Chapter III: Front Matter (3)

_Ph._ Indeed I will.
Is there no news of Margaret?

_Liv._ Not a word. [_Exit Philip._
She knows I am here, no doubt: but when she hears
Of Manuel’s death she must return.—I think
That when her brother lived to do his worst,
My suit had fairer chance.

_Enter Blasco._

Well, count, what news?

_BLASCO._

Excellent.—Manuel was drowned, drowned like a dog.
I have seen the captain of the ship that ’scaped. 1910
He tells that, putting forth at night, they kept
Their course till dawn, when in a fog they drave
On the French fleet, some two-and-twenty sail.
Of our five vessels three were taken: one,
His own, escaped, and the other—that’s the one
On which sailed Manuel—by a tall ship,
Which flew the admiral’s pennon, was run down,
And sunk in sight.

_Liv._ The news will please my father,
As it doth thee. For me ’tis ruin: my hope
I might please Margaret working for her brother 1920
Is gone. Now will she hate me more than ever.

_Bl._ You never could have won her while he lived.

_Liv._ Well, take these papers. There are here the orders
For the execution of Palicio
To-morrow, in the public square, at noon.
See them in proper hands. They need a seal.

_Bl._ ’Twill be a pleasure. ’Twas the kindest freak,
This self-surrender.

_Liv._ He was strangely dashed,
Looking for Manuel, to find me here.

_Bl._ He’ll find that friend no more.

_Liv._ Take them and go. 1930
And for the present, count, avoid the duke:
He is angry with thee. [_Exit Blasco._

I shall not leave this house
Till I be sure Margaret means not to come.
The unkindest tempers are broke down by grief:
And since she cannot blame me, she may find
Comfort in my compassion,—ay, and thank me
For some consideration.—She will see
I have put on black, and set the house in mourning,
Have ordered mass, have had his room shut up ...
Is there now nothing more? Why, who is this? 1940

_Enter Margaret, throwing off a veil._

_MARGARET._

Livio! thou here! Where is my brother?

_Liv._ Oh!
Margaret!

_Mar._ Where is my brother? I am come
To speak with him. Where is he?

_Liv._ Hast thou heard nothing?

_Mar._ Heard what? Where is he?

_Liv._ O, if thou knowest not ..

_Mar._ What is it? speak. Why is the house in black?
What means it? say.

_Liv._ Nay, let it not be me
To tell thee.

_Mar._ Thinkest thou my fancy’s horror
Is gentler than thy bluntest tale? Speak quickly.

_Liv._ ’Twas on his own confession of connivance
In John Palicio’s shelter and escape, 1950
My father put him from his place, and sent him
To answer to this charge before the king.
He sailed two nights ago. The ship ...

_Mar._ Go on, sir!

_Liv._ Our ships fell in with the enemy, and all
But two were captured, one on which he sailed,
And one which brought the news.

_Mar._ And Manuel’s ship?

_Liv._ ’Tis said the ship on which he sailed was sunk.

_Mar._ (_falling on a chair_). Sunk, say you, and he?...

_Liv._ My sister at the tidings straight fell ill,
And her mind wanders. Bear a braver heart. 1960

_Mar._ O, fatal day. ’Tis I, ’tis I have done it.—
And did none see him?

_Liv._ Margaret, dearest Margaret,
Take courage. I have shared thy sorrow, Margaret:
Cannot I comfort thee? O, sweetest Margaret,
Thou dost not know my love.

_Mar._ (_standing, and showing the dagger_). Away! away!

_Liv._ Nay, wherefore treat me thus?

_Mar._ Is this an hour
To force thy love upon me?

_Liv._ Margaret,
Hast thou no pity?

_Mar._ Think if I have pity
To spend on thee.

_Liv._ If thou wouldst slay me, Margaret,
Thou need’st no dagger.

_Mar._ Sir, stand back, I say: 1970
And first tell plainly what thou knowest. One ship
Of three escaped?

_Liv._ The hindmost ’twas, that fled ...

_Mar._ And brought the tidings?

_Liv._ Ay.

_Mar._ And was none saved
Out of the ship which sunk?

_Liv._ I know not.

_Mar._ Know’st not?
There’s hope, thank God. And thou!—Why, if in thy heart
Lurked the least feeling, ’twould have shewn this side,
Not leapt to the worst ... Come, sir, I’ll keep this sorrow:
’Tis not with thee I’d share my fear for Manuel ...
Nor any other; tho’ my need compels me,
If thou’rt the man sits in his place.

_Liv._ I am. 1980

_Mar._ He would have aided me.

_Liv._ But I will aid thee
More than a brother. Thou canst ask no favour
I will not grant.

_Mar._ Sir, I shall ask no favour:
Nor aught but what it is thy part to grant,
Unless it be promise of secrecy.

_Liv._ O, but one secret with thee! there’s no jewel
In all the world I would esteem as that.

_Mar._ Where’s Giovanni Palicio, sir?

_Liv._ Palicio!

_Mar._ Ay, he’s my kinsman.

_Liv._ He is in the palace dungeon,
Awaiting death.

_Mar._ He’s my near kinsman, Livio, 1990
And must not die: and, being condemned to die,
I, as his kinswoman, desire a pass
To visit him in prison when I choose. [_Livio writes._
My purpose with him is to extort a pledge
That he will leave the country, on which condition
I look for his release.

_Liv._ Here is the order.
And use it as thou wilt.

_Mar._ (_taking_). I thank you for it.

_Liv._ If ’tis so near thee he go quit, what means
Better than mine to work it?

_Mar._ I have means.

_Liv._ With whom?

_Mar._ I have the means.

_Liv._ Believe it not. 2000
There’s none could win this favour of my father.
Hath not his cry been _Death to Hugo_?
He’s more than rebel. There’s a private hate
Which makes his sentence grateful.

_Mar._ I have means.

_Liv._ ’Twere easier wouldst thou trust me. See, ’tis done
Without more words. Margaret, I’ll risk this thing
For thee. Palicio shall escape to Spain,
To Naples, where thou wilt, if thou ...

_Mar._ If what?

_Liv._ Margaret, accept my love.

_Mar._ O, Livio,
I am too sad to be angry with thee now. 2010
But know if ever thou wouldst merit love
By generosity, thou must not beg
A bargain. ’Do this and I’ll love thee,’ ay,
That may be said, but not ’I’ll do this thing
If thou wilt love me’: and thou, Livio,
A chief justiciary!

