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PIPPA PASSES.
Say not “a small event!” Why “small”?
Costs it more pain that this, ye call
A “great event,” should come to pass,
Than that? Untwine me from the mass
Of deeds which make up life, one deed
Power shall fall short in or exceed!
Costs it more pain that this, ye call
A “great event,” should come to pass,
Than that? Untwine me from the mass
Of deeds which make up life, one deed
Power shall fall short in or exceed!
And more of it, and more of it!—oh yes—
I will pass each, and see their happiness,
And envy none—being just as great, no doubt,
Useful to men, and dear to God, as they!
A pretty thing to care about
So mightily, this single holiday!
But let the sun shine! Wherefore repine?
—With thee to lead me, O Day of mine,
Down the grass path gray with dew,
Under the pine-wood, blind with boughs
Where the swallow never flew
Nor yet cicala dared carouse—
[She enters the street.No, dared carouse!
I will pass each, and see their happiness,
And envy none—being just as great, no doubt,
Useful to men, and dear to God, as they!
A pretty thing to care about
So mightily, this single holiday!
But let the sun shine! Wherefore repine?
—With thee to lead me, O Day of mine,
Down the grass path gray with dew,
Under the pine-wood, blind with boughs
Where the swallow never flew
Nor yet cicala dared carouse—
[She enters the street.No, dared carouse!
I.—MORNING.
Scene.—Up the Hill-side, inside the Shrub-house. Luca’s wife, Ottima, and her paramour, the German Sebald.
Sebald [sings].
Let the watching lids wink!
Day’s ablaze with eyes, think!
Deep into the night, drink!
Ottima. Night? Such may be your Rhineland nights perhaps;
But this blood-red beam through the shutter’s chink
Let the watching lids wink!
Day’s ablaze with eyes, think!
Deep into the night, drink!
Ottima. Night? Such may be your Rhineland nights perhaps;
But this blood-red beam through the shutter’s chink
