Mrs. Beeler.
From whose heart does it rise?
Michaelis.
From mine, from Rhoda's heart, though she knows it not, from yours, and soon, by God's mercy, from the heart of this waiting multitude.
The song, though still distant, grows louder. Mrs. Beeler turns to Michaelis and gazes intently into his face.
Mrs. Beeler.
The light has come into your face again! You are—you are—Oh, my brother, what has come to you?
Michaelis.
I have shaken off my burden. Do you shake off yours. What is pain but a kind of selfishness? What is disease but a kind of sin? Lay your suffering and your sickness from you as an out-worn garment. Rise up! It is Easter morning. One comes, needing you. Rise up and welcome her!
Mrs. Beeler rises and goes to meet Rhoda, entering from the porch.