The Poems of Emma Lazarus Volume II Part 19

PRINCE WILLIAM.

Thy propped house crumbles; let my arm sustain Its tottering base--thy light is on the wane, Let me relume it. Give thy star to me, Or ever pitch-black night engulf us all-- Lend me your voice, Liebhaid, entreat for me.

Shall this prayer be your first that he denies?

LIEBHAID.

Father, my heart's desire is one with his.

SUSSKIND.

Is this the will of G.o.d? Amen! My children, Be patient with me, I am full of trouble.

For you, heroic Prince, could aught enhance Your love's incomparable n.o.bility, 'T were the foreboding horror of this hour, Wherein you dare flash forth its lightning-sword.

You reckon not, in the hot, splendid moment Of great resolve, the cold insidious breath Wherewith the outer world shall blast and freeze-- But hark! I own a mystic amulet, Which you delivering to your gracious father, Shall calm his rage withal, and change his scorn Of the Jew's daughter into pure affection.

I will go fetch it--though I drain my heart Of its red blood, to yield this sacrifice.

[Exit SUSSKIND.]

PRINCE WILLIAM.

Have you no smile to welcome love with, Liebhaid?

Why should you tremble?

LIEBHAID.

Prince, I am afraid!

Afraid of my own heart, my unfathomed joy, A blasphemy against my father's grief, My people's agony. I dare be happy-- So happy! in the instant's lull betwixt The dazzle and the crash of doom.

PRINCE WILLIAM.

You read The omen falsely; rather is your joy The thrilling harbinger of general dawn.

Did you not tell me scarce a month agone, When I chanced in on you at feast and prayer, The holy time's bright legend? of the queen, Strong, beautiful, resolute, who denied her race To save her race, who cast upon the die Of her divine and simple loveliness, Her life, her soul,--and so redeemed her tribe.

You are my Esther--but I, no second tyrant, Wors.h.i.+p whom you adore, love whom you love!

LIEBHAID.

If I must die with morn, I thank my G.o.d, And thee, my king, that I have lived this night.

Enter SUSSKIND, carrying a jewelled casket.

SUSSKIND.

Here is the chest, sealed with my signet-ring, A mystery and a treasure lies within, Whose worth is faintly symboled by these gems, Starring the case. Deliver it unopened, Unto the Landgrave. Now, sweet Prince, good night.

Else will the Judenga.s.se gates be closed.

PRINCE WILLIAM.

Thanks, father, thanks. Liebhaid, my bride, good-night.

[He kisses her brow.

SUSSKIND places his hands on the heads of LIEBHAID and PRINCE WILLIAM.]

SUSSKIND.

Blessed, O Lord, art thou, who bringest joy To bride and bridegroom. Let us thank the Lord.

[Curtain falls.]

ACT II.--At Eisenach.

SCENE I.

A Room in the LANDGRAVE'S Palace.

FREDERICK THE GRAVE and

HENRY SCHNETZEN.

LANDGRAVE.

Who tells thee of my son's love for the Jewess?

SCHNETZEN.

Who tells me? Ask the Judenga.s.se walls, The garrulous stones publish Prince William's visits To his fair mistress.

LANDGRAVE.

Mistress? Ah, such sins The Provost of St. George's will remit For half a pound of coppers.

SCHNETZEN.

Think it not!

No light amour this, leaving s.h.i.+eld unflecked; He wooes the Jewish damsel as a knight The lady of his heart.

LANDGRAVE.

Impossible!

SCHNETZEN.

Things more impossible have chanced. Remember Count Gleichen, doubly wived, who pined in Egypt, There wed the Pasha's daughter Malachsala, Nor blushed to bring his heathen paramour Home to his n.o.ble wife Angelica, Countess of Orlamund. Yea, and the Pope Sanctioned the filthy sin.

LANDGRAVE.

Himself shall say it.

Ho, Gunther! (Enter a Lackey.) Bid the Prince of Meissen here.

[Exit Lackey. The LANDGRAVE paces the stage in agitation.]

Enter PRINCE WILLIAM.