第7章

TomeheseemsveryunworthytobeHester"slover，forsheisabeautifulwomanoffleshandblood。Mr。Dimmesdalewasnotonlyimmoral；hewasunsportsmanlike。Hehadnomorepluckthanachurch-mouse。Hismiserablepassionwasdegradedbyitsbrevity；

howcouldheseethiswoman"sdisgraceforsevenlongyears，andneverpluckuphearteithertosharehershameorpeccareforliter？

Heisalayfigure，verycleverly，butsomewhatconventionallymadeandpainted。ThevengefulhusbandofHester，RogerChillingworth，isaMr。Casaubonstungintojealousanger。Buthisattitude，watchingeverbyDimmesdale，tormentinghim，andyetinhisconfidence，andeverunsuspected，remindsoneofaconceptiondeartoDickens。Heusesitin"DavidCopperfield，"whereMr。Micawber(ofallpeople!)playsthistrickonUriahHeep；heusesitin"HuntedDown"；hewasaboutusingitin"EdwinDrood"；heusedit(oldMartinandPecksniff)in"MartinChuzzlewit。"ThepersonofRogerChillingworthandhisconductarealittletoomelodramaticforHawthorne"sgenius。

InDickens"smanner，too，isHawthorne"slongsarcasticaddresstoJudgePyncheon(in"TheHouseoftheSevenGables")，asthejudgesitsdeadinhischair，withhiswatchtickinginhishand。

OccasionallyachanceremarkremindsoneofDickens；thisforexample:Heistalkingoflarge，blackoldbooksofdivinity，andoftheirsuccessors，tinybooks，Elzevirsperhaps。"Theselittleoldvolumesimpressedmeasiftheyhadbeenintendedforverylargeones，buthadbeenunfortunatelyblightedatanearlystageoftheirgrowth。"ThismightalmostdeceivetheelectasapieceofthetrueBoz。Theirwidelydifferenttalentsdidreallyintersecteachotherwheretheperverse，thegrotesque，andtheterribledwell。

Tomyself"TheHouseoftheSevenGables"hasalwaysappearedthemostbeautifulandattractiveofHawthorne"snovels。Heactuallygivesusalovestory，andcondescendstoaprettyheroine。Thecurseof"Maule"sBlood"isagoodoldromanticidea，terriblyhandled。Thereismoreoflightness，andofacobwebbydustyhumourinHepzibahPyncheon，thedecayedladyshopkeeper，thanHawthornecommonlycarestodisplay。Doyoucareforthe"firstlover，"thePhotographer"sYoungMan？Itmaybeconventionalprejudice，butIseemtoseehimgoingaboutonatricycle，andI

don"tthinkhimtherightpersonforPhoebe。Perhapsitisreallythebeautiful，gentle，oppressedCliffordwhohauntsone"smemorymost，akindoftragicandthwartedHaroldSkimpole。"Howpleasant，howdelightful，"hemurmured，butnotasifaddressinganyone。

"Willitlast？Howbalmytheatmospherethroughthatopenwindow!

Anopenwindow!Howbeautifulthatplayofsunshine。Thoseflowers，howveryfragrant!Thatyounggirl"sface，howcheerful，howblooming。Aflowerwiththedewonit，andsunbeamsinthedewdrops……"ThiscomparisonwithSkimpolemaysoundlikeanunkindcriticismofClifford"scharacterandplaceinthestory——itisonlyachancenoteofachanceresemblance。

Indeed，itmaybethatHawthornehimselfwasawareoftheresemblance。"AnindividualofClifford"scharacter，"heremarks，"canalwaysbeprickedmoreacutelythroughhissenseofthebeautifulandharmoniousthanthroughhisheart。"Andhesuggeststhat，ifCliffordhadnotbeensolonginprison，hisaestheticzeal"mighthaveeatenoutorfiledawayhisaffections。"ThiswaswhatbefellHaroldSkimpole——himself"inprisonsoften"——atCoavinses!TheJudgePyncheonofthetaleisalsoamasterlystudyofswaggeringblack-heartedrespectability，andthen，inadditiontoallthepoetryofhisstyle，andthecharmofhishauntedair，Hawthornefavoursuswithabraveconclusionofthegoodsort，theoldsort。Theycomeintomoney，theymarry，theyarehappyeverafter。Thisisdoingthingshandsomely，thoughsomeofourmodernnoveliststhinkitcoarseanddegrading。Hawthornedidnotthinkso，andtheyarenotexactlybetterartiststhanHawthorne。

Yethe，too，hadhiseconomies，whichweresent。IdonotmeanhisnottellinguswhatitwasthatRogerChillingworthsawonArthurDimmesdale"sbarebreast。Toleavethatvagueisquitelegitimate。

ButwhathadMiriamandthespectreoftheCatacombsdone？Whowasthespectre？Whatdidhewant？TohavetoldallthiswouldhavebeenbetterthantofillthenovelwithpaddingaboutRome，sculpture，andtheEthicsofArt。Asthesillysayingruns:"thepeoplehasarighttoknow"aboutMiriamandherghostlyacquaintance。{10}Butthe"MarbleFaun"isnotofHawthorne"sbestperiod，beautifulasareahundredpassagesinthetale。

Beautifulpassagesareascommoninhisproseasgoldintherichestquartz。HowexcellentarehiswordsonthefirstfaintbutcertainbreathofAutumnintheair，felt，perhaps，earlyinJuly。

"AndthencameAutumn，withhisimmenseburthenofapples，droppingthemcontinuallyfromhisoverladenshouldersashetrudgedalong。"

KeatsmighthavewrittensoofAutumnintheorchards——ifKeatshadbeenwritingprose。

Therearegeniusesmoresunny，large，andgladthanHawthorne"s，nonemoreoriginal，moresurefooted，inhisownrealmofmoonlightandtwilight。

CHAPTERXI:THEPARADISEOFPOETS

WeweretalkingofLove，Constancy，theIdeal。"Whoeverlovedlikethepoets？"criedLadyVioletLebas，herpure，palecheekflushing。"Ah，ifeverIamtolove，heshallbeasinger!"

