Whydoyousitthereonthefloorsolong，SmilingatmewhileItrytobesolemn？
Doyounothearitsaidforyoursalvation，WhenIsaytruth？Areyou，atfourandtwenty，SolittledeceivedinusthatyouinterpretThehumorofawomantobenoticedAsherchoicebetweenyouandAcheron？
AreyousounscathedyetastoinferThatifawomanworrieswhenaman，Oraman-child，haswetshoesonhisfeetShemayaswellcommemoratewithashesThelasteclipseofhertranquillity？
Ifyoulookupatmeandblinkagain，IshallnothavetomakeyoutellmeliesToknowthelettersyouhavenotbeenreading。
IseenowthatImayhavehadfornothingAmostunpleasantshiveringinmyconscienceWhenIlaidopenforyourcontemplationThewealthofmyworncasket。IfIdid，Thefaultwasnotyourswholly。SearchagainThiswreckagewemaycallforsportaface，AndyoumaychanceuponthepriceofhavocThatIhavepaidforafewsorrystonesThatshineandhavenolight——yetoncewerestars，Andsparkledonacrown。LittleandweakTheyseem；andtheyarecold，Ifear，foryou。
ButtheythatoncewerefireformemaynotBecoldagainformeuntilIdie；
AndonlyGodknowsiftheymaybethen。
ThereisalovethatceasestobeloveInbeingourselves。How，then，arewetoloseit？
YouthataresurethatyouknoweverythingThereistoknowoflove，answermethat。
Well？……Youarenoteveninterested。
OnceonafarofftimewhenIwasyoung，Ifeltwithyourassurance，andallthroughme，ThatIhadundergonethelastandworstOflove’sinventions。TherewasaboywhobroughtThesunwithhimandwokemeupwithit，Andthatwaseverymorning；everynightItriedtodreamofhim，butnevercould，MorethanImighthaveseeninAdam’seyesTheirfonduncertaintywhenEvebeganTheplaythatallhertirelessprogenyArenotyetwearyof。OnesceneofitWasbrief，butwaseternalwhileitlasted；
AndthatwaswhileIwasthehappiestOfanimaginarysixorseven，Somewhereinhistorybutnotonearth，ForwhomtheskyhadshakenandletstarsRaindownlikediamonds。Thentherewereclouds，Andasadendofdiamonds；whereuponDespaircame，likeablastthatwouldhavebroughtTearstotheeyesofallthebearsinFinland，Andlovewasdone。ThatwashowmuchIknew。
Poorlittlewretch！IwonderwhereheisThisafternoon。Outofthisrain，Ihope。
Atlast，whenIhadseensomanydaysDressedallalike，andintheirmarchingorder，GobymethatIwouldnotalwayscountthem，Onestopped——shatteringthewholefileofTime，Orsoitseemed；andwhenIlookedagain，Therewasaman。Hestruckoncewithhiseyes，Andthentherewasawoman。I，whohadcomeTowisdom，ortovision，orwhatyoulike，Bytheoldhiddenroadthathasnoname，——
I，whowasusedtoseeingwithoutflyingSomuchthatothersflyfromwithoutseeing，Stilllooked，andwasafraid，andlookedagain。
Andafterthat，whenIhadreadthestoryToldinhiseyes，andfeltwithinmyheartThebleedingwoundoftheirnecessity，Iknewthefearwashis。IfIhadfailedhimAndflownawayfromhim，IshouldhavelostIngloriouslymywingsinscramblingback，Andfoundthemarmsagain。IfhehadstruckmeNotonlywithhiseyesbutwithhishands，Imighthavepitiedhimandhatedlove，Andthengonemad。I，whohavebeensostrong——
Whydon’tyoulaugh？——mightevenhavedoneallthat。
I，whohavelearnedsomuch，andsaidsomuch，AndhadthecommendationsofthegreatForonewhorulesherself——whydon’tyoucry？——
AndownacertainsmallauthorityAmongtheblind，whoseenomorethanever，Butlikemyvoice，——IwouldhavetosseditallToTophetforoneman；andhewasjealous。
IwouldhavewoundasnakearoundmyneckAndthenhaveletitbitemetillIdied，IfmysodoingwouldhavemademesureThatonemanmighthavelived；andhewasjealous。
IwouldhavedriventhesehandsintoacageThatheldathousandscorpions，andcrushedthem，IfonlybysopoisonousatrialIcouldhavecrushedhisdoubt。IwouldhavewrungMylivingbloodwithmediaevalenginesOutofmyscreamingflesh，ifonlythatWouldhavemadeonemansure。IwouldhavepaidForhimthetiresomepriceofbodyandsoul，Andletthelashofatongue-wearytownFallasitmightuponmyblisteredname；
