Портрет художника в юности
Chapter 3
Justaseverysenseisafflictedwithafittingtorment,soiseveryspiritualfaculty;thefancywithhorribleimages,thesensitivefacultywithalternatelongingandrage,themindandunderstandingwithaninteriordarknessmoreterribleeventhantheexteriordarknesswhichreignsinthatdreadfulprison.Themalice,impotentthoughitbe,whichpossessesthesedemonsoulsisanevilofboundlessextension,oflimitlessduration,afrightfulstateofwickednesswhichwecanscarcelyrealizeunlesswebearinmindtheenormityofsinandthehatredGodbearstoit.
—Opposedtothispainofextensionandyetcoexistentwithitwehavethepainofintensity.Hellisthecentreofevilsand,asyouknow,thingsaremoreintenseattheircentresthanattheirremotestpoints.Therearenocontrariesoradmixturesofanykindtotemperorsoftenintheleastthepainsofhell.Nay,thingswhicharegoodinthemselvesbecomeevilinhell.Company,elsewhereasourceofcomforttotheafflicted,willbethereacontinualtorment:knowledge,somuchlongedforasthechiefgoodoftheintellect,willtherebehatedworsethanignorance:light,somuchcovetedbyallcreaturesfromthelordofcreationdowntothehumblestplantintheforest,willbeloathedintensely.Inthislifeoursorrowsareeithernotverylongornotverygreatbecausenatureeitherovercomesthembyhabitsorputsanendtothembysinkingundertheirweight.