"Tenorsarepopular，very，"saidLordWalter。

"Imeanapoet，"sheansweredwitheringly。

NearthemstoodMr。Witham，theauthorof"Heart"sChordsTangled。"

"Ah，"saidhe，"thatremindsme。Ihavebeentryingtocatchitallthemorning。Thatremindsmeofmydream。"

"Tellusyourdream，"murmuredLadyVioletLebas，andhetoldit。

"Itwasthroughanunfortunatebutpardonableblunder，"saidMr。

Witham，"thatIdied，andreachedtheParadiseofPoets。Ihad，indeed，publishedvolumesofverse，butwiththemostblamelessmotives。Otherpoetswerecontinuallysendingmetheirs，and，asI

couldnotadmirethem，anddidnotliketoreplybycriticalremarks，Isimplyprintedsomerhymesforthepurposeofsendingthemtothegentlemenwhofavouredmewiththeirs。Ialwayswroteonthefly-leafaquotationfromthe"Iliad，"aboutgivingcopperinexchangeforgold；andthefewpoetswhocouldreadGreekweregratified，whiletheothers，probably，thoughtacomplimentwasintended。Nothingcouldbelessculpableorpretentious，but，throughsomemistakeonthepartofCharon，IwasdraftedofftotheParadiseofPoets。

"OutsidetheGoldenGateanumberofShadowswerewaiting，indifferentattitudesofdepressionandlanguor。BaviusandMaeviuswerethere，stillcomplainingof"cliques，"railingatHoraceforamererhymerofsociety，andatVirgilasaplagiarist，"TakeawayhiscribsfromHomerandApolloniusRhodius，"quothhonestMaevius，"andwhatisthereleftofhim？"Ialsometasocietyofgentlemen，inGreekcostume，ofvariousages，fromahalf-nakedminstrelwithatortoiseshelllyreinhishandtoanelegantoftheageofPericles。Theyallconsortedtogether，talkingvariousdialectsofAeolic，Ionian，AtticGreek，andsoforth，whichwereplainlynotintelligibletoeachother。Iventuredtoaskoneofthecompanywhohewas，buthe，withasweepofhishand，said，"WeareHomer!"WhenIexpressedmyregretandsurprisethattheGoldenGatehadnotyetopenedforsodistinguished，thoughcollective，anartist，myfriendansweredthat，accordingtoFick，Peppmuller，andmanyotherlearnedmen，theywereHomer。"ButanimpostorfromChioshasgotinsomehow，"hesaid；"theydon"tpaytheleastattentiontotheGermansintheParadiseofPoets。"

"AtthismomenttheGoldenGateswerethrownapart，andafairlady，inanearlyItaliancostume，carryingalaurelinherhand，appearedattheentrance。AlltheShadowslookedupwithanairofwearyexpectation，likepeoplewaitingfortheirturninadoctor"sconsulting-room。Shebeckonedtome，however，andImadehastetofollowher。Thewords"Charlatan!""Youapoet!"inavarietyoflanguages，greetedmebywayoffarewellfromtheShadows。

""TherenownedLaura，ifIamnotmistaken，"Iventuredtoremark，recognisingher，indeed，fromtheminiatureintheLaurentianlibraryatFlorence。

"Shebowed，andIbegantoaskforheradorer，Petrarch。

""Excuseme，"saidLaura，asweglideddownamossypath，undertheshadeoftreesparticularlydeartopoets，"excuseme，butthesonneteerofwhomyouspeakisonewhosenameIcannotbeartomention。HisconductwithBurns"sClarinda，hisheartlessinfatuationforStella——"

""Youastonishme，"Isaid。"IntheParadiseofPoets——"

""Theyarepoetsstill——incorrigible!"answeredthelady；thenslightlyraisinghervoiceofsilver，asabeautifulappearanceinatogadrewnear，shecried"Catullomio!"

"Thegreetingbetweentheseaccomplishedghostswastookindlytoleaveroomfordoubtastotheardouroftheiraffections。

""Willyou，myCatullus，"murmuredLaura，"explaintothispoetfromthelandoffogs，anymatterswhich，tohim，mayseempuzzlingandunfamiliarinourParadise？"

"TheVeronese，withacharmingsmile，tookmyhand，andledmetoashadowyarbour，whenceweenjoyedaprospectofmanyriversandmountainsinthepoets"heaven。AmongtheseIrecognisedthetriplecrestoftheEildons，GrongarHill，CithaeronandEtna；

whilethereed-fringedwatersoftheMinciusflowedmusicallybetweenthebanksandbraeso"bonnyDoontojointheTweed。

Blitheghostswerewanderingby，inallvarietiesofapparel，andI

distinctlyobservedDante"sBeatrice，leaninglovingonthearmofSirPhilipSidney，whileDantewascloselyengagedinconversationwiththelostLenore，celebratedbyMr。EdgarAllanPoe。

""InwhatcanmyknowledgeoftheParadiseofPoetsbeserviceabletoyou，sir？"saidCatullus，asheflunghimselfatthefeetofLaura，onthevelvetgrass。

""Iamdisinclinedtoseemimpertinentlycurious，"Ianswered，"buttheladiesinthisfair，smilingcountry——havethegodsmadethempoetical？"

""Notgenerally，"repliedCatullus。"Indeed，ifyouwouldbewellwiththem，Imaywarnyounevertomentionpoetryintheirhearing。

Theynevercaredforitwhileonearth，andinthisplaceitisatopicwhichtheprudentcarefullyavoidamongladies。Totellthetruth，theyhavehadtolistentofartoomuchpoetry，andtoomanydiscussionsonthecaesura。Thereare，indeed，afewladypoets——

veryfew。Sappho，forexample；indeedIcannotrecallanyotheratthismoment。TheresultisthatPhaon，ofalltheshadowshere，isthemostdistinguishedbythefair。Hewasnotapoet，youknow；

hegotinonaccountofSappho，whoadoredhim。Theyareestrangednow，ofcourse。"

""Youinterestmedeeply，"Ianswered。"Andnow，willyoukindlytellmewhytheseladiesarehere，iftheywerenotpoets？"

""Thewomenthatwereouridealswhilewedweltonearth，thewomenwelovedbutneverwon，or，atallevents，neverwedded，theyforwhomwesighedwhileinthearmsofarecognisedandlegitimateaffection，havebeenchosenbytheOlympianstokeepuscompanyinParadise!"

