The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 24

_First Off._ He's the heft of 't, And's made a full surrender.

_Second Off._ Made his terms!

His officers are guardians of the State, And he--he's stallion of the court, submits To curb and comb that he may prouder prance And keep the herd at stare. Surrender? Lord!

I think it!

[_Enter Third Officer, from left_]

_Third Off._ What's stirring, friends?

_Second Off._ Sleep-walkers.

_Third Off._ Ay, This amnesty makes idlers.

_Second Off._ So to-day, But work brews for to-morrow.

_Third Off._ You've a secret, And I've a guess that picks the lock to 't.

_Second Off._ Come!

These leaves are listeners.

[_They go off, lower right. Enter by path upper right, Senora Ziralay and Guildamour_]

_Gui._ To find you here Makes my best hope a sluggard, far outgone By th' dear event.

_Sen._ I came five days ago, The princess with me, here to wait return Of Hudibrand. That you have come with him, Makes sober welcome blithe.

_Gui._ He's slack in health.

_Sen._ That's written plain.

_Gui._ What iron's in the man That he yet lives?

_Sen._ He's been in conclave?

_Gui._ Yes.

Five nights he routed sleep from th' drowsy synod, And hung upon us turning every flank, Till Protest paled and Patience bled at heart.

_Sen._ And at the end?

_Gui._ He held our sealed bonds, And Vardas sat secure.

_Sen._ The bonds? We own Our railways now?

_Gui._ We do. And Hudibrand Owns us,--that is, the bonds. A good, stout noose For a nation's neck.

_Sen._ And all these days he's been In th' capital?

_Gui._ In closest session, though A stage-fed rumor held that he was gone From Goldusan. The harried people fear a.s.sarian power, and on the jealous watch, Keep Hudibrand in burrow.

_Sen._ He's gay-blown With confidence. I hear from Ziralay He made a careless peace with all the friends Of tottering Cordiaz.

_Gui._ That carelessness Was sea-deep cunning. Favors will go high, They'll find. Megario gave full half his lands For place in th' Cabinet.

_Sen._ Megario moved In blaze of censure, and did well to escape Singed of but half his goods. Two prisoners lost----

_Gui._ Ah, Chartrien and....

_Sen._ Rejan!

_Gui._ Be guarded here.

Fate rustles at that name.

_Sen._ O, Guildamour, Fear is the silent warder that divides Our secret hearts. Give it the tongue of daring, And like a blest interpreter 'twill bring Our hopes together.

_Gui._ There is stir within.

Come from these walls, Senora. And if your hope Is on the road with mine, I've news will make The wayside sing. Winds gather here and yon That may out-swagger even Hudibrand.

[_They go back along cascade path, as Hudibrand, Diraz, Mazaran, and Golifet come out of house_]

_Gol._ [_Holding up letter_] Nay, fearless majesty might take more note Of this despatch.

_Hud._ That beggar's mewl?

_Gol._ There's power In every word. LeVal must harbor strength We do not know of.

_Hud._ Tus.h.!.+ That is the vaunt Of weakness, not of power.

_Maz._ What is 't he says?

_Gol._ Avers him free of this imposed truce, And gives a fair foe's warning he'll attack Whene'er and how he can.

_Maz._ Well bragged.

_Dir._ His guns, No doubt, are cooler than his pen.

_Maz._ What more?

_Gol._ Repudiates Bolderez, and declares Himself the head of the Insurrectionists, Sole authorized to speak and treat for them.

My lord, what shall I answer?

_Hud._ Answer? Humph!

Treat with a rag-pole? We'll not sag to that.

[_Re-enter, right, Senora and Guildamour_]

_Hud._ My dear Senora, is our freakish daughter In hiding from us? We've not had her greeting.

_Sen._ She knew you close engaged, my lord, and left The hour to you. I'll tell her of your pleasure.