Page:Memoirs of Margaret Fuller Ossoli (IA memoirsofmargare01fullrich).pdf/29

Rh seated an hour or two, when my father looked up and asked what I was reading so intently. “Shakspeare,” replied the child, merely raising her eye from the page. “Shakspeare, — that won't do; that’s no book for Sunday; go put it away and take another.” I went as I was bid, but took no other. Returning to my seat, the unfinished story, the personages to whom I was but just introduced, thronged and burnt my brain. I could not bear it long; such a lure it was impossible to resist. I went and brought the book again. There were several guests present, and I had got half through the play before I again attracted attention. “What is that child about that she don’t hear a word that’s said to her?” quoth my aunt. “What are you reading?” said my father. “Shakspeare” was again the reply, in a clear, though somewhat impatient, tone. “How?” said my father angrily, — then restraining himself before his guests, — “Give me the book and go directly to bed.”

‘Into my little room no care of his anger followed me. Alone, in the dark, I thought only of the scene placed by the poet before my eye, where the free flow of life, sudden and graceful dialogue, and forms, whether grotesque or fair, seen in the broad lustre of his imagination, gave just what I wanted, and brought home the life I seemed born to live. My fancies swarmed like bees, as I contrived the rest of the story; — what all would do, what say, where go. My confinement tortured me. I could not go forth from this prison to ask after these friends; I could not make my pillow of the dreams about them which yet I could not forbear to frame. Thus was I absorbed when my father entered. He felt it right, before going to rest, to reason with me