SCENE 1. _Same room. Vasil asleep on bench, rear, left. Adrian

watching by him._

_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! As thou lovest thy world, let him be spared, let him be spared!

[_Enter Sophie, street door. Adrian looks at her uncomprehendingly. She crosses to him_]

_Adr._ Why have you come?

_Soph._ To warn you!

_Adr._ The boy--do not wake him.

[_Sophie crosses to left, rear, Adrian following. She looks down, at Vasil, stoops and tenderly kisses him, then moves away with Adrian. Vasil opens his eyes and looks after them_]

_Adr._ The last two hours have been terrible, but he rests now.

_Soph._ You must take him with you.

_Adr._ With me?

_Soph._ I have come from the ball.

_Adr._ I see.

_Soph._ Orloff is a very weak man. I found out that you are to be arrested to-night.

_Adr._ It has come then.

_Soph._ Is Korelenko going with Vera?

_Adr._ I hope so. He has gone to meet her.

_Soph._ Then you can't take his place. We must think of some other way--and quickly.

_Adr._ Not for me. It is you who must go. You are betrayed to Petrizoff.

_Soph._ I hoped you wouldn't hear that. I am in no danger.

_Adr._ [_Between fear and relief_] No danger?

_Soph._ [_With a half smile_] By and by you will believe that I can take care of myself.

[_Enter Korelenko with Vera_]

_Soph._ Not gone?

_Adr._ You are lost.

_Soph._ Why did you bring her back? You have no right to destroy _her_ life!

_Vera._ I would not go. My place is with Alexander. [_Softly_] You ought to understand that, princess.

_Soph._ [_To Korelenko_] She is a child. She did not know. You should have gone with her.

_Kore._ Your highness, that was impossible.

_Soph._ It was not! All was prepared----

_Kore._ [_To Adrian_] Does she know?

_Soph._ That I am betrayed? Yes, but the man entrusted with the evidence happened to be a devoted servant of my own--[_Alexander groans_] He will fall! And you--Adrian--what is the matter?

_Kore._ [_Steadying himself against the loom and clasping Vera_] I have thrown our lives away--mine and Vera's--that is all.

_Soph._ Why couldn't you go with her?

_Kore._ Because it was I who betrayed you. And could I accept life and love at your hands?

_Soph._ [_Shrinking_] You? But why----

_Kore._ I can not answer. Come, Vera, to your grandmother.

[_Exeunt Korelenko and Vera, right, centre_]

_Soph._ O, why did he do it?

_Adr._ I can tell you.

_Soph._ Then why?

_Adr._ Because he believed--O, Sophie, beloved, before I speak, look at me with the love in your eyes as I saw it first. I did not know it was for me then. Let me see it now while I know you are mine--mine! Yes, yes, you love me!

_Soph._ Ah, Adrian, I am afraid I love nothing else.

[_Vasil covers his eyes with his arm_]

_Adr._ And you will kiss me once?

_Soph._ Once?

_Adr._ As if we were parting forever, Sophie. [_She embraces and kisses him. He moves away from her_] Now I will tell you why Alexander could not answer you, and why I can. He betrayed you believing that I could and would save you.

_Soph._ And you----

_Adr._ Could, but would not.

_Soph._ [_Moving back_] What are you saying, Adrian?

_Adr._ I could have saved you but I would not. Isn't it clear?

_Soph._ [_Moving back till she stands in dim light_] No--I don't----

_Adr._ I would not consent to Petrizoff's death.

_Soph._ [_Lifting her head_] O! [_Regarding him steadily_] You refused your consent when you knew that his death would save me?

_Adr._ [_Lowering his eyes_] I did.

_Soph._ He, a murderer, whose death has been justly due a thousand times, and I, innocent, the woman you say you love----

_Adr._ [_Bowing his head, not meeting her look_] I have told you the truth.

_Soph._ And that is why we part forever?

_Adr._ That is why.

_Soph._ Because I could not forgive you?

_Adr._ No. I should want more than forgiveness. I should want you to understand.

_Soph._ That you were right?

_Adr._ Yes.

_Soph._ And I couldn't understand?

_Adr._ [_Still hopelessly, not looking at her_] No.

_Soph._ [_Coming nearer_] And we part forever? [_He makes no answer. She comes nearer_] Forever? [_He is still silent. She comes near enough to turn his face to hers_] Forever, Adrian?

_Adr._ Sophie! [_Takes her in his arms_]

_Soph._ O, do you think I will ever leave you now?

_Adr._ You _do_ understand!

_Soph._ [_Smiling_] That I can never be in your way? You will always sacrifice me first? Yes, I knew that all the time, but you didn't.

_Adr._ And it makes no difference?

_Soph._ How can it when I love you?

