SCENE 3

  HallinthehouseofTESSCATHLEEN.AttheLeftanoratorywithstepsleadinguptoit.

  AttheRightatapestriedwall,moreorlessrepeatingtheformoftheoratory,andagreatchairwithitsback

  againstthewall.Irearetwoormorearchesthroughwhieseedimlythetreesofthe

  garden.CATHLEENiskneelinginfrontofthealtarinthe

  oratory;thereisahanginglightedlampoverthealtar.ALEELenters.

  ALEEL.Ihaveetobidyouleavethiscastleandfly

  Outofthesewoods.

  CATHLEEN.Whatevilistherehere?

  Thatisnoteverywherefromthistothesea?

  ALEEL.Theywhohavesentmewalkinvisible.

  CATHLEEN.SoitistruewhatIhaveheardmensay,

  Thatyouhaveseenandheardwhatothersot.

  ALEEL.Iwasasleepinmybed,andwhileIslept

  Mydreambecameafire;andinthefire

  Onewalkedandhehadbirdsabouthishead.

  CATHLEEN.Ihaveheardthatoheoldgodswalkedso.

  ALEEL.Itmaybethatheisangelical;

  And,lady,hebidsmecallyoufromthesewoods.

  Andyoumustbringbutyouroldfoster?mother,

  Andsomefewservingmen,andliveinthehills,

  Amongthesoundsofmusidthelight

  Ofwaters,tilltheevildaysaredone.

  Forheresometerribledeathiswaitingyou,

  Someunimaginedevil,somegreatdarkness

  Thatfablehasnotdreamtof,norsunnormoon

  Scattered.

  CATHLEEN.No,notangelical.

  ALEEL.Thishouse

  Youaretoleavewithsomeoldtrustyman,

  Andbidhimshelterallthatstarveorwander

  Whilethereisfoodandhouseroom.

  CATHLEEN.Hebidsmego

  Wherenoneofmortalcreaturesbuttheswan

  Dabbles,andthereyouwouldplucktheharp,whereesHadmadeaheavyshadowaboutourdoor,

  Andtalkamolingofthereeds,

  Whennighthuhefoolishsunaway

  Withstillnessandpaletapers.No?no?no!

  Iot.AlthoughIweep,Idonotweep

  Becausethatlifewouldbemosthappy,andhere

  Ifindnoway,noend.NordoIweep

  BecauseIhadloolookuponyourface,

  Butthatanightofprayerhasmademeweary.

  ALEEL(.prostratinghimselfbeforeher)

  LetHimthatmademankind,theangelsanddevils

  Ahay,mendwhatHehasmade,

  Forwhenwelabourinvaiillsees

  Heartbreaksinvain.

  CATHLEEN.Howwouldthatquietend?

  ALEEL.Howbutinhealing?

  CATHLEEN.Youhaveseenmytears

  AndIseeyourhandshakeonthefloor.

  ALEEL.(faltering)Ithoughtbutofhealing.Hewasangelical.

  CATHLEEN(turningawayfromhim)

  No,notangelical,butoftheoldgods,

  Whowanderabouttheworldtowakentheheart

  Thepassionate,proudheart??thatalltheangels,

  Leavingnineheavey,wouldrocktosleep.

  (Shegoestochapeldoor;ALEELholdshisclaspedhandstowardsherforamomeating,as

  themfallbesidehim.)

  CATHLEEN.Donotholdouttomebeseeghands.

  Thisheartshallneverwakeh.Ihavesworn,

  Byherwhoseheartthesevensorroierced,

  Topraybeforethisaltaruntilmyheart

  HasgrowntoHeaveree,andthere

  Rustleditsleaves,tillHeavenhassavedmypeople.

  ALEEL.(whohasrisen)

  Whenonesogreathasspokenoflovetoone

  SolittleasI,thoughtodenyhimlove,

  Whathebutholdoutbeseeghands,

  Thehemfallbesidehim,knowinghowgreatly

  Theyhaveoverdared?

