Olaf. For years of tyranny I do beseech

Olaf. For years of tyranny I do beseech Thy pardon!—For thy meekness and thy truth The unrepining patience, and the beauty Of thy most holy life, my wife, I bless thee!

Ter. Thank God! affliction has been merciful! My boy, thy death has saved thy father’s soul!

Olaf. And the great might of virtue in thyself;— Thy resignation, and thy pitying pardon— For these, receive my blessing ere I die— These, which have been the means of my salvation!

Ter. Bless Him, my husband, who is strong to save!

Olaf. I do, I do!—and I rejoice in death; Though, had my life been spared, I would have been Both son and husband to thee!—Weep not thou— We shall all three ere long be united— I, the poor outcast else, be one with you!

Ter. Out of affliction has arisen joy, And out of black despair immortal hope!

Olaf. [after a silence of some time.] Give me thy hand, sweet friend;—I fain would sleep;— And if I wake no more, I still would know Thou wilt be with me when I pass away!

Ter. May the kind, holy Mother bless thy sleep,— And bless thy waking, be’t of life or death;

[Olaf remains perfectly quiet, and after some time a light slumber comes over Teresa, during which she hears dream-like voices singing.

Oh human soul, ’tis done, Past is thy trial; past thy woe and pain; Nor is there mortal stain Upon thy spirit-robes, redeemed one! Spirit, that through a troubled sea Of sin and passion hast been wildly tost, And yet not lost, With songs of triumph do we welcome thee!

Redeemed spirit, come, Thine is a heavenly home! Come, freed from human error; From frailty, that did gird thee as the sea Engirds the earth; from darkness, doubt and terror, Which hung around the soul ere the light came; From these we welcome thee! Hark, heaven itself, rejoices, Hark, the celestial voices Shouting, like trumpet-peals, thy spirit-name!— Oh gladly enter in, Thou conqueror of sin, The eternal city of the holy ones, Where, brighter far than stars; or moons, or suns, Thou shalt shine out before the Infinite!— And see! a heavenly child, With garments undefiled, Streaming upon the air like odorous light, Awaits to welcome thee! Oh father, clasp thy boy, Pour out thy soul in joy, In love, which human frailty held in thrall;— Boy, clasp thy father now, Distrust and fear in heaven there cannot be, For love enfoldeth all! Oh happy pair, too long divided, Pour out your souls in one strong sympathy! Eternal Love your meeting steps hath guided, Ne’er to be parted through eternity!

Ter. [Waking.] I know that he is dead; but this sweet omen, These holy voices pealing joy in heaven, Have taken the sting from death! My dear, dear husband, I know that thou art blessed—art reunited Unto our boy!

[She bends over the body for a few moments; then kneeling down and covering her face, she remains in silent prayer.