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ZORABELLA 
 
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ZORABELLA 
 
 A POETIC TRAGEDY 
 
 IN FIVE ACTS 
 
 BY 
 
 C. Victor Stahl 
 
 New York 
 
 The Neale Publishing Company 
 
 1915 
 
6--^ 
 
 
 Copyright, 1915, by 
 The Neale Publishing Company 
 
 4/ 
 
 t^- 
 
 JUL 28 1915 
 ©CID 41543 
 1^^ . I 
 
DRAMATIS PERSONS 
 
 Candaules, King-consort of Lydia. 
 Gyges, Chief General of the King's Army. 
 MoROZ_, Premier. 
 
 BoGOLSA^ Lydian Prince, Brother to Zorabella, enam- 
 ored of Hermogena. 
 
 MORASHNA 1 
 
 ry \ Generals in the King's Army. 
 
 ZULESHA J 
 
 Lords. 
 
 Master of Ceremonies. 
 
 ZoRABELLA, Quecn of Lydia. 
 
 Hermogena, Lydian Princess, disputed Heir to King- 
 dom. 
 
 Vera, Maid to Hermogena. 
 
 Attendants. 
 
 Tiulk: About 800 5. C. 
 
 Place : Sardis, Capital of Lydia, in Asia Minor. 
 
 Scenes : Act I. — Throne room of the queen. Act II. 
 — Garden of the palace. Act III., Scene I. — 
 Anteroom to hall room; Scene 11. — Ball room 
 of palace. Act IV. — Conference room of the 
 palace. Act V. — Sleeping chamber of king. 
 
ZORABELLA 
 
 ACT I 
 
 Scene I. — Throne room of the royal palace. Gyges, 
 Moros, lords, and attendants. Gyges and 
 Moros in quarrel. 
 
 Gyges. Let me not hear't again. 
 
 Moros. Thine ears corral ; 
 
 Thou canst not seal my lips. 
 Gyges. I can thy life. 
 
 Beware to give me cause. 
 Moros. Trust not in that 
 
 Till of thy strength thou'st made full proof. 
 Gyges. Come, come ! 
 
 Let's not to arms. — 'T will but offend the queen. 
 
 Thou shalt repent of this. 
 Moros. Not of the truth. 
 
 Gyges. Ay there! What dost thou mean? 
 Moros. Thou art a traitor. 
 
 Gyges. [Drawing] Thou liest. 
 Moros. Deny it, — if thou canst. 
 
 Gyges. By Zeus, 
 
 I do! 
 Moros. With words alone, thou swaggerer. 
 
 But not with deeds. 
 
 7 
 
8 ZORABELLA 
 
 Gyges. [Raising sword] Beware, if I do strike 
 
 Moro2. Strike, strike, O cursed coward that thou art ! 
 
 Though be thy sword of adamantine steel 
 
 And forged in Vulcan's smithy, — if thou dar'st, 
 
 Thou yet wilt find my sword full wrought as thine, 
 
 And truer in its stroke. 
 Gyges. ' Think'st thou to fright me? 
 
 Come, if thou wilt. Though I do loathe the 
 combat 
 
 That should these holy walls do sacrilege, 
 
 Yet thou constrainest me. 
 Moros. 'Tis well for thee, 
 
 Thou blusterer, thy reason's not amiss. 
 Gyges. Call'st thou it cowardice, — my piety ! 
 
 Come, come. I'll challenge thee. Here is my 
 glove. 
 
 Thine there cast down ; and on yon distant field, — 
 
 Where anger need not fear protecting shrines. 
 
 Where fly the trophies of my stalwart arm, — 
 
 I'll dare thee to the proof. 
 
 Moro2. Unworthy slave, 
 
 Take up thy glove. Think'st thou 'tis meet that I 
 Should answer thee? 
 
 Gyges. Give me the proof. 
 
 MoroB. Away ! 
 
 Gyges. O Gods, to each discerning man vouchsafe 
 The proof I clamor for, — the baseless charge, 
 Whereof I stand accused ! 
 
 Moros. If thou but wilt. 
 
 Thou hast it, sir. In honor to thy rank, — 
 That dost not oft such base intriguers shield, — 
 I had not thought to breathe it here. 'Twill not 
 
ZORABELLA 9 
 
 Add justice to thy cause, nor please thine ears 
 To hear me speak. 
 
 Gyges. Out ! Out ! Thy lying tongue 
 
 Can thrill me naught with fear. 
 
 Moroz. Conspirator ! 
 
 Ten thousand Lydians hiss it at thy back, 
 Who dare not charge it to thy face. Thou'lt see 
 Thy colleague here, with wet and weeping eyes, — 
 The loved Bogolsa, pride of Lydia's heart, — 
 Who shall in tears beg pittance of his life 
 Before our queen. Thou madest him rebel. 
 Deny it not, for thou a traitor art, 
 And here's the proof. [Producing letter^ This 
 
 telltale missive here, — 
 Chanced on by slaves upon the battlefield. 
 Writ to Bogolsa and his treacherous band, — 
 Like cannon's charge, — that knells base traitors' 
 
 doom, — 
 Roars out thy guilt. 
 
 Gyges. Who dares my name enlist 
 
 In such foul forgery? Give me that here. 
 [They begin wrestling for the letter] 
 
 Lords. Peace, peace ! Here comes the queen. 
 
 Moroz. Say, are ye sure? 
 
 Then I shall make an issue of this cause. 
 Her word is Lydia's law. 
 
 Gyges. Thou art a fool, 
 
 She shall not hear thee, sir. 
 
 Moroz. But thee she shall, — 
 
 She'll hear thy plea. 
 
 Gyges. Be not of that assured ; 
 
 Since this my sword shall saw thy slanderous 
 tongue 
 
10 • ZORABELLA 
 
 That dares to give such falsehoods breath. Come, 
 
 come ! 
 To arms! [Drawing] 
 Moroz. [Defending himself] Stand there, thou 
 braggart, stand, stand, stand ! 
 
 [Enter Zorahella, Candaiiles, Morashna, Zidesha, 
 Hermogena, and attendants] 
 
 Zorahella. Stop! Stop, I say! What is the matter 
 here, 
 That swords are drawn and poignards, dagger- 
 edged ? 
 What vagrant planet's out ? What lunar phase 
 Our throne inebriates? [To Gyges] On thy 
 oath, speak ! 
 
 Gyges. He hath abused me, gentle queen. 
 
 Candaulcs. [To one of the lords] See'st that? 
 
