第30部分(第2/7 頁)

o； as always without knowing how； I found myself roaming

through　the　night。　I　walked　briskly；　advancing　through　snowy　streets；　muddy

passages； icy slopes and deserted sidewalks as if I would never stop。 As I

walked； descending into the dark of night； into the most remote and

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abandoned　parts　of　the　city；　I’d　ever　so　gradually　leave　my　soul　behind；　and

walking　along　the　narrow　streets；　my　footsteps　echoing　off　the　walls　of　stone

inns；　schools　and　mosques；　my　fears　would　subside。

Of　their　own　accord；　my　feet　brought　me　to　the　abandoned　streets　of　this

neighborhood　on　the　outskirts　of　the　city；　where　I　came　each　night　and　where

even　specters　and　jinns　would　shudder　to　roam。　I　heard　tell　that　half　the　men

in this neighborhood had perished in the wars with Persia and that the rest

had fled； declaring it ill…omened； but I don’t believe such superstition。 The

only　tragedy　that　has　befallen　this　good　quarter　on　account　of　the　Safavid　wars

was　the　closing　of　the　Kalenderi　dervish　house　forty　years　ago　because　it　was

suspected　of　harboring　the　enemy。

I　meandered　behind　the　mulberry　bushes　and　the　bay…leaf　trees；　which　had

a pleasant aroma even in the coldest weather； and with my usual

fastidiousness； I straightened up the wall boards between the collapsed

chimney　and　the　window　with　its　dilapidated　shutters。　I　entered　and　drew　the

lingering　scent　of　one…hundred…year…old　incense　and　mold　deep　into　my　lungs。

It　made　me　so　blissful　to　be　here；　I　thought　tears　would　fall　from　my　eyes。

If　I　haven’t　already　said　so；　I’d　like　to　say　that　I　fear　n