,*APT] #f 
,LIMP+ TO ,J]USALEM1 ,PO/ ,A,D #aa 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

,AU?OR 3 ,NEIL ,RI*>D ,MAC,K9NON ,GAIMAN 

,TEXT 3 

,LIMP+ TO ,J]USALEM1 ,PO/ ,A,D #aa 

,H>D AS NEW /EEL ! SUN CUTS FROM A L>D ( CL\D1 AL?\< ITS LI<T SEEMS WE>I$ BY ! EF=T4 ,I AM OLD1 YET IS ?IS CEASELESS & EXHAU/+ WORLD H]E /ILL4 ,MY PILES NAG1 SADDLE-*AF$1 :]E=E UPON ?IS %[]Y MORN+ ,I AM FILL$ ) A *OL]IC BILE & HAVE TWICE CUFF$ MY SQUIRE4 ,AS WE DESC5D ! /REET ( ,JEWS 9TO ! REEK & CLAMOR ( ! HORSE-FAY] HE FALLS BACK TO RIDE BEH9D ME ?AT ,I MAY NOT SEE ! POISON 9 HIS LOOK4 

,AHEAD1 MY DOGS RUN ON AMONG ! M>KET TRAD]S & !IR FLY-*EW$ NAGS4 ,) P9K JAWS WET & FRILL$ LIKE CUNNY1 H]E & !RE !Y *OP & SNAP UPON AN ANKLE OR A FETLOCK1 = ! SPORT ( IT4 ,! CR[D FALL BACK ?AT ,I MAY PASS1 BLUNT-HEAD$ GETS ( ,SAXONY ) SPITTLE ON !IR *9S1 AL?\< ! GIRLS >E (T5 FAIR4 ,! SCUFFLE ( MY *>G]'S HO( IS L\D UPON ! H>D-PACK$ DIRT1 ! FAY] N[ FALL5 9TO QUIET AS :ISP]S FROM A COMELY WOMAN'S SKIRT MAY HU% AN ALE ROOM4 ,N[ !Y T\* !IR SCABBY BR[S AT ME AS ,I RIDE BY1 & LOOK UP FE>FULLY4 ,W]E ,I NOT HALT & AG$ ,I W\LD B$ !IR WIVES & DAU<T]S BO? BE=E !M ]E ,I TOOK !IR HEADS 444 

,I MU/ NOT ?9K ( HEADS4 

,MY SQUIRE & ,I PASS ON4 ,! CR[D IS KNIT ONCE MORE TOGE!R 9 \R WAKE & FALLS AGA9 TO *ATT]+ & B>T]1 ) \R PASSAGE ?R\< ITS MID/ A W\ND SOON HEAL$4 ,BE=E & TO ! LEFT ( ME ! CRUMBL+ *UR* LOOMS HEAVY 9 ITS S&/ONE WALLS ( DIRTY GOLD1 NAM$ = ,SA9T ,PET]1 BY :OSE 9T]CESSION W]E ! RELICS ( ,SA9T ,RAG5] H]E F\ND1 OR SO ! TALE IS TOLD4 ,A HALF-MAD NUN ( ,AB+DON1 DEAD TW5TY YE>S OR MORE1 SPOKE ( AN ANGEL OR A HOLY BIRD )9 ! *UR* ?AT HEAL$ H] CRIPPL$ LEGS4 

,?AT MAY BE V]Y WELL = H]1 YET ,I AM LAME & FILL$ ) A*ES1 & KN[ H] VISION TO BE BUT ! RAV+S ?AT >E COME UPON A WOMAN :5 H] MON?LY BLOODS HAVE CEAS$4 ,S9CE ! ,CRUSADE1 ,I AM MADE \T ( SORTS ) ,GOD4 ,A RAY FALLS \T FROM ,HEAV5 N[ TO /RIKE ! *UR* SO ?AT ITS GAP+ W9D[S SEEM TO FILL ) BRI<TNESS1 YET ,I KN[ ! LI<T IS FALSE1 SURR5D]$ SOON TO SQUALL4 

,?IS ISL& RA93 ,I AM ALREADY WET 9SIDE MY J]K9 FROM ! %[] 5DUR$ :ILSE HUNT+1 E>LY-ON ?IS DAY4 ,! DAMPNESS H]EAB\TS HAS RAIS$ A LEA!R 9 MY *EEK ?AT WAS NOT ALWAYS !RE1 BUT MY COMPLA9TS >E WEAK1 & LACK CONVICTION4 ,DID !RE EV] COME A MORN+ \T !RE 9 ?OSE ,HOLY DES]TS :5 ,I DID NOT WAKE TO F9D MY BELLY BLACK ) FLIES1 ! SWEAT BOIL$ \T ( ME & POOL$ BETWE5 MY DUGS1 & PRAY TO KN[ AGA9 ?IS SICKLY NOR!RN LI<T1 ?IS DRIZZLE 9 MY EYES8 ,! SUN H]E ?R[S US ONLY SCRAPS1 ALREADY HAV+ SQU&]$ ITS GREAT B\NTY ON ! DI/ANT ,HEA!N1 /OOD AMONG HIS HILLS ( S&4 

,! *UR* IS FELL BEH9D1 & ON \R RI<T H& H]E ,*ALK-MONG] ,LANE W9DS UP T[>DS ! CA/LE'S HI<] GR\NDS AS WE DESC5D UPON ! CROSS-ROADS AT ! BRIDGE1 :]EBY ITS GAT$ Y>D /&S OP5$ \T4 ,WE CLATT] 9 BETWE5 ! GREAT BRICK GATEPO/S & ACROSS ! FLAGS4 ,Y>D-BOYS1 :O NOT A MOM5T S9CE W]E NO D\BT CURS+ ME AS EV]Y H>LOT'S SON1 RUN \T ALL SMILES TO TAKE MY BRIDLE1 CRY+1 ',SEE6 ,IT IS ,LORD ,SIMON4 ,HE IS HOME4' 

,MY EYES1 )\T VOLITION IT W\LD SEEM1 CLIMB UP TO :]E ,MAUD'S *AMB] W9D[ OV]-LOOKS ! C\RTY>D4 ,NO ONE !RE4 ,DISM\NT$1 ) A Y>D-LAD EI!R SIDE ( ME1 ,I HANG ONE >M ACROSS EA* ( !IR NECKS1 & ) MY WEI<T SUPPORT$ ?US AM /E]$ T[>DS ! GREAT DOOR1 ONE LEG DRAGG$ BEH9D1 SCRAP$ ?R\< ! SILV]+ ( PUDDLES AS ,I GO4 ,ONCE1 9 A RAGE1 ,MAUD SAID ?AT %E W\LD LIE UPON H] COT & WEEP TO HE> ?AT S\ND1 ?AT SCRAP+1 = IT MEANT ,I WAS RETURN$4 ,HELP$ UP ! ?REE BROAD /EPS1 ,I AM 9SIDE ! CA/LE4 ,9 MY BAG A BRACE ( DUCKS >E /IFF5+1 COOL+ 9 !IR ?ICK5$ BLOOD4 ,BLACK EYES ?AT />E1 UNBL9K+1 9TO BLACKNESS4 

,9 ! FA/NESS ( MY *AMB] >E ! WRET*$1 MUDDI$ G>M5TS PULL$ FROM ME1 :]EAFT] ,I AM DRI$ & DRESS$ TO TAKE MY MEAL3 COLD MUTTON1 W>M BREAD & S\R BE]S4 ,MAUD DOES NOT EAT ) ME4 ,! CLATT] ( MY KNIFE & DI% FALL ON A R++ SIL5CE4 

,SUCK+ LUKEW>M GRAVY FROM MY MU/A*E ,I CAN FEEL H] PAC+ 9 ! UPP] ROOMS & 9 MY M9D'S EYE SEE H]1 ALL H] BITT]NESS MADE PLA9 )9 H] BE>+4 ,N[ %E CROSSES TO ! W9D[ SEAT1 H] HEAD TIPP$ D[N TO G\GE H] BREA/BONE ) A SMALL1 %>P *92 H] >MS CROSS$ TI<T BEL[ H] BUDD+ TEATS2 :ITE1 BRITTLE F+]S CLASP+ EI!R ELB[4 ,%E IS TALL-BUILT1 TW5TY-N9E YE>S OLD & AWKW>D 9 H] GAIT4 ,%E DOES NOT LAU<1 NOR YET MAKE PLEASANT TALK1 BUT ONLY SULKS & SC[LS4 ,IT SOMETIMES SEEMS TO ME ?AT IT W\LD BE AS WELL IF ,I W]E M>RI$ NOT TO H] BUT TO H] MO!R AFT] ALL4 ,AH WELL4 ,?AT'S DONE ) N[4 

,A KNOT ( MUTTONFLE% HAS WORK$ 9TO ! SOCKET ( ! SOLE BACK TOO?1 HALF-CRUMBL$1 ?AT IS LEFT )9 MY L[] JAW1 :I* MORSEL N[ MY TONGUE MAKES SECRET1 COMPLICAT$ MOTIONS TO UNSEAT4 ,MAUD1 NAK$4 ,SOME FIFTE5 YE>S S9CE4 ,I HAD SEAT$ H] UPON MY KNEE ONE NI<T1 \R W$D+ NOT LONG PA/1 P9*$ BY H] %\LD]S ?AT %E MI<T NOT DRAW AWAY4 ,I TRI$ TO MAKE H] PLAY ) MY OLD MAN BUT %E MADE FACES & V[$ BY ! ,HOLY ,VIRG9 %E W\LD NOT4 ,:5 ,I RELEAS$ H] UPP] >M ?AT ,I MI<T TAKE H] BY ! WRI/ & =CE H] TO COMPLY %E /RUGGL$ FREE & JUMP$ FROM (F MY LAP TO C[] AMONG ! HANG+ DRAPES4 

,IF ,I HAD ONLY BEAT5 H] ON ?AT OCCASION MORE SEV]ELY1 %E W\LD SURELY HAVE 5JOY$ A SWEET] DISPOSITION TO ME S9CE4 ,IF ,I HAD TAK5 (F MY BELT TO H] & ?RA%$ H] SK9NY RUMP UNTIL IT BL$4 ,IF ,I HAD SEIZ$ H] HAIR OR TWI/$ ON H] TIT UNTIL %E H[L$4 ,! ANG] MAKES MY *E/ ?UD1 ANSW]$ BY A HOPELESS TWIT* FROM ! =GOTT5 BEA/ ?AT NE/S BEL[ MY PAUN*4 ,IT IS NOT WELL TO /IR MY TEMP] 9 ?IS WAY1 LE/ ,I %\LD BR+ AN ILLNESS ON MYSELF1 & AS ! MUTTON-PELLET HOLDS ITS [N AGA9/ MY QUE/+ TONGUE ,I TURN MY ?\<TS TO G5TL] AFFAIRS4 

