第8章
Thesecondpainwhichwillafflictthesoulsofthedamnedinhellisthepainofconscience。Justasindeadbodieswormsareengenderedbyputrefaction，sointhesoulsofthelosttherearisesaperpetualremorsefromtheputrefactionofsin，thestingofconscience，theworm，asPopeInnocenttheThirdcallsit，ofthetriplesting。Thefirststinginflictedbythiscruelwormwillbethememoryofpastpleasures。Owhatadreadfulmemorywillthatbe!Inthelakeofall-devouringflametheproudkingwillrememberthepompsofhiscourt，thewisebutwickedmanhislibrariesandinstrumentsofresearch，theloverofartisticpleasureshismarblesandpicturesandotherarttreasures，hewhodelightedinthepleasuresofthetablehisgorgeousfeasts，hisdishespreparedwithsuchdelicacy，hischoicewines；themiserwillrememberhishoardofgold，therobberhisill-gottenwealth，theangryandrevengefulandmercilessmurdererstheirdeedsofbloodandviolenceinwhichtheyrevelled，theimpureandadulteroustheunspeakableandfilthypleasuresinwhichtheydelighted。
Theywillrememberallthisandloathethemselvesandtheirsins。Forhowmiserablewillallthosepleasuresseemtothesoulcondemnedtosufferinhellfireforagesandages。Howtheywillrageandfumetothinkthattheyhavelosttheblissofheavenforthedrossofearth，forafewpiecesofmetal，forvainhonours，forbodilycomforts，foratinglingofthenerves。Theywillrepentindeed:andthisisthesecondstingofthewormofconscience，alateandfruitlesssorrowforsinscommitted。Divinejusticeinsiststhattheunderstandingofthosemiserablewretchesbefixedcontinuallyonthesinsofwhichtheywereguilty，andmoreover，assaintAugustinepointsout，GodwillimparttothemHisownknowledgeofsin，sothatsinwillappeartotheminallitshideousmaliceasitappearstotheeyesofGodHimself。Theywillbeholdtheirsinsinalltheirfoulnessandrepentbutitwillbetoolateandthentheywillbewailthegoodoccasionswhichtheyneglected。Thisisthelastanddeepestandmostcruelstingofthewormofconscience。Theconsciencewillsay:Youhadtimeandopportunitytorepentandwouldnot。Youwerebroughtupreligiouslybyyourparents。
Youhadthesacramentsandgraceandindulgencesofthechurchtoaidyou。
YouhadtheministerofGodtopreachtoyou，tocallyoubackwhenyouhadstrayed，toforgiveyouyoursins，nomatterhowmany，howabominable，ifonlyyouhadconfessedandrepented。No。Youwouldnot。Youfloutedtheministersofholyreligion，youturnedyourbackontheconfessional，youwalloweddeeperanddeeperinthemireofsin。Godappealedtoyou，threatenedyou，entreatedyoutoreturntoHim。O，whatshame，whatmisery!
