“Thou that takest away theSins of the world!”
“Thou that takest away theSins of the world!”
“Thou that takest away theSins of the world!”
Mrs. Fayth(starts with a listening, devout expression). Do you hear that?... Oh, watch, Doctor! Watch for what will happen!
(Spirits can be seen suddenly moving from all directions. They hurry, and exhibit signs of joyful excitement. The singing continues; repeats:—
“Thou that takest away theSins of the world!”)
“Thou that takest away theSins of the world!”)
“Thou that takest away theSins of the world!”)
(Now over the brilliant landscape fallsa long, sharp, strange shadow. It is seen to be the shadow of a mighty cross, which, if raised upright, would seem to reach from earth to heaven. The children run back from the cottage.)
Laddie.Papa! who is worship? Is it a kind of game? Papa, what is Lord? Is it people’s mother? What is it for?
Dr. Thorne(with embarrassment). Alas, my boy, your father is not a learned man.
Laddie(imperiously). Teach me that pretty song! I cannot sing it. All the other children can—
Voices(chanting):—
“Thou givest,Thou givest,Eternal life!”
“Thou givest,Thou givest,Eternal life!”
“Thou givest,Thou givest,Eternal life!”
Dr. Thorne(sadly). My son, I cannot sing it, either.
Laddie(with reproach, and with a certain dignity). Father, I wish youwerea learned man. (Walks away from his father;goes up the path. The little girl follows him.)
(The evidences of public excitement increase visibly. From every part of the country spirits can be seen moving, with signs of acute pleasure. Some hasten towards the Temple; others gather in groups in the roads and paths; all present a reverent but joyful aspect.)
Mrs. Fayth(gliding away). I cannot lose a moment. (Beckons toDr. Thorneas she moves out of the grove and up the path. Calls.) Doctor! Doctor!
Dr. Thorne(shakes his head). I do not understand.
(Mrs. Faythremains still full in sight, standing as if to watch a pageant or to see the prominent figure of a procession.)
(Laddieruns on beyond her, watching eagerly; shades his eyes with his little hand.)
(Maidieflits along with him.)
(Dr. Thornestands quite alone. He,too, shades his eyes with his hand, and scans the horizon and the foreground closely.)
(The shadow of the great cross falls upon him where he stands.)
(It can now be seen that the happy people beyond give evidence of greeting some one who is passing by them. Some weep for joy; others laugh for rapture. Some stretch their arms out as if in ecstasy. Some throw themselves on the ground in humility. Some seem to be entreating a benediction. But the figure of Him who passes by them remains invisible. The excitement now increases, and extends along the group of spirits until it reaches those in the foreground. Here can now be seen and recognized some old patients ofDr. Thorne’s—Mrs. True,Norah,andJerry.)
(These wear the golden cross upon the breast.Harveyenters unnoticed, and mingles with the crowd. He stands behindMrs. Fayth,who remains rapt and mute, full in the light. She has forgottenDr. Thorne.)
(Dr. Thornewatches the scene with pathetic perplexity. He does not speak.)
(The chanting continues, and the strain swells louder.)
Musical Notation
(Now the Invisible Figure makes the impression of having reached the nearer groups.)
(Norahfalls upon her knees.)
(Jerrysalutes respectfully, as if he recognized a dear and honored employer whom he wished to serve and please.)
(Mrs. Truereaches out her arms with reverent longing.)
(Maidiekisses her little hands to the Unseen.)
(Harveystands devoutly with bowed head.)
(Mrs. Faythholds out both hands lovingly. Then she sinks to the ground upon her knees and makes the delicate motion of one who puts to her lips the edge of the robe of the Unseen Passer. Her whole expression is rapturous.)
(Laddie,breaking away from his elders, now boldly steps out into the path. He looks up; shades his eyes, as if from a brilliance; then confidingly puts out his hand, as if he placed it in an Unseen Hand, and walks along, smiling like a child who is led by One whom he trusts and loves.)
Dr. Thorne(in distress). I see nothing!—No one! I am blind—blind!
