第7章

Worshippingandwonderstruckallpeoplesoftheworld，Blinded，shallfallbeforeourbeautyandourmight。 Fromtimeuntotimesshallourgreatnessthunderon，Rollinglikeachariotthroughthedustofendlessdays。 Laughingshallwespeedinourvictoryandpomp，LaughingliketheDaylightasheleapsalongthehills。 Onward，stilltriumphanttoatriumphevernew！ Onward，inourpowertoapowerunattained！ Onward，neverweary，cladwithsplendorforarobe！ Tillaccomplishedbeourlate，andthenightisrushingdown。” _i_She_i_pausedinherstrangeandmostthrillingallegoricalchant，ofwhichIam，unfortunately，onlyabletogivetheburden，andthatfeeblyenough，andthensaid，“Perchancethoudostnotbelievemyword，Kallikrates—— perchancethouthinkestthatIdodeludethee，andthatIhavenotlivedthesemanyyears，andthatthouhastnotbeenbornagaintome。Nay，looknotso——putawaythatpalecastofdoubt，foroh，besurehereincanerrorfindnofoothold！Soonershallthesunsforgettheircourseandtheswallowmisshernest，thanmysoulshallswearalieandbeledastrayfromthee，Kallikrates。Blindme，takeawaymineeyes，andletthedarknessutterlyfencemein，andstillmineearswouldcatchthetoneofthineunforgottenvoice，strikingmoreloudagainsttheportalsofmysensethancanthecallofbrazen-throatedclarions——stopupminehearingalso，andletathousandtouchmeonthebrow，andIwouldnametheeoutofall——yea，robmeofeverysense，andseemestanddeafandblindanddumb，andwithnervesthatcannotweighthevalueofatouch，yetwouldmyspiritleapwithinmelikeaquickeningchildandcryuntomyheart，beholdKallikrates！behold，thouwatcher，thewatchesofthynightareended！behold，thouwhoseekestinthenightseason，thymorningStarariseth。” _i_She_i_pausedawhileandthencontinued，“Butstay，ifthyheartisyethardenedagainstthemightytruthandthoudostrequireafurtherpledgeofthatwhichthoudostfindtoodeeptounderstand，even：nowshallitbegiventothee，andtotheealso，OmyHolly。Beareachoneofyoualamp，andfollowaftermewhitherIshallleadyou。” Withoutstoppingtothink——indeed，speakingformyself，Ihadalmostabandonedthefunctionincircumstancesunderwhichtothinkseemedtobeabsolutelyuseless，sincethoughtfell，hourly，helplessagainstablackwallofwonder——wetookthelampsandfollowedher。Goingtotheendofher“boudoir，“sheraisedacurtainandrevealedalittlestairofthesortthatwassocommoninthesedimcavesofKo^r。AswehurrieddownthestairIobservedthatthestepswereworninthecentretosuchanextentthatsomeofthemhadbeenreducedfromsevenandahalfinches，atwhichIguessedtheiroriginalheight，toaboutthreeandahalt。Now，alltheotherstepsthatIhadseeninthecaveshadbeenpracticallyunworn，aswastobeexpected，seeingthattheonlytrafficwhicheverpasseduponthemwasthatofthosewhoboreafreshburdentothetomb。 Thereforethisfactstruckmynoticewiththatcuriousforcewithwhichlittlethingsdostrikeuswhenourmindsareabsolutelyoverwhelmedbyasuddenrushofpowerfulsensations;beatenflat，asitwere，likeaseabeneaththefirstburstofahurricane，sothateverylittleobjectonthesurfacestartsintoanunnaturalprominence。 AtthebottomofthestaircaseIstoodandstaredatthewornsteps，andAyesha，turning，sawme。 “Wondersthouwhosearethefeetthathavewornawaytherock，myHolly？”sheasked。“Theyaremine——evenmineownlightfeet！Icanrememberwhenthesestairswerefreshandlevel，butfortwothousandyearsandmorehaveIgonedownhitherdaybyday，andsee，mysandalshavewornoutthesolidrock！” Imadenoanswer，butIdonotthinkthatanythingthatIhadheardorseenbroughthometomylimitedunderstandingsoclearasenseofthisbeing’soverwhelmingantiquityasthathardrockhollowedoutbyhersoft，whitefeet。Howmanymillionsoftimesmustshehavepassedupanddownthatstairtobringaboutsucharesult？ Thestairledtoatunnel，andafewpacesdownthetunnelwasoneoftheusualcurtain-hungdoorways，aglanceatwhichtoldmethatitwasthesamewhereI hadbeenawitnessofthatterriblescenebytheleapingflame。Irecognizedthepatternofthecurtain，andthesightofitbroughtthewholeeventvividlybeforemyeyes，andmademetrembleevenatitsmemory。Ayeshaenteredthetomb(foritwasatomb)，andwefollowedher——I，forone，rejoicingthatthemysteryoftheplacewasabouttobeclearedup，andyetafraidtofaceitssolution。 CHAPTERXXI—— THEDEADANDLIVINGMEET “SEEnowtheplacewhereIhavesleptforthesetwothousandyears，“saidAyesha，takingthelampfromLeo’shandandholdingitaboveherhead。Itsraysfelluponalittlehollowinthefloor，whereIhadseentheleapingflame，butthefirewasoutnow。Theyfelluponthewhiteformstretchedtherebeneathitswrappingsuponitsbedofstone，uponthefrettedcarvingofthetomb，anduponanothershelfofstoneoppositetheoneonwhichthebodylay，andseparatedfromitbythebreadthofthecave。 “Here，“wentonAyesha，layingherhandupontherock—— “herehaveIsleptnightbynightforallthesegenerations，withbutacloaktocoverme。ItdidnotbecomemethatIshouldliesoftwhenmyspouseyonder，“andshepointedtotherigidform，“laystiffindeath。HerenightbynighthaveIsleptinhiscoldcompany——till，thouseest，thisthickslab，likethestairsdownwhichwepassed，haswornthinwiththetossingofmyform——sofaithfulhaveIbeentotheeeveninthyspaceofsleep，Kallikrates。Andnow，mineown，thoushaltseeawonderfulthing——living，thoushaltbeholdthyselfdead——forwellhaveItendedtheeduringalltheseyears，Kallikrates。Artthouprepared？” Wemadenoanswer，butgazedateachotherwithfrightenedeyes，thewholescenewassodreadfulandsosolemn。Ayeshaadvanced，andlaidherhanduponthecorneroftheshroud，andoncemorespoke。 “Benotaffrighted，“shesaid;“thoughthethingseemwonderfultothee——allwewholivehavethuslivedbefore;noristheveryshapethatholdsusastrangertothesun！Onlyweknowitnot，becausememorywritesnorecord，andearthhathgatheredintheearthshelentus，fornonehavesavedourgloryfromthegrave。 ButI，bymyartsandbytheartsofthosedeadmenofKo^rwhichIhavelearned，haveheldtheeback，O Kallikrates，fromthedust，thatthewaxenstampofbeautyonthyfaceshouldeverrestbeforemineeye。 ’Twasamaskthatmemorymightfill，servingtofashionoutthypresencefromthepast，andgiveitstrengthtowanderinthehabitationsofmythought，cladinamummeryoflifethatstayedmyappetitewithvisionsofdeaddays。 “Beholdnow，lettheDeadandLivingmeet！AcrossthegulfofTimetheystillareone。Timehathnopoweragainstidentity，thoughsleepthemercifulhathblottedoutthetabletsofourmind，andwithoblivionsealedthesorrowsthatelsewouldhoundusfromlifetolife，stuffingthebrainwithgatheredgriefstillitburstinthemadnessofuttermostdespair。Stillaretheyone，forthewrappingsofoursleepshallrollawayasthunder-cloudsbeforethewind;thefrozenvoicesofthepastshallmeltinmusiclikemountainsnowsbeneaththesun;andtheweepingandthelaughterofthelosthoursshallbeheardoncemoremostsweetlyechoingupthecliffsofimmeasurabletime。 “Ay，thesleepshallrollaway，andthevoicesshallbeheard，whendownthecompletedchain，whereofoureachexistenceisalink，thelightningoftheSpirithathpassedtoworkoutthepurposeofourbeing; quickeningandfusingthoseseparateddaysoflife，andshapingthemtoastaffwhereonwemaysafelyleanaswewendtoourappointedfate。 “Therefore，havenofear，Kallikrates，whenthou—— living，andbutlatelyborn——shaltlookuponthineowndepartedself，whobreathedanddiedsolongago。IdobutturnonepageinthyBookofBeing，andshowtheewhatiswritthereon。 “_i_Behold_i_“ Withasuddenmotionshedrewtheshroudfromthecoldform，andletthelamplightplayuponit。Ilooked，andthenshrankbackterrified;since，saywhatshemightinexplanation，thesightwasanuncannyone—— forherexplanationswerebeyondthegraspofourfiniteminds，andwhentheywerestrippedfromthemistsofvagueesotericphilosophy，andbroughtintoconflictwiththecoldandhorrifyingfact，didnotdomuchtobreakitsforce。