Prince Lucifer By Alfred Austin |
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| III. | SCENE III |
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 | Prince Lucifer |  |
SCENE III
[The open space in front of the Church. Women and children standing in groups.]1ST MATRON.
Our Lady of Good Help has sent us a fine day.
2D MATRON.
She couldn't do less, when we have donned our best clothes, and her shrine's so far.
3D MATRON.
Wast ever there?
4TH MATRON.
Aye, once, after my first-born teethed. I thought I was going to lose him. But I carried my ear-rings to the Shrine, and there isn't a tougher lad in all these hills. But it did seem a long stretch, footing it all alone. To-day, with such gay company, 'twill be short enough.
5TH MATRON.
The company'll be ourselves, mostly. The men folk won't come; only a few o' the old ones, who'll never get half way.
OLD CRONE.
'Twas always so, since there were men and women. Women must do the praying, or the Saints would have a holiday time of it. When I was young and lush, the men troubled Heaven once a year or so; the rest of the twelvemonth, they paid their devotions to us, and got more quickly answered, maybe. But there were better seasons then.
1ST MATRON.
There's where it is! Father Gabriel has promised sunshine and dry weather so often, when we've had nothing but rain and cold straight on, folks have given up asking. They repaired the old font, and bought the new thurible from Lyons, and the barley-straw has threshed out poorer than ever.
2D MATRON.
But if the Saints didn't know best, what 'ud be the good of praying? Even the Madonna can't be expected always to say yes.
3D MATRON.
Aye, and when She's angry with us, ever since Eve stained herself.
4TH MATRON.
But why should we suffer because she enjoys? That's what my man asks.
OLD CRONE.
Enjoys now. She'll suffer sharp enough when her bones wax old.
5TH MATRON.
Then why can't Heaven wait to punish her, instead of punishing other folks before their time?
6TH MATRON.
Sure enough, she has a good time of it here, let what will come after. The Prince doats on her; and now she's a mother, and has nothing to do but coo over her babeling, she may well have no ear for the Trump of Judgment.
1ST MATRON.
Well, well, there ought to be a real good Paradise for honest women, some day; for babes are not much comfort down here, nor the fathers of them neither. Work and worry, worry and work! Please the Madonna, it'll be different elsewhere.
2D MATRON.
See! here comes Father Gabriel. We must all get into our places; the children in front, and we hindmost. Who'll help with this banner?
OLD CRONE.
God speed all! I could have pilgrimaged with the smartest of you once. But no limb so lissom but Time makes a cripple of it!
[The Procession, headed by Father Gabriel, starts on the pilgrimage, singing.] | Prince Lucifer | |