Prologue to Scene III

We show you a story
To stir your remembrance
To bring you a challenge!
See now the call answered:

In Sant’ Isabel, lo!
A plain native dwelling
Where lives with her maidens 
An African widow. 

With full heart and joyous
She welcomes the strangers,
And tells how she trusted 
The love of the Saviour. 

And now comes that other
Dark Mother in Israel,
And blesses their coming 
With prayer-fragrant fervour.

 Oh, shall we not render
To God acclamation
Who gave us a treasure 
So rich to inherit?