A MOTHER. 
                      Speak not thus! 
We brought them here, that He might lay his hands
On them, and bless them.

CHRISTUS. 
                   Suffer little children
To come unto me, and forbid them not;
Of such is the kingdom of heaven; and their angels
Look always on my Father’s face.

Takes them in his arms and blesses them.

A YOUNG RULER, running. 
                       Good Master! 
What good thing shall I do, that I may have
Eternal life?

CHRISTUS. 
            Why callest thou me good? 
There is none good but one, and that is God. 
If thou wilt enter into life eternal,
Keep the commandments.

YOUNG RULER. 
                   Which of them?

CHRISTUS. 
                     Thou shalt not
Commit adultery; thou shalt not kill;
Thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not bear false witness;
Honor thy father and thy mother; and love
Thy neighbor as thyself.

YOUNG RULER. 
                   From my youth up
All these things have I kept.  What lack I yet?

JOHN. 
With what divine compassion in his eyes
The Master looks upon this eager youth,
As if he loved him!

CHRISTUS. 
               Wouldst thou perfect be,
Sell all thou hast, and give it to the poor,
And come, take up thy cross, and follow me,
And thou shalt have thy treasure in the heavens.

JOHN. 
Behold, how sorrowful he turns away!

CHRISTUS. 
Children! how hard it is for them that trust
In riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 
’T is easier for a camel to go through
A needle’s eye, than for the rich to enter
The kingdom of God!

JOHN. 
         Ah, who then can be saved?

CHRISTUS. 
With men this is indeed impossible,
But unto God all things are possible!

PETER. 
Behold, we have left all, and followed thee. 
What shall we have therefor?

CHRISTUS. 
                        Eternal life.

IX

AT BETHANY

MARTHA busy about household affairs. 
MARY sitting at the feet of CHRISTUS.

MARTHA. 
She sitteth idly at the Master’s feet. 
And troubles not herself with household cares. 
’T is the old story.  When a guest arrives
She gives up all to be with him; while I
Must be the drudge, make ready the guest-chamber,
Prepare the food, set everything in order,
And see that naught is wanting in the house. 
She shows her love by words, and I by works.