These words can wait on what may yet be helped.This may undo me! First of all I shouldHave seen Amaury! Now——!Hassan.The Venetian![They start.Vittiaenters from the castle.Lady, I will go in.Alessa.And I; to wait.[They go.Yolanda(suddenly).But I to see Amaury.Vittia.What? (stops).Yolanda.To see,Vittia Visani, who withholds Amaury—Who came last night at dusk, as well you know.[They face, opposed.What have you told him?Vittia.Ha!Yolanda.Insolence, falseAnd feigning! But no matter; lies are brief.I'll go myself to him.Vittia.To be repelled?Berengereenters.Yolanda.If he could trust you—but he could not.Vittia.KnowingA Paphian ere this has fondled two?Yolanda.You hear, mother? (ToVittia). Out of my way at once.Berengere.Stay, stay! She has not told him! nothing!...Yes,I too have been aware and kept you blind.For he was overworn, and still is, much.But now his wound——Yolanda.Wound! he is wounded?Berengere.He sleeps.Yolanda.And is in danger—jeopardy?Berengere.In none;If the leech Tremitus has any skill;And that you know.Yolanda.I thank...Madonna...thee![Vittialaughs and goes.But you, mother, are come at last to sayYour promises, broken two days, are kept?You've spoken? won lord Renier to wisdom?Pled him to silence which alone can save us?Dear mother——?Berengere.Do not call me so again.[Turns away.I have not—and I will not.Yolanda.Oh!Berengere.I cannot....Yolanda.But can leave me so laden here withinThis gulf's dishonour? Never!...So returnAnd pledge him but to wait!For this Venetian has now, I bode,Something of evil more,When once Amaury hears all that has passed.Return!Berengere.I cannot.Yolanda(stung).Then hear, hear me! IToo am a woman, and the woman wants,The beauty and ache and dream and glow and urgeOf an unreckoned love are mine as yours.I will not lose Amaury; but will tell himMyself the truth.Berengere.Then—I'll not stay for death,And wait for shame. But now with CamarinWill go from here.Yolanda.Mother!Berengere.To some retreatAway!Yolanda.Where still pursuit would follow! even,I fear, Amaury's?—And overtake you though it were as farAs the sea foams, or past the sandy voidOf stricken Africa? It would be vain.Vain, and I cannot have you. No, but listen——[Breaks off seeingRenier,on the castle threshold. His look is on her, but he comes down addressingBerengere.Renier.She troubles you too much.Berengere.My lord?Renier.Too much.You cherish her and reap unchastityFor gratitude—unchastity againstOur very son who was betrothed to her.Yet see her shameless.Berengere(dully).No; I think you wrong her.[Yolandamoves apart.Renier.Nobly you pity! But it will not veil her.Rather the convent and the crucifix,Matin and Vesper in a round remote,And senseless beads, for such.—But what more nowIs she demanding?Berengere.Little.Renier.Not the meansStill to deceive Amaury?Berengere.Renier...no.[Speaks loathly.But I have a request that, if you grant,Will lead peace back to us...and from us drawThis fang of fate.Renier.Ah.Berengere.Yes.Renier(slowly).And we might beAs those that wedded love?Berengere.Perhaps.Renier.That—love![A pause.Then it shall be, at once....But no, I firstHave a confession.Berengere.You?Renier.A pang!—For days[Takes her hand.Before I found Yolanda on the breastOf Camarin of Paphos——I suffered in the furnace of suspicionThe fume and suffocation of the thoughtThat you were the guilty one—you my own wife.[She recoils toYolanda,who comes up.I did; but rue, rue it!......Yet—it is justThat you recoil even as now you doFrom stain upon your wedded constancy....And time that is e'er-pitiful must passOver it—Before there is forgiveness. And perhapsThen I shall win you as I never have.—Now the request.Berengere.That now...I cannot plead.[SeesYolandaharden. Is impelled.And yet I must....It is that, till I bid,Amaury may not know of this...not knowThis trouble fallen from a night of evil——Pitiless on us as a meteor's ash.Renier.Not of it? he? not know?Berengere.Trust to me.Renier.How!And to this wanton's perfidy to bindHim witless to her—with a charm perhaps—Or, past releasing, with a philtre? SheWhom now he holds pure as a spirit spedFrom immortality, or the fair fieldsOf the sun, to be his bride?Yolanda.Sir, no!...She meansNot I shall wed him! (Winningly.) Only that you spareTo separate us with this horror; thatYou trust me to dispel his love, to pallAnd chill his passion from me. For I craveOnly one thing—innocence in his sight.Believe!—believe!Renier.I will—that you are mad.Yet madder I, if to this murk my brainWere blind.Yolanda.As it will be! in deadlier dark,If you attend me not!And may have destiny you cannot know.But you will heed?For somewhere in you there is tenderness.Once when you chafed in fever and I boreWhite orange blossoms dewy to your pillowYou touched my hand gently, as might a father.[Caresses his.Once on the tower when alone at duskI sang—I know not why—of lost delights,Of vanished roses that are e'er recallingMay to the world, you came and suddenlyLifted my brow up silent to your kiss.Ah, you remember; you will hear me?Renier.No!Though you are cunning.—Thus you wove the meshAbout Amaury—till he could not moveBeyond you.Yolanda.For his sake I ask it.Renier.ForNo sake but to o'ersway him with your eyesIn secret, thus, and withYour hair that he believes an aureoleBrought with you out of Heaven.Berengere.Again—wrong.Renier.So deem you and, my Berengere, I grieve,Desiring much your peace.Berengere.It grieves you not.Renier.Then not! and half I fear—you hear?—it should not.There's midnight in this thing and mystery.Does she not love—Camarin?Yolanda(trembling).Say no more.Be all—all as you will.Renier.That brings you low:But brings to me no light—only againThe stumbling in suspicion.Yolanda.It should not.Renier(with a sudden gleam).To-morrow then, unless Amaury runsFitting revenge through Camarin of Paphos,Your lover, you shall clasp him openlyBefore all of Lusignan.Yolanda.No; no, no!The thought of it is soil!...Rather...his death!Renier.What, what?Berengere.My lord, she knows not what she says.The unaccustomed wind of these ill hoursHas torn tranquillity from her and reason.Yolanda(realising). Yes, as she says—tranquillity and reason.