ACT III

The same day. Late afternoon. The same scene as Act II.RavensbaneandDickondiscovered at table, on whichare lying two flails. Ravensbane is dressed in a costumewhich, composed of silk and jewels, subtly approximatesin design to that of his original grosser composition.So artfully, however, is this contrived that, to oneignorant of his origin, his dress would appear to be merelyan odd personal whimsy; whereas, to one initiated,it would stamp him grotesquely as the apotheosisof scarecrows.Dickon is sitting in a pedagogical attitude; Ravensbanestands near him, making a profound bow in the oppositedirection.RAVENSBANEBelieve me, ladies, with the true sincerity of the heart.DICKONInflection a little more lachrymose, please: “Thetruesincerity of theheart.”RAVENSBANEBelieve me, ladies, with thetruesincerity of theheart.DICKONPrettily, prettily! Next!RAVENSBANE[Changing his mien, as if addressing another person.]Verily, sir, as that prince of poets, the immortal Virgil, has remarked:“Adeo in teneris consuescere multum est.”DICKONHm! Act up to the sentiment.RAVENSBANEVerily, sir, as that prince—DICKONNo, no;basta! The next.RAVENSBANE[With another change to courtly manner.]Trust me, your Excellency, I will inform his Majestyof your courtesy.DICKONHis Majesty more emphatic. Remember! You must impress all ofthe guests this afternoon.RAVENSBANEHis Majestyof your courtesy.DICKONDelicious! O thou exquisite flower of love! How thy natalcomposites have burst in bloom: The pumpkin in thee to agolden collarette; thy mop of crow’s wings to these ravenlocks; thy broomstick to a lordly limp; thy corn-silk to thesepale-tinted tassels. Verily in the gallery of scarecrows, thouart the Apollo Belvedere! But continue, Cobby dear: the retortnow to the challenge.RAVENSBANE[With a superb air.]The second, I believe.DICKONQuite so, my lord.RAVENSBANESir! The local person whom you represent has done himselfthe honour of submitting to me a challenge to mortal combat.Sir! Since the remotest times of my feudal ancestors, in suchaffairs of honour, choice of weapons has ever been theprerogative of the challenged. Sir! This right of etiquettemust be observed. Nevertheless, believe me, I have no selfishdesire that my superior attainments in this art should assumeadvantage over my challenger’s ignorance. I have, therefore,chosen those combative utensils most appropriate both to hisown humble origin and to local tradition. Permit me, sir, toreveal my choice.[Pointing grandly to the table.]There are my weaponsDICKON[Clapping his hands.]My darlinghomunculus! Thou shouldst have acted inBeaumont and Fletcher!RAVENSBANEThere are my weapons!DICKONI could watch thy histrionics till midnight. But thou arttired, poor Jacky; two hours’ rehearsal is fatiguing to yourlordship.RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel—I may see her now?DICKONRomeo! Romeo! Was ever such an amorous puppet show!RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel!DICKONWait; let me think! Thou art wound up now, my prettyapparatus, for at least six and thirty hours. The wooden angelGabriel that trumpets the hours on the big clock in Venice isnot a more punctual manikin than thou with my speeches. Thoushouldst run, therefore,—RAVENSBANE[Frowning darkly at Dickon.]Stop talking; permit me! A tutor should know his place.DICKON[Rubbing his hands.]Nay, your lordship is beyond comparison.RAVENSBANE[In a terrible voice.]She will come? I shall see her?[EnterMicah.]MICAHPardon, my lord.RAVENSBANE[Turning joyfully to Micah.]Is it she?MICAHCaptain Bugby, my lord, the Governor’s secretary.DICKONGood. Squire Talbot’s second. Show him in.RAVENSBANE[Flinging despairingly into a chair.]Ah! ahMICAH[Lifting the flails from the table.]Beg pardon, sir; shall I remove—DICKONDrop them; go.MICAHBut, sir—DICKONGo, thou slave![Exit Micah.]RAVENSBANE[In childlike despair.]She will not come! I shall not see her!DICKON[Handing him a book.]Here, my lord; read. You must be found reading.RAVENSBANE[Flinging the book into the fireplace.]She does not come!DICKONFie, fie, Jack; thou must not be breaking thy Dickon’sapron-strings with a will of thine own. Come!RAVENSBANEMistress RachelDICKONBe good, boy, and thou shalt see her soon.RAVENSBANE[Brightening.]I shall see her?[EnterCaptain Bugby.]DICKONYour lordship was saying—Oh! Captain Bugby?CAPTAIN BUGBY[Nervous and awed.]Captain Bugby, sir, ah! at Lord Ravensbane’s service—ah!DICKONI am Master Dickonson, his lordship’s tutor.CAPTAIN BUGBYHappy, sir.DICKON[To Ravensbane.]My lord, this gentleman waits upon you from Squire Talbot.[To Captain Bugby.]In regard to the challenge of this morning, I presume?CAPTAIN BUGBYThe affair, ah! the affair of this morning, sir.RAVENSBANE[With his former superb air—to Captain Bugby.]The second, I believe?CAPTAIN BUGBYQuite so, my lord.RAVENSBANESir! the local person whom you represent has done himselfthe honour of submitting to me a challenge to mortal combat.Sir! Since the remotest times of my feudal ancestors, in suchaffairs of honour, choice of weapons has ever been theprerogative of the challenged. Sir! this right of etiquettemust be observed.CAPTAIN BUGBYIndeed, yes, my lord.DICKONPray do not interrupt.[To Ravensbane.]Your lordship: “observed.”RAVENSBANE—observed. Nevertheless, believe me, I have no selfish desirethat my superior attainments in this art should assumeadvantage over my challenger’s ignorance. I have, therefore,chosen those combative utensils most appropriate both to hisown humble origin and to local tradition. Permit me, sir, toreveal my choice.[Pointing to the table.]There are my weapons!CAPTAIN BUGBY[Looking, bewildered.]These, my lord?RAVENSBANEThose.CAPTAIN BUGBYBut these are—are flails.RAVENSBANEFlails.CAPTAIN BUGBYFlails, my lord?RAVENSBANEThere are my weapons.CAPTAIN BUGBYLord Ravensbane—I—ah! express myself ill—Do I understandthat your lordship and Squire Talbot—RAVENSBANEExactly.CAPTAIN BUGBYBut your lordship—flails!RAVENSBANEMy adversary should be deft in their use. He has doubtlesswielded them frequently on his barn floor.CAPTAIN BUGBYAhaha! I understand now. Your lordship—ah! is a wit. Haha!Flails!DICKONHis lordship’s satire is poignant.CAPTAIN BUGBYIndeed, sir, so keen that I must apologize for laughing atmy principal’s expense.[Soberly to Ravensbane.]My lord, if you will deign to speak one moment seriously—RAVENSBANESeriously?CAPTAIN BUGBYI will take pleasure in informing Squire Talbot—ah! as toyourrealpreference for—RAVENSBANEFor flails, sir. I have, permit me, nothing further to say.Flails are final.[Turns away haughtily.]CAPTAIN BUGBYMust I really report to Squire Talbot—ah!—flails?DICKONLord Ravensbane’s will is inflexible.CAPTAIN BUGBYAnd his wit, sir, incomparable. I am sorry for the Squire,but ’twill be the greatest joke in years. Ah! will you tellme—is it—[Indicating Ravensbane’s smoking.]is it the latest fashion?DICKONLord Ravensbane is always the latest.CAPTAIN BUGBYObliged servant, sir. Aha! Such a joke as—O lord! flails![Exit.]DICKON[Returning to Ravensbane.]Bravo, my pumpky dear! That squelches the jealous betrothed.Now nothing remains but for you to continue to dazzle theenamoured Rachel, and so present yourself to the Justice as apseudo-son-nephew-in-law.RAVENSBANEI may go to Mistress Rachel?DICKONShe will come to you. She is reading now a poem from you,which I left on her dressing-table.RAVENSBANEShe is reading a poem from me?DICKONWith your pardon, my lord, I penned it for you. I amsomething of a poetaster. Indeed, I flatter myself that I havedictated some of the finest lines in literature.RAVENSBANEDickon! She will come?DICKONShe comes![EnterRachel,reading from a piece of paper.]Hush! Step aside; step aside first. Let her read it.[Dickon draws Ravensbane back.]RACHELOnce more,[Reads.]“To Mistress R——, enchantress:If faith in witchcraft be a sin,Alas! what peril he is inWho plights his faith and love in thee,Sweetest maid of sorcery.If witchcraft be a whirling brain,A roving eye, a heart of pain,Whose wound no thread of fate can stitch,How hast thou conjured, cruel witch,With the brain, eye, heart, and total mortalresidue of thine enamouredJack Lanthorne,[Lord R——.”]DICKONNow to leave the turtles alone.[Exit.]RACHEL“To Mistress R——, enchantress:If faith in witchcraft be—”“To Mistress R——.” R! Itmustbe. R—— must mean—RAVENSBANE[With passionate deference.]Rachel!RACHELAh! How you surprised me, my lord.RAVENSBANEYou are come again; you are come again.RACHELHas anything happened? Tell me, my lord. Has Squire Talbot been here?RAVENSBANENo, Mistress Rachel; not here.RACHELAnd you have not—Oh, my lord, I have been in such terror.But you are safe.