Page:Dead Souls - A Poem by Nikolay Gogol - vol2.djvu/279

Rh he will readily rebel. Indeed it is not hard to incite a man who is really ill-treated. But the fact is that reforms ought not to begin from below. It's a bad business when men come to blows: there never will be any sense from that—it's a gain to none but the thieves. You are a clever man, you will look about you, you will find out where a man is really suffering from the fault of others, and where from his own restless character, and afterwards you will tell me all about it. In case of need I'll give you a small sum for distribution among those who are really suffering through no fault of their own. It will be serviceable also if you, on your part too, comfort them with words and explain well to them that God has bidden us bear our burdens without repining, and pray when we are unhappy, and not rebel or take matters into our own hands. In fact, speak to them without stirring up one against another and make peace between them. If you see in somebody hatred against any one whatever, do your very utmost.'

'Afanasy Vassilyevitch, the work which you entrust to me is holy work,' said Hlobuev, 'but do think to whom you are entrusting it. You might entrust it to a man of holy life who has himself known how to forgive.'

'Well, and I am not saying that you should do all that, but so far as possible do all that you can. Anyway you will come back knowing a great deal about those parts and will have an idea of the condition of that district. An official