第20章

类别:其他 作者:Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton Lyt字数:20516更新时间:18/12/14 17:00:14
\"Butwhencecametheirresistibledesiresofthatwildandunholyknowledge?Iknewthemnottillthineevileyefelluponme,andIwasdrawnintothemagicatmosphereofthybeing!\" \"Thouerrest!——thedesireswereinthee;and,whetherinonedirectionortheother,wouldhaveforcedtheirway!Man!thouaskestmetheenigmaofthyfateandmyown!Lookroundallbeing,istherenotmysteryeverywhere?Canthineeyetracetheripeningofthegrainbeneaththeearth?Inthemoralandthephysicalworldalike,liedarkportents,farmorewondrousthanthepowersthouwouldstascribetome!\" \"Dostthoudisownthosepowers;dostthouconfessthyselfanimposter?——orwiltthoudaretotellmethatthouartindeedsoldtotheEvilone,——amagicianwhosefamiliarhashauntedmenightandday?\" \"ItmattersnotwhatIam,\"returnedZanoni;\"itmattersonlywhetherIcanaidtheetoexorcisethydismalphantom,andreturnoncemoretothewholesomeairofthiscommonlife。Something,however,willItellthee,nottovindicatemyself,buttheHeavenandtheNaturethatthydoubtsmalign。\" Zanonipausedamoment,andresumedwithaslightsmile,—— \"InthyyoungerdaysthouhastdoubtlessreadwithdelightthegreatChristianpoet,whosemuse,likethemorningitcelebrated,cametoearth,\'crownedwithflowersculledinParadise。\' (\'L\'aureatestaDirosecolteinParadisoinfiora。\' Tasso,\"Ger。Lib。\"iv。l。) \"Nospiritwasmoreimbuedwiththeknightlysuperstitionsofthetime;andsurelythePoetofJerusalemhathsufficiently,tosatisfyeventheInquisitorheconsulted,execratedallthepractitionersoftheunlawfulspellsinvoked,—— \'PerisforzarCocitooFlegetonte。\' (ToconstrainCocytusorPhlegethon。) Butinhissorrowsandhiswrongs,intheprisonofhismadhouse,knowyounotthatTassohimselffoundhissolace,hisescape,intherecognitionofaholyandspiritualTheurgia,——ofamagicthatcouldsummontheAngel,ortheGoodGenius,nottheFiend? Anddoyounotrememberhowhe,deeplyversedashewasforhisage,inthemysteriesofthenoblerPlatonism,whichhintsatthesecretsofallthestarrybrotherhoods,fromtheChaldeantothelaterRosicrucian,discriminatesinhislovelyverse,betweentheblackartofIsmenoandthegloriousloreoftheEnchanterwhocounselsandguidesupontheirerrandthechampionsoftheHolyLand?HIS,notthecharmswroughtbytheaidoftheStygianRebels(Seethisremarkablepassage,whichdoesindeednotunfaithfullyrepresentthedoctrineofthePythagoreanandthePlatonist,inTasso,cant。xiv。stanzasxli。toxlvii。(\"Ger。 Lib。\")TheyarebeautifullytranslatedbyWiffen。),buttheperceptionofthesecretpowersofthefountainandtheherb,—— theArcanaoftheunknownnatureandthevariousmotionsofthestars。His,theholyhauntsofLebanonandCarmel,——beneathhisfeethesawtheclouds,thesnows,thehuesofIris,thegenerationsoftherainsanddews。DidtheChristianHermitwhoconvertedthatEnchanter(nofabulousbeing,butthetypeofallspiritthatwouldaspirethroughNatureuptoGod)commandhimtolayasidethesesublimestudies,\'Lesolitearteel\'usomio\'? No!buttocherishanddirectthemtoworthyends。AndinthisgrandconceptionofthepoetliesthesecretofthetrueTheurgia,whichstartlesyourignoranceinamorelearneddaywithpuerileapprehensions,andthenightmaresofasickman\'sdreams。\" AgainZanonipaused,andagainresumed:—— \"Inagesfarremote,——ofacivilisationfardifferentfromthatwhichnowmergestheindividualinthestate,——thereexistedmenofardentminds,andanintensedesireofknowledge。Inthemightyandsolemnkingdomsinwhichtheydwelt,therewerenoturbulentandearthlychannelstoworkoffthefeveroftheirminds。Setintheantiquemouldofcaststhroughwhichnointellectcouldpierce,novalourcouldforceitsway,thethirstforwisdomalonereignedintheheartsofthosewhoreceiveditsstudyasaheritagefromsiretoson。Hence,eveninyourimperfectrecordsoftheprogressofhumanknowledge,youfindthat,intheearliestages,Philosophydescendednottothebusinessandhomesofmen。Itdweltamidstthewondersoftheloftiercreation;itsoughttoanalysetheformationofmatter,—— theessentialsoftheprevailingsoul;toreadthemysteriesofthestarryorbs;todiveintothosedepthsofNatureinwhichZoroasterissaidbytheschoolmenfirsttohavediscoveredtheartswhichyourignoranceclassesunderthenameofmagic。Insuchanage,then,arosesomemen,who,amidstthevanitiesanddelusionsoftheirclass,imaginedthattheydetectedgleamsofabrighterandsteadierlore。TheyfanciedanaffinityexistingamongalltheworksofNature,andthatinthelowliestlaythesecretattractionthatmightconductthemupwardtotheloftiest。 (Agreeably,itwouldseem,tothenotionofIamblichusandPlotinus,thattheuniverseisasananimal;sothatthereissympathyandcommunicationbetweenonepartandtheother;inthesmallestpartmaybethesubtlestnerve。AndhencetheuniversalmagnetismofNature。Butmancontemplatestheuniverseasananimalculewouldanelephant。Theanimalcule,seeingscarcelythetipofthehoof,wouldbeincapableofcomprehendingthatthetrunkbelongedtothesamecreature,——thattheeffectproducedupononeextremitywouldbefeltinaninstantbytheother。) Centuriespassed,andliveswerewastedinthesediscoveries;butstepafterstepwaschronicledandmarked,andbecametheguidetothefewwhoalonehadthehereditaryprivilegetotracktheirpath。 Atlastfromthisdimnessuponsomeeyesthelightbroke;butthinknot,youngvisionary,thattothosewhonursedunholythoughts,overwhomtheOriginofEvilheldasway,thatdawningwasvouchsafed。Itcouldbegiventhen,asnow,onlytothepurestecstasiesofimaginationandintellect,undistractedbythecaresofavulgarlife,ortheappetitesofthecommonclay。 