—You have not fought?RAVENSBANENo, Mistress Rachel; not fought.RACHELThank God for that! But you will promise me—promise me thatthere shall be—no—duel!RAVENSBANEI promise Mistress Rachel there shall be no duel.RACHELYour lordship is so good. You do not know how gratefullyhappy I am.RAVENSBANEI know I am only a thing to make Mistress Rachel happy. Ah!look at me once more. When you look at me, I live.RACHELIt is strange indeed, my lord, how the familiar world, thedaylight the heavens themselves have changed since yourarrival.RAVENSBANEThis is the world; this is the light; this is the heavensthemselves. Mistress Rachel is looking at me.RACHELFor me, it is less strange perhaps. I never saw a real lordbefore. But you, my lord, must have seen so many, many girlsin the great world.RAVENSBANENo, no; never.RACHELNo other girls before to-day, my lord!RAVENSBANEBefore to-day? I do not know; I do not care. I was not here.To-day I was born—in your eyes. Ah! my brain whirls!RACHEL[Smiling.]“If witchcraft be a whirling brain,A roving eye, a heart of pain,—”[In a whisper.]My lord, do you really believe in witchcraft?RAVENSBANEWith all my heart.RACHELAnd approve of it?RAVENSBANEWith all my soul.RACHELSo do I—that is, innocent witchcraft; not to harm anybody,you know, but just to feel all the dark mystery and thetrembling excitement—the way you feel when you blow out yourcandle all alone in your bedroom and watch the little smokefade away in the moonshine.RAVENSBANEFade away in the moonshine!RACHELOh, but we mustn’t speak of it. In a town like this, allsuch mysticism is considered damnable. But your lordshipunderstands and approves? I am so glad! Have you read the“Philosophical Considerations” of Glanville, the“Saducismus Triumphatus,” and the “Presignificationsof Dreams”? What kind of witchcraft, my lord, do you believe in?RAVENSBANEIn all yours.RACHELNay, your lordship must not take me for a real witch. I canonly tell fortunes, you know—like this morning.RAVENSBANEI know; you told how my heart would break.RACHELOh, that’s palmistry, and that isn’t always certain. But thesurest way to prophesy—do you know what it is?RAVENSBANETell me.RACHELTo count the crows. Do you know how? One for sorrow—RAVENSBANEHa, yes!—Two for mirth!RACHELThree for a wedding—RAVENSBANEFour for a birth—RACHELAnd five for the happiest thing on earth!RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel, come! Let us go and count five crows.RACHEL[Delightedly.]Why, my lord, how didyouever learn it? I got itfrom an old goody here in town—a real witch-wife. If you willpromise not to tell a secret, I will show you.—But you mustpromise!RAVENSBANEI promise.RACHELCome, then. I will show you a real piece of witchcraft thatI bought from her this morning—the glass of truth. There!Behind that curtain. If you look in, you will see—But come;I will show you.[They put their hands on the cords of the curtain.]Just pull that string, and—ah!DICKON[Stepping out through the curtain.]Your pipe, my lord?RACHELMaster Dickonson, how you frightened me!DICKONSo excessively sorry! I was observing the portrait of youruncle. I believe you were showing his lordship—RACHEL[Turning hurriedly away.]Oh, nothing; nothing at all.RAVENSBANE[Sternly to Dickon.]Why do you come?DICKON[Handing back Ravensbane’s pipe filled.]Allow me.[Aside.]’Tis high time you came to the point, Jack; ’tis near yourlordship’s reception. Woo and win, boy; woo and win.RAVENSBANE[Haughtily.]Leave me.DICKONYour lordship’s humble, very humble.[Exit.]RACHEL[Shivering.]Oh! he is gone. My dear lord, why do you keep this man?RAVENSBANEI—keep this man?RACHELI cannot—pardon my rudeness—I cannot endure him.RAVENSBANEYou do not like him? Ah, then, I do not like him also. Wewill send him away—you and I.RACHELYou, my lord, of course; but I—RAVENSBANEYou will be Dickon! You will be with me always and light mypipe. And I will live for you, and fight for you, and killyour betrothed.RACHEL[Drawing away.]No, no!RAVENSBANEAh! but your eyes say “yes.” Mistress Rachel leaves me; butRachel in her eyes remains. Is it not so?RACHELWhat can I say, my lord! It is true that since my eyes metyours, a new passion has entered into my soul. I havefelt—your lordship will laugh at me—I have felt aninexpressible longing—but ’tis so impertinent, my lord, soabsurd in me, a mere girl, and you a nobleman of power—yet Ihave felt it irresistibly, my dear lord,—a longing to helpyou. I am so sorry for you—so sorry for you! I pity youdeeply.—Forgive me; forgive me, my lord!RAVENSBANEIt is enough.RACHELIndeed, indeed, ’tis so rude of me,—’tis so unreasonable.RAVENSBANEIt is enough. I grow—I grow—I grow! I am a plant; you giveit rain and sun. I am a flower; you give it light and dew; Iam a soul, you give it love and speech. I grow. Towardsyou—towards you I grow!RACHELMy lord, I do not understand it, how so poor and mere a girlas I can have helped you. Yet I do believe it is so; for Ifeel it so. What can I do for you?RAVENSBANEDo not leave me. Be mine. Let me be yours.RACHELAh! but, my lord—do I love you?RAVENSBANEWhat is “I love you”? Is it a kiss, a sigh, an embrace? Ah!then, you do not love me.—“I love you”: is it to nourish, tonestle, to lift up, to smile upon, to make greater—a worm?Ah! then, you love me.[EnterRichardat left back, unobserved.]RACHELDo not speak so of yourself, my lord; nor exalt me so falsely.RAVENSBANEBe mine.RACHELA great glory has descended upon this day.RAVENSBANEBe mine.RACHELCould I but be sure that this glory is love—Oh,then![Turns toward Ravensbane.]RICHARD[Stepping between them.]It isnotlove; it is witchcraft.RACHELWho are you?—Richard?RICHARDYou have indeed forgotten me? Would to God, Rachel, I couldforget you.RAVENSBANESir, permit me—RICHARDSilence![To Rachel.]Against my will, I am a convert to your own mysticism; fornothing less than damnable illusion could so instantly weanyour heart from me to—this. I do not pretend to understandit; but that it is witchcraft I am convinced; and I will saveyou from it.RACHELGo; please go.RAVENSBANEPermit me, sir; you have not replied yet to flails!RICHARDPermitme, sir.[Taking something from his coat.]My answer is—bare cob![Holding out a shelled corn-cob.]Thresh this, sir, for your antagonist. ’Tis the only oneworthy your lordship.[Tosses it contemptuously towards him.]RAVENSBANEUpon my honour, as a man—RICHARDAs amanforsooth! Were you indeed a man, LordRavensbane, I would have accepted your weapons, and flailedyou out of New England. But it is not my custom to chastiserunagates from asylums, or to banter further words with anatural and a ninny.RACHELSquire Talbot! Will you leave my uncle’s house?RAVENSBANEOne moment, mistress:—I did not wholly catch the import ofthis gentleman’s speech, but I fancy I have insulted him by myreply to his challenge. One insult may perhaps be remedied byanother. Sir, permit me to call you a ninny, and to offeryou—[Drawing his sword and offering it.]swords.RICHARDThanks; I reject the offer.RAVENSBANE[Turning away despondently.]He rejects it. Well!RACHEL[To Richard.]Andnowwill you leave?RICHARDAt once. But one word more. Rachel—Rachel, have youforgotten this morning and the glass of truth?RACHEL[Coldly.]No.RICHARDCall it a fancy now if you will. I scoffed at it; yes. Yetyoubelieved it. I loved you truly, you said. Well,have I changed?RACHELYes.RICHARDWill you test me again—in the glass?RACHELNo. Go; leave us.RICHARDI will go. I have still a word with your aunt.RAVENSBANE[To Richard.]I beg your pardon, sir. You said just now that had I been aman—RICHARDI say, Lord Ravensbane, that the straight fibre of a trueman never warps the love of a woman. As for yourself, you havemy contempt and pity. Pray to God, sir, pray to God to makeyou a man.[Exit, right.]RACHELOh! it is intolerable![To Ravensbane.]My dear lord, I do believe in my heart that I love you, andif so, I will with gratitude be your wife. But, my lord,strange glamours, strange darknesses reel, and bewilder mymind. I must be alone; I must think and decide. Will you giveme this tassel?RAVENSBANE[Unfastening a silk tassel from his coat and giving it to her.]Oh, take it.RACHELIf I decide that I love you, that I will be your wife—Iwill wear it this afternoon at the reception. Good-by.[Exit, right.]RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel!—[Solus.]God, are you here? Dear God,I pray to you—make me to be a man![Exit, left.]DICKON[Appearing in the centre of the room.]Poor Jacky! Thou shouldst ’a’ prayed to t’other one.