In the same posture motionless he knelt,

Arms straighten’d down, and hands outspread, and eyes

Raised to the Monk, like one who from his voice

Awaited life or death.

All night the old man

Pray’d with his penitent, and minister’d

Unto the wounded soul, till he infused

A healing hope of mercy that allay’d

Its heat of anguish. But Romano saw

What strong temptations of despair beset,