but they will be revealed, often against his will,
at least at Doomsday, when nothing shall be secret,
and he shall have eternal punishment, because his caution availed him nothing.
The robber will be slain now, and ignominiously punished,
and his miserable soul afterwards shall journey to hell
to the everlasting torments, in swart chains.
We ween nevertheless that the Allruling Saviour
will compassionate the wicked robber,
if he, with all his heart and inward lamentation,
crieth to the Almighty God, and beseecheth His mercy
before the sharp sword may sway to his neck ;
and if he bemoaneth his sins more than his [loss of] life,
and, with weeping, desireth the Almighty's compassion.
But the false devil, who deceived the robber,
and ever seduced him until his life's end,
will in no wise easily permit him, at his ending,
to turn then, with true repentance,
and with inward weeping, to the benevolent Saviour;
but will try with all his craft to draw him away from Christ.
So likewise will traitors perish, in the end,
even as books verily tell us everywhere.
There was a certain councillor, wise in speech, hight Ahitophel,
with David the king who was pleasing to God,
at the time when Absalom, his own son,
began to war against his father, desiring to drive
him out of his kingdom, and kill him, if he could.
Then this Ahitophel was with Absalom in council,
and advised him straightway how he might ensnare
his own father, while he was in flight;
