University of Virginia Library

Scene II.

Re-enter Carlton, leading Raymond, whose eyes are bandaged. He places him opposite to Hope, who still kneels; the others draw back a little.
RAYMOND
Hush! not a word. Respect this mimic sleep
Which I prolong because I need not. Hark!
You think me blind—I say it is a mask:
Behind this kerchief are the eyes of a man;
I'll loose it in a moment. Is it not grand
To hold the great bright universe of God
Thus in my leash, and slip it when I will,
Not till my soul is ready for it! Skies,
Trees, waters, wonders, dead and living things,
Musical Day that from its first faint note
Swells to a chorus and then sinks again,
Films of far lustre wandering among clouds,
Fine blooms of fragile grass about my feet,
Upgathered wealth of hue and lineament
Shining since Chaos, making through blind Space
Vast preparation for the Man who comes
To take his heritage—all are in this knot, [touching the bandage

And lo! the Man is come!

[As he takes off the bandage Avice makes a step forward—Raymond, after an instant's pause, passes Hope, rushes to Avice, and clasps her in his arms.
RAYMOND
My own! my love!
Better than all my dreams

AVICE
Alas, you err.
O, this was not my fault!

[She draws away from him.
GREY
No fault at all;
The whim was sure to bear a blunder. Come, [touching Hope

Speak you and make it right.

Hope
(clasping Raymond's knees)
O, these new eyes,
The heart must learn to see with them. Look down,
And when you have beheld me well, forgive me
For that I am not fairer.

RAYMOND
Fair enough
For me. I know you now; come close and teach me
My alphabet of beauty. Here are brows
Pure as a sculptor's wish; eyes like deep flowers
Wherein the dew stays long; cheeks that do lack
Part of their natural bloom, pale, as I think
With habit of some pity; aye, and lips—
When I have touched them, I shall understand
The sweetness of their wisdom.

[Kisses her.
GREY
We have here
A ready pupil; check him, lest he prove
A Wrangler out of school. What! are you blind
Because he sees? Show him your face again
Lest he forget his lesson.

HOPE
I was never
Ashamed till now.

RAYMOND
And never had less cause.

GREY
Am I forgotten? Not a word for me?

RAYMOND
O, sir, my long Bastile is hardly down,
I, tottering into freedom lose myself
With memory of my vast familiar blank,
Making a haze about the multitudes
Through whom I walk, till I distinguish not
The faces I most honour. You must pardon
My unfelt failures.

CARLTON
Let me claim you now:
My work is done, yet must I press upon you
That safe prescription of a tranquil mind
Which is the seed and atmosphere of health.
Will you go in and rest?

GREY
The doctor speaks
And we obey. Yet hold! we are but churls,
Snatching our new-found treasure greedily
And turning from the giver. Was there found
Not one to thank you?

HOPE
O, to bless you rather
With every moment of our joyful days
And sweet un-haunted nights!

CARLTON
Enough, enough;
We labour for these silent sights of praise
And they reward us. Take him, gentle nurse;
You that have soothed and charmed his helplessness
Must win him to forget his power awhile,
Lest over-use make vain the time of growth.
Now, no farewells.

RAYMOND
Submission is my thanks. [As he is about to leave the room with Hope, he pauses and addresses Avice.

For you, my fair dumb enemy of old—
(Not dumb then, but most vocal), have you not
So much as a smile to welcome me to life?

AVICE
(hanging her head)
I am as glad as others.

RAYMOND
And no more?
Not a word for yourself?

GREY
Let it pass now;
You shall have time hereafter.

RAYMOND
I shall claim
My debt ere long, foregone but not forgotten.

HOPE
Ah, love, misjudge her not, speech comes not soon
To sudden joy; her heart is full of words.

RAYMOND
Are you so sure of that, my tender Hope?
Come and reveal to me that secret tongue
That I may read it. I am fain to learn
All my new faces.

[Exeunt Raymond and Hope.