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And "jackaclocks," nor dared describe their deeds

As "Life's impulsion by Incognizance."

It may be that those mites have no free will,

But how should I know? Nay, how Mr. Hardy?

We cannot glimpse the origin of things,

Cannot conceive a Causeless Cause, albeit

Such a Cause must have been, and must be greater

Than we whose little wits cannot conceive it.

"Incognizance"! Why deem incognizant

An infinitely higher than ourselves?

How dare define its way with us? How know

Whether it leaves us free or holds us bond?

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES.

Allow me to associate myself

With every word that's fallen from your lips.

The author of "The Dynasts" has indeed

Misused his undeniably great gifts

In striving to belittle things that are

Little enough already. I don't say

That the phrenetical behaviour

Of those aforesaid animalculae

Did, while we watched them, seem to indicate

Possession of free-will. But, bear in mind,

We saw them in peculiar circumstances—

At war, blinded with blood and lust and fear.

Is it not likely that at other times

They are quite decent midgets, capable

Of thinking for themselves, and also acting

Discreetly on their own initiative,

Not drilled and herded, yet gregarious—

A wise yet frolicsome community?

SPIRIT IRONIC.

What are these "other times" though? I had thought

Those midgets whiled away the vacuous hours

After one war in training for the next.

And let me add that my contempt for them

Is not done justice to by Mr. Hardy.

SPIRIT SINISTER.

Nor mine. And I have reason to believe

Those midgets shone above their average

When we inspected them.

A RUMOUR (tactfully intervening).

Yet have I heard

(Though not on very good authority)

That once a year they hold a festival

And thereat all with one accord unite

In brotherly affection and good will.

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS (to Recording Angel).

Can you authenticate this Rumour?

RECORDING ANGEL.

Such festival they have, and call it "Christmas."

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES.

Then let us go and reconsider them

Next "Christmas."

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS (to Recording Angel).

When is that?

RECORDING ANGEL (consults terrene calendar).

This day three weeks.

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS.

On that day we will re-traject ourselves.

Meanwhile, 'twere well we should be posted up

In details of this feast.

SPIRIT OF THE PITIES (to Recording Angel).

Aye, tell us more.

RECORDING ANGEL.

I fancy you could best find what you need

In the Complete Works of the late Charles Dickens.

I have them here.

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS.

Read them aloud to us.

The Recording Angel reads aloud the Complete Works of Charles Dickens.

RECORDING ANGEL (closing "Edwin Drood").

'Tis Christmas Morning.

SPIRIT OF THE YEARS.

Then must we away.

SEMICHORUS I. OF YEARS (aerial music).
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