Місіс Деллоуей

           Longstreamersofsunlightfawnedathisfeet.Thetreeswaved,brandished.Wewelcome,theworldseemedtosay;weaccept;wecreate.Beauty,theworldseemedtosay.Andasiftoproveit(scientifically)whereverhelookedatthehouses,attherailings,attheantelopesstretchingoverthepalings,beautyspranginstantly.Towatchaleafquiveringintherushofairwasanexquisitejoy.Upintheskyswallowsswooping,swerving,flingingthemselvesinandout,roundandround,yetalwayswithperfectcontrolasifelasticsheldthem;andthefliesrisingandfalling;andthesunspottingnowthisleaf,nowthat,inmockery,dazzlingitwithsoftgoldinpuregoodtemper;andnowandagainsomechime(itmightbeamotorhorn)tinklingdivinelyonthegrassstalks—allofthis,calmandreasonableasitwas,madeoutofordinarythingsasitwas,wasthetruthnow;beauty,thatwasthetruthnow.Beautywaseverywhere.

           “Itistime,”saidRezia.

           Theword“time”splititshusk;poureditsrichesoverhim;andfromhislipsfelllikeshells,likeshavingsfromaplane,withouthismakingthem,hard,white,imperishablewords,andflewtoattachthemselvestotheirplacesinanodetoTime;animmortalodetoTime.Hesang.Evansansweredfrombehindthetree.ThedeadwereinThessaly,Evanssang,amongtheorchids.TheretheywaitedtilltheWarwasover,andnowthedead,nowEvanshimself—

           “ForGod’ssakedon’tcome!”Septimuscriedout.Forhecouldnotlookuponthedead.