(Chanting.)
“Thou that takest awayThe sins of the world!” ...
“Thou that takest awayThe sins of the world!” ...
“Thou that takest awayThe sins of the world!” ...
(Dr. Thornecovers his face. The music ceases. The air grows dimmer than twilight. But there is no moon, nor is it dark. The groups in the foreground move away in quiet happiness, like those who have had their heart’s wish granted.)
(Harvey,Mrs. True,Norah,Jerry,andMaidiemingle with the other spirits.)
(Mrs. Faythrises from her knees; melts slowly in the dusk.)
(Laddieruns into the grove, and disappears in the gloom. He acts as if looking for some one.)
Dr. Thorne(remains alone. He paces the grove, irresolute—then suddenly turns in the direction whence the Invisible had come; walks uncertainly up the path; searches, as if for signs of the Passer;examines the grass, the shrubbery; touches the flowers, to see if they had bent beneath His feet; stoops; examines the pathway reverently; speaks in a low tone). The footprint! I have found the footprint! TherewasOne passing. And He stepped here. But I was blind! (Hesitates; lifts his face to the sky; drops it to his breast; murmurs inarticulately. Then slowly—as if half his nature battled with the other half, and every fibre of his being yielded hard—he drops upon his knees. He remains silent in this posture.)
(From the depth of the grove behindDr. Thorne’scottage,)
EnterCleostealthily. (She watchesDr. Thornewith an expression inwhich love, fear, reproach, and astonishmentcontend. She makes nosign, nor in any way is her presencerevealed toDr. Thorne.Taking afew steps forward, she touches theshadow of one arm of the mightycross.Cleoretreats in confusion.)EnterThe Child (running down thepath). Papa! Papa! (Points up thepath. Beckons to his father. Pointsecstatically.) Look, look, Papa!
(Dr. Thornearises to his full height; looks whereThe Childpoints.)
(Slowly and solemnly,)
EnterJesus the Christ.(Our Lordappears as a majestic figure, meltingof outline, divine of mien, with armsoutstretched in benediction.)
(Cleoat sight of theSacred Figurewrings her hands in anguish, and makes as if she would flee; but remains gazing at the Vision, as if compelled by forces unknown to her. As the Vision draws nearer,Cleodrops upon her face. Her long hair covers her. All her contours blur into the increasing shadow. The scene is now quite dark, except for the light which falls from thePerson of Our Lord.This shall fully revealThe Man,who falls at the feet of the Vision, andThe Child,who standsentranced, with his little arms around his father’s neck.)
Dr. Thorne(lifts his hands rapturously). Iwasblind—But, now, I see! (Accepts and remains in the attitude of worship as manfully as he had refused it.)
(The Sacred Figurestirs, as if to meet the kneeling man; slowly dims, melts, and fades; vanishes.)
End of Scene III.
In the same perspective as Scene III. is the Heavenly City on the Hill. Thronging spirits move to and fro.The distance is full of radiance and of happy social life. In the foreground is seen a dim and desolate place. It is cavernous and mountainous. Its extreme edge yawns over a black space, like a gulf or pit, or it might be the mouth of an underground river. Here and there is a stark, dead tree. A narrow footpath winds among the crags. The path turns a sharp corner between boulders; and the fair contrast of a sunny country smiles beyond it. Rosebushes in full bloom peer above the top of the rocks. The annunciationlily is still prominent among the flowers. No sign of life appears in the mountainous foreground.Suddenly, silently, and swiftly, moving from the sunny land, around the sharp turn in the pathway, feet and face set toward the cavernous region,
In the same perspective as Scene III. is the Heavenly City on the Hill. Thronging spirits move to and fro.
The distance is full of radiance and of happy social life. In the foreground is seen a dim and desolate place. It is cavernous and mountainous. Its extreme edge yawns over a black space, like a gulf or pit, or it might be the mouth of an underground river. Here and there is a stark, dead tree. A narrow footpath winds among the crags. The path turns a sharp corner between boulders; and the fair contrast of a sunny country smiles beyond it. Rosebushes in full bloom peer above the top of the rocks. The annunciationlily is still prominent among the flowers. No sign of life appears in the mountainous foreground.
Suddenly, silently, and swiftly, moving from the sunny land, around the sharp turn in the pathway, feet and face set toward the cavernous region,
EnterAzrael,Angel of Death. (TheAngel is immovable of manner. Butan obvious tenderness wars with thesolemnity of his expression. He looksneither to the right nor to the left, butglides over the rough path steadily;his robe, which is of dull, white gauze,conceals his feet; his wings arefolded; he carries no flaming sword,nor any weapon.)
(After a moment’s interval, followingThe Angelquickly,)
EnterDr. Thorne(his robe is muchpaler, but still of a purplish tint. Itis now clasped by the golden cross.He cries aloud). Azrael!
Echo(from the caverns). Azrael!
(Azraelmakes no reply. Moves on steadily.)
Dr. Thorne(in a lower voice). Azrael, Angel of Death!
(Azraelturns his head, but without pausing.)
Dr. Thorne.In the name of Him who strove with thee, and conquered thee—whither goest thou, Azrael?
(Azraelpauses. He looks over his folded wing at the man; regards him steadily; does not speak; moves on again.Dr. Thorneutters an inarticulate exclamation. He follows the Angel. Halfway down the path he stops, perplexed. His expression is anxious.Azraelmoves on. He does not again look back; glides to the edge of the ravine. The scene darkens. The Angel does not pause, but can be seen to cross the gulf fleetly. He does not fly, but appears to tread the air across the space.)
[VanishAzrael.
(Dr. Thornestands alone in the gloom. His eyes are fixed upon the spot where theAngel disappeared. A low, rushing sound, as of water, can now be heard.)
Dr. Thorne(shudders; speaks). It seems like an underground river. Horrible! (Calls.) Azrael! Tell me thine errand—in this fearful place!
(Azraelneither replies nor appears. It grows very dark. The perspective of the Heavenly City fades. The rushing of the river can be heard. Now, through the unearthly gloom, upon the hither side of the gulf, slowly grow to form the outlines of a Woman. She stretches her arms out with the motion of one feeling her way. She moves with difficulty, tripping sometimes, but regaining her footing bravely. Her robe is light. Her face cannot be recognized.)
Dr. Thorne(on whose sensitive countenance falls the only light in the scene, shows an unaccountable emotion. He murmurs). It is awoman—alone—exhausted ... and a stranger. As I serve her, so may God send some soul of fire and snow to serve my dear wife—inherhour of mortal need! (He advances towards the woman with a chivalrous sympathy.)
(The Womanmoves on steadily; weakens; reels, but holds her ground. It can now be seen that her eyes are closed. She falls. She does not cry out.)
Dr. Thorne.How brave you are! Keep courage. (Catches her before she touches the ground. She lies in his arms in a faint or collapse.)
(Dr. Thornecarries her along midway of the scene.)
(It lightens slowly. As it does so, it can be seen that the woman is young and fair, and fine of nature. Her robe is of dazzling white; it has a surface like that of satin-finished gauze, which reflects all the light there is. Her long, dark hair is disordered, and falls about her. She is pale. Her eyes do not open. She lies helplessly in his arms.)
(Dr. Thornelays her gently against the trunk of a dead tree, which has fallen across a hollow in the cliff, and which rests so as to support the woman. He seats himself beside her; bends to examine her face.)
Dr. Thorne(recognizes the face of the woman; cries in a voice that rings through the hills).Helen!
The Echo(takes up the cry).Helen!
Helen Thorne(is half-conscious and confused; does not open her eyes; murmurs). Will it last long?
Dr. Thorne(clasps her reverently. As his arms touch her, they can be seen to tremble. He moans). My—poor—wife!
Helen Thorne(still lying with closed eyes; murmurs, but more distinctly). I said I would die two deaths for him.... Are they over, yet?... if that would help him any ... where he had gone. (Opens her eyes, but they see nothing. Dreamily and solemnly, as if repeating a familiarprayer, she speaks softly.) Great God! I will die ten deaths for him ... and count myself a happy woman ... if that will make it any easier forhim.
Dr. Thorne(groaning, puts his wife gently from him, as if she were a being too sacred for his touch. Turns his face from her; speaks). I am not fit!... I dare not touch her!
Helen Thorne(praying). Dear Lord! I would die for him ... as Thou didst die for us.... If that could be....DearLord!
Dr. Thorne(utterly broken). I am a sinful man, O God! (Removes from her, and stands with his face in his hands.)
Helen Thorne(recovering full consciousness, and with it sudden strength, lifts herself to a sitting posture; looks about her; half rises. Suddenly she recognizes her husband, where he stands aloof. She cries plaintively). Esmerald?—Isn’t it over yet?Esmerald!Haveyou forgotten me? Don’t youcarefor me any more?... (piteously). Oh, Death! I did not think that thou wouldstcrucifyme ...so!
(Sudden darkness falls. When it passes, the gulf, the dark mountain, the underground river, the ravines are gone. Slow and sweet light returns softly. It is the setting of the sun. The perspective of the Heavenly City and spirits are as before. The grim scenery surrounding the mouth of the River of Death has given place to a fair meadow, sunny and open. Some of the boulders remain, and the path which cut through the ravine now runs across the field. Clumps of trees and thick shrubs break the space between the foreground and the distant spirits, and the path turns a curve through a thicket of roses. Lilies as before grow higher than any other flowers, and nearer to the eye.)
Helen Thorne(stands, tall and glorious. Faint color has returned to her paleface. Her expression is radiant. She looks downward and stretches down her hands; speaks, very softly). Dear!
Dr. Thorne(prostrate at his wife’s feet, speaks). Forgive!Forgiveme, Helen.
(Helen Thornesmiles divinely. Stoops to lift him up.)
(Dr. Thorneresists her still, and, fallen at her feet, he draws the hem of her robe slowly to his lips. Then he lays his cheek upon her feet before he reverently kisses them.)
Dr. Thorne.I said ... oh, I have broken my heart for what I said ... to you!
Helen Thorne(reaches down her beautiful arms to him. Draws him up). Why, my poor Love! My dear Love! Did you think I would rememberthat?
(Dr. Thornearises. Holds out his shaking arms; does not speak.)
(Helen Thornein silence creeps to him, not royally, like a wife who waswronged; but like the sweetest woman in the world, who loves him because she cannot help it, and would not if she could. Her face falls upon his breast.)
(Dr. Thorne,as if she were a goddess, still not daring to caress her, lays his cheek upon her soft hair. Before her face, but not touching it, he delicately curves his hand as if he enclosed a sacred flame from the rude air.)
Helen Thorne(lifts her face to his. Her eyes, all womanly, turn to him in Paradise as they did on earth. She speaks softly). I am in Heaven ... after all!
Dr. Thorne.And I have never been there ... until now! (He clasps her slowly to his heart; turns her face back upon his arm and reverently looks at it; scans it adoringly; humbly crying.) Helen!Helen!
(Dr. Thornekisses his wife’s brow—eyes—cheek—and then her lips. Suddenly,around the curve in the path where the thicket of roses blossoms, running rapidly,)
EnterLaddie(carrying a stalk of thewhite lilies. He cries). Papa! Papa!I’ve lost you, Papa! (The child runsdown the path. Closely followinghim, fair and gentle, brightly smiling,)EnterMrs. Fayth. (She draws backquickly; utters an inarticulate exclamation;extends her hands in an impulsivegesture of delight. But shewithdraws and puts her finger on herlips. She retreats without speaking.)
(Mrs. Fayth,hidden for a moment behind the thicket of roses, reappears beyond with the other spirits. The group of spirits stirs upward in the bright scenery.)
(Dr. Thorneandhis Wife,having seen or heard nothing, still stand rapt, embracing solemnly.)
Laddie(stops on the path, irresolute.Frowns a little in pretty, childish perplexity; makes as if he would go back; looks at the two again. Then suddenly darts forward; cries). Why, that’s my Mamma! (Springs to her; clutches at her white robe, pulls at her hand.)
Helen Thorne(recognizes the child instantly, despite his larger stature; she cries out). Why, my little boy! Mother’s baby boy! Oh!youagain, ... you, too! My little, little boy. (Catches him to her; kisses him wildly; holds him, and releases him, and holds him again. Murmurs half-intelligible words brokenly.) Mother’s baby!... Mother’s beauty!... Oh, mammamissedyou, sonny-boy—
(Dr. Thornedoes not speak. His face is shining. He holds his wife within his arms as if he feared to lose her if he loosened them.)
(The Child,laughing softly, fondles his mother. The three stand clinging together rapturously.)
Voices(from beyond the rose thicket chant).
“As it was in the beginning, is now,And ever shall be,World without end. Amen.”
“As it was in the beginning, is now,And ever shall be,World without end. Amen.”
“As it was in the beginning, is now,And ever shall be,World without end. Amen.”
(Chorus of spirits from the region of the Temple on the Heavenly Hill very softly sing.)
“O Paradise! O Paradise!The world is growing old.Who would not see that heavenly land,Where love is never cold?” ...
“O Paradise! O Paradise!The world is growing old.Who would not see that heavenly land,Where love is never cold?” ...
“O Paradise! O Paradise!The world is growing old.Who would not see that heavenly land,Where love is never cold?” ...
(As they sing, the fair country brightens subtly, and all the heavenly scene is radiant. The moving groups of spirits seem to be joining in the song.)
(Dr. Thorneandhis Wife,turning, look into one another’s faces. They do not speak.)
(Now, delicately, it shall be seen to darken on the bright land, and a holy half-light touches every outline.)
(The Childleaves his parents. He walks a few steps away, shading his eyes withone hand, as if he saw invisible glory; in the other hand he carries the annunciation lily.)
(Vaguely at first, then more definitely; slowly and solemnly,)
EnterJESUStheCHRIST.
(TheSacred Figureadvances towards theManandWoman,who are unconscious of the approach. Its hands are stretched in benediction. It stands for a moment, mutely, and unseen by them.)
(The Boyruns towards it fearlessly; seats himself upon the meadow-grass at the feet of theFigure.)
(TheSacred Figurestirs towards the child. All the light in the scene now falls from theFigure.)
(TheMan,theWoman,and theChildreceive its full effulgence.)
Voices from Beyond(sing).
“Where loyal hearts and trueStand ever in the light,Enraptured through and through”—
“Where loyal hearts and trueStand ever in the light,Enraptured through and through”—
“Where loyal hearts and trueStand ever in the light,Enraptured through and through”—
(TheManand theWomannow perceive theSacred Figure.They fall to their knees. The man’s arm still encircles his wife. They bow their heads before the Divine Presence.)
(TheChild,with the lifted lily, remains at the feet of theChrist.)
Voices from Beyond(repeat).
“Enraptured through and through,In God’s most holy sight.”
“Enraptured through and through,In God’s most holy sight.”
“Enraptured through and through,In God’s most holy sight.”
(TheSacred Figuredims and slowly fades. With it disappears the stalk of annunciation lilies. The light returns softly upon the celestial scenery.)
(TheSacred Figurevanishes.)
(TheMan,theWoman,andChildstay gazing after it.)
(Now a mist breathes upon the Heavenly City and the sunny country. All the outlines of the happy scenery blur and faint.)
(The groups of spirits grow dim.)
(Distant music softly sustains the strains of the song; but without words.)
(And now the golden mist slowly envelops theMan,theWoman,and theChild,who remain for a moment before the eyes—a vision—solemn, tender, and half unreal.)
(The music continues very faintly. The strain slowly ceases.)
(The mist dulls, deepens, and thickens, till it rolls like an impenetrable curtain before the vanished scene.)
End of the Drama.
The Riverside PressElectrotyped and printed by H. O. Houghton & Co.Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A.