University of Virginia Library

ACT I

SCENE I.

The Court-yard of the Palace.
A flourish of horns. Boleslaus and his Knights and Guests returning from the chase, with Servants carrying a deer. Then follow some Huntsmen.
FIRST HUNTSMAN
It was the prince who kill'd him.

SECOND HUNTSMAN
You are wrong:
Lord Albert gave him his death-wound—I heard
Prince Casimir himself tell how it was.

FIRST HUNTSMAN
Perhaps so: but he ever crowns his friend
With the first garland. They were close enough
For such an error.

SECOND HUNTSMAN
You are wrong again.
Not half so readily the prince resigns
His honours, even to him.

THIRD HUNTSMAN
There's truth in that:
Or else the page does with him as he will.

FOURTH HUNTSMAN
How long has he been favourite?

SECOND HUNTSMAN
They were friends
Even in their boyhood,—since your Casimir
First visited our court,—sworn friends: the prince
Would have none else for his companion.
They rode together, hunted, swam, and fought,
And studied; none e'er saw them separate.
When Albert was advanced to be the page
Of our young princess, your prince Casimir
Was jealous, as a girl, that he must lose
Some hours of him. And in her turn the girl—
The lady Claribel—grew just as fond;
And pined when he must leave her for the wars.
There he'd the hap to save the prince's life;
And so was knighted, and strode on apace
To closer friendship,—'faith, 'tis well deserved:
For there's none braver or more mannerly,
More true or kind in speech, nor one who bears
Himself more nobly, though not nobly born.
But all the same he is our lady's page:
She will not part with him. When your young lord
Left us, some months since—See, where come the friends,
Holding themselves aloof from all the rest.

Enter Casimir and Albert.
ALBERT
You have not told me yet what lucky chance
Gladdens Bohemia with your step again.

CASIMIR
No chance, my friend! you have expected me.

ALBERT
Yes! but so long, that expectation fell
Into disfavour, for a lying slave
That brought false messages of your return.
Why left you us?

CASIMIR
Well, you shall know the cause
Both of my leaving and of my return.
I was impatient of the company
Of these same wooing princes who have throng'd
So many months past your Bohemian court
With idle supplications. I was vex'd
To see them buzzing round the princess' ears.
I had grown up beside her till it seem'd
That she belong'd to me. And when they came
To interfere, 'twas an impertinence
That gall'd me till I could not, even to you,
Own my annoyance. So I left them here,
Trusting my deeds might well outvoice their words
In her dear estimation.—You are hurt
That I kept this so secret?

ALBERT
Hurt at that!

CASIMIR
Why then this change of countenance? Your face
Is mapp'd with hostile lines. What moves you so?

ALBERT
I fear this love may sunder us.

CASIMIR
My friend!
Should it not draw us closer, thee and me?

ALBERT
It shall. Forgive me for a moment's doubt.

Enter an Attendant
ATTENDANT
(to Albert)
The princess has been asking for you, sir!

CASIMIR
Put off your fears; nothing can harm our loves.

ALBERT
I will be sure of it.

CASIMIR
Be here again
Quickly.

ALBERT
Ay! presently.

CASIMIR
I'll stay for you.

SCENE II.

The Princess' Chamber. Claribel reading; a Lady waiting. Enter Albert.
ALBERT
Your highness sent for me.

CLARIBEL
In truth I did;
But have forgot my purpose.

ALBERT
May I wait
Till you recall it?

CLARIBEL
That would be for ever.
How have you pass'd the morning?

ALBERT
With the prince.

CLARIBEL
You have been hunting with him: is't not so?

ALBERT
I will forswear it, if it be your will.

CLARIBEL
Nay: I'd be wrong, to either step between
You and your friend or stay your arm from deeds
Of manly daring. I must blush to own
A woman's may-be foolish timorousness;
And you are over-rash. You love the chase
(Confess the truth!) more than all joys on earth
Save Casimir's friendship.

ALBERT
Madam! one thing more.

CLARIBEL
And that, best-loved?

ALBERT
My duty next your grace.

CLARIBEL
Is't that weighs down your brows so heavily?

ALBERT
Nay, madam, 'tis the light that dazzles me.

