diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:17:56 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:17:56 -0700 |
| commit | c75f817af822c5687d5575530dc3f73271228f0f (patch) | |
| tree | f95682598e9d1210b99a32a41c7d55cd6fe21e90 /1884-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '1884-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 1884-h/1884-h.htm | 1846 |
1 files changed, 1846 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/1884-h/1884-h.htm b/1884-h/1884-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..083dd97 --- /dev/null +++ b/1884-h/1884-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1846 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Exiles, by Honore de Balzac + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Exiles, by Honore de Balzac + +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 Exiles + +Author: Honore de Balzac + +Translator: Clara Bell and James Waring + +Release Date: March 5, 2010 [EBook #1884] +Last Updated: November 22, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EXILES *** + + + + +Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE EXILES + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Honore de Balzac + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h3> + Translated by Clara Bell and James Waring + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + ALMAE SORORI + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + In the year 1308 few houses were yet standing on the Island formed by the + alluvium and sand deposited by the Seine above the Cite, behind the Church + of Notre-Dame. The first man who was so bold as to build on this strand, + then liable to frequent floods, was a constable of the watch of the City + of Paris, who had been able to do some service to their Reverences the + Chapter of the Cathedral; and in return the Bishop leased him twenty-five + perches of land, with exemptions from all feudal dues or taxes on the + buildings he might erect. + </p> + <p> + Seven years before the beginning of this narrative, Joseph Tirechair, one + of the sternest of Paris constables, as his name (Tear Flesh) would + indicate, had, thanks to his share of the fines collected by him for + delinquencies committed within the precincts of the Cite, had been able to + build a house on the bank of the Seine just at the end of the Rue du + Port-Saint-Landry. To protect the merchandise landed on the strand, the + municipality had constructed a sort of break-water of masonry, which may + still be seen on some old plans of Paris, and which preserved the piles of + the landing-place by meeting the rush of water and ice at the upper end of + the Island. The constable had taken advantage of this for the foundation + of his house, so that there were several steps up to his door. + </p> + <p> + Like all the houses of that date, this cottage was crowned by a peaked + roof, forming a gable-end to the front, or half a diamond. To the great + regret of historians, but two or three examples of such roofs survive in + Paris. A round opening gave light to a loft, where the constable’s wife + dried the linen of the Chapter, for she had the honor of washing for the + Cathedral—which was certainly not a bad customer. On the first floor + were two rooms, let to lodgers at a rent, one year with another, of forty + sous <i>Parisis</i> each, an exorbitant sum, that was however justified by + the luxury Tirechair had lavished on their adornment. Flanders tapestry + hung on the walls, and a large bed with a top valance of green serge, like + a peasant’s bed, was amply furnished with mattresses, and covered with + good sheets of fine linen. Each room had a stove called a <i>chauffe-doux</i>; + the floor, carefully polished by Dame Tirechair’s apprentices, shone like + the woodwork of a shrine. Instead of stools, the lodgers had deep chairs + of carved walnut, the spoils probably of some raided castle. Two chests + with pewter mouldings, and tables on twisted legs, completed the fittings, + worthy of the most fastidious knights-banneret whom business might bring + to Paris. + </p> + <p> + The windows of those two rooms looked out on the river. From one you could + only see the shores of the Seine, and the three barren islands, of which + two were subsequently joined together to form the Ile Saint-Louis; the + third was the Ile de Louviers. From the other could be seen, down a vista + of the Port-Saint-Landry, the buildings on the Greve, the Bridge of + Notre-Dame, with its houses, and the tall towers of the Louvre, but lately + built by Philippe-Auguste to overlook the then poor and squalid town of + Paris, which suggests so many imaginary marvels to the fancy of modern + romancers. + </p> + <p> + The ground floor of Tirechair’s house consisted of a large hall, where his + wife’s business was carried on, through which the lodgers were obliged to + pass on their way to their own rooms up a stairway like a mill-ladder. + Behind this were a kitchen and a bedroom, with a view over the Seine. A + tiny garden, reclaimed from the waters, displayed at the foot of this + modest dwelling its beds of cabbages and onions, and a few rose-bushes, + sheltered by palings, forming a sort of hedge. A little structure of lath + and mud served as a kennel for a big dog, the indispensable guardian of so + lonely a dwelling. Beyond this kennel was a little plot, where the hens + cackled whose eggs were sold to the Canons. Here and there on this patch + of earth, muddy or dry according to the whimsical Parisian weather, a few + trees grew, constantly lashed by the wind, and teased and broken by the + passer-by—willows, reeds, and tall grasses. + </p> + <p> + The Eyot, the Seine, the landing-place, the house, were all overshadowed + on the west by the huge basilica of Notre-Dame casting its cold gloom over + the whole plot as the sun moved. Then, as now, there was not in all Paris + a more deserted spot, a more solemn or more melancholy prospect. The noise + of waters, the chanting of priests, or the piping of the wind, were the + only sounds that disturbed this wilderness, where lovers would sometimes + meet to discuss their secrets when the church-folds and clergy were safe + in church at the services. + </p> + <p> + One evening in April in the year 1308, Tirechair came home in a remarkably + bad temper. For three days past everything had been in good order on the + King’s highway. Now, as an officer of the peace, nothing annoyed him so + much as to feel himself useless. He flung down his halbert in a rage, + muttered inarticulate words as he pulled off his doublet, half red and + half blue, and slipped on a shabby camlet jerkin. After helping himself + from the bread-box to a hunch of bread, and spreading it with butter, he + seated himself on a bench, looked round at his four whitewashed walls, + counted the beams of the ceiling, made a mental inventory of the household + goods hanging from the nails, scowled at the neatness which left him + nothing to complain of, and looked at his wife, who said not a word as she + ironed the albs and surplices from the sacristy. + </p> + <p> + “By my halidom,” he said, to open the conversation, “I cannot think, + Jacqueline, where you go to catch your apprenticed maids. Now, here is + one,” he went on, pointing to a girl who was folding an altar-cloth, + clumsily enough, it must be owned, “who looks to me more like a damsel + rather free of her person than a sturdy country wench. Her hands are as + white as a fine lady’s! By the Mass! and her hair smells of essences, I + verily believe, and her hose are as find as a queen’s. By the two horns of + Old Nick, matters please me but ill as I find them here.” + </p> + <p> + The girl colored, and stole a look at Jacqueline, full of alarm not + unmixed with pride. The mistress answered her glance with a smile, laid + down her work, and turned to her husband. + </p> + <p> + “Come now,” said she, in a sharp tone, “you need not harry me. Are you + going to accuse me next of some underhand tricks? Patrol your roads as + much as you please, but do not meddle here with anything but what concerns + your sleeping in peace, drinking your wine, and eating what I set before + you, or else, I warn you, I will have no more to do with keeping you + healthy and happy. Let any one find me a happier man in all the town,” she + went on, with a scolding grimace. “He has silver in his purse, a gable + over the Seine, a stout halbert on one hand, an honest wife on the other, + a house as clean and smart as a new pin! And he growls like a pilgrim + smarting from Saint Anthony’s fire!” + </p> + <p> + “Hey day!” exclaimed the sergeant of the watch, “do you fancy, Jacqueline, + that I have any wish to see my house razed down, my halbert given to + another, and my wife standing in the pillory?” + </p> + <p> + Jacqueline and the dainty journeywoman turned pale. + </p> + <p> + “Just tell me what you are driving at,” said the washerwoman sharply, “and + make a clean breast of it. For some days, my man, I have observed that you + have some maggot twisting in your poor brain. Come up, then, and have it + all out. You must be a pretty coward indeed if you fear any harm when you + have only to guard the common council and live under the protection of the + Chapter! Their Reverences the Canons would lay the whole bishopric under + an interdict if Jacqueline brought a complaint of the smallest damage.” