120
PAPERS ON LITERATURE AND ART.
| And I perceived the river and the bridge, |
| The mottled sky, and horizontal moon, |
| The distant camp and all things as they were. |
| ****** |
| Elena, think not that I stand in need |
| Of false encouragement; I have my strength, |
| Which, though it lie not in the sanguine mood, |
| Will answer my occasions. To yourself, |
| Though to none other, I at times present |
| The gloomiest thoughts that gloomy truths inspire, |
| Because I love you. But I need no prop! |
| Nor could I find it in a tinsel show |
| Of prosperous surmise. Before the world |
| I wear a cheerful aspect, not so false |
| As for your lover’s solace you put on; |
| Nor in my closet does the oil run low, |
| Or the light flicker. |
| ELENA. |
| Lo, now! you are angry |
| Because I try to cheer you. |
| VAN ARTEVELDE. |
| No, my love, |
| Not angry; that I never was with you; |
| But as I deal not falsely with my own, |
| So would I wish the heart of her I love, |
| To be both true and brave; nor self-beguiled, |
| Nor putting on disguises for my sake, |
| As though I faltered. I have anxious hours; |
| As who in like extremities has not? |
| But I have something stable here within, |
| Which bears their weight. |
In the last scenes:
| CECILE. |
| She will be better soon, my lord. |
| VAN ARTEVELDE. |
| Say worse; |
| ’T is better for her to be thus bereft. |
| One other kiss on that bewitching brow, |
