Part 27 (2/2)

--Pope.

SPIRIT-RAPPER The ays have it.

What is that wondrous sound, that seems like thunder Mixed with gigantic laughter?

CIRCE It is Jupiter, Who laughs at your presumption; half in anger, And half in mockery. Now, my worthy masters, You must in turn experience in yourselves The mighty magic thus far tried on others.

The table turned slowly, and by degrees went on spinning with accelerated speed. The legs a.s.sumed motion, and it danced off the stage. The arms of the chairs put forth hands, and pinched the spirit-rappers, who sprang up and ran off, pursued by their chairs. This piece of mechanical pantomime was a triumph of Lord Curryfin's art, and afforded him ample satisfaction for the failure of his resonant vases.

CIRCE Now, Gryllus, we may seek our ancient home In my enchanted isle.

GRYLLUS Not yet, not yet.

Good signs are toward of a joyous supper.

Therein the modern world may have its glory, And I, like an impartial judge, am ready To do it ample justice. But, perhaps, As all we hitherto have seen are shadows, So too may be the supper.

CIRCE Fear not, Gryllus.

That you will find a sound reality, To which the land and air, seas, lakes, and rivers, Have sent their several tributes. Now, kind friends, Who with your smiles have graciously rewarded Our humble, but most earnest aims to please, And with your presence at our festal board Will charm the winter midnight, Music gives The signal: Welcome and old wine await you.

THE CHORUS Shadows to-night have offered portraits true Of many follies which the world enthrall.

'Shadows we are, and shadows we pursue': But, in the banquet's well-illumined hall, Realides, delectable to all, Invite you now our festal joy to share.

Could we our Attic prototype recall, One compound word should give our bill of fare: {1} But where our language fails, our hearts true welcome bear.

1 As at the end of the Ecclesusae

[Ill.u.s.tration: Miss Gryll was resplendent as Circe 268-226]

Miss Gryll was resplendent as Circe; and _Miss Niphet._, as leader of the chorus, looked like Melpomene herself, slightly unbending her tragic severity into that solemn smile which characterised the chorus of the old comedy. The charm of the first acted irresistibly on _Mr. Falconer._ The second would have completed, if anything had been wanted to complete it, the conquest of _Lord Curryfin._

The supper pa.s.sed off joyously, and it was a late hour of the morning before the company dispersed.

CHAPTER XXIX

THE BALD VENUS--INEZ DE CASTRO--THE UNITY OF LOVE

Within the temple of my purer mind One imaged form shall ever live enshrined, And hear the vows, to first affection due, Still breathed: for love that ceases ne'er was true.

--Leyden's Scenes of Infancy.

An interval of a week was interposed between the comedy and the intended ball. Mr. Falconer having no fancy for b.a.l.l.s, and disturbed beyond endurance by the interdict which Miss Gryll had laid on him against speaking, for four times seven days, on the subject nearest his heart, having discharged with becoming self-command his share in the Aristophanic comedy, determined to pa.s.s his remaining days of probation in the Tower, where he found, in the attentions of the seven sisters, not a perfect Nepenthe, but the only possible antidote to intense vexation of spirit. It is true, his two Hebes, pouring out his Madeira, approximated as nearly as anything could do to Helen's administration of the true Nepenthe. He might have sung of Madeira, as Redi's Bacchus sang of one of his favourite wines:--

Egli e il vero oro potabile, Che mandar suole in esilio Ogni male inrimediabile: Egli e d* Elena il Nepente, Che fa stare il mondo allegro, Dai pensieri Foschi e neri Sempre sciolto, e sempre esente.{1}

1 Redi: Bacco in Toscana.

Matters went on quietly at the Grange. One evening, Mr. Gryll said quietly to the Reverend Doctor Opimian--

'I have heard you, doctor, more than once, very eulogistic of hair as indispensable to beauty. What say you to the bald Venus of the Romans--_Venus Calva_?'

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