Nay in truth. THE LORD GOD Not one? SATAN (_aside_) God is a jealous God. He doubteth Thee. RAPHAEL Nay, none. We are not as the Angels. THE LORD GOD These have their devoirs, The search, the novelty. Ye drowse here in your choirs, Sleep-walkers all,--while these, glad messengers, go forth Upon new joyous errands, Earthwards, South and North, To visit men and cities. What is strange as Man? What fair as his green Globe in all Creation's plan? What ordered as his march of life, of mind, of will? What subtle as his conscience set at grips with ill? Their service needs no sleep who guide Man's destinies. Speak, Gabriel, thou the last. Is Man grown grand and wise? Hath he his place on Earth, prince of Time's fashionings, Noblest and fairest found, the roof and crown of things? Is the World joyful all in his most perfect joy? Hath the good triumphed, tell, o'er pain and Time's annoy, Since Our Son died, who taught the way of perfect peace? Thou knowest it how I love these dear Humanities. Is all quite well with Man? GABRIEL All's well with the World, ay well. All's well enough with Man. SATAN (_aside_) Alas, poor Gabriel. THE LORD GOD 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 gods, 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 GOD 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 GOD 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 mass this morning and I heard his prayer. THE LORD GOD For Peace? GABRIEL And Power on Earth. THE LORD GOD 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_)