第6章
philanthropywastobeitssuccessor。Nolovethatdidnotembraceallmankind，aswarmforIndusandthePoleasforthehearthofhome，wasworthythebreastofagenerousman。Opinionwastobefreeasair；andinordertomakeitso，itwasnecessarytoexterminateallthosewhoseopinionswerenotthesameasMons。JeanNicot"s。Muchofthisamused，muchrevoltedGlyndon；butwhenthepainterturnedtodwelluponasciencethatallshouldcomprehend，andtheresultsofwhichallshouldenjoy，——asciencethat，springingfromthesoilofequalinstitutionsandequalmentalcultivation，shouldgivetoalltheracesofmenwealthwithoutlabour，andalifelongerthanthePatriarchs"，withoutcare，——thenGlyndonlistenedwithinterestandadmiration，notunmixedwithawe。"Observe，"saidNicot，"howmuchthatwenowcherishasavirtuewillthenberejectedasmeanness。Ouroppressors，forinstance，preachtousoftheexcellenceofgratitude。Gratitude，theconfessionofinferiority!Whatsohatefultoanoblespiritasthehumiliatingsenseofobligation？Butwherethereisequalitytherecanbenomeansforpowerthustoenslavemerit。Thebenefactorandtheclientwillalikecease，and——"
"Andinthemeantime，"saidalowvoice，athand，——"inthemeantime，JeanNicot？"
Thetwoartistsstarted，andGlyndonrecognisedZanoni。
HegazedwithabrowofunusualsternnessonNicot，who，lumpedtogetherashesat，lookedupathimaskew，andwithanexpressionoffearanddismayuponhisdistortedcountenance。
Ho，ho!MessireJeanNicot，thouwhofearestneitherGodnorDevil，whyfearestthoutheeyeofaman？
"ItisnotthefirsttimeIhavebeenawitnesstoyouropinionsontheinfirmityofgratitude，"saidZanoni。
Nicotsuppressedanexclamation，and，aftergloomilysurveyingZanoniwithaneyevillanousandsinister，butfullofhateimpotentandunutterable，said，"Iknowyounot，——whatwouldyouofme？"
"Yourabsence。Leaveus!"
Nicotsprangforwardastep，withhandsclenched，andshowinghisteethfromeartoear，likeawildbeastincensed。Zanonistoodmotionless，andsmiledathiminscorn。Nicothaltedabruptly，asiffixedandfascinatedbythelook，shiveredfromheadtofoot，andsullenly，andwithavisibleeffort，asifimpelledbyapowernothisown，turnedaway。
Glyndon"seyesfollowedhiminsurprise。
"Andwhatknowyouofthisman？"saidZanoni。
"Iknowhimasonelikemyself，——afollowerofart。"
"OfART!Donotsoprofanethatgloriousword。WhatNatureistoGod，artshouldbetoman，——asublime，beneficent，genial，andwarmcreation。ThatwretchmaybeaPAINTER，notanARTIST。"
"AndpardonmeifIaskwhatYOUknowofoneyouthusdisparage？"
"Iknowthusmuch，thatyouarebeneathmycareifitbenecessarytowarnyouagainsthim；hisownlipsshowthehideousnessofhisheart。WhyshouldItellyouofthecrimeshehascommitted？HeSPEAKScrime!"
"Youdonotseem，SignorZanoni，tobeoneoftheadmirersofthedawningRevolution。Perhapsyouareprejudicedagainstthemanbecauseyoudisliketheopinions？"
"Whatopinions？"
Glyndonpaused，somewhatpuzzledtodefine；butatlengthhesaid，"Nay，Imustwrongyou；foryou，ofallmen，Isuppose，cannotdiscreditthedoctrinethatpreachestheinfiniteimprovementofthehumanspecies。"
"Youareright；thefewineveryageimprovethemany；themanynowmaybeaswiseasthefewwere；butimprovementisatastandstill，ifyoutellmethatthemanynowareaswiseasthefewARE。"
"Icomprehendyou；youwillnotallowthelawofuniversalequality!"
"Law!IfthewholeworldconspiredtoenforcethefalsehoodtheycouldnotmakeitLAW。Levelallconditionsto-day，andyouonlysmoothawayallobstaclestotyrannyto-morrow。AnationthataspirestoEQUALITYisunfitforFREEDOM。Throughoutallcreation，fromthearchangeltotheworm，fromOlympustothepebble，fromtheradiantandcompletedplanettothenebulathathardensthroughagesofmistandslimeintothehabitableworld，thefirstlawofNatureisinequality。"
"Harshdoctrine，ifappliedtostates。Arethecrueldisparitiesoflifenevertoberemoved？"
"DisparitiesofthePHYSICALlife？Oh，letushopeso。ButdisparitiesoftheINTELLECTUALandtheMORAL，never!Universalequalityofintelligence，ofmind，ofgenius，ofvirtue!——noteacherlefttotheworld!nomenwiser，betterthanothers，——
wereitnotanimpossiblecondition，WHATAHOPELESSPROSPECTFOR
HUMANITY!No，whiletheworldlasts，thesunwillgildthemountain-topbeforeitshinesupontheplain。Diffusealltheknowledgetheearthcontainsequallyoverallmankindto-day，andsomemenwillbewiserthantherestto-morrow。AndTHISisnotaharsh，butalovinglaw，——theREALlawofimprovement；thewiserthefewinonegeneration，thewiserwillbethemultitudethenext!"