Farfromdescendingtotheassistanceofafiend,theirswasbuttheaugustambitiontoapproachnearertotheFountofGood;themoretheyemancipatedthemselvesfromthislimbooftheplanets,themoretheywerepenetratedbythesplendourandbeneficenceofGod。Andiftheysought,andatlastdiscovered,howtotheeyeoftheSpiritallthesubtlermodificationsofbeingandofmattermightbemadeapparent;iftheydiscoveredhow,forthewingsoftheSpirit,allspacemightbeannihilated,andwhilethebodystoodheavyandsolidhere,asadesertedtomb,thefreedIDEAmightwanderfromstartostar,——ifsuchdiscoveriesbecameintruththeirown,thesublimestluxuryoftheirknowledgewasbutthis,towonder,tovenerate,andadore!For,asonenotunlearnedinthesehighmattershasexpressedit,\'Thereisaprincipleofthesoulsuperiortoallexternalnature,andthroughthisprinciplewearecapableofsurpassingtheorderandsystemsoftheworld,andparticipatingtheimmortallifeandtheenergyoftheSublimeCelestials。Whenthesouliselevatedtonaturesaboveitself,itdesertstheordertowhichitisawhilecompelled,andbyareligiousmagnetismisattractedtoanotherandaloftier,withwhichitblendsandmingles。\'(FromIamblichus,\"OntheMysteries,\"c。7,sect。7。) Grant,then,thatsuchbeingsfoundatlastthesecrettoarrestdeath;tofascinatedangerandthefoe;towalktherevolutionsoftheearthunharmed,——thinkyouthatthislifecouldteachthemotherdesirethantoyearnthemorefortheImmortal,andtofittheirintellectthebetterforthehigherbeingtowhichtheymight,whenTimeandDeathexistnolonger,###第21章 betransferred?Awaywithyourgloomyfantasiesofsorcereranddemon!——thesoulcanaspireonlytothelight;andeventheerrorofourloftyknowledgewasbuttheforgetfulnessoftheweakness,thepassions,andthebondswhichthedeathwesovainlyconqueredonlycanpurgeaway!\" ThisaddresswassodifferentfromwhatGlyndonhadanticipated,thatheremainedforsomemomentsspeechless,andatlengthfalteredout,—— \"Butwhy,then,tome——\" \"Why,\"addedZanoni,——\"whytotheehavebeenonlythepenanceandtheterror,——theThresholdandthePhantom?Vainman!looktothecommonestelementsofthecommonlearning。Caneverytyroathismerewishandwillbecomethemaster;canthestudent,whenhehasboughthisEuclid,becomeaNewton;cantheyouthwhomtheMuseshaunt,say,\'IwillequalHomer;\'yea,canyonpaletyrant,withalltheparchmentlawsofahundredsystem-shapers,andthepikesofhisdauntlessmultitude,carve,athiswill,aconstitutionnotmoreviciousthantheonewhichthemadnessofamobcouldoverthrow?When,inthatfartimetowhichIhavereferred,thestudentaspiredtotheheightstowhichthouwouldsthavesprungatasinglebound,hewastrainedfromhisverycradletothecareerhewastorun。Theinternalandtheoutwardnatureweremadecleartohiseyes,yearafteryear,astheyopenedontheday。HewasnotadmittedtothepracticalinitiationtillnotoneearthlywishchainedthatsublimestfacultywhichyoucalltheIMAGINATION,onecarnaldesirecloudedthepenetrativeessencethatyoucalltheINTELLECT。Andeventhen,andatthebest,howfewattainedtothelastmystery! HappierinasmuchastheyattainedtheearliertotheholygloriesforwhichDeathistheheavenliestgate。\" Zanonipaused,andashadeofthoughtandsorrowdarkenedhiscelestialbeauty。 \"Andarethere,indeed,others,besidestheeandMejnour,wholayclaimtothineattributes,andhaveattainedtothysecrets?\" \"Otherstherehavebeenbeforeus,butwetwonowarealoneonearth。\" \"Imposter,thoubetrayestthyself!IftheycouldconquerDeath,whylivetheynotyet?\"(GlyndonappearstoforgetthatMejnourhadbeforeansweredtheveryquestionwhichhisdoubtshereasecondtimesuggest。) \"Childofaday!\"answeredZanoni,mournfully,\"haveInottoldtheetheerrorofourknowledgewastheforgetfulnessofthedesiresandpassionswhichthespiritnevercanwhollyandpermanentlyconquerwhilethismattercloaksit?Canstthouthinkthatitisnosorrow,eithertorejectallhumanties,allfriendship,andalllove,ortosee,dayafterday,friendshipandlovewitherfromourlife,asblossomsfromthestem?Canstthouwonderhow,withthepowertolivewhiletheworldshalllast,ereevenourordinarydatebefinishedweyetmayprefertodie?Wonderratherthattherearetwowhohaveclungsofaithfullytoearth!Me,Iconfess,thatearthcanenamouryet。 Attainingtothelastsecretwhileyouthwasinitsbloom,youthstillcoloursallaroundmewithitsownluxuriantbeauty;tome,yet,tobreatheistoenjoy。ThefreshnesshasnotfadedfromthefaceofNature,andnotanherbinwhichIcannotdiscoveranewcharm,——anundetectedwonder。 Aswithmyyouth,sowithMejnour\'sage:hewilltellyouthatlifetohimisbutapowertoexamine;andnottillhehasexhaustedallthemarvelswhichtheCreatorhassownonearth,wouldhedesirenewhabitationsfortherenewedSpirittoexplore。Wearethetypesofthetwoessencesofwhatisimperishable,——\'ART,thatenjoys;andSCIENCE,thatcontemplates!\'Andnow,thatthoumayestbecontentedthatthesecretsarenotvouchsafedtothee,learnthatsoutterlymusttheideadetachitselffromwhatmakesuptheoccupationandexcitementofmen;somustitbevoidofwhateverwouldcovet,orlove,orhate,——thatfortheambitiousman,forthelover,thehater,thepoweravailsnot。AndI,atlast,boundandblindedbythemostcommonofhouseholdties;I,darkenedandhelpless,adjurethee,thebaffledanddiscontented,——Iadjuretheetodirect,toguideme;wherearethey?Oh,tellme,——speak!Mywife,——mychild?Silent!——oh,thouknowestnowthatIamnosorcerer,noenemy。Icannotgivetheewhatthyfacultiesdeny,——IcannotachievewhatthepassionlessMejnourfailedtoaccomplish;butIcangivetheethenext-bestboon,perhapsthefairest,——Icanreconciletheetothedailyworld,andplacepeacebetweenthyconscienceandthyself。