[He disappears. Enter, right,RichardandMistress Merton.]MISTRESS MERTON[Pointing to the wall.]That is the portrait.RICHARDIndeed! The design is very like.MISTRESS MERTON’Tis more than like, Richard; ’tis the very same. Two andtwenty years ago she embroidered it for him, and he wouldinsist on wearing it for the portrait he was then sitting for.RICHARDThat same Goody Rickby!MISTRESS MERTONA pretty girl!—and a wild young man was my brother. Thetruth comes hard to tell thee, Richard; but he was wild,Gilead was wild. He told me the babe had died. But God workethHis own righteousness. Only—he must be saved now; Rachel mustbe saved; we must all be saved.RICHARDYou feel sure—very sure, Mistress Merton?MISTRESS MERTONYea, that waistcoat; ’tis the very one, I know it too well.And you see it accounts for all,—this silly impostor lord; mybrother’s strange patronage of him; the blackmail of thisMaster Dickonson—RICHARDBut who ishe?MISTRESS MERTONNay, heaven knows! Some old crony perchance of Gilead’syouth; some confederate of this woman Rickby.RICHARDO God!—And Rachel sacrificed to these impostors; to anillegitimate—your brother would allow it!MISTRESS MERTONAh! but think of his own reputation, Richard. He ajustice—the family honour!RICHARD’Tis enough. Well, and I must see this Goody Rickby, youthink?MISTRESS MERTONAt once—at once. My brother has invited guests for thisafternoon to meet “his lordship”! Return, if possible, beforethey come. She dwells at the blacksmith shop—you must buy heroff. Oh, gold will buy her; ’tis the gold they’re after—allof them; have her recall both these persons.[Giving a purse.]Take her that, Richard, and promise her more.RICHARD[Proudly.]Keep it, Mistress Merton. I have enough gold, methinks, formy future wife’s honour; or if not, I will earn it.[Exit.]MISTRESS MERTONRichard! Ah, the dear lad, he should have taken it.[EnterMicah.]MICAHThe minister and his wife have turned into the gate, madam.MISTRESS MERTONThe guests! Is it so late?MICAHFour o’clock, madam.[Going to the table.]Shall I remove these?MISTRESS MERTONFlails! Flails in the parlour? Of course, remove them.MICAH[At the door.]Madam, in all my past years of service at Merton House, Inever waited upon a lord till to-day. Madam, in all my futureyears of service at Merton House, I trust I may never waitupon a lord again.MISTRESS MERTONMicah, mind the knocker.MICAHYes, madam.[Exit at left back. Sounds of a brass knocker outside.]MISTRESS MERTONRachel! Rachel![Exit, right. Enter, left,Justice MertonandDickon.]JUSTICE MERTONSo you are contented with nothing less than the sacrifice ofmy niece?DICKONSuch a delightful room!JUSTICE MERTONAre you merciless?DICKONAnd such a living portrait of your worship! The waistcoat isso beautifully executed.JUSTICE MERTONIf I pay him ten thousand pounds—[EnterMicah.]MICAHMinister Dodge, your worship; and Mistress Dodge.[Exit. Enter theMinisterand hisWife.]JUSTICE MERTON[Stepping forward to receive them.]Believe me, this is a great privilege.—Madam![Bowing.]MINISTER DODGE[Taking his hand.]The privilege is ours, Justice; to enter a righteous man’shouse is to stand, as it were, on God’s threshold.JUSTICE MERTON[Nervously.]Amen, amen. Permit me—ah! Lord Ravensbane, my young guestof honour, will be here directly—permit me to present hislordship’s tutor, Master Dickonson; The Reverend Master Dodge,Mistress Dodge.MINISTER DODGE[Offering his hand.]Master Dickonson, sir—DICKON[Barely touching the minister’s fingers,bows charmingly to his wife.]Madam, of all professions in the world, your husband’s mostallures me.MISTRESS DODGE’Tis a worthy one, sir.DICKONAh! Mistress Dodge, and so arduous—especially for aminister’s wife.[He leads her to a chair.]MISTRESS DODGE[Accepting the chair.]Thank you.MINISTER DODGELord Ravensbane comes from abroad?JUSTICE MERTONFrom London.MINISTER DODGEAn old friend of yours, I understand.JUSTICE MERTONFrom London, yes. Did I say from London? Quite so; fromLondon.[EnterMicah.]MICAHCaptain Bugby, the Governor’s secretary.[Exit. EnterCaptain Bugby.He walks with aslight lameness, and holds daintily in his hand apipe, from which he puffs with dandy deliberation.]CAPTAIN BUGBYJustice Merton, your very humble servant.JUSTICE MERTONBelieve me, Captain Bugby.CAPTAIN BUGBY[Profusely.]Ah, Master Dickonson! my dear friend Master Dickonson—thisis indeed—ah! How is his lordship since—aha! but discretion!Mistress Dodge—her servant! Ah! yes,[Indicating his pipe with a smile of satisfaction.]the latest, I assure you; the very latest from London. AskMaster Dickonson.MINISTER DODGE[Looking at Captain Bugby.]These will hatch out in the springtime.CAPTAIN BUGBY[Confidentially to Dickon.]But really, my good friend, may not I venture to inquire howhis lordship—ah! has been in health since the—ah! since—DICKON[Impressively.]Oh! quite, quite![EnterMistress Merton;she joins Justice Mertonand Minister Dodge.]CAPTAIN BUGBYYou know, I informed Squire Talbot of his lordship’sepigrammatic retort—his retort of—shh! ha haha! Oh, thatreply was a stiletto; ’twas sharper than a sword-thrust, Iassure you. To have conceived it—’twas inspiration; but tohave expressed it—oh! ’twas genius. Hush! “Flails!” Oh! Itsticks me now in the ribs. I shall die with concealing it.MINISTER DODGE[To Mistress Merton.]’Tis true, mistress; but if there were more like yourbrother in the parish, the conscience of the community wouldbe clearer.[EnterMicah.]MICAHThe Reverend Master Rand of Harvard College;the Reverend Master Todd of Harvard College.[Exit. Enter two elderly, straight-backed divines.]JUSTICE MERTON[Greeting them.]Permit me, gentlemen; this is fortunate—before your returnto Cambridge.[He conducts them to Mistress Merton and Minister Dodge,centre. Seated left, Dickon is ingratiating himselfwith Mistress Dodge; Captain Bugby, laughed at by bothparties, is received by neither.]CAPTAIN BUGBY[Puffing smoke toward the ceiling.]Really, I cannot understand what keeps his Excellency, theLieutenant Governor, so long. He has two such charmingdaughters, Master Dickonson—DICKON[To Mistress Dodge.]Yes, yes; such suspicious women with their charms are aninsult to the virtuous ladies of the parish.CAPTAIN BUGBYHow, sir!MISTRESS DODGEAnd to think that she should actually shoe horses herself!DICKONIt is too hard, dear Mistress Dodge; too hard!MISTRESS DODGEYou are so appreciative, Master Dickonson.CAPTAIN BUGBY[Piqued, walks another way.]Well!REV. MASTER RAND[To Justice Merton.]It would not be countenanced in the college yard, sir.REV. MASTER TODDA pipe! Nay,mores inhibitae!JUSTICE MERTON’Tis most unfortunate, gentlemen; but I understand ’tis thenew vogue in London.[EnterMicah.]MICAHHis Excellency, Sir Charles Reddington, Lieutenant Governor;the Mistress Reddingtons.CAPTAIN BUGBYAt last!MISTRESS MERTON[Aside.]Micah.[Micah goes to her. EnterSir Charles,Mistress Reddington,andAmelia Reddington.]JUSTICE MERTONYour Excellency, this is indeed a distinguished honour.SIR CHARLES[Shaking hands.]Fine weather, Merton. Where’s your young lord?THE TWO GIRLS[Courtesying.]Justice Merton, Mistress Merton.MICAH[To Mistress Merton, as he is going out, right.]I will speak to them, madam.CAPTAIN BUGBYOh, my dear Mistress Reddington! Charming Mistress Amelia!You are so very late, but you shall hear—hush!MISTRESS REDDINGTON[Noticing his pipe.]Why, what is this, Captain?CAPTAIN BUGBYOh, the latest, I assure you, the very latest. Wait till yousee his lordship.AMELIAWhat! isn’t he here?[Laughing.]La, Captain! Do look at the man!CAPTAIN BUGBYOh, he’s coming directly. Quite the mode—what? Ah! but,ladies, you shall hear.[He talks to them aside, where they titter.]SIR CHARLES[To Dickon.]What say? Travelling for his health?DICKONPartially, your Excellency; but my young pupil and master isa singularly affectionate nature.THE TWO GIRLS[To Captain Bugby.]What! flails—really![They burst into laughter among themselves.]DICKONHe has journeyed here to Massachusetts peculiarly to paythis visit to Justice Merton—his father’s dearest friend.SIR CHARLESAh! knew him abroad, eh?DICKONIn Rome, your Excellency.MISTRESS DODGE[To Justice Merton.]Why, I thought it was in London.JUSTICE MERTONLondon, true, quite so; we made a trip together toLisbon—ah! Rome.DICKONParis, was it not, sir?JUSTICE MERTON[In great distress.]Paris, Paris, very true; I am—I am—sometimes I am—[EnterMicah,right.]MICAH[Announces.]Lord Ravensbane.[Enter right,RavensbanewithRachel.]JUSTICE MERTON[With a gasp of relief.]Ah! his lordship is arrived.[Murmurs of “his lordship” and a flutter among the girls andCaptain Bugby.]CAPTAIN BUGBYLook!