CÉBÈS: Listen to me! I understand and I will not let you go! Was I not there? Surely to-day I must ask and you must answer! You shall not go before You have given me the portion that is due me. Reply or I will throw myself upon you and constrain you by force! I implore you! You have robbed me of the light of my eyes! You have carried away my hope and my joy! You have taken from me the woman I love and brought her to her death! So now it is to you that I make my cry! I charge you by the woman we both have loved, And by the pity, greater than that of a father for his child, Which you must feel for me who am the image of yourself. Do not leave me to languish in the depths in which I lie! O father, O father, for am I not now your child, By all that I lack, I beseech you! See, I will not let go your hands, And as did that woman when she died, I will hold them close against my cheek, thus, Until you have answered me! SIMON: I could stay here the whole night through, not stirring from this place, And I would not say a word and those who passed would not see me. I am here alone and the multitude of men is about me on every hand, in the fields or in the houses that they have made, beside the lamps that they have lighted. And standing at this cross-road I will raise my hand, And I will not be afraid and I will make a vow repeating the words that have been taught me. _(He raises his hand._ CÉBÈS: O Simon, I will not let go of your other hand. SIMON: Know that a right has been given to me! Know that a force has been given to me! Who are you and what do you want? CÉBÈS: One who appeals to you for help, O young elder brother! SIMON: In whom do you put your trust! For a terrible thing has been shown to me, to me who was but a child. And I am weak and in pain. Take my other hand also, brother! _(He gives him his right hand._ In the midst of this vast universe we are like two little children who wander in the dark. Yet there is a force in me, and I pity you! CÉBÈS: Save me! SIMON: Love me! Understand me! Swear that you will be loyal and put yourself wholly in my hands. This is a serious matter. Do not decide it too soon. CÉBÈS: I am ready to do whatever you ask. SIMON: What you will do for me I will also do for you. Will you love me? You ask me for words And I will surrender to you my sovereign self. CÉBÈS: What did you say? SIMON: You hold between your hands a living man. I live and I am here with the mystery of my soul. O death, O night, there are here two guilty persons, who have found each other. You lay your hand on my blouse and that which you touch is still yourself. It is also I and I am only a man! Understand me! With your hands lay hold upon this sorrow! The irresolute man bereft of knowledge! How fine a thing it is that these lips should say "I." Yet my eyes, those consuls that should always be vigilant, Close, and he who is standing must take good heed lest he fall.