ACT II

SCENE: _A grove in the outskirts of a town in Goldusan. Semi-tropical verdure. Rocks, shrubbery, trees, at convenience. A hidden cascade mumbles upper right, not loud enough to disturb conversation. At upper left, the pillared and vine-wreathed entrance to a mansion. A wall, rear, partly hidden by foliage. Paths lead off, right and left, lower, under trees. It is evening, and the grove is lit for revel. Gay flocks of people pass, then Hernda and Megario enter lower right._

_Meg._ Unsoft as winter! Thou hast brought thy north, With thee, a frigid shade, here where the hours Are poppy-fingered, and their dreaming breasts Unshuttered as the summer!

_Her._ Is it true, This joy, that smiles as though its fountained heart Could not be emptied?

_Meg._ True as that I love you.

_Her._ But if it is no mask, why should revolt O'ercloud your borders?

_Meg._ There's no just revolt.

_Her._ But Chartrien said----

_Meg._ Are you yet poison-tinct With that old rebel tale his credulous heart Dressed new in his while honor till both grew One sooty treason?

_Her._ Where is Chartrien now?

_Meg._ Wherever he may hatch a discontent And cluck us trouble. But of late he spurs His heart of venture, and dartles to our towns To stir the scum there.

_Her._ Scum? You've such a thing In Cordiaz' happy land? I'll see that scum. It breathes, does 't not? Has eyes, and tongue? Can answer if one speaks?

_Meg._ You're merry, princess.

_Her._ As graves at night. All is not open here. I shall go farther,--knock at doors where Truth Keeps honest house, not gowned for holiday.

_Meg._ One want we have,--that you will stay with us And be the fairy soul of Goldusan. Then must our land, so measureless endeared, Be cherished as the darling care of Heaven, Where storm may breathe but as a twittering bird That fears to shake its nest.

_Her._ You've only words! Words like these thousand-thousand smiles that seem Half real and half painted,--teasing, strange,-- All feeding one illusion round my way Till even the ground unqualifies beneath me And makes each step a question.

_Meg._ 'Tis the doubt You look through that transforms our face Of truth and paints us vaguely hued. O, for our many smiles, wilt not give one?

_Her._ Nay, there's a darkness fringing on this grove. It creeps above the walls, it touches me, And makes me shudder winding at my feet!

_Meg._ You've sipped of fancy at a witch's knee! [_Plucks a flower_] But see,--your serpent shadows nurture this. Confess to its perfection, and be shriven Of any thought less fair.

_Her._ Oh, if I might! No, keep it. Let us find our friends.

_Meg._ [_Drops the flower_] My hand Defiles it for you.

_Her._ Nay----

_Meg._ Where is the fan I carried yester-night?

_Her._ 'Tis--lost.

_Meg._ 'Tis burnt!

_Her._ What wind's your gossip?

_Meg._ Truth paused at my ear. But, princess, if there's any charm will draw Your eyes to me unburdened of their hate, I'll find it though it lie beneath the ruin Of every other hope!

_Her._ I'll leave you, sir.

_Meg._ Forgive me! Love will speak,--ay, storm its need. Though each vain word pile up the barricade That fends the heart desired.

_Her._ My lord, no hate Is in that barrier. I'm free of that.

_Meg._ Thanks for that little much. Your highness speaks Of journeying. What can I say to gild My own Peonia till it distant gleams The gem of pilgrimage? There you will see How earth is dressed when the devoted sun Is pledged to her adorning. Trees that mass Their bloom in forest heavens, giving her A nearer sky. Unthwarted vines that scarf Her mountain shoulders with their pendent clouds. Lakes where a dreamer's bark may drift unoared And chance no port save beauty. Everywhere The dart and wave of color that would beckon A neighbor planet looking once this way. Come, be my guest. One day! I'll ask no more.

_Her._ I do not know. Señora Ziralay Will be my guide. I go with her.

_Meg._ With her?

_Her._ What is 't? I touch the shadow. You are not Her friend?

_Meg._ She hates in secret, while her smile Levies the world for love.

_Her._ I'll hate where she does, And know my soul is safe.

_Meg._ Her husband holds By love and purse to Cordiaz, but she Is a LeVal.

_Her._ LeVal? And kin to--_him_?

_Meg._ Rejan? His sister. And I know her nature Is tinted as her blood, whatever hue It wears at court.

