第7章
"Disposeofmeasthouwilt!"
Zanonistoodinsilenceforsomemoments:hesawthestrugglewhichthegirlthoughtsheconcealedsowell；hemadeaninvoluntarymovementtowardsher，andpressedherhandtohislips；itwasthefirsttimehehadeverdepartedevensofarfromacertainausteritywhichperhapsmadeherfearhimandherownthoughtstheless。
"Viola，"saidhe，andhisvoicetrembled，"thedangerthatIcanavertnomore，ifthoulingerstillinNaples，comeshourlynearandneartothee!Onthethirddayfromthisthyfatemustbedecided。Iacceptthypromise。Beforethelasthourofthatday，comewhatmay，Ishallseetheeagain，HERE，atthineownhouse。Tillthen，farewell!"
CHAPTER3。IV。
Betweentwoworldslifehoverslikeastar"Twixtnightandmorn。
Byron。
WhenGlyndonleftViola，asrecordedintheconcludingchapteroftheseconddivisionofthiswork，hewasabsorbedagaininthosemysticaldesiresandconjectureswhichthehauntingrecollectionofZanonialwaysservedtocreate。Andashewanderedthroughthestreets，hewasscarcelyconsciousofhisownmovementstill，inthemechanismofcustom，hefoundhimselfinthemidstofoneofthenoblecollectionsofpictureswhichformtheboastofthoseItaliancitieswhosegloryisinthepast。Thitherhehadbeenwont，almostdaily，torepair，forthegallerycontainedsomeofthefinestspecimensofamasterespeciallytheobjectofhisenthusiasmandstudy。There，beforetheworksofSalvator，hehadoftenpausedindeepandearnestreverence。Thestrikingcharacteristicofthatartististhe"VigourofWill；"voidoftheelevatedideaofabstractbeauty，whichfurnishesamodelandarchetypetothegeniusofmoreillustriousorder，thesingularenergyofthemanhewsoutoftherockadignityofhisown。Hisimageshavethemajesty，notofthegod，butthesavage；utterlyfree，likethesublimerschools，fromthecommon-placeofimitation，——apart，withthem，fromtheconventionallittlenessoftheReal，——hegraspstheimagination，andcompelsittofollowhim，nottotheheaven，butthroughallthatismostwildandfantasticuponearth；asorcery，notofthestarrymagian，butofthegloomywizard，——amanofromancewhoseheartbeatstrongly，gripingartwithahandofiron，andforcingittoidealisethescenesofhisactuallife。Beforethispowerfulwill，GlyndondrewbackmoreawedandadmiringthanbeforethecalmerbeautywhichrosefromthesoulofRaphael，likeVenusfromthedeep。
Andnow，asawakingfromhisreverie，hestoodoppositetothatwildandmagnificentgloomofNaturewhichfrownedonhimfromthecanvas，theveryleavesonthosegnome-like，distortedtreesseemedtorustlesibyllinesecretsinhisear。ThoseruggedandsombreApennines，thecataractthatdashedbetween，suited，morethantheactualsceneswouldhavedone，themoodandtemperofhismind。Thestern，uncouthformsatrestonthecragsbelow，anddwarfedbythegiantsizeoftheMatterthatreignedaroundthem，impressedhimwiththemightofNatureandthelittlenessofMan。Asingeniusofthemorespiritualcast，thelivingman，andthesoulthatlivesinhim，arestudiouslymadetheprominentimage；andthemereaccessoriesofscenekeptdown，andcastback，asiftoshowthattheexilefromparadiseisyetthemonarchoftheoutwardworld，——so，inthelandscapesofSalvator，thetree，themountain，thewaterfall，becometheprincipal，andmanhimselfdwindlestotheaccessory。TheMatterseemstoreignsupreme，anditstruelordtocreepbeneathitsstupendousshadow。Inertmattergivinginteresttotheimmortalman，nottheimmortalmantotheinertmatter。Aterriblephilosophyinart!
