The Hunchback | Page 9

novice less--so less deceive her. I did not put thee under check.
Helen. 'Twas right, - Else had I broken loose, and run the wilder! So knows she not her father yet: that's strange. I prithee how does mine?
Wal. Well--very well. News for thee.
Helen. What?
Wal. Thy cousin is in town.
Helen. My cousin Modus?
Wal. Much do I suspect That cousin's nearer to thy heart than blood.
Helen. Pshaw! Wed me to a musty library! Love him who nothing loves but Greek and Latin! But, Master Walter, you forget the main Surpassing point of all! Who's come with you?
Wal. Ay, that's the question!
Helen. Is he soldier or Civilian? lord or gentleman? He's rich, If that's his chariot! Where is his estate? What brings it in? Six thousand pounds a year? Twelve thousand, may be! Is he bachelor, Or husband? Bachelor I'm sure he is Comes he not hither wooing, Master Walter? Nay, prithee, answer me!
Wal. Who says thy sex Are curious? That they're patient, I'll be sworn; And reasonable--very reasonable - To look for twenty answers in a breath! Come, thou shalt be enlightened--but propound Thy questions one by one! Thou'rt far too apt A scholar! My ability to teach Will ne'er keep pace, I fear, with thine to learn.
[They go out.]
SCENE III.--An Apartment in the House.
[Enter JULIA, followed by CLIFFORD.]
Julia. No more! I pray you, sir, no more!
Clif. I love you!
Julia. You mock me, sir!
Clif. Then is there no such thing On earth as reverence; honour filial, the fear Of kings, the awe of supreme heaven itself, Are only shows and sounds that stand for nothing. I love you!
Julia. You have known me scarce a minute!
Clif. Say but a moment, still I say I love you! Love's not a flower that grows on the dull earth; Springs by the calendar; must wait for the sun - For rain;--matures by parts;--must take its time To stem, to leaf, to bud, to blow. It owns A richer soil, and boasts a quicker seed! You look for it, and see it not; and lo! E'en while you look, the peerless flower is up. Consummate in the birth!
Julia. Is't fear I feel? Why else should beat my heart? It can't be fear! Something I needs must say. You're from the town; How comes it, sir, you seek a country wife? Methinks 'twill tax his wit to answer that.
Clif. In joining contrasts lieth love's delight. Complexion, stature, nature, mateth it, Not with their kinds, but with their opposites. Hence hands of snow in palms of russet lie; The form of Hercules affects the sylph's; And breasts, that case the lion's fear-proof heart, Find their meet lodge in arms where tremors dwell! Haply for this, on Afric's swarthy neck, Hath Europe's priceless pearl been seen to hang, That makes the orient poor! So with degrees, Rank passes by the circlet-graced brow, Upon the forehead, bare, of notelessness To print the nuptial kiss. As with degrees So is't with habits; therefore I, indeed A gallant of the town, the town forsake, To win a country wife.
Julia. His prompt reply My backward challenge shames! Must I give o'er? I'll try his wit again. Who marries me Must lead a country life.
Clif. The life I'd lead! But fools would fly from it; for O! 'tis sweet! It finds the heart out, be there one to find; And corners in't where store of pleasures lodge, We never dreamed were there! It is to dwell 'Mid smiles that are not neighbours to deceit; Music, whose melody is of the heart; And gifts, that are not made for interest, - Abundantly bestowed by Nature's cheek, And voice, and hand! It is to live on life, And husband it! It is to constant scan The handiwork of Heaven. It is to con Its mercy, bounty, wisdom, power! It is To nearer see our God!
Julia. How like he talks To Master Walter! Shall I give it o'er? Not yet. Thou wouldst not live one half a year! A quarter mightst thou for the novelty Of fields and trees; but then it needs must be In summer time, when they go dressed.
Clif. Not it! In any time--say winter! Fields and trees Have charms for me in very winter time.
Julia. But snow may clothe them then.
Clif. I like them full As well in snow!
Julia. You do?
Clif. I do.
Julia. But night Will hide both snow and them, and that sets in Ere afternoon is out. A heavy thing, A country fireside in a winter's night, To one bred in the town,--where winter's said, For sun of gaiety and sportiveness, To beggar shining summer.
Clif. I should like A country winter's night especially!
Julia. You'd sleep by the fire.
Clif. Not I; I'd talk to thee.
Julia. You'd tire of that!
Clif. I'd read to thee.
Julia. And that!
Clif. I'd talk to thee again.
Julia. And sooner tire