第18章

类别:其他 作者:Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton Lyt字数:18905更新时间:18/12/14 17:00:14
\"Thepoorandvirtuouspeople,\"murmuredRobespierre。 \"Andeven,\"continuedPayan,\"ifourdesignattheFetefailus,wemustnotshrinkfromtheresourcesstillatourcommand。 Reflect!Henriot,thegeneraloftheParisianarmy,furnishesyouwithtroopstoarrest;theJacobinClubwithapublictoapprove;inexorableDumaswithjudgeswhoneveracquit。Wemustbebold!\" \"AndweAREbold,\"exclaimedRobespierre,withsuddenpassion,andstrikinghishandonthetableasherose,withhiscresterect,asaserpentintheacttostrike。\"Inseeingthemultitudeofvicesthattherevolutionarytorrentmingleswithcivicvirtues,Itrembletobesulliedintheeyesofposteritybytheimpureneighbourhoodoftheseperversemenwhothrustthemselvesamongthesinceredefendersofhumanity。What!——theythinktodividethecountrylikeabooty!Ithankthemfortheirhatredtoallthatisvirtuousandworthy!Thesemen,\"——andhegraspedthelistofPayaninhishand,——\"these!——notWE——havedrawnthelineofdemarcationbetweenthemselvesandtheloversofFrance!\" \"True,wemustreignalone!\"mutteredPayan;\"inotherwords,thestateneedsunityofwill;\"working,withhisstrongpracticalmind,thecorollaryfromthelogicofhisword-compellingcolleague。 \"IwillgototheConvention,\"continuedRobespierre。\"Ihaveabsentedmyselftoolong,——lestImightseemtooverawetheRepublicthatIhavecreated。Awaywithsuchscruples!Iwillpreparethepeople!Iwillblastthetraitorswithalook!\" Hespokewiththeterriblefirmnessoftheoratorthathadneverfailed,——ofthemoralwillthatmarchedlikeawarrioronthecannon。Atthatinstanthewasinterrupted;aletterwasbroughttohim:heopenedit,——hisfacefell,heshookfromlimbtolimb;itwasoneoftheanonymouswarningsbywhichthehateandrevengeofthoseyetleftalivetothreatentorturedthedeath- giver。 \"Thouartsmeared,\"ranthelines,\"withthebestbloodofFrance。Readthysentence!Iawaitthehourwhenthepeopleshallknelltheetothedoomsman。Ifmyhopedeceiveme,ifdeferredtoolong,——hearken,read!Thishand,whichthineeyesshallsearchinvaintodiscover,shallpiercethyheart。Iseetheeeveryday,——Iamwiththeeeveryday。Ateachhourmyarmrisesagainstthybreast。Wretch!liveyetawhile,thoughbutforfewandmiserabledays——livetothinkofme;sleeptodreamofme!Thyterrorandthythoughtofmearetheheraldsofthydoom。Adieu!thisdayitselfIgoforthtoriotonthyfears!\" (See\"PapiersineditstrouveschezRobespierre,\"etc。,volumeii。 page155。(No。lx。)) \"Yourlistsarenotfullenough!\"saidthetyrant,withahollowvoice,asthepaperdroppedfromhistremblinghand。\"Givethemtome!——givethemtome!Thinkagain,thinkagain!Barrereisright——right!\'Frappons!iln\'yaquelesmortsquinerevientpas!\'\" CHAPTER7。II。 Lahaine,dansceslieux,n\'aqu\'unglaiveassassin。 Ellemarchedansl\'ombre。 LaHarpe,\"JeannedeNaples,\"Activ。sc。1。 (Hate,intheseregions,hasbuttheswordoftheassassin。Shemovesintheshade。) WhilesuchthedesignsandfearsofMaximilienRobespierre,commondanger,commonhatred,whateverwasyetleftofmercyorofvirtueintheagentsoftheRevolution,servedtounitestrangeoppositesinhostilitytotheuniversaldeath-dealer。 Therewas,indeed,anactualconspiracyatworkagainsthimamongmenlittlelessbespatteredthanhimselfwithinnocentblood。 Butthatconspiracywouldhavebeenidleofitself,despitetheabilitiesofTallienandBarras(theonlymenwhomitcomprised,worthy,byforesightandenergy,thenamesof\"leaders\")。ThesureanddestroyingelementsthatgatheredroundthetyrantwereTimeandNature;theone,whichhenolongersuited;theother,whichhehadoutragedandstirredupinthehumanbreast。ThemostatrociouspartyoftheRevolution,thefollowersofHebert,gonetohislastaccount,thebutcher-atheists,who,indesecratingheavenandearth,stillarrogatedinviolablesanctitytothemselves,wereequallyenragedattheexecutionoftheirfilthychief,andtheproclamationofaSupremeBeing。Thepopulace,brutalasithadbeen,startedasfromadreamofblood,whentheirhugeidol,Danton,nolongerfilledthestageofterror,renderingcrimepopularbythatcombinationofcarelessfranknessandeloquentenergywhichendearstheirheroestotheherd。TheglaiveoftheguillotinehadturnedagainstTHEMSELVES。Theyhadyelledandshouted,andsunganddanced,whenthevenerableage,orthegallantyouth,ofaristocracyorletters,passedbytheirstreetsinthedismaltumbrils;buttheyshutuptheirshops,andmurmuredtoeachother,whentheirownorderwasinvaded,andtailorsandcobblers,andjourneymenandlabourers,werehuddledofftotheembracesofthe\"HolyMotherGuillotine,\"withaslittleceremonyasiftheyhadbeentheMontmorenciesortheLaTremouilles,theMalesherbesortheLavoisiers。\"Atthistime,\"saidCouthon,justly,\"LesombresdeDanton,d\'Hebert,deChaumette,sepromenentparminous!\"(TheshadesofDanton,Hebert,andChaumettewalkamongstus。) Amongthosewhohadsharedthedoctrines,andwhonowdreadedthefateoftheatheistHebert,wasthepainter,JeanNicot。 