Plays

and cried out to the empty air, “What wolf has seized my lamb? What thief has stolen my little daughter?”

Ephrem
You had good cause to weep! To lose her whom you had cherished so tenderly!


Abraham
At last some people came up who knew what had happened. From them I learned that she had gone back to the world.


Ephrem
Where is she now?


Abraham
No one knows.


Ephrem
What is to be done?


Abraham
I have a faithful friend, who is searching all the cities and towns in the country. He says he will never give up until he finds her.


Ephrem
And if he finds her⁠—what then?


Abraham
Then I shall change these clothes, and in the guise of a worldling seek her out. It may be that she will heed what I say, and even after this shipwreck turn again to the harbour of her innocence and peace.


Ephrem
And suppose that in the world they offer you flesh meat and wine?


Abraham
If they do, I shall not refuse; otherwise I might be recognized.


Ephrem
No one will blame you, brother. It will be but praiseworthy discretion on your part to loosen the bridle of strict observance for the sake of bringing back a soul.


Abraham
I am the more eager to try now I know you approve.


Ephrem
He Who knows the secret places of the heart can tell with what motive every action is done. That scrupulous and fair Judge will not condemn a man for relaxing our strict rule for a time and descending to the level of weaker mortals if by so doing he can make more sure of rescuing an errant soul.


Abraham
Help me with your prayers. Pray that I may not be caught in the snares of the devil.


Ephrem
May He Who is supreme good itself, without Whom no good thing can be done, bless your enterprise and bring it to a happy end!


Scene IV



Abraham
Can that be my friend who two years ago went to search for Mary? Yes, it is he!


Friend
Good day, venerable father.


Abraham
Good day, dear friend. I have waited so long for you. Of late I had begun to despair.


Friend
Forgive me, father. I delayed my return because I did not wish to mock you with doubtful and unreliable news. As soon as I had discovered the truth I lost no time.


Abraham
You have seen Mary?


Friend
I have seen her.


Abraham
Where is she? Come, sir, speak! Tell me where.


Friend
It goes to my heart to tell you.


Abraham
Speak⁠—I implore you.


Friend
She lives in the house of a man who trades in the love of young girls like her. A profitable business, for every day he makes a large sum of money out of her lovers.


Abraham
Her lovers? Mary’s lovers?


Friend
Yes.


Abraham
Who are they?


Friend
There are plenty of them.


Abraham
Good Jesu, what is this monstrous thing I hear? Do they say that she, whom I brought up to be Thy bride, gives herself to strange lovers?


Friend
It comes naturally to harlots.


Abraham
If you are my friend, get me a saddle-horse somewhere and a soldier’s dress. I am going to get into that place as a lover.


Friend
Father, mine are at your service.


Abraham
And I must borrow a felt hat to cover my tonsure.


Friend
That is most necessary, if you do not want to be recognized.


Abraham
I have one gold piece. Should I take it to give this man?


Friend
You should, for otherwise he will never let you see Mary.





Scene V



Abraham
Good day, friend.


Innkeeper
Who’s there? Good day, Sir. Come in!


Abraham
Have you a bed for a traveller who wants to spend a night here?


Innkeeper
Why certainly! I never turn anyone away.


Abraham
I am glad of it.


Innkeeper
Come in then, and I will order supper for you.


Abraham
I owe you thanks for this kind welcome, but I have a greater favour to ask.


Innkeeper
Ask what you like. I will do my best for you.


Abraham
Accept this small present. May the beautiful girl who, I am told, lives here, have supper with me?


Innkeeper
Why should you wish to see her?


Abraham
It would give me much pleasure. I have heard so much talk of her beauty.


Innkeeper
Whoever has spoken to you of her has told only the truth. It would be hard to find a finer wench.


Abraham
I am in love with her already.


Innkeeper
It’s queer that an old man like you should dangle after a young girl.


Abraham
I swear I came here on purpose to feast my eyes on her.





Scene VI



Innkeeper
Mary, come here! Come along now and show off your charms to this young innocent!


Mary
I am coming.


Abraham
Oh, mind, be constant! Tears, do not fall! Must I look on her whom I brought up in the desert, decked out with a harlot’s face? Yes, I must hide what is in my heart. I must strive not to weep, and smile though my heart is breaking.


Innkeeper
Luck comes your way, Mary! Not only do young gallants of your own age flock to your arms, but even the wise and venerable!


Mary
It is all one to me. It is my business to love those who love me.


Abraham
Come nearer, Mary, and give me a kiss.


Mary
I will give you more than a kiss. I will take your head in my arms and stroke your neck.


Abraham
Yes, like that!


Mary
What does this mean? What is this lovely fragrance. So clean, so sweet. It reminds me of the time when I was good.


Abraham
On with the mask! Chatter, make lewd jests like an idle boy! She must not recognize me, or for very shame she may fly from me.


Mary
Wretch that I am! To what have I fallen! In what pit am I sunk!


Abraham
You forget where you are! Do men come here to see you cry!


Innkeeper
What’s the matter, Lady Mary? Why are you in the dumps? You have lived here two years, and never before have I seen a tear, never heard a sigh or a word of