The Priest’s Black Veil

There was a Reverend Joseph Moody in York County, Maine, New England, who died about eighty years ago. He has the same eccentricities as the Reverend Hooper mentioned here, which is eye-catching. However, his veil has a different meaning. When he was young, he accidentally killed a friend, so from that day until his death, he wore a veil to prevent others from seeing his face. ——Author's Note

A Fable

On the porch of Milford Chapel, the sexton was busy pulling away the bell rope. The old people in the village were walking hunched down the street, and the children were smiling and following their parents lively, or they were walking seriously, looking like they were dressed for Sunday. Clothes

The handsome young men peeked at the pretty girls, feeling that the Sabbath sunshine made them more beautiful than usual. The crowd

was crowded into the porch, and the sexton began to ring the clock, staring at Reverend Hooper's door. As soon as the priest showed his face, it was time for him to stop ringing the bell

.

"What is that on the priest's face?" the sexton shouted in surprise.

Everyone who heard it immediately turned around and saw a man who looked like Mr. Hooper walking slowly and thoughtfully towards the chapel.

The people were all stunned, and even if a stranger came to Reverend Hooper's pulpit and dusted the cushions, they would not make such a fuss.

"Are you sure this is our minister?" Goodman Gray asked the sexton.

"That's right, it's Mr. Hooper." The sexton responded, "Today he should have been exchanged with the Reverend Shute of Westbury, but

But Yesterday, Pastor Shute sent a message saying that he couldn't come and had to pray for a funeral."

The reason for such a fuss does not seem to be sufficient. Pastor Hooper is in his thirties and has a gentlemanly demeanor. Although he has not yet married, he is still neat and tidy as a pastor should be. It was as if a thoughtful wife had starched his collar and brushed away the dust that had settled on his ceremonial robes over the past week. There was only one thing that dazzled the eyes, and it was a black veil that hugged the forehead, drooped over the face, and trembled with the breathing

. Looking closer, the veil seems to have two layers. Except for the mouth and chin, the face is completely covered. However, it may not have blocked his sight, but only cast a dark shadow on everything he saw, both living and inanimate. With this black shadow, kind Mr. Hooper walked forward, slowly and calmly, like an absent-minded person, with a slight stoop,

looking at the ground, but He still nodded kindly to the church members waiting on the steps of the chapel, but everyone was just so surprised that they forgot to return the favor.

"I really can't believe that behind the veil is Mr. Hooper's face." said the sexton.

"I don't like that thing." An old woman staggered in and muttered, "As soon as you cover your face, he becomes

scary. ."

"Our minister is crazy!" said Goodman Gray, following him across the threshold.

Before Pastor Hooper had even entered the door, word of this incredible and strange incident had spread in the chapel. The church members were in a commotion, turning their heads

to look at the door. Many people simply stood up and turned around. Several little guys climbed up the back of the chair, then fell down again, making a mess.

The women's dresses in the church rustled and the men's footsteps shuffled around, sweeping away the silence that awaited the arrival of the pastor. But

Pastor Hooper seemed to turn a blind eye to the chaos. He entered almost silently, nodding slightly to the congregants lining the rows on either side and bowing as he passed the oldest member. The old man was sitting on an armchair in the middle of the passage. The elderly and venerable old man was really slow to react to the unusual appearance of the minister. He seemed not to feel the surprise around him at all, until Hooper walked up the steps to the pulpit, wearing the Only when the black veil came face to face with everyone did he realize it. Mr. Pastor, this mysterious sign has never been removed for a moment. Leading a hymn, it rises and falls with his breath; reading a Bible, it throws a dark shadow between him and the holy book. He prayed, and it pressed heavily against his upturned face. Could it be that he wanted to hide his face from the awesome God?

The small piece of black veil was so shocking that more than one woman with fragile nerves was forced to leave the church early. But in the eyes of the pastor, the pale-faced parishioners might be as frightening as his black veil.

Hooper was known far and wide for his skillful preaching. He does not rely on strength to win. He always tries his best to persuade his followers and guide them towards the kingdom of heaven, instead of driving people there with thunderous oracles. At this moment, his preaching style and method were the same as before.