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke, she went straight up to her husband and took him by the arm. + </p> + <p> + “Come with me,” she added, pulling him up and out on to the steps. + </p> + <p> + When they were down by the water in their little garden, Jacqueline looked + saucily in her husband’s face. + </p> + <p> + “I would have you to know, you old gaby, that when my lady fair goes out, + a piece of gold comes into our savings-box.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, ho!” said the constable, who stood silent and meditative before his + wife. But he presently said, “Any way, we are done for.—What brings + the dame to our house?” + </p> + <p> + “She comes to see the well-favored young clerk who lives overhead,” + replied Jacqueline, looking up at the window that opened on to the vast + landscape of the Seine valley. + </p> + <p> + “The Devil’s in it!” cried the man. “For a few base crowns you have ruined + me, Jacqueline. Is that an honest trade for a sergeant’s decent wife to + ply? And, be she Countess or Baroness, the lady will not be able to get us + out of the trap in which we shall find ourselves caught sooner or later. + Shall we not have to square accounts with some puissant and offended + husband? for, by the Mass, she is fair to look upon!” + </p> + <p> + “But she is a widow, I tell you, gray gander! How dare you accuse your + wife of foul play and folly? And the lady has never spoken a word to yon + gentle clerk, she is content to look on him and think of him. Poor lad! he + would be dead of starvation by now but for her, for she is as good as a + mother to him. And he, the sweet cherub! it is as easy to cheat him as to + rock a new-born babe. He believes his pence will last for ever, and he has + eaten them through twice over in the past six months.” + </p> + <p> + “Woman,” said the sergeant, solemnly pointing to the Place de Greve, “do + you remember seeing, even from this spot, the fire in which they burnt the + Danish woman the other day?” + </p> + <p> + “What then?” said Jacqueline, in a fright. + </p> + <p> + “What then?” echoed Tirechair. “Why, the two men who lodge with us smell + of scorching. Neither Chapter nor Countess or Protector can serve them. + Here is Easter come round; the year is ending; we must turn our company + out of doors, and that at once. Do you think you can teach an old + constable how to know a gallows-bird? Our two lodgers were on terms with + la Porette, that heretic jade from Denmark or Norway, whose last cries you + heard from here. She was a brave witch; she never blenched at the stake, + which was proof enough of her compact with the Devil. I saw her as plain + as I see you; she preached to the throng, and declared she was in heaven + and could see God. + </p> + <p> + “And since that, I tell you, I have never slept quietly in my bed. My + lord, who lodges over us, is of a surety more of a wizard than a + Christian. On my word as an officer, I shiver when that old man passes + near me; he never sleeps of nights; if I wake, his voice is ringing like a + bourdon of bells, and I hear him muttering incantations in the language of + hell. Have you ever seen him eat an honest crust of bread or a hearth-cake + made by a good Catholic baker? His brown skin has been scorched and tanned + by hell-fires. Marry, and I tell you his eyes hold a spell like that of + serpents. Jacqueline, I will have none of those two men under my roof. I + see too much of the law not to know that it is well to have nothing to do + with it.—You must get rid of our two lodgers; the elder because I + suspect him; the youngster, because he is too pretty. They neither of them + seem to me to keep Christian company. The boy is ever staring at the moon, + the stars, and the clouds, like a wizard watching for the hour when he + shall mount his broomstick; the other old rogue certainly makes some use + of the poor boy for his black art. My house stands too close to the river + as it is, and that risk of ruin is bad enough without bringing down fire + from heaven, or the love affairs of a countess. I have spoken. Do not + rebel.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of her sway in the house, Jacqueline stood stupefied as she + listened to the edict fulminated against his lodgers by the sergeant of + the watch. She mechanically looked up at the window of the room inhabited + by the old man, and shivered with horror as she suddenly caught sight of + the gloomy, melancholy face, and the piercing eye that so affected her + husband, accustomed as he was to dealing with criminals. + </p> + <p> + At that period, great and small, priests and laymen, all trembled before + the idea of any supernatural power. The word “magic” was as powerful as + leprosy to root up feelings, break social ties, and freeze piety in the + most generous soul. It suddenly struck the constable’s wife that she had + never, in fact, seen either of her lodgers exercising any human function. + Though the younger man’s voice was as sweet and melodious as the tones of + a flute, she so rarely heard it that she was tempted to think his silence + the result of a spell. As she recalled the strange beauty of that + pink-and-white face, and saw in memory the fine hair and moist brilliancy + of those eyes, she believed that they were indeed the artifices of the + Devil. She remembered that for days at a time she had never heard the + slightest sound from either room. Where were the strangers during all + those hours? + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the most singular circumstances recurred to her mind. She was + completely overmastered by fear, and could even discern witchcraft in the + rich lady’s interest in the young Godefroid, a poor orphan who had come + from Flanders to study at the University of Paris. She hastily put her + hand into one of her pockets, pulled out four livres of Tournay in large + silver coinage, and looked at the pieces with an expression of avarice + mingled with terror. + </p> + <p> + “That, at any rate, is not false coin,” said she, showing the silver to + her husband. “Besides,” she went on, “how can I turn them out after taking + next year’s rent paid in advance?” + </p> + <p> + “You had better inquire of the Dean of the Chapter,” replied Tirechair. + “Is not it his business to tell us how we should deal with these + extraordinary persons?” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, truly extraordinary,” cried Jacqueline. “To think of their cunning; + coming here under the very shadow of Notre-Dame! Still,” she went on, “or + ever I ask the Dean, why not warn that fair and noble lady of the risk she + runs?” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke, Jacqueline went into the house with her husband, who had not + missed a mouthful. Tirechair, as a man grown old in the tricks of his + trade, affected to believe that the strange lady was in fact a work-girl; + still, this assumed indifference could not altogether cloak the timidity + of a courtier who respects a royal incognity. At this moment six was + striking by the clock of Saint-Denis du Pas, a small church that stood + between Notre-Dame and the Port-Saint-Landry—the first church + erected in Paris, on the very spot where Saint-Denis was laid on the + gridiron, as chronicles tell. The hour flew from steeple to tower all over + the city. Then suddenly confused shouts were heard on the left bank of the + Seine, behind Notre-Dame, in the quarter where the schools of the + University harbored their swarms. + </p> + <p> + At this signal, Jacqueline’s elder lodger began to move about his room. + The sergeant, his wife, and the strange lady listened while he opened and + shut his door, and the old man’s heavy step was heard on the steep stair. + The constable’s suspicions gave such interest to the advent of this + personage, that the lady was startled as she observed the strange + expression of the two countenances before her. Referring the terrors of + this couple to the youth she was protecting—as was natural in a + lover—the young lady awaited, with some uneasiness, the event thus + heralded by the fears of her so-called master and mistress. + </p> + <p> + The old man paused for a moment on the threshold to scrutinize the three + persons in the room, and seemed to be looking for his young companion. + This glance of inquiry, unsuspicious as it was, agitated the three. + Indeed, nobody, not even the stoutest man, could deny that Nature had + bestowed exceptional powers on this being, who seemed almost supernatural. + Though his eyes were somewhat deeply shaded by the wide sockets fringed + with long eyebrows, they were set, like a kite’s eyes, in eyelids so + broad, and bordered by so dark a circle sharply defined on his cheek, that + they seemed rather prominent. These singular eyes had in them something + indescribably domineering and piercing, which took possession of the soul + by a grave and thoughtful look, a look as bright and lucid as that of a + serpent or a bird, but which held one fascinated and crushed