loving, to uplift me from this death Among the living, life among the dead! Cor. Virginia! Weep or pray, but do not so! Alas, Virginia, art thou turned to stone?

[Virginia, all unhearing, turns once more toward the columns where the moon again shines through.

Virginia (singing). "In the deep dream-light thy bark thou art guiding, Shifting thy garments, the clouds, as a sail. Rocked o'er celestial waves thou art riding, Hiding thy features behind a light veil. Dian, the spell of thy muteness cast o'er me. Calm the wild tumult which wars in my brain, E'er through my life may thine image, before me. Shining and constant as ever remain."

[A silence falls. Virginia steals up to Cornelia, who stands weeping alone.

My comfort hath not been denied me—see, The moonbeams bear the message from the sky.[49] I hear a song which issues from the stars, A song of love and hope for a reunion; Re-born, we, who have loved and lost, shall live Afar from sin amid the Blessed Isles, And walk together, soul with soul, and heart With heart; no drop of passionate blood shall be Lost in our death, but we shall throb with love, And laugh amid the light of suns to be.

[49]

[A pause. Softly a dim gray light steals through the columns; the moon is sinking slowly. Cornelia turns in sudden terror.

Farewell, immortal friend, go to thy rest; Thy kindly watch is o'er. Cor. Virginia, see! Now dawns the cruel day when thou—when thou— Ye gods have mercy on us twain this day! [Sobs wildly. Virginia (pointing to the east). It steals with faltering steps and blushing cheeks. Call it not cruel; it has wept for me. The dew is heavy.  (Voice of lictor without.) See, it is the dawn. Look, comrades! Virginia (starting as from out a dream). Ah, Cornelia! Sure, I sleep. Is this my father's house? This four-walled cell, This prison, and am I Virginia? Could it have been but yesterday I woke Within this chamber from a happy dream. I dreamed of him, my love, Icilius, And woke still with his kiss upon my lips. I can recall the flood of morning light, A billowed sea of light upon the wall. I watched the changing pools and shifting waves,[50] And smiled; the music of the fount without, In rising cadence, played within mine ears, And presently the stirring of the maids And hum of spinning reached me and I rose, Glad, with the day. And now—Cornelia, touch My cheek lest I be vanishing to air; Feel if my heart yet beats. Methinks I'm dead; Even this moment but a roving ghost. 

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