HUS talking, the two archangels had reached the Boulevard Rochechouart. As his eye lighted on a tavern1, whence, through the mist, the light fell golden on the pavement, Théophile suddenly bethought himself of the Archangel Ithuriel who, in the guise2 of a poor but beautiful woman, was living in wretched lodgings3 on La Butte and came every evening to read the papers at this tavern. The musician often met her there. Her name was Zita. Théophile had never been curious enough to enquire4 into the opinions entertained by this archangel, but it was generally supposed that she was a Russian nihilist, and he took her to be, like Arcade6, an atheist7 and a revolutionary. He had heard remarkable8 tales about her. People said she was an hermaphrodite, and that as the active and passive principles were united within her in a condition of stable equilib[110]rium, she was an example of a perfect being, finding in herself complete and continuous satisfaction, contented9 yet unfortunate in that she knew not desire.
"But," added Théophile, "I have my doubts about it. I believe she's a woman and subject to love, like everything else that has life and breath in the Universe. Besides, someone caught her one day kissing her hand to a strapping10 peasant fellow."
He offered to introduce his companion to her.
The two angels found her alone, reading. As they drew near she lifted her great eyes in whose deeps of molten gold little sparks of light were forever a-dance. Her brows were contracted into that austere11 fold which we see on the forehead of the Pythian Apollo; her nose was perfect and descended12 without a curve; her lips were compressed and imparted a disdainful and supercilious13 air to her whole countenance14. Her tawny15 hair, with its gleaming lights, was carelessly adorned16 with the tattered17 remnants of a huge bird of prey18, her garments lay about her in dark and shapeless folds. She was leaning her chin on a small ill-tended hand.
Arcade, who had but recently heard references made to this powerful archangel, showed her marked esteem19, and placed entire confidence in her. He immediately proceeded to tell of the progress his mind had made towards knowledge and liberty, of[111] his lucubrations in the d'Esparvieu library, of his philosophical20 reading, his studies of nature, his works on exegesis21, his anger and his contempt when he recognised the deception22 of the demiurge, his voluntary exile among mankind, and, finally, of his project to stir up rebellion in Heaven. Ready to dare all against an odious23 master, whom he pursued with inextinguishable hatred24, he expressed his profound happiness at finding in Ithuriel a mind capable of counselling and helping25 him in his great undertaking26.
"You are not a very old hand at revolutions," said Zita, smiling.
Nevertheless, she doubted neither his sincerity27 nor the firmness of his declared resolve, and she congratulated him on his intellectual audacity28.
"That is what is most lacking in our people," she said, "they do not think."
And she added almost immediately: "But on what can intelligence sharpen its wits, in a country where the climate is soft and existence made easy? Even here, where necessity calls for intellectual activity, nothing is rarer than a person who thinks."
"Nevertheless," replied Maurice's guardian29 angel, "man has created science. The important thing is to introduce it into Heaven. When the angels possess some notions of physics, chemistry, astronomy, and physiology30; when the study of matter shows them worlds in an atom, and an atom[112] in the myriads31 of planets; when they see themselves lost between these two infinities33; when they weigh and measure the stars, analyse their composition, and calculate their orbits, they will recognise that these monsters work in obedience34 to forces which no intelligence can define, or that each star has its particular divinity, or indigenous35 god; and they will realise that the gods of Aldebaran, Betelgeuse, and Sirius are greater than Ialdabaoth. When at length they come to scrutinise with care the little world in which their lot is cast, and, piercing the crust of the earth, note the gradual evolution of its flora36 and fauna37 and the rude origin of man, who, under the shelter of rocks and in cave dwellings38, had no God but himself; when they discover that, united by the bonds of universal kinship to plants, beasts, and men, they have successively indued all forms of organic life, from the simplest and the most primitive39, until they became at length the most beautiful of the children of light, they will perceive that Ialdabaoth, the obscure demon40 of an insignificant41 world lost in space, is imposing42 on their credulity when he pretends that they issued from nothingness at his bidding; they will perceive that he lies in calling himself the Infinite, the Eternal, the Almighty43, and that, so far from having created worlds, he knows neither their number nor their laws. They will perceive that he is like unto one of them; they will despise[113] him, and, shaking off his tyranny, will fling him into the Gehenna where he has hurled44 those more worthy45 than himself."