_Her._ A sister to the man That I gave up to death. And I have dared To love her--take her kiss----

_Meg._ [_Cautioning_] She's here.

[_Enter, lower right, Señora Ziralay and Guildamour_]

_Her._ Señora! We spoke of you.

_Señ._ And with such gloom?

_Meg._ No, no!

_Señ._ It lingers yet, my lord. Do I in absence cast Such knitted shadows?

_Meg._ Safely asked of us, Who know your bright philosophy. How fares That magic broom with which you'd sweep the earth Of every ill? Is 't still invincible?

_Señ._ Much worn of late, my lord, as you should know, Who give it work.

_Meg._ You'd leave us not one grief To keep us praying and rebuilding Heaven? Abolish Death perhaps?

_Señ._ True mock! I would Except the death that's like a waiting bed When not another turn may mend the day; When sleep is sweeter than the thumbèd book, And hearth-near voices drowse like waves that lap Shores unconcerned. Now we are murdered, all.

_Meg._ No, no. Señora!

_Gui._ Ay! Do we not vaunt, And set it rarely down, a thing to note, If age unmoor the life-disusèd raft, For th' chartless cruise?

_Señ._ Now we go hurried out, With half our dreams unpacked, and earth made poor With a few grains of dust where should have risen Our wisest years in flower.

_Meg._ Fate, fate, Señora!

_Señ._ What's fate but ignorance? And not always that Comes hobbling with excuse. Sometimes a man, Whose eyes fling lances at the foes of Life, Is knouted from the world----

_Meg._ No more, I pray! This is a festal night. Reserve your sermon For our next fast.

[_A musical group plays softly under trees left. Enter lower right, Hudibrand, Cordiaz, Rubirez, Vardas, Ziralay and others_]

_Hud._ Here, daughter? You've been sought.

_Cor._ The search was mine, your highness. I would beg A grace of you.

_Her._ You grant one as you beg, Your majesty. I'll not do less than give Your own again. But pray you name it, sir.

_Cor._ This garden where our amity has borne Its fairest blossom shall be called henceforth The Grove of Peace, and we would beg your highness To queen our christening.

_Her._ A queenly part, And royally I thank you, but I'll play it With humblest prayer that Heaven may keep unbroken These new-sworn bonds between my land and yours.

_Cor._ So pray we all.

_Her._ Is this our scene?

_Cor._ Not here. Come you this way, my friends. We'll cast the wine To yon cascade, and let the waters bear it Down to my capital.

[_All go off upper right, except two officers, who remain centre, and a guard who walks to and fro by wall rear, sometimes visible, sometimes hidden by the wood and rocks_]

_First Off._ This peace will prove As stout as any spider's thread that swings In a blowing rain. Fah!

_Second Off._ Climb what hill you please, You see the rebels' smoke.

_First Off._ But where in name Of magic does Bolderez get his gold? The rebels we pick up have lost no meals.

_Second Off._ Enough he gets it. Goldusan sleeps well. Bolderez is so near that if his men Were eagles they could pick out Cordiaz' eyes And he'd not wake to miss 'em.

_First Off._ Cordiaz Is not asleep, but so bedimmed and fooled By a thievish Cabinet that what he sees Takes any name they give it.

_Second Off._ He is old.

_First Off._ Ah, there you hit it. Warriors should die young. When age unsoldiers them their field-worn hearts Have no defence against a crafty peace, And falling power will seize on any prop Be 't foul or fair, to keep on legs.

_Second Off._ My faith! His crutches are so villanous, a fall Were better than his gait.

[_Enter Ziralay, lower right_]

_First Off._ Well, Ziralay, What news?

_Zir._ Where's Cordiaz?

_Second Off._ He comes.

[_Re-enter group from the cascade_]

_Zir._ [_To Cordiaz_] My lord, The Assarian prince is captured, and is held Within the town.

_Cor._ What? Chartrien?

_Zir._ Yes, my lord.

_Cor._ Fit period to this dedicated day! Our gentle bonds are now forged whole. The man Who was Bolderez' hope, most luminous Of all who drew rebellion to him, now Is darkly fallen.

_Rub._ This golden aid cut off, Bolderez stands so bare his nakedness Will sprint to nearest cover.

_Cor._ I'll see his face. Bring here the prisoner.

