ACT II

After sunset.Mee-Meeis discovered lighting up the studio.StudentsandApprenticesenter from house. They run round after each other’s tails in a cat-prowling fashion, singing in high good humour.

Students.[In chorus.]

Mew-cats, mew-cats, come and take a walk!Mew-cats, mew-cats, come and have a talk!Catch your catch, as cats can! Who can catch me now?What you at, scratch cat? Phit! Phat! Miaow!

Mew-cats, mew-cats, come and take a walk!

Mew-cats, mew-cats, come and have a talk!

Catch your catch, as cats can! Who can catch me now?

What you at, scratch cat? Phit! Phat! Miaow!

[They dance.

Tee.[Rubbing his hands.] Ah, ha!

New.[Slapping his pockets.] Ha, ha!

The Rest.Hee-hee!

Mee.What you all laughing ’bout not’ing for?

Tee.We are all in a very good temper to-night, Mee-Mee. We’ve been paid!

Mee.Dat so?

Tee.Yes,—to the last sen! Isn’t that wonderful?

Mee.Velly nice, me t’ink.

Tee.And so, Mee-Mee [takes box fromLilong], here’s a little present for you which self-sacrificing Generosity has been long intending.

[Presents a box of sweets.

Mee.Oh, hon’ble Nicenesses, awfully to condescen’!

Hiti.They are sweets, Mee-Mee.

Nau.We hope they are good; but we haven’t tried them.

Mee.[Offering box.] Graciously to inspect Humbleness invite! [They help themselves in turn without scruple or limit.] Me hope dey quite good enough—to yo’ taste?

Tee.Very good indeed, Mee-Mee.... Thank you ... yes, as I was saying, we’ve been paid.

Lil.And so we have promised——

Pee.What do you think?——

New.Why, to take Yunglangtsi in the procession with us——

Han.As a walking advertisement.

Mee.He not going to walk all de way?

New.Oh, no!

Lil.We are going to have him carried in a chair of state—quite grand, like a mandarin.

Pee.And we shall go in front and behind. We are going to get the chair now.

Han.Have all the lanterns lighted for us, Mee-Mee, when we come back.

Mee.Say? How long will de procession last?

Tee.Till dawn, Mee-Mee; till dawn! Then the lanterns go out, and we all run home like cats.

Hiti.Like cats, Mee-Mee, holding on to each other’s tails: for some of us won’t be able to walk straight by then! Come, pussy cats....

Students.[In chorus.]

Mew-cats, mew-cats, all fit and fat,Mew-cats, mew-cats, what will you be at?Tit-for-tat, kit-for-cat,—can’t you have enough?Catch your catch, and catch again! Phit! Phat! Fuff!

Mew-cats, mew-cats, all fit and fat,

Mew-cats, mew-cats, what will you be at?

Tit-for-tat, kit-for-cat,—can’t you have enough?

Catch your catch, and catch again! Phit! Phat! Fuff!

[They imitate a cat’s fight, and dance off, holding each other’s pig-tails. MeanwhileYunglangtsihas entered, dull and ponderous. He squats disconsolately on a cushion and sits cross-legged, looking atMee-Meewith a sort of sulky possessiveness.

Yung.Come to me here, Mee-Mee! Come and talk to me!

Mee.Ya-as! What sort of talky-talky Serenity like best?

Yung.Any silly chatter will do, so long as you talk.

Mee.Hon’ble Mr. Yunglangtsi not velly happy to-night?

Yung.I’m bored, Mee-Mee; I’m bored!

Mee.You been changin’ yo’ clo’s?

Yung.I was made to, Mee-Mee: mother made me ... so did my father.... I don’t belong to myself, Mee-Mee.... I’m a human sacrifice.

Mee.Dey look mos’ mos’ beautiful!... You jus’ like a big lantern all on fire!... When you go in de procession—all de little bat-moths and bobby-howlers fly up agen you—so!—and burn deyselves fo’ dey know where dey are! Hee, hee!

Yung.Do you think that funny, Mee-Mee?

