Free eBooks at Planet eBook.com 1 1till then. His voice was weak, he did not shout as before. In
his words there was a new note of humility, defeat and sub-
mission.
‘What am I to say, gentlemen of the jury? The hour of
judgment has come for me, I feel the hand of God upon me!
The end has come to an erring man! But, before God, I re-
peat to you, I am innocent of my father’s blood! For the last
time I repeat, it wasn’t I killed him! I was erring, but I loved
what is good. Every instant I strove to reform, but I lived
like a wild beast. I thank the prosecutor, he told me many
things about myself that I did not know; but it’s not true
that I killed my father, the prosecutor is mistaken. I thank
my counsel, too. I cried listening to him; but it’s not true
that I killed my father, and he needn’t have supposed it. And
don’t believe the doctors. I am perfectly sane, only my heart
is heavy. If you spare me, if you let me go, I will pray for
you. I will be a better man. I give you my word before God I
will! And if you will condemn me, I’ll break my sword over
my head myself and kiss the pieces. But spare me, do not
rob me of my God! I know myself, I shall rebel! My heart is
heavy, gentlemen... spare me!’
He almost fell back in his place: his voice broke: he could
hardly articulate the last phrase. Then the judges proceeded
to put the questions and began to ask both sides to formu-
late their conclusions. But I will not describe the details. At
last the jury rose to retire for consultation. The President
was very tired, and so his last charge to the jury was rather
feeble. ‘Be impartial, don’t be influenced by the eloquence
of the defence, but yet weigh the arguments. Remember