| OSWALD, Earl of Clyffe |
| BERTRAND, sometime VAIRDELAN, his son |
| CHARILUS, a Greek |
| ARDIA, his daughter |
| BIONDEL and VIGARD, sons of Charilus |
| BANISSAT, Prince of Avesta |
| PRINCE FREDERICK |
| BERENICE, his daughter |
| GAINA, serving-woman to Ardia |
| BARCA, servant to Charilus |
| RAMUNIN, a headsman |
| SEVEN MAIDENS, friends of Ardia |
| Followers of Banissat, soldiers of Oswald, nobles, wedding-guests, dancers, guards, &c. |
| Time: During the later Crusades |
| Place: The southern coast of Asia Minor |
ACT I
Scene: A hall in the castle of Charilus on the heights of Kidmir. The open rear, through which is seen a sunset sky, leads to a parapet overlooking the city of Avesta and the coast of Suli. Entrances right and left of parapet. Midway down, right, the door to a chamber.
Charilus stands on parapet and looks down toward Avesta. Barca waits within the hall.
Char. O, sea-washed city, must the hail of fire
Crimson thy milky walls, and salt winds strive
In vain to sweeten ditches dark with blood
From thy tapped heart? Come, Barca, be my eyes,
Who climbs the heights?
[Barca advances and looks over]
Barca. Lords Vigard and Biondel
Are on the pass.
Char. My sons so soon returned!
No other?
Barca. Farther down, my lord, I see
The knight, Sir Vairdelan.