Buthadhenotreadenough？Didnotthelastsentencesuffice？——
\"BewareofFear!\"ItwasasifMejnourhadpurposelyleftthepageopen，——asifthetrialwas，intruth，thereverseoftheonepretended；asifthemystichaddesignedtomakeexperimentofhisCOURAGEwhileaffectingbutthatofhisFORBEARANCE。NotBoldness，butFear，wasthedeadliestenemytoKnowledge。Hemovedtotheshelvesonwhichthecrystalvaseswereplaced；withanuntremblinghandhetookfromoneofthemthestopper，andadeliciousodorsuddenlydiffuseditselfthroughtheroom。Theairsparkledasifwithadiamond-dust。Asenseofunearthlydelight，——ofanexistencethatseemedallspirit，flashedthroughhiswholeframe；andafaint，low，butexquisitemusiccrept，thrilling，throughthechamber。Atthismomentheheardavoiceinthecorridorcallingonhisname；andpresentlytherewasaknockatthedoorwithout。\"Areyouthere，signor？\"saidthecleartonesofMaestroPaolo。Glyndonhastilyreclosedandreplacedthevial，andbiddingPaoloawaithiminhisownapartment，tarriedtillheheardtheintruder\'sstepsdepart；hethenreluctantlyquittedtheroom。Ashelockedthedoor，hestillheardthedyingstrainofthatfairymusic；andwithalightstepandajoyousheartherepairedtoPaolo，inlyresolvingtovisitagainthechamberatanhourwhenhisexperimentwouldbesafefrominterruption。
Ashecrossedhisthreshold，Paolostartedback，andexclaimed，\"Why，Excellency!Iscarcelyrecogniseyou!Amusement，Isee，isagreatbeautifiertotheyoung。Yesterdayyoulookedsopaleandhaggard；butFillide\'smerryeyeshavedonemoreforyouthanthePhilosopher\'sStone(saintsforgivemefornamingit)everdidforthewizards。\"AndGlyndon，glancingattheoldVenetianmirrorasPaolospoke，wasscarcelylessstartledthanPaolohimselfatthechangeinhisownmienandbearing。Hisform，beforebentwiththought，seemedtohimtallerbyhalfthehead，solithesomeanderectrosehisslenderstature；hiseyesglowed，hischeeksbloomedwithhealthandtheinnateandpervadingpleasure。Ifthemerefragranceoftheelixirwasthuspotent，wellmightthealchemistshaveascribedlifeandyouthtothedraught!
\"Youmustforgiveme，Excellency，fordisturbingyou，\"saidPaolo，producingaletterfromhispouch；\"butourPatronhasjustwrittentometosaythathewillbehereto-morrow，anddesiredmetolosenotamomentingivingtoyourselfthisbillet，whichheenclosed。\"
\"Whobroughttheletter？\"
\"Ahorseman，whodidnotwaitforanyreply。\"
Glyndonopenedtheletter，andreadasfollows:——
\"IreturnaweeksoonerthanIhadintended，andyouwillexpectmeto-morrow。Youwillthenenterontheordealyoudesire，butrememberthat，indoingso，youmustreduceBeingasfaraspossibleintoMind。Thesensesmustbemortifiedandsubdued，——
notthewhisperofonepassionheard。ThoumaystbemasteroftheCabalaandtheChemistry；butthoumustbemasteralsoovertheFleshandtheBlood，——overLoveandVanity，AmbitionandHate。Iwilltrusttofindtheeso。Fastandmeditatetillwemeet!\"
Glyndoncrumpledtheletterinhishandwithasmileofdisdain。
What!moredrudgery，——moreabstinence!Youthwithoutloveandpleasure!Ha，ha!baffledMejnour，thypupilshallgainthysecretswithoutthineaid!
\"AndFillide!Ipassedhercottageinmyway，——sheblushedandsighedwhenIjestedheraboutyou，Excellency!\"
\"Well，Paolo!Ithanktheeforsocharminganintroduction。
Thinemustbeararelife。\"
\"Ah，Excellency，whileweareyoung，nothinglikeadventure，——
exceptlove，wine，andlaughter!\"
\"Verytrue。Farewell，MaestroPaolo；wewilltalkmorewitheachotherinafewdays。\"
AllthatmorningGlyndonwasalmostoverpoweredwiththenewsentimentofhappinessthathadenteredintohim。Heroamedintothewoods，andhefeltapleasurethatresembledhisearlierlifeofanartist，butapleasureyetmoresubtleandvivid，inthevariouscoloursoftheautumnfoliage。CertainlyNatureseemedtobebroughtclosertohim；hecomprehendedbetterallthatMejnourhadoftenpreachedtohimofthemysteryofsympathiesandattractions。Hewasabouttoenterintothesamelawasthosemutechildrenoftheforests。HewastoknowTHERENEWAL
OFLIFE；theseasonsthatchilledtowintershouldyetbringagainthebloomandthemirthofspring。Man\'scommonexistenceisasoneyeartothevegetableworld:hehashisspring，hissummer，hisautumn，andwinter，——butonlyONCE。Butthegiantoaksroundhimgothrougharevolvingseriesofverdureandyouth，andthegreenofthecentenarianisasvividinthebeamsofMayasthatofthesaplingbyitsside。\"Mineshallbeyourspring，butnotyourwinter!\"exclaimedtheaspirant。
Wrappedinthesesanguineandjoyousreveries，Glyndon，quittingthewoods，foundhimselfamidstcultivatedfieldsandvineyardstowhichhisfootstephadnotbeforewandered；andtherestood，bytheskirtsofagreenlanethatremindedhimofverdantEngland，amodesthouse，——halfcottage，halffarm。Thedoorwasopen，andhesawagirlatworkwithherdistaff。Shelookedup，utteredaslightcry，and，trippinggaylyintothelanetohisside，herecognisedthedark-eyedFillide。
