第11章

类别:其他 作者:Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton Lyt字数:18641更新时间:18/12/14 17:00:14
\"Rashman,\"saidZanoni,inatoneofcompassion,\"thycrisisispast,andthychoicemade!Icanonlybidtheebeboldandprosper;yes,IresigntheetoamasterwhoHASthepowerandthewilltoopentotheethegatesofanawfulworld。Thywealorwoeareasnoughtintheeyesofhisrelentlesswisdom。Iwouldbidhimsparethee,buthewillheedmenot。Mejnour,receivethypupil!\"Glyndonturned,andhisheartbeatwhenheperceivedthatthestranger,whosefootstepshehadnothearduponthepebbles,whoseapproachhehadnotbeheldinthemoonlight,wasoncemorebyhisside。 \"Farewell,\"resumedZanoni;\"thytrialcommences。Whennextwemeet,thouwiltbethevictimorthevictor。\" Glyndon\'seyesfollowedtherecedingformofthemysteriousstranger。Hesawhimentertheboat,andhethenforthefirsttimenoticedthatbesidestherowerstherewasafemale,whostoodupasZanonigainedtheboat。Evenatthedistanceherecognisedtheonce-adoredformofViola。Shewavedherhandtohim,andacrossthestillandshiningaircamehervoice,mournfullyandsweetly,inhermother\'stongue,\"Farewell,Clarence,——Iforgivethee!——farewell,farewell!\" Hestrovetoanswer;butthevoicetouchedachordathisheart,andthewordsfailedhim。Violawasthenlostforever,gonewiththisdreadstranger;darknesswasroundherlot!Andhehimselfhaddecidedherfateandhisown!Theboatboundedon,thesoftwavesflashedandsparkledbeneaththeoars,anditwasalongonesapphiretrackofmoonlightthatthefrailvesselboreawaythelovers。Fartherandfartherfromhisgazespedtheboat,tillatlastthespeck,scarcelyvisible,touchedthesideoftheshipthatlaylifelessinthegloriousbay。Atthatinstant,asifbymagic,upsprang,withagladmurmur,theplayfulandfresheningwind:andGlyndonturnedtoMejnourandbrokethesilence。 \"Tellme——ifthoucanstreadthefuture——tellmethatHERlotwillbefair,andthatHERchoiceatleastiswise?\" \"Mypupil!\"answeredMejnour,inavoicethecalmnessofwhichwellaccordedwiththechillingwords,\"thyfirsttaskmustbetowithdrawallthought,feeling,sympathyfromothers。Theelementarystageofknowledgeistomakeself,andselfalone,thystudyandthyworld。Thouhastdecidedthineowncareer; thouhastrenouncedlove;thouhastrejectedwealth,fame,andthevulgarpompsofpower。What,then,areallmankindtothee? Toperfectthyfaculties,andconcentratethyemotions,ishenceforththyonlyaim!\" \"Andwillhappinessbetheend?\" \"Ifhappinessexist,\"answeredMejnour,\"itmustbecentredinaSELFtowhichallpassionisunknown。Buthappinessisthelaststateofbeing;andasyetthouartonthethresholdofthefirst。\" AsMejnourspoke,thedistantvesselspreaditssailstothewind,andmovedslowlyalongthedeep。Glyndonsighed,andthepupilandthemasterretracedtheirstepstowardsthecity。 BOOKIV。 THEDWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD。 Beyhinterihmwaswill!Ichhebihnauf。 \"DasVerschleierteBildzuSais\" (Bebehindwhattheremay,-Iraisetheveil。) CHAPTER4。I。 Comevittimaiovengoall\'ara。 \"Metast。,\"At。ii。Sc。7。 (AsavictimIgotothealtar。) ItwasaboutamonthafterthedateofZanoni\'sdepartureandGlyndon\'sintroductiontoMejnour,whentwoEnglishmenwerewalking,arm-in-arm,throughtheToledo。 \"Itellyou,\"saidone(whospokewarmly),\"thatifyouhaveaparticleofcommon-senseleftinyou,youwillaccompanymetoEngland。ThisMejnourisanimpostermoredangerous,becausemoreinearnest,thanZanoni。Afterall,whatdohispromisesamountto?Youallowthatnothingcanbemoreequivocal。YousaythathehasleftNaples,——thathehasselectedaretreatmorecongenialthanthecrowdedthoroughfaresofmentothestudiesinwhichheistoinitiateyou;andthisretreatisamongthehauntsofthefiercestbanditsofItaly,——hauntswhichjusticeitselfdaresnotpenetrate。Fittinghermitageforasage!Itrembleforyou。Whatifthisstranger——ofwhomnothingisknown——beleaguedwiththerobbers;andtheseluresforyourcredulitybaitbutthetrapsforyourproperty,——perhapsyourlife?Youmightcomeoffcheaplybyaransomofhalfyourfortune。Yousmileindignantly!Well,putcommon-senseoutofthequestion;takeyourownviewofthematter。YouaretoundergoanordealwhichMejnourhimselfdoesnotprofesstodescribeasaverytemptingone。Itmay,oritmaynot,succeed:ifitdoesnot,youaremenacedwiththedarkestevils;andifitdoes,youcannotbebetteroffthanthedullandjoylessmysticwhomyouhavetakenforamaster。Awaywiththisfolly;enjoyyouthwhileitislefttoyou;returnwithmetoEngland;forgetthesedreams;enteryourpropercareer;formaffectionsmorerespectablethanthosewhichluredyouawhiletoanItalianadventuress。Attendtoyourfortune,makemoney,andbecomeahappyanddistinguishedman。 Thisistheadviceofsoberfriendship;yetthepromisesIholdouttoyouarefairerthanthoseofMejnour。\" \"Mervale,\"saidGlyndon,doggedly,\"Icannot,ifIwould,yieldtoyourwishes。Apowerthatisabovemeurgesmeon;Icannotresistitsinfluence。IwillproceedtothelastinthestrangecareerIhavecommenced。Thinkofmenomore。Followyourselftheadviceyougivetome,andbehappy。\" \"Thisismadness,\"saidMervale;\"yourhealthisalreadyfailing; youaresochangedIshouldscarcelyknowyou。