"Atthispointnowordscouldexpresswhatthesensesperceived；eyesandearsreceivedanimpressionofbeingsurroundedbyfuriessuchashadneverbeengatheredtogetherbefore；andunlessaccustomedtosuchghastlyscenesasthosewhosacrificetodemons，noonecouldkeephismindfreefromastonishmentandhorrorinthemidstofsuchaspectacle。Grandieraloneremainedunchangedthroughitall，seeminglyinsensibletothemonstrousexhibitions，singinghymnstotheLordwiththerestofthepeople，asconfidentasifhewereguardedbylegionsofangels。OneofthedemonscriedoutthatBeelzebubwasstandingbetweenhimandPereTranquilletheCapuchin，uponwhichGrandiersaidtothedemon——
　　"'Obmutescas!'Holdthypeace。
　　"Uponthisthedemonbegantocurse，andsaidthatwastheirwatchword；buttheycouldnotholdtheirpeace，becauseGodwasinfinitelypowerful，andthepowersofhellcouldnotprevailagainstHim。ThereupontheyallstruggledtogetatGrandier，threateningtotearhimlimbfromlimb，topointouthismarks，tostranglehimalthoughhewastheirmaster；whereuponheseizedachancetosayhewasneithertheirmasternortheirservant，andthatitwasincrediblethattheyshouldinthesamebreathacknowledgehimfortheirmasterandexpressadesiretostranglehim:onhearingthis，thefrenzyofthenunsreacheditsheight，andtheykickedtheirslippersintohisface。
　　"'Justlook!'saidhe；'theshoesdropfromthehoofsoftheirownaccord。'
　　"Atlength，haditnotbeenforthehelpandinterpositionofpeopleinthechoir，thenunsintheirfrenzywouldhavetakenthelifeofthechiefpersonageinthisspectacle；sotherewasnochoicebuttotakehimawayfromthechurchandthefurieswhothreatenedhislife。
　　Hewasthereforebroughtbacktoprisonaboutsixo'clockintheevening，andtherestofthedaytheexorcistswereemployedincalmingthepoorsisters——ataskofnosmalldifficulty。"
　　Everyonedidnotregardthepossessedsisterswiththeindulgenteyeoftheauthoroftheabovenarrative，andmanysawinthisterribleexhibitionofhysteriaandconvulsionsaninfamousandsacrilegiousorgy，atwhichrevengeranriot。TherewassuchdifferenceofopinionaboutitthatitwasconsiderednecessarytopublishthefollowingproclamationbymeansofplacardsonJuly2nd:
　　"Allpersons，ofwhateverrankorprofession，areherebyexpresslyforbiddentotraduce，orinanywaymalign，thenunsandotherpersonsatLoudunpossessedbyevilspirits；ortheirexorcists；orthosewhoaccompanythemeithertotheplacesappointedforexorcismorelsewhere；inanyformormannerwhatever，onpainofafineoftenthousandlivres，oralargersumandcorporalpunishmentshouldthecasesorequire；andinorderthatnoonemaypleadignorancehereof，thisproclamationwillbereadandpublishedto-dayfromthepulpitsofallthechurches，andcopiesaffixedtothechurchdoorsandinothersuitablepublicplaces。
　　"DoneatLoudun，July2nd，1634。"
　　Thisorderhadgreatinfluencewithworldlyfolk，andfromthatmoment，whethertheirbeliefwasstrengthenedornot，theynolongerdaredtoexpressanyincredulity。Butinspiteofthat，thejudgeswereputtoshame，forthenunsthemselvesbegantorepent；andonthedayfollowingtheimpioussceneabovedescribed，justasPereLactaneebegantoexorciseSisterClaireinthecastlechapel，sherose，andturningtowardsthecongregation，whiletearsrandownhercheeks，saidinavoicethatcouldbeheardbyallpresent，thatshewasgoingtospeakthetruthatlastinthesightofHeaven。
