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Scene VI.
—Without the Labyrinth.[Enter Margery.]
Mar.
The country makes me shy—so shy! The trees
O' the forest seem to stand aloof—straight up,
An' ask respect, like gentle folk in town.
An' then . . . the flowers, somehow, are not kind;
They only look at me . . . the marigolds!
But they are in the gardens. . . . Yet I've stopped
At every wild flower, . . . an' they only look.
We were such cronies! Oh, it frightens me!
Lest she should hear. I would not for the world
Catch sight of her. . . . She would be haughty too.
[Knocks.
Top.
[within].
Who's there? who's there? Master the
Wind, ay?—that's put a glove on his noisy hand to make
a fool of me?
[Looking through a window and then
opening.]
Bless us!
Mar.
Your honour—
Top.
Indeed, good maiden, what would you?
Mar.
A basket for the lady—whortleberries;
I gathered 'em this morning i' the dew;
An' if you'd give—
Top.
Very pretty, very pretty! A fresh gift, but bad
for the teeth, assuredly bad. Ho! ho! you've the sweet
soot on your lips.
Mar.
'Tis from my fingers, for I like them not.
But Ro—I thought . . .
Top.
A homely fruit! and you've set the sprigs about
like nature. Well done! And pray where do you live,
my pretty virgin, eh?
Mar.
With Mother Greene.
Top.
Odzookers! With Ellen Greene, the witch?
a good girl like you! Why, she's got a black kitten
that sucks her under the ear; and they say—mercy on
us!—'tis a devil.
Mar.
Oh, sir, but I have never seen it suck.
It sits upon her shoulders with large eyes
As yellow as the stars.
'Tis Lucifer.
Mar.
She calls it Pretty.
Top.
My child—tut, tut! Why do you live in her
stye? Bless my heart! Her company's vile.
Mar.
I have been left with her, and dare not go.
It's better i' the day.
But, oh! the dreaful night! I lie an' quake
To hear the purrs and chuckles i' the dark,
Or see the embers spring as green as wheat
About a hellish pot! the room grows big
And like a church at evening.
Top.
Oh, carry trefoil and pray, Ave Mary! That's
a safe prayer. Rove the woods and be merry. 'Tis
lonely hereabouts; but never fear! Maids have a
watch. Keep at large, and come at your will to me.
I've a cup inside, and a bit of honest talk will keep you
from further witchcraft. Little sorceress! you've learnt
the art as long as it's white and holy. Oh, oh! You
set that gay bonnet like a sweet pea—all flaps. Did
Mother Greene teach the charm? Nay, I see! A
scholar to your own lesson, and very right! Nature has
a pretty way of teaching girls. Why, my lady—bless you!
she puts a flower on her bosom as if to grow. Hist!
that's her voice! Bring what the woods yield at your
will. I'll give the berries to my lady. God be wi' you,
lass!
[Exit.
Mar.
It's like old times.
He's natural, and does not seem to know,
As the flowers do, and all the men in town.
[Exit.
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