,! *UR* ?AT ,I AM BUILD+ ON ! RISE UP BY ! %EEP-TRACK RE/S HALF-DONE1 ! PAGAN RELIC !RE BE=E PULL$ D[N ?AT WE MAY USE ITS SUB/ANCE = \R [N CON/RUCTION4 ,SOME ( ITS BRICKS >E C>V$ ) MON/R\S & OBSC5E ANTIQUITIES1 MU* LIKE ! GAPE-CUNT HAG ( /ONE ?AT SQUATS ABOVE ! PORTICO ( OLD ,/ ,PET]'S4 ,!SE WE %ALL DISC>D1 SAVE :]E NECESSITY & %ORTAGE ( MAT]IALS %\LD O!RWISE DICTATE4 ,ALREADY WE >E =C$ BY CIRCUM/ANCES TO RETA9 A PILL> 9LAID ) A B>B>\S1 S]P5T9E DEVICE1 SOME LE]+ ,TEUTON DEVIL-WYRM COIL$ D[N ! COLUMN'S L5G?4 ,I %\LD BE ANXI\S ?AT ?IS REMNANT NOT (F5D1 W]E ! GOOD PEOPLE NOT (F5D$ MORE BY MY PROPOSAL = ! *UR* ITSELF4 

',LORD ,SIMON1 CAN IT BE Y\ JE/8' !Y SAY4 ,!Y SAY1 ',LORD ,SIMON1 RECONSID] Y\R DESIGN LE/ IT PROVE AN AFFRONT TO ,GOD HIMSELF4' ,!Y SAY1 ',BUT MY ,LORD ,SIMON1 :AT ( ! TRADITION 9 SU* ?+S8' 7,?IS SAME TRADITION BE+ CRUCI=M2 IT H>DLY NE$ BE SAID47 ,!Y C>P & MAKE COMPLA9T = ALL ! WORLD AS IF ,I HAD RAIS$ UP A MONUM5T TO ,MOLO* OR A TAB]NACLE MADE = ,JEWS4 ,!Y MUTT] & !Y CROSS !MSELVES & LAY EA* /ONE ) SU* GRAVE FACES1 JU/ AS IF !Y FE> BUT ?AT !Y WALL UP !IR IMMORTAL S\LS4 

,R\ND4 ,ALL ,I ASK IS ?AT !Y BUILD IT 9 A R\ND1 AS WAS ! ,TEMPLE RAIS$ BY ,SOLOMON !RE 9 ,J]USALEM SO BUILD$4 ,R\ND1 )\T A CORN] :]E ! ,DEVIL MAY F9D PUR*ASE OR CONCEALM5T4 ,R\ND1 ?AT ,GOD %\LD LIKEWISE KN[ NO HID+ PLACE4 ,IF ,HE IS !RE1 !N ,HE MU/ %[ ,HIMSELF4 ,IF ,HE IS !RE 444 

,! FR+E ( BE>D WAS F9E & SILV]Y4 ,ITS EYELIDS W]E /IT*$ %UT2 ! NOSE COLLAPS$ 9TO A HOLE4 ,IT SMELL$ ( PEPP]S1 HOT & DRY4 ,9 ITS EXPRESSION1 SOME?+ =EIGN & UNREADABLE1 !RE AT ! CORN] ( ! M\? :]E IT HAD COME UNSEWN1 ! SMALL BR[N TEE? REVEAL$ 444 

,I CLOSE MY EYES & PU% MY DI% AWAY4 ,I LIFT MY H& UP TO MY FACE & CANNOT HELP BUT GROAN AT :AT IS 9 ME1 AT ! WEI<T ( IT4 ,! S]VANTS LOOK T[>D ME1 MUTE & FRI<T5$1 !N T[>D EA* O!R4 ,GA!R+ UP MY HALF-COMPLET$ DI%1 MY HALF-DRA9$ CUP1 !Y :ISK AWAY TO TREMBLE 9 ! DI/ANT KIT*5S1 HURRI$ FOOT/EPS QUICK & S(T AS RA9 ACROSS ! EMPTY1 E*O+ HALL1 !N GONE4 

,! BRIEF SCREE* ( MY *AIR1 PU%$ BACK N[ FROM ! TABLE SO ?AT ,I MAY RISE1 IS HATEFUL & ALONE 9 ?IS GIANT ROOM4 ,I CALL AL\D = ,JOHN1 MY SQUIRE1 :O COMES AFT] TOO LONG A TIME & HELPS ME TO MY *AMB]1 ON :I* T$I\S & PROTRACT$ J\RNEY DO ,I SCOLD HIM ?US3 ',:Y >E Y\ COME SO LATE UPON MY CALL8 ,DO Y\ SUPPOSE ?AT ,I HAVE GR[N NEW LEGS & SO MAY DANCE BACK TO MY ROOMS )\T Y\R AID8' 

,/AGG]+ ) HIS %\LD] PRESS$ B5EA? ! HOLL[ ( MY >M1 HE GL>ES D[N AT ! FLAGS & MUTT]S ALL HIS ',NO1 ,LORD ,SIMONS' & HIS ',GOD ,=BIDS'1 TELL+ ME ?AT HE'D BE5 AT /OOL :5 FIR/ ,I CALL$ TO HIM1 :]EON ,I MAKE REM>K ?AT %\LD HE SUFF] ME TO WAIT H5CE=? !N ,I %ALL HAVE HIM :IPP$ UNTIL HE %ITS HIS BREE*ES4 

,AT !SE WORDS A S5SE ( ?AT :I* IS BE=E-SE5 COMES TO ME4 ,WAS ,I MANH&L$ LAME ALONG !SE CORRIDORS BE=E ) ?\<TS ( FLOGG+ HOT UPON MY BR[8 ,I KN[ A F>-(F1 S++ DIZZYNESS3 ,S>AC5 VOICES DRON+ TO !IR ,DEVIL-,GOD ACROSS ! DUNES4 ,I HAVE /OOD FROM MY MEAL TOO QUICKLY1 ?AT IS ALL4 ,DISMISS+ ,JOHN UPON ! ?RE%OLD ( MY *AMB] ,I %UT FA/ ! DOOR & MAKE MY HEAVY PA? T[>DS ! B$1 US+ A *AIR-BACK AS SUPPORT ALONG ! WAY4 

,! ROOM IS COLD1 BUT ,I AM W>M$ BY BE]S AS ,I SURR5D] TO ! B$D+4 ,H]E ,I MAY DIGE/1 & BE ALONE )\T A ?\<T ( ,MAUD TO TR\BLE ME1 H] ROOMS BE+ UPON ! CA/LE'S FUR!/ SIDE4 ,?\< ! ,NOVEMB] AIR BE *ILL1 IT'S AS NO?+ TO ! EMPTY1 BONE-DEEP COLD ?AT FALLS ON DES]T :5 ! DAY IS DONE1 & RE/+ H]E ,I AM CONT5T4 ,ABOVE ME1 9 ! CEIL+'S TIMB]S1 FISSUR$ L9ES & :ORLS CALL TO MY M9D A MAP ( ANCI5T & UNCONQU]$ T]RITORIES 444 

,GOOD ,POPE ,URBAN DID AS ,PET]1 CALL$ ! ,H]MIT1 HAD 5TREAT$ HIM3 HE CALL$ ON US TO TAKE ! ,CROSS2 TO JO9 ) HIS ,CRUSADE & RID ! ,HOLY ,L& ( ITS ,MOHAMM$AN OPPRESSOR4 ,?\< ! E>LY EXP$ITIONS ( BO? ,PET] & ONE ,WALT]1 CALL$ ! ,P5NILESS1 W]E CUT TO PIECES BY ! ,TURKS1 WE W]E NOT TO BE /AY$4 ,?US1 9 ! N9ETY-&-SIX? YE> ( ?IS ,MILL5NIUM WE SET \R SAILS = ,CON/ANT9OPLE & NOT A ONE ( US ?\<T O!R ?AN ?AT HE W\LD REA* AGA9 HIS HOME A RI*] MAN4 

,GREAT ,GOD1 BUT ! IMM5SITY ( ?AT CRUEL ,HEA!N SKY4 ,IT MADE M5 MAD4 ,:ILE ON \R WAY TO JO9 ) ,ROB]T1 ,DUKE ( ,NORM&Y1 9 SETT+ ,ANTIO* TO SIEGE1 WE CAME ACROSS A FELL[ BROIL$ AS BLACK AS ANY ,S>AC5 :O YET SANG \T L\D HYMNS 9 NOBLE ,FR5* AS HE PAC$ !RE 9 CIRCLES 'MID/ ! B>E1 SL[-%IFT+ HILLS4 ,ALONE )\T HIS COMRADES = :O KN[S H[ MANY DAYS OR WEEKS1 HE'D PATI5TLY DUG \T A LONG & LOOP+ TR5*1 DEEP AS A MAN'S WAI/1 ?AT /RET*$ BACK ACROSS ! DUNES AS F> AS WE MI<T VIEW4 ,HE CURS$ US :5 WE BROKE A SMALL P>T ( ITS SIDES D[N AS WE L$ \R M\NTS ACROSS4 ,UPON HIS BR[N-SE>$ *E/ ! RAGS ( ,FL&]S HUNG1 !IR BRI<T GRE5 FAD+ YELL[ 9 ! %ADELESS DES]T LI<T4 

,:5 WE HAD RIDD5 ON A LITTLE WAY & LEFT HIM RAV+ F> BEH9D US1 ,I GLANC$ BACK & ) A QUE] SURPRISE SAW ?AT HIS 5DLESS TR5*1 :5 LOOK$ AT FROM AF>1 DID NOT SNAKE BACK & =W>DS )\T MEAN+1 AS IT SEEM$ TO :5 CLOSE BY4 ,VIEW$ FROM A DI/ANCE1 IT BECAME A L9E ( MON/R\S SCRIPT REEL$ \T ACROSS ! DUNES1 SCRAWL$ 9 A GIANT & UNEV5 H&4 ,9 MANY PLACES WORDS & LETT]S HAD BE5 WIP$ AWAY BY %IFT+ S&1 SO ?AT IT CAME TO ME ?AT ?IS POOR S\L MU/ SP5D HIS DAYS 9 PAC+ UP & D[N ALONG ! MESSAGE'S DRE> L5G?1 DIGG+ ANEW ITS /ROKES & FL\RI%ES1 HYMNS SPILL+ FROM HIS P>*$ BLACK LIPS ! :ILE4 ,! ONLY WORDS ?AT ,I C\LD READ W]E ',DIEU' & ONE ?AT MAY HAVE BE5 'HUMILITE'1 SPELL$ \T ACROSS A VIOLET-%AD[$ SLOPE'S S(T FLANK4 ,HIS MESSAGE1 & ( ?IS ,I HAVE NOT ANY D\BT1 WAS MEANT = ! ,ALMI<TY1 :O ALONE RESIDES AT SU* A HEI<T AS TO REVIEW ! TEXT 5TIRE4 ,WE LEFT HIM CR\*$ UPON ! BRIDGES ( AN 'M'1 FRANTICALLY SCRABBL+ TO WIPE AWAY ! HO(-PR9TS :]E \R /E$S HAD DAMAG$ HIS CALLIGRAPHY4 