\" \"Wiltthoupromise?\" \"Bytheirsweetlives,Ipromise!\" Glyndonlookedandbelieved。Hewhisperedtheaddresstothehousewhitherhisfatalstepalreadyhadbroughtwoeanddoom。 \"Blesstheeforthis,\"exclaimedZanoni,passionately,\"andthoushaltbeblessed!What!couldstthounotperceivethatattheentrancetoallthegranderworldsdwelltheracethatintimidateandawe?WhointhydailyworldeverlefttheoldregionsofCustomandPrescription,andfeltnotthefirstseizureoftheshapelessandnamelessFear?Everywherearoundtheewheremenaspireandlabour,thoughtheyseeitnot,——intheclosetofthesage,inthecouncilofthedemagogue,inthecampofthewarrior,——everywherecowersanddarkenstheUnutterableHorror。 Butthere,wherethouhastventured,aloneisthePhantomVISIBLE;andneverwillitceasetohaunt,tillthoucanstpasstotheInfinite,astheseraph;orreturntotheFamiliar,asachild!Butanswermethis:when,seekingtoadheretosomecalmresolveofvirtue,thePhantomhathstalkedsuddenlytothyside; whenitsvoicehathwhisperedtheedespair;whenitsghastlyeyeswouldscaretheebacktothosescenesofearthlycraftorriotousexcitementfromwhich,asitleavestheetoworsefoestothesoul,itspresenceiseverabsent,——hastthouneverbravelyresistedthespectreandthineownhorror;hastthouneversaid,\'Comewhatmay,toVirtueIwillcling?\'\" \"Alas!\"answeredGlyndon,\"onlyoflatehaveIdaredtodoso。\" \"AndthouhastfeltthenthatthePhantomgrewmoredimanditspowermorefaint?\" \"Itistrue。\" \"Rejoice,then!——thouhastovercomethetrueterrorandmysteryoftheordeal。Resolveisthefirstsuccess。Rejoice,fortheexorcismissure!Thouartnotofthosewho,denyingalifetocome,arethevictimsoftheInexorableHorror。Oh,whenshallmenlearn,atlast,thatiftheGreatReligioninculcatessorigidlythenecessityofFAITH,itisnotalonethatFAITHleadstotheworldtobe;butthatwithoutfaiththereisnoexcellenceinthis,——faithinsomethingwiser,happier,diviner,thanweseeonearth!——theartistcallsittheIdeal,——thepriest,Faith。 TheIdealandFaithareoneandthesame。Return,Owanderer,return!FeelwhatbeautyandholinessdwellintheCustomaryandtheOld。Backtothygatewayglide,thouHorror!andcalm,onthechildlikeheart,smileagain,OazureHeaven,withthynightandthymorningstarbutasone,thoughunderitsdoublenameofMemoryandHope!\" Ashethusspoke,Zanonilaidhishandgentlyontheburningtemplesofhisexcitedandwonderinglistener;andpresentlyasortoftrancecameoverhim:heimaginedthathewasreturnedtothehomeofhisinfancy;thathewasinthesmallchamberwhere,overhisearlyslumbers,hismotherhadwatchedandprayed。Thereitwas,——visible,palpable,solitary,unaltered。 Intherecess,thehomelybed;onthewalls,theshelvesfilledwithholybooks;theveryeaselonwhichhehadfirstsoughttocalltheidealtothecanvas,dust-covered,broken,inthecorner。Belowthewindowlaytheoldchurchyard:hesawitgreeninthedistance,thesunglancingthroughtheyew-trees;hesawthetombwherefatherandmotherlayunited,andthespirepointinguptoheaven,thesymbolofthehopesofthosewhoconsignedtheashestothedust;inhisearrangthebells,pealing,asonaSabbathday。Farfledallthevisionsofanxietyandawethathadhauntedandconvulsed;youth,boyhood,childhoodcamebacktohimwithinnocentdesiresandhopes;hethoughthefelluponhiskneestopray。Hewoke,——hewokeindelicioustears,hefeltthatthePhantomwasfledforever。Helookedround,——Zanoniwasgone。Onthetablelaytheselines,theinkyetwet:—— \"Iwillfindwaysandmeansforthyescape。Atnightfall,astheclockstrikesnine,aboatshallwaittheeontheriverbeforethishouse;theboatmanwillguidetheetoaretreatwherethoumaystrestinsafetytilltheReignofTerror,whichnearsitsclose,bepast。Thinknomoreofthesensuallovethatlured,andwellnighlostthee。Itbetrayed,andwouldhavedestroyed。 Thouwiltregainthylandinsafety,——longyearsyetsparedtotheetomuseoverthepast,andtoredeemit。Forthyfuture,bethydreamthyguide,andthytearsthybaptism。\" TheEnglishmanobeyedtheinjunctionsoftheletter,andfoundtheirtruth。 CHAPTER7。X。 Quidmiraremeastotinunocorporeformas? Propert。 (WhywonderthatIhavesomanyformsinasinglebody?) ZanonitoMejnour…… \"Sheisinoneoftheirprisons,——theirinexorableprisons。ItisRobespierre\'sorder,——IhavetrackedthecausetoGlyndon。 This,then,madethatterribleconnectionbetweentheirfateswhichIcouldnotunravel,butwhich(tillseveredasitnowis) wrappedGlyndonhimselfinthesamecloudthatconcealedher。Inprison,——inprison!——itisthegateofthegrave!Hertrial,andtheinevitableexecutionthatfollowssuchtrial,isthethirddayfromthis。Thetyranthasfixedallhisschemesofslaughterforthe10thofThermidor。Whilethedeathsoftheunoffendingstrikeawetothecity,hissatellitesaretomassacrehisfoes。 Thereisbutonehopeleft,——thatthePowerwhichnowdoomsthedoomer,mayrendermeaninstrumenttoexpeditehisfall。Buttwodaysleft,——twodays!InallmywealthoftimeIseebuttwodays;allbeyond,——darkness,solitude。Imaysaveheryet。Thetyrantshallfallthedaybeforethatwhichhehassetapartforslaughter!ForthefirsttimeImixamongthebroilsandstratagemsofmen,andmymindleapsupfrommydespair,armedandeagerforthecontest。\"…… AcrowdhadgatheredroundtheRueSt。Honore;ayoungmanwasjustarrestedbytheorderofRobespierre。HewasknowntobeintheserviceofTallien,thathostileleaderintheConvention,whomthetyranthadhithertotrembledtoattack。ThisincidenthadthereforeproducedagreaterexcitementthanacircumstancesocustomaryasanarrestintheReignofTerrormightbesupposedtocreate。AmongstthecrowdweremanyfriendsofTallien,manyfoestothetyrant,manywearyofbeholdingthetigerdraggingvictimaftervictimtoitsden。