ORAN, a Speculative Philosopher.
MABEL, his Wife.
HER FATHER.
MAURICE, }
ROGER, } her brothers.
MABEL.
SCENE I—A Study. Books, pictures, and sculpture about the room, interspersed with chemical and other instruments, globes, &c.; a singular blending of science with art, indicating a delicate and speculative organization in the arranger.
ORAN, MAURICE, and ROGER.
ORAN.
Well, well! and so ye deem I love her not,
Ye and the world that love so passing well?—
That still I trifle with her bright young life,
As the wind plays with some frail water-bell,
Wafting it wantonly about the sky,
Till at some harsher breath it breaks and dies?
MAURICE.
Nay, not thus far would our reflections go.
Friendship paints not with the foul brush of Conscience!
But thou, a man of dark and mystic aims,
Tracking out Science through forbidden ways,
Leaving the light and trodden paths to grope
'Mid fearful speculations and wild dreams,
May'st hunt thy Will-o'-the-wisp until thou lead'st
Our sister, all unwitting, to her death.
ROGER.
That shalt thou answer unto us. Thy life
Shall be to her life like the sun and shade,
Lost in one setting.