’Twixtustwo,hewon’tbewortharushIfhewillpersistinhisstudies————
Eustace:Hush!
Ralphhaspersuadedourguesttosing。
Thurston:
IhaveknownthedaywhenhisvoicewouldringTilltheraftersechoed。
Eustace:’Tispleasantstill,Thoughfartoofeeblethishalltofill。
Harold(sings):
Onthecurrent,wherethewideWindingsoftheriverEddytotheNorthSeatide,ShallIinmyshallopglide,AsIhavedoneatherside?
Never!never!never!
Intheforest,wherethefirs,Pines,andlarchesquiverTothenorthernbreezethatstirs,Shallmylipsbepress’dtohers,Astheywereinby-goneyears?
Never!never!never!
Inthebattleontheplain,Wherethelance-shaftsshiver,Andthesword-strokesfalllikerain,ShallIbearherscarfagainAsIhavedone——notinvain?
Never!never!never!
Inafairer,brighterland,Wherethesaintsrestever,ShallIoncemoreseeherstand,White,amidstawhite-robedband,Harpandpalm-branchinherhand?
Never!never!never!
SCENE——TheSame。
EUSTACE,THURSTON,andfollowersofHUGO。HAROLD。
Enter,bythehalldoor,HUGO,ERIC,andTHORA。
Eustace(andothersstandingup):
Welcome,LordHugo!
Hugo:Welcomeornot,Thanksforyourgreetingall。
Ha,Eustace!whatcomplaintshastthougot?
Whatgrievancestorecall?
Eustace:
CountWilliamcamewithanumerousband,Erethesnowsbegantofall,Andslewabuckonyourlordship’sland,Withinaleagueofthewall。
Hugo:
CountWilliamhasdonetousnomoreThanwetohim。InhisvineyardLastsummer,orlater,maybe,aboarWasslaughter’dbyThurston’swhinyard。
Thurston:
Aye,Hugo!ButWilliamkeptthebuck,Iwillwagermarksascore,Thoughthetaleisnewtome;and,worseluck,Youmademegivebacktheboar。
Harold(advancing):
LordHugo!
Hugo:What!Artthoulivingyet?
Iscarcelyknewthee,SirDane!
And’tisnotsoverylongsincewemet。
Harold:
’Twillbelongerewemeetagain。(givesaletter)
ThisletterwastracedbyonenowdeadIntheHolyLand;andI
Mustwaittillhisdyingrequestisread,Andinhisnameaskthereply。
Thora(aside):
Whoisthatstranger,Hugo?
Hugo:BybirthHeisacountrymanofthine,Thora。Whatwritingisthisonearth?
Icanscarcedecipheraline。
Harold:
Thepenintheclutchofdeathworksill。
Hugo:
Nay,Ireadnow;thelettersrunMoreclearly。
Harold:Wiltgranttherequest?
Hugo:Iwill。
Harold:
Enough!Thenmytaskisdone。(Heholdsouthishand。)
Hugo,Igotoafar-offland,Wiltthousay,\"Godspeedthee!\"now?
Hugo:
SirHarold,Icannottakethyhand,Becauseofmyancientvow。
Harold:
Farewell,then。
Thora:Friend,tillthemorningwait。
OnsowildanightasthisThoushaltnotgofrommyhusband’sgate;
Thepaththouwiltsurelymiss。
Harold:
Igo。Kindlady,somefuturedayThycarewillrequitedbe。
Thora:
Speak,Hugo,speak。
Hugo:Hemaygoorstay,Itmatterslittletome。
[Haroldgoesout。]
Thora:
Husband,thatmanisillandweak;
OnfoothegoesandaloneThroughabarrenmoorinanight-stormbleak。
Eric:
NowIwonderwherehehasgone!
