Chapter XI: Act II

SCENE 1. _A hall in the castle of Suli. Heavy doors open left, half-way up. Large window with iron grating, rear. Couches, chairs, scattered. Tables from which servants are removing the remnants of a feast. They are quarrelling, chaffing, singing, as the curtain risen._

_First Ser._ Shifty, there!

_Second Ser._ What, can't a soldier eat?

_First Ser._ You a soldier, lickspoon?

_Second Ser._ I've drawn a sword, sir!

_First Ser._ Ay, and cut a cheese.

_Third Ser._ [_Lifting flask_] Here's to----

_Fourth Ser._ [_Seizing flask_] No man shall guzzle my master's wine before me. [_Drains vessel_]

_Third Ser._ [_Sadly, turning up empty flask_] Not after you, either.

_Fifth Ser._ Well, well, and two moons back we were saying grace over ditch-water!

_Sixth Ser._ Ay, we were good Christians then. A full stomach makes lean prayers. Now we've such a plenty we can spare the devil a fillip, and never a grace for it.

_First Ser._ [_Tugging at table_] Take a leg there! This is no grasshopper. [_Others help him move table to wall, right_] Look about you! The maskers will be in here.

_Second Ser._ Here? They'll be everywhere to-night. Such a jig-making over the new prince!

_Second Ser._ Not a corner to drop into and sleep off a good supper with a clear conscience!

_Sixth Ser._ Sleep? What have we to do with sleep? We fight, we eat, we dance. That's my soldier!

_Second Ser._ We kill, we cut, we caper! [_Sings_]
The soldier rides on Fortune's wheel,

_All._ Round we go,
Round we go!

_Second Ser._ Now up the head and now the heel,

_All._ Round we go,
Round----

[_Enter seventh servant_]

_Seventh Ser._ Quiet, you devils! The master's coming.

_Second Ser._ What, can't a soldier sing? Haven't we fought like true men? When did we give quarter? When did we show mercy? And now can't we be happy? Can't we take breath?

_Seventh Ser._ Sh! and I'll tell you what I've seen. I've seen the daughter of Old Wisdom.

_Sixth Ser._ He get a daughter!

_Seventh Ser._ The maid of Kidmir. Ardia of the Stars they call her, but if the sun could shine in the middle of a dark night she would be like that.

_First Ser._ Foh, the Lady Berenice will put out her candle.

_Seventh Ser._ The Lady Berenice is as like her as the back of my hand to Juno's cheek!

_First Ser._ A heathen comparison! There's a Christian blow for it!

[_They scuffle. Enter Oswald in talk with Bertrand. Servants finish
their work quietly and go out_]

_Osw._ My heart is whole again, now you've escaped The claws of Kidmir.

_Ber._ Say the arms that closed Like God's around me!

_Osw._ Fox, and lion too. That's Charilus. I knew him young,--when blood Tells nature's truth,--ere he had sucked Philosophy's pale milk and made his truce With prudence and long life. The heart then his He carries now----

_Ber._ Then, sir, you must have known The Maker's marvel,--youth that outstripped age And grayest saints in virtue.

_Osw._ Tut! No matter. You're safe. And he is here ... within these walls.

_Ber._ A guest of faith who holds your honor bound High hostage for his life.

_Osw._ My honor? Trust me! I'll care for that. No more I'll blush to lift My shield i' the sun. The spot of thirty years Shall be wiped out.

_Ber._ With love, my father?

_Osw._ [_After a pause_] Ay, 'Tis love shall do it.

_Ber._ [_Lifting his father's hand to his lips_] You bind my heart to you.

_Osw._ Too soft, my warrior. Keep such woman's play For Berenice. She will thank you for it. I'm rough and old, and need the soldier clap To start the singing blood. [_Clapping Bertrand_] A blow with good Red heart in 't!

_Ber._ Berenice?

_Osw._ Ah, that takes you! She's here at last. Prince Frederick arrived Three days ago, and with him his fair daughter, Too dear of value to be left behind, The prey of quarrelling kings. You'll dance with her To-night.