AndwhileitfellIcouldhavelaughedatit，KnowingthathehadfoundoutfinallyWherethewrongwas。ButtherewasevilinhimThatwouldhavemadenomoreofhispossessionThanconfirmationofanotherfault；
Andtherewashonor——ifyoucallithonorThathoodsitselfwithdoubtandwearsacrownOfleadthatmightaswellbegoldandfire。
GiveitasheavyoraslightanameAsanythereisthatfits。IseemyselfWithoutthepowertosweartothisorthatThatImightbeifhehadbeenwithoutit。
WhateverImighthavebeenthatIwasnot，Itonlyhappenedthatitwasn’tso。
Meanwhile，youmightseemtobelistening：
Ifyouforgetyourselfandgotosleep，Mytreasure，Ishallnotsaythisagain。
Lookuponcemoreintomypooroldface，Whereyouseebeauty，ortheLordknowswhat，AndsaytomealoudwhatelsethereisThanruinsinitthatyoumostadmire。
No，therewasneveranythinglikethat；
NaturehasneverfastenedsuchamaskOfradiantandimpenetrablemeritOnanywomanasyousaythereisOnthisone。Notamask？Ithankyou，sir，Butyouseemorewithyourdetermination，Ifear，thanwithyourprudenceoryourconscience；
AndyouhavenevermetmewithmyeyesInallthemirrorsI’vemadefacesat。
No，Ishallnevercallyoustrangeagain：
YouaretheyoungandinconvincibleEpitomeofallblindmensinceAdam。
Maytheblindleadtheblind，ifthatbeso？
Andweshallneednomirrors？YouaresayingWhatmostIfearedyoumight。Butiftheblind，Oroneofthem，benotsofortunateAstoputouttheeyesofrecollection，Shemightatlast，withouthermeaningit，Leadontheother，withouthisknowingit，UntilthetwoofthemshouldlosethemselvesAmongdeadcratersinalava-fieldAsemptyasadesertonthemoon。
Iamnotspeakinginatheatre，ButinaroomsorealandsofamiliarThatsometimesIwouldwreckit。ThenIpause，RememberingthereisaKinginWeimar——
Amonarch，andapoet，andashepherdOfallwhoareastrayandareoutsideTherealmwheretheyshouldrule。Ithinkofhim，Andsavethefurniture；Ithinkofyou，Andamforlorn，findinginyoutheoneTolavishaspirationsandillusionsUponafadedandforsakenhouseWherelove，beinglockedalone，wasnightoburningHouseandhimselftogether。Yes，youarestrange，ToseeinsuchaninjuredarchitectureRoomfornewlovetolivein。Areyoulaughing？
No？Well，youarenotcrying，asyoushouldbe。
Tears，eveniftheytoldonlygratitudeForyourescape，andhadnootherstory，WeresurelymorebecomingthanasmileFormyunwomanlystraightforwardnessInseeingforyou，throughmyclosegateofyearsYourfortywaystofreedom。Whydoyousmile？
AndwhileI’mtremblingatmyfaithinyouIngivingyoutoreadthisbookofdangerThatonlyonemanlivingmighthavewritten——
Theseletters，whichhavebeenapartofmeSolongthatyoumayreadthemallagainAsoftenasyoulookintomyface，AndhearthemwhenIspeaktoyou，andfeelthemWheneveryouhavetotouchmewithyourhand，——
Whyareyousounwillingtobespared？
Whydoyoustillbelieveinme？Butno，I’llfindanotherwaytoaskyouthat。
IwonderifthereisanotherwayThatsaysitbetter，andmeansanything。
Thereisnootherwaythatcouldbeworse？
Iwasnotaskingyou；itwasmyselfAlonethatIwasasking。WhydoIdipForlies，whenthereisnothinginmywellButshiningtruth，yousay？Howdoyouknow？
Truthhasalonelylifedownwhereshelives；
Andmanyatime，whenshecomesuptobreathe，Shesinksbeforeweseizeher，andmakesripples。
PossiblyyoumayknownomoreofmeThanafewripples；andtheymaysoonbegone，LeavingyouthenwithallmyshiningtruthDrownedinashiningwater；andwhenyoulookYoumaynotseemethere，butsomethingelseThatneverwasawoman——beingyourself。
Yousaytomemytruthispastalldrowning，Andsafewithyouforever？Youknowallthat？
