Hullo there; you must first be tried; Sentence and hanging follow in due course. Now, what on earth’s the matter? To conceal From me, your friend, this treasure of your finding; For you’ll confess the inference is binding: You’ve come into a prize off Fortune’s wheel! LIND. I’ve snared and taken Fortune’s blessed bird! FALK. How? Living,—and undamaged by the steel? LIND. Patience; I’ll tell the matter in one word. I am engaged! Conceive—! FALK [_quickly_]. Engaged! LIND. It’s true. To-day,—with unimagined courage swelling, I said,—ahem, it will not bear re-telling;— But only think,—the sweet young maiden grew Quite rosy-red,—but not at all enraged! You see, Falk, what I ventured for a bride! She listened,—and I rather think she cried; That, sure, means “Yes“? FALK. If precedents decide; Go on. LIND. And so we really are—engaged? FALK. I should conclude so; but the only way To be quite certain, is to ask Miss Jay. LIND. O no, I feel so confident, so clear! So perfectly assured, and void of fear. [_Radiantly, in a mysterious tone._ Hark! I had leave her fingers to caress When from the coffee-board she drew the cover. FALK [_lifting and emptying his glass_]. Well, flowers of spring your wedding garland dress! LIND [_doing the same_]. And here I swear by heaven that I will love her Until I die, with love as infinite As now glows in me,—for she is so sweet! FALK. Engaged! Aha, so that was why you flung The Holy Law and Prophets on the shelf! LIND [_laughing_]. And you believed it was the song you sung—! FALK. A poet believes all things of himself. LIND [_seriously_]. Don’t think, however, Falk, that I dismiss The theologian from my hour of bliss. Only, I find the Book will not suffice As Jacob’s ladder unto Paradise. I must into God’s world, and seek Him there. A boundless kindness in my heart upsprings, I love the straw, I love the creeping things; They also in my joy shall have a share. FALK. Yes, only tell me this, though—