A Soul's Comedy Author:Arthur Edward Waite Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: BOOK THE SECOND. Scene I.—A Library in a house at Highgate.—Mor- Ven, to whom enter the teacher, Stephen Gilp, bowing. Teacher. My name is Gilp, sir—Stephe... more »n Gilp; my card, And this prospectus, will, I hope, explain The reason of my visit and excuse. You have a boy, sir, in his 'teens, I think, Of whose intelligence and brilliant parts Report speaks well; and, having opened here, On sterling principles of old approved, A school, I now solicit with respect Your patronage. Some families of note And wealth already have accorded theirs ; John Johnson too, who is your friend and mine— I use by leave his name—will send his son; Now, should you also favour me, confiding, As pupil, to my charge your unschool'd lad, I'll so perform my duty, in regard To him and you, that credit upon both Will be reflected, and on the teacher's toil. Morven. I thank you, sir; be seated. It is true An orphan lad into my charge has come, To whom the loss of parents and of friends I must supply, and act a father's part) Seeking a filial feeling in return To brighten and relieve a childless life. Teacher. Those words are spoken from a parent's heart, And may the kindness which dictated them Return in love unmeasur'd to yourself, And that respect which childhood owes to age, Which all judicious education seeks To cultivate, and which the system follow'd For many years with much success by me Most carefully insists on. Morven. For your good wishes I thank you with sincerity, and not Without a due appreciation feel The kindness of your offer. You have made By thought good profit from experience, And with those qualities yourself endow'd Which most command respect from old and young, Can inculcate the virtues you insure Successfully. If, therefore, I decline Your offer, it i...« less