Thomas Hardy

Name: The Return of the Native — Book 2, Chapter 5
Author: Thomas Hardy

The Return of the Native — Book 2… (1878)

Summary

“The Return of the Native — Book 2, Chapter 5”, published in 1878, is a work by Thomas Hardy. It explores elements such as Eustacia, mummers and Saint George.

Quotes from The Return of the Native — Book 2… (Thomas Hardy)

Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native — Book 2… (1878)

“ At sight of the place Eustacia who had felt a few passing doubts during her walk with the youths, again was glad that the adventure had been undertaken. She had come out to see a man who might possibly have the power to deliver her soul from a most deadly oppression. What was Wildeve? Interesting, but inadequate. Perhaps she would see a sufficient hero tonight.
As they drew nearer to the front of the house the mummers became aware that music and dancing were briskly flourishing within. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native — Book 2… (1878)

“ The bottom of the vale was green to a width of ten yards or thereabouts, and the shining facets of frost upon the blades of grass seemed to move on with the shadows of those they surrounded. The masses of furze and heath to the right and left were dark as ever; a mere half-moon was powerless to silver such sable features as theirs. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native — Book 2… (1878)

“ Her son and she wait upon the folks."
"I see," said Eustacia.
"'Tis the last strain, I think," said Saint George, with his ear to the panel. "A young man and woman have just swung into this corner, and he's saying to her, 'Ah, the pity; 'tis over for us this time, my own.'"
"Thank God," said the Turkish Knight, stamping, and taking from the wall the conventional lance that each of the mummers carried. Her boots being thinner than those of the young men, the hoar had damped her feet and made them cold. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native — Book 2… (1878)

“ To dance with a man is to concentrate a twelvemonth's regulation fire upon him in the fragment of an hour. To pass to courtship without acquaintance, to pass to marriage without courtship, is a skipping of terms reserved for those alone who tread this royal road. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native — Book 2… (1878)

“ He was obliged to go and look for the heath-croppers that have got into the meads, and I agreed to take his place, as he knew he couldn't come back here again tonight. I know the part as well as he."
Her graceful gait, elegant figure, and dignified manner in general won the mummers to the opinion that they had gained by the exchange, if the newcomer were perfect in his part.
"It don't matter--if you be not too young," said Saint George. Eustacia's voice had sounded somewhat more juvenile and fluty than Charley's. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native — Book 2… (1878)

“ The air was now that one without any particular beginning, middle, or end, which perhaps, among all the dances which throng an inspired fiddler's fancy, best conveys the idea of the interminable--the celebrated "Devil's Dream." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native — Book 2… (1878)

“ When, from the comparative quiet within, the mummers judged that the dancers had taken their seats, Father Christmas advanced, lifted the latch, and put his head inside the door.
"Ah, the mummers, the mummers!" cried several guests at once. "Clear a space for the mummers."
Humpbacked Father Christmas then made a complete entry, swinging his huge club, and in a general way clearing the stage for the actors proper, while he informed the company in smart verse that he was come, welcome or welcome not; concluding his speech with
"Make room, make room, my gallant boys, And give us space to rhyme ”

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Source: Wikisource

Thomas Hardy, The Return of the Native — Book 2… (1878)

“ First of those outside the Valiant Soldier entered, in the interest of Saint George--
"Here come I, the Valiant Soldier; Slasher is my name"; and so on. This speech concluded with a challenge to the infidel, at the end of which it was Eustacia's duty to enter as the Turkish Knight. She, with the rest who were not yet on, had hitherto remained in the moonlight which streamed under the porch. With no apparent effort or backwardness she came in, beginning--
"Here come I, a Turkish Knight, Who learnt in Turkish land to fight ”

Thomas Hardy

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