"Ultimatelyagoodharewasfoundwhichtookthefieldat……

Therethehoundspressedher，andonthehuntarrivingattheedgeoftheclifftheharecouldbeseencrossingthebeachandgoingrightouttosea。Aboatwasprocured，andthemasterandsomeothersrowedouttoherjustasshedrowned，and，bringingthebodyin，gaveittothehounds。Ahareswimmingouttoseaisasightnotoftenwitnessed。"——/Localpaper，January/1911。

"……Alongcheckoccurredinthelatterpartofthishunt，theharehavinglaidupinahedgerow，fromwhichshewasatlastevictedbyacrackofthewhip。Hernextplaceofrefugewasahorse-pond，whichshetriedtoswim，butgotstuckintheicemidway，andwassinking，whenthehuntsmanwentinafterher。Itwasanovelsighttoseehuntsmanandharebeingliftedoverawalloutofthepond，theeagerpackwaitingfortheirpreybehindthewall。"——/Localpaper，February/1911。

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Theauthorsupposesthatthefirstoftheaboveextractsmusthaveimpressedhim。Atanyrate，onthenightafterthereadingofit，justashewenttosleep，oronthefollowingmorningjustasheawoke，hecannottellwhich，therecametohimthetitleandtheoutlinesofthisfantasy，includingthecommandwithwhichitends。WithaparticularclearnessdidheseemtoseethepictureoftheGreatWhiteRoad，"straightasthewayoftheSpirit，andbroadasthebreastofDeath，"andofthelittleHaretravellingtowardstheawfulGates。

LiketheMahatmaofthisfable，heexpressesnoopinionastothemeritsofthecontroversybetweentheRed-facedManandtheHarethat，withoutsearchonhisownpart，presenteditselftohismindinsooddafashion。Itisoneonwhichanybodyinterestedinsuchmatterscanformanindividualjudgment。

THEMAHATMA[*]

[*]Mahatma，"great-souled。""Oneofaclassofpersonswithpreter-

naturalpowers，imaginedtoexistinIndiaandThibet。"——/NewEnglishDictionary/。

Everyonehasseenahare，eithercrouchedorrunninginthefields，orhangingdeadinapoulterer’sshop，orlastlypathetic，evendreadful-

lookingandinthisformalmostindistinguishablefromaskinnedcat，onthedomestictable。ButnotmanypeoplehavemetaMahatma，atleasttotheirknowledge。NotmanypeopleknowevenwhoorwhataMahatmais。Themajorityofthosewhochancetohaveheardthetitleareapttoconfuseitwithanother，thatofMadHatter。

Thisisevendoneofmaliceprepense（especially，forobviousreasons，ifahareisinanywayconcerned）inscorn，notinignorance，bypersonswhoarewellacquaintedwiththerealmeaningofthewordandevenwithitsSanscritorigin。ThetruthisthatanincredulousWesternworldputsnofaithinMahatmas。ToitaMahatmaisakindofspiritualMrs。Harris，givinganaddressinThibetatwhichnolettersaredelivered。Either，itsays，thereisnosuchperson，orheisafraudulentscampwithnogreateroccultpowers——well，thanahare。

IconfessthatthisviewofMahatmasisonethatdoesnotsurprisemeintheleast。Inevermet，andIscarcelyexpecttomeet，anindividualentitledtoset"Mahatma"afterhisname。Certainly/I/

havenorighttodoso，whoonlytookthattitleonthespurofthemomentwhentheHareaskedmehowIwascalled，andnowmakeuseofitasa/nom-de-plume/。ItistruethereisJorsen，bywhoseorder，foritamountstothat，Ipublishthishistory。ForaughtIknowJorsenmaybeaMahatma，buthedoesnotintheleastlookthepart。

Imagineabluffpersonwithastrong，hardface，piercinggreyeyes，andveryprominent，bushyeyebrows，ofaboutfiftyorsixtyyearsofage。AddaScotchaccentandameerschaumpipe，whichhesmokesevenwhenheiswearingafrockcoatandatallhat，andyouhaveJorsen。I

believethathelivessomewhereinthecountry，iswelloff，andpractisesgardening。Ifsohehasneveraskedmetohisplace，andI

onlymeethimwhenhecomestoTown，asIunderstand，tovisitflower-

shows。

ThenIalwaysmeethimbecauseheordersmetodoso，notbyletterorbywordofmouthbutinquiteadifferentway。SuddenlyIreceiveanimpressioninmymindthatIamtogotoacertainplaceatacertainhour，andthatthereIshallfindJorsen。Idogo，sometimestoanhotel，sometimestoalodging，sometimestoarailwaystationortothecornerofaparticularstreetandthereIdofindJorsensmokinghisbigmeerschaumpipe。Weshakehandsandheexplainswhyhehassentforme，afterwhichwetalkofvariousthings。Nevermindwhattheyare，forthatwouldbetellingJorsen’ssecretsaswellasmyown，whichImustnotdo。

ItmaybeaskedhowIcametoknowJorsen。Well，inastrangeway。

Nearlythirtyyearsagoadreadfulthinghappenedtome。Iwasmarriedand，althoughstillyoung，apersonofsomemarkinliterature。IndeedevennowoneortwoofthebookswhichIwrotearereadandremembered，althoughitissupposedthattheirauthorhaslonglefttheworld。

ThethingwhichhappenedwasthatmywifeandourdaughterwerecomingoverfromtheChannelIslands，wheretheyhadbeenonavisit（shewasaJerseywoman），and，and——well，theshipwaslost，that’sall。Theshockbrokemyheart，insuchawaythatithasneverbeenmendedagain，butunfortunatelydidnotkillme。

