Lavengro; the Scholar, the Gypsy, the Priest by George Henry Borrow
page 47 of 779 (06%)
page 47 of 779 (06%)
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portions of the venerable liturgy, would roll many a portentous word
descriptive of the wondrous works of the Most High. _Rector_. Thou didst divide the sea, through thy power: thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. _Philoh_. Thou smotest the heads of Leviathan in pieces: and gavest him to be meat for the people in the wilderness. _Rector_. Thou broughtest out fountains, and waters out of the hard rocks: thou driedst up mighty waters. _Philoh_. The day is thine, and the night is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun. Peace to your memories, dignified rector, and yet more dignified clerk!--by this time ye are probably gone to your long homes, and your voices are no longer heard sounding down the aisles of the venerable church--nay, doubtless, this has already long since been the fate of him of the sonorous 'Amen!'--the one of the two who, with all due respect to the rector, principally engrossed my boyish admiration--he, at least, is scarcely now among the living! Living! why, I have heard say that he blew a fife--for he was a musical as well as a Christian professor--a bold fife, to cheer the Guards and the brave Marines, as they marched with measured step, obeying an insane command, up Bunker's height, whilst the rifles of the sturdy Yankees were sending the leaden hail sharp and thick amidst the red-coated ranks; for Philoh had not always been a man of peace, nor an exhorter to turn the other cheek to the smiter, but had even arrived at the dignity of a halberd in his country's service before his six-foot form required rest, and the gray-haired veteran retired, |
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