The great cathedral vanished with its glittering crowds, the sound of chanting and of feet that marched died from my ears.

In place of these I saw a mighty columned temple and two stone figures, taller than pines, seated on a plain, and through the moonlit silence heard a sweet voice murmuring: "Farewell.

For this life, farewell!" Now we were near to each other, now I was passing her, I who might not stay.

My hand brushed hers, and oh! it was as though I had drunk a cup of wine.

A spirit entered into me and, bending, I whispered in her ear, speaking in the Latin tongue, since Greek, which all knew, I did not dare to use, "_Ave post secula!_" Greeting after the ages! I saw her bosom heave; yes, and heard her whisper back: "_Ave!_" So she knew me also..