The Mortal Gods and Other Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
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_Vig._ And speed you too! High stroke, this anxious hour To journey in his care!
_Bion._ Yet s.h.i.+elded by Our father's dignity.
_Ard._ How you mistake!
He does not woo me!
_Vig._ Now the modest foot!
But we have seen the other. Trust us, sister.
_Bion._ Mistake? I now recall his looks, his sighs, As from a love immured,--his songs, too warm For piety's cool breath,--and more that tends To happy proof.
_Vig._ How dare he woo thee when Mere Vairdelan? This blade had stood between!
_Bion._ Such beggar suit would then have cheapened thee Beneath a prince's wearing. [_Leading her to door, right_]
No drooping now!
The way lies clear.
_Ard._ O, brother----
_Bion._ Get you in.
_Ard._ Will you not listen?
_Bion._ Leave your hope with us, Your secret is our own. [_Closes door upon her_]
_Vig._ Here's change of sky.
You trust Lord Bertrand?
_Bion._ That is now our course.
Our father will go down.
_Vig._ What's in your heart?
I'll open mine.
_Bion._ I beg you do.
_Vig._ Ramoor And Ilon now are crownless. Suli's prince Must have new governors.
_Bion._ But Christian ones.
That bars our way.
_Vig._ The Prophet's cloak fits well With any fortune.
_Bion._ Ah....
_Vig._ We've but to change The color, not the cut.
_Bion._ [_Listening_] He comes!
_Vig._ We'll speak.
_Bion._ Not yet, my Vigard. Let this fruiting hope Swell to a golden fall. Wait with the sun.
No green and forward plucking.
[_Re-enter Ardia_]
_Ard._ Hear me, brothers----
_Bion._ Not now. The prince!
[_Re-enter Bertrand, right_]
_Ber._ I pray your answer, friends.
Let us go down unhindered, and my oath I leave with you, a hostage sure as though With iron bonds you held my breathing form: For in that oath I leave no treasure less Than honor, knighthood, and what in me moves Deathless to G.o.d.
_Bion._ It is enough. Our guest Is free.
_Ber._ Once more my brothers!
_Bion._ Know us ever By that dear name.
_Vig._ And this deep oath you take For Charilus' sake, is sworn too for our sister?
_Ber._ For Ardia? No, my lord.
_Vig._ Do you say no?
_Ber._ I must so answer you. For the fell harm That touches her would of myself make end.
My honor so impeached would cease to breathe The air itself made foul. I could not come Having no life to bring me.
_Bion._ We believe you.
Go with our father. Take our sister too.
And we upon these heights shall pray, as you On Suli plain, that Charilus may see His sons again.
_Ber._ Come, let him know! This wished Obedience will give him sleep.
[_Exeunt Bertrand, Vigard, and Biondel, right rear_]
_Ard._ Is 't best That Truth be dumb? I'll watch this weaving Fate, And feed her web with silence.... Oh, with hope!
[_Curtain_]
ACT II
