第11章

"Rashman，"saidZanoni，inatoneofcompassion，"thycrisisispast，andthychoicemade!Icanonlybidtheebeboldandprosper；yes，IresigntheetoamasterwhoHASthepowerandthewilltoopentotheethegatesofanawfulworld。Thywealorwoeareasnoughtintheeyesofhisrelentlesswisdom。Iwouldbidhimsparethee，buthewillheedmenot。Mejnour，receivethypupil!"Glyndonturned，andhisheartbeatwhenheperceivedthatthestranger，whosefootstepshehadnothearduponthepebbles，whoseapproachhehadnotbeheldinthemoonlight，wasoncemorebyhisside。

"Farewell，"resumedZanoni；"thytrialcommences。Whennextwemeet，thouwiltbethevictimorthevictor。"

Glyndon"seyesfollowedtherecedingformofthemysteriousstranger。Hesawhimentertheboat，andhethenforthefirsttimenoticedthatbesidestherowerstherewasafemale，whostoodupasZanonigainedtheboat。Evenatthedistanceherecognisedtheonce-adoredformofViola。Shewavedherhandtohim，andacrossthestillandshiningaircamehervoice，mournfullyandsweetly，inhermother"stongue，"Farewell，Clarence，——Iforgivethee!——farewell，farewell!"

Hestrovetoanswer；butthevoicetouchedachordathisheart，andthewordsfailedhim。Violawasthenlostforever，gonewiththisdreadstranger；darknesswasroundherlot!Andhehimselfhaddecidedherfateandhisown!Theboatboundedon，thesoftwavesflashedandsparkledbeneaththeoars，anditwasalongonesapphiretrackofmoonlightthatthefrailvesselboreawaythelovers。Fartherandfartherfromhisgazespedtheboat，tillatlastthespeck，scarcelyvisible，touchedthesideoftheshipthatlaylifelessinthegloriousbay。Atthatinstant，asifbymagic，upsprang，withagladmurmur，theplayfulandfresheningwind:andGlyndonturnedtoMejnourandbrokethesilence。

"Tellme——ifthoucanstreadthefuture——tellmethatHERlotwillbefair，andthatHERchoiceatleastiswise？"

"Mypupil!"answeredMejnour，inavoicethecalmnessofwhichwellaccordedwiththechillingwords，"thyfirsttaskmustbetowithdrawallthought，feeling，sympathyfromothers。Theelementarystageofknowledgeistomakeself，andselfalone，thystudyandthyworld。Thouhastdecidedthineowncareer；

thouhastrenouncedlove；thouhastrejectedwealth，fame，andthevulgarpompsofpower。What，then，areallmankindtothee？

Toperfectthyfaculties，andconcentratethyemotions，ishenceforththyonlyaim!"

"Andwillhappinessbetheend？"

"Ifhappinessexist，"answeredMejnour，"itmustbecentredinaSELFtowhichallpassionisunknown。Buthappinessisthelaststateofbeing；andasyetthouartonthethresholdofthefirst。"

AsMejnourspoke，thedistantvesselspreaditssailstothewind，andmovedslowlyalongthedeep。Glyndonsighed，andthepupilandthemasterretracedtheirstepstowardsthecity。

BOOKIV。

THEDWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD。

Beyhinterihmwaswill!Ichhebihnauf。

"DasVerschleierteBildzuSais"

(Bebehindwhattheremay，-Iraisetheveil。)

CHAPTER4。I。

Comevittimaiovengoall"ara。

"Metast。，"At。ii。Sc。7。

(AsavictimIgotothealtar。)

ItwasaboutamonthafterthedateofZanoni"sdepartureandGlyndon"sintroductiontoMejnour，whentwoEnglishmenwerewalking，arm-in-arm，throughtheToledo。

"Itellyou，"saidone(whospokewarmly)，"thatifyouhaveaparticleofcommon-senseleftinyou，youwillaccompanymetoEngland。ThisMejnourisanimpostermoredangerous，becausemoreinearnest，thanZanoni。Afterall，whatdohispromisesamountto？Youallowthatnothingcanbemoreequivocal。YousaythathehasleftNaples，——thathehasselectedaretreatmorecongenialthanthecrowdedthoroughfaresofmentothestudiesinwhichheistoinitiateyou；andthisretreatisamongthehauntsofthefiercestbanditsofItaly，——hauntswhichjusticeitselfdaresnotpenetrate。Fittinghermitageforasage!Itrembleforyou。Whatifthisstranger——ofwhomnothingisknown——beleaguedwiththerobbers；andtheseluresforyourcredulitybaitbutthetrapsforyourproperty，——perhapsyourlife？Youmightcomeoffcheaplybyaransomofhalfyourfortune。Yousmileindignantly!Well，putcommon-senseoutofthequestion；takeyourownviewofthematter。YouaretoundergoanordealwhichMejnourhimselfdoesnotprofesstodescribeasaverytemptingone。Itmay，oritmaynot，succeed:ifitdoesnot，youaremenacedwiththedarkestevils；andifitdoes，youcannotbebetteroffthanthedullandjoylessmysticwhomyouhavetakenforamaster。Awaywiththisfolly；enjoyyouthwhileitislefttoyou；returnwithmetoEngland；forgetthesedreams；enteryourpropercareer；formaffectionsmorerespectablethanthosewhichluredyouawhiletoanItalianadventuress。Attendtoyourfortune，makemoney，andbecomeahappyanddistinguishedman。

Thisistheadviceofsoberfriendship；yetthepromisesIholdouttoyouarefairerthanthoseofMejnour。"

"Mervale，"saidGlyndon，doggedly，"Icannot，ifIwould，yieldtoyourwishes。Apowerthatisabovemeurgesmeon；Icannotresistitsinfluence。IwillproceedtothelastinthestrangecareerIhavecommenced。Thinkofmenomore。Followyourselftheadviceyougivetome，andbehappy。"

