Чума
Part II
Andwe,deprivedofthelightofGod,willlanguishforalongtimeinthedarknessoftheplague!"
Someoneinthehallsnortedlikeanimpatienthorse.Afterashortpause,thepriestcarriedon,loweringhisvoice:"OnemayreadintheGoldenLegendthatatthetimeofKingHumbert,inLombardy,Italywasravagedbyaplaguesoviolentthattherewerehardlyenoughofthelivingtoburythedead,andthatthisplagueragedaboveallinRomeandinPavia.Andagoodangelappearedforalltosee,givingorderstothebadangelwhowascarryingahuntingspear,andcommandinghimtostrikethehouses;andforasmanyblowsasahousereceived,thereweresomanydeadthatcameoutofit."
HerePanelouxextendedhistwoshortarmstowardsthewestdoorasthoughpointingtosomethingbehindthemovingcurtainofrain."Mybrethren,"hesaidemphatically."Thesamemortalhuntisproceedingtodaythroughourstreets.Canyouseehim,thatangeloftheplague,asfairasLuciferandshininglikeevilitself,risingupaboveyourrooftops,hisrighthandbearingtheredspearlevelwithhisheadandhislefthandpointingtooneofyourhouses.Atthisverymoment,perhaps,hisfingerisstretchingtowardsyourdoorandthespearsoundingonthewood.Amomentlater,andtheplagueisenteringyourhome,sittingdowninyourroomandawaitingyourreturn.Itisthere,patientandwatchful,assureastheveryorderoftheworld.
