Char. What?
Asef. Ah! The French are going.
Char. No!
Asef. And Maximilian shall fade to air,
Unheeded as the moon no eye could find
Without her sun!
Char. But hearts can live and love
Though Maximilian falls.
Asef. Can live—and love!
You torture me!
Char. Forgive me. But the share
Must rip the glebe before the corn may spring.
Asef. What do you mean, cold Austrian?
Char. Austrian! No!
Your southern sun has poured into my veins
A life that makes me new! I feel as you
Those throbs that shake the stars until they fall
Into the heart and make it heaven! My lips
Can move toward lips as haste rose-gloried clouds
To swoon into the sun!
Asef. Ah, yes—I know—
You told me that you loved. But why say this
To one who has lost all?