Howdoyouknowallthat，andwhohastoldyou？
YouknowsomuchthatI’manatomfrightenedBecauseyouknowsolittle。Andwhatisthis？
YouknowtheluxurythereisinhauntingTheblastedthoroughfaresofdisillusion——
Ifthat’syournameforthem——withonlyghostsForcompany？YouknowthatwhenawomanIsblessed，orcursed，withadivineimpatience（Anothernameofyoursforabadtemper）
Shemusthaveoneathandonwhomtowreakit（That’swhatyoumean，whatevertheturnyougiveit），Sureofakindredsympathy，andtherebyEffectamutualcalm？Youknowthatwisdom，GiveninvaintomakeafoodforthoseWhoarewithoutit，willbeseenatlast，Andevenatlastonlybythosewhogaveit，AsoneormoreoftheforgottencrumbsThatothersleave？Youknowthatmen’sapplauseAndwomen’senvysavorsomuchofdustThatIgohungry，havingathomenofareButthesamechangelessbreadthatImayswallowOnlywithtearsandprayers？Whotoldyouthat？
YouknowthatifIread，andreadalone，Toomanybooksthatnomenyethavewritten，Imaygoblind，orworse？Youknowyourself，Ofallinsistentandinsidiouscreatures，Tobetheonetosaveme，andtoguardFormetheirflaminglanguage？AndyouknowThatifIgivemuchheadwaytothewhimThat’sinmenevertobequitesurethatevenThroughallthoseyearsofstormandfireIwaitedForthisonerainyday，Imaygoon，Andon，andonalone，throughsmokeandashes，Toacoldend？YouknowsodismalmuchAsthataboutme？……Well，Ibelieveyoudo。
NimmoSinceyourememberNimmo，andarriveAtsuchafalseandfloridandfardrawnConfusionofoddnonsense，IconniveNolonger，thoughImayhaveledyouon。
Somuchistoldandheardandtoldagain，Somanywithhislegendareengrossed，ThatI，moresorrynowthanIwasthen，Mayliveontobesorryforhisghost。
Youknewhim，andyoumusthaveknownhiseyes，——
Howdeeptheywere，andwhatavelvetlightCameoutofthemwhenangerorsurprise，Orlaughter，orFrancesca，madethembright。
No，youwillnotforgetsucheyes，Ithink，——
Andyousaynothingofthem。Verywell。
Iwonderifallhistory’sworthawink，Sometimes，orifmytalebeonetotell。
Fortheybegantolosetheirvelvetlight；
Theirfiregrewdeadwithoutandsmallwithin；
AndmanyofyoudeploredtheneedlessfightThatsomewhereinthedarktheremusthavebeen。
Allfightsareneedless，whenthey’renotourown，ButNimmoandFrancescaneverfought。
Rememberthat；andwhenyouarealone，Rememberme——andthinkwhatIhavethought。
Now，mindyou，Isaynothingofwhatwas，Orneverwas，orcouldorcouldnotbe：
Bringnotsuspicion’scandletotheglassThatmirrorsafriend’sfacetomemory。
Ofwhatyousee，seeall，——butseenomore；
ForwhatIshowyouherewillnotbethere。
Thedevilhashadhiswaywithpaintbefore，Andhe’sanartist，——andyouneedn’tstare。
Therewasapainterandhepaintedwell：
He’dpaintyouDanielinthelions’den，Beelzebub，Elaine，orWilliamTell。
I’mcomingbacktoNimmo’seyesagain。
Thepainterputthedevilinthoseeyes，Unlessthedevildid，andtherehestayed；
Andthentheladyfledfromparadise，Andthere’syourfact。Theladywasafraid。
Shemusthavebeenafraid，ormayhavebeen，Ofevilintheirvelvetallthewhile；
ButsureasI’masinnerwithaskin，I’lltrustthemanaslongashecansmile。
ItrusthimwhocansmileandthenmayliveInmyheart’shouse，whereNimmoistoday。
GodknowsifIhavemorethanmenforgiveTotellhim；butIplayed，andIshallpay。
Iknewhimthen，andifIknowhimyet，Iknowinhim，defeatedandestranged，ThecalmofmenforbiddentoforgetThecalmofwomenwhohavelovedandchanged。
Buttherearewaysthatarebeyondourways，Orhewouldnotbecalmandshebemute，AsonebyonetheirlostandemptydaysPasswithouteventhewarmthofadispute。
Godhelpusallwhenwomenthinktheysee；
Godsaveuswhentheydo。I’mfair；butthoughIknowhimonlyashelookstome，Iknowhim，——andItellFrancescaso。
