HeprocuredfromParisnolessthanninelarge-papercopiesofthefirstedition,andhadthemboundindifferentcolours,sothattheymightsuithisvariousmoodsandthechangingfanciesofanatureoverwhichheseemed,attimes,tohavealmostentirelylostcontrol.
Thehero,thewonderfulyoungParisianinwhomtheromanticandthescientifictemperamentsweresostrangelyblended,becametohimakindofprefiguringtypeofhimself.
Heneverknew—never,indeed,hadanycausetoknow—thatsomewhatgrotesquedreadofmirrors,andpolishedmetalsurfaces,andstillwaterwhichcameupontheyoungParisiansoearlyinhislife,andwasoccasionedbythesuddendecayofabeauthathadonce,apparently,beensoremarkable.
Itwaswithanalmostcrueljoy—andperhapsinnearlyeveryjoy,ascertainlyineverypleasure,crueltyhasitsplace—thatheusedtoreadthelatterpartofthebook,withitsreallytragic,ifsomewhatoveremphasized,accountofthesorrowanddespairofonewhohadhimselflostwhatinothers,andtheworld,hehadmostdearlyvalued.
ForthewonderfulbeautythathadsofascinatedBasilHallward,andmanyothersbesideshim,seemednevertoleavehim.
Eventhosewhohadheardthemostevilthingsagainsthim—andfromtimetotimestrangerumoursabouthismodeoflifecreptthroughLondonandbecamethechatteroftheclubs—couldnotbelieveanythingtohisdishonourwhentheysawhim.
Theywonderedhowonesocharmingandgracefulashewascouldhaveescapedthestainofanagethatwasatoncesordidandsensual.
Often,onreturninghomefromoneofthosemysteriousandprolongedabsencesthatgaverisetosuchstrangeconjectureamongthosewhowerehisfriends,orthoughtthattheywereso,hehimselfwouldcreepupstairstothelockedroom,openthedoorwiththekeythatneverlefthimnow,andstand,withamirror,infrontoftheportraitthatBasilHallwardhadpaintedofhim,lookingnowattheevilandagingfaceonthecanvas,andnowatthefairyoungfacethatlaughedbackathimfromthepolishedglass.
Hewouldexaminewithminutecare,andsometimeswithamonstrousandterribledelight,thehideouslinesthatsearedthewrinklingforeheadorcrawledaroundtheheavysensualmouth,wonderingsometimeswhichwerethemorehorrible,thesignsofsinorthesignsofage.
Thereweremoments,indeed,atnight,when,lyingsleeplessinhisowndelicatelyscentedchamber,orinthesordidroomofthelittleill-famedtavernnearthedockswhich,underanassumednameandindisguise,itwashishabittofrequent,hewouldthinkoftheruinhehadbroughtuponhissoulwithapitythatwasallthemorepoignantbecauseitwaspurelyselfish.Butmomentssuchasthesewererare.
ThatcuriosityaboutlifewhichLordHenryhadfirststirredinhim,astheysattogetherinthegardenoftheirfriend,seemedtoincreasewithgratification.
Onceortwiceeverymonthduringthewinter,andoneachWednesdayeveningwhiletheseasonlasted,hewouldthrowopentotheworldhisbeautifulhouseandhavethemostcelebratedmusiciansofthedaytocharmhisguestswiththewondersoftheirart.
Hislittledinners,inthesettlingofwhichLordHenryalwaysassistedhim,werenotedasmuchforthecarefulselectionandplacingofthoseinvited,asfortheexquisitetasteshowninthedecorationofthetable,withitssubtlesymphonicarrangementsofexoticflowers,andembroideredcloths,andantiqueplateofgoldandsilver.
Indeed,thereweremany,especiallyamongtheveryyoungmen,whosaw,orfanciedthattheysaw,inDorianGraythetruerealizationofatypeofwhichtheyhadoftendreamedinEtonorOxforddays,atypethatwastocombinesomethingoftherealcultureofthescholarwithallthegraceanddistinctionandperfectmannerofacitizenoftheworld.
TothemheseemedtobeofthecompanyofthosewhomDantedescribesashavingsoughtto“makethemselvesperfectbytheworshipofbeauty.”
And,certainly,tohimlifeitselfwasthefirst,thegreatest,ofthearts,andforitalltheotherartsseemedtobebutapreparation.
Fashion,bywhichwhatisreallyfantasticbecomesforamomentuniversal,anddandyism,which,initsownway,isanattempttoasserttheabsolutemodernityofbeauty,had,ofcourse,theirfascinationforhim.
