The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 65

Dearest, we must away to Andalusia, Thence to America when time shall serve.

G.o.dOY

I hold seven thousand men to cover us, And s.h.i.+ps in Cadiz port. But then--the Prince Flatly declines to go. He lauds the French As true deliverers.

QUEEN

Go Fernando MUST!...

O my sweet friend, that we--our sole two selves-- Could but escape and leave the rest to fate, And in a western bower dream out our days!-- For the King's gla.s.s can run but briefly now, Shattered and shaken as his vigour is.-- But ah--your love burns not in singleness!

Why, dear, caress Josefa Tudo still?

She does not solve her soul in yours as I.

And why those others even more than her?...

How little own I in thee!

G.o.dOY

Such must be.

I cannot quite forsake them. Don't forget The same scope has been yours in former years.

QUEEN

Yes, Love; I know. I yield! You cannot leave them; But if you ever would bethink yourself How long I have been yours, how truly all Those other pleasures were my desperate s.h.i.+fts To soften sorrow at your absences, You would be faithful to me!

G.o.dOY

True, my dear.-- Yet I do pa.s.sably keep troth with you, And fond you with fair regularity;-- A week beside you, and a week away.

Such is not schemed without some risk and strain.-- And you agreed Josefa should be mine, And, too, Thereza without jealousy! [A noise is heard without.]

Ah, what means that?

[He jumps up from her side and crosses the room to a window, where he lifts the curtain cautiously. The Queen follows him with a scared look.

QUEEN

A riot can it be?

G.o.dOY

Let me put these out ere they notice them; They think me at the Royal Palace yonder.

[He hastily extinguishes the candles except one taper, which he places in a recess, so that the room is in shade. He then draws back the curtains, and she joins him at the window, where, enclosing her with his arm, he and she look out together.

In front of the house a guard of hussars is stationed, beyond them spreading the Plaza or Square. On the other side rises in the lamplight the white front of the Royal Palace. On the flank of the Palace is a wall enclosing gardens, bowered alleys, and orange groves, and in the wall a small door.

A mixed mult.i.tude of soldiery and populace fills the s.p.a.ce in front of the King's Palace, and they shout and address each other vehemently. During a lull in their vociferations is heard the peaceful purl of the Tagus over a cascade in the Palace grounds.]

QUEEN

Lingering, we've risked too long our chance of flight!

The Paris Terror will repeat it here.

Not for myself I fear. No, no; for thee! [She clings to him.]

If they should hurt you, it would murder me By heart-bleedings and stabs intolerable!

G.o.dOY [kissing her]

The first thought now is how to get you back Within the Palace walls. Why would you risk To come here on a night so critical?

QUEEN [pa.s.sionately]

I could not help it--nay, I WOULD not help!

Rather than starve my soul I venture all.-- Our last love-night--last, maybe, of long years, Why do you chide me now?

G.o.dOY

Dear Queen, I do not: I shape these sharp regrets but for your sake.

Hence you must go, somehow, and quickly too.

They think not yet of you in threatening thus, But of me solely.... Where does your lady wait?

QUEEN

Below. One servant with her. They are true, And can be let know all. But you--but you! [Uproar continues.]

G.o.dOY

I can escape. Now call them. All three cloak And veil as when you came.

[They retreat into the room. QUEEN MARIA LUISA'S lady-in-waiting and servant are summoned. Enter both. All three then m.u.f.fle themselves up, and G.o.dOY prepares to conduct the QUEEN downstairs.]

QUEEN

Nay, now! I will not have it. We are safe; Think of yourself. Can you get out behind?

G.o.dOY

I judge so--when I have done what's needful here.-- The mob knows not the bye-door--slip across; Thence around sideways.--All's clear there as yet.