CLARIBEL
Your love is light, then.
[To her Attendant]
Go, fetch me my lute!—
I will sing some low song shall charm away
Your sorrow with its plaintive melody.
I did not deem that love should make men sad.
My father's court is throng'd with lovers, fair
As summer butterflies,—as careless too.
Methinks a gayer, goodlier company
Is rarely met with. But perchance your love
Is of another hue?

ALBERT
The self-same hue,
Yet somewhat differing.

CLARIBEL
Differing:—ha! I see,—
You and your mistress. Trust me, if 'tis so,
You love unworthily: for I know none
So high may bar your suit. Some arrogant girl
Who thinks a peerless knight not noble enough.

ALBERT
No! no! there is no arrogance but mine:
If hopeless reverence can be arrogant.

CLARIBEL
You are too diffident. Dare you confide
Your love to me, that I may plead with her?
I'll guess who it may be. How high is she?

ALBERT
Madam! about your height.

CLARIBEL
About:—And fair?

ALBERT
Fair as Bohemia's Fairest, as the dawn
Of the first, brightest spring; as fair as Hope,
Could Hope be the Belovéd. Fair as thou.

CLARIBEL
If it be not some page's courtly tone,
Or cunningest gloss, to me you would address
Your nameless praise. I am not vain enough
To answer—I deserve it. What heart-words
May echo—

ALBERT
Lady! if transparent speech
Display'd my soul's depth, giving back yourself
To your own gaze:—In the name of loyalty,
My most aspiring thought hath ne'er displaced,
Yet credit this—I have not earn'd your scorn.

CLARIBEL
My scorn!

ALBERT
O Beautiful! thy very pride
Looks angel-like: yet wrongs me—Let me speak!
True heart-devotion, ne'er so meanly born,
Is homage worthy of a queen's regard;
The lowliest truth would kiss her raiment-hem
Too noble for her trampling. I am paid
With your most distant smile for my best worth;
But even my humblest love is no fit slave
For your disdain.

CLARIBEL
(looking in his face)
Albert!

ALBERT
My eyes are dim.

CLARIBEL
(kissing his eyelids)
Canst thou see clearly now? Nay, do not kneel!
Rise to the full height of thy worthiness,
That my glad soul may look up into thine,
My royalest knight! How couldst thou ever doubt?
What! scorn of thee?

ALBERT
My life stands giddily
Upon the sunniest peak of happiness.
Let me hold fast thy hand.

CLARIBEL
For ever, love!

ALBERT
My Princess!

ATTENDANT
(returning)
Madam! you desired me fetch
Your highness' lute. There is a broken string.

CLARIBEL
No matter! Leave us now!—My song is sung.

ALBERT
Yet sing again!

CLARIBEL
If thou wilt sing with me.

SCENE III.

A Room of State in the Palace.
Boleslaus on his throne; Claribel seated at his feet; the Princes standing in front; Knights, Ladies, and Attendants around.
BOLESLAUS
We wait your slow decision, Claribel!
These princes now have sojourn'd in our court
Full time enough for the most fickle eyes
To make election: difficult at first,
Where all are worthy; but a woman's wit
And ready apprehension can not fail
To note ere long some difference of port,
Or manner, or behaviour, which may help
Her certain choice. Which of these lords shall be
Your husband, heir unto Bohemia's crown?

CLARIBEL
May I be free to speak?

BOLESLAUS
Speak as thou wilt!

CLARIBEL
Then, good my lord! my choice doth light on none.

BOLESLAUS
Thou hast no choice 'mong all these gentlemen?
What then?

CLARIBEL
I would not wed with either, sir!
I speak it not of mere maid bashfulness,
Nor frowardly contemning princely worth,—
Albeit not for my purchase while my heart
Hath no response. My answer is but this—
I can not choose to wed unless I love.

BOLESLAUS
Then we must choose for thee. Shall it be said
King Boleslaus has play'd with welcomed guests?
Yet, Princes! speak to her. Your smoother tones
May charm this waywardness. We little like
To have our purposes so set at nought.

PRINCE RUDOLPH
Princess! I pray you to allow my suit.
A jewel should be worn and well display'd,
Not hidden away: and thou a priceless one
With thy rich dower of beauty. For the love
Hath so long knit our houses, let me bind
Our realms in one dear hope, thy hand in mine.