Mortifiedandenragedtofindthat,bythedeathofhispatron,hiscareerwasclosed;andthat,inthezenithoftheRevolutionforwhichhehadlaboured,hewaslurkingincavesandcellars,morepoor,moreobscure,moredespicablethanhehadbeenatthecommencement,——notdaringtoexerciseevenhisart,andfearfuleveryhourthathisnamewouldswellthelistsofthecondemned,——hewasnaturallyoneofthebitterestenemiesofRobespierreandhisgovernment。HeheldsecretmeetingswithCollotd\'Herbois,whowasanimatedbythesamespirit;andwiththecreepingandfurtivecraftthatcharacterisedhisabilities,hecontrived,undetected,todisseminatetractsandinvectivesagainsttheDictator,andtoprepare,amidst\"thepoorandvirtuouspeople,\"thetrainforthegrandexplosion。Butstillsofirmtotheeyes,evenofprofounderpoliticiansthanJeanNicot,appearedthesullenpoweroftheincorruptibleMaximilien; sotimorouswasthemovementagainsthim,——thatNicot,incommonwithmanyothers,placedhishopesratherinthedaggeroftheassassinthantherevoltofthemultitude。ButNicot,thoughnotactuallyacoward,shrunkhimselffrombravingthefateofthemartyr;hehadsenseenoughtoseethat,thoughallpartiesmightrejoiceintheassassination,allpartieswouldprobablyconcurinbeheadingtheassassin。HehadnotthevirtuetobecomeaBrutus。Hisobjectwastoinspireaproxy-Brutus;andinthecentreofthatinflammablepopulationthiswasnoimprobablehope。 Amongstthoseloudestandsternestagainstthereignofblood; amongstthosemostdisenchantedoftheRevolution;amongstthosemostappalledbyitsexcesses,——was,asmightbeexpected,theEnglishman,ClarenceGlyndon。Thewitandaccomplishments,theuncertainvirtuesthathadlightedwithfitfulgleamsthemindofCamilleDesmoulins,hadfascinatedGlyndonmorethanthequalitiesofanyotheragentintheRevolution。Andwhen(forCamilleDesmoulinshadaheart,whichseemeddeadordormantinmostofhiscontemporaries)thatvividchildofgeniusandoferror,shockedatthemassacreoftheGirondins,andrepentantofhisowneffortsagainstthem,begantorousetheserpentmaliceofRobespierrebynewdoctrinesofmercyandtoleration,Glyndonespousedhisviewswithhiswholestrengthandsoul。CamilleDesmoulinsperished,andGlyndon,hopelessatonceofhisownlifeandthecauseofhumanity,fromthattimesoughtonlytheoccasionofflightfromthedevouringGolgotha。Hehadtwolivestoheedbesideshisown;forthemhetrembled,andforthemheschemedandplottedthemeansofescape。ThoughGlyndonhatedtheprinciples,theparty(NoneweremoreopposedtotheHebertiststhanCamilleDesmoulinsandhisfriends。Itiscuriousandamusingtoseetheseleadersofthemob,callingthemob\"thepeople\"oneday,andthe\"canaille\"thenext,accordingasitsuitsthem。\"Iknow,\"saysCamille,\"thatthey(theHebertists)haveallthecanaillewiththem。\"——(Ilsonttoutelacanaillepoureux。)),andthevicesofNicot,heyetextendedtothepainter\'spenurythemeansofsubsistence;andJeanNicot,inreturn,designedtoexaltGlyndontothatveryimmortalityofaBrutusfromwhichhemodestlyrecoiledhimself。Hefoundedhisdesignsonthephysicalcourage,onthewildandunsettledfanciesoftheEnglishartist,andonthevehementhateandindignantloathingwithwhichheopenlyregardedthegovernmentofMaximilien。 Atthesamehour,onthesamedayinJuly,inwhichRobespierreconferred(aswehaveseen)withhisallies,twopersonswereseatedinasmallroominoneofthestreetsleadingoutoftheRueSt。Honore;theone,aman,appearedlisteningimpatiently,andwithasullenbrow,tohiscompanion,awomanofsingularbeauty,butwithaboldandrecklessexpression,andherfaceasshespokewasanimatedbythepassionsofahalf-savageandvehementnature。 \"Englishman,\"saidthewoman,\"beware!——youknowthat,whetherinflightorattheplaceofdeath,Iwouldbravealltobebyyourside,——youknowTHAT!Speak!\" \"Well,Fillide;didIeverdoubtyourfidelity?\" \"Doubtityoucannot,——betrayityoumay。Youtellmethatinflightyoumusthaveacompanionbesidesmyself,andthatcompanionisafemale。Itshallnotbe!\" \"Shallnot!\" \"Itshallnot!\"repeatedFillide,firmly,andfoldingherarmsacrossherbreast。BeforeGlyndoncouldreply,aslightknockatthedoorwasheard,andNicotopenedthelatchandentered。 Fillidesankintoherchair,and,leaningherfaceonherhands,appearedunheedingoftheintruderandtheconversationthatensued。 \"Icannotbidtheegood-day,Glyndon,\"saidNicot,asinhissans-culottefashionhestrodetowardstheartist,hisraggedhatonhishead,hishandsinhispockets,andthebeardofaweek\'sgrowthuponhischin,——\"Icannotbidtheegood-day;forwhilethetyrantlives,eviliseverysunthatshedsitsbeamsonFrance。\" \"Itistrue;whatthen?Wehavesownthewind,wemustreapthewhirlwind。\" \"Andyet,\"saidNicot,apparentlynotheedingthereply,andasifmusinglytohimself,\"itisstrangetothinkthatthebutcherisasmortalasthebutchered;thathislifehangsonasslightathread;thatbetweenthecuticleandtheheartthereisasshortapassage,——that,inshort,oneblowcanfreeFranceandredeemmankind!\" Glyndonsurveyedthespeakerwithacarelessandhaughtyscorn,andmadenoanswer。 \"And,\"proceededNicot,\"Ihavesometimeslookedroundforthemanbornforthisdestiny,andwheneverIhavedoneso,mystepshaveledmehither!\" \"ShouldtheynotratherhaveledtheetothesideofMaximilienRobespierre?\"saidGlyndon,withasneer。 \"No,\"returnedNicot,coldly,——\"no;forIama\'suspect:\'I couldnotmixwithhistrain;Icouldnotapproachwithinahundredyardsofhisperson,butIshouldbeseized;YOU,asyet,aresafe。