\"Ultimatelyagoodharewasfoundwhichtookthefieldat……
Therethehoundspressedher，andonthehuntarrivingattheedgeoftheclifftheharecouldbeseencrossingthebeachandgoingrightouttosea。Aboatwasprocured，andthemasterandsomeothersrowedouttoherjustasshedrowned，and，bringingthebodyin，gaveittothehounds。Ahareswimmingouttoseaisasightnotoftenwitnessed。\"——/Localpaper，January/1911。
\"……Alongcheckoccurredinthelatterpartofthishunt，theharehavinglaidupinahedgerow，fromwhichshewasatlastevictedbyacrackofthewhip。Hernextplaceofrefugewasahorse-pond，whichshetriedtoswim，butgotstuckintheicemidway，andwassinking，whenthehuntsmanwentinafterher。Itwasanovelsighttoseehuntsmanandharebeingliftedoverawalloutofthepond，theeagerpackwaitingfortheirpreybehindthewall。\"——/Localpaper，February/1911。
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Theauthorsupposesthatthefirstoftheaboveextractsmusthaveimpressedhim。Atanyrate，onthenightafterthereadingofit，justashewenttosleep，oronthefollowingmorningjustasheawoke，hecannottellwhich，therecametohimthetitleandtheoutlinesofthisfantasy，includingthecommandwithwhichitends。WithaparticularclearnessdidheseemtoseethepictureoftheGreatWhiteRoad，\"straightasthewayoftheSpirit，andbroadasthebreastofDeath，\"andofthelittleHaretravellingtowardstheawfulGates。
LiketheMahatmaofthisfable，heexpressesnoopinionastothemeritsofthecontroversybetweentheRed-facedManandtheHarethat，withoutsearchonhisownpart，presenteditselftohismindinsooddafashion。Itisoneonwhichanybodyinterestedinsuchmatterscanformanindividualjudgment。
THEMAHATMA[*]
[*]Mahatma，\"great-souled。\"\"Oneofaclassofpersonswithpreter-
naturalpowers，imaginedtoexistinIndiaandThibet。\"——/NewEnglishDictionary/。
Everyonehasseenahare，eithercrouchedorrunninginthefields，orhangingdeadinapoulterer’sshop，orlastlypathetic，evendreadful-
lookingandinthisformalmostindistinguishablefromaskinnedcat，onthedomestictable。ButnotmanypeoplehavemetaMahatma，atleasttotheirknowledge。NotmanypeopleknowevenwhoorwhataMahatmais。Themajorityofthosewhochancetohaveheardthetitleareapttoconfuseitwithanother，thatofMadHatter。
Thisisevendoneofmaliceprepense（especially，forobviousreasons，ifahareisinanywayconcerned）inscorn，notinignorance，bypersonswhoarewellacquaintedwiththerealmeaningofthewordandevenwithitsSanscritorigin。ThetruthisthatanincredulousWesternworldputsnofaithinMahatmas。ToitaMahatmaisakindofspiritualMrs。Harris，givinganaddressinThibetatwhichnolettersaredelivered。Either，itsays，thereisnosuchperson，orheisafraudulentscampwithnogreateroccultpowers——well，thanahare。
IconfessthatthisviewofMahatmasisonethatdoesnotsurprisemeintheleast。Inevermet，andIscarcelyexpecttomeet，anindividualentitledtoset\"Mahatma\"afterhisname。Certainly/I/
havenorighttodoso，whoonlytookthattitleonthespurofthemomentwhentheHareaskedmehowIwascalled，andnowmakeuseofitasa/nom-de-plume/。ItistruethereisJorsen，bywhoseorder，foritamountstothat，Ipublishthishistory。ForaughtIknowJorsenmaybeaMahatma，buthedoesnotintheleastlookthepart。
Imagineabluffpersonwithastrong，hardface，piercinggreyeyes，andveryprominent，bushyeyebrows，ofaboutfiftyorsixtyyearsofage。AddaScotchaccentandameerschaumpipe，whichhesmokesevenwhenheiswearingafrockcoatandatallhat，andyouhaveJorsen。I
believethathelivessomewhereinthecountry，iswelloff，andpractisesgardening。Ifsohehasneveraskedmetohisplace，andI
onlymeethimwhenhecomestoTown，asIunderstand，tovisitflower-
shows。
ThenIalwaysmeethimbecauseheordersmetodoso，notbyletterorbywordofmouthbutinquiteadifferentway。SuddenlyIreceiveanimpressioninmymindthatIamtogotoacertainplaceatacertainhour，andthatthereIshallfindJorsen。Idogo，sometimestoanhotel，sometimestoalodging，sometimestoarailwaystationortothecornerofaparticularstreetandthereIdofindJorsensmokinghisbigmeerschaumpipe。Weshakehandsandheexplainswhyhehassentforme，afterwhichwetalkofvariousthings。Nevermindwhattheyare，forthatwouldbetellingJorsen’ssecretsaswellasmyown，whichImustnotdo。
ItmaybeaskedhowIcametoknowJorsen。Well，inastrangeway。
Nearlythirtyyearsagoadreadfulthinghappenedtome。Iwasmarriedand，althoughstillyoung，apersonofsomemarkinliterature。IndeedevennowoneortwoofthebookswhichIwrotearereadandremembered，althoughitissupposedthattheirauthorhaslonglefttheworld。
