The prophet a tragedy |
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Scene III.
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 | The prophet |  |
Scene III.
A garden in the rear of the Prophet's house. Peter digging a bed.PETER
(Pausing in his work.)
I hardly ought to say it; but you can't
Turn one thing into t'other. Leastways, some
Have only changed their devils, not cast out,
And, with the pick and choice of gifts they had,
Are none the wiser. There my old horse-sense
Said, just as plain, “See whether you can use;”
And, if I'd opened mouth, and shut my eyes,
The Lord knows whether any thing had dropped.
I can't make out: there's going back and forth,
Like candidates before election-time,
When, with a little sleight-of-hand, a man
May sell two votes. Here mine will hardly count.
Our David's always safe, and Brother Kraft,
And Sister Livia,—each a regiment.
She looked at me in such an asking way,
This morning! what the—Zion—could she want?
Maybe, the temple—more pontificals:
Whichever way you turn, when sundown comes,
It's temple, temple, temple! I was glad
On their account; but, now it's finished up,
Both him and her go sideling round the house,
As if forever hunting something lost.
[Sings.]
Turn one thing into t'other. Leastways, some
Have only changed their devils, not cast out,
And, with the pick and choice of gifts they had,
Are none the wiser. There my old horse-sense
Said, just as plain, “See whether you can use;”
And, if I'd opened mouth, and shut my eyes,
The Lord knows whether any thing had dropped.
142
Like candidates before election-time,
When, with a little sleight-of-hand, a man
May sell two votes. Here mine will hardly count.
Our David's always safe, and Brother Kraft,
And Sister Livia,—each a regiment.
She looked at me in such an asking way,
This morning! what the—Zion—could she want?
Maybe, the temple—more pontificals:
Whichever way you turn, when sundown comes,
It's temple, temple, temple! I was glad
On their account; but, now it's finished up,
Both him and her go sideling round the house,
As if forever hunting something lost.
Oh! I've a hundred acres of land,
And a house to cover your head;
And in the spring, when the dovey-doveys sing,
They say it's the time to wed.
And a house to cover your head;
And in the spring, when the dovey-doveys sing,
They say it's the time to wed.
143
Oh! I've an eye that is blue and shy,
And a mouth that is red, says she,
And a heart at rest in my lily, lily breast;
And why should I wed with thee?
And a mouth that is red, says she,
And a heart at rest in my lily, lily breast;
And why should I wed with thee?
Oh! take your choice when the days are long,
And be sure you never will rue.
When I'm safe from storm, and it's bonny, bonny warm,
Say, what will become of you?
And be sure you never will rue.
When I'm safe from storm, and it's bonny, bonny warm,
Say, what will become of you?
Oh! I'll comb and curl your bright brown hair,
On a Sunday morning gay;
For a maid, I guess, when she means yes, yes,
Begins with a nay, nay, nay!
On a Sunday morning gay;
For a maid, I guess, when she means yes, yes,
Begins with a nay, nay, nay!
NIMROD
(Entering.)
When birds sing that way, it is time to build.
Good-morrow, Peter!
PETER
And good-day, high priest!
[Aside.]
I have a vote, it seems.
144
Your plants are trim
And forward: that shows liking for the place.
The Prophet told me, as an orphan boy
You came to him.
PETER
Ay, 'twas my only home.
NIMROD
Your silent faith counts more than that of some
Who make a loud profession. Modestly
You choose no gift; but you may highly serve
The Church, by being fully what you are.
PETER
Preambles don't get through my head.
NIMROD
Find, then,
A mate, and add a dozen to our flock.
145
Oho! That's good advice. But here's my fix:
I stand half-way 'twixt Jane and Mary Ann
(We'll say), both willing. Now, to choose for good,
When, either took, you might find afterwards
The t'other was the better,—there I stick!
I'd let our Rhoda pick for me; but then,
She don't know both.
NIMROD
(Lowering his voice.)
If both were given to you,
As in the days of old?
PETER
(Dropping his spade.)
That's something new:
You mean it?
146
What has been may be again.
PETER
Well, each is pleasant while she holds the chance,
And would outbid the t'other: make it law
For all of us, the double check would last,
And they'd pull square, I guess.
NIMROD
What thus relieves
Your own dilemma offers general peace.
But guard your tongue: I've no authority
To promise this, or even so much as hint.
You've read your Bible: what the Lord himself
Established for the fathers of the world
Is justified to us.
PETER
And yet it's queer
To live like folks a million years ago.
147
Ay, there you hit it! But the Prophet's power
Was lost as long. The hearts of men, you've seen,
Are like their stomachs, used to this or that,
Shy of the best of food of other kind,
And some half starve before they taste of it.
Here you can aid: I need not tell you more:
There's ways of finding how a man inclines,
Without declaring much.
PETER
I understand.
NIMROD
The Prophet's soul is wrestling with his task.
Guard him from useless trouble, keep him free
From small disturbances! 'Tis much for you
To be a faithful watchman at his gates.
[Exit.
148
(After a prolonged whistle.)
It's half a pity such a man as that
Is out of Congress! When he means a thing,
It's safe to bet the thing will happen soon.
So that's the secret; and they're flustered both,
Misdoubting, doubtless, how the folks will take!
I'm mighty 'cute, when I lay out to be,
And here's good reason. Oh, I'll bait my hooks,
And jerk men's thoughts out, fast as hungry pike!
I'll go ahead where David wants to walk,
And cut a swath, then Jane and Mary Ann.
| The prophet | |