Hearme!\"——andhisvoicebecameearnestandexpressive,——\"hearme!Thereseemsdangerinthisaction;thereisnone。IhavebeenwithCollotd\'HerboisandBilaud-Varennes; theywillholdhimharmlesswhostrikestheblow;thepopulacewouldruntothysupport;theConventionwouldhailtheeastheirdeliverer,the——\" \"Hold,man!Howdarestthoucouplemynamewiththeactofanassassin?Letthetocsinsoundfromyondertower,toawarbetweenHumanityandtheTyrant,andIwillnotbethelastinthefield;butlibertyneveryetacknowledgedadefenderinafelon。\" TherewassomethingsobraveandnobleinGlyndon\'svoice,mien,andmanner,ashethusspoke,thatNicotatoncewassilenced;atoncehesawthathehadmisjudgedtheman。 \"No,\"saidFillide,liftingherfacefromherhands,——\"no!yourfriendhasawiserschemeinpreparation;hewouldleaveyouwolvestomangleeachother。Heisright;but——\" \"Flight!\"exclaimedNicot;\"isitpossible?Flight;how?——when?—— bywhatmeans?AllFrancebegirtwithspiesandguards! Flight!wouldtoHeavenitwereinourpower!\" \"Dostthou,too,desiretoescapetheblessedRevolution?\" \"Desire!Oh!\"criedNicot,suddenly,and,fallingdown,heclaspedGlyndon\'sknees,——\"oh,savemewiththyself!Mylifeisatorture;everymomenttheguillotinefrownsbeforeme。Iknowthatmyhoursarenumbered;Iknowthatthetyrantwaitsbuthistimetowritemynameinhisinexorablelist;IknowthatReneDumas,thejudgewhoneverpardons,has,fromthefirst,resolveduponmydeath。Oh,Glyndon,byouroldfriendship,byourcommonart,bythyloyalEnglishfaithandgoodEnglishheart,letmesharethyflight!\" \"Ifthouwilt,sobeit。\" \"Thanks!——mywholelifeshallthankthee。Buthowhastthoupreparedthemeans,thepassports,thedisguise,the——\" \"Iwilltellthee。ThouknowestC——,oftheConvention,——hehaspower,andheiscovetous。\'Qu\'onmemeprise,pourvuquejedine\'(Letthemdespiseme,providedthatIdine。),saidhe,whenreproachedforhisavarice。\" \"Well?\" \"Bythehelpofthissturdyrepublican,whohasfriendsenoughintheComite,Ihaveobtainedthemeansnecessaryforflight;I havepurchasedthem。ForaconsiderationIcanprocurethypassportalso。\" \"Thyriches,then,arenotinassignats?\" \"No;Ihavegoldenoughforusall。\" AndhereGlyndon,beckoningNicotintothenextroom,firstbrieflyandrapidlydetailedtohimtheplanproposed,andthedisguisestobeassumedconformablytothepassports,andthenadded,\"InreturnfortheserviceIrenderthee,grantmeonefavour,whichIthinkisinthypower。ThourememberestViolaPisani?\" \"Ah,——remember,yes!——andtheloverwithwhomshefled。\" \"AndFROMwhomsheisafugitivenow。\" \"Indeed——what!——Iunderstand。Sacrebleu!butyouarealuckyfellow,cherconfrere。\" \"Silence,man!withthyeternalprateofbrotherhoodandvirtue,thouseemestnevertobelieveinonekindlyaction,oronevirtuousthought!\" Nicotbithislip,andrepliedsullenly,\"Experienceisagreatundeceiver。Humph!WhatservicecanIdotheewithregardtotheItalian?\" \"Ihavebeenaccessorytoherarrivalinthiscityofsnaresandpitfalls。Icannotleaveheraloneamidstdangersfromwhichneitherinnocencenorobscurityisasafeguard。InyourblessedRepublic,agoodandunsuspectedcitizen,whocastsadesireonanywoman,maidorwife,hasbuttosay,\'Bemine,orIdenounceyou!\'Inaword,Violamustshareourflight。\" \"Whatsoeasy?Iseeyourpassportsprovideforher。\" \"Whatsoeasy?Whatsodifficult?ThisFillide——wouldthatI hadneverseenher!——wouldthatIhadneverenslavedmysoultomysenses!Theloveofanuneducated,violent,unprincipledwoman,openswithaheaven,tomergeinahell!SheisjealousasalltheFuries;shewillnothearofafemalecompanion;andwhenoncesheseesthebeautyofViola!——Itrembletothinkofit。Sheiscapableofanyexcessinthestormofherpassions。\" \"Aha,Iknowwhatsuchwomenare!Mywife,BeatriceSacchini,whomItookfromNaples,whenIfailedwiththisveryViola,divorcedmewhenmymoneyfailed,and,asthemistressofajudge,passesmeinhercarriagewhileIcrawlthroughthestreets。Plagueonher!——butpatience,patience!suchisthelotofvirtue。WouldIwereRobespierreforaday!\" \"Ceasethesetirades!\"exclaimedGlyndon,impatiently;\"andtothepoint。Whatwouldyouadvise?\" \"LeaveyourFillidebehind。\" \"Leavehertoherownignorance;leaveherunprotectedevenbythemind;leaveherintheSaturnaliaofRapeandMurder?No!I havesinnedagainstheronce。Butcomewhatmay,Iwillnotsobaselydesertonewho,withallhererrors,trustedherfatetomylove。\" \"YoudesertedheratMarseilles。\" \"True;butIleftherinsafety,andIdidnotthenbelieveherlovetobesodeepandfaithful。Ilefthergold,andIimaginedshewouldbeeasilyconsoled;butsinceTHENWEHAVEKNOWNDANGER TOGETHER!Andnowtoleaveheralonetothatdangerwhichshewouldneverhaveincurredbutfordevotiontome!——no,thatisimpossible。Aprojectoccurstome。Canstthounotsaythatthouhastasister,arelative,orabenefactress,whomthouwouldstsave?Canwenot——tillwehaveleftFrance——makeFillidebelievethatViolaisoneinwhomTHOUonlyartinterested;andwhom,forthysakeonly,Ipermittoshareinourescape?\" \"Ha,wellthoughtof!——certainly!\" \"IwillthenappeartoyieldtoFillide\'swishes,andresigntheproject,whichshesoresents,ofsavingtheinnocentobjectofherfranticjealousy。You,meanwhile,shallyourselfentreatFillidetointercedewithmetoextendthemeansofescapeto——\" \"Toalady(sheknowsIhavenosister)whohasaidedmeinmydistress。Yes,Iwillmanageall,neverfear。Onewordmore,—— whathasbecomeofthatZanoni?\" \"Talknotofhim,——Iknownot。\" \"Doeshelovethisgirlstill?\" \"Itwouldseemso。Sheishiswife,themotherofhisinfant,whoiswithher。\" \"Wife!——mother!Helovesher。Aha!Andwhy——\" \"Noquestionsnow。IwillgoandprepareViolafortheflight; you,meanwhile,returntoFillide。\" \"ButtheaddressoftheNeapolitan?ItisnecessaryIshouldknow,lestFillideinquire。\" \"RueM——T——,No。27。Adieu。\" Glyndonseizedhishatandhastenedfromthehouse。 Nicot,leftalone,seemedforafewmomentsburiedinthought。 \"Oho,\"hemutteredtohimself,\"canInotturnallthistomyaccount?CanInotavengemyselfonthee,Zanoni,asIhavesooftensworn,——throughthywifeandchild?CanInotpossessmyselfofthygold,thypassports,andthyFillide,hotEnglishman,whowouldsthumblemewiththyloathedbenefits,andwhohastchuckedmethinealmsastoabeggar?AndFillide,I loveher:andthygold,IloveTHATmore!Puppets,Imoveyourstrings!\" HepassedslowlyintothechamberwhereFillideyetsat,withgloomythoughtonherbrowandtearsstandinginherdarkeyes。 Shelookedupeagerlyasthedooropened,andturnedfromtheruggedfaceofNicotwithanimpatientmovementofdisappointment。 \"Glyndon,\"saidthepainter,drawingachairtoFillide\'s,\"hasleftmetoenlivenyoursolitude,fairItalian。HeisnotjealousoftheuglyNicot!——ha,ha!——yetNicotlovedtheewellonce,whenhisfortunesweremorefair。Butenoughofsuchpastfollies。\" \"Yourfriend,then,hasleftthehouse。Whither?Ah,youlookaway;youfalter,——youcannotmeetmyeyes!Speak!Iimplore,I commandthee,speak!\" \"Enfant!Andwhatdostthoufear?\" \"FEAR!——yes,alas,Ifear!\"saidtheItalian;andherwholeframeseemedtoshrinkintoitselfasshefelloncemorebackintoherseat。 Then,afterapause,shetossedthelonghairfromhereyes,and,startingupabruptly,pacedtheroomwithdisorderedstrides。AtlengthshestoppedoppositetoNicot,laidherhandonhisarm,drewhimtowardsanescritoire,whichsheunlocked,and,openingawell,pointedtothegoldthatlaywithin,andsaid,\"Thouartpoor,——thoulovestmoney;takewhatthouwilt,butundeceiveme。 Whoisthiswomanwhomthyfriendvisits,——anddoesheloveher?\" Nicot\'seyessparkled,andhishandsopenedandclenched,andclenchedandopened,ashegazeduponthecoins。Butreluctantlyresistingtheimpulse,hesaid,withanaffectedbitterness,\"Thinkestthoutobribeme?——ifso,itcannotbewithgold。Butwhatifhedoeslovearival;whatifhebetraysthee;whatif,weariedbythyjealousies,hedesignsinhisflighttoleavetheebehind,——wouldsuchknowledgemaketheehappier?\" \"Yes!\"exclaimedtheItalian,fiercely;\"yes,foritwouldbehappinesstohateandtobeavenged!Oh,thouknowestnothowsweetishatredtothosewhohavereallyloved!\" \"Butwiltthouswear,ifIrevealtotheethesecret,thatthouwiltnotbetrayme,——thatthouwiltnotfall,aswomendo,intoweaktearsandfondreproaches,whenthybetrayerreturns?\" \"Tears,reproaches!Revengehidesitselfinsmiles!\" \"Thouartabravecreature!\"saidNicot,almostadmiringly。\"Oneconditionmore:thyloverdesignstoflywithhisnewlove,toleavetheetothyfate;ifIprovethistothee,andifIgivetheerevengeagainstthyrival,wiltthouflywithme?Ilovethee!——Iwillwedthee!\" Fillide\'seyesflashedfire;shelookedathimwithunutterabledisdain,andwassilent。 Nicotfelthehadgonetoofar;andwiththatknowledgeoftheevilpartofournaturewhichhisownheartandassociationwithcrimehadtaughthim,heresolvedtotrusttheresttothepassionsoftheItalian,whenraisedtotheheighttowhichhewaspreparedtoleadthem。 \"Pardonme,\"hesaid;\"mylovemademetoopresumptuous;andyetitisonlythatlove,——mysympathyforthee,beautifulandbetrayed,thatcaninducemetowrong,withmyrevelations,onewhomIhaveregardedasabrother。IcandependuponthineoathtoconcealallfromGlyndon?\" \"Onmyoathandmywrongsandmymountainblood!\" \"Enough!getthyhatandmantle,andfollowme。\" AsFillidelefttheroom,Nicot\'seyesagainrestedonthegold; itwasmuch,——muchmorethanhehaddaredtohopefor;andashepeeredintothewellandopenedthedrawers,heperceivedapacketoflettersinthewell-knownhandofCamilleDesmoulins。 Heseized——heopenedthepacket;hislooksbrightenedasheglancedoverafewsentences。\"ThiswouldgivefiftyGlyndonstotheguillotine!\"hemuttered,andthrustthepacketintohisbosom。 Oartist!——Ohauntedone!——Oerringgenius!——beholdthetwoworstfoes,——theFalseIdealthatknowsnoGod,andtheFalseLovethatburnsfromthecorruptionofthesenses,andtakesnolustrefromthesoul! CHAPTER7。III。 LiebesonntdasReichderNacht。 \"DerTriumphderLiebe。\" (LoveillumestherealmofNight。) LetterfromZanonitoMejnour。 Paris。 Dostthourememberintheoldtime,whentheBeautifulyetdweltinGreece,howwetwo,inthevastAthenianTheatre,witnessedthebirthofWordsasundyingasourselves?Dostthourememberthethrillofterrorthatranthroughthatmightyaudience,whenthewildCassandraburstfromherawfulsilencetoshriektoherrelentlessgod!Howghastly,attheentranceoftheHouseofAtreus,abouttobecomehertomb,rangoutherexclamationsofforebodingwoe:\"Dwellingabhorredofheaven!