_Ara._ Dost hear that sound? It is the rustle of tear-dropping gods Who gather all the golden virtues up Vouchsafed to earth and trampled low by man. See how they rise with their immortal store, A moving radiance like the march of light, And leave us dark for want of what they bear? Far, far till stars must upward look to see-- A sapphire trail through the ethereal rose! Now--earth and darkness--and you call it love! [_Sinks down_] _Aris._ [_Lifting her_] Fair soul, be mortal yet! _Ara._ [_Going from him_] Who leaps for stars Must fall a million leagues too short, or else Take vantage not of earth. [_Goes to curtains_] Farewell--till death. _Aris._ 'Twill not be long to wait. Thou canst not live In Dion's arms. _Ara._ Nor thine. As well to hope The air-winged seed will root in vacancy, And high mid-nothing hang with lob�d bloom, As that the rose of love will flower from The wreck of men and gods. [_He kneels and kisses her robe. She goes out_] _Aris._ Before I die I've touched divinity. [_As he rises a slave rushes in, rear, and kneels_] _Slave._ My lord! _Aris._ You serve Lord Heraclides, do you not? _Slave._ I do, And know his heart--his traitor heart. _Aris._ Speak, man. _Slave._ You love the noble Dion? _Aris._ [_Starts_] Dion? Ay, I love him well. _Slave._ Sir, Heraclides comes To slay him. Dion, the good! But you will save him! �gisthus and Callorus aid my master. They're bringing Dion here. _Aris._ Here? Haste! Bring you Ocrastes and Calippus! Freedom! Go! [_Slave runs out. Aristocles steps back unseen as Dion, Heraclides, �gisthus and Callorus enter. The slave running out meets them_] _Her._ What do you, sirrah? [_The slave runs by without answer_] Go! You'll not outrun The hangman! [_�gisthus and Callorus keep in rear of Heraclides, who walks with Dion_] _�g._ [_To Callorus_] We're betrayed. _Callo._ [_To Heraclides_] Do not delay The blow. _Her._ [_To Dion_] You like our plan, my lord? _�g._ [_To Heraclides_] Strike now. _Dion._ 'Tis balm to Syracuse. Your hand upon it, And pardon me my left. _Her._ With all my heart!