HE
F I RES I D E
TRA G E D
2! 19 1 a ];
BY
SI R
G E O R GE D O U GLAS , BART
E D I N BU R G H
.
D AV I D D OU GLA S
:
1
887
C O N T E N
P AG E
F I RE S I D E T R A GE D Y
: A
P LAY ,
3
PO E M S
EV EN IN G
AN E C L O G U E ,
I
3S
I
37
A N I G H T -P I ECE ,
I
39
S O N G —Y E ST ER D AY ,
I
44
:
S P R I N G, S O N G ,
AND
S OL I T U D E ,
T H E F I R E S I D E T R AG E D Y
a b a t a c te m.
M RS MA R
A Widow :
WI LL I AM
H e r S on
.
LE E
MA R
C U T H BER T
I S ABE
M istre ss of Win dy Wa
by lte r first m a rriage
.
H e r S o n oy ne r
d
m a rriage
.
LL A
P L AY F A I R
M rs M a r s
P R U D EN C E
H is
O L D H I C KAT H R I F T
A Pe n sio n e r on
JA C K
H i s S on
SO
se c o n
’
.
LO M O N M
A
E I K L EJ O H N
D AV Y
g
L O BB
A PED
L AR
.
Da ugh te r
Fa rm
tlz e
.
H u sb a n d to P ru de n re
-w itte d H o b ble d /
zo
b al
y y
f
Odd
D ERR I C K
Ste wa rd
Ma n
Ofie e rs
on
Fa rm
t/
ze
.
.
.
f tli e Coa stgu a rd
o
.
.
H O B H OBNA I
L
S W I N GT R E E
T O M T U C K ER
Gue sts a t tk e
Coristin a s
Pa rty
.
N I C K F A RT H I N G
T I M OT H Y
A F I D D L ER
.
N E I G H BO U R S
F A R M S E RV AN T S
C
ristma s
h
a sse m ble d to ke e
p
C OAST G U A R DS M E N
W I V E S a n d D A U G HT
G U I Z AR D S
I Vin dy Wa lls
a nd
at
th e ir
-
/
.
@ t e ne.
A Fa rm Hom e
@ 0 5 t0
Afte r tlz e
R u stic :
ze
t/
Coa st
.
m3 5 9
Ge orge M orla n d s Pa in tings
Woodoa ts of l om a s Bewic k
a nd
tlz e
on
Sa ilors
’
in
.
,
a
T HE
F I RE S I DE
ACT
S C EN E
Th e kite /
zen
the
‘
f
Ma n s
st
l
e
y
Blin d
f
o
the
o
’
I
f
Th e
roo m
is
F a rm H o use , in
I n te rior in S ir D a vid I/Vilhie s
Bu f— Th re e D oo rs - o wh ic h
’
f
f
-
t
e
o
u
e
h
h
s
;
f
.
.
a n old- a shio n e d
L le a ds in to th e S uppe r
o
T R AG E D Y
a nd
C
room
o th e r
pa rts
do ors —A S c re e n
f
o ut o
de c o ra te d
R to
,
.
with
M ottoes fo r Ch ristma s — A s
E ve rgre e ns
th e
C u rta in
.
a nd
rise s ,
D A V Y is disc ove re d mo un te d ujbo n a P a ir of S teps,
in th e a c t of h a nging up a [Mistle toe Bo ugh
’
~
P LA Y F A I R ,
w ith legs
by, looh ing
s ta n ds
on
pa rt
a nd
a
a rms
a
himb o ,
.
now I ca l l t ha t a p r ett y b ou gh
P lay As pre tty a m i stletoe b ou gh a n d so I d w a ge r
a s a n y t h a t h a n gs i n h ou se o r h a ll to n i gh t
D a vy (c o ming do wn fro m S teps ) Between t h i s a n d
—
L unnon
I sa y s tewa r d
P lay We ll D a vy ?
D a vy
.
T he r e
.
’
,
.
,
-
.
,
.
,
THE FIRESIDE
6
D a vy
.
Y e kno w
C hri stm a s
,
Tha t
’
TE A C E D
come s
Y
.
on c e
b ut
a
ye a r
’
.
tru e !
D a vy Well I ve m a de up my m i nd to enj o y m yself
a c c o r di n gly to n i gh t I
P lay T o enj o y t h y self la d ? tis n o mo r e t h a n ri gh t
ye sh oul d 3— a n d so ple a se G o d w i ll I to o F o r w i t h
vi ttle s a n d dr ink su c h a s be sp r e a d i th e ne x t r oom
twoul d be fly i n g i th e fa c e o f a bount i ful P r ov i den c e i f
a ny m a n sh o ul d do le ss — Wh
m
h
l
i
ve
onl
t
i
nk
n
a
a
y
y
—
h
h
0
a
s
h
t t nob l e
o r t orn h e i fe r kille d a p u r po s e t h a t
we mi gh t enj oy ou r s elve s
D a vy I b el i eve e e
A n d of th e b e e u t i ful d a iry fe d
pork
P lay T h e pr i me fou r sh e a r g i mmer s
D a vy An d th e goo s e p i e s
Play N ot to spe a k 0 th e tu rke ys th e b l a c k pud
den s a n d th e sa u sa ge s
D a vy O stewar d you do m a k e my mo ut h w a te r
Pla y
A nd
T h e du m plin s a n d th e m i n c e p i e s
l a st b u t not le a st th e pu ddin g— a n d a glo ri ou s pu ddi n g
—
a s b ig a n d a s r oun d a s th e h e a d u pon o u r sn ow
a be
m a n ; stu c k a s ful l O f plum s a s a p a r son s pl a te wi
w i t h a S p ri g o h olly i the
ha pe n c e on a S und a y
cent r e !
P la y
.
s
’
.
,
-
’
,
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,
,
,
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’
,
’
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,
’
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,
,
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’
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,
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’
’
’
’
-
D a vy
.
T c hk !
P la y An d
.
t o w a sh
’
un
an
down
o c ea n
.
0
’
ho t
pic ed
s
a le
t o c ome a fter
THE FIRESIDE
D a vy
.
TE A C E D
Y
.
T c hk
m a c k your l i p s 3 fo r t h ere 5 me a t
—
m
c
h
a
a
n
d
se
e
d
a
r
ink
t
e
r
e
u
on
t
eve
r
pon
h
s
s
a
an d
y
y
my soul i t b e fit to se t b efo r e p r i n c e s ! An d m y so n
remember t h i s we b e b o un d to do em j u sti c e — we b e
b oun d in goo d m a nne r s to do em j u sti c e
I 11 tell
D a vy N ever fe a r b u t I sh a ll do m y sh a r e
M a i ste r : t h ere wa s some of us youn gste r s l a i d o ur
ee
h e a ds to get h e r a n d a gree d to t a ke b u t a b ite a n d a su p
a s t i me a n d to go wit h out o u r di nne r s a lto
a t b re a k f
— a p u rpo se to do em j u st i c e
A
n d we ve a ll
et
er
h
g
—
u
n
t
h
e
d
c
d
een
l
i
din
o
k
p
on
keep
i
n
t
h
e
pot
a
b
o
i
l
a s
b
g
g
—
c
c
a ll a
i
n
ever
fou
r
O
lo
k
pu rpo se to do em
s
in g
j u sti c e
i t do e s me goo d to h e a r
P lay Well don e well done
th ee la d ; fo r tis t ha t s th e prope r sp iri t a t C h ri stm a s
t i me A n d w h en C h r i stm a s is n o lon ge r C h ri stm a s
tw i ll be a n i ll da y fo r th e c ount ry a t l a rge 3 a n d I
h ope t h a t I fo r o ne m a y n ever l i ve to s e e i t !
P lay
Ye
.
m a y well
’
s
’
’
’
,
,
,
’
,
’
’
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.
’
,
’
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-
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- -
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’
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,
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’
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,
’
n te r P R U D EN C E
E
[
.
]
fa t h er is i t po ssi b le ? go ssi pin g h e r e
wh e n th e gue st s will b e upon u s a fo r e we know w h ere
—
r
we a e a n d not a s mu c h a s a s ti c k p r ep a re d ! T is
—
h
e x c ept I look t o un w i t h my own eye s
a ll u s t e wa y 3
not a t hi n g in t h i s h o use c a n I ge t done Now for
h e a ven s sa ke b e O ff a n d t a ke a l a st look a t th e supper
P rue
.
G oo dne ss
,
’
,
.
’
,
,
THE FIRESID E TRA GED Y
8
.
t h a t nou gh t is fo rgotten [E x it P LA Y F A I R
h a stily ] An d you D a vy don t e e st a n d st a r i n g l ike a
stunpoll — m a ke your s elf o f u se
t a b le and
se e
,
.
’
’
,
,
.
D a vy
.
To b e
s
P
R U D EN CE
[
u r e I will
.
D AVY
a nd
P R U D E N C E h a s jus t pla c e d
[Mis tle toe Bo ugh
w itho ut in te n tio n ,
ro o m
a nd
)
in
o rde r
tu rn s
a
se a
a
D A V Y,
.
a nd
re mov e s
p repa re fo r the
to w o rh to
se t
t dire c tl
y un de r th e
o b se rv ing
in the
c o u rse
the
t to
se a
this
f
o
(
se tting
a n o the r
f
as
I
th e
positio n
,
]
way
tut tut ! I de c l a re you be mo r e Of a
h ind ra n c e t h a n a h elp to me a n y da y
R
e turn ing
)
(
O n l y t h i s moment I se t th a t se a t w h ere it stoo d a n d
you mu st
D a vy (a lso re turn ing) T ut tut tut ! d ye t h ink I
N o w se e w h a t s ove rh e a d
di dn t know it my de a r
P rue
.
T ut,
,
.
,
’
,
.
,
’
’
,
e
H
(
sn a
tc he s
,
.
h iss
a
a n d re c e ive s
.
ba ch
b ox
a
on
th e
D a vy ,
my
ea r
.
)
Ay
to tea c h e e m a nners
prope r r e spe c t fo r you r bette rs
P rue
a nd a
.
D a vy
T h ere
’
’
s
,
la d ;
.
(
rubb ing
h is
c he e h
)
.
To h imse lf)
Ay
.
proper pie c e 0 wom a n s fle sh a n d th a t s th e
t r uth — but t h e r e s a sh a rp ton gue a lon g wit h it I
dou b t — a n d a h e a v y h and —th a t t h e r e is a n d no m is
t a ke !
’
Tis
’
a
’
’
,
’
,
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
9
.
K
uoc h ing h e a rd a t D oo r C — R e —
e n te r P L AY FA I R
[
.
H e r e t h ey a re , h e r e th ey a re ,
P lay
.
b u stle, P r u den c
— th e ue st s
g
e
a re
I de c l a r e
a t th e doo r
ME I KL EJ OH N
S OL
]
C ome ,
.
n te r H O BN A I L, S W I N GT R EE , T U C K E R
E
,
[
T I M O T H Y,
.
FA R T H I NG
a nd
,
th e
,
othe r
G ue sts ]
Wa lk in l a die s a n d gentlemen
O ur r e spe c t s to you S te wa r d
P lay
H ob
wa lk in
,
.
.
,
.
A
oo
e
en
to
d
e
g
y
(
)
h o w do yo u do S lr ? Gl a d to se e yo u nei gh b o u r T o m
T u c ke r z— you r s e rva nt mi st r e ss— a n d wel c ome one
P lay
a
.
ddre ssing
v a rio u s
guests
-
’
.
,
,
,
,
a n d a ll
H ob
A
.
S w ing
.
.
,
.
.
’
Tuc h
rough ni gh t Ma i ste r
Ay a r o ugh ni gh t a n d a c ol d
T is
so
.
— we
c an n ot
Y et we c a nnot c o mpl a in sonn i e s
—
a
a
b
se a son a b le
e
s
ompl
i
n
we
t
e
r
e
on
le
T
h
a
h
b
s
c
e
a
C HO W
P la y
.
,
.
Tuc h
So
.
I
Fa r
.
’
do
a
be ;
so
love to
’
a
se e
be
t
’
.
u pon C h ris m a s
h
r
oun
d
w
i
te
g
’
D a y my s el f
.
Well you b e ri gh t F o r tis a n O ld sa yi n g t h a t
a
G r een Y ule m a ke s a fa t C h u r c h ya r d
T uc h An o ld sa yi n g a n d a t r ue o n e
Ay th e we a t h e r is s e a so n a b le ; a n d we
P lay S O tis
m a y t h ank Go d t h a t we h a n o c a u se for c ompl a i nt
’
P lay
.
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’
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’
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’
.
A
*
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
10
.
w i t h out
W i nd y W a ll s a t
‘
C old
G ue sts
warm w i t h i n is o ur
C hri stm a s t i me ne i ghb ours
a nd
mo tt o
at
-
,
Ha , ha
.
ome ! draw roun d th e fi r e a n d ge t J a c k
Fro st o ut 0 your in a rds a fore th e fa m i ly j o i n s u s a n d
i t b e t i me t o go to supper
SO,
P lay
.
c
’
’
,
.
ue sts a th e r
G
g
[
ro und
fire ]
the
upper ; h a w h a w !
F a r H a S olomon ; ye v e found your ton gu e a ga in
h a ve you ?
H o b Wh y th e very ment i on 0 vi c tu a l s is a s stirrin
to th e l a d s h e a rt a s th e soun d 0 th e h orn wa s to th e
O wd H unt sm a n s i n th e s on g
S wing Y o u ll e x cu se h is w a nt 0 manner s ma i ster
ye kno w h e is sc a r c e l i ke th e re st 0 u s
D a vy I n sh o rt to put 1 t pl a i n th e furn itur 0 h is
upper story is not j ust w h a t ye m igh t c a ll c omple te
P lay D ye t h i nk I don t know S o l
Ble ss me why
I ve knowed un ever s i nce a wa s no h i gh er t h a n a
m i lk i ng stool Ay a n d m a ny 5 th e t i me I v e rem a rked
h
i
h
i
h
h
n
h
to s poor mot er w en s e d b e down t e mouth
D on t
over h e r son s wool g a t h e ri n g w i t s
ee
be
d own h earted S u sa n M e ik le jo h n ; w e se l i ve to se e
your S o l go up to L unnon a n d se t th e T h a me s a fire
yet !
But a s lon g a bout i t [L a ugh te r]
I t don t take m uc h
S o l ( mutte ring) H a w ha w
S ol T o
s
.
,
’
,
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,
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’
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
TflE
I I
.
to m a ke some folk s l a ugh
I sh o ul d like t o m a ke some
of em l a u gh on th e w r on g si de 0 t h ei r mout h s
’
’
.
n te r th e P E D L A R
E
[
Wh y
P lay
.
,
t ra n ge r
a s
’
P ed
.
it
’
th e
s
P e dl a r !
.
]
H e y, P e dl a r,
you
a re
.
T is
as
time s
ma ste r
go ,
.
—
An yth ing in my line
to nigh t ?
-
ome sit down a n d t a ste ou r a le ; a n d
I ll wa rra nt you sh a ll drive a r oa rin t ra de a mon g the
youn gste r s l a te r on
P lay
Ay
.
c
,
’
’
.
h
e P E D LA R , P L A Y F A I R , H O BN A I L, S W I NGT R EE ,
T
[
P e d Ay
.
irs
s
’
tis a
p
o rm a
f
T U C KE R
ro u
g
toge th e r
.
twelvemont h sin c e I
wa s
a nd
]
wa y,
l a st t hi s
.
L o r d h elp
time do fly
Wh y it seem s b ut ye ste r da y t h a t
S w ing I t doe s s o
we wa s l a st met r o un d th i s h ea r t h to c eleb ra te C hris ma s
P lay Ah ! T ime flie s ; but h e b rin gs c h a n ge s with
Tu c h
.
.
how
us
.
.
,
’
.
.
h im
.
H ob
A t rue wo r d th a t
.
,
Ga ffe r
P l a yfa i r
.
Ay ! t h e r e
wh a t will not
feet t h a t da n c e d l a st C h ri stm a s E v e
No neith e r to -nigh t no r ye t on
da n c e to nigh t
C h r i stm a s E v e t h a t is to c ome
P lay T r ue a ga in ; a n d now h e r e t r ue r th a n in
h ou s e a b ove o ur h e a ds
wa s
-
.
,
a ny
.
.
.
th e
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
[2
.
Tuc h
’
.
T is
Ay, Ma ste r, sin c e t hi s time l a st ye a r ,
n
i
n
la w J a c k H ic k a thrift gone
so
P oo r
so
.
t h e r e s you r
J a c k ! a wil d fellow a wa s a swe a rin te a rin fellow yet
no m a n s enemy b ut h is own
P lay A n d yo un g Willie Le e too
Now w h i c h 0
u s c oul d h a
fo r etol d a t ou r l a st me rry m a kin g t ha t h e
th e Ma ste r 0 th e H ou s e th e flowe r 0 th e flo c k
th e
b lit h e st a n d ga ll a nte st 0 t h em a ll wa s to be ta ken
e r e a not h e r C hris m a s E v e c a me r oun d a ga in ?
H ob W h i c h in dee d ?
R e d An d yet a fte r a ll— if ta le s a re to be b elieve d
Ma ste r— twa s a s well fo r h im poo r c ha p t ha t ta en
’
.
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,
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,
,
’
’
,
,
h e wa s
.
W h a t do yo u me a n ?
N o mo r e t h a n h a s been
P lay
.
P ed
.
c
th e
talk
a ll
over
th e
ountry
.
t a lk a ll ove r th e c ount ry e h ? Well don t
e e fo rget fr ien d t ha t th e t a lk a ll ove r th e c ount ry will
often pl a y a n unkin d t ri c k wi de a d men s n a me s
I m a ke n o p r eten sion s to know
P e d I t ma y b e s o
mo r e t ha n a not h e r m a n I ha ve b een fa r a fiel d But
c e r t a in
tis t ha t w h e r eve r I h e a r d th e c a se O f Willi a m
L e e spoken o f twa s w h i spe r e d— mo t to min c e m a tte r s
t h a t a t th e time o f h is de a t h t h e r e wa s a w a rra nt
o ut for h is a pp r e h en sion upon a c ha rge o f
G ue sts ( in te rrup ting) H u sh ; fo r sh a me !
P lay I t h ink sir yo u fo rget w h o s e h ou se you a re in
P lay
’
The
.
,
’
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TIIE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
I3
.
not a t a ll Bu t let me tell yo u t ha t
I m a m a n wh o w h en I ve on c e sp oken will m a ke goo d
my wo r ds — t h ou gh it be a t th e ex p en se 0 ma nne r s I
s a i d t h a t p r a p s tw a s a s well fo r L e e t h a t dr own de d a
wa s a n d I m a int a in t ha t w h en t h e r e s a w a rra nt
0
th a t sort out a gen a m a n a n d p r oof b e h in d it t h a t
m a n s de a th b y dr ownin g is no c a l a mity I t c a n only b e
c on si de r e d a n e sc a pe !
P e d No ,
sir ;
.
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’
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M
urm u rs a mo ng the Gue sts
[
]
H u sh — ( To th e P E D
Y
ou
)
h a r sh
judge
P e dl a r —Well t h e r e 3 no di sputin g t h a t th e Ma ste r did
a c t r a sh ly
a n d th e c o n s eq u en c e s of his a c t we r e gr a ve
But t ha t wa s h is mi sfo rt une ra t h e r t ha n h is fa ult ; a n d
h a d it b een th e t r ut h 0 th e sto ry t ha t c a me to yo u r e a r s
I c a n t b ut believe t ha t you d b e r e a dy to m a ke mo r e
a llow a n c e fo r Will you r self
Tim T h e tr ut h 0 th e sto ry q uot h a ? Now ye n a me
t ha t S tewa r d I c a nnot sa y a s h o w I know th e truth 0
Not I ! t h o ugh th e t r ut h 0 th e sto r y
th e stoiy m yself
h a b een tol d me mo r e t h a n on c e — a y a n d mo r e a n twi c e
o r t h r ee time s ; still I c a nnot sa y a s h o w I know th e
t r ut h of the sto ry ye t F o r why ? Be c a u se twe r e tol d
me diffe r ent eve ry time
H ob W h a t s to p r event th ee givin g us th e sto ry now
m a n ? Y o u wh o be s o to sp ea k one 0 th e fa m ly
sh o ul d know th e r i gh t s 0 th e c a se if a n y one
P lay
.
.
be
a
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1
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
4
.
tell us a ll ye know Ma i ste r fo r yo u know
mo r e t h a n a n y of us
T h ou gh I v e tol d th e sto ry fifty
P lay Well go ssip s
time s if I v e tol d u m on c e I will e en tell it yet on c e
mo r e I woul d gl a dl y do mo r e t h a n t h a t fo r th e
M a ste r s memo ry
A self wille d la d h e wa s I a llow ;
An d h e
b ut tw a s th e wo r st ye c oul d sa y a ga in h im
Ay nei gh b ou r s a ll!
wa s b elove d b y a ll wh o knew h im
I knew h im fr om a c h ild my self ; ye t neve r k n o w d u n
a c t a n unm a nl y p a rt or spe a k a n unkin d wo r d
D a vy A b o r n gentlem a n wa s Will
P lay T h a t a wa s t h e r e a re not m a n y like h im — An d
h is c r ime a n d a ll t h a t is
n o w I ll give ye th e sto ry 0
—
T o begin a t th e b eginnin g yo u
i
n
h
e
d
known 0
s
know t h a t w h ile Will wa s still in his c ra dle h is fa t h er
die d a n d left h im m a ste r o f th i s fa rm
N o w a ny o n e
would h a suppo sed t ha t w h en h e gr ew up h e woul d a sk
not h i n g b ette r t h a n to live a t h ome a n d enj oy it Not a t
a ll A v e n tur so m e b o y b r e d on th e c o a st h is h e a r t wa s
s e t o n goin g to se a
H is mot h er t r ie d to win him fr om
it ; fo r h e wa s h e r da rlin g a lwa y s ; t h o ugh lon g b efo r e
t h i s sh e ha d m a rri e d O ld Ma r a n d h a d b o r ne C ut hbe r t
to h im But th e la d wo ul d not t a ke no fo r a n a n swe r ;
Well th e se a fa r in g life suite d
a n d a t l a st h e go t h is wa y
h im a n d h e stu c k t o it
S o time p a sse d o n till a bout
two ye a r s a gone wh en h e c a me h ome on a v i sit By t h i s
time h is step fa t h er h a d lon g b een de a d a n d his mot h e r
F a r Ay ;
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1
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
6
.
ne v er knew H e h a d h ou se s l a n d a n d money ; h is
mot h e r wor sh i ppe d h im h e wa s l i ke d b y a ll wh o knew
h im a n d b et r ot h e d to th e gi r l Of h is c h o i ce — yo u
m i gh t t h i nk t h a t h e woul d b e c ontent to spen d th e re st
Not h e —As t i me
o f h is da ys i n p e a c e a n d qu i et ?
went on we be ga n to not i ce t h a t h e fr equentl y left
h ome a n d woul d s omet i me s r em a i n a b s ent fo r a da y o r
two a t a t i me Wh a t wa s more w h en h e retu rne d h e tol d
a n d would
u s l i ttle o r not h i n g a s to w h e r e h e d been
t urn o ff a ll que st i on s wit h a j oke My da ugh ter a n d I
were a mon g th e fi r st to not i c e t h i s b e c a u se w h eneve r
Will went fr om h ome my d a u gh te r s h u sb a n d—wh o h a d
—
went fr om h ome a s well ( Wi ll h a d
a l s o b een a s a i lor
-in l
h
o
u
n
h
efo
r
e
t
i
s
i
n
le
d
t
my
s
a
to
b
h
i
s
C
o
en
s
o
w
e
s
b
g
follower ; so twa s pl a i n t h a t w h e r ever Wi ll now went
J a c k went a lon g w i t h h im ) Well w h en J a c k h a d been
o r tw i c e
m y da u gh ter — a s wa s n a tura l
a b sent on c e
enou gh —would gi ve h im n o pe a c e t i ll h e sh oul d tell
h e r w h ere h e h a d b een
Prue N o t likely
P lay At first h e t ri e d to put h e r o ff w i t h c o c k a n d
bull stor i e s — b ut tw a s n o goo d
Wh en a wom a n
m a ke s up h e r m i n d to d i scover a secret t r u st h e r to
— p a rti c ul a r ly i f th e se c r et b e h e r h u sb a n d s
n
i
n
h
e
r
d
a
e
g
At l a st th e t r ut h c a me o ut
P e d W h a t wa s i t ?
L i ke eve r y o ne el se in t h e se
P lay Y o u sh a ll h e a r
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THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
I
.
7
p a rt s Wi ll h a d s een m o re o r l e ss o f th e c a r ry i n g o n o f
As we a ll kno w th e profit s a re
t h e c ontra b a n d tra de
l arge i f th e smu ggler s h ave lu c k i n outw i tt i ng th e
N ow Will d i dn t w a nt money b ut h e
R evenue men
—
x
w a nted e c i tement m a yb e too h e h a d st i ll a h a nker i n g
after th e o ld se a l i fe A nyh ow some ev i l gen i u s put
th e not i on i n h is h e a d to try h is fortune a s a fre e tr a der
H e d i d not st a y to t h i nk tw i ce
b ut pro c ure s a b o a t
h
a
a
h
et
s
to
et
er
crew
o
l
wle
c
a
r
c
te
r
w
i
t
J
k
ss
a
s
h
a
c
g
g
(
amon g em ) fro th e ne i gh bourh oo d a n d t h e r e h e st a nd s
—a s a c c ompli sh ed a lea der o f smu ggle rs a s a n y o n o ur
—
An d t h i s a s J a c k c onfe ss e d wa s th e se c r et o f
c oa st
his my steriou s a b sen c e s
P l a yin g wit h e dge d tool s e h
P ed H m
P lay Well a t fi r st a ll went smoot h ly enou gh
Will
wa s a n a r tful fellow w h en a ple a se d —a n d for a t ime
h e c ont r ived to ply h is t ra de wit h out a wa kenin g th e
But a t l a st th e da y Of
su sp i c i on s o f th e C o a stgu a r d
re c kon i ng c a me — a n d th i s is h o w it ha ppene d O n th e
e sth da y o f J a nu a ry l a st if your b u sine ss h a d c h a n c e d
h
s
b a nk s ne a r th e spot t h ey
take
you
own
to
a
d
t
e
e
to
c a ll th e G r een H a ven towa r d s ni gh tfa ll you mi gh t h a
pied
w
e
r
e
h
fin g a sma r t little c utter
h
s e la y to i n th e o f
s
h
B
l
a
t
e
u
e
eye d
s
i
m
r
t
little
utter
Will
bo
t
a
s
c
w
Th s s a
M a id ; a n d sh e d a c a rgo o f stron g w a te r s a board w h i c h
th e smugglers i nten de d i f fortune fa vou r ed em to lan d
in th e ha ven t ha t nigh t T h ey h a d ta ken t h eir u sual
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B
1
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
8
.
preca ut i on s by e x c ha n gi ng si gn a l s wit h a fri end on sh ore
h
h
h
w
om
in
t
eir
o
s
l
a
ng
t
ey
c
a
lled
t
h
ei
r
S
pot
man
w
n
s
(
)
a n d h a d le a rnt t h a t th e r e wa s noug h t to be fe a r ed t h a t
nigh t fr om th e C oa stguard wh o were gone o ff to atten d
o b i n a noth er dire c t i on
D a r kne ss C lo sed in
to a j
The
moo n ro se l a te t h a t ni gh t a n d th e smu ggle r s n o w only
wa ite d till th e ti de sh oul d suit to la n d th eir tu b s
Mea n
time t h ey sa t in t h eir cabin and p a ssed th e time dr i nki n g
a n d pl a y i n g c a r ds
Alla t on c e — wi th out note 0 w a r nin g
—th e i r wa tc h o n d e c k gi ve s th e al a rm fo r th e R evenue
men I mpo ssib l e —but no twa s tru e enou gh T h e
C o a stgu a r d s dep a rtu r e ha d been a feint to t h r ow du st
i n th e eye s o f th e spot sm a n ; a n d th ere sur e enough
t h ey n o w we r e ro wi ng silently o ut to pay a m idnigh t
vi sit on b o a r d th e Blue eye d M a id — a n d so da rk wa s
th e n i gh t and so noi sele ss h a d been t h eir a dva n c e t h a t
t h ey we r e w i t h i n p i stol sh ot ere th e S mu ggle r s go t w i n d
I n sta nt l y th e ala r m wa s given and
o f t h e i r a pproa c h
T h e c a pta i n Of the C oa st
a ll h a nd s ru sh ed o n de c k
u
r
i
t
d
a n d sh oute d to h is bo a t s c rew to give way
a
sa
w
g
F o r th e smu ggler s tw a s a c h o i c e t wi x t fi gh t o r fligh t
and p r e c i ou s little t i me to t h i nk a bout i t T o a vo i d
a n d ga ve th e
b l ood sh ed Wi ll t h e i r leader c h o se to fly
word to put th e ve ssel s h ead before th e w i nd a n d run
for th e open se a — But th e time wa s to o sh o r t Be fore
th e smu ggl er s c ou l d ge t t h e i r sa i l s tri mmed th e bow s
o f th e R e v enue c utte r h a d over lapped t h e ir stern
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TH E
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
1
.