_Off._ I'll speed the order, Your majesty. [_Exit_]

_Rub._ Shall he be shot, my lord?

_Cor._ Shot? No. But kept close prisoned.

_Rub._ That is mercy You have denied the blood of Goldusan. Why grant it to Assaria?

_Var._ In him swells A strength was never in LeVal. I urge His instant death.

_Cor._ No, friends. He is a son Of our great neighbor, and his death would wound The courtesy of nations that is kept By lenience unabraded.

_Var._ Breath so bold Will from a prison fan the treachery Whose flame would die without it.

_Her._ Father, speak!

_Cor._ We'll hear our friend, Assaria's majesty, If he have word for us.

_Hud._ I pray your highness To let no ghostly and unfounded fear Of my Assaria----

_Cor._ Fear, my lord?

_Hud._ I mean No more than ask you to be just, nor let My presence here enforce your chivalry To do your country wrong. Think of your people, Not the approval of a gazing land Whose distant nod is given in ignorance Of your stern cause.

_Her._ Here's not my father! So The clock runs backward, and time ends.

_Meg._ [_To Cordiaz_] Your highness, My voice is not so loud as others here, But could I send it far as sound may go, It should take mercy's part in this debate.

_Var._ You need no trump, my lord. A limpet's whistle Would tell us where you stand.

_Meg._ I stand with Cordiaz, His majesty of Goldusan!

_Cor._ This matter Is not for open market. Come, my friends, Let us go in. Please you to walk before.

[_Rubirez, Ziralay, Vardas, and Megario enter the house, upper left. Their majesties linger at entrance. Guildamour retreats on path, upper right. Officers go off, lower left. Hernda and Señora Ziralay wait unnoticed, right_]

_Cor._ Is 't kindly done, my lord, to pose your station In public against mine?

_Hud._ My neutral words You've packed with import all your own. I strive To bend not right or left, but keep my way As even as Justice.

_Her._ [_To Señora_] Justice! There's a stone That was my father.

_Cor._ Yet, my lord, this prince Is of your house.

_Hud._ Is it for Cordiaz To teach me mercy?

_Cor._ By my soul!

_Hud._ I know Whence starts this softness. Mercy has no fane Where you leave offering.

_Cor._ I know you too! By holy Heaven, your head was never bared In Justice' temple! You now seek my fall, Because I've turned at last to check the hand That rifles Goldusan. Is 't not enough That I've unjewelled all her treasured hills To alien avarice--that her forests bleed The priceless sap of all primeval Springs Into your golden stream? But I must lay My people under bond,--sell them as slaves To buy your stolen railways!

_Hud._ Stolen, sir? I've paid----

_Cor._ I know what you have paid! You've sent Your henchmen creeping in the night, to buy At beggar's price our toil-built roads, and where You could not buy, you bribed and thieved, till all Was yours!

_Hud._ What of _my_ toil, that built the lines Through half your provinces?

_Cor._ You paid yourself! Took from my governors, half gulls, half thieves Of your own breed, a hundred times the worth Of every graded foot, in lands and mines And water-power that holds the prisoned light Of robbed futurity! Now we must buy Once more those tracks, long over-bought,--pay you A value centuple for every mile,-- Pay you in bonds--bonds in hell's verity-- Whose interest will outrun each reckoned year The summed returns from our fool's purchase! No! That is my word while I am Goldusan!

_Hud._ You wake too late. I'll tell you so, my lord, Since this imprudent burst thrusts courtesy From court. Your ministers have given assent----

_Cor._ Have _given_! You'll over-steal enough To quit their boldest price!

_Hud._ I'll not defend Your chosen servants, sir.

_Cor._ _My_ servants! Oh, What State is free from scuttling greed that bores For treasure through the stanchest hold?

_Hud._ This moral chant comes late from you, my lord, Who've fingered heavily in many a pie Spiced in the devil's kitchen.

_Cor._ But to sell My people! Pay you this devouring price For stock that hardy yields the groaning third Of interest on your bonds! What shall we do To pay it? Rob our treasury, and ask Our worn-out slaves to fill it up again? Not ask, but goad and lash,--for you must have Your own--you honest mortgagees of babes Unborn----

_Hud._ Is all the scarlet on our hands? What of that mountain province, sold entire To foreign pockets, and the dwellers there Torn up like shrieking roots and cast abroad To fasten where they could?

