The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 69

Claris of Corinth bore me, and my flame Is joy, not anger. O, this miracle You've wrought for me!

_Ber._ I wrought?

_Ard._ 'Tis no less strange When G.o.d through his bare tool reveals his hand, Than when invisible his power stirs And makes a chasm in sense. So when you stood Before me, Bertrand's self, with yet the voice, The eyes, the heart of Vairdelan, I knew That was my miracle. O Heaven-sign At which my world grew blithe and shook May-boughs With birds in every branch!

_Ber._ You've no more fear For Charilus?

_Ard._ None, none.

Nor for myself.

_Ber._ Yourself?

_Ard._ O, seems no soul need trouble now In this vast world!

[_Re-enter Charilus and sons_]

_Bion._ You are not Vairdelan?

_Vig._ You're Bertrand, Oswald's son?

_Ber._ 'Tis true.

_Vig._ That truth Should cut your throat, and I could lend my sword For such a matter.

_Bion._ Come! What knightly plea Coats this deceit with honor?

_Ber._ None, my lord.

If I've made trespa.s.s deeper than your love Will bear me out, my hope is in your pardon.

_Bion._ A lie made you our guest, and guest you are Until we meet on Suli plain.

_Char._ My son!

_Ard._ Call you that pardon, Biondel?

_Bion._ I speak No pardon.

_Ard._ But you shall--you must. O, say it!

You know our father goes to Oswald.

_Vig._ Know That fools and women talk! The gates are sealed.

_Bion._ I'll guard the pa.s.s against my father's self If so much rudeness may make stand between His death and life.

_Char._ My sons, I thank your love, But I go down. The guards, the gates are mine, And to my will they open.

_Vig._ 'Tis that girl, That silvery Greek----

_Char._ If your quick blood must stir, Let manners grace it.

_Ard._ O, my dearest brothers, Do you not love me?

_Bion._ Better than you know.

We love you, serve you, though yourself obstruct The way to safety.

_Vig._ You would trust the man Who wrapped him in a lie to enter here?

Sat at our father's board and brake his bread To feed an enemy?

_Ber._ The bread I brake Fed friendship's heart in me, and made this roof A temple. Do you not know me, Vigard?

_Vig._ Nay, I knew a Vairdelan--you are not he.

_Bion._ If Oswald means no harm to Charilus, Let him pa.s.s on. Jerusalem awaits His savage sword.

_Char._ My son, that Oswald thus Compels me to him is to me but proof That hearts may greet above long years of hate.

In this I see Love beckoning Man across The wastrel lands of war to fields unwet With blood, to days----

_Vig._ Unhearted cowards then!

Praise Allah, we yet live where rapiers thresh The fields of men and leave the bravest standing!

Is 't not the Prophet's word that Paradise Lies 'neath the shade of swords?

_Char._ Allah be yours!

But I would walk beneath unrisen stars, Beyond hate's eyeless clouds----

_Bion._ O, spare us, sir!

Each day brings its own sun, and by that light, No other, men must walk. If this our time Be dark to you, 'tis in your vision, not In the lit heavens, from whose sh.o.r.eless depth No hook of prayer or prophecy may draw One star before its hour. Pray you be done With this moon madness. Banissat will meet The force of Oswald. With the morn he comes To seal his troth with Ardia----

_Char._ By no word Of mine. If you have given him pledge, your honor Shall dip to dust and drudge your forfeit out, Ere virgin bondage pay it. Hark, Biondel, And hear me, Vigard! I alone shall meet Earl Oswald. If the blood I shed yet cries For blood, here are the veins shall make it dumb.

_Bion._ But, sir,----

_Char._ No more. Your sister stays with you.

Regard her will, nor ope these doors unbidden To Banissat.

_Ard._ I stay? O, never think I shall not go with thee!

_Char._ You go?

_Ard._ I'm safe With thee, my father. Here....

_Vig._ Here you have brothers!

_Ard._ I mean no slight upon you, but my fate Keeps with my father.

_Char._ I should doubt the G.o.d Who bids me go if I denied you this.

Thyself art Peace, and where thou goest moves Her radiance. Make you ready. And good-night, all!

Sir Bertrand, know the sleep that fits the heart For journeying. [_Exit right, rear_]

_Vig._ [_To Ardia_] There's one will stop your way-- Prince Banissat!