_The same day. Late afternoon. The same scene as Act II._
RAVENSBANE _and_ DICKON _discovered at table, on which are
lying two flails. Ravensbane is dressed in a costume
which, composed of silk and jewels, subtly approximates
in design to that of his original grosser composition.
So artfully, however, is this contrived that, to one
ignorant of his origin, his dress would appear to be
merely an odd personal whimsy; whereas, to one
initiated, it would stamp him grotesquely as the
apotheosis of scarecrows._
_Dickon is sitting in a pedagogical attitude; Ravensbane
stands near him, making a profound bow in the opposite
direction._
RAVENSBANE
Believe me, ladies, with the true sincerity of the heart.
DICKON
Inflection a little more lachrymose, please: “The
_true_ sincerity of the _heart_.”
RAVENSBANE
Believe me, ladies, with the _true_ sincerity of the
_heart_.
DICKON
Prettily, prettily! Next!
RAVENSBANE
[_Changing his mien, as if addressing another person._]
Verily, sir, as that prince of poets, the immortal
Virgil, has remarked:
“Adeo in teneris consuescere multum est.”
DICKON
Hm! Act up to the sentiment.
RAVENSBANE
Verily, sir, as that prince—
DICKON
No, no; _basta_! The next.
RAVENSBANE
[_With another change to courtly manner._]
Trust me, your Excellency, I will inform his
Majesty of your courtesy.
DICKON
His Majesty more emphatic. Remember! You must impress all of
the guests this afternoon.
RAVENSBANE
_His Majesty_ of your courtesy.
DICKON
Delicious! O thou exquisite flower of love! How thy natal
composites have burst in bloom: The pumpkin in thee to a
golden collarette; thy mop of crow’s wings to these raven
locks; thy broomstick to a lordly limp; thy corn-silk to these
pale-tinted tassels. Verily in the gallery of scarecrows, thou
art the Apollo Belvedere! But continue, Cobby dear: the retort
now to the challenge.
RAVENSBANE
[_With a superb air._]
The second, I believe.
DICKON
Quite so, my lord.
RAVENSBANE
Sir! The local person whom you represent has done himself
the honour of submitting to me a challenge to mortal combat.
Sir! Since the remotest times of my feudal ancestors, in such
affairs of honour, choice of weapons has ever been the
prerogative of the challenged. Sir! This right of etiquette
must be observed. Nevertheless, believe me, I have no selfish
desire that my superior attainments in this art should assume
advantage over my challenger’s ignorance. I have, therefore,
chosen those combative utensils most appropriate both to his
own humble origin and to local tradition. Permit me, sir, to
reveal my choice.
[_Pointing grandly to the table._]
There are my weapons
DICKON
[_Clapping his hands._]
My darling _homunculus_! Thou shouldst have acted in
Beaumont and Fletcher!
RAVENSBANE
There are my weapons!
DICKON
I could watch thy histrionics till midnight. But thou art
tired, poor Jacky; two hours’ rehearsal is fatiguing to your
lordship.
RAVENSBANE
Mistress Rachel—I may see her now?
DICKON
Romeo! Romeo! Was ever such an amorous puppet show!
RAVENSBANE
Mistress Rachel!
DICKON
Wait; let me think! Thou art wound up now, my pretty
apparatus, for at least six and thirty hours. The wooden angel
Gabriel that trumpets the hours on the big clock in Venice is
not a more punctual manikin than thou with my speeches. Thou
shouldst run, therefore,—
RAVENSBANE
[_Frowning darkly at Dickon._]
Stop talking; permit me! A tutor should know his place.
DICKON
[_Rubbing his hands._]
Nay, your lordship is beyond comparison.
RAVENSBANE
[_In a terrible voice._]
She will come? I shall see her?
[_Enter_ MICAH.]
MICAH
Pardon, my lord.
RAVENSBANE
[_Turning joyfully to Micah._]
Is it she?
MICAH
Captain Bugby, my lord, the Governor’s secretary.
DICKON
Good. Squire Talbot’s second. Show him in.
RAVENSBANE
[_Flinging despairingly into a chair._]
Ah! ah
MICAH
[_Lifting the flails from the table._]
Beg pardon, sir; shall I remove—
DICKON
Drop them; go.
MICAH
But, sir—
DICKON
Go, thou slave!
[_Exit Micah._]
RAVENSBANE
[_In childlike despair._]
She will not come! I shall not see her!
DICKON
[_Handing him a book._]
Here, my lord; read. You must be found reading.
RAVENSBANE
[_Flinging the book into the fireplace._]
She does not come!
DICKON
Fie, fie, Jack; thou must not be breaking thy Dickon’s
apron-strings with a will of thine own. Come!
RAVENSBANE
Mistress Rachel
DICKON
Be good, boy, and thou shalt see her soon.
RAVENSBANE
[_Brightening._]
I shall see her?
[_Enter_ CAPTAIN BUGBY.]
DICKON
Your lordship was saying—Oh! Captain Bugby?
CAPTAIN BUGBY
[_Nervous and awed._]
Captain Bugby, sir, ah! at Lord Ravensbane’s service—ah!
