Oswald— 'Tis the serpent Sin.
Oh, how its sting has marred the perfect world!
Ready to spring, the fiends couch for us. We
Are hunted, Father Paul says, through the world
As was the deer the good saint saved, Saint Giles.
And men are fleeing from the wrath to come.
Selma—It cannot come up on the mountain tops.
Oswald—(Fervently.) Call on the Virgin. Yield to Lord Jesus.
Do not reject him. Be baptized. Be saved.
Do you not see that I would die for you?
O Selma, playmate, loved one, promise me—
Selma—I will not eat May-apples any more.
Oswald—Oh, not to understand and yet be lost!
(He walks away.)
Selma—I will not eat them, Oswald. I will not
Go near them if you do not wish me to.
Oswald—Some day you will know why.
(He takes up his staff.) Then you will know
It was not for myself. You will know why.
(He stops near the spring.)
You will remember this—this day—these leaves—
The golden sunlight on the waters there—