VARYING MOODS.
But the strange thing was that the moment he turned and saw her--and the
moment she met the quick look of friendliness and frank admiration that
came into his face and his eloquent dark eyes--all her misgivings,
surmises, suspicions, and half-meditated safeguards instantly vanished.
She herself could not have explained it; she only knew that, face to
face with him, she had no longer any doubt as to his honesty; and
consequently that vague sense of injury vanished also. She had been
taken unawares, but she did not mind. Everything, indeed, connected with
this young man was of a startling, unusual character; and she was
becoming familiar with that, and less resentful at being surprised.
"Ah, fair Mistress Judith," said he, "you come opportunely: I would
thank you from the heart for the gracious company I have enjoyed this
afternoon through your good-will; in truth, I was loath to part with
such sweet friends, and perchance detained them longer than I should."
"I scarce understand you, sir," said she, somewhat bewildered.
"Not the visions that haunt a certain magic island?" said he.
Her face lit up.
"Well, sir?" she asked, with a kind of pride; but at this point her
grandmother interposed, and insisted--somewhat to Judith's
surprise--that they should come in and sit down, if not in the house, at
least in the garden. He seemed willing enough; for without a word he
opened the gate to let Judith pass; and then she told him who her cousin
was; and in this manner they went up to the little arbor by the hedge.
"Well, good sir, and how liked you the company?" said she, cheerfully,
when she had got within and sat down.
Her grandmother had ostensibly taken to her knitting; but she managed
all the same to keep a sharp eye on the young man; for she was curious,
and wanted to know something further of the parcel that he had left with
her. It was not merely hospitality or a freak of courtesy that had
caused her to give him this sudden invitation. Her granddaughter Judith
was a self-willed wench and mischievous; she would keep an eye on her
too; she would learn more of this commerce between her and the young
gentleman who had apparently dropped, as it were, from the skies. As for
little Willie Hart, he remained outside, regarding the stranger with no
great good-will; but perhaps more with wonder than with anger, for he
marvelled to hear Judith talk familiarly with this person, of whom he
had never heard a word, as though she had known him for years.
"'Tis not for one such as I," said Master Leofric Hope, modestly--and
with such a friendly regard toward Judith that she turned away her eyes
and kept looking at this and that in the garden--"to speak of the
beauties of the work; I can but tell you of the delight I have myself
experienced. And yet how can I even do that? How can I make you
understand that--or my gratitude either, sweet Mistress Judith--unless
you know something of the solitude of the life I am compelled to lead?
You would have yourself to live at Bassfield Farm; and watch the
monotony of the days there; and be scarcely able to pass the time: then
would you know the delight of being introduced to this fair region that
your father hath invented, and being permitted to hear those creatures
of his imagination speak to each other. Nay, but 'tis beautiful! I am no
critical judge; but I swear 'twill charm the town."
"You think so, sir?" said she, eagerly, and for an instant she withdrew
her eyes from the contemplation of the flowers. But immediately she
altered her tone to one of calm indifference. "My father hath many
affairs to engage him, you must understand, good sir; perchance, now,
this play is not such as he would have written had he leisure, and--and
had he been commanded by the court, and the like. Perchance 'tis too
much of the human kind for such purposes?"
"I catch not your meaning, sweet lady," said he.
"I was thinking," said she, calmly, "of the masques you told us of--at
Theobald's and elsewhere--that Master Benjamin Jonson has written, and
that they all seem to prize so highly: perchance these were of a finer
stuff than my father hath time to think of, being occupied, as it were,
with so many cares. 'Tis a rude life, having regard to horses, and
lands, and malt, and the rest; and--and the court ladies--they would
rather have the gods and goddesses marching in procession, would they
not? My father's writing is too much of the common kind, is it not, good
sir?--'tis more for the 'prentices, one might say, and such as these?"
He glanced at her. He was not sure of her.
