I am lonely. I'm afraid, (_he holds
her, soothing. But she steps back from him_) And because we are
tired--lonely--and afraid, we stop with you. Don't get through--to what
you're in the way of.
TOM: Then you don't love me?
CLAIRE: I'm fighting for my chance. I don't know--which chance.
(_Is drawn to the other chance, to Breath of Life. Looks into it as if
to look through to the uncaptured. And through this life just caught
comes the truth she chants._)
I've wallowed at a coarse man's feet,
I'm sprayed with dreams we've not yet come to.
I've gone so low that words can't get there,
I've never pulled the mantle of my fears around me
And called it loneliness--And called it God.
Only with life that waits have I kept faith.
(_with effort raising her eyes to the man_)
And only you have ever threatened me.
TOM: (_coming to her, and with strength now_) And I will threaten you.
I'm here to hold you from where I know you cannot go. You're trying what
we can't do.
CLAIRE: What else is there worth trying?
TOM: I love you, and I will keep you--from fartherness--from harm. You
are mine, and you will stay with me! (_roughly_) You hear me? You will
stay with me!
CLAIRE: (_her head on his breast, in ecstasy of rest.
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