Read the book: «Yolanda of Cyprus», page 4

And dew of Eden!.. Yes!

Camarin. A frenzy! Mere

Folly! you wander!

Yolanda (suddenly). That was anguish? whose?

[Is hauntedly listening.

Camarin. Amaury still is many leagues away —

[Hassan appears.

At Keryneia! Do you hear me?

Yolanda. Hassan!

[Is numb as he hurries down from the castle to her. A pause; then her voice falls hoarsely.

I hear you, speak. His wounds I know. The rest!

They've told him?

Hassan. The Venetian, who nursed him

Last night, pouring his potions —

She and lord Renier. They broke his sleep.

He listened to them as one in a grave.

Then they besought of him

Some oath against you, were they right: he would not.

Now he has risen,

Silent and pale and suffering; in leash.

He's coming here.

Camarin. Why, you are mad!

Yolanda. Be still.

Camarin. Amaury was not then delayed? is – here?

[Voices are heard perturbed within the castle. Then Amaury, putting aside Renier and Tremitus, followed by Vittia and others, enters down.

Amaury. I'll not return unto my couch though twice

These wounds and all your wants were urging it!

Yolanda! my Yolanda! – Never, never!

[Takes her to him.

Until I prove you that a word against

Her that I hold here in my arms is more

To me than any peril.

Tremitus. But, sir – !.. Aeih!

My precious physic wasted!

Amaury. Till I prove it!

For … my Yolanda!..

You who are purity if Mary still

Is mother of God and lighteth Paradise!

You in whose presence I am purged as one

Bathing a thousand years in angel song!

They say, you, who are stainless to my eyes

As is the sacring-bell to holy ears,

So undefiled even the perfect lily

Pendent upon your breast fears to pollute it!

Listen, they tell me you – A fool, a fool

Would know it unbelievable and laugh.

Renier. As now a fool is doing?

Amaury. O, sir, pardon.

You are my father, and, I must believe,

Mean well this monster breath's unchastity,

As does this lady (of Vittia) who has gently nursed me.

But you were tricked; it was illusion swum

Before your sleep. Therefore my purpose is

Now to forget it.

Tremitus. Aieh! and to return

Now to my drugs.

Renier. Stand off! – As dogs forget

The lash in hunger of the wonted bone?

[Laughs angrily.

Amaury. A poison so incredible and dark

You cannot duped inoculate me with.

Trust in my veins makes of it but more love.

And to dispel your minds (goes to Camarin) I'll clasp his hand

Whom you have so accused.

Vittia. O do, my lord!

[Smiles disdainfully.

And then embrace him in whose arms three nights

Ago she was embraced.

Yolanda (to her). Can you so say!

Vittia. Yes, and will add —

Amaury. Lady of Venice, nothing!

But this to all, I answer! —

There is my mother, see,

Wounded with wonder of this plight, and pity.

Yolanda has dwelt by her

As the fawn

By the white doe on mount Chionodes.

I would as quick believe that she had given

Her holiness up to contamination

As that Yolanda —

Yolanda. Amaury, enough!.. I know!

Amaury. As quickly!

Yolanda. Then … quell this delirium!

[A pause.

Out of your thought forever let it fall,

Hear no more of it, ever!

Be deaf to it as to a taunt of doom,

In triple mail to every peaceless word,

Granite against even its memory.

Say that you will, and now!..

Renier. So that you may

Allure him yet to wed you?

Amaury. Sir!

Renier. She would.

Yolanda. No, no! But let him… Then I will go far

Away from here to any alien air,

To opiate India, a lost sea-isle!

To the last peak of arid Caucasus.

Renier. With Camarin of Paphos?

Yolanda. With whoever

Your peace and this compelling pain… Ah no!

Renier. With him, with him, I say?..

Amaury. You drive and drain her.

To me her words shall be – me and no other.

