Мхи старой усадьбы
Egotism; or, The Bosom Serpent
Byoneofthesepersons,intheexultationofasupposedcure,itwasproclaimedfarandwide,bydintofhandbillsandlittlepamphletsondingypaper,thatadistinguishedgentleman,RoderickElliston,Esq.,hadbeenrelievedofaSNAKEinhisstomach!Soherewasthemonstroussecret,ejectedfromitslurkingplaceintopublicview,inallitshorribledeformity.Themysterywasout;butnotsothebosomserpent.He,ifitwereanythingbutadelusion,stilllaycoiledinhislivingden.Theempiric’scurehadbeenasham,theeffect,itwassupposed,ofsomestupefyingdrugwhichmorenearlycausedthedeathofthepatientthanoftheodiousreptilethatpossessedhim.WhenRoderickEllistonregainedentiresensibility,itwastofindhismisfortunethetowntalk—themorethanninedays’wonderandhorror—while,athisbosom,hefeltthesickeningmotionofathingalive,andthegnawingofthatrestlessfangwhichseemedtogratifyatonceaphysicalappetiteandafiendishspite.
Hesummonedtheoldblackservant,whohadbeenbredupinhisfather’shouse,andwasamiddle-agedmanwhileRodericklayinhiscradle.
"Scipio!"hebegan;andthenpaused,withhisarmsfoldedoverhisheart."Whatdopeoplesayofme,Scipio."
"Sir!mypoormaster!thatyouhadaserpentinyourbosom,"answeredtheservantwithhesitation.
"Andwhatelse?"askedRoderick,withaghastlylookattheman.
"Nothingelse,dearmaster,"repliedScipio,"onlythatthedoctorgaveyouapowder,andthatthesnakeleapedoutuponthefloor.
