Satan Absolved Part 2

THE LORD G.o.d

How meanest thou "enough"? Man holdeth then Earth's seat, Master of living things. He mild is and discreet, Supreme in My Son's peace. The Earth is comforted With its long rest from toil, nor goeth aught in dread, Seeing all wars have ceased, the mad wars of old time.

The lion and the lamb lie down in every clime.

There is no strife for gold, for place, for dignities, All holding My Son's creed! The last fool hath grown wise.

He hath renounced his G.o.ds, the things of wood and stone!

GABRIEL

The Christian name prevaileth. Its dominion Groweth in all the lands. From Candia to Cathay The fear of Christ is spread, and wide through Africa.

THE LORD G.o.d

The fear and not the love?

GABRIEL

Who knoweth Man's heart? All bow, And all proclaim His might. The manner and the how It were less safe to argue, since some frailties be.

We take the outward act to prove conformity.

All's well enough with Man--most well with Christendom.

THE LORD G.o.d

Again thou sayest "enough." How fareth it in Rome?

Hath My vicegerent rest?

GABRIEL

He sitteth as of old Enthroned in Peter's chair with glories manifold.

He sang a ma.s.s this morning and I heard his prayer.

THE LORD G.o.d

For Peace?

GABRIEL

And Power on Earth.

THE LORD G.o.d

And were the monarchs there, The great ones in their place? Did all pray with one breath?

GABRIEL

Some priests and poor I saw,

SATAN (_aside_)

The poor he always hath.

GABRIEL

His guards, his chamberlains.

THE LORD G.o.d

The mighty ones, the proud, Do they not kneel together daily in one crowd?

Have they no common counsel?

GABRIEL

Kings have their own needs, Demanding separate service.

SATAN (_aside_)

Ay, and their own creeds.

One cause alone combines them, and one service--mine.

THE LORD G.o.d

Thou sayest?

GABRIEL

Man still is Man.

THE LORD G.o.d

We did redeem his line And crown him with new wors.h.i.+p. In the ancient days His was a stubborn neck. But now he hath found grace, Being born anew. His G.o.ds he hath renounced, sayest thou?

He wors.h.i.+ppeth the Christ? What more?

GABRIEL

Nay, 'tis enow.

He is justified by faith. He hath no fear of h.e.l.l Since he hath won Thy grace. All's well with Man,--most well.

THE LORD G.o.d

"All's well"! The fair phrase wearieth. It hath a new false ring.

Truce, Gabriel, to thy word fence. Mark my questioning.

Or rather no--not thou, blest Angel of all good, Herald of G.o.d's glad tidings to a world subdued, Thou lover tried of Man. I will not question thee, Lest I should tempt too sore and thou lie cravenly.

Is there no other here, no drudge, to do that task And lay the secret bare, the face behind the mask?

One with a soul less white, who loveth less, nay hates; One fit for a sad part, the Devil's advocate's; One who some wrong hath done, or hath been o'erborne of ill, And so hath his tongue loosed? O for Soul with will!

O for one hour of Satan!

SATAN

He is here, Lord G.o.d, Ready to speak all truths to Thy face, even "Ichabod, Thy glory is departed," were _that_ truth.