Червона літера
The Minister’s Vigil
Why,then,hadhecomehither?Wasitbutthemockeryofpenitence?Amockery,indeed,butinwhichhissoultrifledwithitself!Amockeryatwhichangelsblushedandwept,whilefiendsrejoicedwithjeeringlaughter!HehadbeendrivenhitherbytheimpulseofthatRemorsewhichdoggedhimeverywhere,andwhoseownsisterandcloselylinkedcompanionwasthatCowardicewhichinvariablydrewhimback,withhertremulousgripe,justwhentheotherimpulsehadhurriedhimtothevergeofadisclosure.Poor,miserableman!whatrighthadinfirmitylikehistoburdenitselfwithcrime?Crimeisfortheiron-nerved,whohavetheirchoiceeithertoendureit,or,ifitpresstoohard,toexerttheirfierceandsavagestrengthforagoodpurpose,andflingitoffatonce!Thisfeebleandmostsensitiveofspiritscoulddoneither,yetcontinuallydidonethingoranother,whichintertwined,inthesameinextricableknot,theagonyofheaven-defyingguiltandvainrepentance.
Andthus,whilestandingonthescaffold,inthisvainshowofexpiation,Mr.Dimmesdalewasovercomewithagreathorrorofmind,asiftheuniverseweregazingatascarlettokenonhisnakedbreast,rightoverhisheart.Onthatspot,inverytruth,therewas,andtherehadlongbeen,thegnawingandpoisonoustoothofbodilypain.
