按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
sudden clear call from an actual articulate voice。
The line of the horizon was clear and hard against the sky； and in one
particular quarter it showed black against a silvery climbing
phosphorescence that grew and grew。 At last； over the rim of the waiting
earth the moon lifted with slow majesty till it swung clear of the horizon
and rode off； free of moorings； and once more they began to see surfaces
meadows wide…spread； and quiet gardens； and the river itself from bank to
bank； all softly disclosed； all washed clean of mystery and terror； all
radiant again as by day； but with a difference that was tremendous。 Their
old haunts greeted them again in other raiment； as if they had slipped away
and put on this pure new apparel and come quietly back； smiling as they
shyly waited to see if they would be recognised again under it。
Fastening their boat to a willow； the friends landed in this silent； silver
kingdom； and patiently explored the hedges； the hollow trees； the runnels
and their little culverts； the ditches and dry water…ways。 Embarking again
75
… Page 76…
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
and crossing over； they worked their way up the stream in this manner；
while the moon； serene and detached in a cloudless sky； did what she
could； though so far off； to help them in their quest； till her hour came and
she sank earthwards reluctantly； and left them； and mystery once more
held field and river。
Then a change began slowly to declare itself。 The horizon became
clearer； field and tree came more into sight； and somehow with a different
look； the mystery began to drop away from them。 A bird piped suddenly；
and was still； and a light breeze sprang up and set the reeds and bulrushes
rustling。 Rat； who was in the stern of the boat； while Mole sculled； sat up
suddenly and listened with a passionate intentness。 Mole； who with gentle
strokes was just keeping the boat moving while he scanned the banks with
care； looked at him with curiosity。
‘It's gone！' sighed the Rat； sinking back in his seat again。 ‘So beautiful
and strange and new。 Since it was to end so soon； I almost wish I had
never heard it。 For it has roused a longing in me that is pain； and nothing
seems worth while but just to hear that sound once more and go on
listening to it for ever。 No！ There it is again！' he cried； alert once more。
Entranced； he was silent for a long space； spellbound。
‘Now it passes on and I begin to lose it；' he said presently。 ‘O Mole！
the beauty of it！ The merry bubble and joy； the thin； clear； happy call of
the distant piping！ Such music I never dreamed of； and the call in it is
stronger even than the music is sweet！ Row on； Mole； row！ For the music
and the call must be for us。'
The Mole； greatly wondering； obeyed。 ‘I hear nothing myself；' he said；
‘but the wind playing in the reeds and rushes and osiers。'
The Rat never answered； if indeed he heard。 Rapt； transported；
trembling； he was possessed in all his senses by this new divine thing that
caught up his helpless soul and swung and dandled it； a powerless but
happy infant in a strong sustaining grasp。
In silence Mole rowed steadily； and soon they came to a point where
the river divided； a long backwater branching off to one side。 With a slight
movement of his head Rat； who had long dropped the rudder…lines；
directed the rower to take the backwater。 The creeping tide of light gained
76
… Page 77…
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
and gained； and now they could see the colour of the flowers that gemmed
the water's edge。
‘Clearer and nearer still；' cried the Rat joyously。 ‘Now you must surely
hear it！ Ahat lastI see you do！'
Breathless and transfixed the Mole stopped rowing as the liquid run of
that glad piping broke on him like a wave； caught him up； and possessed
him utterly。 He saw the tears on his comrade's cheeks； and bowed his head
and understood。 For a space they hung there； brushed by the purple loose…
strife that fringed the bank； then the clear imperious summons that
marched hand…in…hand with the intoxicating melody imposed its will on
Mole； and mechanically he bent to his oars again。 And the light grew
steadily stronger； but no birds sang as they were wont to do at the
approach of dawn； and but for the heavenly music all was marvellously
still。
On either side of them； as they glided onwards； the rich meadow…grass
seemed that morning of a freshness and a greenness unsurpassable。 Never
had they noticed the roses so vivid； the willow…herb so riotous； the
meadow…sweet so odorous and pervading。 Then the murmur of the
approaching weir began to hold the air； and they felt a consciousness that
they were nearing the end； whatever it might be； that surely awaited their
expedition。
A wide half…circle of foam and glinting lights and shining shoulders of
green water； the great weir closed the backwater from bank to bank；
troubled all the quiet surface with twirling eddies and floating foam…
streaks； and deadened all other sounds with its solemn and soothing
rumble。 In midmost of the stream； embraced in the weir's shimmering
arm…spread； a small island lay anchored； fringed close with willow and
silver birch and alder。 Reserved； shy； but full of significance； it hid
whatever it might hold behind a veil； keeping it till the hour should come；
and； with the hour； those who were called and chosen。
Slowly； but with no doubt or hesitation whatever； and in something of
a solemn expectancy； the two animals passed through the broken
tumultuous water and moored their boat at the flowery margin of the
island。 In silence they landed； and pushed through the blossom and
77
… Page 78…
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
scented herbage and undergrowth that led up to the level ground； till they
stood on a little lawn of a marvellous green； set round with Nature's own
orchard…trees crab…apple； wild cherry； and sloe。
‘This is the place of my song…dream； the place the music played to me；'
whispered the Rat； as if in a trance。 ‘Here； in this holy place； here if
anywhere； surely we shall find Him！'
Then suddenly the Mole felt a great Awe fall upon him； an awe that
turned his muscles to water； bowed his head； and rooted his feet to the
ground。 It was no panic terrorindeed he felt wonderfully at peace and
happybut it was an awe that smote and held him and； without seeing； he
knew it could only mean that some august Presence was very； very near。
With difficulty he turned to look for his friend。 and saw him at his side
cowed； stricken； and trembling violently。 And still there was utter silence
in the populous bird…haunted branches around them； and still the light
grew and grew。
Perhaps he would never have dared to raise his eyes； but that； though
the piping was now hushed； the call and the summons seemed still
dominant and imperious。 He might not refuse； were Death himself waiting
to strike him instantly； once he had looked with mortal eye on things
rightly kept hidden。 Trembling he obeyed； and raised his humble head； and
then； in that utter clearness of the imminent dawn； while Nature； flushed
with fulness of incredible colour； seemed to hold her breath for the event；
he looked in the very eyes of the Friend and Helper； saw the backward
sweep of the curved horns； gleaming in the growing daylight； saw the
stern； hooked nose between the kindly eyes that were looking down on
them humourously； while the bearded mouth broke into a half…smile at the
corners； saw the rippling muscles on the arm that lay across the broad
chest； the long supple hand still holding the pan…pipes only just fallen
a