Cale Young Rice

“ Samuel. Evil thou art
For underneath this night thou hast conspired
Death to thy daughter Michal—if at dawn
The battle shall be lost—lest she may fall
Into the hands of David——
David (in horror) . O!
Ishui. Whose cry?
Samuel. I tell thee, Saul, thy sceptre shrivels fast.
The battle shall be lost—it shall be lost.
(The Spirit of Samuel disappears. A wail of wind.)
Adriel. Ishui, true? Is Michal to be slain?
Ishui. This is no hour for fools and questioning.
Saul (struggling up) . The battle, Ishui, at once command
It shall begin! To Jonathan and say it. ”

“ Vittia. The surety flies
Out of your cheek and dead upon your heart:
Yet you are innocent—oh innocent?—
O'er what abyss she hangs!
Yolanda. O'er no abyss.
Vittia. But to her lord is constant!
Yolanda (desperate) . She is constant.
Vittia. And to his bed is true?
Yolanda. True.
Vittia. And this baron
Of Paphos—Camarin—is but her friend,
And deeply yours—as oft you feign to shield her?
[Pg 19]
Yolanda. He is no more.
Vittia. Your heart belies your lips,
Knows better than believing what you say.
Yolanda. Were, were he then ... (struggles) Lord Renier knows it not! ”

“ Renier. You
Come softly, lady of Venice.
Vittia. Streets of sea
In Venice teach us.
Renier. Of what women, then?
My wife? Yolanda?
Vittia. By the freedom due us,
What matters it? In Venice our lords know
That beauty has no master.
Renier. Has no.... That,
That too has something hid.
Vittia. Suspicious lord!
Yet Berengere Lusignan is his wife!
And soon Yolanda—But for that I'm here.
You sent for me.
Renier (sullen) . I sent.
Vittia. To say you've chosen?
And offer me irrevocable aid
To win Amaury?
Renier. All is vain in me
Before the fever for it.
Vittia. Then, I shall. ”

“ Renier?
Yolanda. Was at that grating—heard. And from its sheath,
A dagger—! Ah, he will come.
Berengere (weakly) . What does she say?
Yolanda. Find calmness now, and some expedient.
(She struggles to think.)
Berengere. I cannot die.
Yolanda. No, no.
Berengere. My flesh is weak,
Is poor of courage—poverished by guilt,
As all my soul is! But, Yolanda, you—!
Yolanda. Yes, something must be done—something be done.
(Camarin goes to the curtains and returns.)
Berengere. The shame ... the shame ... the shame!
Yolanda. There yet is time.
Berengere. You can deliver! you are innocent. ”

“ Vittia. None?
Yolanda. Your tone...!
(Realising with gradual horror.) The still insinuation! You would do it!
This is the beast then of the labyrinth?
And this your heart is?
Vittia. No, not ever: no.
But now, if you deny me.
Yolanda. Speak as a woman,
If there is Womanhood in you to speak.
The name of Berengere Lusignan must
Go clean unto the years, fair and unsullied.
Nor must the bloody leap
Of death fall on her from Lord Renier's sword,
A death too ready if he but suspect. ”

“ Yolanda. More am sick
That love of him has led your thought so low.
To-morrow—
Vittia. Not to-morrow! But you must
Choose and at once.
Yolanda. Then——
(They start and listen. Approaching hoofs are heard.)
Vittia. Ah! Amaury?—It is?
His speed upon the road? now at the gates?
(The fall of chains is heard.)
What then, what is your purpose—to renounce
And force him from you, or to have me breathe
To Renier Lusignan the one word
That will transmute his wrong to madness?
Say quickly. Centuries have stained these walls,
But never a wife; never——
(Enter Berengere.) ”

“ I smote thro' his temple the nail, to the dust a worm did I bind him.
My heart was a-leap with rage and a-quiver with scorn.
And I danced with a holy delight before and behind him—
I that am called blessed o'er all who're of Judah born.
"Aye, come, I will show thee, O Barak, a woman is more than a warrior,"
I cried as I lifted the door wherein Sisera lay.
[Pg 93] "To me did he fly and I shall be called his destroyer—
I, Jael, who am subtle to find for the Lord a way!"
"Above all the daughters of men be blest—of Gilead or Asshur,"
Sang Deborah, prophetess, under her waving palm. ”

“ Michal. David!
David. Farewell!
Michal. ... You must not!
David. Peace to you, peace and joy!
Michal. You must not go!
(He turns. She sways and reaches to him her arms. As they move together Doeg and Merab appear, but vanish from the curtains as Michal utters dismay.)
Michal. Merab and Doeg!
David (has sprung to her) . Yet what matter, now!
Were it the driven night-unshrouded dead!
Under the firmament is but one need,
That you will understand!
Michal. But Merab! ah,
She's cunning, cold and cruel, and she loves thee;
Hath told her love to Ahinoam the queen! ”

