This section is from "Every Woman's Encyclopaedia". Also available from Amazon: Every Woman's Encyclopaedia.
In another letter she reproaches Abelard for speaking of his possible death:
" A heart weighed down by grief can never be calm; a spirit which is a prey to all sorrows cannot sincerely think of God. I beseech you do not hinder us in our accomplishment of those holy duties to which you have consecrated us. When a blow is inevitable, when it must bring with it immense sorrow, one must hope that it will be speedy, and not anticipate by useless fears those tortures which no human foresight may turn aside. It is this a poet has felt so well in his prayer, ' Let Thy punishments be suddenly accomplished ! Let not the wit of man pierce the shadows of the future. Comfort our alarms with hope.'
" And yet, you lost, what hope remains for me ? Why should I prolong a pilgrimage where, save in you, I have no comfort - where my one happiness is the knowledge that you are alive, since all other pleasure from you is forbidden me, and I am not even allowed to enjoy your presence, which sometimes, at least, might give me back to myself ? "
 
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