"Sleep in peace," I said to her, "God watches over you! While your lips
were parting in a smile, you were in greater danger than you have ever
known before. But the hand that threatened you will harm no one; I swear
by the faith you profess, I will not kill either you or myself! I am a
fool, a madman, a child who thinks himself a man. God be praised! You are
young and beautiful. You live and you will forget me. You will recover
from the evil I have done you, if you can forgive me. Sleep in peace
until day, Brigitte, and then decide our fate; whatever sentence you
pronounce, I will submit without complaint. And thou, Lord, who hast
saved me, grant me pardon. I was born in an impious century, and I have
many crimes to expiate. Thou Son of God, whom men forget, I have not been
taught to love Thee. I have never worshiped in Thy temples, but I thank
heaven that where I find Thee, I tremble and bow in reverence. I have at
least kissed with my lips a heart that is full of Thee. Protect that
heart so long as life lasts; dwell within it, Thou Holy One; a poor
unfortunate has been brave enough to defy death at the sight of Thy
suffering and Thy death; though impious, Thou hast saved him from evil;
if he had believed, Thou wouldst have consoled him. Pardon those who have
made him incredulous since Thou hast made him repentant; pardon those who
blaspheme! When they were in despair they did not see Thee! Human joys
are a mockery; they are scornful and pitiless; O Lord! the happy of this
world think they have no need of Thee! Pardon them.
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