Hugo:
Indeed,Ihavenottheleastidea;
Themaniscertainlymad。
Heweddedmysister,Dorothea,Andusedhercruellybad。
Hewasoncemyfirmestandsurestfriend,Andoncemydeadliestfoe;
Buthateandfriendshipbothfindtheirend——
NowIheednotwherehemaygo。
SCENE——AChamberintheCastle。
HUGO,THORA,andERIC。
Hugo:
ThatletterthatcamefromPalestine,BythehandsofyonwanderingDane,WillcostmeapilgrimagetotheRhine。
Thora:
Wiltthoutravelsosoonagain?
Hugo:
IcanscarcerefusethedyingrequestOfmycomrade,Baldwin,now;
Hisbonesaredust。MayhissoulfindrestHeoncemadeafoolishvow,ThatatEnglemehr,’neaththewatchfulcareOftheAbbess,hischildshouldstay,Foraseasonatleast。ToescortherthereImuststartatthebreakofday。
Thora:
IsitAgathathatgoes,orClare?
Hugo:
Nay,ClareisdwellinginSpainWithherspouse。
Thora:’TisAgatha。Sheisfair,Iamtold;butgiddyandvain。
Eric:
SomemustytalesonmymemorygrowConcerningCountBaldwin’svow;
Thouknew’sthisdaughter?
Hugo:Aye,yearsago。
Ishouldscarcelyknowhernow。
Itseems,whenherfather’svowwasmade,Shewastakensorelyill;
Thenhetravell’d,andonhisreturnwasstay’d;
Hecouldneverhisoathfulfil。
Eric:
IfrightlyI’veheard,’twasAgathaThatfledwithsomeDanishknight——
Iforgetthename。
Hugo:Nay,sheflednotfar;
Shereturnedagainthatnight。
Thora:
Foranun,Ifear,sheistooself-willed。
Hugo:
Thatisnoaffairofmine。
Mytaskisover,mywordfulfilled,ShouldIbringhersafetotheRhine。
Come,Thora,sing。
Thora:Nay,Icannotsing,NorwouldInowifIcould。
Singthou。
Hugo:Iwill,thoughmyvoiceshouldbringNosoundsaveadiscordrude。
(Sings。)
Wherethestorminitswrathhathlighted,Thepinelieslowinthedust;
Andthecorniswitheredandblighted,Wherethefieldsareredwiththerust;
Fallstheblackfrost,nippingandkilling,Whereitspetalsthevioletrears,Andthewind,thoughtempered,ischillingTothelambdespoiledbytheshears。
Thestrongintheirstrengthareshaken,Thewiseintheirwisdomfall;
Andthebloomofbeautyistaken——
Strength,wisdom,beauty,andall,Theyvanish,theirlotfulfilling,Theirdoomapproachesandnears,Butthewind,thoughtempered,ischillingTothelambdespoiledbytheshears。
’TisthewillofaGreatCreator,Heiswise,Hiswillmustbedone,Anditcomethsoonerorlater;
Andoneshallbetaken,andoneShallbelefthere,toilingandtilling,Inthisvaleofsorrowsandtears,Wherethewind,thoughtempered,ischillingTothelambdespoiledbytheshears。
Tellme,mineownone,tellme,TheshadowsoflifeandthefearsShallneitherdauntmenorquellme,WhileIcanavertthytears:
Dostthoushrink,asIshrink,unwillingTorealiselonelyyears?
Sincethewind,thoughtempered,ischillingTothelambdespoiledbytheshears。
EnterHENRY。
Henry:
Mylord,FatherLukecravesaudiencestraight,Hehascomeonfootfromthechapel;
SomestrangerperishedbesidehisgateWhenthedawnbegantodapple。
SCENE——AChapelNotVeryFarfromHugo’sCastle。
HUGO,ERIC,andtwoMonks(LUKEandHUBERT)。ThedeadbodyofHAROLD。
Luke:
Whenthedawnwasbreaking,Cameafaintsound,wakingHubertandmyself;wehurriedtothedoor,FoundthestrangerlyingAtthethreshold,dying。
SomewherehaveIseenafacelikehisbefore。
Hugo:
Haroldheishight。
Onlyyester-nightFromourgateshewander’d,inthedrivinghail;
WellhisfaceIknow,Bothasfriendandfoe;
OfmyfollowersonlyThurstonknowshistale。
Luke:
Fewthewordshesaid,Faintthesignshemade,Twiceorthricehegroaned;quothHubert,\"Thouhastsinn’d。
Thisisretribution,Seekforabsolution;
Answerme——thencastthysorrowstothewind。
Dotheirvoicesreachthee,Friendswhofailedtoteachthee,Inthineearlierdays,tosunderrightfromwrong?
