[Sir Tristram releases Lady Sumner's hand.]
Lady S. Was there once A thing called love? Oh, love! Death--death and hell.
St. J. Yet you will live. My car is waiting: through the silent town, The silent city and the lamplit night, Watched by the star-attended moon, half seen Behind her cloudy lattice in the skies, Our wind-shod wheels shall bear us speedily.
St. J. The call of night, By sleepless fancies heard and souls set free. The forest calls you in your blood and brain: Like spell-bound tides the billowy woodlands sleep; Through labyrinthine thickets pencilled beams Explode in silvery silence; far withdrawn Behind the darknesses of clustered boles The emerald forest moonshine glances clear, Imprisoned wells of light. Come, Martha, come.
Lady S. The woods will cover me and hide me close.
Sir T. Good night. To-morrow, Gervase, bring your tragedy.
St. J. My play? No tragedy; a triumph, Tristram.
Sir T. A triumph may it be! Again, good night.
[Opens the door of the Business-room, turns up the light, and discovers EUROPA asleep.]
Pride of life, pure sex, Dreaming and roseate! Trick of the night, and sleep Pretended? Smiles! ..... Europa! No; she breathes With parted lips, her nostrils, carved and sweet As immortelles of pearl, too delicate To fill in slumber's heedless anarchy Her rhythmic bosom's vaulted depths; her arms Hang listless, and her limbs beneath her gown Are like the gates of heaven, ajar. Superb She-creature this! She looked desire to-day; To-night her will effects the shortest way. I must have money.
[Having removed Europa's clothes from the desk he is about to open it, when Europa wakens and looks about.]
Beautiful of you To be here on the instant that my life Begins again! You overheard?
Europa. Not all; I slept. Your bishop with the sorcerer's voice Of silver thrilled me first, then charmed my heart With deep material news that brought to life Dead dreams of mine. I want to be myself For this one night; not the smart actress, vulgar Business-woman that fights or smooths her way With scorn or kisses as the battle bends, But Matter, pure and passionate--as I am.
Sir T. St. James's message falls on fertile ground!
Europa. He says a thing there that will move the world.