""Thenwherefore，"Iinterrupted，"doIseeRobertBurnsloiteringwiththatladyinaruff，——Cassandra，Imakenodoubt——Ronsard"sCassandra？AndwhyistheincomparableClarindainseparablefromPetrarch；andMissPattyBlount，Pope"sflame，fromtheSyrianMeleager，whileHISHeliodoreismanifestlydevotedtoMr。Emerson，whom，bytheway，Iamdelighted，ifrathersurprised，toseehere？"

""Ah，"saidCatullus，"youareanew-comeramongus。Poetswillbepoets，andnosoonerhavetheyattainedtheirdesire，anddweltinthecompanyoftheirearthlyIdeals，thantheyfeelstrangely，yetirresistiblydrawntoAnother。Soitwasinlife，soitwilleverbe。NoIdealcansurviveadailycompanionship，andfortunateisthepoetwhodidnotmarryhisfirstlove!"

""Asfarasthatgoes，"Ianswered，"mostofyouwerehighlyfavoured；indeed，IdonotrememberanypoetwhoseIdealwashiswife，orwhosefirstloveledhimtothealtar。"

""Iwasnotamarryingmanmyself，"answeredtheVeronese；"fewofuswere。Myself，Horace，Virgil——wewereallbachelors。"

""AndLesbia!"

"Isaidthisinalowvoice，forLaurawasweavingbayintoachaplet，andinattentivetoourconversation。

""PoorLesbia!"saidCatullus，withasuppressedsigh。"HowI

misjudgedthatgirl!Howcruel，howcauselessweremyreproaches，"

andwildlyrendinghiscurledlocksandlaurelcrown，hefledintoathicket，whencetheresoonarosethemelancholynotesoftheAusonianlyre。"

""Heisincorrigible，"saidLaura，verycoldly；andshedeliberatelybegantotearandtossawaythefragmentsofthechapletshehadbeenweaving。"Ishallneverbreakhimofthathabitofversifying。Buttheyareallalike。"

""Istherenobodyhere，"saidI，"whoishappywithhisIdeal——

nobodybuthasexchangedIdealswithsomeotherpoet？"

""Thereisone，"shesaid。"Hecomesofanortherntribe；andinhislife-timeheneverrhymeduponhisunattainablelady，orifrhymehedid，theaccentsnevercarriedhernametotheearsofthevulgar。Lookthere。"

"Shepointedtotheriveratourfeet，andIknewthemountedfigurethatwasridingtheford，withagreen-mantledladybesidehimliketheFairyQueen。

"SurelyIhadreadofher，andknewher-

""Shewhoseblueeyestheirsecrettold，Thoughshadedbyherlocksofgold。"

""Theyaredifferent；Iknownotwhy。Theyareconstant，"saidLaura，andrisingwithanairofchagrin，shedisappearedamongtheboughsofthetreesthatbearhername。

""Unhappyheartsofpoets，"Imused。"Lightthingsandsacredtheyare，butevenintheirParadise，andamongtheirchosen，witheverywishfulfilled，andunitedtotheirbeloved，theycannotbeatrest!"

"Thusmoralising，Iwendedmywaytoacrag，whencetherewasawideprospect。Certainpoetswerestandingthere，lookingdownintoanabyss，andtothemIjoinedmyself。

""Ah，Icannotbearit!"saidavoice，and，asheturnedaway，hisbrowalreadyclearing，hispainalreadyforgotten，IbeheldtheaugustformofShakespeare。

"Markingmycuriositybeforeitwasexpressed，heansweredtheunutteredquestion。

""ThatisasightforPagans，"hesaid，"andmaygivethempleasure。ButmyParadisewereembitteredifIhadtowatchthesorrowsofothers，andtheirtorments，howeverwelldeserved。Theothersaregazingonthepurgatoryofcriticsandcommentators。"

"Hepassedfromme，andIjoinedthe"Ionianfatheroftherest"——

Homer，who，withacountenanceofunspeakablemajesty，wasseatedonathroneofrock，betweentheMantuanVirgilofthelaurelcrown，Hugo，Sophocles，Milton，Lovelace，Tennyson，andShelley。

"AttheirfeetIbeheld，inavastandgloomyhall，manyanhonestcritic，manyaneruditecommentator，anarmyofreviewers。Somewerecondemnedtorolllogsupinsuperableheights，whencetheydescendedthunderingtotheplain。Othersweresettoimpositions，andIparticularlyobservedthattheHomericcommentatorswereobligedtowriteoutthe"Iliad"and"Odyssey"intheircompleteshape，andwerealwaysdrivenbyfiendstothetaskwhentheyprayedforthebarecharityofbeingpermittedtoleaveoutthe"interpolations。"Others，fearfultonarrate，weretornintoasmanyfragmentsastheyhadmadeoftheseimmortalepics。Others，suchasAristarchus，werespittedontheirowncriticalsignsofdisapproval。Manyreviewerswerecompelledtoreadthebookswhichtheyhadcriticisedwithoutperusal，anditwasterribletowatchtheagoniesoftheworthypressmenwhoweresettothisunwontedtask。"Maywenotbeletoffwiththepreface？"theycriedinpiteousaccents。"Maywenotglanceatthetableofcontentsandbedonewithit？"Butthepresidingdemons(whohadbeenExaminersinthebodilylife)drovethemremorselesstotheirtoils。

"AmongthecondemnedIcouldnotbutwitness，withsympathy，thepunishmentreservedfortranslators。ThetranslatorsofVirgil，inparticular，wereavastandmotleyassemblageofmostrespectablemen。Bishopswerethere，fromGawainDouglasdownwards；Judges，intheirermine；professors，clergymen，civilservants，writhinginallthetorturesthattheblankverse，theanapaesticmeasure，themetreofthe"LayoftheLastMinstrel，"theheroiccoupletandsimilardevicescaninflict。ForallthesemenhadlovedVirgil，thoughnotwisely:andnowtheirpenancewastoheareachotherreadtheirowntranslations。"

"Thatmusthavebeenmorethantheycouldbear，"saidLadyViolet"Yes，"saidMr。Witham；"Ishouldknow，fordownIfellintoTartaruswithacrash，andwrithedamongtheTranslators。"

"Why？"askedLadyViolet。

"BecauseIhavetranslatedTheocritus!"

