Gottlieb. She speaks almost
As if it were the Holy Ghost
Spake through her lips, and in her stead! 
What if this were of God?

Ursula. Ah, then Gainsay it dare we not.

Gottlieb. Amen! 
Elsie! the words that thou hast said
Are strange and new for us to hear,
And fill our hearts with doubt and fear. 
Whether it be a dark temptation
Of the Evil One, or God’s inspiration,
We in our blindness cannot say. 
We must think upon it, and pray;
For evil and good in both resembles. 
If it be of God, his will be done! 
May he guard us from the Evil One! 
How hot thy hand is! how it trembles! 
Go to thy bed, and try to sleep.

  Ursula. Kiss me.  Good-night; and do not weep!

          (ELSIE goes out.)

Ah, what an awful thing is this! 
I almost shuddered at her kiss. 
As if a ghost had touched my cheek,
I am so childish and so weak! 
As soon as I see the earliest gray
Of morning glimmer in the east,
I will go over to the priest,
And hear what the good man has to say!

* * * * *

A VILLAGE CHURCH.

* * * * *

A woman kneeling at the confessional.

The Parish Priest (from within)_.  Go, sin no
more!  Thy penance o’er,
A new and better life begin! 
God maketh thee forever free
From the dominion of thy sin! 
Go, sin no more!  He will restore
The peace that filled thy heart before,
And pardon thine iniquity!

(The woman goes out.  The Priest comes forth, and
  walks slowly up and down the church.)

O blessed Lord! how much I need
Thy light to guide me on my way! 
So many hands, that, without heed,
Still touch thy wounds, and make them bleed! 
So many feet, that, day by day,
Still wander from thy fold astray! 
Unless thou fill me with thy light,
I cannot lead thy flock aright;
Nor, without thy support, can bear
The burden of so great a care,
But am myself a castaway!

          (A pause.)

The day is drawing to its close;
And what good deeds, since first it rose,
Have I presented, Lord, to thee,
As offerings of my ministry? 
What wrong repressed, what right maintained
What struggle passed, what victory gained,
What good attempted and attained? 
Feeble, at best, is my endeavor! 
I see, but cannot reach, the height
That lies forever in the light,
And yet forever and forever,
When seeming just within my grasp,
I feel my feeble hands unclasp,
And sink discouraged into night! 
For thine own purpose, thou hast sent
The strife and the discouragement!

          (A pause.)