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diff --git a/17568.txt b/17568.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..56e9aa0 --- /dev/null +++ b/17568.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2307 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Arctic Queen, by Unknown + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Arctic Queen + +Author: Unknown + +Release Date: January 21, 2006 [EBook #17568] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ARCTIC QUEEN *** + + + + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Cori Samuel and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +The Arctic Queen. + + To + + DR. ELISHA KENT KANE, + + COMMANDER OF THE GRINNELL EXPEDITION + + IN SEARCH OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN-- + + THIS POEM IS DEDICATED: + + WITH SINCEREST ADMIRATION OF HIS ENTERPRISE, COURAGE AND + HEROIC SELF-DEVOTION, + + AND OF HIS SUCCESS AS DISCOVERER + + OF THE + + OPEN POLAR SEA. + + + + +THE ARCTIC QUEEN. + + +PART FIRST. + + OENE, of all the chilly Arctics, queen, + Ascended to her everlasting throne + Built on the steadfast centre of the world, + And waited for the middle hour of night, + Now swiftly coming, to convene her court. + Set in an ocean of perpetual calm + Was the fair island honoured by her reign; + Slowly around her rolled the Frigid Zone, + Dim in the mystic moonlight far away,-- + A silvery ring, circling her nearer realm + With the pale lustre of its snowy walls, + Defending from all storm and sudden change + The sea which bathed the island's level shores. + She sat upon her throne, and none might tell + Whether her limbs the lambent lustre cast + Upon the pearls of which it was composed, + Or they cast beauty on her glowing form. + Around her feet a pavement spread, inlaid + Of squares of roseate sea-shells, set about + With purple gems, unknown in other lands;-- + Thence, winding paths, sprinkled with golden sand, + Ran out, through bowers of flowers and fields of green + To meet the sea. + + Low in the South the Moon + Shone full against the island. The North-star, + Sparkling and blazing like a silver sun, + Stood at the Zenith, as a lamp hung out + From heaven to charm the endless Arctic night;-- + And thus a soft profusion of pure light, + More exquisite than sunshine, fell abroad. + Unnipped by daintiest frosts, in every field + Flowers crowded thick; and trees, not tall nor rude, + With slender stems upholding feathery shade, + Nodded their heads and hung their pliant limbs + In natural bowers, sweet with delicious gloom. + + Queen OENE sent her luminous glance afar: + Fine rays of tintless light played round her head, + Crowning her beauty with mysterious glory. + She gazed away, beyond the tranquil sea, + To distant mountains of unchanging snow, + And still beyond, to where full many a tower + And fortress reared their walls of gleaming ice + On the dim verges of her vast domains. + + Scarcely had she in silence throned herself, + Ere from the trees, or flower-coves of the shore, + Or gliding in from idling on the sea, + Her maids of honor came, a virgin train, + Like a bright constellation clustering round + The central star, most glorious of them all. + One, in a crimson blossom, torn away + From its far moorings, nestled at her ease, + Was seen slowly to skim the silver lake; + While the huge flower seemed of itself propelled, + Save that, by chance, a flushed and saucy face, + Peeped from the waves, showing a little imp + Who tugged at its stout stem with willful toil. + KOLONA's limbs and bosom roseate glowed + As the slant moonlight through the crimson flower + Bathed her with blushes; but, when on the strand + She lightly sprang, flinging her tresses back, + A southern maiden would have deemed her pale. + Too rich for pallor was the polished glow + Of her lithe figure; while, in either cheek, + The red veins glimmered; dark blue were her eyes; + Her tresses, like deep shadows, made more fair + The light which they enhanced, glancing within. + + The first to touch the white feet of the Queen + And place herself at her right hand, was she. + Others came soon; all bright, all beautiful, + With deep blue eyes, and sweet mouths set in smiles. + Long chains of jewels rare were, round their necks, + Twined many times; these, flickering, rose and fell + With the soft breath their full, graced bosoms drew. + From waist to knee of each a tunic dropped + In many folds, woven in changing hues + Of birds' gay plumage, and fringed deep with gems, + Which they with artless and unenvying pride, + Would fain have made, each, most magnificent. + + They gathered round their Queen, as midnight neared. + Suddenly, with the hour, there came a change + Over the moonlight and the courtly scene. + OENE upon the pavement pressed her feet, + And out the North-Lights sprang, to do her will, + From secret caverns underneath its pearls. + O'er all the land she bade them come and go; + Each battlemented iceberg on the deep + Of other seas, and every snowy hall, + And every citadel by frosts upreared, + Were lighted with wild splendors, as the troupes + Of messengers rushed swiftly to and fro. + The people of the Arctics knew their Queen + Summoned her subjects to the Presence then + By wavering tints which played beneath the Star, + And the great speed with which the North-Lights flew. + They hurried even to the Temperate Zone. + A band of phantom spirits took wings and flew + Far to the southern sky, a fluttering crowd. + A warrior, yellow garbed, with fiery spear, + Bestrode a frantic steed, and looked not back + Till he alighted on a distant hill. + With scintillant flames some perched on towers remote + Or bore green banners o'er the mirroring sea, + Or flitted through dim valleys, bright and fast, + Casting their flickering shadows down the deep + And awful solitudes of Arctic lands. + + Such of her people as had aught to ask + Of favor or redress, from air and earth, + Came now, bringing petitions, councils, gifts. + Some slid on twinkling star-beams through the air, + Some sailed in shallops over the light waves, + And all who came had presents for their Queen,-- + Rare tints which they had caught just as the Moon + Peered o'er the shoulder of the mighty Thug.-- + Those dwelling in the caverns of the sea + Brought up the gayest jewels they could find, + And pearls from underneath their low-based bergs + Deep in the green waves, that, with thunderous sound, + Did lull the giants of the North to sleep. + + There came, as time rolled by, from the far verge + Of her vast realm, the rugged guardian ghouls, + Stationed in fortresses and waging war + On all encroachers from the hated South. + These had wild forms and gaunt; their dress was rude-- + Skins of the white bear fastened to their loins. + They bore long, glistening spears, and deadly clubs + Wrenched from the spines of monsters of the sea. + Their gifts were rude as they, and yet their Queen + Unbent the radiant quiet of her brow, + Gazing with favor on these proofs of valor. + Tales of achievements dread, of battles, deaths, + Had they to speak, while, with pleased ear intent, + Their sovereign listened. + + One warrior ghoul + With crispy locks and frosty eyes, and breath + Chiller than death's,--naked, as scorning e'en + To wear the trophies of his fierce renown-- + Before the Presence stood, and told in haste,-- + As half impatient of the wish to boast, + Yet proud to serve so well--how he was called + WOLE, guardian of old Thug;--how from the South + Came, ploughing slowly through the unwilling sea, + A ship, crowded with mortals from that land; + How, boldly, in defiance of commands + Sent out by skirmishing Frosts, they still drew near, + Passing the outer line of her domains; + Daring to come, with their invading eyes, + Where never mortals else had looked and lived. + He told,--and here he glanced, upon his friends, + Eyes of bright scorn--how the imperious ship + Passed safely Tug and Dor, though all the guards + Shot barbs of ice, and filled the air with fine, + Invisible needles, piercing their pained flesh, + And tore their stiffening sails with sharp-teethed winds; + How, still, the ship pressed on where He kept watch, + Ready to do new service for his Queen: + How, as it closer came, he fixed his eyes + Relentlessly upon it, till nor hand, + Nor foot, nor eyelid of the fated crew + Had power to stir, nor even the sails to flap, + While banded winds which he sent forth, still drove + The doomed ones onward to the eager shore, + Where every soul had perished, one by one. + + "Thou hast done well, old WOLE," Queen OENE said. + + Stepping a pace in front of her companions, + With bashful cheek, but with a kindling eye-- + "'Tis not for one like me to have a thought + In thy rare presence, Queen," KOLONA said,-- + "Yet I would dare to tell thee what I saw + Only a moon ago, when a wild freak + Possessed me to go voyaging alone, + Across the sea, to find what curious things + The other shore might hold. My lily bark, + Being too frail for such a venturous cruise + I borrowed GONDOR's boat of nautilus' shells, + Put up my lua-leaf sail and swiftly sped + Across the ocean, till this level isle + Grew smaller than a star. The air grew cold:-- + I almost shivered in my bird's-down mantle; + But when I neared the opposing shore, the sight + Of all its snowy scenery, repaid me. + Coasting along at leisure, on a cliff + Which overhung the sea, I saw appear + A being, whom I knew at once as Man.