Mornings seven have we beenWardens at thy door;Now thy lord shall enter in,And we come no more.Mornings seven have we strewnLilies at thy door;Now the virgin watch is done,And we come no more.Mornings seven have we sungAt thy maiden door;Now the seventh morn is rung,And we come no more.
Mornings seven have we beenWardens at thy door;Now thy lord shall enter in,And we come no more.
Mornings seven have we strewnLilies at thy door;Now the virgin watch is done,And we come no more.
Mornings seven have we sungAt thy maiden door;Now the seventh morn is rung,And we come no more.
[Door opens and Ardia comes out. Gaina follows]
Ard.A kiss to all! Who's happier here than IShall have my place.
Mirimond.We'll ask Lord Bertrand that.Thou'rt no more mistress of your yeas and nays.
Ard.O, but I am! I have a votary nowWho'll make my words his wishes and himselfBring them to pass.
Mylitta.No doubt. You'll coughIn oracles. He'll puzzle o'er your sneezeThat he may do its meaning. I have heardSuch husbands do inhabit a green moon,And one may come to earth.
Ard.Kiss me, Mylitta!Naught else will stop your mouth. O, dearest girls,No father's here to give me to my lord,And yet I smile, I wed. For why?—his loveIs not in earth with his dear body. No!'Tis all about me here, bathing my heart,Now on my brow, now whispers at my ear,Now runs before my eyes to make a lightWhere they would rest. He loves this day as I do!Yet I had stayed this busking marriageHad not my brothers pressed me to such hasteAnd peace not waited on it. Think, dear maidens,Peace everywhere! Avesta safe and free,And Oswald's sword in sheath—What is that chanting?
Gaina.[Looking from parapet] A train comes up the heights.
Mylitta.The English Lords!
[Enter Barca, left]
Ard.Barca, who comes?
Barca.Prince Banissat, my lady,With all his court attending.
Mirimond.Banissat!This is a Christian wedding.
Ard.We are at peace.
Barca.He brings you gifts. Your brothers go to meet him.
Ard.Where is Lord Bertrand?
Barca.Near at hand. He comesThis way. [Exit Barca, left]
Ard.My girls, wouldst see what dainties lieIn yonder chamber?
Mylitta.Nay, we'll wait.
Ard.MoonstonesFor golden hair—crescents and amber starsFor tresses dark——
Girls.O! O!
Ard.Veils of spun silver——
[Maidens buzz through door right]
Ard.Go, give them all!
Gaina.All, mistress? Not——
Ard.Go, go!
[Exit Gaina. Bertrand enters, left. He is in princely costume]
Ber.Art found, my heaven?
Ard.Thou'st not a fear thy HeavenIs lost in me?
Ber.A doubt were my soul's shame.[Points up the heights]Does not yon giant cross arise to sayChrist reigns on Kidmir? Far as Suli plainMen see the sun upon its silver sidesAnd hands upborne in prayer forget the swordThat sleeps unwakened.
Ard.Will it sleep for long?
Ber.Ay, else your father's death were devils' sport,Not Heaven's will.
Ard.What word to-day from Oswald?
Ber.You name him?
Ard.Is he not our father?
Ber.O,God's angel thou, not mine!
Ard.Does BiondelNow wear the crown of Ilon?
Ber.That's confirmed.And Vigard has Ramoor.
Ard.They profit muchBy their new faith.
Ber.Do they not spare my life?So Oswald gives these crowns. You think he paysToo dear?
Ard.O, barest alms! I'd have the earth.No less,—then want the sun,—ay, circling heaven,And yet be beggared losing thee! But theyMust wear their purple o'er a Christian heart.I would not doubt ... and yet....
Ber.They are the sonsOf Charilus.
Ard.And Banissat?
Ber.He vowsAn endless peace with Suli.
Ard.And you are Suli.Why am I fearful, knowing doubt is death?
Ber.Come, love, look down—nay, farther, toward the sea.That sprawling mass that darkens now the plain,Seeming to hugely breathe and cloud-like move,Is Oswald's army making feast to-day,For I, the prince, go wiving. Now I seemTo hear our names joined high in Heaven's air.And Christ, too, listens smiling, knowing one land,One throne is his forever. Sweet, 'twas heDrew me from sheltered cell and flowered garthTo be his sovereign servant. He it wasWho called through you, who cried in Charilus' deathTo wake my soul that shall not sleep againTill Love has garnered all these eastern lands.
Ard.Amen, my husband-knight! I am contentTo be your love next Christ. Within your heart.'Twill be sweet, gleaning where he walks before.
Ber.These words be your sole dower, for they holdMore sun for me than shining gold!
