{"id":217,"date":"2013-07-13T01:26:40","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=217"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:26:40","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:40","slug":"40-the-maid-in-the-mill-act-1-sc-1-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/01-sabcl\/07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07\/40-the-maid-in-the-mill-act-1-sc-1-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","title":{"rendered":"-40_The Maid in the Mill Act-1 Sc-1.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n

\nTHE MAID IN THE MILL<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nLOVE SHUFFLES THE CARDS<\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

\nA Comedy<\/font><\/i><\/b> <\/p>\n

\nDRAMATIS PERSONAE <\/font><\/b><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nC<\/font>UPID<\/font>.
\nA<\/font>TE<\/font>.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nKING <\/font>PHILIP OF
\n<\/font>SPAIN<\/font>. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nC<\/font>OUNT <\/font><\/p>\n

B<\/font>ELTRAN<\/font>,
\na nobleman.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font>NTONIO<\/font>,
\nhis son.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nB<\/font>ASIL<\/font>,
\nhis nephew.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nC<\/font>OUNT <\/font><\/p>\n

C<\/font>ONRAD<\/font>,
\na young nobleman.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nTHE <\/font>MILLER<\/font>. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nA<\/font>CINTO<\/font>, his son.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nJ<\/font>ERONIMO<\/font>, a student.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nC<\/font>ARLOS<\/font>,
\na student.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nF<\/font>RIAR <\/font><\/p>\n

B<\/font>ALTASAR<\/font>, a pedagogue.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nE<\/font>UPHROSYNE<\/font>, the maid of the farm.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI<\/font>SMENIA<\/font>, sister of Conrad.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font>, her cousin.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 821<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n Facsimile of a page from THE <\/font>MADE
\n\tIN THE <\/font>MILL<\/font><\/p>\n

\n 
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 823<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAct One <\/font><\/p>\n

<\/b> <\/p>\n

\n
\nSCENE I<\/b><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n <\/b><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\nThe King’s Court at Salamanca.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nKing Philip, Conrad, Beltran, Roncedas, Guzman, Antonio, Basil,
\nIsmenia, Brigida, Grandees.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCount Beltran.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ELTRAN
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSire?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShall we know the device ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ELTRAN
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is no secret. Sire. And yet so little<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis toy is mine, the name’s far off from me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCastilians, forged iron of old time<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nArmies to wield and empires, we’re astray<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith these smooth, silken things. We were never valiant<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nVega with Calderon to weigh and con<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDevices. But our sons. Sire, have outstripped<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTheir rough begetters, almost they are Frenchmen.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSpeak you, Antonio.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n‘Tis the Judgment, Sire,
\nOf Paris and the Rape of Spartan Helen.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat is an old device.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAntonio? He<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 825<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAntonio? O my poor eyes misled,
\nWhither have you wandered ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ELTRAN
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHush.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe older. Sire,
\nThe fitter for a masque that’s heard but once.
\nFor the swift action of the stage speeds on
\nAnd slow conception labouring after it
\nRoughens its subtleties, blurs o’er its shades,
\nSees masses only. Then if the plot is new,
\nThe mind engrossed with incidents, omits
\nTo take the breath of flowers and lingering shade
\nIn hurrying with the stream. But the plot known,
\nIt is at leisure and may cull in running
\nThose delicate, scarcely-heeded strokes, which lost
\nPerfection’s disappointed. There art comes in
\nTo justify genius. Being old besides
\nThe subject occupies<\/font>\u00b9<\/font> creative labour
\nTo make old new. The other’s but invention,
\nA frail thing, though a gracious. He’s creator
\nWho greatly handles great material,
\nCalls order out of the abundant deep,
\nNot who invents sweet shadows out of air.
\nPardon, Sir, I forgot my limits thus
\nTo speak at random in so great a presence.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou have a hopeful son. Lord Beltran, modest
\nAnd witty, a fair conjunction, a large critic
\nAnd taking speaker.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tISMENIA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTrue, O true! <\/b> He has taken<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\u00b9amplifies <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

