their own needs,
Demanding separate service.

SATAN (_aside_)

Ay, and their own creeds.
One cause alone combines them, and one service--mine.

THE LORD GOD

Thou sayest?

GABRIEL

Man still is Man.

THE LORD GOD

We did redeem his line
And crown him with new worship. In the ancient days
His was a stubborn neck. But now he hath found grace,
Being born anew. His gods he hath renounced, sayest thou?
He worshippeth the Christ? What more?

GABRIEL

Nay, 'tis enow.
He is justified by faith. He hath no fear of Hell
Since he hath won Thy grace. All's well with Man,--most well.

THE LORD GOD

"All's well"! The fair phrase wearieth. It hath a new false ring.
Truce, Gabriel, to thy word fence. Mark my questioning.
Or rather no--not thou, blest Angel of all good,
Herald of God's glad tidings to a world subdued,
Thou lover tried of Man. I will not question thee,
Lest I should tempt too sore and thou lie cravenly.
Is there no other here, no drudge, to do that task
And lay the secret bare, the face behind the mask?
One with a soul less white, who loveth less, nay hates;
One fit for a sad part, the Devil's advocate's;
One who some wrong hath done, or hath been o'erborne of ill,
And so hath his tongue loosed? O for Soul with will!
O for one hour of Satan!

SATAN

He is here, Lord God,
Ready to speak all truths to Thy face, even "Ichabod,
Thy glory is departed," were _that_ truth.

THE LORD GOD

Thou? Here?

SATAN

A suppliant for Thy pardon, and in love, not fear,
One who Thou knowest doth love Thee, ay, and more than these.

THE LORD GOD

That word was Peter's once.

SATAN

I speak no flatteries;
Nor shall I Thee deny for this man nor that maid,
Nor for the cock that crew.

THE LORD GOD

Thou shalt not be gainsaid.
I grant thee audience. Speak.

SATAN

Alone?

THE LORD GOD

'Twere best alone.
Angels, ye are dismissed. (_The angels depart._) Good Satan, now say on.

SATAN (_alone with_ THE LORD GOD)

Omnipotent Lord God! Thou knowest all. I speak
Only as Thy poor echo, f