第13章

Buthadhenotreadenough？Didnotthelastsentencesuffice？——

"BewareofFear!"ItwasasifMejnourhadpurposelyleftthepageopen，——asifthetrialwas，intruth，thereverseoftheonepretended；asifthemystichaddesignedtomakeexperimentofhisCOURAGEwhileaffectingbutthatofhisFORBEARANCE。NotBoldness，butFear，wasthedeadliestenemytoKnowledge。Hemovedtotheshelvesonwhichthecrystalvaseswereplaced；withanuntremblinghandhetookfromoneofthemthestopper，andadeliciousodorsuddenlydiffuseditselfthroughtheroom。Theairsparkledasifwithadiamond-dust。Asenseofunearthlydelight，——ofanexistencethatseemedallspirit，flashedthroughhiswholeframe；andafaint，low，butexquisitemusiccrept，thrilling，throughthechamber。Atthismomentheheardavoiceinthecorridorcallingonhisname；andpresentlytherewasaknockatthedoorwithout。"Areyouthere，signor？"saidthecleartonesofMaestroPaolo。Glyndonhastilyreclosedandreplacedthevial，andbiddingPaoloawaithiminhisownapartment，tarriedtillheheardtheintruder"sstepsdepart；hethenreluctantlyquittedtheroom。Ashelockedthedoor，hestillheardthedyingstrainofthatfairymusic；andwithalightstepandajoyousheartherepairedtoPaolo，inlyresolvingtovisitagainthechamberatanhourwhenhisexperimentwouldbesafefrominterruption。

Ashecrossedhisthreshold，Paolostartedback，andexclaimed，"Why，Excellency!Iscarcelyrecogniseyou!Amusement，Isee，isagreatbeautifiertotheyoung。Yesterdayyoulookedsopaleandhaggard；butFillide"smerryeyeshavedonemoreforyouthanthePhilosopher"sStone(saintsforgivemefornamingit)everdidforthewizards。"AndGlyndon，glancingattheoldVenetianmirrorasPaolospoke，wasscarcelylessstartledthanPaolohimselfatthechangeinhisownmienandbearing。Hisform，beforebentwiththought，seemedtohimtallerbyhalfthehead，solithesomeanderectrosehisslenderstature；hiseyesglowed，hischeeksbloomedwithhealthandtheinnateandpervadingpleasure。Ifthemerefragranceoftheelixirwasthuspotent，wellmightthealchemistshaveascribedlifeandyouthtothedraught!

"Youmustforgiveme，Excellency，fordisturbingyou，"saidPaolo，producingaletterfromhispouch；"butourPatronhasjustwrittentometosaythathewillbehereto-morrow，anddesiredmetolosenotamomentingivingtoyourselfthisbillet，whichheenclosed。"

"Whobroughttheletter？"

"Ahorseman，whodidnotwaitforanyreply。"

Glyndonopenedtheletter，andreadasfollows:——

"IreturnaweeksoonerthanIhadintended，andyouwillexpectmeto-morrow。Youwillthenenterontheordealyoudesire，butrememberthat，indoingso，youmustreduceBeingasfaraspossibleintoMind。Thesensesmustbemortifiedandsubdued，——

notthewhisperofonepassionheard。ThoumaystbemasteroftheCabalaandtheChemistry；butthoumustbemasteralsoovertheFleshandtheBlood，——overLoveandVanity，AmbitionandHate。Iwilltrusttofindtheeso。Fastandmeditatetillwemeet!"

Glyndoncrumpledtheletterinhishandwithasmileofdisdain。

What!moredrudgery，——moreabstinence!Youthwithoutloveandpleasure!Ha，ha!baffledMejnour，thypupilshallgainthysecretswithoutthineaid!

"AndFillide!Ipassedhercottageinmyway，——sheblushedandsighedwhenIjestedheraboutyou，Excellency!"

"Well，Paolo!Ithanktheeforsocharminganintroduction。

Thinemustbeararelife。"

"Ah，Excellency，whileweareyoung，nothinglikeadventure，——

exceptlove，wine，andlaughter!"

"Verytrue。Farewell，MaestroPaolo；wewilltalkmorewitheachotherinafewdays。"

AllthatmorningGlyndonwasalmostoverpoweredwiththenewsentimentofhappinessthathadenteredintohim。Heroamedintothewoods，andhefeltapleasurethatresembledhisearlierlifeofanartist，butapleasureyetmoresubtleandvivid，inthevariouscoloursoftheautumnfoliage。CertainlyNatureseemedtobebroughtclosertohim；hecomprehendedbetterallthatMejnourhadoftenpreachedtohimofthemysteryofsympathiesandattractions。Hewasabouttoenterintothesamelawasthosemutechildrenoftheforests。HewastoknowTHERENEWAL

OFLIFE；theseasonsthatchilledtowintershouldyetbringagainthebloomandthemirthofspring。Man"scommonexistenceisasoneyeartothevegetableworld:hehashisspring，hissummer，hisautumn，andwinter，——butonlyONCE。Butthegiantoaksroundhimgothrougharevolvingseriesofverdureandyouth，andthegreenofthecentenarianisasvividinthebeamsofMayasthatofthesaplingbyitsside。"Mineshallbeyourspring，butnotyourwinter!"exclaimedtheaspirant。

Wrappedinthesesanguineandjoyousreveries，Glyndon，quittingthewoods，foundhimselfamidstcultivatedfieldsandvineyardstowhichhisfootstephadnotbeforewandered；andtherestood，bytheskirtsofagreenlanethatremindedhimofverdantEngland，amodesthouse，——halfcottage，halffarm。Thedoorwasopen，andhesawagirlatworkwithherdistaff。Shelookedup，utteredaslightcry，and，trippinggaylyintothelanetohisside，herecognisedthedark-eyedFillide。

"Hist!"shesaid，archlyputtingherfingertoherlip；"donotspeakloud，——mymotherisasleepwithin；andIknewyouwouldcometoseeme。Itiskind!"

