Long ago Quote by Susanna Clarke
““Long, long ago, (said the voice), five hundred years ago or more, on a winter's day at twilight, a young man entered the Church with a young girl with ivy leaves in her hair. There was no one else there but the stones. No one to see him strangle her but the stones. He let her fall dead upon the stones and no one saw but the stones. He was never punished for his sin because there were no witnesses but the stones. The years went by and whenever the man entered the Church and stood among the congregation the stones cried out that this was the man who had murdered the girl with the ivy leaves wound into her hair, but no one ever heard us. But it is not too late! We know where he is buried! In the corner of the south transept! Quick! Quick! Fetch picks! Fetch shovels! Pull up the paving stones. Dig up his bones! Let them be smashed with the shovel! Dash his skull against the pillars and break it! Let the stones have vengeance too! It is not too late! It is not too late!””
About This Quote
A story of a murder hidden by stones, with the victim’s death unseen and the perpetrator unpunished until discovered later.
In simple terms: A hidden crime goes unnoticed until evidence surfaces.
Seek truth and justice even when witnesses are absent.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- archaeology
- historical investigation
- legal inquiry
- personal conscience
- community healing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What moral duties arise when evidence is scarce?
- How can societies prevent hidden crimes?
Lack of witnesses can delay accountability and allow ongoing harm.