Muzio glanced at Fabio with the same surprise as before, and made no answer.
"Come, answer me!"
"The moon is steel, like a circular shield….
The river gleams like a snake….
The friend is awake, the enemy sleeps—
The hawk seizes the chicken in his claws….
Help!"
mumbled Muzio, in a singsong, as though in a state of unconsciousness.
Fabio retreated a couple of paces, fixed his eyes on Muzio, meditated for a space … and returned to his house, to the bed-chamber.
With her head inclined upon her shoulder, and her arms helplessly outstretched, Valeria was sleeping heavily. He did not speedily succeed in waking her … but as soon as she saw him she flung herself on his neck, and embraced him convulsively; her whole body was quivering.
"What aileth thee, my dear one, what aileth thee?" said Fabio repeatedly, striving to soothe her.
But she continued to lie as in a swoon on his breast. "Akh, what dreadful visions I see!" she whispered, pressing her face against him.
Fabio attempted to question her … but she merely trembled….
The window-panes were reddening with the first gleams of dawn when, at last, she fell asleep in his arms.