Semiramis and Other Plays Part 38

O love, you shall be mistress of a land The fairest ever smiled up to the sun!

What say you, Charles? Does not this hour repay Even the sacrifice of Miramar?

Car. (Smiling) Nay, he longs still for the old nooks and books.

Char. Let me admit it. This mistress Pleasure, sir, Though she is fair is not so wondrous fair As G.o.ddess Knowledge. Beautiful as bride To her lord's eye is she to worshippers, Who seek and woo her till she yieldeth up Her locked virginity--the Truth!

Max. (Affectionately) Ay, Charles, Get knowledge if thou canst, and yet despair not, For none so poor but virtue may be his; And though your knowledge is earth's silver key That opens man's and nature's heart, 'Tis golden virtue opens Heaven and shows The G.o.d among his stars.... But, come, dear friends!

Pleasure is a true G.o.ddess too. We'll show Her fair respect.

(All go into theatre but Charles, who drops back unnoticed)

Char. He constantly unmasks me And knows it not. Knowledge! 'Tis withered leaves Amid a world of dewy boughs! Knowledge!

To one school will I go--one book I'll read, The school of love, the page of woman's eye, And I'll know more than sages and divines Who study stars and Scripture!...

'For none so poor but virtue may be his'

O n.o.ble soul, had I been true to thee I now could open thy deceived eyes.

Crime seals my lips. I can but pray This empire built on blood may stand. We are The creatures of our deeds, more bound to them Than slave to master, for the terms of service Are fast indentured in the soul and know No razure!... But I will find Aseffa! Then, Though sin should set a darkness on my life To draw each night out to a winter's length That constant storms from sallow leaf to green, Still love's sweet lamp shall light me! In my heart 'T will be as day!

(Enter Aseffa veiled, her dress covered with a black cloak. An attendant following. She tries to cross over to side entrance of theatre. A guard stops her)

Asef. I am a singer.

Guard. Show Your pa.s.s.

Asef. Here, sir.

(Guard signs for her to pa.s.s on. She sees Charles and stops. Steps before him, throwing back her veil)

Asef. You swore to save him!

Char. You!

Aseffa! Blest--

Asef. You swore it!

Char. And would have died To keep my oath could I have kept it dying.

Asef. The Emperor refused you? (He bows his head) Demon! Oh!

(Turns to go, moaning)

Char. (Aside) I lose her!... Stay! Is there no hope for grief?

Asef. Not mine! Can you not read it here?

Char. Too well.

Thy sorrow is a veil through which thy beauty Burns like a shrouded sun.

Asef. You pity me?

Char. As Heaven knows!

Asef. Then you will help me, sir?

Char. I'll give my life to do it!

Asef. Ah, you will?

Then get me access to the Emperor.

Char. O sweet Aseffa, you ask a miracle, And I am sadly mortal.

Asef. I knew! I knew!

My misery is your plaything!

Char. His ministers So hedge him with their care--

Asef. O spare excuse!

But I shall see him, sir! Ay, face to face!

Char. Why would you see him? He can not call the dead.

Asef. The dead! Thou hast but daggers for me! Ah!

Char. Aseffa--

Asef. Yes, I'll see him! What think you?

Should I go shouting 'murderer' through that hall, Would he arise and answer to his name?

Char. You're mad, Aseffa!

Asef. Thank Heaven I am! 'T would be The shame of woman to know all that I know And not be mad!

Char. You must not go in there.

Asef. (Fiercely) Must not!

(Suddenly calm) Nay, sir! Why see, I go to sing A welcome to the n.o.ble Emperor. (Throws back her cloak) As this dark cloak now hides my gay apparel, So shall my gay demeanor hide my woe.

Char. You would not harm the Emperor?

Asef. No need!

Yon moon is worshipped for her borrowed gold, Though charred and cold without a leaf to dower Her black sterility. So Maximilian.

Napoleon's favor is the sun that gilds His worthless crown. But now the French are going--

Char. What?

Asef. Ah! The French are going.

Char. No!

Asef. And Maximilian shall fade to air, Unheeded as the moon no eye could find Without her sun!