The Plague, Pestilence & Apocalypse MEGAPACK™
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give them that, and they regain the strength belonging to their num-
bers . Shouts from a thousand voices now rent the air—the cry of ap-
plause became universal . Raymond saw the danger; he was willing
to save his troops from the crime of disobedience; for he knew, that
contention once begun between the commander and his army, each
act and word added to the weakness of the former, and bestowed
power on the latter . He gave orders for the retreat to be sounded, and
the regiments repaired in good order to the camp .
I hastened to carry the intelligence of these strange proceedings
to Perdita; and we were soon joined by Raymond . He looked gloomy
and perturbed . My sister was struck by my narrative: “How beyond
the imagination of man,” she exclaimed, “are the decrees of heaven,
wondrous and inexplicable!”
“Foolish girl,” cried Raymond angrily, “are you like my valiant
soldiers, panic-struck? What is there inexplicable, pray, tell me, in
so very natural an occurrence? Does not the plague rage each year in
Stamboul? What wonder, that this year, when as we are told, its viru-
lence is unexampled in Asia, that it should have occasioned double
havoc in that city? What wonder then, in time of siege, want, ex-
treme heat, and drought, that it should make unaccustomed ravages?
Less wonder far is it, that the garrison, despairing of being able to
hold out longer, should take advantage of the negligence of our fleet
to escape at once from siege and capture . It is not pestilence —by
the God that lives! it is not either plague or impending danger that
makes us, like birds in harvest-time, terrified by a scarecrow, abstain
from the ready prey—it is base superstition—And thus the aim of
the valiant is made the shuttlecock of fools; the worthy ambition of
the high-souled, the plaything of these tamed hares! But yet Stam-
boul shall be ours! By my past labours, by torture and imprisonment
suffered for them, by my victories, by my sword, I swear—by my
hopes of fame, by my former deserts now awaiting their reward, I
deeply vow, with these hands to plant the cross on yonder mosque!”
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“Dearest Raymond!” interrupted Perdita, in a supplicating ac-
cent .
He had been walking to and fro in the marble hall of the seraglio;
his very lips were pale with rage, while, quivering, they shaped his
angry words— his eyes shot fire—his gestures seemed restrained by
their very vehemence . “Perdita,” he continued, impatiently, “I know
what you would say; I know that you love me, that you are good and
gentle; but this is no woman’s work—nor can a female heart guess
at the hurricane which tears me!”
He seemed half afraid of his own violence, and suddenly quitted
the hall: a look from Perdita shewed me her distress, and I followed
him . He was pacing the garden: his passions were in a state of in-
conceivable turbulence . “Am I for ever,” he cried, “to be the sport of
fortune! Must man, the heaven-climber, be for ever the victim of the
crawling reptiles of his species! Were I as you, Lionel, looking for-
ward to many years of life, to a succession of love-enlightened days,
to refined enjoyments and fresh-springing hopes, I might yield, and
breaking my General’s staff, seek repose in the glades of Windsor .
But I am about to die!—nay, interrupt me not—soon I shall die .
From the many-peopled earth, from the sympathies of man, from
the loved resorts of my youth, from the kindness of my friends, from
the affection of my only beloved Perdita, I am about to be removed .
Such is the will of fate! Such the decree of the High Ruler from
whom there is no appeal: to whom I submit . But to lose all—to lose
with life and love, glory also! It shall not be!
“I, and in a few brief years, all you,—this panic-struck army,
and all the population of fair Greece, will no longer be . But other
generations will arise, and ever and for ever will continue, to be
made happier by our present acts, to be glorified by our valour. The
prayer of my youth was to be one among those who render the pages
of earth’s history splendid; who exalt the race of man, and make this
little globe a dwelling of the mighty . Alas, for Raymond! the prayer
of his youth is wasted—the hopes of his manhood are null!
“From my dungeon in yonder city I cried, soon I will be thy lord!
When Evadne pronounced my death, I thought that the title of Victor
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of Constantinople would be written on my tomb, and I subdued all
mortal fear . I stand before its vanquished walls, and dare not call
myself a conqueror . So shall it not be! Did not Alexander leap from
the walls of the city of the Oxydracae, to shew his coward troops
the way to victory, encountering alone the swords of its defenders?
Even so will I brave the plague—and though no man follow, I will
plant the Grecian standard on the height of St . Sophia .”
