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第5章

twice-told tales- the celestial railroad-第5章

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commodiously by railroad。 Still; I grew anxious to be gone。 There

was one strange thing that troubled me; amid the occupations or

amusements of the Fair; nothing was more common than for a person…

whether at a feast; theatre; or church; or trafficking for wealth

and honors; or whatever he might be doing; and however unseasonable

the interruption… suddenly to vanish like a soap…bubble; and be

never more seen of his fellows; and so accustomed were the latter to

such little accidents; that they went on with their business; as

quietly as if nothing had happened。 But it was otherwise with me。

   Finally; after a pretty long residence at the Fair; I resumed my

journey towards the Celestial City; still with Mr。 Smooth…it…away at

my side。 At a short distance beyond the suburbs of Vanity; we passed

the ancient silver mine; of which Demas was the first discoverer;

and which is now wrought to great advantage; supplying nearly all

the coined currency of the world。 A little further onward was the spot

where Lot's wife had stood for ages; under the semblance of a pillar

of salt。 Curious travellers have long since carried it away piecemeal。

Had all regrets been punished as rigorously as this poor dame's

were; my yearning for the relinquished delights of Vanity Fair might

have produced a similar change in my own corporeal substance; and left

me a warning to future pilgrims。

   The next remarkable object was a large edifice; constructed of

moss…grown stone; but in a modern and airy style of architecture。

The engine came to a pause in its vicinity with the usual tremendous

shriek。

   〃This was formerly the castle of the redoubted giant Despair;〃

observed Mr。 Smooth…it…away; 〃but; since his death; Mr。 Flimsy…faith

has repaired it; and now keeps an excellent house of entertainment

here。 It is one of our stopping…places。〃

   〃It seems but slightly put together;〃 remarked I; looking at the

frail; yet ponderous walls。 〃I do not envy Mr。 Flimsy…faith his

habitation。 Some day it will thunder down upon the heads of the

occupants。〃

   〃We shall escape; at all events;〃 said Mr。 Smooth…it…away; 〃for

Apollyon is putting on the steam again。〃

   The road now plunged into a gorge of the Delectable Mountains;

and traversed the field where; in former ages; the blind men

wandered and stumbled among the tombs。 One of these ancient

tomb…stones had been thrust across the track; by some malicious

person; and gave the train of cars a terrible jolt。 Far up the

rugged side of a mountain; I perceived a rusty iron door; half

overgrown with bushes and creeping plants; but with smoke issuing from

its crevices。

   〃Is that;〃 inquired I; 〃the very door in the hill…side; which the

shepherds assured Christian was a by…way to Hell?〃

   〃That was a joke on the part of the shepherds;〃 said Mr。

Smooth…it…away; with a smile。 〃It is neither more nor less than the

door of a cavern; which they use as a smoke…house for the

preparation of mutton hams。〃

   My recollections of the journey are now; for a little space; dim

and confused; inasmuch as a singular drowsiness here overcame me;

owing to the fact that we were passing over the Enchanted Ground;

the air of which encourages a disposition to sleep。 I awoke;

however; as soon as we crossed the borders of the pleasant land of

Beulah。 All the passengers were rubbing their eyes; comparing watches;

and con…gratulating one another on the prospect of arriving so

seasonably at the journey's end。 The sweet breezes of this happy clime

came refreshingly to our nostrils; we beheld the glimmering gush of

silver fountains; overhung by trees of beautiful foliage and delicious

fruit; which were propagated by grafts from the celestial gardens。

Once; as we dashed onward like a hurricane; there was a flutter of

wings; and the bright appearance of an angel in the air; speeding

forth on some heavenly mission。 The engine now announced the close

vicinity of the final Station…house; by one last and horrible

scream; in which there seemed to be distinguishable every kind of

wailing and wo; and bitter fierceness of wrath; all mixed up with

the wild laughter of a devil or a madman。 Throughout our journey; at

every stopping…place; Apollyon had exercised his ingenuity in screwing

the most abominable sounds out of the whistle of the steam…engine; but

in this closing effort he outdid himself; and created an infernal

uproar; which; besides disturbing the peaceful inhabitants of

Beulah; must have sent its discord even through the celestial gates。

   While the horrid clamor was still ringing in our ears; we heard

an exulting strain; as if a thousand instruments of music; with

height; and depth; and sweetness in their tones; at once tender and

triumphant; were struck in unison; to greet the approach of some

illustrious hero; who had fought the good fight and won a glorious

victory; and was come to lay aside his battered arms for ever。 Looking

to ascertain what might be the occasion of this glad harmony; I

perceived; on alighting from the cars; that a multitude of shining

ones had assembled on the other side of the river; to welcome two poor

pilgrims; who were just emerging from its depths。 They were the same

whom Apollyon and ourselves had persecuted with taunts and gibes;

and scalding steam; at the commencement of our journey… the same whose

unworldly aspect and impressive words had stirred my conscience;

amid the wild revellers of Vanity Fair。

   〃How amazingly well those men have got on!〃 cried I to Mr。

Smooth…it…away。 〃I wish we were secure of as good a reception。〃

   〃Never fear… never fear!〃 answered my friend。 〃Come… make haste;

the ferry…boat will be off directly; and in three minutes you will

be on the other side of the river。 No doubt you will find coaches to

carry you up to the city gates。〃

   A steam ferry…boat; the last improvement on this important route;

lay at the river…side; puffing; snorting; and emitting all those other

disagreeable utterances; which betoken the departure to be

immediate。 I hurried on board with the rest of the passengers; most of

whom were in great perturbation; some bawling out for their baggage;

some tearing their hair and exclaiming that the boat would explode

or sink; some already pale with the heaving of the stream; some gazing

affrighted at the ugly aspect of the steersman; and some still dizzy

with the slumberous influences of the Enchanted Ground。 Looking back

to the shore; I was amazed to discern Mr。 Smooth…it…away waving his

hand in token of farewell!

   〃Don't you go over to the Celestial City?〃 exclaimed I。

   〃Oh; no!〃 answered he with a queer smile; and that same

disagreeable contortion of visage which I had remarked in the

inhabitants of the Dark Valley。 〃Oh; no! I have come thus far only for

the sake of your pleasant company。 Good bye! We shall meet again。〃

   And then did my excellent friend; Mr。 Smooth…it…away; laugh

outright; in the midst of which cachinnation; a smoke…wreath issued

from his mouth and nostrils; while a twinkle of lurid flame darted out

of either eye; proving indubitably that his heart was all of a red

blaze。 The impudent fiend! To deny the existence of Tophet; when he

felt its fiery tortures raging within his breast! I rushed to the side

of the boat; intending to fling myself on shore。 But the wheels; as

they began their revolutions; threw a dash of spray over me; so

cold… so deadly cold; with the chill that will never leave those

waters; until Death be drowned in his own river… that; with a shiver

and a heart…quake; I awoke。 Thank heaven; it was a Dream!





                        THE END




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