The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 25

_Hud._ My steps are yours. [_To his companions_]

Each where he would, my friends.

[_Goes in with Senora_]

_Dir._ I'm for a swim.

_Gol._ And I.

_Maz._ The river? With you!

_Gol._ [_Leading left_] Bolderez' men are gathering opposite, Behind the river woods.

_Maz._ The pick of camps.

_Gol._ They know it too. There's water, and the trees Are cool and friendly.

_Dir._ Was it not resolved Bolderez' men should join the Federal Guards?

_Gol._ They do, in th' main. This is a straggling wing Left in the hills, that we have given leave To station here.

_Dir._ That's prudence too.

_Maz._ Why so?

_Dir._ I'm windward of a whisper.

_Gol._ About LeVal?

_Dir._ He's circling in. Let Hudibrand laugh low Or the enemy will hear him.

_Gol._ This LeVal Was dead and buried,--three months out of life,-- Shook from remembrance as the stalest clutter,-- Now, save our eyes, he's jumped alive and rides Our foremost thought! Enough to send a man Back to his marrows. I shall pray to-night.

_Maz._ A plunge for resolution! That will cool it.

[_Exeunt lower left. Senora comes out of house and crosses to seat, right_]

_Sen._ 'Tis five o'clock. No sign! But he will come.

He comes!

[_Enter Chartrien, lower right. They meet silently and clasp hands_]

_Cha._ My friend! I thought you far from here.

Safe in the capital. But nothing's strange To those who've moved mid miracles. You've seen LeVal?

_Sen._ I have.

_Cha._ I long to greet him. O, Such walking of the dead renews the earth And makes it habitable! I have heard It was Famette who saved him,--added that To array of deeds that must unlaurel all The heroines of time.

_Sen._ There'll be an hour To talk of that. Now you must see the princess.

_Cha._ Hernda is with you? _Here!_

_Sen._ And Hudibrand.

No danger there. He wants you now, and says You'll find good gra.s.s if you will leap the stile.

_Cha._ [_Answering her smile_] So blind as that? Poor mole, he's been in th' ground Too long. Will never get his eyes.

_Sen._ Ay, he'll Deny the sun till 't bakes him in his burrow.

But Hernda,--O, what welcome waits you, friend!

The ivory-crusted temple, shut and sealed To eternal airs, is now a fane of rose, Whose cloistral stairs, that wound so futilely, Will now through fragrant twilight lead you up To windowed Heaven. Come! Come, take your own!

_Cha._ No! Wait....

_Sen._ A lover speaks that word?

_Cha._ Senora,----

_Sen._ That wound she gave you here is open yet?

But you were wrong, and with your wretched doubts a.s.sailed her in the hour she lay on rack To save you.

_Cha._ On rack for me? She gave me up.

Gave me to him,--Megario,--knowing that Meant death.

_Sen._ And yet you live.

_Cha._ I--?

_Sen._ Live. Do you not know You were to die that night?

_Cha._ I've heard.

_Sen._ Those hours She gained for you meant life.

_Cha._ She gained for me?

I saw his lips on hers.

_Sen._ You did. And I-- I saw her face. The dead are warmer. She Could bear that touch for your sake, and on that Bore too your curse.

_Cha._ For me? I'll hear no more, Senora.

_Sen._ You will see her now?

_Cha._ Not now, Nor ever. I am here by pledge, to meet-- A friend.

[_Masio enters lower right_]

_Sen._ Is this--the man?

_Cha._ No, but I know him.

He's seeking me, I think.