Mee.Rader funny, don’t you t’ink?

Yung.You are very silly, Mee-Mee.

Mee.Ya-as, me velly silly—me know dat! Not evellybody so gleat wise person as Mr. Yunglangtsi. H’m? H’m?

Yung.You think I like you, Mee-Mee, don’t you?

Mee.Ya-as—a leetle.

Yung.Well, I don’t then. I dislike you. There’s no one I dislike more. Shall I tell you why?

Mee.If you please.

Yung.It’s because you’ve robbed me—yes,you, you shabby little interloper! I’m not the man I was once: you don’t know anything about me. Till you came here with that confounded horoscope of yours I was happy—I’d reason to be,then.... D’you know what I was? [She shakes her head.] A grocer! I suppose you don’t know what thatmeans? Well, it means sitting in a great shop where people come to buy, and giving orders to everybody. And all round you there are barrels of oil, with taps that run, and casks of sugar, and tea by the ton; and bins of rice, and boxes of spice, and everything nice as nice can be! And a crushing-machine where things are ground, and the samples all have a different sound. And you plunge your arms in flour or meal; and if you can’t see what it is—you can feel!

Mee.Oh! how beautiful!

Yung.And soap, Mee-Mee! Oh, there’s a fortune to be made out of soap alone. There was a man once, Mee-Mee, who spent three years inventing the name of a soap.... And when he’d invented it he turned it into a syndicate and sold it. He sold it for twenty thousand yen.

Mee.Dename?

Yung.Yes, the name. What the soap was didn’t matter so long as it had a good name. That’s real art, Mee-Mee: and that’s what being a grocer means.... That’s whatIwas once!

Mee.You? Oh, poo’ man, to lose all dat!

Yung.Yes, I’d got my full grocer’s certificate: I’d taken five years to earn it, and I was so proud of it! I used to wear it round my neck so that every one could see.... It had white letters on a red ground—and it said ... [he breaks down]. Andall because of you and your Star, they’ve gone and taken it off me!... I tell you they’d given up trying to turn me into an artist: they’d found it was no good. And thenyoucame, you, you, you superfluous little pig!—and now I’ve got to wait till your beastly Star comes round again—three years,—and then I’ve got to marry you and become a fool of a painter, when I might have been a grocer if you’d only stayed away!

Mee.Oh! me velly, velly solly! Me ’bominably not wanted, eh?

Yung.My father doesn’t understand me, Mee-Mee.... No one understands me.... You don’t understand me, either.

Mee.Me t’ink—yes! Haveasweet?

[Offers box.

Yung.Thank you, Mee-Mee.... I think you do understand me a little. [He begins chobbling.] When I was a grocer I used to have more sweets than I could eat: but now [chobbles] I never get enough!... I don’t hate you now as much as I did, Mee-Mee.... Have one?

Mee.Oh, t’ank, t’ank, no!... Shabby Humbleness never dare!

Yung.It won’t hurt you, Mee-Mee, it’s a very little one.

Mee.Oh, so graciously to condescen’! T’ank!

[She grovels and advances on all fours. Havingreceived it she takes opportunity, whileYung-Rlangtsiis exploring the box for remains, to throw it away, and wipe her hand.

Yung.It’s very hard, Mee-Mee, when one has got a sorrow like mine, ever to forget it.

Mee.Ah! dat so true!

Yung.It spoils my appetite, Mee-Mee: it upsets my digestion ... sometimes it even prevents me from sleeping.... I haven’t slept ... I haven’t slept since.... You there, Mee-Mee?

Mee.Yes.

Yung.Come and fan me.

Crier.[Without in the distance.] Lights, lights, lights! People, people, people! Light your lanterns all!

Chorus.[In distance.]

Ching-a-ring-a-ring-ting, Feast of Lanterns!Time to chime the lute, the flute, the loud bassoon!Shouting out, and all about the link-light man turns:Sing awake a tune to make the moon come soon!

Ching-a-ring-a-ring-ting, Feast of Lanterns!

Time to chime the lute, the flute, the loud bassoon!