AfterwardsItooktodrinkandsank，asdrunkardsdo。Thentheriverbegantodrawme。IhadalodginginapoorstreetatChelsea，andI

couldheartherivercallingmeatnight，and——Iwishedtodieastheothershaddied。AtlastIyielded，forthedrinkhadrottedoutallmymoralsense。Aboutoneo’clockofawild，wintermorningIwenttoabridgeIknewwhereinthosedayspolicemenrarelycame，andlistenedtothatcallofthewater。

"Come！"itseemedtosay。"Thisworldistherealhell，endingintheeternalnaught。Thedreamsofalifebeyondandofre-uniontherearebutademon’smockingbreathedintothemortalheart，lestbyitsuniversalsuicidemankindshouldrobhimofhistorture-pit。Thereisnotruthinallyourfathertaughtyou"（hewasaclergymanandrathereminentinhisprofession），"thereisnohopeforman，thereisnothinghecanwinexceptthedeephappinessofsleep。Comeandsleep。"

SuchweretheargumentsofthatVoiceoftheriver，theold，familiarargumentsofdesolationanddespair。Ileantovertheparapet；inanothermomentIshouldhavebeengone，whenIbecameawarethatsomeonewasstandingneartome。Ididnotseethepersonbecauseitwastoodark。Ididnothearhimbecauseoftheravingofthewind。ButI

knewthathewasthere。SoIwaiteduntilthemoonshoneoutforawhilebetweentheedgesoftworaggedclouds，theshapesofwhichI

canseetothishour。ItshowedmeJorsen，lookingjustashedoesto-day，forheneverseemstochange——Jorsen，onwhom，tomyknowledge，Ihadnotseteyesbefore。

"Evenayearago，"hesaid，inhisstrong，roughvoice，"youwouldnothaveallowedyourmindtobeconvincedbysuchargumentsasthosewhichyouhavejustheardintheVoiceoftheriver。Thatisoneoftheworstsidesofdrink；itdecaysthereasonasitdoesthebody。

Youmusthavenoticedityourself。"

IrepliedthatIhad，forIwassurprisedintoacquiescence。ThenI

grewdefiantandaskedhimwhatheknewoftheargumentswhichwereorwerenotinfluencingme。Tomysurprise——no，thatisnottheword——tomybewilderment，herepeatedthemtomeonebyonejustastheyhadarisenafewminutesbeforeinmyheart。Moreover，hetoldmewhatI

hadbeenabouttodo，andwhyIwasabouttodoit。

"Youknowmeandmystory，"Imutteredatlast。

"No，"heanswered，"atleastnotmorethanIknowthatofmanymenwithwhomIchancetobeintouch。Thatis，Ihavenotmetyoufornearlyelevenhundredyears。Athousandandeighty-six，tobecorrect。

IwasablindpriestthenandyouwerethecaptainofIrene’sguard。"

AtthisnewsIburstoutlaughingandthelaughdidmegood。

"IdidnotknowIwassoold，"Isaid。

"Doyoucallthatold？"answeredJorsen。"Why，thefirsttimethatwehadanythingtodowitheachother，sofarasIcanlearn，thatis，wasovereightthousandyearsago，inEgyptbeforethebeginningofrecordedhistory。"

"IthoughtthatIwasmad，butyouaremadder，"Isaid。

"Doubtless。Well，IamsomadthatImanagedtobehereintimetosaveyoufromsuicide，asonceinthepastyousavedme，forthusthingscomeround。Butyourroomsarenear，aretheynot？Letusgothereandtalk。Thisplaceiscoldandtheriverisalwayscalling。"

ThatwashowIcametoknowJorsen，whomIbelievetobeoneofthegreatestmenalive。OnthisparticularnightthatIhavedescribedhetoldmemanythings，andsincethenhehastaughtmemuch，meandafewothers。ButwhetherheiswhatiscalledaMahatmaIamsureIdonotknow。Hehasneverclaimedsucharankinmyhearing，orindeedtobeanythingmorethanamanwhohassucceededinwinningaknowledgeofhisownpowersoutofthedepthsofthedarkthatliesbehindus。

OfcourseImeanoutofhispastinotherincarnationslongbeforehewasJorsen。Moreover，bydegrees，asIgrewfittobearthelight，heshowedmesomethingofmyown，andofhowthetwowereintertwined。

ButallthesethingsaresecretsofwhichIhaveperhapsnorighttospeakatpresent。ItisenoughtosaythatJorsenchangedthecurrentofmylifeonthatnightwhenhesavedmefromdeath。

Forinstance，fromthatdayonwardstothepresenttimeIhavenevertouchedthedrinkwhichsonearlyruinedme。Alsothedarknesshasrolledaway，andwithiteverydoubtandfear；Iknowthetruth，andforthattruthIlive。Consideredfromcertainaspectssuchknowledge，Iadmit，isnotaltogetherdesirable。Thusithasdeprivedmeofmyinterestinearthlythings。Ambitionhasleftmealtogether；foryearsIhavehadnowishtosucceedintheprofessionwhichIadoptedinmyyouth，orinanyother。IndeedIdoubtwhethertheelementsofworldlysuccessstillremaininme；whethertheyarenotentirelyburntawaybythatfireofwisdominwhichIhavebathed。Howcanwestrivetowinacrownwehavenolongeranydesiretowear？NowIdesireothercrownsandattimesIwearthem，ifonlyforalittlewhile。Myspiritgrowsandgrows。Itisdraggingatitsstrings。