ThethingwhichhappenedwasthatmywifeandourdaughterwerecomingoverfromtheChannelIslands，wheretheyhadbeenonavisit（shewasaJerseywoman），and，and——well，theshipwaslost，that’sall。Theshockbrokemyheart，insuchawaythatithasneverbeenmendedagain，butunfortunatelydidnotkillme。
AfterwardsItooktodrinkandsank，asdrunkardsdo。Thentheriverbegantodrawme。IhadalodginginapoorstreetatChelsea，andI
couldheartherivercallingmeatnight，and——Iwishedtodieastheothershaddied。AtlastIyielded，forthedrinkhadrottedoutallmymoralsense。Aboutoneo’clockofawild，wintermorningIwenttoabridgeIknewwhereinthosedayspolicemenrarelycame，andlistenedtothatcallofthewater。
\"Come！\"itseemedtosay。\"Thisworldistherealhell，endingintheeternalnaught。Thedreamsofalifebeyondandofre-uniontherearebutademon’smockingbreathedintothemortalheart，lestbyitsuniversalsuicidemankindshouldrobhimofhistorture-pit。Thereisnotruthinallyourfathertaughtyou\"（hewasaclergymanandrathereminentinhisprofession），\"thereisnohopeforman，thereisnothinghecanwinexceptthedeephappinessofsleep。Comeandsleep。\"
SuchweretheargumentsofthatVoiceoftheriver，theold，familiarargumentsofdesolationanddespair。Ileantovertheparapet；inanothermomentIshouldhavebeengone，whenIbecameawarethatsomeonewasstandingneartome。Ididnotseethepersonbecauseitwastoodark。Ididnothearhimbecauseoftheravingofthewind。ButI
knewthathewasthere。SoIwaiteduntilthemoonshoneoutforawhilebetweentheedgesoftworaggedclouds，theshapesofwhichI
canseetothishour。ItshowedmeJorsen，lookingjustashedoesto-day，forheneverseemstochange——Jorsen，onwhom，tomyknowledge，Ihadnotseteyesbefore。
\"Evenayearago，\"hesaid，inhisstrong，roughvoice，\"youwouldnothaveallowedyourmindtobeconvincedbysuchargumentsasthosewhichyouhavejustheardintheVoiceoftheriver。Thatisoneoftheworstsidesofdrink；itdecaysthereasonasitdoesthebody。
Youmusthavenoticedityourself。\"
IrepliedthatIhad，forIwassurprisedintoacquiescence。ThenI
grewdefiantandaskedhimwhatheknewoftheargumentswhichwereorwerenotinfluencingme。Tomysurprise——no，thatisnottheword——tomybewilderment，herepeatedthemtomeonebyonejustastheyhadarisenafewminutesbeforeinmyheart。Moreover，hetoldmewhatI
hadbeenabouttodo，andwhyIwasabouttodoit。
\"Youknowmeandmystory，\"Imutteredatlast。
\"No，\"heanswered，\"atleastnotmorethanIknowthatofmanymenwithwhomIchancetobeintouch。Thatis，Ihavenotmetyoufornearlyelevenhundredyears。Athousandandeighty-six，tobecorrect。
IwasablindpriestthenandyouwerethecaptainofIrene’sguard。\"
AtthisnewsIburstoutlaughingandthelaughdidmegood。
\"IdidnotknowIwassoold，\"Isaid。
\"Doyoucallthatold？\"answeredJorsen。\"Why，thefirsttimethatwehadanythingtodowitheachother，sofarasIcanlearn，thatis，wasovereightthousandyearsago，inEgyptbeforethebeginningofrecordedhistory。\"
\"IthoughtthatIwasmad，butyouaremadder，\"Isaid。
\"Doubtless。Well，IamsomadthatImanagedtobehereintimetosaveyoufromsuicide，asonceinthepastyousavedme，forthusthingscomeround。Butyourroomsarenear，aretheynot？Letusgothereandtalk。Thisplaceiscoldandtheriverisalwayscalling。\"
ThatwashowIcametoknowJorsen，whomIbelievetobeoneofthegreatestmenalive。OnthisparticularnightthatIhavedescribedhetoldmemanythings，andsincethenhehastaughtmemuch，meandafewothers。ButwhetherheiswhatiscalledaMahatmaIamsureIdonotknow。Hehasneverclaimedsucharankinmyhearing，orindeedtobeanythingmorethanamanwhohassucceededinwinningaknowledgeofhisownpowersoutofthedepthsofthedarkthatliesbehindus。
OfcourseImeanoutofhispastinotherincarnationslongbeforehewasJorsen。Moreover，bydegrees，asIgrewfittobearthelight，heshowedmesomethingofmyown，andofhowthetwowereintertwined。
ButallthesethingsaresecretsofwhichIhaveperhapsnorighttospeakatpresent。ItisenoughtosaythatJorsenchangedthecurrentofmylifeonthatnightwhenhesavedmefromdeath。
Forinstance，fromthatdayonwardstothepresenttimeIhavenevertouchedthedrinkwhichsonearlyruinedme。Alsothedarknesshasrolledaway，andwithiteverydoubtandfear；Iknowthetruth，andforthattruthIlive。Consideredfromcertainaspectssuchknowledge，Iadmit，isnotaltogetherdesirable。Thusithasdeprivedmeofmyinterestinearthlythings。Ambitionhasleftmealtogether；foryearsIhavehadnowishtosucceedintheprofessionwhichIadoptedinmyyouth，orinanyother。IndeedIdoubtwhethertheelementsofworldlysuccessstillremaininme；whethertheyarenotentirelyburntawaybythatfireofwisdominwhichIhavebathed。Howcanwestrivetowinacrownwehavenolongeranydesiretowear？NowIdesireothercrownsandattimesIwearthem，ifonlyforalittlewhile。Myspiritgrowsandgrows。Itisdraggingatitsstrings。