Ard.The guests!Do you not hear them? Leave me now, my lord.
Ber.Thank patience and my stars, we reach the endOf these stale ceremonies! Seven daysOf long, superfluous rites to make you mineWhen our first kiss did wed us!
Ard.[Mocking]So ungentleTo your proud honors, sir? Nay, it is fitYour wedding be as famous as your name,O, Prince of Suli![Voices heard, left]Go, to come again!
[Exit Bertrand, right. Ardia turns to enter her room and faces Vigard who comes on left. She draws her veil]
Vig.Stay, sister.
Ard.Would you have me seen?
Vig.[Throws back her veil]Art fairAgain? As Kidmir skies!
Ard.It is my joy.
[Enter left, Biondel, Banissat, and lords. Banissat pauses. The others pass off, right]
Vig.[Taking Ardia'a hand to detain her] We have surprisedour sister.
Ban.Blest the hour!Now may I lay this gift within her hand—Poor gift, that has no worth until that handCaresses it to splendor.[Kneels, offering her a small packet]
Ard.[Taking packet] Courteous prince,My thanks. And more than thanks that you should climbKidmir's uneasy steep to dearly graceThis day—for smiles of friends, more than fair gifts,Do best adorn my bridal. [Draws her veil and moves right]
Ban.Night is come.And through her mist the stars! [Exit Ardia]
Vig.Her bloom is washedSomewhat with tears for Charilus, but sheWill flower again.
Ban.Now by the Prophet's soulHe who has kissed her lips had better've kissedA flame of hell than so have touchedWhat shall be mine!
Vig.As thou dost love revenge,Be patient.
Ban.Patience to the ox, to beastsThat dream 'twixt cud and whip! Am I not man?
Vig.You have endured, by truth.
Ban.Endured!
Vig.And nowRevenge! Ere night yon braggart cross shall bearA burden that will start Earl Oswald's eyesWhen he looks up from Suli plain.
Ban.This dayShall see it! Come, once more let us look down.See where the hosts of Allah charge uponThe sottish infidel! All yet is well.The banner o'er Avesta signals stillThe Prophet wins!
Vig.And when the tower of SuliGleams with the hoisted crescent, we shall knowOswald is taken.
Ban.Ha! There's no way out!The powers of Ilon, Avesta, and Ramoor,Pen him in bloody triangle. Old rat,You're in the trap! I should be there, not here,—There at his throat——
Vig.Nay, here, my lord, you'll haveYour dearest triumph. Please you now, go in.I'll watch here for the sign.
Ban.Your watch be short.
[Exit, right. Re-enter Ardia]
Ard.[Holding out a flaming ornament] Brother, see this!The jewel of the houseOf Banissat. 'Tis sacred to his name.I cannot take it, and he dare not give it.
Vig.It seems he dared.
Ard.What does he mean, dear Vigard?
Vig.To honor Suli's princess as most fit.
Ard.I tremble still from his deep look of fire,And when I saw this burn methought his eyeWas yet upon me.
Vig.Fool, go to your maidens!
[Enter Barca, left, with Ramunin]
Vig.You're late, my man.
Ram.And yet in season, sir. [Points up the heights]The cross is bare.
Vig.Get you within.[Exeunt Barca and Ramunin, left]Now, sister—What, do you faint?
Ard.That face! Ramunin's face.I saw it once, and shuddered many a dayRemembering it. The public crucifier,Who serves the bloody prince of Antioch.The same. What does he here upon this dayOf all the days of time?
Vig.'Tis by your wishThat Kidmir gates are open.
Ard.And by yours.
Vig.Ay, let the world be witness you are madeThe honored bride of Suli.
Ard.But Ramunin?He said the cross was bare. Why such a jestAs horrid as his life? [Looking out] And all the knightsThat were to come from Oswald—where are they?
Vig.They drank too deep last night for journeyingUp Kidmir road—or else they dare not crossThis outraged portal.
Ard.Have we not forgiven?Ah, what is there? Look, Vigard, do you see?A floating crescent!
Vig.Where?
Ard.O'er Suli tower.O, this is Oswald's greeting to our house,Better than any band of armèd knights!He lifts the Prophet's banner to his towers,Even as you set the Savior's crucifixOn Kidmir! Now the one eternal GodLives in his sign when cross and crescent smileLove-set in the same heaven!
Vig.Allah be praised!
Ard.And Christ—forget not Christ!
Vig.We'll make an end now.[Exit, right]
Ard.An end? Am I a bride—or sacrifice?
