The Project Gutenberg eBook ofPlays and LyricsThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Plays and LyricsAuthor: Cale Young RiceRelease date: May 25, 2014 [eBook #45760]Most recently updated: October 24, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Richard Tonsing, David Garcia and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Kentuckiana Digital Library)*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLAYS AND LYRICS ***
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
Title: Plays and LyricsAuthor: Cale Young RiceRelease date: May 25, 2014 [eBook #45760]Most recently updated: October 24, 2024Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Richard Tonsing, David Garcia and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Kentuckiana Digital Library)
Title: Plays and Lyrics
Author: Cale Young Rice
Author: Cale Young Rice
Release date: May 25, 2014 [eBook #45760]Most recently updated: October 24, 2024
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Richard Tonsing, David Garcia and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images generously made availableby The Kentuckiana Digital Library)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLAYS AND LYRICS ***
PLAYSANDLYRICSBYCALE YOUNG RICELONDONHODDER AND STOUGHTON27 PATERNOSTER ROWNEW YORK: MCCLURE PHILLIPS & CO.44 EAST TWENTY-THIRD STREET1906
BY
CALE YOUNG RICE
LONDON
HODDER AND STOUGHTON
27 PATERNOSTER ROW
NEW YORK: MCCLURE PHILLIPS & CO.
44 EAST TWENTY-THIRD STREET
1906
UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED. PRINTERS, WOKING AND LONDON.
To
IDA M. TARBELL
WITH FAITHFUL FRIENDSHIP
This volume contains "Yolanda of Cyprus," a hitherto unpublished play; many new lyrics; some others that appeared in "Song-Surf," a volume whose publishers failed before it reached the public; and "David," which came out in America in 1904. The author's desire has been to include only his best work.
PAGEYOLANDA OF CYPRUS1LYRICS—DRAMATIC:—JAEL91MARY AT NAZARETH96OUTCAST98ADELIL100THE DYING POET102ON THE MOOR105HUMAN LOVE107O GO NOT OUT108CALL TO YOUR MATE, BOB-WHITE110TRANSCENDED112THE CRY OF EVE113THE CHILD GOD GAVE116MOTHER-LOVE118ASHORE120LOVE'S WAY TO CHILDHOOD122LISSETTE123TEARLESS125THE LIGHTHOUSEMAN126BY THE INDUS128FROM ONE BLIND130AT THE FALL OF ROME, A.D. 455131PEACELESS LOVE133SUNDERED134WITH OMAR135A JAPANESE MOTHER (IN TIME OF WAR)144LYRICS—NON-DRAMATIC:—SHINTO (MIYAJIMA, JAPAN, 1905)146EVOCATION (NIKKO, JAPAN, 1905)148THE ATONER150INTIMATION151IN JULY152FROM ABOVE154SONGS TO A. H. R.:—I. THE WORLD'S AND MINE155II. LOVE-CALL IN SPRING156III. MATING157IV. UNTOLD158V. LOVE-WATCH159VI. AS YOU ARE160VII. AT AMALFI161VIII. ON THE PACIFIC163THE WINDS165THE DAY-MOON167TO A SINGING WARBLER169TO THE SEA170THE DEAD GODS172AT WINTER'S END175APRIL176AUGUST GUESTS177AUTUMN178THE WORLD179TO THE DOVE180AT TINTERN ABBEY182THE VICTORY184SEARCHING DEATH'S DARK185SERENITY187TO THE SPRING WIND188THE RAMBLE189RETURN192THE EMPTY CROSS194SUNSET-LOVERS196TO A ROSE (IN A HOSPITAL)198UNBURTHENED199WHERE PEACE IS DUTY201WANTON JUNE202AUTUMN AT THE BRIDGE204SONG205TO HER WHO SHALL COME206AVOWAL TO THE NIGHTINGALE208STORM-EBB210SLAVES212WAKING213FAUN-CALL214LINGERING216STORM-TWILIGHT217WILDNESS218BEFORE AUTUMN219FULFILMENT221TO THE FALLEN LEAVES223MAYA (HIROSHIMO, JAPAN, 1905)224SPIRIT OF RAIN (MIANOSHITA, JAPAN, 1905)226THE NYMPH AND THE GOD227A SEA-GHOST228LAST SIGHT OF LAND230SILENCE231DAVID233
Renier LusignanA descendant of the Lusignan kings of Cyprus.BerengereHis wife.AmauryHis Son, Commander of Famagouste under the Venetians.YolandaThe Ward of Berengere, betrothed to Amaury.CamarinA Baron of Paphos, guest in the Lusignan Castle.Vittia PisaniA Venetian Lady, also a guest.MoroA Priest.HassanWarden of the Castle.HalilHis Son, a boy.TremitusA Physician.OlympioA Greek boy, serving Amaury.AlessaBerengere's Women.MagaCivaMauriaSmardaSlave to Vittia.PietroIn Vittia's pay.Priests, acolytes, etc.Time—The sixteenth century.Place—The island of Cyprus.