　　ThereuponsheconfessedthatallthatshehadsaidduringthelastfortnightagainstGrandierwascalumniousandfalse，andthatallheractionshadbeendoneattheinstigationoftheFranciscanPereLactance，thedirector，Mignon，andtheCarmelitebrothers。PereLactance，notintheleasttakenaback，declaredthatherconfessionwasafreshwileofthedeviltosavehermasterGrandier。ShethenmadeanurgentappealtothebishopandtoM。deLaubardemont，askingtobesequesteredandplacedinchargeofotherprieststhanthosewhohaddestroyedhersoul，bymakingherbearfalsewitnessagainstaninnocentman；buttheyonlylaughedatthepranksthedevilwasplaying，andorderedhertobeatoncetakenbacktothehouseinwhichshewasthenliving。Whensheheardthisorder，shedartedoutofthechoir，tryingtoescapethroughthechurchdoor，imploringthosepresenttocometoherassistanceandsaveherfromeverlastingdamnation。Butsuchterriblefruithadtheproclamationbornethatnoondaredrespond，soshewasrecapturedandtakenbacktothehouseinwhichshewassequestered，nevertoleaveitagain。
　　CHAPTERX
　　Thenextdayastillmoreextraordinaryscenetookplace。WhileM。
　　deLaubardemontwasquestioningoneofthenuns，thesuperiorcamedownintothecourt，barefooted；inherchemise，andacordroundherneck；andtheresheremainedfortwohours，inthemidstofafearfulstorm，notshrinkingbeforelightning，thunder，orrain，butwaitingtillM。deLaubardemontandtheotherexorcistsshouldcomeout。Atlengththedooropenedandtheroyalcommissionerappeared，whereuponSisterJeannedesAnges，throwingherselfathisfeet，declaredshehadnotsufficientstrengthtoplaythehorribleparttheyhadmadeherlearnanylonger，andthatbeforeGodandmanshedeclaredUrbainGrandierinnocent，sayingthatallthehatredwhichsheandhercompanionshadfeltagainsthimarosefromthebaffleddesireswhichhiscomelinessawoke——desireswhichtheseclusionofconventionallifemadestillmoreardent。M。deLaubardemontthreatenedherwiththefullweightofhisdispleasure，butsheanswered，weepingbitterly，thatallshenowdreadedwashersin，forthoughthemercyoftheSaviourwasgreat，shefeltthatthecrimeshehadcommittedcouldneverbepardoned。M。deLaubardemontexclaimedthatitwasthedemonwhodweltinherwhowasspeaking，butsherepliedthattheonlydemonbywhomshehadevenbeenpossessedwasthespiritofvengeance，andthatitwasindulgenceinherownevilthoughts，andnotapactwiththedevil，whichhadadmittedhimintoherheart。
　　Withthesewordsshewithdrewslowly，stillweeping，andgoingintothegarden，attachedoneendofthecordroundhernecktothebranchofatree，andhangedherself。Butsomeofthesisterswhohadfollowedhercutherdownbeforelifewasextinct。
　　ThesamedayanorderforherstrictseclusionwasissuedforherasforSisterClaire，andthecircumstancesthatshewasarelationofM。deLaubardemontdidnotavailtolessenherpunishmentinviewofthegravityofherfault。
　　Itwasimpossibletocontinuetheexorcismsothernunsmightbetemptedtofollowtheexample，ofthesuperiorandSisterClaire，andinthatcaseallwouldbelost。Andbesides，wasnotUrbainGrandierwellanddulyconvicted？Itwasannounced，therefore，thattheexaminationhadproceededfarenough，andthat
　　thejudgeswouldconsidertheevidenceanddeliverjudgment。
