\"Youmakethelittlemantobeafraid，Captain，\"saidtheGermanJew，turningupthedarkandstrongoutlineofhisvisagefromhisstoopingposture。\"Butlookagain，and，bychance，Ishallcauseyoutoseesomewhatthatisveryfine，uponmyword！\"
EthanBrandgazedintotheboxforaninstant，andthenstartingback，lookedfixedlyattheGerman。Whathadheseen？Nothing，apparently;foracuriousyouth，whohadpeepedinalmostatthesamemoment，beheldonlyavacantspaceofcanvas。
\"Irememberyounow，\"mutteredEthanBrandtotheshowman。
\"Ah，Captain，\"whisperedtheJewofNuremberg，withadarksmile，\"Ifindittobeaheavymatterinmyshow-box，——thisUnpardonableSin！Bymyfaith，Captain，ithasweariedmyshoulders，thislongday，tocarryitoverthemountain。\"
\"Peace，\"answeredEthanBrand，sternly，\"orgettheeintothefurnaceyonder！\"
TheJew’sexhibitionhadscarcelyconcluded，whenagreat，elderlydog——whoseemedtobehisownmaster，asnopersoninthecompanylaidclaimtohim——sawfittorenderhimselftheobjectofpublicnotice。Hitherto，hehadshownhimselfaveryquiet，well-disposedolddog，goingroundfromonetoanother，and，bywayofbeingsociable，offeringhisroughheadtobepattedbyanykindlyhandthatwouldtakesomuchtrouble。Butnow，allofasudden，thisgraveandvenerablequadruped，ofhisownmeremotion，andwithouttheslightestsuggestionfromanybodyelse，begantorunroundafterhistail，which，toheightentheabsurdityoftheproceeding，wasagreatdealshorterthanitshouldhavebeen。Neverwasseensuchheadlongeagernessinpursuitofanobjectthatcouldnotpossiblybeattained;neverwasheardsuchatremendousoutbreakofgrowling，snarling，barking，andsnapping，——asifoneendoftheridiculousbrute’sbodywereatdeadlyandmostunforgivableenmitywiththeother。Fasterandfaster，roundaboutwentthecur;andfasterandstillfasterfledtheunapproachablebrevityofhistail;andlouderandfiercergrewhisyellsofrageandanimosity;until，utterlyexhausted，andasfarfromthegoalasever，thefoolisholddogceasedhisperformanceassuddenlyashehadbegunit。
Thenextmomenthewasasmild，quiet，sensible，andrespectableinhisdeportment，aswhenhefirstscrapedacquaintancewiththecompany。
Asmaybesupposed，theexhibitionwasgreetedwithuniversallaughter，clappingofhands，andshoutsofencore，towhichthecanineperformerrespondedbywaggingallthattherewastowagofhistail，butappearedtotallyunabletorepeathisverysuccessfulefforttoamusethespectators。
Meanwhile，EthanBrandhadresumedhisseatuponthelog，andmoved，asitmightbe，byaperceptionofsomeremoteanalogybetweenhisowncaseandthatofthisself-pursuingcur，hebrokeintotheawfullaugh，which，morethananyothertoken，expressedtheconditionofhisinwardbeing。Fromthatmoment，themerrimentofthepartywasatanend;theystoodaghast，dreadinglesttheinauspicioussoundshouldbereverberatedaroundthehorizon，andthatmountainwouldthunderittomountain，andsothehorrorbeprolongedupontheirears。Then，whisperingonetoanotherthatitwaslate，——thatthemoonwasalmostdown，-thattheAugustnightwasgrowingchill，——theyhurriedhomewards，leavingthelime-burnerandlittleJoetodealastheymightwiththeirunwelcomeguest。Saveforthesethreehumanbeings，theopenspaceonthehill-sidewasasolitude，setinavastgloomofforest。Beyondthatdarksomeverge，thefirelightglimmeredonthestatelytrunksandalmostblackfoliageofpines，intermixedwiththelighterverdureofsaplingoaks，maples，andpoplars，whilehereandtherelaythegiganticcorpsesofdeadtrees，decayingontheleaf-strewnsoil。AnditseemedtolittleJoe——atimorousandimaginativechild——thatthesilentforestwasholdingitsbreathuntilsomefearfulthingshouldhappen。
EthanBrandthrustmorewoodintothefire，andclosedthedoorofthekiln;thenlookingoverhisshoulderatthelime-burnerandhisson，hebade，ratherthanadvised，themtoretiretorest。
\"Formyself，Icannotsleep，\"saidhe。\"Ihavemattersthatitconcernsmetomeditateupon。Iwillwatchthefire，asIusedtodointheoldtime。\"
\"AndcalltheDeviloutofthefurnacetokeepyoucompany，I
suppose，\"mutteredBartram，whohadbeenmakingintimateacquaintancewiththeblackbottleabovementioned。\"Butwatch，ifyoulike，andcallasmanydevilsasyoulike！Formypart，I
shallbeallthebetterforasnooze。Come，Joe！\"
Astheboyfollowedhisfatherintothehut，helookedbackatthewayfarer，andthetearscameintohiseyes，forhistenderspirithadanintuitionofthebleakandterriblelonelinessinwhichthismanhadenvelopedhimself。
Whentheyhadgone，EthanBrandsatlisteningtothecracklingofthekindledwood，andlookingatthelittlespirtsoffirethatissuedthroughthechinksofthedoor。Thesetrifles，however，oncesofamiliar，hadbuttheslightestholdofhisattention，whiledeepwithinhismindhewasreviewingthegradualbutmarvellouschangethathadbeenwroughtuponhimbythesearchtowhichhehaddevotedhimself。Herememberedhowthenightdewhadfallenuponhim，——howthedarkforesthadwhisperedtohim，——howthestarshadgleameduponhim，——asimpleandlovingman，watchinghisfireintheyearsgoneby，andevermusingasitburned。Herememberedwithwhattenderness，withwhatloveandsympathyformankindandwhatpityforhumanguiltandwoe，hehadfirstbeguntocontemplatethoseideaswhichafterwardsbecametheinspirationofhislife;withwhatreverencehehadthenlookedintotheheartofman，viewingitasatempleoriginallydivine，and，howeverdesecrated，stilltobeheldsacredbyabrother;withwhatawfulfearhehaddeprecatedthesuccessofhispursuit，andprayedthattheUnpardonableSinmightneverberevealedtohim。Thenensuedthatvastintellectualdevelopment，which，initsprogress，disturbedthecounterpoisebetweenhismindandheart。TheIdeathatpossessedhislifehadoperatedasameansofeducation;ithadgoneoncultivatinghispowerstothehighestpointofwhichtheyweresusceptible;ithadraisedhimfromthelevelofanunletteredlaborertostandonastar-liteminence，whitherthephilosophersoftheearth，ladenwiththeloreofuniversities，mightvainlystrivetoclamberafterhim。Somuchfortheintellect！Butwherewastheheart？That，indeed，hadwithered，——hadcontracted，——hadhardened，——hadperished！Ithadceasedtopartakeoftheuniversalthrob。Hehadlosthisholdofthemagneticchainofhumanity。Hewasnolongerabrother-man，openingthechambersorthedungeonsofourcommonnaturebythekeyofholysympathy，whichgavehimarighttoshareinallitssecrets;hewasnowacoldobserver，lookingonmankindasthesubjectofhisexperiment，and，atlength，convertingmanandwomantobehispuppets，andpullingthewiresthatmovedthemtosuchdegreesofcrimeasweredemandedforhisstudy。