Hismodeofdressing,andtheparticularstylesthatfromtimetotimeheaffected,hadtheirmarkedinfluenceontheyoungexquisitesoftheMayfairballsandPallMallclubwindows,whocopiedhimineverythingthathedid,andtriedtoreproducetheaccidentalcharmofhisgraceful,thoughtohimonlyhalf-serious,fopperies.
For,whilehewasbuttooreadytoacceptthepositionthatwasalmostimmediatelyofferedtohimonhiscomingofage,andfound,indeed,asubtlepleasureinthethoughtthathemightreallybecometotheLondonofhisowndaywhattoimperialNeronianRometheauthoroftheSatyricononcehadbeen,yetinhisinmosthearthedesiredtobesomethingmorethanamerearbiterelegantiarum,tobeconsultedonthewearingofajewel,ortheknottingofanecktie,ortheconductofacane.
Hesoughttoelaboratesomenewschemeoflifethatwouldhaveitsreasonedphilosophyanditsorderedprinciples,andfindinthespiritualizingofthesensesitshighestrealization.
Theworshipofthesenseshasoften,andwithmuchjustice,beendecried,menfeelinganaturalinstinctofterroraboutpassionsandsensationsthatseemstrongerthanthemselves,andthattheyareconsciousofsharingwiththelesshighlyorganizedformsofexistence.
ButitappearedtoDorianGraythatthetruenatureofthesenseshadneverbeenunderstood,andthattheyhadremainedsavageandanimalmerelybecausetheworldhadsoughttostarvethemintosubmissionortokillthembypain,insteadofaimingatmakingthemelementsofanewspirituality,ofwhichafineinstinctforbeautywastobethedominantcharacteristic.
Ashelookedbackuponmanmovingthroughhistory,hewashauntedbyafeelingofloss.Somuchhadbeensurrendered!andtosuchlittlepurpose!
Therehadbeenmadwilfulrejections,monstrousformsofself-tortureandself-denial,whoseoriginwasfearandwhoseresultwasadegradationinfinitelymoreterriblethanthatfancieddegradationfromwhich,intheirignorance,theyhadsoughttoescape;Nature,inherwonderfulirony,drivingouttheanchoritetofeedwiththewildanimalsofthedesertandgivingtothehermitthebeastsofthefieldashiscompanions.
Yes:therewastobe,asLordHenryhadprophesied,anewHedonismthatwastorecreatelifeandtosaveitfromthatharshuncomelypuritanismthatishaving,inourownday,itscuriousrevival.
Itwastohaveitsserviceoftheintellect,certainly,yetitwasnevertoacceptanytheoryorsystemthatwouldinvolvethesacrificeofanymodeofpassionateexperience.
Therearefewofuswhohavenotsometimeswakenedbeforedawn,eitherafteroneofthosedreamlessnightsthatmakeusalmostenamouredofdeath,oroneofthosenightsofhorrorandmisshapenjoy,whenthroughthechambersofthebrainsweepphantomsmoreterriblethanrealityitself,andinstinctwiththatvividlifethatlurksinallgrotesques,andthatlendstoGothicartitsenduringvitality,thisartbeing,onemightfancy,especiallytheartofthosewhosemindshavebeentroubledwiththemaladyofreverie.
Outside,thereisthestirringofbirdsamongtheleaves,orthesoundofmengoingforthtotheirwork,orthesighandsobofthewindcomingdownfromthehillsandwanderingroundthesilenthouse,asthoughitfearedtowakethesleepersandyetmustneedscallforthsleepfromherpurplecave.
Veilafterveilofthinduskygauzeislifted,andbydegreestheformsandcoloursofthingsarerestoredtothem,andwewatchthedawnremakingtheworldinitsantiquepattern.
Theflamelesstapersstandwherewehadleftthem,andbesidethemliesthehalf-cutbookthatwehadbeenstudying,orthewiredflowerthatwehadwornattheball,ortheletterthatwehadbeenafraidtoread,orthatwehadreadtoooften.Nothingseemstouschanged.
Wehavetoresumeitwherewehadleftoff,andtherestealsoverusaterriblesenseofthenecessityforthecontinuanceofenergyinthesamewearisomeroundofstereotypedhabits,orawildlonging,itmaybe,thatoureyelidsmightopensomemorninguponaworldthathadbeenrefashionedanewinthedarknessforourpleasure,aworldinwhichthingswouldhavefreshshapesandcolours,andbechanged,orhaveothersecrets,aworldinwhichthepastwouldhavelittleornoplace,orsurvive,atanyrate,innoconsciousformofobligationorregret,theremembranceevenofjoyhavingitsbitternessandthememoriesofpleasuretheirpain.