WhatamItolookat？Asmall，white-hairedmanwithathinandratherplaintivefaceinwhicharesettwolarge，darkeyesthatcontinuallyseemtosoftenanddevelop。Thatismypicture。AndwhatamIintheworld？Iwilltellyou。OncertaindaysoftheweekIemploymyselfineditingatradejournalthathastodowithhaberdashery。OnanotherdayIactasauctioneertoafirmwhichimportsandsellscheapItalianstatuary；modern，verymoderncopiesoftheantique，floridmarblevases，andsoforth。Someofyouwhoreadmayhavepassedsuchmartsindifferentpartsofthecity，orevenhavedroppedinandpurchasedabustoratazzaforasurprisinglysmallsum。PerhapsI

knockeditdowntoyou，onlytoopleasedtofinda/bonafide/bidderamongstmycompany。

Asfortherestofmytime——well，IemployitindoingwhatgoodIcanamongthepoorandthosewhoneedcomfortorwhoarebereaved，especiallyamongthosewhoarebereaved，fortosuchIamsometimesabletobringthebreathofhopethatblowsfromanothershore。

OccasionallyalsoIamusemyselfinmyownfashion。ThussureknowledgehascometomeaboutcertainepochsinthepastinwhichI

livedinothershapes，andIstudythoseepochs，hopingthatonedayI

mayfindtimetowriteofthemandofthepartsIplayedinthem。Someofthesepartsareextremelyinteresting，especiallyasIamofcourseabletocontrastthemwithourmodernmodesofthoughtandaction。

Theydonotallcomebacktomewithequalclearness，theearlierlivesbeing，asonemightexpect，themoredifficulttorecoverandthecomparativelyrecentonestheeasiest。Alsotheyseemtorangeoveravaststretchoftime，backindeedtothedaysofprimeval，prehistoricman。Inshort，Ithinkthesubconsciousinsomewaysresemblestheconsciousandnaturalmemory；thatwhichisveryfarofftoitgrowsdimandblurred，thatwhichiscomparativelycloseremainsclearandsharp，althoughofcoursethisruleisnotinvariable。

Moreoverthereisforesightaswellasmemory。AtleastfromtimetotimeIseemtocomeintouchwithfutureeventsandstatesofsocietyinwhichIshallhavemyshare。

Ibelievesomethinkersholdatheorythatsuchconditionsasthoseofpast，present，andfuturedonotinfactexist；thateverythingalreadyis，standinglikeacompletedcolumnbetweenearthandheaven；

thatthesumisaddedup，theequationworkedout。AttimesIamtemptedtobelieveinthetruthofthisproposition。Butifitbetrue，ofcourseitremainsdifficulttoobtainaclearviewofotherpartsofthecolumnthanthatinwhichwehappentofindourselvesobjectivelyconsciousatanygivenperiod，andneedlesstosayimpossibletoseeitfrombasetocapital。

Howeverthismaybe，noindividualentitypervadesallthecolumn。

Therearegreatsectionsofitwithwhichthatentityhasnothingtodo，althoughitalwaysseemstoappearagainabove。Isupposethatthosesectionswhichareemptyofanindividualandhisatmosphererepresenttheintervalsbetweenhisliveswhichhespendsinsleep，orinstatesofexistencewithwhichthisworldisnotconcerned，butofsuchgulfsofoblivionandstatesofbeingIknownothing。

TotakeasingleinstanceofwhatIdoknow：oncethisspiritofmine，thatnowbytheworkingsofdestinyforalittlewhileoccupiesthebodyofafourth-rateauctioneer，andoftheeditorofatradejournal，dweltinthatofaPharaohofEgypt——nevermindwhichPharoah。Yes，althoughyoumaylaughandthinkmemadtosayit，formethelegionsfoughtandthundered；tomethepeoplesbowedandthesecretsanctuarieswereopenedthatIandIalonemightcommunewiththegods；Iwhointhefleshandafteritmyselfwasworshippedasagod。

Well，ofthisforgottenRoyaltyofwhomlittleisknownsavewhatafewinscriptionshavetotell，thereremainsaportraitstatueintheBritishMuseum。SometimesIgotolookatthatstatueandtrytorecallexactlyunderwhatcircumstancesIcausedittobeshaped，puzzlingoutthestorybitbybit。

NotlongagoIstoodthusabsorbedanddidnotnoticethatthehouroftheclosingofthegreatgalleryhadcome。StillIstoodandgazedanddreamttillthepolicemanonduty，seeingandsuspectingme，cameupandroughlyorderedmetobegone。

Theman’stoneangeredme。Ilaidmyhandonthefootofthestatue，forithadjustcomebacktomethatitwasa"Ka"image，asacredthing，anyEgyptologistwillknowwhatImean，whichforageshadsatinachamberofmytomb。ThentheKathatclingstoiteternallyawokeatmytouchandknewme，orsoIsuppose。AtleastIfeltmyselfchange。Anewstrengthcameintome；myshape，batteredinthisworld’sstorms，putonsomethingofitsancientdignity；myeyesgrewroyal。IlookedatthatmanasPharaohmayhavelookedatonewhohaddonehiminsult。Hesawthechangeandtrembled——yes，trembled。I

believehethoughtIwassomeimperialghostthattheshadowsofeveninghadcausedhimtomistakeforman；atanyratehegaspedout——

"Ibegyourpardon，Iwasobeyingorders。IhopeyourMajestywon’thurtme。NowIthinkofitIhavebeentoldthatthingscomeoutoftheseoldstatuesinthenight。"