Forthere，stretcheduponthestonebierbeforeus，robedinwhiteandperfectlypreserved，waswhatappearedtobethebodyofLeoVincey。IstaredfromLeo，standingtherealive，toLeolyingtheredead，andcouldseenodifference; except，perhaps，thatthebodyonthebierlookedolder。Featureforfeaturetheywerethesame，evendowntothecropoflittlegoldencurls，whichwasLeo’smostuncommonbeauty。Itevenseemedtome，asI looked，thattheexpressiononthedeadman’sfaceresembledthatwhichIhadsometimesseenuponLeo’swhenhewasplungedintoprofoundsleep。IcanonlysumuptheclosenessoftheresemblancebysayingthatIneversawtwinssoexactlysimilarasthatdeadandlivingpair。 IturnedtoseewhateffectwasproduceduponLeobythissightofhisdeadself，andfoundittobeoneofpartialstupefaction。Hestoodfortwoorthreeminutesstaringandsaidnothing，andwhenatlasthespokeitwasonlytoejaculate—— “Coveritupandtakemeaway。” “Nay，wait，Kallikrates，“saidAyesha，who，standingwiththelampraisedaboveherhead，floodingwithitslightherownrichbeautyandthecoldwonderofthedeath-clothedformuponthebier，resembledaninspiredSibylratherthanawoman，assherolledouthermajesticsentenceswithagrandeurandafreedomofutterancewhichIam，alas！quiteunabletoreproduce。 “Wait;Iwouldshowtheesomething，thatnotittleofmycrimemay。behiddenfromthee。Dothou，OHolly，openthegarmentonthebreastofthedeadKallikrates，forperchancemylordmayfeartotouchhimself。” Iobeyedwithtremblinghands。Itseemedadesecrationandanunhallowedthingtotouchthatsleepingimageofthelivemanbymyside。Presentlyhisbroadchestwasbare，andthereuponit，rightovertheheart，wasawound，evidentlyinflictedwithaspear。 “Thouseest，Kallikrates，“shesaid。“KnowthenthatitwasIwhoslewthee;inthePlaceofLifeIgavetheedeath。IslewtheebecauseoftheEgyptianAmenartas，whomthoudidstlove，forbyherwilessheheldthyheart，andherIcouldnotsmiteasbutnowI smotethewoman，forshewastoostrongforme。InmyhasteandbitterangerIslewthee，andnowforallthesedayshaveIlamentedthee，andwaitedforthycoming。Andthouhastcome，andnonecanstandbetweentheeandme，andofatruthnowfordeathIwillgivetheelife——notlifeeternal，forthatnonecangive，butlifeandyouththatshallendureforthousandsuponthousandsofyears，andwithitpompandpowerandwealth，andallthingsthataregoodandbeautiful，suchashavebeentonomanbeforethee，norshallbetoanymanwhocomesafter。Andnowonethingmore，andthoushaltrestandmakereadyforthedayofthynewbirth。Thouseestthisbody，whichwasthineown。Forallthesecenturiesithathbeenmycoldcomfortandmycompanion，butnowIneeditnomore，forIhavethylivingpresence，anditcanbutservetostirupmemoriesofthatwhichIwouldfainforget。LetitthereforegobacktothedustfromwhichIheldit。 “Behold！Ihavepreparedagainstthishappyhour！”andgoingtotheothershelforstoneledge，which，shesaid，hadservedherforabed，shetookfromitalargevitrifieddouble-handedvase，themouthofwhichwastiedupwithabladder。Thissheloosed，andthen，havingbentdownandgentlykissedthewhiteforeheadofthedeadman，sheundidthevase，andsprinkleditscontentscarefullyovertheform，taking，Iobserved，thegreatestprecautionsagainstanydropofittouchingusorherself，andthenpouredoutwhatremainedoftheliquiduponthechestandhead。 Instantlyadensevaporarose，andthecavewasfilledwithchokingfumesthatpreventedusfromseeinganythingwhilethedeadlyacid(forIpresumeitwassometremendouspreparationofthatsort)diditswork。Fromthespotwherethebodylaycameafiercefizzingandcrackingsound，whichceased，however，beforethefumeshadclearedaway。Atlasttheywereallgone，exceptalittlecloudthatstillhungoverthecorpse。Inacoupleofminutesmorethistoohadvanished，and，wonderfulasitmayseem，itisafactthatonthestonebenchthathadsupportedthemortalremainsoftheancientKallikratesforsomanycenturiestherewasnownothingtobeseenbutafewhandfulsofsmokingwhitepowder。Theacidhadutterlydestroyedthebody，andeveninplaceseatenintothestone。Ayeshastoopeddown，and，takingahandfulofthispowderinhergrasp，threwitintotheair，sayingatthesametime，inavoiceofcalmsolemnity—— “Dusttodust！thepasttothepast！thedeadtothedead！Kallikratesisdead，andisbornagain！” Theashesfloatednoiselesslytotherockyfloor，andwestoodinawedsilenceandwatchedthemfall，tooovercomeforwords。 “Nowleaveme，“shesaid，“andsleepifyemay。Imustwatchandthink，forto-morrownightwegohence，andthetimeislongsinceItrodthepaththatwemustfollow。” Accordinglywebowed，andlefther。AswepassedtoourownapartmentIpeepedintoJob’ssleeping-placetoseehowhefared，forhehadgoneawayjustbeforeourinterviewwiththemurderedUstane，quiteprostratedbytheterrorsoftheAmahaggerfestivity。 Heassleepingsoundly，goodhonestfellowthathewas，andIrejoicedtothinkthathisnerves，which，likethoseofmostuneducatedpeople，werefarfromstrong，hadbeensparedtheclosingscenesofthisdreadfulday。Then。weenteredourownchamber，andhereatlastpoorLeo，who，eversincehehadlookeduponthatfrozenimageofhislivingself，hadbeeninastatenotfarremovedfromstupefaction，burstoutintoatorrentofgrief。Nowthathewasnolongerinthepresenceofthedread_i_She_i_，hissenseoftheawfulnessofallthathadhappened，andmoreespeciallyofthewickedmurderofUstane，whowasboundtohimbytiessoclose，brokeuponhimlikeastorm，andlashedhimintoanagonyofremorseandterrorwhichwaspainfultowitness。Hecursedhimself——hecursedthehourwhenwehadfirstseenthewritingonthesherd，whichwasbeingsomysteriouslyverified，andbitterlyhecursedhisownweakness。 Ayeshahedarednotcurse——whodaredspeakevilofsuchawoman，whoseconsciousness，foraughtweknew，waswatchingusattheverymoment？ “WhatamItodo，oldfellow？”hegroaned，restinghisheadagainstmyshoulderintheextremityofhisgrief。“Iletherbekilled——notthatIcouldhelpthat，butwithinfiveminutesIwaskissinghermurderessoverherbody。Iamadegradedbrute，butI cannotresistthat“(andherehisvoicesank)——“thatawfulsorceress。IknowIshalldoitagainto-morrow; IknowthatIaminherpowerforalways;ifIneversawheragainIshouldneverthinkofanybodyelseduringallmylife;Imustfollowherasaneedlefollowsamagnet;IwouldnotgoawaynowifIcould; Icouldnotleaveher，mylegswouldnotcarryme，butmymindisstillclearenough，andinmymindIhateher——atleast，Ithinkso。Itisallsohorrible;andthat——thatbody！WhatcanImakeofit？Itwasme！I amsoldintobondage，oldfellow，andshewilltakemysoulasthepriceofherself。” Then，forthefirsttime，ItoldhimthatIwasinabutverylittlebetterposition;andIamboundtosaythat，notwithstandinghisowninfatuation，hehadthedecencytosympathizewithme。Perhapshedidnotthinkitworthwhilebeingjealous，realizingthathehadnocausesofarastheladywasconcerned。Iwentontosuggestthatweshouldtrytorunaway，butwesoonrejectedtheprojectasfutile，and，tobeperfectlyhonest，IdonotbelievethateitherofuswouldreallyhaveleftAyeshaevenifsomesuperiorpowerhadsuddenlyofferedtoconveyusfromthesegloomycavesandsetusdowninCambridge。Wecouldnomorehaveleftherthanamothcanleavethelightthatdestroysit。Wewerelikeconfirmedopiumeaters; inourmomentsofreasonwewellknewthedeadlynatureofourpursuit，butwecertainlywerenotpreparedtoabandonitsterribledelights。 Nomanwhooncehadseen_i_She_i_unveiled，andheardthemusicofhervoice，anddrunkinthebitterwisdomofherwords，wouldwillinglygiveupthesightforawholeseaofplacidjoys。Howmuchmorethenwasthislikelytobesowhen，asinLeo’scase，toputmyselfoutofthequestion，thisextraordinarycreaturedeclaredherutterandabsolutedevotion，andgavewhatappearedtobeproofsofitshavinglastedforsometwothousandyears？ Nodoubtshewasawickedperson，andnodoubtshehadmurderedUstanewhenshestoodinherpath，butthenshewasveryfaithful，andbyalawofnaturemanisapttothinkbutlightlyofawoman’scrimes，especiallyifthatwomanbebeautiful，andthecrimebecommittedfortheloveofhim。 