Page:The land of many names (1926).pdf/105

 :

Don’t be alarmed. The fight for the Land of Hopes is over. Ha, ha! now we’ve got things in order—upon my soul, we have. There’s no more war there, no more death. Who would hesitate now? Oh, golden dream of. the new world! Ah, Pieris, your words of enthusiasm are needed here.



I wanted to go, but now I shall stay here. I am old, and I have no more desire to roam.



Where is your great faith, Pieris? Is that how you look forward? Why, you used to be so enthusiastic with new hopes. Come, come! why, you’re quite feeble and old!



No, I am even firmer in my faith. But you said that this soil here, too—not once, no, a hundred times—had to be redeemed for life’s sake, and that we are standing here on the eternal grief of millions who died and hoped here. Isn’t that what you said?



Something like that.



Yes, and so it is in truth. Well, then, listen: here is the Land of Hopes.



This is not quite clear to me; my thoughts are slow.



This is what I say: Not there, but here is the Land of Hopes. Look at this land, people. It