"The King, sweet lady," said he, "is himself learned, and would have the
court familiar with the ancient tongues; and for such pageants 'tis no
wonder they employ Master Jonson, that is a great scholar. But surely
you place not such things--that are but as toys--by the side of your
father's plays, that all marvel at, and applaud, and that have driven
away all others from our stage?"
"Say you so?" she answered, with the same indifferent demeanor. "Nay, I
thought that Master Scoloker--was that his worship's name?--deemed them
to be of the vulgar sort. But perchance he was one of the learned ones.
The King, they say, is often minded to speak in the Latin. What means he
by that, good sir, think you? Hath he not yet had time to learn our
English speech?"
"Wench, what would you?" her grandmother interposed, sharply. "Nay, good
sir, heed her not; her tongue be an unruly member, and maketh sport of
her, as I think; but the wench meaneth no harm."
"The King is proud of his learning, no doubt," said he; and he would
probably have gone on to deprecate any comparison between the court
masques and her father's plays but that she saw here her opportunity,
and interrupted him.
"I know it," she said, "for the letter that the King sent to my father
is writ in the Latin."
"Nay, is it so?" said he.
She affected not to observe his surprise.
"'Twas all the same to my father," she continued, calmly, "whether the
letter was in one tongue or the other. He hath one book now--how is it
called?--'tis a marvellous heap of old stories--the Jests----"
"Not the _Gesta Romanorum_?" he said.
"The same, as I think. Well, he hath one copy that is in English, and of
our own time, as I am told; but he hath also another and a very ancient
copy, that is in the Latin tongue; and this it is--the Latin one, good
sir--that my father is fondest of; and many a piece of merriment he will
get out of it, when Julius Shawe is in the house of an evening."
"But the _Gesta_ are not jests, good Mistress Judith," said he, looking
somewhat puzzled.
"I know not; I but hear them laughing," said she, placidly. "And as for
the book itself, all I know of it is the outside; but that is right
strange and ancient, and beautiful withal: the back of it white leather
stamped with curious devices; and the sides of parchment printed in
letters of red and black; and the silver clasps of it with each a boar's
head. I have heard say that that is the crest of the Scotch knight that
gave the volume to my father when they were all at Aberdeen; 'twas when
they made Laurence Fletcher a burgess; and the knight said to my
father, 'Good sir, the honor to your comrade is a general one, but I
would have you take this book in particular, in the way of thanks and
remembrance for your wit and pleasant company'--that, or something like
that, said he; and my father is right proud of the book, that is very
ancient and precious; and often he will read out of it--though it be in
the Latin tongue. Oh, I assure you, sir," she added, with a calm and
proud air, "'tis quite the same thing to him. If the King choose to
write to him in that tongue, well and good. Marry, now I think of it, I
make no doubt that Julius Shawe would lend me the letter, did you care
to see it."
He looked up quickly and eagerly.
"Goes your goodness so far, sweet Mistress Judith? Would you do me such
a favor and honor?"
"Nay, young sir," the grandmother said, looking up from her knitting,
"tempt not the wench; she be too ready to do mad things out of her own
mind. And you, grandchild, see you meddle not in your father's affairs."
"Why, grandam," Judith cried, "'tis the common property of Stratford
town. Any one that goeth into Julius Shawe's house may see it. And why
Julius Shawe's friends only? Beshrew me, there are others who have as
good a title to that letter--little as my father valueth it."
"Nay, I will forego the favor," said he at once, "though I owe you none
the less thanks, dear lady, for the intention of your kindness. In
truth, I know not how to make you sensible of what I already owe you;
for, having made acquaintance with those fair creations, how can one but
long to hear of what further befell them? My prayer would rather go in
that direction--if I might make so bold."
He regarded her now with a timid look. Well, she had not undertaken that
he should see the whole of the play, nor had she ever hinted to him of
any such possibility; but it had been in her mind, and for the life of
her she could not see any harm in this brief loan of it. Harm? Had not
even this brief portion of it caused him to think of her father's
creations as if they were of a far more marvellous nature than the
trumpery court performances that had engrossed his talk when first she
met him?