Scene:A dim Hall, of blended Gothic and Saracenic styles, in the Lusignan Castle, on the island of Cyprus near Famagouste. Around the walls, above faint frescoes portraying the deliverance of Jerusalem by the Crusaders, runs a frieze inlaid with the coats-of-arms of former Lusignan kings. On the left, and back, is a door hung with heavy damask, and in the wall opposite, another. Farther down on the right a few steps, whose railing supports a Greek vase with jasmine, lead through a chapel to the sleeping apartments. In the rear, on either side, are guled lattice windows, and in the centre an open grated door, looking upon a loggia, and, across the garden below, over the moonlit sea. Seats are placed about, and, forward, a divan with rich Turkish coverings. A table with a lighted cross-shaped candlestick is by the door, left; and a lectern with a book on it, to the front, right. As the curtain rises, the Women, exceptCiva,lean wearily on the divan, andHalilnear is singing dreamily,
Scene:A dim Hall, of blended Gothic and Saracenic styles, in the Lusignan Castle, on the island of Cyprus near Famagouste. Around the walls, above faint frescoes portraying the deliverance of Jerusalem by the Crusaders, runs a frieze inlaid with the coats-of-arms of former Lusignan kings. On the left, and back, is a door hung with heavy damask, and in the wall opposite, another. Farther down on the right a few steps, whose railing supports a Greek vase with jasmine, lead through a chapel to the sleeping apartments. In the rear, on either side, are guled lattice windows, and in the centre an open grated door, looking upon a loggia, and, across the garden below, over the moonlit sea. Seats are placed about, and, forward, a divan with rich Turkish coverings. A table with a lighted cross-shaped candlestick is by the door, left; and a lectern with a book on it, to the front, right. As the curtain rises, the Women, exceptCiva,lean wearily on the divan, andHalilnear is singing dreamily,
Ah, the balm, the balm,And ah, the blessingOf the deep fall of nightAnd of confessing.Of the sick soul made whiteOf all distressing:Made white!...Ah, balm of nightAnd, ah the blessing!
Ah, the balm, the balm,And ah, the blessingOf the deep fall of nightAnd of confessing.Of the sick soul made whiteOf all distressing:Made white!...Ah, balm of nightAnd, ah the blessing!
The music falls and all seem yielding to sleep. Suddenly there are hoof-beats and sounds at the gates below.Halilsprings up.
The music falls and all seem yielding to sleep. Suddenly there are hoof-beats and sounds at the gates below.Halilsprings up.
Halil.Alessa! Maga! Stirrings at the gates!
Halil.Alessa! Maga! Stirrings at the gates!
(All start up.)
(All start up.)
Some one is come.Alessa.Boy, Halil, who?Halil.Up, up!Perhaps Lord Renier—No: I will learn.
Some one is come.
Alessa.Boy, Halil, who?
Halil.Up, up!Perhaps Lord Renier—No: I will learn.
(He runs to curtains and looks.)
(He runs to curtains and looks.)
