the monk(僧侣)-第71章

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He　replied　as　before；　that　having　no　crimes；　He　could　acknowledge
none：　　But　when　the　Executioners　prepared　to　put　him　to　the
question；　when　He　saw　the　engines　of　torture；　and　remembered　the
pangs　which　they　had　already　inflicted；　his　resolution　failed　him
entirely。　　Forgetting　the　consequences；　and　only　anxious　to
escape　the　terrors　of　the　present　moment；　He　made　an　ample
confession。　　He　disclosed　every　circumstance　of　his　guilt；　and
owned　not　merely　the　crimes　with　which　He　was　charged；　but　those
of　which　He　had　never　been　suspected。　　Being　interrogated　as　to
Matilda's　flight　which　had　created　much　confusion；　He　confessed
that　She　had　sold　herself　to　Satan；　and　that　She　was　indebted　to
Sorcery　for　her　escape。　　He　still　assured　his　Judges　that　for
his　own　part　He　had　never　entered　into　any　compact　with　the
infernal　Spirits；　But　the　threat　of　being　tortured　made　him
declare　himself　to　be　a　Sorcerer；　and　Heretic；　and　whatever　other
title　the　Inquisitors　chose　to　fix　upon　him。　　In　consequence　of
this　avowal；　his　sentence　was　immediately　pronounced。　　He　was
ordered　to　prepare　himself　to　perish　in　the　Auto　da　Fe；　which　was
to　be　solemnized　at　twelve　o'clock　that　night。　　This　hour　was
chosen　from　the　idea　that　the　horror　of　the　flames　being
heightened　by　the　gloom　of　midnight；　the　execution　would　have　a
greater　effect　upon　the　mind　of　the　People。

Ambrosio　rather　dead　than　alive　was　left　alone　in　his　dungeon。　
The　moment　in　which　this　terrible　decree　was　pronounced　had
nearly　proved　that　of　his　dissolution。　He　looked　forward　to　the
morrow　with　despair；　and　his　terrors　increased　with　the　approach
of　midnight。　　Sometimes　He　was　buried　in　gloomy　silence：　　At
others　He　raved　with　delirious　passion；　wrung　his　hands；　and
cursed　the　hour　when　He　first　beheld　the　light。　　In　one　of　these
moments　his　eye　rested　upon　Matilda's　mysterious　gift。　　His
transports　of　rage　were　instantly　suspended。　　He　looked　earnestly
at　the　Book；　He　took　it　up；　but　immediately　threw　it　from　him
with　horror。　　He　walked　rapidly　up　and　down　his　dungeon：　　Then
stopped；　and　again　fixed　his　eyes　on　the　spot　where　the　Book　had
fallen。　　He　reflected　that　here　at　least　was　a　resource　from　the
fate　which　He　dreaded。　　He　stooped；　and　took　it　up　a　second　time。

He　remained　for　some　time　trembling　and　irresolute：　　He　longed　to
try　the　charm；　yet　feared　its　consequences。　　The　recollection　of
his　sentence　at　length　fixed　his　indecision。　　He　opened　the
Volume；　but　his　agitation　was　so　great　that　He　at　first　sought
in　vain　for　the　page　mentioned　by　Matilda。　　Ashamed　of　himself；
He　called　all　his　courage　to　his　aid。　　He　turned　to　the　seventh
leaf。　　He　began　to　read　it　aloud；　But　his　eyes　frequently
wandered　from　the　Book；　while　He　anxiously　cast　them　round　in
search　of　the　Spirit；　whom　He　wished；　yet　dreaded　to　behold。　
Still　He　persisted　in　his　design；　and　with　a　voice　unassured　and
frequent　interruptions；　He　contrived　to　finish　the　four　first
lines　of　the　page。

They　were　in　a　language；　whose　import　was　totally　unknown　to　him。

Scarce　had　He　pronounced　the　last　word　when　the　effects　of　the
charm　were　evident。　　A　loud　burst　of　Thunder　was　heard；　The
prison　shook　to　its　very　foundations；　A　blaze　of　lightning
flashed　through　the　Cell；　and　in　the　next　moment；　borne　upon
sulphurous　whirl…winds；　Lucifer　stood　before　him　a　second　time。
But　He　came　not　as　when　at　Matilda's　summons　He　borrowed　the
Seraph's　form　to　deceive　Ambrosio。　　He　appeared　in　all　that
ugliness　which　since　his　fall　from　heaven　had　been　his　portion：　
His　blasted　limbs　still　bore　marks　of　the　Almighty's　thunder：　　A
swarthy　darkness　spread　itself　over　his　gigantic　form：　　His　hands
and　feet　were　armed　with　long　Talons：　　Fury　glared　in　his　eyes；
which　might　have　struck　the　bravest　heart　with　terror：　Over　his
huge　shoulders　waved　two　enormous　sable　wings；　and　his　hair　was
supplied　by　living　snakes；　which　twined　themselves　round　his
brows　with　frightful　hissings。　　In　one　hand　He　held　a　roll　of
parchment；　and　in　the　other　an　iron　pen。　　Still　the　lightning
flashed　around　him；　and　the　Thunder　with　repeated　bursts；　seemed
to　announce　the　dissolution　of　Nature。

