The Night Land

And afterwards the People did wander over that Country of Silence, and

made visit and honour to their Ancestors, if such were deserving. A

nd presently, the mighty lifts did raise them all to the Cities of the

Pyramid; and thereafter there was something more of usualness; save that

ever the embrasures were full of those that watched the Youths afar upon

the Great Road. And in this place I to remember how that our spy-glasses

had surely some power of the Earth-Current to make greater the impulse

of the light upon the eye. And they were like no spy-glass that ever you

did see; but oddly shaped and to touch both the forehead and the eyes;

and gave wonderful sight of the Land. But the Great Spy-Glass to be

beyond all this; for it had the Eyes of it upon every side of The Mighty

Pyramid, and did be truly an Huge Machine.

And to me, as I went about my duties, or peered forth through the Great

Spy-Glass at the Youths upon the Road Where The Silent Ones Walk, there

came at times a far faint thrilling of the aether; so that sometimes I

was aware that there was the beating of the Master-Word in the night;

but so strange and weak, that the Instruments had no wotting of it. And

when this came, then would I call back through all the everlasting night

to Naani, who was indeed Mirdath; and I would send the Master-Word with

my brain-elements; and afterwards such comfort as I might.

Yet hard and bitter was the truth of my helplessness and weakness, and

the utter terror and might of the Evil Forces and Monsters of the Night

Land. So that I was like to have brake my heart with pondering. And the silence would come again; and anon the weak thrilling of the

Aether; but no more the far voice speaking in my soul.