"There might be some difficulty, good sir," said she, "but methinks I
could obtain for you the further portions, if my good grandmother here
would receive them and hand them to you when occasion served."
"What's that, wench?" her grandmother said, instantly.
"'Tis but a book, good grandam, that I would lend Master Hope to lighten
the dulness of his life at the farm withal: you cannot have any
objection, grandmother?"
"'Tis a new trade to find thee in, wench," said her grandmother. "I'd 'a
thought thou wert more like to have secret commerce in laces and silks."
"I am no pedler, good madam," said he, with a smile; "else could I find
no pleasanter way of passing the time than in showing to you and your
fair granddaughter my store of braveries. Nay, this that I would beg of
you is but to keep the book until I have the chance to call for it; and
that is a kindness you have already shown in taking charge of the little
package I left for Mistress Judith here."
"Well, well, well," said the old dame, "if 'tis anything belonging to
her father, see you bring it back, and let not the wench get into
trouble."
"I think you may trust me so far, good madam," said he, with such
simplicity of courtesy and sincerity that even the old grandmother was
satisfied.
In truth she had been regarding the two of them with some sharpness
during these few minutes to see if she could detect anything in their
manner that might awaken suspicion. There was nothing. No doubt the
young gentleman regarded Judith with an undisguised wish to be friendly
with her, and say pretty things; but was that to be wondered at? 'Twas
not all the lads in Stratford that would be so modest in showing their
admiration for a winsome lass. And this book-lending commerce was but
natural in the circumstances. She would have been well content to hear
that his affairs permitted him to leave the neighborhood, and that would
happen in good time; meanwhile there could be no great harm in being
civil to so well-behaved a young gentleman. So now, as she had satisfied
herself that the leaving of the package meant nothing dark or dangerous,
she rose and hobbled away in search of the little maid, to see that some
ale were brought out for the refreshment of her visitor.
"Sweetheart Willie," Judith called, "what have you there? Come hither!"
Her small cousin had got hold of the cat, and was vainly endeavoring to
teach it to jump over his clasped hands. He took it up in his arms, and
brought it with him to the arbor, though he did not look in the
direction of the strange gentleman.
"We shall be setting forth for home directly," said she. "Wilt thou not
sit down and rest thee?"
"'Tis no such distance, cousin," said he.
He seemed unwilling to come in; he kept stroking the cat, with his head
averted. So she went out to him, and put her arm round his neck.
"This, sir," said she, "is my most constant companion, next to Prudence
Shawe; I know not to what part of all this neighborhood we have not
wandered together. And such eyes he hath for the birds' nests; when I
can see naught but a cloud of leaves he will say, why, 'tis so and so,
or so and so; and up the tree like a squirrel, and down again with one
of the eggs, or perchance a small naked birdling, to show me. But we
always put them back, sweetheart, do we not?--we leave no bereft
families, or sorrowing mother bird to find an empty nest. We do as we
would be done by; and 'tis no harm to them that we should look at the
pretty blue eggs, or take out one of the small chicks with its downy
feathers and its gaping bill. And for the fishing, too--there be none
cleverer at setting a line, as I hear, or more patient in watching; but
I like not that pastime, good Cousin Willie, for or soon or late you are
certain to fall through the bushes into the river, as happened to Dickie
Page last week, and there may not be some one there to haul you out, as
they hauled out him."
"And how fares he at the school?" said the young gentleman in the arbor.
"Oh, excellent well, as I am told," said she, "although I be no judge of
lessons myself. Marry, I hear good news of his behavior; and if there be
a bloody nose now and again, why, a boy that's attacked must hold his
own, and give as good as he gets--'twere a marvel else--and 'tis no use
making furious over it, for who knows how the quarrel began? Nay, I will
give my cousin a character for being as gentle as any, and as
reasonable; and if he fought with Master Crutchley's boy, and hit him
full sore, I fear, between the eyes--well, having heard something of the
matter, I make no doubt it served young Crutchley right, and that elder
people should have a care in condemning when they cannot know the
beginning of the quarrel. Well, now I bethink me, sweetheart, tell me
how it began, for that I never heard. How began the quarrel?"
