Mardi: Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Yillah A Phantom

For a time we were happy in Odo: Yillah and I in our islet. Nor did
the pearl on her bosom glow more rosily than the roses in her cheeks;
though at intervals they waned and departed; and deadly pale was her
glance, when she murmured of the whirlpool and mosses. As pale my
soul, bethinking me of Aleema the priest.

But day by day, did her spell weave round me its magic, and all the
hidden things of her being grew more lovely and strange. Did I
commune with a spirit? Often I thought that Paradise had overtaken me
on earth, and that Yillah was verily an angel, and hence the
mysteries that hallowed her.

But how fleeting our joys. Storms follow bright dawnings.--Long
memories of short-lived scenes, sad thoughts of joyous hours--how
common are ye to all mankind. When happy, do we pause and say--"Lo,
thy felicity, my soul?" No: happiness seldom seems happiness, except
when looked back upon from woes. A flowery landscape, you must come
out of, to behold.

Sped the hours, the days, the one brief moment of our joys. Fairy
bower in the fair lagoon, scene of sylvan ease and heart's repose,--
Oh, Yillah, Yillah! All the woods repeat the sound, the wild, wild
woods of my wild soul. Yillah! Yillah! cry the small strange voices
in me, and evermore, and far and deep, they echo on.

Days passed. When one morning I found the arbor vacant. Gone! A
dream. I closed my eyes, and would have dreamed her back. In
vain. Starting, I called upon her name; but none replied. Fleeing
from the islet, I gained the neighboring shore, and searched among
the woods; and my comrades meeting, besought their aid. But idle all.
No glimpse of aught, save trees and flowers. Then Media was sought
out; the event made known; and quickly, bands were summoned to range
the isle.

Noon came; but no Yillah. When Media averred she was no longer in
Odo. Whither she was gone, or how, he knew not; nor could any
imagine.

At this juncture, there chanced to arrive certain messengers from
abroad; who, presuming that all was well with Taji, came with renewed
invitations to visit various pleasant places round about. Among
these, came Queen Hautia's heralds, with their Iris flag, once more
bringing flowers. But they came and went unheeded.

Setting out to return, these envoys were accompanied by numerous
followers of Media, dispatched to the neighboring islands, to seek
out the missing Yillah. But three days passed; and, one by one, they
all returned; and stood before me silently.

For a time I raved. Then, falling into outer repose, lived for a
space in moods and reveries, with eyes that knew no closing, one
glance forever fixed.

They strove to rouse me. Girls danced and sang; and tales of fairy
times were told; of monstrous imps, and youths enchanted; of groves
and gardens in the sea. Yet still I moved not, hearing all, yet
noting naught. Media cried, "For shame, oh Taji; thou, a god?" and
placed a spear in my nerveless hand. And Jarl loud called upon me to
awake. Samoa marveled.

Still sped the days. And at length, my memory was restored. The
thoughts of things broke over me like returning billows on a beach
long bared. A rush, a foam of recollections!--Sweet Yillah gone, and
I bereaved.

Another interval, and that mood was past. Misery became a
memory. The keen pang a deep vibration. The remembrance seemed the
thing remembered; though bowed with sadness. There are thoughts that
lie and glitter deep: tearful pearls beneath life's sea, that surges
still, and rolls sunlit, whatever it may hide. Common woes, like
fluids, mix all round. Not so with that other grief. Some mourners
load the air with lamentations; but the loudest notes are struck from
hollows. Their tears flow fast: but the deep spring only wells.

At last I turned to Media, saying I must hie from Odo, and rove
throughout all Mardi; for Yillah might yet be found.

But hereafter, in words, little more of the maiden, till perchance
her fate be learned.

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