It is Olympio! Olympio!From Famagouste and Lord Amaury!Mauria.Ah!And he comes here?Halil.As he were lord of skies!To lady Yolanda, by my lute!Maga.Where is she?Alessa.I do not know; perhaps, her chamber.Mauria.Stay:His word may be of the Saracens.Halil(calling). Oho!
It is Olympio! Olympio!From Famagouste and Lord Amaury!
Mauria.Ah!And he comes here?
Halil.As he were lord of skies!To lady Yolanda, by my lute!
Maga.Where is she?
Alessa.I do not know; perhaps, her chamber.
Mauria.Stay:His word may be of the Saracens.
Halil(calling). Oho!
(He admitsOlympio,who enters insolently down. All press around him gaily.)
(He admitsOlympio,who enters insolently down. All press around him gaily.)
Mauria.Well what, Olympio, from Famagouste?What tidings? tell us.Maga.See, his sword!Olympio.Stand off.Mauria.The tidings, then, the tidings!Olympio.None—for women.Mauria.So, so, my Cupid? None of the Saracens?Of the squadron huddling yesterday for havenAt Keryneia?Olympio.Who has told you?Mauria.Who?A hundred galleys westing up the wind,Scenting the shore, but timorous as hounds.A gale—and twenty down!Maga.The rest are flown?Olympio.Ask Zeus, or ask, to-morrow, lord Amaury,Or, if he comes, to-night. To lady YolandaI'm sent and not to tattle silly here.
Mauria.Well what, Olympio, from Famagouste?What tidings? tell us.
Maga.See, his sword!
Olympio.Stand off.
Mauria.The tidings, then, the tidings!
Olympio.None—for women.
Mauria.So, so, my Cupid? None of the Saracens?Of the squadron huddling yesterday for havenAt Keryneia?
Olympio.Who has told you?
Mauria.Who?A hundred galleys westing up the wind,Scenting the shore, but timorous as hounds.A gale—and twenty down!
Maga.The rest are flown?
Olympio.Ask Zeus, or ask, to-morrow, lord Amaury,Or, if he comes, to-night. To lady YolandaI'm sent and not to tattle silly here.
(He starts off, but is arrested by laughter within. It isCivawho enters, holding up a parchment.)
(He starts off, but is arrested by laughter within. It isCivawho enters, holding up a parchment.)
O! Only Civa. (Starts again withHalil.)Civa.How, Olympio!Stay you, and hear!—May never virgin love him!Gone as a thistle! (Turns.)Mauria.Pouf!Alessa(toCiva). Now, what have you?Civa.Verses! found in the garden. Verses! verses!On papyrus of Paphos. O, to read!But you, Alessa—!Alessa(takes them). In the garden?Civa.ByThe fountain cypress at the marble feetOf chaste Diana!Maga.Where Sir CamarinAnd oft our lady—!Civa.Maga will you prattle?Read them to us, Alessa, read them, read.They are of love!Maga.No, sorrow.Civa.O, as a nunYou ever sigh for sorrow!—They are of love!Of valour bursting through enchanted boundsTo ladies prisoned in an ogre's keep!Then of the bridals!—O, they are of love!Maga.No, Civa, no! of sorrow! see, her lips!
O! Only Civa. (Starts again withHalil.)
Civa.How, Olympio!Stay you, and hear!—May never virgin love him!Gone as a thistle! (Turns.)
Mauria.Pouf!
Alessa(toCiva). Now, what have you?
Civa.Verses! found in the garden. Verses! verses!On papyrus of Paphos. O, to read!But you, Alessa—!
Alessa(takes them). In the garden?
Civa.ByThe fountain cypress at the marble feetOf chaste Diana!
Maga.Where Sir CamarinAnd oft our lady—!
Civa.Maga will you prattle?Read them to us, Alessa, read them, read.They are of love!
Maga.No, sorrow.
Civa.O, as a nunYou ever sigh for sorrow!—They are of love!Of valour bursting through enchanted boundsTo ladies prisoned in an ogre's keep!Then of the bridals!—O, they are of love!