Reason came unavailing to such high-wrought feelings . In vain
I shewed him, that when winter came, the cold would dissipate the
pestilential air, and restore courage to the Greeks . “Talk not of other
season than this!” he cried . “I have lived my last winter, and the date
of this year, 2092, will be carved upon my tomb . Already do I see,”
he continued, looking up mournfully, “the bourne and precipitate
edge of my existence, over which I plunge into the gloomy mystery
of the life to come . I am prepared, so that I leave behind a trail of
light so radiant, that my worst enemies cannot cloud it . I owe this to
Greece, to you, to my surviving Perdita, and to myself, the victim
of ambition .”
We were interrupted by an attendant, who announced, that the
staff of Raymond was assembled in the council-chamber . He re-
quested me in the meantime to ride through the camp, and to ob-
serve and report to him the dispositions of the soldiers; he then left
me . I had been excited to the utmost by the proceedings of the day,
and now more than ever by the passionate language of Raymond .
Alas! for human reason! He accused the Greeks of superstition:
what name did he give to the faith he lent to the predictions of
Evadne? I passed from the palace of Sweet Waters to the plain on
which the encampment lay, and found its inhabitants in commotion .
The arrival of several with fresh stories of marvels, from the fleet;
the exaggerations bestowed on what was already known; tales of old
prophecies, of fearful histories of whole regions which had been laid
waste during the present year by pestilence, alarmed and occupied
the troops . Discipline was lost; the army disbanded itself . Each in-
dividual, before a part of a great whole moving only in unison with
others, now became resolved into the unit nature had made him, and
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thought of himself only. They stole off at first by ones and twos,
then in larger companies, until, unimpeded by the officers, whole
battalions
sought the road that led to Macedonia .
About midnight I returned to the palace and sought Raymond; he
was alone, and apparently composed; such composure, at least, was
his as is inspired by a resolve to adhere to a certain line of conduct .
He heard my account of the self-dissolution of the army with calm-
ness, and then said, “You know, Verney, my fixed determination not
to quit this place, until in the light of day Stamboul is confessedly
ours . If the men I have about me shrink from following me, others,
more courageous, are to be found . Go you before break of day, bear
these dispatches to Karazza, add to them your own entreaties that he
send me his marines and naval force; if I can get but one regiment
to second me, the rest would follow of course . Let him send me this
regiment . I shall expect your return by tomorrow noon .”
Methought this was but a poor expedient; but I assured him of my
obedience and zeal . I quitted him to take a few hours rest . With the
breaking of morning I was accoutred for my ride . I lingered awhile,
desirous of taking leave of Perdita, and from my window observed
the approach of the sun . The golden splendour arose, and weary
nature awoke to suffer yet another day of heat and thirsty decay .
No flowers lifted up their dew-laden cups to meet the dawn; the
dry grass had withered on the plains; the burning fields of air were
vacant of birds; the cicale alone, children of the sun, began their
shrill and deafening song among the cypresses and olives . I saw
Raymond’s coal-black charger brought to the palace gate; a small
company of officers arrived soon after; care and fear was painted on
each cheek, and in each eye, unrefreshed by sleep . I found Raymond
and Perdita together . He was watching the rising sun, while with
one arm he encircled his beloved’s waist; she looked on him, the
sun of her life, with earnest gaze of mingled anxiety and tenderness .
Raymond started angrily when he saw me . “Here still?” he cried . “Is
this your promised zeal?”
“Pardon me,” I said, “but even as you speak, I am gone .”
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“Nay, pardon me,” he replied; “I have no right to command or
reproach; but my life hangs on your departure and speedy return .
Farewell!”
His voice had recovered its bland tone, but a dark cloud still
hung on his features . I would have delayed; I wished to recom-
mend watchfulness to Perdita, but his presence restrained me . I had
no pretence for my hesitation; and on his repeating his farewell, I
clasped his outstretched hand; it was cold and clammy . “Take care
of yourself, my dear Lord,” I said .
“Nay,” said Perdita, “that task shall be mine . Return speedily, Li-
onel .” With an air of absence he was playing with her auburn locks,
while she leaned on him; twice I turned back, only to look again on
this matchless pair . At last, with slow and heavy steps, I had paced
out of the hall, and sprung upon my horse . At that moment Clara
flew towards me; clasping my knee she cried, “Make haste back,
uncle! Dear uncle, I have such fearful dreams; I dare not tell my
mother . Do not be long away!” I assured her of my impatience to
return, and then, with a small escort rode along the plain towards the
tower of Marmora .
