She was saying: But how could one give
backwards?
Theopen stage closed round him as he came upon
it.
Her debt was paid, andnow only she might know why
and when she had incurred it. The choice was first in her; Omnipotence waited
herdecision. He assured her that he was ready-quite informal.
He could not tell by what means or in whatshape he
would find her, or if he would find her. Dawn was in theair; eccc omnia nova
facio.
As if she dared not turn her gaze away, she said,
asPauline came up: Is that you, darling? It doesnt matterperhaps, but I think I
ought to get on. It was her moral duty to wakehim up, if he was asleep and she
could. The choice was first in her; Omnipotence waited herdecision.
Oneelement coordinated original and translation;
that element wasjoy. Butto one mind at least it did even more. She looked in her own
eyes andlaboured to speak; a shout was in her.
Pauline could not see theprison, but she saw
him.
But how could he take it before Id given it? He was
in the trap in which she hadbeen but now; the universe had caught him.
I mean, who was it said its better to be always
walkingthan to get there?
Child, her grandmother said, I can touch Adam with
my hand; youarent as far off.
Theknowledge of being burnt alive, of the flames,
of the faces, ofthe prolongation of pain. He was praying passionately: Make me
believe; make mebelieve. She said, again grave: Are you awake enough to hear
me?
He exercised his choice, and began to go up the
ladder.
He had the City in his mind; hehad his wife in
mind. As if the answer hadbeen reserved for these lower circles, he gave it. She
said, in a muffledvoice: Even the edge frightens me. The choice was first in her;
Omnipotence waited herdecision.
It was nother decision; she was brought to a stand.
The shapes were standing in a great crowd watching him.