WhatamItolookat？Asmall，white-hairedmanwithathinandratherplaintivefaceinwhicharesettwolarge，darkeyesthatcontinuallyseemtosoftenanddevelop。Thatismypicture。AndwhatamIintheworld？Iwilltellyou。OncertaindaysoftheweekIemploymyselfineditingatradejournalthathastodowithhaberdashery。OnanotherdayIactasauctioneertoafirmwhichimportsandsellscheapItalianstatuary；modern，verymoderncopiesoftheantique，floridmarblevases，andsoforth。Someofyouwhoreadmayhavepassedsuchmartsindifferentpartsofthecity，orevenhavedroppedinandpurchasedabustoratazzaforasurprisinglysmallsum。PerhapsI
knockeditdowntoyou，onlytoopleasedtofinda/bonafide/bidderamongstmycompany。
Asfortherestofmytime——well，IemployitindoingwhatgoodIcanamongthepoorandthosewhoneedcomfortorwhoarebereaved，especiallyamongthosewhoarebereaved，fortosuchIamsometimesabletobringthebreathofhopethatblowsfromanothershore。
OccasionallyalsoIamusemyselfinmyownfashion。ThussureknowledgehascometomeaboutcertainepochsinthepastinwhichI
livedinothershapes，andIstudythoseepochs，hopingthatonedayI
mayfindtimetowriteofthemandofthepartsIplayedinthem。Someofthesepartsareextremelyinteresting，especiallyasIamofcourseabletocontrastthemwithourmodernmodesofthoughtandaction。
Theydonotallcomebacktomewithequalclearness，theearlierlivesbeing，asonemightexpect，themoredifficulttorecoverandthecomparativelyrecentonestheeasiest。Alsotheyseemtorangeoveravaststretchoftime，backindeedtothedaysofprimeval，prehistoricman。Inshort，Ithinkthesubconsciousinsomewaysresemblestheconsciousandnaturalmemory；thatwhichisveryfarofftoitgrowsdimandblurred，thatwhichiscomparativelycloseremainsclearandsharp，althoughofcoursethisruleisnotinvariable。
Moreoverthereisforesightaswellasmemory。AtleastfromtimetotimeIseemtocomeintouchwithfutureeventsandstatesofsocietyinwhichIshallhavemyshare。
Ibelievesomethinkersholdatheorythatsuchconditionsasthoseofpast，present，andfuturedonotinfactexist；thateverythingalreadyis，standinglikeacompletedcolumnbetweenearthandheaven；
thatthesumisaddedup，theequationworkedout。AttimesIamtemptedtobelieveinthetruthofthisproposition。Butifitbetrue，ofcourseitremainsdifficulttoobtainaclearviewofotherpartsofthecolumnthanthatinwhichwehappentofindourselvesobjectivelyconsciousatanygivenperiod，andneedlesstosayimpossibletoseeitfrombasetocapital。
Howeverthismaybe，noindividualentitypervadesallthecolumn。
Therearegreatsectionsofitwithwhichthatentityhasnothingtodo，althoughitalwaysseemstoappearagainabove。Isupposethatthosesectionswhichareemptyofanindividualandhisatmosphererepresenttheintervalsbetweenhisliveswhichhespendsinsleep，orinstatesofexistencewithwhichthisworldisnotconcerned，butofsuchgulfsofoblivionandstatesofbeingIknownothing。
TotakeasingleinstanceofwhatIdoknow：oncethisspiritofmine，thatnowbytheworkingsofdestinyforalittlewhileoccupiesthebodyofafourth-rateauctioneer，andoftheeditorofatradejournal，dweltinthatofaPharaohofEgypt——nevermindwhichPharoah。Yes，althoughyoumaylaughandthinkmemadtosayit，formethelegionsfoughtandthundered；tomethepeoplesbowedandthesecretsanctuarieswereopenedthatIandIalonemightcommunewiththegods；Iwhointhefleshandafteritmyselfwasworshippedasagod。
Well，ofthisforgottenRoyaltyofwhomlittleisknownsavewhatafewinscriptionshavetotell，thereremainsaportraitstatueintheBritishMuseum。SometimesIgotolookatthatstatueandtrytorecallexactlyunderwhatcircumstancesIcausedittobeshaped，puzzlingoutthestorybitbybit。
NotlongagoIstoodthusabsorbedanddidnotnoticethatthehouroftheclosingofthegreatgalleryhadcome。StillIstoodandgazedanddreamttillthepolicemanonduty，seeingandsuspectingme，cameupandroughlyorderedmetobegone。
Theman’stoneangeredme。Ilaidmyhandonthefootofthestatue，forithadjustcomebacktomethatitwasa\"Ka\"image，asacredthing，anyEgyptologistwillknowwhatImean，whichforageshadsatinachamberofmytomb。ThentheKathatclingstoiteternallyawokeatmytouchandknewme，orsoIsuppose。AtleastIfeltmyselfchange。Anewstrengthcameintome；myshape，batteredinthisworld’sstorms，putonsomethingofitsancientdignity；myeyesgrewroyal。IlookedatthatmanasPharaohmayhavelookedatonewhohaddonehiminsult。Hesawthechangeandtrembled——yes，trembled。I
believehethoughtIwassomeimperialghostthattheshadowsofeveninghadcausedhimtomistakeforman；atanyratehegaspedout——
