Yillah A Phantom
For a time we were happy in Odo: Yillah and I in our islet. Nor did the
pearl on her bosom glow more rosily than the roses in her cheeks;
though at intervals they waned and departed; and deadly pale was her
glance, when she murmured of the whirlpool and mosses. As pale my soul,
bethinking me of Aleema the priest.
But day by day, did her spell weave round me its magic, and all the
hidden things of her being grew more lovely and strange. Did I commune
with a spirit? Often I thought that Paradise had overtaken me on earth,
and that Yillah was verily an angel, and hence the mysteries that
hallowed her.
But how fleeting our joys. Storms follow bright dawnings.—Long memories
of short-lived scenes, sad thoughts of joyous hours—how common are ye
to all mankind. When happy, do we pause and say—“Lo, thy felicity, my
soul?” No: happiness seldom seems happiness, except when looked back
upon from woes. A flowery landscape, you must come out of, to behold.
Sped the hours, the days, the one brief moment of our joys. Fairy bower
in the fair lagoon, scene of sylvan ease and heart’s repose,—Oh,
Yillah, Yillah! All the woods repeat the sound, the wild, wild woods of
my wild soul. Yillah! Yillah! cry the small strange voices in me, and
evermore, and far and deep, they echo on.
Days passed. When one morning I found the arbor vacant. Gone! A dream.
I closed my eyes, and would have dreamed her back. In vain. Starting, I
called upon her name; but none replied. Fleeing from the islet, I
gained the neighboring shore, and searched among the woods; and my
comrades meeting, besought their aid. But idle all. No glimpse of
aught, save trees and flowers. Then Media was sought out; the event
made known; and quickly, bands were summoned to range the isle.
Noon came; but no Yillah. When Media averred she was no longer in Odo.
Whither she was gone, or how, he knew not; nor could any imagine.
At this juncture, there chanced to arrive certain messengers from
abroad; who, presuming that all was well with Taji, came with renewed
invitations to visit various pleasant places round about. Among these,
came Queen Hautia’s heralds, with their Iris flag, once more bringing
flowers. But they came and went unheeded.
Setting out to return, these envoys were accompanied by numerous
followers of Media, dispatched to the neighboring islands, to seek out
the missing Yillah. But three days passed; and, one by one, they all
returned; and stood before me silently.
For a time I raved. Then, falling into outer repose, lived for a space
in moods and reveries, with eyes that knew no closing, one glance
forever fixed.
They strove to rouse me. Girls danced and sang; and tales of fairy
times were told; of monstrous imps, and youths enchanted; of groves and
gardens in the sea. Yet still I moved not, hearing all, yet noting
naught. Media cried, “For shame, oh Taji; thou, a god?” and placed a
spear in my nerveless hand. And Jarl loud called upon me to awake.
Samoa marveled.
Still sped the days. And at length, my memory was restored. The
thoughts of things broke over me like returning billows on a beach long
bared. A rush, a foam of recollections!—Sweet Yillah gone, and I
bereaved.
Another interval, and that mood was past. Misery became a memory. The
keen pang a deep vibration. The remembrance seemed the thing
remembered; though bowed with sadness. There are thoughts that lie and
glitter deep: tearful pearls beneath life’s sea, that surges still, and
rolls sunlit, whatever it may hide. Common woes, like fluids, mix all
round. Not so with that other grief. Some mourners load the air with
lamentations; but the loudest notes are struck from hollows. Their
tears flow fast: but the deep spring only wells.
At last I turned to Media, saying I must hie from Odo, and rove
throughout all Mardi; for Yillah might yet be found.
But hereafter, in words, little more of the maiden, till perchance her
fate be learned.