9
P e d Go d
ble ss us
P lay T h e c a pt a i n o f th e K ing s men — a mortal fo e
to smu ggle r s— sh out s to h is men a n d c utl a ss in h a n d,
lea p s a b o a r d th e Blue eye d M a id —W
i ll sa w i t H e wore
a p i stol i n h is b elt ; a n d in th e h eat 0
th e moment h e
—
i
m
a n d fire s — T h e c a pta i n fell — fell
dra w s i t t a ke s a
b a c k i nto h is own bo a t — a n d fell to r i se no mo r e
.
’
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,
-
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’
,
.
Gue sts Ah
.
Wh en t h ey sa w t h ei r c a pt n fa ll th e P r event i ve
m e n lo st h e a rt a n d h el d b a c k for a minute o r two T h i s
—
c
t
f
f
h
h
u
a
ve
Will
s
r
ew
t
i
me
to
e
O
b
t
e
r
e
t
ey
a d gone
g
g
fa r t h ey sa w t h a t t h ei r enem i e s h a d r e c ove r ed e mse lv e s
a n d were bent on givi n g c h a se —T h e two c utter s were
evenly m a t c h ed ; t h e r e wa s a fr e sh b r ee z e b lowing a n d
Aw a y th ey went T h e de c k o f
a n e x c itin g r a c e be ga n
th e Blue eye d M a id wa s a sc ene o f c onfu sion — e a c h m a n
l a bou r ing to h is utmo s t to pre ss th e b oat fo r wa r d —A ll
b out sh ip
a t on c e t h e r e wa s a c ry o f M a n o ve rb oa rd ;
do wn with the he lm !
T h e c ry wa s fr om J a c k a n d th e
m a n ove rb o a r d wa s W i ll
No w Will c oul d swim ; b ut
—
t h ey filled
a s ill lu c k would h a ve i t h e wo r e se a b oot s
and h e sa nk J a c k sa w t h i s : h e would h a ve followe d
h is m a ster to th e e n d o f th e wo r l d a n d c ryin g on c e
more to th e c r ew to put th e boa t a bout h e n o w pl unge d
—
fte
r
ove
r
i
But th e c r ew ha d lo st t h eir
th e s de
h im
a
—
e
d
to t h em to put a b out me a nt c a pture ; so th ey
h a s
—
el
t
e
i
r
our
e
lea vi n g Will a n d J a c k to t h eir
s
c
h
h d on
’
P lay
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THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
20
.
fa t e —a n d
a way
,
to
th e
c ut
s
to ry
sh
o rt i n
th e
,
end
go t c
l ea r
.
A nd
en ove rbo a rd ?
P lay T h e s muggle r s h a d re c kone d no doubt t h a t
Wi ll a n d Jac k woul d be p i c ke d up by th e R evenue
c utte r w h i c h wa s c lo s e a ste r n — a n d p r efe r red t h a t two
o f t h e ir numbe r sh o ul d fa ll i nto th e c lut c h e s o f th e la w
ra th er t h a n t ha t a ll sh oul d do so But th e C o a stguard
mu st h a ve p a ssed th e two men by i n th e da rkne ss wit h out
ob servi n g t h em ; and th e lon g a n d sh o r t o f th e m a tter
is th a t neith er th e o n e no r th e oth er h a s b een seen o r
h ea r d o f sin c e — An d now yo u know a s mu c h a s I do
my self o fth e sto ry o f W i ll i a m Le e
P e d Th e men s b o di e s were neve r re c ove r ed a s I
unde rsta nd ?
Play T h ey we r e not An d t hi s a t fi rst i n c l i ned us to
h Ope th a t t h ey m i gh t perh a p s by some mea n s o r oth e r
I t wa s b y some h el d
h a ve e sc ape d a w a te ry gra ve
l i kely t ha t t h ey m i gh t be lurk i ng i n c on c e a lment ti ll
th e se a rc h w h i c h wa s m a de for em sh ould c ool a n d
—
h
h
f
d
s
F
r
noi
e
t
e
i
r
o
i
n
be
quiete
down
s
d
o
t e
o
g
t h ey h a d been re c o gn i se d ; a n d t h e r e wa s a warrant
o n th e c ha rge o f h a vin g cau sed th e
o ut a ga i n st Wi ll
o ffic e r s de a t h w i th a rewa rd o f fifty gu i nea s offere d
H owever t h e ir
b y G over ment fo r h is a ppre h en si on
e scape a fter a ll c ou l d only ha been by a m i ra c le ;
P ed
.
th e m
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,
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’
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’
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— a n d wh en week s
a nd
mont h s p a ssed
a nd
t h ey gave
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
2 1
.
no si gn th e mo st
a bandon h op e
h opeful
,
o f us
w e r e fa i n
at
l a st to
.
D a vy Ay,
.
ay
.
T h ey
’
re
food for fi sh e s long ere t h i s
,
poor s oul s
W i th a p ri c e se t upon
P e d I don t feel sure o fth a t
h is capture L e e would n a tu r a lly be sh y of sh ow i n g h im
s el f
I t m a y b e t h a t h e a n d h is c omra de a re only
gi vi n g th e la w th e sl i p a ll th e t i me
Tuc h O f c our se it m a y Never de sp a ir sa y I — wh o
know s but some fine da y w i ll b ri ng b ot h of em h ome
a ga i n yet ?
F a r I sh ould n o t be surpr i sed
P lay N O ne i ghb our s no —you are l e a v i ng th e
c ir c um st a n c e s 0
th e c a s e o ut o f your c ount
I n th e
first pl a c e W i ll a n d J a c k were n o t th e fellow s to b e
T h en r emem b er t h a t th e youn g Ma ster
e a si ly sc a r ed
wa s o n th e eve o f m a rr i a ge — a n d at su c h a time tw i ll
ta ke more t h a n the te rro r s o th e la w to keep a m a n
T h en a ga i n t h ere is th e
a way fr om his sweet h e a rt
Mi stre ss Wi ll c ould not fa i l to unde rsta n d w ha t a sa d
—
—
fl ic tio n a s G o d know s th e re a l i ty h a s p r ove d th e
af
me r e repo r t o fh is deat h mu st b e to h is poor moth er ;
—
h
h
i
f
been
l
i
ve
t h ou gh h e c o ul d not c ome
ad
a nd
e
a
h i m self— h e would a ssu r e dly h a ve s ent h e r a token
Tuc h S uppo se twere n o t i n h is power to send a
token e i th er ?
P lay Y ou suppo s e too mu c h
’
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THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
2 2
.
rememb er on c e h ea r in g a story o f a token
s ent fr om b eyon d th e gr a ve
D a vy T h a t mu st h a been a queer sto ry so n !
S wing T h e m a n wh o tol d i t de c l a re d i t wa s tru e
S wing I
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’
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re e h n oc hs
h
T
[
Why
h e a rd
a re
a
t the door
.
]
t h i s b e ? We r e all p r e sent
D a vy T h ey do sa y t h a t th ree rap s o n th e door b y a n
un seen ha n d mean s de a th
P rue B e qu i et ! wh y w i ll yo u t a lk l i ke th at ? Ma r k
my word s you wi ll l i ve to repent i t
P lay Wh oever i t m a y be w e mu st n o t keep un
—
I
a lo ude r v oic e
s
n
ome
i
n
st a n di n g out i d e
C
(
)
P lay
.
wh o
,
’
c an
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,
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,
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,
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E
n te r O L D H I C KA T H R I F T
[
.
]
e en to ye a ll!
P lay P o n my life it s D a d dy H ic ka th rift
—
a
H
d
w h a t st il l to th e fo r e ?
D vy
e y da dy
P la y We sc a r c ely e x pe c ted to se e yo u t o n i gh t
Old H I h a ri sen fr om my bed a n d put o n my
c lo e s a purpo s e to j o i n e e s oul s
P lay Well done !
Old H Tis th e fi r st t i me t h e se many m onth s
P lay We ll done a ga i n ! C ome ; you be th e Olde st h ere
th e plac e o fh onour i n th e elbow-c ha i r is you r s
S it ye
down
We we r e j u st speak i n g o f your so n — poor fe l low
Old H
A good
’
’
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,
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’
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Old H E h ?
.
2
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
4
.
D a vy
Do
.
It
Old H
.
is C h ri stm a s E v e
—
i
i
t
s
but wh a t
So
C h ri stm a s E v e
D a vy
.
Old H
S a v i our
so
— To th e G uests
(
of
m a nkin d wa s
n igh t i n al l the ye a r
’
S o tis,
D a vy
.
Old H
D a vy
.
Old H
pr a i se
D
so
,
An d
N o w, h a r k
)
.
0
’
th a t ?
’
born
the n i gh t wh en
tis
e
on
a
th e
—
h
th e h o li e st
rt
.
’
— but w h a t
tis
’
tha t ?
c o c k c r ow s a ll n i gh t lo n g
T o -n igh t th e
Why
.
0
.
folk sa y
th e bee s i
so
H
e w in hs a t the G uests
[
]
.
.
’
th e h
i ve s si ng
h ymn
a
of
.
a vy
.
Old H
knee s
to
—
so t h ey do
Ay
An d th e
wor sh i p
c
.
attle i
’
H
e win hs a ga in
[
th e st a ll s
]
fa ll down
on
t h e ir
.
D a vy (to the G uests)
D ye h e a r
’
.
tha t
To Old
Well wh a t be si de s
Old H An d to n i gh t the P owe r s o f D a r kne ss
D a vy T h e P owe r s 0 D a r kn e ss h e y da ddy ?
Old H T h e P ower s 0 D a rkne ss lo s e th e i r sway
An d th e dea d
D a vy T h e de a d
r
Old H Ay th e de a d put o n t h e i r e a r th ly sh ape s
a n d return to t h e i r h ome s
D a vy An d return t o t h eir h ome s
Old H T o d i ne a n d d a n c e w i t h th e l i v i ng
D a vy T o di ne a n d dan c e wi th e l i v i n g
A ll Go d ble ss us
,
-
,
’
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,
,
’
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,
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’
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.
.
TH E
Old H
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
5
2
.
But a t c o c k -c row w h en th e m o rnmg break s
t h ey r etu r n to wh en c e t h ey c a me [A pa use ]
D a vy (b re a hing th e sile n c e )
H a h a h a —D id ye
ever h ea r th e l i ke 0 t h a t s onnie s ?
P lay N a y la d —t h e r e be nough t to lau gh at th ere
Tis a n a n c i ent super st i t i on
P e d A st ra n ge o n e i n fa i t h
Tuc h But no o n e beli eve s i n en now a d a ys
P lay O ur forefa th e r s bel i eved i n i t nevert h e l e ss
and i n m a ny n o le ss stra n ge
S w ing T h ey knew no better
D a vy H o w th ey mu st h a sh ook i n th e i r sh oe s 0
C hr i stm a s t i me
P lay (sha hing h is he a d ) Th e stran ge st bel i efs a re
n o t a lw a y s the le a st true
Tuc h But no o n e bel i eve s th e l i ke nowad a ys
Play Ex c ept i t be the o ld man th ere —
a n d h e poor
I n h is m i n d (a s
b od y is no lon ger w h a t a on c e wa s
w i l l somet i me s h a ppen wi m en 0 h is ye a rs) th e Old
stor i e s t h at a h e a r d i n c h i ld h ood h a ve outla sted we i gh t i er
m a tter s
S wing I s h e fa i l i n g
Play I se e a gr ea ter di fferen c e i n him w i th i n the l a st
twe l ve month s th a n i n a s m a ny years before But h e s n o t
I f yo u h ave not seen th e m i stre ss si n c e
a lone i n that
sh e lo st h e r so n you will se e a great c h ange i n h e r to o
S wing D O you sa y so ?
,
,
,
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,
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,
’
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’
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’
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,
’
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’
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’
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,
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2
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
6
ye remember th e a c t i ve
man a gi n g l a dy sh e wa s— a lwa y s th e fi r st t o r i se in th e
—
h
h
a n d so
morn i n g a n d t e l a st to l i e down at n i g t
c lever at h e r bu sine ss t h a t i t u s ed to be sa i d o n the
pl a c e th a t sh e c ould tea c h eve ry m an o f us h is wo r k
to o a s yo u
a s fine a n d stra pp i n g a fi gure o f a wom a n
sha ll se e o n a summe r s da y — t h ou gh in c l i ned to si lence
S h e s a n a ltere d c r e a ture n o w !
a lw a y s a n d r e se r ve d
Wh en th e new s o f Wi ll s drown i ng fi r st reac h ed h e r
twould h a m a de your h e a rt bleed to se e
N o t a te a r
—
did sh e sh e d not o n e you m a y bel i eve me — but j u st
b owed h e r h e a d a n d c ri ed a lou d th a t h e r grey h a ir s
were b r ough t wi sor r ow to the grave ! S o from th e
ve ry fi r st s he put no t r u st i n th e h Os h eld o ut t ha t
h e r so n m i gh t b e a l i ve
An d si n c e t ha t da y C a re ha s
not left h e r for a moment N o art a va il s to c h eer h e r
But she w i ll sit for h ours togeth er with eye s fi x ed o n th e
—
h
i
d
t
c
e
t
u
r
o
roun
ve
r
y
G
r
ief
o r i f sh e goe s a bout
g
p
h e r da i ly t a sk s tis w i t h never a word o r a s m il e but
—
n
a
d
si lent
mournfu l l i ke a Ph anto
fr o m a not h e r
wo rl d — T h ere 3 no me a suring th e dept h o f a mot h e r s
love ne i gh bou r s
H o b Ah t h a t s G od s trut h !
P e d D oe s C uth bert fill h is broth er s pl a ce i n th e
h ou se now ?
D a vy Ay —
mo r e th an t hat I sha l l n o t b e surpr i sed
to se e un fill i t i n anot h er quarter to o
T h at I do
P lay
.
Fo r
.
,
,
,
’
’
’
,
’
’
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,
,
’
,
,
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’
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’
,
,
’
,
m
’
,
’
.
’
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’
,
’
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.
,
,
.
THE FIRESIDE
Wi th h is c ou si n
D a vy T h a t s the si z e O f i t
I h e a r the m
P la y H u sh
Tuc h
T
RA GED Y
7
2
.
.
’
.
.
.
M R S MA R
E
e r C U T HB E R T,
n
t
[
.
,
a nd
I S A B E LL A ]
.
—
c
oo
even
i
n
ood
folk
and
we
l
ome
d
s
G
g g
eac h and a ll I m gl a d to se e ye
H ob O ur serv i c e to ye sir
S wing An d to th e m i stre ss
Tuc h A n d th e youn g l a dy
Cuth My t h a nk s to you gent l emen —An d now
l i sten to me We a re met h ere to n i gh t to enj oy o ur
s elve s— to enj oy our se l ve s ( 1 ye h ear me P— P l a yfa i r
Cuth
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’
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,
,
-
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’
,
my o r der s been attended to
P la y T h ey h a ve sir
Cuth My o r de r s were t hat ne i th er foo d nor fir i ng
sh ould be sp a red t h a t a ll ma y spend a h a ppy even i ng
Gue sts H ea r h e a r !
Cuth As fo r th e dr i nk e h T i mothy C h i lb l a i n ? we 11
tru st t hat to ta ke c a r e 0 i t self ?
—
m
h
I t a nk e e m a i ste r to my m i nd enough 5 a s
Ti
good a s a fea st any da y —more by token t h e r e 3 a
day w h en enough is b etter th a n a fea st —a n d t h a t day s
th e da y a fte r
C uth H a ve
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
,
’
.
,
,
’
’
.
’
,
’
’
,
’
.
G ue sts
C uth
.
.
H a w, h a w, ha w
P sh a w
—S t ill i f proverb s be your only stock
,
2
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
8
.
my fine fel l ow I h ave p l enty worth two 0
Wha t k i ll s
that — A h a i r 0 the do g tha t b i t ye
T h e da y after ! wh y to morrow s C h r i st
c ure s
ma s ! Th e o ld son g sa y s
’
in-trade,
,
’
‘
’
’
-
,
Wha t th ey c ould not e a t tha t n igh t
,
Th ey
mo rn ingfrie d
a te n e x t
Gues ts H a , h a , h a !
.
C u th
We
.
’
11
th e
do
sa
me
— ’tis
a merry gentlem a n
ha ha
F a r An d a fr ee spoken
S wing A nd a n open h anded a s ever wa s
D a vy L on g l i fe to h im
b
ows
C
U
T
HB
E
R
T
Gue sts S o sa y we a ll
]
[
Cuth But wh at i n th e name o f everyt h i n g t h at s
gloomy wa s keep i ng ye a llso qu i et j u st now ? I p r ote st
I sh oul d never h ave gue sse d t h a t you we r e i n th e h ou se
P lay We were ta lk i n g o f your b r ot h e r sir
Cu th H a —o f Will i a m
A la s poor fellow —c ut
Of
f i n th e flower o f h is a ge ful l o f l i fe a n d sp i r i t s
A
Tuc h
Ha ,
.
,
.
-
.
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-
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’
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,
,
,
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.
.
.
,
sa d
fa te
h is
.
.
G ue sts P oor
fellow
C uth A nd a fine r fellow neve r stept z— d a r i ng yet
—
-h e a rted —h one st a s th e cl a y
entle
Open
g
.
.
,
that
An d more b e si de s
’
S w ing
.
fla b
C
thOugh
a ll
.
.
.
t
h
u
A wa s
lon g befo r e we se e his like aga in — Y et
none knew h is va lue b ette r t h a n I good folk s
’
.
T will b e
,
,
FIRESID E TRA GED Y
TH E
2
.
9
till I a m one who h ol ds t h a t even in o ur mourn i ng fo r
depa rted fr ien ds t h ere is a c e rt a in disc re tion t o be
—
Ob serve d Am I r igh t goo dm a n T u c ker ?
ly
l
Tuc h S ure
—
I would not yo u under st a nd forget
Cuth S u r ely
t ha t sooner o r l a ter a ll o f us mu st die
S w ing S O u s mu st
Cu th Th at broth e r s son s fr ien ds kin dred are dyin g
—
a
every d y th a t a ll mu st a t some time o r ot h e r e x pe ri
en c e th e regret w h i c h we now fee l —th a t it is u sele ss
—a n d worse tha n u sele ss— to in dulge a n ineffec tua l
—
h
h
o
t
r
ief
in
fine
t
a
t
we
ve
a
dut
t
e
livin
a
s
n
a
d
y
g
g
well a s to th e de a d
Tuc h T ha t s t r ue
—
h
s
c
n o t to
eer up
Cuth Wh i c h duty r equire us to
g i v e wa y — to do wha t we c a n to c h ee r on e a not h e r
An d t h a t is why I h a ve given t h i s p a r ty to nigh t
A t my reque st m y fa ir c ou sin ha s a t l a st c on sente d to
—
W
c
h
ill
a nd I
la y a side th e b l a c k fro k s e wo r e for
h ope ere lon g to se e my mot h er follow suit ; e h
— Wh a t h a ve you not a wo r d to sa y to th e
m ot h er
neighb our s a n d wo rk folk ? Tis but a c ol d wel c ome
t h ey ge t fr om yo u to nigh t
—
h
m
Fr ien ds t h i s
M rs M I h a ve a wo r d to sa y to t e
is not th e fi r s t time we m eet a n d I t h ink yo u a re mo st
o f ye a c qu a inte d with my de a lin gs a s a nei gh bour
H ob Ay that we b e mi stre ss
s
,
,
,
,
-
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,
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’
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’
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-
,
,
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’
-
-
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,
,
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TH E
30
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
.
M rs M An d deed s after a ll are still wort h more
than words — Y o u h ave h e a r d C uthbert — Oth ers h ave
—
T h ey me a n well I dare sa y
but I
sai d the sa me
know t h ei r a rgument s by h ea rt a n d am sic k to deat h
Th ey tell me t h at son s die eve ry day
o fh e a r in g t h em
—
I gra nt th ey do th a t sc ore s o f moth e rs h ave
fer
fere d a s I su f
Wh a t s t hat to me ? S o mu c h
su f
th e wors e for t h em t h a t s all I know ; so mu c h th e
worse fo r t h em ! I t doe s n o t profit me —An d t h ey
—
h
a
f
h
f
T
spe a k o
e li ng power o
ime
t h ey sa y T i me
t e
—
c
bri n gs on sol a tion
but I tell yo u t h at to a grief like
m i ne T ime c a n bri n g n o c on solation
H o w sh ould i t ?
Will T ime bring b a c k wh at I ha v e lo st ; h e in w h om
—
d
m y h ope s were c entre
my so n th e deligh t o f his
mot h er s eye s th e jo y o f h e r h e a rt th e c o m fort o f h e r
dec linin g yea rs ? Will T ime bring h im b a c k ? N o t
—An d sha ll T i me te a c h me to forget him ? N o
so
forgettin g is for t h o se wh o wou l d forget ! E nough
H a d I been mi st r e ss i n t h i s h ou se t h ere sh ould ha ve
b e en n o fea sting h ere to -nigh t But I m no l onger
m i stre ss a s it s eem s — T h e t a ble s l a id
I w i sh yo u
h earty a ppetite ! [S he drops a c urtsey a n d goe s o ut ]
Cu th P oor moth er ! H e r a fllic tio n is in t r uth a h e a vy
one
But yo u mu st not noti c e h e r h a r d wo r ds — sh e
doe sn t mea n wh a t sh e sa y s
mu
To himse l
H
ch
o
w
f)
T o t h ink t h a t t h ere be mule s in
ca st down t h ey look
th e wo rld wh o won t even enj oy t h em se l ve s w h en t h a t s
,
,
.
,
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,
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’
’
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’
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’
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’
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’
WI LL I AM
n te r C
E
[
.
LE E
a nd
J ACK ]
Will A t h ome on c e mo r e
.
S ur e
h
enou
g
f
Will T ha nk G o d th a nk Go d
—
m
A
W
i
We
ter
i
ll
t
a y do t h a t
M
a
s
s
a
a ch
y
j
str a n ge t h i n g to b e at h ome a ga in w h en a m a n s been
long awa y
Wi ll I neve r felt th e stra n gene ss o f i t b efore a s
I do to n i gh t
I t is st ra nge i ndeed ;
h
s
s
s i n it too
t
t
ere
s
a
dne
Fo r
e
a n d sweet
y
a s I look on c e mo r e on th i s o ld room o n th e t i me -worn
—
h ou seh old furn i tu r e th e selfsa me w h i c h I remember
—
long a go th e tea r s I sc a r c e know wh y spr i ng to my
eye s
T
i
h
s a mort a l st ra nge t h i n g to c ome h ome a ga i n
a
c
j
wh en a m a n 5 been long a wa y
Will T is a m oment I sh a ll n o t forget A ble ssi n g o n
the n a me o f h ome J a c k ; a ble ssi n g o n i t ! th ere s n o
mu si c spe a k s so sweetly to the w a nde r e r s e a r a s t h a t
wo r d— none so touc h i ngly T o th e sa ilo r h ome is a fa ir
h aven i n th e m i d st o f sto r my sea s — An d a ble ssi n g upon
t hi s o ld h ou se— th e h ome o f my c h i l dh ood th e dwell
in g pl a c e o fa ll I h old de a r o n e a r t h — a b le ssi n g o n i t
T i me t h a t b ri n gs s o m a ny c h a n ge s h a s left t h i s at l east
un c h a n ged
o
l c h Wh y so a ha ve P l a gue o n i t now i f e v erythi ng
a ch
.
.
.
’
.
.
,
’
.
-
.
’
.
,
,
,
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’
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’
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’
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’
,
’
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,
-
,
,
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’
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,
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,
TH E
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
33
.
b a i nt e xa c ly a s we left n u—down to th e v ery h o r se
sh oe s h un g up a bove C h i mbley for lu c k — By t h i s h a nd
to look r ound you sk i ppe r ye m i gh t a m o st t a ke a n
o a th t h a t we d never been a way I t m i gh t a ll h a b een
—
a d r ea m
it m i gh t a ll h a been a dre a m fro b e gin n in
to e n d
Will I m su rp ri sed tha t th ere 5 n o o n e a bout J a c k
Wh ere c a n th ey be ?
’
’
’
,
,
’
’
.
’
’
’
’
’
.
.
,
n v iv ia l
C
o
[
Wh at
’
so un ds
h e a rd proc ee ding
S uppe r-roo m ]
a re
ro m
f
the
t ha t ?
a ch
c ommon l i ke a s t h oug h th e folk s
I
t
s
ound
un
s
f
wa s keep i n C h ri st ma s
Will I n th e ma ster s ab sen c e ? I don t t h i nk
s
.
’
.
’
’
.
so
a ch
We Sh a ll s oon
u
t
a ge to doo r L
e
s
o
s
G
p
,
(
’
K eep i n g C h ris m a s t h ey b e , Ma ste r W i ll
f
left ope n )
a n d keep i n i t i n w h a t s c alled th e go od o ld style to o !
—
e
u
s
t
a
e
s
W
I
LL
e
for
your
elf
Won
t
t
ey
e
s
S
h
o
p
g
g
)
(
Open th e i r eye s w h en we j o i n em t h at s all ?
Wi ll S ta y Ja c k — I v e a fa n c y to watch th em for a
b i t b efo r e we S h ow our selve s
a ch
A
s yo u plea se sir
f
Wi ll T h ey are no i sy — T h ey don t seem to m i ss us
mu c h
h
h
a
c
N
ot
t
ey
!
f
.
.
se e
.
’
’
,
’
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’
’
,
’
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,
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’
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TH E
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
Will (sta n ding
by the doorway wh ic h
34
.
.
S upp e r-room)
c o mma n ds
Not th e y — S e e
a
! th e
a rd
bo
f
a n d n o w th e to a st goe s
c r e a k s bene a t h its lo a d
r oun d C uthb e rt is h o st ; h e pl a ys th e p a rt to pe r fe c t i on :
T h e yokel s sw i ll and
a n d I sa bel is b y h is Si de a lls m i le s
n d fo r th e h our fo rget t h at
o
r
e
to
h
e
a
r
t
s
c
ontent
a
g g
t h ey are mo r ta l My mot h e r a lone is a b sent
N
o ; t h ey don t seem to m i ss us
T
urn ing a way )
(
mu c h
ay
h
t
e
d
o
r
w
o
ee
r
ly
now
k
i
pper
a ch
b
h
s
C
y
)
(
f
h ist I sa y ! T h ere 5 o n e 0 th e c ompany h a s r i sen fro m
ta b le a n d c ome s t h i s wa y
Wi ll Wh o is i t ?
w
h
h
h
h
o
a ch
W
h
s
oul
d
i
t
be
W
but
t
i
r
l
o
?
e
0
y
g
j
your c h oi c e your fa n c y la ss your sweet h ea r t
Will I sa bella — ( To h imse lf) S h e at least h a s n o
h e a r t for t h e s e rej o i c i n gs
yet sh e looke d ga y enough
j u st now I ve been long a wa y ; and t h ey sa y t h at
I s s h e un c h an ged ?
a b sen c e a lte r s th e fonde st h eart s
a ch
e rh e a ring the la st wo rds
h
I
f
be
nged
s
c
h
ov
e
a
f
(
)
a t a ll
tis t h at sh e look s fre sh er a n d bonn i er t h an
b efor e — By my troth sh e s a s bloom i n g a s th e m o nth
of Ma y a n d blu sh e s l i ke th e r o se
Will I d a s l i ef s h e h a d been p a ler ; fo r fa i th ful l o v e
sh oul d surely h a ve looke d pal e — To h imse fi O h i t is
l)
(
b a se i n me to doubt h e r even for a mo m e nt
Ye t
ob se rv ing the sc re e n ) h o w e a si ly I migh t sat i sfy my doubt s
(
v ie w
the
o
.
