University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

—An upper Chamber—a Table.
Enter Ambla followed by Gideon.
Ambla.
I see it, there it is—look, look, tread lightly,
Or you will wrongfully affright it!
[To the Apparition.]
Welcome! but wherefore new and thus?
You cannot speak? What binds you to silence?
If I may speak, lift up your hand!—I may.

Gideon.
All-Gracious! What passes now, that thus
My mother shakes, and yet keeps fast her look,
Sealed to an empty chair! She moves her lips;
As I have seen her move them, with nothing
Holding long discourse: that might be age
And faculties beyond control: this is not age.

Ambla.
Be silent, Gideon— [Sternly.]
it is
Myself that speaketh with my other self!
Can Nature grant a higher act? Hush, son—
'T is troubled if you speak.

Gideon.
Blest Heaven! uphold her!

Ambla.
[To the Apparition.]
You are not sad? nor angry? nor hopeless?
You blow the Great Book's leaves apart, I see;
[The leaves of the Bible on the table fly open.
And point me to it: mine eyes are dimmed
By years, may he, this youth—our son? He may.
Gideon!
[Gideon approaches fearfully.
Mark where the spirit points
And read. [Commandingly.]


Gideon.
I see no pointing, no spirit, mother.

Ambla.
See you not his finger airy? Bend down—
You see it now.

[She points.
Gideon.
[Reads.]
‘Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die’!
Uphold me, or I fall—ha! ha!
[He is convulsed.
[Awakening.]
'T is true, and I the son of one accursed—
The veil is rent—and the dread power, whose work
You 've done so well, stands master at your side,
And thus he claims you—a lost, doomed woman!

Ambla.
No, no, Gideon, it is a better spirit—
Hear me, my son!

Gideon.
Your son no longer, nor you my mother—
The thunderbolt has fallen. Heaven deserts you!—
I'm smitten to earth—Thomas, your quest
Was right and lawful! The spell that tangled you,
Susanna, was forged in dark and dreadful fires!
Horror! The whirlwind, whose cloudy breath
I 've felt so long, wraps her about at last,
And sweeps her from my sight.

Ambla.
Gideon! my son—my son!

Gideon.
Behold the damning evidence of guilt—
See, see it flaming on the offended sky,
And written in the air—“A witch!” Oh God!
“A witch!” “A witch!”

[At the word “witch” Ambla shrieks wildly, and falls on her knees at the side of Gideon.]