Part 2

LAGRIMAS--I came for something. (_Takes fan from bosom._) My fan? No, no! I do not love thee? Maria, forgive the lie!

(_CURTAIN_)

THE FOLLOWING MORNING

(_A group of Moorish prisoners, five men and two women are on the stage. The men and women are standing a little apart, the women veiled, all are motionless. Two Spanish soldiers are stationed at either end of the stage. The muezzin is heard from the Valley calling to prayer. The Moors prostrate themselves with face to East, then assume original position. There is silence for a moment, and birds are heard singing._)

(_Pedro enters, and goes to the group to look them over._)

PEDRO--Hafiz! He did get thee! Well, thou art a prisoner worth taking, and if I can read the temper of our General, thy infidel soul and body may part company before the sun sets to-night.

(_Moors remain silent. Pedro leaves laughing._)

HAFIZ--What manner of brutes are these Christians!

HASSAN--What manner of fools are we to be prisoners.

HAFIZ--No man could have forseen the trick of the Spanish Rodriguez, may his forehead be blackened with mud!

(_Cafour sways back and forth, moaning._)

HAFIZ--Soldiers everywhere. There is no chance to escape, unless we go over the wall.

HASSAN--(_Looking over wall._) We would perish.

CAFOUR--(_To Hafiz._) What have they done with my son?

HAFIZ--The boy has gone the way of death.

CAFOUR--Death! And thou his father, stand calmly by, and know him dead!

HAFIZ--Have I not other sons to avenge him?

CAFOUR--The sons of other mothers, but not of my blood!

HASSAN--The Spanish General--

(_The Moors again are silent. General enters with Pedro._)

GENERAL--When were they taken?

PEDRO--Last night, General. We tried to get thee, but thy house was closed and dark.

GENERAL--They said eight prisoners. I count but seven.

PEDRO--There was a lad who flung himself over the wall into the Darro.

GENERAL--A brave lad!

PEDRO--We have not looked for the body.

CAFOUR--Oh, my son!

GENERAL--Why are these women here?

PEDRO--They followed the prisoners. The Lieutenant would not have them harmed.

GENERAL--Thy victorious lieutenant hath a tender heart.

PEDRO--Tender? He has proved there is no braver soldier in Spain. Don Rodriguez will be an idol now.

GENERAL--(_Amazed._) Don Rodriguez!

PEDRO--The men who went with him say he did it all as--(_To Cafour._) Back there to thy place.

GENERAL--My son!

CAFOUR--I would speak!

PEDRO--Speak when spoken to. Get back to thy place.

CAFOUR--I would speak to him. (_Pointing to General._)

GENERAL--Remove thy veil.

(_Cafour hesitates a moment, then throws back her veil. The Moors turn their backs, that they may not see her face._)

GENERAL--Thou art not a Moorish woman.

CAFOUR--I am Cafour, the Abyssinian, third wife of Hafiz the Moor.

GENERAL--What dost thou desire of me?

CAFOUR--I want to know of my son.

GENERAL--Thy son?

CAFOUR--It was he who jumped, there. (_Points over the wall._)

PEDRO--The boy who would not be a prisoner.

CAFOUR--Thou saidst "brave." Send down and see if he lives.

GENERAL--He could not live.

CAFOUR--He could not die. He is young, strong, happy,--he could not die.

GENERAL--If he lives, I will have him shot for trying to escape.

CAFOUR--Thou saidst "brave," thou wouldst not kill him?

GENERAL--As I would kill all infidels who fight against Spain and our holy religion.

CAFOUR--I do not fight against thy country, or thy God. I beg for the life of my boy. He is not dead. I know he is not dead. Perhaps he fell into a tree, and is only hurt. Send down the soldiers and see.

GENERAL--(_To Cafour._) Go!

CAFOUR--Send down the soldiers and see, Allah will put a blessing on thy house. He will give thy son his delight. He will make his children to rule over men.

GENERAL--Infidel! I care not for thy blessing. (_To Pedro._) Take her.

CAFOUR--Oh, heart that is dead to pity! As my child is lost to me, so thy child shall be lost to thee! Allah will make it so.

GENERAL--Take her away!