Maga.No, Civa, no! of sorrow! see, her lips!
(She points toAlessa,who, reading, has paled.)
(She points toAlessa,who, reading, has paled.)
See, see!Civa.Alessa!Alessa.Maga—Civa—Ah!
See, see!
Civa.Alessa!
Alessa.Maga—Civa—Ah!
(She rends the parchment.)
(She rends the parchment.)
Mauria.What are you doing?Alessa.They were writ toher!Mauria.To her? to whom? what are you saying? Read!Read us the verses.Alessa.No.Mauria.Tell then his nameWho writes them, and to whom.Alessa.I will not.Mauria.ThenIt is some guilt you hide!—And touching herYou dote on—lady Yolanda!Alessa.Shame!Mauria.Some guiltOf one, then, in this castle!—See, her lipsBetray it is.Maga.No, Mauria! no! (holds her) hush!
Mauria.What are you doing?
Alessa.They were writ toher!
Mauria.To her? to whom? what are you saying? Read!Read us the verses.
Alessa.No.
Mauria.Tell then his nameWho writes them, and to whom.
Alessa.I will not.
Mauria.ThenIt is some guilt you hide!—And touching herYou dote on—lady Yolanda!
Alessa.Shame!
Mauria.Some guiltOf one, then, in this castle!—See, her lipsBetray it is.
Maga.No, Mauria! no! (holds her) hush!
(Forms appear without.)
(Forms appear without.)
Mauria.O, loose me.Maga.There, on the loggia! Hush, see—Our lady and Sir Camarin.Alessa(fearful). It is....They heard us, Maga?Maga.No, but——Mauria(toAlessa). So? that mouse?Alessa.You know not, Mauria, what 'tis you say.
Mauria.O, loose me.
Maga.There, on the loggia! Hush, see—Our lady and Sir Camarin.
Alessa(fearful). It is....They heard us, Maga?
Maga.No, but——
Mauria(toAlessa). So? that mouse?
Alessa.You know not, Mauria, what 'tis you say.
(Berengerecoldly, as if consenting to it, enters.)
(Berengerecoldly, as if consenting to it, enters.)
She is seeking us; be still.(Stepping out.) My lady?Berengere.Yes.Your lamps; for it is timeNow for your aves and o'erneeded sleep.But first I'd know if yet Lord Renier——
She is seeking us; be still.(Stepping out.) My lady?
Berengere.Yes.Your lamps; for it is timeNow for your aves and o'erneeded sleep.But first I'd know if yet Lord Renier——
(Sees their disquiet—starts.)
(Sees their disquiet—starts.)
Why are you pale?Alessa.I?Berengere.So—and strange.Alessa.We haveBut put away the distaff and the needle.
Why are you pale?
Alessa.I?
Berengere.So—and strange.
Alessa.We haveBut put away the distaff and the needle.
(Camarinenters.)
(Camarinenters.)
Berengere.The distaff and the needle—it may be.And yet you do not seem——Alessa.My lady—?Berengere.Go;And send me Hassan.
Berengere.The distaff and the needle—it may be.And yet you do not seem——
Alessa.My lady—?
Berengere.Go;And send me Hassan.
(The women leave.)
(The women leave.)
Camarin—you saw?They were not as their wont is.Camarin.To your eyes,My Berengere, that apprehension haunts.They were as ever. Then be done with fear!Berengere.I cannot.Camarin.To the abyss with it. To-nightIs ours—Renier tarries at Famagouste—Is ours for love and for a long delight!Berengere.Whose end may be—Camarin.Dawn and the dewy lark!And passing of all presage from you.Berengere(sits). No:For think, Yolanda's look when by the cypressWe read the verses! And my dream that IShould with a cross—inscrutable is sleep!—Bring her deep bitterness.Camarin.Dreams are a broodBorn of the night and not of destiny.She guesses not our guilt, and RenierClasps to his breast ambition as a bride—Ambition for Amaury.Berengere.None can say.He's much with this Venetian, our guest.Though Venice gyves us more with tyrannyThan would the Saracen.Camarin.But through this ladyOf the Pisani, powerful in Venice,He hopes to lift again his dynastyUp from decay; and to restore this island,This venture-dream of the seas, unto his house.'Tis clear, my Berengere!Berengere.Then,herdesign?And what the requital that entices her?