I fulfilled my commission; I saw Karazza. He was somewhat
surprised; he would see, he said, what could be done; but it required
time; and Raymond had ordered me to return by noon . It was impos-
sible to effect any thing in so short a time . I must stay till the next
day; or come back, after having reported the present state of things
to the general . My choice was easily made . A restlessness, a fear of
what was about to betide, a doubt as to Raymond’s purposes, urged
me to return without delay to his quarters . Quitting the Seven Tow-
ers, I rode eastward towards the Sweet Waters . I took a circuitous
path, principally for the sake of going to the top of the mount before
mentioned, which commanded a view of the city . I had my glass
with me . The city basked under the noon-day sun, and the venerable
walls formed its picturesque boundary . Immediately before me was
the Top Kapou, the gate near which Mahomet had made the breach
by which he entered the city . Trees gigantic and aged grew near;
before the gate I discerned a crowd of moving human figures—with
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intense curiosity I lifted my glass to my eye . I saw Lord Raymond
on his charger; a small company of officers had gathered about him;
and behind was a promiscuous concourse of soldiers and subalterns,
their discipline lost, their arms thrown aside; no music sounded, no
banners streamed. The only flag among them was one which Ray-
mond carried; he pointed with it to the gate of the city . The circle
round him fell back . With angry gestures he leapt from his horse,
and seizing a hatchet that hung from his saddle-bow, went with
the apparent intention of battering down the opposing gate . A few
men came to aid him; their numbers increased; under their united
blows the obstacle was vanquished, gate, portcullis, and fence were
demolished; and the wide sun-lit way, leading to the heart of the
city, now lay open before them . The men shrank back; they seemed
afraid of what they had already done, and stood as if they expected
some Mighty Phantom to stalk in offended majesty from the open-
ing . Raymond sprung lightly on his horse, grasped the standard, and
with words which I could not hear (but his gestures, being their fit
accompaniment, were marked by passionate energy,) he seemed to
adjure their assistance and companionship; even as he spoke, the
crowd receded from him . Indignation now transported him; his
words I guessed were fraught with disdain—then turning from his
coward followers, he addressed himself to enter the city alone . His
very horse seemed to back from the fatal entrance; his dog, his faith-
ful dog, lay moaning and supplicating in his path—in a moment
more, he had plunged the rowels into the sides of the stung animal,
who bounded forward, and he, the gateway passed, was galloping
up the broad and desart street .
Until this moment my soul had been in my eyes only . I had gazed
with wonder, mixed with fear and enthusiasm . The latter feeling now
predominated . I forgot the distance between us: “I will go with thee,
Raymond!” I cried; but, my eye removed from the glass, I could
scarce discern the pigmy forms of the crowd, which about a mile
from me surrounded the gate; the form of Raymond was lost . Stung
with impatience, I urged my horse with force of spur and loosened
reins down the acclivity, that, before danger could arrive, I might
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be at the side of my noble, godlike friend . A number of buildings
and trees intervened, when I had reached the plain, hiding the city
from my view . But at that moment a crash was heard . Thunderlike it
reverberate
d through the sky, while the air was darkened . A moment
more and the old walls again met my sight, while over them hovered
a murky cloud; fragments of buildings whirled above, half seen in
smoke, while flames burst out beneath, and continued explosions
filled the air with terrific thunders. Flying from the mass of falling
ruin which leapt over the high walls, and shook the ivy towers, a
crowd of soldiers made for the road by which I came; I was sur-
rounded, hemmed in by them, unable to get forward . My impatience
rose to its utmost; I stretched out my hands to the men; I conjured
them to turn back and save their General, the conqueror of Stamboul,
the liberator of Greece; tears, aye tears, in warm flow gushed from
my eyes—I would not believe in his destruction; yet every mass that
darkened the air seemed to bear with it a portion of the martyred
Raymond . Horrible sights were shaped to me in the turbid cloud
that hovered over the city; and my only relief was derived from
the struggles I made to approach the gate . Yet when I effected my
purpose, all I could discern within the precincts of the massive walls
was a city of fire: the open way through which Raymond had ridden
was enveloped in smoke and flame. After an interval the explosions
ceased, but the flames still shot up from various quarters; the dome
of St . Sophia had disappeared . Strange to say (the result perhaps
of the concussion of air occasioned by the blowing up of the city)
huge, white thunder clouds lifted themselves up from the southern
horizon, and gathered over-head; they were the first blots on the
blue expanse that I had seen for months, and amidst this havoc and
despair they inspired pleasure . The vault above became obscured,
lightning flashed from the heavy masses, followed instantaneously
by crashing thunder; then the big rain fell. The flames of the city
bent beneath it; and the smoke and dust arising from the ruins was
dissipated .
I no sooner perceived an abatement of the flames than, hurried
on by an irresistible impulse, I endeavoured to penetrate the town .
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I could only do this on foot, as the mass of ruin was impracticable
for a horse . I had never entered the city before, and its ways were
unknown to me . The streets were blocked up, the ruins smoking; I
climbed up one heap, only to view others in succession; and nothing