MYRRHINA. Who is He whose love is greater than that of mortal men?
HONORIUS. It is He whom thou seest on the cross, Myrrhina. He is the Son of God and was born of a virgin. Three wise men who were kings brought Him offerings, and the shepherds who were lying on the hills were wakened by a great light.
The Sibyls knew of His coming. The groves and the oracles spake of Him. David and the prophets announced Him. There is no love like the love of God nor any love that can be compared to it.
The body is vile, Myrrhina. God will raise thee up with a new body which will not know corruption, and thou shalt dwell in the Courts of the Lord and see Him whose hair is like fine wool and whose feet are of brass.
MYRRHINA. The beauty…
HONORIUS. The beauty of the soul increases until it can see God. Therefore, Myrrhina, repent of thy sins. The robber who was crucified beside Him He brought into Paradise. [Exit.]
MYRRHINA. How strangely he spake to me. And with what scorn did he regard me. I wonder why he spake to me so strangely.
HONORIUS. Myrrhina, the scales have fallen from my eyes and I see now clearly what I did not see before. Take me to Alexandria and let me taste of the seven sins.
MYRRHINA. Do not mock me, Honorius, nor speak to me with such bitter words. For I have repented of my sins and I am seeking a cavern in this desert where I too may dwell so that my soul may become worthy to see God.
HONORIUS. The sun is setting, Myrrhina. Come with me to Alexandria.
MYRRHINA. I will not go to Alexandria.
HONORIUS. Farewell, Myrrhina.
MYRRHINA. Honorius, farewell. No, no, do not go.
I have cursed my beauty for what it has done, and cursed the wonder of my body for the evil that it has brought upon you.
Lord, this man brought me to Thy feet. He told me of Thy coming upon earth, and of the wonder of Thy birth, and the great wonder of Thy death also. By him, O Lord, Thou wast revealed to me.
HONORIUS. You talk as a child, Myrrhina, and without knowledge. Loosen your hands. Why didst thou come to this valley in thy beauty?
MYRRHINA. The God whom thou worshippest led me here that I might repent of my iniquities and know Him as the Lord.
HONORIUS. Why didst thou tempt me with words?
MYRRHINA. That thou shouldst see Sin in its painted mask and look on Death in its robe of Shame.
Footnotes:
{1} Thomas Sturge Moore’s opening is not included in this Project Gutenberg eText for copyright reasons.
A Florentine Tragedy—A Fragment La Sainte Courtisane—A Fragment