Hoarse,forebodingmurmurswereheard;fierceeyesglaredupontheofficersastheyseizedtheirprisoner;andthoughtheydidnotyetdareopenlytoresist,thoseintherearpressedonthosebehind,andencumberedthepathofthecaptiveandhiscaptors。 Theyoungmanstruggledhardforescape,and,byaviolenteffort,atlastwrenchedhimselffromthegrasp。Thecrowdmadeway,andclosedroundtoprotecthim,ashedivedanddartedthroughtheirranks;butsuddenlythetramplingofhorseswasheardathand,——thesavageHenriotandhistroopwerebearingdownuponthemob。Thecrowdgavewayinalarm,andtheprisonerwasagainseizedbyoneofthepartisansoftheDictator。Atthatmomentavoicewhisperedtheprisoner,\"Thouhastaletterwhich,iffoundonthee,ruinsthylasthope。Giveittome!I willbearittoTallien。\"Theprisonerturnedinamaze,readsomethingthatencouragedhimintheeyesofthestrangerwhothusaccostedhim。Thetroopwerenowonthespot;theJacobinwhohadseizedtheprisonerreleasedholdofhimforamomenttoescapethehoofsofthehorses:inthatmomenttheopportunitywasfound,——thestrangerhaddisappeared…… AtthehouseofTallientheprincipalfoesofthetyrantwereassembled。Commondangermadecommonfellowship。Allfactionslaidasidetheirfeudsforthehourtouniteagainsttheformidablemanwhowasmarchingoverallfactionstohisgorythrone。TherewasboldLecointre,thedeclaredenemy;there,creepingBarrere,whowouldreconcileallextremes,theheroofthecowards;Barras,calmandcollected;Colletd\'Herbois,breathingwrathandvengeance,andseeingnotthatthecrimesofRobespierrealoneshelteredhisown。 Thecouncilwasagitatedandirresolute。TheawewhichtheuniformsuccessandtheprodigiousenergyofRobespierreexcitedstillheldthegreaterpartunderitscontrol。Tallien,whomthetyrantmostfeared,andwhoalonecouldgiveheadandsubstanceanddirectiontosomanycontradictorypassions,wastoosulliedbythememoryofhisowncrueltiesnottofeelembarrassedbyhispositionasthechampionofmercy。\"Itistrue,\"hesaid,afterananimatingharanguefromLecointre,\"thattheUsurpermenacesusall。Butheisstillsobelovedbyhismobs,——stillsosupportedbyhisJacobins:betterdelayopenhostilitiestillthehourismoreripe。Toattemptandnotsucceedistogiveus,boundhandandfoot,totheguillotine。Everydayhispowermustdecline。Procrastinationisourbestally——\"Whileyetspeaking,andwhileyetproducingtheeffectofwateronthefire,itwasannouncedthatastrangerdemandedtoseehiminstantlyonbusinessthatbrookednodelay。 \"Iamnotatleisure,\"saidtheorator,impatiently。Theservantplacedanoteonthetable。Tallienopenedit,andfoundthesewordsinpencil,\"FromtheprisonofTeresadeFontenai。\"Heturnedpale,startedup,andhastenedtotheanteroom,wherehebeheldafaceentirelystrangetohim。 \"HopeofFrance!\"saidthevisitortohim,andtheverysoundofhisvoicewentstraighttotheheart,——\"yourservantisarrestedinthestreets。Ihavesavedyourlife,andthatofyourwifewhowillbe。IbringtoyouthisletterfromTeresadeFontenai。\" Tallien,withatremblinghand,openedtheletter,andread,—— \"AmIforevertoimploreyouinvain?AgainandagainIsay,\'Losenotanhourifyouvaluemylifeandyourown。\'Mytrialanddeatharefixedthethirddayfromthis,——the10thThermidor。 Strikewhileitisyettime,——strikethemonster!——youhavetwodaysyet。Ifyoufail,——ifyouprocrastinate,——seemeforthelasttimeasIpassyourwindowstotheguillotine!\" \"Hertrialwillgiveproofagainstyou,\"saidthestranger。\"Herdeathistheheraldofyourown。Fearnotthepopulace,——thepopulacewouldhaverescuedyourservant。FearnotRobespierre,——hegiveshimselftoyourhands。To-morrowhecomestotheConvention,——to-morrowyoumustcastthelastthrowforhisheadoryourown。\" \"To-morrowhecomestotheConvention!Andwhoareyouthatknowsowellwhatisconcealedfromme?\" \"Amanlikeyou,whowouldsavethewomanheloves。\" BeforeTalliencouldrecoverhissurprise,thevisitorwasgone。 BackwenttheAvengertohisconclaveanalteredman。\"Ihaveheardtidings,——nomatterwhat,\"hecried,——\"thathavechangedmypurpose。Onthe10thwearedestinedtotheguillotine。I revokemycounselfordelay。RobespierrecomestotheConventionto-morrow;THEREwemustconfrontandcrushhim。FromtheMountainshallfrownagainsthimthegrimshadeofDanton,——fromthePlainshallrise,intheirbloodycerements,thespectresofVergniaudandCondorcet。Frappons!\" \"Frappons!\"criedevenBarrere,startledintoenergybythenewdaringofhiscolleague,——\"frappons!iln\'yaquelesmortsquinereviennentpas。\" Itwasobservable(andthefactmaybefoundinoneofthememoirsofthetime)that,duringthatdayandnight(the7thThermidor),astrangertoallthepreviouseventsofthatstormytimewasseeninvariouspartsofthecity,——inthecafes,theclubs,thehauntsofthevariousfactions;that,totheastonishmentanddismayofhishearers,hetalkedaloudofthecrimesofRobespierre,andpredictedhiscomingfall;and,ashespoke,hestirreduptheheartsofmen,heloosedthebondsoftheirfear,——heinflamedthemwithunwontedrageanddaring。Butwhatsurprisedthemmostwas,thatnovoicereplied,nohandwasliftedagainsthim,nominion,evenofthetyrant,cried,\"Arrestthetraitor。\"Inthatimpunitymenread,asinabook,thatthepopulacehaddesertedthemanofblood。 Onceonlyafierce,brawnyJacobinsprangupfromthetableatwhichhesat,drinkingdeep,and,approachingthestranger,said,\"Iseizethee,inthenameoftheRepublic。\" \"CitizenAristides,\"answeredthestranger,inawhisper,\"gotothelodgingsofRobespierre,——heisfromhome;andintheleftpocketofthevestwhichhecastoffnotanhoursincethouwiltfindapaper;whenthouhastreadthat,return。Iwillawaitthee;andifthouwouldstthenseizeme,Iwillgowithoutastruggle。