!--Is it thou, Melisande?

MELISANDE.

Yes.

PELLEAS.

Come hither; do not stay at the edge of the moonlight.--Come hither.
We have so many things to tell each other.... Come hither in the
shadow of the linden.

MELISANDE.

Let me stay in the light....

PELLEAS.

We might be seen from the windows of the tower. Come hither; here, we
have nothing to fear.--Take care; we might be seen....

MELISANDE.

I wish to be seen....

PELLEAS.

Why, what doth ail thee?--Thou wert able to come out without being
seen?

MELISANDE.

Yes; your brother slept....

PELLEAS.

It is late.--In an hour they will close the gates. We must be careful.
Why art thou come so late?

MELISANDE.

Your brother had a bad dream. And then my gown was caught on the nails
of the gate. See, it is torn. I lost all this time, and ran....

PELLEAS.

My poor Melisande!... I should almost be afraid to touch thee.... Thou
art still out of breath, like a hunted bird.... It is for me, for me,
thou doest all that?... I hear thy heart beat as if it were mine....
Come hither ... nearer, nearer me....

MELISANDE.

Why do you laugh?

PELLEAS.

I do not laugh;--or else I laugh for joy, unwittingly.... It were a
weeping matter, rather....

MELISANDE.

We have come here before.... I recollect....

PELLEAS.

Yes ... yes.... Long months ago.--I knew not then.... Knowest thou why
I asked thee to come here to-night?

MELISANDE.

No.

PELLEAS.

It is perhaps the last time I shall see thee.... I must go away
forever....

MELISANDE.

Why sayest thou always thou wilt go away?...

PELLEAS.

I must tell thee what thou knowest already?--Thou knowest not what I
am going to tell thee?

MELISANDE.

Why, no; why, no; I know nothing--...

PELLEAS.

Thou knowest not why I must go afar.... Thou knowest not it is
because ... [_He kisses her abruptly._] I love thee....

MELISANDE (_in a low voice_).

I love thee too....

PELLEAS.

Oh! oh! What saidst thou, Melisande?... I hardly heard it!... Thou
sayest that in a voice coming from the end of the world!... I hardly
heard thee.... Thou lovest me?--Thou lovest me too?... Since when
lovest thou me?...

MELISANDE.

Since always.... Since I saw thee....

PELLEAS.

Oh, how thou sayest that!... Thy voice seems to have blown across the
sea in spring!... I have never heard it until now;... one would say
it had rained on my heart!... Thou sayest that so frankly!... Like an
angel