_Osw._ Commend me, stars!
You counselled well. [_To Bertrand_] Fool, do not draw. There"s none Will run against you. Charilus is dead, And by a way more sure. His holy goblet Held one rich drop the angels put not there Nor Virgin blessed. See how he pales--and stares-- And cannot get his voice? So are we spared A swan-song homily trickling through his beard.
Be off, old pray-lip--off, and take with you Your cat-foot peace and milky piety!
I serve a vengeful G.o.d who armeth men For his own wars!
_Ber._ Heaven, draw thy clouds about thee!
[_Charilus dies in Ardia"s arms_]
_Osw._ He"s dead! The air of earth is sweet again.
I have no enemy!
_Ber._ [_Looking up from the body_] You have no son.
[_Curtain_]
ACT III
SCENE: _On Kidmir Pa.s.s. Moonlight paling to dawn. Ardia alone, struggling up the Pa.s.s._
_Ard._ [_Looking back_] They do not follow. I am safe from that.
[_Sits on a rock_]
Why should I climb? There is no rest up there.
But there is death, mayhap,--and that is worth The sorest climbing. O, my father dear, Is "t thy dead self so heavy on my heart?
Thou shouldst be light upon thy spirit wings, And give me of thy freedom.
[_Gaina enters from above_]
Gaina, hast found The spring?
_Gaina._ "Tis farther up.
_Ard._ More steps.
_Gaina._ Wait here.
Barca will bring you drink. Nay, sit you still.
_Ard._ I must. How this weak body masters us, Cooling the bravest will that in strong limbs Might dance to any goal! Yet do we say The will is lord, whose flush is in the blood And fades wi" the paling body. By that lie We cling to Heaven and immortality.
... O, I am lost so deep I need not fear The farthest bolt of G.o.d! Out, out the pale Of his concern!
_Gaina._ Why now, honey dear!
A sip of fine spring water and you"ll be A lark o" the morning! All"s not bad, I say.
There"s Banissat would marry you to-morrow!
What pretty words he spoke, and took us in Like a good father--but I saw him look!
And he were shaved he"d have a merry eye.
Such meal and honey! _I"ve_ a thankful tooth!
Come now, what say you? Run from such a fortune, And stumbling is no matter. Ay, a trip Or two were well enough.
_Ard._ Yes, foolish "twas To fly from Banissat.
_Gaina._ You know it? Well, well, If it"s your own right mind you"ve run to, dearie, There"s no harm done past mending.
_Ard._ [_Taking a small dagger from her dress_] This had saved My feet these weary steps.
_Gaina._ Sweet Mary, save us!
Wouldst slay a prince for loving thee?
_Ard._ No, wretch.
I could not take another"s life though "twere Of all the world the foulest.
_Gaina._ Bless the la.s.s!
_Ard._ But out of pity I could take my own.
Why should my heart beat on and labor so For merest leave to beat again?
_Gaina._ Now, now!
[_Enter Barca_]
Here"s Barca, praise the saints! Now you"ll take heart!
[_Ardia takes gourd from Barca and drinks_]
_Ard._ Thanks, Barca. But there"s misery in the draught That makes me keen again. I fear me I"ll Yet hope.
_Barca._ Will you walk on?
_Ard._ Yes, come.
_Barca._ [_Listening_] What"s that?
A noise below!
_Ard._ Some one from Banissat!
I"ll not be taken!
_Barca._ Come aside, my lady.
Here is good hiding.
[_They go behind a great rock half hidden by cedars. Bertrand enters below. Ardia steps out and stands before him. He kneels_]
_Ber._ Spirit, hast come for me? I"ll join thee, love, When I have climbed this peak and met the sword That sets my honor free.
_Ard._ Nay, rise, my lord.
_Ber._ [_Rising_] Thy living self? Here in the night alone?
_Ard._ Barca is here, and Gaina.