,*APT] #g 
,CONFESSIONS ( A ,MASK1 ,A,D #afg 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALAN ,MOORE 

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

,TEXT 3 

,CONFESSIONS ( A ,MASK1 ,A,D #afg 

,IT DISAPPO9TS ME TO REC\NT ?AT LATELY ,I HAVE F\ND MYSELF AGA9 AFFLICT$ ) ID5TITY & SO BESET BY A GREAT PE/IL5CE ( ?\<TS4 ,>ID1 9CONSEQU5TIAL ?+S1 !Y RATTLE USELESSLY )9 ! P>*M5T SE$-POD ( ?IS SMIRK+ MASK ,I AM BECOME4 ,WORSE1 !Y PROVOKE A FE>FUL IT*+ AT ! RE> 9T]IOR ( MY CRANIUM :]E1 ,I FE>1 YET CL+S SOME WI!R$ CLOT ( M9D2 GRAY HUSK ( BRITTLE SPONGE1 WRUNG DRY1 CRU/$ UPON ! 9N] %ELL LIKE RELIC SNOTS DISCOV]$ ON ! PAGES ( OLD BOOKS4 

,I F9D IF ,I CONTRIVE TO LET MY SKULL TILT BACK & =?1 AS 9 A BREEZE1 ! IRON PO9T ( MY SPIKE WILL SCRAPE AGA9/ ! IRRITATION & ?US BR+ SOME MEASURE ( RELIEF1 ?\< ?IS DOES NOT DISPEL ! MA9 S\RCE ( MY AGGRAVATION1 TO :IT1 ?AT ,I AM MYSELF AT ALL ) ! CAPACITY = ?\<T OR = S5SATION :5 ,I FANCI$ 7FANCY+ NO?+7 ?AT ,I WAS1 AT MEASURE1 DONE ) SU* BLEAK *ORES4 

,:5 DID ,I LA/ KN[ ANY?+8 ,)\T SI<T1 ,I MAY NOT DET]M9E H[ MU* TIME ,I'VE :IL$ AWAY 9 DANGL+ H]E & /9K+ S9CE ,I LA/ CAME TO MYSELF4 ,IF MEMORY DOES NOT PLAY ME FALSE1 ?AT WAS 9 ,SUMM]1 :5 ?IS BONE CA!DRAL'S DOME RANG TO A MONK'S DRONE ( GRE5-BELLI$ FLIES2 ! MUN* ( GRUBS :]E ONCE DREAMS %IMM]$4 ,SUMM] LA/ OR ,SUMM] BE=E ?AT ,I CANNOT TELL4 ,AS ,I RECALL1 ,I HAD HUNG H]E BUT SEV]AL MON?S1 :I* MADE IT BY MY RECKON+ ! YE> ,SIXTE5 ,HUNDR$ & ,SIX1 ?REE YE>S 9TO ! REIGN ( ,GOOD ,K+ ,JAMES1 MAY ! ,ALMI<TY ROT HIS EYES 7A SKILL :I* ! ,ALMI<TY HAS DEPLOY$ ) GREAT SUCCESS UPON DIV]SE OCCASIONS1 TO :I* ,I MYSELF MAY TE/IFY74 

,UPON ! CREAS$ CORPSE-PAP] ( MY BR[ ! W9D IS DAMP ) ,AUTUMN2 BR+S A HU% AMONG ! BLUEBOTTLES4 ,OCTOB]1 !N8 ,NOVEMB]8 ,BUT :I* YE>8 ,9 TRU?1 ,I SC>CELY C>E1 LONG+ TO HAVE AWAY ) DATES & KN[ ET]NITY4 ,I FANCI$ ?AT ,I HAD IT1 ?AT LA/ TIME4 ,I FANCI$ ,I WAS GONE4 ,9/EAD1 M]E SLEEP2 A FUR!R CRUMBL+ ( MY WORM-DRILL$ WITS1 ONLY TO WAKE AGA91 TOO BOR$ = HORROR N[4 

,I WOND]1 IS MY FA!R YET ALIVE8 ,POOR ,TOM1 AS MAD AS ,I2 ALMO/ AS HAMP]$ 9 HIS MOVEM5TS1 CLOI/]$ !RE ?R\< LAW ON HIS E/ATE BY VIRTUE ( HIS FAI?1 ! QUE]1 ?REE-SID$ HUNT+ LODGE HE BUILT 9 :I* HE MEANT TO SIGNIFY ! ,TR9ITY1 :]EBY TO TAUNT HIS CAPTORS4 ,%R\D$ 9 A LANGUAGE ALL MY FA!R'S [N1 OCCULT & MY/ICAL1 ,I FE> ?IS TAUNT SAIL$ HI< ABOVE HIS JAIL]S' HEADS & ALTOGE!R MISS$ ITS M>K4 

,?REE FLOORS4 ,?REE SIDES4 ,?REE W9D[S MADE FROM TRIANGLES ( GLASS ON EV]Y SIDE1 ON EV]Y FLOOR4 ,GREAT NUMB]S1 ?REES & N9ES1 SET 9 ! BRICK1 ?AT SIGNIFI$ ,I KN[ NOT :AT1 ?\< ,I RECALL ?AT ONCE MY FA!R MADE GREAT EF=T TO EXPLA9 !IR MEAN+ TO ME4 

',!Y >E DATES1 Y\NG ,FRANCIS4 ,DATES AS RECKON$ FROM \R TRUE BEG9N+S ON ?IS ,E>?1 & ,$5'S F\ND+4' ,AS HE TALK$1 HIS GREAT GRAY HEAD ROCK$ =W>D1 NODD+ TO MAKE EMPHASIS2 ! LA/ EXHAU/$ PECK+S ( A LAME & ANCI5T BIRD4 

,MY FA!R'S CALCULATIONS H+$ UPON A CAL5D> SUGGE/$ BY A C]TA9 ,BI%OP 7,I DO NOT RECALL HIS NAME7 :O HAD E/ABLI%$ TO HIS P]SONAL SATISFACTION ! SPECIFIC DATE ON :I* ! WORLD COMM5C$4 ,TO MY *AGR91 ,I MU/ CONFESS ?IS MO/ IMPORTANT ANNIV]S>Y IS ALSO FL$ FROM RECOLLECTION1 ONE MORE MEMORY EAT5 BY ! MEATFLIES4 ,I REMEMB]1 ?\<1 ?AT ! ,CREATION WAS ACCOMPLI%$ ON A ,MONDAY4 

,?US F>1 :ILE BY NO MEANS SANE 9 ANY ORD9>Y S5SE1 MY FA!R'S MOTIVES 9 ! BUILD+ ( ! LODGE W]E AT LEA/ /ILL )9 MY COMPREH5SION3 HE DESIR$ TO RAISE UP A TRIANGUL> AFFRONT TO ALL GOOD S5SE1 & 9 ?IS FA%ION TO COMMEMORATE ! ,HOLY ,TR9ITY 9 :OSE NAME HE HAD SUFF]$ HIS 9C>C]ATION4 ,FUR!R TO ?IS1 HE DESIR$ TO DATE HIS $IFICE FROM ?AT PRIMORDIAL ,MONDAY MORN :5 ! ,ALMI<TY CONDESC5D$ TO ALL[ ! ,LI<T4 

,H[EV]1 ?IS WAS NOT ! LIMIT ( MY FA!R'S ODD PREOCCUPATIONS4 ,9 ADDITION TO ! MASSIVE NUMB]S SET \T 9 RELIEF UPON HIS LODGE1 W]E ALSO LETT]S1 MO/ ( !M P]TA9+ TO QUA9T WORD-GAMES PLAY$ UPON ! FAMILY NAME1 ?IS BE+ ,TRE%AM1 :I* ABBREVIATES TO ',TRES'1 ?AT IS TO SAY1 TO ?REE1 :I* BR+S US NEATLY BACK TO ,FA!R1 ,SON & !IR CELE/IAL PIGEON4 

