Is it not, in some sort, to imitate the
great Artificer? Would, O Basil, that our country had more makers
and fewer who live but to destroy.'
'Would it were so, indeed!' sighed Basil, in a low, fervent voice.
'But the end is not yet,' pursued Benedict, his eyes gazing straight
before him, as if they beheld the future. 'Men shall pray for peace,
but it will not be granted them, so great are the iniquities of the
world which utters the name of Christ, yet knows Him not.'
He paused with troubled brow. Then, as if reminding himself that his
hearer had need of more encouraging words, he said cheerfully:
'To-morrow, perchance, you will have strength to leave your room.
Deodatus shall come to you in the morning. When you can walk so far,
I will pray you to visit me in my tower. You knew not that I inhabit
a tower? Even as the watchman who keeps guard over a city. And,' he
added more gravely, as if to himself rather than to the listener,
'God grant that my watch be found faithful.'
Thereupon the abbot rose, and gently took his leave; and Basil,
through all the rest of the day, thought of him and of every word he
had uttered.
Pages:
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478