"He sang the creation of the world, the origin of man, and all the history of Genesis; and made many verses on the departure of the children of Israel out of Egypt, and their entering into the land of promise, with many other histories from
holy writ."
Ronaldson looked down with a slightly pious expression which indicated, I felt sure, that they thought the quotation was from
Holy Writ. Indeed, I was unconvinced that Robert Strickland did not share their illusion.
The man was a tall, lean, haggard personification of fanaticism, bearing on his breast this label,--A WANTON GOSPELLER,--which betokened that he had dared to give interpretations of
Holy Writ unsanctioned by the infallible judgment of the civil and religious rulers.
I should no more have thought of questioning the poetry of any passage in him than of questioning the proofs of
holy writ. All the same, I knew very well that much which I read was really poor stuff, and the persons and positions were often preposterous.
Nor have I so read or interpreted
Holy Writ, as to understand that the disclosure of human thoughts and deeds, then to be made, is intended as a part of the retribution.
``And what else should be the lot of thy accursed race?'' answered the Prior; ``for what saith
holy writ, verbum Dominii projecterunt, et sapientia est nulla in eis they have cast forth the word of the Lord, and there is no wisdom in them; propterea dabo mulieres eorum exteris I will give their women to strangers, that is to the Templar, as in the present matter; et thesauros eorum h redibus alienis, and their treasures to others as in the present case to these honest gentlemen.''
"That proves," returned the abbe, "that you are like those of
Holy Writ, who having ears hear not, and having eyes see not."
Loud men called his subdued tone an undertone, and sometimes implied that it was inconsistent with openness; though there seems to be no reason why a loud man should not be given to concealment of anything except his own voice, unless it can be shown that
Holy Writ has placed the seat of candor in the lungs.
Things have come to a pretty pass if a minister can't find enough in
Holy Writ to preach about, that's what.
MEANWHILE the new-baptized, who yet remained At Jordan with the Baptist, and had seen Him whom they heard so late expressly called Jesus Messiah, Son of God, declared, And on that high authority had believed, And with him talked, and with him lodged--I mean Andrew and Simon, famous after known, With others, though in
Holy Writ not named-- Now missing him, their joy so lately found, So lately found and so abruptly gone, Began to doubt, and doubted many days, And, as the days increased, increased their doubt.
Now, Mrs Varden, regarding the Maypole as a sort of human mantrap, or decoy for husbands; viewing its proprietor, and all who aided and abetted him, in the light of so many poachers among Christian men; and believing, moreover, that the publicans coupled with sinners in
Holy Writ were veritable licensed victuallers; was far from being favourably disposed towards her visitor.
Besides, the editions of
Holy Writ are so numerous that he could hardly suppose that two copies would have the same pagination.