Part 23 (1/2)

As the noonday might be left In the midnight's dusky robe, As the light amid the darkness, As 'mid clouds the solar globe: But although the shades and shadows, Through the vapours of Heaven's dome.

Strive with villainous presumption Light and splendour to enfold, Though they may conceal the l.u.s.tre, Still they cannot stain it, no.

And it is a consolation This to know, that even the gold, How so many be its carats, How so rich may be the lode, Is not certain of its value 'Till the crucible hath told.

Ah! from one extreme to another Does my strange existence go: Yesterday in highest honour, And to-day so poor and low!

Still, if I am self-reliant, Need I fear an alien foe?

But, ah me, how insufficient Is my self-defence alone!-- O new G.o.d to whom I offer Life and soul, whom I adore, In Thy confidence I rest me.

Help me, Lord, I ask no more.

(Enter Escarpin.)

ESCARPIN.

Where I wonder can she be?

But I need not farther go, Here she is:--At length, Daria, My good lady, and soforth, Now has come the happy moment, When in open market sold, All thy charms are for the buyer, Who can spend a little gold; And since happily love's tariff Is not an excessive toll, Here I am, and so, Daria, Let these clasping arms enfold . . .

DARIA.

Do not Thou desert Thy handmaid In this dreadful hour, O Lord!--

Cries of people within.

A VOICE (within).

Oh, the lion! oh, the lion!

ANOTHER VOICE (within).

Ho! take care of the lion, ho!

ESCARPIN.

Let the lion care himself, I 'm engaged and cannot go.

A VOICE (within).

From the mountain wilds descending, Through the crowded streets he goes.

ANOTHER VOICE (within).

Like the lightning's flash he flieth, Like the thunder is his roar.

ESCARPIN.

Ah! all right, for I 'm in safety, Thanks to this obliging door: Lightning is a thing intended For high towers and stately domes, Never heard I of its falling Upon little lowly homes: So if lion be the lightning, Somewhere else will fall the bolt: Therefore once again, Daria, Come, I say, embrace me. . . . .

(A lion enters, places himself before Daria, and seizes Escarpin.)

DARIA.

Oh!

Never in my life did I See a n.o.bler beast.

ESCARPIN.

Just so, Nor a more affectionate one Did I ever meet before, Since he gives me the embraces That I asked of thee and more: O G.o.d Bacchus, whom I wors.h.i.+p So devoutly, thou, I know, Workest powerfully on beasts.

Tell our friend to let me go.

DARIA.

n.o.ble brute, defend my honour, Be G.o.d's minister below.

ESCARPIN.

How he gnaws me! how he claws me!

How he smells! His breath, by Jove, Is as bad as an emetic.