by the swift + communication of some tremendous sorrow, or of some super-human power. + </p> + <p> + Every feature was in harmony with this eye of lead and of fire, at once + rigid and flashing, stern and calm. While in this eagle eye earthly + emotions seemed in some sort extinct, the lean, parched face also bore + traces of unhappy passions and great deeds done. The nose, which was + narrow and aquiline, was so long that it seemed to hang on by the + nostrils. The bones of the face were strongly marked by the long, straight + wrinkles that furrowed the hollow cheeks. Every line in the countenance + looked dark. It would suggest the bed of a torrent where the violence of + former floods was recorded in the depth of the water-courses, which + testified to some terrible, unceasing turmoil. Like the ripples left by + the oars of a boat on the waters, deep lines, starting from each side of + his nose, marked his face strongly, and gave an expression of bitter + sadness to his mouth, which was firm and straight-lipped. Above the storm + thus stamped on his countenance, his calm brow rose with what may be + called boldness, and crowned it as with a marble dome. + </p> + <p> + The stranger preserved that intrepid and dignified manner that is + frequently habitual with men inured to disaster, and fitted by nature to + stand unmoved before a furious mob and to face the greatest dangers. He + seemed to move in a sphere apart, where he poised above humanity. His + gestures, no less than his look, were full of irresistible power; his lean + hands were those of a soldier; and if your own eyes were forced to fall + before his piercing gaze, you were no less sure to tremble when by word or + action he spoke to your soul. He moved in silent majesty that made him + seem a king without his guard, a god without his rays. + </p> + <p> + His dress emphasized the ideas suggested by the peculiarities of his mien + and face. Soul, body, and garb were in harmony, and calculated to impress + the coldest imagination. He wore a sort of sleeveless gown of black cloth, + fastened in front, and falling to the calf, leaving the neck bare with no + collar. His doublet and boots were likewise black. On his head was a black + velvet cap like a priest’s, sitting in a close circle above his forehead, + and not showing a single hair. It was the strictest mourning, the + gloomiest habit a man could wear. But for a long sword that hung by his + side from a leather belt which could be seen where his surcoat hung open, + a priest would have hailed him as a brother. Though of no more than middle + height, he appeared tall; and, looking him in the face he seemed a giant. + </p> + <p> + “The clock has struck, the boat is waiting; will you not come?” + </p> + <p> + At these words, spoken in bad French, but distinctly audible in the + silence, a little noise was heard in the other top room, and the young man + came down as lightly as a bird. + </p> + <p> + When Godefroid appeared, the lady’s face turned crimson; she trembled, + started, and covered her face with her white hands. + </p> + <p> + Any woman might have shared her agitation at the sight of this youth of + about twenty, of a form and stature so slender that at a first glance he + might have been taken for a mere boy, or a young girl in disguise. His + black cap—like the <i>beret</i> worn by the Basque people—showed + a brow as white as snow, where grace and innocence shone with an + expression of divine sweetness—the light of a soul full of faith. A + poet’s fancy would have seen there the star which, in some old tale, a + mother entreats the fairy godmother to set on the forehead of an infant + abandoned, like Moses, to the waves. Love lurked in the thousand fair + curls that fell over his shoulders. His throat, truly a swan’s throat, was + white and exquisitely round. His blue eyes, bright and liquid, mirrored + the sky. His features and the mould of his brow were refined and delicate + enough to enchant a painter. The bloom of beauty, which in a woman’s face + causes men such indescribable delight, the exquisite purity of outline, + the halo of light that bathes the features we love, were here combined + with a masculine complexion, and with strength as yet but half developed, + in the most enchanting contrast. His was one of those melodious + countenances which even when silent speak and attract us. And yet, on + marking it attentively, the incipient blight might have been detected + which comes of a great thought or a passion, the faint yellow tinge that + made him seem like a young leaf opening to the sun. + </p> + <p> + No contrast could be greater or more startling than that seen in the + companionship of these two men. It was like seeing a frail and graceful + shrub that has grown from the hollow trunk of some gnarled willow, + withered by age, blasted by lightning, standing decrepit; one of those + majestic trees that painters love; the trembling sapling takes shelter + there from storms. One was a god, the other was an angel; one the poet + that feels, the other the poet that expresses—a prophet in sorrow, a + levite in prayer. + </p> + <p> + They went out together without speaking. + </p> + <p> + “Did you mark how he called him to him?” cried the sergeant of the watch + when the footsteps of the couple were no longer audible on the strand. + “Are not they a demon and his familiar?” + </p> + <p> + “Phooh!” puffed Jacqueline. “I felt smothered! I never marked our two + lodgers so carefully. ‘Tis a bad thing for us women that the Devil can + wear so fair a mien!” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, cast some holy water on him,” said Tirechair, “and you will see him + turn into a toad.—I am off to tell the office all about them.” + </p> + <p> + On hearing this speech, the lady roused herself from the reverie into + which she had sunk, and looked at the constable, who was donning his + red-and-blue jacket. + </p> + <p> + “Whither are you off to?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “To tell the justices that wizards are lodging in our house very much + against our will.” + </p> + <p> + The lady smiled. + </p> + <p> + “I,” said she, “am the Comtesse de Mahaut,” and she rose with a dignity + that took the man’s breath away. “Beware of bringing the smallest trouble + on your guests. Above all, respect the old man; I have seen him in the + company of your Lord the King, who entreated him courteously; you will be + ill advised to trouble him in any way. As to my having been here—never + breathe a word of it, as you value your life.” + </p> + <p> + She said no more, but relapsed into thought. + </p> + <p> + Presently she looked up, signed to Jacqueline, and together they went up + into Godefroid’s room. The fair Countess looked at the bed, the carved + chairs, the chest, the tapestry, the table, with a joy like that of the + exile who sees on his return the crowded roofs of his native town nestling + at the foot of a hill. + </p> + <p> + “If you have not deceived me,” she said to Jacqueline, “I promise you a + hundred crowns in gold.” + </p> + <p> + “Behold, madame,” said the woman, “the poor angel is confiding—here + is all his treasure.” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke, Jacqueline opened a drawer in the table and showed some + parchments. + </p> + <p> + “God of mercy!” cried the Countess, snatching up a document that caught + her eye, on which she read, <i>Gothofredus Comes Gantiacus</i> (Godefroid, + Count of Ghent). + </p> + <p> + She dropped the parchment, and passed her hand over her brow; then, + feeling, no doubt, that she had compromised herself by showing so much + emotion, she recovered her cold demeanor. + </p> + <p> + “I am satisfied,” said she. + </p> + <p> + She went downstairs and out of the house. The constable and his wife stood + in their doorway, and saw her take the path to the landing-place. + </p> + <p> + A boat was moored hard by. When the rustle of the Countess’ approach was + audible, a boatman suddenly stood up, helped the fair laundress to take + her seat in it, and rowed with such strength as to make the boat fly like + a swallow down the stream. + </p> + <p> + “You are a sorry fellow,” said Jacqueline, giving the officer’s shoulder a + familiar slap. “We have earned a hundred gold crowns this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “I like harboring lords no better than harboring wizards. And I know not, + of the two, which is the more like to bring us to the gallows,” replied + Tirechair, taking up his halbert. “I will go my rounds over by + Champfleuri; God protect us, and send me to meet some pert jade out in her + bravery of gold rings to glitter in the shade like a glow-worm!” + </p> + <p> + Jacqueline, alone in the house, hastily went up to the unknown lord’s room + to discover, if she could, some clue to this mysterious business. Like + some learned men who give themselves infinite pains to complicate the + clear and simple laws of nature, she had already invented a chaotic + romance to account for the meeting of these three persons under her humble + roof. She hunted through the chest, examined everything, but could find + nothing extraordinary. She saw nothing on the table but a writing-case and + some sheets of parchment; and as she could not read, this discovery told + her nothing. A woman’s instinct then took her into the young man’s room, + and from thence she descried her two lodgers crossing the river in the + ferry boat. + </p> + <p> + “They stand like two statues,” said she to herself. “Ah, ha! They are + landing at the Rue du Fouarre. How nimble he is, the sweet youth! He + jumped out like a bird. By him the old man looks like some stone saint in + the Cathedral.—They are going to the old School of the Four Nations. + Presto! they are out of sight.—And this is where he lives, poor + cherub!” she went on, looking about the room. “How smart and winning he + is! Ah! your fine gentry are made of other stuff than we are.” + </p> + <p> + And Jacqueline went down again after smoothing down the bed-coverlet, + dusting the chest, and wondering for the hundredth time in six months: + </p> + <p> + “What in the world does he do all the blessed day? He cannot always be + staring at the blue sky and the stars that God has hung up there like + lanterns. That dear boy has known trouble. But why do he and the old man + hardly ever speak to each other?” + </p> + <p> + Then she lost herself in wonderment and in thoughts which, in her woman’s + brain, were tangled like a skein of thread. + </p> + <p> + The old man and his young companion had gone into one of the schools for + which the Rue du Fouarre was at that time famous throughout Europe. At the + moment when Jacqueline’s two lodgers arrived at the old School des Quatre + Nations, the celebrated Sigier, the most noted Doctor of Mystical Theology + of the University of Paris, was mounting his pulpit in a spacious low room + on a level with the street. The cold stones were strewn with clean straw, + on which several of his disciples knelt on one knee, writing on the other, + to enable them to take notes from the Master’s improvised discourse, in + the shorthand abbreviations which are the despair of modern decipherers. + </p> + <p> + The hall was full, not of students only, but of the most distinguished men + belonging to the clergy, the court, and the legal faculty. There were some + learned foreigners, too—soldiers and rich citizens. The broad faces + were there, with prominent brows and venerable beards, which fill us with + a sort of pious respect for our ancestors when we see their portraits from + the Middle Ages. Lean faces, too, with burning, sunken eyes, under bald + heads yellow from the labors of futile scholasticism, contrasted with + young and eager countenances, grave faces, warlike faces, and the ruddy + cheeks of the financial class. + </p> + <p> + These lectures, dissertations, theses, sustained by the brightest geniuses + of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, roused our forefathers to + enthusiasm. They were to them their bull-fights, their Italian opera, + their tragedy, their dancers; in short, all their drama. The performance + of Mysteries was a later thing than these spiritual disputations, to + which, perhaps, we owe the French stage. Inspired eloquence, combining the + attractions of the human voice skilfully used, with daring inquisition + into the secrets of God, sufficed to satisfy every form of curiosity, + appealed to the soul, and constituted the fashionable entertainment of the + time. Not only did Theology include the other sciences, it was science + itself, as grammar was science to the Ancient Greeks; and those who + distinguished themselves in these duels, in which the orators, like Jacob, + wrestled with the Spirit of God, had a promising future before them. + Embassies, arbitrations between sovereigns, chancellorships, and + ecclesiastical dignities were the meed of men whose rhetoric had been + schooled in theological controversy. The professor’s chair was the tribune + of the period. + </p> + <p> + This system lasted till the day when Rabelais gibbeted dialectics by his + merciless satire, as Cervantes demolished chivalry by a narrative comedy. + </p> + <p> + To understand this amazing period and the spirit which dictated its + voluminous, though now forgotten, masterpieces, to analyze it, even to its + barbarisms, we need only examine the Constitutions of the University of + Paris and the extraordinary scheme of instruction that then obtained. + Theology was taught under two faculties—that of Theology properly so + called, and that of Canon Law. The faculty of Theology, again, had three + sections—Scholastic, Canonical, and Mystic. It would be wearisome to + give an account of the attributes of each section of the science, since + one only, namely, Mystic, is the subject of this <i>Etude</i>. + </p> + <p> + Mystical Theology included the whole of Divine Revelation and the + elucidation of the Mysteries. And this branch of ancient theology has been + secretly preserved with reverence even to our own day; Jacob Boehm, + Swendenborg, Martinez Pasqualis, Saint-Martin, Molinos, Madame Guyon, + Madame Bourignon, and Madame Krudener, the extensive sect of the + Ecstatics, and that of the Illuminati, have at different periods duly + treasured the doctrines of this science, of which the aim is indeed truly + startling and portentous. In Doctor Sigier’s day, as in our own, man has + striven to gain wings to fly into the sanctuary where God hides from our + gaze. + </p> + <p> + This digression was necessary to give a clue to the scene at which the old + man and the youth from the island under Notre-Dame had come to be + audience; it will also protect this narrative from all blame on the score + of falsehood and hyperbole, of which certain persons of hasty judgment + might perhaps suspect me. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Sigier was a tall man in the prime of life. His face, rescued from + oblivion by the archives of the University, had singular analogies with + that of Mirabeau. It was stamped with the seal of fierce, swift, and + terrible eloquence. But the Doctor bore on his brow the expression of + religious faith that his modern double had not. His voice, too, was of + persuasive sweetness, with a clear and pleasing ring in it. + </p> + <p> + At this moment the daylight, that was stintingly diffused through the + small, heavily-leaded window-panes, tinted the assembly with capricious + tones and powerful contrasts from the chequered light and shade. Here, in + a dark corner, eyes shone brightly, their dark heads under the sunbeams + gleamed light above faces in shadow, and various bald heads, with only a + circlet of white hair, were distinguished among the crowd like battlements + silvered by moonlight. Every face was turned towards the Doctor, mute but + impatient. The drowsy voices of other lecturers in the adjoining schools + were audible in the silent street like the murmuring of the sea; and the + steps of the two strangers, as they now came in, attracted general + attention. Doctor Sigier, ready to begin, saw the stately senior standing, + looked round for a seat for him, and then finding none, as the place was + full, came down from his place, went to the newcomer, and with great + respect, led him to the platform of his professor’s chair, and there gave + him his stool to sit upon. The assembly hailed this mark of deference with + a murmur of approval, recognizing the old man as the orator of a fine + thesis admirably argued not long since at the Sorbonne. + </p> + <p> + The stranger looked down from his raised position on the crowd below with + that deep glance that held a whole poem of sorrow, and those who met his + eye felt an indescribable thrill. The lad, following the old man, sat down + on one of the steps, leaning against the pulpit in a graceful and + melancholy attitude. The silence was now profound, and the doorway and + even the street were blocked by scholars who had deserted the other + classes. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Sigier was to-day to recapitulate, in the last of a series of + discourses, the views he had set forth in the former lectures on the + Resurrection, Heaven, and Hell. His strange doctrine responded to the + sympathies of the time, and gratified the immoderate love of the + marvelous, which haunts the mind of man in every age. This effort of man + to clutch the infinite, which for ever slips through his ineffectual + grasp, this last tourney of thought against thought, was a task worthy of + an assembly where the most stupendous human imagination ever known, + perhaps, at that moment shone. + </p> + <p> + The Doctor began by summing up in a mild and even tone the principal + points he had so far established: + </p> + <p> + “No intellect was the exact counterpart of another. Had man any right to + require an account of his Creator for the inequality of powers bestowed on + each? Without attempting to penetrate rashly into the designs of God, + ought we not to recognize the fact that by reason of their general + diversity intelligences could be classed in spheres? From the sphere where + the least degree of intelligence gleamed, to the most translucent souls + who could see the road by which to ascend to God, was there not an + ascending scale of spiritual gift? And did not spirits of the same sphere + understand each other like brothers in