Ah, I remember now, too much remember; But I am better: still methinks I fainted; Or was the whole a fearful, nightmare dream? Nay, am I yet not dreaming? No; I wake: And, as from dream or as from being born, Without the outery of a mother's travail; Or, as if waking from a revery, I to myself am ushered by strange music, That, in its solemn gentleness, falls on me Like a superior's blessing. Give me more Of this sweet benefit. [After having listened again. Who is this stranger? Yes, I know him now. "T is not a heavenly spirit, though so like one, Rapt, like a statue conjured from the air. David. [Sings, accompanying himself on his harp.] O Lord, have mercy on the king; Saul. [Aside.] He for me prays. O, heal thine own Anointed's hurt; Saul. [Aside.] I would not hide my faults; amen. Great God, thou art within this place; Saul. [Aside.] What have I done deserved the loss of grace? I cannot say 66 amen";- and if I did, My feeble amen would be blown away Before it had reached heaven. I cannot say it : There disbelief takes prisoner my tongue! As after winter cometh spring, Saul. [Aside.] So able, yet so humble ! [Aloud.] David, no; Thou shalt remain and be mine armorbearer. What, wouldst thou seek again the idle downs, 'Midst senseless sheep, to spend the listless day, Watching the doings of thy ewes and rams! Myself will teach thee military lessons; Swift to advance; how to surprise the foe; And how to leaven others with thy courage; And how at last to drink triumphantly, Meantime, thy lyric pleasures need not end; All the advantage thou hast been to me. And charm us with thy gentle sorcery. THE FLIGHT OF MALZAH Malzah. Music, music hath its sway; Music's order I obey : I have unwound myself at sound I'll sit i' the sky, Or swell and fill whom from the harmonious lyre, And man may lead them wheresoe'er he wills, And stare to see the nude demoniac Sit clothed and void of frenzy. I'll be gone, And take a posy with me from Saul's garden. [Exit; and soon re-enters, bearing a huge nosegay, and thereat snuffing. Shall I fling it in the earth's face, whence I took it! Albeit I've seen, perhaps, flowers as mean in heaven. Well, I will think that these are heaven's. This is a poor excuse for asphodel; Cannot unscent, the all-transcending rose. To say what I have gathered; for I spread I could compare to other trifling things, But shall not. Ah, here's head-hangingdown narcissus, A true and perfect emblem of myself. I'll count it my own likeness; and so leave it For delectation of my radiant mistress, MALZAH AND THE ANGEL ZELEHTHA SCENE. The Alps. Time, night, with stars. I wish 't would cease; it doth not please [Exit, and enter the angel Zelehtha. Zelehtha. He flees, he flees, across the seas That eastward lead to Canaan's land; [Looking upwards. How every star reminds me of my lover! When we did part, he on me cast his eyes, Bright as those orbs. Yet over them suffusion Came like the mists o'er evening, as he charged me Still to him to return (if so I might So would I now swift soar unto his bosom, O'er which the quiet, congregated stars Dance, twinkling-footed, and, in gladness, make Mute immemorial measure, without song. Yet hearken; the immeasurable yawn Methinks awakens, and, by me evoked, This grave of silence gives a ghost of sound. What song is that which wanders hitherward, 2d Sold. Clean-limbed. 3d Sold. 4th Sold. 5th Sold. Round-armed. Svelte. And lithe and lissome. 6th Sold. Like a Provençale in her mum ming garb On Pope Unreason's day. But where 's her dog? 7th Sold. I saw one like that one in Italy; A statue like her as two peas. They called her Bronze something, I forget. They dug her up, And polished her, and set her up on end. 1st Sold. Hi! graven image, hast thou ne'er a tongue? 2d Sold. How should she speak but as a magpie chatters, Chat, chat! pretty Mag! 3d Sold. Leave her alone, now. 4th Sold. Lay hold on her and see if she feels warm. [OHNAWA draws a knife. All. Aha! well done! encore the scene! well played! [ROBERVAL approaches; she advances to wards him. A live pawn for thy people? Then I hope 'T will be long time ere they make mat ters up, So that we still may keep thee hostage here. But say, do practised warriors, shrewd and cunning, Send such bright eyes as thine to armèd camp, To glancing catch full note of our weak points |