Andthenfortherest，whenhadsuchachanceevercometoamanbeforeasthatwhichnowlayinLeo’shand？True，inunitinghimselftothisdreadwoman，hewouldplacehislifeundertheinfluenceofamysteriouscreatureofeviltendencies，butthenthatwouldbelikelyenoughtohappentohiminanyordinarymarriage。Ontheotherhand，however，noordinarymarriagecouldbringhimsuchawfulbeauty—— forawfulistheonlywordthatcandescribeit——suchdivinedevotion，suchwisdom，andcommandoverthesecretsofnature，andtheplaceandpowerthattheymustwin，or，lastly，theroyalcrownofunendingyouth，ifindeedshecouldgivethat。No，onthewhole，itisnotwonderfulthatthoughLeowasplungedinbittershameandgrief，suchasanygentlemanwouldhavefeltunderthecircumstances，hewasnotreadytoentertaintheideaofrunningawayfromhisextraordinaryfortune。 Myownopinionisthathewouldhavebeenmadifhehaddoneso。ButthenIconfessthatmystatementonthemattermustbeacceptedwithqualifications。IaminlovewithAyeshamyselftothisday，andIwouldratherhavebeentheobjectofheraffectionforoneshortweekthanthatofanyotherwomanintheworldforawholelifetime。Andletmeaddthatifanybodywhodoubtsthisstatement，andthinksmefoolishformakingit，couldhaveseenAyeshadrawherveilandflashoutinbeautyonhisgaze，hisviewwouldexactlycoincidewithmyown。OfcourseIamspeakingofanyman。Weneverhadtheadvantageofalady’sopinionofAyesha，butIthinkitquitepossiblethatshewouldhaveregardedthequeenwithdislike，wouldhaveexpressedherdisapprovalinsomemoreorlesspointedmanner，andultimatelyhavegotherselfblasted。 FortwohoursormoreLeoandIsatwithshakennervesandfrightenedeyes，andtalkedoverthemiraculouseventsthroughwhichwewerepassing。Itseemedlikeadreamorafairytale，insteadofthesolemn，soberfact。Whowouldhavebelievedthatthewritingonthepotsherdwasnotonlytrue，butthatweshouldlivetoverifyitstruth，andthatwetwoseekersshouldfindherwhowassought，patientlyawaitingourcominginthetombsofKo^r？WhowouldhavethoughtthatinthepersonofLeothismysteriouswomanshould，asshebelieved，discoverthebeingwhomsheawaitedfromcenturytocentury，andwhoseformerearthlyhabitationshehadtillthisverynightpreserved？Butsoitwas。Inthefaceofallwehadseenitwasdifficultforusasordinaryreasoningmenanylongertodoubtitstruth，andthereforeatlast，withhumbleheartsandadeepsenseoftheimpotenceofhumanknowledge，andtheinsolenceofitsassumptionthatdeniesthatwhichithasnoexperienceoftobepossible，welaidourselvesdowntosleep，leavingourfatesinthehandsofthatwatchingProvidencewhichhadthuschosentoallowustodrawtheveilofhumanignorance，andrevealtousforgoodorevilsomeglimpseofthepossibilitiesoflife。 CHAPTERXXII—— JOBHASAPRESENTIMENT ITwasnineo’clockonthefollowingmorningwhenJob，whostilllookedscaredandfrightened，cameintocallme，andatthesametimebreathehisgratitudeatfindingusaliveinourbeds，whichitappearedwasmorethanhehadexpected。WhenItoldhimoftheawfulendofpoorUstanehewasevenmoregratefulatoursurvival，andmuchshocked，thoughUstanehadbeennofavoriteofhis，orheofhers，forthematterofthat。Shecalledhim“pig“inbastardArabic，andhecalledher“hussy“ingoodEnglish，buttheseamenitieswereforgotteninthefaceofthecatastrophethathadoverwhelmedheratthehandsofherqueen。 “Idon’twanttosayanythingasmayn’tbeagreeable，sir，“saidJob，whenhehadfinishedexclaimingatmytale，“butit’smyopinionthatthatthere_i_She_i_ istheoldgentlemanhimself，orperhapshiswife，ifhehasone，whichIsupposehehas，forhecouldn’tbesowickedallbyhimself。TheWitchofEndorwasafooltoher，sir;blessyou，shewouldmakenomoreofraisingeverygentlemanintheBibleoutoftheseherebeastlytombsthanIshouldofgrowingcressonanoldflannel。It’sacountryofdevils，thisis，sir，andshe’sthemasteroneofthelot;andifeverwegetoutofititwillbemorethanIexpecttodo。Idon’tseenowayoutofit。Thatwitchisn’tlikelytoletafineyoungmanlikeMr。Leogo。” “Come，“Isaid，“atanyrateshesavedhislife。”’ “Yes，andshe’lltakehissoultopayforit。_i_She_i_’llmakehimawitch，likeherself。Isayit’swickedtohaveanythingtodowiththosesortofpeople。Lastnight，sir，IlayawakeandreadinmylittleBiblethatmypooroldmothergavemeaboutwhatisgoingtohappentosorceressesandthemsorttillmyhairstoodonend。Lord，howtheoldladywouldstareifshesawwhereherJobhadgotto！” “Yes，it’saqueercountry，andaqueerpeopletoo，Job，“Ianswered，withasigh，for，thoughIamnotsuperstitiouslikeJob，Iadmittoanaturalshrinking(whichwillnotbearinvestigation)fromthethingsthatareaboveNature。 “Youareright，sir，“heanswered，“andifyouwon’tthinkmeveryfoolish，IshouldliketosaysomethingtoyounowthatMr。Leoisoutoftheway“——(Leohadgotupearlyandgoneforastroll)——“andthatisthatIknowitisthelastcountryaseverIshallseeinthisworld。Ihadadreamlastnight，andIdreamedthatIsawmyoldfatherwithakindofnight-shirtonhim，somethinglikethesefolkswearwhentheywanttobeinparticularfull-dress，andabitofthatfeatherygrassinhishand，whichhemayhavegatheredontheway，forIsawlotsofityesterdayaboutthreehundredyardsfromthemouthofthisbeastlycave。 “’Job，’hesaidtome，solemn-like，andyetwithakindofsatisfactionshiningthroughhim，morelikeaMethodyparsonwhenhehassoldaneighboramarkedhorseforasoundoneandclearedtwentypoundsbythejobthananythingIcanthinkon——’Job，time’sup，Job;butIneverdidexpecttohavetocomeandhuntyououtinthis’ereplace，Job。SuchadoasIhavehadtonoseyouup;itwasn’tfriendlytogiveyourpooroldfathersucharun，letalonethatawonderfullotofbadcharactershailfromthisplaceKo^r。’“ “Regularcautions，“Isuggested。 “Yes，sir——ofcourse，sir，that’sjustwhathesaidtheywas——’cautions，downrightscorchers’——sir，andI’msureIdon’tdoubtit，seeingwhatIknowofthemandtheirhot-pottingways，“wentonJob，sadly。 “Anyway，hewassurethattimewasup，andwentawaysayingthatweshouldseemorethanwecaredforofeachothersoon，andIsupposehewasa-thinkingofthefactthatfatherandInevercouldhititofftogetherforlongernorthreedays，andIdaresaythatthingswillbesimilarwhenwemeetagain。” “Surely，“Isaid，“youdon’tthinkthatyouaregoingtodiebecauseyoudreamedyousawyouroldfather;ifonediesbecauseonedreamsofone’sfather，whathappenstoamanwhodreamsofhismother-in-law？” “Ah，sir，you’relaughingatme，“saidJob;“but，yousee，youdidn’tknowmyoldfather。Ifithadbeenanybodyelse——myAuntMary，forinstance，whonevermademuchofajob——Ishouldnothavethoughtsomuchofit;butmyfatherwasthatidle，whichheshouldn’thavebeenwithseventeenchildren，thathewouldneverhaveputhimselfouttocomeherejusttoseetheplace。No，sir;Iknowthathemeantbusiness。Well，sir，Ican’thelpit;Isupposeeverymanmustgosometimeorother，thoughitisahardthingtodieinaplacelikethis，whereChristianburialisn’ttobehadforitsweightingold。I’vetriedtobeagoodman，sir，anddomydutyhonest，andifitwasn’tforthesuperciluskindofwayinwhichfathercarriedonlastnight——asortofsniffingatme，asitwere，asthoughhehadn’tnoopinionofmyreferencesandtestimonials——Ishouldfeeleasyenoughinmymind。 Anyway，sir，I’vebeenagoodservanttoyouandMr。 Leo，blesshim！Why，itseemsbuttheotherdaythatI usedtoleadhimaboutthestreetswithapennywhip; andifeveryougetoutofthisplace——which，asfatherdidn’talludetoyou，perhapsyoumay——Ihopeyouwillthinkkindlyofmywhitenedbones，andneverhaveanythingmoretodowithGreekwritingonflower- pots，sir，ifImaymakesoboldastosayso。” “Come，come，Job，“Isaid，seriously，“thisisallnonsense，youknow。Youmustn’tbesillyenoughtogogettingsuchideasintoyourhead。We’velivedthroughsomequeerthings，andIhopethatwemaygoondoingso。” “No，sir，“answeredJob，inatoneofconvictionthatjarredonmeunpleasantly，“itisn’tnonsense。