 Chapter 23 of Our Death by Marie Corelli. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Neuer Halma. His first emotion on making this new mental-degree discovery was, as it had been before in the King's Audience Hall, one of absolute terror. Feverish mad terror, which for a few moments possessed him so utterly, that turning away he buried his aching head among the cushion where he reclined, in order to hide from his companion's eyes any outward sign that might betray his desperate misery. Clenching his hands convulsively, he silently, and with all his strength, combated the awful horror of himself that grew up spectrally within him, the dreadful, distracting uncertainty of his own identity that again confused his brain and paralyzed his reason. At last he thought wildly, at last he knew the meaning of hell, the frightful, spiritual torment of a baffled intelligence, set adrift among the wrecks and shadows of things that had formerly been its pride and glory. What was any physical suffering compared to such a frenzy of mind, agony, nothing, less than nothing? This was the everlasting thirst and fire spoken of, so vaguely by prophets and preachers, the thirst and fire of the soul's unquenchable longing to unravel the dismal tangle of its own by gone deeds thus driving forever in vain to steadfastly establish the wavering mystery of its own existence. Oh God, God, what hast thou made of me? He groan'd inwardly as he endeavored to calm the tempest of his unutterable despair. Who am I? Who was I in that far past which, like the pale spirit of a murdered friend, haunts me so indistinctly yet so threateningly? Surely the gift of poetry was mine, surely I too could weave the harmony of words and thoughts into a sweet and fitting music? How comes it then that all solemn as work is but the reflux of my own? O woeful, strange and bitter enigma, when shall it be unraveled? Nur-Hama was the name of what I deemed my masterpiece. O silly masterpiece, if it proved thus easy of imitation. Yet stay, let me be patient, titles are often copied unconsciously by different authors in different lands, and it may chance that Saluma's poem is, after all, his own, not mine. Not mine, as were the ballads, and the love-ode he chanted to the king last night. O destiny, inscrutable, pitiless destiny, rescue my tortured soul from chaos, declare unto me who, who is the plagiarist and thief of song, myself or Saluma. The more he perplexed his mind with such questions, the deeper grew the darkness of the inexplicable dilemma to which fresh obscurity was now added in his suddenly distinct and distrustful remembrance of the Pass of Deriel. Where was this place he wandered wearily? When had he seen it? Whom had he met there? And how had he come to Al-Khirs from thence? No answer could his vexed brain shape to these demands he recollected the Pass of Deriel, just as he recollected the field of our death, without the least idea as to what connection existed between them in his own personal adventures, presently controlling himself he raised his head, and venture to look up, Saluma stood beside him, his fine face expressive of an amiable solicitude. Was this sunshine too strong, my friend, that thou didst thus bury thine eyes in thy pillow, he inquired, pardon my discourteous lack of consideration for thy comfort. I love this of myself so well that methinks I could meet his burning rays at full noonday, and yet take pleasure in the warmth of such a golden smile. But thou put chants art unaccustomed to the light of eastern lands, wherefore thy brows must not be permitted to acorn uncared forth. See, I have lowered the awnings, they give a pleasant shade, and in very truth the heat today is greater far than ordinary one would think the gods had kindled some new fire in heaven. And as he spoke he took up a long palm leaf fan, and waved it to and fro with an exquisitely graceful movement of wrist and arm while Theos gazing at him in mute admiration for God his own griefs, for the time in the subtle strange and absorbing spell exercised upon him by his host's irresistible influence. Just then too Saluma appeared handsomer than ever in the half subdued tints of radiance that flickered through the lowered pale blue silken awnings. The effect of the room thus shattered was as of a soft azure mountain mist lit sideways by the sun. A mist through which the white garmented symmetrical figure of the laureate stood forth in curiously brilliant outlines as though every curve of supple shoulder and proud throat was traced with a pencil of pure light. Scarcely a breath of air made its way through the wide open casements. The gentle dashing noise of the fountains in the court alone disturbed the deep warm stillness of the morning or the occasional sweeping rustle of peacock's plumes as these stately birds strutted majestically up and down, up and down on the marble terrace outside. Soothed by the luxurious piece of his surroundings the delirium of Theos' bewildering affliction gradually abated, his tempest's tossed mind regained to a certain extent, its equilibrium and falling into easy converse with his fascinating companion, he was soon himself again, that is as much himself as his peculiar condition permitted him to be, yet he was not altogether free from a certain digger and decidedly painful suspense with regard to the pure halma problem and he was conscious of what he in his own opinion considered an absurd and unnecessary degree of excitement when the door of the apartment presently opened to admit Zabastis who entered carrying several sheets of paparis and other material for writing. The old critic's countenance was expressively glum and ironical, he however was compelled like all the other paid servants of the household to make a low and respectful obeisance as soon as he found himself in solemn as presence, an act of homage which he performed awkwardly and with evident ill will. His master nodded condescendingly in response to his reluctant salute and signed to him to take his place at a richly carved writing table adorned with the climbing figures of winged cupids exquisitely wrought in ivory. He obeyed shuffling the other uneasily and sniffing the rose fragrant air as he went like an ill conditioned cur senting a foe and seating himself in a high back chair he arranged his garments fussily about him rolled up his long embroidered sleeves to the elbow and spread his writing implements all over the desk in front of him with much mock solemn ostentation then rubbing his lean hands together he gave a stealthy glance of covert derision round at Saluma and Theos a glance which Theos saw and in his heart resented but which Saluma absorbed in his own reflections apparently failed to notice. All is in readiness my lord he announced in his disagreeable croaking tones here are the clean and harmless slips of river reed waiting to be soiled and spotted with my lord's indelible thoughts here also are the innocent quills of the white heron as yet abstained by colored writing fluid whether black red gold silver or purple mark you most illustrious bard the touching helplessness and purity these meek servants of a scribbler's fancy blank papyrus and empty quills we thank you seriously whether it were not better to leave them thus unblemished the simple products of unfalting nature than use them to indict the wondrous things of my lord's imagination where all wondrous though they seem no man shall ever be the wiser and each chuckle stroking his doubly grey beard the while without blamely suggested yet my line look directed at Saluma who met it with a slight cold smile a faintly amused contempt peace fool he said that barber's tongue of thine is like the imperfect clapper of a broken bell that strikes forth harsh and undesired sound suggesting nothing thy present duty is to hear and not to speak therefore listen discerningly and right with exactitude so shall thy poor blank scrolls of regrow rich with gems gems of high poise that the whole world shall hoard and cherish miser like when the poet who created their bright splendor is no more he sighed a short troubled sigh and stood for a moment silent in an attitude of pensive thought theos watched him yearningly waiting in almost breathless suspense till he should dictate allowed the first line of his poem Sebastian meanwhile settled himself more comfortably in his chair and taking up one of the long quills with which he was provided dipped it in our reddish purple liquid which at once stained its point to a deep rosy hue so that when the light flickered upon it from time to time it appeared as though it were tipped with fire how intense the heat was thought theos as with one hand he pushed his clustering hair from his brow not without noticing that his action was imitated almost at once by Saluma who also seemed to feel the oppressiveness of the atmosphere and what a blaze of blue pervaded the room delicate ethereal blue as of shimmering lakes and summer skies melted together into one luminous radiance radiance that while filming was yet perfectly transparent and in which the laureates classic form appeared to be obviously enveloped like that of some new descended God the author of desires to cure them of their dazzled ache what a marvelous scene it was to look upon he mused would he could he ever forget it ah no never never not till his dying day would he be able to obliterate it from his memory and who could tell whether even after death he might not still recall it just then Saluma released his hand by way of signal to Sebastian's his face became earnest pathetic even grand in the fervent concentration of his thoughts he was about to begin his dictation now now and theos leaned forward nervously his heart beating with apprehensive expectation hush the delicious suave melody of his friend's voice penetrated the silence like the sweet harmonic of spring right said he slowly right first the title of my poem thus newer Alma a love legend of the past there was a pause during which the pen of Zabasti's traveled quickly over the papyrus for a moment then stopped the os almost suffocated with anxiety could hardly maintain even the appearance of calmness the title proclaimed with its second appendage was precisely the same as that of his own work but this did not now affect him so much what he waited for with such painfully strained attention was the first line of the poem if it was his line he knew it already it ran thus a central sorrow dwells in perfect joy scarcely had he repeated this to himself inwardly then Saluma with majestic grace and sweetness of utterance dictated allowed a central sorrow dwells in perfect joy ah god the sharp cry half fierce half despairing broke from the os's quivering lips in spite of all the efforts he made to control his agitation and the laureate turned toward him with a surprised and somewhat irritated movement that plainly events annoyance at the interruption pardon Saluma he murmured hastily it was a slight pang at the heart troubled me a mere nothing I take shame to myself to have cried out for such a pins prick speak on that first line is as soft as honeydew as suggested as the light of dawn on sleeping flowers and leaning disley back on his couch he closed his eyes to shut in the hot and bitter tears that weld up rebelliously and threatened to fall not worth standing his endeavor to restrain them his head throbbed and burned as though a chocolate of fiery thorns encircled it instead of the once desired crown of fame he had so fondly dreamed of winning fame alas that bright delusive vision had fled forever there were no glory laurels left growing for him in the fields of poetic art and aspiration Saluma the fortunate Saluma had gathered and possessed them all taking everything into serious consideration he came at last to the deeply mortifying conclusion that it must be himself who was the plagiarist the unconscious imitator of Saluma's ideas and methods and the worst of it was that his imitation was so terribly exact oh how heartily he despised himself for his poor and pitiful lack of originality down to the very depths of humiliation he sternly abased his complaining struggling wounded and sorely resentful spirit he then and there became the merciless executioner of his own claims to literary honor and deliberately crushing all his past ambition mutinous