AsZanonithusspoke，theymovedonthroughthesmilinggardens，andthebeautifulbaylaysparklinginthenoontide。Agentlebreezejustcooledthesunbeam，andstirredtheocean；andintheinexpressibleclearnessoftheatmospheretherewassomethingthatrejoicedthesenses。Theverysoulseemedtogrowlighterandpurerinthatlucidair。
"Andthesemen，tocommencetheireraofimprovementandequality，arejealousevenoftheCreator。Theywoulddenyanintelligence，——aGod!"saidZanoni，asifinvoluntarily。"Areyouanartist，and，lookingontheworld，canyoulistentosuchadogma？BetweenGodandgeniusthereisanecessarylink，——
thereisalmostacorrespondentlanguage。WellsaidthePythagorean(Sextus，thePythagorean。)，"Agoodintellectisthechorusofdivinity。""
Struckandtouchedwiththesesentiments，whichhelittleexpectedtofallfromonetowhomheascribedthosepowerswhichthesuperstitionsofchildhoodascribetothedarkeragencies，Glyndonsaid:"Andyetyouhaveconfessedthatyourlife，separatedfromthatofothers，isonethatmanshoulddreadtoshare。Isthere，then，aconnectionbetweenmagicandreligion？"
"Magic!Andwhatismagic!WhenthetravellerbeholdsinPersiatheruinsofpalacesandtemples，theignorantinhabitantsinformhimtheyweretheworkofmagicians。Whatisbeyondtheirownpower，thevulgarcannotcomprehendtobelawfullyinthepowerofothers。ButifbymagicyoumeanaperpetualresearchamongstallthatismorelatentandobscureinNature，Ianswer，I
professthatmagic，andthathewhodoessocomesbutnearertothefountainofallbelief。Knowestthounotthatmagicwastaughtintheschoolsofold？Buthow，andbywhom？Asthelastandmostsolemnlesson，bythePriestswhoministeredtotheTemple。(PsellusdeDaemon(MS。))Andyou，whowouldbeapainter，isnotthereamagicalsointhatartyouwouldadvance？
Mustyounot，afterlongstudyoftheBeautifulthathasbeen，seizeuponnewandairycombinationsofabeautythatistobe？
Seeyounotthatthegranderart，whetherofpoetorofpainter，everseekingfortheTRUE，abhorstheREAL；thatyoumustseizeNatureashermaster，notlackeyherasherslave？
Youdemandmasteryoverthepast，aconceptionofthefuture。
Hasnottheartthatistrulynobleforitsdomainthefutureandthepast？Youwouldconjuretheinvisiblebeingstoyourcharm；
andwhatispaintingbutthefixingintosubstancetheInvisible？
Areyoudiscontentedwiththisworld？Thisworldwasnevermeantforgenius!Toexist，itmustcreateanother。Whatmagiciancandomore；nay，whatsciencecandoasmuch？Therearetwoavenuesfromthelittlepassionsandthedrearcalamitiesofearth；bothleadtoheavenandawayfromhell，——artandscience。Butartismoregodlikethanscience；sciencediscovers，artcreates。Youhavefacultiesthatmaycommandart；becontentedwithyourlot。
Theastronomerwhocataloguesthestarscannotaddoneatomtotheuniverse；thepoetcancallauniversefromtheatom；thechemistmayhealwithhisdrugstheinfirmitiesofthehumanform；thepainter，orthesculptor，fixesintoeverlastingyouthformsdivine，whichnodiseasecanravage，andnoyearsimpair。
Renouncethosewanderingfanciesthatleadyounowtomyself，andnowtoyonoratorofthehumanrace；toustwo，whoaretheantipodesofeachother!Yourpencilisyourwand；yourcanvasmayraiseUtopiasfairerthanCondorcetdreamsof。Ipressnotyetforyourdecision；butwhatmanofgeniuseveraskedmoretocheerhispathtothegravethanloveandglory？"
"But，"saidGlyndon，fixinghiseyesearnestlyonZanoni，"iftherebeapowertobafflethegraveitself——"
Zanoni"sbrowdarkened。"Andwerethisso，"hesaid，afterapause，"woulditbesosweetalottooutliveallyouloved，andtorecoilfromeveryhumantie？Perhapsthefairestimmortalityonearthisthatofanoblename。"
"Youdonotanswerme，——youequivocate。Ihavereadofthelonglivesfarbeyondthedatecommonexperienceassignstoman，"
persistedGlyndon，"whichsomeofthealchemistsenjoyed。Isthegoldenelixirbutafable？"
"Ifnot，andthesemendiscoveredit，theydied，becausetheyrefusedtolive!Theremaybeamournfulwarninginyourconjecture。Turnoncemoretotheeaselandthecanvas!"
Sosaying，Zanoniwavedhishand，and，withdowncasteyesandaslowstep，benthiswaybackintothecity。
CHAPTER2。VIII。
TheGoddessWisdom。
Tosomesheisthegoddessgreat；
Tosomethemilchcowofthefield；
TheircareisbuttocalculateWhatbuttershewillyield。
FromSchiller。
ThislastconversationwithZanonileftuponthemindofGlyndonatranquillisingandsalutaryeffect。
Fromtheconfusedmistsofhisfancyglitteredforthagainthosehappy，goldenschemeswhichpartfromtheyoungambitionofart，toplayintheair，toilluminethespacelikeraysthatkindlefromthesun。Andwiththeseprojectsmingledalsothevisionofalovepurerandserenerthanhislifeyethadknown。Hismindwentbackintothatfairchildhoodofgenius，whentheforbiddenfruitisnotyettasted，andweknowofnolandbeyondtheEdenwhichisgladdenedbyanEve。Insensiblybeforehimthererosethescenesofahome，withhisartsufficingforallexcitement，andViola"slovecirclingoccupationwithhappinessandcontent；
