第12章

SuchmadeasmallpartofthenumerousconversationsMejnourheldwithhispupil，——conversationsthat，whiletheyappearedtoaddressthemselvestothereason，inflamedyetmorethefancy。

ItwastheverydisclaimingofallpowerswhichNature，properlyinvestigated，didnotsufficetocreate，thatgaveanairofprobabilitytothosewhichMejnourassertedNaturemightbestow。

Thusdaysandweeksrolledon；andthemindofGlyndon，graduallyfittedtothissequesteredandmusinglife，forgotatlastthevanitiesandchimerasoftheworldwithout。

Oneeveninghehadlingeredaloneandlateupontheramparts，watchingthestarsas，onebyone，theybrokeuponthetwilight。

Neverhadhefeltsosensiblythemightypoweroftheheavensandtheearthuponman；howmuchthespringsofourintellectualbeingaremovedandacteduponbythesolemninfluencesofNature。Asapatientonwhom，slowlyandbydegrees，theagenciesofmesmerismarebroughttobear，heacknowledgedtohisheartthegrowingforceofthatvastanduniversalmagnetismwhichisthelifeofcreation，andbindstheatomtothewhole。

Astrangeandineffableconsciousnessofpower，oftheSOMETHING

GREATwithintheperishableclay，appealedtofeelingsatoncedimandglorious，——likethefaintrecognitionsofaholierandformerbeing。Animpulse，thathecouldnotresist，ledhimtoseekthemystic。Hewoulddemand，thathour，hisinitiationintotheworldsbeyondourworld，——hewaspreparedtobreatheadivinerair。Heenteredthecastle，andstrodetheshadowyandstarlitgallerywhichconductedtoMejnour"sapartment。

CHAPTER4。III。

Manistheeyeofthings——Euryph，"deVit。Hum。"……Thereis，therefore，acertainecstaticalortransportingpower，which，ifatanytimeitshallbeexcitedorstirredupbyanardentdesireandmoststrongimagination，isabletoconductthespiritofthemoreoutwardeventosomeabsentandfar-distantobject——VonHelmont。

TheroomsthatMejnouroccupiedconsistedoftwochamberscommunicatingwitheachother，andathirdinwhichheslept。

Alltheseroomswereplacedinthehugesquaretowerthatbeetledoverthedarkandbush-grownprecipice。ThefirstchamberwhichGlyndonenteredwasempty。Withanoiselessstephepassedon，andopenedthedoorthatadmittedintotheinnerone。Hedrewbackatthethreshold，overpoweredbyastrongfragrancewhichfilledthechamber:akindofmistthickenedtheairratherthanobscuredit，forthisvapourwasnotdark，butresembledasnow-

cloudmovingslowly，andinheavyundulations，waveuponwaveregularlyoverthespace。AmortalcoldstrucktotheEnglishman"sheart，andhisbloodfroze。Hestoodrootedtothespot；andashiseyesstrainedinvoluntarilythroughthevapour，hefancied(forhecouldnotbesurethatitwasnotthetrickofhisimagination)thathesawdim，spectre-like，butgiganticformsfloatingthroughthemist；orwasitnotratherthemistitselfthatformeditsvapoursfantasticallyintothosemoving，impalpable，andbodilessapparitions？Agreatpainterofantiquityissaid，inapictureofHades，tohaverepresentedthemonstersthatglidethroughtheghostlyRiveroftheDead，soartfully，thattheeyeperceivedatoncethattheriveritselfwasbutaspectre，andthebloodlessthingsthattenantedithadnolife，theirformsblendingwiththedeadwaterstill，astheeyecontinuedtogaze，itceasedtodiscernthemfromthepreternaturalelementtheyweresupposedtoinhabit。Suchwerethemovingoutlinesthatcoiledandfloatedthroughthemist；butbeforeGlyndonhadevendrawnbreathinthisatmosphere——forhislifeitselfseemedarrestedorchangedintoakindofhorridtrance——hefelthishandseized，andhewasledfromthatroomintotheouterone。Heheardthedoorclose，——hisbloodrushedagainthroughhisveins，andhesawMejnourbyhisside。Strongconvulsionsthensuddenlyseizedhiswholeframe，——hefelltothegroundinsensible。Whenherecovered，hefoundhimselfintheopenairinarudebalconyofstonethatjuttedfromthechamber，thestarsshiningserenelyoverthedarkabyssbelow，andrestingcalmlyuponthefaceofthemystic，whostoodbesidehimwithfoldedarms。

"Youngman，"saidMejnour，"judgebywhatyouhavejustfelt，howdangerousitistoseekknowledgeuntilpreparedtoreceiveit。

Anothermomentintheairofthatchamberandyouhadbeenacorpse。"

"Thenofwhatnaturewastheknowledgethatyou，oncemortallikemyself，couldsafelyhavesoughtinthaticyatmosphere，whichitwasdeathformetobreathe？Mejnour，"continuedGlyndon，andhiswilddesire，sharpenedbytheverydangerhehadpassed，oncemoreanimatedandnervedhim，"Iampreparedatleastforthefirststeps。IcometoyouasofoldthepupiltotheHierophant，anddemandtheinitiation。"

Mejnourpassedhishandovertheyoungman"sheart，——itbeatloud，regularly，andboldly。Helookedathimwithsomethingalmostlikeadmirationinhispassionlessandfrigidfeatures，andmuttered，halftohimself，"Surely，insomuchcouragethetruediscipleisfoundatlast。"Then，speakingaloud，headded，"Beitso；man"sfirstinitiationisinTRANCE。Indreamscommencesallhumanknowledge；indreamshoversovermeasurelessspacethefirstfaintbridgebetweenspiritandspirit，——thisworldandtheworldsbeyond!Looksteadfastlyonyonderstar!"

