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101
SCENE V.
Green in front of the Inn. The old Villagers seated on benches around, and the young dancing. During the dance Lords Fenwick, Grey, &c., appear on the Stage.LORD FENWICK.
Youth, health, and mirth; light limbs, and lighter hearts;
What lack these to be happy?
LORD GREY.
Ask the Host.
Yonder, with rosy face and rounded front,
He bears a frothing pot.
LORD FENWICK.
I understand you.
The Host would say—more liquor; and perchance
A few broad-pieces to procure them that,
Were no unwelcome donative. Host, ho!
[Calling.
[The Host comes forward, and receives money from two or three of the Party.
LORD FENWICK.
Take these, my friend, and let the villagers
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When, should the contribution be too scant,
We may augment it.
HOST.
Thanks, ye generous strangers.
LORD GREY.
It strikes me, too, that our rude knaves had rather
Stay here and join the sport, than wend with us
To gaze on crag and brushwood.
LORD FENWICK.
Be it so;
If that they will not brawl with these good peasants.
HOST.
There bears a dark cloud over Gennet's gill,
And the West blackens o'er the fell. These signs,
Amid our hills, portend no distant storm.
If Gordale is your aim, 'twere best ye reach it
Ere the day change.
LORD FENWICK.
We thank thee, sir. A Guide
Is all we want to 'vail us of thy counsel.
HOST.
And that is soon supplied. Here comes a man,
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Is near this place.
LORD FENWICK
(glancing at GREY).
I relish not conductors
Drawn from a sacred Order. But go on.
HOST.
He weeps and wanders, mid the glooms of Gordale,
From morn till eve. What brings him now, I wot not;
Unless, as I suspect, it be to preach
The Rush-bearers a sermon on the sin
Of passing time so happily. As lief
Would I see aught as him.
LORD FENWICK
(smiling).
And so wouldst make
A transfer of his services to us?
Well, I like candour, friend, and will remove
This marrer of enjoyment—if he list.
[Enter a Messenger.
MESSENGER
(showing a letter).
This for the Lord of Fenwick.
LORD FENWICK.
I am he.
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I wait reply.
LORD FENWICK.
A moment, lords, excuse me.
[Reads.
Go, tell the writer I will meet him—no;
Myself will bear my answer. Wait apart.
[To Messenger.
My lords, a slight affair demands me hence.
Nay, question not—a trifle—I will join
Your train again ere long.
[To Messenger.
Lead on, my friend.
[Exit Lord Fenwick.
[Enter Norton.
LORD GREY
(to Norton).
Father, we would see Gordale. We are strangers,
And may, perhaps, avail us of that name
To ask the guidance of so good a man
As we have heard thou art.
[Enter Ladies.
NORTON.
Would I could teach you,
When Gordale opes his chasm, to elevate
Your minds from the low pleasures of base sense,
To Him whose fiat scooped it, or whose earthquake
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The gaze of ages!
LORD GREY
(smiling).
Who knows but we may
Be diligent pupils under such a tutor?
The ladies are devout. So lead, good Father.
[As the strangers are quitting the stage, the Scene shuts.
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