(_Cafour is led out by a soldier._)

GENERAL--(_To Hafiz._) A boy to capture thee! Surely Allah slept while thou didst pray in the Mosque, Hafiz!

HAFIZ--He will not sleep forever.

GENERAL--Ye serve a God who betrays. Renounce thy false Mohammed, thy futile faith--

HAFIZ--Is faith so lightly changed?

GENERAL--Believe in the holy church.

HAFIZ--Is there but one road to Paradise, but one God who points the way?

GENERAL--There is the true God of the Christians.

HAFIZ--(_Bitterly._) Shall I measure the depth of his mercy by--thine?

GENERAL--Beware lest thy tongue cut thy throat.

HAFIZ--I shall give it fair chance.

GENERAL--Thou art too wise to throw thy life away. A man of thy cunning could be of value to the King.

HAFIZ--The King! A weakling whose brain's befogged with the ignorance and bigotry of women and priests. Hafiz has not fallen so low he can serve such a one.

GENERAL--The King will give thee freedom and safe passage to Africa if thou wilt but place in his hands the plans of those Moriscoes who head this uprising.

HAFIZ--Yea, turn traitor to serve a traitor, and after I betray my people, be traitorously killed.

GENERAL--Philip does not forget those who work for the welfare of the crown.

HAFIZ--Am I a miserable animal that experience has not taught me how short is the memory of Kings? Have I not heard of that Italian who found land beyond the farthest seas, and gave Spain a greater glory than she had ever known? Unhappy voyager, he sailed to a death of obscurity and neglect! Thy Kings are destroyers, and we who build, fear the jackals who tear down.

GENERAL--I warn thee, Hafiz, tolerance will not stretch much further.

HAFIZ--Tolerance! Spain does not know the word. Thou hast banished the Jews, thou hast given the rack, the gibbet and the stake to the Christian heretics, thou wilt kill and exile the Moors. But beware, we are the growers of rice and sugar, of cotton and silk, how will Spain live when these fail?

GENERAL--Enough! Cool thy Moorish spleen in the dungeon. When fasting brings discretion, thou mayest talk more soberly.

HAFIZ--Glut thy pious hatred as the priests and fanatic Kings dictate. Spain's life is the price! Her glory will go with the going of the Moor.

GENERAL--Away with him.

(_The guards march the Moors off the stage._)

PEDRO--He hath an evil tongue.

GENERAL--The honor of Spain is not to be attacked. (_To Pedro._) He must have no food until I give thee word.

(_Exit Pedro. Enter Rodriguez._)

RODRIGUEZ--Father, I tried to see thee last night, and thy door was closed to me. I craved but thy blessing.

GENERAL--I know of thy bravery. All Spain will praise thee.

RODRIGUEZ--I want no praise.

GENERAL--Thou hast chosen thy way. Is it bitter so soon?

RODRIGUEZ--Can it be aught but bitter when thou hast turned against me? Am I not of thy blood, flesh of thy flesh?

GENERAL--Why dost thou come back to me?

RODRIGUEZ--Last night when I faced the Moor, Death stood grinning at my side, and I was afraid. Suddenly I thought of thee and my childhood. I forgot everything that success or failure might bring, I fought only to win thy love. My arm grew strong, and the grim spectre at my side faded, for Love was stronger than Death!

GENERAL--Hast thou given up this girl?

RODRIGUEZ--(_Slowly._) No!

GENERAL--(_Coldly._) It shall be my duty to report to the King and ask for thy promotion. Thou art a brave soldier, and Spain will not be slow to honor thee.

RODRIGUEZ--I seek no honor from my country-men. I beg only for thy love.

GENERAL--(_Sneering._) Art thou a soldier or a troubadour that love is always on thy lips?

RODRIGUEZ--I am thy son.

GENERAL--I speak to Lieutenant don Rodriguez de Lerma.

RODRIGUEZ--Thy son.

GENERAL--(_Slowly._) I have no son!

(_CURTAIN_)

LATER IN THE SAME DAY

(_Lagrimas is discovered leaning far over the wall._)

LAGRIMAS--Brave little lad, brave little lad, the limb of the tree will hold thee, and then my hand. Come, steady, steady....

