Part 4

My Prince, no bit can stop the telling truth.

PROPHET.

What do you know of truth, idolater?

MICAIAH.

Nothing. I know that certain things are true.

JEHU.

Fine talk, to keep the army lingering.

AHAB.

Have you some other vision to reveal?

MICAIAH.

A sort of vision.

PROPHET.

Ay, a sort of vision. There is one way of vision, only one, Vouchsafed to men, you false one, with false gods.

AHAB.

What is this vision? Will it lighten me?

MICAIAH.

It is of you and of the prophet tribe.

PROPHET.

Some blasphemy. Take heed to what he says.

MICAIAH.

In the dark night I saw this other thing: I saw the Lord in heaven on his throne, With all the host of heaven standing by him. He said, “Who shall persuade King Ahab to go up And die at Ramoth-Gilead?” They discussed it. At last a spirit said, “I will persuade him.” The Lord said, “How?” The spirit said, “I will go forth and be A lying spirit in his prophets’ mouths.” And the Lord said, “Thou shalt. Go forth and do so.” Behold the Lord hath put a lying spirit Into thy prophets’ mouths, and spoken evil Not good to you.

PROPHET.

You think God’s truth has passed from me to you. When did it pass, and how?

MICAIAH.

You will know that When you shall go into an inner chamber To hide yourself.

AHAB.

Carry this fellow to the Governor, And have him into prison in the dark, And let his bread and drink be bitterness Until I come in peace.

MICAIAH.

If you return at all In peace, the spirit has not spoken by me. Hearken, O people, every one of you.

AHAB.

Have him away.

MICAIAH.

Which story is the likelier to be true, Mine, which when told brings prison, or this fellow’s Which earns the King’s reward? The truth is dangerous.

JORAM.

You’ll find this dangerous. Away with him! (_He is dragged out._)

JEHU.

That shows how close your enemies can come. Even to your very court.

JORAM.

He should be silenced.

AHAB.

He is a gallant fellow, without judgment. But he presumes too much, he and his dreams.

PROPHET.

(_Crying aloud._) O King, a vision is vouchsafed to me! I see! I see! Hearken to what I see. I see a red bull trampling down God’s foes; He neezes fire and all his fell is fire; His shoulder is a mountain rough with forest; His eye the wrath of God; he stamps the cities. Go up against the Syrians, like this bull.

JORAM.

There is the voice of God.

JEHU.

Ay, truly, Prince.

AHAB.

Since God declares that we should make this war, Which we, as men, have shrunk from hitherto, Although provoked by countless insolence, Now hearken to the utterance of the crown.

_Enter_ JEZEBEL.

JEZEBEL.

Ay, hearken to the utterance of the crown. You are all come to hear a war declared. Now I, the crown, declare it unto you. I declare war upon our enemies. They are all present, standing in this place, Waiting the execution of our sword. (_To_ PROPHET.) This man, the madman from the desert, first, Who rages like a desert-storm, that kills With sand, burning hot sand, pitiless sand. (_To_ JORAM.) This next, the hater of his house, our son, Who, for a wound that pains him would be glad That thousand others should be sick with wounds. (_To_ JEHU.) Then, next, this other man, not mad not sick, Not even suspected; honoured, trusted, loved. This man, the rider to the inn at Springs, For secret evil. Hark! This man, King Ahab, Murdered our son and plots to murder you. Seize him, King Ahab, ere it be too late.

AHAB.

Murdered our son? But this is childishness.

JEZEBEL.

No, I bring proof; the rod, the rod he holds, Was found at Springs, to prove that he was there.

JEHU.

This rod, good Madam?

JEZEBEL.

Even that very rod.

AHAB.

Who found it at the Springs? Who brought it here?

JEZEBEL.

A rider, lord, who gave it to Micaiah.

JORAM.

What rider?

AHAB.

Yes, what rider, can you tell?

JEZEBEL.

One who would not be known, Micaiah said.

AHAB.

Micaiah! He?

JORAM.

The man imprisoned here.

JEHU.

My lord, I grieve less at this ill suspicion Than at the sad disaster which has caused it.

JEZEBEL.

You killed my son most foully at the inn; You were seen riding thither before noon, And left your rod there while you did the deed, Upon these flowers which my son had gathered; These desert flowers.

JEHU.

My Lord and King, I can most clearly prove That I was at my quarters all the morning. This rod I missed this morning from my quarters And found it here on entering but now. Prince Joram saw me find it as I entered.

JORAM.

