10
they perished in trembling fear, refusing to look even at the air, though it nowhere could be avoided.
11
For wickedness is a cowardly thing, condemned by its own testimony; distressed by conscience, it has always exaggerated the difficulties.
12
For fear is nothing but a giving up of the helps that come from reason;
13
and hope, defeated by this inward weakness, prefers ignorance of what causes the torment.
14
But throughout the night, which was really powerless and which came upon them from the recesses of powerless Hades, they all slept the same sleep,
15
and now were driven by monstrous specters, and now were paralyzed by their souls' surrender; for sudden and unexpected fear overwhelmed them.
16
And whoever was there fell down, and thus was kept shut up in a prison not made of iron;
17
for whether they were farmers or shepherds or workers who toiled in the wilderness, they were seized, and endured the inescapable fate; for with one chain of darkness they all were bound.
18
Whether there came a whistling wind, or a melodious sound of birds in wide-spreading branches, or the rhythm of violently rushing water,
19
or the harsh crash of rocks hurled down, or the unseen running of leaping animals, or the sound of the most savage roaring beasts, or an echo thrown back from a hollow of the mountains, it paralyzed them with terror.
20
For the whole world was illumined with brilliant light, and went about its work unhindered,