University of Virginia Library

Scene VI.

Hope—Avice concealed. Enter to them Grey and Raymond. Raymond stops short. Grey advances to Hope's couch.
GREY
I bring him— (he starts)
Ah, my child!

HOPE
You see a change.
O father, it is nothing. Know you not
Five sunset minutes change the great world more
Than many hours of day? The colours die,
And the light deepens—do not wish it less—
It shines before it ceases.

GREY
Let me raise you.

HOPE
No, touch me not, but make him come to me
And lay his hand in mine.

GREY
Alas, my son!
If you can bear it, do as she desires.

[Raymond falls on his knees by Hope.
RAYMOND
Do not forgive me, do not look at me;
There is no kind of pang I have not earned.
Let me receive my wages and depart
To mine own place.

HOPE
My life has been in vain,
But my death heals you. Let my words abide,
They are as medicine poured into your wounds,
To sting—and then to soothe—and then to cure.
Time draws this virtue from them. Knowing it,
I can speak boldly, and you shall remember
More than you hear; that I have pardoned you
Long since, and that my sleep is sweet to me
And nothing mars it. I did love you well.
My thoughts of you are tender as the dreams
Where our dead faces smile to us again
And we are not surprised. For you were mine—

RAYMOND
I am! I am! The madness of an hour—

HOPE
(putting her hand on his mouth)
Hush—let me pass in gentleness and peace!
Cast not the dust of earth upon these wings
Which should be white and spotless, as they catch
Some edge of splendour from the open gates
Ere they shall enter. Friends, there is a pause
Before we part, and they who love and part
Are ever wont to make some sweet exchange,
Of word, or gift, or memory, which they take
Into the distance, to console themselves.
I have my keepsake ready—do not lose
The hurrying moment—what have you for me?
If you have wronged me, do not think of it; [While she speaks Raymond rises and stand looking at her.

My last hour is your own, what went before
Shall take its colour; let it be for me
Goodbye at morning, with the day to come
For those I leave, full of delicious hours
Which I may think of as I pass afar,
Which I may see, when I have quite forgotten
The murmurs and the agonies of life.
Give me this comfort now before I die,
That I may hear the harmonies of Heaven
Begin, before I join them. Avice! Come! [Avice enters and throws herself at Raymond's feet.

Take her the second time, and be the first
Never remembered more!

RAYMOND
Kneel not to me;
I have no heart for anger or for love,
My life is going down into this grave.

[He raises Avice.
Enter Vernon behind.
AVICE
Will you, in time, remember that you loved me?

[She hides her face on Raymond's heart.
RAYMOND
O what is Time but memory of time
Which is no more! Be patient with me, wife,
Mine was the greater sin.

HOPE
(speaking very softly)
Here is the seat,
And here the sunset stays upon your face—
I'll lead you one step farther. Shall I tell you
How beautiful it is? I can see all;
I'll keep it all for you.

[She sighs.
GREY
Be still—she sleeps!

VERNON
(who is standing by the couch)
Say what you will—she's dead!