_Cor._ And where was that But in your hell-mouthed mines? You wanted slaves And got them.

_Her._ I shall die, Señora!

_Señ._ Listen!

_Hud._ The tyrant Cordiaz grown pitiful? Then stones are butter, alabaster is Uncrumpled down. You should have wept before The Pueblo strike, then fewer corpses had Gone out to sea.

_Cor._ Don't name that thing to me! Don't speak of it! I will not bear that curse!

_Hud._ Mine aged convert, lies it in your will, Or juster Heaven's?

_Cor._ 'Twas your property My troops defended--and Rubirez lied. Swore that the men foamed mad as tuskèd beasts, And must be trashed to place,--men who had asked No more than bread when you shut up your doors----

_Hud._ Not I, my friend.

_Cor._ Your tool then. One of all Your million hookèd hands fast in the heart Of my poor country, shut your doors, thereby To starve the wretches till they crawled to you And begged their chains again. But they--their veins Were not all tapped--they'd blood left, and arose From their dumb prayers to _fight_ for life--and then....

_Hud._ You sent the troops.

_Cor._ Because Rubirez lied!

_Hud._ Because you knew there'd be no after-sale For your high favors, once let titles drift Unguaranteed. And when your work was done-- _Your_ work, my tear-washed saint, why weary patience Could not take further time to count the dead, Or dig so many graves. They were piled up And carted to the sea----

_Cor._ Oh, every tide Brings back their faces--staring, staring up! Will God not answer them? I dare not shut My eyes....

_Hud._ And this is why you weep so late? Come, Cordiaz, you're broken. Leave a throne Your own fears shake. You know that I must win. Own you are mastered----

_Cor._ Mastered! While I've breath I am a king. If I win peace of God, And his white angel let my dark soul out, 'Twill be for this--the last throe of my strength Was spent against you!

_Hud._ Madly you've uncased Your madness, and I know my weapons.

_Cor._ So! I too, my lord, know how to sleep and wake With hand on steel.

_Hud._ Then is there more to say?

_Cor._ All's said. We're waited for. Assaria, Will 't please you enter?

_Hud._ I thank you, Goldusan. [_They go in_]

_Her._ Don't comfort me, Señora. Not a breath. I'll not disfigure shame with comfort's patch, But droop as low as leprous dust, and take Some pride in that. 'Tis dark here, dark. Pray God I am asleep!

_Señ._ Dear princess!

_Her._ Men do well To keep the women blind. If once they knew, They'd breed no more, but let a bairnless world Escheat to God. Yet you, Señora, knew, And you have children. By your motherhood You've bound you Life's accomplice,--given it heart And veins and an accepting soul!

_Señ._ I have! Deny our hearts these babes, and we deny The future that we fight for. Ah, defeat May be endured by those who hold in lap The victors of to-morrow!

_Her._ Oh, my father!

_Señ._ This truth was edged and swift. You should have had Love's lips to teach you----

_Her._ I've been taught, my friend, But would not learn. [_Rising_] Señora, it was I Betrayed your brother!

_Señ._ Yes.... I know.

_Her._ To death! You do not understand. I killed him!

_Señ._ No. There, love,--forget a little. I've a hope He is not dead.

_Her._ Not dead? What gives you hope?

_Señ._ Perhaps the nameless mentor in the heart That tells us when our loved shrines are lit And when they're out forever. But there's more. Whenever Lord Megario's eye meets mine There's something couched there speaks me living wrong, Not wrong that's ended--locked within a grave No prayer may open. He is burning yet With uncompleted vengeance--and its shame.

_Her._ Señora, you've a plan!

_Señ._ 'Twill take much gold.

_Her._ Ah, I have that.

_Señ._ And courage.

_Her._ Well!

_Señ._ Such as, We're told, no woman has.

_Her._ Here is my life, And any Fate may have it that will make Your brother live. Will you forgive me then?

_Señ._ [_Kissing her_] Ah, dear, you could not know....

_Her._ How did you hear?

_Señ._ From Chartrien.

_Her._ You are friends?

_Señ._ So true he seems Not friend but friendship to my soul. And I Talk here, while yonder he----

_Her._ They dare not! No! My father would.... My father? Oh, Señora! [_Sobs hopelessly_]

_Señ._ We'll find a door to this.

