ACT II.

ACT II.Scene,same as Act I. Time, Sunrise.EnterMousta, cautiously.Mous.I left him sleeping soundly in my hut,He did not drink the wine—but still he sleeps.(Producing veil.) I stole it from his pillow! Here’s a prize!Poor devil that I am—whose only hopeOf meeting other men on equal terms,Lies in his chance of keeping out of sight!Ha! someone comes. I’ll hide thee carefully.[Places it under a stone of dial.Some day, maybe, thou’lt do as much for me!EnterFlorian, angrily.Flor.So here you are: I’ve sought you everywhere—Mous.Ay, I am here. You’re early from your bed—Well, it’s no bed for such fine folk as you;I’m very sorry, but ’twas all I had.Flor.The bed was well enough. I have been robbed.Mous.Ay, ay? And how was that?Flor.There is a thiefUpon this isle.Mous.It’s very possible.When people come and go invisibly,It’s hard to say who is or is not here.What has the villain robbed? a woman’s heart?Two women’s hearts? How many women’s hearts?If there’s a thief here, it is you or I,It comes to that. Now, what is it you’ve lost?Flor.My Talisman.Mous.Your Talisman? Oh ho!Flor.I see no cause for jest.Mous.You don’t? Observe—A prince, or someone who so styles himself,With power to make himself invisible,Employs that power to gain admission toAn isle where certain maidens dwell—when thereHis Talisman is stolen and he standsRevealed before their eyes—the helpless buttOf all their ridicule, with naught to sayBut “Ladies, pray forgive me—I had thoughtTo enter unobserved—to wander hereAnd watch your movements—also unobserved;And when grown weary of this novel sportTo take my leave of you—still unobserved,But as I’ve failed, so pray you pardon me.”And off he goes, his tail between his legs,Like a well-beaten hound!Flor.(seizing him).Misshapen imp,Have you so little care for such dog-lifeAs warms your twisted carcase, that you dareTo bandy jests with me?Mous.Release me, sir!Had I your Talisman, do you supposeI should be here before your eyes? No, no—Whoeverhas the veil is using it.There are but six of us, besides myself.If one of those is missing, why, be sureThat one hath taken it. I’ll go and see.[ExitMousta.Flor.The imp is right, and yet the TalismanWas safe with me last night. But, who comes here!Confusion! ’tis Vavir. I shall be seen!Where can I hide myself?EnterVavir; she starts in intense alarm on seeingFlorian.Vav.Kind Heaven protect me!Who art thou, and what dost thou on this isle?Flor.Fair maiden, have no fear. I am a knight,Sworn on the sacred code of Chivalry,To hold all womankind in reverence.Listen, and I will tell thee all—Vav.(who has recognized his voice, kneels as in adoration.)No need!Thy voice hath told me all! I know thee now!Oh, foolish heart, be still, for all is well—Hewill not harm thee; this is he whose words,Through the still watches of the long, long night,Rang like a mighty clarion in mine ears,“Vavir, I love thee with my whole, whole heart!”Thou art the messenger of hope and life,For Heaven hath not bestowed this joy on meTo take me from it. Yes, I am to live!Flor.(raising her). Why, Heaven forgive me, maiden—can it beThat thou hast loved this dial of thine with loveAkin to that which women bear to men?Vav.Ay, that I have, as I’ve a soul to save!Why, I have sat for hours and clung to it,Until I half believed I felt a heartBeating within its frame—and as I clungMethought I drew both warmth and life from it!I wondered then that such a thing could be—Oh, my dear love, I do not wonder now! (Embracing him.)Flor.(aside). God help thee, gentle maid! I little thoughtMy heedless words, conceived in arrant jest,Chimed in so aptly with thy fantasies!(Aloud.) Be not deceived;I am a mortal like thyself, in allExcept thine innocence!—A sinning man,Unworthy of thy love. Be not deceived.Vav.I know thee, and I love thee as thou art—Not as the Spirit of my nightly dreams,But as thou art—a man of Life and Death.Flor.Hast thou then seen a Spirit in thy dreams?Vav.I have—the Spirit of the Sun-dial—A godlike form of fearful excellence,Clad, like the Sun, in golden panoply—His head surmounted with a diademThat shed eternal rays—and, in his hand,A mighty javelin of gold and fire.So pictured I the Sun’s Ambassador—A god to worship—not a man to love! (Leaning on his breast.)I had not guessed at half my happiness!Flor.(aside). Now, by my knighthood, I would give ten years—To find some way to break the truth to her!Vav.Time was when I was very glad to die;I did not fear what others seem to fear.I have heard say that brave, stout-hearted men,Whose reckless valour has withstood the testOf many a battle-plain, will quail and blanchBrought face to face with unexpected death.I am a poor weak girl, whose fluttering heartQuakes at the rustle of a leaf, and yetIdid not fear to die—I prayed to die!But now thou hast so bound me to the earth,Thou, oh my first, my last, my only love,I dare not think of death! Oh, let me live,My life is in thine hands—Oh, let me live!Flor.Yes, thou shalt live, Vavir, so have no fear.Vav.Thou wilt not leave me?Flor.Only for a while;I will return to thee.Vav.So, hand in handWe shall grow old, and die, still hand in hand?Flor.Yes, ever hand in hand.Vav.Oh, gentle Heaven,I have more happiness than I can bear![ExitVavir.Flor.Poor soul, what shall I say? To tell her nowWould be to kill her![Pauses irresolute, then exit.EnterMousta, watching them.Mous.Oh, ho! young knight! I’m sorry for Vavir!Well, it concerns me not: the girl is fair;And traps are set for her because she’s fair,And she’ll fall into them because she’s fair.Good looksShould pay some penalty—that’s only fair.Better be such as I am, after all;No one sets traps for me. Ha! who comes here?The Lady Hilda, parting from Vavir—Come forth, my Talisman, the time has comeTo test thy power.[Takes veil from behind stone asHildaenters hurriedly. He winds it about his head.Hil.Oh, Spirit of the Well,I’ve wondrous news! The poor enchanted soul,Till now entombed within the sun-dial,Hath taken human form!Oh, gentle spirit, grant my trembling prayer,If thou hast power to quit thy silver streamAnd stand in human form before mine eyes,Then by my long and faithful love, I prayThat thou wilt suffer me to see thy face![Moustahobbles across behind the fountain, and replies asFlorian.Mous.Yes, Icantake such form, but press me not——Hil.And wherefore not?Mous.I dare not show myselfLest all thy love should fade?Hil.Ah, have no fear,My love runs with my life.Mous.So women say,Who live but once, yet love a dozen times!Hil.I am not such as they!Mous.I know it well—Hil.Then let me see thy face—but once—but once—Then thou shalt hie thee to thy well againFor ever if thou wilt!Mous.That may not be—Once seen in human form I must remainA man—with more than man’s infirmities.I am no shapely spirit framed to catchA woman’s fancy—I am roughly hewn—Somewhat uncouth—misshapen, some might say—Dost thou not fear to look on me?Hil.No, no.Take thou thy form, whate’er that form may be!Mous.But stay—Thou hast a serving man—a crumpled wretch—One-eyed and lame—but passing honest—sayThat I am such a twisted thing ashe?What then?Hil.(tenderly). Oh, Spirit of the Well, fear not,My love is not a thing of yesterday;Nor does it spring from thought of face and form.I love thee for thy boundless charity,That seeks no recompense—doing good worksIn modest silence from the very loveOf doing good—bestowing life and strengthOn high and low, on rich and poor alike;Embracing in thy vast philosophy,All creeds, all nations, and all ranks of men!Holding thyself to be no higher thanThe meanest wretch who claims thy charity,Yet holding none to be of such accountAs to deserve thine homage. Just to all,Lovely in all thy modest deeds of good,Excelling type of godliest charity,Show thyself in whatever form thou wilt,Oh, Spirit of the Well,And I perforce must love thee!Mous.Be it so!Thoushaltbehold me as I am. But first,Ere I do that which cannot be undone,Give me a solemn token that shall serveAs evidence of troth twixt thee and me.Hil.Dost thou still doubt me then?Mous.I doubt myself—I doubt my rugged form, my rough-hewn face,My crumpled limbs!—See, lady, I exchangeMy immortality for Life and Death,My demi-godhead for the state of Man—Man, undersized and crippled, and accurst!All this I do for thee—Let me be sureThat when I’ve done all this, thou wilt not cry,“Away, distorted thing,My love is not for such a one as thou!”Hil.Oh, doubting Spirit, take this sacred ring.It is a holy relic—and a vowSpoken thereon binds her who utters itThrough life to death. Upon this sacred stone,I do repeat my vow of yesternight!I am thy bride! (Throws ring into the fountain.)Mous.(taking the ring out of the fountain). Then, lady, have thy will!But, bear in mind that modest virtue oftWill clothe herself in most unlikely garb—Mistrust all prejudice—well-favoured heartsMay underlie ill-favoured heads. We spurnThe dirt beneath our feet—but never lessWe grovel in such dirt for diamonds,And sometimes find them there! A comely faceIs but the food of Time—a kindly heartTime touches but to soften—think of this,And in thy breast some pity may be found,For the poor wretch to whom thy troth is given![Moustareveals himself. Hilda, whose fears have been gradually aroused during this speech, recoils in horror and amazement at seeing him.Hil.Mousta! Oh, Heaven, what have I said and done!Wasthinethe voice that spake?Mous.(abashed).My lady, yes!Hil.Oh, cruel, cruel!Mous.Lady, pardon me.I knew not what I did!Hil.Oh, wretched man!I pardon thee—thou dost not, canst not knowHow deep a wound thine idle words have riven!Oh, heart! my broken heart! (Sinks on to ground by dial.)My Mousta, shame upon thee for this jest—This heartless jest—this scurril mockery!When thou wast sick to death I tended thee,Through weary days, and weary, weary nights,And bathed thy fevered brow, and prayed with thee,And soothed thy pain with such poor minstrelsyAs I am mistress of—I sang to thee,And brought thee pleasant books to help thee speedThe lagging hours of thy recovery.Has my heart seemed to thee so stony hardThat it could bear this deadly blow unbruised?Oh, Mousta, shame upon thee for this jest!Mous.Jest, Lady Hilda? Nay, I did not jest!Why, look at me!Hil.(gazing at him). Oh, Mousta! Can it beThat thou hast dared—No, no, impossible,——It is too terrible!Mous.Ay, Ihavedared!I studied necromancy—and I learntTo weave a mighty engine for myself—A web that gives invisibility. (Producing veil.)Shrouded in this, I woo’d thee yesternight!Oh, Icanwoo—At least, I’ve shown thee that!A voice rang music in thine ears—’twas mine!Words thrilled thee to the core—Ispake those words!Love filled thy very soul—’twasIthat woo’d!My very self, stripped of the hideous maskIn which my soul stands shrouded from the world.I’ll woo like that all day! But shut thine eyes,Or turn thine head away, and I shall makeAs fair a husband as the best of them!Hil.Oh, horrible! Go—get thee hence, away—Take money—what thou wilt—but get thee hence!Oh, madman! madman!Mous.Why, what could I do?Should I have reasoned with myself, and said,“Mousta, when thou wast sick and like to die,The Lady Hilda came to thy bedside,And sat, and nursed thee day by day—’twas nothing!When writhing at thy very worst, her tearsFell on thy face like rain,—a woman’s trick!When baffled Death was tugging at thy throat,Her gentle prayers rose to the gate of Heaven,Mingled with the insensate blasphemiesOf thy delirium—account it naught!Go to thy labour—get thy spade and dig,And when a foolish sob of gratitudeRises unbidden to thy choking throat”(They sometimes will—one can’t be sure of them),“Swear a big oath and whistle it away,Lest it take root and blossom into love!”Wasthismy duty, think ye? No, no, no,My body’s twisted, lady, not my heart.Hil.(with forced calmness). But say that, bound in duty to the trothThat thou hast wrung from me, I taught myselfI will not say to love—to bear with thee—How could I hope to live at peace with oneArmed with so terrible a Talisman?A Talisman that vests in him the power,To come to me and go from me, unseen,And play the truant at his own free will?Thou askest more than womankind can grant.Mous.(trembling with excitement).Oh, lady, lady, give me but thy love,And in that gift will lie the surest proofThat I will not misuse my Talisman!Hil.It may be so—but Time’s an alchymist,Who changes gold to dross. Some day, may be,This love of thine will sicken, wane, and die.How could I bear this widowhood of soul,Knowing that thou hast power to come and go,Unseen?Mous.(overjoyed). Be sure I’ll neither come nor go:My place is at thy side. Such love as thineWould surely chain the proudest prince on earth,And how much more so poor a wretch as I!Hil.I’ll trust thee not.Doubt would lie heavy at my heart, not lessBecause I had no reason for that doubt.Give me thy Talisman.Mous.Nay, bear with me.Hil.Give me thy Talisman.Mous.Well, well, ’tis thine.But bear in mind, the troth that thou hast pledgedUpon this ring can never be recalled.Hil.I know it well.I’ll keep my troth. Give me thy Talisman.Mous.Lady, ’tis thine. See how I trust in thee.Do with it as thou wilt—rend it apart,And cast it to the winds—its work is done! (giving it to her)Behold me now unarmed.Hil.(changing her manner). Unarmed be thouAs all should be who use a deadly powerTo such foul traitorous ends! I am thy bride—I am thy bride! Make thou the very mostOf such poor comfort as those words may hold.Proclaim thy victory—say to thyself,“She is my bride—I wrung an oath from her,With miserable lies—she is my bride!She saved my wretched life, and in returnI poison hers—but still she is my bride.She shudders at my all-polluting touch—She loathes my mean and miserable soul:What matters it, so that she be my bride?”Oh, purblind fool—thy plot so subtly laidIs laid too subtly—and the cunning snareThat trapped thy bird is laid too cunningly;For as it made me thy poor prisoner,So shall it hold me from thy deadly graspFor ever and for ever! Raise thine head,And look upon thy bride for once and all,For by the Heaven above, the eye of manShall never rest upon my face again![She covers her face with veil, and exit.Mous.(furiously). Fiends tear your throat to rags!—No, no, I rave——Hilda—come back to me—I’ll be thy slave,Thy willing slave once more! I did but jest:My jest is dead and gone—come back to me!I will release thee from thy plighted troth:I love thee—love thee—love thee! Oh, come back,And save my soul and body! ’Twas a jest—An idle jest. I am thy drudging slave,No more than that! I never thought of love—’Twas but a jest—’twas idly done, but well—Oh, Lady Hilda—oh, come back to me!EnterFlorian.Flor.What is this outcry?Mous.It concerns you not.Flor.Where is the Lady Hilda?Mous.Who shall say?Flor.Why, thou shalt say. As there’s a heaven aboveI’ll wring a civil answer from thy lips.Mous.Take any answer that may fit your mood,And leave me to myself. I’m not in cueFor more cross-questioning.Flor.Thine impish tongueIs set awry to-day.Mous.(savagely). Itisawry.Take care! But stay; when you were seeking forYour Talisman, you bade me ascertain,If any one were missing. Very well,The Lady Hilda’s missing.Flor.Foolish ape,Dost thou infer—Mous.I draw no inference.I state the figures—add them for thyself.EnterHilda, still veiled; she gazes in amazement atFlorian.Hil.(aside). Merciful Heaven, restore me if I rave—Hisform,hisface,hisvoice!Flor.(toMousta).Base liar, knowThat we are plighted lovers, she and I—She gave her heart to me but yesternight;Why should she hide herself from me to-day?Mous.Perhaps excess of joy hath driven her mad!Flor.I’ll not believe thy tale. The maid is here,And can and shall be found!Mous.Well, go and search.And if thou findest her, why, I’m a liar—Reward me as thou wilt!Flor.A fit rewardWill be a yard of steel between thy ribs,And thou shalt have it!Mous.Thank you kindly, sir![ExitMousta;Floriansits dejectedly by fountain.Hil.’Twas he that spake to me! How can I doubt?Are there two such as he? Oh, Heaven, is thisThe senseless herald of a mind unstrung?Let me be sure.He spake of me, who long had mourned him dead—He told how, shrouded from my gaze last night,He gave his love to me. Oh, gentle Heaven,Give me more strength to bear this weight of joy![She advances to reveal herself, whenVavirenters, and sits lovingly atFlorian’sfeet.Hilda, horrified, veils herself again.Vav.At last I’ve found thee, Florian—far and nearI’ve sought thee, for I’m very strong to-day.Why, what a wise physician is this Love!For see—my eyes are bright—my face is flushed—Flushed with the glow of health. This new-born loveGives me a new-born strength. Oh, Florian,Place thine arms round me—let me rest on thee;I draw my life from thee—my heart—my heart!Flor.(aside.) Alas, poor maiden—I must tell thee all,May Heaven help me break the truth to thee!(Aloud.) Dear little lady, yield not up thine heartToo readily. The world is set with trapsAnd hidden pitfalls. Keep thy gentle heartFor one who, by his pure and godly life,Hath given thee proof of his right worthiness.Vav.(surprised). Why speakest thou in parable? Behold,Have I not loved thee for a long, long year?Flor.What proof hast thou that I indeed am heWhom thou hast loved so long?Vav.I have thy word,And had I not thy word, I have my heartTo tell me whom to seek and whom to shun.Flor.Mistrust that little heart. It is not framedTo guide thee of itself. Like virgin goldUntainted by alloy, it is too pureFor this rough-ready world of work-a-day!I have a tale to tell. There was a knightWho, as he journeyed, met a gentle maid,With whom he, light of heart and light of tongue,Conversed in playful strain. The maid was fair,And he, in jest, spake loving words to her,Believing that she knew them to be feigned. (At this point it begins to dawn uponVavirthatFlorianis referring to her.)She, pure as Faith—having no thought of guileTender and trustful in her innocence—Believed the madcap knight’s unworthy words,And nursed them in her heart. He, smit with shame,For he was plighted to her sister (Vavir, finding her fears confirmed, rises, shrinking fromFlorian, expressing extreme pain. He rises after her) whomHe loved with an exceeding love, essayed,With clumsy hint and far-fetched parable,To break the truth to her. At length—at length,By very slow degrees—light came to her!Shall I go on?Vav.(faintly). No need—I know the rest!The maiden died—she pardoned him, and died!(Vavirduring the ensuing lines shows symptoms of fainting.)Flor.(passionately). No, no—Vavir—she lived—the maiden lived!He was not worth a tear—she loved him well,But still she lived, Vavir—but still she lived!If only for the gentle sister whomShe loved so tenderly, and for whose sakeShe, in the blushing day-break of her life,Had yielded up the world. Oh, say she lived![Vavirfalls senseless inFlorian’sarms.Hilda, who has been listening eagerly to the latter part ofFlorian’stale, kneels, praying, as the act drop falls.

