WIFE. I curse thee, George, if thou becomest not a poet! She falls to the ground in a fainting fit--the servants bear her out. GUESTS (_whispering among themselves_). All this is very extraordinary. What can have happened here? We had better leave the house immediately. Meanwhile the solemn ceremony is completed--the crying infant is again placed in his cradle. GODFATHER (_standing by the cradle_). George Stanislaus! you have just been made a Christian, and entered into the pale of human society; in after years you will also be a citizen, and, through the grace of God and the wise training of your parents, you may become a great statesman: remember that you must love your native land; that it is noble and beautiful to die for your country! Exit all. * * * * * A beautiful landscape, diversified with hills and forests; a mountain in the distance. THE MAN. That for which I have so long striven, for which I have so ardently prayed, is at last almost within my grasp! The world of men lies far below me; the human pismires there may throng their ant-hills, and struggle on for crumbs and flies--may burst with rage if they fail to find them, or die with despair if they should lose them. I have left all to.... VOICE OF THE MAIDEN. Here--this way--through-- She glides rapidly on. * * * * * Hills and mountains overhanging the sea. Clouds, mist, wind, storm. THE MAN. Where is she gone? The morning breeze dies suddenly away, the thick mists gather, and the sky grows dark. There! I have gained at last the very top of this steep peak;--heavens, what a frightful abyss yawns before me! How moaningly the wind howls up this rocky pass! VOICE OF THE MAIDEN (_from a distance_). Come! to me! to me! beloved! THE MAN. Where art thou? thy voice is almost lost in the distance. How can I follow thee through this abyss? A VOICE (_in his ear_). Where are thy wings? THE MAN. Evil spirit, why dost thou mock and torture me? I scorn thee! ANOTHER VOICE. What! a great, immortal soul, which in a single moment should be able to traverse the boundless space of heaven, to faint and perish at a cliff on the side of a hill! Stout heart! sublime soul, shuddering, and imploring thy feet to go no farther! poor things! THE MAN. Appear! Take forms with which I may contend, which may be overthrown! If I start or quail before you, may _she_ never again be mine! THE MAIDEN (_from the other side of the abyss_). Seize my hand, and swing thyself over to me! THE MAN. What strange change is coming over thee!... The flowers start from thy temples, tear themselves loose from thy hair, and when thou touchest them, they crawl like lizards, and writhe and hiss like adders! THE MAIDEN. My beloved! THE MAN. Merciful God! the wind has twisted and torn off thy floating drapery; it hangs in squalid rags about thee! THE MAIDEN. Why dost thou linger?