[Strains to smile.These hours of ill!Renier.I'll send her Camarin.[Goes, looking steadfastly back.Yolanda(turning, then, toBerengere).His mood and mien—that tremor in his throat,Unfaltering. I fear him.Berengere.Life is fear.No step was ever taken in the worldBut from a brink of danger, or in flightFrom happiness whose air is ever sin.It sickens me.Yolanda.Mother!Berengere.Nothing; a painHere in my breast.[Sits.Yolanda.And it is all through himWho as a guest came pledged into this house.Came with the chivalry and manly showOf reverence and grace, that he too wellHas learnt in cunning lands and used to lure.[Camarinappears from garden.Ah, and he seeks us now! unwhelmed of it!Ready of step, impassive, cold! And see—[Camarinbows forcedly.A flawless courtesy! as of a king!Can he not smile too on his handiwork?Our days were merciful and he has madeEach moment's beat a blow upon the breast.Honour was here and innocence lies nowA sacrifice that pain cannot consume.—Camarin.Or death.Yolanda.Then have you not, unshameable!A help for it or healing? you who knowSo well the world and its unwonted ways!A man would have, a man.Camarin.And I am barren.My brain an arid waste under remorse.Only one thing it yields—the love of herMy love has made unholy.Yolanda.While to meThe shame is left, and silence—no defence,When it is told Amaury, "See her youBlest with betrothal and the boon of faith,Chose as the planet-mate of your proud star!While, in the battle,You with the weal of Cyprus on your browDared momently peril,We found her"....Ah, the memory is fire!——I will not bear it.Camarin.Then how? what?...You must.Though for your suffering I am pitiful,You must![Takes her wrist.For to one thing, one only now I'm bent——That Berengere be saved.Berengere.To-day...no more.Camarin.Suspicion and the peril-feet of shameI must keep from her still.Yolanda.Though driven o'erMy heart they trample the lone flower of hope.[Shaking off his hand, then, unnaturally wrought up.And even now perhaps Amaury hearsAnd turns away in horror!Camarin.What? Come, come.Enough is here without——Yolanda(as before).I'll go to him!Despite of them! in to his side and sayThat I am innocent—as the first dawnAnd dew of Eden!...Yes!Camarin.A frenzy! MereFolly! you wander!Yolanda(suddenly). That was anguish? whose?[Is hauntedly listening.Camarin.Amaury still is many leagues away—[Hassanappears.At Keryneia! Do you hear me?Yolanda.Hassan![Is numb as he hurries down from the castle to her. A pause; then her voice falls hoarsely.I hear you, speak. His wounds I know. The rest!They've told him?Hassan.The Venetian, who nursed himLast night, pouring his potions—She and lord Renier. They broke his sleep.He listened to them as one in a grave.Then they besought of himSome oath against you, were they right: he would not.Now he has risen,Silent and pale and suffering; in leash.He's coming here.Camarin.Why, you are mad!Yolanda.Be still.Camarin.Amaury was not then delayed? is—here?[Voices are heard perturbed within the castle. ThenAmaury,putting asideRenierandTremitus,followed byVittiaand others, enters down.Amaury.I'll not return unto my couch though twiceThese wounds and all your wants were urging it!Yolanda! my Yolanda!—Never, never![Takes her to him.Until I prove you that a word againstHer that I hold here in my arms is moreTo me than any peril.Tremitus.But, sir—!...Aeih!My precious physic wasted!Amaury.Till I prove it!For...my Yolanda!...You who are purity if Mary stillIs mother of God and lighteth Paradise!You in whose presence I am purged as oneBathing a thousand years in angel song!They say, you, who are stainless to my eyesAs is the sacring-bell to holy ears,So undefiled even the perfect lilyPendent upon your breast fears to pollute it!Listen, they tell me you—A fool, a foolWould know it unbelievable and laugh.Renier.As now a fool is doing?Amaury.O, sir, pardon.You are my father, and, I must believe,Mean well this monster breath's unchastity,As does this lady (ofVittia) who has gently nursed me.But you were tricked; it was illusion swumBefore your sleep. Therefore my purpose isNow to forget it.Tremitus.Aieh! and to returnNow to my drugs.Renier.Stand off!—As dogs forgetThe lash in hunger of the wonted bone?[Laughs angrily.Amaury.A poison so incredible and darkYou cannot duped inoculate me with.Trust in my veins makes of it but more love.And to dispel your minds (goes toCamarin) I'll clasp his handWhom you have so accused.Vittia.O do, my lord![Smiles disdainfully.And then embrace him in whose arms three nightsAgo she was embraced.Yolanda(to her).Can you so say!Vittia.Yes, and will add——Amaury.Lady of Venice, nothing!But this to all, I answer!—There is my mother, see,Wounded with wonder of this plight, and pity.Yolanda has dwelt by herAs the fawnBy the white doe on mount Chionodes.I would as quick believe that she had givenHer holiness up to contaminationAs that Yolanda——Yolanda.Amaury, enough!...I know!Amaury.As quickly!Yolanda.Then...quell this delirium![A pause.Out of your thought forever let it fall,Hear no more of it, ever!Be deaf to it as to a taunt of doom,In triple mail to every peaceless word,Granite against even its memory.Say that you will, and now!...Renier.So that you mayAllure him yet to wed you?Amaury.Sir!Renier.She would.Yolanda.No, no! But let him....Then I will go farAway from here to any alien air,To opiate India, a lost sea-isle!To the last peak of arid Caucasus.Renier.With Camarin of Paphos?Yolanda.With whoeverYour peace and this compelling pain....Ah no!Renier.With him, with him, I say?...Amaury.You drive and drain her.To me her words shall be—me and no other.So my Yolanda now dissolve the clingOf this invisible but heavy hydra;I've striven with it till no more I can.If any tare has been unseemly sownUpon the April vision of our love,Say it at once that I may rend and fling itAway from us. Say it!Renier.Vainly implored.