N. B. For the localities and dates, see the note

at the end.

PARACELSUS.

I. PARACELSUS ASPIRES.

Scene, Würzburg—a garden in the environs. 1507.

Festus, Paracelsus, Michal.

Par. Come close to me, dear friends; still closer—thus;
Close to the heart which, though long time roll by
Ere it again beat quicker, press'd to yours,

As now it beats—perchance a long, long time—
At least henceforth your memories shall make

Quiet and fragrant as befits their home.

Nor shall my memory want a home in

yours.

B

Alas! that it requires too well such free
Forgiving love as shall embalm it there!
For if you would remember me aright—
As I was born to be—you must forget
All fitful, strange, and moody waywardness,
Which e'er confused my better spirit, to dwell
Only on moments such as these, dear friends;
My heart no truer, but
words and ways

my

More true to it: as Michal, some months hence,

Will say, this autumn was a pleasant time
For some few sunny days; and overlook

Its bleak wind, hankering after pining leaves.
Autumn would fain be sunny—I would look
Liker my nature's truth; and both are frail,
And both beloved for all their frailty!

Mich.

Aureole!...

Par. Drop by drop!—she is weeping like a child!

Not so.

I am content—more than content—

Nay Autumn wins you best by this its mute

Appeal to sympathy for its decay

...

Look up, sweet Michal, nor esteem the less

The stain'd and drooping vines their grapes bow down--

Those creaking trees bent with their fruit—and see
That apple-tree with a rare after-birth

Of peeping blooms sprinkled its wealth among;
And for the winds—what wind that ever raved

Shall vex that ash that overlooks the rest,

So proud it wears its berries. Ah! at length,
The old smile meet for her, the lady of this
Sequester'd nest! This kingdom, limited
Alone by one old populous green wall,
Tenanted by the ever-busy flies,

Grey crickets, and shy lizards, and quick spiders,
All families of the silver-threaded moss—

Which look through, near, this way, and it appears

A stubble-field, or a crane-brake—a marsh
Of bulrush whitening in the sun : laugh now!
Fancy the crickets, each one in his house,

Looking out and wondering at the world—or best,
The painted snail, with his gay shell of dew,
Travelling to see the glossy balls high up

Hung by the caterpillar, like gold lamps.

Mich. In truth we have lived carelessly and well!

Par. And shall, my perfect pair—each, trust me, born