Camarin—you saw?They were not as their wont is.
Camarin.To your eyes,My Berengere, that apprehension haunts.They were as ever. Then be done with fear!
Berengere.I cannot.
Camarin.To the abyss with it. To-nightIs ours—Renier tarries at Famagouste—Is ours for love and for a long delight!
Berengere.Whose end may be—
Camarin.Dawn and the dewy lark!And passing of all presage from you.
Berengere(sits). No:For think, Yolanda's look when by the cypressWe read the verses! And my dream that IShould with a cross—inscrutable is sleep!—Bring her deep bitterness.
Camarin.Dreams are a broodBorn of the night and not of destiny.She guesses not our guilt, and RenierClasps to his breast ambition as a bride—Ambition for Amaury.
Berengere.None can say.He's much with this Venetian, our guest.Though Venice gyves us more with tyrannyThan would the Saracen.
Camarin.But through this ladyOf the Pisani, powerful in Venice,He hopes to lift again his dynastyUp from decay; and to restore this island,This venture-dream of the seas, unto his house.'Tis clear, my Berengere!
Berengere.Then,herdesign?And what the requital that entices her?
(Rises.)
(Rises.)
Evil will come of it, to us some evil,Or to Yolanda and Amaury's love.But, there; the women.Camarin.And too brief their stay.What signal for to-night?Berengere.Be in the garden.Over the threshold yonder I will waveThe candle-sign, when all are passed to sleep.Camarin.And with the beam I shall mount up to youQuicker than ecstasy.Berengere.I am as a leafBefore the wind and raging of your love.Go—go.Camarin.But to return unto your breast!
Evil will come of it, to us some evil,Or to Yolanda and Amaury's love.But, there; the women.
Camarin.And too brief their stay.What signal for to-night?
Berengere.Be in the garden.Over the threshold yonder I will waveThe candle-sign, when all are passed to sleep.
Camarin.And with the beam I shall mount up to youQuicker than ecstasy.
Berengere.I am as a leafBefore the wind and raging of your love.Go—go.
Camarin.But to return unto your breast!
(He leaves her by the divan.)
(He leaves her by the divan.)
(The women re-enter with silver lighted lamps; behind them areHassanand the slaveSmarda.They wait forBerengere,who has stood silent, to speak.)
(The women re-enter with silver lighted lamps; behind them areHassanand the slaveSmarda.They wait forBerengere,who has stood silent, to speak.)
Berengere(looking up). Ah, you are come; I had forgotten.And it is time for sleep.—Hassan, the gates:Close them.Hassan.And chain them, lady?Berengere.Wait no longer.Lord Renier will not come.Hassan.No word of him?Berengere.None, though he yesterday left NicosieWith the priest Moro.Hassan.Lady—Berengere.Wait no longer.Come, women, with your lamps and light the way.
Berengere(looking up). Ah, you are come; I had forgotten.And it is time for sleep.—Hassan, the gates:Close them.
Hassan.And chain them, lady?
Berengere.Wait no longer.Lord Renier will not come.
Hassan.No word of him?
Berengere.None, though he yesterday left NicosieWith the priest Moro.
Hassan.Lady—
Berengere.Wait no longer.Come, women, with your lamps and light the way.
(The women go by the steps.Berengerefollows.)
(The women go by the steps.Berengerefollows.)
