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！
adjoining aviary； the remembrance of Taee's sister； her gentle looks and
caressing words； vividly returned to me； and so impossible is it for one
born and reared in our upper world's state of society to divest himself of
ideas dictated by vanity and ambition； that I found myself instinctively
building proud castles in the air。
〃Tish though I be；〃 thus ran my meditations… 〃Tish though I be； it is
then clear that Zee is not the only Gy whom my appearance can captivate。
Evidently I am loved by A PRINCESS； the first maiden of this land； the
daughter of the absolute Monarch whose autocracy they so idly seek to
disguise by the republican title of chief magistrate。 But for the sudden
swoop of that horrible Zee； this Royal Lady would have formally proposed
124
… Page 125…
The Coming Race
to me； and though it may be very well for Aph…Lin； who is only a
subordinate minister； a mere Commissioner of Light； to threaten me with
destruction if I accept his daughter's hand； yet a Sovereign； whose word is
law； could compel the community to abrogate any custom that forbids
intermarriage with one of a strange race； and which in itself is a
contradiction to their boasted equality of ranks。
〃It is not to be supposed that his daughter； who spoke with such
incredulous scorn of the interference of parents； would 135not have
sufficient influence with her Royal Father to save me from the combustion
to which Aph…Lin would condemn my form。 And if I were exalted by
such an alliance； who knows but what the Monarch might elect me as his
successor？ Why not？ Few among this indolent race of philosophers like
the burden of such greatness。 All might be pleased to see the supreme
power lodged in the hands of an accomplished stranger who has
experience of other and livelier forms of existence； and once chosen； what
reforms I would institute！ What additions to the really pleasant but too
monotonous life of this realm my familiarity with the civilised nations
above ground would effect！ I am fond of the sports of the field。 Next to
war； is not the chase a king's pastime？ In what varieties of strange game
does this nether world abound？ How interesting to strike down creatures
that were known above ground before the Deluge！ But how？ By that
terrible vril； in which； from want of hereditary transmission； I could never
be a proficient？ No； but by a civilised handy breech…loader； which these
ingenious mechanicians could not only make； but no doubt improve； nay；
surely I saw one in the Museum。 Indeed； as absolute king； I should
discountenance vril altogether； except in cases of war。 Apropos of war； it
is perfectly absurd to stint a people so intelligent； so rich； so well armed；
to a petty limit of territory sufficing for 10；000 or 12；000 families。 Is not
this restriction a mere philosophical crotchet； at variance with the aspiring
element in human nature； such as has been partially； and with complete
failure； tried in the upper world by the late Mr。 Robert Owen？ Of course
one would not go to war with the neighbouring nations as well armed as
one's own subjects； but then； what of those regions inhabited by races
unacquainted with vril； and apparently resembling； in their democratic
125
… Page 126…
The Coming Race
institutions； my American countrymen？ One might invade them without
offence to the vril nations； our allies； appropriate their territories；
extending； perhaps； to the most distant 136regions of the nether earth； and
thus rule over an empire in which the sun never sets。 （I forgot； in my
enthusiasm； that over those regions there was no sun to set）。 As for the
fantastical notion against conceding fame or renown to an eminent
individual； because； forsooth； bestowal of honours insures contest in the
pursuit of them； stimulates angry passions； and mars the felicity of peace…
it is opposed to the very elements； not only of the human； but of the brute
creation； which are all； if tamable； participators in the sentiment of praise
and emulation。 What renown would be given to a king who thus
extended his empire！ I should be deemed a demigod。〃 Thinking of that； the
other fanatical notion of regulating this life by reference to one which； no
doubt； we Christians firmly believe in； but never take into consideration； I
resolved that enlightened philosophy compelled me to abolish a heathen
religion so superstitiously at variance with modern thought and practical
action。 Musing over these various projects； I felt how much I should
have liked at that moment to brighten my wits by a good glass of whiskey…
and…water。 Not that I am habitually a spirit…drinker； but certainly there are
times when a little stimulant of alcoholic nature； taken with a cigar；
enlivens the imagination。 Yes； certainly among these herbs and fruits
there would be a liquid from which one could extract a pleasant vinous
alcohol； and with a steak cut off one of those elks （ah！ what offence to
science to reject the animal food which our first medical men agree in
recommending to the gastric juices of mankind！） one would certainly pass
a more exhilirating hour of repast。 Then； too； instead of those antiquated
dramas performed by childish amateurs； certainly； when I am king； I will
introduce our modern opera and a 'corps de ballet；' for which one might
find； among the nations I shall conquer； young females of less formidable
height and thews than the Gy…ei… not armed with vril； and not insisting
upon one's marrying them。
I was so completely rapt in these and similar reforms； 137political；
social； and moral； calculated to bestow on the people of the nether world
the blessings of a civilisation known to the races of the upper； that I did
126
… Page 127…
The Coming Race
not perceive that Zee had entered the chamber till I heard a deep sigh； and；
raising my eyes； beheld her standing by my couch。
I need not say that； according to the manners of this people； a Gy can；
without indecorum； visit an An in his chamber； although an An would be
considered forward and immodest to the last degree if he entered the
chamber of a Gy without previously obtaining her permission to do so。
Fortunately I was in the full habiliments I had worn when Zee had
deposited me on the couch。 Nevertheless I felt much irritated； as well as
shocked； by her visit； and asked in a rude tone what she wanted。
〃Speak gently； beloved one； I entreat you；〃 said she； 〃for I am very
unhappy。 I have not slept since we parted。〃
〃A due sense of your shameful conduct to me as your father's guest
might well suffice to banish sleep from your eyelids。 Where was the
affection you pretend to have for me； where was even that politeness on
which the Vril…ya pride themselves； when； taking advantage alike of that
physical strength in which your sex； in this extraordinary region； excels
our own； and of those detestable and unhallowed powers which the
agencies of vril invest in your eyes and finger…ends； you exposed me to
humiliation before your assembled visitors； before Her Royal Highness… I
mean； the daughter of your own chief magistrate；… carrying me off to bed
like a naughty infant； and plunging me into sleep； without asking my
consent？〃
〃Ungrateful！ Do you reproach me for the evidences of my love？ Can
you think that； even if unstung by the jealousy which attends upon love till
it fades away in blissful trust when we know that the heart we have wooed
is won； I c