diff options
Diffstat (limited to '35411.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 35411.txt | 1035 |
1 files changed, 1035 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/35411.txt b/35411.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5529906 --- /dev/null +++ b/35411.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1035 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Myra's Well, by George Francis Dawson + +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: Myra's Well + A Tale of All-Hallow-E'en + +Author: George Francis Dawson + +Release Date: February 26, 2011 [EBook #35411] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYRA'S WELL *** + + + + +Produced by Heather Clark, Carla Foust, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + MYRA'S WELL. + + A TALE + + OF + + ALL-HALLOW-E'EN, + + BY + + GEORGE FRANCIS DAWSON. + + + WASHINGTON: + GIBSON BROS., PRINTERS + 1883. + + + + + Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1883, + + BY GEORGE FRANCIS DAWSON, + + in the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. + + + + +MYRA'S WELL. + +A Tale of All-Hallow-E'en. + + + It is the night of all nights of the year, + When ghosts and warlocks haunt the troubled earth, + And disembodied spirits visit us-- + Spirits of good and evil from the dead, + Fresh from the angel hosts and from the damned, + And from the vast profound betwixt the two; + Spirits from living bodies, disenthralled + By blessed sleep, or yearnings most intense, + Or by more subtle agencies beyond our ken-- + Bearing portentious messages to those + Who in full faith the future would behold. + + The clear-cut radiance of a frosty moon + Lights up, and darkens, all the growth around. + The great trees stand out black against the stars. + The wind in gusts bestirs the Autumn leaves, + Whose late October tints are lost in gloom, + Or are grown pallid with their shivering; + Whose fitful rustlings are the only sounds + Which break the dead cold silence of the night. + Yet hist! faint eerie tones are sometimes heard-- + Which blanch the cheek and palsy all the limbs-- + Like to the moaning of departed souls! + + Within the farm-house is a large high room + Unceiled, but studded thick with rafters old, + Grown black with age or smoke; around its walls + Stiff hams and bacon-flitches dimly seen; + And here and there the dim uncertain forms + Of kitchen-ware and chairs and metal mugs; + From the low windows, half across the floor, + Stretch bands of moonlight flecked with shadowed leaves + Which tremble till the moonlight seems to dance; + Beside the fireplace stands some piled-up wood, + But the great hearthstone opens cold and black; + Beneath the inner door, a chink of light + Seems but to make the dimness darker yet; + The only sound the tick-tack of the clock, + Which serves to make the silence audible. + + High on the hill a lordly pile looks down + From its proud eminence and grand domain + Upon the farm-house in the vale below. + Builded of marble, lofty, turretted, + It looms beneath the moonlight o'er the trees + Like some etherial castle in the skies, + Limned in white alabaster, glistening, grand, + Unreal, weird, not made by mortal hands. + But sudden, as one's wrapt gaze takes it in, + It turns to gray, then vanishes! + Yet, no! + 'Tis but a sudden cloud athwart the moon. + + Within the castle, in a sumptuous room, + Sits young Sir Bertram Morven, all alone. + He had been reading that sweet Persian tale + Of him who knocked at the beloved one's door + And cried: "'Tis I, who loveth thee!" To whom + She, answering, said: "Thou canst not enter here!" + And how, a twelvemonth past, he knocked again, + And the beloved one asking: "Who art thou?" + Replied: "It is thyself," and entered in. + The dull flames at his feet leap fitfully, + And lights and shadows sweep across his brow, + Like thoughts of heaven and hell across the soul. + + Back in Holt's farm-house what a change is there! + The raftered room is filled with light and sound! + From blackened hearth the joyful flames leap up, + And roar and crackle through the piled-up logs! + On either side the old Holts sit and smile; + Betwixt them, circled, sit the younger ones, + Who laugh and chat, until the old man cries: + "Be silent, children! Let us not forget + The ancient usage of our family: + The feast of Sah'm has come! The sacred fire-- + The Fire of Peace--is kindled on