 | The Maid of Mariendorpt |  |
SCENE I.
—A Room in Joseph's House.Enter Meeta and Adolpha.
Adol.
What place is this, and wherefore am I here?
Meeta.
Art thou afraid of me, my sister?
Adol.
No.
Meeta.
Then fear not where I bring thee, nor the cause.
O! my new other self, were it a time,
I'd give thee vouchers of heart-coin'd words
To prove thy safety—good of every kind—
Dear to me—worlds, ay, worlds beyond my own.
Dost trust in me?
Adol.
I do.
Meeta.
Wilt do my bidding—
Wilt do't to-night, however questionable
Inexplicable, strange?
Adol.
Your words are darkness,
Which yet I trust myself to, with your looks
Of Truth and Love for guides. I'll do your will.
Meeta.
My sister, my dear sister, let me think,
And lay your cheek the while a space to mine;
There, there, thou prompt'st me sweetly with the touch
Of thy sweet cheek. I have comfort for thee, sister—
Our father will not die.
Adol.
How know you that?
The Governor has heard no tidings yet—
The distance greater, than his courier,
Despatch'd on the instant, with the prayer for mercy,
Could compass in a day!
Meeta.
He will not die.
Adol.
My sister!
Meeta.
What!
Adol.
Your words are oracles
I trust to, with a thousand human fears
To shake my heart.
Meeta.
Our father will not die!
Now listen. There will be a storm to-night—
Fierce rain with deluge, high uprooting wind,
Thunder and thunderbolts. Look in mine eyes,
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To make my dark words clear. 'Twill break around
Our father's prison. There its rage will play,
Nor, till it bursts an entrance to his dungeon,
To set him free, stop smiting! Canst thou read,
Without a glossary? This house will be
Beyond its range!
Adol.
My husband, and my father!—
I cannot help it, he has been my father
In all things but my blood!
Meeta.
There's nothing wrong.
'Tis very right. I'll call him father too;
So think him, feel him too, for thy dear sake.
And now thy promise, sister! Weigh my words.
Thy husband and the Governor might fall;
Here they are safe.—Don't interrupt me, sister,
Time's brief and swift, and action must be instant,
Or not at all.—Thou must indite a letter,
Urging their prompt attendance here—alone—
On matter of as pressing moment as
Question of life or death. I know the thought
Thou wouldst give utterance to—'Tis not an act
Of treachery, but duty! Thou didst promise
Obedience to me.
Adol.
Hardly dost thou task me,
But I'll respect my word.
Meeta.
Then prove it straight,
Sit down and write the letter. O, my sister,
Confide in me! Do it without stint!—with cheer!—
That's right—you will!—go on!
Adolpha writes—Enter Joseph.
Jos.
The trusty friends
I told you of are come.
Meeta.
I thank you. Armed?
Jos.
A weapon each beneath his gaberdine.
Meeta.
How many are they?
Jos.
Twenty.
Meeta.
That is right;
Their number makes resistance idle. Yet
As courage does not take account of odds,
And slightest scath, to them, were wound, to us;
'Twere well they should disarm your visitors
On the unprepared instant. Is it not strange
I grow more calm as the dread crisis comes
Of this momentous night? You are aware
Whate'er befals, the motive of the act
Holds you absolved;—besides, it is not yours,
But mine!
Jos.
I take it all on mine own head.
Meeta.
There mustn't be a light when they come in,
Lest it betray thy friends! Go send me now
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Along with us. Is't written, sister?
Adol.
Yes.
Meeta.
Thank you, my sister; now direct it.
Enter Governor's Servant.
Sir, seek straight the Governor, and give him this.
[Servant goes out.
Now, sister, come, and be thou strong of heart:
I'll give thee clearer reasons, on the way.
This night of death shall bring us days of life.
[They go out.
| The Maid of Mariendorpt | |