the monk(僧侣)-第41章

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feel　sensations　so　singular；　that　I　strive　in　vain　to　account　for
them。'

'My　dearest　Mother；　it　produced　the　same　effect　upon　me：　　Yet
certainly　neither　of　us　ever　heard　his　voice　till　we　came　to
Madrid。　　I　suspect　that　what　we　attribute　to　his　voice；　really
proceeds　from　his　pleasant　manners；　which　forbid　our　considering
him　as　a　Stranger。　　I　know　not　why；　but　I　feel　more　at　my　ease
while　conversing　with　him　than　I　usually　do　with　people　who　are
unknown　to　me。　　I　feared　not　to　repeat　to　him　all　my　childish
thoughts；　and　somehow　I　felt　confident　that　He　would　hear　my
folly　with　indulgence。　　Oh！　I　was　not　deceived　in　him！　　He
listened　to　me　with　such　an　air　of　kindness　and　attention！　　He
answered　me　with　such　gentleness；　such　condescension！　He　did　not
call　me　an　Infant；　and　treat　me　with　contempt；　as　our　cross　old
Confessor　at　the　Castle　used　to　do。　　I　verily　believe　that　if　I
had　lived　in　Murcia　a　thousand　years；　I　never　should　have　liked
that　fat　old　Father　Dominic！'

'I　confess　that　Father　Dominic　had　not　the　most　pleasing　manners
in　the　world；　But　He　was　honest；　friendly；　and　well…meaning。'

'Ah！　　my　dear　Mother；　those　qualities　are　so　common！'

'God　grant；　my　Child；　that　Experience　may　not　teach　you　to　think
them　rare　and　precious：　　I　have　found　them　but　too　much　so！　　But
tell　me；　Antonia；　Why　is　it　impossible　for　me　to　have　seen　the
Abbot　before？'

'Because　since　the　moment　when　He　entered　the　Abbey；　He　has　never
been　on　the　outside　of　its　walls。　　He　told　me　just　now；　that　from
his　ignorance　of　the　Streets；　He　had　some　difficulty　to　find　the
Strada　di　San　Iago；　though　so　near　the　Abbey。'

'All　this　is　possible；　and　still　I　may　have　seen　him　BEFORE　He
entered　the　Abbey：　　In　order　to　come　out；　it　was　rather　necessary
that　He　should　first　go　in。'

'Holy　Virgin！　　As　you　say；　that　is　very　true。Oh！　But　might　He
not　have　been　born　in　the　Abbey？'

Elvira　smiled。

'Why；　not　very　easily。'

'Stay；　Stay！　　Now　I　recollect　how　it　was。　　He　was　put　into　the
Abbey　quite　a　Child；　The　common　People　say　that　He　fell　from
heaven；　and　was　sent　as　a　present　to　the　Capuchins　by　the
Virgin。'

'That　was　very　kind　of　her。　　And　so　He　fell　from　heaven；　Antonia？

He　must　have　had　a　terrible　tumble。'

'Many　do　not　credit　this；　and　I　fancy；　my　dear　Mother；　that　I
must　number　you　among　the　Unbelievers。　　Indeed；　as　our　Landlady
told　my　Aunt；　the　general　idea　is　that　his　Parents；　being　poor
and　unable　to　maintain　him；　left　him　just　born　at　the　Abbey　door。
The　late　Superior　from　pure　charity　had　him　educated　in　the
Convent；　and　He　proved　to　be　a　model　of　virtue；　and　piety；　and
learning；　and　I　know　not　what　else　besides：　　In　consequence；　He
was　first　received　as　a　Brother　of　the　order；　and　not　long　ago
was　chosen　Abbot。　　However；　whether　this　account　or　the　other　is
the　true　one；　at　least　all　agree　that　when　the　Monks　took　him
under　their　care；　He　could　not　speak：　　Therefore；　you　could　not
have　heard　his　voice　before　He　entered　the　Monastery；　because　at
that　time　He　had　no　voice　at　all。'

'Upon　my　word；　Antonia；　you　argue　very　closely！　　Your　conclusions
are　infallible！　　I　did　not　suspect　you　of　being　so　able　a
Logician。'

'Ah！　You　are　mocking　me！　　But　so　much　the　better。　It　delights　me
to　see　you　in　spirits：　　Besides　you　seem　tranquil　and　easy；　and　I
hope　that　you　will　have　no　more　convulsions。　　Oh！　I　was　sure　the
Abbot's　visit　would　do　you　good！'

'It　has　indeed　done　me　good；　my　Child。　　He　has　quieted　my　mind
upon　some　points　which　agitated　me；　and　I　already　feel　the
effects　of　his　attention。　　My　eyes　grow　heavy；　and　I　think　I　can
sleep　a　little。　　Draw　the　curtains；　my　Antonia：　　But　if　I　should
not　wake　before　midnight；　do　not　sit　up　with　me；　I　charge　you。'

