m,o mkt mi '^5» xA^^^ TRAGEDY IN FIVE ACTS. ADAIR WELCKER. I'HIS PLAY IS UNPUBLISHED, AND THE RIGHT OF REPRESENTATION UPON THE STAGE, THE RIGHT OF PUBLICATION, AND ALL OTHER RKiHTS ARE RESERVED BY THE AUTHOR. COPYRIGHT, 1879.MAaAW WELCKER. "cpW t ^''■^i^l^W" s^A-isr :Fi?,.^^isrcisco: JrHnk Eastman tC- Companjj, jl)rbters, 509 Claj) Street 18 8 0. ~^ .a^idj^t.:ei -v;?^ e l c 32: e I?, . PERSONS REPRESENTED. Arden. An old man Mrs. Arden ... His wife. Lily Arden, His daughter. Mrs. Stone JosejjJiine Niece of Mrs. Stone's Mr. Biiivortk Stone Son of Mrs. Stone's. Godfrey , . ..Lover of Josephine's. j Half servant; whole ' ' / friend of Mrs. Stone's. \ A child of l^ily Ardeu ) and Bitvvorth Stone. Blackwell. Willie.... (Jidlwrine. Deserted wife of Blacl well. A Detective. A Minister. Relatives, Servants, etc. TO THE BITTER END, ACT 1. Scene I.-A little garden in the rear of a neat, but small cottage in " San Francisco. The cottage L. C. in the back-ground. A gate R. O. that opens upon a pathway, that leads round to the front. A door C. opening into the back part of the house. ^ Lily and Josephine discovered. t\ Lilv Yes, Josephine, my kindest, dearest friend, " These hard misfortunes have come ^ne by one r And settled here upon my father's house ^ The first, and hardest, was my brother s death :— A cruel, cruel blow ; for in his heart d Did nothing dwell but love. When last i saw thee We little thought he'd take so soon the wings Of Death, and fly away to heaven ^ ^ Josephim^ poor, poor friend ; my heart is bleeding for thee ! Lilu The burning fever first did scorch his brow ; Then sickness racked him with her cruel pains ;- I hear him now, with his poor, piteous wail Call out for help, in his delirium^ A soothing sleep at last drove off his pam And while he slept, all stood around his bed. With anxious faces, waiting till he waked. At last he ope'd his eyes, and smiled on us. And asked that we would raise him up, and then He sang a hymn, and said good-bye, and died. Jos. Oh Lilv 1 Lily! I know 'tis hard-'tis very hard ! Lily And then did more misfortune follow on ^" The heels of this ;-my father lost his land- Thus runs the tale forever down and downward . ] Jos Ah, what a demon is adversity, ' That when he once hath seized upon a man, Will lead him to the death ! But, Lily, look you up, for when to-day Is grown a yesterday, we smile at its Misfortune. . Lilv. But often will my memories fly . +l.of ^till <^eek Back to my childhood's home, like swalloA^ s that still seek Their nest^ torn down by cruel Winter's storms. Can I forget the old back stairs, where oft My little brother's feet came, step by step . The little room, where, watchmg his worn face that night, 2 TO THE BITTER END. We saw liim die ? And theu there was a vine Where all the birds of summer came to woo : — It was a lioney-suckle vine, and oft The Sun's rays stealing camo, through its soft leaves, To wake me i' the morning. [Bell rings at front of the house. Who can it be? Jos. My aunt iiere in her carriage, To take me home. But list ! yes, 'tis her voice. Mrs. Sto. [within.] This change to poverty has ta'en the life From out their lazy limbs, [Rinyn ayain.'] Lily. My parents must have gone without, to take Their evening walk ; and they have locked the door. I'll go round to the front. [Exit throuyh yate r. c. Mrs. Sto. Ha, now ! not yet ? but I will bring them up. [Binys violently. Josephine. I know not why it is ; my aunt does seem To have a strange dislike for my sweet friend, And, turning from her, it does reach her parents. Enter through gate b. c. Mrs. Stone, Lily and BLACKWEiiL. ^ Mrs. Sto. Well, Niece, ... 1 Did you grow tired while waiting for me here ? *^, Jos. No, Aunt ; here, with my friend, the fleeting hoixrs Were gilded o'er with golden happiness ! Mi'S. Sto. A gentle friend, indeed ! So sweet is she -i That all the baby stars do press their faces | Against the windows in the vault of Heaven, I To gaze down on her lovely innocence ! | And I know one (thy cousin, Josephine), Whose eye was captured by her innocence : — He listened to her soft and cooing words, Which chased each other out her snowy throat. As soft and innocent as doves' notes are — And all the world does know, the dove does never coo To win her charmed mate — 'tis all for innocence. Blach. Hell's innocence ! Jos. The mind that does imagine guilt in others, i For that imagination often hath , A strong foundation resting in itself. Mrs. Sto. Now stop thy magpie chattering ; come. To our home. Jos. Good-bye, sweet Lily, 'till we meet again. [when Mrs. Sto. [aside to BlackivelL] A tender morsel 'tis of pleasure, We have a power that, wand-like, M'e can wield To make men tremble ! — you make a waste of time — Come, Josephine ! [Exeunt Mks. Stone, 1>lackwell and Josephine, through gate k. c. Lily. One hath a frowning face to wither smiles ; The other smiles — will they be withered ? [Exit through door c. into the house. Enter through gate b. c. ?.1r. awl Mrs. Arden, and they sit together on a hench l. under some trees. Mrs. Ard. The little money that we still have left Is going fast ; soon will it all be gone — what then ? Ard. Ay, that I'd ask my wife ; what then ? \ TO THE BITTER END. 6 Mis. A I'd. I'll tell thee what : then will starvation < onie, And cling upon us 'till the flesh is gone. Arc/. I've done my best to gain a livelihood ; From morn to night have Avandei'ed round these streets ; Asked oft for work, hut did receive rebuffs, And met cold looks, that silent insult bore ; My clothes jeered at ; oft cut by former friends : And when I asked but for a little AS'ork, They took it as an impudence in me ! Ah ! I have dragged through many a dreary day, Until the heart did wear^'' grow, and sick, And 'till I wished to lay me down and die, Like some poor dog, I've seen lie i' the gutter ! But then the thought of tliee, and of my child, Came to my mind, and urged me on again ; And now, for this, you taunt me with the pain — The poverty I've wrought — Oh ! tis too much ! Mrs. Ard. I taunt thee ? No ! I cast no taunt at uhee ; But, still, I think our daughter might have deigned To drop her selfishness, and