ACT III
Scene: A yard, walled and spiked, of Megario's hacienda. A long, low hut, the men's sleeping-quarters, at right. In upper centre, a smaller hut which serves for kitchen and also as sleeping-room for several women. On left, the yard continues, showing other huts used by families. The entrance gate is off stage, left. An unused gate, locked and barred in wall, right.
Hernda, in the guise of a young Maya woman known as Famette, stirs a pan of food which is heating on some coals in front of kitchen. Lissa stands in door of hut watching her.
Lis. [Stepping out] You mend, Famette. But when you came—all thumbs.
A woman grown and couldn't spoon up fish!
Fam. It was the smell. How can they eat it, Lissa?
Lis. You'll eat it too.
Fam. That? Never!
Lis. Another week
Will starve you to it.
[Ysobel comes out of kitchen bearing apron full of cups and spoons which she places on ground]
Yso. [Looking left] Here's Masio in. [Enters hut]
Lis. He's always first.
[Masio comes up left] How did my boy get on?
Mas. I wasn't near him in the field.
Lis. He did
His stint?
Mas. I never heard.
Lis. No eyes, no ears,—
All belly, you!
Mas. [Taking up spoon and cup from the pile]
Fish! fish!
Lis. Beans first. You know
The rules.
Mas. I've teeth can break 'em. Fish, Famette!
[Famette puts fish into his cup]
There'll be a blessed cleaning-up to-night.
Lis. More beating? Has the master come?
Mas. [Nods] And on
The rounds. He'll clear the yards. News from the north
Has turned him red and black.
Fam. A flogging? Oh,
If you were men you'd fight with your bare hands
Till you were free!
Mas. Free as the dead. Our blood
Would soak the earth and make more hennequin,—
That's all.
Fam. Then run away.
Mas. How far? The swamps?
To sleep with snakes—a week or less?
Fam. Across
The ridges.
Mas. Where the sun would lap you dry
As crackling cat-guts? Thirst would draw you in
To th' next hacienda well. The masters own
The water, and in this land, that's life.
Fam. No chance?
They never get away?
Mas. Sometimes a man
Makes Quito, but he soon comes back.
Fam. Comes back?
Mas. What else? In Quito there's no work. He starves.
And here—there's beans. So he gives up, and then
They send him back.
Fam. And he is flogged?
Mas. Ay, till
His bones crack.
Fam. Oh! He bears it?
Mas. Like a man,
My dear.
Fam. The coward!
Mas. So—back to the field,
Mute as a snail, and poorer too, for then
The dream is gone of any life but this.
Fam. They have no spirit—none!
Mas. Much as you'll have
This time next year.
Fam. Next year? I shall be gone.
My debt was just ten pesos.
Mas. [Incredulous] You were sold
For that?
Fam. I'll work it out.
Mas. Be 't ten or hundreds,
Who comes here stays. You'll soon know that, my bird,
And limber your fine neck.
[As they talk, men and women enter in groups of scores and dozens until there are several hundred in the yard. They are mostly of mixed blood, their color ranging from the full brown of the Maya to the pale olive of the Peonian aristocrat. At a spout, upper left, they wash their hands, then drop about wearily. One man sits near Famette, his head sunk on his chest. She lays her hand on his shoulder]
Fam. What, Garza, you?
Who were so blithe this morning, on your way
To freedom?
Garza. [Rocking] Mother of God! Oh, Mother of God!
Fam. What is it, Garza?
Mas. There you have it! You see
Who comes here stays.
Fam. But he was free! His friend
Brought twenty pesos to pay off his debt.
Gonzalo. And when he went to pay it, on the books
There stood two hundred pesos against Garza.
Mas. Two hundred—twenty,—you see, Famette,
How much a little "o" can do.
Fam. They dare
Do that? I'll see the magistrate! [The men stare at her]
Mas. [Patting her shoulder] Poor girl!
Fam. I will! Why not? What is he for?
Gon. What for?
