ACT IV
Scene: Same as first act. An altar near wall, left. Seven maidens putting fresh garlands about the hall.
Mylitta. She must be dressed by this. Come, let us sing!
Mirimond. No, wait! Our part is yet undone.
Here hangs
A withered garland.
Alenia. Here another. See!
And there! Well, we are slack.
Eudora. Who would not be?
We've cause for sleepy wits and fingers too,
With seven days and nights of revelling.
Garla. And Charilus warm in 's grave.
Myrana. He'll be no colder
Let come a hundred months. Ten years, ten days,
'Tis all the same i' the ground.
Daphne. And yet, I think
The daughter smiles too soon.
Mylitta. Troth, I would smile
For such a lord if all the world beside
Were wrapped in shroud.
Mirimond. I would the English knights
Were come! Full fifty, Barca said, would ride
From Suli.
Mylitta. I know you, chit. Your eyes will find
Their way.
Mirimond. Mayhap not all of us will take
The homeward ship for Corinth. Did we think
When we set sail we'd come in time to see
Our Ardia married?
Mylitta. You will dream.
Garla. If dreams
Were men, what maid would go unwed? Not you,
Mylitta.
Myrana. Come, our song! 'Tis time!
Eudora. Come, all!
[They sing by Ardia's door]
Mornings seven have we been Wardens at thy door; Now thy lord shall enter in, And we come no more.
Mornings seven have we strewn Lilies at thy door; Now the virgin watch is done, And we come no more.
Mornings seven have we sung At thy maiden door; Now the seventh morn is rung, And we come no more.
[Door opens and Ardia comes out. Gaina follows]
Ard. A kiss to all! Who's happier here than I
Shall have my place.
Mirimond. We'll ask Lord Bertrand that.
Thou'rt no more mistress of your yeas and nays.
Ard. O, but I am! I have a votary now
Who'll make my words his wishes and himself
Bring them to pass.
Mylitta. No doubt. You'll cough
In oracles. He'll puzzle o'er your sneeze
That he may do its meaning. I have heard
Such husbands do inhabit a green moon,
And one may come to earth.
Ard. Kiss me, Mylitta!
Naught else will stop your mouth. O, dearest girls,
No father's here to give me to my lord,
And yet I smile, I wed. For why?—his love
Is not in earth with his dear body. No!
'Tis all about me here, bathing my heart,
Now on my brow, now whispers at my ear,
Now runs before my eyes to make a light
Where they would rest. He loves this day as I do!
Yet I had stayed this busking marriage
Had not my brothers pressed me to such haste
And peace not waited on it. Think, dear maidens,
Peace everywhere! Avesta safe and free,
And Oswald's sword in sheath—
What is that chanting?
Gaina. [Looking from parapet] A train comes up the heights.
Mylitta. The English Lords!
[Enter Barca, left]
Ard. Barca, who comes?
Barca. Prince Banissat, my lady,
With all his court attending.
Mirimond. Banissat!
This is a Christian wedding.
Ard. We are at peace.
Barca. He brings you gifts. Your brothers go to meet him.
Ard. Where is Lord Bertrand?
Barca. Near at hand. He comes
This way. [Exit Barca, left]
Ard. My girls, wouldst see what dainties lie
In yonder chamber?
Mylitta. Nay, we'll wait.
Ard. Moonstones
For golden hair—crescents and amber stars
For tresses dark——
Girls. O! O!
Ard. Veils of spun silver——
[Maidens buzz through door right]
Ard. Go, give them all!
Gaina. All, mistress? Not——
Ard. Go, go!
[Exit Gaina. Bertrand enters, left. He is in princely costume]
Ber. Art found, my heaven?
Ard. Thou'st not a fear thy Heaven
Is lost in me?
Ber. A doubt were my soul's shame.
[Points up the heights]
Does not yon giant cross arise to say
Christ reigns on Kidmir? Far as Suli plain
Men see the sun upon its silver sides
And hands upborne in prayer forget the sword
That sleeps unwakened.