Glyndonobeyed，andMejnourretiredintothechamber，fromwhichtherethenslowlyemergedavapour，somewhatpalerandoffainterodourthanthatwhichhadnearlyproducedsofatalaneffectonhisframe。This，onthecontrary，asitcoiledaroundhim，andthenmeltedinthinspiresintotheair，breathedarefreshingandhealthfulfragrance。Hestillkepthiseyesonthestar，andthestarseemedgraduallytofixandcommandhisgaze。Asortoflanguornextseizedhisframe，butwithout，ashethought，communicatingitselftothemind；andasthiscreptoverhim，hefelthistemplessprinkledwithsomevolatileandfieryessence。

Atthesamemomentaslighttremorshookhislimbsandthrilledthroughhisveins。Thelanguorincreased，stillhekepthisgazeuponthestar，andnowitsluminouscircumferenceseemedtoexpandanddilate。Itbecamegraduallysofterandclearerinitslight；spreadingwiderandbroader，itdiffusedallspace，——allspaceseemedswallowedupinit。Andatlast，inthemidstofasilvershiningatmosphere，hefeltasifsomethingburstwithinhisbrain，——asifastrongchainwerebroken；andatthatmomentasenseofheavenlyliberty，ofunutterabledelight，offreedomfromthebody，ofbirdlikelightness，seemedtofloathimintothespaceitself。"Whom，nowuponearth，dostthouwishtosee？"

whisperedthevoiceofMejnour。"ViolaandZanoni!"answeredGlyndon，inhisheart；buthefeltthathislipsmovednot。

Suddenlyatthatthought，——throughthisspace，inwhichnothingsaveonemellowtranslucentlighthadbeendiscernible，——aswiftsuccessionofshadowylandscapesseemedtoroll:trees，mountains，cities，seas，glidedalonglikethechangesofaphantasmagoria；andatlast，settledandstationary，hesawacavebythegradualmargeofanoceanshore，——myrtlesandorange-treesclothingthegentlebanks。Onaheight，atadistance，gleamedthewhitebutshatteredrelicsofsomeruinedheathenedifice；andthemoon，incalmsplendour，shiningoverall，literallybathedwithitslighttwoformswithoutthecave，atwhosefeetthebluewaterscrept，andhethoughtthatheevenheardthemmurmur。Herecognisedboththefigures。Zanoniwasseatedonafragmentofstone；Viola，half-recliningbyhisside，waslookingintohisface，whichwasbentdowntoher，andinhercountenancewastheexpressionofthatperfecthappinesswhichbelongstoperfectlove。"Wouldstthouhearthemspeak？"

whisperedMejnour；andagain，withoutsound，Glyndoninlyanswered，"Yes!"Theirvoicesthencametohisear，butintonesthatseemedtohimstrange；sosubduedwerethey，andsounding，asitwere，sofaroff，thattheywereasvoicesheardinthevisionsofsomeholiermenfromadistantsphere。

"Andhowisit，"saidViola，"thatthoucanstfindpleasureinlisteningtotheignorant？"

"Becausetheheartisneverignorant；becausethemysteriesofthefeelingsareasfullofwonderasthoseoftheintellect。Ifattimesthoucanstnotcomprehendthelanguageofmythoughts，attimesalsoIhearsweetenigmasinthatofthyemotions。"

"Ah，saynotso!"saidViola，windingherarmtenderlyroundhisneck，andunderthatheavenlylightherfaceseemedlovelierforitsblushes。"Fortheenigmasarebutlove"scommonlanguage，andloveshouldsolvethem。TillIknewthee，——tillIlivedwiththee；tillIlearnedtowatchforthyfootstepwhenabsent:yeteveninabsencetoseetheeeverywhere!——Idreamednothowstrongandall-pervadingistheconnectionbetweennatureandthehumansoul!……

"Andyet，"shecontinued，"IamnowassuredofwhatIatfirstbelieved，——thatthefeelingswhichattractedmetowardstheeatfirstwerenotthoseoflove。IknowTHAT，bycomparingthepresentwiththepast，——itwasasentimentthenwhollyofthemindorthespirit!Icouldnotheartheenowsay，"Viola，behappywithanother!""

"AndIcouldnotnowtelltheeso!Ah，Viola，neverbewearyofassuringmethatthouarthappy!"

"Happywhilethouartso。Yetattimes，Zanoni，thouartsosad!"

"Becausehumanlifeissoshort；becausewemustpartatlast；

becauseyonmoonshinesonwhenthenightingalesingstoitnomore!Alittlewhile，andthineeyeswillgrowdim，andthybeautyhaggard，andtheselocksthatItoywithnowwillbegreyandloveless。"

"Andthou，cruelone!"saidViola，touchingly，"Ishallneverseethesignsofageinthee!Butshallwenotgrowoldtogether，andoureyesbeaccustomedtoachangewhichtheheartshallnotshare!"

