Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 2.djvu/106

 "Yes, I am guilty, and wish to God, I had no other crimes on my conscience than that which I stand accused of. The sluggish gluttonous monks, who in honor of an image of stone, have ruined, and expelled from their own country a whole innocent family to beg their bread in the streets; these vile villains are far greater felons than myself, and I rejoice at having been an instrument in the hand of providence to avenge the wrongs of the hapless objects of their rapacity, and to restore to those innocent sufferers their property. If this action deserves punishment, you may tear my old limbs asunder, break these withered bones, and reduce to dust and ashes my poor out-worn frame, I will not complain, nor utter a groan."

"The grim avenger draws near—I feel the hand of the Supreme Judge; he, and not you, poor mortals, force me to confess my transgressions. I can brave the ire of men, and deride all bodily sufferings; but