The Equinox (Volume I, Number V)

THE ELECTRIC SILENCE And I could not. Nevertheless I gazed earnestly, and paddled in the direction of the sound. While this was a-doing suddenly the river fell in a cataract. And I looked for the olive—branch, and it was withered, and sunk beneath the stream. And I looked for the clove, and it was wrapped round with a most hideous serpent. And I was helpless. In the end he devoured that rose—winged companion of my journey, and went seeking a new prey. Now in this cataract I had most surely been wrecked but that I clung tightly to the boat. This indeed floated as serenely as if it had been upon the still waters of a lake; and when I had a little plucked up courage, I saw sitting at the helm him that is appointed to steer; I saw him face to face. This then endured for a space; and with his aid I began ship—building. “ For” (said he) “there are many that swim, and find no boats. Be it thy task to aid them.” Of my journey to the House he spake nothing. But in the ship- building came the fair man my brother to my help ; and one evening as we sate at meat he said: May it please you to enter the House; for there is prepared for you a goodly bedchamber. But I would not at that time ; {or I was ashamed, being unclothed; not understanding that in the House robes are provided by him that is appointed to provide them. Thus we laboured, and built many fair shallops upon the model of that wherein we sailed. In all these there was not one splinter of wood too much, or too little ; and there was no ornament ; and neither paint nor varnish covered the planks, for they were planks of a tree that cometh neither from the East nor from the West. But the sails were of gold tissue, very brave, with figures inwoven. 63