  (Hegoestowardsthedoorofthehall.TheTESSCATHLEENtakesafewstepstowardshim.)

  CATHLEEN.Iftheoldtalesaretrue,

  Queenshavewedshepherdsandkingsbeggar?maids;

  Godsprotwatersflowingaboutyourmind

  Havemadeyoumorethankingsorqueens;andnotyou

  ButIamtheemptypitcher.

  ALEEL.Beingsilent,

  Ihavesaidall,yetletmestaybesideyou.

  CATHLEEN.No,no,notwhilemyheartisshaken.No,

  Butyoushallhearwinddwatercry,

  Andcurlewscry,andhavethepeaceIlongedfor.

  ALEEL.Givemeyourhandtokiss.

  CATHLEEN.Ikissyourforehead.

  AIsendyoufromme.Donotspeak;

  Therehavebeehatbidmentorob

  sfromthetry?under?Waveorapples

  Upon?guardedhill,andall

  Thattheymightsiftmesandwills,

  Andtrembledastheybidit,asItremble

  Thatlayahardtaskonyou,thatyougo,

  Andsilently,anddonotturnyourhead;

  Goodbye;butdonotturnyourheadandlook;

  Aboveallelse,Iwouldnothaveyoulook.

  (ALEELgoes.)

  Ineverspoketohimofhiswoundedhand,

  Andnowheisgone.

  (Shelooksout.)

  Iotseehim,forallisdarkoutside.

  Wouldmyimaginationandmyheart

  Wereaslittleshakenasthisholyflame!

  (Shegoesslowlyintothe

  chapel.ThetwoMERTSenter.)

  FIRSTMERT.AlthoughIbidyourobhertreasury,

  Ifindyousittingdrowsedandmotionless,

  Ayouuandthatwhileitsfull

  Shellbidagainstusandsobribethepoor

  ThatreatMasterlllackhismerdise.

  Youknowthatshehasbroughtintothishouse

  Theoldandailingthatarepihemost

  Atsuchatimeandsoshouldbeboughtcheap.

  Youveseenussittinginthehouseinthewood,

  Whilethesnailscrawledaboutthewindow?pane

  Andthemudfloor,andnotasoultobuy;

  hewanderingfoolsnorohose

  Thatwhenthewmustraveandtalk,

  Untiltheyareasthinasacatsear.

  Butallthatsnothing;yousitdrowsingthere

  Withyourbackhooked,youruponyourknees.

  SEERT.HowcouldIhelpit?ForsheprayedsohardIcouldnotcrossthethresholdtillher

  lover

  Hadturhoughtstodream.

  FIRSTMERT,Well,well,tolabour.

  Thereisthetreasurydoorandtimerunson.

  (SEERTgoesOut.FIRSTMERTsitscross?leggedagainstapillar,yawnsand

  stretches.)

  FIRSTMERT.AndsoImusteheweightoftheworld,FarfrommyMasterandtherevelry,

  Thatslastedsince??shapedasaworm??hebore

  Theknowledgablepippininhismouth

  Tothefirstwoman.

  (SEERTreturnswithbags.)

  Wherearethosedancersgone?

  Theykheyweretocarryitontheirbacks.

  SEERT.Iheardthembreathingbutamomentsinowtheyaregone,being

  unsteadfastthings.

  FIRSTMERT.Theykheirwork.ItseemsthattheyimagineWeddosuchwrongtreat

  Mastersname

  Astobearburdensonourbacksasmendo.

  Illcallthem,andwholldaretodisobey?

  e,allyouelementalpopulace

  FromCruaandFinbarsahouse.

  e,breakupthelongdanderthehill,

  Orifyoulieinthehollowsofthesea,

  Leavelohelonghsurges,leave

  Thecymbalsofthewavestoclashalone,

  Andshakingthesea?tanglesfromyourhair

  Gatheraboutus.

  (TheSPIRITSgatheruhearches.)

