DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Polaris, v. 1, issue 4, September 1940

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Polaris, v. 1, issue 4, September 1940

Page 15

15

DREAM

by Damon Knight

In the dawn-time, when those who dwelt upon the Earth were something less and something more than men, I lived in a city called Argo, in the kingdom of Eysheth. In that city I was as men are, save that my soul stayed not in one body, but wandered from one to the other, rich and poor alike.
So it was in the dawn-time: to the city of Argo came one day three Orientals, with blandly-smiling faces and gloves upon their hands. In the street called L'unen they bought stalls in the marketplace and set themselves up as merchants. And although they grew very prosperous, it was observed that never did they wear robes of the green[[?]] cloth cleiya, which was the usual garb of rich merchants, but dressed always in garments of gold and sliver. And it was further noticed that while they dealt not only in precious stones and rare carvings from the Orient, but in other goods also, even in food and wine, no green fruits or vegetables could be bought of them; only the purple grape, and scarlet karaberry, and the black seed of the louka vine, which blooms at midnight. And so it came to be whispered that the Orientals were too noble to deal in goods having other than royal colors, and their trade prospered accordingly.
But one day it chanced that the Emperor, having occasion to pass through the city, observed with displeasure that no green flag of loyalty flew from the abode of the three; and he ordered that they should be seized and carried to his throne on the banks of the Eis, for judgement.
Lo! so it was in the dawn-time; the officer in charge of their seizure was a man but recently come to Argo; and that man was I.
And when I looked upon the faces of the three, memory stirred within me, and I cried out, "Are you not they who were driven out from the city of Anustaj, with green upon your hands?" and the three only smiled and bowed, and answered nothing.
Then I cried, in a louder voice, "Was not your dwelling in Anusgaj yellow-painted when you came, and was it not colored a dank and horrible green when you left it?" And still they made no answer.
Then I cried "Does not every green thing that you touch leave upon you a dank stain that will not go away? And is not your doom to become like unto walking images of Lyeshu, so that all men shun you? And are you not accursed of the Green God?"
And still the three answered not.
Then I said "If these things be so, it is your aim to defeat the cruse of Lyeshu by death at the hands of the Emperor. Therefore, I shall not take you to him." And I folded my arms.
Then stepped forward the three as one, and the first spoke and said "You have guessed well." And the second suddenly removed his glove and clasped my hand in his, so that the nauseous green of it ran into mine, saying "The blessings of the Green God upon you!" Then, as my body sank senseless to the floor, did the third turn to those who had been in my command, and say "Take us away."
(continued on Page 19)

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15 DREAM by Damon Knight In the dawn-time, when those who dwelt upon the Earth were something less and something more than men, I lived in a city called Argo, in the kingdom of Eysheth. In that city I was as men are, save that my soul stayed not in one body, but wandered from one to the other, rich and poor alike. So it was in the dawn-time: to the city of Argo came one day three Orientals, with blandly-smiling faces and gloves upon their hands. In the street called L'unen they bought stalls in the marketplace and set themselves up as merchants. And although they grew very prosperous, it was observed that never did they wear robes of the green[[?]] cloth cleiya, which was the usual garb of rich merchants, but dressed always in garments of gold and sliver. And it was further noticed that while they dealt not only in precious stones and rare carvings from the Orient, but in other goods also, even in food and wine, no green fruits or vegetables could be bought of them; only the purple grape, and scarlet karaberry, and the black seed of the louka vine, which blooms at midnight. And so it came to be whispered that the Orientals were too noble to deal in goods having other than royal colors, and their trade prospered accordingly. But one day it chanced that the Emperor, having occasion to pass through the city, observed with displeasure that no green flag of loyalty flew from the abode of the three; and he ordered that they should be seized and carried to his throne on the banks of the Eis, for judgement. Lo! so it was in the dawn-time; the officer in charge of their seizure was a man but recently come to Argo; and that man was I. And when I looked upon the faces of the three, memory stirred within me, and I cried out, "Are you not they who were driven out from the city of Anustaj, with green upon your hands?" and the three only smiled and bowed, and answered nothing. Then I cried, in a louder voice, "Was not your dwelling in Anusgaj yellow-painted when you came, and was it not colored a dank and horrible green when you left it?" And still they made no answer. Then I cried "Does not every green thing that you touch leave upon you a dank stain that will not go away? And is not your doom to become like unto walking images of Lyeshu, so that all men shun you? And are you not accursed of the Green God?" And still the three answered not. Then I said "If these things be so, it is your aim to defeat the cruse of Lyeshu by death at the hands of the Emperor. Therefore, I shall not take you to him." And I folded my arms. Then stepped forward the three as one, and the first spoke and said "You have guessed well." And the second suddenly removed his glove and clasped my hand in his, so that the nauseous green of it ran into mine, saying "The blessings of the Green God upon you!" Then, as my body sank senseless to the floor, did the third turn to those who had been in my command, and say "Take us away." (continued on Page 19)