The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No 4, August, 1864, page 29 by Various Authors
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st thou more?
* * * * *
The Physician and Godfather.
GODFATHER. It is certainly a great misfortune to be blind.
PHYSICIAN. And at his age a very unusual one.
GODFATHER. His frame was always very fragile, and his mother died somewhat--so--so ...
PHYSICIAN. How did she die?
GODFATHER. A little so ... you understand ... not quite in her right mind.
THE MAN (entering). I pray you, pardon my intrusion at so late an hour, but for the last night or two my son has wakened up at twelve o'clock, left his bed, and talked in his sleep.
Will you have the kindness to follow me, and watch him to-night?
PHYSICIAN. I will go to him immediately; I am very much interested in the observation of such phenomena.
* * * * *
Relations, Godfather, Physician, the Man, a Nurse--assembled in the sleeping apartment of George Stanislaus.
FIRST RELATION. Hush! hush! be quiet!
SECOND RELATION. He is awake, but neither sees nor hears us.
PHYSICIAN. I beg that you will all remain perfectly silent.
GODFATHER. This seems to be a most extraordinary malady.
GEORGE (rising from his seat). God! O God!
FIRST RELATION. How lightly he treads!
SECOND RELATION. Look! he clasps his thin hands across his breast.
THIRD RELATION. His eyelids are motionless; he does not move his lips, but what a sharp and thrilling shriek!
NURSE. Christ, shield him!
GEORGE. Depart from me, Darkness! I am a child of light and song, and what hast thou to do with me? What dost thou desire from me?
I do not yield myself to thee, although my sight has flown away upon the wings of the wind, and is flitting restlessly about through infinite space: it will return to me--my eyes will open with a flash of flame--and I will see the universe!
GODFATHER. He talks exactly as his mother did; he does not know what he is saying, I think his condition very critical.
PHYSICIAN. He is in great danger.
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