d of their enchanted noons. From hence,
are formed your mortal souls; and all those sad and shadowy dreams,
and boundless thoughts man hath, are vague remembrances of the time
when the soul's sad germ, wide wandered through these realms. And
hence it is, that when ye Mardians feel most sad, then ye feel most
immortal.

"Like a spark new-struck from flint, soon Mardi showed afar. It glowed
within a sphere, which seemed, in space, a bubble, rising from vast
depths to the sea's surface. Piercing it, my Mardian strength
returned; but the angel's veins once more grew dim.

"Nearing the isles, thus breathed my guide:--'Loved one, love on! But
know, that heaven hath no roof. To know all is to be all. Beatitude
there is none. And your only Mardian happiness is but exemption from
great woes--no more. Great Love is sad; and heaven is Love. Sadness
makes the silence throughout the realms of space; sadness is universal
and eternal; but sadness is tranquillity; tranquillity the uttermost
that souls may hope for.'

"Then, with its wings it fanned adieu; and disappeared where the sun
flames highest."

We heard the dream and, silent, sought repose, to dream away our
wonder.

CHAPTER LXXXV
They Depart From Serenia

At sunrise, we stood upon the beach.

Babbalanja thus:--"My voyage is ended. Not because what we sought is
found; but that I now possess all which may be had of what I sought in
Mardi. Here, tarry to grow wiser still:--then I am Alma's and the
world's. Taji! for Yillah thou wilt hunt in vain; she is a phantom
that but mocks thee; and while for her thou madly huntest, the sin
thou didst cries out, and its avengers still will follow. But here
they may not come: nor those, who, tempting, track thy path. Wise
counsel take. Within our hearts is all we seek: though in that search
many need a prompter. Him I have found in blessed Alma. Then rove no
more. Gain now, in flush of youth, that last wise thought, too often
purchased, by a life of woe. Be wise: be wise.

"Media! thy station calls thee home. Yet from this isle, thou earnest
that, wherewith to bless thy own. These flowers, that round us spring,
may be transplanted: and Odo made to bloom with amaranths and myrtles,
like this Serenia. Before thy people act the things, thou here hast
heard. Let no man weep, that thou may'st laugh; no man toil too hard,
that thou may'st idle be. Abdicate thy throne: but still retain the
scepter. None need a king; but many need a