 She fronts him first. In him she plants a trust, 
 I fear, exceeding mine. It matters not, — 
 He is a worthy general. 
 
 Lord. [Aside] Take't not so ! 
 
 If I were thou, my liege, I should then give 
 To seeming trifles more than trifling care. 
 
 Zorahella. [To Gyges] What hath he said? 
 
 Moroz. Nothing, my gentle queen. 
 
 That were not true. 
 
 Gyges. Be still ! 
 
 Zorahella. [Waving sceptre] Yea, peace! [To 
 Gyges] Speak on ! 
 
 Gyges. He falsely cried at me, "Conspirator!" 
 Yet, on my plea demanding proof, did load 
 Such heap of shameful charges on my back 
 
ZORABELLA 11 
 
 That Atlas had not borne. To 'quit myself, 
 Then did I draw the sword which now thou see'st, 
 And, in reply, he drew. I grieve the fray. 
 Zorahella. Thou needest not. If these thy words be 
 true, 
 Thou shouldst be knighted. To defend one's life 
 Is well, but nobler 't is to keep one's name 
 From every slanderous rival's rash assault. 
 Moroz. O my dear Majesty, attend my cause! 
 
 Why, here's the proof. [Giving her the letter] 
 Gyges. Beware ! 'Tis forgery ! 
 
 Zorahella. Is this thy hand ? [Reading] 'T is not. 
 No hand of thine 
 Had ever moulded this from such a heart 
 As I do know of thee. Besides, the hand [Pe- 
 rusing it carefully] 
 Runs not at all like thine — 
 Candaules. Be thou but sure. 
 
 If thou wouldst make thy judgment good. 
 Moroz. [To king] Unheard! 
 
 A waste of time it were to press the plaint. 
 Zorahella. [Tearing letter] Come, come, a private 
 matter 't is, I fear. 
 That's stol'n the stamp of state. Come now, I 
 
 say. 
 Your brawl dissolve, whose oft recurring blows 
 Have twanged on Lydia's peace. Go hence, ye 
 
 guards, 
 And bring Bogolsa here. [Zorahella and Can- 
 daules ascend throne] 
 
 [Enter Bogolsa, who is led in, hound in chains] 
 Candaules. There now he comes. 
 
13 ZORABELLA 
 
 sundered Lydia ! Rent is thy law ! 
 
 How groans it now 'neath treason's ulcerous 
 wounds ! 
 
 Zorahella. Am I the surgeon, king ? Thou mak'st me 
 
 grieve 
 To point my duty. Know'st thou not my love? 
 Oh, what a bitter task it is, my lord. 
 To loose the words that justice bids me hurl 
 'Gainst him within whose veins doth course my 
 
 blood! 
 
 Alas! 
 My boy ! that never were I Lydia's queen, 
 Or that thou hadst not done't ! What canst thou 
 
 say 
 To mitigate thy dread offense? 
 
 Bogolsa. Nothing. 
 
 1 ask but pity, queen. Beguiled was I : 
 Proud, vain, and fawning hopes my soul de- 
 ceived. 
 
 Youth's ambient zeal did swell my throbbing veins, 
 My heart did leap from earth to heav'n, and 
 
 sought 
 To compass all between. The very skies 
 Did with their transient glory hail me king, — 
 As I did read their smiling indices, 
 Bade me meet fate, strive hand in hand with 
 
 death, — 
 To vex me with deceit. Oh, how ripe age 
 Usurps mine erring youth I Ye gods, attest : 
 This puffed exuberant youth I now cast off, 
 And thou smit'st age. Mine errant ways forgive, 
 And if thou e'er didst rock me on thy knee, 
 And softly hum to me sweet lullabies, — 
 
ZORABELLA 13 
 
 My dreamland flights with tender kisses sealed, — 
 
 If ever these, and more than these, thou didst 
 
 As thou o'er me a mother's care didst keep, 
 
 Then, by the Zeus that ruleth heaven's high 
 throne. 
 
 Not fruitless is my plea! Thy sympathy 
 
 From out the deep abyss of time call forth. 
 
 And speak me pardoned, free. 
 Zorahella. Brother, alas ! 
 
 What must I do ? — Alas ! 
 Bogolsa. Do as thou wilt. 
 
 If thou art firm, if thus thy mind is fixed, 
 
 'Tis not my plea that I have not deserved — 
 
 I stand prepared. 
 Zorahella. Dost thou defiance speak? 
 
 Think'st thou that this mine act were tyranny, 
 
 Were I to read thy doom ? 
 Bogolsa. My doom is fixed ! 
 
 Hold off thy tongue no longer, queen. 'Tis done ! 
 
 Thou hast bereft me of my father's wealth 
 
 And now thou seek'st my life. 
 Zorahella. 'Fore heaven, — thou liest! 
 
 Bogolsa. I do not. Come, — here am I, come, — do thy 
 worst. 
 
 Thou shalt not see a timorous coward die — 
 Zorahella. Then 'tis thy will, — thou vauntest it, — 
 to feel 
 
 The hand that thou hast cursed. Go headsman, 
 go! 
 
 Within this very hour, — yea, make me hear 
 
 His traitorous head is stricken off. 
 
 [Guards rush up and seize Bogolsa] 
 Bogolsa. Alas ! 
 
14 ZORABELLA 
 
 Dear queen, — if sister no, — forgive the words 
 My rampant tongue did wield. The heart ne'er 
 
 spoke. 
 Cursed be the Hps that freed them. Canst not 
 
 o'erlook 
 These unmeant mutterings? 
 
 Zorahella. [To guards] Bear him from hence. 
 
 Hcrmogena. [Falling on her knees] O queen, let 
 not thine anger sway thy heart 
 To deeds of cruelty. On knees I beg 
 That thou thy judgment mayst revoke. 'T is true 
 He hath transgressed; but penitent he stands, 
 His sorrow pleading pity's alms. 
 
 Zorabella. Away ! 
 
 Dost thou thus seek, — which none has ever 
 dared, — 
 
 My royal will to sway ? 
 Hermogcna. It is but love, — 
 
 Pure love, — that makes me plead his cause. Alas ! 
 
 Mine honored queen, must he so basely die 
 
 For one small fault of youth ? And he's thy kin ! 
 
 Then, know thou well, my queen, if thou but 
 stick'st 
 
 To this so firm resolve, then here I lay 
 
 My life, my hopes, my fortunes at thy feet, 
 
 And beg the stroke that cleaves his tender brow 
 
 To end my pitying passion too. 
 Zorabella. Plead not! 
 