.
,
.
’
,
.
’
.
.
,
’
’
,
.
.
’
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
’
.
.
’
,
’
,
.
’
.
,
.
THE FIRESID E TRA GED Y
35
.
t
i
I
f
I
wron
sfie d !
g
)
—
oud
h
r
A
l
h
h
be
i
t
h
er
to
S
a
me
me
by
e
t
r
ut
s
r
he
(
a c k ; under c over
I
n
J
and
l
i
e
i
n ting to th e sc re e n )
o
p
c lo s e
a ch
W
h
a t s i n th e w i nd now ?
j
Wi ll I mea n to se e [D ra ws h im b e h in d the sc re e n ]
e sita te s
h
T
i
e
(
S h a ll be
T h ey
.
sa
,
,
,
,
.
.
’
.
.
.
IS A B E LL A ]
E
n te r
[
Th e h e a t a n d n o ise
ont ri ve d to sl i p away
were overpowe ri n g ; a n d th e c o unt ry folk a re goo d fo r
C ut h
a not h er c ouple o f h ou r s a t le a st before t h ey r i se
b ert c oul d n o t i n re a son e xpe c t my p a tien c e to h old o ut
I t wa s only fo r tun a te t ha t a ll we r e too b usy to not i c e
a ts h e rse l
n d now h o w sh all I pa ss
my e sc a pe
e
A
S
f
(
)
th e t i me ?
At my emb r o i de ry fra me
NO I am
t i red o f th at Or sh a ll I re a d a p a ge ? NO no r t ha t
e i t h er I m i n an i dle moo d to n igh t ; tis C h ri stm a s
E ve a n d it sh a ll be a h ol i da y
Be si de s I w a nt to t h i nk
I h a ve mu c h to t h i nk over— su c h t h i ngs to o a s I c a nnot
t h i nk over ex c ept wh en I m alone
Well ! tis quiet
enou gh i n h ere -I c onfe ss I l i ke to get th e plac e to
a t t h i s m o ment
my self a t t i me s
at le a st i t is
ple a sa nt— a fter th e noi sy a ssembl a ge I h a ve ju st left
c l o s e at h a n d — Y et t r ut h to tell it is n o t ve ry often I
sh oul d c are to b e by my self a fter tw i li gh t i n t h i s h ou s e
fo r t h ere a re t i me s w h en I c oul d e a si ly bel i eve t h a t i t is
h aunted
I m sure i t s o ld a n d lonel y a n d dul l enough
I sa
.
I
.
’
‘
ve c
-
.
.
.
,
-
,
,
.
’
’
-
.
.
,
.
,
,
,
’
’
.
,
,
’
.
,
’
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
36
.
gh o st s i n l e gi on s An d I v e h eard stran ge
noi se s to o
but th ey tell me it s on l y th e w i nd
O nly th e wind ? T h e w i nd p l a y s stran ge tr i c k s h e r e
t h en th a t s all I know
I t l i ft s th e c a rpet s and ta ke s
h ol d o f th e door s in p a ssi n g a n d ra ttle s t h em a s t h ough
twould fo rc e a n entran c e An d t h en i t wi ll tap sl i ly o n
- a
h
d
t e w i n ow p ne i n th e n i gh t t i me o r mo a n for h ou r s
to geth er i n th e Ch i mney with a vo i c e l i ke Old Age
l a ment i ng over h a ppy d a ys gone never to retu r n
we l l ! th e h ou se wa s
H e i gh -h o ! O n l y th e w i nd
well named Wi ndy Wall s
’
to ha rbour
.
’
.
,
’
,
.
,
,
’
.
-
,
,
.
.
E
n te r C U TH B E R T b e hin d
[
]
H
e c loses the S uppe r-roo m doo r
[
by
a nd a
dva nc e s
unsee n
IS A B E LL A ]
penny for your t h ou gh t s c ou si n
I sa C uth bert h o w you sta r tle d me
I
Cu th Were you t h i nk i ng o f m e t h en ? ( Bows )
—
fo r a s yo u wel l know tis mo r e to me
a m h onoured
to be i n your t h ough t s t h a n i n any oth er s fa vou r
—
l
r
he y
I sa A pret ty spee c h to plea se a a dy s e a
cou si n ? But h o w c ome yo u to h ave left th e supper
t a b le
C uth B l untly a n d w i th out c i r c u m locution — I l eft
i t be c a u se yo u did
I sa Th en n o l e ss b luntly a n d w i t h out c i rcumlocut i o n
h
c e sir !
u
a
ve
done
fool
i
s
h
ly
T
o
your
p
l
a
o
y
Cuth
.
A
,
.
.
.
,
’
,
,
’
.
’
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
THE FIRESID E TRA GED Y
37
.
Cu th
.
To
Wh ere if not
my pl a ce ?
,
h ere , is
my
pl a c e P
I sa
.
At
th e h ead
o f the s
upper-t a ble
b y my si de
.
your s is
I sa I don t a dm i t i t
C u th T h en I i n turn t a ke le a ve to di spute your
udg
ent
h
i
ft
my
po
i
t
i
on
ert
t
h
a
t
my
pl
a
ce
m
S
s
a
n
a
ss
d
j
is by yo ur si de
e a ts himse l
S
fi]
[
Cu th
.
T h en
.
’
.
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
N a y, C uth b ert ; —do
not a sk me to go b a c k
T is a pen a nce I p r ote st a ga i n st
C uth V ery well — I w i ll n o t a sk you to go back
I 1! sta y b e si de yo u h e r e i n ste a d
I sa I n dee d yo u mu st n o t
Cu th P ra y wh y — D O you prefer my room to my
comp a ny ?
I sa Th ere s no n eed for me to sa y so
But w h at
w i l l your gue st s sa y — R emember you a re Ma ster h ere
I sa
.
.
’
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
,
.
’
.
.
,
no w
.
Cuth
enough
I sa T h en a s su c h yo u h ave your dut i e s — l et m e
se e yo u return to t h em
Cuth O n e moment a n d your h a r sh command sh a l l
be obeye d — Y e s I sa bell a w h at you sa y is true enough
I am M a ster h ere n o w —I m a y c l a i m t h a t th e fa rm is
m i ne o r a s goo d a s m i n e — My poor b rot h er wa s th e
l a st o f h is race —o n h is de a th, his e sta te re v erted to
.
.
T rue
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
.
TH E
38
FIRESIDE TRA G ED Y
.
moth er— t h a t is to my mot h er I t is h er s to do
w i th a s sh e ple a se s — a n d n a tu r a lly enou gh S h e w i ll
—
h
h
n
h
a
h
c
d
plea se t a t o
i t S a ll de s en to me h e r
e r de t
onl y s urv i v i n g so n — N o w w i th out v a i n glo ry t h i s fa rm
is a fa i r p r ope r ty
Tis t r ue th e l a n d is s omew h a t poor
—b ut t h e r e s enou gh o f i t I t I S well -sto c ke d too
e x c ellent well T h en I fin d that my pre dece ssor s ( l ike
h
s en si b le men
a ve b een c ontent to l i ve w i th in t h e i r
)
i n c ome T h e r e s money to th e n a me o f Ma r i n th e
a sum not t o b e des p i s ed
C ounty Ban k c o u si n —
I sa ( with in dzfl e re n c e ) I n dee d
Cu th A sum not to b e de sp lse d — Aga i n my po si t i on
i n th e wo rl d is b etter t h a n wh a t ye mi gh t th ink T ru e
I a m b ut a fa rmer— a t i ller of the so i l —yet I don t nee d
t o fe a r to h old my h e a d up sp i te o t h a t F o r b el i eve
me t h ere b e plenty wh o dub e m se lv e s gentlemen t h a t
woul d jump to c h a nge pur se s— o r fo r t h a t m a tter pe di
gree s e i th er — w i t h th e pl a i n fa rmer o f Wi ndy Wa ll s !
I sa I don t d i spute i t
N o dou b t t h ere a re h undre ds
wh o envy you
C uth T h a t wel l m a y b e
F o r let me tell you Mi ss
I sa b ell a t h a t I c a n b oa st t h a t w h i c h w h o so ever bo a st s
sh a ll se e m a nk i nd b o w d own b efore h im
I sa Ab — a n d w h a t m a y t h a t be ?
Cu th T h a t I m a ri c h m a n —ye s I a m n o w b eyond
the rea c h o fhun ger b eyond th e re a c h o f m i ser y sorrow
—for me th e i ll s o f l i fe h a ve lo st t h e i r
a n d di stre ss
h is
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
’
.
’
,
.
.
’
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
’
’
.
,
’
,
’
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
’
.
,
,
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
40
.
a nd
—
followe d yo u A nd wh en
l o ro se
I found yo u
h e r e a lone I felt t h a t a t l a st m y sta r wa s in th e a sc e n
—
nt
t h a t t h i s wa s a lu c k y h ou r b r ough t a bout by my
a
d
h
oo
eniu
s
a
n
pe
r
a
s
not
to
r
e
c
u
r
d
d
p
g
g
I
on
t
un
e
r
t
n
d
d
s
a
d
I sa (fa in tl
y)
I felt that th e moment
C uth T h en I 11 spea k pl a iner
wa s c ome fo r me to la y m y wo r l dl y po ss e ssion s at your
feet c ou sin to b id you be mi stre ss o f Windy Wall s to
—
k
s
you
to
be
my
wif
I love you I sa b el
a
e
I sa (struggling with h e r a gita tion ) Y o u take m y
b r e a th a w a y !
C uth Y ou r a n swer ?
I sa My a n swer
O C uth bert ! i ndeed it is to o
s oon t o t a lk like t h a t
—
h o w so ?
C u th T o o soon
I sa Y o u c a nnot h a ve fo rgotten
Cu th F o rgotten ?
I sa Y e s fo rgotten — sin c e you fo r c e me t o speak o ut
— how my troth wa s pli h ted to your b r oth er
g
—
t
u
h
h
n
N o ; I a ve o t fo rgotten t h a t But w h a t o f
C
i t cou sin—seeing t h a t poor Willi a m is no mo r e ?
I sa (sa dly) P oor Willi a m is no more
Wh o
know s t ha t ?
Cuth E ve ry o n e
I sa Y o u a re w r on g — no o n e know s i t
C uth P sh a w ! th ere s not a doubt Of it
I sa T h ere is n o proo f— I f h e were to return ?
a s
,
,
,
’
.
.
’
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
TH E
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
n o t return
I sa D ead m en h a ve r eturned ere
Cuth I sa y h e wi ll no t return
Cuth
.
H e will
.
.
Wh o
.
Cuth
.
now
.
.
.
I sa
4r
.
I
tell ?
h e wil l
c an
sa y
return
not
I
‘
:
he
sa y
w i ll never
retu r n— till the se a gives up he r dea d I
I sa H u sh h u sh ! F o r H eaven s sak e don t t a l k like
—
—
h
u
a
s
s
h
t h at C uth bert
fil
l
me
w
i
t
une
ine
Ju
t
ark
o
s
s
y
h o w the wind is h owlin g
C uth Ay tis a wild ni gh t (he goe s to the win dow a n d
ope ns the sh utte r) and dark t h ou gh th e ground is w h ite
—
k
h
w
h
fl
a
h
with snow —
o
t
e
s
now
e
s
w
ir
l
d i stra c ted
e
e
!
S
bein gs u rged m a dly h ith er a n d t h i th er by th e bl a st s o f
Tis o n su c h nigh t s a s th i s
o v e rrn a ste rin g N e c e ssi ty
I sa be l t ha t flo c k s a re l o st upon the h ill s ; sh ep h erds
pe r i sh in th e snow a n d h omele ss wa yfa r ers sink to re st
in dit c h e s to be found t h ere st i ff and fr o z en on th e
—
morrow An in si diou s enemy the S now ! fo r h e will
not spring openly a t h is vi c t i m s t h ro a t but wil l sa p th e
stren gth o f h is l imb s w i th a gratefu l wea r ine ss du l l th e
keenne ss o f h is b ra i n w i th a fl a tteri ng h ea v i ne ss a n d
take th e v o i c e o fa fr i end to w h i spe r S leep — w h en to
urn ing fro m th e win do w
sl eep is death
T
I
t
blow
s
(
)
fro m the n o r -east S e a fa rers will h ave c a u se to c ur se
th i s ni gh t my pretty c ou si n ; fo r m a ny 3 the :
good sh ip
w i ll dr i ve o n o ur i r onboun d c oast wit h th e:ga le
I sa Go d h ave mer c y o n th e sa i lor s !
’
’
,
.
,
,
.
’
.
,
,
-
.
,
’
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
’
,
,
,
,
.
.
’
-
.
’
,
’
.
.
C
TH E
42
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
.
th em an H e wil l !
Y et th ere be l a nd smen not a few l et me tell ye wh o
will n o t repro a c h H im sh ould H is merc y fa i l— F o r to
morrow — wh en th e c lou ds b r e a k a w a y a n d th e w i nd s
are still on c e more w h en th e sun sh ine s o ut and th e
billow s sm a l l and infa ntine bre a k gently and pea c efully
—
h
upon th e sh o r e a s i f t ey knew n o ot h er mood to
morrow th e be a c h sh oul d be strewn wit h a gloriou s
—
h a rve st for th e c o a stsm e n
goo d wre c k timber enou gh
to keep a m a n in ro a rin g fire s a s lon g a s winter l a st s ;
c a sk s full 0 spi r it s
bo x e s ful l 0 C lot h e s a n d store s o f
eve ry kin d — Wh y t h e r e a in t a n Old wit c h in th e p a ri sh
w h o se ri c kety stump s will c a rry h e r so fa r but to morrow
sh e 11 be m a k i n g f
o r th e sh ore a s i f life depended o n it
t o pi c k up a n d c arry o h w ha tever lu c k m a y c a st in h e r
—
S O o n e m a n s poi son is a noth e r s meat you se e
wa y
—
h
h
a
T
ey
p
r
ofit
by
h
ruin
o
f
ot
er
but t h eir
s
Is
t e
h eart s mu st sm i te t h em fo r it
Folk s
C uth N o t at all — Wh at wou l d yo u h a ve ?
mu st l i ve yo u know — and bl e ss yo u th e owner s ha ve
roperty N o t t h ey for th ere
n o furt h er need for th e i r p
fac e downw a rd i n the sa n d t h ey lie : c ol d m en , w h om
now n o b l a z i ng logs— t h ough ye piled em t o th e sky
sh ou l d w a rm a ga in : s ober men
i n wh o se h eart s no
—
—
fi
liquor were i t ne er so e ry sh a l l ever rou se th e o ld
wanton h umour more —An d su c h a man , my gent l e
cou sin , is your o ld sweeth eart , Wil l
C uth
L e t H im h ave m ercy
.
on
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
-
,
’
’
’
’
,
,
-
,
’
,
’
’
’
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
’
,
’
.
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
43
.
I sa
.
(
tea rs)
she dding
.
Al a s poor Will !
—
But enough o f su c h
C uth P oor Will , poor Will
T h i s is C hri stma s E v e ( th ou gh
s omb r e specul a tion
we seem to h ave forgotten i t ) th e sea son w h e n all wh o
c are not f
o r w i nd o r weat h er make merry and rejo i c e
—
z
h o w sa y you ? S e e ! a bo v e
S h all we be merry c o
—
h
h
h
a
s
a
c
h
f
i
h
e
d
t
ere
n
a
br
n
m
i
t
l
etoe
r
a
s
o
s
t
s
t
e
ou
g
symbol o fyouth fu l ple a sure s th e deli gh t o f fond lover s
at C h ri stm a s tide —
B efo r e th e ni gh t is o n e h our older a
h undred pair s o f l oving lip s will h ave met beneat h its
sh ade
B ut j u st now the roo m is empty
we
D eare st mo st bea utifu l and be st yo u w ill
are a l one
n o t l et me speak a s I wou l d spe a k
I sa No no
Cuth Y et gr a nt me t h i s— th at o ur l ip s be th e fir st to
m eet benea t h t h a t bough
I sa N O no
C uth Y o u would not refu se me su c h a little t h ing ?
C ome a wilful m a n mu st h ave h is wa y [I S A is sile n t ]
— My o wn
cou sin !
.
,
.
,
’
,
-
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
h
e
S
[
a
llo ws h im to ta he he r h a n d
—he
th e m istle toe
.
to h ers,
c ea
WI LL I A M
lme n t w ith
a
a nd
h a s h is b a c h to the
A s he is in th e
h e rfa c e to it
sudden
t
u
r
es
e
g
.
.
le a d he r
sc ree n
un de r
she
ha s
s
n
r
e
s
p
i
p
i
hi
s
l
s
f
g
a ct o
ly c omes
o ut
forb idding the
I
S
A
B
E
LL
A
h
h
s
r
i
e
s
[
.
]
from
hiss
.
]
his
c on
FIRESIDE TRA GE D Y
THE
44
Cuth
I sa
.
I sa be l l a ?
(p
)
oin ting
.
.
.
C ut h b e r t
C ut hb e r t ! I
se e a
drowned
man wit h d r en c h e d h a ir and gl a ssy eye s and clot h e s a ll
drippin g wet
Cu th Great H e a ven
Will I fo rbi d yo u in G od s n a me
I sa (h iding he r fa c e )
Tis th e wra it h o f my dea d
sweet h e a rt c ome b a c k to repro a c h me w i t h my fa l se
h ood
Cu th N o no — tis Wi l l h im self !
Will S he wa s m i n e befo r e S h e wa s you r s
Cuth Ay
But broth er befo r e H eaven we believed
that your c l a im ha d b een s et a side by a P owe r w h i c h in
t hi s wo rl d is sup r eme a n d brook s no c ont ra di c tion We
believe d your c laim ha d been se t a si de by th e h and o f
D e a t h it s elf
Will S O it seem s s o it seem s in deed !
h
a
s
H
m
ter
afe
h
h
b
5
t
e
s
a
n
d
Y
ere
we
e
e
r
e
a
c
e
t
j
—a n d h ere a m I J a c k H ic ka th rift c ome b a ck
soun d
like a b a d penny pie c e a s th e sa yin is
C uth I c a n sc a r c e b elieve my s en s e s
Will An d I would to H e a ven I c oul d doubt mine
O ften a n d Often I h a ve h ea r d it sa id th a t t h e r e 3 n o t a
ma n amon g u s fr om th e h umble brea d winner a mon g
th e poor to th e skeely pilot s e a te d a t th e h elm o th e
S ta te — t h a t t h ere is not a m a n a mon g u s so gra ndly
—
d
f
r
s
o
s
s
ift
ublime
oul
al
we
l
l
beloved
but
o
o
a
s
so
e
g
,
,
.
’
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’
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’
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-
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,
-
,
,
,
THE FIRESIDE
TRA
GED Y
45
.
let him be t a ken a way
a not h er will ari s e to fill h is
pl a c e and th e sun wil l sh ine and th e wind s blo w the
S h owers wi ll fa l l a n d th e flowers bloom m a i den s ma rry
—
a n d th e wi de
a n d men go a m a r ketin g j u st a s before
worl d jo g o n n o t an in c h i th e h our th e slower for th e
lo ss o fh im
i
a ch
I
trow
t
s n o m ore t h a n the trut h S kipper
f
Will Y et I never fe l t th e truth o f it till now A nd a
h a rd t r uth i t is t o lie unde r a si c k m a n s pillo w w h en h e
—
i
d
h
feel s h s end ra w nig
O C ut h be r t 0 I sa bell a
but a moment a go I spoke o f t h i s h ou se a s u n c h a nged
—h o w sha ll I n o w spea k o f th e dwelle rs in th e h ou se ?
For
A mong th em C ha nge ha s not been so i dle
if we c ontra st th e l a sting natu r e o f m a n s h a ndi
s oot h
wo rk with th e fic k le n e ss o f m an h im self th e pri de o f
F o r w h a t we fa sh ion wit h o ur
life is qui c kly h umbled
h a nd s wil l l a st its da y but w ha t we fee l i n o ur h ea rt s
we c a nnot keep t h a t fr om de c a y — n o r woul d not th ou gh
we c oul d — Will yo u brea k th e new s o f my retu r n to
o ur moth e r broth er ?
C u th Gl a dly — a n d you may tru st me to be gentle
fo r I know h e r h igh w r ough t n a ture
Will T h a t is well
a c h to
i
w
h
en
I
ll
e
en
o
alon
you
T
s
i
r
g
g
j
(
E
x it C U T HB E R T
[
]
h
m
e
a
c
t
i
s
M
P
c
x
c
ru
en
e
will
e
pe
t
a
h
o
d
t
o
e
t
f
l
j
y
)
g
(
ki ss o f me fir st I s po se a n d my o wd fa th e r a S h ake o
,
-
,
’
,
’
,
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’
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,
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-
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’
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’
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’
TH E
46
FIRESID E TRA GED Y
.
and t h en belike a t l a st I sh a ll ge t a drop
—
summ a t to wet my w h i stle
a n d by my s oul my
0
E
x it J A C K
t h ro a t 3 like a fu r n a c e
]
[
I Vill We a re a lone — O I sabel O I sabel and i t is
t h u s we meet
I sa Willi a m
Will (wildly) Y our v ows your ple dge s your pro
As well a sk o f th e
te station s wh ere are t h ey ?
flowe r s o f la st sp rin g wh ere a re th ey ? But stay
S u r ely
C ome ne a r er th e ligh t gi r l l et me l ook at yo u
—
h
d
n
d
r
sa
a
M
h
a
a
not
me
I
wooe
won
weet
e
rt
o
u
e
t
e
s
y
y
love d me well ; sh e swo r e a t h ou sa nd time s t h a t sh e d
be true to m e T his cannot be S h e C ome to th e l i gh t
1
%
a hes he r he a d
come a wa y ; let me l ook at yo u
t
[
th e h an d
:
,
,
’
,
,
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’
/
.
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,
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,
,
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’
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.
b e tween h is h a n ds
I sa
.
Willi a m
a nd
a
z
e
s
g
in h e r fa c e
]
!
m a rvellou s re semb la n c e
no tis th e sa me fa c e —Y e s th e se eye s are the
sa me
de a r eye s — w h ilom my sta r s t h at ruled my
de stiny ; t h e se fa i r lip s a r e th e lip s t h a t I h ave ki ssed
l ikening em to ro se s— a fooli sh fi gure lovers u se ; and
th i s w h ite brow— th e Ch o sen h ome o f C andour a s
I th ough t it— is th e brow o f h e r I loved I t is th e
sa me
I sa 0 Willi a m sp a re me !
Your reproach e s may
h av e been de served but sp a re me t h i s
h
e b rea hs
S
[
Vl
It
H u sh !
.
is
a
’
,
,
,
’
,
.
.
.
,
,
rom
f
h im ]
.
.
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
48
.
you w i ll
only not o f o ld time s
—
fo r o ld time s are fo rgotten ; n o r o f lovers vow s fo r
love r s vows a re nou gh t — But t h ere enou gh ; I ll c h oo se
—
t
eme
h
o n e th a t sh a ll m a t c h my mood
h
t e
I sa As you ple a se c ou si n
Wi ll T h en we ll ta lk o f de a th
I sa Of de a th !
Will Ay a n d o fth e dead
I sa But w h a t wil l you find to sa y o n su c h a sombr e
th eme ?
Will Oh enou gh ; enough i n a ll con sc ien c e Th e r e
l ie s no l a c k o f m a tter th ere for th e dulle st a n d mo st
—
ba rr en Of p r ea c h e rs Fa ir c ou sin yo u believed me
de a d
I sa I did indeed
Wi ll A nd yo u gri eved for me ?
I sa B i tte rl y a n d from my soul
Will I believe yo u a n d commend your tender h eart
Y et le a rn th i s l e sson o fme ch ild —th a t th ough yo u ha d
f
a
rieved
r
me
ten
twenty
t
i
me
s
a
s
bitterly
h
o
o
u
ad
g
y
y
yet not grieved enou gh — S weet gi rl ; dea r I sa be l ! yo u
are youn g : a s yet you h a v e known but th e b r igh t side
o f life ; w h a t wonder i f yo u h a v e gi ven few th ough t s to
wh at is mo st c r ue l mo st i ne x ora ble ? B ut T ime and
S orrow brin g K nowledge to u s all
E re yo u quit my
si de to ni gh t yo u S h all be a sadder and a w i ser woman
—Y o u bel i ev ed me dead D id yo u ever con sider th e
I/Vill O f w h a t
.
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THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
49
.
dead man s lot ? P erh a p s n o t — C on sider it now
M eth ink s it is a h a r d lot H e is o n e wh o h a s known
better d a y s : fo r h e h a s known th e th ing c a l l e d Life
w a rme d
to sta n d ere c t upon a green a n d b eauteou s e a rt h
b y th e kin dly be a m s o f a glo ri ou s sun rej oi c in g in its
l igh t H e h a s ta sted o f th e p ride Of strength w h i c h
sa y s
I w i ll do th i s do th a t
a n d st ra i gh twa y it is
done
H e h a s known a ffe c tion ; the warm h e a rte d
fel l ow sh i p o f frien ds ; h e h a s k n o wn love 0 I sabe l !
th ough h e wa s th e h umble st o fmortal s I tell you t h a t h is
lo t wa s then a king s lot — A nd it i s c h a n ge d ; fo r h im
f fr om th e voi c e s a n d
ar of
o ld time s are no mo r e : but f
—
h
mile
f
f
ri
en
s
he
s
it
s
wit
h
i
d
le
a
n
d
s
a lone
th e s
s o
d
—
forlorn amid th e eve rl a sting twiligh t a n d l ook s b a c k
upon golden oppo rtunitie s foregone wh ile th e day s a n d
th e h ou r s were yet h is
I sa H o w stra n gely yo u ta lk Will
Will S tra n gely sweet ?
I sa Y e s st ra n gely ; for I neve r h e a rd death spoken
P erh a p s yo u h a ve been
o f a s you spe a k Of it befo r e
very ne a r it — but to h ear yo u o n e migh t take yo u to
—
a
b e s o me ad v entu r ou s tr veller th e fi r st to penetra te th a t
U nknown C ount ry— wh o now bri n gs b a c k h is report
Will An d th a t a l e ss fl a ttering o ne th an yo u would
Well to suppo se twere a s
h ave wi sh ed t o h e a r ?
l
h
a
t
f
u
r
will
rant
me
t
t
the
o
departed
sa
u
o
o
u
o
o
y y
g
y
fri end s would be o n e t o wri n g o ur h eart s when we
’
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D
TH E
50
h e a rd
FIRESI DE TRA GED Y
.
it re c ounted c a lling fort h o ur mo st c h arita ble
o r th e poo r
s ymp a th y — I s t h ere not h ing we c a n do f
A nd th e wo rld would a n swer
soul s ? w e sh oul d c ry
—
urely
we c a n we a r bl a c k fo r th em : we c a n sh ut o ur
S
o r a few month s we
selve s up in o ur o wn c h a m b e r s ; f
c a n r efu s e to go to a n y Of th e nei gh b our s h ou se s ; we
—
x
T h i s we c a n do a n d
c
c
h
c
h
t
o
ept
ur
c a n go n o whe r e e
we c a n do not h in g more
I sa I t is a sa d refle c tion
—
W
it
a
b
i
t
w a it a b it I h a ve only told yo u
Will a
—
what the wo rld sa ys I sa y yo u c a n do mo r e
I sa I n w h a t wa y?
