PRINCE. And none roused? BUZEN. They were as dead From shortly after the hour of ten Until dawning. Awakening they knew they had slept Yet knew not when the poppy was thrown in their eyes. Even as one man none knew And were deep amazed and full of shame. Each night it was the same. PRINCE. [_Angrily._] So, they slept. While I, on my couch, Through the hours writhed-- Writhed and twisted-- Weakening ever-- Not sleep, yet dreaming-- Oh, horrible dreams. RUITEN. Of what were these horrible dreams? What was their substance? PRINCE. [_Mystified at the memory._] There would come a soft stealing-- As of draperies hushed and lifted For silence in walking; Like soft, silken draperies Wrapped about stealthy limbs. Then a shape clothed for sleep As women are clothed-- Sinuous and vague in movement, Then taking form slowly-- The form--a lie!--a lie! [_Covers his face and goes upstage._] RUITEN. The form? PRINCE. [_Turns._] O Toyo! RUITEN. BUZEN. [_Rubbing their hands._] Ah! PRINCE. [_Comes down R._, RUITEN _and_ BUZEN _are together a little L._] Came she to me-- Leaned o'er me-- Caressed me Yet soothed not. Her lips to mine-- Her lips but not sweet. Then here on my throat Would she place them And all my life seemed to smother-- Out of me flowed the life-blood In a deep stream Like a tide Forced by the gods, Against its will, To flow far away and yet farther. BUZEN. So does a vampire Sucking her victim Draw from him His blood and his marrow. PRINCE. Guard thy words!-- As my strength ebbed She drew back Red-lipped and smiling, Smiling and laughing Though her laughter was silent. Then with a final shimmer Of silent silks she vanished-- So was it done. RUITEN. So always the dream? If dream it were. PRINCE. The dream--I think yet it was a dream-- So was it always. BUZEN. But the last two nights? PRINCE. Came she as usual Flowing over the floor Like a spectre enrobed And beautified. But as she bent o'er me She paused as if startled And, slowly gazing about, Turned and was gone. Last night she paused As if speaking to someone Though I could see no one. BUZEN. But the cause of her turning? RUITEN. Turned she startled-- Turned she slowly-- Turned she wonderingly? PRINCE. Slowly, as if she felt A strange presence. RUITEN. Feared she? PRINCE. She left me. BUZEN. But trembling or calm? PRINCE. Calmly, as from a thing hated And more powerful than she Whom she would not rouse to action. BUZEN. [_Rubbing his hands._] Good. PRINCE. What is good? BUZEN. That which thou speakest of. PRINCE. How so? BUZEN. [_Comes forward towards the Prince._] It proves that I have humbly succeeded-- [_Grudgingly._] Through the help of another, 'tis true-- But yet succeeded in bringing my lord honorable help. RUITEN. Indeed it is so.