"Mr。Witham，"saidLadyViolet，"didyoumeetyouridealwomanwhenyouwereintheParadiseofPoets？"

"Sheyetwalksthisearth，"saidthebard，withatoosignificantbow。

LadyVioletturnedcoldlyaway。

***

Mr。WithamwasneverinvitedtotheBluesagain——thenameofLordAzure"splaceinKent。

ThePoetisshutoutofParadise。

CHAPTERXII:PARISANDHELEN

Thefirstnameinromance，themostancientandthemostenduring，isthatofArgiveHelen。Duringthreethousandyearsfairwomenhavebeenborn，havelived，andbeenloved，"thattheremightbeasongintheearsofmenoflatertime，"but，comparedtotherenownofHelen，theirgloryisdim。Cleopatra，whoheldtheworld"sfateinherhands，andlayinthearmsofCaesar；MaryStuart(MariaVerticordia)，forwhosesake，asanorthernnovelisttells，peasantshavelainawake，sorrowingthatsheisdead；AgnesSorel，FairRosamond，labelleStuart，"thePompadourandtheParabere，"

canstillenchantusfromthepageofhistoryandchronicle。"Zeusgavethembeauty，whichnaturallyrulesevenstrengthitself，"toquotetheGreekoratoronthemistressofthemall，onherwho，havingneverlived，canneverdie，theDaughteroftheSwan。

WhileHelenenjoysthisimmortality，andistheidealofbeautyuponearth，itiscurioustoreflectonthemoderniteofherstory，theoldestofthelovestoriesoftheworld。InHomerwefirstmeether，thefairestofwomeninthesongofthegreatestofpoets。ItmightalmostseemasifHomermeanttojustify，byhisdealingwithHelen，someofthemostrecenttheoriesofliteraryart。Inthe"Iliad"and"Odyssey"thetaleofHeleniswithoutabeginningandwithoutanend，likeafriezeonaGreektemple。Shecrossesthestageasafigurefamiliartoall，thepoet"saudienceclearlydidnotneedtobetoldwhoHelenwas，noranythingaboutheryouth。

ThefamousjudgmentofParis，thebeginningofeviltoAchaeansandIlianmen，isonlymentionedoncebyHomer，late，andinapassageofdoubtfulauthenticity。Ofherreconciliationtoherweddedlord，Menelaus，notawordissaid；ofherendwearetoldnomorethanthatforherandhimamansioninElysiumisprepared-

"Wherefallsnothail，orrain，oranysnow。"

WeleaveherhappyinArgos，asmileonherlips，agiftinherhands，aswemetherinTroy，beautiful，adoreddespiteherguilt，assweetinherrepentanceasinherunvexedArgivehome。Womenseldommentionher，intheepic，butwithhorrorandanger；menneveraddressherbutingentlecourtesy。Whatishersecret？HowdidsheleaveherhomewithParis——beguiledbylove，bymagic，ordrivenbytheimplacableAphrodite？Homerissilentonallofthesethings；thesethings，doubtless，wereknownbyhisaudience。

InhispoemHelenmovesasathingofsimplegrace，courtesy，andkindness，savewhensherebelsagainstherdoom，afterseeingherloverflyfromherhusband"sspear。HadweonlyHomer，byfarourearliestliterarysource，weshouldknowlittleoftheromanceofHelen；shouldonlyknowthatalawlesslovebroughtruinonTroyandsorrowontheAchaeans；andthisisthrownout，withnomoralcomment，withoutpraiseorblame。Theend，welearn，waspeace，andbeautywasreconciledtolife。Thereisnoexplanation，nodenouement；andweknowhowmuchdenouementandexplanationshamperedScottandShakespeare。FromthesetrammelsHomerisfree，asagodisfreefrommortallimitations。

Allthismanneroftellingatale——amannersoancient，sooriginal——isakin，inpractice，torecenttheoriesofwhatartshouldbe，andwhatartseldomis，perhapsneveris，inmodernhands。

Modernenough，again，isthechoiceofamarriedwomanfortheheroineoftheearliestlovetale。ApolloniusRhodiussings(andnomanhaseversungsowell)ofamaiden"slove；Virgil，ofawidow"s；Homer，oflovethathasdefiedlaw，blindlyobedienttodestiny，whichdominatesevenZeus。Onceagain，Helenisnotaveryyounggirl；ungallantchronologistshaveattributedtoherI

knownotwhatage。WethinkofherasabouttheageoftheVenusofMilo；intruth，shewas"agelessandimmortal。"Homerneverdescribesherbeauty；weonlyseeitreflectedintheeyesoftheoldmen，whiteandweak，thin-voicedascicalas:buthersisaloveliness"toturnanoldmanyoung。""Itisnomarvel，"theysay，"thatforhersakeTrojansandAchaeansslayeachother。"

Shewasembroideringatavastweb，workingingoldandscarletthesorrowsthatforhersakebefellmankind，whentheycalledhertothewallstoseeParisfightMenelaus，inthelastyearofthewar。

Thereshestands，inraimentofsilverywhite，herheartyearningforheroldloveandherowncity。AlreadyherthoughtisfarfromParis。WasherhearteverwithParis？Thatishersecret。Averyoldlegend，mentionedbytheBishopofThessalonica，Eustathius，tellsusthatParismagicallybeguiledher，disguisedintheformofMenelaus，herlord，asUtherbeguiledYgerne。SheseesthesonofPriamplaythedastardinthefight；sheturnsinwrathonAphrodite，whowouldlureherbacktohisarms；buttohisarmsshemustgo，"forthedaughterofZeuswasafraid。"Violenceisputuponbeauty；itissoiled，orseemssoiled，initswaythroughtheworld。HelenurgesParisagainintothewar。Hehasaheartinvinciblylightandgay；shamedoesnotweighonhim。"Noteverymanisvalianteveryday，"hesays；yetonceengagedinbattle，hebearshimbravely，andhisarrowsraindeathamongthemail-cladAchaeans。

WhatHomerthinksofPariswecanonlyguess。HisbeautyisthebaneofIlios；butHomerforgivessomuchtobeauty。Intheendofthe"Iliad，"HelensingstheimmortaldirgeoverHector，thestainlessknight，"withthylovingkindnessandthygentlespeech。"