Will I n th i s Y o u m a y mourn fo r a dep a rted friend
n o t only a c c ording to the outwa rd form s p r e sc ribe d by a
s elfi sh wo r l d but inw a rdly i n your h e a r t a s well — Be
fore a ll el se yo u c a n re me mb e rh im— c h e ri sh h i s memo ry
S o yo u woul d n o t l ook to T ime to dry you r tea r s — n o r
s eek a refuge from your s orrow in F o rgetfulne ss
No !
fo r forgettin g would be tr ea s on to you r dea d
But his
image would b e ever i n your th ough t s— h is n a me often
I n your daily c onver se yo u would c e a se to
o n your l ip s
S h un it— a s twere some gri m me me nto mori wh i c h mu st
s en d a sh u dder t h rough th e h e a rer
F o r yo u would h ave
n o fear but th i s — tha t h e wh o se fa c e wa s lo st to you r
eye s w h o se v oi c e h a d died a wa y upon you r e a r sh oul d
b e lo st to your h e art a s well F o r if h e be lo st to th at
t h en is h e lo st indeed !
,
‘
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’
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’
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THE FIRESID E TRA GED Y
5r
.
me !
Will C oul d you not th ink o fh im a s o f o n e w h om yo u
still migh t ple a s e gone t h ough h e we r e a s yo u ple a s e d
him w h en b y you r si de ? Y o u were t h en a c qu a inte d
—
h
h
is it th ink you so wh olly u n
with is every wi s
a va i lin g to remember t h o s e w i sh e s n o w ?
I sa (rising) 0 Willi a m Will i am
your word s a re
rou sin g t h ou gh t s i n my b r ea st wh i c h h a ve l a i n a sleep till
now — mournful a n d c r uel t h ou gh t s t h ey a re mou r nful
a n d c ruel
a s sa d a s time gone never t o retu r n a n d c ruel
a s the gra ve it self !
Wi ll ( rising) Gi ve the s e t h ough t s wel c ome I sa bel
make h a ste to afford th em ente r t a inment ! T h ey a re
late gue st s —th ey h a ve S lumbered lon g ; b ut I tell yo u
tw i l l be lon ger still o r t h ey sleep a gain —Women t h ere
h a ve been c h i l d wh o h a ve b een fa ith fu l to th e ma n
th ey love d in sp ite of de a th I
I sa S ome su c h t h ere m a y h a ve b een ; but t h ey a r e
few
Will Y e s th ey a r e few ; th ey are few indee d Al a s
a n d woe is me
I sa ( weeping a n d wringing he r h a nds) W h at sh all I
do ! w h at sh a ll I do !
Wi ll Na y do not weep Never th ink th a t I c ry a l a s
over a ny woe s o f mine Al l that is p a st I bewa i l th e
—
woe s o f H um a nit y Tha t a ll is fleeting ; a ll is a n d
—
h
mu st be peri s ing th i s is th e bitter c ur se o f Adam s
I sa
Ah
.
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
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,
,
.
.
,
,
,
’
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,
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,
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,
’
,
TH E
2
5
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
.
—
ra c e We se e Jo y fa de ; L ove d i e ; a ll th a t is bri gh t
—
a
a
a n d lovely p ss aw y
S o let it be ; i n G od s n a me so
—
—
r
a
e
s
let it be
re igne d B ut S orrow ; w h a t o f
we
S orrow ? T h i s is n o benign a nt gift t o be sn a t c h ed from
me like th e re st H ere surely I m a y be c on sta nt per
—
I n S orrow S urel y th ou gh ne i th er in L ove n o r
s evere
—
m
a y ab i de ; a n d wit h c on st a n c y p r ove t h at I am
I
o
J y
—
c
a
f
h
h
n
h
more t an t e fra i l re ture o a
our
Al a s n o t S O
N eith er in S orrow is th e r e a n y enduran c e : i t pa sse s like
th e re st —Y e s we are but c h ildren c h ild r en e v ery o ne
—we c ry ou rselve s t o sleep to nigh t a n d to
o f us
morrow waken w i th a smi l e Al a s ! a n d a ga i n I cry
F o r S o rrow o ur forlorn h ope
a l a s for poor H um a nity !
is c ounted w i th th e spoil s o fT i me !
M rs M ( witho u t) Wh e r e is h e —wh ere is h e ?
T a ke me to my so n
Wi ll My moth e r s voi c e
I sa I will le a ve yo u
x it
E
[
]
!
il
h
W l Mot e r
’
,
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E
n te r
[
MR S MA R ]
.
M rs M W i lli a m !
!
h
M
Will ot e r
M rs Ad My so n ! my so n !
Wi ll H u sh h u sh ! B e calm— for God s
c a lm
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
,
ake be
s
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
53
.
M rs M
Y e s,
.
e
s
y
I never t h ou gh t to
Wi ll
se e
But
!
0
,
a
a
o
u
y
g
Willi a m
,
0
Wi l l i am
in
moth er
M rs M I t h ough t you were drowned I th ough t
se a h a d go t yo u in its c l ut c h e s a n d h id den yo u from
fo r ever
.
D eare s t
,
.
.
.
th e
me
.
Will N o no
,
.
.
M rs M N o n o — t h a t wa s wh a t I b elieve d —Ah my
so n ! I h a ve s u f
fered upon your a c c ount
Wi ll T h e r e is n o nee d to tell me th a t —S weet moth e r
S orrow is a h a r d m a ster ; but I c a n se e th a t yo u h a ve
s erved h im wel l ; f
o r al r e a dy h e ha s inve ste d you wit h
tho s e gri evou s b a d ge s o f wh i c h h is mo st fa ith ful
follower s are th e only we a rer s Y our poor c h eek s are
worn si n c e I k i ssed t h em la st
M rs M Ay worn w i th te a rs
Will A nd your bonn i e blac k braid s a re grey
M rs M Ah ye s I m a n o ld wom a n
But wh at
—
—
Y o u know grief
o f t h at
sin c e I h a ve yo u ba c k a ga in
w i ll age o n e faster th an year s a n d I h a ve c ome th rou gh
mu c h
Th ere h a ve been t i me s when I scarce knew
wh at I did — Wh en th e sto ry Of your drown i ng first
reac h ed m e I a c te d strangely
.
,
,
.
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
,
.
,
Wi ll
.
.
H o w so ?
M rs M I ll tel l yo u F o r a time I wa s stunned ; but
th at did n o t last ; and then my a ffli c tion seemed h eav i er
th an I could bear An d c a st i ng about fo r succour i n my
’
.
.
.
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
TH E
54
.
mi sery I b eth ou gh t me o f th e po wer Of p ra yer S O I
went up sta i rs to my o wn room a n d fa stene d th e doo r
But I mu st h a ve been
a n d knelt down a t th e be dsi de
M y h e a rt wa s h a rd ;
b e si de my self ; I c oul d n o t p ra y
a nd
a n d in th e b ittern e ss o f my S pi rit I c ri e d a loud
w h a t do you t h ink I sa i d ?
lllili I c a nnot tell
M rs M I r emem b er th e ve ry wo rds — I sa id Ma y
th e wi nd s never c e a se to v e x th e se a ; no r the S h ip s to
h
c ks
s e a men in e x t r emity upon
to
pie
e
ro
no
r
c
o
n
t
e
o
s
g
th e deep to c ry to H e a ven fo r h elp a n d c ry in va in ; till
my de a r s o n c ome s b a c k to me in h is likene ss a s I
knew him o f o ld ! An d t h a t wa s the only pra yer my
lip s would fra me
Will O mot h er ! th o se were ra sh and i mpiou s
word s— word s fo r wh i c h yo u mi gh t be puni sh ed — F ie !
wh a t m a de yo u speak like th a t ? I t wa s wron g a n d
wi c ked o f you
M rs M F o rgi ve me Wi ll
I t wa s wrong — but I
h ope my puni sh ment is p a st
Y o u do n o t know w h at
it is to su ffer a s I ha ve su ffe r ed — Go d grant t ha t yo u
never m a y
Will A men to t hat
M rs M N i gh t a fter ni gh t i n my S leep my so n I
h ave be h e l d yo u i n de a dl y c ombat wit h th e S e a — I
—
h a ve s een yo u try to b ea t it bac k
but th e S ea wa s
stron ger t h an yo u
Y o u struggle d manfully de sper
.
,
,
,
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,
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‘
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,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
56
.
it been c h eeri er i t woul d h ave been th at I love d you
ha d
le ss
.
Will
dry tho s e te a r s
M rs M Th ey a re tea r s o f j oy and th erefore easily
d ri e d — A nd now I t h ink o f it Wi ll o f all nigh t s i th
ye a r tis the ve ry be st a n d fitte s t t h a t yo u hav e c h o sen
—
m
Y o u r a sca l ! wh y I belie v e yo u waited
r
u
fo r your e t
—
Y o u know w h a t ni gh t it is ?
fo r it
Will Y e s ; C h ri stm a s E v e
—
h
Y
s
s
a
E
e ;
ve
C ri tm s
M rs M
a n d you re c ome
h ome a s a goo d s on sh ould to spend it with your
—
h
mot er As o ur c u stom is th e neighbou rs a n d work
—
h
fo l k are a ssembled ere
th ey w i ll be overjoyed to s ee
—
h
f
a
n
o
h
poor
oul
t
i
nk
t
eir
a
toni
ment
s
s
d
s
h
u
s
o
;
y
T h ey a r e at suppe r
C ome I 11 tell yo u w h a t I 11 do
—
h
h
h
s
I ll go tell t h em t a t t ere s a tranger ere a stra n ger
—
from a di sta nt c ountry
and t h en I 11 pre sent yo u
C ome, th en ,
.
.
.
,
’
,
’
,
,
’
,
.
,
.
.
.
’
.
,
,
.
,
.
’
’
.
’
’
’
.
Will
.
Ha !
M rs M A nd yo u S h a ll take your pl a c e at th e h ea d
0 th e table a n d a ll sh a ll d r ink to your h e a lt h — R em a in
E
x it M R S MA R
wh ere yo u a re
[
]
Will ( to h imse lf A stranger from a di stant count ry !
P oo r mot h er ! s h e l ove s h e r j e st
.
’
,
.
.
.
.
M
Rs M
[
.
.
ppe a rs in
re a
the doorway
a nd
b e c hons
.
]
L e a d th e wa y
x e un t
E
[
.
A
c ommo tion
is he a rd in the S uppe r-room
]
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
57
.
n te r C U T HB E R T
E
[
c ha nge
ro m
f
H is ma n n e r
.
tion
e la
the
e x h ib its a
ma rhe d
i
f the
e a rl e r sc e n e s
o
.
]
My pl a c e is t a ken ! My pl a c e a t th e table is
—
taken
my pl a c e in life is t a ken
I a m no lon ger th e
man I wa s An h our a go I wa s C uth bert Ma r E squire
Of Windy Wa ll s
now I a m C ut h bert Ma r Ah , time s
I
I
e se a ts h imse lf a n d fa lls in to
a re c h a n ged i ndee d !
[
e
r
e
T
h
s a c e r t a in growt h sprun g fr om a tin y
a re ve rie
]
s ee d dr opt lon g a go in fe r tile soil t h a t h a s been pu sh in g
blin dly upwa r d s for m a ny ye a r s t h a t h a s re a c h e d th e
li gh t to n ight
We we r e b oy s to geth er— th e ri c h
—
r
ot
h
e
r
a
n
d
the
poor
th e o n e fra nk a n d winnin g full
b
o f c onfiden c e in h im self a n d a ll the worl d : the ot h e r
—
h
moo dy a n d S y so t h a t nee d wa s a llth e world ob serve d
the c ontra st a n d pra i se d the elde r for h is gene r ou s spi rit
younger b y
a n d open n a tu r e , w h il st t h ey p a sse d th e
unnoti c ed o r woul d r em a r k t h a t th e r e wa s somet h ing
n o t quite st ra igh tfo rwa r d a bout him
S ometh ing n o t
quite stra i gh tforwa r d a b out h im fo rsooth ! But i t is
never too e a rly to begin to pa y c ourt to the ri c h —
to
b egin to sli gh t th e poo r — D id n o t I lo v e to be spoken
fa ir ? H a d I no r eli sh for p rai se ? D id n o t I pri z e th e
f
h
h
o
t
e
T
oo
d
wo
r
d
wo
r
ld
a t s neit h er h ere n o r
g
—
h
th e worl d denied m e
Th e wo r l d mu st sha r e in
t ere
the bl a me if I am w h a t I a m
I n th o s e da y s I d a
—
fri end m y fa th e r : my fa th e r ; my brot h er s step-fat h er
Cuth
.
,
.
.
,
’
’
,
,
,
-
.
,
,
,
,
‘
,
’
.
’
,
,
.
’
.
’
.
’
.
D
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
58
.
My fa th er h a d been a fo rtun a te m a n — a t lea st in the
A sh ipwre c ked s e a m a n c a s t
last yea rs o f h is life
de stitute o n th e s e sh ore s h e h a d wo n th e h eart o f the
—
—
m
h
c
h
w
h
a
w
ri
wido
and m a rri e d
y mot er t t a s to b e
I t h a s been c a st i n my teet h t ha t little wa s ever
he r
known o fh is h i sto ry o r w h en c e h e c a me But i t s ee m s
t h a t a t lea st h e h a d not alwa y s been well to do ; —he
knew th e va lue Of we a lth to o well I t wa s his drea m to
p a ss o n wha t h e n o w enj oye d to me, a n d le a ve me a
ri c h m an a t h is dea th N o doubt twa s kin dly mea nt o f
—
n
but ( H e a ven p r e serve u s fr om o ur
him poor m a
frien ds th e r e a re some men mo r e to be fe a r e d in th ei r
—
h
h
h
s
c
kin dne ss t a n ot e r i n t eir ruelty I r emember my
—
fa t h e r s poli c y
how wh en moth e r s b a c k wa s tu rne d
h e woul d s ei z e the opportuni ty t o glo r ify in m y brot h e r s
h e arin g th e c a llin g w h i c h h a d so nea r p r ove d fa ta l to
h im self a n d en c oura ge Will s love fo r th e se a ; a n d
fe r en c e to b e m a de between
h o w i f e v er t h ere wa s a di f
ou l d never se e h is o wn b ra t c ome o ff
he w
u s two
M y fa th e r di e d ; a n d my brot h er a n d
wor st not h e !
I gre w up to m a n s e sta te An d h e r e o ur p a th s divi de d
—
H ith erto w e h a d been equ a l s b r e d up side by si de ;
sh a r i n g a li ke i n a ll a dva nta ge s — h en c efort h we we r e no
lon ger su c h T h e money was m y brot h e r s — he wa s
free—free to gr a tify his de si r e s to l a bour for th e en ds
w h i c h seemed to h im wo rth a tta i n ing boundl e ssl y
—
An d th e bitterne ss o f slavery
fr ee
I wa s a sl a ve
.
,
,
.
,
.
-
-
.
’
.
,
.
’
’
,
,
’
’
,
,
,
,
’
.
.
’
.
,
,
.
THE FIRESID E TRA GED Y
59
.
ompreh ended to th e full F o r in my yout hful
drea m s I h a d fanc i e d t h a t w i th i n me wh i c h in a wor l d
wh ere nat ive w o r th sh ould outwei gh mere a c c ident o f
fortune would h a ve suflic e d to lift me h i gh F o r goo d
o r ill i t wa s my fa i t h t h a t I wa s no Or din a ry m a n
Well ! I found my self c on demne d a s if I we r e a felon
to h a rd l a bour fo r life— to tha t l a bour with out in sp ira tion
w h o se sole e n d a n d a im is b r ea d — I t wa s h a r d but
h a r d th ou gh it migh t be I wa s prep a r ed to fa c e it A poor
man at th e out set I c oul d h a ve b o r ne to live a poor
man to the e n d F o r i t is not in being a beggar t ha t
th e stin g lie s
but to b e m a de ri c h a s I wa s by th e turn
o f F ortune s w h eel — a n d by r i c h H e a v en know s I do
—
h
n o t mea n in we a lt
a n d to b e m a de poor a ga i n
a lone
a s I a m m a de poor to nigh t
tis t h ere s th e outra ge
O h a c ur s e upon th e w h ole p r epo ste r ou s h i story ! A
c ur s e upon my moth e r s pa ssion ! o n my fa t h er s i11
j udge d fon dne ss ! o n m y b r ot h er and t h i s t ri c k h e s
on my o wn a mbitiou s soul — B a nefully ha ve
served me
t h ey c omb i ned aga i n st me t o m a ke o f me th e sport o f
Fa t e — F o r a s I now st a nd h ere st ript o f my Sh ort
lived greatne ss h urling my vain i nve c tive s a ga in st H e a ven
w h at am I so mu c h a s a spe c t a c le to move l aughter in
god s a n d m e n — a mo c ke ry to the P owe r s on h igh
th e E nvi ou s P owe r s w h o s e deligh t is i n the t h wartin g
o f morta l sc h eme s in th e dwa rfin g o f h uman a c h ieve
ment — and a l a ugh ing sto c k to th e outrageou s m o b
I
c
.
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
-
’
,
,
’
’
-
,
,
’
’
’
,
,
,
,
,
-
ever found in th e m i sfortune s o f
t h e i r fellow-c r eature s the sourc e o f t h e i r s i nce r e s t
—
h
ati
f
tion
I
know
them
I know t h eir mea n
s
a
c
!
O
s
m a rket goin g soul s to th e bottom ! As l ike a s n o t
very moment my downfa l l is th e sta nding
a t thi s
j e st a t th e supper table Wha t more natural ? T h ey
h a ve been p a yin g h onou r w h ere h onour wa s n o t
due ; t h ey h a ve di sc ove r ed t h eir m i sta ke — t h ey ta ke
t h e i r revenge — S o b e it : but I fa n c y t h ey none o f em
know th e m a n w i t h wh om t h ey ve go t t o dea l T h e
worm w i l l turn —a n d H eaven know s I am n o worm
T h ere
I v e subm i tte d t o F ate s i ll u sa ge long enough
h a s l on g dwelt a devil with in t h i s brea st ; and h e is
rou sed at l a st to-ni gh t ! I bo a sted j u st n o w t h at I wa s
-I v e a mind to prove my word s true
ord
i
nary
m
a
n
no
—My broth er ? And wh at sort o fbroth er ha s h e sh own
—
h
i
h
i
m
e
l
f
kind
n
?
i
n
s
s
pee
c
but an
Ay
o e
h
s
? A
unki nd i n h i s dea li n g H is spoken wo rd s I grant ha ve
—
I ta he
been fa ir enou gh
but h i s un spoken wo r ds ?
b elo w, wh o
h ave
,
,
-
,
,
-
.
,
’
’
.
.
’
’
-
.
’
.
,
,
.
,
‘
the good things,
ev il,
whic h
a re
wh ic h
th in e
my b irth righ t — ta he thou the
’
A nd tis th e un spoken words a re
a re
wei gh ty one s
m
a
r
i
a
e
t
d
t
h
i
n
s
h
c
h
e
h
e
o
I
t
h
o
w
,
y
g
g
b irth righ t, b re thren — ta he tho u the ev il, wh ic h a re thin e
th e
wo rl d mu st be grown o ld in deed w h en b r ot h erh ood
but n o ! I am fo rgett i ng
From
is come to t h i s
th e beginnin g t h e r e wa s j eal ou sy between brot h er s
—j eal ou sy h atred a n d strife —
j e a lou sy hatred and
th e
.
.
,
,
,
,
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
61
.
trife t h ere sha ll be to th e e n d
a n d th e vi c tory to
th e stron ge st
An d n o w a tru c e to mo ra li sin g ! I n th e fi r st pl a c e I
—
s
requ i re an in trument a c a t s pa w W h ere sha ll I fin d
T h at s mo r e t h a n I c a n t ell
h im
An d tis not
th e fi r st found wh o woul d a n swer my pu rpo s e e i t h e r
Now
T h e r e s a s eriou s di ffi c ulty to sta r t wit h
we r e t h ere but some S pi r it (b y w ha tever n a me h e migh t
be known ) su c h a s I ha ve h e a r d Of in o ld t a le s wh o
lo st to gra c e h im self found c on sol a tion in su c h a c t s a s
t h i s I c ontempl a te— would not h e b efr iend me n o w ?
T h e time a n d pl a c e c h ime wel l : a n d twe r e su r ely a
gl oriou s opportunity to a ssi st into the d a yligh t o f P e r
fo rm a nc e a dee d still st r u gglin g between life a n d death
i the da rk womb o f P urpo se— a dee d a fte r his o wn
h ea rt ; a n d to win to his fa c tion o n e w h om life h a s left
a neutra l bindin g h im to it with iron b a nd s fo r ever
s
.
,
,
’
-
.
’
’
.
.
’
,
,
,
’
,
’
,
c h uc hle h e a rd witho u t
A
[
]
E
n te r S OLO M O N
[
.
t
i
u t se e ing Cu thb e rt
h
o
w
(
)
.
awa y
to
l a d s wa s
be si de s I c a n
b e by my sel
,
.
I ve sto l e
kit c h en fi r e
H a w, h a w !
m y C hr i stm a s
eat
The
]
n a tura l
Cuth T h e
S ol
.
’
pie b y th e
—
i
n
n
i
n
to
pe
te
r
me
u
u
l
and
e
s
a
s
s
a
b g
a llu s enj oy a C h ri stma s p i e b e st w h en I
.
’
,
,
’
.
Cu th
.
(
to
h imse lf)
.
T h ey
sa y
the devil s
’
c
h il dr en
THE FIRESID E TRA GE D Y
62
.
th e devil s l uck
How
’
h ave
n o w,
Sol o
mo n !
(
.
o ut o
’
’
5
Cu th
h er e
)
oing
G
[
]
sta rtle d
S ol
.
murder —
1
wa y
.
C ut h bert
.
wa nt to speak to ye
S ol Y e s Ma i ster
Cuth Wh y m a n ! w ha t s
afrai d o f m e a re yo u ?
S ol Y e s M a i ster
d b e st
—S tay
H i, stop ! w h e r e ar e yo u o ff to
I
’
get
C ome
.
.
.
.
,
’
.
,
th e
Y ou re
’
matter ?
no t
,
.
.
,
C u th
.
S ol
.
Cuth
’
you ve
fr i end
Ye s !
I mea n — n o
.
.
mean no — t hat s ri gh t —I m sure
cau se to be afrai d 0 me S o l I a m your
’
’
Oh, yo u
.
’
no
.
,
.
Sol E h ?
.
I am your fri end I don t li ke to se e th e
—
c h ap s il l -u se yo u— I never did
a n d i f I were m aster
h ere I wou l d n o t a l low i t
I c a ll it a sh ame
S ol A sh a me ! a y t ha t i t be
Cu th A da m n d sh a m e — An d n o w te ll me why yo u
are n o t with th e oth ers rej o i c ing over Will iam s return
S ol U gh !
Wh at cal l h av e I to rej o i c e over h is
return
a
s
H
m
H
ere
s
mu
l
e
a
s
we
l
l
Cuth (to himse l
u
!
f)
a ss
o r I m mi sta ke n — (A loud ) N o t mu c h
tis true
Willi a m wa s Often h a r d o n you
Cu th
.
I
’
sa y,
.
.
.
,
.
.
’
.
’
.
’
.
.
’
’
,
,
.
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
64
.
ll h unt en
A nd look e e h ere if a sh ow s
you any o f his stubb o r nne ss a n d don t le a d you a ri gh t
c ha se fr om n o w till supper time yo u h a ve my le a ve to
to ss n in a blanket
Cu th D e a r me !
—
a n d so
T h e l a d s wa s ga me
S o l Wa it a b it
so r e a ga in my will I h a d to run a n d t h ey c h evi ed me
for a ll th e wo r l d like a p a c k 0 devil s
C u th T o o b a d upon my wo r d
I ra n Ma i ste r ra n for my l i fe ;
S o l S top a b i t
b ut r un a s run I mi gh t t h ey d h a c a tc h d me lon g
Well ; t h ey m a rc h e d me b a c k a n d
a fore s uppe r time
—
l
nket
a n d t h of I b e gge d a n d pr a ye d o f
h
b
a
fe tc d a
em to let me O ff t h ey in wit h me into u n a n d to sse d
me
Cuth A d a n ge r ou s t ri c k
But yo u
S o l T h a t is j u st w h a t I sa id at th e time
h a n t h ea r d the wo r st o f i t ye t — Well t h e y d ha to sse d
me I know n o t h o w Often wh en W i ll who wa s a t th e
w i ndow a ll th e wh i le a l a u gh in g fit to split his sides
c rie s
N ow la ds a goo d o n e fo r th e l a st ! — A nd wha t
do you t h ink t h ey did ? ( Oh twa s a c ruel tri c k to p la y
—it m a ke s me ill to t h ink o f un n o w !) T h ey to ss d
me high e r th a n ever a n d th en — would ye bel i eve i t
Ma i ster ? in stea d 0 c a t c h ing me th e bl a c kguard s l et s m e
u
o
y
’
’
sh a
,
,
.
’
,
-
,
’
.
,
.
.
’
,
,
’
.
,
.
,
,
.
.
’
’
’
,
,
-
.
,
’
,
’
,
.
.
.
.
’
.
’
’
,
’
,
-
,
‘
,
,
,
’
,
’
,
,
’
,
Cuth
.
L e t yo u
fa ll ?
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
TH E
S ol Ay — S lap into th e
all a mong th e p r i c kle s
m i ddle
.
’
t
0
65
great
h olly-bu sh,
We ll ! a ll I c a n sa y S o l is th at I wonder
you re a live to tel l th e t a le
S ol I wonde r a t it m yself ! My c lo e s wa s tore and
my fa c e a n d h a n ds wa s sc ra tc h d t h a t t h ey bore th e
—
A gied me a c rown th e nex t
m a rk s for week s a r ter
—
b ut a migh t h a gi en me five a n d
Will
i
d
a
d
d y
twould no t h a m a de up to me for a ll I h a d gone
t h rou gh
No it woul d not
A j oke 5 a j oke ; but t h at wa s
C uth I believe you
—
o h imse l
o
a
oin
too
the
me
f
i
r
ly
f
T
S
s
a
a
n
;
f
g
)
g
g
(
—
opene d now to pl a y my c a r ds with j u dgmen t (A lo ud )
I t h a s often su rp r i se d me S o l t h a t a la d o f your mettle
sh oul d submit t a mely to be tre a te d a s t h ey t r e a t yo u
S ol A n a n ?
C uth I n simple E n gli sh I ve often won de r e d t h a t i t
h a s never ente r e d your h e a d to pa y you r tormentor s o ut ?
O ften a n d often h a ve I t h ou gh t
S ol Wh y so it h a ve
—
upon t a n d lon ge d for the chance
but w h a t c a n a
po r e b o y do ?
C uth P oo r b o ys h a ve done mu c h befo r e n o w
—
S ol T h ey re a ll a ga in st me every o n e !
Cu th T h a t m a y b e — b ut lu c k h a s fa voured you
L i sten S o l Y o u v e a S plendid c h a n c e to ni gh t of pa y
in g your o ld tormentor o ut
—
l
wh i c h o f em ?
S ol Eh ? my o d to r mentor
Cuth
,
.
,
’
.
’
.
,
’
’
.
’
’
’
,
’
’
.
,
’
.
.
’
.
,
,
.
’
,
.
.
,
.
’
,
.
.
’
.
.
.
’
,
-
.
.
’
.
E
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
66
C u th
Wh y my b roth er Will t o be su r e
,
,
.
wit h out being found o ut ?
C uth With out b ein g foun d o ut
—
e
r
t
in
u
r
e
T c h k ! t h en at la st I go t my wi s h
s
a
S ol C
0 M a i ster ! I v e lo n ge d for such a c h a n c e day and
nigh t
Cu th A n d now it s c ome
—
k
c
h
k
d
c
h
!
t
T ell us h o w to se t
e
T
S o l (ov e rjoy )
a bout n
I m n o t sure about t h a t : I ve a
C uth H um
m i n d to le a ve yo u t h at to di sc over
T h a t would be
S o l Ay ! now da wn t e e sa y t h at
—
a fter tellin
you
it
would
po r e boy so
a
0
a
too b d
mu c h — H a r k e e z ur F o r ye a r s t ha s been my drea m
—
c
f
a
c
h
a
t
o
to get a
n e
o ne
em a sly chanc e ; and I
th ou gh t twoul d never c o me
C uth N ever wa s th ere su c h a C h a n c e before ; never
w i ll t h ere b e aga in
C ome ; tell us
S ol Oh ! tell u s w h a t tis Ma i ster
like a nob le gentlema n
Li st e n
C uth Well ! S o l; t h ere s n o re si st i ng ye
L n ods
A
a go
( 1 ye remember
year
O
S
to me
)
(
w h a t h appene d a yea r a go ?
