 | Godfrida |  |
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ACT III.
SCENE.—The Hall of the Palace. At the back to the left a high and broad doorway. Above the doorway is a gallery with a small window, and doors. On the right at the back a large window: on the extreme right, a small door surmounted by a cross. Down right is a large window, and below it, near the front, a door. On the left toward the front is a dais, on which a throne stands. Below the dais a door. The walls are hung with tapestry, and there is stained glass in all the windows. Lamps, conveniently. A few seats about the dais. It is sunset when the act opens. The moon rises about the middle of the act. Ermengarde is seated on one of the seats near the dais, and Isembert is led in by the large door when the act-drop rises.Ermengarde.
You are the head of this conspiracy?
Isembert.
Madam, I know of no conspiracy.
Ermengarde.
Why summon Siward then? The thing was schemed
To tame me to your power.
Isembert.
Unjustly urged!
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“The Duchess lies!” she said; “the Duchess lies!”
Would even a crazy creature, in the power
Of arbitrary rivalship, alone,
And unabetted, helplessly invoke
Immortal enmity? “The Duchess lies!”
Isembert.
Madam, your jealousy has blinded you.
Ermengarde.
You mean it has unsealed my eyes. Disclose
The secret of this treason!—Speak!—Confess!
Sir, there's a spindle underground, the rack,
Famous for winding up conspiracies;
And I shall have you all three wrung at once
To scream against each other.
[Goes out by the door on the left.
Isembert.
Madam! [To himself.]
Time
I must have now! What shall I do? Make love!
[At the door.]
Madam!
Re-enter Ermengarde.
Ermengarde.
One word: will you confess the truth?
Isembert.
Question me: you shall judge.
Ermengarde.
Why did you send
For Siward?
Isembert.
That he might abhor your Grace,
Beholding your abuse of power.
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[amazed].
But why?
Isembert.
Because I would not have you marry him:
I would not have you marry any one.
I meet you every day: I touch your hand:
I see you in your most enthralling moods
Of informality and indolence:
I know your subtle brain, your fiery soul;
To me you are the very source of life.
[Ermengarde turns her face from him, unable to hide her gratification. He relieves himself with a grimace.]
But were your gracious spirit coffined up
In wedlock, the devouring sepulchre
Of beauty, eminence, distinction, love—
Should you, who are the sun, become a lamp
For household uses, then the world would end
Here in Provence. I beg you not to wed!
Ermengarde.
[turns towards him].
Poor Isembert! I understand you not;
But feel a faithful passion in your words.
You must not thwart me further: I have none
To trust but you.
Isembert.
Trust me, and I obey:
But when you bring me suddenly to work
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No wonder I upset it.
Ermengarde.
Yet, the doubt!—
Oh, sir, be true!—What gave Godfrida strength
To brave my power?
Isembert.
Need a true lover ask?
Ermengarde.
But does she love like me?
Isembert.
True lovers feel
As if their passion were original—
A virgin revelation to themselves
Alone imparted.
Ermengarde.
Would Godfrida die
Were I to marry Siward?
Isembert.
If her love
Is absolute—perhaps.
Ermengarde.
My love is absolute:
My life is all transmuted into love:
Help me to save my life. Show me the way
To wreak my vengeance on the sorceress
Who stole my Siward's heart.
Isembert.
The sorceress?
Ermengarde.
Godfrida. When our friendship held, we played
With philtres and enchantments, she and I;
But she has used her craft.
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It must be so:
How else could any man of Siward's rank
Reject you and your throne?
Ermengarde.
How else, indeed?
And I shall have her tried for sorcery.
Kill or be killed—your motto, Isembert:
Highhanded to the end!
Isembert.
But warily;
The highest hand is that which works unseen.
Commit your happiness to me; my love
Will bear the proof.
Ermengarde.
What will you do?
Isembert.
The best.
