Page 19 (1/1)

Roses, roses! An interminable chain of these royal blossoers of sht mist, as delicate as thistledown! They cluster round er eyes; they place the end of their rose-garland in my hand, and whisper, "FOLLOW!" Gladly I obey, and hasten onward Guiding h a labyrinth of trees, whose luxuriant branches quiver with the flight and song of birds

Then co of a torrent unchecked, that leaps sheer down fro forth the praise of its own beauty as it tosses in the air triu diae, and sparkle! Fain would I linger to watch this nificence; but the coil of roses still unwinds before me, and the fairy voices still cry, "FOLLOW!" I press on The trees grow thicker; the songs of the birds cease; the light around olden crescent that seems suspended by so aze it breaks apart into a thousand points of vivid light like wandering stars These meet; they blaze into letters of fire I strainThey form one word--HELIOBAS I read it I utter it aloud The rose-chain breaks at my feet, and disappears The fairy voices die away on my ear There is utter silence, utter darkness,--save where that one NAME writes itself in burning gold on the blackness of the heavens

The interior of a vast cathedral is opened before aze The lofty white marble columns support a vaulted roof painted in fresco, from which are suspended a thousand lareat altar is illu raian,to itself awhile, breaks forth in a shout of melody; and a boy's clear, sonorous treble tones pierce the incense- laden air "Credo!"--and the silver, tru like a bell ringing in a pure atmosphere--"Credo in unum Deum; Patrem omni-potentum, factorem coeli et terrae, visibilium o voices; and, involuntarily kneeling, I follow the words of the grand chant I hear theand rean shudders like a forest of pines in a tempest, "Crucifixus etiarows up around ether ceases; but a brilliant radiance streah a side-door of the church, and twentytwo by two, approach aze at me with joyous eyes "Art thou also one of us?" they ain the lights are glier interest; I hear the voices in prayer and praise One of them, whose deep blue eyes are full of lustrous tenderness, leaves her companions, and softly approaches me She holds a pencil and tablet in her hand