Червона літера
The Pastor and His Parishioner
"Butthoushaltleaveitallbehindthee!Itshallnotcumberthysteps,asthoutreadestalongtheforest-path:neithershaltthoufreighttheshipwithit,ifthouprefertocrossthesea.Leavethiswreckandruinherewhereithathhappened.Meddlenomorewithit!Beginallanew!Hastthouexhaustedpossibilityinthefailureofthisonetrial?Notso!Thefutureisyetfulloftrialandsuccess.Thereishappinesstobeenjoyed!Thereisgoodtobedone!Exchangethisfalselifeofthineforatrueone.Be,ifthyspiritsummontheetosuchamission,theteacherandapostleoftheredmen.Or,asismorethynature,beascholarandasageamongthewisestandthemostrenownedofthecultivatedworld.Preach!Write!Act!Doanything,savetoliedownanddie!GiveupthisnameofArthurDimmesdale,andmakethyselfanother,andahighone,suchasthoucanstwearwithoutfearorshame.Whyshouldstthoutarrysomuchasoneotherdayinthetormentsthathavesognawedintothylife?thathavemadetheefeebletowillandtodo?thatwillleavetheepowerlesseventorepent?Up,andaway!"
"Oh,Hester!"criedArthurDimmesdale,inwhoseeyesafitfullight,kindledbyherenthusiasm,flashedupanddiedaway,"thoutellestofrunningaracetoamanwhosekneesaretotteringbeneathhim!Imustdiehere!Thereisnotthestrengthorcourageleftmetoventureintothewide,strange,difficultworldalone!"
Itwasthelastexpressionofthedespondencyofabrokenspirit.Helackedenergytograspthebetterfortunethatseemedwithinhisreach