"Nay, 'twas nothing," he said, shamefacedly.
"Nothing? Nay, that I will not believe. I should not wonder now if it
were about some little wench. What? Nay, I'll swear it now! 'Twas about
the little wench that has come to live at the Vicarage--what's her
name?--Minnie, or Winnie?"
"'Twas not, then, Judith," said he. "If you must know, I will tell you;
I had liefer say naught about it. But 'twas not the first time he had
said so--before all of them--that my uncle was no better than an idle
player, that ought to be put in the stocks and whipped."
"Why, now," said she, "to think that the poor lad's nose should be set
a-bleeding for nothing more than that!"
"It had been said more than once, Cousin Judith; 'twas time it should
end," said he, simply.
At this moment Master Leofric Hope called to him.
"Come hither, my lad," said he. "I would hear how you get on at school."
The small lad turned and regarded him, but did not budge. His demeanor
was entirely changed. With Judith he was invariably gentle, submissive,
abashed: now, as he looked at the stranger, he seemed to resent the
summons.
"Come hither, my lad."
"Thank you, no, sir," he said; "I would as lief be here."
"Sweetheart, be these your manners?" Judith said.
But the young gentleman only laughed good-naturedly.
"Didst thou find any such speeches in the _Sententiae Pueriles_?" said
he. "They were not there when I was at school."
"When go we back to Stratford, Judith?" said the boy.
"Presently, presently," said she (with some vague impression that she
could not well leave until her grandmother's guest showed signs of going
also). "See, here is my grandam coming with various things for us; and I
warrant me you shall find some gingerbread amongst them."
The old dame and the little maid now came along, bringing with them ale
and jugs and spiced bread and what not, which were forthwith put on the
small table; and though Judith did not care to partake of these, and was
rather wishful to set out homeward again, still, in common courtesy, she
was compelled to enter the arbor and sit down. Moreover, Master Hope
seemed in no hurry to go. It was a pleasant evening, the heat of the day
being over; the skies were clear, fair, and lambent with the declining
golden light: why should one hasten away from this quiet bower, in the
sweet serenity and silence, with the perfume of roses all around, and
scarce a breath of air to stir the leaves? He but played with this
slight refection; nevertheless, it was a kind of excuse for the starting
of fresh talk; and his talk was interesting and animated. Then he had
discovered a sure and easy way of pleasing Judith, and instantly gaining
her attention. When he spoke of the doings in London, her father was no
longer left out of these: nay, on the contrary, he became a central
figure; and she learned more now of the Globe and Blackfriars theatres
than ever she had heard in her life before. Nor did she fail to lead him
on with questions. Which of her father's friends were most constant
attendants at the theatre? Doubtless they had chairs set for them on the
stage? Was there any one that her father singled out for especial favor?
When they went to the tavern in the evening, what place had her father
at the board? Did any of the young lords go with them? How late sat
they? Did her father outshine them all with his wit and merriment, or
did he sit quiet and amused?--for sometimes it was the one and sometimes
the other with him here in Stratford. Did they in London know that he
had such a goodly house, and rich lands, and horses? And was there good
cooking at the tavern--Portugal dishes and the like? Or perchance (she
asked, with an inquiring look from the beautiful, clear eyes) it was
rather poor? And the napery, now: it was not always of the cleanest? And
instead of neat-handed maids, rude serving-men, tapsters, drawers, and
so forth? And the ale--she could be sworn 'twas no better than the
Warwickshire ale; no, nor was the claret likely to be better than that
brought into the country for the gentlefolk by such noted vintners as
Quiney. Her father's lodging--that he said was well enough, as he said
everything was well enough, for she had never known him utter a word of
discontent with anything that happened to him--perchance 'twas none of
the cleanliest? for she had heard that the London housewives were mostly
slovens, and would close you doors and windows against the air, so that
a countryman going to that town was like to be sickened. And her
father--did he ever speak of his family when he was in London? Did they
know he had belongings? Nay, she was certain he must have talked to his
friends and familiars of little Bess Hall, for how could he help that?
