"Bradbury, Ray - The Illustrated Man" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bradbury Ray)

УYour mindТs always juggling, isnТt it?Чmirrors, torches, plates.Ф

УYes. Because sometimes the Church seems like those posed circus tableaus where the curtain lifts and men, white, zinc-oxide, talcum-powder statues, freeze to represent abstract Beauty. Very wonderful. But I hope there will always be room for me to dart about among the statues, donТt you, Father Stone?Ф

Father Stone had moved away. УI think weТd better go to bed. In a few hours weТll be jumping up to see your new sins, Father Peregrine.Ф



The rocket stood ready for the firing.

The Fathers walked from their devotions in the chilly morning, many a fine priest from New York or Chicago or Los AngelesЧthe Church was sending its bestЧwalking across town to the frosty field. Walking, Father Peregrine remembered the BishopТs words:

УFather Peregrine, you will captain the missionaries, with Father Stone at your side. Having chosen you for this serious task, I find my reasons deplorably obscure, Father, but your pamphlet on planetary sin did not go unread. You are a flexible man. And Mars is like that uncleaned closet we have neglected for millenniums. Sin has collected there like bric-a-brac. Mars is twice EarthТs age and has had double the number of Saturday nights, liquor baths, and eye-poppings at women as naked as white seals. When we open that closet door, things will fall on us. We need a quick, flexible manЧone whose mind can dodge. Anyone a little too dogmatic might break in two. I feel youТll be resilient. Father, the job is yours.Ф

The Bishop and the Fathers knelt.

The blessing was said and the rocket given a little shower of holy water. Arising, the Bishop addressed them:

УI know you will go with God, to prepare the Martians for the reception of His Truth. I wish you all a thoughtful journey.Ф

They filed past the Bishop, twenty men, robes whispering, to deliver their hands into his kind hands before passing into the cleansed projectile.

УI wonder,Ф said Father Peregrine, at the last moment, Уif Mars is hell? Only waiting for our arrival before it bursts into brimstone and fire.Ф

УLord, be with us,Ф said Father Stone.

The rocket moved.



Coming out of space was like coming out of the most beautiful cathedral they had ever seen. Touching Mars was like touching the ordinary pavement outside the church five minutes after having really known your love for God.

The Fathers stepped gingerly from the steaming rocket and knelt upon Martian sand while Father Peregrine gave thanks.

УLord, we thank Thee for the journey through Thy rooms. And, Lord, we have reached a new land, so we must have new eyes. We shall hear new sounds and must needs have new ears. And there will he new sins, for which we ask the gift of better and firmer and purer hearts. Amen.Ф

They arose.

And here was Mars like a sea under which they trudged in the guise of submarine biologists, seeking life. Here the territory of hidden sin. Oh, how carefully they must all balance, like gray feathers, in this new element, afraid that walking itself might be sinful; or breathing, or simple fasting!

And here was the mayor of First Town come to meet them with outstretched hand. УWhat can I do for you, Father Peregrine?Ф

УWeТd like to know about the Martians. For only if we know about them can we plan our church intelligently. Are they ten feet tall? We will build large doors. Are their skins blue or red or green? We must know when we put human figures in the stained glass so we may use the right skin color. Are they heavy? We will build sturdy seats for them.Ф

УFather,Ф said the mayor, УI donТt think you should worry about the Martians. There are two races. One of them is pretty well dead. A few are in hiding. And the second raceЧwell, theyТre not quite human.Ф

УOh?Ф Father PeregrineТs heart quickened.

УTheyТre round luminous globes of light, Father, living in those hills. Man or beast, who can say? But they act intelligently, I hear.Ф The mayor shrugged. УOf course, theyТre not men, so I donТt think youТll careЧ