Scene,same as Act I. Time, Sunrise.EnterMousta, cautiously.Mous.I left him sleeping soundly in my hut,He did not drink the wine—but still he sleeps.(Producing veil.) I stole it from his pillow! Here’s a prize!Poor devil that I am—whose only hopeOf meeting other men on equal terms,Lies in his chance of keeping out of sight!Ha! someone comes. I’ll hide thee carefully.[Places it under a stone of dial.Some day, maybe, thou’lt do as much for me!EnterFlorian, angrily.Flor.So here you are: I’ve sought you everywhere—Mous.Ay, I am here. You’re early from your bed—Well, it’s no bed for such fine folk as you;I’m very sorry, but ’twas all I had.Flor.The bed was well enough. I have been robbed.Mous.Ay, ay? And how was that?Flor.There is a thiefUpon this isle.Mous.It’s very possible.When people come and go invisibly,It’s hard to say who is or is not here.What has the villain robbed? a woman’s heart?Two women’s hearts? How many women’s hearts?If there’s a thief here, it is you or I,It comes to that. Now, what is it you’ve lost?Flor.My Talisman.Mous.Your Talisman? Oh ho!Flor.I see no cause for jest.Mous.You don’t? Observe—A prince, or someone who so styles himself,With power to make himself invisible,Employs that power to gain admission toAn isle where certain maidens dwell—when thereHis Talisman is stolen and he standsRevealed before their eyes—the helpless buttOf all their ridicule, with naught to sayBut “Ladies, pray forgive me—I had thoughtTo enter unobserved—to wander hereAnd watch your movements—also unobserved;And when grown weary of this novel sportTo take my leave of you—still unobserved,But as I’ve failed, so pray you pardon me.”And off he goes, his tail between his legs,Like a well-beaten hound!Flor.(seizing him).Misshapen imp,Have you so little care for such dog-lifeAs warms your twisted carcase, that you dareTo bandy jests with me?Mous.Release me, sir!Had I your Talisman, do you supposeI should be here before your eyes? No, no—Whoeverhas the veil is using it.There are but six of us, besides myself.If one of those is missing, why, be sureThat one hath taken it. I’ll go and see.[ExitMousta.Flor.The imp is right, and yet the TalismanWas safe with me last night. But, who comes here!Confusion! ’tis Vavir. I shall be seen!Where can I hide myself?EnterVavir; she starts in intense alarm on seeingFlorian.Vav.Kind Heaven protect me!Who art thou, and what dost thou on this isle?Flor.Fair maiden, have no fear. I am a knight,Sworn on the sacred code of Chivalry,To hold all womankind in reverence.Listen, and I will tell thee all—Vav.(who has recognized his voice, kneels as in adoration.)No need!Thy voice hath told me all! I know thee now!Oh, foolish heart, be still, for all is well—Hewill not harm thee; this is he whose words,Through the still watches of the long, long night,Rang like a mighty clarion in mine ears,“Vavir, I love thee with my whole, whole heart!”Thou art the messenger of hope and life,For Heaven hath not bestowed this joy on meTo take me from it. Yes, I am to live!Flor.(raising her). Why, Heaven forgive me, maiden—can it beThat thou hast loved this dial of thine with loveAkin to that which women bear to men?Vav.Ay, that I have, as I’ve a soul to save!Why, I have sat for hours and clung to it,Until I half believed I felt a heartBeating within its frame—and as I clungMethought I drew both warmth and life from it!I wondered then that such a thing could be—Oh, my dear love, I do not wonder now! (Embracing him.)Flor.(aside). God help thee, gentle maid! I little thoughtMy heedless words, conceived in arrant jest,Chimed in so aptly with thy fantasies!(Aloud.) Be not deceived;I am a mortal like thyself, in allExcept thine innocence!—A sinning man,Unworthy of thy love. Be not deceived.Vav.I know thee, and I love thee as thou art—Not as the Spirit of my nightly dreams,But as thou art—a man of Life and Death.Flor.Hast thou then seen a Spirit in thy dreams?Vav.I have—the Spirit of the Sun-dial—A godlike form of fearful excellence,Clad, like the Sun, in golden panoply—His head surmounted with a diademThat shed eternal rays—and, in his hand,A mighty javelin of gold and fire.So pictured I the Sun’s Ambassador—A god to worship—not a man to love! (Leaning on his breast.)I had not guessed at half my happiness!Flor.(aside). Now, by my knighthood, I would give ten years—To find some way to break the truth to her!Vav.Time was when I was very glad to die;I did not fear what others seem to fear.I have heard say that brave, stout-hearted men,Whose reckless valour has withstood the testOf many a battle-plain, will quail and blanchBrought face to face with unexpected death.I am a poor weak girl, whose fluttering heartQuakes at the rustle of a leaf, and yetIdid not fear to die—I prayed to die!But now thou hast so bound me to the earth,Thou, oh my first, my last, my only love,I dare not think of death! Oh, let me live,My life is in thine hands—Oh, let me live!Flor.Yes, thou shalt live, Vavir, so have no fear.Vav.Thou wilt not leave me?Flor.Only for a while;I will return to thee.Vav.So, hand in handWe shall grow old, and die, still hand in hand?Flor.Yes, ever hand in hand.Vav.Oh, gentle Heaven,I have more happiness than I can bear![ExitVavir.Flor.Poor soul, what shall I say? To tell her nowWould be to kill her![Pauses irresolute, then exit.EnterMousta, watching them.Mous.Oh, ho! young knight! I’m sorry for Vavir!Well, it concerns me not: the girl is fair;And traps are set for her because she’s fair,And she’ll fall into them because she’s fair.Good looksShould pay some penalty—that’s only fair.Better be such as I am, after all;No one sets traps for me. Ha! who comes here?The Lady Hilda, parting from Vavir—Come forth, my Talisman, the time has comeTo test thy power.[Takes veil from behind stone asHildaenters hurriedly. He winds it about his head.Hil.Oh, Spirit of the Well,I’ve wondrous news! The poor enchanted soul,Till now entombed within the sun-dial,Hath taken human form!Oh, gentle spirit, grant my trembling prayer,If thou hast power to quit thy silver streamAnd stand in human form before mine eyes,Then by my long and faithful love, I prayThat thou wilt suffer me to see thy face![Moustahobbles across behind the fountain, and replies asFlorian.Mous.Yes, Icantake such form, but press me not——Hil.And wherefore not?Mous.I dare not show myselfLest all thy love should fade?Hil.Ah, have no fear,My love runs with my life.Mous.So women say,Who live but once, yet love a dozen times!Hil.I am not such as they!Mous.I know it well—Hil.Then let me see thy face—but once—but once—Then thou shalt hie thee to thy well againFor ever if thou wilt!Mous.That may not be—Once seen in human form I must remainA man—with more than man’s infirmities.I am no shapely spirit framed to catchA woman’s fancy—I am roughly hewn—Somewhat uncouth—misshapen, some might say—Dost thou not fear to look on me?Hil.No, no.Take thou thy form, whate’er that form may be!Mous.But stay—Thou hast a serving man—a crumpled wretch—One-eyed and lame—but passing honest—sayThat I am such a twisted thing ashe?What then?Hil.(tenderly). Oh, Spirit of the Well, fear not,My love is not a thing of yesterday;Nor does it spring from thought of face and form.I love thee for thy boundless charity,That seeks no recompense—doing good worksIn modest silence from the very loveOf doing good—bestowing life and strengthOn high and low, on rich and poor alike;Embracing in thy vast philosophy,All creeds, all nations, and all ranks of men!Holding thyself to be no higher thanThe meanest wretch who claims thy charity,Yet holding none to be of such accountAs to deserve thine homage. Just to all,Lovely in all thy modest deeds of good,Excelling type of godliest charity,Show thyself in whatever form thou wilt,Oh, Spirit of the Well,And I perforce must love thee!Mous.Be it so!Thoushaltbehold me as I am. But first,Ere I do that which cannot be undone,Give me a solemn token that shall serveAs evidence of troth twixt thee and me.Hil.Dost thou still doubt me then?Mous.I doubt myself—I doubt my rugged form, my rough-hewn face,My crumpled limbs!—See, lady, I exchangeMy immortality for Life and Death,My demi-godhead for the state of Man—Man, undersized and crippled, and accurst!All this I do for thee—Let me be sureThat when I’ve done all this, thou wilt not cry,“Away, distorted thing,My love is not for such a one as thou!”Hil.Oh, doubting Spirit, take this sacred ring.It is a holy relic—and a vowSpoken thereon binds her who utters itThrough life to death. Upon this sacred stone,I do repeat my vow of yesternight!I am thy bride! (Throws ring into the fountain.)Mous.(taking the ring out of the fountain). Then, lady, have thy will!But, bear in mind that modest virtue oftWill clothe herself in most unlikely garb—Mistrust all prejudice—well-favoured heartsMay underlie ill-favoured heads. We spurnThe dirt beneath our feet—but never lessWe grovel in such dirt for diamonds,And sometimes find them there! A comely faceIs but the food of Time—a kindly heartTime touches but to soften—think of this,And in thy breast some pity may be found,For the poor wretch to whom thy troth is given![Moustareveals himself. Hilda, whose fears have been gradually aroused during this speech, recoils in horror and amazement at seeing him.Hil.Mousta! Oh, Heaven, what have I said and done!Wasthinethe voice that spake?Mous.(abashed).My lady, yes!Hil.Oh, cruel, cruel!Mous.Lady, pardon me.I knew not what I did!Hil.Oh, wretched man!I pardon thee—thou dost not, canst not knowHow deep a wound thine idle words have riven!Oh, heart! my broken heart! (Sinks on to ground by dial.)My Mousta, shame upon thee for this jest—This heartless jest—this scurril mockery!When thou wast sick to death I tended thee,Through weary days, and weary, weary nights,And bathed thy fevered brow, and prayed with thee,And soothed thy pain with such poor minstrelsyAs I am mistress of—I sang to thee,And brought thee pleasant books to help thee speedThe lagging hours of thy recovery.Has my heart seemed to thee so stony hardThat it could bear this deadly blow unbruised?Oh, Mousta, shame upon thee for this jest!Mous.Jest, Lady Hilda? Nay, I did not jest!Why, look at me!Hil.(gazing at him). Oh, Mousta! Can it beThat thou hast dared—No, no, impossible,——It is too terrible!Mous.Ay, Ihavedared!I studied necromancy—and I learntTo weave a mighty engine for myself—A web that gives invisibility. (Producing veil.)Shrouded in this, I woo’d thee yesternight!Oh, Icanwoo—At least, I’ve shown thee that!A voice rang music in thine ears—’twas mine!Words thrilled thee to the core—Ispake those words!Love filled thy very soul—’twasIthat woo’d!My very self, stripped of the hideous maskIn which my soul stands shrouded from the world.I’ll woo like that all day! But shut thine eyes,Or turn thine head away, and I shall makeAs fair a husband as the best of them!Hil.Oh, horrible! Go—get thee hence, away—Take money—what thou wilt—but get thee hence!Oh, madman! madman!Mous.Why, what could I do?Should I have reasoned with myself, and said,“Mousta, when thou wast sick and like to die,The Lady Hilda came to thy bedside,And sat, and nursed thee day by day—’twas nothing!When writhing at thy very worst, her tearsFell on thy face like rain,—a woman’s trick!When baffled Death was tugging at thy throat,Her gentle prayers rose to the gate of Heaven,Mingled with the insensate blasphemiesOf thy delirium—account it naught!Go to thy labour—get thy spade and dig,And when a foolish sob of gratitudeRises unbidden to thy choking throat”(They sometimes will—one can’t be sure of them),“Swear a big oath and whistle it away,Lest it take root and blossom into love!”Wasthismy duty, think ye? No, no, no,My body’s twisted, lady, not my heart.Hil.(with forced calmness). But say that, bound in duty to the trothThat thou hast wrung from me, I taught myselfI will not say to love—to bear with thee—How could I hope to live at peace with oneArmed with so terrible a Talisman?A Talisman that vests in him the power,To come to me and go from me, unseen,And play the truant at his own free will?Thou askest more than womankind can grant.Mous.(trembling with excitement).Oh, lady, lady, give me but thy love,And in that gift will lie the surest proofThat I will not misuse my Talisman!Hil.It may be so—but Time’s an alchymist,Who changes gold to dross. Some day, may be,This love of thine will sicken, wane, and die.How could I bear this widowhood of soul,Knowing that thou hast power to come and go,Unseen?Mous.(overjoyed). Be sure I’ll neither come nor go:My place is at thy side. Such love as thineWould surely chain the proudest prince on earth,And how much more so poor a wretch as I!Hil.I’ll trust thee not.Doubt would lie heavy at my heart, not lessBecause I had no reason for that doubt.Give me thy Talisman.Mous.Nay, bear with me.Hil.Give me thy Talisman.Mous.Well, well, ’tis thine.But bear in mind, the troth that thou hast pledgedUpon this ring can never be recalled.Hil.I know it well.I’ll keep my troth. Give me thy Talisman.Mous.Lady, ’tis thine. See how I trust in thee.Do with it as thou wilt—rend it apart,And cast it to the winds—its work is done! (giving it to her)Behold me now unarmed.Hil.(changing her manner). Unarmed be thouAs all should be who use a deadly powerTo such foul traitorous ends! I am thy bride—I am thy bride! Make thou the very mostOf such poor comfort as those words may hold.Proclaim thy victory—say to thyself,“She is my bride—I wrung an oath from her,With miserable lies—she is my bride!She saved my wretched life, and in returnI poison hers—but still she is my bride.She shudders at my all-polluting touch—She loathes my mean and miserable soul:What matters it, so that she be my bride?”Oh, purblind fool—thy plot so subtly laidIs laid too subtly—and the cunning snareThat trapped thy bird is laid too cunningly;For as it made me thy poor prisoner,So shall it hold me from thy deadly graspFor ever and for ever! Raise thine head,And look upon thy bride for once and all,For by the Heaven above, the eye of manShall never rest upon my face again![She covers her face with veil, and exit.Mous.(furiously). Fiends tear your throat to rags!—No, no, I rave——Hilda—come back to me—I’ll be thy slave,Thy willing slave once more! I did but jest:My jest is dead and gone—come back to me!I will release thee from thy plighted troth:I love thee—love thee—love thee! Oh, come back,And save my soul and body! ’Twas a jest—An idle jest. I am thy drudging slave,No more than that! I never thought of love—’Twas but a jest—’twas idly done, but well—Oh, Lady Hilda—oh, come back to me!EnterFlorian.Flor.What is this outcry?Mous.It concerns you not.Flor.Where is the Lady Hilda?Mous.Who shall say?Flor.Why, thou shalt say. As there’s a heaven aboveI’ll wring a civil answer from thy lips.Mous.Take any answer that may fit your mood,And leave me to myself. I’m not in cueFor more cross-questioning.Flor.Thine impish tongueIs set awry to-day.Mous.(savagely). Itisawry.Take care! But stay; when you were seeking forYour Talisman, you bade me ascertain,If any one were missing. Very well,The Lady Hilda’s missing.Flor.Foolish ape,Dost thou infer—Mous.I draw no inference.I state the figures—add them for thyself.EnterHilda, still veiled; she gazes in amazement atFlorian.Hil.(aside). Merciful Heaven, restore me if I rave—Hisform,hisface,hisvoice!Flor.(toMousta).Base liar, knowThat we are plighted lovers, she and I—She gave her heart to me but yesternight;Why should she hide herself from me to-day?Mous.Perhaps excess of joy hath driven her mad!Flor.I’ll not believe thy tale. The maid is here,And can and shall be found!Mous.Well, go and search.And if thou findest her, why, I’m a liar—Reward me as thou wilt!Flor.A fit rewardWill be a yard of steel between thy ribs,And thou shalt have it!Mous.Thank you kindly, sir![ExitMousta;Floriansits dejectedly by fountain.Hil.’Twas he that spake to me! How can I doubt?Are there two such as he? Oh, Heaven, is thisThe senseless herald of a mind unstrung?Let me be sure.He spake of me, who long had mourned him dead—He told how, shrouded from my gaze last night,He gave his love to me. Oh, gentle Heaven,Give me more strength to bear this weight of joy![She advances to reveal herself, whenVavirenters, and sits lovingly atFlorian’sfeet.Hilda, horrified, veils herself again.Vav.At last I’ve found thee, Florian—far and nearI’ve sought thee, for I’m very strong to-day.Why, what a wise physician is this Love!For see—my eyes are bright—my face is flushed—Flushed with the glow of health. This new-born loveGives me a new-born strength. Oh, Florian,Place thine arms round me—let me rest on thee;I draw my life from thee—my heart—my heart!Flor.(aside.) Alas, poor maiden—I must tell thee all,May Heaven help me break the truth to thee!(Aloud.) Dear little lady, yield not up thine heartToo readily. The world is set with trapsAnd hidden pitfalls. Keep thy gentle heartFor one who, by his pure and godly life,Hath given thee proof of his right worthiness.Vav.(surprised). Why speakest thou in parable? Behold,Have I not loved thee for a long, long year?Flor.What proof hast thou that I indeed am heWhom thou hast loved so long?Vav.I have thy word,And had I not thy word, I have my heartTo tell me whom to seek and whom to shun.Flor.Mistrust that little heart. It is not framedTo guide thee of itself. Like virgin goldUntainted by alloy, it is too pureFor this rough-ready world of work-a-day!I have a tale to tell. There was a knightWho, as he journeyed, met a gentle maid,With whom he, light of heart and light of tongue,Conversed in playful strain. The maid was fair,And he, in jest, spake loving words to her,Believing that she knew them to be feigned. (At this point it begins to dawn uponVavirthatFlorianis referring to her.)She, pure as Faith—having no thought of guileTender and trustful in her innocence—Believed the madcap knight’s unworthy words,And nursed them in her heart. He, smit with shame,For he was plighted to her sister (Vavir, finding her fears confirmed, rises, shrinking fromFlorian, expressing extreme pain. He rises after her) whomHe loved with an exceeding love, essayed,With clumsy hint and far-fetched parable,To break the truth to her. At length—at length,By very slow degrees—light came to her!Shall I go on?Vav.(faintly). No need—I know the rest!The maiden died—she pardoned him, and died!(Vavirduring the ensuing lines shows symptoms of fainting.)Flor.(passionately). No, no—Vavir—she lived—the maiden lived!He was not worth a tear—she loved him well,But still she lived, Vavir—but still she lived!If only for the gentle sister whomShe loved so tenderly, and for whose sakeShe, in the blushing day-break of her life,Had yielded up the world. Oh, say she lived![Vavirfalls senseless inFlorian’sarms.Hilda, who has been listening eagerly to the latter part ofFlorian’stale, kneels, praying, as the act drop falls.