Shouting out, and all about the link-light man turns:

Sing awake a tune to make the moon come soon!

Yung.Mee-Mee!

Mee.Ya-as ... please?... Say?...

Yung.You still there?

Mee.Ya-as.

Yung.... Stop fanning me.

[He sleeps.

Crier.[Without, going by with rattle of wand onwall.] Lights, lights, lights! People, people, people! Light your lanterns all!

Tikipuenters from street.

Tiki.Mee-Mee! Has every one gone out?

Mee.Sh! not gone yet!

[Points.

Tiki.But theyareall going? Mrs. Back-of-the-House too?

Mee.She say.

Tiki.Oh, look here, Mee-Mee! When they’ve gone, you come and clean up for me, and I’ll—well, I’ll show you—something I’m doing.

Enter from houseMr.andMrs. Olangtsi.

Mrs. O.Oh, so you are back, are you? When is the chair coming?

[Tikipulooks out.

Tiki.Condescension, they are bringing it now.

Students.[Without.]

Lights, lights, lights!Come and see the sights!Chin, Chin, Chinaman!Did ever you see a finer man,A major, or a minor man?Lights, lights, lights!

Lights, lights, lights!

Come and see the sights!

Chin, Chin, Chinaman!

Did ever you see a finer man,

A major, or a minor man?

Lights, lights, lights!

Mrs. O.Olangtsi, are you ready?

Olang.Yes, my dear, I’m ready. Where ismylantern, Mee-Mee?

Mrs. O.Is Yunglangtsi ready?

Mee.Yes, High-mighty, he leddy an’ waitin’ mos’ patient.

[Studentsheard without.

Mrs. O.Tell them to come in.

[Tikipuopens door wide;Studentsre-enter with chair and bearers. ‘Lights, lights, lights,’etc.

Olang.[ToYunglangtsi.] Now, you fat feather-bed, wake up!

[Shakes him.

Mrs. O.Let him alone! He can go just as well asleep if he likes! There, put him in! Then you can start; we’ll follow presently.

Students.Oh!!!

[They lift the chair with a great effort.

Yung.Oh, mother, I’ve just had such a dream—such a dream! I dreamt I was a grocer again.... I dreamt that I....

[ExeuntStudentsbearingYunglangtsi. ‘Lights, lights, lights,’etc.

Olang.Ah, the low lout! Grocer indeed! How shall I ever make an artist of a thing like that?

Mrs. O.You won’t; so don’t worry yourself! That’s Heaven’s affair, not yours. As he’s got to wait, he may as well do it sleeping as waking. You can’t hurry a comet by treading on its tail, so you’d better leave it alone!... Mee-Mee, you go to bed at once.... Tikipu, take away those oil-cans!

[ExitMee-Meeinto house,Tikipuinto pantry.

[ToOlangtsi.] Now, then, we are going, you understand;—I shall go out that way, you go this.By the time you come back, I’ll manage to be in the house somewhere. If you want me, call me: only mind you don’t come too soon, or we shan’t catch him!...

Re-enterTikipu.

Now then [toTikipu], as soon as you’ve cleaned up here you go to bed too. Put out those lights—you only want one! Olangtsi, mind you lock the street-door! I’ll go out the other way and meet you. [ToTikipu.] Be quick, put out those lights!

[Exit.

Olang.Yes, put them all out! Don’t go burning my candles at both ends.

[Exit fussily.

Voices.[In distance.]

China’s burning, China’s burning.Look yonder, look yonder!Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!Oh, bring us some water!

China’s burning, China’s burning.

Look yonder, look yonder!

Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire!

Oh, bring us some water!

[Tikipuleaves the lights and goes to get out his painting.

Re-enterMee-Mee.

Mee.Oh, Tiki, she gone! She took de key; and when she go out she lock de door!... We all alone, you and me!

Tiki.All right! There, run along, put out those lights for me! Be quick, you’ve got plenty to do.

[Music and loud drum-beating is heard.

Mee.Ah, say?

