Collected Works (Vol. I)

60 THE POEM Percy [as ¢f tn padi). Ah! my poem. I am in despair! It is so great, and I am so little; it is so pure, and Iam so dull of understanding. When I write I feel as it were the breath of an angel covering me with holiness, and I know —then! But now—I only write mechani- cally. I force myself. To-day I tore up all I wrote last night. USME. Let us ask God to send you the angel, shall we ? [ They kneel, with arms intertwined; al the ofen window, and bow their heads silently, VAUGUAN also prays, with arms outspread tm Oolessing. Curtain, SCENE III. Six months later. The dining-rooin. PERCY, VAUGHAN, ESME af dtnner. /-ntler BUTLER. BUTLER. IF you please, sir, a gentleman has called; he says he must see you at once. VAUGHAN. Have you told him we are at dinner? BUTLER. Yes, sir; but he would not take that; begging your pardon, sir, he said it was only an excuse, and he wouldn’t stand any non- sense. VAUGHAN. An excuse! Who is the fellow? BUTLER. I think he is a friend of Mr. Percy's, sir. PERCY [alarmed]. It might be my father. [Asade.] And I could have finished to-night—the very last word. Something has been singing in me all day. VAUGHAN. I will come and speak to him. [Aatt. The votces are heard outside. BRANDON [stout, purple, ‘‘ knobbed,” and tdi-tempered). Either I see my son now, or I fetch in a policeman. idnapper! Yes, sir, that’s what I call vou! Yes, sir! my name zs Brandon. And your damned name is Vaughan, sir! And I'll drag your damned name through a police-court, sir, as soon as —as—Where’s my son? [7s heard to move towards dining- root. Yes, sir. VAUGHAN. Mr. Brandon, my I cannot John ! shut that door. daughter is at dinner in that room. allow you to enter. BRANDON. That’s where he is, you scoundrel. Out of the way, fool! [Avwcking JOHN over, bursts the door open and enters.] There you are, you snivelling little swine. My God! to think that damned puppy’s my son! Come out of it ! : VAUu..an Lwho has entered andrung the bell for the servants). I shall have you locked up for assaulting my servant.