"Thisismadness，"saidMervale；"yourhealthisalreadyfailing；

youaresochangedIshouldscarcelyknowyou。Come；Ihavealreadyhadyournameenteredinmypassport；inanotherhourI

shallbegone，andyou，boythatyouare，willbeleft，withoutafriend，tothedeceitsofyourownfancyandthemachinationsofthisrelentlessmountebank。"

"Enough，"saidGlyndon，coldly；"youceasetobeaneffectivecounsellorwhenyousufferyourprejudicestobethusevident。I

havealreadyhadampleproof，"addedtheEnglishman，andhispalecheekgrewmorepale，"ofthepowerofthisman，——ifmanhebe，whichIsometimesdoubt，——and，comelife，comedeath，Iwillnotshrinkfromthepathsthatallureme。Farewell，Mervale；ifwenevermeetagain，——ifyouhear，amidstouroldandcheerfulhaunts，thatClarenceGlyndonsleepsthelastsleepbytheshoresofNaples，oramidstyondistanthills，saytothefriendsofouryouth，"Hediedworthily，asthousandsofmartyr-studentshavediedbeforehim，inthepursuitofknowledge。""

HewrungMervale"shandashespoke，dartedfromhisside，anddisappearedamidstthecrowd。

BythecorneroftheToledohewasarrestedbyNicot。

"Ah，Glyndon!Ihavenotseenyouthismonth。Wherehaveyouhidyourself？Haveyoubeenabsorbedinyourstudies？"

"Yes。"

"IamabouttoleaveNaplesforParis。Willyouaccompanyme？

Talentofallorderiseagerlysoughtforthere，andwillbesuretorise。"

"Ithankyou；Ihaveotherschemesforthepresent。"

"Solaconic!——whatailsyou？DoyougrieveforthelossofthePisani？Takeexamplebyme。IhavealreadyconsoledmyselfwithBiancaSacchini，——ahandsomewoman，enlightened，noprejudices。

AvaluablecreatureIshallfindher，nodoubt。ButasforthisZanoni!"

"Whatofhim？"

"IfeverIpaintanallegoricalsubject，IwilltakehislikenessasSatan。Ha，ha!atruepainter"srevenge，——eh？Andthewayoftheworld，too!Whenwecandonothingelseagainstamanwhomwehate，wecanatleastpainthiseffigiesastheDevil"s。

Seriously，though:Iabhorthatman。"

"Wherefore？"

"Wherefore!HashenotcarriedoffthewifeandthedowryIhadmarkedformyself!Yet，afterall，"addedNicot，musingly，"hadheservedinsteadofinjuredme，Ishouldhavehatedhimallthesame。Hisveryform，andhisveryface，mademeatonceenvyanddetesthim。Ifeltthatthereissomethingantipatheticinournatures。Ifeel，too，thatweshallmeetagain，whenJeanNicot"shatemaybelessimpotent。We，too，cherconfrere，——we，too，maymeetagain!VivelaRepublique!Itomynewworld!"

"AndItomine。Farewell!"

ThatdayMervaleleftNaples；thenextmorningGlyndonalsoquittedtheCityofDelightalone，andonhorseback。Hebenthiswayintothosepicturesquebutdangerouspartsofthecountrywhichatthattimewereinfestedbybanditti，andwhichfewtravellersdaredtopass，eveninbroaddaylight，withoutastrongescort。Aroadmorelonelycannotwellbeconceivedthanthatonwhichthehoofsofhissteed，strikinguponthefragmentsofrockthatencumberedtheneglectedway，wokeadullandmelancholyecho。Largetractsofwasteland，variedbytherankandprofusefoliageoftheSouth，laybeforehim；occasionallyawildgoatpeepeddownfromsomerockycrag，orthediscordantcryofabirdofprey，startledinitssombrehaunt，washeardabovethehills。Theseweretheonlysignsoflife；notahumanbeingwasmet，——notahutwasvisible。Wrappedinhisownardentandsolemnthoughts，theyoungmancontinuedhisway，tillthesunhadspentitsnoondayheat，andabreezethatannouncedtheapproachofevesprungupfromtheunseenoceanwhichlayfardistanttohisright。Itwasthenthataturnintheroadbroughtbeforehimoneofthoselong，desolate，gloomyvillageswhicharefoundintheinterioroftheNeapolitandominions:andnowhecameuponasmallchapelononesidetheroad，withagaudilypaintedimageoftheVirginintheopenshrine。Aroundthisspot，which，intheheartofaChristianland，retainedthevestigeoftheoldidolatry(forjustsuchwerethechapelsthatinthepaganagewerededicatedtothedemon-saintsofmythology)，gatheredsixorsevenmiserableandsqualidwretches，whomthecurseoftheleperhadcutofffrommankind。Theysetupashrillcryastheyturnedtheirghastlyvisagestowardsthehorseman；and，withoutstirringfromthespot，stretchedouttheirgauntarms，andimploredcharityinthenameoftheMercifulMother!Glyndonhastilythrewthemsomesmallcoins，and，turningawayhisface，clappedspurstohishorse，andrelaxednothisspeedtillheenteredthevillage。Oneithersidethenarrowandmirystreet，fierceandhaggardforms——someleaningagainsttheruinedwallsofblackenedhuts，someseatedatthethreshold，somelyingatfulllengthinthemud——presentedgroupsthatatonceinvokedpityandarousedalarm:pityfortheirsqualor，alarmfortheferocityimprintedontheirsavageaspects。Theygazedathim，grimandsullen，asherodeslowlyuptheruggedstreet；sometimeswhisperingsignificantlytoeachother，butwithoutattemptingtostophisway。Eventhechildrenhushedtheirbabble，andraggedurchins，devouringhimwithsparklingeyes，mutteredtotheirmothers；"Weshallfeastwellto-morrow!"Itwas，indeed，oneofthosehamletsinwhichLawsetsnotitssoberstep，inwhichViolenceandMurderhousesecure，——hamletscommontheninthewilderpartsofItaly，inwhichthepeasantwasbutthegentlernamefortherobber。

Glyndon"sheartsomewhatfailedhimashelookedaround，andthequestionhedesiredtoaskdieduponhislips。Atlengthfromoneofthedismalcabinsemergedaformsuperiortotherest。

