How — questions began to stream through my mind; silenced by the handmaiden’s voice.
“Above, far, far above the abode4 of the Shining One,” she said, “was their greatest temple, holding the shrines5 both of sun and moon. All about it were other temples hidden behind mighty6 walls, each enclosing its own space and squared and ruled and standing7 within a shallow lake; the sacred city, the city of the gods of this land —”
“It is the Nan–Matal that she is describing,” I thought.
“Out upon all this looked the Taithu who were now but the servants of the Shining One as it had been the messenger of the Three,” she went on. “When they returned the Shining One spoke8 to them, promising9 them dominion10 over all that they had seen, yea, UNDER IT dominion of all earth itself and later perhaps of other earths!
“In the Shining One had grown craft, cunning; knowledge to gain that which it desired. Therefore it told its Taithu — and mayhap told them truth — that not yet was it time for THEM to go forth11; that slowly must they pass into that outer world, for they had sprung from heart of earth and even it lacked power to swirl12 unaided into and through the above. Then it counselled them, instructing them what to do. They hollowed the chamber13 wherein first I saw you, cutting their way to it that path down which from it you sped.
“It revealed to them that the force that is within moon flame is kin14 to the force that is within it, for the chamber of its birth was the chamber too of moon birth and into it went the subtle essence and powers that flow in that earth child: and it taught them how to make that which fills what you call the Moon Pool whose opening is close behind its Veil hanging upon the gleaming cliffs.
“When this was done it taught them how to make and how to place the seven lights through which moon flame streams into Moon Pool — the seven lights that are kin to its own seven orbs15 even as its fires are kin to moon fires — and which would open for it a path that it could tread. And all this the Taithu did, working so secretly that neither those of their race whose faces were set against the Shining One nor the busy men above know aught of it.
“When it was done they moved up the path, clustering within the Moon Pool Chamber. Moon flame streamed through the seven globes, poured down upon the pool; they saw mists arise, embrace, and become one with the moon flame — and then up through Moon Pool, shaping itself within the mists of light, whirling, radiant — the Shining One!
“Almost free, almost loosed upon the world it coveted16!
“Again it counselled them, and they pierced the passage whose portal you found first; set the fires within its stones, and revealing themselves to the moon king and his priests spake to them even as the Shining One had instructed.
“Now was the moon king filled with fear when he looked upon the Taithu, shrouded17 with protecting mists of light in Moon Pool Chamber, and heard their words. Yet, being crafty18, he thought of the power that would be his if he heeded19 and how quickly the strength of the sun king would dwindle20. So he and his made a pact21 with the Shining One’s messengers.
“When next the moon was round and poured its flames down upon Moon Pool, the Taithu gathered there again, watched the child of the Three take shape within the pillars, speed away — and out! They heard a mighty shouting, a tumult22 of terror, of awe23 and of worship; a silence; a vast sighing — and they waited, wrapped in their mists of light, for they feared to follow nor were they near the paths that would have enabled them to look without.
“Another tumult — and back came the Shining One, murmuring with joy, pulsing, triumphant24, and clasped within its vapours a man and woman, ruddy-haired, golden-eyed, in whose faces rapture25 and horror lay side by side — gloriously, hideously26. And still holding them it danced above the Moon Pool and — sank!
“Now must I be brief. Lat after lat the Shining One went forth, returning with its sacrifices. And stronger after each it grew — and gayer and more cruel. Ever when it passed with its prey27 toward the pool, the Taithu who watched felt a swift, strong intoxication28, a drunkenness of spirit, streaming from it to them. And the Shining One forgot what it had promised them of dominion — and in this new evil delight they too forgot.
“The outer land was torn with hatred29 and open strife30. The moon king and his kind, through the guidance of the evil Taithu and the favour of the Shining One, had become powerful and the sun king and his were darkened. And the moon priests preached that the child of the Three was the moon god itself come to dwell with them.