"You forget, sweet Mistress Judith," said he, in his pleasant way, "that
I have not the honor of your father's friendship, nor of his
acquaintance even, and what I have told you is all of hearsay, save with
regard to the theatre, where I have seen him often. And that is the
general consent: that this one may have more learning, and that one more
sharpness of retort, but that in these encounters he hath a grace and a
brilliancy far outvying them all, and, moreover, with such a gentleness
as earns him the general good-will. Such is the report of him; I would
it had been in my power to speak from my own experience."
"But that time will come, good sir," said she, "and soon, I trust."
"In the mean while," said he, "bethink you what a favor it is that I
should be permitted to come into communion with those fair creations of
his fancy; and I would remind you once more of your promise, sweet
Mistress Judith; and would beseech your good grandmother to take charge
of anything you may leave for me. Nay, 'twill be for no longer than an
hour or two that I would detain it; but that brief time I would have
free from distractions, so that the mind may dwell on the picture. Do I
make too bold, sweet lady? Or does your friendship go so far?"
"In truth, sir," she answered, readily, "if I can I will bring you the
rest of the play--but perchance in portions, as the occasion serves;
'twere no great harm should you carry away with you some memory of the
Duke and his fair daughter on the island."
"The time will pass slowly until I hear more of them," said he.
"And meanwhile, good grandmother," said she, "if you will tell me where
I may find the little package, methinks I must be going."
At this he rose.
"I beseech your pardon if I have detained you, sweet lady," said he,
with much courtesy.
"Nay, sir, I am indebted to you for welcome news," she answered, "and I
would I had longer opportunity of hearing. And what said you--that he
outshone them all?--that it was the general consent?"
"Can you doubt it?" he said, gallantly.
"Nay, sir, we of his own household--and his friends in Stratford--we
know and see what my father is: so well esteemed, in truth, as Julius
Shawe saith, that there is not a man in Warwickshire would cheat him in
the selling of a horse, which they are not slow to do, as I hear, with
others. But I knew not he had won so wide and general a report in
London, where they might know him not so well as we."
"Let me assure you of that, dear lady," he said, "and also that I will
not forget to bring or send you the printed tribute to his good
qualities that I spoke of, when that I may with safety go to London.
'Tis but a trifle; but it may interest his family; marry, I wonder he
hath not himself spoken of it to you."
"He speak of it!" said she, regarding him with some surprise, as if he
ought to have known better. "We scarce know aught of what happeneth to
him in London. When he comes home to Warwickshire it would seem as if he
had forgotten London and all its affairs, and left them behind for
good."
"Left them behind for good, say you, wench?" the old dame grumbled,
mostly to herself, as she preceded them down the path. "I would your
father had so much sense. What hath he to gain more among the players
and dicers and tavern brawlers and that idle crew? Let him bide at home,
among respectable folk. Hath he not enough of gear gathered round him,
eh? It be high time he slipped loose from those mummers that play to
please the cut-purses and their trulls in London. Hath he not enough of
gear?"
"What say you, grandmother? You would have my father come away from
London and live always in Warwickshire? Well, now, that is nearer than
you think, or my guesses are wrong."
But her grandmother had gone into the cottage; and presently she
returned with the little package. Then there was a general leave-taking
at the gate; and Leofric Hope, after many expressions of his thanks and
good-will, set out on his own way, Judith and her cousin taking the path
through the meadows.
For some time they walked in silence; then, as soon as the stranger was
out of ear-shot, the lad looked up and said,
"Who is that, Judith?"
"Why," said she, lightly, "I scarcely know myself; but that he is in
misfortune and hiding, and that he knoweth certain of my father's
friends, and that he seems pleased to have a few words with one or other
of us to cheer his solitude. You would not begrudge so much, sweetheart?