Zanonisighed。Heturnedaway，andseemedtocommunewithhimself。

Glyndon"sattentiongrewyetmoreearnest。

"Butwereitso，"mutteredZanoni；andthenlookingsteadfastlyatViola，hesaid，withahalf-smile，"HastthounocuriositytolearnmoreoftheloverthouoncecouldstbelievetheagentoftheEvilOne？"

"None；allthatonewishestoknowofthebelovedone，Iknow——

THATTHOULOVESTME!"

"Ihavetoldtheethatmylifeisapartfromothers。Wouldstthounotseektoshareit？"

"Ishareitnow!"

"Butwereitpossibletobethusyoungandfairforever，tilltheworldblazesroundusasonefuneralpyre!"

"Weshallbeso，whenweleavetheworld!"

Zanoniwasmuteforsomemoments，andatlengthhesaid，——

"Canstthourecallthosebrilliantandaerialdreamswhichoncevisitedthee，whenthoudidstfancythatthouwertpreordainedtosomefatealoofandafarfromthecommonchildrenoftheearth？"

"Zanoni，thefateisfound。"

"Andhastthounoterrorofthefuture？"

"Thefuture!Iforgetit!Timepastandpresentandtocomereposesinthysmile。Ah，Zanoni，playnotwiththefoolishcredulitiesofmyyouth!Ihavebeenbetterandhumblersincethypresencehasdispelledthemistoftheair。Thefuture!——

well，whenIhavecausetodreadit，Iwilllookuptoheaven，andrememberwhoguidesourfate!"

Assheliftedhereyesabove，adarkcloudsweptsuddenlyoverthescene。Itwrappedtheorange-trees，theazureocean，thedensesands；butstillthelastimagesthatitveiledfromthecharmedeyesofGlyndonweretheformsofViolaandZanoni。Thefaceoftheonerapt，serene，andradiant；thefaceoftheother，dark，thoughtful，andlockedinmorethanitsusualrigidnessofmelancholybeautyandprofoundrepose。

"Rousethyself，"saidMejnour；"thyordealhascommenced!Therearepretenderstothesolemnsciencewhocouldhaveshowntheetheabsent，andpratedtothee，intheircharlatanicjargon，ofthesecretelectricitiesandthemagneticfluidofwhosetruepropertiestheyknowbutthegermsandelements。Iwilllendtheethebooksofthosegloriousdupes，andthouwiltfind，inthedarkages，howmanyerringstepshavestumbleduponthethresholdofthemightylearning，andfanciedtheyhadpiercedthetemple。HermesandAlbertandParacelsus，Iknewyeall；

but，nobleasyewere，yewerefatedtobedeceived。Yehadnotsoulsoffaith，anddaringfittedforthedestiniesatwhichyeaimed!YetParacelsus——modestParacelsus——hadanarrogancethatsoaredhigherthanallourknowledge。Ho，ho!——hethoughthecouldmakearaceofmenfromchemistry；hearrogatedtohimselftheDivinegift，——thebreathoflife。(Paracelsus，"DeNat。

Rer。，"lib。i。)

Hewouldhavemademen，and，afterall，confessedthattheycouldbebutpygmies!Myartistomakemenabovemankind。Butyouareimpatientofmydigressions。Forgiveme。Allthesemen(theyweregreatdreamers，asyoudesiretobe)wereintimatefriendsofmine。Buttheyaredeadandrotten。Theytalkedofspirits，——buttheydreadedtobeinothercompanythanthatofmen。LikeoratorswhomIhaveheard，whenIstoodbythePnyxofAthens，blazingwithwordslikecometsintheassembly，andextinguishingtheirardourlikeholidayrocketswhentheywereinthefield。Ho，ho!Demosthenes，myhero-coward，hownimblewerethyheelsatChaeronea!Andthouartimpatientstill!Boy，I

couldtelltheesuchtruthsofthepastaswouldmaketheetheluminaryofschools。Butthoulustestonlyfortheshadowsofthefuture。Thoushalthavethywish。Butthemindmustbefirstexercisedandtrained。Gotothyroom，andsleep；fastausterely，readnobooks；meditate，imagine，dream，bewilderthyselfifthouwilt。Thoughtshapesoutitsownchaosatlast。

Beforemidnight，seekmeagain!"

CHAPTER4。IV。

Itisfitthatwewhoendeavourtorisetoanelevationsosublime，shouldstudyfirsttoleavebehindcarnalaffections，thefrailtyofthesenses，thepassionsthatbelongtomatter；

secondly，tolearnbywhatmeanswemayascendtotheclimaxofpureintellect，unitedwiththepowersabove，withoutwhichnevercanwegaintheloreofsecretthings，northemagicthateffectstruewonders——Tritemius"OnSecretThingsandSecretSpirits。"

Itwantedstillmanyminutesofmidnight，andGlyndonwasoncemoreintheapartmentofthemystic。Hehadrigidlyobservedthefastordainedtohim；andintheraptandintensereveriesintowhichhisexcitedfancyhadplungedhim，hewasnotonlyinsensibletothewantsoftheflesh，——hefeltabovethem。