However, either due to the emotion of the sermon itself or the imagination of the audience, in short, everyone felt that they had never heard such a powerful warning from him.

Compared with ordinary times, today's sermon was cast even more with the gentleness and melancholy of Hooper's temperament.

The theme involves hidden sins, and those secrets that we want to hide from those closest to us and from our own consciences, even forgetting the Almighty God

who sees everything. There was an elusive power that permeated his every word. All the church members, whether they are girls as pure as water or men with a heart as solid as stone, all feel that the priest hiding behind the terrifying veil is approaching quietly and has discovered their thoughts and actions

Deep sin. Many people clasped their hands together and pressed their chests. Pastor Hooper's words were not terrible, at least not violent.

However, every trill of the melancholy tone made the listener tremble, accompanied by inexplicable sadness and fear. The audience had a strong feeling for the pastor's abnormality. They really hoped that a gust of breeze would lift the veil. They almost thought that what would be revealed would be an unfamiliar face.

Although the body , posture, and voice were clearly those of Pastor Hooper.

As soon as the service was over, everyone became unruly and rushed out, eager to express their uncontrollable surprise. They also felt that the black veil was missing before their eyes

and they felt very excited. loose. Some people huddled in a group and whispered to each other, while some people went home alone, meditating silently

all the way. A few others were shaking their heads and thinking they were smart, boasting that they could reveal the secret. But some people are sure that there is no secret at all

It's just that because the pastor stayed up late, his eyes were hurt by the light and needed to be covered. After a while, Pastor Hooper also walked out following the parishioners. His veiled face turned from one group of people to another, greeting the gray-haired elders, and as the friend and spiritual guide of the middle-aged people, he greeted them kindly and solemnly. He showed love and dignity to the young people, and even put his hands on the children's heads to bless them. This was his old Sabbath habit, but today he received only strange and confused looks in return for his kindness. No one took the usual pride of being on par with the priest. There was undoubtedly something wrong with Mr. Sanders' memory. He forgot to invite Reverend Hooper to his house for dinner. Since the pastor took office here, almost every Sunday I would go to his home to bless him at the dinner table. Today, the pastor had no choice but to return to his apartment. When he was about to close the door, he looked back and saw that everyone's eyes were fixed on him. A sad, bitter smile appeared under the black veil, faintly passing over the corner of the pastor's mouth, and disappeared with him.

“It’s strange,” said a woman. “It’s an ordinary black veil, no different from what we women tie on their hats.

But when it comes to Mr. Po's face has become so scary!"

"There must be something wrong with Reverend Hooper's mind," said her husband, the village doctor, "but this is a strange thing.

p>

The power it brought shocked even a smart and strong person like me. Although the black veil only covered the pastor's face,

it gave him a whole new look. His feet are covered with a ghostly air, don’t you think?”

“No,” the woman said, “I dare not be alone with him.

I wonder if he is afraid of himself!"

"People are sometimes afraid of themselves," her husband said.

The afternoon service was similar to the morning service. It ends with a knell tolling at the funeral of a young girl. Relatives and friends gathered in the house, and distant acquaintances stood at the door, discussing the merits of the deceased. Suddenly the conversation was interrupted, and Reverend Hooper arrived, still wearing the black veil, which was an appropriate symbol at the moment. The priest entered the room where the remains lay, leaned over the coffin, and said his final farewell to his dead parishioner. When he bent down, the veil fell straight down from his forehead, and if the girl had not closed her eyes forever, she would have been able to see his face. Could it be that the priest was afraid of her gaze and quickly pulled back his veil? Someone witnessed this meeting between the living and the dead with his own eyes and said without hesitation that the moment the priest revealed the truth, the girl's body moved slightly and was beaten. Shivering, the shroud and gauze hat rustled, although the face of the deceased remained motionless. A superstitious old woman

is the only witness to this miracle. The priest left the body and walked to the mourners' house and then to the stairs to pray for the deceased. The prayer is full of affection, touching the heart, sad and painful, but also filled with the hope of heaven, as if the girl's delicate hands are playing

The sound of heaven's strings can be vaguely heard in the pastor's sad tone smell. People shuddered, although they did not understand the meaning of the prayer. The pastor prayed that he hoped that they, himself, and all living beings could be like this girl, calmly facing the moment when the veil was torn

away. The coffin bearers moved forward heavily, followed by the mourners. The deceased took the lead, and Reverend Hooper, wearing a veil, walked behind him and mourned for a whole street.

