The dryad 树精

THEDRYAD树精

WEaretravellingtoParistotheExhibition.Nowwearethere.Thatwasajourney,aflightwithoutmagic.Weflewonthewingsofsteamovertheseaandacrosstheland.Yes,ourtimeisthetimeoffairytales.WeareinthemidstofParis,inagreathotel.Bloomingflowersornamentthestaircases,andsoftcarpetsthefloors.
Ourroomisaverycosyone,andthroughtheopenbalconydoorwehaveaviewofagreatsquare.Springlivesdownthere;ithascometoParis,andarrivedatthesametimewithus.Ithascomeintheshapeofagloriousyoungchestnuttree,withdelicateleavesnewlyopened.Howthetreegleams,dressedinitsspringgarb,beforealltheothertreesintheplace!Oneoftheselatterhadbeenstruckoutofthelistoflivingtrees.Itliesonthegroundwithrootsexposed.Ontheplacewhereitstood,theyoungchestnuttreeistobeplanted,andtoflourish.
ItstillstandstoweringaloftontheheavywagonwhichhasbroughtitthismorningadistanceofseveralmilestoParis.Foryearsithadstoodthere,intheprotectionofamightyoaktree,underwhichtheoldvenerableclergymanhadoftensat,withchildrenlisteningtohisstories.
Theyoungchestnuttreehadalsolistenedtothestories;fortheDryadwholivedinitwasachildalso.Sherememberedthetimewhenthetreewassolittlethatitonlyprojectedashortwayabovethegrassandfernsaround.Thesewereastallastheywouldeverbe;butthetreegreweveryyear,andenjoyedtheairandthesunshine,anddrankthedewandtherain.Severaltimesitwasalso,asitmustbe,wellshakenbythewindandtherain;forthatisapartofeducation.
TheDryadrejoicedinherlife,andrejoicedinthesunshine,andthesingingofthebirds;butshewasmostrejoicedathumanvoices;sheunderstoodthelanguageofmenaswellassheunderstoodthatofanimals.
Butterflies,cockchafers,dragon-flies,everythingthatcouldflycametopayavisit.Theycouldalltalk.Theytoldofthevillage,ofthevineyard,oftheforest,oftheoldcastlewithitsparksandcanalsandponds.Downinthewaterdweltalsolivingbeings,which,intheirway,couldflyunderthewaterfromoneplacetoanother-beingswithknowledgeanddelineation.Theysaidnothingatall;theyweresoclever!
Andtheswallow,whohaddived,toldabouttheprettylittlegoldfish,ofthethickturbot,thefatbrill,andtheoldcarp.Theswallowcoulddescribeallthatverywell,but,"Selfistheman,"shesaid."Oneoughttoseethesethingsone’sself."ButhowwastheDryadevertoseesuchbeings?
Shewasobligedtobesatisfiedwithbeingabletolookoverthebeautifulcountryandseethebusyindustryofmen.
Itwasglorious;butmostgloriousofallwhentheoldclergymansatundertheoaktreeandtalkedofFrance,andofthegreatdeedsofhersonsanddaughters,whosenameswillbementionedwithadmirationthroughalltime.
ThentheDryadheardoftheshepherdgirl,JoanofArc,andofCharlotteCorday;sheheardaboutHenrytheFourth,andNapoleontheFirst;sheheardnameswhoseechosoundsintheheartsofthepeople.
Thevillagechildrenlistenedattentively,andtheDryadnolessattentively;shebecameaschool-childwiththerest.
Inthecloudsthatwentsailingbyshesaw,picturebypicture,everythingthatsheheardtalkedabout.Thecloudyskywasherpicture-book.
ShefeltsohappyinbeautifulFrance,thefruitfullandofgenius,withthecrateroffreedom.Butinherheartthestingremainedthatthebird,thateveryanimalthatcouldfly,wasmuchbetteroffthanshe.Eventheflycouldlookaboutmoreintheworld,farbeyondtheDryad’shorizon.
Francewassogreatandsoglorious,butshecouldonlylookacrossalittlepieceofit.Thelandstretchedout,world-wide,withvineyards,forestsandgreatcities.OfallthesePariswasthemostsplendidandthemightiest.Thebirdscouldgetthere;butshe,never!
Amongthevillagechildrenwasalittleragged,poorgirl,butaprettyonetolookat.Shewasalwayslaughingorsingingandtwiningredflowersinherblackhair.
"Don’tgotoParis!"theoldclergymanwarnedher."Poorchild!ifyougothere,itwillbeyourruin."
Butshewentforallthat.
TheDryadoftenthoughtofher;forshehadthesamewish,andfeltthesamelongingforthegreatcity.
TheDryad’streewasbearingitsfirstchestnutblossoms;thebirdsweretwitteringroundtheminthemostbeautifulsunshine.Thenastatelycarriagecamerollingalongthatway,andinitsatagrandladydrivingthespirited,light-footedhorses.Onthebackseatalittlesmartgroombalancedhimself.TheDryadknewthelady,andtheoldclergymanknewheralso.Heshookhisheadgravelywhenhesawher,andsaid:"Soyouwentthereafterall,anditwasyourruin,poorMary!"
"Thatonepoor?"thoughttheDryad."No;shewearsadressfitforacountess"(shehadbecomeoneinthecityofmagicchanges)."Oh,ifIwereonlythere,amidallthesplendorandpomp!Theyshineupintotheverycloudsatnight;whenIlookup,Icantellinwhatdirectionthetownlies."TowardsthatdirectiontheDryadlookedeveryevening.Shesawinthedarknightthegleamingcloudonthehorizon;intheclearmoonlightnightsshemissedthesailingclouds,whichshowedherpicturesofthecityandpicturesfromhistory.
