 | Poems of Paul Hamilton Hayne
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SCENE V.
[An apartment in the house of Affendouli,
the Governor-General of Candia. Enter Antonio,
and Affendouli, conversing.]
AFFENDOULI.
These private bickerings are the fruitful cause
Of all disgrace and failure; let us end them!
ANTONIO.
Most willingly! I have no feud with any,
Saving one quarrel, forced upon me, chief!
AFFENDOULI.
True, true! but even now a courier waits,
Charged with a special message of good will,
From Rousso, and his brother, Anagnosti;
They say, “We plead for peace! all personal hate
Henceforth be quelled between us; we would join
Our troop to Melidori's, and our banners
Wave side by side with his.” Accept their proffer!
ANTONIO.
I will!
AFFENDOULI.
To show thou art sincere, fail not to test
Their hospitality.
ANTONIO.
As how?
AFFENDOULI.
They give
A solemn feast of unity and friendship,
To which thou art invited. Go, I charge thee.
ANTONIO.
Trust me, I shall be there, what day's appointed
Whereon to hold this festival of love?
AFFENDOULI.
This very day; thou knowest the camp of Rousso?
ANTONIO.
Ay! I'll be there anon!
[Exit Antonio. Enter, after a brief interval,
Philota, with a hurried and anxious mien.]
PHILOTA.
Oh, pardon, pardon!
Most gracious Governor! but I come to seek
Ant—Ant—, that is, the Captain Melidori,
With tidings of grave import.
AFFENDOULI.
Ha!
Thou luckless messenger! he has departed.
Gone—
PHILOTA
[wildly].
Where, where?
AFFENDOULI.
To feast with Rousso.
PHILOTA
[rushing out].
Then is he lost! O merciful God, protects us!
| Poems of Paul Hamilton Hayne
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