ThusEthanBrandbecameafiend。Hebegantobesofromthemomentthathismoralnaturehadceasedtokeepthepaceofimprovementwithhisintellect。Andnow，ashishighesteffortandinevitabledevelopment，——asthebrightandgorgeousflower，andrich，deliciousfruitofhislife’slabor，——hehadproducedtheUnpardonableSin！
\"WhatmorehaveItoseek？whatmoretoachieve？\"saidEthanBrandtohimself。\"Mytaskisdone，andwelldone！\"
Startingfromthelogwithacertainalacrityinhisgaitandascendingthehillockofearththatwasraisedagainstthestonecircumferenceofthelime-kiln，hethusreachedthetopofthestructure。Itwasaspaceofperhapstenfeetacross，fromedgetoedge，presentingaviewoftheuppersurfaceoftheimmensemassofbrokenmarblewithwhichthekilnwasheaped。Alltheseinnumerableblocksandfragmentsofmarblewereredhotandvividlyonfire，sendingupgreatspoutsofblueflame，whichquiveredaloftanddancedmadly，aswithinamagiccircle，andsankandroseagain，withcontinualandmultitudinousactivity。
Asthelonelymanbentforwardoverthisterriblebodyoffire，theblastingheatsmoteupagainsthispersonwithabreaththat，itmightbesupposed，wouldhavescorchedandshrivelledhimupinamoment。
EthanBrandstooderect，andraisedhisarmsonhigh。Theblueflamesplayeduponhisface，andimpartedthewildandghastlylightwhichalonecouldhavesuiteditsexpression;itwasthatofafiendonthevergeofplungingintohisgulfofintensesttorment。
\"OMotherEarth，\"criedhe，\"whoartnomoremyMother，andintowhosebosomthisframeshallneverberesolved！Omankind，whosebrotherhoodIhavecastoff，andtrampledthygreatheartbeneathmyfeet！Ostarsofheaven，thatshoneonmeofold，asiftolightmeonwardandupward！——farewellall，andforever。Come，deadlyelementofFire，-henceforthmyfamiliarfriend！Embraceme，asIdothee！\"
Thatnightthesoundofafearfulpealoflaughterrolledheavilythroughthesleepofthelime-burnerandhislittleson;dimshapesofhorrorandanguishhauntedtheirdreams，andseemedstillpresentintherudehovel，whentheyopenedtheireyestothedaylight。
\"Up，boy，up！\"criedthelime-burner，staringabouthim。\"ThankHeaven，thenightisgone，atlast;andratherthanpasssuchanother，Iwouldwatchmylime-kiln，wideawake，foratwelvemonth。ThisEthanBrand，withhishumbugofanUnpardonableSin，hasdonemenosuchmightyfavor，intakingmyplace！\"
Heissuedfromthehut，followedbylittleJoe，whokeptfastholdofhisfather’shand。Theearlysunshinewasalreadypouringitsgolduponthemountain-tops，andthoughthevalleyswerestillinshadow，theysmiledcheerfullyinthepromiseofthebrightdaythatwashasteningonward。Thevillage，completelyshutinbyhills，whichswelledawaygentlyaboutit，lookedasifithadrestedpeacefullyinthehollowofthegreathandofProvidence。Everydwellingwasdistinctlyvisible;thelittlespiresofthetwochurchespointedupwards，andcaughtafore-glimmeringofbrightnessfromthesun-giltskiesupontheirgildedweather-cocks。Thetavernwasastir，andthefigureoftheold，smoke-driedstage-agent，cigarinmouth，wasseenbeneaththestoop。OldGraylockwasglorifiedwithagoldenclouduponhishead。Scatteredlikewiseoverthebreastsofthesurroundingmountains，therewereheapsofhoarymist，infantasticshapes，someofthemfardownintothevalley，othershighuptowardsthesummits，andstillothers，ofthesamefamilyofmistorcloud，hoveringinthegoldradianceoftheupperatmosphere。Steppingfromonetoanotherofthecloudsthatrestedonthehills，andthencetotheloftierbrotherhoodthatsailedinair，itseemedalmostasifamortalmanmightthusascendintotheheavenlyregions。Earthwassomingledwithskythatitwasaday-dreamtolookatit。
Tosupplythatcharmofthefamiliarandhomely，whichNaturesoreadilyadoptsintoascenelikethis，thestage-coachwasrattlingdownthemountain-road，andthedriversoundedhishorn，whileEchocaughtupthenotes，andintertwinedthemintoarichandvariedandelaborateharmony，ofwhichtheoriginalperformercouldlayclaimtolittleshare。Thegreathillsplayedaconcertamongthemselves，eachcontributingastrainofairysweetness。
LittleJoe’sfacebrightenedatonce。
\"Dearfather，\"criedhe，skippingcheerilytoandfro，\"thatstrangemanisgone，andtheskyandthemountainsallseemgladofit！\"
\"Yes，\"growledthelime-burner，withanoath，\"buthehasletthefiregodown，andnothankstohimiffivehundredbushelsoflimearenotspoiled。IfIcatchthefellowhereaboutsagain，I
shallfeelliketossinghimintothefurnace！\"
Withhislongpoleinhishand，heascendedtothetopofthekiln。Afteramoment’spause，hecalledtohisson。
\"Comeuphere，Joe！\"saidhe。
SolittleJoeranupthehillock，andstoodbyhisfather’sside。
Themarblewasallburntintoperfect，snow-whitelime。Butonitssurface，inthemidstofthecircle，——snow-whitetoo，andthoroughlyconvertedintolime，——layahumanskeleton，intheattitudeofapersonwho，afterlongtoil，liesdowntolongrepose。Withintheribs——strangetosay——wastheshapeofahumanheart。