discontent and uncompliant desires with a strong master hand he lay quiet as patiently removed as is a dead man to the wrongs inflicted on his memory and forced himself to listen resignedly to every glowing line of his no not his but Saluma's poem the lovely gracious delicate entrancing poem he remembered so well and by and by as each a lift Lewis stanza sounded softly on his ears as strangely solemn tranquility swept over him a most soothing halcyon calm as though some passing angels hand had touched his brow in benediction he looked at Saluma not enviously now but all admiringly it seemed to him that he had never heard a sweeter tenderer music than the story of newer Alma as recited by his friend and so to that friend he silently awarded his own wish for a glory praise and everlasting fame back glory praise and fame which had formally alert his fancy as being the best of all the world could offer the which he now entirely and willingly relinquished in favor of this more deserving and dear comrade whose superior genius he submissively acknowledged there was a great quietness everywhere the rising and falling inflections of Saluma's soft rich voice rather deepened then disturbed the stillness the pen of Zabasti's quieted noiselessly over the slips of papyrus and the small sounds of the outer air such as the monotonous hum of bees among the masses of lily bloom that towered in white clusters between the festooned awnings the thirsty twittering of birds hiding under the long palm leaves to shelter themselves from the heat and the incessant splash of the fountains all seemed to be as it were near appendages to enhance the breathless hush of nature presently Saluma paused and Zabasti's heaving aside relief looked up from his writing and laid down his pen the work is finished most illustrious he demanded a curious smile playing on his thin satirical lips finished echoed Saluma disdainfully nay tis but the end of the first canto the scribe gave vent to a dismal groan ye gods he claimed is there more to come of this bombastic ranting and vile torturing of phrases unheard of and altogether unnatural oh Saluma marvelous Saluma twadler Saluma what a brain box his line how full of dislocated word puzzles and similarly has gone mad now as I live expect no mercy from me this time and he shook his head threateningly for if the public news sheet will serve me as my anvil I will so pound the impieces with the sledgehammer of my criticism that by the ship of the sun for once alchiris shall be moved to laughter at the mark me good tuner up of tinkling foolishness I will so choose out and handle thy feeblest lines that they shall seem but the doggerel of a street ballot monger I will give so bald and epitome of this sickly love tale that it shall appeal to all who read my commentary the various trash that ever poet penned moreover I can most admirably misquote thee and distort thy meanings with such excellent bitter jesting that thou thyself shall scarcely recognize thine own production by the guy is shrine what a feast will be for my dilapidation and he rubbed his hands gleefully with what a weight of withering analysis I can pulverize this idol of newer homo into the dust and ashes of a common sense content while Sebastian's the spokes alumna had helped himself by way of refreshment to to ripe figs and whose luscious crimson pulp his white teeth met with all the enjoying zest of a child's healthy appetite he now held up the rind and stalks of these devoured delicacies and smiled thus without swallow up my poem in thy glib clumsiness Zabasti's he said lightly and thus with them hold up the most tasteless portions of the whole for the judgment of the public is the manner of thy craft yet see and with a dexterous movement of his arm he through the fruit peel through the window far out into the garden beyond there goes thy famous criticism and he laughed and those that taste the fruit itself that first hand will not soon forget its flavor nevertheless I hope indeed that thou wilt strive to slaughter me with thy blunt paper sword I do most merthfully relish the one sided combat in which I stand in silence to receive thy blows myself unhurt and tranquil as a marble god whom ruffians rail upon do I not pay thee to abuse me here thou crusty soul drink and be content and with a charming condescension he handed a full goblet of wine to his contankerous critic who accepted it ungraciously muttering in his beard the necessary words of thanks for his master's consideration then turning to theos the laureate continued and now my friend what does thou think of no harm so far hath it not a certain exquisite smoothness of rhythm like the ripple of a woodland stream clear winding through the reeds and is there not a tender witchery in the delineation of my maiden heroine so warmly fair so wildly passionate me think she doth resemble some rich flower of our tropic fields blooming at sunset and dead at moonrise the use waited a moment before replying truth to tell he was inwardly overcome with shame to remember how wantonly he had copied the description of this same norhama and plaintively he wondered how he could have unconsciously committed so flagrant of theft summoning up all his self-possession however he answered bravely thy work saluma is worthy of thyself need I say more thou hast most aptly proved thy claim upon the whole world's gratitude such lofty thoughts such noble discourse upon love such high philosophy we're in the deepest dearest dreams of life are grandly pictured in enduring colors these things are gifts to poor humanity whereby it must become enriched and proud thy name-bright soul shall be as a quenchless star on the dark brows of melancholy time men gazing there shall wonder and adore and even I the least among that friends may also win from the a share of glory for simply to know thee to listen to the heaven inspired utterance might bring the most renownless students some reflex of thine honor yes thou art great saluma great as the greatest of earth's gifted sons of song and with all my heart I offer thee my homage and pride myself upon the splendor of thy fame and as the eager enthusiastic words came from his lips he beheld solemn as beautiful countenance bright and more and more till it appeared mysteriously transfigured into a majestic angel face that for one brief moment startled him by the divine tenderness of its compassionate smile this expression however was transitory it passed and the dark eyes of the lawyer gleamed with a merely serene and affectionate complacency as he said I thank thee for thy praise good theos thou art indeed the friendliest of critics hath thou thyself been the author of Nur-Hama thou couldst not have spoken with more ardent feeling where as Abastis like thee discerningly just and reasonable he would be all unfit for his vocation for it is an odd circumstance that praise in the public news sheet does a writer more harm than good well ill conditioned and malicious abuse death very materially increase and strengthen his reputation yet after all there is a certain sense in the argument for if much eulogy be penned by the cheap scribes the reading populace at once imagine these fellows have been bribed to give their over zealous approval or that they are close friends and banquet comrades of the author whom they arduously uphold whereas on the contrary if they indulge in bitter invective flippant jibing or clumsy satire like my amiable Zabastis here and he made an eerie gesture toward the silent yet evidently chafing critic and mark you he is not bribed but merely paid fair wages to fulfill his chosen and profess calling why there upon the multitude exclaim what this poet hath such enemies nay then how great a genius he must be and forthwith they clamor for his work which if it speak not for itself is then and only then to be deemed faulty and meriting oblivion is the people's verdict which alone gives fame and yet the people are often ignorant of what is noblest and best in literature observe theos musingly ignorant in some ways yes agreed Saloma but in many others no they may be ignorant as to why they admire a certain thing yet they admire it all the same because their natural instinct leads them so to do and this is the special gift which endows the uncultured masses with an occasional sweeping advantage over the culture of view the superiority of their instinct as in cases of political revolution for example while the finally educated orator is endeavoring at all the force of art for rhetoric to prove that all is in order and as it should be the mob moved by one tremendous impulse discover for themselves that everything is wrong and moreover that nothing will come right unless they rise up and take authority accordingly down go the thrones and the colleges the palaces the temples and the law assemblies all like so many toys before this instinct of the people who revolt at injustice and who feel and know when they are injured though they are not clever enough to explain where their injury lies and so as they cannot talk about it coherently any more than a lion struck by an arrow can give a learned dissertation on his wound they act on the heat and fury of their action up heaves dynasties again reverting to the question of taste and literature the mob untaught and untrained in the subtleties of art will applaud to the echo certain grand and convincing home trues set forth in the place of the divine his spuros simply because they instinctively feel them to be truths no matter how far they themselves may be from acting up to the standard of morality therein contained the more highly cultured will hear the same passages unmoved because they in the excess of artificially gained wisdom have deadened their instincts so far that while they listen to a truth pronounced they already consider how best they can confute it and prove the same a lie honest enthusiasm is impossible to the over punctilious and pedantic scholar but on the other hand I would have it plainly understood that a mere brief local popularity is not fame no for the author who wins the first never secures the last what I mean is that a book or poem to be great and keep its greatness hereafter must be judged worthy by the natural instinct of peoples their decision I own may be tardy their hesitation may be prolonged through a hundred years but their acceptance whether it be declared in the author's lifetime or ages after his death must be considered final I would add more over that this worldwide decision has never yet been and never will be hastened by any amount of written criticism it is the responsive beat of the enormous pulse of life that thrills through all mind kind high and low gentle and simple its great measure yet if once it answers to a poet's touch that poet's name is may glorious forever he spoke with a rush of earnestness and eloquence that was both persuasive and powerful and he now stood silent and absorbed his dreamy eyes resting meditatively on the massive bust of the immortal personage he called his sparrows which smiled out in serene cold whiteness from the velvet shrine it occupied Theos watched him with fascinated and fraternal fondness did ever man possess so dulcet of voice he thought so grave and rich and marvelously musical yet thrilling with such heart-moving suggestions of mingle pride and plaintiveness though art a most alluring orator saluma he said suddenly me thinks I could listen to thee all day and never tire if faith could not I interpose about these grimly for when a bard begins to gavel goose-like platitudes which merely concern his own vocation the gods only know when he can be persuaded to stop natism or irksome far than the recitation of his professional jingle for to that there must in time come a merciful fitting end but as I live if it was my custom to say prayers I would pray to be granted the viability of a versifier's tongue and perchance it will not be considered out of my line of duty if I venture to remind my most illustrious and renowned master this with a withering sneer that if he has any more remarkable nothings to dictate concerning this particularly in a creation of his fancy Nur-Hama it will be well that we should proceed therewith for the hour's wax late and beareth toward his house of noon and he spread out fresh slips of papyrus and again