Page:Superstition play.djvu/16

Mary. I'm young, and youth is ardent, and should be
Cheerful, and full of bright and sunny thoughts;
I would be if I dared. You too are young.
Yet may be happy; for you have a parent
Who, tho' he guide you safely down the stream,
Does not, like angry pilots, chide, e'en louder
Than the loud storm.
Alice. His high and holy office
May, haply give to your good father's manner,
A grave solemnity, perhaps, a harshness——
Mary. And why a harshness? Sure, ah sure, Religion
Descends not like the vulture in its wrath;
But rather like the mild and gentle dove,
Emblem of peace and harbinger of joy.
Love in its' eye and healing on its' wing;
With pure and snowy plumage, downy soft,
To nestle in the bosom of its votaries.
Alice. I cannot argue; I'm content to follow
Where e'er our fathers lead. For you, I fear
You've learn'd too much from this mysterious stranger.
Mary. O Alice, join not you with the slanderous crowd.
Against a noble lady, whom you know not.
For me, be satisfied I never more
Perhaps, shall see her: I've obeyed my father;
And must, tho' it should break my heart: tho, Charles—— (Pauses, crosses to L. H.)
Alice. And what of Charles ?
Mary. Her son—
Alice. I know, her son,
And what of him?
Mary.This very day, 'tis said
He will be here—
Alice. Expell'd, they say, from college.
Mary. Disgraced—'Tis false: Charles cannot be disgraced;