"'And thus to see, For blasphemy that duped an honest heart, And took the pitiful dollars of the flock To win you with--oh, woman, woman, woman, A barn, a stall, a lantern limned so clear In such a daylight of clear seeing senses That all the splendor, the miraculous Wonder of the virgin, nimbused child, The star that followed till it rested over The manger (such a manger) all are wrecked, All blotted from belief, all snatched away From hands pushed off by God, no longer holding The robes of God.' "And so the bishop raved While I stood terrified, since I could feel Death in the room, and almost see the monster Behind the cabinet. "Then the bishop said: "'My dream went on. I crossed the stable yard And passed into a place of tombs. And look! Before I knew I stepped into a hole, A sunken grave with just a slab at head, And "Jesus" carven on it, nothing else, No date, no birth, no parentage.'" "'I lie Tormented by the pictures of this dream. Woman, take to your death bed with clear mind Of gospel faith, clean conscience, sins forgiven. The thoughts that we must suffer with and die with Are worth the care of all the days of life. All life should be directed to this end, Lest when the mind lies fallen, vultures swoop, And with their wings blot out the sun of faith, And with their croakings drown the voice of God.' "He ceased, became delirious. So he died, And I still unrepentant buried him There in Montreaux, and with what gold remained Went on to Paris. "See how I was marked For God's salvation. "There I went to see The celebrated teacher Jean Strakosch, Who looked at me with insolent, calm eyes, And face impassive, let me sing a scale, Then shook his head. A diva, as I thought, Came in just then. They talked in French, and I, Prickling from head to foot with shame, ignored, Left standing like a fool, passed from the room. So music turned on me, but God received me, And I came back to Springfield. But the Lord Made life too hard for me without the fold. I was so shunned and scorned, I had no place Save with the fallen, with the mockers, drinkers. Thus being in conviction, after struggles, And many prayers I found salvation, found My work in life: which is to talk to girls And stand upon this platform and relate My story for their good." She ceased. Amens Went up about the room. The big drum boomed, And the raucous brass horns mingled with the cymbals, The silver triangle and the singing voices. My friend and I arose and left the room. NEANDERTHAL