Another World: Fragments from the Star City of MontalluyahLumley, Benjamin
Science
Another World: Fragments from the Star City of Montalluyah
Lumley, Benjamin
Utopias
"Give vent to your emotions in words, in flowers, in music, and
above all in good and noble acts."
The enthusiastic admiration of the lover has modes of expression besides
the graceful presentation of flowers, and the soul-stirring breathings
of the harp.
The following, to which I have added the explanation of certain terms,
conveys as nearly as may be the meaning of some verses addressed by a
lover to the object of his admiration. Many of the expressions will
probably be thought hyperbolical. You will, however, remember that our
pulsation is more rapid than yours.
* * * * *
Like Lertees[1] at sunrise, opening into life, are thine eyes;
Sparkling and darting like Zacostees[2] the most rare.
Their light overpowers as the air before a storm, when Raskutshi spreads
his wings across the temples of his people.[3]
Soft as the Kamouska[4] thine eyes penetrate and search the soul with
ingenuity exercised by Orestee[5] to find a treasure.
Sweet as the milk of the Meleeta[6] is thy breath.
Thy breasts are like the electricity of Turvee.[7]
Thy laugh is like the shooting of the stars,[8] silvery and wondrously
charming.
Dangerous art thou, for thou allurest mankind from every pursuit, and,
like to the electricity of the whale,[9] dost thou draw us far and near.
Then as the Martolooti[10] dost thou fascinate us to the spot.
Graceful as the Castrenka[11] move thine arms.
More playful than the Chilarti when it smiles,[12] and more luscious
than the juice of the Tootmanyoso's fruit[13] is the balm of thy lips.
The charms thou displayest are like the perfume emitted by the
everlasting gulf;[14]
Durable in their attraction as the Yurdzin-nod.[15]
As surely dost thou penetrate the heart as the venom of the serpent
permeates the blood.
Precious as the fat on the serpent's head[16] is the marrow of thy
bones.
Firm as the Mestua Mountain[17] is thy will.
In thy goodness thy maker must rejoice.
Thy constant love doth make me live many lives in one; a day seemeth a
year, and a year but a day.
Rise, wet thy feet,[18] and onward let us go to Stainer's fount.[19]
There to calm our thirst before singing to our Maker's praise.
And even as that sweet source ever flows,
So may our lives flow to the end of time, as constant and as bright.
Then come to my arms, and twine thyself about me, and I will support
thee with strength and power, as the Mountain Supporter[20] sustains the
air-suspended cities of Montalluyah.
* * * * *
EXPLANATION OF CERTAIN TERMS USED IN THE
PRECEDING SONG OF ADMIRATION.
1. Lertees.--A lovely mountain spangled with transparent
stones, which is so resplendent at sunrise that none can look at it
without putting gauze before the eyes. Many of the stones were used to
ornament the Mountain Supporter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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