Theos bent his head in assent. He was scarcely conscious of the action, but at that moment he felt, with Sah-luma, that there was no other form of Divinity acknowledged in the world than the refulgent Orb that gladdens and illumines earth, and visibly controls the seasons.
“And yet—” went on Sah-luma thoughtfully,— “the well-instructed know through our scientists and astronomers (many of whom are now languishing in prison for the boldness of their researches and discoveries) that the Sun is no divinity at all, but simply a huge planet, — a dense body surrounded by a luminous, flame-darting atmosphere, — neither self-acting nor omnipotent, but only one of many similar orbs moving in strict obedience to fixed mathematical laws. Nevertheless this knowledge is wisely kept back as much as possible from the multitude, — for, were science to unveil her marvels too openly to semi-educated and vulgarly constituted minds, the result would be, first Atheism, next Republicanism, and finally Anarchy and Ruin. If these evils, — which like birds of prey continually hover about all great kingdoms, — are to be averted, we must, for the welfare of the country and people, hold fast to some stated form and outward observance of religious belief.”
He paused. Theos gave him a quick, searching glance.
“Even if such a belief should have no shadow of a true foundation?” he inquired— “Can it be well for men to cling superstitiously to a false doctrine?”
Sah-luma appeared to consider this question in his own mind for some minutes before replying.
“My friend, it is difficult to decide what is false and what is true— “he said at last with a little shrug of his shoulders— “But I think that even a false religion is better for the masses than none at all. Men are closely allied to brutes, . . if the moral sense ceases to restrain them they at once leap the boundary line and give as much rein to their desires and appetites as the hyenas and tigers. And in some natures the moral sense is only kept alive by fear, — fear of offending some despotic, invisible Force that pervades the Universe, and whose chief and most terrible attribute is not so much creative as destructive power. To propitiate and pacify an unseen Supreme Destroyer is the aim of all religions, — and it is for this reason we add to our worship of the Sun that of the White Serpent, Nagaya the Mediator. Nagaya is the favorite object of the people’s adoration, — they may forget to pay their vows to the Sun, but never to Nagaya, who is looked upon as the emblem of Eternal Wisdom, the only pleader whose persuasions avail to soften the tyrannic humor of the Invincible Devourer of all things. We know how men hate Wisdom and cannot endure to be instructed, and yet they prostrate themselves in abject crowds before Wisdom’s symbol every day in the Sacred Temple yonder, — though I much doubt whether such constant devotional attendance is not more for the sake of Lysia than the Deified Worm!”
He laughed with a little undercurrent of scorn in his laughter, — and Theos saw as it were, the lightning of an angry or disdainful thought flashing through the sombre splendor of his eyes.
“And Lysia is.. — ?” began Theos suggestively.
“The High Priestess of Nagaya,” responded Sah-luma slowly— “Charmer of the god, as well as of the hearts of men! The hot passion of love is to her a toy, clasped and unclasped so! in the pink hollow of her hand…” and as he spoke he closed his fingers softly on the air and unclosed them again with an expressive gesture— “And so long as she retains the magic of her beauty, so long will Nagaya worship hold Al-Kyris in check. Otherwise … who knows! — there have been many disturbances of late, — the teachings of the Philosophers have aroused a certain discontent, — and there are those who are weary of perpetual sacrifices and the shedding of innocent blood. Moreover this mad Khosrul of whom Niphrata spoke lately, thunders angry denunciations of Lysia and Nagaya in the open streets, with so much fervid eloquence that they who pass by cannot choose but hear, . . he hath a strange craze, — a doctrine of the future which he most furiously proclaims in the language prophets use. He holds that far away in the centre of a Circle of pure Light, the true God exists, — a vast all glorious Being who with exceeding marvellous love controls and guides Creation toward some majestic end — even as a musician doth melodize his thought from small sweet notes to perfect chord-woven harmonies. Furthermore, that thousands of years hence, this God will embody a portion of his own Existence in human form and will send hither a wondrous creature, half-God, half-Man, to live our life, die our death, and teach us by precept and example, the surest way to eternal happiness. ’Tis a theory both strange and wild! — hast ever heard of it before?”
