Imutteredsomeunintelligibleanswer,whichIintendedtobeanassuranceofmygratitudeforthekindnessIhadreceivedfromtheTur,andmyadmirationofhiscountrymen,butthedissecting—knifegleamedbeforemymind’seyeandchokedmyutterance。Asoftervoicesaid,"Mybrother’sfriendmustbedeartome。"AndlookingupIsawayoungGy,whomightbesixteenyearsold,standingbesidethemagistrateandgazingatmewithaverybenignantcountenance。Shehadnotcometoherfullgrowth,andwasscarcelytallerthanmyself(viz。,about5
feet10inches),and,thankstothatcomparativelydiminutivestature,IthoughthertheloveliestGyIhadhithertoseen。I
supposesomethinginmyeyesrevealedthatimpression,forhercountenancegrewyetmorebenignant。
"Taeetellsme,"shesaid,"thatyouhavenotyetlearnedtoaccustomyourselftowings。Thatgrievesme,forIshouldhavelikedtoflywithyou。"
"Alas!"Ireplied,"Icanneverhopetoenjoythathappiness。
IamassuredbyZeethatthesafeuseofwingsisahereditarygift,anditwouldtakegenerationsbeforeoneofmyracecouldpoisehimselfintheairlikeabird。"
132"Letnotthatthoughtvexyoutoomuch,"repliedthisamiablePrincess,"for,afterall,theremustcomeadaywhenZeeandmyselfmustresignourwingsforever。PerhapswhenthatdaycomeswemightbegladiftheAnwechosewasalsowithoutwings。"
TheTurhadleftus,andwaslostamongstthecrowd。IbegantofeelateasewithTaee’scharmingsister,andratherstartledherbytheboldnessofmycomplimentinreplying,"thatnoAnshecouldchoosewouldeverusehiswingstoflyawayfromher。"ItissoagainstcustomforanAntosaysuchcivilthingstoaGytillshehasdeclaredherpassionforhim,andbeenacceptedashisbetrothed,thattheyoungmaidenstoodquitedumbfoundedforafewmoments。Neverthelessshedidnotseemdispleased。Atlastrecoveringherself,sheinvitedmetoaccompanyherintooneofthelesscrowdedroomsandlistentothesongsofthebirds。Ifollowedherstepsassheglidedbeforeme,andsheledmeintoachamberalmostdeserted。A
fountainofnaphthawasplayinginthecentreoftheroom;
rounditwererangedsoftdivans,andthewallsoftheroomwereopenononesidetoanaviaryinwhichthebirdswerechantingtheirartfulchorus。TheGyseatedherselfononeofthedivans,andIplacedmyselfatherside。"Taeetellsme,"
shesaid,"thatAph—Linhasmadeitthelaw*ofhishousethatyouarenottobequestionedastothecountryyoucomefromorthereasonwhyyouvisitus。Isitso?"
*Literally"hassaid,Inthishousebeitrequested。"Wordssynonymouswithlaw,asimplyingforcibleobligation,areavoidedbythissingularpeople。EvenhaditbeendecreedbytheTurthathisCollegeofSagesshoulddissectme,thedecreewouldhaveranblandlythus,—"Beitrequestedthat,forthegoodofthecommunity,thecarnivorousTishberequestedtosubmithimselftodissection。"
"Itis。"
"MayI,atleast,withoutsinningagainstthatlaw,askatleastiftheGy—eiinyourcountryareofthesamepalecolourasyourself,andnotaller?"
"Idonotthink,ObeautifulGy,thatIinfringethelawofAph—Lin,whichismorebindingonmyselfthananyone,ifI
133answerquestionssoinnocent。TheGy—eiinmycountryaremuchfairerofhuethanIam,andtheiraverageheightisatleastaheadshorterthanmine。"
"TheycannotthenbesostrongastheAnaamongstyou?ButI
supposetheirsuperiorvrilforcemakesupforsuchextraordinarydisadvantageofsize?"
"Theydonotprofessthevrilforceasyouknowit。Butstilltheyareverypowerfulinmycountry,andanAnhassmallchanceofahappylifeifhebenotmoreorlessgovernedbyhisGy。"
"Youspeakfeelingly,"saidTaee’ssister,inatoneofvoicehalfsad,halfpetulant。"Youaremarried,ofcourse。"
"No—certainlynot。"
"Norbetrothed?"
"Norbetrothed。"
"IsitpossiblethatnoGyhasproposedtoyou?"
"InmycountrytheGydoesnotpropose;theAnspeaksfirst。"
"Whatastrangereversalofthelawsofnature!"saidthemaiden,"andwhatwantofmodestyinyoursex!Buthaveyouneverproposed,neverlovedoneGymorethananother?"
Ifeltembarrassedbytheseingeniousquestionings,andsaid,"Pardonme,butIthinkwearebeginningtoinfringeuponAph—Lin’sinjunction。ThismuchonlywillIanswer,andthen,Iimploreyou,asknomore。Ididoncefeelthepreferenceyouspeakof;Ididpropose,andtheGywouldwillinglyhaveacceptedme,butherparentsrefusedtheirconsent。"
"Parents!Doyoumeanseriouslytotellmethatparentscaninterferewiththechoiceoftheirdaughters?"
