The Hunchback Part 25

_Julia_. I can't remember it.

_Wal_. Fathers, make straws your children! Nature's nothing, Blood nothing! Once in other veins it runs, It no more yearneth for the parent flood, Than doth the stream that from the source disparts.

Talk not of love instinctive--what you call so Is but the brat of custom! Your own flesh By habit cleaves to you--without, Hath no adhesion. [Aside.] So; you have forgot You have a father, and are here to meet him!

_Julia_. I'll not deny it.

_Wal_. You should blush for't.

_Julia_. No!

No! no: hear, Master Walter! what's a father That you've not been to me? Nay, turn not from me, For at the name a holy awe I own, That now almost inclines my knee to earth!

But thou to me, except a father's name, Hast all the father been: the care--the love-- The guidance--the protection of a father.

Canst wonder, then, if like thy child I feel,-- And feeling so, that father's claim forget Whom ne'er I knew save by the name of one?

Oh, turn to me, and do not chide me! or If thou wilt chide, chide on! but turn to me!

_Wal_. [Struggling with emotion.] My Julia!

[Embraces her.]

_Julia_. Now, dear Master Walter, hear me!

Is there no way to 'scape these nuptials?

_Wal_. Julia, A promise made admits not of release, Save by consent or forfeiture of those Who hold it--so it should be pondered well Before we let it go. Ere man should say I broke the word I had the power to keep, I'd lose the life I had the power to part with!

Remember, Julia, thou and I to-day Must, to thy father, of thy training render A strict account. While honour's left to us, We have something--nothing, having all but that.

Now for thy last act of obedience, Julia!

Present thyself before thy bridegroom! [She a.s.sents.] Good!

My Julia's now herself! Show him thy heart, And to his honour leave't to set thee free Or hold thee bound. Thy father will be by!

SCENE III.--The Banqueting' Room.

[Enter MASTER WALTER and MASTER HEARTWELL.]

_Heart_. Thanks, Master Walter! Ne'er was child more bent To do her father's will, you'll own, than mine: Yet never one more froward.

_Wal_. All runs fair-- Fair may all end! To-day you'll learn the cause That took me out of town. But soft a while,-- Here comes the bridegroom, with his friends, and here The all-obedient bride.

[Enter on one hand JULIA, and on the other hand LORD ROCHDALE with LORD TINSEL and friends--afterwards CLIFFORD.]

_Roch_. Is she not fair?

_Tin_. She'll do. Your servant, lady! Master Walter, We're glad to see you. Sirs, you're welcome all.

What wait they for? Are we to wed or not?

We're ready--why don't they present the bride?

I hope they know she is to wed an earl.

_Roch_. Should I speak first?

_Tin_. Not for your coronet!

I, as your friend, may make the first advance.

We've come here to be married. Where's the bride?

_Wal_. There stands she, lord; if 'tis her will to wed, His lords.h.i.+p's free to take her.

_Tin_. Not a step!

I, as your friend, may lead her to your lords.h.i.+p.

Fair lady, by your leave.

_Julia_. No! not to you.

_Tin_. I ask your hand to give it to his lords.h.i.+p.

_Julia_. Nor to his lords.h.i.+p--save he will accept My hand without my heart! but I'll present My knee to him, and, by his lofty rank, Implore him now to do a lofty deed Will lift its stately head above his rank,-- a.s.sert him n.o.bler yet in worth than name,-- And, in the place of an unwilling bride, Unto a willing debt or make him lord,-- Whose thanks shall be his va.s.sals, night and day That still shall wait upon him!

_Tin_. What means this?

_Julia_. What is't behoves a wife to bring her lord?

_Wal_. A whole heart, and a true one.

_Julia_. I have none!

Not half a heart--the fraction of a heart!

Am I a woman it befits to wed?

_Wal_. Why, where's thy heart?

_Julia_. Gone--out of my keeping!

Lost, past recovery: right and t.i.tle to it-- And all given up! and he that's owner on't, So fit to wear it, were it fifty hearts, I'd give it to him all!

_Wal_. Thou dost not mean His lords.h.i.+p's secretary?

_Julia_. Yes. Away Disguises! in that secretary know The master of the heart, of which the poor, Unvalued, empty casket, at your feet-- Its jewel gone--I now despairing throw!

[Kneels.]

Of his lord's bride he's lord! lord paramount!

To whom her virgin homage first she paid,-- 'Gainst whom rebelled in frowardness alone, Nor knew herself how loyal to him, till Another claimed her duty--then awoke To sense of all she owed him--all his worth-- And all her undeservings!

_Tin_. Lady, we came not here to treat of hearts,-- But marriage; which, so please you, is with us A simple joining, by the priest, of hands.

A ring's put on, a prayer or two is said; You're man and wife,--and nothing more! For hearts, We oftener do without, than with them, lady!

_Clif_. So does not wed this lady!

_Tin_. Who are you?

_Clif_. I'm secretary to the Earl of Rochdale.

_Tin_. My lord!