RICHARD Zounds!
RAVENSBANE Forbear, and hear me! For one wonderful day I have gazed upon this, your world. The sun has kindled me and the moon has blessed me. A million forms—of trees, of stones, of stars, of men, of common things—have swum like motes before my eyes; but one alone was wholly beautiful. That form was Rachel: to her alone I was not ludicrous; to her I also was beautiful. Therefore, I love her. You talk to me of mothers, mistresses, lovers, and wives and sisters, and you say men love these. What is love? The sun’s enkindling and the moon’s quiescence; the night and day of the world—the all of life, the all which must include both you and me and God, of whom you dream. Well then, I love you, Rachel. What shall prevent me? Mistress, mother, wife—thou art all to me!
RICHARD My lord, I can only reply for Mistress Rachel, that you speak like one who does not understand this world.
RAVENSBANE O God! Sir, and do you? If so, tell me—tell me before it be too late—why, in this world, such a thing as I can love and talk of love. Why, in this world, a true man and woman, like you and your betrothed, can look upon this counterfeit and be deceived.
RACHEL AND RICHARD Counterfeit?
RAVENSBANE Me—on me—the ignominy of the earth, the laughing-stock of the angels!
RACHEL Why, my lord. Are you not—
JUSTICE MERTON [To Ravensbane.] Forbear! Not to her—
DICKON My lord forgets.