We are living in an age in many ways
Without a parallel. I sometimes think—
If I may say it not too seriously—
Of those last days we read of when the world
Goes on its way unconscious of the end.
We give and take in marriage, eat and drink,
And meet our friends in social intercourse,
And all the while a Spirit walks beside us,
Enters our homes and writes upon our walls.
There are whispers everywhere if we could hear them;
And some of them grow louder with the days;
And pools of quiet ruffle and show storms.
You, Governor, feel the popular unrest
As it manifests itself in politics,
The shift of parties and of principles,
Rocks that we used to think would never change.
And brother Egerton in industry;
He feels it.
Egerton.
(Appearing at the door, excited, and keeping back so as not to be seen by the people)
Chadbourne!
(The General joins him and they disappear)
Bishop Hardbrooke.
I sincerely hope
We're on the eve, however, of a day
When trouble-makers in the ranks of Labor,
Not only here in Foreston but elsewhere,
May find it to their interest to respect,
Nay, reverence as a thing ordained by God,
The right of men to earn their daily bread,
As well as profitable to obey the laws
Without the unseemly presence of armed men.
(There is a clapping of hands. General Chadbourne appears just inside the door and beckons to Ardsley, who goes in to him)
Bishop Hardbrooke.
And I will take occasion here and now
To say what you've been thinking all this while,
And in the presence of the man himself:
We are fortunate, my friends——