What is the sacrifice? SALOME. STRANGER. The Lamb of God. SALOME. One whom I dare not name told me of Him. STRANGER. Salome, nor the blood of beasts or birds, SALOME. Where is the Son, that I may seek and find Him? STRANGER. He is the Lamb of God; believest thou? SALOME. I would believe; help thou mine unbelief. STRANGER. The children shall not for the parents die ; Each for himself shall bear iniquity, The Christ for all who will come unto Him. SALOME. I will come to Him; He can cleanse me wholly. STRANGER. Thy faith hath saved thee; thou mayst go in peace. May I not follow Him? SALOME. STRANGER. Thou shalt; but learn That they best follow Him who best fulfil And God with all their heart, and soul, and mind; In clusters with them on the vine of life. Not in the literal and formal act With due observance of religious rites And they shall be the favourites of His fold, SALOME. The Truth I feel; it is revealed by thee, VIII. GARDEN OF THE PALACE. SEXTUS and ANTONIUS. ANTONIUS. WHAT! Sextus! what! Dost sleep? Arouse thee, man! The dawn hath climbed the heavens and, one by one Plucked the ripe stars. Thou shouldst ere now have filled Thy garner full of sleep and harvested Thy rest. Wilt thou away with me to Rome? SEXTUS. To Rome? Yea, anywhere; let's go at once. ANTONIUS. What aileth thee? Wherefore this pallor strange ? Why burn those cresting beacons on each cheek? SEXTUS. I am a coward-cowards may shed tears. I have been wounded. ANTONIUS. That is plain as truth. No blood is left in thee. Those ruddy lakes To light a maiden's fumbling lips to thine. Say, hast thou watched in vain? Hath she not come ? Or hath the storm unhinged thy youthful wits? SEXTUS. The storm? What storm? Ah, true, I mind me now. How went the storm abroad? What hast thou seen? ANTONIUS. More wonders than portended Cæsar's death. Which spanned the heavens and covered the whole earth. And when the second bowed its head and failed Deep darkness filled the entire universe And all the shivering stars in heaven were quenched. |