Percy MacKaye

“ To ask your greatness to outleap your laws
And grant, by special dispensation, to
This woman—a sixth husband.
KING RICHARD
By my fay, sir,
You ask too much. My laws are sacred.
[Aside to John of Gaunt, who whispers him.]
Hein?
ALISOUN
Dig him again there, Geoffrey.
CHAUCER
King, have grace!
KING RICHARD
The Duke of Lancaster advises me
[Pg 202]
There may be one exception.
[Aside.]
What? What’s that?
[Aloud.]
But only one. My law is sacred.—Woman,
I grant to thee the right to wed once more
On one condition. Mark it; thy sixth husband
Must be a miller.—Herald, sound the verdict. ”

“ MILLER
[Laughing, shakes his fist.]
Ha, ha! By Corpus bones!
[Exit at gate.]
ALISOUN
Now, bird; the plot.
I’ve sent him for a gag.
FRIAR
A gag? What for?
ALISOUN
To win my bet, of course. ’Tis for this knight.
FRIAR
Thou wilt not gag a knight—the Prioress’
[Pg 81]
Brother!
ALISOUN
Hast thou forgot I bet with Geoffrey
The man that wears the ring will prove to be
Dame Virtue’s lover?
FRIAR
He that wears the ring?
Methinks I smell: but who’s your man?
ALISOUN
Sweet owl,
The sunlight hurts thine eyes, thou starest too hard. ”

“ KING RICHARD
Lord, save our souls!
[To De Vere.]
Lend me a looking-glass.
DE VERE
[Takes one from his sleeve.]
Ha! Dick, par charity!
[Richard and De Vere look in the glass and make faces in
imitation of Gloucester and the others.]
PARSON
[In the crowd to the Clerk.]
Yonder’s the Duke
Of Lancaster: John Gaunt.
CHAUCER
[Who has been held back with the crowd by the heralds, pushes through, and hastening forward, kneels to Johanna, who is talking with Wycliffe.]
A boon! a boon!
JOHANNA
[To Wycliffe.]
Protect me, sir!
CHAUCER
[Holds up Johanna’s love-knot.] ”

“ CHAUCER
Hold, hold,
Dame Alis! gentle Alisoun—
[Recovers the torn page.]
ALISOUN
Hoot-toot!
Are ye so dainty with a dirty parchment
And so slipshod to smirch our reputations?
You men! God’s arms! What ken ye of true women?
You stuff one doll and name it Modesty,
And bid her mince and giggle, hang her head
And ogle in her sleeve; another poppet
You make of snow and name St. Innocence:
She sits by moonlight in a silver night-gown
And sighs love-Latin in a nunnery.
By Corpus bones! is not a mare a horse?
A woman is but man; and both one beast—
A lusty animal, for field or harness. ”

“ What is’t about?
CHAUCER
The wickedness of woman.
ALISOUN
A man, then, wrote it. If you men will write,
We wives will keep ye busy. Read’s a snack.
CHAUCER
[Pretending to read.]
“Whoso that builds his mansion all of mallows,
Whoso that spurs his blind horse over the fallows,
Whoso that lets his wife seek shrines and hallows,
Is worthy to be hanged on the gallows.”
ALISOUN
Chuck that to another dog. My man is dead.
CHAUCER
[Imperturbably.]
“A lovely woman, chaste, is like a rose;
Unchaste, a ring of gold in a sow’s nose.”
ALISOUN
Lo, what a pretty preaching pardoner! ”

“ JOHANNA
[Catching sight of Prioress.]
If I but knew!
St. Ann! I know too much.
SQUIRE
You would be proud
To have him rhyme your name. Sir, I protest
Had I conceived how fair “Johanna” sounds
In verse—
CHAUCER
[Sternly.]
Hold, signorino! Was it thus
You bade me sonnetise your Eglantine?
You said yourself—
SQUIRE
In sooth, that “Eglantine”
Is sweeter.
JOHANNA
Ugh!
CHAUCER
There you were false. For know
As ocean-shells give back the mermaid’s sigh,
The conches of a lover’s ears should hold
Eternal murmurs of his mistress’ name. ”