Thenturningheran，literallyran，wheretoIamsureIdonotknow，probablytoseekthefellowshipofsomeotherpoliceman。InduecourseIfollowed，and，liftingthebarattheendofthehall，departedwithoutfurtherquestionasked。AfterwardsIwasverygladtothinkthatIhaddonethemannoinjury。AtthemomentIknewthatIcouldhurthimifIwould，andwhatismoreIhadthedesiretodoso。Itcametome，Isuppose，withthatbreathofthepastwhenIwassogreatandabsolute。PerhapsI，orthatpartofmethenincarnate，wasatyrantinthosedays，andthisiswhynowImustbesohumble。Fateisturningmypridetoitshammerandbeatingitoutofme。

Forthusinthelonghistoryofthesoulitservesallourvices。

THEGREATWHITEROAD

Now，asIhavehinted，undertheteachingofJorsen，whosavedmefromdegradationandself-murder，yes，andhelpedmewithmoneyuntilonceagainIcouldearnalivelihood，Ihaveacquiredcertainknowledgeandwisdomofasortthatarenotcommon。Thatis，Jorsentaughtmetheelementsofthesethings；hesetmyfeetuponthepathwhichthenceforward，havingthesight，Ihavebeenabletofollowformyself。HowIfolloweditdoesnotmatter，norcouldIteachothersifIwould。

Iamnomemberofanymysticbrotherhood，and，asIhaveexplained，noMahatma，althoughIhavecalledmyselfthusforpresentpurposesbecausethenameisaconvenientcloak。IrepeatthatIamignorantiftherearesuchpeopleasMahatmas，thoughifsoIthinkJorsenmustbeoneofthem。Stillhenevertoldmethis。Whathehastoldisthateveryindividualspiritmustworkoutitsowndestinyquiteindependentlyofothers。Indeed，beingratherfondoffinephrases，hehassometimesspokentomeof，orrather，insisteduponwhathecalled"thelonesomesplendourofthehumansoul，"whichitisourbusinesstoperfectthroughvariouslivestillIcanscarcelyappreciateandamcertainlyunabletodescribe。

Totellthetruth，thethoughtofthis"lonesomesplendour"towhichitseemssomeofusmayattain，alarmsme。Ihavehadenoughofbeinglonesome，andIdonotaskforanyparticularsplendour。MyonlyambitionsaretofindthosewhomIhavelost，andinwhateverlifeI

livetobeofusetoothers。However，asIgatherthattheexaltedconditiontowhichJorsenalludesisthousandsofagesoffforanyofus，andmayafterallmeansomethingquitedifferenttowhatitseemstomean，thethoughtofitdoesnottroublemeovermuch。MeanwhilewhatIseekisthevisionofthoseIlove。

NowIhavethispower。OccasionallywhenIamindeepsleepsomepartofmeseemstoleavemybodyandtobetransportedquiteoutsidetheworld。Ittravels，asthoughIwerealreadydead，totheGatesthatallwholivemustpass，andtheretakesitsstand，ontheGreatWhiteRoad，watchingthosewhohavebeencalledspeedbycontinually。ThoseupontheearthknownothingofthatRoad。Blindedbytheirpompsandvanities，theycannotsee，theywillnotseeitalwaysgrowingtowardsthefeetofeveryoneofthem。ButIseeandknow。Ofcourseyouwhoreadwillsaythatthisisbutadreamofmine，anditmaybe。Still，ifso，itisaverywonderfuldream，andexceptforthechangeofthepassingpeople，orratherofthosewhohavebeenpeople，alwaysverymuchthesame。

There，straightasthewayoftheSpiritandbroadasthebreastofDeath，istheGreatWhiteRoadrunningIknownotwhence，uptothoseGatesthatgleamlikemoonlightandarehigherthantheAlps。TherebeyondtheGatestheradiantPresencesmovemysteriously。ThenceattheappointedtimetheVoicecriesandtheyareopenedwithasoundliketothatofdeepestthunder，orsometimesareburnedaway，whilefromtheGlorythatliesbeyondflowthesweet-facedwelcomerstogreetthoseforwhomtheywait，bearingthecupsfromwhichtheygivetodrink。Idonotknowwhatisinthecups，whetheritbeadraughtofLetheorsomebaptismalwaterofnewbirth，orboth；butalwaysthethirsting，world-wornsoulappearstochange，andthenasitweretobelostinthePresencethatgavethecup。Atleasttheyarelosttomysight。Iseethemnomore。

WhydoIwatchthoseGates，intruthorindream，beforemytime？Oh！

Youcanguess。ThatperchanceImaybeholdthoseforwhommyheartburnswithaquenchless，eatingfire。AndonceIbeheld——notthemotherbutthechild，mychild，changedindeed，mysterious，wonderful，gleaminglikeastar，witheyessodeepthatintheirdepthsmyhumanityseemedtoswoon。

Shecameforward；sheknewme；shesmiledandlaidherfingeronherlips。Sheshookherhairaboutherandinitvanishedasinacloud。

Yetasshevanishedavoicespokeinmyheart，hervoice，andthewordsitsaidwere——

"Wait，ourBeloved！Wait！"

Markwell。"OurBeloved，"not"MyBeloved。"SothereareothersbywhomIambeloved，oratleastoneother，andIknowwellwhothatonemustbe。