Inthe"Odyssey，"sheisathomeagain，playingthegraciouspartofhostesstoOdysseus"swanderingson，pouringintothebowlthemagicherbofEgypt，"whichbringsforgetfulnessofsorrow。"ThewanderingsonofOdysseusdepartswithagiftforhisbride，"towearuponthedayofherdesire，amemorialofthehandsofHelen，"

thebeautifulhands，thatinTroyorArgoswereneveridle。

OfHelen，fromHomer，weknownomore。Grace，penitenceinexile，peaceathome，thesearetheportionofherwhosetEastandWestatwarandruinedthecityofPriamoftheashenspear。AsinthestrangelegendpreservedbyServius，thecommentatoronVirgil，whotellsusthatHelenworeared"star-stone，"whencefellgoutsofbloodthatvanishederetheytouchedherswan"s

Theseuscarriedheroff；herbrothersrescuedher。AlltheprincesofAchaeacompetedforherhand，havingfirsttakenanoathtoavengewhomsoevershemightchooseforherhusband。Thechoicefellonthecorrectandhonourable，butratherinconspicuous，Menelaus，andtheydweltinSparta，besidetheEurotas，"inahollowoftheriftedhills。"Then，fromacrossthesea，camethebeautifulandfatalParis，sonofPriam，KingofTroy。Asachild，Parishadbeenexposedonthemountains，becausehismotherdreamedthatshebroughtforthafirebrand。Hewasrescuedandfosteredbyashepherd；hetendedtheflocks；helovedthedaughterofarivergod，OEnone。ThencamethenakedGoddesses，toseekatthehandofthemostbeautifulofmortalstheprizeofbeauty。Aphroditewonthegoldenapplefromthequeenofheaven，Hera，andfromtheGoddessofwarandwisdom，Athena，bribingthejudgebythepromiseofthefairestwifeintheworld。Noincidentismorefrequentlycelebratedinpoetryandart，towhichitlendssuchgraciousopportunities。PariswaslaterrecognisedasoftheroyalbloodofTroy。HecametoLacedaemononanembassy，hesawHelen，anddestinyhaditsway。

Concerningthedetailsinthismostancientlove-story，welearnnothingfromHomer，whomerelymakesParisremindHelenoftheirbridalnightintheisleofCranae。ButfromHomerwelearnthatPariscarriedoffnotonlythewifeofMenelaus，butmanyofhistreasures。Tothepoetofthe"Iliad，"thepsychologyofthewooingwouldhaveseemedasimplematter。Likethelatervase-

painters，hewouldhaveshownusParisbesideHelen，Aphroditestandingnear，accompaniedbythefigureofPeitho——Persuasion。

HomeralwaysescapesourpsychologicalproblemsbythrowingtheweightofourdeedsandmisdeedsonaGodoraGoddess，orondestiny。Tohavefledfromherlordandheronechild，Hermione，wasnotinkeepingwiththecharacterofHelenasHomerdrawsit。

HerrepentanceisalmostChristianinitsexpression，andrepentanceindicatesaconsciousnessofsinandofshame，whichHelenfrequentlyprofesses。Thusshe，atleast，doesnot，likeHomer，inhischivalrousway，throwalltheblameontheImmortalsandondestiny。ThecheerfulacquiescenceofHelenindestinymakespartofthecomicelementinLaBelleHelene，butthemirthonlyarisesoutoftheincongruitybetweenParisianideasandthoseofancientGreece。

Helenisfreelyandbitterlyblamedinthe"Odyssey"byPenelope，chieflybecauseoftheruinousconsequenceswhichfollowedherflight。Still，thereisonepassage，whenPenelopeprudentlyhesitatesaboutrecognisingherreturnedlord，whichmakesitjustpossiblethatalegendchronicledbyEustathiuswasknowntoHomer，——namely，thetalealreadymentioned，thatParisbeguiledherintheshapeofMenelaus。Theincidentisveryold，asinthestoryofZeusandAmphitryon，andmightbeusedwheneveralady"scharacterneededtobesaved。Butthisanecdote，onthewhole，isinconsistentwiththerepentanceofHelen，andisnotinHomer"smanner。

Theearlylyricpoet，Stesichorus，issaidtohavewrittenharshlyagainstHelen。Shepunishedhimbyblindness，andheinditedapalinode，explainingthatitwasnotshewhowenttoTroy，butawomanfashionedinherlikeness，byZeus，outofmistandlight。

TherealHelenremainedsafelyandwithhonourinEgypt。Euripideshasmadethisidea，whichwascalculatedtopleasehim，thegroundworkofhis"Helena，"butitneverhadastrongholdontheGreekimagination。Modernfancyispleasedbythepictureofthecloud-brideinTroy，GreeksandTrojansdyingforaphantasm。

"Shadowsweare，andshadowswepursue。"

Concerningthelaterfeats，andthedeathofParis，Homersaysverylittle。HeslewAchillesbyanarrow-shotintheScaeangate，andprophecywasfulfilled。Hehimselffellbyanothershaft，perhapsthepoisonedshaftofPhiloctetes。Inthefourthorfifthcenturyofoureraalatepoet，QuintusSmyrnaeus，describedParis"sjourney，inquestofahealingspell，totheforsakenOEnone，andherrefusaltoaidhim；herdeathonhisfuneralpyre。Quintusisapoetofextraordinarymeritforhisage，andscarcelydeservesthereproachoflazinessaffixedonhimbyLordTennyson。

Onthewhole，Homerseemstohaveakindofhalf-contemptuouslikingforthebeautifulParis。Laterartrepresentshimasabowmanofgirlishcharms，wearingaPhrygiancap。Thereisalatelegendthathehadason，Corythus，byOEnone，andthathekilledtheladinamomentofjealousy，findinghimwithHelenandfailingtorecognisehim。OnthedeathofParis，perhapsbyvirtueofthecustomoftheLevirate，Helenbecamethewifeofhisbrother，Deiphobus。

HowherreconciliationwithMenelauswasbroughtaboutwedonotlearnfromHomer，who，inthe"Odyssey，"acceptsitasafact。Theearliesttraditionalhintonthesubjectisgivenbythefamous"CofferofCypselus，"aworkoftheseventhcentury，B。C。，whichPausaniassawatOlympia，inA。D。174。Here，onabandofivory，wasrepresented，amongotherscenesfromthetaleofTroy，Menelausrushing，swordinhand，toslayHelen。AccordingtoStesichorus，thearmywasabouttostoneherafterthefallofIlios，butrelented，amazedbyherbeauty。

OfherlaterlifeinLacedaemon，nothingisknownonreallyancientauthority，andlatertraditionsvary。TheSpartansshowedhersepulchreandhershrineatTherapnae，whereshewasworshipped。