“ CHAUCER
And here’s mine, Alis; thou art a good fellow.
[An uproar outside.]
What row is this?
ALISOUN
Here comes my rendezvous.
[Enter in tumult, the Friar, Miller, Cook, Shipman, Summoner, and Manciple, holding fast to one another’s ears. They call out, partly in chorus.]
FRIAR
He’s nabbed, sweet Alisoun.
MILLER
Here is the lousel.
SUMMONER
I’ve got his quids.
COOK
I stalled him.
ALISOUN
Hang fast, hold him!
Ho! fetch him down. [Laughing.] O Geoffrey, here’s a wooing!
CHAUCER
[Pg 48]
Yea; “Amor vincit omnia.”
ALL THE SWAINS
Here he is!
ALISOUN
Leave go. ”

“ Miller, Shipman, Cook, Manciple, Summoner, Knight, Alisoun, Chaucer, and Wycliffe.
Owing to the overcrowding of the little inn, the hall is arranged, for the night, as a common sleeping-room. Up stage, right, is a great canopied bedstead, with steps to climb into it. Along the right wall are truckle-beds. As the curtain rises, a clear bell is heard ringing outside, slow and musical. By the light of a single torch, the Pilgrims are seen, some putting on their cloaks and hoods, some peering from behind the bed-curtains, others taking links from a tap-boy, who distributes them. ”

“ CHAUCER
Donna, my heart
[Pg 138]
Bleeds tears for you.
JOHANNA
Stand by!
CHAUCER
That one so young,
So seeming virtuous—
JOHANNA
“So seeming”—thanks!
CHAUCER
As this young squire should, at one look from his—
Should, at one look, forsake your ladyship
For his—alas! But such is man! The bonds
Which nature forges chain us to the flesh,
Though angels pry the links.
JOHANNA
The bonds which nature?—
CHAUCER
Yes, nature: ’tis not love. Had it been love,
Would he have turned, even in his vows of truth,
And left you with his—ah! it chokes me. Nay,
Go, go, great marchioness, seek out your ward ”

“ SQUIRE
I will, Madame.
[Exit Prioress, right.]
My lady, we’re alone.
JOHANNA
Alas, then come,
Sit and be sad.
[She sits in the niche by the fireplace.]
SQUIRE
Sad? Must I wear a mask, then?
Mistress! Mistress, masks fall away from love
Like husks from buds in April. By love’s light
Lovers can look through mountains to their joy
As through these black beams I see heaven. Nay,
Hear me! When I have won my spurs—
FRIAR
[Sings within.]
What, ho! What, ho!
Dan Cupido!
[Pg 147]
A spurless knight usurps thy halls.—
JOHANNA
What’s that?
SQUIRE
The friar! ”

“ CHAUCER
Thou art daft.
ALISOUN
Lo, subtle man! He robs a poor wife’s wits
To insure his lady’s honour.
CHAUCER
Tush, tush, dame.
The very brooch she wears, her brother gave her,
For whose sake she hath even promised never
To take it off.
ALISOUN
Wilt bet me?
CHAUCER
Bet away!
ALISOUN
Ho, then, it is a bet, and this the stakes:
If that my Lady Prioress shall give
Yon brooch of gold from off her pretty wrist,
Unto the man whom she expects to meet,
And that same man prove not to be her brother,
[Pg 47]
Then thou shalt marry me at Canterbury.
CHAUCER
A twenty of thee, dame. ”