—Yet ask her this, If she three nights ago——Amaury.I will not so insult her.Tremitus.Aieh——Renier.Insult?She knows what I would bid and does she hurlHer soul in any disavowal?Amaury.IWill speak to her alone. Go, all of you,There to the fountain.Yolanda.Yes, Amaury, thenOne searching of my face shall free your fear.Alone, alone.Renier.Still to befool him!Yolanda(warningly).Choose!I cannot suffer more of this.Amaury.Nor ITo breathe ever the burning of this mistOf anguish and insatiate accusal.—This wound upon my throat, fever it notWith longer fire of doubt, Yolanda.Yolanda.Ah!Berengere.I am not well. I will go to my chamber.[She passes into the castle.Renier.But I never until this guiler grantsI found her in the arms of Camarin,Drinking the frenzied wine of passionHe poured from his soul.Amaury.Yolanda?Renier.She is silent;Dumb to deny it.Amaury.But she will, she will.You've driven her with dread and awe.Vittia(lightly).And truth?Amaury.Have wounded her. But do not fear, Yolanda;Fiercely disown.Yolanda.Amaury...it is true.[He staggers slowly back.No, no; I have not been faithless to you—Even a momentTo the divinity of love high-altaredHere in my breast! to the immutableBeauty of it!...look, look not on me so—As if I had struck, murdered a little child!Or palsied one who put a hand to help me;Or through eternity had desecrated,Vainly, virginity and trust and truth!No, my Amaury! I...do you not see?[Hysterically.Not faithless, hear! it is not true! not true!But only this——Camarin.Yolanda!Yolanda.I——Camarin.Yolanda![A moment, then she sinks down, her face in her hands.Amaurygroans; then starting goes fiercely toHassan,and taking his sword recrosses trembling toCamarin.Amaury.The day you first set step in LusignanAn image of the Magdalen withinThe chapel yonder fell—presaging this.Only your death, your death or mine stands paleBetween us now, awaiting silently.Draw, and at once.Camarin.Amaury, I will not.Amaury.Out, quickly.Camarin.Do your will. I'll put no moreTo the guilt I bear, or to the miseryThat guilt has brought upon you.Amaury.Coward!Camarin.Strike!Amaury.You play a part! (Raves.) And 'tis that you may liveStill in the love that you a thief have stolen.So, with your steel——!Camarin.It stays within its sheath.Amaury.Then I will not be thwarted though I mustCrush you as one a viper with his heel,Though I must take your leper throat intoMy hands and strangle life from it!For the same sky you breathe I will not.The sun that falls upon you shall not foulMy being—Though I must go down into hell for it.[He starts, frenzied, to strike, but suddenly staggers; then clasps at his throat, drops the sword, and sinks down moaning.Yolanda.His wound!Tremitus.Aeih, aeih! at last.Yolanda.Amaury! Oh![Runs to him. He struggles to his feet.Amaury! Amaury!Amaury.Stand away from me.[She falls back; he laughs in derision.I to believe her pure as my own mother!Vittia.Had you but trusted me, Amaury.Amaury.You?[Looks long at her.Henceforth I will.Vittia.And wholly?Amaury(significantly).She...shall do it.[Starts into the castle.Yolanda(dauntedly). Amaury! what is this?Vittia.That, ere a dawn,Guileless Yolanda, you shall wed with himYour paramour of Paphos——Yolanda.Camarin?Vittia.And from these gates be led wanton away.[Yolanda,for a moment whelmed, tries to laugh scorn; but, turning, her eye meetsRenier'sfull of suspicion. He followsAmaurymeaningly into the castle.CurtainACT IIIThe Same DayScene:The Hall and loggia of Act I; but toward sunset, and afar, on the flushed sea, are seen the fisher-boats returning pale-winged to shore. In the left distance, also, a portion of Famagouste is visible above the waves—its orient walls and towers, white domes and houses, interspersed with tall palms. The interior of the Hall is the same; only the divan is placed to the front and left, the lectern near the balcony leading to the sleeping apartments and to the chapel.Smardais lying lithely on the divan, beguiled with her charms and amulets, and from time to time giving a low, sinuous laugh.Vittiaenters, watches a moment, thoughtful, then advances.
These words can wait on what may yet be helped.This may undo me! First of all I shouldHave seen Amaury! Now——!Hassan.The Venetian!
These words can wait on what may yet be helped.This may undo me! First of all I shouldHave seen Amaury! Now——!
Hassan.The Venetian!
[They start.Vittiaenters from the castle.
Lady, I will go in.Alessa.And I; to wait.
Lady, I will go in.
Alessa.And I; to wait.
[They go.
Yolanda(suddenly).But I to see Amaury.Vittia.What? (stops).Yolanda.To see,Vittia Visani, who withholds Amaury—Who came last night at dusk, as well you know.
Yolanda(suddenly).But I to see Amaury.
Vittia.What? (stops).
Yolanda.To see,Vittia Visani, who withholds Amaury—Who came last night at dusk, as well you know.
[They face, opposed.
What have you told him?Vittia.Ha!Yolanda.Insolence, falseAnd feigning! But no matter; lies are brief.I'll go myself to him.Vittia.To be repelled?
What have you told him?
Vittia.Ha!
Yolanda.Insolence, falseAnd feigning! But no matter; lies are brief.I'll go myself to him.
Vittia.To be repelled?
Berengereenters.
Yolanda.If he could trust you—but he could not.Vittia.KnowingA Paphian ere this has fondled two?Yolanda.You hear, mother? (ToVittia). Out of my way at once.Berengere.Stay, stay! She has not told him! nothing!...Yes,I too have been aware and kept you blind.For he was overworn, and still is, much.But now his wound——Yolanda.Wound! he is wounded?Berengere.He sleeps.Yolanda.And is in danger—jeopardy?Berengere.In none;If the leech Tremitus has any skill;And that you know.Yolanda.I thank...Madonna...thee!
