University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Chamber in the Castle.
Ellen, Prioress, Ursula, and Father Philip.
PHILIP.
The Prioress and myself are so far trusted
As not to break, or change, but perfect order.
We regulate the ancient rites of death—
This were in custom's teeth.

PRIORESS.
What, veiled as we!
Wouldst follow like a masker to the grave?
Is this the time's sobriety! Disguised
To walk with us?

PHILIP.
We cannot grant this prayer.
Better bethink thee, child, or ask my lord.

URSULA.
He marked, to-day, how pale she looks, and then
Thanked heaven that no such duty rests with her.

ELLEN.
Either he would refuse me what I prayed,
Or yielding, grieve the more. I will not ask.

PHILIP.
Five such processions to the place of rest
I can myself remember—Screitch counts more—
The females of the house were never with us.

PRIORESS.
Daughter, have patience; let it be forgot.

PHILIP.
All prayers, if faithful, meet above—and thine
Will rise as swift from hence.

ELLEN.
Must usage rule
Both life and death?

PHILIP.
Ay, wherefore should she not?
When might she cast her decent mantle o'er us
If not to hide our tears?

ELLEN.
You will be just.
I know not how to strive with both so wise,
And I so ignorant. Have I seemed hard to govern?

PHILIP.
As little lawless as a lamb at play;
Harder to catch than hold. The more I marvel
That three of us conjoined may scarce prevail
Where each did singly.

URSULA.
Ellen, be advised—
In this the mother will direct thee best.

ELLEN.
My mother has directed!—if I live,
I will be there.

PRIORESS.
Thou shouldst have told us so.
Nay, God forbid our scruples! what she willed
Is sacred now.

URSULA.
When did my lady say so?

ELLEN.
Last night.

PRIORESS.
The night before?

ELLEN.
It was last night.

PRIORESS.
Daughter, you dream! The saint had passed to rest.

ELLEN.
I did dream then—have patience with me both!
Scarce three days back I was incredulous too.
My little wisdom seemed enough for that.
Last night I slept, but thought that she awoke me:
Upon my cheek I felt the breath of life.
“Child, thou must haste to follow me,” she said—
Then raised, and led me out. The court was full;
Thou, father, 'midst the choristers, wast there.
Behind the bier, I followed next but one,
She first, with eyes which often turned upon me.
The prioress and a sister either side me—
All three were veiled, and habited alike—
Like theirs, my feet were bare. I wondered not,
Although the coffin and the corpse were present,
That she, as if in life, walked on before us.
While many thronged us, for the crowd was great,
My cousin Rudestein plucked the veil aside,
And I awoke. Now, shall I tell my father?

PRIORESS.
Thou hast a better guidance from above,
Than his or ours. Happy indeed, if so!
If she who rests appoint such raiment for thee,
It must be thine till death.

ELLEN.
Lend it to-night.

PRIORESS.
Not for disguise—in aid of artifice!
'Twere profanation of a sacred thing,
And might hereafter arm reproach against us.
This dream of death foreshadows death to sin;
The grave of pomp; the peace which walks with us.
Brother, what sayest?

PHILIP.
There shall be no pledge given
Constraining conscience for the time to come.
If this our benefactress willed it thus,
Why should we doubt? The earth contains no place
More sacred to us than a mother's grave.
Thither she goes to weep, and thence returns
Unnoticed by the gazers of the world.
Enjoined or not, it is an innocent purpose:
Nor does that veil conceal a meeker brow,
Or purer bosom.

PRIORESS.
We may trust thee, Ursula?
Thou wilt not whisper in licentious ears
Of what we do?

URSULA.
I am no whisperer, mother.

PRIORESS.
Nor now, nor in the time to come?

URSULA.
I promise.

PRIORESS.
Till we release thee, Ursula? Take thou this,
And hold it to thy lips.

(Gives the Cross.)
URSULA.
I swear! what else?

PHILIP.
Tell it not Barbara, then. I would impute
No worse than mirth too free, and wildly-scattered—
Ill chosen times—companions ill assorted.
Shew kindness, lady, but not trust.

URSULA.
'Tis easy
To shut her out from partnership in grief—
She seeks not mourners. Ellen, we have heard
Counsel like this before.

PRIORESS.
The time needs haste—
We must provide fit garments for thee, child.
Look, this has grieved thee, brother! Come with me.

[Exeunt.