ItwasthecreationofsuchworldsasthesethatseemedtoDorianGraytobethetrueobject,oramongstthetrueobjects,oflife;andinhissearchforsensationsthatwouldbeatoncenewanddelightful,andpossessthatelementofstrangenessthatissoessentialtoromance,hewouldoftenadoptcertainmodesofthoughtthatheknewtobereallyalientohisnature,abandonhimselftotheirsubtleinfluences,andthen,having,asitwere,caughttheircolourandsatisfiedhisintellectualcuriosity,leavethemwiththatcuriousindifferencethatisnotincompatiblewitharealardouroftemperament,andthat,indeed,accordingtocertainmodernpsychologists,isoftenaconditionofit.
ItwasrumouredofhimoncethathewasabouttojointheRomanCatholiccommunion,andcertainlytheRomanritualhadalwaysagreatattractionforhim.
Thedailysacrifice,moreawfulreallythanallthesacrificesoftheantiqueworld,stirredhimasmuchbyitssuperbrejectionoftheevidenceofthesensesasbytheprimitivesimplicityofitselementsandtheeternalpathosofthehumantragedythatitsoughttosymbolize.
Helovedtokneeldownonthecoldmarblepavementandwatchthepriest,inhisstiffflowereddalmatic,slowlyandwithwhitehandsmovingasidetheveilofthetabernacle,orraisingaloftthejewelled,lantern-shapedmonstrancewiththatpallidwaferthatattimes,onewouldfainthink,isindeedthe“paniscaelestis,”thebreadofangels,or,robedinthegarmentsofthePassionofChrist,breakingtheHostintothechaliceandsmitinghisbreastforhissins.
Thefumingcensersthatthegraveboys,intheirlaceandscarlet,tossedintotheairlikegreatgiltflowershadtheirsubtlefascinationforhim.
Ashepassedout,heusedtolookwithwonderattheblackconfessionalsandlongtositinthedimshadowofoneofthemandlistentomenandwomenwhisperingthroughtheworngratingthetruestoryoftheirlives.
Butheneverfellintotheerrorofarrestinghisintellectualdevelopmentbyanyformalacceptanceofcreedorsystem,orofmistaking,forahouseinwhichtolive,aninnthatisbutsuitableforthesojournofanight,orforafewhoursofanightinwhichtherearenostarsandthemoonisintravail.
Mysticism,withitsmarvellouspowerofmakingcommonthingsstrangetous,andthesubtleantinomianismthatalwaysseemstoaccompanyit,movedhimforaseason;andforaseasonheinclinedtothematerialisticdoctrinesoftheDarwinismusmovementinGermany,andfoundacuriouspleasureintracingthethoughtsandpassionsofmentosomepearlycellinthebrain,orsomewhitenerveinthebody,delightingintheconceptionoftheabsolutedependenceofthespiritoncertainphysicalconditions,morbidorhealthy,normalordiseased.
Andsohewouldnowstudyperfumesandthesecretsoftheirmanufacture,distillingheavilyscentedoilsandburningodorousgumsfromtheEast.
Hesawthattherewasnomoodofthemindthathadnotitscounterpartinthesensuouslife,andsethimselftodiscovertheirtruerelations,wonderingwhattherewasinfrankincensethatmadeonemystical,andinambergristhatstirredone’spassions,andinvioletsthatwokethememoryofdeadromances,andinmuskthattroubledthebrain,andinchampakthatstainedtheimagination;andseekingoftentoelaboratearealpsychologyofperfumes,andtoestimatetheseveralinfluencesofsweet-smellingrootsandscented,pollen-ladenflowers;ofaromaticbalmsandofdarkandfragrantwoods;ofspikenard,thatsickens;ofhovenia,thatmakesmenmad;andofaloes,thataresaidtobeabletoexpelmelancholyfromthesoul.
Atanothertimehedevotedhimselfentirelytomusic,andinalonglatticedroom,withavermilion-and-goldceilingandwallsofolive-greenlacquer,heusedtogivecuriousconcertsinwhichmadgipsiestorewildmusicfromlittlezithers,orgrave,yellow-shawledTunisianspluckedatthestrainedstringsofmonstrouslutes,whilegrinningNegroesbeatmonotonouslyuponcopperdrumsand,crouchinguponscarletmats,slimturbanedIndiansblewthroughlongpipesofreedorbrassandcharmed—orfeignedtocharm—greathoodedsnakesandhorriblehornedadders.
TheharshintervalsandshrilldiscordsofbarbaricmusicstirredhimattimeswhenSchubert’sgrace,andChopin’sbeautifulsorrows,andthemightyharmoniesofBeethovenhimself,fellunheededonhisear.
