- description
- # CHAPTER LXXXVI. They Meet The Phantoms
## Overview
This is a chapter from the novel [Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJ8ZNB03D0FWFP362WQEN) by Herman Melville. It was extracted on January 30, 2026, as part of a structure extraction process. The chapter appears in the text file [mardi_vol2.txt](arke:01KG89J1954N2G0NAERBNJXEX9), which is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection.
## Context
This chapter is preceded by [CHAPTER LXXXV. They Depart From Serenia](arke:01KG8AJWK4T9347MS7GRD0S47B) and followed by [CHAPTER LXXXVII. They Draw Nigh To Flozella](arke:01KG8AJWKBMTP43H40DQT3XN8W).
## Contents
In this chapter, the characters encounter phantoms and sirens bearing a night-blooming Cereus flower. Yoomy identifies the flower as a symbol of Hautia, warning of its fleeting nature and potential connection to Yillah. Hautia appears to tempt the narrator with the promise of finding Yillah. The chapter culminates with the closing of the Cereus flower, the departure of the siren prow, and the appearance of pilot-fish and sharks as they approach the isle of Hautia.
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- 2026-01-30T20:49:04.792Z
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- description_title
- CHAPTER LXXXVI. They Meet The Phantoms
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- 12594
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- 2026-01-30T20:47:38.723Z
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- structure-extraction-lambda
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- 12546
- text
- CHAPTER LXXXVI.
They Meet The Phantoms
That starless midnight, there stole from out the darkness, the Iris
flag of Hautia.
Again the sirens came. They bore a large and stately urn-like flower,
white as alabaster, and glowing, as if lit up within. From its calyx,
flame-like, trembled forked and crimson stamens, burning with intensest
odors.
The phantoms nearer came; their flower, as an urn of burning niter.
Then it changed, and glowed like Persian dawns; or passive, was shot
over by palest lightnings;—so variable its tints.
“The night-blowing Cereus!” said Yoomy, shuddering, “that never blows
in sun-light; that blows but once; and blows but for an hour.—For the
last time I come; now, in your midnight of despair, and promise you
this glory. Take heed! short time hast thou to pause; through me,
perhaps, thy Yillah may be found.”
“Away! away! tempt me not by that, enchantress! Hautia! I know thee
not; I fear thee not; but instinct makes me hate thee. Away! my eyes
are frozen shut; I will not be tempted more.”
“How glorious it burns!” cried Media. I reel with incense:—can such
sweets be evil?”
“Look! look!” cried Yoomy, “its petals wane, and creep; one moment
more, and the night-flower shuts up forever the last, last hope of
Yillah!”
“Yillah! Yillah! Yillah!” bayed three vengeful voices far behind.
“Yillah! Yillah!—dash the urn! I follow, Hautia! though thy lure be
death.”
The Cereus closed; and in a mist the siren prow went on before; we,
following.
When day dawned, three radiant pilot-fish swam in advance: three
ravenous sharks astern.
And, full before us, rose the isle of Hautia.
- title
- CHAPTER LXXXVI. They Meet The Phantoms