Get out o' this!

Poe. (Rising slowly) Thou mighty one, thy servant hears thee!

Bark. Eh?

Poe. I'll be the humblest round thy throne.

Bark. Look here, I was a little soft about you, but now you just
shove along!

Poe. I beg your pardon,--may I ask the name of this planet?

Bark. Eh?

Poe. Is it--the earth?

Bark. (Shaking him) None o' your squibs!

Poe. (Recognizing and throwing him off with momentary strength)
Do not touch me, George Thomas. I will go.

Black. (Flinging him a piece of silver, which falls to the floor)
There's a bed for you.

Poe. I dare not touch it, sir, lest I be infected, for the
angels who look upon us know that I shall be in health
when fever shall sit on your bones and agues make their
bed in your marrow!

Jug. A gentleman can't stand that jaw. Kick him out, Thomas, or
I will.

Poe. Do not touch me! You walking clay! who button your coats
about three meals a day and think you have belted in the
universe! Go listen to the sea lapping rock and bone to
her oblivious mill, and know your hearts shall sleep as
sand within her shells! By the dead worlds that drift in
yonder void, and long have sung the swan-song of their
deities, this too shall pass, and ere it passes flesh
shall learn its impotence! Grey stalkers from the past
shall clutch the throat of days! All wrongs shall rise and
gather their revenge! And man--

Sharp. Here you crazy Tom! That's just enough!

(Tries to take hold of Poe)

Poe. Off! See what I see! The Conqueror Worm! Fold on fold the
red-fanged monster creeps! Look! your doom, ye swine with
sodden eyes fast shut against sublimities! Ye--

Jug. (Taking Poe by the throat) I'll stop your croaking!

(Haines and Black pull Juggers from Poe, who falls to seat
utterly exhausted)

Haines. Can't you keep your hands off a sick man?

Jug. Sick! He's the devil!

Haines. Then you might as well make his acquaintance.

Poe. 'Tis here ... death ... and all is yet to say. O, I have
chattered as a babe! Now, I could speak, and dust is in my
mouth!... Helen, you told me to be content with the
letters.... I have tried to read ... to steal Go