Scene 3

Your mood is merry.

Kan.

Ay, and wherefore not?’Tis true Alcaeus, outright in rebellion,Will make against me soon as e’er I ventureTo show myself to him as thus to you,Bedecked, I mean, with the new diadem.Agron will deign me succour, and for thanksI’m merely forced to swear—be not astoundedAt such a lamblike heart—to keep my garbFor aye unaltered, and a sword to carryWhose mere unsheathing drains my utmost strength.

Ay, and wherefore not?

’Tis true Alcaeus, outright in rebellion,

Will make against me soon as e’er I venture

To show myself to him as thus to you,

Bedecked, I mean, with the new diadem.

Agron will deign me succour, and for thanks

I’m merely forced to swear—be not astounded

At such a lamblike heart—to keep my garb

For aye unaltered, and a sword to carry

Whose mere unsheathing drains my utmost strength.

Rhod.

Where did you gain this knowledge?

Kan.

Through no spy,Nor yet the more through any false-heart friend,But from themselves, direct from their own mouths.

Through no spy,

Nor yet the more through any false-heart friend,

But from themselves, direct from their own mouths.

Rhod.

You’re pleased to mock my questioning.

Kan.

No, no!I speak in utter earnest. I stood byWhile they set nails a-grubbing at the tables,Digging their whetted teeth in their own lipsAs though ’twere game and not their very flesh,And took the oath which sure enough they’ll hold.It makes a Bar of God here in a fashion—One hacks at me, the other wards the blow,And Diké passes verdict if she can.

No, no!

I speak in utter earnest. I stood by

While they set nails a-grubbing at the tables,

Digging their whetted teeth in their own lips

As though ’twere game and not their very flesh,

And took the oath which sure enough they’ll hold.

It makes a Bar of God here in a fashion—

One hacks at me, the other wards the blow,

And Diké passes verdict if she can.

Rhod.

You must have eavesdropped, then; I’ll not believe ’t.If I come in a place all unexpectedI make a warning noise that I be marked,And what should be unheard be left unsaid.And you—no, no—that is no kingly act.

You must have eavesdropped, then; I’ll not believe ’t.

If I come in a place all unexpected

I make a warning noise that I be marked,

And what should be unheard be left unsaid.

And you—no, no—that is no kingly act.

Kan.

Why, surely not—butthatyou’d ne’er unriddle.You see this ring? How do you rate its worth?

Why, surely not—butthatyou’d ne’er unriddle.

You see this ring? How do you rate its worth?

Rhod.

How can I tell from whom it comes?

Kan.

From Gyges.

Rhod.

You’ll think it past all rating then.

Kan.

It is;And yet you dream not why. Then hear the marvel—If any put it on it makes him viewless.

It is;

And yet you dream not why. Then hear the marvel—

If any put it on it makes him viewless.

Rhod.

Viewless?

Kan.

Just now I tried it for myself.“Nay, no more climbing, Hero! Only birdlingsGo hiding in the leafage!”A

Just now I tried it for myself.

“Nay, no more climbing, Hero! Only birdlings

Go hiding in the leafage!”A

Rhod.

Lesbia!

Kan.

Through every door I stalk along—naught holds me,Nor lock nor bolt, at distance due.

Through every door I stalk along—naught holds me,

Nor lock nor bolt, at distance due.

Rhod.

How fearful!

Kan.

For all bad souls, you mean.

Rhod.

No, no, I say!For all good souls, still more, still more! (ToLesbia.) Can youStill breathe unruffled, will not blushing shameDissolve you now you know’t? Sire, cast it henceDown, down into the deepest flood! When moreThan mortal strength is given a man, he’s bornHalf-god, innate, sufficient. Give it me!My people say that things through which the worldMay fly to fragments, here and there on earthAre lying hid. They reach us from the timeWhen men and gods still walked the world togetherAnd pledged their love with mutual gifts. This ringIs of that time, and who can tell what handBore this, what goddess put it on, what bondIt sealed of yore? Do you not shiver to thinkThat her dark gift’s your arrogated plunderAnd that you draw her vengeance on your head?I shudder at the very sight—then give it!

No, no, I say!