So my Yolanda now dissolve the cling

Of this invisible but heavy hydra;

I've striven with it till no more I can.

If any tare has been unseemly sown

Upon the April vision of our love,

Say it at once that I may rend and fling it

Away from us. Say it!

Renier. Vainly implored. —

Yet ask her this, If she three nights ago —

Amaury. I will not so insult her.

Tremitus. Aieh —

Renier. Insult?

She knows what I would bid and does she hurl

Her soul in any disavowal?

Amaury. I

Will speak to her alone. Go, all of you,

There to the fountain.

Yolanda. Yes, Amaury, then

One searching of my face shall free your fear.

Alone, alone.

Renier. Still to befool him!

Yolanda (warningly). Choose!

I cannot suffer more of this.

Amaury. Nor I

To breathe ever the burning of this mist

Of anguish and insatiate accusal. —

This wound upon my throat, fever it not

With longer fire of doubt, Yolanda.

Yolanda. Ah!

Berengere. I am not well. I will go to my chamber.

[She passes into the castle.

Renier. But I never until this guiler grants

I found her in the arms of Camarin,

Drinking the frenzied wine of passion

He poured from his soul.

Amaury. Yolanda?

Renier. She is silent;

Dumb to deny it.

Amaury. But she will, she will.

You've driven her with dread and awe.

Vittia (lightly). And truth?

Amaury. Have wounded her. But do not fear, Yolanda;

Fiercely disown.

Yolanda. Amaury … it is true.

[He staggers slowly back.

No, no; I have not been faithless to you —

Even a moment

To the divinity of love high-altared

Here in my breast! to the immutable

Beauty of it! … look, look not on me so —

As if I had struck, murdered a little child!

Or palsied one who put a hand to help me;

Or through eternity had desecrated,

Vainly, virginity and trust and truth!

No, my Amaury! I … do you not see?

[Hysterically.

Not faithless, hear! it is not true! not true!

But only this —

Camarin. Yolanda!

Yolanda. I —

Camarin. Yolanda!

[A moment, then she sinks down, her face in her hands. Amaury groans; then starting goes fiercely to Hassan, and taking his sword recrosses trembling to Camarin.

Amaury. The day you first set step in Lusignan

An image of the Magdalen within

The chapel yonder fell – presaging this.

Only your death, your death or mine stands pale

Between us now, awaiting silently.

Draw, and at once.

Camarin. Amaury, I will not.

Amaury. Out, quickly.

Camarin. Do your will. I'll put no more

To the guilt I bear, or to the misery

That guilt has brought upon you.

Amaury. Coward!

Camarin. Strike!

Amaury. You play a part! (Raves.) And 'tis that you may live

Still in the love that you a thief have stolen.

So, with your steel – !

Camarin. It stays within its sheath.

Amaury. Then I will not be thwarted though I must

Crush you as one a viper with his heel,

Though I must take your leper throat into

My hands and strangle life from it!

For the same sky you breathe I will not.

The sun that falls upon you shall not foul

My being —

Though I must go down into hell for it.

[He starts, frenzied, to strike, but suddenly staggers; then clasps at his throat, drops the sword, and sinks down moaning.

Yolanda. His wound!

Tremitus. Aeih, aeih! at last.

Yolanda. Amaury! Oh!

[Runs to him. He struggles to his feet.

Amaury! Amaury!

Amaury. Stand away from me.

[She falls back; he laughs in derision.

I to believe her pure as my own mother!

Vittia. Had you but trusted me, Amaury.

Amaury. You?

[Looks long at her.

Henceforth I will.

Vittia. And wholly?

Amaury (significantly). She … shall do it.

[Starts into the castle.

Yolanda (dauntedly). Amaury! what is this?

Vittia. That, ere a dawn,

Guileless Yolanda, you shall wed with him

Your paramour of Paphos —

Yolanda. Camarin?

Vittia. And from these gates be led wanton away.

