-a kiss!

Poe. 'Tis yours! (Kisses her) Why not? For but a kiss did Jove
forsake the skies, and jeopard his high realm!

Mrs. Del.
For but a kiss did Dian leave her throne and waste her
goddess dower on shepherd lips! (Sits by him) Now you are
going to tell me something. Why did you fly from Normandy,
and not a word, not a word to me? Come, my Calidore! Why
did you fly from me?

Poe. (Momentarily sober) Because--a woman shall never become
less holy than God made her through me. (Rises and walks
away) Helen ... my amaranth, I may not pluck thee!...
(Staggers) One cup more ... one.... (Pours wine, and holds
up glass apostrophizing as Roger and Helen enter unnoticed)
O, little ruby ocean that can drown all mortal sighs! Call
buried hope to put life's garland on, and limping woes to
trip like Nereids on a moonlit shore! For thee, frail
sickness casts her pallid chrysalis and blooms a rosy
angel! For thee, Death breaks his scythe and owns Life
conqueror! (Drinks) Were this Antonius' cup.... Ha! Are
you there, my devil? Another kiss, sweetheart! (Throws
his arm about Mrs. Delormis. Helen cries out. Poe turns
and faces her)

Hel. (To Poe, speaking slowly and mechanically) I came, sir, to
ask you to forgive me. (Turns to Roger) It is to you,
Roger, that I make my plea.

(Poe looks at her helplessly, then understands, and with a
terrible face, turns and leaps through the open window.
Helen, with a sob, droops, and Roger takes her in his
arms)

(CURTAIN)

ACT II.

Scene: Lawn in front of Clemm cottage, near Richmond. Bony and Tat
on a side porch shelling peas.

Tat. Sho' Mars Edgah come in good time! Pea-vines jes a hangin'
low, an' sweet as honey!

Bony. Mars Edgah hab peas ebry day wha' he came f'om! Big city
hab ebryting!

Tat. Dey can't hab ebryting when it don' grow!

Bony. Sho', dey hab it when it don' grow same lak when he do
grow!

Tat. You nebah did hab no sense!

Bony. I ain't got no sense? Take dat, Tatermally Clemm! (Strikes
at her. They scuffle and bring Zurie to side door)

Zu. Dem chillun' jes kill me! Why de Lawd make ol' Zurie bring
dem two