Page:Selected Czech tales - 1925.djvu/202

 ‘Weigh your deeds well,’ said the priest, ‘and remember all. Is your illness no hindrance to you, and are you sufficiently in your senses not to forget important things?’

‘Never have I seen my life more clearly and completely than at this moment,’ said Manoel.

The confessor was glad to find so much humility in him, bade the others leave the room and sat down at his bedside to listen. Manoel asked: ‘In what order shall I confess, according to times, places, or my actions?’

‘As it comes most easily to you,’ said the priest, ‘but I should prefer the actions. I see you are a sensible man, and I approve your submission to God’s will. Happy is he who takes leave of life without fear and without reproaches, when he is about to start for the great journey into a better world.’

‘My life,’ replied Manoel, ‘has been full of labour, therefore I am looking forward to a long rest and sleep, and I do not dread the grave, for it will be a bed without mosquitoes; nor the darkness, for it hides neither thieves nor snakes. Nevermore shall I live on the enchanting islands I have seen, nor hear the lovely songs I have heard; but I shall sleep, and dream of what I have loved, and I shall