TheRuleroftheuniverseentreatedyou，acreatureofclay，toloveHimWhomadeyouandtokeepHislaw。No。Youwouldnot。Andnow，thoughyouweretofloodallhellwithyourtearsifyoucouldstillweep，allthatseaofrepentancewouldnotgainforyouwhatasingletearoftruerepentanceshedduringyourmortallifewouldhavegainedforyou。Youimplorenowamomentofearthlylifewhereintorepent:Invain。Thattimeisgone:
goneforever——
Suchisthethreefoldstingofconscience，theviperwhichgnawstheveryheart"scoreofthewretchesinhell，sothatfilledwithhellishfurytheycursethemselvesfortheirfollyandcursetheevilcompanionswhohavebroughtthemtosuchruinandcursethedevilswhotemptedtheminlifeandnowmockthemineternityandevenrevileandcursetheSupremeBeingWhosegoodnessandpatiencetheyscornedandslightedbutWhosejusticeandpowertheycannotevade——
Thenextspiritualpaintowhichthedamnedaresubjectedisthepainofextension。Man，inthisearthlylife，thoughhebecapableofmanyevils，isnotcapableofthemallatonce，inasmuchasoneevilcorrectsandcounteractsanotherjustasonepoisonfrequentlycorrectsanother。
Inhell，onthecontrary，onetorment，insteadofcounteractinganother，lendsitstillgreaterforce:and，moreover，astheinternalfacultiesaremoreperfectthantheexternalsenses，soaretheymorecapableofsuffering。Justaseverysenseisafflictedwithafittingtorment，soiseveryspiritualfaculty；thefancywithhorribleimages，thesensitivefacultywithalternatelongingandrage，themindandunderstandingwithaninteriordarknessmoreterribleeventhantheexteriordarknesswhichreignsinthatdreadfulprison。Themalice，impotentthoughitbe，whichpossessesthesedemonsoulsisanevilofboundlessextension，oflimitlessduration，afrightfulstateofwickednesswhichwecanscarcelyrealizeunlesswebearinmindtheenormityofsinandthehatredGodbearstoit——
Opposedtothispainofextensionandyetcoexistentwithitwehavethepainofintensity。Hellisthecentreofevilsand，asyouknow，thingsaremoreintenseattheircentresthanattheirremotestpoints。Therearenocontrariesoradmixturesofanykindtotemperorsoftenintheleastthepainsofhell。Nay，thingswhicharegoodinthemselvesbecomeevilinhell。Company，elsewhereasourceofcomforttotheafflicted，willbethereacontinualtorment:knowledge，somuchlongedforasthechiefgoodoftheintellect，willtherebehatedworsethanignorance:
light，somuchcovetedbyallcreaturesfromthelordofcreationdowntothehumblestplantintheforest，willbeloathedintensely。Inthislifeoursorrowsareeithernotverylongornotverygreatbecausenatureeitherovercomesthembyhabitsorputsanendtothembysinkingundertheirweight。Butinhellthetormentscannotbeovercomebyhabit，forwhiletheyareofterribleintensitytheyareatthesametimeofcontinualvariety，eachpain，sotospeak，takingfirefromanotherandre-endowingthatwhichhasenkindleditwithastillfiercerflame。Norcannatureescapefromtheseintenseandvarioustorturesbysuccumbingtothemforthesoulissustainedandmaintainedinevilsothatitssufferingmaybethegreater。Boundlessextensionoftorment，incredibleintensityofsuffering，unceasingvarietyoftorture-thisiswhatthedivinemajesty，sooutragedbysinners，demands；thisiswhattheholinessofheaven，slightedandsetasideforthelustfulandlowpleasuresofthecorruptflesh，requires；
thisiswhatthebloodoftheinnocentLambofGod，shedfortheredemptionofsinners，trampleduponbythevilestofthevile，insistsupon——
Lastandcrowningtortureofallthetorturesofthatawfulplaceistheeternityofhell。Eternity!O，dreadanddireword。Eternity!Whatmindofmancanunderstandit？Andremember，itisaneternityofpain。
