"My son is doomed to die." "Elspat," resumed the clergyman, "he WAS doomed, and the sentence has been executed." The hapless mother threw her eyes up to heaven, and uttered a shriek so unlike the voice of a human being, that the eagle which soared in middle air answered it as she would have done the call of her mate.
"It is impossible!" she exclaimed--"it is impossible! Men do not condemn and kill on the same day! Thou art deceiving me.

The people call thee holy--hast thou the heart to tell a mother she has murdered her only child ?" "God knows," said the priest, the tears falling fast from his eyes, "that were it in my power, I would gladly tell better tidings.

But these which I bear are as certain as they are fatal.

My own ears heard the death-shot, my own eyes beheld thy son's death--thy son's funeral.

My tongue bears witness to what my ears heard and my eyes saw." The wretched female clasped her bands close together, and held them up towards heaven like a sibyl announcing war and desolation, while, in impotent yet frightful rage, she poured forth a tide of the deepest imprecations.