I would ascend the steps of the scaffold, I would smile and humbly beg
permission to say a word.
And then I would speak. I would implore everybody to learn something
good from my death. A speech from my inmost heart, and my last
farewell should be like a breath of flame....
Now my secret guilt is known.
Yes!
And I am sentenced to death. And I have languished in prison so long
that my spirit is broken.
I ascend the steps to the scaffold; but to-day the sun is shining and
my eyes fill with tears.
For I have languished so long in prison that I am weak. And then the
sun is shining so--I haven't seen it for nine months, and I haven't
heard the birds sing for nine months--until to-day.
I smile in order to hide my tears and I ask humbly if my guards will
permit me to speak a word.
But they will not permit me.
Still I want to speak--not to show my courage, but really I want to
say a few words from my heart so as not to die mutely--innocent words
that will harm nobody, a couple of hurried sentences before they clap
their hands across my lips: Friends, see how God's sun is shining.
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