—Now!JUSTICE MERTONWelcome, my lord![To Sir Charles.]Permit me, your Excellency, to introduce—RAVENSBANEPermit me; Mistress Rachel will introduce—RACHEL[Courtesying.]Sir Charles, allow me to present my friend, Lord Ravensbane.MISTRESS REDDINGTON[Aside to Amelia.]Herfriend—did you hear?SIR CHARLESMistress Rachel, I see you are as pretty as ever. LordRavensbane, your hand, sir.RAVENSBANETrust me, your Excellency, I will inform his Majesty of yourcourtesy.CAPTAIN BUGBY[Watching Ravensbane with chagrin.]On my life! he’s lost his limp.RAVENSBANE[Apart to Rachel.]“A great glory has descended upon this day.”RACHEL[Shyly.]My lord!RAVENSBANEBe sure—O mistress, be sure—that this glory is love.SIR CHARLES[Watching the two, whispers a loud aside to Justice Merton.]Hoho! is it congratulations for your niece?JUSTICE MERTONNot—not precisely.DICKON[Aside to Justice Merton.]Why so, Gilly?SIR CHARLESMy daughters, Fanny and Amelia—Lord Ravensbane.THE TWO GIRLS[Courtesying.]Your lordship!SIR CHARLESGood girls, but silly.THE TWO GIRLSPapa!RAVENSBANEBelieve me, ladies, with thetruesincerity of theheart.MISTRESS REDDINGTONIsn’t he perfection!CAPTAIN BUGBYWhat said I?AMELIA[Giggling.]I can’t help thinking of flails.MISTRESS REDDINGTONPoor Squire Talbot! We must be nice to him now.AMELIAOh, especiallynow!RAVENSBANE[Whom Rachel continues to introduce to the guests;to Master Rand.]Verily, sir, as that prince of poets, the immortal Virgil,has remarked:“Adeo in teneris consuescere multum est.”DICKONJust a word, your worship.JUSTICE MERTON[Going with him.]Intolerable!REV. MASTER TODDHis lordship is evidently a university man.REV. MASTER RANDEvidently most accomplished.JUSTICE MERTON[Aside to Dickon.]A song! Why, it is beyond all bounds of custom and decorum.DICKONBelieve me, there is no such flatterer to win the maidenheart as music.JUSTICE MERTONAnd here; in this presence! Never!DICKONNevertheless, it will amuse me vastly, and you will announce it.RAVENSBANE[To Minister Dodge.]My opinion is simple: In such matters of church government,I am inclined toward the leniency of that excellent master,the Rev. John Wise, rather than the righteous obduracy of theRev. Cotton Mather.MINISTER DODGEWhy, there, sir, I agree with you.[Aside to his wife.]How extremely well informed!MISTRESS DODGEAnd so young, too!JUSTICE MERTON[With hesitant embarrassment, which he seeks to conceal.]Your Excellency and friends, I have great pleasure inannouncing his lordship’s condescension in consenting toregale our present company—with a song.SEVERAL VOICES[In various degrees of amazement and curiosity.]A song!MISTRESS MERTONGilead! What is this?JUSTICE MERTONThe selection is a German ballad—a particular favourite atthe court of Prussia, where his lordship last rendered it. Histutor has made a translation which is entitled: “ThePrognostication of the Crows,” and I am requested to remindyou that in the ancient heathen mythology of Germany, the crowor raven, was the fateful bird of the God Woden.CAPTAIN BUGBYHow prodigiously novel!MINISTER DODGE[Frowning.]Unparalleled!SIR CHARLESA ballad! Come now, that sounds like old England again.Let’s have it. Will his lordship sing without music?JUSTICE MERTONMaster Dickonson, hem! has been—persuaded—to accompany hislordship on the virginals.AMELIAHow delightful!REV. MASTER RAND[Aside to Todd.]Shall we remain?REV. MASTER TODDWe must.RAVENSBANE[To Rachel.]My tassel, dear mistress; you do not wear it?RACHELMy heart still wavers, my lord. But whilst you sing, I willdecide.RAVENSBANEWhilst I sing? My fate, then, is waiting at the end of asong?RACHELAt the end of a song.DICKON[Touches Ravensbane’s arm.]Your lordship.RAVENSBANE[Starting, turns to the company.]Permit me.[Dickon sits, facing left, at the virginals. At first,his fingers in playing give sound only to the softtinkling notes of that ancient instrument; butgradually, strange notes and harmonies of an aërialorchestra mingle with, and at length drown, thevirginals. The final chorus is produced solely byfantastic symphonic cawings, as of countless crows,in harsh but musical accord. During the song Richardenters. Dickon’s music, however, does not ceasebut fills the intervals between the verses. To hisaccompaniment, amid the whispered and graduallyincreasing wonder, resentment, and dismay of theassembled guests, Ravensbane, with his eyes fixed uponRachel, sings.]Baron von Rabenstod arose;(The golden sun was rising)Before him flew a flock of crows:Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing—“Ill speed, ill speed thee, baron-wight;Ill speed thy palfrey pawing!Blithe is the morn but black the nightThat hears a raven’s cawing.”[Chorus.]Caw! Caw! Caw!MISTRESS DODGE[Whispers to her husband.]Did you hear them?MINISTER DODGEHush!AMELIA[Sotto voce.]Whatcanit be?CAPTAIN BUGBYOh, the latest, be sure.DICKONYou note, my friends, the accompanying harmonics; they arean intrinsic part of the ballad, and may not be omitted.RAVENSBANE[Sings.]The baron reckèd not a pin;(For the golden sun was rising)He rode to woo, he rode to win;Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing—He rode into his prince’s hallThrough knights and damsels flow’ry:“Thy daughter, prince, I bid thee call;I claim her hand and dowry.”[Enter Richard. Mistress Merton seizes his arm nervously.]MISTRESS MERTON[Aside.]Well?RICHARDGold will not buy her. She defies us.SIR CHARLES[To Captain Bugby.]This gentleman’s playing is rather ventriloquistical.CAPTAIN BUGBYQuite, as it were.REV. MASTER TODDThis smells unholy.REV. MASTER RAND[To Todd.]Shall we leave?JUSTICE MERTON[Sternly to Richard, who has attempted to talkwith him aside.]Not now.RICHARDPardon me—itmustbe now.JUSTICE MERTONSquire Talbot—RICHARD[Very low.]Sir—I come from Goody Rickby.JUSTICE MERTONHush![They go apart.]RAVENSBANE[Sings.]“What cock is this, with crest so high,That crows with such a pother?”“Baron von Rabenstod am I;Methinks we know each other.”“Now welcome, welcome, dear guest of mine,So long why didst thou tarry?Now, for the sake of auld lang syne,My daughter thou shalt marry.”JUSTICE MERTON[To Richard.]RICHARDWhat! you will sacrifice her?JUSTICE MERTONWhat can I do?RICHARDTell her the truth at least.JUSTICE MERTONNever, Richard, no, no, never that!AMELIA[To Bugby.]And he kept right on smoking!MINISTER DODGE[Who, with Rand and Todd, has risen uneasily.]This smacks of witchcraft.REV. MASTER RANDThe Justice seems moved.RAVENSBANE[Sings.]The bride is brought, the priest as well;(The golden sun was passing)They stood beside the altar rail;Sing ah! Sing ah! Sing ah! Sing—“Woman, with this ring I thee wed.”What makes his voice so awing?The baron by the bride is dead:Outside the crows were cawing.Chorus.[Which grows tumultuous, seeming to fill the room with theinvisible birds.]Caw! Caw! Caw![The guests rise in confusion. Dickon still plays delightedly,and the strange music continues.]MINISTER DODGEThis is no longer godly.—Justice Merton!RICHARD[To Justice Merton.]I told you, sir, that witchcraft, like murder, will out.If you want further proof, I believe I can provide it.MINISTER DODGEJustice Merton, sir!RAVENSBANE[To Rachel, who holds his tassel in her hand.]Ah! and you have my tassel!RACHELSee! I will wear it now. You yourself shall fasten it.RAVENSBANERachel! Mistress!RACHELMy dear lord![As Ravensbane is placing the silken tassel on Rachel’sbreast to fasten it there, Richard, by the mirror,pulls the curtain back.]RICHARDLovers! This is the glass of truth. Behold yourselves!RACHEL[Looking into the glass, screams and turns her gazefearfully upon Ravensbane.]Ah! Do not look!DICKON[Who, having turned round from the virginals, has leaptforward, now turns back again, biting his finger.]Too late![In the glass are reflected the figures of Rachel andRavensbane—Rachel just as she herself appears, butRavensbane in his essential form of a scarecrow, inevery movement reflecting Ravensbane’s motions. Thething in the glass is about to pin a wisp of corn-silkon the mirrored breast of the maiden.]RAVENSBANEWhat is there?RACHEL[Looking again, starts away from Ravensbane.]Leave me! Leave me!—Richard!RAVENSBANE[Gazing at the glass, clings to Rachelas though to protect her.]Help her! See! It is seizing her.RACHELRichard![She faints in Richard’s arms.]RAVENSBANEFear not, mistress, I will kill the thing.[Drawing his sword, he rushes at the glass. Within, thescarecrow, with a drawn wheel-spoke, approaches him atequal speed. They come face to face and recoil.]Ah! ah! fear’st thou me? What art thou? Why, ’tis a glass.Thou mockest me? Look, look, mistress, it mocks me! O God, no!no! Take it away. Dear God, do not look!—It is I!ALL[Rushing to the doors.]Witchcraft! Witchcraft![As Ravensbane stands frantically confronting his abjectreflection, struck in a like posture of despair, thecurtain falls.]