the hearth! + All Hallowed One, whose warmth is like this fire, + Which giveth joy and comfort to us all, + Be present with us in the coming storms, + Bless us and keep us in the coming year!" + Whereat the others, joining in: "O Thou, + And all Thy Saints, protect us all the year!" + While the flames leap and crackle all the more, + And roar a joyous answer to the prayer. + + After a silence of a little space, + When thoughts are busy with the by-gone days, + The farmer speaks again: "Good wife," says he, + "We know the Past, with all its ills and joys, + We need not rake its ashes o'er again. + The Present finds us hale and hearty yet, + Blest in our children and our steadfast love. + He who would solve the Future in advance + Hath yet to learn the lessons of content. + But feasting on contentment is poor fare, + What say you to some bread and cheese and beer? + And, Ada, daughter, bring my long-stemmed pipe; + And, Hettie, niece, the apples and the nuts; + And, John, my son, pile up more blazing logs! + A chilly tremor through my bones just ran, + As if some enemy walked o'er my grave." + A shadowy form, shrouded and hooded, bent + With weight of years, and wickedness perchance, + Creeps slowly towards the glowing window-panes, + And peers within. She sees the emptied mugs + And pipes; the scattered hazel-husks, which tell + A tale of love-divining; in their chairs + The old folks dozing. John and Hettie sit + Most strangely near together! On the floor + Stands Ada, beauteous maiden, all alone, + Swaying most gracefully from side to side + With uplift hand and circling apple rind, + Which sudden drops and forms a doubtful B. + With blushing face and close-claspt hands, her eyes, + Softened with yearning hope, are raised to where + The moonlight strives to enter. + Holy saints! + What is it ails the terror-stricken maid? + + She "saw a face glued to the window-pane-- + A hideous face," she said, "which gibed, and seemed + To mock, and threaten dire calamity-- + And waving crutch, which beckoned her outside!" + "Tush, tush! my girl," the 'wakened farmer cries; + "Twas but a fancy. Ho, John, go outside, + And, but to satisfy her, look around!" + John goes, and soon returns; he has "well searched + Yet searched in vain; no mortal is in sight." + So, reassured, the old man's mug is filled; + His pipe re-lit; more wood piled on the fire; + And, as he craves it, Ada sings a song: + + + ADA'S SONG. + + A noble knight 'mid lordly halls + Dreams all his life away; + A lowly maid in cottage walls, + Hard-by the rippling waterfalls, + Permits her heart to stray. + + His image mirrored in her heart-- + Heaven help thee, lowly maid, + So near and yet so far apart!-- + He tells his love. She doth not start, + Nor move, nor seem afraid! + + "A gruesome gulf's between us spread"-- + She cries--"Sir Knight, beware! + Fate spans that gulf with mystic thread + So frail that only souls may tread-- + Impalpable as air!" + + "Like ancient Roc I'll wing my flight"-- + He whispers--"O, be mine! + I'll wing thee to my castle height + And wed thee, sweet!" She answers bright: + "Then I, dear love, am thine!" + + The while she sang with more than human art-- + Her voice full-throbbing like a bird's-- + She seemed to see a vision of the knight, + And seemed to be the maiden of the song, + And half her heart expressed its love in words, + While all her soul beamed from her glorious eyes, + And, at the last, her rounded arms, outstretched, + Seemed to embrace the hero of her song. + + While Ada sings, what happens at the hall? + Sir Bertram still sits gazing at the fire, + Seeing strange shapes and embered phantasies + Come and depart and come again more strange, + While his set gaze grows painful, and his mind + Whirls with conflicting conscience and desire; + For he hath seen the beauteous, lovely maid-- + And loved her from the moment that he saw-- + Loved her, yet dared not wed, nor whisper love; + And now he seems to see her in her home, + Her golden tresses rippling o'er her brow, + Her violet eyes, lit up with love's own light, + Turned full upon himself, O ravishment! + While her full-throated song enthralls his soul. + "O love!" he cries, "Sweet love, be mine indeed-- + Thou pearl of beauty! goddess of my heart!" + Her outstretched arms appear to welcome him! + He raises his, to clasp her to his breast-- + When lo, the vision vanishes! and loud + The hoarse tower-bell clangs out the hour of ten! + + He rises hastily and treads the floor. + "What was it Elpsie croaked, as home he rode + That very evening?