Yolanda.If he could trust you—but he could not.
Vittia.KnowingA Paphian ere this has fondled two?
Yolanda.You hear, mother? (ToVittia). Out of my way at once.
Berengere.Stay, stay! She has not told him! nothing!...Yes,I too have been aware and kept you blind.For he was overworn, and still is, much.But now his wound——
Yolanda.Wound! he is wounded?
Berengere.He sleeps.
Yolanda.And is in danger—jeopardy?
Berengere.In none;If the leech Tremitus has any skill;And that you know.
Yolanda.I thank...Madonna...thee!
[Vittialaughs and goes.
But you, mother, are come at last to sayYour promises, broken two days, are kept?You've spoken? won lord Renier to wisdom?Pled him to silence which alone can save us?Dear mother——?Berengere.Do not call me so again.
But you, mother, are come at last to sayYour promises, broken two days, are kept?You've spoken? won lord Renier to wisdom?Pled him to silence which alone can save us?Dear mother——?
Berengere.Do not call me so again.
[Turns away.
I have not—and I will not.Yolanda.Oh!Berengere.I cannot....Yolanda.But can leave me so laden here withinThis gulf's dishonour? Never!...So returnAnd pledge him but to wait!For this Venetian has now, I bode,Something of evil more,When once Amaury hears all that has passed.Return!Berengere.I cannot.Yolanda(stung).Then hear, hear me! IToo am a woman, and the woman wants,The beauty and ache and dream and glow and urgeOf an unreckoned love are mine as yours.I will not lose Amaury; but will tell himMyself the truth.Berengere.Then—I'll not stay for death,And wait for shame. But now with CamarinWill go from here.Yolanda.Mother!Berengere.To some retreatAway!Yolanda.Where still pursuit would follow! even,I fear, Amaury's?—And overtake you though it were as farAs the sea foams, or past the sandy voidOf stricken Africa? It would be vain.Vain, and I cannot have you. No, but listen——
I have not—and I will not.
Yolanda.Oh!
Berengere.I cannot....
Yolanda.But can leave me so laden here withinThis gulf's dishonour? Never!...So returnAnd pledge him but to wait!For this Venetian has now, I bode,Something of evil more,When once Amaury hears all that has passed.Return!
Berengere.I cannot.
Yolanda(stung).Then hear, hear me! IToo am a woman, and the woman wants,The beauty and ache and dream and glow and urgeOf an unreckoned love are mine as yours.I will not lose Amaury; but will tell himMyself the truth.
Berengere.Then—I'll not stay for death,And wait for shame. But now with CamarinWill go from here.
Yolanda.Mother!
Berengere.To some retreatAway!
Yolanda.Where still pursuit would follow! even,I fear, Amaury's?—And overtake you though it were as farAs the sea foams, or past the sandy voidOf stricken Africa? It would be vain.Vain, and I cannot have you. No, but listen——
[Breaks off seeingRenier,on the castle threshold. His look is on her, but he comes down addressingBerengere.
Renier.She troubles you too much.Berengere.My lord?Renier.Too much.You cherish her and reap unchastityFor gratitude—unchastity againstOur very son who was betrothed to her.Yet see her shameless.Berengere(dully).No; I think you wrong her.
Renier.She troubles you too much.
Berengere.My lord?
Renier.Too much.You cherish her and reap unchastityFor gratitude—unchastity againstOur very son who was betrothed to her.Yet see her shameless.
Berengere(dully).No; I think you wrong her.
[Yolandamoves apart.
Renier.Nobly you pity! But it will not veil her.Rather the convent and the crucifix,Matin and Vesper in a round remote,And senseless beads, for such.—But what more nowIs she demanding?Berengere.Little.Renier.Not the meansStill to deceive Amaury?Berengere.Renier...no.
Renier.Nobly you pity! But it will not veil her.Rather the convent and the crucifix,Matin and Vesper in a round remote,And senseless beads, for such.—But what more nowIs she demanding?
Berengere.Little.
Renier.Not the meansStill to deceive Amaury?
Berengere.Renier...no.
[Speaks loathly.
But I have a request that, if you grant,Will lead peace back to us...and from us drawThis fang of fate.Renier.Ah.Berengere.Yes.Renier(slowly).And we might beAs those that wedded love?Berengere.Perhaps.Renier.That—love!
But I have a request that, if you grant,Will lead peace back to us...and from us drawThis fang of fate.
Renier.Ah.
Berengere.Yes.
Renier(slowly).And we might beAs those that wedded love?
Berengere.Perhaps.
Renier.That—love!
[A pause.
Then it shall be, at once....But no, I firstHave a confession.Berengere.You?Renier.A pang!—For days
Then it shall be, at once....But no, I firstHave a confession.
Berengere.You?
Renier.A pang!—For days
[Takes her hand.
Before I found Yolanda on the breastOf Camarin of Paphos——I suffered in the furnace of suspicionThe fume and suffocation of the thoughtThat you were the guilty one—you my own wife.
Before I found Yolanda on the breastOf Camarin of Paphos——I suffered in the furnace of suspicionThe fume and suffocation of the thoughtThat you were the guilty one—you my own wife.
[She recoils toYolanda,who comes up.
I did; but rue, rue it!......Yet—it is justThat you recoil even as now you doFrom stain upon your wedded constancy....And time that is e'er-pitiful must passOver it—Before there is forgiveness. And perhapsThen I shall win you as I never have.—Now the request.Berengere.That now...I cannot plead.
I did; but rue, rue it!......Yet—it is justThat you recoil even as now you doFrom stain upon your wedded constancy....And time that is e'er-pitiful must passOver it—Before there is forgiveness. And perhapsThen I shall win you as I never have.—Now the request.