Scene,same as Act I. Time, Sunrise.

EnterMousta, cautiously.

Mous.I left him sleeping soundly in my hut,He did not drink the wine—but still he sleeps.(Producing veil.) I stole it from his pillow! Here’s a prize!Poor devil that I am—whose only hopeOf meeting other men on equal terms,Lies in his chance of keeping out of sight!Ha! someone comes. I’ll hide thee carefully.[Places it under a stone of dial.Some day, maybe, thou’lt do as much for me!

Mous.I left him sleeping soundly in my hut,

He did not drink the wine—but still he sleeps.

(Producing veil.) I stole it from his pillow! Here’s a prize!

Poor devil that I am—whose only hope

Of meeting other men on equal terms,

Lies in his chance of keeping out of sight!

Ha! someone comes. I’ll hide thee carefully.

[Places it under a stone of dial.

Some day, maybe, thou’lt do as much for me!

EnterFlorian, angrily.

Flor.So here you are: I’ve sought you everywhere—

Mous.Ay, I am here. You’re early from your bed—Well, it’s no bed for such fine folk as you;I’m very sorry, but ’twas all I had.

Mous.Ay, I am here. You’re early from your bed—

Well, it’s no bed for such fine folk as you;

I’m very sorry, but ’twas all I had.

Flor.The bed was well enough. I have been robbed.

Mous.Ay, ay? And how was that?

Flor.There is a thiefUpon this isle.

Flor.There is a thief

Upon this isle.

Mous.It’s very possible.When people come and go invisibly,It’s hard to say who is or is not here.What has the villain robbed? a woman’s heart?Two women’s hearts? How many women’s hearts?If there’s a thief here, it is you or I,It comes to that. Now, what is it you’ve lost?

Mous.It’s very possible.

When people come and go invisibly,

It’s hard to say who is or is not here.

What has the villain robbed? a woman’s heart?

Two women’s hearts? How many women’s hearts?

If there’s a thief here, it is you or I,

It comes to that. Now, what is it you’ve lost?

Flor.My Talisman.

Mous.Your Talisman? Oh ho!

Flor.I see no cause for jest.

Mous.You don’t? Observe—A prince, or someone who so styles himself,With power to make himself invisible,Employs that power to gain admission toAn isle where certain maidens dwell—when thereHis Talisman is stolen and he standsRevealed before their eyes—the helpless buttOf all their ridicule, with naught to sayBut “Ladies, pray forgive me—I had thoughtTo enter unobserved—to wander hereAnd watch your movements—also unobserved;And when grown weary of this novel sportTo take my leave of you—still unobserved,But as I’ve failed, so pray you pardon me.”And off he goes, his tail between his legs,Like a well-beaten hound!

Mous.You don’t? Observe—

A prince, or someone who so styles himself,

With power to make himself invisible,

Employs that power to gain admission to

An isle where certain maidens dwell—when there

His Talisman is stolen and he stands

Revealed before their eyes—the helpless butt

Of all their ridicule, with naught to say

But “Ladies, pray forgive me—I had thought

To enter unobserved—to wander here

And watch your movements—also unobserved;

And when grown weary of this novel sport

To take my leave of you—still unobserved,

But as I’ve failed, so pray you pardon me.”

And off he goes, his tail between his legs,

Like a well-beaten hound!

Flor.(seizing him).Misshapen imp,Have you so little care for such dog-lifeAs warms your twisted carcase, that you dareTo bandy jests with me?

Flor.(seizing him).Misshapen imp,

Have you so little care for such dog-life

As warms your twisted carcase, that you dare

To bandy jests with me?

Mous.Release me, sir!Had I your Talisman, do you supposeI should be here before your eyes? No, no—Whoeverhas the veil is using it.There are but six of us, besides myself.If one of those is missing, why, be sureThat one hath taken it. I’ll go and see.[ExitMousta.

Mous.Release me, sir!

Had I your Talisman, do you suppose

I should be here before your eyes? No, no—

Whoeverhas the veil is using it.

There are but six of us, besides myself.

If one of those is missing, why, be sure

That one hath taken it. I’ll go and see.

[ExitMousta.

Flor.The imp is right, and yet the TalismanWas safe with me last night. But, who comes here!Confusion! ’tis Vavir. I shall be seen!Where can I hide myself?

Flor.The imp is right, and yet the Talisman

Was safe with me last night. But, who comes here!

Confusion! ’tis Vavir. I shall be seen!

Where can I hide myself?

EnterVavir; she starts in intense alarm on seeingFlorian.

Vav.Kind Heaven protect me!Who art thou, and what dost thou on this isle?

Vav.Kind Heaven protect me!

Who art thou, and what dost thou on this isle?

Flor.Fair maiden, have no fear. I am a knight,Sworn on the sacred code of Chivalry,To hold all womankind in reverence.Listen, and I will tell thee all—

Flor.Fair maiden, have no fear. I am a knight,

Sworn on the sacred code of Chivalry,

To hold all womankind in reverence.

Listen, and I will tell thee all—

Vav.(who has recognized his voice, kneels as in adoration.)No need!Thy voice hath told me all! I know thee now!Oh, foolish heart, be still, for all is well—Hewill not harm thee; this is he whose words,Through the still watches of the long, long night,Rang like a mighty clarion in mine ears,“Vavir, I love thee with my whole, whole heart!”Thou art the messenger of hope and life,For Heaven hath not bestowed this joy on meTo take me from it. Yes, I am to live!

Vav.(who has recognized his voice, kneels as in adoration.)

No need!

Thy voice hath told me all! I know thee now!

Oh, foolish heart, be still, for all is well—

Hewill not harm thee; this is he whose words,

Through the still watches of the long, long night,

Rang like a mighty clarion in mine ears,

“Vavir, I love thee with my whole, whole heart!”

Thou art the messenger of hope and life,

For Heaven hath not bestowed this joy on me

To take me from it. Yes, I am to live!

Flor.(raising her). Why, Heaven forgive me, maiden—can it beThat thou hast loved this dial of thine with loveAkin to that which women bear to men?

Flor.(raising her). Why, Heaven forgive me, maiden—can it be

That thou hast loved this dial of thine with love

Akin to that which women bear to men?

Vav.Ay, that I have, as I’ve a soul to save!Why, I have sat for hours and clung to it,Until I half believed I felt a heartBeating within its frame—and as I clungMethought I drew both warmth and life from it!I wondered then that such a thing could be—Oh, my dear love, I do not wonder now! (Embracing him.)

Vav.Ay, that I have, as I’ve a soul to save!

Why, I have sat for hours and clung to it,

Until I half believed I felt a heart

Beating within its frame—and as I clung

Methought I drew both warmth and life from it!

I wondered then that such a thing could be—

Oh, my dear love, I do not wonder now! (Embracing him.)

Flor.(aside). God help thee, gentle maid! I little thoughtMy heedless words, conceived in arrant jest,Chimed in so aptly with thy fantasies!(Aloud.) Be not deceived;I am a mortal like thyself, in allExcept thine innocence!—A sinning man,Unworthy of thy love. Be not deceived.

Flor.(aside). God help thee, gentle maid! I little thought

My heedless words, conceived in arrant jest,

Chimed in so aptly with thy fantasies!

(Aloud.) Be not deceived;

I am a mortal like thyself, in all

Except thine innocence!—A sinning man,

Unworthy of thy love. Be not deceived.

Vav.I know thee, and I love thee as thou art—Not as the Spirit of my nightly dreams,But as thou art—a man of Life and Death.

Vav.I know thee, and I love thee as thou art—

Not as the Spirit of my nightly dreams,

But as thou art—a man of Life and Death.

Flor.Hast thou then seen a Spirit in thy dreams?

Vav.I have—the Spirit of the Sun-dial—A godlike form of fearful excellence,Clad, like the Sun, in golden panoply—His head surmounted with a diademThat shed eternal rays—and, in his hand,A mighty javelin of gold and fire.So pictured I the Sun’s Ambassador—A god to worship—not a man to love! (Leaning on his breast.)I had not guessed at half my happiness!

Vav.I have—the Spirit of the Sun-dial—

A godlike form of fearful excellence,

Clad, like the Sun, in golden panoply—

His head surmounted with a diadem

That shed eternal rays—and, in his hand,

A mighty javelin of gold and fire.

So pictured I the Sun’s Ambassador—

A god to worship—not a man to love! (Leaning on his breast.)

I had not guessed at half my happiness!

Flor.(aside). Now, by my knighthood, I would give ten years—To find some way to break the truth to her!

Flor.(aside). Now, by my knighthood, I would give ten years—

To find some way to break the truth to her!

Vav.Time was when I was very glad to die;I did not fear what others seem to fear.I have heard say that brave, stout-hearted men,Whose reckless valour has withstood the testOf many a battle-plain, will quail and blanchBrought face to face with unexpected death.I am a poor weak girl, whose fluttering heartQuakes at the rustle of a leaf, and yetIdid not fear to die—I prayed to die!But now thou hast so bound me to the earth,Thou, oh my first, my last, my only love,I dare not think of death! Oh, let me live,My life is in thine hands—Oh, let me live!

Vav.Time was when I was very glad to die;

I did not fear what others seem to fear.

I have heard say that brave, stout-hearted men,

Whose reckless valour has withstood the test

Of many a battle-plain, will quail and blanch

Brought face to face with unexpected death.

I am a poor weak girl, whose fluttering heart

Quakes at the rustle of a leaf, and yet

Idid not fear to die—I prayed to die!

But now thou hast so bound me to the earth,

Thou, oh my first, my last, my only love,

I dare not think of death! Oh, let me live,

My life is in thine hands—Oh, let me live!

Flor.Yes, thou shalt live, Vavir, so have no fear.

Vav.Thou wilt not leave me?

Flor.Only for a while;I will return to thee.

Flor.Only for a while;

I will return to thee.

Vav.So, hand in handWe shall grow old, and die, still hand in hand?

Vav.So, hand in hand

We shall grow old, and die, still hand in hand?

Flor.Yes, ever hand in hand.

Vav.Oh, gentle Heaven,I have more happiness than I can bear![ExitVavir.

Vav.Oh, gentle Heaven,

I have more happiness than I can bear!

[ExitVavir.

Flor.Poor soul, what shall I say? To tell her nowWould be to kill her![Pauses irresolute, then exit.

Flor.Poor soul, what shall I say? To tell her now

Would be to kill her!

[Pauses irresolute, then exit.

EnterMousta, watching them.

Mous.Oh, ho! young knight! I’m sorry for Vavir!Well, it concerns me not: the girl is fair;And traps are set for her because she’s fair,And she’ll fall into them because she’s fair.Good looksShould pay some penalty—that’s only fair.Better be such as I am, after all;No one sets traps for me. Ha! who comes here?The Lady Hilda, parting from Vavir—Come forth, my Talisman, the time has comeTo test thy power.

Mous.Oh, ho! young knight! I’m sorry for Vavir!

Well, it concerns me not: the girl is fair;

And traps are set for her because she’s fair,

And she’ll fall into them because she’s fair.

Good looks

Should pay some penalty—that’s only fair.

Better be such as I am, after all;

No one sets traps for me. Ha! who comes here?

The Lady Hilda, parting from Vavir—

Come forth, my Talisman, the time has come

To test thy power.

[Takes veil from behind stone asHildaenters hurriedly. He winds it about his head.