Thechildgraspsatthepicture-books,theDryadgraspedatthecloud-world,herthought-book.Asudden,cloudlessskywasforherablankleaf;andforseveraldaysshehadonlyhadsuchleavesbeforeher.
Itwasinthewarmsummer-time:notabreezemovedthroughtheglowinghotdays.Everyleaf,everyflower,layasifitweretorpid,andthepeopleseemedtorpid,too.
Thenthecloudsaroseandcoveredtheregionroundaboutwherethegleamingmistannounced"HereliesParis."
Thecloudspiledthemselvesuplikeachainofmountains,hurriedonthroughtheair,andspreadthemselvesabroadoverthewholelandscape,asfarastheDryad’seyecouldreach.
Likeenormousblue-blackblocksofrock,thecloudslaypiledoveroneanother.Gleamsoflightningshotforthfromthem.
"ThesealsoaretheservantsoftheLordGod,"theoldclergymanhadsaid.Andtherecameabluishdazzlingflashoflightning,alightingupasifofthesunitself,whichcouldburstblocksofrockasunder.Thelightningstruckandsplittotherootstheoldvenerableoak.Thecrownfellasunder.Itseemedasifthetreewerestretchingforthitsarmstoclaspthemessengersofthelight.
Nobronzecannoncansoundoverthelandatthebirthofaroyalchildasthethundersoundedatthedeathoftheoldoak.Therainstreameddown;arefreshingwindwasblowing;thestormhadgoneby,andtherewasquiteaholidayglowonallthings.Theoldclergymanspokeafewwordsforhonorableremembrance,andapaintermadeadrawing,asalastingrecordofthetree.
"Everythingpassesaway,"saidtheDryad,"passesawaylikeacloud,andnevercomesback!"
Theoldclergyman,too,didnotcomeback.Thegreenroofofhisschoolwasgone,andhisteaching-chairhadvanished.
Thechildrendidnotcome;butautumncame,andwintercame,andthenspringalso.InallthischangeofseasonstheDryadlookedtowardtheregionwhere,atnight,Parisgleamedwithitsbrightmistfaronthehorizon.
Forthfromthetownrushedengineafterengine,trainaftertrain,whistlingandscreamingatallhoursintheday.
Intheevening,towardsmidnight,atdaybreak,andallthedaythrough,camethetrains.Outofeachone,andintoeachone,streamedpeoplefromthecountryofeveryking.AnewwonderoftheworldhadsummonedthemtoParis.
Inwhatformdidthiswonderexhibititself?"Asplendidblossomofartandindustry,"saidone,"hasunfoldeditselfintheChampdeMars,agiganticsunflower,fromwhosepetalsonecanlearngeographyandstatistics,andcanbecomeaswiseasalordmayor,andraiseone’sselftothelevelofartandpoetry,andstudythegreatnessandpowerofthevariouslands."
"Afairytaleflower,"saidanother,"amany-coloredlotus-plant,whichspreadsoutitsgreenleaveslikeavelvetcarpetoverthesand.Theopeningspringhasbroughtitforth,thesummerwillseeitinallitssplendor,theautumnwindswillsweepitaway,sothatnotaleaf,notafragmentofitsrootshallremain."
InfrontoftheMilitarySchoolextendsintimeofpeacethearenaofwar-afieldwithoutabladeofgrass,apieceofsandysteppe,asifcutoutoftheDesertofAfrica,whereFataMorganadisplaysherwondrousairycastlesandhanginggardens.IntheChampdeMars,however,theseweretobeseenmoresplendid,morewonderfulthanintheEast,forhumanarthadconvertedtheairydeceptivescenesintoreality.
"TheAladdin’sPalaceofthepresenthasbeenbuilt,"itwassaid."Daybyday,hourbyhour,itunfoldsmoreofitswonderfulsplendor."
Theendlesshallsshineinmarbleandmanycolors."MasterBloodless"heremoveshislimbsofsteelandironinthegreatcircularhallofmachinery.Worksofartinmetal,instone,inGobelinstapestry,announcethevitalityofmindthatisstirringineveryland.Hallsofpaintings,splendorofflowers,everythingthatmindandskillcancreateintheworkshopoftheartisan,hasbeenplacedhereforshow.Eventhememorialsofancientdays,outofoldgravesandturf-moors,haveappearedatthisgeneralmeeting.
Theoverpoweringgreatvariegatedwholemustbedividedintosmallportions,andpressedtogetherlikeaplaything,ifitistobeunderstoodanddescribed.
LikeagreattableonChristmasEve,theChampdeMarscarriedawonder-castleofindustryandart,andaroundthisknickknacksfromallcountrieshadbeenranged,knickknacksonagrandscale,foreverynationfoundsomeremembranceofhome.
HerestoodtheroyalpalaceofEgypt,therethecaravanseraiofthedesertland.TheBedouinhadquittedhissunnycountry,andhastenedbyonhiscamel.HerestoodtheRussianstables,withthefieryglorioushorsesofthesteppe.
Herestoodthesimplestraw-thatcheddwellingoftheDanishpeasant,withtheDannebrogflag,nexttoGustavusVasa’swoodenhousefromDalarne,withitswonderfulcarvings.
Americanhuts,Englishcottages,Frenchpavilions,kiosks,theatres,churches,allstrewnaround,andbetweenthemthefreshgreenturf,theclearspringingwater,bloomingbushes,raretrees,hothouses,inwhichonemightfancyone’sselftransportedintothetropicalforest;wholegardensbroughtfromDamascus,andbloomingunderoneroof.Whatcolors,whatfragrance!
Artificialgrottoessurroundedbodiesoffreshorsaltwater,andgaveaglimpseintotheempireofthefishes;thevisitorseemedtowanderatthebottomofthesea,amongfishesandpolypi.