For all good souls, still more, still more! (ToLesbia.) Can you

Still breathe unruffled, will not blushing shame

Dissolve you now you know’t? Sire, cast it hence

Down, down into the deepest flood! When more

Than mortal strength is given a man, he’s born

Half-god, innate, sufficient. Give it me!

My people say that things through which the world

May fly to fragments, here and there on earth

Are lying hid. They reach us from the time

When men and gods still walked the world together

And pledged their love with mutual gifts. This ring

Is of that time, and who can tell what hand

Bore this, what goddess put it on, what bond

It sealed of yore? Do you not shiver to think

That her dark gift’s your arrogated plunder

And that you draw her vengeance on your head?

I shudder at the very sight—then give it!

Kan.

On one condition—this, that you as QueenWill show you at the feast to-day.

On one condition—this, that you as Queen

Will show you at the feast to-day.

Rhod.

How can I?You bore away a bride from farthest bordersSeclusion-hedged, and knew her as she was.Once you were glad that never an eye ere yours,Except alone my Sire’s, had rested on meAnd that none after you should win the sight.

How can I?

You bore away a bride from farthest borders

Seclusion-hedged, and knew her as she was.

Once you were glad that never an eye ere yours,

Except alone my Sire’s, had rested on me

And that none after you should win the sight.

Kan.

Forgive! I only think the precious stoneThat’s not displayed——

Forgive! I only think the precious stone

That’s not displayed——

Rhod.

Will lure no robber’s lust!

Kan.

Enough. Alas, this “No” is but your wont.Yes, let the wind blow fresh from every quarterOn fluttered veils—you’ll keep yours tight and trim.

Enough. Alas, this “No” is but your wont.

Yes, let the wind blow fresh from every quarter

On fluttered veils—you’ll keep yours tight and trim.

[Music.

The pomp! No time for kings to fail their presence.

Rhod.

Yes, but the rebels? Ah, I’m pained to-dayThat I dare not go with you.

Yes, but the rebels? Ah, I’m pained to-day

That I dare not go with you.

Kan.

You are kind,But have no anxious fret—the matter’s settled.

You are kind,

But have no anxious fret—the matter’s settled.

Rhod.

In truth?

Kan.

In truth. I need not say through fear;I punished them through force alone, not choice.This life’s too short to let a man thereinEarn even so much as the desert of death,And so to-day I’d not condemn one gladly.

In truth. I need not say through fear;

I punished them through force alone, not choice.

This life’s too short to let a man therein

Earn even so much as the desert of death,

And so to-day I’d not condemn one gladly.

[Exit.

Rhod.

Now all of you begone!

Lesbia.

I’ll stay, my Queen.

Rhod.

Oh, no; your nurse ne’er crooned a prophecyThat some man’s face would token death for you.

Oh, no; your nurse ne’er crooned a prophecy

That some man’s face would token death for you.

[ExeuntLesbia, Hero,and the others.

They’re over-dull to dream here; even the noblest (looking afterLesbia)Is irked by what I deem peculiar joy.

They’re over-dull to dream here; even the noblest (looking afterLesbia)

Is irked by what I deem peculiar joy.

Open space. A crowd.Kandauleson his throne.Lesbia, Hero,and others at one side, on a raised structure. The games are just over. General stir and drifting into groups. Wrestlers, boxers, charioteers, etc., come by degrees to sight, all crowned with branches of the Silver Poplar. Wine is handed round. Music. The Feast begins.

The People.

Hail, Gyges, hail!

Kan.(gazing into the background).

In discus-throwing, too?For the third time? I should be sore to see it!Why this leaves not a doit for mine own people!

In discus-throwing, too?

For the third time? I should be sore to see it!

Why this leaves not a doit for mine own people!

[He descends and goes to meetGygesas he comes from the background. The people are still acclaiming him and make way for him.

A modest fellow, you, forsooth! You takeNo more than’s here.

A modest fellow, you, forsooth! You take

No more than’s here.

Gyges.

My Lord, I fought to-dayAs Greek and not as Gyges.

My Lord, I fought to-day

As Greek and not as Gyges.

Kan.

