>Act
II
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Dialogue following No. 13
| Ethais. | I'll satisfy thy wonder in a word: The face is the true index to the heart — A ready formula whereby to read The morals of a mortal at a glance. |
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| Selene. | Then, Ethais, is perfect comeliness Always identified with moral worth? |
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| Ethais. | The comeliest man is the most virtuous. That's an unfailing rule. |
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| Selene. | Then, Ethais, | |||
There is no holier man on earth than
thou! |
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| Ethais. | 'Twill never fade while thou art true to me. | |||
| Selene. (amazed). | ||||
| Are women ever false to such as thou? | ||||
| Ethais. | Are women ever true? — well, not to me! | |||
| Selene. | But these are earthly maidens, Ethais. My love is purer than a mortal's love. |
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| Ethais. | Thy love is no mortal love if it be pure. | |||
| Selene. (horrified). | ||||
| Then, mortal Ethais, what love is thine? | ||||
| Ethais. (taken back). | ||||
| I spake of women — men are otherwise! | ||||
| Selene. | Man's love is pure invariably? | |||
| Ethais. | Pure? | |||
| Pure as thine own! | ||||
| Selene. | Poor trusting, cheated souls! | |||
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Page modified 13 August 2011