Stand away from her! [Throws him down, turns to his father.] O God, if I had not concealed your knavery from her, your holiest oath would not have moved her! And now must you live on, while she lies thus?
Sachel.
[To the crowd.] She poisoned my son; she took away his religion—she killed my son's love for his father! She deserves it—she deserves it!
Rafael.
Rosa, my Rosa, you shall not die! Life, life, freedom—the blue sweet sky, we two together singing in the sun—not the dead soul sighing through the trees—not the whisper of night—the sorrowful shade that passes in the mist! No, no, you must feel my breath upon your cheek, you must feel my arms, you must live, live! [Rosa stirs.] Live! She breathes—she breathes! Air—distance—distance, I say! Rosa, it is I, Rafael! You are safe! Not all the fiends in God's grey world shall thrust an arm between us. Rosa! Rosa!
Rosa.
[Raising her head a little.] Rafael, forgive me——
Rafael—Rafael—she means me. Forgive me—for God's sake—[on his knees to Rafael, who turns his back]—Rafael!
Second Man.