Char. (Most pleadingly) Come, wait within,
Dear princess! Come!

Car. I will not leave him! No!
The poor, sad prisoner! Those cruel weapons!
I fear--I fear--he is condemned to die.
... Perhaps he has a wife. Ah me, I pray not.
Then would be tears! He is a noble man,--
But still his face is from me.... They reach the field.
The soldiers halt and lift their guns. O how they gleam!
... I can not see.... Why is the face so dim?
Will no one save him? Let us pray for him!
We can do that! Down on our knees and pray!
O men, men, men! What sin beneath the sun
Can give excuse for such a deed as this?
O, Heaven, are you looking too? A man
So noble! Oh, he turns--he turns--his breast
Is to the weapons! Now they fire! He falls!
His face! (Gives a wild cry) Oh God! 'tis Maximilian!

(Falls forward on her face)

(CURTAIN)

THE POET

ACT I.

SCENE 1. Helen's room, Truelord house, New York.

ACT II.

SCENE 1. Exterior of Clemm cottage, near Richmond.

ACT III.

SCENE 1. Interior of Clemm cottage.
SCENE 2. The Same.

ACT IV.

SCENE 1. An old book store, New York.
SCENE 2. Poe's cottage, Fordham.

ACT V.

SCENE 1. Poe's lodging, Baltimore.
SCENE 2. A bar-room.

CHARACTERS

EDGAR ALLAN POE
VIRGINIA CLEMM
MRS. MARIA CLEMM
HELEN TRUELORD
MRS. TRUELORD
ROGER BRIDGMORE
NELSON CLEMM
MRS. DELORMIS
DOCTOR BARLOW
MRS. SCHMIDT
GEORGE THOMAS, Barkeeper
HAINES, JUGGERS, SHARP, BLACK, gamblers
BOOKSELLER
MUM ZURIE, TAT, BONY, servants at Clemm cottage.

Gertrude, Mabel, Annie, Sallie, Dora, Gladys, Ethel, Alma, Allie,
friends of Virginia.

THE POET

ACT I.

Scene: Room in the Truelord House. Helen lies on a couch before
large windows, rear, reading by light from a small lamp on table
near couch. She wears a loose robe over night-dress.

A light knock is heard at door, left centre.

Hel. (Sitting up) Mamma?

Voice. Yes, dear.

Hel. (Kissing book and closing it) Good-bye, my poet! (Drops
book on couch and goes to door)

Voice, as Helen opens door.
I saw your light. (Enter Mrs. Truelord) Forgive me,
love. I could not rest. (Helen is closing