And that is false.
All's false. You have conspired. I am disgraced.
But you will learn you have judged erroneously.
I am not the frail creature you conceive.
Between your vision of life's aim, and theirs
Who presently will question me, I cling
To theirs as light: and yours I deem a den
Where souls can have no growth.

HOMEWARE:
But when we touched
The point of hand-pressings, 'twas rightly time
To think of wedding ties?

ASTRAEA:
Arden, adieu!

(She rushes into house.)

SCENE VIII

ARDEN, HOMEWARE

ARDEN:
Adieu! she said. With her that word is final.

HOMEWARE:
Strange! how young people blowing words like clouds
On winds, now fair, now foul, and as they please
Should still attach the Fates to them.

ARDEN:
She's wounded
Wounded to the quick!

HOMEWARE:
The quicker our success: for short
Of that, these dames, who feel for everything,
Feel nothing.

ARDEN:
Your intention has been kind,
Dear sir, but you have ruined me.

HOMEWARE:
Good-night. (Going.)

ARDEN:
Yet she said, we are lost, in her surprise.

HOMEWARE:
Good morning. (Returning.)

ARDEN:
I suppose that I am bound
(If I could see for what I should be glad!)
To thank you, sir.

HOMEWARE:
Look hard but give no thanks.
I found my girl descending on the road
Of breakneck coquetry, and barred her way.
Either she leaps the bar, or she must back.
That means she marries you, or says good-bye.
(Going again.)

ARDEN:
Now she's among them. (Looking at window.)

HOMEWARE:
Now she sees her mind.

ARDEN:
It is my destiny she now decides!

HOMEWARE:
There's now suspense on earth and round the spheres.

ARDEN:
She's mine now: mine! or I am doomed to go.

HOMEWARE:
The marriage ring, or the portmanteau now!

ARDEN:
Laugh as you like, air! I am not ashamed
To love and own it.

HOMEWARE:
So the symptoms show.
Rightly, young man, and proving a good breed.
To further it's a duty to mankind
And I have lent my push, But recollect:
Old Ilion was not conquered in a day.