gazing on him with a harsh countenance, gives him a crust
of bread and a rod and sends him forth into the country to tend the
swine.

11. _The Son's Resolution_.--In tattered rags, unshod and leaning on a
stick, the wretch is saying, "I will arise and go to my father."

12. _The Father's Welcome_.--Descrying him from afar, he goes with open
arms to meet his boy, embraces him, folds him tenderly to his bosom and,
exulting with joy, exclaims, "My son was dead and is alive again--was
lost and is found." The son is saying, "Father, I have sinned."

13. _The Rejoicings at Home_.--A group of youths and maidens crowned
with flowers and playing upon instruments of music.

14. _A Servant_ presenting the prodigal with sumptuous apparel and a
golden ring.

15. _The Elder Son_.--He has returned from the country, angry and
resentful, and is astonished to see the prodigal.

16. _The Good Father_ goes to meet him and, calming his anger with soft
words, exhorts him to become reconciled to his brother. He blesses them
both and foretells peace, brotherly love and happiness.

PART III
_The Allegorical Sense of the Parable_

17. _The Wicked Man in Prosperity_ contented with his state and
persisting in evil, a fit subject for reproof. A voluptuary and a miser,
magnificently attired, is clasping to his heart a purse full of money and
a bunch of flowers and corn.

18. _The Divine Warning_.--A prophet who contemplates the preceding
figure threateningly while he records the fatal sentence: "Thou fool;
this night thy soul shall be required of thee."

19. _The Punishment of Tribulation_.--Divine Love that desireth not the
death of a sinner. A celestial winged messenger carrying a scourge:
"Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth."

20. _The Remorse of Conscience_.--The awakening of Repentance. A man in
sorrowful garments expressing the emotions of his heart, now weeping, now
confused, now raising his eyes to Heaven, now looking on the serpent that
gnaws his heart.

21. _The Contrite Sinner_ hearkening to the whisperings of grace. A
penitent, his heart pierced by an arrow, weeping and carrying a scourge:
"Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil in Thy sight."

22. _A Holy Minister_ supplicating the Crucifix with these words: "A
broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt Thou not despise."

23. _Divine Grace_.--A beautiful girl in white with a transparent veil,
radiant and joyful, carries a branch of palm.