STAGE VERSION bwning's ?^ ^ Return qfthe Druses PR 4222 .R42 P6 Copy 1 mm^^mnm^^mms^^mm^i inniiiininwiinmrnmiiMi ^uCTj^ff^mfynr P m t -^ s fBCSTJh BROWNIN& SOCiETVlT^ ^ I c STAGE VERSION OF BROWNING'S TRAGEDY The return OF THE DRUSES ;;l r STAGE VERSION OF BROIVNING'S TRAGEDY THE RETURN of the DRUSES By CHARLOTTE PORTER Performed wider her direction for the first time on any stage by the Boston Browning Society at Chickering Hall, Boston^ March 25, 1^02 And reproduced under her direction by the Boston Browning Society and the Copley Society of Boston, at Copley Hall, May 6 and 7, igoj \ Ul i,^ THOMAS Y. CROVVELL & CO NEPF YORK THE LiERARY OF CONGRESS, Two Copies Received MAY 4 1903 Copyright tntry CLASS» j£^ XXc No, ^ ^ 7 ^ COPY B. Copyright, 1902 and 1903, ^^ Charlotte Porter. ^// 5/<2^e rig/its reser'ved. % ARGUMENT OF THE PLAY. ACT I. opens at dawn of the day when the Druses, long oppressed by the Knights of Rhodes, are about to throw off their yoke. They had placed themselves under the Knights' protection on settling in the island, driven there when Osman the Turk overran their country. Their " protectors " have become oppressors; but Djabal, the son of their old sheiks, saved by Maani from the Prefect's massacre of his family, is on this day to slay the Prefect, assume the divinity which ac- cording to the Druse creed is made manifest at intervals in great leaders, and conduct them, a free people, once more to their home on Mount Lebanon. A group of men, initiated in this plan and in the Druse mysteries, are exulting fiercely in their anticipated vengeance. •They begin to loot the Hall. Khalil enters, upbraiding them that at this critical moment they thus risk ruin. Their Pre- fect is on his way back from Rhodes. He has given the island up to the Church, selling the bishopric to the Nuncio, also on his way thither. But Djabal outwits them by a treaty with Venice, whereby the great repubUc will befriend the Druses, and they in turn give the island to her on their departure. Three watchers enter successively. The Prefect's ship is at hand, the Nuncio's approaching, the Venetian ships are in sight. But, with the Prefect, Loys comes too, the one Knight Djabal would spare. Loys enters. He embarrasses the rebellion. Karshook proposes to stab him and clear their path. Khalil saves him, and goes to tell Djabal. Loys, left alone, rejoices in the tidings he bears. He has had the Prefect deposed and been made governor in his stead. Djabal enters. At this climax of his work he is stricken with loathing for the imposture he must now practise in pre- tending to become a god. He resolves to confess himself no Hakeem, merely a human leader. Khalil enters, showing him how nothing short of godship will suffice the people, then summons him to Anael, his bride. But it is she who has aroused his conscience. Her pure devotion has accused his falsity. He goes, bent upon confessing to her. INTERLUDE. Dance of the Druse Maidens in honor of the Khalif, his deliverance of the people, and his divine exaltation. (V) Argument of the P l a y ACT II. Anael enters with her mother, Maani, to await Djabal's coming. She glories with her mother in the story of his heroic deeds, but reproaches herself for her unbelief. So she craves sign of his divinity, and cannot let her need of it alone. When Djabal enters he feels he cannot bereave her of that faith to which her mind so clings. That she may never know the truth, he resolves to give up both her and his vengeance. If he leaves her now, none but Loys could undeceive her; and he rejoices in his absence, as Khalil enters to tell of his return. His presence threatens Djabal with exposure and failure. To delay seeing him and to keep him from the people till the revolution is ripe, Djabal bids Anael see him. She has feared that Loys, if she loved him, would seem as divine to her as Djabal. She awaits Loys, thinking Djabal has read her thoughts and given her this chance to test her doubts. ACT III. Loys meets her. His love for her breaks out, overmastering the vows he is that day to take. Her fear is deepened that love like this, not divinity, gives Djabal his supremacy in her eyes. The emotion which shakes her Loys takes to be love for him. She declares she can love that one only who frees her people. This fires Loys, since to free them is he come; but his vows restrain him. He rushes for the Prefect, that he may take or else abjure those vows. More conscious than ever of the humanity of her love, Anael is driven toward the one test remaining to show that faith in Djabal's divinity which her creed demands. Djabal returns, full of his decision to part with her. All she now reveals of her love makes this need more poignant. All he says but strengthens her purpose to correct her skep- ticism by a supremely desperate deed. Khalil enters, announcing the Prefect's arrival. Djabal is driven to action. The Nuncio's arrival brings the Prefect to the alcove, ready to receive him. There Djabal is to slay the despot, while Ayoob admits the Nuncio to imprison him and let none in or out thereafter till the sign is given him that the Prefect is slain and Venice come, when he is to open the doors to all the people. The sign, Djabal's ring, he gives to Anael. The trumpet sounds. They go. The Prefect enters, laying bare to Loys his villainy, his extortions, bargains, the Knights' connivance, the peril of the place from which Loys, ignorant dupe ! provides him an unexpected release. For the first time in years he now enters the alcove without fear of assassination. The disillusioned Loys finds one ray of comfort in this. He has learned in time. He will abjure knighthood and join Anael's tribe. ACT IV. Djabal, about to enter the alcove to kill the Prefect, discovers Anael. She has just killed the tyrant. This was the desperate test of faith she had assigned herself. She calls upon Djabal now to exalt himself, sustain, and justify her. Overcome with this result of his duplicity, he (vi) Argument of the Play tells the truth. Her revulsion is extreme. She curses his imposture. Then her love conquers. Let them go together and publish the truth to the people. As human merely, in shame instead of triumph, she will love him more than ever. He refuses, would join her with him in the imposture. Then she sees another step to take, and goes silently to take it. The key of the plot is in her hands. She holds the ring. To the obtuse Djabal, Loys enters, pouring forth his news, at last, his love for Anael, his determination to become a Druse. The guards rush in upon them with discovery of the Prefect's body. They accuse Djabal of murder and a long- planned insurrection just revealed by one of his confeder- ates. He admits it, but promises Loys, if one Druse accuse him, to stab himself. ACT V. The people pour