I. HEAVEN.
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Mercy_ (_at the feet of God_). Have pity, Lord be not afraidTo save mankind, whom thou hast made,Nor let the souls that were betrayedPerish eternally! _Justice._ It cannot be, it must not be!When in the garden placed by thee,The fruit of the forbidden treeHe ate, and he must die! _Mercy._ Have pity, Lord! let penitenceAtone for disobedience,Nor let the fruit of man's offenceBe endless misery! _Justice._ What penitence proportionateCan e'er be felt for sin so great?Of the forbidden fruit he ate,And damned must he be! _God._ He shall be saved, if that withinThe bounds of earth one free from sinBe found, who for his kith and kinWill suffer martyrdom. _The Four Virtues._ Lord! we have searched the world around,From centre to the utmost bound,But no such mortal can be found;Despairing, back we come. _Wisdom._ No mortal, but a God made man,Can ever carry out this plan,Achieving what none other can,Salvation unto all! _God._ Go, then, O my beloved Son;It can by thee alone be done;By thee the victory shall be wonO'er Satan and the Fall! (_Here the_ ANGEL GABRIEL _shall leave Paradise andfly toward the earth; the jaws of Hell open below,and the Devils walk about, making a great noise._) * * * * *
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