Charles Di Tocca Part 5

BARDAS: Then may I be the rock on which he breaks!

But hear; who comes? (_Revellers are heard approaching._) We must aside until This mirth is past. (_They conceal themselves._)

_Enter revellers dressed as baccha.n.a.ls and bacchantes, dancing and singing._

Bacchus, hey! was a G.o.d, hei-yo!

The vine! a fig for the rest!

With locks green-crowned and lips red-warm-- The vine! the vine's the best!

He loved maids, O-o-ay! hei-yo!

The vine! a maiden's breast!

He pressed the grape, and kissed the maid!-- The cuckoo builds no nest!

(_All go dancing, except LYDIA and PHAON, who clasps and kisses her pa.s.sionately_)

LYDIA (_breaking from him_): Do you think kisses are so cheap? You must know mine fill my purse! A pretty gallant from Naples, with laces and silks and jewels gave me this ring last year for but one.

And another lover from Venice gave me this (_a bracelet_)--but he looked so sad when he gave it. Ah, his eyes! I'd not have cared if he had given me naught.

PHAON: Here, here, then! (_Offers jewel._)

LYDIA (_putting it aside_): They say the ladies in Venice ride with their lovers through the streets all night in boats: and the very moon s.h.i.+nes more pa.s.sionately there. Is it true?

PHAON: Yes, yes. But kiss me, Lydia! Take this jewel--my last. Be mine to-night, no other's! We'll prate of Venice another time.

LYDIA: Another time we'll prate of kisses. I'll not have the jewel.

PHAON: Not have it! Now you're turning nun! a soft and virgin, silly nun! With a gray gown to hide these shoulders that--shall I whisper it?

LYDIA: Devil! they're not! A nice lover called them round and fair last night. And I've been sick! And--I--cruel! cruel! cruel!

(_Revellers are heard returning._) There, they're coming.

PHAON: Never mind, my girl. But you mustn't scorn a man's blood when it's afire.

_Re-enter Revellers singing_

Bacchus, hey! was a G.o.d, hei-yo! etc.

(_After which all go, except ZOE and BASIL._

ZOE: O! O! O! but 'tis brave! Wine, Basil! Wine, my knight, my Bacchus! Ho! ho! my G.o.d! you wheeze like a cross-bow. Is it years, my wooer, years?--Ah! (_She sighs._)

BASIL: Sighs--sighs! Now look for showers.

ZOE: Basil--you were my first lover--except the duke Charles. Ah, did you see how that Helena looked when they gave her the duke's command? I was like that once. (_HaeMON starts forward._)

BASIL: Fiends, nymphs and saints! it's come! tears in your eyes!

Zoe, stop it. Would you have mine leak and drive me to a monastery for shelter!

ZOE (_sings sadly and absently_):

She lay by the river, dead, A broken reed in her hand A nymph whom an idle G.o.d had wed And led from her maidenland.

BASIL: O, had I been born a heathen!

ZOE: He told me, Basil, I should live, a great lady, at his castle.

And they should kiss my hand and courtesy to me. He meant but jest--I feared.--I feared! But--I loved him!

BASIL: Now, my damsel--!

ZOE (_sings_):

The G.o.d was the great G.o.d Jove, Two notes would the bent reed blow, The one was sorrow, the other love Enwove with a woman's woe.

BASIL: Songs and snakes! Give me instead a Dominican's funeral!

I'd as lief crawl bare-kneed to Rome and mouth the Pope's heel.

O blessed Turks with their remorseless harems!--Zoe!

ZOE (_sings_):

She lay by the river dead; And he at feasting forgot.

The G.o.ds, shall they be disquieted By dread of a mortal's lot?

(_She wipes her eyes, trembles, looks at him and laughs hysterically._)

Bacchus! my Bacchus! with wet eyes! Up, up, lad! there's many a cup for us yet!

(_They go, she leading and singing._

He loved maids, O-o-ay! hei-yo!

The vine! a maiden's breast! etc.

(_HaeMON and BARDAS look at each other, then start after them terribly moved._)

CURTAIN.

ACT TWO

_Scene._--_An audience hall in the castle of CHARLES DI TOCCA; the next afternoon. The dark stained walls have been festooned with vines and flowers. On the left is the ducal throne. On the right sunlight through high-set windows. In the rear heavily draped doors. Enter CHARLES, who looks around and smiles with subtle content, then summons a servant._

_Enter servant._

CHARLES: The princess Fulvia.

SERVANT: She comes, sir, now.

(_Goes._

_Enter FULVIA._