andinthemidstofthesefantasiesofafuturethatmightbeathiscommand，hewasrecalledtothepresentbytheclear，strongvoiceofMervale，themanofcommon-sense。
Whoeverhasstudiedthelivesofpersonsinwhomtheimaginationisstrongerthanthewill，whosuspecttheirownknowledgeofactuallife，andareawareoftheirfacilitytoimpressions，willhaveobservedtheinfluencewhichahomely，vigorous，worldlyunderstandingobtainsoversuchnatures。ItwasthuswithGlyndon。Hisfriendhadoftenextricatedhimfromdanger，andsavedhimfromtheconsequencesofimprudence；andtherewassomethinginMervale"svoicealonethatdampedhisenthusiasm，andoftenmadehimyetmoreashamedofnobleimpulsesthanweakconduct。ForMervale，thoughadownrighthonestman，couldnotsympathisewiththeextravaganceofgenerosityanymorethanwiththatofpresumptionandcredulity。Hewalkedthestraightlineoflife，andfeltanequalcontemptforthemanwhowanderedupthehill-sides，nomatterwhethertochaseabutterfly，ortocatchaprospectoftheocean。
"Iwilltellyouyourthoughts，Clarence，"saidMervale，laughing，"thoughIamnoZanoni。Iknowthembythemoistureofyoureyes，andthehalf-smileonyourlips。Youaremusinguponthatfairperdition，——thelittlesingerofSanCarlo。"
ThelittlesingerofSanCarlo!Glyndoncolouredasheanswered，——
"Wouldyouspeakthusofherifsheweremywife？"
"No!forthenanycontemptImightventuretofeelwouldbeforyourself。Onemaydisliketheduper，butitisthedupethatonedespises。"
"AreyousurethatIshouldbethedupeinsuchaunion？WherecanIfindonesolovelyandsoinnocent，——whereonewhosevirtuehasbeentriedbysuchtemptation？DoesevenasinglebreathofslandersullythenameofViolaPisani？"
"IknownotallthegossipofNaples，andthereforecannotanswer；butIknowthis，thatinEnglandnoonewouldbelievethatayoungEnglishman，ofgoodfortuneandrespectablebirth，whomarriesasingerfromthetheatreofNaples，hasnotbeenlamentablytakenin。Iwouldsaveyoufromafallofpositionsoirretrievable。Thinkhowmanymortificationsyouwillbesubjectedto；howmanyyoungmenwillvisitatyourhouse，——andhowmanyyoungwiveswillascarefullyavoidit。"
"Icanchoosemyowncareer，towhichcommonplacesocietyisnotessential。Icanowetherespectoftheworldtomyart，andnottotheaccidentsofbirthandfortune。"
"Thatis，youstillpersistinyoursecondfolly，——theabsurdambitionofdaubingcanvas。HeavenforbidIshouldsayanythingagainstthelaudableindustryofonewhofollowssuchaprofessionforthesakeofsubsistence；butwithmeansandconnectionsthatwillraiseyouinlife，whyvoluntarilysinkintoamereartist？Asanaccomplishmentinleisuremoments，itisallverywellinitsway；butastheoccupationofexistence，itisafrenzy。"
"Artistshavebeenthefriendsofprinces。"
"Veryrarelyso，Ifancy，insoberEngland。Thereinthegreatcentreofpoliticalaristocracy，whatmenrespectisthepractical，nottheideal。Justsuffermetodrawtwopicturesofmyown。ClarenceGlyndonreturnstoEngland；hemarriesaladyoffortuneequaltohisown，offriendsandparentagethatadvancerationalambition。ClarenceGlyndon，thusawealthyandrespectableman，ofgoodtalents，ofbustlingenergiesthenconcentrated，entersintopracticallife。Hehasahouseatwhichhecanreceivethosewhoseacquaintanceisbothadvantageandhonour；hehasleisurewhichhecandevotetousefulstudies；
hisreputation，builtonasolidbase，growsinmen"smouths。Heattacheshimselftoaparty；heenterspoliticallife；andnewconnectionsservetopromotehisobjects。Attheageoffive-and-forty，what，inallprobability，mayClarenceGlyndonbe？SinceyouareambitiousIleavethatquestionforyoutodecide!Nowturntotheotherpicture。ClarenceGlyndonreturnstoEnglandwithawifewhocanbringhimnomoney，unlessheletsheroutonthestage；sohandsome，thateveryoneaskswhosheis，andeveryonehears，——thecelebratedsinger，Pisani。
ClarenceGlyndonshutshimselfuptogrindcoloursandpaintpicturesinthegrandhistoricalschool，whichnobodybuys。
Thereisevenaprejudiceagainsthim，asnothavingstudiedintheAcademy，——asbeinganamateur。WhoisMr。ClarenceGlyndon？
Oh，thecelebratedPisani"shusband!Whatelse？Oh，heexhibitsthoselargepictures!Poorman!theyhavemeritintheirway；
butTeniersandWatteauaremoreconvenient，andalmostascheap。
ClarenceGlyndon，withaneasyfortunewhilesingle，hasalargefamilywhichhisfortune，unaidedbymarriage，canjustrearuptocallingsmoreplebeianthanhisown。Heretiresintothecountry，tosaveandtopaint；hegrowsslovenlyanddiscontented；"theworlddoesnotappreciatehim，"hesays，andherunsawayfromtheworld。Attheageofforty-fivewhatwillbeClarenceGlyndon？Yourambitionshalldecidethatquestionalso!"
"Ifallmenwereasworldlyasyou，"saidGlyndon，rising，"therewouldneverhavebeenanartistorapoet!"
"Perhapsweshoulddojustaswellwithoutthem，"answeredMervale。"Isitnottimetothinkofdinner？Themulletshereareremarkablyfine!"
CHAPTER2。IX。
WolltihrhochaufihrenFlugelnschweben，WerftdieAngstdesIrdischenvoneuch!
FliehetausdemengendumpfenLebenIndesIdealesReich!