——humanshamble- houseandfloorblood-bespattered!\"(Aesch。\"Agam。\"1098。)Dostthourememberhow,amidstthebreathlessaweofthoseassembledthousands,Idrewclosetothee,andwhispered,\"Verily,noprophetlikethepoet!Thissceneoffabledhorrorcomestomeasadream,shadowingforthsomelikenessinmyownremoterfuture!\"AsIenterthisslaughter-housethatscenereturnstome,andIhearkentothevoiceofCassandraringinginmyears。 Asolemnandwarningdreadgathersroundme,asifItoowerecometofindagrave,and\"theNetofHades\"hadalreadyentangledmeinitsweb!Whatdarktreasure-housesofvicissitudeandwoeareourmemoriesbecome!Whatourlives,butthechroniclesofunrelentingdeath!ItseemstomeasyesterdaywhenIstoodinthestreetsofthiscityoftheGaul,astheyshonewithplumedchivalry,andtheairrustledwithsilkenbraveries。YoungLouis,themonarchandthelover,wasvictoroftheTournamentattheCarousel;andallFrancefeltherselfsplendidinthesplendourofhergorgeouschief!Nowthereisneitherthronenoraltar;andwhatisintheirstead?Iseeityonder——theGUILLOTINE!Itisdismaltostandamidsttheruinsofmoulderingcities,tostartletheserpentandthelizardamidstthewrecksofPersepolisandThebes;butmoredismalstilltostandasI——thestrangerfromEmpiresthathaveceasedtobe—— standnowamidsttheyetghastlierruinsofLawandOrder,theshatteringofmankindthemselves!Yethere,evenhere,Love,theBeautifier,thathathledmysteps,canwalkwithunshrinkinghopethroughthewildernessofDeath。Strangeisthepassionthatmakesaworldinitself,thatindividualisestheOneamidsttheMultitude;that,throughallthechangesofmysolemnlife,yetsurvives,thoughambitionandhateandangeraredead;theonesolitaryangel,hoveringoverauniverseoftombsonitstwotremulousandhumanwings,——HopeandFear! Howisit,Mejnour,that,asmydivinerartabandonedme,——as,inmysearchforViola,Iwasaidedbutbytheordinaryinstinctsofthemerestmortal,——howisitthatIhaveneverdesponded,thatI havefeltineverydifficultytheprevailingpresciencethatweshouldmeetatlast?Socruellywaseveryvestigeofherflightconcealedfromme,——sosuddenly,sosecretlyhadshefled,thatallthespies,alltheauthoritiesofVenice,couldgivemenoclew。AllItalyIsearchedinvain!HeryounghomeatNaples!—— howstill,initshumblechambers,thereseemedtolingerthefragranceofherpresence!Allthesublimestsecretsofourlorefailedme,——failedtobringhersoulvisibletomine;yetmorningandnight,thouloneandchildlessone,morningandnight,detachedfrommyself,Icancommunewithmychild!Thereinthatmostblessed,typical,andmysteriousofallrelations,NatureherselfappearstosupplywhatSciencewouldrefuse。Spacecannotseparatethefather\'swatchfulsoulfromthecradleofhisfirst-born!Iknownotofitsresting-placeandhome,——myvisionspicturenottheland,——onlythesmallandtenderlifetowhichallspaceisasyettheheritage!Fortotheinfant,beforereasondawns,——beforeman\'sbadpassionscandimtheessencethatittakesfromtheelementithathleft,thereisnopeculiarcountry,nonativecity,andnomortallanguage。Itssoulasyetisthedenizenofallairsandofeveryworld;andinspaceitssoulmeetswithmine,——thechildcommuneswiththefather!Cruelandforsakingone,——thouforwhomIleftthewisdomofthespheres;thouwhosefataldowerhasbeentheweaknessandterrorsofhumanity,——couldstthouthinkthatyoungsoullesssafeonearthbecauseIwouldleaditevermoreuptoheaven!DidstthouthinkthatIcouldhavewrongedmineown? DidstthounotknowthatinitsserenesteyesthelifethatI gaveitspoketowarn,toupbraidthemotherwhowouldbindittothedarknessandpangsoftheprison-houseofclay?DidstthounotfeelthatitwasIwho,permittedbytheHeavens,shieldeditfromsufferinganddisease?Andinitswondrousbeauty,I blessedtheholymediumthroughwhich,atlast,myspiritmightconferwiththine! AndhowhaveItrackedthemhither?IlearnedthatthypupilhadbeenatVenice。IcouldnottracetheyoungandgentleneophyteofParthenopeinthedescriptionofthehaggardandsavagevisitorwhohadcometoViolabeforeshefled;butwhenIwouldhavesummonedhisIDEAbeforeme,itrefusedtoobey;andIknewthenthathisfatehadbecomeentwinedwithViola\'s。Ihavetrackedhim,then,tothisLazarHouse。Iarrivedbutyesterday; Ihavenotyetdiscoveredhim…… Ihavejustreturnedfromtheircourtsofjustice,——denswheretigersarraigntheirprey。IfindnotwhomIwouldseek。Theyaresavedasyet;butIrecogniseinthecrimesofmortalsthedarkwisdomoftheEverlasting。Mejnour,Iseehere,forthefirsttime,howmajesticandbeauteousathingisdeath!Ofwhatsublimevirtueswerobbedourselves,when,inthethirstforvirtue,weattainedtheartbywhichwecanrefusetodie!Wheninsomehappyclime,wheretobreatheistoenjoy,thecharnel- houseswallowsuptheyoungandfair;wheninthenoblepursuitofknowledge,Deathcomestothestudent,andshutsouttheenchantedlandwhichwasopeningtohisgaze,——hownaturalforustodesiretolive;hownaturaltomakeperpetuallifethefirstobjectofresearch!Buthere,frommytoweroftime,lookingoverthedarksomepast,andintothestarryfuture,Ilearnhowgreatheartsfeelwhatsweetnessandglorythereistodieforthethingstheylove!Isawafathersacrificinghimselfforhisson;hewassubjectedtochargeswhichawordofhiscoulddispel,——hewasmistakenforhisboy。