2d Woman. Why, yesterday, Within the church, before a mighty crowd, She mocked at all the lovely images, And said 'the money had been better spent On food and clothes, instead of paint and gilding: They were but pictures, whose reality We ought to bear within us.' Con. Awful doctrine! 1st Woman. Look at her carelessness, again--the distaff Or woolcomb in her hands, even on her bed. Then, when the work is done, she lets those nuns Cheat her of half the price. 2d Woman. The Aldenburgers. Con. Well, well, what more misdoings? [aside] Pah! I am sick on't. [Aloud] Go sit, and pray by her until she wakes. ]The women retire. Conrad sits down by the fire.] I am dwindling to a peddling chamber-chaplain, Who hunts for crabs and ballads in maids' sleeves, I, who have shuffled kingdoms. Oh! 'tis easy To beget great deeds; but in the rearing of them-- The threading in cold blood each mean detail, And furzebrake of half-pertinent circumstance-- There lies the self-denial. Women [in a low voice]. Master! sir! look here! Eliz. [rising]. Have mercy, mercy, Lord! Con. What is it, my daughter? No--she answers not-- Her eyeballs through their sealed lids are bursting, And yet she sleeps: her body does but mimic The absent soul's enfranchised wanderings In the spirit-world. Eliz. Oh! she was but a worldling! And think, good Lord, if that this world is hell, What wonder if poor souls whose lot is fixed here, Meshed down by custom, wealth, rank, pleasure, ignorance, Do hellish things in it? Have mercy, Lord; Even for my sake, and all my woes, have mercy! Con. There! she is laid again--Some bedlam dream. So--here I sit; am I a guardian angel Watching by God's elect? or nightly tiger, Who waits upon a dainty point of honour To clutch his prey, till it shall wake and move? We'll waive that question: there's eternity To answer that in. How like a marble-carven nun she lies Who prays with folded palms upon her tomb, Until the resurrection! Fair and holy! O happy Lewis! Had I been a knight-- A man at all--What's this? I must be brutal, Or I shall love her: and yet that's no safeguard; I have marked it oft: ay--with that devilish triumph Which eyes its victim's writhings, still will mingle A sympathetic thrill of lust--say, pity. Eliz. [awaking]. I am heard! She is saved! Where am I? What! have I overslept myself? Oh, do not beat me! I will tell you all-- I have had awful dreams of the other world. 1st Woman. Ay! ay! a fine excuse for lazy women, Who cry nightmare with lying on their backs. Eliz. I will be heard! I am a prophetess! God hears me, why not ye? Con. Quench not the Spirit: If He have spoken, daughter, we must listen.