rows of their ships
and call to me, but I do not answer them. I go to the little taverns
where the sailors lie all day long drinking black wine and playing with
dice and I sit down with them.

I made the Prince my slave, and his slave who was a Tyrian I made my Lord
for the space of a moon.

I put a figured ring on his finger and brought him to my house. I have
wonderful things in my house.

The dust of the desert lies on your hair and your feet are scratched with
thorns and your body is scorched by the sun. Come with me, Honorius, and
I will clothe you in a tunic of silk. I will smear your body with myrrh
and pour spikenard on your hair. I will clothe you in hyacinth and put
honey in your mouth. Love--

HONORIUS. There is no love but the love of God.

MYRRHINA. Who is He whose love is greater than that of mortal men?

HONORIUS. It is He whom thou seest on the cross, Myrrhina. He is the
Son of God and was born of a virgin. Three wise men who were kings
brought Him offerings, and the shepherds who were lying on the hills were
wakened by a great light.

The Sibyls knew of His coming. The groves and the oracles spake of Him.
David and the prophets announced Him. There is no love like the love of
God nor any love that can be compared to it.

The body is vile, Myrrhina. God will raise thee up with a new body which
will not know corruption, and thou wilt dwell in the Courts of the Lord
and see Him whose hair is like fine wool and whose feet are of brass.

MYRRHINA. The beauty . . .

HONORIUS. The beauty of the soul increases till it can see God.
Therefore, Myrrhina, repent of thy sins. The robber who was crucified
beside Him He brought into Paradise. [Exit.

MYRRHINA. How strangely he spake to me. And with what scorn did he
regard me. I wonder why he spake to me so strangely.

. . . . .

HONORIUS. Myrrhina, the scales have fallen from my eyes and I see now
clearly what I did not see before. Take me to Alexandria and let me
taste of the seven sins.

MYRRHINA. Do not mock me, Honorius, nor speak to me with such bitter
words. For I have repented of my sins and I am seeking a cavern in this
desert where I too may dwell so that my soul may become worthy to see
God.

HONORIUS. The sun is setting, Myrrhina. Come with me to Alexandria.

MYRRHINA. I will not go to Alexandria.

HONORIUS. Farewell, Myrrhina.

MYRRHINA. Honorius, farewell. No, no, do not go.

. . . . .

I have cur