Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Shewasdressedinagownofscarletsilk,withflowingsleeves,suchasJapanesewear,embroideredwithflowersandfiguresofbirdsworkedingoldthreads.Oneithersideofherface,makingthree-corneredherround,whiteforehead,hungthesoftmassesofherhairofgold.Herhandshunglimplyathersides.Butfrombetweenherpartedlips—lipsofalmostanEgyptianfulness—herbreathcameslowandregular,andhereyes,heavylidded,slantingupwardstowardthetemples,perplexing,oriental,wereclosed.Shewasasleep.

           Fromoutthislifeofflowers,thisworldofcolour,thisatmosphereoppressivewithperfume,thisdarknesscloggedandcloyed,andthickenedwithsweetodours,shecametohim.Shecametohimfromoutoftheflowers,thesmelloftherosesinherhairofgold,thearomaandtheimperialredofthecarnationsinherlips,thewhitenessofthelilies,theperfumeofthelilies,andthelilies’slender,balancinggraceinherneck.Herhandsdisengagedthescentoftheheliotrope.Thefoldsofherscarletgowngaveofftheenervatingsmellofpoppies.Herfeetwereredolentofhyacinth.Shestoodbeforehim,aVisionrealised—adreamcometrue.Sheemergedfromouttheinvisible.Hebeheldher,afigureofgoldandpalevermilion,redolentofperfume,poisedmotionlessinthefaintsaffronsheenofthenew-risenmoon.She,acreationofsleep,washerselfasleep.She,adream,washerselfdreaming.

           Calledforthfromoutthedarkness,fromthegripoftheearth,theembraceofthegrave,fromoutthememoryofcorruption,sheroseintolightandlife,divinelypure.