Whilesomethingofthesethoughtspassedthroughthemindofthepainter，hefelthisarmtouched，andsawNicotbyhisside。
"Agreatmaster，"saidNicot，"butIdonotlovetheschool。"
"Idonotlove，butIamawedbyit。Welovethebeautifulandserene，butwehaveafeelingasdeepaslovefortheterribleanddark。"
"True，"saidNicot，thoughtfully。"Andyetthatfeelingisonlyasuperstition。Thenursery，withitstalesofghostsandgoblins，isthecradleofmanyofourimpressionsintheworld。
Butartshouldnotseektopandertoourignorance；artshouldrepresentonlytruths。IconfessthatRaphaelpleasesmeless，becauseIhavenosympathywithhissubjects。Hissaintsandvirginsaretomeonlymenandwomen。"
"Andfromwhatsourceshouldpainting，then，takeitsthemes？"
"Fromhistory，withoutdoubt，"returnedNicot，pragmatically，——
"thosegreatRomanactionswhichinspiremenwithsentimentsoflibertyandvalour，withthevirtuesofarepublic。IwishthecartoonsofRaphaelhadillustratedthestoryoftheHoratii；butitremainsforFranceandherRepublictogivetoposteritythenewandthetrueschool，whichcouldneverhaveariseninacountryofpriestcraftanddelusion。"
"AndthesaintsandvirginsofRaphaelaretoyouonlymenandwomen？"repeatedGlyndon，goingbacktoNicot"scandidconfessioninamaze，andscarcelyhearingthedeductionstheFrenchmandrewfromhisproposition。
"Assuredly。Ha，ha!"andNicotlaughedhideously，"doyouaskmetobelieveinthecalendar，orwhat？"
"Buttheideal？"
"Theideal!"interruptedNicot。"Stuff!TheItaliancritics，andyourEnglishReynolds，haveturnedyourhead。Theyaresofondoftheir"gustogrande，"andtheir"idealbeautythatspeakstothesoul!"——soul!——ISthereasoul？Iunderstandamanwhenhetalksofcomposingforarefinedtaste，——foraneducatedandintelligentreason；forasensethatcomprehendstruths。Butasforthesoul，——bah!——wearebutmodificationsofmatter，andpaintingismodificationofmatteralso。"
GlyndonturnedhiseyesfromthepicturebeforehimtoNicot，andfromNicottothepicture。Thedogmatistgaveavoicetothethoughtswhichthesightofthepicturehadawakened。Heshookhisheadwithoutreply。
"Tellme，"saidNicot，abruptly，"thatimposter，——Zanoni!——oh!I
havenowlearnedhisnameandquackeries，forsooth，——whatdidhesaytotheeofme？"
"Ofthee？Nothing；buttowarnmeagainstthydoctrines。"
"Aha!wasthatall？"saidNicot。"Heisanotableinventor，andsince，whenwemetlast，Iunmaskedhisdelusions，Ithoughthemightretaliatebysometaleofslander。"
"Unmaskedhisdelusions!——how？"
"Adullandlongstory:hewishedtoteachanolddotingfriendofminehissecretsofprolongedlifeandphilosophicalalchemy。
Iadvisetheetorenouncesodiscreditableanacquaintance。"
WiththatNicotnoddedsignificantly，and，notwishingtobefurtherquestioned，wenthisway。
Glyndon"smindatthatmomenthadescapedtohisart，andthecommentsandpresenceofNicothadbeennowelcomeinterruption。
HeturnedfromthelandscapeofSalvator，andhiseyefallingonaNativitybyCoreggio，thecontrastbetweenthetworanksofgeniusstruckhimasadiscovery。Thatexquisiterepose，thatperfectsenseofbeauty，thatstrengthwithouteffort，thatbreathingmoralofhighart，whichspeakstothemindthroughtheeye，andraisesthethoughts，bytheaidoftendernessandlove，totheregionsofaweandwonder，——ay!THATwasthetrueschool。
Hequittedthegallerywithreluctantstepsandinspiredideas；
hesoughthisownhome。Here，pleasednottofindthesoberMervale，heleanedhisfaceonhishands，andendeavouredtorecallthewordsofZanoniintheirlastmeeting。Yes，hefeltNicot"stalkevenonartwascrime；itdebasedtheimaginationitselftomechanism。Couldhe，whosawnothinginthesoulbutacombinationofmatter，prateofschoolsthatshouldexcelaRaphael？Yes，artwasmagic；andasheownedthetruthoftheaphorism，hecouldcomprehendthatinmagictheremaybereligion，forreligionisanessentialtoart。Hisoldambition，freeingitselffromthefrigidprudencewithwhichMervalesoughttodesecrateallimageslesssubstantialthanthegoldencalfoftheworld，revived，andstirred，andkindled。Thesubtledetectionofwhatheconceivedtobeanerrorintheschoolhehadhithertoadopted，mademoremanifesttohimbythegrinningcommentaryofNicot，seemedtoopentohimanewworldofinvention。Heseizedthehappymoment，——heplacedbeforehimthecoloursandthecanvas。Lostinhisconceptionsofafreshideal，hismindwasliftedaloftintotheairyrealmsofbeauty；
darkthoughts，unhalloweddesires，vanished。Zanoniwasright:
thematerialworldshrunkfromhisgaze；heviewedNatureasfromamountain-topafar；andasthewavesofhisunquietheartbecamecalmandstill，againtheangeleyesofViolabeamedonthemasaholystar。
Lockinghimselfinhischamber，herefusedeventhevisitsofMervale。Intoxicatedwiththepureairofhisfreshexistence，heremainedforthreedays，andalmostnights，absorbedinhisemployment；butonthefourthmorningcamethatreactiontowhichalllabourisexposed。Hewokelistlessandfatigued；andashecasthiseyesonthecanvas，thegloryseemedtohavegonefromit。Humiliatingrecollectionsofthegreatmastersheaspiredtorivalforcedthemselvesuponhim；defectsbeforeunseenmagnifiedthemselvestodeformitiesinhislanguidanddiscontentedeyes。
Hetouchedandretouched，buthishandfailedhim；hethrewdownhisinstrumentsindespair；heopenedhiscasement:thedaywithoutwasbrightandlovely；thestreetwascrowdedwiththatlifewhichiseversojoyousandaffluentintheanimatedpopulationofNaples。Hesawthelover，ashepassed，conversingwithhismistressbythosemutegestureswhichhavesurvivedallchangesoflanguages，thesamenowaswhentheEtruscanpaintedyonvasesintheMuseoBorbonico。Lightfromwithoutbeckonedhisyouthtoitsmirthanditspleasures；andthedullwallswithin，latelylargeenoughtocompriseheavenandearth，seemednowcabinedandconfinedasafelon"sprison。HewelcomedthestepofMervaleathisthreshold，andunbarredthedoor。
"Andisthatallyouhavedone？"saidMervale，glancingdisdainfullyatthecanvas。"IsitforthisthatyouhaveshutyourselfoutfromthesunnydaysandmoonlitnightsofNaples？"
"Whilethefitwasonme，Ibaskedinabrightersun，andimbibedthevoluptuousluxuryofasoftermoon。"
"Youownthatthefitisover。Well，thatissomesignofreturningsense。Afterall，itisbettertodaubcanvasforthreedaysthanmakeafoolofyourselfforlife。Thislittlesiren？"
"Bedumb!Ihatetohearyounameher。"
MervaledrewhischairnearertoGlyndon"s，thrusthishandsdeepinhisbreeches-pockets，stretchedhislegs，andwasabouttobeginaseriousstrainofexpostulation，whenaknockwasheardatthedoor，andNicot，withoutwaitingforleave，obtrudedhisuglyhead。
"Good-day，moncherconfrere。Iwishedtospeaktoyou。Hein!