think of us. Who, she perhaps may know, have given her being : But, like a queen that hath ten million pounds. She coldly did reject young Stone, her lover, Because, forsooth, she thought she ne'er could love him ! Ard. All this is strange — I never heard of this | — And is it long that he hath woo'd my daughter ? Mrs. Ard. As long as summer is, with winter placed behind it, Hath he been wooing her beneath thy eyes. Ard. I knew that, like another visitor, A few short evenings had he spent with her. Mrs. Ard. Why, e'en as sure as came the night, of late. This wooer came, and in our Lily's ear Did whisper ; but she put rough barriers there ; Yet still he poured his soft words in her ear Until the hour grew late, and the poor lights Did grow a- weary guarding off the dark. But she had not an answer for this love, In all her pride, and all her selfishness ! Ard. Oh, M-ife ! let not these hard thoughts rise in thee. Selfish, say you? A thought of selfishness Ne'er dared to stray across her gentle heart ! And pride ? — Oh think not that, my wife ! These hardships That y And like a dagger moving in the dark, Her words have meanings, that I see alone. And I believe that this grandam, of late. Would teach my boy to hate his loving mother. [Enter Godfrey, r. Godf. Oh, use, kind lady, now that charity Which all the world has charged to your goodness — I ask that thou wilt tell me where is she, The gentle maiden called Josephine ? Lily. Why, then, has some misfortune fallen her ? Godf. Nay, seem not now as if you were astonished. Lily. But in pure truth it does astonish me ; I know of no mishap ; — Oh, tell me quickly who has injured her ? \ TO THE BITTER END. 17 Godf. I know of none ; but tell me nov/ which part Of the round world is blessed with her sweet presence ? Lilij. I know not. Godf. {^Adde.^ By heavens she carries it oub M^ell ! But I must urge more strongly. {Kneels at Lily's feei. Sto. Death ! Mrs. Sto. There's more to come. Godf. Now do I cast me at your vevy feet, And thus shall all ray words be bended down While they are pleading anxiously before you. Oh, lady, hear, my love for her is strong As is the knot which joins the day to night. Mrs. Sto. His love must needs be strong — did you hear him ? Sto. Yes, I did hear him doom my life to devils ! But I will hence ! Mrs. Sto. Sweet son, be not so hasty — there's much to come. Calmly await its coming. Sto. Fool that I was, to take her to this breast, When she, perchance, hath oft lain on another's. Oh, that the sun would now scorch out her eyes. That lustfully looked love upon his face ! See how the wretch now gently smiles again ! Oh God ! why am I thus so greatly cursed ? But I will hence ; it pains these eyes of mine To look upon her devilish guiltiness. Mrs. Sto. Nay, stay, sweet son, and see the end of it. Sto. I'd blind these eyes, dai-ed they to look upon it. [Exit Stonh:,/(. /Jr3;r^d hj his mother. Lily. I swear to you, by yonder heaven above, I know not where she is. Godf. Then I have been deceived. Lil)/. Deceived ? no, I Have not deceived thee. Godf. But another has. Lily. And who, that other ? God/. That I cannot tell thee now ; But I will find her, and I'll have revenge Upon her foe. For, if I am not wrong in my suspicions. Some threat'ning cloud now hangs o'er Josephine. Oh that I had quick lightnings for my coursers ; A chariot, whose wheels were wrought of thought, To speed me quickly to my loved one's side. Oh, that the stars which look on both of us Could send me messages down on their rays About my love — my Josephine. Would while I slept, my thoughts would steal without This brain of mine, and wander o'er the earth In search of her. And on the surface of a dream write of her. Be-enter Stone. Lily. And have you come for me, my husband ? Sto. Ay, I have come. Godf Good evening, sir. [night. Sto. Good evening, sir. I'll meet you at another time. Good 18 TO THE BITTER END. Lily. Oh, why that brow so dark ? Has aught of evil happened to you ? Oh let me share thy sorrow as thy joy. [Exit (tODFREY. They say a gentle wife can cure a pain. Sto. Soft sounds to come from such a sepulcher — Oh, would that now my swelling heart would burst ! Lily. Speak not, sweet husband, such hard words to me — You never spoke so harshly heretofore. j^-, Sto. Oh, what a wretch ! so hardened, and so young. ' ^ A face, that takes the lily's whiteness on, l To hide a basest purpose. Then she hath Two eyes that mock the sky's blue innocence. And yet they look from out a soul so dark. Lily. Oh, cease thy cruel words ; if I've done wrong, I'll drown that wrong in tears. Sto. If you had tears, as many as the ocean, 'Twould ne'er be wept away. Nay, come not near Me in your guiltiness. Lily. And is it thus ? Oh Heaven, have mercy on me ! But I'm not guilty ; Oh, I am not guilty. Oh listen now to me ; hear me, sweet husband, I am not guilty ; no, I am not guilty. Alas, I have no more than these two eyes And this poor tongue, to plead my innocence. Sto. And they are false ! Lily. None, none to speak for me ! Oh that the vi inds had tongues, and silent night, That creejjs in every place ; but all are dumb ; Dumb, dumb, dumb. Sto. Ay, they are dumb, and hold their tongues in pity. Lest, speaking, they would tell your guiltiness. Lily. When I am lying on the bed of death. Come to me, husband ; then will you believe me. Sto. Not even then ; but I'll not parley longer ; I'll be divorced ; Would I were dead ; for I have seen thy guilt. And now depart, no longer stain my sight With thy cursed presence ! Li'y. And where then shall I go ? Into the night ? Sto. Into the night. 