I’madoomedman，andIfeelit，andawonderfuluncomfortablefeelingitis，sir，foronecan’thelpwonderinghowit’sgoingtocomeabout。Ifyouareeatingyourdinneryouthinkofpoisonanditgoesagainstyourstomach，andifyouarewalkingalongthesedarkrabbitburrowsyouthinkofknives，andLord，don’tyoujustshiverabouttheback！Iain’tparticular，sir，providedit’ssharp，likethatpoorgirl，who，nowthatshe’sgone，Iamsorrytohavespokehardon，thoughIdon’tapproveofhermoralsingettingmarried，whichIconsidertooquicktobedecent。Still，sir，“andpoorJobturnedashadepalerashesaidit，“Idohopeitwon’tbethathot-potgame。” “Nonsense，“Ibrokein，angrily，“nonsense。” “Verywell，sir，“saidJob，“itisn’tmyplacetodifferfromyou，sir，butifyouhappentobegoinganywhere，sir，Ishouldbeobligedifyoucouldmanagetotakemewithyou，seeingthatIshallbegladtohaveafriendlyfacetolookatwhenthetimecomes，justtohelponethrough，asitwere。Andnow，sir，I’llbegettingthebreakfast，“andhewent，leavingmeinaveryuncomfortablestateofmind。IwasdeeplyattachedtooldJob，whowasoneofthebestandhonestestmenIhaveeverhadtodowithinanyclassoflife，andreallymoreofafriendthanaservant，andthemereideaofanythinghappeningtohimbroughtalumpintomythroat。BeneathallhisludicroustalkIcouldseethathehimselfwasquiteconvincedthatsomethingwasgoingtohappen，andthoughinmostcasestheseconvictionsturnouttobeuttermoonshine——andthisparticularoneespeciallywastobeamplyaccountedforbythegloomyandunaccustomedsurroundingsinwhichitsvictimwasplaced——stillitdidmoreorlesscarryachilltomyheart，asanydreadthatisobviouslyagenuineobjectofbeliefisapttodo，howeverabsurdthebeliefmaybe。Presentlythebreakfastarrived，andwithitLeo，whohadbeentakingawalkoutsidethecave——toclearhismind，hesaid——andverygladIwastoseeboth，fortheygavemearespitefrommygloomythoughts。Afterbreakfastwewentforanotherwalk，andwatchedsomeoftheAmahaggersowingaplotofgroundwiththegrainfromwhichtheymaketheirbeer。Thistheydidinscripturalfashion——amanwithabagmadeofgoat’s- hidefastenedroundhiswaistwalkingupanddowntheplotandscatteringtheseedashewent。Itwasapositiverelieftoseeoneofthesedreadfulpeopledoanythingsohomelyandpleasantassowafield，perhapsbecauseitseemedtolinkthem，asitwere，withtherestofhumanity。 AswewerereturningBillalimetus，andinformedusthatitwas_i_She_i_’spleasurethatweshouldwaituponher，andaccordinglyweenteredherpresence，notwithouttrepidation，forAyeshawascertainlyanexceptiontotherule。Familiaritywithhermightanddidbreedpassionandwonderandhorror，butitcertainlydidnotbreedcontempt。 Wewereasusualshowninbythemutes，andafterthesehadretiredAyeshaunveiled，andoncemorebadeLeoembraceher，which，notwithstandinghisheart- searchingsofthepreviousnight，hedidwithmorealacrityandfervorthanstrictcourtesyrequired。 _i_She_i_laidherwhitehandonhishead，andlookedhimfondlyintheeyes。“Dostthouwonder，myKallikrates，“shesaid，“whenthoushaltcallmeallthineown，andwhenweshallofatruthbeforoneanotherandtooneanother？Iwilltellthee。First，mustthoubeevenasIam，notimmortalindeed，forthatIamnot，butsocasedandhardenedagainsttheattacksofTimethathisarrowsshallglancefromthearmorofthyvigorouslifeasthesunbeamsglancefromwater。AsyetImaynotmatewiththee，forthouandI aredifferent，andtheverybrightnessofmybeingwouldburntheeup，andperchancedestroythee。Thoucouldstnotevenenduretolookuponmefortoolongatimelestthineeyesshouldache;andthysensesswim，andtherefore(withalittlecoquettishnod)shallI presentlyveilmyselfagain。”(This，bytheway，shedidnotdo。)“No：listen，thoushaltnotbetriedbeyondendurance，forthisveryevening，anhourbeforethesungoesdown，shallwestarthence，andbyto-morrow’sdark，ifallgoeswell，andtheroadisnotlosttome，whichIprayitmaynotbe，shallwestandinthePlaceofLife，andthoushaltbatheinthefire，andcomeforthglorified，asnomaneverwasbeforethee，andthen，Kallikrates，shaltthoucallmewife，andIwillcalltheehusband。” Leomutteredsomethinginanswertothisastonishingstatement，Idonotknowwhat，andshelaughedalittleathisconfusion，andwenton。 “Andthou，too，OHolly;ontheealsowillIconferthisboon，andthenofatruthshaltthoubeanevergreentree，andthiswillIdo——well，becausethouhastpleasedme，Holly，forthouartnotaltogetherafool，likemostofthesonsofmen，andbecause，thoughthouhastaschoolofphilosophyasfullofnonsenseasthoseoftheolddays，yethastthounotforgottenhowtoturnaprettyphraseaboutalady’seyes。” “Hullo，oldfellow！”whisperedLeo，withareturnofhisoldcheerfulness，“haveyoubeenpayingcompliments？Ishouldneverhavethoughtitofyou！” “Ithankthee，OAyesha，“Ireplied，withasmuchdignityasIcouldcommand，“butiftherebesuchaplaceasthoudostdescribe，andifinthisstrangeplacetheremaybefoundafieryvirtuethatcanholdoffDeathwhenhecomestopluckusbythehand，yetwouldInoneofit。Forme，OAyesha，theworldhasnotprovedsosoftanestthatIwouldlieinitforever。Astony-heartedmotherisourearth，andstonesarethebreadshegivesherchildrenfortheirdailyfood。Stonestoeatandbitterwaterfortheirthirst，andstripesfortendernurture。Whowouldendurethisformanylives？Whowouldsoloaduphisbackwithmemoriesoflosthoursandloves，andofhisneighbor’ssorrowsthathecannotlessen，andwisdomthatbringsnotconsolation？Hardisittodie，becauseourdelicatefleshdothshrinkbackfromthewormitwillnotfeel，andfromthatunknownwhichthewinding-sheetdothcurtainfromourview。Butharderstill，tomyfancy，woulditbetoliveon，greenintheleafandfair，butdeadandrottenatthecore，andfeelthatothersecretwormofrecollectiongnawingeverattheheart。” “Bethinkthee，Holly，“shesaid;“yetdothlonglifeandstrengthandbeautybeyondmeasuremeanpowerandallthingsthataredeartoman。” “AndwhatOqueen，“Ianswered，“arethosethingsthataredeartoman？Aretheynotbubbles？Isnotambitionbutanendlessladderbywhichnoheightiseverclimbedtillthelastunreachablerungismounted？Forheightleadsontoheight，andthereisnoresting- placeuponthem，andrungdothgrowuponrung，andthereisnolimittothenumber。Dothnotwealthsatiateandbecomenauseous，andnolongerservetosatisfyorpleasure，ortobuyanhour’seaseofmind？ Andisthereanyendtowisdomthatwemayhopetoreachit？Rather，themorewelearnshallwenottherebybeableonlytobettercompassoutourignorance？Didwelivetenthousandyearscouldwehopetosolvethesecretsofthesuns，andofthespacebeyondthesuns，andoftheHandthathungthemintheheavens？Wouldnotourwisdombebutasagnawinghungercallingourconsciousnessdaybydaytoaknowledge。oftheemptycravingofoursouls？Woulditnotbebutasalightinoneofthesegreatcaverns，thatthoughbrightitburn，andbrighteryet，dothbutthemoreservetoshowthedepthsofthegloomaroundit？Andwhatgoodthingistherebeyondthatwemaygainbylengthofdays？” “Nay，myHolly，thereislove——lovewhichmakesallthingsbeautiful，anddothbreathedivinityintotheverydustwetread。Withloveshallliferollgloriouslyonfromyeartoyear，likethevoiceofsomegreatmusicthathathpowertoholdthehearer’sheartpoisedoneagle’swingsabovethesordidshameandfollyoftheearth。” “Itmaybeso，“Ianswered;“butifthelovedoneproveabrokenreedtopierceus，orifthelovebelovedinvain——whatthen？Shallamangravehissorrowsuponastonewhenhehathbutneedtowritethemonthewater？Nay，O_i_She_i_，Iwilllivemydayandgrowoldwithmygeneration，anddiemyappointeddeath，andbeforgotten。ForIdohopeforanimmortalitytowhichthelittlespanthatperchancethoucanstconferwillbebutasafinger’slengthlaidagainstthemeasureofthegreatworld;and，markthis！theimmortalitytowhichIlook，andwhichmyfaithdothpromisetome，shallbefreefromthebondsthatheremusttiemyspiritdown。