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Afterthisdream，perhapsIhadbettercallitadream，Iwasillforalongwhile，forthejoyandthegloryofitoverpoweredmeandbroughtmeneartothedeathIhadalwayssought。ButIrecovered，formyhourisnotyet。Moreover，foralongwhileaswereckontime，someyearsindeed，IobeyedtheinjunctionandsoughttheGreatWhiteRoadnomore。AtlengththelonginggrewtoostrongformeandIreturnedthither，butneveragaindidthevisioncome。Itswordwasspoken，itsmissionwasfulfilled。YetfromtimetotimeI，amortal，seemtostanduponthebordersofthatimmortalRoadandwatchthenewlydeadwhotravelittowardsthegloriousGates。

OnceortwicetherehavebeenamongthempeoplewhomIhaveknown。AsthesepassmeIappeartohavethepoweroflookingintotheirhearts，andthereIreadstrangethings。Sometimestheyarebeautifulthingsandsometimesuglythings。ThusIhavelearnedthatthoseIthoughtbadwerereallygoodinthemain，forwhocanclaimtobequitegood？

AndontheotherhandthatthoseIbelievedtobeashonestastheday——well，hadtheirfaults。

TotakeanexamplewhichIquotebecauseitissoabsurd。TheroomsI

liveinwereownedbyaprimoldwomanwhoformorethantwentyyearswasmylandlady。SheandIweregreatfriends，indeedshetendedmelikeamother，andwhenIwassoillnursedmeasperhapsfewmotherswouldhavedone。YetwhileIwaswatchingontheRoadsuddenlyshecameby，andwithhorrorIsawthatduringallthoseyearsshehadbeenrobbingme，taking，Iamsorrytosay，manythings，inmoney，trinkets，andfood。OftenIhaddiscussedwithherwherethesearticlescouldpossiblyhavegone，tillfinallysuspicionsettleduponthemanwhocleanedthewindows。Yes，andworstofall，hewasprosecuted，andIgaveevidenceagainsthim，orratherstrengthenedherevidence，onfaithofwhichthemagistratesenthimtoprisonforamonth。

"Oh！MrsSmithers，"Isaidtoher，"how/could/youdoit，Mrs。

Smithers？"

Shestoppedandlookedaboutherterrified，sothatmyheartsmotemeandIaddedinhaste，"Don’tbefrightened，Mrs。Smithers；Iforgiveyou。"

"Ican’tseeyou，sir，"sheexclaimed，orsoIdreamed，"butthere！I

alwaysknewyouwould。"

"Yes，Mrs。Smithers，"Ireplied；"buthowaboutthewindow-cleanerwhowenttojailandlosthissituation？"

Thenshepassedonorwasdrawnawaywithoutmakinganyanswer。

Nowcomestheoddpartofthestory。WhenIwokeuponthefollowingmorninginmyrooms，itwastobeinformedbythefrightenedmaid-of-

all-workthatMrs。Smithershadbeenfounddeadinherbed。Moreover，afewdayslaterIlearnedfromalawyerthatshehadmadeawillleavingmeeverythingshepossessed，includingtheleaseofherhouseandnearly￡1000，forshehadbeenasavingoldpersonduringallherlonglife。

Well，Isoughtoutthatwindow-cleanerandcompensatedhimhandsomely，sayingthatIhadfoundIwasmistakenintheevidenceIgaveagainsthim。TherestofthepropertyIkept，andIhopethatitwasnotwrongofmetodoso。Itwillberememberedthatsomeofitwasalreadymyown，temporarilydivertedintoanotherchannel，andfortherestI

havesomanytohelp。TobefrankIdonotspendmuchuponmyself。

THEHARE

NowIhavedonewithmyself，orratherwithmyowninsignificantpresenthistory，andcometothatoftheHare。Itimpressedmeagooddealatthetime，whichisnotlongago，somuchindeedthatI

communicatedthefactstoJorsen。Heorderedmetopublishthem，andwhatJorsenordersmustbedone。Idon’tknowwhythisshouldbe，butitisso。HehasauthorityofasortthatIamunabletodefine。

Onenightaftertheusualaspirationsandconcentrationofmind，whichbythewayarenotalwayssuccessful，Ipassedintowhatoccultistscallspirit，andothersastateofdream。AtanyrateIfoundmyselfuponthebordersoftheGreatWhiteRoad，asneartothemightyGatesasIameverallowedtocome。HowfarthatmaybeawayIcannottell。

Perhapsitisbutafewyardsandperhapsitisthewidthofthisgreatworld，forinthatplacewhichmyspiritvisitstimeanddistancedonotexist。Thereallthingsarenewandstrange，nottobereckonedbyourmeasures。Therethesightisnotoursightnorthehearingourhearing。Irepeatthatallthingsaredifferent，butthatdifferenceIcannotdescribe，andifIcoulditwouldprovepastcomprehension。

ThereIsatbythebordersoftheGreatWhiteRoad，myeyesfixedupontheGatesabovewhichthetowersmountformilesonmiles，outlinedagainstanencirclinggloomwiththeradianceoftheworldbeyondtheworlds。Four-squaretheystand，thosetowers，andfourfoldthegatesthatopentothedenizensofotherearths。ButoftheseIhavenoknowledgebeyondthefactthatitissoinmyvisions。

IsatuponthebordersoftheRoad，myeyesfixedinhopeupontheGates，thoughwellIknewthatthehopewouldneverbefulfilled，andwatchedthedeadgoby。

Theyweremanythatnight。SomeplaguewasworkingintheEastandunchainingthousands。ThefolkthatitloosedwerestrangetomewhointhisparticularlifehaveseldomleftEngland，andIstudiedthemwithcuriosity；high-featured，dark-huedpeoplewithapatientair。