soul, in flesh, in mind, and in + feeling?” + </p> + <p> + From this the Doctor went on to unfold the most wonderful theories of + sympathy. He set forth in Biblical language the phenomena of love, of + instinctive repulsion, of strong affinities which transcend the laws of + space, of the sudden mingling of souls which seem to recognize each other. + With regard to the different degrees of strength of which our affections + are capable, he accounted for them by the place, more or less near the + centre, occupied by beings in their respective circles. + </p> + <p> + He gave mathematical expression to God’s grand idea in the co-ordination + of the various human spheres. “Through man,” he said, “these spheres + constituted a world intermediate between the intelligence of the brute and + the intelligence of the angels.” As he stated it, the divine Word + nourishes the spiritual Word, the spiritual Word nourishes the living + Word, the living Word nourishes the animal Word, the animal Word nourishes + the vegetable Word, and the vegetable Word is the expression of the life + of the barren Word. These successive evolutions, as of a chrysalis, which + God thus wrought in our souls, this infusorial life, so to speak, + communicated from each zone to the next, more vivid, more spiritual, more + perceptive in its ascent, represented, rather dimly no doubt, but + marvelously enough to his inexperienced hearers, the impulse given to + Nature by the Almighty. Supported by many texts from the Sacred + Scriptures, which he used as a commentary on his own statements to express + by concrete images the abstract arguments he felt to be wanting, he + flourished the Spirit of God like a torch over the deep secrets of + creation, with an eloquence peculiar to himself, and accents that urged + conviction on his audience. As he unfolded his mysterious system and all + its consequences, he gave a key to every symbol and justified the + vocation, the special gifts, the genius, the talent of each human being. + </p> + <p> + Then, instinctively becoming physiological, he remarked on the resemblance + to certain animals stamped on some human faces, accounting for them by + primordial analogies and the upward tendency of all creation. He showed + his audience the workings of Nature, and assigned a mission and a future + to minerals, plants, and animals. Bible in hand, after thus spiritualizing + Matter and materializing Spirit, after pointing to the Will of God in all + things, and enjoining respect for His smallest works, he suggested the + possibility of rising by faith from sphere to sphere. + </p> + <p> + This was the first portion of his discourse, and by adroit digressions he + applied the doctrine of his system to feudalism. The poetry—religious + and profane—and the abrupt eloquence of that period had a grand + opening in this vast theory, wherein the Doctor had amalgamated all the + philosophical systems of the ancients, and from which he brought them out + again classified, transfigured, purified. The false dogmas of two adverse + principles and of Pantheism were demolished at his word, which proclaimed + the Divine Unity, while ascribing to God and His angels the knowledge, the + ends to which the means shone resplendent to the eyes of man. Fortified by + the demonstrations that proved the existence of the world of Matter, + Doctor Sigier constructed the scheme of a spiritual world dividing us from + God by an ascending scale of spheres, just as the plant is divided from + man by an infinite number of grades. He peopled the heavens, the stars, + the planets, the sun. + </p> + <p> + Quoting Saint Paul, he invested man with a new power; he might rise, from + globe to globe, to the very Fount of eternal life. Jacob’s mystical ladder + was both the religious formula and the traditional proof of the fact. He + soared through space, carrying with him the passionate souls of his + hearers on the wings of his word, making them feel the infinite, and + bathing them in the heavenly sea. Then the Doctor accounted logically for + hell by circles placed in inverse order to the shining spheres that lead + to God, in which torments and darkness take the place of the Spirit and of + light. Pain was as intelligible as rapture. The terms of comparison were + present in the conditions of human life and its various atmospheres of + suffering and of intellect. Thus the most extraordinary traditions of hell + and purgatory were quite naturally conceivable. + </p> + <p> + He gave the fundamental <i>rationale</i> of virtue with admirable + clearness. A pious man, toiling onward in poverty, proud of his good + conscience, at peace with himself, and steadfastly true to himself in his + heart in spite of the spectacle of exultant vice, was a fallen angel doing + penance, who remembered his origin, foresaw his guerdon, accomplished his + task, and obeyed his glorious mission. The sublime resignation of + Christians was then seen in all its glory. He depicted martyrs at the + burning stake, and almost stripped them of their merit by stripping them + of their sufferings. He showed their inner angel as dwelling in the + heavens, while the outer man was tortured by the executioner’s sword. He + described angels dwelling among men, and gave tokens by which to recognize + them. + </p> + <p> + He next strove to drag from the very depths of man’s understanding the + real sense of the word fall, which occurs in every language. He appealed + to the most widely-spread traditions in evidence of this one true origin, + explaining, with much lucidity, the passion all men have for rising, + mounting—an instinctive ambition, the perennial revelations of our + destiny. + </p> + <p> + He displayed the whole universe at a glance, and described the nature of + God Himself circulating in a full tide from the centre to the extremities, + and from the extremities to the centre again. Nature was one and + homogeneous. In the most seemingly trivial, as in the most stupendous + work, everything obeyed that law; each created object reproduced in little + an exact image of that nature—the sap in the plant, the blood in + man, the orbits of the planets. He piled proof on proof, always completing + his idea by a picture musical with poetry. + </p> + <p> + And he boldly anticipated every objection. He thundered forth an eloquent + challenge to the monumental works of science and human excrescences of + knowledge, such as those which societies use the elements of the earthly + globe to produce. He asked whether our wars, our disasters, our depravity + could hinder the great movement given by God to all the globes; and he + laughed human impotence to scorn by pointing to their efforts everywhere + in ruins. He cried upon the manes of Tyre, Carthage, and Babylon; he + called upon Babel and Jerusalem to appear; and sought, without finding + them, the transient furrows made by the ploughshare of civilization. + Humanity floated on the surface of the earth as a ship whose wake is lost + in the calm level of ocean. + </p> + <p> + These were the fundamental notions set forth in Doctor Sigier’s address, + all wrapped in the mystical language and strange school Latin of the time. + He had made a special study of the Scriptures, and they supplied him with + the weapons with which he came before his contemporaries to hasten their + progress. He hid his boldness under his immense learning, as with a cloak, + and his philosophical bent under a saintly life. At this moment, after + bringing his hearers face to face with God, after packing the universe + into an idea, and almost unveiling the idea of the world, he gazed down on + the silent, throbbing mass, and scrutinized the stranger with a look. + Then, spurred on, no doubt, by the presence of this remarkable personage, + he added these words, from which I have eliminated the corrupt Latinity of + the Middle Ages:— + </p> + <p> + “Where, think you, may a man find these fruitful truths if not in the + heart of God Himself?—What am I?—The humble interpreter of a + single line left to us by the greatest of the Apostles—a single line + out of thousands all equally full of light. Before us, Saint Paul said, ‘<i>In + Deo vivimus movemur et sumus</i>.’ In our day, less believing and more + learned, or better instructed and more sceptical, we should ask the + Apostle, ‘To what end this perpetual motion? Whither leads this life + divided into zones? Wherefore an intelligence that begins with the obscure + perfection of marble and proceeds from sphere to sphere up to man, up to + the angel, up to God? Where is the Fount, where is the ocean, if life, + attaining to God across worlds and stars, through Matter and Spirit, has + to come down again to some other goal?’ + </p> + <p> + “You desire to see both aspects of the universe at once. You would adore + the Sovereign on condition of being suffered to sit for an instant on His + throne. Mad fools that we are! We will not admit that the most intelligent + animals are able to understand our ideas and the object of our actions; we + are merciless to the creatures of the inferior spheres, and exile them + from our own; we deny them the faculty of divining human thoughts, and yet + we ourselves would fain master the highest of all ideas—the Idea of + the Idea! + </p> + <p> + “Well, go then, start! Fly by faith up from globe to globe, soar through + space! Thought, love, and faith are its mystical keys. Traverse the + circles, reach the throne! God is more merciful than you are; He opens His + temple to all His creatures. Only, do not forget the pattern of Moses; put + your shoes from off your feet, cast off all filth, leave your body far + behind; otherwise you shall be consumed; for God—God is Light!” + </p> + <p> + Just as Doctor Sigier spoke these grand words, his face radiant, his hand + uplifted, a sunbeam pierced through an open window, like a magic jet from + a fount of splendor, a long triangular shaft of gold that lay like a scarf + over the whole assembly. They all clapped their hands, for the audience + accepted this effect of the sinking sun as a miracle. There was a + universal cry of: + </p> + <p> + “<i>Vivant</i>! <i>Vivant</i>!” + </p> + <p> + The very sky seemed to shed approval. Godefroid, struck with reverence, + looked from the old man to Doctor Sigier; they were talking together in an + undertone. + </p> + <p> + “All honor to the Master!” said the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “What is such transient honor?” replied Sigier. + </p> + <p> + “I would I could perpetuate my gratitude,” said the older man. + </p> + <p> + “A line written by you is enough!” said the Doctor. “It would give me + immortality, humanly speaking.” + </p> + <p> + “Can I give what I have not?” cried the elder. + </p> + <p> + Escorted by the crowd, which followed in their footsteps, like courtiers + round a king, at a respectful distance, Godefroid, with the old man and + the Doctor, made their way to the oozy shore, where as yet there were no + houses, and where the ferryman was waiting for them. The Doctor and the + stranger were talking together, not in Latin nor in any Gallic tongue, but + in an unknown language, and very gravely. They pointed with their hands + now to heaven and now to the earth. Sigier, to whom the paths by the river + were familiar, guided the venerable stranger with particular care to the + narrow planks which here and there bridged the mud; the following watched + them inquisitively; and some of the students envied the privileged boy who + might walk with these two great masters of speech. Finally, the Doctor + took leave of the stranger, and the ferry-boat pushed off. + </p> + <p> + At the moment when the boat was afloat on the wide river, communicating + its motion to the soul, the sun pierced the clouds like a conflagration + blazing up on the horizon, and poured forth a flood of light, coloring + slate roof-tops and humbler thatch with a ruddy glow and tawny + reflections, fringed Philippe Auguste’s towers with fire, flooded the sky, + dyed the waters, gilded the plants, and aroused the half-sleeping insects. + The immense shaft of light set the clouds on fire. It was like the last + verse of the daily hymn. Every heart was thrilled; nature in such a moment + is sublime. + </p> + <p> + As he gazed at the spectacle, the stranger’s eyes moistened with the + tenderest of human tears: Godefroid too was weeping; his trembling hand + touched that of the elder man, who, looking round, confessed his emotion. + But thinking his dignity as a man compromised, no doubt, to redeem it, he + said in a deep voice: + </p> + <p> + “I weep for my native land. I am an exile! Young man, in such an hour as + this I left my home. There, at this hour, the fireflies are coming out of + their fragile dwellings and clinging like diamond sparks to the leaves of + the iris. At this hour the breeze, as sweet as the sweetest poetry, rises + up from a valley bathed in light, bearing on its wings the richest + fragrance. On the horizon I could see a golden city like the Heavenly + Jerusalem—a city whose name I may not speak. There, too, a river + winds. But that city and its buildings, that river of which the lovely + vistas, and the pools of blue water, mingled, crossed, and embraced each + other, which gladdened my sight and filled me with love—where are + they? + </p> + <p> + “At that hour the waters assumed fantastic hues under the sunset sky, and + seemed to be painted pictures; the stars dropped tender streaks of light, + the moon spread its pleasing snares; it gave another life to the trees, to + the color and form of things, and a new aspect to the sparkling water, the + silent hills, the eloquent buildings. The city spoke, it glittered, it + called to me to return! + </p> + <p> + “Columns of smoke rose up by the side of the ancient pillars, whose marble + sheen gleamed white through the night; the lines of the horizon were still + visible through the mists of evening; all was harmony and mystery. Nature + would not say farewell; she desired to keep me there. Ah! It was all in + all to me; my mother and my child, my wife and my glory! The very bells + bewailed my condemnation. Oh, land of marvels! It is as beautiful as + heaven. From that hour the wide world has been my dungeon. Beloved land, + why hast thou rejected me? + </p> + <p> + “But I shall triumph there yet!” he cried, speaking with an accent of such + intense conviction and such a ringing tone, that the boatman started as at + a trumpet call. + </p> + <p> + The stranger was standing in a prophetic attitude and gazing southwards + into the blue, pointing to his native home across the skyey regions. The + ascetic pallor of his face had given place to a glow of triumph, his eyes + flashed, he was as grand as a lion shaking his mane. + </p> + <p> + “But you, poor child,” he went on, looking at Godefroid, whose cheeks were + beaded with glittering tears, “have you, like me, studied life from + blood-stained pages? What can you have to weep for, at your age?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said Godefroid, “I regret a land more beautiful than any land on + earth—a land I never saw and yet remember. Oh, if I could but cleave + the air on beating wings, I would fly——” + </p> + <p> + “Whither?” asked the exile. + </p> + <p> + “Up there,” replied the boy. + </p> + <p> + On hearing this answer, the stranger seemed surprised; he looked darkly at + the youth, who remained silent. They seemed to communicate by an + unspeakable effusion of the spirit, hearing each other’s yearnings in the + teeming silence, and going forth side by side, like two doves sweeping the + air on equal wing, till the boat, touching the strand of the island, + roused them from their deep reverie. + </p> + <p> + Then, each lost in thought, they went together to the sergeant’s house. + </p> + <p> + “And so the boy believes that he is an angel exiled from heaven!” thought + the tall stranger. “Which of us all has a right to undeceive him? Not I—I, + who am so often lifted by some magic spell so far above the earth; I who + am dedicate to God; I who am a mystery to myself. Have I not already seen + the fairest of the angels dwelling in this mire? Is this child more or + less crazed than I am? Has he taken a bolder step in the way of faith? He + believes, and his belief no doubt will lead him into some path of light + like that in which I walk. But though he is as beautiful as an angel, is + he not too feeble to stand fast in such a struggle?” + </p> + <p> + Abashed by the presence of his companion, whose voice of thunder expressed + to him his own thoughts, as lightning expresses the will of Heaven, the + boy was satisfied to gaze at the stars with a lover’s eyes. Overwhelmed by + a luxury of sentiment, which weighed on his heart, he stood there timid + and weak—a midge in the sunbeams. Sigier’s discourse had proved to + them the mysteries of the spiritual world; the tall, old man was to invest + them with glory; the lad felt them in himself, though he could in no way + express them. The three represented in living embodiment Science, Poetry, + and Feeling. + </p> + <p> + On going into the house, the Exile shut himself into his room, lighted the + inspiring lamp, and gave himself over to the ruthless demon of Work, + seeking words of the silence and ideas of the night. Godefroid sat down in + his window sill, by turns gazing at the moon reflected in the water, and + studying the mysteries of the sky. Lost in one of the trances that were + frequent to him, he traveled from sphere to sphere, from vision to vision, + listening for obscure rustlings and the voices of angels, and believing + that he heard them; seeing, or fancying that he saw, a divine radiance in + which he lost himself; striving to attain the far-away goal, the source of + all light, the fount of all harmony. + </p> + <p> + Presently the vast clamor of Paris, brought down on the current, was + hushed; lights were extinguished one by one in the houses; silence spread + over all; and the huge city slept like a tired giant. + </p> + <p> + Midnight struck. The least noise, the fall of a leaf, or the flight of a + jackdaw changing its perching-place among the pinnacles of Notre-Dame, + would have been enough to bring the stranger’s mind to earth again, to + have made the youth drop from the celestial heights to which his soul had + soared on the wings of rapture. + </p> + <p> + And then the old man heard with dismay a groan mingling with the sound of + a heavy fall—the fall, as his experienced ear assured him, of a dead + body. He hastened into Godefroid’s room, and saw him lying in a heap with + a long rope tight round his neck, the end meandering over the floor. + </p> + <p> + When he had untied it, the poor lad opened his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Where am I?” he asked, with a hopeful gleam. + </p> + <p> + “In your own room,” said the elder man, looking with surprise at + Godefroid’s neck, and at the nail to which the cord had been tied, and + which was still in the knot. + </p> + <p> + “In heaven?” said the boy, in a voice of music. + </p> + <p> + “No; on earth!” + </p> + <p> + Godefroid rose and walked along the path of light traced on the floor by + the moon through the window, which stood open; he saw the rippling Seine, + the willows and plants on the island. A misty atmosphere hung over the + waters like a smokey floor. + </p> + <p> + On seeing the view, to him so heartbreaking, he folded his hands over his + bosom, and stood in an attitude of despair; the Exile came up to him with + astonishment on his face. + </p> + <p> + “You meant to kill yourself?