Chapter 13

(He enters the church. After a silence the men about thesteps begin to talk among themselves in undertones.)

One of Them—(Calling through the door.)Father!Another—If he don't let us go, let's go ourselves.Father Benedict—(Reappearing.)Who called?(A pause.)What is it?A Man—Before you come out, Father, the monk spokeLike as how the chase was on.Another—"Run to the mountains, men!"Another— "Quick! quick!"Another—Said we should find him before Satan comes.Another—That was before you came out.First Man—Spoke like as how the dogs were on his trail.Father Benedict—Run, some one, and fetch Pierre back.

One of Them—(Calling through the door.)Father!

Another—If he don't let us go, let's go ourselves.

Father Benedict—(Reappearing.)Who called?(A pause.)What is it?

A Man—Before you come out, Father, the monk spokeLike as how the chase was on.

Another—"Run to the mountains, men!"

Another— "Quick! quick!"

Another—Said we should find him before Satan comes.

Another—That was before you came out.

First Man—Spoke like as how the dogs were on his trail.

Father Benedict—Run, some one, and fetch Pierre back.

(Two men dart out, left.)

He did not tell me this.(A pause.)Arm yourselves, men.

(In a mass the men hurry out, left, a confused hum of voicesrising for a moment, then dying away in the distance.The scene has grown darker. A gust of wind blows tothe door of the church.)

Father Benedict—(Alone upon the steps.)This is the day.(A pause.)Inscrutable are the ways of God. Dark, dark,Unfathomable the sea in which He moves.He changeth as the waters change, and yetThe mountains strike their roots in Him and stand.

(Thunder right. The priest comes down from the stepsand out into the street, where he stands looking up atthe sky.)

Thy ways are not our ways. Thy voice is heardAbroad upon the firmament. The starsThat should have been put out an hour agoBurn bright upon the edges of the storm.Satan hath laid his hand upon the sun,And the day gropes, feeling her way far offAs doth the blind. But yesterday the mornWalked beautiful on the mountains, with her lampKindled as for the Resurrection.This is the Sabbath, yet Golgotha's gloomHangs o'er the Sepulcher, and like a torchThrown down upon the mountains burns the dawnA scant blue flame far down behind the world.

(A pause.)

God shall not call in vain.

(Looking left.)

I will forgiveThe bitter words. The lost shall be reclaimed.

(He walks briskly back and climbs the steps and enters thechurch. A man with a shovel on his shoulder appearscoming from back in the churchyard. He stops by thefence and looks about.)

The Man—Don't see them.A Voice—(From back in the churchyard.)Someone's moaning in the church.

The Man—Don't see them.

A Voice—(From back in the churchyard.)Someone's moaning in the church.

(Another man appears with a shovel. They listen. Faintshouting, left.)

First Man—Let's leave our shovels here.

(They put down their shovels and get over the low fence intothe open space before the church and start, left. Pierreis heard returning.)

Pierre—But it was not his fault.

(Between the two men he enters wringing his hands.)

It was the fiends that did it.'Twas his hand but—(Starting back.)They're hiding—they're hiding back of there!

(He points to the broken top of the poplar tree that hangsout in the street. The men from the churchyard comefrom behind it.)

Oh, they've been by the graves!

(He covers his face with his hands and bends up and down,sobbing hysterically.)

One of the Men— What has he done?

(With a great shining crucifix upon a staff, the priest appearsin the doorway and comes hurriedly down the steps.)

Father Benedict—Pierre, in the name of God, all-hail!I greet you as one having holy lips,Since God hath chosen you to set on fireWith one bright word all days to be. Pierre,Which way hath he gone? God is waiting.The seraphim—Nay, fear me not, for IHave been baptized with fire that hath fallenSuddenly from heaven. Which way hath he gone?To the high places fly the seraphimAnd banners flash and fade among the clouds.The Lord of Life into my power hath givenThe life of him who spoke—I will forgiveThe bitter words. This is the day of days.Within I shine, though round about the stormSpreadeth her gloom. Even my hands are dark.The thunder peals the muster of the dead.

(Faint shouts, left.)