\"Ibegyourpardon，Iwasobeyingorders。IhopeyourMajestywon’thurtme。NowIthinkofitIhavebeentoldthatthingscomeoutoftheseoldstatuesinthenight。\"
Thenturningheran，literallyran，wheretoIamsureIdonotknow，probablytoseekthefellowshipofsomeotherpoliceman。InduecourseIfollowed，and，liftingthebarattheendofthehall，departedwithoutfurtherquestionasked。AfterwardsIwasverygladtothinkthatIhaddonethemannoinjury。AtthemomentIknewthatIcouldhurthimifIwould，andwhatismoreIhadthedesiretodoso。Itcametome，Isuppose，withthatbreathofthepastwhenIwassogreatandabsolute。PerhapsI，orthatpartofmethenincarnate，wasatyrantinthosedays，andthisiswhynowImustbesohumble。Fateisturningmypridetoitshammerandbeatingitoutofme。
Forthusinthelonghistoryofthesoulitservesallourvices。
THEGREATWHITEROAD
Now，asIhavehinted，undertheteachingofJorsen，whosavedmefromdegradationandself-murder，yes，andhelpedmewithmoneyuntilonceagainIcouldearnalivelihood，Ihaveacquiredcertainknowledgeandwisdomofasortthatarenotcommon。Thatis，Jorsentaughtmetheelementsofthesethings；hesetmyfeetuponthepathwhichthenceforward，havingthesight，Ihavebeenabletofollowformyself。HowIfolloweditdoesnotmatter，norcouldIteachothersifIwould。
Iamnomemberofanymysticbrotherhood，and，asIhaveexplained，noMahatma，althoughIhavecalledmyselfthusforpresentpurposesbecausethenameisaconvenientcloak。IrepeatthatIamignorantiftherearesuchpeopleasMahatmas，thoughifsoIthinkJorsenmustbeoneofthem。Stillhenevertoldmethis。Whathehastoldisthateveryindividualspiritmustworkoutitsowndestinyquiteindependentlyofothers。Indeed，beingratherfondoffinephrases，hehassometimesspokentomeof，orrather，insisteduponwhathecalled\"thelonesomesplendourofthehumansoul，\"whichitisourbusinesstoperfectthroughvariouslivestillIcanscarcelyappreciateandamcertainlyunabletodescribe。
Totellthetruth，thethoughtofthis\"lonesomesplendour\"towhichitseemssomeofusmayattain，alarmsme。Ihavehadenoughofbeinglonesome，andIdonotaskforanyparticularsplendour。MyonlyambitionsaretofindthosewhomIhavelost，andinwhateverlifeI
livetobeofusetoothers。However，asIgatherthattheexaltedconditiontowhichJorsenalludesisthousandsofagesoffforanyofus，andmayafterallmeansomethingquitedifferenttowhatitseemstomean，thethoughtofitdoesnottroublemeovermuch。MeanwhilewhatIseekisthevisionofthoseIlove。
NowIhavethispower。OccasionallywhenIamindeepsleepsomepartofmeseemstoleavemybodyandtobetransportedquiteoutsidetheworld。Ittravels，asthoughIwerealreadydead，totheGatesthatallwholivemustpass，andtheretakesitsstand，ontheGreatWhiteRoad，watchingthosewhohavebeencalledspeedbycontinually。ThoseupontheearthknownothingofthatRoad。Blindedbytheirpompsandvanities，theycannotsee，theywillnotseeitalwaysgrowingtowardsthefeetofeveryoneofthem。ButIseeandknow。Ofcourseyouwhoreadwillsaythatthisisbutadreamofmine，anditmaybe。Still，ifso，itisaverywonderfuldream，andexceptforthechangeofthepassingpeople，orratherofthosewhohavebeenpeople，alwaysverymuchthesame。
There，straightasthewayoftheSpiritandbroadasthebreastofDeath，istheGreatWhiteRoadrunningIknownotwhence，uptothoseGatesthatgleamlikemoonlightandarehigherthantheAlps。TherebeyondtheGatestheradiantPresencesmovemysteriously。ThenceattheappointedtimetheVoicecriesandtheyareopenedwithasoundliketothatofdeepestthunder，orsometimesareburnedaway，whilefromtheGlorythatliesbeyondflowthesweet-facedwelcomerstogreetthoseforwhomtheywait，bearingthecupsfromwhichtheygivetodrink。Idonotknowwhatisinthecups，whetheritbeadraughtofLetheorsomebaptismalwaterofnewbirth，orboth；butalwaysthethirsting，world-wornsoulappearstochange，andthenasitweretobelostinthePresencethatgavethecup。Atleasttheyarelosttomysight。Iseethemnomore。
WhydoIwatchthoseGates，intruthorindream，beforemytime？Oh！
Youcanguess。ThatperchanceImaybeholdthoseforwhommyheartburnswithaquenchless，eatingfire。AndonceIbeheld——notthemotherbutthechild，mychild，changedindeed，mysterious，wonderful，gleaminglikeastar，witheyessodeepthatintheirdepthsmyhumanityseemedtoswoon。
Shecameforward；sheknewme；shesmiledandlaidherfingeronherlips。Sheshookherhairaboutherandinitvanishedasinacloud。
Yetasshevanishedavoicespokeinmyheart，hervoice，andthewordsitsaidwere——
\"Wait，ourBeloved！Wait！\"
Markwell。\"OurBeloved，\"not\"MyBeloved。\"SothereareothersbywhomIambeloved，oratleastoneother，andIknowwellwhothatonemustbe。