 Or, — by the power that made me Lydia's queen ! — 
 
 It shall be done. 
 Hermogena. But hear, my queen, — oh, hear ! 
 
 He hath been led. His guilt is not alone. 
 
ZORABELLA 15 
 
 Zorahella. Mine ears are stopped. By this thou art 
 attaint 
 With treason's curse. For this most heinous 
 
 crime 
 I do subtract from thee all lands and tithes 
 That thou here hold'st. 
 
 Candaides. O queen, what hast thou done? 
 
 Thou hast once loved, — hast fanned love's zeal- 
 ous spark, 
 Hast blown it to a flame. Our nuptial night 
 So blazed that ardor in thy roseate cheeks 
 It did each torch outshine. Dost thou construe 
 This, treason to the state, to love, — but love ? 
 Fie! Mockery! Reverse thy judgment, queen. 
 Or thou shalt lay an evil precedent, 
 Whereby the guileless lover may be charged 
 With all her gallant's reckless deeds. 
 
 Gyges. [To Zorahella] Say on! 
 
 Thine is the sceptre and the judgment, queen. 
 What thou declar'st is law in Lydia. 
 See how thine amorous spouse subverts the law, 
 For but bright eyes, and ruddy lips and hair? 
 
 Zorahella. [To Gyges] Why, thou speak'st well. [To 
 Candaides] Thou hollow-hearted man, 
 Art thou not pleased at this? Thy love should 
 
 give 
 A second to my judgment, not it dispute. 
 But no, thou from her glancing oeillades read'st 
 A cue to thwart my just design. O gods! — 
 Be these a woman's charms? 
 
 Candaules. Come, — answer me. 
 
 What wilt thou do? 
 
 Zorahella. Nothing that will thee please, — 
 
16 ZORABELLA 
 
 I can assure thee that. 
 
 Candaules. That's no reply. 
 
 Zorabella. Then none shalt thou receive. If thou 
 hadst ears, 
 Thou couldst have heard my judgment. 
 
 Candaules. So? Then see 
 
 That thou err'st not. 
 
 Zorabella. [Looking at Bogolsa] Brother, — alas! — 
 alas! 
 Forsaken is thy cause; none pleads for thee, 
 Though thou hast most at stake. I'll do it then. 
 I'll turn through yellowed leaves of bygone days 
 That chronicle of traitors' deeds, and, on 
 A single precedent to prop my will. 
 Thou shalt gain pardon. 
 
 Bogolsa. Oh, mayst thou succeed ! 
 
 I shall be penitent. 
 
 Zorabella. What valor here ! 
 
 Oh, that thy guilt were all so soon forgot 
 
 As are the deeds thou hast 'gainst Lydia 
 
 wrought, — 
 Or that 't were weighed 'gainst thy repentance 
 
 now! 
 Thou almost wringest from my soul perforce 
 What pardon Lydia's statutes bid me nay. 
 Howe'er, a brief respite I'll grant to thee, 
 That meanwhile I may meditate upon 
 Some way to exercise my clemency. 
 
 [Exeunt Candaules, Moroz, Morashna, Zulesha, Her- 
 mogena, lords, and attendants, Bogolsa taken 
 out by guards. Zorabella, starting out, is 
 detained by Gyges] 
 
ZORABELLA 17 
 
 Gyges. Thou hast thy lord offended. 
 Zorahella. Say not so. 
 
 Himself he doth offend, — begrimes his soul 
 The deep sea's depth, — when he doth stoop so 
 
 low 
 As fall a prey to that dame's flattery. 
 Gyges. I hardly think't. Though he for her did 
 plead 
 'Gainst thine opposing will. 'T was nature's 
 
 fault,— 
 The heart ne'er sanctioned it. 
 Zorahella. Then he's most false, 
 
 If with his lips he doth belie his heart, — 
 A spy that tears his country's vitals out 
 And jeers at them. His nature is too grave 
 To humor such a feint. Now what think'st thou ? 
 Thou art an honest man. Tell me thy thought. 
 Gyges. Well, thou hast eyes. Why needst thou to 
 inquire? 
 Didst not see all ? How could I aid thee, queen, 
 If thou, perceiving, sawst not, — didst attend. 
 Yet heardest not? For naught, thou know'st, 
 
 was hidd'n 
 From eye nor ear. 
 
 Zorahella. Leave off thy riddle, sir. 
 
 Or solve it now. The sphinx ne'er shook her head 
 
 More strange than thou. By this, my sceptered 
 hand, 
 
 I bid thee speak. 
 Gyges. Thou canst not wring me so. 
 
 I see my presence doth embarrass thee, 
 
 Which my prompt leave shall cure. 
 Zorahella. Oh, stay, my lord, 
 
18 ZORABELLA 
 
 And tell me more. Why fret my doubting heart 
 With bold suggestion mere ? Make me to know — 
 To know't — 
 
 Gyges. Time shall ; and others fitter are 
 To list their service in such serious toil 
 As traffic in a woman's jealousy. 
 
 Zorabella. Fear not. I'll pay thee well. 
 
 Gyges. I thank thee, queen. 
 
 'Tis not that I seek gain, nor hope for meed. 
 That I unfold this thing. But virtue rules, 
 Nor wants foul scandal roused in Lydia's realm, — 
 'Bove all, when it doth gnaw our kingdom's 
 
 head, — 
 That thy dull ears should not be partner to. 
 
 Zorabella. What? Speak'st of scandal, lord? 
 
 Gyges. Dost thou not know 
 
 How their love hath been bruited in the court? 
 Hast thou not heard him oft admire, my queen. 
 Her beauteous charm? Didst thou thyself not 
 
 see 
 With what a sympathetic eye he looked on her, — 
 Love's very sign? 
 
 Zorabella. O faithless man! O brute! 
 
 Gyges. Wouldst thou the truth? 
 
 Zorabella. Each jot thou know'st, my lord. 
 
 Gyges. If that be so, then let us now withdraw. 
 Rejoin me promptly at the northmost gate, 
 Whence I shall lead thee to the arborage. 
 There, from a chance eavesdropping, did I glean 
 They would most shortly meet again. Till then, 
 Say naught, swear naught, breathe naught. Leave 
 
 all to me. 
 And I shall give to thee such certitude 
 
ZORABELLA 19 
 
 As all the world would take for proof. Adieu! 
 [Exit Gyges] 
 Zorabella. Oh, let me rub my blinded eyes! Off,— 
 off, 
 Thou veil of unsuspecting innocence! 
 Can it be true? But for this trusty lord, 
 I had been happy in a pander's bed, 
 Not knowing otherwise. O heartsick queen, 
 How thou didst love him! Yea! Not all the 
 
 wealth 
 That Persia's greatness pours in Lydia's lap, 
 Nor Arab silks, nor India's priceless gems. 
 Nor thrice the power that Lydia's sceptre lends 
 Can give thee pleasure now. Oh, sin of sins ! 
 If but his guilt did lie in lack of thrift 
 Or drunkenness, or bold irreverence, — 
 Or any sin the gods do load on men, — 
 So, by the heavens, it were not this ! Hist ! Hist ! 
 Ah, there he comes. Brute ! fiend ! I hate him ! So ! 
 
