CRASSUS. Smoke without fire! No thrill of tongues licks up The offerings in the cup. Dead falls desire.
Black smoke thou art, O altar-flame, that dost dismember, Devour the hearth, to leave no ember To warm this heart.
I see her still - Adela dancing here Till dim gods did appear To work our will.
The delicate girl! Diaphanous gossamer Subtly revealing her Brave breast of pearl!
Now - she's withdrawn At dusk to the wild woods, Mystic beatitudes That dure till dawn.
Let life exclaim Against these things of spirit, Mankind that disinherit Of love's pure flame![He bends before the altar and begins to weep.]
Ye household gods! By these male tears I swear That ye shall grant this prayer. All things at odds
Shall be put straight - Harmonized, reconciled By some appointed child Of some far Fate![A curtain has been drawn aside during this invocation, and ALICIA advances. She smiles subtly upon him; and, giving a strange gesture, makes one or two noiseless steps of dancing.]
ALICIA. Master still sad?
CRASSUS. These faint and fearful shores Of time are beaten by the surge of sense, Love worn away - by love? - to indifference. Who knows what god - or demon - she adores? Or in what wood she shelters, or what grove Sees her profane our sacrament of love?