ACT II

A swallow on the battlements to-dayFell from the hawk: you soothed and set it free.This, then, you would not—!Vittia.Yes.Yolanda.You cannot!Vittia.Yes.Yolanda(wrung for a moment then calm).I had forgotten, you are of Venice—VeniceWhose burdening is vast upon this land.Good-night.Vittia.And you despise me!Yolanda.More I loatheThat love of him has led your thought so low.[Is going.Vittia.Stay! If you leave and do not choose at once—[Sounds are heard at the gates.Who's that?...(starts). Amaury?...You've expected him?[The chains fall.Your purpose, then! Is it now to renounceAnd force him from you or to have me breatheTo Renier Lusignan the one wordThat will transmute his wrong to madness?Say it! For centuries have stained these wallsBut never a wife; never—EnterBerengere.Yolanda.Mother?...Berengere.AmauryHas spurred to us, Yolanda, from his post,And is below. But...what has befallen?[Looks from one to the other.Yolanda.He comes here, mother?Berengere.At once.Yolanda(in dread).Ah!Berengere.Child?...Vittia(toYolanda).To-nightMust be the end.Yolanda.Go, go.Berengere(asVittiapasses out). What thing is this?Yolanda.Mother, I cannot have him—here—Amaury!Defer him but a little—till to-morrow.I cannot see him now.Berengere.This is o'erstrange.Yolanda.Help me to think. Go to him, go, and saySome woman thing—that I am ill—that IAm at confession—penance—that—Ah, sayBut anything!Berengere.Yolanda!Yolanda.Say....No use.Too late.Berengere.His step?Yolanda.Oh, unmistakable;Along the corridor. Go![The curtains are thrown back.Amaury(at the threshold).My Yolanda![Hastens down and takes her, passive, in his arms.Berengeregoes.My, my Yolanda!...[Kisses her.To touch you is as triumph to the blood,Is as the boon of battle to the strong!Yolanda.Amaury, no; release me and say whyYou come: The Saracens—?Amaury.Not of them now![Bends back her head.But of some tribute incense to this beauty,Dear as the wind wafts from undying shrinesOf mystery and myrrh!I'd have the eloquence of quickened moonsPouring upon the midnight magicly,To say all I have yearned,Now, with your head pillowed upon my breast!Slow sullen speech, come to my soldier lips,Rough with command, and impotent of softness!Come to my lips! or fill so full my eyesThat the unutterable shall seem as sweetTo my Yolanda. But...how, how now? tears?[Lifts her face.Yolanda.Amaury——Amaury.What have I done? Too pronely pressedYou to this coat of steel?Yolanda.No, no.Amaury.My words,Or silence, then?Yolanda.Amaury, no, but sweet,Sweet as the roses of Damascus crusht,Your silence is! and sweeter than the dreamOf April nightingale on Troados,Or gushing by the springs of Chitria,Your every word of love! Yet—yet—ah, fold me,Within your arms oblivion and hold me,Fast to your being press me, and there bless meWith breathèd power of your manhood's might.Amaury!...Amaury.This I cannot understand.Yolanda(freeing herself).Nothing—a folly—groundless frailty.Amaury.You've been again at some old tale of sorrow,[Goes to the lectern.Pining along the pages of a book—This, telling of that Italy madonnaWhose days were sad—I have forgotten how.Is it not so?Yolanda.No, no. The tears of womenCome as the air and sighing of the night,We know not whence or why.Amaury.Often, perhaps.I am not skilled to tell. But never these!They are of trouble known.Yolanda.Yet now forget them.Amaury.It will not leave my heart that somehow—howI cannot fathom—Camarin——Yolanda(lightly, to stop him).No farther!Amaury.That Camarin of Paphos is their cause.—Tell me——Yolanda.Yes, that I love thee!Amaury.Tell me——Yolanda.Love thee!As sea the sky! and as the sky the wind!And as the wind the forest! As the forest—What does the forest love, Amaury? ICan think of nothing!Amaury.Tell me then you haveNever a moment of you yielded to him,That never he has touched too long this hand—Till evermore he must, even as I—Nor once into your eyes too deep has gazed!You falter? darken?Yolanda.Would he ne'er had comeInto these halls! that it were beautiful,Holy to hate him as the Lost can hate.Amaury.But 'tis not?Yolanda.God shall judge him.Amaury.And not you?Yolanda.Though he is weak, there is within him—Amaury.ThatWhich women trust? and you?[Berengereenters. He turns to her.Mother?Berengere.A runner,A soldier of your troop within the fortsHas come with word.Amaury(starting).Mother!Berengere.It is ill news?I've seen that battle-light in you before.'Tis of the Saracens? you ride to-nightInto their peril?Amaury.Come, the word, the word!Berengere.Only this token.Amaury.The spur? the spur? (Takes it.) They thenAre landing!Yolanda.How, Amaury; tell your meaning!Amaury.The galleys of the Saracens have foundAnchor and land to-night near Keryneia.My troops are ready and await me—So I must speed.Yolanda(with strange terror).I pray you, do not go.Amaury.Yolanda!Yolanda.If I am left alone—!Amaury.Yolanda!Yolanda(sinking to a seat). I meant it not—a breath of fear—forget—And go.Amaury.I know you not to-night. Farewell.[He kisses her and hurries off....A silence.Berengere.Yolanda——Yolanda.Mother, I will go to sleep.