Запретный лес
II. The Road to Calidon
"Thou,Lord,"herepeatedtohimself,"inthebeginninghastlaidthefoundationsoftheearth,andtheheavensaretheworkofThyhands.Theyshallperish,butThoushaltendure;theyallshallwaxoldasdothagarment,andasavestureshaltThouchangethem,andtheyshallbechanged:butThouartthesame,andThyyearsshallnotfail."
ButastheroadtwinedamongthebirchesDavid’smoodbecameinsensiblymorepagan.Hecouldnotresistthejoyoftheyounglifethatraninhismembers,andwhichseemedtobequickenedbytheglenofhischildhood.Deathwastheportionofall,butyouthwasstillfarfromdeath....Thedimnessanddelicacyofthelandscape,thelinesofhillmeltingintoahazeunderthemoon,wenttohisheadlikewine.Itwasaworldtransfiguredandspell-laden.OnhisleftthedarkblotchwhichwasMelanudrigilllaylikeaspideroverthehillsidesandthemouthsoftheglens,butallinfrontandtohisrightwaskindlyandgolden.Hehadcomebacktohisowncountry,anditheldoutitsarmstohim."Salve,OvenustaSirmio,"hecried,andanowlanswered.
Theglenroadwasreached,buthedidnotturntowardsRoodfoot.HehadnownodreadofthewoodofMelanudrigill,buthehadanotiontostandbesideRoodwater,whereitflowedinafernymeadowwhichhadbeenhisfavouritefishing-ground.Sohepushedbeyondthepathintoamazeofbrackenandpresentlywasatthestream’sedge.
Andthen,asheguidedhishorsepastathicketofalders,hecamefulluponalittlepartyofriderswhohadhaltedthere.
