Червона літера
The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter
"Wavebackthatwoman!CastoffthischildAllshallbewell!Donotblackenyourfame,andperishindishonour!Icanyetsaveyou!Wouldyoubringinfamyonyoursacredprofession?"
"Ha,tempter!Methinksthouarttoolate!"answeredtheminister,encounteringhiseye,fearfully,butfirmly."Thypowerisnotwhatitwas!WithGod’shelp,Ishallescapetheenow!"
Heagainextendedhishandtothewomanofthescarletletter.
"HesterPrynne,"criedhe,withapiercingearnestness,"inthenameofHim,soterribleandsomerciful,whogivesmegrace,atthislastmoment,todowhat—formyownheavysinandmiserableagony—Iwithheldmyselffromdoingsevenyearsago,comehithernow,andtwinethystrengthaboutme!Thystrength,Hester;butletitbeguidedbythewillwhichGodhathgrantedme!Thiswretchedandwrongedoldmanisopposingitwithallhismight!—withallhisownmight,andthefiend’s!Come,Hester—come!Supportmeupyonderscaffold."
Thecrowdwasinatumult.Themenofrankanddignity,whostoodmoreimmediatelyaroundtheclergyman,weresotakenbysurprise,andsoperplexedastothepurportofwhattheysaw—unabletoreceivetheexplanationwhichmostreadilypresenteditself,ortoimagineanyother—thattheyremainedsilentandinactivespectatorsofthejudgementwhichProvidenceseemedabouttowork.