'Tis well you have a night To hide your shame. Lily. Kiss me, sweet husband, ere we part forever, And if you pass my grave, when 1 am dead. Know that the dead one tJiere forgives you all. Sto. I'll never more pollute my lips on yours. Lily. Good-bye, my husband. Now my heart is broke. {^Exeunt. Scene II. — Night-time. Arden and wife sitting at a table C. in a room in their little cottage. A lounge R. Ard. Methinks, at last, that fortune's tide has ta'en An upward turn. Mrs. Ard. I'll not believe it 'till that tide doth run As swift as slides, far up the ocean's beach, The thund'ring wave. TO THE BITTER END. 19 Ard. Our Lily hath, as you do know, a husband Gentle and kind ; And fortune hath, of late, glanced kindly on me — J/rs. Ard. Heard you aught, then ? Ard. No. Mrs. Ard. Listen ! Ard. I hear no sound. Mrs. Ard. Perhaps 'twas but a false imagination That did deceive nie. Ard. What was it ? Mrs. Ard. I surely thought I heard a woman's wail, Which half was hushed up by this sad night's wind. Ard. Oft doth imagination act truth's part So well, that even reason is deceived. Mrs. Ard. Hush! [Loiv wail heard.] Ard. Surely that was a woman's voice. Mrs. Ard. So I thought. Ard. Then I'll go out and see who it may be. [Exit. Mrs. Ard. 'Tis some poor beggar, perchance. That mocks a moan to gain our charity. Enter Aeden imth Lily leaning on his shoulder for support. Lily. Make up the little bed for me, Oh mother, now ; There let me die, for I am grown a-weary of this world. [Ardkn leads her to a lounge on toldch she lies down. Mrs. Ard. Why, what's the matter, Lily, what's the matter ? Ard. Tell your old father, Lily ; are you sick ? Lily. I'm sick of living — sick of living now ! Mrs. Ard. But speak out and be plain. Lily. Hard thoughts of sadness crush my rising words. Ard. Has living being dared to hurt my child ? By Heaven, and if they have, I'll tear them limb from limb! Lily. Nay, fat)ier, ask the question not of me ; But let me die, and leave the bitter world ; For since that day, when I was born, it seems That I have been the cause of strivings here — Then let me quietly lay dowm to die. And leave this world to peace. Ard. Nay Lily, let not your thought be overcome By this down-heartedness — here is your mother, That loves you, daughter, as none else can love, Your father, too, and then your gentle boy. Lily. I have no boy ! oh God, I have no boy ! Mrs. Ard. What ! is he dead ? Lily. For me, death's hand's upon him. Oh heaven, look pity down upon a poor. Pained heart, and, with that glance, melt these hard bonds, That hold it here to earth : oh heaven, oh heaven ! oh And is it dark, my father ? is it dark ? [heaven ! What are those bright things, shining in my face ? — Oh I do see, red glaring demons eyes ! And is it dark ? — oh now I do remember — The stream of recollection, flowing back. Will crush me now — oh yes 'twill crush me now — Oh save me father, save me, save me, save me ! — See, there they come ! Ard. I'm here, my darling child ; what is it ? 20 TO THE BITTER END. Lily. Sweet beings tell me — tell me that again — Like flower-spirits sleeping on a moonbeam, Are your sweet whispers — no pain is there say you ? Sleep, sleep — hush mother, hear — what does — [sleeps.'] Ard. Earth's harshest troubles have tormented her, Till reason was e'en spirited away, But now she sleeps — in sleep let her be dead, Until she wakens with renewed life- Did she not say her child was dead to her ? Mrs. Ard. My memory does tell me that she did. Ai'd. I cannot work its meaning out. Mrs. Ard. A dead child, yet he lives — and is he lost ? Ard. Nay, that would not have raised this mighty tempest In her poor mind. Lily, \dreaming.'] . " Not even then." Mrs. Ard. Hush ! listen to her words. Lily. Where ? — but who goes by my grave — You still will love me, Willie ? — divorced — Ard. Divorced ! then has he broke the law of mighty God ? — I'm an old man, wife ; that ne'er did injure A man, or beast on earth ; and when God looks Upon my memory, Life's svveei; recording Angel, he will find That I ne'er tried to harm a butterfly. Where in the sky, of this my heart, white clouds Of love did only reign ; has anger come. In darkened clouds, swift rising o'er th' horizon — But ah, that anger is of no avail ; What shall I do ? if I should take the law, The law loves not to look on poverty. And did I take the law in my own hands These grey hairs would be called a murderers. Mrs, Ard. His mother, though, hath kindness in her heart, — This is the impression she hath given me. And you do know, my gentle husband, that In nature's problems I am seldom wrong. She will wipe off the opinion that her son — For some false reason, — hath gained of our Lily. Ard. I love the woman not ; but it may be That I do her injustice. Mrs. Ard. That you surely do ! Ard. God only knows, if I am wrong may he With pity glance on one of those poor worms ; Which he does deign to see, through worlds of stars ; Apast the mighty Sun, and past the Moon, Below the mountain tops, and by an ant-hill, Crawling along, down in some new-born wrinkle, Upon this small earth's face. [round me, Lily, [wakes.] Where am I now ? methought the night was And, by a horrid dream, was I chased through it. Mrs. Ard. How feel you, Ijily ? and are you better now ? Lily. Then all is true ! oh that I'd slept for aye. Then had it been naught but a child of sleep, A thing so small, it ne'er could do me harm. Better ? yes, mother, I am better grown. For there is a Physician that is now Fast healing all my pains — his name his Death. TO THE BITTJiR END. 21 Mrs. Ard. Speak not so, Lily, for you make me weep. Ard. Cheer up, my child, time yet hath garnered for us Full many happy days in the near future : — And what could we do, darling, without thee. Lily. When I am gone do not grieve for me father, One that was ever in the way while here. Will in a better dwelling be ; then grieve ye not, — And it may be, that while ye sleep, your souls Will leave their day-time home To wander with me o'er the earth at midnight. Now, father, lift me from this resting place, And help me, mother, to my little room. To-morrow bring my Willie here to me, To see his mother ere her soul has fled. IShe leans one arm on her fatker^s shoulder, and one on her mother's, and so is helped out.] Scene III. — A room in Stone's house in Berkeley. Stone discovered. Sto. Oh, this anxiety doth strain the nerves. Until a breath might break them ; Another to-morrow ? Then I'll to the court. And have this bond of marriage broke in twain. [Enter Arden, Ard. Young man, I've come to ask a favor of you — Of you, my daughter's and my injurer. But were she not now at the door of death I'd never ask the smallest favor of you. No ; not if thou didst own this breath of mine. And, by the gift, could save me from black Death. Sto. She now is dying say you ? no, she will not die. Ard. How, sir, do you know that ? Sto. Because I know whereof is her disease. Ard. And I know, that 'tis from the hard effect Of a long course of studied cruelty. Sto. Na}'-, it hath not been of a long duration. With one hard blow it came, unto my knowledge. Ard. What came unto thy knowledge ? Sto. Her guiltiness. Ard. What, wretch I [rai.-^es his cane to strike him, but drops it [aside.] But down wild anger ! [on second thought. For I must hold these passions well in check, Or all her hope for happiness is ruined. [to him.] But, man, I'll try to speak more calmly to thee, And, if my voice does tremble, lay't to age. Long years have brought me troubles in this world. Sto. Old man, I have a great respect for thee ; I know thou lov'st thy daughter, and 'tis well, Perhaps, that thou shouldst never know the truth. Did truth bring thee such sorrow as is mine. Ard. I know how it is, as thou, too, dost know ; You, who have ruined my poor, gentle child ! Sto. An' you will have it that way, have it so. Now tell me, what is that same favor, which You spoke of in the past — the past just flown ? Ard. It is no favor that I ask of thee ; It is that which I have right to demand :— My daughter's child. 22 TO THE BITTER ENL>. Sto. Thy daughter's child is mine. Ard. It now belongs to both, ere long, it will Belong to you alone. Sto. What w^ould you with him ? Ard. I now would take him to his mother's breast, For 'tis her wish to see him ere she dies. Sto. I grant her wish ; but this you too must know, That when she does recover from her sickness, The child remains not with her — by the law ; He will belong to me. Ard. I know not that, for it does all depend On circumstances of the case in hand. {Exit Arden. Sto. Where am I now ? and is this place the earth ? And are there stars, and is there night and day ? — Or is it that from which we soon will wake ? A fleeting, half- seen thing — a dream ? [Exit. Scene IV. — New York State. Open country, mountains surrounding. i?/i^er Catherine and Josephine, who stop by a stream. (Jath. Come, let us rest here on this mossy bank ; This long daj^'s walk hath made my limbs grow weary. Jos. A pretty spot is this. Methinks that here The busy bee must spend his holidays ; The humming-bird, that drinks from flower-made cups ; The ant, that does build up his mighty cities, Come here to rest. And then, perchance, they feast : For tables having a white lily's leaf. For napkins, white rose leaves, and for their plates The golden buttercups. Cath. A broken sunbeam for their knives and forks. Jos. Aye, that was well ; and for their food, the bee Would fetch his honey. And when the dinner M^as removed, they'd have A silver cloud, brought from the sky above. To dance upon. Cath. And for a sky, they'd have A maiden's dream of love, to hang o'erhead. Jos. A pretty way is this to bid the hours That are unwelcome, to depart from us. This silver cloud you'd have them dance upon, Brings back to mind the falling clouds of snow - When first we met ; — thank God that I do now Feel its cold chill, but in imagination : — Sweet Catherine, do you recall the hour ? Cath. Ah, well do I, and two conflicting feelings, Like night and day, do meet in memory : The one — the bright one — tells me then I met thee. The other, dark, does tell me of the storm. And as the night is but a shadow of the day, So is the suff'ring of that dreary hour A shadow only to the joy of thee ! Jos. Sweet friend, I thank thee ; would that all my thanks Did bear a thousand blessings on their liacks : — We have been friends in dark misfortune's hour. Let us be friends forever. Cath. Though we have No other food, will live on that till death. i TO THE BITTER END. 23 Jos. Last night I dreamed of those far ofi" at home — At home, said I ? — I never had a home — Of that far land, upon the Western shore, Of which I told thee, Cath. Nay, you did not tell me, Except that once you had a few friends there ; — But tell me now, while we are resting here. About those friends. {Enter Godfrey and a Detective. Jos. But who are these, that come with eagerness Peering out through their eyes. What ; can it he ? Cath. Who ? Godf. Now are you found at last, my heart's sweet treasure ! Jos. Found, found, found ! Godf. Ay found, my darhng, after searching long And wearily for you. Jos. Now is the odor of life's flowers of joy Borne to me by the breath of happiness. Oh 'tis too sweet to be a thing of earth ! This happiness is far too sweet for earth, Some envious thing will soon be creeping in To murder it. Godf. Oh that I had a pen, the which could write The rose's breath, the drooping lily's hue ; Then would I place, 'mid breath of flowers that die 1 Upon the lonely prairie, while awaiting For the return of its long absent mate ; Or birds that wept out songs of melody. And in a prison died ; the tales of these Sweet moments. Jos. Now let me make known to thee, Godfrey, My only friend, except yourself, on earth. Godf. As thou hast been the friend of Josephine I know that thou art gentle, loving, kind, And I do covet back the years now gone In which I might have known thee. Cath. And all joy. That ye have felt at meeting have I shared With you. And now may time, with each year, reap A harvest of her greatest blessings for you— Farewell ! [starts to go.'\ Jos. Nay, but you shall not go ! You have Been sister to me in adversity. By your own wish ; and now, by my command. You shall be sister in prosperity. Godf. There, Josephine did speak my thought for me. Jos. Then let us quickly to the Sun-set State. [tion Godf {aside to Detective.-] And thy reward shall be m ;i yropor- To this our joy. L^-^'^^'^^- Scene V.— Same as Scene II, Act III. Mrs. Arden discovered, R. Lily discover edllying on a &< d, L. Mrs. Ard. And are you better, Lily ? Lily. Far better, mother, Mrs. Ard. Better, my child ? 