Page:Poet Lore, volume 26, 1915.djvu/344

 Sylvia—and therefore, not even in my boldest dreams, could I hope that from your lips would issue the word with which you have now lifted me to the utmost bliss.

Sylvia.—But with these words and with this knowledge I must, for the time being, pause. Oh, if you knew what joy fills me, if you knew how gladly I would be yours, all of me—yours for all time!

Jeroným.—I know it, I know it, for within me, too, stirs the breath of passion, intoxicating, sweet and burning! (Takes Sylvia into his arms with passionate ardor and kisses her.)

Sylvia (With bliss).—I lose myself in you, and drown in very rapture. I have no thought but you. Stay with me, stay close to me that I might from your eyes and from your presence absorb anew that ecstasy which thrills my whole being.

Jeroným (Joyfully).—Near you—(Horrified, he steps back from Sylvia.)—near you!

Sylvia.—What is the matter? You shuddered—you are terrified— —

Jeroným.—Sylvia!—near you in whom I have found my greatest bliss. And yet from afar my father’s voice calls me to forsake the place where now I tarry

Sylvia.—You are mad!

Jeroným.—Would that this vision of a real spectre were only raving. A few moments ago, my father— —

Sylvia.—Was here!—Then it was his whispering—his voice that I heard— —

Jeroným.—My father— —

Sylvia.—And he came to call you to forsake the castle from which so much of injustice is dealt out to the people,—to flee from here and to go with him into battle against us.

Jeroným.—It is true.

Sylvia.—And you promised him—yes, yes, you were just about to leave when I came.

Jeroným.—In his anger he thundered a curse into my soul if I should not obey him.

Sylvia.—And you consented.

Jeroným.—He vowed that otherwise he would place himself in the fighting ranks in the spot towards which my gun would aim that he might fall by my bullet.

Sylvia.—And you consented, you consented—and you wish to leave the castle?