Events and passions blindly hurry by;
I touch them as they pass, deflecting them
Towards my aim.
Ermengarde.
I give you leave.
Isembert.
First then,
I see Godfrida here alone.
Ermengarde.
Suppose—
Suppose that I see Siward here alone,
Beforehand! Has it reached his brain, his heart,
What marriage with me means? Not yet, I think;
But if in all my state I came to him,
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I am inspired with this!
Isembert.
And being scorned
Your Grace would die of shame.
Ermengarde.
It is my life
I seek to purchase; for without his love
I'd scorn myself and be ashamed to live.
[Crosses to the left quickly.
Isembert.
I am a prisoner still.
Ermengarde.
Summon the guard.
[Isembert brings in Halberdiers from the back, who promptly guard him.]
Your charge is at an end.
[Halberdiers salute and go out.]
Oh, now I know
That I shall win him.
Isembert.
And if not?
Ermengarde.
Why then
You shall proceed unfettered. But this time
My heart is sure: he shall at last perceive
How strong, how passionate, how great I am!
[Goes out by the door on the left.
Isembert.
This, now, is love—the desperate, jealous love
To anguish doomed; for no felicity
Can spring in men, except from barbéd roots
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In some sore heart that hoped to have the flower.
[Goes out by the door on the right.
Enter Gaucelm by the door on the left; and Attendants by the large door. They light the lamps. The moonlight begins to shine on the windows. The Attendants have gone out, and Gaucelm is about to go out, when Anselm and Thangbrand enter by the door on the right.
Anselm.
Gaucelm! Gaucelm! Can we see her Grace?
Gaucelm.
Where have you been rambling all day, sir?
I am amazed that you should have the foolhardiness to
propose to come into her Grace's presence.
Anselm.
But I am foolhardy, Gaucelm. Will you
ask her Grace if Siward's man, Thangbrand, may wait
upon him?
Gaucelm.
I will, sir; and say something besides.
[Goes out by the door on the left.
Anselm.
He will now accuse me of insubordination.
Well, never mind. We are in luck, Thangbrand. I can
show you how Siward shall escape.
[Leads Thangbrand
to the small door at the back.]
Remember, you
must be sure to say to him at once that it was my plan,
Thangbrand. You will say it was my plan?
Thangbrand.
Your plan, young master. Where is
his cell?
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Oh, he is not in a cell! This chapel leads
to the corridor upon which the room opens where Siward
is imprisoned. A sentinel is on guard. As soon as you
are admitted you must change habits with Siward. I
shall come along the corridor as if by chance, and enter
into conversation with the sentinel.
Thangbrand.
Not if I were the sentinel.
Anselm.
But you are not the sentinel. Then Siward
must knock, and when the door is opened he steps out in
your habit, and I say, “Ah, Thangbrand! How does
Siward take his fall?”—or something like that—you
see? When the sentinel peeps into the room before
fastening the door again, he shall see only your back,
for you must be looking out at the window in Siward's
habit. Meanwhile Siward and I saunter up the corridor,
and through the chapel to this gallery, from which a passage
leads directly out of the palace.
Thangbrand.
It may succeed; but not if I were the
sentinel.—And what will they do with me, do you think?
Anselm.
And with me? I would risk anything for
Siward.
Thangbrand.
And so would I!
Re-enter Gaucelm.
Gaucelm.
The Duchess permits Thangbrand to visit
his master.
Anselm.
Splendid!
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The Duchess commands her disobedient
page, Anselm, to wait upon her immediately.
Anselm.
But—
Gaucelm.
On pain of imprisonment.
Anselm.
Oh!—You will wish you had held your
tongue, master Seneschal. I shall tread upon your toes
for this—upon every corn in your splay-footed vanity.
[Goes out impatiently by the door on the left. Thangbrand stares stolidly at Gaucelm and goes out by the door on the right.
Enter Ingleram and Dagobert by the large door.
Gaucelm.
