CUERVO - Biblioteca Nacional de Colombia

PARACELSUS
From violets, eyes that dream-(your Michal's choice)­
Than all fools find to wonder at in me,
Or in my fortunes: and be very sure
I say this from no. prurient restlessness­
No self-complacency-itching to turn,
Vary, and view its pleasure from all points,
And, in this matter, willing other men
Should argue and demonstrate to itself
The realness of the very joy it tastes.
What joy is better than the news of friends
Whose memories were a solace to me oft,
As mountain-baths to wild fowls in their flight?
Yes, of tel' than you wasted thought on me
If you were sage, and rightly valued bliss I
But there's no taming nor repressing hearts:
God knows I need such I-So you heard me speak ?
Festus. Speak? when?
Paracelsus. When but this morning at my class 'l
There was noise and crowd enough. I saw you not.
Surely you know I am engaged to fill
The chair here ?-that 'tis part of my proud fate
To lecture to as many thick-sculled youths
As please, each day, to throng the theatre,
To my great reputation, and no small
Danger of Basil's benches, long unused
To crack beneath such honour?
Festus. I was there;
I mingled with the throng: shall I avow
I had smaIl care to listen ?-too intent
On gathering from the murmurs of the crowd
A full corroboration of my hopes I
What can I learn about your powers? but they
Know, care for nought beyond your actual state­
Your actual value; and yet worship you I
Those various natures whom you sway as one I
But ere I go, be sure I shall attend . . .
Paracelsus. Stop, 0' God's name: the thing's by no
means yet
Past remedy I Shall I read this morning's work
-At least in substance? Nought so worth the gaining
As an apt scholar I Thus then, with all due
Precision and emphasis-(you, besides, are clearly
GuilUess of understanding a whit more
The subject than your stool-allowed to be
A notable advantage) ...
Festus. Surely, Aureole,
You laugh at me t
Paracelsus. I laugh? Ha, ha I thank heaven,
I charge you, if't be so I for I forget
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