Come;Ihavealreadyhadyournameenteredinmypassport;inanotherhourI shallbegone,andyou,boythatyouare,willbeleft,withoutafriend,tothedeceitsofyourownfancyandthemachinationsofthisrelentlessmountebank。\" \"Enough,\"saidGlyndon,coldly;\"youceasetobeaneffectivecounsellorwhenyousufferyourprejudicestobethusevident。I havealreadyhadampleproof,\"addedtheEnglishman,andhispalecheekgrewmorepale,\"ofthepowerofthisman,——ifmanhebe,whichIsometimesdoubt,——and,comelife,comedeath,Iwillnotshrinkfromthepathsthatallureme。Farewell,Mervale;ifwenevermeetagain,——ifyouhear,amidstouroldandcheerfulhaunts,thatClarenceGlyndonsleepsthelastsleepbytheshoresofNaples,oramidstyondistanthills,saytothefriendsofouryouth,\'Hediedworthily,asthousandsofmartyr-studentshavediedbeforehim,inthepursuitofknowledge。\'\" HewrungMervale\'shandashespoke,dartedfromhisside,anddisappearedamidstthecrowd。 BythecorneroftheToledohewasarrestedbyNicot。 \"Ah,Glyndon!Ihavenotseenyouthismonth。Wherehaveyouhidyourself?Haveyoubeenabsorbedinyourstudies?\" \"Yes。\" \"IamabouttoleaveNaplesforParis。Willyouaccompanyme? Talentofallorderiseagerlysoughtforthere,andwillbesuretorise。\" \"Ithankyou;Ihaveotherschemesforthepresent。\" \"Solaconic!——whatailsyou?DoyougrieveforthelossofthePisani?Takeexamplebyme。IhavealreadyconsoledmyselfwithBiancaSacchini,——ahandsomewoman,enlightened,noprejudices。 AvaluablecreatureIshallfindher,nodoubt。ButasforthisZanoni!\" \"Whatofhim?\" \"IfeverIpaintanallegoricalsubject,IwilltakehislikenessasSatan。Ha,ha!atruepainter\'srevenge,——eh?Andthewayoftheworld,too!Whenwecandonothingelseagainstamanwhomwehate,wecanatleastpainthiseffigiesastheDevil\'s。 Seriously,though:Iabhorthatman。\" \"Wherefore?\' \"Wherefore!HashenotcarriedoffthewifeandthedowryIhadmarkedformyself!Yet,afterall,\"addedNicot,musingly,\"hadheservedinsteadofinjuredme,Ishouldhavehatedhimallthesame。Hisveryform,andhisveryface,mademeatonceenvyanddetesthim。Ifeltthatthereissomethingantipatheticinournatures。Ifeel,too,thatweshallmeetagain,whenJeanNicot\'shatemaybelessimpotent。We,too,cherconfrere,——we,too,maymeetagain!VivelaRepublique!Itomynewworld!\" \"AndItomine。Farewell!\" ThatdayMervaleleftNaples;thenextmorningGlyndonalsoquittedtheCityofDelightalone,andonhorseback。Hebenthiswayintothosepicturesquebutdangerouspartsofthecountrywhichatthattimewereinfestedbybanditti,andwhichfewtravellersdaredtopass,eveninbroaddaylight,withoutastrongescort。Aroadmorelonelycannotwellbeconceivedthanthatonwhichthehoofsofhissteed,strikinguponthefragmentsofrockthatencumberedtheneglectedway,wokeadullandmelancholyecho。Largetractsofwasteland,variedbytherankandprofusefoliageoftheSouth,laybeforehim;occasionallyawildgoatpeepeddownfromsomerockycrag,orthediscordantcryofabirdofprey,startledinitssombrehaunt,washeardabovethehills。Theseweretheonlysignsoflife;notahumanbeingwasmet,——notahutwasvisible。Wrappedinhisownardentandsolemnthoughts,theyoungmancontinuedhisway,tillthesunhadspentitsnoondayheat,andabreezethatannouncedtheapproachofevesprungupfromtheunseenoceanwhichlayfardistanttohisright。Itwasthenthataturnintheroadbroughtbeforehimoneofthoselong,desolate,gloomyvillageswhicharefoundintheinterioroftheNeapolitandominions:andnowhecameuponasmallchapelononesidetheroad,withagaudilypaintedimageoftheVirginintheopenshrine。Aroundthisspot,which,intheheartofaChristianland,retainedthevestigeoftheoldidolatry(forjustsuchwerethechapelsthatinthepaganagewerededicatedtothedemon-saintsofmythology),gatheredsixorsevenmiserableandsqualidwretches,whomthecurseoftheleperhadcutofffrommankind。Theysetupashrillcryastheyturnedtheirghastlyvisagestowardsthehorseman;and,withoutstirringfromthespot,stretchedouttheirgauntarms,andimploredcharityinthenameoftheMercifulMother!Glyndonhastilythrewthemsomesmallcoins,and,turningawayhisface,clappedspurstohishorse,andrelaxednothisspeedtillheenteredthevillage。Oneithersidethenarrowandmirystreet,fierceandhaggardforms——someleaningagainsttheruinedwallsofblackenedhuts,someseatedatthethreshold,somelyingatfulllengthinthemud——presentedgroupsthatatonceinvokedpityandarousedalarm:pityfortheirsqualor,alarmfortheferocityimprintedontheirsavageaspects。Theygazedathim,grimandsullen,asherodeslowlyuptheruggedstreet;sometimeswhisperingsignificantlytoeachother,butwithoutattemptingtostophisway。Eventhechildrenhushedtheirbabble,andraggedurchins,devouringhimwithsparklingeyes,mutteredtotheirmothers;\"Weshallfeastwellto-morrow!\"Itwas,indeed,oneofthosehamletsinwhichLawsetsnotitssoberstep,inwhichViolenceandMurderhousesecure,——hamletscommontheninthewilderpartsofItaly,inwhichthepeasantwasbutthegentlernamefortherobber。 Glyndon\'sheartsomewhatfailedhimashelookedaround,andthequestionhedesiredtoaskdieduponhislips。