Withwhatjoyheseizedtheerror,confessedthenoblecrimesofvalourandfidelitywhichthesonhadindeedcommitted,andwenttothedoom,exultingthathisdeathsavedthelifehehadgiven,notinvain! Isawwomen,young,delicate,inthebloomoftheirbeauty;theyhadvowedthemselvestothecloister。Handssmearedwiththebloodofsaintsopenedthegatethathadshutthemfromtheworld,andbadethemgoforth,forgettheirvows,forsweartheDivineonethesedemonswoulddepose,findloversandhelpmates,andbefree。Andsomeoftheseyoungheartshadloved,andeven,thoughinstruggles,lovedyet。Didtheyforswearthevow?Didtheyabandonthefaith?Didevenloveallurethem?Mejnour,withonevoice,theypreferredtodie。Andwhencecomesthiscourage?——becausesuchHEARTSLIVEINSOMEMOREABSTRACTAND HOLIERLIFETHANTHEIROWN。BUTTOLIVEFOREVERUPONTHISEARTH ISTOLIVEINNOTHINGDIVINERTHANOURSELVES。Yes,evenamidstthisgorybutcherdom,God,theEver-living,vindicatestomanthesanctityofHisservant,Death!…… AgainIhaveseentheeinspirit;Ihaveseenandblessedthee,mysweetchild!Dostthounotknowmealsointhydreams?Dostthounotfeelthebeatingofmyheartthroughtheveilofthyrosyslumbers?DostthounothearthewingsofthebrighterbeingsthatIyetcanconjurearoundthee,towatch,tonourish,andtosave?Andwhenthespellfadesatthywaking,whenthineeyesopentotheday,willtheynotlookroundforme,andaskthymother,withtheirmuteeloquence,\"Whyshehasrobbedtheeofafather?\" Woman,dostthounotrepentthee?Flyingfromimaginaryfears,hastthounotcometotheverylairofterror,whereDangersitsvisibleandincarnate?Oh,ifwecouldbutmeet,wouldstthounotfalluponthebosomthouhastsowronged,andfeel,poorwandereramidstthestorms,asifthouhadstregainedtheshelter?Mejnour,stillmyresearchesfailme。Iminglewithallmen,eventheirjudgesandtheirspies,butIcannotyetgaintheclew。Iknowthatsheishere。Iknowitbyaninstinct; thebreathofmychildseemswarmerandmorefamiliar。 Theypeeratmewithvenomouslooks,asIpassthroughtheirstreets。WithaglanceIdisarmtheirmalice,andfascinatethebasilisks。EverywhereIseethetrackandscentthepresenceoftheGhostlyOnethatdwellsontheThreshold,andwhosevictimsarethesoulsthatwouldASPIRE,andcanonlyFEAR。Iseeitsdimshapelessnessgoingbeforethemenofblood,andmarshallingtheirway。Robespierrepassedmewithhisfurtivestep。Thoseeyesofhorrorweregnawingintohisheart。Ilookeddownupontheirsenate;thegrimPhantomsatcoweringonitsfloor。 IthathtakenupitsabodeinthecityofDread。Andwhatintrutharethesewould-bebuildersofanewworld?Likethestudentswhohavevainlystruggledafteroursupremescience,theyhaveattemptedwhatisbeyondtheirpower;theyhavepassedfromthissolidearthofusagesandformsintothelandofshadow,anditsloathsomekeeperhasseizedthemasitsprey。Ilookedintothetyrant\'sshudderingsoul,asittrembledpastme。There,amidsttheruinsofathousandsystemswhichaimedatvirtue,satCrime,andshiveredatitsdesolation。YetthismanistheonlyThinker,theonlyAspirant,amongstthemall。Hestilllooksforafutureofpeaceandmercy,tobegin,——ay!atwhatdate?Whenhehassweptawayeveryfoe。Fool!newfoesspringfromeverydropofblood。LedbytheeyesoftheUnutterable,heiswalkingtohisdoom。 OViola,thyinnocenceprotectsthee!Thouwhomthesweethumanitiesofloveshutoutevenfromthedreamsofaerialandspiritualbeauty,makingthyheartauniverseofvisionsfairerthanthewandererovertherosyHesperuscansurvey,——shallnotthesamepureaffectionencompassthee,evenhere,withacharmedatmosphere,andterroritselffallharmlessonalifetooinnocentforwisdom? CHAPTER7。IV。 Ombrapiuchedinotte,incuidiluceRaggiomistonone;…… Nepiuilpalagioappar,nepiulesueVestigia;nedirpuossi——egliquifue。 \"Ger。Lib。,cantoxvi-lxix。 (Darknessgreaterthanofnight,inwhichnotarayoflightismixed;……Thepalaceappearsnomore:notevenavestige,——norcanonesaythatithasbeen。) Theclubsarenoisywithclamorousfrenzy;theleadersaregrimwithschemes。BlackHenriotflieshereandthere,mutteringtohisarmedtroops,\"Robespierre,yourbeloved,isindanger!\" Robespierrestalksperturbed,hislistofvictimsswellingeveryhour。Tallien,theMacdufftothedoomedMacbeth,iswhisperingcouragetohispaleconspirators。Alongthestreetsheavilyrollthetumbrils。Theshopsareclosed,——thepeoplearegorgedwithgore,andwilllapnomore。Andnightafternight,totheeightytheatresflockthechildrenoftheRevolution,tolaughatthequipsofcomedy,andweepgentletearsoverimaginarywoes! Inasmallchamber,intheheartofthecity,sitsthemother,watchingoverherchild。Itisquiet,happynoon;thesunlight,brokenbythetallroofsinthenarrowstreet,comesyetthroughtheopencasement,theimpartialplayfellowoftheair,gleesomealikeintempleandprison,hallandhovel;asgoldenandasblithe,whetheritlaughoverthefirsthouroflife,orquiverinitsgaydelightontheterrorandagonyofthelast!Thechild,whereitlayatthefeetofViola,stretchedoutitsdimpledhandsasiftoclaspthedancingmotesthatrevelledinthebeam。Themotherturnedhereyesfromtheglory;itsaddenedheryetmore。Sheturnedandsighed。 IsthisthesameViolawhobloomedfairerthantheirownIdaliaundertheskiesofGreece?Howchanged!Howpaleandworn!Shesatlistlessly,herarmsdroppingonherknee;thesmilethatwashabitualtoherlipswasgone。