Terrified　at　an　Apparition　so　different　from　what　He　had
expected；　Ambrosio　remained　gazing　upon　the　Fiend；　deprived　of
the　power　of　utterance。　　The　Thunder　had　ceased　to　roll：　
Universal　silence　reigned　through　the　dungeon。

'For　what　am　I　summoned　hither？'　said　the　Daemon；　in　a　voice
which　sulphurous　fogs　had　damped　to　hoarseness　

At　the　sound　Nature　seemed　to　tremble：　　A　violent　earthquake
rocked　the　ground；　accompanied　by　a　fresh　burst　of　Thunder；
louder　and　more　appalling　than　the　first。

Ambrosio　was　long　unable　to　answer　the　Daemon's　demand。

'I　am　condemned　to　die；'　He　said　with　a　faint　voice；　his　blood
running　cold；　while　He　gazed　upon　his　dreadful　Visitor。　　'Save
me！　　Bear　me　from　hence！'

'Shall　the　reward　of　my　services　be　paid　me？　　Dare　you　embrace　my
cause？　　Will　you　be　mine；　body　and　soul？　　Are　you　prepared　to
renounce　him　who　made　you；　and　him　who　died　for　you？　　Answer　but
''Yes''　and　Lucifer　is　your　Slave。'

'Will　no　less　price　content　you？　　Can　nothing　satisfy　you　but　my
eternal　ruin？　　Spirit；　you　ask　too　much。　　Yet　convey　me　from　this
dungeon：　　Be　my　Servant　for　one　hour；　and　I　will　be　yours　for　a
thousand　years。　　Will　not　this　offer　suffice？'

'It　will　not。　　I　must　have　your　soul；　must　have　it　mine；　and　mine
for　ever。'

'Insatiate　Daemon；　I　will　not　doom　myself　to　endless　torments。　　I
will　not　give　up　my　hopes　of　being　one　day　pardoned。'

'You　will　not？　　On　what　Chimaera　rest　then　your　hopes？
Short…sighted　Mortal！　　Miserable　Wretch！　　Are　you　not　guilty？　
Are　you　not　infamous　in　the　eyes　of　Men　and　Angels。　　Can　such
enormous　sins　be　forgiven？　　Hope　you　to　escape　my　power？　　Your
fate　is　already　pronounced。　The　Eternal　has　abandoned　you；　Mine
you　are　marked　in　the　book　of　destiny；　and　mine　you　must　and
shall　be！'

'Fiend；　'tis　false！　　Infinite　is　the　Almighty's　mercy；　and　the
Penitent　shall　meet　his　forgiveness。　　My　crimes　are　monstrous；
but　I　will　not　despair　of　pardon：　　Haply；　when　they　have　received
due　chastisement　。　。　。　。'

'Chastisement？　　Was　Purgatory　meant　for　guilt　like　yours？　　Hope
you　that　your　offences　shall　be　bought　off　by　prayers　of
superstitious　dotards　and　droning　Monks？　　Ambrosio；　be　wise！　
Mine
you　must　be：　　You　are　doomed　to　flames；　but　may　shun　them　for　the
present。　　Sign　this　parchment：　　I　will　bear　you　from　hence；　and
you　may　pass　your　remaining　years　in　bliss　and　liberty。　　Enjoy
your　existence：　　Indulge　in　every　pleasure　to　which　appetite　may
lead　you：　　But　from　the　moment　that　it　quits　your　body；　remember
that　your　soul　belongs　to　me；　and　that　I　will　not　be　defrauded　of
my　right。'

The　Monk　was　silent；　But　his　looks　declared　that　the　Tempter's
words　were　not　thrown　away。　　He　reflected　on　the　conditions
proposed　with　horror：　　On　the　other　hand；　He　believed　himself
doomed　to　perdition　and　that；　by　refusing　the　Daemon's　succour；
He　only　hastened　tortures　which　He　never　could　escape。　　The　Fiend
saw　that　his　resolution　was　shaken：　　He　renewed　his　instances；
and　endeavoured　to　fix　the　Abbot's　indecision。　　He　described　the
agonies　of　death　in　the　most　terrific　colours；　and　He　worked　so
powerfully　upon　Ambrosio's　despair　and　fears　that　He　prevailed
upon　him　to　receive　the　Parchment。　　He　then　struck　the　iron　Pen
which　He　held　into　a　vein　of　the　Monk's　left　hand。　　It　pierced
deep；　and　was　instantly　filled　with　blood；　Yet　Ambrosio　felt　no
pain　from　the　wound。　　The　Pen　was　put　into　his　hand：　　It
trembled。　　The　Wretch　placed　the　Parchment　on　the　Table　before
him；　and　prepared　to　sign　it。　　Suddenly　He　held　his　hand：　　He
started　away　hastily；　and　threw　the　Pen　upon　the　table。