  SEERT.Theye.Bestillawhile.

  (SPIRITSdandsing.)

  FIRSTSPIRIT.(singing)Ourheartsaresore,butwee

  Becausewehaveheardyoucall.

  SEDSPIRIT.Sorrowhasmademedumb.

  FIRSTSPIRIT.Hershepherdsatnightfall

  Laymanyaplateandcup

  Downbythetroddenbrink,

  Thatwhenthedancebreakup

  Wemayhavemeatanddrink.

  Thereforeourheartsaresore;

  Andthoughwehaveheardande

  filledtheshore.

  SEDSPIRIT.Sorrowhasmademedumb.

  FIRSTMERT.WhatliesinthewavesshouldbeindifferentTogoodandevil,aseemsthat

  these,

  Fetfuloftheirpure,impartialsea,

  Takesideswithher.

  SEERT.Hush,hush,andstillyourfeet.

  YouarenotnowuponMaevesdang?floor.

  ASPIRIT.O,lookwhatIhavefound,astringofpearls!

  (Theybegintakingjewelsoutofbag.)

  SEERT.Youmustnottouchthem,puttheminthebag,Andnothebagsuponyour

  backs

  AndcarrythemtoShemusRuashouse

  Onthewoodsborder.

  SPIRITS.No,no,no,no!

  FIRSTSPIRIT.No,usaway;

  Fromthisweshallnote

  Cryouttouswhomay.

  SEDSPIRIT.Sorrowhasmademedumb.

  (Theygo.)

  SEERT.Theyregone,forlittledotheycareforme,AndifIcalledtheywouldbutturnand

  mock,

  Butyoutheydarenotdisobey.

  FIRSTMERT(rising)Thesedancers

  Arealwaysthemosttroublesomeofspirits.

  (Heesdowageandstandsfagthearches.Hemakesagestureofand.TheSPIRITSe

  backwhimpering.Theyliftthebagsandgoout.Threespeakastheyaretakingubthebags.

  FIRSTSPIRIT.Fromthisdayoutwellneverdanceagain.

  SEDSPIRIT.Neveragain.

  THIRDSPIRIT.Sorrowhasmademedumb.

  SEERT(lookingintochapeldoor)

  Shehasheardnothing;shehasfallenasleep.

  Ourlordwouldbewellpleasedifwecouldwinher.

  Nowthatthewindsareheavywithourkind,

  Mightwenotkillher,andbearoffherspirit

  Beforethemobofangelswereastir?

  FIRSTMERT.IfwewouldwinthisturquoiseforourlordItmustgodroppingdownofitsfreewill

  ButIveaplan.

  SEERT.Totakehersoulto?night?

  FIRSTMERT.BecauseIamoftheninthandmightiesthellWhereareallkings,Ihaveaplan.

  (Voices.)

  SEERT.Toolate;

  Forsomebodyisstirringinthehouse;thenoise

  Thattheseacreaturesmadeastheycamehither,

  Theirsingingandtheirendlesschattering,

  Haswakedthehouse.Ihearthechairspushedback,

  Andmanyshuffli.Alltheoldmenandwomen

  Shesgatheredinthehouseareinghither.

  AVOICE.(within)Itwashere.

  ANOTHERVOIo,fartheraway.

  ANOTHERVOICE.Itwasierntower.

  ANOTHERVOIequickly,wewillsearchthewesterntower.

  FIRSTMERT.Westillhavetime??theysearchthedistantrooms.

  SEERT.Brother,Iheardasoundinthere??asoundThattroublesme.

  (Goingtothedooroftheoratoryandpeeringthroughit.)

  UpoarstepsThetesstosses,murmuringinhersleepAbrokenPaternoster.

  FIRSTMERT.Donotfear,

  Forwhenshehasawakedtheprayerwillcease.

  SEERT.What,wouldyouwakeher?

  FIRSTMERT.Iwillspeakwithher,

  Andmixwithallherthoughtsathoughttoserve.??

