Bolesław Prus

“ And he remained in death what he had been in life: a being visible only at twilight, silent and intangible as a shade.
Amid the murk of life, where hapless mankind gropes its way along, where some persons smash into obstacles, and others fall into a chasm, and where no one knows a sure path, where superstition-beset man is prey to ill fortune, misery, and hatred – still, in those dark trackless places in life, lamplighters bustle. Each carries a little flame over his head, each kindles light along his path, lives unknown, labors inestimable, then vanishes like a shade... ”

“ As the sun fades, a twilight army moves out in serried ranks from its retreats, silent and wary. It fills the corridors, entrance halls, and poorly lit stairways of buildings; from beneath wardrobes and tables it creeps out into the middle of the room and assails the curtains; through cellar air vents and window panes it moves out into the streets, storms in dead silence the walls and roofs and, lurking on the rooftops, patiently waits for the rosy clouds to fade in the west. ”

“ Whether, in the fields, spring breathes a fragrance of blossoms, or a July storm rages; whether, in the streets, wild autumn winds hurl clouds of dust, or winter snows billow through the air – always, as soon as evening comes, he runs down the city sidewalks with his little flame, kindles light, then disappears like a shade. ”