For，whilethefleshendures，sorrowandevilandthescorpionwhipsofsinmustendurealso;butwhenthefleshhathfallenfromus，thenshallthespiritshineforthcladinthebrightnessofeternalgood，andforitscommonairshallbreathesorareanetherofmostnoblethoughtsthatthehighestaspirationofourmanhood，orthepurestincenseofamaiden’sprayer，wouldprovetooearthlygrosstofloattherein。” “Thoulookesthigh，“answeredAyesha，withalittlelaugh，“andspeakestclearlyasatrumpetandwithnouncertainsound。AndyetmethinksthatbutnowdidstthoutalkofthatUnknownfromwhichthewinding-sheetdothcurtainus。Butperchancethouseestwiththeeye，ofFaith，gazingonthisbrightnessthatistobe，throughthepaintedglassofthyimagination。 Strangearethepicturesofthefuturethatmankindcanthusdrawwiththisbrushoffaithandthismany- coloredpigmentofimagination！Strange，too，thatnooneofthemdothagreewithanother！Icouldtellthee——butthere，whatistheuse？whyrobafoolofhisbauble？Letitpass，andIpray，OHolly，thatwhenthoudostfeeloldagecreepingslowlytowardsthyself，andtheconfusionofsenilitymakinghavocinthybrain，thoumayestnotbitterlyregretthatthoudidstcastawaytheimperialboonIwouldhavegiventothee。Butsoithatheverbeen;mancanneverbecontentwiththatwhichhishandcanpluck。Ifalampbeinhisreachtolighthimthroughthedarkness，hemustneedscastitdownbecauseitisnostar。 Happinessdancetheverapacebeforehim，likethemarsh-firesintheswamps，andhemustcatchthefire，andhemustholdthestar！Beautyisnaughttohim，becausetherearelipsmorehoney-sweet;andwealthisnaught，becauseotherscanweighhimdownwithheaviershekels;andfameisnaught，becausetherehavebeengreatermenthanhe。Thyselfthousaidstit，andI turnthywordsagainstthee。Well，thoudreamestthatthoushaltpluckthestar。Ibelieveitnot，andI thinktheeafool，myHolly，tothrowawaythelamp。” Imadenoanswer，forIcouldnot——especiallybeforeLeo——tellherthatsinceIhadseenherfaceIknewthatitwouldalwaysbebeforemyeyes，andthatIhadnowishtoprolonganexistencewhichmustalwaysbehauntedandtorturedbyhermemory，andbythelastbitternessofunsatisfiedlove。Butsoitwas，andso，alas，isittothishour！ “Andnow，“wenton_i_She_i_，changinghertoneandthesubjecttogether，“tellme，myKallikrates，forasyetIknowitnot，howcameyetoseekmehere？ YesternightthoudidstsaythatKallikrates——himwhomthousawest——wasthineancestor。Howwasit？Tellme—— thoudostnotspeakovermuch！” Thusadjured，Leotoldherthewonderfulstoryofthecasketandofthepotsherdthat，writtenonbyhisancestress，theEgyptianAmenartas，hadbeenthemeansofguidingustoher。Ayeshalistenedintently，and，whenhehadfinished;spoketome。 “DidInottelltheeoneday，whenwedidtalkofgoodandevil，OHolly——itwaswhenmybelovedlaysoill—— thatoutofgoodcameevil，andoutofevilgood——thattheywhosowedknewnotwhatthecropshouldbe，norhewhostruckwheretheblowshouldfall？See，now： thisEgyptianAmenartas，thisroyalchildoftheNilewhohatedme，andwhomevennowIhate，forinawayshedidprevailagainstme——see，now，sheherselfhathbeentheverymeanstobringherlovertominearms！ ForhersakeIslewhim，andnow，behold，throughherhehathcomebacktome！Shewouldhavedonemeevil，andsowedherseedsthatImightreaptares，andbeholdshehathgivenmemorethanalltheworldcangive，andthereisastrangesquarefortheetofitintothycircleofgoodandevil，OHolly！ “Andso，“shewenton，afterapause——“andsoshebadehersondestroymeifhemight，becauseIslewhisfather。Andthou，myKallikrates，artthefather，andinasensethouartlikewisetheson;andwouldstthouavengethywrong，andthewrongofthatfar-offmotherofthineuponme，OKallikrates？See，“andsheslidtoherknees，anddrewthewhitecorsagestillfartherdownherivorybosom——“see，herebeatsmyheart，andtherebythysideisaknife，heavyandlongandsharp，theveryknifetoslayanerringwomanwith。 Takeitnow，andbeavenged。Strike，andstrikehome！—— soshaltthoubesatisfied，Kallikrates，andgothroughlifeahappyman，becausethouhastpaidbackthewrong，andobeyedthemandateofthepast。” Helookedather，andthenstretchedouthishandandliftedhertoherfeet。 “Rise，Ayesha，“hesaid，sadly;“wellthouknowestthatIcannotstrikethee，no，notevenforthesakeofherwhomthouslewestbutlastnight。Iaminthypower，andaveryslavetothee。HowcanIkillthee？—— soonershouldIslaymyself。” “Almostdostthoubegintoloveme，Kallikrates，“sheanswered，smiling。“Andnowtellmeofthycountry—— ’tisagreatpeople，isitnot？withanempirelikethatofRome！Surelythouwouldstreturnthither，anditiswell，forImeannotthatthoushouldstdwellinthesecavesofKo^r。Nay，whenoncethouartevenasI am，wewillgohence——fearnotbutthatIshallfindapath——andthenshallwecrosstothisEnglandofthine，andliveasitbecomethustolive。TwothousandyearshaveIwaitedforthedaywhenIshouldseethelastofthesehatefulcavesandthisgloomy- visagedfolk，andnowitisathand，andmyheartboundsuptomeetitlikeachild’stowardsitsholiday。ForthoushaltrulethisEngland——“ “Butwehaveaqueenalready，“brokeinLeo，hastily。 “Itisnaught，itisnaught，“saidAyesha，“shecanbeoverthrown。”Atthiswebothbrokeoutintoanexclamationofdismay，andexplainedthatweshouldassoonthinkofoverthrowingourselves。 “Buthereisastrangething，“saidAyesha，inastonishment;“aqueenwhomherpeoplelove！SurelytheworldmusthavechangedsinceIdweltinKo^r。” Againweexplainedthatitwasthecharacterofmonarchsthathadchanged，andthattheoneunderwhomwelivedwasveneratedandbelovedbyallright- thinkingpeopleinhervastrealms。Also，wetoldherthatrealpowerinourcountryrestedinthehandsofthepeople，andthatwewereinfactruledbythevotesofthelowerandleasteducatedclassesofthecommunity。 “Ah，“shesaid，“ademocracy——thensurelythereisatyrant，forIhavelongsinceseenthatdemocracies，havingnoclearwilloftheirown，intheendsetupatyrant，andworshiphim。” “Yes，“Isaid，“wehaveourtyrants。” “Well，“sheanswered，resignedly，“wecanatanyratedestroythesetyrants，andKallikratesshallruletheland。” IinstantlyinformedAyeshathatinEngland“blasting“ wasnotanamusementthatcouldbeindulgedinwithimpunity，andthatanysuchattemptwouldmeetwiththeconsiderationofthelawandprobablyenduponascaffold。 “Thelaw，“shelaughed，withscorn-“thelaw！Canstthounotunderstand，OHolly，thatIamabovethelaw，andsoshallmyKallikratesbealso？Allhumanlawwillbetousasthenorthwindtoamountain。Doesthewindbendthemountain，orthemountainthewind？ “Andnowleaveme，Ipraythee，andthoutoo，myownKallikrates，forIwouldgetmereadyagainstourjourney，andsomustyeboth，andyourservantalso。 Butbringnogreatquantityofthingswith。thee，forItrustthatweshallbebutthreedaysgone。Thenshallwereturnhither，andIwillmakeaplanwherebywecanbidfarewellforevertothesesepulchresofKo^r。Yes，surelythoumaystkissmyhand！” Sowewent，I，forone，meditatingdeeplyontheawfulnatureoftheproblemthatnowopenedoutbeforeus。 Theterrible_i_She_i_hadevidentlymadeuphermindtogotoEngland，anditmademeabsolutelyshuddertothinkwhatwouldbetheresultofherarrivalthere。WhatherpowerswereIknew，andI couldnotdoubtbutthatshewouldexercisethemtothefull。Itmightbepossibletocontrolherforawhile，butherproud，ambitiousspiritwouldbecertaintobreaklooseandavengeitselfforthelongcenturiesofitssolitude。_i_She_i_would，ifnecessary，andifthepowerofherbeautydidnotunaidedproveequaltotheoccasion，blastherwaytoanyendshesetbeforeher，and，asshecouldnotdie，andforaughtIknewcouldnotevenbekilled，whatwastheretostopher？Intheendshewould，Ihadlittledoubt，assumeabsoluteruleovertheBritishdominions，andprobablyoverthewholeearth，and，thoughIwassurethatshewouldspeedilymakeoursthemostgloriousandprosperousempirethattheworldhaseverseen，itwouldbeatthecostofaterriblesacrificeoflife。 Thewholethingsoundedlikeadreamorsomeextraordinaryinventionofaspeculativebrain，andyetitwasafact——awonderfulfact——whichthewholeworldwouldsoonbecalledontotakenotice。Whatwasthemeaningofitall？