{"id":220,"date":"2013-07-13T01:26:41","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=220"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:26:41","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:41","slug":"41-the-maid-in-the-mill-act-1-sc-2-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\/41-the-maid-in-the-mill-act-1-sc-2-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","title":{"rendered":"-41_The Maid in the Mill Act-1 Sc-2.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n

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

\n <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nA garden at the town-house of Count Beltran.
\nAntonio, Basil.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI am abashed of\u00b9 you. What, make a lady<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWoo you, and she a face so excellent,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf an address so admirably lovely<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt shows a goddess in her \u2014 at each sentence<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLet pause to give you opportunity<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThen shame with the dead silence of the hall<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor her continual answer. Fie, you’re not<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAntonio, you are not Beltran’s issue. Seek<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYour kindred in the snowdrifts of the Alps<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOr call a post your father.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI deserve
\nYour censure, Basil. Yet were it done again,
\nI know I should again be dumb. My tongue
\nTeems in imagination but is barren
\nIn actuality. When I am from her,
\nI woo her with the accent of a god,
\nMy mind o’erflows with words as the wide Nile
\nWith waters. Let her but appear and I
\nAm her poor mute. She may do her will with me
\nAnd O remember but her words. When she,
\nAh she, my white divinity with that kindness
\nCelestial in the smiling of her eyes
\nAnd in her voice the world’s great music, rose
\nOf blushing frankness, half woman and half angel,
\nCrowned me unwooed, lavished on me her heart
\nIn her prodigious liberality,
\nCould I then speak? O to have language then
\nHad been the index to a shallow love.
\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\u00b9<\/font>for <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 843<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nAway! You modest lovers are the blot<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf manhood, traitors to our sovereignty.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI’d have you banished, all of you, and kept<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn desert islands, where no petticoat<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShould enter, so the brood of you might perish.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou speak against the very sense of love<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhich lives by service.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\nFlat treason! Was not man made
\nWoman’s superior that he might control her,
\nIn strength to exact obedience and in wisdom
\nTo guide her will, in wit to keep her silent,
\nThree Herculean labours. O were women
\nOnce loose, they would new-deluge earth with words,
\nSapiently base creation on its apex,
\nLogic would be new-modelled, arithmetic
\nGrow drunk and reason despairing abdicate.
\nNo thunderbolt could stop a woman’s will
\nOnce it is started.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO you speak at ease,
\nLoved you, you would recant this without small
\nTorture to quicken you.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI? I recant?
\nI wish, Antonio, I had known your case
\nEarlier. I would have taught you how to love.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nCome, will you woo a woman? Teach me at least<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 844<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nBy diagram, upon a blackboard.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWell,
\nI will so, if it should hearten your weak spirits.
\nAnd now I thin-k of it, I am resolved
\nI’ll publish a new Art of Love, shall be
\nThe only Ovid memorable.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOn, on! Let’s hear you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nFirst, I would kiss her.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat, without leave asked ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nLeave? Ask a woman leave to kiss her! Why
\nWhat was she made for else ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIf she is angry?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSo much the better. Then you by repetition
\nConvince her of your manly strength, which is
\nA great point gained at the outset and moreover
\nYour duty, comfortable to yourself.
\nBesides she likes it. On the same occasion
\nWhen she will scold, I’ll silence her with wit.
\nLaughter breaks down impregnable battlements.
\nLet me but make her smile and there is conquest
\nWon by the triple strength, horse, foot, artillery,
\nOf eloquence, wit and muscle. Then but remains
\nPacification, with or else without<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 845<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe Church’s help, that’s a mere form and makes
\nNo difference to the principle.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThere should be
\nInquisitions for such as you. What after ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNothing unless you wish to assure the conquest,
\nNot plunder it merely like a Tamerlane.
\nI’ll teach that also. ‘Tis but making her
\nRealise her inferiority.
\nUnanswerably and o’erwhelmingly
\nShow her how fortunate she is to get you
\nAnd all her life too short for gratitude;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat you have robbed her merely for her good,
\nTo civilize her or to train her up:<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPunish each word that shows want of affection.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPlague her to death and make her thank you for it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAccustom her to sing hosannas to you<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhen you beat her. All this is ordinary,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd every wise benevolent conqueror<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHas learnt the trick of it. Then she’ll love you for ever.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou are a Pagan and would burn for this
\nIf Love still kept his Holy Office.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAm safe from him.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd therefore boast securely
\nConducting in imagination wars
\nThat others have the burden of. I’ve seen
\nThe critical civilian in his chair
\nWin famous victories with wordy carnage,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 846<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nGuide his strategic finger o’er a map,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCry "Eugene’s fault! here Marlboro’ was to blame,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd look, a child might see it, Villars’ plain error<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat lost him Malplaquet!" I think you are<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nJust such a pen-and-paper strategist.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA wooer!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nDeath, I will have pity on you,
\nAntonio. You shall see my great example
\nAnd learn by me.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGood, I’m your pupil. But hear,
\nA pretty face or I’ll not enter for her,
\nWellborn or I shall much discount your prowess.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAgreed. And yet they say experimentum
\nIn corpore vili. But I take your terms
\nLest you substract me for advantages.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nLook where the enemy comes. You are well off
\nIf you can win her.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nA rare face, by Heaven.
