Loves Comedy | Page 5

my light-- For that incitement long to heaven I've pleaded; But hitherto, worse luck, it hasn't heeded.
MISS JAY. What levity!
MRS. HALM. Yes, most irreverent!
FALK. Pray don't imagine it was my intent To live with her on bread and cheese and kisses. No! just upon the threshold of our blisses, Kind Heaven must snatch away the gift it lent. I need a little spiritual gymnastic; The dose in that form surely would be drastic.
SVANHILD. [Has during the talk approached; she stands close to the table, and says in a determined but whimsical tone: I'll pray that such may be your destiny. But, when it finds you--bear it like a man.
FALK [turning round in surprise]. Miss Svanhild!--well, I'll do the best I can. But think you I may trust implicitly To finding your petitions efficacious? Heaven as you know, to faith alone is gracious-- And though you've doubtless will enough for two To make me bid my peace of mind adieu, Have you the faith to carry matters through? That is the question.
SVANHILD [half in jest]. Wait till sorrow comes, And all your being's springtide chills and numbs, Wait till it gnaws and rends you, soon and late, Then tell me if my faith is adequate. [She goes across to the ladies.
MRS. HALM [aside to her]. Can you two never be at peace? you've made Poor Mr. Falk quite angry, I'm afraid.
[Continues reprovingly in a low voice. MISS JAY joins in the conversation. SVANHILD remains cold and silent.
FALK [after a pause of reflection goes over to the summer-house, then to himself]. With fullest confidence her glances lightened. Shall I believe, as she does so securely, That Heaven intends--
GULDSTAD. No, hang it; don't be frightened! The powers above would be demented surely To give effect to orders such as these. No, my good sir--the cure for your disease Is exercise for muscle, nerve, and sinew. Don't lie there wasting all the grit that's in you In idle dreams; cut wood, if that were all; And then I'll say the devil's in't indeed If one brief fortnight does not find you freed From all your whimsies high-fantastical.
FALK. Fetter'd by choice, like Burnell's ass, I ponder-- The flesh on this side, and the spirit yonder. Which were it wiser I should go for first?
GULDSTAD [filling the glasses]. First have some punch--that quenches ire and thirst.
MRS. HALM [looking at her watch]. Ha! Eight o'clock! my watch is either fast, or It's just the time we may expect the Pastor. [Rises, and puts things in order on the verandah.
FALK. What! have we parsons coming?
MISS JAY. Don't you know?
MRS. HALM. I told you, just a little while ago--
ANNA. No, mother--Mr. Falk had not yet come.
MRS. HALM. Why no, that's true; but pray don't look so glum. Trust me, you'll be enchanted with his visit.
FALK. A clerical enchanter; pray who is it?
MRS. HALM. Why, Pastor Strawman, not unknown to fame.
FALK. Indeed! Oh, yes, I think I've heard his name, And read that in the legislative game He comes to take a hand, with voice and vote.
STIVER. He speaks superbly.
GULDSTAD. When he's cleared his throat.
MISS JAY. He's coming with his wife--
MRS. HALM. And all their blessings--
FALK. To give them three or four days' treat, poor dears-- Soon he'll be buried over head and ears In Swedish muddles and official messings-- I see!
MRS. HALM [to FALK]. Now there's a man for you, in truth!
GULDSTAD. They say he was a rogue, though, in his youth.
MISS JAY [offended]. There, Mr. Guldstad, I must break a lance! I've heard as long as I can recollect, Most worthy people speak with great respect Of Pastor Strawman and his life's romance.
GULDSTAD [laughing]. Romance?
MISS JAY. Romance! I call a match romantic At which mere worldly wisdom looks askance.
FALK. You make my curiosity gigantic.
MISS JAY [continuing]. But certain people always grow splenetic-- Why, goodness knows--at everything pathetic, And scoff it down. We all know how, of late, An unfledged, upstart undergraduate Presumed, with brazen insolence, to declare That "William Russell"(1)was a poor affair!
FALK. But what has this to do with Strawman, pray? Is he a poem, or a Christian play?
MISS JAY [with tears of emotion]. No, Falk,--a man, with heart as large as day. But when a--so to speak--mere lifeless thing Can put such venom into envy's sting, And stir up evil passions fierce and fell Of such a depth--
FALK [sympathetically]. And such a length as well--
MISS JAY. Why then, a man of your commanding brain Can't fail to see--
FALK. Oh, yes, that's very plain. But hitherto I haven't quite made out The nature, style, and plot of this romance. It's something quite delightful I've no doubt-- But just a little inkling in advance--
STIVER. I will abstract, in rapid resume, The leading points.
MISS JAY. No, I am more au fait, I know the ins and outs--
MRS. HALM. I