Atlengthfromoneofthedismalcabinsemergedaformsuperiortotherest。 Insteadofthepatchedandraggedover-all,whichmadetheonlygarmentofthemenhehadhithertoseen,thedressofthispersonwascharacterisedbyallthetrappingsofthenationalbravery。 Uponhisravenhair,theglossycurlsofwhichmadeanotablecontrasttothemattedandelfinlocksofthesavagesaround,wasplacedaclothcap,withagoldtasselthathungdowntohisshoulder;hismustachesweretrimmedwithcare,andasilkkerchiefofgayhueswastwistedroundawell-shapedbutsinewythroat;ashortjacketofroughclothwasdecoratedwithseveralrowsofgiltfilagreebuttons;hisnethergarmentsfittedtighttohislimbs,andwerecuriouslybraided;whileinabroadparti- colouredsashwereplacedtwosilver-hiltedpistols,andthesheathedknife,usuallywornbyItaliansofthelowerorder,mountedinivoryelaboratelycarved。Asmallcarbineofhandsomeworkmanshipwasslungacrosshisshoulderandcompletedhiscostume。Themanhimselfwasofmiddlesize,athleticyetslender,withstraightandregularfeatures,sunburnt,butnotswarthy;andanexpressionofcountenancewhich,thoughrecklessandbold,hadinitfranknessratherthanferocity,and,ifdefying,wasnotaltogetherunprepossessing。 Glyndon,aftereyeingthisfigureforsomemomentswithgreatattention,checkedhisrein,andaskedthewaytothe\"CastleoftheMountain。\" Themanliftedhiscapasheheardthequestion,and,approachingGlyndon,laidhishandupontheneckofthehorse,andsaid,inalowvoice,\"Thenyouarethecavalierwhomourpatronthesignorexpected。Hebademewaitforyouhere,andleadyoutothecastle。Andindeed,signor,itmighthavebeenunfortunateifI hadneglectedtoobeythecommand。\" Themanthen,drawingalittleaside,calledouttothebystandersinaloudvoice,\"Ho,ho!myfriends,payhenceforthandforeverallrespecttothisworshipfulcavalier。HeistheexpectedguestofourblessedpatronoftheCastleoftheMountain。Longlifetohim!Mayhe,likehishost,besafebydayandbynight;onthehillandinthewaste;againstthedaggerandthebullet,——inlimbandinlife!Cursedbehewhotouchesahairofhishead,orabaiocchoinhispouch。Nowandforeverwewillprotectandhonourhim,——forthelaworagainstthelaw;withthefaithandtothedeath。Amen!Amen!\" \"Amen!\"responded,inwildchorus,ahundredvoices;andthescatteredandstragglinggroupspressedupthestreet,nearerandnearertothehorseman。 \"Andthathemaybeknown,\"continuedtheEnglishman\'sstrangeprotector,\"totheeyeandtotheear,Iplacearoundhimthewhitesash,andIgivehimthesacredwatchword,\'PeacetotheBrave。\'Signor,whenyouwearthissash,theproudestinthesepartswillbaretheheadandbendtheknee。Signor,whenyouutterthiswatchword,thebravestheartswillbeboundtoyourbidding。Desireyousafety,oraskyourevenge——togainabeauty,ortoloseafoe,——speakbuttheword,andweareyours: weareyours!Isitnotso,comrades?\" Andagainthehoarsevoicesshouted,\"Amen,Amen!\" \"Now,signor,\"whisperedthebravo,\"ifyouhaveafewcoinstospare,scatterthemamongstthecrowd,andletusbegone。\" Glyndon,notdispleasedattheconcludingsentence,emptiedhispurseinthestreets;andwhile,withmingledoaths,blessings,shrieks,andyells,men,women,andchildrenscrambledforthemoney,thebravo,takingthereinofthehorse,leditafewpacesthroughthevillageatabrisktrot,andthen,turningupanarrowlanetotheleft,inafewminutesneitherhousesnormenwerevisible,andthemountainsclosedtheirpathoneitherside。 Itwasthenthat,releasingthebridleandslackeninghispace,theguideturnedhisdarkeyesonGlyndonwithanarchexpression,andsaid,—— \"YourExcellencywasnot,perhaps,preparedfortheheartywelcomewehavegivenyou。\" \"Why,intruth,IOUGHTtohavebeenpreparedforit,sincethesignor,towhosehouseIambound,didnotdisguisefrommethecharacteroftheneighbourhood。Andyourname,myfriend,ifI maysocallyou?\" \"Oh,noceremonieswithme,Excellency。InthevillageIamgenerallycalledMaestroPaolo。Ihadasurnameonce,thoughaveryequivocalone;andIhaveforgottenTHATsinceIretiredfromtheworld。\" \"Andwasitfromdisgust,frompoverty,orfromsome——someebullitionofpassionwhichentailedpunishment,thatyoubetookyourselftothemountains?\" \"Why,signor,\"saidthebravo,withagaylaugh,\"hermitsofmyclassseldomlovetheconfessional。However,Ihavenosecretswhilemystepisinthesedefiles,mywhistleinmypouch,andmycarbineatmyback。\"Withthattherobber,asifhelovedpermissiontotalkathiswill,hemmedthrice,andbeganwithmuchhumour;though,ashistaleproceeded,thememoriesitrousedseemedtocarryhimfartherthanheatfirstintended,andrecklessandlight-heartedeasegavewaytothatfierceandvariedplayofcountenanceandpassionofgesturewhichcharacterisetheemotionsofhiscountrymen。 \"IwasbornatTerracina,——afairspot,isitnot?Myfatherwasalearnedmonkofhighbirth;mymother——Heavenresther!——aninnkeeper\'sprettydaughter。Ofcoursetherecouldbenomarriageinthecase;andwhenIwasborn,themonkgravelydeclaredmyappearancetobemiraculous。Iwasdedicatedfrommycradletothealtar;andmyheadwasuniversallydeclaredtobetheorthodoxshapeforacowl。