LordDunsanysPegana/OfDorozhand
LordDunsanysPegana/TheRevoltoftheHomeGods -LordDunsanysPegana/TheEyeintheWaste
Of Dorozhand
Whose Eyes Regard the End
Sitting above the lives of the people, and looking, doth
Dorozhand see that which is to be.
The god of Destiny is Dorozhand. Upon whom have looked
the eyes of Dorozhand he goeth forth to an end that naught
may stay; he becometh the arrow from the bow of Dorozhand
hurled forward at a mark he may not see -- to the goal of
Dorozhand. Beyond the thinking of men, beyond the sight of
all the other gods regard the eyes of Dorozhand.
He hath chosen his slaves. And them doth the destiny-god
drive onward where he will, who, knowing not whither nor
even knowing why, feel only his scourge behind them or hear
his cry before.
There is something that Dorozhand would fain achieve,
and, therefore, hath he set the people striving, with none
to cease or rest in all the worlds. But the gods in Pegana
speaking to the gods, say: "What is it that Dorozhand would
fain achieve?"
It hath been written and said that not only the destinies
of men are the care of Dorozhand but that even the gods of
Pegana be not unconcerned by his will.
All the gods of Pegana have felt a fear, for they have
seen a look in the eyes of Dorozhand that regardeth beyond
the gods.
The reason and purpose of the Worlds is that there should
be Life upon the Worlds, and Life is the instrument of
Dorozhand wherewith he would achieve his end.
Therefore the Worlds go on, and the rivers run to the
sea, and Life ariseth and flieth even in all the Worlds, and
the gods of Pegana do the work of the gods -- and all for
Dorozhand. But when the end of Dorozhand hath been achieved
there will be need no longer of Life upon the Worlds, nor
any more a game for the small gods to play. Then will Kib
tiptoe gently across Pegana to the resting-place in Highest
Pegana of MANA-YOOD-SUSHAI, and touching reverently his
hand, the hand that hath wrought the gods, say:
"MANA-YOOD-SUSHAI, thou hast rested long."
And MANA-YOOD-SUSHAI shall say: "Not so, for I have
rested but fifty aeons of the gods, each of them scarce more
than ten million mortal years of the Worlds that ye have
made."
And then shall the gods be afraid when they find that
MANA knoweth that they have made Worlds while he rested.
And they shall answer: "Nay; but the Worlds came all of
themselves."
Then MANA-YOOD-SUSHAI, as one who would have done with an
irksome matter, will lightly wave his hand -- the hand that
wrought the gods -- and there shall be gods no more.
When there shall be three moons towards the north above
the Star of the Abiding, three moons that neither wax nor
wane but regard towards the North.
Or when the comet ceaseth from his seeking and stands
still, not any longer moving among the Worlds but tarrying
as one who rests after the end of search, then shall arise
from resting, because it is THE END, the Greater One, who
rested of old time, even MANA-YOOD-SUSHAI.
Then shall the Times that were be Times no more; and it
may be that the old, dead days shall return from beyond the
Rim, and we who have wept for them shall see those days
again, as one who, returning suddenly from long travel to
his home, comes suddenly on dear, remembered things.
For none shall know of MANA who hath rested for so long,
whether he be a harsh or a merciful god. It may be that he
shall have mercy, and that these things shall be.
