PAUL. Which I don't covet;
May you for an age enjoy it,
Without billets.
PHILIP. If important
Business in this street detains you
(Not a word whereon I offer),
Give me room that I may pass.
PAUL [aside]. Somewhat timid, though quite proper,
Goblins can be cowards too.—
Yes, sir, for a certain office
I am here; go in, and welcome;
I no gentleman would stop here
Bound for bed, nor is it right.
PHILIP. The condition I acknowledge.—
[Aside.
Well, fine spectres, to be sure,
Haunt this street: each night I notice
That a man here comes before me,
But when I approach him softly,
Hereabouts on my own threshold,
I, as now, have always lost him.
But what matters this to me?
[Exit.
[PAUL draws his sword and makes several flourishes.
PAUL. As he's gone, the right and proper
Thing is this:— Stay, stay, cold shadow,
Whether you're a ghost or ghostess,
I can't reach it. Why, by heaven!
Air alone I cut and chop here.
But if this is he we wait for
In the night-time like two blockheads
Faith! he is a lucky fellow
To have got to bed so promptly.
But another noise I hear
Sounding from that dark street yonder.
'Tis of swords and angry voices:—
There I run to reconnoitre.
[Exit.
* * * * *
SCENE IV.
ANOTHER STREET.
The Muffled Figure and LUIS.
LUIS. Sir, already we have issued
From that street; if aught there stopped us,
We are here alone, and may
Hand to hand resume the combat.
And since powerless is my sword
Thee to wound, I throw me on thee
To know who thou art. Declare,
Art thou demon, man, or monster?
What! no answer? Then I thus
Dare myself to solve the problem,
[He tears the cloak from the Figure, and finds beneath it a skeleton.
And find out . . . . Oh, save me, heaven!
God! what's this I see? what horrid
Spectacle! What frightful vision!
What death-threatening fearful portent!
Stiff and stony corse, who art thou?
That of dust and ashes formed
Now dost live?