Who said that? A woman, obscurely seen in the crowd, lifts her hands and cries again, this time in a voice ecstatic and piercing. (A WOMAN: "The Lord hath arisen, and His enemies are scattered!") His enemies are scattered! Year after year I have heard His voice calling me--and year after year I have said, "Show me the way." And He showed me the way. He brought me to this house, and He raised up the believing multitude around me. But in that hour I failed Him, I failed Him. He has smitten me, as His enemies are smitten.--As a whirlwind He has scattered me and taken my strength from me forever. He advances into the room, with a gesture backward through the open door. In yonder room a child lies dead on its mother's knees, and the mother's eyes follow me with curses. At the news of the child's death, Mrs. Beeler has sunk with a low moan into a chair, where she lies white and motionless. Michaelis turns to her. And here lies one who rose at my call, and was as one risen; but now-- He breaks off, raises his hand to her, and speaks in a voice of pleading. Arise, my sister! (She makes a feeble gesture of the left hand.) Rise up once more, I beseech you! (She attempts to rise, but falls back helpless.) (BEELER: Can't you get up, Mother?) (Turning to the people.) Despair not, for another will come, and another and yet another, to show you the way. But as for me-- He sinks down by the table, and gazes before him, muttering in a tragic whisper. Broken! Broken! Broken! CURTAIN ACT III The next morning, just before sunrise. Both door and windows are open, and a light breeze sways the curtains. Outside is a tree-shaded and vine-clad porch, with balustrade, beyond which is a tangle of flowering bushes and fruit trees in bloom. The effect is of a rich warm dawn--a sudden onset of summer weather after a bleak spring. Beeler, with Uncle Abe looking on, is busy putting up the pictures which he has taken down in the preceding act. Martha enters from the hall.

Ulrich Michaelis Monologue from The Faith Healer: A Play in Three Acts

Rehearse Ulrich Michaelis's monologue