That is most true; I did. Mother, you should not be here; come away.

JEZEBEL.

My lord, my King, my husband, listen to me. You know me, whether I am mad or no. I am not mad; but Ahaziah’s spirit Came to me here, stood where his murderer stands, Less than an hour ago, denouncing him, His murderer, and traitor to yourself. I, knowing this, see to the soul of things, And cry, if you be man, attack this traitor, Tear out his wicked plottings and destroy him.

AHAB.

Let the Queen’s women come. I hear your charges Brought with more passion than with evidence. These are our friends, our proven soldier, Jehu, Our son, and this, the prophet of the spirit, Not what you think. See, here your women come. Tend the Queen’s majesty to her apartments.

JEZEBEL.

You think me mad, my inmost wisdom, mad. For the last time, for Ahaziah’s sake, For your sake, for the kingdom, for the crown, And for the sake of God who gives the crown, Believe what I have said against this Jehu.

AHAB.

I grieve that anyone should bring such charges. That you should bring them is an anguish to me. Go with your women hence, and try to rest.

JEZEBEL.

Prince Joram, will you give me your support? Thank you, my son. Since no one will believe, I, here, the Queen, must act alone. I will. (_She snatches_ JORAM’S _knife and tries to kill_ JEHU.) Die, murderer of my son!

JORAM (_catching her_).

I thought you’d try it. But I was ready for you. Come now, mother, You must go, rest. Come help her there, you women. (JEZEBEL _is helped off_.) It is my brother’s death that makes her thus.

AHAB.

It shakes us all. You understand, Duke Jehu, The cause of this, without my saying more.

JEHU.

My lord, I understand. But yet suggest some trial or enquiry Into my dealings.

AHAB.

Do not think of it. For these unhappy things which bruise men’s hearts Tear women’s hearts across. Let us proceed. I declare war against the Syrians For breach of treaty. We will march at once.

JORAM.

Though wounded, I will march, for I’ll repay The Syrians what I owe. Come, prophet, spread The news throughout the city.

PROPHET.

I will declare God’s wrath against his enemies. (JORAM _and_ PROPHET _go_.)

AHAB.

Stay, Jehu, yet. You heard Micaiah’s dream. That was an evil omen for our war.

JEHU.

I do not think so. Why, what was the dream? _That there should seem to be no King to-day._ Was not that it? The meaning is apparent: That you should wear disguise.

AHAB.

Ha! Well suggested.

JEHU.

It is a wise precaution at the least. Some traitor may be plotting to destroy you, Some Syrian assassin may be here. So take Micaiah’s hint and wear no purple.

AHAB.

A good interpretation. I accept it So. I will march disguised.

JEHU.

Much better so.

AHAB.

Micaiah did interpret for my death.

JEHU.

These thinkers are the enemies of war Because they are afraid. He wished to scare you, Let me unclasp the buckle of your cloak. Much wiser give no target to these archers; Wear the plain armour of a charioteer.

AHAB.

I will, Duke Jehu. Lie you there, my purple, Till I return to-night with victory. At sunset every night the Queen and I Go through the citron gardens to the kennels, To feed our Hittite wolf-hounds with raw flesh. To-night when we go feed them, we will go, As conquerors of Syria, through the city. [_Exit_ AHAB.

JEHU.

Right, my good Lord. Yes, you shall be disguised; But this bright bird within the quiver here Will pierce through your disguise before to-night, And you shall feed the wolf-hounds, never fear; So shall your Queen, with royal flesh and raw. (_He puts on the King’s purple_,) _Oh, out in the desert, my spear and my bow. Will win me whatever I need; The wine and the oil that another did grow And the horse that another did breed._

So away for the desert.... Ay, I have trotted in your bodyguard Too long, by God!

CURTAIN.

SEVENTH CHORUS

ROSE-FLOWER.

Queen Helen left those women of the wood, She clambered from her horse and stood again Even on the very hill where Troy had stood, Where tamarisk shrubs and broom-sprigs and wild grain Sprouted from bronze and rib-bones of men slain.

There was the palace where her love had been; Stones blackened by the fire and misplac’d By roots of vines that fed upon the paste Of all the pride where she had lived a queen.

Troy was no more than weeds and fire-flaked stone, But still the straits ran roaring to the south, And still the never-quiet winds were blown With scent of meadow-sweet from Simois’ mouth.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

Yet no Greeks were moving on the beaches, No galleys of the Greeks came oaring in, Nor did lancer scouts or parties ride the whin, Bringing in or checking convoys from the river’s upper reaches Where the forest pines begin.

