Louis—Wait! Wait!
Francis—Will the Lord wait?
Louis—To-morrow!
Francis—But to-morrow, to-night, now, perhaps, death awaits you.
Louis—I am well protected.
Francis—The unloved are ill protected. [Tries to drag the King along.] Come! Come!
Louis [pushing him aside]—-Give me time, time to make up my mind.
Francis—I leave you, murderer. I cannot forgive your crimes.
Louis [terrified]—What! do you condemn me?
Francis—God may forgive all! When he still hesitates, how could I condemn? Take advantage of the delay he grants you; weep, pray, obtain from his mercy the softening of your heart towards those unfortunates. Forgive, and let the light of day shine for them once more. When you seized the attribute of Divine vengeance they denounced your name from the depth of their jails in their bitter anguish, and their shrieks and moans drowned your prayers. Now end those sufferings, and God shall hear your prayers.