"Indeedtheycan,anddoveryoften。"
"Ishouldnotliketoliveinthatcountry,saidtheGysimply;
"butIhopeyouwillnevergobacktoit。"
Ibowedmyheadinsilence。TheGygentlyraisedmyfacewithherrighthand,andlookedintoittenderly。"Staywithus,"
shesaid;"staywithus,andbeloved。"
134
WhatImighthaveanswered,whatdangersofbecomingacinderI
mighthaveencountered,Istilltroubletothink,whenthelightofthenaphthafountainwasobscuredbytheshadowofwings;andZee,flyingthoughtheopenroof,alightedbesideus。Shesaidnotaword,but,takingmyarmwithhermightyhand,shedrewmeaway,asamotherdrawsanaughtychild,andledmethroughtheapartmentstooneofthecorridors,onwhich,bythemechanismtheygenerallyprefertostairs,weascendedtomyownroom。Thisgained,Zeebreathedonmyforehead,touchedmybreastwithherstaff,andIwasinstantlyplungedintoaprofoundsleep。
WhenIawokesomehourslater,andheardthesongsofthebirdsintheadjoiningaviary,theremembranceofTaee’ssister,hergentlelooksandcaressingwords,vividlyreturnedtome;andsoimpossibleisitforonebornandrearedinourupperworld’sstateofsocietytodivesthimselfofideasdictatedbyvanityandambition,thatIfoundmyselfinstinctivelybuildingproudcastlesintheair。
"TishthoughIbe,"thusranmymeditations—"TishthoughIbe,itisthenclearthatZeeisnottheonlyGywhommyappearancecancaptivate。EvidentlyIamlovedbyAPRINCESS,thefirstmaidenofthisland,thedaughteroftheabsoluteMonarchwhoseautocracytheysoidlyseektodisguisebytherepublicantitleofchiefmagistrate。ButforthesuddenswoopofthathorribleZee,thisRoyalLadywouldhaveformallyproposedtome;andthoughitmaybeverywellforAph—Lin,whoisonlyasubordinateminister,amereCommissionerofLight,tothreatenmewithdestructionifIaccepthisdaughter’shand,yetaSovereign,whosewordislaw,couldcompelthecommunitytoabrogateanycustomthatforbidsintermarriagewithoneofastrangerace,andwhichinitselfisacontradictiontotheirboastedequalityofranks。
"Itisnottobesupposedthathisdaughter,whospokewithsuchincredulousscornoftheinterferenceofparents,would135nothavesufficientinfluencewithherRoyalFathertosavemefromthecombustiontowhichAph—Linwouldcondemnmyform。
AndifIwereexaltedbysuchanalliance,whoknowsbutwhattheMonarchmightelectmeashissuccessor?Whynot?Fewamongthisindolentraceofphilosophersliketheburdenofsuchgreatness。Allmightbepleasedtoseethesupremepowerlodgedinthehandsofanaccomplishedstrangerwhohasexperienceofotherandlivelierformsofexistence;andoncechosen,whatreformsIwouldinstitute!Whatadditionstothereallypleasantbuttoomonotonouslifeofthisrealmmyfamiliaritywiththecivilisednationsabovegroundwouldeffect!Iamfondofthesportsofthefield。Nexttowar,isnotthechaseaking’spastime?Inwhatvarietiesofstrangegamedoesthisnetherworldabound?HowinterestingtostrikedowncreaturesthatwereknownabovegroundbeforetheDeluge!
Buthow?Bythatterriblevril,inwhich,fromwantofhereditarytransmission,Icouldneverbeaproficient?No,butbyacivilisedhandybreech—loader,whichtheseingeniousmechanicianscouldnotonlymake,butnodoubtimprove;nay,surelyIsawoneintheMuseum。Indeed,asabsoluteking,I
shoulddiscountenancevrilaltogether,exceptincasesofwar。
Aproposofwar,itisperfectlyabsurdtostintapeoplesointelligent,sorich,sowellarmed,toapettylimitofterritorysufficingfor10,000or12,000families。Isnotthisrestrictionamerephilosophicalcrotchet,atvariancewiththeaspiringelementinhumannature,suchashasbeenpartially,andwithcompletefailure,triedintheupperworldbythelateMr。RobertOwen?Ofcourseonewouldnotgotowarwiththeneighbouringnationsaswellarmedasone’sownsubjects;butthen,whatofthoseregionsinhabitedbyracesunacquaintedwithvril,andapparentlyresembling,intheirdemocraticinstitutions,myAmericancountrymen?Onemightinvadethemwithoutoffencetothevrilnations,ourallies,appropriatetheirterritories,extending,perhaps,tothemostdistant136regionsofthenetherearth,andthusruleoveranempireinwhichthesunneversets。(Iforgot,inmyenthusiasm,thatoverthoseregionstherewasnosuntoset)。Asforthefantasticalnotionagainstconcedingfameorrenowntoaneminentindividual,because,forsooth,bestowalofhonoursinsurescontestinthepursuitofthem,stimulatesangrypassions,andmarsthefelicityofpeace—itisopposedtotheveryelements,notonlyofthehuman,butofthebrutecreation,whichareall,iftamable,participatorsinthesentimentofpraiseandemulation。Whatrenownwouldbegiventoakingwhothusextendedhisempire!Ishouldbedeemedademigod。"Thinkingofthat,theotherfanaticalnotionofregulatingthislifebyreferencetoonewhich,nodoubt,weChristiansfirmlybelievein,butnevertakeintoconsideration,Iresolvedthatenlightenedphilosophycompelledmetoabolishaheathenreligionsosuperstitiouslyatvariancewithmodernthoughtandpracticalaction。Musingoverthesevariousprojects,IfelthowmuchIshouldhavelikedatthatmomenttobrightenmywitsbyagoodglassofwhiskey—and—water。
NotthatIamhabituallyaspirit—drinker,butcertainlytherearetimeswhenalittlestimulantofalcoholicnature,takenwithacigar,enlivenstheimagination。Yes;certainlyamongtheseherbsandfruitstherewouldbealiquidfromwhichonecouldextractapleasantvinousalcohol;andwithasteakcutoffoneofthoseelks(ah!whatoffencetosciencetorejecttheanimalfoodwhichourfirstmedicalmenagreeinrecommendingtothegastricjuicesofmankind!)onewouldcertainlypassamoreexhiliratinghourofrepast。Then,too,insteadofthoseantiquateddramasperformedbychildishamateurs,certainly,whenIamking,Iwillintroduceourmodernoperaanda’corpsdeballet,’forwhichonemightfind,amongthenationsIshallconquer,youngfemalesoflessformidableheightandthewsthantheGy—ei—notarmedwithvril,andnotinsistinguponone’smarryingthem。
Iwassocompletelyraptintheseandsimilarreforms,137political,social,andmoral,calculatedtobestowonthepeopleofthenetherworldtheblessingsofacivilisationknowntotheracesoftheupper,thatIdidnotperceivethatZeehadenteredthechambertillIheardadeepsigh,and,raisingmyeyes,beheldherstandingbymycouch。
Ineednotsaythat,accordingtothemannersofthispeople,aGycan,withoutindecorum,visitanAninhischamber,althoughanAnwouldbeconsideredforwardandimmodesttothelastdegreeifheenteredthechamberofaGywithoutpreviouslyobtainingherpermissiontodoso。FortunatelyIwasinthefullhabilimentsIhadwornwhenZeehaddepositedmeonthecouch。NeverthelessIfeltmuchirritated,aswellasshocked,byhervisit,andaskedinarudetonewhatshewanted。
"Speakgently,belovedone,Ientreatyou,"saidshe,"forIamveryunhappy。Ihavenotsleptsinceweparted。"
"Aduesenseofyourshamefulconducttomeasyourfather’sguestmightwellsufficetobanishsleepfromyoureyelids。
Wherewastheaffectionyoupretendtohaveforme,wherewaseventhatpolitenessonwhichtheVril—yapridethemselves,when,takingadvantagealikeofthatphysicalstrengthinwhichyoursex,inthisextraordinaryregion,excelsourown,andofthosedetestableandunhallowedpowerswhichtheagenciesofvrilinvestinyoureyesandfinger—ends,youexposedmetohumiliationbeforeyourassembledvisitors,beforeHerRoyalHighness—Imean,thedaughterofyourownchiefmagistrate,—
carryingmeofftobedlikeanaughtyinfant,andplungingmeintosleep,withoutaskingmyconsent?"
