Now have you conquered! Look! I am your slave. Denounce me, scourge me, anything but kiss; For life is sweet, and I alone am left To comfort an old man. _Israel_. Ruth, that will do! Remember I'm a Justice of the Peace, And bide no quarrels; and if you and David Persist in strife, I'll place you under bonds For good behavior, or condemn you both To solitary durance for the night. _Ruth_. Father, you fail to understand the case, And do me wrong. David has threatened me With an assault that proves intent to kill; And here's my sister Grace, his wedded wife, Who'll take her oath, that just a year ago He entered into bonds to keep the peace Toward me and womankind. _David_. I'm quite asleep. _Israel_. We'll all agree, then, to pronounce it quits. _Ruth_. Till he awake again, of course. I trust I have sufficient gallantry to grant A nap between encounters, to a foe With odds against him. _Israel_. Peace, my daughter, peace! You've had your full revenge, and we have had Enough of laughter since the day began. We must not squander all these precious hours In jest and merriment; for when the sun Shall rise to-morrow, we shall separate, Not knowing we shall ever meet again. Meetings like this are rare this side of Heaven, And seem to me the best mementoes left Of Eden's hours. _Grace_. Most certainly the best, And quite the rarest, but, unluckily, The weakest, as we know; for sin and pain And evils multiform, that swarm the earth, And poison all our joys and all our hearts, Remind us most of Eden's forfeit bliss. _David_. Forfeit through woman. _Grace_. Forfeit through her power;-- A power not lost, as most men know, I think, Beyond the knowledge of their trustful wives. _Mary_. [_Rising, and walking hurriedly to the window_.] 'Tis a wild night without. _Ruth_. And getting wild Within. Now, Grace, I--all of us--protest Against a scene to-night. Look! You have driven One to the window blushing, and your lord, With lowering brow, is making stern essay To stare the fire-dogs out of countenance. These honest brothers, with their honest wives, Grow glum and solemn, too, as if they feared At the next gust to see the windows burst, Or a riven poplar crashing through the roof. And think of me!--a simple-hearted maid Who learned from Cowper only yesterday (Or a schoolmaster, with a handsome face, And a strange passion for the text), the fact, That wedded bliss alone survives the fall. I'm shocked; I'm frightened; and I'll never wed Unless I--change my mind! _Israel_. And I consent. _David_. And the schoolmaster with the handsome face Propose. _Ruth_.