Good evening, Sir Ingleram. Good evening, sir.
Ingleram.
What is this ridiculous story about my
niece?
Gaucelm.
I think she hardly finds it ridiculous, sir.
Ingleram.
It is true, then. She is in prison?
Gaucelm.
Her liberty is certainly restrained.
Ingleram.
And Siward and Isembert?
Gaucelm.
They also are under guard.
Ingleram.
On a charge of conspiracy?
[Gaucelm
assents.]
I pray you, say to the Duchess that I will
become surety for my niece.
Dagobert.
And I also, if her uncle is not sufficient.
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Frankly, gentlemen, I cannot promise. I
carried a request to her Grace just before you came: she
granted it, but she forbade me to trouble her again.
Dagobert.
Entreat one of her ladies to carry it.
Gaucelm.
I shall endeavour the utmost. Will you
wait?
Ingleram.
I shall be much your debtor.
Dagobert.
And I.
[Gaucelm goes out by the door on the left.
Ingleram.
Can we be suspected?
Dagobert.
I think not.
Enter Cyprian and Berthold by the large door. Berthold has reached the grave and wise stage of intoxication.
Cyprian.
We saw you enter the palace and came
after to know the news.
Ingleram.
The news of what?
Berthold.
Any—news.
Ingleram.
Your feet stumble and your tongue trips,
sir.
Berthold.
Policy—good policy.
Ingleram.
Policy! I call it drunkenness.
Berthold.
The same thing. You can never be supposed
conspirators so long as I frequent your company.
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Esplandian comes: that will obviate all suspicion.
Cyprian.
Have you the message from Esplandian you
spoke of in the morning?
Ingleram.
Yes; but let me tell you, sir, I suspect
you. You are Isembert's right-hand man. What do
these sudden arrests mean?
Cyprian.
How should I know? Some caprice of the
Duchess's.
Dagobert.
The Duchess's caprices have hitherto been
dictated by Isembert.
Cyprian.
He is himself a prisoner.
Dagobert.
We are not to be blinded by that.
Cyprian.
Umph! Can you not understand? Isembert
bought me, and used me, taking my ignoble nature
for granted. The conquest of Provence by Esplandian
will ruin him: I shall see him reduced to ask alms of me.
Show me the letter.
Ingleram.
I shall come to you with it after my business
here.
Cyprian.
But this is an excellent rendezvous. In the
hall of the palace, and accompanied by the politic Berthold,
who shall suspect us?
[Ingleram gives him a
letter, which he reads.]
Ah! here is no stealthy whisper
in an alcove, of less value than a lover's sigh! Stout
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you to have Godfrida's estate; and lands and money for
all your associates.
Ingleram.
I call it a substantial promise.
Cyprian.
[returns the letter.]
And a simple piece of
villainy too. When the battle joins we are to kill Siward,
and go over to Esplandian with all who will follow us.
Ingleram.
That is his meaning.
Cyprian.
He seems to be heartily afraid of Siward.
Ingleram.
He knows Siward's quality by experience.
Berthold
[buttonholing Ingleram with one hand and flourishing the other at Dagobert].
Extraordinary
men—men who interfere with the common course of
events—should always be killed. We must kill Isembert,
too.
Cyprian.
Oh, no! we reserve him for a worse fate.
Indigence to men like Isembert is more terrible than
death.
Berthold.
I would have him killed. He called me a
bottle. Superior persons should be killed: to be superior
is to have an unjust advantage over the rest of the world.
Cyprian.
The whole philosophy of envy!—Come
along, Berthold; you shall impart all your wisdom to me.
—
[To Ingleram.]
Shall I see you to-night?
Ingleram.
Yes; at my house.
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Well, Gaucelm?
Gaucelm.
As I feared; none dared intrude.
But you must go. She comes to question Siward.
[Ingleram attempts to take Gaucelm aside.]
