Read "Zanoni" by Edward Bulwer-lytton online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Cernis, custodia qualis Vestibulo sedeat? facies quae limina servet? "Aeneid," lib. vi. 574. (See you what porter sits within the vestibule? -- what face watches at the threshold? )
And it is profound night. All is at rest within the old castle, -- all is breathless under the melancholy stars. Now is the time. Mejnour with his austere wisdom, -- Mejnour the enemy to love; Mejnour, whose eye will read thy heart, and refuse thee the promised secrets because the sunny face of Fillide disturbs the lifeless shadow that he calls repose, -- Mejnour comes to-morrow! Seize the night! Beware of fear! Never, or this hour! So, brave youth, -- brave despite all thy errors, -- so, with a steady pulse, thy hand unlocks once more the forbidden door.