The Poetical Works of George MacDonald
Home - George MacDonald - The Poetical Works of George MacDonaldSCENE XIII.--LILIA'S room. JULIAN _enters with the child; undresses her, and puts her to bed_.
Lily.
Father does all things for his little Lily.Julian.
My own dear Lily! Go to sleep, my pet.[Sitting by her.]
"Wenn ich seh' und höre dich, Das genügt mir inniglich."
[Falling on his knees.]
I come to thee, and, lying on thy breast, Father of me, I tell thee in thine ear, Half-shrinking from the sound, yet speaking free, That thou art not enough for me, my God. Oh, dearly do I love thee! Look: no fear Lest thou shouldst be offended, touches me. Herein I know thy love: mine casts out fear. O give me back my wife; thou without her Canst never make me blessed to the full.
[Silence.]
O yes; thou art enough for me, my God; Part of thyself she is, else never mine. My need of her is but thy thought of me; She is the offspring of thy beauty, God; Yea of the womanhood that dwells in thee: Thou wilt restore her to my very soul.
[Rising.]
It may be all a lie. Some needful cause Keeps her away. Wretch that I am, to think One moment that my wife could sin against me! She will come back to-night. I know she will. I never can forgive my jealousy! Or that fool-visit to lord Seaford's house!
[His eyes fall on the glove which the child still holds in her sleeping hand. He takes it gently away, and hides it in his bosom.]It will be all explained. To think I should, Without one word from her, condemn her so! What can I say to her when she returns? I shall be utterly ashamed before her. She will come back to-night. I know she will.
[He throws himself wearily on the bed.]
SCENE XIV.--Crowd about the Italian Opera-House. JULIAN. LILY in his arms. Three Students.
1st Student.
Edward, you see that long, lank, thread-bare man? There is a character for that same novel You talk of thunder-striking London with, One of these days.2nd St.
I scarcely noticed him;
I was so taken with the lovely child. She is angelic.
3rd St.
You see angels always,
Where others, less dim-sighted, see but mortals. She is a pretty child. Her eyes are splendid. I wonder what the old fellow is about. Some crazed enthusiast, music-distract, That lingers at the door he cannot enter! Give him an obol, Frank, to pay old Charon, And cross to the Elysium of sweet sounds. Here's mine.
1st St.
And mine.
2nd St.
And mine.
[3rd Student offers the money to JULIAN.]
Julian
(very quietly).No, thank you, sir.
Lily.
Oh! there is mother![Stretching-her hands toward a lady stepping out of a carriage.]
Julian.
| No, no; hush, my child! |
[The lady looks round, and _LILY _clings to her father. Women talking.]
1st W.
I'm sure he's stolen the child. She can't be his.2nd W.
There's a suspicious look about him.3rd W
True;
But the child clings to him as if she loved him.
[JULIAN moves on slowly.]