AftermuchthinkingIcouldonlyconcludethatthiswonderfulcreature，whosepassionhadkeptherforsomanycenturieschained，asitwere，andcomparativelyharmless，wasnowabouttobeusedbyProvidenceasameanstochangetheorderoftheworld，andpossibly，bythebuildingupofapowerthatcouldnomoreberebelledagainstorquestionedthanthedecreesofFate，tochangeitmateriallyforthebetter。 CHAPTERXXIII—— THETEMPLEOFTRUTH Ourpreparationsdidnottakeusverylong。WeputachangeofclothingapieceandsomesparebootsintomyGladstonebag，alsowetookourrevolversandanexpressrifleeach，togetherwithagoodsupplyofammunition，aprecautiontowhich，underProvidence，wesubsequentlyowedourlivesoverandoveragain。 Therestofourgear，togetherwithourheavyrifles，weleftbehindus。 AfewminutesbeforetheappointedtimeweoncemoreattendedinAyesha’sboudoir，andfoundheralsoready，herdarkcloakthrownoverherwindingsheet- likewrappings。 “Areyepreparedforthegreatventure？”shesaid。 “Weare，“Ianswered，“thoughformypart，Ayesha，I havenofaithinit。” “Ah，myHolly，“shesaid，“thouartofatruthlikethoseoldJews——ofwhomthememoryvexesmesosorely—— unbelieving，andhardtoacceptthatwhichtheyhavenotknown。Butthoushaltsee;forunlessmymirroryonderlies，“andshepointedtothefontofcrystalwater，“thepathisyetopenasitwasofoldtime。 Andnowletusstartuponthenewlifewhichshallend——whoknowethwhere？” “Ah，“Iechoed，“whoknowethwhere？”andwepasseddownintothegreatcentralcave，andoutintothelightofday。Atthemouthofthecavewefoundasinglelitterwithsixbearers，allofthemmutes，waiting，andwiththemIwasrelievedtoseeouroldfriendBillali，forwhomIhadconceivedasortofaffection。Itappearedthat，forreasonsnotnecessarytoexplainatlength，Ayeshahadthoughtitbestthat，withtheexceptionofherself，weshouldproceedonfoot，andthiswewerenothingloathtodo，afterourlongconfinementinthesecaves，which，howeversuitabletheymightbeforsarcophagi——asingularlyinappropriateword，bytheway，fortheseparticulartombs，whichcertainlydidnotconsumethebodiesgiventotheirkeeping——weredepressinghabitationsforbreathingmortalslikeourselves。Eitherbyaccidentorbytheordersof_i_She_i_，thespaceinfrontofthecavewherewehadbeheldthatawfuldancewasperfectlyclearofspectators。Notasoulwastobeseen，andconsequentlyIdonotbelievethatourdeparturewasknowntoanybody，exceptperhapsthemuteswhowaitedon_i_She_i_，andtheywere，ofcourse，inthehabitofkeepingwhattheysawtothemselves。 Inafewminutes’timeweweresteppingoutsharplyacrossthegreatcultivatedplainorlakebed，framedlikeavastemeraldinitssettingoffrowningcliff，andhadanotheropportunityofwonderingattheextraordinarynatureofthesitechosenbytheseoldpeopleofKo^rfortheircapital，andatthemarvellousamountoflabor，ingenuity，andengineeringskillthatmusthavebeenbroughtintorequisitionbythefoundersofthecitytodrainsohugeasheetofwater，andtokeepitclearofsubsequentaccumulations。Itis，indeed，sofarasmyexperiencegoes，anunequalledinstanceofwhatmancandointhefaceofnature，forinmyopinionsuchachievementsastheSuezCanaloreventheMontCenisTunneldonotapproachthisancientundertakinginmagnitudeandgrandeurofconception。 Whenwehadbeenwalkingforabouthalfanhour，enjoyingourselvesexceedinglyinthedelightfulcoolwhichaboutthistimeofthedayalwaysappearedtodescenduponthegreatplainofKo^r，andwhichinsomedegreeatonedforthewantofanykindorseabreeze——forallwindwaskeptoffbytherockymountainwall——webegantogetaclearviewofwhatBillalihadinformedusweretheruinsofthegreatcity。Andevenfromthatdistancewecouldseehowwonderfulthoseruinswere，afactwhichwitheverystepwetookbecamemoreevident。ThecitywasnotverylargeifcomparedtoBabylonorThebes，orothercitiesofremoteantiquity;perhapsitsouterwallcontainedsometwelvesquaremilesofground，oralittlemore。Norhadthewalls，sofaraswecouldjudgewhenwereachedthem，beenveryhigh，probablynotmorethanfortyfeet，whichwasabouttheirpresentheightwheretheyhadnot，throughthesinkingofthegroundorsomesuchcause，fallenintoruin。 Thereasonofthis，nodoubt，wasthatthepeopleofKo^r，beingprotectedfromanyoutsideattackbyfarmoretremendousrampartsthananythatthehandofmancouldrear，onlyrequiredthemforshowandtoguardagainstcivildiscord。But，ontheotherhand，theywereasbroadastheywerehigh，builtentirelyofdressedstone，hewn，nodoubt，fromthevastcaves，andsurroundedbyagreatmoataboutsixtyfeetinwidth，somereachesofwhichwerestillfilledwithwater。Abouttenminutesbeforethesunfinallysankwereachedthismoat，andpasseddownandthroughit，clamberingacrosswhatevidentlywerethepiled-upfragmentsofagreatbridgeinordertodoso，andthenwithsomelittledifficultyuptheslopeofthewalltoitssummit。Iwishthatitlaywithinthepowerofmypentogivesomeideaofthegrandeurofthesightthatthenmetourview。There，allbathedintheredglowofthesinkingsun，weremilesuponmilesofruins——columns，temples，shrines，andthepalacesofkings，variedwithpatchesofgreenbush。Ofcourse，theroofsofthesebuildingshadlongsincefallenintodecayandvanished，butowingtotheextrememassivenessofthestyleofbuilding，andtothehardnessanddurabilityoftherockemployed，mostofthepartywallsandgreatcolumnsstillremainedstanding。 Straightbeforeusstretchedawaywhathadevidentlybeenthemainthoroughfareofthecity，foritwasverywide，widerthantheThamesEmbankment，andregular。Being，asweafterwardsdiscovered，paved，orratherbuilt，throughoutofblocksofdressedstone，suchaswereemployedinthewalls，itwasbutlittleovergrownevennowwithgrassandshrubs，thatcouldgetnodepthofsoiltolivein。Whathadbeentheparksandgardens，onthecontrary，werenowdensejungle。Indeed，itwaseasyevenfromadistancetotracethecourseofthevariousroadsbytheburned-upappearanceofthescantygrassthatgrewuponthem。Oneithersideofthisgreatthoroughfarewerevastblocksofruins，eachblock，generallyspeaking，beingseparated。fromitsneighborbyaspaceofwhathadonce，Isuppose，beengarden-ground，butwasnowdenseandtangledbush。Theywereallbuiltofthesamecoloredstone，andmostofthemhadpillars，whichwasasmuchaswecouldmakeoutinthefadinglightaswepassedswiftlyupthemainroad，thatIbelieveIamrightinsayingnolivingfoothadpressedforthousandsofyears。 Presentlywecametoanenormouspile，whichwerightlytooktobeatemplecoveringatleastfouracresofground，andapparentlyarrangedinaseriesofcourts，eachoneenclosinganotherofsmallersize，onaprincipleofaChinesenestofboxes，whichwereseparatedonefromtheotherbyrowsofhugecolumns。 And，whileIthinkofit，Imayaswellstatearemarkablethingabouttheshapeofthesecolumns，whichresemblednonethatIhaveeverseenorheardof，beingfashionedwithakindofwaistinthecentre，andswellingoutaboveandbelow。Atfirstwethoughtthatthisshapewasmeanttoroughlysymbolizeorsuggestthefemaleform，aswasacommonhabitamongtheancientreligiousarchitectsofmanycreeds。 Onthefollowingday，however，aswewentuptheslopesofthemountain，wediscoveredalargequantityofthemoststatelylookingpalms，ofwhichthetrunksgrewexactlyinthisshape，andIhavenownodoubtbutthatthefirstdesignerofthosecolumnsdrewhisinspirationfromthegracefulbendsofthoseverypalms，orratheroftheirancestors，whichthen，someeightortenthousandyearsago，asnow，beautifiedtheslopesofthemountainthathadonceformedtheshoresofthevolcaniclake。 Atthefacadeofthishugetemple，which，Ishouldimagine，isalmostaslargeasthatofEl-Karnac，atThebes，someofthelargestcolumns，whichImeasured，beingbetweeneighteentotwentyfeetindiameteratthebase，byaboutseventyfeetinheight，ourlittleprocessionwashalted，andAyeshadescendedfromherlitter。 “Thereusedtobeaspothere，Kallikrates，“shesaidtoLeo，whohadrunuptohelpherdown，“whereonemightsleep。