The Night Land

Now I went forward for a space, and took heed not to look backwards; but

to be strong of heart and spirit; for that which did lie before me had

need of all my manhood and courage of soul, that I come to the succour

of that Maid afar in the darkness of the World, or meet my death proper,

as it might need to be.

And thus did I go forward steadfastly, and conscious in all my being of

the emotions of that parting from my mighty Home, and of the tenderness

and wiseness that did underlie so much curbed rule and guidance.

And my heart was warm towards the Master Monstruwacan for that great

honour, that he should come downward in armour to make one with the Full

Watch, that he might uphold me to a lofty spirit at the moment of my

going. And all that time as I went forward, was the aether of the night about

me, in tumult with the thoughts and blind wishings of the great millions

I had but now left to my back

And, presently, as I steadied somewhat upon my emotions, I was conscious

of the exceeding coldness of the night air, and of the different taste

of it upon my lungs and in the mouth; and it had, as it were, a wondrous

keen sharping upon my palate, and did fill the lips more in the

breathing; so that it may be supposed it had more body within it than

that air which did fill the plateau of the Thousandth City where was my

home; for the air of every City was of difference, and the greater

between one that was afar up and another nigh to the earth, as may be

thought; so that many Peoples did migrate unto that level which gave

them best healthfulness; but under rule, and with a guidance of

quantities. And not all that were lacking of health; for, some are ever

contrary. And here let me set down that, within the deeps of the Fields, there was

air utter varied and wonderful, that might charm one here and likewise

sorrow another that were happier elsewhere; so that all might have

suiting, did they but wander, and have Reason to companion them.

And thus did I go forward, full of new thoughts and olden memories, and

fresh-breaking wonders; neither forgetting something of doubts and fears

more than a little. And again was it most cunning strange to be out

there in the Night Land--though not yet afar--where often had my fancies

and imaginings led me; yet until that time never had I touched foot, in

all that life, upon the outward earth. And this must be a wondrous

quaint seeming thought to those of this present day.