Lookroundonthoseloweringbrows;touchmeNOW,andthouwiltbetorntopieces。\" TheJacobinfeltasifcompelledtoobeyagainsthiswill。Hewentforthmuttering;hereturned,——thestrangerwasstillthere。 \"Milletonnerres,\"hesaidtohim,\"Ithankthee;thepoltroonhadmynameinhislistfortheguillotine。\" WiththattheJacobinAristidesspranguponthetableandshouted,\"DeathtotheTyrant!\" CHAPTER7。XI。 Lelendemain,8Thermidor,Robespierresedecidaaprononcersonfameuxdiscours。 Thiers,\"Hist。delaRevolution。\" (Thenextday,8thThermidor,Robespierreresolvedtodeliverhiscelebrateddiscourse。) Themorningrose,——the8thofThermidor(July26)。RobespierrehasgonetotheConvention。Hehasgonewithhislabouredspeech;hehasgonewithhisphrasesofphilanthropyandvirtue; hehasgonetosingleouthisprey。Allhisagentsarepreparedforhisreception;thefierceSt。Justhasarrivedfromthearmiestosecondhiscourageandinflamehiswrath。Hisominousapparitionpreparestheaudienceforthecrisis。\"Citizens!\" screechedtheshrillvoiceofRobespierre\"othershaveplacedbeforeyouflatteringpictures;Icometoannouncetoyouusefultruths…… Andtheyattributetome,——tomealone!——whateverofharshoreviliscommitted:itisRobespierrewhowishesit;itisRobespierrewhoordainsit。Isthereanewtax?——itisRobespierrewhoruinsyou。Theycallmetyrant!——andwhy? BecauseIhaveacquiredsomeinfluence;buthow?——inspeakingtruth;andwhopretendsthattruthistobewithoutforceinthemouthsoftheRepresentativesoftheFrenchpeople?Doubtless,truthhasitspower,itsrage,itsdespotism,itsaccents,touching,terrible,whichresoundinthepureheartasintheguiltyconscience;andwhichFalsehoodcannomoreimitatethanSalmoneuscouldforgethethunderboltsofHeaven。WhatamIwhomtheyaccuse?Aslaveofliberty,——alivingmartyroftheRepublic;thevictimastheenemyofcrime!Allruffianismaffrontsme,andactionslegitimateinothersarecrimesinme。 Itisenoughtoknowmetobecalumniated。Itisinmyveryzealthattheydiscovermyguilt。Takefrommemyconscience,andI shouldbethemostmiserableofmen!\" Hepaused;andCouthonwipedhiseyes,andSt。JustmurmuredapplauseaswithsternlookshegazedontherebelliousMountain; andtherewasadead,mournful,andchillingsilencethroughtheaudience。Thetouchingsentimentwokenoecho。 Theoratorcasthiseyesaround。Ho!hewillsoonarousethatapathy。Heproceeds,hepraises,hepitieshimselfnomore。Hedenounces,——heaccuses。Overfloodedwithhisvenom,hevomitsitforthonall。Athome,abroad,finances,war,——onall!Shrillerandsharperrosehisvoice,—— \"Aconspiracyexistsagainstthepublicliberty。ItowesitsstrengthtoacriminalcoalitionintheverybosomoftheConvention;ithasaccomplicesinthebosomoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety……Whatistheremedytothisevil?Topunishthetraitors;topurifythiscommittee;tocrushallfactionsbytheweightoftheNationalAuthority;toraiseupontheirruinsthepowerofLibertyandJustice。SucharetheprinciplesofthatReform。MustIbeambitioustoprofessthem?——thentheprinciplesareproscribed,andTyrannyreignsamongstus!Forwhatcanyouobjecttoamanwhoisintheright,andhasatleastthisknowledge,——heknowshowtodieforhisnativeland! Iammadetocombatcrime,andnottogovernit。Thetime,alas! isnotyetarrivedwhenmenofworthcanservewithimpunitytheircountry。Solongastheknavesrule,thedefendersoflibertywillbeonlytheproscribed。\" Fortwohours,throughthatcoldandgloomyaudience,shrilledtheDeath-speech。Insilenceitbegan,insilenceclosed。Theenemiesoftheoratorwereafraidtoexpressresentment;theyknewnotyettheexactbalanceofpower。Hispartisanswereafraidtoapprove;theyknewnotwhomoftheirownfriendsandrelationstheaccusationsweredesignedtosingleforth。\"Takecare!\"whisperedeachtoeach;\"itisthouwhomhethreatens。\" Butsilentthoughtheaudience,itwas,atthefirst,wellnighsubdued。Therewasstillaboutthisterriblemanthespellofanovermasteringwill。Always——thoughnotwhatiscalledagreatorator——resolute,andsovereignintheuseofwords;wordsseemedasthingswhenutteredbyonewhowithanodmovedthetroopsofHenriot,andinfluencedthejudgmentofReneDumas,grimPresidentoftheTribunal。LecointreofVersaillesrose,andtherewasananxiousmovementofattention;forLecointrewasoneofthefiercestfoesofthetyrant。WhatwasthedismayoftheTallienfaction;whatthecomplacentsmileofCouthon,——whenLecointredemandedonlythattheorationshouldbeprinted!Allseemedparalyzed。AtlengthBourdondel\'Oise,whosenamewasdoublymarkedintheblacklistoftheDictator,stalkedtothetribune,andmovedtheboldcounter-resolution,thatthespeechshouldbereferredtothetwocommitteeswhomthatveryspeechaccused。Stillnoapplausefromtheconspirators;theysattorpidasfrozenmen。TheshrinkingBarrere,everontheprudentside,lookedroundbeforeherose。Herises,andsideswithLecointre!ThenCouthonseizedtheoccasion,andfromhisseat(aprivilegepermittedonlytotheparalyticphilanthropist)(M。 ThiersinhisHistory,volumeiv。page79,makesacuriousblunder:hesays,\"Couthons\'elancealatribune。\'(Couthondartedtowardsthetribune。)PoorCouthon!whosehalfbodywasdead,andwhowasalwayswheeledinhischairintotheConvention,andspokesitting。),andwithhismelodiousvoicesoughttoconvertthecrisisintoatriumph。 Hedemanded,notonlythattheharangueshouldbeprinted,butsenttoallthecommunesandallthearmies。Itwasnecessarytosootheawrongedandulceratedheart。Deputies,themostfaithful,hadbeenaccusedofsheddingblood。\"Ah!ifHEhadcontributedtothedeathofoneinnocentman,heshouldimmolatehimselfwithgrief。\"Beautifultenderness!