The Mortal Gods and Other Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
[_Exit Senora, upper right. Hernda waits drooping, as if too weary for thought. A group of ladies and gentlemen enter, lower right, among them Guildamour_]
_Her._ [_Starting up_] Oh!--Guildamour!
_Gui._ Your highness!
[_Leaves his party chattering lower left, and crosses to Hernda_]
_Her._ Senora seeks you.
_Gui._ Ah, about the prince?
_Her._ We have a hope, my lord, your hand may turn Some stone of rescue.
_Gui._ Mine are powerless hands, Pinned to inaction's cross. My eyes may turn No way that is not watched. To lift my lids May raise a cry of "Treason!"
_Her._ There's no help?
In all this land no help?
_Gui._ Megario, Could he be softened to it, is the man Who might with safety slip a secret bolt For Chartrien.
_Her._ He!
_Gui._ His name is set above The nick of treason by his stern dispatch Of poor LeVal,--and, that struck off, he yet Is chronicled so dark that none would lay A fair deed at his door.
_Her._ Megario!
_Gui._ I would not name him, but I know he loves you, And there's no soul that love may not endue With tinge of Heaven.
[_Re-enter Senora_]
_Her._ Senora!
_Sen._ [_Panting_] I have seen him!
_Gui._ The prince?
_Her._ Not Chartrien?
_Sen._ Yes!
_Gui._ Escaped?
_Sen._ The guards Were of our heart--they let him make the wood-- I've hidden him----
_Her._ Oh, where?
_Sen._ Within the cave Veiled by the waterfall. But safety there Is minute-frail.
_Gui._ What way? He'll climb the wall?
_Sen._ And drop into the river.
_Gui._ Yes. What guard Walks there? I see. 'Tis Miguel. And I know Somewhat of him,--more than he'd tell the winds.
_Sen._ Thank Heaven for a sinner! When he's next Behind the rocks, then to him, Guildamour, And be his palsying conscience. Peg his feet To the earth!
_Gui._ Trust me, Senora!
_Sen._ I'll lead off Those babblers. Princess, you're the watch,--you'll give The signal.
_Her._ Ah! What is 't?
_Sen._ Two pebbles dashed Into the water is our sign.
_Her._ The guard!
He's gone!
_Gui._ It is our time. [_Exit into wood, rear_]
_Her._ [_As the talkative group move up_] Take them away, Senora! It would kill me now to meet A painted smile.
_Sen._ I'll go. And you--be swift.
Don't stop--don't think. [_Joins group_]
I know where lordings three Wait for as many maids.
_A young lady._ You saw them pa.s.s?
_Sen._ Disconsolate.
_Young Lady._ O, to the river!
_Another._ Come!
[_They go off with Senora, lower left_]
_Her._ Now! [_Takes up two stones. Ziralay and Megario come out of the house_] Oh! [_She drops the stones. They cross to her_]
_Meg._ You wait?
_Her._ I read the sentence.
_Zir._ Death.
_Her._ And when?
_Zir._ To-night. They've given Vardas charge Of 't. He's an eager butcher,--does not know Delay.
_Her._ You wished his death.