youhavebeenatwork，Isee。Thisiswell，——verywell!Aboldoutline，——greatfreedominthatrighthand。But，hold!isthecompositiongood？Youhavenotgotthegreatpyramidalform。
Don"tyouthink，too，thatyouhavelosttheadvantageofcontrastinthisfigure；sincetherightlegisputforward，surelytherightarmshouldbeputback？Peste!butthatlittlefingerisveryfine!"
MervaledetestedNicot。Forallspeculators，Utopians，alterersoftheworld，andwanderersfromthehighroad，wereequallyhatefultohim；buthecouldhavehuggedtheFrenchmanatthatmoment。HesawinGlyndon"sexpressivecountenanceallthewearinessanddisgustheendured。Aftersowrappedastudy，tobepratedtoaboutpyramidalformsandrightarmsandrightlegs，theaccidenceoftheart，thewholeconceptiontobeoverlooked，andthecriticismtoendinapprovalofthelittlefinger!
"Oh，"saidGlyndon，peevishly，throwingtheclothoverhisdesign，"enoughofmypoorperformance。Whatisityouhavetosaytome？"
"Inthefirstplace，"saidNicot，huddlinghimselftogetheruponastool，——"inthefirstplace，thisSignorZanoni，——thissecondCagliostro，——whodisputesmydoctrines!(nodoubtaspyofthemanCapet)Iamnotvindictive；asHelvetiussays，"ourerrorsarisefromourpassions。"Ikeepmineinorder；butitisvirtuoustohateinthecauseofmankind；IwouldIhadthedenouncingandthejudgingofSignorZanoniatParis。"AndNicot"ssmalleyesshotfire，andhegnashedhisteeth。
"Haveyouanynewcausetohatehim？"
"Yes，"saidNicot，fiercely。"Yes，IhearheiscourtingthegirlImeantomarry。"
"You!Whomdoyouspeakof？"
"ThecelebratedPisani!Sheisdivinelyhandsome。Shewouldmakemyfortuneinarepublic。Andarepublicweshallhavebeforetheyearisout。"
Mervalerubbedhishands，andchuckled。Glyndoncolouredwithrageandshame。
"DoyouknowtheSignoraPisani？Haveyoueverspokentoher？"
"Notyet。ButwhenImakeupmymindtoanything，itissoondone。IamabouttoreturntoParis。Theywritemewordthatahandsomewifeadvancesthecareerofapatriot。Theageofprejudiceisover。Thesublimervirtuesbegintobeunderstood。
IshalltakebackthehandsomestwifeinEurope。"
"Bequiet!Whatareyouabout？"saidMervale，seizingGlyndonashesawhimadvancetowardstheFrenchman，hiseyessparkling，andhishandsclenched。
"Sir!"saidGlyndon，betweenhisteeth，"youknownotofwhomyouthusspeak。DoyouaffecttosupposethatViolaPisaniwouldacceptYOU？"
"Notifshecouldgetabetteroffer，"saidMervale，lookinguptotheceiling。
"Abetteroffer？Youdon"tunderstandme，"saidNicot。"I，JeanNicot，proposetomarrythegirl；marryher!Othersmaymakehermoreliberaloffers，butnoone，Iapprehend，wouldmakeonesohonourable。Ialonehavepityonherfriendlesssituation。
Besides，accordingtothedawningstateofthings，onewillalways，inFrance，beabletogetridofawifewheneveronewishes。Weshallhavenewlawsofdivorce。DoyouimaginethatanItaliangirl——andinnocountryintheworldaremaidens，itseems，morechaste(thoughwivesmayconsolethemselveswithvirtuesmorephilosophical)——wouldrefusethehandofanartistforthesettlementsofaprince？No；IthinkbetterofthePisanithanyoudo。Ishallhastentointroducemyselftoher。"
"Iwishyouallsuccess，MonsieurNicot，"saidMervale，rising，andshakinghimheartilybythehand。
Glyndoncastatthembothadisdainfulglance。
"Perhaps，MonsieurNicot，"saidhe，atlength，constraininghislipsintoabittersmile，——"perhapsyoumayhaverivals。"
"Somuchthebetter，"repliedMonsieurNicot，carelessly，kickinghisheelstogether，andappearingabsorbedinadmirationatthesizeofhislargefeet。
"ImyselfadmireViolaPisani。"
"Everypaintermust!"
"Imayofferhermarriageaswellasyourself。"
"Thatwouldbefollyinyou，thoughwisdominme。Youwouldnotknowhowtodrawprofitfromthespeculation!Cherconfrere，youhaveprejudices。"
"Youdonotdaretosayyouwouldmakeprofitfromyourownwife？"
"ThevirtuousCatolenthiswifetoafriend。Ilovevirtue，andIcannotdobetterthanimitateCato。Buttobeserious，——Idonotfearyouasarival。Youaregood-looking，andIamugly。
Butyouareirresolute，andIdecisive。Whileyouareutteringfinephrases，Ishallsay，simply，"Ihaveabonetat。Willyoumarryme？"Sodoyourworst，cherconfrere。Aurevoir，behindthescenes!"