Aheavy,dulldespondency,asifthelifeoflifewerenomore,seemedtoweighdownheryouth,andmakeitwearyofthathappysun!Intruth,herexistencehadlanguishedawaysinceithadwandered,assomemelancholystream,fromthesourcethatfedit。Thesuddenenthusiasmoffearorsuperstitionthathadalmost,asifstillintheunconsciousmovementsofadream,ledhertoflyfromZanoni,hadceasedfromthedaywhichdawneduponherinaforeignland。Then——there—— shefeltthatinthesmileshehadevermoreabandonedlivedherlife。Shedidnotrepent,——shewouldnothaverecalledtheimpulsethatwingedherflight。Thoughtheenthusiasmwasgone,thesuperstitionyetremained;shestillbelievedshehadsavedherchildfromthatdarkandguiltysorcery,concerningwhichthetraditionsofalllandsareprodigal,butinnonedotheyfindsuchcredulity,orexcitesuchdread,asintheSouthofItaly。 ThisimpressionwasconfirmedbythemysteriousconversationsofGlyndon,andbyherownperceptionofthefearfulchangethathadpassedoveronewhorepresentedhimselfasthevictimoftheenchanters。Shedidnot,therefore,repent;butherveryvolitionseemedgone。 OntheirarrivalatParis,Violasawhercompanion——thefaithfulwife——nomore。Erethreeweekswerepassed,husbandandwifehadceasedtolive。 Andnow,forthefirsttime,thedrudgeriesofthishardearthclaimedthebeautifulNeapolitan。Inthatprofession,givingvoiceandshapetopoetryandsong,inwhichherfirstyearswerepassed,thereis,whileitlasts,anexcitementintheartthatliftsitfromthelabourofacalling。Hoveringbetweentwolives,theRealandIdeal,dwellsthelifeofmusicandthestage。ButthatlifewaslostevermoretotheidoloftheeyesandearsofNaples。Liftedtothehigherrealmofpassionatelove,itseemedasifthefictitiousgeniuswhichrepresentsthethoughtsofotherswasmergedinthegeniusthatgrowsallthoughtitself。IthadbeentheworstinfidelitytotheLost,tohavedescendedagaintoliveontheapplauseofothers。Andso—— forshewouldnotacceptalmsfromGlyndon——so,bythecommonestarts,thehumblestindustrywhichthesexknows,aloneandunseen,shewhohadsleptonthebreastofZanonifoundashelterfortheirchild。Aswhen,inthenobleverseprefixedtothischapter,Armidaherselfhasdestroyedherenchantedpalace,——notavestigeofthatbower,raisedofoldbyPoetryandLove,remainedtosay,\"Ithadbeen!\" Andthechildavengedthefather;itbloomed,itthrived,——itwaxedstronginthelightoflife。Butstillitseemedhauntedandpreservedbysomeotherbeingthanherown。Initssleeptherewasthatslumber,sodeepandrigid,whichathunderboltcouldnothavedisturbed;andinsuchsleepoftenitmoveditsarms,astoembracetheair:oftenitslipsstirredwithmurmuredsoundsofindistinctaffection,——NOTFORHER;andallthewhileuponitscheeksahueofsuchcelestialbloom,uponitslipsasmileofsuchmysteriousjoy!Then,whenitwaked,itseyesdidnotturnfirsttoHER,——wistful,earnest,wandering,theyrovedaround,tofixonherpaleface,atlast,inmutesorrowandreproach。 NeverhadViolafeltbeforehowmightywasherloveforZanoni; howthought,feeling,heart,soul,life,——alllaycrushedanddormantintheicyabsencetowhichshehaddoomedherself!Sheheardnottheroarwithout,shefeltnotoneamidstthosestormymillions,——worldsofexcitementlabouringthrougheveryhour。 OnlywhenGlyndon,haggard,wan,andspectre-like,glidedin,dayafterday,tovisither,didthefairdaughterofthecarelessSouthknowhowheavyanduniversalwastheDeath-Airthatgirtherround。Sublimeinherpassiveunconsciousness,——hermechaniclife,——shesat,andfearednot,inthedenoftheBeastsofPrey。 Thedooroftheroomopenedabruptly,andGlyndonentered。Hismannerwasmoreagitatedthanusual。 \"Isityou,Clarence?\"shesaidinhersoft,languidtones。\"YouarebeforethehourIexpectedyou。\" \"WhocancountonhishoursatParis?\"returnedGlyndon,withafrightfulsmile。\"IsitnotenoughthatIamhere!Yourapathyinthemidstofthesesorrowsappallsme。Yousaycalmly,\'Farewell;\'calmlyyoubidme,\'Welcome!\'——asifineverycornertherewasnotaspy,andasifwitheverydaytherewasnotamassacre!\" \"Pardonme!Butinthesewallsliesmyworld。Icanhardlycreditallthetalesyoutellme。Everythinghere,saveTHAT,\" andshepointedtotheinfant,\"seemsalreadysolifeless,thatinthetombitselfonecouldscarcelylessheedthecrimesthataredonewithout。\" Glyndonpausedforafewmoments,andgazedwithstrangeandmingledfeelingsuponthatfaceandform,stillsoyoung,andyetsoinvestedwiththatsaddestofallrepose,——whentheheartfeelsold。 \"OViola,\"saidhe,atlast,andinavoiceofsuppressedpassion,\"wasitthusIeverthoughttoseeyou,——everthoughttofeelforyou,whenwetwofirstmetinthegayhauntsofNaples? Ah,whythendidyourefusemylove;orwhywasminenotworthyofyou?Nay,shrinknot!——letmetouchyourhand。Nopassionsosweetasthatyouthfullovecanreturntomeagain。Ifeelforyoubutasabrotherforsomeyoungerandlonelysister。Withyou,inyourpresence,sadthoughitbe,Iseemtobreathebackthepurerairofmyearlylife。Herealone,exceptinscenesofturbulenceandtempest,thePhantomceasestopursueme。I forgeteventheDeaththatstalksbehind,andhauntsmeasmyshadow。Butbetterdaysmaybeinstoreforusyet。Viola,IatlastbegindimlytoperceivehowtobaffleandsubduethePhantomthathascursedmylife,——itistobrave,anddefyit。Insinandinriot,asIhavetoldthee,ithauntsmenot。