——andwhilehespoke,hefondledthespanielinhisbosom。Bravo,Couthon! Robespierretriumphs!ThereignofTerrorshallendure!Theoldsubmissionsettlesdovelikebackintheassembly!TheyvotetheprintingoftheDeath-speech,anditstransmissiontoallthemunicipalities。FromthebenchesoftheMountain,Tallien,alarmed,dismayed,impatient,andindignant,casthisgazewheresatthestrangersadmittedtohearthedebates;andsuddenlyhemettheeyesoftheUnknownwhohadbroughttohimtheletterfromTeresadeFontenaitheprecedingday。Theeyesfascinatedhimashegazed。Inaftertimesheoftensaidthattheirregard,fixed,earnest,half-reproachful,andyetcheeringandtriumphant,filledhimwithnewlifeandcourage。Theyspoketohisheartasthetrumpetspeakstothewar-horse。Hemovedfromhisseat;hewhisperedwithhisallies:thespirithehaddrawninwascontagious;themenwhomRobespierreespeciallyhaddenounced,andwhosawtheswordovertheirheads,wokefromtheirtorpidtrance。Vadier,Cambon,Billaud-Varennes,Panis,Amar,roseatonce,——allatoncedemandedspeech。Vadierisfirstheard,therestsucceed。Itburstforth,theMountain,withitsfiresandconsuminglava;flooduponfloodtheyrush,alegionofCicerosuponthestartledCatiline!Robespierrefalters,hesitates,——wouldqualify,retract。Theygathernewcouragefromhisnewfears;theyinterrupthim;theydrownhisvoice;theydemandthereversalofthemotion。AmarmovesagainthatthespeechbereferredtotheCommittees,totheCommittees,——tohisenemies!Confusionandnoiseandclamour! Robespierrewrapshimselfinsilentandsuperbdisdain。Pale,defeated,butnotyetdestroyed,hestands,——astorminthemidstofstorm! Themotioniscarried。AllmenforeseeinthatdefeattheDictator\'sdownfall。Asolitarycryrosefromthegalleries;itwascaughtup;itcircledthroughthehall,theaudience:\"Abasletyrant!Vivelarepublique!\"(Downwiththetyrant!Hurrahfortherepublic!) CHAPTER7。XII。 Aupresd\'uncorpsaussiaviliquelaConvention,ilrestaitdeschancespourqueRobespierresortitvainqueurdecettelutte。 Lacretelle,volumexii。 (AmongstabodysodebasedastheConvention,therestillremainedsomechancesthatRobespierrewouldcomeoffvictorinthestruggle。) AsRobespierreleftthehall,therewasadeadandominoussilenceinthecrowdwithout。Theherd,ineverycountry,sidewithsuccess;andtheratsrunfromthefallingtower。ButRobespierre,whowantedcourage,neverwantedpride,andthelastoftensuppliedtheplaceofthefirst;thoughtfully,andwithanimpenetrablebrow,hepassedthroughthethrong,leaningonSt。 Just,Payanandhisbrotherfollowinghim。 Astheygotintotheopenspace,Robespierreabruptlybrokethesilence。 \"Howmanyheadsweretofalluponthetenth?\" \"Eighty,\"repliedPayan。 \"Ah,wemustnottarrysolong;adaymayloseanempire: terrorismmustserveusyet!\" Hewassilentafewmoments,andhiseyesrovedsuspiciouslythroughthestreet。 \"St。Just,\"hesaidabruptly,\"theyhavenotfoundthisEnglishmanwhoserevelations,orwhosetrial,wouldhavecrushedtheAmarsandtheTalliens。No,no!myJacobinsthemselvesaregrowingdullandblind。Buttheyhaveseizedawoman,——onlyawoman!\" \"Awoman\'shandstabbedMarat,\"saidSt。Just。Robespierrestoppedshort,andbreathedhard。 \"St。Just,\"saidhe,\"whenthisperilispast,wewillfoundtheReignofPeace。Thereshallbehomesandgardenssetapartfortheold。Davidisalreadydesigningtheporticos。Virtuousmenshallbeappointedtoinstructtheyoung。AllviceanddisordershallbeNOTexterminated——no,no!onlybanished!Wemustnotdieyet。Posteritycannotjudgeustillourworkisdone。WehaverecalledL\'EtreSupreme;wemustnowremodelthiscorruptedworld。Allshallbeloveandbrotherhood;and——ho!Simon! Simon!——hold!Yourpencil,St。Just!\"AndRobespierrewrotehastily。\"ThistoCitizenPresidentDumas。Gowithitquick,Simon。TheseeightyheadsmustfallTO-MORROW,——TO-MORROW,Simon。Dumaswilladvancetheirtrialaday。IwillwritetoFouquier-Tinville,thepublicaccuser。WemeetattheJacobinsto-night,Simon;therewewilldenouncetheConventionitself; therewewillrallyroundusthelastfriendsoflibertyandFrance。\" Ashoutwasheardinthedistancebehind,\"Vivelarepublique!\" Thetyrant\'seyeshotavindictivegleam。\"Therepublic!——faugh! Wedidnotdestroythethroneofathousandyearsforthatcanaille!\" THETRIAL,THEEXECUTION,OFTHEVICTIMSISADVANCEDADAY!Bytheaidofthemysteriousintelligencethathadguidedandanimatedhimhitherto,Zanonilearnedthathisartshadbeeninvain。HeknewthatViolawassafe,ifshecouldbutsurviveanhourthelifeofthetyrant。HeknewthatRobespierre\'shourswerenumbered;thatthe10thofThermidor,onwhichhehadoriginallydesignedtheexecutionofhislastvictims,wouldseehimselfatthescaffold。Zanonihadtoiled,hadschemedforthefalloftheButcherandhisreign。Towhatend?Asinglewordfromthetyranthadbaffledtheresultofall。TheexecutionofViolaisadvancedaday。Vainseer,whowouldstmakethyselftheinstrumentoftheEternal,theverydangersthatnowbesetthetyrantbutexpeditethedoomofhisvictims!To-morrow,eightyheads,andherswhosepillowhasbeenthyheart!To-morrow!andMaximilienissafeto-night! CHAPTER7。XIII。 ErdemagzuruckinErdestauben; FliegtderGeistdochausdemmorschenHaus。 SeineAschemagderSturmwindtreiben,SeinLebendauertewigaus! Elegie。 (Earthmaycrumblebackintoearth;theSpiritwillstillescapefromitsfrailtenement。Thewindofthestormmayscatterhisashes;hisbeingenduresforever。) To-morrow!——anditisalreadytwilight。Oneafterone,thegentlestarscomesmilingthroughtheheaven。TheSeine,initsslowwaters,yettrembleswiththelastkissoftherosyday;andstillintheblueskygleamsthespireofNotreDame;andstillintheblueskyloomstheguillotinebytheBarriereduTrone。 