The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mardi: and A Voyage Thither, Vol. II (of 2) by Herman Melville

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Title: Mardi: and A Voyage Thither, Vol. II (of 2)

Author: Herman Melville

Release Date: October 12, 2004 [EBook #13721] [Last updated: November 15, 2014]

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARDI: AND A VOYAGE THITHER, ***

Produced by Geoff Palmer

MARDI: AND A VOYAGE THITHER. BY HERMAN MELVILLE

IN TWO VOLUMES

VOL. II.

1864.

MARDI

CONTENTS VOL. II

CHAPTER 1. Maramma 2. They land 3. They pass through the Woods 4. Hivohitee MDCCCXLVII 5. They visit the great Morai 6. They discourse of the Gods of Mardi, and Braid-Beard tells of one Foni 7. They visit the Lake of Yammo 8. They meet the Pilgrims at the Temple of Oro 9. They discourse of Alma 10. Mohi tells of one Ravoo, and they land to visit Hevaneva, a flourishing Artisan 11. A Nursery-tale of Babbalanja's 12. Landing to visit Hivohitee the Pontiff; they encounter an extraordinary old Hermit; with whom Yoomy has a confidential Interview, but learns little 13. Babbalanja endeavors to explain the Mystery 14. Taji receives Tidings and Omens 15. Dreams 16. Media and Babbalanja discourse 17. They regale themselves with their Pipes 18. They visit an extraordinary old Antiquary 19. They go down into the Catacombs 20. Babbalanja quotes from an antique Pagan; and earnestly presses it upon the Company, that what he recites is not his but another's 21. They visit a wealthy old Pauper 22. Yoomy sings some odd Verses, and Babbalanja quotes from the old Authors right and left 23. What manner of Men the Tapparians were 24. Their adventures upon landing at Pimminee 25. A, I, and O 26. A Reception-day at Pimminee 27. Babbalanja falleth upon Pimminee Tooth and Nail 28. Babbalanja regales the Company with some Sandwiches 29. They still remain upon the Rock 30. Behind and Before 31. Babbalanja discourses in the Dark 32. My Lord Media summons Mohi to the Stand 33. Wherein Babbalanja and Yoomy embrace 34. Of the Isle of Diranda 35. They visit the Lords Piko and Hello 36. They attend the Games 37. Taji still hunted and beckoned 38. They embark from Diranda 39. Wherein Babbalanja discourses of himself 40. Of the Sorcerers in the Isle of Minda 41. Chiefly of King Bello 42. Dominora and Vivenza 43. They land at Dominora 44. Through Dominora, they wander after Yillah 45. They behold King Bello's State Canoe 46. Wherein Babbalanja bows thrice 47. Babbalanja philosophizes, and my Lord Media passes round the Calabashes 48. They sail round an Island without landing; and talk round a Subject without getting at it 49. They draw nigh to Porpheero; where they behold a terrific Eruption 50. Wherein King Media celebrates the Glories of Autumn; the Minstrel, the Promise of Spring 51. In which Azzageddi seems to use Babbalanja for a Mouthpiece 52. The charming Yoomy sings 53. They draw nigh unto Land 54. They visit the great central Temple of Vivenza 55. Wherein Babbalanja comments upon the Speech of Alanno 56. A Scene in the Land of Warwicks, or King-makers 57. They hearken unto a Voice from the Gods 58. They visit the extreme South of Vivenza 59. They converse of the Molluscs, Kings, Toad-stools, and other Matters 60. Wherein, that gallant Gentleman and Demi-god, King Media, Scepter in Hand throws himself into the Breach 61. They round the stormy Cape of Capes 62. They encounter Gold-hunters 63. They seek through the Isles of Palms; and pass the Isles of Myrrh 64. Concentric, inward, with Mardi's Reef, they leave their Wake around the World 65. Sailing on 66. A Sight of Nightingales from Yoomy's Mouth 67. They visit one Doxodox 68. King Media dreams 69. After a long Interval, by Night they are becalmed 70. They land at Hooloomooloo 71. A Book from the "Ponderings of old Bardianna" 72. Babbalanja starts to his Feet 73. At last, the last Mention is made of old Bardianna; and His last Will and Testament is recited at Length 74. A Death-cloud sweeps by them as they sail 75. They visit the palmy King Abrazza 76. Same pleasant, shady Talk in the Groves, between my Lords Abrazza and Media, Babbalanja, Mohi, and Yoomy… 77. They sup 78. They embark 79. Babbalanja at the Full of the Moon 80. Morning 81. L'Ultima sera 82. They sail from Night to Day 83. They land 84. Babbalanja relates to them a Vision 85. They depart from Serena 86. They meet the Phantoms 87. They draw nigh to Flozella 88. They land 89. They enter the Bower of Hautia 90. Taji with Hautia 91. Mardi behind: an Ocean before

MARDI.

CHAPTER I Maramma

We were now voyaging straight for Maramma; where lived and reigned, in mystery, the High Pontiff of the adjoining isles: prince, priest, and god, in his own proper person: great lord paramount over many kings in Mardi; his hands full of scepters and crosiers.

Soon, rounding a lofty and insulated shore, the great central peak of the island came in sight; domineering over the neighboring hills; the same aspiring pinnacle, descried in drawing near the archipelago in the Chamois.

"Tall Peak of Ofo!" cried Babbalanja, "how comes it that thy shadow so broods over Mardi; flinging new shades upon spots already shaded by the hill-sides; shade upon shade!"

"Yet, so it is," said Yoomy, sadly, "that where that shadow falls, gay flowers refuse to spring; and men long dwelling therein become shady of face and of soul. 'Hast thou come from out the shadows of Ofo?' inquires the stranger, of one with a clouded brow."

"It was by this same peak," said Mohi, "that the nimble god Roo, a
great sinner above, came down from the skies, a very long time ago.
Three skips and a jump, and he landed on the plain. But alas, poor
Roo! though easy the descent, there was no climbing back."

"No wonder, then," said Babbalanja, "that the peak is inaccessible to man. Though, with a strange infatuation, many still make pilgrimages thereto; and wearily climb and climb, till slipping from the rocks, they fall headlong backward, and oftentimes perish at its base."

"Ay," said Mohi, "in vain, on all sides of the Peak, various paths are tried; in vain new ones are cut through the cliffs and the brambles:— Ofo yet remains inaccessible."

"Nevertheless," said Babbalanja, "by some it is believed, that those, who by dint of hard struggling climb so high as to become invisible from the plain; that these have attained the summit; though others much doubt, whether their be-coming invisible is not because of their having fallen, and perished by the way."

"And wherefore," said Media, "do you mortals undertake the ascent at all? why not be content on the plain? and even if attainable, what would you do upon that lofty, clouded summit? Or how can you hope to breathe that rarefied air, unfitted for your human lungs?"

"True, my lord," said Babbalanja; "and Bardianna asserts that the plain alone was intended for man; who should be content to dwell under the shade of its groves, though the roots thereof descend into the darkness of the earth. But, my lord, you well know, that there are those in Mardi, who