AndwhatofNimmo？LittlewouldyouaskOfhim，couldyoubutseehimasIcan，AthisbewilderedandunfruitfultaskOfbeingwhathewasborntobe——aman。
BetterforgetthatIsaidanythingOfwhatyourtorturedmemorymaydisclose；
Iknowhim，andyourworstrememberingWouldcountasmuchasnothing，Isuppose。
Meanwhile，Itrusthim；andIknowhiswayOftrustingme，asalwaysinhisyouth。
I’mpaintinghereabetterman，yousay，ThanI，thepainter；andyousaythetruth。
PeaceonEarthHetookafrayedhatfromhishead，And"PeaceonEarth"waswhathesaid。
"Amorseloutofwhatyou’reworth，Andtherewehaveit：PeaceonEarth。
Notmuch，althoughalittlemoreThanwhattherewasonearthbefore。
I’masyousee，I’mIchabod，——
ButnevermindthewaysI’vetrod；
I’msobernow，sohelpmeGod。"
Icouldnotpassthefellowby。
"DoyoubelieveinGod？"saidI；
"AndistheretobePeaceonEarth？"
"Tonightwecelebratethebirth，"
Hesaid，"ofOnewhodiedformen；
TheSonofGod，wesay。Whatthen？
YourGod，ormine？I’dmakeyoulaughWereItotellyouevenhalfThatIhavelearnedofminetodayWhereyourswouldhardlyseemtostay。
CouldHebutfollowinandoutSomeanthropoidsIknowabout，TheGodtowhomyoumayhaveprayedMightseeaworldHenevermade。"
"Yourwordsareflowingfull，"saidI；
"Butyettheygivemenoreply；
Yourfountainmightaswellbedry。"
"AwiserOnethanyou，myfriend，Wouldwaitandhearmetotheend；
AndforHiseyesalightwouldshineThroughthisunpleasantshellofmineThatinyourfancymakesofmeAChristmascuriosity。
Allright，Imightbeworsethanthat；
Andyoumightnowbelyingflat；
Imighthavedoneitfrombehind，Andtakenwhattherewastofind。
Don’tworry，forI’mnotthatkind。
`DoIbelieveinGod？’IsthatThepricetonightofanewhat？
HasHecommandedthatHisnameBewritteneverywherethesame？
HaveallwholiveineveryplaceIdentifiedHishiddenface？
WhoknowsbutHemaylikeaswellMystoryasoneyoumaytell？
AndifHeshowmetherebePeaceOnEarth，astherebefieldsandtreesOutsideajail-yard，amIwrongIfnowIsingHimanewsong？
Yourworldisinyourself，myfriend，Foryourendurancetotheend；
AndallthePeacethereisonEarthIsfaithinwhatyourworldisworth，Andsaying，withoutanylies，Yourworldcouldnotbeotherwise。"
"Onemightsaythatandthenbeshot，"
Itoldhim；andhesaid："Whynot？"
Iceased，andgavehimrathermoreThanhewascountingofmystore。
"AndsinceIhaveit，thankstoyou，Don’taskmewhatImeantodo，"
Saidhe。"BelievethatevenI
Wouldrathertellthetruththanlie——
OnChristmasEve。Nomatterwhy。"
Hisunshaved，educatedface，Hisinextinguishablegrace，Andhishardsmile，arewithmestill，DeplorethevisionasIwill；
Forwhatsoeverhebeat，SodrolladerelictasthatShouldhaveatleastanotherhat。
LateSummer（Alcaics）
Confused，hefoundherlavishingfeminineGolduponclay，andfoundherinscrutable；
Andyetshesmiled。Why，then，shouldhorrorsBeastheywere，withoutend，herplaythings？
AndwhyweredeadyearshungrilytellingherLiesofthedead，whotoldthemagaintoher？
Ifnowsheknew，theremightbekindnessClamoringyetwhereafaithlaystifled。
Alittlefaithinhim，andtheruinousPastwouldbefortimetoannihilate，Andwashout，likeatidethatwashesOutofthesandwhatachildhasdrawnthere。
God，whatashininghandfulofhappiness，Madeoutofdaysandoutofeternities，Werenowthepulsingendofpatience——
Couldhebuthavewhataghosthadstolen！
Whatwasamanbeforehim，ortenofthem，Whilehewasherealivewhocouldanswerthem，AndintheirteethflingconfirmationsHarderthanagatesagainstanegg-shell？
Butnowthemanwasdead，andwouldcomeagainNever，thoughshemighthonorineffablyTheflimsywraithofhimsheconjuredOutofadreamwithhiswandofabsence。
Andifthetruthwerenowbutamummery，Meritingpride’simplacableirony，Somuchtheworseforpride。Moreover，Saveherorfail，therewasconsciencealways。