into the Hall. Anael has caused the doors to be opened prematurely. The Nuncio enters to learn of the Prefect's death, and to seize what slender chance of escape is left himself before Venice arrive, by trying to corrupt and dupe the ignorant rabble, and turn them against their leaders. He almost succeeds: Khalil and Djabal can scarcely stem the tide. The veiled Druse who has confessed, and upon whom now all hinges, is brought in. It is Anael. Loys exults as Khalil unveils her, bidding her choose between Djabal's love and his. Djabal, confessing his love — now chastened, submits to take his death sentence at her hand. With one cry, '* Hakeem ! " the overwrought maiden falls dead at his feet. To her this meant an overwhelming vision of the divinity incarnate in such pure human love. To the terrified Druses it is proof of Djabal's Hakeemship. They can believe nothing less, though Djabal scourges them with the summary of the actual human services he has done them, and, deputing his leadership to Khalil, under Loys's protec- tion, stabs himself, as the Venetian admiral enters and the people triumph in their Return to Lebanon. (vii) CAST DjABAL, Leader of the Druses Mr. Pietro Benedetto Caccatori Isola Khalil, Chief Initiate Druse. .Miss Katherine Jewell Everts Anael, Khalil's Sister Mrs. Mary Cornwall Collar Maani, Mother of Khalil and Anael Mrs. Clara Bancroft Beatley Karshook Mr. Frank S. C. Wicks Abdullah Mrs. E. J. E. Thorpe Raghib Mr. John Clement Ayoob Dr. Thomas Irving Deacon First Watcher Mr. Archibald Willis Second Watcher Miss Ella R. ShuU Third Watcher Miss Marion Nottage and other Initiate Druses Mrs. M. F. Bagley Miss Ina Redpath Miss S. E. Macdonald Mr. Binney Gunnison Mr. Robert E. Maddock Mr. L. H. Richard Miss Kate Landell Greene Miss Fawcett Mr. F. W. Tully Miss A. C. Macdonald LoYS DE Dreux, of Brittany, Knight Novice Mr. C. E. A. Winslow The Prefect, Governor of the Island for the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitallers of Rhodes The Nuncio, Ambassador from the Knights' Patriarch for the Church. .Prof. D. L. Maulsby The Admiral of the Republic of Venice Mr. Harold B. Warren Nasif Mr. John C. Abbott Elkeb Mr. Roger Burnham and other Uninitiate Druses, by other members of the Jefferson Dramatic Club of Brookline, and by Mrs. H. B. Armstrong Master Vico Caccatori Isola Mr. L. H. Richard Master George Mixter Mr. James MacdonaM Papal Guard Mr. Harold Keefe Miss Gordon Walker Miss Marion Peabody Miss Amsden Miss Melita Knowles Miss Abbie Farwell Brown Druse Maidens <' Miss Ethel Brown Miss Day Miss Capen Miss Ethel Blanchard Miss Amy Rand Miss Harriet B. Newhall (viii) ROBERT BROWNING'S TRAGEDY OF THK RETURN OF THE DRUSES Stage Version by Charlotte Porter. PERSONS OF THE DRAMA. DjABAL, Leader of the Druses. Khalil, Chief Initiate Druse. Anael, Khalil's Sister. Maani, Mother of Khalil and Anael. Karshook. Abdutlah. Raghib. Ayoob. First Watcher. Second Watcher. Third Watcher. And other Initiate Druses. LoYS DE Dreux, of Brittany, Knight Novice. The Prefect, Governor of the Island for the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitallers of Rhodes. The Nuncio, Ambassador from the Knights' Patriarch for the Church. The Admiral of the Republic of Venice. Elkeb. Nasif. And other Uninitiate Druses. Guards, Druse Maidens, Minstrels, Attendants. Time, 14 — . Action continuous; one morning from daybreak till noon. Place. — An Islet of the Southern Sporades, colonized by Druses of Lebanon, and garrisoned by the Knights Hospitallers of Rhodes. Scene. — A Hall in the Prefect's Palace. The Return of the Druses ACT I. ^rhe curtain rises on a su7iken Oriental hall^ just before daybreak^ obscure^ at first ^ save for the dim gliimner of the hanging Oriental lamps; ajterward disclosing little by little as the daw7i-light purples and fljishes^ then grays ^ and finally whitens^ colonnades at either side of the hall and at rear with Moorish serpentine pillars and horse-shoe arches. At centre., back., a three-arched portal., up three steps., opening at back upon an outer court and balustrade., the Mediterranean sea blue in the vista. At left a pillared porch leading up three steps to the luxurious private Alcove of the Prefect., the Governor of the Island. It is adorned with fret-work of cai'ven wood., and the en- trance is hidden by gold and silver en-zurought hangings., both sumptuous and delicate. Dis- played above the porch ^ on its pedifnent^ is the eight-point silver cross of the Knights of Rhodes. At right, a similar archway., up three steps., leads through a corridor to the inner rooms of the Palace. Rich hangings and decorations. A stand of knightly armor ^ mail coats., hauberks, helmets., swords^ etc., at side., near right entrance. On pillars near., jewelled Oriental knives and scifnetars. Be- tween the pillars costly hangings gold-fringed. Immediately upon rise of curtain while the light is still obscure., Raghib steals foi'ward swiftly at right side from behind the pillars., and Ayoob in the same furtive way frotn the left. Behind each of them appear lurking by the pillars the stealthy figures of other Druses., waiting as if met by signal. E7iter to the?n., at once.,fro7n ce7itre., at first with suppressed excitement., then advancing and giving a loose to exultation., Abdullah «;z^ Kakshook. Abdullah. {Right centre.) The moon is carried off in purple fire: Day breaks at last ! (2) Act One: The First Scene Kakshook. {^Left centre.^ Break glory, with the day, On Djabal's dread incarnate mystery Now ready to become God Hakeem ! Raghib. {Right.) — Death Sweep to the Christian Prefect that enslaved Us sad Druse exiles o'er the sea, so long ! Ayoob. {Left.) Most joy be thine, O Lebanon ! Thy brood Returns to thee ! Raghib. No outcasts as we left. But thus — but thus I Behind, our Prefect's corse ! Abdullah. Before, a presence like the morning — thine, Absolute Djabal late, — God Hakeem now That day breaks ! Kar SHOOK. [ Tossing off outer coloi'ed cloak., concealing the distinctive black vest and white robe and turban of the Initiate Druse. Others same act ion. '\ Oft^ then, with disguise at last ! As from our forms this hateful garb we strip, Lose every tongue its glozing accent too. Discard each limb the ignoble gesture ! Ayoob. Cry, The Druse Nation, warders on Lebanon Of the world's secret, since the birth of time ! Raghib. No kindred slips, no offsets from thy stock. No spawn of Christians are we. Prefect, we — Karshook. Who rise — Ayoob. Who shout — Raghib. Who seize — {darts back {right) where the glitter of a jew- elled scimetar and baldric.