prepared his long quill Saluma smiled as one who was tolerant of the whims of a hired buffoon and this time seating himself in his ebony chair was about to commence dictating his second canter when Theos yielding to his desire to speak aloud the idea that had just flashed across his brain said abruptly has it ever seemed to thee that there is a strange resemblance between thy imaginative description of the ideal Nur-Hama and the actual charms and virtues of thy strayed singing-made nefrada Saluma looked up thoroughly astonished and laughed, no barely I have not traced nor can I trace the smallest bestige of a similarity why good Theos there is none not the least in the world for this heroine of mine Nur-Hama loves in vain and sacrifices all even her innocent and radiant life for love as thou wilt hear in the second half of the poem moreover she loves one who is utterly unworthy of her faithful tenderness now nefrada is a child of delicate caprice she loves me me her lord and me thinks I am not negligent or undeserving of her devotion again she has the strength of spirit her timorous blood would freeze at the mere thought of death she is more prone to play with flowers and sing for pure delight of heart than perished for the sake of love it is an unequal similarly my friend as well compare a fiery planet with a twinkling dew drop as draw a parallel between the heroic ideal made Nur-Hama and my fluttering singing bird nefrada Theos sighed involuntarily but forcing a smile that the subject of Saluma taking up the thread of his poetical narrative went on reciting when the story began to ripen toward its conclusion he grew more animated rising he paced the room as he declaimed the splendid lines that now roll gloriously one upon another like deep mouth billows thundering on the shore his gestures were all indicative of the fervor of his inward ecstasy his eyes flashed his features glowed with that serene proud light of art and triumph that rests on the calm wide browse of the sculptured Apollo and Theos leaning one arm in a half sitting posture contemplated him with the curious sensation of wistful eagerness and passionate pain such as might be felt by some forgotten artists mysteriously permitted to come out of his grave and wander back to earth there to see his once rejected pictures hung in places of honor among the world's chief treasures a strange throb of melancholy satisfaction stirred his pulses as he reflected that he might now without any self conceit at least admire the poem since he had decided that was no longer his but in others he was free to bestow on it as much as he would have been stinting praise for it was very fine there could be no doubt of that whatever Zabastis might say to the contrary and it was not only fine but intensely humanly pathetic seeming to strike a court of passions such as had never before been sounded according to which the world would be compelled to listen yes compelled thought theos exultingly that saluma drew nearer and nearer the close of his dictation the deep quiet all around was so heavy as to be almost uncomfortable in its oppressiveness it exercised a sort of strain upon the nerves heart what was that through the hot and silent air swept a sullen surging noise as of the angry shouting of a vast multitude then came the fast and furious gallop of many horses and again that fierce resentful roar of indignation swelling up as it seemed from thousands of throats moved all three at once by the same instinctive desire to know what was going on theos saluma and Zabastis sprang from their different places in the room and hurried out on the marble terrace dashing aside the silken awnings as they went in order to better see the open glimpses of the city thoroughfares that lay below theos leaning far out over the western half of the balastrad was able to command a distant view of the great square in which the huge white granite obelisk occupied so prominent a position and fixing his eyes attentively on this spot saw that it was filled to overflowing with a dense mass of people whose white raimented forms pressed together in countless numbers swayed restlessly to and fro like the rising waves of a stormy sea lifted above this troubled throng one tall dark figure was distinctly against the dazzling face of the obelisk a figure that appeared to be standing on the back of the colossal line that lay couch and beneath and thus theos strained his sight to distinguish the details of the scene more accurately he suddenly beheld a glittering regiment of mountain men and armor charging straightly and with cruelly determined speed right into the center of the crowd apparently regardless of all habit to life and limb that might ensue involuntarily he uttered an exclamation of horror at what seemed to him so something and brutal enact when just then saluma caught him eagerly by the arm saluma whose soft oval countenance was brilliant with excitement in whose eyes gleamed a mingled expression of mirth and ferocity come come my friend he said hastily yonder is a sight worth seeing it is the mad coast rule who is thus entrenched and fortified by the mob as I live that sweeping gout of his majesty's royal guards is magnificent they will seize the prophet this time without fail I if they slay a thousand of the populace in the performance of their duty come let us hasten to the scene of action there will be a struggle I would not miss for all the world he sprang down the steps of the loggia accompanied by theos who was equally excited when all at once sabasties thrusting out his head through a screen of bind leaves cried after them saluma most illustrious what of the poem it is not finished no matter return saluma to be finished hereafter and he hastened on theos trading close in his footsteps and thinking as he went of the new enigma thus proposed to puzzle afresh the weary workings of his mind his poem of noor hama or rather the poem he had fancied was his have been entirely completed down to the last line now saluma's was left to be finished hereafter strange that he should find a pale glimmering of consolation in this a feeble hope that perhaps after all at some future time he might be able to produce a few a very few lines of noble verse that should be deemed purely original enough for chance to endow him with a faint far halo of diminished glory such as plotting students occasionally win by following humbly yet ardently even as he now followed saluma in the paths of excellence marked out by greater men end of chapter 23 chapter 24 of our death Marie Corelli this Lieberbach's recording is in the public domain the fall of the obelisk in less time than he could have imagined possible he found himself in the densely crowded square buffeting and struggling against an angry and rebellious mob who have resentful and have terrified had evidently set themselves to resist the determined charge made by the mounted soldiery into their midst for once saluma's appearance created no diversion he was pushed and knocked about as unceremoniously as if he were the commonest citizen of them all he seemed carelessly surprised at this but nevertheless took his hustling very good humoredly and keeping his shoulders well squared forced his way with the use of the sered ranks of people many of whom roused to a sort of frenzy through themselves in front of the advancing horses of the guard and seizing the reins held on to these like grim death reckless of all danger as yet no weapons were used either by the soldiers or the populace the former seemed for the present contented to simply ride down those who impeded their progress and that had done so in terrible earnest was plainly evident from the numbers of wounded creatures that lay scattered about on every side in an apparently half dying condition yet there was surely a strange insensibility to suffering among them all in as much as in spite of the contention and confusion there were no violent shrieks of either pain or fury no exclamations of rage or despair no sound whatever indeed save a steady, sullen monotonous snarl of opposition above which the resonant voice of the prophet Coase rule rang out like a silver clarion oh people doomed and made desolate he cried oh nation once mighty brought low to the dust of destruction hear me ye strong men and fair women poor little children who never again shall see the sun rise on the thousand domes of Alcarus lift up the burden of bitter lamentation lifted up to the heaven of heavens the throne of the all seeing glory the giver of law the destroyer of evil weep, weep for your sins and the sins of your sons and your daughters cast off the jewels of pride rend the fine raiment let your tears be abundant as the rain and dew kneel down and cry aloud on the great and terrible unknown god the god ye have denied and wronged the founder of worlds who doth hold in his hand the sun is a torch and scatters stars with the fire of his breath mourn and bend ye all beneath the iron stroke of destiny for know ye not how fierce a thing has come upon Alcarus a thing that lips cannot utter nor words define a thing more horrible than strange sounds in thick darkness more deadly than the lightning when it leaps from heaven with intent to slay oh city, stately beyond all cities thy marble palaces are already ringed round with a river of blood the temples of thy knowledge wherein thy wisemen have studied to exceed all wisdom begin to totter to their fall thou shalt be swept away even as a light heap of ashes shall all thy learning avail thee in that brief and fearful end hear me, O people of Alcarus hear me and cease to strive among yourselves resist not thus desperately the king's armed minions for to them I also speak and say lo, the time approaches when a stronger hand than that of the mighty Zepharonim shall take me prisoner and bear me hence where most I long to go peace I command you in the name of that god whose truth I do proclaim peace as he uttered the last word an instantaneous hush fell upon the crowd every head was turned toward his grand gaunt, almost spectral figure and even the mounted soldiery reigned up their plunging chafing steves and remained motionless as though suddenly fixed to the ground by some powerful magnetic spell Theos and Saluma took immediate advantage of this lull in the conflict to try and secure for themselves a better point of vantage though there was much difficulty in pressing through the closely packed throng in as much as not a man moved to give them passage room presently however Saluma managed to reach the nearest one of the two great fountains which adorned either side of the obelisk and springing as lightly as a bird on its marvel edge he stood erect there his picturesque form presenting itself to the view like a fine statue set against the background sun tinted foaming water that dashed high above him and sprinkled his garments with drops of sparkling spray Theos had once joined him and the two friends holding each other fast by the arm gazed down on the silent mighty multitude around them a huge concourse of the citizens of alkyris who strained as this part of their behavior seemed still paid no heed to the presence of their laureate but with pale wrapped faces and anxious frightened eyes riveted their attention entirely on the somber black garmented prophet who thin ghostly arms outstretched above them appeared to mutely invoke in their behalf some special miracle of mercy see you not whispered Saluma to his companion how young aged fool wears upon his breast the symbol of his own prophecy does the matters freak to thus display his death warrant only a month ago the king issued a decree warning all those whom it might concern that any one of his born subjects presuming to carry the sign of crows rules newly invented faith should surely die and that the crazed reprobate carries it himself makes no exemption from the rule Theos shuddered his eyes were misty but he could very well see the emblem to which Saluma alluded it was the cross again the same sacred argument of things to come according to the perplexing explanation given by the mystic cereal whom he had met in the passage of the tombs though to his own mind it conveyed no such meaning what was it then if not a prototype of the future was it a record of the past he dared not pursue this question it seemed to send his brain reeling on the verge of madness he made no answer to Saluma's remark but fixed his gaze at all melancholy shape that like a black shadow darkened the whiteness of the obelisk and his sense of hearing became acute almost to painfulness when once more coast rules deep vibrating tones peeled solemnly through the heavy air God speaks to Alcarus and as the prophet enunciated these words with majestic emphasis a visible thrill ran through the hushed assemblage God saith get the up of thou city the pleasure from thy couch of sweet wantonness get the up gird thee with fire and flee into the desert of forgotten things for thou art become a blot on the fairness of my world and a shame to the brightness of my heaven thy rulers are corrupt thy teachers are proud of heart and narrow in judgment thy young men and maidens go astray and follow each after their own vain opinions in thy great temples and holy places fall and vice holds court in thy glorious palaces wherefore because thou hast neither sought nor served me and because thou hast set up gold as thy God and a multitude of riches as thy chief good low now mine eyes have grown weary of beholding thee and I will descend upon thee suddenly and destroy thee even as a hill of sand is destroyed by the world wind and thou shall be known in the land of my creatures no more woe to thee that thou hast taken pride in thy wisdom and learning for therein lies thy much wickedness if thou were truly wise thou wouldst have found me if thou were nobly learned thou wouldst have understood my laws but thou art proved altogether gross foolish and incapable and the studies whereof thou hast boasted the writings of thy wise men the charts of sea and land the maps of thy chief astronomers the engraved tablets of learning the silver in ivory and stone thy chronicles of battle and conquest the documents of thine explorers in far countries the engines of thine invention whereabouts thou dost press the lightning into thy service and make the air respond to the messages of thy kings and counselors all these shall be thrust away into an everlasting silence and no man hereafter shall be able to declare that such things have ever been here the speaker paused and Theo surveying his guests listening crowds fancied they looked like an audience of moveless ghosts rather than human beings so still so pallid so grave were they one and all coast rule continued in softer more melancholy accents that while plaintive were still singularly impressive oh my ill-fated my beloved fellow countrymen he exclaimed extending his arms with a vehemently pleading gesture as though in the excess of emotion he would have his heart ye unhappy ones have I not given you warning have I not been ye beware of this great evil which you come to pass evil for which there is no remedy none neither in the earth nor the sea nor the invisible conference of the air for God has spoken and who shall contradict the thunder of his voice behold the end is at hand of all the pleasant things of alkyris the feasting and the musical assemblies the symbol is the labors of students and the triumphs of sages all these shall seem but the mockery of madness in the swift descending night of overwhelming destruction woe is me that ye would not listen when I called but turned every man to his own devices and the following after idols nay now what will ye do in extremity will ye chant hymns to the son though he is deaf and blind for all his golden glory and is but a taper set in the window of the sky to be extinguished at God's good pleasure will ye supplicate negaia oh fools and desperate how shall a brute beast answer prayer vain vain is all beseeching shut forever are the doors of escape therefore cover yourselves with the garments of burial prepare each one his grave and rich funeral things gather together the rosemary and myrrh the precious ointments and essences the strings of gold and the jewel whereby ye think to fight against corruption and fall down every man in his own wrought hollow in the ground face turned to earth and die for death have broken through the strong gates of alkyris and have taken the city magnificent captain unknowingly alias alias that ye would not follow wither I led that ye would not harken to the vision of the future dimly yet gloriously revealed the future the future suddenly in raising his eyes to the deep blue sky above him seemed for a moment as though he were caught up in the cloud of some wondrous dream still the enormous throng of people stood hushed and motionless not a word not a sound escaped them there was something positively appalling in such absolute immobility at least it appeared so to theos who could not understand this dispassionate behavior on the part of so large and lately excited a multitude all at once a voice marvelously tender clear empathetic trembled on the silence was it could it be the voice of coast rule yes but so changed so solemn so infinitely sweet that it might have been some gentle angel speaking like a fountain of sweet water in the desert or the rising of the moon in a gloomy midnight he said slowly even so is the hope and promise of the supremely beloved through the veiling darkness of the coming ages his light already shines upon my soul oh blessed advent oh happy future oh days when privileged humanity shall bridge by love the gulf between this world and heaven what shall it be said of him who cometh to redeem us oh my foreseeing spirit what shall it be told concerning his most marvelous beauty even as a dove that for pity of its helpless younglings death battle soft rusted with a storm even so shall he descend from out his glory sent paternal and teach us how to conquer sin and death I even with the meekness of a little child he shall approach and choose his dwelling here among us oh heavenly child a wisdom of God contained in innocence happy the learning that shall learn from the noble the pride that shall humble itself before by gentleness footnote the idea of a savior who should be born as man to redeem the world was prevalent among all nations and dates from the remotest ages coming down to what must be termed quite a modern period compared to that in which the city of Valkyrus had its existence we find that the Romans under Octavia Caesar were want to exclaim at their sacred meetings the times foretold by the civil are arrived may a new age soon restore that Saturn soon may the child be born who shall banish the world. Tacitus and Suetonius both mention the prophecies in the sacred books of the priests which declare that the east shall be in commotion and that men from Judea shall subject everything to their dominion Oh Prince of manhood and divinity entwined thou shall to quaint thyself with human griefs and patiently unravel the perplexities of human longings to prove that sacred sympathy was suffering thou shall to suffer to explain the mystery of death thou shalt even be content to die. Oh people of Valkyrus hear ye all the words that tell of this wonderful inestimable king of peace my aged eyes do see him now far far off in the rising mist of unformed future things the cross the cross on which his man's pure life dissolves itself in glory stretches above me in spreading beams of life to the glittering pathway in the skies upon men and the angels meet and know each other he is the strong and perfect spirit that shall break loose from death and declare the insignificance of the grave he is the lingering star in the east that shall rise and lighten all spiritual darkness the unknown unnamed redeemer of the world the man god savior that shall come shall come cried to you suddenly roused to the utmost pitch of frenzied excitement and pronouncing each word of vehemence nay for he has come he died for us and rose again from the dead more than 1800 years ago a frightful silence followed a breathless cessation of even the faintest quiver of sound the mighty mass of people apparently moved by one accord turned with swift stealthy noiselessness toward the audacious speaker thousands of glittering eyes were fixed upon him in solemnly inquiring wonderment while he himself now altogether dismayed the effect of his own rash utterance thought he had never experienced a more awful moment for it was as though all the skeletons he had lately seen in the passage of the tombs had suddenly clothed themselves with spectral flesh and hair and the shadowy garments of men and had advanced into broad daylight to surround him in their terrible lifeless ranks and wrench from him the secret of an after existence concerning which they were ignorant how ghostly and drear seemed that light of his delirious spancy a clammy dew broke out on his forehead he saw the blue skies the huge buildings in the square the obelisk the fountains the trees all whirling round him in a wild dance of the dizziest distraction when saluma's rich voice close to his ear called his wandering senses why men art thou drunk or mad and the laureate's face expressed a kind of sarcastic astonishment what a fool thou hast made of thyself good comrade by my so how shall by condition be explained to these open-mouthed stares below see how they gape upon the thou art most assuredly unnoticeable spectacle and yawn maniac prophet death evidently judged thee as one of his craft a fellow professional howler of marvels else he would scarcely deign to fix his eyes so obstinately on thy countenance nay barely thou dost out rival him in the strangeness of thy language what move thee to such frenzied utterance surely thou hast to stroke of the sun thy words were most absolutely devoid of reason as senseless as the jabber of an idiot to his own shadow on the wall theos was mute he had no defense to offer the crowd still stared upon him and his heart beat fast with a mingled sense of fear and pride fear of his present surroundings pride that he had spoken out his conviction boldly reckless of all consequences and this pride was the most curious thing to analyze because it did not so much consist in the fact of his having confessed his inward thought as that he felt he had gained some special victory in thus acknowledging his belief in the positive existence of the savior who formed the subject of coast rules prophecy full of a singular sort of self congratulation which yet had nothing to do with selfishness he became so absorbed in his own reflections that he started like a man brusquely aroused from sleep when the prophet's strong grave voice apostrophized him personally over the heads of the thong who in what art thou that does speak of the future as though it were the past as thou held converse with the angels and is past and future one with thee in the dream of the departing present and to me thou stranger to the city of alkyris has got taught thee the way to everlasting life again that awful silence made itself felt like a deadly chill on the sunlit air the quiet patient crowd seemed waiting in hush suspense for some reply which should be as a flash of spiritual enlightenment to leap from one to the other with kindling heat and radiance and they defied them all into a new and happier existence but now when theos most strongly desired to speak he remained dumb as stone being that he struggled against and contended with the invisible mysterious and relentless despotism that smote him on the mouth as it were and deprived him of all power of utterance his tongue was stiff and frozen his very lips were sealed trembling violently he gazed beseechingly at saluma who held his arm in a firm and friendly grasp and who apparently quickly perceiving that he was distressed and embarrassed undertook himself to furnish forth what he evidently considered a fitting response to co's rules of duration most venerable seer he cried mockingly his bright face radiant with mirth and his dark eyes flashing a careless contempt as he spoke short-sighted as thine own auguries if thou canst not at once comprehend the drift of my friend's humor he hath caught the infection of thy fanatic eloquence and like thee knows not of what he says moreover he hath good wine and sunlight mingled in his blood whereby he hath been doubtless moved to play adjust upon thee I pray thee he did not he is as free to declare thy prophecy is of the past as thou art to insist on us being of the future in both ways to his most foolish fallacy nevertheless