Meanwhile，afewmisgivingsofinnocence，Imploringtobeshelteredandcredited，Werenotamisswhensherevealedthem。
Whethershestruggledornot，hesawthem。
Also，hesawthatwhileshewashearinghimHereyeshadmoreandmoreofthepastinthem；
AndwhilehetoldwhatcautioushonorToldhimwasallhehadbestbesureof，Hewonderedonceortwice，inadvertently，Whereshiftingwindsweredrivinghisargosies，Longanchoredandaslongunladen，Overthefoamforthegoldenchances。
"Ifmenwerenotforkillingsocarelessly，Andwomenwereforwiserendurances，"
Hesaid，"wemighthaveyetaworldhereFitterforTruthtobeseenabroadin；
"IfTruthwerenotsostrangeinhernakedness，Andwewerelessforbiddentolookatit，Wemightnothavetolook。"HestaredthenDownatthesandwherethetidethrewforwardItscold，unconqueredlines，thatunceasinglyFoamedagainsthope，andfell。Hewascalmenough，AlthoughheknewhemightbesilencedOutofallcalm；andthenightwascoming。
"IclimbforyouthepeakofhisinfamyThatyoumaychooseyourfallifyouclingtoit。
Nomoreformeunlessyousaymore。
Allyouhaveleftofadreamdefendsyou：
"ThetruthmaybeasevilanauguryAsitwasneedfulnowforthetwoofus。
Wecannothavethedeadbetweenus。
Tellmetogo，andIgo。"——Shepondered：
"WhatyoubelieveisrightforthetwoofusMakesitasrightthatyouarenotoneofus。
Ifthisbeneedfultruthyoutellme，Spareme，andletmehavelieshereafter。"
ShegazedawaywhereshadowswerecoveringThewholecoldocean’shealingindifference。
Noshipwascoming。WhenthedarknessFell，shewasthere，andalone，stillgazing。
AnEvangelist’sWife"WhyamInotmyselfthesemanydays，Youask？Andhaveyounothingmoretoask？
Idoyouwrong？IdonothearyourpraiseToGodforgivingyoumetoshareyourtask？
"Jealous——ofHer？Becausehercheeksarepink，Andshehaseyes？No，notifshehadseven。
Ifyoushouldonlystealanhourtothink，Sometime，theremightbelesstobeforgiven。
"No，youarenevercruel。IfonceortwiceIfoundyouso，Icouldapplaudandsing。
Jealousof——What？Youarenotverywise。
DoesnotthegoodBooktellyouanything？
"InDavid’stimepoorMichalhadtogo。
JealousofGod？Well，ifyoulikeitso。"
TheOldKing’sNewJesterYouthatinvainwouldfrontthecomingorderWitheyesthatmeetforlornlywhattheymust，AndonlywithafurtiverecognitionSeedustwherethereisdust，——
Besureyoulikeitalwaysinyourfaces，Obscuringyourbestgraces，Blindingyourspeechandsight，BeforeyouseekagainyourdustyplacesWheretheoldwrongseemsright。
Longeragothancave-menhadtheirchangesOurfathersmayhaveslainasonortwo，DiscouragingafurtherdialecticRegardingwhatwasnew；
AndaftertheirunstudiedadmonitionOccasionalcontritionFortheirold-fashionedwaysMayhavereducedtheirdoubts，andinadditionSoftenedtheirfinaldays。
FartherawaythanfeetshallevertravelArethevaguetowersofourunbuildedState；
Buttherearemightierthingsthanwetoleadus，Thatwillnotletuswait。
AndwegoonwithnonetotelluswhetherOrnotwe’veeachatetherDetermininghowfastorfarwego；
Anditiswell，sincewemustgotogether，Thatwearenottoknow。
IftheoldwrongandallitsinjuredglamourHauntsyoubydayandgivesyournightnopeace，Youmayaswell，agreeablyandserenely，Givethenewwrongitslease；
ForshouldyounourishatoofervidyearningForwhatisnotreturning，TheviciousandunfusedingredientMaygiveyouqualms——andoneortwoconcerningThelastofyourcontent。
Lazarus"No，Mary，therewasnothing——notaword。
Nothing，andalwaysnothing。GoagainYourself，andhemaylisten——oratleastLookupatyou，andletyouseehiseyes。
Imightaswellhavebeenthesoundofrain，Awindamongthecedars，orabird；
Ornothing。Mary，makehimlookatyou；
Andevenifheshouldsaythatwearenothing，Toknowthatyouhaveheardhimwillbesomething。
