Page:Poet Lore, volume 34, 1923.djvu/72

 in the forest yonder, there beyond our border, there we met each other at the spring where I was sleeping peacefully at early dawn Mother dear, how well I feel! I recollect everything, everything now O, I still see how the dew sparkled, how the mountains towered over the forest, and how the white doves circled over the tree tops and how a light, white cloud floated through the heavens I know what form it had; it was like a long, long fish We were jesting, I think, Radovid and I and someone else It was a woodcutter, a man whom I liked from the moment that I saw him And then, then they seized me And they cruelly thrust me into a tower; there it was dark But no, before that, before they led me there, there was something more some bright apparition dazzled my sight, something like a beautiful bird No,a white lily, which was illumined by the early dawn What was it? My memory becomes clouded!

Nyola.—Thou wilt recall that later; gaze not so sadly, confusedly Continue thy story (Aside) O Radovid, how can I endure this, how can I?

Radovid.—They thrust thee into the tower, did they not, my prince?

Radúz.—It was dark there and | lay there a long time but some sunbeam visited me  What was that sun-beam? I cannot, I cannot remember It pains me here, mother; place thy hand on my forehead so  so.

Nyola.—Leave recollections alone now, my son. Thou hast come and hast restored to me my life! Thou art my only comfort, O Radúz, my soul!

Radúz.—Then they chained me to the summit of a cliff.—There I went mad! Now ghastly and uncertain phantoms mingle in a feverish tumult of horrible thoughts! A tumult of wild joy and of unutterable griefs agitates my bewildered brain My very soul deserts me with a threatening laugh it is escaping me  I wish to catch it  (Jumps up.) Now it has escaped  Darkness surrounds me, and again a ruddy fire and heat and cold You all torture me I do not wish to be, I do not wish to live, and you hold me back and torture me!

Nyola.—My afflicted heart, rather break! O Radúz, thou most cruel child!