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i so the miracles of* antichrist
X
sirocco
After that two peaceful years passed. The only
thing that happened in Diamante and in all Sicily,
was that the people became poorer and poorer.
It was in autumn, about the time of vintage.
And at that time the canzonets leap perfect to the
lips; at that time new and exquisite melodies flow
from the mandolins.
Then flocks of youth set out for the vineyards, and
the whole day there is work and laughter, dance and
laughter the whole night, and no one thinks of sleep.
Then the bright sea of air over the mountain is
more beautiful than ever. Then the air sparkles
with sallies of wit, and glittering glances pass
through it, like flashes of lightning, then it gathers
light and warmth not from the sun alone, but also
from the radiant faces of the young Etna-women.
This autumn, however, all vineyards were
devastated by phylloxera. No grape-pickers pressed
forward between the vines, no long lines of women
wound their way to the presses, and at night there
was no dancing on the flat roofs.
And this autumn the clear, light, October air
hovered no more over the Etna regions. But as though
it were in league with need, came the heavy,
paralyzing desert wind from Africa, bringing with it dust
and vapor which darkened the whole sky.
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