'What　am　I　doing？'　He　criedThen　turning　to　the　Fiend　with　a
desperate　air；　'Leave　me！　　Begone！　　I　will　not　sign　the
Parchment。'

'Fool！'　exclaimed　the　disappointed　Daemon；　darting　looks　so
furious　as　penetrated　the　Friar's　soul　with　horror；　'Thus　am　I
trifled　with？　　Go　then！　　Rave　in　agony；　expire　in　tortures；　and
then　learn　the　extent　of　the　Eternal's　mercy！　　But　beware　how　you
make　me　again　your　mock！　　Call　me　no　more　till　resolved　to　accept
my　offers！　　Summon　me　a　second　time　to　dismiss　me　thus　idly；　and
these　Talons　shall　rend　you　into　a　thousand　pieces！　Speak　yet
again；　Will　you　sign　the　Parchment？'

'I　will　not！　　Leave　me！　　Away！'

Instantly　the　Thunder　was　heard　to　roll　horribly：　Once　more　the
earth　trembled　with　violence：　　The　Dungeon　resounded　with　loud
shrieks；　and　the　Daemon　fled　with　blasphemy　and　curses。

At　first；　the　Monk　rejoiced　at　having　resisted　the　Seducer's
arts；　and　obtained　a　triumph　over　Mankind's　Enemy：　　But　as　the
hour　of　punishment　drew　near；　his　former　terrors　revived　in　his
heart。　　Their　momentary　repose　seemed　to　have　given　them　fresh
vigour。　　The　nearer　that　the　time　approached；　the　more　did　He
dread　appearing　before　the　Throne　of　God。　　He　shuddered　to　think
how　soon　He　must　be　plunged　into　eternity；　How　soon　meet　the　eyes
of　his　Creator；　whom　He　had　so　grievously　offended。　　The　Bell
announced　midnight：　　It　was　the　signal　for　being　led　to　the
Stake！　　As　He　listened　to　the　first　stroke；　the　blood　ceased　to
circulate　in　the　Abbot's　veins：　　He　heard　death　and　torture
murmured　in　each　succeeding　sound。　　He　expected　to　see　the
Archers　entering　his　prison；　and　as　the　Bell　forbore　to　toll；　he
seized　the　magic　volume　in　a　fit　of　despair。　　He　opened　it；
turned　hastily　to　the　seventh　page；　and　as　if　fearing　to　allow
himself　a　moment's　thought　ran　over　the　fatal　lines　with
rapidity。　　Accompanied　by　his　former　terrors；　Lucifer　again　stood
before　the　Trembler。

'You　have　summoned　me；'　said　the　Fiend；　'Are　you　determined　to　be
wise？　　Will　you　accept　my　conditions？　　You　know　them　already。　
Renounce　your　claim　to　salvation；　make　over　to　me　your　soul；　and
I　bear　you　from　this　dungeon　instantly。　　Yet　is　it　time。　
Resolve；　or　it　will　be　too　late。　　Will　you　sign　the　Parchment？'

'I　must！Fate　urges　me！　I　accept　your　conditions。'

'Sign　the　Parchment！'　replied　the　Daemon　in　an　exulting　tone。

The　Contract　and　the　bloody　Pen　still　lay　upon　the　Table。　
Ambrosio　drew　near　it。　　He　prepared　to　sign　his　name。　　A　moment's
reflection　made　him　hesitate。

'Hark！'　cried　the　Tempter；　'They　come！　　Be　quick！　Sign　the
Parchment；　and　I　bear　you　from　hence　this　moment。'

In　effect；　the　Archers　were　heard　approaching；　appointed　to　lead
Ambrosio　to　the　Stake。　　The　sound　encouraged　the　Monk　in　his
resolution。

'What　is　the　import　of　this　writing？'　said　He。

'It　makes　your　soul　over　to　me　for　ever；　and　without　reserve。'

'What　am　I　to　receive　in　exchange？'

'My　protection；　and　release　from　this　dungeon。　　Sign　it；　and　this
instant　I　bear　you　away。'

Ambrosio　took　up　the　Pen；　He　set　it　to　the　Parchment。　Again　his
courage　failed　him：　　He　felt　a　pang　of　terror　at　his　heart；　and
once　more　threw　the　Pen　upon　the　Table。

'Weak　and　Puerile！'　cried　the　exasperated　Fiend：　'Away　with　this
folly！　　Sign　the　writing　this　instant；　or　I　sacrifice　you　to　my
rage！'

At　this　moment　the　bolt　of　the　outward　Door　was　drawn　back。　　The
Prisoner　heard　the　rattling　of　Chains；　The　heavy　Bar　fell；　The
Archer