"Why are you looking behind you?" someone in the funeral procession asked his companions.

"I seem to think that the pastor and this girl's ghost just walked hand in hand," she replied.

"I also think it was just now." Another person responded.

It was night, and the most beautiful couple in Milford Village was getting married. Although Reverend Hooper was melancholic by nature, he felt a peaceful joy on such occasions.

Such occasions evoked in him a harmonious smile more than any lively revelry. This aspect of his character won the love of his parishioners more than anything else. The wedding guests eagerly awaited his arrival, fully expecting that the strange fear that had gripped the minister all day would now be gone. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Reverend Hooper came in, and the first thing people saw was the terrifying black veil. This thing added a deeper sadness to the funeral, but only brought a bad omen to the wedding. The guests suddenly felt as if a dark cloud was rolling in from under the black veil, blocking the light of the candles.

The newlyweds stood in front of the pastor, but the bride’s cold fingers trembled in the groom’s trembling palm, and her face was deathly pale,

which caused people to chirp and say how old they were. The girl who was buried only an hour ago emerged from the grave and entered the bridal chamber. If there is a more gloomy happy event than this, it can only be the famous wedding where the death knell rang①.

①Hawthorne is the author of the short story "The Wedding Knell"

After presiding over the ceremony, Pastor Hooper raised his glass and toasted to the newlyweds in a gentle and humorous tone. His words should have been like the joyful fire in the furnace, illuminating the faces of the guests, but at that moment, the priest caught a glimpse of his own image in the mirror, and the black veil also fell

His soul was caught up in the fear that shocked everyone. His whole body trembled, his lips lost color, and the wedding wine that had never touched his lips spilled on the carpet. He turned around and rushed into the vast night, because the earth also wore its black veil.

The next day, the whole village of Milford was talking about only one thing, and that was Reverend Hooper's black veil. The veil and the secrets hidden behind it have become a hot topic in the streets and alleys, and have also provided women with gossip material in front of their open windows. The shop owner reported the incident as headline news to his customers, and the children chattered non-stop on their way to school. A naughty naughty boy who liked to imitate others used an old black handkerchief to cover his face. As a result, he not only frightened his companions to death, but also himself

He was also scared to death.

Oddly enough, of all the nosy, reckless people in the parish, not one of them dared to ask Pastor Hooper directly why he did what he did. In the past, if he needed intervention in some matters, there would always be a large group of people who would come up with ideas, and he would always obey them happily. If he is at fault, it is that he lacks self-confidence. Even the most frivolous accusation will make him regard trivial matters as sins. However, although his tendency to be overly easy-going was well known, no one was willing to give him the all-clear regarding the Black Veil.

There was a sense of fear that was neither clearly stated nor concealed, causing everyone to blame each other. In the end, they had to come up with an expedient plan. The parishioners selected a delegation to interview Pastor Hooper to avoid causing public outrage. There will never be another delegation that is so incompetent

. The pastor received them with kindness and courtesy, but after everyone had taken their seats, he said nothing, leaving the entire burden of unraveling their visit on the shoulders of the delegates. The topic was really clear. The black veil was wrapped around Pastor Hooper's forehead, covering his face. Only two peaceful lips could be seen. People found that a sad smile occasionally flashed at the corner of his mouth, and the piece of black veil, according to their imagination, almost hung on his chest, becoming a symbol of a terrible secret, lying between him and them .