Sosaying，Nicotrose，stretchedhislongarmsandshortlegs，yawnedtillheshowedallhisraggedteethfromeartoear，presseddownhiscaponhisshaggyheadwithanairofdefiance，andcastingoverhisleftshoulderaglanceoftriumphandmaliceattheindignantGlyndon，saunteredoutoftheroom。
Mervaleburstintoaviolentfitoflaughter。"SeehowyourViolaisestimatedbyyourfriend。Afinevictory，tocarryherofffromtheugliestdogbetweenLaplandandtheCalmucks。"
Glyndonwasyettooindignanttoanswer，whenanewvisitorarrived。ItwasZanonihimself。Mervale，onwhomtheappearanceandaspectofthispersonageimposedakindofreluctantdeference，whichhewasunwillingtoacknowledge，andstillmoretobetray，noddedtoGlyndon，andsaying，simply，"MorewhenI
seeyouagain，"leftthepainterandhisunexpectedvisitor。
"Isee，"saidZanoni，liftingtheclothfromthecanvas，"thatyouhavenotslightedtheadviceIgaveyou。Courage，youngartist；thisisanescapefromtheschools:thisisfulloftheboldself-confidenceofrealgenius。YouhadnoNicot——noMervale——atyourelbowwhenthisimageoftruebeautywasconceived!"
Charmedbacktohisartbythisunlooked-forpraise，Glyndonrepliedmodestly，"Ithoughtwellofmydesigntillthismorning；
andthenIwasdisenchantedofmyhappypersuasion。"
"Say，rather，that，unaccustomedtocontinuouslabour，youwerefatiguedwithyouremployment。"
"Thatistrue。ShallIconfessit？Ibegantomisstheworldwithout。Itseemedtomeasif，whileIlavishedmyheartandmyyouthuponvisionsofbeauty，Iwaslosingthebeautifulrealitiesofactuallife。AndIenviedthemerryfisherman，singingashepassedbelowmycasement，andtheloverconversingwithhismistress。"
"And，"saidZanoni，withanencouragingsmile，"doyoublameyourselfforthenaturalandnecessaryreturntoearth，inwhicheventhemosthabitualvisitoroftheHeavensofInventionseekshisrelaxationandrepose？Man"sgeniusisabirdthatcannotbealwaysonthewing；whenthecravingfortheactualworldisfelt，itisahungerthatmustbeappeased。Theywhocommandbesttheideal，enjoyevermostthereal。Seethetrueartist，whenabroadinmen"sthoroughfares，everobservant，everdivingintotheheart，everalivetotheleastastothegreatestofthecomplicatedtruthsofexistence；descendingtowhatpedantswouldcallthetrivialandthefrivolous。Fromeverymeshinthesocialweb，hecandisentangleagrace。Andforhimeachairygossamerfloatsinthegoldofthesunlight。Knowyounotthataroundtheanimalculethatsportsinthewaterthereshinesahalo，asaroundthestar(Themonasmica，foundinthepurestpools，isencompassedwithahalo。Andthisisfrequentamongstmanyotherspeciesofanimalcule。)thatrevolvesinbrightpastimethroughthespace？Trueartfindsbeautyeverywhere。Inthestreet，inthemarket-place，inthehovel，itgathersfoodforthehiveofitsthoughts。Inthemireofpolitics，DanteandMiltonselectedpearlsforthewreathofsong。
"WhoevertoldyouthatRaphaeldidnotenjoythelifewithout，carryingeverywherewithhimtheoneinwardideaofbeautywhichattractedandimbeddedinitsownambereverystrawthatthefeetofthedullmantrampledintomud？Assomelordoftheforestwandersabroadforitsprey，andscentsandfollowsitoverplainandhill，throughbrakeandjungle，but，seizingitatlast，bearsthequarrytoitsunwitnessedcave，——soGeniussearchesthroughwoodandwaste，untiringlyandeagerly，everysenseawake，everynervestrainedtospeedandstrength，forthescatteredandflyingimagesofmatter，thatitseizesatlastwithitsmightytalons，andbearsawaywithitintosolitudesnofootstepcaninvade。Go，seektheworldwithout；itisforarttheinexhaustiblepasture-groundandharvesttotheworldwithin!"