Ard. Will it sleep for long?
Ber. Ay, else your father's death were devils' sport,
Not Heaven's will.
Ard. What word to-day from Oswald?
Ber. You name him?
Ard. Is he not our father?
Ber. O,
God's angel thou, not mine!
Ard. Does Biondel
Now wear the crown of Ilon?
Ber. That's confirmed.
And Vigard has Ramoor.
Ard. They profit much
By their new faith.
Ber. Do they not spare my life?
So Oswald gives these crowns. You think he pays
Too dear?
Ard. O, barest alms! I'd have the earth.
No less,—then want the sun,—ay, circling heaven,
And yet be beggared losing thee! But they
Must wear their purple o'er a Christian heart.
I would not doubt ... and yet....
Ber. They are the sons
Of Charilus.
Ard. And Banissat?
Ber. He vows
An endless peace with Suli.
Ard. And you are Suli.
Why am I fearful, knowing doubt is death?
Ber. Come, love, look down—nay, farther, toward the sea.
That sprawling mass that darkens now the plain,
Seeming to hugely breathe and cloud-like move,
Is Oswald's army making feast to-day,
For I, the prince, go wiving. Now I seem
To hear our names joined high in Heaven's air.
And Christ, too, listens smiling, knowing one land,
One throne is his forever. Sweet, 'twas he
Drew me from sheltered cell and flowered garth
To be his sovereign servant. He it was
Who called through you, who cried in Charilus' death
To wake my soul that shall not sleep again
Till Love has garnered all these eastern lands.
Ard. Amen, my husband-knight! I am content
To be your love next Christ. Within your heart.
'Twill be sweet, gleaning where he walks before.
Ber. These words be your sole dower, for they hold
More sun for me than shining gold!
Ard. The guests!
Do you not hear them? Leave me now, my lord.
Ber. Thank patience and my stars, we reach the end
Of these stale ceremonies! Seven days
Of long, superfluous rites to make you mine
When our first kiss did wed us!
Ard. [Mocking] So ungentle
To your proud honors, sir? Nay, it is fit
Your wedding be as famous as your name,
O, Prince of Suli!
[Voices heard, left]
Go, to come again!
[Exit Bertrand, right. Ardia turns to enter her room and faces Vigard who comes on left. She draws her veil]
Vig. Stay, sister.
Ard. Would you have me seen?
Vig. [Throws back her veil] Art fair
Again? As Kidmir skies!
Ard. It is my joy.
[Enter left, Biondel, Banissat, and lords. Banissat pauses. The others pass off, right]
Vig. [Taking Ardia'a hand to detain her] We have surprised
our sister.
Ban. Blest the hour!
Now may I lay this gift within her hand—
Poor gift, that has no worth until that hand
Caresses it to splendor.
[Kneels, offering her a small packet]
Ard. [Taking packet] Courteous prince,
My thanks. And more than thanks that you should climb
Kidmir's uneasy steep to dearly grace
This day—for smiles of friends, more than fair gifts,
Do best adorn my bridal. [Draws her veil and moves right]
Ban. Night is come.
And through her mist the stars! [Exit Ardia]
Vig. Her bloom is washed
Somewhat with tears for Charilus, but she
Will flower again.
Ban. Now by the Prophet's soul
He who has kissed her lips had better've kissed
A flame of hell than so have touched
What shall be mine!
Vig. As thou dost love revenge,
Be patient.
Ban. Patience to the ox, to beasts
That dream 'twixt cud and whip! Am I not man?
Vig. You have endured, by truth.
Ban. Endured!
Vig. And now
Revenge! Ere night yon braggart cross shall bear
A burden that will start Earl Oswald's eyes
When he looks up from Suli plain.
Ban. This day
Shall see it! Come, once more let us look down.
See where the hosts of Allah charge upon
The sottish infidel! All yet is well.
The banner o'er Avesta signals still
The Prophet wins!
Vig. And when the tower of Suli
Gleams with the hoisted crescent, we shall know
Oswald is taken.
Ban. Ha! There's no way out!
