Page:Poet Lore, volume 34, 1923.djvu/47

 Radúz.—Rather than forsake thee I would again be chained to yonder cliff or lie in darkness in a dungeon amid vermin.

Mahulena.—With thee, Radúz, must I remain forever, it is true; live with thee and if need be die with thee! Was that perchance what I wished to say when I kissed thee? It is plainly so; it cannot be otherwise! Come! Let us flee!

Radúz.—Before us is Paradise, behind us perdition But what has so suddenly turned thee into a pillar? Why dost thou become pale? Whither dost thou point in horror? Ruin! Thy mother!

Runa (Standing before them covered with jewels, in purple robes).—My foreboding, my anxiety, my fear did not deceive me! I left behind me the noisy hall, the feast and guests, and rode after thee at the best pace of my swift steed! Breathlessly I ascended the steep summit, and I have arrived in time! O, thou didst outwit me! Thou clever viper, pale ghost! How couldst thou undo that indestructible chain? Thou didst spill the poison? Would that thou hadst drunken it thyself! Yet I still have arrived in time! I did not ride alone, I but sped over the mountains more quickly than those who will come after me! Are you both dumb! Methinks I am addressing pale statues, or sleepers, or corpses! Cursed viper, cursed viper! (Pulls at Mahulena.)

Mahulena.—O mother, mother, do not curse me, thou cruel one! O remember how thou didst desire to torture my heart when thou gavest me thy potion to offer him here! To him, who is so dear to my soul!

Runa.—O, thou shameless as a bitch! Darest thou cast in my face thine own burning shame? How thou wilt atone for this; O how thou wilt atone!

Radúz.—Come, Mahulena, who would believe that thou didst receive thy life from her? From a pestilent swamp how could so bright a sunbeam shine forth? Come, let us hasten, let us preserve ourselves!

Runa.—And dost thou think that I shall let thee pass? Through long suffering thou hast grown weak, while I am as strong as a man! O, I will hold thee!

Mahulena (Throwing herself between her and Radúz).—Flee, flee my soul! Flee alone, I am protecting thee!

Runa (Drawing a dagger).—Here, viper! Die!

Radúz (Snatching the dagger from her).—Dost thou not fear that the lighting will destroy thee? Thou bloodthirsty, accursed woman!