"Ungrateful!Doyoureproachmefortheevidencesofmylove?
Canyouthinkthat,evenifunstungbythejealousywhichattendsuponlovetillitfadesawayinblissfultrustwhenweknowthattheheartwehavewooediswon,Icouldbeindifferenttotheperilstowhichtheaudaciousoverturesofthatsillylittlechildmightexposeyou?"
138"Hold!Sinceyouintroducethesubjectofperils,itperhapsdoesnotmisbecomemetosaythatmymostimminentperilscomefromyourself,oratleastwouldcomeifIbelievedinyourloveandacceptedyouraddresses。YourfatherhastoldmeplainlythatinthatcaseIshouldbeconsumedintoacinderwithaslittlecompunctionasifIwerethereptilewhomTaeeblastedintoasheswiththeflashofhiswand。"
"Donotletthatfearchillyourhearttome,"exclaimedZee,droppingonherkneesandabsorbingmyrighthandinthespaceofheramplepalm。"Itistrue,indeed,thatwetwocannotwedasthoseofthesameracewed;truethatthelovebetweenusmustbepureasthatwhich,inourbelief,existsbetweenloverswhoreuniteinthenewlifebeyondthatboundaryatwhichtheoldlifeends。Butisitnothappinessenoughtobetogether,weddedinmindandinheart?Listen:Ihavejustleftmyfather。Heconsentstoouruniononthoseterms。IhavesufficientinfluencewiththeCollegeofSagestoinsuretheirrequesttotheTurnottointerferewiththefreechoiceofaGy;providedthatherweddingwithoneofanotherracebebuttheweddingofsouls。Oh,thinkyouthattrueloveneedsignobleunion?ItisnotthatIyearnonlytobebyyoursideinthislife,tobepartandparcelofyourjoysandsorrowshere:Iaskhereforatiewhichwillbindusforeverandforeverintheworldofimmortals。Doyourejectme?"
Asshespoke,sheknelt,andthewholecharacterofherfacewaschanged;nothingofsternnesslefttoitsgrandeur;adivinelight,asthatofanimmortal,shiningoutfromitshumanbeauty。Butsheratherawedmeasanangelthanmovedmeasawoman,andafteranembarrassedpause,Ifalteredforthevasiveexpressionsofgratitude,andsought,asdelicatelyasIcould,topointouthowhumiliatingwouldbemypositionamongstherraceinthelightofahusbandwhomightneverbepermittedthenameoffather。
"But,"saidZee,"thiscommunitydoesnotconstitutethewholeworld。No;nordoallthepopulationscomprisedintheleague139oftheVril—ya。ForthysakeIwillrenouncemycountryandmypeople。Wewillflytogethertosomeregionwherethoushaltbesafe。Iamstrongenoughtobeartheeonmywingsacrossthedesertsthatintervene。Iamskilledenoughtocleaveopen,amidsttherocks,valleysinwhichtobuildourhome。
Solitudeandahutwiththeewouldbetomesocietyandtheuniverse。Orwouldstthoureturntothineownworld,abovethesurfaceofthis,exposedtotheuncertainseasons,andlitbutbythechangefulorbswhichconstitutebythydescriptiontheficklecharacterofthosesavageregions?Iso,speaktheword,andIwillforcethewayforthyreturn,sothatIamthycompanionthere,though,thereashere,butpartnerofthysoul,andfellowtravellerwiththeetotheworldinwhichthereisnopartingandnodeath。"
Icouldnotbutbedeeplyaffectedbythetenderness,atoncesopureandsoimpassioned,withwhichthesewordswereuttered,andinavoicethatwouldhaverenderedmusicaltheroughestsoundsintherudesttongue。AndforamomentitdidoccurtomethatImightavailmyselfofZee’sagencytoeffectasafeandspeedyreturntotheupperworld。Butaverybriefspaceforreflectionsufficedtoshowmehowdishonourableandbaseareturnforsuchdevotionitwouldbetoallurethusaway,fromherownpeopleandahomeinwhichIhadbeensohospitablytreated,acreaturetowhomourworldwouldbesoabhorrent,andforwhosebarren,ifspirituallove,Icouldnotreconcilemyselftorenouncethemorehumanaffectionofmateslessexaltedabovemyerringself。WiththissentimentofdutytowardstheGycombinedanotherofdutytowardsthewholeraceIbelongedto。CouldIventuretointroduceintotheupperworldabeingsoformidablygifted—abeingthatwithamovementofherstaffcouldinlessthananhourreduceNewYorkanditsgloriousKoom—Poshintoapinchofsnuff?Robherofherstaff,withherscienceshecouldeasilyconstructanother;andwiththedeadlylightningsthatarmedtheslenderengineherwholeframewascharged。Ifthusdangeroustothe140citiesandpopulationsofthewholeupperearth,couldshebeasafecompaniontomyselfincaseheraffectionshouldbesubjectedtochangeorembitteredbyjealousy?Thesethoughts,whichittakessomanywordstoexpress,passedrapidlythroughmybrainanddecidedmyanswer。
"Zee,"Isaid,inthesoftesttonesIcouldcommandandpressingrespectfullipsonthehandintowhoseclaspminevanished—"Zee,IcanfindnowordstosayhowdeeplyIamtouched,andhowhighlyIamhonoured,byalovesodisinterestedandself—immolating。Mybestreturntoitisperfectfrankness。Eachnationhasitscustoms。Thecustomsofyoursdonotallowyoutowedme;thecustomsofmineareequallyopposedtosuchaunionbetweenthoseofracessowidelydiffering。Ontheotherhand,thoughnotdeficientincourageamongmyownpeople,oramiddangerswithwhichIamfamiliar,Icannot,withoutashudderofhorror,thinkofconstructingabridalhomeintheheartofsomedismalchaos,withalltheelementsofnature,fireandwater,andmephiticgases,atwarwitheachother,andwiththeprobabilitythatatsomemoment,whileyouwerebusiedincleavingrocksorconveyingvrilintolamps,Ishouldbedevouredbyakrekwhichyouroperationsdisturbedfromitshiding—place。I,amereTish,donotdeservetheloveofaGy,sobrilliant,solearned,sopotentasyourself。Yes,Idonotdeservethatlove,forI
cannotreturnit。"
Zeereleasedmyhand,rosetoherfeet,andturnedherfaceawaytohideheremotions;thensheglidednoiselesslyalongtheroom,andpausedatthethreshold。Suddenly,impelledasbyanewthought,shereturnedtomysideandsaid,inawhisperedtone,—
"Youtoldmeyouwouldspeakwithperfectfrankness。Withperfectfrankness,then,answermethisquestion。Ifyoucannotloveme,doyouloveanother?"
