PARA. I'm he.
COPUS. Then I may now convey the news my-
self,
I was announcing to this noble circle,
I come immediate from the City Council,
A resolution there was put and carried
To you, good sir, of highest import.
PARA. They drive me out ?
copus. Oh, if 'twere that ! Forgive me.
PARA. Decree 's pronounced against me of arrest ?
COPUS. What dream you of?
PARA, (smilmg). The stake is threatening ?
COPUS. How badly judge you this good town of
Basel !
Hear, then : the Council will, to honour you.
Create a novel dignity, and chooses
You to be second town physician. Fm
The first. You marvel ?
PARA. I do thank the Council.
COPUS. That means — you take the office ?
PARA. I'm unable.
COPUS. Oh, think not so. You can ! Since I'm
the first.
So you, my friend, have good support in me.
In many a thing with pleasure I'll instruct you.
In ticklish cases give you of my counsel ;
Masters are fain to see a modest scholar.
PARA. Forgive me, I'm not worthy such an
office.
You would not be content, I'm sore afraid.
122
PARACELSUS
I do not here abide ; I travel forth :
This very even do I leave this city.
copus. Is 't true ?
CYP. You go ?
PARA. I bid you all adieu.
CYP. Before you go, explain you, for you leave
Us all bewildered here. Was it in earnest ?
Was 't play ?
jusTiNA. How strangely question you !
corus. AVhat means he f
PAHA. It was a play ! What were it otherwise ?
What is not play we ply upon this earth,
Howe*'er so great and so profound it seems ?
For one will play with hordes of soldiers wild,
Another plays with superstition mad.
Some one perchance with suns and planets —
I play with human souls. And he alone
Will find a sense who seeks one.
Of others naught we know, naught of ourselves.
We ever play : who knows it, he is wise. (Ettit.)
JUSTINA (as though waking up). What, then, hath
happened here ? I think I said
So much anent myself as I — ne''er wished to say.
copus. Nothing I fathom out of all I hear.
What hath occurred ? What did the juggler here ?
CYP. I know not if he wished benevolence.
Yet was it good, and therefore will we praise
him.
A whirlwind came, who for a moment hath
Torn open all the portals of our souls,
And we have looked within us for a while. . . .
123
PARACELSUS
T.^is over, and the portals close again —
Yet what I saw to-day, for future time,
Shall hold me safe from all excess of pride.
It was a play, yet I did find its sense,
And know that I shall keep the right road hence.
THE CURTAIN FALLS
(A)
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