St. Paul’s Vessel of Choice

In The Vessel of Election of St. Paul, Lope de Vega recounts a biblical episode. As Saul went to Damascus in persecution of Jesus’ disciples, a voice enveloped him, he fell to the ground, and heard the voice of Jesus.

Day one

(Noise of joy rings inside, and Eliud goes on his way.)

Eliud: I arrived at a good opportunity,
that these that joyful singing
come, fishermen are,
that, this bank rejoicing,
They pay attention to the sea.
And the Great Sea of Galilee
Seems to flatter
their rustic voices both,
that pays them in calm the singing
with gentle branding.
(They shout inside.) The scream goes ahead,
And here comes a fisherman.

(A fisherman comes out with a hoe on his shoulder, and begins to dig.)

Fisherman: This site is quite
for the thalamus.

Eliud: Ah, sir!

Fisherman: Who is it?

Eliud: A certain wayfarer
which comes very well bred
And he’s a cruel questioner.

Fisherman: You are very well arrived;
that I too am faithful
responder.

Eliud: Well spoken:
I cannot deny that.

Fisherman: Start asking
if neat ye must be;
that I intend to answer
without stopping digging,
because they have to put here
The bride and groom.

Eliud: I understood that.
Ask.

Fisherman: And it will be
your question from me,
according to that, satisfied.

Eliud: There is still more to come.

Fisherman: Doesn’t take advantage
what I said?

Fragment of the work