THE DYNASTS ACT vi
ROSE
Still does his soul stay wrestling with that theme, And still it will, even semi-consciously, Until the drama's done.
They continue to converse by the doorway in whispers. PITT sinks slowly into a stupor, from which he never awakens.
SPIRIT OF THE PITIES (to the Spirit of the Years) Do you intend to speak to him ere the close ?
SPIRIT OF THE YEARS
Nay, I have spoke too often ! Time and time, When all Earth's light has lain on the nether side, And yapping midnight winds have leapt on roofs, And raised for him an evil harlequinade Of national disasters in long train, That tortured him- with harrowing grimace, Have I communed with that intelligence. Now I would leave him to pass out in peace, And seek the 'silence unperturbedly.
SPIRIT SINISTER
Even ITS official Spirit can show ruth
At man's fag end, when his destructions sure /
SPIRIT OF THE YEARS
It suits us ill to cavil each with each.
I might retort. I only say to thee
ITS slaves we are : ITS slaves must ever be !
CHORUS (aerial music)
Yea, from the Vague we shape, like these,
And tarry till That please To null us by Whose stress we emanate.—
172