Category: Historical Novels
_Rich._ Here, my dearest father! Here are the tears would water thy affliction Till it be washed from thy endangered body. Here is the heart would give its younger blood To make thine leap with health. Without you, sir, I am no more than is the gaudy bloom Of some stout tree t...
_Speu._ Dion, my lords, has gathered friends in Athens, And waits your invitation to set sail With power for your relief. Six circled moons Have risen from the sea since he was...
5. SCENE 1. _Within Dover castle. Same room as in act first. Enter_Eld._ It was back summat ten jaunts o' the sun from Lammas to Lammas. I was standing on the rock hills over Logan frith wi' the green woods behind me an' lookin' out to sea. Th...
29. ACT V_Bren._ By Hector, we've had a night of it. I must stop now and count my fingers and toes, for I'm sure there's some of me missing. First, my gold! [_Counts gold_] All here. But...
19. SCENE 1. _A room in Peter Vetrova's cottage. Door opens centrerear into a little yard beyond which is the village street. Centre right, door into Lavrov's room. Right second entrance leads to kitchen and garden. Between the two doors right...
24. SCENE 1. _A pavilion in vineyard near Dion's house. Enter Dion and_Dion._ Ay, friend. The mines of earth into one coffer poured Would not enrich a spendthrift or insure Him linen for a shroud. If you can not Prevail with him--If? Nay, you will...
28. ACT IVSCENE: _The grove of Ceres on the right, a temple partly visible. The island of Ortygia in rear, separated from mainland by a very narrow channel with wall on the Ortygian side...
21. SCENE 1. _Same room at night. A score or more of peasant men andHark, brothers, hark! [_Knock, knock, knock!_] What do you here, Knocking in the cold? Red are your hands, Frozen are your feet, [_Knock, knock, knock!_] What do you here, Knock...
12. SCENE 2. _Room in Westminster palace. The earl of Kent and_La. Alb._ Nay, you are one half woman, being married. A wife's the key may ope her husband's heart To all the world. She is the pick and pry To every lock of trust, and weasels...
4. SCENE 3. _Within the castle. Stephen, Baldur, Godric, and other_Ste._ A groat for your bishop, and that off your grandam's eyes! I'm no little king Henry pulled to mincemeat by his bishops and barons. "I'll take off your mitre," roars he to...
23. SCENE 1. _Same room. Vasil asleep on bench, rear, left. Adrian_Adr._ If I had saved him this day ... this night! But now ... what peace can heal him? [_Rises and walks_] Lord, Lord, from out these burning days, let one, just one, go free!...
20. SCENE 2. _Same room several hours later. Sophie alone, standing by_Soph._ Almost sunset. [_Turns from window_] And he knows I am waiting.[_Hears a step in the yard and turns again to window. Adrian enters, pauses in door, and sees Sophie gazin...
11. SCENE 1. _Autumn in Greenot woods near Glaia's cottage. Table,_Eld._ [_Putting plate on table_] It's the very day and hour he'll be coming, and he's not the man to count leaves by the roadside. He likes my cookin', as I've had proof, and h...
18. SCENE 1. _The council chamber in the Tower of London. Barons and_Ade._ Ye peers of England, and ye men of God, Humbly I make my suit. Not as a princess With vassal pomp and power to awe the eye And judgment take fore-captive, though a score...
26. SCENE 1. _A chamber in the palace. Nauresta on bed asleep._Phil._ This poison's swift. Here is her cup. Why palter? A drop will do it. [_Gazes at her_] 'Tis when we sleep the touch Of life is gentlest. Even affliction's kiss Falls like...
6. SCENE 1. _Same as in act second. The king, Pembroke, Albemarle,_Hen._ The barons are assembling. On to London, And call the council. I will join you there. The revenues long promised shall be paid. At last I am a king! Will post, my lords?...
9. SCENE 3. _The great hall in Westminster. Barons and prelates_Hen._ My lords, is this the faith you keep with kings? Then Heaven save me from it! Was 't not your will This day all arms should hang upon the wall? Yet you come here as thoug...
22. SCENE 2. _The same. Vasil still lying on the floor. Adrian enters_Vasil._ And the heart too? [_Goes to table, left front, and sits by it, despondent and thoughtful_] We were wrong to-day, Adrian. I was wrong. No one has a right to happiness w...
2. SCENE 1. _Room in the earl of Pembroke's castle. Pembroke in bed._Rich._ Here, my dearest father! Here are the tears would water thy affliction Till it be washed from thy endangered body. Here is the heart would give its younger blood To make...
16. SCENE 2. _A prison corridor. Kent alone._Kent._ Is this the end of Kent? The block and axe His porters to throw ope the sealed gate? I thought a good wife's prayers had ushered me, And weeping peers had held my garmen...
27. SCENE 2. _A bare room in the castle fort. Aristocles alone._Aris._ They said a bed would be provided me, But nothing's here. And nothing's all he needs, Who holds himself a soul stripped of the world And its necessities. [_Lies down_] T...
13. SCENE 1. _A room in the earl of Kent's palace. An inner room rear,_Kent._ Now, Eleanor, wilt prove thee saint, or devil? Wilt mend this breach, or must I perish in it? Too well I know that soul's dark history To think it may breed light. The m...
17. SCENE 3. _A room in the earl of Albemarle's palace. A friar, and_Hen._ This is a fitting room for Death's cold jest; So proudly hung, and filled with comfort's chattels, As though its owner hoped long respite from A clayey bed. Where is the...
15. SCENE 1. _A small altar room, adjoining the king's apartment._Hen._ O, not that word--the pretty mask of woe. That never hid a tear. If she is dead, Weep and be dumb, or find some word that rends The heart in uttering it.
7. SCENE 1. _Near the cottage in Greenot woods. Henry, with lute,Ope, throw ope thy bower door, And come thou forth, my sweet! 'Tis morn, the watch of love is o'er, And mating hearts should meet. The stars have fled and left their grace In ev...
14. SCENE 2. _The same room in darkness. Margaret enters, right,_Mar._ I'll look upon her. When sleep slips the rein The soul plays in the face unguarded. Then The conscious warder holding up the mask Before the secret self bares all defence...
3. SCENE 2. _Before Dover castle. Night. Hubert de Burgh walking_Hub._ But forty ships! But forty slit-sailed drabs Of storm and watery danger to meet all France Fresh-winged upon the sea! And yet no word Nor stir of help. Methinks were I th...
8. SCENE 2. _A street in London. Citizens, friars, priests, pass in_First Friar._ How meanly does it speak for this proud world That when the devil lays his weapons by And peace and love for one day reign o'er all, That it should wonder at itse...
1. PART I10. PART II