_Re-enter Blasco._

_Liv._ Hush, I pray thee!

_Bl._ The lady Margaret! We are very happy
In this return.

_Mar._ (_aside to Blasco_). What hadst thou of Palicio?

_Bl._ Ha! Sayst thou?...

_Mar._ (_aside_). Meet me at the palace, count.
I have thy letter. (_To Liv._) I see there is no place here 2020
In my house for me. I have still a hope, and in it
Shall fortify my comfort ... If aught is heard
I shall be with thy sister. Thou and Blasco
May serve me if ye will. [_Exit._

_Liv._ What said she to you?

_Bl._ Art not thou too accustomed to her wit?
I bring ill news. Thy sister still is worse,
And calls for thee, and Rosso thinks ’tis well
That thou shouldst go.

_Liv._ Bide thou here in my place ...

_Bl._ Nay, I must go with thee. [_Exeunt._

SCENE · 2

_A public place. MANUEL disguised as a friar meeting ROSSO._

_MANUEL._

’Tis doctor Rosso.

_ROSSO._

At your service, father. 2030

_Man._ May I speak with thee?

_Ros._ With pleasure.

_Man._ Stand we aside.
Hast thou forgotten me?

_Ros._ Nay, for I think
I have never seen thee ... or I ask thy pardon.

_Man._ Now thou shouldst know me well.

_Ros._ Thy voice I think
I do remember.

_Man._ (_discovering_). Do you know me now?

_Ros._ Manuel! Thank God!

_Man._ Is it a good disguise?

_Ros._ Metamorphosis ... if indeed ’tis thou,
In such a husk. Then thou’rt nót drowned!

_Man._ Indeed,
There was a time when I had some fear to be;
But how came you to know it?

_Ros._ Of the ships 2040
One returned home with news that thine was sunk.
Was not that true?

_Man._ Ay, ay,

_Ros._ How didst thou ’scape?

_Man._ I took my only chance, leapt overboard
And swam to the enemy. By heavenly fortune
The ship that ran us down was Raymond’s, he
Who served so long with us. I had left my foes
To find old friends: and when the fight was o’er,
I told him in what hapless case I stood,
And promising to hold myself no less
His prisoner, and surrender to his master 2050
At Naples if need were, I bade him land me
By night at Cefaledi; there arrived,
By the good sailor friars I was clad
In the disguise you see, and came in speed
To look to matters here.

_Ros._ There is great need.

_Man._ Ay, my affairs with Constance?

_Ros._ I grieve to tell
Constance is lying ill.

_Man._ She is in your hands?

_Ros._ Ay.

_Man._ Doth she doubt of me?

_Ros._ At your committal
A fever must have seized her. Then your death,
Which should have been concealed, was urged upon her, 2060
In countenance of duke Philip’s suit ...

_Man._ How? Philip!

_Ros._ Did you not guess?

_Man._ Is’t possible?

_Ros._ At that
Her mind gave way: ’tis question of her life.

_Man._ I bring the medicine to work her cure.
Is’t not enough?

_Ros._ I trust so.

_Man._ And I think it.
How blind I have been! I trusted Philip, and he
Was playing against me. Time will right me, Rosso,
In this as in the other. Patience. And what
Of your affairs ...

_Ros._ How mine?

_Man._ Your love affairs.

_Ros._ My love affairs?

_Man._ Ay,—Margaret.

_Ros._ Margaret? 2070

_Man._ Can I be wrong? Her head was turned the day
She brought you to Palicio.

_Ros._ O, Manuel,
This makes it sure.

_Man._ Yes, and I’m glad of it.

_Ros._ Nay, nay: pray hear me. On the very day
Palicio left your house, she went, ’twas said,
To Monreale: there she hath not been seen.
Was’t to Palicio?

_Man._ Now, please God, thou’rt wrong.
Say, where is he?

_Ros._ Stranger than all, he has made
Surrender of himself to Livio,
Our new justiciary, and awaits his death 2080
In Hugo’s dungeon.

_Man._ How! And Margaret?

_Ros._ She hath now this morn returned, full of distraction
As well might be, but firm beyond her wont.
She is in the palace, where she nurses Constance
With the cool skill of one that hath his stake
Ventured elsewhere ...

_Mar._ Good God! Now if thou’rt right,
Rosso, this matter needs me more than the other.
Thank heaven I am here. Constance is in thy hands:
Thou hast her cure. Yet use it with discretion,
Knowing my hazard. I shall visit at once 2090
The archbishop; he will stand my friend, and give me
Commission in the habit of a priest
To see Palicio. Nay, there’s not a moment
To lose. Thou mayst contrive that Constance too
Should send for me; maybe I thus might see her.
Farewell. I go, yet must I take a name;
Let it be Thomas, father Thomas. To-night
Can I rest at thy house?

_Ros._ I pray you will.

_Man._ An hour hence couldst thou meet me there?

_Ros._ I will.
God speed you.

_Man._ O, Rosso, Rosso, I fear thou’rt right ...

[_Exit._

_Ros._ Ay, ay. I’m right. Alas for Manuel. 2101
’Tis almost pity he is escaped from death.
I would tell Constance, but her throbbing brain
Hath no interpreter, and in her ear
All words are meaningless, or mean alike
Something insane, which in her eager dreaming
Steals the world’s place. I have no power to tell.

[_Exit._

SCENE · 3

_Room in the Palace. HUGO and PHILIP meeting._

_HUGO._

No cheer. Thy questioning looks may not be answer’d
With any brightness, duke: and yet take heart.
The fever of our climate is in the onset 2110
Oft overmasked as this. ’Twill clear and pass.
’Twere quite incredible she should so sicken
Of mere affection. The compacted body
Hath its machinery for health and action,
Its appetites for food and rest, too firm
To be unfixed by fancy. Like a river
Our life flows on, whose surface storms may vex,
But never move the current from its bed.

_PHILIP._

I heartily repent my part in this.
I wronged poor Manuel.

_Hu._ Now thou wrong’st me. 2120
Him being dead thou canst not wrong. ’Tis plain
The objection falls. If once there was a motive
That might have stayed thee ...

_Ph._ Nay, upbraid me not.

_Hu._ How, I upbraid thee?

_Ph._ That I pressed my suit.

