MELCHIOR
Surely, in the great beginning God made all things good, and still
That soul-sickness men call sinning entered not without His will.
Nay, our wisest have asserted that, as shade enhances light,
Evil is but good perverted, wrong is but the foil of right.
Banish sickness, then you banish joy for health to all that live;
Slay all sin, all good must vanish, good being but comparative,
Sophistry, you say--yet listen: look you skyward, there 'tis known
Worlds on worlds in myriads glisten--larger, lovelier than our own--
This has been, and this still shall be, here as there, in sun or star:
These things are to be and will be, those things were to be and are.
Man in man's imperfect nature is by imperfection taught;
Add one cubit to your stature if you can by taking thought.
LAURENCE
Thus you would not teach that peasant, though he calls you 'father'.
MELCHIOR
True,
I should magnify this present, mystify that future, too-
We adapt our conversation always to our hearer's light.
LAURENCE
I am not of your persuasion.
MELCHIOR
Yet the difference is but slight.
LAURENCE
I, even I, say, 'He who barters worldly weal for heavenly worth
He does well'--your saints and martyrs were examples here on earth.
MELCHIOR
Aye, in earlier Christian ages, while the heathen empire stood,
When the war 'twixt saints and sages cried aloud for saintly blood,
Christ was then their model truly. Now, if all were meek and pure,
Save the ungodly and the unruly, would the Christian Church endure?
Shall the toiler or the fighter dream by day and watch by night,
Turn the left cheek to the smiter, smitten rudely on the right?
Strong men must encounter bad men-- so-called saints of latter days
Have been mostly pious madmen, lusting after righteous praise--
Or the thralls of superstition, doubtless worthy some reward,
Since they came by their condition hardly of their free accord.
'Tis but madness, sad and solemn, that these fakir-Christians feel--
Saint Stylites on his column gratified a morbid zeal.
LAURENCE
By your showing, good is really on a par (of worth) with ill.
MELCHIOR
Nay, I said not so; I merely tell you both some ends fulfil--
Priestly vows were my vocation, fast and vigil wait for me.
You must work and face temptation. Never should the strong man flee,
Though God wills the inclination with the soul at war to be.(pauses.)
In the strife 'twixt flesh and spirit, while you can the spirit aid.
Should you fall not less your merit, be not for a fall afraid.
Whatso'er most right, most fit is you shall do. When all is done
Chaunt the noble Nunc Dimittis--Benedicimur,my son.
