The poetical works of George MacDonald Volume I Part 24

_Lord Seaford_ (_who has entered during the song_).

Delightful! Why, my little pining Gertrude, With such charm-music you will soon be well.

Madam, I know not how to speak the thanks I owe you for your kindness to my daughter: She looks as different from yesterday As sunrise from a fog.

_Lilia_.

I am but too happy To be of use to one I love so much.

SCENE VI.--_A rainy day_. LORD SEAFORD _walking up and down his room, murmuring to himself_.

Oh, my love is like a wind of death, That turns me to a stone!

Oh, my love is like a desert breath, That burns me to the bone!

Oh, my love is a flower with a purple glow, And a purple scent all day!

But a black spot lies at the heart below, And smells all night of clay.

Oh, my love is like the poison sweet That lurks in the hooded cell!

One flash in the eyes, one bounding beat, And then the pa.s.sing bell!

Oh, my love she's like a white, white rose!

And I am the canker-worm: Never the bud to a blossom blows; It falls in the rainy storm.

SCENE VII.--JULIAN _reading in his room_.

"And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."

[_He closes the book and kneels_.]

SCENE VIII.--_Lord Seaford's room_. LILIA _and_ LORD SEAFORD.

_Her hand lies in his_.

_Lilia_.

It may be true. I am bewildered, though.

I know not what to answer.

_Lord S_.

Let me answer:-- You would it were so--you would love me then?

[_A sudden crash of music from a bra.s.s band in the street, melting away in a low cadence_.]

_Lilia_ (starting up).

Let me go, my lord!

_Lord S_.

(_retaining her hand_).

Why, sweetest! what is this?

_Lilia_ (_vehemently, and disengaging her hand_).

Let me go. My husband! Oh, my white child!

[_She hurries to the door, but falls_.]

_Lord S_.

(_raising her_).

I thought you trusted me, yes, loved me, Lilia!

_Lilia_.

Peace! that name is his! Speak it again--I rave.

He thought I loved him--and I did--I do.

Open the door, my lord!

[_He hesitates. She draws herself up erect, with flas.h.i.+ng eyes_.]

Once more, my lord--

Open the door, I say.

[_He still hesitates. She walks swiftly to the window, flings it wide, and is throwing herself out_.]

_Lord S_.

Stop, madam! I will.

[_He opens the door. She leaves the window, and walks slowly out. He hears the house-door open and shut, flings himself on the couch, and hides his face_.]

_Enter_ LADY GERTRUDE.

_Lady Gertrude_.

Dear father, are you ill? I knocked three times; You did not speak.

_Lord S_.

I did not hear you, child.

My head aches rather; else I am quite well.

_Lady Gertrude_.

Where is the countess?

_Lord S_.

She is gone. She had An urgent message to go home at once.

But, Gertrude, now you seem so well, why not Set out to-morrow? You can travel now; And for your sake the sooner that we breathe Italian air the better.

_Lady Gertrude_.

This is sudden!

I scarcely can be ready by to-morrow.

_Lord S_.