--Elpsie, that old hag! + What devil had inspired her?--'Bertram, lad, + Ere cock-crow this All-Hallow-E'en I see + Thy loved one swoon in thine enamored arms!' + And then she laughed uncannily and struck + Her crutch against the lightning-blasted ash, + And mumbled, 'My revenge is come at last!' + What could she mean? Impossible, to-night! + Yet when hath Elpsie prophesied in vain?" + His heart beats fast, his blood begins to surge, + His head to swim. "More air!" he cries; "more air! + A long brisk walk will shake these fancies off!" + + Meanwhile, the song grown silent at the farm; + The egg-charm ended, and the molten-lead + And apple-bobbing done with; now they sit: + The old man snoring while the old dame nods-- + The young ones telling stories of the Eve: + How Janet Smith last Hallow-E'en did see + O'er her left shoulder, after certain rites, + The face of John Smith, who soon married her; + And how the mirror-test was good, no doubt; + And how the colewort's prophecies were sure; + And how the hemp-seed test was surer still; + But best of all, the image in the well!-- + Stories which creep, and breed a shallow laugh + Perchance, with inward shuddering and fear-- + Until a sharp gust shakes the window-panes, + As in the grip of some strong shiv'ring hand, + And, with a start, the old folks wake again! + "Good man, 'tis long past ten!" the old dame cries. + "Well, well, good wife, the hours creep on apace-- + The sacred fire doth need replenishment-- + And we grow older, feebler, with the years; + And soon must leave to younger, stronger hands, + The toils and troubles, and the joys, of life, + As now we yield to them this vigil strict; + Another mug and pipe, and then, to bed!" + + The "image in the well!" What well? and where? + From farm and castle full a mile away, + Near to an ancient tree--a Druid oak-- + The old well stands--its waters deep and pure-- + Its moss-grown stones much worn by age and use. + In olden days--so runs the legend--when + The good King Arthur and his chosen knights + Upheld the right, and lifted womanhood + By force of arms to heights almost divine-- + A recreant knight betrayed a gentle maid, + And she, ashamed to let the thing be known, + Fled from her home, into the forest wild, + And grieved and wept her very soul away. + And when she died--the tale is often told + And all the people there believe it true-- + From the hard earth, beside her, gushed a spring, + Fed, as they say, by all the tears she shed-- + Which, on a day when Arthur passed that way, + And heard the story sad, he bade be walled + With masonry, "As monument," he said, + "To teach all coming time that Mother Earth + Hath more of heart and faith than recreant knight"-- + And named it "Myra's Well"--and passed along. + And later, when the false knight rode that way, + He was beset, dismounted, beaten, stripped, + And sorely wounded in a fray, and crawled + To Myra's Well--not knowing of the tale-- + And kneeled to slake his thirst, and bending low, + Saw her reproachful face, and seeing, died! + + Scarcely a bow-shot from poor Myra's Well, + Sheltered and hid by woods and undergrowth, + A low hut leans against gray-lichened rocks-- + Old Elpsie's home--beshunned by humankind-- + Of which strange stories had been gossiped 'round: + How fifty years ago, on Hallow-E'en, + At midnight, in a storm, a wayward youth + Losing his way had stumbled on the hut + And found it tenanted, and peeping in, + Beheld a sad-eyed maiden all alone + Reclining on a couch hard-by the fire! + How he had prayed admittance from the storm; + How pity beat the wall of prudence down; + And how he took advantage of her state; + And how she cursed him in her crazy shame, + And prayed God blast all issue of his loins + Until the wrong should be atoned in kind; + And how, as years ran by, though rarely seen, + The sad-eyed maid became a withered hag + And practised witchcraft and foul sorcery. + But whence she came, or who she was, or why + She was called Elpsie, none could say. They knew + Alone, for sure, that Farmer Holt had once, + Near to the graveyard, in the dead of night, + Seen by the moonlight, riding on a broom-- + Straight from the castle to the hut beyond-- + A form and face like Elpsie's, in the air-- + Scattering on all sides curses as she flew! + And