Charges’gainsttheecited,Caresallunrequited,Counselsspurnedandslighted——dotheypressandthrong?\"
Butheshookhishead。
\"’Tisnotso,\"hesaid;
\"Theywillscarcereproachmewhoreproachedofyore。
Iftheircounselsgood,RashlyIwithstood;
Havingsufferedlonger,Ihavesufferedmore。\"
\"Dotheircursesstunthee?
Foeswhofailedtoshunthee,Strickenbyrashvengeance,insomewildcareer,AsthebarbedarrowCleavethboneandmarrow,Fromthosechambersnarrow——dotheypiercethineear?\"
Andhemadereply,Laughingbitterly,\"DidIfearthemliving——shallIfearthemdead?
BloodthatIhavespiltLeavethlittleguilt;
Onthehanditresteth,scarcelyonthehead。\"
\"IsthereonewhomthouMay’sthavewrongederenow,Sinceremorsesosorelyweighethdownthineheart?
Bysomesaintinheaven,Sanctifiedandshriven,Would’stthoubeforgivenerethysouldepart?\"
Notawordhesaid,ButhebowedhisheadTillhistemplesrestedonthechillysodsAndweheardhimgroan——
\"Ah!mineown,mineown!
IfIhadthypardonImightaskforGod’s。\"
Hubertraisedhimslowly,Sunrise,faintandholy,Litthedeadface,placidasachild’smightbe。
Maythetroubledspirit,ThroughChrist’ssavingmerit,Peaceandrestinherit。Thuswesentforthee。
Hugo:
Godo’errulethfate。
Ihadcauseforhate;
Inthisverychapel,yearsback,proudandstrong,Joinedbypriestlyvows,HebecamethespouseOfmyyoungestsister,toherbitterwrong。
Andhewroughtherwoe,Makingmehisfoe;
Notaloneunfaithful——brutal,too,washe。
ShehadscarcebeendeadThreemonths,erehefledWithCountBaldwin’sdaughter,thenbetrothedtome。
Fortunestraightforsookhim,Vengeanceovertookhim;
Heavycrimeswillbringdownheavypunishment。
Allhisstrengthwasshatter’d,Evenhiswitswerescatter’d,Half-deranged,half-crippled,wanderinghewent。
WeareunforgivingWhileourfoesareliving;
Yethisretributionweigh’dsoheavilyThatIfeelremorse,Gazingonhiscorpse,Formyrudenesswhenheleftourgatestodie。
Andhisgraveshallbe’Neaththechestnuttree,Wherehemetmysistermanyyearsago;
LeavethattressofhairOnhisbosomthere——
Wrapthecereclothroundhim!Eric,letusgo。
SCENE——ARoomintheCastle。
HUGOandERIC。Earlymorning。
Hugo:
Themornisfair,thewearymilesWillshorten’neaththesummer’swiles;
Pomonaintheorchardsmiles,Andinthemeadow,Flora!