Insteadofthepatchedandraggedover-all，whichmadetheonlygarmentofthemenhehadhithertoseen，thedressofthispersonwascharacterisedbyallthetrappingsofthenationalbravery。

Uponhisravenhair，theglossycurlsofwhichmadeanotablecontrasttothemattedandelfinlocksofthesavagesaround，wasplacedaclothcap，withagoldtasselthathungdowntohisshoulder；hismustachesweretrimmedwithcare，andasilkkerchiefofgayhueswastwistedroundawell-shapedbutsinewythroat；ashortjacketofroughclothwasdecoratedwithseveralrowsofgiltfilagreebuttons；hisnethergarmentsfittedtighttohislimbs，andwerecuriouslybraided；whileinabroadparti-

colouredsashwereplacedtwosilver-hiltedpistols，andthesheathedknife，usuallywornbyItaliansofthelowerorder，mountedinivoryelaboratelycarved。Asmallcarbineofhandsomeworkmanshipwasslungacrosshisshoulderandcompletedhiscostume。Themanhimselfwasofmiddlesize，athleticyetslender，withstraightandregularfeatures，sunburnt，butnotswarthy；andanexpressionofcountenancewhich，thoughrecklessandbold，hadinitfranknessratherthanferocity，and，ifdefying，wasnotaltogetherunprepossessing。

Glyndon，aftereyeingthisfigureforsomemomentswithgreatattention，checkedhisrein，andaskedthewaytothe"CastleoftheMountain。"

Themanliftedhiscapasheheardthequestion，and，approachingGlyndon，laidhishandupontheneckofthehorse，andsaid，inalowvoice，"Thenyouarethecavalierwhomourpatronthesignorexpected。Hebademewaitforyouhere，andleadyoutothecastle。Andindeed，signor，itmighthavebeenunfortunateifI

hadneglectedtoobeythecommand。"

Themanthen，drawingalittleaside，calledouttothebystandersinaloudvoice，"Ho，ho!myfriends，payhenceforthandforeverallrespecttothisworshipfulcavalier。HeistheexpectedguestofourblessedpatronoftheCastleoftheMountain。Longlifetohim!Mayhe，likehishost，besafebydayandbynight；onthehillandinthewaste；againstthedaggerandthebullet，——inlimbandinlife!Cursedbehewhotouchesahairofhishead，orabaiocchoinhispouch。Nowandforeverwewillprotectandhonourhim，——forthelaworagainstthelaw；withthefaithandtothedeath。Amen!Amen!"

"Amen!"responded，inwildchorus，ahundredvoices；andthescatteredandstragglinggroupspressedupthestreet，nearerandnearertothehorseman。

"Andthathemaybeknown，"continuedtheEnglishman"sstrangeprotector，"totheeyeandtotheear，Iplacearoundhimthewhitesash，andIgivehimthesacredwatchword，"PeacetotheBrave。"Signor，whenyouwearthissash，theproudestinthesepartswillbaretheheadandbendtheknee。Signor，whenyouutterthiswatchword，thebravestheartswillbeboundtoyourbidding。Desireyousafety，oraskyourevenge——togainabeauty，ortoloseafoe，——speakbuttheword，andweareyours:

weareyours!Isitnotso，comrades？"

Andagainthehoarsevoicesshouted，"Amen，Amen!"

"Now，signor，"whisperedthebravo，"ifyouhaveafewcoinstospare，scatterthemamongstthecrowd，andletusbegone。"

Glyndon，notdispleasedattheconcludingsentence，emptiedhispurseinthestreets；andwhile，withmingledoaths，blessings，shrieks，andyells，men，women，andchildrenscrambledforthemoney，thebravo，takingthereinofthehorse，leditafewpacesthroughthevillageatabrisktrot，andthen，turningupanarrowlanetotheleft，inafewminutesneitherhousesnormenwerevisible，andthemountainsclosedtheirpathoneitherside。

Itwasthenthat，releasingthebridleandslackeninghispace，theguideturnedhisdarkeyesonGlyndonwithanarchexpression，andsaid，——

"YourExcellencywasnot，perhaps，preparedfortheheartywelcomewehavegivenyou。"

"Why，intruth，IOUGHTtohavebeenpreparedforit，sincethesignor，towhosehouseIambound，didnotdisguisefrommethecharacteroftheneighbourhood。Andyourname，myfriend，ifI

maysocallyou？"

"Oh，noceremonieswithme，Excellency。InthevillageIamgenerallycalledMaestroPaolo。Ihadasurnameonce，thoughaveryequivocalone；andIhaveforgottenTHATsinceIretiredfromtheworld。"

"Andwasitfromdisgust，frompoverty，orfromsome——someebullitionofpassionwhichentailedpunishment，thatyoubetookyourselftothemountains？"

"Why，signor，"saidthebravo，withagaylaugh，"hermitsofmyclassseldomlovetheconfessional。However，Ihavenosecretswhilemystepisinthesedefiles，mywhistleinmypouch，andmycarbineatmyback。"Withthattherobber，asifhelovedpermissiontotalkathiswill，hemmedthrice，andbeganwithmuchhumour；though，ashistaleproceeded，thememoriesitrousedseemedtocarryhimfartherthanheatfirstintended，andrecklessandlight-heartedeasegavewaytothatfierceandvariedplayofcountenanceandpassionofgesturewhichcharacterisetheemotionsofhiscountrymen。