,& SO WE V5TUR$ ON1 & SACK$ ! SMALL] T[NS ?AT LAY ALONG \R R\TE TO ,ANTIO*4 ,!RE IS A S\ND ?AT PLUND] MAKES2 A HUNDR$ SMALL] NOISES ALL CONFUS$ 9 ONE3 A WAIL+ BABY1 DU/Y ?UND] ( COLLAPS+ /ONE & :9E ( 9JUR$ DOGS4 ,HORSE PANIC4 ,LO/ & TREMBL+ QU]Y ( ESCAP+ GOATS ) WOM5 WEEP+ FROM !IR GUTS2 M5 FROM !IR NOSES4 ,GRUFF CRIES1 UN9TELLIGIBLE1 SUNK5 TO A LANGUAGE ONLY MADE = W>4 ,! MORTAL *IME ( BLADE1 ! H[L ( BUGG]$ *ILDR51 ALL ONE VOICE ?AT SPITS & CRACKLES 9 ! MOM5T'S SMOKE-BLACK ?ROAT4 ,I HE> IT N[4 

,WE SET !IR %R9ES TO TOR*4 ,WE TOOK !IR LIVES1 !IR WIVES1 !IR HORSES1 SILKS & JEWELS & SOME ( US TOOK MORE BESIDES4 ,ONE ( MY CAPTA9S WORE A BELT HUNG R\ND ) ,HEA!N TONGUES UNTIL WE *ID$ HIM AB\T ! /5* ( IT4 ,!Y W]E GREAT BLACK ?+S1 BIGG] ?AN Y\ MI<T SUPPOSE1 & NO TWO QUITE ALIKE4 ,!SE B>B>ISMS W]E NOT /RANGE TO US :ILE WE W]E 9 ?AT PLACE1 ?\< ,I HAVE ?\<T UPON !M S9CE & KN[ N[ ?AT SU* ACTIONS LACK ALL DIGNITY4 ,/ILL1 O!RS TOOK F> GREAT] /RIDES ALONG ?AT R\TE ?AN WE4 ,SOME LEAGUES FROM ,MURZAK WE RODE = A WAY BESIDE A COMPANY ( KNI<TS FROM ,ITALY :O D9$ UPON ! FLE% ( SLA9 ,MOHAMM$ANS1 SAY+ ?AT S9CE !IR FOEM5 HAD NOT ,*RI/IAN S\LS !Y W]E MORE LIKE TO BEA/S & C\LD ?US BE DEV\R$ )\T A BREA* ( COV5ANT4 ,IT WAS QUITE PLA9 !Y W]E MADE LUNATIC BY EAT+ ,HEA!N BRA9S1 & ,I C\LD NOT BUT WOND] H[ !Y'D F>E ON !IR RETURN TO ,*RI/IAN L&S4 ,AS IT OCCURR$1 RETURN+ ?R\< ?OSE T]RITORIES BACK FROM ,MURZAK AT A LAT] DATE WE CAME UPON !IR HEADS1 DA9TILY SET !RE 9 AN 9W>D-FAC+ R+ BETWE5 ! %IMM]+ DRIFTS1 SCRAPS ( !IR AZURE TUNICS TI$ AB\T !IR EYES1 BL9DFOLD+ ! ALREADY BL9D = CULTI% REASONS ?AT WE C\LD NOT GUESS4 

,I LONG$ ) ALL MY HE>T TO SEE ,J]USALEM1 ?AT CITY ( ! SCRIPTURES ?AT ! PAGAN ,EMP]OR ,JULIAN ( ,ROME S\<T 9 HIS VANITY TO BUILD ANEW & WAS /RUCK D[N BY ,GOD ]E ! F\NDATIONS C\LD BE LAID4 ,A :IRLW9D & UPHEAVALS FRAU<T ) G\TS ( FLAME ]AS$ HIS WORKS1 9 :I* SOME SEE A PRO( ( ! ,DIV9ITY'S DISPLEASURE4 7,MY R\ND *UR* AT LEA/ HAS ITS F\NDATIONS SET 9 PLACE1 :ATEV] MAY BEFALL IT H5CE47 ,I LONG$ TO WALK AMONG ?OSE HILLS1 & SEE ?AT ANCI5T HE>T ( PIL+ /ONES FROM :]E ! ,HOLY V]SES SPRANG1 BUT :AT ,I SAW 9/EAD6 ,BETT] MY HEAD W]E SETTL$ BL9DFOLD 9 ?AT DISMAL R+ ( ,ROMAN CANNIBALS1 MY BLOOD CONGEAL$ LIKE EGG-YOLK 9 MY BE>D4 

,I MU/ NOT ?9K ( HEADS4 

,SOME:]E BEL[ MY B$1 BEL[ MY *AMB] FLOOR1 ! CA/LE IS ALIVE ) CATCALLS1 FOOT/EPS1 & RECRIM9ATIONS2 GR& & COLD & E*O+1 & BUILT TO LA/ A ?\S& YE>S4 ,I CAN RECALL :5 ONLY ,WAL!('S ,B>ONIAL HALL /OOD H]E1 ALL WOOD & ?AT* ?AT SW>M$ ) FLEAS1 BE=E ! ,K+ DECID$ ?AT A KNI<T ( ,NORM&Y MI<T OV]LOOK !SE DI/RICTS BETT] ?AN A ,SAXON ,E>L4 

,POOR ,WAL!(4 ,I MET HIM ONCE OR TWICE & HE WAS LIKABLE1 ?\< QUITE )\T 9TELLIG5CE4 ,AS A REW>D = HIS COLLABORATION 9 ! ,CONQUE/ DID ,WILLIAM ! ,BA/>D FIR/ GIVE ,WAL!( ! ,E>LDOM ( ,NOR? ,HAMTUN1 !N A TRAITOR'S GRAVE :5 HE HAD TIR$ ( HIM4 ,SU* CALUMNIES & GRAVE ACCUSALS DID !Y HEAP UPON HIS HEAD ?AT BY ! 5D ! OLD MAN CAME HIMSELF TO ?9K HIS TREASONS ACTUAL4 ,HAD HE CONSPIR$ AGA9/ ! ,K+8 ,IT SEEM$ TO HIM ?IS MU/ BE SO1 = HAD HIS [N WIFE ,JUDI? NOT ?US TE/IFI$8 ,?AT ,WILLIAM1 BE+ OLD & FILL$ ) PANICS1 MI<T SEEK M]ELY TO CONSOLIDATE HIS [N POSITION BY >RAY+ FELL[ C\NTRYM5 AB\T HIM 9 ! ,B>ONIES W\LD SEEM A NOTION QUITE BEYOND ! GRASP ( ,WAL!(4 ,NOR DID HE GRASP ?AT ,JUDI?1 BE+ ,WILLIAM'S NIECE1 W\LD TE/IFY 9 ANY WAY H] ,ROYAL UNCLE MI<T REQUIRE4 ,L$ WEEP+ TO ! BLOCK1 HE EV5 CALL$ AL\D = ,JUDI? TO =GIVE HIM1 :]EUPON AT LEA/ ! TREA*]\S :ORE SUMMON$ ! GRACE TO W9CE & LOOK AWAY = %AME4 ,%E WAS H] UNCLE'S CREATURE1 QUICK TO DO AS HE MI<T BID ON ALL OCCASIONS4 

,ALL OCCASIONS SAVE = ONE4 

,! LI<T \TSIDE MY TURRET W9D[ IS GR[N WAN ) ! PROGRESSION ( ! AFT]NOON4 ,I DOZE1 MADE DR[SY BY ! BE]S1 & :5 ,I WAKE TO F9D ! W9D[S FILL+ ) ,NOVEMB]'S E>LY D>K ,I HAVE A MEMORY ( NONS5SE1 DRIFT$ ?R\< MY ?\<TS :ILE REASON SLEPT3 \T 9 ! WA/ES ( ,PALE/9E1 CAU<T 9 SOME MAPLESS REGION QUITE DEVOID ( L&M>K1 ,I AM COME UPON A HUMAN FOOT ?AT /ICKS UP FROM ! S&4 ,) MU* DELI<T IT COMES TO ME ?AT BURI$ H]E IS MY TRUE LEG1 ! LAME & HATEFUL ?+ ?AT ,I HAVE DRAGG$ AB\T ) ME !SE YE>S BE+ A M]E IMP]SONATION ( ! SAME4 ,EAG] TO WALK AS ONCE ,I DID1 ,I KNEEL & />T TO SCOOP AWAY ! DU/ AB\T ! ANKLE & ! CALF1 :5 ( A SUDD5 ,I AM MADE AW>E ( SOMEONE WAT*+ ME4 

,I LOOK UP1 NOT )\T A />T1 & SEE A WOMAN CRAWL+ ON H] BELLY ) A HORRID SPE$ ACROSS ! LAZY DUNES TO :]E ,I CR\* BESIDE ! JUTT+ FOOT4 ,DRESS$ 9 ! BLACK ROBES ( A NUN & CRIPPL$ 9 SOME MANN] ,I MAY NOT DISC]N1 %E DRAGS H]SELF T[>DS ME D[N ! BAK+ SLOPES1 & N[ ,I HE> H] CALL+ TO ME IMPRECATIONS1 BITT] CURSES1 TELL+ ME ! LEG IS H]S & W>N+ ME TO LEAVE IT BE4 ,I GR[ AFRAID ( BO? H] FURI\S SPITE & BEETLE-LIKE VELOCITY AS %E PROPELS H] BLACK-DRAP$ C>CASS D[N ! HILLOCK 9 A PITT]+ HAIL ( GRIT4 ,WR5*+ N[ FRANTICALLY UPON ! ANKLE ?AT PROTRUDES1 ,I H]E ATTEMPT TO HAUL ! LEG UP \T ! S& & MAKE AWAY ) IT BE=E ! NUN HAS REA*$ ME1 BUT IT WILL NOT BUDGE4 ,)9 ! <A/LY 9/ANT ?AT IS PRIOR TO WAK+1 ,I BECOME AW>E ?AT !RE IS SOME?+ UND]NEA? ! DES]T FLOOR ?AT PULLS AGA9/ ME1 SOME?+ HIDD5 & YET HIDE\SLY /RONG ?AT YANKS UPON ! LEG AS IF TO DRAW IT UND] FROM BEL[1 AT :I* ,I WAKE TO WET PALMS & ! CLANG+ ( MY ANVIL HE>T1 H]E 9 ?IS D>K5+ TURRET4 