\nAlmost too costly a piece of goods for this
\nMad trial.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou sound retreat?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNot I an inch.
\nWatch how I’ll overcrow her.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

 
\nPage \u2013 847<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nHush, she’s here.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter Brigida.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSenor, I was bidden to deliver this letter to you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nTo me, sweetheart?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI have the inventory of you in my books, if you be he truly. I will
\nstudy it. Hair of the ordinary poetic length, dress indefinable,
\na modest address, \u2014 I think not you, Senor, \u2014 a noble manner,
\n\u2014 Pooh, no! \u2014 a handsome face. I am sure not to you, Senor.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\nWell, cousin. All silent? Open your
\nbatteries, open your batteries !<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWait, wait. Ought a conqueror to be hurried? Caesar himself
\nmust study his ground before he attempts it. You will hear my
\ntrumpets instanter.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWill you take your letter. Sir?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nTo me then, maiden ? A dainty-looking note, and I marvel much
\nfrom whom it can be. I do not know the handwriting. A lady’s,
\nseemingly, yet it has a touch of the masculine too \u2014 there is
\nrapidity and initiative in its flow. Fair one, from whom
\ncomes this?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 848<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nWhy, Sir, I am not her signature; which if you will look within,
\nthere I doubt not you will find a solution of your difficulty.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHere’s a clever"1 woman, Antonio, to think of that, and she but
\neighteen or a miracle.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWell, cousin.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThis Don Witty-pate eyes me strangely. I fear he will recognize
\nme.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIsmenia Ostrocadiz! O my joy.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou’re ill, sir, you change colour.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNow, by Heaven
\nWere death within my heart’s door or his blast
\nUpon my eyelids, this would exile him.
\nThe writing swims before me.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSir, you pale
\nExtremely. Is there no poison in that letter?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO might I so be poisoned hourly. Let me<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNo longer dally with my happiness,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLet it take wings or turn a dream. Hail, letter,<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 849<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nFor thou hast come from that white hand I worship.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n"To Lord Antonio:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSe\u00f1or, how you may deem of my bold wooing,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHow cruelly I suffer in your thoughts,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI dread to think. Take the plain truth, Antonio.<\/b><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI cannot live without your love. If you<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFrom this misdoubt my nobleness or infer<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA wanton haste or instability, \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs men pretend quick love is quickly spent\u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTear up this letter, and with it my heart.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd yet I hope you will not tear it. I love you<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd since I saw our family variance<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd your too noble tearfulness withhold me<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFrom my heart’s lord I have thrown from me shame<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd the admired dalliance of women<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo bridge it. Come to me, Antonio! Come,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut come in honour. I am not nor can be<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSo far degenerate from my house’s greatness<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOr my pure self to love ignobly. Dear,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have thrown from me modesty’s coy pretences<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut the reality I’ll grapple to me<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nClose as your image. I am loth to end,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYet must, and therefore will I end with this<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n‘Beloved, love me, respect me or forget me’."<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nWriting more sweet than any yet that came<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFrom heaven to earth, O thou dear revelation.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMake my lips holy. Ah, could I imagine<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThee the white hand that wrote thee, I were blest<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nUtterly. Thou hast made me twice myself.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI think I am another than Antonio.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe sky seems nearer to me or the earth<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnvironed with a sacred light. O come!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI’ll study to imprint this on my heart,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat when death comes he’ll find it there and leave it,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA monument and an immortal writing.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 Page \u2013 850<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nDamsel, you are of the Lady Ismenia’s household?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nA poor relative of hers, Se\u00f1or.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYour face seems strangely familiar to me. Have I not seen you in
\nsome place where I constantly resort ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO Sir, I hope you do not think so meanly of me. I am a poor girl
\nbut an honest.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHow, how?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI know not how. I spoke only as the spirit moved me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou have a marvellously nimble tongue. Two words with you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWillingly, Senor, if you exceed not measure.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nFair one\u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOh, Sir, I am glad I listened. I like your two words extremely.
