Love's Comedy Part 29

I deduce The fact from certain signs, which indicate That his tall talk about his Amor's News Was uttered in a far from sober state.

One proof especially, if not transcendent, Yet tells most heavily against defendant: It has been clearly proved that after dinner To his and Lind's joint chamber he withdrew, And there displayed such singular demeanour As leaves no question--

GULDSTAD.

[Sees a glimpse of FALK and SVANHILD, who separate, Falk going to the background; SVANHILD remains standing hidden by the summer-house.

Hold, we have the clue!

Madam, one word!--Falk does not mean to go, Or if he does, he means it as a friend.

STIVER.

How, you believe then--?

MRS. HALM.

What do you intend?

GULDSTAD.

With the least possible delay I'll show That matters move precisely as you would.

Merely a word in private--

MRS. HALM.

Very good.

[They go together into the garden and are seen from time to time in lively conversation.

STIVER.

[Descending into the garden discovers FALK, who is standing by the water and gazing over it.

These poets are mere men of vengeance, we State servants understand diplomacy.

I need to labour for myself-- [Seeing STRAWMAN, who enters from the garden-room.

Well met!

STRAWMAN [on the verandah].

He's really leaving! [Going down to STIVER.

Ah, my dear sir, let Me beg you just a moment to go in And hold my wife--

STIVER.

I--hold her, sir?

STRAWMAN.

I mean In talk. The little ones and we are so Unused to be divided, there is no Escaping-- [His wife and children appear in the door.

Ha! already on my trail.

MRS. STRAWMAN.

Where are you, Strawman?

STRAWMAN [aside to STIVER].

Do invent some tale, Something amusing--something to beguile!

STIVER [going on to the verandah].

Pray, madam, have you read the official charge?

A masterpiece of literary style.

[Takes a book from his pocket.

Which I shall now proceed to cite at large.

[Ushers her politely into the room, and follows himself. FALK comes forward; he and Strawman meet; they regard one another a moment in silence.

STRAWMAN.

Well?

FALK.

Well?

STRAWMAN.

Falk?

FALK.

Pastor?

STRAWMAN.

Are you less Intractable than when we parted?

FALK.

Nay, I go my own inexorable way--

STRAWMAN.

Even tho' you crush another's happiness?

FALK.

I plant the flower of knowledge in its place.

[Smiling.

If, by the way, you have not ceased to think Of the Gazette--

STRAWMAN.

Ah, that was all a joke?

FALK.

Yes, pluck up courage, that will turn to smoke; I break the ice in action, not in ink.

STRAWMAN.

But even though you spare me, sure enough There's one who won't so lightly let me off; He has the advantage, and he won't forego it, That lawyer's clerk--and 'tis to you I owe it; You raked the ashes of our faded flames, And you may take your oath he won't be still If once I mutter but a syllable Against the brazen bl.u.s.ter of his claims.

These civil-service gentlemen, they say, Are very potent in the press to-day.

A trumpery paragraph can lay me low, Once printed in that Samson-like Gazette That with the jaw of a.s.ses fells its foe, And runs away with tackle and with net, Especially towards the quarter day--

FALK [aquiescing].

Ah, were there scandal in the case, indeed--

STRAWMAN [despondently].

No matter. Read its columns with good heed, You'll see me offered up to Vengeance.

FALK [whimsically].

Nay, To retribution--well-earned punishment.

Thro' all our life there runs a Nemesis, Which may delay, but never will relent, And grants to none exception or release.