,I AM SO AFRAID4 ,I AM AFRAID ( BE+ DEAD1 ,I AM AFRAID ( BE+ NO?+1 & ?AT GREAT UNEASE ?AT ,I HAVE KEPT SO LONG AT BAY IS MADE COMPANION TO ME N[4 ,I SEE ! LIFE ( ME1 ! LIFE ( ALL ( US1 \R W>S & COPULATIONS1 ALL \R MOVEM5T & PHILOSOPHY & CONSCI5CE1 & !RE IS NO FLOOR B5EA? IT1 & IT /&S ON NAU<T4 ,BEYOND MY W9D[1 E>LY />S EM]GE 9TO A FIRMAM5T ) PURPOSE FL$4 

,AFT] A TIME1 ,I CALL TO ,JOHN1 AT :I* HE ANSW]S ) SU* HA/E ?AT ,I HALF FANCY HE HAS SAT BETIMES )\T MY *AMB] DOOR = FE> ( BE+ ABS5T :5 ,I SUMMON HIM4 ,RAIS$ UP N[ ON ! B$ & PULL+ ON MY BREEKS ,I BID HIM FET* ! ,LADY ,MAUD TO ME &1 AFT] HIS REMOVAL & ! LI<T+ ( A C&ELABRA1 KNEEL BESIDE ! B$ TO MAKE MY WAT] 9 A *AMB]-JUG4 ,! /REAM IS ?ICK & BR[NI% & ) MELAN*OLY ,I OBS]VE MY PRICK TO BE YET *ANCR$ & 9FLAM$3 ONE MORE AMONG ! RELICS BR\<T BACK FROM ! ,HOLY ,L&4 

,I NEV] SAW ,J]USALEM4 ,IT HAD BECOME QUITE PLA9 ?AT BY ! TIME WE CAME TO ,ANTIO* ! GREAT] P>T ( ALL ! FI<T+ 7& ! PILLAGE7 W\LD BE DONE1 & SO WE W]E CONT5T TO TAKE A MORE ME&]+ R\TE ?AT BR\<T US UPON T[NS & ,HEA!N SETTLEM5TS BO? LESS DEF5D$ & LESS LIKELY TO ALREADY BE PICK$ CLEAN4 ,I TOOK A NATIVE WOMAN UP FROM ONE ( !SE TO C>RY ON MY TRAVELS1 & = SOME NI<TS HAD GREAT SPORT ) IT1 ?\< ON ! N9? SU* NI<T %E KILL$ H]SELF4 ,! WOM5 ( ?IS LIKE W]E PL5TIFUL4 ,ONCE1 :5 SU* ?+S BECAME ! FA%ION ) US = A :ILE1 ,I TRI$ A BOY1 ?\< NEV] LIK$ IT1 = ! SMELL ( ,HEA!N BOYS IS NOT A PLEAS+ ONE4 ,9 TIME1 SU* PLEASURES ANYWAY W]E OV]COME BY HEAT2 A C>NAL LASSITUDE2 A DEAD5+ ( AMBITION 9 ! FLE%4 

,WE HAD VE]$ F>1 COME ALMO/ 9TO ,EGYPT :5 WE *ANC$ UPON ! KNI<TS 9 R$ & :ITE4 ,ALL ( ?AT WEEK \R TRAVEL HAD BE5 H>D & FILL$ ) QUE] OCCURR5CE1 AS :5 FIVE DAYS SOON] WE HAD SE5 ! GR\ND B5EA? \R L>GE/ & MO/ DEEPLY-LAD5 WAGON CRACK AP>T1 SO ?AT ! :OLE FRONT 5D ( IT PLUNG$ D[N 9TO ! SUDD5 CAVE ?AT YAWN$ B5EA?4 ,WE CLAMB]$ D[N ?R\< RIS+ VEILS ( DU/ TO LOOK UPON ! DAMAGE1 :]E WE F\ND AN ANCI5T BURI$ TOMB OR BONE-ROOM /RET*$ AB\T US 9 A /ALE D>K1 :]EUPON ! SUN'S H>%1 BRILLIANT %AFTS N[ FELL AFT] A WAIT ( C5TURIES4 ,IT HAD ALMO/ A *APEL FEEL1 ITS HUGE DESC5D+ PILL>S FA%ION$ NOT ) MORT> BUT ) LI<T4 ,PIL$ ALL AB\T W]E SKULLS1 SOME ( !M CRU%$ LIKE MORBID EGGS B5EA? ! IRON :EELS ( \R FALL5 C>T1 %>P FLAKES ( YELL[$ %ELL UPON ! :IT] S&S4 ,IT TOOK ! MO/ P>T ( A DAY TO RAISE ! WAGON UP FROM \T ITS PIT1 & BY ! CLOSE ( IT WE ALL W]E C\<+ FE>FULLY & SPAT GREAT QUIDS ( JELLY4 ,SOME TIME LAT]1 9 ! L[] RANKS1 A FELL[ NAM$ ,PATRICE SWORE ?AT HE'D WAT*$ A BRI<T & QUIV]+ CITY HANG+ 9 ! DAWN1 ALL ( ITS FRI<T5+ WEI<T SUSP5D$ HI< ABOVE ! FUR!R DUNES4 ,!RE W]E MORE 9/ANCES AK9 TO ?IS 9 ?OSE LA/ DAYS BE=E WE HAPP5$ ON ! /RANG] KNI<TS4 

,WE SAW !IR LI<TS AT DUSK1 :5 ! DI/9CTIONS BETWE5 SKY & S& W]E LO/ & WE HAD NOT \RSELVES MADE CAMP4 ,FE>FUL LE/ WE HAD COME UPON ! 5EMY1 WE BROKE PROCESSION TO A HU% 9 :I* ! SCUTTL+ ( S&-RATS & ! NI<T-CALL ( GRE5 BEETLES MI<T BE HE>D4 ,BORNE ON ?OSE S]P5T W9DS ?AT RAKE ! WILD]NESS WE HE>D !IR S++1 LU/Y1 FULL & ,FR5*1 & W]E RELIEV$1 AT :I* WE HAIL$ !M & W]E SO MADE WELCOME BY !IR FIRES4 

,! LEAD] ( !IR COMPANY1 :I* NUMB]$ EI<T OR N9E1 WAS ONE ,I HAD KN[N DI/ANTLY BE=E1 CALL$ ,GODEFROI1 COME FROM ,SA9T-,OM]4 ,HE SEEM$ PLEAS$ 5\< TO MEET ) ME1 & ?US IT WAS WE SAT & TALK$ TOGE!R :ILE MY COMRADES CLATT]$ & MADE OA?S 9 D>KNESS AS ! ,NOBLES' T5TS W]E RAIS$1 !RE 9 ! 5DLESS GLOOM BEYOND ! FIRELI<T'S REA*4 ,I M>VEL$ ?AT ,SA9T-,OM] HAD A SK9 ( W9E P]*$ ON HIS LAP1 S9CE NO?+ 9 ! MANN] ( /RONG DR9K HAD PASS$ MY LIPS = NE> TO HALF A YE>1 :]EON HE K9DLY (F]$ SOME TO ME4 ,IT QUICKLY W>M$ ME1 & A LITTLE MORE 5G5D]$ 9 MY E>S A L[ & PLEASANT S++ ?AT DISPELL$ ! VILE1 9CESSANT :ISP] ( ! DES]T 9SECTS1 ?\<T BY ,S>AC5S TO BE ! H[L ( ,P&AEMONIUM ITSELF4 

,ABOVE1 GREAT CON/ELLATIONS :EEL$ TO :I* \R BONFIRE SP>KS ASC5D$ 9 !IR T9Y MIMICRY4 ,I QUIZZ$ MY HO/ UPON ! CURI\S DEVICE ?AT HE & HIS COMPANIONS WORE1 ) ROSE-R$ CROSS >RAY$ UPON A FIELD ( :ITE1 :5CE HE CONFID$ ?AT !Y W]E A FL$GL+ ORD]1 NOT YET FULLY BIR!D1 & YET COMPLAC5T ( !IR GREAT] DE/9Y4 ,I LIK$ HIM1 = HE DID NOT SEEM TO BOA/1 BUT ONLY SPOKE ( HIS DESIGNS DISMISSIVELY1 AS ?\< !Y W]E ALREADY MADE ACCOMPLI%$4 ,AL?\< Y\NG] BY SOME YE>S ?AN ,I1 IT SEEM$ TO ME HE HAD A WISDOM & FIRM C]TA9TY AB\T HIM ?AT BESPOKE AN OLD] MAN1 & SO ,I LI/5$ ON1 5TRANC$ & NOT A LITTLE GIDDY FROM ! W9E4 

,AFT] A TIME1 ANO!R ( ,SA9T-,OM]'S ORD] CAME TO JO9 US :]E WE SAT1 ?IS BE+ ONE CALL$ ,HUGUES1 ( ,PAY5S4 ,:ILE Y\NG] /ILL ?AN ,GODEFROI1 HIS ZEAL T[>D ! FL$GL+ BRO!RHOOD SURPASS$ ?AT ( HIS ELD]1 ?\< 9 ?IS IT MAY BE ?AT HE HAD P>TAK5 ( MORE W9E4 ,BRAZ5 :]E ,SA9T-,OM] HAD BE5 RE/RA9$1 HE SPOKE ( ALL ! WEAL? & 9FLU5CE ?AT W\LD BE !IRS ONCE TIME HAD RUN ITS C\RSE2 A =TUNE ?AT MI<T SPAN ! WORLD 9 ITS EFFECT4 ,AT ?IS ,I G5TLY *ID$ HIM1 & SAID IF WORDS W]E WEAL? !N HE %\LD BE ALIKE TO ,CROESUS1 ASK+ :5CE HE FANCI$ ?AT !SE RI*ES MI<T APPE>4 

