CHRYSANTHUS. 'T is to ask, what now I ask thee, Of the rocks that in this desert Gape for ever open wide In eternal yawns incessant, Which is the rough marble tomb Of a living corse interred here? Which of these dark caves is that In whose gloom Carpophorus dwelleth? 'T is important I speak with him. CARPOPHORUS. Then, regarding not the perils, I will own it. I myself Am Carpophorus. CHRYSANTHUS. Oh! let me, Father, feel thy arms enfold me. CARPOPHORUS. To my heart: for as I press thee, How, I know not, the mere contact Brings me back again the freshness And the greenness of my youth, Like the vine's embracing tendrils Twining round an aged tree: Gallant youth, who art thou? tell me. CHRYSANTHUS. Father, I am called Chrysanthus, Of Polemius, the first member Of the Roman senate, son. CARPOPHORUS. And thy purpose? CHRYSANTHUS. It distresses Me to see thee standing thus: On this bank sit down and rest thee. CARPOPHORUS. Kindly thought of; for, alas! I a tottering wall resemble: At the mouth of this my cave Let us then sit down together. [They sit down. What now wouldst thou have, Sir Stranger? CHRYSANTHUS. Sir, as long as I remember, I have felt an inclination To the love of books and letters. In my casual studies lately I a difficulty met with That I could not solve, and knowing No one in all Rome more learn`ed Than thyself (thy reputation Having with this truth impressed me) I have hither come to ask thee To explain to me this sentence: For I cannot understand it. 'T is, sir, in this book. CARPOPHORUS. Pray, let me See it then. CHRYSANTHUS. 'T is at the beginning; Nay, the sentence that perplexes Me so much is that. CARPOPHORUS. Why, these Are the Holy Gospels! Heavens! CHRYSANTHUS. What! you kiss the book? CARPOPHORUS. And press it To my forehead, thus suggesting The profound respect with which I even touch so great a treasure. CHRYSANTHUS. Why, what is the book, which I By mere accident selected? CARPOPHORUS. 'T is the basis, the foundation Of the Scripture Law. CHRYSANTHUS. I tremble With an unknown horror. CARPOPHORUS. Why? CHRYSANTHUS. Deeper now I would not enter Into the secrets of a book Which are magic spells, I 'm certain. CARPOPHORUS. No, not so, but vital truths. CHRYSANTHUS. How can that be, when its verses Open with this line that says (A beginning surely senseless) "In the beginning was the Word, And it was with God": and then it Adds: this Word itself was God; Then unto the Word reverting, Says explicitly that IT "Was made flesh"? CARPOPHORUS. A truth most certain: For this first evangelist Here to us our God presenteth In a twofold way: the first As being God, as Man the second. CHRYSANTHUS. God and Man combined together? CARPOPHORUS. Yes, in one eternal Person Are both natures joined together.