Note: Translator Pauline Bancroft Flach died in 1966, less than 70 years ago. Therefore, this work is protected by copyright, restricting your legal rights to reproduce it. However, you are welcome to view it on screen, as you do now. Read more about copyright.
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THE SIROCCO
143
heard her pass sentence ? She had commanded some
to starve, and some to die of luxury?
Why did they not open their ears and listen to
the new teachings pouring through the world?
Would they not like to have a better life? Did they
like their rags? Were they satisfied with sorrel
and cresses? Did they not wish to possess a roof
over their heads?
And he told them that it made no difference, no
difference, if they refused to believe in the new
times that were coming. They would come in spite
of it. They did not need to lift the sun up from the
sea in the morning. The new times would come to
them as the sun came, but why would they not be
ready to meet them ? Why did they shut themselves
in, and fear the new light?
He spoke long in the same strain, and more and
more of the poor people of Diamante gathered about
him.
The longer he continued, the more beautiful
became his speech and the clearer grew his voice.
His eyes were full of fire, and to the people
looking up at him, he seemed as beautiful as a young
prince.
He was one of the race of once powerful lords,
who had possessed means to shower happiness and
gold on everybody within their wide lands. They
believed him when he said that he had happiness to
give them. They felt comforted, and rejoiced that
their young lord loved them.
When he had finished speaking they began to
shout, and call to him that they wished to follow
him and do what he commanded.
He had gained ascendency over them in a moment.
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