Poe. Oh! (Hides his face on her breast. She holds him to her, her hands on his hair) And when the little boy heard the leaves rustling closer and closer he climbed a great tree--
Poe. (Lifting his head) But he wasn't afraid, mama?
Hel. Yes. And when you got to the top of the tree--
Hel. Why, you see this was the biggest giant that _e-v-e-r_ lived--and his head was just as high as the top of the tree--so when he came by--
Poe. I know! I know! I just out with my sword, and off went his head!
Hel. So it did! And then you climbed down from the tree--
Poe. And the little girl came out of the cave--
Hel. And you went off together happy ever after!
Poe. What was that little girl's name, mama?
Hel. Why, I don't think you ever told me that, did you?
Poe. That I wish you weren't my mama, so you could be that little girl!
Hel. O, I can, dear. For there were the fairies. We forgot the fairies. They gave me this pretty ring, so that when I put it on I can be whoever I please, and I please to be just whoever my little boy likes best.
Poe. (Rises, and speaks in his own manner) Madonna, Oh, Madonna! You will save me. (Kisses her forehead) Good-night. To-morrow I will tell you about my work--our work. There are miracles yet to be. And Poesy shall speak them.
Hel. But do not try to write out all your soul, Edgar. That cannot be. Poetry is but one gate. The soul goes out by a thousand ways.
Poe. True. And we will find those ways together, Helen. We will gather truth in every path,--truth that flowers out of the struggle and carnage of life like the bloom of song on the crimson of war.
Hel. But we may not know all. Man's greatest knowledge is but the alphabet of the eternal book. We must be content with the letters, and not unhappily strive to read.
Poe. I will remember. But what mortal can attain shall be mine. Already thoughts that fled my agony come to me as gently as the alighting of birds. Truths open about me like the unfolding of roses yet warm with God's secret. Good-night. (Takes her hand) I am not the greatest genius, Helen, for I can not stand alone. (Drops her hand and goes to window. Hesitates and turns back) One kiss. (Kisses her) O, look at me! I lose divinity when you close your eyes! Look at me, and I can not fall for Heaven bears me up!