AsIgrewup,themonktookgreatpainswithmyeducation;andIlearnedLatinandpsalmodyassoonaslessmiraculousinfantslearncrowing。Nordidtheholyman\'scarestintitselftomyinterioraccomplishments。Althoughvowedtopoverty,healwayscontrivedthatmymothershouldhaveherpocketsfull;andbetweenherpocketsandminetherewassoonestablishedaclandestinecommunication;accordingly,atfourteen,Iworemycapononeside,stuckpistolsinmybelt,andassumedtheswaggerofacavalierandagallant。Atthatagemypoormotherdied;andaboutthesameperiodmyfather,havingwrittenaHistoryofthePontificalBulls,infortyvolumes,andbeing,asIsaid,ofhighbirth,obtainedacardinal\'shat。Fromthattimehethoughtfittodisownyourhumbleservant。HeboundmeovertoanhonestnotaryatNaples,andgavemetwohundredcrownsbywayofprovision。Well,signor,IsawenoughofthelawtoconvincemethatIshouldneverberogueenoughtoshineintheprofession。So,insteadofspoilingparchment,Imadelovetothenotary\'sdaughter。Mymasterdiscoveredourinnocentamusement,andturnedmeoutofdoors;thatwasdisagreeable。 ButmyNinettalovedme,andtookcarethatIshouldnotlieoutinthestreetswiththeLazzaroni。Littlejade!IthinkIseehernowwithherbarefeet,andherfingertoherlips,openingthedoorinthesummernights,andbiddingmecreepsoftlyintothekitchen,where,praisedbethesaints!aflaskandamanchetalwaysawaitedthehungryamoroso。Atlast,however,Ninettagrewcold。Itisthewayofthesex,signor。Herfatherfoundheranexcellentmarriageinthepersonofawitheredoldpicture-dealer。Shetookthespouse,andveryproperlyclappedthedoorinthefaceofthelover。Iwasnotdisheartened,Excellency;no,notI。Womenareplentifulwhileweareyoung。 So,withoutaducatinmypocketoracrustformyteeth,IsetouttoseekmyfortuneonboardofaSpanishmerchantman。ThatwasdullerworkthanIexpected;butluckilywewereattackedbyapirate,——halfthecrewwerebutchered,therestcaptured。I wasoneofthelast:alwaysinluck,yousee,signor,——monks\' sonshaveaknackthatway!Thecaptainofthepiratestookafancytome。\'Servewithus?\'saidhe。\'Toohappy,\'saidI。 Beholdme,then,apirate!Ojollylife!howIblessedtheoldnotaryforturningmeoutofdoors!Whatfeasting,whatfighting,whatwooing,whatquarrelling!Sometimesweranashoreandenjoyedourselveslikeprinces;sometimeswelayinacalmfordaystogetherontheloveliestseathatmanevertraversed。 Andthen,ifthebreezeroseandasailcameinsight,whosomerryaswe?Ipassedthreeyearsinthatcharmingprofession,andthen,signor,Igrewambitious。Icaballedagainstthecaptain;Iwantedhispost。Onestillnightwestrucktheblow。 Theshipwaslikealoginthesea,nolandtobeseenfromthemast-head,thewaveslikeglass,andthemoonatitsfull。Upwerose,thirtyofusandmore。Upwerosewithashout;wepouredintothecaptain\'scabin,Iatthehead。Thebraveoldboyhadcaughtthealarm,andtherehestoodatthedoorway,apistolineachhand;andhisoneeye(hehadonlyone)worsetomeetthanthepistolswere。 \"\'Yield!\'criedI;\'yourlifeshallbesafe。\' \"\'Takethat,\'saidhe,andwhizwentthepistol;butthesaintstookcareoftheirown,andtheballpassedbymycheek,andshottheboatswainbehindme。Iclosedwiththecaptain,andtheotherpistolwentoffwithoutmischiefinthestruggle。Suchafellowhewas,——sixfeetfourwithouthisshoes!Overwewent,rollingeachontheother。SantaMaria!notimetogetholdofone\'sknife。Meanwhileallthecrewwereup,someforthecaptain,someforme,——clashingandfiring,andswearingandgroaning,andnowandthenaheavysplashinthesea。Finesupperforthesharksthatnight!AtlastoldBilboagotuppermost;outflashedhisknife;downitcame,butnotinmyheart。No!Igavemyleftarmasashield;andthebladewentthroughtothehilt,withthebloodspurtingupliketherainfromawhale\'snostril!Withtheweightoftheblowthestoutfellowcamedownsothathisfacetouchedmine;withmyrighthandIcaughthimbythethroat,turnedhimoverlikealamb,signor,andfaithitwassoonallupwithhim:theboatswain\'sbrother,afatDutchman,ranhimthroughwithapike。 \"\'Oldfellow,\'saidI,asheturnedhisterribleeyetome,\'I bearyounomalice,butwemusttrytogetonintheworld,youknow。\'Thecaptaingrinnedandgaveuptheghost。Iwentupondeck,——whatasight!Twentyboldfellowsstarkandcold,andthemoonsparklingonthepuddlesofbloodascalmlyasifitwerewater。Well,signor,thevictorywasours,andtheshipmine;I ruledmerrilyenoughforsixmonths。WethenattackedaFrenchshiptwiceoursize;whatsportitwas!Andwehadnothadagoodfightsolong,wewerequitelikevirginsatit!Wegotthebestofit,andwonshipandcargo。Theywantedtopistolthecaptain,butthatwasagainstmylaws:sowegaggedhim,forhescoldedasloudasifweweremarriedtohim;lefthimandtherestofhiscrewonboardourownvessel,whichwasterriblybattered;clappedourblackflagontheFrenchman\'s,andsetoffmerrily,withabriskwindinourfavour。Butluckdesertedusonforsakingourowndearoldship。Astormcameon,aplankstruck;severalofusescapedinaboat;wehadlotsofgoldwithus,butnowater。Fortwodaysandtwonightswesufferedhorribly;butatlastweranashorenearaFrenchseaport。Oursorryplightmovedcompassion,andaswehadmoney,wewerenotsuspected,——peopleonlysuspectthepoor。