All the sorrierFor us if the new standard’s set by you.Why, then we’ll have to start at lumber-huntingAnd stuff to bulging those old skins of dragonsThat, left by Herakles in some odd place,Some temple hiding-hole, must now lie mouldering.The bladdered serpent, too, the hundred-headed,And any bogy that can raise Greek hair.You hear me not.

All the sorrier

For us if the new standard’s set by you.

Why, then we’ll have to start at lumber-hunting

And stuff to bulging those old skins of dragons

That, left by Herakles in some odd place,

Some temple hiding-hole, must now lie mouldering.

The bladdered serpent, too, the hundred-headed,

And any bogy that can raise Greek hair.

You hear me not.

Gyges.

I do, I do!

Kan.

Oh no!I see too well. You slant at yonder maidensYour listless eyes. They see it too. Look there!The shorter twits the taller. You go red?Pooh, shame on you!

Oh no!

I see too well. You slant at yonder maidens

Your listless eyes. They see it too. Look there!

The shorter twits the taller. You go red?

Pooh, shame on you!

Gyges.

I’m thirsty, Sire.

Kan.

You’re thirsty?Why, that’s another tale. Who fights like youHas honest right unto a goodly drink,And though I lack the right I’ll share the draught.Ah, now there comes the part o’ the feast I love!(Beckons to a servant.) Come hither!

You’re thirsty?

Why, that’s another tale. Who fights like you

Has honest right unto a goodly drink,

And though I lack the right I’ll share the draught.

Ah, now there comes the part o’ the feast I love!

(Beckons to a servant.) Come hither!

[The servant brings a goblet of wine.Kandaulespours some drops on the earth.

First the root and then the branch!

[He drinks and is about to hand the goblet toGyges,but he is again looking towards the raised structure.

Come! Ho! Brunette or dark? That is the question,Eh, friend?

Come! Ho! Brunette or dark? That is the question,

Eh, friend?

Gyges.

Oh, Sire?

Kan.

Your palate likes the wine?

Gyges.

I’ve not yet drunk.

Kan.

You know’t? Then let your earsAccept reminder of your thirst and to it!I guarantee you this, that long enoughShe’ll stay to let you ease the press of pain.

You know’t? Then let your ears

Accept reminder of your thirst and to it!

I guarantee you this, that long enough

She’ll stay to let you ease the press of pain.

Gyges(drinks).

That cools!

Kan.

Alack the day, down sinks your star!

[The maidens retire, but can still be seen.

Well, it was time. Just glance around. AlreadyThey twine as though about a Thyrsus-staffThat, sudden-launched from earth in upward sally,And swift and swifter dartwise nearing heaven,Cascades the clusters of a million grapes.Wine fits the subtler stuff of winged Beings,But not the world of hobbling crawling man,It stands him on his head. That old man thereWould never stick at mounting on a tigerOr pranking his shrunk temples with a garland,As Dionysos did when Ganges-bound.But I’m at home with loosed wits—Was she fair?

Well, it was time. Just glance around. Already

They twine as though about a Thyrsus-staff

That, sudden-launched from earth in upward sally,

And swift and swifter dartwise nearing heaven,

Cascades the clusters of a million grapes.

Wine fits the subtler stuff of winged Beings,

But not the world of hobbling crawling man,

It stands him on his head. That old man there

Would never stick at mounting on a tiger

Or pranking his shrunk temples with a garland,

As Dionysos did when Ganges-bound.

But I’m at home with loosed wits—Was she fair?

Gyges.

I know not if what pleases me be fair.

Kan.

Say “yes”—no blushes! an eye like a coal,Only a-glimmer, but at lightest breathBursting in sparks shot with such twining huesYou could not tell if it be black or brown;And then, as though this restless weft of colourImmingled with her every drop of blood,’Tis fluctuant ’twixt shame and love unbreathedThat gives her blush a tint of peerless charm.

Say “yes”—no blushes! an eye like a coal,

Only a-glimmer, but at lightest breath

Bursting in sparks shot with such twining hues

You could not tell if it be black or brown;

And then, as though this restless weft of colour

Immingled with her every drop of blood,

’Tis fluctuant ’twixt shame and love unbreathed

That gives her blush a tint of peerless charm.

Gyges.

You make complete what the wind half-way wrought;It stirred the fringes, you uplift the veil.

