Plays, Roswitha of Gandersheim [readera ebook reader TXT] 📗

a shameful outrage to the chaste dead! Callimachus Yes, I was mad; but this knave Fortunatus led me on. John And now, most miserable man, confess! Were you so vile as to do what you desired? Callimachus No! I could think of it, but I could not do it. John What prevented you? Callimachus I had hardly touched the lifeless body⁠—I had hardly drawn aside the shroud, when that fellow there, who has been the spark to my fire, died from the serpent’s poison. Andronicus A good riddance! Callimachus At the same moment there appeared to me a young man, beautiful yet terrible, who reverently covered the corpse again. From his flaming face and breast burning coals flew out, and one of them, falling on me, touched my face. I heard a voice say, “Callimachus, die to live!” It was then I breathed my last. John Oh, heavenly grace! God delights not in the damnation of the wicked. Callimachus You have heard the dreadful tale of my temptation. I beg you not to delay the merciful remedy. John I will not delay it. Callimachus I am overwhelmed by the thought of my abominable crime. I repent with my whole heart, and bewail my sin. John That is but right, for a great fault must be atoned for by a great repentance. Callimachus Oh, if I could lay bare my heart and show you the bitter anguish I suffer, you would pity me! John Not so. Rather does your suffering fill me with joy, for I know that it will be your salvation. Callimachus I loathe the delights of the flesh, and all the sins of my past life. John That is well. Callimachus I truly repent my foul deed. John Again that is well. Callimachus I am filled with such remorse that I have no desire to live unless I can be born again in Christ and changed. John I do not doubt that heavenly grace is at work in you. Callimachus Oh, hasten then to help a man in dire need! Give me some comfort! Help me to throw off the grief which crushes me! Show me how a Pagan may change into a Christian, a fornicator into a chaste man! Oh, set my feet on the way of truth! Teach me to live mindful of the divine promises! John Now blessed be the only Son of God, Who made Himself partaker of our frailty, and showed you mercy, my son Callimachus, by striking you down with the death which has brought you to the true life. So has He saved the creature He made in His own image from the death of the soul. Andronicus Most strange, most wonderful miracle! John O Christ, redemption of the world, and sinners’ atonement, I have no words to praise Thee! The sweetness of Thy compassion amazes me. Now Thou dost win the sinner with gentleness, now Thou dost chastise him with just severity, and callest on him to do penance. Andronicus Glory to His divine goodness! John Who would have presumed to hope that a man like this, intent on a wicked deed when death overtook him, would be raised to life again, and given the chance of making reparation! Blessed be Thy name forever and ever, O Thou Who alone canst do these wondrous things! Andronicus Holy John, give me some comfort too. The love I bear my dead wife will not let me rest until I have seen her also called back from the dead. John Drusiana, our Lord Jesus Christ calls you back to life! Drusiana Glory and praise to Thee, O Lord, Who hast made me live again! Callimachus Thanks be to that merciful power, my Drusiana, through which you, who left this life in such sorrow, rise again in joy! Drusiana Venerable father John, you have restored to life Callimachus, who loved me sinfully. Should you not also raise from the dead the man who betrayed my buried body? Callimachus Apostle of Christ, do not believe it! Will you release from the fetters of death this evil creature, this traitor, who led me away and persuaded me to venture on that horrible deed? John You should not wish to deprive him of divine mercy, my son. Callimachus He tried to ruin me! He is not worthy of resurrection! John We are taught by our faith that man must forgive his fellow-man if he would be forgiven by God. Andronicus That is true. John Remember that when the only Son of God, the Virgin’s firstborn, the one man born without a stain, came into this world, He found us all bowed under the heavy weight of sin. Andronicus True again. John And though not one of us was guiltless, He deprived no one of His mercy, but offered Himself for all, and for all laid down His life in love. Andronicus Had the Innocent One not been slain, none of us would have been saved. John He cannot rejoice in the damnation of those whom He bought with His blood. Andronicus To Him be praise! John This is why we must not grudge the grace of God to anyone. It is no merit of ours if it abounds in ourselves. Callimachus Your rebuke makes me ashamed. John Yet it is not for me to oppose you. Drusiana, inspired by God Himself shall raise this man. Drusiana Divine Essence without material form, Who hast made man in Thine own image and breathed into this clay the spirit of life, bring back the vital heat to the body of Fortunatus, that our triple resurrection may glorify the adorable Trinity. John Amen. Drusiana Fortunatus, awake, and in the name of Christ burst the bonds of death. Fortunatus Who wakes me? Who takes my hand? Who calls me back to life? John Drusiana. Fortunatus How can that be? Only a few days since she died. John Yes, but now, through the power of Christ, she lives again. Fortunatus And is that Callimachus who stands there? By his sober and pious look one would think he is no longer dying of love for his Drusiana! John All that is changed. Now he loves and serves Christ. Fortunatus No! John It is true. Fortunatus If it is as you say, if Drusiana has restored me to life and Callimachus believes