\"Hist!\"shesaid，archlyputtingherfingertoherlip；\"donotspeakloud，——mymotherisasleepwithin；andIknewyouwouldcometoseeme。Itiskind!\"
Glyndon，withalittleembarrassment，acceptedthecomplimenttohiskindness，whichhedidnotexactlydeserve。\"Youhavethought，then，ofme，fairFillide？\"
\"Yes，\"answeredthegirl，colouring，butwiththatfrank，boldingenuousness，whichcharacterisesthefemalesofItaly，especiallyofthelowerclass，andinthesouthernprovinces，——
\"oh，yes!Ihavethoughtoflittleelse。Paolosaidheknewyouwouldvisitme。\"
\"AndwhatrelationisPaolotoyou？\"
\"None；butagoodfriendtousall。Mybrotherisoneofhisband。\"
\"Oneofhisband!——arobber？\"
\"Weofthemountainsdonotcallamountaineer\'arobber，\'
signor。\"
\"Iaskpardon。Doyounottremblesometimesforyourbrother\'slife？Thelaw——\"
\"Lawneverventuresintothesedefiles。Trembleforhim!No。
Myfatherandgrandsirewereofthesamecalling。IoftenwishI
wereaman!\"
\"Bytheselips，Iamenchantedthatyourwishcannotberealised。\"
\"Fie，signor!Anddoyoureallyloveme？\"
\"Withmywholeheart!\"
\"AndIthee!\"saidthegirl，withacandourthatseemedinnocent，asshesufferedhimtoclaspherhand。
\"But，\"sheadded，\"thouwiltsoonleaveus；andI——\"Shestoppedshort，andthetearsstoodinhereyes。
Therewassomethingdangerousinthis，itmustbeconfessed。
CertainlyFillidehadnottheseraphiclovelinessofViola；butherswasabeautythatequallyatleasttouchedthesenses。
PerhapsGlyndonhadneverreallylovedViola；perhapsthefeelingswithwhichshehadinspiredhimwerenotofthatardentcharacterwhichdeservesthenameoflove。Howeverthatbe，hethought，ashegazedonthosedarkeyes，thathehadneverlovedbefore。
\"Andcouldstthounotleavethymountains？\"hewhispered，ashedrewyetnearertoher。
\"Dostthouaskme？\"shesaid，retreating，andlookinghimsteadfastlyintheface。\"Dostthouknowwhatwedaughtersofthemountainsare？Yougay，smoothcavaliersofcitiesseldommeanwhatyouspeak。Withyou，loveisamusement；withus，itislife。Leavethesemountains!Well!Ishouldnotleavemynature。\"
\"Keepthynatureever，——itisasweetone。\"
\"Yes，sweetwhilethouarttrue；stern，ifthouartfaithless。
ShallItelltheewhatI——whatthegirlsofthiscountryare？
Daughtersofmenwhomyoucallrobbers，weaspiretobethecompanionsofourloversorourhusbands。Weloveardently；weownitboldly。Westandbyyoursideindanger；weserveyouasslavesinsafety:weneverchange，andweresentchange。Youmayreproach，strikeus，trampleusasadog，——webearallwithoutamurmur；betrayus，andnotigerismorerelentless。Betrue，andourheartsrewardyou；befalse，andourhandsrevenge!
Dostthoulovemenow？\"
DuringthisspeechtheItalian\'scountenancehadmosteloquentlyaidedherwords，——byturnssoft，frank，fierce，——andatthelastquestionsheinclinedherheadhumbly，andstood，asinfearofhisreply，beforehim。Thestern，brave，wildspirit，inwhichwhatseemedunfemininewasyet，ifImaysosay，stillwomanly，didnotrecoil，itrathercaptivatedGlyndon。Heansweredreadily，briefly，andfreely，\"Fillide，——yes!\"
Oh，\"yes!\"forsooth，ClarenceGlyndon!Everylightnatureanswers\"yes\"lightlytosuchaquestionfromlipssorosy!Haveacare，——haveacare!Whythedeuce，Mejnour，doyouleaveyourpupiloffour-and-twentytothemercyofthesewildcats-a-
mountain!Preachfast，andabstinence，andsublimerenunciationofthecheatsofthesenses!Verywellinyou，sir，Heavenknowshowmanyagesold；butatfour-and-twenty，yourHierophantwouldhavekeptyououtofFillide\'sway，oryouwouldhavehadsmalltastefortheCabala。
Andsotheystood，andtalked，andvowed，andwhispered，tillthegirl\'smothermadesomenoisewithinthehouse，andFillideboundedbacktothedistaff，herfingeroncemoreonherlip。
\"ThereismoremagicinFillidethaninMejnour，\"saidGlyndontohimself，walkinggaylyhome；\"yetonsecondthoughts，IknownotifIquitesowelllikeacharactersoreadyforrevenge。Buthewhohastherealsecretcanbaffleeventhevengeanceofawoman，anddisarmalldanger!\"
Sirrah!dostthouevenalreadymeditatethepossibilityoftreason？Oh，wellsaidZanoni，\"topourpurewaterintothemuddywelldoesbutdisturbthemud。\"
CHAPTER4。VII。
Cernis，custodiaqualisVestibulosedeat？faciesquaeliminaservet？
\"Aeneid，\"lib。vi。574。
(Seeyouwhatportersitswithinthevestibule？——whatfacewatchesatthethreshold？)
Anditisprofoundnight。Allisatrestwithintheoldcastle，——allisbreathlessunderthemelancholystars。Nowisthetime。
Mejnourwithhisausterewisdom，——Mejnourtheenemytolove；
Mejnour，whoseeyewillreadthyheart，andrefusetheethepromisedsecretsbecausethesunnyfaceofFillidedisturbsthelifelessshadowthathecallsrepose，——Mejnourcomesto-morrow!