Glyndon，withalittleembarrassment，acceptedthecomplimenttohiskindness，whichhedidnotexactlydeserve。"Youhavethought，then，ofme，fairFillide？"

"Yes，"answeredthegirl，colouring，butwiththatfrank，boldingenuousness，whichcharacterisesthefemalesofItaly，especiallyofthelowerclass，andinthesouthernprovinces，——

"oh，yes!Ihavethoughtoflittleelse。Paolosaidheknewyouwouldvisitme。"

"AndwhatrelationisPaolotoyou？"

"None；butagoodfriendtousall。Mybrotherisoneofhisband。"

"Oneofhisband!——arobber？"

"Weofthemountainsdonotcallamountaineer"arobber，"

signor。"

"Iaskpardon。Doyounottremblesometimesforyourbrother"slife？Thelaw——"

"Lawneverventuresintothesedefiles。Trembleforhim!No。

Myfatherandgrandsirewereofthesamecalling。IoftenwishI

wereaman!"

"Bytheselips，Iamenchantedthatyourwishcannotberealised。"

"Fie，signor!Anddoyoureallyloveme？"

"Withmywholeheart!"

"AndIthee!"saidthegirl，withacandourthatseemedinnocent，asshesufferedhimtoclaspherhand。

"But，"sheadded，"thouwiltsoonleaveus；andI——"Shestoppedshort，andthetearsstoodinhereyes。

Therewassomethingdangerousinthis，itmustbeconfessed。

CertainlyFillidehadnottheseraphiclovelinessofViola；butherswasabeautythatequallyatleasttouchedthesenses。

PerhapsGlyndonhadneverreallylovedViola；perhapsthefeelingswithwhichshehadinspiredhimwerenotofthatardentcharacterwhichdeservesthenameoflove。Howeverthatbe，hethought，ashegazedonthosedarkeyes，thathehadneverlovedbefore。

"Andcouldstthounotleavethymountains？"hewhispered，ashedrewyetnearertoher。

"Dostthouaskme？"shesaid，retreating，andlookinghimsteadfastlyintheface。"Dostthouknowwhatwedaughtersofthemountainsare？Yougay，smoothcavaliersofcitiesseldommeanwhatyouspeak。Withyou，loveisamusement；withus，itislife。Leavethesemountains!Well!Ishouldnotleavemynature。"

"Keepthynatureever，——itisasweetone。"

"Yes，sweetwhilethouarttrue；stern，ifthouartfaithless。

ShallItelltheewhatI——whatthegirlsofthiscountryare？

Daughtersofmenwhomyoucallrobbers，weaspiretobethecompanionsofourloversorourhusbands。Weloveardently；weownitboldly。Westandbyyoursideindanger；weserveyouasslavesinsafety:weneverchange，andweresentchange。Youmayreproach，strikeus，trampleusasadog，——webearallwithoutamurmur；betrayus，andnotigerismorerelentless。Betrue，andourheartsrewardyou；befalse，andourhandsrevenge!

Dostthoulovemenow？"

DuringthisspeechtheItalian"scountenancehadmosteloquentlyaidedherwords，——byturnssoft，frank，fierce，——andatthelastquestionsheinclinedherheadhumbly，andstood，asinfearofhisreply，beforehim。Thestern，brave，wildspirit，inwhichwhatseemedunfemininewasyet，ifImaysosay，stillwomanly，didnotrecoil，itrathercaptivatedGlyndon。Heansweredreadily，briefly，andfreely，"Fillide，——yes!"

Oh，"yes!"forsooth，ClarenceGlyndon!Everylightnatureanswers"yes"lightlytosuchaquestionfromlipssorosy!Haveacare，——haveacare!Whythedeuce，Mejnour，doyouleaveyourpupiloffour-and-twentytothemercyofthesewildcats-a-

mountain!Preachfast，andabstinence，andsublimerenunciationofthecheatsofthesenses!Verywellinyou，sir，Heavenknowshowmanyagesold；butatfour-and-twenty，yourHierophantwouldhavekeptyououtofFillide"sway，oryouwouldhavehadsmalltastefortheCabala。

Andsotheystood，andtalked，andvowed，andwhispered，tillthegirl"smothermadesomenoisewithinthehouse，andFillideboundedbacktothedistaff，herfingeroncemoreonherlip。

"ThereismoremagicinFillidethaninMejnour，"saidGlyndontohimself，walkinggaylyhome；"yetonsecondthoughts，IknownotifIquitesowelllikeacharactersoreadyforrevenge。Buthewhohastherealsecretcanbaffleeventhevengeanceofawoman，anddisarmalldanger!"

Sirrah!dostthouevenalreadymeditatethepossibilityoftreason？Oh，wellsaidZanoni，"topourpurewaterintothemuddywelldoesbutdisturbthemud。"

CHAPTER4。VII。

Cernis，custodiaqualisVestibulosedeat？faciesquaeliminaservet？

"Aeneid，"lib。vi。574。

(Seeyouwhatportersitswithinthevestibule？——whatfacewatchesatthethreshold？)

Anditisprofoundnight。Allisatrestwithintheoldcastle，——allisbreathlessunderthemelancholystars。Nowisthetime。

Mejnourwithhisausterewisdom，——Mejnourtheenemytolove；

Mejnour，whoseeyewillreadthyheart，andrefusetheethepromisedsecretsbecausethesunnyfaceofFillidedisturbsthelifelessshadowthathecallsrepose，——Mejnourcomesto-morrow!

