Part 19 (1/2)

[_Laughing, she softly sings the melody of the waltz, which is playing in the distance._]

HE

Don't laugh, Consuelo, at the voice of the stars. They are far away, their rays are light and pale, and we can barely see their sleeping shadows, but their sorcery is stern and dark. You stand at the gates of eternity. Your die is cast; you are _doomed_--and your Alfred, whom you love in your heart, even though your mind is not aware of it, your Alfred cannot save you. He, too, is a stranger on this earth. He is submerged in a deep sleep. He, too, is a little G.o.d who has lost himself, and Consuelo, never, never will he find his way to Heaven again. Forget Bezano----

CONSUELO

I don't understand a word. Do the G.o.ds really exist? My teacher told me about them. But I thought it was all tales! [_Laughs._] And my Bezano is a G.o.d?

HE

Forget Bezano! Consuelo, do you know who can save you? The only one who can save you? I.

CONSUELO

[_Laughing_]: You, HE?

HE

Yes, but don't laugh! Look. Here is the letter H. It is I, HE.

CONSUELO

HE Who Gets Slapped? Is that written here, too?

HE

That, too. The stars know everything. But look here, what more is written about him. Consuelo, welcome him. HE is an old G.o.d in disguise, who came down to earth only to love you, foolish little Consuelo.

CONSUELO

[_Laughing and singing_]: Some G.o.d!

HE

Don't mock! The G.o.ds don't like such, empty laughter from beautiful lips. The G.o.ds grow lonely and die, when they are not recognized. Oh, Consuelo! Oh, great joy and love! Do recognize this G.o.d, and accept him.

Think a moment, one day a G.o.d suddenly went crazy!

CONSUELO

G.o.ds go crazy, too?

HE

Yes, when they are half man, then they often go mad. Suddenly he saw his own sublimity, and shuddered with horror, with infinite solitude, with super-human anguish. It is terrible, when anguish touches the divine soul!

CONSUELO

I don't like it. What language are you speaking? I don't understand----

HE