Hil.Oh, Spirit of the Well,I’ve wondrous news! The poor enchanted soul,Till now entombed within the sun-dial,Hath taken human form!Oh, gentle spirit, grant my trembling prayer,If thou hast power to quit thy silver streamAnd stand in human form before mine eyes,Then by my long and faithful love, I prayThat thou wilt suffer me to see thy face!

Hil.Oh, Spirit of the Well,

I’ve wondrous news! The poor enchanted soul,

Till now entombed within the sun-dial,

Hath taken human form!

Oh, gentle spirit, grant my trembling prayer,

If thou hast power to quit thy silver stream

And stand in human form before mine eyes,

Then by my long and faithful love, I pray

That thou wilt suffer me to see thy face!

[Moustahobbles across behind the fountain, and replies asFlorian.

Mous.Yes, Icantake such form, but press me not——

Hil.And wherefore not?

Mous.I dare not show myselfLest all thy love should fade?

Mous.I dare not show myself

Lest all thy love should fade?

Hil.Ah, have no fear,My love runs with my life.

Hil.Ah, have no fear,

My love runs with my life.

Mous.So women say,Who live but once, yet love a dozen times!

Mous.So women say,

Who live but once, yet love a dozen times!

Hil.I am not such as they!

Mous.I know it well—

Hil.Then let me see thy face—but once—but once—Then thou shalt hie thee to thy well againFor ever if thou wilt!

Hil.Then let me see thy face—but once—but once—

Then thou shalt hie thee to thy well again

For ever if thou wilt!

Mous.That may not be—Once seen in human form I must remainA man—with more than man’s infirmities.I am no shapely spirit framed to catchA woman’s fancy—I am roughly hewn—Somewhat uncouth—misshapen, some might say—Dost thou not fear to look on me?

Mous.That may not be—

Once seen in human form I must remain

A man—with more than man’s infirmities.

I am no shapely spirit framed to catch

A woman’s fancy—I am roughly hewn—

Somewhat uncouth—misshapen, some might say—

Dost thou not fear to look on me?

Hil.No, no.Take thou thy form, whate’er that form may be!

Hil.No, no.

Take thou thy form, whate’er that form may be!

Mous.But stay—Thou hast a serving man—a crumpled wretch—One-eyed and lame—but passing honest—sayThat I am such a twisted thing ashe?What then?

Mous.But stay—

Thou hast a serving man—a crumpled wretch—

One-eyed and lame—but passing honest—say

That I am such a twisted thing ashe?

What then?

Hil.(tenderly). Oh, Spirit of the Well, fear not,My love is not a thing of yesterday;Nor does it spring from thought of face and form.I love thee for thy boundless charity,That seeks no recompense—doing good worksIn modest silence from the very loveOf doing good—bestowing life and strengthOn high and low, on rich and poor alike;Embracing in thy vast philosophy,All creeds, all nations, and all ranks of men!Holding thyself to be no higher thanThe meanest wretch who claims thy charity,Yet holding none to be of such accountAs to deserve thine homage. Just to all,Lovely in all thy modest deeds of good,Excelling type of godliest charity,Show thyself in whatever form thou wilt,Oh, Spirit of the Well,And I perforce must love thee!

Hil.(tenderly). Oh, Spirit of the Well, fear not,

My love is not a thing of yesterday;

Nor does it spring from thought of face and form.

I love thee for thy boundless charity,

That seeks no recompense—doing good works

In modest silence from the very love

Of doing good—bestowing life and strength

On high and low, on rich and poor alike;

Embracing in thy vast philosophy,

All creeds, all nations, and all ranks of men!

Holding thyself to be no higher than

The meanest wretch who claims thy charity,

Yet holding none to be of such account

As to deserve thine homage. Just to all,

Lovely in all thy modest deeds of good,

Excelling type of godliest charity,

Show thyself in whatever form thou wilt,

Oh, Spirit of the Well,

And I perforce must love thee!

Mous.Be it so!Thoushaltbehold me as I am. But first,Ere I do that which cannot be undone,Give me a solemn token that shall serveAs evidence of troth twixt thee and me.

Mous.Be it so!

Thoushaltbehold me as I am. But first,

Ere I do that which cannot be undone,

Give me a solemn token that shall serve

As evidence of troth twixt thee and me.

Hil.Dost thou still doubt me then?

Mous.I doubt myself—I doubt my rugged form, my rough-hewn face,My crumpled limbs!—See, lady, I exchangeMy immortality for Life and Death,My demi-godhead for the state of Man—Man, undersized and crippled, and accurst!All this I do for thee—Let me be sureThat when I’ve done all this, thou wilt not cry,“Away, distorted thing,My love is not for such a one as thou!”

Mous.I doubt myself—

I doubt my rugged form, my rough-hewn face,

My crumpled limbs!—See, lady, I exchange

My immortality for Life and Death,

My demi-godhead for the state of Man—

Man, undersized and crippled, and accurst!

All this I do for thee—Let me be sure

That when I’ve done all this, thou wilt not cry,

“Away, distorted thing,

My love is not for such a one as thou!”

Hil.Oh, doubting Spirit, take this sacred ring.It is a holy relic—and a vowSpoken thereon binds her who utters itThrough life to death. Upon this sacred stone,I do repeat my vow of yesternight!I am thy bride! (Throws ring into the fountain.)

Hil.Oh, doubting Spirit, take this sacred ring.

It is a holy relic—and a vow

Spoken thereon binds her who utters it

Through life to death. Upon this sacred stone,

I do repeat my vow of yesternight!

I am thy bride! (Throws ring into the fountain.)

Mous.(taking the ring out of the fountain). Then, lady, have thy will!But, bear in mind that modest virtue oftWill clothe herself in most unlikely garb—Mistrust all prejudice—well-favoured heartsMay underlie ill-favoured heads. We spurnThe dirt beneath our feet—but never lessWe grovel in such dirt for diamonds,And sometimes find them there! A comely faceIs but the food of Time—a kindly heartTime touches but to soften—think of this,And in thy breast some pity may be found,For the poor wretch to whom thy troth is given!

Mous.(taking the ring out of the fountain). Then, lady, have thy will!

But, bear in mind that modest virtue oft

Will clothe herself in most unlikely garb—

Mistrust all prejudice—well-favoured hearts

May underlie ill-favoured heads. We spurn

The dirt beneath our feet—but never less

We grovel in such dirt for diamonds,

And sometimes find them there! A comely face

Is but the food of Time—a kindly heart

Time touches but to soften—think of this,

And in thy breast some pity may be found,

For the poor wretch to whom thy troth is given!

[Moustareveals himself. Hilda, whose fears have been gradually aroused during this speech, recoils in horror and amazement at seeing him.

Hil.Mousta! Oh, Heaven, what have I said and done!Wasthinethe voice that spake?

Hil.Mousta! Oh, Heaven, what have I said and done!

Wasthinethe voice that spake?

Mous.(abashed).My lady, yes!

Hil.Oh, cruel, cruel!

Mous.Lady, pardon me.I knew not what I did!

Mous.Lady, pardon me.

I knew not what I did!

Hil.Oh, wretched man!I pardon thee—thou dost not, canst not knowHow deep a wound thine idle words have riven!Oh, heart! my broken heart! (Sinks on to ground by dial.)My Mousta, shame upon thee for this jest—This heartless jest—this scurril mockery!When thou wast sick to death I tended thee,Through weary days, and weary, weary nights,And bathed thy fevered brow, and prayed with thee,And soothed thy pain with such poor minstrelsyAs I am mistress of—I sang to thee,And brought thee pleasant books to help thee speedThe lagging hours of thy recovery.Has my heart seemed to thee so stony hardThat it could bear this deadly blow unbruised?Oh, Mousta, shame upon thee for this jest!

Hil.Oh, wretched man!

I pardon thee—thou dost not, canst not know

How deep a wound thine idle words have riven!

Oh, heart! my broken heart! (Sinks on to ground by dial.)

My Mousta, shame upon thee for this jest—

This heartless jest—this scurril mockery!

When thou wast sick to death I tended thee,

Through weary days, and weary, weary nights,

And bathed thy fevered brow, and prayed with thee,

And soothed thy pain with such poor minstrelsy

As I am mistress of—I sang to thee,

And brought thee pleasant books to help thee speed

The lagging hours of thy recovery.

Has my heart seemed to thee so stony hard

That it could bear this deadly blow unbruised?

Oh, Mousta, shame upon thee for this jest!

Mous.Jest, Lady Hilda? Nay, I did not jest!Why, look at me!

Mous.Jest, Lady Hilda? Nay, I did not jest!

Why, look at me!

Hil.(gazing at him). Oh, Mousta! Can it beThat thou hast dared—No, no, impossible,——It is too terrible!

Hil.(gazing at him). Oh, Mousta! Can it be

That thou hast dared—No, no, impossible,——

It is too terrible!

Mous.Ay, Ihavedared!I studied necromancy—and I learntTo weave a mighty engine for myself—A web that gives invisibility. (Producing veil.)Shrouded in this, I woo’d thee yesternight!Oh, Icanwoo—At least, I’ve shown thee that!A voice rang music in thine ears—’twas mine!Words thrilled thee to the core—Ispake those words!Love filled thy very soul—’twasIthat woo’d!My very self, stripped of the hideous maskIn which my soul stands shrouded from the world.I’ll woo like that all day! But shut thine eyes,Or turn thine head away, and I shall makeAs fair a husband as the best of them!

Mous.Ay, Ihavedared!

I studied necromancy—and I learnt

To weave a mighty engine for myself—

A web that gives invisibility. (Producing veil.)

Shrouded in this, I woo’d thee yesternight!

Oh, Icanwoo—At least, I’ve shown thee that!

A voice rang music in thine ears—’twas mine!

Words thrilled thee to the core—Ispake those words!

Love filled thy very soul—’twasIthat woo’d!

My very self, stripped of the hideous mask

In which my soul stands shrouded from the world.

I’ll woo like that all day! But shut thine eyes,

Or turn thine head away, and I shall make

As fair a husband as the best of them!

Hil.Oh, horrible! Go—get thee hence, away—Take money—what thou wilt—but get thee hence!Oh, madman! madman!

Hil.Oh, horrible! Go—get thee hence, away—

Take money—what thou wilt—but get thee hence!

Oh, madman! madman!

Mous.Why, what could I do?Should I have reasoned with myself, and said,“Mousta, when thou wast sick and like to die,The Lady Hilda came to thy bedside,And sat, and nursed thee day by day—’twas nothing!When writhing at thy very worst, her tearsFell on thy face like rain,—a woman’s trick!When baffled Death was tugging at thy throat,Her gentle prayers rose to the gate of Heaven,Mingled with the insensate blasphemiesOf thy delirium—account it naught!Go to thy labour—get thy spade and dig,And when a foolish sob of gratitudeRises unbidden to thy choking throat”(They sometimes will—one can’t be sure of them),“Swear a big oath and whistle it away,Lest it take root and blossom into love!”Wasthismy duty, think ye? No, no, no,My body’s twisted, lady, not my heart.

Mous.Why, what could I do?

Should I have reasoned with myself, and said,

“Mousta, when thou wast sick and like to die,

The Lady Hilda came to thy bedside,

And sat, and nursed thee day by day—’twas nothing!

When writhing at thy very worst, her tears

Fell on thy face like rain,—a woman’s trick!

When baffled Death was tugging at thy throat,

Her gentle prayers rose to the gate of Heaven,

Mingled with the insensate blasphemies

Of thy delirium—account it naught!

Go to thy labour—get thy spade and dig,

And when a foolish sob of gratitude

Rises unbidden to thy choking throat”

(They sometimes will—one can’t be sure of them),

“Swear a big oath and whistle it away,

Lest it take root and blossom into love!”

Wasthismy duty, think ye? No, no, no,

My body’s twisted, lady, not my heart.

Hil.(with forced calmness). But say that, bound in duty to the trothThat thou hast wrung from me, I taught myselfI will not say to love—to bear with thee—How could I hope to live at peace with oneArmed with so terrible a Talisman?A Talisman that vests in him the power,To come to me and go from me, unseen,And play the truant at his own free will?Thou askest more than womankind can grant.

Hil.(with forced calmness). But say that, bound in duty to the troth

That thou hast wrung from me, I taught myself

I will not say to love—to bear with thee—

How could I hope to live at peace with one

Armed with so terrible a Talisman?

A Talisman that vests in him the power,

To come to me and go from me, unseen,

And play the truant at his own free will?

Thou askest more than womankind can grant.

Mous.(trembling with excitement).Oh, lady, lady, give me but thy love,And in that gift will lie the surest proofThat I will not misuse my Talisman!

Mous.(trembling with excitement).

Oh, lady, lady, give me but thy love,

And in that gift will lie the surest proof

That I will not misuse my Talisman!

Hil.It may be so—but Time’s an alchymist,Who changes gold to dross. Some day, may be,This love of thine will sicken, wane, and die.How could I bear this widowhood of soul,Knowing that thou hast power to come and go,Unseen?

Hil.It may be so—but Time’s an alchymist,

Who changes gold to dross. Some day, may be,

This love of thine will sicken, wane, and die.

How could I bear this widowhood of soul,

Knowing that thou hast power to come and go,

Unseen?

Mous.(overjoyed). Be sure I’ll neither come nor go:My place is at thy side. Such love as thineWould surely chain the proudest prince on earth,And how much more so poor a wretch as I!

Mous.(overjoyed). Be sure I’ll neither come nor go:

My place is at thy side. Such love as thine

Would surely chain the proudest prince on earth,

And how much more so poor a wretch as I!

Hil.I’ll trust thee not.Doubt would lie heavy at my heart, not lessBecause I had no reason for that doubt.Give me thy Talisman.

Hil.I’ll trust thee not.

Doubt would lie heavy at my heart, not less

Because I had no reason for that doubt.

Give me thy Talisman.

Mous.Nay, bear with me.

Hil.Give me thy Talisman.

Mous.Well, well, ’tis thine.But bear in mind, the troth that thou hast pledgedUpon this ring can never be recalled.

Mous.Well, well, ’tis thine.

But bear in mind, the troth that thou hast pledged

Upon this ring can never be recalled.

Hil.I know it well.I’ll keep my troth. Give me thy Talisman.

Hil.I know it well.

I’ll keep my troth. Give me thy Talisman.

Mous.Lady, ’tis thine. See how I trust in thee.Do with it as thou wilt—rend it apart,And cast it to the winds—its work is done! (giving it to her)Behold me now unarmed.

Mous.Lady, ’tis thine. See how I trust in thee.

Do with it as thou wilt—rend it apart,

And cast it to the winds—its work is done! (giving it to her)

Behold me now unarmed.

Hil.(changing her manner). Unarmed be thouAs all should be who use a deadly powerTo such foul traitorous ends! I am thy bride—I am thy bride! Make thou the very mostOf such poor comfort as those words may hold.Proclaim thy victory—say to thyself,“She is my bride—I wrung an oath from her,With miserable lies—she is my bride!She saved my wretched life, and in returnI poison hers—but still she is my bride.She shudders at my all-polluting touch—She loathes my mean and miserable soul:What matters it, so that she be my bride?”Oh, purblind fool—thy plot so subtly laidIs laid too subtly—and the cunning snareThat trapped thy bird is laid too cunningly;For as it made me thy poor prisoner,So shall it hold me from thy deadly graspFor ever and for ever! Raise thine head,And look upon thy bride for once and all,For by the Heaven above, the eye of manShall never rest upon my face again![She covers her face with veil, and exit.

Hil.(changing her manner). Unarmed be thou

As all should be who use a deadly power

To such foul traitorous ends! I am thy bride—

I am thy bride! Make thou the very most

Of such poor comfort as those words may hold.

Proclaim thy victory—say to thyself,

“She is my bride—I wrung an oath from her,

With miserable lies—she is my bride!

She saved my wretched life, and in return

I poison hers—but still she is my bride.

She shudders at my all-polluting touch—

She loathes my mean and miserable soul:

What matters it, so that she be my bride?”

Oh, purblind fool—thy plot so subtly laid

Is laid too subtly—and the cunning snare

That trapped thy bird is laid too cunningly;

For as it made me thy poor prisoner,

So shall it hold me from thy deadly grasp

For ever and for ever! Raise thine head,

And look upon thy bride for once and all,

For by the Heaven above, the eye of man

Shall never rest upon my face again!

