GREEK GIRL AND THE BARBARIAN.

INGOMAR.-Act II.-Scene 1.

Ingomar. That's good; come, that looks well; She is a brave girl! she rules herself, and if She keep her word, we have made a good exchange'I'll weep no more.' Aha! I like the girl.

And if-- -Ho! whither goest thou?

[To Parthenia who is going off with two goblets. Parthenia. Where should I go? to yonder brook, to cleanse the cups.

Ing. No! stay and talk with me.

Par. I have duties to perform.
Ing. Stay-I command you, slave!

[Going

Par. I am no slave! your hostage, but no slave.

I go to cleanse the cups.

[Exit L. Ing. Ho! here's a self-willed thing-here is a spirit!

[Mimicking her. 'I will not, I am no slave! I have duties to perform! Take me for hostage!' and she flung back her head As though she brought with her a ton of gold! 'I'll weep no more,'—Aha! an impudent thing. She pleases me! I love to be opposed;

.[snarl,

I love my horse when he rears, my dogs when they

The mountain torrent, and the sea, when it flings
Its foam up to the stars; such things as these
Fill me with life and joy. Tame indolence
Is living death! the battle of the strong
Alone is life!

[During this speech Parthenia has returned with the cups and a bundle of field flowers. She seats herself on a piece of rock in front. Ing. Ah! she is here again. (He approaches her, and leans over her on the rock.) What art thou making

there? Par. I garlands.

Ing.

Garlands?

Musing.] It seems to me as I before had seen her
In a dream! How! Ah, my brother!-he who died
A child-yes, that is it. My little Folko-

She has his dark brown hair, his sparkling eye:
Even the voice seems known again to me:
I'll not to sleep-I'll talk to her.

These you call garlands,

And wherefore do you weave them?

Par. For these cups.

Ing. How?

[Returns to her.

Par. Is it not with you a custom? With us At home, we love to intertwine with flowers, Our cups and goblets.

Ing. What use is such a plaything?

Par. Use? They are beautiful; that is their use. The sight of them makes glad the eye; their scent Refreshes, cheers. There

[Fastens the half-finished garland round a cup and presents it to him.] Is not that, now beautiful?

[up Ing. Ay-by the bright sun! That dark green mixed With the gay flowers! Thou must teach our women To weave such garlands.

Par. That is soon done: thy wife

Herself shall soon weave wreaths as well as I. [woman Ing. (Laughing heartily.) My wife! my wife! a Dost thou say?

I thank the gods, not I. This is my wife

[Pointing to his accoutrements.. My spear, my shield, my sword; let him who will Waste cattle, slaves, or gold, to buy a woman; Not I-not I!

Par. To buy a woman?-how?

Ing. What is the matter? why dost look so strangely? Par. How! did I hear aright? bargain for brides

As you would slaves-buy them like cattle?

Ing. Well, I think a woman fit only for a slave.
We follow our own customs, as you yours.
How do you in your city there?

Par.

Consult our hearts.

Massilia free-born daughters are not sold,

But bound by choice with bands as light and sweet As these I hold. Love only buys us there.

[bands! Ing. Marry for love-what! do you love your husPar. Why marry else?

Ing. Marry for love; that's strange!

I cannot comprehend. I love my horse,

My dogs, my brave companions-but no woman!
What dost thou mean by love-what is it, girl?

Par. What is it? 'Tis of all things the most sweet—
The heaven of life--or, so my mother says,
I never felt it.

Ing.

Par.

Never?

No, indeed. [Looking at garland.

Now look how beautiful! Here would I wave
Red flowers if I had them.

Ing.

Yonder there,

In that thick wood they grow

Par.

How sayest thou? [some. (Looking off) Oh, what a lovely red! Go pluck me Ing. (Starting at the suggestion.) I go for thee?

the master serve the slave!

[Gazing on her with increasing interest·

And yet, why not? I'll go-the poor child's tired.
Par. Dost thou hesitate?

Ing. No, thou shall have the flowers

As fresh and dewy as the bush affords.

Par. (Holding out the wreath.)

I never yet succeeded half so well.

[He goes off, R

It will be charming! Charming? and for whom?
Here among savages! no mother here

Looks smiling on it-I am alone, forsaken ?

But no, I'll weep no more! No, none shall say I fear.

Re-enter INGOMAR, with a bunch of flowers, and slowly advancing towards Parthenia.

Ing. (Aside.) The little Folko, when in his play he wanted

Flowers or fruit, would so cry 'Bring them to me;
Quick! I will have them-these I will have or none;'
Till somehow he compelled me to obey him,
And she, with the same spirit, the same fire-
Yes there is much of the bright child in her,
Well, she shall be a little brother to me!
There are the flowers.

Par. Thanks, thanks.

Too short off in the stem

[He hands her the flowers.

Oh, thou hast broken them

[She throws some of them on the ground.

Ing. Shall I go and get thee more?

Par. No, these will do.

Ing. Tell me now about your home-I will sit here Near thee.

Par. Not there: thou art crushing all the flowers. Ing. (Seating himself at her feet.)

Well, well; I will sit here, then. And now tell me, What is your name!

Par.
Ing.

Parthenia.

Parthenia!

A pretty name! and now, Parthenia, tell me
How that which you call love grows in the soul;
And what love is: 'tis strange, but in that word [less
There's something seems like yonder ocean-fathom-
Par. How shall I say? Love comes, my mother
says,

Like flowers in the night-reach me those violets-
It is a flame a single look will kindle,

But not an ocean quench.

Fostered by dreams, excited by each thought,
Love is a star from heaven, that points the way
And leads us to its home-a little spot

In earth's dry desert, where the soul may rest-
A grain of gold in the dull sand of life-
A foretaste of Elysium; but when,

Weary of this world's woes, the immortal gods
Flew to the skies, with all their richest gifts,

Love stayed behind, self-exiled for man's sake!
Ing. I never yet heard aught so beautiful!
But still I comprehend it not.

Par.

Nor I.

For I have never felt it; yet I know

A song my mother sang, an ancient song,
That plainly speaks of love at least to me.
How goes it? stay-

[Slowly, as trying to recollect.

'What love is, if thou wouldst be taught,

Thy heart must teach alone,

Two souls with but a single thought,

Two hearts that beat as one.'

'And whence comes love? like morning's light,

It comes without thy call;

And how dies love?-A spirit bright,

Love never dies at all!'

And when-and when

Ing. Go on.

[Hesitating as unable to continue.

Par. I know no more.

Ing. (Impatiently.) Try-Try.

Par. I cannot now; but at some other time

I may remember.

Ing. (Somewhat authoritatively.) Now, go on I say. Par. (Springing up in alarm.) Not now, I want more roses for my wreath!

Yonder they grow, I will fetch them for myself.
Take care of all my flowers and the wreath! [runs off.

[Throws the flowers into Ingomar's lap and Ing. (after a pause, without changing his position, speaking to himself in deep abstraction.)

"Two souls with but a single thought,

Two hearts that beat as one,'