The Wonder-Working Magician Part 20

[footnote] *'Asonante' in 'u-e' to the end of Scene XV.

CLARIN. What wonder?

When a thousand times have I Sc.r.a.ped the earth as if for nuggets, When a thousand times the wind By my screeching was perturbed, And yet Livia was oblivious.

CYPRIAN. Once again then I am humbled To invoke her thus. Oh, listen, Beautiful Justina....

SCENE XI.

A phantom Figure of JUSTINA appears.

The Figure, CYPRIAN, and CLARIN.

FIGURE. Summoned, As I wander through these mountains, I obey a call so urgent.

What, then, wouldst thou? what, then, wouldst thou, Cyprian, with me?

CYPRIAN. Oh, I shudder!

FIGURE. And since now....

CYPRIAN. I am astonished!

FIGURE. I have come....

CYPRIAN. What thus disturbs me?

FIGURE. To this place....

CYPRIAN. What makes me tremble?

FIGURE. Where....

CYPRIAN. Oh! whence this doubt that numbs me?

FIGURE. Love doth call me....

CYPRIAN. Why, this terror?

FIGURE. And the powerful spell thou workest Thus complied with, to this forest's Deepest depths I fly to shun thee.

[Exit, covering her face with the cloak.

CYPRIAN. Listen, hear me, stay, Justina!

But why linger spell-bound, stunned here?

I'll pursue her, and this forest, Whither by my spells conducted She has flown, will be the leafy Theatre, the rude-constructed Bride-bed of the strangest bridal Heaven e'er witnessed.

[Exit.

SCENE XII.

CLARIN. Stop: Renuncio Bride like this who smells of smoke Stronger than a blacksmith's furnace.

But perhaps the incantation, Being so extremely sudden, Caught her leaning o'er the lye-tub, If not cooking tripe for supper.

No. Thus cloaked and in a kitchen!

That excuse won't do: another Let me try. (I have it now, For an honourable woman Never smells then any sweeter,) She with fright must have been fl.u.s.tered.-- He has overtaken her now, And from that rude vale uncultured, Struggling in closed clasping arms, (For I think when lovers struggle, Open arms are not the weapon Even for the l.u.s.tiest lover,) To this very spot they come: I will watch them under cover, For I wish for once to witness How young women are abducted.

[Conceals himself.

SCENE XIII.

CYPRIAN embracing the Figure of JUSTINA, which he carries in his arms.

CYPRIAN. Now, O beautiful Justina, In this sweet and secret covert, Where no beam of sun can enter, Nor the breeze of heaven blow roughly, Now the trophy of thy beauty Makes my magic toils triumphant, For here folding thee, no longer Have I need to fear disturbance.

Fair Justina, thou hast cost me Even my soul. But in my judgment, Since the gain has been so glorious, Not so dear has been the purchase.

Oh! unveil thyself, fair G.o.ddess, Not in the clouds obscure and murky, Not in vapours hide the sun, Show its golden rays refulgent.

[He draws aside the cloak and discovers a skeleton.

But, O woe! what's this I see!

Is it a cold corse, mute, pulseless, That within its arms expects me?

Who, in one brief moment's compa.s.s, Could upon these faded features, Pallid, motionless, and shrunken, Have extinguished the bright beauties Of the blush rose and the purple?

THE SKELETON. Cyprian, such are all the glories Of the world that you so covet.

[The Skeleton disappears.

CLARIN rushes in frightened, and embraces CYPRIAN.

SCENE XIV.

CLARIN and CYPRIAN.

CLARIN. Fear, for any one who wants it, Wholesale or retail I'll furnish.