"IwasbornatTerracina，——afairspot，isitnot？Myfatherwasalearnedmonkofhighbirth；mymother——Heavenresther!——aninnkeeper"sprettydaughter。Ofcoursetherecouldbenomarriageinthecase；andwhenIwasborn，themonkgravelydeclaredmyappearancetobemiraculous。Iwasdedicatedfrommycradletothealtar；andmyheadwasuniversallydeclaredtobetheorthodoxshapeforacowl。AsIgrewup，themonktookgreatpainswithmyeducation；andIlearnedLatinandpsalmodyassoonaslessmiraculousinfantslearncrowing。Nordidtheholyman"scarestintitselftomyinterioraccomplishments。Althoughvowedtopoverty，healwayscontrivedthatmymothershouldhaveherpocketsfull；andbetweenherpocketsandminetherewassoonestablishedaclandestinecommunication；accordingly，atfourteen，Iworemycapononeside，stuckpistolsinmybelt，andassumedtheswaggerofacavalierandagallant。Atthatagemypoormotherdied；andaboutthesameperiodmyfather，havingwrittenaHistoryofthePontificalBulls，infortyvolumes，andbeing，asIsaid，ofhighbirth，obtainedacardinal"shat。Fromthattimehethoughtfittodisownyourhumbleservant。HeboundmeovertoanhonestnotaryatNaples，andgavemetwohundredcrownsbywayofprovision。Well，signor，IsawenoughofthelawtoconvincemethatIshouldneverberogueenoughtoshineintheprofession。So，insteadofspoilingparchment，Imadelovetothenotary"sdaughter。Mymasterdiscoveredourinnocentamusement，andturnedmeoutofdoors；thatwasdisagreeable。

ButmyNinettalovedme，andtookcarethatIshouldnotlieoutinthestreetswiththeLazzaroni。Littlejade!IthinkIseehernowwithherbarefeet，andherfingertoherlips，openingthedoorinthesummernights，andbiddingmecreepsoftlyintothekitchen，where，praisedbethesaints!aflaskandamanchetalwaysawaitedthehungryamoroso。Atlast，however，Ninettagrewcold。Itisthewayofthesex，signor。Herfatherfoundheranexcellentmarriageinthepersonofawitheredoldpicture-dealer。Shetookthespouse，andveryproperlyclappedthedoorinthefaceofthelover。Iwasnotdisheartened，Excellency；no，notI。Womenareplentifulwhileweareyoung。

So，withoutaducatinmypocketoracrustformyteeth，IsetouttoseekmyfortuneonboardofaSpanishmerchantman。ThatwasdullerworkthanIexpected；butluckilywewereattackedbyapirate，——halfthecrewwerebutchered，therestcaptured。I

wasoneofthelast:alwaysinluck，yousee，signor，——monks"

sonshaveaknackthatway!Thecaptainofthepiratestookafancytome。"Servewithus？"saidhe。"Toohappy，"saidI。

Beholdme，then，apirate!Ojollylife!howIblessedtheoldnotaryforturningmeoutofdoors!Whatfeasting，whatfighting，whatwooing，whatquarrelling!Sometimesweranashoreandenjoyedourselveslikeprinces；sometimeswelayinacalmfordaystogetherontheloveliestseathatmanevertraversed。

Andthen，ifthebreezeroseandasailcameinsight，whosomerryaswe？Ipassedthreeyearsinthatcharmingprofession，andthen，signor，Igrewambitious。Icaballedagainstthecaptain；Iwantedhispost。Onestillnightwestrucktheblow。

Theshipwaslikealoginthesea，nolandtobeseenfromthemast-head，thewaveslikeglass，andthemoonatitsfull。Upwerose，thirtyofusandmore。Upwerosewithashout；wepouredintothecaptain"scabin，Iatthehead。Thebraveoldboyhadcaughtthealarm，andtherehestoodatthedoorway，apistolineachhand；andhisoneeye(hehadonlyone)worsetomeetthanthepistolswere。

""Yield!"criedI；"yourlifeshallbesafe。"

""Takethat，"saidhe，andwhizwentthepistol；butthesaintstookcareoftheirown，andtheballpassedbymycheek，andshottheboatswainbehindme。Iclosedwiththecaptain，andtheotherpistolwentoffwithoutmischiefinthestruggle。Suchafellowhewas，——sixfeetfourwithouthisshoes!Overwewent，rollingeachontheother。SantaMaria!notimetogetholdofone"sknife。Meanwhileallthecrewwereup，someforthecaptain，someforme，——clashingandfiring，andswearingandgroaning，andnowandthenaheavysplashinthesea。Finesupperforthesharksthatnight!AtlastoldBilboagotuppermost；outflashedhisknife；downitcame，butnotinmyheart。No!Igavemyleftarmasashield；andthebladewentthroughtothehilt，withthebloodspurtingupliketherainfromawhale"snostril!Withtheweightoftheblowthestoutfellowcamedownsothathisfacetouchedmine；withmyrighthandIcaughthimbythethroat，turnedhimoverlikealamb，signor，andfaithitwassoonallupwithhim:theboatswain"sbrother，afatDutchman，ranhimthroughwithapike。

""Oldfellow，"saidI，asheturnedhisterribleeyetome，"I

bearyounomalice，butwemusttrytogetonintheworld，youknow。"Thecaptaingrinnedandgaveuptheghost。Iwentupondeck，——whatasight!Twentyboldfellowsstarkandcold，andthemoonsparklingonthepuddlesofbloodascalmlyasifitwerewater。Well，signor，thevictorywasours，andtheshipmine；I

ruledmerrilyenoughforsixmonths。WethenattackedaFrenchshiptwiceoursize；whatsportitwas!Andwehadnothadagoodfightsolong，wewerequitelikevirginsatit!Wegotthebestofit，andwonshipandcargo。Theywantedtopistolthecaptain，butthatwasagainstmylaws:sowegaggedhim，forhescoldedasloudasifweweremarriedtohim；lefthimandtherestofhiscrewonboardourownvessel，whichwasterriblybattered；clappedourblackflagontheFrenchman"s，andsetoffmerrily，withabriskwindinourfavour。Butluckdesertedusonforsakingourowndearoldship。Astormcameon，aplankstruck；severalofusescapedinaboat；wehadlotsofgoldwithus，butnowater。Fortwodaysandtwonightswesufferedhorribly；butatlastweranashorenearaFrenchseaport。Oursorryplightmovedcompassion，andaswehadmoney，wewerenotsuspected，——peopleonlysuspectthepoor。Herewesoonrecoveredourfatigues，riggedourselvesoutgayly，andyourhumbleservantwasconsideredasnobleacaptainaseverwalkeddeck。Butnow，alas!myfatewouldhaveitthatIshouldfallinlovewithasilk-mercer"sdaughter。Ah，howIlovedher!——theprettyClara!