Tiki.Those are the bands going up to the Temple.... That’s where the procession starts. Hurry, Mee-Mee! You know you were told to go to bed.

Mee.Me?... Me stay to help you, Tiki.... [Looks over his shoulder.] Dat de seclet?

Tiki.Yes.

Mee.Oh, Tiki, you stealin’ de picture?

Tiki.Stealing it? No, silly! I’m only copying it,—just one little bit of it at a time.

Mee.Oh, Tiki, it de velly exact same t’ing!

Tiki.Hah! that’s allyoucan see! Ah, if only it were! [He begins mixing colours.] I’ve been thinking, Mee-Mee, of what you said to-day, about having to marry Yunglangtsi....

Mee.Yees?

Tiki.Marrying you is going to make him a great artist?

Mee.Dat what de Star say.

Tiki.Well, you know, Mee-Mee, you mayn’t like him—but it must be a fine thing to be the wife of a great artist.

Mee.[Doubtfully.] H’m.

Tiki.You’d be very proud of him.

Mee.H’m.

Tiki.You’d hear people say such fine things about him—about his pictures, I mean.

Mee.H’m.

Tiki.And then, you see, they’d say it all came from his marryingyou.

Mee.Ugh! He never tell dem not’ing ’bout dat!... He keep dat to himself fo’ fear dat some wise man come an’ steal me; an’ den me teachhimto paint better danhecan.

Tiki.Oh! so you think you could teach painting?

Mee.Oh, yes! dat quite easy t’ing—jus’ to paint!

[Makes an imaginary flourish of the brush.

Tiki.Ah! that shows how little you know. Now I daresay you think that is nothing but a piece of rice-paper, or silk, or linen, with paint spread over it?

Mee.Oh, yes! And all de poo’ man’s wasted time!—I know,—go on!

Tiki.

Yes! Wasted time! That is what every oneWho’s not an artist thinks when it is done!But really—truly—if they had but eyes,—Yonder lie glimpses of a paradiseThat is all round us: but that they can’t see!We are all prisoners, under lock and key,Bereft of light,—until some painter-soulComes with great love and labour, and cuts a holeThrough the thick wall, and shows, all fresh and fair.A heaven of living beauty, waiting thereIts call to earth! Waiting: and we—stand dumb!

Yes! Wasted time! That is what every one

Who’s not an artist thinks when it is done!

But really—truly—if they had but eyes,—

Yonder lie glimpses of a paradise

That is all round us: but that they can’t see!

We are all prisoners, under lock and key,

Bereft of light,—until some painter-soul

Comes with great love and labour, and cuts a hole

Through the thick wall, and shows, all fresh and fair.

A heaven of living beauty, waiting there

Its call to earth! Waiting: and we—stand dumb!

Mee.

What silly heaven dat is! Why wait?We want, we want,—and it wait!

What silly heaven dat is! Why wait?

We want, we want,—and it wait!

Tiki.

If we called loud enough for it, it would come!Look, Mee-Mee, look! This picture is the gateOf a new world!... Oh, if you could but see!In there is Life, magic, and mystery!—It moves ... it breathes ... it changes.

If we called loud enough for it, it would come!

Look, Mee-Mee, look! This picture is the gate

Of a new world!... Oh, if you could but see!

In there is Life, magic, and mystery!—

It moves ... it breathes ... it changes.

[A pause.

There, sometimes, Mee-Mee,—Sometimes when I am here alone at night,I have seen all that garden change its light—Sunlight to moonlight. I can see the flowersClose their bright eyes; and into those dim bowers,Lo, like a whispered word,Comes sleep; and every bird,That with uplifted throat now seems to makeThose tree-tops shake,Stops with a will to let full silence flow.All, all looks still, ... and yet, I knowSomething, with power to breakThe spell, stands there ... awake!

There, sometimes, Mee-Mee,—

Sometimes when I am here alone at night,

I have seen all that garden change its light—

Sunlight to moonlight. I can see the flowers

Close their bright eyes; and into those dim bowers,

Lo, like a whispered word,

Comes sleep; and every bird,

That with uplifted throat now seems to make

Those tree-tops shake,

Stops with a will to let full silence flow.