_Her._ Would Ziralay Not help?

_Señ._ Had he the wit, he would not dare. While I'm his wife he must keep double guard Against suspicion.

_Her._ Oh!

_Señ._ If there's one true, 'Tis Guildamour. I'll go to him.

_Her._ At once! He took that path.

_Señ._ I know what shade he seeks When he would brood.

[_Exit Señora, upper right. Hernda waits drooping, as if too weary for thought. A group of ladies and gentlemen enter, lower right, among them Guildamour_]

_Her._ [_Starting up_] Oh!--Guildamour!

_Gui._ Your highness!

[_Leaves his party chattering lower left, and crosses to Hernda_]

_Her._ Señora seeks you.

_Gui._ Ah, about the prince?

_Her._ We have a hope, my lord, your hand may turn Some stone of rescue.

_Gui._ Mine are powerless hands, Pinned to inaction's cross. My eyes may turn No way that is not watched. To lift my lids May raise a cry of "Treason!"

_Her._ There's no help? In all this land no help?

_Gui._ Megario, Could he be softened to it, is the man Who might with safety slip a secret bolt For Chartrien.

_Her._ He!

_Gui._ His name is set above The nick of treason by his stern dispatch Of poor LeVal,--and, that struck off, he yet Is chronicled so dark that none would lay A fair deed at his door.

_Her._ Megario!

_Gui._ I would not name him, but I know he loves you, And there's no soul that love may not endue With tinge of Heaven.

[_Re-enter Señora_]

_Her._ Señora!

_Señ._ [_Panting_] I have seen him!

_Gui._ The prince?

_Her._ Not Chartrien?

_Señ._ Yes!

_Gui._ Escaped?

_Señ._ The guards Were of our heart--they let him make the wood-- I've hidden him----

_Her._ Oh, where?

_Señ._ Within the cave Veiled by the waterfall. But safety there Is minute-frail.

_Gui._ What way? He'll climb the wall?

_Señ._ And drop into the river.

_Gui._ Yes. What guard Walks there? I see. 'Tis Miguel. And I know Somewhat of him,--more than he'd tell the winds.

_Señ._ Thank Heaven for a sinner! When he's next Behind the rocks, then to him, Guildamour, And be his palsying conscience. Peg his feet To the earth!

_Gui._ Trust me, Señora!

_Señ._ I'll lead off Those babblers. Princess, you're the watch,--you'll give The signal.

_Her._ Ah! What is 't?

_Señ._ Two pebbles dashed Into the water is our sign.

_Her._ The guard! He's gone!

_Gui._ It is our time. [_Exit into wood, rear_]

_Her._ [_As the talkative group move up_] Take them away, Señora! It would kill me now to meet A painted smile.

_Señ._ I'll go. And you--be swift. Don't stop--don't think. [_Joins group_] I know where lordings three Wait for as many maids.

_A young lady._ You saw them pass?

_Señ._ Disconsolate.

_Young Lady._ O, to the river!

_Another._ Come!

[_They go off with Señora, lower left_]

_Her._ Now! [_Takes up two stones. Ziralay and Megario come out of the house_] Oh! [_She drops the stones. They cross to her_]

_Meg._ You wait?

_Her._ I read the sentence.

_Zir._ Death.

_Her._ And when?

_Zir._ To-night. They've given Vardas charge Of 't. He's an eager butcher,--does not know Delay.

_Her._ You wished his death.

_Zir._ I voted no. Megario laid my doubts.

_Her._ Did he do that?

_Zir._ He countered to their teeth.

_Her._ [_To Megario_] So merciful Is hate?

_Meg._ The prince's death would mean the fall Of Cordiaz, and our houses rock with his.

_Her._ Be clearer, pray you.

_Meg._ Vardas wants the throne, And we've a sour and guilty faction here Who'd see him on it, but they dare not move Against a king yet rich in arms and friends. And Hudibrand is not so absolute That he may turn the army of Assaria On the sole pivot of his word. For that, Even he must knock the sleeping nation up And ask good leave.

_Her._ You'd say, sir, Hudibrand Would favor Vardas?

_Zir._ Short and plain, he does.

_Her._ What then?

