Ethan Brand stood erect, and raised his arms on high. The blue flames played
upon his face, and imparted the wild and ghastly light which alone could have
suited its expression; it was that of a fiend on the verge of plunging into
his gulf of intensest torment.
"O Mother Earth," cried he, "who art no more my Mother, and into whose bosom
this frame shall never be resolved! O mankind, whose brotherhood I have cast
off, and trampled thy great heart beneath my feet! O stars of heaven, that
shone on me of old, as if to light me onward and upward!--farewell all, and
forever. Come, deadly element of Fire--henceforth my familiar friend! Embrace
me, as I do thee!