You make complete what the wind half-way wrought;

It stirred the fringes, you uplift the veil.

Kan.

Not that you owe the bent knee at her power—Nay, should I guide you to another vision,A sight like this, for all its winsomeness,You’d purge your eye of as it were a fleckThat touched your glass with tarnish.

Not that you owe the bent knee at her power—

Nay, should I guide you to another vision,

A sight like this, for all its winsomeness,

You’d purge your eye of as it were a fleck

That touched your glass with tarnish.

Gyges.

Think you, Sire?

Kan.

Even so; but stay—you should not cry a prizeWhich cannot be displayed—that earns you jeering.Who’s gulled by cries of “pearls!” when the hand’s shut?

Even so; but stay—you should not cry a prize

Which cannot be displayed—that earns you jeering.

Who’s gulled by cries of “pearls!” when the hand’s shut?

Gyges.

Kan.

Gyges—why, the shadow of RhodopeCast in the shine o’ the moon—you smile! We’ll drink.

Gyges—why, the shadow of Rhodope

Cast in the shine o’ the moon—you smile! We’ll drink.

Gyges.

I smile not.

Kan.

Smile you should, then! Where’s the manThat cannot boast thus? Should you speak to meAs I to you, I’d say—“Then show her meElse hold your tongue.”

Smile you should, then! Where’s the man

That cannot boast thus? Should you speak to me

As I to you, I’d say—“Then show her me

Else hold your tongue.”

Gyges.

I trust you.

Kan.

Trust me, eh?The eye commands your credence, not the ear.You trust me! Ho! This shrinking bit of a girlGave you hot cheeks, and now—enough, enough—I’ll pout my breast no more with windy babbleSuch as for all this length of time I’ve used.Nay, you shall see her.

Trust me, eh?

The eye commands your credence, not the ear.

You trust me! Ho! This shrinking bit of a girl

Gave you hot cheeks, and now—enough, enough—

I’ll pout my breast no more with windy babble

Such as for all this length of time I’ve used.

Nay, you shall see her.

Gyges.

See her!

Kan.

And to-night.I want some soul to witness that I’m notA futile fool, a mere self-dupe that boastsHe has the fairest woman for his kissing.I fill the want with you.

And to-night.

I want some soul to witness that I’m not

A futile fool, a mere self-dupe that boasts

He has the fairest woman for his kissing.

I fill the want with you.

Gyges.

Oh, never moreThink on it!—for the man ’twere blot of soul,But for a woman,—woman such as sheThat even by day——

Oh, never more

Think on it!—for the man ’twere blot of soul,

But for a woman,—woman such as she

That even by day——

Kan.

Why, why—she’ll never learn it.Have you forgot the ring? And I’ll ne’er beA happy man till your lips say I am.Come, ask you—if the crown were to your likingShould you be bound to wear it but in darkness?Well, that’s the plight I’m in with her. She isThe Queen of women, but I hold possessionOf her as Ocean holds its pearls—none dreamsHow rich I am, and when I’m dead and done withThere’s not a friend can set it on my tombstone,And so I lie i’ the grave, beggar to beggar.Then do not say me nay, but take the ring.

Why, why—she’ll never learn it.

Have you forgot the ring? And I’ll ne’er be

A happy man till your lips say I am.

Come, ask you—if the crown were to your liking

Should you be bound to wear it but in darkness?

Well, that’s the plight I’m in with her. She is

The Queen of women, but I hold possession

Of her as Ocean holds its pearls—none dreams

How rich I am, and when I’m dead and done with

There’s not a friend can set it on my tombstone,

And so I lie i’ the grave, beggar to beggar.

Then do not say me nay, but take the ring.

[He proffers it toGyges,who will not take it.

The night is closing in; I’ll show the chamberAnd when you see me tread the floor with herThen follow us.

The night is closing in; I’ll show the chamber

And when you see me tread the floor with her

Then follow us.

[TakesGygesby the hand and draws him along with him.

I lay demand on you,And is it not a debt to Lesbia forfeit?Perhaps she is the vanquisher.

I lay demand on you,

And is it not a debt to Lesbia forfeit?

Perhaps she is the vanquisher.

[Exeunt.

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