7,IF ,I AM ALL[$ TO V5TURE AN ASIDE1 & 9 SOME MODE/ MEASURE A REBUKE1 ,I MU/ SAY ?AT 9 ALL ! MON?S ?AT ,I HAVE WAIT$ TO ATTA9 TO ! CELE/IAL REALM1 ,I HAVE NOT ONCE BE5 VISIT$ BY ?IS A=ESAID BLESS$ F[L1 AL?\< ,I WE> A SKULLCAP ( HIS C\S9S' DUNG47 

,I'D /& )9 ! >*+ DOOR ( ,RU%TON ,HALL1 WAT*+ MY FA!R :ILE 9 TURN HE OV]LOOK$ ! BUILD+ ( HIS FOLLY1 !RE ACROSS ! FIELDS4 ,HE W\LD /RUT BACK & =? & ALL ! :ILE CALL \T 5C\RAGEM5TS TO ?OSE :O LABOR$ ON ! LODGE3 ',PRAY1 ,CULLY1 FUR!R TO ! RI<T6 ,BE SURE TO TAKE Y\R MEASUREM5TS 9 ?REES1 SIR1 IF Y\ LOVE ME6 ,MAKE ! 9CL9ATIONS AT ! CORN] NICE & NOT SPLAY$ \T LIKE :ORES' LEGS6' 

,H]E )9 ,NOR?AMPTON IS A *UR* MADE 9 A R\ND1 RAIS$ TO !SE BLASPHEM\S PROPORTIONS AT ! TIME ( ! ,CRUSADES AGA9/ ! ,S>AC54 ,ACCORD+ TO CONJECTURE1 IT IS BUILT ?IS CURI\S WAY ?AT ,SATAN MAY NOT F9D A NOOK :]E9 TO HIDE HIMSELF4 ,:AT ( MY FA!R'S LODGE1 !N8 ,SURELY HE HAD FI5DS 9 EV]Y CORN]1 DEVILS ON ALL SIDES1 ?AT DROVE HIM ON ?R\< PRIDE1 ?R\< BITT]NESS & 9TO LUNACY8 ,:AT DRIVES US ALL1 ?AT WE 5GAGE \RSELVES 9 SU* CATA/ROPHES8 ,SURELY IT WAS NOT ! ,ALMI<TY'S VOICE ?AT GUID$ HIM TO SU* A SORRY 5D1 BUT RA!R ?AT VOICE ISSU$ FROM ! FURNACE1 FROM ! FIRE'S M\?1 TRAIL+ SPITTLES ( :ITE ORE8 

,= ALL MY LOYAL PROTE/ATIONS ?AT ,I %>$ MY FA!R'S CRE$ S9CE HIS CONV]SION1 /ILL ,I F\ND IT DIFFICULT TO C\NT5ANCE A ,GOD ?AT W\LD AW>D ,SIR ,?OMAS ,TRE%AM = HIS FAI? ) H\SE >RE/ & !N DIRECT HIM TO PASS HIS REMA9+ DAYS 9 ! CON/RUCTION ( A GREAT /ONE W$GE ( *EESE4 7,I MAKE COMPLA9T H]E ONLY = MY FA!R'S TREATM5T AT ! H&S ( ! ,ALMI<TY4 ,NOTE ?AT ,I DO NOT DEBATE ! ,JU/ICE MET$ \T TO ME1 :I* ,I W\LD SAY IS FAIR1 UP TO A PO9T4 ,?AT PO9T1 IT MU/ BE SAID1 IS ?RU/ UNCOM=TABLY UP MY RAGG$ W9DPIPE1 :5CE IT JUTS1 NOT )\T PA91 9TO MY COBWEBB$ C]EBELLUM4 ,?AT ASIDE1 ,I MU/ CONGRATULATE ! ,LORD UPON HIS WIDELY M5TION$ L5I5CE47 

,! R\ND *UR* & MY FA!R'S ?REE-FAC$ LODGE1 !SE HUGE & SIMPLE SOLID =MS SET PATI5TLY UPON ! %IRE'S MAP2 C>EFULLY1 PA9/AK+LY >RANG$ LIKE *ILDR5'S BUILD+-BLOCKS ACROSS LONG C5TURIES BY SL[1 HALF-WITT$ GODS1 TOO FEW PIECES 9 PLACE AS YET TO GUESS !IR F9AL S*EME1 IF S*EME !RE BE4 ,SOMETIMES1 AS ?\<TS DRIFT 9 ! MUDDY1 HALF-AWAKE PLANE ?AT ALONE REMA9S TO ME1 ,I KN[ A S5SE ( VA/1 MOM5T\S TUMBL]S FALL+1 SOME:]E F> AWAY2 ( AN EV5TUAL UNLOCK+ !RE AT ,TIME'S RIM1 ?\< ( :AT ,I MAY NOT GUESS4 ,IF S*EME !RE BE1 MY PRES5T /ATE T5DS TO SUGGE/ ?AT ,I AM NOT CONSID]$ VITAL 9 ITS \TCOME4 

,I DECORATE ! ,NOR? GATE ( ! T[N4 ,?\< LACK+ EYES ,I YET OBS]VE !Y HAVE NOT MOV$ ME :ILE ,I SLEPT & DREAM$ MY SWEET & SIL5T DREAM ( BE+ DEAD4 ,MOREOV]1 IT IS PLA9 ?AT !Y HAVE NOT REPLAC$ ! WAT*M5 BILLET$ )9 ! GATE-H\SE1 ,JOHN & ,GILB]T1 :OM ,I RECOGNIZE BO? BY !IR VOICES & BY ! DI/9CT & SEP>ATE P]FUMES ( !IR WAT]1 :I* !Y MAKE ALMO/ 9 RITUAL UNISON AGA9/ ! GATE-H\SE WALL EA* MORN :5 !Y >ISE4 

,IT IS LIKE ?IS3 FIR/ ,GILB]T WAKES ) ! FULL WEI<T ( LA/ NI<T'S ALE UPON HIS BLADD] & BEG9S TO C\<1 !SE HAWK+S L[ & GRUFF1 MU* LIKE HIS VOICE4 ,NEXT1 ,JOHN IS WOK5 BY HIS FELL[ WAT*MAN'S B>K+ & BEG9S HIS [N1 ?\< 9 A SOME:AT HI<] REGI/]1 BE+1 IT SEEMS TO ME1 ! Y\NG] ( ! TWO4 ,MEAN:ILE TO ?IS1 ,GILB]T HAS LEAP$ UP FROM HIS COT1 PULL$ ON HIS TR\S]S & HIS BOOTS & /UMBL$ \T TO PISS4 ,! S\ND ( ?IS SEEMS TO GO ON = EV] &1 AS SU* S\NDS (T5 DO1 PROVOKES 9 ,JOHN AN AWFUL SYMPA?Y SO ?AT HE HURRIES \T TO JO9 HIS FELL[2 ADDS HIS MEAG] /REAM TO ! TREM5D\S GU%+S ( ! DAM ALREADY BREA*$4 ,AT ! CONCLUSION ( !IR SPR9KL+S1 BO? M5 NEXT BREAK W9D1 FIR/ ,GILB]T & !N ,JOHN1 ! PIT* AGA9 REFLECT+ !IR RESPECTIVE AGE & TEMP]AM5T1 ONE L[1 ONE HI<4 ,A CRUMHORN & A P5NY :I/LE4 

,EV]Y DAY !Y DO ?IS1 AS UN*ANG+ AS ! BIRD-CALLS ?AT ANN\NCE ! DAWN1 NOR DO !IR O!R FUNCTIONS ( ! DAY SEEM LESS R\T9E4 ,FROM LI<T ?R\< D>K !Y LABOR AT !IR WORK OR ELSE !Y LABOR H>D] 9 AVOID+ IT4 ,SU* CONV]SATION AS !Y MANAGE IS REPEAT$ DAILY1 PHRASE = PHRASE4 ,I DO NOT D\BT ! ?\<TS !Y HAVE TODAY >E MU* ! SAME ONES !Y HAD YE/]DAY & WILL HAVE S]V$ AGA91 RE-BOIL$1 UPON ! MORR[4 ,WILL+LY !Y 5T]TA9 ?IS VILE MONOTONY4 ,ONE MI<T1 IF UNFAMILI> ) \R SITUATION1 EASILY ASSUME ?AT IT W]E !Y HUNG ON A SPIKE1 NOT ,I4 