Nay, there is more than that I would have you do: his safety depends on
there being no talk about him in the town; and I know you can keep a
secret, Cousin Willie; so you must not say a word to any one--whether at
school, or at home, or at New Place--of your having seen him. You will
do as much for my sake, sweetheart?"
"Yes; but why for your sake, cousin?" said the boy, looking up. "Why
should you concern yourself?"
"Nay, call it for anybody's sake, then," said she. "But I would not have
him betrayed by any one that I had aught to do with--and least of all by
you, sweetheart, that I expect to show nothing but fair and manly parts.
Nay, I trust you. You will not blab."
And then, as they walked on, it occurred to her that this young
gentleman's secret--if he wished it kept--was becoming somewhat widely
extended in his neighborhood. In her own small circle how many already
knew of his presence?--her grandmother, Prudence Shawe, herself, Tom
Quiney, and now this little Willie Hart. And she could not but remember
that not much more than half an hour ago she had seen him at the garden
gate, carelessly chatting, and apparently not heeding in the least what
passers-by might observe him. But that was always the way: when she left
him, when she was with her own thoughts, curious surmises would cross
her mind; whereas, when she met him, these were at once discarded. And
so she took to arguing with herself as to why she should be so given to
do this young man injustice in his absence, when every time she
encountered him face to face she was more than ever convinced of his
honesty. Fascination? Well, she liked to hear of London town and the
goings on there; and this evening she had been particularly interested
in hearing about the Globe Theatre, and the spectators, and the tavern
to which her father and his friends repaired for their supper; but
surely that would not blind her if she had any reason to think that the
young man was other than he represented? And then, again, this evening
he had been markedly deferential. There was nothing in his manner of
that somewhat too open gallantry he had displayed in the morning when he
made his speech about the English roses. Had she not wronged him, then,
in imagining even for a moment that he had played a trick upon her in
order to make her acquaintance? It is true, she had forgotten to make
special remark of his eyes, as to whether they were like those of the
wizard; for indeed the suspicion had gone clean out of her mind. But now
she tried to recall them; and she could not fairly say to herself that
there was a resemblance. Nay, the wizard was a solemn person, who seemed
to rebuke her light-heartedness; he spoke gravely and slow; whereas this
young man, as any one could see, had a touch of merriment in his eye
that was ready to declare itself on further acquaintance, only that his
deference kept him subdued, while his talk was light and animated and
rapid. No, she would absolve him from this suspicion; and soon, indeed,
as she guessed, he would absolve himself by removing from the
neighborhood, and probably she would hear no more of him, unless,
perchance, he should remember to send her that piece of print concerning
her father.
And then her thoughts went far afield. She had heard much of London that
evening; and London, in her mind, was chiefly associated with her
father's plays, or such as she knew of them; and these again were
represented to her by a succession of figures, whose words she thought
of, whose faces she saw, when, as now, her fancies were distant. And she
was more silent than usual as they went on their way across the meadows,
and scarce addressed a word to her companion; insomuch that at last he
looked up into her face, and said,
"Judith, why are you so sad this evening?"
"Sad, sweetheart? Surely no," she answered; and she put her hand on his
head. "What makes thee think so?"
"Did Dame Hathaway speak harshly to you?" said he. "Methought I heard
her say something. Another time I will bid her hold her peace."
"Nay, nay, not so," said she; and as they were now come to a stile, she
paused there, and drew the boy toward her.
Not that she was tired; but the evening was so quiet and still, and the
whole world seemed falling into a gentle repose. There was not a sound
near them; the earth was hushed as it, sank to sleep; far away they
could hear the voices of children going home with their parents, or the
distant barking of a dog. It was late, and yet the skies seemed full of
light, and all the objects around them were strangely distinct and
vivid. Behind them, the northwestern heavens were of a pale luminous
gold; overhead and in front of them, the great vault was of a beautiful
lilac-gray, deepening to blue in the sombre east; and into this lambent
twilight the great black elms rose in heavy masses. The wide meadows
still caught some of the dying radiance; and there was a touch of it on
the westward-looking gables of one or two cottages; and then through
this softened glow there came a small keen ray of lemon yellow--a light
in one of the far-off windows that burned there like a star. So hushed
this night was, and so calm and beautiful, that a kind of wistfulness
fell over her mind--scarcely sadness, as the boy had imagined--but a
dull longing for sympathy, and some vague wonder as to what her life
might be in the years to come.
