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.
And grant Ramoor to Vigard.
_Ber._ Not for price Of my poor life will Oswald yield these towns To any save a Christian.
_Ban._ So we think.
And therefore will these lords forswear The Prophet for your Christ.
_Ber._ Such sudden change----
_Vig._ Not sudden, sir. We've long debated it In secret talk, but loved too well our prince To so forsake his banner.
_Bion._ Now the day Is here when as his true and Christian friends We may best serve him, and yet keep the peace For which our father died.
_Ber._ He is alive again If you be true. Though wonder is in the hour I will not stare or question.
_Ard._ Question nothing.
Do you not live?
_Bion._ The prince will summon Oswald To earliest parley, and make our offer known.
_Ban._ Nor lose an instant. Here begins my journey.
[_Signs to retainers who start down the pa.s.s_]
_Bion._ We need not give you thanks when you've our hearts That hold them.
_Ban._ By the sunset hour the earl Shall give me answer. Meet me in Avesta 'Tween dark and light.
_Bion._ We will, my lord.
[_Exit Banissat_]
_Ber._ O, strange!
Will he keep faith?
_Bion._ If you must doubt his heart, Trust his affliction. Antioch lost to him, What can he do but smile on Christian Oswald?
By that same argument I am condemned, But beg a respite till this pus.h.i.+ng peace, Upsprung in haste, may bear you buds of proof.
_Ber._ What world is this?
_Vig._ Climb you no farther, sir.
Your wounds forbid. Our servants shall be sent To bear you up.
_Bion._ Ay, wait you here, my lord.
[_Exeunt Biondel and Vigard above_]
_Ber._ Love, see the sun!
_Ard._ It is my heart, my heart!
[_Curtain_]
ACT IV
SCENE: _Same as first act. An altar near wall, left. Seven maidens putting fresh garlands about the hall._
_Mylitta._ She must be dressed by this. Come, let us sing!
_Mirimond._ No, wait! Our part is yet undone. Here hangs A withered garland.
_Alenia._ Here another. See!
And there! Well, we are slack.
_Eudora._ Who would not be?
We've cause for sleepy wits and fingers too, With seven days and nights of revelling.
_Garla._ And Charilus warm in 's grave.
_Myrana._ He'll be no colder Let come a hundred months. Ten years, ten days, 'Tis all the same i' the ground.
_Daphne._ And yet, I think The daughter smiles too soon.
_Mylitta._ Troth, I would smile For such a lord if all the world beside Were wrapped in shroud.
_Mirimond._ I would the English knights Were come! Full fifty, Barca said, would ride From Suli.
_Mylitta._ I know you, chit. Your eyes will find Their way.
_Mirimond._ Mayhap not all of us will take The homeward s.h.i.+p for Corinth. Did we think When we set sail we'd come in time to see Our Ardia married?
_Mylitta._ You will dream.
_Garla._ If dreams Were men, what maid would go unwed? Not you, Mylitta.
_Myrana._ Come, our song! 'Tis time!
_Eudora._ Come, all!
[_They sing by Ardia's door_]
Mornings seven have we been Wardens at thy door; Now thy lord shall enter in, And we come no more.
Mornings seven have we strewn Lilies at thy door; Now the virgin watch is done.