A m a ny t h ings
S ol (sc ra tc h ing h is h e a d)
—
x
a
c
tly
o n e Of w h i c h c on c e r ned my brot h er
C u th E
got into a
O n th e nigh t we sa w h im la st, h e
( 1 yo u remember ?
sc ra pe
S ol T c h k
.
.
.
.
.
’
‘
’
.
.
.
.
’
.
’
’
.
.
’
’
,
.
.
’
’
,
’
’
,
.
’
’
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.
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’
,
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.
’
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’
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.
.
.
.
.
’
TH E
S ol S o
’
.
a
did
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
67
.
.
rape with th e C oa stgu a rd An d fo r
a l ong time a fterward s th ey were after him se a rc h in g
h i gh a n d lo w
S ol I mind
C uth But a t l a st bel i evin g h im de a d th ey ga ve up
th e sea rc h — No w S o l don t yo u t h ink th a t if th e C o a st
h
a t th e m a n t h ey were a fter wa s stil l in th e
u
r
knew
t
d
a
g
l a nd 0 th e livi ng t h ey would be after h im still ?
S o l I do believe t h ey would
—
u
Well it j u st o c c urre d to m e th a t it
C th S o do I
—
c
would b e a splend i d tri k h a h a ! for a n y o ne wh o
m i gh t h a ve a bit o f a gru dge a ga in st Will
S ol Ju st so
C uth Wh o mi gh t w i sh i n S h o r t to pay o ffo ld sc ore s
Cuth
a sc
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
,
.
,
’
,
,
’
,
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
.
,
’
f o ld score s, t h a t s it
S ol T o pa y Of
Cuth Th a t it would be a splendid t ri c k ,
.
.
to go — with
o ut bre a th in g a word to livin g soul and b efore your m a n
su spe c t s h is da n ger
.
,
S ol Y e s, ye s
Cuth T o go to th e
.
.
ca
pta in
o f th e
C o a stguard
S o l Ah
.
a nd
in giv ing up the
to tell
him th a t h e h a d b e e n too ha sty
se a rc h , a n d
wh e re the ma n he
so ught
is to
b e fo un d
.
S ol I
.
C uth
.
h oo ra y !
unde rsta n d e e z ur
I t is but turning th e t a ble s upon Will
’
,
,
no
more
.
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
68
He
.
se t
the
h
ploug boy s
on t o
c
h a se you ,
you
well
sa y ?
,
woul d be settin g th e K ing s men o n t o c ha se h im
8 0 1 sh a ll be h a re ! sa id h e t h a t ni gh t a ye a r a go
Will sh a ll be h a re sa y you to nigh t
S ol H a ha h a ! C a pita l
C uth T h a t s w h a t we call p a yin g a m a n b a c k in h is
o wn c oin a in t i t ?
S o l sh a ll be h are !
S o l T is so a n d no mi sta k e
—
h
a n d Will sh a ll be h are
sa id h e yon ni g t a ye a r a go
—
h
ha , h a !
sa y s I to nig t
C u th C a pita l
S ol A splendi d tri c k to b e su r e
—
An d n o w if yo u v e a min d to pl a y
C uth S plen di d
—
d
c
h
a
s
t
h
i
plen
d
i
t
r
i
k
you
ve
no
t
i
me
to
lo
Y ou
f
se
of
s
know the C o a stgu a r d s quarte r s ?
S ol Ay w h ite h ou se o n t C liff
C uth E xa c tly C a pta in D e rr i c k a n d h i s men will
—
h
take t h e i r e a se to n i g t
yo u mu st go a t on c e
t o nigh t
in
S ol ( to he n a b a c h) W h a t now
th e snow ?
I f ye don t go now tis n o
C uth Y e s now a t on c e
u se your goin g at a ll
But yo u would never h a ve me
S ol B l e ss u s
o
in
h
rk
M
a
i
s
ter
t
e
d
a
?
g
Y o u mu st t a ke a l ant h orn :
C uth By no me a n s
I ll li gh t o n e w h il st you m a ke re a dy
’
u
o
y
.
’
‘
-
.
,
.
,
.
’
.
’
,
’
’
‘
,
.
.
‘
-
.
,
.
.
’
,
.
,
’
’
.
.
.
-
.
,
.
.
’
’
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
’
.
H
e p roc e e ds
[
'
to do
so
.
]
.
E FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
TH
but tis a wea ry long wa y to th e
o ffic e r s h ou se
A me r e not h in g to a p a ir o f stout l eg s like
S ol O h
.
Re v
’
nue
C u th
yours
.
69
.
’
’
.
I be a fea r d to trave l it al one and at
S o l An d
’
,
.
’
t h e s e ti m ele ss h our s 0 th e ni gh t
Afr aid S o l
C u th (a side ) Bl a st his fe a r s
wh y w h at o n earth is th e r e to be a fra i d Of
spe rs
S ol I 1] tel l e e
h
i
h
Bogle
i
ter
ut
W
s
M
a
s
C
)
(
be r t bogle s a n d S pirit s
Cuth S tuff S olomon ! stu ff and non sen se
S ol But r ememb e r
th e r o a d do lie by the T h ree
L a ne E n ds wh e re Ja c k y S p ra tt a s c ut h is t h ro a t lie s buried
Cu th W h a t th en ?
S ol Wh y a n th e go ssip s t a le s be t r ue st ra n ge si gh t s
h a been s ee d t h ere a fter da rk
C uth P sh a w ! a p a r c el of lie s ; a p a r c el of lie s i nvented
by th e O ld wive s a purpo s e to sc a re ye o n ni gh t erra nd s
Y o u sh a ll se e nou gh t mo r e dr e a dful th a n your o wn
—
—
sh a dow S o l t h a t I llw a r ra nt ye
sh a rp s
C ome n o w
i
s re luc ta n tl
the wo r d — a llow m e to a ssi st you
S
O
L
y
[
l
b
ng with h is c h oh e r ; C U T HB E R T ta he s it ou t o
u
m
i
h
i
s
f
f
.
,
.
,
’
’
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
,
.
.
’
,
.
,
’
’
.
.
’
.
’
’
,
h a n ds
a nd
,
.
ties itfor h im
.
]
,
T h ere
p a ss the spot — in deed I dursn t !
C u th N o w look ye h e r e S o l; I a m o ne wh o sta nd s
no non sen se — I s it your wi sh to pla y Off th i s sp l endi d
tri c k upon Will o r is i t not ?
S ol
.
But I
.
’
’
dursn t
,
,
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
70
.
S o l Oh
it
s
e
y ,
.
It
t h at
is,
but
enou gh for me : but me n o buts if
—
—
h
I
i
s
you plea se
well I m re solved t h a t
t s your wi
sh
u
s
f
s
ll
ve
your
wi
I
tell
I
i
c
k
eein
h
h
a
o
m
o
a
u
s
o
y
g
y
—
ubmit
t
mely
to
be
bullie
d
a s if you h a dn t th e
a
u
s
o
y
spi r it o f a mou se —a n d I don t intend t h at you sha l l do
D ye h ear me ?
S O any l onger
—
h
F r a p s if I wa s to
S ol Y e s Ma i ster C ut bert
I
sh ut my eye s a n d run w h en I b e ne a r J a c ky S pr a tt
migh t get b y u n sa fe
Cu th O f c our s e ! Y ou ve but to w h i st l e and keep
—
tout
e
r
t
t h ere s nou gh t will h a rm ye A nd
h
a
s
a
you ll ha ve c omp a ny o n th e wa y bac k ( S tic hs a c ap
N ow be o ff
on S o L s he a d )
Cu th
.
is
’
s
,
’
,
’
.
’
m
’
’
.
’
.
’
.
,
,
.
’
.
’
.
’
.
’
.
L ma he s
S
O
[
s ta rt
f
]
S o l Oh but I h a d forgot th e L on e H ou se — th e l one
h ou s e w h ere Fa rme r F la yflin t dwelt th e mi ser w h a t
d i e d with out ever m a kin g known w h ere s tre a sure wa s
hid ; t h ey do sa y a w a lk s 0 nigh t s
Cu th F iddle stic k t ha t gh o st wa s l a id long si n c e A t
any ra te I v e tol d you S o l t ha t I inten d t h a t yo u sha ll
go upon t h i s erran d — a n d I m beginnin g to l o se
p a tien c e S o yo u m a y take you r c h oi c e between Fa r
m er Fla yflin t s gh o st w h i c h ( so fa r a s I c ou l d h ear ) wa s
never yet known to give a ny b ody su c h a c owh i ding a s
h e n ever h a d in h i s life befo r e a n d me
S o l I m o ff Ma i ste r ; I m Off
I h ave got th e spirit
a lse
a
.
,
’
’
’
.
.
.
’
,
,
’
.
’
,
,
’
.
’
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
72
.
mine but anot h e r s
U p o n th e H i gh M oor t h e r e s
a c ert a in spot wh i c h timi d folk s a void I t is a lo dgin g
for but o ne ma n a t a time—fr ee qu a r te r s too a n d no
re c konin g to pa y An d t h ou gh th e up putting is r ough
no m a n gr um b le s a t th e ha r dne ss Of t h a t pillow ; non e
h a s n ee d o f a S leepin g dr a u gh t to slumbe r th e ne x t
—
u
n
i
u
h
h
mo r ning lon g a fter the s
s
T
e
m
a
n
w
o fill s
p
t h i s queer lodgin g to nigh t wa s a t ra vellin g tinke r H e
begged o f a poor wom a n a t a c ott a ge doo r a n d a fte r
e a tin g h is fill Of h e r C ha r ity wh en h e r b a c k wa s tu r ne d
But th e o ffic e r s o f
s e t upon h e r wit h th e knife
j u sti c e we r e to o mu c h for h im : t h ey tu c ke d h im up
— a n d the r e h e h a n gs to t h i s da y A t fi rst t h ey kept a
wa t c h upon his bo dy a n d t h en t h ey kept a wa t c h u po n
—
But b y
h is bone s le st fri end s sh oul d ste a l em a wa y
th i s time th e b ir ds ha ve pi c ke d em c le a n — h e h a s
o c c upied h is lo dgin g lon g enough a n d I t h ink tis h igh
time h e sh ould c lear o ut a n d m a ke r oom for some o n e
e l se —Wh a t t h ink yo u b r ot h e r Will o f su c h qu a rter s
—
h
a
winter
we
t
er
you wh o ha ve kept me o ut i the
fo r
U pon blu ste rin g ni gh t s like t h i s o ne
c old so l on g ?
c r e a k s a s th e win d
c a n fa n c y t h a t th e gi b b et c re a k s
b low s ; a n d th e w i l d c re a tu r e s love r s o f th e da rkne ss
ste a l round a bout ; a n d th e moon look s down o u t o f
a n d h ide s h e r fa c e — Well ! we S h a ll se e
h ea ven
l
ose s th e doo r
C
S
o
S
olomon
s
pee
u
on
you
r
way
d
p
(
)
T he ne x t h our o r two will be an a n x iou s time ; but
’
’
-
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
,
-
.
-
.
,
,
,
’
‘
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,
’
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,
’
,
’
,
,
,
’
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
.
,
,
.
,
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
TH E
73
.
t hat on c e safely p a st I t h ink I se e m yself on c e more a
we a lth y m a n on c e more th e Ma ster o fWindy Wa ll s o nce
—
more th e fa voure d suitor o f I sa be l
w ha t
C oraggi o
say s th e sa w
,
,
,
H é e ithe r fe a rs h is fa te too m uc h ,
Or his de se rts
Th a t da re s
To ga in
n ot
or
p
a re s ma
ut
it to th e touc h
lose it
ACT
S C EN E
: as
(
)
Yo u r
a
E
x it
[
]
ll l
I I
.
in AC T 1
E
n te r P RUD EN C E
[
sin s
g
ll,
a nd
.
J A CK ]
.
.
M ol—
l
y ha s
n e -v e r
b e e n fa lse ,
sh e
dec la re s,
n
a
r
t
e d a t Wa pp ing Old S ta irs,
i
c
e
l
a
s
t
t
i
m
w
e
S
e
p
u
l
d
t
i
n
u e the sa me ,
h
l
c
e
n
I
r
t
a
t
s
t
i
l
o
n
W
swo e h
I
wo
A n d ga ve yo u the
’
’
—
b a c c o b ox ma rh d with my
na
me
3
J a c k J a c k ! I dunn o t like to h ear t h ee sing
Y o u wa s never u se d to do it e x c ept you wa s
—
a ch
h
h
h
a
ll
it
t
ree
S
eet
i
n
t
wind
l
ell
s
e
C
a
s
s
W
!
j
if I b e t h ree S h eet s i th e w i nd to nigh t tiS a ll alon g 0
you
E
P rue
.
,
.
‘
’
.
,
’
’
-
,
.
’
TH E
74
P rue
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
.
A lon g 0 me ?
I swe a r tis a ll a long
’
.
a ch
f
my de a r ;
.
’
0
’
gettin g ba c k
to ye again
,
bein g so gl a d to se e e e
P rue A p r etty wa y o f sh o win i t
a ch
h
T
ink
h
o w lon g it is S in c e we l a st met
f
—
h
P
s
a
s
ru e
Na y don t b e n ppi
C ome my r o se b ud S it
by my side give u s a ligh t to my pipe a n d let 3 h a a
l ook a t ye
P rue H e y not I
a ch
W
h
P
ru
e
my
l
e
a
r
h
c
(
1
ye
know
w
at
do
a
ton
s
y
f
ish me is to s ee how well yo u wear s
P rue H a ve done
c l a r e now t h a t to look in your fa c e fa ir c all s
a ch
I
de
f
—
h
to mind t e da y s w h en I cou r ted you D ye mind t h em
Y e do n o w I l l be swo r n !
time s
Prue I n di fferent well
c
a ch
A
a
!
a
f
a
n
y
lookin
pie
c
e
u
w
a
s
a
n
d
o
y
y
g
y
;
f
l igh tly would ye skim ac ro ss th e gra ss wh en th e la sse s
an
l a d s pl a ye d K i ss i th e R ing o n G oo se G r een o n a
h olid a y
P rue Ah yo u wa s a rantipole t h en if ever wa s
My
wo r d but ye m a de goo d th e o ld sa yin t h a t a sa ilor get s
h is money like a h or s e a n d spen ds t like a n a ss
— I sa
ch
h
H
a
a
a
P
r
uden
c
e
(
1
you mind th e
y
f
S und a y a fte r noon s w h en I would t a ke e e o ut t o walk ?
My sta r s ! how fine ye would make you r self 0 t h o s e
S un da y a fte r noon s
a nd
’
.
’
.
.
’
,
,
,
,
’
,
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’
,
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,
,
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,
’
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’
,
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-
,
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’
’
- -
-
.
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’
’
,
.
’
.
,
’
’
’
I ZZETI UUEES YZLE YYRA CLEI DYC
75
I wa s young and fulli sh then
-l
a ch
d
u
u
a
A
u
n
s
w
lk
t
arm
n
d
o
a
r
m
f
would a n swer a ll I sa id to ye o h , so mim a n d
P rue
.
.
’
a nd
w
.
yo u
orre c t
— Wh o would eve r h a gue sse d my dea r a s you d a
voi c e migh t b e h ea r d a se a lea gue o ff i n a ga le 0 wind
— and a tongu e a s mu st be slun g by th e middle fo r
I ll swe a r a wa gs at both end s
P rue Y e took p r e c iou s good c a re to gi m e n o c a u se
fo r u sin g it then J a c k ; fo r if eve r a m a n wa s fooli sh
m
a
n
w
u
w
n
h
s
one
in
love
that
a
s
J
A
CK
o
i
g
y
)
(
h
c a me to th e s e a b a nk s
a ch
h
n
t
en
w
en
u
s
you
A
d
f
would fi r st make me m a ke su r e a s t gr oun d wa s d ry
n o t s oil you r fin e ry
and t h en we took a
a n d would
s ea t
P rue Ay —a n d yo u spun me ya rn s about furrin
d
c ountr i e s
n
d
a
n
s
a
merm i s a
th e e a sa rpin t a n the
K i n g 0 th e C ann i b a l I sle s a n d L ord know s w h at
a ch
a s ide
n d s he b el i eve d em b le ss h e r h ea rt !
A
(
f
)
A y a n d t h en I would be gi n to e e w i th
I
sa y P r uden c e
and you woul d a n swer me Well
Jo h n ? —
A nd sa y s I I a m but a rough a n d re a dy sa i lor
c ha p
A n d t h en you woul d look upon the ground
you wo uld ; a n d sa ys you 1 l i ke s a sa i lor
But I
don t th i nk a s yo u t h i nk s mu c h 0 me sa y s I
I ndeed
but I do sa y s yo u
P rue N ever
a
c
h
h
I
t
i nk a v ery gr eat deal 0 you i ndeed ! O h
f
,
so c
’
’
,
,
’
-
,
,
’
’
’
.
,
.
,
.
-
,
.
,
’
,
’
.
’
’
,
,
,
’
.
,
’
.
,
’
,
‘
,
,
-
,
-
,
,
‘
,
’
’
,
.
’
’
,
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,
’
,
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’
.
’
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
76
.
i d it
—
i t once Ay
t i me s i f you sa i d
P r uden c e , yo u wa s fond 0 me yo u wa s
Prue I made c c th i nk so
a ch
W
n
c
h
ell
you
ve
o
a
ll
be
a
s
a med o f i t my
t
o
f
—
h
i
r
l
you
only
s
owed your t a ste F o r a s smart a
g
li ttle c h ap a s you need w i sh to se e wa s I w h en I
b rough t up alon gsi de 0 you
P rue T h ey sa y th e r e s nowt li ke a good o p i n i o n 0
your self a t a n y ra te
—
h
a
c
h
W
a
s
a
t
t
e
h
a
ell
l
t
ppy
rr
i
ved
twa
not
a
a
d
s
f
y
o n g e i t h er — tru st J a c k for c om i n g qu i c k l y to th e
po i nt — and a day i t wa s
P rue Y ou t i ed m e a true l over s knot w i th a b l ue
r i bbon
h
a ch
c
h
c
A
n
o
u
wore
i
t
t
ur
you
d
i
d
p
i
nned
o
d
y
f
o v er your bo som
P rue Ay a y ! O urs wa s someth i n g li ke a wedd i ng
Jack —
bel i eve me yo u w i l l scarce se e th e l i ke o f i t to
da y
F o r t i me s be c h anged a n d th e young fo l k s nowa
—
ferent t h i ng w h en yo u
r
r
i
T wa s a d i f
day s want sp e t
and m e wa s young
r
ue
t
r
ue
folk
s unde r stood better h o w to enj oy
T
a ch
f
l
F o r i n stan c e ; a fter o ur wedd i ng t h e r e wa s
s
m
s
e
v
e
e
none 0 your l eavi n g a tr i fle to be drunk a t t P ubl i c and
h
o
i
n
qu
i
etly
ome
g
g
We d mu si c we ha d ;
P rue I sh oul d t h i nk n o t
m u si c and dan c i ng a n d sport s 0 e v ery k i nd ; r a c e s fo r
u
sa
o
y
sc
a
ore
0
’
,
’
,
’
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’
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,
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’
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THE
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
77
.
— a nd to
p ri z e s for th e m a i d s a n d wre stl i n g for
l
fin i sh up the da y eve ry m a n w ha t owne d a firea r m kept
a lett i n g i t O f
f i th e a ir a s fa st a s ever a could lo a d a n d
lo a d a ga i n
I t wa s splen di d
H
f
h
o
a ch
h
t
e
plend
i
i
t
A
t
i
n
O
o
r
n
S
d
a
s
!
t
e
S
w
g
f
P lenty st r on g l i quo r flowed l ik e w a te r ; a n d t h ere wa s
ne i t h e r m a n no r boy i th e p a ri sh w a lked st ra i gh t to h is
b e d t h a t n i gh t
P ru e F o r sha me !
m
a ch
ell
a fte r a ll P rue
a
a n don t ge t spl i c ed
W
f
every da y
P rue T is a s well for a ll c on sa rned
a ch
I
won
t
sa y but w h a t ye ma y be r i gh t t h ere
f
Ah wel l ! O ur wedd i n g da y wa s a da y to be remem
be r e d
P rue N ow t h ey do sa y, J a c k a s ab sen c e and sal t
w a ter w a sh a w a y l ove
a r t h a t s a ll
h
Neve
r
you
bel
i
eve
em
t
en
my
de
a ch
j
—
I t s a l i e a n i nvent i on 0 th e l a nd lubbe r s a s would
s erve J a c k a sc u rvy tu r n b e h i n d h i s b a c k ; i t is upon my
—
s oul
An d now w h at do ye sa y to o ur dr i nk i n g long l i fe
to fa i t h ful c ouple s ? O h ye v e no need to be so m i ssi sh
P r ue yo u c a n go a l i ttle drop a s well a s anoth er I know
ye c an — S o come we ll spl i c e th e m a i n bra c e to
n i gh t
P ru e Well wel l ! i t a i n t eve r y nigh t i th e ye a r a s
J a c k c ome s h ome
a ds
th e
,
’
’
-
.
’
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,
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’
THE FIRESID E TRA GED Y
78
.
(
a ch
j
as
W
hen
they go
’
I pa ss d
)
o ut
.
-twe e n de c hs w ith
h
e
r
i
h
t
b
e
w ol fo tn g
a
you,
D id I
To b e
’
e er
use
F o r h is
i
g ve
a
hiss, To m, to
re w
u
r
c
o
y
f
o ne o
i
m
s
s
a
w
m
T
h
o
a
I
t
h
n
d
i
t
h
f
y d,
y
’
tro w-se rs I wa sh d, a n d h is grog too I
’
ul a n d
m a de
E
x e un t
[
]
n te r
E
[
W I LL I A M
a nd
M R S M AR ]
.
M rs M An d n o w t ha t I h ave yo u h ome aga i n my
boy, you mu st give m e your wor d t ha t you ll n ever
l ea ve me a ga in
Wi ll T h ey sa y Never 5 a long p r omi se mot h er
M rs M N o t a da y t oo lon g for me 0 W i ll ! c a n
—
h
h
h
h
a
s
f
i t be t t you ave t oug t o l eavi n g me a l r ea dy yo u
wh o a re but j u st c ome h ome ?
Wi ll N o , no n o t yet
—
r
t
e
M s M N o y t U n gra teful ! a n d i t is for t h i s t ha t
I h a ve loved you dea r er t h a n my life
B ut t h ere !
you l l o wn t h a t it is ha r d t h a t a ll my l ove c a nnot w i n
you to give up th e se a
Wi ll D ea r moth er wh y you a re n o t you rself to
n i gh t — O n c e a sa ilor a lwa y s a sa ilor , you know — but
t h ere 5 no nee d to spea k so gloomily
—
M rs M N 0 need
h
if
Y
out
Y outh t h at
!
h
O
know s not its o wn crue l ty—could but look for a moment
,
.
’
.
’
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,
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’
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,
,
,
’
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.
THE FIRESIDE TRA GE D Y
80
.
remember h o w I sn a t c h ed you up and h a stened h o m e
t h rou gh th e ga th e ring tw i ligh t cl a spin g you i n m y arm s
An d fr om that da y I fe a r e d th e se a for you
Wi ll S u r ely moth er yo u put no fa ith in su c h i dle
fan c ie s
M rs M C a ll th em i dle fa n c ie s i f you w i l l I c a ll t h em
by a noth er nam e — I s i t unrea son a ble to believe th a t
wher e th e fa te o f w h a t we love be st o n eart h is c o n
cerne d a fo r eknowle dge Of evil m a y be gra nted u s ?
N O t h ey a re no idle fa n c ie s but th e intuit i on s o f a
mot h er s h e a rt — Fr om t h a t da y I fea re d th e se a fo r
l
h
a
l
ou
t
by
me
a
n
in
my
powe
r
ivert
a
n
s
s
d
u
d
t
o
o
;
g
y
your t h ou gh t s fr om it
But keep you indoo rs a s I
would I sa w that your c h il di sh deligh t wa s still in buil d
i ng mimi c ve ssel s a n d i n li sten i ng to sa ilo rs storie s I s aw
it a n d it m a de me sa d a n d fea r ful — O h h o w I strove
to win you fr om th e S ea at l a st But twa s i n va i n
Wi ll I n va in A wilful man mu st h a ve h is way ye
know mot h er — m y h eart wa s se t upon th e se a and to
se a I went
M rs M I n spite o f me
Will No no but tis n a tu ral tha t a m an sh ou l d w i sh
—
t o s e e th e wo rl d you c ould n o t exp ec t me to rema in at
h ome a ll my d a y s
M rs M I did n o t e xpe c t t h a t An d h a d yo u ch o s e n
anoth er c a llin g— sa y for in sta n c e th e so l di er s— t h ough
H ea ven know s t ha t th ere be bloody w a r s enough — I cou l d
,
.
,
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,
,
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,
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’
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,
,
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,
,
l
’
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THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
81
.
bid den yo u go a n d given you my b le ssmg But
wou l d h ave h a d yo u sh un th e se a
tis th e wa y th ey a ll dece i ve
I/Vill H o w like a moth er
F o r h a d it c h a n c ed to be th e red c oat in
e m se lv e s
ste a d o th e b lue j a c ket t h a t took my fa n c y you know in
your h ea rt t h a t you d h a been a s mu c h a ga in st it [S he
But I v e never repented o f my
he r he a d ]
sh a he s
Ch oi c e T h e se a life is the life fo r me —th e wide world
h ol ds none like i t
M rs M N o , truly — none so ful l of d a nger s and h ard
sh ip s
Will None so rovi ng ; n o ne S pite all its rub s S O
ple a sa nt o r so fr ee
M rs M None fo r wea ri n g a way w i th sorrow and anx iety
the live s o f th o se yo u lea ve beh ind But yo u never th ink
w ha t is it t o yo u how often I h ave
o f t h at — Ah Will
l a in awa ke a t nigh t li stening to the sto r m a n d pra ying
t h a t my s on m i gh t b e pre served ? Wh a t is i t to yo u h o w
often my eye s h a ve filled w i th tears wh en I h a ve l ook ed
fr om my window o v er the w a ter s w h en yo u were far
An d yo u know h o w in a ll p a rt s o f th i s h ou se
a way ?
if yo u l i sten w h en the w i n d is still yo u c a n c a t c h th e
s ound Of the s ea
Will (liste ns) I h ear i t now O n e mi gh t fa n c y th e
al tern a te r i se a n d fa ll Of th e w a v e s to b e the bre a th ing o f
some h e a vy S leeper
M rs M T o me it h a s a di ffe r ent sound Ni gh t a n d
h a ve
.
,
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’
.
’
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’
,
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-
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F
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
82
wo rk I h a ve h ea r d it th e s e m a ny yea r s
a n d a s its murmu r s c a me to my e a r a ga in a n d a ga in I
h a ve sa id to my s elf The re is sorrow on th e sea — the re
da y, i dle
a nd a t
,
,
,
,
is
w
s orro
on
th e
it will n ot b e q u ie t
fa n c ie s aga in , moth e r
se a
Will Fa n c ie s
.
’
.
.
,
M rs M Not so
My boy my boy b elieve me t h e r e
is sorrow o n th e se a
Wi ll An d is th ere not so rr ow on th e l a nd a s well
S o rr ow a n d c h a nge in h e a rt s we fondly th ough t un
ris ing I h a ve foun d it S O
c h a n ge a b le
)
(
M rs M P oor b o y !
Will An d I tu r n for c on sol a tion for forgetfulne ss
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
whe r e
,
,
.