Eventhoughthepainsofhellwerenotsoterribleastheyare，yettheywouldbecomeinfinite，astheyaredestinedtolastforever。Butwhiletheyareeverlastingtheyareatthesametime，asyouknow，intolerablyintense，unbearablyextensive。Tobeareventhestingofaninsectforalleternitywouldbeadreadfultorment。Whatmustitbe，then，tobearthemanifoldtorturesofhellforever？Forever!Foralleternity!Notforayearorforanagebutforever。Trytoimaginetheawfulmeaningofthis。Youhaveoftenseenthesandontheseashore。Howfineareitstinygrains!Andhowmanyofthosetinylittlegrainsgotomakeupthesmallhandfulwhichachildgraspsinitsplay。Nowimagineamountainofthatsand，amillionmileshigh，reachingfromtheearthtothefarthestheavens，andamillionmilesbroad，extendingtoremotestspace，andamillionmilesinthickness；andimaginesuchanenormousmassofcountlessparticlesofsandmultipliedasoftenasthereareleavesintheforest，dropsofwaterinthemightyocean，feathersonbirds，scalesonfish，hairsonanimals，atomsinthevastexpanseoftheair:andimaginethatattheendofeverymillionyearsalittlebirdcametothatmountainandcarriedawayinitsbeakatinygrainofthatsand。Howmanymillionsuponmillionsofcenturieswouldpassbeforethatbirdhadcarriedawayevenasquarefootofthatmountain，howmanyeonsuponeonsofagesbeforeithadcarriedawayall？Yetattheendofthatimmensestretchoftimenotevenoneinstantofeternitycouldbesaidtohaveended。Attheendofallthosebillionsandtrillionsofyearseternitywouldhavescarcelybegun。Andifthatmountainroseagainafterithadbeenallcarriedaway，andifthebirdcameagainandcarrieditallawayagaingrainbygrain，andifitsoroseandsankasmanytimesastherearestarsinthesky，atomsintheair，dropsofwaterinthesea，leavesonthetrees，feathersuponbirds，scalesuponfish，hairsuponanimals，attheendofallthoseinnumerablerisingsandsinkingsofthatimmeasurablyvastmountainnotonesingleinstantofeternitycouldbesaidtohaveended；eventhen，attheendofsuchaperiod，afterthateonoftimethemerethoughtofwhichmakesourverybrainreeldizzily，eternitywouldscarcelyhavebegun——
Aholysaint(oneofourownfathersIbelieveitwas)wasoncevouchsafedavisionofhell。Itseemedtohimthathestoodinthemidstofagreathall，darkandsilentsaveforthetickingofagreatclock。Thetickingwentonunceasingly；anditseemedtothissaintthatthesoundofthetickingwastheceaselessrepetitionofthewords-ever，never；ever，never。Evertobeinhell，nevertobeinheaven；evertobeshutofffromthepresenceofGod，nevertoenjoythebeatificvision；evertobeeatenwithflames，gnawedbyvermin，goadedwithburningspikes，nevertobefreefromthosepains；evertohavetheconscienceupbraidone，thememoryenrage，themindfilledwithdarknessanddespair，nevertoescape；evertocurseandrevilethefouldemonswhogloatfiendishlyoverthemiseryoftheirdupes，nevertobeholdtheshiningraimentoftheblessedspirits；
evertocryoutoftheabyssoffiretoGodforaninstant，asingleinstant，ofrespitefromsuchawfulagony，nevertoreceive，evenforaninstant，God"spardon；evertosuffer，nevertoenjoy；evertobedamned，nevertobesaved；ever，never；ever，never。O，whatadreadfulpunishment!Aneternityofendlessagony，ofendlessbodilyandspiritualtorment，withoutonerayofhope，withoutonemomentofcessation，ofagonylimitlessinintensity，oftormentinfinitelyvaried，oftorturethatsustainseternallythatwhichiteternallydevours，ofanguishthateverlastinglypreysuponthespiritwhileitrackstheflesh，aneternity，everyinstantofwhichisitselfaneternityofwoe。SuchistheterriblepunishmentdecreedforthosewhodieinmortalsinbyanalmightyandajustGod——