Herewesoonrecoveredourfatigues,riggedourselvesoutgayly,andyourhumbleservantwasconsideredasnobleacaptainaseverwalkeddeck。Butnow,alas!myfatewouldhaveitthatIshouldfallinlovewithasilk-mercer\'sdaughter。Ah,howIlovedher!——theprettyClara! Yes,IlovedhersowellthatIwasseizedwithhorroratmypastlife!Iresolvedtorepent,tomarryher,andsettledownintoanhonestman。Accordingly,Isummonedmymessmates,toldthemmyresolution,resignedmycommand,andpersuadedthemtodepart。 Theyweregoodfellows,engagedwithaDutchman,againstwhomI heardafterwardstheymadeasuccessfulmutiny,butIneversawthemmore。Ihadtwothousandcrownsstillleft;withthissumI obtainedtheconsentofthesilk-mercer,anditwasagreedthatI shouldbecomeapartnerinthefirm。IneednotsaythatnoonesuspectedthatIhadbeensogreataman,andIpassedforaNeapolitangoldsmith\'ssoninsteadofacardinal\'s。Iwasveryhappythen,signor,very,——Icouldnothaveharmedafly!HadI marriedClara,Ihadbeenasgentleamerceraseverhandledameasure。\" Thebravopausedamoment,anditwaseasytoseethathefeltmorethanhiswordsandtonebetokened。\"Well,well,wemustnotlookbackatthepasttooearnestly,——thesunlightuponitmakesone\'seyeswater。Thedaywasfixedforourwedding,——itapproached。Ontheeveningbeforetheappointedday,Clara,hermother,herlittlesister,andmyself,werewalkingbytheport; andaswelookedonthesea,Iwastellingthemoldgossip-talesofmermaidsandsea-serpents,whenared-faced,bottle-nosedFrenchmanclappedhimselfrightbeforeme,and,placinghisspectaclesverydeliberatelyastridehisproboscis,echoedout,\'Sacre,milletonnerres!thisisthedamnedpiratewhoboardedthe\"Niobe\"!\' \"\'Noneofyourjests,\'saidI,mildly。\'Ho,ho!\'saidhe;\'I can\'tbemistaken;helpthere!\'andhegripedmebythecollar。 Ireplied,asyoumaysuppose,bylayinghiminthekennel;butitwouldnotdo。TheFrenchcaptainhadaFrenchlieutenantathisback,whosememorywasasgoodashischief\'s。Acrowdassembled;othersailorscameup:theoddswereagainstme。I sleptthatnightinprison;andinafewweeksafterwardsIwassenttothegalleys。Theysparedmylife,becausetheoldFrenchmanpolitelyaverredthatIhadmademycrewsparehis。 Youmaybelievethattheoarandthechainwerenottomytaste。 Iandtwoothersescaped;theytooktotheroad,andhave,nodoubt,beenlongsincebrokenonthewheel。I,softsoul,wouldnotcommitanothercrimetogainmybread,forClarawasstillatmyheartwithhersweeteyes;so,limitingmyrogueriestothetheftofabeggar\'srags,whichIcompensatedbyleavinghimmygalleyattireinstead,IbeggedmywaytothetownwhereIleftClara。Itwasaclearwinter\'sdaywhenIapproachedtheoutskirtsofthetown。Ihadnofearofdetection,formybeardandhairwereasgoodasamask。Oh,MotherofMercy!therecameacrossmywayafuneralprocession!There,nowyouknowit;I cantellyounomore。Shehaddied,perhapsoflove,morelikelyofshame。CanyouguesshowIspentthatnight?——Istoleapickaxefromamason\'sshed,andallaloneandunseen,underthefrostyheavens,Idugthefreshmouldfromthegrave;Iliftedthecoffin,Iwrenchedthelid,Isawheragain——again!Decayhadnottouchedher。Shewasalwayspaleinlife!Icouldhaveswornshelived!Itwasablessedthingtoseeheroncemore,andallalonetoo!Butthen,atdawn,togiveherbacktotheearth,——toclosethelid,tothrowdownthemould,tohearthepebblesrattleonthecoffin:thatwasdreadful!Signor,I neverknewbefore,andIdon\'twishtothinknow,howvaluableathinghumanlifeis。AtsunriseIwasagainawanderer;butnowthatClarawasgone,myscruplesvanished,andagainIwasatwarwithmybetters。Icontrivedatlast,atO——,togettakenonboardavesselboundtoLeghorn,workingoutmypassage。FromLeghornIwenttoRome,andstationedmyselfatthedoorofthecardinal\'spalace。Outhecame,hisgildedcoachatthegate。 \"\'Ho,father!\'saidI;\'don\'tyouknowme?\' \"\'Whoareyou?\' \"\'Yourson,\'saidI,inawhisper。 \"Thecardinaldrewback,lookedatmeearnestly,andmusedamoment。\'Allmenaremysons,\'quothhethen,verymildly; \'thereisgoldforthee!Tohimwhobegsonce,almsaredue;tohimwhobegstwice,jailsareopen。Takethehintandmolestmenomore。Heavenblessthee!\'Withthathegotintohiscoach,anddroveofftotheVatican。Hispursewhichhehadleftbehindwaswellsupplied。Iwasgratefulandcontented,andtookmywaytoTerracina。IhadnotlongpassedthemarsheswhenIsawtwohorsemenapproachatacanter。 \"\'Youlookpoor,friend,\'saidoneofthem,halting;\'yetyouarestrong。\' \"\'Poormenandstrongarebothserviceableanddangerous,SignorCavalier。\' \"\'Wellsaid;followus。\' \"Iobeyed,andbecameabandit。Irosebydegrees;andasIhavealwaysbeenmildinmycalling,andhavetakenpurseswithoutcuttingthroats,Ibearanexcellentcharacter,andcaneatmymacaroniatNapleswithoutanydangertolifeandlimb。ForthelasttwoyearsIhavesettledintheseparts,whereIholdsway,andwhereIhavepurchasedland。Iamcalledafarmer,signor; andImyselfnowonlyrobforamusement,andtokeepmyhandin。 ItrustIhavesatisfiedyourcuriosity。Wearewithinahundredyardsofthecastle。\" \"Andhow,\"askedtheEnglishman,whoseinteresthadbeenmuchexcitedbyhiscompanion\'snarrative,——\"andhowcameyouacquaintedwithmyhost?——andbywhatmeanshashesowellconciliatedthegoodwillofyourselfandfriends?