Pierre—(Falling upon his knees.)They've bitten him! they've bitten him! Pray! pray! pray!Father Benedict—Nay, Pierre, these are shouts of them whose mouthsShall sing upon the mountains when my handShall rend the hound and pluck the blind from death.His breath is in the hollow of my hand,And though he taunted me and though I might—

Pierre—(Falling upon his knees.)They've bitten him! they've bitten him! Pray! pray! pray!

Father Benedict—Nay, Pierre, these are shouts of them whose mouthsShall sing upon the mountains when my handShall rend the hound and pluck the blind from death.His breath is in the hollow of my hand,And though he taunted me and though I might—

(He blows in his palm.)

The dream shall be fulfilled. Throughout all timeAll dreams shall hail this dream a holy thingThat hath chosen from all days this holy dayTo wake and run. While from the SepulcherGod rolls the stone back, the dream opens hellAnd slips the dogs while angels have the world.Henceforth the Angel of the Resurrection,Hand in hand with the hunter's dream, shall runWith fiery feet over the ages leavingLuminous the eyes of holy men.For me this is a great day. From the cloudsThe purposes of God, in fold on fold,Fall round and mantle me with light. Pierre,In what dread shape came Blindness through the hallsOf the abbey, feeling for the brother's eyesIn the darkness? What did he say when GodWith one blow blotted out the moon and sunForever, and the faces of his friends?Forgiveness did he cry for, for the things—But that is past. I have been and shall be,Yesterday and to-morrow, Benedict.To-day, as nameless as the stars of heaven,Forgetful of all injuries like the winds,I rush about the earth and, like the lightning,Will strike where God shall throw me. Like the rain,I shall fall mercifully on hot eyes that litBut a few hours before with pride and scornBut now are dark forever.Pierre— Oh! Oh! Oh!Father Benedict—I will not say that. God in his power can makeThe blind earth fill the sockets of the blindWith balls as bright as orbs of seraphim,Or without eyes can fill the soul with light.Your brother, Pierre, fell upon the dark—Mybrother; I will say it and forgive—Our brother fell on darkness not last night,But long since turned his shining face awayFrom light, and gradually as the sunSinks, sank low down where sun and moon and starsSay, "Vanity!" and the grave is over all.

Pierre— Oh! Oh! Oh!

Father Benedict—I will not say that. God in his power can makeThe blind earth fill the sockets of the blindWith balls as bright as orbs of seraphim,Or without eyes can fill the soul with light.Your brother, Pierre, fell upon the dark—Mybrother; I will say it and forgive—Our brother fell on darkness not last night,But long since turned his shining face awayFrom light, and gradually as the sunSinks, sank low down where sun and moon and starsSay, "Vanity!" and the grave is over all.

(The sobbing of Pierre is heard.)

But he shall rise. I thank God for this power.It shall be to my glory that for hateI returned love. Vengeance is His, and ISimply a wind to blow and do His will.God shall have praise, but I shall have praise, too.Names shall be written high and lamps shall burnUnder them, so that all the saints may see.

(He comes out in the street and stands looking in the directionin which the men went, talking to himself.)

Then some who with high heads walked this low earth—'Tis not my prayer, but if God so decide—What a day will bring forth no man can—

(Turning back.)

Pierre,Did he speak of me when the blow fell? Did he say,"I wronged that holy man"? Did he say that?With what word bade he farewell to the stars?Did not remorse—Why do you look at meWith eyes of horror?Pierre—(Shuddering.)Out into the darkAs if to—

Pierre—(Shuddering.)Out into the darkAs if to—

(He presses his hands into his eyes.)

Father Benedict—With no word?Pierre— "The dogs! the dogs!"Father Benedict—And called, then, I suppose, upon the dwarf.Did he appear and give him back his eyes?I judge not, from these tears that trickle down.And did no sinner's wail go up to God?God, Pierre, will plant eyes in his blind soul.With what cry hoisted he sail for the dark land?Pierre—(Between sobs.)"Father—Woden!"Father Benedict—Ha, and he saw him, then!Cried to the Father that the heathen godWas putting out his eyes! 'Tis well. In thatLast flash God showed him whence the darkness came.

Father Benedict—With no word?

