The Two Lovers of Heaven: Chrysanthus and Daria Part 14

CHRYSANTHUS.

I would believe, what must I do?--

CARPOPHORUS.

Your intellectual pride subdue.

CHRYSANTHUS.

I will subdue it, since 't is vain.

CARPOPHORUS.

Then the first thing to be done Is to be baptized.

CHRYSANTHUS.

I bow, Father, and implore it now.

CARPOPHORUS.

Let us for the present shun Further notice; lest suspicion Should betray what we would smother; Every day we 'll see each other, When I 'll execute my mission: I, to cure sin's primal scath, Will at fitting time baptize you, Taking care to catechise you In the principles of the faith; Only now one admonition Must I give; be armed, be ready For the fight most fierce and steady Ever fought for man's perdition; Oh! take heed, amid the advances Of the fair who wish to win you, 'Mid the fires that burn within you, 'Mid lascivious looks and glances, 'Mid such various foes enlisted, That you are not conquered by them.

CHRYSANTHUS.

Women! oh! who dare defy them By such dread allies a.s.sisted?

CARPOPHORUS.

He whom G.o.d a.s.sists.

CHRYSANTHUS.

Be swayed By my tears, and ask him.

CARPOPHORUS.

You Must too ask him: for he who Aids himself, him G.o.d doth aid.

POLEMIUS.

What, sir, think you of his case?

CARPOPHORUS.

I have ordered him a bath, Strong restoring powers it hath, Which his illness must displace:--

POLEMIUS.

Sir, relying on you then, I will give you ample wealth, If you can restore his health.

CARPOPHORUS.

Still I cannot tell you when, But I shall return and see him Frequently; in fact 'till he Is from all his ailment free, From my hand I will not free him.

POLEMIUS.

For your kindness I am grateful.

CHRYSANTHUS.

He alone has power to cure me.

Since he knows what will allure me, When all other modes are hateful. [Exit Carpophorus.

(Enter Escarpin.)

ESCARPIN.

All this garden of delight Must be beauty's birth-place sure, Here the fresh rose doubly pure, Here the jasmin doubly white, Learn to-day a newer grace, Lovelier red, more dazzling snow.

POLEMIUS.

Why?

ESCARPIN.

Because the world doth show Naught so fair as this sweet place.

Falsely boasts th' Elysian bower Peerless beauty, here to-day More, far more, these groves display:-- Not a fountain, tree, or flower . . .

POLEMIUS.

Well?

ESCARPIN.

But by a nymph more fair Is surpa.s.sed.

POLEMIUS.

Come, Claudius, come, He will be but dull and dumb, Shy the proffered bliss to share, Through the fear and the respect Which, as son, he owes to me.

CLAUDIUS.

He who gave the advice should see Also after the effect.

Let us all from this withdraw.

POLEMIUS.

Great results I hope to gather:

ESCARPIN (aside).

Well, you 're the first pander-father Ever in my life I saw.

CHRYSANTHUS.

What, Escarpin, you, as well, Going to leave me? Mum for once.

ESCARPIN.

Silence suits me for the nonce.

CHRYSANTHUS.

Why?

ESCARPIN.

A tale in point I 'll tell: Once a snuffler, by a pirate Moor was captured, who in some Way affected to be dumb, That his ransom at no high rate Might be purchased: when his owner This defect perceived, the shuffle Made him sell this Mr. Snuffle Very cheaply: to the donor Of his freedom, through his nose, Half in snuffle, half in squeak, Then he said, "Oh! Moor, I speak, I 'm not dumb as you suppose".

"Fool, to let your folly lead you So astray", replied the Moor.

"Had I heard you speak, be sure I for nothing would have freed you".

Thus it is I moderate me In the use of tongue and cheek, Lest when you have heard me speak, Still more cheaply you may rate me.

CHRYSANTHUS.

You must know the estimation I have held you in so long.

ESCARPIN.