"Allthis,"theysaid,"theChampdeMarsoffers;"andaroundthegreatrichly-spreadtablethecrowdofhumanbeingsmoveslikeabusyswarmofants,onfootorinlittlecarriages,fornotallfeetareequaltosuchafatiguingjourney.
Hithertheyswarmfrommorningtilllateintheevening.Steameraftersteamer,crowdedwithpeople,glidesdowntheSeine.Thenumberofcarriagesiscontinuallyontheincrease.Theswarmofpeopleonfootandonhorsebackgrowsmoreandmoredense.Carriagesandomnibusesarecrowded,stuffedandembroideredwithpeople.Allthesetributarystreamsflowinonedirection-towardstheExhibition.OneveryentrancetheflagofFranceisdisplayed;aroundtheworld’sbazaarwavetheflagsofallnations.Thereisahummingandamurmuringfromthehallofthemachines;fromthetowersthemelodyofthechimesisheard;withthetonesoftheorgansinthechurchesminglethehoarsenasalsongsfromthecafesoftheEast.ItisakingdomofBabel,awonderoftheworld!
Inverytruthitwas.That’swhatallthereportssaid,andwhodidnothearthem?TheDryadkneweverythingthatistoldhereofthenewwonderinthecityofcities.
"Flyaway,yebirds!flyawaytosee,andthencomebackandtellme,"saidtheDryad.
Thewishbecameanintensedesire-becametheonethoughtofalife.Then,inthequietsilentnight,whilethefullmoonwasshining,theDryadsawasparkflyoutofthemoon’sdisc,andfalllikeashootingstar.Andbeforethetree,whoseleaveswavedtoandfroasiftheywerestirredbyatempest,stoodanoble,mighty,andgrandfigure.Intonesthatwereatoncerichandstrong,likethetrumpetoftheLastJudgmentbiddingfarewelltolifeandsummoningtothegreataccount,itsaid:"Thoushaltgotothecityofmagic;thoushalttakerootthere,andenjoythemightyrushingbreezes,theairandthesunshinethere.Butthetimeofthylifeshallthenbeshortened;thelineofyearsthatawaitedtheehereamidthefreenatureshallshrinktobutasmalltale.PoorDryad!Itshallbethydestruction.Thyyearningandlongingwillincrease,thydesirewillgrowmorestormy,thetreeitselfwillbeasaprisontothee,thouwiltquitthycellandgiveupthynaturetoflyoutandmingleamongmen.Thentheyearsthatwouldhavebelongedtotheewillbecontractedtohalfthespanoftheephemeralfly,thatlivesbutaday:onenight,andthylife-tapershallbeblownout-theleavesofthetreewillwitherandbeblownaway,tobecomegreenneveragain!"
Thusthewordssounded.Andthelightvanishedaway,butnotthelongingoftheDryad.Shetrembledinthewildfeverofexpectation.
"Ishallgothere!"shecried,rejoicingly."Lifeisbeginningandswellslikeacloud;nobodyknowswhitheritishastening."
Whenthegraydawnaroseandthemoonturnedpaleandthecloudsweretintedred,thewished-forhourstruck.Thewordsofpromisewerefulfilled.
Peopleappearedwithspadesandpoles;theydugroundtherootsofthetree,deeperanddeeper,andbeneathit.Awagonwasbroughtout,drawnbymanyhorses,andthetreewasliftedup,withitsrootsandthelumpsofearththatadheredtothem;mattingwasplacedaroundtheroots,asthoughthetreehaditsfeetinawarmbag.Andnowthetreewasliftedonthewagonandsecuredwithchains.Thejourneybegan-thejourneytoParis.TherethetreewastogrowasanornamenttothecityofFrenchglory.
Thetwigsandtheleavesofthechestnuttreetrembledinthefirstmomentsofitsbeingmoved;andtheDryadtrembledinthepleasurablefeelingofexpectation.
"Away!away!"itsoundedineverybeatofherpulse.
"Away!away"soundedinwordsthatflewtremblingalong.TheDryadforgottobidfarewelltotheregionsofhome;shethoughtnotofthewavinggrassandoftheinnocentdaisies,whichhadlookeduptoherastoagreatlady,ayoungPrincessplayingatbeingashepherdessoutintheopenair.
Thechestnuttreestooduponthewagon,andnoddedhisbranches;whetherthismeant"farewell"or"forward,"theDryadknewnot;shedreamedonlyofthemarvellousnewthings,thatseemedyetsofamiliar,andthatweretounfoldthemselvesbeforeher.Nochild’sheartrejoicingininnocence-noheartwhoseblooddancedwithpassion-hadsetoutonthejourneytoParismorefullofexpectationthanshe.
Her"farewell"soundedinthewords"Away!away!"Thewheelsturned;thedistantapproached;thepresentvanished.Theregionwaschanged,evenasthecloudschange.Newvineyards,forests,villages,villasappeared-camenearer-vanished!
Thechestnuttreemovedforward,andtheDryadwentwithit.Steam-engineaftersteam-enginerushedpast,sendingupintotheairvaporyclouds,thatformedfigureswhichtoldofParis,whencetheycame,andwhithertheDryadwasgoing.
Everythingaroundknewit,andmustknowwhithershewasbound.Itseemedtoherasifeverytreeshepassedstretchedoutitsleavestowardsher,withtheprayer-"Takemewithyou!takemewithyou!"foreverytreeenclosedalongingDryad.
Whatchangesduringthisflight!Housesseemedtoberisingoutoftheearth-moreandmore-thickerandthicker.
Thechimneysroselikeflower-potsrangedsidebyside,orinrowsoneabovetheother,ontheroofs.Greatinscriptionsinlettersayardlong,andfiguresinvariouscolors,coveringthewallsfromcornicetobasement,camebrightlyout.
