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Penguin Island, a novel by Anatole France |
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BOOK II - THE ANCIENT TIMES - CHAPTER V - THE MARRIAGE OF KRAKEN AND ORBEROSIA |
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_ During these times there lived in the island of Alca a Penguin whose arm was strong and whose mind was subtle. He was called Kraken, and had his dwelling on the Beach of Shadows whither the inhabitants never ventured for fear of serpents that lodged in the hollows of the rocks and lest they might encounter the souls of Penguins that had died without baptism. These, in appearance like livid flames, and uttering doleful groans, wandered night and day along the deserted beach. For it was generally believed, though without proof, that among the Penguins that had been changed into men at the blessed Mael's prayer, several had not received baptism and returned after their death to lament amid the tempests. Kraken dwelt on this savage coast in an inaccessible cavern. The only way to it was through a natural tunnel a hundred feet long, the entrance of which was concealed by a thick wood. One evening as Kraken was walking through this deserted plain he happened to meet a young and charming woman Penguin. She was the one that the monk Magis had clothed with his own hands and thus was the first to have worn the garments of chastity. In remembrance of the day when the astonished crowd of Penguins had seen her moving gloriously in her robe tinted like the dawn, this maiden had received the name of Orberosia.* * "Orb, poetically, a globe when speaking of the heavenly bodies. By extension any species of globular body."--Littre
"Damsel, tell me thy name, thy family and thy country." But Orberosia kept looking at Kraken with alarm. "Is it you, I see, sir," she asked him, trembling, "or is it not rather your troubled spirit?" She spoke in this way because the inhabitants of Alca, having no news of Kraken since he went to live on the Beach of Shadows, believed that he had died and descended among the demons of night. "Cease to fear, daughter of Alca," answered Kraken. "He who speaks to thee is not a wandering spirit, but a man full of strength and might. I shall soon possess great riches." And young Orberosia asked: "How dost thou think of acquiring great riches, O Kraken, since thou art a child of Penguins?" "By my intelligence," answered Kraken. "I know," said Orberosia, "that in the time that thou dwelt among us thou wert renowned for thy skill in hunting and fishing. No one equalled thee in taking fishes in a net or in piercing with thy arrows the swift-flying birds." "It was but a vulgar and laborious industry, O maiden. I have found a means of gaining much wealth for myself without fatigue. But tell me who thou art?" "I am called Orberosia," answered the young girl. "Why art thou so far away from thy dwelling and in the night?" "Kraken, it was not without the will of Heaven." "What meanest thou, Orberosia?" "That Heaven, O Kraken, placed me in thy path, for what reason I know not." Kraken beheld her for a long time in silence. Then he said with gentleness: "Orberosia, come into my house; it is that of the bravest and most ingenious of the sons of the Penguins. If thou art willing to follow me, I will make thee my companion." Then casting down her eyes, she murmured: "I will follow thee, master." It is thus that the fair Orberosia became the consort of the hero Kraken. This marriage was not celebrated with songs and torches because Kraken did not consent to show himself to the people of the Penguins; but hidden in his cave he planned great designs. _ |
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