Page:Karl Gjellerup - The Pilgrim Kamanita - 1911.djvu/231

 endure punishment for ten thousand years in being ceaselessly pierced by these quivering spears. Afterwards thou shalt be born again somewhere, according to thy further deserts."

Then he with the dog's head spoke—

"As often, Reverend Sir, as two spears cross in thy heart, know that a thousand years of thy hellish torture have passed."

Scarcely had he said this when both of the infernal watchmen swung their lances and transfixed Vajaçravas. As if at a given signal, all the spears round about also flashed towards him, their points entering from every side. So ravens hurl themselves upon an abandoned carcase, and bury their beaks in its flesh.

Overcome by the horror of the sight, and by the pitiful screams that Vajaçravas uttered in his agony, my senses forsook me.

When I came to myself again, I lay in the wood, under the huge tree, prostrate at the feet of the Master.

"Hast thou seen, Angulimala?"

"I have seen, O Master."

And I did not dare even to add, "Deliver me"; for how could I seek to be delivered?

"If thou then, after the dissolution of thy body, in consequence of thy deeds, dost come to the road that leads down to the underworld, and the Judge of the Shades passes the same judgment upon thee, and the guards of hell lead thee into the Hell of Spears to the same punishment, will it be more than thou dost deserve?"

"No, Master, it will not be more than I deserve."

"But a course of life, of which thou thyself dost confess that it justly leads to these unspeakable tortures—is this truly, Angulimala, a course of life that is worth pursuing?"