Loves Comedy | Page 9

[seeing MISS JAY approach]. You little know what wealth a man obtains From woman's eloquence and woman's brains.
MISS JAY [aside to STIVER]. Will Guldstad give us credit, think you?
STIVER [peevishly]. I Am not quite certain of it yet: I'll try.
[They withdraw in conversation; LIND and ANNA approach.
LIND [aside to FALK]. I can't endure it longer; in post-haste I must present her--
FALK. You had best refrain, And not initiate the eye profane Into your mysteries--
LIND. That would be a jest!-- From you, my fellow-boarder, and my mate, To keep concealed my new-found happy state! Nay, now, my head with Fortune's oil anointed--
FALK. You think the occasion good to get it curled? Well, my good friend, you won't be disappointed; Go and announce your union to the world!
LIND. Other reflections also weigh with me, And one of more especial gravity; Say that there lurked among our motley band Some sneaking, sly pretender to her hand; Say, his attentions became undisguised,-- We should be disagreeably compromised.
FALK. Yes, it is true; it had escaped my mind, You for a higher office were designed, Love as his young licentiate has retained you; Shortly you'll get a permanent position; But it would be defying all tradition If at the present moment he ordained you.
LIND. Yes if the merchant does not--
FALK. What of him?
ANNA [troubled]. Oh, it is Lind's unreasonable whim.
LIND. Hush; I've a deep foreboding that the man Will rob me of my treasure, if he can. The fellow, as we know, comes daily down, Is rich, unmarried, takes you round the town; In short, my own, regard it as we will, There are a thousand things that bode us ill.
ANNA [sighing]. Oh, it's too bad; to-day was so delicious!
FALK [sympathetically to LIND]. Don't wreck your joy, unfoundedly suspicious, Don't hoist your flag till time the truth disclose--
ANNA. Great God! Miss Jay is looking; hush, be still!
[She and LIND withdraw in different directions.
FALK [looking after LIND]. So to the ruin of his youth he goes.
GULDSTAD. [Who has meantime been conversing on the steps with MRS. HALM and MISS JAY, approaches FALK and slaps him on the shoulder. Well, brooding on a poem?
FALK. No, a play.
GULDSTAD. The deuce;--I never heard it was your line.
FALK. O no, the author is a friend of mine, And your acquaintance also, I daresay. The knave's a dashing writer, never doubt. Only imagine, in a single day He's worked a perfect little Idyll out.
GULDSTAD [slily]. With happy ending, doubtless!
FALK. You're aware, No curtain falls but on a plighted pair. Thus with the Trilogy's First Part we've reckoned; But now the poet's labour-throes begin; The Comedy of Troth-plight, Part the Second, Thro' five insipid Acts he has to spin, And of that staple, finally, compose Part Third,--or Wedlock's Tragedy, in prose.
GULDSTAD [smiling]. The poet's vein is catching, it would seem.
FALK. Really? How so, pray?
GULDSTAD. Since I also pore And ponder over a poetic scheme,-- [Mysteriously. An actuality--and not a dream.
FALK. And pray, who is the hero of your theme?
GULDSTAD. I'll tell you that to-morrow--not before.
FALK. It is yourself!
GULDSTAD. You think me equal to it?
FALK. I'm sure no other mortal man could do it. But then the heroine? No city maid, I'll swear, but of the country, breathing balm?
GULDSTAD [lifting his finger]. Ah,--that's the point, and must not be betrayed!-- [Changing his tone. Pray tell me your opinion of Miss Halm.
FALK. O you're best able to pronounce upon her; My voice can neither credit nor dishonour,-- [Smiling. But just take care no mischief-maker blot This fine poetic scheme of which you talk. Suppose I were so shameless as to balk The meditated climax of the plot?
GULDSTAD [good-naturedly]. Well, I would cry "Amen," and change my plan.
FALK. What!
GULDSTAD. Why, you see, you are a letter'd man; How monstrous were it if your skill'd design Were ruined by a bungler's hand like mine! [Retires to the background.
FALK [in passing, to LIND]. Yes, you were right; the merchant's really scheming The ruin of your new-won happiness.
LIND [aside to ANNA]. Now then you see, my doubting was not dreaming; We'll go this very moment and confess.
[They approach MRS. HALM, who is standing with Miss Jay by the house.
GULDSTAD [conversing with STIVER]. 'Tis a fine evening.
STIVER. Very likely,--when A man's disposed--
GULDSTAD [facetiously]. What, all not running smooth In true love's course?
STIVER. Not that exactly--
FALK [coming up]. Then With your engagement?
STIVER. That's about the truth.
FALK. Hurrah! Your spendthrift pocket has a groat Or two still left, it seems, of poetry.
STIVER [stiffly]. I cannot see what poetry has got To do with my engagement, or with me.
FALK. You are not meant to see; when lovers prove What love is, all is over with their love.
GULDSTAD [to STIVER]. But if there's matter for adjustment, pray Let's hear it.
STIVER. I've been pondering all day Whether the thing is proper to disclose, But still