The Purgatory of St. Patrick Part 13

For one Patrick, who some time Now is dead . . . .

LUIS. Is Patrick dead?

PAUL. So I from our host have heard.

LUIS [aside]. Badly have I kept my word!-- But proceed.

PAUL. The teaching spread Of the faith of Christ, and gave, As a proof complete and whole Of the eternity of the soul, The discovery of a cave.-- Oh! it's the very name doth send Terror through me.

LUIS. Yes, I have heard Of that cave, and every word Made my hair to stand on end.

Those who in the neighbourhood Dwell, see wonders every day.

PAUL. Since, 'mid terror and dismay, In your melancholy mood You will no one hear or see, Ever locked within your room, It is plain you have not come Aught to learn, how strange they be, Of these things. It doth appear Other work you are about.

Satisfy my foolish doubt, And say why we have come here.

LUIS. to your questions thus I yield: Yes, I forced you, as you mention, From your house, and my intention Was to kill you in the field; But I thought it best instead You to make my steps attend As my comrade and my friend, Shaking off the mortal dread Which forbad me to endure Any stranger, and in fine, That your arms being joined with mine, I might feel the more secure.

Many a land, both far and near, Pa.s.sing through you fared right well; And now answering I will tell Why it is that we come here.

And 'tis this: I come to slay Here a man who did me wrong, 'Tis for this I pa.s.s along, m.u.f.fled in this curious way, Hiding country, dress, and name; And the night suits best for me, For my powerful enemy Can the first position claim In the land. Since I avow Why I hither have been led, Listen now how I have sped In my project until now.

I three days ago was brought To this city in disguise, For two nights, beneath the skies, I my enemy have sought In his street and at his door; Twice a m.u.f.fled figure came And disturbed me in my aim, Twice he called and stalked before Him I followed in the street; But when I the figure neared, Suddenly he disappeared As if wings were on his feet.

I this third night have brought you, That should this mysterious shape Come again, he sha'nt escape, Being caught between us two; Who he is we then can see.

PAUL. Two? who are they?

LUIS. You and I.

PAUL. I'm not one.

LUIS. Not one? How? Why?

PAUL. No, sir, no. I cannot be One, nor half a one. These stories Faith! would frighten fifty Hectors; What know I of Lady Spectres, Or of Lord Don Purgatories?

All through life I've kept aloof From the other world's affairs, Shunning much superfluous cares; But, my courage put to proof, Bid me face a thousand men, And if I don't cut and run From the thousand, nay, from one, Never trust to me again.

For I think it quite a case Fit for Bedlam, if so high, That a man would rather die, Than just take a little race.

Such a trifle! Sir, to me Life is precious; leave me here, Where you'd find me, never fear.

LUIS. Here's the house; to-night I'll be, Philip, your predestined fate.

Now we'll see if heaven pretends To defend him, and defends.-- Watch here, you, beside the gate.

SCENE II.

A m.u.f.fled Figure. -- LUIS and PAUL.

PAUL. There's no need to watch, for hither Some one comes.

LUIS. A lucky mortal Am I, if the hour draws nigh That will two revenges offer.*

Since this night there then will be Naught to interrupt my project, Slaying first this m.u.f.fled figure And then Philip. Slow and solemn Comes this man again. I know him By his gait. But whence this horror That comes o'er me as I see him, This strange awe that chills, that shocks me?

[footnote] *Asonante in o -- e to the end of Scene VIII.

THE FIGURE. Luis Enius!

LUIS. Sir, I've seen you Here the last two nights; your object?

If you call me, wherefore fly thus?

If 'tis me you seek, why mock me By retiring?

THE FIGURE. Follow me, Then you'll know my name.

LUIS. I'm stopped here In this street by a little business.-- To be quite alone imports me.-- Wherefore first by killing you I'll be free to kill another [He draws his sword, but merely cuts the air.

Draw, then, draw your sword or not, Thus the needful path I shorten To two acts of vengeance. Heavens!

I but strike the air, cut nothing, Sever nothing else. Quick! Paul, Stop him as he stalks off yonder, Near to you.

PAUL. I'm bad at stopping.

LUIS. Then your footsteps I will follow Everywhere, until I learn Who you are. [Aside.] (In vain his body Do I strive to pierce. Oh, heavens!

Lightnings flash from off my sword here; But in no way can I touch him, As if sword and arm were shortened.) [Exit following the figure, striking at it without touching it.

SCENE III.

PHILIP. -- PAUL.

PAUL [aside]. G.o.d be with you both! But scarce Has one vanished, when another Comes to haunt me. Why, I'm tempted By strange phantoms and hobgoblins Like another San Antonio:-- In this doorway I'll ensconce me, Till my friend here kindly pa.s.ses.

PHILIP. Love, ambitious, bold, deep-plotted, With the favours of a kingdom Me thou mak'st a prosperous lover.

To the desert fled Polonia, Where, mid savage rocks and forests, Citizen of mighty mountains, Islander of lonely grottoes, She doth dwell, to Lesbia leaving Crown and kingdom; through a stronger Greed than love I Lesbia court,-- For a queen is worth my homage.

From her trellis I have come, From a sweet and pleasant converse.

But, what's this? Each night I stumble On a man here at my doorstep.

Who is there?

PAUL [aside]. To me he's coming.

Why on earth should every goblin Pounce on me?

PHILIP. Sir, Caballero.

PAUL. These are names I don't acknowledge; He can't speak to ME.

PHILIP. This house Is my home.

PAUL. Which I don't covet; May you for an age enjoy it, Without billets.