-- + One of that mortal race which we have kept + Forever, since our chronicles began, + With war assiduous, from our inner realms, + Still undefiled by their invading feet. + The choking hurry of my noisy heart + Told me the truth. At first I would have fled, + But, being unperceived by him, I lingered,-- + Inquisitive and wilful that I am. + Thenceforth, sweet Queen, I never can forget + The face of this one man which I have seen. + Triumph was on his brow, and yet not that + So much as doubt and earnest questioning. + Something arose into his eyes and shone + Which must have been his Soul; it searched the deep, + The earth, the sky, with bright and troubled gaze; + And then, glanced forward with so still a look, + It seemed that it, perforce, would vanish space, + And bring our secret world within its ken; + Yet, with no cruelty or wantonness, + Such as we hear gleamed from the cunning eyes + Of those fierce hordes who, centuries ago, + Came in their boats and strove to conquer us. + Knowledge was what it craved, with truth it burned; + A majesty we cannot name, expressed + Its power within his features. Then I felt + That, could I bring him to thy gracious feet + He would reveal to us that mystery + The dream of which so oft hath troubled us, + Breaking upon us, like the light of Heaven, + Too high for us to fix its source--that spoke + Of an eternal, comprehensive Life, + The thought of which doth haunt us. In return + We could bestow the knowledge which he craved, + And link his name with ours through all the earth, + Fearless of harm from one who only craves + The crown of Genius for his soul-lit brow. + Almost I rowed my shallop to his feet; + Almost I offered to convey him hither, + Yet feared so much, O, Queen, thy just displeasure, + That I forbore. + + "Long time he, gazing, stood; + And when he turned, 'twas with so deep a sigh + The sound awakened in me strange regret, + Endless reproach, and grief before unknown. + Art angry with thy maiden, peerless Queen?" + + Over the lustrous forehead of OENE + A shadow came, and deepened in her eyes. + + "I might have slain thee both, if thou hadst ventured; + For it is part of our ancestral law, + The most immutable, to guard ourselves, + With our severest powers, from envious Man. + Yet, as thou sayest, he might have fed our hearts + With sweet immortal food--aye, given us souls, + If such things be,--worth half my priceless realms. + No more--no more! KOLONA! take thy place!" + + As a soft flower shrinks from the coming night, + Amid protecting leaves, KOLONA shrank, + Amid her tresses, from her sovereign's eyes, + So gloomy yet so kind; and mutely stood + Amid the bright and coyly wondering train. + + A band of sprites, armed with sharp, silver spears, + With pearl-encrusted garb and gleaming sandals, + Dwelling low down the land, even amid men, + The Queen's advance guard, giving due alarm + Of all attacks, taking short flights by night, + And reconnoitering the southern world,-- + Had sent a group to counsel with their Queen. + These, now, had much to say of an adventure + Which took them almost to the Tropic Zone:-- + How they had blighted fruit; and mildews cast + Over the fields; and blasted flowering trees; + Nipping the hopes of gaudy butterflies, + Doting on honeyed flowers to fill their mouths; + Chilling the saucy birds within their nests; + Ruining the rainbow hues of many a garden; + Pricking the insect world with their fine spears, + And disappointing mortals of their wish. + + Their somewhat boastful discourse these had ceased, + When came in hosts a crowd around the Pole, + Parting on each side to make way for one, + A stranger, craving audience of their Queen. + What saw those weird and piercing eyes, full turned + To meet the coming throng?--a singular sight, + Which filled them with bright anger and surprise! + Up from the sea, along a silvery path, + A mortal came; her girlish feet the first + That ever pressed the veritable Pole; + And not more strange to her was this wild queen, + And all the fairness of these maids of honor, + Than was her sunny beauty unto them. + The fluttering brightness of her golden hair, + The lustrous darkness of her eyes, the warmth + Of tropic tints upon her brow and cheek, + The dimpled fullness of her form, appeared + In vivid contrast with their fairer charms. + She held an offering of gorgeous flowers-- + Those most renowned for fragrance--in her hands, + Which, as she reached the platform, she held forth + With a most winning, most beseeching air. + Amazed at such presumption, on the maid, + Queen OENE's brow darkened in sudden wrath. + + "Warriors! do ye permit this sight!" she cried. + + The lightest breath of that majestic voice + Had ever been with prompt obedience met; + But now, though hoarse and deep as surging sea, + No spear was lowered and no arrow bent. + The Pole-Queen raised aloft her pale right arm;-- + She stamped her haughty feet upon the pave,-- + And all the Powers of the vast Frigid Zone + Were in commotion terrible:--the earth + Shook till the people reeled, and reeling, fell; + The circle of white gems about the throne + Threw off strange darts of light which smote like steel: + Swift whirling round with inconceivable speed + A host of Northern Lights sprang into air, + And, battling round their Queen, confused and wild, + Blent with each other in the fierce affray. + The frightened stars paled in the distant sky; + And spectres rushed on shadowy steeds of grey + Down the flushed firmament; and shining spears, + Held by invisible hands, whirled high o'erhead. + Pale mortals in the far off Torrid Zone + Saw wonders in the Northern air with fear; + And when an inward trembling shook the Pole + Central through all the earth, in distant lands + The mountains belched forth fire on fated cities. + + Behind the throne suddenly arose a shower, + As 'twere of phosphorescent flakes of snow, + Straight upward like a fountain, and then fell + In glowing sparks wide over all the land. + The surging sea dashed its bewildered waves + Against the foreheads of gigantic bergs, + Walking, like drunken men, the noisy deep. + Anon the POLE was calm. Uninjured stood + The mortal maid before the great OENE; + While near, a thousand prostrate subjects lay + Slain by an angry sovereign disobeyed. + + "Queen of this strange and spectral land, wilt thou + Not show thy favor to a lonesome child + Come wandering all this way, impelled by love? + Not hate, ambition, curiosity, + Have led me to thy fair and fearful presence. + I have no power, am but a weak young girl; + And chance, alone, has thus revealed to me + The mystic glory of this unknown world, + With thy bright self and this enchanted isle,-- + This pearl upon the bosom of the deep + So palely, purely fair--undreamed of beauty! + Love is the sole excuse which I can urge + For my intrusion"--here the stranger blushed, + Drooping in silence her embarrassed head. + + "Speak on!" imperially the Pole-Queen said, + Charmed in her own despite, by that sweet face; + While LIR-LIR to KOLONA leaned and smiled, + Commending, in a whisper, what she saw: + And a soft flutter through the courtly train + Stirred, like the shimmer of a moonlit breeze + Kissing the waves:--"I will thy message hear!" + + And so the maiden, gathering courage, said: + "Far in a blooming isle, in Southern seas, + I had a home, whose walls, of marble cool, + Were chequered by soft shadows, hovering, + Like flocks of birds, about its battlements; + For, all around, were trees, whose glistening leaves + Danced ever, in the sunlight or the moonlight, + To the soft flutes of the Arcadian winds; + And to the sleepy music, drowsily + The gorgeous flowers nodded their lovely heads. + Through the bright days, and in my sleep at night, + I heard the ripples breaking on the sand, + Till their continual murmur grew to be + A thing of course,--like sunshine and fresh air,-- + Or like the love which grew into my life, + As color into flowers when they unfold. + The fluttering foliage and the sighing waves + Seemed whispering "BERTHO!" ever in my ear; + For BERTHO was my lover, and my heart + Could find no other meaning in their sound. + I was a princess of that blooming isle; + But BERTHO--he was poor! still, not so poor + As brave, high-souled, and strangely venturesome. + He trusted to the sea to gain his wealth, + As well as knowledge and a manly fame. + Ah! how I wept, when told that we must part! + How much more bitter tears I shed that day + On which he left me, wretched, by the shore, + Watching the gleam of his receding sails! + + "Dim grew the golden air from that dark hour. + Like some rich flower, torn from the wooing kiss + Of the warm sun, and hidden in a cell, + I drooped, and lost the redness of my cheeks. + All the wild thrills that used to come and go, + Tumultuous, through my happy heart, and send + The pulses flying through my frame, died out. + + "And thus in sadness two long summers passed. + In madness or in wisdom my poor brain + Wrought out a vision in my troubled sleep, + Through which I saw my BERTHO, and he bade + My soul be still and fear not,--I should take + My little boat, in which I used to skirt + The island shores, and loose it on the deep, + Placing myself within it:--It would come, + By force of an unknown and magic current, + (The thought of which, in speculative minds, + Had long been cherished,) straightway to the shore + Of the strange country where, enthralled, he dwelt. + If I still loved him, this would prove my love! + + "Straight from my couch I rose, and like a ghost + Stole through the darkness of my father's halls; + Fled to the sea; and in my fragile bark + I heaped a few fresh fruits, and bore a vase + Filled with fresh water,--this was all my store. + I loosed my shallop from the anchoring rock, + And, as it drifted out upon the tide, + I leaned upon the single, slender oar + Whose aid was all I asked upon the deep. + Before my yearning vision lay my home, + Fading away from sight as the full tide + Went murmuring back from its delightful shores. + The loveliest hour of all the twenty-four + Charmed earth and ocean, that eventful time. + Moonlight and morning, softly blending, lay + Upon the land; while down the glassy sea, + Far in the distance, slowly stole a band + Of sunrise glories, smiling, looking back, + And glowing with warm splendors. All the East + Was crimson with their blushes, and the waves + Which followed in their bright and stately way + Wore crests of gold, and purple-shaded robes. + Next came light breezes blowing from the land, + Odorous with roses, sweet with drowsy songs + Of nightingales, and cool with myrtle leaves, + Following down the path the sunrise took. + And next, the stars went dimly down the west, + Crowd upon crowd, in slow and shining cars, + Bright wheeling down their heaven-appointed way. + + "All day the sun shadowed himself in clouds; + My cheeks scarce browned beneath his cooled rays. + At night I sank contentedly to sleep, + Upon the silken cushions of my bark; + Then mermaids, who, attracted by my voice, + Had floated round me, underneath the waves, + Not daring to appear, swam near, reached out + Their arms of glowing white, and touched the boat. + Charmed by the helplessness of sleep in me, + They chanted sea-hymns, and I, straightway, dreamed + Of tinkling fountains in my father's halls, + And how my lover sat beside me there, + Murmuring his words of love in my thrilled ear. + They rocked the bark, too, with their lily hands, + As tender mothers rock their cradled babes: + And one wild sea-nymph reached and touched my hair-- + I saw her through my dream!