ButI comprehendnowwhatMejnoursaidinhisdarkapothegms,\'thatI shoulddreadthespectremostWHENUNSEEN。\'Invirtuousandcalmresolutionitappears,——ay,Ibeholditnow;there,there,withitslivideyes!\"——andthedropsfellfromhisbrow。\"Butitshallnolongerdauntmefromthatresolution。Ifaceit,anditgraduallydarkensbackintotheshade。\"Hepaused,andhiseyesdweltwithaterribleexultationuponthesunlitspace;then,withaheavyanddeep-drawnbreath,heresumed,\"Viola,Ihavefoundthemeansofescape。Wewillleavethiscity。Insomeotherlandwewillendeavourtocomforteachother,andforgetthepast。\" \"No,\"saidViola,calmly;\"Ihavenofurtherwishtostir,tillI ambornhencetothelastresting-place。Idreamedofhimlastnight,Clarence!——dreamedofhimforthefirsttimesinceweparted;and,donotmockme,methoughtthatheforgavethedeserter,andcalledme\'Wife。\'Thatdreamhallowstheroom。 PerhapsitwillvisitmeagainbeforeIdie。\" \"Talknotofhim,——ofthedemi-fiend!\"criedGlyndon,fiercely,andstampinghisfoot。\"ThanktheHeavensforanyfatethathathrescuedtheefromhim!\" \"Hush!\"saidViola,gravely。Andasshewasabouttoproceed,hereyefelluponthechild。Itwasstandingintheverycentreofthatslantingcolumnoflightwhichthesunpouredintothechamber;andtheraysseemedtosurrounditasahalo,andsettled,crown-like,onthegoldofitsshininghair。Initssmallshape,soexquisitelymodelled,initslarge,steady,tranquileyes,therewassomethingthatawed,whileitcharmedthemother\'spride。ItgazedonGlyndonashespoke,withalookwhichalmostmighthaveseemeddisdain,andwhichViola,atleast,interpretedasadefenceoftheAbsent,strongerthanherownlipscouldframe。 Glyndonbrokethepause。 \"Thouwouldststay,forwhat?Tobetrayamother\'sduty!Ifanyevilhappentotheehere,whatbecomesofthineinfant?Shallitbebroughtupanorphan,inacountrythathasdesecratedthyreligion,andwherehumancharityexistsnomore?Ah,weep,andclaspittothybosom;buttearsdonotprotectandsave。\" \"Thouhastconquered,myfriend,Iwillflywiththee。\" \"To-morrownight,then,beprepared。Iwillbringtheethenecessarydisguises。\" AndGlyndonthenproceededtosketchrapidlytheoutlineofthepaththeyweretotake,andthestorytheyweretotell。Violalistened,butscarcelycomprehended;hepressedherhandtohisheartanddeparted。 CHAPTER7。V。 VansecopurancoSdegnoedAmor,quasidueVeltrialfianco。 \"Ger。Lib。\"cant。xx。cxvii。 (TherewentwithhimstillDisdainandLove,liketwogreyhoundssidebyside。) Glyndondidnotperceive,ashehurriedfromthehouse,twoformscrouchingbytheangleofthewall。Hesawstillthespectreglidingbyhisside;buthebeheldnottheyetmorepoisonouseyesofhumanenvyandwoman\'sjealousythatglaredonhisretreatingfootsteps。 Nicotadvancedtothehouse;Fillidefollowedhiminsilence。 Thepainter,anoldsans-culotte,knewwellwhatlanguagetoassumetotheporter。Hebeckonedthelatterfromhislodge,\"Howisthis,citizen?Thouharbouresta\'suspect。\'\" \"Citizen,youterrifyme!——ifso,namehim。\" \"Itisnotaman;arefugee,anItalianwoman,lodgeshere。\" \"Yes,autroisieme,——thedoortotheleft。Butwhatofher?——shecannotbedangerous,poorchild!\" \"Citizen,beware!Dostthoudaretopityher?\" \"I?No,no,indeed。But——\" \"Speakthetruth!Whovisitsher?\" \"NoonebutanEnglishman。\" \"Thatisit,——anEnglishman,aspyofPittandCoburg。\" \"JustHeaven!isitpossible?\" \"How,citizen!dostthouspeakofHeaven?Thoumustbeanaristocrat!\" \"No,indeed;itwasbutanoldbadhabit,andescapedmeunawares。\" \"HowoftendoestheEnglishmanvisither?\" \"Daily。\" Fillideutteredanexclamation。 Sheneverstirsout,\"saidtheporter。\"Hersoleoccupationsareinwork,andcareofherinfant。\" \"Herinfant!\" Fillidemadeaboundforward。Nicotinvainendeavouredtoarresther。Shesprangupthestairs;shepausednottillshewasbeforethedoorindicatedbytheporter;itstoodajar,sheentered,shestoodatthethreshold,andbeheldthatface,stillsolovely!Thesightofsomuchbeautyleftherhopeless。Andthechild,overwhomthemotherbent!——shewhohadneverbeenamother!——sheutterednosound;thefurieswereatworkwithinherbreast。Violaturned,andsawher,and,terrifiedbythestrangeapparition,withfeaturesthatexpressedthedeadliesthateandscornandvengeance,utteredacry,andsnatchedthechildtoherbosom。TheItalianlaughedaloud,——turned,descended,and,gainingthespotwhereNicotstillconversedwiththefrightenedporterdrewhimfromthehouse。Whentheywereintheopenstreet,shehaltedabruptly,andsaid,\"Avengeme,andnamethyprice!\" \"Myprice,sweetone!isbutpermissiontolovethee。Thouwiltflywithmeto-morrownight;thouwiltpossessthyselfofthepassportsandtheplan。\" \"Andthey——\" \"Shall,beforethen,findtheirasylumintheConciergerie。Theguillotineshallrequitethywrongs。\" \"Dothis,andIamsatisfied,\"saidFillide,firmly。 Andtheyspokenomoretilltheyregainedthehouse。Butwhenshethere,lookinguptothedullbuilding,sawthewindowsoftheroomwhichthebeliefofGlyndon\'slovehadoncemadeaparadise,thetigerrelentedattheheart;somethingofthewomangushedbackuponhernature,darkandsavageasitwas。Shepressedthearmonwhichsheleanedconvulsively,andexclaimed,\"No,no!nothim!denounceher,——letherperish;butIhavesleptonHISbosom,——notHIM!\"