Smoke without fire! No thrill of tongues licks up The offerings in the cup. Dead falls desire. Black smoke thou art, O altar-flame, that dost dismember, Devour the hearth, to leave no ember To warm this heart. I see her still - Adela dancing here Till dim gods did appear To work our will. The delicate girl! Diaphanous gossamer Subtly revealing her Brave breast of pearl! Now - she's withdrawn At dusk to the wild woods, Mystic beatitudes That dure till dawn. Let life exclaim Against these things of spirit, Mankind that disinherit Of love's pure flame! (He bends before the altar and begins to weep.) Ye household gods! By these male tears I swear That ye shall grant this prayer. All things at odds Shall be put straight - Harmonized, reconciled By some appointed child Of some far Fate! (A curtain has been drawn aside during this invocation, and ALICIA advances. She smiles subtly upon him; and, giving a strange gesture, makes one or two noiseless steps of dancing.) (ALICIA: Master still sad?) These faint and fearful shores Of time are beaten by the surge of sense, Love worn away - by love? - to indifference. Who knows what god - or demon - she adores? Or in what wood she shelters, or what grove Sees her profane our sacrament of love?

Crassus Monologue from Household Gods: A Comedy

Rehearse Crassus's monologue