TARIK--My arm!

LAGRIMAS--Did I hurt? Steady, little lad. (_Tarik climbs over the wall._) Brave little lad--

LAGRIMAS AND TARIK--(_Together._) Thou art an infidel!

LAGRIMAS--I thought thou wast a Spanish boy.

TARIK--I thought thou wast my mother. The blood was in my eyes, I could not see. Now, I must throw myself down again.

LAGRIMAS--Little fool, is not once with death enough?

TARIK--I am Tarik, son of Hafiz the Moor, and Cafour his wife. I will not live to be the slave of a Christian.

LAGRIMAS--I won't eat thee, dirty infidel! (_Shakes Tarik and he all but faints on her hands. She is smitten with remorse and stanches the blood which flows from his head._)

LAGRIMAS--If thou wouldst not be a slave, why didst thou come back?

TARIK--There are soldiers in the valley.

LAGRIMAS--There are soldiers here, hundreds of them.

TARIK--(_Half sobbing._) I--I wanted my mother.

LAGRIMAS--(_Tenderly._) Little lamb, little lamb.

(_General and Pedro enter, closely followed by Feliciana. Lagrimas tries to get away with Tarik whom she shields with her dress. They escape to the turret._)

FELICIANA--Pedro, thou art unveiled!

PEDRO--Sh!

FELICIANA--Unveiled, and not an hour since thou didst swear--

PEDRO--I swore only to please thee.

GENERAL--Is the dancer always at thy side?

PEDRO--She is a dancer no longer, General.

FELICIANA--I am not so sure, Pedro. There was thy part to the bargain. If thou failest, I shall not answer for my feet.

PEDRO--I pray thee, Feliciana,--

FELICIANA--Do not attempt to silence me, a bargain's a bargain. I promised to cover my feet, only if thou wouldst cover thy face. Where is the veil I gave thee?

PEDRO--Why must thou shame me before the General?

FELICIANA--(_Fumbling in Pedro's coat and bringing forth a veil._) There, put it on.

GENERAL--Why art thou veiled, Pedro?

PEDRO--I never meant to wear it. It is a whim of hers because I spoke against her dancing.

FELICIANA--Thou must learn not to break hearts. Handsome men are dangerous to be adventuring through the land in these days. It were better to veil them all, than have maidens' hopes go smashing.

GENERAL--Who will succumb to Pedro?

FELICIANA--There are women among the Moorish prisoners. Pedro will flaunt his tempting face before them every day. It were sinful if they should love a Christian, and die of hopeless affection.

PEDRO--(_Contemptuously._) Moriscoes!

FELICIANA--In the city, Señora Jacinta is pining for him already, and Lagrimas, the bull-fighter's daughter, will singe her wings on the altar of his beauty.

GENERAL--(_Aside._) Lagrimas!

PEDRO--Curse my alluring face!

FELICIANA--Nay, Pedro, thou canst show it to me at intervals, and I will let thee have a little peep at my ankles. It will refresh us in our modesty.

(_General withdraws to side of stage._)

PEDRO--Tsch! It is all an invention of thine to make me suffer for scolding thee. These tales of succumbing maidens are false. Thou dost know Señora Jacinta is a child of ten, and Lagrimas hath bestowed her heart ... elsewhere.

FELICIANA--Jacinta will grow up, and Lagrimas is free. She must be protected from thy subtle charms.

PEDRO--Lagrimas is not free. She hath a lover who is mad for her.

FELICIANA--The lover hath been discarded, Lagrimas will none of him.

GENERAL--(_Aside._) Santissima Maria, my son!

FELICIANA--Now, I will not have thee create havoc. Thou must hide thy loveliness behind a veil, or thou too shalt be discarded, and the city can mock thee also.

(_General arises in silent rage and walks back and forth._)

PEDRO--(_To Feliciana._) The lover of Lagrimas is--

FELICIANA--I know!

PEDRO--This discussion! The General's pride!

FELICIANA--It is time he understood that people do not lie in the road to keep his haughty feet free of dust.

(_Enter Rodriguez. Lagrimas again attempts to steal off with Tarik--but is discovered by the General._)

GENERAL--Who goes there?

