ACT II

SCENE: _A grove in the outskirts of a town in Goldusan. Semi-tropical verdure. Rocks, shrubbery, trees, at convenience. A hidden cascade mumbles upper right, not loud enough to disturb conversation. At upper left, the pillared and vine-wreathed entrance to a mansion. A wall, rear, partly hidden by foliage. Paths lead off, right and left, lower, under trees. It is evening, and the grove is lit for revel. Gay flocks of people pa.s.s, then Hernda and Megario enter lower right._

_Meg._ Unsoft as winter! Thou hast brought thy north, With thee, a frigid shade, here where the hours Are poppy-fingered, and their dreaming b.r.e.a.s.t.s Unshuttered as the summer!

_Her._ Is it true, This joy, that smiles as though its fountained heart Could not be emptied?

_Meg._ True as that I love you.

_Her._ But if it is no mask, why should revolt O'ercloud your borders?

_Meg._ There's no just revolt.

_Her._ But Chartrien said----

_Meg._ Are you yet poison-tinct With that old rebel tale his credulous heart Dressed new in his while honor till both grew One sooty treason?

_Her._ Where is Chartrien now?

_Meg._ Wherever he may hatch a discontent And cluck us trouble. But of late he spurs His heart of venture, and dartles to our towns To stir the sc.u.m there.

_Her._ Sc.u.m? You've such a thing In Cordiaz' happy land? I'll see that sc.u.m.

It breathes, does 't not? Has eyes, and tongue?

Can answer if one speaks?

_Meg._ You're merry, princess.

_Her._ As graves at night. All is not open here.

I shall go farther,--knock at doors where Truth Keeps honest house, not gowned for holiday.

_Meg._ One want we have,--that you will stay with us And be the fairy soul of Goldusan.

Then must our land, so measureless endeared, Be cherished as the darling care of Heaven, Where storm may breathe but as a twittering bird That fears to shake its nest.

_Her._ You've only words!

Words like these thousand-thousand smiles that seem Half real and half painted,--teasing, strange,-- All feeding one illusion round my way Till even the ground unqualifies beneath me And makes each step a question.

_Meg._ 'Tis the doubt You look through that transforms our face Of truth and paints us vaguely hued.

O, for our many smiles, wilt not give one?

_Her._ Nay, there's a darkness fringing on this grove.

It creeps above the walls, it touches me, And makes me shudder winding at my feet!

_Meg._ You've sipped of fancy at a witch's knee! [_Plucks a flower_]

But see,--your serpent shadows nurture this.

Confess to its perfection, and be shriven Of any thought less fair.

_Her._ Oh, if I might!

No, keep it. Let us find our friends.

_Meg._ [_Drops the flower_] My hand Defiles it for you.

_Her._ Nay----

_Meg._ Where is the fan I carried yester-night?

_Her._ 'Tis--lost.

_Meg._ 'Tis burnt!

_Her._ What wind's your gossip?

_Meg._ Truth paused at my ear.

But, princess, if there's any charm will draw Your eyes to me unburdened of their hate, I'll find it though it lie beneath the ruin Of every other hope!

_Her._ I'll leave you, sir.

_Meg._ Forgive me! Love will speak,--ay, storm its need.

Though each vain word pile up the barricade That fends the heart desired.

_Her._ My lord, no hate Is in that barrier. I'm free of that.

_Meg._ Thanks for that little much. Your highness speaks Of journeying. What can I say to gild My own Peonia till it distant gleams The gem of pilgrimage? There you will see How earth is dressed when the devoted sun Is pledged to her adorning. Trees that ma.s.s Their bloom in forest heavens, giving her A nearer sky. Unthwarted vines that scarf Her mountain shoulders with their pendent clouds.

Lakes where a dreamer's bark may drift unoared And chance no port save beauty. Everywhere The dart and wave of color that would beckon A neighbor planet looking once this way.

Come, be my guest. One day! I'll ask no more.

_Her._ I do not know. Senora Ziralay Will be my guide. I go with her.

_Meg._ With her?

_Her._ What is 't? I touch the shadow. You are not Her friend?

_Meg._ She hates in secret, while her smile Levies the world for love.

_Her._ I'll hate where she does, And know my soul is safe.

_Meg._ Her husband holds By love and purse to Cordiaz, but she Is a LeVal.

_Her._ LeVal? And kin to--_him_?

_Meg._ Rejan? His sister. And I know her nature Is tinted as her blood, whatever hue It wears at court.

_Her._ A sister to the man That I gave up to death. And I have dared To love her--take her kiss----

_Meg._ [_Cautioning_] She's here.