people fearful were of meeting her, + And even feared to pass by Myra's Well. + + From the low thatch of Elpsie's hut upcurls + A smoke-wraith, dimly seen; beneath the eaves + Black shadows fall, save where a yellow gleam, + Dull and uncertain, from a crevice pours. + Low-pendant from a crane, within the hut, + A great black pot is simmering o'er a fire, + Whose flickering light bewrays a couch, a stool, + And, crouching by the fire, the tattered form + The matted hair, the parchment-wrinkled skin, + Of Elpsie--elbowing her knees, her jowl + Supported like a wedge between her palms-- + Crouching and swaying feebly back and forth-- + Her gaze intent upon the shifting scum + Or on the greenish vapor it exudes-- + The while her cracked voice croons uncannily: + + ELPSIE'S CROON. + + In the Halls of the Morvens the race-curse shall fail + When the Great Mountain heaves and comes down to the vale, + And the last of his race the Sin shall bewail. + + Black toad's liver, + Green snake's slime, + Hazel sliver, + Witches grime, + White-tipt tail of coal-black cat, + Rotted wing of vampire bat, + Were-wolf's tooth, and claw of rat, + Simmer! simmer! simmer! + + For the curse of the Morvens shall utterly die + When a Raven, at midnight, by moonlight, hard-by, + With the weight of a Forest shall easily fly. + + Maiden's fears and + Suitor's moans, + Dead girl's tears and + Warlock's groans, + Spirits' dust from witches' broom, + Drop of froth from madman's spume, + Ivy leaf from crack of doom, + Simmer! simmer! simmer! + + When the Tempter is weak beside Goodness and Grace, + And the Wrong is atoned in the very same place, + Then shall Happiness fall upon Morven's dark race. + + How comes Sir Bertram here at such a time? + And has his walk dispelled his phantasies? + Through the crisp night-air faintly booms a bell; + "'Tis from the castle. There is Myra's well! + Eleven o'clock--and still a mile from home! + And there is Elpsie's hut! What did she mean?" + And as he notes the dull outpouring light + The cranny grows more bright, and larger seems! + "What could that mean? A moment more would tell." + And then he hears the warlock's prophecy! + He peers within and sees, or seems to see, + A sweet and sad-eyed maiden all alone, + Reclining on a couch hard-by the fire! + He rubs his eyes, as dreaming, looks again-- + And sees an empty couch, dull flickering flames, + And toothless Elpsie rocking to and fro! + Then he remembers, with a start, that once-- + O, long ago!--he knows not when nor where-- + He had a dream, distinct and plain as this, + In which he saw this self-same sad-eyed maid + Upon the couch--and then the toothless hag! + And after that, beside a moss-grown well-- + Could that be Myra's?--kneeling on the curb, + Her golden hair half-silvered by the moon, + And violet eyes lit up by love divine, + His Ada--his! And then there came a mist + Which blotted from his mem'ry all the rest. + "Ten thousand limping devils! Could it be + The well had magic power?--That SHE had heard? + That SHE this night would test it?" Thus thought he; + "And then Old Elpsie's words--ne'er known to fail! + By all the Saints and Souls I'll wait and see!" + + From out the rear-door of the Farmer's house-- + The old folks long since gone, and fast asleep-- + Goes pretty Hettie. Once before this Eve + She went a short space hand-in-hand with John, + Both blindfold, to pull kail; but now alone: + Under her arm a bag half full of seed-- + Hemp-seed--the which at midnight she must sow, + And, looking back, will see the reaper come-- + Gathering the growing crop--her future spouse! + Scarce is she hid from view, when after her, + Steps forth sly John, a sickle in his hand! + Then, from the front, steals Ada, trembling one-- + Half startled at the shadows on the lawn-- + And takes the bridle-path t'ward Myra's well! + The wind sighs softly through the falling leaves, + And she sighs half responsively. The bark + Of distant hound sounds strangely near! The low + Of far-off cattle seems like near-by groan, + And sends strange shudders through her hurrying frame; + The rustle of the leaves, or snapping twig, + Makes her heart beat more quickly than a clock! + An hundred times before she sees the well + She clasps her rosary and says a prayer + And wishes she were home again once more-- + Yet hurries all the faster on her way! + And once a frightened hare dashed swift across + Her ghostly