As long as the veil is lifted, they can freely comment on the matter, but they cannot speak without it being lifted. As a result, everyone sat there for a long time, speechless, upset, and timidly avoiding the priest's gaze, feeling that the invisible gaze was staring at them

superior. Finally, the delegates returned to camp in embarrassment, telling their electors that the matter was so important that at least a church meeting was necessary, if not a general meeting of the parishioners

.

Everyone in the village was frightened by the black veil, except for one person. The delegates returned empty-handed, not even daring to ask the pastor for an explanation.

But this man, with the power of his quiet personality, was determined to dispel the strange dark cloud that gathered over the priest's head. This cloud is getting darker

. As the pastor's fiancée, she had the right to know what the black veil concealed. The first time the pastor visited, she got straight to the point and made the topic clear, which made things much easier for both parties. After the priest sat down, she stared at the veil intently, and did not notice the shocking scene that frightened everyone. It was just a piece of two-layered silk gauze hanging from his forehead to his mouth. Shaking slightly with his breathing

.

"No," she said loudly with a smile, "this gauze has nothing to be afraid of, it just blocks the face I love. Come on

Come on, good person , let the sun shine from behind the dark clouds. Take off the veil first, and then tell me why you wear it."

Pastor Hooper smiled.

"The time will come," he said, "when we will all have to take off the veil. Until then, if I keep wearing it

Dear Catholic , please don’t be offended.”

“Your words are also mysterious,” the girl said. “At least the veil covering your truth should be removed.”

“ Elizabeth, I do, as long as I don't break my oath. Then I tell you, this veil is a sign and a symbol that I am bound to wear forever, whether in light or darkness. Alone or in full view, whether with strangers or with friends and family, no one in the world could ever see it taken off. This bleak curtain must separate me from the rest of the world.

Even you, Elizabeth, can never see behind it!"

"What heavy suffering has befallen you, causing you to blind your eyes forever?" ask.

"If it is a mark of mourning," replied Hooper, "perhaps I, like most of the world, have enough sorrow to

make a mark with it."

p>

"But what if the world doesn't believe that this is just a sign of innocence and sorrow?" Elizabeth advised, "Although you are respected and loved by others, there may be gossip and gossip about you. Knowing that he has committed an unspeakable sin, he covers his face.

For the sake of your priesthood, get rid of these rumors. ”

Speaking of which has already happened in the village. She blushed at the rumor that was spreading. But Pastor Hooper remained calm and even smiled - the same wry smile, like a glimmer of light, flashed out from under the shadow of the veil.

"If I cover my face because of sorrow, I have a good reason. If I cover it because of an unspeakable sin, then what

ordinary person cannot do this? ?”

He was so gentle and polite, but stubbornly refused all her entreaties. At last Elizabeth fell silent. She seemed to be deep in thought, probably thinking about what else she could do to bring her sweetheart back from such a dark delusion.

If this has no other meaning, it may be a symptom of insanity. Even though she has a stronger personality than him, she is still in tears at this moment. However, in an instant, a new feeling replaced the sadness. She unknowingly stared at the piece of black gauze. Suddenly, a glimmer of light seemed to appear in the sky, and the fear of the black gauze seized her. She stood up suddenly, trembling at him.

"Have you felt it too?" The pastor said sadly.

She did not answer, covered her face with her hands, and turned to leave. He rushed forward and grabbed her arm.

"Be patient with me, Elizabeth!" he cried passionately, "forsake me not, though this veil must separate us in this life.

Be mine. , there will be no veil on my face in the next life, and our souls will not be separated by darkness! This is not just a veil in this world - it is not eternal! How lonely, how scared, to be alone behind this black veil. Don't leave me behind this painful darkness forever!"

"Then put the veil away. Open it up and let me see your face," she said.

"No! No way!" replied Hooper.

"Goodbye then!" Elizabeth said.

She took out her arm, walked away slowly, stopped at the door, and looked back at him for a long time. This gaze almost penetrated the secret of the black veil. Even though he was depressed, Pastor Hooper still smiled, feeling that what separated him from happiness was just a material sign

Although the terrifying shadow cast by this thing would definitely cast a shadow on those closest to him. Lovers create a gap.