He put the question indifferently, but Theos was mute. That horrible sense of a straining desire to speak when speech was forbidden again oppressed him, — he felt as though he were being strangled with his own unfalling tears. What a crushing weight of unutterable thoughts burdened his brain! — he gazed up at the serenely glowing sky in aching, dumb despair, — till slowly … very slowly, words came at last like dull throbs of pain beating between his lips …
“I think … I fancy … I have heard a rumor of such doctrine … but I know as little of it as … as THOU, Sah-luma! … I can tell thee no more … than THOU hast said! …” He paused and gaining more firmness of tone went on— “It seems to me a not altogether impossible conception of Divine Benevolence, — for if God lives at all, He must be capable of manifesting Himself in many ways both small and great, common and miraculous, though of a truth there are no miracles beyond what APPEAR as such to our limited sight and restricted intelligence. But tell me” — and here his voice had a ring of suppressed anxiety within it— “tell me, Sah-luma, thine own thought concerning it!”
“I? — I think naught of it!” replied Sah-luma with airy contempt— “Such a creed may find followers in time to come, — but now, of what avail to warn us of things that do not concern our present modes of life? Moreover in the face of all religion, my own opinion should not alter, — I have studied science sufficiently well to know that there is NO God! — and I am too honest to worship an unproved and merely supposititious identity!”
A shudder, as of extreme cold, ran through Theos’s veins, and as if impelled on by some invisible monitor he said almost mournfully:
“Art thou sure, Sah-luma, thou dost not instinctively feel that there is a Higher Power hidden behind the veil of visible Nature? — and that in the Far Beyond there may be an Eternity of Joy where thou shalt find all thy grandest aspirations at last fulfilled?”
Sah-luma laughed, — a clear, vibrating laugh as mellow as the note of a thrush in spring-time.
“Thou solemn soul!” he exclaimed mirthfully— “My aspirations ARE fulfilled! — I aspire to no more than fame, — and that I hold, — that I shall keep so long as this world is lighted by the sun!”
“And what use is Fame to thee in Death!” demanded Theos with sudden and emphatic earnestness.
Sah-luma stood still, — over his beautiful face came a shadow of intense melancholy, — he raised his brilliant eyes full of wistful pathos and pleading.
“I pray thee do not make me sad, my friend!” he murmured tremulously— “These thoughts are like muttering thunder in my heaven! Death!”.. and a quick sigh escaped him—”’Twill be the breaking of my harp and heart! … the last note of my failing voice and eversilenced song!”
A moisture as of tears glistened on the silky fringe of his eyelids, — his lips quivered, — he had the look of a Narcissus regretfully bewailing his own perishable loveliness. On a swift impulse of affection Theos threw one arm round, his neck in the fashion of a confiding school-boy walking with his favorite companion.
“Nay, thou shalt never die, Sah-luma!” he said with a sort of passionate eagerness,— “Thy bright soul shall live forever in a sunshine sweeter than that of earth’s fairest midsummer noon! Thy song can never be silenced while heaven pulsates with the unwritten music of the spheres, — and even were the crown of immortality denied to lesser men, it is, it must be the heritage of the poet! For to him all crowns belong, all kingdoms are
thrown open, all barriers broken down, — even those that divide us from the Unseen, — and God Himself has surely a smile to spare for His Singers who have made the sad world joyful if only for an hour!”
Sah-luma looked up with a pleased yet wondering glance.