--and one unstrung + The pearls from out her own wave-wetted locks, + And flung them by me. + + "The fresh morn waked me; + A current, gentle as a musical sound, + Swept the boat onward, as by magic power. + At times I thought, perchance, the nymphs beneath + Propelled it, but when I recalled my dream, + I knew some freak of nature, or some law, + By me uncomprehended, did the work. + At night I heard the naiads, in a tone + As soft as shepherd's reed, sing ocean-songs; + And sometimes, in the day, above the wave + I for a moment saw a lovely face, + Pearled in a clinging mass of shell-wreathed hair, + Peering upon me with strange, smiling eyes. + Gay fishes, in the sunlight gleaming, swam + With playful fires of evanescent hues; + And birds did sometimes rest their weary wings + Upon my shoulder, pecking at the fruit + Which I did share with them, though small my store. + + "Thus on and on continuous days I fled; + No wind came now, blowing from flowery shores, + At times to startle me with dreams of home; + No more bewildering songs rose all the night + Around me; nor familiar faces glanced + An instant from the deep; nor long, fair fingers + Hung on the gilded prow. + + "The Temperate Zone + Had floated by like a long stream of gold; + The Arctics lay before me, vast and drear; + The sea was green and rough; no gay fish darted + Like silver arrows from the quivering wave; + But monsters, with thick scales and hideous eyes, + Looked sullenly up in stupid wonderment, + While some swam to'ards me, with rapacious maws + Sharp-fanged and bloody, and exulting fins + Flapping with demon slowness their huge sides;-- + And still I passed unhurt. + + "Once round my boat + For many hours an old sea-dragon hovered. + His huge folds lay like rainbows on the sea, + And his two eyes, like suns, resplendent shone. + He seemed to guard thy realm, O, mighty Queen! + And, with the cunning power of those large eyes, + To awe intruders from thy frozen world. + So fearlessly my gaze repelled his own + I charmed this wary dragon of the North; + The eyes that erst had sparkled goldenly + With a malicious and infatuous brightness, + Grew lost and dreaming in a vacant splendor; + The rainbow lustre of his lengthening folds + Faded to harmless green, till, prone, he lay, + A floating dream of dread, upon the deep; + Then, with the noiseless current drifting on, + I passed your subtle guardian swiftly by; + While only one faint sparkle, green and gold, + Broke from his sluggish sides as I swept past. + + "The grandeur of your floating towers of ice + Stole on my sight; the sea rolled rough; the air + Was sharp and clear; and yet this delicate robe + Was all sufficient to resist its power. + Soon, upon every side, I saw tall bergs. + A child of fragrant airs and sunny skies, + Enervate with the South's soft luxuries, + These icebergs burst upon me like a sense + Newly received, revealing God anew. + While in the distance, calmly floating on + Through the broad sunlight, then I loved to dream + That they were palaces upreared by gnomes, + With glittering towers and silver pinnacles,-- + That in them were expanded halls of light-- + Vast chambers--with such gorgeous, fretted roofs + And shining floors, as wearied human sight; + That fountains filled them with a slumberous sound; + And curtains, wrought of silver-threaded frost, + Were looped with priceless pearls from room to room;-- + A home for all the spirits of the Good + Lost in the pitiless sea,--where they would bathe + Their thoughts in heaven's splendor, looking out + The golden windows towards the constant sun, + Shining, unceasing, slant against their brows. + + "But, as I nearer drew, I lost that dream + In one more gloomy. They did seem to shape + Themselves to living giants; lifting high + Their frowning foreheads, crowned with fiery crowns. + As lower sank the sun towards the sea, + Gloomier did they grow, with their white hair + And lifted spears, walking with mighty steps + The creaking floor of the unsteady deep.-- + Nodding defiantly at one another-- + Meeting, with crashing spears and splintered shields, + With hoarse cries, breast to breast, in angry strife; + Their armor shivered at their feet, the sea + Broken beneath their tread and shuddering + At the great shock. + + "More thick these terrors grew; + Broad fields stretched out in many a frozen ridge; + While far beyond were paths of printless snow. + The ocean lay behind; and yet my boat + Moved ever onward, up a watery isle, + Opening, like a deep river, through the ice. + A shadowy land spread out on either side, + Where, moveless as some black and brooding bird, + Night hovered, silent, vast, and wonderful. + Thy Heralds, the North-Lights, did startle me + Into new wonder by their glowing shapes, + Swift rushing down the sky, those phantasms wild, + Flushing, and paling in their measureless speed. + + "At length I drifted into a new sea, + Where all was calm and warm, and where no tower + Of ragged ice upreared itself. On, on + I floated, while some lovely fantasy + Seemed stealing my true sense--so fair the scene. + Huge lillies, which no tropic land might boast, + Slept on the water--like embodied moonlight; + A mellow lustre bathed all things; sweet birds + With rainbow plumage fluttered through the air, + And this fair island dawned upon my sight. + Soon on the shore rested my vessel's prow, + And I, ascending the bright paths which spread + Through bowers of wond'rous beauty, came to thee, + The central light of all this loveliness. + This is my sin, if thou wilt judge it such. + But love, the fondest that did ever throb + In the warm heart of any mortal maid, + It was, which brought me. It must be, sweet Queen + That somewhere in thy mystical domains + My BERTHO dwells. Do'st know him? Is he well? + And does he for his fond-eyed OLIVE look, + With hollow shadows underneath his brows + From too much watching?" + + OENE answered back + The eager pleading of her glance with one + Of chilly calmness, as she thus replied:-- + + "There is _no living_ mortal in my realms, + Save thou alone, the first who ever came. + Thy BERTHO, from a thousand shades of men + Who roam the prisons of our underworld, + Pray, how can we distinguish? Would'st thou search? + Thou hast the liberty. We will not lay + The slightest new obstruction in thy way; + And this is mercy which we did not deem + We should extend towards an enemy. + We do not comprehend that strange excess + Of passion which hath made thee venture here. + But love, at least, is harmless. Go thy ways." + The innocent maidens, gathered round their Queen, + Looked on with interest, as the southern girl + Turned with a mute and trembling lip, away. + TULA, who on KOLONA's shoulder leaned, + Sprang towards her, reaching forth a friendly hand, + Whispering,--"Stay, beautiful, and sup with us; + Our servant spirits have already spread + The Feast of Borealis in the field," + But, OLIVE shook her head, denying smiles + Deep in her wistful eyes, and went her way. + + Court being ended, from her regal throne + OENE descended, passed the glowing steps, + And, like a star that walks the path of heaven + With a long train of light, she and her maids + Glided in lustrous beauty down the way, + And gathered to the Feast. + + Above the field, + Hedged round with lillies growing tall and fair, + The North-Lights clustered in a coronal, + And each held forth a lamp, in the still air, + Of purple, blue or green, crimson or rose, + Whose flickering splendors, like soft rainbows, fell + Upon the table, spread with fruits heaped high + On plates of delicate, transparent shells; + While many a dainty, gathered from the sea + Made more profuse the viands. + + When round the board + The guests had circled, e'er one ruby drop + Of liquid passed their lips, or food was touched, + The Virgins of the Court, in voices flowing, + Did sing this song in honor of the Feast, + While with a silent and a magical grace, + The North-Lights danced, and waved their flaming lamps: + + Lueladar! + O mighty Star! + The flying meteors backward glance + On thee to gaze, + And bright auroras softly dance + In mutest praise; + And, to and fro, + With motion slow + Wave the lamps whence colors flow. + From every chrystal spire + Flames forth thy silver fire; + And glimmering wave, and rugged tower, + And valley snow, and island flower, + And the smooth ice, spread near and far + Thy mirrors are, Lueladar! + + Lueladar! + Supremest Star! + The moon goes down beneath the world-- + She lives to die! + The banners of the stars are furled, + The comets fly; + The red sun shines, + And still declines, + And after him the darkness pines; + But thou art e'er the same-- + No flickering of thy flame-- + No sinking down in time to rise + Doth change thy splendor in the skies: + For this we worship thee, afar, + Most glorious