Yes，ajustGod!Men，reasoningalwaysasmen，areastonishedthatGodshouldmeteoutaneverlastingandinfinitepunishmentinthefiresofhellforasinglegrievoussin。Theyreasonthusbecause，blindedbythegrossillusionofthefleshandthedarknessofhumanunderstanding，theyareunabletocomprehendthehideousmaliceofmortalsin。TheyreasonthusbecausetheyareunabletocomprehendthatevenvenialsinisofsuchafoulandhideousnaturethateveniftheomnipotentCreatorcouldendalltheevilandmiseryintheworld，thewars，thediseases，therobberies，thecrimes，thedeaths，themurders，onconditionthatheallowedasinglevenialsintopassunpunished，asinglevenialsin，alie，anangrylook，amomentofwilfulsloth，He，thegreatomnipotentGodcouldnotdosobecausesin，beitinthoughtordeed，isatransgressionofHislawandGodwouldnotbeGodifHedidnotpunishthetransgressor——
Asin，aninstantofrebelliousprideoftheintellect，madeLuciferandathirdpartofthecohortofangelsfallfromtheirglory。Asin，aninstantoffollyandweakness，droveAdamandEveoutofEdenandbroughtdeathandsufferingintotheworld。ToretrievetheconsequencesofthatsintheOnlyBegottenSonofGodcamedowntoearth，livedandsufferedanddiedamostpainfuldeath，hangingforthreehoursonthecross——
O，mydearlittlebrethreninChristJesus，willwethenoffendthatgoodRedeemerandprovokeHisanger？Willwetrampleagainuponthattornandmangledcorpse？Willwespituponthatfacesofullofsorrowandlove？
Willwetoo，likethecrueljewsandthebrutalsoldiers，mockthatgentleandcompassionateSaviourWhotrodaloneforoursaketheawfulwine-pressofsorrow？EverywordofsinisawoundinHistenderside。EverysinfulactisathornpiercingHishead。Everyimpurethought，deliberatelyyieldedto，isakeenlancetransfixingthatsacredandlovingheart。No，no。Itisimpossibleforanyhumanbeingtodothatwhichoffendssodeeplythedivinemajesty，thatwhichispunishedbyaneternityofagony，thatwhichcrucifiesagaintheSonofGodandmakesamockeryofHim——
IpraytoGodthatmypoorwordsmayhaveavailedtodaytoconfirminholinessthosewhoareinastateofgrace，tostrengthenthewavering，toleadbacktothestateofgracethepoorsoulthathasstrayedifanysuchbeamongyou。IpraytoGod，anddoyoupraywithme，thatwemayrepentofoursins。Iwillaskyounow，allofyou，torepeataftermetheactofcontrition，kneelinghereinthishumblechapelinthepresenceofGod。Heisthereinthetabernacleburningwithloveformankind，readytocomforttheafflicted。Benotafraid。Nomatterhowmanyorhowfoulthesinsifyouonlyrepentofthemtheywillbeforgivenyou。Letnoworldlyshameholdyouback。GodisstillthemercifulLordwhowishesnottheeternaldeathofthesinnerbutratherthathebeconvertedandlive——
HecallsyoutoHim。YouareHis。Hemadeyououtofnothing。HelovedyouasonlyaGodcanlove。HisarmsareopentoreceiveyoueventhoughyouhavesinnedagainstHim。CometoHim，poorsinner，poorvainanderringsinner。Nowistheacceptabletime。Nowisthehour。
Thepriestroseand，turningtowardsthealtar，kneltuponthestepbeforethetabernacleinthefallengloom。Hewaitedtillallinthechapelhadkneltandeveryleastnoisewasstill。Then，raisinghishead，herepeatedtheactofcontrition，phrasebyphrase，withfervour。Theboysansweredhimphrasebyphrase。Stephen，histonguecleavingtohispalate，bowedhishead，prayingwithhisheart——OmyGod!——
OmyGod!——
Iamheartilysorry——
Iamheartilysorry——
forhavingoffendedThee——
forhavingoffendedThee——
andIdetestmysins——
andIdetestmysins——
aboveeveryotherevil——
aboveeveryotherevil——
becausetheydispleaseThee，myGod——
becausetheydispleaseThee，myGod——
Whoartsodeserving——
Whoartsodeserving——
ofallmylove——
ofallmylove——
andIfirmlypurpose——
andIfirmlypurpose——
byThyholygrace——
byThyholygrace——
nevermoretooffendThee——
nevermoretooffendThee——
andtoamendmylife——
andtoamendmylife——Hewentuptohisroomafterdinnerinordertobealonewithhissoul，andateverystephissoulseemedtosigh；ateverystephissoulmountedwithhisfeet，sighingintheascent，througharegionofviscidgloom。
Hehaltedonthelandingbeforethedoorandthen，graspingtheporcelainknob，openedthedoorquickly。Hewaitedinfear，hissoulpiningwithinhim，prayingsilentlythatdeathmightnottouchhisbrowashepassedoverthethreshold，thatthefiendsthatinhabitdarknessmightnotbegivenpoweroverhim。Hewaitedstillatthethresholdasattheentrancetosomedarkcave。Faceswerethere；eyes:theywaitedandwatched——