And the forges were all gone, and all the fires Of the camps and burnings of the dead. And the grinding of the bronze-shod chariot-tyres Rang no more. Both in city and on shore There were no more shouted orders, clash of arms, or marchers’ tread.

ROSE-FLOWER.

All was manless now, uncared for; both the streams had left their courses. There was marsh where corn had grown of old, and there, where Paris lay, Was an apple-tree with fruit which fed the now wild Trojan horses, That with bright teeth bit each other; Earth made Greek and Trojan brother, All the passion that had raged there now was dead and gone away.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

Then she cried, “I caused the quarrel that brought death along these beaches, I alone made Troy this ruin, I alone, from haste of youth, From a women’s bent, that listens to a lie, if it beseeches; Now I stand here old and friendless, having nothing but the truth.”

ROSE-FLOWER.

There she stopped, for there before her, in the ruins, stood a stranger; “This is changed indeed,” he told her, “since I stood here once before: Then it flamed all red to heaven and it rang with death and danger, And I stood here with noble Agammemnon, In the thunder of the ending of the war.”

MOON-BLOSSOM.

Something in the old man’s bearing made her start and catch her breath. “You are Nireus, friend,” she answered. “You are he who brought me here When my life and love were dear: Then I came to life and loving, now I come to grief and death.

“There is no small grass, in plain or water, But grows from the body of one killed By the deadly love of me, who am Helen, Leda’s daughter: All the young and swift and lovely, all the quick of heart are stilled; I was cause of their going to the slaughter.

“Daylong and nightlong their shadows pursue me with evil, Haunting my thought in the day, killing my rest in the night; Now they have drawn me here; their multitudinous devil Bids me die where I sinned. I hear their cry in the wind, I see their eyes in the light.”

ROSE-FLOWER.

Nireus answered, “Ah, not thus, not so, Queen Helen, surely, Are those who died for love of you, to win you or to keep! If they gave their lives, they gave them as a man gives frankly, purely, Without question, comment or complaint, The strong heart equal with the faint, All content to see your beauty and to tread hard ways to sleep.

“Now they know that your beauty made them splendid, Splendid to the death; for I have seen, Seen and talked, beloved Helen, with the souls of those who ended In the ruins of this city that has been, And they praise your name, they count you still their Queen.

“Now come with me, for the ship waits to receive you, The wind is fair for Syme; let us start. Here, where long ago I lost you, I retrieve you; Let us leave this town of broken heart For the peace of Syme Harbour and the mirth of Syme mart, And the calm of knowing sorrow at an end, And the quiet of the memory of a friend.”

TOGETHER.

Then they sailed for Syme Island, and the gods were with their going, For their beauty came upon them both, with youth and strength and peace; Now they rule and live forever in a spring forever blowing, High in Syme where the sun is bright and skylarks never cease.

FIFTH ACT

ROSE-FLOWER.

There is no rider, coming from the army, In sight yet, Madam. Shall we play again? (_No answer._)

MOON-BLOSSOM.

Come to the window. There. What white was that?

ROSE-FLOWER.

The wind lifting the dust.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

No. Yes, it was. Dust from a windflaw blowing down the glen. There is no rider, Madam. Shall we sing? (_No answer._)

ROSE-FLOWER.

She is too stunned with sorrow to give orders. Shall we not sing to soothe her?

MOON-BLOSSOM.

Sing, then, you.

ROSE-FLOWER.

Speak to her first.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

Madam----

ROSE-FLOWER.

She will not answer; So speak some quiet thing.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

Men are like wind-vanes that forever swing; Men are like winds forever wavering; Men are like water; men are like the tide: Women, the rock they ebb from, do abide.

ROSE-FLOWER.

She will not speak. See, it is sunset now. And now the drums begin upon the housetops, And all the plain spreads out, burningly clear.

JEZEBEL.

What is that noise of evil that I hear?

ROSE-FLOWER.

The prophet speaking in the market-place.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

All afternoon his voice has shouted evil.

JEZEBEL.

It is as red as blood within this room. They have gone out to war; is it not so? I have been thinking till it all seems plain. We are amusements only In mightier life than ours. God knows, we are not amusement to ourselves. I am no Queen. I have no son; no husband; No task, no place, and yet I covet news. Look, by the rocks, beyond the spur; you see?

ROSE-FLOWER.

A rider.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

In a white cloak, with a lance.

ROSE-FLOWER.

