68. CHAPTER LXVIII.
That afternoon was melting down to eve; all but Media
broad awake; yet all motionless, as the slumberer upon the
purple mat. Sailing on, with open eyes, we slept the wakeful
sleep of those, who to the body only give repose, while
the spirit still toils on, threading her mountain passes.
King Media's slumbers were like the helmed sentry's in
the saddle. From them, he started like an antlered deer,
bursting from out a copse. Some said he never slept; that
deep within himself he but intensified the hour; or, leaving
his crowned brow in marble quiet, unseen, departed to faroff
councils of the gods. Howbeit, his lids never closed; in
the noonday sun, those crystal eyes, like diamonds, sparkled
with a fixed light.
As motionless we thus reclined, Media turned and muttered:—“Brother
gods, and demi-gods, it is not well. These
mortals should have less or more. Among my subjects is a
man, whose genius scorns the common theories of things;
but whose still mortal mind can not fathom the ocean at his
feet. His soul's a hollow, wherein he raves.”
“List, list,” whispered Yoomy—“our lord is dreaming;
and what a royal dream.”
“A very royal and imperial dream,” said Babbalanja—
“he is arraigning me before high heaven;—ay, ay; in
dreams, at least, he deems himself a demi-god.”
“Hist,” said Mohi—“he speaks again.”
“Gods and demi-gods! With one gesture all abysses we
may disclose; and before this Mardi's eyes, evoke the
shrouded time to come. Were this well? Like lost children
groping in the woods, they falter through their tangled
paths; and at a thousand angles, baffled, start upon each
other. And even when they make an onward move, 'tis
but an endless vestibule, that leads to naught. In my own
isle of Odo—Odo! Odo! How rules my viceroy there?—
Down, down, ye madding mobs! Ho, spearmen, charge!
By the firmament, but my halberdiers fly!”
“His dream has changed,” said Babbalanja. “He is in
Odo, whither his anxieties impel him.”
“Hist, hist,” said Yoomy.
“I leap upon the soil! Render thy account, Almanni!
Where's my throne? Mohi, am I not a king? Do not thy
chronicles record me? Yoomy, am I not the soul of some
one glorious song? Babbalanja, speak—Mohi! Yoomy!”
“What is it, my lord? thou dost but dream.”
Staring wildly; then calmly gazing round, Media smiled.
“Ha! how we royalties ramble in our dreams! I've told
no secrets?”
“While he seemed to sleep, my lord spoke much,” said
Mohi.
“I knew it not, old man; nor would now; but that ye
tell me.”
“We dream not ourselves,” said Babbalanja, “but the
thing within us.”
“Ay?—good-morrow Azzageddi!—But come; no more
dreams:—Vee-Vee! wine.”
And straight through that livelong night, immortal Media
plied the can.
