and Andrew wonder where he has gone and what he is doing, Mary
relates the extraordinary circumstances which accompanied her Son's
birth, mentioning the flight into Egypt, the return to Nazareth, and
sundry other occurrences during the youth of our Lord. She declares
that, ever since Gabriel's message fell upon her ear, she has been
trying to prepare herself for the fulfilment of a promise then made
her, and has often wondered what Simeon meant when he cried that a
sword would pierce her very soul! Still, she recalls how at twelve
years of age, she grieved over the loss of her Son, until she found
him in the temple, when he excused himself by stating he must be about
his Father's business. Ever since then Mary has patiently awaited what
is to come to pass, realizing the child she bore is destined to great
things.

Thus Mary pondering oft, and oft to mind
Recalling what remarkably had passed
Since first her salutation heard, with thoughts
Meekly composed awaited fulfilling.

Satan, having hastened back to the infernal regions, reports the ill
success of his first venture, and the effect his first temptation had
upon our Lord. Feeling at a loss, he invites the demons to assist him
with their counsel, warning them this task will prove far more
difficult than that of leading Adam astray. Belial, the most dissolute
spirit in hell, then proposes that Satan tempt Jesus with women,
averring that the female sex possesses so many wiles that even
Solomon, wisest of kings, succumbed. But Satan scornfully rejects this
proposal, declaring that He whom they propose thus to tempt is far
wiser than Solomon and has a much more exalted mind. Although certain
Christ will prove impervious to the bait of sense, Satan surmises