^ hanging against a pillar catches his eye. Dashes it to the ground with a clang. '\ A first fruits, {picking it up., comes forward with it., and putting it on with self-satisfaction'] , ha — Spoil of the spoiler ! Brave ! [Ayoob, follozving his exa?nple., pounces on the gold fringe of a rich wall- hanging., between pillars right., tearing off a long (3) The Return of the Druses strip of the fringe; Karshook rushing upon hi??i disputes his possession of it. Thereupo7i all begin to loot the hall; one group riving off with their knives the gold cresset-rings from the pillars to the rights forward; another group settling like bees upon the stand of armor ^ donning hauberks^ helmets^ etc,^ disputing for swords a?zd spears, etc.'] Karshook. [7c>Ayoob.] Hold! Ayoob. —Mine, I say; And mine shall it continue ! Karshook. Just this fringe ! Take anything beside ! [ Cunningly pointing to the alcove, to divert his attention.] Lo, all the porch Is jewelled o'er with frostwork charactery ! And, see, yon eight-point cross of white flame, winking Hoar-silvery like some fresh-broke marble stone ! Raze out the Rhodian cross there, so thou leav'st me This single fringe ! {^Snatches at it.~\ Ayoob. \_Holding on.] Ha, wouldst thou, dog-fox? \_To the others.] Help ! — Three hand-breadths of gold fringe, my son was set To twist, the night he died ! Karshook. \_Also, appealing to the rest.] Nay, hear the knave ! And I could witness my one daughter borne, A week since, to the Prefect's couch, yet fold These arms, be mute, lest word of mine should mar Our Master's work. Hear me denied my right B3' such a knave ! Abdullah. [ Calling out fro7n the entrance- steps {right centre) with his arm around a brazen jar he has taken down fro?n the bal- ustrade.] Each ravage for himself! Booty enough ! Raghib. \_Striding forward, infla77ting them to follow hifn.] On, Druses ! Be there found (4) Act One: The First Scene Blood and a heap behind us ; with us, Djabal Turned Hakeem ; and before us,, Lebanon ! Yields the porch ? Spare not. S^Leading thein towards the alcove. '\ There his minions dragged — [ Turning back to Karshook, who is forernost among those who have fol- lowed him.'] Thy daughter, Karshook, to the Prefect's couch ! [Karshook curses.'] Ayoob ! [ Turning to Ayoob who has followed hard upon Karshook] Thy son, to soothe the Prefect's pride, Bent o'er that task, the death-sweat on his brow, Carving the spice-tree's heart in scroll-work there ! [Ayoob snarls.] Onward in Djabal's name ! [ General onslaught upon the Prefect's Alcove^ leaving some groups undistzirbed^ however., intent upon their booty. Raghib, with one foot planted on the steps of the alcove.^ lays one hand on the arras., about to dash it wide when., with the tumult at its height., enter Jroin centre Khalil, for a moment un- noticed. Then a pause and silence.] Khalil. {Centre.^ Was it for this, Djabal hath summoned you ? Deserve you thus A portion in to-day's event? What, here — When most behoves your feet fall soft, your eyes Sink low, your tongues lie still, — at Djabal's side, Close in his very hearing, who, perchance, Assumes e'en now God Hakeem's dreaded shape, — Dispute you for these gauds. ^ Ayoob. \^Abashed.] How say'st thou, Khalil.? Doubtless our Master prompts thee ! [Turning to Karshook, throws the fringe at him.] Take the fringe, Old Karshook ! [Apologetically ., to Khalil] I supposed it was a day — Khalil. For pillage.? Karshook. Hearken, Khalil! [Advanc- ing to him., craftily.] Never spoke A boy so like a song-bird ; we avouch thee (5) The Return of the Druses Prettiest of all our Master's instruments Except thy bright twin-sister ; thou and Anael Challenge his prime regard : \_/a'wning\ but we may crave \to the other s\ (Such nothings as we be) a portion too Of Djabal's favor; in him we believed, His bound ourselves, him moon by moon obeyed. Kept silence till this daybreak — so, may claim Reward : who grudges me my claim ? Ayoob. \^Nodding and tossing his head toward the others.~\ To-day Is not as yesterday ! Raghib. [ To Khalil, defiantly. '\ Stand off! Khalil. Rebel you ? Must I, the delegate of Djabal, draw His wrath on you, the day of our Return? Ayoob. Wrench from his grasp that fringe ! Hound ! Khalil. Oh, shame ! Thus breaks to-day on you, the mystic tribe Who, flying the approach of Osman, bore Our faith, a merest spark, from Syria's ridge Its birthplace, hither! " Let the sea divide These hunters from their prey," you said ; " and safe In this dim islet's virgin solitude Tend we our faith, the spark, till happier time Fan it to fire ; till Hakeem rise again, And, reinstating all in power and bliss, Lead us himself to Lebanon once more." Was 't not thus you departed years ago. Ere I was born ? Ayoob. 'T was even thus ! Abdullah. Years ago ! Khalil. And did you call — Did you? — or no ? — to stand 'Twixt you and Osman's rage a race self-vowed To endless warfare with his hordes and him — These White-cross Knights of the adjacent Isle ? Karshook. And why else rend we down, wrench up, raze out? These Knights of Rhodes we thus solicited Fqr help, bestowed on us a fiercer pest Than aught we fled — their Prefect ! (6) Act One : The First Scene Raghib. He began His promised mere paternal governance By a prompt massacre of all our Sheikhs Able to thwart these Knights in their foul scheme Of crushing, with our nation's memory, All hope of our return, and taming us Bondslaves to Rhodes forever — Khalil. Say I not? You, fitted to the Order's purposes. Your Sheikhs cut off, your rites, your garb pro- scribed, Must yet receive one degradation m.ore ; The Knights at last throw off the mask — trans- fer, This islet they are but protectors of. To their own ever-craving liege, the Church, Who licenses all crimes that pay her thus. You, from their Prefect, were to be consigned (Pursuant of I know not what vile pact) To the Knights' Patriarch, ardent to outvie His predecessor in all wickedness. When suddenly rose Djabal in the midst, Djabal, the man in semblance, but our God Confessed by signs and portents. Ye saw fire Bicker round Djabal, heard strange music flit Bird-like about his brow ? Karshook. We saw ! Raghib. We heard ! Ayoob. Djabal is Hakeem ! All. \_Prost rating themselves^ arms for- ward^ murmuring revere?itly.'