sunders flesh not souls.
Across all lands the hush of death on him
Would sound to me; and, did he live, denial,
Though every voice and silence spoke it, could
Not reach my rest!--But he is near.

PAULA: O no,
Not yet, my lady.

HELENA: Then some weariness
Has pluckt the minutes' wings and they have crept.

PAULA: But 'tis not twelve, else would we hear the band
Of holy Basil from their convent peace
Dreamily chant.

HELENA: Nay, hearts may hear beyond
The hark of ears! Listen! to me his step
Thrills thro' the earth.
(_ANTONIO approaches and enters the postern._)
'Tis he! Go Paula, go:
But sleep not.
(_PAULA hastens out._)
(_Going to him._) My Antonio, I breathe,
Now no betiding fell athwart thy path
To stay thee from me!

ANTONIO: Stronger than all betiding
This hour has reached and drawn me yearning to thee!
(_Takes her in his arms._)

HELENA: And may all hours!

ANTONIO: All! tho' we two will still
Be more than destiny--which cannot grasp
Beyond the grave.

HELENA: 'Tis sadly put, my lord.

ANTONIO: Ah, sadly, loathly; but, my Helena--

HELENA: I would not sink from it, the simple sun--
Fade to a tomb! What dirging hast thou heard
To mind thee of it?

ANTONIO: Love is a bliss too bright
To rest on earth. With it God should give us
Ever to soar above mortality.
But you must know----!

HELENA: Not yet, tell me not yet!
Dimly I see the burden in your eyes,
But dare not take it yet into my own.
Let us a little look upon the moon,
Forgetting. (_They seat themselves._)

ANTONIO (_musingly_): These hands--this hair--
(_Caressing them._)

HELENA: Like a farewell
Your touch falls on them.

ANTONIO (_moved_): To a father yield them?

HELENA: Antonio?

ANTONIO (_still caressing_): No, no! It cannot be!

HELENA: This dread--and shrinking--let me have it!--speak!
You mean--look on me!--mean, your father?--

ANTONIO: Ah!
It must not! must not!

HELENA: Do you mean--he--No!
Let him not touch me even in thy thought,
To me come nearer than a father may!

ANTONIO: He's swept by the sweet contagion of you, wrapt
In a fierce