The Lamp and the Bell Part 13

Come help me fetch the milk!

GILDA. Oh, Mister Beppo, Your sweetheart calls you! Run and fetch the milk!

LEONORA. [From a house, coming out.] Come in to supper, children!

RIGO. Oh, not just yet!

ELENORA. Father's not home yet!

LEONORA. You need not wait for him.

LOUIS. May we come out again?

LEONORA. [Joining other women.] Ay, for a time.

Till it gets dark.

RIGO. [To Louis.] 'Tis dark now, almost.

LOUIS. Hus.h.!.+

She does not know it.

GIULIANA. 'Tis dark now.

LEONORA. Ay, I know.

I let them play a little after dark Sometimes, when the weather's fine. I would not have them Afraid of shadows. They think I do not know Darkness from light.

ELENORA. There's father now!

RIGO. I see him!

[Elenora, Louis and Rigo run off the stage and along the path.]

LEONORA. He is late home today. I cannot think What may have held him. 'Twill be deep night already In the woods.

CESCO. [Off stage, harshly.] Down! Down! Do you run back to your mother!

See you not I am in haste?--Hang not upon me!

EUG. La! He is in a temper!

LEO. I never knew him So out of patience with them.

GIU. He is hungry, maybe.

LEO. He is often hungry, but I never knew him So out of patience. [The children come running back. To Elenora.]

Why do you weep, my heart?

LUI. Father is someone else tonight.

ELENORA. [Weeping.] He pushed me!

[Enter Cesco, with game on his shoulder, or a basket of mushrooms.]

SEVERAL WOMEN. Good-even, Cesco.

CES. [To Leonora.] Look you, Leonora, Have we a bed fit for a queen to lie in?

LEO. Nay, faith! Not we!

GIL. She can have my bed, mother.

GIN. Ay, true. There is a bed in my house, Cesco.

GIO. What will the queen do here?

GIU. I would indeed She had let us know that she was coming!

CES. The Queen Knew not herself. Nor is she coming of herself.

They are bringing her,--on a litter of crossed boughs,

GIL. She is not dead?

CES. Nay. Wounded in the arm A little, and in a swoon. But the young King Of Lagoverde is no more!

WOMEN. How so?

CES. I tell you my two eyes have looked this day On a sad and useless thing!--A fine lad, young, And strong, and beautiful as a lad may be, And king of a fair country, thrust from horse By a foul blow, and sprawled upon the ground,-- Legs wide asunder, fist full of brown mud, Hair in his eyes,--most pitiful unkingly!

Bring me a mug of wine, good wife! [Leonora goes out.]

GIO. You, Gilda!

There is a queen you would not be tonight, I'll warrant you,--the Queen of Lagoverde, With her two fatherless babes!

EUG. Nay, now, good Cesco, What is this matter?

CES. You'll know it quick enough.

They will be bringing the queen here ere I have breath To tell you. They are coming by the road, I took the mountain-path, and ran.

GIU. I must hasten To put fresh sheets on. [To Gilda.] Look you,--listen well If he should talk, and tell me afterwards. [Exit.]

EUG. Here comes Horatio! The boats are in.

[Some children rush down to the water-side.]

A good day, husband?

HOR. Ay, a heavy day.

What think you of that?--A big one, eh?--Came in With a school of little fish,--too greedy that time!

What happens here?--The air is full of breathing!

[The men come up from the boats with children clinging to them.