“Thou hast a silvery and persuasive tongue!” he said gently— “And thou speakest of God as if thou knewest one akin to Him. Would I could believe all thou sayest! … but alas! — I cannot. We have progressed too far in knowledge, my friend, for faith…. yet…” He hesitated a moment, then with a touch of caressing entreaty in his tone went on. … “Thinkest thou in very truth that I shall live again? For I confess to thee, it seems beyond all things strange and terrible to feel that this genius of mine, — this spirit of melody which inhabits my frame, should perish utterly without further scope for its abilities. There have been moments when my soul, ravished by inspiration, has, as it were, seized Earth like a full goblet of wine, and quaffed its beauties, its pleasures, its loves, its glories all in one burning draught of song! … when I have stood in thought on the shadowy peaks of time, waiting for other worlds to string like beads on my thread of poesy, — when wondrous creatures habited in light and wreathed with stars have floated round and round me in rosy circles of fire, — and once, methought … ’twas long ago now — I heard a Voice distinct and sweet that called me upward, onward and away, I know not where, — save that a hidden Love awaited me!” He broke off with a rapt almost angelic expression in his eyes, then sighing a little he resumed: “All dreams of course! … vague phantoms, — creations of my own imaginative brain, — yet fair enough to fill my heart with speechless longings for ethereal raptures unseen, unknown! Thou hast, methinks, a certain faith in the unsolved mysteries, — but I have none, — for sweet as the promise of a future life may seem, there is no proof that it shall ever be. If one died and rose again from the dead, then might we all believe and hope.. but otherwise …”
Oh, miserable Theos! — What would he not have given to utter aloud the burning knowledge that ate into his mind like slow-devouring fire! Again mute! … again oppressed by that strange swelling at the heart that threatened to break forth in stormy sobs of penitence and prayer! Instinctively he drew Sah-luma closer to his side — his breath came thick and fast.. he struggled with all his might to speak the words … “One HAS died and risen from the dead!” — but not a syllable could he form of the desired sentence!
“Thou shalt live again, Sah-luma!” was all he could say in low, half-smothered accents— “Thou hast within thee a flame that cannot perish!”
Again Sah-luma’s eyes dwelt upon him with a curious, appealing tenderness.
“Thy words savor of sweet consolation! …” he said half gayly, half sadly. “May they be fulfilled! And if indeed there is a brighter world than this beyond the skies, I fancy thou and I will know each other, there as here, and be somewhat close companions! See!” — and he pointed to a small green hillock that rose up like a shining emerald from the darker foliage of the surrounding trees— “Yonder is my point of vantage whence we shall behold the sun go down like a warrior sinking on the red field of battle, the chimes are ringing even now for his departure, — listen!”
They stood still for a space, while the measured, swinging cadence of bells came pealing through the stillness, — bells of every tone, that smote the air with soft or loud resonance as the faint wind wafted the sounds toward them, — and then they began to climb the little hill, Sah-luma walking somewhat in advance, with a tread as light and elastic as that of a young fawn.
Theos, following, watched his movements with a strange affection, — every turn of his head, every gesture of his hand seemed fraught with meanings as yet inexplicable. The grass beneath their feet was soft as velvet and dotted with a myriad wild flowers, — the ascent was gradual and easy, and in a few minutes they had reached the summit, where Sah-luma, throwing himself indolently on the smooth turf, pulled Theos gently down by his side. There they rested in silence, gazing at the magnificent panorama laid out before them, — a panorama as lovely as a delicately pictured scene of fairy-land. Above, the sky was of a dense yet misty rose-color, — the sun, low on the western horizon appeared to rest in a vast, deep, purple hollow, rifted here and there with broad gashes of gold, — long shafts of light streamed upwards in order like the waving pennons of an angel-army marching, — and beyond, far away from this blaze of splendid color, the wide ethereal expanse paled into tender blue, whereon light clouds of pink and white drifted like the fluttering blossoms that fall from apple-trees in spring.
Below, and seen through a haze of rose and amber, lay the city of Al-Kyris, — its white domes, towers and pinnacled palaces rising out of the mist like a glorious mirage afloat on the borders of a burning desert. Al-Kyris the Magnificent! — it deserves its name, Theos thought, as shading his eyes from the red glare he took a wondering and gradually comprehensive view of the enormous extent of the place. He soon perceived that it was defended by six strongly fortified walls, each placed within the other at long equal distances apart, so that it might have been justly described as six cities all merged together in one, — and from where he sat he could plainly discern the great square where he had rested in the morning, by reason of the white granite obelisk that lifted itself sheer up against the sky, undwarfed by any of the surrounding buildings.
