Запретный лес
I. The Coming of the Minister
IwouldcounselayoungministertoapplyhimselfrathertotheHebrewthantotheGreek,forthoughtheGreekwasthetongueoftheNewTestament,itwasalsothetongueoflasciviouspoetsandmockingphilosophers,whereastheHebrewwasconsecratewhollytoGod....ButyouhavetheHebrewtoo,Isee.Losh,here’sthelexiconofBamburgius,ofwhichIhavereadbuthaveneverseen.Wemustconsult,Mr.David.I’veanewtheoryoftheHebrewaccentsonwhichIwouldlikeyourjudgment."
Asheranoverthelisthesuddenlycriedaloudwithpleasure,andthencheckedhimselfalmostshamefacedly."Preserveus,buthere’sHieronymusCardanus,andotherastrologicworks.Man,I’vedivertedmyselfwhileswiththescienceofthestars,andcanmakeashapeatcalculatinganativity.Icannotseewhythethingshouldnotbeturnedtoholyuses,aswhenthestarguidedtheWiseMenoftheEasttoBethlehem.Youandmemusthavelongcrackssomeday.ThesebookswillbelikethePoleStartodrawmetoWoodilee,andI’mlookingtoseeyousoonatCauldshaw.It’sbutapoordesertbit,buttherehavebeenpreciousoccasionsthereandmanyanoutpouringofgrace.I’msoretroubledwiththegravel,Mr.David,andthegoodwifehashadafluxinthelegsthistwelvemonthback,buttheLordhasshowedmesingularfavour,andmydampsarelightenedsincealeechinEdinburghprescribedahyperionofbourtreeandrue....We’reachildlesshousehold,forwehadbuttheonebairn,andsaxyearsynetheLordgatheredhertoHimself."
DownstairsMr.
