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her ears in this concert of Nature。
Presently they reached the ledge of rocks through which the Sieg had
forced its way； after escaping from the long avenue cut by its waters
in an undulating line through the forest；a fluvial pathway flanked
by aged firs and roofed with strong…ribbed arches like those of a
cathedral。 Looking back from that vantage…ground； the whole extent of
the fiord could be seen at a glance； with the open sea sparkling on
the horizon beyond it like a burnished blade。
At this moment the mist； rolling away； left the sky blue and clear。
Among the valleys and around the trees flitted the shining fragments；
a diamond dust swept by the freshening breeze。 The torrent rolled on
toward them； along its length a vapor rose； tinted by the sun with
every color of his light； the decomposing rays flashing prismatic
fires along the many…tinted scarf of waters。 The rugged ledge on which
they stood was carpeted by several kinds of lichen； forming a noble
mat variegated by moisture and lustrous like the sheen of a silken
fabric。 Shrubs； already in bloom； crowned the rocks with garlands。
Their waving foliage； eager for the freshness of the water； drooped
its tresses above the stream； the larches shook their light fringes
and played with the pines； stiff and motionless as aged men。 This
luxuriant beauty was foiled by the solemn colonnades of the forest…
trees； rising in terraces upon the mountains； and by the calm sheet of
the fiord； lying below； where the torrent buried its fury and was
still。 Beyond； the sea hemmed in this page of Nature； written by the
greatest of poets； Chance； to whom the wild luxuriance of creation
when apparently abandoned to itself is owing。
The village of Jarvis was a lost point in the landscape； in this
immensity of Nature； sublime at this moment like all things else of
ephemeral life which present a fleeting image of perfection； for； by a
law fatal to no eyes but our own； creations which appear completethe
love of our heart and the desire of our eyeshave but one spring…tide
here below。 Standing on this breast…work of rock these three persons
might well suppose themselves alone in the universe。
〃What beauty！〃 cried Wilfrid。
〃Nature sings hymns；〃 said Seraphita。 〃Is not her music exquisite？
Tell me； Wilfrid； could any of the women you once knew create such a
glorious retreat for herself as this？ I am conscious here of a feeling
seldom inspired by the sight of cities； a longing to lie down amid
this quickening verdure。 Here； with eyes to heaven and an open heart；
lost in the bosom of immensity； I could hear the sighings of the
flower； scarce budded； which longs for wings； or the cry of the eider
grieving that it can only fly； and remember the desires of man who；
issuing from all； is none the less ever longing。 But that； Wilfrid； is
only a woman's thought。 You find seductive fancies in the wreathing
mists； the light embroidered veils which Nature dons like a coy
maiden； in this atmosphere where she perfumes for her spousals the
greenery of her tresses。 You seek the naiad's form amid the gauzy
vapors； and to your thinking my ears should listen only to the virile
voice of the Torrent。〃
〃But Love is there； like the bee in the calyx of the flower；〃 replied
Wilfrid； perceiving for the first time a trace of earthly sentiment in
her words； and fancying the moment favorable for an expression of his
passionate tenderness。
〃Always there？〃 said Seraphita； smiling。 Minna had left them for a
moment to gather the blue saxifrages growing on a rock above。
〃Always；〃 repeated Wilfrid。 〃Hear me；〃 he said； with a masterful
glance which was foiled as by a diamond breast…plate。 〃You know not
what I am； nor what I can be； nor what I will。 Do not reject my last
entreaty。 Be mine for the good of that world whose happiness you bear
upon your heart。 Be mine that my conscience may be pure； that a voice
divine may sound in my ears and infuse Good into the great enterprise
I have undertaken prompted by my hatred to the nations； but which I
swear to accomplish for their benefit if you will walk beside me。 What
higher mission can you ask for love？ what nobler part can woman aspire
to？ I came to Norway to meditate a grand design。〃
〃And you will sacrifice its grandeur；〃 she said； 〃to an innocent girl
who loves you； and who will lead you in the paths of peace。〃
〃What matters sacrifice；〃 he cried； 〃if I have you？ Hear my secret。 I
have gone from end to end of the North；that great smithy from whose
anvils new races have spread over the earth； like human tides
appointed to refresh the wornout civilizations。 I wished to begin my
work at some Northern point； to win the empire which force and
intellect must ever give over a primitive people； to form that people
for battle； to drive them to wars which should ravage Europe like a
conflagration； crying liberty to some； pillage to others； glory here；
pleasure there！I； myself； remaining an image of Destiny； cruel；
implacable； advancing like the whirlwind； which sucks from the
atmosphere the particles that make the thunderbolt； and falls like a
devouring scourge upon the nations。 Europe is at an epoch when she
awaits the new Messiah who shall destroy society and remake it。 She
can no longer believe except in him who crushes her under foot。 The
day is at hand when poets and historians will justify me； exalt me；
and borrow my ideas； mine！ And all the while my triumph will be a
jest； written in blood； the jest of my vengeance！ But not here；
Seraphita； what I see in the North disgusts me。 Hers is a mere blind
force； I thirst for the Indies！ I would rather fight a selfish；
cowardly； mercantile government。 Besides； it is easier to stir the
imagination of the peoples at the feet of the Caucasus than to argue
with the intellect of the icy lands which here surround me。 Therefore
am I tempted to cross the Russian steps and pour my triumphant human
tide through Asia to the Ganges； and overthrow the British rule。 Seven
men have done this thing before me in other epochs of the world。 I
will emulate them。 I will spread Art like the Saracens； hurled by
Mohammed upon Europe。 Mine shall be no paltry sovereignty like those
that govern to…day the ancient provinces of the Roman empire；
disputing with their subjects about a customs right！ No； nothing can
bar my way！ Like Genghis Khan； my feet shall tread a third of the
globe； my hand shall grasp the throat of Asia like Aurung…Zeb。 Be my
companion！ Let me seat thee； beautiful and noble being； on a throne！ I
do not doubt success； but live within my heart and I am sure of it。〃
〃I have already reigned；〃 said Seraphita； coldly。
The words fell as the axe of a skilful woodman falls at the root of a
young tree and brings it down at a single blow。 Men alone can
comprehend the rage that a woman excites in the soul of a man when；
after showing her his strength； his power； his wisdom； his
superiority； the capricious creature ben