Works

PRELUDE


Night on bleak downs; a high grass-grown trench runs
athwart the slope. The earthwork is manned by
warriors clad in hides. Two warriors, BRYS and
GAST, talking.

Gast....

MARY

[A LEGEND OF THE FORTY-FIVE]


I

A street in Carlisle leading to the Scottish Gate. Three girls, MARY, KATRINA, and JEAN.

Katrina.
What a year this has been!
...

JUDITH


I

THE BESIEGED CITY OF BETHULIA

JUDITH (at the window of an upper room of her house).

This pitiable city! - But, O God,
Strengthen me that I bend not into scorn...

What shall we do for Love these days?
How shall we make an altar-blaze
To smite the horny eyes of men
With the renown of our Heaven,
And to the unbelievers prove
Our service to our dear god, Love?...

PERSONS

HUFF, the Farmer
SOLLERS, the Wainwright.
MERRICK, the Smith.
VINE, the Publician.
SHALE, the Labourer.
A DOWSER.
MRS HUFF.
WARP, the Molecatcher...

ACT II

As before, a little while after. The room is empty when the curtain goes up. SOLLERS runs in and paces about, but stops short when he catches sight of a pot dog on the mantlepiece.

Sollers...

[A quay with vessels moored]


Thomas:

To India! Yea, here I may take ship;
From here the courses go over the seas,
Along which the intent prows wonderfully...