TwothousandyearsagodidthouandIandthatEgyptianaspresttherein，butsincethenhaveI notsetfoothere，noranyman，andperchanceithasfallen，“and。followedbytherestofus，shepassedupavastflightofbrokenandruinedstepsintotheoutercourt，andlookedroundintothegloom，Presentlysheseemedtorecollect，and，walkingafewpacesalongthewalltotheleft，halted。 “Itishere，“shesaid，andatthesametimebeckonedtothetwomutes，whowereloadedwithprovisionsandourlittlebelongings，toadvance。Oneofthemcameforward，and，producingalamp，lititfromhisbrazier(fortheAmahaggerwhenonajourneynearlyalwayscarriedwiththemalittlelightedbrazierfromwhichtoprovidefire)。Thetinderofthisbrazierwasmadeofbrokenfragmentsofmummycarefullydamped，and，iftheadmixtureofmoisturewasproperlymanaged，thisunholycompoundwouldsmoulderawayforhours。AssoonasthelampwaslitweenteredtheplacebeforewhichAyeshahadhalted。Itturnedouttobeachamberhollowedinthethicknessofthewall，and，fromthefactoftherestillbeingamassivestonetableinit，Ishouldthinkthatithadprobablyservedasaliving-room，perhapsforoneofthedoor- keepersofthegreattemple。 Herewestopped，andaftercleaningtheplaceoutandmakingitascomfortableascircumstancesandthedarknesswouldpermit，weatesomecoldmeat，atleastLeo，Job，andIdid，forAyesha，asIthinkIhavesaidelsewhere，nevertouchedanythingexceptcakesofflour，fruit，andwater。Whilewewerestilleating，themoon，whichwasatherfull，roseabovethemountain-wall，andbegantofloodtheplacewithsilver。 “WotyewhyIhavebroughtyouhereto-night，myHolly？”saidAyesha，leaningherheaduponherhandandwatchingthegreatorbassherose，likesomeheavenlyqueen，abovethesolemnpillarsofthetemple。“Ibroughtyou——nay，itisstrange，butknowestthou，Kallikrates，thatthouliestatthismomentupontheveryspotwherethydeadbodylaywhenIboretheebacktothosecavesofKo^rsomanyyearsago？Itallreturnstomymindnow。Icanseeit，andhorribleisittomysight！”andsheshuddered。 HereLeojumpedupandhastilychangedhisseat。 HoweverthereminiscencemightaffectAyesha，itclearlyhadfewcharmsforhim。 “Ibroughtyou，“wentonAyesha，presently，“thatyemightlookuponthemostwonderfulsightthatevertheeyeofmanbeheld——thefullmoonshiningoverruinedKo^r。Whenyehavedoneyoureating——IwouldthatI couldteachtheetoeatnaughtbutfruit，Kallikrates，butthatwillcomeafterthouhastlavedinthefire。 OnceI，too，atefleshlikeabrutebeast。Whenyehavedonewewillgoout，andIwillshowyouthisgreattempleandthegodwhommenonceworshippedtherein。” Ofcoursewegotupatonce，andstarted。Andhereagainmypenfailsme。Togiveastringofmeasurementsanddetailsofthevariouscourtsofthetemplewouldonlybewearisome，supposingthatIhadthem，andyetIknownothowIamtodescribewhatwesaw，magnificentasitwaseveninitsruin，almostbeyondthepowerofrealization。Courtupondimcourt，rowuponrowofmightypillars——someofthem(especiallyatthegateways)sculpturedfrompedestaltocapital——spaceuponspaceofemptychambersthatspokemoreeloquentlytotheimaginationthananycrowdedstreets。Andoverall，thedeadsilenceofthedead，thesenseofutterloneliness，andthebroodingspiritofthePast！Howbeautifulitwas，andyethowdrear！Wedidnotdaretospeakaloud。Ayeshaherselfwasawedinthepresenceofanantiquitycomparedtowhichevenherlengthofdayswasbutalittlething; weonlywhispered，andourwhispersseemedtorunfromcolumntocolumn，tilltheywerelostinthequietair。Brightfellthemoonlightonpillarandcourtandshatteredwall，hidingalltheirrentsandimperfectionsinitssilvergarment，andclothingtheirhoarmajestywiththepeculiargloryofthenight。ItwasawonderfulsighttoseethefullmoonlookingdownontheruinedfaneofKo^r。Itwasawonderfulthingtothinkforhowmanythousandsofyearsthedeadorbaboveandthedeadcitybelowhadgazedthusuponeachother，andintheuttersolitudeofspacepouredfortheachtoeachthetaleoftheirlostlifeandlong-departedglory。Thewhitelightfell，andminutebyminutethequietshadowscreptacrossthegrassgrowncourtslikethespiritsofoldpriestshauntingthehabitationsoftheirworship——thewhitelightfell，andthelongshadowsgrewtillthebeautyandgrandeurofthesceneandtheuntamedmajestyofitspresentdeathseemedtosinkintoourverysouls，andspeakmoreloudlythantheshoutsofarmiesconcerningthepompandsplendorthatthegravehadswallowed，andevenmemoryhadforgotten。 “Come，“saidAyesha，afterwehadgazedandgazed，I knownotforhowlong，“andIwillshowyouthestonyflowerofLovelinessandWonder’sverycrown，ifyetitstandstomocktimewithitsbeautyandfilltheheartofmanwithlongingforthatwhichisbehindtheveil，“and，withoutwaitingforananswer，sheledusthroughtwomorepillaredcourtsintotheinnershrineoftheoldfane。 Andthere，inthecentreoftheinmostcourt，thatmighthavebeensomefiftyyardssquare，oralittlemore，westoodfacetofacewithwhatisperhapsthegrandestallegoricalworkofartthatthegeniusofherchildrenhasevergiventotheworld。Forintheexactcentreofthecourt，placeduponathick，squareslabofrock，wasahugeroundballofdarkstone，somefortyfeetindiameter，andstandingontheballwasacolossalwingedfigureofabeautysoentrancinganddivinethatwhenIfirstgazeduponit，illuminatedandshadowedasitwasbythesoftlightofthemoon，mybreathstoodstill，andforaninstantmyheartceaseditsbeating。 Thestatuewashewnfrommarblesopureandwhitethatevennow，afterallthoseages，itshoneasthemoonbeamsdanceduponit，anditsheightwas，Ishouldsay，atrifleundertwentyfeet。Itwasthewingedfigureofawomanofsuchmarvellouslovelinessanddelicacyof。formthatthesizeseemedrathertoaddtothantodetractfromitssohumanandyetmorespiritualbeauty。Shewasbendingforwardandpoisingherselfuponherhalf-spreadwingsasthoughtopreserveherbalanceassheleaned。Herarmswereoutstretchedlikethoseofsomewomanabouttoembraceoneshedearlyloved，whileherwholeattitudegaveanimpressionofthetenderestbeseeching。Herperfectandmostgraciousformwasnaked，save——andherecametheextraordinarything——theface，whichwasthinlyveiled，sothatwecouldonlytracethemarkingofherfeatures。Agauzyveilwasthrownroundandaboutthehead，andofitstwoendsonefelldownacrossherleftbreast，whichwasoutlinedbeneathit，andone，nowbroken，streamedawayupontheairbehindher。 “Whoisshe？”Iasked，assoonasIcouldtakemyeyesoffthestatue。 “Canstthounotguess，OHolly？”answeredAyesha。 “Wherethenisthyimagination？ItisTruthstandingontheWorld，andcallingtoitschildrentoveilherface。Seewhatiswrituponthepedestal。WithoutdoubtitistakenfromthebookoftheScripturesofthesemenofKo^r，“andsheledthewaytothefootofthestatue，whereaninscriptionoftheusualChinese- lookinghieroglyphicswassodeeplygravenastobestillquitelegible，atleasttoAyesha。Accordingtohertranslationitranthus： “’Istherenomanthatwilldrawmyveilandlookuponmyface，lo！itisveryfair？UntohimwhodrawsmyveilshallIbe，andpeacewillIgivehim，andsweetchildrenofknowledgeandgoodworks。’ “Andavoicecried，’Thoughallthosewhoseekaltertheedesirethee，behold！Virginartthou，andVirginshaltthougotillTimebedone。Nomanistherebornofwomanwhomaydrawthyveilandlive，norshallbe。 ByDeathonlycanthyveilbedrawn，ohTruth！’ “AndTruthstretchedoutherarmsandwept，becausethosewhosoughthermightnotfindher，norlookuponherfacetoface。” “Thouseest，“saidAyesha，whenshehadfinishedtranslating，“TruthwastheGoddessofthepeopleofoldKo^r，andtohertheybuilttheirshrines，andhertheysought;knowingthattheyshouldneverfind，stillsoughtthey。” “Andso，“Iadded，sadly，“domenseektothisveryhour，buttheyfindnot;and，asthisscripturesaith，norshallthey;forinDeathonlyisTruthfound。” Then，withonemorelookatthisveiledandspiritualizedloveliness——whichwassoperfectandsopurethatonemightalmostfancythatthelightofalivingspiritshonethroughthemarbleprisontoleadmanontohighandetherealthoughts——thispoet’sdreamofbeautyfrozenintostone，whichInevershallforgetwhileIlive，thoughIfindmyselfsohelplesswhenIattempttodescribeit，weturnedandwentbackthroughthevastmoonlitcourtstothespotwhencewehadstarted。