FALK. Yes, better than to linger in the swamp Till autumn choke it with her grey mists damp! [_Vehemently._ You must! you shall! To me you must present What God to you so bountifully lent. I speak in song what you in dreams have meant. See yonder bird I innocently slew, Her warbling was Song’s book of books for you. O, yield your music as she yielded hers! My life shall be that music set to verse! SVANHILD. And when you know me, when my songs are flown, And my last requiem chanted from the bough,— What then? FALK [_observing her_]. What then? Ah well, remember now! [_Pointing to the garden._ SVANHILD [_gently_]. Yes, I remember you can drive a stone. FALK [_with a scornful laugh_]. This is your vaunted soul of freedom therefore! All daring, if it had an end to dare for! [_Vehemently._ I’ve shown you one; now, once for all, your yea Or nay. SVANHILD. You know the answer I must make you: I never can accept you in your way. FALK [_coldly, breaking off_]. Then there’s an end of it; the world may take you! [SVANHILD _has silently turned away. She supports her hands upon the verandah railing, and rests her head upon them._ FALK. [_Walks several times up and down, takes a cigar, stops near her and says, after a pause:_ You think the topic of my talk to-night Extremely ludicrous, I should not wonder? [_Pauses for an answer._ SVANHILD _is silent._ I’m very conscious that it was a blunder; Sister’s and daughter’s love alone possess you; Henceforth I’ll wear kid gloves when I address you, Sure, so, of being understood aright. [_Pauses, but as_ SVANHILD _remains motionless, he turns and goes towards the right._ SVANHILD [_lifting her head after a brief silence, looking at him and drawing nearer_].