_Pel._ [_Resolutely_] Wait here. I'll send him by.

_Pha._ But, father, why----

_Pel._ Nay, that's my secret. Not for little birds.

[_Exit upper left. Phania waits until he disappears, then turns flying, and vanishes lower right. Archippe and Sachinessa enter, middle left_]

_Sac._ Blest be Athene, there's n.o.body here!

The house is overrun, and Pelagon Has twenty shadows, one at every door.

Out, in,--in, out,--with ears like ap.r.o.ns held For every whisper! Here we're safe to talk.

_Arc._ O, dearest Sachinessa, what's to do?

_Sac._ We'll go to Philon. If he says confess----

_Arc._ Confess? I'll never do it! I will take What way he will but that, though 't be the one Leads out of life. You do not know my lord!

_Sac._ Your Stesilaus is no G.o.d, Archippe.

I'll tell you that.

_Arc._ If it should come to him We never changed our daughters! If he learns That twenty years I've made him wear the hood, His roof no more would shade me. Nay! Confess?

Oh, Sachinessa, I should lose him quite!

_Sac._ That could be borne, I think.

_Arc._ But lose my Pyrrha?

Be driven out from her? See her no more?

_Sac._ There, friend, you stir me. Such a piece of man!

To strike like that because a woman's wit Has clipped his own! He's not suspected you In all these years?

_Arc._ Not once. I've watched myself As I were my own jailer, fenced my heart, And made my love a thief that gave my child No open looks, but by her bed at night Stole comfort as she slept.

_Sac._ Not I, Archippe!

I've laughed above the snores of Pelagon, Knowing my darling near, whom he thought far As Sparta. Come! You're taller by a head Than I, yet die with quaking. And I thought Each Lacedaemon wife a lioness.

_Arc._ Ah, but their lords are lions.

_Sac._ Well, they've mane Enough, but they'd not shake it in my face.

_Arc._ Will you confess?

_Sac._ Why, no. For Pelagon Would play the spousal saint, sit on the clouds, And with a piety intolerable Forgive his perjured wife. What soul could bear it?

But I'll not part with Phania, know you that!

_Arc._ What then?

_Sac._ We'll go to Philon. How to keep Our secret and our daughters,--that's a nut To break the oracle's teeth.

_Arc._ If 't can be done!

_Sac._ It must be done, Archippe. Come,--I hear A chatter. This way out.

[_They leave, upper right. Biades, Pyrrha, Sybaris, and Phania enter lower right_]

_Pha._ What of our garden, Now all is seen?

_Pyrr._ Here G.o.ds should live, not men.

At every turn I seemed to lose the step Of a departing deity.

_Syb._ We are content With our Athenian lords, and seek no charm To turn them into G.o.ds.

_Bia._ [_Showing a locket_] I've here a charm Does more than that. This jewel webbed In mystic rings--and set----

_Syb._ The Persian gem!

You promised me----

_Bia._ It is a magic stone, That gazed upon by a true-minded maid----

_Pha._ [_Securing the trinket_] I'll see it, sir!

I've heard you vow your bride Should wear this locket.

_Bia._ [_To Phania_] So she shall.

[_To Sybaris_] None else!

[_To Pyrrha_]

You hear my oath. Come, Sybaris, sit here And, Phania,--come! You both shall peep at fate Through a ruby portal, if your hearts be true.

Now fix your look----

_Pha._ We'll see the same!

_Bia._ Not so.

Each fortune's connate with the gazer's star, And tinted as she dreams. Direct your eyes With flawless constancy, or you'll see naught.

_Pha._ Not lift them once?

_Bia._ Nay, fasten every thought Deep in the jewel's fire, till I have said The Persian chant of welcome to the spirit Whose magic you shall see.

_Pha._ A spirit? Oh!

_Bia._ But she is fair,--framed as divinity For adoration.

_Syb._ She!

_Bia._ Lift not your eyes.

[_Stands behind Phania and Sybaris and makes the incantation an ardent address to Pyrrha_]

Spirit of Fate, what mystical wooing May win thee to pause where we pray?