_Ber._ You'll pardon me. I shall not dance.

_Osw._ Faugh, there's the monk again! Why, boy, we'll pray The better for a little tripping,--fight The better too. One dance with Berenice! A beauty, sir, who makes me hate the years That lie 'tween youth and me. She was to wed A son of mine by vow above her cradle, And I have buried every son save you.

_Ber._ May I not keep one vow?

_Osw._ The pope long since Released you. Now----

_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 God, 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 passed 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! Gods! 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 ass 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._ [_Assenting_] 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 title, 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.

_Osw._ O, son, Have you no patience with a man grown old In many battles? Now feel I my age, Knowing the dearest blows of my long life Have bought me but this shadow. In you is drained Ambition's heart,--my every burning aim Fails here in you, and cools unforged, unshapen. Yet do you turn from me as though 'twere I Not you who gave the wound that parts us.

_Ber._ I?

_Osw._ Of all my sons I loved you best. You think I gave you to the friars with no twinge Here at my heart? Your mother said "One son We must return to God," and I said "Yea, So it be not my Bertrand." But her will Ran 'gainst me. When she had her way, I longed Through many a day to have you at my side, While you were happy with your songs and saints, Your father quite forgot.

_Ber._ [_Stirred_] Nay, not forgot. And I am with you now.

_Osw._ O, let me feel My son is mine! I'll yield you anything. Ay, even Ardia! She shall be my daughter----

_Ber._ By heaven that keeps me true, I will not hear That name again! There's maddest music in it. I see her when I hear it. [_Covering his eyes_]

_Osw._ [_Aside_] I see the lime Will catch you.

_Ber._ Again, good-night.

_Osw._ One favor, son. And slight too, by 'r lady!

_Ber._ Speak it, sir.

_Osw._ I gave my word you'd wait on Berenice. I' faith, I know not what excuse to make To Frederick. 'Tis barest courtesy To give her greeting.

_Ber._ I will welcome her, Our guest.

_Osw._ Enough! [_Going_] You'll wait us here?

_Ber._ I'll wait.

[_Exit Oswald. Bertrand sits with head bowed and does not heed maskers
who enter and dance about him. They cover him with their garlands
as they go off. A song is heard within_]

What save winds shall kiss his bones
Bleaching on the desert stones?
What but waves o'er him shall sigh
Who doth drowned sea-deep lie?
What save worms to him shall come
Locked in earth, bound, keyless, dumb?

Wild the wind and cold the wave,
Sharp the tooth within the grave!
Be such kisses for my ghost,
Heart, my Heart, when thou art lost!
Love me, Love, an hour and we
Mock the cold eternity!

_Ber._ [_Taking up a flower_] Eternity in this?

[_Ardia enters. He does not see her until she speaks_]

_Ard._ Prince Bertrand?

_Ber._ [_Rising_] You? Not Berenice!

_Ard._ Ah ... you wait for her?

_Ber._ Who brought you here?

_Ard._ The earl. Your father.

_Ber._ He! What said he?

_Ard._ That you prayed to see me, sir.

_Ber._ O, faithless! He deceived you.

_Ard._ I will go.

_Ber._ Stay--tell me--how you fare.

_Ard._ Nay, you await The princess.

_Ber._ You've all comfort? No least lack?

_Ard._ I've food and bed, but little company.

_Ber._ My father's plans press hard, and I'm a part Of them. Each hour he calls me.

_Ard._ I know, my lord, This is not Kidmir. I've my father too. You've yours ... and Berenice.

_Ber._ Nay, it seems Fate hath her changelings. You have come, not she.

_Ard._ I sought no meeting, sir, but being here, I'll ask you of my father. Is he safe? Earl Oswald means no treachery to his guest?

_Ber._ At sunrise he will drink the cup of peace.

_Ard._ That's hours away! He knows your life is pledged For Charilus' safety?

_Ber._ No. I will not wake A doubt against his honor.

_Ard._ He should know. I've seen his eyes. Good hap, you have your mother's.

