhideousdreamscomecreepingthroughmybrain，andIknownotwhattheymayportend。AlmostdoIfeelasthoughsomeevilovershadowedme;andyethowcaneviltouchme？Iwonder，“shewenton，withasuddenoutbreakofwomanlytenderness，“Iwonderif，shouldaughthappentome，sothatIsleptawhileandlefttheewaking，wouldstthouthinkgentlyofme？I
　　wonder，myKallikrates，ifthouwouldsttarrytillI
　　cameagain，asforsomanycenturiesIhavetarriedforthycoming？”
　　Then，withoutwaitingforananswer，shewenton：
　　“Come，letusbesettingforth，forwehavefartogo，andbeforeanotherdayisborninyonderblueshouldwestandinthePlaceofLife。”
　　Inanotherfiveminuteswewereoncemoreonourwaythroughthevastruinedcity，whichloomedatusoneithersideinthegraydawninginawaythatwasatoncegrandandoppressive。Justasthefirstrayoftherisingsunshotlikeagoldenarrowathwartthisstorieddesolationwegainedthefarthergatewayoftheouterwall，andhavinggivenonemoreglanceatthehoarandpillaredmajestythroughwhichwehadpassed，andwiththeexceptionofJob，forwhomruinshadnocharmsbreathedasighofregretthatwehadnothadmoretimetoexploreit，passedthroughthegreatmoat，andontotheplainbeyond。
　　AsthesunrosesodidAyesha’sspirits，tillbybreakfast-timetheyhadregainedtheirnormallevel，andshelaughinglysetdownherpreviousdepressiontotheassociationsofthespotwhereshehadslept。
　　“ThesebarbariansdeclarethatKo^rishaunted，“shesaid，“andofatruthIdobelievetheirsaying，forneverdidIknowsoillanightsaveonce。Irememberitnow。Itwasonthatveryspotwhenthoudidstliedeadatmyfeet，Kallikrates。NeverwillIvisititagain;itisaplaceofevilomen。”
　　Afteraverybriefhaltforbreakfastwepressedonwithsuchgoodwillthatbytwoo’clockintheafternoonwewereatthefootofthevastwallofrockthatformedthelipofthevolcano，andwhichatthispointtoweredupprecipitouslyaboveusforfifteenhundredortwothousandfeet。Herewehalted，certainlynottomyastonishment，forIdidnotseehowitwaspossiblethatweshouldgoanyfarther。
　　“Now，“saidAyesha，asshedescendedfromherlitter，“dothourlaborbutcommence，forheredowepartwiththesemen，andhenceforwardmustwebearourselves;“
　　andthen，addressingBillali，“dothouandtheseslavesremainhere，andabideourcoming。Byto-morrowatthemiddayshallwebewiththee——ifnot，wait。”
　　Billalibowedhumbly，andsaidthatheraugustbiddingshouldbeobeyediftheystoppedtheretilltheygrewold。
　　“Andthisman，OHolly，“said_i_She_i_，pointingtoJob;“bestisitthatheshouldtarryalso，forifhisheartbenothighandhiscouragegreat，perchancesomeevilmightovertakehim。Also，thesecretsoftheplacewhitherwegoarenotfitforcommoneyes。”
　　ItranslatedthistoJob，whoinstantlyandearnestlyentreatedme，almostwithtearsinhiseyes，nottoleavehimbehind。Hesaidhewassurethathecouldseenothingworsethanhehadalreadyseen，andthathewasterrifiedtodeathattheideaofbeingleftalonewiththose“dumbfolk，“who，hethought，wouldprobablytaketheopportunitytohot-pothim。
　　ItranslatedwhathesaidtoAyesha，whoshruggedhershoulders，andanswered，“Well，lethimcome，itisnaughttome;onhisownheadbeit，andhewillservetobearthelampandthis，“andshepointedtoanarrowplank，somesixteenfeetinlength，whichhadbeenboundabovethelongbearing-poleofherhammock，asIhadthoughttomakethecurtainsspreadoutbetter，but，asitnowappeared，forsomeunknownpurposeconnectedwithourextraordinaryundertaking。
　　Accordingly，theplank，which，thoughtough，wasverylight，wasgiventoJobtocarry，andalsooneofthelamps。Islungtheotherontomyback，togetherwithasparejarofoil，whileLeoloadedhimselfwiththeprovisionsandsomewaterinakid’sskin。Whenthiswasdone_i_She_i_badeBillaliandthesixbearermutestoretreatbehindagroveoffloweringmagnoliasaboutahundredyardsaway，andremainthereunderpainofdeathtillwehadvanished。Theybowedhumbly，andwent，and，ashedeparted，oldBillaligavemeafriendlyshakeofthehand，andwhisperedthathehadratherthatitwasIthanhewhowasgoingonthiswonderfulexpeditionwith“_i_She_i_-who-must-be-
　　obeyed，“anduponmywordIfeltinclinedtoagreewithhim。Inanotherminutetheyweregone，andthen，havingbrieflyaskedusifwewereready，Ayeshaturned，andgazedupthetoweringcliff。
　　“Goodnessme，Leo，“Isaid，“surelywearenotgoingtoclimbthatprecipice！”
　　Leoshruggedhisshoulders，beinginaconditionofhalf-fascinated，half-expectantmystification，andashedidsoAyeshawithasuddenmovebegantoclimbthecliff，andofcoursewehadtofollowher。Itwasperfectlymarvelloustoseetheeaseandgracewithwhichshesprangfromrocktorock，andswungherselfalongtheledges。Theascentwasnot，however，sodifficultasitseemed，althoughtherewereoneortwonastyplaceswhereitdidnotdotolookbehindyou，thefactbeingthattherockstillslopedhere，andwasnotabsolutelyprecipitous，asitwashigherup。
　　Inthiswaywe，withnogreatlabor，mountedtotheheightofsomefiftyfeetaboveourlaststanding-
　　place，theonlyreallytroublesomethingtomanagebeingJob’sboard，andindoingsodrewsomefiftyorsixtypacestotheleftofourstarting-point，forwewentuplikeacrab，sideways。Presentlywereachedaledge，narrowenoughatfirst，butwhichwidenedaswefollowedit，andmoreoverslopedinwardlikethepetalofaflower，Sothataswefolloweditwegraduallygotintoakindofrutorfoldofrockthatgrewdeeperanddeeper，tillatlastitresembledaDevonshirelaneinstone，andhidusperfectlyfromthegazeofanybodyontheslopebelow，iftherehadbeenanybodytogaze。Thislanewhichappearedtobeanaturalformationcontinuedforsomefiftyorsixtypaces，andthensuddenlyendedinacave，alsonatural，runningatrightanglestoit。Iamsurethatitwasanaturalcave，andnothollowedbythehandofman，becauseofitsirregularandcontortedshapeandcourse，whichgaveittheappearanceofhavingbeenblownbodilyinthemountainbysomefrightfuleruptionofgasfollowingthelineofleastresistance。AllthecaveshollowedbytheancientsofKo^r，onthecontrary，werecutoutwiththemostperfectregularityandsymmetry。AtthemouthofthiscaveAyeshahalted，andbadeuslightthetwolamps，whichIdid，givingonetoherandkeepingtheothermyself。Then，takingthelead，sheadvanceddownthecavern，pickingherwaywithgreatcare，asindeeditwasnecessarytodo，forthefloorwasmostirregular——
　　strewnwithboulderslikethebedofastream，andinsomeplacespittedwithdeepholes，inwhichitwouldhavebeeneasytobreakone’sleg。