,DRAW+ (F5SE FROM ?IS1 HE TURN$ AT ONCE MORE >ROGANT & CURL$ HIS LIP 9TO A SNE] ( SU* LOP-SID$NESS ,I KNEW HIM TO BE 9 HIS CUPS4 ,HE H9T$1 ?\< OBSCURELY1 AT A C]TA9 SECRET GU>D$ BY HIS ORD]1 BE=E :I* ! ,POPE HIMSELF MI<T SOON BE BR\<T TO KNEEL4 ,H]E1 ,SA9T-,OM] DID LAY A C\NSEL+ H& UPON HIS FELL['S >M & :ISP]$ SOME?+ PA/ MY HE>+1 AFT] :I* ! PAIR EXCUS$ !MSELVES BY VIRTUE ( !IR WE>9ESS1 & SOON RETIR$4 ,I SAT BEL[ A ?9-P>$ ,HEA!N MOON UNTIL ! EMB]S PALL$ & GAVE PLAY 9 MY ?\<TS TO ALL ?AT !Y HAD SAID1 !IR H9TS & WILD ASS]TIONS1 BE+ 9 ! LA/ RESOLV$ TO PRESS !M FUR!R ON ! MORR[4 ,HAD ?IS RESOLUTION BE5 =GOT 9 SLEEP1 AS >E SO MANY NOBL] URGES1 !N MI<T ,I HAVE COME UPON MY DOTAGE & MY DEA? A HAPPY MAN4 
,! SUDD5 YET HALF-HE>T$ TAPP+ ON MY *AMB] DOOR N[ R\SES ME FROM \T MY >ID REV]IES1 & :5 ,I BID ! ONE :O KNOCKS TO 5T]1 !RE IS ,MAUD1 ) Y\NG ,JOHN FIDGET+ & %IFT+ 9 DISCOM=T BY H] SIDE UNTIL HE IS DISMISS$1 CLOS+ ! DOOR BEH9D HIM AS HE GOES4 

,%E /&S COMPOS$ !RE 9 ! CREEP+ SIL5CE1 GAZ+ ON ME )\T K9DNESS1 NOR ) FELL[ FEEL+4 ,NEXT %E />ES D[N AT MY *AMB]-JUG & MAKES A FACE1 SO ?AT ,I HIDE IT BACK B5EA? MY B$ BE=E ,I TURN ONCE MORE TO FACE H]4 

',I W\LD HAVE Y\ SIT4' ,I GE/URE H]E T[>DS ! *AIR1 HALFWAY 'TWIXT B$ & DOOR TO AID MY PASSAGE TO & FRO ACROSS ! ROOM4 

',AS MY ,LORD WI%ES4' ,N[ %E BRU%ES (F ! SEAT BE=E %E SITS1 AS IF TO RID IT ( CONTAM9ATIONS4 ,9 ?IS MANN] IS %E WONT TO CRAFT ALL ( H] WORDS & DE$S 9TO SOME SUBTLE1 ILL-CONCEAL$ REBUKE4 ,AS IF H] CUNNY DOES NOT REEK4 ,AS IF H] %IT W]E MADE FROM GOLD4 

',H[ F>ES MY SON8' 

,! LOOK %E GIVES ME 9 REPLY1 BLANK & UNFA?OM+1 IS 9 TRU? ALL ( ! REPLY ,I MI<T REQUIRE3 %E NEI!R KN[S1 NOR C>ES TO KN[4 ,! *ILD IS 9 ! *>GE ( NURSES1 SOME:]E 9 ! CA/LE'S EA/]N MASS4 ,HIS MO!R TOOK AGA9/ ! *ILD FROM BIR? & WILL NOT SEE HIM1 HAT+ AS %E DOES ! MAN :O GOT HIM ON H] & ! MANN] ( ?AT GETT+4 

,N[ %E GLANCES TO ! SIDE & SPEAKS1 9DIFF]5TLY4 ',! Y\NG ,LORD ,SIMON1 ,I AM TOLD1 HAS BE5 AFFLICT$ ) ! GRIPPE1 YET O!RWISE F>ES WELL1 IF IT %\LD PLEASE MY ,LORD4' 

,H] EYES1 HO>-FRO/$ ) DISDA91 CA/ 9SOL5TLY BACK & =? ACROSS SU* FEW EFFECTS AS ,I HAVE GA!R$ 9 MY *AMB]S H]E3 A CASKET ) F\R ANGELS ( ,MOHAMM$AN ATTIRE 9 GOLD RELIEF UPON ITS LID2 A ,M]L9 /UFF$ ) %AV+S & A ,T>T>'S F+] ON A F9E1 BRI<T *A94 ,) EV]Y PIECE1 ) EV]Y LOOK1 %E JUDGES ME4 

,AFT] ! DEA? ( ,WAL!(1 ,WILLIAM ! ,BA/>D WAS CONC]N$ ?AT ,I %\LD TAKE UP ,WAL!('S POSITION H]E4 ,MORE ?AN POSITION3 IT WAS MEANT ?AT ,I %\LD TAKE ,WAL!('S WID[1 ,JUDI?1 AS MY WIFE1 SO ?AT MY CLAIM TO ALL HIS L&S WAS GIV5 /R5G?4 ,N[1 %E WAS ,WILLIAM'S NIECE & HAD UNTIL ?AT TIME OBEY$ H] UNCLE'S EV]Y *>GE1 & YET AT ?IS %E BALK$4 ,JUDI?1 :O ) FALSE WITNESS HAD H] HUSB& P>T$ FROM HIS HEAD = NO MORE REASON ?AN IT WAS ! ,BA/>D'S WILL4 ,JUDI?1 :O KNEW %\LD %E REFUSE H] ,LIEGE ?AT ALL H] L& & TITLES %\LD BE =FEIT4 ,JUDI?1 :O W\LD SOON] COPULATE ) GOATS ?AN LOSE H] UNCLE'S FAVOR4 

,JUDI? W\LD NOT M>RY ME4 

,%E SAID IT WAS BECAUSE ,I HAD A HALT5 FOOT1 & YET 9 ?IS ,I KN[ %E LI$4 ,:AT IS IT ?AT !Y SEE 9 ME1 !SE WOM58 

,MAUD IS WAT*+ ME FROM :]E %E SITS4 ,%E WAITS = ME TO SPEAK1 OR TO DISMISS H]4 ,I DO NEI!R ONE4 ,9 !SE BRIEF YE>S S9CE :5 %E WAS DELIV]$ ( \R SON H] Y\?FUL BLOOM HAS GONE4 ,! TEE? %E LO/ FROM ! FATIGUES ( MO!RHOOD HAVE /RIPP$ ! VE/IGES ( PLUMPNESS FROM H] FACE ?AT MADE IT COMELY4 ,MORE & MORE ,I SEE N[ ,JUDI?'S *9 & ,JUDI?'S NOSE1 ! MO!R'S H>D1 %>P FEATURES MIRROR$ 9 H] *ILD4 

,:5 ,WILLIAM SAID ?AT ,MAUD %\LD BE MY BRIDE 9 ,JUDI?'S /EAD1 /ILL %E DID NOT REL5T1 ?\< IT %\LD SP>E H] DAU<T]'S MAID5HEAD1 & ALL ( ,MAUD'S WET-*EEK$ 5TREATIES C\LD NOT %AKE H] FROM H] GRIM RESOLVE4 ,:Y DID %E FE> ME SO1 TO (F] UP H] DAU<T]'S HAIRLESS LITTLE ,CAT UPON MY ALT> 9 PLACE ( H] [N8 

,! SIL5CE 9 ?IS *AMB] IS NO LONG] TO BE BORNE1 & SO ,I TURN 9/EAD TO TALK+ ( MY *UR*1 ITS GLORI\S *ANCEL W9D[S2 ! UNIQUE >RANGEM5TS ( ITS NAVE4 

',! NAVE IS TO BE 9 A R\ND1 ,MAUD4 ,!RE6 ,:AT DO Y\ ?9K ( ?AT8' 

,%E />ES1 ) ,JUDI?'S EYES4 

',I'M SURE IT IS NO MATT] :AT ?\<TS ,I MAY HAVE1 MY ,LORD4 ,I AM NOT WITT+ ( SU* ?+S4' 

,KN[+ A CRITICISM TO BE HID )9 !SE BL& ASSURANCES1 MY IRE BEG9S TO RISE1 & ,I PRESS FUR!R ON ?IS SELFSAME TACK4 

',IF ,I HAVE ASK$1 Y\ MAY BE SURE IT MATT]S4 ,IF Y\ BE 9 TRU? UNWITT+ ( SU* BUS9ESS1 :Y1 !N ,I %ALL BE AMUS$ TO HE> Y\R WITLESS ?\<TS4 ,N[ PUT (F Y\R DELAYS & ANSW] PLA9LY3 :AT >E Y\R OP9IONS ( A *UR* BUILT 9 A R\ND8' 

,%E %IFTS UPON H] *AIR1 & ,I AM PLEAS$ TO SEE %E IS DISCOMFIT$4 ,BECOME LESS C]TA9 9 H] 9SOL5CE %E DOES NOT MEET MY EYE1 & 9 H] SPEE* ,I FANCY ?AT ,I HE> A TREMBL+1 ABS5T HI!RTO4 

',!RE >E SOME :O MI<T SAY1 MY ,LORD1 ?AT IT WAS A CONFIGURATION NOT HOSPITABLE TO ,*RI/IAN WOR%IP4' ,H]E %E SWALL[S & PRET5DS TO LOSE H]SELF 9 /UDY ( ! ,HEA!N ANGELS RAIS$ UPON MY CASKET'S LID4 ,TURN$ TO ! SIDE !RE IS /ILL BEAUTY 9 H] FACE4 ,IT COMES TO ME ?AT W]E ,I YET EQUIPP$ TO PL[ H] %E W\LD NOT RAISE SU* A FURY 9 ME1 AT :I* ?\<T ! FURY D\BLES4 

',DO Y\ ?9K ,I C>E A F>T :AT SOME MI<T SAY8 ,! C\NSEL ,I AM SEEK+ IS Y\R [N1 & ,I %ALL HAVE ( IT = ALL Y\R DAMN$ EVASIONS6 ,LET ! IGNORANT HOLD ?AT MY WORKS DO NOT WELL SUIT !IR L[-BORN ,*RI/IANITY1 /ILL %ALL ,I HE> :AT Y\ W\LD SAY 9 ?IS6' 