[She rises.Berengere.A change has come to you—a differenceDrawn as a veil between us.Yolanda.I am weary.Berengere.You love me?Yolanda.As, O mother, I love him,With love impregnable to every ill,As Paradise is.Berengere.Then—Yolanda.I pray, no more.To-night I am flooded with a deeper tideThan yet has flowed into my life—and through itSounds premonition: so I must have calm.[She embracesBerengere;goes slowly up steps and off.Berengere(chilled). What fear—if it is fear—has so unfixed her?Is it suspicion? Then I must not meetHim here to-night—or if to-night, no more.Her premonition!—and my dream that IShould with a cross bring her deep bitterness.[Thinks a moment, then takes the crucifix from her neck.Had Renier but come, perhaps I might ...[Lays it on table.O were I dead this sinning would awake me!...And yet I care not (dully)....No, I will forget.[Goes firmly from door to door and looks out each. Then lifts, unnoting, the cross-shaped candlestick; and waving it at the loggia, turns holding it before her.Soon he will come up from the cool, and touchAway my weakness with mad tenderness.Soon he will....Ah![Has seen with terror the candlestick's structure.The cross!...My dream!...Yolanda![Lets it fall.Mercy of God, move in me!...Sacrilege![Sinks feebly to the divan, and bows, overcome.Camarin(appearing after a pause on the loggia).My Berengere, a moment, and I come![Enters, locking the grating behind him. Then he hurries down and leans to lift her face.Berengere.No, no! nor ever, ever again, for ever![Shrinks.Go from me and behind leave no farewell....Camarin.This is—illusion. In the dew I've waited,And the night's song of you is in my brain—A song that seems——Berengere.Withhold from words. At lastFate is begun! See, with the cross it wasI waved you hither. Leave me—let me passOut of this sin—and to repentance—after.Camarin.I cannot, cannot!Berengere.Pity, then, my fear.This moment were it known would end with murder,Or did it not, dishonour still would kill!Leave, leave.Camarin.To-morrow, then; but not to-night![He goes behind and puts his arms around her.Give me thy being once again, thy beauty.For it I'm mad as bacchanals for wine.[Yolanda,entering on the balcony, hears, and would retreat, but seesReniercome to the grating.Once more be to me all that woman may!Let us again take rapture wings and riseUp to our world of love, guilt would unsphere.Let us live over days that passed as streamsLimpid by lotus-banks unto the sea,O'er all the whispered nights that we have claspedKnowing the heights and all the deeps of passion!But speak, and we shall be amid the stars.[Renierdraws a dagger and leaves the grating. With a low cryYolandastaggers down: the Two rise, fearful.Berengere.Yolanda!Yolanda.Mother, mother!...Ah, his eyes!Berengere.What brings you here—to spy upon me?Yolanda.Listen!...Think not of me—no, hush—but of the perilArisen up....Your husband!Camarin.Renier?Yolanda.Was at that grating—heard. And from its sheathDrew forth a dagger!—Ah!Berengere(weakly).What does she say?Yolanda.Find calmness now, and some expedient.[She struggles to think.Berengere.I cannot die.Yolanda.No, no.Berengere.My flesh is weak,Is poor of courage—poverished by guilt,As all my soul is! But, Yolanda, you—!Yolanda.Yes, something must be done—something be done.[Camaringoes to the curtains and returns.Berengere.The shame...the shame...the shame!Yolanda.There yet is time.Berengere.You can deliver! you are innocent.Yolanda.Perhaps. Let me but think.—He came——Berengere.You see?There is escape? a way from it?Yolanda.Perhaps.He came after your words...yes...could not seeHere in the dimness...but has onlyheardSir Camarin....Berengere.I do not know!Yolanda.Go, in...Up to your chamber and be as asleep.There is a way—I think—dim, but a way.Go to your chamber; for there yet may bePrevention!Berengere.I—yes, yes.Yolanda.There is a way.[Berengeregoes.Strength now to walk it! strength unfaltering.Camarin.What do you purpose?Yolanda.Here to take her place,Here at the lowest of her destiny.Camarin.I do not understand.Yolanda.But wholly shall.Clasp me within your arms; he must believe'Tis I and not his wife you have unhallowed,Your arms about me, though they burn! and breathe meThirst of unbounded love as unto her.[He clasps her, and they wait.Ah, it is he!Camarin.No.Yolanda.Yes, the words; at once!Camarin(hoarsely). With all my body and soul-breath I love you,[Renierenters withMoro.And all this night is ours for ecstasy.Kiss me with quenchless kisses, and embraceMe with your beauty, till——[Yolandawith a cry, as of fear, looses herself, pretending to discoverRenier, who is struck rigid.Moro.My lord, my lord!...It is Yolanda.Renier.Then—[The dagger falls from him.Why, then—Amaury![Yolanda, realising, stunned, sinks back to the divan.CurtainACT IISeveral Days Have ElapsedScene:The forecourt of the castle, beyond which is the garden and in the distance the mountains, under the deep tropical blue of morning. On the right the wall enclosing the castle grounds runs back and is lost in the foliage of cypress, palm, orange; it is pierced by an arched gate with lifted portcullis. On the left rises the dark front of the castle, its arabesqued doorway open. Across the rear a