"WheredoesParisbegin,andwhenshallIbethere?"askedtheDryad.
Thecrowdofpeoplegrew;thetumultandthebustleincreased;carriagefolloweduponcarriage;peopleonfootandpeopleonhorsebackweremingledtogether;allaroundwereshopsonshops,musicandsong,cryingandtalking.
TheDryad,inhertree,wasnowinthemidstofParis.Thegreatheavywagonallatoncestoppedonalittlesquareplantedwithtrees.Thehighhousesaroundhadallofthembalconiestothewindows,fromwhichtheinhabitantslookeddownupontheyoungfreshchestnuttree,whichwascomingtobeplantedhereasasubstituteforthedeadtreethatlaystretchedontheground.
Thepassers-bystoodstillandsmiledinadmirationofitspurevernalfreshness.Theoldertrees,whosebudswerestillclosed,whisperedwiththeirwavingbranches,"Welcome!welcome!"Thefountain,throwingitsjetofwaterhighupintheair,toletitfallagaininthewidestonebasin,toldthewindtosprinklethenew-comerwithpearlydrops,asifitwishedtogivehimarefreshingdraughttowelcomehim.
TheDryadfelthowhertreewasbeingliftedfromthewagontobeplacedinthespotwhereitwastostand.Therootswerecoveredwithearth,andfreshturfwaslaidontop.Bloomingshrubsandflowersinpotswererangedaround;andthusalittlegardenaroseinthesquare.Thetreethathadbeenkilledbythefumesofgas,thesteamofkitchens,andthebadairofthecity,wasputuponthewagonanddrivenaway.Thepassers-bylookedon.Childrenandoldmensatuponthebench,andlookedatthegreentree.
Andwewhoaretellingthisstorystooduponabalcony,andlookeddownuponthegreenspringsightthathadbeenbroughtinfromthefreshcountryair,andsaid,whattheoldclergymanwouldhavesaid,"PoorDryad!"
"Iamhappy!Iamhappy!"theDryadcried,rejoicing;"andyetIcannotrealize,cannotdescribewhatIfeel.EverythingisasIfanciedit,andyetasIdidnotfancyit."
Thehousesstoodthere,solofty,soclose!Thesunlightshoneononlyoneofthewalls,andthatonewasstuckoverwithbillsandplacards,beforewhichthepeoplestoodstill;andthismadeacrowd.
Carriagesrushedpast,carriagesrolledpast;lightonesandheavyonesmingledtogether.Omnibuses,thoseover-crowdedmovinghouses,camerattlingby;horsemengallopedamongthem;evencartsandwagonsassertedtheirrights.
TheDryadaskedherselfifthesehigh-grownhouses,whichstoodsoclosearoundher,wouldnotremoveandtakeothershapes,likethecloudsinthesky,anddrawaside,sothatshemightcastaglanceintoParis,andoverit.NotreDamemustshowitself,theVendomeColumn,andthewondrousbuildingwhichhadcalledandwasstillcallingsomanystrangerstothecity.
Butthehousesdidnotstirfromtheirplaces.Itwasyetdaywhenthelampswerelit.Thegas-jetsgleamedfromtheshops,andshoneevenintothebranchesofthetrees,sothatitwaslikesunlightinsummer.Thestarsabovemadetheirappearance,thesametowhichtheDryadhadlookedupinherhome.Shethoughtshefeltaclearpurestreamofairwhichwentforthfromthem.Shefeltherselfliftedupandstrengthened,andfeltanincreasedpowerofseeingthrougheveryleafandthrougheveryfibreoftheroot.Amidallthenoiseandtheturmoil,thecolorsandthelights,sheknewherselfwatchedbymildeyes.
Fromthesidestreetssoundedthemerrynotesoffiddlesandwindinstruments.Up!tothedance,tothedance!tojollityandpleasure!thatwastheirinvitation.Suchmusicitwas,thathorses,carriages,trees,andhouseswouldhavedanced,iftheyhadknownhow.ThecharmofintoxicatingdelightfilledthebosomoftheDryad.
"Howglorious,howsplendiditis!"shecried,rejoicingly."NowIaminParis!"
Thenextdaythatdawned,thenextnightthatfell,offeredthesamespectacle,similarbustle,similarlife;changing,indeed,yetalwaysthesame;andthusitwentonthroughthesequenceofdays.
"NowIknoweverytree,everyfloweronthesquarehere!Iknoweveryhouse,everybalcony,everyshopinthisnarrowcut-offcorner,whereIamdeniedthesightofthisgreatmightycity.Wherearethearchesoftriumph,theBoulevards,thewondrousbuildingoftheworld?Iseenothingofallthis.
Asifshutupinacage,Istandamongthehighhouses,whichInowknowbyheart,withtheirinscriptions,signs,andplacards;allthepaintedconfectionery,thatisnolongertomytaste.WhereareallthethingsofwhichIheard,forwhichIlonged,andforwhosesakeIwantedtocomehither?whathaveIseized,found,won?IfeelthesamelongingIfeltbefore;IfeelthatthereisalifeIshouldwishtograspandtoexperience.Imustgooutintotheranksoflivingmen,andmingleamongthem.Imustflyaboutlikeabird.Imustseeandfeel,andbecomehumanaltogether.Imustenjoytheonehalf-day,insteadofvegetatingforyearsinevery-daysamenessandweariness,inwhichIbecomeill,andatlastsinkanddisappearlikethedewonthemeadows.Iwillgleamlikethecloud,gleaminthesunshineoflife,lookoutoverthewholelikethecloud,andpassawaylikeit,nooneknowethwhither."ThussighedtheDryad;andsheprayed:"Takefrommetheyearsthatweredestinedforme,andgivemebuthalfofthelifeoftheephemeralfly!Delivermefrommyprison!Givemehumanlife,humanhappiness,onlyashortspan,onlytheonenight,ifitcannotbeotherwise;andthenpunishmeformywishtolive,mylongingforlife!
