Collected Works (Vol. III)

36 WHY JESUS WEPT SCENE VII. Mo7.Ly, outside TYSon’s Cottage, Moonrise. MOLLY TYSON. O there is edged the waning moon Out of the hollow of Sty Head Pass !? Gable! is grander for the gloom. Lingmell ! is silver! Ah, the bloom Of the rose of night ; oh, dulcet tune Of the dew falling on the grass ! I am the veritable Queen Of Night: my king is hither bound. A moment and he comes—oh, breast ! Heave if thou wilt !—such stir is rest. He comes, ah! steals to me unseen. The trees are high, the shades profound. Together over moor and lake ! Together over scaur and fell ! For ever let us travel so ; To stop so sweet a flight were woe. Even to stop for love’s own sake ; Save my love did it—Then? well ! well! Better to rest together, hard Hidden in a corner of the ghyll, Some cavern frosted over close, Some gully vivid with the rose Of love! The frost our years retard ! The rose—perfume our wonder-will ! But while I sing the moon Is up. False moon! False moon! So fast to ride. Ile is not here! Sure, he is dead ! O moon, reveal that holiest head ! There is much sorrow in love’s cup: Pleasure goes ever iron-eyed. Who are these fierce and eager forms That race across the untrodden moor, The dark-browed horsemen lashing, crying, Urging their weary steeds? Half-dying he beasts bend bitter to the storm’s Assault: they hunt? A man, be sure! 1 A pass, and mountains, in the Lake district. These figures touch my soul with fear. What of my love? These caitiffs chase him, May be. Who rides? I'll catch his bridle, Plough with his heifer, learn his riddle. [Enter CARRUTHERS, riding madly, crying “° Str Percy ! Sir Percy |” You, sir, what makes your honour here ! Sir Percy? Who then dares to face him? CARRUTHERS. Let go my bridle, girl, I save a life. MOLLY. You hunt Sir Percy Percivale ! CARRUTHERS. To save him. MOLLY. God save all honest men from knaves like you ! Stay, though, you are his friend? CARRUTHERS. His guardian. MOLLY. And I his promised wife. CARRUTHERS. Mad girl, be off ! MOLLY. Ay, strike me, coward ! CARRUTHERS (after thinking a moment), Then, come here, behind me! Quick, if you love him ! MOLLY. I will see him safe. What is this danger? CARRUTHERS. Danger of your sort. [She mounts. OLD TYSON comes out into the open. TYSON, Eh, less, wheer off noo ?