Prince Lucifer | ||
SCENE I
Outside Castle Tourbillon.[A body of Peasants, armed with flint-guns, scythes, and billhooks, are collected on the hillside.]
1ST PEASANT.
Are we ready, then?
ALL.
Ready enough, when you give the word.
1ST PEASANT.
I will speak him fair at first, and if he hears reason, reasonable we too must hold ourselves. But if he answers smooth with rough, then we must see who can be roughest.
2D PEASANT.
But not rough with Eve, master.
1ST PEASANT.
Not rough, surely, but not soft, neither. If he's for giving up the treasure, let him keep the rest. But if he's got no ear for the rumbling
181
LUCIFER.
What want you, friends?
1ST PEASANT.
We came to speak with you.
LUCIFER.
Speak, then.
[They remain silent.]
You all are silent; but no need
Is there to put your weapons into words.
In what have I offended?
1ST PEASANT.
Our intent
Was to petition you to share your wealth
With needy brethren; but,—not here—not now!
182
Nay, you have come most timely. Share it, sooth!
For in that coffin it lies. Wrest it from death,
And make me rich again! My other treasure,
My other and my greater, look on her!
If you can share her grief, you share my wealth,
For other have I none. What else I have lost,
Well, if you knew, you would not grudge it me.
Pray, go within, and take thence what you will.
For there is nothing in it that I value,
Saving some empty memories, and those
Would not enrich you.
FATHER GABRIEL.
Dear my sons!
Lay your rebellious weapons on the ground,
And tread with melancholy feet the track
Pointed by Heaven! When God speaks through Death,
Life then is forced to hear. That messenger
Reveals the supreme Potentate that sends him.
Follow the coffin.
[The Peasants lay down their weapons, and follow the Funeral Procession till it reaches the village. There, joined by
183
Marriage and Burial:—these are twin.
Both Love and Death are born of Sin;
And God is justified therein.
Both Love and Death are born of Sin;
And God is justified therein.
Man soweth ill, God reapeth good,
Reapeth His harvest when He would,
Is wisest when least understood.
Reapeth His harvest when He would,
Is wisest when least understood.
The Flower that lies beneath these flowers,
Its task done in this world of ours,
Is gathered to the Triune Powers.
Its task done in this world of ours,
Is gathered to the Triune Powers.
It was a love-gift timely sent:
It was not given, 'twas only lent,
As God's indulgent instrument.
It was not given, 'twas only lent,
As God's indulgent instrument.
The eyes of Faith are never dim:
It is not dead, it lives with Him;
It knows what know the Seraphim.
It is not dead, it lives with Him;
It knows what know the Seraphim.
184
Unto the dust though I commit
Its mortal semblance, as is fit,
The Cherubim have charge of it.
Its mortal semblance, as is fit,
The Cherubim have charge of it.
(to LUCIFER).
I will stay here, and pray. Go, you!
[All, except Eve, pass into the churchyard, where Father Gabriel recites the Funeral Service. That over, all disperse, excepting Prince Lucifer and Adam.]
LUCIFER.
That road did lead to death, and then to marriage.
ADAM.
A man may be a prophet without knowing it.
And, maybe, exhalations from the grave
Have inspiration in them. Look you, sir!
Is't not as shapely as I promised it?
No sheets could be more smooth. And you must put
Some pretty marble over it, and words
As touching as its mother.
LUCIFER.
That, she will.
Lord! What a world of luggage we do take
On a short journey at the end whereof
185
A change for all, when this soiled trudge is o'er.
[He enters the Church, where Eve is still praying. He touches her on the shoulder.]
Come, child, come!
Prince Lucifer | ||