Star, Lueladar! + + Lueladar! + Eternal Star! + Look with thy bright and burning eye + Upon our feast! + Thy silver robes flow o'er the sky + Our great High Priest! + Our world doth wear + Thy livery fair + From sparkling mount to jewel rare; + And every lightest flake + That drops into the lake; + And all the solemn beauty spread + Across the land, by thee is shed:-- + Most magical thy influences are + Thou wond'rous Star, Lueladar! + + + + + PART SECOND. + + OLIVE had crossed the mystic sea again, + Which spread its silver circle round the Pole. + Her feet were weary and her thoughts were sad. + Immeasurably tall the icy Thug,-- + That wond'rous mountain of whose old renown + The Arctic world thought with exalted hearts-- + Stood in her path and seemed to bar her way. + Four months of darkness in the valley slept, + Freezing in silent dreams; the Moon did crown + The hoary brow of the old headland, Thug, + With a dim glory, as of silver locks:-- + It held its head aloft and seemed to be + Peering through heaven's roof upon its God. + + "Ah, BERTHO! BERTHO!" the young traveller cried, + While rapid tears ran down her grief-touched cheeks:-- + "Is there no way save this? My feet refuse + To do the bidding of my heart; no more + This faithful bosom thy delight shall be-- + No more thine eyes shall smile into mine own + Till both swim full of bliss--no more thy mouth + Breathe its soft words and kisses on my cheek, + Naming me thine--thine only--thine forever! + Where art thou, BERTHO? BERTHO! Cruel Thug; + Sink thyself in the sea, presumptuous mount, + Till I can pluck my lover from thy breast!" + The echo of her heart did mock her cry; + Long time, she lay, half perished, on the snow, + Till love revived, with its eternal fires, + The warmth of purpose in her chilly breast; + Then, springing to her feet, she shook her curls, + In golden billows from her brows, the while + That a sweet resoluteness on her lip + Settled itself, and triumphed in her eyes:-- + "Torrent nor precipice, nor jutting crag-- + Night, spirits, ghouls, nor ravenous wild beasts, + Distance, nor time, shall fright me from the way," + She said, and silently began to climb, + Though avalanches roared from steep to steep + And fear increased with every perilous step. + The Moon alone was kind to the poor child, + Shedding its softest lustre round her feet. + Near half way up the mount she may have passed + When a fierce growl smote on her frightened ear, + As, from the shadows bounding, came a beast, + Grizzly, ferocious, snapping its sharp tusks:-- + So close it came she felt the hungry breath + Rushing in fiery vapor from its mouth, + She sprang aside, then fled; but steep the path, + And sinking fainting, to the ground, she sighed-- + "This is the last! BERTHO! Ah, me! farewell!" + + "Nay, not the last! thou'rt not dead yet, my dear! + Look up, thou fairy, or thou mortal child-- + I scarce know which--assure thyself of life. + Look up! look up! It cannot be I see + Before me, in this region of dispair, + A veritable mortal?" + + By his voice + Recalled to life, the trembling girl arose. + Before her stood a man; and in his hand + A spear that dripped with her pursuer's blood. + With still unconquered terror of the brute + She turned her head. + + "Fear nothing, thou sweet child; + But if thou art what now thou dost appear, + A creature of that world from whence I come, + Let me but hear thy voice--but hear one word + Of my blest country's language, and I'll deem + The service I have done thee with this spear + Naught in comparison. Speak, quickly speak!" + + "What shall I say, but thank thee for my life? + I am a maiden from far Southern climes + Come searching for my lover. Dost thou know + Where cruel OENE hast my BERTHO hidden? + What do'est _thou_ here? It must be thou art come + In search of wife or child,--what other fate + Could lead thee to such barren heights as these?" + + "Alas! dear child! there are other springs than love + To move the human heart. Ambition, may be; + Or better, a desire to serve my Queen + And my illustrious country, led me here." + + He paused and sighed. She saw his locks were thin; + Some white with years, but more with troubled toil; + And that he stood barefooted in the snow. + The pitying tears began within her eyes + To gather into brightness as she gazed, + Upon the grey, sublime, forlorn old man. + Coldly the moonlight glinted o'er the group + Regarding each the other with surprise:-- + She, sad at his abandonment of hope; + He, struck with mingled wonder and delight + To meet this woman, beautiful and young. + + "Dear friend," she said, brushing away her tears, + "If thou wilt rest thee on this smoothest rock + And tell me who thou art, and whence did come, + And wherefore lingering here, pleased will I listen." + + A smile stole o'er his pale, storm-beaten face.-- + "I know thee now, from mother Eve descended, + By thy most feminine willingness to hear, + The sorrows which did claim thy ready tears + While they were but suspected. Sit thee down. + Five years it is since, with three stately ships + And sturdy crews to man them, one proud day + I sailed away from the great three-linked isle, + Under my fair Queen's sovereign patronage, + For the far Frigid Zone--the wild, the fierce, + The unknown Arctic seas--through their cold depths, + Their intricate, unmarked, majestic ways, + To find a North-West Passage: which wise men + And skillful mariners, learned of the sea, + Suspected, through the navigator's art + Might to the world be opened. High my heart + With courage and ambition swelled its tides, + Knowledge I had and skill, with enterprise; + And should I be successful, future times + Should know my name, and future mariners + Respect my fame and emulate my deeds. + But one faint spot was there in my proud heart, + And that was where my constant wife, at parting, + Shed sorrowful tears, until they did strike through, + A fear, into my breast, that nevermore + That faithful brow should lean to it again. + + "To thee, if thou indeed hast safely passed + The horrors and the beauties of the sea, + I need not tell the ever-varying scenes + Of this most fearful voyage. + + "Day by day + I studied in my cabin over charts; + Or, on the deck, learned of the sea and sky + The subtle mariner's ever-changeful lore. + Prosperous we were, till o'er the mystic bounds + Of OENE's realms I sailed; save now and then + Some noble sailor of my kindly crews + With tears we left upon the bloomless shores + Where birds nor flowers should ever bless his grave. + On--on--beyond all shores--or sights of dwarfs + Slaying the rein-deer by their snow-built huts:-- + On, through the thickening perils of the way! + Methought I held within my brain the clue + Through that bewildering labyrinth of ice. + For weeks the Sun, a pale and sinking ghost, + With feeble eyes had glared upon the Pole. + Nor with his wavering arrows could o'erthrow + Even the airy domes of delicate sprites, + Sitting and decking their etherial robes + And turning them, sparkling, to his sullen face. + + "Now from OENE's dominions, messengers, + Borne by the flying winds, hourly arrived, + Warning me from her shores. At last the Queen, + Gathered together her enormous fleet; + It bore down upon us with such grand array + As I pray heaven never to see again. + An hundred giant ships, whose rainbow sails + And glittering masts towered a thousand feet + Above our tiny vessels, weighed their anchors + And slowly from their harbors drifted out. + We heard the creaking of their cables--heard + The shouting of their fierce and naked crews-- + We saw the green sea boil against their keels-- + Their viewless banners flapped against our faces-- + Their viewless darts pierced us on every side + Till men fell on our decks, a stony heap. + We strove, at least, to make a brave retreat, + Toiling in mute dispair, or madly praying + The winds to favor our poor, shattered sails. + They closed around us upon every side. + Two of the largest of their avenging fleet, + Drawing together crushed in the embrace + My stoutest vessel like some frailest shell; + Then swung apart, with laughter on their decks, + Showing me, where my noble friends had been, + Only a seething gulf. The sweat of anguish + Froze into hail upon my pallid brow, + When, with another shriek of agony, + The brother ship went down. At length the winds, + Saving us only from more sudden death, + Drove us upon the rocks beneath this mount. + Five years had wasted all our store of food; + But, seeing monsters like this beast of prey, + Some of the least exhausted boldly forth + Went to destroy them--I amid the rest,-- + But stupor and a drowsy sweetness came + Over our eyes, and we lay down to sleep-- + Waking to hear the mocking laugh of ghouls, + To find us chained, enslaved,--and, worse than all! + Lost from our corporal bodies--spirits--dead! + + "I, as the leader of the intruding band, + Am doomed to wander on this mountain side, + A century, before my restless ghost, + Freed from the thraldom of weird OENE's power, + Regains its natural liberty, and soars + Into the paradise of happy souls. + This is the punishment those mortals bear, + Who, venturing into this strange Arctic world, + Are vanquished by its sovereign. She hath power, + The source of which I know not, to retain + The souls of mortals for an hundred years, + Demanding service which they needs must pay. + The gloomy caverns underneath this mount, + And those which in the hearts of icebergs lie, + And many by the sea, are filled with those + Who work their ransom out with tedious toil. + For me--I am not put to any task-- + My punishment to gaze afar and see + How cruelly all friends from distant shores, + Who dare attempt my rescue, are restrained. + Alas; the North-west Passage! When the day + Glinted o'er this pale land, before my sight + In devious tracery that Passage lay; + Mocking me with its undeveloped truth, + Wealth unappropriated, glory lost! + Cruel is she who took from me that substance + With which I might have conquered an escape, + Leaving me, a forlorn old spirit, sere and grey. + Musing through barren hours upon the past, + I think with bitterness on those who once + Were friends and lovers--Queen, companions, Wife! + Forgotten! yes, forgotten by them all! + The luxuries of the world-taxing city, + The kisses of their children, smiles of men + Renowned of deeds which have not failed, like mine-- + _This_ is the portion of that happier crowd + Who set me on to dangerous enterprise. + But ah! the worst part of it all, is this,-- + To be forgotten by my own best friends-- + To be to them as if I ne'er had been! + My wife--my wife!"