[_Her eyes are closed_]: I believe--wait--I remember. Remind me further----
[HE _is bowed over_ CONSUELO, _with lifted arms; he speaks slowly, but in a commanding voice, as if conjuring_.]
You see the waves playing. Remember the song of the sirens, their sorrowless song of joy. Their white bodies, shining blue through the blue waters. Or can you hear the sun, singing? Like the strings of a divine harp, spread the golden rays---- Do you not see the hand of God, which gives harmony, light, and love to the world? Do not the mountains, in the blue cloud of incense, sing their hymn of glory? Remember, O Consuelo, remember the prayer of the mountains, the prayer of the sea. [_Silence._]
[_Opening her eyes_]: No! HE, I was feeling so happy, and suddenly I forgot it all. Yet something of it all is still in my heart. Help me again, HE, remind me. It hurts, I hear so many voices. They all sing "Consuelo--Consuelo." What comes after? [_Silence; pause._] What comes after? It hurts. Remind me, HE. [_Silence--in the ring, the music suddenly bursts forth in a tempestuous circus gallop. Silence._] HE, [_opens her eyes and smiles_] that's Alfred galloping. Do you recognize his music?
[_With rage_]: Leave the boy alone! [_Suddenly falls on his knees before_ CONSUELO.] _I love you, Consuelo_, revelation of my heart, light of my nights, I love you, Consuelo. [_Looks at her in ecstasy and tears--and gets a slap; starting back._] What's this?
A slap! You forget who you are. [_Stands up, with anger in her eyes._] You are HE Who Gets Slapped! Did you forget it? Some god! With such a face--slapped face! Was it with slaps they threw you down from heaven, god?
Wait! Don't stand up! I--did not finish the play!
You lied to me. Why did you play so that I believed you?
You are not angry because I struck you? I did not want to really, but you were so--disgusting. And now you are so funny again. You have great talent, HE--or are you drunk?
[_Laughs, and touches his cheek with her fingertips_]: Here, then!
Didn't you understand that you are a queen, and I a fool who is in love with his queen? Don't you know, Consuelo, that every queen has a fool, and he is always in love with her, and they always beat him for it. HE Who Gets Slapped.