ill she yieldeth up
Her locked virginity--the Truth!

Max. (Affectionately) Ay, Charles,
Get knowledge if thou canst, and yet despair not,
For none so poor but virtue may be his;
And though your knowledge is earth's silver key
That opens man's and nature's heart,
'Tis golden virtue opens Heaven and shows
The God among his stars.... But, come, dear friends!
Pleasure is a true goddess too. We'll show
Her fair respect.

(All go into theatre but Charles, who drops back unnoticed)

Char. He constantly unmasks me
And knows it not. Knowledge! 'Tis withered leaves
Amid a world of dewy boughs! Knowledge!
To one school will I go--one book I'll read,
The school of love, the page of woman's eye,
And I'll know more than sages and divines
Who study stars and Scripture!...
'For none so poor but virtue may be his'
O noble soul, had I been true to thee
I now could open thy deceived eyes.
Crime seals my lips. I can but pray
This empire built on blood may stand. We are
The creatures of our deeds, more bound to them
Than slave to master, for the terms of service
Are fast indentured in the soul and know
No razure!... But I will find Aseffa! Then,
Though sin should set a darkness on my life
To draw each night out to a winter's length
That constant storms from sallow leaf to green,
Still love's sweet lamp shall light me! In my heart
'T will be as day!

(Enter Aseffa veiled, her dress covered with a black
cloak. An attendant following. She tries to cross over to
side entrance of theatre. A guard stops her)

Asef. I am a singer.

Guard. Show
Your pass.

Asef. Here, sir.

(Guard signs for her to pass on. She sees Charles
and stops. Steps before him, throwing back her veil)

Asef. You swore to save him!

Char. You!
Aseffa! Blest--

Asef. You swore it!

Char. And would have died
To keep my oath could I have kept it dy