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Article THE VOLITATIONIST. ← Page 6 of 6 Article A SIMILE. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Volitationist.
" Poor man ' . " I exclaim . Many of the spectators venture to peer over the ledge ancl look at the frightful spectacle . Hundreds of people below shout with horror . The excitement is intense , , and myriad voices are raised against me . " It is your fault , " is said . Those persons nearest threaten me . I stand unmoved . I wish to speakto
exculpate-, myself . The mob hear not , they are moving en masse . towards me , Avith threatening attitude . My intention is speedily resolved upon . I will to float , become rigid , and move feet first until I am horizontal , then upward and away . There are loud huzzas , and groans , and hisses .
I circle round toshoAV my power , and , glancing downwards , I see a company of soldiers drawn up in line loading their carbines ; the steel ramrods glisten in the sun ; and what do I next behold and hear ? Why , the soldiers bringing then arms to the " present , " and covering me with their aim . I hear the words of command , " Ready , " " Fire . " I suddenly drop , ancl the bullets are whistling over and above me . Thank goodness , that is a narrow escape .
To exert the Avhole strength of my will , to float , or soar upwards , upwards , ancl away , is only the Avork of a moment ; faster than birds fly I move through space . Veiy soon I hear more bullets whir past ; but this time they are beneath me . I dare not circle or descend , so that I may take a farewell glance and bird ' s-eye view of the place . A little while hence I do so , and find that I am at an enormous height , for the tall trees beneath and beyond are dwarfed to pigmy shrubs . Forests look like miniature Avoods . A town in the distance appears to be composed of dolls' houses , and toy churches .
I skim away , and away , the sense of so going is delightful . Fear I have none , and never had , not even whilst I was being shot at . The fields and dykes that I saw in the morning are soon repassed , the mountain range comes in view , and then the open sea , over which I am soon skimming swiftly and- pleasurably . The sun is sinking CIOAA ' in the west , and I am journeying towards it . Soon the familiar cliffs , of reddish broAvn earth and bluish clay , of my island home
greet my gladdened eyes ; in a short time I land on their verge , and am Avalking in the direction , of my dwelling-place . Thinking over the wonderful events which have taken place Avithin the last fonrand-twenty hours , I say to myself , " No one will credit the reality of such a journey ; people noAvadays do not believe in the impossible . Write it cloAvn if you like , and yon Avill be told that it is only a dream . "
A Simile.
A SIMILE .
FAB . in the valley of our hidden thought A little pool may lie , Clear and unmarked , as bright imrnsted steel . Yon shadowy vapour breaking on the hills in drops—The rids well upswoden with greedy thirstto streams
, , , And onward pom-, gathering new strength in union , Until the surge breaks through its banks , ancl flooding en , Rolls in great rivers , lost to all control , Towards the mighty ocean . Gone is the pool!—changed to an eddying force ,
Knowing no quiet from the seething turmoil Of waters , mad with freedom . M . D .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Volitationist.
" Poor man ' . " I exclaim . Many of the spectators venture to peer over the ledge ancl look at the frightful spectacle . Hundreds of people below shout with horror . The excitement is intense , , and myriad voices are raised against me . " It is your fault , " is said . Those persons nearest threaten me . I stand unmoved . I wish to speakto
exculpate-, myself . The mob hear not , they are moving en masse . towards me , Avith threatening attitude . My intention is speedily resolved upon . I will to float , become rigid , and move feet first until I am horizontal , then upward and away . There are loud huzzas , and groans , and hisses .
I circle round toshoAV my power , and , glancing downwards , I see a company of soldiers drawn up in line loading their carbines ; the steel ramrods glisten in the sun ; and what do I next behold and hear ? Why , the soldiers bringing then arms to the " present , " and covering me with their aim . I hear the words of command , " Ready , " " Fire . " I suddenly drop , ancl the bullets are whistling over and above me . Thank goodness , that is a narrow escape .
To exert the Avhole strength of my will , to float , or soar upwards , upwards , ancl away , is only the Avork of a moment ; faster than birds fly I move through space . Veiy soon I hear more bullets whir past ; but this time they are beneath me . I dare not circle or descend , so that I may take a farewell glance and bird ' s-eye view of the place . A little while hence I do so , and find that I am at an enormous height , for the tall trees beneath and beyond are dwarfed to pigmy shrubs . Forests look like miniature Avoods . A town in the distance appears to be composed of dolls' houses , and toy churches .
I skim away , and away , the sense of so going is delightful . Fear I have none , and never had , not even whilst I was being shot at . The fields and dykes that I saw in the morning are soon repassed , the mountain range comes in view , and then the open sea , over which I am soon skimming swiftly and- pleasurably . The sun is sinking CIOAA ' in the west , and I am journeying towards it . Soon the familiar cliffs , of reddish broAvn earth and bluish clay , of my island home
greet my gladdened eyes ; in a short time I land on their verge , and am Avalking in the direction , of my dwelling-place . Thinking over the wonderful events which have taken place Avithin the last fonrand-twenty hours , I say to myself , " No one will credit the reality of such a journey ; people noAvadays do not believe in the impossible . Write it cloAvn if you like , and yon Avill be told that it is only a dream . "
A Simile.
A SIMILE .
FAB . in the valley of our hidden thought A little pool may lie , Clear and unmarked , as bright imrnsted steel . Yon shadowy vapour breaking on the hills in drops—The rids well upswoden with greedy thirstto streams
, , , And onward pom-, gathering new strength in union , Until the surge breaks through its banks , ancl flooding en , Rolls in great rivers , lost to all control , Towards the mighty ocean . Gone is the pool!—changed to an eddying force ,
Knowing no quiet from the seething turmoil Of waters , mad with freedom . M . D .