_Meg._ I treasure it,--and lest repeated thanks Stale their sincerity. I beg to say Good-night.

_Hud._ You have our leave. Good-night, my lord.

[_Megario bows impressively to Hudibrand, slightly to Borduc, and is pa.s.sing out when Hernda, who has crossed right, intercepts him_]

_Her._ You leave us early, Lord Megario.

_Meg._ I do not leave, your Highness. I am driven.

I go to drudgery with my secretaries, Foregoing even the sleep that might have brought Your dreamed face to me.

_Her._ Is 't still your wish To meet our Spanish guest?

_Meg._ He grants me that?

_Her._ He has refused a meeting.

_Meg._ Ah!... Refused.

_Her._ But there's a way, my lord. When you have pa.s.sed The second door without, turn to the left.

You'll find a vaulted pa.s.sage,--at the end An entrance to my wood. Come in, and wait.

_Meg._ You grace me so?

_Her._ It is not grace that breaks The covenant of salt. But who keeps faith With traitors? He is one, by every sign.

An evil thing blown to our royal hearth Through Chartrien's open love that lets all winds Pour in. And I'll have proof of it!

_Meg._ [_Over her hand_] You shall. [_Exit, lower right_]

_Cha._ [_Crossing to Hernda_] A long-spun courtesy, and with one merit,-- It ended in good-night.

_Her._ [_Gayly_] Unruly yet?

A truce until to-morrow!

_Cha._ You believe me?

_Her._ I would not doubt you for a world compact Of virtues only, but it's no unreason To fear you are deceived.

_Cha._ Dear Hernda----

_Her._ Come!

I love you, Chartrien. Let us have an hour As light as joy, as sweet as peace, and call Your friend to share it. He shall smile for me.

I vow it, by his most ungentle frown!

_Cha._ 'Twill take your deepest magic, for his heart Holds naught that smiles are made of.

_Her._ Bring him here.

I'll make that heart my wizard bowl and mix Such sweet and merry potions in 't, his griefs Must doff their gray for motley. You shall see!

_Cha._ Art such a witch? [_Exit, upper left_]

_Her._ What's this I do? My soul Leans shameward, but I'll trounce it up. The man, If innocent, keeps so, untouched and clear.

If he aims darkly, creeps a weaponed hate Upon my n.o.ble father, do I worse Than cancel so the unwrought half of 's crime, And make him less a villain?

_Bor._ May I speak Against this southward jaunt?

_Hud._ Loud as you please, My Bordy, but I go.

_Bor._ Your Highness makes a.s.saria bow too low.

_Hud._ The State shall have No name in this. I go as Cordiaz' friend, Not as a.s.saria's king. I've interests there That sort with quiet venture. Give it out This move in part concerns my health.

_Bor._ That much I welcome. You should rest, my lord.

_Hud._ Ha? Rest?

The twin of death! I'll rest when I am dust.

Nay, then I hope that storm and hurricane Will keep me whirling. No,--I'll not go lame Even in report. Say that this move concerns My pleasure solely,--solely, Borduc.

_Her._ Father, I have a suit. May I not go with you?

I long to make that land where you are loved, More vivid than the dream that now it is.

_Hud._ And find what lodestar there draws Chartrien From constancy? Well, you shall go.

_Bor._ Tut, tut!

_Her._ Dear father!

_Hud._ This will give domestic screen And color to our tack.

_Bor._ A gadding throne--

_Hud._ Good Borduc, we will leave the throne at home.

Do not _you_ stay?

_Bor._ I've some authority, You'll not dispute, my lord. Much as may go With broad election. My invest.i.ture Lies in the people's choice.

_Hud._ Ay, you're their bark Of freedom, where their pride may hoist full sail, But who wots better, Bordy, that 'tis puffed With winds that know my port?

_Bor._ They think their choice Is free. Sincere in that, they give my post A dignity not even your majesty May mock me out of.

_Hud._ Fools are noted most For their sincerity,--a virtue that Must stand a cipher if uncertified By wit or wisdom.

_Bor._ Sir, a.s.sarians Are not the fools you think them. They are men Who have the patriot's heart, and on their flag Where you write "power" their love reads "liberty."

_Hud._ It does, praise be! And they may keep their flag To wear around their eyes long as they will.

For then I dance my measure, while they b.u.mp In hither-whither hoodman blind and pay My fiddler too!

_Bor._ And what's my part in this?

_Hud._ The fiddler's, Borduc.