 | Godfrida |  |
38
ACT II.
SCENE.—A lawn in the palace gardens. On the right at the back, an arbour, open to the stage, overgrown with roses. Through the trees on the left terraces are seen ascending towards the palace, a wing of which is visible in the distance. Towards the front the ground rises on the left and is crested with shrubbery. On the right near the front is an ornamental porch overgrown with ivy; above it a grotto. At the back and on both sides tall trees, shrubs, and flowers. There are entrances at the back and on the right.
When the curtain rises Ermengarde is seated in the arbour. She is about twenty-three; handsome, restless. On the ground near her lies Scipio, a negro page; beside him a lap-dog on a cushion. Courtiers and Maids-of-honour, among whom is Cynthia, with a lute, are grouped on the slope on the left. Gaucelm and attendants stand on the right. Cynthia's song is begun before the curtain rises. During the first verse Ermengarde rises and looks out at the back, then stands just within the arbour. Music is continuous
the end of the song, the dialogue taking place during the symphony between the verses.
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Cynthia
[singing].
Is it worth the learning
This love they bless—
Pale lovers yearning
For happiness?
Why do they glory in the night?
What dream is theirs of proud delight?
Is it worth the learning?
Cyprian enters at the back before the close of the verse, and goes at once to Ermengarde, who takes a step towards him.
Ermengarde.
Where is the Chancellor, Cyprian?
Cyprian.
At home, your Grace,
Absorbed in business of the state.
Ermengarde.
The state!
[Withdraws into the arbour impatiently, while Cyprian comes down and stands beside Gaucelm.
Cynthia
[singing].
My heart is burning;
It cries to me.
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What this may be?
Why do I walk alone all day?
“She is in love,” the maidens say.
Is love worth learning?
At the close of the second verse Isembert enters at the back quickly. Ermengarde meets him.
Ermengarde.
My lord, we have waited for you here!
Isembert.
While I
Have wrought for you.
Ermengarde.
You never want excuse.
Isembert.
I am chiefly sorry that I cannot stretch
The minutes into hours to serve your Grace
With vigilance and effort sixty-fold.
[Ermengarde goes into the arbour. Isembert follows her. During the song they are seen to converse, Ermengarde haughtily at first, then with her eyes bent on the ground; Isembert, surprised, appears to expostulate.
Cynthia
[singing].
Was it worth the learning?
He kissed my hand!
Is love worth learning?
I understand,
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It is the only thing to know:
Love's worth the learning.
Ermengarde
[leaving the arbour].
Thanks for your music. [Courtiers, etc. rise. Ermengarde is about to go out by the right, when Isembert intercepts her].
I shall see them here;
But not together; Siward first, and then
Godfrida. When he comes send word to me.
I am wearied out; so sick with hope and fear
That like one poisoned I must walk, or faint.
[Tries unsuccessfully to evade Isembert.
Isembert.
Your Grace intends to marry Siward?
Ermengarde.
Yes.
Isembert.
And to propose it bluntly to himself?
Ermengarde.
And to propose it frankly to himself.
Isembert.
If you would prosper, madam, give me leave
To mould a matter so momentous.
Ermengarde.
No!
In this I take my heart's advice alone.
I know I venture on an enterprise
Most hazardous; but which I may not shirk,
Because it leads me forward to myself—
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[She goes to Scipio and fondles the lap-dog; then looks about suddenly.]
But where is Anselm, Scipio?
Scipio.
Runaway!
Ermengarde.
Why, Gaucelm, do you suffer these affronts?
The boy defies you: rule him better, sir.
[To the Maids-of-honour.]
March on before us—singing as you go.
[Cynthia resumes her song, and all except Isembert and Cyprian go out by the right. The song is heard dying away in the distance.
Isembert.
Did you observe the Duchess, Cyprian?
Cyprian.
I never saw her so unlike herself.
Isembert.
What do you think distracts her?
Cyprian.
I should say,
But for her fixed resolve to die unwed,
That she had fallen in love.
Isembert.
And so she has—
With Siward: crude instinctive savages
Love makes of women!
Cyprian.
And of men, my lord.
Isembert.
Mere males and females, Cyprian: that is all
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[Cyprian gives him materials, and he writes and folds a letter, talking the while.]
A crowing fellow with a fair moustache
Struts up the street, and the whole hen-house clucks
With passion!—I am ousted, pecked away;
The Duchess undertakes her own affairs!
