Second Chinese [with a grimace]. It does not sound like an elopement.
First Chinese. It is a doleful ballad,
Fit for keyholes.
Third Chinese. Shall we hear more?
Second Chinese. Why not?
Third Chinese. We came for isolation,
To rest in sunrise.
Second Chinese [raising his book slightly]. But this will be a part of sunrise,
And can you tell how it will end?—
Venetian,
Egyptian,
Contorted glass ...
[He turns toward the light in the sky to the right, darkening the candle with his hands.]
In the meantime, the candle shines, [Indicating the sunrise.]
As you say, [To the Third Chinese.]
For the beauty of shining.
First Chinese [sympathetically]. Oh! it will end badly.
The lady's father
Came clapping behind them
To the foot of the hill.
He came crying,
"Anna, Anna, Anna!" [Imitating.]
He was alone without her,
Just as the young gentleman
Was alone without her:
Three beggars, you see,
Begging for one another.
[The First Negro, carrying two lanterns, approaches cautiously through the trees. At the sight of him, the Second Negro, seated near the Chinese, jumps to his feet. The Chinese get up in alarm. The Second Negro goes around the Chinese toward the First Negro. All see the body of a man hanging to the limb of the tree. They gather together, keeping their eyes fixed on it. The First Negro comes out of the trees and places the lanterns on the ground. He looks at the group and then at the body.]