--he ended with bowed head. + + "Art thou indeed a spirit?" OLIVE asked, + Shrinking a step aside. Then her kind heart + O'ercome the transient awe, and stealing close, + While smiling on him with sweet, wondering eyes, + Began again:--"But art thou truly he + Whose name is on the lip of the great world?-- + Of whom the wives and mothers, tearful, speak + When sound the Northern wind-harps?--whose grand fate, + Hath power to touch, not only hearts of men, + But draw the golden drops from weeping purses? + Oh! be content! if Fame and Love content thee. + For thee, the hearts of mariners beat loud-- + For thee, ships chase the pathways of the sea-- + By thee the souls of nations, like one chord + Are smote upon, and ring out sympathy; + And men talk on the streets, and by their hearths, + Of him who led to dismal, distant shores + The Crusade of the Nineteenth Century. + In that new world, where generous hearts are found + To flourish on the air of liberty, + A noble merchant fitted out a ship; + And others joined him in his kindly plan, + So deep the interest taken in thy fate. + And oh, for thee, thou princely-fortuned man, + A pale face from a northern window looks, + Forever looks, with constancy sublime. + At night, when spectral tints are in the North-- + By day, when winds blow down from that bleak source-- + That face peers from the window anxiously, + As if the elements might come from thee + Bearing some message to her pining heart." + + As breaks the sunlight from a snow-filled cloud, + Smiles struggled through the list'ner's wintry looks. + + "As land-bird with a green twig in its beak + Is welcome to the homesick ship which long + Hath tossed in foreign waters, so art thou + Welcome to me, with this consoling tale. + I am content. Weird OENE, keep me here! + And I will while away a century + In dreaming of a love which hath not failed; + Now knowing that the first to welcome me + In Heaven's ineffable bowers, will be my wife." + + "Since thou, Sir JOHN, protected me from harm, + What I have said may be some small return. + I do dislike to leave thee here, so lonely; + But since I for my BERTHO went in search, + Nought stays my footsteps long. Where'er I go, + Whether I be successful in my search, + Or perish by the way, I trust again + We shall in spirit, if not in body, meet. + I have seen this witching Pole-Queen; I have passed + This circling cold and stood in the warm heart + Of her domains--have pressed her magic isle + With my poor human feet, and with my voice + Have plead the cause of two young, eager souls. + She was not kind, and yet not very cruel, + She may relent, even of her hate towards thee. + If I again have access to her ear, + I'll not forget to plead thy cause, dear sir, + As if it were mine own. Farewell!" + + "Farewell, + And heaven bless thine innocence, sweet friend." + + With parting gesture full of tender grace + And soft regret, she passed upon her way. + A weary time it grew till on the summit + Of Thug she stood, gazing bewildered round. + No more she heard her lover's haunting call; + But she herself cried out with aching voice, + Whose sweetness dropped with every silver tone + From the full note of hope to doubt and fear. + + Sudden a chill fell on her, and a shadow; + Her breath congealed, and on those rosy lips + The white rime gathered. From behind a rock, + Which crowned the mountain, there advanced to view + WOLE, that old warrior who before OENE + Rumbled his boastful story. In his hand + He poised his massive spear in act to throw; + Yet, seeing there, chilled in her loveliness, + (Like some young rose-bud nipped by spring-time frost,) + The maiden whom his Queen herself did spare, + The frown rolled from his forehead as a cloud + Rolls from a rugged crag. The spear remained + Moveless in air, while through his frosty glance + Melted a softness never known before. + The life so nearly frozen in her veins + Flew back and thrilled her heart, as on her knees + She dropped, and lifting up her pleading hands + Crying--"Slay me, at once, great WOLE, slay me! + With those keen looks, or tell me of my lover! + If this great mountain rested on my breast + It could not crush me worse than this suspense, + Kill me or free me from it! What, to thee-- + Thou greatest warrior of this shadowy land, + Whose conquests like the snows upon this mount + Lie white and venerable on thy fame, + Unsoiled by one defeat--what is to thee, + One prisoner, if she who loves him well, + Comes kneeling at thy feet, to ask him back? + Thou'lt give him her, I know, since to achieve + Renown like thine there must be generous heart." + + "Look!" cried the warrior and outstretched his spear-- + "'Tis not auspicious hour for such a plea." + + Following the motion of his hand she saw + From the horizon phantom suns and moons + Shoot swiftly, or along the red edge roll. + Dim on the distant verge of ghostly shores + Pale fleets of paler shades, and flying hosts + Of spectral horsemen on their vanishing steeds, + Fled either way before the coming morn; + While fairies that, on snow-flakes, sailed about + Down through the valleys darted out of sight; + And meteors, coursing higher in the sky, + Exploded in their wrath, dropping down dead + The fiery ghouls who rode their shining wings. + + Sudden, while OLIVE gazed, she thought a flame + Sprang from her feet, when looking, startled, down, + She saw the glory of the rising sun + Touching the pinnacle of sparkling ice + On which she stood. Silent and rapt she gazed + While thousand golden flames on thousand spires + Were low and lower lit; and here and there + Some broad plain glimmered into sudden white-- + And frozen cataracts which, in daring leaps + Midway between vast depths were holden tight, + Gleamed out like streams of gold:--Thus, one by one, + The wonders of that soulless land appeared, + While grey and ghast, behind the sparkling towers + Of gorgeous Thug, the ancient Night stooped down. + + WOLE gnashed his teeth and turned again to smite + The helpless girl who pleaded; but the light + Which angered him had beautified her so, + That his cold breath grew moist upon his beard. + The sunlight melting in her eyes and flushing + Her cheeks with rosy redness, crowned her hair + With lustrous splendor, and about her form + Fell like a robe of glory, warm and soft. + + "Mortal!" he cried, while in the agony + 'Twixt admiration and inherent hate, + The sullen throbbing of his heart was seen + Thrilling his moistened beard--"Pass from my sight! + Thou makest old Thug's warrior drop his spear, + And should that fair face beam on me eternal, + Eternal I would swear the sun was good + And OENE was no Queen. Yet I would rather, + Crush thee beneath my feet, than be this traitor." + + He would have thrust her rudely from his path. + But she arose from off her bended knee, + Turning her fair face from him, so her hair + Hid its too touching beauty from his sight; + Clasping her suppliant hands upon her bosom + She spoke out wildly, as one weary waiting + For long-expected good;-- + + "Oh, cruel WOLE! + Where is my BERTHO in this mountain hidden?-- + Shaping fantastic dreams of heartless OENE, + With aching hands into a tangible beauty. + How can'st thou keep two yearning souls apart? + If _thou_ could'st feel what love is, mighty master + Of loveless War, then thou would'st pity me!" + + "Thou shalt behold thy lover, southern girl," + Was WOLE's reply, and reaching round the rock + Took up a horn shorn from some monster's head + And blew in it a blast meant to be angry: + Yet strangely pining from the curves it came, + And went down wailing through the pallid sunlight, + For it was born of the tumultuous sigh + Stirred in his bosom by the lovely stranger. + + Soon the sound smote against a pinnacle + Which someway down the mountain had just caught + The radiance of the morning, and now stood + A ruby palace on a crystal base, + With emrald towers and columns sapphire-hued: + While at the summons, swift was lifted up + A shining net-work from behind the columns, + And out there flew two fair, unearthly sprites, + With wings like birds of Paradise, and bodies + Of shape uncertain; for so swiftly shifted + Their rainbow hues amid enwreathing mists, + That OLIVE likened them to those vagaries + Born to the eyes that gaze upon the spray + Of cataracts dashing in the sun. Their flying + Made music like the flowing on of streams, + They came and hovered in the air before her, + While she regarded them with timid looks + Of fear and pleasure, seeing not their features, + But floating hair of gold, and beamy brightness + As of white foreheads and blue, humid eyes. + Next moment she was lifted from the earth, + Encircled, as it were, by many rainbows, + And rushing, bird-like, through the airy space: + While a monotonous, soft and sleepy humming + Rose all around and filled her drowsy ears. + Brief time it was, 'till, with bewildered eyes, + She saw her fairies vanish in a mist, + Floating away in music, while she stood + Alone, far down the mountain opposite + The side that with such toil she just had climbed. + She stood alone--and where? the roses shrank + From her wan cheeks to view her new distress,-- + Before her a dark chasm, and above her + A crowd of close and overhanging rocks, + All dripping, black, and hopelessly down-leant. + A glimmering