Within and Without

class="i5">And truthfulness and grace.

I mean her well so earnestly.
Unchanged in changing mood;
My life would go without a sigh
To bring her something good.

I also am a child, and I
Am ignorant and weak;
I gaze upon the starry sky,
And then I must not speak;

For all behind the starry sky,
Behind the world so broad,
Behind men’s hearts and souls doth lie
The Infinite of God.

If true to her, though troubled sore,
I cannot choose but be;
Thou, who art peace forevermore,
Art very true to me.

If I am low and sinful, bring
More love where need is rife;
Thou knowest what an awful thing
It is to be a life.

Hast thou not wisdom to enwrap
My waywardness about,
In doubting safety on the lap
Of Love that knows no doubt?

Lo! Lord, I sit in thy wide space,
My child upon my knee;
She looketh up unto my face,
And I look up to thee.

Scene V

Lord Seaford’s house; Lady Gertrude’s room. Lady Gertrude lying on a couch; Lilia seated beside her, with the girl’s hand in both hers.

Lady Gertrude	How kind of you to come! And you will stay And be my beautiful nurse till I grow well? I am better since you came. You look so sweet, It brings all summer back into my heart.
Lilia	I am very glad to come. Indeed, I felt No one could nurse you quite so well as I.
Lady Gertrude	How kind of you! Do call me sweet names now; And put your white cool hands upon my head; And let me lie and look in your great eyes: ’Twill do me good; your very eyes are healing.
Lilia	I must not let you talk too much, dear child.
Lady Gertrude	Well, as I cannot have my music-lesson, And must not speak much, will you sing to me? Sing that strange ballad you sang once before; ’Twill keep me quiet.
Lilia	What was it, child?
Lady Gertrude	It was Something about a race⁠—Death and a lady⁠—
Lilia	Oh! I remember. I would rather sing Some other, though.
Lady Gertrude	No, no, I want that one. Its ghost walks up and down inside my head, But won’t stand long enough to show itself. You must talk Latin to it⁠—sing it away, Or when I’m ill, ’twill haunt me.
Lilia	Well, I’ll sing it.
	Song. Death and a lady rode in the wind, In a starry midnight pale; Death on a bony horse behind, With no footfall upon the gale. The lady sat a wild-eyed steed; Eastward he tore to the morn. But ever the sense of a noiseless speed, And the sound of reaping corn! All the night through, the headlong race Sped to the morning gray; The dew gleamed cold on her cold white face⁠— From Death or the morning? say. Her steed’s wide knees began to shake, As he flung the road behind; The lady sat still, but her heart did quake, And a cold breath came down the wind. When, Lo! a fleet bay horse beside, With a silver mane and tail; A knight, bareheaded, the horse did ride, With never a coat of mail. He never lifted his hand to Death, And he never couched a spear; But the lady felt another breath, And a voice was in her ear. He looked her weary eyes through and through, With his eyes so strong in faith: Her bridle-hand the lady drew, And she turned and laughed at Death. And away through the mist of the morning gray, The spectre and horse rode wide; The dawn came up the old bright way, And the lady never died.
Lord Seaford	Who has entered during the song. Delightful! Why, my little pining Gertrude, With such charm-music you will soon be well. Madam, I know not how to speak the thanks I owe you for your kindness to my daughter: She looks as different from yesterday As sunrise from a fog.
Lilia	I am but too happy To be of use to one I love so much.

Scene VI

A rainy day. Lord Seaford walking up and down his room, murmuring to himself.

Oh, my love is like a wind of death, That turns me to a stone! Oh, my love is like a desert breath, That burns me to the bone! Oh, my love is a flower with a purple glow, And a purple scent all day! But a black spot lies at the heart below, And smells all night of clay. Oh, my love is like the poison sweet That lurks in the hooded cell! One flash in the eyes, one bounding beat, And then the passing bell! Oh, my love she’s like a white, white rose! And I am the canker-worm: Never the bud to a blossom blows; It falls in the rainy storm.

Scene VII

Julian reading in his room.

“And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” He closes the book and kneels.

Scene VIII

Lord Seaford’s room. Lilia and Lord Seaford. Her hand lies in his.

Lilia	It may be true. I am bewildered, though. I know not what to answer.
Lord Seaford	Let me answer:⁠— You would it were so⁠—you would love me then? A sudden crash of music from a brass band in the street, melting away in a low cadence.
Lilia	Starting up. Let me go, my lord!
Lord Seaford	Retaining her hand. Why, sweetest! what is this?
Lilia	Vehemently, and disengaging her hand. Let me go. My husband! Oh, my white child! She hurries to the door, but falls.
Lord Seaford	Raising her. I thought you trusted me, yes, loved me, Lilia!
Lilia	Peace! that name is his! Speak it again⁠—I rave. He thought I loved him⁠—and I did⁠—I do. Open the door, my lord! He hesitates. She draws herself up erect, with flashing eyes. Once more, my lord⁠— Open the door, I say. He still hesitates. She walks swiftly to the window, flings it wide, and