  Lady,wevehatsgoutforspeech.

  (CATHLEENwakesandestodoorofthechapel.)

  Cathleen.Whocalls?

  FIRSTMERT.Wehavebroughtnews.

  CATHLEEN.Whatareyou?

  FIRSTMERT.

  Wearemerts,andweknowthebookoftheworld

  Becausewehavewalkeduponitsleaves;andthere

  Havereadoflatemattersthatmuyou;

  Andnotigthecastledoorstandopen,

  Cameintofindanear.

  CATHLEEN.Thedoorstandsopen,

  Thatnoonewhoisfamishedorafraid,

  Despairofhelporofawelewithit.

  Butyouhavenews,yousay.

  FIRSTMERT.Wesawaman,

  HeavywithsiessinthebogofAllen,

  Whomyouhadbidbuycattle.NearFairHead

  Wesawyrainshipslyingallbecalmed

  Inthedarknight;andillthanthey,

  Burnedalltheirmirroredlanthornsinthesea.

  CATHLEEN..MythankstoGod,toMaryandtheangels,

  ThatIhavemoneyinmytreasury,

  Andbuygrainfromthosewhohavestoreditup

  Toprosperonthehuhepoor.

  Butyouvebeenfarandknowthesignsofthings,

  Whenwillthisyelloournomorehang

  Andcreepaboutthefields,andthisgreatheat

  Vanishaway,andgrassshowitsgreenshoots?

  FIRSTMERT.Thereisnosignofge??daycopiesday,Greenthingsaredead??thecattletooare

  dead

  Ordying??andonallthevaps,

  Andfattenswithdiseaseandglowswithheat.

  Inyouisallthehopeofalltheland.

  CATHLEEN.Andheardyouofthedemonswhobuysouls?

  FIRSTMERT.

  Therearesomemenwhoholdtheyhavewolvesheads,

  Andsaytheirlimbs??driedbytheinfiniteflame??

  Haveallthespeedofstorms;ain,

  Saytheyaregrossandlittle;whileafew

  Willhaveittheyseemmuchasmortalsare,

  Buttallandbrownandtravelled??likeus??lady,

  Yetallagreeapowerisintheirlooks

  Thatmakesmenbow,andflingsacasti

  Abouttheirsouls,andthatallmenwouldgo

  Andbarterthosepoorvapours,wereitnot

  Youbribethemwiththesafetyofyold.

  CATHLEEN.PraisebetoGod,toMary,andtheangels

  ThatIamwealthy!Whereforedotheysell?

  FIRSTMERT.Aswecameinatthegreatdoorwesaw

  Yourportersleepinginhisniche??asoul

  Toolittletobeworthahundredpence,

  Aheybuyitforahundreds.

  Butforasoullikeyours,Iheardthemsay,

  Theywouldgivefivehuhousandsandmore.

  CATHLEEN.Hoofspayforasoul?

  Isthegreengravesoterribleathing?

  FIRSTMERT.Somesellbecausethemoneygleams,andsomeBecausetheyareinterrorofthegrave,

  Andsomebecausetheirneighbourssoldbefore,

  Andsomebecausethereisakindofjoy

  Incastinghopeaway,inlosingjoy,

  Inceasingallresistanatlast

  Openingonesarmstotheeternalflames,

  Incastingallsailsoutuponthewind;

  Tothis??fullofthegaietyofthelost??

  Wouldallfolkhurryifyoldweregone.

  CATHLEEN.Thereissomething,Mert,inyourvoice

  Thatmakesmefear.Whenyouweretellinghow

  AmanmaylosehissoulandlosehisGod

  Youreyeswerelightedup,andwhenyoutold

  Howmypoormoneyservesthepeople,both??

  Mertsfiveme??seemedtosmile.

  FIRSTMERT.Manssins

  Moveustolaughteronly;wehaveseen

  Somanylandsandseensomanymen.