,BRIEF SIL5CE FROM H] N[ ?AT IS MU* LIKE ! ROLL+ ( A DRUM1 9 ?AT IT HAS ! SAME AIR ( ANTICIPATION4 

',MY ,LORD1 Y\ =CE ME TO ADMIT ,I MU/ AGREE ) ?OSE ?AT SAY !SE ?+S4' 

,I RISE UP FROM ! B$ :]E ,I AM SAT &1 CL++ TO ITS FOOT-BO>DS LUR* T[>DS H] SO ?AT %E %R9KS BACK4 

',:AT DO Y\ KN[8 ,:AT DO Y\ KN[ ( ,*RI/IANITY1 ( ITS ANTIQUITIES8 ,COME6 ,Y\ %ALL COME ) ME TO VIEW MY *UR* ?IS 9/ANT1 ?AT ,I MAY 9/RUCT Y\ TO A PROP] S5SIBILITY6' 

,%E />TS AT ?IS4 

',MY ,LORD1 IT IS TOO D>K4 ,I CANNOT V5TURE \T ) Y\ ?IS NI<T1 :5 IT IS SURE TO RA94' 

,I TAKE A FUR!R /EP T[>DS H]1 ONE H& GRIPP$ YET ON ! FOOT-BO>DS ( MY B$ & HE> ! ?UND] CRA%+ 9 MY HE>T4 

',BY ,GOD1 W]E WE MADE SURE ( ,>MAG$DON ON ?IS E'51 YET W\LD ,I SEE Y\ DO MY WILL 9 ?IS6 ,GET UP6' 

,N[ %E IS WEEP+1 FURI\S BECAUSE %E KN[S ?AT %E MAY NOT GA9SAY ME4 ,WET-R+$ EYES SPIT V5OM1 & )\T MU* ?\<T ( IT ,I F9D ?AT ,I AM RUBB+ ) ! H>D HEEL ( MY PALM AGA9/ MY LO9S1 ! OLD ?+ 9 ME COME AWAKE TO F9D SU* PASSION 9 H]4 ,:5 %E SPEAKS H] VOICE IS R\< & HATEFUL1 LIKE A COCKATRICE4 ,I KN[ ?AT %E W\LD /RIKE ME IF %E D>$4 

',I WILL NOT6 ,DRAG Y\RSELF ?R\< /ORMS TO GLOAT ON Y\R MIS%AP5 RELIC IF Y\ WILL1 BUT ,I'LL NOT COME ) Y\6' 

,RISK+ MY BALANCE ,I LET GO ! B$ & TOPPLE =W>D1 CAT*+ AT H] *AIR-BACK ) MY H&S SO ?AT ,I COME TO RE/ PROPP$ OV] H]1 GRIPP+ ! *AIR ON EA* SIDE ( H] >MS1 MY FACE PRESS$ NOT A H&'S WID? FROM H] [N4 ,SPEAK+1 ,I SEE ! :ITE FRO? ( MY SPITTLE FLECK AGA9/ H] HOLL[$ *EEK :]E %E HAS TURN$ H] FACE AWAY1 EYES WR9KL$ TI<T4 

',!N ,I %ALL DRAG Y\ BY ! HAIR1 OR HAVE M5 DO IT = ME6 ,%ALL ,I MAKE Y\ B>E & ?RA% Y\8 ,%ALL ,I8' 

,DEFEAT$ N[1 %E %AKES H] HEAD2 TAKES SMALL HICCUP+ BREA?S1 GULP$ DEEP 9TO ?AT N>R[ *E/1 SNAIL-PA? ( SNOT UPON H] UPP] LIP4 ,I LET ! SIL5CE SIMM] = A MOM5T1 :]E9 NO?+ SAVE MY BREA?+ MAY BE HE>D1 !N1 LIFT+ UP TO /& BESIDE H] ) ONE H& /ILL ON ! BACK-PIECE ( H] *AIR1 ,I CALL TO ,JOHN4 

,:5 HE APPE>S1 HIS PALLOR & TIMIDITY >E SU* ?AT HE MU/ SURELY HAVE BE5 LI/5+1 BEYOND ! *AMB] DOOR4 ,HE GLANCES TO ! ,LADY ,MAUD1 :O TURNS H] FACE AWAY FROM HIM SO ?AT H] DISCOMPOSURE MI<T NOT BE 9 EVID5CE1 & !N HE LOOKS TO ME4 

',MY ,LORD8' 

,I BID HIM SUMMON M5 AT >MS & NEXT DELIV] ,LADY ,MAUD & ,I TO HORSE1 SAY+ ?AT WE >E WONT TO VISIT *UR* & W\LD ?AT HE MAKE COMPANY ) US & ) \R M\NT$ YEOM54 ,HE SEEMS PUZZL$ & AFRAID1 & GIVES A GLANCE ( SIL5T QUE/ION TO ! ,LADY ,MAUD1 :O WILL NOT LOOK AT HIM1 & SO HE B[S & MAKES AWAY1 & ALL IS DONE ACCORD+ ) MY WILL4 

,AT L5G?1 WE QUIT ! CA/LE BY ITS BRIDGE-SIDE GATE1 ) ,MAUD /ILL WEEP+ AS %E RIDES BESIDE ME1 :ILE ,JOHN & ! M5 AT >MS />E /RAI<T AHEAD1 AFFECT+ NOT TO NOTICE ?IS4 ,! RA9 ?AT /RIPES ! D>K IS ?9 & SPITEFUL1 DOES NOT QUITE REMOVE A SC5T ( DI/ANT WOODSMOKE L+]+ UPON ! AIR1 & :5 ,I ASK AS TO ! S\RCE ( ?IS1 MY SQUIRE REM9DS ME ?AT ?IS IS ! NI<T ! VILLE9S LI<T ! BEL-FIRES ?AT !Y DRIVE !IR CATTLE 9 BETWE5 TO MAKE !M PRO( AGA9/ DISEASE4 ,AS WE ASC5D FROM CROSS-ROADS UP TO HORSE-FAY] ,I CAN SEE ! SKY A HELLI% R$ BEH9D ,/ ,PET]'S CRUMBL$ SPIRE1 ?AT M>KS :]E SU* A FIRE HAS BE5 ASSEMBL$ ON ! GRE5 T[>DS ?AT *UR*'S RE>4 ,MU* M]RY-MAK+ CAN BE HE>D COME FROM ?IS QU>T] AS WE RIDE \R HORSES BY & ON T[>DS ! /REET ( ,JEWS4 

,UPON ! ?RE%OLD ( ?OSE TEEM+ ,SEMITE HOVELS WE BREAK LEFT & SO BEG9 \R WE>Y & PROLONG$ ASC5T ( ?AT /EEP PA? ?AT RUNS FROM ! HORSE M>KETPLACE1 UP TO ! \TSKIRTS ( ! BOR\<S & ! %EEP-TRACK JU/ BEYOND1 :]E IS MY *UR* 9 ITS 9*OATE /ATE4 

,! REEK ( FIRE IS EV]Y:]E UPON ! W9D1 SO ?AT ,I CANNOT BUT RECALL ! SMELL ( OLD] FIRES1 9 OLD] D>KNESSES4 ,! FIRE :]E ,I FIR/ SAT & TALK$ ) ,SA9T-,OM]2 ! FIRE WE BUILT \R CAMP AB\T ?AT NEXT NI<T1 AFT] RID+ ) ,SA9T-,OM]'S /RANGE-G>B$ COMPANY A DAY4 ,SAT !RE AB\T ! BURN+ BRU%WOOD'S HURRI$ & IMPRUD5T BLAZE1 ,I QUIZZ$ HIM FUR!R ON ! CLAIMS ?AT HE & Y\NG ,HUGUES HAD MADE :5 LA/ WE SPOKE4 ,! =ESAID ,MA/] ,PAY5S WAS NOT PRES5T ON ?IS NEW OCCASION1 HAV+ GONE ) SEV]AL ( HIS FELL[S TO A SPOT REMOTE FROM :]E WE CAMP$1 = PURPOSE ( SOME S]VICE OR OBS]VANCES PECULI> TO !IR ORD]4 

,CR\*$ BESIDE ME1 FACE MADE BRAZ5 BY ! FLAMES1 ,SA9T-,OM] MADE AGA9 HIS BOA/ ?AT ) HIS ORD] HE %\LD RISE UNTIL !Y W]E MADE RI* BEYOND ! DREAMS ( ,AV>ICE1 ) 9FLU5CE TO BEGG> ,ALEX&]'S4 ,URG+ ME TO JO9 MY CAUSE ) !IRS1 HE PROMIS$ ALL :O /OOD BESIDE !M AT ! \TSET %\LD COME 9TO GREATNESS & REW>D1 :5 !Y AT LA/ LAID CLAIM TO !IR 9H]ITANCE4 

',AS Y\ %ALL SEE1 MY ,LORD ( ,SA9T-,LIZ1 ?\< \R RISE MAY BE ASSUR$1 !RE >E YET C]TA9 PREP>ATIONS TO BE MADE ?AT W\LD ASSI/ US GREATLY :5 WE COME AT LA/ TO P[]4 ,\R =M ( WOR%IP1 AS AN 9/ANCE1 MAKES REQUIREM5T ?AT WE GA!R 9 A CIRCLE1 SU* AS IS NOT EASILY ACCOMPLI%$ 9 ! COMMON /YLE ( *UR*4 ,WE %ALL !RE=E NE$ *UR*ES RAIS$ ACROSS ! WORLD ACCORD+ TO \R [N DESIGN1 !SE FA%ION$ AFT] ,SOLOMON'S GREAT TEMPLE 9 ,J]USALEM4' 

,HE PAUS$ H]E ) SIGNIFICANCE1 AS IF TO MAKE ME PLA9LY UND]/& ! (F] HE EXT5D$3 %\LD ,I AID HIS V5TURE BY ! BUILD+ ( A NOVEL *UR* !N W\LD ,I BE REPAID A HUNDR$FOLD :5 HIS NEW ORD]'S H\R WAS COME AB\T4 ,I %OOK MY HEAD 9 HEAVY PROTE/4 

',BY MY FAI?1 ,LORD ,GODEFROI1 ,I %\LD NE$ MORE ?AN AIR & PROMISES E'] ,I WAS MADE 5?USIA/IC = SU* V5TURES4 ,?\< ,I D\BT NOT Y\R 9T5TIONS1 H[ IS ?IS GREAT WEAL? ( :I* Y\ SPEAK TO BE A*IEV$8 ,:5CE IS ?IS AWFUL P[] TO COME8' 

,HE TURN$ T[>DS ME1 HALF HIS FACE 9 FLAME1 ! RE/ 9 D>KNESS1 & HE SMIL$4 ',:Y1 FROM ,HIS ,HOL9ESS ! ,POPE4 ,I HAVE NO D\BT ,ROME'S C(F]S WILL PROVE ADEQUATE TO \R DEM&S4' 