“Now vast tides arose and when they withdrew they took with them great portions of this country. And the land itself began to sink. Then said the moon king that the moon had called to ocean to destroy because wroth that another than he was worshipped. The people believed and there was slaughter31. When it was over there was no more a sun king nor any of the ruddy-haired folk; slain32 were they, slain down to the babe at breast.
“But still the tides swept higher; still dwindled33 the land!
“As it shrank multitudes of the fleeing people were led through Moon Pool Chamber and carried here. They were what now are called the ladala, and they were given place and set to work; and they thrived. Came many of the fair-haired; and they were given dwellings34. They sat beside the evil Taithu; they became drunk even as they with the dancing of the Shining One; they learned — not all; only a little part but little enough — of their arts. And ever the Shining One danced more gaily35 out there within the black amphitheatre; grew ever stronger — and ever the hordes37 of its slaves behind the Veil increased.
“Nor did the Taithu who clung to the old ways check this — they could not. By the sinking of the land above, their own spaces were imperilled. All of their strength and all of their wisdom it took to keep this land from perishing; nor had they help from those others mad for the poison of the Shining One; and they had no time to deal with them nor the earth race with whom they had foregathered.
“At last came a slow, vast flood. It rolled even to the bases of the walled islets of the city of the gods — and within these now were all that were left of my people on earth face.
“I am of those people,” she paused, looking at me proudly, “one of the daughters of the sun king whose seed is still alive in the ladala!”
As Larry opened his mouth to speak she waved a silencing hand.
“This tide did not recede,” she went on. “And after a time the remnant, the moon king leading them, joined those who had already fled below. The rocks became still, the quakings ceased, and now those Ancient Ones who had been labouring could take breath. And anger grew within them as they looked upon the work of their evil kin. Again they sought the Three — and the Three now knew what they had done and their pride was humbled38. They would not slay39 the Shining One themselves, for still they loved it; but they instructed these others how to undo40 their work; how also they might destroy the evil Taithu were it necessary.
“Armed with the wisdom of the Three they went forth — but now the Shining One was strong indeed. They could not slay it!
“Nay, it knew and was prepared; they could not even pass beyond its Veil nor seal its abode. Ah, strong, strong, mighty of will, full of craft and cunning had the Shining One become. So they turned upon their kind who had gone astray and made them perish, to the last. The Shining One came not to the aid of its servants — though they called; for within its will was the thought that they were of no further use to it; that it would rest awhile and dance with them — who had so little of the power and wisdom of its Taithu and therefore no reins41 upon it. And while this was happening black-haired and fair-haired ran and hid and were but shaking vessels42 of terror.
“The Ancient Ones took counsel. This was their decision; that they would go from the gardens before the Silver Waters — leaving, since they could not kill it, the Shining One with its worshippers. They sealed the mouth of the passage that leads to the Moon Pool Chamber and they changed the face of the cliff so that none might tell where it had been. But the passage itself they left open — having foreknowledge I think, of a thing that was to come to pass in the far future — perhaps it was your journey here, my Larry and Goodwin — verily I think so. And they destroyed all the ways save that which we three trod to the Dweller43’s abode.
“For the last time they went to the Three — to pass sentence upon them. This was the doom44 — that here they should remain, alone, among the Akka, served by them, until that time dawned when they would have will to destroy the evil they had created — and even now — loved; nor might they seek death, nor follow their judges until this had come to pass. This was the doom they put upon the Three for the wickedness that had sprung from their pride, and they strengthened it with their arts that it might not be broken.
“Then they passed — to a far land they had chosen where the Shining One could not go, beyond the Black Precipices45 of Doul, a green land —”
“Ireland!” interrupted Larry, with conviction, “I knew it.”
“Since then time upon time had passed,” she went on, unheeding. “The people called this place Muria after their sunken land and soon they forgot where had been the passage the Taithu had sealed. The moon king became the Voice of the Dweller and always with the Voice is a woman of the moon king’s kin who is its priestess.
“And many have been the journeys upward of the Shining One, through the Moon Pool — returning with still others in its coils.