24 TO THE BITTER END. Lily. Yes, mother, for the hour of death is gliding Swiftly, swiftly, down the hill of time. Mrs. Ard. Oh don't speak so despondingly, my child ! Lily. My spirits now are sunken deep down in The prison of despair. Mrs. Ard, Nay, think not so ; now have I news for thee, ' Twill make thy spirits like to sun-lit clouds That move through Summer's sky. Lily. What is it, mother ? Mrs. Ard. Thy Willie's liere. Lily. Then God hath given an answer to ray prayer. Go call him, mother. {Exit Mes. Arden. Lily. Oh life, thou'st been a cruel master to me, But I forgive thee for this latest boon. Enter Willie. Lily. Sweet boy, at last you've come to bless these eyes ; Kiss me, my darling, kiss again poor Mamma. Will. What makes your face so white, my Mamma ? Lily. Sickness, Willie. Will. But what has made you sick ? Lily. Sorrow and pain. Will. 'Twas a cruel pain to make j^our face so white ; — a very cruel pain ; — but 'twill away, vrilVt not ? Lily. Yes, Willie ; soon, soon now — Do 5'ou remember, my boy, how, long ago, I told you of a bright city beyond the clouds ? — beyond the little stars that you see peering through the dark at night ? Will. Where the gold- winged Angels are^ Lily. Yes ; Mamma will soon go there. Will. And will you be an angel, too, and play sweet music on a golden harp ? Lily. I know not, W^illie ; but there v/ill be the music of rest ; for there is no more pain ; no aching hearts, Willie. The poor, poor soul, that's been so weary here, does there find rest. There the still river of peace flows ever on ; no darkness enters there ; they need no night to sleep ; but all is day, ay, day forever there — Oh happiness ! and there is ever rest ; There rest the weary, and there the broken-hearted. No pain — no pain — no pa [dies. Will. Don't look that way, sweet Mamma — oh now wake u.p — Stare not so hard at me ; wake, wake, wake ! Enter Mrs. Ardbn. Mrs, Ard, Do you feel better now, my child ? — What ! dead ? Oh now is all the beauty in the earth A dead thing on my heart, a desert there ; Oh now are all the sorrows of the Earth In one great climax here ! — Thou art not dead ? Oh say, with those white lips, thou art not dead ! Great Heaven, have pity on a poor, sad thing, From whom rough death has torn her only child ! Enter Abden. Ard. Why do you weep ? — Great God she is not dead ? — Nay, Lily, thou 'rt not dead ? — speak to thy father— Thy poor old father, Lily !■ -What, no words ?— TO THE BITTER END. 25 Dead, dead, dead ; 'tis a cruel word ; 'twill murder All reason that is left ! Forever gone ? Oh Heaven, in pity kill me ; release me ! For now is all ray life of nothing worth ; Take it, ye winds, and blow it o'er the earth ! Dead ? say you ? Nay, Imt that's too hard ! Change it : Some gentler word put there. Dead ? Hush my child ; Weep not so hard ; your mother only sleeps. Will. And Avill she wake again ? Mrs. Ard. Ay ! angels in Heaven have already lifted The sleep from off her eyes. Ard. But sixty-live ? they say men live to seventy ; And these, my years, have each borne on his back, His weight of sorz-ow ; but none like to this ! — Kind Death release me, too ! Oh, how I loved her ! And in one moment — a poor, piteous moment, — It all was done ! Mrs. Ard. Grieve not so hard, good hiisband ; The shadow black of death, while rounding Earth, Must sometime fall on all ; — a lightning flash. And then this life is swallowed up by death. Ard. Then, sorrow, stand back, I will not grieve ; I'll keep Thee closed up in this heart until it burst. Now am I calm. Come, wife, I will with thee Prepare her burial. [Exeunt. ACT IV. Scene I. — A room in Abden's cottage. Mrs. Stone discovered L. Enter R. 2 E. a Minister. Minister. And the poor child's gone. Mrs. Sto. Ay, gone ! Min. As gentle as the soft-breathed morning breeze : The birds ceased singing their sweet hymns of praise To hear her voice. Methinks the flowers will wear a robe of mourning For this poor Lily dead. And all men loved her. Mrs. Sto. I say, one did not. j^^ 3Iin. I cannot believe it. "v, Mrs. Sto. I know it well ; a cruel, cursed wretch, That ever sought to do her injuiy. Mi7i. Nay, be not harsh ; this is no time for that ; But rather Death should lend us charity. Mrs. Sto, Would'st be charitable to a devil ? A very cursed devil ? Great God ! have mercy on me Min. On thee ? 3Irs. Sto, Aye, man ; on me ! Does not Hell shine out through'these eyes of mine ; And in my heart cans't thou not see hot Hell ? Methinks 'twould make a verj^ beacon flame To light the world ! Oh, cursed, cursed wretch ! Min. Nay, calm thyself, Mrs. Sto, A dagger alone might calm me ! Oh, Oh, Oh ! I never thought that it wo^^ld come to this ! And dead ? back, horrid word ! 26 TO THE BITTER END. A poor, poor thing, that never did me wrong, And, in requital, I have caused her death — killed her ! Min. What ! you killed her ? Mrs. Sto. Not with a dagger, fool ; But with a far worse instrument — 'twas hate I Mill. Perchance you do deceive yourself ; be calm ; We all at times have said some bitter things. M7's. Sto. Bitter ! bitter ! Were all the clouds in Heaven, Of vapor}^, nut-gall juice, they'd be shame-faced By this strong bitterness that mingled with my hate. 3Ihi. Speak not so loud, Mrs. Sto. Think you that she will hear, who's dead in there ? — Her parents are without to buy a coffin. Min. And if you hated her what cause had you ? 