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Afterthisdream，perhapsIhadbettercallitadream，Iwasillforalongwhile，forthejoyandthegloryofitoverpoweredmeandbroughtmeneartothedeathIhadalwayssought。ButIrecovered，formyhourisnotyet。Moreover，foralongwhileaswereckontime，someyearsindeed，IobeyedtheinjunctionandsoughttheGreatWhiteRoadnomore。AtlengththelonginggrewtoostrongformeandIreturnedthither，butneveragaindidthevisioncome。Itswordwasspoken，itsmissionwasfulfilled。YetfromtimetotimeI，amortal，seemtostanduponthebordersofthatimmortalRoadandwatchthenewlydeadwhotravelittowardsthegloriousGates。
OnceortwicetherehavebeenamongthempeoplewhomIhaveknown。AsthesepassmeIappeartohavethepoweroflookingintotheirhearts，andthereIreadstrangethings。Sometimestheyarebeautifulthingsandsometimesuglythings。ThusIhavelearnedthatthoseIthoughtbadwerereallygoodinthemain，forwhocanclaimtobequitegood？
AndontheotherhandthatthoseIbelievedtobeashonestastheday——well，hadtheirfaults。
TotakeanexamplewhichIquotebecauseitissoabsurd。TheroomsI
liveinwereownedbyaprimoldwomanwhoformorethantwentyyearswasmylandlady。SheandIweregreatfriends，indeedshetendedmelikeamother，andwhenIwassoillnursedmeasperhapsfewmotherswouldhavedone。YetwhileIwaswatchingontheRoadsuddenlyshecameby，andwithhorrorIsawthatduringallthoseyearsshehadbeenrobbingme，taking，Iamsorrytosay，manythings，inmoney，trinkets，andfood。OftenIhaddiscussedwithherwherethesearticlescouldpossiblyhavegone，tillfinallysuspicionsettleduponthemanwhocleanedthewindows。Yes，andworstofall，hewasprosecuted，andIgaveevidenceagainsthim，orratherstrengthenedherevidence，onfaithofwhichthemagistratesenthimtoprisonforamonth。
\"Oh！MrsSmithers，\"Isaidtoher，\"how/could/youdoit，Mrs。
Smithers？\"
Shestoppedandlookedaboutherterrified，sothatmyheartsmotemeandIaddedinhaste，\"Don’tbefrightened，Mrs。Smithers；Iforgiveyou。\"
\"Ican’tseeyou，sir，\"sheexclaimed，orsoIdreamed，\"butthere！I
alwaysknewyouwould。\"
\"Yes，Mrs。Smithers，\"Ireplied；\"buthowaboutthewindow-cleanerwhowenttojailandlosthissituation？\"
Thenshepassedonorwasdrawnawaywithoutmakinganyanswer。
Nowcomestheoddpartofthestory。WhenIwokeuponthefollowingmorninginmyrooms，itwastobeinformedbythefrightenedmaid-of-
all-workthatMrs。Smithershadbeenfounddeadinherbed。Moreover，afewdayslaterIlearnedfromalawyerthatshehadmadeawillleavingmeeverythingshepossessed，includingtheleaseofherhouseandnearly￡1000，forshehadbeenasavingoldpersonduringallherlonglife。
Well，Isoughtoutthatwindow-cleanerandcompensatedhimhandsomely，sayingthatIhadfoundIwasmistakenintheevidenceIgaveagainsthim。TherestofthepropertyIkept，andIhopethatitwasnotwrongofmetodoso。Itwillberememberedthatsomeofitwasalreadymyown，temporarilydivertedintoanotherchannel，andfortherestI
havesomanytohelp。TobefrankIdonotspendmuchuponmyself。
THEHARE
NowIhavedonewithmyself，orratherwithmyowninsignificantpresenthistory，andcometothatoftheHare。Itimpressedmeagooddealatthetime，whichisnotlongago，somuchindeedthatI
communicatedthefactstoJorsen。Heorderedmetopublishthem，andwhatJorsenordersmustbedone。Idon’tknowwhythisshouldbe，butitisso。HehasauthorityofasortthatIamunabletodefine。
Onenightaftertheusualaspirationsandconcentrationofmind，whichbythewayarenotalwayssuccessful，Ipassedintowhatoccultistscallspirit，andothersastateofdream。AtanyrateIfoundmyselfuponthebordersoftheGreatWhiteRoad，asneartothemightyGatesasIameverallowedtocome。HowfarthatmaybeawayIcannottell。
Perhapsitisbutafewyardsandperhapsitisthewidthofthisgreatworld，forinthatplacewhichmyspiritvisitstimeanddistancedonotexist。Thereallthingsarenewandstrange，nottobereckonedbyourmeasures。Therethesightisnotoursightnorthehearingourhearing。Irepeatthatallthingsaredifferent，butthatdifferenceIcannotdescribe，andifIcoulditwouldprovepastcomprehension。
ThereIsatbythebordersoftheGreatWhiteRoad，myeyesfixedupontheGatesabovewhichthetowersmountformilesonmiles，outlinedagainstanencirclinggloomwiththeradianceoftheworldbeyondtheworlds。Four-squaretheystand，thosetowers，andfourfoldthegatesthatopentothedenizensofotherearths。ButoftheseIhavenoknowledgebeyondthefactthatitissoinmyvisions。
IsatuponthebordersoftheRoad，myeyesfixedinhopeupontheGates，thoughwellIknewthatthehopewouldneverbefulfilled，andwatchedthedeadgoby。
Theyweremanythatnight。SomeplaguewasworkingintheEastandunchainingthousands。ThefolkthatitloosedwerestrangetomewhointhisparticularlifehaveseldomleftEngland，andIstudiedthemwithcuriosity；high-featured，dark-huedpeoplewithapatientair。