TheknowledgewhichIhavetoldmethatoneandalltheywereveryancientsoulswhooftenandoftenhadwalkedthisRoadbefore，andtherefore，althoughasyettheydidnotknowit，werewellaccustomedtothejourney。No，Iamwrong，forhereandthereanindividualdidknow。Indeedonedeep-eyed，wistfullittlewoman，whocarriedababyinherarms，stoppedforamomentandspoketome。

"TheotherscannotseeyouasIdo，"shesaid。"PriestoftheQueenofqueens，Iknowyouwell；handinhandweclimbedbythesevenstairwaystothealtarsofthemoon。"

"WhoistheQueenofqueens？"Iasked。

"Haveyouforgottenherofthehundrednameswhoseveilsweliftedonebyone；herwhosebreastwasbeautyandwhoseeyesweretruth？Inadaytocomeyouwillremember。FarewelltillwewalkthisRoadnomore。"

"Stay——whendidwemeet？"

"Whenoursoulswereyoung，"sheanswered，andfadedfrommykenlikeashadowfromthesea。

AftertheEasternscamemanyothersfromallpartsoftheearth。ThensuddenlyappearedacompanyofaboutsixhundredfolkofeveryageandEnglishintheirlooks。Theywerenotsocalmasarethemajorityofthosewhomakethisjourney。WhenIreadthepapersafewdayslaterI

understoodwhy。Agreatpassengershiphadsunksuddenlyinmidoceanandtheywereallcutoffunprepared。

When，followedbyafewstragglers，thesehadpassedandgatheredthemselvesintheredshadowbeneaththegatewaytowerswaitingforthesummons，anunusualthingoccurred。ForafewmomentstheRoadwasleftquiteempty。AfterthatlastgreatstrokeDeathseemedtoberestingonhislaurels。Whenthusunpeopleditlookedaveryvastplaceliketoahugearchedcauseway，borderedoneithersidebyblackness，butitselfgleamingwithacuriousphosphorescencesuchasonceortwiceIhaveseeninthewatersofasummerseaatnight。

Presentlyintheverycentreofthisilluminateddesolation，whilstitwasasyetfaraway，somethingcaughtmyeye，somethingsostrangetotheplace，soutterlyunfamiliarthatIwatcheditearnestly，wonderingwhatitmightbe。Nearerandneareritcame，withcurious，uncertainhops；yes，alittlebrownobjectthathopped。

"Well，"Isaidtomyself，"ifIwerenotwhereIamIshouldsaythatyonderthingwasahare。OnlywhatwouldaharebedoingontheGreatWhiteRoad？Howcouldaharetreadthepathwayofeternalsouls？I

mustbemistaken。"

SoIreflectedwhilststillthethinghoppedon，untilIbecamecertainthateitherIsufferedfromdelusions，orthatitwasahare；

indeedaparticularlyfinehare，muchsuchaoneasafriendofmyoldlandlady，Mrs。Smithers，hadoncesentherasaChristmaspresentfromNorfolk，whichhareIate。

Afewmorehopsbroughtitoppositetomypostofobservation。Hereithaltedasthoughitseemedtoseeme。Atanyrateitsatupinthealertfashionthathareshave，itsforepawshangingabsurdlyinfrontofit，withoneear，onwhichtherewasagreyblotch，cockedandonedragging，andsniffedwithitsfunnylittlenostrils。Thenitbegantotalktome。Idonotmeanthatitreallytalked，butthethoughtswhichwereinitsmindwereflashedontomymindsothatIunderstoodperfectly，yes，andcouldanswertheminthesamefashion。Itsaid，orthought，thus：——

"Youarereal。Youareamanwhoyetlivesbeneaththesun，thoughhowyoucamehereIdonotknow。Ihatemen，allharesdo，formenarecrueltothem。Stillitisacomfortinthisstrangeplacetoseesomethingonehasseenbeforeandtobeabletotalkeventoaman，whichIcouldneverdountilthechangecame，thedreadfulchange——I

meanbecauseofthewayofit，"anditseemedtoshiver。"MayIaskyousomequestions？"

"Certainly，"Isaidorratherthoughtback。

"Youaresurethattheywon’tmakeyouangrysothatyouhurtme？"

"Ican’thurtyou，evenifIwishedtodoso。Youarenotahareanylonger，ifyoueverwereone，butonlytheshadowofahare。"

"Ah！Ithoughtasmuch，andthat’sagoodthinganyhow。Tellme，Man，haveyoueverbeentorntopiecesbydogs？"

"Goodgracious！no。"

"Orcoursed，orhunted，orcaughtinatrap，orshotalloveryourback，ortwistedupinnetsandchokedinsnares？Orhaveyouswumouttoseatodiemoreeasily，orseenyourmateandmotherandfatherkilled？"

"No，no。Pleasestop，Hare；yourquestionsareveryunpleasant。"

"Nothalfsounpleasantasthethingsarethemselves，Icanassureyou，Man。Iwilltellyoumystoryifyoulike；thenyoucanjudgeforyourself。Butfirst，ifyouwill，doyoutellmewhyIamhere。Haveyouseenmoreharesaboutthisplace？"

"Never，noranyotheranimals。No，Iamwrong，onceIsawadog。"

TheHarelookedaboutitanxiously。

"Adog。Howhorrible！Whatwasitdoing？Hunting？Iftherearenoharesherewhatcoulditbehunting？Arabbit，orapheasantwithabrokenwing，orperhapsafox？Ishouldnotmindsomuchifitwereafox。Ihatefoxes；theycatchyounghareswhentheyareasleepandeatthem。"

