thais-第37章
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She was silent; and her head fell back。
Death was upon her; and the sweat of the last agony bedewed her
forehead。 A pigeon broke the still silence with its plaintive cooing。
Then the sobs of the monk mingled with the psalms of the virgins。
/〃Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity; and cleanse me from my sin。
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me。〃/
Suddenly Thais sat up in the bed。 Her violet eyes opened wide; and
with a rapt gaze; her arms stretched towards the distant hills; she
said in a clear; fresh voice
〃Behold themthe roses of the eternal dawn!〃
Her eyes shone; a slight flush suffused her face。 She had revived;
more sweet and more beautiful than ever。 Paphnutius knelt down; and
threw his long black arms around her。
〃Do not die!〃 he cried; in a strange voice; which he himself did not
recognise。 〃I love thee! Do not die! Listen; my Thais。 I have deceived
thee? I was but a wretched fool。 God; heavenall that is nothing。
There is nothing true but this worldly life; and the love of human
beings。 I love thee! Do not die! That would be impossiblethou art
too precious! Come; come with me! Let us fly? I will carry thee far
away in my arms。 Come; let us love! Hear me; O my beloved; and say; 'I
will live; I wish to live。' Thais; Thais; arise!〃
She did not hear him。 Her eyes gazed into infinity。
She murmured
〃Heaven opens。 I see the angels; the prophets; and the saints。 。 。 。
The good Theodore is amongst them; his hands filled with flowers; he
smiles on me and calls me。 。 。 。 Two angels come to me。 They draw
near。 。 。 。 How beautiful they are! I see God!〃
She uttered a joyful sigh; and her head fell back motionless on the
pillow。 Thais was dead。
Paphnutius held her in a last despairing embrace; his eyes devoured
her with desire; rage; and love。
Albina cried to him
〃Avaunt; accursed wretch!〃
And she gently placed her fingers on the eyelids of the dead girl。
Paphnutius staggered back; his eyes burning with flames and feeling
the earth open beneath his feet。
The virgins chanted the song of Zacharias:
/〃Blessed be the Lord God of Israel。〃/
Suddenly their voices stayed in their throat。 They had seen the monk's
face; and they fled in affright; crying
〃A vampire! A vampire!〃
He had become so repulsive; that passing his hand over his face; he
felt his own hideousness。
End