This gigantic monument was the most prominent object in sight, with the exception of the sacred temple, which Sah-luma presently pointed out, — a round, fortress-like piece of architecture ornamented with twelve gilded towers from which bells were now clashing and jangling in a storm of melodious persistency. The hum of the city’s traffic and pleasure surged on the air like the noise made by swarming bees, while every now and then the sweet, shrill tones of some more than usually clear girl’s voice, crying out the sale of fruit or flowers, soared up song-wise through the luminous, semi-transparent vapor that half-veiled the clustering house-tops, tapering spires and cupolas in a delicate, nebulous film.
Completely fascinated by the wizard-like beauty of the scene, Theos felt as though he could never look upon it long enough to master all its charms, but his eyes ached with the radiance in which everything seemed drenched as with flame, and turning his gaze once more toward the sun, he saw that it had nearly disappeared. Only a blood-red rim peered spectrally above the gold and green horizon-and immediately overhead, a silver rift in the sky had widened slowly in the centre and narrowed at its end, thus taking the shape of a great outstretched sword that pointed directly downward at the busy, murmuring, glittering city beneath. It was a strange effect, and made on the mind of Theos a strange impression, — he was about to call Sah-luma’s attention to it, when an uncomfortable consciousness that they were no longer alone came over him, — instinctively he turned round, uttered a hasty exclamation, and springing erect, found himself face to face with a huge black, — a man of some six feet in height and muscular in proportion, who, clad, in a vest and tunic of the most vivid scarlet hue, leered confidentially upon him as their eyes met. Sah-luma rising also, but with less precipitation, surveyed the intruder languidly and with a certain haughtiness.
“What now, Gazra? Always art thou like a worm in the grass, crawling on thine errand with less noise than the wind makes in summer, . . I would thy mistress kept a fairer messenger!”
The black smiled, — if so hideous a contortion of his repulsive countenance might be called a smile, and slowly raising his jetty arms hung all over with strings of coral and amber, made a curious gesture, half of salutation, half of command. As he did this, the clear, olive cheek of Sah-luma flushed darkly red, — his chest heaved, and linking his arm through that of Theos, he bent his head slightly and stood like one in an enforced attitude of attention. Then Gazra spoke, his harsh, strong voice seeming to come from some devil in the ground rather than from a human throat.
“The Virgin Priestess of the Sun and the Divine Nagaya hath need of thee to-night, Sah-luma!” he said, with a sor
t of suppressed derision underlying his words, — and taking from his breast a ring that glittered like a star, he held it out in the palm of one hand— “And also” — he added— “of thy friend the stranger, to whom she desires to accord a welcome. Behold her signet!”
Theos, impelled by curiosity, would have taken the ring up to examine it, had not Sah-luma restrained him by a warning pressure of his arm, — he was only just able to see that it was in the shape of a coiled-up serpent with ruby eyes, and a darting tongue tipped with small diamonds. What chiefly concerned him however was the peculiar change in Sah-luma’s demeanor, — something in the aspect or speech of Gazra had surely exercised a remarkable influence upon him. His frame trembled through and through with scarcely controlled excitement, . . his eyes shot forth an almost evil fire, . . and a cold, calm, somewhat cruel smile played on the perfect outline of his delicate month. Taking the signet from Gazra’s palm, he kissed it with a kind of angry tenderness, . . then replied..
“Tell thy mistress we shall obey her behest! Doubtless she knows, as she knows all things, that to-night. I am summoned by express command, to the Palace of our sovereign lord the King.. I am bound thither first as is my duty, but afterwards …” He broke off as if he found it impossible to say more, and waved his hand in a light sign of dismissal. But Gazra did not at once depart. He again smiled that lowering smile of his which resembled nothing so much as a hung criminal’s death-grin, and returned the jewelled signet to his breast.
Delphi Collected Works of Marie Corelli (Illustrated) (Delphi Series Eight Book 22) Page 152
