Page 604 sur 788

Jacek, as he listened, repeated prayers in a low voice, and,

clasping to his breast the consecrated candle, raised to Heaven

his eyes, now kindled with hope, and shed a flood of last joyous

tears. "Now, O Lord," he said, "let thy servant depart in peace!"

All kneeled; and then a bell rang at the door, a token that the

priest had arrived with the body of our Lord.

Night was just departing, and across the milky sky were streaming

the first rosy beams of the sun: they entered through the window

panes like diamond arrows, and fell upon the bed; they surrounded

the head of the sick man, wreathing with gold his face and his

temples, so that he shone like a saint in a fiery crown.

BOOK XI.-THE YEAR 1812

ARGUMENT