_Adr._ I wonder if _God_ understands women.

_Soph._ O, some of them. The rest He made to puzzle over when eternity hangs on His hands.

_Adr._ [_Kissing her_] Heaven-heart!

_Soph._ [_Releasing herself_] That must wait. We haven't a minute----

[_They hear steps outside, and stand waiting. Orloff and two guards enter_]

_Orl._ It is my turn to be surprised, your highness. I suppose you are here to assure _this_ prisoner of safety.

_Soph._ What prisoner?

_Orl._ Adrian Lavrov.

[_Guards put fetters on Adrian's wrists_]

_Adr._ For what crime am I arrested?

_Orl._ [_To guards_] Keep him here until I return.

_Adr._ For what crime?

_Orl._ For crime sufficient.

_Adr._ I insist upon knowing.

_Orl._ You will know soon enough--in the next world. They say everything is known there.

_Soph._ He is ashamed to tell you. You are arrested as chief instigator in the burning of Yaltowa.

_Adr._ Is it possible?

_Soph._ More than possible. It is so. That is the crime you will die for unless you are rescued by a rising of the people.

_Adr._ That must not be!

_Orl._ Don't worry. We are giving your friends enough to think about.

[_Sophie has gradually neared the door. Orloff steps before her_]

_Orl._ Pardon me, your highness. You invited me into your carriage a few hours ago. I beg to return the courtesy.

_Soph._ Let me pass!

_Orl._ You will leave here only under my escort.

_Soph._ I know where I shall die then.

_Orl._ You have cost me one prisoner.

_Soph._ What proof have you?

_Orl._ None--yet. But I know it.

_Soph._ O wonderful sagacity!

_Orl._ And I shall lay my reasons before Petrizoff.

_Soph._ I suppose you believe, too, that I would rescue the Shepherd of Lonz?

_Orl._ I shall at least not lose sight of him until he is in prison. [_Sophie turns her back upon Orloff_] You must come with me or stay here under guard. I don't promise you as pleasant a journey as you gave me, for I shall not be at so much trouble to please. I shall not even ask you to let me repeat the little kiss----

_Soph._ Sir!

_Orl._ On your hand, which you so kindly permitted. [_Sophie again attempts to pass him_] Will your highness take my arm to the carriage? We have only a short distance to drive before meeting Petrizoff. [_Looking at his watch_] He ought to be almost here.

_Soph._ I will stay here.

_Orl._ In shackles?

_Soph._ [_Holding out her arms_] Yes.

_Orl._ Stay then. But I will not bind you.

_Soph._ No, I might not forgive you _that_ if it turns out that you have made a fool's mistake.

_Orl._ There is no mistake, as you will learn after I have seen Petrizoff. [_To guards_] No conversation between prisoners. [_To Sophie_] Let me assure you that _these_ guards can be trusted. [_Exit_]

[_Adrian sits in the large chair, a guard stationed on each side of him. Sophie sits on low stool before him, and lays her head upon his knees_]

_A guard._ [_Anxiously_] It is not permitted to communicate----

_Soph._ Then don't, sir!

[_Silence for a moment, then the noise of horses approaching_]

_Soph._ Ah--Petrizoff!

[_Vasil rises cautiously. The guards have their backs to him and the door. He stands on the bench, unlocks cabinet, takes out the bomb, puts it under his blouse, and goes softly out_]

_Adr._ Sophie--Sophie--you do not regret----

_Soph._ No, no! Don't, Adrian! Forget all but love--love--love! This is the last--the last----

[_Sound of trampling without, shrieks and noises. They start and listen. Korelenko runs through the room from right and out at street door. Vera comes on after him. Adrian and Sophie rise and look questioningly at each_ _other. The guards lift their weapons. Adrian looks toward bench and sees that Vasil is gone_]

_Adr._ Vasil! [_To Vera_] Is he in there?

_Vera._ No, Adrian.

_Adr._ He has gone out. He will be hurt. [_Looks suddenly at cabinet, which is open_] Who has been here? Gregorief? [_Stares at cabinet. Sophie's gaze follows his. He turns to her, speaking slowly_] There was a bomb in that cabinet. Could it be possible--that----

_Soph._ [_Gently_] I am afraid it is true.

_Adr._ Never! Not him!

_Soph._ Adrian! Beloved!

_Adr._ [_Not heeding her_] Vasil! Vasil! [_Staggers to seat by table, front, left. Guards keep by him. Enter Korelenko followed by Gregorief and others_]

_Vera._ [_Running to Korelenko_] Vasil--where is he?

[_Korelenko is silent_]

_Soph._ Is he hurt?

_Kore._ The boy--or----

_Soph._ The boy.

_Kore._ Not hurt, but taken.