To see we are well beaten when we ask
For justice. He must serve who pays him,—that's
The master.
Fam. Oh, you worse than slaves!
Mas. No names,
My proudling. Wait a year, then what you please.
[The men have been eating. Ysobel stands in door of hut holding a great bowl of beans from which the peons fill their cups. Lissa gives out the fish. Her boy, Iduso, crouches by her skirts]
Lis. [To boy] Not eat? Now you're a man? Twelve years to-day!
Fam. [Bending over Iduso] Is 't fever, Lissa?
Lis. [With sullen jealousy] Let him be, Famette.
What do you know? You've got no children.
Fam. I've
A little brother.
Lis. Brother! Nothing that.
Fam. He's just Iduso's age.
Lis. [Softened] And has to take
A man's work on him?
Fam. N-o——
Lis. I said it now.
What do you know? Look at your hands—not stumps
Like mine.
Mas. Who hugs the post to-night?
Gon. I heard
Of seven warned.
Yso. My man! He hasn't come!
Mas. God's mercy, give us peace! It was his turn
To put away the knives.
[Ysobel leans against hut. Famette takes bowl from her]
Lis. There's seven, you say?
Ben. None from this yard. Famette, you haven't seen
A flogging yet?
Fam. And never will, you beast!
Ben. Your never's short,—less than an hour.
Fam. What do you mean?
Ben. The whip draws blood to-night,
And we must all look on, for our soul's good.
It is the master's order.
Fam. I'll not go!
Mas. Why, God looks on, Famette, and so may we.
All Heaven sees it, and I'll pledge my—fish—
That not an angel blanches.
Gon. You should see
The master!
Fam. He is there? Does he look on?
Mas. O, not quite that. To eye the work
Would show too grossly, but you'll see him there,—
Somewhat aside, leaning against a yew,
Most carefully at ease. Then he will light
A delicate cigar that fills the grove
With a fantastic odor, like, we'll say,
Faint musk that creeps on burning pine.
You will approve the quality, Famette.
That is his signal.
Fam. Oh!
Mas. Long as he puffs,
And soft, white rings twirl upward to the leaves,
The lashes fall. And when, grown gently weary,
As 'twere half accident, from his high thoughts
Remote, he clears the cindered tip—like this—
The whip is still.
Fam. Where, where am I?
Mas. In hell,
Sweetheart.
Fam. Who are you, Masio? You are not
As these that suffer speechless.
Mas. Pinch the difference!
A little learning, and a few opinions
That brought me here.
Fam. [Moving aside with him] What did you do?
Mas. I spoke
The truth too near the ear of Cordiaz,
And there's no greater crime.
Fam. You are a prisoner?
But you're not guarded.
Mas. No, they leave me free,
In hope I'll run. Then they will shoot me down.
And you—what brought you here? Ten pesos
Could never buy you—nor a hundred either.
Fam. I mean to lead these men to join Bolderez:
Mas. What! Lead them out?
Fam. And you will help me do it.
Mas. Well, when I want to die. You're mad.
We're all
Sprats in a net. You'll not get out, once let
The master see you. Better hide those eyes——
Yso. [Running and catching Masio by the shoulder]
You lied to me! You lied! They've got my Grija!
Down in the lower yard!
Grija. [Entering and making his way to her] No! Here I am.
Safe in, old tear-box.
Yso. Holy Mary! [Tells her beads rapidly as he leads her aside]
Fam. [Aroused] Men!
If Osa looked from yonder mountain scarp,
Would she descend to lead such currish hearts
To liberty?
Gon. We are not dogs.
Fam. Then shame
To bear the life of dogs!
Ben. What do you know
Of Osa?
Fam. Know? Does she not guard the shrine
Cherished ten centuries in your secret hills?
Priestess and princess, daughter of your kings,—
The ancient poet kings who ruled and sang
In palaces where now your huddled huts
Give you a slave's foul shelter!
A Voice. Will she come?
