t pursues us and holds us fast. Only those who are content with their
miserable humanity can enjoy it. They laugh, as you know, at Praxilla,
the poetess, because she makes the dying Adonis lament, when face to
face with death, that he is forced to leave the apples and pears behind
him. But is not that subtly true? Yes, yes; Praxilla is right! We fast,
we mortify ourselves--I have felt it all myself--to partake of divinity.
We almost perish of hunger and thirst, when we might be so happy if
only we would be satisfied with apples and pears! No man has ever yet
succeeded in the great effort; those who would be truly happy must be
content with small things. That is what makes children so happy. Apples
and pears! Well, everything will be at an end for me ere long--even
those. But if the great First Cause spares himself in the universal
crash, there is still the grand idea of Apples and Pears; and who knows
but that it may please Him, when this world is destroyed, to frame
another to come after it. Will He then once more embody the ideas of
Man--and Apples and Pears? It would be plagiarism from himself. Nay, if
He is merciful, He will never again give substance to that hybrid idea
called Man; or, if He does, He will let the poor wretch be happy with
apples and pears--I mean trivial joys; for all higher joys, be they what
they may, are vanity and vexation.... Give me another draught. Ah, that
is good! And to-morrow is the end. I could find it in my heart to regret
the good gifts of Dionysus myself; it is better than apples and pears;
next to that comes the joy that Eros bestows on mortals, and there must
be an end to all that, too. That, however, is above the level of apples
and pears. It is great, very great happiness, and mingled therefor with
bitter sorrow. Rapture and anguish--who can lay down the border line
that divides them? Smiles and tears alike belong to both. And you are
weeping? Aye, aye--poor child! Come here and kiss me." Damia drew the
head of the kneeling girl close to her bosom and pressed her lips to
Gorge's brow. Presently, however, she relaxed her embrace and, looking
about the room, she exclaimed:

"How you have mixed and upset the book-rolls! If only I could show you
how clearly everything agrees and coincides. We know now exactly how it
will all happen. By the day after to-morrow there will be no more earth,
no more sky; and I will tell you this, child: If, when Serapis falls,
the universe does not crumbl