Mejnour，seatedbesidehisdisciple，thusaddressedhim:——

"Manisarrogantinproportiontohisignorance。Man"snaturaltendencyistoegotism。Man，inhisinfancyofknowledge，thinksthatallcreationwasformedforhim。Forseveralageshesawinthecountlessworldsthatsparklethroughspacelikethebubblesofashorelessoceanonlythepettycandles，thehouseholdtorches，thatProvidencehadbeenpleasedtolightfornootherpurposebuttomakethenightmoreagreeabletoman。Astronomyhascorrectedthisdelusionofhumanvanity；andmannowreluctantlyconfessesthatthestarsareworldslargerandmoregloriousthanhisown，——thattheearthonwhichhecrawlsisascarcevisiblespeckonthevastchartofcreation。Butinthesmallasinthevast，Godisequallyprofuseoflife。Thetravellerlooksuponthetree，andfanciesitsboughswereformedforhisshelterinthesummersun，orhisfuelinthewinterfrosts。ButineachleafoftheseboughstheCreatorhasmadeaworld；itswarmswithinnumerableraces。Eachdropofthewaterinyonmoatisanorbmorepopulousthanakingdomisofmen。

Everywhere，then，inthisimmensedesign，sciencebringsnewlifetolight。Lifeistheonepervadingprinciple，andeventhethingthatseemstodieandputrifybutengendersnewlife，andchangestofreshformsofmatter。Reasoning，then，byevidentanalogy:ifnotaleaf，ifnotadropofwater，butis，nolessthanyonderstar，ahabitableandbreathingworld，——nay，ifevenmanhimselfisaworldtootherlives，andmillionsandmyriadsdwellintheriversofhisblood，andinhabitman"sframeasmaninhabitsearth，commonsense(ifyourschoolmenhadit)wouldsufficetoteachthatthecircumfluentinfinitewhichyoucallspace——thecountlessImpalpablewhichdividesearthfromthemoonandstars——isfilledalsowithitscorrespondentandappropriatelife。Isitnotavisibleabsurditytosupposethatbeingiscrowdeduponeveryleaf，andyetabsentfromtheimmensitiesofspace？ThelawoftheGreatSystemforbidsthewasteevenofanatom；itknowsnospotwheresomethingoflifedoesnotbreathe。

Intheverycharnel-houseisthenurseryofproductionandanimation。Isthattrue？Well，then，canyouconceivethatspace，whichistheInfiniteitself，isaloneawaste，isalonelifeless，islessusefultotheonedesignofuniversalbeingthanthedeadcarcassofadog，thanthepeopledleaf，thantheswarmingglobule？Themicroscopeshowsyouthecreaturesontheleaf；nomechanicaltubeisyetinventedtodiscoverthenoblerandmoregiftedthingsthathoverintheillimitableair。Yetbetweentheselastandmanisamysteriousandterribleaffinity。

Andhence，bytalesandlegends，notwhollyfalsenorwhollytrue，havearisenfromtimetotime，beliefsinapparitionsandspectres。Ifmorecommontotheearlierandsimplertribesthantothemenofyourdullerage，itisbutthat，withthefirst，thesensesaremorekeenandquick。Andasthesavagecanseeorscentmilesawaythetracesofafoe，invisibletothegrosssenseofthecivilisedanimal，sothebarrieritselfbetweenhimandthecreaturesoftheairyworldislessthickenedandobscured。Doyoulisten？"

"Withmysoul!"

"Butfirst，topenetratethisbarrier，thesoulwithwhichyoulistenmustbesharpenedbyintenseenthusiasm，purifiedfromallearthlierdesires。Notwithoutreasonhavetheso-styledmagicians，inalllandsandtimes，insistedonchastityandabstemiousreverieasthecommunicantsofinspiration。Whenthusprepared，sciencecanbebroughttoaidit；thesightitselfmayberenderedmoresubtle，thenervesmoreacute，thespiritmorealiveandoutward，andtheelementitself——theair，thespace——

maybemade，bycertainsecretsofthehigherchemistry，morepalpableandclear。Andthis，too，isnotmagic，asthecredulouscallit；asIhavesooftensaidbefore，magic(orsciencethatviolatesNature)existsnot:itisbutthesciencebywhichNaturecanbecontrolled。Now，inspacetherearemillionsofbeingsnotliterallyspiritual，fortheyhaveall，liketheanimalculaeunseenbythenakedeye，certainformsofmatter，thoughmattersodelicate，air-drawn，andsubtle，thatitis，asitwere，butafilm，agossamerthatclothesthespirit。

HencetheRosicrucian"slovelyphantomsofsylphandgnome。Yet，intruth，theseracesandtribesdiffermorewidely，eachfromeach，thantheCalmucfromtheGreek，——differinattributesandpowers。Inthedropofwateryouseehowtheanimalculaevary，howvastandterriblearesomeofthosemonstermitesascomparedwithothers。Equallysowiththeinhabitantsoftheatmosphere:

someofsurpassingwisdom，someofhorriblemalignity；somehostileasfiendstomen，othersgentleasmessengersbetweenearthandheaven。

Hewhowouldestablishintercoursewiththesevaryingbeingsresemblesthetravellerwhowouldpenetrateintounknownlands。

Heisexposedtostrangedangersandunconjecturedterrors。THAT

INTERCOURSEONCEGAINED，ICANNOTSECURETHEEFROMTHECHANCESTO

WHICHTHYJOURNEYISEXPOSED。Icannotdirecttheetopathsfreefromthewanderingsofthedeadliestfoes。Thoumustalone，andofthyself，faceandhazardall。Butifthouartsoenamouredoflifeastocareonlytoliveon，nomatterforwhatends，recruitingthenervesandveinswiththealchemist"svivifyingelixir，whyseekthesedangersfromtheintermediatetribes？