hope now broke upon her sense-- + Seeing an arch, and, far beyond, the gleam + Of lights that from some cavern stole away. + Under the arch she passed and found herself + Walking an ever-widening vista down, + Fading from twilight to auroral glows + And brightening into more than noon-day breadth + And gorgeousness of light, until she paused + Beneath the grand arch of that grand succession, + Standing amazed, one slender hand upheld + Shading her eyes, half blinded by that view + Of Arctic-Nature and of Arctic-Art. + In limitless magnificence the cave + Before her spread, a world within a world. + + She entered in, like Eve in Paradise + Searching for Adam; and yet, oft beguiled + From the great love-thought, by the sights she saw. + If she glanced upward to the sparkling dome, + The lamps, swinging like suns as far above, + Shone down upon her beautiful young face, + Smiling to see them dwarfed within her eyes. + The crystal floor doubled her bashful feet; + She saw no walls; but the refulgent space + Was here and there disturbed by artful groups. + Once, by a fountain passing, dulcet murmurs, + Wooed her aside to listen; and, again, + Temples, which mimicked the frost's fairy work, + Burning with gems, attracted her to gaze. + Music, from hidden sources, beat the air + With wings of melody that flew abroad + Beyond th' enchanted sense, and darting back + Swept with a sweet vibration near her face. + Thrice o'er her brow she drew her languid hand, + That, if it were a dream, she might dispel + The gay enchantment; and thrice murmured o'er + The spells learned of her nurse in infancy, + Which would all witchcraft render innocent; + But that great cavern of the northern world + Was not by nurse's spells to be dissolved, + Growing more wond'rous, as she wondered more. + + Now, 'neath her feet, the floor less polished grew, + And fountains dashed from the unsculptured rock; + She saw half-finished grottoes, fewer lights, + And heard a discord in the melody + As if of hammers and the shouts of workmen; + Meanwhile her heart loudly began to beat. + + "BERTHO! I have come, BERTHO!" she cried out, + As the next moment, 'mid a swarthy group + Of dusky laborers, a familiar form + Raised itself from a shaft of phorphyry, + And turned itself to hear that throbbing heart. + + A light too glad for smiles came o'er the face, + The shadowy face, uplifted from its toil, + And, "OLIVE!" echoed back her eager cry. + + The fairest sight that cavern ever saw + Was that young girl holding her glowing arms + To clasp her love; her sweet mouth all a-tremble, + Her dark eyes flashing joy and tender tears, + Her bosom fluttering in its snowy folds + With sudden pleasure;--but, what clasped she? + A shadow! Pale and silent she shrank back; + Her lover folded up his hopeless arms; + His face a melancholy so profound put on + That OLIVE to his side again drew near. + + "Is this one mystery of this mystic world-- + This world of phantoms?" sighed the stricken girl. + "Oh! why did hope keep life within my breast, + And passion thrill me with strange fortitude? + Why did I save the kisses of my lips + For him who nevermore can give them back? + Why did I smile to think my arms were soft + When thus this spirit fades within their clasp? + BERTHO!--that scornful Queen did tell me this. + And yet I did not comprehend her words. + There is no warmth nor beauty in this land! + Its people have no hearts--know not of love-- + Their thoughts are colder than their beds of snow. + Indeed, this is no world!--but some vain dream, + Troubling my sleep, and I cannot awake. + Love then, is a deceitful fantasy-- + BERTHO is dead--is dead--and yet not dead! + Life is not life"-- + + Her wild, distrustful words + Here ended, as she saw the bitterness + Which stormed across the spirit's anguished face:-- + + "Forbear, poor child! thy pitiful complaints! + When through these long years of distasteful toil + I thought of thee, unceasing, day and night, + Calling on heaven to bend thy steps towards me, + I thought not that this spirit, weary, worn, + And from the covering of its body torn, + Its feeling could retain and substance lose. + Fool that I was! to sigh for human love! + Why art thou here to madden me with looks,-- + Those womanly, caressing looks which fill + My soul with wild desires! Back, to thy home, + In that gold-girdled circle of daylight, + That island of elysian loveliness, + Where thou and I did'st one time idly dream! + There breathe the passionate breath of orange-flowers-- + Walk in the sunlight till thy brows are flushed + With its warm kisses--plunge thy snowy feet + In the embracing waves and silver sand-- + Shake down magnolia-blossoms on thy hair-- + Answer the nightingales' delicious song + With thy sweet cries--and, on bright eves, look up + And charm the moon upon her lingering way + With that soft fire of thine entrancing eyes! + Thou wilt not for regret or tears find time. + Some lover, clothed in human dignity + And tangible robes of life, will haunt thy steps, + Drawing up, with magnetic looks, the smiles + Which lie deep down in thy now tearful orbs; + And, wiling from their blissful hiding-place, + The bashful dimples to thy blushing cheeks, + And,--it may be--with human eloquence, + Beguile thy hand to rest within his own, + Sitting, as we have sat,--thy glossy hair + Rippling in golden waves across his breast." + + "Can he be mad as well as dead?" the girl + Murmured aside! and then her sorrowing brow + She lifted proudly, while a sudden fire + Sprang to her lips and eyes--her trembling voice + Steadied itself on her unfaltering love.-- + "Forgive me, BERTHO, that my woman's heart, + Finding thee thus, should, for an instant, only, + Shrink back from thee in awe and deep regret. + My love, which has endured so much, grows strong + In its endurance; and it only asks + That I may never from thy side be driven. + Talk not of islands in a sunny sea, + Or fragrant blooms, or singing nightingales! + I love them not. My father's marble floors + Were colder than the icy plains I've passed, + When thy dear footsteps fled them. Be content. + Love like our own needs not the warmth of sighs + Or soft caresses to keep pure the fire + Upon the sacred shrine; 'twill burn as bright, + Though never by the breath of kisses fanned; + 'Tis not a fading blossom--nor a bird + That only sings amid the orange-flowers. + What have I still?--thy spirit, which is THOU. + What have I lost?--thy body, which I loved + But as the garment which adorned thy soul. + Thou art my BERTHO still! I, thy fond OLIVE, + Who comes to share thy banishment with thee. + Be of good cheer. Only one century + Can OENE thrall thee. In the meanwhile, I + Shall die, and be a spirit, as thou art. + Until that time I will abide with thee; + We will on one another patient wait, + Till, hand in hand we leave these dismal shores + And celebrate our marriage-day in heaven." + + + + +PART THIRD. + + Tumultuous music filled the spacious cave. + OENE was coming with her virgin train, + Impatient to behold what further charms, + Her prisoned laborers at their tasks had wrought. + Blowing on quaintly curved and curious shells + Which made a sea-like music--mingled up + Of sweet, unsyllabled sounds, and long-drawn sighs, + Heavy with memories of coral reefs, + Murmuring shores, caverns, and surging deeps-- + There flew, midway between the roof and floor, + A band of sprites which lived in air or sea; + With eyes like twinkling stars, and winged feet, + And sparkling fins down either shoulder-blade, + And cheeks puffed out and flushing with their toil. + Announced by these, the courtly train approached + The spot where BERTHO and his OLIVE stood, + Close by an emrald rock, within whose breast + A living spring slept like a smiling child. + Around the brim BERTHO had sculptured moss + And rare similitudes of southern flowers; + Shaped violets from sapphires, and from stalks, + Hung ruby roses, bright, but without soul, + As perfumeless as was that frigid land. + OENE, resplendent as a wintry moon, + Bent her proud eyes upon the waiting pair:-- + "So! thou hast found thy lover, southern maid? + Are, then, these sunbeams which flow from thy head, + Pinions as well as tresses bearing thee + Across the perilous chasm which guards our cave?" + + "Yes! I have found my lover, noble OENE; + And I am happy working by his side. + See! this sweet spring which we have brimmed with flowers-- + A mirror for thy beautiful face, O Queen! + In adding my slight labor to his own, + In hopes that thou would'st never banish me, + But leave me by his side to aid his work, + I've found a consolation very sweet, + And have been happy." + + "But _I_ have not been!" + Spoke BERTHO with a moody passionateness, + "And never can be till I am restored + To the full use of all my natural powers. + Happy! when hearing this young creature's laugh-- + Seeing the dimples, begging for a kiss, + Peep from her cheeks, and hide themselves again-- + Feeling her soft breath warming o'er my brow-- + Yet be this bodiless ghost of what I was! + O, Queen! wilt thou not give me back that shape-- + Which thou dids't cruelly bereave me of-- + That I, again, may feel my bounding heart + Throbbing against the bosom of my bride? + Then thou shalt find what grateful souls can do. + For I will court invention, study art, + To decorate this favorite cave anew; + And she I love will serve thee patiently + Unnumbered years, till we our freedom earn." + + The sternness of his tone had melted down + To liquid sweetness, and his fiery eyes + Grown humid, as he fixed them on the Queen + In soft entreaty. + + From her lofty brow, + So pale and passive, had the shadow rolled, + As slightly and unconsciously she bent + To his quick utterance. A sudden ray + Stole from the twilight of her deepening eyes, + And a warm redness into either cheek, + Troubling its cold repose, shot quickly up. + A moment of suspense, and then she spoke: + + "'Tis true that I thy body might restore, + Since but suspension of its human powers, + And not its loss or injury, I control. + But what assurance have I that this boon + May not prove dangerous? Mortals have what we, + With all our vast machinery and weird powers + Moving the earth, the sea and air, have not-- + And that is--SOUL. A soul and body, too, + Might circumvent us--work us desperate harm;-- + At least 'tis wise to fear the things unknown, + And to be chary how we give them scope. + As long as thy body's powers restrain, + Thy spirit to my will in bondage is; + Thou hast no wherewithal to make ado-- + No weapon at thy service--art a slave,-- + And shall I give to thee a master's place? + Yet, thou hast wakened in me a new thought. + What is this love of which you mortals tell?