_Ber._ If he be vile as you so fear he is, My pledge would be no leash to his hold will. He'd chain me here till he destroyed your brothers. Let him know naught, I'm free to keep my oath. But this should not be spoken. We do wrong To talk of things that have no being save In our own midnight fears.

_Ard._ Well, I shall sleep. Good-night, my lord.

_Ber._ Am I not Vairdelan?

_Ard._ Ay, when you smile so.
[_Holds out her hands, and drops them untouched_]
Far, O far from Kidmir!

_Ber._ Yea, an eternal journey my lost soul May find it. Ardia, counsel me. Two ways Stretch long before me, and I faint In daring either. Give me of your strength.

_Ard._ My strength? I have none.

_Ber._ You have God's. Men, proud in valor, stray and lose his hand; The woman holds it ever, walking floods And trampling fire where men go down.

_Ard._ Tell me! How may I help you?

_Ber._ Sit then. I will speak. [_She sits; He stands near her_] I have agreed to be the sovereign Of sword-won Suli.

_Ard._ None will better serve Where he is master. O, this spear-torn land Shall flower to heaven and mate her bloom with stars!

_Ber._ A bloom that dies with me?

_Ard._ Death cannot make The spirit barren.

_Ber._ [_At distance_] Through me my father hopes To found a princely house o'er-topping Asia With Christ-lit towers.

_Ard._ Oh!... Then you will wed.

_Ber._ [_His eyes down_] My bride is chosen.

_Ard._ [_Rising_] Chosen? [_Sits again_]
Nay.... I know....

_Ber._ [_Returning_] Your hidden eyes hide not the loathing there For me forsworn. Why have I troubled you? Look on me, Ardia. I am not yet fallen. I take your answer. You have chosen my way, And I set forth upon it--_not_ forsworn.

_Ard._ That word is naught. I do not think of it.

_Ber._ Must man not keep his pledge?

_Ard._ To mortals, yes. For so our lives are knit, and part to part Keep sound and whole. But pledges unto God Man cannot make or keep till he may bind The Will that journeys with the launched world. So might His rivers say "Here will we rest, And worship thee," nor run into the sea, And God must be content though all his fields Burn waterless. So might the winds vow Him Unbroken calm, and God who needs his storms Must still his own desire while his dear earth Goes pestilent.

_Ber._ Unsentient things! He shares His will with man.

_Ard._ But not to enslave his own. Christ seals no bond the lips lay on the soul That is each instant new as life, as change, As the importuning world. Ah, he who sells To one hour's narrow need the zenith light Of unborn days would snuff out time and know No rising sun. Himself would be a slavedom Where never Christ would walk.

_Ber._ Is 't Ardia speaks?

_Ard._ Truth speaks, not I. If man must vow, Let it not be to love no woman,--wear The vest of fire, and in a sunless cell Chain Heaven-arteried life,--then peering out, Cling to the nested eaves transfixed to see His fled desires wear the horizon flame. But let him vow his Christ shall shrink no vein Of broad and pauseless being; ay,--shall keep Sweet surgence with his blood, climb with his spirit Time's lifting hills, and hold in watch with him The unshrouding pinnacles where love puts off The old clouds for the dawn. Forsworn? O, heart Cell-bound, thy very vows deny thy Christ. Who serve him wear no chains.

_Ber._ You think me true? And yet I felt your wounded, doubting eyes Raining me scorn. Why was it, Ardia?

_Ard._ Scorn? I have forgot why 'twas--or shall forget.

_Ber._ And there was pity too, that dropped your lids. And would have sheltered me. Is that forgot?

_Ard._ Nay, that.... I'll tell you that. I thought of Love, Man's angel, and the heart-lone way of him Who missed and found her not. Never to take More courage from the fall of her sure feet On heights that wind between death and the stars; Or where his road burns through the shadeless sands, Reach for the hand with fountains in its touch And feel the palm-breath round him. Not to know Her eyes when night is come, and there's no star; Her breast, that pillowing the darkened waste, Keeps warm the bitten earth and gives him dream To meet and match the dawn. So wept my thoughts, Forgetting that you are no wanderer, But kingly housed will rule a tamed realm. Or should a harvest come of spears, not grain, Yet is your princess brave and beautiful, And bears, may be, a mating heart. Love then Will come to you----

_Ber._ My princess?