TheknowledgewhichIhavetoldmethatoneandalltheywereveryancientsoulswhooftenandoftenhadwalkedthisRoadbefore，andtherefore，althoughasyettheydidnotknowit，werewellaccustomedtothejourney。No，Iamwrong，forhereandthereanindividualdidknow。Indeedonedeep-eyed，wistfullittlewoman，whocarriedababyinherarms，stoppedforamomentandspoketome。
\"TheotherscannotseeyouasIdo，\"shesaid。\"PriestoftheQueenofqueens，Iknowyouwell；handinhandweclimbedbythesevenstairwaystothealtarsofthemoon。\"
\"WhoistheQueenofqueens？\"Iasked。
\"Haveyouforgottenherofthehundrednameswhoseveilsweliftedonebyone；herwhosebreastwasbeautyandwhoseeyesweretruth？Inadaytocomeyouwillremember。FarewelltillwewalkthisRoadnomore。\"
\"Stay——whendidwemeet？\"
\"Whenoursoulswereyoung，\"sheanswered，andfadedfrommykenlikeashadowfromthesea。
AftertheEasternscamemanyothersfromallpartsoftheearth。ThensuddenlyappearedacompanyofaboutsixhundredfolkofeveryageandEnglishintheirlooks。Theywerenotsocalmasarethemajorityofthosewhomakethisjourney。WhenIreadthepapersafewdayslaterI
understoodwhy。Agreatpassengershiphadsunksuddenlyinmidoceanandtheywereallcutoffunprepared。
When，followedbyafewstragglers，thesehadpassedandgatheredthemselvesintheredshadowbeneaththegatewaytowerswaitingforthesummons，anunusualthingoccurred。ForafewmomentstheRoadwasleftquiteempty。AfterthatlastgreatstrokeDeathseemedtoberestingonhislaurels。Whenthusunpeopleditlookedaveryvastplaceliketoahugearchedcauseway，borderedoneithersidebyblackness，butitselfgleamingwithacuriousphosphorescencesuchasonceortwiceIhaveseeninthewatersofasummerseaatnight。
Presentlyintheverycentreofthisilluminateddesolation，whilstitwasasyetfaraway，somethingcaughtmyeye，somethingsostrangetotheplace，soutterlyunfamiliarthatIwatcheditearnestly，wonderingwhatitmightbe。Nearerandneareritcame，withcurious，uncertainhops；yes，alittlebrownobjectthathopped。
\"Well，\"Isaidtomyself，\"ifIwerenotwhereIamIshouldsaythatyonderthingwasahare。OnlywhatwouldaharebedoingontheGreatWhiteRoad？Howcouldaharetreadthepathwayofeternalsouls？I
mustbemistaken。\"
SoIreflectedwhilststillthethinghoppedon，untilIbecamecertainthateitherIsufferedfromdelusions，orthatitwasahare；
indeedaparticularlyfinehare，muchsuchaoneasafriendofmyoldlandlady，Mrs。Smithers，hadoncesentherasaChristmaspresentfromNorfolk，whichhareIate。
Afewmorehopsbroughtitoppositetomypostofobservation。Hereithaltedasthoughitseemedtoseeme。Atanyrateitsatupinthealertfashionthathareshave，itsforepawshangingabsurdlyinfrontofit，withoneear，onwhichtherewasagreyblotch，cockedandonedragging，andsniffedwithitsfunnylittlenostrils。Thenitbegantotalktome。Idonotmeanthatitreallytalked，butthethoughtswhichwereinitsmindwereflashedontomymindsothatIunderstoodperfectly，yes，andcouldanswertheminthesamefashion。Itsaid，orthought，thus：——
\"Youarereal。Youareamanwhoyetlivesbeneaththesun，thoughhowyoucamehereIdonotknow。Ihatemen，allharesdo，formenarecrueltothem。Stillitisacomfortinthisstrangeplacetoseesomethingonehasseenbeforeandtobeabletotalkeventoaman，whichIcouldneverdountilthechangecame，thedreadfulchange——I
meanbecauseofthewayofit，\"anditseemedtoshiver。\"MayIaskyousomequestions？\"
\"Certainly，\"Isaidorratherthoughtback。
\"Youaresurethattheywon’tmakeyouangrysothatyouhurtme？\"
\"Ican’thurtyou，evenifIwishedtodoso。Youarenotahareanylonger，ifyoueverwereone，butonlytheshadowofahare。\"
\"Ah！Ithoughtasmuch，andthat’sagoodthinganyhow。Tellme，Man，haveyoueverbeentorntopiecesbydogs？\"
\"Goodgracious！no。\"
\"Orcoursed，orhunted，orcaughtinatrap，orshotalloveryourback，ortwistedupinnetsandchokedinsnares？Orhaveyouswumouttoseatodiemoreeasily，orseenyourmateandmotherandfatherkilled？\"
\"No，no。Pleasestop，Hare；yourquestionsareveryunpleasant。\"
\"Nothalfsounpleasantasthethingsarethemselves，Icanassureyou，Man。Iwilltellyoumystoryifyoulike；thenyoucanjudgeforyourself。Butfirst，ifyouwill，doyoutellmewhyIamhere。Haveyouseenmoreharesaboutthisplace？\"
\"Never，noranyotheranimals。No，Iamwrong，onceIsawadog。\"
TheHarelookedaboutitanxiously。
\"Adog。Howhorrible！Whatwasitdoing？Hunting？Iftherearenoharesherewhatcoulditbehunting？Arabbit，orapheasantwithabrokenwing，orperhapsafox？Ishouldnotmindsomuchifitwereafox。Ihatefoxes；theycatchyounghareswhentheyareasleepandeatthem。\"
