The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 11

_Cor._ Your tool then. One of all Your million hooked hands fast in the heart Of my poor country, shut your doors, thereby To starve the wretches till they crawled to you And begged their chains again. But they--their veins Were not all tapped--they'd blood left, and arose From their dumb prayers to _fight_ for life--and then....

_Hud._ You sent the troops.

_Cor._ Because Rubirez lied!

_Hud._ Because you knew there'd be no after-sale For your high favors, once let t.i.tles drift Unguaranteed. And when your work was done-- _Your_ work, my tear-washed saint, why weary patience Could not take further time to count the dead, Or dig so many graves. They were piled up And carted to the sea----

_Cor._ Oh, every tide Brings back their faces--staring, staring up!

Will G.o.d not answer them? I dare not shut My eyes....

_Hud._ And this is why you weep so late?

Come, Cordiaz, you're broken. Leave a throne Your own fears shake. You know that I must win.

Own you are mastered----

_Cor._ Mastered! While I've breath I am a king. If I win peace of G.o.d, And his white angel let my dark soul out, 'Twill be for this--the last throe of my strength Was spent against you!

_Hud._ Madly you've uncased Your madness, and I know my weapons.

_Cor._ So!

I too, my lord, know how to sleep and wake With hand on steel.

_Hud._ Then is there more to say?

_Cor._ All's said. We're waited for. a.s.saria, Will 't please you enter?

_Hud._ I thank you, Goldusan. [_They go in_]

_Her._ Don't comfort me, Senora. Not a breath.

I'll not disfigure shame with comfort's patch, But droop as low as leprous dust, and take Some pride in that. 'Tis dark here, dark. Pray G.o.d I am asleep!

_Sen._ Dear princess!

_Her._ Men do well To keep the women blind. If once they knew, They'd breed no more, but let a bairnless world Escheat to G.o.d. Yet you, Senora, knew, And you have children. By your motherhood You've bound you Life's accomplice,--given it heart And veins and an accepting soul!

_Sen._ I have!

Deny our hearts these babes, and we deny The future that we fight for. Ah, defeat May be endured by those who hold in lap The victors of to-morrow!

_Her._ Oh, my father!

_Sen._ This truth was edged and swift. You should have had Love's lips to teach you----

_Her._ I've been taught, my friend, But would not learn. [_Rising_] Senora, it was I Betrayed your brother!

_Sen._ Yes.... I know.

_Her._ To death!

You do not understand. I killed him!

_Sen._ No.

There, love,--forget a little. I've a hope He is not dead.

_Her._ Not dead? What gives you hope?

_Sen._ Perhaps the nameless mentor in the heart That tells us when our loved shrines are lit And when they're out forever. But there's more.

Whenever Lord Megario's eye meets mine There's something couched there speaks me living wrong, Not wrong that's ended--locked within a grave No prayer may open. He is burning yet With uncompleted vengeance--and its shame.

_Her._ Senora, you've a plan!

_Sen._ 'Twill take much gold.

_Her._ Ah, I have that.

_Sen._ And courage.

_Her._ Well!

_Sen._ Such as, We're told, no woman has.

_Her._ Here is my life, And any Fate may have it that will make Your brother live. Will you forgive me then?

_Sen._ [_Kissing her_] Ah, dear, you could not know....

_Her._ How did you hear?

_Sen._ From Chartrien.

_Her._ You are friends?

_Sen._ So true he seems Not friend but friends.h.i.+p to my soul. And I Talk here, while yonder he----

_Her._ They dare not! No!

My father would.... My father? Oh, Senora! [_Sobs hopelessly_]

_Sen._ We'll find a door to this.

_Her._ Would Ziralay Not help?

_Sen._ Had he the wit, he would not dare.

While I'm his wife he must keep double guard Against suspicion.

_Her._ Oh!

_Sen._ If there's one true, 'Tis Guildamour. I'll go to him.

_Her._ At once!

He took that path.

_Sen._ I know what shade he seeks When he would brood.