_Hu._ Rather for slackness in it.

_Ph._ If she recover
’Tis all I pray for.

_Hu._ Not so. This will pass.
’Twill be forgotten. All will be forgotten.
Look but on Margaret, doth her brother’s death
Craze her?

_Ph._ Indeed, I think she is nigh distracted;
And if she bear up better there’s a reason: 2130
She hath a comforter. Nay, I may tell you
I saw your doctor here take her aside,
And when he spoke, her face of woe lit up.
She loves him. ’Twas a match that Manuel wished.

_Hu._ Nay, nay! what! Rosso, the apothecary!

_Enter Livio and Blasco._

Ah, Livio; Constance calls thy name, ’tis hoped
That she may know thee.

_LIVIO._

Is she better, sire?

_Hu._ Nay: but she asked for thee, and Rosso said
Thou shouldst be sent for. Come within.

_Ph._ May I
Far as the door?

_Hu._ Ay, come.

_BLASCO_ (_aside to Liv._).

Tell Margaret, 2140
Who hath some matter for me, that I am here.

[_Exeunt Hugo and Livio._

_Ph._ Count, thou hast lied to me. If that suffice
To raise thy temper, meet me when thou wilt:
If not, and Constance die, I’ll use thee worse. [_Exit._

_Bl._ Ay, ay. No doubt there may be danger for me
Even from that quarter: but I have a foe
That threats me more. How came she by the letter?
Only Palicio and his messenger
Could know ’twas mine.

_Enter Margaret._

_MARGARET._

’Tis business with thee, count:
Therefore few words. I have thy treasonous letter
And other proofs, which I shall bring against thee
Unless thou do my bidding.

_Bl._ What is that, 2152
My lady Peremptory? speak thy will.

_Mar._ Attend. Palicio is condemned to die
At noon to-morrow. I require that thou
Contrive that he escape, ay, and go clear
Three hours before that time.

_Bl._ Impossible.

_Mar._ ’Tis not so, count. For Livio had promised me
The very thing; but since his price exceeds
What I need pay to thee ...

_Bl._ My price, how mean you? 2160

_Mar._ I will give back thy letter to thy hands,
And promise secrecy in every matter
I had against thee.

_Bl._ Give me now the letter,
And I will do it.

_Mar._ Nay. Thou’lt do it first.

_Bl._ Then say that if at nine to-morrow morn
I have a friendly guard—

_Mar._ Keep to that hour:
’Twill do. I shall be there to see it done.
I’ll bring the letter with me. I can provide
His further safety. If thou fail, the enquiry,
Which I can set on foot, delays his death, 2170
Till I find other means.

_Bl._ But still I see not
My own security.

_Mar._ Thou hast my promise:
And thy security is only this,
To keep to thine. I go. Remember, nine. [_Exit._

_Bl._ Wheu! wheu! Who hath the secret now? Indeed,
I see this dainty lady hath a lover
We little dreamed of. Therefore was he housed
With Manuel. O, Giovann Palicio:
Thus Livio’s rival. And thou blab of me
To mistress Margaret, dost thou? well, well, well!
I’ll see thee die for that. Die now thou must. 2181
I have, sir, but to tell this tale in the ear
Of the chief justiciary, and I am saved.

_Re-enter Livio._

Livio, thou hast a rival.

_Liv._ I know.

_Bl._ Thou knowest?

_Liv._ My father saith Margaret will marry Rosso.

_Bl._ Rosso! Rosso be hanged! ’Tis John Palicio.

_Liv._ Palicio!

_Bl._ Yes, Palicio.

_Liv._ Nay.

_Bl._ I’ll tell thee.
Hark.—Was he not concealed in Manuel’s house?

_Liv._ Well?

_Bl._ And escaping from his house by night,
The next day where was Margaret?

_Liv._ Ah!

_Bl._ And then 2190
’Twas she betrayed the rebels.

_Liv._ Eh!

_Bl._ We traced
The little book to her servant.

_Liv._ That’s against it.

_Bl._ Nay: it explains why all the names were there,
Only not his.

_Liv._ But then ... nay, why should he
Surrender?

_Bl._ That’s but madness any way.
But now she comes demanding his deliverance.

_Liv._ Ay, she doth. O, the villain! he shall die.

_Bl._ He shall; but hark, I have promised Margaret
To set Palicio free at nine to-morrow.
Say that we go together. Margaret comes 2200
To see her lover freed. Her we will take
And keep confined until his execution;
Which for our purpose may be hurried on.
Or if ...

_Liv._ Stay; why this promise? In the course
Of justice he must die.

_Bl._ Not so. My promise
To set him free was made for two good reasons.
First hearing thou hadst offered her the like:
Next for the knowledge that on my refusal
She could find other means. Beside all which
She bargains to restore me certain letters 2210
I sent her years ago, which I confess
I am now ashamed of: (_aside._)—Any lie will serve
To smooth this idiot.—These she brings with her,
And I can take them from her. My object gained
I hand her o’er to thee. For all her scorns
Repay her as thou wilt.

_Liv._ I fear her.

_Bl._ Nay,
I can secure thee. Come. [_Exeunt._

SCENE · 4

_Dungeon of the Palace. PALICIO discovered. A door at back of prison
is_ L. _of centre_.

_PALICIO._

I cannot think of death. Imagination
Is barren on that point, and hath no picture;—
To be so near should better prick the fancy.— 2220
I see a grave—but stand beside the grave ...
Nothing.—And yet I am so near.—I judge
From this how dizzily deep rides the division
’Twixt this world and the next; tho’ in Time’s face
’Tis thin, ay, more invisibly sharp than is
The axe’s edge, which makes it.—Is our life’s stuff
So different? All the joys and hopes of earth
Wrought of too coarse a fibre to invest
An inkling of that other unseen world,
Which hath this only entrance? Wherefore my mind
Wanders in wasteful contemplation back 2231
O’er what I have done, pitifully seeking
To wear renewed the robe of those proud deeds,
To dream again her disappointed dreams;
And over all is Margaret, ever Margaret;
Floating before these vain soul-treacherous eyes,—
My tempter and tormentor.

_Enter Gaoler._

_GAOLER._

A priest sent from the archbishop. Shall he enter?

_Pal._ Yea: bid him enter. But I pray thee now,
Thou execrable minion of that devil 2240
Who sucks our people’s blood, come not thyself:
Each time I see thee I must wish to kill thee.
Thou art my soul’s last peril. Keep away.

