Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/239

Rh .

Rumble thy bellyful! spit, fire! spout, rain!

Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters;

I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness;

I never gave you kingdom, call’d you children.”

Ah! there is strength, there is talent for you! I’m a great artist! Now, then, here’s something else of the same kind, to bring back my youth to me. For instance, take this, from Hamlet, I’ll begin let me see, how does it go? Oh, yes, this is it. [Takes the part of Hamlet]

“O! the recorders, let me see one.—To withdraw with you. Why do you go about to recover the wind of me, as if you would drive me into a toil?”

. “O, my lord, if my duty be too bold, my love is too unmannerly.”

. “I do not well understand that. Will you play upon this pipe?”

. “My lord, I cannot.”

. “I pray you.”

. “Believe me, I cannot.”

. “I do beseech you.”

. “I know no touch of it, my lord.”

. Tis as easy as lying: govern these ventages with your finger and thumb, give it breath with your mouth, and it will discourse most eloquent music. Look you, these are the stops.”

. “But these I cannot command to any utterance of harmony: I have not the skill.”

. “Why, look you, how unworthy a thing you make of me. You would play upon me; you would seem