Seizethenight!Bewareoffear!Never，orthishour!So，braveyouth，——bravedespiteallthyerrors，——so，withasteadypulse，thyhandunlocksoncemoretheforbiddendoor。

Heplacedhislamponthetablebesidethebook，whichstilllaythereopened；heturnedovertheleaves，butcouldnotdeciphertheirmeaningtillhecametothefollowingpassage:——

"When，then，thepupilisthusinitiatedandprepared，lethimopenthecasement，lightthelamps，andbathehistempleswiththeelixir。Hemustbewarehowhepresumeyettoquaffthevolatileandfieryspirit。Totastetillrepeatedinhalationshaveaccustomedtheframegraduallytotheecstaticliquid，istoknownotlife，butdeath。"

Hecouldpenetratenofartherintotheinstructions；thecipheragainchanged。Henowlookedsteadilyandearnestlyroundthechamber。Themoonlightcamequietlythroughthelatticeashishandopenedit，andseemed，asitrestedonthefloor，andfilledthewalls，likethepresenceofsomeghostlyandmournfulPower。

Herangedthemysticlamps(nineinnumber)roundthecentreoftheroom，andlightedthemonebyone。Aflameofsilveryandazuretintssprungupfromeach，andlightedtheapartmentwithacalmandyetmostdazzlingsplendour；butpresentlythislightgrewmoresoftanddim，asathin，greycloud，likeamist，graduallyspreadovertheroom；andanicythrillshotthroughtheheartoftheEnglishman，andquicklygatheredoverhimlikethecoldnessofdeath。Instinctivelyawareofhisdanger，hetottered，thoughwithdifficulty，forhislimbsseemedrigidandstone-like，totheshelfthatcontainedthecrystalvials；

hastilyheinhaledthespirit，andlavedhistempleswiththesparklingliquid。Thesamesensationofvigourandyouth，andjoyandairylightness，thathehadfeltinthemorning，instantaneouslyreplacedthedeadlynumbnessthatjustbeforehadinvadedthecitadeloflife。Hestood，withhisarmsfoldedonhisbosomerectanddauntless，towatchwhatshouldensue。

Thevapourhadnowassumedalmostthethicknessandseemingconsistencyofasnow-cloud；thelampspiercingitlikestars。

Andnowhedistinctlysawshapes，somewhatresemblinginoutlinethoseofthehumanform，glidingslowlyandwithregularevolutionsthroughthecloud。Theyappearedbloodless；theirbodiesweretransparent，andcontractedorexpandedlikethefoldsofaserpent。Astheymovedinmajesticorder，heheardalowsound——theghost，asitwere，ofvoice——whicheachcaughtandechoedfromtheother；alowsound，butmusical，whichseemedthechantofsomeunspeakablytranquiljoy。Noneoftheseapparitionsheededhim。Hisintenselongingtoaccostthem，tobeofthem，tomakeoneofthismovementofaerialhappiness，——

forsuchitseemedtohim，——madehimstretchforthhisarmsandseektocryaloud，butonlyaninarticulatewhisperpassedhislips；andthemovementandthemusicwentonthesameasifthemortalwerenotthere。Slowlytheyglidedroundandaloft，till，inthesamemajesticorder，oneafterone，theyfloatedthroughthecasementandwerelostinthemoonlight；then，ashiseyesfollowedthem，thecasementbecamedarkenedwithsomeobjectundistinguishableatthefirstgaze，butwhichsufficedmysteriouslytochangeintoineffablehorrorthedelighthehadbeforeexperienced。Bydegreesthisobjectshapeditselftohissight。Itwasasthatofahumanheadcoveredwithadarkveilthroughwhichglared，withlividanddemoniacfire，eyesthatfrozethemarrowofhisbones。Nothingelseofthefacewasdistinguishable，——nothingbutthoseintolerableeyes；buthisterror，thatevenatthefirstseemedbeyondnaturetoendure，wasincreasedathousand-fold，when，afterapause，thephantomglidedslowlyintothechamber。

Thecloudretreatedfromitasitadvanced；thebrightlampsgrewwan，andflickeredrestlesslyasatthebreathofitspresence。

Itsformwasveiledastheface，buttheoutlinewasthatofafemale；yetitmovednotasmoveeventheghoststhatsimulatetheliving。Itseemedrathertocrawlassomevastmisshapenreptile；andpausing，atlengthitcoweredbesidethetablewhichheldthemysticvolume，andagainfixeditseyesthroughthefilmyveilontherashinvoker。Allfancies，themostgrotesque，ofmonkorpainterintheearlyNorth，wouldhavefailedtogivetothevisageofimporfiendthataspectofdeadlymalignitywhichspoketotheshudderingnatureinthoseeyesalone。Allelsesodark，——shrouded，veiledandlarva-like。Butthatburningglaresointense，solivid，yetsoliving，hadinitsomethingthatwasalmostHUMANinitspassionofhateandmockery，——

somethingthatservedtoshowthattheshadowyHorrorwasnotallaspirit，butpartookofmatterenough，atleast，tomakeitmoredeadlyandfearfulanenemytomaterialforms。As，clingingwiththegraspofagonytothewall，——hishairerect，hiseyeballsstarting，hestillgazedbackuponthatappallinggaze，——theImagespoketohim:hissoulratherthanhisearcomprehendedthewordsitsaid。

"Thouhastenteredtheimmeasurableregion。IamtheDwelleroftheThreshold。Whatwouldstthouwithme？Silent？Dostthoufearme？AmInotthybeloved？Isitnotformethatthouhastrenderedupthedelightsofthyrace？Wouldstthoubewise？

Mineisthewisdomofthecountlessages。Kissme，mymortallover。"AndtheHorrorcrawlednearandnearertohim；itcrepttohisside，itsbreathbreatheduponhischeek!Withasharpcryhefelltotheearthinsensible，andknewnomoretill，farinthenoonofthenextday，heopenedhiseyesandfoundhimselfinhisbed，——theglorioussunstreamingthroughhislattice，andthebanditPaolobyhisside，engagedinpolishinghiscarbine，andwhistlingaCalabrianlove-air。

CHAPTER4。VIII。

Thusmanpursueshiswearycalling，Andwringsthehardlifefromthesky，WhilehappinessunseenisfallingDownfromGod"sbosomsilently。

Schiller。

InoneofthoseislandswhosehistorytheimperishableliteratureandrenownofAthensyetinvestwithmelancholyinterest，andonwhichNature，inwhom"thereisnothingmelancholy，"stillbestowsagloryofsceneryandclimateequallyradiantforthefreemanortheslave，——theIonian，theVenetian，theGaul，theTurk，ortherestlessBriton，——Zanonihadfixedhisbridalhome。

