Читать книгу The poetical works of George MacDonald in two volumes — Volume 1 - George MacDonald - Страница 14

  Man.

  How's the poor lady now?

  Woman.

                          She's poorly still.

  I fancy every day she's growing thinner.

  I am sure she's wasting steadily.

  Man.

                           Has the count

  Been here again to-day?

  Woman.

                                 No. And I think

  He will not come again. She was so proud

  The last time he was here, you would have thought

  She was a queen at least.

  Man.

                        Remember, wife,

  What she has been. Trouble like that throws down

  The common folk like us all of a heap:

  With folks like her, that are high bred and blood,

  It sets the mettle up.

  Woman.

                          All very right;

  But take her as she was, she might do worse

  Than wed the Count Nembroni.

  Man.

                                       Possible.

  But are you sure there is no other man

  Stands in his way?

  Woman.

                    How can I tell? So be,

  He should be here to help her. What she'll do

  I am sure I do not know. We cannot keep her.

  And for her work, she does it far too well

  To earn a living by it. Her times are changed—

  She should not give herself such prideful airs.

  Man.

  Come, come, old wife! you women are so hard

  On one another! You speak fair for men,

  And make allowances; but when a woman

  Crosses your way, you speak the worst of her.

  But where is this you're going then to-night?

  Do they want me to go as well as you?

  Woman.

  Yes, you must go, or else it is no use.

  They cannot give the money to me, except

  My husband go with me. He told me so.

  Man.

  Well, wife, it's worth the going—but to see:

  I don't expect a groat to come of it.