Запретный лес
XI. The Minister Girds up his Loins
Wae’sme,wae’smeforthepuirsheepthathavesicfaithlessshepherds!Theauldandthebauldandtheleal-heartedmustgodownbecauseofconceitedhalflingslikeyouthatareAchansinthecamp."
"Youspeakinriddles,sir,"saidDavid,whosesuddenangerhadgoneatthespectacleofthisstrangetransformation.
"It’sariddleyou’llreadoryou’reamontholderinlettersofbloodandfire....Riddle,saysyou?TheriddleiswhytheAlmightyshouldgiveourcovenantedKirksicaback-castofHishand,andtothatyoumaybekentheanswer.Ourdeliverancehasmostlamentablymiscarried,andourbondageiswaxedmoregrievous.Getoutofmysight,forImustbeabouttheLord’sbusiness,andtherewillbenorestforMungoMuirheadthismanyaday.Youhavedefiedme,butwaitonandseeifyoucandefyyourCreator."
"Youhavehadbadtidings?"
"Bad,saysyou?Ay,badforGod’speopleandGod’sKirk,butthey’remaybeblithetidingsforaschismaticlikeyourself.You’llmaybegetLeft-handedCollandhisIrishrytopurgeyourparishandburnthehonestfolkwithwhilkyouareunworthilyblessed.Awa’toMontrose,man,foryon’stheladforyou!"
"Montrose!"
"Ay,Montrose.Knowthatyesterday,atKilsyth,yonwhelpofSatanwaspermittedtolaylowtheCovenant’sbanner,androutthegodly.ThiswordIhavegottenisascribefromArgyll,onhisroadtoBerwick,writtenfromaboatattheQueen’sFerry.Thisverydayit’slikethatAntichristwillbehammeringonthegatesofGlasgow."