_Meg._ The Assarians are proud, and where They think their honor's pricked, their pride out-tops Their judgment. Chartrien's death, whose ugly weight Must lie with Cordiaz, will inflame their hearts Till Hudibrand may send an army on us, His people clapping to 't. In open day They'll choose the road his cunning cut by night, And pray him take it.

_Zir._ Ay, and where are we, With Vardas crowned in Goldusan?

_Her._ I see.

_Meg._ He'd like my million acres in Peonia Sliced for his foreign hounds!

[_Enter an officer_]

_Zir._ What trouble now?

_Off._ Prince Chartrien has escaped.

_Meg._ And you in charge?

_Off._ I sent him with good men, or so I thought, Being pressed to another way----

_Meg._ His guards,--what name?

_Off._ Vinaldo, and a sergeant, who----

_Meg._ Vinaldo! He's on the blue list, turning fast to black. Did you not know it?

_Off._ I held him, sir, the pick Of loyalty.

_Meg._ Well,--on. What else?

_Off._ They reached The grove, passed in, and after prudent time, The guards came out, smug as all right, and now They're gone,--clear foot,--will doff you from the hills.

_Meg._ A tale for Vardas! You may save your beard, But not your neck.

_Off._ I'll not shake yet. The prince Is in the grove. We'll soon uncover him.

_Zir._ The walls are picketed?

_Off._ A double watch Is on.

_Zir._ That's well enough.

_Off._ On chance he makes The wall, I've reinforced the river guard.

_Meg._ Both sides?

_Off._ A close patrol, both east and west. Though he had fishes' gills and dived the stream, He'd not get by. That way is fast against him As Belam's iron door.

_Meg._ [_To Hernda_] You're ill?

_Her._ No, no! I'm well--quite well.

_Meg._ The lily in your cheek Lies not so bravely.

_Off._ [_To Ziralay_] If he gets out of this, He'll steer around the moon. We'll find him, sir. But he's most darkly hid. Has made a coat Of leaves and plays the grouse trick on us.

_Zir._ Come! His majesty must know. [_Ziralay and officer go into house_]

_Meg._ How may I help you? Let the service be Of such poor nature as your dog might give, And pride will whistle to it.

_Her._ O, my lord, I half believe you. When our angels fall, Then devils are not black. And I have lost My father.

_Meg._ Devils! You've a tongue.

_Her._ Forgive A heart unmantled, and too wild to choose What word may veil it. I would say, my lord, In this discolored world I now begin To find you fair,----

_Meg._ O, heavenly retraction!

_Her._ And if I ask a service it will be No paltry one, but such as makes the king Bow to the knight.

_Meg._ I'll prove this grace Is native in me, and not solely lent Of your new bounty!

_Her._ Would you save the life Of Chartrien?

_Meg._ I would. Though a treasonous tool Of rebelry, he should be held by me A prisoner of knightliest war.

_Her._ A prisoner!

_Meg._ You can not ask his freedom! That would give My foes clear argument to pluck me bare, And set me outlawed on the rebel side Of this deplored division.

_Her._ Oh, not free! And in your power!

_Meg._ To hold him prisoner,--that I'd undertake, and make the action good Even to this bloody council.

_Her._ You'd dare that?

_Meg._ My policy is open, and I'd dare To put it into deed that must commend me To their unwilling justice. To do more Would disarray all sense,--be fullest like The idiot's gesture that disrobes the wretch Of his last sanity.

_Her._ Megario....

_Meg._ What secret is so dear these costly sighs, Like gentle pickets ever reinforced, Let it not pass?

_Her._ A secret? No!

_Meg._ But yes. I push me by its fragile guardians, And hear it beating in its citadel.

_Her._ What says it then?

_Meg._ You've seen the prince.

_Her._ My lord!

_Meg._ You know what shadow hides him.

_Her._ No, no, no! My oath, sir, I've not seen him!

_Meg._ I would trust One negative, not three. Give him to me, And you will know he lives. Let him be found By Vardas' men, and when you wake to-morrow The earth will be without him.

_Her._ No, not you! I'll go to Cordiaz. He'll save the prince As he would save his throne. You've taught me that.

_Meg._ He'd lose it so. Should Cordiaz to-night Set Chartrien free, he'd rise without a lord To bid him one good-morrow.

_Her._ Ziralay....

_Meg._ Ask him? An ass whose ears if visible Would signal Mars! Say he had courage for you, He'd blunder with the prince to Vardas' arms.