Strikemeoutofthylist.Letmyshell,thefreshyoungtree,wither,orbehewndown,andburnttoashes,andscatteredtoallthewinds!"
Arustlingwentthroughtheleavesofthetree;therewasatremblingineachoftheleaves;itseemedasiffirestreamedthroughit.Agustofwindshookitsgreencrown,andfromthemidstofthatcrownafemalefigurecameforth.Inthesamemomentshewassittingbeneaththebrightly-illuminatedleafybranches,youngandbeautifultobehold,likepoorMary,towhomtheclergymanhadsaid,"Thegreatcitywillbethydestruction."TheDryadsatatthefootofthetree-atherhousedoor,whichshehadlocked,andwhosekeyhadthrownaway.Soyoung!sofair!Thestarssawher,andblinkedather.Thegas-lampssawher,andgleamedandbeckonedtoher.Howdelicateshewas,andyethowblooming!-achild,andyetagrownmaiden!
Herdresswasfineassilk,greenasthefreshly-openedleavesonthecrownofthetree;inhernut-brownhairclungahalf-openedchestnutblossom.ShelookedliketheGoddessofSpring.
Foroneshortminuteshesatmotionless;thenshesprangup,and,lightasagazelle,shehurriedaway.Sheranandspranglikethereflectionfromthemirrorthat,carriedbythesunshine,iscast,nowhere,nowthere.Couldanyonehavefollowedherwithhiseyes,hewouldhaveseenhowmarvellouslyherdressandherformchanged,accordingtothenatureofthehouseortheplacewhoselighthappenedtoshineuponher.
ShereachedtheBoulevards.Hereaseaoflightstreamedforthfromthegas-flamesofthelamps,theshopsandthecafes.Herestoodinarowyoungandslendertrees,eachofwhichconcealeditsDryad,andgaveshadefromtheartificialsunlight.Thewholevastpavementwasonegreatfestivehall,wherecoveredtablesstoodladenwithrefreshmentsofallkinds,fromchampagneandChartreusedowntocoffeeandbeer.
Herewasanexhibitionofflowers,statues,books,andcoloredstuffs.
Fromthecrowdclosebytheloftyhousesshelookedforthovertheterrificstreambeyondtherowsoftrees.Yonderheavedastreamofrollingcarriages,cabriolets,coaches,omnibuses,cabs,andamongthemridinggentlemenandmarchingtroops.Tocrosstotheoppositeshorewasanundertakingfraughtwithdangertolifeandlimb.Nowlanternsshedtheirradianceabroad;nowthegashadtheupperhand;suddenlyarocketrises!Whence?Whither?
HerearesoundsofsoftItalianmelodies;yonder,Spanishsongsaresung,accompaniedbytherattleofthecastanets;butstrongestofall,andpredominatingovertherest,thestreet-organtunesofthemoment,theexciting"Can-Can"music,whichOrpheusneverknew,andwhichwasneverheardbythe"BelleHelene."Eventhebarrowwastemptedtohopupononeofitswheels.
TheDryaddanced,floated,flew,changinghercoloreverymoment,likeahumming-birdinthesunshine;eachhouse,withtheworldbelongingtoit,gaveheritsownreflections.Astheglowinglotus-flower,tornfromitsstem,iscarriedawaybythestream,sotheDryaddriftedalong.
Whenevershepaused,shewasanotherbeing,sothatnonewasabletofollowher,torecognizeher,ortolookmorecloselyather.
Likecloud-pictures,allthingsflewbyher.Shelookedintoathousandfaces,butnotonewasfamiliartoher;shesawnotasingleformfromhome.Twobrighteyeshadremainedinhermemory.ShethoughtofMary,poorMary,theraggedmerrychild,whoworetheredflowersinherblackhair.Marywasnowhere,intheworld-city,richandmagnificentasinthatdaywhenshedrovepastthehouseoftheoldclergyman,andpastthetreeoftheDryad,theoldoak.
Hereshewascertainlyliving,inthedeafeningtumult.Perhapsshehadjuststeppedoutofoneofthegorgeouscarriagesinwaiting.Handsomeequipages,withcoachmeningoldbraidandfootmeninsilkenhose,droveup.Thepeoplewhoalightedfromthemwereallrichly-dressedladies.Theywentthroughtheopenedgate,andascendedthebroadstaircasethatledtoabuildingrestingonmarblepillars.Wasthisbuilding,perhaps,thewonderoftheworld?ThereMarywouldcertainlybefound."SanctaMaria!"resoundedfromtheinterior.Incensefloatedthroughtheloftypaintedandgildedaisles,whereasolemntwilightreigned.
ItwastheChurchoftheMadeleine.
Cladinblackgarmentsofthemostcostlystuffs,fashionedaccordingtothelatestmode,therichfeminineworldofParisglidedacrosstheshiningpavement.Thecrestsoftheproprietorswereengravedonsilvershieldsonthevelvet-boundprayer-books,andembroideredinthecornersofperfumedhandkerchiefsborderedwithBrusselslace.Afewoftheladieswerekneelinginsilentprayerbeforethealtars;othersresortedtotheconfessionals.AnxietyandfeartookpossessionoftheDryad;shefeltasifshehadenteredaplacewhereshehadnorighttobe.Herewastheabodeofsilence,thehallofsecrets.Everythingwassaidinwhispers,everywordwasamystery.
TheDryadsawherselfenvelopedinlaceandsilk,likethewomenofwealthandofhighbirtharoundher.Had,perhaps,everyoneofthemalonginginherbreast,liketheDryad?