-- + Which puts such tender sweetness in your tones + Such brightness in your looks, and makes you turn + Upon each other such delighted eyes? + Your words have stirred strange pleasure in my heart: + I, too, would know what love is. I command + That thou shalt teach me, BERTHO. Let the girl + Return, uninjured, to her southern bowers; + Whilst thou remain to teach me this new lore. + Perchance, in finding Love, I'll gain a soul, + And learn of immortality; and all + The vague, sad intuitions that now mock me, + Make real, and I become what I have dreamed. + Make these things come to pass, and thou shalt have, + Thy body and thy freedom, and a place, + The highest of my chieftains. Follow me!" + + These ominous words of the enamored Queen, + Spoken as though she knew not what it was + That one should think of disobedience, + Poor OLIVE heard, with looks of agony + Fixed on the speaker's face--that Northern face, + Wild in its power and in its beauty weird. + The starry halo of that tintless crown, + The midnight blackness of her plentiful hair, + Set off the splendor of the countenance + On which the maiden bent her pale regard. + A jealous terror urged her on to say-- + + "Love is not taught, Queen OENE; 'tis a gift + Mysterious as life, and more divine; + The congregated glories of this cave, + With all its jewelled lamps and sparkling roof + Could never purchase one of its small joys. + Love, in exchange, takes nothing but itself, + Power cannot claim it--fear cannot command-- + It is a tribute Queens cannot exact. + The humblest peasant, singing in her hut, + Is often richer than the proudest princess: + It is the gift God left the human race + To keep them from despair, when sin and shame, + Pain, poverty, and death, and madness came + Among the people. When a youthful pair, + Look in each other's eyes and say--"We love"-- + The common earth grows to a heavenly world. + Singing of birds, shining of summer suns, + Blooming of flowers and brightness of the moon, + Have a new charm to their elated sense; + They hear the music of the Universe, + Walking, with light feet, to the harmony; + Careless of care and disbelieving pain, + Grateful for life--and all, because _they love_. + Thus have _we_ said those irrecallable words-- + Solemnly smiling in each other's eyes-- + BERTHO and I--and never to unsay! + Therefore, sweet Queen, command him not, I pray, + To an impossible thing, which needs compel + Rebellion to the will which he respects. + I am a princess, yet will not refuse, + The humblest service which thy pride requires, + If I from BERTHO am not forced to part." + + Imperious OENE turned her scornful eyes + Quickly to BERTHO's, as in inquiry; + While he, gathering resolve from OLIVE's face + Of love and anguish, answered the mute look: + + "I cannot teach thee love, since it is learned + Only when one heart from another takes + The sweet contagion; but, my bride and I + May humbly teach thee other human lore. + Thou say'st thou hast no soul. This cannot be, + Since reason and all mental gifts are thine; + Within the lovely calyx sleeps the germ,-- + A flower as yet unblossomed. Warmth and light + From the great spiritual Sun alone it wants + To bud and bloom into the fullest life. + Shall we expound this marvellous mystery?-- + Tell thee of Endless Life which still unfolds + Till it doth circle every star in heaven?-- + And light within thy spotless bosom's shrine + The silvery flame of Christ's unwavering love-- + A love which we, indeed, would gladly teach, + The parent of all other, whose pure fire + Doth hallow and exalt our earthly hopes. + We'll learn those peerless lips to syllable, GOD!-- + A word that thrills the Universe with awe! + Thou shalt no more a lovely heathen be, + But a sweet Woman, and a child of Heaven." + + A slow, soft light, into the wondering eyes + Intently fixed upon the speaker, came-- + A deeper glow than from their slumberous blue + Had ever startled; as she slightly bent, + With earnest air, her crowned, resplendent head. + + "Speak on!" she bade, "my thirsty heart is held + To catch your words, as lillies catch the dew-- + So eager that it fain would overbrim + With the fresh gathering. It has waited long; + And now, it shall be filled to bright excess. + Speak on! I am impatient. But, first say + That I shall then be worthier of love,-- + When I have mastered all these subtle things + That thou wilt love me better than this girl. + I'll have thee for my teacher--thee alone; + She shall return to her gay, foreign home, + Laded with many a costly gift from me; + I'll bid my warriors wait upon her steps,-- + My North-Lights shall illuminate her way, + No frost shall nip the redness of her cheeks, + And no rude wind shall bluster round her feet." + + "The frost of fear already nips her cheeks + At thought of living separate from me; + At the mere word she droops, a blighted flower. + Nay, gracious Queen? accept of both our hearts, + And our united service," BERTHO plead. + + Down on her knees sank OLIVE, bending low + Her suppliant head, murmuring "Accept our hearts;"-- + But the same beauty which had conquered WOLE + Angered the jealous Queen; she could not brook + The glistening of those unbound locks of gold; + A pain, before unknown, stung her proud heart; + While the fierce consciousness of absolute power + Urged her to tyrannous deeds. She waved her hand, + And while her maidens shrank as if in dread, + The finny sprites blew the shrill note of war, + At which an hundred warriors gathered round. + OLIVE they seized and shut her in a cell-- + The very temple she had so admired-- + Where, heedless of her piteous shrieks and tears + They left her to her grief; while BERTHO went, + Securely guarded by their threatening spears, + Following his conqueror's receding steps. + + Poor OLIVE, the forlornest captive bird + That ever beat its heart out in a cage, + Fluttered the pinions of her restless will + In vain against her dungeon. What cared she + That this same dungeon had an emrald floor + And lattice-work of gold, or that the spring + Which closed the door, was on a jewel hinged? + The lustre of the cave flowed through her cell, + And she could strain her weary eyes to catch + Glimpses of splendor, which but mocked her state. + + The tiresome days rolled round, never relieved + By the refreshing shadows of the night; + Until the lamps so often counted o'er, + Seemed burning in her brain; and she had fears + That madness lurked within her feverish veins. + The ghouls who chanced to pass her, never spake; + At last, with joy, the stranger of the mount + She saw approaching: + + "Ah! Sir JOHN," she cried-- + Her pale face, peering through the lattice-work-- + "Thou find'st me in a miserable plight-- + A closer prisoner by far than thou." + + "Why, thou bright bird, has OENE caged thee here-- + Prisoned an oriole in her Arctic bowers? + 'Tis well we meet. As I was solacing + My banishment, by wandering here and there, + Greeting old Thug by the day's sickly smile, + I chanced within this cavern, where surprise + And pleasure lured me on from scene to scene. + What tyrant holds thee in this glittering cell?" + + "From OENE's anger I am suffering,-- + Yes, dear sir JOHN, from more than angry hate-- + From that implacable passion, worst of all, + And cruelest of purpose, jealousy. + I'd trust the tenderness of hungry wolves, + The beauty of the cobra, or the talk + Of waters to the rocks--but not the will + Of woman, when to jealous thoughts aroused. + She binds me here and bears my love away, + To tempt him with a thousand sweetest wiles-- + With beauty, wealth, ambition, vanity, + And all that easiest moves a man's proud heart. + How shall I know if BERTHO--_even he_-- + Has truth or virtue beyond this rich price? + Or, she may torture him,--by pain compel + Consent to her soft wish and queenly will. + Alas, Sir JOHN, I am very miserable!" + + "Shall I not play the messenger, and urge + Thy cause before her, if, by inquiry, + I find the Queen still visiting old Thug?" + + "Oh, if thou would'st and yet--what should I gain? + Nothing, nothing!