HerodotustellsushowHelen，asaGoddess，appearedinhertempleandhealedadeformedchild，makingherthefairestwomaninSparta，inthereignofAriston。Itmay，perhaps，beconjecturedthatinSparta，HelenoccupiedtheplaceofalocalAphrodite。InanotherlatestoryshedwellsintheisleofLeuke，ashadowybrideoftheshadowyAchilles。ThemockingLucian，inhisVeraHistoria，meetsHelenintheFortunateIslands，whencesheelopeswithoneofhiscompanions。Again，thesonsofMenelaus，byaconcubine，weresaidtohavedrivenHelenfromSpartaonthedeathofherlord，andshewasmurderedinRhodes，bythevengeanceofPolyxo，whosehusbandfellatTroy。But，amongalltheseinventions，thatofHomerstandsoutpre-eminent。HelenandMenelausdonotdie，theyaretoonearakintoZeus；theydwellimmortal，notamongtheshadowsofheroesandoffamousladiesdeadandgone，butinElysium，theparadiseattheworld"send，unvisitedbystorms。

"Beyondthesevoicesthereispeace。"

Itisplainthat，asalove-story，thetaleofParisandHelenmusttomodernreadersseemmeagre。ToGreece，ineveryage，themaininterestlaynotinthepassionofthebeautifulpair，butinitsworld-wideconsequences:theclashofEuropeandAsia，thedeathsofkings，theruinwroughtintheirhomes，theconsequentfallofthegreatandancientAchaeancivilisation。TotheGreeks，theTrojanwarwaswhattheCrusadesareinlaterhistory。AsintheCrusades，theWestassailedtheEastforanideal，nottorecovertheHolySepulchreofourreligion，buttowinbackthelivingtypeofbeautyandofcharm。Perhaps，erethesungrowscold，menwillnomorebelieveintheCrusades，asanhistoricalfact，thanwedointhesiegeofTroy。Inasense，averyobvioussense，themythofHelenisaparableofHellenichistory。Theysoughtbeauty，andtheyfoundit；theyboreithome，and，withbeauty，theirbane。

WhereverHelenwent"shebroughtcalamity，"inthisatypeofallthefamousandpeerlessladiesofolddays，ofCleopatraandofMaryStuart。RomanceandpoetryhavenothinglessplausiblethanthepartwhichCleopatraactuallyplayedinthehistoryoftheworld，aworldwelllostbyMarkAntonyforhersake。TheflightfromActiummightseemasmuchamerepoet"sdreamasthegatheringoftheAchaeansatAulis，ifwewerenotcertainthatitistrulychronicled。

Fromtheearliesttimes，evenfromtimesbeforeHomer(whoseaudienceissupposedtoknowallaboutHelen)，theimaginationofGreece，andlater，theimaginationofthecivilisedworld，hasplayedaroundHelen，devisingaboutherallthatpossiblycouldbedevised。ShewasthedaughterofZeusbyNemesis，orbyLeda；orthedaughteroftheswan，orachildofthechangefulmoon，broodingon"theformlessandmulti-formwaters。"Shecouldspeakinthevoicesofallwomen，henceshewasnamed"Echo，"andwemightfancythat，likethewitchoftheBrocken，shecouldappeartoeverymaninthelikenessofhisownfirstlove。TheancientEgyptianseitherknewher，orinventedlegendsofhertoamusetheinquiringGreeks。ShehadtouchedatSidon，andperhapsAstarothisonlyherSidonianname。Whatevercouldbetoldofbeauty，initscharm，itsperils，thedangerswithwhichitsurroundsitslovers，thepuritywhichitretains，unsmirchedbyallthesinsthataredoneforbeauty"ssake，couldbetoldofHelen。

Likeagoldencup，asM。PauldeSt。Victorsays，shewascarriedfromlipstolipsofheroes，butthegoldremainsunsulliedandunalloyed。Toheavenshereturnsagain，toheavenwhichisherown，andlooksdownserenelyonmenslain，andwomenwidowed，andsinkingships，andburningtowns。Yetwithdeathshegivesimmortalitybyherkiss，andParisandMenelauslive，becausetheyhavetouchedthelipsofHelen。ThroughthegraceofHelen，forwhomhefell，Sarpedon"smemoryendures，andAchillesandMemnon，thesonoftheMorning，andTroyismoreimperishablethanCarthage，orRome，orCorinth，thoughHelen"BurntthetoplesstowersofIlium。"

Inonebriefpassage，MarlowedidmorethanallpoetssinceStesichorus，or，atleastsincetheepithalamiumofTheocritus，forthegloryofHelen。Romanpoetsknewherbestasanenemyoftheirfabulousancestors，andinthe"AEneid，"Virgil"sherodrawshisswordtoslayher。ThroughtheMiddleAges，intheromancesofTroy，shewandersasashiningshadowoftheideallyfair，likeGuinevere，whosooftenrecallsherintheArthurianromances。ThechivalrousmediaevalpoetsandtheCeltscouldunderstandbetterthantheRomansthephilosophyof"theworldwelllost"forlove。

Modernpoetry，eveninGoethe"s"SecondpartofFaust，"hasnotbeenveryfortunatelyinspiredbyHelen，exceptinthefewlineswhichshespeaksin"TheDreamofFairWomen。"

"Ihadgreatbeauty；askthounotmyname。"

Mr。WilliamMorris"sHelen，inthe"EarthlyParadise，"charmsatthetimeofreading，but，perhaps，leaveslittleabidingmemory。

TheHelenof"TroilusandCressida"isnotoneofShakespeare"simmortalwomen，andMr。Rossetti"sballadisfantasticandsomewhatfalseintone——aromanticpastiche。WhereEuripidestwicefailed，inthe"Troades"andthe"Helena，"itcanbegiventofewtosucceed。Helenisbestlefttoherearliestknownminstrel，forwhocanrecapturethegrace，thetenderness，themelancholy，andthecharmofthedaughterofZeusinthe"Odyssey"and"Iliad"？

ThesightlesseyesofHomersawherclearest，andHelenwasbestunderstoodbythewisdomofhisunquestioningsimplicity。

