Plays, Roswitha of Gandersheim [readera ebook reader TXT] 📗

and cried out to the empty air, “What wolf has seized my lamb? What thief has stolen my little daughter?” Ephrem You had good cause to weep! To lose her whom you had cherished so tenderly! Abraham At last some people came up who knew what had happened. From them I learned that she had gone back to the world. Ephrem Where is she now? Abraham No one knows. Ephrem What is to be done? Abraham I have a faithful friend, who is searching all the cities and towns in the country. He says he will never give up until he finds her. Ephrem And if he finds her⁠—what then? Abraham Then I shall change these clothes, and in the guise of a worldling seek her out. It may be that she will heed what I say, and even after this shipwreck turn again to the harbour of her innocence and peace. Ephrem And suppose that in the world they offer you flesh meat and wine? Abraham If they do, I shall not refuse; otherwise I might be recognized. Ephrem No one will blame you, brother. It will be but praiseworthy discretion on your part to loosen the bridle of strict observance for the sake of bringing back a soul. Abraham I am the more eager to try now I know you approve. Ephrem He Who knows the secret places of the heart can tell with what motive every action is done. That scrupulous and fair Judge will not condemn a man for relaxing our strict rule for a time and descending to the level of weaker mortals if by so doing he can make more sure of rescuing an errant soul. Abraham Help me with your prayers. Pray that I may not be caught in the snares of the devil. Ephrem May He Who is supreme good itself, without Whom no good thing can be done, bless your enterprise and bring it to a happy end! Scene IV Abraham Can that be my friend who two years ago went to search for Mary? Yes, it is he! Friend Good day, venerable father. Abraham Good day, dear friend. I have waited so long for you. Of late I had begun to despair. Friend Forgive me, father. I delayed my return because I did not wish to mock you with doubtful and unreliable news. As soon as I had discovered the truth I lost no time. Abraham You have seen Mary? Friend I have seen her. Abraham Where is she? Come, sir, speak! Tell me where. Friend It goes to my heart to tell you. Abraham Speak⁠—I implore you. Friend She lives in the house of a man who trades in the love of young girls like her. A profitable business, for every day he makes a large sum of money out of her lovers. Abraham Her lovers? Mary’s lovers? Friend Yes. Abraham Who are they? Friend There are plenty of them. Abraham Good Jesu, what is this monstrous thing I hear? Do they say that she, whom I brought up to be Thy bride, gives herself to strange lovers? Friend It comes naturally to harlots. Abraham If you are my friend, get me a saddle-horse somewhere and a soldier’s dress. I am going to get into that place as a lover. Friend Father, mine are at your service. Abraham And I must borrow a felt hat to cover my tonsure. Friend That is most necessary, if you do not want to be recognized. Abraham I have one gold piece. Should I take it to give this man? Friend You should, for otherwise he will never let you see Mary. Scene V Abraham Good day, friend. Innkeeper Who’s there? Good day, Sir. Come in! Abraham Have you a bed for a traveller who wants to spend a night here? Innkeeper Why certainly! I never turn anyone away. Abraham I am glad of it. Innkeeper Come in then, and I will order supper for you. Abraham I owe you thanks for this kind welcome, but I have a greater favour to ask. Innkeeper Ask what you like. I will do my best for you. Abraham Accept this small present. May the beautiful girl who, I am told, lives here, have supper with me? Innkeeper Why should you wish to see her? Abraham It would give me much pleasure. I have heard so much talk of her beauty. Innkeeper Whoever has spoken to you of her has told only the truth. It would be hard to find a finer wench. Abraham I am in love with her already. Innkeeper It’s queer that an old man like you should dangle after a young girl. Abraham I swear I came here on purpose to feast my eyes on her. Scene VI Innkeeper Mary, come here! Come along now and show off your charms to this young innocent! Mary I am coming. Abraham Oh, mind, be constant! Tears, do not fall! Must I look on her whom I brought up in the desert, decked out with a harlot’s face? Yes, I must hide what is in my heart. I must strive not to weep, and smile though my heart is breaking. Innkeeper Luck comes your way, Mary! Not only do young gallants of your own age flock to your arms, but even the wise and venerable! Mary It is all one to me. It is my business to love those who love me. Abraham Come nearer, Mary, and give me a kiss. Mary I will give you more than a kiss. I will take your head in my arms and stroke your neck. Abraham Yes, like that! Mary What does this mean? What is this lovely fragrance. So clean, so sweet. It reminds me of the time when I was good. Abraham On with the mask! Chatter, make lewd jests like an idle boy! She must not recognize me, or for very shame she may fly from me. Mary Wretch that I am! To what have I fallen! In what pit am I sunk! Abraham You forget where you are! Do men come here to see you cry! Innkeeper What’s the matter, Lady Mary? Why are you in the dumps? You have lived here two years, and never before have I seen a tear, never heard a sigh or a word of