"Why, sweetheart," said she, absently, and her hand lay affectionately
on his shoulder, "as we came along here this evening we were speaking of
all that was to happen to you in after-life; and do you never think you
would like to have the picture unrolled now, and see for yourself, and
have assurance? Does not the mystery make you impatient, or restless, or
sad--so that you would fain have the years go by quick, and get to the
end? Nay, I trow not; the day and the hour are sufficient for thee; and
'tis better so. Keep as thou art, sweetheart, and pay no heed to what
may hereafter happen to thee."
"What is't that troubles you, Judith?" said he, with an instinctive
sympathy, for there was more in her voice than in her words.
"Why, I know not myself," said she, slowly, and with her eyes fixed
vacantly on the darkening landscape. "Nothing, as I reckon. 'Tis but
beating one's wings against the invisible to seek to know even
to-morrow. And in the further years some will have gone away from
Stratford, and some to far countries, and some will be married, and some
grown old; but to all the end will be the same; and I dare say now that,
hundreds of years hence, other people will be coming to Stratford, and
they will go into the church-yard there, and walk about and look at the
names--that is, of you and me and all the rest of us--and they will say,
'Poor things, they vexed themselves about very small matters while they
were alive, but they are all at peace at last.'"
"But what is it that troubles you, Judith?" said he; for this was an
unusual mood with her, who generally was so thoughtless and merry and
high-hearted.
"Why, nothing, sweetheart, nothing," said she, seeming to rouse herself.
"'Tis the quiet of the night that is so strange, and the darkness
coming. Or will there be moonlight? In truth, there must be, and getting
near to the full, as I reckon. A night for Jessica! Heard you ever of
her sweetheart?"
"No, Judith."
"Well, she was a fair maiden that lived long ago, somewhere in Italy, as
I think. And she ran away with her lover, and was married to him, and
was very happy; and all that is now known of her is connected with music
and moonlight and an evening such as this. Is not that a fair life to
lead after death: to be in all men's thoughts always as a happy bride,
on such a still night as this is now? And would you know how her lover
spoke to her?--this is what he says:
'How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music
Creep to our ears; soft stillness and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony.
Sit, Jessica: Look, how the floor of heaven
Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold;
There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st
But in his motion like an angel sings,
Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubims:
Such harmony is in immortal souls;
But, whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.--
Come, ho, and wake Diana with a hymn;
With sweetest touches pierce your mistress' ear,
And draw her home with music.'
Is not that a gentle speech? And so shall you speak to your bride,
sweetheart, in the years to come, when you have wooed her and won her.
And then you will tell her that if she loves you not--ay, and if she
loves you not dearly and well--then is she not like one that you knew
long ago, and that was your cousin, and her name was Judith Shakespeare.
Come, sweetheart," said she, and she rose from the stile and took his
hand in hers. "Shall I draw thee home? But not with sweet music, for I
have not Susan's voice. I would I had, for thy sake."
"You have the prettiest voice in the whole world, Cousin Judith," said
he.
And so they walked on and into the town, in silence mostly. The world
had grown more solemn now: here and there in the lilac-gray deeps
overhead a small silver point began to appear. And sure he was that
whatever might happen to him in the years to come, no sweetheart or any
other would ever crush out from his affection or from his memory this
sweet cousin of his; for him she would always be the one woman, strange
and mystical and kind; there never would be any touch like the touch of
her hand, so gentle was it as it rested on his hair; and there never
would be anything more wonderful and gracious to look forward to than
the old and familiar sitting in the church pew by Judith's side, with
the breathless fascination of knowing that she was so near, and the
thrill of hearing her join (rather timidly, for she was not proud of her
voice) in the singing of the choir.