The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 18

_A Voice._ Will she come?

_Fam._ To such as you? With heads hung down, and backs Bared for the whip? The moment that you hold Your manhood dearer than your life, she'll stand Before you. Then you'll see----

_Mas._ For G.o.d's sake, hush!

The master!

_Ben._ [_As all look left_] No, it's Coquriez.

_Gon._ With his Gringo.

[_Coquriez enters with Chartrien. They cross right_]

_Cha._ Leave me alone.

_Coq._ My soul, am I not sick Of your dumb lordship? Now the master's here, I hope, by Jesu, that our ways will part.

[_Turns and joins the men, leaving Chartrien seated on the stone step of one of the doors to the long hut, right. Megario enters unseen and stands watching, left. They gradually become aware of his presence, and all are silent_]

_Meg._ Coquriez!

_Coq._ [_Crossing left_] Here, sir!

[_The tension relaxes slightly. Lissa and Ysobel quietly distribute food and the men eat in silence. Famette keeps in shadow, a shawl over her head, and vainly tries to hear what Megario and Coquriez are saying. They talk in low tones at left, then more centre, front_]

_Coq._ Shoot the Gringo, sir?

I thought he was to live.

_Meg._ It must be done To-morrow.

_Coq._ I'll do it.

_Meg._ Take him on the road, And don't come back with him.

_Coq._ To-morrow, sir?

_Meg._ At day-break. Drop him cold. I was a fool To let him live a day!

[_Famette has advanced too far and Megario sees her_]

Who's that?

_Coq._ There? Oh!

I bought her in last week.

_Meg._ The day I left?

_Coq._ I think 'twas then.

_Meg._ An old one,--so you said.

_Coq._ About the Gringo, sir,----

_Meg._ What is her name?

_Coq._ Famette.

[_Famette goes back to the women_]

_Meg._ A figure too.

_Coq._ It's not so easy To drop a white-skin----

_Meg._ Come, Famette! Come here.

[_She turns and comes slowly_]

Old? By the G.o.ds! Why did you lie to me?

_Coq._ My lord ... you like none past fourteen.

She's that Half over.

_Meg._ Brazen devil! Come, Famette.

I like your name. I like your face too, girl.

Don't be afraid. Show me your eyes. You won't?

Where have I seen you?

_Fam._ I'm a stranger, sir.

My home was in the north.

_Meg._ That fester-spot!

A stranger? Then we must be good to you.

Where do you sleep?

_Fam._ There, in the hut.

_Meg._ You'll have A better soon. Next time I'll see your eyes. [_Going_]

Mind, Coquriez, to-morrow! Do that well, I'll pardon this. [_Exit_]

_Fam._ What is 't you do to-morrow?

And why do you need pardon? You who serve So well?

_Coq._ My pretty bird, I've been too slow.

_Fam._ Too slow?

_Coq._ I've limped, and lost.

_Fam._ Ah, Coquriez!

_Coq._ You're not afraid of _me_. You look at me, And turned from him. That's honey on his curse!

_Fam._ He curses you? And you do all for him!

All that he asks you,--things he dares not do With his own hand.