Becausetheveryelixirthatpoursamoregloriouslifeintotheframe，sosharpensthesensesthatthoselarvaeoftheairbecometotheeaudibleandapparent；sothat，unlesstrainedbydegreestoendurethephantomsandsubduetheirmalice，alifethusgiftedwouldbethemostawfuldoommancouldbringuponhimself。

Henceitis，thatthoughtheelixirbecompoundedofthesimplestherbs，hisframeonlyispreparedtoreceiveitwhohasgonethroughthesubtlesttrials。Nay，some，scaredanddauntedintothemostintolerablehorrorbythesightsthatburstupontheireyesatthefirstdraft，havefoundthepotionlesspowerfultosavethantheagonyandtravailofNaturetodestroy。Totheunpreparedtheelixiristhusbutthedeadliestpoison。AmidstthedwellersofthethresholdisONE，too，surpassinginmalignityandhatredallhertribe，——onewhoseeyeshaveparalyzedthebravest，andwhosepowerincreasesoverthespiritpreciselyinproportiontoitsfear。Doesthycouragefalter？"

"Nay；thywordsbutkindleit。"

"Followme，then，andsubmittotheinitiatorylabours。"

Withthat，Mejnourledhimintotheinteriorchamber，andproceededtoexplaintohimcertainchemicaloperationswhich，thoughextremelysimpleinthemselves，Glyndonsoonperceivedwerecapableofveryextraordinaryresults。

"Intheremotertimes，"saidMejnour，smiling，"ourbrotherhoodwereoftencompelledtorecurtodelusionstoprotectrealities；

and，asdexterousmechaniciansorexpertchemists，theyobtainedthenameofsorcerers。ObservehoweasytoconstructistheSpectreLionthatattendedtherenownedLeonardodaVinci!"

AndGlyndonbeheldwithdelightedsurprisethesimplemeansbywhichthewildestcheatsoftheimaginationcanbeformed。ThemagicallandscapesinwhichBaptistaPortarejoiced；theapparentchangeoftheseasonswithwhichAlbertusMagnusstartledtheEarlofHolland；nay，eventhosemoredreaddelusionsoftheGhostandImagewithwhichthenecromancersofHeracleawoketheconscienceoftheconquerorofPlataea(Pausanias，——seePlutarch。)，——allthese，astheshowmanenchantssometremblingchildrenonaChristmasEvewithhislanternandphantasmagoria，Mejnourexhibitedtohispupil……

"Andnowlaughforeveratmagic!whenthese，theverytricks，theverysportsandfrivolitiesofscience，weretheveryactswhichmenviewedwithabhorrence，andinquisitorsandkingsrewardedwiththerackandthestake。"

"Butthealchemist"stransmutationofmetals——"

"Natureherselfisalaboratoryinwhichmetals，andallelements，areforeveratchange。Easytomakegold，——easier，morecommodious，andcheaperstill，tomakethepearl，thediamond，andtheruby。Oh，yes；wisemenfoundsorceryinthistoo；buttheyfoundnosorceryinthediscoverythatbythesimplestcombinationofthingsofevery-dayusetheycouldraiseadevilthatwouldsweepawaythousandsoftheirkindbythebreathofconsumingfire。Discoverwhatwilldestroylife，andyouareagreatman!——whatwillprolongit，andyouareanimposter!Discoversomeinventioninmachinerythatwillmaketherichmorerichandthepoormorepoor，andtheywillbuildyouastatue!Discoversomemysteryinartthatwillequalisephysicaldisparities，andtheywillpulldowntheirownhousestostoneyou!Ha，ha，mypupil!suchistheworldZanonistillcaresfor!——youandIwillleavethisworldtoitself。Andnowthatyouhaveseensomefewoftheeffectsofscience，begintolearnitsgrammar。"

Mejnourthensetbeforehispupilcertaintasks，inwhichtherestofthenightworeitselfaway。

CHAPTER4。V。

GreattravellhaththegentleCalidoreAndtoyleendured……

Thereonaday，——

Hechaunsttospyasortofshepheardgroomes，Playingonpipesandcarolingapace……He，therebesydeSawafairedamzell。

Spenser，"FaerieQueene，"cant。ix。

ForaconsiderableperiodthepupilofMejnourwasnowabsorbedinlabourdependentonthemostvigilantattention，onthemostminuteandsubtlecalculation。Resultsastonishingandvariousrewardedhistoilsandstimulatedhisinterest。Norwerethesestudieslimitedtochemicaldiscovery，——inwhichitispermittedmetosaythatthegreatestmarvelsupontheorganisationofphysicallifeseemedwroughtbyexperimentsofthevivifyinginfluenceofheat。Mejnourprofessedtofindalinkbetweenallintellectualbeingsintheexistenceofacertainall-pervadingandinvisiblefluidresemblingelectricity，yetdistinctfromtheknownoperationsofthatmysteriousagency——afluidthatconnectedthoughttothoughtwiththerapidityandprecisionofthemoderntelegraph，andtheinfluenceofthisfluid，accordingtoMejnour，extendedtotheremotestpast，——thatistosay，wheneverandwheresoevermanhadthought。Thus，ifthedoctrineweretrue，allhumanknowledgebecameattainablethroughamediumestablishedbetweenthebrainoftheindividualinquirerandallthefarthestandobscurestregionsintheuniverseofideas。

