End of the world -- Fiction; Epidemics -- Fiction; Science fiction; Twenty-first century -- Fiction
We arrived at Kishan on the 7th of July. The weather during our journey
had been serene. Each day, before dawn, we left our night’s encampment,
and watched the shadows as they retreated from hill and valley, and the
golden splendour of the sun’s approach. The accompanying soldiers
received, with national vivacity, enthusiastic pleasure from the sight
of beautiful nature. The uprising of the star of day was hailed by
triumphant strains, while the birds, heard by snatches, filled up the
intervals of the music. At noon, we pitched our tents in some shady
valley, or embowering wood among the mountains, while a stream
prattling over pebbles induced grateful sleep. Our evening march, more
calm, was yet more delightful than the morning restlessness of spirit.
If the band played, involuntarily they chose airs of moderated passion;
the farewell of love, or lament at absence, was followed and closed by
some solemn hymn, which harmonized with the tranquil loveliness of
evening, and elevated the soul to grand and religious thought. Often
all sounds were suspended, that we might listen to the nightingale,
while the fire-flies danced in bright measure, and the soft cooing of
the aziolo spoke of fair weather to the travellers. Did we pass a
valley? Soft shades encompassed us, and rocks tinged with beauteous
hues. If we traversed a mountain, Greece, a living map, was spread
beneath, her renowned pinnacles cleaving the ether; her rivers
threading in silver line the fertile land. Afraid almost to breathe, we
English travellers surveyed with extasy this splendid landscape, so
different from the sober hues and melancholy graces of our native
scenery. When we quitted Macedonia, the fertile but low plains of
Thrace afforded fewer beauties; yet our journey continued to be
interesting. An advanced guard gave information of our approach, and
the country people were quickly in motion to do honour to Lord Raymond.
The villages were decorated by triumphal arches of greenery by day, and
lamps by night; tapestry waved from the windows, the ground was strewed
with flowers, and the name of Raymond, joined to that of Greece, was
echoed in the _Evive_ of the peasant crowd.
When we arrived at Kishan, we learnt, that on hearing of the advance of
Lord Raymond and his detachment, the Turkish army had retreated from
Rodosto; but meeting with a reinforcement, they had re-trod their
steps. In the meantime, Argyropylo, the Greek commander-in-chief, had
advanced, so as to be between the Turks and Rodosto; a battle, it was
said, was inevitable. Perdita and her child were to remain at Kishan.
Raymond asked me, if I would not continue with them. “Now by the fells
of Cumberland,” I cried, “by all of the vagabond and poacher that
appertains to me, I will stand at your side, draw my sword in the Greek
cause, and be hailed as a victor along with you!”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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