Серце темряви
Chapter 1
Intheimmutabilityoftheirsurroundingstheforeignshores,theforeignfaces,thechangingimmensityoflife,glidepast,veilednotbyasenseofmysterybutbyaslightlydisdainfulignorance;forthereisnothingmysterioustoaseamanunlessitbetheseaitself,whichisthemistressofhisexistenceandasinscrutableasDestiny.Fortherest,afterhishoursofwork,acasualstrolloracasualspreeonshoresufficestounfoldforhimthesecretofawholecontinent,andgenerallyhefindsthesecretnotworthknowing.Theyarnsofseamenhaveadirectsimplicity,thewholemeaningofwhichlieswithintheshellofacrackednut.ButMarlowwasnottypical(ifhispropensitytospinyarnsbeexcepted),andtohimthemeaningofanepisodewasnotinsidelikeakernelbutoutside,envelopingthetalewhichbroughtitoutonlyasaglowbringsoutahaze,inthelikenessofoneofthesemistyhalosthatsometimesaremadevisiblebythespectralilluminationofmoonshine.
Hisremarkdidnotseematallsurprising.ItwasjustlikeMarlow.Itwasacceptedinsilence.Noonetookthetroubletogrunteven;andpresentlyhesaid,veryslow—"Iwasthinkingofveryoldtimes,whentheRomansfirstcamehere,nineteenhundredyearsago—theotherday...Lightcameoutofthisriversince—yousayKnights?Yes;butitislikearunningblazeonaplain,likeaflashoflightningintheclouds.Weliveintheflicker—mayitlastaslongastheoldearthkeepsrolling!Butdarknesswashereyesterday.