AndIhaverousedachosenbandForescortthroughthetroubledland;
AndshakenElspethbythehand,AndsaidfarewelltoThora。
Comradeandkinsman——forthouartComradeandkintome——wepartErenightfall,ifatoncewestart,WegainthedeadCount’scastle。
Theroadsarefair,thedaysarefine,ErelongIhopetoreachtheRhine。
Forsooth,nofriendtomeormineIsthatsameAbbotBasil;
Ithoughthewrongedusbyhisgreed。
Myfathersign’dafoolishdeedForlackofgoldintimeofneed,Andthusourlandswentbyus;
Yetwrongonoursidemayhavebeen:
Asfarasmywillgoes,Iween,’Tispast,thegrudgethatlaybetweenUstwain。Mencallhimpious——
AndIhaveprosper’dmuchsincethen,Andgain’dforonelostacreten;
AndeventheancienthouseandglenReboughtwithpurchase-money。
He,too,iswealthy;hehasgotBychurchlyrightsafertilespot,Alandofcornandwine,Iwot,Alandofmilkandhoney。
Now,Eric,changethyplansandrideWithus;thouhastnoties,nobride。
Eric:
Nay,tiesIhave,andtimeandtide,Thouknowest,waitfornoman;
AndIgonorth;God’sblessingshunsThedwellingsofforgetfulsons,Thatproverbhemayreadwhoruns,InChristianloreorRoman。
Mygoodoldmothershehathheard,Fortwelvelongmonths,frommenoword;
Atthoughtofhermyheartisstirr’d,Andevenmineeyesgrowmoister。
GreetUrsulafromme;herfameIsknowntoall。Anoblerdame,SincedaysofClovis,ne’erbecameTheinmateofacloister。
Ourpathsdiverge,yetwemaygoTogetherforaleagueorso;
I,too,willjointhybandbelowWhenthouthybuglewindest。
[Ericgoesout。]
Hugo:
Fromweaknesseswestandafar,Onusunpleasantlytheyjar;
Andyetthestoutest-heartedareThegentlestandthekindest。
Mymotherlovedmetenderly;
Alas!heronlysonwasI。
Ishudder’d,butmylidsweredry,Bydeathmadeorphannewly。
Abravermanthanme,Iswear,Whonevercomprehendedfear,Scarcenameshismother,andthetear,Unbidden,springsunruly。
SCENE——ARoadontheNormanFrontiers。
HUGO,AGATHA,ORION,THURSTON,andarmedattendants,ridingslowly。
Agatha:
SirKnight,whatmakesyousograveandglum?
AttimesIfearyouaredeafordumb,Orboth。
Hugo:Andyet,shouldIspeakthetruth,Thereislittleincommon’twixtus,forsooth;
Youwouldthinkmeduller,andstillmorevain,IfIutteredthethoughtsthatfillmybrain;
SincethematterswithwhichmymindisladenWouldscarcelyservetoamuseamaiden。
Agatha:
Iamsofoolishandyouaresowise,’Tisthemeaningyourwordssoilldisguise。
Alas!myprospectsaresadenough:
IhadratherlistentospeechesroughThanmuseandmeditatesilentlyOnthecominglossofmyliberty。
Sadhopetomecanmyfuturebring,Yet,whileImay,Iwouldprattleandsing,ThoughitonlyweretotryandassuageThedrearinessofmypilgrimage。
Hugo:
Prattleandsingtoyourheart’scontent,Andnonewillofferimpediment。
Agatha(sings):
Wewereplaymatesinchildhood,mysisterandI,Whoseplaytimewithchildhoodisdone;
Throughthicketswherebriarandbramblegrewhigh,BarefootedI’veoftseenherrun。
I’veknownher,whenmistsonthemoorlandhungwhite,Bareheadedpastnightfallremain;
ShehasfollowedalandlessandpennilessknightThroughbattlesandsiegesinSpain。
ButIpulledtheflower,andshrankfromthethorn,Soughtthesunshine,andfledfromthemist;
Mysisterwasborntofacehardshipwithscorn——
Iwasborntobefondledandkiss’d。
Hugo(aside):
Shehasasweetvoice。
Orion:Andasweetface,too——
Becandidforonce,andgiveherherdue。
Agatha:
Yourfacegrowslonger,andstillmorelong,SirScholar!howdidyoulikemysong?