DICKON
I am Master Dickonson, his lordship’s tutor.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Happy, sir.
DICKON
[_To Ravensbane._]
My lord, this gentleman waits upon you from Squire Talbot.
[_To Captain Bugby._]
In regard to the challenge of this morning, I presume?
CAPTAIN BUGBY
The affair, ah! the affair of this morning, sir.
RAVENSBANE
[_With his former superb air—to Captain Bugby._]
The second, I believe?
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Quite so, my lord.
RAVENSBANE
Sir! the local person whom you represent has done himself
the honour of submitting to me a challenge to mortal combat.
Sir! Since the remotest times of my feudal ancestors, in such
affairs of honour, choice of weapons has ever been the
prerogative of the challenged. Sir! this right of etiquette
must be observed.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Indeed, yes, my lord.
DICKON
Pray do not interrupt.
[_To Ravensbane._]
Your lordship: “observed.”
RAVENSBANE
—observed. Nevertheless, believe me, I have no selfish desire
that my superior attainments in this art should assume
advantage over my challenger’s ignorance. I have, therefore,
chosen those combative utensils most appropriate both to his
own humble origin and to local tradition. Permit me, sir, to
reveal my choice.
[_Pointing to the table._]
There are my weapons!
CAPTAIN BUGBY
[_Looking, bewildered._]
These, my lord?
RAVENSBANE
Those.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
But these are—are flails.
RAVENSBANE
Flails.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Flails, my lord?
RAVENSBANE
There are my weapons.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Lord Ravensbane—I—ah! express myself ill—Do I understand
that your lordship and Squire Talbot—
RAVENSBANE
Exactly.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
But your lordship—flails!
RAVENSBANE
My adversary should be deft in their use. He has doubtless
wielded them frequently on his barn floor.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Ahaha! I understand now. Your lordship—ah! is a wit. Haha!
Flails!
DICKON
His lordship’s satire is poignant.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Indeed, sir, so keen that I must apologize for laughing at
my principal’s expense.
[_Soberly to Ravensbane._]
My lord, if you will deign to speak one moment seriously—
RAVENSBANE
Seriously?
CAPTAIN BUGBY
I will take pleasure in informing Squire Talbot—ah! as to
your _real_ preference for—
RAVENSBANE
For flails, sir. I have, permit me, nothing further to say.
Flails are final.
[_Turns away haughtily._]
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Must I really report to Squire Talbot—ah!—flails?
DICKON
Lord Ravensbane’s will is inflexible.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
And his wit, sir, incomparable. I am sorry for the Squire,
but ’twill be the greatest joke in years. Ah! will you tell
me—is it—
[_Indicating Ravensbane’s smoking._]
is it the latest fashion?
DICKON
Lord Ravensbane is always the latest.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Obliged servant, sir. Aha! Such a joke as—O lord! flails!
[_Exit._]
DICKON
[_Returning to Ravensbane._]
Bravo, my pumpky dear! That squelches the jealous betrothed.
Now nothing remains but for you to continue to dazzle the
enamoured Rachel, and so present yourself to the Justice as a
pseudo-son-nephew-in-law.
RAVENSBANE
I may go to Mistress Rachel?
DICKON
She will come to you. She is reading now a poem from you,
which I left on her dressing-table.
RAVENSBANE
She is reading a poem from me?
DICKON
With your pardon, my lord, I penned it for you. I am
something of a poetaster. Indeed, I flatter myself that I have
dictated some of the finest lines in literature.
RAVENSBANE
Dickon! She will come?
DICKON
She comes!
[_Enter_ RACHEL, _reading from a piece of paper._]
Hush! Step aside; step aside first. Let her read it.
[_Dickon draws Ravensbane back._]
RACHEL
Once more,
[_Reads._]
“To Mistress R——, enchantress:
If faith in witchcraft be a sin,
Alas! what peril he is in
Who plights his faith and love in thee,
Sweetest maid of sorcery.
If witchcraft be a whirling brain,
A roving eye, a heart of pain,
Whose wound no thread of fate can stitch,
How hast thou conjured, cruel witch,
With the brain, eye, heart,
and total mortal residue of thine enamoured
JACK LANTHORNE,
[LORD R——.”]
DICKON
Now to leave the turtles alone.
[_Exit._]
RACHEL
“To Mistress R——, enchantress:
If faith in witchcraft be—”
“To Mistress R——.” R! It _must_ be. R—— must mean—
RAVENSBANE
[_With passionate deference._]
Rachel!
RACHEL
Ah! How you surprised me, my lord.
RAVENSBANE
You are come again; you are come again.
RACHEL
Has anything happened? Tell me, my lord. Has Squire Talbot
been here?
RAVENSBANE
No, Mistress Rachel; not here.
RACHEL
And you have not—Oh, my lord, I have been in such terror.
But you are safe.—You have not fought?
RAVENSBANE
No, Mistress Rachel; not fought.
RACHEL
Thank God for that! But you will promise me—promise me that
there shall be—no—duel!
RAVENSBANE
I promise Mistress Rachel there shall be no duel.