 [While she soliloquizes, Candaules passes, hut Zora- 
 bella keeps in hiding] 
 
 With Hermogene comes he to keep his hour. 
 Oh, could I stop him! Now the time draws 
 
 nigh. 
 Alack ! that I must go, and let him stride 
 Unnoticed on. Oh, oh, — my heart! [Exit] 
 
 [Enter Candaules] 
 
 Candaules. Alas ! 
 
 That this so goodly proffered courtesy 
 
20 ZORABELLA 
 
 To one no dearer than the humblest slave, 
 Whose misplanned deeds have wrought sore 
 
 chastisement, 
 Should fly the queen in such a rage. My heart 
 Was touched, and, out of naught but sympathy. 
 Did I to thwart her galling vengeance dare. 
 But, as time heals and cools all civil jars. 
 So shall I stay mine intercession now 
 And scant my presence in her company. 
 In hope that she in lonesome pondering, 
 Reviewing this o'erhasty act, may rue 't. 
 And, as with blinded passion she did judge. 
 With so great sofrow will she right her wrong. 
 In this affair my general may serve. 
 Ah, there he comes ! 
 
 [Enter Gyges] 
 
 How now, — how fares the queen? 
 Gyges. Mad as the storm; the sea is not less sure. 
 'Most hourly doth she fret and rave, and puts 
 Such foolish missions on her retinue 
 Their errands do eclipse. 
 Candaules. She likes thee well. 
 
 Thou mayst advise her. But lend to me thy 
 
 word, — 
 Thou hast my sceptre and my will. [Restlessly 
 moves azvay] 
 Gyges. That power 
 
 I'll use most carefully. I hope, my liege, 
 
 I soon may bring good news. What, — go'st thou 
 
 now? 
 It needs must be an urgent matter, king, 
 
ZORABELLA 21 
 
 That makes thee leave good friends so soon. 
 
 Wherefore ? 
 Appointment, — is it not? 
 
 Candaules. With Hermogene — 
 
 Gyges. Ah? So I thought. 
 
 Candaules. Within the arborage 
 
 To talk the day's sad chancings o'er. Poor soul ! 
 I pity her. Would I could lend her aid, 
 And ease her aching heart! 
 
 Gyges. Why couldst thou not? 
 
 Thou couldst do much for her. 
 
 Candaules. Such is my hope. 
 
 Her deepest crime is but her boundless love! 
 Do thou assuage the queen, and ply her well 
 The soon'st good hour to list this virtuous cause ; — 
 And mayst thou prosper well. Adieu, my lord! 
 [Exit] 
 
 Gyges. Oh, what a heaved ambition strikes my soul! 
 Oh, but to vault to mine imperious aim 
 I care not what I do ! I would be mild, 
 Did it but profit me ! But I must not, 
 If I myself do love. Soon must the hatch, 
 Which I have set, its horrid brood disclose. 
 Suspicion, rat-like, gnaws the queen's proud soul, 
 Wherein the fair, untitled Hermogene 
 Shall serve me well. What of those dazzling 
 
 charms, — 
 Now kindling fresh the queen's deep jealousy, — 
 When they, forsooth, have won Candaules o'er, 
 And made him plead her cause? E'en now the 
 
 queen, — 
 By my most timed remarks thereto impelled, — 
 Sees horrid lust in our king's just intent, 
 
22 ZORABELLA 
 
 Which was as pure as Dian's chastity. 
 Now add to this Bogolsa's chastisement — 
 Too much he knows of my crown-seeking aim — 
 'T were but an act of state, should our great king, 
 In heu of her most unapproved delay, 
 Give warrant to his death. A trifling thing, — 
 But great enough to flaunt it to the queen 
 That thus he plucked a rival to his love 
 By craft of state. Yea, she shall harp thereat. 
 And from the shadow of his corpse shall rise 
 A passion that shall minister to mine. 
 Yea, she shall slay ; and when she thus is free, 
 Then she is mine ! Hist ! Hist ! They now con- 
 fer. 
 There shall I lead the queen, that this false sign 
 Shall ope her eyes and fan her smouldering wrath 
 Unto its sheer apex. [Exit] 
 
ACT II 
 
 Scene 1. — Garden of the Palace. 
 
 [Enter Gyges and Zorabella] 
 Gyges. [To Zorabella'] Come hither, queen. 
 A grove of palms is their gay trysting place, 
 Adorned with clustering grasses, sweet and wild; 
 The shrill-voiced lark and merry mocking-bird 
 There amorous ditties sing unto their love, 
 And panderous nature seems on them to shower 
 What rights to holy wedlock are denied. 
 All nature joins to swell the luscious sweets. 
 That them forbidd'n wax sweeter, sweeter still. 
 Now is the hour. Arise, and come with me. 
 I shall that too perplexing riddle loose 
 That thou didst chide me for, and prove to thee 
 That never truth to fiction stranger was 
 Than this to thy belief. What then thou dost, 
 I'd wager not to answer, 'less it be 
 That thou art falser than the Trojan Helen, 
 And hast no pleasure in his love. 
 Zorabella. No more ! 
 
 At once I'll go. 
 [They move forzvard tozvard a grove of palms, re- 
 maining at a distance. Within sit Candaules 
 and Hermogena, whose conversation is heard 
 by audience, but not by Gyges and Zora- 
 bella] 
 
 23 
 
24 ZORABELLA 
 
 Hermogena. [To Candaules] I dwell not on mine 
 ills, 
 But plead for him. That I am dispossessed 
 To me is naught, but thus of him bereft 
 Is more than life. 
 
 Candaules. Thou art a lover true. 
 
 Oh, that the world did teem with such as thou! 
 
 Hermogena. May thus I ever prove. Take this my 
 life. 
 If e'er to him I do disloyal prove. 
 
 Gyges. [To Zorabella] Aha! Aha! Look there! 
 
 Zorahelta. False mockery ! 
 