_Ard._ Berenice. Your father's choice ... and yours.

_Ber._ My Ardia! Mine! Could such a lie creep to your soul and find No lances at the door? [_Kneels, kissing her hands_] My love, my love, my love! Let honors fail, and stars forget my name, 'Tis thou shalt walk beside me, thou my chosen! I'll hear thy footfall on the winter steep, And take thy hand where desert noons are white, But close thy breast shall lie upon my heart, Nor pillow the bitten waste, my own, my own! [_She moves from him. He rises_] Why are you silent, pale, and heaven-still?

_Ard._ I must be still. I've mourned my heart-walls thin. This joy will break them. Joy to hear your voice With love's mate-music in it cry to me. My joy! I'll drink it all, nor lose one drop, For I shall have no more.

_Ber._ No more? No less Than life can hold!

_Ard._ Hear me, my lord.

_Ber._ You love me!

_Ard._ I shall not be your wife.

_Ber._ You're mine--all mine!

_Ard._ You hold your vow yet sacred, breaking it By the sole might of love. You do not feel The vision round you in whose light that vow Falls like a grave-cloth from an angel's limbs. Ah, Christ would be no bridal guest of ours, Shut out by your heart's fear. [_He stands as if stricken_] You see 'tis true. You listen for his sanction, and you hear The ring of your own vow. [_He sits bowed_] You hear it now Above your passion's chime. 'Twill fill the air When love's mad bells grow quiet, and your soul Asks the old question. Let me then be far From thee, nor stay to be a clasped fire Eating thy side.

_Ber._ You'll heal me of my fear. [_Reaching his hands to her_] My fountain and my palm!

_Ard._ Your doubt would stir Beneath your tenderest deep. My nearing step Would as a trumpet start its buried storm To sweep our meeting eyes.

_Ber._ If Christ would give A sign,--leave me no choice,--no other way

_Ard._ The torch of Fate but blinds us when the heart Beareth no light.

_Ber._ Not Fate, but Heaven--there I'd read my sign.

_Ard._ Hope not, my lord, that Heaven Will drive me to your arms. Farewell.

_Ber._ No, no! To keep you I'll dare hell----

_Ard._ Dare hell? My love Walks not that fiery verge, but waits thine own In regions nearer God. There we shall meet, And there will be no hell. [_Turns to go, but is drawn back by his grief_] Thou art a prince Of Christ. Arise and rule this land for him. There is no sin in you. You've kissed my hands, And they are bright as stars!

_Ber._ O, can you go? You do not love me. In your breast are wings-- No heart, but wings that seek the mountain sky. Go perch above me, leave me dying here. And cool your bosom with a virgin song To mateless heaven!

_Ard._ Who is cruel now? You have the world to feed on, need not eat Your heart as I must--I, the woman. Dear, Where Kidmir cliffs climb highest to the sky I'll keep my watch, but thou shall rise above me In thought of men. O'er all discerning shall Thy purpose wing, perhaps be drunk of clouds, But light shall follow where thine aim has sped, And leading upward with your comrade world, My Kidmir shall seem lowly, where I walk With stintless ache beneath the cedar boughs On pain's moon nights. And oh, the Springs to pass, When each bride-bud shall be a wound to me, When grasses young, and softly pushing moss, Shall urge my feet like fire, and I must stand Quite still ... quite still ... with all my unborn babes Dead in my heart.

_Ber._ [_Motionless_] You dare not leave me now. You dare not, Ardia.

_Ard._ I dare not stay.

[_As she nears the great doors they rumble shut and are noisily barred
without_]

_Ard._ Ho! Open, open, open! I pray you, open! [_Beats on door, then leans to the silence_] Shut in ... shut in! So Oswald's treachery Begins with me. My father, we are lost. You are to die, and I--to-morrow, oh, My honor will go wasting on the fields With every soldier's breath! You hear, my lord? We are shut in....

