Запретный лес

           HowsuldIkenthecovensthatrampageintheWud?Ibidecheekbyjowlwi’themuckleblackthing,andoftenIwishitwasafieldo’straeinadryback-endsothatIcouldsetfiretoitandseeitburnfraeReiverslawtoWindyways,andfraeWoodileetotheAllerside.ButI’veneverenteredtheplaceinmirkorlicht,formywark’swi’sheep,andthehonestbeastswillnogangnearit."

           "Butyoumusthaveheard..."

           "I’veheardnocht.Ihavemaybeguessed,butit’snolikeIwadhearacheep.InevergangneartheclachanexcepttokirkortoLuckyWeir’s,andtheWoodileefolkarepawkybodiesevenwhenthey’refou,andonywayI’mnaeclatter-vengeancetobeclypin’wi’auldwivesattheroadside.ButI’vemyainnotiono’what’sgaunon,andIcantellye,sir,it’sgaunoninmonyanithergodlyparochineinthiskingdomo’Scotland,andit’sbeengaunonforhundredso’years,longaforeJohnKnoxdangdounthePape.Butit’sgottenabrawnewtackinthesedayso’reformedandcovenantitkirks.WhatdoyourPresbytriesandAssembliesoryourgodlyministerskeno’thethingsthataredoneinthemirk?...Whatdotheykeno’thecorpsinthekirkyairdsburiedo’theirainwullwi’theirfacesdownwards?...Theysetupwhattheyca’theirdiscipline,andtheylowsetheterrorso’Hellonsma’fautslikeanaith,orprofanetalkontheSabbath,orgiein’thekirkthego-by,andtheyhaletothecutty-stoolilkalassthat’sowerkindtoherjoe.