Yes we, who have no friends on earth, we twain Own the true wealth, the golden fortune,—we Who stand without, beside the starlit sea, And watch the indoor revel thro’ the pane. Let the lamp glitter and the song resound, Let the dance madly eddy round and round;— Look up, my Svanhild, into yon deep blue,— There glitter little lamps in thousands, too— SVANHILD. And hark, beloved, thro’ the limes there floats This balmy eve a chorus of sweet notes— FALK. It is for us that fretted vault’s aglow— SVANHILD. It is for us the vale is loud below! FALK. I feel myself like God’s lost prodigal; I left Him for the world’s delusive charms. With mild reproof He wooed me to His arms; And when I come, He lights the vaulted hall, Prepares a banquet for the son restored, And makes His noblest creature my reward. From this time forth I’ll never leave that Light,— But stand its armed defender in the fight; Nothing shall part us, and our life shall prove A song of glory to triumphant love! SVANHILD. And see how easy triumph is for two, When he’s a man— FALK. She, woman thro’ and thro’;— It is impossible for such to fall! SVANHILD. Then up, and to the war with want and sorrow; This very hour I will declare it all! [_Pointing to_ FALK’S _ring on her finger._ FALK [_hastily_]. No, Svanhild, not to-night, wait till to-morrow! To-night we gather our young love’s red rose; ’Twere sacrilege to smirch it with the prose Of common day. [_The door into the garden-room opens._ Your mother’s coming! Hide! No eye this night shall see thee as my bride! [_They go out among the trees by the summer-house._ MRS. HALM _and_ GULDSTAD _come out on the balcony._ MRS. HALM. He’s really going? GULDSTAD. Seems so, I admit. STIVER [_coming_]. He’s going, madam! MRS. HALM. We’re aware of it! STIVER.