  Hethatallthesepeopleshouldbeswung

  Asonaladysshoe?string,??uhem

  Theglowingleaguesofnever?endingflame.

  CATHLEEN.ThereisasomethinginyouthatIfear;

  Asomethingnotofus;butwereyounotborn

  Idistanteroftheworld?

  (TheSEERT,whohasbeenlisteningatthedoor,esforward,andasheesasoundof

  voidfeetisheard.)

  SEERT.Awaynow??theyareinthepassage??hurry,

  Fortheywillknowus,andfreezeupourhearts

  WithAveMarys,andburnallourskin

  Withholywater.

  FIRSTMERT.Farewell;forwemustride

  Manyamilebeforetheme;

  Ourhorsesbeatthegroundimpatiently.

  (Theygoout.AnumberofPEASAerbyotherdoor.)

  FIRSTPEASANT.Fiveus,lady,butweheardanoise.

  SEDPEASAbythefiresidetellingvanities.

  FIRSTPEASANT.

  Weheardathoughwehavesearchedthehouse

  Wehavefoundnobody.

  CATHLEEN.Youaretootimid.

  Fornowyouaresafefromalltheeviltimes.

  Thereishatfindyouhere.

  OOeringhurriedly)

  Oe!Oe!Thetreasureroomisbrokenin,

  Thedoorstandsopen,andthegoldisgone.

  (PEASANTSraisealamentablecry.)

  CATHLEEN.Besilent.

  (Thecryceases.)

  Haveyouseennobody?

  OONAOe!

  Thatmygoodmistressshouldloseallthismoney.

  CATHLEEhoseamongyou??nottoooldtoride??

  Gethorsesandsearchallthetryround,

  Illgiveafarmtohimwhofindsthethieves.

  (Amanwithkeysathisgirdlehaseinwhileshespeaks.ThereisageneralmurmurofThePorter!the

  porter!")

  PORTER.Demonswerehere.Isatbesidethedoor

  Inmystoneniche,andtwoowlspassedmeby,

  Whisperingwithhumanvoices.

  OLDPEASANT.Godforsakesus.

  CATHLEEN.Oldman,oldman,Heneverclosedadoor

  Unlessoneopened.Iamdesolate,

  Foramostsadresolvewakesi

  ButIhavestillmyfaith;thereforebesilent

  ForsurelyHedoesnotforsaketheworld,

  Butstandsbeforeitmodellingintheclay

  AndmouldingthereHisimage.Agebyage

  TheclaywarswithHisfingersandpleadshard

  Foritsold,heavy,dullandshapelessease;

  Butsometimes??thoughHishandisonitstill??

  Itmovesawryanddemonhordesareborn.

  (PEASANTScrossthemselves.)

  Yetleavemenow,forIamdesolate,

  Ihearawhisperfrombeyohunder.

  (Sheesfromtheoratorydoor.)

  Yetstayaninstant.Wheagain

  Imayhavegrownfetful.Oona,take

  Thesetwo??thelarderandthedairykeys.

  (TothePORTER.)

  Buttakeyouthis.Itopensthesmallroom

  Ofherbsformedie,ofhellebore,

  Ofvervain,monkshood,plantain,andself?heal.

  Thebookofcuresisontheuppershelf.

  PORTER.Whydoyoudothis,lady;didyousee

  Yourcoffininadream?

  CATHLEEN.Ah,no,notthat.

  Asadresolvewakesinme.Ihaveheard

  Asoundofwailinginunnumberedhovels,

  AndImustgodown,down??Iknownotwhere??

  Prayforallmenandwomenmadfromfamine;

  Pray,yougoodneighbours.

  (ThePEASANTSallkneel.TESSCATHLEEhestepstothedooroftheoratory,and

  turningroundstandsthere

  motionlessforalittle,andthencriesinaloudvoice:)

  Mary,Queenofangels,

  Andallyoucloudsoncloudsofsaints,farewell!

  ENDOFSE3.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读

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