"Youcomfortme，"saidGlyndon，brightening。"Ihadimaginedmywearinessaproofofmydeficiency!ButnotnowwouldIspeaktoyouoftheselabours。Pardonme，ifIpassfromthetoiltothereward。Youhaveuttereddimpropheciesofmyfuture，ifIwedonewho，inthejudgmentofthesoberworld，wouldonlydarkenitsprospectsandobstructitsambition。Doyouspeakfromthewisdomwhichisexperience，orthatwhichaspirestoprediction？"
"Aretheynotallied？Isitnothebestaccustomedtocalculationwhocansolveataglanceanynewprobleminthearithmeticofchances？"
"Youevademyquestion。"
"No；butIwilladaptmyanswerthebettertoyourcomprehension，foritisuponthisverypointthatIhavesoughtyou。Listentome!"Zanonifixedhiseyesearnestlyonhislistener，andcontinued:"Fortheaccomplishmentofwhateverisgreatandlofty，theclearperceptionoftruthsisthefirstrequisite，——
truthsadaptedtotheobjectdesired。Thewarriorthusreducesthechancesofbattletocombinationsalmostofmathematics。Hecanpredictaresult，ifhecanbutdependuponthematerialsheisforcedtoemploy。Atsuchalosshecancrossthatbridge；insuchatimehecanreducethatfort。Stillmoreaccurately，forhedependslessonmaterialcausesthanideasathiscommand，canthecommanderofthepurerscienceordivinerart，ifheonceperceivethetruthsthatareinhimandaround，foretellwhathecanachieve，andinwhatheiscondemnedtofail。Butthisperceptionoftruthsisdisturbedbymanycauses，——vanity，passion，fear，indolenceinhimself，ignoranceofthefittingmeanswithouttoaccomplishwhathedesigns。Hemaymiscalculatehisownforces；hemayhavenochartofthecountryhewouldinvade。Itisonlyinapeculiarstateofthemindthatitiscapableofperceivingtruth；andthatstateisprofoundserenity。
Yourmindisfeveredbyadesirefortruth:youwouldcompelittoyourembraces；youwouldaskmetoimparttoyou，withoutordealorpreparation，thegrandestsecretsthatexistinNature。
Buttruthcannomorebeseenbythemindunpreparedforit，thanthesuncandawnuponthemidstofnight。Suchamindreceivestruthonlytopolluteit:tousethesimileofonewhohaswanderedneartothesecretofthesublimeGoetia(orthemagicthatlieswithinNature，aselectricitywithinthecloud)，"Hewhopourswaterintothemuddywell，doesbutdisturbthemud。""
("Iamb。deVit。Pythag。")
"Whatdoyoutendto？"
"This:thatyouhavefacultiesthatmayattaintosurpassingpower，thatmayrankyouamongthoseenchanterswho，greaterthanthemagian，leavebehindthemanenduringinfluence，worshippedwhereverbeautyiscomprehended，whereverthesoulissensibleofahigherworldthanthatinwhichmatterstrugglesforcrudeandincompleteexistence。
"Buttomakeavailablethosefaculties，needIbeaprophettotellyouthatyoumustlearntoconcentreupongreatobjectsallyourdesires？Theheartmustrest，thatthemindmaybeactive。
Atpresentyouwanderfromaimtoaim。Astheballasttotheship，sotothespiritarefaithandlove。Withyourwholeheart，affections，humanity，centredinoneobject，yourmindandaspirationswillbecomeequallysteadfastandinearnest。Violaisachildasyet；youdonotperceivethehighnaturethetrialsoflifewilldevelop。Pardonme，ifIsaythathersoul，purerandloftierthanyourown，willbearitupward，asasecrethymncarriesaloftthespiritsoftheworld。Yournaturewantstheharmony，themusicwhich，asthePythagoreanswiselytaught，atonceelevatesandsoothes。Iofferyouthatmusicinherlove。"
"ButamIsurethatshedoesloveme？"
"Artist，no；shelovesyounotatpresent；heraffectionsarefullofanother。ButifIcouldtransfertoyou，astheloadstonetransfersitsattractiontothemagnet，thelovethatshehasnowforme，——ifIcouldcausehertoseeinyoutheidealofherdreams——"
"Issuchagiftinthepowerofman？"
"Iofferittoyou，ifyourlovebelawful，ifyourfaithinvirtueandyourselfbedeepandloyal；ifnot，thinkyouthatI
woulddisenchantherwithtruthtomakeheradoreafalsehood？"
"Butif，"persistedGlyndon，——"ifshebeallthatyoutellme，andifsheloveyou，howcanyourobyourselfofsopricelessatreasure？"
"Oh，shallowandmeanheartofman!"exclaimedZanoni，withunaccustomedpassionandvehemence，"dostthouconceivesolittleofloveasnottoknowthatitsacrificesall——loveitself——forthehappinessofthethingitloves？Hearme!"AndZanoni"sfacegrewpale。"Hearme!Ipressthisuponyou，becauseIloveher，andbecauseIfearthatwithmeherfatewillbelessfairthanwithyourself。Why，——asknot，forIwillnottellyou。
Enough!Timepressesnowforyouranswer；itcannotlongbedelayed。Beforethenightofthethirddayfromthis，allchoicewillbeforbidyou!"
"But，"saidGlyndon，stilldoubtingandsuspicious，——"butwhythishaste？"
"Man，youarenotworthyofherwhenyouaskme。AllIcantellyouhere，youshouldhaveknownyourself。Thisravisher，thismanofwill，thissonoftheoldVisconti，unlikeyou，——
steadfast，resolute，earnesteveninhiscrimes，——neverrelinquishesanobject。Butonepassioncontrolshislust，——itishisavarice。ThedayafterhisattemptonViola，hisuncle，theCardinal——，fromwhomhehaslargeexpectationsoflandandgold，sentforhim，andforbadehim，onpainofforfeitingallthepossessionswhichhisschemesalreadyhadparcelledout，topursuewithdishonourabledesignsonewhomtheCardinalhadheededandlovedfromchildhood。Thisisthecauseofhispresentpausefromhispursuit。Whilewespeak，thecauseexpires。Beforethehandoftheclockreachesthehourofnoon，theCardinal——willbenomore。Atthisverymomentthyfriend，JeanNicot，iswiththePrincedi。"
"He!wherefore？"
"ToaskwhatdowershallgowithViolaPisani，themorningthatsheleavesthepalaceoftheprince。"
"Andhowdoyouknowallthis？"
"Fool!Itelltheeagain，becausealoverisawatcherbynightandday；becauseloveneversleepswhendangermenacesthebelovedone!"