Adeep,painfulsighwasheard.Diditescapefromsomeconfessionalinadistantcorner,orfromthebosomoftheDryad?Shedrewtheveilcloseraroundher;shebreathedincense,andnotthefreshair.Herewasnottheabiding-placeofherlonging.
Away!away-ahasteningwithoutrest.Theephemeralflyknowsnotrepose,forherexistenceisflight.Shewasoutagainamongthegascandelabra,byamagnificentfountain.
"Allitsstreamingwatersarenotabletowashouttheinnocentbloodthatwasspilthere."Suchwerethewordsspoken.Strangersstoodaround,carryingonalivelyconversation,suchasnoonewouldhavedaredtocarryoninthegorgeoushallofsecretswhencetheDryadcame.
Aheavystoneslabwasturnedandthenlifted.Shedidnotunderstandwhy.Shesawanopeningthatledintothedepthsbelow.Thestrangerssteppeddown,leavingthestarlitairandthecheerfullifeoftheupperworldbehindthem."Iamafraid,"saidoneofthewomenwhostoodaround,toherhusband,"Icannotventuretogodown,nordoIcareforthewondersdownyonder.Youhadbetterstayherewithme.""Indeed,andtravelhome,"saidtheman,"andquitPariswithouthavingseenthemostwonderfulthingofall-therealwonderofthepresentperiod,createdbythepowerandresolutionofoneman!"
"Iwillnotgodownforallthat,"wasthereply."Thewonderofthepresenttime,"ithadbeencalled.TheDryadhadheardandhadunderstoodit.Thegoalofherardentlonginghadthusbeenreached,andherewastheentrancetoit.DownintothedepthsbelowParis?Shehadnotthoughtofsuchathing;butnowshehearditsaid,andsawthestrangersdescending,andwentafterthem.Thestaircasewasofcastiron,spiral,broadandeasy.Belowthereburnedalamp,andfartherdown,another.Theystoodinalabyrinthofendlesshallsandarchedpassages,allcommunicatingwitheachother.AllthestreetsandlanesofParisweretobeseenhereagain,asinadimreflection.Thenameswerepaintedup;andevery,houseabovehaditsnumberdownherealso,andstruckitsrootsunderthemacadamizedquaysofabroadcanal,inwhichthemuddywaterflowedonward.Overitthefreshstreamingwaterwascarriedonarches;andquiteatthetophungthetanglednetofgas-pipesandtelegraph-wires.
Inthedistancelampsgleamed,likeareflectionfromtheworld-cityabove.Everynowandthenadullrumblingwasheard.Thiscamefromtheheavywagonsrollingovertheentrancebridges.
WhitherhadtheDryadcome?Youhave,nodoubt,heardoftheCATACOMBS?Nowtheyarevanishingpointsinthatnewundergroundworld-thatwonderofthepresentday-thesewersofParis.TheDryadwasthere,andnotintheworld’sExhibitionintheChampdeMars.
Sheheardexclamationsofwonderandadmiration."Fromheregoforthhealthandlifeforthousandsuponthousandsupyonder!Ourtimeisthetimeofprogress,withitsmanifoldblessings."Suchwastheopinionandthespeechofmen;butnotofthosecreatureswhohadbeenbornhere,andwhobuiltanddwelthere-oftherats,namely,whoweresqueakingtooneanotherinthecleftsofacrumblingwall,quiteplainly,andinawaytheDryadunderstoodwell.
AbigoldFather-Rat,withhistailbittenoff,wasrelievinghisfeelingsinloudsqueaks;andhisfamilygavetheirtributeofconcurrencetoeverywordhesaid:"Iamdisgustedwiththisman-mewing,"hecried-"withtheseoutburstsofignorance.Afinemagnificence,truly!allmadeupofgasandpetroleum!Ican’teatsuchstuffasthat.
Everythinghereissofineandbrightnow,thatone’sashamedofone’sself,withoutexactlyknowingwhy.Ah,ifweonlylivedinthedaysoftallowcandles!anditdoesnotliesoveryfarbehindus.Thatwasaromantictime,asonemaysay.""Whatareyoutalkingofthere?"askedtheDryad."Ihaveneverseenyoubefore.Whatisityouaretalkingabout?""Ofthegloriousdaysthataregone,"saidtheRat-"ofthehappytimeofourgreat-grandfathersandgreat-grandmothers.Thenitwasagreatthingtogetdownhere.Thatwasarat’snestquitedifferentfromParis.MotherPlagueusedtoliveherethen;shekilledpeople,butneverrats.Robbersandsmugglerscouldbreathefreelyhere.Herewasthemeeting-placeofthemostinterestingpersonages,whomonenowonlygetstoseeinthetheatreswheretheyactmelodrama,upabove.Thetimeofromanceisgoneeveninourrat’snest;andherealsofreshairandpetroleumhavebrokenin."
ThussqueakedtheRat;hesqueakedinhonoroftheoldtime,whenMotherPlaguewasstillalive.Acarriagestopped,akindofopenomnibus,drawnbyswifthorses.ThecompanymountedanddroveawayalongtheBoulevarddeSebastopol,thatistosay,theundergroundboulevard,overwhichthewell-knowncrowdedstreetofthatnameextended.Thecarriagedisappearedinthetwilight;theDryaddisappeared,liftedtothecheerfulfreshnessabove.Here,andnotbelowinthevaultedpassages,filledwithheavyair,thewonderworkmustbefoundwhichshewastoseekinhershortlifetime.Itmustgleambrighterthanallthegas-flames,strongerthanthemoonthatwasjustglidingpast.Yes,certainly,shesawityonderinthedistance,itgleamedbeforeher,andtwinkledandglitteredliketheeveningstarinthesky.Shesawaglitteringportalopen,thatledtoalittlegarden,whereallwasbrightnessanddancemusic.Coloredlampssurroundedlittlelakes,inwhichwerewater-plantsofcoloredmetal,fromwhoseflowersjetsofwaterspurtedup.Beautifulweepingwillows,realproductsofspring,hungtheirfreshbranchesovertheselakeslikeafresh,green,transparent,andyetscreeningveil.Inthebushesburntanopenfire,throwingaredtwilightoverthequiethutsofbranches,intowhichthesoundsofmusicpenetrated-aneartickling,intoxicatingmusic,thatsentthebloodcoursingthroughtheveins.
