One-Act Plays Part 71

GUIDO.

Aye, him. There had he stopped to rest, being spent; And round him came the birds, beating their wings Upon his cloak and lighting on his arm.

I saw him smile on them and heard him speak!

"My brother birds, little brothers, ye should love G.o.d Who gave you your wings and your bright songs and spread The soft air for you." He stroked their necks And blessed them. And then I saw his eyes.

"Father," I cried, "speak thou to me, I faint Beside my way!"

LISETTA.

Aye, and he said? Guido, what said he?

GUIDO.

"Thou art as one that lieth at the gate Of Paradise and entereth not. For G.o.d Hath given thee thy soul for its own life, And not for glory among men."

LISETTA.

Guido!

GUIDO.

Lisetta, from his kind eyes I drank, and knew How G.o.d had magnified my soul through him, And sent me peace. And I returned to thee; For here in thee have I my glory.

LISETTA.

Guido, the old spring comes back again. And now I may speak. Guido, look through my window vines there Where the stars rise. O Love, I have not slept For lacking thee. And often have I seen The moonlight lie like sleep upon the hill, And in the garden of the sky the moon Drift like a blown rose, Guido, and yet I might not speak.

GUIDO.

Thou art my saint and shrine!

LISETTA.

Now shall my dream become thy song again, And the long twilight be more sweet, Guido!

GUIDO.

I pray thee rest thee now and sleep. Good-night.

My full heart breaks in song; and I will sit Hearing the blessed saints within my soul, And will not stir from thee lest thou shouldst wake When I might not be near to serve thy need.

[_The shepherd pipe far-off and faint is heard playing._]

[THE CURTAIN.]

THE MASQUE OF THE TWO STRANGERS[50]

By LADY ALIX EGERTON

[Footnote 50: Reprinted by special arrangement with Gowans & Gray. Ltd., Glasgow. The acting rights are reserved.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Costumes for _The Masque of the Two Strangers_ designed at the Washington Irving High School.]

Between the Lady Alice Egerton, who acted in the masque of _Comus_, which Milton composed for presentation before John, earl of Bridgewater, then President of Wales, and the Lady Alix Egerton, author of _The Masque of the Two Strangers_, lie three hundred years; but throughout these centuries the descendants of the first earl of Bridgewater have cherished consistently the great traditions of English literature. The family has owned for many generations the Ellesmere Chaucer and the Bridgewater ma.n.u.script of _Comus_, both of which have recently been edited by the twentieth century Lady Alix Egerton.

Her _The Masque of the Two Strangers_ here reprinted was given at the Washington Irving High School in March, 1921. The designs for the costumes used in this production are here ill.u.s.trated. The following notes will help the reader to reconstruct the costumes from the pictures:

I. _The Princess_ White soft material.

Spangled tr.i.m.m.i.n.g.

Mantle of blue.

Veil of blue net.

Hennin (head dress) in silver.

II. _Hope_ Gla.s.s ball.

Lavender under slip.

Veil of rose pink.

III. _Joy_ Draping of orange yellow.

Flowers of various colors.

Vermilion scarf.

IV. _Love_ Long, full cape of deep purple; cowl falling back.

Cerise costume.

Silver surcoat and helmet.

V. _Laughter_ Yellow and black.

Tr.i.m.m.i.n.g of bells.

VI. _Poetry_ Light green with silver; paper design on border.

VII. _Song_ Robe dyed in rainbow hues.

Silver wings.

VIII. _Dance_ Vermilion.

IX. _Power_ Bright blue.

Gems.

Gilt headpiece jeweled.

Mantle and sash of purple.

X. _Fame_ Robe of deep green.

Gold border.

Laurel leaves on gold crown.

XI. _Riches_ Knight's close-fitting short coat of henna.

(Flannel dyed to represent felt or leather.) Gold lacings; gold paper design on coat; gold and henna helmet.