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!

Hel. (In sudden alarm) I hear a step!

Poe. (Looking at her reproachfully) Listen better, you will
hear God's footfall.

Hel. Some one is up.

Poe. And do you care? Would you put a stain upon this hour?
This flower of love blown perfect from the skies?

Hel. Ah, it is gone.

Poe. (Wildly) O, you will leave me, Helen! You can not stay!
For I will play the madman to thy sense when I am sanest,
and like a shivering Atlas shake thy world when most thou
wouldst be still. This body wraps more lives then one, my
girl. When I was born no pitying angel dipped my spirit-fire
in Lethe. I weep with all the dead as they my brothers
were, and haunt the track of time to shudder with his
ghosts. Wilt fare with me, brave Helen? Wilt tread the
nadir gloom and golden paths of suns? Canst gaze with me
into the fearful, grey infinitude--

Hel. That grey infinitude is yet the circle of your being. The
mind can not leave itself. You are always in your own
country. Why should you fear?

Poe. The mind that can not leave itself knows nothing. Not the
'I am' but 'Thou art' is God. O, there is a realm of which
imagination is but a shadow--where the mind is burnt away
in His vision's fire, and thought becomes celestial angel
of itself! And you turn back with the first step--already
I am alone--

Hel. No