All, all looks still, ... and yet, I know

Something, with power to break

The spell, stands there ... awake!

Well, now I’ve told you, and how much of it do you understand, I wonder! There! Off you run to bed, like a good little girl. I’m going to be busy. Good-night.... Why aren’t you gone, Mee-Mee?

Mee.Mrs. High-Mighty tellyouto go to bed,—you sit up still: why not Mee-Mee sit up too?

Tiki.Oh, well, I’ve got something to do.

Mee.Plaps you not de only person got something to do.... You not want me: plaps me want meself. [Music passes.Mee-Meemoves to it.] Oh, de music!... Say, s’all I sing to you?

Tiki.[Indifferently.] Oh,—yes—if you like.

Mee.H’m ... yes. You like me to tell you all about meself?

Tiki.[Absent-mindedly.] Yes, ... oh yes ... that ought to be ... quite ... amusing.

Mee.Music, stop all dat noise!... Dey stop.... Ah, now ... ah, now!

[She sings.

Mee-Mee orphan from far-off lan’:Mee-Mee’s fader was gleat big man!—So big—so! He long agoDie:—leave me not know where to go!Heigho!—so—

Mee-Mee orphan from far-off lan’:

Mee-Mee’s fader was gleat big man!—

So big—so! He long ago

Die:—leave me not know where to go!

Heigho!—so—

[Music breaks in.

Give me chance, me laugh, me sing,—See now, ah?—Ting-a-ting—Ting-a-ting![Speaks.] Say! Isn’ dat pletty:—what?[Sings.] Mee-Mee wise: wise mo’n you!Got two eyes,—mos’ good as new—See dere, eh? Lef’, right;—say,What colour in dem dey got to-day?How you hope?—s’all dey ope, s’all dey wink?You not care, eh? You no’ t’ink?[Speaks.] Say! Isn’ dat pletty:—what?[Sings.] Got no moder,—never had none—Got no broder, an’ don’ want one!No little sis’—nobody to kiss,—Nobody to miss me—nobody to miss:—Heigho!—so—Nowhere else to go!See—dat jus’ de way dat I come here,—Seven year ago—a long seven year!Oh dear![Speaks.] Say! Isn’ dat pletty:—what?

Give me chance, me laugh, me sing,—See now, ah?—Ting-a-ting—Ting-a-ting![Speaks.] Say! Isn’ dat pletty:—what?

Give me chance, me laugh, me sing,—

See now, ah?—Ting-a-ting—Ting-a-ting!

[Speaks.] Say! Isn’ dat pletty:—what?

[Sings.] Mee-Mee wise: wise mo’n you!Got two eyes,—mos’ good as new—See dere, eh? Lef’, right;—say,What colour in dem dey got to-day?How you hope?—s’all dey ope, s’all dey wink?You not care, eh? You no’ t’ink?[Speaks.] Say! Isn’ dat pletty:—what?

[Sings.] Mee-Mee wise: wise mo’n you!

Got two eyes,—mos’ good as new—

See dere, eh? Lef’, right;—say,

What colour in dem dey got to-day?

How you hope?—s’all dey ope, s’all dey wink?

You not care, eh? You no’ t’ink?

[Speaks.] Say! Isn’ dat pletty:—what?

[Sings.] Got no moder,—never had none—Got no broder, an’ don’ want one!No little sis’—nobody to kiss,—Nobody to miss me—nobody to miss:—Heigho!—so—Nowhere else to go!See—dat jus’ de way dat I come here,—Seven year ago—a long seven year!Oh dear![Speaks.] Say! Isn’ dat pletty:—what?

[Sings.] Got no moder,—never had none—

Got no broder, an’ don’ want one!

No little sis’—nobody to kiss,—

Nobody to miss me—nobody to miss:—

Heigho!—so—

Nowhere else to go!

See—dat jus’ de way dat I come here,—

Seven year ago—a long seven year!