\"Wasthefellow’sheartmadeofmarble？\"criedBartram，insomeperplexityatthisphenomenon。\"Atanyrate，itisburntintowhatlookslikespecialgoodlime;and，takingallthebonestogether，mykilnishalfabushelthericherforhim。\"
Sosaying，therudelime-burnerliftedhispole，and，lettingitfallupontheskeleton，therelicsofEthanBrandwerecrumbledintofragments。
THECANTERBURYPILGRIMS
Thesummermoon，whichshinesinsomanyatale，wasbeamingoverabroadextentofunevencountry。Someofitsbrightestrayswereflungintoaspringofwater，wherenotraveller，toiling，asthewriterhas，upthehillyroadbesidewhichitgushes，everfailedtoquenchhisthirst。Theworkofneathandsandconsiderateartwasvisibleaboutthisblessedfountain。Anopencistern，hewnandhollowedoutofsolidstone，wasplacedabovethewaters，whichfilledittothebrim，butbysomeinvisibleoutletwereconveyedawaywithoutdrippingdownitssides。Thoughthebasinhadnotroomforanotherdrop，andthecontinualgushofwatermadeatremoronthesurface，therewasasecretcharmthatforbadeittooverflow。Iremember，thatwhenIhadslakedmysummerthirst，andsatpantingbythecistern，itwasmyfancifultheorythatNaturecouldnotaffordtolavishsopurealiquid，asshedoesthewatersofallmeanerfountains。
Whilethemoonwashangingalmostperpendicularlyoverthisspot，twofiguresappearedonthesummitofthehill，andcamewithnoiselessfootstepsdowntowardsthespring。Theyweretheninthefirstfreshnessofyouth;noristhereawrinklenowoneitheroftheirbrows，andyettheyworeastrange，old-fashionedgarb。One，ayoungmanwithruddycheeks，walkedbeneaththecanopyofabroad-brimmedgrayhat;heseemedtohaveinheritedhisgreat-grandsire’ssquare-skirtedcoat，andawaistcoatthatextendeditsimmenseflapstohisknees;hisbrownlocks，also，hungdownbehind，inamodeunknowntoourtimes。Byhissidewasasweetyoungdamsel，herfairfeaturesshelteredbyaprimlittlebonnet，withinwhichappearedthevestalmuslinofacap;
herclose，long-waistedgown，andindeedherwholeattire，mighthavebeenwornbysomerusticbeautywhohadfadedhalfacenturybefore。Butthattherewassomethingtoowarmandlife-likeinthem，Iwouldherehavecomparedthiscoupletotheghostsoftwoyoungloverswhohaddiedlongsinceintheglowofpassion，andnowwerestrayingoutoftheirgraves，torenewtheoldvows，andshadowforththeunforgottenkissoftheirearthlylips，besidethemoonlitspring。
\"TheeandIwillresthereamoment，Miriam，\"saidtheyoungman，astheydrewnearthestonecistern，\"forthereisnofearthattheeldersknowwhatwehavedone;andthismaybethelasttimeweshallevertastethiswater。\"
Thusspeaking，withalittlesadnessinhisface，whichwasalsovisibleinthatofhiscompanion，hemadehersitdownonastone，andwasabouttoplacehimselfveryclosetoherside;
she，however，repelledhim，thoughnotunkindly。
\"Nay，Josiah，\"saidshe，givinghimatimidpushwithhermaidenhand，\"theemustsitfartheroff，onthatotherstone，withthespringbetweenus。Whatwouldthesisterssay，iftheeweretositsoclosetome？\"
\"Butweareoftheworld’speoplenow，Miriam，\"answeredJosiah。
Thegirlpersistedinherprudery，nordidtheyouth，infact，seemaltogetherfreefromasimilarsortofshyness;sotheysatapartfromeachother，gazingupthehill，wherethemoonlightdiscoveredthetopsofagroupofbuildings。Whiletheirattentionwasthusoccupied，apartyoftravellers，whohadcomewearilyupthelongascent，madeahalttorefreshthemselvesatthespring。Therewerethreemen，awoman，andalittlegirlandboy。Theirattirewasmean，coveredwiththedustofthesummer’sday，anddampwiththenight-dew;theyalllookedwoebegone，asifthecaresandsorrowsoftheworldhadmadetheirstepsheavierastheyclimbedthehill;eventhetwolittlechildrenappearedolderinevildaysthantheyoungmanandmaidenwhohadfirstapproachedthespring。
\"Goodeveningtoyou，youngfolks，\"wasthesalutationofthetravellers;and\"Goodevening，friends，\"repliedtheyouthanddamsel。
\"IsthatwhitebuildingtheShakermeeting-house？\"askedoneofthestrangers。\"AndarethosetheredroofsoftheShakervillage？\"
\"Friend，itistheShakervillage，\"answeredJosiah，aftersomehesitation。
Thetravellers，who，fromthefirst，hadlookedsuspiciouslyatthegarboftheseyoungpeople，nowtaxedthemwithanintentionwhichallthecircumstances，indeed，renderedtooobvioustobemistaken。
\"Itistrue，friends，\"repliedtheyoungman，summoninguphiscourage。\"MiriamandIhaveagifttoloveeachother，andwearegoingamongtheworld’speople，toliveaftertheirfashion。Andyeknowthatwedonottransgressthelawoftheland;andneitherye，northeeldersthemselves，havearighttohinderus。\"
\"Yetyouthinkitexpedienttodepartwithoutleave-taking，\"
remarkedoneofthetravellers。
\"Yea，ye-a，\"saidJosiah，reluctantly，\"becausefatherJobisaveryawfulmantospeakwith;andbeingagedhimself，hehasbutlittlecharityforwhathecallstheiniquitiesoftheflesh。\"
\"Well，\"saidthestranger，\"wewillneitheruseforcetobringyoubacktothevillage，norwillwebetrayyoutotheelders。
Butsityouhereawhile，andwhenyouhaveheardwhatweshalltellyouoftheworldwhichwehaveleft，andintowhichyouaregoing，perhapsyouwillturnbackwithusofyourownaccord。
Whatsayyou？\"addedhe，turningtohiscompanions。\"Wehavetravelledthusfarwithoutbecomingknowntoeachother。Shallwetellourstories，herebythispleasantspring，forourownpastime，andthebenefitofthesemisguidedyounglovers？\"
Inaccordancewiththisproposal，thewholepartystationedthemselvesroundthestonecistern;thetwochildren，beingveryweary，fellasleepuponthedampearth，andtheprettyShakergirl，whosefeelingswerethoseofanunoraTurkishlady，creptascloseaspossibletothefemaletraveller，andasfarasshewellcouldfromtheunknownmen。Thesamepersonwhohadhithertobeenthechiefspokesmannowstoodup，wavinghishatinhishand，andsufferedthemoonlighttofallfulluponhisfront。
