Запретный лес
II. The Road to Calidon
Alsohefeltthepityofthislifelongcompanionshipbroken,andtheoldmanleftsolitary.Whenhehadfinished,Richieliftedhisfacefromhishands,andintohiseyes,whichhadbeenblankasawall,camethewholesomedimnessoftears.
"I’mnorepinin’,"hesaid."TheLordgaveandtheLordhastakenaway,andIblessHisname.WhatsaiththeApostle--MirrenhasganetobewithChrist,whilkisfarbetter.Therewasmonyatimewhenthemeal-arkwastoom[empty],andthewindandweetcam’inthroughthebaulks,andthepeatswadnakindle,andwewerebaithhungryandcauld.ButMirren’sbyewi’a’that,forshe’sbieldedintheeverlastingarms,andshe’ssuppin’richattheLord’saintable.Buteh,sir,IcouldwishithadbeenHiswilltohaeta’enmewi’her.I’manauldman,andthere’snaeweans[children],andfortheresto’mydaysI’llbelikeabeastinanuncoloan[strangelane].Godsendtheybinnamony."
"ThepurposesoftheLordaretrueandaltogetherrighteous.IfHesparesyou,Richie,it’sbecauseHehasstillworkforyoutodoonthisearth."
"Ikennawhatitcanbe.Myfit’sbeginnin’tolagonthehill,andonywayI’mguidfornochtbutsheep.Lambin’sandclippin’sandspainin’s[weanings]isowerpuirawarkfortheLordtofashwi’."
"WhateveryouputyourhandtoistheworkoftheLord,ifyoukeepHisfearbeforeyou."
"Maybe,sir."Themanrosefromhisstoolandrevealedahugegauntframe,muchbowedattheshoulders.Hepeeredintherushlightattheminister’sface.
"Ye’reayoungcallanttobeaminister.
