anthem(圣歌)-第7节
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the strange power to the copper through the brine of the frog's body。 We
put a piece of copper and a piece of zinc into a jar of brine； we touched a
wire to them； and there； under our fingers； was a miracle which had never
occurred before； a new miracle and a new power。
This discovery haunted us。 We followed it in preference to all our
studies。 We worked with it； we tested it in more ways than we can describe；
and each step was as another miracle unveiling before us。 We came to
know that we had found the greatest power on earth。 For it defies all the
laws known to men。 It makes the needle move and turn on the compass
which we stole from the Home of the Scholars； but we had been taught；
when still a child； that the loadstone points to the north and that this is a
law which nothing can change； yet our new power defies all laws。 We
found that it causes lightning； and never have men known what causes
lightning。 In thunderstorms； we raised a tall rod of iron by the side of our
hole； and we watched it from below。 We have seen the lightning strike it
again and again。 And now we know that metal draws the power of the sky；
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and that metal can be made to give it forth。
We have built strange things with this discovery of ours。 We used for
it the copper wires which we found here under the ground。 We have
walked the length of our tunnel； with a candle lighting the way。 We could
go no farther than half a mile； for earth and rock had fallen at both ends。
But we gathered all the things we found and we brought them to our work
place。 We found strange boxes with bars of metal inside； with many cords
and strands and coils of metal。 We found wires that led to strange little
globes of glass on the walls； they contained threads of metal thinner than a
spider's web。
These things help us in our work。 We do not understand them； but
we think that the men of the Unmentionable Times had known our power
of the sky； and these things had some relation to it。 We do not know； but
we shall learn。 We cannot stop now； even though it frightens us that we
are alone in our knowledge。
No single one can possess greater wisdom than the many Scholars who
are elected by all men for their wisdom。 Yet we can。 We do。 We have
fought against saying it； but now it is said。 We do not care。 We forget all
men； all laws and all things save our metals and our wires。 So much is
still to be learned！ So long a road lies before us； and what care we if we
must travel it alone！
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PART FOUR
Many days passed before we could speak to the Golden One again。
But then came the day when the sky turned white； as if the sun had burst
and spread its flame in the air； and the fields lay still without breath； and
the dust of the road was white in the glow。 So the women of the field
were weary； and they tarried over their work； and they were far from the
road when we came。 But the Golden One stood alone at the hedge；
waiting。 We stopped and we saw that their eyes； so hard and scornful to
the world； were looking at us as if they would obey any word we might
speak。
And we said：
〃We have given you a name in our thoughts； Liberty 5…3000。〃
〃What is our name？〃 they asked。
〃The Golden One。〃
〃Nor do we call you Equality 7…2521 when we think of you。〃
〃What name have you given us？〃 They looked straight into our eyes
and they held their head high and they answered：
〃The Unconquered。〃
For a long time we could not speak。 Then we said：
〃Such thoughts as these are forbidden； Golden One。〃
〃But you think such thoughts as these and you wish us to think them。〃
We looked into their eyes and we could not lie。
〃Yes；〃 we whispered； and they smiled； and then we said： 〃Our
dearest one； do not obey us。〃
They stepped back； and their eyes were wide and still。
〃Speak these words again；〃 they whispered。
〃Which words？〃 we asked。 But they did not answer； and we knew it。
〃Our dearest one；〃 we whispered。
Never have men said this to women。
The head of the Golden One bowed slowly； and they stood still before
us； their arms at their sides； the palms of their hands turned to us； as if
their body were delivered in submission to our eyes。 And we could not
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speak。
Then they raised their head； and they spoke simply and gently； as if
they wished us to forget some anxiety of their own。
〃The day is hot；〃 they said； 〃and you have worked for many hours and
you must be weary。〃
〃No；〃 we answered。
〃It is cooler in the fields；〃 they said； 〃and there is water to drink。 Are
you thirsty？〃
〃Yes；〃 we answered； 〃but we cannot cross the hedge。〃
〃We shall bring the water to you；〃 they said。
Then they knelt by the moat； they gathered water in their two hands；
they rose and they held the water out to our lips。
We do not know if we drank that water。 We only knew suddenly that
their hands were empty； but we were still holding our lips to their hands；
and that they knew it； but did not move。
We raised our head and stepped back。 For we did not understand what
had made us do this； and we were afraid to understand it。
And the Golden One stepped back； and stood looking upon their hands
in wonder。 Then the Golden One moved away； even though no others were
coming； and they moved； stepping back； as if they could not turn from us；
their arms bent before them； as if they could not lower their hands。
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PART FIVE
We made it。 We created it。 We brought it forth from the night of the
ages。 We alone。 Our hands。 Our mind。 Ours alone and only。
We know not what we are saying。 Our head is reeling。 We look
upon the light which we have made。 We shall be forgiven for anything
we say tonight。 。 。 。
Tonight； after more days and trials than we can count； we finished
building a strange thing； from the remains of the Unmentionable Times； a
box of glass； devised to give forth the power of the sky of greater strength
than we had ever achieved before。 And when we put our wires to this box；
when we closed the currentthe wire glowed！ It came to life； it turned red；
and a circle of light lay on the stone before us。
We stood； and we held our head in our hands。 We could not conceive
of that which we had created。 We had touched no flint； made no fire。
Yet here was light； light that came from nowhere； light from the heart of
metal。
We blew out the candle。 Darkness swallowed us。 There was nothing
left around us； nothing save night and a thin thread of flame in it； as a
crack in the wall of a prison。 We stretched our hands to the wire； and we
saw our fingers in the red glow。 We could not see our body nor feel it； and
in that moment nothing existed save our two hands over a wire glowing in
a black abyss。
Then we thought of the meaning of that which lay before us。 We can
light our tunnel； and the City； and all the Cities of the world with nothing
save metal and wires。 We can give our brothers a new light； cleaner and
brighter than any they have ever known。 The power of the sky can be
made to do men's bidding。 There are no limits to its secrets and its might；
and it can be made to grant us anything if we but choose to ask。
Then we knew what we must do。 Our discovery is too great for us to
waste our time in sweeping the streets。 We must not keep our secret to
ourselves； nor buried under the ground。 We must bring it into the sight of
all men。 We need all our time； we need the work rooms of the Home of
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the Scholars； we want the help of our brother Scholars and their wisdom
join
