the clock strikes. 
“What is this that ye do, my children? what madness has seized you? 
Forty years of my life have I labored among you, and taught you,
Not in word alone, but in deed, to love one another! 
Is this the fruit of my toils, of my vigils and prayers and privations? 470
Have you so soon forgotten all lessons of love and forgiveness? 
This is the house of the Prince of Peace, and would you profane it
Thus with violent deeds and hearts overflowing with hatred? 
Lo! where the crucified Christ from His cross is gazing upon you! 
See! in those sorrowful eyes what meekness and holy compassion! 475
Hark! how those lips still repeat the prayer, ‘O Father, forgive them!’
Let us repeat that prayer in the hour when the wicked assail us,
Let us repeat it now, and say, ‘O Father, forgive them!’”
Few were his words of rebuke, but deep in the hearts of his people
Sank they, and sobs of contrition succeeded the passionate outbreak, 480
While they repeated his prayer and said, “O Father, forgive them!”

Then came the evening service.  The tapers gleamed from the altar;
Fervent and deep was the voice of the priest, and the people responded,
Not with their lips alone, but their hearts; and the Ave Maria
Sang they, and fell on their knees, and their souls, with devotion translated, 485
Rose on the ardor of prayer, like Elijah ascending to heaven.

Meanwhile had spread in the village the tidings of ill, and on all sides
Wandered, wailing, from house to house the women and children. 
Long at her father’s door Evangeline stood, with her right hand
Shielding her eyes from the level rays of the sun, that, descending, 490
Lighted the village street with mysterious splendor, and roofed each
Peasant’s cottage with golden thatch, and emblazoned its windows. 
Long within had been spread the snow-white cloth on the table;
There stood the wheaten loaf, and the honey fragrant with wild flowers;
There stood the tankard of ale, and the cheese fresh brought from the dairy; 495
And at the head of the board the great arm-chair of the farmer. 
Thus did Evangeline wait at her father’s door, as the sunset
Threw the long shadows of trees o’er the broad ambrosial meadows. 
Ah! on her spirit within a deeper shadow had fallen,
And from the fields of her soul a fragrance celestial ascended,—­ 500
Charity, meekness, love, and hope, and forgiveness, and patience! 
Then, all forgetful of self, she wandered into the village,
Cheering with looks and words the mournful hearts of the women,
As o’er the darkening fields with lingering steps they departed,
Urged by their household cares, and the weary feet of their children. 505
Down sank the great red sun, and in golden, glimmering vapors
Veiled the light of his face, like the Prophet descending from Sinai. 
Sweetly over the village the bell of the Angelus sounded.