Oh dear!

[Speaks.] Say! Isn’ dat pletty:—what?

Tiki.Oh! how canItell, Mee-Mee! I haven’t got eyes in the back of my head. Can’t you see I’m busy?

Mee.Dat what all de wicked people say!—Dey say dey’m busy:—dey mean deydon’ care!... You don’ care.... Don’ t’ink Mee-Mee care,—neither.... Sure not!... [Goes and looks maliciously over his shoulder.] You got dat drawn—all wrong!

[Turns away.

Tiki.Where, Mee-Mee? Tell me!

Mee.[Laughing to herself.] Don’ know. She got no eyes in de back ofherhead!

Tiki.But show me, Mee-Mee, show me!

Mee.Ugh! [Relenting and turning to sweet flattery.] Ah!say, isn’ dat pletty—what?

Tiki.Pretty!Mee-Mee, don’t you ever dare to call anything thatIpaint pretty! It’s only quite silly things that are pretty:—coloured toys, and wax dolls, and paper kites, and fat babies, so long as they don’t cry,—and foolish little girls who sit and chatter, but know nothing about Art!... Oh! they are all as pretty as you like ... but they are all littler than the littlest thingIever mean to do ... so there!

Mee.M’m? ... say dat?... Den you know not’ing, not’ing! You not never be big till you been little first—littler dan me—littler dan de littlest baby dat ever cly fo’ its mammy to come! Yes! ‘Foolish chattling little gels what don’ know not’ing ’bout Art’—dey’s bigger inside dan you know! Dey’s bigger pains—dey’s bigger hearts—dey’s bigger upside-down inside-out altogedder dan anyt’ingyouknow ’bout. So dere! What you bin done drawn dere have got no eyes in de back of its head,—dat’s what de matter wid dat! It’s toobusy’bout itself!... So’s Mee-Mee,—toobusy.... Me goin’ now.... Goo’-night!

[Exit.

Tiki.She’s right! She’s right! That chattering little idiot is right!... Yes, it’s too busy! It’s all too flat, too tight! O Wiowani, if onlyI had you, here at my hand, to teach me what to do!

[Sighs.

[Procession passes, with lights, music, song—‘China’s burning, etc.,’and the multitudinous babble of a festive crowd. The popping of fireworks is heard, sticks are rattled along the wall.Tikipupaints on, absorbed in his art. The crowd and its noises trickle away.

Tiki.

Oh, I’m no good, Wiowani! I’m no good!Just now I thought that no one understoodSo well as I.... But this—it’s all too flat!Too tight, too stuffy!How did you do that?That isn’t paint—that’s—oh! how is it done?It’s sunlight,—I mean moonlight,—no—no—sun—

Oh, I’m no good, Wiowani! I’m no good!

Just now I thought that no one understood

So well as I.... But this—it’s all too flat!

Too tight, too stuffy!

How did you do that?

That isn’t paint—that’s—oh! how is it done?

It’s sunlight,—I mean moonlight,—no—no—sun—

[He pauses bewildered.

Wiowani, is it moonlight or sunlight? Oh!How am I to paint it if I do not know?Ah, how you beat me! How can I recallThe beauty and the mystery of it all!

Wiowani, is it moonlight or sunlight? Oh!

How am I to paint it if I do not know?

Ah, how you beat me! How can I recall

The beauty and the mystery of it all!

[He goes and examines the picture.

Oh! isthatit? Yes, yes, I see! How strange!Is it the painting, or my eyes, that change?Or is it that Divinity dwells here,And in my darkness makes a light shine clear?

Oh! isthatit? Yes, yes, I see! How strange!

Is it the painting, or my eyes, that change?

Or is it that Divinity dwells here,

And in my darkness makes a light shine clear?

[The shadow ofOlangtsipasses without.

O Wiowani, Wisdom born of old,Soon shall I learn thy way!Thy light shall guide me, and thy hand shall hold;

O Wiowani, Wisdom born of old,

Soon shall I learn thy way!

Thy light shall guide me, and thy hand shall hold;

[Olangtsislides open the door.