One of King Ahab’s lancers, if in white.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

Surely a rider from the army, Madam.

ROSE-FLOWER.

Bringing good news, because he would not gallop Save with the news of triumph.

JEZEBEL.

What he brings Will not be what we look for, because life Is unexpected, whether good or ill. And at the door by which a horror enters Another comes, a muffled one, a silent. (_There is a knocking._) Enter, without there!

PHARMAS _enters_.

Yes? What is it, Pharmas?

PHARMAS.

The Presence will forgive my interruption. There is a woman in the outer court Asks that you grant her audience for a moment.

JEZEBEL.

Why should I grant her audience? Who is she?

PHARMAS.

She comes from Lower Egypt, as she says.

JEZEBEL.

What is her traffic with me?

PHARMAS.

Madam, this. She brings cosmetics and Arabian gums.

JEZEBEL.

This is no time for such. I cannot see her.

PHARMAS.

May the great Presence pardon if I speak. I told her that you would not buy her gear At such a time, but she implored me still To beg you to admit her to your presence.

JEZEBEL.

Did she say why?

PHARMAS.

Yes, Madam; because once Many long years ago she lived in Sidon, Her father being sutler to the guard, Your royal father’s bodyguardsmen, Madam. She says she looked upon your presence there, When you were a Princess. She does desire To see that prophecy of future beauty Fulfilled in you the Queen, if you the Queen Would graciously permit her eyes to feast Upon the sight of you.

JEZEBEL.

So our pasts come To see what time had made of us. So be it. A word of Sidon would be beauty to me To-day. Let her come in.

PHARMAS.

I will, O Splendour! [_Exit._

ROSE-FLOWER.

Queen, is it wise to let a stranger come?

JEZEBEL.

No.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

Then why see her?

ROSE-FLOWER.

Would it not be better If, first, we questioned her?

MOON-BLOSSOM.

Or searched for weapons?

ROSE-FLOWER.

She well might carry daggers.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

Or bring poison.

JEZEBEL.

No; let her come. I am involved in nets So close, that both the wise thing and unwise Are cords to catch me.

ROSE-FLOWER.

She is here.

PHARMAS (_entering with_ HAMUTAL).

This way. Stand here until the Presence speaks to you. [_Exit._

JEZEBEL.

They tell me that you lived in Sidon once.

HAMUTAL.

Yes, lady, yes. I passed my childhood there.

JEZEBEL.

So. In which street or quarter was your home?

HAMUTAL.

The twisted stinking quarter of the poor, One where you never trod, near the fish-market.

JEZEBEL.

I trod there often, and its filthiest lane, Silvered with cat-gnawn droppings of the nets, Was blessed to me. It is blest in memory.

HAMUTAL.

Perhaps to others it is not so blest. I know my father starved there; so did I. That’s past. The question now is, Is the man Gone from the door?

JEZEBEL.

The man who brought you here? Look.

ROSE-FLOWER (_looking._)

He has gone.

JEZEBEL.

Why should he not be gone?

HAMUTAL.

They are all spies here, every man of them. And I have come here, Madam, to say this: You are in instant danger of your life.

JEZEBEL.

From whom?

HAMUTAL.

I cannot say. I will not say. I do not rightly know; but they are wicked-- Wicked and bold. Though others made them so. I have come here to help you to escape.

JEZEBEL.

I thank you for the thought, but first convince me That there is danger. I have lived here in danger twenty years. What horror comes to-day?

HAMUTAL.

Come to the window, Madam; but be hidden. Look here. You see the side gate of the palace? You see, behind the ruined wall, armed men? They watch that side gate lest you leave the palace. Now, on this side, see there, among those bushes, More men-at-arms, watching the royal gate. There at the water-gate are more armed men. And they are not your guards.

JEZEBEL.

I see they are not. Then, while they watch for me, their friends are watching My husband in the army? Is it so?

HAMUTAL.

No, do not ask me, Madam; I know nothing.

ROSE-FLOWER.

How could our Queen escape with the gate watched? This is some treason, Madam, to betray you Out of the palace, into savage hands.

JEZEBEL.

Let’s see her face. Ah! no, she is not that. Look, woman; many Queens have been betrayed Since men were ruled; betrayed to death and shame, Most foully, by their subjects, whom they trusted. There is no treachery on earth more devilish To brand men blacker or to rake the heart worse. You would not be the one to tempt me forth To death and shame among my enemies?

HAMUTAL.

Madam, I swear I would not.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

We could call The palace guards.

