Поющие в терновнике

           Theorgangaveoffafewchords,quietenedintoaripplingaccompaniment,andintothedimstone-lacearchesoneunearthlyboy’svoicesoared,thinandhighandsweet,sofilledwithinnocentpuritythefewpeopleinthegreatemptychurchclosedtheireyes,mournedforthatwhichcouldnevercometothemagain.

           Panisangelicus

           Fitpanishominum,

           Datpaniscoelicus

           Figuristerminum,

           Oresmirabilis,

           ManducatDominus,

           Pauper,pauper,

           Servusethumilis…

           Breadofangels,heavenlybread,Othingofwonder.OutofthedepthshaveIcrieduntoThee,OLord;Lord,hearmyvoice!LetThineearbeattunedtothesoundsofmysupplication.Turnnotaway,OLord,turnnotaway.ForThouartmySovereign,myMaster,myGod,andIamThyhumbleservant.InThineeyesonlyonethingcounts,goodness.ThoucarestnotifThyservantsbebeautifulorugly.ToTheeonlytheheartmatters;inTheeallishealed,inTheeIknowpeace.

           Lord,itislonely.Iprayitbeoversoon,thepainoflife.TheydonotunderstandthatI,sogifted,findsomuchpaininliving.ButThoudost,andThycomfortisallwhichsustainsme.NomatterwhatThourequirestofme,OLord,shallbegive,forIloveThee.AndifImightpresumetoaskanythingofThee,itisthatinTheeallelseshallbeforeverforgotten…

           ***

           "You’reveryquiet,Mum,"saidDane."Thinkingofwhat?OfDrogheda?"

           "No,"saidMeggiedrowsily."I’mthinkingthatI’mgettingold.Ifoundhalfadozengreyhairsthismorning,andmybonesache."