I ma y
.
n te r C U T HB E R T
E
[
.
]
ome s C uthb e r t
Cuth T h e C lo c k h a s j u st stru c k m i dnigh t — it is
C h ri stm a s M o r n
M rs M Th e sea son o f pea c e o n ea rt h a n d good will
—
among men
m a y its b le ssi n gs in ri c h me a su r e be
upon th i s h ou se
Wi ll S o let it b e — C uthbert my la d give u s your
h and
I wa s vex ed with t h ee j u st n o w
But t h e r e
AS moth er sa y s t h i s is no sea son for i l l w i l l— lea st Ofa ll
between b r oth e r s Le t us b e fri end s [M usic with out ]
Cuth With a ll my h ea r t - I wi sh for noth in g better
A
s ide ) H e mi gh t h a ve sp a red me t h at gra sp o f th e
(
T a ken toget h er with th e a sso c iation s o f th e da y
h and
Ah
h ere
c
.
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-
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,
,
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,
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
TH E
Ah ,
it wa s su gge stive of a c ertain hiss
.
tu rn s
83
.
e
H
[
well
way]
a
E
n te r I S A B E LL A
[
]
I wi sh yo u a pea c eful a n d a h a ppy
MR S
C h ri stm a s a unt
M rs M Nie c e, your wi sh is bountifully fulfille d Ma y
you r C h r i stm a s m y dea r gi rl b e a s h a pp y a s is mine !
h
e
M o r e t h a n t h a t I know not h o w to wi sh yo u
S
[
I
sa
t
o
(
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
h isse s h e r ]
.
Wh e r e do you t h ink I h a ve b een ? At my
win dow li stenin g to th e c a r o l sin ge r s
T h e win d ha s
fa llen ; a n d in th e stillne ss o f th e nigh t t h eir sin gi n g
s oun de d so sweet
I t seemed a lmo st like th e mu si c o f
a n gel s — Y ou mu st h e a r them
p
e n s win do w
O
[
]
I sa
.
-
.
,
,
,
.
.
Ca ro l-singe rs ( with o ut)
H a rh
d
h
e
r
a
l
a nge ls sing
t e h
w-b o rn K ing,
e a rth , a n d me rcy mild,
G lo ry to the
Pe a c e
G od
.
on
ne
a n d s in n e rs re c o n c ile d
.
H a rh
the h e ra ld-a nge ls
Glory to the
n e w-b o rn
sing
K ing
’
.
—
I t is b ea utiful in dee d, I sa b el a n d indeed
M
M
it b rings to min d th e son g wh i c h o n t h i s nigh t a ge s a go
th e A n gel sa n g to th e sh ep h e r ds a s t h e y w a t c h ed t h eir
flo c k s
Be hold I b ring you good tidings ofgre a tjoy I
F o r in t ru th , gr eat j oy is mine th i s ni gh t
rs
.
,
,
,
,
.
THE FIRESID E TRA GED Y
84
.
—To M R S
h
h
mot
er
ot
er
M
(
)
(
r emember th a t gr ea t j oy i s mo stly sh o rt l i ve d — ( To I SA )
C ome the ni gh t a ir m a ke s o n e sh ive r
Cuth
a side
.
P oor
.
.
,
-
.
U
T
HB
E
R
T
C
[
the
c loses
win dow, whic h
re ma ins
nu
]
sh u tte re d
E
n te r P L A Y FA I R
[
]
MR S
M i st r e ss a H a pp y C hris ma s a n d
G oo d New Y e a r to you a n d m a y Go d ble ss ye
M rs M T h a nk you P l a yfa i r a n d th e sa me to you
t
o
(
P lay
.
a
’
.
,
.
,
.
L
A
Y
b
ow s
P
[
]
.
In
ot h er r oom th e supper h a s gone o ff
beyon d a w i sh a n d a fte r e a tin g a n d drinking every man
his fill the gue st s be a b out r i sin g fr om t a ble
M rs M We ll h a ve th em in t h e m— But first a word
wit h you
P lay A t you r c omm a n ds
—
M rs M L i sten T h i s is n o o r din a ry C h ri stma s E v e
T O-nigh t your Ma ste r w h om we h a d mourned
P l a yfa i r
to-n igh t
a s de a d is c ome b a c k to h i s h ome on c e more
—
i
s
s
we mu st m a ke i t
my de a r a n d l on g lo t s on
found
I t is my w i sh
su c h a n i gh t a s a ll h ere will remembe r
Play I t sh a ll be my ende a vour
—
M rs M Y o u will obli ge me Le t m e c on si der
I n th e fi rst pl a c e l et me h a ve more l i gh t s h e r e ; me
—
t h ink s th e room is but dimly ligh ted
a n d th en go
round th e h ou se and blow th e fi r e s up to a w a rm a n d
P la y
.
th e
,
.
,
’
,
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,
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,
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,
-
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,
.
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
85
.
h ee r ful b l a z e — An d,
look you do n o t spare ; se e th a t
n o man w a nt s for a nyth in g
P lent y mu st r ei gn a t Windy
Wa ll s to nigh t
T h e Y ul e L o g ! I t r u st you h a ve
provi de d a no b le o n e ; I w a nt to se e it b l a z e a n d c rac kle
o n the h e a rt h a n d th e fl a me r o a r up th e c h imney
An d
don t fo rget the C h ri stm a s C a n dle
An d th e Wa ssa il
—
Bowl you mu st bre w t h a t st r on g stewa r d let m e
s ee th e l i quo r b ub b le b ra vely ; a y wh ere you brewed
it sweet a n d st r on g befo r e se e you brew it t h r ee time s
s weeter t h r ee time s a s stron g to ni gh t
Play I t sh a ll be done
M rs M A nd wh oever p ra i se s your b rewing bid him
drink lon g life and h a ppine ss a n d a wel c ome h ome to
his M a ster my sweet William — An d P l a yfa i r I t e
membe r Of o ld w h a t a fa mou s ha n d you were a t devi s
in g spo rt s fo r th e merry m a ke r s
B e upon your mettle
to nigh t man — I a sk it o f yo u for I wi sh th e w h ole
h ou se to sh a r e my h a ppine ss
P lay T r u st me mi st r e ss t h ey sh a ll i f I c a n make em
M rs M T h a t s ri gh t — N ow c a ll t h em in
c
,
.
"
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’
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,
,
,
,
-
.
-
,
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’
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,
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’
.
.
I
I
e goe s
[
]
n te r from the S upp e r-roo m P R U D EN C E , O LD H I C K A
E
[
TH R I FT,
a
ll the
J A CK
o the r
gree tings
a re
,
D A V Y, H O B NA I L, T O M T UCK E R,
G ue sts
b e ing
M rs M G oo d folk s
.
—h a n d-sha hin
a nd
s
g
e x c ha nge d o n a
a
a nd
Ch ristma s
ll side s]
M er ry C h r i stma s to yo u
a ll
.
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
86
.
S ev e ra l Gue sts
a nd
m a ny
of
’
to you Mi st r e ss ; s ame to you
S a me
.
,
em
M
R S MAR
[
M rs M (to
.
He
.
]
drops
.
P lay
,
a c urtsey
I
s
h
t
e fi ddle r h e r e ?
)
—
m a a m F i ddle r A nth on y
P L AY
.
’
is,
.
,
s
tep for
wa rd
M rs M ( to the F I DD L E R ) Now fi ddle r I wa nt ye to
tell me wh a t a re you r b e st a n d livelie st tu n e s ?
Bid F a it h Mis e ss M a r th e r e s God re s tyo u M e rry
Ge n tle me n a life y sta ve enow o r a n t ple a se ye b ette r
t h e r e 5 th e R o a st Be ef 0 Old E ngla n d
Whe n the
or
Tis [My D e ligh t o n a
K ing E njoys s Own Aga in
—
a
r I can
a
r
t
n
t
e
s
o
h
h
i
h
o
r
H
O
O
i
I
V
z
e
S
cc
f
y
g
g
Wi th foc hy to the F a ir o r fo r t m a tte r 0 th a t Owe r
Bu mp e r S q uire [ o nes
the H ills a n d F a r A way o r
But if tis th e me rr ie st me a su r e s I c a n pl a y ye b e
fo r wh y to m a ke no b o ne s a b o ut it t h ey b e
e n q u irin
D ra uh a t N igh t a n d D ry i the M o rn ing a n d t
D e vil
.
,
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’
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,
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,
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’
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‘
’
’
,
’
,
,
’
‘
,
,
,
’
,
’
,
,
,
’
’
’
,
a
mo ng th e Ta ilo rs
F ie
’
pon e e fi e upon e e fid dler ! would st
n a me t h em loo s e tune s to a l a dy ?
M rs M Well well ! I lea ve th e c h oi c e of th e a irs t o
you rsel f O nl y h a r k e e now if eve r let you r mu si c b e
in tune ; a n d if eve r in you r life you put spi rit i n your
pla yin g do so to ni gh t
Bid I 11 do m y b e st m a a m
Play N 0 m a n c a n do mo r e
F
I D D LE R re tire s
[
]
P lay
.
’
u
,
,
.
’
,
’
.
,
,
,
,
-
,
.
’
.
’
,
.
.
.
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
88
.
Old H
Ah ,
M is e ss Ma r ! my d a n c ing d a y s b e over
’
.
!
f
f
Not
bit
it
d
a
ddy
not
a
b
i
t
it
ome
o
o
C
a
f
never refu s e a goo d offe r
T is many
M rs M I will not ta k e a refu sa l— th ere
a ye a r sin c e I h ave d a n c ed my self but to n igh t my h eart 3
s o l igh t th at dan c e I mu st F o r i t is
a ch
.
,
,
.
’
.
.
’
,
.
M e rrily da nc e d the Q ua he r s wife
M e rrily da nc e d the Q ua he r l
’
,
’
-
F iddle r ,
trike up
D a vy S c ra pe a wa y
P lay ( to D AV Y ) T h e m i stre ss is like h e r o ld self
—
it doe s a m a n s h eart good to
aga in to nigh t D avy
s
.
.
.
.
’
-
,
he r
se e
.
a S igh t for sore eye s a n d so i t is
I tru st th ey may b e ri gh t but I h ave
never seen my aunt in su c h h igh sp ir i t s before and I
could w i sh t h a t sh e were c a lmer
Will ( to C U TH ) C ome C uth bert my b o y don t ye
dance ?
’
D a vy Ay, a y
I sa ( to he rse lf
.
tis
,
.
.
,
.
’
Cuth
.
d
e c lin ing
)
(
usic — a
M
[
Play (a s the
.
’
we ve
,
.
.
th e
.
B el i eve me I
,
c o un tr
y
da nc e
,
ha d
rat h er l ook o n
da n c e is pe rforme d
.
c o mes
nigh t before
,
us
.
C UTH B E R T
oul
s
)
— h o w sh al l we begi n P— But
to
a n e nd
.
An d
n o w, s
,
,
FIRESID E TRA GED Y
TH E
89
.
befo r e ye a n swe r me is th e r e e e r a l a ss h e r e th a t s not
p r ovi de d with a s weeth ea r t ? I f t h e r e b e let h e r S pea k !
’
’
,
,
p
L
a ugh te r,
[
a c c o m a n ie d
by
W
h
a t n ot
]
n udging a n d
giggling
a
mo ng
wh a t a m I t o do
m ys elf ? I se e I sh a l l h a to figh t some o f ye [R e n e we d
la ugh te r]
A nd now h o w a re we to begin ? I s i t to be
a
r oun d ga me o r a noth er d a n c e ? C ome ! wh o sa y s
H unt th e S lippe r S n a p D ra gon F orfeit s ? wh o 5 for
th e —
Wil d Ma r e H o t C o c kle s T u r n th e t r en c h e r
S h oein g—
o r Blin d M a n s Buff ?— W h en we b e o ut o
b r ea th a n d
not b efo r e we ll ge t it b a c k beh in d a h a n d 0 c a r ds o r
with telling O t a le s over th e fi r e a n d sin gi ng b a ll a t s an
c a tc h es
An d th en to wind up the nigh t we ll d i ve
fo r a pple s a n d j ump for c a ke s a n t r ea c le
But
the que stion 0 the moment j u st now is how we
begin ?
D a vy (c omz ngforwa rd) M i ste r S tew a r d ! the Guiz a rds
b e out si de t door a skin le a ve to c ome in a n d pe r form
th e
Gue sts
.
o ne
,
T h en
?
’
.
,
,
-
-
’
-
,
,
-
-
-
,
’
-
-
,
,
’
-
,
’
’
,
,
’
’
,
’
,
,
.
’
’
,
.
’
’
,
G uests
P lay
.
.
(
.
T h e Guiz a rds, th e Guiz a rds
to
MR S
mi st r e ss
M rs M By
.
H ave t h ey your permi ssi on ,
.
a ll
mea n s
.
M a she rs gro tesq ue ly a ttire d to rep re se n t
F AT H E R C HR I S T M A S the K I N G O F MA C E D ON
—
A mid a b uz z of
GA LAS H O N a n d the D OC T O R
E
n te r F o u r
[
,
,
,
p
a n tic i a
tio n ,
the
G uests
F
form
a
se m ic irc le
to
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
90
.
looh
a
M R S M AR ,
t the P lay
.
sit
W I LL I A M
.
IS A B E LL A
,
a nd
]
H
E P L AY
T
]
[
F ATH E R
C H R I S TMA S
re dd stoo ls ,
R e dd sto c hs,
H e re
c o me s
A pa c h
o
’
in
a
f
b e hin d the door,
ools
S uc h fools we re
(
D a vy
a side
)
’
.
neve r
A
pa c h o fools
’
n ev e r se e n
sa
b efo re !
i d a truer word
A Gue st H a w, h a w !
.
K I NG
OF
MA C E D O N
in the gre a t K ing 0 M a c e don ,
’
Tha t c o nq ue r d the world ro un d a n d ro und !
I I e re
c o mes
’
a n d so
S o stou t
S o fra n h
I
ca
(
wh en
’
’
a
s
a side
to
at h ome
a n d so
fre e
,
ll up on Ga la sha n
To
D a vy
b old,
c o me a n d
Guests)
a nd
.
h is
t
t
i
!
h
w
h
m
e
fig
H is n a me is D i c ky D ea n ,
motto
,
S peed th e P lough
l
a ugh te r
[
]
O rder ,
P lay
.
o rder
!
turn
h im
o ut
.
GA LAS H ON
I I e re
c o me s
in Ga la sho n,
Ga la sha n is my
Will (to
.
life
,
he
’
s
I SA
)
.
Ha,
ha look at
been stea ling from
na
me
Ga la sh o n
th e scarecrow s !
’
.
Pon
my
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
TH E
91
.
pigta il a lone 5 worth th e m oney
I h ope you do it ju sti c e
M rs M H u sh ! yo u n a u gh ty c h ild r en be qu i et ;
don t yo u s ee you put th e c r ea tu r e s o ut
Play C ome spea k up Ga la sh o n !
I sa
T h e D o c to r
.
’
’
s
.
,
.
’
.
,
,
.
G AL A S H O N
I/Vith sword
a nd
pistol by my side
,
I hope to win the ga me
My
b ody
’
lihe
s
roc h ,
a
A n d my h e a d is lihe
D a vy T ru e
.
for you
a ga
a ston e
in
GALAS H ON
A n d I w ill b e Ga la shon
Whe n yo u a re
M
KI N G
OF
G AL
Ye s, I ,
.
K I NG
OF
Yo u,
.
C uth
.
a n d gone
sir
s ir
M D ra w your sword a n d
.
e K I NG
T
h
[
a nd
de a d
M
OF
.
sir
!
G ALAS H O N dra w
a nd
h
fig t ]
d
uring
(
try,
v
c o mb a
the
t,
to
h imse lf,
s ta nding
By
t
h
i
s een
the
s time S olomon mu st h ave
p )
fi c er s a n d t h ey sh ould be well o n th eir wa y h ith er !
Of
a
a rt
.
,
u iz a rds
l
a n c ing towa rds th e
G
G
(
A c c ident fa vour s me
a nd
th e ir
a udie nc e
.
)
pl a in t h a t not one o f th e se
poor simple soul s h a s the fa inte st inkling o f the mi sc h ief
t h at s b rewin g— th e sm a lle st fo r ebo ding o f th e surpri s e
’
’
.
T is
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
TH E
92
.
I h a ve in sto r e fo r em —T h e r e t h ey sta nd
a n d give
t h em selve s up to th e ridi c ule o f th e se p i tiful c lodpole
—
m e rrya n dre ws e xa c tly a s t h ou gh t h e r e we r e no su c h
powe r a s E vil fo r eve r bu sy un der the sun
A c uriou s
—
c
c
An d I a s I sta nd h ere a n d w a tc h the m
spe t a l e
—
h
c
h
t e spe t r e at t e fe a st
a m not I a ve ry c ounterp a r t
—
o f D e stiny h er s elf ? the spi de r D e stiny
th e we a ver o f
me sh e s deli c a te but stron g ; th e omnipotent wo rker in
—
—
wh il st the s e poor merry m a ke r s m a y serve
th e da rk ;
me for th e type and epitome o f etern a lly sh o r t S igh te d
Ma n
My b r oth er l a ugh s with th e loude st o f em ;
lou n ge s a n d l a u gh s ; l a u gh s th e p r e c iou s moment s
’
-
.
,
,
-
,
-
-
’
-
.
—
—
—
h
h
a
h
h
w
y
u
t
en
l
u
on
l
a
u
w
ile
you
a
h
a
a
L g
g
g
—
n
a
h
My pl a n s a re l a id ;
m a y ! Y ou will o t l u g lon g
—
I h a ve n o more to do
my puppet s se t in motion
—
I am i dle a n d a w a i t th e re su l t
T ime do e s th e re st
,
.
,
T
owa rd th e
[
f
c lose
M E I K LEJ O H N
is
.
a n d,
L O BB S ,
o the rs
f
the
o
re c on n oitre
c o mmu n ic a
the
as
th e n ,
in doo rs is
S fa c e
a nd
a
by
one
with c a utio n
tions,
eec h
the
a nd
the
SOL
o
u n sh u tte re d
a rs
p
e
p
a
on e ,
f
f
a ce
th e
n ex
t;
f
tho se
—
They
Coa stgu a rd
me a n time the
b e lo w,
’
p
s
o u tside
se e n
—
win dow
D E RR I CK
’
th is
o
.
o
a re
th e n
se v e ra
se e n
l
to
— ex c ha nge some wh isp e re d
the n
—
w ithdra w a ga in
I
n
Gu iz a rds P lay is p roc e e ding
a tte n tion of the wh ole
a rt
p y
’
b so rb e d in it ]
LA S H O N wo un ds the K I NG
A
G
[
OF
MA C E D ON whofa lls]
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
93
.
GALAS H O N
A la s,
I
’
a
wh a t
la s
’
this I
s
’
’
hill d my fa the r s
ve
A ro un d the hitc he n
’
on l
y so n
a nd
I t is th e D oc tor tha t I
done ?
ve
th e ha ll,
ca
ll!
T H E D O CT O R
H e re
A nd
in Be e lz e b ub
c o mes
my sho ulde r I c a rry
my ha n d a frying—
an
p
ov e r
A n d in
I thin h myse lfa
FAT H E R
DOC
.
.
.
.
C
C
C
Wha t
.
’
ma n
tra ve lle d ?
.
a nd a
Would five
.
fi
ve
.
llyo u ta he to
w o uld
if it did, the de v il wo u ld
c ure
b o ttle
0
p ut on
a
’
th is de a d ma n
wine
.
do 9
'
I vo
c lub ,
A ny f urthe r ?
.
Tw e n ty po u n d
FAT H E R
Do c
H o w fa r h a v e yo u
.
F ro m hu lfe to fo rh
F AT H E R
D OC
l
j
F ro m Yo rh to Go rh
FAT H E R
D OC
C
o l y old
a
.
n ot
c o me
d
a
oo
c
o
g
lfire
c h imb ley a n d
do wn
a nd
p
u t on
o ut
.
F AT H E R
D OC
.
C
The n
.
Th is is
I put
a
a
th is de a d ma
c u re
w o ndro us b o ttle
ca
n
at o n c e
.
lle d hoxy-c roxy
‘
little to h is he a d
A little to h is leg
l
st
h
i
W
[
M
.
,
the D OC T O
e n te r
R
is b e nding
S O L by door C
.
o ve r
He
th e
K I NG
s te a ls
p
u
OF
to
THE FIRESIDE
94
TRA GED Y
.
C U T HB E R T, who still sta n ds
pa rt
a
,
a nd
l
u
i
c
h
s
h
m
p
]
S ol (wh ispe ring) Ofiic e rs be c ome !
Cu th (w itho u t turn ing) Wh a t s t h a t to me ?
S ol (wh ikp e ring) T h ey b e out side w i ndow ; but th ey
by the
sle e ve
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
come i n T h ey sa y t h e r e a re too many i th e
room a n d t h ey fe a r a re sc ue a n d to ge t mauled by the
work folk for the ir p a in s
’
dursn t
’
.
,
-
.
Cuth
Ha !
.
for go i ng a w a y aga i n
T
h
L
a
t
won
t
d
o
T
o
O
S
C u th ( to h imse l
f)
(
)
fic er s to sta y w h ere th éy
Go b a c k S o l P e r su a de th e O f
are a n d w a tc h t h eir opportuni ty An d b id t h em a s
t h ey va lue a w h ole sk i n lie c lose ! (S O L n ods a sse n t )
S ol O n e
.
of
’
em
is
.
’
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
.
x it S O L
E
[
The P lay p roc e e ds]
.
D OC
N ow ,
.
K I NG
OF
rise u
a c h, a n d
p, f
t
h
a
a
i
n
!
i
g
fg
MA C E D O N
On c e I wa s de a d
But
n ow
I
a
m
a
live
A n d b le sse d b e the ha n d
Th a t ma de me to
C H O RUS
OF
rev iv e
.
GU I Z A R D S
The re
a re
f
f
our o
us
in
a
ll,
A n d me rry b oys w e b e ;
-ra mb l
i
a
ing;
A n d we a re go ng
S o me ho use s fo r to
see
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
96
.
ma y le a d
sa
me
’
em
a nd
,
w h a teve r t h ey
do ,
me
se e
to
th e
do
!
(
S ol
.
c h uc hling
He
lever
u n h e is
)
fo r m up in line b eh ind me in qui c k
to h imse lf
Cu th S o , come
t i me— a n d O ff
.
.
’
s a c
,
H u rr a h
h
s is th e ga me for my money
t
i
f
P r uden c e my gi r l c a t c h h ol d
a ch
.
,
1%
C ome ,
.
,
pla c e s h imse lf b e h in d C U T HB E R T
[
.
follows
him ,
th e mse lves in
se iz e
proa rio usly
e n te ring
G ue sts,
ea ch
u
single
o the r
P R U D EN C E ,
D A V Y,
a nd
l
e
i
n
fi
by the
P R U D EN C E
a nd
the
fun form
in to the
,
ta il b e hin d,
a
shirts a n d c oa
t—
ta ils
a nd
]
my wig if I be goin g to pl a y !
I know s w h ere b etter S port is to be found
—
r
s
n
s
l
l
i
a
dd
e
s
i
h
o
o
w
e
r
N
w
then
to
u
t
s
o
l
l
h
a
C
g
f
)
(
geth er ; —a t a ste a dy double
fo rwa r d !
S ol ( to h imse l
f)
.
.
D ash
.
.
.
U
T
HB
E
R
T
C
[
a
f
se ts o
Guests
ll the
t
a
b e nc hes, do ub ling
un de r
a
lways
h is tra c h ,
p
u
f l
to
c a re u l y a vo iding
.
M rs M ( to
sh ou l d be we a ry
.
on
it, le ap ing
Wi ndow
a nd
is
Wh ile
,
by
a nd
H e first le a ds h is fo llo we rs
K itc he n — sc ra mb ling ov e r
.
the
ro un d
da n c e
og-tro t,
,
O LD H I C K AT H R I F T
a
j
o llo we d
f
e x c ep t P L A Y FA I R
S O LO M O N
a
a n d, a s
he
pa sse s
touc h the [Mistle toe
the
this is in
f
n e ighb o urho o d o
b ut
the
p rogre ss
my boy i n c a se yo u
o f all t h i s up r o a r a n d wi sh to slip a w a y
An d
n o w,
,
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
97
.
lie down I will go look a t
p a r ed fo r ye a n d se e t h a t your
a nd
,
,
room I v e
b e d is r e a dy
th e
time s
MR S M
c re a ses
C u th
ha n d)
(
.
as
h is p a c e
re a c h e s
he
.
time le d h is
roo m,
the
roun d
ollo we rs
f
C U T HB E R T
the doo r,
’
m
t
i
i
a ting C U T HB E R T
(
)
a ch
f
—gone a wa y
Guests
.
U
T
HB
E
R
T
C
[
in to the
f the
a nd
u
i
c hl
l
se s
c
o
y
q
sh u tte rs ,
a nd
p
a
t the
th e
roo m
L O BB
f
o
Gues ts
th e
th e m disa
en te r
w hile D E RR I CK
is
t the door wh ic h le a ds
n ot a
t
so
ppe a rs
the
,
LO BB
.
p rings
s
a n d sh u ts
o u t,
a c tions
a re
loc hs it,
a nd
ft
so s w i
th a t th e ir
disc ove re d]
th e
to th e doo r by
pa sse d
sile n t,
on c e
f
o llo w
th ro ugh it
th e win do w b e hin d h im
me time
a wa -a -a y l
win do w is n oise lessly ra ise d,
the hey — The ir
sa
in
o nc e
wa ving h is
gone
a nd
wh ic h the G uests h a ve
oc he ts
.
runs o u t a
u n sh u tte re d
D E RR I CK
t
T a lly-h O — h a r k fo r a rd
A s th e la st
.
a
’
S upp e r-roo m ;
hotte r-she lte r
ll
th re e
or
wa y !
h a r k fo r a rd
n ow
sa sh o
a
’
T a lly-h o
a
two
sho u ting a n d
—
—
h
f
r
r
T a ll y o
h a r k o a d gone
.
by doo r R ]
.
ma hes for doo r L]
a nd
-
h a d pre
.
x it
E
[
a v ing by th is
H
[
’
,
a nd
p re se nc e
in
*
followin g sc e n e s in wh ic h O L D H I C K A T H R I F T a n d
S O L O M O N ta he n o p a r t th e form e r s i ts in th e c h im n ey c o rn e r a lte r
n o dding drows i l
n a te ly sp re a ding h is h a n ds ov e r th e fi re
y a n d wa hing
up aga in —appa re n tl
y in difle re n t to all th a t ta h e s p la c e ; the la tte r
c on c e als h im se l
ffro m th os e on th e stage a n d lo ohs on
Du i
r ng
the
,
,
,
,
.
G
THE FIRESIDE TRA GE D Y
98
.
I sa
t
o
(
.
C uth b ert
’
T h a t wa s
s
a
b rilli a nt in spira tion of
.
Will I n dee d it wa s I never knew
h im
.
pi rit i nto
a ny
s
(
D er
.
Willia m
me befo r e
SO
mu c h
.
t
r
r
e
s
e
n
t
n
a
a
n
p
i
h
i
s
w
r
f
g
)
I a rr e st you in the K ing s n a me
c o ming
Le e
Wi ll
a
g
put
o rwa rd a n d
.
’
.
w ha t
’
th i s
D e r I f yo u a re a wi s e m a n sir you ll su b mit quietly ;
twill be be st in th e e n d for a ll p a r tie s I m a y tell yo u
t h a t I h a ve my c r e w w i th me unde r a r m s so n o goo d
can c ome o f r e si st a n c e An d a s fo r a n y a ttempt a t
e sc a pe it will be u sele ss fo r I v e a m a n po ste d a t eve r y
outlet to p r event it
Eh ?
.
s
’
,
,
.
’
.
,
.
’
,
.
Will (b e wilde re d
,
.
re a
ding fro m w a rra n t)
.
N igh t
f
o
’
f
j
w h a t in the n a me o f won de r is a ll t h i s ?
I S i t your i ntention to den y it ?