 Gyges. Art thou convinced? 
 
 Zorabella. Gyges, — thou art my friend. 
 
 Come, draw me closer on. I'd sound their speech. 
 O brutish man ! O fiend of fiends ! So to use 
 A woman's love ! [Starts forzvard in rage] 
 
 Gyges. Be calm, my noble queen. 
 
 If such mere seeming starts thy jealous rage, — 
 Which should not e'en be in the budding now, — 
 How couldst thou brook the proof? A rash ap- 
 proach 
 Our close espial to them would quite reveal 
 And shrivel up our cause. Besides, he might 
 Be armed, and desperate in his sudden snare, — 
 Like bandits, who their interceptors slay, — 
 Assail us with his sword. 
 
 Zorabella. Then let him strike! 
 
 Know thou I bear a goodly weapon here, [Draw- 
 ing sword] 
 Whose yet untarnished brightness ne'er drank 
 blood 
 
ZORABELLA 25 
 
 In this arm's action, — so stands the more prepared 
 The keener wound to make. But should I fail, — 
 And his dull sword should pierce my breast, — 
 
 know this : 
 That 't would be but a wished addition, lord, 
 To these the strokes he gives me now. Lead on ! 
 
 Gyges. Have care, my queen. Leave me to pilot 
 thee 
 O'er this unfathomed sea. Thou like the ship 
 Must docile be and subject to command, 
 If thou wouldst breast the wave. If thou couldst 
 
 know, — 
 What for thine ease thou oughtest not, but yet 
 What to thine ears is due, — what sighs are spent 
 By thy most cruel, unfaithed, incestuous spouse. 
 What longing hopes, what foolish, lingering tears. 
 What assignations, and what deeds of shame, — 
 Orestes' hands would not more bloody be 
 Than thine in thy revenge. 
 
 Zorahella. Oh, tell me now, 
 
 That I may fill mine office. Come, sweet revenge, 
 Be ever mine ! 
 
 Gyges. Be not impatient, queen, 
 
 They'll tell themselves. Let us steal closer now, 
 Yet be unseen. Look there! 
 [Hcrmogena imploringly grasps Candaulcs' hand] 
 
 Zorahella. O heavens ! — earth ! 
 
 O base hypocrisy! What smites the heart 
 More keen than this? False man, who once so 
 
 faithed 
 Eternal troth at God's high altar swore! 
 Is't come to this? 
 
 Gyges. Thyself control. But list ! 
 
26 ZORABELLA 
 
 Candaulcs. [To Hermogena] Alas, for him there is 
 no hope! But thou, — 
 Thou needest not despair. I know thou art 
 Most innocent. Most promptly shall I urge 
 The queen to heed thy cause. 
 
 Hermogena. Thou'rt kind, O king, 
 
 To hear my sad belated words. Much thanks! 
 So short my merits to thine honors fall 
 That I do shame to beg. Forgive these tears, — 
 Like friends upon the dying beggar's hour, 
 They come to ease me in my bitter grief 
 And truly do me service. 
 
 [Zorabella and Gyges approach zmthin hearing dis- 
 tance] 
 
 Here, take this ring, 
 Whose hallowed charms, by my dear mother 
 
 blessed, 
 Do bring what fortune that the wearer asks, 
 No matter what his will. 
 
 Candaules. [Taking ring] Rest thou at ease. 
 I'll gladly take it, gentle Hermogene, 
 And, in exchange, thee sweet assurance give 
 Of future remedy. 
 
 Zorabella. [Aside] ''Thee sweet assurance," sir, 
 ''Of future remedy!" I'll blast thy game. 
 What remedy can make thy passion well 
 But to pluck out the thorn that chokes its growth. 
 As I do thwart thy love? Oho! Oho! 
 Ere Hecates' bat hath sought her hollow bog 
 Within the dusky wood this plot I'll mar, 
 If I have woman's strength. The heavens fore- 
 fend! 
 Let none foul portion against mine anger stir, 
 
ZORABELLA 27 
 
 Lest it may gripe its own concocter's breast! 
 Gyges. Thou'rt moved, my queen. 
 Zorahella. Nay, braved, my lord. 
 
 Gyges. Beware I 
 
 Perhaps with groundless rage thou rack'st thy 
 
 soul 
 At words misstrued, wherein thyself thou 
 
 wrong'st. 
 All may be well. 
 Zorahella. Teach me so to believe, — 
 
 If't be thou canst. Oh, that thou couldst ! But 
 nay — • 
 Gyges. Judge for thyself. For me, I do not like 
 That stroke of hand. [Points to Hermogena, who 
 extends hand to Candaiiles, as in parting} It 
 may be courtesy. 
 Zorahella. Say'st ''courtesy"? \Vliat dost thou think, 
 
 my lord? 
 Gyges. Should I express my thoughts? 
 Zorahella. Thou must, I say. 
 
 By my divinity, no man should think 
 Such evil thoughts that were too foul to speak ! 
 The very sign of lust and shame it is 
 To stroke the hand, — so, — so ! Base wanton, — 
 
 she! 
 All strumpets do upon their lovers fall, 
 Make mJmic faces at their cares, and smile. 
 And with soft perfumed lips and candied tongues 
 Profess to them the faith they cannot give ; 
 Cast all their virtues at those sodden feet 
 For but their life's most vile necessities ; 
 Where good wives do command. He fawned 
 on me, 
 
38 ZORABELLA 
 
 When he my love did woo, but I ne'er gave 
 Him book, nor charm, nor ring, nor anything. 
 
 Gyges. Ah ! there's thy fault, my queen. Dost thou 
 not know 
 What trivial things do bind a husband's love, — 
 A tie of gaudy hue, a lobster stew ? 
 And, in their absence, love is easily lost. 
 Within the gap of thine affection's lack 
 Doth she, I fear, with shows of love, leap in, 
 And, where thou losest, win. 
 
 Zorahella. Dost thou think so ? 
 
 Gyges. Is't not attested here? 
 
 Zorahella. Ye heavenly powers ! 
 
 Let me not e'er my true self wantonize 
 To stoop as wantons do, e'en though I lose 
 Each drop of Candaules' love. 
 
 Gyges. Look, look! They rise. 
 
 Zorahella. Oh, halt them then ! By heavens ! let me 
 away! [Advances, tearing her hrooch from 
 her hosom] 
 This brilliant here, set with bright pearly gems, 
 Whose lustre once all Ethiop outshone, 
 Grows dark as Pluto's brow, when I do think 
 How black the heart that gave't. False fiend, 'tis 
 
 thine ! 
 Take back thy proffered love! [Prepares to 
 throw it at Candaules] 
 
 Gyges. [Restraining her] Do not! Hold! List! 
 