"Noneofthesethings。Iwastoldthatitbelongedtoalittlegirlwhodied。Thatbrokeitsheart，sothatitdiedalsowhentheyshutherupinabox。Thereforeitwasallowedtoaccompanyherherebecauseithadlovedsomuch。IndeedIsawthemtogether，bothveryhappy，andtogethertheywentthroughthosegates。"

"Ifdogslovelittlegirlswhydon’ttheylovehares，atleastasanythinglikestobeloved，forthedogdidn’twanttoeatthelittlegirl，didit？Iseeyoucan’tanswerme。Nowwouldyoulikemetotellyoumystory？SomethinginsideofmeissayingthatIamtodosoifyouwilllisten；alsothatthereisplentyoftime，forIamnotwantedatpresent，andwhenIamIcanruntothosegatesmuchquickerthanyoucould。"

"Ishouldlikeitverymuch，Hare。Onceaprophetheardanassspeakinordertowarnhim。Butsincethen，exceptvery，veryrarelyindreams，nocreaturehastalkedtoaman，sofarasIknow。Perhapsyouwishtowarnmeaboutsomething，orothersthroughme，astheasswarnedBalaam。"

"WhoisBalaam？IneverheardofBalaam。Hewasn’tthemanwhofetchesdeadpheasantsinthedonkey-cart，washe？Ifso，I’veseenhimmaketheasstalk——withathickstick。No？Well，nevermind，IdaresayI

shouldnotunderstandabouthimifyoutoldme。Nowformystory。"

ThentheHaresatitselfdown，plantingitsforepawsfirmlyinfrontofit，astheseanimalsdowhentheyareonthewatch，lookedupatmeandbegantopourthecontentsofitsmindintomine。

*****

Iwasborn，itsaid，orrathertoldmebythoughttransference，inafieldofgrowingcornneartoabigwood。AtleastIsupposeIwasbornthere，thoughthefirstthingIrememberisplayingaboutinthewheatwithtwootherlittleonesofmyownsize，abrotherandasisterthatwerebornwithme。Itwasatnight，foragreat，round，shiningthingwhichInowknowwasthemoon，hungintheskyaboveus。

Wegambolledtogetherandwereveryhappy，tillpresentlymymothercame——Irememberhowbigshelooked——andcuffedmewithherpawbecauseIhadledtheothersawayfromtheplacewhereshehadtoldustostop，andgivenheragreathunttofindus。ThatisthefirstthingIrememberaboutmymother。Afterwardssheseemedsorrybecauseshehadhurtme，andnursedusallthree，lettingmehavethemostmilk。Mymotheralwayslovedmethebestofus，becauseIwassuchafineleveret，withaprettygreypatchonmyleftear。JustasIhadfinisheddrinkinganotherharecamewhowasmyfather。Hewasverylarge，withaglossycoatandbigshiningeyesthatalwaysseemedtoseeeverything，evenwhenitwasbehindhim。

Hewasfrightenedaboutsomething，andhustledmymotheranduslittleonesoutofthewheat-fieldintothebigwoodbywhichitisbordered。

AsweleftthefieldIsawtwotallcreaturesthatafterwardsIcametoknowweremen。Theywereplacingwire-nettingroundthefield——youseeIunderstandnowwhatallthesethingswere，althoughofcourseI

didnotatthetime。Thetwoendsofthewirenettinghadnearlycometogether。Therewasonlyalittlegapleftthroughwhichwecouldrun。

Anotheryounghare，oritmayhavebeenarabbit，hadgotentangledinit，andoneofthemenwasbeatingittodeathwithastick。I

rememberthatthesoundofitsscreamsmademefeelcolddowntheback，forIhadneverheardanythinglikethatbefore，andthiswasthefirstthatIhadseenofpainanddeath。

Theothermansawusslippingthroughandranatuswithhisstick。Mymotherwentfirstandescapedhim。Thencamemysister，thenI，thenmybrother。Myfatherwaslastofall。Themanhitwithhisstickanditcamedownthudalongsideofme，justtouchingmyfur。Hehitagainandbroketheforelegofmybrother。Stillweallmanagedtogetthroughintothewood，exceptmyfatherwhowasbehind。

"There’stheoldbuck！"criedoneofthemen（Iunderstandwhathesaidnow，thoughatthetimeitmeantnothingtome）。"Knockhimonthehead！"

Soleavingusalonetheyranathim。Butmyfatherwasmuchtooquickforthem。Herushedbackintothecornandafterwardsjoinedusinthewood，forhehadseenwirebeforeandknewhowtoescapeit。Stillhewasterriblyfrightenedandmadeuskeepinthewoodtillthefollowingevening，notevenallowingmymothertogotoherformintheroughpastureonitsothersideandlieupthere。

Alsowewereintroublebecausemybrother’sforepawwasbroken。Itgavehimagreatdealofpain，sothathecouldnotrestorsleep。

Afterawhile，however，itmendedupinafashion，buthewasneverabletorunasfastaswecould，nordidhegrowsobig。Intheendthemotherfoxkilledhim，asIshalltell。

Mymotheraskedmyfatherwhatthemenwiththesticksweredoing——

for，youknow，manyanimalscantalktoeachotherintheirownway，eveniftheyareofdifferentkinds。Hetoldherthattheywereprotectingthewheattopreventusfromeatingit，towhichsheansweredangrilythatharesmustlivesomehow，especiallywhentheyhadyoungonestonurse。Myfatherrepliedthatmendidnotseemtothinkso，andperhapstheyhadyoungonesalso。Iseenowthatmyfatherwasaphilosophichare。Butareyoutiredofmystory？