[Goes in, right, at sound of approaching music. Enter, left, young musicians playing flutes and harps. They pause before altar, cross to right and seat themselves about Ardia's door. Guests enter, filling rear of hall, and parapet. A maiden comes on, dancing the grain-dance and scattering sesame. At the close of dance, Ardia's maidens enter, each bearing a lighted candle which she places on the altar. A Greek chant is heard as priest approaches left. All wait his entrance, and the curtain falls, rising again on the close of the ceremony. Bertrand and Ardia stand centre. An aged priest at altar. Biondel and Banissat conspicuous among the guests. Vigard not seen]
Bion.Is all now done?
Priest.All's done. The spouse of SuliMay bow herself unto her master's feet,Bespeaking so the love that has no wishBut service, no desire save her lord's will.
[As Ardia would kneel, Bertrand prevents her]
Ber.You shall not kneel.
Ard.'Tis custom, dear my lord.
Ber.Then here it dies.
Ard.My mother did so muchFor him who made her wife.
Ber.Thy knees shall bendTo God, and to none less. Reign at my side,Princess of Suli, not my feet.
Bion.We hailThe bride of Suli!
Guests.Bride of Suli, hail!
Vig.[Unseen] Ho! Seize the traitor! Ho!
[Enter Ramunin, right, and armed guards]
Ber.Who speaks? And whoIs traitor here?
Vig.Thou, foulest murderer!
Ber.Who speaks?
Vig.Dead Charilus.
Ard.'Tis Vigard's voice.[Vigard steps forth]What, Vigard, art thou mad? Wouldst shatter the globeOf Heaven?
Vig.Nay, it was broken that same hourWhen died our father.
Ber.Son of Charilus, speakYour will. If you demand my life, 'tis yours.I hold it by your gentle lease and love.But while I ask not one poor breath for me,I beg you pause, nor cast the innocentTo feed the vengeful and life-reaping fireOswald will kindle for his hapless son.
Vig.You think no fires will burn but of his kindling?
Ard.O shame! The crescent over Suli greetsThe cross on Kidmir!
Vig.Ay, the crescent fliesFrom Suli, thanks to faithful Moslem handsThat set it there.
Ard.Ah.... Moslem hands?
Vig.You fool,To think that Oswald fluttered compliments,When he was dreaming how he'd bid you drinkOf that same cup he gave to Charilus!
Ban.Now, dearest lady, you are safe. To-dayThe Faithful battled with the infidel,And that bright crescent is the silent signWe have the victory. Ramoor and IlonWith pointed sword bore down on either sideThe glutted, drunken army, while in frontAvesta like a whirlwind swept——
Ard.O, traitor!You vowed unbroken peace with Suli!
Ban.Yea,Will keep it too, for I am Suli now.
Ard.[To her brothers] Were you not sworn to Christ?
Bion.We are the Prophet's.
Ard.O, Heaven, hear not this! And Oswald's knights?
Vig.Sleep in Avesta's dungeons.
Bion.Banissat,Avesta's golden prince, speak you the doomOf Bertrand——
Ard.Doom? O——
Ber.Do not waste the breathA kiss may save. A thousand times, your lips!
Ard.[To Biondel] Let him not die!
Vig.You'll pray soon that he may!Speak, noble prince.
Ban.I, lord of conquered Suli,Condemn the son of Oswald unto deathBy crucifixion. Be his body nailedUpon the cross now raised on Kidmir peak,That Oswald may behold his groaning son,And every Christian dog look up and seeHow dies the Prophet's enemy.[To Ramunin] Away!Prick him with delicate tortures that yet leaveHim heart to heave his agony. Hear you!If he live not three days upon the crossYourself shall hang beside him.
Ram.I've a handHas had some practice, sir.
Ban.We know it, fellow,And therefore we employ you.
Ram.I put the nailsIn young Deobus, he who hung five days'Twixt heaven and earth, and to the fifth eve groanedAs he would pull his heart up. I've a medalStruck by the city for it.
Ban.I will match it,If you match me the service.
Ram.That I'll do.These English have strong hearts—will suck at painAs life were in her dugs.
[Exit Ramunin, guards, and Bertrand. Priest and guests follow. The maidens huddle at door, right]
Bion.Sister, you stareToo hardly on this grief. It is a woeThat Heaven smiles on, and the cure now waitsIn Banissat's fair mercy. You shall beHis royal wife, and Suli's princess still.
Vig.Speak to the prince.
Ban.Nay, let her hear my vow.O, star of Kidmir, dear and beautiful,I'll set thee in a bosom that shall beA tender heaven round thee. Beat to earthIs murmurous suspicion, and againYou shine unto the world, swept free of taintBy noble marriage with most careful rites——
Ard.I doubt, I doubt! One part, one point, one rite,Broken in act, left gaping and divided,One half performed, one half left all undone,Leaves me dishonored still. She is not widowedWho was not wife——
Vig.All's done! What more canst wish?
