Page 127 of 172 THE COLLOQUY OF MONOS AND UNA - Complete Poetical Works

THE COLLOQUY OF MONOS AND UNA.

[Greek: Mellonta sauta']

These things are in the future.

_Sophocles_--'Antig.'

'Una.'

"Born again?"

'Monos.'

Yes, fairest and best beloved Una, "born again." These were the words

upon whose mystical meaning I had so long pondered, rejecting the

explanations of the priesthood, until Death itself resolved for me the

secret.

'Una.'

Death!

'Monos.'

How strangely, sweet _Una_, you echo my words! I observe, too, a

vacillation in your step, a joyous inquietude in your eyes. You are

confused and oppressed by the majestic novelty of the Life Eternal.

Yes, it was of Death I spoke. And here how singularly sounds that word

which of old was wont to bring terror to all hearts, throwing a mildew

upon all pleasures!

'Una.'

Ah, Death, the spectre which sate at all feasts! How often, Monos, did

we lose ourselves in speculations upon its nature! How mysteriously

did it act as a check to human bliss, saying unto it, "thus far, and

no farther!" That earnest mutual love, my own Monos, which burned

within our bosoms, how vainly did we flatter ourselves, feeling happy

in its first upspringing that our happiness would strengthen with its

strength! Alas, as it grew, so grew in our hearts the dread of that

evil hour which was hurrying to separate us forever! Thus in time it

became painful to love. Hate would have been mercy then.

'Monos'.

Speak not here of these griefs, dear Una--mine, mine forever now!

'Una'.

But the memory of past sorrow, is it not present joy? I have much to

say yet of the things which have been. Above all, I burn to know the

incidents of your own passage through the dark Valley and Shadow.

'Monos'.

And when did the radiant Una ask anything of her Monos in vain? I will

be minute in relating all, but at what point shall the weird narrative

begin?

'Una'.

At what point?

'Monos'.

You have said.

'Una'.

Monos, I comprehend you. In Death we have both learned the propensity

of man to define the indefinable. I will not say, then, commence with

the moment of life's cessation--but commence with that sad, sad

instant when, the fever having abandoned you, you sank into a

breathless and motionless torpor, and I pressed down your pallid

eyelids with the passionate fingers of love.

'Monos'.

One word first, my Una, in regard to man's general condition at this

epoch. You will remember that one or two of the wise among our

forefathers--wise in fact, although not in the world's esteem--had

ventured to doubt the propriety of the term "improvement," as applied

		"My politic ideal is the democracy. Everyone has to be respected as a person, no one shall be deified." Albert Einstein