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” replied Godefroid, while the stranger passed his hand about his + neck again and again to feel the place where the rope had tightened on it. + </p> + <p> + But for some slight bruises, the young man had been but little hurt. His + friend supposed that the nail had given way at once under the weight of + the body, and the terrible attempt had ended in a fall without injury. + </p> + <p> + “And why, dear lad, did you try to kill yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said Godefroid, no longer restraining the tears that rolled down + his cheeks, “I heard the Voice from on high; it called me by name! It had + never named me before, but this time it bade me to Heaven! Oh, how sweet + is that voice!—As I could not fly to Heaven,” he added artlessly, “I + took the only way we know of going to God.” + </p> + <p> + “My child! oh, sublime boy!” cried the old man, throwing his arms round + Godefroid, and clasping him to his heart. “You are a poet; you can boldly + ride the whirlwind! Your poetry does not proceed from your heart; your + living, burning thoughts, your creations, move and grow in your soul.—Go, + never reveal your ideas to the vulgar! Be at once the altar, the priest, + and the victim! + </p> + <p> + “You know Heaven, do you not? You have seen those myriads of angels, + white-winged, and holding golden sistrums, all soaring with equal flight + towards the Throne, and you have often seen their pinions moving at the + breath of God as the trees of the forest bow with one consent before the + storm. Ah, how glorious is unlimited space! Tell me.” + </p> + <p> + The stranger clasped Godefroid’s hand convulsively, and they both gazed at + the firmament, whence the stars seemed to shed gentle poetry which they + could bear. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, to see God!” murmured Godefroid. + </p> + <p> + “Child!” said the old man suddenly, in a sterner voice, “have you so soon + forgotten the holy teaching of our good master, Doctor Sigier? In order to + return, you to your heavenly home, and I to my native land on earth, must + we not obey the voice of God? We must walk on resignedly in the stony + paths where His almighty finger points the way. Do not you quail at the + thought of the danger to which you exposed yourself? Arriving there + without being bidden, and saying, ‘Here I am!’ before your time, would you + not have been cast back into a world beneath that where your soul now + hovers? Poor outcast cherub! Should you not rather bless God for having + suffered you to live in a sphere where you may hear none but heavenly + harmonies? Are you not as pure as a diamond, as lovely as a flower? + </p> + <p> + “Think what it is to know, like me, only the City of Sorrows!—Dwelling + there I have worn out my heart.—To search the tombs for their + horrible secrets; to wipe hands steeped in blood, counting them over night + after night, seeing them rise up before me imploring forgiveness which I + may not grant; to mark the writhing of the assassin and the last shriek of + his victim; to listen to appalling noises and fearful silence, the silence + of a father devouring his dead sons; to wonder at the laughter of the + damned; to look for some human form among the livid heaps wrung and + trampled by crime; to learn words such as living men may not hear without + dying; to call perpetually on the dead, and always to accuse and condemn!—Is + that living?” + </p> + <p> + “Cease!” cried Godefroid; “I cannot see you or hear you any further! My + reason wanders, my eyes are dim. You light a fire within me which consumes + me.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet I must go on!” said the senior, waving his hand with a strange + gesture that worked on the youth like a spell. + </p> + <p> + For a moment the old man fixed Godefroid with his large, weary, lightless + eyes; then he pointed with one finger to the ground. A gulf seemed to open + at his bidding. He remained standing in the doubtful light of the moon; it + lent a glory to his brow which reflected an almost solar gleam. Though at + first a somewhat disdainful expression lurked in the wrinkles of his face, + his look presently assumed the fixity which seems to gaze on an object + invisible to the ordinary organs of sight. His eyes, no doubt, were seeing + then the remoter images which the grave has in store for us. + </p> + <p> + Never, perhaps, had this man presented so grand an aspect. A terrible + struggle was going on in his soul, and reacted on his outer frame; strong + man as he seemed to be, he bent as a reed bows under the breeze that comes + before a storm. Godefroid stood motionless, speechless, spellbound; some + inexplicable force nailed him to the floor; and, as happens when our + attention takes us out of ourselves while watching a fire or a battle, he + was wholly unconscious of his body. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I tell you the fate to which you were hastening, poor angel of + love? Listen! It has been given to me to see immeasurable space, + bottomless gulfs in which all human creations are swallowed up, the + shoreless sea whither flows the vast stream of men and of angels. As I + made my way through the realms of eternal torment, I was sheltered under + the cloak of an immortal—the robe of glory due to genius, and which + the ages hand on—I, a frail mortal! When I wandered through the + fields of light where the happy souls play, I was borne up by the love of + a woman, the wings of an angel; resting on her heart, I could taste the + ineffable pleasures whose touch is more perilous to us mortals than are + the torments of the worser world. + </p> + <p> + “As I achieved my pilgrimage through the dark regions below I had mounted + from torture to torture, from crime to crime, from punishment to + punishment, from awful silence to heartrending cries, till I reached the + uppermost circle of Hell. Already, from afar, I could see the glory of + Paradise shining at a vast distance; I was still in darkness, but on the + borders of day. I flew, upheld by my Guide, borne along by a power akin to + that which, during our dreams, wafts us to spheres invisible to the eye of + the body. The halo that crowned our heads seared away the shades as we + passed, like impalpable dust. Far above us the suns of all the worlds + shone with scarce so much light as the twinkling fireflies of my native + land. I was soaring towards the fields of air where, round about Paradise, + the bodies of light are in closer array, where the azure is easy to pass + through, where worlds innumerable spring like flowers in a meadow. + </p> + <p> + “There, on the last level of the circles where those phantoms dwell that I + had left behind me, like sorrows one would fain forget, I saw a vast + shade. Standing in an attitude of aspiration, that soul looked eagerly + into space; his feet were riveted by the will of God to the topmost point + of the margin, and he remained for ever in the painful strain by which we + project our purpose when we long to soar, as birds about to take wing. I + saw the man; he neither looked at us nor heard us; every muscle quivered + and throbbed; at each separate instant he seemed to feel, though he did + not move, all the fatigue of traversing the infinite that divided him from + Paradise where, as he gazed steadfastly, he believed he had glimpses of a + beloved image. At this last gate of Hell, as at the first, I saw the stamp + of despair even in hope. The hapless creature was so fearfully held by + some unseen force, that his anguish entered into my bones and froze my + blood. I shrank closer to my Guide, whose protection restored me to peace + and silence. + </p> + <p> + “Suddenly the Shade gave a cry of joy—a cry as shrill as that of the + mother bird that sees a hawk in the air, or suspects its presence. We + looked where he was looking, and saw, as it were, a sapphire, floating + high up in the abysses of light. The glowing star fell with the swiftness + of a sunbeam when it flashes over the