D e r T h e Ch a rge
L obb A c ool h a nd if a do — w h a t c a n b e sworn to by
do z en o eye witne sse s
No
I fi r e d th e S h ot
I Vill D eny it
you r e a m a r k sm a n
D e r Well
I/Vill W h at ( 1 yo u me a n ?
D e r T h a t you kille d you r m a n
O Go d !
Will K ille d him !
the
2
t
5h
c a using
a n ua r
y,
de a th
,
o
R ev e n ue Oj ic e r
,
.
.
’
.
a
,
’
/
-
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’
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’
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.
A
[
I sa
.
t
o P L AY )
(
mi stre ss
.
.
T hi s
wil l be
a
pa use ]
te rri b le blow to
ou
r
y
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
1 00
.
l ob b
N one in
.
C h ri sten dom
.
M rs M ( to
0 Willi a m Willi a m h o w c oul d
s elf a n d upon me ?
h
r
in
t
i
t
r
ouble
upon
you
r
b
o
u
s
g
y
Wi ll Well moth e r I a c knowle dge th e th ou gh tle ssne ss
o f my c on du c t ; b u t I c o u l d not fo r e s ee th e r e sult s
R e gr et s a re wo r s e t h a n u sele ss now
M rs M O nl y t h ink h o w h a pp y we we r e ! We h a d
eve ryth in g t h a t h ea rt c oul d wi sh eve ry ble ssin g un der
a n d you mu st spoil i t a ll— a ll fo r th e sa ke
th e su n
of a few poun ds to o w h i c h we did not r equi r e
Wi ll I t wa s th e e x c itement not th e love o f money
H owever w h en a ll 5 sa id th e
t h a t tempte d me
fa c t r ema in s th a t twa s a ra sh a n d ha r e b ra ine d bu sine ss
a n d h a s c o st mo r e t h a n one o f u s de a n — O h h o w I
c oul d c u r s e m y folly now ! bitte r ly do I repent me o f
it
M rs M Y e s when it is too l a te : tis a lwa y s so
—
h
h
Well
mot
e
r
I
am
puni
e
p uni sh ed
l
l
s
d
Wi
s eve r ely enou gh in a ll sa dne ss a s it tu r n s o u t
M rs M Y o u don t k now yet w h a t you r puni sh ment
will b e
D e r ( unde r h is b re a th ) T h a t s w h a t I su spe c t th e l a dy
h e r self don t know no r yet gue ss
M rs M But a fter a ll th e pen a ltie s fo r c ont ra b a n d
t ra din g c a nnot be S O ve ry te rr i b le ; a n d your o ffen c e I
da r e swea r wa s no ve ry s e r iou s one A t a ll event s w h a t s
—
h
p a st 5 p a st c u r e r ememb e r t a t
a n d t h e r e s not h in g
,
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,
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THE FIRES! D E TRA GED Y
10 1
.
to be ga ine d by bein g so mu c h c a st down a bout it S o
c h eer up
my boy ! L e t th e L a w do its wor st : we r e
r i c h ; we c a n a ffo r d to l a ugh a t it Wh a tever h a s to
b e p a i d fo r yo u sh a ll be p a i d — t h ou gh th e fa rm be sol d
to ra i se th e money
O f t h a t r e st a ssu r e d
Will A la s
But wha t if t h e r e be th a t to pa y
wh i c h th e sa le o f th e fa r m will not c ove r ?
M rs M T h en we ll sell a ll we po sse ss ! I c a r e not
w h a t we p a r t with o r how little we keep so lon g a s I
l
l
h
you
c
k
A
fte
r
a
w
a
t
s
r
uin
?
a
c
h
a
n
e
of
b
e
t
a
g
g
r e si den c e : wha t s pove rty ? a c h a n ge o f fa r e A nd
c h a n ge is li gh t some ; I a m fon d O f c h a n ge !
T h ere s
but o n e th ing w h i c h I c a n t a n d will n o t bea r ; a n d th a t s
to be p a r te d fr om yo u
Will 0 m o the r ! th a t s the ve ry t h ing th a t you will
h ave to be a n — Y e s ; we mu st p a r t
M rs M N o t I h ope fo r lon g
E it h er s he doe s not know th e wor st o r
I/Vill ( to
I mu st put a n e n d t o t h i s
sh e r efu se s to b elieve it
e
T
D
a r mot h e r ; o ur t r ouble i s f
a r h e a vier
o MR S
(
t ha n you t h ink fo r
M rs M Ah ?
Wi ll Y e s ; t h e r e is still more fo r tha t poo r h e a rt to
G o d h elp
b e a r w h i c h h a s a lr e a dy bo r n e so mu c h
me — N o w be c a lm ; a n d try to re c a ll th e event s o f
t ha t un ha pp y nigh t
I sa Y e s de a re st a unt r emember
.
,
’
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’
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THE
I02
Wi ll
F I R E S /D E
T h e r e wa s
.
s
ome
TRA GED Y
.
el s e it
o ne
s
,
eem s be si de s
,
m ys el fa n d J a c k
D e r Ay ; t h a t t h e r e wa s ! th e t r o uble a in t a ll 0 you r
si de I c a n tell ye
H e wa s the be st 0 sh ipm a te s wa s
to o a s e er
o ur l a te c omm a n der : a s stout a s e a m a n
fa c e d th e wea th e r ; a n d a le a ve s a wi dow a n d youn g
fa mily u np r ovi de d fo r Ay my fine fellow ! t h e r e s
wo rk enou gh ( a n d c ruel wo rk too some O t) fo r the
C o a stg ua r d wit h out you gentlemen st a r tin g a s smu ggle r s
fo r ple a su r e — Y ou be suffe rin g fo r it now ; b ut yo u ve
brou gh t it upon you r o wn h e a d : a n d oth e r s wh o we re
i nno c ent h a ve su ffe r e d fo r you r a c t
Will You r e a J o b s c omfo rte r my fr ien d : still
your wo rd s a re b ut too t r ue —a n d I m obli ge d to ye a t
—
le a st fo r o n e t hin g ( To M R S
M ot h e r w h a tever
h a ppen s s ee you don t fo rget th e w i dow a n d o rp ha n s
T h e y a re u np r ovi de d for : p r ovi de fo r t h em — tis th e
—
le a st we c a n do R emember i t is m y l a st r eque st
M rs M (s ta rting a s if o ut of a dre a m) W ha t
—
N
n
r
e
l
e
( o o e p i s ) W ha t P (A ddressing he rse lf to D E R
R I CK ; sp e a h ing ra pidly ) O ffic e r ! Spea k
tell me th e
t r ut h
my so n is c ha rge d w i t h c a u si n g t ha t m a n s
de a t h ?
D e r T ha t is th e c ha rge
Lo bb A nd a don t deny it
M rs M A h ! I h a d h ope d a ga in st h ope
T
o
(
D ER )
But tell me — I c a n t t ru st my own h ea d ; I m
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THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
1 04
.
—a n d
b rin gin g
b een
s
,
oone r
tol d
M rs M H i st
To D ER
s
n
p
sses
i
o
se l
o
f
)
wo rd
l a te r
a
ou
r
r
el
tive mu st
y
,
ha
.
.
he r
or
’
.
a n d LO
G entlemen
.
BB
by
,
she
ha s
your
rega ine d
le a ve
,
—
a
.
W ha t is i t now
M rs M I v e a p r opo sa l to ma ke — I th ink I se e a
wa y C le a r o ut Of t h i s di ffi c ulty w i t h sa ti sfa c tion to b o th
you a n d me
D e r Y ou ll lo se your l a b ou r
L obb C ut it a s sh o r t a s yo u ple a se then remember
o ur time is th e K in g s
—
M rs M I will b e ve ry b rie f Y ou c ome h e r e to ni gh t
for ga i n gentlemen —gain yo u sha ll h a ve N a me th e
L obb
.
’
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,
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’
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,
,
’
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-
.
.
,
su m
.
Mi stre ss !
—
r
h
s
?
i
w r on g
I t s quite Si mpl e T h e
M s M W at
G overnment pa y yo u don t t h ey , to t a ke my s o n ? I 11
u
d
t
o
hi
m
h
ouble
treble
l
et
f
r
ee
W
t
h
a
o
o
a
s
t
e
g
p yy
figu r e — yo u know t h a t w ha t I promi se in t hi s re spec t
I c a n perfo r m
l
W
l
s
h
a
ve
ear
s
L ob b ( un e a sil
a
y)
M rs M D on t fe a r for t ha t ! N ot a soul S ha ll ever
h ea r o f it ; o r i f any o n e do I ll b uy h im
O h, I ll
b r ibe , b ri be b ri be
I ll bribe th e w h ole c ountry
s i de if need b e to h old t h eir ton gue s T h e m oney s
forth com i n g
D er
.
’
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’
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THE FI RESIDE TRA GED Y
1 05
.
No doub t
Wi th de c ision ) N o w mi st r e ss o nce
a nd for a ll we cannot l i sten to t ha t propo sal t ha t woul d
neve r do a t a ll
L obb N o mo r e it would —T h e b ird i th e b a n d s
th e b i rd fo r me
M rs M But gentlemen
D e r N o more 0 t h a t
I sa y I w i ll not h e a r a nother
wor d
M rs M T h en I 11 sa y no more o ftha t I p r omi se yo u ;
—
h
Y
u
r
h
only e a r me
a e
onou ra ble m e n
fo rgive my
o
b lunder a n d h e a r me spe a k to you a s h onoura ble men
— Y o u c ome h e r e to t a ke my so n
b ut do yo u
know o ur sto ry ? I c annot t h ink yo u do — H e 5 my
el de st so n sir A ye a r a go I lo st h im a s I b elie v ed ;
h o w I mourne d fo r
a n d I mourne d for h i m
oh
h im
A nd ton i gh t th i s very ni gh t h e s c ome b a c k to
me sa fe and well T h i nk o f my j oy ! t h ink o f my jo y
a t gettin g b a c k a so n w h om I t h ou gh t de a d
T h ink o f
my j oy a n d you ll never h a ve the h eart to t a ke him
fr om me a ga in
D e r We v e no c h oi c e : i t is o ur duty
M rs M D uty ? N o you sh a ll not plead duty ! duty
t h i s c annot be D uty is somet h i ng h i gh a n d noble ;
diflic ult to perform s omet h i ng w h i c h b ri n gs h onour to
th e doer
S o we speak o f duty to parent s duty to G o d
and my duty to my
duty t o war d s o ur neighb our
—
nei gh b our is to love him a s my self a y m a r k yo u th at
D er
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G
ar
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
1 06
.
unto oth ers a s I wo ul d t h ey sh oul d do unto
—
me S u c h is duty An d you woul d c a ll i t your duty to
c ome a rmed by nigh t a n d tea r a so n fr om h is mot h ers
O h yo u a b u s e th e word ; yo u a bu s e th e word
a rm s ?
unwo r th ily
D e r I h ope n o t m i s tr e ss : I h ope I know my duty
My duty is to H is Ma j e sty th e Ki ng — to obey my
n i gh t
or ders My duty 5 pl a in to—
Lo b b A s a p ik e sta fl
[Mrs M N 0 no ! ( D is tra c te dl
y wringing he r
h
!
s
a
n
my
lo
t
W
i
ll
i
m
come
ome
t
n i gh t
o
My so
— ( Tu rn ing a ga in to the Ofi c e rs ) Goo d si rs ! yo u ha d
—
moth e r s o f you r o wn
t h ink o f t h em n o w I wh om
—
h
u
a
m
a
o
h
efore
mot
er
mo
t
er
even
b
a
u
s
e
e
as
o
y
y
th ey a re — Li ke t h em lon g sin c e I r ej o i c ed wi t h e xc ee d
h
m
a
n
c h i ld t h at wa s bo rn to me ;
t
e
in g gr ea t jo y ove r
l i ke th em I nurs ed h im o n my kn ee li ke th em w a t c h ed
li ke t h em per h a p s I ha ve suffered
h im grow up
—
s i nce o n h i s a c c oun t Oh t h i nk o f your o wn mot h ers
b y t h ei r memory a s yo u
and
th ink o f th em
ever h el d it dea r h ol d sa c r e d n o w th e mot h er h ood
in me
Lo b b I t is n o use
Mrs M N 0 use
O h sh a me on yo u ; sh ame
Are you men ? ha d yo u mot h e rs o fyou r o wn
o n you !
a n d can yo u bea r to u se a mot h e r a s yo u are u si n g me
S e e ! I m an o ld wom a n my h a i r is grey— and grey h air
a nd
to
do
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10
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
8
.
ount ry l out s
M rs M But t h ey c a n fi gh t ; a s if you drive me to it
m
a y fin d a n d fin d to you c o st !
o
u
y
D e r T h e l a dy me a n s m isc hie fl— ( To M R S
Mis
tre ss let me a sk yo u to bear one t h in g in m i nd — you r
men a re un a r me d w h il st mine a re a r me d to th e teet h
I Woul d fa in a voi d b loo dsh e d ; but sh oul d you wo rk
upon t h em you r m en ma y Cha n c e to give u s t r ouble
I f th ey fo rc e us to it we S ha ll not sc ruple in the King s
af
fa i r s to use o ur a r m s
S o t h e r e I wa r n you
—
Wi ll M oth er de si st th e r e 5 b lood enou gh to my
a c c ount a l r e a dy
To D E R ) Y o u w a ste your word s
M rs M H u sh
—
D O you
I f bloo d b e sh e d be it upon your o wn h e a d
t h ink I love wa r a n d its h o rr o r s more t h a n you ? Not
I ; b ut my c a se is de spe ra te ; wa r i s my l a st r e sou rc e ;
I wel c ome wa n — N o w hea rk en to me
a n d t h e r efo r e
My men will fi gh t to th e l a s t T h ey a re un a r me d you
but r e c olle c t in a h ou se like t h i s t h ere can be
sa y
no l a c k of fi r ea r m s a n d sh oul d t h e se be sh ort t h ey sh a ll
t a ke sc yt h e s a n d mow you down a x e s a n d c leave your
—a n d t h e se
skull s b ill s c h oppe r s a n d re a pin g h ook s
m a ke h i deou s we a pon s
Y ou were be st ha ve a
c a r e ! you ve rou s ed me — I a m de spera te
I h a ve it
i n m y power to m a ke t h i s C h r i stm a s E v e o n e t ha t sha l l
be tol d o f lon g a fter you a n d I a re in o ur gra ve s that
sh a ll be fa ta l to h und r ed s and b itter to th e b a be unborn
L ob b
.
Raw
c
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THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
10
.
— SO
,
9
o ffic e r t a ke your C h oi c e Y o u sa y you woul d
avoi d b l oo dsh e d : if you mea n w h a t yo u sa y give m e
you r word to let my so n p a ss fr ee and lea ve th e
c ount ry ; and bloo dsh e d S h a ll b e a voide d
B ut r efu se ;
a n d s o o ne r t h a n s e e h i m d ra gge d fr om befo r e m y eye s
to th e ga llow s I ll s ee th e gr oun d st r ewn wit h c orp se s
the gutte rs run with bloo d th e vi rgin m a ntle o f th e e a rth
th e new fa lln s now grow a s r ed a s S in a n d n o t a m a n
left a live to tell th e ta le to morrow
T a ke your c h o i c e
L obb I ve w a ite d w h ile yo u sa i d your sa y m is e ss
—now h ea r you mine
O ut side yon de r win dow ju st
now I h a d t i me to c a t c h a glimp se O f th e se sa me stout
fellow s you spea k o f;— a n d w h a t do yo u t h ink I sa w ?
I sa w t h em ru n one b e h in d th e ot h e r a c r o ss th e ya r d
lea pin g a n d c a pe rin g like m a d t h ings An d a s I ente r ed
th e room I s aw t h em r un one b e h in d th e ot h e r into
the b a rn — for a ll th e wo rl d like ra t s into th e t ra p An d
no sooner we r e t h ey sa fe in side than some o f o ur m en
Sh ut the do o r upo n em
M rs M Ah
L obb Fa stene d it a n d mounted gu a r d
S o t ha t
your bo a ste d fo rc e s are a t t h i s moment ea tin g t h eir
h e a r t s o u t i n th e d a rk — a n d wit h out t h ey bu r n th e
b a rn down t h e r e th ey sta y until we c h oo s e to let em
—
o ut
S o mu c h fo r your figh tin g men
I sa F or sh a me ! O h h o w b ra ve h o w c lever you
c a n S h o w you r selve s a ga in st one defen c ele ss m a n !
.
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THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
1 10
.
[Mrs
M
T h en
a ll
lo st in deed
is
u n de rgo n e a n o the r c ha nge
H
é r ma n n e r h a s
[
.
]
now we mu st b e getting un de r way
L ob b T is h i gh t i me
M rs M A ll s lo st ; a ll 5 lo st ! H a ul down th e fla g
t hr ow up th e spon ge ! a n d C o a stgua r d w h en yo u
leave t h i s h ou se you m a y point to it when you ple a se
a n d tell th e p a sser b y t ha t t h e r e dwell s a wom a n wh o
sin c e sh e wa s told t h a t he r so n mu st d i e a sh a meful
deat h ha s never smile d a ga in
( 1 yo u h e a r me ?
neve r smile d a ga in ( To W I LL ) My so n goo d b ye
L e t me fol d you to my h e a rt on c e mo r e
ra c ing
E
m
b
(
D e r An d
.
’
.
.
’
’
.
,
,
,
,
-
’
-
.
.
.
,
.
—
i
A
oo
d
by
n d th e
re st 0 yo u
h m ) Willie
e
g
’
—
h
i
s
s
h
e
oe
s
t
M
h
a
s
i
ve
ye
ood
ni
e
rt
A
o
u
t
g
g
g
g
y
)
(
’
,
.
.
broke
.
E
x it R
]
[
Wi ll F ollow
h e r, I sa bel
.
I sa
I/Vill
.
I wil l sta y w i th you to
t a sk it
P l a yfa ir
D on
.
.
’
th e
l ast
.
fte r M R S
D e r (to h imse lf) I m a poor man but I d give my
sh a re 0 th e G over ment R ew a r d and summ a t be side s
to leave t hi s j ob a lone
I do not like it
L o bb ( to W I LL ) A re yo u rea dy ?
Wi ll R e a dy
x it P L A Y
E
[
.
a
.
’
’
.
.
’
’
,
,
.
.
.
.
s h e sile n tl
t
t
l
e
a
e
A
a
h
e
l
a
s
s
a
v
y
[
doo r
ppe r room is
t
u
h
e
S
f
o
-
I
S
A
B
E
L
h
e lo c he d
t
,
f
o
trie d fro m the
o utside
]
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
1 12
.
I sa
Well done J a c k
H u rr a h skippe r ! never
.
,
a ch
f
.
,
(
h is me n )
s ho u tin
D er
.
g to
H
e b lows h is b o s un s w histle
[
’
j
a ch
I sa
Ah ,
.
(p
s
.
rin
,
.
f
i
r
l
g
a ch
th is
]
s truggling
(
.
sh
ipm a te s
,
a -h o y !
]
rapp le s w ith D E R
G
[
]
o f t h em
a
r
e
more
)
h
e b a rs
S
sha ll keep t h em t h e r e !
[
n
i
t
d
o
o
r
o
C
g g
-
die
Ho,
.
would ye
out si de J a c k
the door
’
sa y
with
T h er e
.
DER
)
T ha t
.
’
my C lever
s
Now
fly
Will
fly
for
your
life
(
H O ! sh ipm a te s
I sa y
D e r (struggling)
re sc ue
B ea t in th e doo r
I sa
to
.
,
.
.
a
,
.
a stgu a rdsme n
C
o
[
e n de a vo u ring
a ch
f
I
to forc e
N ow Will ; n o w
,
.
th un de r
w itho ut
’
a n e n tra n c e
5
p
u on
door
C,
]
your time
!
look a live
’
n t h ol d un lon g
Y ou
I sa A nd th e door mu st g i ve wa y i mmedi a tely
h a ve not a moment to lo se
fly fly fo r your life
Wi ll T h en fa r ewell I sa bel fa r ewell for ever
— T h e de a d m a n wh o retu rn s to h i s fri end s
mo r e
doe s wron g
x it W I LL L
E
]
[
c a
.
.
,
,
.
,
.
.
D er
.
m a te s !
re sc ue !
J
A
CK
(
bea t it in bea t it in
struggling
,
with
,
H o , sh ip
)
a re sc ue I
a n d sho uting
.
,
sa y ;
a
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
I 1
.
e Co a s tgu a rdsme n w ith o ut
T
h
[
on
th e doo r
.
c on tin ue
3
to th unde r
]
Will ( with out) J a c k
a c h sta rting
Eh
?
f
(
)
3 re la x e s h is
H
2
p
D
E
RR
I
CK
r
a
s
o
f
g
[
.
.
.
a
dva n ta ge , th rows h im
b a r door C
I sa
a nd a
l
i
n
c
a
t
i
pp
g)
(
D er
.
dmit h is me n ]
’
sa
ke
.
.
I
f
e
[
th e
p rings forwa rd to nu
O sir
.
se iz ing
a nd s
for pity s
rou h l
t
n
i
e
S
a
d
a
s
d
g
y
(
)
su
.
wh o,
,
re mo ves
— I S A h ides h e r a c e
f
th e b a r
]
.
p
a rtl
op e n ing th e doo r a n d a ddressing th e me n
y
(
— fo r the p r e sent sta whe re
outside
h
A
ll
r
i
t
my
l
d
a
s
g
y
)
D er
.
,
.
,
u
a
r
o
e
y
,
.
H
l
e
c
se
s
o
r
d
o
o
[
]
.
I
sa
(
sc a rc e
.
b e lie ving h e r
se n ses
)
.
Wh a t
Yo u
ave d him
D e r S a y no more M i ss A fte r a ll t h ere 5 O n e t h a t s
m a y H e p a r don th e b r e a c h o f duty
a bove th e K in g
s you r h a nd S i r
u
ive
a c h c o mingfo rwa rd
G
Y
u
o
)
f
(
fic e r — yo u wa s mea nt for bette r t h in gs
a R evenue O f
f
a t h ou sa n d
o
m
e
mu
ler
one
h
a
a
a
s
u
d
o
d
gg
y
Will (with ou t) J a c k
D e r (to J A CK ) F ollow your c a pta in m a n
l
l
a
b
e
en
oo
a ch
T
h
d
y
g
f
Old H ( rising a n d c oming fo rwa rd) S o n J a c k so n
Ja c k
time up e h ?
ha v e
s
’
.
,
.
’
,
.
,
.
’
’
.
.
.
,
.
.
-
,
.
.
,
H
,
1 1
FIRESIDE TRA G E D Y
TH E
4
.
up
f
t
h
e
r
a
j
Old H T h en fa r ewell fa r e e e well boy Go d be wi
—
d
e
I
ou b t twill b e a lon g lon g da y o r I s e e you r
y
fa c e a ga in
h
a ch
P
e
r
a
s
it
m
a
t
h
a
t
more
t
h
n
we
can
tell
s
a
p
y
f
— t h a t 5 w h a t frien ds wh o a rt a s we be p a r tin c a n neve r
p
g
i
—
tell H o ws e v e r if ou r sp ell a t h ome s been sh o r t it
h a s been sweet
P rue S h a ll be good to
C h ee r up
—
a n d I ll h ope to gr eet ye a t some h a ppier time
ye
with a M e ssm a te ho w ha t c h ee r
Wi ll ( withou t) J a c k
l
A
ch
A
a
T
o
I
a
S
ood
bye
my
e
r
t
G
h
a
m
ay
y
y
(
f
)
fa ir we a t h e r b e your po r tion o n the c r ui se o f life
oo
oo
G o d ble ss you a ll
d
Go d ble ss yo u
b
e
g
y g d
bye good b ye
a ch
T ime
.
’
s
.
,
’
-
’
-
,
,
’
,
.
’
.
’
’
’
,
.
,
’
,
,
,
.
.
-
.
,
.
,
-
,
-
,
x it
E
[
J A CK
A
.
pa use ]
a ss o ur s ent r y at
till
to
p
)
—
door
b ut t h ey r e two to one t h ey ll do it if t h ey
th e
keep t h ei r w i t s a bout t h e m — Li sten do ye h ea r a u gh t
not h in g b ut th e c r owin g o f a co c k
I sa Noth in g
—
h
c
a
h
t
d
t
S
oul
nnoun
e
wn
but th e da y
h
d
a
e
D er T a
—
h
s
a
s
n
b r e a k s l a n gui dl y a t t i s e o
O n c e out side th e
h ou se th e twili gh t will st a n d t h em in goo d stea d
D er
.
t
o I SA
(
.
T h ey h a ve
s
’
’
,
.
.
.
.
,
L obb
b
egin n ing to
(
D e rr i c k ,
wh y,
re c over
)
c o n sc io usn ess
h ol d h im ! ( S itting up )
I sa y
w h e r e s the pri sone r ?
.
’
.
Eh
Eh
z
1 1
THE FIRESIDE TRA GE D Y
6
.
I believe you a re ri gh t Fa ll in men
To I S A )
—
r h is b re a th
h
ood
n
i
t
oun
l
a
d
u
n
d
e
remem
G
y
y (
g
g
)
b y th e
be r sile n c e — ( To h is M e n ) R igh t tu r n
righ t
D er
-
.
.
.
,
.
,
,
.
E
x e u n t D E RR I CK , L O BB ,
[
I sa
N o w to
.
h is
let
a nd
Coa stgua rdsme n ]
moth er know t h a t
h e is
sa
fe
x it I S A
E
[
(
S ol
.
is th e
c o min
g
o ut
from
h is
]
c o n c ea lme n t
I
uppo
e
t
h
t
s
a
s
)
.
e nd
.
H O B NA I L , S W I NGT R E E, T UCK E R ,
n te r D A V Y,
E
[
T I M O T H Y,
N I CK
,
a nd
w ha t
W h ew
a ir on c e mo r e
D a vy
.
th e
a
o th e r
r elief to
G ue sts
.
ge t
a
]
b r eat h
Of
.
H ob
be h ol d a ligh t
S wing An d to feel th e w a r mt h o a good c o a l fire
Tim A fte r bein stifled a n sta rve d a n d fr igh ted o ut
0 o ur wit s
Tuc h Fri gh te d I b elieve ye nei gh b our —
I sh oul d
neve r h a b elieved a s twe r e po ssi b le fo r a ma n to se e so
—
c
h
h
mu i t e d a r k
a n d I t h a nk my good genu s a did
not c ome to me when I wa s a lone
[Vic h (fe a rfull
y) A n d w h a t mi gh t a be like G oo d
man T u c ke r ? fo r fo r my p a rt, I kep my eye s shut
A h a d h o rn s h a d a ?
Tuc h Ay h a d a — h o r n s a n d a ta il
An d to
.
’
.
’
’
,
.
,
’
.
,
.
’
’
’
’
’
.
.
,
’
.
,
’
’
,
’
.
,
.
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
TH E
G o d b le ss
[Vic h
.
1 1
.
7
us
n te r P RUD EN C E
E
[
]
u rvy t r i c k to pl a y o n de c ent folk s— a
s c u r vy tr i c k I sa y !
Ju st let me c ome a c r o ss the ill
b r e d goo d for—
noth in g sc a mp wh o fa stene d th e doo r
j u st let me c ome a c r o ss h im t h a t s a ll
D a vy N ow wh o c oul d it h a been M is e ss H ic k a
t h rift
P rue I d give money I woul d to know
P rue
A
.
sc
,
’
-
,
’
,
’
’
.
,
’
.
,
E
[
C uth
T h en
.
a nd
he
I
C U T HB E R T ]
tell you
sh ut u s in
c an
wa s wh o
it
n te r
,
.
.
I know who let us o ut
— I t wa s o ne of th e C o a st
u
a
r
d
g
.