[She covers her face with veil, and exit.

Mous.(furiously). Fiends tear your throat to rags!—No, no, I rave——Hilda—come back to me—I’ll be thy slave,Thy willing slave once more! I did but jest:My jest is dead and gone—come back to me!I will release thee from thy plighted troth:I love thee—love thee—love thee! Oh, come back,And save my soul and body! ’Twas a jest—An idle jest. I am thy drudging slave,No more than that! I never thought of love—’Twas but a jest—’twas idly done, but well—Oh, Lady Hilda—oh, come back to me!

Mous.(furiously). Fiends tear your throat to rags!—No, no, I rave——

Hilda—come back to me—I’ll be thy slave,

Thy willing slave once more! I did but jest:

My jest is dead and gone—come back to me!

I will release thee from thy plighted troth:

I love thee—love thee—love thee! Oh, come back,

And save my soul and body! ’Twas a jest—

An idle jest. I am thy drudging slave,

No more than that! I never thought of love—

’Twas but a jest—’twas idly done, but well—

Oh, Lady Hilda—oh, come back to me!

EnterFlorian.

Flor.What is this outcry?

Mous.It concerns you not.

Flor.Where is the Lady Hilda?

Mous.Who shall say?

Flor.Why, thou shalt say. As there’s a heaven aboveI’ll wring a civil answer from thy lips.

Flor.Why, thou shalt say. As there’s a heaven above

I’ll wring a civil answer from thy lips.

Mous.Take any answer that may fit your mood,And leave me to myself. I’m not in cueFor more cross-questioning.

Mous.Take any answer that may fit your mood,

And leave me to myself. I’m not in cue

For more cross-questioning.

Flor.Thine impish tongueIs set awry to-day.

Flor.Thine impish tongue

Is set awry to-day.

Mous.(savagely). Itisawry.Take care! But stay; when you were seeking forYour Talisman, you bade me ascertain,If any one were missing. Very well,The Lady Hilda’s missing.

Mous.(savagely). Itisawry.

Take care! But stay; when you were seeking for

Your Talisman, you bade me ascertain,

If any one were missing. Very well,

The Lady Hilda’s missing.

Flor.Foolish ape,Dost thou infer—

Flor.Foolish ape,

Dost thou infer—

Mous.I draw no inference.I state the figures—add them for thyself.

Mous.I draw no inference.

I state the figures—add them for thyself.

EnterHilda, still veiled; she gazes in amazement atFlorian.

Hil.(aside). Merciful Heaven, restore me if I rave—Hisform,hisface,hisvoice!

Hil.(aside). Merciful Heaven, restore me if I rave—

Hisform,hisface,hisvoice!

Flor.(toMousta).Base liar, knowThat we are plighted lovers, she and I—She gave her heart to me but yesternight;Why should she hide herself from me to-day?

Flor.(toMousta).Base liar, know

That we are plighted lovers, she and I—

She gave her heart to me but yesternight;

Why should she hide herself from me to-day?

Mous.Perhaps excess of joy hath driven her mad!

Flor.I’ll not believe thy tale. The maid is here,And can and shall be found!

Flor.I’ll not believe thy tale. The maid is here,

And can and shall be found!

Mous.Well, go and search.And if thou findest her, why, I’m a liar—Reward me as thou wilt!

Mous.Well, go and search.

And if thou findest her, why, I’m a liar—

Reward me as thou wilt!

Flor.A fit rewardWill be a yard of steel between thy ribs,And thou shalt have it!

Flor.A fit reward

Will be a yard of steel between thy ribs,

And thou shalt have it!

Mous.Thank you kindly, sir![ExitMousta;Floriansits dejectedly by fountain.

Mous.Thank you kindly, sir!

[ExitMousta;Floriansits dejectedly by fountain.

Hil.’Twas he that spake to me! How can I doubt?Are there two such as he? Oh, Heaven, is thisThe senseless herald of a mind unstrung?Let me be sure.He spake of me, who long had mourned him dead—He told how, shrouded from my gaze last night,He gave his love to me. Oh, gentle Heaven,Give me more strength to bear this weight of joy!

Hil.’Twas he that spake to me! How can I doubt?

Are there two such as he? Oh, Heaven, is this

The senseless herald of a mind unstrung?

Let me be sure.

He spake of me, who long had mourned him dead—

He told how, shrouded from my gaze last night,

He gave his love to me. Oh, gentle Heaven,

Give me more strength to bear this weight of joy!

[She advances to reveal herself, whenVavirenters, and sits lovingly atFlorian’sfeet.Hilda, horrified, veils herself again.

Vav.At last I’ve found thee, Florian—far and nearI’ve sought thee, for I’m very strong to-day.Why, what a wise physician is this Love!For see—my eyes are bright—my face is flushed—Flushed with the glow of health. This new-born loveGives me a new-born strength. Oh, Florian,Place thine arms round me—let me rest on thee;I draw my life from thee—my heart—my heart!

Vav.At last I’ve found thee, Florian—far and near

I’ve sought thee, for I’m very strong to-day.

Why, what a wise physician is this Love!

For see—my eyes are bright—my face is flushed—

Flushed with the glow of health. This new-born love

Gives me a new-born strength. Oh, Florian,

Place thine arms round me—let me rest on thee;

I draw my life from thee—my heart—my heart!

Flor.(aside.) Alas, poor maiden—I must tell thee all,May Heaven help me break the truth to thee!(Aloud.) Dear little lady, yield not up thine heartToo readily. The world is set with trapsAnd hidden pitfalls. Keep thy gentle heartFor one who, by his pure and godly life,Hath given thee proof of his right worthiness.

Flor.(aside.) Alas, poor maiden—I must tell thee all,

May Heaven help me break the truth to thee!

(Aloud.) Dear little lady, yield not up thine heart

Too readily. The world is set with traps

And hidden pitfalls. Keep thy gentle heart

For one who, by his pure and godly life,

Hath given thee proof of his right worthiness.

Vav.(surprised). Why speakest thou in parable? Behold,Have I not loved thee for a long, long year?

Vav.(surprised). Why speakest thou in parable? Behold,

Have I not loved thee for a long, long year?

Flor.What proof hast thou that I indeed am heWhom thou hast loved so long?

Flor.What proof hast thou that I indeed am he

Whom thou hast loved so long?

Vav.I have thy word,And had I not thy word, I have my heartTo tell me whom to seek and whom to shun.

Vav.I have thy word,

And had I not thy word, I have my heart

To tell me whom to seek and whom to shun.

Flor.Mistrust that little heart. It is not framedTo guide thee of itself. Like virgin goldUntainted by alloy, it is too pureFor this rough-ready world of work-a-day!I have a tale to tell. There was a knightWho, as he journeyed, met a gentle maid,With whom he, light of heart and light of tongue,Conversed in playful strain. The maid was fair,And he, in jest, spake loving words to her,Believing that she knew them to be feigned. (At this point it begins to dawn uponVavirthatFlorianis referring to her.)She, pure as Faith—having no thought of guileTender and trustful in her innocence—Believed the madcap knight’s unworthy words,And nursed them in her heart. He, smit with shame,For he was plighted to her sister (Vavir, finding her fears confirmed, rises, shrinking fromFlorian, expressing extreme pain. He rises after her) whomHe loved with an exceeding love, essayed,With clumsy hint and far-fetched parable,To break the truth to her. At length—at length,By very slow degrees—light came to her!Shall I go on?

Flor.Mistrust that little heart. It is not framed

To guide thee of itself. Like virgin gold

Untainted by alloy, it is too pure

For this rough-ready world of work-a-day!

I have a tale to tell. There was a knight

Who, as he journeyed, met a gentle maid,

With whom he, light of heart and light of tongue,

Conversed in playful strain. The maid was fair,

And he, in jest, spake loving words to her,

Believing that she knew them to be feigned. (At this point it begins to dawn uponVavirthatFlorianis referring to her.)

She, pure as Faith—having no thought of guile

Tender and trustful in her innocence—

Believed the madcap knight’s unworthy words,

And nursed them in her heart. He, smit with shame,

For he was plighted to her sister (Vavir, finding her fears confirmed, rises, shrinking fromFlorian, expressing extreme pain. He rises after her) whom

He loved with an exceeding love, essayed,

With clumsy hint and far-fetched parable,

To break the truth to her. At length—at length,

By very slow degrees—light came to her!

Shall I go on?

Vav.(faintly). No need—I know the rest!The maiden died—she pardoned him, and died!(Vavirduring the ensuing lines shows symptoms of fainting.)

Vav.(faintly). No need—I know the rest!

The maiden died—she pardoned him, and died!

(Vavirduring the ensuing lines shows symptoms of fainting.)

Flor.(passionately). No, no—Vavir—she lived—the maiden lived!He was not worth a tear—she loved him well,But still she lived, Vavir—but still she lived!If only for the gentle sister whomShe loved so tenderly, and for whose sakeShe, in the blushing day-break of her life,Had yielded up the world. Oh, say she lived!

Flor.(passionately). No, no—Vavir—she lived—the maiden lived!

He was not worth a tear—she loved him well,

But still she lived, Vavir—but still she lived!

If only for the gentle sister whom

She loved so tenderly, and for whose sake

She, in the blushing day-break of her life,

Had yielded up the world. Oh, say she lived!

[Vavirfalls senseless inFlorian’sarms.Hilda, who has been listening eagerly to the latter part ofFlorian’stale, kneels, praying, as the act drop falls.

