barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第198节
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neighbouring church were heard—and that was every quarter of
an hour—a strange sensation； instantaneous and indescribable；
but perfectly obvious； seemed to pervade them all。
Gradually； a faint brightness appeared in the east； and the air；
which had been very warm all through the night； felt cool and
chilly。 Though there was no daylight yet； the darkness was
diminished； and the stars looked pale。 The prison； which had been
a mere black mass with little shape or form； put on its usual
aspect； and ever and anon a solitary watchman could be seen upon
its roof； stopping to look down upon the preparations in the street。
This man； from forming； as it were； a part of the jail； and knowing
or being supposed to know all that was passing within； became an
object of as much interest； and was as eagerly looked for； and as
awfully pointed out； as if he had been a spirit。
By and by； the feeble light grew stronger； and the houses with
their signboards and inscriptions； stood plainly out； in the dull
grey morning。 Heavy stage waggons crawled from the inn…yard
opposite； and travellers peeped out； and as they rolled sluggishly
away； cast many a backward look towards the jail。 And now； the
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sun’s first beams came glancing into the street； and the night’s
work； which； in its various stages and in the varied fancies of the
lookers…on had taken a hundred shapes； wore its own proper
form—a scaffold； and a gibbet。
As the warmth of the cheerful day began to shed itself upon the
scanty crowd； the murmur of tongues was heard； shutters were
thrown open； and blinds drawn up； and those who had slept in
rooms over against the prison； where places to see the execution
were let at high prices； rose hastily from their beds。 In some of the
houses； people were busy taking out the window…sashes for the
better accommodation of spectators； in others； the spectators were
already seated； and beguiling the time with cards； or drink； or
jokes among themselves。 Some had purchased seats upon the
house…tops； and were already crawling to their stations from
parapet and garret…window。 Some were yet bargaining for good
places； and stood in them in a state of indecision： gazing at the
slowly…swelling crowd； and at the workmen as they rested listlessly
against the scaffold—affecting to listen with indifference to the
proprietor’s eulogy of the commanding view his house afforded；
and the surpassing cheapness of his terms。
A fairer morning never shone。 From the roofs and upper stories
of these buildings； the spires of city churches and the great
cathedral dome were visible； rising up beyond the prison； into the
blue sky； and clad in the colour of light summer clouds； and
showing in the clear atmosphere their every scrap of tracery and
fretwork； and every niche and loophole。 All was brightness and
promise； excepting in the street below； into which （for it yet lay in
shadow） the eye looked down as into a dark trench； where； in the
midst of so much life； and hope； and renewal of existence； stood
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the terrible instrument of death。 It seemed as if the very sun
forbore to look upon it。
But it was better； grim and sombre in the shade； than when； the
day being more advanced； it stood confessed in the full glare and
glory of the sun； with its black paint blistering； and its nooses
dangling in the light like loathsome garlands。 It was better in the
solitude and gloom of midnight with a few forms clustering about
it； than in the freshness and the stir of morning： the centre of an
eager crowd。 It was better haunting the street like a spectre； when
men were in their beds； and influencing perchance the city’s
dreams； than braving the broad day； and thrusting its obscene
presence upon their waking senses。
Five o’clock had struck—six—seven—and eight。 Along the two
main streets at either end of the cross…way； a living stream had
now set in； rolling towards the marts of gain and business。 Carts；
coaches； waggons； trucks； and barrows； forced a passage through
the outskirts of the throng； and clattered onward in the same
direction。 Some of these which were public conveyances and had
come from a short distance in the country； stopped； and the driver
pointed to the gibbet with his whip； though he might have spared
himself the pains； for the heads of all the passengers were turned
that way without his help； and the coach…windows were stuck full
of staring eyes。 In some of the carts and waggons； women might be
seen； glancing fearfully at the same unsightly thing； and even little
children were held up above the people’s heads to see what kind of
a toy a gallows was； and learn how men were hanged。
Two rioters were to die before the prison； who had been
concerned in the attack upon it； and one directly afterwards in
Bloomsbury Square。 At nine o’clock； a strong body of military
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marched into the street； and formed and lined a narrow passage
into Holborn； which had been indifferently kept all night by
constables。 Through this； another cart was brought （the one
already mentioned had been employed in the construction of the
scaffold）； and wheeled up to the prison…gate。 These preparations
made； the soldiers stood at ease； the officers lounged to and fro； in
the alley they had made； or talked together at the scaffold’s foot；
and the concourse； which had been rapidly augmenting for some
hours； and still received additions every minute； waited with an
impatience which increased with every chime of St Sepulchre’s
clock； for twelve at noon。
Up to this time they had been very quiet； comparatively silent；
save when the arrival of some new party at a window； hitherto
unoccupied； gave them something new to look at or to talk of。 But；
as the hour approached； a buzz and hum arose； which； deepening
every moment； soon swelled into a roar； and seemed to fill the air。
No words or even voices could be distinguished in this clamour；
nor did they speak much to each other； though such as were better
informed upon the topic than the rest； would tell their neighbours；
perhaps； that they might know the hangman when he came out； by
his being the shorter one： and that the man who was to suffer with
him was named Hugh： and that it was Barnaby Rudge who would
be hanged in Bloomsbury Square。
The hum grew； as the time drew near； so loud； that those who
were at the windows could not hear the church…clock strike；
though it was close at hand。 Nor had they any need to hear it；
either； for they could see it in the people’s faces。 So surely as
another quarter chimed； there was a movement in the crowd—as
if something had passed over it—as if the light upon them had
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been changed—in which the fact was readable as on a brazen dial；
figured by a giant’s hand。
Three quarters past eleven！ The murmur now was deafening；
yet every man seemed mute。 Look where you would among the
crowd； you saw strained eyes and lips compressed； it would have
been difficult for the most vigilant observer to point this way or
that； and say that yonder man had cried out。 It