_Ber._ The miracle!

_Ard._ Together....

_Ber._ The sign! the sign!

_Ard._ For all the night....

_Ber._ For all Eternity! There is no other way. I take you as from Christ. My bride, my bride!

[Curtain]

SCENE 2. _The same. Gray of morning seen through grating of window, rear, where Bertrand stands looking out and upward. Ardia is sleeping on a couch. The dawn-light wakes her and she starts up._

_Ard._ 'Tis morning. Bertrand! You have watched all night?

_Ber._ O, there has been no night.

_Ard._ I slept it through.

_Ber._ Thy body slept, but thou hast been with me O'er all the world, and farther than the world, Out where the life begins.

_Ard._ That may be true, For I had wondrous dreams.

_Ber._ You speak of dreams? A magic touched me, and I woke from dream Knowing my life. What ways we went! All things Seemed new, warm with the Maker's hand, as young As our own eyes, but 'twas eternity That kept them sweet, unaging.

_Ard._ It was Love Who gave thee eyes to see the world immortal Even in our own.

_Ber._ Do all Love's votaries Walk with such magic sight?

_Ard._ In truth! I've seen A beggar woman tread the road-side dust As it were showered gold, because she had Love's eyes. And we--what joys our joy shall find! The pearling skies with rose-breath drinking ours 'Tween sea and dawn! The leaves that turn i' the wind And tremble in our hearts--the brook-song that Began beyond the stars--the woodland nests, Breast-warm----

_Ber._ And one is ours.

_Ard._ The lark that leaves His meadow-mate and reels at the sun's door Dropping his song of fire and clover-dew Down to her heart.

_Ber._ [_Kissing her_] As this in thine!

_Ard._ And all Life's dearer-veined joys,--the way-side hands That pluck to camp-fire glow,--the smile of age, Gift-sweet and wise beside the garner door----

_Ber._ Ay, dear are these ... but when we came again From that far, holy place....

_Ard._ Ah, in your dream.

_Ber._ Where no words go or come....

_Ard._ When we came back?

_Ber._ Walking the light between the parted stars, And met the days that knew us ... naught could hide The eternal joy within it. Twas a world Whose beauty lay allwheres. O, not alone In morning skies and mated larks a-wing! Each rag-hung thing was dipped in chosen time And wore its royal hour.

_Ard._ If that could be!

_Ber._ What seers, what eyes of light, outshone the pain That gave them being! Tears that silvered graves Globed in their pearl the immortal hope of men, And seemed as beautiful as prophecy Burning in its own truth. Ay, where a man Fell murdered, crying "I forgive," the ground Sprang as a garden----

_Ard._ Murdered? O, not that! How could you say it? I had forgot, forgot! Love in your dream looked you quite through the soul Of Time on things to be? What saw you then? Ah, tell me!

_Ber._ Then?... Then came this dimmer light Which you called morning, and I saw no more.

_Ard._ I would I knew!

_Ber._ You fear even now?

_Ard._ O, me!

_Ber._ Sweet, leave these shadows--dreams of ancient night That cling too late upon a day-warm world. Must I persuade you still that Oswald means Our happiness?

_Ard._ Hark you! They come, my lord.

_Ber._ The sunrise feast. Fit place and time to break The fast of love.

_Ard._ O, hear! So many feet!

_Ber._ Dear trembler, do not fear.

_Ard._ They're here, my lord.

_Ber._ Welcome the world. It has no eye can make Our own seek earth.

[_Doors open. Enter Frederick, Oswald, Charilus, Berenice, with lords
and ladies attending. Servants follow bearing trays, and lay the
table. Ardia hastens to her father and they talk apart. Oswald
advances to Bertrand, right, the others lingering left_]

_Osw._ I am forgiven?

_Ber._ Forgiven! Ask God and Love! I'll thank you all my life That you did force me take my only way To Heaven.

_Osw._ Hmm! And I spent a bitter night Fearing your morning face.

_Ber._ It was my soul's Birth-night.