Well, other palates shall be scarified
By this same feast of thistles spread for mine.
[Gives the letter to Cyprian.]
To Ludovic, at once. Her Grace commands
Her army to be ready for the field
Upon a sudden call; and darkly hint—
This I have left unwritten—it may chance
That he shall lead.—Send Adomar to me;
He waits an audience: since the stalwart fool
Is mixed in this, we must get rid of him;
An ass may do more adventitious ill
Than twenty tigers.—Then search Berthold out,
And probe the heart of that conspiracy:
Perhaps I may require it for myself.
[Cyprian goes out at the back.]
I have a choice to make. [Sits in arbour.]
Should Ermengarde
Marry the Norseman, and my head escape
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Or under Siward's thumb abide the turn
Of fortune's wheel; but if Godfrida wins
The ruffian, my dominion is renewed,
For in the shipwreck of her hopes, her Grace
Must cling to me. Thus either accident
Would test my fibre, twist and stretch my soul
Upon the rack of his or her delight
Whom most I hate! [Rises.]
By my intelligence
I swear that neither love-sick simpleton
Shall marry Siward! By my wit, my will,
His golden locks and he have had their day!
[Enter Adomar at the back. He is strongly built; stupid; anxious to be thought well of by himself and others.]
[Gaily.]
Well, Adomar, in what can I befriend you?
Adomar.
I wished to see you, Isembert. You know—
Perhaps you saw my overthrow to-day.
Isembert.
I heard of it.
Adomar.
It was an accident.
Now, will you tell the Duchess how it chanced?
Isembert.
Tell her yourself.
Adomar.
But if it came from you—
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Gaucelm.
Her Grace would know if Siward has arrived.
Isembert.
Not yet. Assure her Grace that she shall hear
The moment of his coming.
[Gaucelm goes out.]
Now, confess,
That Siward is the better man.
Adomar.
Perhaps;
I care not.
Isembert.
No; why should you?
Adomar.
Every man
Must some day meet his master.
Isembert.
Yet no man
Is master every day.
Adomar.
Nor in all things!
He dances badly.
Isembert.
A barbarian!
Adomar.
I scarcely was prepared: he rode me down
Before my beast had gained his tilting speed.
Isembert.
I doubt it not.
Adomar.
And for the ribbon—well;
Let Siward keep it. What? a rag of silk!
Isembert.
Let Siward flaunt it!
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Till I win it back
In the next tourney. I shall challenge him:
He took me at a disadvantage.
Isembert.
Nay,
Siward must wed Godfrida.
Adomar
[in much amazement].
Must he! Why?
Isembert.
And promptly, too, unless we want a duke.
Re-enter Gaucelm very hurriedly.
Gaucelm.
Her Grace is most impatient.
Isembert.
So am I!
I shall myself announce him when he comes.
[Gaucelm goes out reluctantly.
Adomar
[importantly].
Tell me of this.
Isembert.
Our haughty Ermengarde
Is torn with passion for the Norseman.
Adomar.
No!
Isembert.
And bent on marriage.
Adomar.
But it must not be.
We will not have the Norseman on our necks.
Let Siward wed Godfrida—now—to-day!
Isembert.
Most bravely counselled! Ah! how strong is he
Who holds his heart subjected to his will!
Adomar.
I never loved her much. It is a wrench;
But—is she not too slight for me?
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By far!
Besides, the state demands the sacrifice.
Adomar.
A man must pocket up his heart sometimes
When duty calls.
Isembert.
Now that I think of it,
I know how you may make the world forget
Your overthrow.
Adomar.
Oh! tell me, Isembert.
Isembert.
Ride to Theodoric's tower and bring us word
If Count Esplandian approaches Arles.
Adomar.
The Count Esplandian in Provence again!
Isembert.
Go quickly; be the earliest with the news.
Adomar.
Returning, breathless, tired, and travel-stained—
My horse, perhaps, dead at the palace-door—
I shall be famous, envied!
Isembert.
That you shall!
Adomar.
I go then. Not a word to any one!—
Why do you look so strangely, Isembert?
Isembert.
I think of Solomon's own vanity
When he declared that all is vanity.
Adomar.
What is the wisdom of it, Isembert?
Isembert.
That even the very grossest fools exist
Not all in vain, because once in their lives
They are made to serve some wise man's exigence,
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Kept out of the way.
Adomar.
Ha! Siward! Yes, I see.