PEDRO--(_Stops them._) Santa Maria, a miracle!

GENERAL--Who is this boy?

PEDRO--It is the boy who was killed!

RODRIGUEZ--Killed?

PEDRO--The woman's boy who flung himself over the wall. He must have been killed. It is a miracle.

GENERAL--Hold him! (_To Lagrimas._) Thou, what art thou doing here?

LAGRIMAS--I came to help the boy. I saw him struggling up the face of the wall. He is hurt, let me care for him.

GENERAL--(_Sternly._) He is a prisoner.

LAGRIMAS--Surely thou dost not fight against children, as well as women? Let me care for him.

GENERAL--Lieutenant Don Rodriguez, wilt thou explain that our King deems it a crime against holy church to aid or shelter the infidels?

RODRIGUEZ--My word will have little weight.

GENERAL--Love should make thy tongue eloquent.

RODRIGUEZ--(_To Lagrimas._) Do not bother with the child, let Pedro take him.

LAGRIMAS--(_Bitterly._) Has success withered thy brave heart, soldier?

RODRIGUEZ--Wilt thou not understand? Interference may spell death.

LAGRIMAS--Better my body, than my soul to die. (_To General._) Is there no pity in thee? Does thy lust for conquest extend to babies?

GENERAL--It is for thy safety he pleads.

LAGRIMAS--I do not need his pleading.

GENERAL--Is it thus thou showest love for Don Rodriguez?

LAGRIMAS--I have not said I love Don Rodriguez.

GENERAL--Hast thou not promised to marry him?

LAGRIMAS--No, no, no!

RODRIGUEZ--I have no power to either make her love or marry me.

GENERAL--No power! The man who captured Hafiz the Moor, to have no power with a woman!

RODRIGUEZ--A woman is difficult.

GENERAL--Dost thou not know, the people in the streets say she flouts thee, and mock thee for a sorry lover?

RODRIGUEZ--They will talk anyway.

GENERAL--Where is thy pride? Wilt thou have them jest at thee?

RODRIGUEZ--What have I to do with pride?

GENERAL--If thou wouldst be a son of mine, marry her out of hand. Marry her, I say! Scorn Don Rodriguez, the jade! It is intolerable.

(_Exit._)

FELICIANA--Thy father must be a terrible care, Don Rodriguez.

RODRIGUEZ--He is not always easy to understand.

FELICIANA--Thou dost not manage him right. Bring his Castilian nose nearer the earth. There are wholesome smells he is missing.

PEDRO--(_Shocked._) Feliciana!

FELICIANA--Pedro, I'm going to dance, I feel I'm going to dance. Throw thy veil away. Beauty should never be hidden.

(_Pedro throws the veil over the wall._)

PEDRO--Feliciana!

(_Pedro and Feliciana exeunt laughing._)

LAGRIMAS--(_Shyly._) The little fellow is hurt.

RODRIGUEZ--He is faint. Let me get some wine.

TARIK--(_Sobbing._) I will not drink wine. It is forbidden.... I want my mother.... She will make me well.... I want my mother.

(_Lagrimas and Rodriguez catch him as he faints._)

LAGRIMAS--See, his eyes are open again.

TARIK--I am well. Let me stand alone.

RODRIGUEZ--Thou art a brave lad despite thy brown skin.

(_Enter soldier._)

SOLDIER--The General says the boy prisoner is to go with his mother.

(_Tarik looks at Lagrimas, then stoops and kisses the hem of her dress._)

TARIK--Allah will bless thee, and thy little children. It is written. (_Exit with soldier._)

(_Lagrimas and Don Rodriguez sit as they were in the opening scene._)

LAGRIMAS--It is just as it was last night.

RODRIGUEZ--(_Quietly._) But I have captured Hafiz.

LAGRIMAS--And thou speakest neither of thy bravery nor thy--

RODRIGUEZ--I am getting wisdom.

LAGRIMAS--Too much wisdom will make a monk of thee.

RODRIGUEZ--(_After a pause._) I think the stars will shine to-night.

LAGRIMAS--(_Piqued._) Oh, dost thou?

