the blue flower-第21章
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and his favourite horse on a long journey。 It is a silent；
comprehensive friendship； an intercourse beyond the need of
words。
They drink at the same way…side springs； and sleep under
the same guardian stars。 They are conscious together of the
subduing spell of nightfall and the quickening joy of
daybreak。 The master shares his evening meal with his hungry
companion； and feels the soft； moist lips caressing the palm
of his hand as they close over the morsel of bread。 In the
gray dawn he is roused from his bivouac by the gentle stir of
a warm； sweet breath over his sleeping face； and looks up into
the eyes of his faithful fellow…traveller； ready and waiting
for the toil of the day。 Surely； unless he is a pagan and an
unbeliever； by whatever name he calls upon his God； he will
thank Him for this voiceless sympathy； this dumb affection；
and his morning prayer will embrace a double blessingGod
bless us both； the horse and the rider； and keep our feet from
falling and our souls from death！
Then； through the keen morning air； the swift hoofs beat
their tattoo along the road； keeping time to the pulsing of
two hearts that are moved with the same eager desireto
conquer space； to devour the distance； to attain the goal of
the journey。
Artaban must indeed ride wisely and well if he would keep
the appointed hour with the other Magi； for the route was a
hundred and fifty parasangs； and fifteen was the utmost that
he could travel in a day。 But he knew Vasda's strength； and
pushed forward without anxiety； making the fixed distance
every day； though he must travel late into the night； and in
the morning long before sunrise。
He passed along the brown slopes of Mount Orontes；
furrowed by the rocky courses of a hundred torrents。
He crossed the level plains of the Nisaeans； where the
famous herds of horses； feeding in the wide pastures； tossed
their heads at Vasda's approach； and galloped away with a
thunder of many hoofs； and flocks of wild birds rose suddenly
from the swampy meadows； wheeling in great circles with a
shining flutter of innumerable wings and shrill cries of
surprise。
He traversed the fertile fields of Concabar； where the
dust from the threshing…floors filled the air with a golden
mist； half hiding the huge temple of Astarte with its four
hundred pillars。
At Baghistan； among the rich gardens watered by fountains
from the rock； he looked up at the mountain thrusting its
immense rugged brow out over the road； and saw the figure of
King Darius trampling upon his fallen foes； and the proud list
of his wars and conquests graven high upon the face of the
eternal cliff。
Over many a cold and desolate pass； crawling painfully
across the wind…swept shoulders of the hills； down many a
black mountain…gorge； where the river roared and raced before
him like a savage guide； across many a smiling vale； with
terraces of yellow limestone full of vines and fruit…trees；
through the oak…groves of Carine and the dark Gates of Zagros；
walled in by precipices； into the ancient city of Chala； where
the people of Samaria had been kept in captivity long ago； and
out again by the mighty portal； riven through the encircling
hills； where he saw the image of the High Priest of the Magi
sculptured on the wall of rock； with hand uplifted as if to bless
the centuries of pilgrims； past the entrance of the narrow
defile； filled from end to end with orchards of peaches and figs；
through which the river Gyndes foamed down to meet him； over
the broad rice…fields； where the autumnal vapours spread their
deathly mists； following along the course of the river； under
tremulous shadows of poplar and tamarind； among the lower
hills； and out upon the flat plain； where the road ran
straight as an arrow through the stubble…fields and parched
meadows； past the city of Ctesiphon； where the Parthian
emperors reigned； and the vast metropolis of Seleucia which
Alexander built； across the swirling floods of Tigris and the
many channels of Euphrates； flowing yellow through the
corn…landsArtaban pressed onward until he arrived； at
nightfall on the tenth day； beneath the shattered walls of
populous Babylon。
Vasda was almost spent； and Artaban would gladly have
turned into the city to find rest and refreshment for himself
and for her。 But he knew that it was three hours' journey yet
to the Temple of the Seven Spheres； and he must reach the
place by midnight if he would find his comrades waiting。 So
he did not halt； but rode steadily across the stubble…fields。
A grove of date…palms made an island of gloom in the pale
yellow sea。 As she passed into the shadow Vasda slackened her
pace； and began to pick her way more carefully。
Near the farther end of the darkness an access of caution
seemed to fall upon her。 She scented some danger or
difficulty； it was not in her heart to fly from itonly to be
prepared for it； and to meet it wisely； as a good horse should
do。 The grove was close and silent as the tomb； not a leaf
rustled； not a bird sang。
She felt her steps before her delicately； carrying her
head low； and sighing now and then with apprehension。 At last
she gave a quick breath of anxiety and dismay； and stood
stock…still； quivering in every muscle； before a dark object in
the shadow of the last palm…tree。
Artaban dismounted。 The dim starlight revealed the form
of a man lying across the road。 His humble dress and the
outline of his haggard face showed that he was probably one of
the Hebrews who still dwelt in great numbers around the city。
His pallid skin； dry and yellow as parchment； bore the mark of
the deadly fever which ravaged the marsh…lands in autumn。 The
chill of death was in his lean hand； and； as Artaban released
it； the arm fell back inertly upon the motionless breast。
He turned away with a thought of pity； leaving the body to
that strange burial which the Magians deemed most fittingthe
funeral of the desert； from which the kites and vultures rise
on dark wings； and the beasts of prey slink furtively away。
When they are gone there is only a heap of white bones on the
sand。
But； as he turned； a long； faint； ghostly sigh came from
the man's lips。 The bony fingers gripped the hem of the
Magian's robe and held him fast。
Artaban's heart leaped to his throat； not with fear； but
with a dumb resentment at the importunity of this blind delay。
How could he stay here in the darkness to minister to a
dying stranger？ What claim had this unknown fragment of human
life upon his compassion or his service？ If he lingered but
for an hour he could hardly reach Borsippa at the appointed
time。 His companions would think he had given up the journey。
They would go without him。 He would lose his quest。
But if he went on now； the man would surely die。 If
Artaban stayed； life might be restored。 His spirit throbbed
and fluttered with the urgency of the crisis。 Should he risk
the great reward of his faith for the sake of a single deed of
charity？ Should he turn aside； if only for a moment； from the
following of the star； to give a cup of cold water to a poor；
perishing Hebrew？
〃God of truth and purity；〃 he prayed； 〃direct me in the
holy path； the way of wisdom which Thou only knowest。〃
Then he turned back to the sick man。 Loosening
the grasp of his hand； he carried him to a little mound at the
foot of the palm…tree。
He unbound the thick folds of the turban and opened the
garment above the sunken breast。 He brought water from one of
the small canals near by； and moistened the sufferer's brow
and mouth。 He mingled a draught of one of those simple but
potent remedies which he carried always in his girdlefor the
Magians were physicians as well as astrologersand poured it
slowly between the colourless lips。 Hour after hour he
laboured as only a skilful healer of disease can do。 At last
the man's strength returned； he sat up and looked about him。
〃Who art thou？〃 he said； in the rude dialect of the
country； 〃and why hast thou sought me here to bring back my
life？〃
〃I am Artaban the Magian； of the city of Ecbatana； and I
am going to Jerusalem in search of one who is to be born King
of the Jews； a great Pr