 Candaules. [To Hermogena] Now let this our 
 zealous parting e'en be this. 
 To swear a silence still as midnight air. 
 And breathe to none our parley here. 'Tis not 
 That we do wrong, — nay, nay ! — but rather seek 
 
ZORABELLA 29 
 
 To halt what might on gossip's tongue be borne 
 To unforgiving ears. Thy servant I, — 
 And thou canst count me thus. 
 Hermogena. [Seeing Zorabella approaching] Oh, 
 let me fly! 
 The queen! 
 
 Candaules. No, stay ! 
 
 [Exit Hermogena, running. Exit Gyges in opposite 
 
 direction] 
 Zorabella. [Throwing brooch at Candaules' feet] 
 There, there! Thou base ingrate! 
 
 Thou fiend of falsity! Take back thy gem, — 
 
 Envenomed be thy gifts ! 
 Candaules. Let me explain ! 
 
 O jealousy! 
 Zorabella. Away, O love, away! 
 
 Avaunt, for thee, thou brute, and tell me nothing ! 
 
 Think'st thou a woman's heart be made of steel 
 
 And would not stir at this? Go, seek her now! 
 
 Here with my royal rites I'll bind thy love, — 
 
 If so thy pleasure be, — but as for me, 
 
 Henceforth be we divorced ! 
 Candaules. O cruel ! But leave, — 
 
 Oh, leave to speak ! 
 Zorabella. Away ! And quit my sight ! 
 
 Thou base adulterer, thou faithless fiend, — 
 
 Thou barterer of tender women's hearts ! 
 
 Too long hast thou o'er secret dalliance thrown 
 
 A cloak of piety. List to me now: 
 
 Ere this, my love did wind me to thy vows, 
 
 Made me take all thy pledges for true faith, 
 
 But I'll ne'er trust thee more. 
 Candaules. There was no wrong! 
 
30 ZORABELLA 
 
 Name me the deed to prove my loyalty ! 
 
 Zorahella. Thou baser fiend ! Stoop not to perjury! 
 Thy hope doth in confession cling. Add'st thou 
 The lie to this foul crime of thine? Oh, shame, 
 That thou art so bemonstered ! Why blush, 
 Unless, in truth, thou wert in dalliance here 
 With this lewd thing of earth? Why hath she 
 
 fled. 
 If free from wrong? How soon a guilty mind 
 Doth haste repentance into deeds ! 
 
 Candaules. Alas ! 
 
 I'll call her back. Hear her then speak of this! 
 Bid her return. 
 
 Zorahella. Bid her ? Waste not thy breath ! 
 
 Let me not see her face again. 
 
 Candaules. Ye gods ! 
 
 What jealousy! What cure! Her lands and 
 
 tithes 
 Doth she but beg restored — 
 
 Zorahella. Humph ! Wants she those ? 
 
 Let her ask me. And then, — I'd spare her toil, — 
 Tell her, though she should plead in thunder tones 
 And wake the corpses from their sepulchres, 
 That I would still be deaf. 
 
 Candaules. Oh, thou art cruel! 
 
 She did not err. Show me the calendar 
 That brands her with crime. Is it so foul? 
 She is no felon. 
 
 Zorahella. That's no question now. 
 
 Thou'dst have me dash a triumph to the love 
 That thou for her dost hold, — by heavens, I'll 
 
 not!— 
 To please thy guile. Let her beware this hand. 
 
ZORABELLA 31 
 
 That smiling siren, — she, — I'd pluck her eyes 
 And piecemeal them ; from them I'd take all power 
 To dazzle and allure. Were she but blind, — 
 Were she of both those roguish orbits stripped, — 
 Wouldst thou for her still plead ? 
 
 Candaules. She hath been harmed — 
 
 Zorahella. Nay, nay; thou hast been turned. Yea, 
 by this sceptre, 
 Dost thou confess thy guilt? [Pointing to brooch 
 on ground] 
 
 Take up thy gem! 
 With this thy baseness be it quite alloyed 
 And nevermore a thing of mine! Nay, — nay! 
 Here from my crown this glittering opal take, 
 Let its rays fade with thine ingratitude ! 
 For my great love, what small return, alas! 
 A kingdom was the dower for thy love, 
 Rich robes of majesty, tithes, honors, all, — 
 Gave I ; — but thou aloof thy love dost hold, — 
 Our nuptial pact's most sole considerant, — 
 And shrug'st thy shoulders at my loyalty. 
 
 Candaules. Alas, dear queen, most falsely miscon- 
 strued 
 Is my frank sympathy, 
 
 Zorahella. Ha ! Sympathy ? 
 
 A new-coined word for love. A scholar thou. 
 Green and unskilled in all the ways of crime. 
 Yet master in excuse. 
 
 Candaules. Yea, mock. 
 
 But show the means to prove my perfect love, 
 And though it be to wade the fires of hell 
 And battle with grim, snarling Cerberus, 
 Or other demons on that Stygian shore, — 
 
32 ZORABELLA 
 
 Say but the word, and I shall grip my steel 
 To honor thy command. 
 
 Zorahella. Away ! No words ! 
 
 Away with vaunting boast ! Thy words are faint 
 When deeds should speak. Come, I am weak in 
 
 heart, 
 And cannot more endure. Think of these charms 
 That once thou'dst smile to look upon. Fie ! Fie ! 
 Are they grown stale? Dost thou not love me 
 
 more, — 
 Nor see the anguish of my suffering soul? 
 Ah, wilt thou longer bruise mine aching heart 
 With thy brute mockery ? 
 
 Candaules. I must say naught. 
 
 There's known no word mine innocence to speak 
 But thou wouldst name it false. I must say 
 
 naught, — 
 Bid thee adieu. [Starting to go] 
 
 Zorahella. Oh, if thou purpose'st so ; 
 
 To leave me live a life of endless torture, 
 Let me not wear't upon the rack so long. 
 But end it now. Let me love's martyr be ! 
 Come, — take this sword and with its burnished 
 point [Handing to him her unsheathed 
 sword] 
 Transfix mine unbared breast. 
 
 Candaules. Put up thy sword ! 
 
 Thy passion is thy slave. I should be sworn 
 If someone had not told thee aught. Be calm, 
 And thou'lt have pledged assurance of my faith, — 
 That I've not fouled mine honest soul with crimes 
 That thou hast charged me with, 
 
 Zorahella. Thou hast a ring. 
 
