Page:The Mysterious Mother - Walpole (1781).djvu/36

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THE MYSTERIOUS MOTHER.
With clotted locks, and eyes like burning stars.
Indeed I dare not go.

Other CHILDREN.
My loves, he will not hNor I. Nor I.

MARTIN.
My loves, he will not harm such innocents.
But wait me at the bridge: I'll strait be with ye.
[Children go out reluctantly.


FLORIAN.
I marvel, father, gravity like yours
Should yield assent to tales of such complexion;
Permitting them in baby fantasy
To strike their dangerous root.

MARTIN.
To strike their dangerous root.I marvel not,
That levity like yours, unhallow'd boy,
Should spend its idle shaft on serious things.
Your comrade's bearing warrants no such licence.

FLORIAN.
Think'st thou, because my friend with humble fervour
Kneels to Omnipotence, each gossip's dream,
Each village-fable domineers in turn
His brain's distemper'd nerves? Think'st thou a soldier
Must by his calling be an impious braggart?
Or being not, a superstitious slave?
True valour, owning no preheminence
In equals, dares not wag presumption's tongue
Against high heav'n.

MARTIN.
Against high heav'n.In us respect heav'n's servants.

FLORIAN.
Monks may reach heav'n, but never came from thence.
[Violent form of thunder and lightening.


MARTIN.

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