"Notatall，"Ianswered；"goon，please。Itisveryinterestingtohearthingsdescribedfromtheanimal’spointofview，especiallywhenthatanimalhasgrownwiseandlearnedtounderstand。"

"Ah，"answeredtheHare。"Iseewhatyoumean。Anditisodd，butIdounderstand。Allhasbecomecleartome。Idon’tknowwhathappenedwhenIdied，buttherecameachange，andIknewthatIwhowasbutabeastalwayshavebeenandstillamanecessarypartofeverythingasmuchasyouare，thoughmorehelplessandhumble。Yes，Iamasancientandasfar-reachingasyourself，buthowIbeganandhowIshallendisdarktome。Well，Iwillgoonwithmystory。

Itmusthavebeenamoonorsolater，aftermymotherhadgivenupnursingme，thatIwenttolieoutbymyself。Therewasabighouseonthehillsideoverlookingthesea，andneartoitweregardenssurroundedbyawall。Alsooutsideofthiswallwasanotherpatchofgardenwherecabbagesgrew。Ifoundawaytothosecabbagesandkeptitsecret，forIwasgreedyandwantedthemallformyself。Iusedtocreepinatnightandeatthem，alsosomeflowerswithspikyleavesthatgrewroundthemwhichhadaveryfineflavour。ThenafterthedawncameIwenttoaformwhichIhadmadeunderafurzebushontheslopethatrandowntothesea，andsleptthere。

OnedayIwasawakenedbysomethingwhite，hard，androundwhichrolledgentlyandstoppedstillquiteclosetome。Itwasnotalive，althoughithadaqueersmell，andIwonderedwhyitmovedatall。

PresentlyIheardvoicesandthereappearedalittleman，andwithhimsomebodywhowasnotamanbecauseitwasdifferentlydressedandspokeinahighervoice。Isawthattheyhadsticksintheirhandsandthoughtofrunningaway，thenthatitwouldbesafertoliequiteclose。Theycameuptomeandthelittlemansaid——

"There’stheball；pickitup，Ella，thelieistoobad。"

She，fornowIknowitwaswhatiscalledagirl，stoopedtoobeyandsawmyback。

"Tom，"shesaidinawhisper，"here’sayounghareonitsform。"

"Getoutofthelight，"heanswered，"andI’llkillit，"andheliftedthestickheheld，whichhadatwistedironend。

"No，"shesaid，"catchitalive；Iwantaharetobeafriendtomyrabbit，whichhaslostallitslittleones。"

"Lostthem？Eatenthem，youmean，becauseyouwouldalwaysgoandstareatit，"saidTom。"Where’stheleveret？Oh！Isee。Now，lookout！"

AmomentlaterandIwasindarkness。Tomhadthrownhimselfuponthetopofmeandwasgrabbingatmewithhishands。Inearlygotaway，butasmyheadpokedupunderhisarmthegirlcaughtholdofit。

"Oh！it’sscratching，"shecried，asindeedIwaswithallmymight。

"Holdit，Tom，holdit！"

"Holdityourself，"saidTom，"myfaceisfulloffurzeprickles。"Sosheheldandpresentlyhehelpedher，tillintheendIwastiedupinapocket-handkerchiefandcarriedIknewnotwhither。IndeedIwasalmostmadwithfear。

WhenIcametomyselfIfoundthatIwaswithinakindofwirerunwhichsmeltfoully，asthoughhundredsofthingshadlivedinitforyears。Therewasahutchattheendoftheruninwhichsatanenormousshe-rabbit，quiteasbigasmymother，afierce-lookingbrutewithlongyellowteeth。IwasafraidofthatrabbitandgotasfarfromitasIcould。Presentlyithoppedoutandlookedatme。

"Whatareyoudoinghere？"itasked。"Can’tyoutalk？Well，itdoesn’tmatter。IfIgethungryI’lleatyou！Doyouhearthat？I’lleatyou，asIdidalltheothers，"anditshoweditsbigyellowteethandhoppedbackintothehutch。

AfterthatTomandthegirlcameandgaveusplentyoffoodwhichthebigrabbitate，forIcouldtouchnothing。Fortwodaystheycame，andthenIthinktheyforgotallaboutus。Igrewveryhungry，andatnightfilledmyselfwithsomeoftheremainingfood，suchasstalecabbageleaves。Bynextmorningallwasgone，andthebigrabbitgrewhungryalso。Allthatdayithoppedaboutsniffingatmeandshowingitsyellowteeth。

"Ishalleatyouto-night，"itsaid。

Iranroundandroundthepeninterror，tillatlastIfoundaplacewhereratshadbeenworkingunderthewire，almostbigenoughformetosqueezethrough，butnotquite。

Thesunwentdownandthebigshe-rabbitcameout。

"NowIamgoingtoeatyou，"itsaid，"asIatealltheothers。Iamhungry，veryhungry，"anditproddedmeaboutwithitsnoseandrolledmeover。

Atlastwithalittlesquealitdroveitsbigyellowteethintomebehind。Oh！howtheyhurt！Iwasneartherat-hole。Irushedatit，scrabblingandwriggling。Thebigrabbitpouncedonmewithitsfore-

feet，tryingtoholdme，buttoolate，forIwasthrough，leavingsomeofmyfurbehindme。Iran，howIran！withoutstopping，tillatlengthIfoundmymotherintheroughpasturebythewoodandtoldhereverything。

"Ah！"shesaid，"that’swhatcomesofgreedinessandoftryingtobetooclever。Now，perhaps，youwilllearntostopathome。"

SoIdidforalongwhile。

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