Читать книгу Ye Lyttle Salem Maide. A Story of Witchcraft онлайн

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Suddenly there was a more brilliant flash than usual, followed by a loud crash.

When this terrific shock had passed, and each person was beginning to realize dimly that he or she had survived it, the minister’s voice was heard singing the fifty-second psalm.

“Mine enemies daily enterprise

to swallow me outright;

To fight against me many rise,

O, Thou most high of might.”

And this first verse he sang unwaveringly through alone.

With the commencement of the next verse, some few brave, but quavering voices joined him.

“What things I either did or spake

they wrest them at their wil,

And al the councel that they take

is how to work me il.”

But before the third verse ended, all were singing, judges and soldiers, and the sweet voices of the women and the shrill notes of the little children.

“They al consent themselves to hide

close watch for me to lay:

They spie my paths and snares have layd

to take my life away.”

From this time on the storm abated its violence.

When at last the benediction was pronounced, the soldiers and men, in constant dread of attacks by Indians, left the meeting-house before the women and children, thus making sure the safe exit of the latter.