Bring me my spinning-wheel.

[Child _brings it._

_Ire. (spinning)._ The light is fading fast, but I would choose This twilight, if thou wilt not be afraid Of the darkness, little one.

_Child._ Nay, that I am not, With one so good as thou.

_Ire._ Nay, child, it may be I am not all thou think'st me.

_Child._ But, dear lady, Are not all n.o.ble ladies good?

_Ire._ Not all, Nor many, maybe.

_Child._ To be sure they are not, Else were they not imprisoned.

_Ire._ Little one, Not all who pine in prison are not good, Nor innocent who go free.

_Child._ The Lady Gycia, Is she not good?

_Ire._ It may be that she is.

'Tis a vile world, my child.

_Child._ Nay, I am sure The Lady Gycia is as white and pure As are the angels. When my mother died She did commend me to her, and she promised To keep me always.

_Ire._ But she sent me here.

_Child._ Ah! lady, then I fear thou art not good.

I am sorry for thee.

_Ire._ So, my child, am I.

[_The tramp of armed feet is heard again._

_Child._ Ah! lady, what is that? I am afraid.

What means that noise?

_Ire._ What didst thou hear, my child?

_Child._ A tramp of armed men and ring of mail.

_Ire._ Then, 'tis no fancy of my weary brain.

If it comes again I must inquire into it.

'Tis pa.s.sing strange. Be not afraid, my child.

'Twas but the wind which echoed through the void Of the vast storehouses below us. Come,

[_Spinning._

Let us to spinning. Twirl and twirl and twirl; 'Tis a strange task.

_Child._ Lady, I love it dearly.

My mother span, and I would sit by her The livelong day.

_Ire._ Didst ever hear the tale Of the Fates and how they spin?

_Child._ I do not think so.

Wilt tell me?

_Ire._ There were three weird sisters once, Clotho and Lachesis and Atropos, Who spun the web of fate for each new life, Sometimes, as I do now, a brighter thread Woven with the dark, and sometimes black as night.

Until at last came Atropos and cut The fine-worn life-thread thus.

[_Cuts the thread; the head of the spindle rolls away._

_Child._ And hast thou cut Some life-thread now?

_Ire._ My child, I am no Fate, And yet I know not; but the spindle's head Rolled hence to yonder corner. Let us seek it.

Hast found it?

_Child._ Nay, there is so little light.

I think that it has fallen in the crevice Beneath yon panel.

_Ire._ Stoop and seek it, child.

Perchance the panel slides, and then, it may be, We shall let in the light.

[_Draws back the panel and discovers a bright light, files of armed men, and_ ASANDER _in the midst._

_Child._ Ay, there it is; We have it, we have found it.

[_Sliding panel back again._

_Ire._ What have we found?

What have we found? Yes, little one, 'tis found!

Run away now--I fain would be alone-- And come back presently.

[_Kisses_ Child, _who goes._

These were the sounds I heard and thought were fancy's. All is clear As is the blaze of noon. The Prince Asander Is traitor to the State, and will o'erwhelm it When all the citizens are sunk in sleep After to-morrow's feast. Well, what care I?

He is not for me, whether we call him King Or Archon; and for these good men of Cherson, What is their fate to me? If he succeed, As now he must, since no one knows the secret, 'Twill only be a change of name--no more.

The King and Queen will hold a statelier Court And live contented when the thing is done, And that is all. For who will call it treason When victory crowns the plot? But stay! a gleam Of new-born hope. What, what if it should fail As I could make it fail? What if this woman, Full of fantastic reverence for the dead, And nourished on her cold republican dream, Should learn the treason ere 'twas done and mar it?

Would not Asander hate her for the failure?

And she him for the plot? I know her well.

I know her love for him, but well I know She is so proud of her Athenian blood And of this old republic, she would banish Her love for less than this. Once separated, The Prince safe over seas in Bosphorus, His former love turned to injurious pride, I might prevail! I would!

_Re-enter_ CHILD.

Nay, little one, We will spin no more to-day. I prithee go And seek the Lady Gycia. Say to her, By all the memory of our former love I pray that she will come to me at once.

Lose not a moment.

[_Exit_ Child.