Page:Lazarus, a tale of the world's great miracle.djvu/249

Rh "And now we no longer flew, but hovered, as if 'twixt heaven and earth; then fell, and fell, and fell; and, while we fell, methought I heard the noise of rocks that crashed and crumbled, and the great light of Hades became ever dimmer, and there came a gloaming as of eventide, and then dusk. Then we came to a dreary field, with no corn, or flowers, or green leaves therein; only a desolate, grey waste. And figures sat about in groups with bent heads supported on their hands, and waiting, yet without hope; and I asked the Spirit: 'Who are these?' And the Spirit answered: 'These are they who in their lives have done neither right nor wrong; who have risen, and slept, and eaten, and drunk, and harmed no man. These are they who, having talents, buried them, and have come to the Lord with empty hands; and, as they lived on earth, so will they live through all eternity, doing nothing, learning nothing, reaping nothing, for there is naught in this field to reap.'

" 'Are they not gladdened even at the sight of us?' I asked. 'They can never any more be glad or sorry,' replied the Spirit. 'They laugh not, neither do they weep.'

"Then we looked across the field to where was a long stone building, and here it was darker still; and the Spirit unlocked the door, and all was silent, and so dark, that I could not perceive whether there were people there or not; yet presently could I hear faint sighing; and soon a little light arose from the open door; then I saw figures groping about and clutching each other, as if to make sure that others were also there; and great blocks of rock lay across