This too I had to learn (I thank thee, Lord!), To lie crushed down in darkness and the pit-- To lose all heart and hope--and yet to work. What lesson could I draw from all my own woes-- Ingratitude, oppression, widowhood-- While I could hug myself in vain conceits Of self-contented sainthood--inward raptures-- Celestial palms--and let ambition's gorge Taint heaven, as well as earth? Is selfishness For time, a sin--spun out to eternity Celestial prudence? Shame! Oh, thrust me forth, Forth, Lord, from self, until I toil and die No more for Heaven and bliss, but duty, Lord, Duty to Thee, although my meed should be The hell which I deserve! [Sleeps.] [Two women enter.] 1st Woman. What! snoring still? 'Tis nearly time to wake her To do her penance. 2d Woman. Wait a while, for love: Indeed, I am almost ashamed to punish A bag of skin and bones. 1st Woman. 'Tis for her good: She has had her share of pleasure in this life With her gay husband; she must have her pain. We bear it as a thing of course; we know What mortifications are, although I say it That should not. 2d Woman. Why, since my old tyrant died, Fasting I've sought the Lord, like any Anna, And never tasted fish, nor flesh, nor fowl, And little stronger than water. 1st Woman. Plague on this watching! What work, to make a saint of a fine lady! See now, if she had been some labourer's daughter, She might have saved herself, for aught he cared; But now-- 2d Woman. Hush! here the master comes: I hear him.-- [Conrad enters.] Con. My peace, most holy, wise, and watchful wardens! She sleeps? Well, what complaints have you to bring Since last we met? How? blowing up the fire? Cold is the true saint's element--he thrives Like Alpine gentians, where the frost is keenest-- For there Heaven's nearest--and the ether purest-- [Aside] And he most bitter. 2d Woman. Ah! sweet master, We are not yet as perfect as yourself. Con. But how has she behaved? 1st Woman. Just like herself-- Now ruffling up like any tourney queen; Now weeping in dark corners; then next minute Begging for penance on her knees. 2d Woman. One trick's cured; That lust of giving; Isentrude and Guta, The hussies, came here begging but yestreen, Vowed they were starving. Con. Did she give to them? 2d Woman. She told them that she dared not. Con. Good. For them, I will take measures that they shall not want: But see you tell her not: she must be perfect. 1st Woman. Indeed, there's not much chance of that a while. There's others, might be saints, if they were young, And handsome, and had titles to their names, If they were helped toward heaven, now-- Con. Silence, horse-skull! Thank God, that you are allowed to use a finger Towards building up His chosen tabernacle. 2d Woman. I consider that she blasphemes the means of grace. Con. Eh? that's a point, indeed.