lightning the whole unfathomable depth of it; so with one fleeting glance at the countless stars of heaven can one conceive the infinite multitude of worlds and spheres in the great universe.

在這樣的時刻，驚恐的罪人會蜷縮起來，無所依傍，他感覺自己正不斷地向無盡的空虛中退縮。

In such a moment the terrified sinner shrinks into himself and has nothing to cling to, and he feels himself shrinking further into infinite emptiness.

在這樣的時刻，虔誠的靈魂會向全能的上帝低下頭，帶著孩童般的信任將自己交託於他，祈禱著：“願你的旨意成就在我身上！”

And at such times the devout soul bows its head to the Almighty and yields itself up to him in childlike trust, praying, “thy will be done with me!”

但這個垂死之人並沒有孩童般的心境，他也不是一個驚恐的罪人；他的心思全在自我誇讚上。他知道自己一直遵循著宗教傳統。他也知道，數百萬人都得面對審判。但他無比堅信自己的道路會徑直通往天堂，而且向所有人承諾的慈悲會為他敞開天堂之門。

but this dying man had not the mind of a child, nor was he a terrified sinner; his thoughts were of self-praise. he knew that he had abided by religious traditions. millions, he knew, would have to face judgment. but he believed most confidently that his path would lead straight heavenward, and that mercy, promised to all men, would open the gates to him.

靈魂跟隨著死神天使，只是眷戀地回頭望了一眼那張床，床上躺著裹著白色裹屍布的、毫無生氣的肉身，那肉身仍留存著靈魂個性的印記。

And the soul followed the Angel of death, casting only one wistful glance back at the bed where, in its white shroud, lay the lifeless image of clay, still bearing the print of the soul’s individuality.

此刻他們在空中盤旋，時而又沿著地面滑行。他們是在穿過一座寬敞華麗的大廳，還是或許一片森林呢？很難說清楚。大自然看上去像是特意佈置出來以供展示的，就如同在那些莊嚴、造作的法國老式花園裡一樣，在其奇特、精心佈置的場景中