We'll keep him in the dark!—eh, Isembert?
He'll hang his head when I come riding in!
A fop, a Norse adventurer! You know
My lance slipped, and he caught me by a fluke
Right on the vizor: children could upset
Giants with such a stroke.
Isembert.
I am sure of it.
Inform me, first of all, when you return.
Adomar.
I will, and thank you kindly, Isembert.
[Goes out by the right.
Enter Attendant at the back.
Isembert.
Is Siward there?
Attendant.
My lord, he has just arrived.
Isembert.
Send him this way.
[Re-enter Ermengarde from the right.]
Siward has come, your Grace.
Ermengarde.
I wonder . . . Yes. Be near, most faithful friend.
[Isembert goes out by the right.
[Enter Siward at the back. Ermengarde receives him graciously. Siward, in a courtier's dress, is wearing Godfrida's ribbon.]
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What's that?
Siward.
A pledge of love.
Ermengarde.
I know; but whose?
Siward.
Madam, my own.
Ermengarde
[furious].
Who gave it to you, sir?
Siward.
Godfrida, madam.
Ermengarde
[sinks down on the seat].
Ah!
[Controlling herself, she rises and comes close to Siward].
I knew, my friend,
Your fancy to Godfrida turned: my page,
The truant, Anselm, all unconsciously,
Revealed the secret, gossiping: and she
Is fair and wise, and worth a warrior's love—
If there were none more fair, none worthier.
Siward.
I will not understand you.
Ermengarde.
But you do!
When post-haste from the tournament you rode—
Discourteously: [Siward dissents.]
it was indeed a fault,
Most heinous in the office that you hold!—
I guessed your errand, sir. Did Adomar
Give up the ribbon for his life?
Siward.
He did.
Ermengarde.
In that you scarce were chivalrous, I think.
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Madam, you wrong yourself to blame me thus:
We fought à outrance; and Sir Adomar
Had taken up my challenge. What of this?
The petty laws of silken marshal's men
Are fit for those who heed them. For myself
I serve the state, and the state's noble head;
But live in my own world, a Norseman free.
To win my true love's gage I fought to-day,
And having won it left the mimic war.
Ermengarde.
I take them back: the Duchess Ermengarde
Withdraws her words! [Returns to the arbour.]
I would not hurt a hair
Upon your head—not one bright hair; and lo,
I wound the very marrow of your pride!
But, Norseman, Norseman, these are southern shores
Where ladies carry lightning in their veins.
How can I say that which I mean to say,
That which I must say?
Siward.
You have said it, madam.
And I, your Grace's servant, honour you
With a more poignant reverence, knowing now
Your high heart's tender secret. All my days
Await you like an escort cloaked in night.
My thoughts, my study of the storied world,
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Are yours as long as they are mine to spend.
My love Godfrida has.
[During the following Siward gradually turns his face away from Ermengarde.
Ermengarde.
It must be mine!
A hated wooer sought me: when you came
And whipped him off, I looked for you to ask
The recompense they said you sought, my hand.
[Pauses, expecting him to speak.]
Your lofty spirit marks you out my mate:
My rank empowers and sanctions every way
The course I take in offering my crown,
My duchy and myself to one most wise,
Most noble, valiant, generous, and true.
[Sinks into the seat, trembling.]
At first your silence hurt me: now I feel
How beautiful it is.
Siward.
My silence—
Re-enter Attendant at the back. Ermengarde rises relieved by the interruption.
Ermengarde
[to Attendant].
Well?
Attendant.
Godfrida, madam.
Ermengarde.
Wait.— [To Siward.]
I shall demand
Your spoken answer later. Leave me now:
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Think of my love. To-morrow you shall speak.
[Siward goes out by the back.]
Ask my lord Chancellor to come to me.
[She points the way and the Attendant goes out by the right.]
He dare not fling my offer in my face.
[Re-enter Isembert from the right.]
I have over-rated, overtaxed my strength.
It is more arduous, more terrible
Than I imagined in my weakest hours.
Isembert.
What, madam?
Ermengarde.
To confront a hostile will.
I trusted—must we always trust our hopes?—
That like a goddess I should graciously
Descend and make a home in Siward's love.
I found it closed: it is inhabited:
A face looked out upon me from his heart.
Isembert.
How did you deal with him?
Ermengarde.
I lost myself!