Seizethenight!Bewareoffear!Never，orthishour!So，braveyouth，——bravedespiteallthyerrors，——so，withasteadypulse，thyhandunlocksoncemoretheforbiddendoor。
Heplacedhislamponthetablebesidethebook，whichstilllaythereopened；heturnedovertheleaves，butcouldnotdeciphertheirmeaningtillhecametothefollowingpassage:——
\"When，then，thepupilisthusinitiatedandprepared，lethimopenthecasement，lightthelamps，andbathehistempleswiththeelixir。Hemustbewarehowhepresumeyettoquaffthevolatileandfieryspirit。Totastetillrepeatedinhalationshaveaccustomedtheframegraduallytotheecstaticliquid，istoknownotlife，butdeath。\"
Hecouldpenetratenofartherintotheinstructions；thecipheragainchanged。Henowlookedsteadilyandearnestlyroundthechamber。Themoonlightcamequietlythroughthelatticeashishandopenedit，andseemed，asitrestedonthefloor，andfilledthewalls，likethepresenceofsomeghostlyandmournfulPower。
Herangedthemysticlamps(nineinnumber)roundthecentreoftheroom，andlightedthemonebyone。Aflameofsilveryandazuretintssprungupfromeach，andlightedtheapartmentwithacalmandyetmostdazzlingsplendour；butpresentlythislightgrewmoresoftanddim，asathin，greycloud，likeamist，graduallyspreadovertheroom；andanicythrillshotthroughtheheartoftheEnglishman，andquicklygatheredoverhimlikethecoldnessofdeath。Instinctivelyawareofhisdanger，hetottered，thoughwithdifficulty，forhislimbsseemedrigidandstone-like，totheshelfthatcontainedthecrystalvials；
hastilyheinhaledthespirit，andlavedhistempleswiththesparklingliquid。Thesamesensationofvigourandyouth，andjoyandairylightness，thathehadfeltinthemorning，instantaneouslyreplacedthedeadlynumbnessthatjustbeforehadinvadedthecitadeloflife。Hestood，withhisarmsfoldedonhisbosomerectanddauntless，towatchwhatshouldensue。
Thevapourhadnowassumedalmostthethicknessandseemingconsistencyofasnow-cloud；thelampspiercingitlikestars。
Andnowhedistinctlysawshapes，somewhatresemblinginoutlinethoseofthehumanform，glidingslowlyandwithregularevolutionsthroughthecloud。Theyappearedbloodless；theirbodiesweretransparent，andcontractedorexpandedlikethefoldsofaserpent。Astheymovedinmajesticorder，heheardalowsound——theghost，asitwere，ofvoice——whicheachcaughtandechoedfromtheother；alowsound，butmusical，whichseemedthechantofsomeunspeakablytranquiljoy。Noneoftheseapparitionsheededhim。Hisintenselongingtoaccostthem，tobeofthem，tomakeoneofthismovementofaerialhappiness，——
forsuchitseemedtohim，——madehimstretchforthhisarmsandseektocryaloud，butonlyaninarticulatewhisperpassedhislips；andthemovementandthemusicwentonthesameasifthemortalwerenotthere。Slowlytheyglidedroundandaloft，till，inthesamemajesticorder，oneafterone，theyfloatedthroughthecasementandwerelostinthemoonlight；then，ashiseyesfollowedthem，thecasementbecamedarkenedwithsomeobjectundistinguishableatthefirstgaze，butwhichsufficedmysteriouslytochangeintoineffablehorrorthedelighthehadbeforeexperienced。Bydegreesthisobjectshapeditselftohissight。Itwasasthatofahumanheadcoveredwithadarkveilthroughwhichglared，withlividanddemoniacfire，eyesthatfrozethemarrowofhisbones。Nothingelseofthefacewasdistinguishable，——nothingbutthoseintolerableeyes；buthisterror，thatevenatthefirstseemedbeyondnaturetoendure，wasincreasedathousand-fold，when，afterapause，thephantomglidedslowlyintothechamber。
Thecloudretreatedfromitasitadvanced；thebrightlampsgrewwan，andflickeredrestlesslyasatthebreathofitspresence。
Itsformwasveiledastheface，buttheoutlinewasthatofafemale；yetitmovednotasmoveeventheghoststhatsimulatetheliving。Itseemedrathertocrawlassomevastmisshapenreptile；andpausing，atlengthitcoweredbesidethetablewhichheldthemysticvolume，andagainfixeditseyesthroughthefilmyveilontherashinvoker。Allfancies，themostgrotesque，ofmonkorpainterintheearlyNorth，wouldhavefailedtogivetothevisageofimporfiendthataspectofdeadlymalignitywhichspoketotheshudderingnatureinthoseeyesalone。Allelsesodark，——shrouded，veiledandlarva-like。Butthatburningglaresointense，solivid，yetsoliving，hadinitsomethingthatwasalmostHUMANinitspassionofhateandmockery，——
somethingthatservedtoshowthattheshadowyHorrorwasnotallaspirit，butpartookofmatterenough，atleast，tomakeitmoredeadlyandfearfulanenemytomaterialforms。As，clingingwiththegraspofagonytothewall，——hishairerect，hiseyeballsstarting，hestillgazedbackuponthatappallinggaze，——theImagespoketohim:hissoulratherthanhisearcomprehendedthewordsitsaid。
\"Thouhastenteredtheimmeasurableregion。IamtheDwelleroftheThreshold。Whatwouldstthouwithme？Silent？Dostthoufearme？AmInotthybeloved？Isitnotformethatthouhastrenderedupthedelightsofthyrace？Wouldstthoubewise？
Mineisthewisdomofthecountlessages。Kissme，mymortallover。\"AndtheHorrorcrawlednearandnearertohim；itcrepttohisside，itsbreathbreatheduponhischeek!Withasharpcryhefelltotheearthinsensible，andknewnomoretill，farinthenoonofthenextday，heopenedhiseyesandfoundhimselfinhisbed，——theglorioussunstreamingthroughhislattice，andthebanditPaolobyhisside，engagedinpolishinghiscarbine，andwhistlingaCalabrianlove-air。