Andyethelovedus，anditwasforloveTheMastergavehimback。WhydidHewaitSolongbeforeHecame？WhydidHeweep？
IthoughtHewouldbeglad——andLazarus——
ToseeusallagainasHehadleftus——
Allasitwas，allasitwasbefore。"
Mary，whofelthersister’sfrightenedarmsLikethoseofsomeonedrowningwhohadseizedher，FearingatlasttheyweretofailandsinkTogetherinthisfog-strickenseaofstrangeness，Foughtsadly，withbereavedindignanteyes，TofindagainthefadingshoresofhomeThatshehadseenbutnowcouldseenolonger。
Nowshecouldonlygazeintothetwilight，Andinthedimnessknowthathewasthere，Likesomeonethatwasnot。HewhohadbeenTheirbrother，andwasdead，nowseemedaliveOnlyindeathagain——orworsethandeath；
Fortombsatleast，alwaysuntiltoday，Thoughsadwerecertain。TherewasnothingcertainFormanorGodinsuchadayasthis；
Fortheretheywerealone，andtherewashe——
Alone；andsomewhereoutofBethany，TheMaster——whohadcometothemsolate，Onlyforloveofthemandthensoslowly，AndwasfortheirsakehuntednowbymenWhofearedHimastheyfearednootherprey——
Fortheworld’ssakewashidden。"BetterthetombForLazarusthanlife，ifthisbelife，"
Shethought；andthentoMartha，"No，mydear，"
Shesaidaloud；"notasitwasbefore。
Nothingiseverasitwasbefore，WhereTimehasbeen。HerethereismorethanTime；
AndwethataresolonelyandsofarFromhome，sinceheiswithushereagain，ArefarthernowfromhimandfromourselvesThanwearefromthestars。HewillnotspeakUntilthespiritthatisinhimspeaks；
Andwemustwaitforallwearetoknow，Oreventolearnthatwearenottoknow。
Martha，wearetooneartothisforknowledge，Andthatiswhyitisthatwemustwait。
Ourfriendsarecomingifwecallforthem，Andtherearecoverswe’llputoverhimTomakehimwarmer。Wearetooyoung，perhaps，TosaythatweknowbetterwhatisbestThanhe。Wedonotknowhowoldheis。
IfyourememberwhattheMastersaid，Trytobelievethatweneedhavenofear。
Letme，theselfishandthecarelessone，Behousewifeandamotherfortonight；
ForIamnotsofearfulasyouare，AndIwasnotsoeager。"
MarthasankDownathersister’sfeetandtheresatwatchingAflowerthathadasmallfamiliarnameThatwasasoldasmemory，butwasnotThenameofwhatshesawnowinitsbriefAndinfinitemysterythatsofrightenedherThatlifebecameaterror。TearsagainFloodedhereyesandoverflowed。"No，Mary，"
Shemurmuredslowly，hatingherownwordsBeforesheheardthem，"youarenotsoeagerToseeourbrotherasweseehimnow；
NeitherisHewhogavehimbacktous。
Iwastobethesimpleone，asalways，Andthiswasallforme。"ShestaredagainOveramongthetreeswhereLazarus，Whoseemedtobeamanwhowasnotthere，Mighthavebeenonemoreshadowamongshadows，Ifshehadnotremembered。ThenshefeltThecoolcalmhandsofMaryonherface，Andshivered，wonderingifsuchhandswerereal。
"TheMasterlovedyouasHelovedusall，Martha；andyouaresayingonlythingsThatchildrensaywhentheyhavehadnosleep。
Trysomehownowtorestalittlewhile；
YouknowthatIamhere，andthatourfriendsArecomingifIcall。"
MarthaatlastArose，andwentwithMarytothedoor，Wheretheystoodlookingoffatthesameplace，AndatthesameshapethatwasalwaysthereAsifitwouldnotevermoveorspeak，Andalwayswouldbethere。"Mary，gonow，Beforethedarkthatwillbecominghideshim。
Iamafraidofhimouttherealone，UnlessIseehim；andIhaveforgottenWhatsleepis。Gonow——makehimlookatyou——
AndIshallhearhimifhestirsorwhispers。
Go！——orI’llscreamandbringallBethanyTocomeandmakehimspeak。MakehimsayonceThatheisglad，andGodmaysaytherest。
ThoughHesayIshallsleep，andsleepforever，Ishallnotcareforthat……Go！"
Mary，movingAlmostasifanangrychildhadpushedher，Wentforwardafewsteps；andhavingwaitedAslongasMartha’seyeswouldlookathers，Wentforwardafewmore，andafewmore；
