WIFE _(nestling up at his left, somewhat behind, speaking solemnly)_ Bolder, my husband, still bolder!
To your evil-boding inaction I oppose my living, daring strength; to your gloom my clear, resonant laugh! Ho, repel the blows! You have a stone brow, devoid of reason. I will throw the glowing balls of my sparkling thought at it. You have a stone heart, devoid of pity. Take care, I will pour into it the poison of my rebellious outcries. The dark cloud of your grim wrath overshadows the sun. We will light the darkness with our swords. Ho, repel the blows!
Bolder, still bolder, my proud knight! Your squire is behind you.
Victorious, I will sing songs which the whole world will reecho; fallen under your blows, my only thought shall be to rise again and rush into battle. There are weak spots in my armor, but when my red blood is flowing, I will gather my last strength and cry: "You have not conquered, evil Enemy of Man!"
Bolder, my knight! I will wash your wounds with my tears. I will stop the flow of your red blood with my kisses.
And dying on the field of battle as the brave die, with one cry I will destroy your blind joy: "I have conquered!" I have conquered, O cruel Enemy. Unto my last breath I did not recognize your power!
Bolder, my knight, bolder! I will die beside you.
Ho, come forth to battle! Let the swords glitter, the shields clang! Deal and receive blows to make the earth tremble! Ho, come forth!
_[For some time Man and his Wife remain in the same posture; then they turn around, facing each other, and kiss._
That's the way we'll deal with life, my dear, won't we? Let it frown like a blind owl in the sun--we'll compel it to smile.
And to dance to our songs--so we will, we two.
We two. You're a good wife, you're my true friend, you're a brave little woman, and as long as you are with me I fear nothing. Poverty, what does it amount to? To-day we're poor, to-morrow rich.
And what is hunger? To-day we are hungry, to-morrow satisfied.
Do you think so? It's quite possible. But I'll eat a lot. I shall need so much to satisfy my hunger. Tell me, do you think this will prove enough? In the, morning, tea or coffee or chocolate. You can have your choice. It's free. Then a breakfast of three courses, then lunch, then dinner, then--