RACHEL
Your lordship is so good. You do not know how gratefully
happy I am.
RAVENSBANE
I know I am only a thing to make Mistress Rachel happy. Ah!
look at me once more. When you look at me, I live.
RACHEL
It is strange indeed, my lord, how the familiar world, the
daylight the heavens themselves have changed since your
arrival.
RAVENSBANE
This is the world; this is the light; this is the heavens
themselves. Mistress Rachel is looking at me.
RACHEL
For me, it is less strange perhaps. I never saw a real lord
before. But you, my lord, must have seen so many, many girls
in the great world.
RAVENSBANE
No, no; never.
RACHEL
No other girls before to-day, my lord!
RAVENSBANE
Before to-day? I do not know; I do not care. I was not here.
To-day I was born—in your eyes. Ah! my brain whirls!
RACHEL
[_Smiling._]
“If witchcraft be a whirling brain,
A roving eye, a heart of pain,—”
[_In a whisper._]
My lord, do you really believe in witchcraft?
RAVENSBANE
With all my heart.
RACHEL
And approve of it?
RAVENSBANE
With all my soul.
RACHEL
So do I—that is, innocent witchcraft; not to harm anybody,
you know, but just to feel all the dark mystery and the
trembling excitement—the way you feel when you blow out your
candle all alone in your bedroom and watch the little smoke
fade away in the moonshine.
RAVENSBANE
Fade away in the moonshine!
RACHEL
Oh, but we mustn’t speak of it. In a town like this, all
such mysticism is considered damnable. But your lordship
understands and approves? I am so glad! Have you read the
“Philosophical Considerations” of Glanville, the
“_Saducismus Triumphatus_,” and the “Presignifications
of Dreams”? What kind of witchcraft, my lord, do you believe
in?
RAVENSBANE
In all yours.
RACHEL
Nay, your lordship must not take me for a real witch. I can
only tell fortunes, you know—like this morning.
RAVENSBANE
I know; you told how my heart would break.
RACHEL
Oh, that’s palmistry, and that isn’t always certain. But the
surest way to prophesy—do you know what it is?
RAVENSBANE
Tell me.
RACHEL
To count the crows. Do you know how? One for sorrow—
RAVENSBANE
Ha, yes!—Two for mirth!
RACHEL
Three for a wedding—
RAVENSBANE
Four for a birth—
RACHEL
And five for the happiest thing on earth!
RAVENSBANE
Mistress Rachel, come! Let us go and count five crows.
RACHEL
[_Delightedly._]
Why, my lord, how did _you_ ever learn it? I got it
from an old goody here in town—a real witch-wife. If you will
promise not to tell a secret, I will show you.—But you must
promise!
RAVENSBANE
I promise.
RACHEL
Come, then. I will show you a real piece of witchcraft that
I bought from her this morning—the glass of truth. There!
Behind that curtain. If you look in, you will see—But come;
I will show you.
[_They put their hands on the cords of the curtain._]
Just pull that string, and—ah!
DICKON
[_Stepping out through the curtain._]
Your pipe, my lord?
RACHEL
Master Dickonson, how you frightened me!
DICKON
So excessively sorry! I was observing the portrait of your
uncle. I believe you were showing his lordship—
RACHEL
[_Turning hurriedly away._]
Oh, nothing; nothing at all.
RAVENSBANE
[_Sternly to Dickon._]
Why do you come?
DICKON
[_Handing back Ravensbane’s pipe filled._]
Allow me.
[_Aside._]
’Tis high time you came to the point, Jack; ’tis near your
lordship’s reception. Woo and win, boy; woo and win.
RAVENSBANE
[_Haughtily._]
Leave me.
DICKON
Your lordship’s humble, very humble.
[_Exit._]
RACHEL
[_Shivering._]
Oh! he is gone. My dear lord, why do you keep this man?
RAVENSBANE
I—keep this man?
RACHEL
I cannot—pardon my rudeness—I cannot endure him.
RAVENSBANE
You do not like him? Ah, then, I do not like him also. We
will send him away—you and I.
RACHEL
You, my lord, of course; but I—
RAVENSBANE
You will be Dickon! You will be with me always and light my
pipe. And I will live for you, and fight for you, and kill
your betrothed.
RACHEL
[_Drawing away._]
No, no!
RAVENSBANE
Ah! but your eyes say “yes.” Mistress Rachel leaves me; but
Rachel in her eyes remains. Is it not so?
RACHEL
What can I say, my lord! It is true that since my eyes met
yours, a new passion has entered into my soul. I have
felt—your lordship will laugh at me—I have felt an
inexpressible longing—but ’tis so impertinent, my lord, so
absurd in me, a mere girl, and you a nobleman of power—yet I
have felt it irresistibly, my dear lord,—a longing to help
you. I am so sorry for you—so sorry for you! I pity you
deeply.—Forgive me; forgive me, my lord!
RAVENSBANE
It is enough.
RACHEL
Indeed, indeed, ’tis so rude of me,—’tis so unreasonable.