Berengere.That now...I cannot plead.
[SeesYolandaharden. Is impelled.
And yet I must....It is that, till I bid,Amaury may not know of this...not knowThis trouble fallen from a night of evil——Pitiless on us as a meteor's ash.Renier.Not of it? he? not know?Berengere.Trust to me.Renier.How!And to this wanton's perfidy to bindHim witless to her—with a charm perhaps—Or, past releasing, with a philtre? SheWhom now he holds pure as a spirit spedFrom immortality, or the fair fieldsOf the sun, to be his bride?Yolanda.Sir, no!...She meansNot I shall wed him! (Winningly.) Only that you spareTo separate us with this horror; thatYou trust me to dispel his love, to pallAnd chill his passion from me. For I craveOnly one thing—innocence in his sight.Believe!—believe!Renier.I will—that you are mad.Yet madder I, if to this murk my brainWere blind.Yolanda.As it will be! in deadlier dark,If you attend me not!And may have destiny you cannot know.But you will heed?For somewhere in you there is tenderness.Once when you chafed in fever and I boreWhite orange blossoms dewy to your pillowYou touched my hand gently, as might a father.
And yet I must....It is that, till I bid,Amaury may not know of this...not knowThis trouble fallen from a night of evil——Pitiless on us as a meteor's ash.
Renier.Not of it? he? not know?
Berengere.Trust to me.
Renier.How!And to this wanton's perfidy to bindHim witless to her—with a charm perhaps—Or, past releasing, with a philtre? SheWhom now he holds pure as a spirit spedFrom immortality, or the fair fieldsOf the sun, to be his bride?
Yolanda.Sir, no!...She meansNot I shall wed him! (Winningly.) Only that you spareTo separate us with this horror; thatYou trust me to dispel his love, to pallAnd chill his passion from me. For I craveOnly one thing—innocence in his sight.Believe!—believe!
Renier.I will—that you are mad.Yet madder I, if to this murk my brainWere blind.
Yolanda.As it will be! in deadlier dark,If you attend me not!And may have destiny you cannot know.But you will heed?For somewhere in you there is tenderness.Once when you chafed in fever and I boreWhite orange blossoms dewy to your pillowYou touched my hand gently, as might a father.
[Caresses his.
Once on the tower when alone at duskI sang—I know not why—of lost delights,Of vanished roses that are e'er recallingMay to the world, you came and suddenlyLifted my brow up silent to your kiss.Ah, you remember; you will hear me?Renier.No!Though you are cunning.—Thus you wove the meshAbout Amaury—till he could not moveBeyond you.Yolanda.For his sake I ask it.Renier.ForNo sake but to o'ersway him with your eyesIn secret, thus, and withYour hair that he believes an aureoleBrought with you out of Heaven.Berengere.Again—wrong.Renier.So deem you and, my Berengere, I grieve,Desiring much your peace.Berengere.It grieves you not.Renier.Then not! and half I fear—you hear?—it should not.There's midnight in this thing and mystery.Does she not love—Camarin?Yolanda(trembling).Say no more.Be all—all as you will.Renier.That brings you low:But brings to me no light—only againThe stumbling in suspicion.Yolanda.It should not.Renier(with a sudden gleam).To-morrow then, unless Amaury runsFitting revenge through Camarin of Paphos,Your lover, you shall clasp him openlyBefore all of Lusignan.Yolanda.No; no, no!The thought of it is soil!...Rather...his death!Renier.What, what?Berengere.My lord, she knows not what she says.The unaccustomed wind of these ill hoursHas torn tranquillity from her and reason.Yolanda(realising). Yes, as she says—tranquillity and reason.
Once on the tower when alone at duskI sang—I know not why—of lost delights,Of vanished roses that are e'er recallingMay to the world, you came and suddenlyLifted my brow up silent to your kiss.Ah, you remember; you will hear me?
Renier.No!Though you are cunning.—Thus you wove the meshAbout Amaury—till he could not moveBeyond you.
Yolanda.For his sake I ask it.
Renier.ForNo sake but to o'ersway him with your eyesIn secret, thus, and withYour hair that he believes an aureoleBrought with you out of Heaven.
Berengere.Again—wrong.
Renier.So deem you and, my Berengere, I grieve,Desiring much your peace.
Berengere.It grieves you not.
Renier.Then not! and half I fear—you hear?—it should not.There's midnight in this thing and mystery.Does she not love—Camarin?
Yolanda(trembling).Say no more.Be all—all as you will.
Renier.That brings you low:But brings to me no light—only againThe stumbling in suspicion.
Yolanda.It should not.
Renier(with a sudden gleam).To-morrow then, unless Amaury runsFitting revenge through Camarin of Paphos,Your lover, you shall clasp him openlyBefore all of Lusignan.
Yolanda.No; no, no!The thought of it is soil!...Rather...his death!
Renier.What, what?
Berengere.My lord, she knows not what she says.The unaccustomed wind of these ill hoursHas torn tranquillity from her and reason.
Yolanda(realising). Yes, as she says—tranquillity and reason.
[Strains to smile.
These hours of ill!Renier.I'll send her Camarin.
These hours of ill!
Renier.I'll send her Camarin.
[Goes, looking steadfastly back.
Yolanda(turning, then, toBerengere).His mood and mien—that tremor in his throat,Unfaltering. I fear him.Berengere.Life is fear.No step was ever taken in the worldBut from a brink of danger, or in flightFrom happiness whose air is ever sin.It sickens me.Yolanda.Mother!Berengere.Nothing; a painHere in my breast.
Yolanda(turning, then, toBerengere).His mood and mien—that tremor in his throat,Unfaltering. I fear him.
Berengere.Life is fear.No step was ever taken in the worldBut from a brink of danger, or in flightFrom happiness whose air is ever sin.It sickens me.
Yolanda.Mother!
Berengere.Nothing; a painHere in my breast.
[Sits.