--still, I should hear from _him_-- + Should know the worst. I'll pray for thy success, + And thank thee from my heart, if thou wilt go!" + + Long time Sir JOHN, misled by wicked sprites, + Searched for the Queen! until, by some kind chance, + He wandered through a grotto by the sea, + Where silver pendules from the ceiling hung + And gossip ripples whispered at the door. + Here, on a seat from solid crystal hewn + Sat OENE,--BERTHO at her feet,--her hand + Nestled amid the ringlets of his hair, + Like some white dove amid the wav'ring shade; + Her eyes bent softly on his countenance; + The crimson of his fiery southern blood + Burned through the brown of his defiant cheek; + His eyes were downcast, that their sullen fire + Should not too much betray him, as he lay, + A half-tamed lion at his mistress' feet, + Restless, yet yielding to the golden chain. + In a low voice, which, like a pent-up stream, + Chafed at its boundaries, he made reply + To her incessant questions of the world, + Of human life and love, of death, and heaven. + + When bold Sir JOHN intruded on the scene + OENE resumed her native haughtiness. + + "I've come to plead the cause of a sweet child, + Who, like a wild-bird newly caught and caged, + Within her cell is fretting. Noble Queen, + I'm not an eloquent nor fair young man, + To please a gentle fancy; but my tongue + And mind shall do thy bidding, should there be + Aught which my humble wisdom could expound. + The meanwhile he who now instructs thee, hastes + To ope the prison door and let the bird + Flutter to her true home within his breast." + + Scarce were these words with a firm purpose said, + When all the scene was changed. Where erst a Queen, + In shape most loveable, did blushing sit, + A terrible and yet a glorious form + Rose in portentious wrath; her star-crowned head + Paled the chaste lustre of the silvery dome. + It was no shame to him that BERTHO fled, + Dismayed, before the anger of her eyes, + For they were awful. Parted from Sir JOHN, + And flying through a dark, unknown ravine, + He lost himself in tangled labyrinths: + Stumbling o'er rocks--only by daring leaps + Saving himself from dropping into chasms + Which opened suddenly across his path. + From tortuous windings underneath the ground, + At length released, he thenceforth knew the way, + And sped across the mountain to the cave + Where OLIVE pined, weeping despairing tears. + Like a swift arrow through the sunlight shot + He passed athwart its glory, till he reached + Her prison--heard her sudden cry of joy-- + Touched the elaborate spring which bound her in, + And freed her, while she gazed in mute surprise. + + "Love! look not thus incredulous of hope! + This temple was thy lover's handiwork-- + This curious spring he wrought,--and what he did + He can undo. My sweetest! it is I:-- + Thy living, breathing BERTHO stands before thee! + This happiness, at least, I owe the Queen, + Who, since repentant, may her gift resume, + Should Heaven not grant us now a quick escape. + But once--this once--though death should press me next-- + Come to my arms--to thy dear bosom draw me, + So fondly close!--and feed my famished lips + With kisses worth a life of wo to gain! + Nay, pause not to inquire--'tis better thus + To feel the throbbing of thy timid heart, + Than to waste breath in words.-- + + "How did it come? + I know not: I was tranced in sleep profound, + And when I woke I was my former self. + Queen OENE hoped my gratitude would grow + To love, in time; and I was grateful--would + Have given her everything but what was thine, + And that alone she coveted. Come, sweet! + Fly from this land forlorn:--if miracles + Are still in fashion, one might serve us well. + Cling to my guiding hand; trust all to me; + My soul is so elate I would not flinch + From meeting every imp of this dark land-- + The touch of thy soft hand is such a triumph!" + + Even while his accents lingered, they were gone + By an obscure and solitary path, + Until they came upon some rough-hewn steps, + Which wandered round and down, interminable.-- + A stairway leading to the upper world + For the ascent of gnomes, who dwelt beneath + In those huge tidal caves which underlaid + Old Thug, upheaved from earth in ancient times. + Silent the lovers fled; their locks grew wet + With mildew, and their breath came gaspingly. + A sound of gibbering gnomes, of elfish song-- + Mingling high discords with the patient clink + Of instruments of toil--of laughter strange-- + Warned them of the wild laborers they must meet. + A moment more, and the pale fugitives + Stood at the bottom of those countless steps, + Peering into the lowest deep of all. + A hell-like spot! and spirits of the doomed + Were scarce more haggard than the clumsy elves + Who here pursued their coarse and perilous toil. + + 'Tis in these horrible caverns, deep and wide, + Each day the ocean sinks, when, rushing round + With the swift world, he falls into this snare; + From whence with groans, and anger impotent, + He backward struggles to his bed of sand + And lies there panting; while the credulous earth, + Dreaming of love, looks on him with a smile, + Saying--"He pineth for the sweet-faced Moon;"-- + Thus had he just receded, when the pair + Stood peering shuddering in, hearing afar + The painful sighs, which shook his savage breast. + The dwarfish elves, with waning lamps in hand, + Creeping like worms along the slimy floor, + Pursued the ebbing tide collecting spoils. + The lovers saw from what exhaustless mines + Were gathered up the overwhelming wealth-- + The jewels and the curious costly toys + Which graced OENE and all her splendid court; + For there the sea,--forever wrecking treasures, + Gulping down golden argosies at once-- + Leaves them behind him in his angry flight. + + "Art thou afraid, my darling?" BERTHO asked-- + "I'll bear thee safely through this hideous place. + Here LUCIFER, I think, must love to linger; + The shrieking of the ocean hath a sound + Like the united wail of hopeless souls; + Here darkness dwells in everlasting sleep; + For these poor, puny lights which wander round, + Scarce make the drowsy lashes of his lids + Tremble o'er his blind eyes;--the heated earth + Gives forth the odors of her burning heart, + In whose incessant fires her vitals wither. + See! where those wretched gnomes are dragging chests, + Banded with iron! most like, is heaped within + The ingots of some drowned West-Indian: + And look! ah heaven! how beautiful and strange, + To see the delicate corpse of this young girl + Like marble petrified, the raven hair + Grown rankly long, trailing around her limbs, + And clinging to her lovely, breathless breast!-- + That rude dwarf clutching from her helpless hands + The jewels which some friend or lover gave. + If we had time to give our fancies range, + What a wild story we would make of this!" + Thrilling with pity, OLIVE hid her eyes. + + Twelve hours of desperate flight, and they emerged + From darkness to a dead shore, shrouded white,-- + Saw the green ocean rolling, saw the Sun, + Pale, like a wounded God, and weary, hang + Low in the southern sky--saw mountains crowned + With snow and fire--saw motionless cataracts + Hanging like frozen rainbows over chasms-- + And icebergs settling downward towards the sun + As if to pierce him with their glist'ning spears. + Remotely, to the North, the Polar Sea + Hung like a roseate cloud along the sky + Fringing with lovely tints the dim horizon, + Holding unseen its island star within. + + "A miracle!" quoth BERTHO; "Love, observe + How all these waves set from the shore, and glide + Like a broad river, 'twixt these frozen banks. + The current which ran northward with thy boat, + Has overtopped the Pole, and flows away, + A liquid belt, girdling the earth. Alas! + We have no trusty boat in which to launch, + Once more, our fortunes on the promising deep." + + Wearied, they flung themselves upon the shore, + And, hand in hand, sat gazing on the sea + With home-sick longing. WOLE, the eager-eyed, + From his far height espied them where they sat, + And sent four of his people to their aid + (Such power hath youth and beauty through the world!) + Bearing a skiff, contrived of ribs of whales, + For frame work,--these, inwove with fibrous moss, + And lined with furs of savage Arctic beasts + Which he had slain. When, with this welcome gift + The slaves appeared, and bowed at OLIVE's feet, + The tears sprang to her eyes; her heart was touched + By this rude warrior's magnanimity. + They put to sea. Scarce were they free from land, + When, o'er the plain they saw OENE advance, + Alone and melancholy, to the shore. + Her anger was subdued by greater grief; + While something new and holier than sorrow + Restrained revenge. It was the Love Divine + Which sacrifices self to others' good. + Some word, Sir JOHN had uttered when her wrath + Would have consumed him, fell upon her heart + Like rain on a thirsty garden--there sprang up + The amaranthine flower of charity + Whose seed was dropped from heaven; the nameless pain, + The want, which she had ever felt, was gone; + She knew the immortal meaning of the Soul, + And blessed the speaker for the 'perfect work.' + + Speedily from her sight they floated out; + But, long time, while gazing, they saw her stand + In desolate beauty, silent on the beach. + The plaintive music of a horn wound down + From WOLE's grey fortress; all the fading scene + Lay, like a sad thought in a musing breast + Called up by the enchantment of sweet sound-- + A thought, no more--all,--save those lustrous eyes + Shining upon them like two troubled stars-- + Vaguely receding into things that were: + While, high and low, in whispering melodies + Borne by the uncertain winds, a farewell came:-- + + Oh, when for love we pine + We sleep in bloomless bowers; + But Life is a thing divine + When the love we crave is ours. + Shut close your feathery wings + Ye silvery birds of snow-- + Across the ocean's rippled rings + Let no wild tempest blow; + From valleys bleak and caverns hollow + Let no rude spirit dare to follow. + + Oh, who hath drunk of love + Will drink forevermore; + While ever, the golden rim above, + The draught will bubble o'er. + Let no fierce storm assail + These lovers in their flight, + But only a soft and steady gale + Pursue them day and night; + Nor jutting rock nor whirlpool hollow + Can seize them while our wishes follow. + + Oh, love is a singing bird + That flutters everywhere; + His music in our souls is heard, + Charming us unaware. + Over the restless sea + The while these lovers glide, + This bird will pour his music free + And soothe the sleepless tide:-- + While tempests crouch in caverns hollow + Let this sweet bird the lovers follow. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Arctic Queen, by Unknown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ARCTIC QUEEN *** + +***** This file should be named 17568.txt or 17568.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/5/6/17568/ + +Produced by Jason Isbell, Cori Samuel and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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