RAVENSBANE
It is enough. I grow—I grow—I grow! I am a plant; you give
it rain and sun. I am a flower; you give it light and dew; I
am a soul, you give it love and speech. I grow. Towards
you—towards you I grow!
RACHEL
My lord, I do not understand it, how so poor and mere a girl
as I can have helped you. Yet I do believe it is so; for I
feel it so. What can I do for you?
RAVENSBANE
Do not leave me. Be mine. Let me be yours.
RACHEL
Ah! but, my lord—do I love you?
RAVENSBANE
What is “I love you”? Is it a kiss, a sigh, an embrace? Ah!
then, you do not love me.—“I love you”: is it to nourish, to
nestle, to lift up, to smile upon, to make greater—a worm?
Ah! then, you love me.
[_Enter_ RICHARD _at left back, unobserved._]
RACHEL
Do not speak so of yourself, my lord; nor exalt me so falsely.
RAVENSBANE
Be mine.
RACHEL
A great glory has descended upon this day.
RAVENSBANE
Be mine.
RACHEL
Could I but be sure that this glory is love—Oh, _then_!
[_Turns toward Ravensbane._]
RICHARD
[_Stepping between them._]
It is _not_ love; it is witchcraft.
RACHEL
Who are you?—Richard?
RICHARD
You have indeed forgotten me? Would to God, Rachel, I could
forget you.
RAVENSBANE
Sir, permit me—
RICHARD
Silence!
[_To Rachel._]
Against my will, I am a convert to your own mysticism; for
nothing less than damnable illusion could so instantly wean
your heart from me to—this. I do not pretend to understand
it; but that it is witchcraft I am convinced; and I will save
you from it.
RACHEL
Go; please go.
RAVENSBANE
Permit me, sir; you have not replied yet to flails!
RICHARD
Permit _me_, sir.
[_Taking something from his coat._]
My answer is—bare cob!
[_Holding out a shelled corn-cob._]
Thresh this, sir, for your antagonist. ’Tis the only one
worthy your lordship.
[_Tosses it contemptuously towards him._]
RAVENSBANE
Upon my honour, as a man—
RICHARD
As a _man_ forsooth! Were you indeed a man, Lord
Ravensbane, I would have accepted your weapons, and flailed
you out of New England. But it is not my custom to chastise
runagates from asylums, or to banter further words with a
natural and a ninny.
RACHEL
Squire Talbot! Will you leave my uncle’s house?
RAVENSBANE
One moment, mistress:—I did not wholly catch the import of
this gentleman’s speech, but I fancy I have insulted him by my
reply to his challenge. One insult may perhaps be remedied by
another. Sir, permit me to call you a ninny, and to offer
you—
[_Drawing his sword and offering it._]
swords.
RICHARD
Thanks; I reject the offer.
RAVENSBANE
[_Turning away despondently._]
He rejects it. Well!
RACHEL
[_To Richard._]
And _now_ will you leave?
RICHARD
At once. But one word more. Rachel—Rachel, have you
forgotten this morning and the glass of truth?
RACHEL
[_Coldly._]
No.
RICHARD
Call it a fancy now if you will. I scoffed at it; yes. Yet
_you_ believed it. I loved you truly, you said. Well,
have I changed?
RACHEL
Yes.
RICHARD
Will you test me again—in the glass?
RACHEL
No. Go; leave us.
RICHARD
I will go. I have still a word with your aunt.
RAVENSBANE
[_To Richard._]
I beg your pardon, sir. You said just now that had I been a
man—
RICHARD
I say, Lord Ravensbane, that the straight fibre of a true
man never warps the love of a woman. As for yourself, you have
my contempt and pity. Pray to God, sir, pray to God to make
you a man.
[_Exit, right._]
RACHEL
Oh! it is intolerable!
[_To Ravensbane._]
My dear lord, I do believe in my heart that I love you, and
if so, I will with gratitude be your wife. But, my lord,
strange glamours, strange darknesses reel, and bewilder my
mind. I must be alone; I must think and decide. Will you give
me this tassel?
RAVENSBANE
[_Unfastening a silk tassel from his coat and giving it to her._]
Oh, take it.
RACHEL
If I decide that I love you, that I will be your wife—I
will wear it this afternoon at the reception. Good-by.
[_Exit, right._]
RAVENSBANE
Mistress Rachel!—
[_Solus._]
God, are you here? Dear God, I pray to you—make me to be a
man!
[_Exit, left._]
DICKON
[_Appearing in the centre of the room._]
Poor Jacky! Thou shouldst ’a’ prayed to t’other one.
[_He disappears. Enter, right_, RICHARD
_and_ MISTRESS MERTON.]
MISTRESS MERTON
[_Pointing to the wall._]
That is the portrait.
RICHARD
Indeed! The design is very like.
MISTRESS MERTON
’Tis more than like, Richard; ’tis the very same. Two and
twenty years ago she embroidered it for him, and he would
insist on wearing it for the portrait he was then sitting for.
RICHARD
That same Goody Rickby!
