Emblems Of Love Part 16

_Valentine_.

Can you?--You know full well, in the truth of your heart, That there's no man in all the world of men Whose will woman's beauty cannot divide Easily as a sword cuts jetting water.

_Sylvan_.

Have you not heard, that even jetting water May have such spouting force, that it becomes A rod of glittering white iron, and swords Will beat rebounding on its speed in vain?-- Of such a force I mean to have my will.

[_He sits and stares moodily out to sea. His companions whisper each other_.

_Valentine_.

Here, Francis! Look you yonder. O but this, This is the joke of the world!

_Francis_.

Hallo! a girl!

And, by the Lord, Katrina!--But why here?

_Valentine_.

She's followed him, of course; she's heard of this Mad escapade and followed after him.

_Francis_.

She has not seen us yet. Now what to do?

_Valentine_.

Quick! Where's your handkerchief? Truss his wrists and ankles, And pull his coat up over his head and leave him!

He won't get free of her again; she'll lead His wildness home and keep him tame for ever.

Now!

[_They fall on him, bind him, and blindfold him_.

_Sylvan_.

What are you doing? Whatever are you doing?

h.e.l.l burn you, let me go!

_Valentine_.

There's worse to come.

[_They make off, and leave_ SYLVAN _shouting_.

KATRINA _runs in_.

_Katrina_.

Dear Heaven! Were they robbers? Have they hurt you?

[_She releases him. He stands up_.

_Sylvan_.

Katrina!

_Katrina_.

Sylvan!

_Sylvan_.

How did you plot this?

I thought I'd put leagues between you and me.

_Katrina_.

Why have you come here?

_Sylvan_.

To find you, it seems.

But what you're doing here, that I'ld like to know.

_Katrina_.

I came to see my grandmother: she lives All by herself, poor grannam, and it's time She had some help about the house, and care.

_Sylvan_.

Let's have a better tale. You followed me.

_Katrina_.

Sylvan, how dare you make me out so vile?

_Sylvan_.

How dare you mean to make this body of mine A thing with no thought in it but your beauty?

_Katrina_.

You shall not speak so wickedly. You've had The half of my truth only: here's the whole.

It was from you I fled! I hoped to make My grannam's lonely cottage something safe From you and what I hated in you.

_Sylvan_.

Love?-- Ah, so it's all useless.

_Katrina_.

I feared to know You wanted me,--horribly I feared it.

And now you've found me out.

_Sylvan_.

Is this the truth?-- No help for it, then.

_Katrina_.

O, I'm a liar to you!

_Sylvan_.

Strange how we grudge to be ruled! rather than be Divinely driven to happiness, we push back And fiercely try for wilful misery.-- Dearest, forgive me being cruel to you, You who are in life like a heavenly dream In the evil sleep of a sinner.

_Katrina_.

No, you hate me.

_Sylvan (kissing her)_.

Is this like hatred?

_Katrina (in his arms)_.