\nGod be with you.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhy, I have not begun yet.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe more shame to your arithmetic. If your teacher had reckoned
\n<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

 Page \u2013 851<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nas loosely with his cane-cuts, he would have made the
\ncarefuller scholar.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGod’s wounds, will you listen to me?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWell, Sir, I will not insist upon numbers. But pray, for your own
\nsake, swear no more. No eloquence will long stand such draft
\nupon it.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIf you would listen, I would tell you a piece of news that might
\nplease you.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nLet it be good news, new news and repeatable news and I will
\nthank you for it.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSure, maiden, you are wondrous beautiful.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSenor, Queen Anne is dead. Tell me the next.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe next is, I will kiss you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOh, Sir, that’s a prophecy. Well, death and kissing come to all
\nof us, and by what disease the one or by whom the other, wise
\nmen care not to forecast. It profits little to study calamities
\nbeforehand. When it comes, I pray God I may learn to take it
\nwith resignation, if I cannot do better. <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBy my life, I will kiss you and without farther respite.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 Page \u2013 852<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nOn what ground?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHave I not told you, you are beautiful.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSo has my mirror, not once but a hundred times, and never yet
\noffered to kiss me. When it does, I’ll allow your logic. No, we
\nare already near enough to each other. Pray, keep your distance.<\/font> 
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI will establish my argument with my lips.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI will defend mine with my hand. I promise you ’twill prove the
\nabler dialectician of the two.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\nI am glad you think so, Senor. My lord, I cannot stay. What
\nshall I tell my lady?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nTell her my heart is at her feet, and I<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAm hers, hers only until heaven ceases<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd after. Tell her that I am more blest<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn her sweet condescension to my humbleness<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThan Ilian Anchises when Love’s mother<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nStooped from her golden heavens into his lap.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTell her that as a goddess I revere her<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd as a saint adore; that she and life<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAre one to me, for I’ve no heart but her,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNo atmosphere beyond her pleasure, light<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut what her eyes allow me. Tell, O tell her\u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 853<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nHold, hold, Senor. You may tell her all this yourself. I would
\nnot remember the half of it and could not understand the other
\nhalf. Shall I tell her, you will come surely?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAs sure as is the sun to its fixed hour
\nOr midnight to its duty. I will come.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGood! there are at last three words a poor girl can understand.
\nMark then, you will wait a while after nightfall, less than half a
\nbowshot from the place you know towards the Square Velasquez,
\nwithin sight of the Donna’s windows. Then I will come to you.
\nSir, if your sword be half as ready and irresistible as your tongue,
\nI would gladly have you there with him, though Saint Iago grant
\nthat neither prove necessary. You look sad. Sir. God save you
\nfor a witty and eloquent gentleman.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nO cousin, I am bewitched with happiness.
\nPardon me that I leave you. Solitude
\nDemands a god and godlike I am grown
\nUnto myself. This letter deifies me.
\nI will be sole with my felicity.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nGod grant that I am not bewitched also! Saints and angels!
\nHow is it? How did it happen? Is the sun still in heaven? Is
\nthat the song of a bird or a barrel-organ ? I am not drunk either.
\nI can still distinguish between a tree and the squirrel upon it.
\nWhat, am I not Basil? whom men call the witty and eloquent
\nBasil ? Did I not laugh from the womb ? Was not my first cry a
\njest upon the world I came into ? Did I not invent a conceit upon
\nmy mother’s milk ere I had sucked of it? Death! And have I<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nage \u2013 854<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nbeen bashed and beaten by the tongue of a girl ? silenced by a
\ncommon purveyor of impertinences ? It is so and yet it cannot
\nbe. I begin to believe in the dogmas of the materialist. The
\ngastric juice rises in my estimation. Genius is after all only a form
\nof indigestion, a line of Shakespeare the apotheosis of a leg of
\nmutton and the speculations of Plato an escape of diseased tissue
\narrested in the permanency of ink. What did I break my fast
\nwith this morning? Kippered herring? Bread? Marmalade?
\nTea ? O kippered herring, art thou the material form of stupidity and is marmalade an enemy of wit ? It must be so.
\nO mighty
\ngastric juice! Mother and Saviour! I bow down before thee.
\nBe propitious, fair goddess, to thy adorer.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nArise, Basil. Today thou shalt retrieve thy tarnished laurels
\nor be expunged for ever from the book of the witty. Arm thy-
\nself in full panoply of allusion and irony, gird on raillery like a
\nsword and repartee like a buckler. I will meet this girl tonight.
\nI will tund her with conceits, torture her with ironies, tickle her
\nwith jests, prick her all over with epigrams. My wit shall smother
\nher, tear her, burst her sides, press her to death, hang her, draw
\nher, quarter her, and if all this fails. Death! as a last revenge,
\nI’ll marry<\/font>\u00b9<\/font> her. Saints!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\u00b9beat <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 855<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE II     A garden at the town-house of Count Beltran. Antonio, Basil. BASIL   I am abashed of\u00b9 you. What, make a lady…<\/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-220","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\/220","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=220"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/220\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=220"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=220"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=220"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}