The Miracles of Antichrist: A NovelLagerlöf, Selma
General
The Miracles of Antichrist: A Novel
Lagerlöf, Selma
Sicily (Italy) -- Fiction; Socialism -- Fiction
The image on Aracoeli was carved from olive wood from the gardens of
Gethsemane; but the Englishwoman dared to have an image carved from elm
wood, which was exactly like him. The image on Aracoeli was not painted
by mortal hand. When the monk who had carved him had taken up his
brushes and colors, he fell asleep over his work. And when he awoke,
the image was colored,--self-painted as a sign that God loved him. But
the Englishwoman was bold enough to let an earthly painter paint her elm
image so that he was like the holy image.
For the false image she procured a crown and shoes, but they were not of
gold; they were only tin and gilding. She ordered ornaments; she bought
rings, and necklaces, and chains, and bracelets, and diamond suns--but
they were all brass and glass; and she dressed him as those seeking help
had dressed the true image. When the image was ready she took a needle
and scratched in the crown: “My kingdom is only of this world.” It was
as if she was afraid that she herself would not be able to distinguish
one image from the other. And it was as if she had wished to appease her
own conscience. “I have not wished to make a false Christ image. I have
written in his crown: ‘My kingdom is only of this world.’”
Thereupon she wrapped herself in a big cloak, hid the image under it, and
went up to Aracoeli. And she asked that she might be allowed to say her
prayers before the Christchild.
When she stood in the sanctuary, and the candles were lighted, and the
iron door opened, and the image showed itself to her, she began to
tremble and shake and looked as if she were going to faint. The monk who
was with her hurried into the sacristy after water and she was left alone
in the chapel. And when he came back she had committed the sacrilege.
She had exchanged the holy, miracle-working image, and put the false and
impotent one in his place.
The monk saw nothing. He shut in the false image behind iron doors
and double locks, and the Englishwoman went home with the treasure of
Aracoeli. She placed him in her palace on a pedestal of marble and was
more happy than she had ever been before.
Up on Aracoeli, where no one knew what injury they had suffered, they
worshipped the false Christ image as they had worshipped the true one,
and when Christmas came they built for him in the church, as was the
custom, a most beautiful niche. There he lay, shining like a jewel, on
Maria’s knees, and about him shepherds and angels and wise men were
arranged. And as long as he lay there children came from Rome, and the
Campagna, and were lifted up on a little pulpit in the basilica of
Aracoeli, and they preached on the sweetness and tenderness and nobleness
and power of the little Christchild.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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