\ Ay ! Hakeem ! Hakeem ! Khalil. And as he said has not our Khalif done, And so disposed events (from land to land Passing invisibly) that when, this morn. The pact of villany complete, there comes This Patriarch's Nuncio with this Master's Prefect Their treason to consummate, — each will face For a crouching handful, an uplifted nation : For simulated Christians, confessed Druses : And, for base slaves past hope of Lebanon, (7) The Return of the Druses Freedmen returning there 'neath Venice' flag ; That Venice which, the Hospitallers' foe, Grants us from Candia escort home at price Of our relinquished isle, Rhodes counts her own — Venice, whose promised argosies should stand Toward harbor : is it now that you, and you. And you \to Karshook, Ayoob, Raghib, especially']^ selected from the rest to bear The burthen of the Khalif's secret, further To-day's event, entitled by your wrongs, And witness in the Prefect's hall his fate — That you dare clutch these gauds? [^Stricken with shartte and now quite quelled and docile^ Raghib, Karshook, and others loosen grip of their booty. Sctmetar and fringe^ fall. The looting of the other groups has also gradually stopped under Khalil's eloquence.] Ay, drop them ! Karshook. [ Cunningly once more.] True, Most true, all this ; and yet, may one dare hint. Thou art the youngest of us ? — though employed Abundantly as Djabal's confidant. Transmitter of his mandates, even now. Much less, whene'er beside him Anael graces The cedar throne, his queen-bride, art thou like To occupy its lowest step that day ! Now, Khalil, wert thou checked as thou aspirest, Forbidden such or such an honor — Khalil. \^Breaking in.] Karshook thinks I covet honors? Well, nor idly thinks. Honors? I have demanded of them all The greatest. Karshook. I supposed so. {^Nodding tri- umphantly at the others., who gather around with interest.] Khalil. Judge, yourselves ! Turn, thus : 't is in the alcove at the back Of yonder columned porch, whose entrance now The veil hides, that our Prefect holds his state, Receives the Nuncio, when the one, from Rhodes, The other lands from Syria ; there they meet. Now, I have sued with earnest prayers — (8) Act One : The First Scene Karshook. [ Unctiously^ ijuhile the others press closer to hear.~\ For what Shall the Bride's brother vainly sue? Khalil. That mine — Avenging in one blow a myriad wrongs — Might be the hand to slay the Prefect there ! \_A silence, all fall back.'] Djabal reserves that office for himself. Thus far, as youngest of you all, I speak — Scarce more enlightened than yourselves ; since, near As I approach him, nearer as I trust Soon to approach our Master, he reveals Only the God's power, not the glory yet. Therefore I reasoned with you : now, as servant To Djabal, bearing his authority. Hear me appoint your several posts ! Till noon None see him save myself and Anael : once The deed achieved, our Khalif, casting off The embodied Awe's tremendous mystery. The weakness of the flesh disguise, resumes His proper glory, ne'er to fade again. Enter fro?n centre ist Druse Watcher, a young- mafi. 1ST Druse Watcher. [^Saluting Y^uai^ii..] Our Prefect lands from Rhodes ! — without a sign That he suspects aught since he left our Isle; Nor in his train a single guard beyond The few he sailed with hence : so have I learned From Loys. Karshook. Loys? Is not Loys gone Forever ? Ayoob. Loys, the Frank Knight, returned? 2D Druse. \_To them.] Loys, the boy, stood on the leading prow Conspicuous in his gay attire, and leapt Into the surf the foremost. [To Khalil.] Since day-dawn I kept watch to the Northward ; take but note Of my poor vigilance to Djabal ! Khalil. Peace! [Com- mands him to draw aside .^ right., turns (9) The Return of the Druses then to Karshook wJio advances to receive orders.'] Thou, Karshook, with thy company, receive The Prefect as appointed : see, all keep The wonted show of servitude ; announce His entry here by the accustomed peal Of trumpets, then await the further pleasure Of Djabal ! [7^K^K\.from the right. DjABAL. Let me but slay the Prefect. The end now ! To-morrow will be time enough to pry Into the means, the ignoble means I took To hurl my true revenge. \_Seetng the robe., tiar., and sword disposed., goes toward alcove. '\ Then must I dare Assume my nation's Robe ! [ Taking the robe. I dare ! Why not The Tiar? I rule the Druses, and what more Betokens it than rule? — yet — yet — S^Lays down the tiar. \_Footsteps in the alcove.'] He comes ! [ Taking the sword. If the Sword serve, let the Tiar lie ! So, feet Clogged with the blood of twenty years can fall Thus lightly ! Round me, all ye ghosts ! He 'II lift Which arm to push the arras wide ? — or both ? Stab from the neck down to the heart — there stay ! Near he comes — nearer — the next footstep! Now ! \^As he dashes aside the arras, Anael is discovered.] Ha ! Anael ! Nay, my Anael, can it be? I slay him here ! 'T is not a sight for you. Till you go, I must be idle — idle, I risk all ! — Anael ! the Prefect comes ! [Anael screams.] And with the dagger 't is, I have to do ! Anael. With mine! \_Holding out to hi?n her bloody khandjar.] DjABAL. Blood — Anael ? Anael. \^Coming down the steps and for- ward step by step.] Djabal, 't is thy deed ! It must be ! I had hoped to claim it mine — (36) Act Four: The First Scene Be worthy thee — but 1 must needs confess 'T was not I, but thyself — not I bave — Djabal ! S^Lets her khandjar fall."] Speak to me ! Djabal. [ Overwhelmed^ retreating^ as she advances r\ Oh, my punishment ! Anael. Speak to me While I can speak ! touch me, despite the blood ! When the command passed from thy soul to mine, I went, fire leading me, muttering of thee, And the approaching exaltation, — " make One sacrifice ! " I said, — and he sat there, Bade me approach ; and, as I did approach. Thy fire with music burst into my brain. 'T was but a moment's work, thou saidst — perchance It may have been so ! Well, it is thy deed. Djabal. It is my deed. Anael. His blood all this ! — this ! and — And more ! Sustain me, Djabal ! Wait not — now Let flash thy glory ! Djabal, blood gushed forth — He was our tyrant — but I looked he 'd fall Prone as asleep — why else is death called sleep ? Sleep? He bent o'er his breast! 'T is sin, I know, — Punish me, Djabal, but wilt thou let him? Be it thou that punishest, not he — who creeps On his red breast — is here ! 'T is the small groan Of a child — no worse ! Bestow the new life. Then ! Too swift it cannot be, too strange, surpassing ! {^Following him as he retreats. Now ! Change us both ! Change me and change thou ! Djabal. ^Sinks on his knees.'\ Thus ! Behold my change ! You have done nobly. I! — Anael. Can Hakeem kneel ? Djabal. No Hakeem, and scarce Djabal ! (37) The Return of the Druses I have dealt falsely, and this woe is come. \^RLses.'\ Hear me ere scorn blast me ! The deed is mine ! i\.NAEL. \_To hei'self crossing left.