I feel compelled to speak. A glow of light From out thy brow, Maria, upward mounts. This glow takes shape, and grows to human form. It is a man with spirit deep imbued, And other men do gather round his feet. I gaze into dim times, long passed away On that good man who rose from out thy head: His eyes do shine with perfect peace of soul; And deep true feeling glows in every line And feature of his noble countenance. A woman facing him mine eye doth see, Who listens with devotion to the words Proceeding from his mouth; which words I hear, And thus they sound: 'Ye have unto your gods Looked up with awed devotion until now. These gods I love, as ye love them yourselves. They did present unto your thought its power, And planted courage in your heart; but yet Their gifts spring from a higher spirit still.' I see how rage doth spread amongst the throng At this man's words. I hear their mad wild cries: 'Kill him; for he desires to take from us The gifts the gods have given to our race.' But unconcernedly the man speaks on. He tells now of that God in human form, Who did descend to earth and conquer death. He tells of Christ; and as his words flow on The souls around grow calm and pacified. One only of the heathen hearts resists, And swears it will wreak vengeance on the man. I recognize this heart; it beats again In yonder child, that nestles at thy side. The messenger of Christ speaks to it thus: 'Thy fate doth not permit thee to draw nigh In this life; but I shall wait patiently, For thy path leads thee to me in the end.' The woman who doth stand before the man Falls at his feet and feels herself transformed. A soul prays to the God in human form; A heart doth love God's messenger on earth. (Johannes sinks upon his knees before Maria.) MARIA: