Antoninus: Tempt me not, Satan. I say, tempt me not!

[The girls sing, Satan smiles, the girls sing on. Antoninus tip-toes to seat, back to window, and sits listening. The girls sing on. They pass the window and shake the branch of a cherry tree. The petals fall in sheets past the window. The girls sing on and Antoninus sits listening.

Antoninus (hand to forehead): My head aches. I think it is that song.... Perhaps, perhaps it is the halo. Too heavy, too heavy for us.

[Satan walks gently up and removes it and walks away with the gold disc. Antoninus sits silent.

Satan: When the moon is waning.

[Exit. More petals fall past the window. The song rings on. Antoninus sits quite still, on his face a new ecstacy.

CURTAIN.


IF SHAKESPEARE LIVED TO-DAY

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