heir murder.

ALICIA.
I'll be at the death.
Dive then, but softly. Scarcely draw your breath.

CRASSUS.
O, she's unwary!

ALICIA.
Is your love forgotten?

CRASSUS.
All love is rotten.

ALICIA.
But your pure love for me you boasted of?

CRASSUS.
Ay, that was perfect love.

ALICIA.
You love me then, not her?

CRASSUS.
Indeed I do.

ALICIA.
Swear me the oath anew!

CRASSUS.
I swear to love you till the world shall end.

ALICIA.
Then, Crassus, I will always be your friend.

CRASSUS.
Ah, that is good! You do not mock me now!

ALICIA.
Creep softly to the land. Kiss but my brow.
My curls are wet... No, never touch me there!

CRASSUS.
Why? Have I not?

ALICIA.
You have not.

CRASSUS.
Just my hand.

ALICIA.
You disobey your mistress's command?
The time is near when you shall see
The keyhole of my comedy!

CRASSUS.
Ha! Ha! Ha!

ALICIA.
Hush, you coarse slave; we'll surprise
Your good wife in her mystic exercise.
Quick, through the bramble!
[They burst through upon ADELA.]

CRASSUS.
Now, you beast, I've got you!
The curst of God, and plague of Naples, rot you!
For this white brute - one slit!
[He cuts the throat of THE SWAN with
his dagger.]

ADELA.
Oh love betrayed!
O my dead beauty! Faugh! deceitful maid.
Not Crassus found me out. Had I the wings
Of my dead love - oh love! -

ALICIA.
Why, wondrous things!

ADELA.
These nails shall serve. A servant!

CRASSUS.
She shall be
My wife, damned witch, when I have done with thee!
[THE SWAN dies.]

ADELA.
I'll kill her now. But see! my swan is dead.

ALICIA.
Yes! and what light is breaking overhead?
What blaze of blue and gold envelops us?

CRASSUS.
O marvel! O miraculous!

ADELA.
What is it? Why, my lover's life, in me
Once concentrated, now diffused, illumes
The endless reaches of eternity
With infinite brilliance, with intense perfumes.

ALICIA.
O then your lover was some god's disguise.

ADELA.
And you have robbed me. Now beware your eyes!
[She springs at ALICIA, who guards herself
easily. But in the struggle her robe tears.]

ALICIA.
Take care!

ADELA.
A boy!

CRASSUS.
A boy! Then what am I?

ALICIA.
That is the key-word of the comedy.
You thought you had two vices at your need;
But she had Jove and you had Ganymede.
[They are str