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THE DARK STAR
[Illustration: "My darling Rue--my little Rue Carew----"]
THE DARK STAR
By ROBERT W. CHAMBERS
Author of "The Girl Philippa," "Who Goes There," "The Hidden Children," Etc.
[Illustration]
WITH FRONTISPIECE
By W. D. STEVENS
A. L. BURT COMPANY
Publishers--New York
Published by Arrangement with D. Appleton & Company
Copyright, 1917, by
ROBERT W. CHAMBERS
Copyright, 1916, 1917, by the International Magazine Company
Printed in the United States of America
TO MY FRIEND EDGAR SISSON
Dans c'métier-là, faut rien chercher à comprendre. RENÉ BENJAMIN
ALAK'S SONG
Where are you going, Naïa? Through the still noon-- Where are you going?
To hear the thunder of the sea And the wind blowing!-- To find a stormy moon to comfort me Across the dune!
----
Why are you weeping, Naïa? Through the still noon-- Why are you weeping?
Because I found no wind, no sea, No white surf leaping, Nor any flying moon to comfort me Upon the dune.
----
What did you see there, Naïa? In the still noon-- What did you see there?
Only the parched world drowsed in drought, And a fat bee, there, Prying and probing at a poppy's mouth That drooped a-swoon.
----
What did you hear there, Naïa? In the still noon-- What did you hear there?
Only a kestrel's lonely cry From the wood near there-- A rustle in the wheat as I passed by-- A cricket's rune.
----
Who led you homeward, Naïa? Through the still noon-- Who led you homeward?
My soul within me sought the sea, Leading me foam-ward: But the lost moon's ghost returned with me Through the high noon.
----
Where is your soul then, Naïa? Lost at high noon-- Where is your soul then?
It wanders East--or West--I think-- Or near the Pole, then-- Or died--perhaps there on the dune's dry brink Seeking the moon.
THE DARK STAR
"The dying star grew dark; the last light faded from it; went out. Prince Erlik laughed.