Запретный лес
XV. Hallowmass
Amanmusteitherjoukandletthejawgobye,astheowercomesays,orhemustridethewhirlwind.Ihavebeengiventhelowndownsetting,whereIcannourishmyownsoulandpreachChristtothebestofmypower,andletthegreatmattersofKirkandStatepassme,asamanhearstheblastwhenhesitsbyhisfireside.Itisforstrongerspiritslikeyoutosetyourfacetothestorm.Alackandalas,I’mnofierceElijahtobreakdownthetemplesofBaal,andI’mnoJohnKnoxtopurgethecommonwealthofIsrael.IfyougoforwardinGod’sname,mydearyoungman,you’llhaveahardroadtotravel,butyou’llhavetheeverlastingarmstosupportyou....Butoh,sir,seethatyoufightintheLord’sstrength,andnotinyourown.Cultivateameekandcontritespirit,forIsuspectthatthereisagoodleavenoftheoldAdaminyourheart."
"That’satrueword.There’sanunregenerateheatoftemperinmeatwhichIoftentremble."
"Andyoumustkeepyourwalkandconversationmostpureandcircumspect.Lettherebenocauseofreproachagainstyousavewhatcomesfromfollowingyourduty."Mr.Fordycehesitatedalittle."TherewaswordofanothercountinMr.Mungo’scomplaintanentyou....Wasnatheresometaleofawoman?"
Davidlaughed.
"TheQueenoftheFairies,Mr.Muirheadsays,thoughhedoesnotbelieveinher....Ihaveaconfessiontomaketoyou,Mr.James,whichIwouldmaketonootherear.IhavemetwithaladyintheWood,forindeedshewasengagedwithmeinthesameerrandofmercy.Ihadmetwithherbeforethat,andIcountthedaystillImaymeetwithheragain.