CHAPTER4。VIII。
Thusmanpursueshiswearycalling，Andwringsthehardlifefromthesky，WhilehappinessunseenisfallingDownfromGod\'sbosomsilently。
Schiller。
InoneofthoseislandswhosehistorytheimperishableliteratureandrenownofAthensyetinvestwithmelancholyinterest，andonwhichNature，inwhom\"thereisnothingmelancholy，\"stillbestowsagloryofsceneryandclimateequallyradiantforthefreemanortheslave，——theIonian，theVenetian，theGaul，theTurk，ortherestlessBriton，——Zanonihadfixedhisbridalhome。
Theretheaircarrieswithittheperfumesoftheplainsformilesalongtheblue，translucentdeep。(SeeDr。Holland\'s\"TravelstotheIonianIsles，\"etc。，page18。)Seenfromoneofitsgreenslopingheights，theislandhehadselectedseemedonedeliciousgarden。Thetowersandturretsofitscapitalgleamingamidstgrovesoforangesandlemons；vineyardsandolive-woodsfillingupthevalleys，andclamberingalongthehill-sides；andvilla，farm，andcottagecoveredwithluxurianttrellisesofdark-greenleavesandpurplefruit。Fortheretheprodigalbeautyyetseemshalftojustifythosegracefulsuperstitionsofacreedthat，tooenamouredofearth，ratherbroughtthedeitiestoman，thanraisedthemantotheirlessalluringandlessvoluptuousOlympus。
Andstilltothefishermen，weavingyettheirantiquedancesonthesand；tothemaiden，adorningyet，withmanyasilverfibula，herglossytressesunderthetreethatovershadowshertranquilcot，——thesameGreatMotherthatwatchedoverthewiseofSamos，thedemocracyofCorcyra，thegracefulanddeep-taughtlovelinessofMiletus，smilesasgraciouslyasofyore。FortheNorth，philosophyandfreedomareessentialstohumanhappiness；inthelandswhichAphroditerosefromthewavestogovern，astheSeasons，handinhand，stoodtowelcomeherontheshores，Natureisallsufficient。(HomericHymn。)
TheislewhichZanonihadselectedwasoneoftheloveliestinthatdivinesea。Hisabode，atsomedistancefromthecity，butnearoneofthecreeksontheshore，belongedtoaVenetian，and，thoughsmall，hadmoreofelegancethanthenativesordinarilycaredfor。Ontheseas，andinsight，rodehisvessel。HisIndians，asbefore，ministeredinmutegravitytotheserviceofthehousehold。Nospotcouldbemorebeautiful，——nosolitudelessinvaded。TothemysteriousknowledgeofZanoni，totheharmlessignoranceofViola，thebabblingandgarishworldofcivilisedmanwasalikeunheeded。ThelovingskyandthelovelyeartharecompanionsenoughtoWisdomandtoIgnorancewhiletheylove。
Although，asIhavebeforesaid，therewasnothinginthevisibleoccupationsofZanonithatbetrayedacultivatoroftheoccultsciences，hishabitswerethoseofamanwhoremembersorreflects。Helovedtoroamalone，chieflyatdawn，oratnight，whenthemoonwasclear(especiallyineachmonth，atitsriseandfull)，milesandmilesawayovertherichinlandsoftheisland，andtocullherbsandflowers，whichhehoardedwithjealouscare。Sometimes，atthedeadofnight，Violawouldwakebyaninstinctthattoldherhewasnotbyherside，and，stretchingoutherarms，findthattheinstincthadnotdeceivedher。Butsheearlysawthathewasreservedonhispeculiarhabits；andifattimesachill，aforeboding，asuspiciousawecreptoverher，sheforeboretoquestionhim。
Buthisrambleswerenotalwaysunaccompanied，——hetookpleasureinexcursionslesssolitary。Often，whenthesealaybeforethemlikealake，thebarrendrearinessoftheoppositecoastofCephalleniacontrastingthesmilingshoresonwhichtheydwelt，Violaandhimselfwouldpassdaysincruisingslowlyaroundthecoast，orinvisitstotheneighbouringisles。EveryspotoftheGreeksoil，\"thatfairFable-Land，\"seemedtohimfamiliar；
andasheconversedofthepastanditsexquisitetraditions，hetaughtViolatolovetheracefromwhichhavedescendedthepoetryandthewisdomoftheworld。TherewasmuchinZanoni，assheknewhimbetter，thatdeepenedthefascinationinwhichViolawasfromthefirstenthralled。Hisloveforherselfwassotender，sovigilant，andhadthatbestandmostenduringattribute，thatitseemedrathergratefulforthehappinessinitsowncaresthanvainofthehappinessitcreated。Hishabitualmoodwithallwhoapproachedhimwascalmandgentle，almosttoapathy。Anangrywordneverpassedhislips，——anangrygleamnevershotfromhiseyes。Oncetheyhadbeenexposedtothedangernotuncommoninthosethenhalf-savagelands。Somepirateswhoinfestedtheneighbouringcoastshadheardofthearrivalofthestrangers，andtheseamenZanoniemployedhadgossipedoftheirmaster\'swealth。Onenight，afterViolahadretiredtorest，shewasawakenedbyaslightnoisebelow。
Zanoniwasnotbyherside；shelistenedinsomealarm。Wasthatagroanthatcameuponherear？Shestartedup，shewenttothedoor；allwasstill。Afootstepnowslowlyapproached，andZanonienteredcalmasusual，andseemedunconsciousofherfears。
Thenextmorningthreemenwerefounddeadatthethresholdoftheprincipalentrance，thedoorofwhichhadbeenforced。Theywererecognisedintheneighbourhoodasthemostsanguinaryandterriblemaraudersofthecoasts，——menstainedwithathousandmurders，andwhohadneverhithertofailedinanyattempttowhichthelustofrapinehadimpelledthem。Thefootstepsofmanyothersweretrackedtotheseashore。Itseemedthattheiraccomplicesmusthavefledonthedeathoftheirleaders。ButwhentheVenetianProveditore，orauthority，oftheisland，cametoexamineintothematter，themostunaccountablemysterywasthemannerinwhichtheseruffianshadmettheirfate。Zanonihadnotstirredfromtheapartmentinwhichheordinarilypursuedhischemicalstudies。Noneoftheservantshadevenbeendisturbedfromtheirslumbers。Nomarksofhumanviolencewereonthebodiesofthedead。Theydied，andmadenosign。FromthatmomentZanoni\'shouse——nay，thewholevicinity——wassacred。