“ The hallow’d eyes of sweet Philosophy;
Where body battens not upon the soul,
But both are Reason’s angels, and Love’s self—
Pontifical in daisy-chains—doth hold
High mass at nature’s May-pole;—if such star
There were in all God’s heaven, and such indeed
Were ours, there would I speak and utter, not
[Pg 127]
“Dear Eglantine, I love you,” but “We love.”
PRIORESS
Monsieur, ’tis true.
CHAUCER
The simple truth, once said,
Is very sweet, Madame.
PRIORESS
Merci, Monsieur.
ALISOUN
Whist, Huberd; are they gone?
FRIAR
Nay.
ALISOUN
Did he kiss her?
Bones! Are they dumb!
FRIAR
Art jealous, dame? ”

“ ALISOUN
Sweethearts, your lungs can blow the buck’s horn.—Robin,
[Pg 65]
Ye sing like a bittern bumbling in the mire.
MILLER
By Corpus, ’twas a love-toot.
FRIAR
Prithee, sweet dame,
Finish your tale.
ALL
Finish the tale.
[Other pilgrims enter from the inn.]
ALISOUN
Shut up, lads. Sure, my wits are gone blackberrying.
Where was I?
FRIAR
Where King Arthur’s knight came home,
You said, and—
ALISOUN
Will you let me say it then?
FRIAR
Sweet dame, you said—
ALISOUN
A friar and a fly
Will fall in every dish, that’s what I said. ”

“ And says out plat: “Thou art a man: I love thee—”
She is a sinner, and your doll a saint.
CHAUCER
Alis, thou speak’st like one in jealousy.
ALISOUN
Why, Geoffrey, so I am. To tell thee flat,
[Pg 45]
I’m jealous of thy Lady Prioress.
CHAUCER
Peace, dame. Speak not her name with mine.
ALISOUN
Aye, go it,
Miss Innocence and Master Modesty!
How’s that?
CHAUCER
Dame Alisoun, it is enough.
ALISOUN
Why, then, it is enough. Come, lad; clap hands.
I am a bud of old experience,
Whom frost ne’er yet hath nipped. In love, I’ve danced
The waltz and minuet. ”

“ CHAUCER
[Struck, at a flash, by this medley of incongruities, bursts into
laughter, and seizing an ale mug, lifts it high.]
Alis, I drink to thee and woman’s wit.
FRIAR
God save the vintner and the Wife of Bath!
PILGRIMS
[Shout.]
God save the vintner and the Wife of Bath!
ALISOUN
[Sharing the ale mug with Chaucer.] ”

“ JOHANNA
[To herself.]
[Pg 155]
They whispered here: and there she said “Dear Aubrey.”
ALISOUN
And their disguises; oh, you’d not believe it!
That devil friar plays the chimney-sweep.
And—
JOHANNA
Chimney-sweep! ’Twas he, then, sung? Oh, come;
Help!
ALISOUN
Where?
JOHANNA
They’re in the cellar.
ALISOUN
Like enough;
They’re plotting, plotting. God’s wounds! ’Tis a trap.
Where be they all? Geoffrey to send me here—
My son to leave you with the friar—Ha!
They’re with that sly, deceptive Prioress;
’Tis she—
JOHANNA
Why, she’s your sister. ”

“ ALISOUN
Pardee! I’ll keep my word.
MILLER
[Grinning, raises his face to her.]
A kiss?
ALISOUN
A smack!
[Flings the tankard at his head.]
MILLER
[Dodging it.]
Harrow!
THE OTHER SWAINS
[Pell-mell.]
Here! here! Take mine!
FRIAR
Drink, sweet Queen Mab!
[Re-enter Chaucer and Joannes. Chaucer carries in his
hand a crock.]
[Pg 25]
ALISOUN
[To the Friar.]
What, Huberd, are ye there? Ye are too late,
All o’ ye! The elf-queen spies her Oberon.
[Wheeling the ass to confront Chaucer.]
By God, sir, you’re the figure of a man
For me.—Give me thy name. ”