 
\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 826<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMy heart out of my bosom.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWill you hush?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCount, I have heard your lands are very lavish
\nIn Nature’s best. I think I have not seen them.
\nIndeed I grudge each rood of Spanish earth
\nMy eyes have not perused, my heart stored up.
\nYet what with foreign boyhood, strange extraction
\nAnd hardly reaching with turmoil to power
\nI am a stranger purely. I have swept
\nThrough beautiful Spain more like a wind than man,
\nNow fugitive, now blown into my right
\nOn a mere whirlwind of success. But maybe
\nGreat occupation has disabled you
\nFrom this poor trifle also.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ELTRAN
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI avow
\nMy son would answer better, Sire. I care not
\nWhether this tree be like a tower or that
\nA dragon: and I never saw myself
\nDifference twixt field and field, save the main one
\nOf size, boundary and revenue; and those
\nWere great once, \u2014 why now lessened and by whom
\nI will not move you by repeating. Sire,
\nAlthough my heart speaks of it feelingly.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSpeak then, Antonio, but tell me not
\nOf formal French demesnes and careful parks,
\nLife dressed like a stone lady, statuesque,
\nThey please the judging eye, but not the heart.
\nWhen Nature is disnatured, all her glowing
\nGreat outlines chillingly disharmonised<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 827<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nInto stiff lines, the heart’s dissatisfied,
\nAsks freedom, wideness, it compares the sweep
\nOf the large heavens above and feels a discord.
\nYour architects plan beauty by the yard,
\nWeigh sand with sand, parallel line with line
\nBut miss the greatest. Since uncultured force
\nThough rude, yet striking home, by far exceeds
\nArtisan’s work, mechanically good.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOur fields, Sire, are a rural holiday,
\nNot Nature carved ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHas she a voice to you?
\nSilent, she’s not so fair.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYes, we have brooks
\nMuttering through sedge and stone, and willows by them
\nLeaning dishevelled and forget-me-nots,
\nWonders of lurking azure, rue and mallow,
\nHoneysuckle and painful meadowsweet,
\nAnd when we’re tired of watching the rich bee
\nMurmur absorbed about one lonely flower
\nThen we can turn and hear a noon of birds.
\nEach on his own heart’s quite intent, yet all
\nJoin sweetness at melodious intervals.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou have many trees ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGlades, Sire, and green assemblies
\nAnd separate giants bending to each other
\nAs if they longed to meet. Some are pranked out,
\nOthers wear merely green like foresters.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 828<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tISMENIA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCan hatred sound so sweet ? Are enemies’ voices
\nLike hail of angels to the ear, Brigida ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHush, fool. We are too near. Someone will mark you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy, cousin, if they do, what harm? Sure all
\nUnblamed may praise sweet music when they hear it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nRule your tongue, madam. Or must I leave you?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou have made me sorrowful. How different<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs this pale picture of a Court, these walls<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShut out from honest breathing; God kept not<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHis quarries in the wild and distant hills<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor such perversion. It was sin when first<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHands serried stone with stone. Guzman, you are<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA wise, a patient reasoner, \u2014 is it not better<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo live in the great air God made for us,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA peasant in the open glory of earth,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFeeling it, yet not knowing it, like him<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo drink the cool life-giving brook nor crave<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe sour fermented madness of the grape<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNor the dull exquisiteness of far-fetched viands<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor the tired palate, but black bread or maize,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMere wholesome ordinary corn. Think you not<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA life so in the glorious sunlight bathed,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nStraight nursed and suckled from the vigorous Earth<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith shaping labour and the homely touch<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf the great hearty mother, edifies<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA nobler kind than nourished is in Courts ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut we are even as children quite removed<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFrom those her streaming breasts, and of the sun<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 829<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nDefrauded and the lusty salutation
\nOf wind and rain, grow up amphibious nothing,
\nNon-man, who are too sickly wise for earth
\nAnd too corrupt to be the heirs of heaven.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tGUZMAN <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI think not so, Your Highness.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNot so, Guzman?
\nIs not a peasant happier than a king ?
\nFor he has useful physical toil and sleep
\nUnbroken as a child’s. He is not hedged
\nBy swathing ceremony which forbids
\nA king to feel himself a man. He has friends,
\nFor he has equals. And in youth he marries
\nThe comrade of his boyhood whom he loved
\nAnd gets on that sweet helper stalwart children,
\nThen brings his grandchildren climbing on his knees,
\nA happy calm old man; because he lived
\nMan’s genuine life and goes with task accomplished
\nThro’ death as thro’ a gate, not questioning.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tG<\/font>UZMAN
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEach creature labouring in his own vocation<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDesires another’s and deems the heavy burden<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf his own fate the world’s sole heaviness.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEach thing’s to its perceptions limited,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnother’s are to it intangible,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA shadow far away, quite bodiless,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLost in conjecture’s wide impalpable.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOn its unceasing errand through the void<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe earth rolls on, a blind and moaning sphere.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt knows not Venus’ sorrows, but it looks<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith envy crying, "These have light and beauty,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI only am all dark and comfortless."<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe land yearning for life, endeavours seaward,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 830<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe sea, weary of motion, pines to turn