\" MaestroPaoloturnedhisblackeyesverygravelytowardshisquestioner。\"Why,signor,\"saidhe,\"youmustsurelyknowmoreoftheforeigncavalierwiththehardnamethanIdo。AllIcansayis,thataboutafortnightagoIchancedtobestandingbyaboothintheToledoatNaples,whenasober-lookinggentlemantouchedmebythearm,andsaid,\'MaestroPaolo,Iwanttomakeyouracquaintance;domethefavourtocomeintoyondertavern,anddrinkaflaskoflacrima。\'\'Willingly,\'saidI。Soweenteredthetavern。Whenwewereseated,mynewacquaintancethusaccostedme:\'TheCountd\'O——hasofferedtoletmehirehisoldcastlenearB。Youknowthespot?\' \"\'Extremelywell;noonehasinhabiteditforacenturyatleast; itishalfinruins,signor。Aqueerplacetohire;Ihopetherentisnotheavy。\' \"\'MaestroPaolo,\'saidhe,\'Iamaphilosopher,anddon\'tcareforluxuries。Iwantaquietretreatforsomescientificexperiments。Thecastlewillsuitmeverywell,providedyouwillacceptmeasaneighbour,andplacemeandmyfriendsunderyourspecialprotection。Iamrich;butIshalltakenothingtothecastleworthrobbing。Iwillpayonerenttothecount,andanothertoyou。\' \"Withthatwesooncametoterms;andasthestrangesignordoubledthesumImyselfproposed,heisinhighfavourwithallhisneighbours。Wewouldguardthewholecastleagainstanarmy。 Andnow,signor,thatIhavebeenthusfrank,befrankwithme。 Whoisthissingularcavalier?\" \"Who?——hehimselftoldyou,aphilosopher。\" \"Hem!searchingforthePhilosopher\'sStone,——eh,abitofamagician;afraidofthepriests?\" \"Precisely;youhavehitit。\" \"Ithoughtso;andyouarehispupil?\" \"Iam。\" \"Iwishyouwellthroughit,\"saidtherobber,seriously,andcrossinghimselfwithmuchdevotion;\"Iamnotmuchbetterthanotherpeople,butone\'ssoulisone\'ssoul。Idonotmindalittlehonestrobbery,orknockingamanontheheadifneedbe,——buttomakeabargainwiththedevil!Ah,takecare,younggentleman,takecare!\" \"Youneednotfear,\"saidGlyndon,smiling;\"mypreceptoristoowiseandtoogoodforsuchacompact。Buthereweare,I suppose。Anobleruin,——agloriousprospect!\" Glyndonpauseddelightedly,andsurveyedthescenebeforeandbelowwiththeeyeofapainter。Insensibly,whilelisteningtothebandit,hehadwoundupaconsiderableascent,andnowhewasuponabroadledgeofrockcoveredwithmossesanddwarfshrubs。 Betweenthiseminenceandanotherofequalheight,uponwhichthecastlewasbuilt,therewasadeepbutnarrowfissure,overgrownwiththemostprofusefoliage,sothattheeyecouldnotpenetratemanyyardsbelowtheruggedsurfaceoftheabyss;buttheprofoundnessmightbewellconjecturedbythehoarse,low,monotonousroarofwatersunseenthatrolledbelow,andthesubsequentcourseofwhichwasvisibleatadistanceinaperturbedandrapidstreamthatintersectedthewasteanddesolatevalleys。 Totheleft,theprospectseemedalmostboundless,——theextremeclearnessofthepurpleairservingtorenderdistinctthefeaturesofarangeofcountrythataconquerorofoldmighthavedeemedinitselfakingdom。LonelyanddesolateastheroadwhichGlyndonhadpassedthatdayhadappeared,thelandscapenowseemedstuddedwithcastles,spires,andvillages。Afaroff,Naplesgleamedwhitelyinthelastraysofthesun,andtherose-tintsofthehorizonmeltedintotheazureofhergloriousbay。Yetmoreremote,andinanotherpartoftheprospect,mightbecaught,dimandshadowy,andbackedbythedarkestfoliage,theruinedpillarsoftheancientPosidonia。There,inthemidstofhisblackenedandsterilerealms,rosethedismalMountofFire;whileontheotherhand,windingthroughvariegatedplains,towhichdistancelentallitsmagic,glitteredmanyandmanyastreambywhichEtruscanandSybarite,RomanandSaracenandNormanhad,atintervalsofages,pitchedtheinvadingtent。Allthevisionsofthepast——thestormyanddazzlinghistoriesofSouthernItaly——rushedovertheartist\'smindashegazedbelow。 Andthen,slowlyturningtolookbehind,hesawthegreyandmoulderingwallsofthecastleinwhichhesoughtthesecretsthatweretogivetohopeinthefutureamightierempirethanmemoryownsinthepast。ItwasoneofthosebaronialfortresseswithwhichItalywasstuddedintheearliermiddleages,havingbutlittleoftheGothicgraceorgrandeurwhichbelongstotheecclesiasticalarchitectureofthesametime,butrude,vast,andmenacing,evenindecay。Awoodenbridgewasthrownoverthechasm,wideenoughtoadmittwohorsemenabreast;andtheplankstrembledandgavebackahollowsoundasGlyndonurgedhisjadedsteedacross。 Aroadwhichhadoncebeenbroadandpavedwithroughflags,butwhichnowwashalf-obliteratedbylonggrassandrankweeds,conductedtotheoutercourtofthecastlehardby;thegateswereopen,andhalfthebuildinginthispartwasdismantled;theruinspartiallyhidbyivythatwasthegrowthofcenturies。Butonenteringtheinnercourt,Glyndonwasnotsorrytonoticethattherewaslessappearanceofneglectanddecay;somewildrosesgaveasmiletothegreywalls,andinthecentretherewasafountaininwhichthewatersstilltrickledcoolly,andwithapleasingmurmur,fromthejawsofagiganticTriton。HerehewasmetbyMejnourwithasmile。 \"Welcome,myfriendandpupil,\"saidhe:\"hewhoseeksforTruthcanfindinthesesolitudesanimmortalAcademe。\" CHAPTER4。