The Mother’s Tragedy

56 THE FATAL FORCE RATOUM. I have loved thee ever, I have made thee god. PACHAD. I hate myself, and therefore I hate thee. RATOUM. I am still goddess, still desire thy love. That leper lies: thou art indeed a god. PACHAD. I am a god to execute my will. [ Threatens her with his dagger. RATOUM. Mercy! Thou canst not strike a woman down! PACHAD. So! The thin casing of the godhead rots, Mere mummy-cloth: the rotten corpse within, Dust and corruption! I am still the god, And gods slay women: therefore I slay thee. RATOUM. Then thou shalt see me once again a god! [By a tremendous effort she towers before him. Silently they gaze at one another fora while, he vainly endeavouring to force himself to strike. At last she collapses into the throne, and he springs forward and drives his knife into her.