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- # CHAPTER LV. Wherein Babbalanja Comments Upon The Speech Of Alanno
## Overview
This is chapter LV from the novel *Mardi: And a Voyage Thither*. It is a textual document, extracted from the file `mardi_vol2.txt`.
## Context
This chapter is part of the larger work *Mardi: And a Voyage Thither* by Herman Melville, published within the collection *Melville Complete Works*. It follows Chapter LIV, "They Visit The Great Central Temple Of Vivenza," and precedes Chapter LVI, "A Scene In The Land Of Warwicks, Or King-Makers."
## Contents
In this chapter, Babbalanja reflects on a speech given by Alanno, particularly Alanno's critical remarks about Dominora. Babbalanja posits that Vivenza, though now independent, should maintain a respectful relationship with Dominora, its parent nation, comparing their relationship to that of a son and father. He argues that Dominora, despite its age, still possesses vitality and that both nations, being of the same blood, should unite for the betterment of Mardi. Babbalanja expresses hope for a future where Vivenza honors its past while embracing progress, and where Dominora, though perhaps changing its outward appearance, retains its strength and influence.
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- CHAPTER LV. Wherein Babbalanja Comments Upon The Speech Of Alanno
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- CHAPTER LV.
Wherein Babbalanja Comments Upon The Speech Of Alanno
As we lingered in the precincts of the temple after all others had
departed, sundry comments were made upon what we had seen; and having
remarked the hostility of the lunatic orator toward Dominora,
Babbalanja thus addressed Media:—
“My lord, I am constrained to believe, that all Vivenza can not be of
the same mind with the grandiloquent chief from Hio-Hio. Nevertheless,
I imagine, that between Dominora and this land, there exists at bottom
a feeling akin to animosity, which is not yet wholly extinguished;
though but the smoldering embers of a once raging fire. My lord, you
may call it poetry if you will, but there are nations in Mardi, that to
others stand in the relation of sons to sires. Thus with Dominora and
Vivenza. And though, its majority attained, Vivenza is now its own
master, yet should it not fail in a reverential respect for its parent.
In man or nation, old age is honorable; and a boy, however tall, should
never take his sire by the beard. And though Dominora did indeed ill
merit Vivenza’s esteem, yet by abstaining from criminations, Vivenza
should ever merit its own. And if in time to come, which Oro forbid,
Vivenza must needs go to battle with King Bello, let Vivenza first
cross the old veteran’s spear with all possible courtesy. On the other
hand, my lord, King Bello should never forget, that whatever be
glorious in Vivenza, redounds to himself. And as some gallant old lord
proudly measures the brawn and stature of his son; and joys to view in
his noble young lineaments the likeness of his own; bethinking him,
that when at last laid in his tomb, he will yet survive in the long,
strong life of his child, the worthy inheritor of his valor and renown;
even so, should King Bello regard the generous promise of this young
Vivenza of his own lusty begetting. My lord, behold these two states!
Of all nations in the Archipelago, they alone are one in blood.
Dominora is the last and greatest Anak of Old Times; Vivenza, the
foremost and goodliest stripling of the Present. One is full of the
past; the other brims with the future. Ah! did this sire’s old heart
but beat to free thoughts, and back his bold son, all Mardi would go
down before them. And high Oro may have ordained for them a career,
little divined by the mass. Methinks, that as Vivenza will never cause
old Bello to weep for his son; so, Vivenza will not, this many a long
year, be called to weep over the grave of its sire. And though King
Bello may yet lay aside his old-fashioned cocked hat of a crown, and
comply with the plain costume of the times; yet will his, frame remain
sturdy as of yore, and equally grace any habiliments he may don. And
those who say, Dominora is old and worn out, may very possibly err. For
if, as a nation, Dominora be old—her present generation is full as
young as the youths in any land under the sun. Then, Ho! worthy twain!
Each worthy the other, join hands on the instant, and weld them
together. Lo! the past is a prophet. Be the future, its prophecy
fulfilled.”
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- CHAPTER LV. Wherein Babbalanja Comments Upon The Speech Of Alanno