II。 AndAbaris,sofarfromesteemingPythagoras,whotaughtthesethings,anecromancerorwizard,ratherreveredandadmiredhimassomethingdivine——Iamblich。,\"Vit。Pythag。\" TheattendantswhomMejnourhadengagedforhisstrangeabodeweresuchasmightsuitaphilosopheroffewwants。AnoldArmenianwhomGlyndonrecognisedasinthemystic\'sserviceatNaples,atall,hard-featuredwomanfromthevillage,recommendedbyMaestroPaolo,andtwolong-haired,smooth-spoken,butfierce-visagedyouthsfromthesameplace,andhonouredbythesamesponsorship,constitutedtheestablishment。Theroomsusedbythesagewerecommodiousandweather-proof,withsomeremainsofancientsplendourinthefadedarrasthatclothedthewalls,andthehugetablesofcostlymarbleandelaboratecarving。 Glyndon\'ssleepingapartmentcommunicatedwithakindofbelvedere,orterrace,thatcommandedprospectsofunrivalledbeautyandextent,andwasseparatedontheothersidebyalonggallery,andaflightoftenoradozenstairs,fromtheprivatechambersofthemystic。Therewasaboutthewholeplaceasombreandyetnotdispleasingdepthofrepose。Itsuitedwellwiththestudiestowhichitwasnowtobeappropriated。 ForseveraldaysMejnourrefusedtoconferwithGlyndononthesubjectsnearesttohisheart。 \"Allwithout,\"saidhe,\"isprepared,butnotallwithin;yourownsoulmustgrowaccustomedtothespot,andfilledwiththesurroundingnature;forNatureisthesourceofallinspiration。\" WiththesewordsMejnourturnedtolightertopics。HemadetheEnglishmanaccompanyhiminlongramblesthroughthewildscenesaround,andhesmiledapprovinglywhentheyoungartistgavewaytotheenthusiasmwhichtheirfearfulbeautycouldnothavefailedtorouseinadullerbreast;andthenMejnourpouredforthtohiswonderingpupilthestoresofaknowledgethatseemedinexhaustibleandboundless。Hegaveaccountsthemostcurious,graphic,andminuteofthevariousraces(theircharacters,habits,creeds,andmanners)bywhichthatfairlandhadbeensuccessivelyoverrun。Itistruethathisdescriptionscouldnotbefoundinbooks,andwereunsupportedbylearnedauthorities; buthepossessedthetruecharmofthetale-teller,andspokeofallwiththeanimatedconfidenceofapersonalwitness。 Sometimes,too,hewouldconverseuponthemoredurableandtheloftiermysteriesofNaturewithaneloquenceandaresearchwhichinvestedthemwithallthecoloursratherofpoetrythanscience。Insensiblytheyoungartistfoundhimselfelevatedandsoothedbytheloreofhiscompanion;thefeverofhiswilddesireswasslaked。Hismindbecamemoreandmorelulledintothedivinetranquillityofcontemplation;hefelthimselfanoblerbeing,andinthesilenceofhissensesheimaginedthatheheardthevoiceofhissoul。 ItwastothisstatethatMejnourevidentlysoughttobringtheneophyte,andinthiselementaryinitiationthemysticwaslikeeverymoreordinarysage。ForhewhoseekstoDISCOVERmustfirstreducehimselfintoakindofabstractidealism,andberenderedup,insolemnandsweetbondage,tothefacultieswhichCONTEMPLATEandIMAGINE。 Glyndonnoticedthat,intheirrambles,Mejnouroftenpaused,wherethefoliagewasrifest,togathersomeherborflower;andthisremindedhimthathehadseenZanonisimilarlyoccupied。 \"CanthesehumblechildrenofNature,\"saidheonedaytoMejnour,——\"thingsthatbloomandwitherinaday,beserviceabletothescienceofthehighersecrets?Isthereapharmacyforthesoulaswellasthebody,anddothenurslingsofthesummerministernotonlytohumanhealthbutspiritualimmortality?\" \"If,\"answeredMejnour,\"astrangerhadvisitedawanderingtribebeforeonepropertyofherbalismwasknowntothem;ifhehadtoldthesavagesthattheherbswhicheverydaytheytrampledunderfootwereendowedwiththemostpotentvirtues;thatonewouldrestoretohealthabrotheronthevergeofdeath;thatanotherwouldparalyseintoidiocytheirwisestsage;thatathirdwouldstrikelifelesstothedusttheirmoststalwartchampion;thattearsandlaughter,vigouranddisease,madnessandreason,wakefulnessandsleep,existenceanddissolution,werecoiledupinthoseunregardedleaves,——wouldtheynothaveheldhimasorcereroraliar?TohalfthevirtuesofthevegetableworldmankindareyetinthedarknessofthesavagesI havesupposed。Therearefacultieswithinuswithwhichcertainherbshaveaffinity,andoverwhichtheyhavepower。Themolyoftheancientsisnotallafable。\" TheapparentcharacterofMejnourdifferedinmuchfromthatofZanoni;andwhileitfascinatedGlyndonless,itsubduedandimpressedhimmore。TheconversationofZanonievincedadeepandgeneralinterestformankind,——afeelingapproachingtoenthusiasmforartandbeauty。Thestoriescirculatedconcerninghishabitselevatedthemysteryofhislifebyactionsofcharityandbeneficence。Andinallthistherewassomethinggenialandhumanethatsoftenedtheawehecreated,andtended,perhaps,toraisesuspicionsastotheloftiersecretsthathearrogatedtohimself。ButMejnourseemedwhollyindifferenttoalltheactualworld。Ifhecommittednoevil,heseemedequallyapathetictogood。Hisdeedsrelievednowant,hiswordspitiednodistress。 Whatwecalltheheartappearedtohavemergedintotheintellect。Hemoved,thought,andlivedlikesomeregularandcalmabstraction,ratherthanonewhoyetretained,withtheform,thefeelingsandsympathiesofhiskind。 