ZORABELLA 33 
 
 Candaides. [Excitedly] A ring? What ring? 
 [Zorabella searches for ring given by Hermogena and 
 
 finds it in Candaules' pocket] 
 Zorabella. Ha ! ha ! Art honest now ? 
 
 Am I a fool ? Away ! Tell me no more ! 
 
 Ye chaste and twinkling stars, — earth, sky, and 
 sea! 
 
 Bear witness to this awful tragedy ! 
 
 y.t elements, oh, hlast the nuptial bond, — 
 
 Engulf all vows! Let your foul curses smite 
 
 All who in holy semblance have connived 
 
 Such shallow bonds to join! Henceforth live all 
 
 Pure lives of continence. 
 Candaules. Ye gods, attest 
 
 That I this marriage vow have ne'er profaned! 
 
 On bended knee — 
 Zorabella. O heavens, stop up your ears 
 
 To this most impious He ! Past, — past belief ! 
 
 O fiend of love, — thy name be henceforth hate. 
 
 For, viperous is thy breath ! Away ! away ! 
 [Exit Zorabella in Ht of passion] 
 
 [Enter Gyges] 
 
 Gyges. [Pretending to discover Candaules, who is 
 
 zveeping] Why, what ails thee? 
 Candaules. The queen! 
 
 Gyges. What — quarreling ? 
 
 Pshaw, — wedding bells ! When you are one year 
 
 wed, 
 You shall not heed such trifling things. I own 
 Small learning in the matter, yet I hear 
 Tis but a sauce for lovers' appetites. 
 
34 ZORABELLA 
 
 Candaules. But this is pain. Thou canst not gauge 
 my grief 
 As thou wouldst drip out water. 'Tis the depth, — 
 A weighty depth, — that thou thyself must feel 
 If thou wouldst know. 
 Gyges. Give me the pulse thereof. 
 
 Candaules. 'Tis jealousy. She fancies me untrue. 
 Gyges. What, — jealousy? That's but a time-worn 
 tale. 
 Since earth began were husbands thereby 
 
 thralled ;— 
 But what's a woman's rage? If rise it must, 
 Why let it fret and fume at will. 'T is naught. 
 'T is like the gas that feeds the miner's flame, 
 And doth itself consume. Art thou a coward lion, 
 And tremblest at the lamb? 
 Candaules. [Restraining a smile] Name't not my 
 fear, 
 But name it love. I would not lose her love. 
 Since love to me is life, and life is love. 
 Gyges. Aha! Then that's thy will? Well, then 
 there's hope. 
 And I shall find thee smiling yet. Why tak'st 
 Such flights as these for truth? Dost thou yet 
 
 know 
 None but jealous love? Yea; 't is but proof 
 Of their firm constancy. They are but drabs 
 Who are not so. 
 Candaules. I do believe thou'rt right. 
 
 But yet there's more. Some poison's in her 
 
 mind, — 
 She hath been gossiped to. 
 Gyges. Nay. That's a task 
 
ZORABELLA 35 
 
 That none would dare to do. 
 Candaules. There be such men, — 
 
 I am assured. 
 Gyges. Ne'er met I them. 
 
 Candaules. True friend! 
 
 I should be pleased to plant a trust in thee. 
 
 I'll make thy pains deserved. 
 Gyges. To thee fore'er 
 
 Let me be confidant! 
 Candaules. Then help me solve 
 
 What curious riddles Lydia thrusts on us. 
 
 Now first of all,— the brave Bogolsa fell. 
 
 The queen chastised, — 'twas well. But then, — 
 alas ! — 
 
 How much unjustly was this princess judged 
 
 That she did love him! To her I am sworn 
 
 To beg the queen to reinstate her here. 
 
 But, oh ! my just intent is quite mistook, 
 
 And what a breach doth strain our love ! O me ! 
 
 In thee alone I trust. Come, counsel me 
 
 What's to be done, — how may the adverse limbs 
 
 Of this great kingdom's trunk be knit anew? 
 
 Else cracks the stem unto the very base. 
 
 With all in ruin plunged. 
 Gyges. Win her again. 
 
 Candaules. Why, there thou speak'st, my lord ! And 
 that's the task 
 
 Where thou shalt proxy me. Assuage her wrath 
 
 And cure her jealousy; then what thou ask'st 
 
 Is thine. Speak for my cause, and when she's 
 won. 
 
 Wind me to her. 
 Gyges. I gladly take the task. 
 
36 ZORABELLA 
 
 Candaules. [Going] I thank thee, lord. Mine hon- 
 est friend, adieu ! 
 Fair fortune crown thy toil! [Exit Candaules] 
 Gyges. What a fool were I 
 
 To quench so soon the wrath that I have stirred 
 But to my purpose sure! More gladly not, — 
 But look, who comes? 
 
 [Enter Zulesha] 
 Zulesha. Health be to thee, my lord! 
 
 The army waits thee now. But, oh, — what's here ? 
 [His eye falls on brooch, left in anger by Zorabella 
 and Candaules] 
 Oh, what a lustrous gem! 
 Gyges. [Meditating and aside] O thrice blessed 
 brooch, — 
 Abettor to my plot ! 
 [With feigned surprise, Gyges lays hand on Zulesha' s 
 shoulder] 
 
 Hist ! Hast not seen, — 
 Bethink thee right, — this glittering starlight deck 
 Our princess' breast? Doth not your memory 
 Thus second mine? 
 Zulesha. Why dost thou ask, my lord ? 
 
 Gyges. Lost goods should be restored. 'T is Hermo- 
 
 gene's. 
 Zulesha. Dost thou think so? Dost thou not think 
 I should 
 Return't to her ? 
 Gyges. Thy bounden duty 'tis. 
 
 Zulesha. Then I shall see it done. As I do pass, 
 
 I'll throw it in her chamber door. 
 Gyges. Yea, do! [Exit Zulesha with brooch] 
 
ZORABELLA 37 
 
 Ah! ha! [Chuckling to self] Thus works my 
 
 plot. Mine underling, — 
 He little knows the deed that now he does, 
 Nor how it whets mine aim. This gorgeous gem, 
 Thus sparkling from our beauteous princess' 
 
 breast, 
 Shall drive its rays like knives against the queen, 
 Who shall construe her brooch to Hermogene 
 Most basely giv'n. And thereto shall I seek, — 
 That I the better may my guile increase, 
 And pour its rousing potion in her soul, — 
 To urge Candaules lead fair Hermogene 
 To that great ball which will be held this night. 
 My stars are blest ! Be but your service apt, 
 O all ye powers that on my working 'tend ! 
 Come, craft, come, night, and hollow treachery, 
 And join your countless legions in this hour! — 
 For many valiants shall your subjects be, 
 And weighty is the task ! [£.^if] 
 
ACT III 
 
 Scene I. — Anteroom to hall room. 
 
