Noisome and terrible as hooded snakes. Magdalen. What do you mean? what spells? what sorcery? Smith. The hydra-headed creeds; the sciences, That deem the thing is known when it is named; And literature, thought's palace-prison fair; Philosophy, the grand inquisitor That racks ideas and is fooled with lies; Society, the mud wherein we stand Up to the eyes, whence if I drag you forth, Saving your soul and mine, there shall ascend A poisonous blast that may o'ertake our lives. Magdalen. I feel a meaning in your eloquence; I see my poor thoughts made celestial Like faded women Jove hung in the sky. Obey my nature, sir? How shall I know The voice of nature from the thousand cries, That clamour in my head like piteous birds, Filling the air about a lonely isle With ringing terror when the hunter comes. Smith. Shut out the storm and heed the still, small voice. Magdalen. Have pity. Yet I think the woman's dream Is given me--the strong deliverer To pluck her from the dragon's jaws unharmed. What can I say? Rest still your eyes on mine, And I shall dare to speak. I love you, sir; And I have loved you since I was a girl-- You, only you. Good-bye. Oh, in my life-- A miracle, I think, as this world goes-- I met the living image of my dream, And was found worthy to be loved! Good-bye. I seem to see my daughter at my knees, Listening with violet eyes of heaven-wide awe, The virgin story I shall utter once To her, only to her. Smith. And so, you go To hell. Magdalen. Ay, even so: my father's word Is plighted to this man, and so is mine. Perhaps, that I may know this is no dream-- Sir, will you kiss me? [He folds her in his arms and kisses her. Smith. You are faint, my love. Magdalen. Oh, have pity, sir! Smith. I will have pity. [Goes out carrying her. Then enter Brown. He goes out after them, and re-enters running as the curtain falls. ACT III SCENE.--The top of Mount Merlin: a precipice on one side: rocks on the other. Hallowes is discovered lying with a note-book by his side.