And some day men shall point to me and say,

EnterOlangtsi.

‘There goes the little painter, in whose brainGreat Wiowani brought to life againThe art of ancient days!’So shall they speak in Wiowani’s praisePhile praising me!O Wiowani, say! When shall it be?

‘There goes the little painter, in whose brain

Great Wiowani brought to life again

The art of ancient days!’

So shall they speak in Wiowani’s praise

Phile praising me!

O Wiowani, say! When shall it be?

[Olangtsicreeps forward and peers overTikipu’sshoulder. At sight of the drawing he gives a start of astonishment and utters a cry of rage.

Olang.Oh!!!

[Tikipujerks up his hands, drops his brush, and turns to find himself discovered; he attempts to conceal his drawing by reversing it upon his knees.[OlangtsitakesTikipuby the scruff and shakes him.Tikipulets go the drawing.

Olang.

So, little thief, at last you have been caught!What thief—what great thief in the night has taughtYou tosteal—like this?

So, little thief, at last you have been caught!

What thief—what great thief in the night has taught

You tosteal—like this?

Tiki.

Master, I have not stolen, that is not true!

Olang.

Not stolen? Oho! so this belongs to you?Whose is that paint? whose candles do you burn?First you steal these;—and then, with these in turn,You come by stealth and rob me of my Art!

Not stolen? Oho! so this belongs to you?

Whose is that paint? whose candles do you burn?

First you steal these;—and then, with these in turn,

You come by stealth and rob me of my Art!

Tiki.

How do I rob you, when I take no partOf what is yours? Indeed, I have no skill!This counts for nothing; but some day it will—Perhaps,—when I have learned!

How do I rob you, when I take no part

Of what is yours? Indeed, I have no skill!

This counts for nothing; but some day it will—

Perhaps,—when I have learned!

Olang.

You learn! How dare you sayThat you will learn? How have you found the wayTo learn at all? Tell me that! Tell me that!

You learn! How dare you say

That you will learn? How have you found the way

To learn at all? Tell me that! Tell me that!

Tiki.

Oh, it is nothing to be angry at!I only listened, Master, while you taughtOthers the way; and while you spoke you broughtNew wisdom to my brain, and gave my handThe craftsman’s cunning,—for you understandThe meanings of the mystery they spurn,—And, as I listened, I could not choose but learn!

Oh, it is nothing to be angry at!

I only listened, Master, while you taught

Others the way; and while you spoke you brought

New wisdom to my brain, and gave my hand

The craftsman’s cunning,—for you understand

The meanings of the mystery they spurn,—

And, as I listened, I could not choose but learn!

Olang.

What right had you to listen? What right, I say,To profit thus while others had to pay?Yours is a hireling’s place: you were brought hereTo rub, scrub, and run errands! And you dareCome prying into the privacies of Art,—The Art of Wiowani—which stands apartSacred and secret, its traditions knownAnd practised by my family alone?You play the spy! You come by night: you spoilMy paper, take my tools, and burn my oil—Stealing my Book of Beauty leaf by leaf;And yet you dare to say you are no thief!

What right had you to listen? What right, I say,

To profit thus while others had to pay?

Yours is a hireling’s place: you were brought here

To rub, scrub, and run errands! And you dare

Come prying into the privacies of Art,—

The Art of Wiowani—which stands apart

Sacred and secret, its traditions known

And practised by my family alone?

You play the spy! You come by night: you spoil

My paper, take my tools, and burn my oil—

Stealing my Book of Beauty leaf by leaf;

And yet you dare to say you are no thief!

Tiki.

As a starving man reaches his hand for bread,So in my darkness I reached out for these!Master, the hunger was too strong,—the dreadOf Beauty drove me! For her fierce decreesMan must obey, albeit to his own doom!Her law brings bondage: where her feet find roomHer hand holds sway: she tears, that it may bleed,The heart which follows her, and every needOf man’s frail flesh she takes and turns to scorn!Who worships her, by him is sackcloth worn;And on his head she sets no crown of joy,But ashes only—symbol to be borne,If you betray her, how she will—destroy!

