I shall never be
married!
Lascelle Abercrombie
_Sylvan_.
I shall be here, Katrina, waiting for you.
[_He goes_.
_The old woman comes in burdened with her sack_.
_Grandmother_.
Katrina, that was a young man with you.
_Katrina_.
O grannam, you've had luck to-day; but now
It's I must be the porter.
_Grandmother (giving up the sack)_.
Ay, you take it.
It's sore upon my back. You should have care
Of these young fellows; there's a devil in them.
Never you talk with a man on the seashore
Or on hill-tops or in woods and suchlike places,
Especially if he's one you think of marrying.
_Katrina_.
Marrying?
I shall never be married!
_Grandmother_.
Pooh!
That's nonsense.
_Katrina_.
I should think 'twas horrible
Even to be in love and wanting to give
Yourself to another; but to be married too,
A man holding the very heart of you,--
_Grandmother_.
He never does, honey, he never does. --
We're late; come along home.
II
_In_ SYLVAN'S _house_. SYLVAN _and_ KATRINA _talking to
each other and betweenwhiles thinking to themselves_.
_Sylvan_.
How pleasant and beautiful it is to be
At last obedient to love! (_To know
Also, I've sold myself,--is that so pleasant_? )
_Katrina_.
I cannot think, why such a glorious wealth
As this of love on our hearts should be spent.
What have we done, that all this gain be ours?