(Music wipes tears from her eyes and sets a bugle to her lips. Exit Music, sounding the advance, followed by Glamour. Then in close succession and increasing volume are heard the national anthems of the warring nations of Europe, in the order in which they declared war. It is dark and lights flash out in the distance. There is more or less noise and confusion at the back. Horses, artillery, men, crossing and recrossing, running, marching, working. Mars, proudly erect in the center shouts “Good!” and repeats it. A man, marching in with others, leaves his group and runs to the steps of The World Inn.)
THE MAN
Are you there, dear? I have come to say farewell!
A WOMAN
(coming out to meet him.)
Beloved, must you go? I am alone,
Alone in all the world, and of our love
A child, a little human flower is coming—
Surely I need you most!
THE MAN
Tell him his father tried to do his duty
And loved his country. Dear one, I must go....
(They kiss passionately and the man rejoins his group and marches off. The woman flings herself down on the steps of The World Inn and weeps bitterly. There is more noise and confusion and then three youths come to the steps and call out.)
THREE YOUTHS