Черный тюльпан
The Hymn of the Flowers
Moreover,hadnotshetosufferevenworsetormentsthanthoseofseclusionandseparation?Didthisbrutal,blaspheming,drunkenbullytakerevengeonhisdaughter,liketheruthlessfathersoftheGreekdrama?AndwhentheGenièvrehadheatedhisbrain,woulditnotgivetohisarm,whichhadbeenonlytoowellsetbyCornelius,evendoubleforce?
TheideathatRosamightperhapsbeill-treatednearlydroveCorneliusmad.
Hethenfelthisownpowerlessness.HeaskedhimselfwhetherGodwasjustininflictingsomuchtribulationontwoinnocentcreatures.AndcertainlyinthesemomentshebegantodoubtthewisdomofProvidence.Itisoneofthecursesofmisfortunethatitthusbegetsdoubt.
VanBaerlehadproposedtowritetoRosa,butwherewasshe?
HealsowouldhavewishedtowritetotheHaguetobebeforehandwithGryphus,who,hehadnodoubt,wouldbydenouncinghimdohisbesttobringnewstormsonhishead.
Buthowshouldhewrite?Gryphushadtakenthepaperandpencilfromhim,andevenifhehadboth,hecouldhardlyexpectGryphustodespatchhisletter.
ThenCorneliusrevolvedinhismindallthosestratagemsresortedtobyunfortunateprisoners.
Hehadthoughtofanattempttoescape,athingwhichneverenteredhisheadwhilsthecouldseeRosaeveryday;butthemorehethoughtofit,themoreclearlyhesawtheimpracticabilityofsuchanattempt.Hewasoneofthosechoicespiritswhoabhoreverythingthatiscommon,andwhooftenloseagoodchancethroughnottakingthewayofthevulgar,thathighroadofmediocritywhichleadstoeverything.