"Certainly,Idonot。"
"YoudonotloveTaee’ssister?"
"Ineversawherbeforelastnight。"
141"Thatisnoanswer。Loveisswifterthanvril。Youhesitatetotellme。Donotthinkitisonlyjealousythatpromptsmetocautionyou。IftheTur’sdaughtershoulddeclarelovetoyou—ifinherignorancesheconfidestoherfatheranypreferencethatmayjustifyhisbeliefthatshewillwooyou,hewillhavenooptionbuttorequestyourimmediatedestruction,asheisspeciallychargedwiththedutyofconsultingthegoodofthecommunity,whichcouldnotallowthedaughteroftheVril—yatowedasonoftheTish—a,inthatsenseofmarriagewhichdoesnotconfineitselftounionofthesouls。Alas!therewouldthenbeforyounoescape。Shehasnostrengthofwingtoupholdyouthroughtheair;shehasnosciencewherewithtomakeahomeinthewilderness。Believethatheremyfriendshipspeaks,andthatmyjealousyissilent。"
WiththesewordsZeeleftme。Andrecallingthosewords,I
thoughtnomoreofsucceedingtothethroneoftheVril—ya,orofthepolitical,social,andmoralreformsIshouldinstituteinthecapacityofAbsoluteSovereign。
ChapterXXVI。
AftertheconversationwithZeejustrecorded,Ifellintoaprofoundmelancholy。ThecuriousinterestwithwhichIhadhithertoexaminedthelifeandhabitsofthismarvellouscommunitywasatanend。IcouldnotbanishfrommymindtheconsciousnessthatIwasamongapeoplewho,howeverkindandcourteous,coulddestroymeatanymomentwithoutscrupleorcompunction。Thevirtuousandpeacefullifeofthepeoplewhich,whilenewtome,hadseemedsoholyacontrasttothecontentions,thepassions,thevicesoftheupperworld,nowbegantooppressmewithasenseofdulnessandmonotony。Eventheserenetranquilityofthelustrousairpreyedonmy142spirits。Ilongedforachange,eventowinter,orstorm,ordarkness。Ibegantofeelthat,whateverourdreamsofperfectibility,ourrestlessaspirationstowardsabetter,andhigher,andcalmer,sphereofbeing,we,themortalsoftheupperworld,arenottrainedorfittedtoenjoyforlongtheveryhappinessofwhichwedreamortowhichweaspire。
Now,inthissocialstateoftheVril—ya,itwassingulartomarkhowitcontrivedtouniteandtoharmoniseintoonesystemnearlyalltheobjectswhichthevariousphilosophersoftheupperworldhaveplacedbeforehumanhopesastheidealsofaUtopianfuture。Itwasastateinwhichwar,withallitscalamities,wasdeemedimpossible,—astateinwhichthefreedomofallandeachwassecuredtotheuttermostdegree,withoutoneofthoseanimositieswhichmakefreedomintheupperworlddependontheperpetualstrifeofhostileparties。
Herethecorruptionwhichdebasesdemocracieswasasunknownasthediscontentswhichunderminethethronesofmonarchies。
Equalityherewasnotaname;itwasareality。Richeswerenotpersecuted,becausetheywerenotenvied。Herethoseproblemsconnectedwiththelaboursofaworkingclass,hithertoinsolubleaboveground,andabovegroundconducingtosuchbitternessbetweenclasses,weresolvedbyaprocessthesimplest,—adistinctandseparateworkingclasswasdispensedwithaltogether。Mechanicalinventions,constructedontheprinciplesthatbaffledmyresearchtoascertain,workedbyanagencyinfinitelymorepowerfulandinfinitelymoreeasyofmanagementthanaughtwehaveyetextractedfromelectricityorsteam,withtheaidofchildrenwhosestrengthwasneverovertasked,butwholovedtheiremploymentassportandpastime,sufficedtocreateaPublic—wealthsodevotedtothegeneralusethatnotagrumblerwaseverheardof。Thevicesthatrotourcitiesherehadnofooting。Amusementsabounded,buttheywereallinnocent。Nomerry—makingsconducedtointoxication,toriot,todisease。Loveexisted,andwas143ardentinpursuit,butitsobject,oncesecured,wasfaithful。
Theadulterer,theprofligate,theharlot,werephenomenasounknowninthiscommonwealth,thateventofindthewordsbywhichtheyweredesignatedonewouldhavehadtosearchthroughoutanobsoleteliteraturecomposedthousandsofyearsbefore。Theywhohavebeenstudentsoftheoreticalphilosophiesaboveground,knowthatallthesestrangedeparturesfromcivilisedlifedobutrealiseideaswhichhavebeenbroached,canvassed,ridiculed,contestedfor;sometimespartiallytried,andstillputforthinfantasticbooks,buthavenevercometopracticalresult。Norweretheseallthestepstowardstheoreticalperfectibilitywhichthiscommunityhadmade。IthadbeenthesoberbeliefofDescartesthatthelifeofmancouldbeprolonged,not,indeed,onthisearth,toeternalduration,buttowhathecalledtheageofthepatriarchs,andmodestlydefinedtobefrom100to150yearsaveragelength。Well,eventhisdreamofsageswasherefulfilled—nay,morethanfulfilled;forthevigourofmiddlelifewaspreservedevenafterthetermofacenturywaspassed。
Withthislongevitywascombinedagreaterblessingthanitself—thatofcontinuoushealth。Suchdiseasesasbefelltheracewereremovedwitheasebyscientificapplicationsofthatagency—life—givingaslife—destroying—whichisinherentinvril。Eventhisideaisnotunknownaboveground,thoughithasgenerallybeenconfinedtoenthusiastsorcharlatans,andemanatesfromconfusednotionsaboutmesmerism,odicforce,&c。
Passingbysuchtrivialcontrivancesaswings,whicheveryschoolboyknowshasbeentriedandfoundwanting,fromthemythicalorpre—historicalperiod,Iproceedtothatverydelicatequestion,urgedoflateasessentialtotheperfecthappinessofourhumanspeciesbythetwomostdisturbingandpotentialinfluencesonupper—groundsociety,—WomankindandPhilosophy。Imean,theRightsofWomen。
Now,itisallowedbyjurisprudiststhatitisidletotalkofrightswheretherearenotcorrespondingpowerstoenforce144them;andaboveground,forsomereasonorother,man,inhisphysicalforce,intheuseofweaponsoffensiveanddefensive,whenitcometopositivepersonalcontest,can,asaruleofgeneralapplication,masterwomen。Butamongthispeopletherecanbenodoubtabouttherightsofwomen,because,asIhavebeforesaid,theGy,physicallyspeaking,isbiggerandstrongerthantheAn;andherwillbeingalsomoreresolutethanhis,andwillbeingessentialtothedirectionofthevrilforce,shecanbringtobearuponhim,morepotentlythanheonherself,themysticalagencywhichartcanextractfromtheoccultpropertiesofnature。Thereforeallthatourfemalephilosophersabovegroundcontendforastorightsofwomen,isconcededasamatterofcourseinthishappycommonwealth。
Besidessuchphysicalpowers,theGy—eihave(atleastinyouth)akeendesireforaccomplishmentsandlearningwhichexceedsthatofthemale;andthustheyarethescholars,theprofessors—thelearnedportion,inshort,ofthecommunity。
Ofcourse,inthisstateofsocietythefemaleestablishes,asIhaveshown,hermostvaluedprivilege,thatofchoosingandcourtingherweddingpartner。Withoutthatprivilegeshewoulddespisealltheothers。Now,aboveground,weshouldnotunreasonablyapprehendthatafemale,thuspotentandthusprivileged,whenshehadfairlyhuntedusdownandmarriedus,wouldbeveryimperiousandtyrannical。NotsowiththeGy—ei:
