Запретный лес
X. What the Moon Saw
Onthefarsidethetreesgrewthick,andheselectedagnarledScotsfirashisperchforthenight.Itstrunk,branchlessforsixtyfeet,wastoothicktoclimb,buthefoundayoungerandslimmertree,upwhichhecouldsquirmandfromitsupperbranchestraversetotheother.Hehadnottriedthegamesincehewasaboy,andatfirsthislegsandarmsseemedtoofeeble;buttheexercisewarmedhim,andaftertwiceslidingbacktotheground,heatlastreachedtheumbrella-likespreadofthecrest.Togaintheothertreeprovedmoredifficultthanhehadthought,andhewascompelledtolethisbodyswingandmakealongstretchwithhisrightarm.Butthetaskwasaccomplishedintheend,andhefoundhimselfonaplatformofcrookedfirboughs,hiddenfromeverythingbutthestars,andwithaviewthroughthegapsofthebranchestothegladebelowhim.
Hehadnowaclearsightofthesky.Themoonwasthree-quartersup,andthewholeofMelanudrigill,withitsslopesandvalleys,waswashedinsilver.Hewasinitandyetaboveitandoutsideit,likeamanonahillsidelookingintoacleft.Hemadehisbodycomfortableinacrutchofthetree,andlookeddownonthestagebeneathhim.Itwasnowlightingup,andthealtarwaswhitenedbyastraymoonbeam.Forthefirsttimethatnighthefelthisspiritsreturning.TheoppressionoftheWoodwasnotrealizedonthisoutershellofit,forhereonlywingedthingsdwelt,andtheuncleanthingsofthedarkhadnowings.
InthishappiermoodhiseyessoughtthewhereaboutsofCalidon.Itwashiddenbyaridge,theridgetothewestwherelayParadise.