low arcaded screen of masonry, with an entrance to the right, separates the court from the garden. Before it a fountain, guarded by a statue of a Knight of St. John, falls into a porphyry basin. By the castle door, to the front, and elsewhere, are stone seats.Hassanis standing moodily by the screen, left, looking out the portcullis. He starts, hearing steps, and as the old leachTremitusenters, motions him silently into thecastle; then muttering "the old blood-letter," stands as before, whileCiva,Maga,andMauriaare heard in the garden, and enter gaily bearing water-jars to the fountain.Civasees his look and breaks into a twitting laughter. The other two join her.Civa.Look at him! Maga! Mauria! behold!Was ever sight so sweet upon the world?Is he not very Joy?Mauria(critically).Now, is he not?With the price of vinegar upon his face.[All laugh.The price of vinegar! who'll buy!—Not I!Not I! Not I! Not I!Hassan.Wench.Civa.Verily!And not a man! he has discovered it!You're not a man, Mauria! we were duped.[Mauriaslaps her playfully.But see him now—a mummy of the Nile!Who died of choler!Mauria.Then, a care, he'll bite.He's been in the grave a long while and he's hungry.A barley-loaf, quick, Maga!Civa.To appease him!But s-sh! beware! there's something of import.[They stop in mock awe before him.What does he think of?Mauria.Sphinxes and the spheres.Civa.Or little ants and gnats that buzz about him.Mauria.And how to make them smart for sauciness.Civa.Or of Alessa!Maga.No, no, Civa! come;Enough of teasing.Civa.Of Alessa!Maga.No.Your pitcher, come. He's troubled by the taleOf lady Yolanda——And waits for lord Amaury from the battle.Civa.The—! heigh! heigh-o! awaits! la, la! he does![Hassanstarts at her tone.For lord Amaury! does he so indeed?Hassan.What do you know? Be silent.Civa.Ho!Hassan.Itch! wouldYou have lady Yolanda hear? She comesNow, as she has this morning thrice, to ask.[Yolandaappears on the threshold withAlessa.Lord Renier...remember, if she learns![Civaflouts him, but goes to the fountain. The others follow, fill their jars, and, singing, return to the garden.Yolandathen crosses toHassan,who waits evasive.Yolanda.My want is still the same—words are unneeded.Hassan.To know of lord Amaury?Yolanda.Lord Amaury—He has not yet returned?Hassan(loathly).I have not seen him.Yolanda.Nor heard?Hassan.Nothing.Yolanda.I cannot understand.[Goes to the gate, troubled.Hassan(low). Liar that I am to say it!Yolanda.I cannot—cannot![Returns.The Saracens we know were routed toTheir vessels—all the Allah-crying horde.And lord Amaury—said the courier not?——Rode in the battle as a seraph mightTo the Holy Sepulchre's deliverance.And yet no word from him.Hassan.Perhaps—with reason.[She looks at him quickly—he flushes.With reason!...knowing, lady, what, here, now,Is rumoured of a baronAnd lady Yolanda!...Pardon!Yolanda(slowly).Of a baronAnd lady Yolanda.Hassan.Yes: it is the womenWho with their ears ever at secrecyRumour it. But, lady, it is a lie?This Camarin, this prinker,Whose purse is daily loose to us....I curse him!His father....Well, my mother's ten years dead,Stained, as you know—And flower-lips breathe innocent above her.But I'll avenge her doom.Yolanda.On—whom?Hassan(points castlewards).On him!So you, who do not hush this tale of you,Though it is truthless—hear:I have a stab for Camarin of PaphosWhenever he has lived—but say!—too long.Yolanda(who has listened rigidly. After a pause).Come here...look in my eyes, and—deeper....Shame![Quells him.Pity alone we owe to sin not blame.And they who love may stray, it seems, beyondAll justice of our judging.—Is evil mad enchantment come uponThe portals of this castle?Hassan.I would serve you.Yolanda.With murder? no. But if you would indeed,As oft you have——Hassan.Lady, I will.Yolanda.Then watchThe Venetian, and when Amaury comesFind me at once. What sound was that?...A bugle?It is! it is! Alessa! (Overjoyed.) Do you hear?His troop! Amaury's! O the silver chime!Again I breathe, I breathe!My heart as a bird of May!Amaury!...Come! we'll go to him! we'll go!Before any within Lusignan—!Alessa.Lady!Yolanda.At once! it rings again! again! we'll go!Alessa.And tell him?Yolanda.Warn! Warn him a fever's hereThat he must fend his ear from. 'Twill suffice.And I again shall see him, hear him speak,Hang on his battle-story blessedly!And you, Hassan....But why do you stand stone?You know something....He's dead!Hassan.No, lady, no.Yolanda.Not? ah!...then what? 'Twas not his trumpet?Hassan(after a struggle).No.And I will lie to you no longer;Though for obedience it be or life;And at lord Renier's command....It isNot true that lord Amaury from the battleHas not returned.Yolanda.But he—you mean—is here?[Stands motionless.Hassan.He came...on yesterday...at dusk. Was ledUp to his chamber....So much lord Renier who slipt him inRevealed, that I might guile you.Alessa(sharply).And you have?Hassan.Yes.Alessa.Though you boasted love to me?Hassan.Now, woman!Alessa.Lady, I would have wed him—wed this toad![Stingingly.Who'd kill the Paphian, too!Hassan.Yes!Alessa.Worm! with dust?Heeling away from him?Yolanda.Be still, be still.[Alessaturns to her.