No; no! I cannot listen. [To the Halberdiers].
Clear the hall!
[Ingleram and Dagobert go out reluctantly by the large door, followed by the Halberdiers, who form outside the door. Then Gaucelm ushers Ermengarde by the door on the left. Anselm and Maids-of-Honour attend her. She is in her robes of state, and wears a ducal crown. She sits on one of the chairs near the dais. At a sign from her Gaucelm, Anselm, and Maids-of-Honour go out by the door on the left. Then Siward is brought in by the door on the right.
Ermengarde.
Siward, I cannot, will not, give you up.
[Siward makes an impatient gesture.]
Indeed, there is none like you, Siward—none!
A crafty man would soon have groped his way
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Halted upon the threshold of my thought,
Nor cast a single curious glance within.
Until I spoke had you no hint, no glimpse
Of my consuming love? Did you not hear
Across the slumbering city, how my heart
Kept nightly vigil, beating “Siward, Siward”?
Siward.
To me you were the symbol of the state
In whose defence I rose to eminence.
Release Godfrida; set me also free:
Then shall I think you love me.
Ermengarde.
Bitter!—rude!
Why do you love Godfrida?
Siward.
Why do you
Love me?
Ermengarde.
Because you are the only man
In all the world to whom I would entrust
My body and my soul.—Godfrida's love?
A sweet and fair domestic comedy!
A toy—a paltry feather in your cap,
That in the tumult of a soldier's life
Must soon grow limp and drop into the mire.
My love, begirt with wars, with cares of state
Heavily jewelled, would fulfil and deck
Your span of years as richly as the night
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Lo! at your feet I and my passion lie!
[Kneels and lays her crown at Siward's feet. He lifts the crown, replaces it on her head, and leads her to a seat.
Siward.
Godfrida has my love; but I have done
With all reproach and censure, and will speak
Solicitously now, and heedfully
As mortals should when the strong wine of life
Maddens a suffering soul—humbly, indeed,
For I have drunken deep of the same cup.—
A landless wanderer, shackled to my sword,
I followed chance and peril, knowing love
But as a pastime, till a miracle
Befell me in your city.
Ermengarde
[under her breath].
What!
Siward.
I rode
One evening from a field where victory
Had flattered me; the doting multitude
Shouted my name; my horse on garlands trod;
I ceased to think, and yielded to the hour.
On my entranced and twilight mood there fell
Godfrida's eyes, still and devout with love.
Her spellbound brows shed from her lattice power
Upon my fancy and upon my will.
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And set anew in virgin ground, whose strength
Brought forth a sudden passion as divine
As that which ripened in Godfrida's breast.
I love her and shall love her always. None
Came ever fresher from on high than she.
Your Grace must suffer love to work its will.
Ermengarde.
I do! I suffer—for your happiness.
Siward.
Our lives are tangled in a lover's knot,
Which may not be undone—except by you.
Ermengarde.
That would be by my death, then: I should die
If you were married to Godfrida—her
Who gave the lie to me! Disgraced and scorned,
'Tis I shall cut this knot—and this one too!
[She tries to snatch Godfrida's ribbon from Siward's arm. He grasps her wrists and she screams.
Siward.
You might as well attempt to wrench the moon
From her deep home in heaven. My heart is heaven,
For there Godfrida dwells.
Re-enter Isembert hurriedly by the door on the right.
Ermengarde
[to Isembert].
Do what you will!
[Goes out by the door on the left.
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How comes it you are free?
Isembert.
Her Grace has found
My treachery peculiar diligence
In her behalf.
Siward.
Are you my enemy?
Isembert.
If you suspect me, then I must be so:
Fear makes an enemy of truth itself.
[Brings in Siward's Guard by the door on the right.
Siward.
When I regain my freedom I shall ask
A clear account of your complicity
In these unworthy dealings.
Isembert.
Understand,
I answer my inferiors as I please.
Siward.
