The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 73

_Ber._ My compact was with Christ.

_Osw._ Why cling to one when all the rest are broken?

_Ber._ It is the one lies wholly in my choice.

_Osw._ You left your cell.

_Ber._ Do you forget 'twas you Who shook to ground my cloister walls, and locked All holy doors against me?

_Osw._ True, I did it.

And with good warrant. Broadest Christendom Upheld my right and gave me back my heir.

Small gain if you refuse to wed. My need Is not for sons but grandsons now. My boy, You'll let me see your children at my knee?

Ho, hide your face? Then there's a heart in you.

Why should I toil through blood and groans and fire To make a name my shroud will wrap with me?

_Ber._ Toil then to give this land to G.o.d, and live So long as love shall live in men.

_Osw._ Pale fame!

Have you no blood of mine? How could my fire Father this sluggish monk? There was a maid On Kidmir, Charilus' daughter, who has come In wag of him, which speaks a fearless wench,-- She taught you nothing in those moons you pa.s.sed Upon her peaks?

_Ber._ Sir?

_Osw._ When I saw her face Flash from her veil, I could have sworn Your vow was drowned in her lake-eyes, and that Her captured softness had made easy way For royal Berenice. Now you talk Out of your cowl----

_Ber._ Not so! I am a knight!

Your words have made me one! Now could I draw This sword that knows not blood----

_Osw._ I'll bout with thee For any woman. Come! Thou'lt be a man Ere long. Come, sir!

_Ber._ You've set a foot most foul Upon the flower of time!

_Osw._ It seems I've hit The mark i' the very eye.

_Ber._ The whitest thought That holds her first must shrive itself!

_Osw._ So, so!

Come, end the song. She's yours. 'Tis not the moon You cry for, take an old man's word.

_Ber._ The moon Were nearer to me!

_Osw._ Trrr-rrr-rr!

_Ber._ My lord?

_Osw._ A woman. Ask and have. I'll send her here.

This is the hour to bait you, and I'd not lose it For half of Suli.

_Ber._ Stay! I will not see her.

I dare not look upon her lest I lose Christ and myself.

_Osw._ Are you so tuned? We'll have A wedding yet.

_Ber._ Forget that word, and I Forgive you for it.

_Osw._ A wedding, prince of Suli.

This plain shall ring to Antioch.

_Ber._ Nay, father,-- And yet I thank you that your heart would make So fair a maid my bride.

_Osw._ Fair? That's no word.

She's glory's darling pearl,--the morning's eye That makes the night forgot! When you have seen her----

_Ber._ When I have seen her?

_Osw._ Ay,----

_Ber._ Do you not speak Of Ardia?

_Osw._ Ardia! G.o.ds! Wed Kidmir's trull?

Make me a doting grandsire to the heir Of Charilus? Hear it, stars! Am I the fool O' the earth? Give up my English forests, bare My purse for troops, and foot by foot fight way To Suli sands,--all this that I may set A droning dotard's line upon a throne, And be the a.s.s of chronicle? O, poison!

Well, well, I'm done. The girl is fair enough.

And you shall have her if she pleases you.

But Berenice--there's your bride, my boy!

_Ber._ Wed Berenice? With that name you save me.

By that I see the darkness coiling deep Along my bridal way. 'Twas Ardia's name That lit the path till I dared let my eyes, Though not my will, go venturing on 't.

_Osw._ My son,----

_Ber._ Never again, my father, speak to me In this night's strain. Till morning I shall pray.

And then I fast. Good-night.

_Osw._ One moment. One!

The sunrise feast? Will you not be with us?

I drink with Charilus the cup of peace.

_Ber._ And love that breaks no peace?

_Osw._ [_a.s.senting_] See how you bend me?

All that you ask I give, but you to me Yield nothing.

_Ber._ Sir, this sword, my knightly suit, And princely t.i.tle, make denial for me.

_Osw._ Your pardon. I forget you count it much To give a crust and cell for this broad kingdom.

I who have paid my heart out for a crown Must thank you now to wear it.

_Ber._ Good-night.