_Osw._ God bless me, you are grateful, sir. But you've good reason. [_Looks at Ardia_] I had no such mate To make the dark hours fly.

_Ber._ Pray speak to her.

_Osw._ In my good time.

_Ber._ Nay, now!

_Osw._ The day is long. I shall be gentle, for I owe her much Who gives me back my son. Come to our guests.

_Ber._ Does Frederick----

_Osw._ Ay, he knows all, and bears No grudge.

_Ber._ Knows all?

_Osw._ He clapped my plot as though His own thick noll had hatched it.

_Ber._ And the princess----

_Osw._ You see her smile? There's answer for you. Come! No blush! Put on a face. Your bridal news Shall sauce our banquet.

[_They move to guests_]

_Fred._ [_To Bertrand_] Greet you, sir! But why So pale, my lord? I fear me you have spent A sleepless night.

_Ber._ Ay, as the stars.

_A Lord._ The stars? He winked then, by the rood!

_Ber._ What do you say?

_Lord._ I say the stars do wink, most gracious prince.

_Osw._ Come, find your seats, my friends! Yet two of us, Lord Charilus and my unworthy self Must keep our feet till we have drunk the wine Made sacrosanct by one night's rest upon The Virgin's altar. [_Bertrand places Ardia's seat by her father, who stands at the left of Oswald_] You, fair Berenice, Sit at my right, and on your other side The graceless prince of Suli begs for room.

_Bere._ He beg, my lord? I have not heard his tongue, And for his eyes, I fear no leek of Wales Could pull a beggar's tear from them to oil This suit. But he is welcome.

_Ber._ [_Taking seat by her_] Thank you, lady.

[_When all are seated save Charilus and Oswald a priest enters bearing
a chalice of wine which he places on table before Oswald_]

_Osw._ This is the cup by angels visited In night's deep hours. Herein they dropped the peace Of Heaven, which Charilus and I shall take Into our hearts. I know in truth it holds Sweet peace for me--the peace that thirty years My veins have ached for. Charilus, what say you?

_Char._ My heart can hold no more of peace than now Doth fill it, but I drink with you, my lord.

[_Drinks from goblet which Oswald has filled from chalice, and Oswald
drinks from goblet filled by Charilus_]

_Osw._ [_Dropping his glass_] Is peace a fire? I' faith, this kindles me! Thou smileless priest, take off the Virgin's cup! You think it needs another blessing, sir, Since my bold hand has touched it? Out with you! [_Exit priest with chalice_] That pinch-face has seen hell and fasts to keep The ghost down. I'll not fast. Set to, my friends. Fill up your bowls, for I've a health for you. We drink to Berenice, bride to be Of Bertrand, prince of Suli and my son!

_A Lord._ [_As all lift their glasses_] We pledge the bride of Bertrand--Berenice!

_Ber._ Drink not, my lords, till you have changed that name To Ardia, daughter of our noble guest, Lord Charilus!

_Fred._ [_Rising_] If this be sport, Earl Oswald, A world of groans shall pay for 't!

_Bere._ [_In mock swoon_] Oh.... I faint....

[_Her ladies help her_]

_Osw._ You bawling ass! You thousand times a fool!

_Ber._ [_To Oswald_] You've woven a maze about me, and I'm blind With 't, yet I see to pluck one truth,--my bride Is Ardia. No other under Heaven! My lords, It is the wine----

_Osw._ Would then 'twere in your throat! Is this the riddle of your morning smile? Your fair compliance, soft submission? Sir, By my heart's blood, I'll give you to the sword Ere you shall make me father to a drab-- The spoil of your own lust, the--What, you draw? Ay, strike me down! Let me be first to fall Beneath your mighty sword! The rust has lain A lifetime on it, and a father's blood May cleanse it bright as Heaven!

_Ber._ O, my Christ!

_Osw._ Yea, call on him, and he will hear thee too, Who honorest so thy father! [_Bertrand stands speechless_] Now, my lords, Since he no longer brays, I have a tale To tell you. I, too, had a father, though The world has long forgot him.

_Fred._ No, my friend. Well do I bear in mind his fair, proud face, And glory of his arms.