Yes，IlovedhersowellthatIwasseizedwithhorroratmypastlife!Iresolvedtorepent，tomarryher，andsettledownintoanhonestman。Accordingly，Isummonedmymessmates，toldthemmyresolution，resignedmycommand，andpersuadedthemtodepart。

Theyweregoodfellows，engagedwithaDutchman，againstwhomI

heardafterwardstheymadeasuccessfulmutiny，butIneversawthemmore。Ihadtwothousandcrownsstillleft；withthissumI

obtainedtheconsentofthesilk-mercer，anditwasagreedthatI

shouldbecomeapartnerinthefirm。IneednotsaythatnoonesuspectedthatIhadbeensogreataman，andIpassedforaNeapolitangoldsmith"ssoninsteadofacardinal"s。Iwasveryhappythen，signor，very，——Icouldnothaveharmedafly!HadI

marriedClara，Ihadbeenasgentleamerceraseverhandledameasure。"

Thebravopausedamoment，anditwaseasytoseethathefeltmorethanhiswordsandtonebetokened。"Well，well，wemustnotlookbackatthepasttooearnestly，——thesunlightuponitmakesone"seyeswater。Thedaywasfixedforourwedding，——itapproached。Ontheeveningbeforetheappointedday，Clara，hermother，herlittlesister，andmyself，werewalkingbytheport；

andaswelookedonthesea，Iwastellingthemoldgossip-talesofmermaidsandsea-serpents，whenared-faced，bottle-nosedFrenchmanclappedhimselfrightbeforeme，and，placinghisspectaclesverydeliberatelyastridehisproboscis，echoedout，"Sacre，milletonnerres!thisisthedamnedpiratewhoboardedthe"Niobe"!"

""Noneofyourjests，"saidI，mildly。"Ho，ho!"saidhe；"I

can"tbemistaken；helpthere!"andhegripedmebythecollar。

Ireplied，asyoumaysuppose，bylayinghiminthekennel；butitwouldnotdo。TheFrenchcaptainhadaFrenchlieutenantathisback，whosememorywasasgoodashischief"s。Acrowdassembled；othersailorscameup:theoddswereagainstme。I

sleptthatnightinprison；andinafewweeksafterwardsIwassenttothegalleys。Theysparedmylife，becausetheoldFrenchmanpolitelyaverredthatIhadmademycrewsparehis。

Youmaybelievethattheoarandthechainwerenottomytaste。

Iandtwoothersescaped；theytooktotheroad，andhave，nodoubt，beenlongsincebrokenonthewheel。I，softsoul，wouldnotcommitanothercrimetogainmybread，forClarawasstillatmyheartwithhersweeteyes；so，limitingmyrogueriestothetheftofabeggar"srags，whichIcompensatedbyleavinghimmygalleyattireinstead，IbeggedmywaytothetownwhereIleftClara。Itwasaclearwinter"sdaywhenIapproachedtheoutskirtsofthetown。Ihadnofearofdetection，formybeardandhairwereasgoodasamask。Oh，MotherofMercy!therecameacrossmywayafuneralprocession!There，nowyouknowit；I

cantellyounomore。Shehaddied，perhapsoflove，morelikelyofshame。CanyouguesshowIspentthatnight？——Istoleapickaxefromamason"sshed，andallaloneandunseen，underthefrostyheavens，Idugthefreshmouldfromthegrave；Iliftedthecoffin，Iwrenchedthelid，Isawheragain——again!Decayhadnottouchedher。Shewasalwayspaleinlife!Icouldhaveswornshelived!Itwasablessedthingtoseeheroncemore，andallalonetoo!Butthen，atdawn，togiveherbacktotheearth，——toclosethelid，tothrowdownthemould，tohearthepebblesrattleonthecoffin:thatwasdreadful!Signor，I

neverknewbefore，andIdon"twishtothinknow，howvaluableathinghumanlifeis。AtsunriseIwasagainawanderer；butnowthatClarawasgone，myscruplesvanished，andagainIwasatwarwithmybetters。Icontrivedatlast，atO——，togettakenonboardavesselboundtoLeghorn，workingoutmypassage。FromLeghornIwenttoRome，andstationedmyselfatthedoorofthecardinal"spalace。Outhecame，hisgildedcoachatthegate。

""Ho，father!"saidI；"don"tyouknowme？"

""Whoareyou？"

""Yourson，"saidI，inawhisper。

"Thecardinaldrewback，lookedatmeearnestly，andmusedamoment。"Allmenaremysons，"quothhethen，verymildly；

"thereisgoldforthee!Tohimwhobegsonce，almsaredue；tohimwhobegstwice，jailsareopen。Takethehintandmolestmenomore。Heavenblessthee!"Withthathegotintohiscoach，anddroveofftotheVatican。Hispursewhichhehadleftbehindwaswellsupplied。Iwasgratefulandcontented，andtookmywaytoTerracina。IhadnotlongpassedthemarsheswhenIsawtwohorsemenapproachatacanter。

""Youlookpoor，friend，"saidoneofthem，halting；"yetyouarestrong。"

""Poormenandstrongarebothserviceableanddangerous，SignorCavalier。"

""Wellsaid；followus。"

"Iobeyed，andbecameabandit。Irosebydegrees；andasIhavealwaysbeenmildinmycalling，andhavetakenpurseswithoutcuttingthroats，Ibearanexcellentcharacter，andcaneatmymacaroniatNapleswithoutanydangertolifeandlimb。ForthelasttwoyearsIhavesettledintheseparts，whereIholdsway，andwhereIhavepurchasedland。Iamcalledafarmer，signor；

andImyselfnowonlyrobforamusement，andtokeepmyhandin。

ItrustIhavesatisfiedyourcuriosity。Wearewithinahundredyardsofthecastle。"