\"Inme，\"saidhe，withacertainmajestyofutterance，——\"inme，youbeholdapoet。\"
Thoughalithographicprintofthisgentlemanisextant，itmaybewelltonoticethathewasnownearlyforty，athinandstoopingfigure，inablackcoat，outatelbows;notwithstandingtheillconditionofhisattire，therewereabouthimseveraltokensofapeculiarsortoffoppery，unworthyofamatureman，particularlyinthearrangementofhishairwhichwassodisposedastogiveallpossibleloftinessandbreadthtohisforehead。
However，hehadanintelligenteye，and，onthewhole，amarkedcountenance。
\"Apoet！\"repeatedtheyoungShaker，alittlepuzzledhowtounderstandsuchadesignation，seldomheardintheutilitariancommunitywherehehadspenthislife。\"Oh，ay，Miriam，hemeansavarse-maker，theemustknow。\"
Thisremarkjarreduponthesusceptiblenervesofthepoet;norcouldhehelpwonderingwhatstrangefatalityhadputintothisyoungman’smouthanepithet，whichill-naturedpeoplehadaffirmedtobemorepropertohismeritthantheoneassumedbyhimself。
\"True，Iamaverse-maker，\"heresumed，\"butmyverseisnomorethanthematerialbodyintowhichIbreathethecelestialsoulofthought。Alas！howmanyapanghasitcostme，thissameinsensibilitytotheetherealessenceofpoetry，withwhichyouhaveheretorturedmeagain，atthemomentwhenIamtorelinquishmyprofessionforever！OFate！whyhastthouwarredwithNature，turningallherhigherandmoreperfectgiftstotheruinofme，theirpossessor？Whatisthevoiceofsong，whentheworldlackstheearoftaste？HowcanIrejoiceinmystrengthanddelicacyoffeeling，whentheyhavebutmadegreatsorrowsoutoflittleones？HaveIdreadedscornlikedeath，andyearnedforfameasotherspantforvitalair，onlytofindmyselfinamiddlestatebetweenobscurityandinfamy？ButIhavemyrevenge！
Icouldhavegivenexistencetoathousandbrightcreations。I
crushthemintomyheart，andthereletthemputrefy！Ishakeoffthedustofmyfeetagainstmycountrymen！Butposterity，tracingmyfootstepsupthiswearyhill，willcryshameupontheunworthyagethatdroveoneofthefathersofAmericansongtoendhisdaysinaShakervillage！\"
Duringthisharangue，thespeakergesticulatedwithgreatenergy，and，aspoetryisthenaturallanguageofpassion，thereappearedreasontoapprehendhisfinalexplosionintoanodeextempore。
Thereadermustunderstandthat，forallthesebitterwords，hewasakind，gentle，harmless，poorfellowenough，whomNature，tossingheringredientstogetherwithoutlookingatherrecipe，hadsentintotheworldwithtoomuchofonesortofbrain，andhardlyanyofanother。
\"Friend，\"saidtheyoungShaker，insomeperplexity，\"theeseemesttohavemetwithgreattroubles;and，doubtless，Ishouldpitythem，if——ifIcouldbutunderstandwhattheywere。\"
\"Happyinyourignorance！\"repliedthepoet，withanairofsublimesuperiority。\"Toyourcoarsermind，perhaps，ImayseemtospeakofmoreimportantgriefswhenIadd，whatIhadwell-
nighforgotten，thatIamoutatelbows，andalmoststarvedtodeath。Atanyrate，youhavetheadviceandexampleofoneindividualtowarnyouback;forIamcomehither，adisappointedman，flingingasidethefragmentsofmyhopes，andseekingshelterinthecalmretreatwhichyouaresoanxioustoleave。\"
\"Ithankthee，friend，\"rejoinedtheyouth，\"butIdonotmeantobeapoet，nor，Heavenbepraised！doIthinkMiriamevermadeavarseinherlife。Soweneednotfearthydisappointments。But，Miriam，\"headded，withrealconcern，\"theeknowestthattheeldersadmitnobodythathasnotagifttobeuseful。Now，whatunderthesuncantheydowiththispoorvarse-maker？\"
\"Nay，Josiah，donottheediscouragethepoorman，\"saidthegirl，inallsimplicityandkindness。\"Ourhymnsareveryrough，andperhapstheymaytrusthimtosmooththem。\"
Withoutnoticingthishintofprofessionalemployment，thepoetturnedaway，andgavehimselfuptoasortofvaguereverie，whichhecalledthought。Sometimeshewatchedthemoon，pouringasilveryliquidontheclouds，throughwhichitslowlymeltedtilltheybecameallbright;thenhesawthesamesweetradiancedancingontheleafytreeswhichrustledasiftoshakeitoff，orsleepingonthehightopsofhills，orhoveringdownindistantvalleys，likethematerialofunshapeddreams;lastly，helookedintothespring，andtherethelightwasminglingwiththewater。Initscrystalbosom，too，beholdingallheavenreflectedthere，hefoundanemblemofapureandtranquilbreast。Helistenedtothatmostetherealofallsounds，thesongofcrickets，cominginfullchoiruponthewind，andfanciedthat，ifmoonlightcouldbeheard，itwouldsoundjustlikethat。
Finally，hetookadraughtattheShakerspring，and，asifitwerethetrueCastalia，wasforthwithmovedtocomposealyric，aFarewelltohisHarp，whichhesworeshouldbeitsclosingstrain，thelastversethatanungratefulworldshouldhavefromhim。Thiseffusion，withtwoorthreeotherlittlepieces，subsequentlywritten，hetookthefirstopportunitytosend，byoneoftheShakerbrethren，toConcord，wheretheywerepublishedintheNewHampshirePatriot。
Meantime，anotheroftheCanterburypilgrims，onesodifferentfromthepoetthatthedelicatefancyofthelattercouldhardlyhaveconceivedofhim，begantorelatehissadexperience。Hewasasmallman，ofquickandunquietgestures，aboutfiftyyearsold，withanarrowforehead，allwrinkledanddrawntogether。Heheldinhishandapencil，andacardofsomecommission-merchantinforeignparts，onthebackofwhich，fortherewaslightenoughtoreadorwriteby，heseemedreadytofigureoutacalculation。
\"Youngman，\"saidhe，abruptly，\"whatquantityoflanddotheShakersownhere，inCanterbury？\"
\"ThatismorethanIcantellthee，friend，\"answeredJosiah，\"butitisaveryrichestablishment，andforalongwaybytheroadsidetheemayguessthelandtobeours，bytheneatnessofthefences。\"