The powers of Ilon, Avesta, and Ramoor,
Pen him in bloody triangle. Old rat,
You're in the trap! I should be there, not here,—
There at his throat——
Vig. Nay, here, my lord, you'll have
Your dearest triumph. Please you now, go in.
I'll watch here for the sign.
Ban. Your watch be short.
[Exit, right. Re-enter Ardia]
Ard. [Holding out a flaming ornament] Brother, see this!
The jewel of the house
Of Banissat. 'Tis sacred to his name.
I cannot take it, and he dare not give it.
Vig. It seems he dared.
Ard. What does he mean, dear Vigard?
Vig. To honor Suli's princess as most fit.
Ard. I tremble still from his deep look of fire,
And when I saw this burn methought his eye
Was yet upon me.
Vig. Fool, go to your maidens!
[Enter Barca, left, with Ramunin]
Vig. You're late, my man.
Ram. And yet in season, sir. [Points up the heights]
The cross is bare.
Vig. Get you within.
[Exeunt Barca and Ramunin, left]
Now, sister—
What, do you faint?
Ard. That face! Ramunin's face.
I saw it once, and shuddered many a day
Remembering it. The public crucifier,
Who serves the bloody prince of Antioch.
The same. What does he here upon this day
Of all the days of time?
Vig. 'Tis by your wish
That Kidmir gates are open.
Ard. And by yours.
Vig. Ay, let the world be witness you are made
The honored bride of Suli.
Ard. But Ramunin?
He said the cross was bare. Why such a jest
As horrid as his life? [Looking out] And all the knights
That were to come from Oswald—where are they?
Vig. They drank too deep last night for journeying
Up Kidmir road—or else they dare not cross
This outraged portal.
Ard. Have we not forgiven?
Ah, what is there? Look, Vigard, do you see?
A floating crescent!
Vig. Where?
Ard. O'er Suli tower.
O, this is Oswald's greeting to our house,
Better than any band of armèd knights!
He lifts the Prophet's banner to his towers,
Even as you set the Savior's crucifix
On Kidmir! Now the one eternal God
Lives in his sign when cross and crescent smile
Love-set in the same heaven!
Vig. Allah be praised!
Ard. And Christ—forget not Christ!
Vig. We'll make an end now.
[Exit, right]
Ard. An end? Am I a bride—or sacrifice?
[Goes in, right, at sound of approaching music. Enter, left, young musicians playing flutes and harps. They pause before altar, cross to right and seat themselves about Ardia's door. Guests enter, filling rear of hall, and parapet. A maiden comes on, dancing the grain-dance and scattering sesame. At the close of dance, Ardia's maidens enter, each bearing a lighted candle which she places on the altar. A Greek chant is heard as priest approaches left. All wait his entrance, and the curtain falls, rising again on the close of the ceremony. Bertrand and Ardia stand centre. An aged priest at altar. Biondel and Banissat conspicuous among the guests. Vigard not seen]
Bion. Is all now done?
Priest. All's done. The spouse of Suli
May bow herself unto her master's feet,
Bespeaking so the love that has no wish
But service, no desire save her lord's will.
[As Ardia would kneel, Bertrand prevents her]
Ber. You shall not kneel.
Ard. 'Tis custom, dear my lord.
Ber. Then here it dies.
Ard. My mother did so much
For him who made her wife.
Ber. Thy knees shall bend
To God, and to none less. Reign at my side,
Princess of Suli, not my feet.
Bion. We hail
The bride of Suli!
Guests. Bride of Suli, hail!
Vig. [Unseen] Ho! Seize the traitor! Ho!
[Enter Ramunin, right, and armed guards]
Ber. Who speaks? And who
Is traitor here?
Vig. Thou, foulest murderer!
Ber. Who speaks?
Vig. Dead Charilus.
Ard. 'Tis Vigard's voice.
[Vigard steps forth]
What, Vigard, art thou mad? Wouldst shatter the globe
Of Heaven?
Vig. Nay, it was broken that same hour
When died our father.