[Yolanda, for a moment whelmed, tries to laugh scorn; but, turning, her eye meets Renier's full of suspicion. He follows Amaury meaningly into the castle.

Curtain

ACT III

The Same Day

Scene: The Hall and loggia of Act I; but toward sunset, and afar, on the flushed sea, are seen the fisher-boats returning pale-winged to shore. In the left distance, also, a portion of Famagouste is visible above the waves – its orient walls and towers, white domes and houses, interspersed with tall palms. The interior of the Hall is the same; only the divan is placed to the front and left, the lectern near the balcony leading to the sleeping apartments and to the chapel. Smarda is lying lithely on the divan, beguiled with her charms and amulets, and from time to time giving a low, sinuous laugh. Vittia enters, watches a moment, thoughtful, then advances.

Vittia. Smarda —

Smarda (springing up). Lady … your slave!

Vittia. I think you are.

Think that you are – if ever the leopard yields.

Smarda. To you, lady? A-ha! let him refuse.

Command!

Vittia. And you will heed it well; I fear not.

But first I have thought of requital.

Smarda (avidly). Ouie!

Vittia. Those amulets you wear, of jade and sard —

Smarda (quickly dark). Are for revenge – to bring revenge!

Vittia. And from

Your Scythian home, over the hated sea,

They came with you.

Smarda. Yes.

Vittia. From the home whence you

Were torn by the Moor who was your one-time master.

Is it not so?

Smarda. The spirits strangle him!

[Works at the charms.

Vittia. Well, if I win to-night what is begun

You shall not want, to-morrow,

Gold for a weightier witchery upon him.

[The slave's eyes gleam.

But listen, every sinew will be needed

Still to achieve this wedding, though we have

Camarin with us, willing. So I've learned

A ship has come from Venice.

Smarda (quickly). Pietro?

Vittia. Yes, Pietro, it must be, has arrived

With papers that will help.

Smarda. Ha! Fortune's touch!

Vittia. It is, but tardy. Therefore I must have

Them instantly.

Smarda. Ere he has time, lady,

To vaunt his loves, in Lusignan, and babble.

Vittia. As, wooing dolt, he will. But see to it.

I shall be in this place with lord Amaury,

Whom I must … but no matter.

He left me suddenly a season since

Seeing his father look strangely upon

His mother; for lord Renier's doubt I still

Have been compelled to feed – to move Yolanda.

Here in this place then I shall be, at need.

[She goes engrossedly.

Smarda (recalling the pledge; evilly). A-ha! ha-ha! ha-ha! if she but win!

A talisman with might upon the Moor!

[Begins to dance – a charm held up before her.

If she but win! a-ha! a curse on him!

[Whirls faster with a wild grace, swaying to and fro, and chanting softly the while, till suddenly a laugh in the corridor stops her, and Pietro is heard through the curtains adoring Civa, who pushes him into the Hall, then runs away laughing.

Pietro (after her). Hold, fair one! Stay! You look on Pietro

Of Venice! Pietro!

Smarda (to herself). A-ha … ha-ha!

Pietro (turning). It is the slave! (Grandly.) I greet you, slave.

Smarda. Greeting!

Pietro. I, Pietro, who, as you know, am sought

By all the loveliest

Attending on the lords and high of Venice.

Smarda. So!.. So!

Pietro. "The gentle Pietro," they say.

You may remember.

Smarda. So.

Pietro. "Proud Pietro!"

And then they sigh.

Smarda. So.

Pietro. Then they weep and pine —

"For Pietro" – until I must console them.

Smarda (going to where he poses; contemptuously).

And for all this, O prince of paramours,

[Spurns him.

My lady no doubt has bid you to sail from Venice?

Pietro. Eh?

Smarda. Eh! And she will hear no doubt with love

That you delay the powers of the Senate

Sent in your keeping to her?

Pietro. Slave! … (alarmed) the papers?

Smarda. With love and with delight? since she awaits them?