Antonia　promised　to　obey　her；　and　having　received　her　blessing
drew　the　curtains　of　the　Bed。　　She　then　seated　herself　in　silence
at　her　embroidery　frame；　and　beguiled　the　hours　with　building
Castles　in　the　air。　　Her　spirits　were　enlivened　by　the　evident
change　for　the　better　in　Elvira；　and　her　fancy　presented　her　with
visions　bright　and　pleasing。　　In　these　dreams　Ambrosio　made　no
despicable　figure。　　She　thought　of　him　with　joy　and　gratitude；
But　for　every　idea　which　fell　to　the　Friar's　share；　at　least　two
were　unconsciously　bestowed　upon　Lorenzo。　　Thus　passed　the　time；
till　the　Bell　in　the　neighbouring　Steeple　of　the　Capuchin
Cathedral　announced　the　hour　of　midnight：　　Antonia　remembered　her
Mother's　injunctions；　and　obeyed　them；　though　with　reluctance。　
She　undrew　the　curtains　with　caution。　　Elvira　was　enjoying　a
profound　and　quiet　slumber；　Her　cheek　glowed　with　health's
returning　colours：　　A　smile　declared　that　her　dreams　were
pleasant；　and　as　Antonia　bent　over　her；　She　fancied　that　She
heard　her　name　pronounced。　　She　kissed　her　Mother's　forehead
softly；　and　retired　to　her　chamber。　　There　She　knelt　before　a
Statue　of　St。　Rosolia；　her　Patroness；　She　recommended　herself　to
the　protection　of　heaven；　and　as　had　been　her　custom　from
infancy；　concluded　her　devotions　by　chaunting　the　following
Stanzas。

　MIDNIGHT　HYMN

　Now　all　is　hushed；　The　solemn　chime　　
No　longer　swells　the　nightly　gale：　　
Thy　awful　presence；　Hour　sublime；　　
With　spotless　heart　once　more　I　hail。

　'Tis　now　the　moment　still　and　dread；　　
When　Sorcerers　use　their　baleful　power；　　
When　Graves　give　up　their　buried　dead　　
To　profit　by　the　sanctioned　hour：

　From　guilt　and　guilty　thoughts　secure；　　
To　duty　and　devotion　true；　　
With　bosom　light　and　conscience　pure；　　
Repose；　thy　gentle　aid　I　woo。

　Good　Angels；　take　my　thanks；　that　still　　
The　snares　of　vice　I　view　with　scorn；　　
Thanks；　that　to…night　as　free　from　ill　　
I　sleep；　as　when　I　woke　at　morn。

　Yet　may　not　my　unconscious　breast　　
Harbour　some　guilt　to　me　unknown？　　
Some　wish　impure；　which　unreprest　　
You　blush　to　see；　and　I　to　own？

　If　such　there　be；　in　gentle　dream　　
Instruct　my　feet　to　shun　the　snare；　　
Bid　truth　upon　my　errors　beam；　　
And　deign　to　make　me　still　your　care。

　Chase　from　my　peaceful　bed　away　　
The　witching　Spell；　a　foe　to　rest；　　
The　nightly　Goblin；　wanton　Fay；　　
The　Ghost　in　pain；　and　Fiend　unblest：

　Let　not　the　Tempter　in　mine　ear　　
Pour　lessons　of　unhallowed　joy；　
Let　not　the　Night…mare；　wandering　near　　
My　Couch；　the　calm　of　sleep　destroy；

　Let　not　some　horrid　dream　affright　　
With　strange　fantastic　forms　mine　eyes；　　
But　rather　bid　some　vision　bright　　
Display　the　blissof　yonder　skies。

　Show　me　the　crystal　Domes　of　Heaven；　　
The　worlds　of　light　where　Angels　lie；　　
Shew　me　the　lot　to　Mortals　given；　　
Who　guiltless　live；　who　guiltless　die。

　Then　show　me　how　a　seat　to　gain　　
Amidst　those　blissful　realms　of
Air；　　Teach　me　to　shun　each　guilty　stain；　　
And　guide　me　to　the　good　and　fair。

　So　every　morn　and　night；　my　Voice　　
To　heaven　the　grateful　strain　shall　raise；　　
In　You　as　Guardian　Powers　rejoice；　　
Good　Angels；　and　exalt　your　praise：

　So　will　I　strive　with　zealous　fire　　
Each　vice　to　shun；　each　fault　correct；　
Will　love　the　lessons　you　inspire；　　
And　Prize　the　virtues　you　protect。

　Then　when　at　length　by　high　command　　
My　body　seeks　the　Grave's　repose；　　
When　Death　draws　nigh　with　friendly　hand　　
My　failing　Pilgrim　eyes　to　close；

　Pleased　that　my　soul　has　'scaped　the　wreck；　　
Sighless　will　I　my　life　resign；　　
And　yield　to　God　my　Spirit　back；　　
As　pure　as　when　it　first　was　mine。