Hecollectedtogetherfromallpartsoftheworldthestrangestinstrumentsthatcouldbefound,eitherinthetombsofdeadnationsoramongthefewsavagetribesthathavesurvivedcontactwithWesterncivilizations,andlovedtotouchandtrythem.
HehadthemysteriousjuruparisoftheRioNegroIndians,thatwomenarenotallowedtolookatandthatevenyouthsmaynotseetilltheyhavebeensubjectedtofastingandscourging,andtheearthenjarsofthePeruviansthathavetheshrillcriesofbirds,andflutesofhumanbonessuchasAlfonsodeOvalleheardinChile,andthesonorousgreenjaspersthatarefoundnearCuzcoandgiveforthanoteofsingularsweetness.
Hehadpaintedgourdsfilledwithpebblesthatrattledwhentheywereshaken;thelongclarinoftheMexicans,intowhichtheperformerdoesnotblow,butthroughwhichheinhalestheair;theharshtureoftheAmazontribes,thatissoundedbythesentinelswhositalldaylonginhightrees,andcanbeheard,itissaid,atadistanceofthreeleagues;theteponaztli,thathastwovibratingtonguesofwoodandisbeatenwithsticksthataresmearedwithanelasticgumobtainedfromthemilkyjuiceofplants;theyotl-bellsoftheAztecs,thatarehunginclusterslikegrapes;andahugecylindricaldrum,coveredwiththeskinsofgreatserpents,liketheonethatBernalDiazsawwhenhewentwithCortesintotheMexicantemple,andofwhosedolefulsoundhehasleftussovividadescription.
Thefantasticcharacteroftheseinstrumentsfascinatedhim,andhefeltacuriousdelightinthethoughtthatart,likeNature,hashermonsters,thingsofbestialshapeandwithhideousvoices.
Yet,aftersometime,heweariedofthem,andwouldsitinhisboxattheopera,eitheraloneorwithLordHenry,listeninginraptpleasureto“Tannhauser”andseeinginthepreludetothatgreatworkofartapresentationofthetragedyofhisownsoul.
Ononeoccasionhetookupthestudyofjewels,andappearedatacostumeballasAnnedeJoyeuse,AdmiralofFrance,inadresscoveredwithfivehundredandsixtypearls.
Hewouldoftenspendawholedaysettlingandresettlingintheircasesthevariousstonesthathehadcollected,suchastheolive-greenchrysoberylthatturnsredbylamplight,thecymophanewithitswirelikelineofsilver,thepistachio-colouredperidot,rose-pinkandwine-yellowtopazes,carbunclesoffieryscarletwithtremulous,four-rayedstars,flame-redcinnamon-stones,orangeandvioletspinels,andamethystswiththeiralternatelayersofrubyandsapphire.
HeprocuredfromAmsterdamthreeemeraldsofextraordinarysizeandrichnessofcolour,andhadaturquoisedelavieillerochethatwastheenvyofalltheconnoisseurs.
InAlphonso’sClericalisDisciplinaaserpentwasmentionedwitheyesofrealjacinth,andintheromantichistoryofAlexander,theConquerorofEmathiawassaidtohavefoundinthevaleofJordansnakes“withcollarsofrealemeraldsgrowingontheirbacks.”
Therewasageminthebrainofthedragon,Philostratustoldus,and“bytheexhibitionofgoldenlettersandascarletrobe”themonstercouldbethrownintoamagicalsleepandslain.
Accordingtothegreatalchemist,PierredeBoniface,thediamondrenderedamaninvisible,andtheagateofIndiamadehimeloquent.
Theselenitewaxedandwanedwiththemoon,andthemeloceus,thatdiscoversthieves,couldbeaffectedonlybythebloodofkids.
LeonardusCamillushadseenawhitestonetakenfromthebrainofanewlykilledtoad,thatwasacertainantidoteagainstpoison.
InthenestsofArabianbirdswastheaspilates,that,accordingtoDemocritus,keptthewearerfromanydangerbyfire.
ThegatesofthepalaceofJohnthePriestwere“madeofsardius,withthehornofthehornedsnakeinwrought,sothatnomanmightbringpoisonwithin.”
Overthegablewere“twogoldenapples,inwhichweretwocarbuncles,”sothatthegoldmightshinebydayandthecarbunclesbynight.
InLodge’sstrangeromance’AMargariteofAmerica’,itwasstatedthatinthechamberofthequeenonecouldbehold“allthechasteladiesoftheworld,inchasedoutofsilver,lookingthroughfairmirroursofchrysolites,carbuncles,sapphires,andgreeneemeraults.”
