_Meg._ I would. Though a treasonous tool Of rebelry, he should be held by me A prisoner of knightliest war.

_Her._ A prisoner!

_Meg._ You can not ask his freedom! That would give My foes clear argument to pluck me bare, And set me outlawed on the rebel side Of this deplored division.

_Her._ Oh, not free!

And in your power!

_Meg._ To hold him prisoner,--that I'd undertake, and make the action good Even to this b.l.o.o.d.y council.

_Her._ You'd dare that?

_Meg._ My policy is open, and I'd dare To put it into deed that must commend me To their unwilling justice. To do more Would disarray all sense,--be fullest like The idiot's gesture that disrobes the wretch Of his last sanity.

_Her._ Megario....

_Meg._ What secret is so dear these costly sighs, Like gentle pickets ever reinforced, Let it not pa.s.s?

_Her._ A secret? No!

_Meg._ But yes.

I push me by its fragile guardians, And hear it beating in its citadel.

_Her._ What says it then?

_Meg._ You've seen the prince.

_Her._ My lord!

_Meg._ You know what shadow hides him.

_Her._ No, no, no!

My oath, sir, I've not seen him!

_Meg._ I would trust One negative, not three. Give him to me, And you will know he lives. Let him be found By Vardas' men, and when you wake to-morrow The earth will be without him.

_Her._ No, not you!

I'll go to Cordiaz. He'll save the prince As he would save his throne. You've taught me that.

_Meg._ He'd lose it so. Should Cordiaz to-night Set Chartrien free, he'd rise without a lord To bid him one good-morrow.

_Her._ Ziralay....

_Meg._ Ask him? An a.s.s whose ears if visible Would signal Mars! Say he had courage for you, He'd blunder with the prince to Vardas' arms.

_Her._ Ah, _you_ could do it,--set him free!

_Meg._ Nay--don't-- Don't ask it, if you've mercy! Your highness knows I could not grant so much though lips I love Above my soul should beg that treason of me.

Though they should take again those dearest words That knighted me, and now lie in my heart Like swelling seed of fortune! Let me shield His life. In saintliest trust---- [_She shudders from him_]

You fear me so?

_Her._ I do! I do! You took away LeVal, And he no longer lives.

_Meg._ He does! My oath, He does!

_Her._ You spared him?

_Meg._ By my soul, he lives!

But let the word sleep in your vestal ear, Until these smouldering troubles die to dust And feed the gra.s.s above them. For the State Believes LeVal is dead, nor taints me with Such treacherous clemency. See how I lay My safety and my honor in your hands?

I give them, hostages for Chartrien!

Ah, you should know how I will guard your trust, For when I say to you he does not live, Your eyes will slay the single, nurturing hope Of my own life!

_Her._ [_Battling_] I can not! I'm not Fate To do her awesome work.

_Meg._ We aid her most With pa.s.sive hand, as Chartrien's ghost will come On mourning nights to tell you.

_Her._ Oh, I'll speak!...

No, no! Ah, never, never!

_Meg._ [_Resolute, giving up his suit_] I must join The hunt. There's but one place--the cave----

_Her._ The cave!

_Meg._ Those guards are fools--or shy of water.

_Her._ Sir, What cave?

_Meg._ He's there. Your cold, uncandid calm Has babbled it. The frost is crafty that Puts out such anxious fire.

_Her._ My lord, if I Should tell you....

_Meg._ Quickly then! How canst debate So fatally, knowing delay but robs him Of venture's favor? Every moment steals A bud of chance.

_Her._ How will you take him out?

_Meg._ I'll pa.s.s the gates unchallenged. Close without, My car stands by,--a racer never spent, And begs no pause. Know he is safe, and sleep.

Night will be secret, and we'll greet the sun In my Peonia----

_Her._ Ah, Peonia's far!

_Meg._ And Vardas near.

_Her._ Take these two stones, my lord.

Cast them into the falls----

_Meg._ So! I was right!

But you must summon him.

_Her._ So soon a tyrant?