Запретный лес
XVII. Woodilee and Calidon
It’squeerdoctrine,andmaybeIhavenariddleditoutright,forI’mlothtobelievethatanhonestmancouldupholdit,thoughI’vehearditoftenpropoundedwithanunctionthatmademyfleshcreep."
"YouspeaknotoftheChristiandoctrineofelection,butofitsperversion,"saidDavidsolemnly.
"Weel,it’stheperversionthathasgottentheupperhandthesedays.TheKirkhasmadetheyettofgraceowerwideforsinfulmen,andallitheryettsowernarrow.Ithasbannedinnocenceandsomadeacallingofhypocrisy,forhumannatureishumannature,andifyoutellamanthatilkahonestpleasureisasininGod’ssight,hefindsawaytogetthepleasureandyetkeepthenameforgodliness.Andmindyou,thepleasuresheenjoyswithadoubtfulconsciencewillnolongbehonest.Therewillbeadropofblackinkinthespringwaterthatmakesitdrumly,anderehekenshe’llbeseekingastrongerbrew.TheupshotwillbethatfolkwhositunderyouinthekirkwilldanceintheWoodontheauldheathenholy-days,andthemanwhosewordgangsfurthestwiththePresbyterywillbehuggingluststohisbosomthatwouldmakeacommonfoot-sentinelspew.Forthey’vealltheirsuretitle,astheycallit--they’reallelectedintograce,sowhatforshouldtheyfashthemselves?"
Mark’sfacewassmiling,buthisvoicehadanoteinitwhichwasnothumour.
"Youlaugh,"Davidcried,"butI’mnearerweeping."
"Ilaugh,butit’stopreventmecursing."Theother’sjawhadsetandtherewasasmoulderingfireinhiseyes.