As a starving man reaches his hand for bread,

So in my darkness I reached out for these!

Master, the hunger was too strong,—the dread

Of Beauty drove me! For her fierce decrees

Man must obey, albeit to his own doom!

Her law brings bondage: where her feet find room

Her hand holds sway: she tears, that it may bleed,

The heart which follows her, and every need

Of man’s frail flesh she takes and turns to scorn!

Who worships her, by him is sackcloth worn;

And on his head she sets no crown of joy,

But ashes only—symbol to be borne,

If you betray her, how she will—destroy!

Olang.

Tiki, you know that I have always been—Been a kind master to you....

Tiki, you know that I have always been—

Been a kind master to you....

Tiki.[Doubtfully.]

Oh, ye-es!

Olang.

I mean,I have never beaten you, Tiki,—not enoughTo hurt; I have not starved you, or been roughTo you.... Have I, Tiki? No. My mind was bentKindly toward you. I had always meantTo help you....

I mean,

I have never beaten you, Tiki,—not enough

To hurt; I have not starved you, or been rough

To you.... Have I, Tiki? No. My mind was bent

Kindly toward you. I had always meant

To help you....

Tiki.

Help me?

Olang.

Why were you not contentTo wait?

Why were you not content

To wait?

Tiki.

To help me? Oh, if that were true,Master, why, there is nothing I’d not doIn bondage for your sake! Yes, you may takeAll that I have—all I can ever earn,Of fame or fortune,—so you’ll let me learnTo be a painter! And you need not giveMe anything—just the bare means to live:Enough to keepBody and soul together! I want no sleep,No warmth, no comfort of any kind, no partIn anything except the joy of art—Of art!

To help me? Oh, if that were true,

Master, why, there is nothing I’d not do

In bondage for your sake! Yes, you may take

All that I have—all I can ever earn,

Of fame or fortune,—so you’ll let me learn

To be a painter! And you need not give

Me anything—just the bare means to live:

Enough to keep

Body and soul together! I want no sleep,

No warmth, no comfort of any kind, no part

In anything except the joy of art—

Of art!

Olang.

Listen to me! Why do you interruptWhile I am speaking? I was saying—yes, yes,That I had always intended, more or less,When you had served your time here and been paid,To help you to some business or tradeSuited to your capacities and your class.Now for this once I am willing to let passThe gross deception of your conduct here—And as your mind is evidently not clearAbout the future, I am prepared, I say,To give you, without any more delay,The means of making—if you wish—a startUpon your own account, which for my partI think will—suit you. [He takes out certificate.This, this, as you see,Is the certificate of groceryWhich my own son—who, as you know, desiresTo be a painter—now no more requires.With this you can be a grocer—on conditionThat you do not presume in that positionTo practise, meddle, or take any partNefariously in processes of artWhich you don’t understand—and never will.You will find there a space where you can fillYour name in.... There!... I call that,—do not you?—

Listen to me! Why do you interrupt

While I am speaking? I was saying—yes, yes,

That I had always intended, more or less,

When you had served your time here and been paid,

To help you to some business or trade

Suited to your capacities and your class.

Now for this once I am willing to let pass

The gross deception of your conduct here—

And as your mind is evidently not clear

About the future, I am prepared, I say,

To give you, without any more delay,

The means of making—if you wish—a start

Upon your own account, which for my part

I think will—suit you. [He takes out certificate.

This, this, as you see,

Is the certificate of grocery

Which my own son—who, as you know, desires

To be a painter—now no more requires.

With this you can be a grocer—on condition

That you do not presume in that position

To practise, meddle, or take any part

Nefariously in processes of art

Which you don’t understand—and never will.

You will find there a space where you can fill

Your name in.... There!... I call that,—do not you?—

[He hangs certificate roundTikipu’sneck.

A very handsome offer, Tikipu....What do you say?

A very handsome offer, Tikipu....

What do you say?

Tiki.

Back to Index Next