Norwich bulletin., 1910-10-08

land or all the western lands In
those days before Crecy was
fought when the third Edward
sat upon the throne. There was
none to tell them of the doom
mat the East. whence comes light and
life, death and the DEGREES of God, had
loosed upon the world. Not one in null
titrde in Europe had ever even heard of
those vast countries of far Cathay, peo-
pied with hundreds Of millions of cold
faced, yellow men, lands which had grown
very old before our own familiar states
and empires were carved out of mountain,
OF forest and OF sAvage-haunted plain.
Yet If their eyes had been opened so that
they could see well might they have
trembled. King. prince. priest merchant.
captain, citizen and poor laboring hind
well might they all have trembled when
the East sent forth her gifts!
Look across the world beyond that cur
eain Of thick darkness. Behold! A vast
city Of fantastic houses half buried in the
winter SHOWS, Redeemed by the lurid sun
set breaking through saw-toothed
canopy Of cloud. Everywhere upon the
temple squares and open spaces great fires
burning a strange fuel-the bodies OF
thousands Of mankind. Pestilence was
king of that city. a pestilence hitherto
unknown. Innumerabie hordes had died
and were dying. yet innumerable hordes
remained. All the patient East bore forth
those still shapes that had been theirs to
love or hate, and their task done, turned
to the banks Of the mighty river and
watched
Down the broad street which ran be-
tween the fantastic houses advanced
procession toward the brown, ice fiecked
river. First marched a company of priests
clad In plsiD black robes and carrying on
poles lanterns of black paper, lighted.
although the sun still shone.s Behind
marched another company of priests clad
In white robes and bearing white lanterns,
also lighted. But at these none looked.
nor did they listen to the dirges that they
sang, for all eyes were fixed upon him
who alled the centre space and upon his
two companions
The first companion was a lovely woman,
1ewel hung. wearing false flowers in her
streaming hair and beneath her barred
breasts q kirtle Of white silk. Life and
love embodied in radiance and beauty, she
danced in front, looking about her with
allurfng eyes and scattering petals of dead
roses from a basket which she bore. Diff
ferent was the second companion, who
stalked behind. so thin, so sexless that
he si1a no OF a
man or woman. Dry, streaming locks of
iron gray, an ashen countenance, deep set,
hollow eyes, a. beetling, parchment COW
cred brow: lean shanks half hidden with
rotting rag, clawlike hands which clutched
miserably at the air. This was its awful
fashion that OF new death in all his terror
Between them, touched Of neither,
went man, naked save for red girdle
and a long red cloak that was fastened
round mis- throat and that hung down from
his broad shoulders. There was moth
ing strange about this man unless, per
haps, the strength that seemed to flow
from him and the glance of his
Icy eyes. He was just a burly yellow
man whose age none could tell for the
hood of the red cloak hid his hair-one
who seemed to be far removed from
youth and yet untouched by time. he
walked on steadily as though of set
purpose, his face immovabIe, taking no
heed. Only now and again NE, turned
those long eyes of his upon one of the
multitude who watched him pass
crouched upon their knees in solemn
u4fz Ill a.
were man, woman or child, with a
glance meant for that one and no other.
And always the one upon whom it fell
rose from the knee, made obeisance
and, turning, departed as though filed
with some inspired purpose.
Down to the quay went the black priests,
the white priests. the red cloaked man,
preceded by rosy life and followed by
ashen death. Through the funeral fires
they wended and the lurid sunset shone
upon them all. To the pillars of this quay
was fastened strange, high popped ship
with crimson sails set upon her rnasts. THE
white priests and the black priests form ed
lines upon either side of the broad gang
way of that ship and bowed as the red
cloaked man walked over it between them
quite alone. for now she with the dead
roses and she with the ashen countenance
had fallen back. As the sun sank he turned
and. standing on the lofty stern. cried
aloud
Here the work Is done. Now 1, the Eat
ing Fire. l, the Messenger, turn me to the
west. Among you for q while L cease to
burn. yet forget me not, for return
GAIN
AS he spoke the ropes of the shin
were loosensd. the wind caught her
crimson sails and she departed into tho
night. one blood red spot against ito
blaokness
The multitude watched until tbav
could see her NO longer and then aamss
up with mingled JOY and rage. They
laughed madly. They cursed him who
had departed
We iTye We i've! We liysm rbs,,
cried 'Mursh Is gone! Mursh ,s
gone Kill his priests! Make sacrifice
81 his shad0ws! MurEh is gone baar;n1