Weknewperfectlywellofcoursethatthoughitwasboundtocometothelighthewouldfindconsiderabledifficultyinendeavouringtotrytoinducehimselftotrytoendeavourtoascertainthespiritualplenipotentiaryandsoweknewofcourseperfectlywell——
Murmuringfaceswaitedandwatched；murmurousvoicesfilledthedarkshellofthecave。Hefearedintenselyinspiritandinfleshbut，raisinghisheadbravely，hestrodeintotheroomfirmly。Adoorway，aroom，thesameroom，samewindow。Hetoldhimselfcalmlythatthosewordshadabsolutelynosensewhichhadseemedtorisemurmurouslyfromthedark。Hetoldhimselfthatitwassimplyhisroomwiththedooropen。
Heclosedthedoorand，walkingswiftlytothebed，kneltbesideitandcoveredhisfacewithhishands。Hishandswerecoldanddampandhislimbsachedwithchill。Bodilyunrestandchillandwearinessbesethim，routinghisthoughts。Whywashekneelingtherelikeachildsayinghiseveningprayers？Tobealonewithhissoul，toexaminehisconscience，tomeethissinsfacetoface，torecalltheirtimesandmannersandcircumstances，toweepoverthem。Hecouldnotweep。Hecouldnotsummonthemtohismemory。
Hefeltonlyanacheofsoulandbody，hiswholebeing，memory，will，understanding，flesh，benumbedandweary。
Thatwastheworkofdevils，toscatterhisthoughtsandover-cloudhisconscience，assailinghimatthegatesofthecowardlyandsin-corruptedflesh:and，prayingGodtimidlytoforgivehimhisweakness，hecrawledupontothebedand，wrappingtheblanketscloselyabouthim，coveredhisfaceagainwithhishands。Hehadsinned。HehadsinnedsodeeplyagainstheavenandbeforeGodthathewasnotworthytobecalledGod"schild。
Coulditbethathe，StephenDedalus，haddonethosethings？Hisconsciencesighedinanswer。Yes，hehaddonethem，secretly，filthily，timeaftertime，and，hardenedinsinfulimpenitence，hehaddaredtowearthemaskofholinessbeforethetabernacleitselfwhilehissoulwithinwasalivingmassofcorruption。HowcameitthatGodhadnotstruckhimdead？Theleprouscompanyofhissinsclosedabouthim，breathinguponhim，bendingoverhimfromallsides。Hestrovetoforgettheminanactofprayer，huddlinghislimbsclosertogetherandbindingdownhiseyelids:butthesensesofhissoulwouldnotbeboundand，thoughhiseyeswereshutfast，hesawtheplaceswherehehadsinnedand，thoughhisearsweretightlycovered，heheard。Hedesiredwithallhiswillnottohearorsee。Hedesiredtillhisframeshookunderthestrainofhisdesireanduntilthesensesofhissoulclosed。Theyclosedforaninstantandthenopened。Hesaw。
Afieldofstiffweedsandthistlesandtuftednettle-bunches。Thickamongthetuftsofrankstiffgrowthlaybatteredcanistersandclotsandcoilsofsolidexcrement。Afaintmarshlightstrugglingupwardsfromalltheordurethroughthebristlinggrey-greenweeds。Anevilsmell，faintandfoulasthelight，curledupwardssluggishlyoutofthecanistersandfromthestalecrusteddung。
Creatureswereinthefield:one，three，six:creaturesweremovinginthefield，hitherandthither。Goatishcreatureswithhumanfaces，hornybrowed，lightlybeardedandgreyasindia-rubber。Themaliceofevilglitteredintheirhardeyes，astheymovedhitherandthither，trailingtheirlongtailsbehindthem。Arictusofcruelmalignitylitupgreylytheiroldbonyfaces。Onewasclaspingabouthisribsatornflannelwaistcoat，anothercomplainedmonotonouslyashisbeardstuckinthetuftedweeds。Softlanguageissuedfromtheirspittlelesslipsastheyswishedinslowcirclesroundandroundthefield，windinghitherandthitherthroughtheweeds，draggingtheirlongtailsamidtherattlingcanisters。Theymovedinslowcircles，circlingcloserandclosertoenclose，toenclose，softlanguageissuingfromtheirlips，theirlongswishingtailsbesmearedwithstaleshite，thrustingupwardstheirterrificfacesHelp!