Theretheaircarrieswithittheperfumesoftheplainsformilesalongtheblue，translucentdeep。(SeeDr。Holland"s"TravelstotheIonianIsles，"etc。，page18。)Seenfromoneofitsgreenslopingheights，theislandhehadselectedseemedonedeliciousgarden。Thetowersandturretsofitscapitalgleamingamidstgrovesoforangesandlemons；vineyardsandolive-woodsfillingupthevalleys，andclamberingalongthehill-sides；andvilla，farm，andcottagecoveredwithluxurianttrellisesofdark-greenleavesandpurplefruit。Fortheretheprodigalbeautyyetseemshalftojustifythosegracefulsuperstitionsofacreedthat，tooenamouredofearth，ratherbroughtthedeitiestoman，thanraisedthemantotheirlessalluringandlessvoluptuousOlympus。

Andstilltothefishermen，weavingyettheirantiquedancesonthesand；tothemaiden，adorningyet，withmanyasilverfibula，herglossytressesunderthetreethatovershadowshertranquilcot，——thesameGreatMotherthatwatchedoverthewiseofSamos，thedemocracyofCorcyra，thegracefulanddeep-taughtlovelinessofMiletus，smilesasgraciouslyasofyore。FortheNorth，philosophyandfreedomareessentialstohumanhappiness；inthelandswhichAphroditerosefromthewavestogovern，astheSeasons，handinhand，stoodtowelcomeherontheshores，Natureisallsufficient。(HomericHymn。)

TheislewhichZanonihadselectedwasoneoftheloveliestinthatdivinesea。Hisabode，atsomedistancefromthecity，butnearoneofthecreeksontheshore，belongedtoaVenetian，and，thoughsmall，hadmoreofelegancethanthenativesordinarilycaredfor。Ontheseas，andinsight，rodehisvessel。HisIndians，asbefore，ministeredinmutegravitytotheserviceofthehousehold。Nospotcouldbemorebeautiful，——nosolitudelessinvaded。TothemysteriousknowledgeofZanoni，totheharmlessignoranceofViola，thebabblingandgarishworldofcivilisedmanwasalikeunheeded。ThelovingskyandthelovelyeartharecompanionsenoughtoWisdomandtoIgnorancewhiletheylove。

Although，asIhavebeforesaid，therewasnothinginthevisibleoccupationsofZanonithatbetrayedacultivatoroftheoccultsciences，hishabitswerethoseofamanwhoremembersorreflects。Helovedtoroamalone，chieflyatdawn，oratnight，whenthemoonwasclear(especiallyineachmonth，atitsriseandfull)，milesandmilesawayovertherichinlandsoftheisland，andtocullherbsandflowers，whichhehoardedwithjealouscare。Sometimes，atthedeadofnight，Violawouldwakebyaninstinctthattoldherhewasnotbyherside，and，stretchingoutherarms，findthattheinstincthadnotdeceivedher。Butsheearlysawthathewasreservedonhispeculiarhabits；andifattimesachill，aforeboding，asuspiciousawecreptoverher，sheforeboretoquestionhim。

Buthisrambleswerenotalwaysunaccompanied，——hetookpleasureinexcursionslesssolitary。Often，whenthesealaybeforethemlikealake，thebarrendrearinessoftheoppositecoastofCephalleniacontrastingthesmilingshoresonwhichtheydwelt，Violaandhimselfwouldpassdaysincruisingslowlyaroundthecoast，orinvisitstotheneighbouringisles。EveryspotoftheGreeksoil，"thatfairFable-Land，"seemedtohimfamiliar；

andasheconversedofthepastanditsexquisitetraditions，hetaughtViolatolovetheracefromwhichhavedescendedthepoetryandthewisdomoftheworld。TherewasmuchinZanoni，assheknewhimbetter，thatdeepenedthefascinationinwhichViolawasfromthefirstenthralled。Hisloveforherselfwassotender，sovigilant，andhadthatbestandmostenduringattribute，thatitseemedrathergratefulforthehappinessinitsowncaresthanvainofthehappinessitcreated。Hishabitualmoodwithallwhoapproachedhimwascalmandgentle，almosttoapathy。Anangrywordneverpassedhislips，——anangrygleamnevershotfromhiseyes。Oncetheyhadbeenexposedtothedangernotuncommoninthosethenhalf-savagelands。Somepirateswhoinfestedtheneighbouringcoastshadheardofthearrivalofthestrangers，andtheseamenZanoniemployedhadgossipedoftheirmaster"swealth。Onenight，afterViolahadretiredtorest，shewasawakenedbyaslightnoisebelow。

Zanoniwasnotbyherside；shelistenedinsomealarm。Wasthatagroanthatcameuponherear？Shestartedup，shewenttothedoor；allwasstill。Afootstepnowslowlyapproached，andZanonienteredcalmasusual，andseemedunconsciousofherfears。

Thenextmorningthreemenwerefounddeadatthethresholdoftheprincipalentrance，thedoorofwhichhadbeenforced。Theywererecognisedintheneighbourhoodasthemostsanguinaryandterriblemaraudersofthecoasts，——menstainedwithathousandmurders，andwhohadneverhithertofailedinanyattempttowhichthelustofrapinehadimpelledthem。Thefootstepsofmanyothersweretrackedtotheseashore。Itseemedthattheiraccomplicesmusthavefledonthedeathoftheirleaders。ButwhentheVenetianProveditore，orauthority，oftheisland，cametoexamineintothematter，themostunaccountablemysterywasthemannerinwhichtheseruffianshadmettheirfate。Zanonihadnotstirredfromtheapartmentinwhichheordinarilypursuedhischemicalstudies。Noneoftheservantshadevenbeendisturbedfromtheirslumbers。Nomarksofhumanviolencewereonthebodiesofthedead。Theydied，andmadenosign。FromthatmomentZanoni"shouse——nay，thewholevicinity——wassacred。