Hassan(staring after her). The reason of this mood in her? The reason?Something is vile. Lady Yolanda weepsIn secret; all for what?—unless becauseOf the Paphian—or this Venetian.(SeeingSmarda.) Now,Slave! Scythian! You linger?Smarda.I am bidden—My mistress.Hassan.Spa! Thy mistress hath, I think,Something of hell in her and has unpackedA portion in this castle. Is it so?Smarda.My lady is of Venice.Hassan.Strike her, God.Her smirk admits it.Smarda.Touch me not!Hassan.I'll wringThy tongue out sudden, if it now has lies.What of thy lady and Lord Renier?Smarda.Off!
Hassan(staring after her). The reason of this mood in her? The reason?Something is vile. Lady Yolanda weepsIn secret; all for what?—unless becauseOf the Paphian—or this Venetian.(SeeingSmarda.) Now,Slave! Scythian! You linger?
Smarda.I am bidden—My mistress.
Hassan.Spa! Thy mistress hath, I think,Something of hell in her and has unpackedA portion in this castle. Is it so?
Smarda.My lady is of Venice.
Hassan.Strike her, God.Her smirk admits it.
Smarda.Touch me not!
Hassan.I'll wringThy tongue out sudden, if it now has lies.What of thy lady and Lord Renier?
Smarda.Off!
(Renierenters behind, withMoro.)
(Renierenters behind, withMoro.)
Hassan.Thy lady and Lord Renier, I say!What do they purpose?Smarda.Fool-born! look around.Hassan.Not till——Smarda.Lord Renier, help.Hassan.What do you say?
Hassan.Thy lady and Lord Renier, I say!What do they purpose?
Smarda.Fool-born! look around.
Hassan.Not till——
Smarda.Lord Renier, help.
Hassan.What do you say?
(Turns, and stares amazed.)
(Turns, and stares amazed.)
A fool I am....Renier.Where is my wife?Hassan.Why, she....This slave stung me to pry.Renier.Where is my wife?Hassan.A moment since, was here—the women with her.She asked for your return.Renier.And wherefore did?Hassan.You jeer me.Renier.Answer.Hassan.Have you not been gone?Renier.Not—overfar. Where is Yolanda?—Well?No matter; find my chamber till I come.Of my arrival, too, no word to any.
A fool I am....
Renier.Where is my wife?
Hassan.Why, she....This slave stung me to pry.
Renier.Where is my wife?
Hassan.A moment since, was here—the women with her.She asked for your return.
Renier.And wherefore did?
Hassan.You jeer me.
Renier.Answer.
Hassan.Have you not been gone?
Renier.Not—overfar. Where is Yolanda?—Well?No matter; find my chamber till I come.Of my arrival, too, no word to any.
(Hassangoes, confused.)
(Hassangoes, confused.)
You, Moro, have deferred me; now, no more.Whether it is suspicion eats in me,Mistrust and fret and doubt—of whom I say not,Or whether desire and unsubduableTo see Amaury sceptred—I care not.
You, Moro, have deferred me; now, no more.Whether it is suspicion eats in me,Mistrust and fret and doubt—of whom I say not,Or whether desire and unsubduableTo see Amaury sceptred—I care not.
(ToSmarda.)
(ToSmarda.)
Slave, to your lady who awaits me, sayI'm here and now have chosen.Moro.Do not!Renier.Chosen.
Slave, to your lady who awaits me, sayI'm here and now have chosen.
Moro.Do not!
Renier.Chosen.
(Smardagoes.)
(Smardagoes.)
None can be great who will not hush his heartTo hold a sceptre, and Amaury must.He is Lusignan and his lineageWill drown in him Yolanda's loveliness.Moro.It will not.Renier.Then at least I shall uncoverWhat this Venetian hints.Moro.Hints?Renier.I must know.Moro.'Tis of your wife?—Yolanda?Renier.Name them not.They've shut from me their souls.Moro.My lord, not so;But you repulse them.Renier.When they pity. No,Something has gone from me or never wasWithin my breast. I love not—am unlovable.Amaury is not so,And this Venetian Vittia Pisani——Moro.Distrust her!Renier.She has power.Moro.But not truth.And yesterday a holy relic scorned.Renier.She loves Amaury. Wed to her he willBe the elected Governor of Cyprus.The throne, then, but a step.Moro.But all too great.And think; Yolanda is to him as heaven:He will not yield her.Renier.Then he must. And she,The Venetian, has ways to it—a secretTo pierce her from his arms.Moro.Sir, sir?—of what?Renier.I know not, of some shame.Moro.Shame!Renier.Why do you clutch me?Moro.I—am a priest—and shame——Renier.You have suspicion?