Beautifulgirlsinfestiveattire,withpleasantsmilesontheirlips,andthelightspiritofyouthintheirhearts-"Marys,"withrosesintheirhair,butwithoutcarriageandpostilion-flittedtoandfrointhewilddance.
Whereweretheheads,wherethefeet?Asifstungbytarantulas,theysprang,laughed,rejoiced,asifintheirecstaciestheyweregoingtoembracealltheworld.
TheDryadfeltherselftornwiththemintothewhirlofthedance.Roundherdelicatefootclungthesilkenboot,chestnutbrownincolor,liketheribbonthatfloatedfromherhairdownuponherbareshoulders.Thegreensilkdresswavedinlargefolds,butdidnotentirelyhidetheprettyfootandankle.
HadshecometotheenchantedGardenofArmida?Whatwasthenameoftheplace?
Thenameglitteredingas-jetsovertheentrance.Itwas"Mabille."
Thesoaringupwardsofrockets,thesplashingoffountains,andthepoppingofchampagnecorksaccompaniedthewildbacchanticdance.Overthewholeglidedthemoonthroughtheair,clear,butwithasomewhatcrookedface.
AwildjovialityseemedtorushthroughtheDryad,asthoughshewereintoxicatedwithopium.Hereyesspoke,herlipsspoke,butthesoundofviolinsandofflutesdrownedthesoundofhervoice.Herpartnerwhisperedwordstoherwhichshedidnotunderstand,nordoweunderstandthem.Hestretchedouthisarmstodrawhertohim,butheembracedonlytheemptyair.
TheDryadhadbeencarriedaway,likearose-leafonthewind.Beforehershesawaflameintheair,aflashinglighthighuponatower.Thebeaconlightshonefromthegoalofherlonging,shonefromtheredlighthousetoweroftheFataMorganaoftheChampdeMars.Thithershewascarriedbythewind.Shecircledroundthetower;theworkmenthoughtitwasabutterflythathadcometooearly,andthatnowsankdowndying.
Themoonshonebright,gas-lampsspreadlightaround,throughthehalls,overtheall-world’sbuildingsscatteredabout,overtherose-hillsandtherocksproducedbyhumaningenuity,fromwhichwaterfalls,drivenbythepowerof"MasterBloodless,"felldown.Thecavernsofthesea,thedepthsofthelakes,thekingdomofthefisheswereopenedhere.Menwalkedasinthedepthsofthedeeppond,andheldconversewiththesea,inthediving-bellofglass.Thewaterpressedagainstthestrongglasswallsaboveandoneveryside.Thepolypi,eel-likelivingcreatures,hadfastenedthemselvestothebottom,andstretchedoutarms,fathomslong,forprey.Abigturbotwasmakinghimselfbroadinfront,quietlyenough,butnotwithoutcastingsomesuspiciousglancesaside.Acrabclamberedoverhim,lookinglikeagiganticspider,whiletheshrimpswanderedaboutinrestlesshaste,likethebutterfliesandmothsofthesea.Inthefreshwatergrewwater-lilies,nymphaea,andreeds;thegold-fishesstoodupbelowinrankandfile,allturningtheirheadsoneway,thatthestreamingwatermightflowintotheirmouths.Fatcarpsstaredattheglasswallwithstupideyes.Theyknewthattheywereheretobeexhibited,andthattheyhadmadethesomewhattoilsomejourneyhitherintubsfilledwithwater;andtheythoughtwithdismayoftheland-sicknessfromwhichtheyhadsufferedsocruellyontherailway.
TheyhadcometoseetheExhibition,andnowcontemplateditfromtheirfreshorsalt-waterposition.Theylookedattentivelyatthecrowdsofpeoplewhopassedbythemearlyandlate.Allthenationsintheworld,theythought,hadmadeanexhibitionoftheirinhabitants,fortheedificationofthesolesandhaddocks,pikeandcarp,thattheymightgivetheiropinionsuponthedifferentkinds.
"Thosearescalyanimals"saidalittleslimyWhiting.
"Theyputondifferentscalestwoorthreetimesaday,andtheyemitsoundswhichtheycallspeaking.Wedon’tputonscales,andwemakeourselvesunderstoodinaneasierway,simplybytwitchingthecornersofourmouthsandstaringwithoureyes.Wehaveagreatmanyadvantagesovermankind."
"Buttheyhavelearnedswimmingofus,"remarkedawell-educatedCodling."YoumustknowIcomefromthegreatseaoutside.Inthehottimeoftheyearthepeopleyondergointothewater;firsttheytakeofftheirscales,andthentheyswim.Theyhavelearntfromthefrogstokickoutwiththeirhindlegs,androwwiththeirforepaws.Buttheycannotholdoutlong.Theywanttobelikeus,buttheycannotcomeuptous.Poorpeople!"Andthefishesstared.Theythoughtthatthewholeswarmofpeoplewhomtheyhadseeninthebrightdaylightwerestillmovingaroundthem;theywerecertaintheystillsawthesameformsthathadfirstcaughttheirattention.AprettyBarbel,withspottedskin,andanenviablyroundback,declaredthatthe"humanfry"werestillthere."Icanseeawellset-uphumanfigurequitewell,"saidtheBarbel."Shewascalled’contumaciouslady,’orsomethingofthatkind.Shehadamouthandstaringeyes,likeours,andagreatballoonatthebackofherhead,andsomethinglikeashut-upumbrellainfront;therewerealotofdanglingbitsofseaweedhangingabouther.Sheoughttotakealltherubbishoff,andgoaswedo;thenshewouldlooksomethinglikearespectablebarbel,sofarasitispossibleforapersontolooklikeone!"