Ineversawthestatueagain，whichIthemoreregret，becauseonthegreatballofstonerepresentingtheWorldwhereonthefigurestood，linesweredrawn，thatprobably，hadtherebeenlightenough，weshouldhavediscoveredtobeamapoftheUniverseasitwasknowntothepeopleofKo^r。Itis，atanyrate，suggestiveofsomescientificknowledgethattheselong-deadworshippetsofTruthhadrecognizedthefactthattheglobeisround。 CHAPTERXXIV—— WALKINGTHEPLANK NEXTdaythemuteswokeusbeforethedawn;andbythetimethatwehadgotthesleepoutofoureyes，andgonethroughaperfunctorywashataspringwhichstillwelledupintotheremainsofamarblebasininthecentreofthenorthquadrangleofthevastoutercourt，wefound_i_She_i_standingbythelitterreadytostart，whileoldBillaliandthetwobearermuteswerebusycollectingthebaggage。Asusual，AyeshawasveiledlikethemarbleTruth(bytheway，I wonderifsheoriginallygottheideaofcoveringupherbeautyfromthatstatue？)。Inoticed，however，thatsheseemedverydepressed，andhadnoneofthatproudandbuoyantbearingwhichwouldhavebetrayedheramongathousandwomenofthesamestature，eveniftheyhadbeenveiledlikeherself。Shelookedupaswecame——forherheadwasbowed——andgreetedus。Leoaskedherhowshehadslept。 “Ill，myKallikrates，“sheanswered，“ill。Thisnighthavestrangeandhideousdreamscomecreepingthroughmybrain，andIknownotwhattheymayportend。AlmostdoIfeelasthoughsomeevilovershadowedme;andyethowcaneviltouchme？Iwonder，“shewenton，withasuddenoutbreakofwomanlytenderness，“Iwonderif，shouldaughthappentome，sothatIsleptawhileandlefttheewaking，wouldstthouthinkgentlyofme？I wonder，myKallikrates，ifthouwouldsttarrytillI cameagain，asforsomanycenturiesIhavetarriedforthycoming？” Then，withoutwaitingforananswer，shewenton： “Come，letusbesettingforth，forwehavefartogo，andbeforeanotherdayisborninyonderblueshouldwestandinthePlaceofLife。” Inanotherfiveminuteswewereoncemoreonourwaythroughthevastruinedcity，whichloomedatusoneithersideinthegraydawninginawaythatwasatoncegrandandoppressive。Justasthefirstrayoftherisingsunshotlikeagoldenarrowathwartthisstorieddesolationwegainedthefarthergatewayoftheouterwall，andhavinggivenonemoreglanceatthehoarandpillaredmajestythroughwhichwehadpassed，and(withtheexceptionofJob，forwhomruinshadnocharms)breathedasighofregretthatwehadnothadmoretimetoexploreit，passedthroughthegreatmoat，andontotheplainbeyond。 AsthesunrosesodidAyesha’sspirits，tillbybreakfast-timetheyhadregainedtheirnormallevel，andshelaughinglysetdownherpreviousdepressiontotheassociationsofthespotwhereshehadslept。 “ThesebarbariansdeclarethatKo^rishaunted，“shesaid，“andofatruthIdobelievetheirsaying，forneverdidIknowsoillanightsaveonce。Irememberitnow。Itwasonthatveryspotwhenthoudidstliedeadatmyfeet，Kallikrates。NeverwillIvisititagain;itisaplaceofevilomen。” Afteraverybriefhaltforbreakfastwepressedonwithsuchgoodwillthatbytwoo’clockintheafternoonwewereatthefootofthevastwallofrockthatformedthelipofthevolcano，andwhichatthispointtoweredupprecipitouslyaboveusforfifteenhundredortwothousandfeet。Herewehalted，certainlynottomyastonishment，forIdidnotseehowitwaspossiblethatweshouldgoanyfarther。 “Now，“saidAyesha，asshedescendedfromherlitter，“dothourlaborbutcommence，forheredowepartwiththesemen，andhenceforwardmustwebearourselves;“ andthen，addressingBillali，“dothouandtheseslavesremainhere，andabideourcoming。Byto-morrowatthemiddayshallwebewiththee——ifnot，wait。” Billalibowedhumbly，andsaidthatheraugustbiddingshouldbeobeyediftheystoppedtheretilltheygrewold。 “Andthisman，OHolly，“said_i_She_i_，pointingtoJob;“bestisitthatheshouldtarryalso，forifhisheartbenothighandhiscouragegreat，perchancesomeevilmightovertakehim。Also，thesecretsoftheplacewhitherwegoarenotfitforcommoneyes。” ItranslatedthistoJob，whoinstantlyandearnestlyentreatedme，almostwithtearsinhiseyes，nottoleavehimbehind。Hesaidhewassurethathecouldseenothingworsethanhehadalreadyseen，andthathewasterrifiedtodeathattheideaofbeingleftalonewiththose“dumbfolk，“who，hethought，wouldprobablytaketheopportunitytohot-pothim。 ItranslatedwhathesaidtoAyesha，whoshruggedhershoulders，andanswered，“Well，lethimcome，itisnaughttome;onhisownheadbeit，andhewillservetobearthelampandthis，“andshepointedtoanarrowplank，somesixteenfeetinlength，whichhadbeenboundabovethelongbearing-poleofherhammock，asIhadthoughttomakethecurtainsspreadoutbetter，but，asitnowappeared，forsomeunknownpurposeconnectedwithourextraordinaryundertaking。 Accordingly，theplank，which，thoughtough，wasverylight，wasgiventoJobtocarry，andalsooneofthelamps。Islungtheotherontomyback，togetherwithasparejarofoil，whileLeoloadedhimselfwiththeprovisionsandsomewaterinakid’sskin。Whenthiswasdone_i_She_i_badeBillaliandthesixbearermutestoretreatbehindagroveoffloweringmagnoliasaboutahundredyardsaway，andremainthereunderpainofdeathtillwehadvanished。Theybowedhumbly，andwent，and，ashedeparted，oldBillaligavemeafriendlyshakeofthehand，andwhisperedthathehadratherthatitwasIthanhewhowasgoingonthiswonderfulexpeditionwith“_i_She_i_-who-must-be- obeyed，“anduponmywordIfeltinclinedtoagreewithhim。Inanotherminutetheyweregone，andthen，havingbrieflyaskedusifwewereready，Ayeshaturned，andgazedupthetoweringcliff。 “Goodnessme，Leo，“Isaid，“surelywearenotgoingtoclimbthatprecipice！” Leoshruggedhisshoulders，beinginaconditionofhalf-fascinated，half-expectantmystification，andashedidsoAyeshawithasuddenmovebegantoclimbthecliff，andofcoursewehadtofollowher。Itwasperfectlymarvelloustoseetheeaseandgracewithwhichshesprangfromrocktorock，andswungherselfalongtheledges。Theascentwasnot，however，sodifficultasitseemed，althoughtherewereoneortwonastyplaceswhereitdidnotdotolookbehindyou，thefactbeingthattherockstillslopedhere，andwasnotabsolutelyprecipitous，asitwashigherup。 Inthiswaywe，withnogreatlabor，mountedtotheheightofsomefiftyfeetaboveourlaststanding- place，theonlyreallytroublesomethingtomanagebeingJob’sboard，andindoingsodrewsomefiftyorsixtypacestotheleftofourstarting-point，forwewentuplikeacrab，sideways。Presentlywereachedaledge，narrowenoughatfirst，butwhichwidenedaswefollowedit，andmoreoverslopedinwardlikethepetalofaflower，Sothataswefolloweditwegraduallygotintoakindofrutorfoldofrockthatgrewdeeperanddeeper，tillatlastitresembledaDevonshirelaneinstone，andhidusperfectlyfromthegazeofanybodyontheslopebelow，iftherehadbeenanybodytogaze。Thislane(whichappearedtobeanaturalformation)continuedforsomefiftyorsixtypaces，andthensuddenlyendedinacave，alsonatural，runningatrightanglestoit。Iamsurethatitwasanaturalcave，andnothollowedbythehandofman，becauseofitsirregularandcontortedshapeandcourse，whichgaveittheappearanceofhavingbeenblownbodilyinthemountainbysomefrightfuleruptionofgasfollowingthelineofleastresistance。AllthecaveshollowedbytheancientsofKo^r，onthecontrary，werecutoutwiththemostperfectregularityandsymmetry。AtthemouthofthiscaveAyeshahalted，andbadeuslightthetwolamps，whichIdid，givingonetoherandkeepingtheothermyself。Then，takingthelead，sheadvanceddownthecavern，pickingherwaywithgreatcare，asindeeditwasnecessarytodo，forthefloorwasmostirregular—— strewnwithboulderslikethebedofastream，andinsomeplacespittedwithdeepholes，inwhichitwouldhavebeeneasytobreakone’sleg。