Asiftoprovehowentirely，thoughsomanyhandspalteredwithherlegend，HelenisHomer"salone，thereremainsnogreatortypicalworkofGreekartwhichrepresentsherbeauty，andthebreastsfromwhichweremodelledcupsofgoldfortheserviceofthegods。Wehaveonlypaintingsonvases，orworkongems，which，thoughgraceful，isconventionalandmightrepresentanyotherheroine，Polyxena，orEriphyle。NoHelenfromthehandsofPhidiasorScopashassurvivedtoourtime，andthegrassmaybegrowinginTherapnaeovertheshatteredremainsofheronlystatue。

AsStesichorusfabledthatonlyaneidolonofHelenwenttoTroy，so，exceptinthe"Iliad"and"Odyssey，"wemeetbutshadowsofherloveliness，phantasmswovenoutofclouds，andthelightofsettingsuns。

CHAPTERXIII:ENCHANTEDCIGARETTES

Todreamoverliteraryprojects，Balzacsays，islike"smokingenchantedcigarettes，"butwhenwetrytotackleourprojects，tomakethemreal，theenchantmentdisappears。Wehavetotillthesoil，tosowtheseed，togathertheleaves，andthenthecigarettesmustbemanufactured，whiletheremaybenomarketforthemafterall。Probablymostpeoplehaveenjoyedthefragranceoftheseenchantedcigarettes，andhavebroodedovermuchwhichtheywillneverputonpaper。Herearesomeof"theashesoftheweedsofmydelight"——memoriesofromanceswhereofnosinglelineiswritten，orislikelytobewritten。

OfmyearliestnovelIrememberbutlittle。Iknowtherehadbeenawreck，andthatthevillain，whowasbelievedtobedrowned，camehomeandmadehimselfdisagreeable。Iknowthattheheroine"smouthwasNOT"toolargeforregularbeauty。"Inthatrespectshewasoriginal。Allheroinesare"muckle-mou"d，"Iknownotwhy。Itisexpectedofthem。Iknowshewasmelancholyandmerry；itwouldnotsurprisemetolearnthatshedrownedherselffromacanoe。

Butthevillainneverdescendedtocrime，thefirstloverwouldnotfallinlove，theheroine"sownaffectionswereprovokinglydisengaged，andthewholeaffaircametoadeadstopforwantofaplot。Perhaps，consideringmoderncanonsoffiction，thismighthavebeenaverysuccessfulnovel。Itwasentirelydevoidofincidentorinterest，and，consequently，wasagooddeallikereallife，asreallifeappearstomanycultivatedauthors。Ontheotherhand，allthecharacterswereflippant。Thiswouldneverhavedone，andIdonotregretnovelNo。I。，whichhadnotevenaname。

Thesecondstoryhadaplot，quantitiesofplot，nothingbutplot。

Itwastohavebeenwrittenincollaborationwithaverygreatnovelist，who，asfaraswewent，confinedhimselftomakingobjections。Thisnovelwasstopped(notthatmyfriendwouldeverhavegoneon)by"CalledBack，"whichanticipatedpartoftheidea。

Thestorywasentitled"WhereisRose？"andthemottowas-

"RosaquolocorumSeramoratur。"

Thecharacterswere——(1)Rose，ayoungladyofquality。(2)TheRussianPrincess，herfriend(needIaddthat，tomeetapublicdemand，HERnamewasVera？)。(3)YoungmanengagedtoRose。(4)

Charles，hisfriend。(5)Anenterprisingpersonnamed"TheWhiteleyofCrime，"theuniversalProviderofIniquity。Infact，heanticipatedSirArthurDoyle"sProfessorMoriarty。Therestweredetectives，oldladies，mob，andawealthyyoungColoniallarrikin。NeithermyfriendnorIwasfondofdescribinglovescenes，sowemadetheheroinedisappearinthesecondchapter，andsheneverturnedupagaintillchapterthelast。Afterplayinginacomedyatthehouseofanearl，RosaandVeraenteredherbrougham。Soonafterwardsthebroughamdrewup，EMPTY，atRose"sowndoor。WhereWASRose？Tracesofherwerefound，ofallplaces，intheHauntedHouseinBerkeleySquare，whichisnothauntedanylonger。AfterthatRosewaslongsoughtinvain。

This，briefly，iswhathadoccurred。ARussiandetective"wanted"

Vera，who，tobesure，wasaNihilist。TocatchVerahemadeanalliancewith"TheWhiteleyofCrime。"Hewasamanwhowoulddestroyaparishregister，orforgeawill，orcrackacrib，orbreakupaPro-Boermeeting，orburnahouse，orkidnaparightfulheir，ormanageapersonation，orissueamateurbank-notes，orwhatyouplease。Thinkingtokilltwobirdswithonestone，hecarriedoffRoseforherdiamondsandVeraforhisfriend，theMuscovitepoliceofficial，lodgingthembothintheHauntedHouse。ButthereheandtheRussiancametoblows，and，intheconfusion，Veramadeherescape，whileRosewasconveyed，ASVERA，toSiberia。Notknowinghowtodisposeofher，theRussianpoliceconsignedhertoanunneryatthemouthoftheObi。Herlover，inayacht，foundherhiding-place，andgotafriendlynuntogivehersomenarcoticknowntotheSamoyeds。ItwastheoldtrucoftheFriarin"RomeoandJuliet。"AtthemouthoftheObitheydonotburythedead，butlaythemdownonplatformsintheopenair。Rosewaspickeduptherebyherlover(accompaniedbyachaperon，ofcourse)，wasgotonboardthesteamyacht，andallwentwell。Iforgetwhathappenedto"TheWhiteleyofCrime。"AfterhimIstillratherhanker——hewasahumorousruffian。Somethingcouldbemadeof"TheWhiteleyofCrime。"SomethingHASbeenmade，bytheauthorof"SherlockHolmes。"

Inyetanotherromance，agentlemantakeshisfriend，inacountryplace，toseehisbetrothed。Thefriend，whohadonlycomeintotheneighbourhoodthatday，isfounddead，nextmorning，hangingtoatree。Gipsiesandothersaresuspected。Buttheloverwasthemurderer。Hehadbeenapriest，inSouthAmerica，andtheladywasaCatholic(whoknewnotofhisOrders)。Nowthefriendfellinlovewiththeladyatfirstsight，onbeingintroducedtoherbythelover。Asthetwomenwalkedhome，thefriendthreatenedtorevealthelover"ssecret——histonsure——whichwouldbefataltohishopes。Theyquarrelled，parted，andtheex-priestlassoedhisfriend。Themotive，Ithink，isanoriginalone，andnotlikelytooccurtothefirstcomer。Theinventorisopentooffers。

