SCENE VI. — An Apartment in Mervyn Castle
Lord W OLD and L ADY M ERVYN
W OLD It seems an evil thing
So to be struck of Heaven; but, except this,
I've ta'en no harm.
L ADY M ER . Nay then, in the old times,
Such strokes of visitation were held sacred:
They fell on heads that the gods loved — none others
Be it so still of you!
W OLD . Gentlest of ladies,
Do you say this of me? Here's a new thing: —
Wold hurt, and laid in Mervyn; yet so pitied,
So cared for, tended so, ay, and by one
Whom he was taught to think his enemy!
What should this mean?
L ADY M ER . O do not think me that!
What should it mean but peace? Would I could stay
The old vents of blood betwixt us, I would do it
Even with my very heart!
W OLD . Your heart, you say?
Be it so, then. Surely the God of Heaven,
Thundering and lightening so, and bringing me
So to your house, meant you to be my wife
From this strange hour — you, and none else but you!
Were I not up in years, and from my youth
A man of blood, grave too, one not to be
Loved of young virgins, by my soul I'd ask you
To be my own true wife! You're the first woman
I ever set my heart on.
Why do you tremble so? I fear you hate me now?
L ADY M ER . O no.
W OLD . Come then to Wold with me, and stanch that blood
By this chaste kiss, I take thee for my wife.
I did not think, Lady,
The reach of nature in man's world could give me
A joy so holy deep. Excellent creature,
How I do love thee!
L ADY M ER . Mine own lord and husband!
W OLD . I'll never change from thee! I've been a man
Not of glad days, but I'll be glad in thee!
O ever near me, ever with me,
Thou, like the beautiful, meek, silent light,
The all-moulding light, wilt go into the grain
Of my dull nature, clearing it with new life,
So spiritual and so gracious is thy presence!
I go to Wold the while. My mother's blessing
Shall be on both of us.
L ADY M ER . All my fear is there:
I fear she'll never love one of our blood.
W OLD . Be of good cheer! Even did thy sweet deservings
Fail as my plea, still I have served my King,
And I will pray him, and he'll joy to bid
Those old feuds cease, and reconcile our houses.
To this my mother's loyalty will bow.
It may be, as an abstract duty first,
She'll love us; but with all her heart she'll love us,
For thy dear sake, when she has known thee better
L ADY M ER . Be it so, my good Lord: I wait thy honoured will.
Lord W OLD and L ADY M ERVYN
W OLD It seems an evil thing
So to be struck of Heaven; but, except this,
I've ta'en no harm.
L ADY M ER . Nay then, in the old times,
Such strokes of visitation were held sacred:
They fell on heads that the gods loved — none others
Be it so still of you!
W OLD . Gentlest of ladies,
Do you say this of me? Here's a new thing: —
Wold hurt, and laid in Mervyn; yet so pitied,
So cared for, tended so, ay, and by one
Whom he was taught to think his enemy!
What should this mean?
L ADY M ER . O do not think me that!
What should it mean but peace? Would I could stay
The old vents of blood betwixt us, I would do it
Even with my very heart!
W OLD . Your heart, you say?
Be it so, then. Surely the God of Heaven,
Thundering and lightening so, and bringing me
So to your house, meant you to be my wife
From this strange hour — you, and none else but you!
Were I not up in years, and from my youth
A man of blood, grave too, one not to be
Loved of young virgins, by my soul I'd ask you
To be my own true wife! You're the first woman
I ever set my heart on.
Why do you tremble so? I fear you hate me now?
L ADY M ER . O no.
W OLD . Come then to Wold with me, and stanch that blood
By this chaste kiss, I take thee for my wife.
I did not think, Lady,
The reach of nature in man's world could give me
A joy so holy deep. Excellent creature,
How I do love thee!
L ADY M ER . Mine own lord and husband!
W OLD . I'll never change from thee! I've been a man
Not of glad days, but I'll be glad in thee!
O ever near me, ever with me,
Thou, like the beautiful, meek, silent light,
The all-moulding light, wilt go into the grain
Of my dull nature, clearing it with new life,
So spiritual and so gracious is thy presence!
I go to Wold the while. My mother's blessing
Shall be on both of us.
L ADY M ER . All my fear is there:
I fear she'll never love one of our blood.
W OLD . Be of good cheer! Even did thy sweet deservings
Fail as my plea, still I have served my King,
And I will pray him, and he'll joy to bid
Those old feuds cease, and reconcile our houses.
To this my mother's loyalty will bow.
It may be, as an abstract duty first,
She'll love us; but with all her heart she'll love us,
For thy dear sake, when she has known thee better
L ADY M ER . Be it so, my good Lord: I wait thy honoured will.