path, and shook with terror all + Her comely limbs! And once she saw two eyes-- + Two piercing eyes that sparkled, 'neath a bush, + And made her giddy till she signed the cross-- + And saw a great black cat flit fast away! + Strange shapes on either hand she seemed to see + Which gibed and waved long shadowy arms, and shook + Long threat'ning fingers at her! Once she thought + She saw, betwixt a tree-top and the moon, + A witches form with Elpsie's face, and heard, + Or thought she heard, harsh maledictions fall! + And once she slipt, and nearly fell with fright, + Upon a slimy, moving thing, that crawled! + And thrice she heard the dreaded were-wolf's howl! + And thrice a flame-eyed snake did hiss at her! + And thrice she heard the hooting of an owl! + Below, above, on all sides, sharp beset + With horrid shapes and phantasies and threats, + Which grew more numerous and portentious still + As she came nearer to the sacred well, + Until her limbs could scarcely bear her form, + And all her Faith seemed vanishing in fear, + And courage almost failed expectancy. + + At last, thank God, the sacred well in sight, + She kneels some minutes more, to tell her beads + And gather breath and strength and that repose + And fixity of purpose needed for + The coming test. Then rising, looking not + To right or left, she comes unto the well-- + An open space near by the sacred oak-- + And kneeling at the curb, with eyes uplift, + She addeth to her other prayers these words: + "O Sainted Myra, sanctified by death + And sorrows such as moved both Earth and Heaven; + O Sainted Myra, purified through tears + Of which this well bears witness night and day; + And thou, O Holy Mother, in whose heart + The erring find a wide-souled sympathy + And mediate help--O help me now I pray! + If this be sin, to wish to know the Truth-- + That Truth which fond hearts find within this well-- + Forgive the sin, and save me of thy grace!" + + Her pensive pose, her small claspt-hands, her hair + Like golden threads in silvery air bestirred, + The beauty of her angel face, her eyes + Lit with divine effulgence like twin stars, + Her trustful innocence and faith, would melt + A heart of stone to worship at her feet! + With outstretched arms and timid touch of curb-- + Thinking the time has come--she forward bends, + Looks down upon the glassy surface then-- + And as she looks, the startled air resounds + With clanging bell, which strikes the hour of twelve! + Now, Holy Mary, spare that lovely maid! + + What sees she there? At first the pool seems dark-- + A cloud perchance swift coursing o'er the moon-- + And, only dimly visible, A SHAPE! + But, as she looks, the shape grows clearer, till + She sees the image of Sir Bertram's face! + "O Bertram! dear Sir Bertram! God be thanked," + She cries, "that Bertram will be lord of me!" + And then she sees TWO faces in the well! + Her own, and his! An arm steals 'round her waist! + Startled, she turns, and swoons in Bertram's arms! + + He holds her close to his impassioned breast, + Kissing her hair and eyes and cheeks and mouth; + Then feels the beating of her fluttering heart, + And prays her to come back to life and him. + He chafes her small white hands and dainty limbs, + And, from the well, drops water on her brow; + But all in vain--so cold and still she lies, + Like living beauty sudden smit with death! + + "Fool that I was!" the anxious lover cries-- + "I have worked harm indeed by coming forth. + Thus oft we hurt the one we love most dear + And learn too late the folly of an hour!" + He lifts her gently in his loving arms, + And bears her easily to Elpsie's hut-- + No Elpsie there--the door wide open stands!-- + And lays her on the couch, renews the fire, + And on his bended knee by Ada's side + Regards her sadly and adoringly. + + Soon he perceives a tremor o'er her steal, + Swift fluttering of her breath, a sudden gasp, + A deep-drawn sigh, and then her eyes unclose-- + Her violet eyes so tender and so true, + Yet with a far-off-look between the lids-- + And gaze half mournfully at him. Then soft + And musical her low voice sounds again: + "My Bertram, mine, methought I had a dream, + And in that dream I lost thee--thou, my life! + And yet through all that dream, another dream, + In which thou madest me all thine own--thy wife-- + And rained soft kisses on my lips and brow, + And guarded me like Christ and all His Saints, + And held me safely to thy noble breast + Through all of good or ill-- + But thou art pale! + And on thy face swift shadows come and go! + Come, kiss me love! The night is cold, not thou! + For warm thy brown cheek is, as flesh and blood; + And now I feel thy sweet breath on my brow! + Are spirits all as palpable as thou?"