continue thy entertaining discourse sir greybeard and if thou must need address thyself to any one soul in particular why let it be me for though thanks to my own excellent good sense I have no faith in angels nor crosses nor everlasting life nor any of the strange riddles wherewith thou seek us to perplex and bewilder the brains of the ignorant still am I laureate of the realm and ready to hold argument with thee yay until such time as these dumbfounded soldiers and citizens of Alcura shall remember their duty sufficiently to seize and take thee captive in the king's great name as he seized the deep side ran like the first sound of a rising wind among trees through the heretofore motionless multitude a faint dawning yet doubtful smile reflected itself on their faces and the unfamiliar shout broke feebly from their lips hail saluma let us hear saluma saluma look down upon them all in airy derision oh fickle terror stricken fools he exclaimed oh thankless and disloyal people what ye will see me now ye will hear me I but who shall answer for your obedience to my words nay is it possible that I your country's chosen chief minstrel should have stood so long among ye disregarded how comes your dull eyes and ears were fixed so fast upon young doted miscreant whose days are numbered me thought was but saluma's voice that could persuade ye to assemble thus in such locus-like swarms since when have the poet and the people of alkyris cease to be as one a vague muttering sound answered him whether of shame or dissatisfaction it was difficult to tell coast rules vibrating accent struck sharply across that muffled murmur the poet and the people of alkyris are further asunder than light in darkness he cried vehemently for the poet has been false to his high vocation and the people trust in him no more there was an instance hush a hush as it seemed of grieved acquiescence on the part of the populace and during that brief pause the osis heart gave a fierce bound against his ribs as though someone had suddenly shot at him with a poisoned arrow he glanced quickly at saluma but saluma stood calmly unmoved his handsome head thrown back his cynical smile on his lips and his eyes darker than ever with an intensity of unutterable scorn saluma saluma and the piercing reproachful voice of the prophet penetrated every part of the spacious square like a sonorous bell ringing over a still landscape a divine spirit of song pent up in gross clay was ever mortal more gifted than now in thee was kindled the white fire of heaven to thee were confided the memories of vanished worlds for thee god bad his nature where a thousand shapes are varied meaning the sun the moon the stars were appointed as thy servants for thou were born poet the mystically chosen teacher and consul of mankind what has thou done saluma what has thou done with the treasures bestowed upon thee by the all endowing angels how has thou used the talisman of thy genius to comfort the afflicted to to dethrone and destroy the oppressor to uphold the cause of justice to rouse the noblest instincts of thy race to elevate and purify the world alas alas thou has made thyself the idol of thy muse and thou being but perishable thy fame shall perish with thee thou has drowsed away thy manhood in the lap of vice thou has slept and dreamed when thou should have been awake and vigilant not I but thou shouldst have warned the people of their coming doom not I but thou shouldst have marked the threatening signs of the pregnant hour not I but thou shouldst have perceived the first faint glimmer of God's future scheme of glad salvation not I but thou shouldst have taught and pleaded and swayed by thy matchless scepter of sweet song the passions of thy countrymen hath thou been true to that first flame of thought within the o saluma how thy glory would have dwarfed the power of kings empires might have fallen cities and nations been absorbed in ruin and yet thy clear convincing voice rendered imperishable by its faithfulness should have sounded forth in triumph above the floundering rucks of time oh poet unworthy of thy calling how thou hast wantoned with the sacred muse how thou hast let her stainless feed into the mire of sensual hypocrisies and decked her with the trumpery jujaws of a meaningless fair speech how thou has caught her the virginal hair and made her chastity to scream for all thine own licentiousness thou shouldst have humbly sought her benediction thou shouldst have handled her with gentle reverence and patient ardor from her wise lips thou shouldst have learned how best to practice those virtues whose praise thou disdevasively proclaimed thou shouldst have shined her thrown her worshipped her and served her yea even as a sinful man may serve an angel who loves him how happy the man thus loved how fortunate the sinner thus permitted to serve who was he could there be anyone so marvelously privileged he wondered dimly an adult aching pain throbbed heavily in his bras it was a very singular thing to that he should find himself strongly and personally affected by Cole's rules addressed to Saluma yet such was the case so much so indeed he was able to serve an angel who loved him as a sinful man such was the case so much so indeed that he accepted all the prophets reproaches as though they applied solely to his own past life he could not understand his emotion nevertheless he kept on dreamily regretting that things were as Cole's rule had said that he had not fulfilled his vocation and that he had neither been humble enough nor devout enough nor unselfish enough to deserve the high and imperial name of poet round and round like a flying bird this troublesome idea circled in his brain he must do better in future he resolved supposing that any future remained to him in which to work he must redeem the past here he roused his mental faculties with a start and forced himself to realize that it was Saluma to whom the prophet spoke Saluma only Saluma not himself then straight where he became indignant on his friend's behalf why should Saluma be blamed Saluma was a poet a master singer of singers his fame must and should endure forever thus thinking he regained his composure by degrees and strove to assume the same air of easy indifference as that exhibited by his companion when again Coase rules declamatory tones thundered forth with an absoluteness of emphasis that was both startling and convincing hear me Saluma chief menstrual of alkyris hear me thou who hast willfully wasted the golden moments of never returning time thou art marked out for death death sudden and fierce as the leap of the desert panther on its prey death that shall come to thee through the traitor's speech of the evil woman whose beauty has sapped thy strength and rendered thy glory inglorious death that for thee alas shall be mournful and utter oblivion not shall it avail to thee that thy musical weaving of words have been graven seven times on tablets of stone and agate in ivory of golden white silks and porphyry and the unbreakable rose adamant none of these shall suffice to keep thy name in remembrance for what cannot be broken shall be melted with flame and what cannot be erased shall be buried miles deep in the bosom of earth whence it never again shall be lifted into the light of day I thou shall be forgotten forgotten as though thou hast never sung other poets shall chant in the world yet maybe none so well as thou other laurel and myrtle wreaths shall be given by countries and kings to bards unworthy of whom none perchance shall have thy sweetness but thou thou the most grandly gifted gift squandering poet the world has ever known shall be cast among the dust of unremembered nothings and the name of saluma shall carry no meaning to any man born in the coming hereafter for thou hast cherished within thyself the poison that withers thee the deadly poison of doubt through the nile of God's existence the accursed blankness of disbelief in the things of the life eternal wherefore thy spirit is that of one lost and rebellious whose best works are futile whose days are void of example and whose carelessly grasped torch of song shall be suddenly snatched from thy hand and extinguished in darkness God pardon the dying poet God give thy parting soul of chance of penance and of sweet redemption God comfort thee in that drear land God bring thee forth again from chaos to a nobler future sin burdened as thou art my blessing follows thee in thy last agony saluma fallen angel self-exiled from thy peers farewell the effect of these strange words was so extraordinarily impressive that for one instant the astonished and evidently affrighted crowd spressed round saluma eagerly staring at him in morbid fear and wonder as though they expected him to drop dead before them in immediate fulfillment of the prophet solemn valediction theos oppressed by an inward sickening sense of terror also regarded him with close and anxious solicitude but was almost reassured at the first glance never was a greater opposition offered to coast rules gloomy prognostications than that contained in the handsome glorious aspect at that moment his supple graceful figure alert with life his glowing face flushed by the sun in touch with that faintly amused look of serene scorn his glorious eyes brilliant as jewels under their drooping amorous lids and the regal poise of his splendid shoulders and throat as he lifted his head a little more heartily than an usual and glanced indifferently down from his foothold on the edge of the fountain at the upturned questioning faces of the throng all even to the careless balance and ease of his attitude betokened his perfect condition of health and the entire satisfaction he had in the consciousness of his own strength and beauty he seemed about to speak and raised graceful yet commanding gesture of one accustomed to the art of elegant rhetoric when suddenly his expression changed shrugging his shoulders lightly as who should say here comes the conclusion of the matter no time for further argument he silently pointed across the square while a smile dazzling yet cruel played on his delicately parted lips a smile the covert meeting of which was soon explained for all at once a brazen roar of trumpets split the silence into torn and discordant echoes the crowd turned swiftly and seeing who it was that approached rush hither and thither in the wildest confusion making as though they would have fled and in less than a minute a gleaming cohort of mounted and armed spearmen galloped furiously into the thick of the melee following these came a superb car drawn by six jet black horses that plunged in prance through the multitude with no more heed than if these groups of living beings have been mere sheeps of corn a car flashing from end to end with gold and precious stones in which towered the erect massive form of Zephyranum the king his dark face was ablaze with wrath tightly grasping the reins of his requisites he drew himself heartily upright and turned his rolling fierce black eyes indignantly from side to side on the scared people as he drove through their retreating ranks smiting down and mangling with the sharp spikes of his tall chariot reels men women and children without care or remorse till he forced his terrible passage out of the obelisk there he came to an abrupt standstill and lifting high his strong hand and brawny arm glittering with jewels he cried soldiers seize young traitors rebel ten thousand pieces of gold for the capture of coast rule there was an instant of hesitation not one of the populace stirred to obey the order then suddenly as they're released by their monarchs command from some mesmeric spell the before inactive mounted guards started into action cantered sharply forward and surrounded the obelisk while the arms spearsmen close together made a swift advance upon the venerable figure that stood alone and defenseless frankly awaiting their approach but there was evidently some unknown and mysterious force pent up within the prophet's feeble frame for when the soldiers were just about an arms length from him they seemed all at once troubled in the resolute and turned their looks away as though fearing to gaze to steadfastly upon that grand thought for countenance in which the eyes made young by inward fervor blazed forth with unearthly lustre beneath a silvery halo