Turntothattime-wornbuilding,oncethechurchandtheconventoftheFreres-Precheurs,knownbythethenholynameofJacobins; therethenewJacobinsholdtheirclub。There,inthatoblonghall,oncethelibraryofthepeacefulmonks,assembletheidolatersofSt。Robespierre。Twoimmensetribunes,raisedateitherend,containtheleesanddregsoftheatrociouspopulace,——themajorityofthataudienceconsistingofthefuriesoftheguillotine(furiesdeguillotine)。Inthemidstofthehallarethebureauandchairofthepresident,——thechairlongpreservedbythepietyofthemonksastherelicofSt。ThomasAquinas!AbovethisseatscowlstheharshbustofBrutus。Anironlampandtwobranchesscatteroverthevastroomamurky,fuliginousray,beneaththelightofwhichthefiercefacesofthatPandemoniumseemmoregrimandhaggard。There,fromtheorator\'stribune,shriekstheshrillwrathofRobespierre! Meanwhileallischaos,disorder,halfdaringandhalfcowardice,intheCommitteeofhisfoes。Rumoursflyfromstreettostreet,fromhaunttohaunt,fromhousetohouse。Theswallowsflitlow,andthecattlegrouptogetherbeforethestorm。Andabovethisroarofthelivesandthingsofthelittlehour,aloneinhischamberstoodheonwhosestarryyouth——symboloftheimperishablebloomofthecalmIdealamidstthemoulderingActual——thecloudsofageshadrolledinvain。 Allthoseexertionswhichordinarywitandcouragecouldsuggesthadbeentriedinvain。AllsuchexertionsWEREinvain,where,inthatSaturnaliaofdeath,alifewastheobject。NothingbutthefallofRobespierrecouldhavesavedhisvictims;now,toolate,thatfallwouldonlyservetoavenge。 Oncemore,inthatlastagonyofexcitementanddespair,theseerhadplungedintosolitude,toinvokeagaintheaidorcounselofthosemysteriousintermediatesbetweenearthandheavenwhohadrenouncedtheintercourseofthespiritwhensubjectedtothecommonbondageofthemortal。Intheintensedesireandanguishofhisheart,perhaps,layapowernotyetcalledforth;forwhohasnotfeltthatthesharpnessofextremegriefcutsandgrindsawaymanyofthosestrongestbondsofinfirmityanddoubtwhichbinddownthesoulsofmentothecabineddarknessofthehour; andthatfromthecloudandthunderstormoftenswoopstheOlympianeaglethatcanravishusaloft! Andtheinvocationwasheard,——thebondageofsensewasrentawayfromthevisualmind。Helooked,andsaw,——no,notthebeinghehadcalled,withitslimbsoflightandunutterablytranquilsmile——nothisfamiliar,Adon-Ai,theSonofGloryandtheStar,buttheEvilOmen,thedarkChimera,theimplacableFoe,withexultationandmaliceburninginitshell-liteyes。TheSpectre,nolongercoweringandretreatingintoshadow,rosebeforehim,giganticanderect;theface,whoseveilnomortalhandhadeverraised,wasstillconcealed,buttheformwasmoredistinct,corporeal,andcastfromit,asanatmosphere,horrorandrageandawe。Asaniceberg,thebreathofthatpresencefrozetheair;asacloud,itfilledthechamberandblackenedthestarsfromheaven。 \"Lo!\"saiditsvoice,\"Iamhereoncemore。Thouhastrobbedmeofameanerprey。NowexorciseTHYSELFfrommypower!Thylifehasleftthee,toliveintheheartofadaughterofthecharnelandtheworm。InthatlifeIcometotheewithmyinexorabletread。ThouartreturnedtotheThreshold,——thou,whosestepshavetroddenthevergesoftheInfinite!Andasthegoblinofitsfantasyseizesonachildinthedark,——mightyone,whowouldstconquerDeath,——Iseizeonthee!\" \"Backtothythraldom,slave!Ifthouartcometothevoicethatcalledtheenot,itisagainnottocommand,buttoobey!Thou,fromwhosewhisperIgainedtheboonsoftheliveslovelieranddearerthanmyown;thou——Icommandthee,notbyspellandcharm,butbytheforceofasoulmightierthanthemaliceofthybeing,——thouservemeyet,andspeakagainthesecretthatcanrescuethelivesthouhast,bypermissionoftheUniversalMaster,permittedmetoretainawhileinthetempleoftheclay!\" Brighterandmoredevouringlyburnedtheglarefromthoselurideyes;morevisibleandcolossalyetrosethedilatingshape;ayetfiercerandmoredisdainfulhatespokeinthevoicethatanswered,\"Didstthouthinkthatmyboonwouldbeotherthanthycurse?HappyfortheehadstthoumournedoverthedeathswhichcomebythegentlehandofNature,——hadstthouneverknownhowthenameofmotherconsecratesthefaceofBeauty,andnever,bendingoverthyfirst-born,felttheimperishablesweetnessofafather\'slove!Theyaresaved,forwhat?——themother,forthedeathofviolenceandshameandblood,forthedoomsman\'shandtoputasidethatshininghairwhichhasentangledthybridegroomkisses;thechild,firstandlastofthineoffspring,inwhomthoudidsthopetofoundaracethatshouldhearwiththeethemusicofcelestialharps,andfloat,bythesideofthyfamiliar,Adon-Ai,throughtheazureriversofjoy,——thechild,toliveonafewdaysasafungusinaburial-vault,athingoftheloathsomedungeon,dyingofcrueltyandneglectandfamine。Ha! ha!thouwhowouldstbaffleDeath,learnhowthedeathlessdieiftheydaretolovethemortal。Now,Chaldean,beholdmyboons! NowIseizeandwraptheewiththepestilenceofmypresence; now,evermore,tillthylongraceisrun,mineeyesshallglowintothybrain,andminearmsshallclaspthee,whenthouwouldsttakethewingsoftheMorningandfleefromtheembraceofNight!\" \"Itellthee,no!AndagainIcompelthee,speakandanswertothelordwhocancommandhisslave。Iknow,thoughmylorefailsme,andthereedsonwhichIleanedpiercemyside,——IknowyetthatitiswrittenthatthelifeofwhichIquestioncanbesavedfromtheheadsman。Thouwrappestherfutureinthedarknessofthyshadow,butthoucanstnotshapeit。Thoumayestforeshowtheantidote;thoucanstnoteffectthebane。FromtheeIwringthesecret,thoughittorturetheetonameit。Iapproachthee,——Ilookdauntlessintothineeyes。Thesoulthatlovescandareallthings。