The same day. Late afternoon. The same scene as Act II.

RavensbaneandDickondiscovered at table, on whichare lying two flails. Ravensbane is dressed in a costumewhich, composed of silk and jewels, subtly approximatesin design to that of his original grosser composition.So artfully, however, is this contrived that, to oneignorant of his origin, his dress would appear to be merelyan odd personal whimsy; whereas, to one initiated,it would stamp him grotesquely as the apotheosisof scarecrows.

Dickon is sitting in a pedagogical attitude; Ravensbanestands near him, making a profound bow in the oppositedirection.

RAVENSBANEBelieve me, ladies, with the true sincerity of the heart.

DICKONInflection a little more lachrymose, please: “Thetruesincerity of theheart.”

RAVENSBANEBelieve me, ladies, with thetruesincerity of theheart.

DICKONPrettily, prettily! Next!

RAVENSBANE[Changing his mien, as if addressing another person.]Verily, sir, as that prince of poets, the immortal Virgil, has remarked:

“Adeo in teneris consuescere multum est.”

DICKONHm! Act up to the sentiment.

RAVENSBANEVerily, sir, as that prince—

DICKONNo, no;basta! The next.

RAVENSBANE[With another change to courtly manner.]Trust me, your Excellency, I will inform his Majestyof your courtesy.

DICKONHis Majesty more emphatic. Remember! You must impress all ofthe guests this afternoon.

RAVENSBANEHis Majestyof your courtesy.

DICKONDelicious! O thou exquisite flower of love! How thy natalcomposites have burst in bloom: The pumpkin in thee to agolden collarette; thy mop of crow’s wings to these ravenlocks; thy broomstick to a lordly limp; thy corn-silk to thesepale-tinted tassels. Verily in the gallery of scarecrows, thouart the Apollo Belvedere! But continue, Cobby dear: the retortnow to the challenge.

RAVENSBANE[With a superb air.]The second, I believe.

DICKONQuite so, my lord.

RAVENSBANESir! The local person whom you represent has done himselfthe honour of submitting to me a challenge to mortal combat.Sir! Since the remotest times of my feudal ancestors, in suchaffairs of honour, choice of weapons has ever been theprerogative of the challenged. Sir! This right of etiquettemust be observed. Nevertheless, believe me, I have no selfishdesire that my superior attainments in this art should assumeadvantage over my challenger’s ignorance. I have, therefore,chosen those combative utensils most appropriate both to hisown humble origin and to local tradition. Permit me, sir, toreveal my choice.[Pointing grandly to the table.]There are my weapons

DICKON[Clapping his hands.]My darlinghomunculus! Thou shouldst have acted inBeaumont and Fletcher!

RAVENSBANEThere are my weapons!

DICKONI could watch thy histrionics till midnight. But thou arttired, poor Jacky; two hours’ rehearsal is fatiguing to yourlordship.

RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel—I may see her now?

DICKONRomeo! Romeo! Was ever such an amorous puppet show!

RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel!

DICKONWait; let me think! Thou art wound up now, my prettyapparatus, for at least six and thirty hours. The wooden angelGabriel that trumpets the hours on the big clock in Venice isnot a more punctual manikin than thou with my speeches. Thoushouldst run, therefore,—

RAVENSBANE[Frowning darkly at Dickon.]Stop talking; permit me! A tutor should know his place.

DICKON[Rubbing his hands.]Nay, your lordship is beyond comparison.

RAVENSBANE[In a terrible voice.]She will come? I shall see her?[EnterMicah.]

MICAHPardon, my lord.

RAVENSBANE[Turning joyfully to Micah.]Is it she?

MICAHCaptain Bugby, my lord, the Governor’s secretary.

DICKONGood. Squire Talbot’s second. Show him in.

RAVENSBANE[Flinging despairingly into a chair.]Ah! ah

MICAH[Lifting the flails from the table.]Beg pardon, sir; shall I remove—

DICKONDrop them; go.

MICAHBut, sir—

DICKONGo, thou slave![Exit Micah.]

RAVENSBANE[In childlike despair.]She will not come! I shall not see her!

DICKON[Handing him a book.]Here, my lord; read. You must be found reading.

RAVENSBANE[Flinging the book into the fireplace.]She does not come!

DICKONFie, fie, Jack; thou must not be breaking thy Dickon’sapron-strings with a will of thine own. Come!

RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel

DICKONBe good, boy, and thou shalt see her soon.

RAVENSBANE[Brightening.]I shall see her?[EnterCaptain Bugby.]

DICKONYour lordship was saying—Oh! Captain Bugby?

CAPTAIN BUGBY[Nervous and awed.]Captain Bugby, sir, ah! at Lord Ravensbane’s service—ah!

DICKONI am Master Dickonson, his lordship’s tutor.

CAPTAIN BUGBYHappy, sir.

DICKON[To Ravensbane.]My lord, this gentleman waits upon you from Squire Talbot.[To Captain Bugby.]In regard to the challenge of this morning, I presume?

CAPTAIN BUGBYThe affair, ah! the affair of this morning, sir.

RAVENSBANE[With his former superb air—to Captain Bugby.]The second, I believe?

CAPTAIN BUGBYQuite so, my lord.

RAVENSBANESir! the local person whom you represent has done himselfthe honour of submitting to me a challenge to mortal combat.Sir! Since the remotest times of my feudal ancestors, in suchaffairs of honour, choice of weapons has ever been theprerogative of the challenged. Sir! this right of etiquettemust be observed.

CAPTAIN BUGBYIndeed, yes, my lord.

DICKONPray do not interrupt.[To Ravensbane.]Your lordship: “observed.”

RAVENSBANE—observed. Nevertheless, believe me, I have no selfish desirethat my superior attainments in this art should assumeadvantage over my challenger’s ignorance. I have, therefore,chosen those combative utensils most appropriate both to hisown humble origin and to local tradition. Permit me, sir, toreveal my choice.[Pointing to the table.]There are my weapons!

CAPTAIN BUGBY[Looking, bewildered.]These, my lord?

RAVENSBANEThose.

CAPTAIN BUGBYBut these are—are flails.

RAVENSBANEFlails.

CAPTAIN BUGBYFlails, my lord?

RAVENSBANEThere are my weapons.

CAPTAIN BUGBYLord Ravensbane—I—ah! express myself ill—Do I understandthat your lordship and Squire Talbot—

RAVENSBANEExactly.

CAPTAIN BUGBYBut your lordship—flails!

RAVENSBANEMy adversary should be deft in their use. He has doubtlesswielded them frequently on his barn floor.

CAPTAIN BUGBYAhaha! I understand now. Your lordship—ah! is a wit. Haha!Flails!

DICKONHis lordship’s satire is poignant.

CAPTAIN BUGBYIndeed, sir, so keen that I must apologize for laughing atmy principal’s expense.[Soberly to Ravensbane.]My lord, if you will deign to speak one moment seriously—

RAVENSBANESeriously?

CAPTAIN BUGBYI will take pleasure in informing Squire Talbot—ah! as toyourrealpreference for—

RAVENSBANEFor flails, sir. I have, permit me, nothing further to say.Flails are final.[Turns away haughtily.]

CAPTAIN BUGBYMust I really report to Squire Talbot—ah!—flails?

DICKONLord Ravensbane’s will is inflexible.

CAPTAIN BUGBYAnd his wit, sir, incomparable. I am sorry for the Squire,but ’twill be the greatest joke in years. Ah! will you tellme—is it—[Indicating Ravensbane’s smoking.]is it the latest fashion?

DICKONLord Ravensbane is always the latest.

CAPTAIN BUGBYObliged servant, sir. Aha! Such a joke as—O lord! flails![Exit.]

DICKON[Returning to Ravensbane.]Bravo, my pumpky dear! That squelches the jealous betrothed.Now nothing remains but for you to continue to dazzle theenamoured Rachel, and so present yourself to the Justice as apseudo-son-nephew-in-law.

RAVENSBANEI may go to Mistress Rachel?

DICKONShe will come to you. She is reading now a poem from you,which I left on her dressing-table.

RAVENSBANEShe is reading a poem from me?

DICKONWith your pardon, my lord, I penned it for you. I amsomething of a poetaster. Indeed, I flatter myself that I havedictated some of the finest lines in literature.

RAVENSBANEDickon! She will come?

DICKONShe comes![EnterRachel,reading from a piece of paper.]Hush! Step aside; step aside first. Let her read it.[Dickon draws Ravensbane back.]

RACHELOnce more,[Reads.]“To Mistress R——, enchantress:

If faith in witchcraft be a sin,Alas! what peril he is inWho plights his faith and love in thee,Sweetest maid of sorcery.

If witchcraft be a whirling brain,A roving eye, a heart of pain,Whose wound no thread of fate can stitch,How hast thou conjured, cruel witch,With the brain, eye, heart, and total mortalresidue of thine enamouredJack Lanthorne,[Lord R——.”]

DICKONNow to leave the turtles alone.[Exit.]

RACHEL“To Mistress R——, enchantress:

If faith in witchcraft be—”

“To Mistress R——.” R! Itmustbe. R—— must mean—

RAVENSBANE[With passionate deference.]Rachel!

RACHELAh! How you surprised me, my lord.

RAVENSBANEYou are come again; you are come again.

RACHELHas anything happened? Tell me, my lord. Has Squire Talbot been here?

RAVENSBANENo, Mistress Rachel; not here.

RACHELAnd you have not—Oh, my lord, I have been in such terror.But you are safe.—You have not fought?

RAVENSBANENo, Mistress Rachel; not fought.

RACHELThank God for that! But you will promise me—promise me thatthere shall be—no—duel!

RAVENSBANEI promise Mistress Rachel there shall be no duel.

RACHELYour lordship is so good. You do not know how gratefullyhappy I am.

RAVENSBANEI know I am only a thing to make Mistress Rachel happy. Ah!look at me once more. When you look at me, I live.

