The Equinox (Volume I, Number VI)

THE EQUINOX RINALDO. For water I will give you fire. Twelve hundred years ago came peace on earth and goodwill toward men through avirgin sacrifice. . . . History repeats itself. LAYLAH. I am on the edge of the well ; but I shall not fall in. You area renegade, I see; and, I think, a monster. You are mad with pride and conceit of your own wisdom. SoI know you for a fool. RINALDO, The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. LAYLAH. Prate on I Even the dust mocks at you. RINALDO. There are snakes in the dust. LAYLAH. What do you mean? RINALDO. I saw it in your eyes three minutes since. I did not need to turn my head to know that on the horizon gallop your husband and his band. LAYLAI-I. You are clever. RINALDO. And you were forced despite yourself to drop a hint that might warn me to rejoin my knights. LAYLAH. Nol RINALDO. Yes. By that I knew that you loved me. LAYLAH. And by this (she strikes him) know that I hate you. RINALDO. You are too young. I have seen lions. LAYLAH. You are a savage. RINALDO. Natureis savage. Passion is savage. The God alike of Jews and Moslems delights in death. Or why are men and beasts slain in His honour? Brutal force is at the heart of things. Man is dragged crying from his mother's womb in dire agony; man fights his surroundings ——the nearer they are the more bitterly must he fight them 78