Yolanda.And it is all through himWho as a guest came pledged into this house.Came with the chivalry and manly showOf reverence and grace, that he too wellHas learnt in cunning lands and used to lure.
Yolanda.And it is all through himWho as a guest came pledged into this house.Came with the chivalry and manly showOf reverence and grace, that he too wellHas learnt in cunning lands and used to lure.
[Camarinappears from garden.
Ah, and he seeks us now! unwhelmed of it!Ready of step, impassive, cold! And see—
Ah, and he seeks us now! unwhelmed of it!Ready of step, impassive, cold! And see—
[Camarinbows forcedly.
A flawless courtesy! as of a king!Can he not smile too on his handiwork?Our days were merciful and he has madeEach moment's beat a blow upon the breast.Honour was here and innocence lies nowA sacrifice that pain cannot consume.—Camarin.Or death.Yolanda.Then have you not, unshameable!A help for it or healing? you who knowSo well the world and its unwonted ways!A man would have, a man.Camarin.And I am barren.My brain an arid waste under remorse.Only one thing it yields—the love of herMy love has made unholy.Yolanda.While to meThe shame is left, and silence—no defence,When it is told Amaury, "See her youBlest with betrothal and the boon of faith,Chose as the planet-mate of your proud star!While, in the battle,You with the weal of Cyprus on your browDared momently peril,We found her"....Ah, the memory is fire!——I will not bear it.Camarin.Then how? what?...You must.Though for your suffering I am pitiful,You must!
A flawless courtesy! as of a king!Can he not smile too on his handiwork?Our days were merciful and he has madeEach moment's beat a blow upon the breast.Honour was here and innocence lies nowA sacrifice that pain cannot consume.—
Camarin.Or death.
Yolanda.Then have you not, unshameable!A help for it or healing? you who knowSo well the world and its unwonted ways!A man would have, a man.
Camarin.And I am barren.My brain an arid waste under remorse.Only one thing it yields—the love of herMy love has made unholy.
Yolanda.While to meThe shame is left, and silence—no defence,When it is told Amaury, "See her youBlest with betrothal and the boon of faith,Chose as the planet-mate of your proud star!While, in the battle,You with the weal of Cyprus on your browDared momently peril,We found her"....Ah, the memory is fire!——I will not bear it.
Camarin.Then how? what?...You must.Though for your suffering I am pitiful,You must!
[Takes her wrist.
For to one thing, one only now I'm bent——That Berengere be saved.Berengere.To-day...no more.Camarin.Suspicion and the peril-feet of shameI must keep from her still.Yolanda.Though driven o'erMy heart they trample the lone flower of hope.
For to one thing, one only now I'm bent——That Berengere be saved.
Berengere.To-day...no more.
Camarin.Suspicion and the peril-feet of shameI must keep from her still.
Yolanda.Though driven o'erMy heart they trample the lone flower of hope.
[Shaking off his hand, then, unnaturally wrought up.
And even now perhaps Amaury hearsAnd turns away in horror!Camarin.What? Come, come.Enough is here without——Yolanda(as before).I'll go to him!Despite of them! in to his side and sayThat I am innocent—as the first dawnAnd dew of Eden!...Yes!Camarin.A frenzy! MereFolly! you wander!Yolanda(suddenly). That was anguish? whose?
And even now perhaps Amaury hearsAnd turns away in horror!
Camarin.What? Come, come.Enough is here without——
Yolanda(as before).I'll go to him!Despite of them! in to his side and sayThat I am innocent—as the first dawnAnd dew of Eden!...Yes!
Camarin.A frenzy! MereFolly! you wander!
Yolanda(suddenly). That was anguish? whose?
[Is hauntedly listening.
Camarin.Amaury still is many leagues away—
Camarin.Amaury still is many leagues away—
[Hassanappears.
At Keryneia! Do you hear me?Yolanda.Hassan!
At Keryneia! Do you hear me?
Yolanda.Hassan!
[Is numb as he hurries down from the castle to her. A pause; then her voice falls hoarsely.
I hear you, speak. His wounds I know. The rest!They've told him?Hassan.The Venetian, who nursed himLast night, pouring his potions—She and lord Renier. They broke his sleep.He listened to them as one in a grave.Then they besought of himSome oath against you, were they right: he would not.Now he has risen,Silent and pale and suffering; in leash.He's coming here.Camarin.Why, you are mad!Yolanda.Be still.Camarin.Amaury was not then delayed? is—here?
I hear you, speak. His wounds I know. The rest!They've told him?
Hassan.The Venetian, who nursed himLast night, pouring his potions—She and lord Renier. They broke his sleep.He listened to them as one in a grave.Then they besought of himSome oath against you, were they right: he would not.Now he has risen,Silent and pale and suffering; in leash.He's coming here.
Camarin.Why, you are mad!
Yolanda.Be still.
Camarin.Amaury was not then delayed? is—here?
[Voices are heard perturbed within the castle. ThenAmaury,putting asideRenierandTremitus,followed byVittiaand others, enters down.
Amaury.I'll not return unto my couch though twiceThese wounds and all your wants were urging it!Yolanda! my Yolanda!—Never, never!
Amaury.I'll not return unto my couch though twiceThese wounds and all your wants were urging it!Yolanda! my Yolanda!—Never, never!
[Takes her to him.
Until I prove you that a word againstHer that I hold here in my arms is moreTo me than any peril.Tremitus.But, sir—!...Aeih!My precious physic wasted!Amaury.Till I prove it!For...my Yolanda!...You who are purity if Mary stillIs mother of God and lighteth Paradise!You in whose presence I am purged as oneBathing a thousand years in angel song!They say, you, who are stainless to my eyesAs is the sacring-bell to holy ears,So undefiled even the perfect lilyPendent upon your breast fears to pollute it!Listen, they tell me you—A fool, a foolWould know it unbelievable and laugh.Renier.As now a fool is doing?Amaury.O, sir, pardon.You are my father, and, I must believe,Mean well this monster breath's unchastity,As does this lady (ofVittia) who has gently nursed me.But you were tricked; it was illusion swumBefore your sleep. Therefore my purpose isNow to forget it.Tremitus.Aieh! and to returnNow to my drugs.Renier.Stand off!—As dogs forgetThe lash in hunger of the wonted bone?