\"Andwhatmaybethevalueofthewhole，\"continuedthestranger，\"withallthebuildingsandimprovements，prettynearly，inroundnumbers？\"
\"Oh，amonstroussum，——morethanIcanreckon，\"repliedtheyoungShaker。
\"Well，sir，\"saidthepilgrim，\"therewasaday，andnotverylongago，neither，whenIstoodatmycounting-roomwindow，andwatchedthesignalflagsofthreeofmyownshipsenteringtheharbor，fromtheEastIndies，fromLiverpool，andfromuptheStraits，andIwouldnothavegiventheinvoiceoftheleastofthemforthetitle-deedsofthiswholeShakersettlement。Youstare。Perhaps，now，youwon’tbelievethatIcouldhaveputmorevalueonalittlepieceofpaper，nobiggerthanthepalmofyourhand，thanallthesesolidacresofgrain，grass，andpasture-landwouldsellfor？\"
\"Iwon’tdisputeit，friend，\"answeredJosiah，\"butIknowIhadratherhavefiftyacresofthisgoodlandthanawholesheetofthypaper。\"
\"Youmaysaysonow，\"saidtheruinedmerchant，bitterly，\"formynamewouldnotbeworththepaperIshouldwriteiton。Ofcourse，youmusthaveheardofmyfailure？\"
Andthestrangermentionedhisname，which，howevermightyitmighthavebeeninthecommercialworld，theyoungShakerhadneverheardofamongtheCanterburyhills。
\"Notheardofmyfailure！\"exclaimedthemerchant，considerablypiqued。\"Why，itwasspokenofon’ChangeinLondon，andfromBostontoNewOrleansmentrembledintheirshoes。Atallevents，Ididfail，andyouseemehereonmyroadtotheShakervillage，where，doubtless（fortheShakersareashrewdsect），theywillhaveaduerespectformyexperience，andgivemethemanagementofthetradingpartoftheconcern，inwhichcaseIthinkIcanpledgemyselftodoubletheircapitalinfourorfiveyears。Turnbackwithme，youngman;forthoughyouwillnevermeetwithmygoodluck，youcanhardlyescapemybad。\"
\"Iwillnotturnbackforthis，\"repliedJosiah。calmly，\"anymorethanfortheadviceofthevarse-maker，betweenwhomandthee，friend，Iseeasortoflikeness，thoughIcan’tjustlysaywhereitlies。ButMiriamandIcanearnourdailybreadamongtheworld’speopleaswellasintheShakervillage。Anddowewantanythingmore，Miriam？\"
\"Nothingmore，Josiah，\"saidthegirl，quietly。
\"Yea，Miriam，anddailybreadforsomeotherlittlemouths，ifGodsendthem，\"observedthesimpleShakerlad。
Miriamdidnotreply，butlookeddownintothespring，wheresheencounteredtheimageofherownprettyface，blushingwithintheprimlittlebonnet。Thethirdpilgrimnowtookuptheconversation。Hewasasunburntcountryman，oftallframeandbonystrength，onwhoserudeandmanlyfacethereappearedadarker，moresullenandobstinatedespondency，thanonthoseofeitherthepoetorthemerchant。
\"Well，now，youngster，\"hebegan，\"thesefolkshavehadtheirsay，soI’lltakemyturn。Mystorywillcutbutapoorfigurebythesideoftheirs;forIneversupposedthatIcouldhavearighttomeatanddrink，andgreatpraisebesides，onlyfortaggingrhymestogether，asitseemsthismandoes;norevertriedtogetthesubstanceofhundredsintomyownhands，likethetraderthere。WhenIwasaboutofyouryears，Imarriedmeawife，——justsuchaneatandprettyyoungwomanasMiriam，ifthat’shername，——andallIaskedofProvidencewasanordinaryblessingonthesweatofmybrow，sothatwemightbedecentandcomfortable，andhavedailybreadforourselves，andforsomeotherlittlemouthsthatwesoonhadtofeed。Wehadnoverygreatprospectsbeforeus;butIneverwantedtobeidle;andI
thoughtitamatterofcoursethattheLordwouldhelpme，becauseIwaswillingtohelpmyself。\"
\"Anddidn’tHehelpthee，friend？\"demandedJosiah，withsomeeagerness。
\"No，\"saidtheyeoman，sullenly;\"forthenyouwouldnothaveseenmehere。Ihavelaboredhardforyears;andmymeanshavebeengrowingnarrower，andmylivingpoorer，andmyheartcolderandheavier，allthetime;tillatlastIcouldbearitnolonger。IsetmyselfdowntocalculatewhetherIhadbestgoontheOregonexpedition，orcomeheretotheShakervillage;butI
hadnothopeenoughleftinmetobegintheworldoveragain;
and，tomakemystoryshort，hereIam。Andnow，youngster，takemyadvice，andturnback;orelse，somefewyearshence，you’llhavetoclimbthishill，withasheavyaheartasmine。\"
Thissimplestoryhadastrongeffectontheyoungfugitives。Themisfortunesofthepoetandmerchanthadwonlittlesympathyfromtheirplaingoodsenseandunworldlyfeelings，qualitieswhichmadethemsuchunprejudicedandinflexiblejudges，thatfewmenwouldhavechosentotaketheopinionofthisyouthandmaidenastothewisdomorfollyoftheirpursuits。Butherewasonewhosesimplewisheshadresembledtheirown，andwho，aftereffortswhichalmostgavehimarighttoclaimsuccessfromfate，hadfailedinaccomplishingthem。
\"Butthywife，friend？\"exclaimedtheyoungerman。\"Whatbecameoftheprettygirl，likeMiriam？Oh，Iamafraidsheisdead！\"
\"Yea，poorman，shemustbedead，——sheandthechildren，too，\"
sobbedMiriam。
Thefemalepilgrimhadbeenleaningoverthespring，whereinlatterlyatearortwomighthavebeenseentofall，andformitslittlecircleonthesurfaceofthewater。Shenowlookedup，disclosingfeaturesstillcomely，butwhichhadacquiredanexpressionoffretfulness，inthesamelongcourseofevilfortunethathadthrownasullengloomoverthetemperoftheunprosperousyeoman。
\"Iamhiswife，\"saidshe，ashadeofirritabilityjustperceptibleinthesadnessofhertone。\"Thesepoorlittlethings，asleepontheground，aretwoofourchildren。Wehadtwomore，butGodhasprovidedbetterforthemthanwecould，bytakingthemtoHimself。\"
\"AndwhatwouldtheeadviseJosiahandmetodo？\"askedMiriam，thisbeingthefirstquestionwhichshehadputtoeitherofthestrangers。
\"’Tisathingalmostagainstnatureforawomantotrytoparttruelovers，\"answeredtheyeoman’swife，afterapause;\"butI’llspeakastrulytoyouasiftheseweremydyingwords。
