FOURTH GUEST. I left my lovely princess, and came here, because I
thought to play my part at a gay breakfast; but I am disappointed, for
it seems to me that I am, as the Scripture hath it, in the midst of
'wailing and gnashing of teeth.'

FATHER BENJAMIN. George Stanislaus, wilt thou receive holy unction?

GODFATHER AND GODMOTHER. I receive it.

A GUEST. Look! look! the countess rises from the sofa, and comes slowly
forward as if in a dream!

ANOTHER GUEST. How she reels and totters--poor thing! She is advancing
to the infant--how deadly pale she grows!

THIRD GUEST. Shall I offer her my arm? She looks as if about to faint--

FATHER BENJAMIN. George Stanislaus! wilt thou renounce the devil and all
his works?

GODFATHER AND GODMOTHER. I renounce them.

A GUEST. Hush! the countess--look!

WIFE (_laying her hand softly on the head of the infant_). Where is thy
father, tell me, George?

FATHER BENJAMIN. I beg that the ceremony may not be interrupted.

WIFE. Bless thee, George! I bless thee, my son! Become a poet, that thy
father may love thee, and never desert thee, George!

GODMOTHER. I conjure you, my dear Mary!

WIFE. Become a poet! that thus thou mayst serve thy father, mayst please
him, and then he will forgive thy mother, and return--

FATHER BENJAMIN. For the love of God, countess!

WIFE. I curse thee, George, if thou becomest not a poet!

She falls to the ground in a fainting fit--the servants bear her
out.

GUESTS (_whispering among themselves_). All this is very extraordinary.
What can have happened here? We had better leave the house immediately.

Meanwhile the solemn ceremony is completed--the crying infant is
again placed in his cradle.

GODFATHER (_standing by the cradle_). George Stanislaus! you have just
been made a Christian, and entered into the pale of human society; in
after years you will also be a citizen, and, through the grace of God
and the wise training of your parents, you may become a great statesman:
remember that you must love your native land; that it is noble and
beautiful to die for your country!

Exit all.

* * * * *

A beautiful landscape, diversified with hills and forests; a
mountain in the distance.

THE MAN. That for which I have so long striven, for which I have so
ardently prayed, is at last almost within my grasp!

The world of men lies far below me; the human pismires there may throng