And with my sword I punish insolence.
[Goes out, guarded, by the door on the right.
Isembert.
So!
[Re-enter Cyprian by the large door.]
Cyprian! The plot?
Cyprian.
An idle toy—
A bubble. If Esplandian wins, they hope
To profit in the scramble.
Isembert.
Shallow apes!
Cyprian.
What must I say, my lord, if I am asked,
As I will be, concerning your arrest?
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Say I am free!—Go, now, and tell the guard
The Duchess waits to see Godfrida here.
[Cyprian goes out by the door on the right.
Adomar
[off the stage].
I must! I will! Stand back!
[Enter Adomar by the large door, booted, spurred, travel-stained, excited.]
Esplandian comes!
I saw his outposts from Theodoric's tower.
Where is the Duchess?
[Crosses to left door.
Isembert.
Adomar!
Adomar.
What now?
Isembert.
You cannot see her.
Adomar.
Cannot see her?
Isembert.
No.
[Crosses to Adomar and leads him to the door at the back.]
You love Godfrida? Well; strange things have chanced.
You must withhold these tidings for a while.
Adomar.
But, Isembert—
Isembert.
Tell no one. Everything
Depends upon your silence.
Adomar.
On the way
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He may forestall me if I speak not now.
Isembert.
A childish thought! For shame! Wait patiently!
I have a great surprise in store for you.
[Bundles Adomar out by the large door.
Godfrida is ushered in by the door on the right.
Godfrida.
Where is the Duchess?
Isembert.
You are left to me.
Godfrida.
To you!—Unquestioned—now—at once?
Isembert.
At once!
My vengeance never waits on providence.
I have devised a torture that shall last
Your time and mine: for you shall be my wife.
Godfrida.
Indeed? Two people would be tortured then.
Isembert.
A fiery furnace for us both!—To-day
Twice have I put your spirit to the test:
You shrank before the promise of my hate;
But in the grip of it your courage came:
So when I heard you say “The Duchess lies!”
You conquered me. And I must conquer you:
I will have victory.
Godfrida.
I fear you not:
You are of those who follow ruthlessly
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The governors of destiny; but let
Ingenuous natures their intrigues withstand,
Then these presumptuous overseers of fate,
Rebuked and quelled, are lost in impotence.
Isembert.
In impotence! Your liberty, your life—
I hold them in the hollow of my hand!
Godfrida.
I understood it was my love you sought.
[A pause.
Isembert.
And hope to capture even yet. Your scorn
Bruising my heart, releases gentle thoughts
To help me at my need.—Is it my age
Repels you? Maiden, love for me is still
Wonder and adoration. Fresh as yours
My heart is, and as young. Ambition held
Me prisoner: when at last I burst its bonds
And reached the height of power, I found you there:
For on the day I grasped the seal you came
To wish me joy—the laughing girl I tossed
A word to sometimes, in a moment grown
A woman, far off, sweet and grave as night;
Deep mystery in her eyes, and starry chains
Of passion for my new-delivered soul.
Godfrida.
I did, indeed, admire you, Isembert;
But never dreamt of love.
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I dreamt of it;
And wooed you long. Was I too haughty? Now
Let me make full amends.
[He kneels and takes her hand, which she withdraws. He then grasps her skirt.]
Oh! I am sure
That Siward loves you not so tenderly
As I do; and I think no soul of man
Did ever suffer pangs more merciless
Than mine, desiring you for my delight,
My mistress, and my wife.
Godfrida.
You shame yourself
To crawl so at my feet.
Isembert
[rises].
What must I do?
Be great, and tell me how to win your love!
Godfrida.
I am content to undergo the hate
You offered first.
Isembert.
But I am not content
To be the abject hateful thing that hates:
I have had a vision of the soul of life,
And love alone is worthy!
Godfrida.
Love alone!
Then you will pardon Siward's love and mine,
And envy not at our felicity;
For love must pardon love—must pardon fate.
