Ernest began to speak, giving to the people of what was in his heart and mind. His words had power, because they accorded with his thoughts; and his thoughts had reality and depth, because they harmonized with the life which he had always lived. It was not mere breath that this preacher uttered; they were the words of life, because a life of good deeds and holy love was melted into them. Pearls, pure and rich, had been dissolved into this precious draught. The poet, as he listened, felt that the being and character of Ernest were a nobler strain of poetry than he had ever written. His eyes glistening with tears, he gazed reverentially at the venerable man, and said within himself that never was there an aspect so worthy of a prophet and a sage as that mild, sweet, thoughtful countenance, with the glory of white hair diffused about it. At a distance, but distinctly to be seen, high up in the golden light of the setting sun, appeared the Great Stone Face, with hoary mists around it, like the white hairs around the brow of Ernest. Its look of grand beneficence seemed to embrace the world.
At that moment, in sympathy with a thought which he was about to utter, the face of Ernest assumed a grandeur of expression, so imbued with benevolence, that the poet, by an irresistible impulse, threw his arms aloft, and shouted—
“Behold! Behold! Ernest is himself the likeness of the Great Stone Face!”
Then all the people looked, and saw that what the deep-sighted poet said was true. The prophecy was fulfilled. But Ernest, having finished what he had to say, took the poet’s arm, and walked slowly homeward, still hoping that some wiser and better man than himself would by and by appear, bearing a resemblance to the Great Stone Face.
NOTES AND QUESTIONS
For Biography, [see page 348].
Discussion. 1. What old prophecy did Ernest hope to see fulfilled? 2. What did he see in the Great Stone Face that influenced him? 3. What did Gathergold care most for? 4. For what did he use his wealth? 5. How did Ernest know this? 6. What qualities had won the soldier his fame? 7. What qualities did he lack? 8. How were his characteristics revealed? 9. In what way did the statesman fail to meet comparison with the Great Stone Face? The poet? 10. Which failure disappointed Ernest most? Why? 11. How do you account for Ernest’s likeness to the Great Stone Face? 12. How was it that the poet could see the likeness when everyone else had failed to do so? 13. What may influence anyone as the Great Stone Face influenced Ernest? 14. If Gathergold represents riches, what is each of the other great men intended to represent? 15. Which of the things thus represented is the greatest? 16. What does Ernest represent? 17. What does the Great Stone Face represent? 18. Contrast Gathergold’s treatment of the beggars with the way Ernest felt the Great Stone Face would have treated them. 19. Apply the principle, that the life we live is reflected in our features, spirit, and actions, to Washington and Lincoln. 20. Can you tell Hawthorne’s purpose in writing this story? 21. Pronounce the following: harbingers; benign; wounds; beneficence; buoyantly; obliquely; draught.
Phrases