YOLANDA OF CYPRUS

CHARACTERS

Renier LusignanA descendant of the Lusignan kings of Cyprus.
BerengereHis wife.
AmauryHis Son, Commander of Famagouste under the Venetians.
YolandaThe Ward of Berengere, betrothed to Amaury.
CamarinA Baron of Paphos, guest in the Lusignan Castle.
Vittia PisaniA Venetian Lady, also a guest.
MoroA Priest.
HassanWarden of the Castle.
HalilHis Son, a boy.
TremitusA Physician.
OlympioA Greek boy, serving Amaury.
AlessaBerengere's Women.
Maga
Civa
Mauria
SmardaSlave to Vittia.
PietroIn Vittia's pay.
Priests, acolytes, etc.
Time—The sixteenth century.
Place—The island of Cyprus.

ACT I

Scene: A dim Hall, of blended Gothic and Saracenic styles, in the Lusignan Castle, on the island of Cyprus near Famagouste. Around the walls, above faint frescoes portraying the deliverance of Jerusalem by the Crusaders, runs a frieze inlaid with the coats-of-arms of former Lusignan kings. On the left, and back, is a door hung with heavy damask, and in the wall opposite, another. Farther down on the right a few steps, whose railing supports a Greek vase with jasmine, lead through a chapel to the sleeping apartments. In the rear, on either side, are guled lattice windows, and in the centre an open grated door, looking upon a loggia, and, across the garden below, over the moonlit sea. Seats are placed about, and, forward, a divan with rich Turkish coverings. A table with a lighted cross-shaped candlestick is by the door, left; and a lectern with a book on it, to the front, right. As the curtain rises, the Women, except Civa, lean wearily on the divan, and Halil near is singing dreamily,

Ah, the balm, the balm,
And ah, the blessing
Of the deep fall of night
And of confessing.
Of the sick soul made white
Of all distressing:
Made white!...
Ah, balm of night
And, ah the blessing!