of tossed white hair Sepharonim perceived this touch of indecision on the part of his men and his black brows contracted in an ominous frown halt he shouted fiercely apparently to make it seem to the mob that the pause and the action of the soldiery was in compliance with his own behest halt bind him and bring him hither I myself slay him halt equitable voice discordantly sharp and wild halt thou also great Sepharonim for death bars thy further progress and coast rule manifestly possessed by some superhuman access of frenzy leap from his position on the back of the stone line and slipping agilely through the ranks of the startled spearmen and guards who were all unprepared for the suddenness and rapidity of his movements he sprang boldly on the edge of the royal chariot and there clung to the jeweled wheel looking like a gaunt aerial specter an ambassador of coming ruin the king speechless with amazement and fury dragged at his huge sword till he wrenched it out of its sheath raising it he whirled it round his head so that it gave a murderous hiss in the air and yet was his strong arm paralyzed that he forbore to strike Sepharonim coast rule in terms that were piercing and duller as the whistling of the wind among hollow reeds Sepharonim thou shall die tonight art thou ready art thou ready proud king ready to be made less than the lowest of the low hush hush and his agent phase took upon itself a ghastly greenish power hear you not the muttering of the thunder underground there are strange powers at work powers of the unduck earth and unfathomed sea hark out they tear at the stately foundations of alkyris flame it is already kindled it shall unwrap thee with more closeness for a nation robe almighty sovereign with more gloating fondness than the serpent twining arms of thy beloved listen Sepharonim listen here he stretched out his skinny hand and pointed upwards his eyes grew fixed in glass his throat rattled convulsively at that moment the monarch recovering his self-possession once more lifted his sword with direct and deadly aim but the prophet uttering a wild shriek caught at his descending wrist and gripped it fast see see he exclaimed you shall never need it where thou art summoned lo how young blood red letters blaze against the blue of heaven there it comes alkyris shall fall and the king shall die his dumb oracle speak and dead voices find tongue hark how they chant together the old forgotten warning when the high priestess is the king's mistress then fall alkyris fall alkyris I the city of a thousand palaces shall fall tonight oh night of desperate horror and thou oh king shall die and as he shrill the last word on the air with terrific emphasis he threw up his arms like a man suddenly shot and reeling back would fell heavily on the ground a corpse a great cry went up from the crowd the king leaned eagerly out of his car is the fool dead or feigning death he demanded addressing one of a group of soldiers standing near the officers stooped and felt emotionless body oh great king live forever he is dead sefer annan hesitated cruelty and clemency struggled for the mastery in the varying expression of his frowning face for cruelty concrete grasping his sword firmly he bent still further forward out of his chariot and with one swift keen stroke severed the lifeless prophet's head from its trunk and taking it up on the point of his weapon showed it to the multitude a smothered shuttering sigh that was half a groan ripple through the dense throng a sound that evidently added fresh irritation to the already heated temper of the haughty sovereign with a savage laugh he tossed his piteous trophy on the pavement where lay in a pool of its own blood the white hair about it stained rudderly and the still open eyes upturned as though in dumb appeal to heaven then without deigning to utter another word or to bestow another look upon the surrounding crowd of his disconcerted subjects he gathered up his courses reigns and prepared to depart just then the sun went behind a cloud and only a side beam of radiance shot forth pouring itself straight down on the royally a tired figure of the monarch and the headless body of coast rule and at the same time bringing into sudden and prominent relief the silver cross that glittered on the breast of the bleeding corpse and that seemed to mysteriously offer itself as the key to some unsolved enigma as if drawn by one strangely mutual attraction all eyes even those of Zephyronum himself turned instinctively toward the flashing emblem which appeared to burn like living fire on that perished mass of stiffening clay and there was a brief silence a pause during which theos who had watched everything with curiously calm interest such as maybe felt by a spectator watching the progress of a finely active tragedy became conscious of the same singular sensation he had already several times experienced namely that he had witnessed the whole of this scene before he remembered it quite well particularly that apparently trifling incident of the sunlight happening to shine so brilliantly on the dead man and his cross while the rest of the vast assemblage were in comparative shadow it was very odd his memory was like a wonderful art gallery in which some pictures were fresh of tint while others were dim and faded but this special tableau in the square of Valkyrus was very distinctly painted and brilliant and vivid colors on the somber background of his past recollections and he found the circumstance so remarkable that he was on the point of saying something to Saloma about it when the sun came out again in full splendor and it started steed started forward at a canter the king controlling them easily with one hand extended the other majestically by way of formal salutation to his people his tall muscular form was displayed to the best advantage the narrow jeweled fillet that bound his rough dark locks emitted a myriad scintillations of light his close fitting coat of mail woven from thousands of small links of gold set off his massive chest and shoulders to perfection as he moved along royally in his sumptuous car the effectiveness striking presence was such that a complete change took place in the before southern humor of the populace for seeing him thus alive and well in direct opposition to coast rules ominous prediction even as Saloma also stood unharmed in spite of his having been apostrophized as a dying poet the mob always fickle and always dazzled by outward show suddenly set up a deafening roar of cheering the palette view of terror vanished from faces that had but lately looked spectrally thin with speechless dread and crowds of servile petitioners and play some just began to press eagerly round their monarch's chariot when all at once a woman in the throne gave a wild scream and rushed away shrieking the obelisk the obelisk every eye was instantly turned toward the stately pillar of white granite that sparkled in the sunlight like an immense carbon jewel great heaven it was tottering to of a ship at sea one look sufficed and a frightful panic ensued a horrible brutish stampede of creatures without faith in anything human or divine save their own wretched personalities the king infected by the general scare urged his horses into furious gallop and dashed through the cursing swearing howling throng like an embodied whirlwind and for a few seconds nothing seemed distinctly visible but a surging mass of infuriated humanity fighting with itself for life the theos alone remained singularly calm his sole consideration was for his friend saluma whom he entwined with one arm as he sprang down from the position they had hitherto occupied on the brink of the fountain and made straight for the nearest of the six broad avenues that opened directly into the square saluma looked pale but was apparently unafraid he said nothing and passively allowed himself to be piloted by theos through the madly raging multitude which oddly enough parted before them a magically short interval they successfully reached a place of safety and they reached it not a moment too soon for the obelisk was now plainly to be seen lurching forward at an angle of several degrees strange muffled roaring sounds were heard at its base as though demons were digging up its foundations then seemingly shaken by underground tremors that began to oscillate violently a terrific explosion was heard as of the bursting of a giant bomb and immediately afterward a majestic monolith toppled over and fell with the crash of a colossal cannonade that sent its thunderous reverberation through and through the length and breadth of the city hundreds of persons were killed and wounded many of the amounted guards and spearmen who were striving to force a way of escape through the crowd were struck down and crushed palmel with their horses as they rode the desperate people trampled each other to death in their frenzied efforts to reach the nearest outlet to the river embankment but when once the obelisk all this turmoil was for an instant checked and the gasping, torn and bleeding survivors of the struggle stopped as it were to take breath and stared in blank dismay upon the strange room before them. Theo still holding sa luma by the arm with the protecting fondness of an elder brother guarding a younger gazed also at the scene with quiet sorrowfully wondering eyes for it meant something to him he was sure because it was so familiar yet he found it impossible to grasp the comprehension of that meaning it was a singular spectacle enough the lofty four-sided white pillar that had so lately been a monumental glory of Alcures had slid itself with the violence of its fall into two huge desolate-looking fragments which now lay one on each side of the square as though flung bitter by a titan's hand the great lion had been hurled from its position and overturned like a toy while the shield it had supported between its paws had entirely disappeared in minutely scattered atoms. The fountains had altogether ceased playing now and then a thin vaporous stream of smoke appeared to issue between the crannies of the pavement otherwise there was no visible sign of the mysterious force that had wrought so swift and sudden a work of destruction the sun shone brilliantly and over all the havoc beamed the placid brightness of a cloudless summer sky the most prominent object of all amid the general devastation and the one that fascinated Theo's more than the view of the destroyed monolith and the line was the uninjured head of the prophet Coase rule there it lay exactly between the sundered halves of the Apollus pale rays of light glimmered on its bloodstained silver hair and open glazed eyes a solemn smile seen graven on its wax and pallet features and at a little distance off on the breast of the back-robed headless corpse that remained totally uncrushed in an open space by itself among the surrounding heaps of slain and wounded glistened the cross like a fiery gen and all significant talisman that as he beheld it filled Theo's heart with a feverish craving an inexplicable desire mingled with remorse far greater than any fear instinctively he drew Saluma away away still keeping his wistful gaze fixed on that uncomprehended yet so recognized symbol till gradually the drooping branches of trees interrupted and shattered the vista and as he moved further and further backward closed their soft networking foliage like their closing curtain on the strange but awfully remembered scene shutting it out from his bewildered sight forever end of chapter 24 chapter 25 of our death by Marie Carelli this lever box recording is in the public domain a golden tress once clear of the square the two friends apparently became mutually conscious of the peril they had just escaped and coming to a sudden standstill they looked at each other in blank stupefied silence crowds of people streamed past them wandering hither and thither in confused cloudy masses some were groans and dire lamentations bearing away their dead and wounded others rushing frantically about beating their breasts tearing their hair calling on the gods and lamenting Coe's rule while not a few metered curses on the king Endeavour Nanon the name of Lycea coupled with heavy execrations was his from mouth to mouth which the overhearing began to foresee might serve as a likely cause for Saluma's