With joy? When told your amorous mouthings yonder?

Pietro. Slave, she must never! You will take them to her!

[Fumbles for papers.

In to her … quickly!..

Dear slave, you will – and say if she inquire

That I was led astray

By the little Cyprian with guiling eyes

Who fell enamoured of me at the gate.

Smarda. Civa!

Pietro. The same! I sought to run away,

[Still searching.

O slave, say to her, but I could not for —

For – for a lady by the marble knight,

That is, by the fountain, swooned, as I came in.

And then —

Smarda. Swooned!

Pietro. As I came!

Smarda (a-quiver). Beside the fount?

Who? which? lady Yolanda? lady Berengere?

[He stares at her ardour.

Did no one say?.. My mistress must know this!

The papers, quickly!

Pietro. Slave, you – ! By my sins!

[She has seized them swiftly, and gone. He follows amazed. Then sunset begins without, crimson and far; and Amaury appears from the loggia, reckless and worn. He pauses, looks about him, troubled.

Amaury. Not here yet… There is more in this than seems.

[Goes to divan and sits. Vittia enters behind.

More, Camarin of Paphos, than is clear!

[Starts up.

And she must tell me! (Sees Vittia.) Lady, you I mean.

[Vittia advances inquiringly.

What is beyond this shame upon Yolanda?

Vittia. My lord – ?

Amaury. What! It is moving in me clouded,

Deeper than sight but pressing at my peace.

My father's look! you saw it!

Vittia. Ah!

Amaury. And saw

Fear in my mother!

Vittia. Yes, implanted deep.

Amaury. And did not wonder?

Vittia (sits). When I knew its source?

No need, my lord – though your pang too I marked —

For, trust me, ere to-morrow all will cease —

If you are firm.

Amaury. I? who know nought? In what?

Vittia. That do not ask, I pray. (Deftly.) Another could

Fitly reply, but I —

Amaury. No other better!

Vittia. Then … it will cease, my lord —

So as a flail of doubt it should not still

Beat in you – when Yolanda

Is wed with Camarin … no, do not speak;

The reason for your sake I must withhold.

Amaury. Though as under sirocco I am kept.

[Sits.

Sirocco!.. It is unintelligible!

[Rises. A pause.

Yet you speak gently.

Vittia. No; unblushingly!

[He looks surprised.

Unblushingly to one who knows – though by

A chance – my love to him – my lowered love.

[Turns away.

And yet I cannot rue

That he awaking sudden from the potion

Surprised yearning and truth upon my lips.

No, and I would that gentle words might be

As waters of enchantment on his grief. —

But of Yolanda —

[Rises.

Amaury. Still I love her, still!

Vittia (strainedly). As well she knows, so may refuse to wed

With Camarin.

Amaury. She?

Vittia. Since you are Lusignan,

Heir of a sceptred line,

And yet may reach – the realm.

Amaury (pierced). Which … do you mean,

She hopes of?

Vittia. Were it folly to make sure?

[A pause.

Amaury. How? speak.

Vittia. Again unshameful? No; one thing

Alone would serve you. That I must not bring

My tongue to falter.

Amaury. Be it so.

Vittia. And yet …

[He has turned away.

Yet I must bend to! and, my lord, I will!

Will … for you suffer!

Will, though indelicacy seem to soil

Whatever bloom I boasted.

[Goes to him.

It is this:

To let her … but for to-day …

Think you … for she's aware of my affection …

Have chosen – to wed me.

Amaury. You!

Vittia. For to-day.

To-morrow I return to Venice, then

Denial.

Amaury (moved). Lady – ?

Vittia. I will bear it.

Amaury. … Thus?

[Struggles.

Then it shall be. And grateful I'll await

The issue's utterance. And stay, wear this —

[Takes off a ring.

From her dead father's hand —

As a proof to her of any tie soever.

But now – for the sails make home along the sea —