We were rapidly approaching; now upon the platform; my bearers were striding closely along the side; I leaned far out⁠—a giddiness seized me! I gazed down into depth upon vertiginous depth; an abyss indeed⁠—an abyss dropping to world’s base like that in which the Babylonians believed writhed Talaat, the serpent mother of Chaos; a pit that struck down into Earth’s heart itself.

Now, what was that⁠—distance upon unfathomable distance below? A stupendous glowing like the green fire of life itself. What was it like? I had it! It was like the corona of the sun in eclipse⁠—that burgeoning that makes of our luminary when moon veils it an incredible blossoming of splendours in the black heavens.

And strangely, strangely, it was like the Dweller’s beauty when with its dazzling spirallings and writhings it raced amid its storm of crystal bell sounds!