taking offense and possibly resenting in his own person this public disparagement of the woman he loved therefore without more ado he roused himself from his momentarily dazed condition and urged his comrade on at a quick pace toward the safe shelter of his own palace where at any rate he could be kept out of the reach of immediate harm the twain walked side by side exchanging scarcely a word Saluma seemed in a manner stunned by the violence of the late catastrophe and the use was too busy with his own thoughts to speak on their way they were overtaken by the king's chariot it flew by with a glittering whirl and clatter amid sweeping clouds of dust through which the dark face of Zephyronum loomed out upon them like an almost palpable shadow as advantage Saluma stopped short and stared at his companion in utter amazement by my soul he exclaimed indignantly the whole world must be going mad just the first time in all my days of laureateship that Zephyronum have failed to reverently salute me as he passed and he looked far more perturbed than when the falling obelisk had threatened him with imminent destruction the use caught his arm with a quick movement of vexed impatience Tajman no matter he said hastily what a kings to thee thou who art an emperor of song these little potentates that wield earth's sceptres are as fickle in their moods as the very mob they are supposed to govern without Noah Zephyronum after had enough today to startle him out of all the custom rules of courtesy be assured of it his mind is like a ship at sea storm tossed and at the mercy of the winds thou canst not surely blame him that for once after so strange a turbulence and unwanted a disaster he hath no eyes for thee whose soul sweet mission is to minister to pleasure to minister to pleasure echoed Saluma petulantly nay have I done nothing more than this have thou already grown so disloyal a friend that thou wilt half repeat the jargon of yon dead fanatic coastal who dared to tell me I had served my art unfittingly have I not ministered to grief as well as joy two hours of pain and bitterness as well as to long days of ease and amorous streaming have I not eerie paused in a warm flush crept through the olive pallor of his skin his eyes grew plaintive and wistful and he threw one arm round the ose's neck as he continued no I after all this vain to deny I have hated grief I have loath the very suggestion of care I have thrust sorrow out of my sight as a thing vile and unwelcome and I have chosen to sing to the world of rapture more than pain inasmuch as me thinks humanity suffers enough without having its cureless anguish set to the music of a poet's rhythm to incessantly haunt and torture its already breaking heart say rather to soothe and tranquilize murmur to use more to himself than to his friend for suppressed sorrow is hardest to endure and when grief once finds apt utterance tis already half consoled so should the world's great singers tenderly proclaim the world's most speechless miseries and who knows but vexed creation being thus relieved to pent up woe may not take new heart of grace and comfort the words were spoken in a soft soto voce and saluma seemed not to hear he leaned however confidingly and affectionately against Theos' shoulder as he walked along and appeared to have speedily forgotten his annoyance at the recent sliding conduct of the king I marvel at the downfall of the obelisk he said presently it was rooted full ten feet deep in solitude maybe the foundations were ill-fitted nevertheless if history speaks truly it hath stood unchecked for two thousand years strange that it should be now hurled forth thus desperately I would anew the hidden cause many alas have met their death today pushed out of life in haste all unprepared when wonders where such souls have fled something there is that troubles me, me thinks I am more than half disposed to leave al-kiris for a time and wander forth into a world of unknown things with me quite theos' impetuously come with me saluma come now this very day I too have been warned of evil, evil undeclared yet close at hand from danger while time remains let us depart wither should we go and saluma pausing in his walk fixed his large soft eyes full on his companion as he put the question theos was mute covered with confusion he asked himself the same thing wither should we go he had no knowledge of that country that lay outside al-kiris he had no distinct remembrance of any other place than this in which he was all his past existence was as blotted and blurred as a child's spoiled and discarded copybook true he retained two names in his thoughts namely Ardaf and the past of Dario but he was hopelessly ignorant as to what these meant or how he had become connected with them he was roused from his distressful cogitation by saluma's voice speaking again half gaily half sadly nay-nay my friend we cannot leave the city we too alone and unguided for beyond the gates is the desert wide and bare with scarce flowing of cool water in many weary miles and beyond the desert is a forest gloomy and tiger-haunted we're in the footsteps of man have seldom penetrated to travel thus far we should need much preparation many servants many beasts of burden and many months provision moreover it is a foolish fancy cross my mind at best for what should I the laureate of al-kiris do in other lands besides my departure would indeed be the desolation of the city al-kiris fall when saluma no longer abides within it seawords the way lies open may be in days to come we twain may take ship and sail hence for a brief sojourn to those distant western shores once thou thou sayest not of them must assuredly have come I've often dreamed idly of a grey coast washed with dull rain and swalded in sweeping mist wherever and anon the sun shines through a country cheerless where a poet's fame like mine might ring as of the skies with light and stir the sleepy silence into song still the old said enough there were hot tears in his throat that choked his utterance he gazed up at the glowing sky above him it was a burning vault of cloudless blue in which the sun glared forth witheringly like a scorching mass of flame oh for the freshness of a grey coast washed with dull rain and swalded in sweeping mist such as saluma spoke of and what a strange sickening yearning suddenly filled his soul the unforgotten sonorous dash of the sea he drew a quick breath impressed his friend's arm with unconscious fervor why why could he not take this dear companion away out of possible peril away to those far lands dimly remembered yet now so completely lost sight of that they seemed to him but as a delusive mirage faintly discerned above the rising waters of lethal sighing deeply he controlled his emotion and forced himself to speak calmly though his voice trembled not now then but hereafter felt be my fellow traveler saluma will be a joyous time when we set free a present hindrance may journey through a myriad glorious scenes together sharing such new and mutual gladness that perchance we scarce shall miss the splendor valkyrus left behind meanwhile I would that thou could promise me one thing he repossed but seeing saluma's inquiring look went on in a low eager tone go not to the temple tonight myself from the sacrifice which though it be the law of the realm is nevertheless mere murderous barbarity and in as much as the king is wrathful I pray the avoid his presence saluma broken to laugh now by my faith good comrade as well as me for my head as demand such impossibilities absent myself from the temple tonight of all nights in the world winnowing to these late phenomenal occurrences in the city every one who is a repute and personal distinction will be present to assist at the service and offer petitions to the fabulous gods that happily supple seditious indignation may be averted my friend if only for the sake of custom I must be there or over I should be liable to banishment from the realm for so specially marked a breach of religious discipline and as for the king he is my puppet were he savage as a starving bear my voice could tame him and concerning his late parishionist was no doubt near heed of humor and thou shalt see him sue to me for pardon as only monarchs can sue to the bards who keep them in their thrones know as thou not that were I to string three stanzas of a fiery republican ditty and set it floating on the lips of the people that song would sing down zephyr on him from his royal estate more surely than the fury of an armed conqueror believe it we the poets rule the nation a rhyme has offed her power to kill a king neo smelt at the proud boast but made no reply as by this time they had reached the laureates palace and were ascending the steps that led into the entrance hall a young page advanced to meet them and dropping on one knee before his master held out a small scroll tied across and across with what appeared to be a thick strand of amber colored floss silk for the most illustrious chief of poets Saloma said the little lad keeping his head bent humbly as he spoke it was brought by the poets who wrote in haste and fear and air he could be questioned swift departed Saloma took the missive carelessly scarce the glance he got it and crossed the hall toward his own apartment Theo was following him on his way however he paused and turned round hasn't a father yet come home he demanded of the page who still lingered know my lord not have been seen or heard concerning her Saloma gave a petulant gesture of annoyance himself and allowed his eyes to rest more attentively on the packet just given him as he looked he uttered a slight exclamation Theo's hastened to his side what has happened Saloma has thou ill news ill news nay of a truth I know not and the laureate gazed up blankly into his friend's face but this and he touched the fair silk and substance that tied the scroll he held this is Nifrata's hair Nifrata's hair Theo's was too much surprised to then repeat the words mechanically while a strange pang shot through his heart as of inward shame or sorrow not can deceive me in the color of that gold went on Saloma dreamily as with careful somewhat tremulous fingers he gently loosened the twisted shining threads that were so delicately knotted together and smoothing them out to their full length displayed what was indeed a lovely dress of hair bright as woven sunlight with a rippling wave in it that like the tendril vine caught and wound about his hand as though it were a fond and feeling thing. See you not Theo's how warm and soft and shuddering a curl it is it clings to me as if it knew my touch as if it had remembered how many and many of time it had been drawn with its companions to my lips then kissed full tenderly how sad and desolate it seems thus severed and aligned he spoke gently yet not without a touch of passion entwined the fair tresses lingeringly found his fingers then with the air of one who is instinctively prepared for some unpleasing tidings he opened the scroll and perused his contents in silence as he read on his face grew very grave and full of pain and wondering regret quietly he passed the missive to Theo's who took it from his hand with a tremor of something like fear the delicately traced characters with which it was covered floated for a moment in a faint blur before his eyes then filled with tangible shape and meaning as follows to the ever worshiped and immortally renowned Saluma poet laureate of the kingdom of alchuris blame me not oh my beloved lord that I have left by dearest presence thus unwornedly forever staying no time to weary thee with my two fond and foolish tears and kisses of farewell I owe to thee the gift of freedom and while I thank thee for that gift I do employ it now to serve me as a sacrifice to love an emulation of upon the alters of my own desire for thou knowest I have loved thee oh Saluma not too well but most unwisely for what am I that thou should stoop to cover my unworthiness with the royal purple of thy poet passion what could I ever be save the poor trembling slave idolater of whose endearments thou must needs most speedily tire nevertheless I cannot steal this hunger of my heart this love that stings me more than it consoles and out of the very transport of my burning thoughts I have learned many and strange things things whereby I a woman