SCENE III.
[A year is supposed to have elapsed. The
town of Sphakia after nightfall. Enter confusedly
a band of Sphakiote soldiers, with
Rousso amongst them. The streets are crowded
with women, many of whom are heard lamenting
the death of Antonio Melidori.]
ROUSSO
[in a disguised voice].
Why will ye clamor thus, ye foolish jades?
Your handsome favorite, your renowned commander,
Is no more dead than I am!
A WOMAN.
Say'st thou so?
Where then is Melidori?
ROUSSO
[still disguising his voice].
Would'st thou learn?
Women of Sphakia, your immaculate captain,
He for whose welfare, upon bended knees,
Ye nightly pray to heaven, whose name your infants
Lisp in their very slumbers, hath betrayed us!
Hold! hear me out! I am no dubious witness;
Thrice, whilst the battle raged along our front,
Is saw the traitor creeping like a dog
Between the Turkish outposts!
[Antonio appears in the rear, with a child in
his arms.]
ANTONIO.
It is false!
Here is your leader, Sphakiotes; what base slanderer
Dares to pronounce me traitor? I but paused
To save this weeping innocent, whose mother
Fell by some coward's sword!
ROUSSO.
Ha, Sphakiotes, see,
The noble Melidori waxes tender,
Soft as a woman! he must love the Moslem,
Who fosters thus their offspring! by the saints
A lusty brat! He'll thrive, good friends, believe me,
And grow betimes, to cut our infants' throats!
ANTONIO.
Let him who speaks stand forth; I would confront
My bold accuser. What! he clings to the dark!
Fit place for lies and liars!
Friends, I scorn
To parley with this viper; there's a way,
One only way, to deal with reptiles, crush them,
Thus, thus, and thus,
When they have crawled too near us;
[Stamping violently upon the earth.]
Till then, why let the ugly beasts hiss on,
And spit their harmless venom.
[Turning to the women.]
Mothers, wives,
Maidens of Sphakia, are there none amongst ye
Ready to take this poor unfortunate?
Just for my sake, fair countrywomen, list,
List to the blessèd word:—“The merciful
Shall obtain mercy!”
ROUSSO.
Heed him not, I say,
But seize the infidel whelp, and let him rock
On a steel bayonet! What! have we repelled
The invading foe, exterminated wholly
His forces and his empire, that we dare
Cherish his cubs among us?—and for what?
“Just for his sake, fair countrywomen,—his,
And mercy's!” Who showed mercy to our children,
When the Turk ravaged Scio? The young devil,—
Hear how he shrieks! ho! send him down to hell!
Down to his father! he's a grateful spirit,
And thankful for small favors!
[The crowd begin to murmur, and move threateningly
towards ANTONIO.]
ANTONIO.
Shame upon you!
Though the poor boy were fifty times a Moslem,
I'll rear him as my own; he shall not perish;
Perchance, who knows, when I have died for you,
For you, and Grecian liberty, this babe,
Reared as a Greek, may yet avenge my death,
As none of you, false brethren, dare avenge it!
Once more I say,—Mothers, wives, maids of Sphakia,
Is there not one amongst ye to whose tendance
I may commit this trembling castaway?
PHILOTA
[veiled].
Give me the child,—I'll nurture him with love,
And gentlest usage.
ANTONIO
[starting].
Heavens! what voice is that?
You here, Philota? I had hoped you dwelt
Safely within the close heart of the mountains!
PHILOTA.
The mountains are not safe.
ANTONIO.
Why then did'st thou
Keep such strict silence? Answer me, Philota,
How hast thou lived. This peasant's dress—
PHILOTA.
Is fittest
For me, Antonio,—by my handiwork,
And daily labor, I now earn my bread,—
For was it meet an unknown peasant girl
Should claim, as her betrothed, great Melidori,
Captain of Sphakia?
ANTONIO.
O, thou generous heart!
But stay,—the rabble must not catch our words;
Take thou the babe,—under the citywalls
I'll meet thee in the gloaming,