A ll T h e C o a stgu a r d
.
p a i d Win dy Wa ll s a vi sit
to nigh t — Y o u a ll r ememb e r th e p r i c e offe r e d fo r my
—
h
b r ot e r s c a ptu r e ? t h a t b r ou gh t t h em h e r e
a n d th ey
w a nte d u s out o f th e wa y w h ile t h ey did t h ei r work
Th e b a r n doo r wa s Opene d b y a m a n left be h in d for the
n
h
s
a
u
r
po
e
d
t
ou gh h e woul d a n swe r no que stion s I
p
sa w a t on c e h o w th e w h ole t h in
g h a d h a ppened
S wing D id yo u eve r h e a r the like
Cu th I fe a r t h ey h a ve c a r r ie d Will o ff w i th t h em
Gu ests P oo r c h a p
C u th Ah
twill go ha r dly with him
H ob T h a t it will
Cuth
Th e C o a stgu a r d h a ve
.
-
.
’
.
-
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
’
.
.
.
.
I18
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
T HE
If
.
be t h e y h a ve t a ken Will t h ey ha ve ta ken
—
m y goo d m a n too
for w h e r e one goe s t ot h er follow s
—O m poo r J a c k h e woul d Clim b out a t th e r oof a t
y
the ri sk O s ne c k a n d now a s gone from th e fryin g
h
a
n
t
e
into
fi r e in dee d
p
H ob Tis a c r uel ni gh t s wo rk
P rue
.
so
,
’
-
.
,
!
’
’
,
.
’
’
.
.
(
S ol
.
C u th
a side
)
.
H a w, h a w !
i
m
t
h
se lf)
o
(
.
My fr ien d S olomon
.
h
fu
r
t
er gO
e
t
y
The
—A lo ud, irnpe ra tive l
y)
(
forc e of
mu st
—
h
h
Frien ds a da rk su spi c ion
L e t no one le a ve t e kit c en
—
r i se s on my m i n d t h ere 5 a t ra ito r in the c a mp
G uests A t ra ito r !
C u th I t mu st be so Wit h out info r m a tion l a i d b yo n e
o f u s h e r e to ni gh t h o w c oul d th e C o a st gu a r d h a ve go t
w i n d o f Will s r etu r n ?
a rt
.
.
.
,
’
.
.
.
-
,
’
S ol
(
.
a side
I
)
.
you h o w ?
H ob I m c le a n dumfounde d
S o l (a side ) W h a t is h e up to now
D a vy: I s t h e r e a n y o n e you su spe c t m a ste r ?
—
u
t
h
C
No o n e T h e r e s not a m a n h e r e p r e sent I
believe but h a s r e a son to b e gra teful to m y fa mily ; a n d
I know not w h e r e to look fo r a vill a in S O b l a c k h e a rted
t h a t he c o ul d r ep a y o ur kindne ss wit h a pie c e o f wo rk
like t hi s
S wing I f su c h t h e r e b e h a n gin g 3 too goo d fo r
C u th
.
a sk
Eh
,
’
.
.
.
.
,
’
.
,
,
-
.
’
.
nu
.
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
1 20
.
won t spe a k fr eely we sh a ll h a ve to t ry if we c a n t
m a ke you
S ol O h w h a t S h a ll I do
n in
i
hi
s
a
W
r
h
n
d
s
g g
(
)
0 M a i ster ! do n t e e b e h a r d on a po r e b o y
in deed I didn t go for to do it
in dee d I di dn t
kno w w h a t we r e to c ome o t
in dee d I 11 n ever do
th e like a ga in
D a vy D ye h e a r tha t ? he own s to it
Guests Wh o woul d h a b elieve d it
H ob Wh o in dee d ? to t h ink t h at a c re e tur su c h a s
t h a t wh o from h is c ra dle up wa s never no goo d to
morta l m a n sh oul d ye t h a ve it in h is powe r to wo rk
T h e w a ys of P rovi den c e a re st ra n ge
su c h mi sc h ief
Cu th I h a ve hea r d th a t h e d a spite a ga in st my
b rot h er
D a vy Wh y so h e h a d ! Will se t us on o n e da y to
to ss un in a b l a nket
h e a r d sa y t h e r e 5 none like a
Tu c h Ah ! I ve
natura l for c h e r i sh in g a gr udge
H
e se iz e s S O L
C uth T h en t h i s is h is r even ge
[
]
O Ma i ster C ut hbert !
S ol (fa lling o n h is hne es)
h ave mer c y o n me
you know the t r uth
G e t up ge t up !
C u th Y e s ; I k n o w the trut h
l
ngs h im fro m him
F
i
a n d ge t ye gone o ut o f my si gh t
[
]
’
u
o
y
’
,
.
.
,
.
’
’
’
’
’
’
.
.
’
.
’
,
.
,
,
.
’
.
.
,
,
’
’
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
x it S O L,
E
[
Cu th
.
ru nn ing
t
hi
m
l
o
se
f)
(
.
th e ga
My
sc
.
h
e
u
e
s
t
s
t
G
f
un tle t o
h eme s
a re
c
rowned
.
]
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
1 2 1
.
O
I sabel ! th e r e
da rk dee d,
been women won b y m a ny
but never one so de a rly b ough t a s you
h a ve
a
.
n te r P L A Y FA I R
E
[
]
P lay
P ru den c
.
e
P r u den c
,
e ! to you r mi stre ss
.
x it P RU E
E
[
]
’
Wh a t s th e m a tter ?
—
h
a
h
5
h
enoug
t e m a tter m a ster
but w h a t
P ly O
th e m a tter is it p a sse s me to tell
C uth E x pl a in
P lay W h en m y mi stre ss b e h el d your broth er i th e
h a n ds o f Ju sti c e sh e b e gge d a n d p ra ye d for h im th a t
it migh t h a melted a h e a r t o f stone to h e a r h e r pra ye r s
But th e O ffi c e r s wa s de a f to t h em a ll An d w h en she sa w
t h em a b out to bea r h im a w a y sh e took h e r lea ve o f h im
An d b y
a n d went o u t sa yin g that h e r h e a rt wa s b roke
A n d w h en S h e wa s
W i ll s b id din g I went wit h he r
c ome to h e r o wn room s he sa t fo r a lon g w h ile S ilent ;
a n d for h e a vine ss o f h e a r t a n d fe a r o f c ro ssin g h e r I
An d t h en a ll at on c e to my
a l s o h el d my pe a c e
am a z ement sh e se t to and fell a l a u gh ing
but
w h a t a l a u gh it wa s ! a t h ou sa n d time s ra t h er woul d I
h a ve h e a r d h e r c ry Well S h e l a u gh e d lon g ; a n d t h en
ju st a s suddenly a s sh e h a d b egun sh e c ea se d a n d
tu rne d to me a n d sa y s sh e Wh a t wa s I l a ugh ing a t ?
"
I wa s tak en a b a c k like and replie d D ee d mi st r e ss
th a t s mo r e th a n I can tell ye ! a n d sa ys sh e t h en
C uth
.
’
,
.
,
.
.
.
’
.
,
,
’
.
.
,
,
.
’
.
,
,
.
,
,
-
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
’
‘
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
’
,
H
*
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
1 2 2
.
‘
Yo u
a
gain
’
re
an
old fool
!
’
a nd
wit h t ha t fell to l a u gh in g
.
E
n te r I S A
[
C u th
]
I sa bell a ,
your news ?
I sa O C ut h bert !
I know not w ha t to sa y ; but I
a m full o f fe a r s
C u th W h a t do yo u fe a r ?
I sa L i sten a n d b ut too su r el y you will gue ss — I
foun d your mot h er l a u ghing— l a ugh in g so lon g and
lou d th a t it wa s te rr ible to h e a r
A unt ! sa i d I
fo r Go d s sa ke don t l a u gh like t ha t
W h e r eupon
sh e wept
C uth D id n o t te a r s b ri n g r elief ?
I sa N O no p r e sentl y sh e bega n to S in g
Cu th T O sin g !
I sa Y e s ; a n d sa n g sn a t c h e s o f th e son gs o f h e r o ld
—
h
a
a
n
h a ppy da ys b ot s d
d ga y
but o n h e r lip s th e
ga ye st we r e th e sa dde st
Cu th W h a t ne x t ?
—
h
h
sa
r
h
S
e
a
t
en
id
p
r
ye
r
and t h en
s
h
e
s
a
I
O
s ei z in g th e oppo r tunity I c o a x e d h e r a n d put h e r to b e d
—fo r sh e s a s gentle a s a l a m b
But S h e will not sleep
—
c
h
a
n
a
s
a
d neve r e e s t lkin g first o f
S h e sit s up in t e b e d
—
h
h
f
a not er
W h en I left h e r S h e h a d
o n e t h in g t en o
ha d a
some h ow go t it into h e r poor h e a d t h a t S h e
‘
j ou r ney to go
But tis l a te a n c old sh e sa i d I
doubt w e sh a ll sc a r c e h a li gh t enou gh left to se e th e
.
.
.
.
,
.
’
‘
.
’
‘
,
’
’
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
,
.
.
,
.
,
,
’
.
.
.
,
‘
’
’
’
,
’
,
1 2
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
4
.
T h en
Willia m will c ome b a c k ?
I sa No C ut h b e r t
As h e went o ut h e b a de me fa re
well fo r ever — a n d my h e a rt tell s me tha t we sha ll not
s e e him aga in
Cu th
.
,
.
,
.
.
A
I
S
[
C U T H go up
a nd
.
— the
s ta ge
.
res t
a
g
the r to
]
the fro n t
Play
t ra n ge th a t th ey S hou l d come b a c k to
—
h
l
l
h
a
nigh t o fa nig t s i t e ye r j u st w h en we ha d been
t a lkin g o f t h em
S wing Ju st w ha t I had been t h inkin g my self
Tuc h Well go ssip
did not your t h ough t s recall
a nyt h in g p e rtic k la r to your min d ?
S wing Fa it h ! t ha t t h ey did
H ob L e t u s h e a r w h a t i t wa s ?
S wing ( in spite of himse lf T h e o ld m a n s word s 0
l a st ni gh t
Play W h y w ha t w o r d s do ye me a n ?
S wing (with ev ide n t re luc ta n c e ) T h a t o n C h ri stma s
’
.
T wa s
s
’
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
’
.
.
.
’
’
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
Eve
D a vy
c
.
t
a hing th e wo rds
(
o c k c r ow s
Tuc h
.
a ll
An d
ni gh t lon g
th e
b ee s i
’
f
o ut o
th e
h is mouth )
h ive s
ing
s
.
h ymn s
th e
’
o
p ra i s e
H ob
A nd
.
th e c
a
ttle in st a l l fa ll down
to worshi p
Tim
.
An d
the P owers o f D a rkne ss
on
t h e i r knee s
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
1 2
.
5
wh ile fo r ego t h ei r swa y
D a vy An d th e de a d put on t h ei r e a rt h ly sh a pe s on c e
more a n d r etu r n to t h ei r h ome s
P lay ( G o d A m igh ty b le ss u s
D a vy T o dine a n d da n c e wi th e livin g !
G ue sts T o dine a n d da n c e wi th e livin g !
I sa ( to
C ut hb e r t ! do yo u h ea r t h em ?
Cu th I h e a r
— Mi ss I sa bell a !
P lay Go d A m ighty b le s s u s
yo u wa s in th e r oom w h en th e Ma ste r and J a c k took
leave — tell me— I v e m y r ea son s for a skin ye — did you
h a ppen to noti c e th e h o u r ?
—
I sa I did not
a
i
I d d Ja c k wa s
ye t st y
th e l a st t o go ; a n d a s h e went o ut I h e a r d th e c o c k
c row — it wa s da y b r e a k
for
a
.
,
’
.
’
.
’
.
.
.
.
’
.
’
’
.
,
-
.
P lay
.
But
w
i
t
h
(
morn ing b re a hs, th ey
-
re turn
a
c o c h—
c row,
t
to whe nc e th ey
ca
T
h
e G u es ts
[
Old H
whe n th e
me !
a re s ile n t
.
]
Well
f
)
well ! I mu st be bi ddin g ye goo d nigh t neighb ou rs
a n d th e se
T ime fl i e s th e b e st 0 fr ien ds mu st p a r t
be l a te h ou r s fo r a m a n 0 my yea r s
P lay S t a y
Old H By you r le a ve
D a ddy you tol d
P lay (de ta in ing h im) S t a y
us l a st ni gh t t h a t you sh oul d se e your so n
a h ing
w
(
o ut
o
a
doz e ,
a nd
rising
’
’
.
.
.
,
.
,
.
.
,
12
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
6
.
en I did
W ha t doe s it mea n
P lay Y o u did
Sh a ll
we se e h im sha ll we s ee th e Ma ste r a ga in ?
Old H T h e r e n o w ye a sk more than I c a n tel l ye
P lay (pe rsis ting) W h a t do you t h ink ?
A
it
m
tter
l
ittle
a
s
Old H (pe e v ishl
a
y)
y
y
w ha t a n Old m a n like me m a y t hink
P lay But w h i th er t h ink you t h en a re th ey boun d ?
Old H W h e r e neit h er you no r I woul d follo w
P lay T o be gin a n e w life un de r a new la w i n th e
N ew Wo rl d
pe rh a p s ?
to b egin a n e w life
Old H Wh o can tell
under a n e w la w in th e New Wo rl d
perh a p s !
Well well ! I tol d ye I sh oul d s ee u n to night a n d s ee
n u I did
But L ord h elp u s ! t h e se be l a te h ours
for a m a n 0 m y ye a r s By you r le a ve stewa r d ; b y
your good lea ve I w i s h ye a good nigh t
but
na y — fo r yon der is th e peep 0
da y
I wi sh ye a
G ood mornin g
Old H
Well
!
se e
.
-
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
,
-
,
,
,
’
,
.
,
.
’
-
x it
E
[
]
D a vy
b
re a h ing th e
(
f
sile n c e o
th e
G uests)
B ear m e
witne ss all o f ye ! Y o u h e a r d me l a ugh a t t ha t old
m a n l a st ni gh t
i f I live to be a h und r e d 3 h elp me
—
h
h
a
a
t
a
a
n
Ma y I c ome to a bad
I ll never l u g t e like g i
end if I do
.
.
,
’
,
,
’
H
e b u rs ts in to te a rs
[
P la y Y o u
.
a re
righ t t h e r e — Who
can
tell but
]
th e
12
a
g
TH E
8
FIRES IDE TRA GED Y
.
ily, ta h ing h e r by th e h a nd
.
)
C ou sin ,
a
b oon
S in c e
’
Willi a m will not r eturn th e sole o b sta c le to o ur union is
remove d —gra nt me th e h a ppine ss e r e t h ey sep a rate o f
p r e sentin g yo u to t h e se h umble well wi sh e rs a s my
fia n c e d b r i de
af
I sa (dra w ing b a c h) C uth b e r t ! W h a t c a n yo u ta lk
Y et sin c e
o f m a rri a ge a t a moment s uc h a s t h i s
c h ed it I v e a wo r d to sa
a
n t h a t su b j e c t
ou
ve
b
r
o
o
y
y
you m a y a s well h ea r now a s to mo rr ow — L a st ni gh t yo u
but
spoke to me Of love a n d I did not silen c e yo u
las t ni gh t I wa s a di fferent wom a n — La st ni ght I wa s
—
b ut I tell yo u t h a t th e
va in a n d t h ou gh tle ss gi rl
a
knowle dge and wi sdom w h i c h to ot h e r s c ome with year s
—
h a ve to me c ome in a sin gle ni gh t
H en c eforwa r d
H en c efo rt h I a m n o
spe a k no mo r e to me o f love
m a i den free to h e a r you but you r b r ot h e r s w i do w vowe d
to tea rs a n d to h is memo ry
C uth I sa bell a
I sa T h e se a r e no i dle wor ds T h e sa me blood run s
in t h e se vein s a s i n your o wn a s i n your moth er s ;
—
c
a
a
h
a
r emembe r t a t We a re a r e p rt yo u know it ;
a n d w h en o n e o f u s h a s spoken a s I now speak
we
dep a r t not fr om o ur wo r d
C u th I sa b ell a
I sa E nou gh
—
—
u
t
E
h
h
h
h
nou g t en
you S a ll a ve your wa y But
C h
if yo u will not h ear me spea k of love you sh a ll at le a st
,
,
,
-
.
.
.
,
,
’
’
,
-
.
,
.
,
.
’
,
.
.
.
.
’
,
.
,
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
,
THE FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
12
.
s h o wn his
lov e fo r you
Wi ldly ) T is truth w h om Fa te w i ll
To th e Gue sts ) H e a r
de stroy sh e fir st d r ive s m a d
a ll o f yo u ! yo u h a ve h e a r d mu c h to ni gh t a lre a dy ;
—
well the be st 0 th e t a le 5 to tell H ea r me a ll o fyo u
I sa y ! a n d h en c eforwa rd i n the fo r emo st ra nk a mong
the H e r oe s a n d Gi a nt s o f I niquity se t the n a me o f
C uth bert M a r
I sa ( in h e r turn dismaye d) C uth bert
Cuth C a ll me n o t C uth be r t ! C a ll me Jud a s—call
me C a in C a in slew h is broth er ; Juda s bet ra ye d h is
Ma ste r — but wh o b et ra ye d m y b r oth er
i
e nce
S
l
[
]
I t wa s I ! [Th e G uests sta rt b a c h a ma z e d b ut in
c re du lo us
si de r : who h a d so mu c h t o ga in by
on
C
]
By Will s retu r n I lo st fo r tune fa me
th e a c t a s I ?
and love : b y his de st r u c tion a ll mi gh t be ret rieved I
I wo rke d upon th e b a se mind
wa s bo r n fo r int ri gue
o f t h a t i diot boy ; I spe d h i m on his mi dni gh t j ourne y
Wh en h e retu r ne d fe a r in g you r inte r fe r en c e I devi se d
a tra p a n d led you into it An d to put the c ope on my
perfo r m a n c e I m a de a sc a pego a t o f my a c c ompli c e
h ear
who th e
9
m a n is yo u
rej e c t ;
ho w h e h a s
’
,
.
.
,
-
’
’
,
,
.
,
,
,
.
.
.
.
,
’
,
,
.
.
.
,
,
.
,
,
G ue sts
(
as
.
po n
the truth b re a hs u
the m,
a
ppa lle d)
.
Oh ,
h o rr ible
H o r ri b le ; yet t r u e — ( To I S A
all
t
i
h
s
)
I d i d for love o fyo u F o r love o f ri c h e s
N ev er !
fo r ri c h e s now a re mine but I fl ing them to th e w i nd s
—
t
o
e
n
ng
i
S
fo r love o f yo u
I
s
a
bel
any
O
h
!
a
s
f
(
)
C uth
.
.
.
,
An d
2
1
FIRESIDE TRA GED Y
TH E
30
.
done more t ha n t h i s ? O th er s h a ve given t h e i r
—
live s for th e love o f wom a n but I h a ve given my soul
T h e h and o f H eaven it se l f is s een a ga in st me ; I am
c a ugh t i n my o wn toil s
I sa ( re c oiling) O h h orr i ble
D e a r e st mo st be a ut i
fa r ewell
C uth B eloved
ful
But you r
a n d you loved me for o n e h ou r
—
h
w
S
love wa s c ol d : my fa t er a s fr om pa in a n d o h ! if
you had love d a s I loved you you woul d h a ve love d me
—
you woul d h ave c lun g to me t h ou gh the h a n d t h a t
still
gra sped your o wn h a n d h a d been re d even a s my soul
in t ruth is bl a c k wit h th e guilt o f a b r ot h e r s mu r der
h
h
h
h
woul
d
ve
followe
me
now
t
ou
t
e
s
now
h
d
a
u
a
d
o
g
y
b een o ur m a rr i a ge b e d a n d th e li gh t th a t li gh te d u s to
it th e c old ligh t o f t h o se d yin g sta r s —
Fa r ewell ! be
h app y — An d frien ds a ll fa rewell —fri en ds of a summe r
Fa rewell ! I sa y a n d a ga in fa r ewell ! a long fa re
da y
well
for yo u sh a ll se e my fa c e no mo r e
ma n
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
,
,
,
’
,
,
-
,
,
.
,
,
s h e goe s
A
[
C UR TA I N
F A LL S
.
o u t,
the
POE MS
I 36
.
F irst S h ephe rd
’
Wh o like
T is sh e ,
parent ten de rly
Ga th e r in g on c e mo r e a s a t th e fi rst
W ha te e r th e e x ube ra nt da wn dispe rs d
By st a rligh t t h r ou gh th e pu rple glo a m
L e a ds a ll live t h ing s h e r c h ildren h o m e
,
a
,
,
,
’
’
,
,
,
,
S ec on d S h ephe rd
b rin gs w h a t wh il st th e m o m wa s grey
H e a v n wa rd with mu si c took its wa y
—
h
h
a
s
r
n
e
air
wit
we
r
win
a
t
e
To
y
g
g
T h e bi r d ba c k to its ne st S h e brin gs
Sh e
,
’
,
,
,
,
.
F irst S hep he rd
Ba c k
to
th e i r fold
sh e
bri n gs th e flock s
S e c on d S hephe rd
B a c k fr om the fiel d
th e
to i lin g o x
all c
rea tu r e s wi ld :
F irst S hephe rd
B a c k to th eir cave s
S e c on d S hephe rd
Me b a c k once more
,
to
,
wife and c h i ld !
F irst S hep he rd
D e a re r th a n m orn ,
S h eph erd
S e con d S hep he rd
To
,
T ha n
ni gh t o r noon
E vening is th y boon
or
,
moon b y nigh t
Fa irer 0 S tar o f E ve
by day
thy ray
o r su n
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
SPRIN G S ON G
,
AND
,
S OLITUDE
S P R I N G, S O N G, AN D S O L I T U D E
1
T H E S p r in g return s
I
.
.
0
th e E a rt h grow s
young
G r ow s youn g a s neve r m a n sh a ll gr ow
An d c r ie s w i th m a ny a silve r y ton gue
A s loud a n d c le a r a s lon g a go
,
,
.
wo rld is green : in every vein
N ew life wit h new bo r n gl a dne ss t h ril l s :
Th e ligh t o f Y outh is foun d a ga in
H e a r a n d r ej oi c e ye p a t ri a rc h h ill s
T he
-
,
II
.
woodlan d bi rd when S p ring r eturn s
P ou r s a ll its gl a dne ss on th e a ir ;
An d sin gs the j o ys th e love d o n e e a r n s
S in gs t h a t th e e a r th i s gr een and fa ir :
Th e
,
,
woul d that I like t h ee sweet bir d
M igh t se t my j oy s my sa dne ss fr ee
S i n gin g— un c a r e d for a n d un h e a r d
A son g t h a t s a ll too h a r d fo r me
An d
,
,
,
,
,
’
I
37
P OE [MS
III
O h,
i n th i s fa ir
.
fa r-o f
f ret r e a t,
’
patient E venin g s pea c eful h our
As o ur fi r st fa th e r met to meet
W h ere sh a de s a re deep in b ra ke o r bower
At
,
,
,
form o f fem a l e loveline ss
A S w h i te a s if a moon b e a m fell
C ome from a not h er worl d to ble ss
An d e v e rrn o re w i th me to dwe ll
S ome
,
,
POE M S
I 40
.
N ot th e se : a frien dlie r bourn I kno w
F ive furlong s from th e neighbou ring town
Wh e r e o e r th e b r o a d c h a mp a i gn belo w
A ben c h en c i rc le d bee c h look s down
,
,
’
,
,
-
plea sa nt h a unt wh en eve s a re lon g
An d mild a n d full o f b a lm in Ma y
Wh en wor dy el de r s r oun d it th ron g
An d c h il dren wit h th e bee c h m a st pl a y
A
,
,
,
,
-
A nd l ove rs linge ring o n till ni gh t
S til l w h i sperin g wit h th e sti ll w h i speri ng l eav e s
S c o r e o n its b a rk th e t r oth t h ey pli gh t
A nd many a tru st th e t r ee re c e i ve s
,
-
,
A
plea sa nt spot wh en pon derer s se e
T h e sweet o ld ta le retold on c e more
Ma ture C ontent and i nfa nt Glee
Th e S imple life play a c ted o e r
,
’
-
.
—
But n o w w h en Life is
l a id
to sleep ,
A nd its un la n te rn d wa t c h m a n I
Wh o h e a r alone th e wh eez ing S h eep
A nd fa r away th e wild du c k s c ry
’
,
-
,
’
,
mile s w i th more c ongen i al a ir
F or sa ken se a t and somb re tree
Wh i c h sm i led w i th ligh t and l a u gh ter th ere
F o r all the world but not for me
N ow
s
,
.
,
E
A N IGHTPIE C
I
.
—
mine
On cou c h o r straw
T h e sc h em i n g a c tive myr i a ds li e
C lown i sh c ontempt wit h kin gly awe
Like ga r ment s for th e tim e lai d by
T he h our is
,
,
,
.
mine A c ha r mer s land s
T h e fin ge r d b ra n c h e s o e r me p a ss
Wh il st ru stling in th e woo ds e xp a n ds
T h e S p rin g s n e w l ife in le a ve s a n d gra ss
T h e h our is
’
.
,
’
’
,
,
’
fr om drea ml a n d s c onfine s pale
T ha t l a z y lover o f soft s ound
F loat s o n th e h awth o r n in c en se d ga le
A nd wei ghs me nervele ss to the ground
’
T ill S leep ,
-
,
,
,
With silk smoot h a r m s a b out my ne c k ,
An d c o z enin g w h i spe r s in my ea r
A S i dle a s the c h a tte r in g be c k
Wh ic h none but drea me r s pau se t o h ear
-
,
fr om some in si diou s c up
I n spi re d forbid den powers to wield
S tra nge p h a ntom s c ould I c onj ure up
T o move a n d mime i n yon grey field
T ill , a s
,
,
.
Beh old ! th e S ha de s o fa ll t h o se li ve s
T ha t filld th e even i ng a ir w i th n oi s e
G rave h u sb a nd s w i th th eir mild fa c ed w i ve s
A nd gran d si re s c ro o k d and girl s a nd boy s ;
’
-
,
’
,
41
POEM S
1 42
.
and maiden s ha n d i n h a n d
A nd b a be s— o ur life s sm a ll S weet spri n g flo we rs
Like st ran ger s— in a fa r o ff l a nd
M in dful o f h ome and b ygone h ou r s
S triplin gs
,
,
’
-
b a c k on c e more — a n d on e b y o n e
W i th wi stful mien a n d eye s downca st
We a k wra ith s from wo rl ds with out a sun
S till silently go troop i n g p a st
C ome
,
,
.
So
sa d
to se e I sc a rc e c a n sta y
F o r By your le a ve o r Wit h your l eav e
T o take my s tand b e side th e wa y
A nd plu c k th e fo r emo st by th e sl eeve
’
,
,
.
No w,
go ssip wh it h er pray s o l a te
H a rk ! th ou gh th e noon 0 ni gh t be near
D awn yet shall bur st h is dun geon ga te
W h ere D ou b t stan ds sentinel wit h F ear
‘
,
,
,
’
-
ea n s l a bourin g wa s t e
O e r S ilent c ity stret c h i n g pl a in
C h a rge d wit h de a r h ope e njo in d to h a ste
S ha ll r ide a me ssen ger a m a in
‘
An d,
o e r o ld
’
Oc
’
,
’
,
,
’
,
,
,
an gel —a n d like a n gel s b ri gh t
Ar m d wit h th e n a me th a t a ll r evere
Wh o h a rk a n d s peed him o n h is fli gh t
T o find a n d greet a n d h elp u s h ere
An
’
‘
,
’
,
,
,
,
I
S ON G
44
YE S TE R D A
Y
.
—
Y E ST E R D AY
S ON G
.
cou l d I Y e sterday !
Of th y m a ny moment s o n e
—
h
nat
c
a
n
d
i
d
e
a n d h ie awa y
h
S
L ike t h i eve s wh o w i th t h eir p lunder run
C ould ,
Oh ,
,
,
O ver th e fa r h ill s
ould I fly
C l a sp i ng i t ever to my brea st
No C a lip h we r e so ri c h a s I
I n A ra by th e B l e st !
c
,
E D I N BU R G H U N I V E R S I Y P R E S S :
PLEAS E DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS O R S LIPS FROM THIS POC KET
UNIV ERSITY O F TO RO NTO LIBRARY
PR
461
3
D42 F5
Do ugl a
Th e
s
,
( Si r )
fi r e
s i de