"Andhow，"askedtheEnglishman，whoseinteresthadbeenmuchexcitedbyhiscompanion"snarrative，——"andhowcameyouacquaintedwithmyhost？——andbywhatmeanshashesowellconciliatedthegoodwillofyourselfandfriends？"

MaestroPaoloturnedhisblackeyesverygravelytowardshisquestioner。"Why，signor，"saidhe，"youmustsurelyknowmoreoftheforeigncavalierwiththehardnamethanIdo。AllIcansayis，thataboutafortnightagoIchancedtobestandingbyaboothintheToledoatNaples，whenasober-lookinggentlemantouchedmebythearm，andsaid，"MaestroPaolo，Iwanttomakeyouracquaintance；domethefavourtocomeintoyondertavern，anddrinkaflaskoflacrima。""Willingly，"saidI。Soweenteredthetavern。Whenwewereseated，mynewacquaintancethusaccostedme:"TheCountd"O——hasofferedtoletmehirehisoldcastlenearB。Youknowthespot？"

""Extremelywell；noonehasinhabiteditforacenturyatleast；

itishalfinruins，signor。Aqueerplacetohire；Ihopetherentisnotheavy。"

""MaestroPaolo，"saidhe，"Iamaphilosopher，anddon"tcareforluxuries。Iwantaquietretreatforsomescientificexperiments。Thecastlewillsuitmeverywell，providedyouwillacceptmeasaneighbour，andplacemeandmyfriendsunderyourspecialprotection。Iamrich；butIshalltakenothingtothecastleworthrobbing。Iwillpayonerenttothecount，andanothertoyou。"

"Withthatwesooncametoterms；andasthestrangesignordoubledthesumImyselfproposed，heisinhighfavourwithallhisneighbours。Wewouldguardthewholecastleagainstanarmy。

Andnow，signor，thatIhavebeenthusfrank，befrankwithme。

Whoisthissingularcavalier？"

"Who？——hehimselftoldyou，aphilosopher。"

"Hem!searchingforthePhilosopher"sStone，——eh，abitofamagician；afraidofthepriests？"

"Precisely；youhavehitit。"

"Ithoughtso；andyouarehispupil？"

"Iam。"

"Iwishyouwellthroughit，"saidtherobber，seriously，andcrossinghimselfwithmuchdevotion；"Iamnotmuchbetterthanotherpeople，butone"ssoulisone"ssoul。Idonotmindalittlehonestrobbery，orknockingamanontheheadifneedbe，——buttomakeabargainwiththedevil!Ah，takecare，younggentleman，takecare!"

"Youneednotfear，"saidGlyndon，smiling；"mypreceptoristoowiseandtoogoodforsuchacompact。Buthereweare，I

suppose。Anobleruin，——agloriousprospect!"

Glyndonpauseddelightedly，andsurveyedthescenebeforeandbelowwiththeeyeofapainter。Insensibly，whilelisteningtothebandit，hehadwoundupaconsiderableascent，andnowhewasuponabroadledgeofrockcoveredwithmossesanddwarfshrubs。

Betweenthiseminenceandanotherofequalheight，uponwhichthecastlewasbuilt，therewasadeepbutnarrowfissure，overgrownwiththemostprofusefoliage，sothattheeyecouldnotpenetratemanyyardsbelowtheruggedsurfaceoftheabyss；buttheprofoundnessmightbewellconjecturedbythehoarse，low，monotonousroarofwatersunseenthatrolledbelow，andthesubsequentcourseofwhichwasvisibleatadistanceinaperturbedandrapidstreamthatintersectedthewasteanddesolatevalleys。

Totheleft，theprospectseemedalmostboundless，——theextremeclearnessofthepurpleairservingtorenderdistinctthefeaturesofarangeofcountrythataconquerorofoldmighthavedeemedinitselfakingdom。LonelyanddesolateastheroadwhichGlyndonhadpassedthatdayhadappeared，thelandscapenowseemedstuddedwithcastles，spires，andvillages。Afaroff，Naplesgleamedwhitelyinthelastraysofthesun，andtherose-tintsofthehorizonmeltedintotheazureofhergloriousbay。Yetmoreremote，andinanotherpartoftheprospect，mightbecaught，dimandshadowy，andbackedbythedarkestfoliage，theruinedpillarsoftheancientPosidonia。There，inthemidstofhisblackenedandsterilerealms，rosethedismalMountofFire；whileontheotherhand，windingthroughvariegatedplains，towhichdistancelentallitsmagic，glitteredmanyandmanyastreambywhichEtruscanandSybarite，RomanandSaracenandNormanhad，atintervalsofages，pitchedtheinvadingtent。Allthevisionsofthepast——thestormyanddazzlinghistoriesofSouthernItaly——rushedovertheartist"smindashegazedbelow。

Andthen，slowlyturningtolookbehind，hesawthegreyandmoulderingwallsofthecastleinwhichhesoughtthesecretsthatweretogivetohopeinthefutureamightierempirethanmemoryownsinthepast。ItwasoneofthosebaronialfortresseswithwhichItalywasstuddedintheearliermiddleages，havingbutlittleoftheGothicgraceorgrandeurwhichbelongstotheecclesiasticalarchitectureofthesametime，butrude，vast，andmenacing，evenindecay。Awoodenbridgewasthrownoverthechasm，wideenoughtoadmittwohorsemenabreast；andtheplankstrembledandgavebackahollowsoundasGlyndonurgedhisjadedsteedacross。

Aroadwhichhadoncebeenbroadandpavedwithroughflags，butwhichnowwashalf-obliteratedbylonggrassandrankweeds，conductedtotheoutercourtofthecastlehardby；thegateswereopen，andhalfthebuildinginthispartwasdismantled；theruinspartiallyhidbyivythatwasthegrowthofcenturies。Butonenteringtheinnercourt，Glyndonwasnotsorrytonoticethattherewaslessappearanceofneglectanddecay；somewildrosesgaveasmiletothegreywalls，andinthecentretherewasafountaininwhichthewatersstilltrickledcoolly，andwithapleasingmurmur，fromthejawsofagiganticTriton。HerehewasmetbyMejnourwithasmile。