3frs. Sto. Ay, that is right, a little bit of sternness. A demon whispered in my heart of hate. Min. Be not disturbed, 'ti^ your imagination That hath been worked on by your deepest sorrow : — Lily did never speak a word of you l^ut in a voice of kind- Mrs. Sto. You knew her not, and I knew her too well ; [ness. She never did complain beneath my practice, That gained success by using fiendish arts. But when I saw her lie so still and dead. Her cold lips seemed so sadly to rebuke me — Not harshly, as I oft had wounded her, But with the voice of death so silently ; Oh then did memories swift flash on me As the wild hurricane ; and each did have For me a well-deserved curse in 's mouth. Her poor, white cheek— and I had made it so — Oh God, how then stood out each scene before me, Where I had injured her, like fiends that torment ; You are a man of God ; say, is there comfort For murderers ? Min, Repent. Mrs. Sto. I have repented in hot flames of fire ; For when I walk about the echoes of My footsteps scream out murderer ; The breeze of heaven does steal up to my ear, To leave there whispers ringing murderer ! Enter Stone. Sto. Long have I sought you, for I just have learned That she is dead, whom once I loved so well. M7'S. Sto. And yet Should have loved well, but that cursed^ jealousy Did blind thy silly eyes ! Sto. Nay, but I saw. - Mrs. Sto. Saw her that was as pure as light of heaven Most foully wronged. Now will I tell the truth, And I, a devil, will right her reputation. Which I, a devil, have so blackened. Sto. But did you not show me how that they met ; How his advances did she all accept ; How she rebuked not when he knelt todier, But, 'v\dth a smiling face, accepted all ? TO THE BITTER END. 27 Itlrs. Sto. When he was asking her to tell him where His Josephine had gone. Sto. And was't that way 't Mrs. Sto. A}', that it was. Sfo. And you did know it then? Jlrs. Sto. 1 did. Sto. Accursed wretch ! may hea,ven — Jlin. Curse not ! to God alone be punishment. Sto. Oh it is hard, and then I was so cruel, Heaping hard names upon her gentle head, While she bore all, and said " I do forgive you." And then, unlike a man, more like a fiend, I sent her out into the chilly night. So true of heart 1 and j^et so injured. Oh mother, mother, why have you done this ? Mrs. Sto. The answer that 1 once had given — is gone, Her poor, dead face did drive it far from me. aSYo. You injure me, and cannot tell the why ? Bitter my life, and murder all its joy ; Stain a s vveet Angel with thy most foul words, And cannot tell the why ? oh 'tis too much ! Would I had died before I injured her ; Would had the lightenings torn my limbs apart, And the great thunder crashed the heavens above Till they did fall a shattered heap upon me ; But now I'm cursed, a most accursed wretch. [Exit. Mrs. Sto. And now I ask of thee at what Hour shall we bring her for the burial ? 3Iin. At ten o'clock, for in the followino; hour — But no, 'tis needless ! Airs. Sto. And then, perhaps, you'll say a few short prayers, And sing a hymn ; a little weeping, and Some earth thrown in ; and then 'twill all be over. Mi/i. All over here ; but I must leave thee, for I've work to do. [Exit- 2Irs. Sto. And I will give thee more, ere time be old. There's mercy in a dagger's point, and I will taste it ! Or, better fate there may be found in drowning : — Cold-blooded fishes, would ye greet me then? Perhaps a shark would take me 'twixt his teeth, And munch, and munch, and munch— a murderer ! Ehter Blackwell. And you, too, here? Come you Death's courier To tell the death of Josep>hine ? BlacL Dead ? no. Mrs. Sto. Then I have naught to do with thee. Leave me ! Bla-'-k. What ! is her mind estranged ? I bring you joy. Mrs. Sto. Joy lives not now ; it hath died long ago. Blacl: To-morrow Josephine /s to be married. Mrs. Sto. I know it well : to-ni orrow Lily's buried. At eleven, said he ? ye ». (/-o ly, that he said. Black. I said not that— good heaven, is Lily dead? Mrs. Sto. Dead ? yes, she is dead. Black. I knev,- not of it. ^ J/?-.s-. Sto. You might have known it for a year that s past. Black. Her mind is ill ; in truth, a lunatic. _ I ever thought her mind might come to this. [Axit. 28 TO THE BITTER END. J/ns. Sto. A lunatic, ha ! ha ! I may be one. [Exit. Eiiter Me. and Mes. Akden. Ard. How went the long night with you ? Mi^s. Ard. I could not sleep ; My thoughts of Lily were so wide awake, That from my staring eyes sleep fled affrighted. At times I did half doze, and then I thought I heard our Lily's spirit hovering near ; And then I'd wake, and find myself a-listeuing, But I could hear naught but the sound of stillness, That in my ear did ring its dreary tone. And then again I wept myself to sleep ; And, in tha.t sleep, I heard a voice speak to me, And, as I listened, I knew that the voice Was Lily's voice, as years ago I heard it. The lilies came this morning. Ard. Ay, that is right ; the wdiite, white lilies, Plucked from their stem of life like our own Lily ; Lay them upon her. Mrs. Ard. While I laid on the lilies, one by one, I thought the heart that beat in me w^ould break. For she seemed sleeping, only that she breathed not ; And her poor eyes were gazing up to Heaven, ' As if, with them, she told life's sorrows there ; ^ And Oh, her cheek, so thin it w^as, and pale, ^ And her white lips w^ere ope'd just wide enough To let an unsaid prayer pass through. Ard. Do you remember, wife, how kind she w^as Daring all dangers, that she might help those Who were oppressed ; loving whom none else loved ; Smiling_on all with that sweet smile of hers, Which taught us how the sunlight shone in Heaven ? [Exeunt. Scene II. — Inside of a church. Godfrey, Josephine, bridesmaids, &c. , sitting in the front pew. A wedding march is j)layed on the organ, and the marriage party go forward and arrange themselves at front of the altar. Two sextons standing at a door in the side of the church L. 1. E. The minister enters at the vestry door L. C, and at the same time enter through the door L. L E. pall-bearers carrying Lily's cofQn. Not perceiv- ing the marriage party, at first, they walk about half way up the aisle, followed by the mourners. Curtain falls. ACT V. Scene I.— A church-yard. Time, evening. Enter Mes. Stone, with her face heavily veiled. Mrs Sto. I've grown a ver}^ baby since her death, Kneeling, and praying that perchance sometime When does her spirit wing its way to Earth, 'Twill have compassion on its murderer. But to the world, that mimicry of Hell, I'll act my devil's part. A poor fool I, TO THE BITTER END. 29 That when my mind was charged with distraction, I rashed out to :i meek-faced minister. But time's retuniel uie back my mask again ; The same cold i)ro\v, the cohl as iron eye, To stare a hend out of his countenance. Come '''/■'■/■. An.l y^w a-prr'V.ng ; ha ! ha ! ha ! Mrs. .Sio. [risi/t:/.] i^ven here, too, are you then, fiend of fate? liinck. Ami.'ition hnth not raised me up that high. Mr.