,MY FA!R1 P5N$ )9 HIS GR\NDS & LEFT TO NURSE HIS ?REE-FOLD MADNESS2 ,CATESBY1 ,FAWKES1 ! RE/ ( !M1 ALL CAU<T UP 9 !IR DIV]SE F]VORS1 9 ! CIRCLES ( !IR HABIT & !IR REASON2 WE >E ALL ( US ?US HOI/$ ON \R [N PET>D4 ,EA* ( US HAS HIS /ICK+ PLACE1 & TO EA* MAN HIS NAIL4 

,( LATE1 ,GILB]T & ,JOHN HAVE 7:5 !Y SPEAK ( ME AT ALL7 BEGUN TO CALL ME ',*>LIE-,UP-,!RE'4 ',FRANCIS'1 A MORE UPRI<T-S\ND+ NAME1 IS OBVI\SLY NOT SO SUIT$ TO ! SL\*+ RHY?MS ( !IR SPEE* AS ',*>LIE'3 ',:I* WAY BL[S ! W9D1 Y\NG ,JOHN8 ,Y\ TAKE A LOOK AT ,*>LIE UP !RE & TAKE NOTE ( :]E :AT BIT ( HAIR HE HAS FLIES \T TO6' ,ONCE ,I HAD SU* LOVELY TRESSES1 N[ A WEA!R-VANE = IDIOTS4 

,/ILL1 9 ALL IT PLEASES ME TO ?9K ?AT ,I HAVE YET SOME FUNCTION & SOME PURPOSE TO MY BE+1 SLI<T & MEAN ?\< IT MAY BE4 ,NOT ONLY WEA!R-COCK AM ,I BUT ALSO TRY/+ PLACE1 AN EASY L&M>K :]E Y\NG LOV]S MAY >RANGE TO MEET4 ,!IR BRIEF & (T HIL>I\S C\PL+S AGA9/ ! BIRD-/REAK$ WALL BEL[ AWAKE 9 ME A PHANTOM PANG1 MU* LIKE ! PANG 9DUC$ ON HE>+ ,GILB]T'S L\D1 TORR5TIAL MICTURITIONS EV]Y MORN4 ,?\< MY EQUIPM5T TO ACCOMPLI% SU* BE GONE1 ,I TOO W\LD LIKE TO POKE A W5* OR PISS AGA9/ A WALL FROM TIME TO TIME4 ,9 TRU?1 ,I CANNOT SAY :I* ( !SE SATISFACTIONS' PASS+ IS ! MO/ LAM5T$1 ?\< ,I WI% ?AT ,I HAD TAK5 MORE TIME TO APPRECIATE ! BO? ( !M :ILE ,I WAS YET 9 LIFE4 ,AH1 WELL4 

,BESIDES MY USE AS TOTEM TO ! FUMBL+S ( Y\NG M51 SO ALSO AM ,I ABLE TO PROVIDE MY S]VICES AS T>GET = ! MISSILES ( !IR 9FANT SIBL+S4 ,USUALLY !Y FLY WIDE ( ! M>K1 AL?\< ON COM+ TO MY S5SES AT ?IS LA/ OCCASION1 ,I DISCOV]$ ?AT ONE ( ! MORE ACCOMPLI%$ LITTLE HELL-H\NDS HAD CONTRIV$ TO LODGE A PIECE ( COAL BIG AS A KNUCKLE 9 ! SOCKET ON ! LEFT4 ,I MU/ CONFESS ,I AM QUITE TAK5 ) IT1 FANCY+ IT L5DS MY MASK A ROGUI% & YET GALLANT LACK ( SYMMETRY AS MI<T A MONOCLE1 OPAQUE & L5S$ ) JET4 

,UPON REFLECTION1 A GREAT :ILE HAS PASS$ S9CE LA/ ,I WAS ,AUNT ,SALLY TO ! *ILDR5'S /ONES4 ,NO D\BT !Y >E AWAY AB\T SOME NEW1 MORE SEASONAL DIV]SION N[4 ,IF ,I W]E NOT A MASK !N ,I W\LD CALL !M BACK4 

,IT SEEMS TO ME ?AT ?IS HAS ALWAYS BE5 MY /UMBL+ BLOCK1 ?AT ,I MAY NOT SPEAK \T = :ATSOEV] ,I MYSELF DESIRE1 YET ONLY TURN TO PEOPLE ! COMPLIANT FACE !Y WI% TO SEE4 ,IF TRU? BE TOLD1 MY FA!R'S ,CA?OLIC VISION WAS NOT M9E1 YET :5 HE PUT ! PROPOSITION TO ME ALL ,I DID WAS NOD 9 PUPPET ACQUIESC5CE4 ,NOR DID ,I DO DIFF]5TLY ) ,FAWKES & ,W9T] & ! RE/1 UNFOLD+ !IR PHANTASMAGORIC 9SURRECTIONS 9 ! GATE-H\SE !RE AT ,A%BY4 ,:ILE !Y RANT$1 ALL ,I DID WAS MAKE MILD PROTE/ AT ! HE$LESS OPTIMISM ( !IR C\RSE1 & NEV] ONCE SAID ',NO'4 ,:ILE ROTT+ 9 ! ,T[]1 AFFLICT$ ) A DREADFUL RIS+ ( ! LI<TS1 EA* DAY ,I W\LD POLITELY ?ANK MY JAIL]S :5 !Y BR\<T ! SLOPS ,I C\LD NOT EAT1 & 9 ?IS MANN] PUT A FACE ON ?+S4 ,PUTT+ A FACE ON ?+S WAS ?US ! PR9CIPAL 5DEAVOR ( MY MORTAL SPAN1 :]EAFT]1 JU/LY1 AM ,I MADE A FACE ?AT O!RS PUT ON ?+S4 ,BEW>E1 YE ?AT >E LOA! TO MAKE COMMOTION6 ,%UDD]1 YE :O W\LD NOT BR+ ATT5TION ON ?YSELF1 & SEE :AT %YNESS BR\<T ME1 ) EV5 MY GIZZ>D N[ BECOME A PUBLIC SPECTACLE4 ,BEHOLD1 YE MEEK3 ?IS PRONG ( IRON IS ALL ! ,E>? YE %ALL 9H]IT4 

,TE/+ MY REMA9+ S5SES3 IT W\LD SEEM :ATEV] CURDS ( BRA9 >E CRU/$ R\ND ?IS BONE-B[L'S RIM HAVE FALL5 FUR!R 9TO DISREPAIR1 SO ?AT ,I AM MORE SLUGGI% 9 MY ?\<TS & DOZE MORE N[2 BRIEF 9T]VALS ( SLEEP %OT ?R\< ) BRI<T & FOOLI% DREAMS4 

,I DO NOT DREAM AB\T ! LIFE ,I HAD4 ,9 ALL MY DREAMS ,I AM AS ,I AM N[1 HUNG FIX$ & )\T SI<T4 ,9 ONE1 ,I HANG \TSIDE AN OLD] T[N ?AN ?IS1 AL?\< 9 SOME QUE] WAY ! FEEL+ ( IT IS ! SAME4 ,I AM 9 COMPANY ) O!R BODY-SCRAPS HUNG !RE TO DRY1 BUT TO MY DISAPPO9TM5T !Y >E ONLY TORSOS1 M9E ! SOLE HEAD SET AMONG !M4 ,9 ?AT COMIC /YLE ?+S HAVE 9 DREAMS1 ,I LE>N ! HEADLESS1 LIMBLESS RELICS >E /ILL CAPABLE ( SPEE*1 BUT ?R\< !IR L[] P>TS4 ,I /RIKE UP A COMPANION%IP ) ONE ( !M1 A WOMAN'S TRUNK :OSE TALK IS FILL$ ) PLANS & TRICKS & CUNN+1 AL?\< 9SUFFICI5T1 IT W\LD SEEM1 TO SP>E H] FROM H] GRISLY 5D4 ,WE HAT* A PLAN BETWE5 US TO COMB9E \R BE/ RES\RCES1 ) MY HEAD TO BE SOMEH[ SET UP ATOP H] RAGG$ NECK4 ,%E TELLS ME1 GRUMBL+ ?R\< H] LO9S1 ?AT %E HAS HE>D ( LEGS & FEET ?AT MAY ELECT TO JO9 ) \R CONSPIRACY4 ,ALAS1 ! DREAM IS OV] ]E WE CAN PURSUE ?IS *>M+ NOTION ( COMPLETION & ESCAPE4 