Fam. To such as you? With heads hung down, and backs
Bared for the whip? The moment that you hold
Your manhood dearer than your life, she'll stand
Before you. Then you'll see——
Mas. For God's sake, hush!
The master!
Ben. [As all look left] No, it's Coquriez.
Gon. With his Gringo.
[Coquriez enters with Chartrien. They cross right]
Cha. Leave me alone.
Coq. My soul, am I not sick
Of your dumb lordship? Now the master's here,
I hope, by Jesu, that our ways will part.
[Turns and joins the men, leaving Chartrien seated on the stone step of one of the doors to the long hut, right. Megario enters unseen and stands watching, left. They gradually become aware of his presence, and all are silent]
Meg. Coquriez!
Coq. [Crossing left] Here, sir!
[The tension relaxes slightly. Lissa and Ysobel quietly distribute food and the men eat in silence. Famette keeps in shadow, a shawl over her head, and vainly tries to hear what Megario and Coquriez are saying. They talk in low tones at left, then more centre, front]
Coq. Shoot the Gringo, sir?
I thought he was to live.
Meg. It must be done
To-morrow.
Coq. I'll do it.
Meg. Take him on the road,
And don't come back with him.
Coq. To-morrow, sir?
Meg. At day-break. Drop him cold. I was a fool
To let him live a day!
[Famette has advanced too far and Megario sees her]
Who's that?
Coq. There? Oh!
I bought her in last week.
Meg. The day I left?
Coq. I think 'twas then.
Meg. An old one,—so you said.
Coq. About the Gringo, sir,——
Meg. What is her name?
Coq. Famette.
[Famette goes back to the women]
Meg. A figure too.
Coq. It's not so easy
To drop a white-skin——
Meg. Come, Famette! Come here.
[She turns and comes slowly]
Old? By the gods! Why did you lie to me?
Coq. My lord ... you like none past fourteen.
She's that
Half over.
Meg. Brazen devil! Come, Famette.
I like your name. I like your face too, girl.
Don't be afraid. Show me your eyes. You won't?
Where have I seen you?
Fam. I'm a stranger, sir.
My home was in the north.
Meg. That fester-spot!
A stranger? Then we must be good to you.
Where do you sleep?
Fam. There, in the hut.
Meg. You'll have
A better soon. Next time I'll see your eyes. [Going]
Mind, Coquriez, to-morrow! Do that well,
I'll pardon this. [Exit]
Fam. What is 't you do to-morrow?
And why do you need pardon? You who serve
So well?
Coq. My pretty bird, I've been too slow.
Fam. Too slow?
Coq. I've limped, and lost.
Fam. Ah, Coquriez!
Coq. You're not afraid of me. You look at me,
And turned from him. That's honey on his curse!
Fam. He curses you? And you do all for him!
All that he asks you,—things he dares not do
With his own hand.
Coq. You care for that?
Fam. You risk
Your soul, perhaps,——
Coq. 'Tis certain. Pray for me,
Chiquita.
Fam. When?
Coq. To-morrow I must leave
The Gringo in the marshes.
Fam. Oh, 'twas that!
And paid with curses——
Lis. [Calls, as a new batch of men come in]
Come, Famette! Here's work!
Fam. We'll talk again. [Hurries to Lissa]
A man. The beans are cold.
Another. Soured too!
Gray Moses, here's a life!
Mas. Do you complain,
O, comrades? Now your hour is come? The pearl
O' the long ungarnished day? The holy hour
Of—beans? Why, think! What do we live for, men?
For sweaty moments battling 'gainst the sun
To strip the thorny hennequin? For nights
Of bitten sleep in unwashed pens? Not so.
Lift up your cups! Here is the crown of toil!
Each day we reach our life's supremest dome,
And know we're there! Can man ask more? Even kings,
Though the gold frontal of munificence
Is bowed before them, yet must fretting guess
The morrow's store. But we, my friends, we know!
Then let each separate and distinct legume,
Dear as the Egyptian treasure lost in wine,
Delay as preciously——
Coq. [Cutting him across shoulders]
Come down from that!
