At your feet now abased, craving pardon, I kneel.
[All draw away from him in horror. He moves after them, without rising from his knees]
My brothers, my brothers, look kindly on me!
Well assured is my heart that we brothers be,
And I the least worthy, the youngest of all!
Lo, I curse you no longer, but breathe benediction,
Lo, I yearn to share with you the bread of affliction!
Let it please you, my brothers, whate’er may befall,
That I love you, that thanks to the love I bear,
No more word of mine, I swear it, I swear,