,ANO!R DREAM IS SIMPL]3 ,I AM SET UPON A L[1 FLAT ROCK1 /ILL W>M FROM DAYLI<T'S HEAT AL?\< ! NI<T BREEZE SWIRLS AB\T ME1 H[L+ OV] 5DLESS DI/ANCES & HEAVY ) ! SC5T ( DES]T4 ,I AM WRAPP$ >\ND ) *ANT+ VOICES1 CIRCL+ ?R\< ! D>KNESSES )\T1 AS IF ( SL[1 GRUFF M5 ?AT WALK AB\T ME WIDD]%9S4 ,!RE IS ! :ISP]$ CRUN* ( TRODD5 S&2 ! CREAK ( >MOR$ JO9T4 ,! WORDS !Y MOAN >E =EIGN TO ME1 /RANGE & B>B>\S NAMES ?AT ,I MAY NOT RECALL UPON AWAK5+ TO ! RO> ( ,GILB]T'S DAWN DELUGE4 

',TIS A PITY4 ,I HAD HOP$ ! DREAMS WE KN[ 9 DEA? MI<T HAVE MORE S5SE AB\T !M ?AN ?OSE BORNE 9 LIFE4 ,!SE NI<T-/>TS HAVE NO MEAN+ ?AT ,I MAY MAKE PLA91 ?\< ,I W\LD NOTE ?AT ALL ( !M SEEM SPRUNG FROM DI/ANT TIMES1 NO D\BT ! ,TUESDAY OR ! ,W$NESDAY ?AT CAME AFT] ,FA!R'S SURELY HECTIC ,MONDAY ( ,ORIG9ATION4 

,?US ,I DOZE1 & DREAM1 & DANGLE1 & DECAY4 
,! H\R IS LAT] N[1 & ,I HAVE COMPANY4 

,I WAS DI/URB$ SOME :ILE AGO BY SOME?+ HEAVY1 SCRAP$ AGA9/ ! /ONEWORK JU/ BEL[ ME 9 A CLUMSY FA%ION4 ,AN ACCOMPANIM5T ( ,JOHN & ,GILB]T'S GRUNT+S FROM B5EA? ALL[$ ME TO CONCLUDE AT LA/ ?AT !Y W]E /RUGGL+ TO ]ECT A LADD] BY :I* MEANS !Y MI<T CLIMB UP TO JO9 ME H]E UPON MY L(TY P]*4 ,AT FIR/ ?IS GROSS 9TRUSION WOKE A PANIC 9 ME1 = ,I FE>$ ?AT !Y W]E COME TO TAKE ME D[N1 :]E ,I W\LD BE SUBJECT$ TO SOME FRE% 9DIGNITY4 ,AFT] A TIME1 H[EV]1 !IR ?ICK-ACC5T$ EX*ANGES MADE IT PLA9 ?AT ?IS WAS NOT TO BE ! CASE4 

',SET 'IM ASIDE OLD ,*>LIE UP !RE1 SO !Y'LL MAKE A PAIR4' ,?IS WAS FROM ,GILB]T1 D[N UPON ! GR\ND & NO D\BT HOLD+ FA/ ! LADD]'S BASE :ILE TRU/+ ! ASC5T TO ! MORE NIMBLE ,JOHN4 ,! Y\?'S RESPONSE WAS COME FROM CLOS] BY1 HIS W9D$ PANT+ ALMO/ AT MY E>4 ,!RE WAS A PUZZL+ SC5T ( RANCID *EESE :I* ,I AT FIR/ SUPPOS$ TO BE UPON HIS BREA?4 

',I'M TRY+ TO1 BUT ?IS ONE'S FRE%] ?AN :AT ,*>LIE W]E1 & NOT AS EASY 9 ! PUTT9' ON4 ,Y\ 'OLD ME /EADY N[1 ,I NE>LY FELL4' 

,?IS W5T ON = A :ILE UNTIL AT LA/ ! Y\? CALL$ D[N TO ,GILB]T ) REPORT ( HIS SUCCESS4 

',WELL DONE1 ,JOHN4 ,N[ Y\ 'ANG ?AT P\* ( 'IS AB\T 'IS NECK1 ELSE NOBODY'LL KN[ ! BA/>D O!RWISE4' 

,CURS+ B5EA? HIS BREA?1 ,JOHN EVID5TLY DID AS HE WAS TOLD1 = NOT LONG AFT] ,I C\LD HE> ! RUNGS GROAN AS HE W5T BACK D[N1 :]E FOLL[$ FUR!R SCRAP+S :5 ! LADD] WAS AT LA/ REMOV$4 ,AT ?IS1 ! GATE-M5 BO? REPAIR$ 9SIDE4 ,I NOTIC$ ?AT ! SMELL ( *EESE REMA9$4 

,A SIL5CE NEXT1 & !N A S\ND LIKE GR9D$ TEE?1 A TORTUR$ GURGL+ GIV+ WAY TO GASPS1 & SOBS1 & F9ALLY TO WORDS4 

',BY ,GOD6 ,BY ,GOD1 :]E IS ! ,CAPTA9 N[1 & :AT IS ?IS /ALE PUTREFACTION SET BESIDE HIM8 ,>E HIS ?\S& M5 N[ FL$ ?AT RALLI$ ONCE = ,P\* & HIS JU/ CAUSE8' 

,SC>CE HAD ,I REALIZ$ ?AT ,I WAS MYSELF :AT HE REF]R$ TO AS ! PUTREFACTION SET BESIDE HIM1 :5 HIS RAV+S W]E R5EW$3 ',FE> NOT1 LADS6 ,P\* FI<TS ON1 & ?\< !Y HAVE Y\R ,CAPTA9 B\ND !Y %ALL NOT /ILL HIS MI<TY HE>T6 ,= ,P\*6 ,= ,P\* & ,JU/ICE6' 

,I HAD LONG$ TO F9D COMPANION%IP & H]E IT WAS1 PRES5T$ TO ME1 ?\< P]HAPS MORE VOLUBLY ?AN ,I MI<T O!RWISE HAVE WI%$4 

',SEE H[ Y\R ,CAPTA9 HAS BE5 H&L$1 ) HIS B[ELS AT ,\NDLE & HIS ASS 9 ,?RAP/ON6 ,TAKE HIM HOME1 BOYS6 ,TAKE HIM HOME BY ,B>=D ,BRIDGE TO ,NEWTON-9-!-,WILL[S6 ,WEEP = ,P\* AMID ! WEEP+ TREES6 ,HAVE ,I NOT TOLD Y\1 9 ! ,CAPTA9'S BAG !RE IS SUFFICI5T MATT] TO DEF5D AGA9/ ALL COM]S8 ,WE'LL YET HAVE ! DAY1 IF WE /& FIRM & DO NOT FL9*1 NOR LOSE \R HEADS6' 

,CLE>+ MY ?ROAT ( ALL BUT ?AT IRON %AFT ?RU/ UP IT1 ,I ADDRESS$ HIM4 ',Y\R ADVICE1 ,SIR1 WELCOME ?\< IT BE1 COMES RA!R LATE4 ,I FE> ?AT HORSE IS LONG S9CE BOLT$4' 

,AN A/ONI%$ PAUSE 5SU$1 ! ONLY S\ND BE+ ! SUBTLE GRAT+ ( MY COMRADE AS HE MADE ATTEMPT TO %UFFLE R\ND HIS HEAD UPON ! PRONG1 ! BETT] TO REG>D ME4 

