Chapter 15

_The Story of the Prodigal_

4. _The Young Son_.--His sword by his side, with haughty mien he demands his portion.

5. _The Father of the Prodigal_.--A grave personage, sad and tearful, in the act of handing over his keys and caskets which are carried by a servant.

6. _The Departure of the Prodigal_.--A gay young man mounted on a courser and attended by friends also on horseback. One of his companions carries a scroll: "Invenies multos, si res tibi floret, amicos;" another carries another scroll: "Si fortuna perit, nullus amicus erit."

7. _The Prodigal far from Home_.--He flaunts his rich raiment and carries a lute; one would say he is enjoying life.

8. _The Allegory of the False Friends_.--They have consumed his wealth and now conspire to abandon him. A man of double aspect, with two faces, carries swallows taking wing: "Ita falsi amici."

9. _The Prodigal reduced to poverty_--despised and spurned by his friends. A youth in mean attire, compelled by hunger to beg, he shades his eyes with his left hand and in his right carries a scroll: "Confusion hath covered my face. To beg I am ashamed."

10. _The Citizen Patron_--to whom the unhappy youth offers his services. An austere man, gazing on him with a harsh countenance, gives him a crust of bread and a rod and sends him forth into the country to tend the swine.

11. _The Son's Resolution_.--In tattered rags, unshod and leaning on a stick, the wretch is saying, "I will arise and go to my father."

12. _The Father's Welcome_.--Descrying him from afar, he goes with open arms to meet his boy, embraces him, folds him tenderly to his bosom and, exulting with joy, exclaims, "My son was dead and is alive again--was lost and is found." The son is saying, "Father, I have sinned."

13. _The Rejoicings at Home_.--A group of youths and maidens crowned with flowers and playing upon instruments of music.

14. _A Servant_ presenting the prodigal with sumptuous apparel and a golden ring.

15. _The Elder Son_.--He has returned from the country, angry and resentful, and is astonished to see the prodigal.

16. _The Good Father_ goes to meet him and, calming his anger with soft words, exhorts him to become reconciled to his brother. He blesses them both and foretells peace, brotherly love and happiness.