"DasIdealunddasLeben。"
Wouldstthousoarheavenwardonitsjoyouswing？
CastofftheearthlyburdenoftheReal；
Highfromthiscrampedanddungeonedbeing，springIntotherealmoftheIdeal。
AssomeinjudiciousmasterlowersandvitiatesthetasteofthestudentbyfixinghisattentiontowhathefalselycallstheNatural，butwhich，inreality，istheCommonplace，andunderstandsnotthatbeautyinartiscreatedbywhatRaphaelsowelldescribes，——namely，THEIDEAOFBEAUTYINTHEPAINTER"SOWN
MIND；andthatineveryart，whetheritsplasticexpressionbefoundinwordsormarble，coloursorsounds，theservileimitationofNatureistheworkofjourneymenandtyros，——soinconductthemanoftheworldvitiatesandlowerstheboldenthusiasmofloftiernaturesbytheperpetualreductionofwhateverisgenerousandtrustfultoallthatistriteandcoarse。AgreatGermanpoethaswelldefinedthedistinctionbetweendiscretionandthelargerwisdom。Inthelastthereisacertainrashnesswhichthefirstdisdains，——
"Thepurblindseebuttherecedingshore，Notthattowhichtheboldwavewaftsthemo"er。"
Yetinthislogicoftheprudentandtheworldlythereisoftenareasoningunanswerableofitskind。
Youmusthaveafeeling，——afaithinwhateverisself-sacrificinganddivine，whetherinreligionorinart，ingloryorinlove；
orCommon-sensewillreasonyououtofthesacrifice，andasyllogismwilldebasetheDivinetoanarticleinthemarket。
Everytruecriticinart，fromAristotleandPliny，fromWinkelmanandVasaritoReynoldsandFuseli，hassoughttoinstructthepainterthatNatureisnottobecopied，butEXALTED；thattheloftiestorderofart，selectingonlytheloftiestcombinations，istheperpetualstruggleofHumanitytoapproachthegods。Thegreatpainter，asthegreatauthor，embodieswhatisPOSSIBLEtoMAN，itistrue，butwhatisnotCOMMONtoMANKIND。ThereistruthinHamlet；inMacbeth，andhiswitches；inDesdemona；inOthello；inProspero，andinCaliban；
thereistruthinthecartoonsofRaphael；thereistruthintheApollo，theAntinous，andtheLaocoon。Butyoudonotmeettheoriginalsofthewords，thecartoons，orthemarble，inOxfordStreetorSt。James"s。Allthese，toreturntoRaphael，arethecreaturesoftheideaintheartist"smind。Thisideaisnotinborn，ithascomefromanintensestudy。Butthatstudyhasbeenoftheidealthatcanberaisedfromthepositiveandtheactualintograndeurandbeauty。Thecommonestmodelbecomesfullofexquisitesuggestionstohimwhohasformedthisidea；aVenusoffleshandbloodwouldbevulgarisedbytheimitationofhimwhohasnot。
Whenaskedwherehegothismodels，Guidosummonedacommonporterfromhiscalling，anddrewfromameanoriginalaheadofsurpassingbeauty。Itresembledtheporter，butidealisedtheportertothehero。Itwastrue，butitwasnotreal。TherearecriticswhowilltellyouthattheBoorofTeniersismoretruetoNaturethanthePorterofGuido!Thecommonplacepublicscarcelyunderstandtheidealisingprinciple，eveninart；forhighartisanacquiredtaste。
Buttocometomycomparison。Stilllessisthekindredprinciplecomprehendedinconduct。Andtheadviceofworldlyprudencewouldasoftendeterfromtherisksofvirtueasfromthepunishmentsofvice；yetinconduct，asinart，thereisanideaofthegreatandbeautiful，bywhichmenshouldexaltthehackneyedandthetriteoflife。NowGlyndonfeltthesoberprudenceofMervale"sreasonings；herecoiledfromtheprobablepictureplacedbeforehim，inhisdevotiontotheonemaster-talenthepossessed，andtheonemaster-passionthat，rightlydirected，mightpurifyhiswholebeingasastrongwindpurifiestheair。
Butthoughhecouldnotbringhimselftodecideintheteethofsorationalajudgment，neithercouldheresolveatoncetoabandonthepursuitofViola。FearfulofbeinginfluencedbyZanoni"scounselsandhisownheart，hehadforthelasttwodaysshunnedaninterviewwiththeyoungactress。ButafteranightfollowinghislastconversationwithZanoni，andthatwehavejustrecordedwithMervale，——anightcolouredbydreamssodistinctastoseemprophetic，dreamsthatappearedsotoshapehisfutureaccordingtothehintsofZanonithathecouldhavefanciedZanonihimselfhadsentthemfromthehouseofsleeptohaunthispillow，——heresolvedoncemoretoseekViola；andthoughwithoutadefiniteordistinctobject，heyieldedhimselfuptotheimpulseofhisheart。
CHAPTER2。X。
OsollecitodubbioefreddatemaChepensandol"accresci。
Tasso，Canzonevi。
(Oanxiousdoubtandchillingfearthatgrowsbythinking。)
Shewasseatedoutsideherdoor，——theyoungactress!Theseabeforeherinthatheavenlybayseemedliterallytosleepinthearmsoftheshore；while，totheright，notfaroff，rosethedarkandtangledcragstowhichthetravellerofto-dayisdulybroughttogazeonthetombofVirgil，orcomparewiththecavernofPosilipothearchwayofHighgateHill。Therewereafewfishermanloiteringbythecliffs，onwhichtheirnetswerehungtodry；andatadistancethesoundofsomerusticpipe(morecommonatthatdaythanatthis)，minglednowandthenwiththebellsofthelazymules，brokethevoluptuoussilence，——thesilenceofdecliningnoonontheshoresofNaples；never，tillyouhaveenjoyedit，never，tillyouhavefeltitsenervatingbutdeliciouscharm，believethatyoucancomprehendallthemeaningoftheDolcefarniente(Thepleasureofdoingnothing。)；andwhenthatluxuryhasbeenknown，whenyouhavebreathedthatatmosphereoffairy-land，thenyouwillnolongerwonderwhytheheartripensintofruitsosuddenandsorichbeneaththerosyskiesandtheglorioussunshineoftheSouth。
Theeyesoftheactresswerefixedonthebroadbluedeepbeyond。
Intheunwontednegligenceofherdressmightbetracedtheabstractionofhermind。Herbeautifulhairwasgathereduploosely，andpartiallybandagedbyakerchiefwhosepurplecolourservedtodeepenthegoldenhueofhertresses。Astraycurlescapedandfelldownthegracefulneck。Aloosemorning-robe，girdedbyasash，leftthebreeze。Thatcameeverandanonfromthesea，todieuponthebusthalfdisclosed；andthetinyslipper，thatCinderellamighthaveworn，seemedaworldtoowideforthetinyfootwhichitscarcelycovered。Itmightbetheheatofthedaythatdeepenedthesoftbloomofthecheeks，andgaveanunwontedlanguortothelarge，darkeyes。Inallthepompofherstageattire，——inalltheflushofexcitementbeforetheintoxicatinglamps，——neverhadViolalookedsolovely。
Bythesideoftheactress，andfillingupthethreshold，——stoodGionetta，withherarmsthrusttotheelbowintwohugepocketsoneithersideofhergown。
"ButIassureyou，"saidthenurse，inthatsharp，quick，ear-
splittingtoneinwhichtheoldwomenoftheSoutharemorethanamatchforthoseoftheNorth，——"butIassureyou，mydarling，thatthereisnotafinercavalierinallNaples，noramorebeautiful，thanthisInglese；andIamtoldthatalltheseInglesiaremuchricherthantheyseem。Thoughtheyhavenotreesintheircountry，poorpeople!andinsteadoftwenty-fourtheyhaveonlytwelvehourstotheday，yetIhearthattheyshoetheirhorseswithscudi；andsincetheycannot(thepoorheretics!)turngrapesintowine，fortheyhavenograpes，theyturngoldintophysic，andtakeaglassortwoofpistoleswhenevertheyaretroubledwiththecolic。Butyoudon"thearme，littlepupilofmyeyes，——youdon"thearme!"
