Гимн
Part Six
Theytoretheclothesfromourbody,theythrewusdownuponourkneesandtheytiedourhandstotheironpost.Thefirstblowofthelashfeltasifourspinehadbeencutintwo.Thesecondblowstoppedthefirst,andforasecondwefeltnothing,thenthepainstruckusinourthroatandfireraninourlungswithoutair.Butwedidnotcryout.
Thelashwhistledlikeasingingwind.Wetriedtocounttheblows,butwelostcount.Weknewthattheblowswerefallinguponourback.Onlywefeltnothinguponourbackanylonger.Aflaminggrillkeptdancingbeforeoureyes,andwethoughtofnothingsavethatgrill,agrill,agrillofredsquares,andthenweknewthatwewerelookingatthesquaresoftheirongrillinthedoor,andtherewerealsothesquaresofstoneonthewalls,andthesquareswhichthelashwascuttinguponourback,crossingandre-crossingitselfinourflesh.
Thenwesawafistbeforeus.Itknockedourchinup,andwesawtheredfrothofourmouthonthewitheredfingers,andtheJudgeasked:
“Wherehaveyoubeen?”
Butwejerkedourheadaway,hidourfaceuponourtiedhands,andbitourlips.
Thelashwhistledagain.Wewonderedwhowassprinklingburningcoaldustuponthefloor,forwesawdropsofredtwinklingonthestonesaroundus.
Thenweknewnothing,savetwovoicessnarlingsteadily,oneaftertheother,eventhoughweknewtheywerespeakingmanyminutesapart:
“Wherehaveyoubeenwherehaveyoubeenwherehaveyoubeenwherehaveyoubeen?...”
Andourlipsmoved,butthesoundtrickledbackintoourthroat,andthesoundwasonly:
“Thelight...Thelight...