RODRIGUEZ--The air is blowing up a little sharp.

LAGRIMAS--Maria be adored, there is always the weather.

RODRIGUEZ--Of what else shall I speak?

LAGRIMAS--Of thee and--oh anything!

(_Silence. Guitars tinkle in the valley._)

LAGRIMAS--Dost hear the guitars?

RODRIGUEZ--No.

LAGRIMAS--I can hear them plainly. The señor is a constant lover; she will yield to him soon.... What has stopped thine ears?

RODRIGUEZ--The beating of my heart.

LAGRIMAS--A soldier's heart--(_stops suddenly._)

RODRIGUEZ--Hast thou lost something?

LAGRIMAS--It is no matter. I do not want it back.

(_Looks fixedly at his coat until he fidgets._)

RODRIGUEZ--Why dost thou stare? Is my coat--?

LAGRIMAS--What I lost, it has gone inside thy breast. I saw it.

RODRIGUEZ--(_Bewildered._) I--oh--what is it?

LAGRIMAS--My heart, most beautifully stupid, my heart!

RODRIGUEZ--(_Clasping her._) Lagrimas!

(CURTAIN)

THE TURTLE DOVE

A Chinese Play

CAST

CHORUS. CHANG-SUT-YEN, son of CHANG-WON-YIN, the GREAT, _ruler of the Province of Canton_. THE MANDARIN. KWEN-LIN, _His daughter_. THE GOD OF FATE. THE PROPERTY MAN. THE GONG BEARER.

The Turtle Dove

_The play is acted in the Chinese manner, without stage setting. The back drop is painted to represent a Willow plate. Chorus is present at the left side of the stage throughout the action, to explain the story, announce the characters as they appear, and thank the audience for its interest. The Property Man, in a black costume, remains at the back of the stage. At various specified times, he hands the necessary properties to the several characters, from a small box beside him. When not occupied with stage work, he spends the time reading a Chinese paper, and smoking a pipe or cigarette._

_All the persons in the play are in blue and white costumes, to make the plate picture. The Gong-Bearer may be in royal yellow, and Chorus in emerald green._

_The Curtain is drawn slightly open, and the Gong-bearer appears, strikes the gong three times very slowly and ten times rapidly, then walks to the right side of the stage, and stands there throughout the play. Chorus appears between the parted curtains, holds up his left hand while the Gong-bearer strikes once, then addresses the audience in a very suave manner._

CHORUS--Most illustrious friends, I deliver the three bows to Heaven, Earth, and Man, (_bows ceremoniously to right, left, and centre_) and obtrude myself on your exalted vision that you may know the meaning of our poor play. The story deals with the always new love of youth for maid, the abrupt tempering of a father's wrath to forgiveness, and the immutability of Fate.

Our hero, Chang-sut-yen, (_Chang-sut-yen appears between the curtains, bows to right, left and centre, then disappears behind the curtains_) will come before you as a servant, but in reality he is none other than the son of Chang-won-yin, the Great, ruler of this province of Canton. (_Gong-bearer strikes the gong._) The God of Fate decreed that he should be known as a turtle dove, and have his image forever emblazoned on the shining surface of a Willow plate. To avert this calamitous ending to his august life, Chang-sut-yen has fled the home of his father, and entered the service of a rich and powerful Mandarin, where he hopes, by virtue of his obscure position, to escape the notice of the God. But, as we have said, Fate is immutable, what the God plans must ever be, despite the efforts of puny man.

You will see the Mandarin, (_Mandarin appears, bows, and disappears_) rich, proud, majestic, with eyes for everything that may tend to make him more powerful, but superbly blind to virtue and worth in the humble.

Kwen-lin, his daughter (_Kwen-lin appears, bows, and retires_) is swayed by love alone; a dangerous practice usually, but in this story, one begging your approval. Do not judge her harshly, in that her heart leads her. Remember she is a woman. Much may be forgiven women.

