George MacDonald - The poetical works of George MacDonald in two volumes — Volume 1

Woman .
Yes, you must go, or else it is no use.
They cannot give the money to me, except
My husband go with me. He told me so.

Man .
Well, wife, it's worth the going—but to see:
I don't expect a groat to come of it.

Host .
That's a queer customer you've got upstairs!
What the deuce is he?

Hostess .
What is that to us?
He always pays his way, and handsomely.
I wish there were more like him.

Host .
Has he been
At home all day?

Hostess .
He has not stirred a foot
Across the threshold. That's his only fault—
He's always in the way.

Host .
What does he do?

Hostess .
Paces about the room, or sits at the window.
I sometimes make an errand to the cupboard,
To see what he's about: he looks annoyed,
But does not speak a word.

Host .
He must be crazed,
Or else in hiding for some scrape or other.

Hostess .
He has a wild look in his eye sometimes;
But sure he would not sit so much in the dark,
If he were mad, or anything on his conscience;
And though he does not say much, when he speaks
A civiller man ne'er came in woman's way.

Host .
Oh! he's all right, I warrant. Is the wine come?

Julian .
With what profusion her white fingers spend
Delicate motions on the insensate cloth!
It was so late this morning ere she came!
I fear she has been ill. She looks so pale!
Her beauty is much less, but she more lovely.
Do I not love he? more than when that beauty
Beamed out like starlight, radiating beyond
The confines of her wondrous face and form,
And animated with a present power
Her garment's folds, even to the very hem!
Ha! there is something now: the old woman drest
In her Sunday clothes, and waiting at the door,
As for her husband. Something will follow this.
And here he comes, all in his best like her.
They will be gone a while. Slowly they walk,
With short steps down the street. Now I must wake
The sleeping hunter-eagle in my eyes!

1st Serv .
Heavens, what a cloud! as big as Aetna! There!
That gust blew stormy. Take Juno by the head,
I'll stand by Neptune. Take her head, I say;
We'll have enough to do, if it should lighten.

2nd Serv .
Such drops! That's the first of it. I declare
She spreads her nostrils and looks wild already,
As if she smelt it coming. I wish we were
Under some roof or other. I fear this business
Is not of the right sort.

1st Serv .
He looked as black
As if he too had lightning in his bosom.
There! Down, you brute! Mind the pole, Beppo!

Julian .
Plague on the lamp! 'tis gone—no, there it flares!
I wish the wind would leave or blow it out.
Heavens! how it thunders! This terrific storm
Will either cow or harden him. I'm blind!
That lightning! Oh, let me see again, lest he
Should enter in the dark! I cannot bear
This glimmering longer. Now that gush of rain
Has blotted all my view with crossing lights.
'Tis no use waiting here. I must cross over,
And take my stand in the corner by the door.
But if he comes while I go down the stairs,
And I not see? To make sure, I'll go gently
Up the stair to the landing by her door.

Hostess (opening the door and looking in ). If you please, sir—

The devil's in the man!

Voice within .
If you scream, I must muffle you.

Julian (rushing up the stair ).
He is there!
His hand is on her mouth! She tries to scream!

Back!

Nembroni . What the devil!—Beggar!

Julian (taking him by the throat ).
I have faced worse
storms than you.

Heart point and hilt strung on the line of force,

Your ribs will not mail your heart!

If men will be devils,
They are better in hell than here.

What a night
For a soul to go out of doors! God in heaven!

Ah! she has fainted. That is well. I hope
It will not pass too soon. It is not far
To the half-hidden door in my own fence,
And that is well. If I step carefully,
Such rain will soon wash out the tell-tale footprints.
What! blood? He does not bleed much, I should think!
Oh, I see! it is mine—he has wounded me.
That's awkward now.

Pardon me, dear lady;

'Tis not to save my blood I would defile
Even your handkerchief.

I am pleased to think
Ten monkish months have not ta'en all my strength.

For once, thank darkness! 'Twas sent for us, not him.

Julian .
Ask me no questions now, my dear old nurse.
You have put your charge to bed?

Nurse .
Yes, my dear lord.

Julian .
And has she spoken yet?

Nurse .
After you left,
Her eyelids half unclosed; she murmured once:
Where am I, mother ?—then she looked at me,
And her eyes wandered over all my face,
Till half in comfort, half in weariness,
They closed again. Bless her, dear soul! she is
As feeble as a child.

Julian .
Under your care
She'll soon be well again. Let no one know
She is in the house:—blood has been shed for her.