(_Half sadly to RAMES._) I have weighed both voices. Another--a worthier than I--must replace me in the Temple. _Rames_ Aton does not compel. The call will come to you again--in following lives, until---- _Nefertiti_ (_Interrupting._) Our love comes from Aton. He has given Menophis to me for my own. _Rames_ All gifts are his. _Menophis_ Holy Rames, I cannot let her go from me. _Rames_ (_Solemnly._) The choice is made. The future lives will bring again, and yet again (_turning to NEFERTITI_), this same deep opportunity, when you--again--shall lead his soul higher, or (_with emphasis_) delay and hinder by vain selfish love. _Nefertiti_ (_Defiant, yet frightened._) He is mine--for ever. No priest or god shall rob me of him. I keep him for myself. (_Clutches him._) _Rames_ The rising water bears witness to your vow. (_With prophetic and intense gravity._) Where the Temple gleams white in the sunlight, and where the palaces run down to the sea, you shall hear the waters in your soul--_and--shall--remember_. _Nefertiti_ (_Alarmed._) Listen! He prophesies! _Menophis_ (_Awed._) Great One of Visions! CURTAIN ACT II THEIR SECOND LIFE TOGETHER. TIME--325 B.C. GREECE CHARACTERS PHOCION (40), Athenian General. LYDIA (35), his wife. LYSANDER, a youth, PHOCION’S brother. ALEXANDER THE GREAT. ATHENIAN CITIZENS. ACT II SCENE--_Room in PHOCION’S house in Athens. Simple. Altar to Zeus with brazier burning. Colonnade with pillars and view towards Acropolis._ _Late evening._ (_LYDIA is half-kneeling, half-leaning over the marble balustrade, gazing into the distance. Enter PHOCION. He comes near and touches her._) _Lydia_ How you startled me! _Phocion_ Were your thoughts so far away, Little Child? _Lydia_ I was thinking. _Phocion_ And gazing across the sea as usual. What is there so attractive beyond that dim horizon? The future or----? _Lydia_ Perhaps its dimness only. That’s southwards, is it not? There Egypt lies, and--Alexandria--you said--the great, new city. _Phocion_ (_Searchingly._) Distance still haunts your eyes. Little wonder that I startled you. (_Kisses her._) But do not speak of Alexander’s city. Our thoughts lie nearer home--in Athens. _Lydia_ Where have you been, Phocion? All day I’ve missed you. _Phocion_ On the hills--alone. I have been thinking. _Lydia_ Thinking--you too! _Phocion_ I came home by way of Theseus’ Temple, saying a prayer for our loved city and for ourselves. _Lydia_ But you are weary, and your feet are splashed with mud. _Phocion_ I crossed the Ilissus to be sooner home, and found it rising--in flood almost. Yesterday’s rains on Mount Hymettus--(_breaks off as she makes a sudden gesture_). Why, what ails you, Lydia? Do I startle you a second time? _Lydia_ Forgive me, Phocion; do not notice my little weaknesses. It was merely--there, I’ve often told you--a rising river is an omen that causes me strange uneasiness. _Phocion_