The ideas succeeded each other like a dynasty of kings
The impalpable presence of the new century rose like a vast empty house through which
no human feet had walked
The inexorable facts closed in on him like prison-warders hand-cuffing a convict
The lake glimmered as still as a mirror
The land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell
The land was like a dream
The level boughs, like bars of iron across the setting sun
The light of London flaring like a dreary dawn
The lights blazed up like day