How joy was found a fantasy

[_The boat gives a wild lurch and appears to founder. Both cry wildly to Finn. The Tracker clutches the Thief’s knees, weeping loudly._] THIEF [_Quietly._] Have patience! FINN [_Looking desperately up to the sky._] If there is any Truth in what she said, If there is any Hope that answers prayer, If there is any Faith beyond her share That stretches nervous from a lovelier Head Than ours, and quickens in the brighter dead, I summon all my strong human emotion To stir that Brain to feel what I am feeling, And rouse a Thought of which I had no notion Into consideration of my healing, For though my mind is smaller than That Other I have enough of sense to call it Brother If It be there at all. If It be there. [_At his words a golden life-line is suddenly whirled on board and falls at his feet. The Carpenter and the Tracker cry wildly: “A rope! A rope! Oh, make it fast!”_] THIEF [_With a sigh of relief._] The danger’s past! [_She runs hurriedly and makes the rope fast to the mast, while Finn remains gazing at it as if dazed. In a moment the Climber is seen swinging along it, immediately followed by the Gripper, the Listener, and the Marksman. Finn remains as if spellbound, while the Gripper runs to the tiller, seizes it from him, and turns the boat completely round._] FINN [_To himself, as if bewildered._] This is more than any sense deserves! CLIMBER [_Shaking her head at him._] Fancy going off like that in an open boat Without your coat! Your state of mind is preying on my nerves. [_She helps him into his coat, which he submits to passively, gazing at her as if dazed; then suddenly falling on his knees, he snatches her hand, crying exultantly—_] FINN Before the sun shall rise upon the land I’ll shake all darkness by this other hand! [_The storm gradually abates, and as the ship slips away the Gripper leans back against the tiller and sings._] GRIPPER’S SONG I saw above the straining shrouds No rift nor hint of dawn, I saw no light beyond the clouds, But still I carried on. I saw the end of the world, Dear Heart, And I believed it true, But still I held to my small part, And so she carried through. ACT IV THE GIANT’S CASTLE: MIDNIGHT _In a dim twilight of stars a castle is seen upon a rock. It is thatched with eel-skins, and there appears to be neither door nor window. The dark figures of Finn, the Climber, the Thief, the Marksman, and the Listener are presently seen stealing softly over the rocks. The other three have evidently remained with the boat. They talk in whispers._ FINN [_To Climber._] Is this the place? CLIMBER I believe so. FINN It’s very dark, I cannot see your face. LISTENER Hark! FINN [_Nervously._] What is it? LISTENER I hear something inside, It sounds like children’s voices. Have you tried The door? FINN There isn’t any door. LISTENER [_Positively._] I really hear Something, I don’t know what. It sounds quite near. CLIMBER If there’s no front door there must be a stair, I’m certain he has put the child in there; And since it must have got inside somehow, I rather think the door is in the brow. At any rate, I’m going to climb and see. FINN [_Anxiously._] Take care! The thatch is very slippery! LISTENER [_Cheerfully._] If there’s a way in, then there is no doubt There must be just the same way to get out. [_The Climber’s figure is soon dimly seen silhouetted on the roof against the stars._] CLIMBER [_With a delighted exclamation._] Just as I thought! FINN [_Nervously._] What? CLIMBER I’ve found a door just where I thought. FINN Can you open it? CLIMBER Oh yes, there’s not Much difficulty there, It comes away with prayer. [_She is seen kneeling._] FINN What’s that you’re saying? LISTENER Be quiet! Can’t you see she’s praying? CLIMBER [_Presently._] It’s opening up! FINN [_Eagerly._] What is inside? CLIMBER I’m looking, but I haven’t tried My eyes yet in a night so deep. [_She calls down softly presently._] The Giant is sound asleep! FINN Oh! Can you see if he’s still got the child Inside the cap Of the other hand? CLIMBER [_Delighted._] It’s there! It’s still taking its little nap! FINN [_Desperately._] If only I were strong enough to creep Inside and steal it while he is asleep! But with this heavy box I can’t get up. LISTENER Why don’t you throw it away then altogether? FINN [_Arrested._] I wonder if I could? I don’t know whether— CLIMBER [_Calling down._] There’s a dog here too besides, and a little pup! FINN Abominable! They’re sure to bark. LISTENER [_Delighted._] I say! A puppy! What a lark! Please try and get it for me. Hark! FINN [_Nervously._] What is it? LISTENER I hear the Giant coming up out of his sleep. You must be quick, Or else you’ll stick. THIEF [_To Climber._] I’m almost certain I could creep And steal the child while he is sleeping, Only I’m rather old to do much leaping; You’d have to carry me a bit, And let me gently down to it. CLIMBER All right! There is no difficulty there. With your support I could go anywhere. [_She swings down, takes the Thief on her back, and is presently seen on the roof letting her gently down inside the castle. The Climber is seen again kneeling._] FINN [_Anxiously, from below._] Oh dear! How slow she is! It’s very dark. Why is she delaying? LISTENER Be quiet! Can’t you see she’s praying? Hark! FINN [_Nervously._] What is it now? LISTENER [_Joyously._] I hear the child coming up out of his sleep. CLIMBER [_Calling softly down to the Thief._] It is so deep Inside, I can’t see where you are. LISTENER [_Anxiously._] Has she got the puppy? CLIMBER [_Reassuringly._] She’ll get it all right, never fear! LISTENER [_Whispering loudly._] Good man! I say! Can You hand it down and let me hold its muzzle? I guess to both of you it is a puzzle To know at present where to put it, And if Finn sees it probably he’ll shoot it. FINN [_Anxiously._] Has she got the child? I can’t endure To wait like this. CLIMBER [_A trifle hesitatingly._] I think so. I’m not sure. LISTENER Be quick! I hear the dog coming up out of her sleep. THIEF’S VOICE [_From within, faintly._] Oh! Lower me again to Mother Earth, For I in spirit have been called as far As the secret place where her lost children are, And I now bring them back to second birth, Rescuing both the body and the soul Out of the Hand of death entire and whole, If you are strong enough to bear us back To the same side from which we came. CLIMBER [_Reeling with the sudden relaxation of nervous tension._] Alack! I am as wearied as a falling star, I cannot do it alone. [_At this moment the Hand is seen emerging from the roof. It grips the Climber and takes her in._] FINN [_With a frantic cry._] Where are They? Oh! My God, what shall I do? MARKSMAN Put your finger underneath your wisdom tooth And find what it replies. FINN [_Doing so._] It says that I must tell the truth. MARKSMAN [_Sternly._] Confess your previous lies! [_Finn hides his face with a groan._] MARKSMAN [_Gently._] You need fear no disgrace If you will look me in the face. FINN [_Trembling._] I’m thinking that there are not many here Can look you in the face without some fear. MARKSMAN [_Quietly._] If you are too shy I cannot help you at all. You must all die. [_He turns away._] FINN [_Clutching him by the shoulder._] No! No! No! [_The Marksman turns and gazes at him. Finn remains upright, his eyes riveted on the Marksman’s._] FINN [_Steadily._] I told her I was wide enough awake. MARKSMAN [_Quietly._] That was a great mistake. FINN I told her I could quite well do Without her aid. MARKSMAN [_Quietly._] That was untrue. FINN I told her that I did not feel The slightest pain. Her dream was real, [_He points to the box._] For overburdened with this weight Of earth, I was in such a state I really could not recognize Myself reflected in her eyes. I felt in such a deep disgrace I could not look her in the face, So when she brought her dream by and by