CLAIRE: 
  Yes; but we are so weak we have to talk;
  To talk—­to touch. 
  Why can’t I rest in knowing I would give my life to reach you? 
  That has—­all there is. 
  But I must—­put my timid hands upon you,
  Do something about infinity. 
  Oh, let what will flow into us,
  And fill us full—­and leave us still. 
  Wring me dry,
  And let me fill again with life more pure. 
  To know—­to feel,
  And do nothing with what I feel and know—­
  That’s being good.  That’s nearer God.

(drenched in the feeling that has flowed through her—­but surprised—­helpless) Why, I said your thing, didn’t I?  Opened my life to bring you to me, and what came—­is what sends you away.

TOM:  No!  What came is what holds us together.  What came is what saves us from ever going apart. (brokenly) My beautiful one.  You—­you brave flower of all our knowing.

CLAIRE:  I am not a flower.  I am too torn.  If you have anything—­help me.  Breathe, Breathe the healing oneness, and let me know in calm. (with a sob his head rests upon her)

CLAIRE:  (her hands on his head, but looking far) Beauty—­you pure one thing.  Breathe—­Let me know in calm.  Then—­trouble me, trouble me, for other moments—­in farther calm. (slow, motionless, barely articulate)

TOM:  (as she does not move he lifts his head.  And even as he looks at her, she does not move, nor look at him) Claire—­(his hand out to her, a little afraid) You went away from me then.  You are away from me now.

CLAIRE:  Yes, and I could go on.  But I will come back, (it is hard to do.  She brings much with her) That, too, I will give you—­my by-myself-ness.  That’s the uttermost I can give.  I never thought—­to try to give it.  But let us do it—­the great sacrilege!  Yes! (excited, she rises; she has his hands, and bring him up beside her) Let us take the mad chance!  Perhaps it’s the only way to save—­what’s there.  How do we know?  How can we know?  Risk.  Risk everything.  From all that flows into us, let it rise!  All that we never thought to use to make a moment—­let it flow into what could be!  Bring all into life between us—­or send all down to death!  Oh, do you know what I am doing?  Risk, risk everything, why are you so afraid to lose?  What holds you from me?  Test all.  Let it live or let it die.  It is our chance—­our chance to bear—­what’s there.  My dear one—­I will love you so.  With all of me.  I am not afraid now—­of—­all of me.  Be generous.  Be unafraid.  Life is for life—­though it cuts us from the farthest life.  How can I make you know that’s true?  All that we’re open to—­(hesitates, shudders) But yes—­I will, I will risk the life that waits.  Perhaps only he who gives his loneliness—­shall find.  You never keep by holding, (gesture of giving) To the uttermost.  And it is gone—­or it is there.  You do not know and—­that makes