~\ Did I strike once, or twice, or many times? DjABAL. Anael, I saw my tribe: 1 said, " Without A miracle this cannot be " — I said " Be there a miracle ! " — for I saw you. Anael. His head lies south the portal. DjABAL. — Weighed with this The general good, how could I choose my own? What matter was my purity of soul? Little by little I engaged myself — Anael. Is it this blood breeds dreams in me ? Who said You were not Hakeem ? And vour miracles — The fire that plays inocuous round your form ? \_Again changing her whole mafiner. Ah, thou wouldst try me — Thou art Hakeem still ! DjABAL. Woe — woe ! As if the Druses understood The subtle lore of Europe ! A few secrets — Anael. [^Ajter a pause springs to his 7ieckJ\ Djabal, in this there can be no deceit! Why, Djabal, were you human only, — think, Maani is but human, Khalil human, Loys is human even — did their words Haunt me, their looks pursue ? Could I, with the Prefect and the blood, there — see only you? — Hang by your neck over this gulf of blood ? Speak, I am saved! Speak, Djabal! Am I saved? \^As Djabal slowly unclasps her ar?ns, and puts her silently from him she falls upon her knees in anguish. '\ Hakeem would save me. Thou ait Djabal. {^Suddenly springs to her feet. '\ Crouch ! Bow to the dust, thou basest of our kind ! The pile of thee, I reared up to the cloud — Full, midway, of our fathers' trophied tombs. Based on the living rock, devoured not by The unstable desert's jaws of sand, — falls prone Fire, music, quenched : and now thou liest there (38) Act Four: The First Scene A ruin, obscene creatures will moan through. — Let us come, Djabal ! DjABAL. Whither come? Anael. At once — Come to them, hand in hand, with me! Djabal. Where come? Anael. Where ? — to the Druses thou hast wronged ! Confess, Now that the end is gained — (I love thee now — ) That thou hast so deceived them — (perchance love thee Better than ever.) Come, receive their doom Of infamy ! O, best of all I love thee ! {Taking up khandjar.'\ Shame with the man, no triumph with the God, Be mine ! Come ! Djabal. Never ! More shame yet ? and why? You called this deed mine — it is mine ! The past Is past : my false life shall henceforth show true. Hear me ! The argosies touch land by this *, They bear us to fresh scenes and happier skies. What if we reign together ? — if we keep Our secret for the Druses' good ? — by means Of even tlieir superstition, plant in them New life? I learn from Europe: all who seek Man's good must awe man, by such means as these. We two will be divine to them — we are ! I wrest the w^eapon from your hand ! [ Wrests the khandjar fro7n her.'] I claim The deed ! Retire ! You have my ring — you bar All access to the Nuncio till the forces From Venice land. Anael. Thou wilt feign Hakeem then? Djabal. [Putting the tzar of Hakeem on his head.] And from this moment that I dare ope wide Eyes that till now refused to see, begins My true dominion : for I know myself, x\nd what am I to personate. No w^ord ? {Lays down tiar. Anael ^^^5 out centre. (39) The Return of the Druses 'T is come on me at last ! \^Drooping against a pillar^ collapsed.'] His blood on her — What memories will follow that! \_Rousing.~\ Ah, fool ! Wouldst work in this foul earth bv means not foul? Scheme, as for heaven, — but, on the earth, be glad If a least ray like heaven's be left thee ! \_Erect- ing hhnself.^ grasping the khandjar.] Tiius I shall be calm — in readiness — no way Surprised. [^ noise without. This should be Khalil and my Druses. Venice is come then ! S^Ci'osses to alcove.] Druses ! In ! Behold ! Enter Loys {^frojn centre^. Djabal hides the khandjar in his robe. Loys. {Right centre.) Oh, well found, Djabal ! — but no time for words. You know who waits there ? \_Poi7iting to the alcove.] Well ! — and that 't is there He meets the Nuncio? Well? Now, a sur- prise — He there — Djabal. {Left centre.) I know — Loys. — is now no mortal's lord. Is absolutely powerless — call him, dead — He is no longer Prefect — you are Prefect! Oh, shrink not ! I do nothing in the dark, I have, boldly, face to face, confronted The Prefect in full Chapter, charged on him The enormities of his long rule ; I spoke Of you, and of your tribe, and all you urged Of old to me : I spoke, too, of 3'Our goodness. Your patience — brief, I now hold the Isle, — Am nominally lord, — but you, you are Associated in my rule — you are The true Prefect ! Hear greater wonders yet — Oh, Djabal, I shall never be a Knight ! Here first I throw all prejudice aside, (40) Act Four: The First Scene And call you brother ! I am Druse like you : My wealth, my friends, my power, are wholly yours, Your people's, which is now my people : for There is a maiden of your tribe, I love — She loves me — KhaHl's sister — DjABAL. Anael? Enter one of the Nuncio's Guards from the alcove. 1ST Guard. Oh, horrible ! Sir Loys ! Here is Loys ! And here — [2D Guard enters from the alcove. Pointing to Djabal.] Secure him, bind him — this is he ! [ They go to right and left o/" Djabal and seize him.'] Loys. Madmen — what! Stand from my friend ! 1ST Guard. The Prefect Lies murdered there by him thou dost embrace. Loys. By Djabal.? Miserable fools ! How Djabal.? [ist Guard lifts Djabal's robe; Djabal flings down the khaitdjar. Loys. \_After a pause.'\ Thou hast received some insult worse than all. Some outrage not to be endured — {^To the Guards.] Stand back ! He is my friend — more than my friend. \To Djabal.] —Thou hast Slain him upon that provocation. 1ST Guard. No! No provocation ! 'T is a long devised Conspiracy : the whole tribe is involved. He is their Khalif — 't is on that pretence — All is just now revealed, I know not how. By one of his confederates — Djabal. \^Aside.'\ Who broke Faith with me .? Loys. [21? Djabal.] Hear' st thou .? Deny this story ! Till thou speak, I keep off these, or with thee Die. Thou a Khalif, an impostor ? Speak! (40 The Return of the Druses DjABAi.. Loys, I am as thou hast heard. All 's true. No more concealment ! As these tell thee, all Was long since planned. Our Druses are enough To crush this handful : the Venetians land Even now in our behalf. \_The Guards go out ce72tre.'] Loys, we part. It might not be. I thank thee. Fare thee well ! Loys. The Druses? Do they share thy crime? Khalil, My friend, I saw but now ! he spoke — no word Of this ! Anael ! — No word of this ! DjABAL. Poor boy ! — Khalil is my right-hand, my delegate ! — Anael — my bride ! Loys. Anael, thy bride? DjABAL. My bride ! Loys. And she retains her glorious eyes ! Thy bride ! She, with those eyes, has shared this miscreant's guilt! [ Sits righ i. ] Ah — w4io but she directed me to find Djabal within the Prefect's chamber? Khalil Bade me seek Djabal there, too. All is truth. Djabal. Loys, I wronged thee — but un- wittingly : I never thought there was in thee a virtue That could attach itself to what thou deemest A race below thine own. I wronged thee, Loys, But that is over: all is over now, Save the protection I ensure against My people's anger. By their Khalif's side, Thou art secure and mayst depart : so, come ! Loys. Thy side? 1 take protection at tliy hand ? Re-enter ist Guard, centre. 1ST Guard. Fly with him ! Fly, Sir Loys ! 