_Bion._ What then?
_Ard._ You may demand Whate"er you will of Oswald, if you spare The dear life of his son.
_Vig._ I"ll have that life And Oswald"s too!
_Ard._ He"ll make you any terms----
_Vig._ Ay, any terms, and keep none, once his son Is safe.
_Bion._ [_Looking down the pa.s.s_] Who comes?--with gleaming lances? Ah....
The prince!
_Vig._ By Allah, he!
[_It is now dawn. Ardia steps back into shadow as Banissat and followers enter. His retainers wait at entrance below while he advances_]
_Ban._ Good-morrow, friends.
_Bion._ Hail to you, Banissat!
_Ban._ I seek a dove That fled my hand last night. Has "t flown your way?
_Bion._ Our sister is with us.
_Ban._ Then search ends here.
_Bion._ Her flight meant no ingrat.i.tude, my lord.
Her father"s arms grown cold, she came to ours By the shortest way, bringing her honor home Where none might question it.
_Ban._ We love her more For watchful care of what to us is precious As to herself. Heaven-pure must be the bride Of Banissat, and tainted Heaven will put The earth to blush ere she will bring us shame.
I offer her my princedom.
_Ard._ [_Stepping out_] One whose veil Is lost? Whose face is common to the eyes Of beggars by the road?
_Ban._ O, bald and bitter!
But did not one, our Lady of Paradise, Walk with bare brow among our counsellors?
And you are pure as she. Who dares to soil The chosen of Banissat with whisper that He saw you on this journey, forfeits eyes And tongue. So silence shall give burial deep To every slander.
_Ard._ You will not forget.
_Ban._ Yourself shall be my dear oblivion.
For Beauty keeps no records, has no past; Her arms engird love"s moment, and there is No other time.
_Ard._ Nay, Beauty"s history Is writ beneath her bloom, and when that goes The deep, uncovered scars are hated more Because of love that kissed them unaware.
I dare not wed you, but say that I dared, Wouldst grasp my broken fortunes when you need Strong Antioch"s staff and sceptre to make good Your gates "gainst Oswald? And I"ve heard, my lord, That Antioch"s daughter is a prize you seek.
_Ban._ Be not o"er-jealous, Ardia of the Stars, For Antioch shall serve thee. There my suit Is but a fair appearance,--there I woo To make thy state secure, and thou shalt be Bride of my heart unrivalled.
_Ard._ Hear me then!
I am betrothed to Bertrand. He is sworn To me as I to him.
_Vig._ Death to your tongue!
You"d wed your father"s slayer?
_Ard._ I would wed Lord Bertrand. [_Kneels to Biondel_] Brother!
_Vig._ Give no ear to her!
_Ard._ If you would save Avesta and yourselves, Make peace with Oswald. Trust not Antioch.
When Bertrand comes----
_Vig._ He will not come! He"s not A fool as thou!
_Ard._ He comes!
_Vig._ [_Lifting his sword_] Then here"s his welcome!
[_Bertrand comes out and walks slowly to the group. Vigard, amazed, lowers his sword_]
_Ber._ My friends, well met. You cut my journey short.
[_Gives his sword to Biondel_]
_Bion._ You have come back ... to death?
_Ber._ The blow, my lord.
Your work is wellnigh done. An easy stroke Will finish it.
_Vig._ And whose is that?
_Bion._ Not mine.
I do condemn him, but can lift no hand To seal mine order.
_Vig._ I am not so weak.
This blow for Charilus!
_Ard._ [_Staying him_] If Bertrand dies My honor goes unto a grave so deep No shoot of green will ever from it spring For the world"s eye to light on.
_Bion._ You make much Of broken troth. There"s many a maid has lived In wedded honor with a second choice.
_Ard._ But I may not.
_Bion._ Peace, sister.
_Ard._ Let him live, And Suli"s glory will enwrap my name Stainless and safe.
_Ban._ "Tis safe with me. Ay, safer.
Let Antioch enlist with me, and I Shall wear the name of Suli with my own.