s, of the gentler disposition; a little
obstinate and headstrong; at times, indeed, beyond all cajolery; yet
very sweet of impulse and ardent to make amends. But Death's caprices
baffled even her. He seemed now so pitiless and unlovely of heart; and
now, as if possessed, passionate and swift; and now would break away
burning from her arms in an infinite tenderness.

But best she loved them when there came a transient peace to both; and
looking upon them laid embraced in the shadow-casting moonbeam, not
even she could undoubtingly touch the brow of each beneath their
likened hair, and say this is the elder, and this the dreamless
younger of the boys.

Seeing, too, my eyes cast upon the undecipherable letters of the tomb
by which we sat, she told me how that once, near before dawn, she had
awoke in the twilight to find their places empty where the children
had lain at her side, and had sought on, at last to find them even
here, weeping and quarrelling, and red with anger. Little by little,
and with many tears, she had gleaned the cause of their quarrel--how
that, like very children, they had run a race at cockcrow, and all
these stones and the slender bones and ashes beneath to be the prize;
and how that, running, both had come together to the goal set, and
both had claimed the victory.

"Yet both seem happy now to share it," I said, "or how else were they
comforted?" Nor did I consider before she told me that they will run
again when they be grown men, Sleep and Death, in just such a thick
darkness before dawn; and one called Love will then run with them, who
is very vehement and fleet of foot, and never turns aside, nor
falters. He who then shall win may ask a different prize. For truth to
tell, she said, only children can find delight for long in dust and
ruin.

At that moment Death himself came hastening to his mother, and, taking
her hand, turned to the enormous picture of the skies as if in some
faint apprehension. But Sleep saw nothing amiss, lay at full length
among the "cool-rooted flowers," while Rosinante grazed beside him.

I told her also, in turn, of my journey; and that although transient,
or everlasting, solace of all restlessness and sorrow and too-wild
happiness may be found in them, yet men think not often on these
divine children.

"As for this one," I said, looking down into the pathless beauty of
Death's grey eyes, "some fear, some mock, some despise him; some
violently, some without complain