How joy was found a fantasy

the Climber. She starts up half-awake, and looks round bewildered. Then she speaks to the Thief in an awed whisper._] CLIMBER Who called me? Was it you? THIEF I have been sitting quietly by the cradle all this time. CLIMBER Inside my brain There’s something tugging me, a sort of strain, A terrible wistfulness, my mind’s all bruised. Something calls me that is not amused. Is it God? Or is it not God? THIEF [_Gravely._] It is God. Lie down. He will call you again If He is in pain. [_The Climber lies down again. The fire dies quite low, but the radiance about her grows bright and brighter; she alone is left visible. Suddenly, for a moment, as through a veil, the face of the Big Young Hero is seen looking wistfully down on her. She starts up with her hands clasped to her breast, and speaks in an awed whisper._] CLIMBER Did you call me, sir? HERO I sent Finn to call you. CLIMBER I heard him. Do you require us both? HERO Yes, urgently; make haste. [_The vision fades, leaving the Climber alone in the midst of a great brightness._] CLIMBER [_Whispering._] Always I have known Thou wert there, But to-night Thou hast revealed Thyself utterly and Thy face is bare. I cannot tell how beautiful Thou art. All of my heart Is radiant with the fierce surprise Of Thine eyes, All of my soul Stands shuddering at her goal. Long ago she knew Thee, yet she feared To name Thee, ever she peered Into the darkness, whispering: “Not mine,” To-night she doth divine Wholly, and she is very bold, and boasts, and hath good cheer, Entertaining the love that casts out fear. [_The brightness fades, leaving darkness for a moment, then the fire leaps up again, illuminating the room. The Climber looks about her, bewildered with ecstasy._] Oh, I have had such a wonderful dream! Why, they all seem To be asleep! THIEF [_Quietly._] I am not asleep. CLIMBER [_Radiant._] Oh, did you see my dream? THIEF Yes; I stole it for you. CLIMBER Where did you get it? THIEF Out of the mind of God. CLIMBER It was most beautiful; can’t you find Another the same? THIEF Yes, from where that one came; But it is not for you. CLIMBER [_Disappointed._] Oh! Who’s it for? THIEF Never mind, You’ll find When you make yours come true. CLIMBER [_Very eagerly._] Why, what must I do? THIEF You must make them believe it. You must take it and weave it, By a kind of story, Into actual glory. CLIMBER [_Jumping up joyfully._] Where shall I begin? THIEF With Finn. CLIMBER [_Drawing back nervously._] Oh no, I can’t! He’ll think it very queer. I—I haven’t got the courage to reveal A dream so very delicate and real. They’ll laugh at me. They’ll all think I am queer. THIEF [_Indifferently._] I have nothing to do with fear. Your business is to do just as I tell. CLIMBER [_Summoning up all her resolution._] Very well. THIEF [_Quietly._] If you’re to carry out God’s plan You must pitch into every man. CLIMBER [_Trembling with nervousness._] All right! To make my dream come true There’s nothing I’m afraid to do. [_She runs quickly over to Finn and takes him eagerly by the hand to wake him. He starts awake with a quiver of pain, withdrawing his hand._] CLIMBER [_Overstrained and very nervous._] Oh, are you angry at me? FINN [_Gently._] Why should I be angry? CLIMBER [_Shyly._] For—for waking you up. FINN Was I asleep? CLIMBER [_Nervously._] Yes; but I’ve brought you something that’ll keep You awake for ever. [_She laughs nervously._] FINN [_Politely._] Never! What is it? CLIMBER [_Shyly._] N—nothing; just a dream. FINN [_Embarrassed._] Better keep it to yourself. Dreams are things some folk don’t understand. CLIMBER [_In distress, catching sight of his hand._] Why, what have you done to your hand? You’ve burnt it all! You were in pain, I knew! I heard you call. Why did you say it wasn’t true? FINN [_Withdrawing his hand hastily._] It’s nothing to do with you. Go to sleep again; I never felt the slightest pain. [_The Marksman groans in his sleep._] CLIMBER [_Embarrassed and shy._] Don’t you, really? FINN [_Resolutely._] No. I