The Camp- Fire 21 



Nothing that was known to primitive men was so 

 worthy an object of worship. It awakens a sense 

 of dangerous power like the lion; of lithe beauty 

 like the leopard; of whelming mastery like the 

 flood. Yet it delighted the eyes, warmed the heart 

 as well as the hands, was a warrior against the cold, 

 a signal for the lost, a sentinel which drove off 

 beasts of prey. The spirit of the fire was the spirit 

 of a man, as kindly and as fierce — a thing of human 

 contradictions. "Fire that is kept closest burns 

 most of all"; and whether in the passions or in 

 literal coals, is wedded to bitter ashes and smirch. 

 But our camp-fire waves banners of joy and fires 

 volleys of victory. With savage imprecations Cali- 

 ban resented his task of bringing in the logs, and 

 Ferdinand posed as a martyr of love when Prosper© 

 put upon him the same burdens. 



" My sweet mistress 

 Weeps when she sees me work, and says such baseness 

 Had never like executor." 



Miranda was sure the burning logs would weep 

 for having wearied him, and woman-like, wanted to 

 carry them herself. 



" If you'll sit down 

 I'll bear the logs the while: pray give me that; 

 I'll carry it to the pile" — 



and more of that exquisite story of love and logs. 

 There was this difference between the two scenes: 

 our girls were all married; Miranda wanted to be. 

 I will not say that our girls would not have helped 