Thenextnovel，basedonadream，wascalled"InSearchofQrart。"

WhatisQrart？IdeclinetodivulgethissecretbeyondsayingthatQrartwasaproductofthecivilisationwhichnowsleepsunderthesnowsofthepole。Itwasanarticleoftheutmostvaluetohumanity。FartherIdonotintendtocommitmyself。TheBrideofaGodwasoneofthecharacters。

Thenextnovelis，atpresent，myfavouritecigarette。ThesceneispartlyinGreece，partlyattheParthianCourt，about80-60B。C。

Crassusisthevillain。TheheroinewasanactressinoneofthewanderingGreekcompanies，splendidstrollers，whoplayedattheIndianandAsiaticCourts。Thestoryendswiththerepresentationofthe"Bacchae，"inParthia。TheheadofPentheusiscarriedbyoneoftheBacchaeinthatdrama。Behold，itisnotamask，butTHEHEADOFCRASSUS，andthusconveysthefirstnewsoftheRomandefeat。Obviously，thisisanovelthatneedsagreatdealofpreliminarystudy，asmuch，indeed，as"Salammbo。"

AnotherstorywilldealwiththeIcelandicdiscoverersofAmerica。

Mr。Kipling，however，hastakenthewindoutofitssailswithhissketch，"TheFinestStoryintheWorld。"ThereareallthemarvelsandportentsoftheEyrbyggjaSagatodrawupon，thereareSkraelingstofight，andwhyshouldnotKarlsefni"ssonkillthelastmastodon，and，asQuetzalcoatl，bethewhite-beardedgodoftheAztecs？AfterthataromanceontheintriguestomakeCharlesEdwardKingofPolandsoundscommonplace。Butmuchmightbemadeofthat，too，iftherightmantookitinhand。Believeme，thereareplentyofstoriesleft，waitingforthemanwhocantellthem。

Ihavesaiditbefore，butIsayitagain，ifIwerekingIwouldkeepcourtofficials，Mr。StanleyWeyman，Mr。Mason，Mr。Kipling，andothers，totellmemyownstories。IknowthekindofthingwhichIlike，fromthediscoveryofQrarttothatoftheFrenchgoldintheburnatLochArkaig，orin"thewoodbythelochside"

thatMurrayofBroughtonmentions。

AnothercigaretteIhave，theadventuresofaPoet，aPoetborninaPuritanvillageofMassachusettsabout1670。Hawthornecouldhavetoldmemystory，andhowmyfriendwasdrivenintothewildernessandlivedamongtheRedMen。IthinkhewaskilledinanattempttowarnhiscountrymenofanIndianraid；IthinkhisMS。poemshaveabullet-holethroughthem，andbloodontheleaves。

TheywereinCarew"sbestmanner，thesepoems。

AnothertaleHawthornemighthavetoldme，thetaleofanexcellentman，whoseveryvirtues，bysomebanefulmoralchemistry，corruptandruinthepeoplewithwhomhecomesincontact。Idonotmeanbygoadingthemintotheoppositeextremes，butrathersomethinglikeamoraljettatura。Thisneedsagreatdealofsubtlety，andwhatistobecomeofthehero？Ishetoplungeintovicetilleverybodyisvirtuousagain？Itwantsworkingout。Ihaveomitted，afterall，aschoolboyhistoricalromance，explainingWHY

QUEENELIZABETHWASNEVERMARRIED。AScottishpaperofferedaprizeforastoryofQueenMaryStuart"sreign。Ididnotgettheprize——perhapsdidnotdeserveit，butmystoryranthus:YoumustknowthatQueenElizabethwassingularlylikeDarnleyinpersonalappearance。Whatsonaturalasthat，disguisedasapage，herMajestyshouldcomespyingabouttheCourtofHolyrood？DarnleyseesherwalkingoutofQueenMary"sroom，hethinksheranhallucination，discoversthatsheisreal，challengesher，andtheyfightatFaldonside，bytheTweed，ShakespeareholdingElizabeth"shorse。Elizabethiswounded，andiscarriedtotheKirkofField，andlaidinDarnley"schamber，whileDarnleygoesoutandmakeslovetomyruralheroine，theladyofFernilee，aKerr。ThatnightBothwellblowsuptheKirkofField，Elizabethandall。Darnleyhasonlyoneresource。Borrowingtheridinghabitoftheruralheroine，theladyofFernilee，hefleesacrosstheBorder，and，fortherestofhislife，personatesQueenElizabeth。ThatiswhyElizabeth，whowasDarnley，hatedMarysobitterly(onaccountoftheKirkofFieldaffair)，andTHATISWHYQUEENELIZABETHWAS

NEVERMARRIED。Side-lightsonShakespeare"sSonnetswereobviouslycast。TheyoungmanwhomShakespeareadmiredso，andurgedtomarry，was——Darnley。Thisromancedidnotgettheprize(theanachronismaboutShakespeareisworthyofScott)，butIamconceitedenoughtothinkitdeservedanhonourablemention。

Enoughofmyowncigarettes。Butthereareothersofamorefragrantweed。WhowillendformethenovelofwhichByrononlywroteachapter；who，asBulwerLyttonisdead？Afineropening，onemoremysteriouslystirring，youcannowhereread。Andthenovelinletters，whichScottbeganin1819，whoshallfinishit，ortelluswhathedidwithhisfairVenetiancourtezan，acharactersomuchoutofSirWalter"sway？Hetosseditaside——itwasbutanenchantedcigarette——andgaveus"TheFortunesofNigel"

initsplace。Iwantboth。Wecannotcallupthosewho"lefthalftold"thesestories。Inahappierworldweshalllistentotheirendings，andallourdreamsshallbecoherentandconcluded。

Meanwhile，withouttrouble，andexpense，anddisappointment，andreviews，wecanallsmokeourcigarettesoffairyland。Wouldthatmanypeoplewerecontenttosmokethempeacefully，anddidnotrushonpen，paper，andink!

CHAPTERXIV:STORIESANDSTORY-TELLING

(FromSTRATHNAVER)

Wehavehadadroughtforthreeweeks。DuringawholeweekthisnorthernstrathhasbeenassunnyastheRivieraisexpectedtobe。