_Faus._ Spirit of peace--divine embodiment-- Henceforth be thou my faith--be thou my Church! Be thou my guide, my hope, my monitress! Henceforth the beacon-light of thy pure soul Shall shed its light upon my onward path, And I will follow whither it may lead! Spirit of purity, I come to thee! ACT II. SCENE.--_A glade. On the right a precipitous descent through the stage at the back; on the left an avenue of trees._ _BARBARA, BESSIE, and others discovered; to them enters AGATHA._ _Aga._ Oh, Bessie--Barbara! Such dreadful news! _Bess._ News! _Bar._ Quick! What is it? _Aga._ Lisa has returned! Lisa, who ran away with the rich merchant A year ago! _Bar._ A wicked, wicked girl! I hope she won’t come here! _Bess._ And have you seen her? _Aga._ I met her only half an hour ago Upon the Leipzic road! _Bess._ Is she much changed? _Aga._ Changed! Why, at first I couldn’t trust my eyes. You know how jauntily she bore herself-- How daintily she dressed? Well--_that’s_ all changed! Pale, wasted to a shadow--draggletailed-- Dressed in torn rags--bare-footed, and bare-headed! A beggar! _Bar._ I remember how she sneered At my blue gown trimmed with peach-coloured ribbon. Well, Heaven has punished her for _that_. _Bess._ But say-- Did she address you? _Aga._ Yes, she spoke my name. I started, and I recognized her. Well, I mumbled forth some words--I scarce know what-- And, all a-fluster, gathered up my skirts, And ran as though a ghost were at my heels. _Bar._ And you did wisely. Honest working girls Should shun such brazen creatures! _Bess._ Soft--she’s here! [_LISA comes down avenue; she is dressed in torn and travel-stained rags, as described. As she comes down the girls turn away from her._ _Lisa._ Well, girls, Do you not know me, that you turn from me? Or has the misery of twelve black months So sadly changed me? _Bess._ (_sighing_). Yes, we know you well! _Bar._ (_spitefully_). Too well! _Lisa._ Is there no pity for me in your hearts? Is there no pardon for such sin as mine? See--I am cold and hungry--travel-worn-- Broken in spirit, humbled and forsaken. Oh, I have paid a penalty! _Bar._ No doubt We knew you would. _Bess._ (_aside to BARBARA_). I’m sorry for the girl; We’ve known her all our lives. With all her faults, We loved her well, when she was one of us.