_Gaoler._ Whate’er I be, I can be civil, sir. [_Exit._

_Pal._ Ay, I was wrong. Now must I ask his pardon.
I am not yet fit to die. Yet is’t not written
“_If hand or foot offend thee, cut it off;
If thine eye, pluck it out_”? I have done all this;
Yet lurks there something in the accusing balance
Which my soul sickens at. What if I have lost
My world and soul? This good priest comes in time.

_Enter Manuel disguised as priest._

Father, if thou be come to shrive my soul, 2252
I need thee sorely.

_MANUEL._

I am here for that.

_Pal._ There’s comfort in thy face. I have much to tell.
Thou know’st me, who I am?

_Man._ Ay, son.

_Pal._ I pray
What said the archbishop of me?

_Man._ Pause not now
To ask and weigh man’s judgment, who so soon
Must answer to the Judge of all.

_Pal._ Nay, nay.
If thou bring hither such a thought of me,
What can I tell thee? How shall I begin? 2260

_Man._ If there be any one thing on your mind,
More than another, which now brings you shame,
Begin with that.

_Pal._ Ay: such a thing there is.

_Man._ What is’t?

_Pal._ ’Tis the story of the mischief,
Which makes me need thee; which hath sent me here.
For I was single-hearted, single-eyed,
As thou or any of the saints, who hold
Their place in heaven secure, three days ago,—
But three days: If thou then hadst come to me
I should have said, My sins are all forgiven; 2270
I only beg of thee the heavenly bread
To be my passport to my home prepared.
My earthly sword hath won a heavenly crown.
I have not left undone aught, save where God’s will
Forbade accomplishment, and if I have done
Aught unpermitted ’twas in zeal’s excess.
My errors are the saints’—three days ago ...
And now my boast is gone, my soul is stained.
Hark, while I tell. Satan, who saw me thus
Pure-hearted and elect, an envied prey, 2280
Used all his skill to take me: Ay, he came
And showed me, in the room where I lay sick,
Wounded, and weak and faint, a beauteous woman,
And all love’s world. He said, _Take this_; but I
Was ready awhile, and answered, _Not for me.
I thread the narrow way; I climb at heaven.
If I touch this, I perish._ But he said,
_Not so, ’tis thy due prize. Take it, Palicio_!
’Twas the old tale—“Thou shalt not surely die.”
I took it. God deserted me that hour: 2290
My friends suspected me: all things went ill:
And now ...

_Man._ Stay. First, this woman, who misled you,
Is she your wife?

_Pal._ Nay, ’tis but now three days ...

_Man._ You say she is not your wife. Is then your sin
To have leapt the bounds which hold unmarried lovers?

_Pal._ O, father, thou couldst never ask such thing
If thou didst know who ’twas. Nay, thou mayst know:
’Twas Manuel’s sister,—Margaret of Palermo.

_Man._ (_partly discovering_). See, I am Manuel. * * *
* * * Ay, and so far is well.
Now say, did Margaret contrive thy flight? 2300

_Pal._ ... (_assents_).

_Man._ And after followed thee to Monreale?
And met thee on the hills?

_Pal._ ... (_assents_).

_Man._ Then tell me now
Why hast thou left her?

_Pal._ Nay. Question me not.

_Man._ Why hast thou left her?

_Pal._ Why come to me thus?
I needed but a priest to comfort me,
And show me on death’s road: thou drag’st me back
To torture me. Thou canst not understand.

_Man._ Thou ow’st to me more than to any priest,
Who for thy sake might hear, to tell me true.
Why hast thou left her?

_Pal._ If thou wert a priest, 2310
Then wouldst thou see how well the stalking fiend
Snared for my soul. I planned for yesternight
To storm the palace: and I had promised Margaret
To make no further venture if that failed,
But sail with her to Rome and there be married,
Using thy interest to reclaim my rank.
But on the day I gave that word, my men
Were all betrayed, taken, and led to prison.
I was with Margaret, as well they knew:
My love for her, my shelter at thy house, 2320
My flight permitted, set them on the thought
That I had been corrupted, was the traitor.
_Fly with me_, then cried Margaret. Ay, the fiend too
Said, _Fly: go safe_. I foiled him. I came here.
That was my only answer.

_Man._ And didst thou not
Betray them?

_Pal._ I! Palicio! when did I
Betray?

_Man._ Stay, while in turn I shew to thee
Another tale made of the self-same matter.—
A price set on thy head, pursued by justice,
Bleeding to death, thou camest to my house 2330
Asking for shelter, begging but for life.
I gave it at my risk,—how great that risk
I’ll shew thee soon;—there at my house my sister
Secretly tended thee, and won thy cure.
Thou in return didst, all unknown to me,
Obtain her love, and use it to break trust,
Flying by stealth at night: and then, being fled,
Didst scruple not to use thy flight, to work
The very thing for which thy life was owed.
Further, when that went wrong, merely for fear 2340
Men should think ill of thee, thou didst desert
Her, to whose love was due that thou wert free;
Wronging her then again, as me before ...

_Pal._ Manuel, forbear; thee I confess I wronged:
For the rest thy taunts are vain.

_Man._ Wait: there is more.—
Thy refuge being discovered, I was charged
With treason, and in course shipped hence for Spain.
My ship was sunk, and I, but for God’s mercy,
Drowned. My disgrace and rumoured death so wrought
On Constance, that she lies in life’s last hope. 2350
To all of us thou hast done unmeasured ill:
What is thy plea?

_Pal._ Though God himself should curse me,
My purpose hath been good.

_Man._ Ay, that I’ll grant:
Thou’rt for the right, but being too hot upon it
Mistakest right. Thou art numbered with the madmen
Who, thinking the whole world’s unhappiness
Hangs on one string, tread all else underfoot
So they may reach to cut it.—And where’s the good?
Thyself, too, in what plight, that after all
This sacrifice of others’ rights, thou rushest 2360
To die to save thine honour from a stain,
That needs no washing!

_Pal._ Enough: there let it end:
I die to-morrow.

_Man._ Nay, thou must escape:
Retrieve all that thou canst. I now shall go
To Margaret, whom before I feared to meet.
She will be working for thee. If she fail,
The archbishop yet hath power to stay thy death
Till I can serve thee. If thy love for her,
And hers for thee abide, you must be married.
Nay, all she urged was good.