　　Thislongsuccessionofviolentandirregularbreachesoflawprocedure，therepeateddenialsofhisclaimtojustice，therefusaltolethiswitnessesappear，ortolistentohisdefence，allcombinedtoconvinceGrandierthathisruinwasdeterminedon；forthecasehadgonesofarandhadattainedsuchpublicitythatitwasnecessaryeithertopunishhimasasorcererandmagicianortorenderaroyalcommissioner，abishop，anentirecommunityofnuns，severalmonksofvariousorders，manyjudgesofhighreputation，andlaymenofbirthandstanding，liabletothepenaltiesincurredbycalumniators。Butalthough，asthisconvictiongrew，heconfronteditwithresignation，hiscouragedidnotfail，——andholdingittobehisdutyasamanandaChristiantodefendhislifeandhonourtotheend，hedrewupandpublishedanothermemorandum，headedReasonsforAcquittal，andhadcopieslaidbeforehisjudges。Itwasaweightyand，impartialsummingupofthewholecase，suchasastrangermighthavewritten，andbegan，withthesewords。
　　"IentreatyouinallhumilitytoconsiderdeliberatelyandwithattentionwhatthePsalmistsaysinPsalm82，whereheexhortsjudgestofulfiltheirchargewithabsoluterectitude；theybeingthemselvesmeremortalswhowillonedayhavetoappearbeforeGod，thesovereignjudgeoftheuniverse，togiveanaccountoftheiradministration。TheLord'sAnointedspeakstoyouto-daywhoaresittinginjudgment，andsays——
　　"'Godstandethinthecongregationofthemighty:Hejudgethamongthegods。
　　"'Howlongwillyejudgeunjustly，andacceptthepersonsofthewicked？
　　"'Defendthepoorandfatherless:dojusticetotheafflictedandneedy。
　　"'Deliverthepoorandneedy:ridthemoutofthehandofthewicked。
　　"'Ihavesaid，Yearegods；andallofyouarechildrenoftheMostHigh。
　　"'Butyeshalldielikemen，andfalllikeoneoftheprinces。'"
　　Butthisappeal，althoughconvincinganddignified，hadnoinfluenceuponthecommission；andonthe18thofAugustthefollowingverdictandsentencewaspronounced:——
　　"Wehavedeclared，anddoherebydeclare，UrbainGrandierdulyaccusedandconvictedofthecrimesofmagicandwitchcraft，andofcausingthepersonsofcertainUrsulinenunsofthistownandofotherfemalestobecomepossessedofevilspirits，wherefromothercrimesandoffenceshaveresulted。Bywayofreparationtherefor，wehavesentenced，anddoherebysentence，thesaidGrandiertomakepublicapology，bareheaded，withacordaroundhisneck，holdingalightedtorchoftwopoundsweightinhishand，beforethewestdoorofthechurchofSaint-PierreintheMarketPlaceandbefore——thatofSainte-Ursule，bothofthistown，andthereonbendedkneetoaskpardonofGodandthekingandthelaw，andthisdone，tobetakentothepublicsquareofSainte-Croixandtheretobeattachedtoastake，setinthemidstofapileofwood，bothofwhichtobepreparedthereforthispurpose，andtobeburntalive
　　alongwiththepactsandspellswhichremaininthehandsoftheclerkandthemanuscriptofthebookwrittenbythesaidGrandieragainstacelibatepriesthood，andhisashes，tobescatteredtothefourwindsofheaven。Andwehavedeclared，anddoherebydeclare，allandeverypartofhispropertyconfiscatetotheking，thesumofonehundredandfiftylivresbeingfirsttakentherefromtobeemployedinthepurchaseofacopperplatewhereonthesubstanceofthepresentdecreeshallbeengraved，thesametobeexposedinaconspicuousplaceinthesaidchurchofSainte-Ursule，theretoremaininperpetuity；andbeforethissentenceiscarriedout，weorderthesaidGrandiertobeputtothequestionordinaryandextraordinary，sothathisaccomplicesmaybecomeknown。