MISTRESS MERTON
A pretty girl!—and a wild young man was my brother. The
truth comes hard to tell thee, Richard; but he was wild,
Gilead was wild. He told me the babe had died. But God worketh
His own righteousness. Only—he must be saved now; Rachel must
be saved; we must all be saved.
RICHARD
You feel sure—very sure, Mistress Merton?
MISTRESS MERTON
Yea, that waistcoat; ’tis the very one, I know it too well.
And you see it accounts for all,—this silly impostor lord; my
brother’s strange patronage of him; the blackmail of this
Master Dickonson—
RICHARD
But who is _he_?
MISTRESS MERTON
Nay, heaven knows! Some old crony perchance of Gilead’s
youth; some confederate of this woman Rickby.
RICHARD
O God!—And Rachel sacrificed to these impostors; to an
illegitimate—your brother would allow it!
MISTRESS MERTON
Ah! but think of his own reputation, Richard. He a
justice—the family honour!
RICHARD
’Tis enough. Well, and I must see this Goody Rickby, you
think?
MISTRESS MERTON
At once—at once. My brother has invited guests for this
afternoon to meet “his lordship”! Return, if possible, before
they come. She dwells at the blacksmith shop—you must buy her
off. Oh, gold will buy her; ’tis the gold they’re after—all
of them; have her recall both these persons.
[_Giving a purse._]
Take her that, Richard, and promise her more.
RICHARD
[_Proudly._]
Keep it, Mistress Merton. I have enough gold, methinks, for
my future wife’s honour; or if not, I will earn it.
[_Exit._]
MISTRESS MERTON
Richard! Ah, the dear lad, he should have taken it.
[_Enter_ MICAH.]
MICAH
The minister and his wife have turned into the gate, madam.
MISTRESS MERTON
The guests! Is it so late?
MICAH
Four o’clock, madam.
[_Going to the table._]
Shall I remove these?
MISTRESS MERTON
Flails! Flails in the parlour? Of course, remove them.
MICAH
[_At the door._]
Madam, in all my past years of service at Merton House, I
never waited upon a lord till to-day. Madam, in all my future
years of service at Merton House, I trust I may never wait
upon a lord again.
MISTRESS MERTON
Micah, mind the knocker.
MICAH
Yes, madam.
[_Exit at left back. Sounds of a brass knocker outside._]
MISTRESS MERTON
Rachel! Rachel!
[_Exit, right. Enter, left,_ JUSTICE MERTON _and_ DICKON.]
JUSTICE MERTON
So you are contented with nothing less than the sacrifice of
my niece?
DICKON
Such a delightful room!
JUSTICE MERTON
Are you merciless?
DICKON
And such a living portrait of your worship! The waistcoat is
so beautifully executed.
JUSTICE MERTON
If I pay him ten thousand pounds—
[_Enter_ MICAH.]
MICAH
Minister Dodge, your worship; and Mistress Dodge.
[_Exit. Enter the_ MINISTER _and his_ WIFE.]
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Stepping forward to receive them._]
Believe me, this is a great privilege.—Madam!
[_Bowing._]
MINISTER DODGE
[_Taking his hand._]
The privilege is ours, Justice; to enter a righteous man’s
house is to stand, as it were, on God’s threshold.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Nervously._]
Amen, amen. Permit me—ah! Lord Ravensbane, my young guest
of honour, will be here directly—permit me to present his
lordship’s tutor, Master Dickonson; The Reverend Master Dodge,
Mistress Dodge.
MINISTER DODGE
[_Offering his hand._]
Master Dickonson, sir—
DICKON
[_Barely touching the minister’s fingers,
bows charmingly to his wife._]
Madam, of all professions in the world, your husband’s most
allures me.
MISTRESS DODGE
’Tis a worthy one, sir.
DICKON
Ah! Mistress Dodge, and so arduous—especially for a
minister’s wife.
[_He leads her to a chair._]
MISTRESS DODGE
[_Accepting the chair._]
Thank you.
MINISTER DODGE
Lord Ravensbane comes from abroad?
JUSTICE MERTON
From London.
MINISTER DODGE
An old friend of yours, I understand.
JUSTICE MERTON
From London, yes. Did I say from London? Quite so; from
London.
[_Enter_ MICAH.]
MICAH
Captain Bugby, the Governor’s secretary.
[_Exit. Enter_ CAPTAIN BUGBY. _He walks with a
slight lameness, and holds daintily in his hand a
pipe, from which he puffs with dandy deliberation._]
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Justice Merton, your very humble servant.
JUSTICE MERTON
Believe me, Captain Bugby.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
[_Profusely._]
Ah, Master Dickonson! my dear friend Master Dickonson—this
is indeed—ah! How is his lordship since—aha! but discretion!
Mistress Dodge—her servant! Ah! yes,
[_Indicating his pipe with a smile of satisfaction._]
the latest, I assure you; the very latest from London. Ask
Master Dickonson.
MINISTER DODGE
[_Looking at Captain Bugby._]
These will hatch out in the springtime.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
[_Confidentially to Dickon._]
But really, my good friend, may not I venture to inquire how
his lordship—ah! has been in health since the—ah! since—
DICKON
[_Impressively._]
Oh! quite, quite!
