Читать книгу England have my Bones - T. H. White - Страница 24

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Nothing ever happens in the Shire, but in a queer way we have our own curiosities. Our patron saint, for instance, was St. Rumbold, who only lived for three days. In the south part of the county there was once a man who won a battle on a bull. At Water Lovell lived the Reverend John Mason, who believed himself a new Elias and announced the second coming. His followers called the village Mount Sion. On the occasion of the end of the world they dwelt in tents, stood on top of a rise to watch the surrounding countryside destroyed, sang, danced, jumped and frantically clapped their hands to the sound of violin, pipe and tabor. The world continued, and some time afterwards Mr. Mason left it. He prefaced this event by prophesying his resurrection after three days. The succeeding vicar was forced to open his coffin, in order to prove that he was still there; yet the village continued to affirm that he had risen, and that many had spoken to him after death. This, I think, is a nice example of firm rural face-saving.