e immaterial, more noble, as
you became more learned. We give to the people the gods they can
understand. Our god is different. He is the one who exists in essence.
The one who lives in substance, the sole procreator who was not
engendered, the father of the fathers, the mother of mothers. The one
and only. And we crave his pardon for belittling him by miracles. But
they are part of that faith which alone contents the simple-minded. You
are above them--I admit freely that the miracle could be prevented. You
declared it would not take place--you have found the means to make it
impossible?

SATNI [_suspecting the trap_] I said that, left to herself, the goddess
would not move.

HIGH PRIEST. To say only that, would not have served you. You intended
to prevent the miracle. Come, admit it--it is so.

SATNI. Perhaps.

HIGH PRIEST. By seizing you, I prevent your committing the sacrilege.
Your purpose will not be realized. In an hour the festival of the
Prodigy will take place, and you are my prisoner. It follows then, the
miracle will be performed--you believe that, do you not?

SATNI [_after a pause_] Yes, I believe it.

HIGH PRIEST. And so your cause is lost. [_A pause_] Listen to me; the
priests who have taken their final vows are as wise and as little
credulous as you. I offer you a place among them. Return to us. A little
wisdom banishes the gods--great wisdom brings them back.

SATNI. I refuse.

HIGH PRIEST. My son, my son, you will not cause me this sorrow. Think
what you will drive me to, if you refuse--Satni, do not force me to send
you before the tribunal, whose sentence must be death. Death, for you,
so young, whose future is so bright!

SATNI. I do not fear death.

HIGH PRIEST. Besides--I mind me--you were betrothed to that little
Yaouma whom the god has chosen as victim. You know she may be saved from
the sacrifice, if she become the wife of a priest. They guarded her but
ill at Rheou's house, she is here. I have seen her; she is kind and
gentle, and you would lead a happy life with her.

SATNI. Yaouma! Yaouma! [_He hides his face_]

HIGH PRIEST [_laying a hand on his shoulder_] So that on one side is
Yaouma's death and yours; on the other, happiness with her--and power.
Say nothing. I speak as a father might, you can see. I say besides, that
you will better serve the crowd in leaving them their gods. I wish to
convince you of it, and you will stay with us--weep no more. You will
stay, will you not