_Pal._ O, ’tis impossible. 2370
Work not for my escape: ’tis best I die.

_Man._ Nay, nay. Thou that canst fight, fight with thyself.
The brave despair that fear not: that’s the shock
The strongest suffer. Thou wast ill of late;
Wert thou now strong, shame would not crush thy spirit. [_Going._

_Pal._ Manuel, go not!

_Man._ Yes, I must go. Remember
My name is Father Thomas. None must guess
Who hath been with thee.—Farewell. Fight with thyself;
Palicio, with thyself. Thou shalt be saved. [_Exit._

ACT · V

SCENE · 1

_The same. PALICIO as before._

_PALICIO._

Three hours have fully passed since first I marked 2380
Yon grated hole grow rosy, and exchange
Moonlight for dawn. Now soon will Margaret come:
And I must go forth to the world disgraced,
To fly my country or hide: ay, at the cue
Of the chief justiciary, led by a woman.
Hast thou the heart, Giovann Palicio,
To call this freedom. Nay, since thy right hand
Was raised ’gainst wrong in vain, and thou thyself
Art charged with wrong, and must admit the wrong,
Were’t not now best to end, and shroud thy fortune
In veils of death? Thou that hast led the people, 2391
Hast thou a knee for favours? Will thy tongue
Confess I wronged thee, Manuel, I come forth
To be thy prisoner: and I wronged thee, Margaret:
I will come forth to be thy pensioner?
Shame: rather would I die.

_Enter Margaret._

_MARGARET._

’Tis I, Giovanni: all is well: thou’rt safe,
Manuel has told me all. Thou dost repent.
All is prepared. Ask not my pardon: give me
One kiss—I have forgiven thee. Be not sad. 2400
’Twas like thee as I love thee, nobly done:
And being so cruel to thyself ’twas easy
Thou shouldst forget what I too now forget,
Recovering thee. I saw thee ride away,
And guessed before the letter. O, Giovanni,
Thank God, thou’rt safe. Look, I have brought the money
To serve thee on thy journey till the day
We meet again; and more. Thy ship will sail
But to Messina: there thou wilt disbark.
Nay, take the money; thou wilt need it, love, 2410
’Tis Manuel’s gift, not mine.

_Pal._ (_taking_). I have no heart,
Margaret, for what is done on my behalf.
I thank him, but ...

_Mar._ Alas, alas! Giovanni:
I looked to find thee glad of heart and happy.
Our troubles all are over. Manuel lives,
Whom we thought drowned: Constance, who lay in death,
Hath risen from her bed: and even our marriage
Is furthered by my brother. How can it be
Thou art so dismal, and thy kiss as cold
As is this prison?

_Pal._ I would not leave this prison. 2420

_Mar._ Thou wouldst not leave it?

_Pal._ No: dankness and darkness
Are now my friends. I have failed. How can I wish
To step in the light of heaven?

_Mar._ O, then I see
This death-delivering dungeon hath o’ercome thee.
——There’s news. This morn the ships arrived from Spain.
They must bring tidings of the king’s accession.
We shall learn all to-day. When he’s proclaimed,
There’s nought that thou couldst do if thou wert free.
What thou hast done may have determined much.

_Pal._ When shall I hear of it?

_Mar._ Love, thou must sail 2430
Quickly and secretly: and canst not hear
Until thou come to land. But then if I
Should meet thee there with Manuel, oh, what joy,
Could I be first to tell thee.

_Pal._ Dost thou think
That Manuel hath forgiven me for the wrong
I did him, stealing from his house by night?

_Mar._ That was my theft, Giovanni; and he forgives:
Cry not thou forfeit.—See, I bring thy dagger.

_Pal._ But, Margaret, I wronged thee too. I fled
From thee; canst thou forgive me?

_Mar._ Ask not me 2440
If I have forgiven. Hearken, I will tell thee,—
This dagger is the dagger which the woman,
Whose name thou didst not know, brought thee in prison:
By help of this thou madest thy first escape.
’Tis I that bring it now. These two days past,
These days of misery, I have held and worn it
But for one purpose; that if thou shouldst die,
I might have something which had once been thine
To end my life with.

_Pal._ Thou!

_Mar._ Ay. I had promised
This caseless blade my empty heart for sheath. 2450

_Pal._ Margaret!

_Mar._ Now take it. I have better hope.

[_Palicio takes dagger, and puts it in his breast._

Thou shouldst be armed.

_Pal._ And thou hast thought of death?

_Mar._ Only if thou hadst died.

_Pal._ O, Margaret,
Margaret, I am not worthy of thy love.
Thou seest I am not. Look how poor a heart
I bring to take thee: ’tis too base. I thought
I loved thee overmuch. Now, fool, I see
I love too little.

_Mar._ ’Tis this hateful prison
Hath chilled thy spirits. When again thou’rt free
Thou’lt be Giovanni.

_Pal._ Canst thou love me so? 2460

_Mar._ O, what hath come to thee? Did I not love
The hour I bound thy wound: the day I brought
Rosso to heal thee, and led thee by the hand,
Threading the blindest midnight silently,
To set thee free? Dost thou forget?

_Pal._ But then,
Then I was brave, a leader of the people
Against their tyrant: thou didst hold of me
As of a hero: now I have failed, I am shamed.

_Mar._ O no, Giovanni; thou mistakest sadly
My love for thee.

_Pal._ I am no more myself. 2470

_Mar._ Then dare I prove to thee how much I love thee,
How little thy renown. Remember, thou didst scheme
To burn the palace.

_Pal._ Ay.

_Mar._ Didst thou not promise
Me, trembling for thy life, that if that failed,
Thou wouldst to Rome with me?

_Pal._ My scheme miscarried:
I broke my promise.

_Mar._ The cause of that miscarriage
Was the betrayal?

_Pal._ How should I forget?

_Mar._ Now wilt thou say I love but thy success?
’Twas I betrayed thy men.

_Pal._ Ha! thou was’t! was’t thou?

