The God-Eater

18 And in their essence? Deeper, deeper yet I dive. [He draws the dirk and tests the point.| And will to-morrow show me aught? [He extinguishes the lamps, goes to the door and opens it, The clang startles him.| I hate that door! Strange that the outer air Should bring back manhood! Man, thou pitiest her ! Man, thou art whelmed in that red tide of lust That rolls over strong loathing by vast will, Hideous rapture of death. That’s for thee, man ! Thine are the scalding tears of sympathy, The tender love for the young flower. And these Are none of the priest’s. Enough ! [Exit. The door clangs again. The curtain falls; a scene drops. WRupna, an aged and wizened hag, of gigantic stature, is dis- covered seated C. The scene represents a lonely hill-top covered with stones. A little coarse grass grows in places. Three great menhirs stand up C. Moonlight.| Rupua. The rune of the breath. The saga of death. The secret of earth. The beginning of birth. The speech of woe. Ho! Ho!