Page:Abraham (Roswitha, Lambert 1922).djvu/19

Rh of my name?

EPH. By keeping your body chaste and undefiled, and your mind pure and holy.

MARY (doubtfully). It is a big task for a human being to claim equality with the stars.

EPH. It is, but if you keep yourself uncorrupted and a virgin, you will be made equal to God's angels. You will be freed from the burden and toil of the body, and there in the midst of the heavenly host, you will traverse space, treading upon the clouds, tracing the circle of the Zodiac, and never slackening your step until at last you sink to rest in the arms of the Virgin's Son, in His Mother's bridal chamber!

MARY, (emphatically). Anyone who rejected a chance like that would be an ass!…Well, I certainly do despise this world, and am ready to deny myself, if by so doing I can become worthy of the joys and blessings which you describe.

EPH. (turning to Abraham). You see? Here we have an old head upon young shoulders!

AB. By God's grace is it so.

EPH. Undoubtedly.