Sylvan, I have been
So wrencht and fearfully used.
So wrencht and fearfully used.
Lascelles Abercrombie - Emblems of Love
And now you've found me out.
_Sylvan_.
Is this the truth? --
No help for it, then.
_Katrina_.
O, I'm a liar to you!
_Sylvan_.
Strange how we grudge to be ruled! rather than be
Divinely driven to happiness, we push back
And fiercely try for wilful misery. --
Dearest, forgive me being cruel to you,
You who are in life like a heavenly dream
In the evil sleep of a sinner.
_Katrina_.
No, you hate me.
_Sylvan (kissing her)_.
Is this like hatred?
_Katrina (in his arms)_.
Sylvan, I have been
So wrencht and fearfully used. It was as if
This being that I live in had become
A savage endless water, wild with purpose
To tire me out and drown me.
_Sylvan_.
Yes, I know:
Like swimming against a mighty will, that wears
The cruelty, the race and scolding spray
Of monstrous passionate water.
_Katrina_.
Hold me, Sylvan
I'm bruised with my sore wrestling.
_Sylvan_.
Ah, but now
We are not swimmers in this dangerous life.
It cannot beat upon our limbs with surf
Of water clencht against us, nor can waves
Now wrangle with our breath. Out of it we
Are lifted; and henceforward now we are
Sailors travelling in a lovely ship,
The shining sails of it holding a wind
Immortally pleasant, and the malicious sea
Smoothed by a keel that cannot come to wreck.
_Katrina_.
Alas, we must not stay together here.
Grannam will come upon us.
_Sylvan_.
Where is she?
_Katrina_.