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And who shall pardon me? My life must shrink,
And all the strength and sweetness of my love
Decay to nourish your felicity—
Your sleek felicity! Who shall forgive
My fate—my infelicity? Reply!
Godfrida.
Our wills are at a deadlock!
Isembert.
Truly! Death
May be the only pardoner for us!—
You choose my hate?
Godfrida.
I choose my love!
Isembert.
And make
Me mean and devilish! To be the king
Of all the world, or of the noblest sphere
That space can boast, the masterpiece of time,
Would not console my infinite distress!
Not to be loved, loving you as I do!—
Oh, it is monstrous, horrible, unjust
That men should suffer thus!—You doom my soul,
Most capable of every lofty joy,
To fester in a slough of jealousy,
Of envy, malice, rancour! Pitiless
As happy love itself my hate shall be!
[Godfrida stands in deep distress. Isembert brings in Ladies and Gentlemen, the Lieutenant
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Once more, Provence, I need your loyalty:
My happiness is founded on your hearts.
You witnessed my betrayal: now behold
How swiftly justice follows treachery!
[Indicating Isembert.]
For this most faithful friend, he erred through zeal
In my behalf; no blame is linked with him.
Sit, Isembert. 'Tis you shall judge this cause,
Since I myself must testify against
The wanton sorceress who stole from me
What most on earth I prized.
Voices.
God save your Grace!
[Isembert has a chair placed on the dais, and when Ermengarde is seated in it, he takes the throne. Anselm stations himself at the door on the right; Gaucelm at that on the left. Ladies are seated in the chairs about
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Isembert.
Godfrida, you are charged with sorcery
Upon the accusation of her Grace.
Godfrida.
With sorcery!—Indeed, her Grace knows well
The compass of my magic!
Isembert
[to Ermengarde].
You were friends
At one time, madam.
Ermengarde.
Yes, and played at witchcraft
With amulets and charms and periapts,
Till she employed her art to work her will.
Isembert.
How do you know she used her heathen power
On Siward's mind?
Ermengarde.
By tokens manifold.
Is it not known to all that till to-day
Godfrida and the Norseman never met?
No word, no letter, not a syllable,
No message, gift, or sign between them passed:
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Like a rude bandit from the tournament
The moment her enchanted ribbon touched
His hand, gauntleted though it was.
Isembert.
This seems like witchcraft. Was there any reason
Why Siward should have spurned Godfrida's love
Had he been free from her resistless spell?
Ermengarde.
There was: he might have won a nobler love.
Isembert.
What was the nature of Godfrida's charm?
Ermengarde.
Siward himself in his delirious talk
Revealed the method of her sorcery.
In ambush at her window long she watched
Till fortune brought him riding past her lair.
Then over him she flung with silent spells
So searching and so terrible a look,
That she extorted from his inmost will
All power to change or choose, and made him hers
Until the charm be broken. Now he raves
Of miracles and of a flowering plant
That blossoms in his heart. Most sad it is
To see his noble spirit overcome
By such unhallowed means.
Isembert.
How overcome?
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He has his wits and can command himself.
Ermengarde.
In everything but this.
Isembert.
A fatal sign!
Godfrida, have you anything to say?
Godfrida.
Nothing to you, and nothing to her Grace;
For you are clearly leagued to ruin me:
But I appeal to every open mind.
Enchantments, necromancy, mysteries
Of numbers, and the wisdom of the stars
Her Grace and I together conned: we sought
Occult abilities in stones and herbs,
In earths and subtle creatures of the dark:
But innocently, with a child's delight
In things prohibited; or if the use
Of magic tempted us—as, I confess,
It tempted me at divers idle times—
We still resisted while our friendship held:
Nor have I yielded since.
Ermengarde.
You dare to hint
That I—
Godfrida.
I dare do anything but lie;
For am I not contending for my love?
