_Par._ Listen, therefore, Festus! There will be time enough, but none to spare. I must content myself with telling only The most important points. You doubtless feel That I am happy, Festus; very happy. _Fest._ 'T is no delusion which uplifts him thus! Then you are pardoned, Aureole, all your sin? _Par._ Ay, pardoned: yet why pardoned? _Fest._ 'T is God's praise That man is bound to seek, and you ... _Par._ Have lived! We have to live alone to set forth well God's praise. 'T is true, I sinned much, as I thought, And in effect need mercy, for I strove To do that very thing; but, do your best Or worst, praise rises, and will rise forever. Pardon from him, because of praise denied-- Who calls me to himself to exalt himself? He might laugh as I laugh! _Fest._ But all comes To the same thing. 'T is fruitless for mankind To fret themselves with what concerns them not; They are no use that way: they should lie down Content as God has made them, nor go mad In thriveless cares to better what is ill. _Par._ No, no; mistake me not; let me not work More harm than I have worked! This is my case: If I go joyous back to God, yet bring No offering, if I render up my soul Without the fruits it was ordained to bear, If I appear the better to love God For sin, as one who has no claim on him, Be not deceived! It may be surely thus With me, while higher prizes still await The mortal persevering to the end. Beside I am not all so valueless: I have been something, though too soon I left Following the instincts of that happy time. _Fest._ What happy time? For God's sake, for man's sake, What time was happy? All I hope to know That answer will decide. What happy time? _Par._ When but the time I vowed myself to man? _Fest._ Great God, thy judgments are inscrutable!