Andso，untilshecametoLazarus，Whocrouchedwithhisfacehiddeninhishands，Likeonethathadnoface。Beforeshespoke，Feelinghersister’seyesthatwerebehindherAsifthedoorwhereMarthastoodwerenowAsfarfromherasEgypt，MaryturnedOncemoretoseethatshewasthere。Then，softly，FearinghimnotsomuchaswonderingWhathisfirstwordmightbe，said，"Lazarus，Forgiveusifweseemedafraidofyou；"
Andhavingspoken，pitiedherpoorspeechThathadsolittleseeminggladnessinit，Solittlecomfort，andsolittlelove。
Therewasnosignfromhimthathehadheard，Orthatheknewthatshewasthere，orcaredWhethershespoketohimagainordiedThereathisfeet。"Weloveyou，Lazarus，Andwearenotafraid。TheMastersaidWeneednotbeafraid。WillyounotsayTomethatyouareglad？Look，Lazarus！
Lookatmyface，andseeme。ThisisMary。"
Shefoundhishandsandheldthem。Theywerecool，Likehers，buttheywerenotsocalmashers。
ThroughthewhiterobesinwhichhisfriendshadwrappedhimWhenhehadgropedoutofthatawfulsleep，Shefelthimtremblingandshewasafraid。
Atlasthesighed；andsheprayedhungrilyToGodthatshemighthaveagainthevoiceOfLazarus，whosehandsweregivinghernowTherecognitionofalivingpressureThatwasalmostalanguage。Whenhespoke，OnlyonewordthatshehadwaitedforCamefromhislips，andthatwordwashername。
"Iheardthemsaying，Mary，thatHeweptBeforeIwoke。"Thewordswerelowandshaken，YetMaryknewthathewhoutteredthemWasLazarus；andthatwouldbeenoughUntilthereshouldbemore……"WhomadeHimcome，ThatHeshouldweepforme？……Wasityou，Mary？"
ThequestionsheldinhisincredulouseyesWeremorethanshewouldsee。Shelookedaway；
Butshehadfeltthemandshouldfeelforever，Shethought，theircoldandlonelydesperationThathadthebitternessofallcoldthingsThatwerenotcruel。"Ishouldhavewept，"hesaid，"IfIhadbeentheMaster……"
NowshecouldfeelHishandsaboveherhair——thesameblackhairThatoncehemadeajestof，praisingit，WhileMartha’sbusyeyeshadlefttheirworkToflashwithlaughingenvy。NothingofthatWastobetheirsagain；andsuchathoughtWasliketheflyingbyofaquickbirdSeenthroughashadowydoorwayinthetwilight。
Fornowshefelthishandsuponherhead，Likeweightsofkindness："Iforgiveyou，Mary……
Youdidnotknow——Marthacouldnothaveknown——
OnlytheMasterknew……WhereisHenow？
Yes，Iremember。TheycameafterHim。
MaythegoodGodforgiveHim……IforgiveHim。
Imust；andImayknowonlyfromHimTheburdenofallthis……Marthawashere——
ButIwasnotyethere。Shewasafraid……
WhydidHedoit，Mary？Wasit——you？
Wasitforyou？……WherearethefriendsIsaw？
Yes，Iremember。Theyallwentaway。
Imadethemgoaway……WhereisHenow？……
WhatdoIseedownthere？DoIseeMartha——
Downbythedoor？……Imusthavetimeforthis。"
Lazaruslookedabouthimfearfully，AndthenagainatMary，whodiscoveredAwakeningapprehensioninhiseyes，Andshiveredathisfeet。AllshehadfearedWashere；andonlyintheslowreproachOfhisforgivenesslivedhisgratitude。
WhyhadheaskedifitwasallforherThathewashere？AndwhathadMarthameant？
WhyhadtheMasterwaited？WhatwascomingToLazarus，andtothem，thathadnotcome？
WhathadtheMasterseenbeforeHecame，ThatHehadcomesolate？
"WhereisHe，Mary？"
Lazarusaskedagain。"WheredidHego？"
Oncemorehegazedabouthim，andoncemoreAtMaryforananswer。"HavetheyfoundHim？
OrdidHegoawaybecauseHewishedNevertolookintomyeyesagain？……
That，Icouldunderstand……WhereisHe，Mary？"
"Idonotknow，"shesaid。"YetinmyheartIknowthatHeisliving，asyouareliving——
Living，andhere。Heisnotfarfromus。
Hewillcomebacktousandfindusall——
Lazarus，Martha，Mary——everything——
Allasitwasbefore。Marthasaidthat。
AndHesaidwewerenottobeafraid。"
LazarusclosedhiseyeswhileonhisfaceAtorturedadumbrationofasmileFlickeredaninstant。"Allasitwasbefore，"
Hemurmuredwearily。"Marthasaidthat；
AndHesaidyouwerenottobeafraid……
Notyou……Notyou……Whyshouldyoubeafraid？
Giveallyourlittlefears，andMartha’swiththem，Tome；andIwilladdthemuntomine，Likeafewrain-dropstoGennesaret。"
"Ifyouhadfrightenedmeinotherways，Notwillingit，"Marysaid，"IshouldhaveknownYoustillforLazarus。Butwhoisthis？
TellmeagainthatyouareLazarus；
AndtellmeiftheMastergavetoyouNosignofanewjoythatshallbecomingTothishousethatHeloved。Areyouafraid？
Areyouafraid，whohavefelteverything——
Andseen……？"
ButLazarusonlyshookhishead，StaringwithhisbewilderedshiningeyesHardintoMary’sface。"Idonotknow，Mary，"hesaid，afteralongtime。
"WhenIcameback，IknewtheMaster’seyesWerelookingintomine。IlookedatHis，AndtherewasmoreinthemthanIcouldsee。
AtfirstIcouldseenothingbutHiseyes；
Nothingelseanywherewastobeseen——
OnlyHiseyes。Andtheylookedintomine——
Longintomine，Mary，asifHeknew。"
MarybegantobeafraidofwordsAsshehadneverbeenafraidbeforeOflonelinessordarkness，orofdeath，Butnowshemusthavemoreofthemordie：
"Hecannotknowthatthereisworsethandeath，"
Shesaid。"Andyou……"
"Yes，thereisworsethandeath。"
SaidLazarus；"andthatwaswhatHeknew；
AndthatiswhatitwasthatIcouldseeThismorninginhiseyes。Iwasafraid，Butnotasyouare。Thereisworsethandeath，Mary；andthereisnothingthatisgoodForyouindyingwhileyouarestillhere。
Mary，nevergobacktothatagain。
YouwouldnothearmeifItoldyoumore，ForIshouldsayitonlyinalanguageThatyouarenottolearnbygoingback。
Tobeachildagainistogoforward——
Andthatismuchtoknow。Manygrowold，Andfade，andgoaway，notknowinghowmuchThatistoknow。Mary，thenightiscoming，Andtherewillsoonbedarknessallaroundyou。
LetusgodownwhereMarthawaitsforus，Andlettherebelightshininginthishouse。"
Herose，butMarywouldnotlethimgo：
"Martha，whenshecamebackfromhere，saidonlyThatsheheardnothing。AndhaveyounomoreForMarynowthanyouhadthenforMartha？
IsNothing，Lazarus，allyouhaveforme？
WasNothingallyoufoundwhereyouhavebeen？
Ifthatbeso，whatisthereworsethanthat——
Orbetter——ifthatbeso？Andwhyshouldyou，Withevenourlove，gothesamedarkroadover？"
"Icouldnotanswerthat，ifthatwereso，"
SaidLazarus，——"notevenifIwereGod。
WhyshouldHecarewhetherIcameorstayed，Ifthatwereso？WhyshouldtheMasterweep——
Forme，orfortheworld，——orsaveHimselfLongerfornothing？Andifthatwereso，Whyshouldafewyears’moremortalityMakeHimafugitivewhereflightwereneedless，HadHebutheldhispeaceandgivenhisnodToanoldLawthatwouldbenewasany？
Icannotsaytheanswertoallthat；
ThoughImaysaythatHeisnotafraid，AndthatitisnotforthejoythereisInservinganeternalIgnoranceOfourfutilitythatHeishere。
IsthatwhatyouandMarthameanbyNothing？
Isthatwhatyouarefearing？Ifthatbeso，Therearemoreweedsthanlentilsinyourgarden。
AndonewhoseweedsarelaughingathisharvestMayaswellhavenogarden；fornotthereShallhebegleaningthefewbitsandortsOflifethataretosavehim。Formypart，Iamagainwithyou，hereamongshadowsThatwillnotalwaysbesodarkasthis；
ThoughnowIseethere’syetanevilinmeThatmademeletyoubeafraidofme。
No，Iwasnotafraid——notevenoflife。
IthoughtIwas……Imusthavetimeforthis；
Andallthetimethereiswillnotbelong。
IcannottellyouwhattheMastersawThismorninginmyeyes。Idonotknow。
IcannotyetsayhowfarIhavegone，OrwhyitisthatIamhereagain，Orwheretheoldroadleads。Idonotknow。
IknowthatwhenIdidcomeback，IsawHiseyesagainamongthetreesandfaces——
OnlyHiseyes；andtheylookedintomine——
Longintomine——long，long，asifHeknew。"
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