Theneighbouringvillages，rejoicedtobedeliveredfromascourge，regardedthestrangerasonewhomthePagiana(orVirgin)heldunderherespecialprotection。
Intruth，thelivelyGreeksaround，faciletoallexternalimpressions，andstruckwiththesingularandmajesticbeautyofthemanwhoknewtheirlanguageasanative，whosevoiceoftencheeredthemintheirhumblesorrows，andwhosehandwasneverclosedtotheirwants，longafterhehadlefttheirshorepreservedhismemorybygratefultraditions，andstillpointtotheloftyplatanusbeneathwhichtheyhadoftenseenhimseated，aloneandthoughtful，intheheatsofnoon。ButZanonihadhauntslessopentothegazethantheshadeoftheplatanus。InthatisletherearethebituminousspringswhichHerodotushascommemorated。Oftenatnight，themoon，atleast，beheldhimemergingfromthemyrtleandcystusthatclothethehillocksaroundthemarshthatimbedsthepoolscontainingtheinflammablemateria，allthemedicalusesofwhich，asappliedtothenervesoforganiclife，modernsciencehasnotyetperhapsexplored。
Yetmoreoftenwouldhepasshishoursinacavern，bytheloneliestpartofthebeach，wherethestalactitesseemalmostarrangedbythehandofart，andwhichthesuperstitionofthepeasantsassociates，insomeancientlegends，withthenumerousandalmostincessantearthquakestowhichtheislandissosingularlysubjected。
Whateverthepursuitsthatinstigatedthesewanderingsandfavouredthesehaunts，eithertheywerelinkedwith，orelsesubordinateto，onemainandmasterdesire，whicheveryfreshdaypassedinthesweethumancompanyofViolaconfirmedandstrengthened。
ThescenethatGlyndonhadwitnessedinhistrancewasfaithfultotruth。Andsomelittletimeafterthedateofthatnight，Violawasdimlyawarethataninfluence，sheknewnotofwhatnature，wasstrugglingtoestablishitselfoverherhappylife。
Visionsindistinctandbeautiful，suchasthoseshehadknowninherearlierdays，butmoreconstantandimpressive，begantohaunthernightanddaywhenZanoniwasabsent，tofadeinhispresence，andseemlessfairthanTHAT。Zanoniquestionedhereagerlyandminutelyofthesevisitations，butseemeddissatisfied，andattimesperplexed，byheranswers。
\"Tellmenot，\"hesaid，oneday，\"ofthoseunconnectedimages，thoseevolutionsofstarryshapesinachoraldance，orthosedeliciousmelodiesthatseemtotheeofthemusicandthelanguageofthedistantspheres。HasnoONEshapebeentotheemoredistinctandmorebeautifulthantherest，——novoiceuttering，orseemingtoutter，thineowntongue，andwhisperingtotheeofstrangesecretsandsolemnknowledge？\"
\"No；allisconfusedinthesedreams，whetherofdayornight；
andwhenatthesoundofthyfootstepsIrecover，mymemoryretainsnothingbutavagueimpressionofhappiness。Howdifferent——howcold——totheraptureofhangingonthysmile，andlisteningtothyvoice，whenitsays，\'Ilovethee!\'\"
\"Yet，howisitthatvisionslessfairthantheseonceseemedtotheesoalluring？Howisitthattheythenstirredthyfanciesandfilledthyheart？Oncethoudidstdesireafairy-land，andnowthouseemestsocontentedwithcommonlife。\"
\"HaveInotexplainedittotheebefore？Isitcommonlife，then，tolove，andtolivewiththeonewelove？Mytruefairy-landiswon!Speaktomeofnoother。\"
Andsonightsurprisedthembythelonelybeach；andZanoni，alluredfromhissublimerprojects，andbendingoverthattenderface，forgotthat，intheHarmoniousInfinitewhichspreadaround，therewereotherworldsthanthatonehumanheart。
CHAPTER4。IX。
Thereisaprincipleofthesoul，superiortoallnature，throughwhichwearecapableofsurpassingtheorderandsystemsoftheworld。Whenthesouliselevatedtonaturesbetterthanitself，THENitisentirelyseparatedfromsubordinatenatures，exchangesthisforanotherlife，and，desertingtheorderofthingswithwhichitwasconnected，linksandminglesitselfwithanother——
Iamblichus。
\"Adon-Ai!Adon-Ai!——appear，appear!\"
Andinthelonelycave，whenceoncehadgoneforththeoraclesofaheathengod，thereemergedfromtheshadowsoffantasticrocksaluminousandgiganticcolumn，glitteringandshifting。Itresembledtheshiningbutmistyspraywhich，seenafaroff，afountainseemstosenduponastarrynight。Theradiancelitthestalactites，thecrags，thearchesofthecave，andshedapaleandtremuloussplendouronthefeaturesofZanoni。
\"SonofEternalLight，\"saidtheinvoker，\"thoutowhoseknowledge，gradeaftergrade，raceafterrace，Iattainedatlast，onthebroadChaldeanplains；thoufromwhomIhavedrawnsolargelyoftheunutterableknowledgethatyeteternityalonecansufficetodrain；thouwho，congenialwithmyself，sofarasourvariousbeingswillpermit，hastbeenforcenturiesmyfamiliarandmyfriend，——answermeandcounsel!\"
Fromthecolumnthereemergedashapeofunimaginableglory。Itsfacewasthatofamaninitsfirstyouth，butsolemn，aswiththeconsciousnessofeternityandthetranquillityofwisdom；
light，likestarbeams，flowedthroughitstransparentveins；
