Читать книгу The poetical works of George MacDonald in two volumes — Volume 1 - George MacDonald - Страница 26

  Stephen.

  Whose castle's that upon the hill, good fellow?

  Waggoner.

  Its present owner's of the Uglii;

  They call him Lorenzino.

  Stephen.

                        Whose is that

  Down in the valley?

  Waggoner.

                   That is Count Lamballa's.

  Stephen.

  What is his Christian name?

  Waggoner.

                              Omfredo. No,

  That was his father's; his is Julian.

  Stephen.

  Is he at home?

  Waggoner.

                   No, not for many a day.

  His steward, honest man, I know is doubtful

  Whether he be alive; and yet his land

  Is better farmed than any in the country.

  Stephen.

  He is not married, then?

  Waggoner.

                          No. There's a gossip

  Amongst the women—but who would heed their talk!—

  That love half-crazed, then drove him out of doors,

  To wander here and there, like a bad ghost,

  Because a silly wench refused him:—fudge!

  Stephen.

  Most probably. I quite agree with you.

  Where do you stop?

  Waggoner.

                 At the first inn we come to;

  You'll see it from the bottom of the hill.

  There is a better at the other end,

  But here the stabling is by far the best.

  Stephen.

  I must push on. Four legs can never go

  Down-hill so fast as two. Good morning, friend.

  Waggoner.

  Good morning, sir.

  Stephen (aside)

                   I take the further house.