GlyndonwassurprisedtofindMejnourattachedtotheabstrusemysterieswhichthePythagoreansascribedtotheoccultscienceofNUMBERS。Inthislast，newlightsglimmereddimlyonhiseyes；andhebegantoperceivethateventhepowertopredict，orrathertocalculate，results，mightby——(HerethereisanerasureintheMS。)……

Butheobservedthatthelastbriefprocessbywhich，ineachoftheseexperiments，thewonderwasachieved，Mejnourreservedforhimself，andrefusedtocommunicatethesecret。Theanswerheobtainedtohisremonstrancesonthisheadwasmoresternthansatisfactory:

"Dostthouthink，"saidMejnour，"thatIwouldgivetothemerepupil，whosequalitiesarenotyettried，powersthatmightchangethefaceofthesocialworld？ThelastsecretsareintrustedonlytohimofwhosevirtuetheMasterisconvinced。

Patience!Itislabouritselfthatisthegreatpurifierofthemind；andbydegreesthesecretswillgrowuponthyselfasthymindbecomesripertoreceivethem。"

AtlastMejnourprofessedhimselfsatisfiedwiththeprogressmadebyhispupil。"Thehournowarrives，"hesaid，"whenthoumaystpassthegreatbutairybarrier，——whenthoumaystgraduallyconfronttheterribleDwelleroftheThreshold。Continuethylabours——continuetosurpassthineimpatienceforresultsuntilthoucanstfathomthecauses。Ileavetheeforonemonth；ifattheendofthatperiod，whenIreturn，thetaskssettheearecompleted，andthymindpreparedbycontemplationandausterethoughtfortheordeal，Ipromisetheetheordealshallcommence。

OnecautionaloneIgivethee:regarditasaperemptorycommand，enternotthischamber!"(Theywerethenstandingintheroomwheretheirexperimentshadbeenchieflymade，andinwhichGlyndon，onthenighthehadsoughtthesolitudeofthemystic，hadnearlyfallenavictimtohisintrusion。)

"Enternotthischambertillmyreturn；or，aboveall，ifbyanysearchformaterialsnecessarytothytoilsthoushouldstventurehither，forbeartolightthenaphthainthosevessels，andtoopenthevasesonyondershelves。Ileavethekeyoftheroominthykeeping，inordertotrythyabstinenceandself-control。

Youngman，thisverytemptationisapartofthytrial。"

Withthat，Mejnourplacedthekeyinhishands；andatsunsetheleftthecastle。

ForseveraldaysGlyndoncontinuedimmersedinemploymentswhichstrainedtotheutmostallthefacultiesofhisintellect。Eventhemostpartialsuccessdependedsoentirelyontheabstractionofthemind，andtheminutenessofitscalculations，thattherewasscarcelyroomforanyotherthoughtthanthoseabsorbedintheoccupation。AnddoubtlessthisperpetualstrainofthefacultieswastheobjectofMejnourinworksthatdidnotseemexactlypertinenttothepurposesinview。Asthestudyoftheelementarymathematics，forexample，isnotsoprofitableinthesolvingofproblems，uselessinourafter-callings，asitisserviceableintrainingtheintellecttothecomprehensionandanalysisofgeneraltruths。

ButinlessthanhalfthetimewhichMejnourhadstatedforthedurationofhisabsence，allthatthemystichadappointedtohistoilswascompletedbythepupil；andthenhismind，thusrelievedfromthedrudgeryandmechanismofemployment，oncemoresoughtoccupationindimconjectureandrestlessfancies。HisinquisitiveandrashnaturegrewexcitedbytheprohibitionofMejnour，andhefoundhimselfgazingtoooften，withperturbedanddaringcuriosity，uponthekeyoftheforbiddenchamber。Hebegantofeelindignantatatrialofconstancywhichhedeemedfrivolousandpuerile。WhatnurserytalesofBluebeardandhisclosetwererevivedtodauntandterrifyhim!Howcouldthemerewallsofachamber，inwhichhehadsooftensecurelypursuedhislabours，startintolivingdanger？Ifhaunted，itcouldbebutbythosedelusionswhichMejnourhadtaughthimtodespise，——ashadowylion，——achemicalphantasm!Tush!helosthalfhisaweofMejnour，whenhethoughtthatbysuchtricksthesagecouldpractiseupontheveryintellecthehadawakenedandinstructed!