oncemarried,thewingsoncesuspended,andmoreamiable,complacent,docilemates,moresympathetic,moresinkingtheirloftiercapacitiesintothestudyoftheirhusbands’
comparativelyfrivoloustastesandwhims,nopoetcouldconceiveinhisvisionsofconjugalbliss。Lastly,amongthemoreimportantcharacteristicsoftheVril—ya,asdistinguishedfromourmankind—lastly,andmostimportantonthebearingsoftheirlifeandthepeaceoftheircommonwealths,istheiruniversalagreementintheexistenceofamercifulbeneficentDiety,andofafutureworldtothedurationofwhichacentury145ortwoaremomentstoobrieftowasteuponthoughtsoffameandpowerandavarice;whilewiththatagreementiscombinedanother—viz。,sincetheycanknownothingastothenatureofthatDietybeyondthefactofHissupremegoodness,norofthatfutureworldbeyondthefactofitsfelicitousexistence,sotheirreasonforbidsallangrydisputesoninsolublequestions。
Thustheysecureforthatstateinthebowelsoftheearthwhatnocommunityeversecuredunderthelightofthestars—alltheblessingsandconsolationsofareligionwithoutanyoftheevilsandcalamitieswhichareengenderedbystrifebetweenonereligionandanother。
Itwouldbe,then,utterlyimpossibletodenythatthestateofexistenceamongtheVril—yaisthus,asawhole,immeasurablymorefelicitousthanthatofsuper—terrestrialraces,and,realisingthedreamsofourmostsanguinephilanthropists,almostapproachestoapoet’sconceptionofsomeangelicalorder。Andyet,ifyouwouldtakeathousandofthebestandmostphilosophicalofhumanbeingsyoucouldfindinLondon,Paris,Berlin,NewYork,orevenBoston,andplacethemascitizensinthebeatifiedcommunity,mybeliefis,thatinlessthanayeartheywouldeitherdieofennui,orattemptsomerevolutionbywhichtheywouldmilitateagainstthegoodofthecommunity,andbeburntintocindersattherequestoftheTur。
CertainlyIhavenodesiretoinsinuate,throughthemediumofthisnarrative,anyignorantdisparagementoftheracetowhichIbelong。Ihave,onthecontrary,endeavouredtomakeitclearthattheprincipleswhichregulatethesocialsystemoftheVril—yaforbidthemtoproducethoseindividualexamplesofhumangreatnesswhichadorntheannalsoftheupperworld。
WheretherearenowarstherecanbenoHannibal,noWashington,noJackson,noSheridan;—wherestatesaresohappythattheyfearnodangeranddesirenochange,theycannotgivebirthtoaDemosthenes,aWebster,aSumner,aWendellHolmes,oraButler;andwhereasocietyattainstoamoralstandard,146inwhichtherearenocrimesandnosorrowsfromwhichtragedycanextractitsalimentofpityandsorrow,nosalientvicesorfolliesonwhichcomedycanlavishitsmirthfulsatire,ithaslostthechanceofproducingaShakespeare,oraMoliere,oraMrs。Beecher—Stowe。ButifIhavenodesiretodisparagemyfellow—menabovegroundinshowinghowmuchthemotivesthatimpeltheenergiesandambitionofindividualsinasocietyofcontestandstruggle—becomedormantorannulledinasocietywhichaimsatsecuringfortheaggregatethecalmandinnocentfelicitywhichwepresumetobethelotofbeatifiedimmortals;
neither,ontheotherhand,haveIthewishtorepresentthecommonwealthsoftheVril—yaasanidealformofpoliticalsociety,totheattainmentofwhichourowneffortsofreformshouldbedirected。Onthecontrary,itisbecausewehavesocombined,throughouttheseriesofages,theelementswhichcomposehumancharacter,thatitwouldbeutterlyimpossibleforustoadoptthemodesoflife,ortoreconcileourpassionstothemodesofthoughtamongtheVril—ya,—thatIarrivedattheconvictionthatthispeople—thoughoriginallynotonlyofourhumanrace,but,asseemstomeclearbytherootsoftheirlanguage,descendedfromthesameancestorsastheGreatAryanfamily,fromwhichinvariedstreamshasflowedthedominantcivilisationoftheworld;andhaving,accordingtotheirmythsandtheirhistory,passedthroughphasesofsocietyfamiliartoourselves,—hadyetnowdevelopedintoadistinctspecieswithwhichitwasimpossiblethatanycommunityintheupperworldcouldamalgamate:andthatiftheyeveremergedfromthesenetherrecessesintothelightofday,theywould,accordingtotheirowntraditionalpersuasionsoftheirultimatedestiny,destroyandreplaceourexistentvarietiesofman。
Itmay,indeed,besaid,sincemorethanoneGycouldbefoundtoconceiveapartialityforsoordinaryatypeofoursuper—terrestrialraceasmyself,thateveniftheVril—yadid147appearaboveground,wemightbesavedfromexterminationbyintermixtureofrace。Butthisistoosanguineabelief。
Instancesofsuch’mesalliance’wouldbeasrareasthoseofintermarriagebetweentheAnglo—SaxonemigrantsandtheRedIndians。Norwouldtimebeallowedfortheoperationoffamiliarintercourse。TheVril—ya,onemerging,inducedbythecharmofasunlitheaventoformtheirsettlementsaboveground,wouldcommenceatoncetheworkofdestruction,seizeupontheterritoriesalreadycultivated,andclearoff,withoutscruple,alltheinhabitantswhoresistedthatinvasion。AndconsideringtheircontemptfortheinstitutionsofKoom—PoshorPopularGovernment,andthepugnaciousvalourofmybelovedcountrymen,IbelievethatiftheVril—yafirstappearedinfreeAmerica—as,beingthechoicestportionofthehabitableearth,theywoulddoubtlessbeinducedtodo—andsaid,"Thisquarteroftheglobewetake;CitizensofaKoom—Posh,makewayforthedevelopmentofspeciesintheVril—ya,"mybravecompatriotswouldshowfight,andnotasoulofthemwouldbeleftinthislife,torallyroundtheStarsandStripes,attheendofaweek。
InowsawbutlittleofZee,saveatmeals,whenthefamilyassembled,andshewasthenreservedandsilent。MyapprehensionsofdangerfromanaffectionIhadsolittleencouragedordeserved,therefore,nowfadedaway,butmydejectioncontinuedtoincrease。Ipinedforescapetotheupperworld,butIrackedmybrainsinvainforanymeanstoeffectit。Iwasneverpermittedtowanderforthalone,sothatIcouldnotevenvisitthespotonwhichIhadalighted,andseeifitwerepossibletoreascendtothemine。NorevenintheSilentHours,whenthehouseholdwaslockedinsleep,couldIhaveletmyselfdownfromtheloftyfloorinwhichmyapartmentwasplaced。Iknewnothowtocommandtheautomatawhostoodmockinglyatmybeckbesidethewall,norcouldI
ascertainthespringsbywhichweresetinmovementtheplatformsthatsuppliedtheplaceofstairs。Theknowledgehow148toavailmyselfofthesecontrivanceshadbeenpurposelywithheldfromme。Oh,thatIcouldbuthavelearnedtheuseofwings,sofreelyhereattheserviceofeveryinfant,thenI
mighthaveescapedfromthecasement,regainedtherocks,andbuoyedmyselfaloftthroughthechasmofwhichtheperpendicularsidesforbadeplaceforhumanfooting!