"Welcome，myfriendandpupil，"saidhe:"hewhoseeksforTruthcanfindinthesesolitudesanimmortalAcademe。"

CHAPTER4。II。

AndAbaris，sofarfromesteemingPythagoras，whotaughtthesethings，anecromancerorwizard，ratherreveredandadmiredhimassomethingdivine——Iamblich。，"Vit。Pythag。"

TheattendantswhomMejnourhadengagedforhisstrangeabodeweresuchasmightsuitaphilosopheroffewwants。AnoldArmenianwhomGlyndonrecognisedasinthemystic"sserviceatNaples，atall，hard-featuredwomanfromthevillage，recommendedbyMaestroPaolo，andtwolong-haired，smooth-spoken，butfierce-visagedyouthsfromthesameplace，andhonouredbythesamesponsorship，constitutedtheestablishment。Theroomsusedbythesagewerecommodiousandweather-proof，withsomeremainsofancientsplendourinthefadedarrasthatclothedthewalls，andthehugetablesofcostlymarbleandelaboratecarving。

Glyndon"ssleepingapartmentcommunicatedwithakindofbelvedere，orterrace，thatcommandedprospectsofunrivalledbeautyandextent，andwasseparatedontheothersidebyalonggallery，andaflightoftenoradozenstairs，fromtheprivatechambersofthemystic。Therewasaboutthewholeplaceasombreandyetnotdispleasingdepthofrepose。Itsuitedwellwiththestudiestowhichitwasnowtobeappropriated。

ForseveraldaysMejnourrefusedtoconferwithGlyndononthesubjectsnearesttohisheart。

"Allwithout，"saidhe，"isprepared，butnotallwithin；yourownsoulmustgrowaccustomedtothespot，andfilledwiththesurroundingnature；forNatureisthesourceofallinspiration。"

WiththesewordsMejnourturnedtolightertopics。HemadetheEnglishmanaccompanyhiminlongramblesthroughthewildscenesaround，andhesmiledapprovinglywhentheyoungartistgavewaytotheenthusiasmwhichtheirfearfulbeautycouldnothavefailedtorouseinadullerbreast；andthenMejnourpouredforthtohiswonderingpupilthestoresofaknowledgethatseemedinexhaustibleandboundless。Hegaveaccountsthemostcurious，graphic，andminuteofthevariousraces(theircharacters，habits，creeds，andmanners)bywhichthatfairlandhadbeensuccessivelyoverrun。Itistruethathisdescriptionscouldnotbefoundinbooks，andwereunsupportedbylearnedauthorities；

buthepossessedthetruecharmofthetale-teller，andspokeofallwiththeanimatedconfidenceofapersonalwitness。

Sometimes，too，hewouldconverseuponthemoredurableandtheloftiermysteriesofNaturewithaneloquenceandaresearchwhichinvestedthemwithallthecoloursratherofpoetrythanscience。Insensiblytheyoungartistfoundhimselfelevatedandsoothedbytheloreofhiscompanion；thefeverofhiswilddesireswasslaked。Hismindbecamemoreandmorelulledintothedivinetranquillityofcontemplation；hefelthimselfanoblerbeing，andinthesilenceofhissensesheimaginedthatheheardthevoiceofhissoul。

ItwastothisstatethatMejnourevidentlysoughttobringtheneophyte，andinthiselementaryinitiationthemysticwaslikeeverymoreordinarysage。ForhewhoseekstoDISCOVERmustfirstreducehimselfintoakindofabstractidealism，andberenderedup，insolemnandsweetbondage，tothefacultieswhichCONTEMPLATEandIMAGINE。

Glyndonnoticedthat，intheirrambles，Mejnouroftenpaused，wherethefoliagewasrifest，togathersomeherborflower；andthisremindedhimthathehadseenZanonisimilarlyoccupied。

"CanthesehumblechildrenofNature，"saidheonedaytoMejnour，——"thingsthatbloomandwitherinaday，beserviceabletothescienceofthehighersecrets？Isthereapharmacyforthesoulaswellasthebody，anddothenurslingsofthesummerministernotonlytohumanhealthbutspiritualimmortality？"

"If，"answeredMejnour，"astrangerhadvisitedawanderingtribebeforeonepropertyofherbalismwasknowntothem；ifhehadtoldthesavagesthattheherbswhicheverydaytheytrampledunderfootwereendowedwiththemostpotentvirtues；thatonewouldrestoretohealthabrotheronthevergeofdeath；thatanotherwouldparalyseintoidiocytheirwisestsage；thatathirdwouldstrikelifelesstothedusttheirmoststalwartchampion；thattearsandlaughter，vigouranddisease，madnessandreason，wakefulnessandsleep，existenceanddissolution，werecoiledupinthoseunregardedleaves，——wouldtheynothaveheldhimasorcereroraliar？TohalfthevirtuesofthevegetableworldmankindareyetinthedarknessofthesavagesI

havesupposed。Therearefacultieswithinuswithwhichcertainherbshaveaffinity，andoverwhichtheyhavepower。Themolyoftheancientsisnotallafable。"

TheapparentcharacterofMejnourdifferedinmuchfromthatofZanoni；andwhileitfascinatedGlyndonless，itsubduedandimpressedhimmore。TheconversationofZanonievincedadeepandgeneralinterestformankind，——afeelingapproachingtoenthusiasmforartandbeauty。Thestoriescirculatedconcerninghishabitselevatedthemysteryofhislifebyactionsofcharityandbeneficence。Andinallthistherewassomethinggenialandhumanethatsoftenedtheawehecreated，andtended，perhaps，toraisesuspicionsastotheloftiersecretsthathearrogatedtohimself。ButMejnourseemedwhollyindifferenttoalltheactualworld。Ifhecommittednoevil，heseemedequallyapathetictogood。Hisdeedsrelievednowant，hiswordspitiednodistress。

Whatwecalltheheartappearedtohavemergedintotheintellect。Hemoved，thought，andlivedlikesomeregularandcalmabstraction，ratherthanonewhoyetretained，withtheform，thefeelingsandsympathiesofhiskind。