"AndyouitwasthatinformedtheCardinal——？"
"Yes；andwhathasbeenmytaskmightaseasilyhavebeenthine。
Speak，——thineanswer!"
"Youshallhaveitonthethirddayfromthis。"
"Beitso。Putoff，poorwaverer，thyhappinesstothelasthour。Onthethirddayfromthis，Iwillasktheethyresolve。"
"Andwhereshallwemeet？"
"Beforemidnight，whereyoumayleastexpectme。Youcannotshunme，thoughyoumayseektodoso!"
"Stayonemoment!Youcondemnmeasdoubtful，irresolute，suspicious。HaveInocause？CanIyieldwithoutastruggletothestrangefascinationyouexertuponmymind？Whatinterestcanyouhaveinme，astranger，thatyoushouldthusdictatetomethegravestactioninthelifeofman？Doyousupposethatanyoneinhissenseswouldnotpause，anddeliberate，andaskhimself，"Whyshouldthisstrangercarethusforme？""
"Andyet，"saidZanoni，"ifItoldtheethatIcouldinitiatetheeintothesecretsofthatmagicwhichthephilosophyofthewholeexistingworldtreatsasachimera，orimposture；ifI
promisedtoshowtheehowtocommandthebeingsofairandocean，howtoaccumulatewealthmoreeasilythanachildcangatherpebblesontheshore，toplaceinthyhandstheessenceoftheherbswhichprolonglifefromagetoage，themysteryofthatattractionbywhichtoawealldangeranddisarmallviolenceandsubduemanastheserpentcharmsthebird，——ifItoldtheethatalltheseitwasminetopossessandtocommunicate，thouwouldstlistentomethen，andobeymewithoutadoubt!"
"Itistrue；andIcanaccountforthisonlybytheimperfectassociationsofmychildhood，——bytraditionsinourhouseof——"
"Yourforefather，who，intherevivalofscience，soughtthesecretsofApolloniusandParacelsus。"
"What!"saidGlyndon，amazed，"areyousowellacquaintedwiththeannalsofanobscurelineage？"
"Tothemanwhoaspirestoknow，nomanwhohasbeenthemeaneststudentofknowledgeshouldbeunknown。YouaskmewhyIhaveshownthisinterestinyourfate？ThereisonereasonwhichI
havenotyettoldyou。Thereisafraternityastowhoselawsandwhosemysteriesthemostinquisitiveschoolmenareinthedark。Bythoselawsallarepledgedtowarn，toaid，andtoguideeventheremotestdescendantsofmenwhohavetoiled，thoughvainly，likeyourancestor，inthemysteriesoftheOrder。
Weareboundtoadvisethemtotheirwelfare；nay，more，——iftheycommandustoit，wemustacceptthemasourpupils。Iamasurvivorofthatmostancientandimmemorialunion。Thisitwasthatboundmetotheeatthefirst；this，perhaps，attractedthyselfunconsciously，SonofourBrotherhood，tome。"
"Ifthisbeso，Icommandthee，inthenameofthelawsthouobeyest，toreceivemeasthypupil!"
"Whatdoyouask？"saidZanoni，passionately。"Learn，first，theconditions。Noneophytemusthave，athisinitiation，oneaffectionordesirethatchainshimtotheworld。Hemustbepurefromtheloveofwoman，freefromavariceandambition，freefromthedreamsevenofart，orthehopeofearthlyfame。Thefirstsacrificethoumustmakeis——Violaherself。Andforwhat？
Foranordealthatthemostdaringcourageonlycanencounter，themostetherealnaturesalonesurvive!Thouartunfitforthesciencethathasmademeandotherswhatweareorhavebeen；forthywholenatureisonefear!"