lightmadeitslimbsthemselves，andundulated，inrestlesssparkles，throughthewavesofitsdazzlinghair。Withitsarmsfoldedonitsbreast，itstooddistantafewfeetfromZanoni，anditslowvoicemurmuredgently，\"Mycounselsweresweettotheeonce；andonce，nightafternight，thysoulcouldfollowmywingsthroughtheuntroubledsplendoursoftheInfinite。Nowthouhastboundthyselfbacktotheearthbyitsstrongestchains，andtheattractiontotheclayismorepotentthanthesympathiesthatdrewtothycharmstheDwelleroftheStarbeamandtheAir。Whenlastthysoulhearkenedtome，thesensesalreadytroubledthineintellectandobscuredthyvision。OnceagainIcometothee；butthypowereventosummonmetothysideisfadingfromthyspirit，assunshinefadesfromthewavewhenthewindsdrivethecloudbetweentheoceanandthesky。\"
\"Alas，Adon-Ai!\"answeredtheseer，mournfully，\"Iknowtoowelltheconditionsofthebeingwhichthypresencewaswonttorejoice。Iknowthatourwisdomcomesbutfromtheindifferencetothethingsoftheworldwhichthewisdommasters。Themirrorofthesoulcannotreflectbothearthandheaven；andtheonevanishesfromthesurfaceastheotherisglasseduponitsdeeps。
Butitisnottorestoremetothatsublimeabstractioninwhichtheintellect，freeanddisembodied，rises，regionafterregion，tothespheres，——thatonceagain，andwiththeagonyandtravailofenfeebledpowerIhavecalledtheetomineaid。Ilove；andinloveIbegintoliveinthesweethumanitiesofanother。Ifwise，yetinallwhichmakesdangerpowerlessagainstmyself，orthoseonwhomIcangazefromthecalmheightofindifferentscience，Iamblindasthemerestmortaltothedestiniesofthecreaturethatmakesmyheartbeatwiththepassionswhichobscuremygaze。\"
\"Whatmatter!\"answeredAdon-Ai。\"Thylovemustbebutamockeryofthename；thoucanstnotloveastheydoforwhomtherearedeathandthegrave。Ashorttime，——likeadayinthyincalculablelife，——andtheformthoudotestonisdust!Othersofthenetherworldgohandinhand，eachwitheach，untothetomb；handinhandtheyascendfromthewormtonewcyclesofexistence。Forthee，belowareages；forher，buthours。Andforherandthee——Opoor，butmightyone!——willtherebeevenajointhereafter!Throughwhatgradesandheavensofspiritualisedbeingwillhersoulhavepassedwhenthou，thesolitaryloiterer，comestfromthevapoursoftheearthtothegatesoflight!\"
\"SonoftheStarbeam，thinkestthouthatthisthoughtisnotwithmeforever；andseestthounotthatIhaveinvokedtheetohearkenandministertomydesign？Readestthounotmydesireanddreamtoraisetheconditionsofherbeingtomyown？Thou，Adon-Ai，bathingthecelestialjoythatmakesthylifeintheoceansofeternalsplendour，——thou，savebythesympathiesofknowledge，canstconjecturenotwhatI，theoffspringofmortals，feel——debarredyetfromtheobjectsofthetremendousandsublimeambitionthatfirstwingedmydesiresabovetheclay——whenIseemyselfcompelledtostandinthislowworldalone。Ihavesoughtamongstmytribeforcomrades，andinvain。AtlastIhavefoundamate。Thewildbirdandthewildbeasthavetheirs；andmymasteryoverthemalignanttribesofterrorcanbanishtheirlarvaefromthepaththatshallleadherupward，tilltheairofeternityfitstheframefortheelixirthatbafflesdeath。\"
\"Andthouhastbeguntheinitiation，andthouartfoiled!Iknowit。Thouhastconjuredtohersleepthefairestvisions；thouhastinvokedtheloveliestchildrenoftheairtomurmurtheirmusictohertrance，andhersoulheedsthemnot，and，returningtotheearth，escapesfromtheircontrol。Blindone，wherefore？
canstthounotperceive？Becauseinhersoulallislove。Thereisnointermediatepassionwithwhichthethingsthouwouldstcharmtoherhaveassociationandaffinities。TheirattractionisbuttothedesiresandcravingsoftheINTELLECT。WhathavetheywiththePASSIONthatisofearth，andtheHOPEthatgoesdirecttoheaven？\"
\"Butcantherebenomedium——nolink——inwhichoursouls，asourhearts，canbeunited，andsominemayhaveinfluenceoverherown？\"
\"Askmenot，——thouwiltnotcomprehendme!\"
\"Iadjurethee!——speak!\"
\"Whentwosoulsaredivided，knowestthounotthatathirdinwhichbothmeetandliveisthelinkbetweenthem!\"
\"Idocomprehendthee，Adon-Ai，\"saidZanoni，withalightofmorehumanjoyuponhisfacethanithadeverbeforebeenseentowear；\"andifmydestiny，whichhereisdarktomineeyes，vouchsafestomethehappylotofthehumble，——ifevertherebeachildthatImayclasptomybosomandcallmyown——\"
\"Andisittobemanatlast，thatthouhastaspiredtobemorethanman？\"
\"Butachild，——asecondViola!\"murmuredZanoni，scarcelyheedingtheSonofLight；\"ayoungsoulfreshfromheaven，thatImayrearfromthefirstmomentittouchesearth，——whosewingsImaytraintofollowminethroughthegloriesofcreation；andthroughwhomthemotherherselfmaybeledupwardovertherealmofdeath!\"
\"Beware，——reflect!KnowestthounotthatthydarkestenemydwellsintheReal？Thywishesbringtheenearandnearertohumanity。\"
\"Ah，humanityissweet!\"answeredZanoni。
Andastheseerspoke，onthegloriousfaceofAdon-Aitherebrokeasmile。
CHAPTER4。X。
Aeternaaeternustribuit，mortaliaconfertMortalis；divinaDeus，perituracaducus。
\"Aurel。Prud。contraSymmachum，\"lib。ii。
(TheEternalgiveseternalthings，theMortalgathersmortalthings:God，thatwhichisdivine，andtheperishablethatwhichisperishable。)
EXTRACTSFROMTHELETTERSOFZANONITOMEJNOUR。
Letter1。
Thouhastnotinformedmeoftheprogressofthypupil；andI