Until I prove you that a word againstHer that I hold here in my arms is moreTo me than any peril.
Tremitus.But, sir—!...Aeih!My precious physic wasted!
Amaury.Till I prove it!For...my Yolanda!...You who are purity if Mary stillIs mother of God and lighteth Paradise!You in whose presence I am purged as oneBathing a thousand years in angel song!They say, you, who are stainless to my eyesAs is the sacring-bell to holy ears,So undefiled even the perfect lilyPendent upon your breast fears to pollute it!Listen, they tell me you—A fool, a foolWould know it unbelievable and laugh.
Renier.As now a fool is doing?
Amaury.O, sir, pardon.You are my father, and, I must believe,Mean well this monster breath's unchastity,As does this lady (ofVittia) who has gently nursed me.But you were tricked; it was illusion swumBefore your sleep. Therefore my purpose isNow to forget it.
Tremitus.Aieh! and to returnNow to my drugs.
Renier.Stand off!—As dogs forgetThe lash in hunger of the wonted bone?
[Laughs angrily.
Amaury.A poison so incredible and darkYou cannot duped inoculate me with.Trust in my veins makes of it but more love.And to dispel your minds (goes toCamarin) I'll clasp his handWhom you have so accused.Vittia.O do, my lord!
Amaury.A poison so incredible and darkYou cannot duped inoculate me with.Trust in my veins makes of it but more love.And to dispel your minds (goes toCamarin) I'll clasp his handWhom you have so accused.
Vittia.O do, my lord!
[Smiles disdainfully.
And then embrace him in whose arms three nightsAgo she was embraced.Yolanda(to her).Can you so say!Vittia.Yes, and will add——Amaury.Lady of Venice, nothing!But this to all, I answer!—There is my mother, see,Wounded with wonder of this plight, and pity.Yolanda has dwelt by herAs the fawnBy the white doe on mount Chionodes.I would as quick believe that she had givenHer holiness up to contaminationAs that Yolanda——Yolanda.Amaury, enough!...I know!Amaury.As quickly!Yolanda.Then...quell this delirium!
And then embrace him in whose arms three nightsAgo she was embraced.
Yolanda(to her).Can you so say!
Vittia.Yes, and will add——
Amaury.Lady of Venice, nothing!But this to all, I answer!—There is my mother, see,Wounded with wonder of this plight, and pity.Yolanda has dwelt by herAs the fawnBy the white doe on mount Chionodes.I would as quick believe that she had givenHer holiness up to contaminationAs that Yolanda——
Yolanda.Amaury, enough!...I know!
Amaury.As quickly!
Yolanda.Then...quell this delirium!
[A pause.
Out of your thought forever let it fall,Hear no more of it, ever!Be deaf to it as to a taunt of doom,In triple mail to every peaceless word,Granite against even its memory.Say that you will, and now!...Renier.So that you mayAllure him yet to wed you?Amaury.Sir!Renier.She would.Yolanda.No, no! But let him....Then I will go farAway from here to any alien air,To opiate India, a lost sea-isle!To the last peak of arid Caucasus.Renier.With Camarin of Paphos?Yolanda.With whoeverYour peace and this compelling pain....Ah no!Renier.With him, with him, I say?...Amaury.You drive and drain her.To me her words shall be—me and no other.So my Yolanda now dissolve the clingOf this invisible but heavy hydra;I've striven with it till no more I can.If any tare has been unseemly sownUpon the April vision of our love,Say it at once that I may rend and fling itAway from us. Say it!Renier.Vainly implored.—Yet ask her this, If she three nights ago——Amaury.I will not so insult her.Tremitus.Aieh——Renier.Insult?She knows what I would bid and does she hurlHer soul in any disavowal?Amaury.IWill speak to her alone. Go, all of you,There to the fountain.Yolanda.Yes, Amaury, thenOne searching of my face shall free your fear.Alone, alone.Renier.Still to befool him!Yolanda(warningly).Choose!I cannot suffer more of this.Amaury.Nor ITo breathe ever the burning of this mistOf anguish and insatiate accusal.—This wound upon my throat, fever it notWith longer fire of doubt, Yolanda.Yolanda.Ah!Berengere.I am not well. I will go to my chamber.
Out of your thought forever let it fall,Hear no more of it, ever!Be deaf to it as to a taunt of doom,In triple mail to every peaceless word,Granite against even its memory.Say that you will, and now!...
Renier.So that you mayAllure him yet to wed you?
Amaury.Sir!
Renier.She would.
Yolanda.No, no! But let him....Then I will go farAway from here to any alien air,To opiate India, a lost sea-isle!To the last peak of arid Caucasus.
Renier.With Camarin of Paphos?
Yolanda.With whoeverYour peace and this compelling pain....Ah no!
Renier.With him, with him, I say?...
Amaury.You drive and drain her.To me her words shall be—me and no other.So my Yolanda now dissolve the clingOf this invisible but heavy hydra;I've striven with it till no more I can.If any tare has been unseemly sownUpon the April vision of our love,Say it at once that I may rend and fling itAway from us. Say it!
Renier.Vainly implored.—Yet ask her this, If she three nights ago——
Amaury.I will not so insult her.
Tremitus.Aieh——
Renier.Insult?She knows what I would bid and does she hurlHer soul in any disavowal?
Amaury.IWill speak to her alone. Go, all of you,There to the fountain.
Yolanda.Yes, Amaury, thenOne searching of my face shall free your fear.Alone, alone.
Renier.Still to befool him!
Yolanda(warningly).Choose!I cannot suffer more of this.
Amaury.Nor ITo breathe ever the burning of this mistOf anguish and insatiate accusal.—This wound upon my throat, fever it notWith longer fire of doubt, Yolanda.
