The Complete Poetical Works of George MacDonald. George MacDonald

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СКАЧАТЬ she has been ill. She looks so pale! Her beauty is much less, but she more lovely. Do I not love he? more than when that beauty Beamed out like starlight, radiating beyond The confines of her wondrous face and form, And animated with a present power Her garment's folds, even to the very hem!

      Ha! there is something now: the old woman drest

       In her Sunday clothes, and waiting at the door,

       As for her husband. Something will follow this.

       And here he comes, all in his best like her.

       They will be gone a while. Slowly they walk,

       With short steps down the street. Now I must wake

       The sleeping hunter-eagle in my eyes!

      SCENE V.—A back street. Two Servants with a carriage and pair.

      1st Serv. Heavens, what a cloud! as big as Aetna! There! That gust blew stormy. Take Juno by the head, I'll stand by Neptune. Take her head, I say; We'll have enough to do, if it should lighten.

      2nd Serv. Such drops! That's the first of it. I declare She spreads her nostrils and looks wild already, As if she smelt it coming. I wish we were Under some roof or other. I fear this business Is not of the right sort.

      1st Serv. He looked as black As if he too had lightning in his bosom. There! Down, you brute! Mind the pole, Beppo!

      SCENE VI.—Julian's room. JULIAN standing at the window, his face pressed against a pane. Storm and gathering darkness without.

      Julian. Plague on the lamp! 'tis gone—no, there it flares! I wish the wind would leave or blow it out. Heavens! how it thunders! This terrific storm Will either cow or harden him. I'm blind! That lightning! Oh, let me see again, lest he Should enter in the dark! I cannot bear This glimmering longer. Now that gush of rain Has blotted all my view with crossing lights. 'Tis no use waiting here. I must cross over, And take my stand in the corner by the door. But if he comes while I go down the stairs, And I not see? To make sure, I'll go gently Up the stair to the landing by her door.

      [He goes quickly toward the door.]

      Hostess (opening the door and looking in). If you please, sir—

      [He hurries past]

      The devil's in the man!

      SCENE VII.—The landing.

      Voice within. If you scream, I must muffle you.

      Julian (rushing up the stair). He is there! His hand is on her mouth! She tries to scream!

      [Flinging the door open, as NEMBRONI springs forward on the other side.]

      Back!

      Nembroni. What the devil!—Beggar!

      [Drawing his sword, and making a thrust at JULIAN, which he parries with his left arm, as, drawing his dagger, he springs within NEMBRONI'S guard.]

      Julian (taking him by the throat). I have faced worse storms than you.

      [They struggle.]

      Heart point and hilt strung on the line of force,

      [He stabs him.]

      Your ribs will not mail your heart!

      [NEMBRONI falls dead. JULIAN wipes his dagger on the dead man's coat.]

      If men will be devils, They are better in hell than here.

      [Lightning flashes on the blade.]

      What a night

       For a soul to go out of doors! God in heaven!

      [Approaches the lady within.]

      Ah! she has fainted. That is well. I hope

       It will not pass too soon. It is not far

       To the half-hidden door in my own fence,

       And that is well. If I step carefully,

       Such rain will soon wash out the tell-tale footprints.

       What! blood? He does not bleed much, I should think! Oh, I see! it is mine—he has wounded me. That's awkward now.

      [Takes a handkerchief from the floor by the window.]

      Pardon me, dear lady;

      [Ties the handkerchief with hand and teeth round his arm.]

      'Tis not to save my blood I would defile

       Even your handkerchief.

      [Coming towards the door, carrying her.]

      I am pleased to think

       Ten monkish months have not ta'en all my strength.

      [Looking out of the window on the landing.]

      For once, thank darkness! 'Twas sent for us, not him.

      [He goes down the stair]

      SCENE VIII.—A room in the castle. JULIAN and the Nurse.

      Julian. Ask me no questions now, my dear old nurse. You have put your charge to bed?

      Nurse. Yes, my dear lord.

      Julian. And has she spoken yet?

      Nurse. After you left, Her eyelids half unclosed; she murmured once: Where am I, mother?—then she looked at me, And her eyes wandered over all my face, Till half in comfort, half in weariness, They closed again. Bless her, dear soul! she is As feeble as a child.

      Julian. Under your care She'll soon be well again. Let no one know She is in the house:—blood has been shed for her.

      Nurse. Alas! I feared it; blood is on her dress.

      Julian. That's mine, not his. But put it in the fire. Get her another. I'll leave a purse with you.

      Nurse. Leave?

      Julian. Yes. I am off to-night, wandering again Over the earth and sea. She must not know I have been here. You must contrive to keep My share a secret. Once she moved and spoke When a branch caught me, but she could not see me. She thought, no doubt, it was Nembroni had her; Nor would she have known me. You must hide her, nurse. Let her on no pretense guess where she is, Nor utter word that might suggest the fact. When she is well and wishes to be gone, Then write СКАЧАТЬ