(_Leaping up from Margaret, who staggers against the wall._)

From me, sorceress, thou viper, go from me! 2480
Traitress, was’t thou? Thou wast my secret curse!
Sent by the devil, wast thou, to destroy me,
To kill my soul? And bringest now thy money

[_Strews it about._

To buy thy happiness: and of thy love
Pratest, and sayst, _Come forth with me_! With thee?
Rather all deaths, a thousand deaths of shame,—
The axe, the gallows. O, my faithful men,
My brave men! and for them!—Ah! I will love
My executioner more than thee. Love thee!
There is not any tyrant or crowned fiend 2490
Whom I will hate like thee.

_Mar._ Then kill me, Giovanni.

[_Swoons falling._

_Pal._ (_taking out dagger_). This dagger in my heart,
and I am avenged.
Nay, nay, O God, I am adding wrong to wrong.

[_Putting dagger back._

And Manuel. Alas! what have I done?

[_Runs to Margaret._

I spake too roughly, Margaret; I was angry:
I knew not what I said. Margaret, I am sorry.
Forgive me, Margaret. Nay, I meant it not.
I am not angry with thee now. I think
I can forgive thee. Hear me! She doth not hear me.
She doth not breathe. Her eyes are fixed and sightless. 2500
Her hands are cold.
My God, oh, if I have killed her! Margaret, Margaret!
Dost thou not hear?—I have killed her.—Margaret!
I do forgive thee. I forgive thee all.
O God, she is dead, she is dead.—Now if I kiss her,
If she can feel (_kissing_). She stirs. O, Margaret,
Hear me. I do forgive thee all.

_Mar._ Giovanni:
I did it for thy love.

_Pal._ Thank God, thank God.
Now thou dost breathe and speak. O, I was cruel;
I was too angry.—Margaret, forgive me. 2510
Kiss me, forgive. [_Noise at door._

_Mar._ Hark, at the door they come;
’Tis now thy time to fly.

_Pal._ How can I leave thee?
I cannot thus.

_Enter Blasco with sword drawn, Livio and two soldiers._

_Mar._ Go for thy life, Giovanni:
Fly, fly: think not of me!

_BLASCO._

Stay, not so fast,
You pretty pair of loving turtle-doves,
Cooing your sweet farewells in such a cote;
We shall not separate you yet so far.

_Mar._ Ah me!

_Pal._ What means this insult?

_Bl._ Forward, fellows.
Take ye the lady to the cell I shewed,
And bind her arms.

_Pal._ Who dares?

_Bl._ Fool, stand aside! 2520
Seest thou my sword?

_Pal._ Ho! villain, die! } _Palicio springs on
} Blasco suddenly, and
_Bl._ God! I am slain. [_Falls._ } stabs him with dagger in
} his left. Seizing Blasco’s
_Pal._ And thou, } sword in his right, which
Thinking to find me here unarmed, go thou! } he has disengaged from
} the sling, he kills
_Soldier._ Ah! } another with that; and
} when the rest fly is
[_Dies ... the rest fly._ } left standing with a
} bloody weapon in each
_Pal._ Two are escaped. } hand._

_Mar._ And one was Livio.

_Pal._ What means this damnable design?

_Mar._ Giovanni,
I see, I know. Fly now—take thou the sword.
Give me the dagger. Follow. I know the way.
There will be none to stay thee. If there be, 2528
Serve them as Blasco. Come, come; follow quickly.
[_Exit._
_Pal._ (_following_). Margaret, Margaret. [_Exit._

SCENE · 2

_Room in the Palace. MANUEL, disguised as priest, meeting ROSSO._

_ROSSO._

In good time, Manuel: welcome. All is well.

_MANUEL._

Thank God. And doth she know?

_Ros._ Ay, thou shalt hear.
’Twas Margaret’s doing: all night long she sat
By Constance’ bed, and there with gentlest presence
And soft accustomed voice most gradually
She soothed and won the wandering spirit back.
But, oh, the sweetest skill!—she, as she saw
Constance take note of her, made no discovery,
But spoke of thee and all things else, as if
There never had been change: and that so well, 2540
That Constance, who lay gazing on the wall,
And questioning of her error, whence it grew,
Soon laid it on herself, and by and by
Told Margaret of her dream, and asked how long
She had lain so sick in bed; nor ever learned
How real had her woe been, till she knew
That all was over.

_Man._ I thank God,—and thee,
Rosso, thee too. Margaret has had some cause
To blame herself,—to have helped in the repair
Will ease her heart of much. May I see Constance?

_Ros._ At once. But come prepared to find her weak. 2551

_Enter Philip._

_PHILIP._

Father, a word.

_Man._ I pray you excuse me now.

_Ph._ ’Tis that I know thy errand that I ask.
I would speak through thee to the lady Constance.

_Man._ What would you say?

_Ph._ Let me be private with thee.

_Man._ (_to Ros._) Doctor, I’ll follow. (_Aside._) Now
to act my best. [_Exit Rosso._

_Ph._ Thou seest in me the man who wrought this ill.
I’d have thee use thine office with the lady,
To win her grace, that I may make confession
Of that which burdens me.

_Man._ How! what is this? 2560
What should I say?

_Ph._ I’ll tell thee: and thou must know
First, that I once was Manuel’s friend and pupil,—
My pride, alas! self-wrested to my shame—
And in those early days loved her, whom he
Should at this time have married. Five years spent
In graceless life meanwhile had far removed
My heart from my first love, nor had my thought
Once ventured back to think or wish her mine:
But, as it happened,—and being at the time
Stung by the sharp remorse of idle hours,— 2570
Chance sent me hither, and her presence soon
Awaked those memories that I had thought were dead.
Then vainly felt I worthier than I was,
Seeing my better part desired to win
What I too surely had deserved to lose.
Constance denied me:—but now hear my crime.
I won her father’s ear; and then, being lodged
In Manuel’s house, I lit on a discovery
Of some suspicion, and contrived thereby—
Betraying him who was my friend and host— 2580
His absence and disgrace: whence by ill fate
His death and all this lady’s trouble sprung.

_Man._ ’Tis a sad tale you tell.

_Ph._ I was misled
To think he loved the lady less than I.
Yet urge I no excuse, nor look for pardon:
But if ’twould not add sorrow to her sorrow,
I would discharge this burden from my soul.

_Man._ Do so: for you shall find pity and pardon.

_Ph._ Nay, nay: that could not be.

_Man._ Though hard it seem,
Ay, and may force awhile some generous tears;
She cannot yet fail in the foremost duty 2591
Of all that sin. I shall prepare her well.