,AT SOME L5G?1 HE SPOKE AGA94 ',BY ,JESU'S ,BLOOD1 ,SIR6 ,NEV] DID ,P\* ?9K TO SEE A MAN R$UC$ TO Y\R E/ATE ?AT YET HAD S5SIBILITY & SPEE*4' 

,A FUR!R PAUSE1 9 :I* HE MAY HAVE ?\<T TO 9CLUDE HE>+ 9 ! LI/ ( MY REMA9+ SKILLS & ?US TO RECONSID] HIS BRA% OP5+ REM>KS4 

,:5 HE RESUM$ IT WAS 9 MILD] TONES4 ',SIR1 = :ATEV] 9SULTS HAVE BE5 HEAP$ LIKE COALS UPON Y\R 444' ,H]E HE FALT]$1 & !N LAMELY /UMBL$ ON4 ',?AT IS TO SAY1 UPON Y\4 ,= :ATEV] SLURS & SL&]S Y\'VE 5DUR$1 ACCEPT ! ,CAPTA9'S FULL APOLOGY4' 

,I RATTL$ VAGUELY ON MY PEG1 AS CLOSE TO A =GIV+ %RUG AS ,I C\LD MU/]4 

,ILL AT EASE1 ! ,CAPTA9 MADE A FUR!R EF=T TO 5G5D] CONV]SATION4 ',HAVE Y\ BE5 H]E LONG8' 

,= ALL ! WORLD1 TO HE> HIM SPEAK Y\ W\LD HAVE ?\<T ?AT WE W]E WAIT+ = A C>RIAGE4 

',?AT DEP5DS UPON ! DATE1' ,I ANSW]$ AFT] SOME DELIB]ATION4 

,HE 9=M$ ME ?AT IT WAS1 AS NE> AS HE WAS ABLE TO DET]M9E HAV+ LO/ A DAY OR SO HIMSELF1 ! LA/ WEEK ( ,OCTOB] 9 ! YE> ,SIXTE5 ,HUNDR$ & ,SEV54 ,?IS W\LD SEEM TO 9DICATE ?AT ,I HAVE BE5 SUSP5D$ H]E = ALMO/ TWO YE>S N[4 ,:ILE ,I WAS /RUGGL+ TO ABSORB ?IS NOTION1 ,CAPTA9 ,P\* 7SU* IS HIS NAME7 CONT9U$ ) HIS PRATTLE4 

',DID Y\ KN[1 ,SIR1 !RE IS SOME?+ 9 Y\R EYE8' 

',YES1 ,I DID4 ,UNLESS ,I AM MI/AK51 IT'S A LUMP ( COAL4' 

',:AT AN 5CUMBRANCE4 ,Y\ HAVE ! ,CAPTA9'S SYMPA?IES4 ,PRAY1 :AT ( !SE PALE1 BONY SPIKES ?AT ?RU/ UP FROM Y\R SKULL8 ,W]E Y\ AFFLICT$ ) !SE MON/R\S GR[?S 9 LIFE8' 

',NO4 ,?AT IS BIRD%IT4' 

,MADE DI%E>T5$ BY ?IS CATALOG+ ( MY MORTAL RU91 ,I ATTEMPT$ TO DIRECT ! CONV]SATION ELSE:]E1 ASK+ MY COMPANION H[ HE CAME TO F9D HIMSELF MOOR$ 9 SU* DISMAL /RAITS4 

,) BILE & 9DIGNATION RIS+ 9 HIS VOICE1 HE LAUN*$ 9TO A GRIM TIRADE UPON ! WORLD & ITS 9JU/ICE4 ',AYE1 N[ !RE'S A QUE/ION6 ,H[ DOES ,P\* COME TO BE H]E1 ?AT DID NO WRONG SAVE /& UP = HIS BIR?RI<T AS AN ,5GLI%MAN8 ,TYRANNY1 SIR6 ,CRUEL TYRANNY & ! DESIGNS ( DESPOTS LAID ! ,CAPTA9 L[1 AS !Y W\LD LAY L[ ALL :O /RIKE = ,JU/ICE6' 

,H]E ,I MADE 5C\RAG+ REM>KS1 REVEAL+ ?AT ,I1 TOO1 HAD FALL5 F\L ( AN OPPRESSOR 9 MY /& = LIB]TY4 ,?IS NEWF\ND K9%IP SEEM$ TO W>M HIS HE>T 7:]EV] ?AT AFFAIR MI<T BE2 9 ,?RAP/ON OR 9 ,\NDLE7 & HE W5T ON ) FRE% VIGOR4 

',!N 9 FAI?1 ,SIR1 Y\ >E ,CAPTA9 ,P\*'S BRO!R 9 ADV]SITY6 ,HE WAS A SIMPLE MAN1 ,SIR1 ONCE1 ?AT LIV$ BY ,NEWTON-9-!-,WILL[S1 NE> TO ,G$D+TON1 :]E IS ! CROSS ( BLESS$ ,ELEANOR4' 

',I KN[ ! PLACE4 ,GO ON4' 

',P\* HAD ANO!R NAME !N1 ,SIR1 & WAS CONT5T$ ) HIS LOT1 BUT IT W\LD NOT BE SO = LONG4 ,!RE WAS A S]P5T NE/L$ 9 ! ,CAPTA9'S ,$51 POIS$ TO /RIKE4' 

',! TYRANTS ?AT Y\ SPOKE ( E>LI]8' 

',! SAME4 ,A FAMILY ( SKULK+ ?IEVES ?AT HAD ) !IR ILL-GOTT5 WEAL? SEIZ$ L& SO ?AT ! GOOD FOLK !REAB\T W]E LEFT ) ONLY SCRUB ON :I* TO GR[ !IR FOOD6 ,WORSE1 :ILE ?OSE SAME GOOD PEOPLE HUDDL$ ON !IR SCRAPS ( GRASS1 ! SC\NDRELS SAW FIT TO ]ECT A GREAT1 VA+LORI\S $IFICE1 ! SI<T ( :I* W\LD SURELY TREAD ?OSE GOOD FOLK'S SPIRITS FUR!R D[N 9TO ! MIRE6' 

,I KNEW A SUDD5 S5SE ( GREAT =EBOD+ AS TO :]E ?IS N>RATIVE WAS HEAD$4 ,AS ,I'D TOLD HIM1 ,I KNEW ,NEWTON-9-!-,WILL[S WELL1 & NOT )\T GOOD REASON4 

,TIMIDLY1 ,I MADE AN 9T]JECTION4 ',?IS GREAT $IFICE Y\ M5TION3 W\LD IT BE A DOVECOTE8' 

',!N Y\ KN[ ! MASSIVE1 UGLY ?+8 ,AYE1 A GIGANTIC DOVECOTE6 ,DID Y\ EV] HE> SU* VANITY8 ,AS IF IT W]E NOT BAD 5\< !Y HAD ALREADY SEIZ$ \R VILLAGE *UR*1 ,/ ,FAI?'S1 & CLAIM$ IT AS !IR PRIVATE *APEL6 ,ONE DAY1 :5 ?IS 9SULT C\LD NO LONG] BE 5DUR$1 ! ,CAPTA9 RALLI$ TO HIS SIDE ONE ?\S& M5 & SWORE !Y W\LD TE> D[N ! H$GES RAIS$ AB\T ! FAMILY'S 5CLOSURES4' 

',?IS W\LD BE ! ,TRE%AM FAMILY8' 

',AYE6 ,Y\ HAVE HE>D ( !M8' 

',REMOTELY4' 

,EV]Y ,SUNDAY PRIOR TO MY FA!R'S H\SE->RE/ WE'D GONE BY COA* TO ,NEWTON-9-!-,WILL[S4 ,EA* TIME1 AS WE CROSS$ ! ,B>=D ,BRIDGE1 MY FA!R W\LD REC\NT ! /ORY ( A <O/LY MONK SAID TO RESIDE !RE BY ! ,RIV] ,ISE :O1 9 ! DEAD ( NI<T1 W\LD RIDE ) TRAVEL]S P>T ( !IR WAY ONLY TO VANI% FUR!R D[N ! ROAD4 ,EA* WEEK ,I'D %UDD] AT MY FA!R'S TALE AS IF ,I HE>D IT FRE%4 