RACHELIt is strange indeed, my lord, how the familiar world, thedaylight the heavens themselves have changed since yourarrival.

RAVENSBANEThis is the world; this is the light; this is the heavensthemselves. Mistress Rachel is looking at me.

RACHELFor me, it is less strange perhaps. I never saw a real lordbefore. But you, my lord, must have seen so many, many girlsin the great world.

RAVENSBANENo, no; never.

RACHELNo other girls before to-day, my lord!

RAVENSBANEBefore to-day? I do not know; I do not care. I was not here.To-day I was born—in your eyes. Ah! my brain whirls!

RACHEL[Smiling.]“If witchcraft be a whirling brain,A roving eye, a heart of pain,—”[In a whisper.]My lord, do you really believe in witchcraft?

RAVENSBANEWith all my heart.

RACHELAnd approve of it?

RAVENSBANEWith all my soul.

RACHELSo do I—that is, innocent witchcraft; not to harm anybody,you know, but just to feel all the dark mystery and thetrembling excitement—the way you feel when you blow out yourcandle all alone in your bedroom and watch the little smokefade away in the moonshine.

RAVENSBANEFade away in the moonshine!

RACHELOh, but we mustn’t speak of it. In a town like this, allsuch mysticism is considered damnable. But your lordshipunderstands and approves? I am so glad! Have you read the“Philosophical Considerations” of Glanville, the“Saducismus Triumphatus,” and the “Presignificationsof Dreams”? What kind of witchcraft, my lord, do you believe in?

RAVENSBANEIn all yours.

RACHELNay, your lordship must not take me for a real witch. I canonly tell fortunes, you know—like this morning.

RAVENSBANEI know; you told how my heart would break.

RACHELOh, that’s palmistry, and that isn’t always certain. But thesurest way to prophesy—do you know what it is?

RAVENSBANETell me.

RACHELTo count the crows. Do you know how? One for sorrow—

RAVENSBANEHa, yes!—Two for mirth!

RACHELThree for a wedding—

RAVENSBANEFour for a birth—

RACHELAnd five for the happiest thing on earth!

RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel, come! Let us go and count five crows.

RACHEL[Delightedly.]Why, my lord, how didyouever learn it? I got itfrom an old goody here in town—a real witch-wife. If you willpromise not to tell a secret, I will show you.—But you mustpromise!

RAVENSBANEI promise.

RACHELCome, then. I will show you a real piece of witchcraft thatI bought from her this morning—the glass of truth. There!Behind that curtain. If you look in, you will see—But come;I will show you.[They put their hands on the cords of the curtain.]Just pull that string, and—ah!

DICKON[Stepping out through the curtain.]Your pipe, my lord?

RACHELMaster Dickonson, how you frightened me!

DICKONSo excessively sorry! I was observing the portrait of youruncle. I believe you were showing his lordship—

RACHEL[Turning hurriedly away.]Oh, nothing; nothing at all.

RAVENSBANE[Sternly to Dickon.]Why do you come?

DICKON[Handing back Ravensbane’s pipe filled.]Allow me.[Aside.]’Tis high time you came to the point, Jack; ’tis near yourlordship’s reception. Woo and win, boy; woo and win.

RAVENSBANE[Haughtily.]Leave me.

DICKONYour lordship’s humble, very humble.[Exit.]

RACHEL[Shivering.]Oh! he is gone. My dear lord, why do you keep this man?

RAVENSBANEI—keep this man?

RACHELI cannot—pardon my rudeness—I cannot endure him.

RAVENSBANEYou do not like him? Ah, then, I do not like him also. Wewill send him away—you and I.

RACHELYou, my lord, of course; but I—

RAVENSBANEYou will be Dickon! You will be with me always and light mypipe. And I will live for you, and fight for you, and killyour betrothed.

RACHEL[Drawing away.]No, no!

RAVENSBANEAh! but your eyes say “yes.” Mistress Rachel leaves me; butRachel in her eyes remains. Is it not so?

RACHELWhat can I say, my lord! It is true that since my eyes metyours, a new passion has entered into my soul. I havefelt—your lordship will laugh at me—I have felt aninexpressible longing—but ’tis so impertinent, my lord, soabsurd in me, a mere girl, and you a nobleman of power—yet Ihave felt it irresistibly, my dear lord,—a longing to helpyou. I am so sorry for you—so sorry for you! I pity youdeeply.—Forgive me; forgive me, my lord!

RAVENSBANEIt is enough.

RACHELIndeed, indeed, ’tis so rude of me,—’tis so unreasonable.

RAVENSBANEIt is enough. I grow—I grow—I grow! I am a plant; you giveit rain and sun. I am a flower; you give it light and dew; Iam a soul, you give it love and speech. I grow. Towardsyou—towards you I grow!

RACHELMy lord, I do not understand it, how so poor and mere a girlas I can have helped you. Yet I do believe it is so; for Ifeel it so. What can I do for you?

RAVENSBANEDo not leave me. Be mine. Let me be yours.

RACHELAh! but, my lord—do I love you?

RAVENSBANEWhat is “I love you”? Is it a kiss, a sigh, an embrace? Ah!then, you do not love me.—“I love you”: is it to nourish, tonestle, to lift up, to smile upon, to make greater—a worm?Ah! then, you love me.[EnterRichardat left back, unobserved.]

RACHELDo not speak so of yourself, my lord; nor exalt me so falsely.

RAVENSBANEBe mine.

RACHELA great glory has descended upon this day.

RAVENSBANEBe mine.

RACHELCould I but be sure that this glory is love—Oh,then![Turns toward Ravensbane.]

RICHARD[Stepping between them.]It isnotlove; it is witchcraft.

RACHELWho are you?—Richard?

RICHARDYou have indeed forgotten me? Would to God, Rachel, I couldforget you.

RAVENSBANESir, permit me—

RICHARDSilence![To Rachel.]Against my will, I am a convert to your own mysticism; fornothing less than damnable illusion could so instantly weanyour heart from me to—this. I do not pretend to understandit; but that it is witchcraft I am convinced; and I will saveyou from it.

RACHELGo; please go.

RAVENSBANEPermit me, sir; you have not replied yet to flails!

RICHARDPermitme, sir.[Taking something from his coat.]My answer is—bare cob![Holding out a shelled corn-cob.]Thresh this, sir, for your antagonist. ’Tis the only oneworthy your lordship.[Tosses it contemptuously towards him.]

RAVENSBANEUpon my honour, as a man—

RICHARDAs amanforsooth! Were you indeed a man, LordRavensbane, I would have accepted your weapons, and flailedyou out of New England. But it is not my custom to chastiserunagates from asylums, or to banter further words with anatural and a ninny.

RACHELSquire Talbot! Will you leave my uncle’s house?

RAVENSBANEOne moment, mistress:—I did not wholly catch the import ofthis gentleman’s speech, but I fancy I have insulted him by myreply to his challenge. One insult may perhaps be remedied byanother. Sir, permit me to call you a ninny, and to offeryou—[Drawing his sword and offering it.]swords.

RICHARDThanks; I reject the offer.

RAVENSBANE[Turning away despondently.]He rejects it. Well!

RACHEL[To Richard.]Andnowwill you leave?

RICHARDAt once. But one word more. Rachel—Rachel, have youforgotten this morning and the glass of truth?

RACHEL[Coldly.]No.

RICHARD

Call it a fancy now if you will. I scoffed at it; yes. Yetyoubelieved it. I loved you truly, you said. Well,have I changed?

RACHELYes.

RICHARDWill you test me again—in the glass?

RACHELNo. Go; leave us.

RICHARDI will go. I have still a word with your aunt.

RAVENSBANE[To Richard.]I beg your pardon, sir. You said just now that had I been aman—

RICHARDI say, Lord Ravensbane, that the straight fibre of a trueman never warps the love of a woman. As for yourself, you havemy contempt and pity. Pray to God, sir, pray to God to makeyou a man.[Exit, right.]

RACHELOh! it is intolerable![To Ravensbane.]My dear lord, I do believe in my heart that I love you, andif so, I will with gratitude be your wife. But, my lord,strange glamours, strange darknesses reel, and bewilder mymind. I must be alone; I must think and decide. Will you giveme this tassel?

RAVENSBANE[Unfastening a silk tassel from his coat and giving it to her.]Oh, take it.

RACHELIf I decide that I love you, that I will be your wife—Iwill wear it this afternoon at the reception. Good-by.[Exit, right.]

RAVENSBANEMistress Rachel!—[Solus.]God, are you here? Dear God,I pray to you—make me to be a man![Exit, left.]

DICKON[Appearing in the centre of the room.]Poor Jacky! Thou shouldst ’a’ prayed to t’other one.

[He disappears. Enter, right,RichardandMistress Merton.]

MISTRESS MERTON[Pointing to the wall.]That is the portrait.

RICHARDIndeed! The design is very like.

MISTRESS MERTON’Tis more than like, Richard; ’tis the very same. Two andtwenty years ago she embroidered it for him, and he wouldinsist on wearing it for the portrait he was then sitting for.

RICHARDThat same Goody Rickby!

MISTRESS MERTONA pretty girl!—and a wild young man was my brother. Thetruth comes hard to tell thee, Richard; but he was wild,Gilead was wild. He told me the babe had died. But God workethHis own righteousness. Only—he must be saved now; Rachel mustbe saved; we must all be saved.

RICHARDYou feel sure—very sure, Mistress Merton?

