DOUCE-COEUR. There echo in my ears the groans of Toil, Of those who labor on from year to year Until they sink beneath their weary lot.
LOVE. Toil is the destiny of man, Princess, And none may question the Supreme Decree. Perchance through toil alone man may redeem A past that is forgotten. Who can tell? And there is still some aftermath of joy In labor well achieved, some dignity In toil accomplished. If the way is hard And seeming endless, those who seek for me Will often find me singing at their side. Mine is the Brotherhood of Sympathy. But thou hast banished Song, in silence now The toilers have to go upon their way. Art thou so sure, it was all dark before?
DOUCE-COEUR. What light is there for those who strive and fail?
LOVE. One only fails. He whom some term Success, He who gives heart and soul and youth and strength To an unworthy cause. Failure is he Who sacrifices me before the world, Who prostitutes the God in him for what Will turn to dust and ashes in his hand. 'Tis he alone is outcast though he thinks Himself the sun of all the universe. To those, Princess, who striving seem to fail, It is not failure, for none see the end, And they who sigh are only those who seek An earlier consummation than is just; If they cling fast to me they still behold The white star-flowers Hope plants about the world. Who knows to what fair land rough seas may lead?
DOUCE-COEUR. Lo! over all I see the cruel hand Of Death outstretched, certain and pitiless.
LOVE. The hand of Death is full of tenderness. He leads men through that dark mysterious gate-- That all must pass into another life-- To other lives that through the cycles bring The souls of men upward from step to step, Uniting those for ever who are one. Death hushes them like children on his breast. Setting his own smile on their silent lips-- That tender smile of strange triumphant peace. Death is my Brother, and I say to thee, Learn to know me, thou wilt not fear his hand.
DOUCE-COEUR. Another hand is knocking at my heart Whose touch I know not, and I feel afraid-- Afraid to listen. Yet I long to hear. Stranger, who art thou? Let me see thy face.
LOVE. Learn to know me and thou shalt nothing fear.
DOUCE-COEUR. Who art thou? Let me look into thine eyes.