"AndthesethingsarewhisperedofZanoni!"saidViola，halftoherself，andunheedingGionetta"seulogiesonGlyndonandtheEnglish。
"BlessedMaria!donottalkofthisterribleZanoni。Youmaybesurethathisbeautifulface，likehisyetmorebeautifulpistoles，isonlywitchcraft。Ilookatthemoneyhegavemetheothernight，everyquarterofanhour，toseewhetherithasnotturnedintopebbles。"
"Doyouthenreallybelieve，"saidViola，withtimidearnestness，"thatsorcerystillexists？"
"Believe!DoIbelieveintheblessedSanGennaro？HowdoyouthinkhecuredoldFilippothefisherman，whenthedoctorgavehimup？Howdoyouthinkhehasmanagedhimselftoliveatleastthesethreehundredyears？Howdoyouthinkhefascinateseveryonetohisbiddingwithalook，asthevampiresdo？"
"Ah，isthisonlywitchcraft？Itislikeit，——itmustbe!"
murmuredViola，turningverypale。Gionettaherselfwasscarcelymoresuperstitiousthanthedaughterofthemusician。Andherveryinnocence，chilledatthestrangenessofvirginpassion，mightwellascribetomagicwhatheartsmoreexperiencedwouldhaveresolvedtolove。
"Andthen，whyhasthisgreatPrincedi——beensoterrifiedbyhim？Whyhasheceasedtopersecuteus？Whyhashebeensoquietandstill？Istherenosorceryinallthat？"
"Thinkyou，then，"saidViola，withsweetinconsistency，"thatI
owethathappinessandsafetytohisprotection？Oh，letmesobelieve!Besilent，Gionetta!WhyhaveIonlytheeandmyownterrorstoconsult？Obeautifulsun!"andthegirlpressedherhandtoherheartwithwildenergy；"thoulightesteveryspotbutthis。Go，Gionetta!leavemealone，——leaveme!"
"AndindeeditistimeIshouldleaveyou；forthepolentawillbespoiled，andyouhaveeatnothingallday。Ifyoudon"teatyouwillloseyourbeauty，mydarling，andthennobodywillcareforyou。Nobodycaresforuswhenwegrowugly，——Iknowthat；
andthenyoumust，likeoldGionetta，getsomeViolaofyourowntospoil。I"llgoandseetothepolenta。"
"SinceIhaveknownthisman，"saidthegirl，halfaloud，——"sincehisdarkeyeshavehauntedme，Iamnolongerthesame。Ilongtoescapefrommyself，——toglidewiththesunbeamoverthehill-tops；tobecomesomethingthatisnotofearth。Phantomsfloatbeforemeatnight；andafluttering，likethewingofabird，withinmyheart，seemsasifthespiritwereterrified，andwouldbreakitscage。"
Whilemurmuringtheseincoherentrhapsodies，astepthatshedidnothearapproachedtheactress，andalighthandtouchedherarm。
"Viola!——bellissima!——Viola!"
Sheturned，andsawGlyndon。Thesightofhisfairyoungfacecalmedheratonce。Hispresencegaveherpleasure。
"Viola，"saidtheEnglishman，takingherhand，anddrawingheragaintothebenchfromwhichshehadrisen，asheseatedhimselfbesideher，"youshallhearmespeak!YoumustknowalreadythatIlovethee!Ithasnotbeenpityoradmirationalonethathasledmeeverandevertothydearside；reasonstheremayhavebeenwhyIhavenotspoken，savebymyeyes，before；butthisday——Iknownothowitis——Ifeelamoresustainedandsettledcouragetoaddressthee，andlearnthehappiestortheworst。I
haverivals，Iknow，——rivalswhoaremorepowerfulthanthepoorartist；aretheyalsomorefavoured？"
Violablushedfaintly；buthercountenancewasgraveanddistressed。Lookingdown，andmarkingsomehieroglyphicalfiguresinthedustwiththepointofherslipper，shesaid，withsomehesitation，andavainattempttobegay，"Signor，whoeverwasteshisthoughtsonanactressmustsubmittohaverivals。Itisourunhappydestinynottobesacredeventoourselves。"
"Butyoudonotlovethisdestiny，glitteringthoughitseem；
yourheartisnotinthevocationwhichyourgiftsadorn。"
"Ah，no!"saidtheactress，hereyesfillingwithtears。"OnceI
lovedtobethepriestessofsongandmusic；nowIfeelonlythatitisamiserablelottobeslavetoamultitude。"
"Fly，then，withme，"saidtheartist，passionately；"quitforeverthecallingthatdividesthatheartIwouldhaveallmyown。Sharemyfatenowandforever，——mypride，mydelight，myideal!Thoushaltinspiremycanvasandmysong；thybeautyshallbemadeatonceholyandrenowned。Inthegalleriesofprinces，crowdsshallgatherroundtheeffigyofaVenusoraSaint，andawhispershallbreakforth，"ItisViolaPisani!"
Ah!Viola，Iadorethee；tellmethatIdonotworshipinvain。"
"Thouartgoodandfair，"saidViola，gazingonherlover，ashepressednearertoher，andclaspedherhandinhis；"butwhatshouldIgivetheeinreturn？"
"Love，love，——onlylove!"
"Asister"slove？"
"Ah，speaknotwithsuchcruelcoldness!"
