JOHN. O God, the world cannot contain nor the mind of man comprehend the wonders of Thy incalculable unity, Thou Who alone art what Thou art! O Thou Who by mingling different elements canst create man, and by separating those elements again canst dissolve him, grant that the spirit and the body of this Callimachus may be joined once more, and that he may rise again wholly as he was, so that all looking on him may praise Thee, Who alone canst work miracles!
ANDRONICUS. Look! The breath of life stirs in him again, but he does not move.
JOHN. Calhmachus! In the name of Christ, arise, and confess your sin! Do not keep back the smallest grain of the truth.
CALLIMACHUS. I cannot deny that I came here for an evil purpose, but the pangs of love consumed me. I was beside myself.
JOHN. What mad folly possessed you? That you should dare think of such a shameful outrage to the chaste dead!
CALLIMACHUS. Yes, I was mad; but this knave Fortunatus led me on.
JOHN. And now, most miserable man, confess! Were you so vile as to do what you desired?
CALLIMACHUS. No! I could think of it, but I could not do it.
JOHN. What prevented you?
CALLIMACHUS. I had hardly touched the lifeless body—I had hardly drawn aside the shroud, when that fellow there, who has been the spark to my fire, died from the serpent’s poison.