But my thoughts will become more peaceful, my body will strengthen itself, when thou, thou little devil, residest no longer in the red satin padding of my jewel case. In place of thee, I will indulge in wanton joyousness with Bodenhausen's Lurlei or Linger's Forsaken One, or Defregger's Loni--so I should be all the quicker! But a quarter of a year more, perhaps thy unveiled charms, sweet soul, would begin to consume my poor head as the sun does a pat of butter. It is high time to declare the divorce from bed and board. Brrr! I feel a Heliogablus within me? Moritura me salutat! Maiden, maiden, why dost thou press thy knees together?----Why now of all times?----In face of the inscrutable eternity?----A movement and I will spare thy life!----A womanly emotion, a sign of passion, of sympathy, maiden!----I will frame thee in gold, and hang thee over my bed! Doest thou not guess that only thy chastity begets my debauchery?----Woe, woe, unto the inhuman ones!---- One always perceives that they received an exemplary education----It is just so with me. “Have you prayed to-night, Desdemona?” My heart contracts,----madness!----St. Agnes also died for her reserve and was not half as naked as thou!----Another kiss upon thy blooming body----upon thy childish swelling breast--upon thy sweetly rounded--thy cruel knees---- “It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul, Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars! It is the cause!”---- (_The picture falls into the depths, he shuts the lid._) FOURTH SCENE. _A haymow. Melchior lies on his back in the fresh hay. Wendla comes up the ladder._ WENDLA. Here's where you've hid yourself?----They're all hunting for you. The wagon is outside again. You must help. There's a storm coming up. MELCHIOR. Go away from me! Go away from me! WENDLA. What's the matter with you?----Why are you hiding your face? MELCHIOR. Out! out! I'll throw you down on the floor below. WENDLA. Now for certain I'm not going.--(_Kneels down by him._) Why won't you come out with me into the meadow, Melchior?----Here it is hot and dark. Suppose we do get wet to the skin, what difference will that make to us! MELCHIOR. The hay smells so fine.----The sky outside must be as black as a pall----I only see the brilliant poppy on your breast----and I hear your heart beating---- WENDLA. Don't kiss me, Melchior!----Don't kiss me! MELCHIOR. Your heart----I hear beating---- WENDLA. People love----when they kiss----Don't, don't! MELCHIOR. Oh, believe me, there's no such thing as love! Everything is selfishness, everything is egotism!----I love you as little as you love me. WENDLA. Don't----don't, Melchior!---- MELCHIOR. Wendla! WENDLA. Oh, Melchior!----Don't, don't---- FIFTH SCENE. FRAU GABOR. (_Sits writing._)