"ItisallIhaveforthee。Listentome，signor:whenIlookonyourface，whenIhearyourvoice，acertainsereneandtranquilcalmcreepsoverandlullsthoughts，——oh，howfeverish，howwild!Whenthouartgone，thedayseemsashademoredark；
buttheshadowsoonflies。Imisstheenot；Ithinknotofthee:
no，Ilovetheenot；andIwillgivemyselfonlywhereIlove。"
"ButIwouldteachtheetoloveme；fearitnot。Nay，suchloveasthoudescribest，inourtranquilclimates，istheloveofinnocenceandyouth。"
"Ofinnocence!"saidViola。"Isitso？Perhaps——"Shepaused，andadded，withaneffort，"Foreigner!andwouldstthouwedtheorphan？Ah，THOUatleastartgenerous!Itisnottheinnocencethouwouldstdestroy!"
Glyndondrewback，conscience-stricken。
"No，itmaynotbe!"shesaid，rising，butnotconsciousofthethoughts，halfofshame，halfsuspicion，thatpassedthroughthemindofherlover。"Leaveme，andforgetme。Youdonotunderstand，youcouldnotcomprehend，thenatureofherwhomyouthinktolove。Frommychildhoodupward，IhavefeltasifI
weremarkedoutforsomestrangeandpreternaturaldoom；asifI
weresingledfrommykind。Thisfeeling(and，oh!attimesitisoneofdeliriousandvaguedelight，atothersofthedarkestgloom)deepenswithinmedaybyday。Itisliketheshadowoftwilight，spreadingslowlyandsolemnlyaround。Myhourapproaches:alittlewhile，anditwillbenight!"
Asshespoke，Glyndonlistenedwithvisibleemotionandperturbation。"Viola!"heexclaimed，assheceased，"yourwordsmorethaneverenchainmetoyou。Asyoufeel，Ifeel。I，too，havebeeneverhauntedwithachillandunearthlyforeboding。
AmidstthecrowdsofmenIhavefeltalone。Inallmypleasures，mytoils，mypursuits，awarningvoicehasmurmuredinmyear，"Timehasadarkmysteryinstoreforthymanhood。"Whenyouspoke，itwasasthevoiceofmyownsoul。"
Violagazeduponhiminwonderandfear。Hercountenancewasaswhiteasmarble；andthosefeatures，sodivineintheirraresymmetry，mighthaveservedtheGreekwithastudyforthePythoness，when，fromthemysticcavernandthebubblingspring，shefirsthearsthevoiceoftheinspiringgod。Graduallytherigourandtensionofthatwonderfulfacerelaxed，thecolourreturned，thepulsebeat:theheartanimatedtheframe。
"Tellme，"shesaid，turningpartiallyaside，——"tellme，haveyouseen——doyouknow——astrangerinthiscity，——oneofwhomwildstoriesareafloat？"
"YouspeakofZanoni？Ihaveseenhim:Iknowhim，——andyou？
Ah，he，too，wouldbemyrival!——he，too，wouldbeartheefromme!"
"Youerr，"saidViola，hastily，andwithadeepsigh；"hepleadsforyou:heinformedmeofyourlove；hebesoughtmenot——nottorejectit。"
"Strangebeing!incomprehensibleenigma!Whydidyounamehim？"
"Why!ah，Iwouldhaveaskedwhether，whenyoufirstsawhim，theforeboding，theinstinct，ofwhichyouspoke，cameonyoumorefearfully，moreintelligiblythanbefore；whetheryoufeltatoncerepelledfromhim，yetattractedtowardshim；whetheryoufelt，"andtheactressspokewithhurriedanimation，"thatwithHIMwasconnectedthesecretofyourlife？"
"AllthisIfelt，"answeredGlyndon，inatremblingvoice，"thefirsttimeIwasinhispresence。Thoughallaroundmewasgay，——music，amidstlamp-littrees，lightconversenear，andheavenwithoutacloudabove，——mykneesknockedtogether，myhairbristled，andmybloodcurdledlikeice。Sincethenhehasdividedmythoughtswiththee。"
"Nomore，nomore!"saidViola，inastifledtone；"theremustbethehandoffateinthis。Icanspeaktoyounomorenow。
Farewell!"Shesprungpasthimintothehouse，andclosedthedoor。Glyndondidnotfollowher，nor，strangeasitmayseem，washesoinclined。Thethoughtandrecollectionofthatmoonlithourinthegardens，ofthestrangeaddressofZanoni，frozeupallhumanpassion。Violaherself，ifnotforgotten，shrunkbacklikeashadowintotherecessesofhisbreast。Heshiveredashesteppedintothesunlight，andmusinglyretracedhisstepsintothemorepopulouspartsofthatliveliestofItaliancities。
BOOKIII。
THEURGIA——
icavaliersenvannodoveilpinofatalgliattendeinporto。
Gerus。Lib。，cant。xv(Argomento。)
TheknightscamewherethefatalbarkAwaitedthemintheport。
CHAPTER3。I。
Butthatwhichespeciallydistinguishesthebrotherhoodistheirmarvellousknowledgeofalltheresourcesofmedicalart。Theyworknotbycharms，butsimples——"MS。AccountoftheOriginandAttributesofthetrueRosicrucians，"byJ。VonD。
AtthistimeitchancedthatViolahadtheopportunitytoreturnthekindnessshowntoherbythefriendlymusicianwhosehousehadreceivedandshelteredherwhenfirstleftanorphanontheworld。OldBernardihadbroughtupthreesonstothesameprofessionashimself，andtheyhadlatelyleftNaplestoseektheirfortunesinthewealthiercitiesofNorthernEurope，wherethemusicalmarketwaslessoverstocked。Therewasonlylefttogladthehouseholdofhisagedwifeandhimself，alively，prattling，dark-eyedgirlofsomeeightyearsold，thechildofhissecondson，whosemotherhaddiedingivingherbirth。Itsohappenedthat，aboutamonthprevioustothedateonwhichourstoryhasnowentered，aparalyticaffectionhaddisabledBernardifromthedutiesofhiscalling。