[_Enter_ MISTRESS MERTON; _she joins Justice Merton
and Minister Dodge._]
CAPTAIN BUGBY
You know, I informed Squire Talbot of his lordship’s
epigrammatic retort—his retort of—shh! ha haha! Oh, that
reply was a stiletto; ’twas sharper than a sword-thrust, I
assure you. To have conceived it—’twas inspiration; but to
have expressed it—oh! ’twas genius. Hush! “Flails!” Oh! It
sticks me now in the ribs. I shall die with concealing it.
MINISTER DODGE
[_To Mistress Merton._]
’Tis true, mistress; but if there were more like your
brother in the parish, the conscience of the community would
be clearer.
[_Enter_ MICAH.]
MICAH
The Reverend Master Rand of Harvard College;
the Reverend Master Todd of Harvard College.
[_Exit. Enter two elderly, straight-backed divines._]
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Greeting them._]
Permit me, gentlemen; this is fortunate—before your return
to Cambridge.
[_He conducts them to Mistress Merton and Minister Dodge,
centre. Seated left, Dickon is ingratiating himself
with Mistress Dodge; Captain Bugby, laughed at by both
parties, is received by neither._]
CAPTAIN BUGBY
[_Puffing smoke toward the ceiling._]
Really, I cannot understand what keeps his Excellency, the
Lieutenant Governor, so long. He has two such charming
daughters, Master Dickonson—
DICKON
[_To Mistress Dodge._]
Yes, yes; such suspicious women with their charms are an
insult to the virtuous ladies of the parish.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
How, sir!
MISTRESS DODGE
And to think that she should actually shoe horses herself!
DICKON
It is too hard, dear Mistress Dodge; too hard!
MISTRESS DODGE
You are so appreciative, Master Dickonson.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
[_Piqued, walks another way._]
Well!
REV. MASTER RAND
[_To Justice Merton._]
It would not be countenanced in the college yard, sir.
REV. MASTER TODD
A pipe! Nay, _mores inhibitae_!
JUSTICE MERTON
’Tis most unfortunate, gentlemen; but I understand ’tis the
new vogue in London.
[_Enter_ MICAH.]
MICAH
His Excellency, Sir Charles Reddington, Lieutenant Governor;
the Mistress Reddingtons.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
At last!
MISTRESS MERTON
[_Aside._]
Micah.
[_Micah goes to her. Enter_ SIR CHARLES,
MISTRESS REDDINGTON, _and_ AMELIA REDDINGTON.]
JUSTICE MERTON
Your Excellency, this is indeed a distinguished honour.
SIR CHARLES
[_Shaking hands._]
Fine weather, Merton. Where’s your young lord?
THE TWO GIRLS
[_Courtesying._]
Justice Merton, Mistress Merton.
MICAH
[_To Mistress Merton, as he is going out, right._]
I will speak to them, madam.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Oh, my dear Mistress Reddington! Charming Mistress Amelia!
You are so very late, but you shall hear—hush!
MISTRESS REDDINGTON
[_Noticing his pipe._]
Why, what is this, Captain?
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Oh, the latest, I assure you, the very latest. Wait till you
see his lordship.
AMELIA
What! isn’t he here?
[_Laughing._]
La, Captain! Do look at the man!
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Oh, he’s coming directly. Quite the mode—what? Ah! but,
ladies, you shall hear.
[_He talks to them aside, where they titter._]
SIR CHARLES
[_To Dickon._]
What say? Travelling for his health?
DICKON
Partially, your Excellency; but my young pupil and master is
a singularly affectionate nature.
THE TWO GIRLS
[_To Captain Bugby._]
What! flails—really!
[_They burst into laughter among themselves._]
DICKON
He has journeyed here to Massachusetts peculiarly to pay
this visit to Justice Merton—his father’s dearest friend.
SIR CHARLES
Ah! knew him abroad, eh?
DICKON
In Rome, your Excellency.
MISTRESS DODGE
[_To Justice Merton._]
Why, I thought it was in London.
JUSTICE MERTON
London, true, quite so; we made a trip together to
Lisbon—ah! Rome.
DICKON
Paris, was it not, sir?
JUSTICE MERTON
[_In great distress._]
Paris, Paris, very true; I am—I am—sometimes I am—
[_Enter_ MICAH, _right._]
MICAH
[_Announces._]
Lord Ravensbane.
[_Enter right_, RAVENSBANE _with_ RACHEL.]
JUSTICE MERTON
[_With a gasp of relief._]
Ah! his lordship is arrived.
[_Murmurs of “his lordship” and a flutter among the girls and
Captain Bugby._]
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Look!—Now!
JUSTICE MERTON
Welcome, my lord!
[_To Sir Charles._]
Permit me, your Excellency, to introduce—
RAVENSBANE
Permit me; Mistress Rachel will introduce—
RACHEL
[_Courtesying._]
Sir Charles, allow me to present my friend, Lord Ravensbane.
MISTRESS REDDINGTON
[_Aside to Amelia._]
Her _friend_—did you hear?