Having　finished　her　usual　devotions；　Antonia　retired　to　bed。　
Sleep　soon　stole　over　her　senses；　and　for　several　hours　She
enjoyed　that　calm　repose　which　innocence　alone　can　know；　and　for
which　many　a　Monarch　with　pleasure　would　exchange　his　Crown。　



CHAPTER　IV

　　　Ah！　how　dark　　
These　long…extended　realms　and　rueful　wastes；　　
Where　nought　but　silence　reigns；　and　night；　dark　night；　
Dark　as　was　Chaos　ere　the　Infant　Sun　　
Was　rolled　together；　or　had　tried　its　beams　　
Athwart　the　gloom　profound！　　
The　sickly　Taper　
By　glimmering　through　thy　low…browed　misty　vaults；　　
Furred　round　with　mouldy　damps；　and　ropy　slime；　　
Lets　fall　a　supernumerary　horror；　　
And　only　serves　to　make　
Thy　night　more　irksome！　　　　　　　　　
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Blair。

Returned　undiscovered　to　the　Abbey；　Ambrosio's　mind　was　filled
with　the　most　pleasing　images。　　He　was　wilfully　blind　to　the
danger　of　exposing　himself　to　Antonia's　charms：　　He　only
remembered　the　pleasure　which　her　society　had　afforded　him；　and
rejoiced　in　the　prospect　of　that　pleasure　being　repeated。　　He
failed　not　to　profit　by　Elvira's　indisposition　to　obtain　a　sight
of　her　Daughter　every　day。　　At　first　He　bounded　his　wishes　to
inspire　Antonia　with　friendship：　　But　no　sooner　was　He　convinced
that　She　felt　that　sentiment　in　its　fullest　extent；　than　his　aim
became　more　decided；　and　his　attentions　assumed　a　warmer　colour。　
The　innocent　familiarity　with　which　She　treated　him；　encouraged
his　desires：　　Grown　used　to　her　modesty；　it　no　longer　commanded
the　same　respect　and　awe：　　He　still　admired　it；　but　it　only　made
him　more　anxious　to　deprive　her　of　that　quality　which　formed　her
principal　charm。　　Warmth　of　passion；　and　natural　penetration；　of
which　latter　unfortunately　both　for　himself　and　Antonia　He
possessed　an　ample　share；　supplied　a　knowledge　of　the　arts　of
seduction。　　He　easily　distinguished　the　emotions　which　were
favourable　to　his　designs；　and　seized　every　means　with　avidity　of
infusing　corruption　into　Antonia's　bosom。　　This　He　found　no　easy
matter。　　Extreme　simplicity　prevented　her　from　perceiving　the　aim
to　which　the　Monk's　insinuations　tended；　But　the　excellent　morals
which　She　owed　to　Elvira's　care；　the　solidity　and　correctness　of
her　understanding；　and　a　strong　sense　of　what　was　right　implanted
in　her　heart　by　Nature；　made　her　feel　that　his　precepts　must　be
faulty。　By　a　few　simple　words　She　frequently　overthrew　the　whole
bulk　of　his　sophistical　arguments；　and　made　him　conscious　how
weak　they　were　when　opposed　to　Virtue　and　Truth。　　On　such
occasion　He　took　refuge　in　his　eloquence；　He　overpowered　her
with　a　torrent　of　Philosophical　paradoxes；　to　which；　not
understanding　them；　it　was　impossible　for　her　to　reply；　And　thus
though　He　did　not　convince　her　that　his　reasoning　was　just；　He　at
least　prevented　her　from　discovering　it　to　be　false。　　He
perceived　that　her　respect　for　his　judgment　augmented　daily；　and
doubted　not　with　time　to　bring　her　to　the　point　desired。

He　was　not　unconscious　that　his　attempts　were　highly　criminal：　
He　saw　clearly　the　baseness　of　seducing　the　innocent　Girl：　　But
his　passion　was　too　violent　to　permit　his　abandoning　his　design。　
He　resolved　to　pursue　it；　let　the　consequences　be　what　they
might。　　He　depended　upon　finding　Antonia　in　some　unguarded
moment；　And　seeing　no　other　Man　admitted　into　her　society；　nor
hearing　any　mentioned　either　by　her　or　by　Elvira；　He　imagined
that　her　young　heart　was　still　unoccupied。　While　He　waited　for
the　opportunity　of　satisfying　his　unwarrantable　lust；　every　day
increased　his　coldness　for　Matilda。　　Not　a　little　was　this
occasioned　by　the　consciousness　of　his　faults　to　her。　　To　hide
them　from　her　He　was　not　sufficiently　master　of　himself：　　Yet　He
dreaded　lest；　in　a　transport　of　jealous　rage；　She　should　betray
the　secret　on　which　his　character　and　even　his　l