He pleaded then. Shame beneath Shame. “Forgive. + 

It may be there are powers I cannot break. + 

If you are of them, speak. Speak. Let me live. + 

I ask so small a thing. I beg. I make + 

My body a living prayer whose force would shake + 

The mountains. I’ll recant⁠—confess my sin⁠— + 

But this once let me pass. I must go in.” + 