AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A PENNSYLVANIAN
14. | The Haslibacher then arose, |
A brilliant light did all disclose, | |
A book before him lay— | |
An Angel of the Lord then spoke: | |
“Read what you find in this dread book.” | |
15. | He found as then he turned to look |
This marvel writ within the book, | |
“When they cut off your head | |
Three signs will God disclose to view, | |
To show the wrong done unto you.” | |
16. | And after he had read it all. |
Again the night did 'round him fall, | |
Again he fell asleep, | |
And never did he wake once more | |
Until they oped his prison door. | |
17. | They bade to him a pleasant morn. |
He thanked them with no touch of scorn. | |
And then to him they said: | |
“You first the Godly word shall hear | |
Then eat a meal, the last while here.” | |
18. | “From my belief I do not part, |
The Godly word is in my heart, | |
My cause I give to God, | |
My soul is darkened by no lie | |
And innocent I wish to die.” | |
19. | Then to an Inn they took their way, |
Good meat and drink before him lay, | |
The headsman by his side, | |
That he should be in sorest dread | |
And from his faith be thus misled. | |
20. | The Mennist to the headsman spoke: |
“Your meat and drink my courage woke, | |
You will upon this day | |
Pour out an innocent man's blood, | |
But that is for my soul's great good.” | |
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