Page:The autobiography of a Pennsylvanian.djvu/152

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

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.”
 
142