　　"PronouncedatLoudunagainstthesaidGrandierthis18thdayofAugust1634。"
　　Onthemorningofthedayonwhichthissentencewaspassed，M。deLaubardemontorderedthesurgeonFrancoisFourneautobearrestedathisownhouseandtakentoGrandier'scell，althoughhewasreadytogothereofhisownfreewill。Inpassingthroughtheadjoiningroomheheardthevoiceoftheaccusedsaying:——
　　"Whatdoyouwantwithme，wretchedexecutioner？Haveyoucometokillme？Youknowhowcruellyyouhavealreadytorturedmybody。
　　WellIamreadytodie。"
　　Onenteringtheroom，FourneausawthatthesewordshadbeenaddressedtothesurgeonMannouri。
　　Oneoftheofficersofthe'grandprivotdel'hotel'，towhomM。deLaubardemontlentfortheoccasionthetitleofofficeroftheking'sguard，orderedthenewarrivaltoshaveGrandier，andnotleaveasinglehaironhiswholebody。Thiswasaformalityemployedincasesofwitchcraft，sothatthedevilshouldhavenoplacetohidein；foritwasthecommonbeliefthatifasinglehairwereleft，thedevilcouldrendertheaccusedinsensibletothepainsoftorture。
　　>FromthisUrbainunderstoodthattheverdicthadgoneagainsthimandthathewascondemnedtodeath。
　　FourneauhavingsalutedGrandier，proceededtocarryouthisorders，whereuponajudgesaiditwasnotsufficienttoshavethebodyoftheprisoner，butthathisnailsmustalsobetornout，lestthedevilshouldhidebeneaththem。Grandierlookedatthespeakerwithanexpressionofunutterablepity，andheldouthishandstoFourneau；
　　butForneauputthemgentlyaside，andsaidhewoulddonothingofthekind，evenweretheordergivenbythecardinal-dukehimself，andatthesametimebeggedGrandier'spardonforshavinghim。At，thesewordsGrandier，whohadforsolongmetwithnothingbutbarbaroustreatmentfromthosewithwhomhecameincontact，turnedtowardsthesurgeonwithtearsinhiseyes，saying——
　　"Soyouaretheonlyonewhohasanypityforme。"
　　"Ah，sir，"repliedF6urneau，"youdon'tseeeverybody。"
　　Grandierwasthenshaved，butonlytwomarksfoundonhim，oneaswehavesaidontheshoulderblade，andtheotheronthethigh。Bothmarkswereverysensitive，thewoundswhichMannourihadmadenothavingyethealed。ThispointhavingbeencertifiedbyFourneau，Grandierwashanded，nothisownclothes，butsomewretchedgarmentswhichhadprobablybelongedtosomeothercondemnedman。
　　Then，althoughhissentencehadbeenpronouncedattheCarmeliteconvent，hewastakenbythegrandprovost'sofficer，withtwoofhisarchers，accompaniedbytheprovostsofLoudunandChinon，tothetownhall，whereseveralladiesofquality，amongthemMadamedeLaubardemont，ledbycuriosity，weresittingbesidethejudges，waitingtohearthesentenceread。M。deLaubardemontwasintheseatusuallyoccupiedbytheclerk，andtheclerkwasstandingbeforehim。Alltheapproacheswerelinedwithsoldiers。
　　Beforetheaccusedwasbroughtin，PereLactanceandanotherFranciscanwhohadcomewithhimexorcisedhimtoobligethedevilstoleavehim；thenenteringthejudgmenthall，theyexorcisedtheearth，theair，"andtheotherelements。"NottillthatwasdonewasGrandierledin。
　　Atfirsthewaskeptatthefarendofthehall，toallowtimefortheexorcismstohavetheirfulleffect，thenhewasbroughtforwardtothebarandorderedtokneeldo...剩余内容请长按扫描二维码或下载丁香书院APP继续免费看：

前往下载：https://www.kanbaapp.com/share/