Запретный лес
IV. The Faithful Servant
Intimetheremightbeanendofallandthebarnmightbeemptied,butthetormentsofHellhavenoend.Tenthousandtimestenmillionsofyearsdothnotatallshortenthemiseriesofthedamned."
Therewasahushlikedeathinthecrowdedkirk.Awomanscreamedinhystericsandwascarriedout,andmanysobbed.AttheclosetheeldersthrongedaroundMr.Proudfootandthankedhimforadiscoursesoseasonableandinspired.ButDavidspokenoword,forhishearthadsickened.Whatmeantthesethundersagainstpublicsinwhenthosewhorejoicedinthemwerereadytocondoneaflagrantprivateiniquity?ForamomenthefeltthatMontrosetheapostate,doingevilwithcleansteelandshot,waslessrepugnanttoGodthanhisownKirkSession.
Thefrostdeclinedinmid-March,therewasafortnightofweepingthawandaweekofbittereastwinds,andtheninasinglenightcameasouthwindandspringblewuptheglens.
Isobelchasedtheministerfromhisbooks.
"Awa’tothehilllikeaman,andrax[stretch]yourlegs.Ye’vehadasairwinter,andyourfaceislikeadish-clout.Awa’andsnowkupthecallerair."
Davidwentouttothemoors,andonthesummitoftheHillofDeerhadaprospectofthecountryside,thecontourssharpintheclearAprillight,andcolourstealingbackafterthegreyofwinter.TheWoodofMelanudrigillseemedtohavecrowdedtogetheragain,andtohaveregaineditsdarkness,buttherewasasyetnomysteryinitsshadows.Thehillitselfwasyellowlikeoldvelvet,butgreenwasmantlingbesidethebrimmingstreams.