“ SHIPMAN
Revenge!
FRIAR
Remember Peggy’s stall.
[They surround Chaucer threateningly.]
COOK
Vile tub!
PRIORESS
[Entering, left.]
O Roderigo, help him!
KNIGHT
Whom? That churl!
SQUIRE
Father, let me!
KNIGHT
You are deceived in him.
SQUIRE
But, sir, these are the rogues that bound you.
KNIGHT
He
Is one of them. They are beneath our notice.
MANCIPLE
Death to the vintner!
SUMMONER
[Pg 193]
Hit him!
ALISOUN
Stand away!
CHAUCER
[As Alisoun, with her fists, keeps them at bay.]
Happy, bridegroom, be thy stars
When thy Venus turns to Mars! [Enter heralds.]
HERALDS
Make way! ”

“ At the climax of the chant, as the Archbishop appears in the doorway, the chimes of the Cathedral peal forth from high above the kneeling crowd; cheers, beginning from the right, swell to a tumult, and as the people rise, enter, right, King Richard on horseback, the Dukes of Lancaster, Gloucester, and Ireland on ponies, and their train, among whom are Wycliffe and Johanna on foot. Six mules, laden with offerings, bring up the rear. The shouts of “God save the King!” “God save John Gaunt!” ”

“ That, like a fawn, I fain must laugh and love
Where the sap runs; yet, like an anchorite,
Pore on the viewless beauty of a book:
Not more enamoured (when the sun is out)
O’ the convent rose, than of the hoyden milkweed
Bold in my path. Life, in whatever cup,
To me is a love-potion. In one breath,
My heart hath pealed the chimes above St. Paul’s
And rung an ale-wife’s laughter.
ALISOUN
[Aside to the Friar.]
Bless his heart
[Pg 130]
And waistband! Heard ye that?
PRIORESS
[Who has listened, lost.]
To hear you speak
Is sweeter than the psalter. Do not stop.
CHAUCER
[Aside, smiling.] ”

“ JOHANNA
Nay, with none!
Some flighty ladies of King Richard’s court
That oped their beaks—but not like nightingales—
To prate of love. For my part when I saw them
This morning trot away toward Canterbury
With that dull Gaunt and silly Duke of Ireland,
I sighed “sweet riddance.” True, the king is different,
But he is married.
SQUIRE
You are not alone?
JOHANNA
No, sir. I travel with a world-stormed priest,
Whom all who love him call “Good Master Wycliffe”;
And those who love him not, “Old Nick,” for writing
[Pg 93]
The gospels in dear English.
SQUIRE
You—a Lollard! ”

“ Even so.
MILLER
Thou likes to play the gentleman;
Come, then; I’ll duel you.
CHAUCER
Good Bob, I love thee.
MILLER
Come: knives or fists?
CHAUCER
Kind Bob, thou shalt this day
[Pg 191]
Shed tears and vow I love thee.
MILLER
Wilt not fight?
Then—
ALISOUN
[Intercepting a blow at Chaucer.]
Hold there, Robin Sweetheart, art thou jealous?
MILLER
Aye, dame.
ALISOUN
What for?
MILLER
[To Swains.]
She axes me what for!
Axe her, who gagged the Knight?
SHIPMAN
Who tied the Squire?
MANCIPLE
Who watched in the wet cellar?
SUMMONER
Tied thy doublet?
FRIAR
Who stole thy scarlet cloak? ”

“ PRIORESS
Brother! Welcome, brother!
CHAUCER
No!
God! God! I’ll not believe it. Aubrey! Aubrey!
[Exit, left.]
[Pg 164]
ALISOUN
My pretty virgin sister!
PRIORESS
[Gives her hand, reticently.]
Roderigo!
[Looking after Chaucer.]
He need not, sure, have gone.
ALISOUN
Put up thy chin,
My snow-white dove. Aha, but thou art grown!
The silver slip o’ girlhood that I kissed
Good-by when I set out for Palestine
Hath mellowed into golden womanhood.
Give me thy lips.
PRIORESS
Nay, brother, nay; my vows!
I may not kiss a man.
ALISOUN
Toot! ”