Hugo:
Ithoughtitratherasillyone。
Agatha:
Youarefarfromapleasantcompanion。
SCENE——AnApartmentinaWaysideInn。
HUGOandAGATHA。Evening。
Hugo:
Iwillleaveyounow——wehavetalkedenough,AndforonesotenderlyrearedandnursedThisjourneyiswearisome,perhaps,andrough。
Agatha:Willyounotfinishyourstoryfirst?
Hugo:
IrepentmethatIbeganitnow,’Tisadismaltaleforamaiden’sears;
Yourcheekispalealready,yourbrowIssad,andyoureyesaremoistwithtears。
Agatha:
Itmaybethus,Iamlightlyvexed,Butthetearswilllightlycomeandgo;
Icancryonemomentandlaughthenext,YetIhaveseenterrors,aswellyouknow。
Irememberthatflightthroughmossandfern,Themoonlitshadows,thehoofsthatrolledInfiercepursuit,andtheendingstern,Andthehawkthatlefthispreyonthewold。
Hugo:
IhavesorrowedsincethatIleftyouthere:
Yourfriendswereclosebehindontheheath,ThoughnotsocloseasIthoughttheywere。
(Aside。)NowIwillnottellherofHarold’sdeath。
Agatha:
’Tistrue,Iwasjustlypunished,andmen,Asarule,ofpityhavelittleshare;
HadIdiedyouhadcaredbutlittlethen。
Hugo:Butlittlethen,yetnowIshouldcareMorethanyouthinkfor。Now,good-night。
Tearsstill?EreIleaveyou,child,alone,MustIdryyourcheeks?
Agatha:Nay,IamnotquiteSuchachildbutwhatIcandrymyown。
[Hugogoesout。Agatharetires。]
Orion(singingoutsidethewindowofAgatha’schamber):
’Neaththestemswithblossomsladen,’Neaththetendrilscurling,I,thyservant,sing,oh,maiden!
I,thyslave,oh,darling!
Lo!theshaftthatslewthereddeer,Attheelkmayflytoo。
Sparethemnot!Thedeadaredead,dear,Letthelivingdietoo。
Wherethewilesofserpentmingle,Andthelooksofdovelie,Wheresmallhandsinstronghandstingle,Lovingeyesmeetlovely:
Wherethehardernaturessoften,Andthesofterharden——
Certes!suchthingshavebeenoftenSinceweleftEve’sgarden。
SweeterfolliesheraldsadderSins——looknottooclosely;
TongueofaspandtoothofadderUnderleafofroselie。
Warned,advisedinvain,abandonWarningandadvicetoo,LetthechildlaywilfulhandonDenofcockatricetoo。
I,thyservant,orthymaster,Oneorboth——nomatter;
Iftheformer——firmer,faster,Surerstillthelatter——
Lullthee,soothetheewithmysinging,Bidtheesleep,andponderOnmylullabiesstillringingThroughthydreamlandyonder。
SCENE——AWoodedRisingGround,NeartheRhine。
HUGOandAGATHArestingunderthetrees。THURSTON,EUSTACE,andfollowersalittleapart。ORION。(Noonday。)
TheTowersoftheConventinthedistance。
Agatha:
Isitonthegreensward,andhearthebirdsing,’Midthethicketswherescarletandwhiteblossomscling;
Andbeyondthesweetuplandsallgoldenwithflower,Itloomsinthedistance,thegreyconventtower。
Andtheemeraldearthandthesapphire-huedskyKeeptellingmeevermyspringhasgoneby;
Ah!springpremature,theyaretollingthyknell,Inthewind’ssoftadieu,inthebird’ssweetfarewell。
Oh!whyisthegreenswardwithgarlandssogay,ThatIquailatthesightofmyprison-housegrey?
Oh!whyisthebird’snotesojoyousandclear?
