登陆注册
5191700000052

第52章

On alighting from the air-boat, a child accosted Aph-Lin in the hall with a request that he would be present at the funeral obsequies of a relation who had recently departed from that nether world.

Now, I had never seen a burial-place or cemetery amongst this people, and, glad to seize even so melancholy an occasion to defer an encounter with Zee, I asked Aph-Lin if I might be permitted to witness with him the interment of his relation;unless, indeed, it were regarded as one of those sacred ceremonies to which a stranger to their race might not be admitted.

"The departure of an An to a happier world," answered my host, "when, as in the case of my kinsman, he has lived so long inthis as to have lost pleasure in it, is rather a cheerful though quiet festival than a sacred ceremony, and you may accompany me if you will."Preceded by the child-messenger, we walked up the main street to a house at some little distance, and, entering the hall, were conducted to a room on the ground floor, where we found several persons assembled round a couch on which was laid the deceased.It was an old man, who had, as I was told, lived beyond histh year.To judge by the calm smile on his countenance, he had passed away without suffering.One of the sons, who was now the head of the family, and who seemed in vigorous middle life, though he was considerably more than seventy, stepped forward with a cheerful face and told Aph-Lin "that the day before he died his father had seen in a dream his departed Gy, and was eager to be reunited to her, and restored to youth beneath the nearer smile of the All-Good."While these two were talking, my attention was drawn to a dark metallic substance at the farther end of the room.It was about twenty feet in length, narrow in proportion, and all closed round, save, near the roof, there were small round holes through which might be seen a red light.From the interior emanated a rich and sweet perfume; and while I was conjecturing what purpose this machine was to serve, all the time-pieces in the town struck the hour with their solemn musical chime; and as that sound ceased, music of a more joyous character, but still of a joy subdued and tranquil, rang throughout the chamber, and from the walls beyond, in a choral peal.

Symphonious with the melody, those in the room lifted their voices in chant.The words of this hymn were simple.They expressed no regret, no farewell, but rather a greeting to the new world whither the deceased had preceded the living.

Indeed, in their language, the funeral hymn is called the 'Birth Song.' Then the corpse, covered by a long cerement, was tenderly lifted up by six of the nearest kinfolk and borne towards the dark thing I have described.I pressed forward tosee what happened.A sliding door or panel at one end was lifted up- the body deposited within, on a shelf- the door reclosed- a spring a the side touched- a sudden 'whishing,'

sighing sound heard from within; and lo! at the other end of the machine the lid fell down, and a small handful of smouldering dust dropped into a 'patera' placed to receive it.

The son took up the 'patera' and said (in what I understood afterwards was the usual form of words), "Behold how great is the Maker! To this little dust He gave form and life and soul.

It needs not this little dust for Him to renew form and life and soul to the beloved one we shall soon see again."Each present bowed his head and pressed his hand to his heart.

Then a young female child opened a small door within the wall, and I perceived, in the recess, shelves on which were placed many 'paterae' like that which the son held, save that they all had covers.With such a cover a Gy now approached the son, and placed it over the cup, on which it closed with a spring.On the lid were engraven the name of the deceased, and these words:- "Lent to us" (here the date of birth)."Recalled from us" (here the date of death).

The closed door shut with a musical sound, and all was over.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 经历死亡

    经历死亡

    人的生命,是多么的奇妙和偶然,要历尽多少机缘才能来到这个世界。可生命,往往又是那么脆弱,经不起一丁点儿打击。30岁那年,我曾经历过一次死亡。那天,我和班上的唐洁在变电站做高压试验。就是通过对停电的电器设备施以额定运行电压的几倍高电压,来判断其是否存在缺陷。这在电力系统来说,是一项非常危险的工作。每个操作程序都必须严格遵循《电力安全规程》要求,要胆大心细,注意力高度集中,稍有疏忽,都有可能酿成设备和人身事故。灾难和死神的降临,是毫无预感的。
  • 凡尘一梦入天河

    凡尘一梦入天河

    她天帝幼女,天界唯一的金翅凤凰,唯一一位拥有寒冰之心的寒霜仙子,他是万年天河冰川之心的寒冰珠孕育的凡人,唯一拥有玲珑心的凡人。
  • 大妖狐

    大妖狐

    少年夭折身首分离,却灵魂出窍与妖狐之躯相融,随后卷入妖族纷争,慢慢的成长为一代强者。
  • 职场自控力(金牌员工必读书系)

    职场自控力(金牌员工必读书系)

    "想要在职场上顺风顺水,职场人应该加强职场自控力的修炼,明白在职场上怎么做才能做得更好更成功。本书全面剖析并揭示了职场人该如何提升职场自控力以及要在哪些方面提升自控力,对渴望取得职场成功的职场人士大有帮助。"
  • 星海武帝

    星海武帝

    横飞剑走,踏水不波,走壁飞檐,钢筋铁骨……早已不是梦想!高山之中,一位不出世的老师父,一脚将他的嫡传弟子踹进世俗!目的——就是混口饭吃……谁想到,他居然……
  • 解码稻盛和夫工作律

    解码稻盛和夫工作律

    本书从目的篇、行动篇、斗志篇、原则篇、思维篇、领导篇、创新篇、性灵篇八个篇章,解析稻盛和夫工作的规律,为读者揭示稻盛和夫非凡的工作方法,以使每个人在自己的工作中起到实实在在的作用。
  • 静余玄问

    静余玄问

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 斗傀天师

    斗傀天师

    陆家在这枭凰灵国辉煌了几百年,历任陆家家主无不是飞云踏雾的斗傀强者。想不到时至今日竟荒废颓败至此,族人散尽,门庭残败,现任家主陆辰也整日靠着仅存的底蕴纸醉金迷浑浑噩噩。本想这陆家到此算是彻底完了,可怎知这陆辰却生了个好儿子,这次天枭学院招测此子竟然以一敌众荣登魁首,只是这不争气的爹荒废了他这天生的聪资!真是作孽哟!
  • 杭俗遗风

    杭俗遗风

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 一个不会离开的男人

    一个不会离开的男人

    男人是和女人完全不同的生物,男人是用来证明爱情的东西。经过千万次的研究和分析,还是不太懂的东西。在这本书里,作者分享了爱人之间和谐相处的心得和秘密。让相爱容易,让相处不难。