Asea-monsterhadbeenenamouredofthepearlthatthediverbroughttoKingPerozes,andhadslainthethief,andmournedforsevenmoonsoveritsloss.
WhentheHunsluredthekingintothegreatpit,heflungitaway—Procopiustellsthestory—norwasiteverfoundagain,thoughtheEmperorAnastasiusofferedfivehundred-weightofgoldpiecesforit.
TheKingofMalabarhadshowntoacertainVenetianarosaryofthreehundredandfourpearls,oneforeverygodthatheworshipped.
WhentheDukedeValentinois,sonofAlexanderVI,visitedLouisXIIofFrance,hishorsewasloadedwithgoldleaves,accordingtoBrantome,andhiscaphaddoublerowsofrubiesthatthrewoutagreatlight.
HalldescribedHenryVIII,onhiswaytotheTowerprevioustohiscoronation,aswearing“ajacketofraisedgold,theplacardembroideredwithdiamondsandotherrichstones,andagreatbauderikeabouthisneckoflargebalasses.”
EdwardIIgavetoPiersGavestonasuitofred-goldarmourstuddedwithjacinths,acollarofgoldrosessetwithturquoise-stones,andaskull-capparsemewithpearls.
HenryIIworejewelledglovesreachingtotheelbow,andhadahawk-glovesewnwithtwelverubiesandfifty-twogreatorients.
TheducalhatofCharlestheRash,thelastDukeofBurgundyofhisrace,washungwithpear-shapedpearlsandstuddedwithsapphires.
Howexquisitelifehadoncebeen!Howgorgeousinitspompanddecoration!Eventoreadoftheluxuryofthedeadwaswonderful.
ThenheturnedhisattentiontoembroideriesandtothetapestriesthatperformedtheofficeoffrescoesinthechillroomsofthenorthernnationsofEurope.
Asheinvestigatedthesubject—andhealwayshadanextraordinaryfacultyofbecomingabsolutelyabsorbedforthemomentinwhateverhetookup—hewasalmostsaddenedbythereflectionoftheruinthattimebroughtonbeautifulandwonderfulthings.He,atanyrate,hadescapedthat.
Summerfollowedsummer,andtheyellowjonquilsbloomedanddiedmanytimes,andnightsofhorrorrepeatedthestoryoftheirshame,buthewasunchanged.
Wherewasthegreatcrocus-colouredrobe,onwhichthegodsfoughtagainstthegiants,thathadbeenworkedbybrowngirlsforthepleasureofAthena?
WherethehugevelariumthatNerohadstretchedacrosstheColosseumatRome,thatTitansailofpurpleonwhichwasrepresentedthestarrysky,andApollodrivingachariotdrawnbywhite,gilt-reinedsteeds?
Helongedtoseethecurioustable-napkinswroughtforthePriestoftheSun,onwhichweredisplayedallthedaintiesandviandsthatcouldbewantedforafeast;themortuaryclothofKingChilperic,withitsthreehundredgoldenbees;thefantasticrobesthatexcitedtheindignationoftheBishopofPontusandwerefiguredwith“lions,panthers,bears,dogs,forests,rocks,hunters—all,infact,thatapaintercancopyfromnature”;andthecoatthatCharlesofOrleansoncewore,onthesleevesofwhichwereembroideredtheversesofasongbeginning“Madame,jesuistoutjoyeux,”themusicalaccompanimentofthewordsbeingwroughtingoldthread,andeachnote,ofsquareshapeinthosedays,formedwithfourpearls.
HereadoftheroomthatwaspreparedatthepalaceatRheimsfortheuseofQueenJoanofBurgundyandwasdecoratedwith“thirteenhundredandtwenty-oneparrots,madeinbroidery,andblazonedwiththeking’sarms,andfivehundredandsixty-onebutterflies,whosewingsweresimilarlyornamentedwiththearmsofthequeen,thewholeworkedingold.”
Itscurtainswereofdamask,withleafywreathsandgarlands,figureduponagoldandsilverground,andfringedalongtheedgeswithbroideriesofpearls,anditstoodinaroomhungwithrowsofthequeen’sdevicesincutblackvelvetuponclothofsilver.
ThestatebedofSobieski,KingofPoland,wasmadeofSmyrnagoldbrocadeembroideredinturquoiseswithversesfromtheKoran.
IthadbeentakenfromtheTurkishcampbeforeVienna,andthestandardofMohammedhadstoodbeneaththetremulousgiltofitscanopy.
