LETTER I
450 Words
LETTER I
Maria to Daniel
Dedicated to her Lord, father, husband, brothers; his servants, his children, his wives, his sisters, with all humility, respect and love for Daniel, Mary wrote this article.
A few days afterwards one of your letters of consolation to a friend came into my hands; my knowledge of words and love for its counterpart made me curious to open it. To justify my liberty, I flatter myself that I have the highest privileges over all that comes from you. Nor did I violate the rules of good parenting when I found out about Daniel. But what a price, my curiosity paid! What a stir it caused, and how surprised I was when the whole letter was filled with strange and melancholy descriptions of our misfortunes! I have met my name a hundred times; I have never seen it without fear, and some terrible disaster always follows. I saw yours too and was just as unhappy. These sad and loving memories made my heart beat so strongly that I thought it too much to console my friend for a little shame, but in this unusual way as an expression of our suffering and revolution. I didn't change my mind! I began to think it all over and found myself carrying the same grief I had when we first began to suffer. Although time should heal my wounds, seeing with my own hands the wounds you describe is enough to open them up and bleed again. Nothing can erase from my memory the pain you suffered defending your work. I could not help but think of the wickedness of Alberic and Lotulf. The cruel uncle and the wounded lover will always be before my painful eyes. I shall never forget what an enemy your learning was, what jealousy your glory excited. I will never forget that your well-earned reputation was destroyed and bombarded by the ruthless cruelty of those who engage in scientific pseudo-fraud. Shouldn't your theological papers be burned? Aren't you facing a permanent prison sentence? It is in vain that you encourage your enemies to impose on you a view quite different from your own. In vain do you condemn these views; none of this affects your legitimacy in any way and we decide you must be a heretic! What were you not accused of by the two false prophets who so severely condemned you before the Sanhedrin? What a scandal arose when your church was named "Paraclete"! What a storm the treacherous monks raised against you when you had the honor of being called a brother! This story of our countless misfortunes is told so truthfully and so touchingly that it makes my heart bleed.
- Writer