Thecagedbirdmustpineinacagedoublydrear。
Hugo:
MaythelancesofDagobertharrytheirhouse,Iftheycoaxorintimidatetheetotakevows;
Maythefreebooterspillagetheirshrines,shouldtheydareTouchwiththeirscissorsthyglitteringhair。
Ourshortandsweetjourneynowdrawstoanend,AndhomewardmysorrowfulwayImustwend;
Oh,fairone!oh,lovedone!IwouldIwerefree,Tosquandermylifeinthegreenwoodwiththee。
Orion(aside):
Ho!seekerofknowledge,sograveandsowise,Touchhersoftcurlagain——lookagaininhereyes;
Forgetforthenoncemustyparchments,andlearnHowtheslowpulsemayquicken——thecoldbloodmayburn。
Ho!fair,ficklemaiden,sobloomingandshy!
Theoldloveisdead,lettheoldpromisedie!
Thoudostwell,thoudostwise,takethewordofOrion,\"Alivingdogalwaysbeforeadeadlion!\"
*****
Thurston:
Yevarlets,IwouldIknewwhichofyeburstOurwine-skin——what,ho!mustIperishwiththirst!
Go,Henry,thouhastaglibtongue,goandaskThylordtosendRalphtoyoninnforaflask。
Henry:
Nay,Thurston,notso;IdeclinetodisturbOurlordforthepresent;gothou,orelsecurbThythirst,ordrinkwater,asIdo。
Thurston:ThouknaveOfapage,dostthouwishmethecolictohave?
Orion(aside):
ThatclownisathoroughbredSaxon。HethinksWithpleasureonnaughtsavehardblowsandstrongdrinks;
InhellhewillscarcegoathirstifoncegivenAninklingofanygoodliquorsinheaven。
*****
Hugo:
OurPontifftomanhoodatEnglemehrgrew,Theprieststherearemany,thenunsarebutfew。
IlovenottheAbbot——’tisneedlesstotellMyreason;butalloftheAbbessspeakwell。
Agatha:
Throughvineyardsandcornfieldsbeneathus,theRhineSpreadsandwinds,silver-white,inthemerrysunshine;
Andtheair,overchargedwithasubtleperfume,Growsfaintfromtheessenceofmanifoldbloom。
Hugo:
Andthetinklingofbells,andthebleatingofsheep,Andthechauntfromthefields,wherethelabourersreapTheearlierharvest,comesfaintonthebreeze,Thatwhisperssofaintlyinhedgerowsandtrees。
Orion:
Andawaggonwendsslowtothoseturretsandspires,Tofeedthefatmonksandthecorpulentfriars;
Itcarriesthecorn,andtheoil,andthewine,ThehoneyandmilkfromtheshoresoftheRhine。
Theoxenarewearyandspentwiththeirload,Theypause,butthedriverdothrecklesslygoad;
Upyonsteep,flintyrisetheyhavestaggeredandreeled,Evendevilsmaypitydumbbeastsofthefield。
Agatha(sings):
Oh!daysandyearsdeparted,Vainhopes,vainfearsthatsmarted,Iturntoyousad-hearted——
Iturntoyouintears!
Yourdailysunshonebrightly,Yourhappydreamscamenightly,Flowersbloomedandbirdssanglightly,Throughallyourhopesandfears!
Youhaltednot,nortarried,Yourhopeshaveallmiscarried,Andevenyourfearsareburied,Sincefearwithhopemustdie。
Youhaltednot,buthasted,Andflewpast,childhoodwasted,Andgirlhoodscarcelytasted,Nowwomanhoodisnigh。
YetIforgiveyourwronging,Deadseasonsroundmethronging,Withyearningandwithlonging,Icallyourbitterssweet。
Vainlonging,andvainyearning,Therenowisnoreturning;
Oh!beatingheartandburning,Forgettoburnandbeat!