Ber. Son of Charilus, speak
Your will. If you demand my life, 'tis yours.
I hold it by your gentle lease and love.
But while I ask not one poor breath for me,
I beg you pause, nor cast the innocent
To feed the vengeful and life-reaping fire
Oswald will kindle for his hapless son.
Vig. You think no fires will burn but of his kindling?
Ard. O shame! The crescent over Suli greets
The cross on Kidmir!
Vig. Ay, the crescent flies
From Suli, thanks to faithful Moslem hands
That set it there.
Ard. Ah.... Moslem hands?
Vig. You fool,
To think that Oswald fluttered compliments,
When he was dreaming how he'd bid you drink
Of that same cup he gave to Charilus!
Ban. Now, dearest lady, you are safe. To-day
The Faithful battled with the infidel,
And that bright crescent is the silent sign
We have the victory. Ramoor and Ilon
With pointed sword bore down on either side
The glutted, drunken army, while in front
Avesta like a whirlwind swept——
Ard. O, traitor!
You vowed unbroken peace with Suli!
Ban. Yea,
Will keep it too, for I am Suli now.
Ard. [To her brothers] Were you not sworn to Christ?
Bion. We are the Prophet's.
Ard. O, Heaven, hear not this! And Oswald's knights?
Vig. Sleep in Avesta's dungeons.
Bion. Banissat,
Avesta's golden prince, speak you the doom
Of Bertrand——
Ard. Doom? O——
Ber. Do not waste the breath
A kiss may save. A thousand times, your lips!
Ard. [To Biondel] Let him not die!
Vig. You'll pray soon that he may!
Speak, noble prince.
Ban. I, lord of conquered Suli,
Condemn the son of Oswald unto death
By crucifixion. Be his body nailed
Upon the cross now raised on Kidmir peak,
That Oswald may behold his groaning son,
And every Christian dog look up and see
How dies the Prophet's enemy.
[To Ramunin] Away!
Prick him with delicate tortures that yet leave
Him heart to heave his agony. Hear you!
If he live not three days upon the cross
Yourself shall hang beside him.
Ram. I've a hand
Has had some practice, sir.
Ban. We know it, fellow,
And therefore we employ you.
Ram. I put the nails
In young Deobus, he who hung five days
'Twixt heaven and earth, and to the fifth eve groaned
As he would pull his heart up. I've a medal
Struck by the city for it.
Ban. I will match it,
If you match me the service.
Ram. That I'll do.
These English have strong hearts—will suck at pain
As life were in her dugs.
[Exit Ramunin, guards, and Bertrand. Priest and guests follow. The maidens huddle at door, right]
Bion. Sister, you stare
Too hardly on this grief. It is a woe
That Heaven smiles on, and the cure now waits
In Banissat's fair mercy. You shall be
His royal wife, and Suli's princess still.
Vig. Speak to the prince.
Ban. Nay, let her hear my vow.
O, star of Kidmir, dear and beautiful,
I'll set thee in a bosom that shall be
A tender heaven round thee. Beat to earth
Is murmurous suspicion, and again
You shine unto the world, swept free of taint
By noble marriage with most careful rites——
Ard. I doubt, I doubt! One part, one point, one rite,
Broken in act, left gaping and divided,
One half performed, one half left all undone,
Leaves me dishonored still. She is not widowed
Who was not wife——
Vig. All's done! What more canst wish?
Ard. To lay my forehead on my husband's feet,
Which by the ancient custom of our house
Is maidhood's closing act, as 'tis the first
Of wifehood true. This thou wilt grant——
Vig. You're bound
By rites enough!
Bion. Canst stand uncertain on
So slight a matter?
Ard. Slight? Ah, you know naught
Of woman! Teach him, prince, that not a nick,
Or turn, or shade of custom would she spare
From this most holy ceremony. Wanting but
The smallest portion that gives leave to say
The measure lacks, she all her life will grieve,
Shed secret tears, and wear a blanchen face
When none knows why.
Bion. You shall not move us. Peace!