CLARIBEL
Prince Rudolph loves the jewel set in gold.
It is Bohemia's daughter he would wed:
And as Bohemia's daughter I reply—
I am too proud to be his hand-maiden,
Even to place the jewel in his cap.

ANOTHER OF THE PRINCES
Lady! beseech thee let my passion move
Thy virgin coldness. Not Bohemia's round
Of golden glory, but the sunny light
Of all perfections circling thy bright self,
Hath warm'd my heart. My life will worship thee
With utmost patience, let thy sweet spring smile
Shine on me through this winterly contempt.

CLARIBEL
Let that same patience ask another spring!
I do not warm to thee. Thy sunniest speech
Thaws not the ice between us. I am fix'd
In my first resolution.

ANOTHER OF THE PRINCES
Yet relent.
Set me, dear princess! to some arduous task
Whose prize may be thy favour. Let me wear
Thy glove, even as a promise, on my helm.

CLARIBEL
Is then thy courage all so dull to need
The spur of a poor guerdon? Dost hold back
From nobleness until thou hear'st the price?
My father's daughter is not yet for sale,
Though honour bid.

CASIMIR
Belovéd Claribel!
Refuse me not, for this: While these have sought
Thy favour with word-wooing, I have cared
Rather to let the echo of brave deeds
Reach thee from far and whisper my desert
Than strive to please thine eyes, reflecting back
From my unstained armour the glad sheen
Of thy most radiant presence, or to mix
My words in this midsummer melody.
If Fame has spoken for me, may thy voice,
Sweeter than Fame's, approve her plea and mine.

CLARIBEL
Prince Casimir! I should dispraise your worth
By scornful words. I fear my speech has err'd
From courtesy toward these gentlemen:
Yet I would not contemn their dear regards.
Truly I thank them that they so affect
Bohemia's daughter. My acknowledgment
Will heal, I hope, such wounds as I have made.
You too I thank, sir! for your kindly thoughts;
Which I am all too poor to render back
With the sole rendering you could well accept.
Too poor, for that my heart has been and is
Unsway'd by love toward you. I beseech,
Of you and all these lords, construction clear
Of my most simple words: I do esteem
Your several worths, but none of you I love
As she should love who would be royal wife.
By your own truths, I pray, believe me now.
I do not falter.

BOLESLAUS
Stay! this shall nòt be.
We may not have our policy so cross'd
By girlish whimsies. Thou shalt wed perforce.
But not to make election blindfolded,
To-morrow we will hold a tournament;
And there thou shalt adjudge thyself as prize
To him who best deserves.—Nay, answer not.
Princes! we wish that we had girls enough
To wive you all; so none might leave our court
Unsatisfied. But since that may not be,
We pray you hold our loves of equal weight;
Nor blame our care that only one can gain.
To-morrow shall proclaim Bohemia's heir.
We leave you to the tending of your hopes.

Exit with Claribel and Train, the Princes following. As they go out
PRINCE RUDOLPH
(to Casimir)
You look not in discarded mood, my lord!

CASIMIR
Why should I, when to-morrow will amend
To-day's deferral?
[Casimir and Albert remain.]
Albert! look at him.
Faith, he's as sad as if king Boleslaus
Himself had stamp'd refusal. Let him fear:
For hope girds on my sword. Her hand is mine.

ALBERT
Whether she will or no?

CASIMIR
A woman's No.
But thou hast heard. She has not made a choice:
Save that her words to me were gentler-toned.
I quarrel not with that. My way is clear.
She bids me write the Yes with my own hand.
Shall I not snatch her from this summer swarm

ALBERT
But if she yet should choose; and if her choice
Should be another?

CASIMIR
Think'st thou I would yield?
Yield her whose love is more than life to me:
For I'd not live without her.

ALBERT
Would'st thou wrong
The gentle love which never may be forced?
Would'st savagely o'ermaster the Adored?
Or claim her heart even if it gave not back
One pulse to thine?

CASIMIR
If! if!—My doubtful friend!
Thou hast never loved, or thou would'st know that ifs
Are meaningless. My mortal enemy
I'd grasp with ungloved peace ere I would back
One step out of the path toward my love,
Even for my brother and most dearest friend.
Let them beware!—for I or the other side,
Though ne'er so many, in to-morrow's lists
Shall look our last on her. Her hand is mine.