<. Sto. Why do you, then, so follow me of late ? Were I to hide me in yon ghastly vault, Methiiiks you'd find me there. Bkuk. Ay, I would cast The rotting hones at thee ; and hollow skulls, 'Till eclioes shrieked beneath each coffin lid. Mrs. Sto. Have you no fear to speak thus in this place ? Here where pale ghosts do walk these nightly hours, Wailing for sins once done upon this Earth. Enter Catherine, who hides unperceived behind a tombstone. Black. Came there a legion of white ghosts here now I'd dare them all to pass this dagger's point. J/)-.'?. Sio. A dagger, ha ! to murder dead men with ? Bl irk. Dead corpse?, no ; but living ones perhaps. Nay, djes your face turn white, your face ? ha ! ha ! Catli. Ha ! ha ! Black. Did you hear that ? Mrs. Sto. 'Tis but a ghost, to dare your dagger's point. But why fiees all the blood from out your face ? Methinks 'tis white and milky as the Moon. Nay, call now back that sentinel of health. The blood, into your cheek ; thou art too bold. Blade. I do ; I dare the fiercest fiends of Hell ! 'Twas but an echo. But no more of this. I've followed thee because Of weighty purposes, that in the mind Have wandered long, like your unresting sprites. Mrs. Sto. And what may be thy weighty purposes ? Tell them to me. I long have been thy partner In secrecy ; I'd be thy partner still. Black. Then this is it : I fain would have from thee The fortune which you once did promise me. Mrs. Sto. Is this an hour to ask such things of me ? Black. I know not by what name you call the hour ; But this I know, I love it's look full well, For in it does a fortune wait for me ; Or else there is a death that waits for thee, Mrs. Sto. A death, say you ? nay, you cannot mean that. You would not have these lips, that now speak to you, Closed up for aye ? Your only friend on earth. The one that's known thee for these twenty years, To lie here weltering in the blood you spill ? I 30 TO THE BITTER END. Black. But, then, I Avill, if she have not the money That patiently I've Avaited for so long. Mrs. Sto. Think well on it ; have my deeds been such to you That you should pay in terms of enmity ? And, if I have not money, can my death Have value as a payment when 'tis made ? i^ Think on the deed ; 'twill haunt you when you sleep ; And while you wake, 'twill be a horrid shadow, That conscience says all men do look upon. Black. Conscience, or fiends, or Hell, or what you will ; If you have not the money, then you die ! Mrs. Sto. If it must be, take this my answer ! [Draws a dagger from Iter bosom and stcibs him. Black. Curse you ! you've killed me ! Cath. Murder ! murder ! murder ! Mrs. Sto. Ha ! are the bloodhounds on my track so soon ? But I was never made to run from them. [Exit walking. Cath. {kneels down by BlackweWs skle.'\ Met once again, but only met too late ; A-las ! he's dead ; upon his lips I'll lay This cheek of mine ; perhaps some lingering breath Is hovering still where it has lived so long. Black. Stand back, she-wolf ! great Heaven, art thou a spirit ? An airy mockery of my murdered wife ? i But I will fear thee not, thou horrid sprite, ^ Though thou put on thy look of coldest horror ; Torment — Cath. But I'm no sprite ; I am thy wife. Black. So dead men lie, as well as do the living — Cath. Oh waste not That breath more precious than this life can tell ; Think quickly, for the time of thought is short ; And let each thought be bearer of belief. I am thy own, and still thy loving wife. Black. Thy voice does have a natural ring. But no With a cold-hearted Her harmless breast. Cath. Not from my body fled the breath awiiy. Black. How came you in this place, if you are living being ' Cath. A providence, That shapes man's course on earth, hath led me to This land. To tell the why to thee, Would be to make a silly waste of time. But this, in briefness, will 1 tell thy ear : To-day I saw thee walking in the street, And knew thee well ; for long has memory Kept watchful guard upon that face of thine. And, when I saw thee, at a distance followed, Trembling in fear of this my new-found joy ; And, ere you stopped, the Sun drew off the day, And sent refreshed night to guard the earth. When I came up I saw thee speaking to A woman, that was half hid by the night ; And then, because of fear to taste my joy Too soon, I sat me down behind a tombstone. Black. One sin then less to drao; me down to Hell. TO THE BITTER END. HI Cath. Now will I ask that which, for long, long years, I've hoped to ask, until the heart did grow Hope sick : If it is true, (which I cannot believe,) That you did have intent to murder me. Black. Nay, ask me not, for life is ebbing fast ; But think that I did not intend to kill thee. Oh how hard pains chase swiftly through my body ! Ah, pain, thou art a music brought from Hell ! Cath. Oh, would that I might bear thy pain for thee ! In sharing it, the time would be recalled When everything between us two was shared. Then would come back those happiest hours of life, When tirst I gave my love, my all, to thee. Dost thou remem})er how the morning breeze Was telling the birds what pretty tales to sing, And how they sang, and only sang of love ; And how the brook did music play upon The pebbles, that were ever rolling on ; And how you laid your head, upon my breast, And said that you would love me then, and ever ? Black. Yes, I remember all ; but these harsh pains Do make a target of my memory. Gath. Alas, that I cannot a sharer be In this thy pain, as then I shared thy love. But lay thy head upon this breast of mine, And then I'll weep a flood of chilly tears To cool thy burning pain. Now say to me, And ease my anxious mind ere you depart. Yon had no wish to kill me with the dagger. Black. My life is short ; my breath is failing fast — Cath. Oh, tell me quickly, then. Black. I did ! Curse on Thy woman's curiosity. Oh, this has ended me ! [Groans and dies. Cath. Gone, gone, gone, yet will I love thee still : For once those arms did clasp me round with love ; Those dead lips kissed me once — I love them yet. And those poor eyes did look so lovingly. Oh dead, dead, dead ! Scene II. — A room in Godfrey's house. Mr. and Mrs. Arden, Cath- erine, Josephine, and relatives assembled. Mrs. Ard. We should beware in judging