ChapterXXVII。
Oneday,asIsataloneandbroodinginmychamber,Taeeflewinattheopenwindowandalightedonthecouchbesideme。I
wasalwayspleasedwiththevisitsofachild,inwhosesociety,ifhumbled,IwaslesseclipsedthaninthatofAnawhohadcompletedtheireducationandmaturedtheirunderstanding。AndasIwaspermittedtowanderforthwithhimformycompanion,andasIlongedtorevisitthespotinwhichIhaddescendedintothenetherworld,Ihastenedtoaskhimifhewereatleisureforastrollbeyondthestreetsofthecity。
Hiscountenanceseemedtomegraverthanusualashereplied,"Icamehitheronpurposetoinviteyouforth。"
Wesoonfoundourselvesinthestreet,andhadnotgotfarfromthehousewhenweencounteredfiveorsixyoungGy—ei,whowerereturningfromthefieldswithbasketsfullofflowers,andchantingasonginchorusastheywalked。AyoungGysingsmoreoftenthanshetalks。Theystoppedonseeingus,accostingTaeewithfamiliarkindness,andmewiththecourteousgallantrywhichdistinguishestheGy—eiintheirmannertowardsourweakersex。
AndhereImayobservethat,thoughavirginGyissofrankinhercourtshiptotheindividualshefavours,thereisnothingthatapproachestothatgeneralbreadthandloudnessofmannerwhichthoseyoungladiesoftheAnglo—Saxonrace,towhomthe149distinguishedepithetof’fast’isaccorded,exhibittowardsyounggentlemenwhomtheydonotprofesstolove。No;thebearingoftheGy—eitowardsmalesinordinaryisverymuchthatofhigh—bredmeninthegallantsocietiesoftheupperworldtowardsladieswhomtheyrespectbutdonotwoo;
deferential,complimentary,exquisitelypolished—whatweshouldcall’chivalrous。’
CertainlyIwasalittleputoutbythenumberofcivilthingsaddressedtomy’amourpropre,’whichweresaidtomebythosecourteousyoungGy—ei。IntheworldIcamefrom,amanwouldhavethoughthimselfaggrieved,treatedwithirony,’chaffed’
(ifsovulgaraslangwordmaybeallowedontheauthorityofthepopularnovelistswhouseitsofreely),whenonefairGycomplimentedmeonthefreshnessofmycomplexion,anotheronthechoiceofcoloursinmydress,athird,withaslysmile,ontheconquestsIhadmadeatAph—Lin’sentertainment。ButI
knewalreadythatallsuchlanguagewaswhattheFrenchcall’banal,’anddidbutexpressinthefemalemouth,belowearth,thatsortofdesiretopassforamiablewiththeoppositesexwhich,aboveearth,arbitrarycustomandhereditarytransmissiondemonstratebythemouthofthemale。Andjustasahigh—bredyounglady,aboveearth,habituatedtosuchcompliments,feelsthatshecannot,withoutimpropriety,returnthem,norevinceanygreatsatisfactionatreceivingthem;soI
whohadlearnedpolitemannersatthehouseofsowealthyanddignifiedaMinisterofthatnation,couldbutsmileandtrytolookprettyinbashfullydisclaimingthecomplimentsshowereduponme。Whilewewerethustalking,Taee’ssister,itseems,hadseenusfromtheupperroomsoftheRoyalPalaceattheentranceofthetown,and,precipitatingherselfonherwings,alightedinthemidstofthegroup。
Singlingmeout,shesaid,thoughstillwiththeinimitabledeferenceofmannerwhichIhavecalled’chivalrous,’yetnotwithoutacertainabruptnessoftonewhich,asaddressedtotheweakersex,SirPhilipSydneymighthavetermed’rustic,’"Whydoyounevercometoseeus?"
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WhileIwasdeliberatingontherightanswertogivetothisunlooked—forquestion,Taeesaidquicklyandsternly,"Sister,youforget—thestrangerisofmysex。Itisnotforpersonsofmysex,havingdueregardforreputationandmodesty,tolowerthemselvesbyrunningafterthesocietyofyours。"
ThisspeechwasreceivedwithevidentapprovalbytheyoungGy—eiingeneral;butTaee’ssisterlookedgreatlyabashed。
Poorthing!—andaPRINCESStoo!
Justatthismomentashadowfellonthespacebetweenmeandthegroup;and,turninground,Ibeheldthechiefmagistratecomingcloseuponus,withthesilentandstatelypacepeculiartotheVril—ya。Atthesightofhiscountenance,thesameterrorwhichhadseizedmewhenIfirstbehelditreturned。Onthatbrow,inthoseeyes,therewasthatsameindefinablesomethingwhichmarkedthebeingofaracefataltoourown—
thatstrangeexpressionofsereneexemptionfromourcommoncaresandpassions,ofconscioussuperiorpower,compassionateandinflexibleasthatofajudgewhopronouncesdoom。I
shivered,and,inclininglow,pressedthearmofmychild—friend,anddrewhimonwardsilently。TheTurplacedhimselfbeforeourpath,regardedmeforamomentwithoutspeaking,thenturnedhiseyequietlyonhisdaughter’sface,and,withagravesalutationtoherandtheotherGy—ei,wentthroughthemidstofthegroup,—stillwithoutaword。
ChapterXXVIII。
WhenTaeeandIfoundourselvesaloneonthebroadroadthatlaybetweenthecityandthechasmthroughwhichIhaddescendedintothisregionbeneaththelightofthestarsandsun,Isaidundermybreath,"Childandfriend,thereisalook151inyourfather’sfacewhichappalsme。Ifeelasif,initsawfultranquillity,Igazedupondeath。"
Taeedidnotimmediatelyreply。Heseemedagitated,andasifdebatingwithhimselfbywhatwordstosoftensomeunwelcomeintelligence。Atlasthesaid,"NoneoftheVril—yafeardeath:doyou?"
