64 
THE WORLD’S TRAGEDY. 
 
To utter forth some doom of dread — 
But now ? 
 
A young man in a white robe is found standing before her. 
 
THE YOUTH 
 
Maiden, be comforted !  
The Lord hath listened unto thy lament,  
The ululation of that wolfish stress ;  
And I am sent  
To heal thy loneliness. 
 
MIRIAM 
 
Ah !  thou art not as he that saw me 
To-day.  Thou art comelier than he, 
And softly mayest thou draw me 
From this perplexity. 
But hast thou — hast thou such a thing of fear 
(Like an old giant’s knotty spear) 
As he ?  Thou dost not laugh and leer 
As he did.  No !  I will not show my face 
 
She drops her veil. 
 
Stand back, stand back a space ! 
 
She advances toward him.