THE CHIEF OF STAFF: It is called "The Door," for the ultimate door is here. This is the threshold that opens on the everlasting North and the regions of the sunrise. Here is the rampart; the slanting joint through which Europe is bound to the Earth of the Earth. And here it is that they fettered the ancient Thief of Fire When the Eagle, falling like a thunderbolt, Fastened upon him and tore the liver from his body. --What do you see, Cassius? CASSIUS (_shouting_): Space! THE CHIEF OF STAFF: Look North. What do you see? CASSIUS: I see the expanse of the Earth! THE CHIEF OF STAFF: Turn to the sacred East! CASSIUS: The earth is unrolled like a carpet. And the distance is veiled in mist. _(He returns towards them._ _(The CHIEF OF STAFF and another Captain dismount and taking TÊTE-D'OR'S horse by the bridle they lead him to the place where cassius stood._ THE CHIEF OF STAFF: Look, O King, and take, for all that you see is yours. And the earth is yours like a field of which the extent has been measured. Look! Yonder the ocean lies, flat and enclosed, a round mirror. For here Toiling upwards we have reached the level of the world and here the ascent is over. "The Door" this place is called, for here in ancient times, the wandering peoples of the Plain, at this high pass, Halted to sacrifice, as the bones will testify, offering fire to the gods of Space, Before they crossed the dark defile and began the perilous descent, Forming nations according to the hollows of the earth. Now after the lapse of centuries it is we that appear from the other side Presenting to the descendants of those who remained behind a new sceptre. See, O King, we have rediscovered Space! Then advance, O King, and cross the gigantic plain, That we may ascend the final step and conquer The enormous altar of Asia. _(Silence._ _(TÊTE-D'OR without speaking points out the PRINCESS lying in the bushes._ A CAPTAIN: What is that? _(He touches her with the point of his lance. She groans._ THE CAPTAIN: It lives. But I do not know whether it is a beast or a woman. _(He dismounts and taking her in his arms, lifts her from the ground._ ANOTHER CAPTAIN: Strange beings inhabit this mountain. This has the hide of a beast, the hair of a woman. TÊTE-D'OR: It is a woman, dying of thirst, poor creature! Give her my gourd. _(He hands them his gourd. They put it to her lips. She drinks and indicates by gestures that she can stand alone._ TÊTE-D'OR: Who are you, young girl? _(She shakes her head, indicating by gestures that she does not understand._ A CAPTAIN: Doubtless she does not understand any language. _(She opens her mouth, indicating by gestures that she is hungry._ TÊTE-D'OR: She is hungry. (_He gives her a bit of black bread._) Take my bread. Eat, innocent creature! THE CAPTAIN: Sire, will you not keep this bread for yourself? For the day will be long and hard.