A swallow on the battlements to-dayFell from the hawk: you soothed and set it free.This, then, you would not—!

Vittia.Yes.

Yolanda.You cannot!

Vittia.Yes.

Yolanda(wrung for a moment then calm).I had forgotten, you are of Venice—VeniceWhose burdening is vast upon this land.Good-night.

Vittia.And you despise me!

Yolanda.More I loatheThat love of him has led your thought so low.

[Is going.

Vittia.Stay! If you leave and do not choose at once—

[Sounds are heard at the gates.

Who's that?...(starts). Amaury?...You've expected him?

[The chains fall.

Your purpose, then! Is it now to renounceAnd force him from you or to have me breatheTo Renier Lusignan the one wordThat will transmute his wrong to madness?Say it! For centuries have stained these wallsBut never a wife; never—

EnterBerengere.

Yolanda.Mother?...Berengere.AmauryHas spurred to us, Yolanda, from his post,And is below. But...what has befallen?

Yolanda.Mother?...

Berengere.AmauryHas spurred to us, Yolanda, from his post,And is below. But...what has befallen?

[Looks from one to the other.

Yolanda.He comes here, mother?Berengere.At once.Yolanda(in dread).Ah!Berengere.Child?...Vittia(toYolanda).To-nightMust be the end.Yolanda.Go, go.Berengere(asVittiapasses out). What thing is this?Yolanda.Mother, I cannot have him—here—Amaury!Defer him but a little—till to-morrow.I cannot see him now.Berengere.This is o'erstrange.Yolanda.Help me to think. Go to him, go, and saySome woman thing—that I am ill—that IAm at confession—penance—that—Ah, sayBut anything!Berengere.Yolanda!Yolanda.Say....No use.Too late.Berengere.His step?Yolanda.Oh, unmistakable;Along the corridor. Go!

Yolanda.He comes here, mother?

Berengere.At once.

Yolanda(in dread).Ah!

Berengere.Child?...

Vittia(toYolanda).To-nightMust be the end.

Yolanda.Go, go.

Berengere(asVittiapasses out). What thing is this?

Yolanda.Mother, I cannot have him—here—Amaury!Defer him but a little—till to-morrow.I cannot see him now.

Berengere.This is o'erstrange.

Yolanda.Help me to think. Go to him, go, and saySome woman thing—that I am ill—that IAm at confession—penance—that—Ah, sayBut anything!

Berengere.Yolanda!

Yolanda.Say....No use.Too late.

Berengere.His step?

Yolanda.Oh, unmistakable;Along the corridor. Go!

[The curtains are thrown back.

Amaury(at the threshold).My Yolanda!

[Hastens down and takes her, passive, in his arms.Berengeregoes.

My, my Yolanda!...

[Kisses her.

To touch you is as triumph to the blood,Is as the boon of battle to the strong!Yolanda.Amaury, no; release me and say whyYou come: The Saracens—?Amaury.Not of them now!

To touch you is as triumph to the blood,Is as the boon of battle to the strong!

Yolanda.Amaury, no; release me and say whyYou come: The Saracens—?

Amaury.Not of them now!

[Bends back her head.

But of some tribute incense to this beauty,Dear as the wind wafts from undying shrinesOf mystery and myrrh!I'd have the eloquence of quickened moonsPouring upon the midnight magicly,To say all I have yearned,Now, with your head pillowed upon my breast!Slow sullen speech, come to my soldier lips,Rough with command, and impotent of softness!Come to my lips! or fill so full my eyesThat the unutterable shall seem as sweetTo my Yolanda. But...how, how now? tears?

[Lifts her face.

Yolanda.Amaury——Amaury.What have I done? Too pronely pressedYou to this coat of steel?Yolanda.No, no.Amaury.My words,Or silence, then?Yolanda.Amaury, no, but sweet,Sweet as the roses of Damascus crusht,Your silence is! and sweeter than the dreamOf April nightingale on Troados,Or gushing by the springs of Chitria,Your every word of love! Yet—yet—ah, fold me,Within your arms oblivion and hold me,Fast to your being press me, and there bless meWith breathèd power of your manhood's might.Amaury!...Amaury.This I cannot understand.Yolanda(freeing herself).Nothing—a folly—groundless frailty.Amaury.You've been again at some old tale of sorrow,

Yolanda.Amaury——

Amaury.What have I done? Too pronely pressedYou to this coat of steel?

Yolanda.No, no.

Amaury.My words,Or silence, then?

Yolanda.Amaury, no, but sweet,Sweet as the roses of Damascus crusht,Your silence is! and sweeter than the dreamOf April nightingale on Troados,Or gushing by the springs of Chitria,Your every word of love! Yet—yet—ah, fold me,Within your arms oblivion and hold me,Fast to your being press me, and there bless meWith breathèd power of your manhood's might.Amaury!...

Amaury.This I cannot understand.

Yolanda(freeing herself).Nothing—a folly—groundless frailty.

Amaury.You've been again at some old tale of sorrow,

[Goes to the lectern.

Pining along the pages of a book—This, telling of that Italy madonnaWhose days were sad—I have forgotten how.Is it not so?Yolanda.No, no. The tears of womenCome as the air and sighing of the night,We know not whence or why.Amaury.Often, perhaps.I am not skilled to tell. But never these!They are of trouble known.Yolanda.Yet now forget them.Amaury.It will not leave my heart that somehow—howI cannot fathom—Camarin——Yolanda(lightly, to stop him).No farther!Amaury.That Camarin of Paphos is their cause.—Tell me——Yolanda.Yes, that I love thee!Amaury.Tell me——Yolanda.Love thee!As sea the sky! and as the sky the wind!And as the wind the forest! As the forest—What does the forest love, Amaury? ICan think of nothing!Amaury.Tell me then you haveNever a moment of you yielded to him,That never he has touched too long this hand—Till evermore he must, even as I—Nor once into your eyes too deep has gazed!You falter? darken?Yolanda.Would he ne'er had comeInto these halls! that it were beautiful,Holy to hate him as the Lost can hate.Amaury.But 'tis not?Yolanda.God shall judge him.Amaury.And not you?Yolanda.Though he is weak, there is within him—Amaury.ThatWhich women trust? and you?

