ANIMAL MAGNETISM.--TAG.

[After LA FLEUR says to the Marquis: "Sir, return him the wand; and

the ladies, I daresay, will fall in love with him again."]

DOCTOR. I'm cheated, robbed! I don't believe! I hate

Wand, Marquis, Doctor, Ward, Lisette, and Fate!

LA FLEUR. Not me?

DOCTOR. _You_ worse, you rascal, than the rest.

LA FLEUR. (_bowing_). To merit it, good sir, I've done my best.

LISETTE. (_sharply_). And I.

CONSTANCE. I fear that I too have a claim

Upon your anger.

LISETTE. Anger, madam? Shame!

He's justly treated, as he might have known.

And if the wand were a divining one

It would have turn'd, within his very hands,

Point-blank to where your handsome husband stands.

CONSTANCE (_glancing at_ DOCTOR). I would it were the wand of

Harlequin,

To change his temper and his favour win.

JEFFREY (_peeping in_). In that case, mistress, you might be

so kind

As wave me back the eye of which I'm blind.

MARQUIS (_laughing and examining it_). 'Tis nothing but a piece

of senseless wood,

And has no influence for harm or good.

Yet stay! It surely draws me towards those

Indulgent, pleasant, smiling, beaming rows!

It surely charms me.

ALL. And us too.

MARQUIS. To bend

Before their gen'rous efforts to commend;

To cheer us on, through these few happy hours,

And strew our mimic way with real flowers.

[_All make obeisance._

Stay yet again. Among us all, I feel

One subtle, all-pervading influence steal,

Stirring one wish within one heart and head,

Bright be the path our host and hostess tread!

Blest be their children, happy be their race,

Long may they live, this ancient hall to grace

Long bear of English virtues noble fruit--

Green-hearted ROCKINGHAM! strike deep thy root

The Letters of Charles Dickens. Vol. 1, 1833-1856 · 第 393 / 770 题