\"Noneofthesethings。Iwastoldthatitbelongedtoalittlegirlwhodied。Thatbrokeitsheart，sothatitdiedalsowhentheyshutherupinabox。Thereforeitwasallowedtoaccompanyherherebecauseithadlovedsomuch。IndeedIsawthemtogether，bothveryhappy，andtogethertheywentthroughthosegates。\"
\"Ifdogslovelittlegirlswhydon’ttheylovehares，atleastasanythinglikestobeloved，forthedogdidn’twanttoeatthelittlegirl，didit？Iseeyoucan’tanswerme。Nowwouldyoulikemetotellyoumystory？SomethinginsideofmeissayingthatIamtodosoifyouwilllisten；alsothatthereisplentyoftime，forIamnotwantedatpresent，andwhenIamIcanruntothosegatesmuchquickerthanyoucould。\"
\"Ishouldlikeitverymuch，Hare。Onceaprophetheardanassspeakinordertowarnhim。Butsincethen，exceptvery，veryrarelyindreams，nocreaturehastalkedtoaman，sofarasIknow。Perhapsyouwishtowarnmeaboutsomething，orothersthroughme，astheasswarnedBalaam。\"
\"WhoisBalaam？IneverheardofBalaam。Hewasn’tthemanwhofetchesdeadpheasantsinthedonkey-cart，washe？Ifso，I’veseenhimmaketheasstalk——withathickstick。No？Well，nevermind，IdaresayI
shouldnotunderstandabouthimifyoutoldme。Nowformystory。\"
ThentheHaresatitselfdown，plantingitsforepawsfirmlyinfrontofit，astheseanimalsdowhentheyareonthewatch，lookedupatmeandbegantopourthecontentsofitsmindintomine。
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Iwasborn，itsaid，orrathertoldmebythoughttransference，inafieldofgrowingcornneartoabigwood。AtleastIsupposeIwasbornthere，thoughthefirstthingIrememberisplayingaboutinthewheatwithtwootherlittleonesofmyownsize，abrotherandasisterthatwerebornwithme。Itwasatnight，foragreat，round，shiningthingwhichInowknowwasthemoon，hungintheskyaboveus。
Wegambolledtogetherandwereveryhappy，tillpresentlymymothercame——Irememberhowbigshelooked——andcuffedmewithherpawbecauseIhadledtheothersawayfromtheplacewhereshehadtoldustostop，andgivenheragreathunttofindus。ThatisthefirstthingIrememberaboutmymother。Afterwardssheseemedsorrybecauseshehadhurtme，andnursedusallthree，lettingmehavethemostmilk。Mymotheralwayslovedmethebestofus，becauseIwassuchafineleveret，withaprettygreypatchonmyleftear。JustasIhadfinisheddrinkinganotherharecamewhowasmyfather。Hewasverylarge，withaglossycoatandbigshiningeyesthatalwaysseemedtoseeeverything，evenwhenitwasbehindhim。
Hewasfrightenedaboutsomething，andhustledmymotheranduslittleonesoutofthewheat-fieldintothebigwoodbywhichitisbordered。
AsweleftthefieldIsawtwotallcreaturesthatafterwardsIcametoknowweremen。Theywereplacingwire-nettingroundthefield——youseeIunderstandnowwhatallthesethingswere，althoughofcourseI
didnotatthetime。Thetwoendsofthewirenettinghadnearlycometogether。Therewasonlyalittlegapleftthroughwhichwecouldrun。
Anotheryounghare，oritmayhavebeenarabbit，hadgotentangledinit，andoneofthemenwasbeatingittodeathwithastick。I
rememberthatthesoundofitsscreamsmademefeelcolddowntheback，forIhadneverheardanythinglikethatbefore，andthiswasthefirstthatIhadseenofpainanddeath。
Theothermansawusslippingthroughandranatuswithhisstick。Mymotherwentfirstandescapedhim。Thencamemysister，thenI，thenmybrother。Myfatherwaslastofall。Themanhitwithhisstickanditcamedownthudalongsideofme，justtouchingmyfur。Hehitagainandbroketheforelegofmybrother。Stillweallmanagedtogetthroughintothewood，exceptmyfatherwhowasbehind。
\"There’stheoldbuck！\"criedoneofthemen（Iunderstandwhathesaidnow，thoughatthetimeitmeantnothingtome）。\"Knockhimonthehead！\"
Soleavingusalonetheyranathim。Butmyfatherwasmuchtooquickforthem。Herushedbackintothecornandafterwardsjoinedusinthewood，forhehadseenwirebeforeandknewhowtoescapeit。Stillhewasterriblyfrightenedandmadeuskeepinthewoodtillthefollowingevening，notevenallowingmymothertogotoherformintheroughpastureonitsothersideandlieupthere。
Alsowewereintroublebecausemybrother’sforepawwasbroken。Itgavehimagreatdealofpain，sothathecouldnotrestorsleep。
Afterawhile，however，itmendedupinafashion，buthewasneverabletorunasfastaswecould，nordidhegrowsobig。Intheendthemotherfoxkilledhim，asIshalltell。
Mymotheraskedmyfatherwhatthemenwiththesticksweredoing——
for，youknow，manyanimalscantalktoeachotherintheirownway，eveniftheyareofdifferentkinds。Hetoldherthattheywereprotectingthewheattopreventusfromeatingit，towhichsheansweredangrilythatharesmustlivesomehow，especiallywhentheyhadyoungonestonurse。Myfatherrepliedthatmendidnotseemtothinkso，andperhapstheyhadyoungonesalso。Iseenowthatmyfatherwasaphilosophichare。Butareyoutiredofmystory？
