ACT V
SCENE I.—An Open Space in the Wood.
Enter Felice, Bruno and Torello.
Felice. Do you remember what you must say?
Torello. I think so.
From Thessaly, that land of incantation,
Tetragrammaton,
Come Hecate and hear my supplication——
Felice. Shemhamphorash.
Torello. Shemhamphorash.
Felice. You must speak this word very loud; its virtue is great; and
the greater mouth you give it, the stronger its power. Shout it again
exultantly; for with this word properly spoken, a world might be created.
Torello. Shemhamphorash.
Felice. Pronounced in a most redundant ore rotundo. No witch that
ever culled simples with a brazen knife by moonlight could resist such a
summons.
Torello. Will she indeed come forth to this?
Felice. Like a cat from the water.
Torello. What shall I say then?
Felice. The witch will question you and you must answer her.
Torello. What questions? Will she use a book? I could never learn
catechism.
Felice. Answer anything. It matters little what, so it be spoken
reverently. This is the stone; place one foot on it; take off your hat;
hold your sword high above your head; place your other hand upon your
haunch: now, begin 'From Thessaly.'
Torello [prompted by Felice].
From Thessaly, that land of incantation,
Tetragrammaton.
Come Hecate and hear my supplication,
Shemhamphorash.
On broomstick ride to grant what I shall ask,
Tetragrammaton;
Simple to thy skill will be the task,
Shemhamphorash.
Enter Scipio dressed like a witch.
Scipio. Thou comest to know if she whom thou lovest will be thine.
Swear by oak and ash and thorn to perform what rites I shall direct, and
thou shalt know.
Torello. I swear.
Scipio. The oak is Jove's tree; thou hast sworn by Jove:
Mars' lances, Cupid's arrows are of ash;
To witness therefore hast thou summoned them:
The thorn is Mercury's; he binds thine oath.
Among the flags that, like a rushy curb
The streaming brook rein to an ambling pace,
With hands fast bound and eyes from light swathed close,
In upright patience shalt thou take thy stand.
If she thou lov'st loves thee, fate drives her here
Thy bondage to release, or rather change
To wedded slavery in rose-linked chains
That shackle willing lovers mutually.
Torello. What if she come not?
Scipio. Why, some other then,
Or man, or maiden will enfranchise thee.
If man, thy doom of single life is sealed;
If maid, in her behold a wife revealed.
Jove, Cupid, Mars, Mercury bless this rite;
Fail in the least, they curse thee from to-night.
[Goes out.
Torello. Need I do this? Stay! Gone—without a gift, too! An inhuman
witch! [Aside.] Am I mocked, I wonder? That can hardly be. I must go on:
it were cowardly to be afraid. Yet would I watch these two.—Well, sirs,
you heard the witch.
Felice. It is a strange ceremony. Having sworn, you cannot evade it.
Torello. Tie my hands and bind my eyes.
Felice. It is a most infallible test. I knew a knight who was scarce
in the water before his mistress came and unbound him.
Torello. Do you laugh?
Bruno. Who? I? No; I am as solemn as a hangman.
Torello. How deep is this stream?
Felice. It cannot reach above your knees, being so shallowed by its
width. Are you ready? Come along, then.
Having pinioned and blind-folded Torello they lead him into the stream.—Celio and Sylvia enter, and pass into a grove.
Bruno. [Aside.] Two mayers.
Torello. Is there any one coming?
Felice. You must not speak. We will withdraw among the hazels. Let
faith and courage console each other, and your spirit may have that
comfort which your body lacks.
Re-enter Scipio.
Scipio. How do you like the leeches' element? Have you made the acquaintance of any insinuating eels? Felice. [Aside.] Hush! you must treat it solemnly. It is a dull nose that cannot scent hartshorn. He begins to sniff. Torello. Leeches, eels! I pray you, how stand I for getting out should any evil thing attack me? Felice. Your back faces the only safe way; the stream is deeper before you than on your right; to the left the muddy bed would smother you; you stand on a stone. Cry on us if you are assailed. Torello. I will. Go not far away. Felice. A speedy deliverance to you. [Felice, Bruno and Scipio withdraw to the back of the stage. Torello. Thanks.—Lord, lord, what love will make a man do! Here am I——Eulalie, when thou findest me thus thou wilt love me. Felice. Now, if we had a leash of hounds to loose on him, or a troop of charitable imps to pinch him for us.