University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Garden of Vivia Perpetua.
FELICITAS.
Yet pacing to and fro; and where so oft
I've seen her glide about, or smiling wait
To look upon some flow'r that pleas'd her fancy.
A sorry chance for rest, methinks, have they
Who hurry up and down for it. She stops;
What looks she at?—the amphitheatre?
Has she a mind to see the festival,
And so forget? She turns, and comes this way:
I'll try and wile her from those troubling thoughts
Back to her garden.

Enter Vivia.
VIVIA.
Saturus is come?

FELICITAS.
Nay, madam; see, the season's coming on:
The lilies here are struggling through the mould.

VIVIA.
Again another voice, and still reproach:
They give green promise that their summer's prime
Shall waft sweet proclamation on the air
Of Him who loved the lilies of the field.
Inanimate things above their natures rise,
To bear him witness; I alone am mute—
Mute to deceive.

FELICITAS.
Dear lady, sure to know
A treasure safe one's own, it were enough:
For me, I like to look straight in the eyes
That think they have the rule of me,—my thought
Meanwhile, nor you nor any are my Master,
Save only One above—the Lord of all!—
Come, let thy garden pleasure thee again.

VIVIA.
There are too many thorns. Felicitas,
He wore them as a crown; for me, alas,
They are a wilderness! Oh, mighty Counsellor,
Would that thy human self again wert here,
To shew the way!

FELICITAS.
But Saturus has said,
A blessing waits on those who do believe,
Not having seen.

VIVIA.
Sure they were doubly bless'd
Who saw his face—who listen'd to his words.
O happy Mary, thou of Bethany,
Give me but one of all those precious hours
That found thee at his feet!

FELICITAS.
Madam, but see
How the buds open on the olive-trees.

VIVIA.
To breathe of blessings from the sacred mount.
Look round, Felicitas—all bear Him witness:
Yon fountain—was't a fountain? nay, a well—
Was hallow'd by a promise, while he made
His wayside-rest in bann'd Samaria;—
What says that silver whisper? Speak for Him
Who gave thee living water. The free waves
All chorus forth—We sing of Galilee;
Of Him who said unto the world's fierce storms,
As to our raging waters, Peace, be still!
The amphitheatre, e'en now it swell'd
Out of the dusk, big with this history,
That Christ did suffer death to give all life;
Me life, that have not even voice for Him,
While breathless things all utter forth his praise.
Those marble forms within, do they not grow
Intelligent with my oft-repeated vows,
And seem to live again their noble deeds
To emulate his life? I idle as stone.

FELICITAS.
Dear madam, best go in—'tis chill,—and see,
The light hath faded from the temple's height.

VIVIA.
The temple?—yes, to the temple! Standing there
For the last time, will I unto great Jove
Tell out my faith, and make renunciation.

FELICITAS.
But think—

VIVIA.
And act!

[They enter within.