Shadow,Idefythee,andcompel!\" Thespectrewanedandrecoiled。Likeavapourthatlessensasthesunpiercesandpervadesit,theformshrankcoweringanddwarfedinthedimmerdistance,andthroughthecasementagainrushedthestars。 \"Yes,\"saidtheVoice,withafaintandhollowaccent,\"thouCANSTsaveherfromtheheadsman;foritiswritten,thatsacrificecansave。Ha!ha!\"Andtheshapeagainsuddenlydilatedintothegloomofitsgiantstature,anditsghastlylaughexulted,asiftheFoe,amomentbaffled,hadregaineditsmight。\"Ha!ha!——thoucanstsaveherlife,ifthouwiltsacrificethineown!Isitforthisthouhastlivedonthroughcrumblingempiresandcountlessgenerationsofthyrace?AtlastshallDeathreclaimthee?Wouldstthousaveher?——DIEFORHER! Fall,Ostatelycolumn,overwhichstarsyetunformedmaygleam,——fall,thattheherbatthybasemaydrinkafewhourslongerthesunlightandthedews!Silent!Artthoureadyforthesacrifice?See,themoonmovesupthroughheaven。Beautifulandwiseone,wiltthoubidhersmileto-morrowonthyheadlessclay?\" \"Back!formysoul,inansweringtheefromdepthswherethoucanstnothearit,hasregaineditsglory;andIhearthewingsofAdon-Aiglidingmusicalthroughtheair。\" Hespoke;and,withalowshriekofbaffledrageandhate,theThingwasgone,andthroughtheroomrushed,luminousandsudden,thePresenceofsilverylight。 Astheheavenlyvisitorstoodintheatmosphereofhisownlustre,andlookeduponthefaceoftheTheurgistwithanaspectofineffabletendernessandlove,allspaceseemedlightedfromhissmile。Alongtheblueairwithout,fromthatchamberinwhichhiswingshadhalted,tothefartheststarintheazuredistance,itseemedasifthetrackofhisflightwerevisible,byalengthenedsplendourintheair,likethecolumnofmoonlightonthesea。Liketheflowerthatdiffusesperfumeastheverybreathofitslife,sotheemanationofthatpresencewasjoy。Overtheworld,asamilliontimesswifterthanlight,thanelectricity,theSonofGloryhadspedhiswaytothesideoflove,hiswingshadscattereddelightasthemorningscattersdew。Forthatbriefmoment,Povertyhadceasedtomourn,Diseasefledfromitsprey,andHopebreathedadreamofHeavenintothedarknessofDespair。 \"Thouartright,\"saidthemelodiousVoice。\"Thycouragehasrestoredthypower。Oncemore,inthehauntsofearth,thysoulcharmsmetothyside。Wisernow,inthemomentwhenthoucomprehendestDeath,thanwhenthyunfetteredspiritlearnedthesolemnmysteryofLife;thehumanaffectionsthatthralledandhumbledtheeawhilebringtothee,intheselasthoursofthymortality,thesublimestheritageofthyrace,——theeternitythatcommencesfromthegrave。\" \"OAdon-Ai,\"saidtheChaldean,as,circumfusedinthesplendourofthevisitant,aglorymoreradiantthanhumanbeautysettledroundhisform,andseemedalreadytobelongtotheeternityofwhichtheBrightOnespoke,\"asmen,beforetheydie,seeandcomprehendtheenigmashiddenfromthembefore(Thegreatestpoet,andoneofthenoblestthinkers,ofthelastage,said,onhisdeathbed,\"Manythingsobscuretomebefore,nowclearup,andbecomevisible。\"——Seethe\"LifeofSchiller。\"),sointhishour,whenthesacrificeofselftoanotherbringsthecourseofagestoitsgoal,IseethelittlenessofLife,comparedtothemajestyofDeath;butoh,DivineConsoler,evenhere,eveninthypresence,theaffectionsthatinspireme,sadden。Toleavebehindmeinthisbadworld,unaided,unprotected,thoseforwhomIdie!thewife!thechild!——oh,speakcomforttomeinthis!\" \"Andwhat,\"saidthevisitor,withaslightaccentofreproofinthetoneofcelestialpity,——\"what,withallthywisdomandthystarrysecrets,withallthyempireofthepast,andthyvisionsofthefuture;whatartthoutotheAll-DirectingandOmniscient? CanstthouyetimaginethatthypresenceonearthcangivetotheheartsthoulovesttheshelterwhichthehumblesttakefromthewingsofthePresencethatlivesinheaven?Fearnotthoufortheirfuture。Whetherthouliveordie,theirfutureisthecareoftheMostHigh!InthedungeonandonthescaffoldlookseverlastingtheEyeofHIM,tendererthanthoutolove,wiserthanthoutoguide,mightierthanthoutosave!\" Zanonibowedhishead;andwhenhelookedupagain,thelastshadowhadlefthisbrow。Thevisitorwasgone;butstillthegloryofhispresenceseemedtoshineuponthespot,stillthesolitaryairseemedtomurmurwithtremulousdelight。Andthusevershallitbewiththosewhohaveonce,detachingthemselvesutterlyfromlife,receivedthevisitoftheAngelFAITH。 Solitudeandspaceretainthesplendour,anditsettleslikeahaloroundtheirgraves。 CHAPTER7。XIV。 DannzurBlumenflorderSterneAufgeschauetliebewarm,Fass\'ihnfreundlichArminArmTrag\'ihnindieblaueFerne。 Uhland,\"AndenTod。\" ThentowardstheGardenoftheStarLiftupthineaspectwarmwithlove,And,friendlikelink\'dthroughspaceafar,Mountwithhim,arminarm,above。 Uhland,\"PoemtoDeath。\" Hestoodupontheloftybalconythatoverlookedthequietcity。 Thoughafar,thefiercestpassionsofmenwereatworkonthewebofstrifeanddoom,allthatgaveitselftohisviewwascalmandstillintheraysofthesummermoon,forhissoulwaswrappedfrommanandman\'snarrowsphere,andonlytheserenergloriesofcreationwerepresenttothevisionoftheseer。Therehestood,aloneandthoughtful,totakethelastfarewellofthewondrouslifethathehadknown。 Coursingthroughthefieldsofspace,hebeheldthegossamershapes,whosechoraljoyshisspirithadsooftenshared。There,groupupongroup,theycircledinthestarrysilencemultiformintheunimaginablebeautyofabeingfedbyambrosialdewsandserenestlight。Inhistrance,alltheuniversestretchedvisiblebeyond;inthegreenvalleysafar,hesawthedancesofthefairies;inthebowelsofthemountains,hebeheldtheracethatbreathetheluridairofthevolcanoes,andhidefromthe