Pierre— "The dogs! the dogs!"

Father Benedict—And called, then, I suppose, upon the dwarf.Did he appear and give him back his eyes?I judge not, from these tears that trickle down.And did no sinner's wail go up to God?God, Pierre, will plant eyes in his blind soul.With what cry hoisted he sail for the dark land?

Pierre—(Between sobs.)"Father—Woden!"

Father Benedict—Ha, and he saw him, then!Cried to the Father that the heathen godWas putting out his eyes! 'Tis well. In thatLast flash God showed him whence the darkness came.

(One of the men who came back with Pierre whispers to thePriest.)

Pierre—Lord Jesus knows that it was not his fault.Father Benedict—(Amazed.)Did he do that, Pierre, did he do that?Pierre—'Twas not his fault.Father Benedict—Put out his eyes himself!Pierre—Oh, in his fever—Father Benedict— What will sin not do!Pierre—And someone—Father Benedict— Rather than look upon my face!By this deed he admits the charge I made.Pierre—And someone—someone told him of the dream,How that the dogs should tear him—Father Benedict— Stop right there!You come down here to cast his blood on me?I see the hand inside this hellish glove.

Pierre—Lord Jesus knows that it was not his fault.

Father Benedict—(Amazed.)Did he do that, Pierre, did he do that?

Pierre—'Twas not his fault.

Father Benedict—Put out his eyes himself!

Pierre—Oh, in his fever—

Father Benedict— What will sin not do!

Pierre—And someone—

Father Benedict— Rather than look upon my face!By this deed he admits the charge I made.

Pierre—And someone—someone told him of the dream,How that the dogs should tear him—

Father Benedict— Stop right there!You come down here to cast his blood on me?I see the hand inside this hellish glove.

(He turns and comes straight out into the street.)

Pierre—(Timidly.)'Twas that that did it.Father Benedict—(Lifting his hand and shouting aloud.)Go back, men, go back!We will stay here! This I willnotforgive.

Pierre—(Timidly.)'Twas that that did it.

Father Benedict—(Lifting his hand and shouting aloud.)Go back, men, go back!We will stay here! This I willnotforgive.

(He returns toward the church and climbs the steps. Ontop he stops, stands for a moment, then sets his crucifixin the doorway and comes back down. Pierre, fearinghe is about to be attacked, draws back. The priest followshim.)

I know who sent you down here and I knowWhy.(Shaking his finger.)Pierre, had this word not been distilledUnder old fangs and put in your young mouth,This sting should cost you something. As it is,In you I overlook it.

(Hoarse with wrath.)

The old snake!God shall pass judgment between me and him.The seraphim shall burn his mouth with coals.Accursed envy! He beneath the wreckOf Babel lies and thence looks out and seesMe in white garments on the mount of GodGoing toward glory, and it rankles in him.

(Women appear in the doorway.)

And so he seeks to terrify my soulWith: "Hide from the lightning! God is in it!"As though I went toward Ramoth-GileadWith Ahab's hand smoking with prophets' blood.That is why he told you to tell me this.But I will not be terrified by him.

(Pierre backs out.)

Accursed envy! And you tell him so.Much rather would he see the brother lost—

(The women press too close and the crucifix tumbles downthe steps.)

What is it you do? Go back in there! God's curse—

(Looking after Pierre.)

On any man who would much rather seeA dear son lost than see me glorified.Tellhimto hide. The wind that curls these cloudsIs the same wind that blew last night. Does heWith black mouth cry to me my hand is red?If it be, if he think so, you tell him to standOn his wrecked gable and watch BenedictWalk right straight up to God with this red handAnd take the crown and leave no finger marks.

(On tiptoe, Madam Valmy steals down the steps to recoverthe crucifix.)

As for his charge that I have done this deed,Tell him it smells of Hell.—Go back in there!

(Madam Valmy goes back up the steps and the women withdrawfrom the door.)

Daunted shall I be by lying lips?Shall Belial reign? Shall God call twice and thrice?I will not leave my cup of glory standUntouched because the old snake cannot drink;Because he, having wormwood on his lips,Cries: "God boils in the wine upon the heights!"I will drink it.

