SCENE vi PART FIRST SPIRIT OF THE YEARS Soft, jester; scorn not puppetry so skilled, Even made to feel by one men call the Dame, SHADE OF THE EARTH Yea; that they feel, and puppetry remain, Is an owned flaw in her consistency Men love to dub Dame Nature—that lay-shape They use to hang phenomena upon— Whose deftest motJtering in fairest spheres Is girt about by terms inexorable / SPIRIT SINISTER The lady's remark is apposite, and reminds me that I may as well hold my tongue as desired. For if my casual scorn, Father Years, should set thee trying to prove that there is any right or reason in the Universe, tho^t wilt not accomplish it by Doomsday ! Small blame to her, however ; she must cut Jier coat according to her cloth, as they woidd say below there. SPIRIT OF THE YEARS O would that I could move It to enchain thee, And shut thee up a thousand years !—(to cite A grim, terrestrial tale of one thy like) Thou Dragon of the Incorporeal World, li As they would say below there" SPIRIT OF THE PITIES Woitld thou couldst! But move That Which is scoped above percipience, It cannot be / SHADE OF THE EARTH The spectacle proceeds. 47