\"Notatall，\"Ianswered；\"goon，please。Itisveryinterestingtohearthingsdescribedfromtheanimal’spointofview，especiallywhenthatanimalhasgrownwiseandlearnedtounderstand。\"
\"Ah，\"answeredtheHare。\"Iseewhatyoumean。Anditisodd，butIdounderstand。Allhasbecomecleartome。Idon’tknowwhathappenedwhenIdied，buttherecameachange，andIknewthatIwhowasbutabeastalwayshavebeenandstillamanecessarypartofeverythingasmuchasyouare，thoughmorehelplessandhumble。Yes，Iamasancientandasfar-reachingasyourself，buthowIbeganandhowIshallendisdarktome。Well，Iwillgoonwithmystory。
Itmusthavebeenamoonorsolater，aftermymotherhadgivenupnursingme，thatIwenttolieoutbymyself。Therewasabighouseonthehillsideoverlookingthesea，andneartoitweregardenssurroundedbyawall。Alsooutsideofthiswallwasanotherpatchofgardenwherecabbagesgrew。Ifoundawaytothosecabbagesandkeptitsecret，forIwasgreedyandwantedthemallformyself。Iusedtocreepinatnightandeatthem，alsosomeflowerswithspikyleavesthatgrewroundthemwhichhadaveryfineflavour。ThenafterthedawncameIwenttoaformwhichIhadmadeunderafurzebushontheslopethatrandowntothesea，andsleptthere。
OnedayIwasawakenedbysomethingwhite，hard，androundwhichrolledgentlyandstoppedstillquiteclosetome。Itwasnotalive，althoughithadaqueersmell，andIwonderedwhyitmovedatall。
PresentlyIheardvoicesandthereappearedalittleman，andwithhimsomebodywhowasnotamanbecauseitwasdifferentlydressedandspokeinahighervoice。Isawthattheyhadsticksintheirhandsandthoughtofrunningaway，thenthatitwouldbesafertoliequiteclose。Theycameuptomeandthelittlemansaid——
\"There’stheball；pickitup，Ella，thelieistoobad。\"
She，fornowIknowitwaswhatiscalledagirl，stoopedtoobeyandsawmyback。
\"Tom，\"shesaidinawhisper，\"here’sayounghareonitsform。\"
\"Getoutofthelight，\"heanswered，\"andI’llkillit，\"andheliftedthestickheheld，whichhadatwistedironend。
\"No，\"shesaid，\"catchitalive；Iwantaharetobeafriendtomyrabbit，whichhaslostallitslittleones。\"
\"Lostthem？Eatenthem，youmean，becauseyouwouldalwaysgoandstareatit，\"saidTom。\"Where’stheleveret？Oh！Isee。Now，lookout！\"
AmomentlaterandIwasindarkness。Tomhadthrownhimselfuponthetopofmeandwasgrabbingatmewithhishands。Inearlygotaway，butasmyheadpokedupunderhisarmthegirlcaughtholdofit。
\"Oh！it’sscratching，\"shecried，asindeedIwaswithallmymight。
\"Holdit，Tom，holdit！\"
\"Holdityourself，\"saidTom，\"myfaceisfulloffurzeprickles。\"Sosheheldandpresentlyhehelpedher，tillintheendIwastiedupinapocket-handkerchiefandcarriedIknewnotwhither。IndeedIwasalmostmadwithfear。
WhenIcametomyselfIfoundthatIwaswithinakindofwirerunwhichsmeltfoully，asthoughhundredsofthingshadlivedinitforyears。Therewasahutchattheendoftheruninwhichsatanenormousshe-rabbit，quiteasbigasmymother，afierce-lookingbrutewithlongyellowteeth。IwasafraidofthatrabbitandgotasfarfromitasIcould。Presentlyithoppedoutandlookedatme。
\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"itasked。\"Can’tyoutalk？Well，itdoesn’tmatter。IfIgethungryI’lleatyou！Doyouhearthat？I’lleatyou，asIdidalltheothers，\"anditshoweditsbigyellowteethandhoppedbackintothehutch。
AfterthatTomandthegirlcameandgaveusplentyoffoodwhichthebigrabbitate，forIcouldtouchnothing。Fortwodaystheycame，andthenIthinktheyforgotallaboutus。Igrewveryhungry，andatnightfilledmyselfwithsomeoftheremainingfood，suchasstalecabbageleaves。Bynextmorningallwasgone，andthebigrabbitgrewhungryalso。Allthatdayithoppedaboutsniffingatmeandshowingitsyellowteeth。
\"Ishalleatyouto-night，\"itsaid。
Iranroundandroundthepeninterror，tillatlastIfoundaplacewhereratshadbeenworkingunderthewire，almostbigenoughformetosqueezethrough，butnotquite。
Thesunwentdownandthebigshe-rabbitcameout。
\"NowIamgoingtoeatyou，\"itsaid，\"asIatealltheothers。Iamhungry，veryhungry，\"anditproddedmeaboutwithitsnoseandrolledmeover。
Atlastwithalittlesquealitdroveitsbigyellowteethintomebehind。Oh！howtheyhurt！Iwasneartherat-hole。Irushedatit，scrabblingandwriggling。Thebigrabbitpouncedonmewithitsfore-
feet，tryingtoholdme，buttoolate，forIwasthrough，leavingsomeofmyfurbehindme。Iran，howIran！withoutstopping，tillatlengthIfoundmymotherintheroughpasturebythewoodandtoldhereverything。
\"Ah！\"shesaid，\"that’swhatcomesofgreedinessandoftryingtobetooclever。Now，perhaps，youwilllearntostopathome。\"
SoIdidforalongwhile。