A man lying at the point of death called his wife to his bedside and said: “I am about to leave you forever; give me, therefore, one last proof of your affection and fidelity, for, according to our holy religion, a married man seeking admittance at the gate of Heaven is required to swear that he has never defiled himself with an unworthy woman. In my desk you will find a crimson candle, which has been blessed by the High Priest and has a peculiar mystical significance. Swear to me that while it is in existence you will not remarry.” The Woman swore and the Man died. At the funeral the Woman stood at the head of the bier, holding a lighted crimson candle till it was wasted entirely away.
翻译:
一个男人，在弥留之际把妻子叫到床边，对她说：“我就要永远地离你而去，因此，请最后一次向我证明你的爱和忠贞。因为按照我们神圣的宗教，已婚男人在进入天堂之门时，首先必须发誓：他决不会让一个不忠贞的女人玷污自身。你在我书桌里会找到一根深红色的蜡烛，它受过主教赐福，具有奇特的神秘意义。现在你向我发誓：只要它存在，你就不会再婚。”女人发了誓，男人也死了。葬礼上，女人站在棺材前，手托一根点燃的深红色蜡烛，直到它全部燃尽。