Heflungtheblanketsfromhimmadlytofreehisfaceandneck。Thatwashishell。Godhadallowedhimtoseethehellreservedforhissins:
stinking，bestial，malignant，ahelloflecherousgoatishfiends。Forhim!
Forhim!
Hesprangfromthebed，thereekingodourpouringdownhisthroat，cloggingandrevoltinghisentrails。Air!Theairofheaven!Hestumbledtowardsthewindow，groaningandalmostfaintingwithsickness。Atthewashstandaconvulsionseizedhimwithin；and，claspinghiscoldforeheadwildly，hevomitedprofuselyinagony。
Whenthefithadspentitselfhewalkedweaklytothewindowand，liftingthesash，satinacorneroftheembrasureandleanedhiselbowuponthesill。Therainhaddrawnoff；andamidthemovingvapoursfrompointtopointoflightthecitywasspinningaboutherselfasoftcocoonofyellowishhaze。Heavenwasstillandfaintlyluminousandtheairsweettobreathe，asinathicketdrenchedwithshowers；andamidpeaceandshimmeringlightsandquietfragrancehemadeacovenantwithhisheart。
Heprayed:——Heoncehadmeanttocomeonearthinheavenlyglorybutwesinned；andthenHecouldnotsafelyvisitusbutwithashroudedmajestyandabedimmedradianceforHewasGod。SoHecameHimselfinweaknessnotinpowerandHesentthee，acreatureinHisstead，withacreaturescomelinessandlustresuitedtoourstate。Andnowthyveryfaceandform，dearmothersoaktousoftheEternalnotlikeearthlybeauty，dangeroustolookupon，butlikethemorningstarwhichisthyemblem，brightandmusical，breathingpurity，tellingofheavenandinfusingpeace。Oharbingerofday!Olightofthepilgrim!leadusstillasthouhastled。Inthedarknight，acrossthebleakwildernessguideusontoourlordJesus，guideushome。Hiseyesweredimmedwithtearsand，lookinghumblyuptoheaven，heweptfortheinnocencehehadlost。
Wheneveninghadfallenheleftthehouse，andthefirsttouchofthedampdarkairandthenoiseofthedoorasitclosedbehindhimmadeacheagainhisconscience，lulledbyprayerandtears。Confess!Confess!Itwasnotenoughtolulltheconsciencewithatearandaprayer。HehadtokneelbeforetheministeroftheHolyGhostandtelloverhishiddensinstrulyandrepentantly。Beforeheheardagainthefootboardofthehousedoortrailoverthethresholdasitopenedtolethimin，beforehesawagainthetableinthekitchensetforsupperhewouldhavekneltandconfessed。Itwasquitesimple。
Theacheofconscienceceasedandhewalkedonwardswiftlythroughthedarkstreets。ThereweresomanyflagstonesonthefootpathofthatstreetandsomanystreetsinthatCityandsomanycitiesintheworld。Yeteternityhadnoend。Hewasinmortalsin。Evenoncewasamortalsin。Itcouldhappeninaninstant。Buthowsoquickly？Byseeingorbythinkingofseeing。
Theeyesseethething，withouthavingwishedfirsttosee。Theninaninstantithappens。Butdoesthatpartofthebodyunderstandorwhat？
Theserpent，themostsubtlebeastofthefield。Itmustunderstandwhenitdesiresinoneinstantandthenprolongsitsowndesireinstantafterinstant，sinfully。Itfeelsandunderstandsanddesires。Whatahorriblething!Whomadeittobelikethat，abestialpartofthebodyabletounderstandbestiallyanddesirebestially？Wasthatthenheoraninhumanthingmovedbyalowersoul？Hissoulsickenedatthethoughtofatorpidsnakylifefeedingitselfoutofthetendermarrowofhislifeandfatteningupontheslimeoflust。Owhywasthatso？Owhy？
Hecoweredintheshadowofthethought，abasinghimselfintheaweofGodWhohadmadeallthingsandallmen。Madness。Whocouldthinksuchathought？And，coweringindarknessandabject，heprayedmutelytohisguardianangeltodriveawaywithhisswordthedemonthatwaswhisperingtohisbrain。
Thewhisperceasedandheknewthenclearlythathisownsoulhadsinnedinthoughtandwordanddeedwilfullythroughhisownbody。Confess!Hehadtoconfesseverysin。Howcouldheutterinwordstothepriestwhathehaddone？Must，must。Orhowcouldheexplainwithoutdyingofshame？
Orhowcouldhehavedonesuchthingswithoutshame？Amadman!Confess!