[_Adrian throws his fettered arms upon the table and lays his face upon them_]

_Soph._ Is Petrizoff dead?

_Kore._ Only a wound. This night belongs to hell. O, if it could have been as we planned!

_Soph._ No one is killed?

_Kore._ No one but Orloff.

_Soph._ Orloff dead! [_Under her breath_] Then I am safe.

_Kore._ Gods, if only it had been Petrizoff! His escape is unbelievable. [_Turning to Adrian_] What says the preacher now?

_Soph._ Don't! See his fetters?

_Kore._ Ah! When----

_Greg._ [_Crossing to Adrian_] Fortunate man! Now he may develop his soul!

_Soph._ How can you?

_Greg._ How could _he_, madam? How could _he_? Do you know what he has done? He has killed every man that died in Yaltowa to-night--he has slaughtered every child--he has outraged every woman! What else? Freedom offered him her hand and he struck her to earth! He has scattered her forces--he has strengthened her oppressor--and the rivers of blood that must now drench Russia shall flow from his door! But--ha! ha! he has saved his soul!

[_Enter Irtenieff, attended_]

_Irtenieff._ I want the prisoner, Adrian Lavrov. [_No one answers. He sees Adrian and crosses to him_] What is your crime? [_Adrian does not raise his head_]

_Soph._ None.

_Irten._ You are arrested for the burning of Yaltowa? All prisoners taken on that charge are free by the order of Petrizoff.

_Soph._ Take off his chains!

[_At a sign from Irtenieff guards unfetter Adrian, who does not seem to know what they are doing_]

_Kore._ Such an order from Petrizoff? What does it mean?

_Irten._ It means that he is frightened into saying his prayers for a day or two.

_Soph._ Adrian, my dear one, look up!

_Irten._ [_To Korelenko_] And if you've a particular regard, as I've heard, for the little beauty there, you'd better get her out of Russia before his scare rubs off.

_Kore._ Thank you, sir.

[_Exeunt Irtenieff, men, and guards left by Orloff. Dawn has been gradually breaking, showing through door and window, rear. Sophie continues to talk softly to Adrian and finally he raises his head_]

_Adr._ They will bury the sunshine of the world--shut up his golden years in darkness----

_Soph._ We will free him, Adrian. We will live to set him free.

[_Zarkoff, and Vasil guarded, appear at door_]

_Zarkoff._ [_Stepping in_] Now show your accomplices. [_Vasil stands on the threshold, silent, looking eagerly at the faces in the room_] You swore you would tell who helped you if we brought you here.

_Vasil._ I will.

_Zar._ [_Pointing to Gregorief_] Is he one?

_Vasil._ Let me take my time. You wouldn't hurry on your way to Schlusselburg, would you? I must speak to my friends first. Adrian--father, brother, master--the songs have all come back. When I only looked on, doing nothing to help, the music stopped, but now----

_Zar._ Too many words, sir!

_Vasil._ Now I am doing my part, I have a right to my song. They will take me to----

_Zar._ Stop that!

_Vasil._ And under the stormy waters my heart will be singing----

_Zar._ Say your good-bys, and be done!

_Vasil._ Put your ear to my violin, and you will hear----

_Zar._ Come!

_Vasil._ You must yield something too, Adrian. Step back to the law of Moses for vantage if you can leap to Christ with the world in your arms.

_Zar._ You have broken your oath!

_Vasil._ I have not. I will tell you.

_Zar._ Speak then. Who are your confederates?

_Vasil._ There is but one.

_Zar._ Who? Where is he?

_Vasil._ He is here--in this room--he is in every prison in Russia--he is in every heart that knows the meaning of love--but if you want to arrest him [_stepping back into the sunlight and pointing upward_] you must go up there, for he is God.

_Zar._ That for your blasphemy! [_Strikes Vasil on the mouth with his sword_] Off with him!

[_Guards take Vasil off. Zarkoff follows. Silence broken by a groan from Adrian_]

_Soph._ Beloved, beloved, he shall be free! The whole world shall help us!

_Greg._ May we knock down the prisons now, Lavrov?

_Adr._ O God, in all thy ages can this be justified?

_Kore._ _You_ can justify it in a moment. Adrian Lavrov, this is your call to war. If you respond, his life is well lost.

_Adr._ War? [_Staggers up_] Yes. And I will use the strongest of earthly weapons, the arms of peace. The powers that upbuild are as invincible as the universe. By them it stands. Only by their toleration do the forces of destruction live. Toleration? Only by the _support_ of the powers of peace do the powers that destroy exist. Is not the army of the Czar fed by us, clothed by us, paid by us? And if we refuse to give, must it not beg of us? If he who works not shall not eat, what is the doom of the destroyer? The sower shall not sow for him, the reaper shall not reap for him, the builder shall not build for him, the physician shall not heal him, the scholar shall not teach him, the lawyer shall not plead for him, no trade shall supply him, no craft shall assist him, no art shall amuse him. The mills shall be silent, the wheels shall not turn, the wires shall be dumb, until he cries out "Peace, thou art master: let me be so much as thy servant!"