_Ph._ I thank thee, father. [_Exit Manuel._
There is in these men
A quiet strength, which shames our self-esteem.

_Enter Ferdinand and Hugo with despatches._

_HUGO._

Philip, we have the news. Frederick is crowned.
See, here’s for thee. (_Gives a despatch._) It bears
the new king’s seal.

_Ph._ Well, ’twill help nought. (_Opens._)

_Hu._ I pray there may be nothing
That meddles with my place.

_Ph._ Read here, your excellence. [_Reads._
_By reason of advices late received,
The kings commands are that the sealed despatch_ 2600
_Writ for emergency be now held valid,
And put in force by you._

_Hu._ Where’s the despatch?

_FERDINAND._

’Tis in my keeping.

_Hu._ (_to Philip_). Know’st thou its contents?

_Ph._ Nay, sir; not I.

_Hu._ Pray let us see it, straight.

_Ph._ Adjourn we to my secretary’s chamber:
A moment will discover it. [_Exeunt._

SCENE · 3

_Reception-room at the Palace. As first scene of first act. CONSTANCE,
ROSSO, and MANUEL disguised._

_CONSTANCE._

Nay, I can walk. I am very well. See, Manuel,
There’s no one here: thou mayst be Manuel
Yet awhile. Is not this, love, a recovery
To make the memories of sickness glad? 2610
The days seem years since I stood here. But now
Must I see Philip?

_MANUEL._

Be kind to him, Constance.
The self-condemned need more than full forgiveness
Ere they forgive themselves.

_Con._ I am too happy
To be unkind. And where is Margaret?
I long to rally her about her lover.
Sweet Margaret caught: Margaret who mocked us all.
Hath she not chosen a madcap brother for us?

_Man._ Well, I had wished for Rosso, love; but women
Favour strange fellows.

_ROSSO._

She was difficult 2620
To win, and now at least she has met her match.

_Man._ I pray all may go well. Indeed I have hope
That Hugo is by this possessed of orders
Which will resolve all trouble.

_Con._ Hush, father Thomas;
See, here they come.

_Enter Hugo, Philip, Livio, and Ferdinand._

_HUGO._

My dearest daughter, ’tis a happy day.
Thy health and safety—Ay, I am glad to see
Thy face of happiness, and I can add
Now to thy joy. King Frederick is crowned,
And I shall rule in Sicily.

_Man._ (_aside_). How is this? 2630

_Con._ Then for this happy news grant me, dear father,
One favour. Philip here will join in asking.

_PHILIP._

Ere it be asked, I wish before all here
To say some words. Good father, hast thou won
The lady’s ear for me?

_Man._ I have, your grace.

_Ph._ May I speak, Constance?

_Con._ Philip, you may speak.

_Ph._ Once I asked this, and thou didst bid me then
Speak and end all. Hear while I speak my last.
I have wronged thee, Constance.

_Con._ That is now forgiven.

_Hu._ O, well done, Constance.

_Ph._ And I wronged Manuel. 2640
I violated friendship, and the bond
Of hospitality.

_Con._ All that I know,
And all forgive.

_Hu._ Forgive him, and forget it.
So should it be.

_Ph._ Yet if thou sayest that,
Thou dost not know that ’twas my treachery
Procured his exile, whence ensued his death.

_Con._ All this I know, and I forgive it all.

_Hu._ (_aside_). This is too soft. Doth her mind wander still?

_Ph._ Thou understandest? Knowest thou that did he live
To-day he were the ruler of his country? 2650

_Con._ Nay; now, sir, this is new. How came you by it?

_Ph._ In a despatch I hold, his full appointment
Is writ and sealed.

_Con._ He will be very glad
To hear of this.

_Ph._ What sayst thou, then?

_Hu._ (_aside_). O misery!

_Con._ I know you call him dead; but still to me
He makes his visitations. I have seen him
This morning in my chamber. Nay, I say,
I see him now.

_Hu._ What saith she? (_To Livio._) Alas, alas!
Thy sister’s mind is gone. This was the reason
Of her strange cheerfulness.

_Ph._ May God forgive us 2660
Our fatal mischief.

_Con._ Give me the despatch:
I’ll shew it him, sirs, else he might not believe me:
But if I take it ...

_Ph._ (_to Hu._). What, sir, shall I do?

_Ros._ Humour her fancy, I will lead her out.

_Hu._ Ferdinand, give it to her. Alas, alas!

_Con._ (_taking_). I thank thee, sir. (_To Man._) Now,
father, here’s a matter
To make us laugh within.

[_Exeunt Rosso, Constance, and Manuel._

_Hu._ Philip, she is mad.

_Ph._ I see it, and I the cause.

_Hu._ A laughing idiot. O, cruel heavens,
Ye had no stroke more fearful. Would to God 2670
That Manuel yet were living, tho’ I hate him,
Rather than this.

[_Shouting without of “Palicio,” etc._]

What noise is that?

_LIVIO._

The rebels, sir, again.

_Enter an Officer._

_OFFICER._

The city, sire, is risen; and the people,
With John Palicio at their head, demand
The king’s despatches.

_Hu._ John Palicio!
Is he escaped again? Send Blasco hither.
Livio, where is he?

_Liv._ Sir, I do not know.

_Hu._ ’Tis this accursed rebellion hath done all:
I have been too merciful. I tell thee, Philip, 2679
That was the cause of all, of Constance’s madness,
Of Manuel’s death. By heaven, the sword shall fall.
I will have blood for blood, and wail for wail.
None of these villains whom I hold in prison
Shall see the sunset. Send me Blasco hither.
Call out the troops.

_Ph._ Pray you remember, sire,
Pardon to all is urged in the despatch.

_Hu._ Send pardon to the devil. Oppose me not!
I’ll teach these rebels I am master now.

[_Cries heard without._

_Enter Manuel (as himself, with paper in hand) and Constance. Margaret, Lucia, and Rosso following._

Manuel! why, Manuel!

_Ph._ O, Manuel,
My friend, I am saved.

_Con._ My father, 2690
Let me present to you my ghostly father;
And at your will my loving living husband.

_Hu._ Why, what! How’s this? Is’t thou? Is this a trick?

_Man._ Ay: but a trick of fortune. Let my escape,
Which makes you wonder, be explained hereafter.
But now, since here I hold my title, sire,
I’ll fill my place at once. Philip, I pray thee
Go to the window, and make known to all
These latest tidings. Send the people home.

