polyuecte-第11节
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By him。 His Christ is mine; and I am his;
O; blessed Christian vengeance! All my loss
Is turned to gain by the redeeming Cross!
Now; Pauline; am I thine; a Christian I;
That Death gives life by which alike we die!
(To Severus。)
Then slay us both! Behold a willing prey!
PAUL。
(To Felix。)
Yes; mine for ever now! Hail; glorious day;
That sees earth's loss transformed to endless gain!
FELIX。
The gain; the glory; Christ's! By Him we reign。
SEV。
Now am I dumb; some miracle is here;
Their courage and their faith must I revere;
We slay them; yet; like Cadmus' seed; new…born
They sprout afresh; and laugh our scythe to scorn。
We give them cord and flame; they torture hail;
Friends fail them; but themselves they never fail。
We mow them down; fresh nurslings to unbare;
What moves the seed lies hid; but /it is there/。
They bless the world; though by the world accurst;
Their shield am Ilet Decius do his worst。
I yet may own their power; though now my will
That each to his own gods be faithful still;
Let each still search for truth; and truth adore。
(To Felix)。
A Christian thou? Then fear my wrath no more;
Thy sect I cherish; this their awful cult
Severus will protect; but ne'er insult。
Keep thou thy power from Roman sword secure;
So long as loyalty with faith endure;
I swear it: ay; the Emperor shall learn
The guiltless from the traitor to discern;
His persecution baseless as his fear。
FELIX。
Severusthou who hast the hearing ear;
Freeman of RomeGod's Spirit grant thee grace
To be Christ's Freeman; and behold His face:
To theseChrist's martyrsearth's last rites be given;
Earth; guard their ashes as a trust for Heaven!
Earth hides their dust。 When envious time is o'er;
That dust shall wake to life for evermore!
End