“And now again has it grown restless, longing46 for the wider spaces. It has spoken to Yolara and to Lugur even as it did to the dead Taithu, promising them dominion. And it has grown stronger, drawing to itself power to go far on the moon stream where it will. Thus was it able to seize your friend, Goodwin, and Olaf’s wife and babe — and many more. Yolara and Lugur plan to open way to earth face; to depart with their court and under the Shining One grasp the world!
“And this is the tale the Silent Ones bade me tell you — and it is done.”
Breathlessly I had listened to the stupendous epic47 of a long-lost world. Now I found speech to voice the question ever with me, the thing that lay as close to my heart as did the welfare of Larry, indeed the whole object of my quest — the fate of Throckmartin and those who had passed with him into the Dweller’s lair48; yes, and of Olaf’s wife, too.
“Lakla,” I said, “the friend who drew me here and those he loved who went before him — can we not save them?”
“The Three say no, Goodwin.” There was again in her eyes the pity with which she had looked upon Olaf. “The Shining One — FEEDS— upon the flame of life itself, setting in its place its own fires and its own will. Its slaves are only shells through which it gleams. Death, say the Three, is the best that can come to them; yet will that be a boon49 great indeed.”
“But they have souls, mavourneen,” Larry said to her. “And they’re alive still — in a way. Anyhow, their souls have not gone from them.”
I caught a hope from his words — sceptic though I am — holding that the existence of soul has never been proved by dependable laboratory methods — for they recalled to me that when I had seen Throckmartin, Edith had been close beside him.
“It was days after his wife was taken, that the Dweller seized Throckmartin,” I cried. “How, if their wills, their life, were indeed gone, how did they find each other mid50 all that horde36? How did they come together in the Dweller’s lair?”
“I do not know,” she answered, slowly. “You say they loved — and it is true that love is stronger even than death!”
“One thing I DON’T understand”— this was Larry again —“is why a girl like you keeps coming out of the black-haired crowd; so frequently and one might say, so regularly, Lakla. Aren’t there ever any red-headed boys — and if they are what becomes of them?”
“That, Larry, I cannot answer,” she said, very frankly51. “There was a pact of some kind; how made or by whom I know not. But for long the Murians feared the return of the Taithu and greatly they feared the Three. Even the Shining One feared those who had created it — for a time; and not even now is it eager to face them — THAT I know. Nor are Yolara and Lugur so SURE. It may be that the Three commanded it: but how or why I know not. I only know that it is true — for here am I and from where else would I have come?”
“From Ireland,” said Larry O’Keefe, promptly52. “And that’s where you’re going. For ’tis no place for a girl like you to have been brought up — Lakla; what with people like frogs, and a half-god three quarters devil, and red oceans, an’ the only Irish things yourself and the Silent Ones up there, bless their hearts. It’s no place for ye, and by the soul of St. Patrick, it’s out of it soon ye’ll be gettin’!”
Larry! Larry! If it had but been true — and I could see Lakla and you beside me now!
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收听单词发音
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1
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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3
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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shrines
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| 圣地，圣坛，神圣场所( shrine的名词复数 ) | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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8
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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9
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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swirl
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| v.(使)打漩，(使)涡卷；n.漩涡，螺旋形 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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16
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dwindle
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| v.逐渐变小（或减少） | |
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pact
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| n.合同，条约，公约，协定 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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hideously
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| adv.可怕地，非常讨厌地 | |
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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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intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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32
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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33
dwindled
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| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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hordes
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| n.移动着的一大群( horde的名词复数 )；部落 | |
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humbled
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| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
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39
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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40
undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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41
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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42
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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43
dweller
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| n.居住者，住客 | |
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44
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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45
precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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46
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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epic
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| n.史诗，叙事诗；adj.史诗般的，壮丽的 | |
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48
lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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boon
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| n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠 | |
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50
mid
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| adj.中央的，中间的 | |
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51
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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52
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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