Andso,forawholeyear,hesoughttoaccumulatethemostexquisitespecimensthathecouldfindoftextileandembroideredwork,gettingthedaintyDelhimuslins,finelywroughtwithgold-threadpalmatesandstitchedoverwithiridescentbeetles’wings;theDaccagauzes,thatfromtheirtransparencyareknownintheEastas“wovenair,”and“runningwater,”and“eveningdew”;strangefiguredclothsfromJava;elaborateyellowChinesehangings;booksboundintawnysatinsorfairbluesilksandwroughtwithfleurs-de-lis,birdsandimages;veilsoflacisworkedinHungarypoint;SicilianbrocadesandstiffSpanishvelvets;Georgianwork,withitsgiltcoins,andJapaneseFoukousas,withtheirgreen-tonedgoldsandtheirmarvellouslyplumagedbirds.
Hehadaspecialpassion,also,forecclesiasticalvestments,asindeedhehadforeverythingconnectedwiththeserviceoftheChurch.
Inthelongcedarcheststhatlinedthewestgalleryofhishouse,hehadstoredawaymanyrareandbeautifulspecimensofwhatisreallytheraimentoftheBrideofChrist,whomustwearpurpleandjewelsandfinelinenthatshemayhidethepallidmaceratedbodythatiswornbythesufferingthatsheseeksforandwoundedbyself-inflictedpain.
Hepossessedagorgeouscopeofcrimsonsilkandgold-threaddamask,figuredwitharepeatingpatternofgoldenpomegranatessetinsix-petalledformalblossoms,beyondwhichoneithersidewasthepine-appledevicewroughtinseed-pearls.
TheorphreysweredividedintopanelsrepresentingscenesfromthelifeoftheVirgin,andthecoronationoftheVirginwasfiguredincolouredsilksuponthehood.
Anothercopewasofgreenvelvet,embroideredwithheart-shapedgroupsofacanthus-leaves,fromwhichspreadlong-stemmedwhiteblossoms,thedetailsofwhichwerepickedoutwithsilverthreadandcolouredcrystals.
Theorphreyswerewoveninadiaperofredandgoldsilk,andwerestarredwithmedallionsofmanysaintsandmartyrs,amongwhomwasSt.Sebastian.
Hehadchasubles,also,ofamber-colouredsilk,andbluesilkandgoldbrocade,andyellowsilkdamaskandclothofgold,figuredwithrepresentationsofthePassionandCrucifixionofChrist,andembroideredwithlionsandpeacocksandotheremblems;dalmaticsofwhitesatinandpinksilkdamask,decoratedwithtulipsanddolphinsandfleurs-de-lis;altarfrontalsofcrimsonvelvetandbluelinen;andmanycorporals,chalice-veils,andsudaria.
Forthesetreasures,andeverythingthathecollectedinhislovelyhouse,weretobetohimmeansofforgetfulness,modesbywhichhecouldescape,foraseason,fromthefearthatseemedtohimattimestobealmosttoogreattobeborne.
Uponthewallsofthelonelylockedroomwherehehadspentsomuchofhisboyhood,hehadhungwithhisownhandstheterribleportraitwhosechangingfeaturesshowedhimtherealdegradationofhislife,andinfrontofithaddrapedthepurple-and-goldpallasacurtain.
Forweekshewouldnotgothere,wouldforgetthehideouspaintedthing,andgetbackhislightheart,hiswonderfuljoyousness,hispassionateabsorptioninmereexistence.
Then,suddenly,somenighthewouldcreepoutofthehouse,godowntodreadfulplacesnearBlueGateFields,andstaythere,dayafterday,untilhewasdrivenaway.
Onhisreturnhewouldsitinfrontofthehertimes,withthatprideofindividualismthatishalfthefascinationofsin,andsmilingwithsecretpleasureatthemisshapenshadowthathadtobeartheburdenthatshouldhavebeenhisown.
AfterafewyearshecouldnotenduretobelongoutofEngland,andgaveupthevillathathehadsharedatTrouvillewithLordHenry,aswellasthelittlewhitewalled-inhouseatAlgierswheretheyhadmorethanoncespentthewinter.
Hehatedtobeseparatedfromthepicturethatwassuchapartofhislife,andwasalsoafraidthatduringhisabsencesomeonemightgainaccesstotheroom,inspiteoftheelaboratebarsthathehadcausedtobeplaceduponthedoor.
Itwastruethattheportraitstillpreserved,underallthefoulnessanduglinessoftheface,itsmarkedlikenesstohimself;butwhatcouldtheylearnfromthat?
