Among the Prophets 



unbeliever, or the Piscataqua of Maine. It is 

 enough for me that there was aspiration. To 

 filch the title of great river was at least to dream 

 upon the beauties consequent. To steal the title 

 of true prophet was for the first Mussulman to 

 seek his revelations in the desert solitudes; and in 

 praying with his face towards Mecca, to lift his 

 eyes upon the glory of the setting sun. Who 

 would not play false when he so might wrongly 

 win? 



Not I at least ; for it is much in the same spirit 

 that I pretend to paint. To be sure I do not 

 bring my revelations home. I seek no converts. 

 I fear that should I do so even with the sword, I 

 could but martyr truth. And though in these 

 usurping days any upstart may arise self- 

 knighted, I make no attempt to take my place 

 among the master painters and to head their for- 

 mal list. My pretensions are set forth with a 

 far different intent. Not that I may win great 

 place, but a remote one. Not that a multitude 

 shall greet me with acclaim, but that they shall 

 grant me to depart in peace. I would have them 

 gain for me the privilege of an occasional hegira, 



[39] 



