Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 3
InthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolyGhost.Amen.
Thepreachertookachainlesswatchfromapocketwithinhissoutaneand,havingconsidereditsdialforamomentinsilence,placeditsilentlybeforehimonthetable.
Hebegantospeakinaquiettone.
—AdamandEve,mydearboys,were,asyouknow,ourfirstparents,andyouwillrememberthattheywerecreatedbyGodinorderthattheseatsinheavenleftvacantbythefallofLuciferandhisrebelliousangelsmightbefilledagain.Lucifer,wearetold,wasasonofthemorning,aradiantandmightyangel;yethefell:hefellandtherefellwithhimathirdpartofthehostofheaven:hefellandwashurledwithhisrebelliousangelsintohell.Whathissinwaswecannotsay.Theologiansconsiderthatitwasthesinofpride,thesinfulthoughtconceivedinaninstant:NONSERVIAM:IWILLNOTSERVE.Thatinstantwashisruin.
HeoffendedthemajestyofGodbythesinfulthoughtofoneinstantandGodcasthimoutofheavenintohellforever.
—AdamandEvewerethencreatedbyGodandplacedinEden,intheplainofDamascus,thatlovelygardenresplendentwithsunlightandcolour,teemingwithluxuriantvegetation.Thefruitfulearthgavethemherbounty:beastsandbirdsweretheirwillingservants:theyknewnottheillsourfleshisheirto,diseaseandpovertyanddeath:allthatagreatandgenerousGodcoulddoforthemwasdone.