Hehadbeenalwaysasocial，harmless，improvident，generousfellow——livingonhisgainsfromdaytoday，asifthedayofsicknessandoldageneverwastoarrive。Thoughhereceivedasmallallowanceforhispastservices，itillsufficedforhiswants，；neitherwashefreefromdebt。Povertystoodathishearth，——whenViola"sgratefulsmileandliberalhandcametochasethegrimfiendaway。Butitisnotenoughtoahearttrulykindtosendandgive；morecharitableisittovisitandconsole。"Forgetnotthyfather"sfriend。"SoalmostdailywentthebrightidolofNaplestothehouseofBernardi。Suddenlyaheavierafflictionthaneitherpovertyorthepalsybefelltheoldmusician。Hisgrandchild，hislittleBeatrice，fellill，suddenlyanddangerouslyill，ofoneofthoserapidfeverscommontotheSouth；andViolawassummonedfromherstrangeandfearfulreveriesofloveorfancy，tothesick-bedoftheyoungsufferer。
ThechildwasexceedinglyfondofViola，andtheoldpeoplethoughtthathermerepresencewouldbringhealing；butwhenViolaarrived，Beatricewasinsensible。FortunatelytherewasnoperformancethateveningatSanCarlo，andsheresolvedtostaythenightandpartakeitsfearfulcaresanddangerousvigil。
Butduringthenightthechildgrewworse，thephysician(theleechcrafthasneverbeenveryskilfulatNaples)shookhispowderedhead，kepthisaromaticsathisnostrils，administeredhispalliatives，anddeparted。OldBernardiseatedhimselfbythebedsideinsternsilence；herewasthelasttiethatboundhimtolife。Well，lettheanchorbreakandthebatteredshipgodown!Itwasanironresolve，morefearfulthansorrow。Anoldman，withonefootinthegrave，watchingbythecouchofadyingchild，isoneofthemostawfulspectaclesinhumancalamities。
Thewifewasmoreactive，morebustling，morehopeful，andmoretearful。Violatookheedofallthree。Buttowardsdawn，Beatrice"sstatebecamesoobviouslyalarming，thatViolaherselfbegantodespair。Atthistimeshesawtheoldwomansuddenlyrisefrombeforetheimageofthesaintatwhichshehadbeenkneeling，wrapherselfinhercloakandhood，andquietlyquitthechamber。Violastoleafterher。
"Itiscoldforthee，goodmother，tobravetheair；letmegoforthephysician？"
"Child，Iamnotgoingtohim。Ihaveheardofoneinthecitywhohasbeentendertothepoor，andwho，theysay，hascuredthesickwhenphysiciansfailed。Iwillgoandsaytohim，"Signor，wearebeggarsinallelse，butyesterdaywewererichinlove。
Weareatthecloseoflife，butwelivedinourgrandchild"schildhood。Giveusbackourwealth，——giveusbackouryouth。
LetusdieblessingGodthatthethingwelovesurvivesus。""
Shewasgone。Whydidthyheartbeat，Viola？Theinfant"ssharpcryofpaincalledherbacktothecouch；andtherestillsattheoldman，unconsciousofhiswife"smovements，notstirring，hiseyesglazingfastastheywatchedtheagoniesofthatslightframe。Bydegreesthewailofpaindiedintoalowmoan，——theconvulsionsgrewfeebler，butmorefrequent；theglowoffeverfadedintotheblue，paletingethatsettlesintothelastbloodlessmarble。
Thedaylightcamebroaderandclearerthroughthecasement；stepswereheardonthestairs，——theoldwomanenteredhastily；sherushedtothebed，castaglanceonthepatient，"Shelivesyet，signor，shelives!"
Violaraisedhereyes，——thechild"sheadwaspillowedonherbosom，——andshebeheldZanoni。Hesmiledonherwithatenderandsoftapproval，andtooktheinfantfromherarms。Yeteventhen，asshesawhimbendingsilentlyoverthatpaleface，asuperstitiousfearmingledwithherhopes。"Wasitbylawful——byholyartthat——"herself-questioningceasedabruptly；forhisdarkeyeturnedtoherasifhereadhersoul，andhisaspectaccusedherconscienceforitssuspicion，foritspokereproachnotunmingledwithdisdain。
"Becomforted，"hesaid，gentlyturningtotheoldman，"thedangerisnotbeyondthereachofhumanskill；"and，takingfromhisbosomasmallcrystalvase，hemingledafewdropswithwater。Nosoonerdidthismedicinemoistentheinfant"slips，thanitseemedtoproduceanastonishingeffect。Thecolourrevivedrapidlyonthelipsandcheeks；inafewmomentsthesufferersleptcalmly，andwiththeregularbreathingofpainlesssleep。Andthentheoldmanrose，rigidly，asacorpsemightrise，——lookeddown，listened，andcreepinggentlyaway，stoletothecorneroftheroom，andwept，andthankedHeaven!
Now，oldBernardihadbeen，hitherto，butacoldbeliever；sorrowhadneverbeforeledhimaloftfromearth。Oldashewas，hehadneverbeforethoughtastheoldshouldthinkofdeath，——thatendangeredlifeoftheyounghadwakenedupthecarelesssoulofage。Zanoniwhisperedtothewife，andshedrewtheoldmanquietlyfromtheroom。
"Dostthoufeartoleavemeanhourwiththycharge，Viola？
ThinkestthoustillthatthisknowledgeisoftheFiend？"
"Ah，"saidViola，humbledandyetrejoiced，"forgiveme，forgiveme，signor。Thoubiddesttheyoungliveandtheoldpray。Mythoughtsnevershallwrongtheemore!"
Beforethesunrose，Beatricewasoutofdanger；atnoonZanoniescapedfromtheblessingsoftheagedpair，andasheclosedthedoorofthehouse，hefoundViolaawaitinghimwithout。
Shestoodbeforehimtimidly，herhandscrossedmeeklyonherbosom，herdowncasteyesswimmingwithtears。
"Donotletmebetheonlyoneyouleaveunhappy!"