tell you it’s quite numb. CLIMBER [_Grieved and awkward._] Then you didn’t call me to come? FINN [_Turning his head away with a groan._] No. I am in no need. [_The Marksman groans in his sleep again. Finn turns and looks more attentively at the Climber, hesitating. She is pale and overstrained looking._] [_Kindly._] I really think you ought to feed Yourself up a bit. You’re not looking very fit. CLIMBER [_Hurriedly._] I was asleep. I’m quite all right. It’s just a silly dream. Good night. [_Marksman groans._] Be sure you keep awake. [_She retreats nervously._] FINN Good night. Be sure you keep Asleep. Don’t worry about me for any sake; I’m wide enough awake. [_The Marksman groans again, and Finn begins to nod heavily even as he speaks._] CLIMBER [_To the thief, bursting into tears._] They won’t believe my dream. You’ve made me feel an awful fool. He’s laughing now. I know I seem Quite childish! THIEF [_Aside._] To keep cool, The best way is by letting off some steam. [_To the Climber, very sternly._] The fault was yours. You have betrayed your dream. CLIMBER [_Weeps silently for a little, then wipes her eyes and speaks as if to herself._] They tell me that I have my birth Some other where, And though indeed I do not greatly care If this be true or no, I really think it must be partly so; For no one understands me in this house, I am not able all alone to rouse Them up. They just ignore me everywhere. I begin to think that I’m not quite all there. [_She sinks her head desperately between her hands._] THIEF [_Quietly._] I wasn’t laughing at you. CLIMBER [_Lifting her head quietly and recovering herself._] No, I knew. THIEF Perhaps I’ve left you rather much alone. CLIMBER Oh no! I think I’ve just outgrown My strength. THIEF [_Quietly._] Then if you’ve got that length You’ve come into your own. Lie down again; I’ll call you if he is in pain. CLIMBER No! No! This time I must lie still Unless he comes himself. He’d take it ill If I should offer him a change of diet He’s not accustomed to. I must lie quiet Unless he says that he’s prepared to try it. [_She lies down again. The stage gradually becomes quite dark, as the Thief sings this song._] THIEF’S SONG God gave me a little fire, And, as He did require, I burnt it all away, And He gave me more each day. At last to one most dear I denied my fire in fear, And now the light’s gone out, And God’s nowhere about. [_At this moment the eight-day clock in the corner of the room strikes twelve slowly, and a great Hand comes in at the hole in the centre of the roof. All have fallen asleep except the Thief. She springs up with a cry and shakes the Climber, who does not stir, but all the others start up, and Finn calls loudly on the Gripper, who lays hold on the Hand and takes it in to the two eyebrows at the chimney. The Hand gives a pull on the Gripper, and takes him out to the top of his two shoulders. The Gripper gives another pull on the Hand and brings it in to the neck. The Hand gives a pull on the Gripper, and brings him out to the very middle. The Gripper gives a pull on the Hand, and brings it in over the two armpits. The Hand gives a pull on the Gripper, and takes him out to the smalls of his two feet. Then the Gripper gives a brave pull on the Hand, and it comes out of the shoulder, and when it falls on the floor the pulling of seven geldings is in it. All shout with joy._] FINN [_Wiping his brow in unutterable relief._] What an escape! I nearly lost the child! She’d have been wild! I knew I could hold out Without having to shout For aid. [_At this moment the Giant, unnoticed, puts in his other hand and takes the child with him in the cap of the hand. It screams, awaking the Climber._] CLIMBER Oh! You’ve let it go! You’ve been asleep, I know! FINN [_Desperately, with his head in his hands._] What a mistake I’ve made! [_Furiously, to the Gripper._] You fool! Why couldn’t you Hold on a little longer? GRIPPER [_Plaintively and with resignation._] Because I never knew There was another Hand a little stronger. FINN