Pining along the pages of a book—This, telling of that Italy madonnaWhose days were sad—I have forgotten how.Is it not so?

Yolanda.No, no. The tears of womenCome as the air and sighing of the night,We know not whence or why.

Amaury.Often, perhaps.I am not skilled to tell. But never these!They are of trouble known.

Yolanda.Yet now forget them.

Amaury.It will not leave my heart that somehow—howI cannot fathom—Camarin——

Yolanda(lightly, to stop him).No farther!

Amaury.That Camarin of Paphos is their cause.—Tell me——

Yolanda.Yes, that I love thee!

Amaury.Tell me——

Yolanda.Love thee!As sea the sky! and as the sky the wind!And as the wind the forest! As the forest—What does the forest love, Amaury? ICan think of nothing!

Amaury.Tell me then you haveNever a moment of you yielded to him,That never he has touched too long this hand—Till evermore he must, even as I—Nor once into your eyes too deep has gazed!You falter? darken?

Yolanda.Would he ne'er had comeInto these halls! that it were beautiful,Holy to hate him as the Lost can hate.

Amaury.But 'tis not?

Yolanda.God shall judge him.

Amaury.And not you?

Yolanda.Though he is weak, there is within him—

Amaury.ThatWhich women trust? and you?

[Berengereenters. He turns to her.

Mother?Berengere.A runner,A soldier of your troop within the fortsHas come with word.Amaury(starting).Mother!Berengere.It is ill news?I've seen that battle-light in you before.'Tis of the Saracens? you ride to-nightInto their peril?Amaury.Come, the word, the word!Berengere.Only this token.Amaury.The spur? the spur? (Takes it.) They thenAre landing!Yolanda.How, Amaury; tell your meaning!Amaury.The galleys of the Saracens have foundAnchor and land to-night near Keryneia.My troops are ready and await me—So I must speed.Yolanda(with strange terror).I pray you, do not go.Amaury.Yolanda!Yolanda.If I am left alone—!Amaury.Yolanda!Yolanda(sinking to a seat). I meant it not—a breath of fear—forget—And go.Amaury.I know you not to-night. Farewell.

Mother?

Berengere.A runner,A soldier of your troop within the fortsHas come with word.

Amaury(starting).Mother!

Berengere.It is ill news?I've seen that battle-light in you before.'Tis of the Saracens? you ride to-nightInto their peril?

Amaury.Come, the word, the word!

Berengere.Only this token.

Amaury.The spur? the spur? (Takes it.) They thenAre landing!

Yolanda.How, Amaury; tell your meaning!

Amaury.The galleys of the Saracens have foundAnchor and land to-night near Keryneia.My troops are ready and await me—So I must speed.

Yolanda(with strange terror).I pray you, do not go.

Amaury.Yolanda!

Yolanda.If I am left alone—!

Amaury.Yolanda!

Yolanda(sinking to a seat). I meant it not—a breath of fear—forget—And go.

Amaury.I know you not to-night. Farewell.

[He kisses her and hurries off....A silence.

Berengere.Yolanda——Yolanda.Mother, I will go to sleep.

Berengere.Yolanda——

Yolanda.Mother, I will go to sleep.

[She rises.

Berengere.A change has come to you—a differenceDrawn as a veil between us.Yolanda.I am weary.Berengere.You love me?Yolanda.As, O mother, I love him,With love impregnable to every ill,As Paradise is.Berengere.Then—Yolanda.I pray, no more.To-night I am flooded with a deeper tideThan yet has flowed into my life—and through itSounds premonition: so I must have calm.

Berengere.A change has come to you—a differenceDrawn as a veil between us.

Yolanda.I am weary.

Berengere.You love me?

Yolanda.As, O mother, I love him,With love impregnable to every ill,As Paradise is.

Berengere.Then—

Yolanda.I pray, no more.To-night I am flooded with a deeper tideThan yet has flowed into my life—and through itSounds premonition: so I must have calm.

[She embracesBerengere;goes slowly up steps and off.

Berengere(chilled). What fear—if it is fear—has so unfixed her?Is it suspicion? Then I must not meetHim here to-night—or if to-night, no more.Her premonition!—and my dream that IShould with a cross bring her deep bitterness.

[Thinks a moment, then takes the crucifix from her neck.

Had Renier but come, perhaps I might ...

[Lays it on table.

O were I dead this sinning would awake me!...And yet I care not (dully)....No, I will forget.

[Goes firmly from door to door and looks out each. Then lifts, unnoting, the cross-shaped candlestick; and waving it at the loggia, turns holding it before her.

Soon he will come up from the cool, and touchAway my weakness with mad tenderness.Soon he will....Ah!

[Has seen with terror the candlestick's structure.

The cross!...My dream!...Yolanda!

[Lets it fall.

Mercy of God, move in me!...Sacrilege!

[Sinks feebly to the divan, and bows, overcome.