He wore Godfrida's ribbon; and I stormed
And chid him as a nurse would rate a child:
I felt him scorning me. What shall I do?
Isembert.
Godfrida comes?
Ermengarde.
She is waiting.
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See her now
Announce your marriage with the Constable,
And tell her since the gossip of the court
Has linked their names, she must at once declare
In public that the rumour is untrue.
Ermengarde.
But if she loves him that will break her heart!
Isembert.
Will yours be mended if she marries Siward?
Amaze her, daunt her: in her fresh alarm
I'll overpower her with a crowd—to-day
The city is your guest—and suddenly
Requiring her denial, so confound
Her judgment, that she shall comply
Outright with our demand.
Ermengarde.
And afterwards?
Isembert.
Why, she will hang herself, or die of grief;
For courage is her idol. Siward then,
Hurt by Godfrida's fickleness and urged
By new ambition and the popular voice,
Will gladly marry you.
Ermengarde.
But if her strength
Should not desert her?
Isembert.
But it shall! The crowd,
By my instruction deeply overjoyed
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Alone, without a friend, against your will,
Against your people's will, her heart must break!
Ermengarde.
Already I've been overharsh with her:
Why need we break her heart? Live and let live,
As kindly people say.
Isembert.
Kill or be killed
As people calmly do. [Watching her keenly.]
I'll send your guard;
And after bring your guests. [Ermengarde dissents.]
How did you mean
To treat Godfrida?
Ermengarde.
Oh! I cannot tell.
Isembert.
Madam, you must not flinch. With my advice
This glaring crisis never should have been:
But as the world must know what you have done—
So openly, so wilfully!—proceed
High-handed to the issue; or forbear—
That fools may flay your vanity, and make
Your heart a butt for shafts of ridicule!
[Ermengarde goes up stage distractedly, and Isembert goes out at the back, returning almost immediately with Godfrida.]
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Mine you begin to be, love—mine, in hate.
[Goes out at the back.
[Godfrida is much agitated and looks wistfully at Ermengarde, who regards her coldly.
Ermengarde.
Did Siward pass you?
Godfrida
[recovering self-possession].
Yes; I spoke to him.
Ermengarde
[comes close to Godfrida and speaks at her ear].
You shall not have the Norseman: he is mine.
You shall renounce him publicly to-day:
I sent for him and told him all my love:
We shall be married soon.
Godfrida
[proudly].
He came to me.
Ermengarde.
While I must send! How dare you! . . . So I did,
Godfrida! Yes, and be you warned by that.
I am neither cruel nor tyrannical;
But I must wed this gentle god of war;
Nothing shall stay me: I have sent a spy
Into the darkest corners of my soul,
And find no enemy within myself
Powerful enough to combat my desire.
Godfrida.
Siward will marry me.
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That shall he not!
And when I ask you, now, before the court
You shall declare you never loved him.
Godfrida.
I!
I will not!
Ermengarde.
But you shall! by heaven, you shall!
Godfrida.
By Siward's love for me, by mine for him—
Ermengarde.
You shall!
Godfrida.
No! I shall not!
Ermengarde.
No enemy
Is half so fatal as a friend estranged.
I am jealous of you! Do my will, or dread
My vengeance. I have pledged myself: he knows,
And now you know, my passion and my purpose,
And none shall thwart or scorn me. You, indeed!
Godfrida
[with malice].
Permit me now to go; for Siward waits:
He said he would attend my coming forth.
Ermengarde.
I shall take care you meet him not again
Till you have given him up before the world.
[Godfrida bows disdainfully, and is about to go out, when she is met by the Lieutenant with the guard, who enter at the back, salute and form, blocking the way. Godfrida overcomes
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Godfrida.
Madam, although you were to bury me
Deep in a dungeon or an unknown grave,
Our happy love would not be desolate;
For on my mouth is Siward's kiss; on his
My kiss lies, an inviolable bond;
And you can never sever from my soul
The soul of Siward, mine in life, in death.
Ermengarde.
Now friendship, pity, die indeed! To eat
Your words, to drink your tears, to swallow down
Your bursting heart before the court, and I
Seated triumphantly observing you!
Oh! you will find that worse than chains or death.
Re-enter Isembert with Ladies and Gentlemen at the back. Anselm enters last and leans against a tree, disconsolately. Isembert leads Godfrida up stage and stations her on the left of Ermengarde, who stands in front of the arbour. Isembert then looks about anxiously and crosses to Anselm. Gaucelm, Cynthia, Courtiers and Maids-of-Honour re-enter from the right.