None can be great who will not hush his heartTo hold a sceptre, and Amaury must.He is Lusignan and his lineageWill drown in him Yolanda's loveliness.
Moro.It will not.
Renier.Then at least I shall uncoverWhat this Venetian hints.
Moro.Hints?
Renier.I must know.
Moro.'Tis of your wife?—Yolanda?
Renier.Name them not.They've shut from me their souls.
Moro.My lord, not so;But you repulse them.
Renier.When they pity. No,Something has gone from me or never wasWithin my breast. I love not—am unlovable.Amaury is not so,And this Venetian Vittia Pisani——
Moro.Distrust her!
Renier.She has power.
Moro.But not truth.And yesterday a holy relic scorned.
Renier.She loves Amaury. Wed to her he willBe the elected Governor of Cyprus.The throne, then, but a step.
Moro.But all too great.And think; Yolanda is to him as heaven:He will not yield her.
Renier.Then he must. And she,The Venetian, has ways to it—a secretTo pierce her from his arms.
Moro.Sir, sir?—of what?
Renier.I know not, of some shame.
Moro.Shame!
Renier.Why do you clutch me?
Moro.I—am a priest—and shame——
Renier.You have suspicion?
(Vittiaenters unnoted.)
(Vittiaenters unnoted.)
Of whom?—Of whom, and what?Vittia(lightly). My lord, of women.
Of whom?—Of whom, and what?
Vittia(lightly). My lord, of women.
(Renierstarts and turns.)
(Renierstarts and turns.)
So does the Holy Church instill him.Renier.YouCome softly, lady of Venice.Vittia.Streets of seaIn Venice teach us.Renier.Of what women, then?My wife? Yolanda?Vittia.By the freedom due us,What matters it? In Venice our lords knowThat beauty has no master.Renier.Has no.... That,That too has something hid.Vittia.Suspicious lord!Yet Berengere Lusignan is his wife!And soon Yolanda—But for that I'm here.You sent for me.Renier(sullen). I sent.Vittia.To say you've chosen?And offer me irrevocable aidTo win Amaury?Renier.All is vain in meBefore the fever for it.Vittia.Then, I shall.It must be done. My want is unafraid.Hourly I am expecting out of VeniceLetters of power.And what to you I pledge is he shall beRuler of Cyprus and these MediterraneanBlue seas that rock ever against its coast.That do I pledge ... but more.Renier.Of rule?... Then what?Vittia(going up to him). Of shame withheld—dishonour unrevealed.
So does the Holy Church instill him.
Renier.YouCome softly, lady of Venice.
Vittia.Streets of seaIn Venice teach us.
Renier.Of what women, then?My wife? Yolanda?
Vittia.By the freedom due us,What matters it? In Venice our lords knowThat beauty has no master.
Renier.Has no.... That,That too has something hid.
Vittia.Suspicious lord!Yet Berengere Lusignan is his wife!And soon Yolanda—But for that I'm here.You sent for me.
Renier(sullen). I sent.
Vittia.To say you've chosen?And offer me irrevocable aidTo win Amaury?
Renier.All is vain in meBefore the fever for it.
Vittia.Then, I shall.It must be done. My want is unafraid.Hourly I am expecting out of VeniceLetters of power.And what to you I pledge is he shall beRuler of Cyprus and these MediterraneanBlue seas that rock ever against its coast.That do I pledge ... but more.
Renier.Of rule?... Then what?
Vittia(going up to him). Of shame withheld—dishonour unrevealed.
(He half recoils and stands.Smardaenters hastily to them.)
(He half recoils and stands.Smardaenters hastily to them.)