\nInto reposeful earth: yet were this done
\nEach would repine again and hate the doer;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe land would miss its flowers and grass and birds,
\nThe sea long for the coral and the cave.
\nFor he who made labour the base of life,
\nGave with it power, a thing so dear to existence,
\nTo lose’t is death. Toil is the form of power;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNay, toil’s self creates answering energy<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd makes the loss of toil a wretchedness.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe labourer physically is divine,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nInward a void, yet in his limits blest.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut were the city’s cultured son, who turns<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWatching an envious, crying "Were I simple,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPrimeval in my life as he, how happy!",<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nInto such environs confined, how then<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHis temperament would beat against the bars<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf circumstance and rage for wider field.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nUninterchangeable their natures stand<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd self-confined; for so Earth made them. Earth,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe brute and kindly mother groping for mind.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe of her vigorous nature bore her sons<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMade lusty with her milk and the warm force<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nRedundant in her veins, else like the lark<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAiming from her to heaven. And souls are there<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWho rooted in her puissant animalism<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAre greatly earthy, yet widen to the void<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd heighten to the sky. But these are rare<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd of no privileged country citizens<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNor to the city bounded nor the field.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThey are wise and royal in the furrow, keep<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn schools their chastened vigour from the soil<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo base their spirits vastly. Man is strong<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAntaeuslike, based on his native Earth<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFrom which being lifted great communities<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDie in their intellectual grandeur. So then<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLet the soil’s son and grafting of the city<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 Page <\/font>
\n\u2013 831<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nKeep their conditions, heightened or refreshed
\nWith breath and force of each a different spirit
\nIf may be; one not admit untutored envy
\nThe other vain imagination making
\nReturn to nature a misleading name
\nFor a reversion most unnatural.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou reason well, Guzman; nor must we pine<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAt stations where God and his saints have set us.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd yet because I’d feel the rural air,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf greatness unreminded, I will go<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTomorrow as a private nobleman.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy lords, forget for one day I’m the king<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNor watch my moods, nor with your eyes wait on me<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNor disillusionize by high observance<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut keep as to an equal courtesy.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AJORDOMO<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut, Your Majesty \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tKING <\/font>PHILIP
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWell, Sir, Your Ancient Wisdom \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>AJORDOMO<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe Kings of Spain \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAre absolute, you’ld say,
\nOver men only ? Custom masters kings.
\nI’ll not be ruled by your stale ceremonies
\nAs kings are by an arrogating Senate,
\nBut will control them, wear them when I will,
\nWalk disencumbered when I will. Enough
\nYou have done your part in protest. I have heard you.
\nAnd now, my lords.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 832<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tL<\/font>ORDS
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYour Highness is obeyed.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTell on, Antonio, who perform the masque.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ELTRAN
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat can I tell Your Highness, rural girls,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe daughters of the soil, whom country air<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHas given the ruddy health to bloom in their cheeks.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFull of our Spanish sunlight are they, voiced<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLike Junos and will make our ladies pale<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBefore them. There’s a Miller’s lovely daughter,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA marvel. Robed in excellent apparel<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs she will be, there’s not a maid in Spain<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCan stand beside her and stay happy. My sons<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHave spared nor words nor music nor array<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNor beauty to express their loyal duty.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI am much graced by this their gentle trouble
\nAnd yet. Lord Beltran, there are nobler things
\nThan these brocaded masques, not that I scorn these,
\nDo not believe I would be so ungracious, \u2014
\nNor anything belittle in which true hearts
\nInterpret their rich silence. Yet there’s one
\nDesire, I would exchange for many masques,
\nTis noble: an easy word bestows it wholly,
\nAnd yet, I fear, for you too difficult.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ELTRAN
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy lord, you know my service and should not