feebled and unlessened have grasped the glimmering for knowledge of events to come events wherein I do perceive for thee thou chiefest among men some dark and threatening disaster when for I have great unto the most high gods that they will deign to accept me as thy hostage shoe misfortune and set me as a bar between thy life and dawning peril so that I long valueless may serve at least a while to avert doom from the who art unparagoned throughout the world thus I go forth alone to brave and pacify the wrath of the immortals call me not back nor weep for my departure thou will not miss me long to die for thee solemn as better than to live for thee for living I must needs be conquered by my sin of love and lose myself indeed but in the quiet afterwards of death no passion shall have strength to mar my faithful patient waiting of my soul on thine farewell thou at most heart of my recart thou only life of my frail life think of me sometimes if thou will but only as a flower thou didst gather once in some past have forgotten springtime a flower that as it slowly withered blessed the dear hand in whose warm clasp it died nefrada deers rose to Theos' eyes as he finished reading these evidently premeditated pathetic words that suggested so much more than they actually declared he silently returned the scroll to Saluma who sat very still thoughtfully stroking the long bright curl that was twisted round his fingers like a glittering strand of spun glass and he felt all at once so unreasonably irritated with his friend that he was even inclined to find fault with the very grace and beauty of his person the mere indolence of his attitude was for the moment provoking why art thou so immoved more sternly what hast thou done to nefrada to thus grieve her gentle spirit beyond remedy Saluma looked up like a surprised child done nay what should I do I have let her love me oh sublime permission he had let her love him he had condescendingly allowed her as it were to waste all the treasures of her soul upon him Theos stared at him in vague amazement while he apparently tired of his own reflections continued what more could she desire I never borrowed her from my presence nor checked the fervor of her greetings I wore the flowers she chose I listened to the song she sang and when she looked more fair than ordinary I stinted not the warmth of my caresses she was too meek and loving for my fancy no will save mine no happiness save in my company no thought beyond my pleasure one weary of such a fond excess of sweetness nevertheless her soul delight was still to serve me could I debar her from that joy because I saw there in some danger for her peace slave as she was I made her free and love how capriciously she plays with her late given liberty is always the way with women no man shall ever learn how best to please them she knew I loved her not as lovers love she knew my heart was elsewhere fixed and faded and if not withstanding this knowledge she still chose to love me then assuredly her grief is of her me thinks tis I who am most injured in this matter all the day long I have tormented myself concerning the silly maiden's absence while she sees by some crazed idea of new adventure has gone forth heedlessly scarce knowing with her her letter is the exalted utterance of an overwrought excited brain she has an all likelihood caught the contagion of superstitious alarm that seems just now to possess the whole city and she knows not of what she writes of what she needs to do to leave me forever as she says is out of her power for I will demand her back at the hands of Lysia or the king and no demand of mine has ever been refused or over with Lysia's aid her hiding place is soon and easily discovered how as theorists mechanically still surveying the beautiful calm features of the charming egotist whose nature seems such a curious mixture of loftiness and little miss she may have left the city no one can leave the city without this permission rejoin saluma tranquilly besides this though not see the black disk last night in Lysia's palace there was not a descent he had once remembered the strange revolving thing that had covered itself with brilliant letters at the approach of the high priestess anyway somewhat eagerly to hear the meaning of so singular an object explained the priest of the temple of Nagaya went on saluma are the greatest scientists in the world with the exception of the lately circle of mystics who it must be confessed to exceed them in certain new lines of discovery but sitting aside the mystic school which it behooves us not to speak of seeing it is condemned by law there are no men living more subtly wise in matters pertaining to aerial force and light phenomena than the servants of the secret doctrine of the temple all seeming marvelous things are to them mere child's play and the miracles by which they keep the multitude in mind are not by any means vulgar but most exquisitely scientific as for instance at the great New Year festival called by us the sailing forth of the ship of the sun which takes place at the commencement of the spring solstice a fire is kindled on the summit of the highest tower and a ship of gold rises from the center of the flames carrying the body of a slain virgin eastwards it is wondrously performed and I like others have gaped upon the splendor of the sun half credulous and holy dazzled for the ship death rise aloft with excellent statelyness plowing the air with as much celerity as sailing vessels plow the seas departing straight way from the watching eyes of thousands of spectators it plunges deeper so it seems into the very heart of the rising sun which death apparently absorb it in devouring flames of glory for never again death it return to earth and then can solve the mystery of its beautiful piece of jugglery and perfectly accomplished while as for oracles for note the phonograph was known and used for the utterance of oracles by one savon the asmonian a priest king of ancient Egypt that command and repeat their commands in every shade of tone from mile to wrathful there are only too many of these or over the secret of their manufacture as well known to all students of acoustic science but concerning the black disk in Lysias Hall it is a curiously piece of workmanship it corresponds with an electric wheel in the interior chamber of the temple where all the priests and flamans meet and sum up the entire events of the day both public and private condensing the same into brief hieroglyphs setting their wheel in motion they start a similar motion in the disk and the bright characters that flash upon it and disappear like quick silver are the reflection of the working electric wires which write what only Lysias is skilled to read from sunset to midnight these messages keep coming without intermission and all the most carefully concealed affairs of alkyris are discovered by the temple spies and conveyed to Lysias by this means whatever the news it is repeated again and again on the disk till she by rapidly turning it with a peculiar movement of her own causes a small bell to ring in the temple which signifies to her informers that she has understood all their communications and knows everything her inquisitorial system is searching and elaborate there is no secret so carefully guarded that the black disk will not in time reveal. Lysias listened wonderingly and with a sense of repugnance and fear he felt as though the beautiful priestess with her glittering robes and that dreadful jeweled eye upon her breasts were just then entering the room stealthily and rustling hither and thither like a snake beneath covering leaves she was an ever present temptation a bewildering snare and distracting evil was it not possible to shake her trail off the life of his friend and also to pluck from out his own heart the poison sting of her fatal terrible fascination a red mist swam before his eyes his lips were dry and feverish his voice sounded hoarse and faint in his own ears when he forced himself to speak again so thou dost think that wheresoever nefrada hath strayed Lysias confinder he said assuredly returns a limit with easy complacency I was swear that even at this very moment Lysias could restore her to my arms in safety then why suggest Atheos anxiously why not go forth and seek her now neither is time and saluma hath closed his languid lids and stretched himself lazily I would not have the child imagine I vexed myself too greatly for her unkind departure she must have space where into weep and repent her of her folly she is the strangest maiden and he brushed his lips slightly against the golden curly held she loves me and yet repulses all attempted passion I remember here his face grew more serious I remember one night in the beginning of summer the moon was round and high in heaven we were alone together in this room the lamps burned low and she nefrada sang to me her voice was full and with all cremulous her form bent to her ebony harp was soft and yielding as an iris stem her eyes turned upon mine seemed wonderingly to question me as to the worth of love or so I fancy the worth of love I would have taught it to her then in the rapture of an hour but seized with sudden foolish fear she fled leaving me dissatisfied and different and weary no matter when she returns again her mood will alter and though I love her not as she would faint be loved I shall find means to make her happy neighbor she speaks of dying said theos quickly wilt out constrain her back from death my friend old women speak of dying when they are love weary replied saluma with a slight smile defraud it will not die she is too young and fond of life the world is as a garden wherein she has but lately entered all ignorant of the pleasures that await her there it is an odd notion that she has a danger threatening me though also good theos art become full of omens and yet there is not a visible ill to trouble the fairness of the day he stepped out as he spoke from the terrace and looked up at the intense calm of the lovely sky theos followed him and stood leaning on the ballo straight among the blinds watching him with earnest half regretful half adoring eyes he meanwhile gathered a scarcely open white rosebud and loosening the tress of nefata's hair from his fingers allowed it to hang to its full rippling length then laying the flower against it he appeared dreamily to admire the contrast between the snowy blossom and shining curl many strange men there are in the world he sets softly lovers and fools who set priceless store on a rose and a lock of woman's hair i've heard of some who dying have held such trifles as chiefest of all their worldly goods and have implored that whereas their gold and household stuff can be bestowed freely on him who first comes to claim it the faded flower and the senseless dress may be laid on their hearts to comfort them in the cold and dreamless sleep from which they shall not wake again he sighed in his eyes darkened into deep and musing tenderness poets there have been to and are who would string many archantical on this soft severed lock and gathered blossom and many a quaint conceit could out myself contrive concerning it did i not feel more prone to tears today than menstrual sea can still believe it feels and he forced to laugh though his lashes were wet i the jewelry saw luma am for once most truly sad this dress of hair does seem to catch my spirit in a chain that binds me fast and draws me onward onward to someone for him i may not dare to see and as he spoke he mechanically wound the golden curl round and about the stem of the rose but in the fashion of a ribbon and placed the two entwined together in his breast they always looked at him wistfully but was silent he himself was too full of dull and melancholy misgivings to be otherwise than sad also instinctively he drew closer to his friend's side and thus they remained for some minutes exchanging no words and gazing dreamily out on the luxurious foliage of the trees and the wealth of bright blossoms that adorned the landscape before then thou art confident nefada will return questioned theos presently in a low turn she will return rejoin saluma quietly because she will do anything for love of me for love's sake she may die set theos saluma smile not so my friend for love's sake she will live end of chapter 25