Stillheresistedtheimpulsesofhiscuriosityandhispride，and，toescapefromtheirdictation，hetooklongramblesonthehills，oramidstthevalleysthatsurroundedthecastle，——seekingbybodilyfatiguetosubduetheunreposingmind。Onedaysuddenlyemergingfromadarkravine，hecameupononeofthoseItalianscenesofruralfestivityandmirthinwhichtheclassicageappearstorevive。Itwasafestival，partlyagricultural，partlyreligious，heldyearlybythepeasantsofthatdistrict。

Assembledattheoutskirtsofavillage，animatedcrowds，justreturnedfromaprocessiontoaneighbouringchapel，werenowformingthemselvesintogroups:theoldtotastethevintage，theyoungtodance，——alltobegayandhappy。Thissuddenpictureofeasyjoyandcarelessignorance，contrastingsoforciblywiththeintensestudiesandthatparchingdesireforwisdomwhichhadsolongmadeuphisownlife，andburnedathisownheart，sensiblyaffectedGlyndon。Ashestoodaloofandgazingonthem，theyoungmanfeltoncemorethathewasyoung。

Thememoryofallhehadbeencontenttosacrificespoketohimlikethesharpvoiceofremorse。Theflittingformsofthewomenintheirpicturesqueattire，theirhappylaughterringingthroughthecool，stillairoftheautumnnoon，broughtbacktotheheart，orratherperhapstothesenses，theimagesofhispasttime，the"goldenshepherdhours，"whentolivewasbuttoenjoy。

Heapproachednearerandnearertothescene，andsuddenlyanoisygroupsweptroundhim；andMaestroPaolo，tappinghimfamiliarlyontheshoulder，exclaimedinaheartyvoice，"Welcome，Excellency!——wearerejoicedtoseeyouamongstus。"

Glyndonwasabouttoreplytothissalutation，whenhiseyesresteduponthefaceofayounggirlleaningonPaolo"sarm，ofabeautysoattractivethathiscolourroseandhisheartbeatasheencounteredhergaze。Hereyessparkledwitharoguishandpetulantmirth，herpartedlipsshowedteethlikepearls；asifimpatientatthepauseofhercompanionfromthereveloftherest，herlittlefootbeatthegroundtoameasurethatshehalf-hummed，half-chanted。Paololaughedashesawtheeffectthegirlhadproducedupontheyoungforeigner。

"Willyounotdance，Excellency？Come，layasideyourgreatness，andbemerry，likeuspoordevils。SeehowourprettyFillideislongingforapartner。Takecompassiononher。"

Fillidepoutedatthisspeech，and，disengagingherarmfromPaolo"s，turnedaway，butthrewoverhershoulderaglancehalfinviting，halfdefying。Glyndon，almostinvoluntarily，advancedtoher，andaddressedher。

Oh，yes；headdressesher!Shelooksdown，andsmiles。Paololeavesthemtothemselves，saunteringoffwithadevil-me-carishair。Fillidespeaksnow，andlooksupatthescholar"sfacewitharchinvitation。Heshakeshishead；Fillidelaughs，andherlaughissilvery。Shepointstoagaymountaineer，whoistrippinguptohermerrily。WhydoesGlyndonfeeljealous？Why，whenshespeaksagain，doesheshakehisheadnomore？Heoffershishand；Fillideblushes，andtakesitwithademurecoquetry。

What!isitso，indeed!Theywhirlintothenoisycircleoftherevellers。Ha!ha!isnotthisbetterthandistillingherbs，andbreakingthybrainsonPythagoreannumbers？HowlightlyFillideboundsalong!Howherlithesomewaistsupplesitselftothycirclingarm!Tara-ra-tara，ta-tara，rara-ra!Whatthedevilisinthemeasurethatitmakesthebloodcourselikequicksilverthroughtheveins？WasthereeverapairofeyeslikeFillide"s？

Nothingofthecoldstarsthere!Yethowtheytwinkleandlaughatthee!Andthatrosy，pursed-upmouththatwillanswersosparinglytothyflatteries，asifwordswereawasteoftime，andkissesweretheirproperlanguage。Oh，pupilofMejnour!

Oh，would-beRosicrucian，Platonist，Magian，Iknownotwhat!I

amashamedofthee!What，inthenamesofAverroesandBurriandAgrippaandHermeshavebecomeofthyausterecontemplations？

WasitforthisthoudidstresignViola？Idon"tthinkthouhastthesmallestrecollectionoftheelixirortheCabala。Takecare!Whatareyouabout，sir？Whydoyouclaspthatsmallhandlockedwithinyourown？Whydoyou——Tara-raratara-ratara-rara-

ra，rarara，ta-ra，a-ra!Keepyoureyesoffthoseslenderanklesandthatcrimsonbodice!Tara-rara-ra!Theretheygoagain!

Andnowtheyrestunderthebroadtrees。Therevelhaswhirledawayfromthem。Theyhear——ordotheynothear——thelaughteratthedistance？Theysee——oriftheyhavetheireyesaboutthem，theySHOULDsee——coupleaftercoupleglidingby，love-talkingandlove-looking。ButIwilllayawager，astheysitunderthattree，andtheroundsungoesdownbehindthemountains，thattheyseeorhearverylittleexceptthemselves。

"Hollo，SignorExcellency!andhowdoesyourpartnerpleaseyou？

Comeandjoinourfeast，loiterers；onedancesmoremerrilyafterwine。"

Downgoestheroundsun；upcomestheautumnmoon。Tara，tara，rarara，rarara，tarara-ra!Dancingagain；isitadance，orsomemovementgayer，noisier，wilderstill？Howtheyglanceandgleamthroughthenightshadows，thoseflittingforms!Whatconfusion!——whatorder!Ha，thatistheTarantuladance；MaestroPaolofootsitbravely!Diavolo，whatfury!theTarantulahasstungthemall。Danceordie；itisfury，——theCorybantes，theMaenads，the——Ho，ho!morewine!theSabbatoftheWitchesatBeneventoisajoketothis!Fromcloudtocloudwandersthemoon，——nowshining，nowlost。Dimnesswhilethemaidenblushes；

lightwhenthemaidensmiles。

"Fillide，thouartanenchantress!"