Camarin(appearing after a pause on the loggia).My Berengere, a moment, and I come!

[Enters, locking the grating behind him. Then he hurries down and leans to lift her face.

Berengere.No, no! nor ever, ever again, for ever!

[Shrinks.

Go from me and behind leave no farewell....Camarin.This is—illusion. In the dew I've waited,And the night's song of you is in my brain—A song that seems——Berengere.Withhold from words. At lastFate is begun! See, with the cross it wasI waved you hither. Leave me—let me passOut of this sin—and to repentance—after.Camarin.I cannot, cannot!Berengere.Pity, then, my fear.This moment were it known would end with murder,Or did it not, dishonour still would kill!Leave, leave.Camarin.To-morrow, then; but not to-night!

Go from me and behind leave no farewell....

Camarin.This is—illusion. In the dew I've waited,And the night's song of you is in my brain—A song that seems——

Berengere.Withhold from words. At lastFate is begun! See, with the cross it wasI waved you hither. Leave me—let me passOut of this sin—and to repentance—after.

Camarin.I cannot, cannot!

Berengere.Pity, then, my fear.This moment were it known would end with murder,Or did it not, dishonour still would kill!Leave, leave.

Camarin.To-morrow, then; but not to-night!

[He goes behind and puts his arms around her.

Give me thy being once again, thy beauty.For it I'm mad as bacchanals for wine.

[Yolanda,entering on the balcony, hears, and would retreat, but seesReniercome to the grating.

Once more be to me all that woman may!Let us again take rapture wings and riseUp to our world of love, guilt would unsphere.Let us live over days that passed as streamsLimpid by lotus-banks unto the sea,O'er all the whispered nights that we have claspedKnowing the heights and all the deeps of passion!But speak, and we shall be amid the stars.

[Renierdraws a dagger and leaves the grating. With a low cryYolandastaggers down: the Two rise, fearful.

Berengere.Yolanda!Yolanda.Mother, mother!...Ah, his eyes!Berengere.What brings you here—to spy upon me?Yolanda.Listen!...Think not of me—no, hush—but of the perilArisen up....Your husband!Camarin.Renier?Yolanda.Was at that grating—heard. And from its sheathDrew forth a dagger!—Ah!Berengere(weakly).What does she say?Yolanda.Find calmness now, and some expedient.

Berengere.Yolanda!

Yolanda.Mother, mother!...Ah, his eyes!

Berengere.What brings you here—to spy upon me?

Yolanda.Listen!...Think not of me—no, hush—but of the perilArisen up....Your husband!

Camarin.Renier?

Yolanda.Was at that grating—heard. And from its sheathDrew forth a dagger!—Ah!

Berengere(weakly).What does she say?

Yolanda.Find calmness now, and some expedient.

[She struggles to think.

Berengere.I cannot die.Yolanda.No, no.Berengere.My flesh is weak,Is poor of courage—poverished by guilt,As all my soul is! But, Yolanda, you—!Yolanda.Yes, something must be done—something be done.

Berengere.I cannot die.

Yolanda.No, no.

Berengere.My flesh is weak,Is poor of courage—poverished by guilt,As all my soul is! But, Yolanda, you—!

Yolanda.Yes, something must be done—something be done.

[Camaringoes to the curtains and returns.

Berengere.The shame...the shame...the shame!Yolanda.There yet is time.Berengere.You can deliver! you are innocent.Yolanda.Perhaps. Let me but think.—He came——Berengere.You see?There is escape? a way from it?Yolanda.Perhaps.He came after your words...yes...could not seeHere in the dimness...but has onlyheardSir Camarin....Berengere.I do not know!Yolanda.Go, in...Up to your chamber and be as asleep.There is a way—I think—dim, but a way.Go to your chamber; for there yet may bePrevention!Berengere.I—yes, yes.Yolanda.There is a way.

Berengere.The shame...the shame...the shame!

Yolanda.There yet is time.

Berengere.You can deliver! you are innocent.

Yolanda.Perhaps. Let me but think.—He came——

Berengere.You see?There is escape? a way from it?

Yolanda.Perhaps.He came after your words...yes...could not seeHere in the dimness...but has onlyheardSir Camarin....

Berengere.I do not know!

Yolanda.Go, in...Up to your chamber and be as asleep.There is a way—I think—dim, but a way.Go to your chamber; for there yet may bePrevention!

Berengere.I—yes, yes.

Yolanda.There is a way.

[Berengeregoes.

Strength now to walk it! strength unfaltering.Camarin.What do you purpose?Yolanda.Here to take her place,Here at the lowest of her destiny.Camarin.I do not understand.Yolanda.But wholly shall.Clasp me within your arms; he must believe'Tis I and not his wife you have unhallowed,Your arms about me, though they burn! and breathe meThirst of unbounded love as unto her.

Strength now to walk it! strength unfaltering.

Camarin.What do you purpose?

Yolanda.Here to take her place,Here at the lowest of her destiny.

Camarin.I do not understand.

Yolanda.But wholly shall.Clasp me within your arms; he must believe'Tis I and not his wife you have unhallowed,Your arms about me, though they burn! and breathe meThirst of unbounded love as unto her.

[He clasps her, and they wait.

Ah, it is he!Camarin.No.Yolanda.Yes, the words; at once!Camarin(hoarsely). With all my body and soul-breath I love you,

Ah, it is he!

Camarin.No.

Yolanda.Yes, the words; at once!