Yethewasafraid.SometimeswhenhewasdownathisgreathouseinNottinghamshire,entertainingthefashionableyoungmenofhisownrankwhowerehischiefcompanions,andastoundingthecountybythewantonluxuryandgorgeoussplendourofhismodeoflife,hewouldsuddenlyleavehisguestsandrushbacktotowntoseethatthedoorhadnotbeentamperedwithandthatthepicturewasstillthere.
HewasverynearlyblackballedataWestEndclubofwhichhisbirthandsocialpositionfullyentitledhimtobecomeamember,anditwassaidthatononeoccasion,whenhewasbroughtbyafriendintothesmoking-roomoftheChurchill,theDukeofBerwickandanothergentlemangotupinamarkedmannerandwentout.
ItwasrumouredthathehadbeenseenbrawlingwithforeignsailorsinalowdeninthedistantpartsofWhitechapel,andthatheconsortedwiththievesandcoinersandknewthemysteriesoftheirtrade.
Hisextraordinaryabsencesbecamenotorious,and,whenheusedtoreappearagaininsociety,menwouldwhispertoeachotherincorners,orpasshimwithasneer,orlookathimwithcoldsearchingeyes,asthoughtheyweredeterminedtodiscoverhissecret.
Ofsuchinsolencesandattemptedslightshe,ofcourse,tooknonotice,andintheopinionofmostpeoplehisfrankdebonairmanner,hischarmingboyishsmile,andtheinfinitegraceofthatwonderfulyouththatseemednevertoleavehim,wereinthemselvesasufficientanswertothecalumnies,forsotheytermedthem,thatwerecirculatedabouthim.
Womenwhohadwildlyadoredhim,andforhissakehadbravedallsocialcensureandsetconventionatdefiance,wereseentogrowpallidwithshameorhorrorifDorianGrayenteredtheroom.
Society—civilizedsociety,atleast—isneververyreadytobelieveanythingtothedetrimentofthosewhoarebothrichandfascinating.
Itfeelsinstinctivelythatmannersareofmoreimportancethanmorals,and,initsopinion,thehighestrespectabilityisofmuchlessvaluethanthepossessionofagoodchef.
And,afterall,itisaverypoorconsolationtobetoldthatthemanwhohasgivenoneabaddinner,orpoorwine,isirreproachableinhisprivatelife.
Eventhecardinalvirtuescannotatoneforhalf-coldentrees,asLordHenryremarkedonce,inadiscussiononthesubject,andthereispossiblyagooddealtobesaidforhisview.
Itshouldhavethedignityofaceremony,aswellasitsunreality,andshouldcombinetheinsincerecharacterofaromanticplaywiththewitandbeautythatmakesuchplaysdelightfultous.Isinsinceritysuchaterriblething?Ithinknot.
Heusedtowonderattheshallowpsychologyofthosewhoconceivetheegoinmanasathingsimple,permanent,reliable,andofoneessence.
Tohim,manwasabeingwithmyriadlivesandmyriadsensations,acomplexmultiformcreaturethatborewithinitselfstrangelegaciesofthoughtandpassion,andwhoseveryfleshwastaintedwiththemonstrousmaladiesofthedead.
Helovedtostrollthroughthegauntcoldpicture-galleryofhiscountryhouseandlookatthevariousportraitsofthosewhosebloodflowedinhisveins.
HerewasPhilipHerbert,describedbyFrancisOsborne,inhisMemoiresontheReignsofQueenElizabethandKingJames,asonewhowas“caressedbytheCourtforhishandsomeface,whichkepthimnotlongcompany.”
Wasitsomedimsenseofthatruinedgracethathadmadehimsosuddenly,andalmostwithoutcause,giveutterance,inBasilHallward’sstudio,tothemadprayerthathadsochangedhislife?
Here,ingold-embroideredreddoublet,jewelledsurcoat,andgilt-edgedruffandwristbands,stoodSirAnthonySherard,withhissilver-and-blackarmourpiledathisfeet.Whathadthisman’slegacybeen?
Here,fromthefadingcanvas,smiledLadyElizabethDevereux,inhergauzehood,pearlstomacher,andpinkslashedsleeves.
WhatofthesecondLordBeckenham,thecompanionofthePrinceRegentinhiswildestdays,andoneofthewitnessesatthesecretmarriagewithMrs.Fitzherbert?
Besidehimhungtheportraitofhiswife,apallid,thin-lippedwomaninblack.Herblood,also,stirredwithinhim.Howcuriousitallseemed!
Thecarnationsofthepaintinghadwithered,buttheeyeswerestillwonderfulintheirdepthandbrilliancyofcolour.