ACT III.Scene,same as Act I. About half an hour before Sunset.Vavirdiscovered sleeping at foot of Sun-dial.Melusineis kneeling.Amanthisis standing, leaning on dial.Vavir’shead rests on pillows, and a cloak envelopes her.Am.How peacefully she sleeps! Oh, Melusine,Can it be that this solemn death-like calmIs but the silent herald of the end?Mel.As she has lived, so will our darling die—Gently and peacefully. This tranquil sleepMay change to tranquil death, and give no sign.So will she pass away!Am.But see—she wakes:Would Heaven that we had fairer news for thee,My poor Vavir!Vav.(awaking, and very feebly). Thy face is very sad—Are there no tidings of my sister?Mel.None!Vav.Dear Melusine, keep not the truth from me!Some fearful evil has befallen her—Tell me the truth. See, I am stronger now.Mel.Nay, calm thyself, Vavir—save only thatShe has been sought, and has not yet been found,We have no truth to tell.Vav.How speeds the day?Am.Thy dial points to eight.Vav.One little hour,And then my Sun will set. Farewell, oh Sun!How gloriously he dies!Mel.The sun will sink,To rest throughout the night, as we shall rest,But not to die.Vav.To die as we should die:The night is given to the world that sheMay mourn her widowhood.Heknows no night,But journeys calmly on his heavenly pathWrapt in eternal light—in all, a typeOf the excelling life we try to live—Of the all-glorious death we hope to die!Mel.See, Vavir, see upon the Beacon-hill,Mousta, returning from his weary search—Vav.Is he alone?Mel.Alas, my darling, yes!But still perchance he brings some news to us:I’ll go and meet him. Stay thou here, Vavir,And I will bring thee tidings.Vav.Be it so—Be quick, be quick, dear Melusine—and then (to both)Go, seek Prince Florian—and say to himThat I would fain have speech with him alone,If he will deign to grant me audience.[ExeuntMelusineandAmanthis.Another hour—and then, my Sun will set!Oh, Hilda—oh, my sister—come to me!Hildaenters, veiled.The loving day is drawing to a close:I dare not face the cold, black night alone!I want thine arms around me, and thy facePressed once again on mine, before I die.Oh, Hilda—oh, my sister—come to me!Hil.(unveiling, and kneeling). Vavir! Fear nothing.I am here, my child.Vav.(embracing her). Hilda! My sister! Heaven is merciful!And thou art safe and well?Hil.Yes, safe and well.Vav.Where hast thou been? Throughout the long, long dayMy weeping sisters have been seeking thee.Hil.No matter now, Vavir. When thou art strongI’ll tell thee all.Vav.But I have news for thee,Rare news, dear sister! Dry those gentle eyes;The mighty sorrow that hath bowed thy heartIs at an end! Thy prince—thy Florian,Whom thou hast loved so tenderly—he lives!Hilda, my sister, he is seeking thee!Here, on this island, he is seeking thee!Hilda, he loves thee; for he told me so!Hil.I know he loves me.Vav.Thou hast seen him then?Hil.I know he loves me; ay, even more,Vavir, I know the secret of thy heart—Poor broken heart!Vav.Oh! sister, pardon me.I did not seek his love—nor knew I thenThat he had loved thee—Sister, pardon me,For I have suffered very bitterly!Hil.Vavir, I have a prayer to make to thee.Vavir, thou lovest him: thy little life,More precious to us all than all the world,Lies in his hands—he is thy life to thee,And pitying Heaven hath led him to our shoresTo save thee for us. Take no thought for me,For I have wrestled with this love of mineAnd vanquished it—it lies beneath my feet! (With assumed gaiety.)Remember, thou and I have but one heart,And so that it is happy—what care weWhose bosom it may beat in—thine or mine?(Nay, but thou shalt not speak!) I’ll keep away.His eyes shall never rest on me again;He will forget me, then, and wondrous soon!Men’s hearts are in their eyes—this love of theirsMust have its daily food or it will die:I’ll keep away—so take him to thine heart,And tell him—tell him—that I spake in jest,That I had plucked his image from my heartAnd cast it from me twelve long months ago.Say that my heart is cold and dead to him.Say that-say that— (Hildabreaks down, and sobs inVavir’slap.)Vav.Oh, sister, weep no more!Thy prince hath chosen, and hath chosen well.Of what account is such a life as mine?Why, it is ebbing fast! Grieve not for me.And yet I fain would live a little while,To see thy face once more alight with joy,As in the old, old days!Hil.So shalt thou liveTo see my joy at thine own happiness.Vavir, he will be sorry for a while.Be kind to him—he will forget me then.Remember, all my love for him is dead.Kiss me, my child. Kiss me again. Farewell![Hildapauses, looking atVavirfor a moment, then covers her face with the veil, and exit.Vav.Oh, loving heart—sweet, gentle sister-heart—To bid me blight the outset of thy lifeThat I may count the time that’s left to meBy days instead of hours! Come back to me—I have no time to love—the end is near!EnterMelusine, followed byFlorian.Flor.Obedient to thy summons I am here.Yet I am very loth to look uponThe misery my heedlessness hath caused.Vav.(leaning onMelusine, with an effort to appear cheerful).Sir Florian, my pain is at an end.The blow was heavy: for I am not strong,And jests are new to me. Forgive me, sir.My brain is filled with foolishfantasiesThat carry me beyond my reasoning self.I pray your pardon. Think no more of me,Save as the subject of a merry tale—How a mad maiden loved a sun-dial,And very dearly, too! I have some newsTo give you comfort. Hilda has been here.She is alive and well.Flor.Then Heaven be thanked!Vav.But stay—you met her as you came?Mel.No, no,We saw no sign of her.Vav.It’s very strange.She left me but a minute since, and tookThe path by which you came. Go, seek her, sir;Be very sure she waits you close at hand.Come, Melusine. Farewell, Sir Florian;Deal gently with me when you tell the tale![ExitVavir, supported byMelusine. She shows by her change of expression that the effort to appear cheerful has caused her great suffering.Flor.She took that path—and yet I saw her not!There’s but one clue to this strange mystery:She has the Talisman! By what strange meansIt found its way into her spotless handsI’ve yet to learn!Moustahas entered during this speech.Mous.Let me assist you, sir,I stole it from your pillow as you slept,And used it for my ends. I took your placeBeside the fountain, and I woo’d her there.And there she pledged herself to be my wife—And, as a token, gave this ring to me! (Showing ring.)Flor.Why, miserable ape, hast thou then lostThe mere life-seeking instinct that inspiresThe very meanest of thy fellow-beasts,That thou hast come to say these things tome?Mous.I have! I say these things to you, becauseI want to die! I tried to kill myself—But I’m no hero, and my courage failed.(Furiously.) She’s gone from you for ever—and I comeTo mock the bitter blighting of your life—To chuckle at the aching miseryThat eats your heart away! I come to spitMy hate upon you—If my toad’s mouth heldThe venom of a toad, I would spit that!Come—have I said enough? Then draw thy swordAnd make an end of me—I am prepared!Flor.(drawing sword). I needed no assurance, yea or nay,That some foul planning of thy leper-heartHad worked this devilry! Thou lovest her?Thoulovest her? Is there no blasphemyThat devils shrink from? Hast thou seen thyself?(SeizingMoustaand holding his head over the pool.)Look in the fountain—bend thy cursed head!Look at it—dog-face! (Moustastruggles.) Shrink not back appalled—It will not harm thee, coward—look at it!What do we do with such a thing asthatWhen it dares claim a common right with Man?We crush it underfoot—we stamp it down,Lest other reptiles take their cue from it,And say, “If he is human, so are we!” (Flinging him on ground.)Mous.(crouching on ground).Spare me your tongue! I well know what I am,And what I’ve done. My life is forfeited.Strike at the heart! Be quick—I am prepared!Flor.Hast thou no prayer to utter?Mous.No, not I.Curse you, be quick, I say! Yet stay—one word.Before you pass your sword between my ribs,Look at yourself, sir knight, then look at me!You, comely, straight-limbed, fair of face and form—(I say not this to court your favour, sir—The Devil take your favour!)—I, a dwarf,Crooked, humpbacked, and one-eyed—so foul a thingThat I am fain to quote my love for womenTo prove that I have kinship with mankind.Well, we are deadly rivals, you and I.Do we start fair, d’ye think? Are you and ISo nicely matched in all that wins a womanThat I should hold myself in honour boundBy laws of courtesy? But one word more,And I have done. Had I those shapely limbs,That fair, smooth face, those two great, god-like eyes(May lightning blast them, as it blasted mine!),Believe me, sir, I’d use no Talismans!Now kill me—I’m prepared. I only askOne boon of you—strike surely, and be quick!Flor.(Pauses for a moment—then sheathes his sword.)Go, take thy life, I’ll none of it! With oneWhom Heaven hath so defaced, let Heaven deal.Iwill not sit in judgment on thy sin!My wrath has faded—when I look uponThe seal that Heaven hath set upon thy brow,Why, I could find it in my heart to askThy pardon for the fury of my words!Go, take thy life, make fairer use of it.Mous.(much moved). I thank you, sir—not for my blighted life,But for the pitying words in which you grant it. (With emotion.)You’ve moved me very deeply. (Places the ring thatHildagave him onFlorian’sfinger—then kisses his hand.) Curse the tears.I am not used to weep, my lord,—but thenI am not used to gentleness from men.[ExitMousta.Flor.Unhappy creature, go thy ways in peace.Thou hast atoned. Oh, Hilda, come to me!If thou art here—if thou canst hear my words,Then by the love that thou hast borne to me,By all the tears that thou hast shed for me,By all the hope thou hast held out to me,I do implore thee to reveal thyself!EnterHilda, veiled.Fear nothing, for I have the holy ringOn which thine oath was given. By cunning fraudThat oath was wrung from thee. Fear nothing now.Hil.(unveiling). Sir Florian, I am here!Flor.(passionately).Oh, Hilda, mineMy only love! Safe in my arms at last!Why didst thou hide thyself away from me?Hil.(hurriedly). I hid myself to save my sister’s life;To save her life I now reveal myself.Flor.How fares Vavir?Hil.Alas! her little life is ebbing fastFrom heart-wounds of thy making! Florian,I have no time to lose on empty forms—I have no words to waste on idle speech—My poor sick sister loves thee! Much misledBy thy light words, she placed full faith in thee:And she is dying for her faith. Oh, sir,There is but one physician in the worldWho, under Heaven, can save my darling’s life.Go to her now. If thou hast loved me, sir,Be merciful, and save this life for me!Flor.Hilda, be just. How can I do this thing?Can I command my heart, or deal with itAs I can deal with life or limb? By Heaven,I would lay down my life to save Vavir,But not my love!Hil.I do not ask thy life!Ihave a life to yield, if such a priceCould save my sister. Oh, forgive me, sir;My weight of grief hath maddened me; and yetI ask for no one-sided sacrifice.What is thy loss to mine? For three long yearsThis love of thee tinged my devoted lifeWith such blank woe—such utter misery—That I was fain—hope being dead to me—To sit apart, and wait the far-off end.Then, when the end seemed yet too far away,The bright, blue Heaven shone through the lowering clouds,For he whom I had mourned as dead, came back,To claim my love and crown it with his own!At last, at last, I hold thee by the hand!(TakingFlorianby both hands.)At last I have thy love, oh, love of mine!Thou art my very own—at last—at last!Well, then, Sir Florian, I yield thee up! (Releasing him.)To save her life I tear this new-born joyOut of my very heart: for her I crushMy only hope on earth! If I can yieldThe love of three long years to save her life,Canst thou not yield thy love of yesterday?Flor.The task is very bitter. YesternightI learnt that thou whom I so blindly loveHad blindly loved me years ago—to-dayThou bidd’st me take this love of mine elsewhere!Hil.Art thou so sure that Ihaveloved thee long?I loved one Florian—a stainless knight,Brave as the very Truth—and, being brave,Tender and merciful as brave men are;Whose champion heart was sworn in chivalryTo save all women, sorrowing and oppressed;Nor did he hold that woman to be bannedWhose sorrow came of her great love for him!Tell me—art thou the Florian that I loved?Flor.If not that stainless Florian—yet oneWho would be such as he. (Taking her by both hands.)I have thy love—I who have lived a loveless life till now.Well, then, I yield thee up! (Releasing her.) If words of mineCan save thy sister, I will speak those words!Hil.I knew it! Florian, I was sure of thee!God bless thee, Florian; thou hast saved her life!(Kissing his forehead.)(Passionately.) Oh, how I love thee! (With hurried emphasis.)Go to her at once—Go to her quickly, ere it be too late!Flor.Thy sister comes this way. (Aside.) Alas! Vavir,There is more Heaven than Earth in that pale face!EnterVavir, very pale and weak, supported byMelusineandAmanthis.Florianreceives her in his arms and they lay her gently on the ground.Hildarushes to her, as they place her on the ground, near the sun-dial.Floriankneels by her, and takes her hand.Hil.Vavir, my love—my gentle sister. See,He loves thee—Florian loves thee! He is hereTo tell thee this—to call thee back to life.Come at his call! The earth is bright for thee.See how he loves thee. Oh, Vavir, come back!Vav.(very faintly). It is too late—too late! I feel the handOf Death upon my heart. So let it be.My day is spent—my tale is nearly told!Hil.Vavir—Vavir!Have pity on us! Gentle little soul,Fly not to thine appointed Heaven—not yet—Not yet—not yet! Eternity is thine;Spare but a few brief years to us on Earth,And still Eternity remains to thee!He loves thee—Florian loves thee well! Oh, Death,Are there no hoary men and aged womenWeeping for thee to come and comfort them?Oh, Death—oh, Death—leave me this little flower!Take thou the fruit, but pass the blossom by!Vav.(very feebly). Weep not: the bitterness of death is past.Kiss me, my sister. Florian, think of me—I loved thee very much! Be good to her.Dear sister, place my hand upon my dial.Weep not for me; I have no pain indeed.Kiss me again; my sun has set. Good night!Good night![Vavirdies;Hildafalling senseless on her body.Curtain.

Scene,same as Act I. About half an hour before Sunset.Vavirdiscovered sleeping at foot of Sun-dial.Melusineis kneeling.Amanthisis standing, leaning on dial.Vavir’shead rests on pillows, and a cloak envelopes her.Am.How peacefully she sleeps! Oh, Melusine,Can it be that this solemn death-like calmIs but the silent herald of the end?Mel.As she has lived, so will our darling die—Gently and peacefully. This tranquil sleepMay change to tranquil death, and give no sign.So will she pass away!Am.But see—she wakes:Would Heaven that we had fairer news for thee,My poor Vavir!Vav.(awaking, and very feebly). Thy face is very sad—Are there no tidings of my sister?Mel.None!Vav.Dear Melusine, keep not the truth from me!Some fearful evil has befallen her—Tell me the truth. See, I am stronger now.Mel.Nay, calm thyself, Vavir—save only thatShe has been sought, and has not yet been found,We have no truth to tell.Vav.How speeds the day?Am.Thy dial points to eight.Vav.One little hour,And then my Sun will set. Farewell, oh Sun!How gloriously he dies!Mel.The sun will sink,To rest throughout the night, as we shall rest,But not to die.Vav.To die as we should die:The night is given to the world that sheMay mourn her widowhood.Heknows no night,But journeys calmly on his heavenly pathWrapt in eternal light—in all, a typeOf the excelling life we try to live—Of the all-glorious death we hope to die!Mel.See, Vavir, see upon the Beacon-hill,Mousta, returning from his weary search—Vav.Is he alone?Mel.Alas, my darling, yes!But still perchance he brings some news to us:I’ll go and meet him. Stay thou here, Vavir,And I will bring thee tidings.Vav.Be it so—Be quick, be quick, dear Melusine—and then (to both)Go, seek Prince Florian—and say to himThat I would fain have speech with him alone,If he will deign to grant me audience.[ExeuntMelusineandAmanthis.Another hour—and then, my Sun will set!Oh, Hilda—oh, my sister—come to me!Hildaenters, veiled.The loving day is drawing to a close:I dare not face the cold, black night alone!I want thine arms around me, and thy facePressed once again on mine, before I die.Oh, Hilda—oh, my sister—come to me!Hil.(unveiling, and kneeling). Vavir! Fear nothing.I am here, my child.Vav.(embracing her). Hilda! My sister! Heaven is merciful!And thou art safe and well?Hil.Yes, safe and well.Vav.Where hast thou been? Throughout the long, long dayMy weeping sisters have been seeking thee.Hil.No matter now, Vavir. When thou art strongI’ll tell thee all.Vav.But I have news for thee,Rare news, dear sister! Dry those gentle eyes;The mighty sorrow that hath bowed thy heartIs at an end! Thy prince—thy Florian,Whom thou hast loved so tenderly—he lives!Hilda, my sister, he is seeking thee!Here, on this island, he is seeking thee!Hilda, he loves thee; for he told me so!Hil.I know he loves me.Vav.Thou hast seen him then?Hil.I know he loves me; ay, even more,Vavir, I know the secret of thy heart—Poor broken heart!Vav.Oh! sister, pardon me.I did not seek his love—nor knew I thenThat he had loved thee—Sister, pardon me,For I have suffered very bitterly!Hil.Vavir, I have a prayer to make to thee.Vavir, thou lovest him: thy little life,More precious to us all than all the world,Lies in his hands—he is thy life to thee,And pitying Heaven hath led him to our shoresTo save thee for us. Take no thought for me,For I have wrestled with this love of mineAnd vanquished it—it lies beneath my feet! (With assumed gaiety.)Remember, thou and I have but one heart,And so that it is happy—what care weWhose bosom it may beat in—thine or mine?(Nay, but thou shalt not speak!) I’ll keep away.His eyes shall never rest on me again;He will forget me, then, and wondrous soon!Men’s hearts are in their eyes—this love of theirsMust have its daily food or it will die:I’ll keep away—so take him to thine heart,And tell him—tell him—that I spake in jest,That I had plucked his image from my heartAnd cast it from me twelve long months ago.Say that my heart is cold and dead to him.Say that-say that— (Hildabreaks down, and sobs inVavir’slap.)Vav.Oh, sister, weep no more!Thy prince hath chosen, and hath chosen well.Of what account is such a life as mine?Why, it is ebbing fast! Grieve not for me.And yet I fain would live a little while,To see thy face once more alight with joy,As in the old, old days!Hil.So shalt thou liveTo see my joy at thine own happiness.Vavir, he will be sorry for a while.Be kind to him—he will forget me then.Remember, all my love for him is dead.Kiss me, my child. Kiss me again. Farewell![Hildapauses, looking atVavirfor a moment, then covers her face with the veil, and exit.Vav.Oh, loving heart—sweet, gentle sister-heart—To bid me blight the outset of thy lifeThat I may count the time that’s left to meBy days instead of hours! Come back to me—I have no time to love—the end is near!EnterMelusine, followed byFlorian.Flor.Obedient to thy summons I am here.Yet I am very loth to look uponThe misery my heedlessness hath caused.Vav.(leaning onMelusine, with an effort to appear cheerful).Sir Florian, my pain is at an end.The blow was heavy: for I am not strong,And jests are new to me. Forgive me, sir.My brain is filled with foolishfantasiesThat carry me beyond my reasoning self.I pray your pardon. Think no more of me,Save as the subject of a merry tale—How a mad maiden loved a sun-dial,And very dearly, too! I have some newsTo give you comfort. Hilda has been here.She is alive and well.Flor.Then Heaven be thanked!Vav.But stay—you met her as you came?Mel.No, no,We saw no sign of her.Vav.It’s very strange.She left me but a minute since, and tookThe path by which you came. Go, seek her, sir;Be very sure she waits you close at hand.Come, Melusine. Farewell, Sir Florian;Deal gently with me when you tell the tale![ExitVavir, supported byMelusine. She shows by her change of expression that the effort to appear cheerful has caused her great suffering.Flor.She took that path—and yet I saw her not!There’s but one clue to this strange mystery:She has the Talisman! By what strange meansIt found its way into her spotless handsI’ve yet to learn!Moustahas entered during this speech.Mous.Let me assist you, sir,I stole it from your pillow as you slept,And used it for my ends. I took your placeBeside the fountain, and I woo’d her there.And there she pledged herself to be my wife—And, as a token, gave this ring to me! (Showing ring.)Flor.Why, miserable ape, hast thou then lostThe mere life-seeking instinct that inspiresThe very meanest of thy fellow-beasts,That thou hast come to say these things tome?Mous.I have! I say these things to you, becauseI want to die! I tried to kill myself—But I’m no hero, and my courage failed.(Furiously.) She’s gone from you for ever—and I comeTo mock the bitter blighting of your life—To chuckle at the aching miseryThat eats your heart away! I come to spitMy hate upon you—If my toad’s mouth heldThe venom of a toad, I would spit that!Come—have I said enough? Then draw thy swordAnd make an end of me—I am prepared!Flor.(drawing sword). I needed no assurance, yea or nay,That some foul planning of thy leper-heartHad worked this devilry! Thou lovest her?Thoulovest her? Is there no blasphemyThat devils shrink from? Hast thou seen thyself?(SeizingMoustaand holding his head over the pool.)Look in the fountain—bend thy cursed head!Look at it—dog-face! (Moustastruggles.) Shrink not back appalled—It will not harm thee, coward—look at it!What do we do with such a thing asthatWhen it dares claim a common right with Man?We crush it underfoot—we stamp it down,Lest other reptiles take their cue from it,And say, “If he is human, so are we!” (Flinging him on ground.)Mous.(crouching on ground).Spare me your tongue! I well know what I am,And what I’ve done. My life is forfeited.Strike at the heart! Be quick—I am prepared!Flor.Hast thou no prayer to utter?Mous.No, not I.Curse you, be quick, I say! Yet stay—one word.Before you pass your sword between my ribs,Look at yourself, sir knight, then look at me!You, comely, straight-limbed, fair of face and form—(I say not this to court your favour, sir—The Devil take your favour!)—I, a dwarf,Crooked, humpbacked, and one-eyed—so foul a thingThat I am fain to quote my love for womenTo prove that I have kinship with mankind.Well, we are deadly rivals, you and I.Do we start fair, d’ye think? Are you and ISo nicely matched in all that wins a womanThat I should hold myself in honour boundBy laws of courtesy? But one word more,And I have done. Had I those shapely limbs,That fair, smooth face, those two great, god-like eyes(May lightning blast them, as it blasted mine!),Believe me, sir, I’d use no Talismans!Now kill me—I’m prepared. I only askOne boon of you—strike surely, and be quick!Flor.(Pauses for a moment—then sheathes his sword.)Go, take thy life, I’ll none of it! With oneWhom Heaven hath so defaced, let Heaven deal.Iwill not sit in judgment on thy sin!My wrath has faded—when I look uponThe seal that Heaven hath set upon thy brow,Why, I could find it in my heart to askThy pardon for the fury of my words!Go, take thy life, make fairer use of it.Mous.(much moved). I thank you, sir—not for my blighted life,But for the pitying words in which you grant it. (With emotion.)You’ve moved me very deeply. (Places the ring thatHildagave him onFlorian’sfinger—then kisses his hand.) Curse the tears.I am not used to weep, my lord,—but thenI am not used to gentleness from men.[ExitMousta.Flor.Unhappy creature, go thy ways in peace.Thou hast atoned. Oh, Hilda, come to me!If thou art here—if thou canst hear my words,Then by the love that thou hast borne to me,By all the tears that thou hast shed for me,By all the hope thou hast held out to me,I do implore thee to reveal thyself!EnterHilda, veiled.Fear nothing, for I have the holy ringOn which thine oath was given. By cunning fraudThat oath was wrung from thee. Fear nothing now.Hil.(unveiling). Sir Florian, I am here!Flor.(passionately).Oh, Hilda, mineMy only love! Safe in my arms at last!Why didst thou hide thyself away from me?Hil.(hurriedly). I hid myself to save my sister’s life;To save her life I now reveal myself.Flor.How fares Vavir?Hil.Alas! her little life is ebbing fastFrom heart-wounds of thy making! Florian,I have no time to lose on empty forms—I have no words to waste on idle speech—My poor sick sister loves thee! Much misledBy thy light words, she placed full faith in thee:And she is dying for her faith. Oh, sir,There is but one physician in the worldWho, under Heaven, can save my darling’s life.Go to her now. If thou hast loved me, sir,Be merciful, and save this life for me!Flor.Hilda, be just. How can I do this thing?Can I command my heart, or deal with itAs I can deal with life or limb? By Heaven,I would lay down my life to save Vavir,But not my love!Hil.I do not ask thy life!Ihave a life to yield, if such a priceCould save my sister. Oh, forgive me, sir;My weight of grief hath maddened me; and yetI ask for no one-sided sacrifice.What is thy loss to mine? For three long yearsThis love of thee tinged my devoted lifeWith such blank woe—such utter misery—That I was fain—hope being dead to me—To sit apart, and wait the far-off end.Then, when the end seemed yet too far away,The bright, blue Heaven shone through the lowering clouds,For he whom I had mourned as dead, came back,To claim my love and crown it with his own!At last, at last, I hold thee by the hand!(TakingFlorianby both hands.)At last I have thy love, oh, love of mine!Thou art my very own—at last—at last!Well, then, Sir Florian, I yield thee up! (Releasing him.)To save her life I tear this new-born joyOut of my very heart: for her I crushMy only hope on earth! If I can yieldThe love of three long years to save her life,Canst thou not yield thy love of yesterday?Flor.The task is very bitter. YesternightI learnt that thou whom I so blindly loveHad blindly loved me years ago—to-dayThou bidd’st me take this love of mine elsewhere!Hil.Art thou so sure that Ihaveloved thee long?I loved one Florian—a stainless knight,Brave as the very Truth—and, being brave,Tender and merciful as brave men are;Whose champion heart was sworn in chivalryTo save all women, sorrowing and oppressed;Nor did he hold that woman to be bannedWhose sorrow came of her great love for him!Tell me—art thou the Florian that I loved?Flor.If not that stainless Florian—yet oneWho would be such as he. (Taking her by both hands.)I have thy love—I who have lived a loveless life till now.Well, then, I yield thee up! (Releasing her.) If words of mineCan save thy sister, I will speak those words!Hil.I knew it! Florian, I was sure of thee!God bless thee, Florian; thou hast saved her life!(Kissing his forehead.)(Passionately.) Oh, how I love thee! (With hurried emphasis.)Go to her at once—Go to her quickly, ere it be too late!Flor.Thy sister comes this way. (Aside.) Alas! Vavir,There is more Heaven than Earth in that pale face!EnterVavir, very pale and weak, supported byMelusineandAmanthis.Florianreceives her in his arms and they lay her gently on the ground.Hildarushes to her, as they place her on the ground, near the sun-dial.Floriankneels by her, and takes her hand.Hil.Vavir, my love—my gentle sister. See,He loves thee—Florian loves thee! He is hereTo tell thee this—to call thee back to life.Come at his call! The earth is bright for thee.See how he loves thee. Oh, Vavir, come back!Vav.(very faintly). It is too late—too late! I feel the handOf Death upon my heart. So let it be.My day is spent—my tale is nearly told!Hil.Vavir—Vavir!Have pity on us! Gentle little soul,Fly not to thine appointed Heaven—not yet—Not yet—not yet! Eternity is thine;Spare but a few brief years to us on Earth,And still Eternity remains to thee!He loves thee—Florian loves thee well! Oh, Death,Are there no hoary men and aged womenWeeping for thee to come and comfort them?Oh, Death—oh, Death—leave me this little flower!Take thou the fruit, but pass the blossom by!Vav.(very feebly). Weep not: the bitterness of death is past.Kiss me, my sister. Florian, think of me—I loved thee very much! Be good to her.Dear sister, place my hand upon my dial.Weep not for me; I have no pain indeed.Kiss me again; my sun has set. Good night!Good night![Vavirdies;Hildafalling senseless on her body.Curtain.

