Publia.
[Catching sight of Julian.] There he stands! Woe to the miscreant who has burnt the word of the Lord! Think you you can burn the word of the Lord with fire? I will tell you where it burns.
[She wrests a knife from one of the sacrificing priests, cuts open her breast and probes into the wound.
Here the word burns. You may burn our books; but the word shall burn in the hearts of men until the uttermost end of time!
[She casts the knife from her.
The Women.
[Sing with growing ecstasy.
Let writings be burnt, and let bodies be slain;
The word shall remain—
The word shall remain!