MISTRESS MERTONYea, that waistcoat; ’tis the very one, I know it too well.And you see it accounts for all,—this silly impostor lord; mybrother’s strange patronage of him; the blackmail of thisMaster Dickonson—

RICHARDBut who ishe?

MISTRESS MERTONNay, heaven knows! Some old crony perchance of Gilead’syouth; some confederate of this woman Rickby.

RICHARDO God!—And Rachel sacrificed to these impostors; to anillegitimate—your brother would allow it!

MISTRESS MERTONAh! but think of his own reputation, Richard. He ajustice—the family honour!

RICHARD’Tis enough. Well, and I must see this Goody Rickby, youthink?

MISTRESS MERTONAt once—at once. My brother has invited guests for thisafternoon to meet “his lordship”! Return, if possible, beforethey come. She dwells at the blacksmith shop—you must buy heroff. Oh, gold will buy her; ’tis the gold they’re after—allof them; have her recall both these persons.[Giving a purse.]Take her that, Richard, and promise her more.

RICHARD[Proudly.]Keep it, Mistress Merton. I have enough gold, methinks, formy future wife’s honour; or if not, I will earn it.[Exit.]

MISTRESS MERTONRichard! Ah, the dear lad, he should have taken it.

[EnterMicah.]

MICAHThe minister and his wife have turned into the gate, madam.

MISTRESS MERTONThe guests! Is it so late?

MICAHFour o’clock, madam.[Going to the table.]Shall I remove these?

MISTRESS MERTONFlails! Flails in the parlour? Of course, remove them.

MICAH[At the door.]Madam, in all my past years of service at Merton House, Inever waited upon a lord till to-day. Madam, in all my futureyears of service at Merton House, I trust I may never waitupon a lord again.

MISTRESS MERTONMicah, mind the knocker.

MICAHYes, madam.[Exit at left back. Sounds of a brass knocker outside.]

MISTRESS MERTONRachel! Rachel![Exit, right. Enter, left,Justice MertonandDickon.]

JUSTICE MERTONSo you are contented with nothing less than the sacrifice ofmy niece?

DICKONSuch a delightful room!

JUSTICE MERTONAre you merciless?

DICKONAnd such a living portrait of your worship! The waistcoat isso beautifully executed.

JUSTICE MERTONIf I pay him ten thousand pounds—[EnterMicah.]

MICAHMinister Dodge, your worship; and Mistress Dodge.[Exit. Enter theMinisterand hisWife.]

JUSTICE MERTON[Stepping forward to receive them.]Believe me, this is a great privilege.—Madam![Bowing.]

MINISTER DODGE[Taking his hand.]The privilege is ours, Justice; to enter a righteous man’shouse is to stand, as it were, on God’s threshold.

JUSTICE MERTON[Nervously.]Amen, amen. Permit me—ah! Lord Ravensbane, my young guestof honour, will be here directly—permit me to present hislordship’s tutor, Master Dickonson; The Reverend Master Dodge,Mistress Dodge.

MINISTER DODGE[Offering his hand.]Master Dickonson, sir—

DICKON[Barely touching the minister’s fingers,bows charmingly to his wife.]Madam, of all professions in the world, your husband’s mostallures me.

MISTRESS DODGE’Tis a worthy one, sir.

DICKONAh! Mistress Dodge, and so arduous—especially for aminister’s wife.[He leads her to a chair.]

MISTRESS DODGE[Accepting the chair.]Thank you.

MINISTER DODGELord Ravensbane comes from abroad?

JUSTICE MERTONFrom London.

MINISTER DODGEAn old friend of yours, I understand.

JUSTICE MERTONFrom London, yes. Did I say from London? Quite so; fromLondon.[EnterMicah.]

MICAHCaptain Bugby, the Governor’s secretary.

[Exit. EnterCaptain Bugby.He walks with aslight lameness, and holds daintily in his hand apipe, from which he puffs with dandy deliberation.]

CAPTAIN BUGBYJustice Merton, your very humble servant.

JUSTICE MERTONBelieve me, Captain Bugby.

CAPTAIN BUGBY[Profusely.]Ah, Master Dickonson! my dear friend Master Dickonson—thisis indeed—ah! How is his lordship since—aha! but discretion!Mistress Dodge—her servant! Ah! yes,[Indicating his pipe with a smile of satisfaction.]the latest, I assure you; the very latest from London. AskMaster Dickonson.

MINISTER DODGE[Looking at Captain Bugby.]These will hatch out in the springtime.

CAPTAIN BUGBY[Confidentially to Dickon.]But really, my good friend, may not I venture to inquire howhis lordship—ah! has been in health since the—ah! since—

DICKON[Impressively.]Oh! quite, quite!

[EnterMistress Merton;she joins Justice Mertonand Minister Dodge.]

CAPTAIN BUGBYYou know, I informed Squire Talbot of his lordship’sepigrammatic retort—his retort of—shh! ha haha! Oh, thatreply was a stiletto; ’twas sharper than a sword-thrust, Iassure you. To have conceived it—’twas inspiration; but tohave expressed it—oh! ’twas genius. Hush! “Flails!” Oh! Itsticks me now in the ribs. I shall die with concealing it.

MINISTER DODGE[To Mistress Merton.]’Tis true, mistress; but if there were more like yourbrother in the parish, the conscience of the community wouldbe clearer.

[EnterMicah.]

MICAHThe Reverend Master Rand of Harvard College;the Reverend Master Todd of Harvard College.

[Exit. Enter two elderly, straight-backed divines.]

JUSTICE MERTON[Greeting them.]Permit me, gentlemen; this is fortunate—before your returnto Cambridge.

[He conducts them to Mistress Merton and Minister Dodge,centre. Seated left, Dickon is ingratiating himselfwith Mistress Dodge; Captain Bugby, laughed at by bothparties, is received by neither.]

CAPTAIN BUGBY[Puffing smoke toward the ceiling.]Really, I cannot understand what keeps his Excellency, theLieutenant Governor, so long. He has two such charmingdaughters, Master Dickonson—

DICKON[To Mistress Dodge.]Yes, yes; such suspicious women with their charms are aninsult to the virtuous ladies of the parish.

CAPTAIN BUGBYHow, sir!

MISTRESS DODGEAnd to think that she should actually shoe horses herself!

DICKONIt is too hard, dear Mistress Dodge; too hard!

MISTRESS DODGEYou are so appreciative, Master Dickonson.

CAPTAIN BUGBY[Piqued, walks another way.]Well!

REV. MASTER RAND[To Justice Merton.]It would not be countenanced in the college yard, sir.

REV. MASTER TODDA pipe! Nay,mores inhibitae!

JUSTICE MERTON’Tis most unfortunate, gentlemen; but I understand ’tis thenew vogue in London.[EnterMicah.]

MICAHHis Excellency, Sir Charles Reddington, Lieutenant Governor;the Mistress Reddingtons.

CAPTAIN BUGBYAt last!

MISTRESS MERTON[Aside.]Micah.

[Micah goes to her. EnterSir Charles,Mistress Reddington,andAmelia Reddington.]

JUSTICE MERTONYour Excellency, this is indeed a distinguished honour.

SIR CHARLES[Shaking hands.]Fine weather, Merton. Where’s your young lord?

THE TWO GIRLS[Courtesying.]Justice Merton, Mistress Merton.

MICAH[To Mistress Merton, as he is going out, right.]I will speak to them, madam.

CAPTAIN BUGBYOh, my dear Mistress Reddington! Charming Mistress Amelia!You are so very late, but you shall hear—hush!

MISTRESS REDDINGTON[Noticing his pipe.]Why, what is this, Captain?

CAPTAIN BUGBYOh, the latest, I assure you, the very latest. Wait till yousee his lordship.

AMELIAWhat! isn’t he here?[Laughing.]La, Captain! Do look at the man!

CAPTAIN BUGBYOh, he’s coming directly. Quite the mode—what? Ah! but,ladies, you shall hear.[He talks to them aside, where they titter.]

SIR CHARLES[To Dickon.]What say? Travelling for his health?

DICKONPartially, your Excellency; but my young pupil and master isa singularly affectionate nature.

THE TWO GIRLS[To Captain Bugby.]What! flails—really![They burst into laughter among themselves.]

DICKONHe has journeyed here to Massachusetts peculiarly to paythis visit to Justice Merton—his father’s dearest friend.

SIR CHARLESAh! knew him abroad, eh?

DICKONIn Rome, your Excellency.

MISTRESS DODGE[To Justice Merton.]Why, I thought it was in London.

JUSTICE MERTONLondon, true, quite so; we made a trip together toLisbon—ah! Rome.

DICKONParis, was it not, sir?

JUSTICE MERTON[In great distress.]Paris, Paris, very true; I am—I am—sometimes I am—[EnterMicah,right.]

MICAH[Announces.]Lord Ravensbane.[Enter right,RavensbanewithRachel.]

JUSTICE MERTON[With a gasp of relief.]Ah! his lordship is arrived.[Murmurs of “his lordship” and a flutter among the girls andCaptain Bugby.]

CAPTAIN BUGBYLook!—Now!

JUSTICE MERTONWelcome, my lord![To Sir Charles.]Permit me, your Excellency, to introduce—

RAVENSBANEPermit me; Mistress Rachel will introduce—

RACHEL[Courtesying.]Sir Charles, allow me to present my friend, Lord Ravensbane.

MISTRESS REDDINGTON[Aside to Amelia.]Herfriend—did you hear?

SIR CHARLESMistress Rachel, I see you are as pretty as ever. LordRavensbane, your hand, sir.