Ard.To lay my forehead on my husband's feet,Which by the ancient custom of our houseIs maidhood's closing act, as 'tis the firstOf wifehood true. This thou wilt grant——
Vig.You're boundBy rites enough!
Bion.Canst stand uncertain onSo slight a matter?
Ard.Slight? Ah, you know naughtOf woman! Teach him, prince, that not a nick,Or turn, or shade of custom would she spareFrom this most holy ceremony. Wanting butThe smallest portion that gives leave to sayThe measure lacks, she all her life will grieve,Shed secret tears, and wear a blanchen faceWhen none knows why.
Bion.You shall not move us. Peace!
Vig.A brawling fancy!
Ard.Avesta's prince, thou whoShalt be my lord, if any lord of earthBe mine again, wouldst have my love, or hate?
Ban.Thy love, fair Ardia.
Ard.Then I pray you, sir,Move thy forbearance yet one farther stepAnd pluck this boon for me. 'Tis near thy hand,And O, how small a thing for you to give,But as the sun of all my days to me!Without it I may die——
Ban.Speak not of death. So sweetI'll shelter thee, Death's self must bloomIf he creep near thy bower.
Ard.May I, my lord,Keep honored place by thee when memory mocksThat place and honor? Grant me this, but this,And here I swear if any act of manMay move a widowed heart, mine shall grow warmTo thee!
Ban.Do you speak truth?
Ard.Believe me, sir,So dear a thing is this for which I sue,That he who gives it must grow dear thereby;And if he lift to him my prostrate life,This gentle moment shall immortal beAnd sweeten every hour we pass together.Remembering this, my captive breast shall beHis free dominion, and my lips on his,If they know warmth, shall take it from this cause,This first dear tenderness.
Ban.We'll please you, mistress.Bring in the man again.
[Exit a guard]
Vig.I beg you, prince——
Ban.By Allah, she shall have her beggar wish,For no more reason than she wishes it!
Vig.It is her sickish humor, sir, to lookOn him again. All this wild pother meansNo more than that.
Ban.No more? We'll please her thenFor our good peace to come.
Bion.A princely kindness.
[They talk together. Ardia crosses to altar]
Ard.Now one more miracle! God live in me,And Christ direct my hand!
Bion.What do you say,My sister?
Ard.But a word to mine own heart.
Ban.Nay, mine now, is it not?
Ard.So much of itAs dearest lenience may buy, my lord.
[Bertrand is brought in guarded]
Bion.The man is here. Now have your foolish will.
[Ardia turns and looks at Bertrand. He is stripped of his rich dress and wears only a girdled tunic falling to his knees. Arms and feet are bare]
Ban.[To Bertrand] Sir, we permit the lady of our soulTo end as her heart wills the rite that makesHer wife and widow. Touch her not, nor speak.
[Bertrand crosses to altar]
Ard.Why should we touch, when souls inhabit eyesAnd journey on a look? My heaven-lord,Here is no priest to bless this act of mine,But God will know his altar and the giftI lay upon it. The life we thought to live—That might have failed, and killed the dream now safeFrom tarnish of the days. Earth has enoughOf blind and baffled lives, but great her needOf dreams. And ours we leave with her, unworn,Unpaled, warm round the love-seed she shall nurseTo million-budded life.
Bion.Come, make an end!
Ard.An end of love? The God of all the worldsCannot do that. Love born this darkest dayShall be in flower on man's millennial pathAnd touch his step with Heaven.
Vig.Peace! Be done!
Ard.Ay ... done. My lord, think thou art in the worldCelestial, and from there smile on me—now—[Draws dagger from her bosom and stabs him. He falls]High God, as thou art Love, I struck for thee![Bends over body]True aim. Full in the heart. I know the place,For there my home is—there I live—and nowMy house is down, I, too, must fall——
Ban.I'll pay thee!What hast thou done?
Ard.What done? A miracle!Who now can harm my love?
Ban.Your promises!Your oaths!
Ard.I'd keep them, sir—ay, every one,If grief would let me live to be your wife.But I am weary, and my heavy starsHave left their skies to hang upon me here.My veins are empty, all their strength is out.Does 't take so much to lift this little bladeAnd let it fall again?[Biondel takes the dagger from her]Think you I needSo poor a thing? Nay, God has struck for me,As I for Him. I go with Vairdelan. [Kneels by body]Look on this brow, if shame will let ye look.An angel shaped it. Ye've unfashioned hereThe work of Heaven. Sweet lips, no roses left?Your hand, my lord, and now the sinless star. [Dies]
[Curtain]