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- CHAPTER LVII.
They Hearken Unto A Voice From The Gods
Next day we retraced our voyage northward, to visit that section of
Vivenza.
In due time we landed.
To look round was refreshing. Of all the lands we had seen, none looked
more promising. The groves stood tall and green; the fields spread
flush and broad; the dew of the first morning seemed hardly vanished
from the grass. On all sides was heard the fall of waters, the swarming
of bees, and the rejoicing hum of a thriving population.
“Ha, ha!” laughed Yoomy, “Labor laughs in this land; and claps his
hands in the jubilee groves! methinks that Yillah will yet be found.”
Generously entertained, we tarried in this land; till at length, from
over the Lagoon, came full tidings of the eruption we had witnessed in
Franko, with many details. The conflagration had spread through
Porpheero and the kings were to and fro hunted, like malefactors by
blood-hounds; all that part of Mardi was heaving with throes.
With the utmost delight, these tidings were welcomed by many; yet
others heard them with boding concern.
Those, too, there were, who rejoiced that the kings were cast down; but
mourned that the people themselves stood not firmer. A victory, turned
to no wise and enduring account, said they, is no victory at all. Some
victories revert to the vanquished.
But day by day great crowds ran down to the beach, in wait for canoes
periodically bringing further intelligence.
Every hour new cries startled the air. “Hurrah! another, kingdom is
burnt down to the earth’s edge; another demigod is unhelmed; another
republic is dawning. Shake hands, freemen, shake hands! Soon will we
hear of Dominora down in the dust; of hapless Verdanna free as
ourselves; all Porpheero’s volcanoes are bursting! Who may withstand
the people? The times tell terrible tales to tyrants! Ere we die,
freemen, all Mardi will be free.”
Overhearing these shouts, Babbalanja thus addressed Media:—“My lord, I
can not but believe, that these men, are far more excited than those
with whom they so ardently sympathize. But no wonder. The single
discharges which are heard in Porpheero; here come condensed in one
tremendous report. Every arrival is a firing off of events by
platoons.”
Now, during this tumultuous interval, King Media very prudently kept
himself exceedingly quiet. He doffed his regalia; and in all things
carried himself with a dignified discretion. And many hours he absented
himself; none knowing whither he went, or what his employment.
So also with Babbalanja. But still pursuing our search, at last we all
journeyed into a great valley, whose inhabitants were more than
commonly inflated with the ardor of the times.
Rambling on, we espied a clamorous crowd gathered about a conspicuous
palm, against which, a scroll was fixed.
The people were violently agitated; storming out maledictions against
the insolent knave, who, over night must have fixed there, that
scandalous document. But whoever he may have been, certain it was, he
had contrived to hood himself effectually.
After much vehement discussion, during which sundry inflammatory
harangues were made from the stumps of trees near by, it was proposed,
that the scroll should be read aloud, so that all might give ear.
Seizing it, a fiery youth mounted upon the bowed shoulders of an old
man, his sire; and with a shrill voice, ever and anon interrupted by
outcries, read as follows:—
“Sovereign-kings of Vivenza! it is fit you should hearken to wisdom.
But well aware, that you give ear to little wisdom except of your own;
and that as freemen, you are free to hunt down him who dissents from
your majesties; I deem it proper to address you anonymously.
“And if it please you, you may ascribe this voice to the gods: for
never will you trace it to man.
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