The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 84

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.