Oh!childishsunsandshowers,Oh!girlishthornsandflowers,Oh!fruitlessdaysandhours,Oh!groundlesshopesandfears:
Thebirdsstillchirpandtwitter,Andstillthesunbeamsglitter:
Oh!barrenyearsandbitter,Oh!bitter,barrenyears!
SCENE——TheSummitofaBurningMountain。
Night。Aterrificstorm。ORION(undisguised)。
Orion(sings):
Fromfathomlessdepthsofabysses,Wherefiresunquenchableburst,Fromtheblacknessofdarkness,wherehissesThebroodoftheserpentaccurs’d;
FromshrineswherethehymnsaretheweepingAndwailingandgnashingofteeth,Wherethepalmisthepangneversleeping,Wherethewormneverdyingisthewreath;
Whereallfruitssavewickednesswither,Whencenaughtsavedespaircanbegleaned——
Comehither!comehither!comehither!
Fall’nangel,fellsprite,andfoulfiend。
Comehither!thebandsareallbroken,Andloosedinhell’sinnermostwomb,WhenthespellunpronounceablespokenDividestheunspeakablegloom。
EvilSpiritsapproach。Thestormincreases。
EvilSpirits(singing):
Wehearthee,weseekthee,onpinionsThatdarkentheshadesoftheshade;
Oh!PrinceoftheAir,withdominionsEncompass’d,withpowersarray’d,Withmajestycloth’dasagarment,Begirtwithashadowyshine,Whosefeetscorchthehill-topsthataremeantAsfootstoolsfortheeandforthine。
Orion(sings):
Howitswellsthrougheachpauseofthethunder,Andmountsthrougheachlullofthegust,Throughthecrashingofcragstornasunder,Andthehurtlingoftreesinthedust;
Withachorusofloudlamentations,Withitsdrearyandhopelessrefrain!
’Tisthecryofalltonguesandallnations,Thatsufferandshudderinvain。
EvilSpirits(singing):
’Tisthecryofalltonguesandallnations;
Oursongshallchimeinwiththeirstrain;
LostspiritsblendtheirwildexultationsWiththesighingofmortalsinpain。
Orion(sings):
WithjustlightenoughtoseesorrowsInthisworld,andterrorsbeyond,’Twixttheday’sbitterpangsandthemorrow’sDreaddoubts,todespairanddespond,ManlingersthroughtoilsunavailingForblessingsthatbafflehisgrasp;
Tohiscradlehecomeswithawailing,Hegoestohisgravewithagasp。
EvilSpirits(singing):
Hisbirthisaweepingandwailing,Hisdeathisagroanandagasp;
O’ertheseedofthewomanprevailing,Thustriumphstheseedoftheasp。
SCENE——ChamberofaWaysideInn。
HUGOsittingalone。Evening。
Hugo:
Andnowthepartingisover,Thepartingshouldendthepain;
Andtherestlessheartmayrecover,Andsomaythetroubledbrain。
IamsittingwithinthechamberWhosewindowslookontheporch,Wheretherosesclusterandclamber;
WehaltedhereonourmarchWithhertotheconventgoing,AndnowIgobackalone:
Yeroses,buddingandblowing,Yeheednotthoughsheisflown。
Irememberthegirlishgesture,Thesportiveandchildlikegrace,WithwhichshecrumpledandpressedyourRoseleavestoherrose-huedface。
ShallIthinkonherwayshereafter——
Onthoseflashesofmirthandgrief,OnthatApriloftearsandlaughter,Onourparting,bitterlybrief?
