IRENE.
When we dead awaken.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Shakes his head mournfully.] What do we really see then?
IRENE.
We see that we have never lived.
[She goes towards the slope and descends.
[The SISTER OF MERCY makes way for her and follows her.
PROFESSOR RUBEK remains sitting motionless beside the brook.
MAIA.
[Is heard singing triumphantly among the hills.]
I am free! I am free! I am free!
No more life in the prison for me!
I am free as a bird! I am free!
ACT THIRD.
[A wild riven mountain-side, with sheer precipices at the back.
Snow-clad peaks rise to the right, and lose themselves in drifting mists. To the left, on a stone-scree, stands an old, half-ruined hut. It is early morning. Dawn is breaking. The sun has not yet risen.
[MAIA comes, flushed and irritated, down over the stone-scree on the left. ULFHEIM follows, half angry, half laughing, holding her fast by the sleeve.
MAIA.
[Trying to tear herself loose.] Let me go! Let me go, I say!
ULFHEIM.
Come, Come! are you going to bite now? You"re as snappish as a wolf.
MAIA.
[Striking him over the hand.] Let me, I tell you? And be quiet!
ULFHEIM.
No, confound me if I will!
MAIA.
Then I will not go another step with you. Do you hear?--not a single step!
ULFHEIM.
Ho, ho! How can you get away from me, here, on the wild mountain-side?
MAIA.
I will jump over the precipice yonder, if need be--
ULFHEIM.
And mangle and mash yourself up into dogs"-meat! A juicy morsel! [Lets go his hold.] As you please. Jump over the precipice if you want to.
It"s a dizzy drop. There"s only one narrow footpath down it, and that"s almost impa.s.sable.
MAIA.
[Dusts her skirt with her hand, and looks at him with angry eyes.] Well, you are a nice one to go hunting with!
ULFHEIM.
Say rather, sporting.
MAIA.
Oh! So you call this sport, do you?
ULFHEIM.
Yes, I venture to take that liberty. It is the sort of sport I like best of all.