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<![CDATA[ace on Earth, prince of Time's fashionings,
Noblest and fairest found, the roof and crown of things?
Is the World joyful all in his most perfect joy?
Hath the good triumphed, tell, o'er pain and Time's annoy,
Since Our Son died, who taught the way of perfect peace?
Thou knowest it how I love these dear Humanities.
Is all quite well with Man?
GABRIEL
All's well with the World, ay well.
All's well enough with Man.
SATAN (_aside_)
Alas, poor Gabriel.
THE LORD GOD
How meanest thou "enough"? Man holdeth then Earth's seat,
Master of living things. He mild is and discreet,
Supreme in My Son's peace. The Earth is comforted
With its long rest from toil, nor goeth aught in dread,
Seeing all wars have ceased, the mad wars of old time.
The lion and the lamb lie down in every clime.
There is no strife for gold, for place, for dignities,
All holding My Son's creed! The last fool hath grown wise.
He hath renounced his gods, the things of wood and stone!
GABRIEL
The Christian name prevaileth. Its dominion
Groweth in all the lands. From Candia to Cathay
The fear of Christ is spread, and wide through Africa.
THE LORD GOD
The fear and not the love?
GABRIEL
Who knoweth Man's heart? All bow,
And all proclaim His might. The manner and the how
It were less safe to argue, since some frailties be.
We take the outward act to prove conformity.
All's well enough with Man--most well with Christendom.
THE LORD GOD
Again thou sayest "enough." How fareth it in Rome?
Hath My vicegerent rest?
GABRIEL
He sitteth as of old
Enthroned in Peter's chair with glories manifold.
He sang a mass this morning and I heard his prayer.
THE LORD GOD
For Peace?
GABRIEL
And Power on Earth.
THE LORD GOD
And were the monarchs there,
The great ones in their place? Did all pray with one breath?
GABRIEL
Some priests and poor I saw,
SATAN (_aside_)
The poor he always hath.
GABRIEL
His guards, his chamberlains.
THE LORD GOD
The mighty ones, the proud,
Do they not kneel together daily in one crowd?
Have they no common counsel?
GABRIEL
Kings have]]>
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