_A revolutionist._ Right! This, too, is war!

_Adr._ Yes. The new war of a new day. Not in madness hurling bombs, but giving our pity as we take our right.

_Man._ And who will pay your soldiers of peace? Must not their women and children eat?

_Adr._ The money we now pay to our brothers to strike us shall put bread in our mouths.

_A revolutionist._ Keep the taxes!

_Man._ You join us at last!

_Adr._ No. We join each other ... under the only unconquerable power. Gather an army and go forth with guns, and you may be laid in the dust. But the gathered forces of peace are as the fingers on God's hand, one with His strength, one with His will. Friends, friends, we have been searching earth for the weapon already in our grasp. The woman at the loom, the mujik in the field, the workman on the housetop, the man at the wire, the throttle, the wheel, hold it in their hands. To know its might--to use it together--that is all. _Together!_ O, they must see it--as I do now! I will gather my disciples, we will knock at every door and preach the gospel of united peace until all our unions are one union, all our bodies one body, with one breath, one heart, one head. In barin and peasant, mechanic and noble, Christian and Jew, Finn, Pole, Czech, Serb, Georgian, Tatar, must be born as in one man the conscious strength of peace. And to its deliverance I give my life, my soul! [_Sits down. Sophie leans over him_] ... Yes ... he shall be free.

_Greg._ [_Who has been searching Vasil's violin, comes forward with a paper in his hand_] They shall _all_ be free! We will make no terms, we will accept no constitution, till every dungeon door be open, till we hold in our arms the brothers who have made freedom no longer a dream of the night but a song of the morning! To them we owe the liberty that is dawning, and shall we tread the earth they give us while they perish beneath it? Hear our latest martyr--the youngest of us all. Hear the "Voice of Schlusselburg!"

[_Reads_]

We are deep, we are deep Beneath your swift feet That pass and yet pass With unfaltering beat; But life has no sound That can deaden our moans, And no measure of ground Can bury our bones, Can bury our bones.

We have given ye all But our lingering breath,-- The light from our eyes, The prayer at our death. The wine of the days, Drink it up, drink it up! But our hearts, as the grape, We pressed for the cup, We pressed for the cup.

Through the measureless sun Your seasons shall sway. Pluck the fruit as your own, Ye have nothing to pay; For your summers of bloom Are the summers we've lost, And we in our tomb, We pay the red cost, We pay the red cost.

Your youths shall be wed And the maids shall be fair, But the tears we have shed Are the pearls they shall wear; Your bride ye shall seek As never we could, But the rose on her cheek, It is dyed with our blood, It is dyed with our blood.

The lips of your child Shall be warm on your own, But 'tis cold, it is cold, Where our babes lie alone. The hand of your friend In yours ye shall take, But look ye!--the scar Ours wear for his sake, Ours wear for his sake.

The feast shall be spread And the world shall be there, But set at the head Our invisible chair. Ay, the banquet is ours, For our dishes make room! Each baked by the fires Of a smouldering home, Of a smouldering home.

We are deep, we are deep Beneath your swift feet That pass and yet pass With unfaltering beat; But life has no sound That can deaden our moans, And no measure of ground Can bury our bones, Can bury our bones.

[_Curtain_]

THE SIEGE

A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS

CHARACTERS OF THE PLAY

DIONYSIUS, _the Younger, tyrant of Syracuse_ DION, _a Syracusan noble_ ARISTOCLES, _the Athenian friend of Dion_ OCRASTES, _a young lord, attached to Dion_ HERACLIDES, _admiral of Syracuse_ PHILLISTUS, _an ambitious courtier_ CALLORUS, ÆGISTHUS, _friends of Heraclides_ SPEUSIPPUS, _from Athens, friend of Aristocles_ PANTHUS, _captain of Dion's Grecian guards_ DOMENES, _captain of the tyrant's guards_ TIMOLEON, ASCANDER, _lords of Syracuse_ GYLIPPUS, MENODES, DRACON, _citizens_ BRENTIO, _slave to Dion_ TICHUS, _slave to Aristocles_

ARATEA, _wife of Dion_ NAURESTA, _a noble lady_ THEANO, _daughter of Nauresta_ METHONE, _woman to Nauresta_

_Soldiers_, _citizens_, _messengers_, _dancers_, _&c._

SCENE: _Syracuse, Sicily_ TIME: 356 _B.C._