Scenes of the Early Christians

SCENES OF THE

Fifth Scene.

The Christian Mother This represents a recurring motif in martyr literature where a mother encourages her child to face death for their faith, often inspired by the biblical account of the Mother and her seven sons in 2 Maccabees. sees her son
Courageously climb upon a hill,
There tyrants original: "dwingelanden"; refers to oppressive rulers or despots snarl at him,
And torment him with much scorn and mockery,
She sees him kneel before the executioner’s sword,
And sings: Rejoice, God-dedicated souls,
My child receives the Martyr's crown! original: "Martelkroon"; a common symbol in early Christian art representing the reward for those who died for their faith.

Triumph! There fell the young man's head;
I have caught it in my lap.
Triumph! Triumph! Sing songs of blessing!
Now my child is not stolen from me,
Now the world shall not lead him astray,
Nor the arch-persecutor oppress him,
God, the Most High, be praised!

Tyrants, do you now stand amazed,
And filled with wonder;
Because I rejoice before your eyes?
Look at the head that you have struck down,
How it would rejoice, if it could speak,
And plead for your precious souls,
Like a noble Christian hero!

Come, cruel Executioners, original: "Beulen" seize me;
So that I too may die full of joy,
And earn heaven’s Martyr’s crown,
Where just now the Youth has stood.
I will willingly kneel down,
And pray to God for your souls;
Thus my Savior original: "Heiland" has gone before.