Theneighbouringvillages，rejoicedtobedeliveredfromascourge，regardedthestrangerasonewhomthePagiana(orVirgin)heldunderherespecialprotection。

Intruth，thelivelyGreeksaround，faciletoallexternalimpressions，andstruckwiththesingularandmajesticbeautyofthemanwhoknewtheirlanguageasanative，whosevoiceoftencheeredthemintheirhumblesorrows，andwhosehandwasneverclosedtotheirwants，longafterhehadlefttheirshorepreservedhismemorybygratefultraditions，andstillpointtotheloftyplatanusbeneathwhichtheyhadoftenseenhimseated，aloneandthoughtful，intheheatsofnoon。ButZanonihadhauntslessopentothegazethantheshadeoftheplatanus。InthatisletherearethebituminousspringswhichHerodotushascommemorated。Oftenatnight，themoon，atleast，beheldhimemergingfromthemyrtleandcystusthatclothethehillocksaroundthemarshthatimbedsthepoolscontainingtheinflammablemateria，allthemedicalusesofwhich，asappliedtothenervesoforganiclife，modernsciencehasnotyetperhapsexplored。

Yetmoreoftenwouldhepasshishoursinacavern，bytheloneliestpartofthebeach，wherethestalactitesseemalmostarrangedbythehandofart，andwhichthesuperstitionofthepeasantsassociates，insomeancientlegends，withthenumerousandalmostincessantearthquakestowhichtheislandissosingularlysubjected。

Whateverthepursuitsthatinstigatedthesewanderingsandfavouredthesehaunts，eithertheywerelinkedwith，orelsesubordinateto，onemainandmasterdesire，whicheveryfreshdaypassedinthesweethumancompanyofViolaconfirmedandstrengthened。

ThescenethatGlyndonhadwitnessedinhistrancewasfaithfultotruth。Andsomelittletimeafterthedateofthatnight，Violawasdimlyawarethataninfluence，sheknewnotofwhatnature，wasstrugglingtoestablishitselfoverherhappylife。

Visionsindistinctandbeautiful，suchasthoseshehadknowninherearlierdays，butmoreconstantandimpressive，begantohaunthernightanddaywhenZanoniwasabsent，tofadeinhispresence，andseemlessfairthanTHAT。Zanoniquestionedhereagerlyandminutelyofthesevisitations，butseemeddissatisfied，andattimesperplexed，byheranswers。

"Tellmenot，"hesaid，oneday，"ofthoseunconnectedimages，thoseevolutionsofstarryshapesinachoraldance，orthosedeliciousmelodiesthatseemtotheeofthemusicandthelanguageofthedistantspheres。HasnoONEshapebeentotheemoredistinctandmorebeautifulthantherest，——novoiceuttering，orseemingtoutter，thineowntongue，andwhisperingtotheeofstrangesecretsandsolemnknowledge？"

"No；allisconfusedinthesedreams，whetherofdayornight；

andwhenatthesoundofthyfootstepsIrecover，mymemoryretainsnothingbutavagueimpressionofhappiness。Howdifferent——howcold——totheraptureofhangingonthysmile，andlisteningtothyvoice，whenitsays，"Ilovethee!""

"Yet，howisitthatvisionslessfairthantheseonceseemedtotheesoalluring？Howisitthattheythenstirredthyfanciesandfilledthyheart？Oncethoudidstdesireafairy-land，andnowthouseemestsocontentedwithcommonlife。"

"HaveInotexplainedittotheebefore？Isitcommonlife，then，tolove，andtolivewiththeonewelove？Mytruefairy-landiswon!Speaktomeofnoother。"

Andsonightsurprisedthembythelonelybeach；andZanoni，alluredfromhissublimerprojects，andbendingoverthattenderface，forgotthat，intheHarmoniousInfinitewhichspreadaround，therewereotherworldsthanthatonehumanheart。

CHAPTER4。IX。

Thereisaprincipleofthesoul，superiortoallnature，throughwhichwearecapableofsurpassingtheorderandsystemsoftheworld。Whenthesouliselevatedtonaturesbetterthanitself，THENitisentirelyseparatedfromsubordinatenatures，exchangesthisforanotherlife，and，desertingtheorderofthingswithwhichitwasconnected，linksandminglesitselfwithanother——

Iamblichus。

"Adon-Ai!Adon-Ai!——appear，appear!"

Andinthelonelycave，whenceoncehadgoneforththeoraclesofaheathengod，thereemergedfromtheshadowsoffantasticrocksaluminousandgiganticcolumn，glitteringandshifting。Itresembledtheshiningbutmistyspraywhich，seenafaroff，afountainseemstosenduponastarrynight。Theradiancelitthestalactites，thecrags，thearchesofthecave，andshedapaleandtremuloussplendouronthefeaturesofZanoni。

"SonofEternalLight，"saidtheinvoker，"thoutowhoseknowledge，gradeaftergrade，raceafterrace，Iattainedatlast，onthebroadChaldeanplains；thoufromwhomIhavedrawnsolargelyoftheunutterableknowledgethatyeteternityalonecansufficetodrain；thouwho，congenialwithmyself，sofarasourvariousbeingswillpermit，hastbeenforcenturiesmyfamiliarandmyfriend，——answermeandcounsel!"