'T is too true : And only by his side thou mayst escape. The whole tribe is in full revolt : they flock About the palace — will be here — Even we (42) I Act Four: The First Scene Had stayed to meet our death in ignorance, But that one Druse, a single faithful Druse, Made known the horror. Keep by him ! He is their God, they shout, and at his beck Are life and death ! [Guard ^c^j out centre.'] LoYS. \_Spr hiding- at the khandjar Djabal had t/i7'own down, seizes him by the throat.~\ Thus by his side am I ! Thus I resume my knighthood and its warfare. How? Hakeem? God art thou ! but also here Is the least, youngest, meanest the Church calls Her servant, and his single arm avails ! The Cross And Faith, 'gainst Hell, Mahound and thee. Die ! [Djabal remains cal?n.~\ Implore my mercy. Hakeem, that my scorn May help me ! Nay, I cannot ply thy trade ; I am no Druse, no stabber : and thine eye, Thy form, are too much as they were. — my friend Had such. Speak ! Beg for mercy at my foot ! [Djabal still silent. Heaven could not ask so much of me — not, sure, So much. I cannot kill him so. \_After a pause. Heardst thou ? One of thine accomplices, thy people, Has accused thee? Meet that Druse! Be thou tried By him, nor seek appeal ! Face me ! Consent ! Djabal. Give me again my khandjar, if thou darest ! \^A pause. Loys gives it. Let but one Druse accuse me, and I plunge This home. Let us go ! \_Shouts without. Hearest thou ? I hear No plainer than long years ago I heard That shout — but in no dream now. They return ! CURTAIN. (43) The Return of the Druses ACT V. The Same, Enter, from centre^ passing down left^ Nasif, Elkeb, heading many Uninitiated Druses in vari-colored robes who Jill the Hall tumultuously talking together, some of them pointing to the Alcove and gesturing. Nasif. \_Jocularly .~\ Here flock we, obey- ing the summons ! Elkeb. Lo, Hakeem hath appeared, and the Prefect is dead, and we return to Lebanon ! Nasif. My manufacture of goats' fleece must, I doubt, soon fall away there. Elkeb. Come, old Nasif — link thine arm in mine — we fight, if needs be. Nasif. Come, what is a great fight-word ? — '* Lebanon?" Karshook. \_From behind the crowd out- side, fiercely. ~\ My daughter — my daugh- ter ! Elkeb. But is Khalil to have the oflSce of Hamza? Nasif. \_Shrewdly.'\ Nay, rather, if he be wise, the monopoly of henna and cloves. Elkeb. Where is Hakeem ? Nasif. \_Chuckh7zg.'\ The only prophet I ever saw, prophesied at Cairo once, in my youth : a little black Copht, dressed all in black too, with a great stripe of yellow cloth flapping down behind him like the back-fin of a water-serpent. Enter the Nuncio, with Guards from centre passing down right. Is this he? Biamrallah ! Elkeb. Biamreh ! Hakeem ! All. \^In a tumult, hailing and worship- ping.'] Hakeem ! Hakeem ! Hakeem ! Nuncio. \_To a Guard outside at portal.~\ Hold both, the sorcerer and his accuser ! S^Right centre, co7?iingfoward, dismayed at the crowd, for the whisper has passed from (44) Act Five: The First Scene Karshook at rear to the fronts swiftly^ and all are suddenly silent ^ stdlen^ and unfriendly.'] Lo, this black disem- boguing of the Isle ! \_To the Druses.] Ah children, what a sight for these old eyes ! I came to gather all you wandering sheep [at a word passed along- from Karshook the Druses at the rear spread out^ manning the exits^ and cutting off the Nuncio from escape] Into my fold, as though a father came — \^the falters^ noticifig the ominous 7}iovement in the crowds and eyes the guarded doors] As though, in coming, a father should — [Zb his Guards] One — Two — three — guards of you ! No outlet ? Keep close ! \^To the Druses.] h^ if one came to a son's house, I say. So did I come — no guard with me — to find — [ The Druses fold their arms., scowl., thrust out nether lips.] Alas — Alas ! Elkeb. Who is the old man? Eh! Nasif. [ Chuckling.] Oh, ye are to shout ! Children, he styles you. Elkeb. {^Shaking his fist at the Nuncio.] Ay, the Prefect's slain ! Glory to the Khalif, our Father! Nuncio. - Even so I find (ye prompt aright) your father slain. While most he plotted for your good. [Druses nudge one another at this and laugh.] \_Aside.] (And hell's Wonn gnaw the glozing knave for duping me ! Are these the Christians? These the docile crew My bezants went to make me Bishop o'er?) [7b his Guards who whisper.] What say ye does this wizard style himself? Hakeem ? Biamrallah ? Nasif. He mutters ! Hear ye ? He is blaspheming Hakeem. (45) The Return of the Druses Elkeb. The old man Is our dead Prefect's friend. Tear him ! [Nasif with Elkeb cross stage drawijig their khandjars at him^ others half follow^ whole crowd swaying upon the Nuncio, who braves thefn in desperation.'] Nuncio. Ye dare not. \_They waver and fall back,] I stand here with my five-and-seventy years, The Patriarch's power behind me, God's above. Those years have witnessed men rebel ere now Who found excuse ; but ye, to be enslaved By sorceries, cheats — alas ! the same tricks, tried. Exploded, laughed to scorn, all nations through : " Rotnaioi.^ loudaioite kai proselutoi^ [the T)Yu%e% taking this for a spell., shrink back^ shivering zvith fright., they cower., put out their hands as if to ward off the curse] Cretes and Arabians" — you are duped the last. \_Seeing his advafitage., boldly. Said I, refrain from tearing me? I pray ye Tear me ! Shall I return to tell the Patriarch That so much love was w^asted — every gift Rejected, from his benison I brought, Down to the galley-full of bezants [at " bezants," the Druses look at one another ., impressed]., sunk An hour since at the harbor's mouth, by that — That — sorcerer ! [To his Guards.] What? Eh? Oh, [they whisper] Djabal was 't? Elkeb. But how a sorcerer? Nasif. False wherein ? Nuncio. How false? Ye know not, Djabal has confessed — [Sensation among the Druses.] Nay, that by tokens found on him we learn — How by his spells the demons were allured To seize you : By lies he would have led you Into a monstrous ruin: follow ye? Say, shall ye perish for his sake, my sons? — Elkeb. [71? the others.] Hark ye ! (46) Act Five: The First Scene Nuncio. — Be of one privilege amerced? No ! Infinite the Patriarch's mercies are ! No ! With the Patriarch's Hcense, still I bid Tear him to pieces who misled you ! Haste ! Elkeb. \To the others.'] The old man's beard shakes, and his eyes are white fire ! After all, I know nothing of Djabal beyond what Kar- shook says; he knows but what Khalil says, who knows just what Djabal says himself. [ The others nod.] Nasif. {^Drawling.] Now, the little Copht Prophet, I saw^ at Cairo in my youth, began by promising each bystander three full measures of wheat — Enter Khalil from centre^ leading Kar- SHOOK, Raghib, Ayoob, Abdullah, the three Watchers and other Initiate Druses. Khalil. i^Left centre.) Venice and her deliverance are at hand : Their fleet stands through the harbor. Hath he slain The Prefect yet? Is Djabal's change come yet? Nuncio. [7b Guards.] What 's this of Venice? Who 's this boy? [Guards zvhisper.] One Khalil? Djabal's accomplice! \_To the Druses.] Ye'd have my troops as- sist? \^Pointing atY^^K\A\^.] Doth he abet him in his sorceries? \^The Ini- tiates gaze about them in alarm., bewil- dered. ] Down with the cheat, guards, as my children bid! \ They spring at Khalil; as he beats them back.] Stay ! No more bloodshed ! Spare deluded youth ! [71? Khalil.] Whom seek'st thou? [71? Druses.] I will teach him — [ To Khalil.] whom, my child ? Art thou the only fond one of thy tribe ? 