,KNEEL+ !RE 9 ! /RANGE PALE M>BLE-COLOR$ LI<T ?AT FELL D[N ?R\< ! W9D[S ( ,/ ,FAI?'S1 ,I'D B[ MY HEAD & PRAY4 ,AS ,I REMEMB]1 9 ! MA9 ,I W\LD 5TREAT ,ALMI<TY ,GOD ?AT AS WE RODE BACK OV] ,B>=D ,BRIDGE WE %\LD NOT F9D WE %>$ \R C>RIAGE ) ! DISAPPE>+ MONK4 ,ON MORE ?AN ONE OCCASION IT OCCURR$ TO ME ?AT MY PRAY]S & MY PRES5CE 9 ,/ ,FAI?'S S]V$ NO GOOD PURPOSE SAVE AV]T+ SUP]NATURAL DANG] BR\<T UPON ME SOLELY BY ! R\TE ?AT ,I MU/ TAKE TO *UR* EA* WEEK4 ,IT SEEM$ TO ME ?AT IF ,I SIMPLY DID NOT GO TO *UR* !N BO? MYSELF & ! ,ALMI<TY MI<T BE SAV$ CONSID]ABLE TIME & EF=T4 ,I W\LD /RUGGLE TO SUPPRESS SU* ?\<TS = FE> ,GOD W\LD REW>D ?IS BLASPHEMY )1 IF NOT YET A VISIT FROM ! MONK1 !N SOME?+ WORSE4 ,H[EV]1 ?\< ?IS SACRILEGI\S NOTION W\LD P]SI/ ,I WAS NOT1 AS IT TURN$ \T1 /RUCK D[N BY ! AWFUL SUP]NATURAL PUNI%M5T ,I FE>$4 

,M9D Y\1 ) H9DSI<T 444 

,AFT] *UR*1 IF !RE WAS TIME BE=E \R D9N] WAS PREP>$1 ,I'D GO ) ,FA!R TO ! DOVECOTE ?AT TO ME SEEM$ BIG AS HEAV51 FILL$ ) CROON+1 FLUTT]+ ANGEL :ITE4 ,:5 ,I WAS Y\NG1 ,I DID NOT MAKE ! NICE DI/9CTION ?AT !RE IS BETWE5 ! COMMONPLACE DOVE & ITS ,P5TECO/AL C\NT]P>T1 BELIEV+ AT ! TIME MY FA!R KEPT A FLOCK ( ,HOLY ,<O/S4 

,P]HAPS HE DID4 ,P]HAPS ?AT IS ! REASON ,I HAVE NOT BE5 BRU%$ BY ?AT CELE/IAL W+4 ,P]HAPS !RE >E NO MORE \TSIDE CAPTIVITY4 

,BESIDE ME1 CUTT+ ?R\< MY REV]IE1 ! HEAD ( ,CAPTA9 ,P\* CONT9U$ ) ITS DIATRIBE AGA9/ ! MON/R\S ,TRE%AM FAMILY1 REC\NT+ H[ HE HAD 9SPIR$ HIS ?\S& FOLL[]S BY TELL+ !M ?AT :AT HE C>RI$ 9 ! P\* AB\T HIS NECK 7FROM :I* HE DREW HIS NAME7 W\LD BE SUFFICI5T TO REPEL ALL 5EMIES4 ,?US REASSUR$ HE'D L$ !M1 :OOP+ TO ! H$G][ B>RICADES :]E !Y HAD WREAK$ SOME LITTLE HAVOC = A :ILE BE=E ! LOCAL G5TRY & !IR M\NT$ FOLL[]S1 9C5S$1 >RIV$ UPON ! SC5E TO TRAMPLE & DISP]SE ! RABBLE4 

,IT W\LD SEEM AS IF BEYOND ?AT PO9T ! ,CAPTA9'S MEMORIES W]E VAGUE4 ,! H\R :5 HE WAS L$ \T TO ! GALL[S WAS /ILL CLE> TO HIM1 ?\< M]CIFULLY HE RECALL$ BUT LITTLE ( ! HANG+ OR ! QU>T]+ ?AT EVID5TLY FOLL[$4 

,I ASK$ HIM IF HE KNEW H[ F>$ ! FAMILY HE SO DESPIS$1 TO :I* HE ANSW]$ ) SOME GLEE ?AT E>LY 9 ! YE> MY FA!R1 ,?OMAS ,TRE%AM1 HAD BE5 TAK5 SICK TO B$ & SOON !REAFT] PASS$ AWAY4 

,SO4 ,DEAD1 !N4 ,?AT GREAT GRANITE B\LD] ( HIS HEAD ROCK$ =W>D = ! LA/ TIME4 ,F9ALLY RELEAS$ FROM ! FRU/RAT$ PAC+ ( HIS GR\NDS ?AT HAD BECOME HIS PRISON & SET FREE 9TO ! COMPANY ( O!R M>TYRS4 ,N[1 NO D\BT1 HE KNEW ! DATE ( ! ,CREATION TO ! V]Y H\R4 ,NO D\BT BY N[ HE UND]/OOD ! ,LORD'S BEWILD]+ PASSION = ! NUMB] ?REE & WAS EC/ATICALLY EMPLOY$ CORRECT+ ANGLES = ! ANGELS AS !Y LABOR$ ON SOME ANNEX ( !IR [N TRI-CORN]$ P>ADISE4 

,DONE ) HIS TALE AT LA/1 ,P\* SEEM$ TO ?9K ?AT IT W\LD ONLY BE GOOD MANN]S TO 9QUIRE AS TO MY [N1 ?\< ?IS WAS CLE>LY ONLY BY WAY ( POLIT5ESS & NOT ANY 9T]E/ ?AT WAS G5U9E4 ,! ,CAPTA9 DID NOT TRU?FULLY HAVE ROOM 9 HIM = ANY GR&1 H]OIC /ORY SAVE HIS [N4 ,?AT SAID1 HE WAS P]SI/5T 9 DEM&+ MY ACC\NT SO HE MI<T NOT BE ?\<T A BORE4 

',COME1 LET ! ,CAPTA9 HE> N[ ( ! NOBLE /RUGGLE Y\ Y\RSELF 5DUR$ ?AT L$ Y\ TO ?IS SORRY PLACE4 ,:AT IS Y\R NAME1 ,SIR8' 

,AFT] BUT A MOM5T'S HESITATION1 ,I RESPOND$4 ',*>LIE4' 

',& Y\R CRIME8' 

',I CRI$ 0,D[N ) ! ,K+0 :ILE 9 A PUBLIC PLACE4' 

,?R\<\T MY LIFE1 ,I'D LE>N$ ! EASE ) :I* ,I MI<T SLIP SKILLFULLY BEH9D ?AT BL& EVASIVE MASK ?AT W\LD AVOID UNPLEASANTNESS4 ,N[ !RE WAS NO?+ LEFT ( ME BUT MASK1 ?IS TAL5T HAD BECOME MORE SIMPLE YET 9 ITS ACCOMPLI%M5T4 

,TIME PASS$4 ,BE=E ! SUNSET1 :I* ,I KN[ BY ITS FA9T PROMISE ( IMP5D+ *ILL1 !RE WAS SOME NA/9ESS4 

,I'D HE>D ! BIRDS L&1 TWO OR ?REE ( !M ) HEAVY ?UDS1 & HAD ! TIME TO WOND] BRIEFLY AT !IR PRES5CE AFT] !Y HAD FAIL$ TO PAY A VISIT = SO LONG1 :5 ,P\* BEGAN TO SCREAM1 ?US ANSW]+ MY QU]IES4 

