The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 74

_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 G.o.d," 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.