SATNI. Had there been no miracle, you would have despaired--you would have sorrowed. I ought to have faced that. I ought to have faced the death of a few, to save the future of all. We go forward only by destroying. What matter blood and pain! Pain and blood--never a child is born without them! I would-- _An angry outburst._ A WOMAN. Kill him! Kill him! He says we must put our children to death! SATNI. All are glorious who preach new efforts-- PEOPLE. Death! Death to the traitor! SATNI. All are infamous who preach resignation-- PEOPLE. Enough! Kill him! Death! SATNI. It is in this world that the wretched must find their paradise, it is here that every one's good must be sought with a zeal that knows no limit, save respect for the good of others. _A burst of laughter._ PEOPLE. He is mad! He knows not what he says! He is mad! _Yaouma is borne on right on a litter carried by young girls. She is decked out like an idol; she stands erect, half in ecstasy._ PEOPLE. Yaouma! The chosen of Ammon-Ra! Glory to her who goes to save Egypt! _With jubilant cries the procession goes slowly towards the gates at the back, preceded and surrounded by musicians and dancers._ SATNI. Yaouma! Yaouma! One word! One look of farewell! Yaouma! 'Tis I, Satni! Look on me! _The acclamations drown his voice. Yaouma is wrapped in her soul's dream. She passes without hearing Satni's voice. The crowd follows her._ MIERIS [_to Delethi who supports her_] Lead me to Satni--go--[_To Satni_] Satni, your words have sunk deep in my heart--Yaouma, they tell me, did not hear your voice. She is lost in the joy of sacrifice. The need to make sacrifice is in us all. If the gods are not, to whom shall we sacrifice ourselves? SATNI. To those who suffer. MIERIS. To those who suffer. _During this Bitiou has come slowly down behind Satni._ BITIOU. Look! He too, he will fall down! _He plunges a dagger in Satni's back. Delethi draws Mieris away. Satni falls._ SATNI [_raising himself slightly_] It was you who struck me, Bitiou--[_He looks long and sadly at him_] I pity you with all my heart--with all my heart. [_He dies_] _Bitiou looks at the blood on the dagger, and flings it away in horror. Then he crouches down by Satni and begins to cry softly._ DELETHI [_to Mieris_] Mistress, come and pray! MIERIS. No, I do not believe in gods in whose name men kill. _Outside are heard the trumpets and acclamations that accompany Yaouma to the Nile._ CURTAIN THE RED ROBE CHARACTERS MOUZON VAGRET ETCHEPARE MONDOUBLEAU LA BOUZOLE BUNERAT ATTORNEY-GENERAL PRESIDENT OF ASSIZES DELORME ARDEUIL BRIDET POLICE SERGEANT RECORDER PLACAT DOORKEEPER YANETTA ETCHEPARE'S MOTHER MADAME VAGRET MADAME BUNERAT BERTHA CATIALENA _Time--The present._ ACT I