'T is I interpret for thy tribe. (47) The Return of the Druses Khalil. Oh, this Is the expected Nuncio ! Druses, hear — Endure ye this? Unworthy to partake The glory Hakeem gains you ! While I speak. The ships touch land: who makes for Lebanon? They plant the winged lion in these halls ! Nuncio. [Aside.^ Venice! Oh, never true ! Khalil. Ere He appear And lead you gloriously, repent, 1 say ! Nuncio. [^To the Druses.] He? Bring him forth! You'd judge him, say you! Where 's Our short black-bearded sallow friend who swore He 'd earn the Patriarch's guerdon by one stab? Bring Djabal forth at once ! Nasif. Ay, bring him forth ! The Patriarch drives a trade in oil and silk, And we 're the Patriarch's children — true men, we ! Elkeb. Where is the glory ? All. \^Led by Elkeb.] Show us all the glory ! Khalil. [ To Druses.] You dare not so in- sult him ! What, not see — I tell thee, Nuncio, these are uninstructed, Untrusted : they know nothing of our Khalif ! \To Druses] — Not see that if he lets a doubt arise 'T is but to show ye would have trusted him Without the all-convincing glory — ay. And did ! Embrace the occasion, friends ! For, think — What wonder when his change takes place? But now For your sakes, he should not reveal himself. No : could I ask and have, I would not ask The change yet ! Ente7' Djabal and I^oys from the right. \_To Djabal.] Spite of all, reveal thyself! I had said, pardon these besotted men — Yet now — this Nuncio couples shame with thee, (48) Act Five: The First Scene Imposture ! — bitter things he said — Hakeem ! Reveal thyself! See! LoYS. \_Right centre, to Djabal.J Keep thy word to me ! DjABAL. \_Centre,to the^v^c\o.'\ Who of my people hath accused me? Nuncio. ^*^ • So this is Djabal, Hakeem, and what not? I, Nuncio of the Patriarch, having charge Of the Isle here, I claim thee {turning to Djabal] as these bid me, Forfeit for murder done thy lawful prince, Thou conjurer that workest miracles? Let him but move me with his spells! I, Nuncio — Djabal. Which how thou camest to be, 1 sav not now. Though I have also been at Stamboul, Luke ! {The Nuncio winces. Ply thee with spells, forsooth ! What need of spells? If Venice by her Admiral refuse Convoy to Lebanon — refuse this Isle \Ye leave — time then to try what spells can do ! Dost thou dispute the Republic's power? Nuncio. [ To the Druses.] Lo ye ! He tempts me too, the wily exorcist! No! The renowned Republic was and is The Patriarch's friend: 'tis not for courtmg Venice That I — that these implore thy blood of me. Lo ye, ye Druses ! Where 's the miracle He works? I bid him to the proof— fish up Your galley-full of bezants that he sank ! That were a miracle ! One miracle ! Enough of trifling, for it chafes my years. I am the Nuncio, Druses ! I stand forth To save you from the good Republic's rage When she shall find her fleet was summoned here To aid the mummeries of a knave like this. Why, we hold one who proves this Djabal cheat. Each miracle a cheat. Who throws me now His head ? I make three offers, once I ofl'er, — . And twice — (49) The Return o f the Druses DjABAL. Let who moves perish at my foot! Khalil. Thanks, Hakeem, thanks ! Nasif. He can ! He can ! Live fire — Elkeb. \^To the Nuncio.] I say he can, old man? Thou know'st him not. Live fire like that thou seest now in his eyes. Plays fawning round him. See! The change begins. All the brow lightens as he lifts his arm. Look not at me ! It was not I ! DjABAL. What Druse Accused me, as he saith ? I bid each bone Crumble within that Druse! S^The Druses co'wer.'\ Nuncio. S^Asider^ Venice to come ! Death! DjABAL. \_Continuing.^ Seest thou my Druses, Luke? I would submit To thy pure malice did one Druse confess! Nuncio. [_To his Attendants.] Bring in the witness, then, who, first of all. Disclosed the treason ! [Guards ^6* outr^ Now I have thee, wizard! \To Druses] Ye hear that? If one speaks, he bids you tear him Joint after joint : well then, one does speak ! One, Befooled by Djabal, even as yourselves. Who expiates confessing thus, the fault Of having trusted him. [Guards 7'e-enter with a veiled Druse.] LoYS. Now, Djabal, now ! Nuncio. Friend, Djabal fronts thee ! Make a ring, sons. Speak ! LoYS. Thou hast the dagger ready, Djabal? Djabal. [ With a look at Loys, to the veiled Druse.] Speak, Recreant ! [Khalil ptishes forward zeal- ously. ~\ Elkeb. Stand back, fool ! farther ! Suddenly You shall see some huge serpent glide from under The empty vest, or dov/n will thunder crash ! Nasif. Back, Khalil ! Khalil. I go back ? Thus go I back ! (50) Act Five: The First Scene {To veiled Druse.] Unveil! Nay, thou shalt face the Khalif! Thus! \_He tears away the veil and discloses Anael; Djabal folds his arms and bows his head; the Druses fall back; LoYS springs Jrom the side of Djabal and the Nuncio.] LoYS. Then she was true — she only of them all ! True to her eyes — may keep those glorious eyes, And now be mine, once again mine! Oh, Anael ! Dared I think thee a partner in his crime — That blood could soil that hand? {^Starts to seize it. She rebuffs this.'] Nay, 'tis mine — Anael. [Seizes it. She with- draws it.~\ Not mine ? — who otier .thee before all these My heart, my sword, my name ~ so thou wilt say That Djabal, who affirms thou art his bride. Lies — say but that he lies ! Djabal. Thou, Anael? LoYS. Nay, Djabal, nay, one chance for me — the last ! Thou hast had every other ; thou hast spoken Days, nights, what falsehood listed thee— let me Speak first now ; I will speak now ! Nuncio. Loys, pause! Thou art the Duke's son, Bretagne's choicest stock, Loys of Dreux, God's sepulchre's first sword: This wilt thou spit on, this degrade, this trample To earth ? Loys. {Turns from the Nuncio to Anael.] Who had foreseen that one day Loys Would stake these gifts against some other good In the whole world ? I give them thee ! I would My strong will might bestow real shape on them, That I might see, with my own eyes, thy foot Tread on their very neck \ 'T is not by gifts I put aside this Djabal : we will stand — (51) The Return of the Druses We do stand, see, two men ! Djabal, stand forth ! Who 's worth her, I or thou ? I who purely Kept my way without or lies or blood, — or thou! Love me, Anael ! Leave the blood and him ! \_To Djabal.] Now, quick on this, speak if thou art a man ! Djabal. [To Anael.] I have deserved this of thee, and submit. Nor 't is much evil thou inflictest: life Ends here. The cedars shall not wave for us : For there was crime, and must be punishment. By thee I perish : yet — can I repent.