SCENE II.
The hall or principal room of the castle.
Enter
Samarkoon,
leading in a lady covered with a
veil, and followed by two female attendants; then a
band of musicians and a train of armed men, with
Ehleypoolie
and several of his soldiers as prisoners.
A nuptial chaunt or song is struck up.
SONG.
Open wide the frontal gate,
The lady comes in bridal state;
Than wafted spices sweeter far,
Brighter than the morning star;
Modest as the lily wild,
Gentle as a nurse's child.
A lovelier prize, of prouder boast,
Never chieftain's threshold corss'd.
Like the beams of early day,
Her eyes' quick flashes brightly play;
Brightly play and gladden all
On whom their kindly glances fall.
Her lips in smiling weave a charm
To keep the peopled house from harm.
In happy moment is she come
To bless a noble chieftain's home.
Happy be her dwelling here,
Many a day and month and year!
Happy as the nested dove
In her fruitful ark of love!
Happy in her tented screen!
Happy in her garden green!
Thus we welcome, one and all,
The lady to her chieftain's hall.
Sam.
I give you all large thanks, my valiant warriors,
For the good service ye have done to me
Upon this day of happy fate. Ere long,
This gentle lady too, I trust, will thank you,
Albeit her present tears and alter'd state
Have made her shrink and droop in cheerless silence.
An ample recompense ye well have won,
That shall not with a sparing hand be dealt.
Meantime, partake our cheer and revelry;
And let the wounded have attendance due;
Let sorcery and medicine combine
To mitigate their pain.
(
Turning to the prisoners.)
Nay, Ehleypoolie,
Why from beneath those low'ring brows dost thou
Cast on the ground such wan and wither'd looks?
Thy martial enterprise fell somewhat short
Of thy predictions and thy master's pleasure;
But thou and all thy band have bravely fought,
And no disgrace is coupled with your failure.
Ehley.
Had not my amulets from this right arm
Been at the onset torn, e'en ambush'd foes
Had not so master'd us.
Sam.
Well, be it so; good amulets hereafter
Thou mayst secure, and fight with better luck.
Ehley.
Ay, luck was on your side, good sooth! such luck
As fiends and magic give. Another time—
Sam.
What thou wilt do another time, at present
We have no time to learn.
(
To his followers generally.)
Go where cool sparkling cups and sav'ry viands
Will wasted strength recruit, and cheer your hearts.
Ere long I'll join you at the board, and fill
A hearty cup of health and thanks to all.
[
Exeunt all but
Samarkoon,
the bride, and her
female attendants.
And now, dear maid, thou pearl and gem of beauty,
The prize for which this bloody fray was fought,
Wilt thou forgive a youthful lover's boldness,
And the rude outrage by his love committed?
Wilt thou not speak to me?
Bride.
What can I say?
I was the destined bride of great Rasinga;
My father told me so.
Sam.
But did thy heart—
Did thine own heart, sweet maid, repeat the tale?
And did it say to thee, “The elder chieftain
Is he whom I approve; his younger rival
Unworthy of my choice?
Bride.
My choice! a modest virgin hath no choice.
That I have seen you both; that both have seen
My unveil'd face, alas! is my dishonour,
Albeit most innocent of such exposure.
Sam.
Say not dishonour; innocence is honour;
And thou art innocent and therefore honourable,
Though every slave and spearman of our train
Had gazed upon thy face. The morning star
Receives no taint for that a thousand eyes,
All heavenward turn'd, admire its lovely brightness.
Let me again look in thy dark soft eyes,
And read my pardon in one beamy smile.
[
Attempting to draw aside her veil, while she gathers it the closer.
Bride.
Forbear, forbear! this is indignity.
Sam.
And this, dear maid, is childish bashfulness.
[
The upper fastening of the veil gives way and falls over her hand.
And look, the silly fence drops of itself;
An omen of good fortune to my love.
Oh! while those eyes are fix'd upon the ground,
Defended from too ardent admiration,
With patience hear my suit.—Two rival chiefs
Have look'd upon thy face, and thou perforce
Must choose or one or other for thy husband.
Rasinga, in his rich and noble mansion,
Hath years already pass'd in wedded love;
And is the husband of a virtuous dame,
Whose faithful heart, in giving place to thee,
Will be asunder torn. My house is humble;
No gay and costly treasures deck its walls;
But I am young, unmarried, and my heart
Shall be thine own, whilst thou reignst mistress here,
As shares the lion's mate his forest cave,
In proud equality. Thou smilst at this;
And it doth please thy fancy;—yea, a tear
Falls on that smiling cheek; yes, thou art mine.
Bride.
Too quickly dost thou scan a passing thought.
Sam.
Thanks, thanks! O take my thanks for such dear words!
And speak them yet again with that sweet voice
Which makes my heart dance in its glowing cell.
1st att.
(
advancing to
Samarkoon).
My lady is forspent with all this coil;
She has much need of quiet rest. I pray,
On her behalf, let this be granted to her.
Bride
(
to 1
st att.).
I thank thee, nurse!
(To
Samarkoon.)
My lord, I would retire.
Sam.
I will retire, or do whate'er thou wilt.
Thy word or wish commands myself and mine.
[
Exit.
1st att.
Thyself and thine! a mighty rich dominion!
Alack, alack-a-day, the woeful change!
This rude unfurnish'd tower for the fair mansion
Of great Rasinga! Evil was the hour
When those fell demons stopped us on our way.
Bride.
O, say not so! in great Rasinga's house
A noble wife already holds her state,
And here I shall have no divided pleasure.
1st att.
Divided! Doth an elder faded wife
In love, in honour, or in riches share
Like portion with a youthful beauty? No!
She doth herself become the flatt'ring subject
Of her through whom the husband's favours flow;
And thereby doth increase her rival's power
Her state and dignity.
Thou art a simple child, and hast no sense
Of happiness or honour. Woe the day,
When those fell demons stopp'd our high career!
Bride.
But for my father's anger, and the blood
Which has been shed in this untoward fray,
The day were one of joy and not of woe,
In my poor estimation.
1st att.
Poor, indeed!
2d att.
(
advancing).
Fy, nurse! how canst thou so forget thyself?
Thy words are rude; my lady is offended.
1st att.
Who would not, so provoked, forget herself?
Ah! the rich treasures of Rasinga's palace!
His gaudy slaves, his splendid palanquins!
They have pass'd from us like a mummer's show,
Seen for an hour and gone.
Enter a female domestic.
Dom.
My master bids me say, the lady's chamber
Is now in readiness.
[
Exeunt.