Vig. A brawling fancy!
Ard. Avesta's prince, thou who
Shalt be my lord, if any lord of earth
Be mine again, wouldst have my love, or hate?
Ban. Thy love, fair Ardia.
Ard. Then I pray you, sir,
Move thy forbearance yet one farther step
And pluck this boon for me. 'Tis near thy hand,
And O, how small a thing for you to give,
But as the sun of all my days to me!
Without it I may die——
Ban. Speak not of death. So sweet
I'll shelter thee, Death's self must bloom
If he creep near thy bower.
Ard. May I, my lord,
Keep honored place by thee when memory mocks
That place and honor? Grant me this, but this,
And here I swear if any act of man
May move a widowed heart, mine shall grow warm
To thee!
Ban. Do you speak truth?
Ard. Believe me, sir,
So dear a thing is this for which I sue,
That he who gives it must grow dear thereby;
And if he lift to him my prostrate life,
This gentle moment shall immortal be
And sweeten every hour we pass together.
Remembering this, my captive breast shall be
His free dominion, and my lips on his,
If they know warmth, shall take it from this cause,
This first dear tenderness.
Ban. We'll please you, mistress.
Bring in the man again.
[Exit a guard]
Vig. I beg you, prince——
Ban. By Allah, she shall have her beggar wish,
For no more reason than she wishes it!
Vig. It is her sickish humor, sir, to look
On him again. All this wild pother means
No more than that.
Ban. No more? We'll please her then
For our good peace to come.
Bion. A princely kindness.
[They talk together. Ardia crosses to altar]
Ard. Now one more miracle! God live in me,
And Christ direct my hand!
Bion. What do you say,
My sister?
Ard. But a word to mine own heart.
Ban. Nay, mine now, is it not?
Ard. So much of it
As dearest lenience may buy, my lord.
[Bertrand is brought in guarded]
Bion. The man is here. Now have your foolish will.
[Ardia turns and looks at Bertrand. He is stripped of his rich dress and wears only a girdled tunic falling to his knees. Arms and feet are bare]
Ban. [To Bertrand] Sir, we permit the lady of our soul
To end as her heart wills the rite that makes
Her wife and widow. Touch her not, nor speak.
[Bertrand crosses to altar]
Ard. Why should we touch, when souls inhabit eyes
And journey on a look? My heaven-lord,
Here is no priest to bless this act of mine,
But God will know his altar and the gift
I lay upon it. The life we thought to live—
That might have failed, and killed the dream now safe
From tarnish of the days. Earth has enough
Of blind and baffled lives, but great her need
Of dreams. And ours we leave with her, unworn,
Unpaled, warm round the love-seed she shall nurse
To million-budded life.
Bion. Come, make an end!
Ard. An end of love? The God of all the worlds
Cannot do that. Love born this darkest day
Shall be in flower on man's millennial path
And touch his step with Heaven.
Vig. Peace! Be done!
Ard. Ay ... done. My lord, think thou art in the world
Celestial, and from there smile on me—now—
[Draws dagger from her bosom and stabs him. He falls]
High God, as thou art Love, I struck for thee!
[Bends over body]
True aim. Full in the heart. I know the place,
For there my home is—there I live—and now
My house is down, I, too, must fall——
Ban. I'll pay thee!
What hast thou done?
Ard. What done? A miracle!
Who now can harm my love?
Ban. Your promises!
Your oaths!
Ard. I'd keep them, sir—ay, every one,
If grief would let me live to be your wife.
But I am weary, and my heavy stars
Have left their skies to hang upon me here.
My veins are empty, all their strength is out.
Does 't take so much to lift this little blade
And let it fall again?
[Biondel takes the dagger from her]
Think you I need
So poor a thing? Nay, God has struck for me,
As I for Him. I go with Vairdelan. [Kneels by body]
Look on this brow, if shame will let ye look.
An angel shaped it. Ye've unfashioned here
The work of Heaven. Sweet lips, no roses left?
Your hand, my lord, and now the sinless star. [Dies]
[Curtain]