From then on, it was no longer possible to ask the priest to remove the veil, or to ask him outright to reveal the secret hidden by the veil. Those who thought they were above the prejudices of the world regarded the matter as a mere eccentricity, saying that it was often mixed with the rational behavior of normal people. , which makes all their actions look crazy. However, in the eyes of most people, Hooper has irredeemably become a monster. He could not walk with peace of mind, and found that kind and timid people turned away from him, while bold and thick-skinned people deliberately blocked his way. The latter's rudeness forced him to give up his old habit of walking to the cemetery at dusk, because as long as he leaned against the cemetery gate and meditated, someone would poke his head out from behind the tombstone and peer into his darkness. veil. Rumors also spread that it was the dead man's gaze that had lured him there. His kind heart was deeply hurt, because as soon as the children saw him, they stopped their happy games and fled in all directions. In fact, his melancholy figure was still far away. Their instinctive fear made him feel more strongly than anything else that an incredible horror was woven deeply into the veil. In fact, everyone knew that he himself hated the Black Veil. Unless he had no choice but to do so, he would never walk in front of a mirror, nor would he bend down to drink from a quiet spring, lest he be swept away in its tranquil embrace.

The image was startling.

This gave rise to a plausible rumor that the Reverend Hooper's conscience was tortured because he had committed a sin which he could not

conceal but could only hint at in this vague way. Then, a dark cloud rolled out from under the black veil, blocking the sun. The ambiguity of sin and sorrow covered the poor pastor from head to toe, leaving him forever deprived of love and sympathy. People said that

ghosts and devils kept him company behind the black veil. He continued to walk in the shadow of the black veil, trembling inside and fearful on the outside, groping in the darkness of his soul, or looking through the veil at the world made desolate by it. It is said that even the lawless winds fear the priest's terrible secret and never blow up the veil. However, when Pastor Hooper walked through the bustling crowd, he still smiled sadly at the pale faces of everyone.

The Black Veil was harmful, but it had a desirable effect, making Reverend Hooper particularly competent. By means of this mysterious sign - for no other apparent reason - he exerts a special power over souls who suffer for their sins.

The people who converted under his inspiration were particularly afraid of him, asserting in a euphemistic way that before they were led by him into the midst of the divine light,

they were trapped there with him. Behind the black veil. Indeed, the shadow of the black veil made him pity all dark feelings. The dying sinners called out to Reverend Hooper, but he refused to die unless he was there, even though when he bent down to softly comfort them, his face covered with black veil

As they approached, they began to tremble. The black veil is so terrifying that even the appearance of Death is no less majestic! Strangers came from far and wide to attend his services, even though they could not see his true face, just to catch a glimpse of him. But many people come here for entertainment, but they are frightened even before

leaving! On one occasion, during Belcher's term as Governor, Reverend Hooper was appointed to preach the election. Wearing a black veil, he stood in front of the chief judge, city council members, and parliamentarians, leaving a deep impression on everyone. Even the bill passed that year had the character of early rule. of darkness and piety.

In this way, Pastor Hooper spent a long life. His behavior is beyond reproach, but it is shrouded in a dark cloud of suspicion

. Loving and kind, yet not loved, but sadly feared. He is isolated from the world and cannot share people's health and happiness, but he is always called to help dying victims. The passage of time has sprinkled a layer of white frost on his temples under the black veil. His reputation spread throughout the New England church, and he received the honorific title of Dean Hooper. The generation that came of age when he came to office has almost passed away one after another. Many of his parishioners are in the chapel, and even more are buried in the loess. Now that the oil has dried up and the success has been achieved, it is Dean Hooper's turn to rest in peace.

