SOBEIDE. Say not such words, for I am dizzy and They flicker in my eyes. Lament not much, I beg of thee. If I remained alive, All mangled as I am, I never could Bring children into life for thee; my body Would be so ugly, whereas formerly I know I had some beauty. This would be So hard for thee to bear and hide from me. But I shall die at once, I know, my dear. This is so strange: our spirits dwell in us Like captive birds. And when the cage is shattered, It flies away. No, no, thou must not smile: I feel it is so. Look, the flowers know it, And shine the brighter since I know it too. Canst thou not understand? Mark well my words. [Pause.] Art thou still there, and I too, all this while? Oh, now I see thy face, and it is other Than e'er I saw till now. Art thou my husband? MERCHANT. My child! SOBEIDE. Thy spirit seems to bend and lean Out of thine eyes, and oh, the words thou speakest! They quiver in the air, because the heart So quivers, whence they come. Weep not, I can Not bear it, for I love thee so. O let Me see as last of all thine eyes. We should Have lived together long and had our children. But now 'tis fearful--for my parents. [Dies.] MERCHANT (half bowed). Thus noiseless falls a star. Meseems, her heart Was never close united with the world. And what have I of her, except this glance, Whose closing was involved in rigid Lethe, And in such words as by false breath of life Were made to sound so strong, e'en while they faded, Just as the wind, ere he lies down to sleep, Deceitful swells the sails as ne'er before. [He rises.] Aye, lift her up. So bitter is this life: A wish was granted her, and that one door At which she lay with longing and desire Was oped--and back she came in such distress, Death-stricken, that but issued forth the evening prior-- As fishers, cheeks with sun and moon afire, Prepare their nets--in hopes of great success. [They lift up the body to carry it in.] ARTHUR SCHNITZLER * * * * * * THE GREEN COCKATOO A Grotesque in One Act DRAMATIS PERSONAE. EMILE, Duc de Cadignan FRANCOIS, Vicomte de Nogeant ALBIN, Chevalier de la Tremouille MARQUIS DE LANSAC SEVERINE, his wife ROLLIN, Poet PROSPER (formerly Theatre Manager), HOST