,M]CIFULLY1 ,I WAS NOT MADE TO BE> ?IS MIS]ABLE CACOPHONY = LONG1 S9CE AT APPROA* ( D>K ! C>RION FLEW HOME TO ROO/4 ,! ,CAPTA9 HAD F>$ WELL AS !SE ?+S GO1 ) BUT AN EYE & ONE LIP GONE1 AL?\< TO HE> HIM MOAN & :IMP] Y\ W\LD ?9K ! SKY HAD FALL5 94 ,9 FAIRNESS1 ,I SUPPOSE ,I HAVE HAD LONG] TO GR[ RECONCIL$ TO \R CONDITION4 

,O!R ?AN ! UTT]ANCE ( AN 9FREQU5T SOB1 HE DID NOT SPEAK AGA9 'TIL HALFWAY ?R\< ! NI<T :51 9 A TREMBL+ VOICE1 HE />T$ TO DESCRIBE ! />S ?AT HE C\LD SEE ?R\< HIS REMA9+ EYE2 !IR NUMB] & !IR COLD1 9DIFF]5T MAJE/Y4 

,I SQU9T$ R\ND MY LUMP ( COAL1 & YET SAW NO?+4 

',IS ?IS ,HELL8' HE :ISP]$4 ',>E !RE />S 9 ?AT PLACE8 ,IS ?IS ,HELL = ,P\*8' 

,I HAVE CONSID]$ MORE ?AN ONCE :AT MANN] ( !OLOGY MI<T BE APPLICABLE TO :]E WE F9D \RSELVES4 ,IT SEEMS TO ME ?AT1 9 ACCORDANCE ) MY FA!R'S /RANGE NUM]IC S*EME ( ?+S1 !RE >E ?REE POSSIBILITIES3 FIR/LY1 IT MAY BE ?AT ?IS IS ,HELL AFT] ALL1 BUT ON SOME O!R SPH]E & NOT B5EA? ! GR\ND AS ONE MI<T READILY SUPPOSE4 ,MY SECOND NOTION IS ?AT 9 MY [N CASE1 IT MAY BE ,I AM REG>D$ AS A TRAITOR BY ! ,GODS ( ,PROTE/ANT & ,CA?OLIC FAI? ALIKE &1 BE+ CAU<T BETWE5 TWO CAMPS1 AM SIMPLY LEFT TO MOLD] H]E BY BO?4 ,! ?IRD &1 GIV5 DUE CONSID]ATION1 ! MO/ PROBABLE ( ALL MY !OREMS1 IS ?AT LIFE IS ORD]$ BY ! PR9CIPLES ( SOME RELIGION SO PECULI> & OBSCURE IT HAS NO FOLL[]S1 & NONE MAY FA?OM IT1 NOR KN[ ! RITUALS BY :I* TO C\RT ITS FAVOR4 

,AT DAWN ! BIRDS 7CR[S BY ! S\ND !Y MADE7 CAME BACK & TOOK ! RE/ ( ,CAPTA9 ,P\*1 S9CE :5 ,I FE> ! FELL[ IS SUNK DEEP )9 SOME HORROR-/RICK5 TRANCE4 ,HE HAS NOT VOIC$ A WORD4 

,I HE> ! *ILDR5 S++1 SOME:]E F> BEL[1 & HOPE ?AT !Y MI<T HURL ANO!R ROCK ( COAL TO FURNI% ME A SECOND BRI<T BLACK EYE1 BUT !Y >E SET ON O!R MATT]S4 ,AS ! WORDS ( !IR REFRA9 FLOAT UP TO ME1 ,I KN[ ! WORK !Y >E AB\T &1 9 MY SUDD5 COMPREH5SION1 AM BECOME ALMO/ AS MORIBUND AS ,P\*4 

',REMEMB]1 REMEMB]1' !Y S+2 !Y COMM&4 ',REMEMB]1 REMEMB] 444' 

,WE'D MEET TO DR9K1 !RE 9 MY FA!R'S TRIANGUL> LODGE4 ,BOB ,CATESBY1 ,GUIDO ,FAWKES1 ,TOM ,W9T] & ! O!RS1 TALK+ Y\NG M5'S TALK & V[+ WE W\LD SEE ! DAY :5 ,CA?OLICS W\LD B5D NO MORE B5EA? ! YOKE ( ,PROTE/ANT OPPRESSOR4 ,ONCE WE HIK$ UPON A PILGRIMAGE TO ,FO!R+AY ,CA/LE1 NOR? ( ,\NDLE 7:]E1 IF HE MI<T BE BELIEV$1 ! ,CAPTA9'S B[ELS >E CURR5TLY 9T]R$74 ,WE SAW :]E ,GOOD ,QUE5 ,M>Y KNEEL$ BE=E ! BLOCK & R5D]$ UP H] S\L TO ,GOD1 H] HEAD HACK$ (F ) NO?+ LESS ?AN ?REE UNGA9LY BL[S1 :]EON H] LITTLE DOG RAN \T FROM UND]NEA? H] SKIRTS & W\LD NOT LEAVE H] SIDE4 

,?\< ,I DO NOT RECALL :O FIR/ PROPOS$ ! S*EME1 ,I FE> IT WAS MYSELF1 ?\< 9ADV]T5TLY1 :O SET ! :OLE DISA/] 9TO MOTION4 ,DR9K+ 9 ! LODGE1 ,I HAD COMM5C$ A PASSIONATE ACC\NT ( ALL ! SL&]S & 9JU/ICE ?AT HAD ROBB$ MY FA!R ( HIS FRE$OM2 ALMO/ BRAGG+ 9 A CURI\S1 UND]H&$ WAY1 AS IF ! GLAM\R ( ! ELD] ,TRE%AM'S DIRE MIS=TUNE MI<T ?US BE TRANSF]R$ TO ME4 ,ALAS1 ,I WAS TOO ELOQU5T1 & HAD NOT F9I%$ MY ACC\NT BE=E MY DRUNK5 COMRADES W]E UP ON !IR FEET & SWE>+ ?AT ?IS MON/R\S CALUMNY %\LD NOT GO UNAV5G$4 

,I ?\<T ?AT IT W\LD BE =GOT ONCE WE W]E SOB]1 BUT ! NOTION ( SOME GREAT REV5GE = ,FA!R & ! ,CA?OLIC MASSES AS A :OLE HAD SOMEH[ /UCK4 ,FUEL$ BY HOT ,SACK & RI<TE\S F]VOR1 SOON MY COMRADES HAD DECID$ ?AT WE MU/ NOT ONLY /RIKE A BL[ ( PROTE/3 WE MU/ UND]TAKE TO DO NO LESS ?AN S\ND A CL>ION CALL ?AT W\LD AWAK5 ALL :O PLAC$ !IR FAI? 9 ,ROME TO GLORI\S 9SURRECTION4 ,WE \RSELVES W\LD BR+ AB\T ! GREAT DELIV]ANCE ( \R FAI?6 

,HAV+ WITNESS$ ALL ?AT HAD BEFALL5 ,FA!R = MU* LESS] S9S AGA9/ ! ,REALM1 ,I HAD BY ?IS TIME GR[N AFRAID1 & C\NSEL$ !M ?AT ?IS MAD PLOT MI<T MEAN ! RU9 & NOT ! RESCUE ( ?IS ISL&'S FAI?FUL1 BUT MY C\NSEL LACK$ CONVICTION1 AS ! C\NSEL ( A MASK WILL EV] DO4 ,:5 !Y BEGAN TO SPEAK ( CAUS+ CONFLAGRATIONS AT ! SEAT ( ,P>LIAM5T ITSELF1 ,I KNEW ,I DID NOT HAVE ! C\RAGE TO KEEP FAI? ) !M1 YET BY MY V]Y NATURE NOR WAS ,I EQUIPP$ TO OP5LY REFUSE & SEEM A C[>D4 ,:AT WAS ,I TO DO8 ,MY FACE BECAME 9 TIME OPAQUE & /ILL1 :]E NO?+ C\LD BE READ4 

