Page:Memoirs of the Lady Hester Stanhope.djvu/339

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Lady Hester Stanhope.
325

be above principle, although it would seem there is a species of integrity higher than principle itself, I held my tongue, and Lady Hester went on. "I know where to find a book that contains the language spoken by Adam and Eve:[1] the letters are a span high. Such things have fallen into my hands as have fallen into nobody's else. I know where the serpent is that has the head of a man, like the one that tempted Eve. The cave still exists not far from Tarsus; and the villages all about are exempted from the miri in consideration of feeding the serpents. Everybody in that neighbourhood knows it: isn't it extraordinary? why don't you answer? is it, or is it not? Good God! I should go mad if I were obliged to remain three whole days together in your society—I'm sure I should. Such a cold man I never saw; there is no getting an answer from you: however, think as you like. These serpents will march through the country to fight for the Messiah, and will devour everything before them." Here she paused for about a minute, and then added, "I think you had better not tell them anything about the serpents; perhaps their minds are not prepared for matters of this sort."

I have already observed that Monsieur Guys had mentioned, with some surprise, the serious manner in

  1. Ben Jonson, in his "Alchemist," alludes to such a book, "Ay, and a treatise penned by Adam."