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Mardi and A Voyage Thither, Volume 1, a novel by Herman Melville |
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Chapter 88. In A Calm, Hautia's Heralds Approach |
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_ CHAPTER LXXXVIII. In A Calm, Hautia's Heralds Approach "How still!" cried Babbalanja. "This calm is like unto Oro's everlasting serenity, and like unto man's last despair." But now the silence was broken by a strange, distant, intermitted melody in the water. Gazing over the side, we saw naught but a far-darting ray in its depths. Then Yoomy, before buried in a reverie, burst forth with a verse, sudden as a jet from a Geyser.
"None of these," answered Yoomy, pointing out a shallop gliding near. "The damsels three:--Taji, they pursue you yet." That still canoe drew nigh, the Iris in its prow. Gliding slowly by, one damsel flung a Venus-car, the leaves yet fresh. Said Yoomy--"Fly to love." The second maiden flung a pallid blossom, buried in hemlock leaves. Said Yoomy, starting--"I have wrought a death." Then came showering Venus-cars, and glorious moss-roses numberless, and odorous handfuls of Verbena. Said Yoomy--"Yet fly, oh fly to me: all rosy joys and sweets are mine." Then the damsels floated on. "Was ever queen more enigmatical?" cried Media--"Love,--death,--joy, --fly to me? But what says Taji?" "That I turn not back for Hautia; whoe'er she be, that wild witch I contemn." "Then spread our pinions wide! a breeze! up sails! ply paddles all! Come, Flora's flute, float forth a song." To pieces picking the thorny roses culled from Hautia's gifts, and holding up their blighted cores, thus plumed and turbaned Yoomy sang, leaning against the mast:-- Sweet, sweet the sunny down, Dread, dread the sunny down; |