Glyndononce,observingthetoneofsupremeindifferencewithwhichhespokeofthosechangesonthefaceofearthwhichheassertedhehadwitnessed,venturedtoremarktohimthedistinctionhehadnoted。 \"Itistrue,\"saidMejnour,coldly。\"Mylifeisthelifethatcontemplates,——Zanoni\'sisthelifethatenjoys:whenIgathertheherb,Ithinkbutofitsuses;Zanoniwillpausetoadmireitsbeauties。\" \"Andyoudeemyourownthesuperiorandtheloftierexistence?\" \"No。Hisistheexistenceofyouth,——mineofage。Wehavecultivateddifferentfaculties。Eachhaspowerstheothercannotaspireto。Thosewithwhomheassociateslivebetter,——thosewhoassociatewithmeknowmore。\" \"Ihaveheard,intruth,\"saidGlyndon,\"thathiscompanionsatNapleswereobservedtoleadpurerandnoblerlivesafterintercoursewithZanoni;yetweretheynotstrangecompanions,atthebest,forasage?Thisterriblepower,too,thatheexercisesatwill,asinthedeathofthePrincedi——,andthatoftheCountUghelli,scarcelybecomesthetranquilseekeraftergood。\" \"True,\"saidMejnour,withanicysmile;\"suchmusteverbetheerrorofthosephilosopherswhowouldmeddlewiththeactivelifeofmankind。Youcannotservesomewithoutinjuringothers;youcannotprotectthegoodwithoutwarringonthebad;andifyoudesiretoreformthefaulty,why,youmustloweryourselftolivewiththefaultytoknowtheirfaults。EvensosaithParacelsus,agreatman,thoughoftenwrong。(\"Itisasnecessarytoknowevilthingsasgood;forwhocanknowwhatisgoodwithouttheknowingwhatisevil?\"etc——Paracelsus,\"DeNat。Rer。,\"lib。3。) Notminethisfolly;Ilivebutinknowledge,——Ihavenolifeinmankind!\" AnothertimeGlyndonquestionedthemysticastothenatureofthatunionorfraternitytowhichZanonihadoncereferred。 \"Iamright,Isuppose,\"saidhe,\"inconjecturingthatyouandhimselfprofesstobethebrothersoftheRosyCross?\" \"Doyouimagine,\"answeredMejnour,\"thattherewerenomysticandsolemnunionsofmenseekingthesameendthroughthesamemeansbeforetheArabiansofDamus,in1378,taughttoawanderingGermanthesecretswhichfoundedtheInstitutionoftheRosicrucians?Iallow,however,thattheRosicruciansformedasectdescendedfromthegreaterandearlierschool。TheywerewiserthantheAlchemists,——theirmastersarewiserthanthey。\" \"Andofthisearlyandprimaryorderhowmanystillexist?\" \"Zanoniandmyself。\" \"What,twoonly!——andyouprofessthepowertoteachtoallthesecretthatbafflesDeath?\" \"Yourancestorattainedthatsecret;hediedratherthansurvivetheonlythingheloved。Wehave,mypupil,noartsbywhichweCANPUTDEATHOUTOFOUROPTION,oroutofthewillofHeaven。 ThesewallsmaycrushmeasIstand。Allthatweprofesstodoisbutthis,——tofindoutthesecretsofthehumanframe;toknowwhythepartsossifyandthebloodstagnates,andtoapplycontinualpreventivestotheeffectsoftime。Thisisnotmagic; itistheartofmedicinerightlyunderstood。Inourorderweholdmostnoble,——first,thatknowledgewhichelevatestheintellect;secondly,thatwhichpreservesthebody。Butthemereart(extractedfromthejuicesandsimples)whichrecruitstheanimalvigourandarreststheprogressofdecay,orthatmorenoblesecret,whichIwillonlyhinttotheeatpresent,bywhichHEAT,orCALORIC,asyecallit,being,asHeraclituswiselytaught,theprimordialprincipleoflife,canbemadeitsperpetualrenovater,——theseIsay,wouldnotsufficeforsafety。 Itisoursalsotodisarmandeludethewrathofmen,toturntheswordsofourfoesagainsteachother,toglide(ifnotincorporeal)invisibletoeyesoverwhichwecanthrowamistanddarkness。Andthissomeseershaveprofessedtobethevirtueofastoneofagate。Abarisplaceditinhisarrow。Iwillfindyouanherbinyonvalleythatwillgiveasurercharmthantheagateandthearrow。Inoneword,knowthis,thatthehumblestandmeanestproductsofNaturearethosefromwhichthesublimestpropertiesaretobedrawn。\" \"But,\"saidGlyndon,\"ifpossessedofthesegreatsecrets,whysochurlishinwithholdingtheirdiffusion?Doesnotthefalseorcharlatanicsciencedifferinthisfromthetrueandindisputable,——thatthelastcommunicatestotheworldtheprocessbywhichitattainsitsdiscoveries;thefirstboastsofmarvellousresults,andrefusestoexplainthecauses?\" \"Wellsaid,OLogicianoftheSchools;butthinkagain。Supposeweweretoimpartallourknowledgetoallmankindindiscriminately,——aliketotheviciousandthevirtuous,——shouldwebebenefactorsorscourges?Imaginethetyrant,thesensualist,theevilandcorruptedbeingpossessedofthesetremendouspowers;wouldhenotbeademonletlooseonearth? Grantthatthesameprivilegebeaccordedalsotothegood;andinwhatstatewouldbesociety?EngagedinaTitanwar,——thegoodforeveronthedefensive,thebadforeverinassault。Inthepresentconditionoftheearth,evilisamoreactiveprinciplethangood,andtheevilwouldprevail。Itisforthesereasonsthatwearenotonlysolemnlyboundtoadministerourloreonlytothosewhowillnotmisuseandpervertit,butthatweplaceourordealinteststhatpurifythepassionsandelevatethedesires。AndNatureinthiscontrolsandassistsus:foritplacesawfulguardiansandinsurmountablebarriersbetweentheambitionofviceandtheheavenoftheloftierscience。\"