\nDoubt my compliance. Name and take it. Else judge me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy, noble reconcilement, Conde Beltran;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSweet friendship between mighty jarring houses<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 833<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nAnd by great intercession war renounced<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBetwixt magnificent hearts: these are the masques<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMost sumptuous, these the glorious theatres<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat subjects should present to princes. Conrad<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd noble Beltran, I respect the wrath<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSunders your pride: yet mildness has the blessing<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf God and is religion’s perfect mood.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAdmit that better weakness. Throw your hearts<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWide to the knocks of entering peace: let not<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe ashes of a rage the world renounces<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSmoulder between you nor outdated griefs<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nKeep living. What, quite silent ? Will you, Conrad,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nRefuse to me your answer, who so often<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHave for my sake your very life renounced ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>ONRAD
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy lord, the hate that I have never cherished<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI know not how to abandon. Not in the sway<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf<\/b> other men’s affections I have lived<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut walked in the straight road my fortunes build me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLet any love who will or any hate who will,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI take both with a calm, unburdened spirit,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nInarm my lover as a friend, embrace<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy enemy as a wrestler: do my will,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBecause it is my will, go where I go,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBecause my path lies there. If any cross me,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat is his choice, not mine. And if he suffer,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAgain it is his choice, not mine. It’s I,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat is my star. I curse him not for it:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy fate’s beyond his making as my spirit’s
\nAbove affection by him. I hate no man,
\nAnd if Lord Beltran give to me his hand,
\nI will most gladly clasp it and forget
\nOutdated injuries and wounds long healed.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ELTRAN<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO you are most noble, Conrad, most benign.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 834<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWho now can say the ill-doer ne’er forgives ?
\nConrad has dispossessed my kinsmen, slain
\nMy vassals, me of ancient lands relieved,
\nThinned my great house; but Beltran is forgiven.
\nWill you not now enlarge your generous nature,
\nWrong me still more, have new and ampler room
\nFor exercise to your forgiving heart,
\nI must embrace misfortune and fresh loss
\nBefore your friendship, lord.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNo more of this.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ELTRAN
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPardon, Your Highness; this was little praise
\nFor so deep<\/font>\u00b9<\/font> Christianity. Lord Conrad,
\nI will not trouble you further. And perhaps
\nWith help of the good saints and holy Virgin
\nI too shall make me some room to pardon in.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>ONRAD
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI fear you not. Lord Count. Our swords have clashed:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMine was the stronger. For what I have won,
\nI got it by decree of arms. So you
\nHad won mine, had you taken sides with fortune
\nAnd kept her faithful with your sword. Your satire
\nHas no sharp edge till it cut that from me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis is unprofitable. No more of it.
\nLord Conrad, you go homeward with the dawn ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>ONRAD
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWinning your gracious leave to have with me
\nMy sisters. Sir.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9much <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 835<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tK<\/font>ING
\n\t<\/font>P<\/font>HILIP
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Queen is very loth
\nTo lose her favourite, but to disappoint you
\nMuch more unwilling. You’ll come with me,
\nMy lords, you too. Lord Beltran.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nExeunt King, Beltran, Guzman & Grandees.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tR<\/font>ONCEDAS <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA word, with you Lord Conrad.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>ONRAD<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs many as you will, Roncedas.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tR<\/font>ONCEDAS <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis. (whispers)
\n<\/i>My lord, your good friend always.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>ONRAD
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSo you have been.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nExit Roncedas.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nCousin, and sweetest sister, I am bound
\nHomeward upon a task that needs my presence.
\nDon Mario and his wife will bring you there.
\nAre you content or shall I stay for you ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tISMENIA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWith all you do, dear brother, yet would have
\nYour blessing by me.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>ONRAD
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMay your happiness
\nGreatly exceed my widest wishes.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSo
\nIt must do, brother or I am unhappy.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 836<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat task will he have now? Some girl-lifting.
\nWhat other task! Shall we go, cousin?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nStay.
\nLet us not press so closely after them.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nGood manners <\/b>? Oh, your pardon. I was blind.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAre you a lover or a fish,<\/font>\u00b9<\/font>Antonio ?
\nSpeak. She yet lingers.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSpeak?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe devil remove you
\nWhere you can never more have sight of her.
\nI lose all patience.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCousin, I know you’re tired
\nWith standing. Sit, and if you tire with that,
\nAs perseverance is a powerful virtue,
\nFor your reward the dumb may speak to you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhat shall I do, dear girl?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy, speak the first,