If there be any here who feel, who think,
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What love is, I beseech them to believe
That nature was the only sorceress,
And passion all the magic that we knew—
Siward and I, bewitching and bewitched.
I loved him ere I saw him, hearing told
The story of his prowess, while his name
On eager tongues o'er-ran the murmuring street.
Like one who sickens till the judge pronounce
Immediate life or death, pulseless I watched
His crowded passage: had he not looked up
I think I should have died; but our eyes met;
Our souls saluted proudly, swift to guess
How great a thing had happened in the world—
Ermengarde.
How great a thing!
Godfrida.
Was it not great indeed
That we two for each other made and marked
Should thus encounter—he, out of the North,
A casual roving visitant; and I
A southern home-bird? Kneel with me—kneel down,
[Kneels.]
All gentle people, and implore her Grace
To thwart no love decreed by destiny
Like mine and Siward's—a surpassing love,
Most strangely sprung to perfect life, a thing
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Will no one help?
Isembert.
Your witchcraft fails you here.
You are upon your knees; confess your crime,
And beg her Grace's pardon.
[Godfrida springs to her feet.]
No—the law
Condemns the sorceress to die by fire.
Are you determined to be burned alive?
Godfrida.
No [In a piercing voice.]
Siward! Siward!
Siward in Thangbrand's dress enters the gallery unseen by any one on the stage. Anselm re-enters by the door on the right.
Isembert.
Till the spell be broken
You shall not see him. Would you, while you burn,
Behold him looking on, or would you live
A free maid once again? Godfrida, choose.
Godfrida.
I have no choice. Siward and I are one.
Isembert
[to Ermengarde].
For your old friendship's sake, and since her soul
Seems powerless to repent, by gentle means
Let us deliver her if it may be.
Were she to wed some worthy man, I think
The sinful charm might end.
91
I think it might.
Isembert.
Not long ago she loved Sir Adomar;
And he returned her love. Let them be—
Godfrida.
Shame!
Adomar! [Looks about.]
Adomar!—I saw him here.
[She catches Adomar's eye, and he comes forward reluctantly.]
Answer me, sir, as if I were the judge
Of all things. Did I ever make you think
By word or glance, by any faintest sign,
That you were more to me than one I knew?
Adomar.
Never.
[Turns back into the crowd.
Isembert.
He wore your ribbon.
Godfrida.
Adomar!
My ribbon, sir, how came it to be yours?
[He faces Godfrida.
Adomar.
By chance.
Godfrida.
Say when.
Adomar.
It was no fault of mine.
He had a ribbon too; and so had he—
And he—and he: I could not help myself.
Godfrida's ribbon fell to me by lot
Upon the morning of St. Valentine.
Isembert.
But why are you the only pair whose names
Were coupled when the sport that joined them ceased?
92
Answer!
[Keeps her eyes fixed on Adomar.
Adomar.
Because I wore her ribbon still;
And talked of marrying her; and bragged—and talked.
Isembert.
On what pretence?
Adomar.
Because I thought . . . because
I am a fool, I fear.
Godfrida.
An honest one!
Isembert.
Did you desire to marry her?
Adomar.
I did.
Isembert.
And do you now?
Adomar.
No.
Isembert.
Why not, Adomar?
Adomar.
Sometimes I thought she was too slight for me,
Because she seemed so simple and so sweet;
But knowing how great her spirit is,
And since she seems— [To Godfrida]
I pray you, pardon me—
A witch, I fear I am no mate for her.
[Returns into the crowd.
Isembert.
Is not this witchcraft? Here is Adomar,
The very vainest man in all Provence,
Professing poverty of soul, because
Godfrida eyed him closely. It must end.
And as she will not marry Adomar,
93
Beneath her rank; for Siward must be loosed
From her malignant power immediately.
Ermengarde.
Marry her to a beggar from the streets.
Isembert.
