I think what I have done is of a part With my conception of the world's great movement. I will not have one set of lofty thoughts When I behold high up the circling stars, And others when a young girl stands before me. What _there_ is truth, must be so here as well, And I must say, if yonder wedded child Cannot endure to harbor in her spirit Two things, of which the one belies the other, Am I prepared to make my acts deny What I have learned through groping premonition And reason from that monstrous principle That towers upon the earth and strikes the stars? I call it Life, that monstrous thing, this too Is life--and who might venture to divide them? And what is ripeness, if not recognizing That men and stars have but one law to guide them? And so herein I see the hand of fate, That bids me live as lonely as before, And heirless--when I speak the last good-by-- And with no loving hand in mine, to die. SCENE II A wainscoted room in SHALNASSAR'S house. An ascending stairway, narrow and steep, in the right background; a descending one at the left. A gallery of open woodwork with openings, inner balconies, runs about the entire stage. Unshaded hanging lamps. Curtained doorways to the left and right. Against the left wall a low bench, farther to the rear a table and seats. Old SHALNASSAR sits on the bench near the left doorway, wrapped in a cloak. Before him stands a young man, the impoverished merchant. SHALNASS. Were I as rich as you regard me--truly I am not so, quite far from that, my friend-- I could not even then grant this postponement, Nay, really, friend, and solely for your sake: For too indulgent creditors, by Heaven, Are debtors' ruin. DEBTOR. Hear me now, Shalnassar! SHALNASS. No more. I can hear nothing. Yea, my deafness But grows apace with all your talking. Go! Go home, I say: think how you may retrench. I know your house, 'tis overrun with vermin, I mean the servants. Curtail the expenses Your wife has caused: they are most unbecoming For your position. What? I am not here To give you counsel. Home with you, I tell you. DEBTOR. I wanted to, my heart detains me here, This heart that swells with pain. Go home? To me The very door of my own house is hateful. I cannot enter, but some creditor Would block my way. SHALNASS. Well, what a fool you were. Go home and join your lovely wife, be off! Go home! Bring offspring into life. Then starve!