University of Virginia Library

SCENE III.

Psein conducted by Acciajoli, who retires.
Maria.
The queen
Desires your presence; I alone command it.
Eyes have seen you, commander Psein!

Psein.
Impossible!

Maria.
Yes, eyes have seen you, general Psein! they have,
And seen that they can trust you.

Psein.
By my troth
To all that's lovely!

Maria.
Ah, sad man! swear not . .
Unless you swear my words.

Psein.
To hear and swear
And treasure them within this breast, is one.

Maria
(Psein repeating).
“I swear to love and honour and obey” . .
Ha! not the hand . . it comes not quite so soon . .

Psein.
I have but little practice in the form;
Pardon me, gracious lady!

Maria.
Earn your pardon
By your obedience. Now repeat again.
“Whatever perils may obstruct her path,
I give safe-conduct to my royal mistress,
Giovanna, queen of Naples.” (He starts.)
Have you taken
Me for my sister all this while? I told you
It was not she commanded you, 'twas I.

Psein.
Oaths are sad things! I trot to church so seldom
They would not let me out of mine for little
(Not they!) like any good old customer.

Maria.
And so! you would deceive me, general?

Psein
(aside).
I am appointed! that sounds well: but general!
She said the same before: it must be true.

Maria.
Tell me at once, nor hesitate. Another
May reap the harvest while you whet the sickle.

Psein.
But I have sworn to let none pass, before
The will of my superiors be announced.

Maria.
Behold them here! their shadow fills this palace,
And in my voice, sir, is their will announced.

Psein.
I swore.

Maria.
I heard you.

Psein.
But before.

Maria.
Before
Disloyalty, now loyalty. Are brave
And gallant men to ponder in the choice?

Psein.
Devoted as I am to you, O lady!
It can not be.

Maria.
Is that the phrase of Psein?
We love the marvellous; we love the man
Who shows how things which can not be can be.
Give me this glove again upon the water,
And queen Giovanna shall reward you for it.

Psein.
Upon the water or upon the fire,
The whirlpool or volcano . . By bad luck
(What fools men are! they always make their own!)
The troops are in revolt. Pride brightens zeal
But not invention. How shall we contrive
To manage them at present?

Maria.
Tell the troops
We will have no revolts. Sure, with your powers
Of person and persuasion, not a man
Would hesitate to execute his duty.

Psein.
We are but three . .

Maria.
We are but two: yet, Psein!
When two are resolute they are enough.
Now I am resolute, and so are you,
And if those soldiers dare to disobey
It is rank mutiny and halbert-matter.
Await the Seneschal: he now returns.

[Goes.
Psein.
She knows the laws of war as well as I,
And looks a young Minerva, tho' of Naples.