“ Michal (in terror) . David!... the dread
What does it mean? I cannot speak! It shrinks
Shivering down upon my heart in awe!
David. And numbs you so?—Let it rush from your lips!
Can any moving in the world so bring
Terror upon you! Speak, what is it?
Michal. Ah!
I know not; danger rising and its wing
Sudden against my lips!
David. To warn?
Michal. It shall not!
There—now again flows joy: I think it flows.
Saul. Then—you have heard...?
Michal. Yes, father, yes! Have you
Not much desired discovery of whom
Samuel hath anointed?
Saul. Well?
Michal. I've found——
(David blenches.) ”

“ Berengere. Christ, save me ... Christ!
Yolanda's innocent, and I ... 'twas I.
Amaury. What? what is it she says?
Berengere. Camarin! Ah!
(She shudders and dies, amid low-uttered awe. Renier bends, lays his hand a moment on her breast, then, with a cry of rage, springs from her and draws, and rushes on Camarin, who awaits him, desperate.)
Amaury (confused, as they engage) .
Yolanda; what is this?
Yolanda. Amaury, in!
Compel Lord Renier back! he cannot live,
You only could against Camarin now! ”

“ One must go out—Goliath must have end.
Doeg. Ah, ah! and you will!
Ishui. You?
Jonathan. No, David!
Saul. You?
David. Sudden you hound about me ravenous?
Have I thrown doom not daring to your feet,
Ruler of Israel, that you rise wild,
Livid above me as an avalanche?
Doeg. A plot! it is a plot! He will be slain—
From you, my lord, dominion then will fall!
Or should it not ...
Samuel. Liar! it is no plot.
But courage sprung seraphic out of night,
Beautiful, yea, a bravery from God!
Michal (behind the throng) . Open! and let me enter! Open! ”

“ Should for her any sin beseeching lift.
(Looking at Yolanda.)
They and no other!
Yolanda. And, you mean——?
Amaury. Not one.
Yolanda. Then, mother——
(Goes to bier.)
Amaury. That name again?
Yolanda. While I have breath.
(Nobly.) Yes, though you hold me purgeless of that sin
Only the pale arch-angels may endure
Trembling to muse on!
Or though yon image of the Magdalen,
Whose alabaster broke amid her tears
And her torn hair, forbade me with a voice.
And you, whose heart is shaken
As in a tomb a taper's flame, would know
I speak with love.
Camarin. Unswerving love.
Amaury. ”

“ Miriam. What is this?
Saul. I say that you can raise them!
Miriam. You are come
With snaring! knowing well that Saul the king
Is woe and bitterness to all who move
With incantation.
Saul. He is not.
Miriam. Depart!
Saul. I must have up out of the Awfulness
Him I would question.
Miriam. Perilous!
Saul. Prepare
Before thy teraphim. No harm, I swear,
Shall come of it. Bid Samuel appear.
The battle! its event!
Miriam (with a cry) . I know thee now!
Saul! thou art Saul! the Terror!
Saul. Call him up. ”

“ Amaury!
Amaury (angrily.) Priest, be brief!
Moro (before them; as Camarin takes Yolanda's hand) .
The Church invests me and the powers of
This island here to make you man and wife.
Be joined, ye who have sinned,
In soul, peace and repentances for ever.
(He signs the cross. Yolanda stands dazed. A silence. Then a shuddering cry and all turn toward the balcony, where Alessa bursts, pale, wild, and striving to speak.)
Yolanda (with dread, awe, premonition) . Alessa!
Alessa. Lady Yolanda! you have wed him?
Yolanda (pausing.) Yes.
Alessa. Lady Berengere is dead.
Yolanda. No!... No! ”

“ Have not Abishai, Abiathar,
And others gone?
David. Bravely.
Third Fol. And none returned!
David. Not one of all.
Third Fol. Well, then, we are not swine;
And life's but once.... So we will follow you
No longer hungered and rewarded never,
But perilously ever.
David. It is well.
(He looses a bracelet from his arm.)
This was a gift from Saul. In it is ease.
(Gives it to Third Follower, who goes.)
This ring was Jonathan's. The jewel tells
Still of the sunny haven of his heart.
Upon my hand he pressed it—the day we leapt
Deeper than friends into each other's love. ”

