Чума
Part II
Andastheyalldid,nowyouhavebeenlookingwithfresheyesonpeopleandonthings,sincethedaywhenthistowncloseditswallsaroundyouandaroundthescourge.Youknow,atlast,thatyoumustarriveattheheartofthematter."
Amoistwindwasnowblowingalongthenaveandthecandleflamesgutteredandbent.Athicksmellofwax,coughs,ayawnroseuptowardsFatherPanelouxwho,resuminghisanalysiswithmuchappreciatedsubtlety,wentoncalmly:"Manyofyou,Iknow,arestartingtowonderwhatIamleadingto.Iwanttobringyoutothetruthandtoteachyoutorejoice,despiteallthatIhavesaid.Thisisnolongerthetimeforadvice,itisnotthetimewhenafraternalhandprovidedthemeanstosteeryoutowardsgoodness.Today,truthisanorder,anditisaredspearthatpointsyoudownthewayofsalvationanddrivesyoutowardsit.Mybrethren,thisiswherefinallydivinemercyisrevealed,themercythathasbeenputintoeverythinggoodaswellasevil,angerandpity,plagueandsalvation.Thisveryscourgethatassailsyou,raisesyouupandshowsyoutheway.
"Alongtimeago,theChristiansofAbyssiniasawintheplagueaneffectivemeanstowineternity,ameanssentbyGod.Thosewhowerenotinfectedwouldrollthemselvesinthebedclothesofthevictimssoastoensuretheirowndeaths.Ofcourse,onewouldnotrecommendsuchzealinsearchofsalvation.Itexhibitsaregrettablehaste,whichisclosetopride.