Scene,same as Act I. About half an hour before Sunset.

Vavirdiscovered sleeping at foot of Sun-dial.Melusineis kneeling.Amanthisis standing, leaning on dial.Vavir’shead rests on pillows, and a cloak envelopes her.

Am.How peacefully she sleeps! Oh, Melusine,Can it be that this solemn death-like calmIs but the silent herald of the end?

Am.How peacefully she sleeps! Oh, Melusine,

Can it be that this solemn death-like calm

Is but the silent herald of the end?

Mel.As she has lived, so will our darling die—Gently and peacefully. This tranquil sleepMay change to tranquil death, and give no sign.So will she pass away!

Mel.As she has lived, so will our darling die—

Gently and peacefully. This tranquil sleep

May change to tranquil death, and give no sign.

So will she pass away!

Am.But see—she wakes:Would Heaven that we had fairer news for thee,My poor Vavir!

Am.But see—she wakes:

Would Heaven that we had fairer news for thee,

My poor Vavir!

Vav.(awaking, and very feebly). Thy face is very sad—Are there no tidings of my sister?

Vav.(awaking, and very feebly). Thy face is very sad—

Are there no tidings of my sister?

Mel.None!

Vav.Dear Melusine, keep not the truth from me!Some fearful evil has befallen her—Tell me the truth. See, I am stronger now.

Vav.Dear Melusine, keep not the truth from me!

Some fearful evil has befallen her—

Tell me the truth. See, I am stronger now.

Mel.Nay, calm thyself, Vavir—save only thatShe has been sought, and has not yet been found,We have no truth to tell.

Mel.Nay, calm thyself, Vavir—save only that

She has been sought, and has not yet been found,

We have no truth to tell.

Vav.How speeds the day?

Am.Thy dial points to eight.

Vav.One little hour,And then my Sun will set. Farewell, oh Sun!How gloriously he dies!

Vav.One little hour,

And then my Sun will set. Farewell, oh Sun!

How gloriously he dies!

Mel.The sun will sink,To rest throughout the night, as we shall rest,But not to die.

Mel.The sun will sink,

To rest throughout the night, as we shall rest,

But not to die.

Vav.To die as we should die:The night is given to the world that sheMay mourn her widowhood.Heknows no night,But journeys calmly on his heavenly pathWrapt in eternal light—in all, a typeOf the excelling life we try to live—Of the all-glorious death we hope to die!

Vav.To die as we should die:

The night is given to the world that she

May mourn her widowhood.Heknows no night,

But journeys calmly on his heavenly path

Wrapt in eternal light—in all, a type

Of the excelling life we try to live—

Of the all-glorious death we hope to die!

Mel.See, Vavir, see upon the Beacon-hill,Mousta, returning from his weary search—

Mel.See, Vavir, see upon the Beacon-hill,

Mousta, returning from his weary search—

Vav.Is he alone?

Mel.Alas, my darling, yes!But still perchance he brings some news to us:I’ll go and meet him. Stay thou here, Vavir,And I will bring thee tidings.

Mel.Alas, my darling, yes!

But still perchance he brings some news to us:

I’ll go and meet him. Stay thou here, Vavir,

And I will bring thee tidings.

Vav.Be it so—Be quick, be quick, dear Melusine—and then (to both)Go, seek Prince Florian—and say to himThat I would fain have speech with him alone,If he will deign to grant me audience.[ExeuntMelusineandAmanthis.Another hour—and then, my Sun will set!Oh, Hilda—oh, my sister—come to me!

Vav.Be it so—

Be quick, be quick, dear Melusine—and then (to both)

Go, seek Prince Florian—and say to him

That I would fain have speech with him alone,

If he will deign to grant me audience.

[ExeuntMelusineandAmanthis.

Another hour—and then, my Sun will set!

Oh, Hilda—oh, my sister—come to me!

Hildaenters, veiled.

The loving day is drawing to a close:I dare not face the cold, black night alone!I want thine arms around me, and thy facePressed once again on mine, before I die.Oh, Hilda—oh, my sister—come to me!

The loving day is drawing to a close:

I dare not face the cold, black night alone!

I want thine arms around me, and thy face

Pressed once again on mine, before I die.

Oh, Hilda—oh, my sister—come to me!

Hil.(unveiling, and kneeling). Vavir! Fear nothing.I am here, my child.

Hil.(unveiling, and kneeling). Vavir! Fear nothing.

I am here, my child.

Vav.(embracing her). Hilda! My sister! Heaven is merciful!And thou art safe and well?

Vav.(embracing her). Hilda! My sister! Heaven is merciful!

And thou art safe and well?

Hil.Yes, safe and well.

Vav.Where hast thou been? Throughout the long, long dayMy weeping sisters have been seeking thee.

Vav.Where hast thou been? Throughout the long, long day

My weeping sisters have been seeking thee.

Hil.No matter now, Vavir. When thou art strongI’ll tell thee all.

Hil.No matter now, Vavir. When thou art strong

I’ll tell thee all.

Vav.But I have news for thee,Rare news, dear sister! Dry those gentle eyes;The mighty sorrow that hath bowed thy heartIs at an end! Thy prince—thy Florian,Whom thou hast loved so tenderly—he lives!Hilda, my sister, he is seeking thee!Here, on this island, he is seeking thee!Hilda, he loves thee; for he told me so!

Vav.But I have news for thee,

Rare news, dear sister! Dry those gentle eyes;

The mighty sorrow that hath bowed thy heart

Is at an end! Thy prince—thy Florian,

Whom thou hast loved so tenderly—he lives!

Hilda, my sister, he is seeking thee!

Here, on this island, he is seeking thee!

Hilda, he loves thee; for he told me so!

Hil.I know he loves me.

Vav.Thou hast seen him then?

Hil.I know he loves me; ay, even more,Vavir, I know the secret of thy heart—Poor broken heart!

Hil.I know he loves me; ay, even more,

Vavir, I know the secret of thy heart—

Poor broken heart!

Vav.Oh! sister, pardon me.I did not seek his love—nor knew I thenThat he had loved thee—Sister, pardon me,For I have suffered very bitterly!

Vav.Oh! sister, pardon me.

I did not seek his love—nor knew I then

That he had loved thee—Sister, pardon me,

For I have suffered very bitterly!

Hil.Vavir, I have a prayer to make to thee.Vavir, thou lovest him: thy little life,More precious to us all than all the world,Lies in his hands—he is thy life to thee,And pitying Heaven hath led him to our shoresTo save thee for us. Take no thought for me,For I have wrestled with this love of mineAnd vanquished it—it lies beneath my feet! (With assumed gaiety.)Remember, thou and I have but one heart,And so that it is happy—what care weWhose bosom it may beat in—thine or mine?(Nay, but thou shalt not speak!) I’ll keep away.His eyes shall never rest on me again;He will forget me, then, and wondrous soon!Men’s hearts are in their eyes—this love of theirsMust have its daily food or it will die:I’ll keep away—so take him to thine heart,And tell him—tell him—that I spake in jest,That I had plucked his image from my heartAnd cast it from me twelve long months ago.Say that my heart is cold and dead to him.Say that-say that— (Hildabreaks down, and sobs inVavir’slap.)

Hil.Vavir, I have a prayer to make to thee.

Vavir, thou lovest him: thy little life,

More precious to us all than all the world,

Lies in his hands—he is thy life to thee,

And pitying Heaven hath led him to our shores

To save thee for us. Take no thought for me,

For I have wrestled with this love of mine

And vanquished it—it lies beneath my feet! (With assumed gaiety.)

Remember, thou and I have but one heart,

And so that it is happy—what care we

Whose bosom it may beat in—thine or mine?

(Nay, but thou shalt not speak!) I’ll keep away.

His eyes shall never rest on me again;

He will forget me, then, and wondrous soon!

Men’s hearts are in their eyes—this love of theirs

Must have its daily food or it will die:

I’ll keep away—so take him to thine heart,

And tell him—tell him—that I spake in jest,

That I had plucked his image from my heart

And cast it from me twelve long months ago.

Say that my heart is cold and dead to him.

Say that-say that— (Hildabreaks down, and sobs inVavir’slap.)

Vav.Oh, sister, weep no more!Thy prince hath chosen, and hath chosen well.Of what account is such a life as mine?Why, it is ebbing fast! Grieve not for me.And yet I fain would live a little while,To see thy face once more alight with joy,As in the old, old days!

Vav.Oh, sister, weep no more!

Thy prince hath chosen, and hath chosen well.

Of what account is such a life as mine?

Why, it is ebbing fast! Grieve not for me.

And yet I fain would live a little while,

To see thy face once more alight with joy,

As in the old, old days!

Hil.So shalt thou liveTo see my joy at thine own happiness.Vavir, he will be sorry for a while.Be kind to him—he will forget me then.Remember, all my love for him is dead.Kiss me, my child. Kiss me again. Farewell!

Hil.So shalt thou live

To see my joy at thine own happiness.

Vavir, he will be sorry for a while.

Be kind to him—he will forget me then.

Remember, all my love for him is dead.

Kiss me, my child. Kiss me again. Farewell!

[Hildapauses, looking atVavirfor a moment, then covers her face with the veil, and exit.

Vav.Oh, loving heart—sweet, gentle sister-heart—To bid me blight the outset of thy lifeThat I may count the time that’s left to meBy days instead of hours! Come back to me—I have no time to love—the end is near!

Vav.Oh, loving heart—sweet, gentle sister-heart—

To bid me blight the outset of thy life

That I may count the time that’s left to me

By days instead of hours! Come back to me—

I have no time to love—the end is near!

EnterMelusine, followed byFlorian.

Flor.Obedient to thy summons I am here.Yet I am very loth to look uponThe misery my heedlessness hath caused.

Flor.Obedient to thy summons I am here.

Yet I am very loth to look upon

The misery my heedlessness hath caused.

Vav.(leaning onMelusine, with an effort to appear cheerful).Sir Florian, my pain is at an end.The blow was heavy: for I am not strong,And jests are new to me. Forgive me, sir.My brain is filled with foolishfantasiesThat carry me beyond my reasoning self.I pray your pardon. Think no more of me,Save as the subject of a merry tale—How a mad maiden loved a sun-dial,And very dearly, too! I have some newsTo give you comfort. Hilda has been here.She is alive and well.

Vav.(leaning onMelusine, with an effort to appear cheerful).

Sir Florian, my pain is at an end.

The blow was heavy: for I am not strong,

And jests are new to me. Forgive me, sir.

My brain is filled with foolishfantasies

That carry me beyond my reasoning self.

I pray your pardon. Think no more of me,

Save as the subject of a merry tale—

How a mad maiden loved a sun-dial,

And very dearly, too! I have some news

To give you comfort. Hilda has been here.

She is alive and well.

Flor.Then Heaven be thanked!

Vav.But stay—you met her as you came?

Mel.No, no,We saw no sign of her.

Mel.No, no,

We saw no sign of her.

Vav.It’s very strange.She left me but a minute since, and tookThe path by which you came. Go, seek her, sir;Be very sure she waits you close at hand.Come, Melusine. Farewell, Sir Florian;Deal gently with me when you tell the tale!

Vav.It’s very strange.

She left me but a minute since, and took

The path by which you came. Go, seek her, sir;

Be very sure she waits you close at hand.

Come, Melusine. Farewell, Sir Florian;

Deal gently with me when you tell the tale!