,! NI<T HAS COME ONCE MORE4 ,P\* WAS MI/AK5 9 HIS E/IMATION ( ! DATE4 ,IT IS ,NOVEMB]4 ,FROM ACROSS ! FIELDS BEYOND ! T[N A SC5T ( WOODSMOKE TA9TS ! AIR1 & 9 ! RELIC ( MY WITS ,I HAVE A PICTURE ( ! R$ SP>KS RIS+ UP TO CR[D ! />S4 ,:AT IS IT FANS ! FLAMES ( PASSION 9 A MAN8 ,:AT PROMISE WAS IT ?AT L$ ,FAWKES & ,CATESBY ON1 OR ?AT 9SPIR$ ! ?\S& M5 ( ,CAPTA9 ,P\*8 

,H]E1 ,I RECALL ! ,CAPTA9'S WORDS AS TO ! MATT] KEPT !RE 9 ?AT P\* DRAP$ BY Y\NG ,JOHN AB\T HIS NECK1 :I* W\LD REPEL ALL FOES4 ,IT SEEMS TO ME AS IF ?AT HIDD5 TALISMAN MU/ SURELY HOLD ! SECRET K9DL+ ( ALL NOBLE CAUSES OR REBELLIONS &1 DESPITE HIS CURR5T WOEFUL /ATE1 ,I CANNOT RE/RA9 MY CURIOSITY4 

',P\*8 ,CAPTA9 ,P\*8' ,I HISS4 ',WAKE UP1 ,SIR4 ,I'VE A QUE/ION ,I MU/ ASK ( Y\4' 

,HE MOANS & SWIVELS SLI<TLY2 TILTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE4 ,:5 HE REPLIES1 HIS VOICE IS S(T & DAZ$4 ,HE SEEMS TO KN[ NOT :]E HE IS4 ',I AM ,JOHN ,REYNOLDS4 ,MY NAME IS ,JOHN ,REYNOLDS & ,I CANNOT SEE4' 

,I HAVE NOT PATI5CE LEFT TO 5T]TA9 SU* RAMBL+S1 & MY 5TREATIES GR[ MORE URG5T4 ',TELL ME1 ,P\*1 :AT IS IT ?AT Y\ KEEP !RE 9 ?AT BAG AB\T Y\R NECK8 ,:AT IS ! S\RCE ( P[] ?AT HURLS A ?\S& M5 UNHE$+ 'NEA? ! HORSES ( !IR FOES8' 

,HIS SPEE* IS SLURR$ & BUBBL+4 ',! P\*8' 

',AYE1 ,SIR4 ,! P\*4 ,:AT IS )9 ! P\*8' 

,SOME MOM5TS PASS1 & N[ HE SPEAKS3 ',A SMALL PIECE ( GRE5 *EESE4' 

',& ?AT IS ALL8' 

,HE DOES NOT V5TURE A RESPONSE1 & NO MORE CAN ,I DRAW A SOLIT>Y WORD FROM \T HIS %R$D$ LIPS4 ,WELL1 !N4 ,!RE IS MY ANSW]4 ,!RE'S ! GRAIL M5 LEAVE !IR SWEE!>TS = & FOLL[ EV5 9 ! JAWS1 ! SMOK+ ?ROAT ( ,W>3 A SMALL PIECE ( GRE5 *EESE4 ,H[ BITT]1 !N1 :5 FIR/ WE CAT* ! RANCID SC5T ( :AT WE F\<T =4 

,ON ?AT S\R ,NOVEMB] NI<T TWO YE>S AGO1 :5 ,CATESBY RU%$ 9TO ! ,A%BY GATE-H\SE PALE & BREA?LESS :ILE WE SAT 9 WAIT = NEWS1 IT WAS ALREADY PLA9 ! PLOT HAD BE5 BETRAY$4 ,FAWKES HAD BE5 SEIZ$ FROM AMBU%1 :]EON ,CATESBY & F\R O!RS HAD COME BACK FROM ,LONDON RUNN+ RELAY ON !IR FEV]$ HORSES TO ANN\NCE ! DREADFUL NEWS4 

,SOME ( US ?\<T1 9 DESP]ATION1 TO HEAD (F TO ,WALES & !RE WAS EV5 WRET*$1 HOLL[ TALK ( FIR+ UP ,WEL% ,CA?OLICS TO MAKE \R MIS-TIM$ REVOLUTION A SUCCESS1 ?\< 9 \R HE>TS WE KNEW WE W]E ALL AS DEAD M54 ,! RE/ ( !M W5T ,WE/1 EV5TUALLY KILL$ 9 FLI<T OR CAPTUR$ & !N PUT TO DEA? BY HANG+1 QU>T]+ & BURN+4 ,= MY [N P>T1 ,I SAT WEEP+ ) MY FA!R !RE AT ,RU%TON ,HALL & WAIT$ = ! ,K+'S M5 TO >RIVE & TAKE ME TO ! ,T[]4 ,!Y KNEW :]E ,I W\LD BE4 ,I'D TOLD !M 9 ! LETT] ?AT ,I WROTE MY BRO!R-9-LAW1 ,LORD ,MONTEAGLE1 JU/ ! WEEK BE=E4 

,AT LEA/ 9 PAYM5T = MY TREA*]Y !Y SP>$ ME PUBLIC EXECUTION1 LEAV+ ME 9/EAD TO DIE AFT] A L+]+ EI<T-WEEK ILLNESS 9 ! ,T[]4 ,:ILE ,I WAS ?US 9C>C]AT$1 JAIL]S W\LD DELI<T 9 GIV+ ME EA* DETAIL ( MY FRI5DS' DEMISE4 ,A /ORY ( ?IS NATURE /AYS ) ME3 ONE ( ! LUCKLESS CREW -- NOT ,CATESBY1 ,FAWKES OR ,W9T]2 ONE ,I DID NOT KN[ SO WELL -- WAS TAK5 TO HIS PLACE ( EXECUTION & BEHEAD$1 !N CUT 9TO F\R4 ,LIFT+ ! HEAD TO WAVE IT AT ! MOB1 ! AX-MAN CRI$1 ',BEHOLD6 ,A TRAITOR'S HEAD6' 

,AT :I* ! HEAD REPLI$1 ',?\ LIE/4' 

,I HAVE S9CE WI%$ ?AT ,I MI<T %>E A BASKET ) A HEAD ?AT HAD SU* SPIRIT1 OR YET RE/ BESIDE HIM ON SOME OSSU>Y %ELF1 BUT IT IS BETT] IT %\LD NEV] BE4 ,) NO?+ ELSE SAVE FACE TO %[1 ,I C\LD NOT FACE HIM4 

,SOME:]E 9 MY D>K1 ! *ILDR5 S+ ABOVE ! RO> & CRACKLE ( ! FLAMES4 ,BE=E !Y SANG = US OR RAIS$ !IR BONFIRES TO SUPPORT \R EFFIGIES1 !Y'D BURN A DOLL TO SIGNIFY ,HIS ,HOL9ESS ! ,POPE1 & PRIOR TO ?AT NO D\BT SOME E>LI] SACRIFICE BACK UNTO ?AT PRIMORDIAL ,MONDAY1 ?AT FIR/ FIRE4 

,! BURN+ & ! SONG >E ONE4 ,IF ,I GAZE H>D ) ! BLACK JEWEL ?AT IS MY ONLY EYE1 ,I SEE ! SPIT & FL>E ( IT1 AWAY !RE 9 ! C5T] ( ?AT COLD1 WET COAL :]E IS MY NI<T4 ,IT WAS MY FRI5DS !Y SET ALI<T1 NOT ,I4 ,I WAS D5I$ ?AT LA/ DELIV]ANCE1 TO BE CONSUM$ )9 ?AT TIMELESS BRI<T ?AT IS 9 TRU? ONE S+LE BLAZE DECANT$ D[N ACROSS ! EONS4 

,! TONGUES ( HEAT & BRILLIANCE SURGE & LEAP & CA/ !IR %IV]+ LI<T )9 ! SOCKETS ( ! MASK1 SO ?AT ! %AD[S QUAKE & SEEM TO GIVE ! FACE EXPRESSION :]E1 9 TRU?1 !RE IS NO SU* EXPRESSION1 NOR WAS EV] ONE4 

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

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

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
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