"What’sbecomeofthatonewhomtheydrewawaywiththehook?Hesatonawheel-chair,andhadpaper,andpen,andink,andwrotedowneverything.Theycalledhima’writer.’""They’regoingaboutwithhimstill,"saidahoaryoldmaidofaCarp,whocarriedhermisfortuneaboutwithher,sothatshewasquitehoarse.Inheryouthshehadonceswallowedahook,andstillswampatientlyaboutwithitinhergullet.
"Awriter?Thatmeans,aswefishesdescribeit,akindofcuttleorink-fishamongmen."Thusthefishesgossippedintheirownway;butintheartificialwater-grottothelaborerswerebusy;whowereobligedtotakeadvantageofthehoursofnighttogettheirworkdonebydaybreak.TheyaccompaniedwithblowsoftheirhammersandwithsongsthepartingwordsofthevanishingDryad.
"So,atanyrate,Ihaveseenyou,youprettygold-fishes,"shesaid."Yes,Iknowyou;"andshewavedherhandtothem."Ihaveknownaboutyoualongtimeinmyhome;theswallowtoldmeaboutyou.Howbeautifulyouare!howdelicateandshining!Ishouldliketokisseveryoneofyou.
Youothers,also.Iknowyouall;butyoudonotknowme."Thefishesstaredoutintothetwilight.Theydidnotunderstandawordofit.
TheDryadwastherenolonger.Shehadbeenalongtimeintheopenair,wherethedifferentcountries-thecountryofblackbread,thecodfishcoast,thekingdomofRussialeather,andthebanksofeau-de-Cologne,andthegardensofroseoil-exhaledtheirperfumesfromtheworld-wonderflower.When,afteranightataball,wedrivehomehalfasleepandhalfawake,themelodiesstillsoundplainlyinourears;wehearthem,andcouldsingthemallfrommemory.Whentheeyeofthemurderedmancloses,thepictureofwhatitsawlastclingstoitforatimelikeaphotographicpicture.Soitwaslikewisehere.Thebustlinglifeofdayhadnotyetdisappearedinthequietnight.TheDryadhadseenit;sheknew,thusitwillberepeatedtomorrow.TheDryadstoodamongthefragrantroses,andthoughtsheknewthem,andhadseentheminherownhome.Shealsosawredpomegranateflowers,likethosethatlittleMaryhadworninherdarkhair.
Remembrancesfromthehomeofherchildhoodflashethroughherthoughts;hereyeseagerlydrankintheprospectaround,andfeverishrestlessnesschasedherthroughthewonder-filledhalls.
Awearinessthatincreasedcontinually,tookpossessionofher.ShefeltalongingtorestonthesoftOrientalcarpetswithin,ortoleanagainsttheweepingwillowwithoutbytheclearwater.Butfortheephemeralflytherewasnorest.Inafewmomentsthedayhadcompleteditscircle.
Herthoughtstrembled,herlimbstrembled,shesankdownonthegrassbythebubblingwater."Thouwilteverspringlivingfromtheearth,"shesaidmournfully."Moistenmytongue-bringmearefreshingdraught.""Iamnolivingwater,"wastheanswer."Ionlyspringupwardwhenthemachinewillsit.""Givemesomethingofthyfreshness,thougreengrass,"imploredtheDryad;"givemeoneofthyfragrantflowers."
"Wemustdieifwearetornfromourstalks,"repliedtheFlowersandtheGrass.
"Givemeakiss,thoufreshstreamofair-onlyasinglelife-kiss."
"Soonthesunwillkissthecloudsred,"answeredtheWind;"thenthouwiltbeamongthedead-blownaway,asallthesplendorherewillbeblownawaybeforetheyearshallhaveended.ThenIcanplayagainwiththelightloosesandontheplacehere,andwhirlthedustoverthelandandthroughtheair.Allisdust!"TheDryadfeltaterrorlikeawomanwhohascutasunderherpulse-arteryinthebath,butisfilledagainwiththeloveoflife,evenwhilesheisbleedingtodeath.Sheraisedherself,totteredforwardafewsteps,andsankdownagainattheentrancetoalittlechurch.Thegatestoodopen,lightswereburninguponthealtar,andtheorgansounded.
Whatmusic!SuchnotestheDryadhadneveryetheard;andyetitseemedtoherasifsherecognizedanumberofwell-knownvoicesamongthem.Theycamedeepfromtheheartofallcreation.Shethoughtsheheardthestoriesoftheoldclergyman,ofgreatdeeds,andofthecelebratednames,andofthegiftsthatthecreaturesofGodmustbestowuponposterity,iftheywouldliveonintheworld.Thetonesoftheorganswelled,andintheirsongtheresoundedthesewords:"Thywishingandthylonginghavetornthee,withthyroots,fromtheplacewhichGodappointedforthee.Thatwasthydestruction,thoupoorDryad!"Thenotesbecamesoftandgentle,andseemedtodieawayinawail.
Intheskythecloudsshowedthemselveswitharuddygleam.TheWindsighed:"Passaway,yedead!nowthesunisgoingtorise!"ThefirstrayfellontheDryad.Herformwasirradiatedinchangingcolors,likethesoap-bubblewhenitisburstingandbecomesadropofwater;likeatearthatfallsandpassesawaylikeavapor.
PoorDryad!Onlyadew-drop,onlyatear,pouredupontheearth,andvanishedaway!

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