_Her._ Ah, _you_ could do it,--set him free!

_Meg._ Nay--don't-- Don't ask it, if you've mercy! Your highness knows I could not grant so much though lips I love Above my soul should beg that treason of me. Though they should take again those dearest words That knighted me, and now lie in my heart Like swelling seed of fortune! Let me shield His life. In saintliest trust---- [_She shudders from him_] You fear me so?

_Her._ I do! I do! You took away LeVal, And he no longer lives.

_Meg._ He does! My oath, He does!

_Her._ You spared him?

_Meg._ By my soul, he lives! But let the word sleep in your vestal ear, Until these smouldering troubles die to dust And feed the grass above them. For the State Believes LeVal is dead, nor taints me with Such treacherous clemency. See how I lay My safety and my honor in your hands? I give them, hostages for Chartrien! Ah, you should know how I will guard your trust, For when I say to you he does not live, Your eyes will slay the single, nurturing hope Of my own life!

_Her._ [_Battling_] I can not! I'm not Fate To do her awesome work.

_Meg._ We aid her most With passive hand, as Chartrien's ghost will come On mourning nights to tell you.

_Her._ Oh, I'll speak!... No, no! Ah, never, never!

_Meg._ [_Resolute, giving up his suit_] I must join The hunt. There's but one place--the cave----

_Her._ The cave!

_Meg._ Those guards are fools--or shy of water.

_Her._ Sir, What cave?

_Meg._ He's there. Your cold, uncandid calm Has babbled it. The frost is crafty that Puts out such anxious fire.

_Her._ My lord, if I Should tell you....

_Meg._ Quickly then! How canst debate So fatally, knowing delay but robs him Of venture's favor? Every moment steals A bud of chance.

_Her._ How will you take him out?

_Meg._ I'll pass the gates unchallenged. Close without, My car stands by,--a racer never spent, And begs no pause. Know he is safe, and sleep. Night will be secret, and we'll greet the sun In my Peonia----

_Her._ Ah, Peonia's far!

_Meg._ And Vardas near.

_Her._ Take these two stones, my lord. Cast them into the falls----

_Meg._ So! I was right! But you must summon him.

_Her._ So soon a tyrant?

_Meg._ I'll take him from your hands,--no other way. Your trust to me! And with my life I'll guard it! For that you love him is my means to you. Once in your heart, I'll win the throned place Though all his saints defend it!

_Her._ True, my friend, We shall be nearer, for anxiety Will draw me to you with a longing like The aching letch for morning in the eyes Pain keeps astare. You then will be the goal Of fondest question,--and from that--who knows? Out of unbroken faith, and kindly shafts 'Tween hearts disponent, bridges have been built For love's plenipotence to cross.

_Meg._ You bid Me hope?

_Her._ I do not say despair. Sometimes A presto-worker sits within the soul Of gratitude, and love that must give thanks In name of one beloved, has then been known To pass from the liege object to the heart Whose compass held them both in selfless bounds Of chivalry. And yet--I promise nothing!

_Meg._ I ask no promise but the one I find In words that so deny it. Now the thought Is born, I'll make the naked infant grow Heir of my princely opportunity. Go now. An instant may defeat us. Haste! My purse must buy a guard. [_Hernda goes off, upper right. Megario walks left and calls_] Benito! Ho! You and your fellow! [_Enter two guards_] I have work for you. You've seen my gold before. Here's more of it. Stand for my word.

[_Hernda returns with Chartrien_]

_Cha._ Gods give me time for one Wild kiss! O, Heaven! To find and lose you in One whirling breath!

_Meg._ [_His pistol at aim_] You are my prisoner.

[_Señora rushes on left_]

_Señ._ Oh, princess! Oh!

_Meg._ [_To guards_] Move on with him.

_Her._ Wait--wait----

_Meg._ No time.

_Her._ But I must tell----

_Cha._ Let fiends be dumb. You damned and double traitress, this my hand Could lay you dead!

_Meg._ [_To Hernda, who seems dazed_] My goddess, I'll be true!

[_Kisses her, and goes off, lower right, with Chartrien and guards_]

_Señ._ You let him kiss you!

_Her._ Who?

_Señ._ Megario.

_Her._ I did not know it. I am dead, I think.

[_Curtain_]