Мхи старої садиби
Rappaccini's Daughter
Behold!thereisamedicine,potent,asawisephysicianhasassuredme,andalmostdivineinitsefficacy.Itiscomposedofingredientsthemostoppositetothosebywhichthyawfulfatherhasbroughtthiscalamityupontheeandme.Itisdistilledofblessedherbs.Shallwenotquaffittogether,andthusbepurifiedfromevil?"
"Giveitme!"saidBeatrice,extendingherhandtoreceivethelittlesilvervialwhichGiovannitookfromhisbosom.Sheadded,withapeculiaremphasis,"Iwilldrink;butdothouawaittheresult."
SheputBaglioni’santidotetoherlips;and,atthesamemoment,thefigureofRappacciniemergedfromtheportalandcameslowlytowardsthemarblefountain.Ashedrewnear,thepalemanofscienceseemedtogazewithatriumphantexpressionatthebeautifulyouthandmaiden,asmightanartistwhoshouldspendhislifeinachievingapictureoragroupofstatuaryandfinallybesatisfiedwithhissuccess.Hepaused;hisbentformgrewerectwithconsciouspower;hespreadouthishandsoverthemintheattitudeofafatherimploringablessinguponhischildren;butthosewerethesamehandsthathadthrownpoisonintothestreamoftheirlives.Giovannitrembled.Beatriceshudderednervously,andpressedherhanduponherheart.
"Mydaughter,"saidRappaccini,"thouartnolongerlonelyintheworld.Pluckoneofthosepreciousgemsfromthysistershrubandbidthybridegroomwearitinhisbosom.Itwillnotharmhimnow.
