The Young Queens 



charged to repair this error. Turn where 

 we may, it towers high over our heads. 

 It is the circular ocean, the tideless water, 

 whereon our boldest and most independ- 

 ent thoughts will never be more than 

 mere abject bubbles. We call it Nature 

 to-day ; to-morrow, perhaps, we shall give 

 it another name, softer or more alarming. 

 In the meanwhile it holds simultaneous, 

 impartial sway over life and death ; fur- 

 nishing the two irreconcilable sisters with 

 the magnificent and familiar weapons that 

 adorn and distract its bosom. 



[81] 



Does this force take measures to main- 

 tain what may be struggling on its sur- 

 face, or must we say, arguing in the 

 strangest of circles, that what floats on 

 its surface must guard itself against the 

 genius that has given it life ? That ques- 

 tion must be left open. We have no 

 291 