Yolanda.Ah!
Berengere.I am not well. I will go to my chamber.
[She passes into the castle.
Renier.But I never until this guiler grantsI found her in the arms of Camarin,Drinking the frenzied wine of passionHe poured from his soul.Amaury.Yolanda?Renier.She is silent;Dumb to deny it.Amaury.But she will, she will.You've driven her with dread and awe.Vittia(lightly).And truth?Amaury.Have wounded her. But do not fear, Yolanda;Fiercely disown.Yolanda.Amaury...it is true.
Renier.But I never until this guiler grantsI found her in the arms of Camarin,Drinking the frenzied wine of passionHe poured from his soul.
Amaury.Yolanda?
Renier.She is silent;Dumb to deny it.
Amaury.But she will, she will.You've driven her with dread and awe.
Vittia(lightly).And truth?
Amaury.Have wounded her. But do not fear, Yolanda;Fiercely disown.
Yolanda.Amaury...it is true.
[He staggers slowly back.
No, no; I have not been faithless to you—Even a momentTo the divinity of love high-altaredHere in my breast! to the immutableBeauty of it!...look, look not on me so—As if I had struck, murdered a little child!Or palsied one who put a hand to help me;Or through eternity had desecrated,Vainly, virginity and trust and truth!No, my Amaury! I...do you not see?
No, no; I have not been faithless to you—Even a momentTo the divinity of love high-altaredHere in my breast! to the immutableBeauty of it!...look, look not on me so—As if I had struck, murdered a little child!Or palsied one who put a hand to help me;Or through eternity had desecrated,Vainly, virginity and trust and truth!No, my Amaury! I...do you not see?
[Hysterically.
Not faithless, hear! it is not true! not true!But only this——Camarin.Yolanda!Yolanda.I——Camarin.Yolanda!
Not faithless, hear! it is not true! not true!But only this——
Camarin.Yolanda!
Yolanda.I——
Camarin.Yolanda!
[A moment, then she sinks down, her face in her hands.Amaurygroans; then starting goes fiercely toHassan,and taking his sword recrosses trembling toCamarin.
Amaury.The day you first set step in LusignanAn image of the Magdalen withinThe chapel yonder fell—presaging this.Only your death, your death or mine stands paleBetween us now, awaiting silently.Draw, and at once.Camarin.Amaury, I will not.Amaury.Out, quickly.Camarin.Do your will. I'll put no moreTo the guilt I bear, or to the miseryThat guilt has brought upon you.Amaury.Coward!Camarin.Strike!Amaury.You play a part! (Raves.) And 'tis that you may liveStill in the love that you a thief have stolen.So, with your steel——!Camarin.It stays within its sheath.Amaury.Then I will not be thwarted though I mustCrush you as one a viper with his heel,Though I must take your leper throat intoMy hands and strangle life from it!For the same sky you breathe I will not.The sun that falls upon you shall not foulMy being—Though I must go down into hell for it.
Amaury.The day you first set step in LusignanAn image of the Magdalen withinThe chapel yonder fell—presaging this.Only your death, your death or mine stands paleBetween us now, awaiting silently.Draw, and at once.
Camarin.Amaury, I will not.
Amaury.Out, quickly.
Camarin.Do your will. I'll put no moreTo the guilt I bear, or to the miseryThat guilt has brought upon you.
Amaury.Coward!
Camarin.Strike!
Amaury.You play a part! (Raves.) And 'tis that you may liveStill in the love that you a thief have stolen.So, with your steel——!
Camarin.It stays within its sheath.
Amaury.Then I will not be thwarted though I mustCrush you as one a viper with his heel,Though I must take your leper throat intoMy hands and strangle life from it!For the same sky you breathe I will not.The sun that falls upon you shall not foulMy being—Though I must go down into hell for it.
[He starts, frenzied, to strike, but suddenly staggers; then clasps at his throat, drops the sword, and sinks down moaning.
Yolanda.His wound!Tremitus.Aeih, aeih! at last.Yolanda.Amaury! Oh!
Yolanda.His wound!
Tremitus.Aeih, aeih! at last.
Yolanda.Amaury! Oh!
[Runs to him. He struggles to his feet.
Amaury! Amaury!Amaury.Stand away from me.
Amaury! Amaury!
Amaury.Stand away from me.
[She falls back; he laughs in derision.
I to believe her pure as my own mother!Vittia.Had you but trusted me, Amaury.Amaury.You?
I to believe her pure as my own mother!
Vittia.Had you but trusted me, Amaury.
Amaury.You?
[Looks long at her.
Henceforth I will.Vittia.And wholly?Amaury(significantly).She...shall do it.
Henceforth I will.
Vittia.And wholly?
Amaury(significantly).She...shall do it.
[Starts into the castle.
Yolanda(dauntedly). Amaury! what is this?Vittia.That, ere a dawn,Guileless Yolanda, you shall wed with himYour paramour of Paphos——Yolanda.Camarin?Vittia.And from these gates be led wanton away.
Yolanda(dauntedly). Amaury! what is this?
Vittia.That, ere a dawn,Guileless Yolanda, you shall wed with himYour paramour of Paphos——
Yolanda.Camarin?
Vittia.And from these gates be led wanton away.
[Yolanda,for a moment whelmed, tries to laugh scorn; but, turning, her eye meetsRenier'sfull of suspicion. He followsAmaurymeaningly into the castle.
Curtain
The Same Day
Scene:The Hall and loggia of Act I; but toward sunset, and afar, on the flushed sea, are seen the fisher-boats returning pale-winged to shore. In the left distance, also, a portion of Famagouste is visible above the waves—its orient walls and towers, white domes and houses, interspersed with tall palms. The interior of the Hall is the same; only the divan is placed to the front and left, the lectern near the balcony leading to the sleeping apartments and to the chapel.Smardais lying lithely on the divan, beguiled with her charms and amulets, and from time to time giving a low, sinuous laugh.Vittiaenters, watches a moment, thoughtful, then advances.