Martha Part 10

(_The ladies turn back towards_ NANCY.)

NAN. Here is game for you, girls. Let's see how he will like your spears!

(_Ladies surround_ PLUNKET _and threaten him_.)

CHORUS (_speaking all together_). We'll give him a taste of our spear points! He won't bother her long! At him, now! There's safety in numbers! (_Repeating._)

PLUN. Gently, gently--Hold on! This is turning the tables in good earnest. Ouch!!! Those remarks are a little too pointed for me.

(_Dodges._) I never expected to see myself run from a woman, but here goes! (_He runs off, the ladies after him, shouting incoherently, as above._ NANCY _enters inn_.)

(_Enter_ LIONEL. _He looks more absent-minded and dreamy than ever.

He seems dejected and ill. Murmurs to himself._)

LIO. I will detach thee from thy frail trembling stem. O thou lovely rose of summer, thou shalt lie upon my heart, forever more! (_Takes withered flower from his breast and kisses it, then looks around him._)

Where am I? I feel that I am near her. Martha, Martha! thou star of my heart! I see her before me, with her beautiful pure smile, radiant in youth and sweetness. O Martha, I feel thee near! (_Sings._)

NO. 16.

LIO. O, when she rose fair on my sight, Radiant, lovely, like dawning light, Flow'd all my heart forth to her own, Tribute to beauty bright.

Joy reviv'd and my thought Sang like woodlands after rain, Hope for me shone again, Lighting all my hours of pain.

Gladness made all my heart Bright as meadows pearl'd with dew, For I dream'd love's sweet dream Ever old, yet young like dawn And ever new!

O, when she rose, fair on my sight, etc.

Martha, Martha, must I lose thee, Life has naught can peace restore!

Thou, my comfort, peace and pleasure, Reft of thy sweet looks I die!

(_At the close of his song_ LIONEL _goes to the back of stage and stands alone_. SIR TRISTAN _and_ LADY HARRIET _enter_.)

TRIS. The ladies are all out of sight. Why did you leave their company, fair cousin?

LADY H. (_pointedly_). Because I wished to be alone!

TRISTAN. To remain alone--with me?

LADY H. With you?--(_laughs a little_) Alone or with you--it's quite the same thing!--I am low-spirited, that is what I mean.

I don't want to see anybody.

TRIS. What should make you so sad?

LADY H. I am sure I know no more than you about it. It is a mystery even to myself.

TRIS. But to remain alone in this secluded spot--is it quite--er--you know--

LADY H. But it is exactly what I want. Good bye!

TRIS. But I will soon return--soon--soon--(_looks back anxiously as he goes_)

LADY H. Oh, it is so good to be alone, with only my sad memories for company! But if _he_ were only here--this loneliness were sweet.

LIO. (_wanders down stage and sees her_). Ah! that voice!

LADY H. Oh, heaven--what do I see?--

LIONEL. A lady?--

LADY H. He is here, then--even as I said!

LIO. 'Tis she--even as I said--Martha, Martha!

LADY H. O, what shall I do now? How shall I elude him?--

LIO. O, Martha, you have come back to me--O, thank heaven, thank heaven! It is Martha, her very self--Martha, who ran away from me!

LADY H. O, how can I bear it! what a tragedy is this! To find--again--and to lose!

LIO. Before mine eyes beheld thee, my heart recognized thee--

LADY H. Recognized me? Surely you are mistaken, sir!

LIO. No! Every line of your face is graven on my heart. I cannot be wrong. It is Martha's voice that I hear. There can be no mistake.

LADY H. You are dreaming!

LIO. If this be a dream, O let me never awake from it! Ah, I would dream thus forever. Disturb not so sweet a slumber!

LADY H. O go, I beg you go!

LIO. No, no. In my dream let me take your hand, as I did once--do you remember? Let me kiss it--thus--to tell my love.

LADY H. I can no longer tolerate such gross impertinence. Will you go, sir?

LIO. Wherefore this pretence? Why do you disown me?

LADY H. Hence, peasant clown--begone!

LIO. I, a peasant? I, your master? Patience is thrown away on you!

I have been too gentle. Now I _command_ you to come instantly with me! (_Takes her arm._)

LADY H. Tristan--help, help!

(TRISTAN _comes hurrying in, afterward followed by the others_.)

TRIS. What has alarmed you? Speak!

LADY H. Help me--save me from that fellow!

TRIS. Who dares to--