Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 5
Thepagesofhistime-wornHoraceneverfeltcoldtothetouchevenwhenhisownfingerswerecold;theywerehumanpagesandfiftyyearsbeforetheyhadbeenturnedbythehumanfingersofJohnDuncanInverarityandbyhisbrother,WilliamMalcolmInverarity.Yes,thosewerenoblenamesontheduskyflyleafand,evenforsopooraLatinistashe,theduskyverseswereasfragrantasthoughtheyhadlainallthoseyearsinmyrtleandlavenderandvervain;butyetitwoundedhimtothinkthathewouldneverbebutashyguestatthefeastoftheworld’scultureandthatthemonkishlearning,intermsofwhichhewasstrivingtoforgeoutanestheticphilosophy,washeldnohigherbytheagehelivedinthanthesubtleandcuriousjargonsofheraldryandfalconry.
ThegreyblockofTrinityonhisleft,setheavilyinthecity’signorancelikeadullstonesetinacumbrousring,pulledhisminddownwardandwhilehewasstrivingthiswayandthattofreehisfeetfromthefettersofthereformedconsciencehecameuponthedrollstatueofthenationalpoetofIreland.
Helookedatitwithoutanger;for,thoughslothofthebodyandofthesoulcreptoveritlikeunseenvermin,overtheshufflingfeetandupthefoldsofthecloakandaroundtheservilehead,itseemedhumblyconsciousofitsindignity.ItwasaFirbolgintheborrowedcloakofaMilesian;andhethoughtofhisfriendDavin,thepeasantstudent.