[_Philip goes to window._

Meanwhile, sir; if before thou hadst some warrant
For anger shewn against me, now I ask 2701
Thy pardon; and for wrongs against me done
Assure thee, that if freely thou make over
Thy daughter for my wife, there is in my love
Means for full reconcilement. May I say
Constance is mine?

_Hu._ I see that she is thine.

_Man._ I pray thou never shalt regret this day.

_Ph._ (_returning from window_). There is John Palicio,
with half the town
At their old cries. I can make nothing of him.

_Man._ Bid him surrender as my prisoner. 2710
I will receive him here.

_Hu._ Thou must not think
He comes at asking thus.

_Man._ He will obey.
But I will shew myself. [_Goes to window._

_Hu._ How comes he out of prison?

_MARGARET._

That I can tell.
Your secretary Blasco promised me,
Who desired nothing more than the release
Of John Palicio, that he would contrive
To free him, if on my part I returned
A certain letter to his hands, wherein, [_Shewing._
As you may read, he had betrayed your person 2720
To John Palicio for a price. Then I,
As holder of this written ransom, came
To see my kinsman freed; when in the dungeon
False Blasco, with two villains and another,
Who was your son, appeared before us armed:
And thinking there to find Palicio
Defenceless, would have slain him, and forced me
To give them back this writing: but Palicio
Sprang up, slew Blasco, and escaped.

_Ph._ His death
Was due from me.

_Hu._ Give me the letter, pray. 2730
Say, Livio, is this true?

_Liv._ I never knew
Of this betrayal, sir; I trusted Blasco.

_Mar._ He counts for nothing, since he ran away.

_Enter Palicio._

_Hu._ Is this the man?

_Man._ Thou art my prisoner.

_PALICIO._

I make submission to your excellence.

[_Offering (Blasco’s) sword._

_Man._ Dost thou surrender of thy own free-will
To me, as legal viceroy of this island,
Under King Frederick, and now abjuring
Thy late rebellion, wilt thou trust henceforth
The people’s welfare to my lawful hands? 2740

_Pal._ I do, and all will trust thee as do I.

_Man._ That is thy pardon. (_Takes sword._) For the king’s good will
Is grace to all. Yet there will be for thee
Question in Blasco’s death. But now I need
Elsewhere thy presence. (_Returning sword._) Go forth to the people,
And make it known that I am their governour:
And that for all disorder ere this day
There will be pardon, but from this day none.
Bid them disperse.

_Pal._ Those hundred men of mine,
Who lie in prison: is their pardon granted? 2750

_Mar._ ’Tis I should plead for them. ’Twas I betrayed them.

_Hu._ Thou didst betray them?

_Mar._ Ay, sir.

_Hu._ ’Tis nought but wonder.

_Man._ (_to Pal._). This is a day of grace. None will resent
Our stretching mercy. I shall grant their pardon,
But not without some cautions; for among them—
Hear me, Palicio, thou who so dost cry
Against the taxes—many among thy men
Are a most burdensome and fruitless tax.
They go free but to work, and with such measures
As will ensure it. [_Palicio is going._
Now, sir, ere thou goest, 2760
Is there none here to whom a word is due?

_Pal._ O, Manuel, I dare not, nay,—I pray thee,
Be not too generous towards me: since my heart
Has fallen so far, let me have trial yet
That I may win what I but falsely stole,
And now would leave in thy security,
Till I may bring some right to claim it. Yet
I lack the worth to ask. But there’s one thing
Which I will ask (_goes to Margaret_), forgiveness; and
for that
I kneel.

_Mar._ I will not hide it from thee, sir, 2770
That in the mutual interchange of pardons,
Which is our friendly game, I have had some pain
Standing out in the cold, merely for lack
Of such a suit as thine. I have looked and longed
To find a debtor; and I will take thee.
Rise, sir. I must present thee to a kinsman.

[_Leads Palicio to Hugo._

(_To Hugo._) Do you remember, sir, a cruel saying
Spoken to me against this gentleman?
Since that I have been his friend, ay, and yours too,
For I betrayed his people to your hands, 2780
When they were setting forth to burn the palace;
And so prevented Blasco’s treachery;
From which him too I saved, and for that deed
He takes me now in marriage.

_Hu._ All thou sayst
Margaret, with much of what hath happed to-day
Needs explanation. I must see so far
That Livio by his conduct is cut off:
But if you tell me now that you will marry
This man ...

_Man._ Palicio is of noble blood,
My lord. Yourself have given him oft such praise
As by an enemy must be well deserved 2791
Ere it be spoken. The king’s pardon proves
Justification: he is quit of treason.
We shall restore his rank, the loss of which,
Due to his grandsire in the civil wars,
Brings him no stain: nay, we shall further make him
Chief secretary, where his ancient zeal
For all the commons’ rights may still be shewn.

_Con._ Margaret, we may be married the same day.

_Hu._ I see indeed this is a day of grace, 2800
Of wondrous grace: and where I take so much
I should be churlish did I not rejoice
That I may rank behind no one of you
In the free dispensation of my favour.
And there’s one act would set the balance even,
Lay it even lower against me: it is this,
For I will do it: John Palicio,
I do forgive thee ...

_Mar._ Now I thank thee, sire.

_Pal._ And I, my lord, who never thought to do it,
Will forgive thee. DO YOU FORGIVE US ALL. 2810

THE RETURN
OF
ULYSSES

A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS
IN A MIXED MANNER

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ

_ATHENA._
_ULYSSES._
_PENELOPE._
_TELEMACHUS._
_EUMÆUS_ _swineherd to Ulysses._
_EURTMACHUS_ }
_AMPHINOMUS_ }
_ANTINOUS_ } _wooers of Penelope._
_CTESIPPUS_ }
_PHEMIUS_ _a bard._
_LEIODES_ _a soothsayer._

_CHORUS of WOOERS._

_Neatherd and other servants to Telemachus and Eumæus._

_Retainers of Wooers; and Maids of Penelope._

_The scene is laid in Ithaca. The first Act on the sea-shore. The second at Eumæus’ hut. The last three in the hall of Ulysses’ house._

ULYSSES

ACT · I

_Ithaca: the seashore. Thick mist thro’ which Ulysses can scarcely be discerned asleep under a tree. In the foreground, Athena._

_ATHENA._