(Armed and with Jacques Sar at their head, the men entersilent, their faces showing disappointment. In thedisorder in which they enter, there are traces of threelines into which they had been drawn up.)

Father Benedict— We will go, men.

(The men brighten up and become turbulent, and the threelines immediately reappear. The priest walks back towardthe church.)

Pick up—

(A man goes toward the crucifix that lies on the ground.The Priest steps upon the steps and turns, facing themen. While he speaks, Jacques Sar marches the linesright and wheels them around so as to face left, thedirection in which Pierre came and went. For otherswho keep coming in, he finds places in the lines and,examining weapons and moving the men about, goesup and down with the air of an old commander.)

Father Benedict— Men,This is the grandest day that ever mixedHer golden hair with banners. The hunter's dream,That flashed and vanished in the night, afterLying like our Lord three days in darkness,Bursts like a shining angel upon the world

(He receives the crucifix.)

And dazzles. We see not clearly, for the lightBlinds as the darkness doth. All night the earthTumbled as a man in fever. Saints on fireWalked grandly on the mountain combs and called,And the graves opened, and the silent ones—What can it mean that of the churchyard deadOnly the soldiers rose? And that, too, whenHell's hand was heavy on the brother? Men,At midnight riding down the mountain, ISaw wonders and heard things I dare not tell.What the hounds are I know not, but I knowOne up there hath a snare laid for them. And I—I see my name in fire on those clouds.These winds shall blow it luminous, and allThe world shall see it, and all time. Then someWho now accuse me will come round with smiles.For I will not be terrified by him.

(He says something under his breath and comes quicklydown the steps and out into the street where he shoutsafter Pierre.)

Tell the old man I go upon this chaseOut of no love for him or for his monk.For I despise them both. YouTell him just what I say and why I go.Tell him the storm hath spoken to me. SayI saw a hand of fire in the nightBeckon, and heard a trumpet peal in heaven.He thinks I am a coward. So I am;I fear to disobey the voice of God,And therefore go. Listen to me, Pierre!You tell him this: Had Heaven not deliveredIts orders to me, by the throne of God,Not a spear—Hear me?—not a single spearShould redden in the rescue of this monk.As for his charge that I have done this deed,Tell him it smells of Hell.

(Thunder right. The priest turns and for a time contemplatesthe sky in silence.)

One of you menRun and ask Pierre which way hath he gone,For there are trails and trails.

(A man darts out, left.)

Jacques Sar— Fly fast now, Noel.Father Benedict—(Rapt, looking off at the sky, right.)Why should the storm move that way, if the chase—

Jacques Sar— Fly fast now, Noel.

Father Benedict—(Rapt, looking off at the sky, right.)Why should the storm move that way, if the chase—

(Turning left.)

Lies yon way? We will wait.

(Aloud.)

God seems to callUp yonder where the lightning cracks the sky.

(After a silence, with his eyes upon the heavens.)

Like golden links your names shall hang to mineAnd dangle down the ages. Men shall say:"This man and that man were with BenedictUp in the glory of the Lord that dayWhen heathendom went tumbling down to hell."Oh, you shall live forever envied men!

(He walks about buried in his thought. Occasionally hestops for a moment in meditation, then resumes his pace.Old Jacques, hesitatingly and stopping whenever thepriest stops, follows him about as though he wished tocommunicate something, but was uncertain whether tobreak his revery. The men watch them in silence.)

Father Benedict—

(Approaching the lines, his chin stillupon his breast.)

Something I have to tell you, hitherto,For his own good, religiously concealed.For adulation maketh pride to swellAnd man becomes an idol.(Looking up.)Years agoA prophesy went sounding down the southThat sent a thrill through Christendom. From RomeThe echo came to us. The rumor ranThat in the Saxon forest lived a boyThrough whom the North should come contrite to God:A shepherd as was Moses and thereforePrepared to lead his people. Friar PaulWas sent to flash the light upon his wayAnd win him unto Christ, to make his staffPut forth green Christian buds. With what resultI need not tell you. Few, few men can bearHonor and the favor of the Most High. He,Moses himself could not. "Watch Moses now;"And struck the rock. And then God: "Now watch Me;"And gave his staff to Joshua. And hereI find a lesson, this: Glory shall passFrom the proud man to the humble man. To-dayI take that prophesy up inmyhandsAnd with it seek the mountains of our God,And Heathendom shall fall like Jerich—The Man—(Returning.) SaysHe don't know which way. Lost him in the dark.