Ohewouldindeedtobefreeandsinlessagain!Perhapsthepriestwouldknow。OdearGod!
Hewalkedonandonthroughill-litstreets，fearingtostandstillforamomentlestitmightseemthatheheldbackfromwhatawaitedhim，fearingtoarriveatthattowardswhichhestillturnedwithlonging。HowbeautifulmustbeasoulinthestateofgracewhenGodlookeduponitwithlove!
Frowsygirlssatalongthecurbstonesbeforetheirbaskets。Theirdankhairhungtrailedovertheirbrows。Theywerenotbeautifultoseeastheycrouchedinthemire。ButtheirsoulswereseenbyGod；andiftheirsoulswereinastateofgracetheywereradianttosee:andGodlovedthem，seeingthem。
Awastingbreathofhumiliationblewbleaklyoverhissoultothinkofhowhehadfallen，tofeelthatthosesoulsweredearertoGodthanhis。ThewindblewoverhimandpassedontothemyriadsandmyriadsofothersoulsonwhomGod"sfavourshonenowmoreandnowless，starsnowbrighterandnowdimmersustainedandfailing。Andtheglimmeringsoulspassedaway，sustainedandfailing，mergedinamovingbreath。Onesoulwaslost；atinysoul:his。Itflickeredonceandwentout，forgotten，lost。Theend:black，cold，voidwaste。
Consciousnessofplacecameebbingbacktohimslowlyoveravasttractoftimeunlit，unfelt，unlived。Thesqualidscenecomposeditselfaroundhim；thecommonaccents，theburninggas-jetsintheshops，odoursoffishandspiritsandwetsawdust，movingmenandwomen。Anoldwomanwasabouttocrossthestreet，anoilcaninherhand。Hebentdownandaskedherwasthereachapelnear——
Achapel，sir？Yes，sir。ChurchStreetchapel——
Church？
Sheshiftedthecantoherotherhandanddirectedhim；and，assheheldoutherreekingwitheredrighthandunderitsfringeofshawl，hebentlowertowardsher，saddenedandsoothedbyhervoice——
Thankyou——
Youarequitewelcome，sir。
Thecandlesonthehighaltarhadbeenextinguishedbutthefragranceofincensestillfloateddownthedimnave。Beardedworkmenwithpiousfaceswereguidingacanopyoutthroughasidedoor，thesacristanaidingthemwithquietgesturesandwords。Afewofthefaithfulstilllingeredprayingbeforeoneoftheside-altarsorkneelinginthebenchesneartheconfessionals。Heapproachedtimidlyandkneltatthelastbenchinthebody，thankfulforthepeaceandsilenceandfragrantshadowofthechurch。
TheboardonwhichhekneltwasnarrowandwornandthosewhokneltnearhimwerehumblefollowersofJesus。Jesustoohadbeenborninpovertyandhadworkedintheshopofacarpenter，cuttingboardsandplaningthem，andhadfirstspokenofthekingdomofGodtopoorfishermen，teachingallmentobemeekandhumbleofheart。
Hebowedhisheaduponhishands，biddinghisheartbemeekandhumblethathemightbelikethosewhokneltbesidehimandhisprayerasacceptableastheirs。Heprayedbesidethembutitwashard。HissoulwasfoulwithsinandhedarednotaskforgivenesswiththesimpletrustofthosewhomJesus，inthemysteriouswaysofGod，hadcalledfirsttoHisside，thecarpenters，thefishermen，poorandsimplepeoplefollowingalowlytrade，handlingandshapingthewoodoftrees，mendingtheirnetswithpatience。
