EMPEROR
You will hear a ringing in your brain as if the great bell of honour were being sounded for you—and then a dizziness—and suddenly will come eternal peace! [He rises and rends his garments.] O Gods, if you are capable of compassion, look down upon me——have pity!
EMPRESS [At first very slowly, pacing the platform of the throne like one in a dream.] Whither am I going? Who can tell me whither I am going, where I shall soon be? To the dead? to the Shades, what can it matter how I use this last flicker of my life, so soon to be extinguished? Now that I have kept my word, at least this last moment belongs to me, which to us is worth Eternity. [To the EMPEROR.] Let it be mine that I may give it to you! [She seats herself on the throne again.] Come close to me, my beloved, my master, my God——[The EMPEROR sits near her, at first as with religious awe.] Come, I desire to rest my head on your shoulder while I die——[The EMPEROR takes her in his arms.] Do you not see that we are like two stars, separated by a boundless abyss, but withal making desperate efforts to flash their light to each other?——But now the abyss is crossed and my mortal enemy is weeping tears for love in my embrace. Let me rest against your breast, come closer, with all your being, that I may pass away as though in you.
EMPEROR [Embracing her more passionately]
In me and with me, for I shall follow you, my beautiful Phoenix, that would fly away beyond my reach——
EMPRESS
No! Remain on earth, live on to keep the love which I have given you. Who else would remember me and pay the honours to my spirit? In the valley of eternal silence, amid the marble avenues, under the shade of the dark cedars, who else would come to dream of my vanished beauty, that was but for a day? Promise me you will stay. But come still closer to me. If you do not fear the last breath of one who is dying, press your lips against mine, my beloved, that I may at least have known the rapture of your kiss——
EMPEROR [Pressing his lips to hers desperately] Oh! Even your ashes would be lovely to me, even your body in decay. Fear! you ask if I fear? Respect alone will unlock my embrace—when I feel that the breath of life is no more.
EMPRESS [Wandering, half drawing herself away]
Ah! Yes—I hear the great bell sounding. It is the signal, then? I am sinking——Hold me up, my beloved. Keep me from sinking thus——into the abyss.