\"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。\"