_A white boat, shaped like a viking ship, with a dragon for figure-head, with a pale-blue silken sail on a gilded yard, and with a rose-red standard flying from the top of a gilded mast, glides through the strait from the left._ He _and_ She _are seated in the stern with their arms around each other_.
THE OFFICER. Behold perfect happiness, bliss without limits, young love's rejoicing!
Hail, beautiful haven, Where the Springs of my youth were spent, Where my first sweet dreams were dreamt-- To thee I return, But lonely no longer! Ye hills and groves, Thou sky o'erhead, Thou mirroring sea, Give greeting to her: My love, my bride, My light and my life!
_The flags at the landings of Fairhaven are dipped in salute; white handkerchiefs are waved from verandahs and boats, and the air is filled with tender chords from harps and violins_.
THE POET. See the light that surrounds them! Hear how the air is ringing with music!--Eros!
THE OFFICER. It is his Victoria--My own is still mine. And nobody can see _her_--Now you hoist the quarantine flag, and I shall pull in the net.
[The MASTER OF QUARANTINE _waves a yellow flag._ THE OFFICER. [_Pulling a rope that turns the boat toward Foulstrand_] Hold on there!
HE _and_ SHE _become aware of the hideous view and give vent to their horror_.
MASTER OF Q. Yes, it comes hard. But here every one must stop who hails from plague-stricken places.
THE POET. The idea of speaking in such manner, of acting in such a way, within the presence of two human beings united in love! Touch them not! Lay not hands on love! It is treason!--Woe to us! Everything beautiful must now be dragged down--dragged into the mud!
[HE _and_ SHE _step ashore, looking sad and shamefaced_.
MASTER OF Q. It is not necessary to have done anything in order to encounter life's little pricks.
SHE. So short-lived are joy and happiness!
HE. To live here--among blackened hills and pig-sties?
THE POET. Love overcomes all, even sulphur fumes and carbolic acid.
MASTER OF Q. [_Starts a fire in the stove; blue, sulphurous flames break forth_] Now I set the sulphur going. Will you please step in?
MASTER OF Q. And become white. So your roses will also turn white in time.
SHE. [_To_ The OFFICER] That will please you.