Fromthecolumnthereemergedashapeofunimaginableglory。Itsfacewasthatofamaninitsfirstyouth，butsolemn，aswiththeconsciousnessofeternityandthetranquillityofwisdom；

light，likestarbeams，flowedthroughitstransparentveins；

lightmadeitslimbsthemselves，andundulated，inrestlesssparkles，throughthewavesofitsdazzlinghair。Withitsarmsfoldedonitsbreast，itstooddistantafewfeetfromZanoni，anditslowvoicemurmuredgently，"Mycounselsweresweettotheeonce；andonce，nightafternight，thysoulcouldfollowmywingsthroughtheuntroubledsplendoursoftheInfinite。Nowthouhastboundthyselfbacktotheearthbyitsstrongestchains，andtheattractiontotheclayismorepotentthanthesympathiesthatdrewtothycharmstheDwelleroftheStarbeamandtheAir。Whenlastthysoulhearkenedtome，thesensesalreadytroubledthineintellectandobscuredthyvision。OnceagainIcometothee；butthypowereventosummonmetothysideisfadingfromthyspirit，assunshinefadesfromthewavewhenthewindsdrivethecloudbetweentheoceanandthesky。"

"Alas，Adon-Ai!"answeredtheseer，mournfully，"Iknowtoowelltheconditionsofthebeingwhichthypresencewaswonttorejoice。Iknowthatourwisdomcomesbutfromtheindifferencetothethingsoftheworldwhichthewisdommasters。Themirrorofthesoulcannotreflectbothearthandheaven；andtheonevanishesfromthesurfaceastheotherisglasseduponitsdeeps。

Butitisnottorestoremetothatsublimeabstractioninwhichtheintellect，freeanddisembodied，rises，regionafterregion，tothespheres，——thatonceagain，andwiththeagonyandtravailofenfeebledpowerIhavecalledtheetomineaid。Ilove；andinloveIbegintoliveinthesweethumanitiesofanother。Ifwise，yetinallwhichmakesdangerpowerlessagainstmyself，orthoseonwhomIcangazefromthecalmheightofindifferentscience，Iamblindasthemerestmortaltothedestiniesofthecreaturethatmakesmyheartbeatwiththepassionswhichobscuremygaze。"

"Whatmatter!"answeredAdon-Ai。"Thylovemustbebutamockeryofthename；thoucanstnotloveastheydoforwhomtherearedeathandthegrave。Ashorttime，——likeadayinthyincalculablelife，——andtheformthoudotestonisdust!Othersofthenetherworldgohandinhand，eachwitheach，untothetomb；handinhandtheyascendfromthewormtonewcyclesofexistence。Forthee，belowareages；forher，buthours。Andforherandthee——Opoor，butmightyone!——willtherebeevenajointhereafter!Throughwhatgradesandheavensofspiritualisedbeingwillhersoulhavepassedwhenthou，thesolitaryloiterer，comestfromthevapoursoftheearthtothegatesoflight!"

"SonoftheStarbeam，thinkestthouthatthisthoughtisnotwithmeforever；andseestthounotthatIhaveinvokedtheetohearkenandministertomydesign？Readestthounotmydesireanddreamtoraisetheconditionsofherbeingtomyown？Thou，Adon-Ai，bathingthecelestialjoythatmakesthylifeintheoceansofeternalsplendour，——thou，savebythesympathiesofknowledge，canstconjecturenotwhatI，theoffspringofmortals，feel——debarredyetfromtheobjectsofthetremendousandsublimeambitionthatfirstwingedmydesiresabovetheclay——whenIseemyselfcompelledtostandinthislowworldalone。Ihavesoughtamongstmytribeforcomrades，andinvain。AtlastIhavefoundamate。Thewildbirdandthewildbeasthavetheirs；andmymasteryoverthemalignanttribesofterrorcanbanishtheirlarvaefromthepaththatshallleadherupward，tilltheairofeternityfitstheframefortheelixirthatbafflesdeath。"

"Andthouhastbeguntheinitiation，andthouartfoiled!Iknowit。Thouhastconjuredtohersleepthefairestvisions；thouhastinvokedtheloveliestchildrenoftheairtomurmurtheirmusictohertrance，andhersoulheedsthemnot，and，returningtotheearth，escapesfromtheircontrol。Blindone，wherefore？

canstthounotperceive？Becauseinhersoulallislove。Thereisnointermediatepassionwithwhichthethingsthouwouldstcharmtoherhaveassociationandaffinities。TheirattractionisbuttothedesiresandcravingsoftheINTELLECT。WhathavetheywiththePASSIONthatisofearth，andtheHOPEthatgoesdirecttoheaven？"

"Butcantherebenomedium——nolink——inwhichoursouls，asourhearts，canbeunited，andsominemayhaveinfluenceoverherown？"

"Askmenot，——thouwiltnotcomprehendme!"

"Iadjurethee!——speak!"

"Whentwosoulsaredivided，knowestthounotthatathirdinwhichbothmeetandliveisthelinkbetweenthem!"

"Idocomprehendthee，Adon-Ai，"saidZanoni，withalightofmorehumanjoyuponhisfacethanithadeverbeforebeenseentowear；"andifmydestiny，whichhereisdarktomineeyes，vouchsafestomethehappylotofthehumble，——ifevertherebeachildthatImayclasptomybosomandcallmyown——"

"Andisittobemanatlast，thatthouhastaspiredtobemorethanman？"

"Butachild，——asecondViola!"murmuredZanoni，scarcelyheedingtheSonofLight；"ayoungsoulfreshfromheaven，thatImayrearfromthefirstmomentittouchesearth，——whosewingsImaytraintofollowminethroughthegloriesofcreation；andthroughwhomthemotherherselfmaybeledupwardovertherealmofdeath!"

"Beware，——reflect!KnowestthounotthatthydarkestenemydwellsintheReal？Thywishesbringtheenearandnearertohumanity。"

"Ah，humanityissweet!"answeredZanoni。

Andastheseerspoke，onthegloriousfaceofAdon-Aitherebrokeasmile。

CHAPTER4。X。

Aeternaaeternustribuit，mortaliaconfertMortalis；divinaDeus，perituracaducus。

"Aurel。Prud。contraSymmachum，"lib。ii。

(TheEternalgiveseternalthings，theMortalgathersmortalthings:God，thatwhichisdivine，andtheperishablethatwhichisperishable。)

EXTRACTSFROMTHELETTERSOFZANONITOMEJNOUR。

Letter1。

Thouhastnotinformedmeoftheprogressofthypupil；andI

fearthatsodifferentlydoescircumstanceshapethemindsofthegenerationstowhichwearedescended，fromtheintenseandearnestchildrenoftheearlierworld，thateventhymostcarefulandelaborateguidancewouldfail，withloftierandpurernaturesthanthatoftheneophytethouhastadmittedwithinthygates。