(_The Property Man appears, bows, and looks inquiringly at Chorus, who hesitates an instant, and then, as if fulfilling a rather unpleasant duty, proceeds._) I would I might ignore the Property Man. He composed a version of this poetic tale, putting in all the ugly truths, and serenely forgetting all the possible flower like episodes. As artists we could not consider it. (_Property Man with a slight shrug leaves stage._) The Property Man is not sufficiently large minded to accept our ripe and impartial opinion. He is superbly indifferent to the luminous fruit from his successful rival's quill, and will probably sulk through his duties. That you may not be disturbed by his presence, we have clothed him invisibly in black, and you will therefore be spared the pain of seeing him at all.

I fear I have kept you all too long from the feast prepared for your delectation. If my brothers behind the curtain show not that histrionic merit you so rightly demand, I pray you be lenient, and listen with ears, and see with eyes, not too critical. I conduct you at once to the moon-lit garden of the wealthy Mandarin, where Chang-sut-yen is loitering, hoping to meet there the Mandarin's beautiful daughter, Kwen-lin, who smiles on him. Is it not traditionally the fashion of women to adore most that youth who is forbidden?

I bow to you for your attentively honorable ears. I bow. I bow. (_Gong-bearer strikes gong. Chorus walks to left of stage, and curtains are pulled apart, revealing Chang-sut-yen standing before the back drop._)

CHANG-SUT-YEN--(_Singing._) _Bor lo un doy, bor lo un doy, chin lo, chin lo, bor lo un doy._ Kwen-lin will know that song. It is nothing, it says nothing, therefore it is pregnant with meaning, and my Bright Water-lily will understand. (_Singing._) _Bor lo un doy, bor lo un doy, chin lo, chin lo, bor lo un doy._ She will come, dancing like sun-rays on the flowers of my mind, and I will press my honorable lips to hers, and our solemn breaths will mingle. Though I seem but a servant, I am Chang-sut-yen, son of Chang-won-yin, the Great, ruler of this province. (_Gong-bearer strikes gong._) I am also the most glorious lover the Gods have made. My soul was fashioned from the wind of Heaven, and the purple fire of the mountain peak. My illustrious body is the sturdy tree to which maidens will ever sigh their timid love.

CHORUS--It is the Mandarin who walks this way.

CHANG-SUT-YEN--(_Singing._) _Bor lo un doy, bor lo un doy, chin lo, chin lo, bor lo un doy_,--who comes? Alas, not Kwen-lin the fragrant, but my master. He will spit anger that I linger in the garden. I must summon my snake tongue to puzzle his cow-brain, lest he suspect I wait for her. I will divest myself of my honorable senses, and speak with an empty head. I will be gloriously fool possessed. (_Singing._) _Bor lo un doy, bor lo un doy, chin lo, chin lo, bor lo un doy._

(_Enter Mandarin._)

MANDARIN--The night is full of chill. If the God of Frost bites his sharp teeth into my fruit trees, they will perish. Br-r-r, cold!

CHANG-SUT-YEN--(_Clasping Mandarin in his arms._) August one, the white moon lady slumbers in the chamber of Heaven, while I wait for you to light the path of my dreams.

MANDARIN--Ancestors, save me!

CHANG-SUT-YEN--We will make loud prayers to the tablets of our magnificently worthy ancestors after we embrace. Let me pluck you, and wear you across my heart, before your flower beauty fades.

MANDARIN--(_Recognizing him._) Miserable three footed dog, what maiden did you think to greet?

CHANG-SUT-YEN--I press to my superb breast only your lily feet, honorable Cherry Blossom.

MANDARIN--I am no Cherry Blossom.

CHANG-SUT-YEN--You are all the Cherry Blossoms in the Garden of Earth, shedding perfume and petals with every sighing breeze.

MANDARIN--I shed nothing but the light of Truth and Justice.

CHANG-SUT-YEN--My heart cracks with love for you, and your tasks. At night when sleep seals the minds of other servants, I journey forth to count again your dazzling possessions. Your peach trees bend before me, and I am blinded. I beg to work for you until Death sews a black seam in my brain, and I go to my ancestors.

MANDARIN--You have departed your unhappy wits. I give you to-morrow to offer gifts to the gods. Pursue sleep, and think not of my possessions, but rather of your venerable poverty. Your august brain is not large enough for Death to waste thread on. Thread is costly. Away with you, and rest.