The Sphinx. "All those tormented by the desire of God, I have devoured.
"In order to climb up to my royal brow, the strongest ascend upon the flutings of my bandelets as upon the steps of a stairway. Then a great lassitude comes upon them, and they fall backward."
(Anthony begins to tremble.
He is no longer before his cabin, but in the desert itself, with those two monsters beside him, whose breath is hot upon his shoulders.)
The Sphinx. "O thou Fantasy, bear me away upon thy wings that my sadness may be lightened!"
The Chimera. "O thou Unknown, I am enamoured of thine eyes! Like a hyena in heat I turn about thee, soliciting those fecundations whereof the desires devour me!
"Ope thy mouth, lift thy feet—mount upon my back!"
The Sphinx. "My feet, since they have been outstretched, can move no more. The lichen, like an eruption, has formed upon my jaws. By dint of long dreaming I have no longer aught to say."
The Chimera. "Thou liest, hypocrite Sphinx! Wherefore dost thou always call me and always disown me!"