Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: ACT I. SCENE III A grassy, rock-lined valley in the Alps, down which a torrent roars. Near a rude hut, the only token of Man's activity, Arval ts standing. Miriam ascends the slope towards him. Miriam. You would repel intrusion ! But I learned Your creed last night with profit. I propose No feminine appeal to courtesy, Or kindness, or the current formula Of altruistic love. You reverence nought But crushing might.—I come, a highway- woman, To plunder, if I can. Arval (seizingherbythearm). What hinders me From flinging you to death among the crags Of yonder watercourse ? Miriam (smiling). That were too crude ! Pride of intellect hardly condescends To argument of brawn. Arval (looking at her curiously and dropping her arm). Well! You have looked Into my nature. Take the credit. Now What need you further ? Miriam. I would learn yet more Of motives that impel you. When you spoke Last night, I recognized, beneath your words, A march of thought somewhither. Tell me where. Arval (brusquely). Why should I tell you ? Miriam. Oh, from vanity. All who affect the love of solitude Are hungry for an audience. You desire To move and shake the world. And the dull world Hogs on as hitherto. Arval. Ah ! Taunt and mock ! I own my ill-acceptance. I have brought News, like of which no gleam has the world known Through long, parched centuries. But my life fades And no one hearkens. Miriam. What is your news ? Arval. Read My books. The tidings there will tear the world Up by the roots one day, and pompous fools, Who then, as now, shall pilot public taste, Will pour upon me, dead, the worthless praise They ever grudge the living. Miriam. Then you seek The praise of men ? Arval. I seek acknowledgment ...