"Do you think so?" murmured Zita, puffing46 out the smoke of her cigarette.... "Nevertheless, this knowledge by virtue47 of which you reckon to enfranchise48 Heaven, has not destroyed religious sentiment on earth. In countries where they have set up and taught this science of physics, of chemistry, astronomy, and geology, which you think capable of delivering the world, Christianity has retained almost all its sway. If the positive sciences have had such a feeble influence on the beliefs of mankind, it is not likely they will exercise a greater one on the opinions of the angels, and nothing is of such dubious49 efficacy as scientific propaganda."
"What!" exclaimed Arcade, "you deny that Science has given the Church its death-blow? Is it possible? The Church, at any rate, judges otherwise. Science, which you believe has no power over her, is redoubtable50 to her, since she proscribes51 it. From Galileo's dialogues to Monsieur Aulard's little manuals she has condemned52 all its discoveries. And not without reason.
"In former days, when she gathered within her fold all that was great in human thought, the Church held sway over the bodies as well as over the souls of men, and imposed unity54 of obedience[114] by fire and sword. To-day her power is but a shadow and the elect among the great minds have withdrawn55 from her. That is the state to which Science has reduced her."
"Possibly," replied the beautiful archangel, "but how slowly, with what vicissitudes56, at the price of what efforts, of what sacrifices!"
Zita did not absolutely condemn53 scientific propaganda, but she anticipated no prompt or certain results from it. For her it was not so much a question of enlightening the angels; the important thing was to enfranchise them. In her opinion one only exerted a strong influence on individuals, whoever they might be, by rousing their passions, and appealing to their interests.
"Persuade the angels that they will cover themselves with glory by overthrowing57 the tyrant58, and that they will be happier once they are free; that is the most practical policy to attempt, and, for my own part, I am devoting all my energies to its fulfilment. It is certainly no light task, because the Kingdom of Heaven is a military autocracy59 and there is no public opinion in it. Nevertheless, I do not despair of starting an intellectual movement. I do not wish to boast, but no one is more closely acquainted than I with the different classes of angelic society."
Throwing away her cigarette, Zita pondered for a moment, then, amid the click of ivory balls[115] on the billiard table, the clinking of glasses, the curt60 voices of the players announcing their points, the monotonous61 answers of the waiters to their customers, the Archangel enumerated62 the entire population of the spirits of light.
"We must not count on the Dominations, the Virtues63, nor the Powers, which compose the celestial64 lower middle class. I have no need to tell you, for you know it as well as I, how selfish, base, and cowardly the middle classes are. As to the great dignitaries, the Ministers, the Generals, Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim65, you know what they are; they will take no action. Let us, however, once prove ourselves the stronger, and we shall have them with us. For if autocrats66 do not readily acquiesce67 in their own downfall, once overthrown68, all their forces recoil69 upon themselves. It will be well to work the Army. Entirely70 loyal as the Army is, it will allow itself to be influenced by a clever anarchist71 propaganda. But our greatest and most constant efforts ought to be brought to bear upon the angels of your own category, Arcade; the guardian angels, who dwell upon earth in such great numbers. They fill the lowest ranks of the hierarchy72, are for the most part discontented with their lot, and more or less imbued73 with the ideas of the present century."
She had already conferred with the guardian angels of Montmartre, Clignancourt, and Filles-du-[116]Calvaire. She had devised the plan of a vast association of Spirits on Earth with the view of conquering Heaven.
"To accomplish this task," she said, "I have established myself in France. But not because I had the folly74 to believe myself freer in a republic than in a monarchy75. Quite the contrary, for there is no country where the liberty of the individual is less respected than in France. But the people are indifferent to everything connected with religion; nowhere else, therefore, should I enjoy such tranquillity76."
She invited Arcade to unite his efforts to hers, and when they separated at the door of the brasserie the steel shutter77 was already making its groaning78 descent.
Théophile, who had slumbered80 during all this talk, begged his friend to come home with him and smoke a cigarette. He lived quite near in the small street opposite, leading off the Boulevard. Arcade would see Bouchotte, she would please him.
