The Serpent Play A Divine Pastoral |
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 | The Serpent Play |  |
61
Scene V.
—The Castle of Cœlis.Cœlis, alone.
CŒLIS.
O dream that comes to pass when infant truth
Quickens within the vision! So is born
Divinity to this love-founded world!
It have I sought through crystal depths that lie
In woman's heart, but not before have found
Her mirror open, till this very hour
All is revealed, through her, my holy bride!
The darkness left me when my welcomed eyes
Entered Volupsa's with that sister's joy
Beaming upon them! How a sister's love
Thus at a brother's kindled, sets at nought
All passion! On a long-lost heaven beyond,
Through the wide-open window of her soul
My eyes have gazed, and taught me to forego
The one too fond desire that dissipates
The ecstasy of being. O beloved!
How should I touch thy lips, how bruise the bloom
That lies upon them, tender as a dew
On the dimmed ruby! Like the violet
Kissing the stream, so shall thy lips, that blood
Of grapes has never stained, be left to sip
Heaven's nectar; while henceforward I invoke
Thy sister-love, pure, and unchangeable,
From infant days to age. Belovèd one,
Ideal sister! be our bridal vows
62
What I now feel draws our hereafter near.
Cœlis, Voragine, Vivia, Volupsa.
(Volupsa and Vivia.)
VOLUPSA.
My own red Rose!
VIVIA.
My Lily of the Vale!
VOLUPSA.
Your cheeks, how blooming!
VIVIA.
Yours, why are they pale?
(Cœlis, Volupsa.)
CŒLIS.
See you yon shadow from the mountain steeps
That swiftly o'er the primrose-valley sweeps?
VOLUPSA.
It seemed to rush away between
The hanging rocks, and to be no more seen.
63
So is it with us here; could we remain,
Or find, at once, the ever-shining plain,
Life would be real; that which has its close
Begins not: all is but a mocking flight,
Before and after swallowed up in night
Whence like a flitting shadow it arose.
(Voragine, Vivia.)
VORAGINE.
Yes, long the land 'neath war's hard grasp has chafed,
But, like your smiles, is peace to me vouchsafed;—
And now my thoughts on better days are set:
A soldier's utmost need is to forget.
(Cœlis, Volupsa.)
CŒLIS.
So vanishes all love if, soul to soul,
It be not graved on the eternal roll.
There be our plight and heaven emblazon it!
VOLUPSA.
There has my love this many a day been writ.
64
VORAGINE.
Yet is life long; though spent with you 'twould run
Swift to the end, as though 'twere just begun.
VIVIA.
That were too fast, if 'twere for me to choose.
VORAGINE.
Then let us not the passing moment lose!
(Cœlis, Volupsa.)
CŒLIS.
Can you then love me for the after-time,
That singly, yet as one, our souls may climb
To times immortal; only there to blend
In that existence which shall never end?
It will surpass this world!
VOLUPSA.
I do so now;
To me this life has long been only vain,
Yet does my lasting love for you remain.
CŒLIS.
Those holy words indite our final vow!
65
VORAGINE.
Yes, you are young: the younger be my heart,
That it may cling to yours till death us part.
VIVIA.
Let me die first; it is but once we die.
VORAGINE.
No, you must keep alive my memory!
(Cœlis, Volupsa.)
CŒLIS.
Will you, Volupsa, at your parting breath
Think of our vow, that when we conquer death
We shall arise as one?
VOLUPSA.
Then, what has brought
A love so deep across your dubious thought?
Am not I constant, when one only prayer
Leaves my sad heart for Heaven; that you may
Love me there?
| The Serpent Play | |