Hrotsvitha

“ As for us, in consideration of Callimachus' marvellous conversion and of this double resurrection, let us pass the day in rejoicing and giving thanks to God, that upright judge and most unerring witness of hidden things, who alone sifts every matter to its finest elements, decides every question for the best, and applies to each single individual the reward or punishment that He knows is deserved. To Him alone be honour, virtue, power and victory, praise and jubilation throughout all ages to eternity. ”

“ I cannot imagine what on earth I ought to do now. If I complain against him, then I shall be the means of stirring up a public scandal and strife: but if I keep it secret, I shall never be able, without Thy help, to avoid falling into these snares of the devil. O Christ, bid me now to die in Thee, that I may never bring ruin on this passionate young man! (She expires.)
(Andronicus comes in to her.)
ANDRONICUS. Heavens, what a disaster! Drusiana has suddenly fallen dead. I must run and fetch Saint John.
(He goes out.)
FIFTH SCENE.
Somewhere outside Ephesus. ”

“ It is because we can never get a complete knowledge of the cause of any event.
ST. JOHN. Yes, too often the sequel alone can show us its real significance.
AND. But come now, blessed John, and do what you were sent to do. Restore Callimachus to life and so assist to solve this perplexing mystery.
ST. JOHN (dubiously) . I fancy....the first thing to do....is to scare away that snake....by calling on Christ's name. Afterwards I can go on to restore Callimachus.
AND. Quite right. Then he will be in no danger of getting a second bite.
ST. JOHN. Cruel monster, depart from this young man! ”

“ The object of your passion is a follower of the teachings of Saint John the Apostle, She has vowed herself entirely to God, so much so that for some time past it has been impossible to induce her even to go back and live with Andronicus, although he too is a devoted Christian. ”

“ Well....if, as you maintain, it was Drusiana that restored me, while Callimachus actually believes in Christ..., why, then....I refuse my life, and deliberately choose death. For I would rather not exist at all than have to go on living in such an overwhelming atmosphere of grace and virtue! ”

“ There now, you will die of the snake's bite, and I too am dying....of sheer terror!
(Callimachus falls dead.)
EIGHTH SCENE.
A road. St. John and Andronicus are walking together.
ST. JOHN. Come along, Andronicus, let us go up to Drusiana's tomb and say a prayer to Christ for her soul.
ANDRONICUS. Oh sir, it is just like your saintly nature not to forget one who put her trust in you.
(GOD appears in the likeness of a young man.)
ST. JOHN. Look there, invisible God is plainly appearing to us, in the likeness of a fair young man! ”

“ For the envious mind cannot bear to hear another praised. It seeks to depreciate those who are more virtuous than itself. At the same time it scorns to be thought unequal to its superiors, and proudly tries to appear superior to its equals. ”

“ He simply could not see that God's grace was shining in them with fuller light.
AND. Now at last I realise why Fortunatus was not mentioned among those who were to be restored to life. It was because he was to die again so soon.
ST. JOHN. He certainly deserved to die twice over, once for outraging the corpse committed to his care, and again for insulting by his unreasonable behaviour those who had been restored to life. ”