Isembert
[to Anselm].
Is Siward here?
Anselm.
He is not coming.
Isembert.
Not?
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The Duchess sent him home.
Isembert.
Impossible!
A bungled message. Bid him come at once:
I saw you with him in the palace-hall.
Anselm.
I told him so! He'll think me wiser now.
[Goes out at the back.
[Isembert goes up stage and stands on Ermengarde's right. The crowd is mostly on the right, leaving the back entrance visible to the audience.
Isembert.
Upon her Grace's part I welcome you.
Your loyalty, your sympathy—your hearts
Our mistress needs; not as a ruler now,
But as a friend.—More burdensome it is
To wield authority than to obey.
If mighty kings, discerning sovereign power
To be dull torture, abdicate their thrones,
Or maddened by dominion, to themselves
Impute prerogatives of deity,
Some doom more evil still may overwhelm
A woman, set alone above the world.
Therefore her Grace determines to forsake
The lofty solitude wherein the hearts
Of monarchs grow unhuman, and to steep
Her life in the brave love and happy care
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Voices.
God save her Grace!
Isembert.
It was her earlier design to live
A maiden all her days, lest, marrying,
She should provoke that destiny untoward,
A ruthless master for herself and you—
Such as the Count Esplandian of Toulouse
Who thought to win her love with battering-rams.
But he who beat that stubborn warrior back—
Voices
[astonished and pleased].
Siward!
Ermengarde
[overjoyed]
You love him too?
Voices.
Yes, yes, your Grace;
Siward! A Siward!
Ermengarde.
Loyal, generous friends,
I thank you from my heart.
Voices.
God save your Grace!
[Godfrida shrinks back into the arbour. Isembert, passing behind Ermengarde, takes Godfrida's hand and leads her forward.
Ermengarde
[to Godfrida].
Now is the time I spoke of.
Isembert.
All her life
Her Grace's confidante shall be Provence;
Her people is her only bosom-friend:
And not one film of slander must obscure
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The tides of your contentment and of hers.
I understand a shapeless rumour walks
Haunting this lady's name: but she herself
Will lay the phantom now.
Ermengarde.
Godfrida, speak
In all good faith, and let my people know
Siward was never anything to you.
Godfrida
[recovers presence of mind. With all her force].
She lies! The Duchess lies! Siward is mine!
[Isembert is intensely surprised, and stares in admiration at Godfrida. Ermengarde with a cry lifts her hand clenched to strike Godfrida, when Siward enters with Anselm.
Siward.
Godfrida!
[Godfrida runs to Siward and falls into his arms.
Ermengarde
[sinks into the seat.]
Ah!
Isembert
[in Ermengarde's ear]
Bid me dismiss them, madam.
Godfrida.
I was afraid a moment—only one.
Isembert.
Bid me dismiss them, madam.
Ermengarde.
No; not yet.
[To Siward.]
What brings you here?
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The kindest destiny.
Ermengarde
[rises].
But I forbade you, sir.
[Siward looks to Anselm; Anselm looks to Isembert; Ermengarde follows their glances.
Isembert.
I sent for him.
Ermengarde
[looks wildly at Isembert, then steps forward and cries in a piercing voice].
My people, now I need your constant hearts!
Voices.
God save your Grace!
Ermengarde.
Those whom I trusted most
Have covered me with shame before you all!
I am betrayed! Who is on my side—who?
Isembert
[drawing his sword].
For Ermengarde!
All the Men
[with drawn swords].
Provence and Ermengarde!
Isembert.
Madam, you are betrayed: look in your heart,
And find the traitor there.
Ermengarde.
My heart, indeed!
It is too true to me!—Give up your sword!
Isembert
[yielding his sword to Ermengarde].
Into your hands.
Ermengarde.
And yours, Sir Constable.
Siward
[yielding his sword to the Lieutenant].
Madam, this is as guilty as its lord.
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These traitors I shall question privately!
But do not leave me, friends: it gives me strength
To think my people are within my house:
And when this pitiful, this childish plot
Is sifted, as it shall be instantly,
I may again take counsel with your hearts.
[Pointing to Siward and Godfrida
Sever these two; and see you guard them well.
[Pointing to Isembert.
Lead him now to the hall.
Voices.
God save your Grace!
ACT-DROP.
| Godfrida | |