Thoughmyhusbandtoldyousomeofourtroubles，hedidn’tmentionthegreatest，andthatwhichmakesalltherestsohardtobear。Ifyouandyoursweetheartmarry，you’llbekindandpleasanttoeachotherforayearortwo，andwhilethat’sthecase，youneverwillrepent;but，byandby，he’llgrowgloomy，rough，andhardtoplease，andyou’llbepeevish，andfulloflittleangryfits，andapttobecomplainingbythefireside，whenhecomestoresthimselffromhistroublesoutofdoors;soyourlovewillwearawaybylittleandlittle，andleaveyoumiserableatlast。Ithasbeensowithus;andyetmyhusbandandIweretrueloversonce，ifevertwoyoungfolkswere。\"
Assheceased，theyeomanandhiswifeexchangedaglance，inwhichtherewasmoreandwarmeraffectionthantheyhadsupposedtohaveescapedthefrostofawintryfate，ineitheroftheirbreasts。Atthatmoment，whentheystoodontheutmostvergeofmarriedlife，onewordfitlyspoken，orperhapsonepeculiarlook，hadtheyhadmutualconfidenceenoughtoreciprocateit，mighthaverenewedalltheiroldfeelings，andsentthemback，resolvedtosustaineachotheramidthestrugglesoftheworld。
Butthecrisispassedandnevercameagain。Justthen，also，thechildren，rousedbytheirmother’svoice，lookedup，andaddedtheirwailingaccentstothetestimonybornebyalltheCanterburypilgrimsagainsttheworldfromwhichtheyfled。
\"Wearetiredandhungry！\"criedthey。\"IsitfartotheShakervillage？\"
TheShakeryouthandmaidenlookedmournfullyintoeachother’seyes。Theyhadbutsteppedacrossthethresholdoftheirhomes，whenlo！thedarkarrayofcaresandsorrowsthatroseuptowarnthemback。Thevariednarrativesofthestrangershadarrangedthemselvesintoaparable;theyseemednotmerelyinstancesofwofulfatethathadbefallenothers，butshadowyomensofdisappointedhopeandunavailingtoil，domesticgriefandestrangedaffection，thatwouldcloudtheonwardpathofthesepoorfugitives。Butafteroneinstant’shesitation，theyopenedtheirarms，andsealedtheirresolvewithaspureandfondanembraceaseveryouthfullovehadhallowed。
\"Wewillnotgoback，\"saidthey。\"Theworldnevercanbedarktous，forwewillalwaysloveoneanother。\"
ThentheCanterburypilgrimswentupthehill，whilethepoetchantedadrearanddesperatestanzaoftheFarewelltohisHarp，fittingmusicforthatmelancholyband。Theysoughtahomewhereallformertiesofnatureorsocietywouldbesundered，andallolddistinctionslevelled，andacoldandpassionlesssecuritybesubstitutedformortalhopeandfear，asinthatotherrefugeoftheworld’swearyoutcasts，thegrave。TheloversdrankattheShakerspring，andthen，withchastenedhopes，butmoreconfidingaffections，wentontomingleinanuntriedlife。
THEDEVILINMANUSCRIPT
OnabittereveningofDecember，Iarrivedbymailinalargetown，whichwasthentheresidenceofanintimatefriend，oneofthosegiftedyouthswhocultivatepoetryandthebelles-lettres，andcallthemselvesstudentsatlaw。Myfirstbusiness，aftersupper，wastovisithimattheofficeofhisdistinguishedinstructor。AsIhavesaid，itwasabitternight，clearstarlight，butcoldasNovaZembla，——theshop-windowsalongthestreetbeingfrosted，soasalmosttohidethelights，whilethewheelsofcoachesthunderedequallyloudoverfrozenearthandpavementsofstone。Therewasnosnow，eitheronthegroundortheroofsofthehouses。Thewindblewsoviolently，thatIhadbuttospreadmycloaklikeamain-sail，andscudalongthestreetattherateoftenknots，greatlyenviedbyothernavigators，whowerebeatingslowlyup，withthegalerightintheirteeth。OneoftheseIcapsized，butwasgoneonthewingsofthewindbeforehecouldevenvociferateanoath。
Afterthispictureofaninclementnight，beholdusseatedbyagreatblazingfire，whichlookedsocomfortableanddeliciousthatIfeltinclinedtoliedownandrollamongthehotcoals。
Theusualfurnitureofalawyer’sofficewasaroundus，——rowsofvolumesinsheepskin，andamultitudeofwrits，summonses，andotherlegalpapers，scatteredoverthedesksandtables。Buttherewerecertainobjectswhichseemedtointimatethatwehadlittledreadoftheintrusionofclients，orofthelearnedcounsellorhimself，who，indeed，wasattendingcourtinadistanttown。Atall，decanter-shapedbottlestoodonthetable，betweentwotumblers，andbesideapileofblottedmanuscripts，altogetherdissimilartoanylawdocumentsrecognizedinourcourts。Myfriend，whomIshallcallOberon，——itwasanameoffancyandfriendshipbetweenhimandme，——myfriendOberonlookedatthesepaperswithapeculiarexpressionofdisquietude。
\"Idobelieve，\"saidhe，soberly，\"or，atleast，Icouldbelieve，ifIchose，thatthereisadevilinthispileofblottedpapers。
Youhavereadthem，andknowwhatImean，——thatconceptioninwhichIendeavoredtoembodythecharacterofafiend，asrepresentedinourtraditionsandthewrittenrecordsofwitchcraft。Oh，Ihaveahorrorofwhatwascreatedinmyownbrain，andshudderatthemanuscriptsinwhichIgavethatdarkideaasortofmaterialexistence！Wouldtheywereoutofmysight！\"
\"Andofmine，too，\"thoughtI。
\"Youremember，\"continuedOberon，\"howthehellishthingusedtosuckawaythehappinessofthosewho，byasimpleconcessionthatseemedalmostinnocent，subjectedthemselvestohispower。Justsomypeaceisgone，andallbytheseaccursedmanuscripts。Haveyoufeltnothingofthesameinfluence？\"
\"Nothing，\"repliedI，\"unlessthespellbehidinadesiretoturnnovelist，afterreadingyourdelightfultales。\"
\"Novelist！\"exclaimedOberon，halfseriously。\"Then，indeed，mydevilhashisclawonyou！Youaregone！Youcannotevenprayfordeliverance！Butwewillbethelastandonlyvictims;forthisnightImeantoburnthemanuscripts，andcommitthefiendtohisretributionintheflames。\"
\"Burnyourtales！\"repeatedI，startledatthedesperationoftheidea。
\"Evenso，\"saidtheauthor，despondingly。\"Youcannotconceivewhataneffectthecompositionofthesetaleshashadonme。I