Eventhatthirdstateofbeing，whichtheIndiansage(TheBrahmins，speakingofBrahm，say，"TotheOmniscientthethreemodesofbeing——sleep，waking，andtrance——arenot；"distinctlyrecognisingtranceasathirdandcoequalconditionofbeing。)

rightlyrecognisesasbeingbetweenthesleepandthewaking，anddescribesimperfectlybythenameofTRANCE，isunknowntothechildrenoftheNorthernworld；andfewbutwouldrecoiltoindulgeit，regardingitspeopledcalmasmayaanddelusionofthemind。Insteadofripeningandculturingthatairysoil，fromwhichNature，dulyknown，canevokefruitssorichandflowerssofair，theystrivebuttoexcludeitfromtheirgaze；theyesteemthatstruggleoftheintellectfrommen"snarrowworldtothespirit"sinfinitehome，asadiseasewhichtheleechmustextirpatewithpharmacyanddrugs，andknownoteventhatitisfromthisconditionoftheirbeing，initsmostimperfectandinfantform，thatpoetry，music，art——allthatbelongtoanIdeaofBeautytowhichneitherSLEEPINGnorWAKINGcanfurnisharchetypeandactualsemblance——taketheirimmortalbirth。Whenwe，OMejnourinthefartime，wereourselvestheneophytesandaspirants，wewereofaclasstowhichtheactualworldwasshutandbarred。Ourforefathershadnoobjectinlifebutknowledge。

Fromthecradlewewerepredestinedandrearedtowisdomastoapriesthood。WecommencedresearchwheremodernConjectureclosesitsfaithlesswings。Andwithus，thosewerecommonelementsofsciencewhichthesagesofto-daydisdainaswildchimeras，ordespairofasunfathomablemysteries。Eventhefundamentalprinciples，thelargeyetsimpletheoriesofelectricityandmagnetism，restobscureanddiminthedisputesoftheirblindedschools；yet，eveninouryouth，howfeweverattainedtothefirstcircleofthebrotherhood，and，afterwearilyenjoyingthesublimeprivilegestheysought，theyvoluntarilyabandonedthelightofthesun，andsunk，withouteffort，tothegrave，likepilgrimsinatracklessdesert，overawedbythestillnessoftheirsolitude，andappalledbytheabsenceofagoal。Thou，inwhomnothingseemstoliveBUTTHEDESIRETOKNOW；thou，who，indifferentwhetheritleadstowealortowoe，lendestthyselftoallwhowouldtreadthepathofmysteriousscience，ahumanbook，insensatetothepreceptsitenounces，——thouhasteversought，andoftenmadeadditionstoournumber。Buttothesehaveonlybeenvouchsafedpartialsecrets；vanityandpassionunfittedthemfortherest；andnow，withoutotherinterestthanthatofanexperimentinscience，withoutlove，andwithoutpity，thouexposestthisnewsoultothehazardsofthetremendousordeal!Thouthinkestthatazealsoinquisitive，acouragesoabsoluteanddauntless，maysufficetoconquer，whereaustererintellectandpurervirtuehavesooftenfailed。Thouthinkest，too，thatthegermofartthatliesinthepainter"smind，asitcomprehendsinitselftheentireembryoofpowerandbeauty，maybeexpandedintothestatelyfloweroftheGoldenScience。Itisanewexperimenttothee。Begentlewiththyneophyte，andifhisnaturedisappointtheeinthefirststagesoftheprocess，dismisshimbacktotheRealwhileitisyettimetoenjoythebriefandoutwardlifewhichdwellsinthesenses，andcloseswiththetomb。AndasIthusadmonishthee，OMejnour，wiltthousmileatmyinconsistenthopes？I，whohavesoinvariablyrefusedtoinitiateothersintoourmysteries，——Ibeginatlasttocomprehendwhythegreatlaw，whichbindsmantohiskind，evenwhenseekingmosttosethimselfalooffromtheircondition，hasmadethycoldandbloodlesssciencethelinkbetweenthyselfandthyrace；why，THOUhassoughtconvertsandpupils；why，inseeinglifeafterlifevoluntarilydroppingfromourstarryorder，thoustillaspiresttorenewthevanished，andrepairthelost；why，amidstthycalculations，restlessandunceasingasthewheelsofNatureherself，thourecoilestfromtheTHOUGHTTOBE

ALONE!Sowithmyself；atlastI，too，seekaconvert，anequal，——I，too，shuddertobealone!Whatthouhastwarnedmeofhascometopass。Lovereducesallthingstoitself。EithermustIbedrawndowntothenatureofthebeloved，orhersmustbeliftedtomyown。AswhateverbelongstotrueArthasalwaysnecessarilyhadattractionforUS，whoseverybeingisintheidealwhenceArtdescends，sointhisfaircreatureIhavelearned，atlast，thesecretthatboundmetoheratthefirstglance。Thedaughterofmusic，——music，passingintoherbeing，becamepoetry。Itwasnotthestagethatattractedher，withitshollowfalsehoods；itwasthelandinherownfancywhichthestageseemedtocentreandrepresent。Therethepoetryfoundavoice，——thereitstruggledintoimperfectshape；andthen(thatlandinsufficientforit)itfellbackuponitself。Itcolouredherthoughts，itsuffusedhersoul；itaskednotwords，itcreatednotthings；itgavebirthbuttoemotions，andlavisheditselfondreams。Atlastcamelove；andthere，asariverintothesea，itpoureditsrestlesswaves，tobecomemuteanddeepandstill，——theeverlastingmirroroftheheavens。

