The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 30

_Cha._ And left you there!

How can you think it?

_Her._ Do I, sir? Nay, love, Nor ever did. I knew you'd ruin all With your big "won'ts" and "don'ts."

_Cha._ O, sagest heart!

But here you kept my joy-gates shut so long.

Why such slow mercy, golden one?

_Her._ You'll hear it?

There is a teasing devil in me, Chartrien, That must have play.

_Cha._ Ah, no!

_Her._ Ay, and an ounce Or so of cruelty, that would not let Your frailty go unpinched.

_Cha._ Nay, 'tis not so!

_Her._ You'd rather think I put to royal test Your G.o.dship? Wooed with lips so near your own, And found you stanch to honor? That may be, But I've a shameless reason dearer still.

I wanted all your love for Hernda,--all.

And had I said too soon that we were one, Then on your breast my heart had never known Which maid you clasped.

_Cha._ You ever, sweet!

_Her._ Yet she Is dear. My joy could never be content Within your heart beside unfaith to her.

She must have room there, not in name of love, But truth. So you shall hold us both.

_Cha._ Like this?

Grow to my heart, O garland of myself!

Be breath of me, till, like a double tree, Root, sap, and bloom are one, And in our n.o.ble fruiting Time forgets To mourn Hesperides!

_Her._ Heaven hold thy wish The prayer thou meanest it!

_Cha._ One bliss is man's The perfect angels know not. In the arms, Warm, rhythmic, round his battling soul, to feel Spur of his n.o.blest blood, and know his dreams Are mated,--find in lightest winds that stir Love's tremulous hair, the brave wing of his hope That needs go farthest,--and when seasons fail, And weary spirit turns from waste to waste, Know lips that he may touch and touching kiss The fallow world to harvest. Thus, and thus!

[_Hudibrand, forgotten by the lovers, has fought through another moment of agony, and advances, taking hold of Hernda_]

_Hud._ Are you my daughter?

_Her._ I am, but I've known hours When shame, a cleansing fire, searched through my blood For any drop that owned you father.

_Hud._ In!

Go in! [_To Chartrien_] And you--I'll rid the earth of you, And take its thanks! [_Staggers with a return of pain_]

_Her._ [_Her arms about him_] O, father, let us help!

What is it, father?

_Hud._ Nothing. Keep away!

Away!

[_Throws her off. Enter, lower right, an officer attended_]

_Off._ Your majesty, there's sure report LeVal makes ready to oppose his guns To our weak garrison.

_Hud._ [_Ironic_] The spectre's near?

_Off._ Across the stream,--the east and wooded bank.

A hundred times our force could not dislodge His guns from such a vantage.

_Hud._ Guns? LeVal?

He has no guns!

_Off._ You'll hear them soon. I beg Your highness' pardon, but your dignity Would not be touched if you should hasten out.

[_Enter, lower left, Golifet, Diraz, Mazaran_]

_Gol._ My lord!

_Hud._ What is this tale? You, Golifet?

You are in charge!

_Gol._ 'Tis treachery, sir! I warned Your majesty----

_Hud._ Come, what's the story?

_Gol._ This.

Bolderez' officers whom we gave leave To station near us, thus to put more guard Between the town and rebels that might creep Down from the hostile hills----

_Hud._ This egg's all sh.e.l.l.

Come, sir, the meat!

_Gol._ They were in secret yoked Most traitorously with LeVal, and all their men Were coupled to his cause. They gave him cover To lead his army up----

_Hud._ His army, sir?

_Gol._ His followers----

_Hud._ There may be treachery Uncapped among us.

_Gol._ 'Twas by your advice We gave them leave to camp----

_Hud._ I trusted fools!

Or traitors! You've a choice of names.

_Off._ I beg Your majesty to come with us. They'll fire At any moment.

_Hud._ Fire? Then we shall know At last where we may find LeVal. You've wired To Vardas, Golifet? He must despatch The Federal Guards----

_Gol._ It is too late.