"Fear!"criedGlyndon，colouringwithresentment，andrisingtothefullheightofhisstature。
"Fear!andtheworstfear，——fearoftheworld"sopinion；fearoftheNicotsandtheMervales；fearofthineownimpulseswhenmostgenerous；fearofthineownpowerswhenthygeniusismostbold；
fearthatvirtueisnoteternal；fearthatGoddoesnotliveinheaventokeepwatchonearth；fear，thefearoflittlemen；andthatfearisneverknowntothegreat。"
WiththesewordsZanoniabruptlylefttheartist，humbled，bewildered，andnotconvinced。Heremainedalonewithhisthoughtstillhewasarousedbythestrikingoftheclock；hethensuddenlyrememberedZanoni"spredictionoftheCardinal"sdeath；and，seizedwithanintensedesiretolearnitstruth，hehurriedintothestreets，——hegainedtheCardinal"spalace。FiveminutesbeforenoonhisEminencehadexpired，afteranillnessoflessthananhour。Zanoni"svisithadoccupiedmoretimethantheillnessoftheCardinal。Awedandperplexed，heturnedfromthepalace，andashewalkedthroughtheChiaja，hesawJeanNicotemergefromtheportalsofthePrincedi。
CHAPTER3。V。
TwolovesIhaveofcomfortanddespair，Whichliketwospiritsdosuggestmestill。
Shakespeare。
VenerableBrotherhood，sosacredandsolittleknown，fromwhosesecretandpreciousarchivesthematerialsforthishistoryhavebeendrawn；yewhohaveretained，fromcenturytocentury，allthattimehassparedoftheaugustandvenerablescience，——thankstoyou，ifnow，forthefirsttime，somerecordofthethoughtsandactionsofnofalseandself-styledluminaryofyourOrderbegiven，howeverimperfectly，totheworld。Manyhavecalledthemselvesofyourband；manyspuriouspretendershavebeenso-calledbythelearnedignorancewhichstill，baffledandperplexed，isdriventoconfessthatitknowsnothingofyourorigin，yourceremoniesordoctrines，norevenifyoustillhavelocalhabitationontheearth。ThankstoyouifI，theonlyoneofmycountry，inthisage，admitted，withaprofanefootstep，intoyourmysteriousAcademe(ThereaderwillhavethegoodnesstorememberthatthisissaidbytheauthoroftheoriginalMS。，notbytheeditor。)，havebeenbyyouempoweredandinstructedtoadapttothecomprehensionoftheuninitiated，somefewofthestarrytruthswhichshoneonthegreatShemaiaoftheChaldeanLore，andgleameddimlythroughthedarkenedknowledgeoflatterdisciples，labouring，likePsellusandIamblichus，torevivetheembersofthefirewhichburnedintheHamarinoftheEast。
ThoughnottousofanagedandhoaryworldisvouchsafedtheNAMEwhich，sosaytheearliestoraclesoftheearth，"rushesintotheinfiniteworlds，"yetisitourstotracetherevivingtruths，througheachnewdiscoveryofthephilosopherandchemist。Thelawsofattraction，ofelectricity，andoftheyetmoremysteriousagencyofthatgreatprincipaloflife，which，ifdrawnfromtheuniverse，wouldleavetheuniverseagrave，werebutthecodeinwhichtheTheurgyofoldsoughttheguidesthatledittoalegislationandscienceofitsown。Torebuildonwordsthefragmentsofthishistory，itseemstomeasif，inasolemntrance，Iwasledthroughtheruinsofacitywhoseonlyremainsweretombs。FromthesarcophagusandtheurnIawakethegenius(TheGreekGeniusofDeath。)oftheextinguishedTorch，andsocloselydoesitsshaperesembleEros，thatatmomentsI
scarcelyknowwhichofyedictatestome，——OLove!ODeath!
Anditstirredinthevirgin"sheart，——thisnew，unfathomable，anddivineemotion!Wasitonlytheordinaryaffectionofthepulseandthefancy，oftheeyetotheBeautiful，oftheeartotheEloquent，ordiditnotjustifythenotionsheherselfconceivedofit，——thatitwasbornnotofthesenses，thatitwaslessofearthlyandhumanlovethantheeffectofsomewondrousbutnotunholycharm？Isaidthat，fromthatdayinwhich，nolongerwithaweandtrembling，shesurrenderedherselftotheinfluenceofZanoni，shehadsoughttoputherthoughtsintowords。Letthethoughtsattesttheirownnature。
THESELFCONFESSIONAL。
"Isitthedaylightthatshinesonme，orthememoryofthypresence？WhereverIlook，theworldseemsfullofthee；ineveryraythattremblesonthewater，thatsmilesupontheleaves，Ibeholdbutalikenesstothineeyes。Whatisthischange，thataltersnotonlymyself，butthefaceofthewholeuniverse？……
Howinstantaneouslyleapedintolifethepowerwithwhichthouswayestmyheartinitsebbandflow。Thousandswerearoundme，andIsawbutthee。ThatwasthenightinwhichIfirstenteredupontheworldwhichcrowdslifeintoadrama，andhasnolanguagebutmusic。Howstrangelyandhowsuddenlywiththeebecamethatworldevermoreconnected!Whatthedelusionofthestagewastoothers，thypresencewastome。Mylife，too，seemedtocentreintothoseshorthours，andfromthylipsI
heardamusic，mutetoallearsbutmine。Isitintheroomwheremyfatherdwelt。Here，onthathappynight，forgettingwhyTHEYweresohappy，Ishrunkintotheshadow，andsoughttoguesswhatthouwerttome；andmymother"slowvoicewokeme，andI
crepttomyfather"sside，close——close，fromfearofmyownthoughts。
"Ah!sweetandsadwasthemorrowtothatnight，whenthylipswarnedmeofthefuture。Anorphannow，——whatistherethatlivesformetothinkof，todreamupon，torevere，butthou!