[ExitVavir, supported byMelusine. She shows by her change of expression that the effort to appear cheerful has caused her great suffering.

Flor.She took that path—and yet I saw her not!There’s but one clue to this strange mystery:She has the Talisman! By what strange meansIt found its way into her spotless handsI’ve yet to learn!

Flor.She took that path—and yet I saw her not!

There’s but one clue to this strange mystery:

She has the Talisman! By what strange means

It found its way into her spotless hands

I’ve yet to learn!

Moustahas entered during this speech.

Mous.Let me assist you, sir,I stole it from your pillow as you slept,And used it for my ends. I took your placeBeside the fountain, and I woo’d her there.And there she pledged herself to be my wife—And, as a token, gave this ring to me! (Showing ring.)

Mous.Let me assist you, sir,

I stole it from your pillow as you slept,

And used it for my ends. I took your place

Beside the fountain, and I woo’d her there.

And there she pledged herself to be my wife—

And, as a token, gave this ring to me! (Showing ring.)

Flor.Why, miserable ape, hast thou then lostThe mere life-seeking instinct that inspiresThe very meanest of thy fellow-beasts,That thou hast come to say these things tome?

Flor.Why, miserable ape, hast thou then lost

The mere life-seeking instinct that inspires

The very meanest of thy fellow-beasts,

That thou hast come to say these things tome?

Mous.I have! I say these things to you, becauseI want to die! I tried to kill myself—But I’m no hero, and my courage failed.(Furiously.) She’s gone from you for ever—and I comeTo mock the bitter blighting of your life—To chuckle at the aching miseryThat eats your heart away! I come to spitMy hate upon you—If my toad’s mouth heldThe venom of a toad, I would spit that!Come—have I said enough? Then draw thy swordAnd make an end of me—I am prepared!

Mous.I have! I say these things to you, because

I want to die! I tried to kill myself—

But I’m no hero, and my courage failed.

(Furiously.) She’s gone from you for ever—and I come

To mock the bitter blighting of your life—

To chuckle at the aching misery

That eats your heart away! I come to spit

My hate upon you—If my toad’s mouth held

The venom of a toad, I would spit that!

Come—have I said enough? Then draw thy sword

And make an end of me—I am prepared!

Flor.(drawing sword). I needed no assurance, yea or nay,That some foul planning of thy leper-heartHad worked this devilry! Thou lovest her?Thoulovest her? Is there no blasphemyThat devils shrink from? Hast thou seen thyself?(SeizingMoustaand holding his head over the pool.)Look in the fountain—bend thy cursed head!Look at it—dog-face! (Moustastruggles.) Shrink not back appalled—It will not harm thee, coward—look at it!What do we do with such a thing asthatWhen it dares claim a common right with Man?We crush it underfoot—we stamp it down,Lest other reptiles take their cue from it,And say, “If he is human, so are we!” (Flinging him on ground.)

Flor.(drawing sword). I needed no assurance, yea or nay,

That some foul planning of thy leper-heart

Had worked this devilry! Thou lovest her?

Thoulovest her? Is there no blasphemy

That devils shrink from? Hast thou seen thyself?

(SeizingMoustaand holding his head over the pool.)

Look in the fountain—bend thy cursed head!

Look at it—dog-face! (Moustastruggles.) Shrink not back appalled—

It will not harm thee, coward—look at it!

What do we do with such a thing asthat

When it dares claim a common right with Man?

We crush it underfoot—we stamp it down,

Lest other reptiles take their cue from it,

And say, “If he is human, so are we!” (Flinging him on ground.)

Mous.(crouching on ground).Spare me your tongue! I well know what I am,And what I’ve done. My life is forfeited.Strike at the heart! Be quick—I am prepared!

Mous.(crouching on ground).

Spare me your tongue! I well know what I am,

And what I’ve done. My life is forfeited.

Strike at the heart! Be quick—I am prepared!

Flor.Hast thou no prayer to utter?

Mous.No, not I.Curse you, be quick, I say! Yet stay—one word.Before you pass your sword between my ribs,Look at yourself, sir knight, then look at me!You, comely, straight-limbed, fair of face and form—(I say not this to court your favour, sir—The Devil take your favour!)—I, a dwarf,Crooked, humpbacked, and one-eyed—so foul a thingThat I am fain to quote my love for womenTo prove that I have kinship with mankind.Well, we are deadly rivals, you and I.Do we start fair, d’ye think? Are you and ISo nicely matched in all that wins a womanThat I should hold myself in honour boundBy laws of courtesy? But one word more,And I have done. Had I those shapely limbs,That fair, smooth face, those two great, god-like eyes(May lightning blast them, as it blasted mine!),Believe me, sir, I’d use no Talismans!Now kill me—I’m prepared. I only askOne boon of you—strike surely, and be quick!

Mous.No, not I.

Curse you, be quick, I say! Yet stay—one word.

Before you pass your sword between my ribs,

Look at yourself, sir knight, then look at me!

You, comely, straight-limbed, fair of face and form—

(I say not this to court your favour, sir—

The Devil take your favour!)—I, a dwarf,

Crooked, humpbacked, and one-eyed—so foul a thing

That I am fain to quote my love for women

To prove that I have kinship with mankind.

Well, we are deadly rivals, you and I.

Do we start fair, d’ye think? Are you and I

So nicely matched in all that wins a woman

That I should hold myself in honour bound

By laws of courtesy? But one word more,

And I have done. Had I those shapely limbs,

That fair, smooth face, those two great, god-like eyes

(May lightning blast them, as it blasted mine!),

Believe me, sir, I’d use no Talismans!

Now kill me—I’m prepared. I only ask

One boon of you—strike surely, and be quick!

Flor.(Pauses for a moment—then sheathes his sword.)Go, take thy life, I’ll none of it! With oneWhom Heaven hath so defaced, let Heaven deal.Iwill not sit in judgment on thy sin!My wrath has faded—when I look uponThe seal that Heaven hath set upon thy brow,Why, I could find it in my heart to askThy pardon for the fury of my words!Go, take thy life, make fairer use of it.

Flor.(Pauses for a moment—then sheathes his sword.)

Go, take thy life, I’ll none of it! With one

Whom Heaven hath so defaced, let Heaven deal.

Iwill not sit in judgment on thy sin!

My wrath has faded—when I look upon

The seal that Heaven hath set upon thy brow,

Why, I could find it in my heart to ask

Thy pardon for the fury of my words!

Go, take thy life, make fairer use of it.

Mous.(much moved). I thank you, sir—not for my blighted life,But for the pitying words in which you grant it. (With emotion.)You’ve moved me very deeply. (Places the ring thatHildagave him onFlorian’sfinger—then kisses his hand.) Curse the tears.I am not used to weep, my lord,—but thenI am not used to gentleness from men.[ExitMousta.

Mous.(much moved). I thank you, sir—not for my blighted life,

But for the pitying words in which you grant it. (With emotion.)

You’ve moved me very deeply. (Places the ring thatHildagave him onFlorian’sfinger—then kisses his hand.) Curse the tears.

I am not used to weep, my lord,—but then

I am not used to gentleness from men.

[ExitMousta.

Flor.Unhappy creature, go thy ways in peace.Thou hast atoned. Oh, Hilda, come to me!If thou art here—if thou canst hear my words,Then by the love that thou hast borne to me,By all the tears that thou hast shed for me,By all the hope thou hast held out to me,I do implore thee to reveal thyself!

Flor.Unhappy creature, go thy ways in peace.

Thou hast atoned. Oh, Hilda, come to me!

If thou art here—if thou canst hear my words,

Then by the love that thou hast borne to me,

By all the tears that thou hast shed for me,

By all the hope thou hast held out to me,

I do implore thee to reveal thyself!

EnterHilda, veiled.

Fear nothing, for I have the holy ringOn which thine oath was given. By cunning fraudThat oath was wrung from thee. Fear nothing now.

Fear nothing, for I have the holy ring

On which thine oath was given. By cunning fraud

That oath was wrung from thee. Fear nothing now.

Hil.(unveiling). Sir Florian, I am here!

Flor.(passionately).Oh, Hilda, mineMy only love! Safe in my arms at last!Why didst thou hide thyself away from me?

Flor.(passionately).Oh, Hilda, mine

My only love! Safe in my arms at last!

Why didst thou hide thyself away from me?

Hil.(hurriedly). I hid myself to save my sister’s life;To save her life I now reveal myself.

Hil.(hurriedly). I hid myself to save my sister’s life;

To save her life I now reveal myself.

Flor.How fares Vavir?

Hil.Alas! her little life is ebbing fastFrom heart-wounds of thy making! Florian,I have no time to lose on empty forms—I have no words to waste on idle speech—My poor sick sister loves thee! Much misledBy thy light words, she placed full faith in thee:And she is dying for her faith. Oh, sir,There is but one physician in the worldWho, under Heaven, can save my darling’s life.Go to her now. If thou hast loved me, sir,Be merciful, and save this life for me!

Hil.Alas! her little life is ebbing fast

From heart-wounds of thy making! Florian,

I have no time to lose on empty forms—

I have no words to waste on idle speech—

My poor sick sister loves thee! Much misled

By thy light words, she placed full faith in thee:

And she is dying for her faith. Oh, sir,

There is but one physician in the world

Who, under Heaven, can save my darling’s life.

Go to her now. If thou hast loved me, sir,

Be merciful, and save this life for me!

Flor.Hilda, be just. How can I do this thing?Can I command my heart, or deal with itAs I can deal with life or limb? By Heaven,I would lay down my life to save Vavir,But not my love!

Flor.Hilda, be just. How can I do this thing?

Can I command my heart, or deal with it

As I can deal with life or limb? By Heaven,

I would lay down my life to save Vavir,

But not my love!

Hil.I do not ask thy life!Ihave a life to yield, if such a priceCould save my sister. Oh, forgive me, sir;My weight of grief hath maddened me; and yetI ask for no one-sided sacrifice.What is thy loss to mine? For three long yearsThis love of thee tinged my devoted lifeWith such blank woe—such utter misery—That I was fain—hope being dead to me—To sit apart, and wait the far-off end.Then, when the end seemed yet too far away,The bright, blue Heaven shone through the lowering clouds,For he whom I had mourned as dead, came back,To claim my love and crown it with his own!At last, at last, I hold thee by the hand!(TakingFlorianby both hands.)At last I have thy love, oh, love of mine!Thou art my very own—at last—at last!Well, then, Sir Florian, I yield thee up! (Releasing him.)To save her life I tear this new-born joyOut of my very heart: for her I crushMy only hope on earth! If I can yieldThe love of three long years to save her life,Canst thou not yield thy love of yesterday?

Hil.I do not ask thy life!

Ihave a life to yield, if such a price

Could save my sister. Oh, forgive me, sir;

My weight of grief hath maddened me; and yet

I ask for no one-sided sacrifice.

What is thy loss to mine? For three long years

This love of thee tinged my devoted life

With such blank woe—such utter misery—

That I was fain—hope being dead to me—

To sit apart, and wait the far-off end.

Then, when the end seemed yet too far away,

The bright, blue Heaven shone through the lowering clouds,

For he whom I had mourned as dead, came back,

To claim my love and crown it with his own!

At last, at last, I hold thee by the hand!

(TakingFlorianby both hands.)

At last I have thy love, oh, love of mine!

Thou art my very own—at last—at last!

Well, then, Sir Florian, I yield thee up! (Releasing him.)

To save her life I tear this new-born joy

Out of my very heart: for her I crush

My only hope on earth! If I can yield

The love of three long years to save her life,

Canst thou not yield thy love of yesterday?

Flor.The task is very bitter. YesternightI learnt that thou whom I so blindly loveHad blindly loved me years ago—to-dayThou bidd’st me take this love of mine elsewhere!

Flor.The task is very bitter. Yesternight

I learnt that thou whom I so blindly love

Had blindly loved me years ago—to-day

Thou bidd’st me take this love of mine elsewhere!

Hil.Art thou so sure that Ihaveloved thee long?I loved one Florian—a stainless knight,Brave as the very Truth—and, being brave,Tender and merciful as brave men are;Whose champion heart was sworn in chivalryTo save all women, sorrowing and oppressed;Nor did he hold that woman to be bannedWhose sorrow came of her great love for him!Tell me—art thou the Florian that I loved?

Hil.Art thou so sure that Ihaveloved thee long?

I loved one Florian—a stainless knight,

Brave as the very Truth—and, being brave,

Tender and merciful as brave men are;

Whose champion heart was sworn in chivalry

To save all women, sorrowing and oppressed;

Nor did he hold that woman to be banned

Whose sorrow came of her great love for him!

Tell me—art thou the Florian that I loved?

Flor.If not that stainless Florian—yet oneWho would be such as he. (Taking her by both hands.)I have thy love—I who have lived a loveless life till now.Well, then, I yield thee up! (Releasing her.) If words of mineCan save thy sister, I will speak those words!

Flor.If not that stainless Florian—yet one

Who would be such as he. (Taking her by both hands.)

I have thy love—

I who have lived a loveless life till now.

Well, then, I yield thee up! (Releasing her.) If words of mine

Can save thy sister, I will speak those words!

Hil.I knew it! Florian, I was sure of thee!God bless thee, Florian; thou hast saved her life!(Kissing his forehead.)(Passionately.) Oh, how I love thee! (With hurried emphasis.)Go to her at once—Go to her quickly, ere it be too late!

Hil.I knew it! Florian, I was sure of thee!

God bless thee, Florian; thou hast saved her life!

(Kissing his forehead.)

(Passionately.) Oh, how I love thee! (With hurried emphasis.)

Go to her at once—

Go to her quickly, ere it be too late!

Flor.Thy sister comes this way. (Aside.) Alas! Vavir,There is more Heaven than Earth in that pale face!

Flor.Thy sister comes this way. (Aside.) Alas! Vavir,

There is more Heaven than Earth in that pale face!

EnterVavir, very pale and weak, supported byMelusineandAmanthis.Florianreceives her in his arms and they lay her gently on the ground.Hildarushes to her, as they place her on the ground, near the sun-dial.Floriankneels by her, and takes her hand.

Hil.Vavir, my love—my gentle sister. See,He loves thee—Florian loves thee! He is hereTo tell thee this—to call thee back to life.Come at his call! The earth is bright for thee.See how he loves thee. Oh, Vavir, come back!

Hil.Vavir, my love—my gentle sister. See,

He loves thee—Florian loves thee! He is here

To tell thee this—to call thee back to life.

Come at his call! The earth is bright for thee.

See how he loves thee. Oh, Vavir, come back!

Vav.(very faintly). It is too late—too late! I feel the handOf Death upon my heart. So let it be.My day is spent—my tale is nearly told!

Vav.(very faintly). It is too late—too late! I feel the hand

Of Death upon my heart. So let it be.

My day is spent—my tale is nearly told!

Hil.Vavir—Vavir!Have pity on us! Gentle little soul,Fly not to thine appointed Heaven—not yet—Not yet—not yet! Eternity is thine;Spare but a few brief years to us on Earth,And still Eternity remains to thee!He loves thee—Florian loves thee well! Oh, Death,Are there no hoary men and aged womenWeeping for thee to come and comfort them?Oh, Death—oh, Death—leave me this little flower!Take thou the fruit, but pass the blossom by!

Hil.Vavir—Vavir!

Have pity on us! Gentle little soul,

Fly not to thine appointed Heaven—not yet—

Not yet—not yet! Eternity is thine;

Spare but a few brief years to us on Earth,

And still Eternity remains to thee!

He loves thee—Florian loves thee well! Oh, Death,

Are there no hoary men and aged women

Weeping for thee to come and comfort them?

Oh, Death—oh, Death—leave me this little flower!

Take thou the fruit, but pass the blossom by!

Vav.(very feebly). Weep not: the bitterness of death is past.Kiss me, my sister. Florian, think of me—I loved thee very much! Be good to her.Dear sister, place my hand upon my dial.Weep not for me; I have no pain indeed.Kiss me again; my sun has set. Good night!Good night!

Vav.(very feebly). Weep not: the bitterness of death is past.

Kiss me, my sister. Florian, think of me—

I loved thee very much! Be good to her.

Dear sister, place my hand upon my dial.

Weep not for me; I have no pain indeed.

Kiss me again; my sun has set. Good night!

Good night!

[Vavirdies;Hildafalling senseless on her body.

Curtain.

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