Seen how the silent virtues of the wife, And the clear, innocent spirit of the boy, Have gained ascendance o’er him; and besides, Sure as I am of Spazzi, ’tis for her, My seventh victim, that I tread these wilds; For will she not curse God, if from her sight Is ta’en that precious child, and hate her husband, By whom it shall appear the deed is done? She will, she will--I know this mother’s heart! And on the morrow, as a skilful hunter, I shall present myself before her husband, No more Count Spazzi, but the hunter Olaf. [_He goes farther into the forest._ SCENE III. _The following morning--the interior of the house in the forest--Teresa sitting near the fire--Paolo kneeling upon a footstool at her side._ _Paol._ And now, dear mother, tell me that old tale, About the little boy who prayed that Jesus Might come and play with him. _Ter._ I will, my love. [_She sings in a low recitative._ [1]Among green, pleasant meadows, All in a grove so wild, Was set a marble image Of the Virgin and the Child. [1] A free translation of one of Herder’s beautiful legends. There oft, on summer evenings, A lonely boy would rove, To play beside the image That sanctified the grove. Oft sate his mother by him, Among the shadows dim, And told how the Lord Jesus Was once a child, like him. “And now from highest heaven He doth look down each day, And sees what’er thou doest, And hears what thou dost say!” Thus spoke his tender mother: And on an evening bright, When the red, round sun descended ’Mid clouds of crimson light, Again the boy was playing, And earnestly said he, “Oh beautiful child Jesus, Come down and play with me! “I will find thee flowers the fairest, And weave for thee a crown; I will get the ripe, red strawberries, If thou wilt but come down! “Oh Holy, Holy Mother, Put him down from off thy knee; For in these silent meadows There are none to play with me!” Thus spoke the boy so lonely, The while his mother heard, But on his prayer she pondered, And spoke to him no word. That self-same night she dreamed A lovely dream of joy; She thought she saw young Jesus There, playing with the boy. “And for the fruits and flowers Which thou hast brought to me, Rich blessings shall be given A thousand-fold to thee. “For in the fields of heaven Thou shalt roam with me at will, And of bright fruits, celestial, Shall have, dear child, thy fill!”