A shadow stole over Endymion’s high, clear brow, and he gently shook his head.  “I love you so deeply and truly that I can not be merry in this hour,” he said thoughtfully; “and this wild tumult and this uproarious joy seem not to me like a glorification of our love, but rather its profanation.  Ah! my dear love, would that I were alone with you in the open air, beneath the broad high arch of heaven, instead of here beneath this artificial one; would that we sat hand in hand in one of those quiet shady spots in your park, where I could pour into your ear the holy secrets of my heart and tell you sweet stories of our love, and you should listen to me with tranquil, reverent heart, and you and I would solemnize together a glorious feast divine, more glorious than this mad joy can furnish us!  He who is happy flees noisy pleasures, and he who loves ardently and truthfully longs for quiet and solitude, to meditate upon his love.”

“We shall be solitary and alone, my Frederick, when we belong to one another—­when nothing more can separate us, when we shall no more have to meet under the veil of secrecy, no more have to conceal the fair, divine reality under borrowed tinsel!  You know, love, to-night we flee.”

“God be praised! to-night will make you forever mine, and nothing then can separate us but death alone!”

“Speak not of death while life encircles us with all its charms!  Be cheerful, my beloved—­be happy, my Endymion.  We celebrate the godly feast of love, and yet is it only the foretaste of our bliss.  Yield yourself to the delights of the moment, drink from the golden goblet of joy, my Endymion!”

“Yes, I will drink, drink, for Venus drinks with me.”

“She hands you, Endymion, the flower-crowned goblet!  Drink! drink! drink!  Enjoy the moment!  Taste the pleasures of this hour!  But think of the coming hour which is to consummate our bliss!”

“When will it be, beloved?  And where shall I meet you?”

“When all is bustle and stir and singing, then let my Endymion descend from Olympus and repair to the grotto of rocks close by.  To the left of the entrance he will find a cavern.  Let him go in and there find his white garments; put them on and wait.  All the rest follows of itself.”

“And you, my heart—­will you, too, follow of yourself?”

“Follow of myself and fetch Endymion!”

Music sent forth sweet strains, and from the rosy clouds the chorus of Cupids greeted the gods with songs of rejoicing.

After the singing the Muses entered, winding round the table, quoting far-famed songs and praising the arts, which they protected.  And suddenly the starry sky above became obscure, and twilight reigned.  Only behind the crystalline walls it shone bright and ever brighter, and in sunshine splendor emerged the antique marble statues of the gods, and walked and moved, endowed with flesh and growing life.  Music resounded and bands of Cupids sang; again the