"Andwhatcurecantheherbsandanodyneseffectforthee？Ifthoucanstsoreadilybelieveillofthosewhohaveaidedandyetwouldservethee，thydiseaseisoftheheart；and——nay，weepnot!nurseofthesick，andcomforterofthesad，Ishouldratherapprovethanchidethee。Forgivethee!Life，thateverneedsforgiveness，has，foritsfirstduty，toforgive。"
"No，donotforgivemeyet。Idonotdeserveapardon；forevennow，whileIfeelhowungratefulIwastobelieve，suspect，aughtinjuriousandfalsetomypreserver，mytearsflowfromhappiness，notremorse。Oh!"shecontinued，withasimplefervour，unconscious，inherinnocenceandhergenerousemotions，ofallthesecretsshebetrayed，——"thouknowestnothowbitteritwastobelievetheenotmoregood，morepure，moresacredthanalltheworld。AndwhenIsawthee，——thewealthy，thenoble，comingfromthypalacetoministertothesufferingsofthehovel，——whenIheardthoseblessingsofthepoorbreatheduponthypartingfootsteps，Ifeltmyveryselfexalted，——goodinthygoodness，nobleatleastinthosethoughtsthatdidNOTwrongthee。"
"Andthinkestthou，Viola，thatinamereactofsciencethereissomuchvirtue？Thecommonestleechwilltendthesickforhisfee。Areprayersandblessingsalessrewardthangold？"
"Andmine，then，arenotworthless？Thouwiltacceptofmine？"
"Ah，Viola!"exclaimedZanoni，withasuddenpassion，thatcoveredherfacewithblushes，"thouonly，methinks，onalltheearth，hastthepowertowoundordelightme!"Hecheckedhimself，andhisfacebecamegraveandsad。"Andthis，"headded，inanalteredtone，"because，ifthouwouldstheedmycounsels，methinksIcouldguideaguilelesshearttoahappyfate。"
"Thycounsels!Iwillobeythemall。Mouldmetowhatthouwilt。Inthineabsence，Iamasachildthatfearseveryshadowinthedark；inthypresence，mysoulexpands，andthewholeworldseemscalmwithacelestialnoonday。Donotdenytomethatpresence。Iamfatherlessandignorantandalone!"
Zanoniavertedhisface，and，afteramoment"ssilence，repliedcalmly，——
"Beitso。Sister，Iwillvisittheeagain!"
CHAPTER3。II。
Gildingpalestreamswithheavenlyalchemy。
Shakespeare。
WhosohappyasViolanow!Adarkloadwasliftedfromherheart:herstepseemedtotreadonair；shewouldhavesungforverydelightasshewentgaylyhome。Itissuchhappinesstothepuretolove，——butoh，suchmorethanhappinesstobelieveintheworthoftheonebeloved。Betweenthemtheremightbehumanobstacles，——wealth，rank，man"slittleworld。Buttherewasnolongerthatdarkgulfwhichtheimaginationrecoilstodwellon，andwhichseparatesforeversoulfromsoul。Hedidnotloveherinreturn。Loveher!Butdidsheaskforlove？Didsheherselflove？No；orshewouldneverhavebeenatoncesohumbleandsobold。Howmerrilytheoceanmurmuredinherear；howradiantanaspectthecommonestpasser-byseemedtowear!Shegainedherhome，——shelookeduponthetree，glancing，withfantasticbranches，inthesun。"Yes，brothermine!"shesaid，laughinginherjoy，"likethee，IHAVEstruggledtothelight!"
Shehadneverhitherto，likethemoreinstructedDaughtersoftheNorth，accustomedherselftothatdeliciousConfessional，thetransfusionofthoughttowriting。Now，suddenly，herheartfeltanimpulse；anew-borninstinct，thatbadeitcommunewithitself，badeitdisentangleitswebofgoldenfancies，——madeherwishtolookuponherinmostselfasinaglass。UpsprungfromtheembraceofLoveandSoul——theErosandthePsyche——theirbeautifuloffspring，Genius!Sheblushed，shesighed，shetrembledasshewrote。Andfromthefreshworldthatshehadbuiltforherself，shewasawakenedtopreparefortheglitteringstage。Howdullbecamethemusic，howdimthescene，soexquisiteandsobrightofold。Stage，thouarttheFairyLandtothevisionoftheworldly。Fancy，whosemusicisnotheardbymen，whosescenesshiftnotbymortalhand，asthestagetothepresentworld，artthoutothefutureandthepast!
CHAPTER3。III。
Infaith，Idonotlovetheewithmineeyes。
Shakespeare。
Thenextday，atnoon，ZanonivisitedViola；andthenextdayandthenextandagainthenext，——daysthattoherseemedlikeaspecialtimesetapartfromtherestoflife。Andyetheneverspoketoherinthelanguageofflattery，andalmostofadoration，towhichshehadbeenaccustomed。Perhapshisverycoldness，sogentleasitwas，assistedtothismysteriouscharm。
Hetalkedtohermuchofherpastlife，andshewasscarcelysurprised(shenowneverthoughtofTERROR)toperceivehowmuchofthatpastseemedknowntohim。
Hemadeherspeaktohimofherfather；hemadeherrecallsomeoftheairsofPisani"swildmusic。Andthoseairsseemedtocharmandlullhimintoreverie。
"Asmusicwastothemusician，"saidhe，"maysciencebetothewise。Yourfatherlookedabroadintheworld；allwasdiscordtothefinesympathiesthathefeltwiththeharmoniesthatdailyandnightlyfloattothethroneofHeaven。Life，withitsnoisyambitionanditsmeanpassions，issopoorandbase!Outofhissoulhecreatedthelifeandtheworldforwhichhissoulwasfitted。Viola，thouartthedaughterofthatlife，andwiltbethedenizenofthatworld。"
InhisearliervisitshedidnotspeakofGlyndon。Thedaysooncameonwhichherenewedthesubject。Andsotrustful，obedient，andentirewastheallegiancethatViolanowownedtohisdominion，that，unwelcomeasthatsubjectwas，sherestrainedherheart，andlistenedtohiminsilence。
Atlasthesaid，"Thouhastpromisedthouwiltobeymycounsels，andif，Viola，Ishouldaskthee，nayadjure，toacceptthisstranger"shand，andsharehisfate，shouldheoffertotheesuchalot，——wouldstthourefuse？"
Andthenshepressedbackthetearsthatgushedtohereyes；andwithastrangepleasureinthemidstofpain，——thepleasureofonewhosacrificesheartitselftotheonewhocommandsthatheart，——sheansweredfalteringly，"IfthouCANSTordainit，why——"
"Speakon。"