Glyndononce，observingthetoneofsupremeindifferencewithwhichhespokeofthosechangesonthefaceofearthwhichheassertedhehadwitnessed，venturedtoremarktohimthedistinctionhehadnoted。

"Itistrue，"saidMejnour，coldly。"Mylifeisthelifethatcontemplates，——Zanoni"sisthelifethatenjoys:whenIgathertheherb，Ithinkbutofitsuses；Zanoniwillpausetoadmireitsbeauties。"

"Andyoudeemyourownthesuperiorandtheloftierexistence？"

"No。Hisistheexistenceofyouth，——mineofage。Wehavecultivateddifferentfaculties。Eachhaspowerstheothercannotaspireto。Thosewithwhomheassociateslivebetter，——thosewhoassociatewithmeknowmore。"

"Ihaveheard，intruth，"saidGlyndon，"thathiscompanionsatNapleswereobservedtoleadpurerandnoblerlivesafterintercoursewithZanoni；yetweretheynotstrangecompanions，atthebest，forasage？Thisterriblepower，too，thatheexercisesatwill，asinthedeathofthePrincedi——，andthatoftheCountUghelli，scarcelybecomesthetranquilseekeraftergood。"

"True，"saidMejnour，withanicysmile；"suchmusteverbetheerrorofthosephilosopherswhowouldmeddlewiththeactivelifeofmankind。Youcannotservesomewithoutinjuringothers；youcannotprotectthegoodwithoutwarringonthebad；andifyoudesiretoreformthefaulty，why，youmustloweryourselftolivewiththefaultytoknowtheirfaults。EvensosaithParacelsus，agreatman，thoughoftenwrong。("Itisasnecessarytoknowevilthingsasgood；forwhocanknowwhatisgoodwithouttheknowingwhatisevil？"etc——Paracelsus，"DeNat。Rer。，"lib。3。)

Notminethisfolly；Ilivebutinknowledge，——Ihavenolifeinmankind!"

AnothertimeGlyndonquestionedthemysticastothenatureofthatunionorfraternitytowhichZanonihadoncereferred。

"Iamright，Isuppose，"saidhe，"inconjecturingthatyouandhimselfprofesstobethebrothersoftheRosyCross？"

"Doyouimagine，"answeredMejnour，"thattherewerenomysticandsolemnunionsofmenseekingthesameendthroughthesamemeansbeforetheArabiansofDamus，in1378，taughttoawanderingGermanthesecretswhichfoundedtheInstitutionoftheRosicrucians？Iallow，however，thattheRosicruciansformedasectdescendedfromthegreaterandearlierschool。TheywerewiserthantheAlchemists，——theirmastersarewiserthanthey。"

"Andofthisearlyandprimaryorderhowmanystillexist？"

"Zanoniandmyself。"

"What，twoonly!——andyouprofessthepowertoteachtoallthesecretthatbafflesDeath？"

"Yourancestorattainedthatsecret；hediedratherthansurvivetheonlythingheloved。Wehave，mypupil，noartsbywhichweCANPUTDEATHOUTOFOUROPTION，oroutofthewillofHeaven。

ThesewallsmaycrushmeasIstand。Allthatweprofesstodoisbutthis，——tofindoutthesecretsofthehumanframe；toknowwhythepartsossifyandthebloodstagnates，andtoapplycontinualpreventivestotheeffectsoftime。Thisisnotmagic；

itistheartofmedicinerightlyunderstood。Inourorderweholdmostnoble，——first，thatknowledgewhichelevatestheintellect；secondly，thatwhichpreservesthebody。Butthemereart(extractedfromthejuicesandsimples)whichrecruitstheanimalvigourandarreststheprogressofdecay，orthatmorenoblesecret，whichIwillonlyhinttotheeatpresent，bywhichHEAT，orCALORIC，asyecallit，being，asHeraclituswiselytaught，theprimordialprincipleoflife，canbemadeitsperpetualrenovater，——theseIsay，wouldnotsufficeforsafety。

Itisoursalsotodisarmandeludethewrathofmen，toturntheswordsofourfoesagainsteachother，toglide(ifnotincorporeal)invisibletoeyesoverwhichwecanthrowamistanddarkness。Andthissomeseershaveprofessedtobethevirtueofastoneofagate。Abarisplaceditinhisarrow。Iwillfindyouanherbinyonvalleythatwillgiveasurercharmthantheagateandthearrow。Inoneword，knowthis，thatthehumblestandmeanestproductsofNaturearethosefromwhichthesublimestpropertiesaretobedrawn。"

"But，"saidGlyndon，"ifpossessedofthesegreatsecrets，whysochurlishinwithholdingtheirdiffusion？Doesnotthefalseorcharlatanicsciencedifferinthisfromthetrueandindisputable，——thatthelastcommunicatestotheworldtheprocessbywhichitattainsitsdiscoveries；thefirstboastsofmarvellousresults，andrefusestoexplainthecauses？"

"Wellsaid，OLogicianoftheSchools；butthinkagain。Supposeweweretoimpartallourknowledgetoallmankindindiscriminately，——aliketotheviciousandthevirtuous，——shouldwebebenefactorsorscourges？Imaginethetyrant，thesensualist，theevilandcorruptedbeingpossessedofthesetremendouspowers；wouldhenotbeademonletlooseonearth？

Grantthatthesameprivilegebeaccordedalsotothegood；andinwhatstatewouldbesociety？EngagedinaTitanwar，——thegoodforeveronthedefensive，thebadforeverinassault。Inthepresentconditionoftheearth，evilisamoreactiveprinciplethangood，andtheevilwouldprevail。Itisforthesereasonsthatwearenotonlysolemnlyboundtoadministerourloreonlytothosewhowillnotmisuseandpervertit，butthatweplaceourordealinteststhatpurifythepassionsandelevatethedesires。AndNatureinthiscontrolsandassistsus:foritplacesawfulguardiansandinsurmountablebarriersbetweentheambitionofviceandtheheavenoftheloftierscience。"