_Osw._ He was struck down Because a minion, straying from the hearth, Looked on his beauty with her nestling eyes.

_Fred._ For no more cause?

_Osw._ I swear it. Friends, if death Were the cold price for kissing of a jade, Who here would be alive? For so slight sin Was my brave father murdered. Charilus, speak! Was not the princely heart of John of Clyffe Ripped with a hate-keen sword,--the sword of him Who claimed the lordship of those rebel lips That chose my father liege?

_Char._ It is too true.

_Osw._ Who better knows? Say that a wilding flies The builded bower, hearing a lordlier song Pass on the wind than her dull mate can tune, Must then the singer die, who scarcely knows His song is heard, or that a bold wing follows?

_Char._ Whether the earl of Clyffe sang then to woo, As I believe, or for the love of song, As you do say, my lord,--his death was sin, And he who wrought that woe shed tears enough To clear his stain, if tears may whiten souls.

_Osw._ A murderer's tears! But what of mine, the son's?

_Ber._ Your oath--your honor, sir! Where is the love You swore should cleanse your shield?

_Osw._ Safe in my heart. And burning for my father.

_Ber._ God of pity!

_Osw._ That was the love I spoke of.

_Ber._ All be deaf But hell!

_Osw._ Hear the full tale, my friends. I swear The earl of Clyffe died for no more offence Than I have here set out,--and I, his only son, Kissed his red wounds and from his breast unbound This bloody scarf--[_taking scarf from his bosom_] that then was crimson, now In age-grown black bemourns my step that comes So sluggish to revenge. For thirty years Had passed ere I beheld his murderer, Then face to face we stood ... and face to face We stand ... for this is he, this Charilus Of Kidmir--peace-lipped Cain--gray hypocrite, Whose blood is honey in his veins, whose eyes Stare on the world as he were some bland god Who made it and said "good."

_Char._ Sir, I would send My daughter to her brothers. Grant me this. And I am ready for what death you please.

_Ard._ I will not go. One sword shall strike us both. [_Turns to Oswald_] But first a word to you. When Charilus falls, Say farewell to your son. He pledged his life To my two brothers for our father's safety, And you, who know him least, yet know he'll keep That pledge.

_Osw._ What, creature, will you lie?

_Ard._ I speak The truth. Strike, if you can, this gray old man, Silvered in service to the one high God, Sinless as sunlight, fair in sweetened age,-- Let forth his sainted blood, and Bertrand lives No longer than the shortest time between Suli and Kidmir.

_Osw._ That's a lifetime then! He shall not step! I'll have him hung with chains Till he is fast as rooted oaks in earth!

_Ber._ [_Stunned_] A guest betrayed....

_Osw._ Betrayed? I promised him Such treatment as he gave my blood. And he Shall have it--death!

_Char._ Peace be my heir!

_Ber._ [_Takes stand by Charilus_] Death, sir? First break this sword! Thy sin must be unnamed Until the angel who doth write thee damned Gives it foul christening. I break my pledge. I will not go to Kidmir. Here I'll give My life for Charilus.

_Char._ No blow for me! O, may I unavenged lie forgot, And my forgiving blood make barren ground Alive with asphodel----

_Ber._ Nay, I will strike, Though a father's sword meet mine!

[_Charilus trembles, and supports himself by Ardia's arm_]

_Osw._ Commend me, stars! You counselled well. [_To Bertrand_] Fool, do not draw. There's none Will run against you. Charilus is dead, And by a way more sure. His holy goblet Held one rich drop the angels put not there Nor Virgin blessed. See how he pales--and stares-- And cannot get his voice? So are we spared A swan-song homily trickling through his beard. Be off, old pray-lip--off, and take with you Your cat-foot peace and milky piety! I serve a vengeful God who armeth men For his own wars!

_Ber._ Heaven, draw thy clouds about thee!

[_Charilus dies in Ardia's arms_]

_Osw._ He's dead! The air of earth is sweet again. I have no enemy!

_Ber._ [_Looking up from the body_] You have no son.

[_Curtain_]