"ThedreadofdeathisimplantedinthebreastsoftheracetowhichIbelong。Wecanconqueritatthecallofduty,ofhonour,oflove。Wecandieforatruth,foranativeland,forthosewhoaredearertousthanourselves。Butifdeathdoreallythreatenmenowandhere,wherearesuchcounteractionstothenaturalinstinctwhichinvestswithaweandterrorthecontemplationofseverancebetweensoulandbody?"
Taeelookedsurprised,buttherewasgreattendernessinhisvoiceashereplied,"Iwilltellmyfatherwhatyousay。I
willentreathimtospareyourlife。"
"Hehas,then,alreadydecreedtodestroyit?"
"’Tismysister’sfaultorfolly,"saidTaee,withsomepetulance。"Butshespokethismorningtomyfather;and,aftershehadspoken,hesummonedme,asachiefamongthechildrenwhoarecommissionedtodestroysuchlivesasthreatenthecommunity,andhesaidtome,’Takethyvrilstaff,andseekthestrangerwhohasmadehimselfdeartothee。Behisendpainlessandprompt。’"
"And,"Ifaltered,recoilingfromthechild—"anditis,then,formymurderthatthustreacherouslythouhastinvitedmeforth?No,Icannotbelieveit。Icannotthinktheeguiltyofsuchacrime。"
"Itisnocrimetoslaythosewhothreatenthegoodofthecommunity;itwouldbeacrimetoslaythesmallestinsectthatcannotharmus。"
"IfyoumeanthatIthreatenthegoodofthecommunitybecauseyoursisterhonoursmewiththesortofpreferencewhichachildmayfeelforastrangeplaything,itisnotnecessarytokillme。LetmereturntothepeopleIhaveleft,andbythechasmthroughwhichIdescended。WithaslighthelpfromyouI
152mightdosonow。You,bytheaidofyourwings,couldfastentotherockyledgewithinthechasmthecordthatyoufound,andhavenodoubtpreserved。Dobutthat;assistmebuttothespotfromwhichIalighted,andIvanishfromyourworldforever,andassurelyasifIwereamongthedead。"
"Thechasmthroughwhichyoudescended!Lookround;westandnowontheveryplacewhereityawned。Whatseeyou?Onlysolidrock。Thechasmwasclosed,bytheordersofAph—Lin,assoonascommunicationbetweenhimandyourselfwasestablishedinyourtrance,andhelearnedfromyourownlipsthenatureoftheworldfromwhichyoucame。DoyounotrememberwhenZeebademenotquestionyouastoyourselforyourrace?Onquittingyouthatday,Aph—Linaccostedme,andsaid,’Nopathbetweenthestranger’shomeandoursshouldbeleftunclosed,orthesorrowandevilofhishomemaydescendtoours。Takewiththeethechildrenofthyband,smitethesidesofthecavernwithyourvrilstavestillthefalloftheirfragmentsfillsupeverychinkthroughwhichagleamofourlampscouldforceitsway。’"
Asthechildspoke,Istaredaghastattheblindrocksbeforeme。Hugeandirregular,thegranitemasses,showingbycharreddiscolourationwheretheyhadbeenshattered,rosefromfootingtoroof—top;notacranny!
"Allhope,then,isgone,"Imurmured,sinkingdownonthecraggywayside,"andIshallnevermoreseethesun。"Icoveredmyfacewithmyhands,andprayedtoHimwhosepresenceIhadsooftenforgottenwhentheheavenshaddeclaredHishandiwork。
IfeltHispresenceinthedepthsofthenetherearth,andamidsttheworldofthegrave。Ilookedup,takingcomfortandcouragefrommyprayers,and,gazingwithaquietsmileintothefaceofthechild,said,"Now,ifthoumustslayme,strike。"
Taeeshookhisheadgently。"Nay,"hesaid,"myfather’srequestisnotsoformallymadeastoleavemenochoice。I
willspeakwithhim,andmayprevailtosavethee。Strange153thatthoushouldsthavethatfearofdeathwhichwethoughtwasonlytheinstinctoftheinferiorcreatures,towhomtheconvictionsofanotherlifehasnotbeenvouchsafed。Withus,notaninfantknowssuchafear。Tellme,mydearTish,"hecontinuedafteralittlepause,"woulditreconciletheemoretodeparturefromthisformoflifetothatformwhichliesontheothersideofthemomentcalled’death,’didIsharethyjourney?Ifso,Iwillaskmyfatherwhetheritbeallowableformetogowiththee。Iamoneofourgenerationdestinedtoemigrate,whenofageforit,tosomeregionsunknownwithinthisworld。Iwouldjustassoonemigratenowtoregionsunknown,inanotherworld。TheAll—Goodisnolesstherethanhere。Whereishenot?"