havebecomeambitiousofabubble，andcarelessofsolidreputation。Iamsurroundingmyselfwithshadows，whichbewilderme，byapingtherealitiesoflife。Theyhavedrawnmeasidefromthebeatenpathoftheworld，andledmeintoastrangesortofsolitude，——asolitudeinthemidstofmen，-wherenobodywishesforwhatIdo，northinksnorfeelsasIdo。Thetaleshavedoneallthis。Whentheyareashes，perhapsIshallbeasIwasbeforetheyhadexistence。Moreover，thesacrificeislessthanyoumaysuppose，sincenobodywillpublishthem。\"
\"Thatdoesmakeadifference，indeed，\"saidI。
\"Theyhavebeenoffered，byletter，\"continuedOberon，reddeningwithvexation，\"tosomeseventeenbooksellers。Itwouldmakeyoustaretoreadtheiranswers;andreadthemyoushould，onlythatIburntthemasfastastheyarrived。Onemanpublishesnothingbutschool-books;anotherhasfivenovelsalreadyunderexamination。\"
\"WhatavoluminousmasstheunpublishedliteratureofAmericamustbe！\"criedI。
\"Oh，theAlexandrianmanuscriptswerenothingtoit！\"saidmyfriend。\"Well，anothergentlemanisjustgivingupbusiness，onpurpose，Iverilybelieve，toescapepublishingmybook。Several，however，wouldnotabsolutelydeclinetheagency，onmyadvancinghalfthecostofanedition，andgivingbondsfortheremainder，besidesahighpercentagetothemselves，whetherthebooksellsornot。Anotheradvisesasubscription。\"
\"Thevillain！\"exclaimedI。
\"Afact！\"saidOberon。\"Inshort，ofalltheseventeenbooksellers，onlyonehasvouchsafedeventoreadmytales;andhe——aliterarydabblerhimself，Ishouldjudge——hastheimpertinencetocriticisethem，proposingwhathecallsvastimprovements，andconcluding，afterageneralsentenceofcondemnation，withthedefinitiveassurancethathewillnotbeconcernedonanyterms。\"
\"Itmightnotbeamisstopullthatfellow’snose，\"remarkedI。
\"Ifthewhole’trade’hadonecommonnose，therewouldbesomesatisfactioninpullingit，\"answeredtheauthor。\"But，theredoesseemtobeonehonestmanamongtheseseventeenunrighteousones;andhetellsmefairly，thatnoAmericanpublisherwillmeddlewithanAmericanwork，——seldomifbyaknownwriter，andneverifbyanewone，——unlessatthewriter’srisk。\"
\"Thepaltryrogues！\"criedI。\"Willtheylivebyliterature，andyetrisknothingforitssake？But，afterall，youmightpublishonyourownaccount。\"
\"AndsoImight，\"repliedOberon。\"Butthedevilofthebusinessisthis。Thesepeoplehaveputmesooutofconceitwiththetales，thatIloathetheverythoughtofthem，andactuallyexperienceaphysicalsicknessofthestomach，wheneverIglanceatthemonthetable。Itellyouthereisademoninthem！I
anticipateawildenjoymentinseeingthemintheblaze;suchasIshouldfeelintakingvengeanceonanenemy，ordestroyingsomethingnoxious。\"
Ididnotverystrenuouslyopposethisdetermination，beingprivatelyofopinion，inspiteofmypartialityfortheauthor，thathistaleswouldmakeamorebrilliantappearanceinthefirethananywhereelse。Beforeproceedingtoexecution，webroachedthebottleofchampagne，whichOberonhadprovidedforkeepinguphisspiritsinthisdolefulbusiness。Weswallowedeachatumblerful，insparklingcommotion;itwentbubblingdownourthroats，andbrightenedmyeyesatonce，butleftmyfriendsadandheavyasbefore。Hedrewthetalestowardshim，withamixtureofnaturalaffectionandnaturaldisgust，likeafathertakingadeformedinfantintohisarms。
\"Pooh！Pish！Pshaw！\"exclaimedhe，holdingthematarm’s-length。
\"ItwasGray’sideaofheaven，toloungeonasofaandreadnewnovels。Now，whatmoreappropriatetorturewouldDantehimselfhavecontrived，forthesinnerwhoperpetratesabadbook，thantobecontinuallyturningoverthemanuscript？\"
\"Itwouldfailofeffect，\"saidI，\"becauseabadauthorisalwayshisowngreatadmirer。\"
\"Ilackthatonecharacteristicofmytribe，——theonlydesirableone，\"observedOberon。\"Buthowmanyrecollectionsthronguponme，asIturnovertheseleaves！ThisscenecameintomyfancyasIwalkedalongahillyroad，onastarlightOctoberevening;inthepureandbracingair，Ibecameallsoul，andfeltasifI
couldclimbthesky，andrunaracealongtheMilkyWay。Hereisanothertale，inwhichIwraptmyselfduringadarkanddrearynight-rideinthemonthofMarch，tilltherattlingofthewheelsandthevoicesofmycompanionsseemedlikefaintsoundsofadream，andmyvisionsabrightreality。ThatscribbledpagedescribesshadowswhichIsummonedtomybedsideatmidnight：
theywouldnotdepartwhenIbadethem;thegraydawncame，andfoundmewideawakeandfeverish，thevictimofmyownenchantments！\"
\"Theremusthavebeenasortofhappinessinallthis，\"saidI，smittenwithastrangelongingtomakeproofofit。
\"Theremaybehappinessinafeverfit，\"repliedtheauthor。\"AndthenthevariousmoodsinwhichIwrote！Sometimesmyideaswerelikepreciousstonesundertheearth，requiringtoiltodigthemup，andcaretopolishandbrightenthem;butoftenadeliciousstreamofthoughtwouldgushoutuponthepageatonce，likewatersparklingupsuddenlyinthedesert;andwhenithadpassed，Ignawedmypenhopelessly，orblunderedonwithcoldandmiserabletoil，asiftherewereawalloficebetweenmeandmysubject。\"
\"Doyounowperceiveacorrespondingdifference，\"inquiredI，\"betweenthepassageswhichyouwrotesocoldly，andthosefervidflashesofthemind？\"
\"No，\"saidOberon，tossingthemanuscriptsonthetable。\"IfindnotracesofthegoldenpenwithwhichIwroteincharactersoffire。Mytreasureoffairycoinischangedtoworthlessdross。Mypicture，paintedinwhatseemedtheloveliesthues，presentsnothingbutafadedandindistinguishablesurface。Ihavebeeneloquentandpoeticalandhumorousinadream，——andbehold！itisallnonsense，nowthatIamawake。\"