“ I slew him, that Sisera, prince of the host Thou dost hate.
But fear of his blood is upon me, about me is breathen
His spirit—by day and by night come voices that wait.
I fly to the desert, I fly to the mountain—but they will not hide me.
His gods haunt the winds and the caves with vengeance that cries
For judgment upon me; the stars in their courses deride me—
The stars Thou hast hung with a breath in the wandering skies.
[Pg 95]
Jehovah! Jehovah! I slew him the scourge and sting of Thy Nation.
Take from me his spirit, take from me the voice of his blood. ”

“ Beautiful under a tamarisk, until
All beauty else is dead——
Michal. Ah, cease!
David. Since then
I have been wonder, ecstasy and dream!
The moulded light and fragrant miracle,
Body of you and soul, lifted me till
When you departed——
Michal. No, you rend me!
David. I
Fell thro' infinity of void!
Michal. No more!
David. Then came the prophet Samuel with anointing!
My hope sprung as the sun!
Michal. I must not hear!
David. Then was I called to play before the king.
Here in this hall where cherubim shine out,
Where the night silence——
Michal. ”

“ Scene.—The royal tent of Saul pitched on one hill of the battlefield of Ephes-Dammin. The tent is of black embroidered with various warlike designs. To one side on a daïs are the chairs of Saul and Ahinoam; also David's harp. On the other side, toward the front, is a table with weapons. The tent wall is lifted along the back, revealing on the opposite hill, across a deep narrow valley, the routed camp of the Philistines; before it in gleaming brazen armour lies Goliath slain. Other hills beyond, and the sky above. By the small table, her back to the battlefield, sits Merab in cold anger. ”

“ Ahinoam. He's driven still.
And hither comes again, and must be calmed.
The harp take you, and winds of beauty bring,
And consolation, as of valley eves
When there is ebb of sorrow and of toil.
Oh, could you heal him and for ever heal!
David. Then would I be——!
(Breaks off with great desire. Takes the harp and seats himself.)
Ahinoam. At once, for he will come.
(A strain of wild sadness brings Saul, and many, within. He pauses, his hand to his brow, enspelled of the playing; then slowly goes up the daïs.)
[Pg 278]
Ahinoam. ”

“ Jonathan. The madness of it!
David. No, and see; they come.
Jonathan. Strangely my father is unstrung.
David. They come.
(Enter Saul, with Samuel; soldiers with the spy, Ahinoam with Abner; and all the court in suppressed dread.)
Saul (to Samuel) . He will not speak, but scorns me, and his lips
Bitterly curve and grapple. But he shall
Learn there is torture to it! Set him forth.
(The spy is thrust forward.)
Tighten his bonds up till he moan.
(It is done.)
Aye, gasp,
Accursed Philistine! Now wilt thou tell
The plan and passion of the people 'gainst us?
Spy. Baal!
Saul. ”

“ David. The battle burning yonder,
If it adversely veers, the king has planned
Michal is not to live lest she may hap
Unto my arms.
Merab. That Michal shall be slain?
(The tumult again.)
David. Almighty, smite, and save to Thee thy people!
And save Thy altars unto Israel!
(He bows his head. A stir comes at the gate.)
Merab. David, 'tis Adriel!
Adriel. Ope! open, you!
David. At last the word.
Merab. Girl, Adah, draw the bar.
(David throws a cloak to his face, as Adah obeys. Adriel enters, and Doeg, who pauses in quick alarm, as David goes between him and the gate.) ”

“ Thrush-flutes echo "For mating's elating!
Love is its other name!"
They know! know it! but better, oh, better,
Dearest, than ever a bird in Spring,
Know we to make each moment a debtor
Unto love's burgeoning!
[Pg 158]
IV.
UNTOLD
Could I, a poet,
Implant the truth of you,
Seize it and sow it
As Spring on the world.
There were no need
To fling (forsooth) of you
Fancies that only lovers heed!
No, but unfurled,
The bloom, the sweet of you,
(As unto me they are opened oft)
Would with their beauty's breath repeat of you
All that my heart breathes loud or soft! ”

“ Michal. Cunningly
With Samuel netted fears about my father,
Till I am paltrily unto you pledged.
David. Enough.
Michal. Too much.
David. No more: the pledge I fling
Out of my heart, as 'twere enchantment dead,
And free you; but no more.
(He moves from her.)
Michal. As if it were
[Pg 276] Enchantment dead.... Ah then 'tis true—there is
Another—is another!
David. Now, what fever?
A gentleness clad once your every grace.
Michal. There is some other that you lure and love.
David. It is not Michal speaking; so I wait.
Michal. Then you will learn.... Who's that?
(Judith glides in.) ”