Beside the old dean’s deathbed, the candlelight was dim and the figures could be discerned. He had no relatives or friends, but there was a thoughtful, solemn but calm doctor present, who just wanted to try his best to alleviate the deceased's final pain. The church deacon and several respected parishioners were also present. Also

Pastor Clark of Westbury Diocese, a warm-hearted young man, rushed to the bedside of the dying dean and prayed for him

. And the nurse was not a maid hired to take care of a dying patient, but a person who endured loneliness for many years and did not change her original intention until her death. It’s none other than Elizabeth! Dean Hooper's head of white hair was pressed against the pillow of death. The black veil on his forehead was still there, covering his face. Every struggle of his weak breath made the black veil tremble slightly. This piece of black veil

had been between him and the world for his whole life, cutting off the pleasant human feelings and the love of women, imprisoning him in the most miserable prison

This It is his own soul. It still hung over his face, making the dreary house even more desolate, and blocking out the sunlight of his afterlife

.

He has been delirious for some time, his soul hesitating between the past and the present, and from time to time he seems to be soaring into the chaos of the afterlife

When you have a high fever, you toss and turn, using up what little energy you have left. But even in the midst of the most violent convulsions, the most absurd

fantasies, and all other thoughts being confused, he was still on tenterhooks, fearing that the veil would slip aside. Even if his confused

soul is temporarily negligent, there is still a loyal woman guarding his pillow, who will turn her face away and cover his old face. This face

The last time she saw it, it was still handsome in its prime. In the end, the old man who was defeated by death lay quietly in the numbness of spiritual and physical exhaustion

. His pulse could hardly be felt, and his breath was even weaker. Only the sudden, deep and irregular breathing was foretelling him. Spirit

The escape of the soul.

The vicar of Westbury approached the bedside.

"Dear Dean Hooper," he said, "your time of deliverance is coming.

Are you ready to lift the veil between this life and the next? ”

At first, Dean Hooper only moved his head slightly to express his answer. Then, probably worried that his meaning was not clear enough, he forced himself to speak

.

< p> "Yes," he said dying, "my soul is sleepy and patient, waiting for the veil to be lifted. "

"Then," Pastor Clark continued, "a person like you who devotes himself to prayer has holy and noble thoughts and actions, and is impeccable by human standards

Example, as a church elder, how can you cast a shadow on your own memory and tarnish such a pure life? I beg you, dear brother, don’t make things like this! Before you receive good retribution, please allow

us to see your happy face. Before removing the barrier of the afterlife, let me lift off this black veil for you! "

As he spoke, Pastor Clark bent down to reveal this secret that had been kept for many years. Suddenly, Pastor Hooper stunned everyone around the bed.

He struggled hard, He pulled his hands out from under the sheets and held the veil firmly, determined to fight to the end if the vicar of Strawberry had to fight against the dying man. "no! shouted the veiled imam, "Never in this life!" "

"Evil old man! "The frightened priest shouted, "How terrible sins will your soul carry to accept the final judgment? ”

Hooper lingered, his breath rattling in his throat. However, he struggled hard, grabbing forward with his hands, grabbing the life that

was about to abandon him. , so that he could finish speaking. He even stood up and sat up, trembling in the arms of death. The black veil was hanging low, condensing the horror of his entire life in this last moment. It looked particularly ferocious. The faint wry smile that often appeared seemed to flash out from behind the black veil and lingered on the dean's lips for a long time. >"Why do you tremble with fear just by seeing me? " He turned his face, which was covered with black gauze, and looked around at the pale onlookers. "You should also tremble with each other! Men avoid me, women don't sympathize with me, children scream and run away, is it just because of my black veil? If it weren't for the darkness that symbolizes mystery, what's so scary about a piece of yarn? Until one day, friends and lovers can be honest with each other, and people will no longer try to escape the eyes of the Creator and hide their sins disgustingly. Then think of me as a monster. Because I wear it when I live, and I will never leave it when I die!

I look at you and look wow! You all have a black veil on your face! ”

The listeners avoided each other and were afraid of each other, but Dean Hooper fell on the pillow and became a veiled corpse, with a sneer hanging from the corner of his mouth

. People put him in a coffin and buried him in a grave. Year after year, the grass withered on the tomb and the tombstone was covered with moss.

Reverend Hooper's face had turned to dust, but people still shuddered at the thought that it was moldy and rotten under that black veil!