Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850 edition. Excerpt:...in your step--a joyous inquietude in your eyes. You are confused and oppressed by the majestic novelty of the Life Eternal. Yes, it was of Death I spoke. And here how singularly sounds that word which of old was wont to bring terror to all hearts--throwing a mildew upon all pleasures! Una. Ah, Death, the spectre which sate at all feasts! How often, Monos, did we lose ourselves in speculations upon its nature! How mysteriously did it act as a check to human bliss--saying unto it "thus far, and no farther!" That earnest mutual love, my own Monos, which burned within our bosoms--how vainly did we flatter ourselves, feeling happy in its first up_ springing, that our happiness would strengthen with its strength! Alas! as it grew, so grew in our hearts the dread of that evil hour which was hurrying to separate us forever! Thus, in time, it became painful to love. Hate would have been mercy then. Monos. Speak not here of these griefs, dear Una--mine, mine forever now! Una. But the memory of past sorrow--is it not present joy? _ I have much to say yet of the things which have been. Above all, I burn to know the incidents of your own passage through the dark Valley and Shadow. M'onos. And when did the radiant Una ask anything of her Monos in vain'! I will be minute in relating all--but at what point shall the weird narrative begin? Una. At what point? Monos. You have said. Una. Monos, I comprehend you. In Death we have both learned the propensity of man to define the indefinable. I will not say, then, commence with the moment of life's cessation--but commence with that sad, sad instant when, the fever having abandoned you, you sank into a breathless and motionless torpor, and I pressed down your pallid eyelids with the...