-- + And then--half startled by the sudden doubt-- + "Where am I, Bertram?" + "Here upon my heart, + Thou best-beloved, secure and safe with him + Who is thyself from henceforth and for aye, + Whether for good or ill--but surely good; + Here, in old Elpsie's hut, near-by the well, + At which I found thee, and didst bring thee here + Frightened by sudden seeing of a face + That looked the love it owns!"-- + "O holy Saints! + O shame! what have I done?" poor Ada cries: + "It all comes back with harrowing circumstance, + Alas! to curse my mem'ry; woe is me!" + And here broke down with sudden storm of tears-- + Of tears and sighs! + "Nay, nay, dear heart"--he chides, + And clasps her close--"The churchmen hold it true + That all which rightly ends is justified. + I always loved thee, sweet, from the first day-- + But dared not wed--nor even woo a bride. + A curse is on our house. When yet a child + Old Elpsie told me how ancestral sin + Had brought it down from father unto son, + And thence to me. My grandsire died, unshriven, + By his own hand, 'tis said, beside this well; + And all his children died quite suddenly + By deaths almost as strange; and I alone + Am left--the last one of the line! Dare I + Bring misery and death to her I love-- + As I love thee?" + "Thou lovest me, Sir Knight, + A lowly maiden, in a forest lone? + Ah! honest love would make no chaffer thus! + Thou hintest what thy proud lips dare not say-- + Dallying like wanton bee about a flower! + Hath honor fled from man?" + "Nay, nay, mine own-- + Banish distrust and fear! The hand of fate + Is in our meeting--none, save she, to blame. + There is a moment in each being's life + On which that being's destiny doth hang-- + A moment fateful and all-pivotal; + For both of us that moment now has come! + Around the head of God a nimbus floats-- + 'Tis the divine effulgence of His Truth!-- + And all His Saints do borrow of that light; + And even men do share its guiding beams. + I ask thy hand in wedlock, lovely maid, + If thou wilt brave the curse with me." + "The curse! + Ten thousand curses would I risk with thee + As thy leal wife! To such a Knight as thou + My Bertram--my true Knight--no ill shall fall, + But, should it come, then let it fall on me! + Yet Heaven is kind, and Mary merciful-- + O Holy one, most merciful to me!" + + Sir Bertram saw sweet Ada safely home; + And, as he left her, from the near-by woods-- + His heart a-tremble with his happiness-- + He saw a light; 'twas Elpsie's hut in flames! + + * * * * * + + Beside the well now stands a cosy lodge + Sir Bertram built for Elpsie, and the hut, + Which heard their vows that night, exists no more. + Sir Bertram built a chapel on its site; + And thence, that coming Christmas, took his bride, + His lovely Ada, to her Castle-Home-- + The home of Morven the "Great Mountain," who + Had gone "down to the vale" to meet his love-- + Of Bertram, the "bright raven" who, with ease, + "By moonlight," in "mid-watches of the night," + Had carried Ada's form--a full-sized Holt-- + And "Holt" means "Forest" in our Saxon tongue. + + And when old Elpsie died, she left a will + Which told the wrong that Bertram's grandsire did + To her, the grand-aunt of his winsome bride-- + And left her dying blessing on the twain. + And she was buried in the chapel vault, + And prayers were said to save her soul from hell; + And often in the after-days they came: + Sir Bertram and his Lady with their sons + And daughters--and the Holts at times, with theirs-- + For John and Hettie now were parents too-- + And decked the tomb with sweet forget-me-nots; + And often lingered by poor Myra's Well. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Myra's Well, by George Francis Dawson + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MYRA'S WELL *** + +***** This file should be named 35411.txt or 35411.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/4/1/35411/ + +Produced by Heather Clark, Carla Foust, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive) + + +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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |