Love's Comedy Part 27

SVANHILD.

Then forth with G.o.d from Verse to Derring-doe!

I did you wrong: you have a feeling heart; Forgive me,--and as good friends let us part--

FALK.

Nay, in my future there is room for two!

We part not. Svanhild, if you dare decide, We'll battle on together side by side.

SVANHILD.

We battle?

FALK.

See, I have no friend, no mate, By all abandoned, I make war on all: At me they aim the piercing shafts of hate; Say, do you dare with me to stand or fall?

Henceforth along the beaten walks I'll move Heedful of each constraining etiquette; Spread, like the rest of men, my board, and set The ring upon the finger of love!

[Takes a ring from his finger and holds it up.

SVANHILD [in breathless suspense].

You mean that?

FALK.

Yes, by us the world will see, Love has an everlasting energy, That suffers not its splendour to take hurt From the day's dust, the common highway's dirt.

Last night I showed you the ideal aflame, Beaconing from a dizzy mountain's brow.

You shuddered, for you were a woman,--now I show you woman's veritable aim;-- A soul like yours, what it has vowed, will keep.

You see the abyss before you, Svanhild, leap!

SVANHILD [almost inaudibly].

If we should fail--?

FALK [exulting].

No, in your eyes I see A gleam that surely prophesies our winning!

SVANHILD.

Then take me as I am, take all of me!

Now buds the young leaf; now my spring's beginning!

[She flings herself boldly into his arms as the curtain falls.

ACT THIRD.

Evening. Bright moonlight. Coloured lanterns are hung about the trees. In the background are covered tables with bottles, gla.s.ses, biscuits, etc. From the house, which is lighted up from top to bottom, subdued music and singing are heard during the following scene. SVANHILD stands on the verandah.

FALK comes from the right with some books and a portfolio under his arm. The PORTER follows with a portmanteau and knapsack.

FALK.

That's all, then?

PORTER.

Yes, sir, all is in the pack, But just a satchel, and the paletot.

FALK.

Good; when I go, I'll take them on my back.

Now off. See, this is the portfolio.

PORTER.

It's locked, I see.

FALK.

Locked, Peter.

PORTER.

Good, sir.

FALK.

Pray, Make haste and burn it.

PORTER.

Burn it?

FALK.

Yes, to ash-- [Smiling.

With every draft upon poetic cash; As for the books, you're welcome to them.

PORTER.

Nay, Such payment is above a poor man's earning.

But, sir, I'm thinking, if you can bestow Your books, you must have done with all your learning?

FALK.

Whatever can be learnt from books I know, And rather more.

PORTER.

More? Nay, that's hard I doubt!

FALK.

Well, now be off; the carriers wait without.

Just help them load the barrow ere you go.

[The PORTER goes out to the left.

FALK [approaching SVANHILD who comes to meet him].

One moment's ours, my Svanhild, in the light Of G.o.d and of the l.u.s.trous summer night.

How the stars glitter thro' the leaf.a.ge, see, Like bright fruit hanging on the great world-tree.

Now slavery's last manacle I slip, Now for the last time feel the wealing whip; Like Israel at the Pa.s.sover I stand, Loins girded for the desert, staff in hand.

Dull generation, from whose sight is hid The Promised Land beyond that desert flight, Thrall tricked with knighthood, never the more knight, Tomb thyself kinglike in the Pyramid,-- I cross the barren desert to be free.

My s.h.i.+p strides on despite an ebbing sea; But there the Legion Lie shall find its doom, And glut one deep, dark, hollow-vaulted tomb.

[A short pause; he looks at her and takes her hand.

You are so still!