"Buonanotte，Excellency；youwillseemeagain!"

"Ah，youngman，"saidanold，decrepit，hollow-eyedoctogenarian，leaningonhisstaff，"makethebestofyouryouth。I，too，oncehadaFillide!Iwashandsomerthanyouthen!Alas!ifwecouldbealwaysyoung!"

"Alwaysyoung!"Glyndonstarted，asheturnedhisgazefromthefresh，fair，rosyfaceofthegirl，andsawtheeyesdroppingrheum，theyellowwrinkledskin，thetotteringframeoftheoldman。

"Ha，ha!"saidthedecrepitcreature，hobblingneartohim，andwithamaliciouslaugh。"YetI，too，wasyoungonce!Givemeabaiocchoforaglassofaquavitae!"

Tara，rara，ra-rara，tara，rara-ra!TheredancesYouth!Wrapthyragsroundthee，andtotteroff，OldAge!

CHAPTER4。VI。

WhilestCalidoredoesfollowthatfairemayd，UnmindfulofhisvowandhighbeheastWhichbytheFaerieQueenewasonhimlayd。

Spenser，"FaerieQueene，"cant。x。s。1。

Itwasthatgrey，indistinct，strugglingintervalbetweenthenightandthedawn，whenClarencestoodoncemoreinhischamber。

Theabstrusecalculationslyingonhistablecaughthiseye，andfilledhimwithasentimentofwearinessanddistaste。But——

"Alas，ifwecouldbealwaysyoung!Oh，thouhorridspectreoftheold，rheum-eyedman!Whatapparitioncanthemysticchambershadowforthmoreuglyandmorehatefulthanthou？Oh，yes，ifwecouldbealwaysyoung!Butnot[thinkstheneophytenow]——nottolabourforeveratthesecrabbedfiguresandthesecoldcompoundsofherbsanddrugs。No；buttoenjoy，tolove，torevel!Whatshouldbethecompanionofyouthbutpleasure？Andthegiftofeternalyouthmaybeminethisveryhour!WhatmeansthisprohibitionofMejnour"s？Isitnotofthesamecomplexionashisungenerousreserveevenintheminutestsecretsofchemistry，orthenumbersofhisCabala？——compellingmetoperformallthetoils，andyetwithholdingfrommetheknowledgeofthecrowningresult？Nodoubthewillstill，onhisreturn，showmethatthegreatmysteryCANbeattained；butwillstillforbidMEtoattainit。Isitnotasifhedesiredtokeepmyyouththeslavetohisage；tomakemedependentsolelyonhimself；tobindmetoajourneyman"sservicebyperpetualexcitementtocuriosity，andthesightofthefruitsheplacesbeyondmylips？"These，andmanyreflectionsstillmorerepining，disturbedandirritatedhim。Heatedwithwine——excitedbythewildrevelshehadleft——hewasunabletosleep。TheimageofthatrevoltingOldAgewhichTime，unlessdefeated，mustbringuponhimself，quickenedtheeagernessofhisdesireforthedazzlingandimperishableYouthheascribedtoZanoni。Theprohibitiononlyservedtocreateaspiritofdefiance。Therevivingday，laughingjocundlythroughhislattice，dispelledallthefearsandsuperstitionsthatbelongtonight。Themysticchamberpresentedtohisimaginationnothingtodifferfromanyotherapartmentinthecastle。Whatfoulormalignantapparitioncouldharmhiminthelightofthatblessedsun!Itwasthepeculiar，andonthewholemostunhappy，contradictioninGlyndon"snature，thatwhilehisreasoningsledhimtodoubt，——

anddoubtrenderedhiminMORALconductirresoluteandunsteady；

hewasPHYSICALLYbravetorashness。Noristhisuncommon:

scepticismandpresumptionareoftentwins。Whenamanofthischaracterdeterminesuponanyaction，personalfearneverdetershim；andforthemoralfear，anysophistrysufficestoself-will。

Almostwithoutanalysinghimselfthementalprocessbywhichhisnerveshardenedthemselvesandhislimbsmoved，hetraversedthecorridor，gainedMejnour"sapartment，andopenedtheforbiddendoor。Allwasashehadbeenaccustomedtoseeit，savethatonatableinthecentreoftheroomlayopenalargevolume。Heapproached，andgazedonthecharactersonthepage；theywereinacipher，thestudyofwhichhadmadeapartofhislabours。

Withbutslightdifficultyheimaginedthatheinterpretedthemeaningofthefirstsentences，andthattheyranthus:——

"Toquafftheinnerlife，istoseetheouterlife:toliveindefianceoftime，istoliveinthewhole。Hewhodiscoverstheelixirdiscoverswhatliesinspace；forthespiritthatvivifiestheframestrengthensthesenses。Thereisattractionintheelementaryprincipleoflight。InthelampsofRosicruciusthefireisthepureelementaryprinciple。Kindlethelampswhilethouopenstthevesselthatcontainstheelixir，andthelightattractstowardstheethosebeingswhoselifeisthatlight。

BewareofFear。FearisthedeadliestenemytoKnowledge。"Herethecipherschangedtheircharacter，andbecameincomprehensible。