There's more for you, my friend, i' the lower yard.
I'll tie you up.
Fam. O, Coquriez, let him go.
You should not care. His tongue was born with him,
And God may mend it. Let the fool alone.
Coq. Hmm, if you ask me——
Fam. Thank you, Coquriez.
I'll stand for him he'll not offend again.
Mas. My tongue is glue. 'Twill stick to its place.
A man. Fish! fish!
Another. He's had his share.
The man. Not half a cup!
O, Jesu, I am starved. I did my stint,
And helped the boy, Famette. Can I do that
On half a cup?
Fam. No, Berto, here is more.
Yso. The Gringo does not eat.
Fam. I'll take him this.
[Fills cup from bowl of beans and goes to Chartrien, who is still seated on the step, listless and observing nothing]
Fam. Señor?
Cha. Who spoke? O, you, Famette? No, thanks.
I can not eat. [Turns from her] That's twice I've heard the voice
Of Hernda. Madness creeps, but surely comes.
Fam. [Over his shoulder] You must escape to-night.
Cha. [Facing her] Escape? To-night?
Fam. Here, hold the cup, and eat. Do, sir! We're watched.
To-morrow Coquriez leads you to the woods,
Comes back alone——
Cha. At last I know my hour.
Fam. But you shall live. Last night I worked till day
At that locked gate. 'Tis open. None suspects.
Outside there's water in a flask, and bread,—
Beneath the cactus at the left——
Cha. But how
Get out? I am locked in at night, and watched
At other hours.
Fam. Eat, eat, and listen, Señor!
To-night a flogging in the lower yard
Will empty this. You'll go with Coquriez.
Urge him to bring you back. Say you are ill,—
For that you are,—and come. Here I shall hide,
And as you pass, will suddenly step out
And speak to Coquriez. You fall behind,
In shadow of my hut, move round it, wait
This side, then see what's next to do.
A man. [Calling] Famette?
Where is Famette? She doesn't count the beans.
[Famette goes back to the men]
Cha. It is a lure. If I attempt escape,
Then Coquriez shoots me dead, his soul just clear
Of murder.
Coq. [To Famette] Our Gringo's learned to eat, I see.
Cha. Now do they change confederate nods, and gaze
Their mated thoughts. Down, down to dust, my heart!
The struggle's off. I'll fight no more. Yon stars
Have rest for me. Is 't so? Vain footing there.
What rest have they, that share with man the surge
From life to life? There Jupiters unfound
Whirl cooling till their straining sides may bear
Ocean and land and clinging bride of green;
And Saturns, nameless yet, cast travailing
Their ringed refulgence. Not the frozen moons
May fix in stillness, but sweep captive back
To flaming centres when their planets call.
There old, dead suns, that think their work is done,
Meet crashing, ground to cloudy fire whose worlds,
Far driven, traverse time and know men's days.
Ay, one may go beyond the ether's breath,
Farthest of all, to be another First,
Undreaming this our God. And I must shift
Eternal and unresting as those suns.
Then let Death hasten. He shall be as one
Who timely strips a wrestler of his cloak,
And, kindly freed, I shall uncumbered leap
To other battle, finding armor where
I find my cause.
A man. [To Famette] My turn. Here, give me that.
Fam. The Gringo's had no fish.
The man. Then give me his.
He doesn't care. Has run already from
The smell.
Fam. I'll give you half. The rest
I'll take to him.
Coq. He'll come for what he wants.
Fam. No, he is sick, poor devil! [Goes to Chartrien]
Coq. Humph!
Fam. [To Chartrien] You'll take
The chance? There is no other.
Cha. It's a trap.
You risk your life for me, a Gringo? No.
Fam. You must believe me! Oh, what can I say!
Cha. Say nothing. Go.
Fam. I love you, love you, Señor!
Cha. You would persuade me.
Fam. Sir, the wine you found
Behind your prison door,—and good, clean bread,—
I put them there!