They climbed up five flights of stairs. Bouchotte had not yet returned. A tin of sardines81 lay open on the piano. Red stockings coiled about the arm-chairs.
"It's a little place, but it's comfortable," said Théophile.[117]
And gazing out of the window which looked out on the russet-coloured night, with its myriad32 lights, he added, "One can see the Sacré C?ur." His hand on Arcade's shoulder, he repeated several times, "I am glad to see you."
Then, dragging his former companion in glory into the kitchen passage, he put down his candlestick, drew a key from his pocket, opened a cupboard, and, raising a linen82 covering, disclosed two large white wings.
"You see," he said, "I have preserved them. From time to time, when I am alone, I go and look at them; it does me good."
And he dabbed83 his reddened eyes. He stood awhile, overcome by silent emotion. Then, holding the candle near the long pinions5 which were moulting their down in places, he murmured, "They are eaten away."
"You must put some pepper on them," said Arcade.
"I have done so," replied the angelic musician, sighing. "I have put pepper, camphor, and powder on them. But nothing does any good."
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1
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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enquire
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| v.打听，询问；调查，查问 | |
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pinions
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的第三人称单数 ) | |
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arcade
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| n.拱廊；(一侧或两侧有商店的)通道 | |
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7
atheist
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| n.无神论者 | |
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8
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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10
strapping
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| adj. 魁伟的, 身材高大健壮的 n. 皮绳或皮带的材料, 裹伤胶带, 皮鞭 动词strap的现在分词形式 | |
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11
austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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supercilious
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| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
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14
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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15
tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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18
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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19
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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20
philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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exegesis
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| n.注释，解释 | |
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deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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23
odious
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| adj.可憎的，讨厌的 | |
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24
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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25
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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29
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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30
physiology
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| n.生理学，生理机能 | |
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31
myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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32
myriad
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| adj.无数的；n.无数，极大数量 | |
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33
infinities
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| n.无穷大( infinity的名词复数 )；无限远的点；无法计算的量；无限大的量 | |
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34
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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indigenous
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| adj.土产的，土生土长的，本地的 | |
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flora
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| n.(某一地区的)植物群 | |
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fauna
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| n.(一个地区或时代的)所有动物，动物区系 | |
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38
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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39
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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41
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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42
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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43
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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44
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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45
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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46
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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47
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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48
enfranchise
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| v.给予选举权，解放 | |
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49
dubious
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| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
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50
redoubtable
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| adj.可敬的；可怕的 | |
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51
proscribes
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| v.正式宣布（某事物）有危险或被禁止( proscribe的第三人称单数 ) | |
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52
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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53
condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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54
unity
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| n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调 | |
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55
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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56
vicissitudes
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| n.变迁，世事变化；变迁兴衰( vicissitude的名词复数 )；盛衰兴废 | |
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57
overthrowing
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| v.打倒，推翻( overthrow的现在分词 )；使终止 | |
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58
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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59
autocracy
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| n.独裁政治，独裁政府 | |
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60
curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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61
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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62
enumerated
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| v.列举，枚举，数( enumerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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63
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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64
celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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seraphim
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| n.六翼天使(seraph的复数)；六翼天使( seraph的名词复数 ) | |
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66
autocrats
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| n.独裁统治者( autocrat的名词复数 )；独断专行的人 | |
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67
acquiesce
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| vi.默许，顺从，同意 | |
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68
overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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69
recoil
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| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
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70
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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71
anarchist
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| n.无政府主义者 | |
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72
hierarchy
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| n.等级制度；统治集团，领导层 | |
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73
imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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74
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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75
monarchy
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| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
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76
tranquillity
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| n. 平静, 安静 | |
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77
shutter
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| n.百叶窗；(照相机)快门；关闭装置 | |
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78
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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80
slumbered
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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81
sardines
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| n. 沙丁鱼 | |
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82
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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83
dabbed
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| （用某物）轻触( dab的过去式和过去分词 )； 轻而快地擦掉（或抹掉）； 快速擦拭； （用某物）轻而快地涂上（或点上）… | |
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