portal to
My father's ear, but it came out his mouth
Headlong and dark with curses.

HELENA: Yet of late
He oft has smiled upon me as he passed.

ANTONIO: On you--my father? O, he only dreamt,
And saw you not.

HELENA: Then have you also dreamt!
He looked as you, when, moonlight in my hair,
You call me----

ANTONIO: Stay: I'll call you so no more.

HELENA: You'll call me so no more?

ANTONIO: No more.

HELENA: Why do
You say so--is it kind?

ANTONIO: Why?--why? Because
Words were they miracles of beauty could
As little reveal you as a taper's ray
The lone profundity and space of night!

HELENA: And yet----

ANTONIO: And yet?

HELENA: I'll hold you not too false
If sometimes they trip out upon your lips.

ANTONIO: Or to my father's eye?

HELENA: If he but look
Upon me for thy sake.

ANTONIO: He smiled, you say?

HELENA: Gently, as one might in forgetting pain.

ANTONIO: Perhaps: for some unwonted softness seems
Near him. But yesterday he called for song,
Dancing and wine.

HELENA: Then tell him! These are years
So dyed in crime that secrecy must seem
Yoke-mate of guilt.

ANTONIO: Fear has bewitched you--shame!

HELENA: Antonio, love's wave has cast us high
I would do all lest now it turn to fate
Under our feet and draw us out----

ANTONIO: 'Twill not!

_Enter PAULA._

PAULA: My lady, some one comes.

HELENA: And is the world
Not space enough but he must needs come here!
If it were----?

ANTONIO: Haemon?--'Twere perhaps not ill.

HELENA: I know not! Broodings smoulder from his moods
Feverous bitter.

ANTONIO: Kindness then shall quench them.
But now, away. Forget this dread and be you
By day my lark, by night my nightingale,
Not a sad bird of boding!

HELENA: With the day
All will be well.

ANTONIO: Remember then you are
Only a little slept from your life's shore
Out on the infinite of love, whose air
Is awe and mystery.

HELENA: I go, my lord.
Think of me oft!

ANTONIO (_taking her in his arms_): My Helena!

(_She goes with PA