The Two Lovers of Heaven: Chrysanthus and Daria Part 23

As the noonday might be left In the midnight's dusky robe, As the light amid the darkness, As 'mid clouds the solar globe: But although the shades and shadows, Through the vapours of Heaven's dome.

Strive with villainous presumption Light and splendour to enfold, Though they may conceal the l.u.s.tre, Still they cannot stain it, no.

And it is a consolation This to know, that even the gold, How so many be its carats, How so rich may be the lode, Is not certain of its value 'Till the crucible hath told.

Ah! from one extreme to another Does my strange existence go: Yesterday in highest honour, And to-day so poor and low!

Still, if I am self-reliant, Need I fear an alien foe?

But, ah me, how insufficient Is my self-defence alone!-- O new G.o.d to whom I offer Life and soul, whom I adore, In Thy confidence I rest me.

Help me, Lord, I ask no more.

(Enter Escarpin.)

ESCARPIN.

Where I wonder can she be?

But I need not farther go, Here she is:--At length, Daria, My good lady, and soforth, Now has come the happy moment, When in open market sold, All thy charms are for the buyer, Who can spend a little gold; And since happily love's tariff Is not an excessive toll, Here I am, and so, Daria, Let these clasping arms enfold . . .

DARIA.

Do not Thou desert Thy handmaid In this dreadful hour, O Lord!--

Cries of people within.

A VOICE (within).

Oh, the lion! oh, the lion!

ANOTHER VOICE (within).

Ho! take care of the lion, ho!

ESCARPIN.

Let the lion care himself, I 'm engaged and cannot go.

A VOICE (within).

From the mountain wilds descending, Through the crowded streets he goes.

ANOTHER VOICE (within).

Like the lightning's flash he flieth, Like the thunder is his roar.

ESCARPIN.

Ah! all right, for I 'm in safety, Thanks to this obliging door: Lightning is a thing intended For high towers and stately domes, Never heard I of its falling Upon little lowly homes: So if lion be the lightning, Somewhere else will fall the bolt: Therefore once again, Daria, Come, I say, embrace me. . . . .

(A lion enters, places himself before Daria, and seizes Escarpin.)

DARIA.

Oh!

Never in my life did I See a n.o.bler beast.

ESCARPIN.

Just so, Nor a more affectionate one Did I ever meet before, Since he gives me the embraces That I asked of thee and more: O G.o.d Bacchus, whom I worship So devoutly, thou, I know, Workest powerfully on beasts.

Tell our friend to let me go.

DARIA.

n.o.ble brute, defend my honour, Be G.o.d's minister below.

ESCARPIN.

How he gnaws me! how he claws me!

How he smells! His breath, by Jove, Is as bad as an emetic.

But you need n't eat me, though.

That would be a sorry blunder, Like what happened long ago.

Would you like to hear the story?

By your growling you say no.

What! you 'll eat me then? You 'll find me A tough morsel, skin and bone.

O Daria! I implore thee, Save me from this monster's throat, And I give to thee my promise To respect thee evermore.

DARIA.

Mighty monarch of these deserts, King of beasts, so plainly known By thy crown of golden tresses O'er thy tawny forehead thrown, In the name of Him who sent thee To defend that faith I hold, I command thee to release him, Free this man and let him go.

ESCARPIN.

What a most obsequious monster!

With his mane he sweeps the floor, And before her humbly falling, Kisses her fair feet.

DARIA.

What more Need we ask, that Thou didst send him, O great G.o.d so late adored, Than to see his pride thus humbled When he heard thy name implored?

But upon his feet uprising, The great roaring Campeador[15]

Of the mountains makes a signal I should follow: yes, I go, Fearless now since Thou hast freed me From this infamous abode.

What will not that lover do Who for love his life foregoes!-- (Goes out preceded by the lion.

ESCARPIN.

With a lion for her bully Ready to fight all her foes, Who will dare to interrupt her?

None, if they are wise I trow.

With her hand upon his mane, Quite familiarly they go Through the centre of the city.

Crowds give way as they approach, And as he who looketh on Knoweth of the game much more Than the players, I perceive They the open country seek On the further side of Rome.

Like a husband and a wife, In the pleasant sunshine's glow, Taking the sweet air they seem.

Well the whole affair doth show So much curious contradiction, That, my thought, a brief discourse You and I must have together.

Is the G.o.d whose name is known To Daria, the same G.o.d Whom Carpophorus adored?

Why, from this what inference follows?

Only this, if it be so, That Daria He defends, But the poor Carpophorus, no.

And as I am much more likely His sad fate to undergo, Than to be like her protected, I to change my faith am loth.

So part pagan and part christian I 'll remain--a bit of both. (Exit.

SCENE III.--The Wood.

(Enter NISIDA and CYNTHIA, flying.)

CYNTHIA.

Fly, fly, Nisida.

NISIDA.

Fly, fly, Cynthia, Since a terror and a woe Threatens us by far more fearful Than when late a horror froze All our words, and o'er our reason Strange lethargic dulness flowed.

CYNTHIA.

Thou art right, for then 't was only Our intelligence that owned The effect of an enchantment, A mere pause of thought alone.