fearthatsodifferentlydoescircumstanceshapethemindsofthegenerationstowhichwearedescended，fromtheintenseandearnestchildrenoftheearlierworld，thateventhymostcarefulandelaborateguidancewouldfail，withloftierandpurernaturesthanthatoftheneophytethouhastadmittedwithinthygates。
Eventhatthirdstateofbeing，whichtheIndiansage(TheBrahmins，speakingofBrahm，say，\"TotheOmniscientthethreemodesofbeing——sleep，waking，andtrance——arenot；\"distinctlyrecognisingtranceasathirdandcoequalconditionofbeing。)
rightlyrecognisesasbeingbetweenthesleepandthewaking，anddescribesimperfectlybythenameofTRANCE，isunknowntothechildrenoftheNorthernworld；andfewbutwouldrecoiltoindulgeit，regardingitspeopledcalmasmayaanddelusionofthemind。Insteadofripeningandculturingthatairysoil，fromwhichNature，dulyknown，canevokefruitssorichandflowerssofair，theystrivebuttoexcludeitfromtheirgaze；theyesteemthatstruggleoftheintellectfrommen\'snarrowworldtothespirit\'sinfinitehome，asadiseasewhichtheleechmustextirpatewithpharmacyanddrugs，andknownoteventhatitisfromthisconditionoftheirbeing，initsmostimperfectandinfantform，thatpoetry，music，art——allthatbelongtoanIdeaofBeautytowhichneitherSLEEPINGnorWAKINGcanfurnisharchetypeandactualsemblance——taketheirimmortalbirth。Whenwe，OMejnourinthefartime，wereourselvestheneophytesandaspirants，wewereofaclasstowhichtheactualworldwasshutandbarred。Ourforefathershadnoobjectinlifebutknowledge。
Fromthecradlewewerepredestinedandrearedtowisdomastoapriesthood。WecommencedresearchwheremodernConjectureclosesitsfaithlesswings。Andwithus，thosewerecommonelementsofsciencewhichthesagesofto-daydisdainaswildchimeras，ordespairofasunfathomablemysteries。Eventhefundamentalprinciples，thelargeyetsimpletheoriesofelectricityandmagnetism，restobscureanddiminthedisputesoftheirblindedschools；yet，eveninouryouth，howfeweverattainedtothefirstcircleofthebrotherhood，and，afterwearilyenjoyingthesublimeprivilegestheysought，theyvoluntarilyabandonedthelightofthesun，andsunk，withouteffort，tothegrave，likepilgrimsinatracklessdesert，overawedbythestillnessoftheirsolitude，andappalledbytheabsenceofagoal。Thou，inwhomnothingseemstoliveBUTTHEDESIRETOKNOW；thou，who，indifferentwhetheritleadstowealortowoe，lendestthyselftoallwhowouldtreadthepathofmysteriousscience，ahumanbook，insensatetothepreceptsitenounces，——thouhasteversought，andoftenmadeadditionstoournumber。Buttothesehaveonlybeenvouchsafedpartialsecrets；vanityandpassionunfittedthemfortherest；andnow，withoutotherinterestthanthatofanexperimentinscience，withoutlove，andwithoutpity，thouexposestthisnewsoultothehazardsofthetremendousordeal!Thouthinkestthatazealsoinquisitive，acouragesoabsoluteanddauntless，maysufficetoconquer，whereaustererintellectandpurervirtuehavesooftenfailed。Thouthinkest，too，thatthegermofartthatliesinthepainter\'smind，asitcomprehendsinitselftheentireembryoofpowerandbeauty，maybeexpandedintothestatelyfloweroftheGoldenScience。Itisanewexperimenttothee。Begentlewiththyneophyte，andifhisnaturedisappointtheeinthefirststagesoftheprocess，dismisshimbacktotheRealwhileitisyettimetoenjoythebriefandoutwardlifewhichdwellsinthesenses，andcloseswiththetomb。AndasIthusadmonishthee，OMejnour，wiltthousmileatmyinconsistenthopes？I，whohavesoinvariablyrefusedtoinitiateothersintoourmysteries，——Ibeginatlasttocomprehendwhythegreatlaw，whichbindsmantohiskind，evenwhenseekingmosttosethimselfalooffromtheircondition，hasmadethycoldandbloodlesssciencethelinkbetweenthyselfandthyrace；why，THOUhassoughtconvertsandpupils；why，inseeinglifeafterlifevoluntarilydroppingfromourstarryorder，thoustillaspiresttorenewthevanished，andrepairthelost；why，amidstthycalculations，restlessandunceasingasthewheelsofNatureherself，thourecoilestfromtheTHOUGHTTOBE
ALONE!Sowithmyself；atlastI，too，seekaconvert，anequal，——I，too，shuddertobealone!Whatthouhastwarnedmeofhascometopass。Lovereducesallthingstoitself。EithermustIbedrawndowntothenatureofthebeloved，orhersmustbeliftedtomyown。AswhateverbelongstotrueArthasalwaysnecessarilyhadattractionforUS，whoseverybeingisintheidealwhenceArtdescends，sointhisfaircreatureIhavelearned，atlast，thesecretthatboundmetoheratthefirstglance。Thedaughterofmusic，——music，passingintoherbeing，becamepoetry。Itwasnotthestagethatattractedher，withitshollowfalsehoods；itwasthelandinherownfancywhichthestageseemedtocentreandrepresent。Therethepoetryfoundavoice，——thereitstruggledintoimperfectshape；andthen(thatlandinsufficientforit)itfellbackuponitself。Itcolouredherthoughts，itsuffusedhersoul；itaskednotwords，itcreatednotthings；itgavebirthbuttoemotions，andlavisheditselfondreams。Atlastcamelove；andthere，asariverintothesea，itpoureditsrestlesswaves，tobecomemuteanddeepandstill，——theeverlastingmirroroftheheavens。
Andisitnotthroughthispoetrywhichlieswithinherthatshemaybeledintothelargepoetryoftheuniverse!OftenIlistentohercarelesstalk，andfindoraclesinitsunconsciousbeauty，aswefindstrangevirtuesinsomelonelyflower。Iseehermindripeningundermyeyes；andinitsfairfertilitywhatever-