ROSE-FLOWER.

Yes, call the palace guards and question her.

HAMUTAL.

Come to the doorway, Madam. You hear the sounds below? Your palace guards Are being feasted by your enemies; Women and drink have overcome your guards.

ROSE-FLOWER.

Then how can she escape?

HAMUTAL.

The little door-- The little, secret, unsuspected door Under the stair, leads to a passage-way Straight to the stables. I have brought the keys.

JEZEBEL.

You are my steward’s wife, then? No one else Could know about the door.

HAMUTAL.

Oh, hurry, hurry! What matter who I am? You are the Queen. You will find horses ready in the stables For you and for your women. From the stables You can escape, the postern is unlockt.

JEZEBEL.

And you? What kind of life awaits you, after this?

HAMUTAL.

A better kind of life than you have made For poor folk.

JEZEBEL.

Ah! fine words; but ten years hence, Nay, two years, one year, hence, you will remember My queenship as a dream, a golden dream.

ROSE-FLOWER.

O Madam, take the keys; do not delay.

MOON-BLOSSOM.

The men outside are beating at the gate.

ROSE-FLOWER.

Look, Madam, they have scrambled from the bushes And beat upon the bars.

HAMUTAL.

O Heaven! Hark!

JEZEBEL.

What is it?

HAMUTAL.

Listen! Listen! Come from the door.

ROSE-FLOWER.

What did you think you heard?

HAMUTAL.

Come nearer me.

JEZEBEL.

I am not terrified. Draw a deep breath and tell us what it is.

HAMUTAL.

I think that someone is outside the door, Listening to what we say.

JEZEBEL.

Be still a moment.

HAMUTAL.

It is a man.

ROSE-FLOWER.

There is a noise of armour.

MOON-FLOWER.

Someone is breathing deeply just outside.

HAMUTAL.

What shall I do? What shall I do? O Heaven.

JEZEBEL.

Help her to veil. Treat her as one of you; Cover her features with the gossamer, Now let her hurry to the passage yonder. [_Exit_ HAMUTAL.

We will be ridded of uncertainty. Is anyone behind the door there? Enter. (_She goes back and flings open the door._ PASHUR _is there. He comes in._) Who are you, fellow? And what brings you here?

PASHUR.

A messenger, with news. And who are you?

ROSE-FLOWER.

She is your Queen, so speak with reverence.

PASHUR.

A Queen! God spare us: soldiers own no Queen. But you shall hear my story, Queen or no.

ROSE-FLOWER.

Is the King dead? Speak! Is King Ahab dead?

PASHUR.

Learn to respect a royal messenger. Ay, it has been a hot day’s work to-day.

JEZEBEL.

If you be from the King, tell us your story.

PASHUR.

Ay, I am from the King. That is God’s truth. And I have ridden out, and fought, and ridden Back to this city, and the whole world sways As from the falling shoulders of a horse.

ROSE-FLOWER.

So the King lives! Thank God!

PASHUR.

Yes, the King lives. And give God praise, because of victory.

JEZEBEL.

I give God praise.

PASHUR.

Queen, it has been a day. Think for a moment what this day has been. We marched this morning with our banners waving, With the prophets raving, and the trumpets blowing, With the charioteers of the King of Judah, And the spears of the King, a thousand men. We came to Ramoth when they least expected, While they slept the noontide and thought it peace. There we paid back upon the Syrians A little of what we owed, by God.

JEZEBEL.

You mean, they did not know that there was war?

PASHUR.

They knew it well enough before we ended. You see these blackened ashes mixed with blood, That is what Ramoth and her people are. The King gave order you should see the work. You see, ashes and blood; by God, I love them. But that is not the message that I bring. I bring a message about good King Ahab, Who rode into the battle in his chariot Against the chariots of Syria. Keep yourselves quiet, Syrians, while I tell. There was a man, who shall be nameless, Who shall be blameless, or praised aloud, He with an arrow shot King Ahab Beneath the arm in the armour joint.

JEZEBEL.

He was behind the King, then, when he shot.

PASHUR.

He wished his work to be successful, lady.

JEZEBEL.

So the King died?

PASHUR.

The Queen knows everything. He did not die at once, but bled to death, Down in the shadow of the willow trees. His blood dripped from his chariot; the dogs licked it, Even as the Teshbon prophet did foretell.

ROSE-FLOWER.

Let us mourn for the King, for the cedar fallen, For the eagle fallen from heaven, for the burnt-out fire.

MOON-BLOSSOM.