Yetonehadancestorsinliteratureaswellasinone’sownrace,nearerperhapsintypeandtemperament,manyofthem,andcertainlywithaninfluenceofwhichonewasmoreabsolutelyconscious.
ThereweretimeswhenitappearedtoDorianGraythatthewholeofhistorywasmerelytherecordofhisownlife,notashehadliveditinactandcircumstance,butashisimaginationhadcreateditforhim,asithadbeeninhisbrainandinhispassions.
Hefeltthathehadknownthemall,thosestrangeterriblefiguresthathadpassedacrossthestageoftheworldandmadesinsomarvellousandevilsofullofsubtlety.
Intheseventhchapterhetellshow,crownedwithlaurel,lestlightningmightstrikehim,hehadsat,asTiberius,inagardenatCapri,readingtheshamefulbooksofElephantis,whiledwarfsandpeacocksstruttedroundhimandtheflute-playermockedtheswingerofthecenser;and,asCaligula,hadcarousedwiththegreen-shirtedjockeysintheirstablesandsuppedinanivorymangerwithajewel-frontletedhorse;and,asDomitian,hadwanderedthroughacorridorlinedwithmarblemirrors,lookingroundwithhaggardeyesforthereflectionofthedaggerthatwastoendhisdays,andsickwiththatennui,thatterribletaediumvitae,thatcomesonthosetowhomlifedeniesnothing;andhadpeeredthroughaclearemeraldattheredshamblesofthecircusandthen,inalitterofpearlandpurpledrawnbysilver-shodmules,beencarriedthroughtheStreetofPomegranatestoaHouseofGoldandheardmencryonNeroCaesarashepassedby;and,asElagabalus,hadpaintedhisfacewithcolours,andpliedthedistaffamongthewomen,andbroughttheMoonfromCarthageandgivenherinmysticmarriagetotheSun.
OverandoveragainDorianusedtoreadthisfantasticchapter,andthetwochaptersimmediatelyfollowing,inwhich,asinsomecurioustapestriesorcunninglywroughtenamels,werepicturedtheawfulandbeautifulformsofthosewhomviceandbloodandwearinesshadmademonstrousormad:Filippo,DukeofMilan,whoslewhiswifeandpaintedherlipswithascarletpoisonthatherlovermightsuckdeathfromthedeadthinghefondled;PietroBarbi,theVenetian,knownasPaultheSecond,whosoughtinhisvanitytoassumethetitleofFormosus,andwhosetiara,valuedattwohundredthousandflorins,wasboughtatthepriceofaterriblesin;GianMariaVisconti,whousedhoundstochaselivingmenandwhosemurderedbodywascoveredwithrosesbyaharlotwhohadlovedhim;theBorgiaonhiswhitehorse,withFratricideridingbesidehimandhismantlestainedwiththebloodofPerotto;PietroRiario,theyoungCardinalArchbishopofFlorence,childandminionofSixtusIV,whosebeautywasequalledonlybyhisdebauchery,andwhoreceivedLeonoraofAragoninapavilionofwhiteandcrimsonsilk,filledwithnymphsandcentaurs,andgildedaboythathemightserveatthefeastasGanymedeorHylas;Ezzelin,whosemelancholycouldbecuredonlybythespectacleofdeath,andwhohadapassionforredblood,asothermenhaveforredwine—thesonoftheFiend,aswasreported,andonewhohadcheatedhisfatheratdicewhengamblingwithhimforhisownsoul;GiambattistaCibo,whoinmockerytookthenameofInnocentandintowhosetorpidveinsthebloodofthreeladswasinfusedbyaJewishdoctor;SigismondoMalatesta,theloverofIsottaandthelordofRimini,whoseeffigywasburnedatRomeastheenemyofGodandman,whostrangledPolyssenawithanapkin,andgavepoisontoGinevrad’Esteinacupofemerald,andinhonourofashamefulpassionbuiltapaganchurchforChristianworship;CharlesVI,whohadsowildlyadoredhisbrother’swifethataleperhadwarnedhimoftheinsanitythatwascomingonhim,andwho,whenhisbrainhadsickenedandgrownstrange,couldonlybesoothedbySaracencardspaintedwiththeimagesofloveanddeathandmadness;and,inhistrimmedjerkinandjewelledcapandacanthuslikecurls,GrifonettoBaglioni,whoslewAstorrewithhisbride,andSimonettowithhispage,andwhosecomelinesswassuchthat,ashelaydyingintheyellowpiazzaofPerugia,thosewhohadhatedhimcouldnotchoosebutweep,andAtalanta,whohadcursedhim,blessedhim.
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