teemingnoveltiesofthought!OMejnour!howmanyofourtribehaveunravelledthelawsoftheuniverse，——havesolvedtheriddlesoftheexteriornature，anddeducedthelightfromdarkness!AndisnotthePOET，whostudiesnothingbutthehumanheart，agreaterphilosopherthanall？Knowledgeandatheismareincompatible。ToknowNatureistoknowthattheremustbeaGod。Butdoesitrequirethistoexaminethemethodandarchitectureofcreation？Methinks，whenIlookuponapuremind，howeverignorantandchildlike，thatIseetheAugustandImmaterialOnemoreclearlythaninalltheorbsofmatterwhichcareeratHisbiddingthroughspace。
Rightlyisitthefundamentaldecreeofourorder，thatwemustimpartoursecretsonlytothepure。Themostterriblepartoftheordealisinthetemptationsthatourpoweraffordstothecriminal。Ifitwerepossiblethatamalevolentbeingcouldattaintoourfaculties，whatdisorderitmightintroduceintotheglobe!HappythatitisNOTpossible；themalevolencewoulddisarmthepower。ItisinthepurityofViolathatIrely，asthoumorevainlyhastreliedonthecourageorthegeniusofthypupils。Bearmewitness，Mejnour!NeversincethedistantdayinwhichIpiercedtheArcanaofourknowledge，haveIeversoughttomakeitsmysteriessubservienttounworthyobjects；
though，alas!theextensionofourexistencerobsusofacountryandahome；thoughthelawthatplacesallscience，asallart，intheabstractionfromthenoisypassionsandturbulentambitionofactuallife，forbidsustoinfluencethedestiniesofnations，forwhichHeavenselectsruderandblinderagencies；yet，whereverhavebeenmywanderings，Ihavesoughttosoftendistress，andtoconvertfromsin。Mypowerhasbeenhostileonlytotheguilty；andyetwithallourlore，howineachstepwearereducedtobebutthepermittedinstrumentsofthePowerthatvouchsafesourown，butonlytodirectit。Howallourwisdomshrinksintonought，comparedwiththatwhichgivesthemeanestherbitsvirtues，andpeoplesthesmallestglobulewithitsappropriateworld。Andwhileweareallowedattimestoinfluencethehappinessofothers，howmysteriouslytheshadowsthickenroundourownfuturedoom!Wecannotbeprophetstoourselves!WithwhattremblinghopeInursethethoughtthatI
maypreservetomysolitudethelightofalivingsmile!……
ExtractsfromLetterII。
Deemingmyselfnotpureenoughtoinitiatesopureaheart，I
invoketohertrancethosefairestandmosttenderinhabitantsofspacethathavefurnishedtopoetry，whichistheinstinctiveguessintocreation，theideasoftheGlendoveerandSylph。Andthesewerelesspurethanherownthoughts，andlesstenderthanherownlove!Theycouldnotraiseheraboveherhumanheart，forTHAThasaheavenofitsown……
Ihavejustlookedonherinsleep，——Ihaveheardherbreathemyname。Alas!thatwhichissosweettoothershasitsbitternesstome；forIthinkhowsoonthetimemaycomewhenthatsleepwillbewithoutadream，——whentheheartthatdictatesthenamewillbecold，andthelipsthatutteritbedumb。Whatatwofoldshapethereisinlove!Ifweexamineitcoarsely，——ifwelookbutonitsfleshyties，itsenjoymentsofamoment，itsturbulentfeveranditsdullreaction，——howstrangeitseemsthatthispassionshouldbethesuprememoveroftheworld；thatitisthiswhichhasdictatedthegreatestsacrifices，andinfluencedallsocietiesandalltimes；thattothistheloftiestandloveliestgeniushaseverconsecrateditsdevotion；that，butforlove，therewerenocivilisation，nomusic，nopoetry，nobeauty，nolifebeyondthebrute\'s。
Butexamineitinitsheavenliershape，——initsutterabnegationofself；initsintimateconnectionwithallthatismostdelicateandsubtleinthespirit，——itspoweraboveallthatissordidinexistence；itsmasteryovertheidolsofthebaserworship；itsabilitytocreateapalaceofthecottage，anoasisinthedesert，asummerintheIceland，——whereitbreathes，andfertilises，andglows；andthewonderratherbecomeshowsofewregarditinitsholiestnature。Whatthesensualcallitsenjoyments，aretheleastofitsjoys。Trueloveislessapassionthanasymbol。Mejnour，shallthetimecomewhenIcanspeaktotheeofViolaasathingthatwas？……
ExtractfromLetterIII。
KnowestthouthatoflateIhavesometimesaskedmyself，\"Istherenoguiltintheknowledgethathassodividedusfromourrace？\"Itistruethatthehigherweascendthemorehatefulseemtousthevicesoftheshort-livedcreepersoftheearth，——
themorethesenseofthegoodnessoftheAll-goodpenetratesandsuffusesus，andthemoreimmediatelydoesourhappinessseemtoemanatefromhim。But，ontheotherhand，howmanyvirtuesmustliedeadinthosewholiveintheworldofdeath，andrefusetodie!Isnotthissublimeegotism，thisstateofabstractionandreverie，——thisself-wrappedandself-dependentmajestyofexistence，aresignationofthatnobilitywhichincorporatesourownwelfare，ourjoys，ourhopes，ourfearswithothers？Toliveoninnodreadoffoes，undegradedbyinfirmity，securethroughthecares，andfreefromthediseaseofflesh，isaspectaclethatcaptivatesourpride。Andyetdostthounotmoreadmirehimwhodiesforanother？SinceIhavelovedher，Mejnour，itseemsalmostcowardicetoeludethegravewhichdevourstheheartsthatwrapusintheirfolds。Ifeelit，——theearthgrowsuponmyspirit。Thouwertright；eternalage，sereneandpassionless，isahappierboonthaneternalyouth，withitsyearningsanddesires。Untilwecanbeallspirit，thetranquillityofsolitudemustbeindifference
