Clarel/Part 3/Canto 24

24. Vault and Grotto
But Clarel, bides he still by tower? His was no sprightly frame; nor mate He sought: it was his inner hour. Yes, keeping to himself his state, Nor thinking to break fast till late, He moved along the gulf's built flank Within the inclosures rank o'er rank. Accost was none, for none he saw, Until the Druze he chanced to meet, Smoking, nor did the Emir draw The amber from the mouth, to greet, Not caring so to break the spell Of that Elysian interval; But lay, his pipe at lengthy lean, Reclined along the crag serene, As under Spain's San Pedro dome The long-sword Cid upon his tomb; And with an unobtrusive eye Yet apprehending, and mild mien, Regarded him as he went by Tossed in his trouble. 'Twas a glance Clarel did many a time recall, Though its unmeant significance That was the last thing learned of all.

But passing on by ways that wind, A place he gained secluded there In ledge. A cenobite inclined Busy at scuttle-hole in floor Of rock, like smith who may repair A bolt of Mammon's vault. The door Or stony slab lay pushed aside. Deeming that here the monks might store, In times of menace which they bide, Their altar plate, Clarel drew near, But faltered at the friar's sad tone Ascetical. He looked like one Whose life is but a patience mere, Or worse, a fretting doubt of cheer Beyond; he toiled as in employ Imposed, a bondman far from joy. No answer made he to salute, Yet deaf might be. And now, while mute The student lingered, lo, down slipped Through cleft of crags, the sun did win Aloft in Kedron's citadel, A fiery shaft into that crypt (Like well-pole slant in farm-house well) And lighted it: and he looked in. On stony benches, head by head, In court where no recorders be,

Preserved by nature's chemistry Sat the dim conclave of the dead, Encircled where the shadow rules, By sloping theatres of skulls. He rose retreated by the line Of cliff, but paused at tones which sent: "So pale? the end's nor imminent Nor far. Stand, thou; the countersign!"-- It came from over Kedron's rent. Thitherward then his glance he bent, And saw, by mouth of grot or mine, Rustic with wicket's rude design, A sheeted apparition wait,

Like Lazarus at the charnel gate In Bethany. "The countersign!" "Reply, say something; yea, say Death, " Prompted the monk, erewhile so mute. Clarel obeyed; and, in a breath, "Advance!" the shroud cried, turning foot, And so retired there into gloom Within, and all again was dumb. "And who that man--or ghost?" he yearned Unto the toiler; who returned: "Cyril. 'Tis long since that he craved Over against to dwell encaved. In youth he was a soldier. Go." But Clarel might not end it so: "I pray thee, friend, what grief or zeal Could so unhinge him? that reveal." "Go--ask your world:" and grim toiled on, Fitting his clamp as if alone, Dismissing him austerely thus. And Clarel, sooth, felt timorous. Conseious of seeds within his frame Transmitted from the early gone, Scarce in his heart might he disclaim That challenge from the shrouded one. He walked in vision--saw in fright Where through the limitless of night The spirits innumerable lie, Strewn like snared miners in vain flight From the dull black-damp. Die--to die! To be, then not to be! to end, And yet time never, never suspend His going.--This is cowardice To brood on this!--Ah, Ruth, thine eyes Abash these base mortalities! But slid the change, anew it slid As by the Dead Sea marge forbid: The vision took another guise: From 'neath the closing, lingering lid

Ruth's glance of love is glazing met, Reproaching him: Dost tarry, tarry yet?