It desires to impose submission even where it is not obligatory, retractions which offend the conscience; wherever a group of men assemble for good works, it wishes to take the command, and if they decline to submit to this command, all support is withdrawn from them.
"The Saint"
Antonio Fogazzaro Commentator: William Roscoe Thayer
For in these the poet, while praying for the forgiveness of sins, is made specially to entreat the Divine pardon for his "translations and inditing in worldly vanities," which he "revokes in his retractions."
"Chaucer"
Adolphus William Ward
Say further that since they knowingly printed a lying slander about me this morning, you, as an honorable man, insist upon their making full retractions and apologies to-morrow.
"Captivating Mary Carstairs"
Henry Sydnor Harrison