Cha. 'Twas you, Famette? I thought
That Coquriez did it,—feared I'd die before
The master came.
Fam. Not his brute heart! And then
That night, of fever——
Cha. Yes! What then?
Fam. I lay
Outside your jail, my head against the wall,
That I might hear if once you groaned, or know
If sleep had come.
Cha. Can such love be for me?
Fam. You must—you must believe me!
Cha. God, your eyes!
[She lowers her head]
... 'Tis madness, bred of these sun-poisoned days,
And nights without a hope.... Look up, Famette.
I do believe you.
Fam. [Kissing her rosary] Mother, adored and blessed!
Cha. Wilt be a beggar soldier's bride, Famette?
Fam. You do not love me, Señor.
Cha. But I love
Your gentle heart that warms mine empty,—love
Your eyes, like memories burning,—and your voice
That's linked to an old wound in me,—but most
I love your soul that is as great as truth
And strong as sacrifice. You'll come to me
In Quito, if I make escape? I'll find
A way to bring you out——
Fam. You're mine?
Cha. Till death.
Fam. And after that?
Cha. I'll give you truth for truth.
Beyond this world I hope to meet a soul
Who did not walk in this, but ought to have,
For here her body dwelt. This side of death,
My life—a bitter one, that only you
Have sweetened—is your own, if you will have
So mean a gift.
[Ipparro has entered the yard and becomes a centre of altercation. He starts out taking Lissa's boy, Iduso. There is a shriek from Lissa, and Famette hurries to her]
Lis. My boy! My little one!
God strike you dead, Ipparro!
Fam. You'll not flog
The boy?
Ipp. He didn't do his stint by half.
You know the master's rules. He's twelve years old.
Must cut three thousand leaves.
Fam. A man's full work.
And he's so small.
Lis. And sick he is. Two days
He couldn't eat.
Ipp. You women!
Fam. Let him go.
A little child, Ipparro.
Ipp. Let him go?
Am I the master of the hacienda?
He'll tie me up to-morrow!
Fam. It will kill
Iduso.
Lis. Such a little one, he is!
A baby yesterday,—to-day a man,—
How can that be?
[An overseer enters left]
Overseer. What's up? Come on with you!
The master waits,—burns like perdition! Come!
Come, all of you! The women too! Clear out!
[Drives them out. Famette slips into her hut. Chartrien joins the men and follows last with Coquriez. They stop left]
Coq. Won't see the show?
Cha. I'll not go on.
Coq. Come then.
I'll lock you up. [They turn back]
We'll have an early march
To-morrow, mate. Must hit the brush by dawn.
There's little sleep for me.
Cha. Shall I have more
In that hot pen?
Coq. [Laughs] You'll make it up, I guess.
Cha. I understand. You'll murder me.
Coq. My soul!
Let's keep our manners, though we sit in hell,
My occupation's decent, nothing said.
The silent deed is clean, but mouth it once,
The hands will smell. Pah!
[Famette steps out of hut]
Here's my kitten!
A kiss, my honey-pot!
Fam. I've better for you.
[Gives him a bottle of wine]
Coq. My ducky! From the master's cellar!
. . . . . . . . . . How——
Fam. No matter. It is good.
Coq. Thief of my soul,
A kiss!
[As he attempts to embrace her she springs back, pointing left]
Fam. Look, look! He's gone! The Gringo flies!
O, Coquriez, you'll be shot!
Coq. [Stunned for a moment, springs off shouting]
Help! Stop him! Help! [Exit left, firing his pistol]
The Gringo! Stop him!
[Famette runs to gate right, where Chartrien is removing bar]
Cha. Come! Fly with me! Now!
I can not leave you here!
Fam. Go! Do not stop,
However weary, till you're safe in Quito.
The wounded hare, remember, takes no nap.
Cha. Come, come!
Fam. No, I am safe. And there's more work
For me. They'll come back here to search. Nay, go!
Another moment and we both shall die!