horizon in the morning and its first + rays shoot across the world. The Splendor became clearer and grew larger; + presently I beheld the cloud of glory in which the angels move—a + shining vapor that emanates from their divine substance, and that glitters + here and there like tongues of flame. A noble face, whose glory none may + endure that have not won the mantle, the laurel, and the palm—the + attribute of the Powers—rose above this cloud as white and pure as + snow. It was Light within light. His wings as they waved shed dazzling + ripples in the spheres through which he descended, as the glance of God + pierces through the universe. At last I saw the archangel in all his + glory. The flower of eternal beauty that belongs to the angels of the + Spirit shone in him. In one hand he held a green palm branch, in the other + a sword of flame: the palm to bestow on the pardoned soul, the sword to + drive back all the hosts of Hell with one sweep. As he approached, the + perfumes of Heaven fell upon us as dew. In the region where the archangel + paused, the air took the hues of opal, and moved in eddies of which he was + the centre. He paused, looked at the Shade, and said: + </p> + <p> + “‘To-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + “Then he turned heavenwards once more, spread his wings, and clove through + space as a vessel cuts through the waves, hardly showing her white sails + to the exiles left on some deserted shore. + </p> + <p> + “The Shade uttered appalling cries, to which the damned responded from the + lowest circle, the deepest in the immensity of suffering, to the more + peaceful zone near the surface on which we were standing. This worst + torment of all had appealed to all the rest. The turmoil was swelled by + the roar of a sea of fire which formed a bass to the terrific harmony of + endless millions of suffering souls. + </p> + <p> + “Then suddenly the Shade took flight through the doleful city, and down to + its place at the very bottom of Hell; but as suddenly it came up again, + turned, soared through the endless circles in every direction, as a + vulture, confined for the first time in a cage, exhausts itself in vain + efforts. The Shade was free to do this; he could wander through the zones + of Hell icy, fetid, or scorching without enduring their pangs; he glided + into that vastness as a sunbeam makes its way into the deepest dark. + </p> + <p> + “‘God has not condemned him to any torment,’ said the Master; ‘but not one + of the souls you have seen suffering their various punishments would + exchange his anguish for the hope that is consuming this soul.’ + </p> + <p> + “And just then the Shade came back to us, brought thither by an + irresistible force which condemned him to perch on the verge of Hell. My + divine Guide, guessing my curiosity, touched the unhappy Shade with his + palm-branch. He, who was perhaps trying to measure the age of sorrow that + divided him from that ever-vanishing ‘To-morrow,’ started and gave a look + full of all the tears he had already shed. + </p> + <p> + “‘You would know my woe?’ said he sadly. ‘Oh, I love to tell it. I am + here, Teresa is above; that is all. On earth we were happy, we were always + together. When I saw my loved Teresa Donati for the first time, she was + ten years old. We loved each other even then, not knowing what love meant. + Our lives were one; I turned pale if she were pale, I was happy in her + joy; we gave ourselves up to the pleasure of thinking and feeling + together; and we learned what love was, each through the other. We were + wedded at Cremona; we never saw each other’s lips but decked with pearls + of a smile; our eyes always shone; our hair, like our desires, flowed + together; our heads were always bent over one book when we read, our feet + walked in equal step. Life was one long kiss, our home was a nest. + </p> + <p> + “‘One day, for the first time, Teresa turned pale and said, “I am in + pain!”—And I was not in pain! + </p> + <p> + “‘She never rose again. I saw her sweet face change, her golden hair fade—and + I did not die! She smiled to hide her sufferings, but I could read them in + her blue eyes, of which I could interpret the slightest trembling. + “Honorino, I love you!” said she, at the very moment when her lips turned + white, and she was clasping my hand still in hers when death chilled them. + So I killed myself that she might not lie alone in her sepulchral bed, + under her marble sheet. Teresa is above and I am here. I could not bear to + leave her, but God has divided us. Why, then, did He unite us on earth? He + is jealous! Paradise was no doubt so much the fairer on the day when + Teresa entered in. + </p> + <p> + “‘Do you see her? She is sad in her bliss; she is parted from me! Paradise + must be a desert to her.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Master,’ said I with tears, for I thought of my love, ‘when this one + shall desire Paradise for God’s sake alone, shall he not be delivered?’ + And the Father of Poets mildly bowed his head in sign of assent. + </p> + <p> + “We departed, cleaving the air, and making no more noise than the birds + that pass overhead sometimes when we lie in the shade of a tree. It would + have been vain to try to check the hapless shade in his blasphemy. It is + one of the griefs of the angels of darkness that they can never see the + light even when they are surrounded by it. He would not have understood + us.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment the swift approach of many horses rang through the + stillness, the dog barked, the constable’s deep growl replied; the + horsemen dismounted, knocked at the door; the noise was so unexpected that + it seemed like some sudden explosion. + </p> + <p> + The two exiles, the two poets, fell to earth through all the space that + divides us from the skies. The painful shock of this fall rushed through + their veins like strange blood, hissing as it seemed, and full of + scorching sparks. Their pain was like an electric discharge. The loud, + heavy step of a man-at-arms sounded on the stairs with the iron clank of + his sword, his cuirass, and spurs; a soldier presently stood before the + astonished stranger. + </p> + <p> + “We can return to Florence,” said the man, whose bass voice sounded soft + as he spoke in Italian. + </p> + <p> + “What is that you say?” asked the old man. + </p> + <p> + “The <i>Bianchi</i> are triumphant.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you not mistaken?” asked the poet. + </p> + <p> + “No, dear Dante!” replied the soldier, whose warlike tones rang with the + thrill of battle and the exultation of victory. + </p> + <p> + “To Florence! To Florence! Ah, my Florence!” cried Dante Alighieri, + drawing himself up, and gazing into the distance. In fancy he saw Italy; + he was gigantic. + </p> + <p> + “But I—when shall I be in Heaven?” said Godefroid, kneeling on one + knee before the immortal poet, like an angel before the sanctuary. + </p> + <p> + “Come to Florence,” said Dante in compassionate tones. “Come! when you see + its lovely landscape from the heights of Fiesole you will fancy yourself + in Paradise.” + </p> + <p> + The soldier smiled. For the first time, perhaps for the only time in his + life, Dante’s gloomy and solemn features wore a look of joy; his eyes and + brows expressed the happiness he has depicted so lavishly in his vision of + Paradise. He thought perhaps that he heard the voice of Beatrice. + </p> + <p> + A light step, and the rustle of a woman’s gown, were audible in the + silence. Dawn was now showing its first streaks of light. The fair + Comtesse de Mahaut came in and flew to Godefroid. + </p> + <p> + “Come, my child, my son! I may at last acknowledge you. Your birth is + recognized, your rights are under the protection of the King of France, + and you will find Paradise in your mother’s heart.” + </p> + <p> + “I hear, I know, the voice of Heaven!” cried the youth in rapture. + </p> + <p> + The exclamation roused Dante, who saw the young man folded in the + Countess’ arms. He took leave of them with a look, and left his young + companion on his mother’s bosom. + </p> + <p> + “Come away!” he cried in a voice of thunder. “Death to the Guelphs!” + </p> + <p> + PARIS, October 1831. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Exiles, by Honore de Balzac + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EXILES *** + +***** This file should be named 1884-h.htm or 1884-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/8/1884/ + +Produced by John Bickers, and Dagny, and David Widger + + +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 +http://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 F3. 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 http://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 +http://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 http://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 http://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 checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is 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: + + http://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. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |