Scene
IX
Sapientia
This is the place.
Matrons
It is well chosen. The very spot to keep the relics of these blessed martyrs!
Sapientia
O Earth, I commit my precious little flowers to thy keeping! O Earth, cherish them in thy spacious bosom until they spring forth again at the resurrection more glorious and fair! O Christ, fill their souls with light, and give rest and peace to their bones!
Matrons
Amen.
Sapientia
I thank you all from my heart for the comfort you have brought me since my loss.
Matrons
Would you like us to remain here with you?
Sapientia
I thank you, no.
Matrons
Why not?
Sapientia
Because your health will suffer if you fatigue yourselves further on my account. Have you not done enough in watching with me three days. Depart in peace. Return home happy.
Matrons
Will you not come with us?
Sapientia
I cannot.
Matrons
What, then, is your plan?
Sapientia
I shall stay here in the hope that my petition will be granted, and that what I most desire will come to pass.
Matrons
What is that petition? What do you desire?
Sapientia
This only—that when my prayer is ended I may die in Christ.
Matrons
Will you not let us stay to the end, then, and give you burial?
Sapientia
As you please. O Adonai Emmanuel, begotten by the Divine Creator of all things before time began, and born in time of a Virgin Mother—O Thou Who in Thy dual nature remainest most wonderfully one Christ, the unity of person not being divided by the diversity of natures, nor yet the diversity of natures confounded in the unity of person—to Thee let the serene angelic choir, singing in sweet harmony with the spheres, raise an exultant song! Let all created things praise Thee, because Thou Who alone with the Holy Ghost art form without matter, by the will of the Father and the cooperation of the Spirit didst deign to become man, passible like men, yet impassible like God. O Thou Who didst not shrink from tasting death and destroyed it by Thy Resurrection that none who believe in Thee should perish, but know eternal life, on Thee I call! I do not forget that Thou, perfect God yet true man, didst promise that those who for Thy sake renounced their earthly possessions would be rewarded a hundredfold and receive the gift of eternal life. Inspired by that promise, Thou seest that I have done what I could; of my own free will, and for Thy sake, I have sacrificed the children I bore. Oh, in Thy goodness do not delay the fulfillment of Thy promise, but free me swiftly from the bonds of this flesh that I may see my children and rejoice with them. Grant me the joy of hearing them sing the new song as they follow Thee, O Lamb of the Virgin! Let me be gladdened by their glory, and although I may not like them chant the mystical song of virginity, let me praise Thee, Who art not Thyself the Father, yet art of the same substance as the Father, with Whom and with the Holy Ghost, one Lord of the whole world, one King of all things upon the earth and in the heights above and the deeps below, Thou dost reign and rule forever and ever!
Matrons
O Lord, receive her soul! Amen.