Darling of all men in the world! I give you the greeting in grandeur and splendour! I bring you glad tidings of great joy! I publish peace! FINN [_Utterly bewildered._] Loveliest of all heroes that I have ever seen, I salute you frankly, fluently, and energetically With the equivalent of the same words, Though I do not know who you are. Your feet are beautiful as a star. I wish that I could sing like the birds, Or blossom like the green wet earth, For my heart is full of mirth. But I can only glower and gaze While my mind plays, And sings and tumbles up and down Inside me, like a clown That makes me feel quite silly, Laughing willy-nilly, Like a man in love. Do you come from above, Or round about or below, Or anywhere I know? HERO I come through night-watching and tempest of sea where I am, because I am losing my children, and it has been told me there is not a man in all the world who can keep them for me but you. FINN [_Astonished._] Why, how can I do that when I must bear This heavy rainbow with me everywhere, And all the years Have found my laughter through a mist of tears? HERO Since you alone were strong enough to creep Into my mind, and fetch me out of sleep, You have attained my stature, and I find You are a man according to my mind. FINN [_Crying out, afraid._] It was a dream, only a dream I stole! I never did as much As touch Your garment’s hem. HERO No, but you clasped my soul. Virtue went out of me immediately The moment that your love was strong enough To push aside the earth and find the stuff That dreams are made on. Up through the senseless clay You sprang like some green sappy shoot, And touched the nervous thoughtful root That I am stayed on. FINN [_Dumbfounded._] It was a dream—I never knew— HERO I lay upon you As crosses and spells And seven fairy fetters of travelling and straying, To be with me before you shall eat food, Or drink a draught, Or close an eye in sleep. [_At his words a delicate web of gossamer covered with dewdrops, spiders’ webs, and flower seeds falls over Finn. The Hero leaves him spellbound, and, returning gaily to his boat, launches her and sails away. When the boat has vanished the web falls away, and Finn turns round with a cry which arouses the other men._] FINN Where is he? CONAN Who?