Camarin(hoarsely). With all my body and soul-breath I love you,

[Renierenters withMoro.

And all this night is ours for ecstasy.Kiss me with quenchless kisses, and embraceMe with your beauty, till——

[Yolandawith a cry, as of fear, looses herself, pretending to discoverRenier, who is struck rigid.

Moro.My lord, my lord!...It is Yolanda.Renier.Then—

Moro.My lord, my lord!...It is Yolanda.

Renier.Then—

[The dagger falls from him.

Why, then—Amaury!

[Yolanda, realising, stunned, sinks back to the divan.

Curtain

Several Days Have Elapsed

Scene:The forecourt of the castle, beyond which is the garden and in the distance the mountains, under the deep tropical blue of morning. On the right the wall enclosing the castle grounds runs back and is lost in the foliage of cypress, palm, orange; it is pierced by an arched gate with lifted portcullis. On the left rises the dark front of the castle, its arabesqued doorway open. Across the rear a low arcaded screen of masonry, with an entrance to the right, separates the court from the garden. Before it a fountain, guarded by a statue of a Knight of St. John, falls into a porphyry basin. By the castle door, to the front, and elsewhere, are stone seats.Hassanis standing moodily by the screen, left, looking out the portcullis. He starts, hearing steps, and as the old leachTremitusenters, motions him silently into thecastle; then muttering "the old blood-letter," stands as before, whileCiva,Maga,andMauriaare heard in the garden, and enter gaily bearing water-jars to the fountain.Civasees his look and breaks into a twitting laughter. The other two join her.

Civa.Look at him! Maga! Mauria! behold!Was ever sight so sweet upon the world?Is he not very Joy?Mauria(critically).Now, is he not?With the price of vinegar upon his face.

Civa.Look at him! Maga! Mauria! behold!Was ever sight so sweet upon the world?Is he not very Joy?

Mauria(critically).Now, is he not?With the price of vinegar upon his face.

[All laugh.

The price of vinegar! who'll buy!—Not I!Not I! Not I! Not I!Hassan.Wench.Civa.Verily!And not a man! he has discovered it!You're not a man, Mauria! we were duped.

The price of vinegar! who'll buy!—Not I!Not I! Not I! Not I!

Hassan.Wench.

Civa.Verily!And not a man! he has discovered it!You're not a man, Mauria! we were duped.

[Mauriaslaps her playfully.

But see him now—a mummy of the Nile!Who died of choler!Mauria.Then, a care, he'll bite.He's been in the grave a long while and he's hungry.A barley-loaf, quick, Maga!Civa.To appease him!But s-sh! beware! there's something of import.

But see him now—a mummy of the Nile!Who died of choler!

Mauria.Then, a care, he'll bite.He's been in the grave a long while and he's hungry.A barley-loaf, quick, Maga!

Civa.To appease him!But s-sh! beware! there's something of import.

[They stop in mock awe before him.

What does he think of?Mauria.Sphinxes and the spheres.Civa.Or little ants and gnats that buzz about him.Mauria.And how to make them smart for sauciness.Civa.Or of Alessa!Maga.No, no, Civa! come;Enough of teasing.Civa.Of Alessa!Maga.No.Your pitcher, come. He's troubled by the taleOf lady Yolanda——And waits for lord Amaury from the battle.Civa.The—! heigh! heigh-o! awaits! la, la! he does!

What does he think of?

Mauria.Sphinxes and the spheres.

Civa.Or little ants and gnats that buzz about him.

Mauria.And how to make them smart for sauciness.

Civa.Or of Alessa!

Maga.No, no, Civa! come;Enough of teasing.

Civa.Of Alessa!

Maga.No.Your pitcher, come. He's troubled by the taleOf lady Yolanda——And waits for lord Amaury from the battle.

Civa.The—! heigh! heigh-o! awaits! la, la! he does!

[Hassanstarts at her tone.

For lord Amaury! does he so indeed?Hassan.What do you know? Be silent.Civa.Ho!Hassan.Itch! wouldYou have lady Yolanda hear? She comesNow, as she has this morning thrice, to ask.

For lord Amaury! does he so indeed?

Hassan.What do you know? Be silent.

Civa.Ho!

Hassan.Itch! wouldYou have lady Yolanda hear? She comesNow, as she has this morning thrice, to ask.

[Yolandaappears on the threshold withAlessa.

Lord Renier...remember, if she learns!

[Civaflouts him, but goes to the fountain. The others follow, fill their jars, and, singing, return to the garden.Yolandathen crosses toHassan,who waits evasive.

Yolanda.My want is still the same—words are unneeded.Hassan.To know of lord Amaury?Yolanda.Lord Amaury—He has not yet returned?Hassan(loathly).I have not seen him.Yolanda.Nor heard?Hassan.Nothing.Yolanda.I cannot understand.

Yolanda.My want is still the same—words are unneeded.

Hassan.To know of lord Amaury?

Yolanda.Lord Amaury—He has not yet returned?

Hassan(loathly).I have not seen him.

Yolanda.Nor heard?

Hassan.Nothing.

Yolanda.I cannot understand.

[Goes to the gate, troubled.

Hassan(low). Liar that I am to say it!Yolanda.I cannot—cannot!

Hassan(low). Liar that I am to say it!

Yolanda.I cannot—cannot!

[Returns.