^ As a Frank schemer or an Arab mystic, I had been something; — now, each has de- stroyed The other — and behold, from out their crash, A third and better nature rises up — My mere man's-nature ! And I yield to it : I love thee, I w^ho did not love before ! Anael. Djabal I Djabal. It seemed love, but it was not love : How could I love while thou adoredst me.-^ Now thou despisest, art above me so Immeasurably! Thou, no other, doomest My death now ; this my steel shall execute Thy judgment ; I shall feel thy hand in it. Oh luxury to worship, to submit, Transcended, doomed to death by thee ! Anael. My Djabal ! Djabal. Dost hesitate .? I force thee ! Speak the doom ! Hear, Druses, and hear, Nuncio, and hear, Loys ! Anael. Hakeem ! \_She falls dead. The Druses scream grovelling before him. Elkeb. \^On his knees., only uplifting his head to plead.'] Ah Hakeem ! — not on me thy wrath ! Nasif. Biamrallah, pardon ! never doubted I! Ha, dog, how sayest thou .'^ [^Crossing stage., swoops on the Nuncio, Y.i.k.^b following (52) Act Five: Th e First Scene with others^ they seize the old man. Loys Jiings himself upon his knees beside An A^iJ s prostrate body., at the head., rights on which Djabal continues to gaze as stu- pejied.~\ Nuncio. [Struggling with those who have seized him.'\ Catifts ! Have ye eyes? Whips, racks should teach you ! What, his fools? his dupes? Leave me ! Unhand me 1 Khalil. \^Over Anael at Djabai.'s yV^/, left^ behind the body., to Djabal timidly. '\ Save her for my sake ! She was already thine ; she would have shared To-day thine exaltation : think, this day Her hair was plaited thus because of thee ! Yes, feel the soft hair — feel ! Restore her life ! So little does it ! there — the eyelids tremble ! 'T was not my breath that made them : and the lips Move of themselves. I could restore her life ! Hakeem, we have forgotten — have presumed On our free converse : we are better taught. See, I kiss — how I kiss thy garment's hem For her ! She kisses it — Oh, take her deed In mine! Thou dost believe now, Anael? — See! She smiles ! Were her lips open o'er the teeth Thus, when I spoke first ? She believes in thee ! Go not without her to the cedars, lord ! Or leave us both — I cannot go alone ! I have obeyed thee, if I dare so speak : Hath Hakeem thus forgot all Djabal knew ? Thou feelest then my tears fall hot and fast Upon thy hand, and yet thou speakest not? Ere the Venetian trumpet sound — ere thou Exalt thyself, O Hakeem ! save thou her ! Nuncio. \^To Elkeb and Nasif, observing Djabal's /ac^.]— What ails your Ha- keem ? Ah, that ghastly face ! {^Desperately to the Druses, again seeking to rally them.^ Look to your Khalif, Druses ! Is that face (53) The Return of the Druses God Hakeem's? Where is triumph — where is — what Said he of exaltation — hath he promised So much to-day? [To Djabal.] Why then, exalt thyself ! Cast oft' that husk, thy form, set free thy soul In splendor ! [7(9 the Druses.] Now, bear wit- ness ! here I stand — I challenge him exalt himself, and I Become, for that, a Druse like all of you ! All the Druses. \^The Initiate Druses be- seeching 7'everently^ the Uninitiated clam- oring.'] Exalt thyself! Exalt thyself, O Hakeem ! Djabal. I can confess now all from first to last. There is no longer shame for me. I am — \_The Venetiait trumpet sounds: the Druses shout ''The Lion!" "Lebanon!" Djabal's eye catches the expression of those about him^ aiid., as the old dream co?7ies back^ he is again confident and inspired. ] — Am I not Hakeem ? And ye would have crawled But yesterday within these impure courts Where now ye stand erect ! Not grand enough? — What more could be conceded to such beasts As all of you, so sunk and base as you, Than a mere man? A man among such beasts Was miracle enough : yet him you doubt. Him you forsake, him fain would you destroy — With the Venetians at your gate, the Nuncio Thus — (see the baffled hypocrite !) and, best, The Prefect there ! All the Druses. [ Worshipping.] No ! Thine! Hakeem! Thine! Thine! Nuncio. He lies — and twice he lies — and thrice he lies ! Exalt thyself, Mahound ! Exalt thyself! Djabal. Druses ! We shall henceforth be far away — Out of mere mortal ken — above the cedars — But we shall see ye go, hear ye return, (54) I Act Five: The First Scene Repeopling the old solitudes, — through thee, My Khalil ! Thou art full of me; I fill Thee full — my hands thus fill thee I Go thou ! Lead My people home ! \_Turning to the Druses.] Ye Druses, Now ! Ye take This Khalil for my delegate? To him Bow as to me ? He leads to Lebanon — Ye follow ? All the Druses. Ay ! We follow ! Ay ! Lord ! Ay ! DjABAL. \^Raises Loys.] Then to thee, Loys ! How I wronged thee, Loys ! Yet, wronged, no less thou shalt have full revenge. Fit for thy noble self — and thus : Guard Khalil and my Druses home again ! Justice, no less, God's justice and no more ! And, this obtained them, leave their Lebanon, — One cedar-blossom in thy ducal cap. One thought of Anael in thy heart, — perchance, One thought of him who thns, to bid thee speed, His last word to the living speaks I This done, Resume thy course, and, first amidst the first In Europe, take my heart along with thee ! \^He bends over Anael.] Ah, did I dream I was to have, this day. Exalted thee? A vain dream : hast thou not Won greater exaltation? What remains But press to thee, exalt myself to thee? Thus I exalt myself, set free my soul ! \^He stabs hunself. As he falls ^ right centre^ supported by Khalil and Loys, the Venetians enter ^ left centre. The Druses part to right and left; the Admiral advancing among them betzveen their uplifted arms amid their shouts of " Hail Venice ! " " Lebanon ! " " Lebanon ! " Admiral. [ With gesture order i72g his Guard to plant the Venetian standard at alcove.^ left., in front of the Rhodian Cross.'\ God and St. Mark for Venice ! PMant the Lion ! LofC. ^ (55) The Return of the Druses \_At the clash of the planted standard^ the Druses 5/2(92//, drawing their knives^ flour- ishing them above their heads^ and mov- ing tumultiiously on toward ceiitral exit as if poi^ring out of the portal from all sides. LoYS draws his sword. DjABAL. [ Centre., on the steps .^ as if leading thein., between Khalil left and Loys right. ~\ On to the Mountain ! At the Mountain, Druses ! \^Dies. CURTAIN. End. (56) MAY 4 1903 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 386 865 5 # \Jdrifhr in fhe Dranwr . !h. rulers of our :irf, i'-: r."/^';.'C frft lastic glories minoh-, s:l :'i strcng\ And do their kingly ^vork, — ionceh)c, And from (he imagination's crucial heat Catch up their men and