,SEE+ ! SPEE*LESS1 BLANK DISCOMFITURE ) :I* ,I GREET$ ?IS ANN\NCEM5T1 HE PRESS$ ON1 :ILE 9 ! DES]TS ALL AB\T US DEVILS SANG ?R\< 9SECT ?ROATS4 

',IT IS AS MY ,LORD ( ,PAY5S SAID :5 TOO FILL$ ) W9E TO BE DISCREET3 WE HAVE A MY/]Y 9 US4 ,WE HAVE A SECRET HID )9 \R ORD] NOT A FEW W\LD SOONE/ W]E NOT MADE 9/EAD A REVELATION4 ,BUT TO SAY MORE1 ,I MU/ HAVE Y\R PL$GE ( SIL5CE4 ,FUR!R TO ?IS1 ,I MU/ HAVE ASSURANCE ?AT IF ?IS GREAT KN[L$GE IS MADE PLA9 TO Y\1 & HAV+ SE5 Y\RSELF ! MEANS BY :I* WE %ALL MAKE GOOD \R BOA/S1 !N %ALL Y\ BUILD = US ! PLACE ( WOR%IP ?AT ,I HAVE DESCRIB$4' 

,I ?\<T UPON ?IS = A TIME1 & AT LA/ GAVE ASS5T1 REASON+ ?AT IF ,SA9T-,OM] DID NOT MAKE GOOD HIS PROMISE ?AT ,I %\LD BE SATISFI$ BY ?AT :I* WAS REVEAL$1 !N ,I %\LD LIKEWISE NOT BE B\ND TO C>RY \T HIS LA/ CONDITIONS4 ,HAV+ SWORN AN OA? ( SIL5CE1 ,I 9QUIR$ :5 ,I MI<T BE AT LA/ MADE PRIVY TO ! GREAT CONC]NS ( :I* HE H9T$4 

',:Y1 UPON ?IS V]Y ,SABBA? NI<T1 %\LD Y\ DESIRE4' 

,I FR[N$ H]E1 HAV+ LO/ ALL NOTION \T AMONG ?OSE TIMELESS S&S ( MON?1 OR WEEK1 OR DAY4 ,WAS IT 9 TRU? ! ,SABBA?8 

,SA9T-,OM] CONT9U$ 9 HIS SPEE* )\T REG>D = MY CONFUSIONS4 ',EV5 N[1 ! Y\NG ,LORD ( ,PAY5S & ALL MY FELL[ KNI<TS >E GA!R$ AT A PLACE NOT F> FROM H]E1 :]E !Y MAKE PREP>ATION & AWAIT MY COM+ ?AT !IR S]VICE MAY BE ?US COMM5C$4 ,IF Y\ W\LD GO !RE 9 MY COMPANY1 !N ALL ?AT ,I HAVE SAID %ALL HAVE ITS PRO(4' 

,DECID$ ?US1 WE ROSE UP FROM ! HALO ( ! FIRESIDE & EXCUS$ \RSELVES BE=E COMM5C+ ON \R TRUDGE ACROSS ! DUNES TO :]E ,SA9T-,OM] SAID HIS COMRADES W]E RETIR$4 ,MY LEG WAS NOT SO BAD !N AS IT HAS BECOME ( LATE1 YET /ILL ,I HUNG UPON ,SA9T-,OM]'S >M AS WE W5T WAD+ ?R\< ! DU/1 ! SAME 5CUMB]+ DU/ ?AT SL[S MY LEGS 9 <A/LY DREAMS ( FLI<T ,I'VE LATELY SUFF]$4 

,OV]HEAD1 ! QUANTITY ( />S WAS FRI<TFUL2 ?AT VA/ MULTITUDE ( ANCI5T SILV] EYES ?AT SAW SO MANY G5]ATIONS COME TO DU/1 & NEV] BL9K$1 MU* LESS ALL[$ A TE>1 & AS WE LABOR$ ?R\< ! COOL+ DRIFTS ,I ASK$ ,SA9T-,OM] :5 HIS ORD] W\LD ATTA9 ! /ATION !Y =ESAW4 

',FIVE YE>S1' HE ANSW]$1 ADD+1 'IF NOT FIVE1 !N T51' AS IF IT W]E ! M]E/ AFT]?\<T4 ,S9CE !N ,I HAVE LE>N$1 ) SOME BITT]NESS1 ?AT IF NOT T51 !N FIFTE5 W\LD SUFFICE2 OR IF NOT FIFTE51 :Y1 !N TW5TY4 ,AS ,I CLIMB$ ?OSE %[]+1 SLID+ M\NDS ) ,GODEFROI ,SA9T-,OM] ON ?AT DI/ANT NI<T1 ,I WAS AS IF LULL$ BY ! BEETLE-*OIRS1 & DID NOT ?9K TO ASK ( SU* EV5TUALITIES4 

,BESIDES1 WE W]E BY !N COME HI< ATOP A RIDGE1 ! SLOPES ( :I* FELL D[N BE=E US TO AN EV5 PLA91 :]E !RE W]E LI<TS2 A R+ ( C&LE-FLAMES ?AT /UTT]$ 9 ! D>KNESS1 ) ANO!R R+ ALIKE1 SAVE SMALL]1 SET !RE AT ITS C5T]4 ,9 ! CIRCL$ TRACK BETWE5 !SE FI]Y B\ND>IES1 PALE FIGURES MOV$ 9 SL[ PROCESSION1 FROM :]E CAME AN OCEANIC MURMUR+ ?AT WAS RESOLV$ 9TO A M\RNFUL PLA9-*ANT AS WE /UMBL$ FUR!R D[N ! HILL T[>DS ! C&LES & ! CIRCL+1 S++ KNI<TS4 ,! 9N] R\ND ( FLAME WAS SET AB\T A FLAT /ONE CALL$ TO S]VICE AS A MAKE%IFT ALT>4 ,SOME?+ RE/$ !RE UPON IT ,I C\LD NOT MAKE \T1 BEYOND ! SQU9T+ />S ( BRI<TNESS DANC+ ON ! WICKS ?AT HEMM$ IT R\ND4 ,WE LUR*$ D[NHILL T[>DS ! GL[1 ,SA9T-,OM] & MYSELF1 & AS WE W5T ! AIR AB\T WAS FILL$ ) HIDE\S1 HURTL+ BLOSSOM3 MON/R\S DES]T 9SECTS HEAD$ = !IR BRILLIANT1 BRIEF EXT9CTION 9 ! C&LE-FLAMES4 ,HE$LESS1 ) ,SA9T-,OM] LEAD+ ME ON1 ,I C\LD BUT FOLL[ !IR EXAMPLE4 ,M\RNFUL VOICES LIFT$ UP & WE W5T D[N1 & WE W5T D[N 444 

,! RA9 ?AT BEATS N[ H>D AGA9/ MY *EEK IS LIKE ! FLUTT]+ 9SECT C>CASSES ?AT BEAT AGA9/ IT !N4 ,B5EA? \R P>TY'S HO(S ! GRE5 & FIB]$ SME>S ( HORSES' %IT GIVE WAY TO H>D BLACK JEWELS ( DUNG1 :]EBY IT IS MADE PLA9 ?AT WE HAVE REA*$ ! %EEP-TRACK1 :]E ! MATT$1 TICK-9FE/$ H]DS >E BR\<T FROM ,WALES4 ,MAUD /OPS H] WEEP+ = A TIME AS WE DESC5D1 AL?\< H] *EEKS >E WET1 BUT ?IS MAY BE ! RA94 

,A BLACKNESS ?AT APPE>S MORE PRES5T & MORE SOLID RISES N[ ATOP A HILLOCK TO \R RI<T1 AGA9/ ! PAL] D>K BEH9D4 ,IT IS MY HALF-MADE *UR*1 ITS EI<T GREAT PI]S RE>$ UP T[>DS ! *URN$ MIASMA ( ! HEAV5S4 ,SIGNAL+ TO ,JOHN & TO ! SOLEMN M5 AT >MS1 ,I REA* ACROSS & TAKE ! BRIDLE ( ,MAUD'S HORSE1 RE9+ US BO? \TSIDE ! L[ /ONE WALL ?AT B9DS ! *UR*-L&'S L[E/ $GE4 ,IT LOOMS ABOVE US1 9COMPLETE & YET SUGGE/IVE ( ITS F9AL GRAVITY1 AS WE >E AID$ BY \R YEOM5 TO DISM\NT & CLIMB ! WET GRASS SLOPE T[>DS IT4 ,FROM ! %AD[ COMES A DREADFUL BLEAT+ & ! SCATT]+ ( BONE-%OD FEET1 SO ?AT ,MAUD CRIES \T 9 AL>M1 BUT IT IS NO?+1 ONLY %EEP ?AT GRAZE ! PA/URE H]E & CROP ! WE$S AB\T ! *UR*4 

,I TAKE ,MAUD'S >M 9 SU* A GRIP %E W9CES1 HANG+ ON H] TO SUPPORT MYSELF AS ,I /EP NE>] TO ! R+ ( PI]S ?AT SO> UP MASSIVELY 9TO ! />LESS D>K T[>DS !IR R\ND$1 MANY-SCALLOP$ CAPITALS4 ,BETWE5 ! EI<T GREAT COLUMNS N[ ! YAWN+ *ASM ( ! OP5 CRYPT COMES 9TO VIEW1 :]E R\< /ONE /EPS LEAD D[N 9TO ! RA9-/IRR$ MUD1 & ?\< %E %R9KS AWAY ,I DRAW ,MAUD TO ! V]Y $GE1 SO ?AT WE /& BETWE5 ! PI]S1 ON :I* ,I LEAN & F9D SUPPORT4 

,N[ ,MAUD R5EWS H] WEEP+1 & AS ,I LOOK BACK TO :]E MY SQUIRE & M5 AT >MS /& AT SOME SMALL REMOVE BEH9D1 ,I SEE ?AT !Y >E ALSO DISCONC]T$1 :E!R BY ! HULK+ *UR* OR BY MY MANN] ,I KN[ NOT4 ,I %\T1 ?AT ,I AM HE>D ABOVE ! BLU/] ( ! W9D & SIZZLE ( ! RA91 GE/UR+ TO ! OBLONG-CUT F\NDATIONS & HALF-BUILT WALLS ( ! *ANCELL]Y ?AT LIE UPON ! F> SIDE ( ! GAP+ VAULT4 