RAVENSBANETrust me, your Excellency, I will inform his Majesty of yourcourtesy.

CAPTAIN BUGBY[Watching Ravensbane with chagrin.]On my life! he’s lost his limp.

RAVENSBANE[Apart to Rachel.]“A great glory has descended upon this day.”

RACHEL[Shyly.]My lord!

RAVENSBANEBe sure—O mistress, be sure—that this glory is love.

SIR CHARLES[Watching the two, whispers a loud aside to Justice Merton.]Hoho! is it congratulations for your niece?

JUSTICE MERTONNot—not precisely.

DICKON[Aside to Justice Merton.]Why so, Gilly?

SIR CHARLESMy daughters, Fanny and Amelia—Lord Ravensbane.

THE TWO GIRLS[Courtesying.]Your lordship!

SIR CHARLESGood girls, but silly.

THE TWO GIRLSPapa!

RAVENSBANEBelieve me, ladies, with thetruesincerity of theheart.

MISTRESS REDDINGTONIsn’t he perfection!

CAPTAIN BUGBYWhat said I?

AMELIA[Giggling.]I can’t help thinking of flails.

MISTRESS REDDINGTONPoor Squire Talbot! We must be nice to him now.

AMELIAOh, especiallynow!

RAVENSBANE[Whom Rachel continues to introduce to the guests;to Master Rand.]Verily, sir, as that prince of poets, the immortal Virgil,has remarked:“Adeo in teneris consuescere multum est.”

DICKONJust a word, your worship.

JUSTICE MERTON[Going with him.]Intolerable!

REV. MASTER TODDHis lordship is evidently a university man.

REV. MASTER RANDEvidently most accomplished.

JUSTICE MERTON[Aside to Dickon.]A song! Why, it is beyond all bounds of custom and decorum.

DICKONBelieve me, there is no such flatterer to win the maidenheart as music.

JUSTICE MERTONAnd here; in this presence! Never!

DICKONNevertheless, it will amuse me vastly, and you will announce it.

RAVENSBANE[To Minister Dodge.]My opinion is simple: In such matters of church government,I am inclined toward the leniency of that excellent master,the Rev. John Wise, rather than the righteous obduracy of theRev. Cotton Mather.

MINISTER DODGEWhy, there, sir, I agree with you.[Aside to his wife.]How extremely well informed!

MISTRESS DODGEAnd so young, too!

JUSTICE MERTON[With hesitant embarrassment, which he seeks to conceal.]Your Excellency and friends, I have great pleasure inannouncing his lordship’s condescension in consenting toregale our present company—with a song.

SEVERAL VOICES[In various degrees of amazement and curiosity.]A song!

MISTRESS MERTONGilead! What is this?

JUSTICE MERTONThe selection is a German ballad—a particular favourite atthe court of Prussia, where his lordship last rendered it. Histutor has made a translation which is entitled: “ThePrognostication of the Crows,” and I am requested to remindyou that in the ancient heathen mythology of Germany, the crowor raven, was the fateful bird of the God Woden.

CAPTAIN BUGBYHow prodigiously novel!

MINISTER DODGE[Frowning.]Unparalleled!

SIR CHARLESA ballad! Come now, that sounds like old England again.Let’s have it. Will his lordship sing without music?

JUSTICE MERTONMaster Dickonson, hem! has been—persuaded—to accompany hislordship on the virginals.

AMELIAHow delightful!

REV. MASTER RAND[Aside to Todd.]Shall we remain?

REV. MASTER TODDWe must.

RAVENSBANE[To Rachel.]My tassel, dear mistress; you do not wear it?

RACHELMy heart still wavers, my lord. But whilst you sing, I willdecide.

RAVENSBANEWhilst I sing? My fate, then, is waiting at the end of asong?

RACHELAt the end of a song.

DICKON[Touches Ravensbane’s arm.]Your lordship.

RAVENSBANE[Starting, turns to the company.]Permit me.

[Dickon sits, facing left, at the virginals. At first,his fingers in playing give sound only to the softtinkling notes of that ancient instrument; butgradually, strange notes and harmonies of an aërialorchestra mingle with, and at length drown, thevirginals. The final chorus is produced solely byfantastic symphonic cawings, as of countless crows,in harsh but musical accord. During the song Richardenters. Dickon’s music, however, does not ceasebut fills the intervals between the verses. To hisaccompaniment, amid the whispered and graduallyincreasing wonder, resentment, and dismay of theassembled guests, Ravensbane, with his eyes fixed uponRachel, sings.]

Baron von Rabenstod arose;(The golden sun was rising)Before him flew a flock of crows:Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing—

“Ill speed, ill speed thee, baron-wight;Ill speed thy palfrey pawing!Blithe is the morn but black the nightThat hears a raven’s cawing.”

[Chorus.]Caw! Caw! Caw!

MISTRESS DODGE[Whispers to her husband.]Did you hear them?

MINISTER DODGEHush!

AMELIA[Sotto voce.]Whatcanit be?

CAPTAIN BUGBYOh, the latest, be sure.

DICKONYou note, my friends, the accompanying harmonics; they arean intrinsic part of the ballad, and may not be omitted.

RAVENSBANE[Sings.]The baron reckèd not a pin;(For the golden sun was rising)He rode to woo, he rode to win;Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing heigh! Sing—He rode into his prince’s hallThrough knights and damsels flow’ry:“Thy daughter, prince, I bid thee call;I claim her hand and dowry.”

[Enter Richard. Mistress Merton seizes his arm nervously.]

MISTRESS MERTON[Aside.]Well?

RICHARDGold will not buy her. She defies us.

SIR CHARLES[To Captain Bugby.]This gentleman’s playing is rather ventriloquistical.

CAPTAIN BUGBYQuite, as it were.

REV. MASTER TODDThis smells unholy.

REV. MASTER RAND[To Todd.]Shall we leave?

JUSTICE MERTON[Sternly to Richard, who has attempted to talkwith him aside.]Not now.

RICHARDPardon me—itmustbe now.

JUSTICE MERTONSquire Talbot—

RICHARD[Very low.]Sir—I come from Goody Rickby.

JUSTICE MERTONHush![They go apart.]

RAVENSBANE[Sings.]“What cock is this, with crest so high,That crows with such a pother?”“Baron von Rabenstod am I;Methinks we know each other.”“Now welcome, welcome, dear guest of mine,So long why didst thou tarry?Now, for the sake of auld lang syne,My daughter thou shalt marry.”

JUSTICE MERTON[To Richard.]

RICHARDWhat! you will sacrifice her?

JUSTICE MERTONWhat can I do?

RICHARDTell her the truth at least.

JUSTICE MERTONNever, Richard, no, no, never that!

AMELIA[To Bugby.]And he kept right on smoking!

MINISTER DODGE[Who, with Rand and Todd, has risen uneasily.]This smacks of witchcraft.

REV. MASTER RANDThe Justice seems moved.

RAVENSBANE[Sings.]The bride is brought, the priest as well;(The golden sun was passing)They stood beside the altar rail;Sing ah! Sing ah! Sing ah! Sing—“Woman, with this ring I thee wed.”What makes his voice so awing?The baron by the bride is dead:Outside the crows were cawing.

Chorus.[Which grows tumultuous, seeming to fill the room with theinvisible birds.]Caw! Caw! Caw!

[The guests rise in confusion. Dickon still plays delightedly,and the strange music continues.]

MINISTER DODGEThis is no longer godly.—Justice Merton!

RICHARD[To Justice Merton.]

I told you, sir, that witchcraft, like murder, will out.If you want further proof, I believe I can provide it.

MINISTER DODGEJustice Merton, sir!

RAVENSBANE[To Rachel, who holds his tassel in her hand.]Ah! and you have my tassel!

RACHELSee! I will wear it now. You yourself shall fasten it.

RAVENSBANERachel! Mistress!

RACHELMy dear lord!

[As Ravensbane is placing the silken tassel on Rachel’sbreast to fasten it there, Richard, by the mirror,pulls the curtain back.]

RICHARDLovers! This is the glass of truth. Behold yourselves!

RACHEL[Looking into the glass, screams and turns her gazefearfully upon Ravensbane.]Ah! Do not look!

DICKON[Who, having turned round from the virginals, has leaptforward, now turns back again, biting his finger.]Too late![In the glass are reflected the figures of Rachel andRavensbane—Rachel just as she herself appears, butRavensbane in his essential form of a scarecrow, inevery movement reflecting Ravensbane’s motions. Thething in the glass is about to pin a wisp of corn-silkon the mirrored breast of the maiden.]

RAVENSBANEWhat is there?

RACHEL[Looking again, starts away from Ravensbane.]Leave me! Leave me!—Richard!

RAVENSBANE[Gazing at the glass, clings to Rachelas though to protect her.]Help her! See! It is seizing her.

RACHELRichard![She faints in Richard’s arms.]

RAVENSBANEFear not, mistress, I will kill the thing.[Drawing his sword, he rushes at the glass. Within, thescarecrow, with a drawn wheel-spoke, approaches him atequal speed. They come face to face and recoil.]Ah! ah! fear’st thou me? What art thou? Why, ’tis a glass.Thou mockest me? Look, look, mistress, it mocks me! O God, no!no! Take it away. Dear God, do not look!—It is I!

ALL[Rushing to the doors.]Witchcraft! Witchcraft!

[As Ravensbane stands frantically confronting his abjectreflection, struck in a like posture of despair, thecurtain falls.]

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