Cha. [Kissing her] I'll wait in Quito,—then a husband's kiss!
[Goes. Famette puts up bar, then returns to her hut and sinks at door]
Fam. If I could pray! If I could pray! How far
Seems that old God I knew! A playhouse God
Who never saw the world! [Leaps up]
They're coming back!
[Sits again, abjectly, her shawl over her head. Megario, Coquriez, and peons, enter]
Meg. Where is the woman?
Coq. There she sits,—the witch!
Meg. Stand up! Take off that shawl!
[Famette stands up. A man snatches the shawl from her head]
Meg. Famette! Not you?
Fam. [Cowering] I, master.
Meg. [To men] Search the yard. Turn every leaf
And stone.
[The men scatter]
Mas. I'll give that gate a look. [Crosses to gate right]
Meg. This was
Your drooping modesty! [Turns on Coquriez]
You fool!—to let
The man escape! By Heaven, you might have burnt
The hacienda down and not have made
My blood so hot!
Coq. It was the woman, sir.
She jumped before me, smiling like a devil,
And when I tried to pass she caught my knees
And held this thing up, saying 'twas for me.
I kicked her off——
Meg. No doubt!
Coq. And when I turned
The prisoner was gone.
Meg. [To Famette] You saw him go?
Fam. Yes, master. Through the gate, like wings. And then
I gave the warning. Coquriez knows I did.
Meg. What did she say?
Coq. She cried "The Gringo flies!"
And pointed there.
Mas. [Returning] The upper gate is fast.
He went that way. [Nods left] Beneath the cypresses
Into the maguey fields.
A man. He'll not get far.
He has no water.
Meg. He will die in th' brush,
And I shall never know it. Alive or dead,
He must be found. I'll flog a man a day,
Until I see his bones.
Gon. [Coming up] He is not here.
We've looked in all the huts.
Meg. Ipparro?
Ipp. Sir!
Meg. Send men abroad, for fifty miles about,
To put the haciendas on the watch.
He must come in for water. Choose good men,
Who ride, and see no wenches by the way.
Coq. My lord, I've served you long——
Meg. Too long, you hound!
Where is your lady's token?
Coq. This, my lord.
She thrust it in my hand.
Meg. And left it too!
Coq. I knew 'twas yours.
Meg. [To Famette] A thief too, are you?
[Famette crouches, drawing shawl over her head]
Meg. True,
Coquriez, you have served me long. I'll add
You've served me well until to-night.
Coq. O, pardon!
Meg. I trusted you. And held your hand as mine,
To make my wishes deeds.
Coq. 'Tis sworn your own!
Meg. Then prove it. Take this whip. Come, take it, man!
Now flog that witch.
Coq. Famette! A woman, sir?
Meg. The devil's second name is woman. Do it!
Coq. A heavy hand I've laid on men, my lord,
But never yet——
Meg. Her smile struck deep to make
Such putty of your heart.
[Coquriez drops whip] Pick up that whip!
You want its kisses, do you? Pick it up,
Or you shall feel them to your traitor bones!
I'll have you flogged together!
[Coquriez slowly picks up whip. Famette rises, throwing off her shawl]
Fam. Hear me, men!
For men you are,—not beasts. Your hands are strong
In ceaseless toil. Day after day you pile
Your master's wealth more high. Day after day
You sweat your way a little nearer death,
That he may kick your bodies from his path
And set your graves in hennequin. But know
Who toils may fight! The hand that lifts a spade
May bear a sword. The strength you give to him,
Use for yourselves. Your master is one man,
You are five hundred——
Meg. Gods! I'll stop your mouth!
You men there—go—you dozen at the gate—
Go to the dry-yard—load your backs with fibre—
And bring it here!
[Men go out]
I'll teach you now, you slaves!
You are five hundred—yes—and I am one,
But in me is the might of Goldusan!
The power of Cordiaz is in my whip,
And back of that is iron Hudibrand!
Kill me to-night, to-morrow you shall die,
Each dog of you,—you know it!
