Love's Comedy Part 26

FALK.

Good.

[Clapping STIVER on the shoulder.

Here's a friend who will not put me by.

We'll start with Stiver's lyric ecstasies.

STIVER [after a glance of horror at STRAWMAN].

Are you quite mad! Nay then I must be heard!

You dare accuse me for a poet--

MISS JAY.

How--!

FALK.

Your office has averred it anyhow.

STIVER [in towering anger].

Sir, by our office nothing is averred.

FALK.

Well, leave me then, you also: I have by me One comrade yet whose loyalty will last.

"A true heart's story" Lind will not deny me, Whose troth's too tender for the ocean blast, Who for his mistress makes surrender of His fellow-men--pure quintessence of Love!

MRS. HALM.

My patience, Mr. Falk, is now worn out.

The same abode no longer can receive us:-- I beg of you this very day to leave us--

FALK [with a bow as MRS. HALM and the company withdraw].

That this would come I never had a doubt!

STRAWMAN.

Between us two there's a battle to the death; You've slandered me, my wife, my little flock, From Molly down to Millie, in one breath.

Crow on, crow on--Emanc.i.p.ation's c.o.c.k,-- [Goes in followed by his wife and children.

FALK.

And go you on observing Peter's faith To Love your lord--who, thanks to your advice, Was thrice denied before the c.o.c.k crew thrice!

MISS JAY [turning faint].

Attend me, Stiver! help me get unlaced My corset--this way, this way--do make haste!

STIVER [to FALK as he withdraws with MISS JAY on his arm].

I here renounce your friends.h.i.+p.

LIND.

I likewise.

FALK [seriously].

You too, my Lind?

LIND.

Farewell.

FALK.

You were my nearest one--

LIND.

No help, it is the pleasure of my dearest one.

[He goes in: SVANHILD has remained standing on the verandah steps.

FALK.

So, now I've made a clearance, have free course In all directions!

SVANHILD.

Falk, one word with you!

FALK [pointing politely to the house].

That way, Miss Halm;--that way, with all the force Of aunts and inmates, Mrs. Halm withdrew.

SVANHILD [nearer him].

Let them withdraw; their ways and mine divide; I will not swell the number of their band.

FALK.

You'll stay?

SVANHILD.

If you make war on lies, I stand A trusty armour-bearer by your side.

FALK.

You, Svanhild, you who--

SVANHILD.

I, who--yesterday--?

Were you yourself, Falk, yesterday the same?

You bade me be a sallow, for your play.

FALK.

And a sweet sallow sang me into shame.

No, you are right: I was a child to ask; But you have fired me to a n.o.bler task.

Right in the midst of men the Church is founded Where Truth's appealing clarion must be sounded We are not called, like demiG.o.ds, to gaze on The battle from the far-off mountain's crest, But in our hearts to bear our fiery blazon, An Olaf's cross upon a mailed breast,-- To look afar across the fields of flight, Tho' pent within the mazes of its might,-- Beyond the mirk descry one glimmer still Of glory--that's the Call we must fulfil.

SVANHILD.

And you'll fulfil it when you break from men, Stand free, alone,--

FALK.

Did I frequent them then?

And there lies duty. No, that time's gone by,-- My solitary compact with the sky.

My four-wall-chamber poetry is done; My verse shall live in forest and in field, I'll fight under the splendour of the sun;-- I or the Lie--one of us two must yield!