"Child,"saidI,seeingbyTaee’scountenancethathespokeinseriousearnest,"itiscrimeintheetoslayme;itwereacrimenotlessinmetosay,’Slaythyself。’TheAll—GoodchoosesHisowntimetogiveuslife,andhisowntimetotakeitaway。Letusgoback。If,onspeakingwiththyfather,hedecidesonmydeath,givemethelongestwarninginthypower,sothatImaypasstheintervalinself—preparation。"
ChapterXXIX。
InthemidstofthosehourssetapartforsleepandconstitutingthenightoftheVril—ya,IwasawakenedfromthedisturbedslumberintowhichIhadnotlongfallen,byahandonmyshoulder。IstartedandbeheldZeestandingbesideme。
154"Hush,"shesaidinawhisper;letnoonehearus。DostthouthinkthatIhaveceasedtowatchoverthysafetybecauseI
couldnotwinthylove?IhaveseenTaee。Hehasnotprevailedwithhisfather,whohadmeanwhileconferredwiththethreesageswho,indoubtfulmatters,hetakesintocouncil,andbytheiradvicehehasordainedtheetoperishwhentheworldre—awakenstolife。Iwillsavethee。Riseanddress。"
ZeepointedtoatablebythecouchonwhichIsawtheclothesIhadwornonquittingtheupperworld,andwhichIhadexchangedsubsequentlyforthemorepicturesquegarmentsoftheVril—ya。TheyoungGythenmovedtowardsthecasementandsteppedintothebalcony,whilehastilyandwonderinglyI
donnedmyownhabiliments。WhenIjoinedheronthebalcony,herfacewaspaleandrigid。Takingmebythehand,shesaidsoftly,"SeehowbrightlytheartoftheVril—yahaslighteduptheworldinwhichtheydwell。To—morrowtheworldwillbedarktome。"Shedrewmebackintotheroomwithoutwaitingformyanswer,thenceintothecorridor,fromwhichwedescendedintothehall。Wepassedintothedesertedstreetsandalongthebroadupwardroadwhichwoundbeneaththerocks。Here,wherethereisneitherdaynornight,theSilentHoursareunutterablysolemn—thevastspaceilluminedbymortalskillissowhollywithoutthesightandstirofmortallife。Softaswereourfootsteps,theirsoundsvexedtheear,asoutofharmonywiththeuniversalrepose。Iwasawareinmyownmind,thoughZeesaiditnot,thatshehaddecidedtoassistmyreturntotheupperworld,andthatwewereboundtowardstheplacefromwhichIhaddescended。Hersilenceinfectedmeandcommandedmine。Andnowweapproachedthechasm。Ithadbeenre—opened;notpresenting,indeed,thesameaspectaswhenI
hademergedfromit,butthroughthatclosedwallofrockbeforewhichIhadlaststoodwithTaee,anewclifthadbeenriven,andalongitsblackenedsidesstillglimmeredsparksandsmoulderedembers。Myupwardgazecouldnot,however,155penetratemorethanafewfeetintothedarknessofthehollowvoid,andIstooddismayed,andwonderinghowthatgrimascentwastobemade。
Zeedivinedmydoubt。"Fearnot,"saidshe,withafaintsmile;"yourreturnisassured。IbeganthisworkwhentheSilentHourscommenced,andallelsewereasleep;believethatIdidnotpausedtillthepathbackintothyworldwasclear。
Ishallbewiththeealittlewhileyet。Wedonotpartuntilthousayest,’Go,forIneedtheenomore。’"
Myheartsmotemewithremorseatthesewords。"Ah!"Iexclaimed,"wouldthatthouwertofmyraceorIofthine,thenIshouldneversay,"Ineedtheenomore。’"
"Iblesstheeforthosewords,andIshallrememberthemwhenthouartgone,"answeredtheGy,tenderly。
Duringthisbriefinterchangeofwords,Zeehadturnedawayfromme,herformbentandherheadbowedoverherbreast。
Now,sherosetothefullheightofhergrandstature,andstoodfrontingme。Whileshehadbeenthusavertedfrommygaze,shehadlightedupthecircletthatsheworeroundherbrow,sothatitblazedasifitwereacrownofstars。Notonlyherfaceandherform,buttheatmospherearound,wereilluminedbytheeffulgenceofthediadem。
"Now,"saidshe,"putthinearmaroundmeforthefirstandlasttime。Nay,thus;courage,andclingfirm。"
Asshespokeherformdilated,thevastwingsexpanded。
Clingingtoher,Iwasbornealoftthroughtheterriblechasm。
Thestarrylightfromherforeheadshotaroundandbeforeusthroughthedarkness。Brightlyandsteadfastly,andswiftlyasanangelmaysoarheavenwardwiththesoulitrescuesfromthegrave,wenttheflightoftheGy,tillIheardinthedistancethehumofhumanvoices,thesoundsofhumantoil。Wehaltedontheflooringofoneofthegalleriesofthemine,andbeyond,inthevista,burnedthedim,feeblelampsoftheminers。
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ThenIreleasedmyhold。TheGykissedmeonmyforehead,passionately,butaswithamother’spassion,andsaid,asthetearsgushedfromhereyes,"Farewellforever。Thouwiltnotletmegointothyworld—thoucanstneverreturntomine。Ereourhouseholdshakeoffslumber,therockswillhaveagainclosedoverthechasmnottobere—openedbyme,norperhapsbyothers,foragesyetunguessed。Thinkofmesometimes,andwithkindness。WhenIreachthelifethatliesbeyondthisspeckintime,Ishalllookroundforthee。Eventhere,theworldconsignedtothyselfandthypeoplemayhaverocksandgulfswhichdivideitfromthatinwhichIrejointhoseofmyracethathavegonebefore,andImaybepowerlesstocleavewaytoregaintheeasIhaveclovenwaytolose。"
Hervoiceceased。Iheardtheswan—likesoughofherwings,andsawtheraysofherstarrydiademrecedingfarandfartherthroughthegloom。
Isatemyselfdownforsometime,musingsorrowfully;thenI
roseandtookmywaywithslowfootstepstowardstheplaceinwhichIheardthesoundsofmen。TheminersIencounteredwerestrangetome,ofanothernationthanmyown。Theyturnedtolookatmewithsomesurprise,butfindingthatIcouldnotanswertheirbriefquestionsintheirownlanguage,theyreturnedtotheirworkandsufferedmetopassonunmolested。
Infine,Iregainedthemouthofthemine,littletroubledbyotherinterrogatories;—savethoseofafriendlyofficialtowhomIwasknown,andluckilyhewastoobusytotalkmuchwithme。Itookcarenottoreturntomyformerlodging,buthastenedthatverydaytoquitaneighbourhoodwhereIcouldnotlonghaveescapedinquiriestowhichIcouldhavegivennosatisfactoryanswers。Iregainedinsafetymyowncountry,inwhichIhavebeenlongpeacefullysettled,andengagedinpracticalbusiness,tillIretiredonacompetentfortune,threeyearsago。Ihavebeenlittleinvitedandlittletemptedtotalkoftherovingsandadventuresofmyyouth。Somewhat157disappointed,asmostmenare,inmattersconnectedwithhouseholdloveanddomesticlife,IoftenthinkoftheyoungGyasIsitaloneatnight,andwonderhowIcouldhaverejectedsuchalove,nomatterwhatdangersattendedit,orbywhatconditionsitwasrestricted。Only,themoreIthinkofapeoplecalmlydeveloping,inregionsexcludedfromoursightanddeemeduninhabitablebyoursages,powerssurpassingourmostdisciplinedmodesofforce,andvirtuestowhichourlife,socialandpolitical,becomesantagonisticinproportionasourcivilisationadvances,—themoredevoutlyIpraythatagesmayyetelapsebeforethereemergeintosunlightourinevitabledestroyers。Being,however,franklytoldbymyphysicianthatIamafflictedbyacomplaintwhich,thoughitgiveslittlepainandnoperceptiblenoticeofitsencroachments,mayatanymomentbefatal,Ihavethoughtitmydutytomyfellow—mentoplaceonrecordtheseforewarningsofTheComingRace。