[Men come in with fibre]
Throw the stuff
Against the hut. There, pile it up. More, more!
Now, Coquriez, the gentle, you've refused
To ruffle your fond dove,—here's sweeter work,
And for no hand but yours. Put her within,
Then fire the hut. [Utter silence]
What terror's on you, beasts?
Coq. In God's name, sir, you dare not!
Meg. In the name
Of all who know how power is kept, I dare!
Move there, you dog!
[Coquriez stands motionless]
Do you refuse again?
Then ... in your heart. [Shoots. Coquriez falls dead]
Who'll be the next to stand on feet of lead
When I say "Do?" Gonzalo! Garza! Out!
[The men do not move. Megario lifts his pistol]
Fam. Spare them, Megario. I'll go in.
[Enters hut, closing door]
Meg. [Trembling] That voice!
Who is this woman? Speak! Who knows? I've heard....
Bah! I'm a fool!... Take up that lantern there,
Gonzalo. Break it on the fibre. Move!
[He stands with his weapon drawn. The door of the hut in thrown open and Famette appears. She wears a rich robe, gleaming white, with blue and gold cabalistic broidery. In her hand is a sceptre, on her head a crown with a single star. The men, with cries of "Osa! Osa!" fall upon their knees, foreheads to ground, then leap up, changed, and glaring. They seem ready to spring upon Megario]
Fam. Shoot now, Megario! [Silence]
You dare not do it!
Kill me,—kill one of them,—shoot till your weapon
Pants its last murder, and a hundred hands
Will tear you limb from limb and bone from bone,
Till every separate shred of you be cast
To its own devil! Shoot, Megario!
[His hand falls. Famette steps into the yard]
Where are the masters who can help you now?
The mighty ones who know how power is kept?
Look on these men. Their blood sings as it sang
Through centuries gone,—with courage that was theirs
Ere ships came up like night on this doomed coast
Unloading hell!
Meg. Who are you, woman? Who?
Fam. The spirit of these people, absent long,
But come at last to be their hearts' old fire.
Four hundred years you've trampled on their bodies,
But see—look in their eyes—you have not slain
Their God.
Meg. Your name! Who are you?
Fam. Riven hills
May hide the shrine of long unsceptred kings,
And keep their royal secret year by year.
Voices. Hail, Osa! Osa, queen!
Meg. What do you want?
Fam. Three things, Megario.
Meg. What are they?
Fam. First,—
That I may pass from here, free as I came,
With every soul that will go out with me.
Meg. The way is open. Go.
Fam. And you with us.
Far as the coast, where willing transport waits
To bear us northward. Then you may go free.
[Turns to the people]
There brothers wait you, men,—there freedom's tongue
Is beacon fire. The whole of northland sings,
A canticle of flame. You'll go with me?
Mas. [Loudly] We'll follow Osa!
Voices. Osa! Osa! On!
Fam. Gonzalo, choose you men, a thrifty score,
To fill the water-jars and get us food
From the hacienda stores.
[Gonzales passes out, men following at his signal]
The third demand,
Megario, is this. That key you belt
So close—
[Megario claps hand on key]
Yes, that,—it must be mine, to unlock
A dungeon here and free a prisoner
Whom you for love of torture keep alive.
Meg. No, that's a lie.
Fam. Deny it to the stars
That saw you yesternight steal up like crime
To a dark grating, saw you gloat, and fling
The crumbs that will not let your victim die,
Though scarce they give him life.
Meg. [Gasping] A lie!
Fam. The key,
Megario.
Meg. I will not——
Fam. In my hand!
[Megario takes key from his belt and hands it to her]
I thank thee, God, my hand may turn the key
That frees Rejan LeVal! Now forward, men!
O, glorious to be men! Ipparro, walk
Beside our prisoner. Garza, be his aid.
Two days of marching, then the friendly sea.
And if you toil again amid these fields,
You'll take the fruit. On!
Men. Osa! To the sea!
[Curtain]