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_Rhasis._ O master!
_Arduin._ Fail, fail, fail? now to restore her?
Who died as you shall know, here ere she rises, Because my brother--aieh! the father of Ion-- Who bore as well that name-- Desiring her, vilely accused her----
_Myrrha_ (_involuntarily, behind curtains_). Oh!...
_Arduin_ (_bewildered_). Who spoke? It was her voice?
[_Runs to sarcophagus._
_Rhasis._ No, master, no!...
_Arduin_ (_slowly returning_).
Fail, fail to bring her fairness from the tomb!
Her face which can alone sow finitude's Fell desolation with enverdured dreams And fill the ways of the world again with hope?
I tell you she eternal must arise-- Tho G.o.d die for it!
[_Begins to gird himself._
Must!... and the hour is now!-- Venus is in the house of ready Taurus, The moon is full, and as I toiled today,
[_Goes to furnace._
From the alembic a strange cloud arose, And once again her face!... Prepare! prepare!
_Rhasis._ I will do all you say. But, master, if----
_Arduin_ (_immitigably_). No death-word more of doubt. It is the power Which holds us futile from omnipotence.
Mete out the sulphur Into the alembic Of Cleopatra's crystal.--I must see her!
[_Rhasis hastens._
See her again, my Rhea, as she was, When plucking first the poppies of Provence!
And hear flow from her Words sweeter than Memnon's in the wind of dawn!
Here's gold and silver (_hands them_). She shall rise and say: "Years pale you, pale your brow, my Arduin, And touch to gray the treasure of your hair, But not Antinous could be so fair To me--or wonderful: For you have brought me from the cold tomb to life!..."
The bat's wing then! And to the sarcophagus To lift its lid! for I will wait no longer----
[_Takes alembic, as Rhasis obeys, and continues invokingly_:
But now, vial of immortality!
By the presaging of the seven planets, And by the searchless sources of the Nile, And by the prayers of Christian and of Heathen, And by the elements earth, air and fire, That hold within their intermingled veins The secret of illimitable life-- By fate and time and G.o.d--I here conjure you Bring forth the Elixir which shall make her rise!
[_He pours the ingredients, and quickly fumes arise. They clear and a liquid is seen in the bottom of the gla.s.s. With a cry he starts toward the sarcophagus, when Myrrha's face--which, excited, has parted the curtains--stops him enspelled. Rhasis, unnerved, quits the room--leaving them agaze._
_Arduin_ (_at length, as if to a spirit_).
I do not dream?... you have arisen?... Rhea!
[_Starting toward her._
Arisen ere I touched you?--O fear not!
For I am Arduin! do you not know me?
[_She trembles speechless._
O wonderful awaking! O ... at last!
Tho yet the memory of the tomb is on you!...
This land is Egypt, whither in my grief I brought you, my dead bride! Look on me! see!
[_Stops quickly._
But no, not yet! until my youth comes back, As now it will, Over the sea from France!
Already pa.s.sion lifts away the years That weight its wings and I am as I was.
Now gaze upon me, now! Is it not I?
_Myrrha._ Sir--!
_Arduin._ Sir! O quickly see. For to my breast Again has striving brought you, to my bosom!
The bitter nights are ended--the blind pits Sleepless and infinite. Awake! stare not So strangely! press your lips in praise to mine, Your breast upon my breast!... Delay you still?
_Myrrha._ O sir--!
_Arduin._ See, see! the years have been too long.
[_Clasps her, dropping alembic._
My arms have waited an infinitude.
[_She struggles._
Do you not now remember with my lips To yours, the br.i.m.m.i.n.g beauty of our youth?
_Myrrha._ Release me!
_Arduin._ Awake and know me! It is I!
Your lover Arduin whom once you wooed: Whose every word was to you as a wind Of G.o.d! whose every kiss.... Do you not see?
_Myrrha._ No, no! I'm not your love--
_Arduin._ Not--? You uprisen?
Has the tomb treachery to change the soul?
Ye skies, must I go mad now at this moment When I have brought her back from destiny?
Not mine?... Awake! Oblivion enthralls you.
[_Suddenly starting from her._
Or is it that there in the grave, another--?
_Myrrha._ No, no! but--