',!RE6 ,DO Y\ SEE8 ,?AT %ALL BE ! ,M>TYRIUM1 ?AT REPRES5TS ! ,PASSION ( \R ,LORD1 :]EAS !SE VAULTS1 ONCE CLOS$1 %ALL SIGNIFY ! CAVE :]E9 HE LAY1 !RE AT ,GE?SEMANE4 ,COME6 ,COME D[N TO !M ) ME4 ,I %ALL %[ Y\ 444' 

,H]E1 & ) A ?ROTTL$ CRY1 ,MAUD BREAKS AWAY FROM ME & RUNS BACK FROM ! CRAT]'S PILL>$ RIM TO :]E ,JOHN & ! M5 AT >MS /& DUMB-/RUCK1 PAUS+ !RE TO TURN & />E AT ME1 H] EYES WIDE & AFRAID1 H] PO9T$ *9 N[ QUIV]+ LIKE A COMPASS NE$LE FIX$ UPON MY ,NOR?4 ,I RAIL AT H] & AT ! M5 :O /& !RE IDLY BY YET MAKE NO MOVE TO DRAG H] BACK TO ME4 

',:AT8 ,>E Y\ MADE AFRAID BY ?IS M]E %ELL1 ?IS M]E ANATOMY ?AT IS NOT YET A *UR*8 ,H[ MU* MORE FRI<T5$ %\LD Y\ BE TO SEE ITS SPIRE6 ,IF Y\ WILL NOT COME ) ME TO ! VAULTS1 !N DAMN Y\1 = ,I GO ALONE6' 

,I HALF EXPECT AT ?IS ?AT ,JOHN MI<T MOVE TO MY ASSI/ANCE1 BUT HE M]ELY /&S BESIDE HIS ,LADY ,MAUD & GAZES AT ME 9 A TRANCE ( FE> ALIKE TO H]S4 ,CURS+ !M BO? ,I TURN &1 GRIPP+ ON ?OSE /ONES ?AT JUT \T FROM ! VAULT'S COMPLET$ WALLS1 ,I MAKE MY SL[ WAY D[N ! MOSS-SLICK$ /AIRS4 ,) ONE LEG DRAGG+1 ,I DESC5D 9TO ! MY/]Y4 

,BACK 9 ! DES]T WE CAME D[N UPON ?OSE CIRCL+ KNI<TS1 ,SA9T-,OM] & MYSELF1 ?AT WE C\LD HE> !IR SONG MORE PLA9LY AS !Y TRUDG$ 9 !IR GREAT R+ ABOVE AN ALT> RIMM$ ) C&LES4 ,9 !IR TUNELESS MOAN+S N[ & !N ,I HE>D ! BLESS$ NAME ( ,JESU1 SO ?AT ,I BECAME ASSUR$ !RE WAS NO ,DEVILRY ATT5DANT ON !IR RITUAL4 ,WE /EPP$ ACROSS ! \T] R+ ( C&LES1 & AT \R APPROA* ! *ANT+ KNI<TS FELL BACK TO LET US PASS ON TO ! 9N] R+ ( LI<TS1 & TO ?AT ALT> :I* !Y GU>D$4 

,NE>+ TO IT1 ,SA9T-,OM] /OOP$ L[ TO :ISP] 9 MY E>1 HIS WORDS PLA9 EV5 ?\< WE W]E AMID ! *ANT+ ( HIS BRO!RS4 ',DO Y\ SEE1 ,MY ,LORD ( ,SA9T-,LIZ8 ,DO Y\ SEE ! FACE ( \R ,BAPHOMET2 ( \R PRAIS$ ONE BE=E :OM ! NATIONS ( ! E>? %ALL SURELY B[8 ,LOOK CLOS]4' 

,!RE1 BEYOND ! W9K+ FLAMES 444 

,I /& N[ 9 ! SLIME MADE BY ! RA9 H]E 9 ! LIDLESS VAULT ( MY UNF9I%$ *UR*4 ,ABOVE ME1 PE]+ FROM BETWE5 ! COLUMNS1 >E ! FACES ( MY YEOM5 & ! ,LADY ,MAUD1 :O HAVE ) TREMBL+ /EP COME TO ! $GE1 ?AT !Y MI<T VIEW ME BETT] 9 MY RAV+S4 

,?\< ! FI]CE RA9 POOLS )9 ! SOCKETS ( M9E EYES ,I LIFT MY FACE T[>DS !M AS ,I BELL[4 ',H]E6 ,H]E IS ! CAVE 9 :I* ,*RI/ SLEPT1 :ILE UP ABOVE ME 9 ! NAVE'S GREAT R\ND %ALL BE ! SYMBOL ( HIS RESURRECTION 444' 

,( HIS RESURRECTION4 ,/&+ ) ,SA9T-,OM] !RE BESIDE ME ,I LEAN$ =W>D1 SQU9T+ SO ?AT ,I MAY SEE BEYOND ! R+ ( LI<T$ C&LE-/EMS TO :AT SAT !RE UPON ! R\< /ONE ALT> 9 !IR MID/4 ,R++ AB\T US 9 !IR VE/S ( <O/LY :ITE ) BLOODY CROSS UPON ! BREA/ ( EA*1 ! KNI<TS W]E S++1 ,JESU1 ,JESU 444 

,CL++ TO ! CRYPT'S DANK WALLS = PUR*ASE1 ,I BEG9 TO HOBBLE R\ND ! GREAT /ONE R+1 HAUL+ MY LAME FOOT ?R\< ! DEEP BR[N PUDDLES1 %\T+ AS ,I GO4 ',Y\ ?9K1 ALIKE ) FOOLS1 ?AT ?IS IS BLASPHEMY1 ?IS ,HOLY CIRCUL>ITY8 ,:Y1 IF Y\ KNEW :AT ,I HAD SE5 444' 

,IT LAY UPON ! ALT>1 & ITS SK9 WAS BLACK & %RIVEL$ UP ) AGE4 ,?OSE HAIRS ?AT YET CL+$ TO ! SCALP OR *9 W]E LONG & SILV]1 GLI/5+ 9 ! LI<T ( /> & C&LE4 

',!RE1' CAME ,SA9T-,OM]'S BREA? BESIDE MY E>4 ',!RE4 ,DO Y\ SEE8' 

,! EYES HAD BE5 /IT*$ TI<T1 & !RE REMA9$ A /RANGE1 UNREADABLE EXPRESSION 9 ! CORN] ( ! M\?1 !RE :]E ! LIPS HAD SAGG$ & COME UNSEWN4 ,IT WAS A HEAD1 BUT :OSE ,I MI<T NOT GUESS1 ?AT WAS EXPECT$ TO R$UCE ALL ,POPES & ,POT5TATES TO M]E/ S]VITUDE4 

',!RE1' SAID ,SA9T-,OM]4 ',DO Y\ SEE8' 

,I SPLA% ON 9 MY LUMB]+ CIRCUIT ( ! VAULT1 & YET ! WORDS ,I %\T HAVE NO MORE S5SE 9 !M ?AN !RE IS 9 ! SPIT & CRACKLE ( A VILLE9'S BEL-FIRE4 ,I AM WEEP+1 /UMBL+1 RO>+1 :ILE FROM UP ABOVE ! FROZ5 MASKS ( ,MAUD & ,JOHN & ALL ! />TL$ YEOM5 HANG !RE1 />+ D[N AT ME1 MY JUDGES4 

',I AM OLD & ALMO/ 9 MY GRAVE1 & /ILL !Y MAKE NO MOVE6 ,!Y HAVE NO C>E = ME6 ,!Y WILL A*IEVE !IR K+DOM ONLY AFT] ,I AM GONE1 SO ?AT !RE %ALL BE NO REW>D = ME1 NOT H]E1 NOR YET 9 ANY O!R LIFE6 ,IF Y\ KNEW :AT ,I KN[ 444' 

,I KNEW :OSE WAS ! HEAD4 ,IT CAME TO ME ) SU* A =CE & C]TA9TY ,I /UMBL$ BACK1 AS IF ! S&S B5EA? MY FEET MI<T ( A SUDD5 OP5 UP & PLUNGE ME /RAI<T TO ,HELL4 

',!RE1' SAID ,SA9T-,OM]4 ',DO Y\ SEE8' 

,I SLIP1 & FALL D[N CURS+ 9 ! MUD4 ,/ILL NEI!R M5 NOR ,MAUD MAKE ANY MOVE TO AID ME4 ,I AM WEEP+ AS ,I DRAG MYSELF UPON MY KNEES AB\T ! CRYPT1 HANG+ UPON ! /ONES ?AT JUT FROM ! UNEV5 BRICK TO PULL ME HALF ]ECT4 

,I GAZ$ 9 MORTAL T]ROR AT ! HEAD1 :OSE FEATURES SEEM$ TO J]K & TWIT* !IR %AD[S 9 ! C&LE-LI<T4 ,!N IT WAS ALL A LIE1 ALL ! ,CRUSAD+S & ! ,*RI/5+S ALIKE4 ,! C5TRAL /ONE ON :I* FAI? RE/S WAS PULL$ AWAY FROM ME1 & 9 ITS /EAD WAS LEFT ?IS HATEFUL RELIC1 MUMMIFI$ & BLACK1 ?AT SEEM$ TO FIX ME ) ITS CATGUT-?READ$ />E2 ?AT SEEM$ TO TWI/ ! UNTI$ CORN] ( ITS M\? 9TO AN AWFUL SMILE4 ,I %ALL BE DEAD1 & NO?+ %ALL BE LEFT ( ME BUT WORM & BONE4 ,I %ALL BE WIP$ AWAY1 BE ABS5T 9 ! 5DLESS & 9S5SATE D>K :]E NO ?\<T COMES4 ,I %ALL NOT RISE 9TO ! NAVE ( REBIR?1 E*O+ ) ANGEL VOICES1 & NO MORE %ALL ANY ( US1 = ! ,HEAV5S >E BECOME AN EMPTY PLACE & DEAD M5 DO NOT RISE1 NOR PU% BACK /ONES4 ,\R S\LS KN[ NO ASC5T1 NOR HAVE !Y F9AL DE/9ATION4 

,LAU<+1 WEEP+1 ) MY DEAD FOOT DRAGG$ BEH9D1 ,I CIRCLE1 CIRCLE R\ND1 =EV] R\ND B5EA? AN EMPTY SKY ?AT NEI!R MAN NOR M>TYR EV] ROSE T[>D1 NOR EV] SAW ! FLAME ( MAN RELIT :5 ONCE HIS SP>K HAD GONE1 NOR EV] KNEW ( ANY RESURRECTION4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,*APT] #f -- ,ADD$4 

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