SCENE IV.

A Hall in the Palace.
Retainers lounging about: some cleaning armour, some drinking.
FIRST RETAINER
I'll wager you prince Rudolph is the man.

SECOND RETAINER
Not he, but our prince Casimir.

THIRD RETAINER
I'll hold
My master wins.

FOURTH RETAINER
Or mine.

FIFTH RETAINER
(from table where some are drinking)
But which is he
The princess most affects?

FIRST RETAINER
Why, none, she says.

FOURTH RETAINER
Ay, says: a woman always says her No.
That's good Bohemian for ‘I thank you, sir!’
[To one of the Princess' Attendants passing]
Is it not? girl!—Where runnest thou? We'll have
A match at last. Shall it be a double one?

GIRL
No fear of that: no king will father me.
Was I my lady, I would take the veil
Rather than marry any against my will.

FOURTH RETAINER
You'll never have the chance.

GIRL
Why not? sir Squire!

FOURTH RETAINER
Because you'd not be able to say No.

GIRL
Try me!

FOURTH RETAINER
That's Yes,—and Yes beforehand too.

He attempts to kiss her.
GIRL
Keep off!

FOURTH RETAINER
But truly, if a woman can,
Say, do you think the princess mean'd her No?

GIRL
What's that to you?

FOURTH RETAINER
Nay, what a mood you're in.
I did not go to offend you.

SECOND RETAINER
Let her be!
But tell us, do you think your mistress cares
For none of our young princes?

GIRL
'Troth, not I,
Unless prince Casimir.

SECOND RETAINER
He's worthy her.
Yet I know one more princely to my mind
Even than he.

GIRL
Who then?

SECOND RETAINER
Your lady's page.
He's kinder; has a gentler way with him;
Nor any upstart pride.

FIFTH RETAINER
He's proud enough
With the king's knights.

SECOND RETAINER
That's true. But not with us.

FIFTH RETAINER
Then he's one of us.

GIRL
(passing on)
Well, I can't stay here
Idling with you. A set of gossiping knaves!

SIXTH RETAINER
(at the table)
Here's to the winner!

FIFTH RETAINER
You pledge warily.

SIXTH RETAINER
I am a courtier.

FIFTH RETAINER
Where may you have learn'd
State policy?

SIXTH RETAINER
The school is not far off;
Nor hard to find: under the palace-eaves.

SEVENTH RETAINER
I like not this rough wooing. What say you?

EIGHTH RETAINER
It bodes no good.

FIFTH RETAINER
Tush, man! what would you do?
Girls must be married. Who should choose for them
If not their fathers?

A PAGE
Or if not themselves?

FIFTH RETAINER
Ha! so you boys may fancy,—always wise
In your own mad conceits. A likely judge
Your inexperience.

PAGE
Well, I would not have
My father choose for me; nor take a wife
Whose only Yes came from her father's mouth.
Does it follow that my father's suit fits me?

SEVENTH RETAINER
The boy's not wide o' the mark; though it is well
To have a father's sanction. I ne'er knew
That a forced marriage came to any speed.
I heard, the king, after he left the lords,
Had harsh words with his daughter. He's quicktongued.

EIGHTH RETAINER
And hasty in his will too. What he says
Is done on the spur o' the moment. Well, I hope
Prince Casimir may win her.

PAGE
So do I.

NINTH RETAINER
(entering)
Prince Rudolph even now is taking leave.

PAGE
He will not risk the fight.

SIXTH RETAINER
I'm of his mind.
A broken pate's a sorry wedding gift.
I'd rather keep mine whole, though I was sure
To have a crown for plaster.

FIFTH RETAINER
Will you pledge
The winner now?

SIXTH RETAINER
I'll pledge you any way.

FIFTH RETAINER
Here's a safe journey to you.

SIXTH RETAINER
And to you,
Fair weather for your wedding.

NINTH RETAINER
Come! the prince
Has call'd for us.

SIXTH RETAINER
I'm with you.

SEVENTH RETAINER
It looks black:
There'll be a storm by the morrow.

PAGE
Do you hear
How the wind moans? Was not that lightning too,
Over the royal chamber? There, again!