Page:Essays and phantasies by James Thomson.djvu/326

 314 and obscure, even the forest of the past which is dead; and it was full of moanings and wailings, vague yet more articulate than the moaning of winds or waters; and One moved beside me who was tall and stately and muffled in darkness. And when we had walked long, silent, under the thick leafage, among the massy boles, the wailings grew keener and more piteous; and we came upon an open space where was gathered a vast multitude of infants and young children, whose desolate cries and pining faces made my heart sore. And he my companion and leader murmured softly: Scarcely had they blossomed into the world of life than they withered away out of it; and for too early death they have no rest: they wail their frustrate lives. We left the poor little ones and walked on silent; and as their wailing sank, a sound of saddest moaning grew upon our ears; and in a broad glade we discerned a multitude of youths and maidens, wan or fever-flushed; all restless, though drooping with weakness and languor; and their tears were as tears of the very heart's blood, and all hope of comfort expired in their sighs. And when we had gazed long, my companion murmured: Young Love tendered them the apple of his Mother, golden and rose-red from her divine warm hand, but it turned to dust and ashes on their hps; for the bitterness of death they can never find peace: they moan their frustrate lives. We went onward through the gloom from moaning unto moaning; and beheld a multitude of men and women, halt, maimed, twisted, bent, blind, dumb, convulsed, leprous; hoarsely groaning or gesturing anguish; dreadful to hear and to see. And my guide murmured: The wine of existence was brought to them in goblets broken or leaking; for the full sweet draught they had but a scanty sip: they lament their frustrate lives. And as we walked on we heard wild shrieks and gibbering laughter; and we came to a rugged ravine,