SIR CHARLES
Mistress Rachel, I see you are as pretty as ever. Lord
Ravensbane, your hand, sir.
RAVENSBANE
Trust me, your Excellency, I will inform his Majesty of your
courtesy.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
[_Watching Ravensbane with chagrin._]
On my life! he’s lost his limp.
RAVENSBANE
[_Apart to Rachel._]
“A great glory has descended upon this day.”
RACHEL
[_Shyly._]
My lord!
RAVENSBANE
Be sure—O mistress, be sure—that this glory is love.
SIR CHARLES
[_Watching the two, whispers a loud aside to Justice Merton._]
Hoho! is it congratulations for your niece?
JUSTICE MERTON
Not—not precisely.
DICKON
[_Aside to Justice Merton._]
Why so, Gilly?
SIR CHARLES
My daughters, Fanny and Amelia—Lord Ravensbane.
THE TWO GIRLS
[_Courtesying._]
Your lordship!
SIR CHARLES
Good girls, but silly.
THE TWO GIRLS
Papa!
RAVENSBANE
Believe me, ladies, with the _true_ sincerity of the
_heart_.
MISTRESS REDDINGTON
Isn’t he perfection!
CAPTAIN BUGBY
What said I?
AMELIA
[_Giggling._]
I can’t help thinking of flails.
MISTRESS REDDINGTON
Poor Squire Talbot! We must be nice to him now.
AMELIA
Oh, especially _now_!
RAVENSBANE
[_Whom Rachel continues to introduce to the guests;
to Master Rand._]
Verily, sir, as that prince of poets, the immortal Virgil,
has remarked:
“Adeo in teneris consuescere multum est.”
DICKON
Just a word, your worship.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Going with him._]
Intolerable!
REV. MASTER TODD
His lordship is evidently a university man.
REV. MASTER RAND
Evidently most accomplished.
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Aside to Dickon._]
A song! Why, it is beyond all bounds of custom and decorum.
DICKON
Believe me, there is no such flatterer to win the maiden
heart as music.
JUSTICE MERTON
And here; in this presence! Never!
DICKON
Nevertheless, it will amuse me vastly, and you will announce
it.
RAVENSBANE
[_To Minister Dodge._]
My opinion is simple: In such matters of church government,
I am inclined toward the leniency of that excellent master,
the Rev. John Wise, rather than the righteous obduracy of the
Rev. Cotton Mather.
MINISTER DODGE
Why, there, sir, I agree with you.
[_Aside to his wife._]
How extremely well informed!
MISTRESS DODGE
And so young, too!
JUSTICE MERTON
[_With hesitant embarrassment, which he seeks to conceal._]
Your Excellency and friends, I have great pleasure in
announcing his lordship’s condescension in consenting to
regale our present company—with a song.
SEVERAL VOICES
[_In various degrees of amazement and curiosity._]
A song!
MISTRESS MERTON
Gilead! What is this?
JUSTICE MERTON
The selection is a German ballad—a particular favourite at
the court of Prussia, where his lordship last rendered it. His
tutor has made a translation which is entitled: “The
Prognostication of the Crows,” and I am requested to remind
you that in the ancient heathen mythology of Germany, the crow
or raven, was the fateful bird of the God Woden.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
How prodigiously novel!
MINISTER DODGE
[_Frowning._]
Unparalleled!
SIR CHARLES
A ballad! Come now, that sounds like old England again.
Let’s have it. Will his lordship sing without music?
JUSTICE MERTON
Master Dickonson, hem! has been—persuaded—to accompany his
lordship on the virginals.
AMELIA
How delightful!
REV. MASTER RAND
[_Aside to Todd._]
Shall we remain?
REV. MASTER TODD
We must.
RAVENSBANE
[_To Rachel._]
My tassel, dear mistress; you do not wear it?
RACHEL
My heart still wavers, my lord. But whilst you sing, I will
decide.
RAVENSBANE
Whilst I sing? My fate, then, is waiting at the end of a
song?
RACHEL
At the end of a song.
DICKON
[_Touches Ravensbane’s arm._]
Your lordship.
RAVENSBANE
[_Starting, turns to the company._]
Permit me.
[_Dickon sits, facing left, at the virginals. At first,
his fingers in playing give sound only to the soft
tinkling notes of that ancient instrument; but
gradually, strange notes and harmonies of an aërial
orchestra mingle with, and at length drown, the
virginals. The final chorus is produced solely by
fantastic symphonic cawings, as of countless crows,
in harsh but musical accord. During the song Richard
enters. Dickon’s music, however, does not cease
but fills the intervals between the verses. To his
accompaniment, amid the whispered and gradually
increasing wonder, resentment, and dismay of the
assembled guests, Ravensbane, with his eyes fixed upon
Rachel, sings._]
Baron von Rabenstod arose;
(The golden sun was rising)
Before him flew a flock of crows:
Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing—
“Ill speed, ill speed thee, baron-wight;
Ill speed thy palfrey pawing!
Blithe is the morn but black the night
That hears a raven’s cawing.”
[_Chorus._]
Caw! Caw! Caw!