Irememberthebellatsunrise,Thatsoundedsosolemnly,Biddingmonk,andprelate,andnunrise;
Iroseerethesunwashigh。
Downthelong,dark,dismalpassage,Tothedoorofherresting-placeIwent,onafarewellmessage,Itrodwithastealthypace。
TherewasnoonetheretoseeusWhensheopenedherchamberdoor。
\"Miserere,meiDeus\",Rangfaintfromtheconventchoir。
IrememberthedarkandnarrowAndscantily-furnishedroom;
Andthegleam,likeagoldenarrow——
Thegleamthatlightedthegloom。
Onecouch,oneseat,andonetable,Onewindow,andonlyone——
Itstandsintheeasterngable,Itfacestherisingsun;
Onerayshotthroughit,andonelightOndoorwayandthresholdplayed。
Shestoodwithininthesunlight,Istoodwithoutintheshade。
IrememberthatbrightformunderThesheenofthatslantingray。
Ispoke——\"Forlifewemustsunder,Letussunderwithoutdelay。
Letusseverwithoutpreamble,Asbrotherandsisterpart,Forthesakeofonepleasantramble,Thatwillliveinatleastoneheart。\"
Stillthechoirinmyearsrangfaintly,Inthedistancedyingaway,Sweetlyandsadlyandsaintly,Througharchandcorridorgrey!
Andthuswepartedforever,Betweentheshadeandtheshine;
Notasbrotherandsistersever——
Ifondledherhandsinmine。
Stillthechoirinmyearsrangdeaden’dAnddull’d,thoughaudibleyet;
Andsheredden’d,andpaled,andredden’d——
Herlashesandlidsgrewwet。
Notasbrotherseversfromsister,Mylipsclungfasttoherlips;
SheshiveredandshrankwhenIkissedher。
Onthesunbeamdroopedtheeclipse。
IrememberlittleofthepartingWiththeAbbot,downbythegate,Mymenwereeagerforstarting;
Ithinkhepressedmetowait。
Fromthelandswhereconventandglebelie,Frommanors,andChurch’sright,WhereIfoughttemptationsofeebly,I,too,felteagerforflight。
Alas!thepartingisover——
Theparting,butnotthepain——
Oh!sweetwasthepurpleclover,Andsweetwastheyellowgrain;
AndsweetwerethewoodyhollowsOnthesummeryRhinewardtrack;
ButawinteruntimelyswallowsAllsweetsasItravelback。
YetIfeelassured,insomefashion,Erethehedgesarecrispwithrime,Ishallconquerthissenselesspassion,’Twillyieldtotoilandtotime。
Iwillfetterthesefanciesroaming;
Alreadythesunhasdipped;
Iwilltrimthelampsinthegloaming,Iwillfinishmymanuscript。
ThroughthenightwatchunflaggingstudyShallbanishregretsperforce;
AssoonastheeastisruddyOurbugleshallsound\"ToHorse!\"
SCENE——AnotherWaysideHouse,NeartheNormanFrontier。
HUGOandORIONinachamber。Evening。
Orion:
Youreyesarehollow,yourstepisslow,Andyourcheekispallidasthoughfromtoil,Watchingorfasting,bywhichIknowThatyouhavebeenburningthemidnightoil。
Hugo:
Aye,threenightsrunning。
Orion:’TwillneverdoTotravelallday,andstudyallnight;
Willyoujoininagallopthroughmistanddew,Inaflightthatmayviewiththeeagle’sflight?
Hugo:
Withallmyheart。Shallwesaddle\"Rollo\"?
Orion:
Nay,leavehimundisturb’dinhisstall;
Ihavesteedshewouldhardlycaretofollow。
Hugo:
Follow,forsooth!hecanleadthemall。
Orion:
Touchinghismeritswewillnotquarrel;
Butletmemountyouforonce;enoughOfworkmayawaityourfavouritesorrel,Andthepathswemusttraverseto-nightarerough。
Butfirstletmemixyouabeverage,Toinvigorateyourenfeebledframe。
[HemixesadraughtandhandsittoHugo。]
Allhumanillsthisdraughtcanassuage。
Hugo:
Ithissesandglowslikeliquidflame;
Say,whatquacknostrumisthisthou’stbrewed?
Speakout;Iamlearnedinthechemist’slore。
Orion:
Thereisnothingbutwhatwilldoyougood;