It shall be done! Godfrida, ere we send
To fetch your husband, will you break the spell,
Confess and be forgiven?
[Godfrida is stunned; the bystanders are much moved, and ominous glances are cast at Isembert.]
Choose again.
The choice is threefold: freedom, death by fire,
Or marriage with a beggar.
Ermengarde.
What?—She spoke?
Isembert.
Her heart is vexed beyond the power of words.—
Anselm, go quickly to the street; bring in
The first man you encounter; rich or poor,
Base-born or noble, she shall marry him,
If he be single and will have her. Haste!
[Anselm goes out by the door on the right and Siward leaves the gallery.]
The sight of him whose hand can rescue her
From burning may decide her preference.
Godfrida.
Madam, you loved me once . . . What can I say?
94
Hush! That's not right! There was a word I had:
Sweetly and valiantly! Yes! I am his:
And you can never sever from my soul
The soul of Siward, mine in life, in death.
[Unsheathes a dagger which she wears in her belt. Anselm ushers in Siward by the door on the right. Siward's hat hides his face. Godfrida is the first to recognise him. Dropping her dagger she rushes silently into his arms. As she approaches him Siward throws off his hat.
Voices.
Siward!—Long life to Siward and Godfrida!
[Isembert, quickly concealing his discomfiture, rises and faces Ermengarde, who has also risen in fear and anger.
Isembert.
I am guiltless here. Chance is too strong for us.
Enter Ludovic by the large door, accompanied by Men-at-arms. They push their way through the crowd to the front.
Ludovic.
Madam, a messenger, arrived but now
Declares Esplandian has crossed the Rhone,
And marches on St. Andiol.
95
I know.
You had my mandate to prepare for war?
Ludovic.
And I obeyed.
Isembert.
When can our troops set out?
Ludovic.
Now.
Isembert.
Admirable! You shall lead them. Go.
Captains and Men-at-arms.
No! Siward! Siward!
Ludovic.
Siward, I say too.
Isembert.
That cannot be.
Voices.
Siward! Siward must lead!
Ermengarde.
[demoralised by the clamour].
Let Siward lead.
Voices.
Give him his sword again!
Ermengarde
[to Gaucelm].
Bring me his sword.
Isembert
[delaying Gaucelm with a gesture].
But our revenge?
Ermengarde.
At once!
[Gaucelm goes out by the door on the left.]
I cannot face an outraged people. You—
Speak to them, reconcile them, Isembert.
Isembert
[reluctantly, to Siward].
Her Grace restores your freedom and command.
Siward.
I thank her Grace; but neither will I have
Unless Godfrida be released.
96
Right, sir!
Long live Godfrida! Set her free, your Grace!
Ermengarde
[in a choking voice].
I set her free.—Speak for me, Isembert!
[Frantically.]
It was his doing: I am not to blame!
[Sinks into her chair, wringing her hands in fear and shame.
Re-enter Gaucelm with Siward's sword. He offers it to the Duchess, but Isembert takes it.
Voices.
Down with him! Villain! Death to Isembert!
Isembert.
Good friends, and noble foes—since both are here—
Voices.
All foes!
Isembert.
All foes, then! On myself I take
Whatever culpability may be
In these proceedings; but condemn me not
Unheard. My scrupulous, unselfish aim
Contemplated the service of Provence
In liberating Siward from a bond
Which I believed, and honestly believed,
A danger to the state, knowing that war
Knocked at our gates again.
Voices.
A lie! A lie!
Down with the upstart! Death to Isembert!
97
Isembert.
Take my defiance, then!
Siward.
Our private feuds
Must wait until we conquer outward peace.
Isembert.
Then—now—at any time I will maintain
Against the world that this malicious witch
Corrupted Siward and deserves to die!
Siward.
Unhallowed liar!
Isembert
[returning his sword to Siward].
Your sword, Sir Constable.
Act-drop rapidly.
| Godfrida | |