That serpent which entwined me, Ah! that cannot be he. His commanding gaze, riveted to mine, was noble and open. Why should he appear to me in that hostile and terrible form? No, no! in a soul that has eyes like that treachery cannot flourish——It cannot be he——and yet I was carried away by that icy embrace. Who else then, in the world could it be?
SCENE II
The same, THE ASTROLOGER
[He is one hundred years old. He has a white beard, stiff and rough. He is blind, and is led by a young boy. He tries to prostrate himself, but the EMPRESS stops him.]
EMPRESS
Remain standing, noble old man. Your age and your sightless eyes excuse you from formalities.
ASTROLOGER
My sightless eyes see into the invisible. My spirit, meditating through so many days of darkness, is clairvoyant and prophetic.
EMPRESS