Georgian Poetry 1913-15 Part 44

Where are you now? What am I now to think?

Your minds run round in puzzles, like chased hares.

I cannot sight them.

Merrick:

Think of going to bed.

Sollers:

And dreaming prices for your pigs.

Merrick:

O Warp, You should have seen Vine crying! The moon, he said, The silver moon! Just like an onion 'twas To stir the water in his eyes.

Sollers:

He's left A puddle of his tears where he was droopt Over the table.

Vine:

There's to be no ruin?-- But what's the word of a molecatcher, to crow So ringing over a dowser's word?

Warp:

I'll tell you.

These dowsers live on lies: my trade's the truth.

I can read moles, and the way they've dug their journeys, Where you'ld not see a wrinkle.

Vine:

And he knows The buried water.

Warp:

There's always buried water, If you prod deep enough. A dowser finds Because the whole earth's floating, like a raft.

What does he know? A twitching in his thews; A dog asleep knows that much. What I know I've learnt, and if I'd learnt it wrong, I'ld starve.

And if I'm right about the grubbing moles, Won't I be right for news of walking men?

Merrick:

Of course you're right. Let's put the whole thing by, And have a pleasant drink.

Shale (to Mrs HUFF):

You must be tired With all this story. Shall we be off for home?

Huff:

You bra.s.s! You don't go now with her! She's mine: You gave her up.

Shale:

And you made nothing of her.

(To Mrs Huff)

Come on.

Mrs Huff:

Warp, will you do a thing for me?

Warp:

A hundred things.

Mrs Huff:

Then slap me these cur-dogs.

Warp:

I will. Where will I slap them, and which first?

Mrs Huff:

Maybe 'twill do if you but laugh at them.

Warp: