THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE
(To BEAUTY, turning slowly and viewing complacently the immensity and beauty of his fancy.) Art thou pleased, then, with what I have made for thee? See, see—dreams, dreams, sweet dreams all—mad fancies all—mad! Mad! That which I make is madness all—disordered dreams! I am mad, mad!
BEAUTY
Wondrous, Lord, of whom I am the first! Great Creator! Thou art wonder and beauty all. Sweet are thy dreams! Sweet thy madness! Sweet am I! But sleep no more, Lord! Dream on. It is sweet to be worshiped so! I would be worshiped! I would be worshiped!
THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE
Sayest thou so, perfect thought? It is sweet madness? Oh, ho, ho, ho! A thing of now, and then no longer! Thou art a fair dream, a dear one, but nothing—nothing! Is not that transcendant sorrow—madness?
BEAUTY
(Caressingly.) Oh, think not so, Lord! Think not so! A dear dream! A wondrous dream!
THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE
(Darkly and broodingly.) What am I? What art thou? What are these? (He waves a vast hand.) What it all is I cannot think—or why—or whence—or where. I dream and sleep—I sleep and dream! Oh, ho, ho, ho! Oh, ho, ho, ho! A dream! A dream! Sayest thou a sweet dream? A sweet dream! Oh, ho, ho, ho! I have lost the key! I have lost the key! (He laughs loudly, sadly.)