Josephine, For, through mistake, I once did wrong poor Lily. We think not, when we have our loved ones round us, And pain them with a bitter sneer, or word. That it may be before the hour of midnight. Or ere the sun be sunken down in darkness. Their souls may pass out on that face of night, Or wing its way adown the sun's last ray ; And then ? The pale lip cannot answer then. Jos. I do not seek to injure any one. But hope to prove my aunt has done no wrong. These letters, that I left in Lily's charge, That, since her death, you have returned to me, State, in my father's writing, that he left 32 TO THE BITTER END. A fortune for me with this aunt of mine, Which, on my twentieth year she was to give me ; But she has never spoken to me of it, And I know now that she is very poor ; So here before her reLatives I'd charge her, With keeping from me that which is my own. Enter (Jodfrey. Godf. And did you hear the horrid news last night ? That friend of Lily's mother-in-law is murdered. The man called Blackwell, Mrs. Ard. ISIurdered ? Who murdered him ? Oodf. 'Tis only known a woman did the deed. Mrs. Ard. How was that known, and yet the murderer not? Oodf. A woman, once his wife long years ago. Who had not seen him for those many years, Saw him, and knew him, on the day he died ; And, when she saw him, followed after him. The time was evening, and beneath its shade, She saw him go in through a grave-yard gate ; A woman tliere spoke to him for a time, Then murdered him, and turned and fled away. Jos. My husband, what have you learned of my aunt ? Godf. 'Tis very clear that she has spent the fortune. Relatives. horrid monster ! did she spend it all ? Godf. Soon she will be here, and will tell you then. Mrs. Ard. And does she know why you have called her here ? Godf. She does not know. Enter Mbs. Stone. Mrs. Sto. This has resemblance to a merry-meeting, So bright the faces of this company ; You should know, Josephine, such things I like not^ Then why have you made me partaker of it ? Godf. I fear 'twill be as sad a merry-making, As men do make upon a funeral. Mrs. Sto. A funeral ? what ? but it cannot be. Jos. Ay, but it is ; and sad the heart of mine, That forces out the words, to tell it thee. 317-s. Sto. A funeral ; but who is't now that's dead ? Jos. My love for thee. Mrs. Sto. Thy love for me ? ha ! ha ! and is it so ? Then be it known to thee, I feed not on thy love j And did I wear it for a garment on This back of mine, I would not feel it there j Nor Mall it raise a fortune up to me — Jos. But, by a fortune, was it lost to thee. Mrs. Sto. What is your meaning now ? Jos. My words hold out their meaning. Mrs. Sto. But that meaning is clothed in affectation, If you would speak to me, speak simply. Godf. For you 'tis not to ask simplicity ; Nay, but 'twere better far to drag around thee All abstruce words, to shield from us thy guilt. TO THE BITTiDK END. 33 Mrs. Sto. Guilt? Jos. Nay, put no injured look upon thy face ; Thy actions all are stamped with guiltiness. Turn thy eyes backward over twenty years : Canst thou see back, upon the plain of time, A dying father and his orphan child ? There canst thou picture, too, a guilty woman Who robbed that orphan of its earthly all ? Nay, hold not back ; lay out the truth before us. Mrs. Sto. And 'twas for this you trapped me in this place : To injure me with wrongful slanderings ? But think you I will meekly play the lamb ? Make way there ; let me pass. [ Tries to go out through a locked door. God/. The door is locked. 2Irs. Sto. I'd crush the lock were it of adamant. Godf. Thy hand, methinks, is far too soft for that ; But calm thyself ; here are you brought for judgment; These are thy judges that are seated here. 3frs. Sto. These doll-faced innocents here seated rpund? Ha ! ha ! a pretty company is it ! And can they bear the angry tigress' glance ? Godf. They will bear thine. Mrs. Sto. Nay, but this all is but some silly joke ? Godf. Would that it were no more ; but, as I live — Mrs. Sto. But as you live— and all the life you have Might by a tiny sparrow's brain be bounded — Then judge ahead ; and ye, ye moon-faced judges, Put now a look of weighty wisdom on ; Be wise in looks if ye be not in thought. Keep your ears stretched to catch the slightest sound. Nay, never look amazed. When judgment's done, Beware, or I do tear yoiir sleepy eyes out ! Now, that I'm done, may you proceed to work ! Godf. Then be it known, full evidence is found. That you have made, what was once Josephine's — A fortune left her by her father dead — Your own ; and were you man, and not a woman, You should be named thief ! Mrs. Sto. And were you man, and woman not, false liar, I'd throttle thee !— now judge, wax faces, judge ! Jos. The time has not yet come for judgment on thee ; Another tale 'gainst thee I'm forced to tell : Long was it locked a secret in my breast, 'Till I did share that secret with my husband ; Then, be it known to all this company. That this, my aunt, that ever was so loving, On a false plea, did take me from my home To far New York, and there did strive to wed me — Mrs. Sto. Nay, you do draw all patience from my breast By your slow speech. I'll tell your tale. Then will the end more quickly come. Grave judges : My niece would say I wished to marry her. To a poor devil that would take her hand For a few thousand dollars ; take her where 34 TO THE BITTER END. She would be from my sight, while I here spent The money that her father left to her. Now judge me daughter of the devil, or A fiend, or what you will. But speak A word to ease my ears, that itch to hear A word from heads so grave. [ Knocking at the door. G odf. Who knocks. [lolthln.l Police. Two oflBcers of law. Mrs. Sto. Ha! stands it so ? — the blessing of the devil I leave to all of you ! Such friends, such piteous friends ! Curse all of you — like sparks of midnight tire May curses fall on you ! The glistening gold and Death are all man's earthly friends ; The last I love the best ; come, kiss me, Death ! [Draws a dagger from her bosom and stab."^ herself. Now on ! now on ! ye hounds, upon the dy ing hare ! 1 END. 1 > LIBRARY OF CONGRESS n 018 603 046 1