(_Materializing himself fully, a paretic smile upon his lips. He rubs his face and imagines eyes, giving himself sight, and surveys her broodingly._) Have I created thee? Oh, ho, ho, ho! (_He rubs his flaming hair._) I must not forget thee! I must not forget thee! Oh, ho, ho! Thou art Beauty! (_His expression changes; an unimaginable weariness settles upon his face, aged, æonic. He frowns and leers and partly fades, re-establishing himself after a time. As he does so_, AMBITION, _a sinister thought, club in hand and darkling and scowling, a figure of terror, leaps from his eyes_.) AMBITION (_Brandishing his club._) I will be obeyed! I will be obeyed! Out of thy terror, Lord, thou hast created me! War and strife will I have! War! War! (_He struts and stares._) THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE (_The darkling mood passing, a light of momentary peace settling on his face. He gazes at the figure tolerantly._) Have I created thee? Weary! Weary! I am weary! (_He stretches his arms._) But stay! I am lonely. Be thou what thou art. (_He draws himself to a sitting position, all the height and depth of space._) BEAUTY (_Threading a necklace of suns._) I will be worshiped! I will be worshiped! (_She croons joyously._) THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE (_His mood changing, a giant despair creeping into his eyes._) Forever and ever! Oh, ho, ho, ho! Forever and ever! It is a dream! (_He staggers to his feet, the great shadowy arms flailing wildly. As he does so he imagines Space and Time, and begins to wander down their lengths, staggering as he goes. From his brow leap_ HATE, DESPAIR, PITY, HOPE, FEAR, _thoughts all, the last two with great round eyes and open mouths. At the same time clouds upon clouds of unimaginable forms and characters, previously non-existent, come into being, the product of his fancy. Suns, worlds, fire-mists, swarms of birds, snakes, fishes, animals and men are born, strange wraiths that float in wreaths about him and traverse all immensity. They circle, murmur, mutter, cry. The avatars of men come forth, huge forms of gas. They are preceded and followed by vast clouds of thoughts of their own--ravening, embodied fancies that bicker and contest. These immense companies and semblances appear and disappear, as the primary figure thinks or loses memory of what he has thought. He alternately laughs and groans, maundering._) BEAUTY (_Dancing on before._) I will be worshiped! I will be worshiped! AMBITION (_Gathering at his back vast clouds of restless, threatening figures like himself._) I am his thought of strength! I am his thought of power. I am his thought of rage! I am his thought of contest! Oh, ho, ho, ho! Follow me! Follow me! See, we will sow destruction! We will spread despair! We will slay! We will burn! Oh, ho, ho, ho! THE LORD OF THE UNIVERSE