THE WOMAN,
You were my heroes when you were my babies....
THE THIRD BOY
You would not have us cowards to be near you....
THE WOMAN,
I am Love’s coward—I never ... should ... have ... made you....
(The lads kiss their mother and tear themselves from her arms. The anthems of the nations are repeated. The guns volley in the distance, getting louder and louder. Fires flame up and there is more or less noise and confusion. A woman runs out from The World Inn, sobbing.)
THE WOMAN,
I want my lover who was never mine.
Will they not let him come to say farewell?
Where are you, O Desired of all my days?
(She runs hither and thither looking for him, wildly, and finally stumbles against Mars, shrieks, and tries to escape, but is caught and held by him. Mars roars his elation and carries her off at left screaming. There is a pause, utter quiet, absolute darkness. Then Mars returns alone and stumbles into The World Inn.)