University of Virginia Library

III.

The Prison.
Faith
alone at the window, (with black bread and water).
High up in heaven I hear the lark,
And cheerfully dies out the dark;
Oh, I have had such heavenly dreams!
They mingle with the morning beams,
And I am sure my dreams were true,
And that the world to-day is new,
And that all heaven is in to-day—
Hark! a soft footstep comes this way!

Enter Betsy.
Betsy.
Dear friend, they let me in to see you;
I wish that I could come and free you.

Faith.
You are most kind; but I am free.

Betsy
(aside).
At her old ways? (Aloud.)
Why, what are these,
This jar, this hunch?

Faith.
Why, what I please;
Just now, they are white bread and wine;
They might be something still more fine;
Perhaps they will be, if we wait.

Betsy.
The Constable, the Magistrate!

Enter both of them.
Magistrate.
Ahem! Which is the prisoner?

Constable.
Faith, please your worship. This is her.

Magistrate.
Girl, I have come to let you out,
But you must tell me all about
This worthless ring.

Betsy.
That ring I bought
Of a poor pedlar, and I thought
It was a diamond, and I gave it
To my friend Faith.

Faith.
I did not crave it;
It was a gift of friendship, sir;
And many a gift I owe to her.

Magistrate.
A pretty gift! That man of tape
And she have got you in this scrape.
The ring is worthless.

Faith.
No, sir, no;
Pray let me keep it!

Magistrate.
Be it so!

[Giving her the ring.
Faith.
Dear diamond!

All
(laughing except Betsy).
Diamond!

Faith
(not heeding them).
Thou art mine;
And once more I shall see thee shine!

[Putting it on.
Constable.
Hah! how it flashes! 'Boddikins!
It is a diamond!

Magistrate
(laughing).
In our skins
Pray are we standing?

Betsy.
Laugh who wins!

Magistrate.
Well, now I look, it really is
A diamond! Joy go with you, miss!
But pray make speed to leave this place;
We do not understand the case.

[Exit with the Constable.
Betsy.
They are dazed. One thing I understand,
The diamond ring is on your hand.
And poor old Hunks, what will he say?

Faith
(to the audience).
That we shall know another day.
Friends, will you taste this fair white bread,
And this rare wine, so bright and red?
They do not understand, they say!
I understand no more than they,
But know my jewel by its flame,
And keep my diamond and my name.