Andisitnotthroughthispoetrywhichlieswithinherthatshemaybeledintothelargepoetryoftheuniverse!OftenIlistentohercarelesstalk，andfindoraclesinitsunconsciousbeauty，aswefindstrangevirtuesinsomelonelyflower。Iseehermindripeningundermyeyes；andinitsfairfertilitywhatever-

teemingnoveltiesofthought!OMejnour!howmanyofourtribehaveunravelledthelawsoftheuniverse，——havesolvedtheriddlesoftheexteriornature，anddeducedthelightfromdarkness!AndisnotthePOET，whostudiesnothingbutthehumanheart，agreaterphilosopherthanall？Knowledgeandatheismareincompatible。ToknowNatureistoknowthattheremustbeaGod。Butdoesitrequirethistoexaminethemethodandarchitectureofcreation？Methinks，whenIlookuponapuremind，howeverignorantandchildlike，thatIseetheAugustandImmaterialOnemoreclearlythaninalltheorbsofmatterwhichcareeratHisbiddingthroughspace。

Rightlyisitthefundamentaldecreeofourorder，thatwemustimpartoursecretsonlytothepure。Themostterriblepartoftheordealisinthetemptationsthatourpoweraffordstothecriminal。Ifitwerepossiblethatamalevolentbeingcouldattaintoourfaculties，whatdisorderitmightintroduceintotheglobe!HappythatitisNOTpossible；themalevolencewoulddisarmthepower。ItisinthepurityofViolathatIrely，asthoumorevainlyhastreliedonthecourageorthegeniusofthypupils。Bearmewitness，Mejnour!NeversincethedistantdayinwhichIpiercedtheArcanaofourknowledge，haveIeversoughttomakeitsmysteriessubservienttounworthyobjects；

though，alas!theextensionofourexistencerobsusofacountryandahome；thoughthelawthatplacesallscience，asallart，intheabstractionfromthenoisypassionsandturbulentambitionofactuallife，forbidsustoinfluencethedestiniesofnations，forwhichHeavenselectsruderandblinderagencies；yet，whereverhavebeenmywanderings，Ihavesoughttosoftendistress，andtoconvertfromsin。Mypowerhasbeenhostileonlytotheguilty；andyetwithallourlore，howineachstepwearereducedtobebutthepermittedinstrumentsofthePowerthatvouchsafesourown，butonlytodirectit。Howallourwisdomshrinksintonought，comparedwiththatwhichgivesthemeanestherbitsvirtues，andpeoplesthesmallestglobulewithitsappropriateworld。Andwhileweareallowedattimestoinfluencethehappinessofothers，howmysteriouslytheshadowsthickenroundourownfuturedoom!Wecannotbeprophetstoourselves!WithwhattremblinghopeInursethethoughtthatI

maypreservetomysolitudethelightofalivingsmile!……

ExtractsfromLetterII。

Deemingmyselfnotpureenoughtoinitiatesopureaheart，I

invoketohertrancethosefairestandmosttenderinhabitantsofspacethathavefurnishedtopoetry，whichistheinstinctiveguessintocreation，theideasoftheGlendoveerandSylph。Andthesewerelesspurethanherownthoughts，andlesstenderthanherownlove!Theycouldnotraiseheraboveherhumanheart，forTHAThasaheavenofitsown……

Ihavejustlookedonherinsleep，——Ihaveheardherbreathemyname。Alas!thatwhichissosweettoothershasitsbitternesstome；forIthinkhowsoonthetimemaycomewhenthatsleepwillbewithoutadream，——whentheheartthatdictatesthenamewillbecold，andthelipsthatutteritbedumb。Whatatwofoldshapethereisinlove!Ifweexamineitcoarsely，——ifwelookbutonitsfleshyties，itsenjoymentsofamoment，itsturbulentfeveranditsdullreaction，——howstrangeitseemsthatthispassionshouldbethesuprememoveroftheworld；thatitisthiswhichhasdictatedthegreatestsacrifices，andinfluencedallsocietiesandalltimes；thattothistheloftiestandloveliestgeniushaseverconsecrateditsdevotion；that，butforlove，therewerenocivilisation，nomusic，nopoetry，nobeauty，nolifebeyondthebrute"s。

Butexamineitinitsheavenliershape，——initsutterabnegationofself；initsintimateconnectionwithallthatismostdelicateandsubtleinthespirit，——itspoweraboveallthatissordidinexistence；itsmasteryovertheidolsofthebaserworship；itsabilitytocreateapalaceofthecottage，anoasisinthedesert，asummerintheIceland，——whereitbreathes，andfertilises，andglows；andthewonderratherbecomeshowsofewregarditinitsholiestnature。Whatthesensualcallitsenjoyments，aretheleastofitsjoys。Trueloveislessapassionthanasymbol。Mejnour，shallthetimecomewhenIcanspeaktotheeofViolaasathingthatwas？……

ExtractfromLetterIII。

KnowestthouthatoflateIhavesometimesaskedmyself，"Istherenoguiltintheknowledgethathassodividedusfromourrace？"Itistruethatthehigherweascendthemorehatefulseemtousthevicesoftheshort-livedcreepersoftheearth，——

themorethesenseofthegoodnessoftheAll-goodpenetratesandsuffusesus，andthemoreimmediatelydoesourhappinessseemtoemanatefromhim。But，ontheotherhand，howmanyvirtuesmustliedeadinthosewholiveintheworldofdeath，andrefusetodie!Isnotthissublimeegotism，thisstateofabstractionandreverie，——thisself-wrappedandself-dependentmajestyofexistence，aresignationofthatnobilitywhichincorporatesourownwelfare，ourjoys，ourhopes，ourfearswithothers？Toliveoninnodreadoffoes，undegradedbyinfirmity，securethroughthecares，andfreefromthediseaseofflesh，isaspectaclethatcaptivatesourpride。Andyetdostthounotmoreadmirehimwhodiesforanother？SinceIhavelovedher，Mejnour，itseemsalmostcowardicetoeludethegravewhichdevourstheheartsthatwrapusintheirfolds。Ifeelit，——theearthgrowsuponmyspirit。Thouwertright；eternalage，sereneandpassionless，isahappierboonthaneternalyouth，withitsyearningsanddesires。Untilwecanbeallspirit，thetranquillityofsolitudemustbeindifference