Jerome K. Jerome

“ And all men rejoiced greatly, for all were weary of a strife in which little had been gained on either side beyond hard blows, and their thoughts were of the ingle-nook. So the long-bearded Danes, their thirsty axes harmless on their backs, passed to-and-fro in straggling bands, seeking where undisturbed and undisturbing they might build their homes; and thus it came about that Haarfager and his company, as the sun was going down, drew near to the town of seven towers, that in those days stood on dry land between the Abbey and the sea. ”

“ For myself I see the white-robed monks, and hear the chanting of their mass for the souls of the sinful men of the town of seven towers. For it has been said that when an evil deed is done, a prayer is born to follow it through time into eternity, and plead for it. Thus is the whole world clasped around with folded hands both of the dead and of the living, as with a shield, lest the shafts of God's anger should consume it.
Therefore, I know that the good monks of this nameless Abbey still are praying that the sin of those they loved may be forgiven.
God grant good men may say a mass for us. ”

“ Many a groan of dying man, many a shriek of murdered woman, many a wail of mangled child, knocked at the Abbey door upon its way to Heaven, calling the trembling monks from their beds, to pray for the souls that were passing by. ”