Myfriendnowthrewsticksofwoodanddrychipsuponthefire，andseeingitblazelikeNebuchadnezzar’sfurnace，seizedthechampagnebottle，anddranktwoorthreebrimmingbumpers，successively。Theheadyliquorcombinedwithhisagitationtothrowhimintoaspeciesofrage。Helaidviolenthandsonthetales。Inoneinstantmore，theirfaultsandbeautieswouldalikehavevanishedinaglowingpurgatory。But，allatonce，I
rememberedpassagesofhighimagination，deeppathos，originalthoughts，andpointsofsuchvariedexcellence，thatthevastnessofthesacrificestruckmemostforcibly。Icaughthisarm。
\"Surely，youdonotmeantoburnthem！\"Iexclaimed。
\"Letmealone！\"criedOberon，hiseyesflashingfire。\"Iwillburnthem！Notascorchedsyllableshallescape！Wouldyouhavemeadamnedauthor？——Toundergosneers，taunts，abuse，andcoldneglect，andfaintpraise，bestowed，forpity’ssake，againstthegiver’sconscience！Ahissingandalaughing-stocktomyowntraitorousthoughts！Anoutlawfromtheprotectionofthegrave，——onewhoseasheseverycarelessfootmightspurn，unhonoredinlife，andrememberedscornfullyindeath！AmItobearallthis，whenyonderfirewillinsuremefromthewhole？
No！Theregothetales！Maymyhandwitherwhenitwouldwriteanother！\"
Thedeedwasdone。Hehadthrownthemanuscriptsintothehottestofthefire，whichatfirstseemedtoshrinkaway，butsooncurledaroundthem，andmadethemapartofitsownferventbrightness。Oberonstoodgazingattheconflagration，andshortlybegantosoliloquize，inthewildeststrain，asifFancyresistedandbecameriotous，atthemomentwhenhewouldhavecompelledhertoascendthatfuneralpile。Hiswordsdescribedobjectswhichheappearedtodiscerninthefire，fedbyhisownpreciousthoughts;perhapsthethousandvisionswhichthewriter’smagichadincorporatedwiththesepagesbecamevisibletohiminthedissolvingheat，brighteningfortheretheyvanishedforever;
whilethesmoke，thevividsheetsofflame，theruddyandwhiteningcoals，caughttheaspectofavariedscenery。
\"Theyblaze，\"saidhe，\"asifIhadsteepedthemintheintensestspiritofgenius。ThereIseemyloversclaspedineachother’sarms。Howpuretheflamethatburstsfromtheirglowinghearts！
Andyonderthefeaturesofavillainwrithinginthefirethatshalltormenthimtoeternity。Myholymen，mypiousandangelicwomen，standlikemartyrsamidtheflames，theirmildeyesliftedheavenward。Ringoutthebells！Acityisonfire。
See！——destructionroarsthroughmydarkforests，whilethelakesboilupinsteamingbillows，andthemountainsarevolcanoes，andtheskykindleswithaluridbrightness！Allelementsarebutonepervadingflame！Ha！Thefiend！\"
Iwassomewhatstartledbythislatterexclamation。Thetaleswerealmostconsumed，butjustthenthrewforthabroadsheetoffire，whichflickeredaswithlaughter，makingthewholeroomdanceinitsbrightness，andthenroaredportentouslyupthechimney。
\"Yousawhim？Youmusthaveseenhim！\"criedOberon。\"Howheglaredatmeandlaughed，inthatlastsheetofflame，withjustthefeaturesthatIimaginedforhim！Well！Thetalesaregone。\"
Thepaperswereindeedreducedtoaheapofblackcinders，withamultitudeofsparkshurryingconfusedlyamongthem，thetracesofthepenbeingnowrepresentedbywhitelines，andthewholemassflutteringtoandfrointhedraughtsofair。Thedestroyerkneltdowntolookatthem。
\"Whatismorepotentthanfire！\"saidhe，inhisgloomiesttone。
\"Eventhought，invisibleandincorporealasitis，cannotescapeit。Inthislittletime，ithasannihilatedthecreationsoflongnightsanddays，whichIcouldnomorereproduce，intheirfirstglowandfreshness，thancauseashesandwhitenedbonestoriseupandlive。There，too，Isacrificedtheunbornchildrenofmymind。AllthatIhadaccomplished——allthatIplannedforfutureyears——hasperishedbyonecommonruin，andleftonlythisheapofembers！Thedeedhasbeenmyfate。Andwhatremains？Awearyandaimlesslife，——alongrepentanceofthishour，——andatlastanobscuregrave，wheretheywillburyandforgetme！\"
Astheauthorconcludedhisdolorousmoan，theextinguishedembersaroseandsettleddownandaroseagain，andfinallyflewupthechimney，likeademonwithsablewings。Justastheydisappeared，therewasaloudandsolitarycryinthestreetbelowus。\"Fire！\"Fire！Othervoicescaughtupthatterribleword，anditspeedilybecametheshoutofamultitude。Oberonstartedtohisfeet，infreshexcitement。
\"Afireonsuchanight！\"criedhe。\"Thewindblowsagale，andwhereveritwhirlstheflames，theroofswillflashuplikegunpowder。Everypumpisfrozenup，andboilingwaterwouldturntoicethemomentitwasflungfromtheengine。Inanhour，thiswoodentownwillbeonegreatbonfire！Whataglorioussceneformynext——Pshaw！\"
Thestreetwasnowallalivewithfootsteps，andtheairfullofvoices。Weheardoneenginethunderingroundacorner，andanotherrattlingfromadistanceoverthepavements。Thebellsofthreesteeplesclangedoutatonce，spreadingthealarmtomanyaneighboringtown，andexpressinghurry，confusion，andterror，soinimitablythatIcouldalmostdistinguishintheirpealtheburdenoftheuniversalcry，——\"Fire！Fire！Fire！\"
\"Whatissoeloquentastheirirontongues！\"exclaimedOberon。
\"Myheartleapsandtrembles，butnotwithfear。Andthatothersound，too，-deepandawfulasamightyorgan，——theroarandthunderofthemultitudeonthepavementbelow！Come！Wearelosingtime。Iwillcryoutintheloudestoftheuproar，andminglemyspiritwiththewildestoftheconfusion，andbeabubbleonthetopoftheferment！\"
Fromthefirstoutcry，myforebodingshadwarnedmeofthetrueobjectandcentreofalarm。Therewasnothingnowbutuproar，above，beneath，andaroundus;footstepsstumblingpell-mellupthepublicstaircase，eagershoutsandheavythumpsatthedoor，thewhizanddashofwaterfromtheengines，andthecrashoffurniturethrownuponthepavement。Atonce，thetruthflasheduponmyfriend。Hisfrenzytookthehueofjoy，and，withawildgestureofexultation，heleapedalmosttotheceilingofthechamber。