The Man—(Returning.) SaysHe don't know which way. Lost him in the dark.

(The crowd stands silent, not knowing which way to go. Awoman appears in the doorway.)

Woman—Madam Bacqueur in her swoon hath thrice cried out:"O keep from the mountains! Look! See there!The fire of God falls on the hills. See! See!"Father Benedict—The voice of Hell that fears our coming. Woman,Baths her entranced brows with holy water.

Woman—Madam Bacqueur in her swoon hath thrice cried out:"O keep from the mountains! Look! See there!The fire of God falls on the hills. See! See!"

Father Benedict—The voice of Hell that fears our coming. Woman,Baths her entranced brows with holy water.

(The woman goes back in the church. Jacques speaks to thePriest.)

A Man—(After a pause, from the rear line.)Let's go toward the abbey.Another—(In the front line, pointing right.)This way.Another—(Shaking his head, as though fearing the storm.)No.Second Man—(Shouting, left.)Jules!

A Man—(After a pause, from the rear line.)Let's go toward the abbey.

Another—(In the front line, pointing right.)This way.

Another—(Shaking his head, as though fearing the storm.)No.

Second Man—(Shouting, left.)Jules!

(He walks on a few paces and, frowning with impatience,beckons in with his arm.)

Father Benedict—This is a sudden beam on the dark web.Jacques Sar—And his blood shed down yonder by thebridge.Father Benedict—And the storm moving toward that mountain top.

Father Benedict—This is a sudden beam on the dark web.

Jacques Sar—And his blood shed down yonder by thebridge.

Father Benedict—And the storm moving toward that mountain top.

(To the men.)

Jacques tells me that our honored bailiff liesHis martial limbs half hanging in the grave.Jacques Sar—I fear the bell will toll 'fore night.Father Benedict—(deeply moved.)The deadSoldiers are up to meet their sergeant.

Jacques tells me that our honored bailiff liesHis martial limbs half hanging in the grave.

Jacques Sar—I fear the bell will toll 'fore night.

Father Benedict—(deeply moved.)The deadSoldiers are up to meet their sergeant.

(He walks quietly back and climbs the steps.)

Men,Wing and wing this terrible morning, flyTwo avenging angels toward one mountain top.One in his hand two bloody eyeballs bears;The other, an old man's picture with a woundSwollen and with Death's finger in it. FixedOn two eyes are their four eyes. Toward one manFour wings and two bright swords are on their way.They light! They beckon me! I see it all!From two wounds two red trails converge in one!The hounds that have their noses on the trackOf the brother, had their tongues in Jardin's blood!The big white talbot is Canzler!

(There is a moment's silence so intense that the wind is heardwhistling among the white crosses in the churchyard.Then a terrible shout goes up.)

Shouts—Down with him!To Hell with the hounds!Lead us! Lead us!

(Jacques strikes with his sword and the lines move swiftlyto the left, the direction of the abbey.)

Father Benedict—(To himself.)God's purposes begin where man's prayers end.Jacques Sar—(On fire.)Right about! Face the heathen and face God!

Father Benedict—(To himself.)God's purposes begin where man's prayers end.

Jacques Sar—(On fire.)Right about! Face the heathen and face God!

(The lines wheel and face right, the direction in which thestorm is moving.)

Father Benedict—(Transported.)This is most wonderful. Men, Hell hath herePacked all her seeds in one infernal bloom.And who knew till this beam fell where to turn?Henceforth let no man say he knows the wayThat God will move on the morrow, for in a flashThe hem of his great garment passeth by.

(Bacqueur enters with an armful of swords and spears. Onhis left shoulder hangs a great shield.)

Jacques Sar—Here's two men have none.Cries— Here, Jules!Hand me one!Father Benedict—

Jacques Sar—Here's two men have none.

Cries— Here, Jules!Hand me one!

Father Benedict—

(Half to himself, his face upturned tothe sky.)

What have I done that Thou shouldst honor meWith glory such as no man ever—Nay,'Tis not for me this glory is prepared,For I have ever labored for another.Thou movest in her and she in me and IAm but a cloud upon her gale and storm.Let no man move a foot. I know my time.You see me but you see not what I see.God hath arranged to bring us face to face.This is no combat between merely men.All Heathendom gives chase in this big hound.Our brother stands for all men lost to God.And my hand is the hand of Christendom.

(Bacqueur offers him a sword.)

Nay, I have weapons that ye know not of.

(Looking off at the storm.)

The lightnings whip the foothills and the cloudsSag with the weight of the wrath of the Lord of Hosts.

(His face becomes luminous.)

Who hears what I hear? Speak out. Then be still.

(With an old scarlet flag, amid the folds of which sectionsof a white cross are seen, Hugh Capet comes running in.Seeing the priest entranced upon the steps and the menhushed with awe, he checks himself.)

Father Benedict—(Lifting his hand, without turning.)If any man moves I will call down fire.(A silence.)To-day the last great tower of Hell goes down.

(He comes down the steps.)

Jacques Sar—(His voice quivering with emotion.)This banner once waved over Acre, men.Hugh Capet—And we will plant it on Jerusalem.Shouts—God's with us! God's with us!Father Benedict—(Lifting his hand.)Hear my last word.Jacques Sar— Silence!Father Benedict— Let there beNo shouting or any noise. Let us goQuietly as befits the Sabbath day.The vales blow white. Yonder the mountains standLike quiet altars waiting sacrifice.You, with the holy banner of God, stand here.Now if there be among you one who hathGuilt, looking upon this storm let him stepOut, lay his spear down and stay here and notTempt the wrath of God. For soon upon the heightsThe heavens shall blacken and there shall be a loudBurst of His power and the shining glory of God.I pause a moment. Let that man step outNow.(A pause.)Then you have naught to fear. The innocentAre safe. God's shield is over them. Come.Jacques Sar—The signal, Father.Father Benedict— The signal shall be this:Jacques Sar—Attention, men!Father Benedict— I shall uplift the Christ.

Jacques Sar—(His voice quivering with emotion.)This banner once waved over Acre, men.

Hugh Capet—And we will plant it on Jerusalem.

Shouts—God's with us! God's with us!

Father Benedict—(Lifting his hand.)Hear my last word.

Jacques Sar— Silence!

Father Benedict— Let there beNo shouting or any noise. Let us goQuietly as befits the Sabbath day.The vales blow white. Yonder the mountains standLike quiet altars waiting sacrifice.You, with the holy banner of God, stand here.Now if there be among you one who hathGuilt, looking upon this storm let him stepOut, lay his spear down and stay here and notTempt the wrath of God. For soon upon the heightsThe heavens shall blacken and there shall be a loudBurst of His power and the shining glory of God.I pause a moment. Let that man step outNow.(A pause.)Then you have naught to fear. The innocentAre safe. God's shield is over them. Come.

Jacques Sar—The signal, Father.

Father Benedict— The signal shall be this:

Jacques Sar—Attention, men!

Father Benedict— I shall uplift the Christ.

(He raises the crucifix.)

And God, burning the clouds to ashes, will throwLightning upon Antichrist. Then youCharge.(A roll of thunder.)The trumpets of the heavenly host.Jacques Sar— Now, men!Up with your spears.Father Benedict— There shall be wonders done.

And God, burning the clouds to ashes, will throwLightning upon Antichrist. Then youCharge.(A roll of thunder.)The trumpets of the heavenly host.

Jacques Sar— Now, men!Up with your spears.

Father Benedict— There shall be wonders done.

(He starts right, the lines following him.)

In years to come, men, tell your children this:When God crowned Benedict upon the heightsIt was not Benedict but the Church He crowned.

(They go out silent. The scene has become darker and thewind is heard whistling among the white crosses in thechurchyard. Back in the church through the open dooris seen the beautifully carven Christ with overhead ingolden letters the inscription: FORGIVE THEMFOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY—. TheDO has never been put on.)

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