\nCount Conrad’s sister! Be<\/b> the Mahomet
\nTo your poor mountain. Hang me if I think not<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9sheep<\/font>, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 837<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe prophet’s hill more moveable of the two;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAn earthquake stirs not this. What ails the man ?
\nHe has made a wager with some lamp-post surely.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tISMENIA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBrigida, are you mad ? Be so immodest ?
\nA stranger and my house’s enemy!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNo, never speak to him. It would be indeed
\nHorribly forward.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy, you jest, Brigida.
\nI’m no such light thing that I must be dumb
\nLest men mistake my speaking. Let frail men
\nOr men suspect to their own purity
\nGuard every issue of speech and gesture. Wherefore
\nShould I be hedged so meanly in ? To greet
\nWith few words, cold and grave, as is befitting
\nThis gentle youth, why do you call immodest ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou must not.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMust not? Why, I will.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI say
\nYou must not, child.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI will then, not because
\nI wish (why should I ?), but because you always
\nProvoke me with your idle prudities.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 838<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGood! You’ve been wishing it the last half-hour<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd now you are provoked to’t. Charge him, charge him.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI stand here as reserve.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nImpossible creature!
\nBut no! You shall not turn me.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n‘Twas not my meaning.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSir \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nRouse yourself, Antonio. Gather back
\nYour manhood, or you’re shamed without retrieval.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHelp me, Brigida.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNot I, cousin.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSir,
\nYou spoke divinely well. I say this. Sir,
\nNot to recall to you that we have met \u2014
\nSince you will not remember \u2014 but because
\nI would not have you \u2014 anyone \u2014 think this of me
\nThat since you are Antonio and my enemy
\nAnd much have hurt me \u2014 to the heart, therefore
\nWhen one speaks or does worthily, I can
\nAdmire not, nor love merit, whosoe’er
\nBe its receptacle. This was my meaning.
\nI could not bear one should not know this of me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 839<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nTherefore I spoke.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSpeak or be dumb forever.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI see, you have mistook me why I spoke<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd scorn me. Sir, you may be right to think<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou have so sweet a tongue would snare the birds<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFrom off the branches, ravish an enemy,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\u2014 Some such poor wretch there may be \u2014 witch her heart out,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIf you could care for anything so cheap<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd hold it in your hand, lost, \u2014 lost, \u2014 Oh me!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBrigida!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO base silence! Speak! She is
\nConfounded. Speak, you sheep, you!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThough this is<\/i> so,
\nYou do me wrong to think me such an one,
\nMost flagrant wrong, Antonio. To think that I
\nWait one word of your lips to woo you, yearn
\nTo be your loving servant at a word
\nFrom you, \u2014 one only word and I am yours.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAdmirable lady! Saints, can you be dumb
\nWho hear this ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nStill you scorn me. For all this
\nYou shall not make me angry. Do you imagine
\nBecause you know I am Lord Conrad’s sister
\nAnd lodge with Donna Clara Santa Cruz
\nIn the street Velasquez, and you have seen it<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 840<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWith marble front and the quaint mullioned windows,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat you need only after vespers, when<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe streets are empty, stand there, and I will<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSend one to you ? Indeed, indeed I merit not<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou should think poorly of me. If you’re noble<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd do not scorn me, you will carefully<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nObserve the tenour of my prohibition,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBrigida.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCome away with your few words,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYour cold grave words. You have frozen his speech with them.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nExeunt.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHeavens! it was she \u2014 her words were not a dream,
\nYet I was dumb. There was a majesty
\nEven in her tremulous playfulness, a thrill
\nWhen she smiled most, made my heart beat too quickly
\nFor speech. O that I should be dumb and shamefast,
\nWhen with one step I might grasp Paradise.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAntonio!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI was not deceived. She blushed,
\nAnd the magnificent scarlet to her cheeks
\nWelled from her heart an ocean inexhaustible.
\nRose but outcrimsoned rose. Yes, every word
\nRoyally marred the whiteness of her cheeks
\nWith new impossibilities of beauty.
\nShe blushed, and yet as with an angry shame
\nOf that delicious weakness, gallantly
\nHer small imperious head she held erect
\nAnd strove in vain to encourage those sweet lids
\nThat fluttered lower and lower. O that but once<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 841<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMy tongue had been as bold as were mine eyes!
\nBut these were fastened to her as with cords,
\nCourage in them naked necessity.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAh poor Antonio. You’re bewitched, you’re maimed,
\nAntonio. You must make her groan who did this.
\nOne sense will always now be absent from him.
\nLately he had no tongue. Now that’s returned
\nHis ears are gone on leave. Hark you, Antonio
\nWhy do we stay here ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI am in a dream.
\nLead where you will; since there is no place now
\nIn all the world, but only she or silence.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 842<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE MAID IN THE MILL   LOVE SHUFFLES THE CARDS A Comedy  DRAMATIS PERSONAE   CUPID. ATE. KING PHILIP OF SPAIN. COUNT BELTRAN, a nobleman….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","wpcat-6-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=217"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}