Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 3
OnSundaymorningsashepassedthechurchdoorheglancedcoldlyattheworshipperswhostoodbareheaded,fourdeep,outsidethechurch,morallypresentatthemasswhichtheycouldneitherseenorhear.Theirdullpietyandthesicklysmellofthecheaphair-oilwithwhichtheyhadanointedtheirheadsrepelledhimfromthealtartheyprayedat.Hestoopedtotheevilofhypocrisywithothers,scepticaloftheirinnocencewhichhecouldcajolesoeasily.
Onthewallofhisbedroomhunganilluminatedscroll,thecertificateofhisprefectureinthecollegeofthesodalityoftheBlessedVirginMary.OnSaturdaymorningswhenthesodalitymetinthechapeltorecitethelittleofficehisplacewasacushionedkneeling-deskattherightofthealtarfromwhichheledhiswingofboysthroughtheresponses.Thefalsehoodofhispositiondidnotpainhim.Ifatmomentshefeltanimpulsetorisefromhispostofhonourand,confessingbeforethemallhisunworthiness,toleavethechapel,aglanceattheirfacesrestrainedhim.Theimageryofthepsalmsofprophecysoothedhisbarrenpride.ThegloriesofMaryheldhissoulcaptive:spikenardandmyrrhandfrankincense,symbolizingherroyallineage,heremblems,thelate-floweringplantandlate-blossomingtree,symbolizingtheage-longgradualgrowthofhercultusamongmen.Whenitfelltohimtoreadthelessontowardsthecloseoftheofficehereaditinaveiledvoice,lullinghisconsciencetoitsmusic.
QUASICEDRUSEXALTATASUMINLIBANONETQUASICUPRESSUSINMONTESION.