The Saracens we know were routed toTheir vessels—all the Allah-crying horde.And lord Amaury—said the courier not?——Rode in the battle as a seraph mightTo the Holy Sepulchre's deliverance.And yet no word from him.Hassan.Perhaps—with reason.

Hassan.Perhaps—with reason.

[She looks at him quickly—he flushes.

With reason!...knowing, lady, what, here, now,Is rumoured of a baronAnd lady Yolanda!...Pardon!Yolanda(slowly).Of a baronAnd lady Yolanda.Hassan.Yes: it is the womenWho with their ears ever at secrecyRumour it. But, lady, it is a lie?This Camarin, this prinker,Whose purse is daily loose to us....I curse him!His father....Well, my mother's ten years dead,Stained, as you know—And flower-lips breathe innocent above her.But I'll avenge her doom.Yolanda.On—whom?Hassan(points castlewards).On him!So you, who do not hush this tale of you,Though it is truthless—hear:I have a stab for Camarin of PaphosWhenever he has lived—but say!—too long.Yolanda(who has listened rigidly. After a pause).Come here...look in my eyes, and—deeper....Shame!

With reason!...knowing, lady, what, here, now,Is rumoured of a baronAnd lady Yolanda!...Pardon!

Yolanda(slowly).Of a baronAnd lady Yolanda.

Hassan.Yes: it is the womenWho with their ears ever at secrecyRumour it. But, lady, it is a lie?This Camarin, this prinker,Whose purse is daily loose to us....I curse him!His father....Well, my mother's ten years dead,Stained, as you know—And flower-lips breathe innocent above her.But I'll avenge her doom.

Yolanda.On—whom?

Hassan(points castlewards).On him!So you, who do not hush this tale of you,Though it is truthless—hear:I have a stab for Camarin of PaphosWhenever he has lived—but say!—too long.

Yolanda(who has listened rigidly. After a pause).Come here...look in my eyes, and—deeper....Shame!

[Quells him.

Pity alone we owe to sin not blame.And they who love may stray, it seems, beyondAll justice of our judging.—Is evil mad enchantment come uponThe portals of this castle?Hassan.I would serve you.Yolanda.With murder? no. But if you would indeed,As oft you have——Hassan.Lady, I will.Yolanda.Then watchThe Venetian, and when Amaury comesFind me at once. What sound was that?...A bugle?It is! it is! Alessa! (Overjoyed.) Do you hear?His troop! Amaury's! O the silver chime!Again I breathe, I breathe!My heart as a bird of May!Amaury!...Come! we'll go to him! we'll go!Before any within Lusignan—!Alessa.Lady!Yolanda.At once! it rings again! again! we'll go!Alessa.And tell him?Yolanda.Warn! Warn him a fever's hereThat he must fend his ear from. 'Twill suffice.And I again shall see him, hear him speak,Hang on his battle-story blessedly!And you, Hassan....But why do you stand stone?You know something....He's dead!Hassan.No, lady, no.Yolanda.Not? ah!...then what? 'Twas not his trumpet?Hassan(after a struggle).No.And I will lie to you no longer;Though for obedience it be or life;And at lord Renier's command....It isNot true that lord Amaury from the battleHas not returned.Yolanda.But he—you mean—is here?

Pity alone we owe to sin not blame.And they who love may stray, it seems, beyondAll justice of our judging.—Is evil mad enchantment come uponThe portals of this castle?

Hassan.I would serve you.

Yolanda.With murder? no. But if you would indeed,As oft you have——

Hassan.Lady, I will.

Yolanda.Then watchThe Venetian, and when Amaury comesFind me at once. What sound was that?...A bugle?It is! it is! Alessa! (Overjoyed.) Do you hear?His troop! Amaury's! O the silver chime!Again I breathe, I breathe!My heart as a bird of May!Amaury!...Come! we'll go to him! we'll go!Before any within Lusignan—!

Alessa.Lady!

Yolanda.At once! it rings again! again! we'll go!

Alessa.And tell him?

Yolanda.Warn! Warn him a fever's hereThat he must fend his ear from. 'Twill suffice.And I again shall see him, hear him speak,Hang on his battle-story blessedly!And you, Hassan....But why do you stand stone?You know something....He's dead!

Hassan.No, lady, no.

Yolanda.Not? ah!...then what? 'Twas not his trumpet?

Hassan(after a struggle).No.And I will lie to you no longer;Though for obedience it be or life;And at lord Renier's command....It isNot true that lord Amaury from the battleHas not returned.

Yolanda.But he—you mean—is here?

[Stands motionless.

Hassan.He came...on yesterday...at dusk. Was ledUp to his chamber....So much lord Renier who slipt him inRevealed, that I might guile you.Alessa(sharply).And you have?Hassan.Yes.Alessa.Though you boasted love to me?Hassan.Now, woman!Alessa.Lady, I would have wed him—wed this toad!

Hassan.He came...on yesterday...at dusk. Was ledUp to his chamber....So much lord Renier who slipt him inRevealed, that I might guile you.

Alessa(sharply).And you have?

Hassan.Yes.

Alessa.Though you boasted love to me?

Hassan.Now, woman!

Alessa.Lady, I would have wed him—wed this toad!

[Stingingly.

Who'd kill the Paphian, too!Hassan.Yes!Alessa.Worm! with dust?Heeling away from him?Yolanda.Be still, be still.

Who'd kill the Paphian, too!

Hassan.Yes!

Alessa.Worm! with dust?Heeling away from him?

Yolanda.Be still, be still.

[Alessaturns to her.

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