MISTRESS DODGE
[_Whispers to her husband._]
Did you hear them?
MINISTER DODGE
Hush!
AMELIA
[_Sotto voce._]
What _can_ it be?
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Oh, the latest, be sure.
DICKON
You note, my friends, the accompanying harmonics; they are
an intrinsic part of the ballad, and may not be omitted.
RAVENSBANE
[_Sings._]
The baron reckèd not a pin;
(For the golden sun was rising)
He rode to woo, he rode to win;
Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing—
He rode into his prince’s hall
Through knights and damsels flow’ry:
“Thy daughter, prince, I bid thee call;
I claim her hand and dowry.”
[_Enter Richard. Mistress Merton seizes his arm nervously._]
MISTRESS MERTON
[_Aside._]
Well?
RICHARD
Gold will not buy her. She defies us.
SIR CHARLES
[_To Captain Bugby._]
This gentleman’s playing is rather ventriloquistical.
CAPTAIN BUGBY
Quite, as it were.
REV. MASTER TODD
This smells unholy.
REV. MASTER RAND
[_To Todd._]
Shall we leave?
JUSTICE MERTON
[_Sternly to Richard, who has attempted to talk
with him aside._]
Not now.
RICHARD
Pardon me—it _must_ be now.
JUSTICE MERTON
Squire Talbot—
RICHARD
[_Very low._]
Sir—I come from Goody Rickby.
JUSTICE MERTON
Hush!
[_They go apart._]
RAVENSBANE
[_Sings._]
“What cock is this, with crest so high,
That crows with such a pother?”
“Baron von Rabenstod am I;
Methinks we know each other.”
“Now welcome, welcome, dear guest of mine,
So long why didst thou tarry?
Now, for the sake of auld lang syne,
My daughter thou shalt marry.”
JUSTICE MERTON
[_To Richard._]
RICHARD
What! you will sacrifice her?
JUSTICE MERTON
What can I do?
RICHARD
Tell her the truth at least.
JUSTICE MERTON
Never, Richard, no, no, never that!
AMELIA
[_To Bugby._]
And he kept right on smoking!
MINISTER DODGE
[_Who, with Rand and Todd, has risen uneasily._]
This smacks of witchcraft.
REV. MASTER RAND
The Justice seems moved.
RAVENSBANE
[_Sings._]
The bride is brought, the priest as well;
(The golden sun was passing)
They stood beside the altar rail;
Sing ah! Sing ah! Sing ah! Sing—
“Woman, with this ring I thee wed.”
What makes his voice so awing?
The baron by the bride is dead:
Outside the crows were cawing.
_Chorus._
[_Which grows tumultuous, seeming to fill the room with the
invisible birds._]
Caw! Caw! Caw!
[_The guests rise in confusion. Dickon still plays delightedly,
and the strange music continues._]
MINISTER DODGE
This is no longer godly.—Justice Merton!
RICHARD
[_To Justice Merton._]
I told you, sir, that witchcraft, like murder, will out.
If you want further proof, I believe I can provide it.
MINISTER DODGE
Justice Merton, sir!
RAVENSBANE
[_To Rachel, who holds his tassel in her hand._]
Ah! and you have my tassel!
RACHEL
See! I will wear it now. You yourself shall fasten it.
RAVENSBANE
Rachel! Mistress!
RACHEL
My dear lord!
[_As Ravensbane is placing the silken tassel on Rachel’s
breast to fasten it there, Richard, by the mirror,
pulls the curtain back._]
RICHARD
Lovers! This is the glass of truth. Behold yourselves!
RACHEL
[_Looking into the glass, screams and turns her gaze fearfully
upon Ravensbane._]
Ah! Do not look!
DICKON
[_Who, having turned round from the virginals, has leapt
forward, now turns back again, biting his finger._]
Too late!
[_In the glass are reflected the figures of Rachel and
Ravensbane—Rachel just as she herself appears, but
Ravensbane in his essential form of a scarecrow, in
every movement reflecting Ravensbane’s motions. The
thing in the glass is about to pin a wisp of corn-silk
on the mirrored breast of the maiden._]
RAVENSBANE
What is there?
RACHEL
[_Looking again, starts away from Ravensbane._]
Leave me! Leave me!—Richard!
RAVENSBANE
[_Gazing at the glass, clings to Rachel
as though to protect her._]
Help her! See! It is seizing her.
RACHEL
Richard!
[_She faints in Richard’s arms._]
RAVENSBANE
Fear not, mistress, I will kill the thing.
[_Drawing his sword, he rushes at the glass. Within, the
scarecrow, with a drawn wheel-spoke, approaches him at
equal speed. They come face to face and recoil._]
Ah! ah! fear’st thou me? What art thou? Why, ’tis a glass.
Thou mockest me? Look, look, mistress, it mocks me! O God, no!
no! Take it away. Dear God, do not look!—It is I!
ALL
[_Rushing to the doors._]
Witchcraft! Witchcraft!
[_As Ravensbane stands frantically confronting his abject
reflection, struck in a like posture of despair, the
curtain falls._]