the coming race(一个即临种族)-第35章
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up the world in which they dwell。 To…morrow the world will be dark to
me。〃 She drew me back into the room without waiting for my answer；
thence into the corridor； from which we descended into the hall。 We
passed into the deserted streets and along the broad upward road which
wound beneath the rocks。 Here； where there is neither day nor night； the
Silent Hours are unutterably solemn… the vast space illumined by mortal
skill is so wholly without the sight and stir of mortal life。 Soft as were
our footsteps； their sounds vexed the ear； as out of harmony with the
universal repose。 I was aware in my own mind； though Zee said it not；
that she had decided to assist my return to the upper world； and that we
were bound towards the place from which I had descended。 Her silence
infected me and commanded mine。 And now we approached the chasm。
It had been re…opened； not presenting； indeed； the same aspect as when I
had emerged from it； but through that closed wall of rock before which I
had last stood with Taee； a new clift had been riven； and along its
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blackened sides still glimmered sparks and smouldered embers。 My
upward gaze could not； however； 155penetrate more than a few feet into
the darkness of the hollow void； and I stood dismayed； and wondering
how that grim ascent was to be made。
Zee divined my doubt。 〃Fear not；〃 said she； with a faint smile； 〃your
return is assured。 I began this work when the Silent Hours commenced；
and all else were asleep； believe that I did not paused till the path back
into thy world was clear。 I shall be with thee a little while yet。 We do
not part until thou sayest； 'Go； for I need thee no more。'〃
My heart smote me with remorse at these words。 〃Ah！〃 I
exclaimed； 〃would that thou wert of my race or I of thine； then I should
never say； 〃I need thee no more。'〃
〃I bless thee for those words； and I shall remember them when thou art
gone；〃 answered the Gy； tenderly。
During this brief interchange of words； Zee had turned away from me；
her form bent and her head bowed over her breast。 Now； she rose to the
full height of her grand stature； and stood fronting me。 While she had
been thus averted from my gaze； she had lighted up the circlet that she
wore round her brow； so that it blazed as if it were a crown of stars。 Not
only her face and her form； but the atmosphere around； were illumined by
the effulgence of the diadem。
〃Now；〃 said she； 〃put thine arm around me for the first and last time。
Nay； thus； courage； and cling firm。〃
As she spoke her form dilated； the vast wings expanded。 Clinging to
her； I was borne aloft through the terrible chasm。 The starry light from
her forehead shot around and before us through the darkness。 Brightly
and steadfastly； and swiftly as an angel may soar heavenward with the soul
it rescues from the grave； went the flight of the Gy； till I heard in the
distance the hum of human voices； the sounds of human toil。 We halted
on the flooring of one of the galleries of the mine； and beyond； in the vista；
burned the dim； feeble lamps of the miners。 156 Then I released my hold。
The Gy kissed me on my forehead； passionately； but as with a mother's
passion； and said； as the tears gushed from her eyes； 〃Farewell for ever。
Thou wilt not let me go into thy world… thou canst never return to mine。
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Ere our household shake off slumber； the rocks will have again closed
over the chasm not to be re…opened by me； nor perhaps by others； for ages
yet unguessed。 Think of me sometimes； and with kindness。 When I
reach the life that lies beyond this speck in time； I shall look round for thee。
Even there； the world consigned to thyself and thy people may have rocks
and gulfs which divide it from that in which I rejoin those of my race that
have gone before； and I may be powerless to cleave way to regain thee as I
have cloven way to lose。〃
Her voice ceased。 I heard the swan…like sough of her wings； and saw
the rays of her starry diadem receding far and farther through the gloom。
I sate myself down for some time； musing sorrowfully； then I rose and
took my way with slow footsteps towards the place in which I heard the
sounds of men。 The miners I encountered were strange to me； of another
nation than my own。 They turned to look at me with some surprise； but
finding that I could not answer their brief questions in their own language；
they returned to their work and suffered me to pass on unmolested。 In
fine； I regained the mouth of the mine； little troubled by other
interrogatories；… save those of a friendly official to whom I was known；
and luckily he was too busy to talk much with me。 I took care not to
return to my former lodging； but hastened that very day to quit a
neighbourhood where I could not long have escaped inquiries to which I
could have given no satisfactory answers。 I regained in safety my own
country； in which I have been long peacefully settled； and engaged in
practical business； till I retired on a competent fortune； three years ago。 I
have been little invited and little tempted to talk of the rovings and
adventures of my youth。 Somewhat 157disappointed； as most men are；
in matters connected with household love and domestic life； I often think
of the young Gy as I sit alone at night； and wonder how I could have
rejected such a love； no matter what dangers attended it； or by what
conditions it was restricted。 Only； the more I think of a people calmly
developing； in regions excluded from our sight and deemed uninhabitable
by our sages； powers surpassing our most disciplined modes of force； and
virtues to which our life； social and political； becomes antagonistic in
proportion as our civilisation advances；… the more devoutly I pray that ages
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may yet elapse before there emerge into sunlight our inevitable destroyers。
Being； however； frankly told by my physician that I am afflicted by a
complaint which； though it gives little pain and no perceptible notice of its
encroachments； may at any moment be fatal； I have thought it my duty to
my fellow…men to place on record these forewarnings of The Coming
Race。
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