[The Lancashire Witches by William Harrison Ainsworth]@TWC D-Link bookThe Lancashire Witches CHAPTER V 12/16
But he now found that his penitence had never been sincere and efficacious.
This one damning sin obscured all his good actions; and he felt if he died unconfessed, and with the weight of guilt upon his soul, he should perish everlastingly.
Again he fled from the torment of retrospection, and again heard the choir thundering forth-- Lacrymosa dies illa, Qua resurget ex favilla Judicandus homo reus. Huic ergo parce, Deus! Pie Jesu Domine! Dona eis requiem. "Amen!" exclaimed the abbot.
And bowing his head to the ground, he earnestly repeated-- "Pie Jesu Domine! Dona eis requiem." Then he looked up, and resolved to ask for a confessor, and unburthen his soul without delay. The offertory and post-communion were over; the "_requiescant in pace_"-- awful words addressed to living ears--were pronounced; and the mass was ended. All prepared to depart.
The prior descended from the altar to embrace and take leave of the abbot; and at the same time the Earl of Derby came from the stall. "Has all been done to your satisfaction, John Paslew ?" demanded the earl, as he drew near. "All, my good lord," replied the abbot, lowly inclining his head; "and I pray you think me not importunate, if I prefer one other request.
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