Atallfigurecamedowntheaisleandthepenitentsstirred；andatthelastmoment，glancingupswiftly，hesawalonggreybeardandthebrownhabitofacapuchin。Thepriestenteredtheboxandwashidden。Twopenitentsroseandenteredtheconfessionalateitherside。Thewoodenslidewasdrawnbackandthefaintmurmurofavoicetroubledthesilence。
Hisbloodbegantomurmurinhisveins，murmuringlikeasinfulcitysummonedfromitssleeptohearitsdoom。Littleflakesoffirefellandpowderyashesfellsoftly，alightingonthehousesofmen。Theystirred，wakingfromsleep，troubledbytheheatedair。
Theslidewasshotback。Thepenitentemergedfromthesideofthebox。
Thefarthersidewasdrawn。Awomanenteredquietlyanddeftlywherethefirstpenitenthadknelt。Thefaintmurmurbeganagain。
Hecouldstillleavethechapel。Hecouldstandup，putonefootbeforetheotherandwalkoutsoftlyandthenrun，run，runswiftlythroughthedarkstreets。Hecouldstillescapefromtheshame。Haditbeenanyterriblecrimebutthatonesin!Haditbeenmurder!Littlefieryflakesfellandtouchedhimatallpoints，shamefulthoughts，shamefulwords，shamefulacts。Shamecoveredhimwhollylikefineglowingashesfallingcontinually。
Tosayitinwords!Hissoul，stiflingandhelpless，wouldceasetobe。
Theslidewasshotback。Apenitentemergedfromthefarthersideofthebox。Thenearslidewasdrawn。Apenitententeredwheretheotherpenitenthadcomeout。Asoftwhisperingnoisefloatedinvaporouscloudletsoutofthebox。Itwasthewoman:softwhisperingcloudlets，softwhisperingvapour，whisperingandvanishing。
Hebeathisbreastwithhisfisthumbly，secretlyundercoverofthewoodenarmrest。HewouldbeatonewithothersandwithGod。Hewouldlovehisneighbour。HewouldloveGodwhohadmadeandlovedhim。Hewouldkneelandpraywithothersandbehappy。Godwouldlookdownonhimandonthemandwouldlovethemall。
Itwaseasytobegood。God"syokewassweetandlight。Itwasbetternevertohavesinned，tohaveremainedalwaysachild，forGodlovedlittlechildrenandsufferedthemtocometoHim。Itwasaterribleandasadthingtosin。ButGodwasmercifultopoorsinnerswhoweretrulysorry。
Howtruethatwas!Thatwasindeedgoodness。
Theslidewasshottosuddenly。Thepenitentcameout。Hewasnext。
Hestoodupinterrorandwalkedblindlyintothebox。
Atlastithadcome。Hekneltinthesilentgloomandraisedhiseyestothewhitecrucifixsuspendedabovehim。Godcouldseethathewassorry。
Hewouldtellallhissins。Hisconfessionwouldbelong，long。Everybodyinthechapelwouldknowthenwhatasinnerhehadbeen。Letthemknow。
Itwastrue。ButGodhadpromisedtoforgivehimifhewassorry。Hewassorry。Heclaspedhishandsandraisedthemtowardsthewhiteform，prayingwithhisdarkenedeyes，prayingwithallhistremblingbody，swayinghisheadtoandfrolikealostcreature，prayingwithwhimperinglips——
Sorry!Sorry!Osorry!
Theslideclickedbackandhisheartboundedinhisbreast。Thefaceofanoldpriestwasatthegrating，avertedfromhim，leaninguponahand。
Hemadethesignofthecrossandprayedofthepriesttoblesshimforhehadsinned。Then，bowinghishead，herepeatedtheConfiteorinfright。Atthewordsmymostgrievousfaultheceased，breathless——
Howlongisitsinceyourlastconfession，mychild？——
Alongtime，father——
Amonth，mychild？——
Longer，father——
Threemonths，mychild？