University of Virginia Library

Scene III.

Night. A street in the city.
HUGH
(Walking slowly homewards.)
Were he alone, he might conspire alone,
And welcome! This is shrewdly done, if his;
The more, if hers. I thought her not so wise.
If interference menaces indeed,
And one might make conditions, then, why, then
Comes chance to seize o'erthrown authority,—
No matter whose,—and let it stick to me.
So much there is of wisdom in the plan:
We lose by quiet, and we can but gain
By new disturbance. Had he promised aught—
But 'tis the same! What as an offer fails,
Can I exact: which side goes up or down,
One moment both are balanced evenly,
And then a hand decides. The man's a fool
Who thinks to cheapen revolution's cost,
And feed enthusiasm upon itself,
Without the hope of benefit: go to!
I may be made a cat's-paw, but sharp-eyed
To grab one chestnut,—let me see it first!

NIMROD
(Suddenly appearing at his side.)
I'll show you! What! you meditate escape?
Stand still! I will not touch you, since you must.
How left you Jonas?

HUGH
In his usual mood;
Dissenting, yet not disobedient.

NIMROD
And yours the same? Should I repeat his words,
While every tone is in your ears alive,
You would deny them: so I waste no breath.
I would have suffered you to take the lead
To that fair quicksand-scum you think is turf,
And said, “Good riddance!”—save that you can serve;
And that you will, is truth, when I declare
You shall not serve unpaid.

HUGH
A Devil's brain
Is yours!

NIMROD
A brain that once he owned, perhaps;
Now by the Lord, to his discomfiture,
Tuned otherwise.

HUGH
(Aside.)
Why, even here, to me,
With both hands full of treachery and bribes,
He says such things! That's genius, on my soul!
[Aloud.]
The Lord directs you? well, then, also me,
If I should do your will.

NIMROD
My instrument
Is surely His, in spite of halting faith.

HUGH
What would you have me do?

NIMROD
Stay what you are,
A traitor! plot and plan our overthrow,
With him and others: only, as a spout
Collects, from every shingle on the roof,
What rain it sheds, to fill the thirsty tank,
Convey to me your knowledge, me alone!

HUGH
The Lord commands at will what He forbids,
It seems, or you interpret loosely: be it so!
I'll grant His purpose better know to you,
And let you patch the breakage in His law;
But, if the open virtue earns reward,
This claims a higher payment!

NIMROD
In your work
Will soon be shown the form of your desire,
Which, being seen, I'll make reality.
Though partly known to me, I dare not speak
The Prophet's mind, but bid you ponder this:
If you were set aside, not faithless charged,
Nor any virtue lacking, but for use,
As one unjustly to conspiracy
Compelled, by justice to be beckoned back,
And crowned by honor when the plot is crushed,
How then?

HUGH.
(Aside.)
This is a touch beyond me! Driven,
While will and purpose wholly seemed my own,
To do the thing he wanted,—can it be?
(Aloud.)
“How then?” 'Tis just another miracle.
There have been men whose tongues or hands obeyed
Some dark, mysterious force, and did the things
Their souls resisted: am I one of such?

NIMROD
It well may be: the working of the power,
Itself is mystery. Weary not your mind,
As if to your account were aught set down,
Even seeming treachery. So much we know,
Source, pretext, object, chance, and means of aid,
That, had your virtue yielded, we were safe;
But time is gained since you endure the test,
And labor lessened. Here your service lies.
First, come with me, and state the very truth,
Mindful that, if you swerve, my knowledge waits
To prop your memory. This rehearsal made,
And duty fixed in what concerns us next,
We'll talk of your exaltment and reward.

[Exeunt.