Мхи старой усадьбы

           Bythesympathyofyourhumanheartsforsinyeshallscentoutalltheplaces—whetherinchurch,bedchamber,street,field,orforest—wherecrimehasbeencommitted,andshallexulttobeholdthewholeearthonestainofguilt,onemightybloodspot.Farmorethanthis.Itshallbeyourstopenetrate,ineverybosom,thedeepmysteryofsin,thefountainofallwickedarts,andwhichinexhaustiblysuppliesmoreevilimpulsesthanhumanpower—thanmypoweratitsutmost—canmakemanifestindeeds.Andnow,mychildren,lookuponeachother."

           Theydidso;and,bytheblazeofthehell-kindledtorches,thewretchedmanbeheldhisFaith,andthewifeherhusband,tremblingbeforethatunhallowedaltar.

           "Lo,thereyestand,mychildren,"saidthefigure,inadeepandsolemntone,almostsadwithitsdespairingawfulness,asifhisonceangelicnaturecouldyetmournforourmiserablerace."Dependingupononeanother’shearts,yehadstillhopedthatvirtuewerenotalladream.Nowareyeundeceived.Evilisthenatureofmankind.Evilmustbeyouronlyhappiness.Welcomeagain,mychildren,tothecommunionofyourrace."

           "Welcome,"repeatedthefiendworshippers,inonecryofdespairandtriumph.

           Andtheretheystood,theonlypair,asitseemed,whowereyethesitatingonthevergeofwickednessinthisdarkworld.Abasinwashollowed,naturally,intherock.