"Howtenderlythouhastrebukedmeforthegrievouswrongthatmythoughtsdidthee!WhyshouldIhaveshudderedtofeeltheeglancinguponmythoughtslikethebeamonthesolitarytree，towhichthoudidstoncelikenmesowell？Itwas——itwas，that，likethetree，Istruggledforthelight，andthelightcame。
Theytellmeoflove，andmyverylifeofthestagebreathesthelanguageofloveintomylips。No；againandagain，IknowTHAT
isnotthelovethatIfeelforthee!——itisnotapassion，itisathought!Iasknottobelovedagain。Imurmurnotthatthywordsaresternandthylooksarecold。IasknotifIhaverivals；Isighnottobefairinthineeyes。ItismySPIRIT
thatwouldblenditselfwiththine。Iwouldgiveworlds，thoughwewereapart，thoughoceansrolledbetweenus，toknowthehourinwhichthygazewasliftedtothestars，——inwhichthyheartpoureditselfinprayer。Theytellmethouartmorebeautifulthanthemarbleimagesthatarefairerthanallhumanforms；butIhaveneverdaredtogazesteadfastlyonthyface，thatmemorymightcomparetheewiththerest。Onlythineeyesandthysoft，calmsmilehauntme；aswhenIlookuponthemoon，allthatpassesintomyheartishersilentlight……
"Often，whentheairiscalm，IhavethoughtthatIhearthestrainsofmyfather"smusic；often，thoughlongstilledinthegrave，havetheywakedmefromthedreamsofthesolemnnight。
Methinks，erethoucomesttomethatIhearthemheraldthyapproach。MethinksIhearthemwailandmoan，whenIsinkbackintomyselfonseeingtheedepart。ThouartOFthatmusic，——itsspirit，itsgenius。Myfathermusthaveguessedattheeandthynativeregions，whenthewindshushedtolistentohistones，andtheworlddeemedhimmad!IhearwhereIsit，thefarmurmurofthesea。Murmuron，yeblessedwaters!Thewavesarethepulsesoftheshore。Theybeatwiththegladnessofthemorningwind，——
sobeatsmyheartinthefreshnessandlightthatmakeupthethoughtsofthee!……
"OfteninmychildhoodIhavemusedandaskedforwhatIwasborn；andmysoulansweredmyheartandsaid，"THOUWERTBORNTO
WORSHIP!"Yes；Iknowwhytherealworldhaseverseemedtomesofalseandcold。Iknowwhytheworldofthestagecharmedanddazzledme。Iknowwhyitwassosweettositapartandgazemywholebeingintothedistantheavens。Mynatureisnotformedforthislife，happythoughthatlifeseemtoothers。Itisitsverywanttohaveeverbeforeitsomeimageloftierthanitself!
Stranger，inwhatrealmabove，whenthegraveispast，shallmysoul，hourafterhour，worshipatthesamesourceasthine？……
"Inthegardensofmyneighbourthereisasmallfountain。I
stoodbyitthismorningaftersunrise。Howitsprungup，withitseagerspray，tothesunbeams!AndthenIthoughtthatI
shouldseetheeagainthisday，andsosprungmyhearttothenewmorningwhichthoubringestmefromtheskies……
"IHAVEseen，IhaveLISTENEDtotheeagain。HowboldIhavebecome!Iranonwithmychildlikethoughtsandstories，myrecollectionsofthepast，asifIhadknowntheefromaninfant。
Suddenlytheideaofmypresumptionstruckme。Istopped，andtimidlysoughtthineeyes。
""Well，andwhenyoufoundthatthenightingalerefusedtosing？"——
""Ah!"Isaid，"whattotheethishistoryoftheheartofachild？"
""Viola，"didstthouanswer，withthatvoice，soinexpressiblycalmandearnest!——"Viola，thedarknessofachild"sheartisoftenbuttheshadowofastar。Speakon!Andthynightingale，whentheycaughtandcagedit，refusedtosing？"
""AndIplacedthecageyonder，amidstthevine-leaves，andtookupmylute，andspoketoitonthestrings；forIthoughtthatallmusicwasitsnativelanguage，anditwouldunderstandthatI
soughttocomfortit。"
""Yes，"saidstthou。"Andatlastitansweredthee，butnotwithsong，——inasharp，briefcry；somournful，thatthyhandsletfallthelute，andthetearsgushedfromthineeyes。Sosoftlydidstthouunbarthecage，andthenightingaleflewintoyonderthicket；andthouheardstthefoliagerustle，and，lookingthroughthemoonlight，thineeyessawthatithadfounditsmate。
Itsangtotheethenfromtheboughsalong，loud，joyousjubilee。Andmusing，thoudidstfeelthatitwasnotthevine-
leavesorthemoonlightthatmadethebirdgivemelodytonight，andthatthesecretofitsmusicwasthepresenceofathingbeloved。"
"HowdidstthouknowmythoughtsinthatchildliketimebetterthanIknewmyself!Howisthehumblelifeofmypastyears，withitsmeanevents，somysteriouslyfamiliartothee，brightstranger!Iwonder，——butIdonotagaindaretofearthee!……
"Oncethethoughtofhimoppressedandweighedmedown。Asaninfantthatlongsforthemoon，mybeingwasonevaguedesireforsomethingnevertobeattained。NowIfeelratherasiftothinkoftheesufficedtoremoveeveryfetterfrommyspirit。Ifloatinthestillseasoflight，andnothingseemstoohighformywings，toogloriousformyeyes。Itwasmineignorancethatmademefearthee。Aknowledgethatisnotinbooksseemstobreathearoundtheeasanatmosphere。HowlittlehaveIread!——howlittlehaveIlearned!Yetwhenthouartbymyside，itseemsasiftheveilwereliftedfromallwisdomandallNature。I
startlewhenIlookevenatthewordsIhavewritten；theyseemnottocomefrommyself，butarethesignsofanotherlanguagewhichthouhasttaughtmyheart，andwhichmyhandtracesrapidly，asatthydictation。Sometimes，whileIwriteormuse，IcouldfancythatIheardlightwingshoveringaroundme，andsawdimshapesofbeautyfloatinground，andvanishingastheysmileduponme。Nounquietandfearfuldreamevercomestomenowinsleep，yetsleepandwakingarealikebutasonedream。
InsleepIwanderwiththee，notthroughthepathsofearth，butthroughimpalpableair——anairwhichseemsamusic——upwardandupward，asthesoulmountsonthetonesofalyre!TillIknewthee，Iwasasaslavetotheearth。Thouhastgiventomethelibertyoftheuniverse!Before，itwaslife；itseemstomenowasifIhadcommencedeternity!