Animated by this fear, Lucifer has summoned Sin to aid him in destroying this image, so that the Prince may be The Painter of his own Dishonor. A palace appears, and near the entrance the painting on an easel. Lucifer and Sin retire; for the Artist, accompanied by the Virtues, comes to put a careful hand to his work. Sin knows not where to conceal herself. Lucifer bids her hide in a cave in the bank of a stream. Sin answers that she is afraid of the water, because she foresees that it is to be (in the water of baptism) the antidote to sin. The flowers, grain, and vine all terrify her, before which, as symbols of some unknown sacrament, she reverently bows. She at last conceals herself in a tree, which Lucifer calls from that moment _the tree of death_. The Artist enters, Innocence bearing the palette, Knowledge the mall-stick, and Grace the brushes. He declares his intention to show his power in the portrait his love wishes to paint, and asks the attendant Virtues to add their gifts to Human Nature. He proceeds to work, while the Virtues call upon the sun, moon, etc., to praise the Lord. The Artist finishes his work by breathing the breath of life into it. The picture falls, and in its place appears Human Nature, who expresses most vividly her wonder at her creation, and joins in the general anthem, “Bless the Lord.” Lucifer confesses that he and Sin are _de trop_, and they depart to seek some disguise in which to return and carry out their undertaking. While the chorus repeats the praises of the Lord, Human Nature naïvely asks, “How can I bless him, if I do not know him? Who will tell me who He is or who I am?” The Artist advances and answers her question. Nature demands who _he_ is. “I am who am, and have been, and am to be; and since thou hast been created for Love’s spouse, let thy love be grateful.” “What command dost thou lay on me, my Love? I will never break it.” “All that thou seest here is thine; that tree alone is mine.” Nature asks who can ever divert her love, and is answered, “Thy Free-will.” “What new spirit and force was created in my new being by that word, which told me that there was something in me besides myself? Voice, tell me, who is Free-will.” Free-will appears as a rustic, and answers, “I.” Nature then proceeds to name the various objects about her, accompanying each name with some appropriate remark, and is led quite naturally to indulge in some boasting at her dominion over such a beautiful and varied kingdom. This is the moment Lucifer and Sin select to appear in the disguise of rustics. The latter remains concealed in the tree; the former introduces himself to Human Nature as a gardener, and says very gallantly that he lost his last place on her account. Nature hastens to turn a conversation becoming somewhat personal by asking what he is cultivating. “That beautiful tree.” “It is extremely lovely.” “There is something more singular about it than being merely lovely.” “What?”