 [Enter Candaules and Hermogena and Vera, attending 
 Hermogena] 
 
 Hermogena. [Sinking on chair in anteroom] Nay, I'll 
 not stay. 
 I shall be most unwelcome. I must go. 
 To-morrow, with a last farewell, I leave 
 Fore'er this Lydian court. To it adieu, — 
 And ne'er 't will see me more. 
 
 Candaules. Where wilt thou go? 
 
 Hermogena. No place, — nowhere. I had much rather, 
 king. 
 Cast off the frail convention of my sex, — 
 Henceforth let man's rude robes frame my dis- 
 guise, — 
 And, for a shelter from the piercing storm, 
 Take refuge in the dens of howling wolves. 
 And wait with ease their piecing of my limbs 
 Than dwell uncertain 'midst the fierce dislike, — 
 The envious looks, the crafty, treacherous hand, — 
 Of such a fiend as she. 
 
 Candaules. O Hermogene, 
 
 Thou hast grown faint in hope. Do as I bid. 
 And I shall wind thee to thine own. Here stay; 
 Where 'twixt the jovial board and festal dance, 
 38 
 
ZORABELLA 39 
 
 The queen's proud self, in wine and mirth sub- 
 merged, 
 Shall surely grant thy plea. 
 Hermogena. If so thou thinkest, 
 
 I'll heed thy words, — I'll make assay, — though I 
 The gamut of her wrath did erstwhile run, 
 Once more I'll hazard still. Oh, where's my 
 
 brooch ? 
 [To Vera] My gem forgottest thou? Go bring 
 it here. 
 Vera. I shall, in haste, madame. [Exit] 
 Candaules. [Aside] Her brooch, her gem ! 
 
 How that doth mind me of the lustrous gem, — 
 Our wedding gift, — left in the arborage ! 
 O thou bright jewel of our tarnished love, 
 Art thou not metaled too ? Dost lie there still ? 
 Art fainter than the sun-glint on the palms 
 That do surround the grove? Should she repent, 
 Then canst thou cast thy brilliance once again, 
 And thus give solace to our leaden loves. 
 But oh ! should this dull maiden find thee there, 
 And, thinking thee her mistress' gaudy gem, 
 Bring thee to Hermogene, — alack the thought! — 
 How might I cure that jealousy! 
 [Candaules enters ball room, where guests are gath- 
 ering, leaving Hermogena awaiting Vera] 
 
 [Re-enter Vera] 
 
 Hermogena. Ah ! there ! Thy promptness doth com- 
 mend thee well. 
 Vera. But, madam, hold! 
 
 Hermogena. What sayst? What hast thou there? 
 
40 ZORABELLA 
 
 Vera. [In fear] A brooch, — but 't is not thine. 
 
 Thine was misplaced. 
 Within thy window's casement lay this gem, — 
 So luckily it seemed, — so short the time, — 
 That it did tempt me fetch it. 
 Hermogena. [Taking gem, then returning it] Idle 
 
 maid, 
 Go, seek for — [Meditating] No, give't here. 
 
 The time's too short 
 To spend in dallying so. I must within. 
 Come here! [Hermogena makes sign for maid 
 
 to pin the brooch on her] [Aside] Now swells 
 
 the music in mine ears ; 
 Yet its light quavers cannot ease my heart. 
 Oh, must I go, — untitled and unbidd'n, — 
 A hated vagrant 'midst a festive throng? 
 
 [Re-enter Candaules] 
 
 Candaules. Alas! Art sorrowing? Come now, have 
 cheer, 
 Waste not the jovial springtime of thy days 
 With dull complaint. Tears are for wintry age. 
 Whose hoary locks seek death. Thy fairy feet, 
 Most proud to bear the beauty of thy youth, 
 Trip not the tuneful numbers of the waltz 
 Unless thy heart be light. Let's don our masks 
 And lightly step the tune. 
 
 [Exeunt Candaules and Hermogena separately] 
 
ZORABELLA 41 
 
 Scene II 
 
 Ball room of palace: Lords and ladies, disguised in 
 masks, are dancing. Music playing. Part- 
 ners are selected by chance except for Gyges, 
 who meets Zorabella by prearrangement. 
 
 Gyges. [To queen] Thou art the queen: 
 
 This cue we fixed upon doth me instruct, 
 [Pointing to red rose in Zorabella' s hair] 
 
 As here to thee I make my boldness known. 
 
 Now let us to the watch. Be wary now, 
 
 And we shall sound the truth. Thou hast sur- 
 mised 
 
 That she would be this evening's guest. Tis true. 
 
 Yea, now she's come, — if I her voice do know, — 
 
 But in what mask her brazen face is guised, 
 
 I know not, queen. 
 Zorabella. Oh, find her out! 
 
 Gyges. But hold! 
 
 I may but err. Two persons oft possess 
 
 A close-resembling voice — 
 Zorabella. No more ! She's here. 
 
 I'll be revenged. I will ! [Pointing to one of the 
 dancers] Qh, is that she? 
 
 How with my nails I'd claw her waxen face, — 
 
 Haul out those dazzling beacons from her brow ! 
 
 Oh, for revenge! 
 Gyges. Beware. Thou'rt not yet sure 
 
 Until thy brooch gleams from her breast. Look 
 keen. 
 
 And shouldst thou see her flaunt its sparkling rays, 
 
 Then know the wearer's she. 
 
42 ZORABELLA 
 
 Zorahella. But all are masked. 
 
 Gyges. Then she shall proudly bear it to thy view 
 
 From out her gown's silk folds, — a diadem 
 
 To vaunt the triumph of his love. No ruse 
 
 That plotting lovers will not juggle with 
 
 Unto their end. 
 Zorahella. Thou'rt right. Yea, thou know'st all, 
 
 Thou hast my deepest trust. 
 Gyges. Then bide thy time. 
 
 Zorahella. I should not then, if I were so resolved 
 
 As thou art now. But I will penance bear 
 
 If thou think'st best. 
 Gyges. I know whereof I speak. 
 
 Come, come; 't is waltzing time, and we must be 
 
 More nimble with our feet than with our tongues, 
 
 That our espial be not known. 
 
 [Gyges and Zorahella join dancers^ 
 
 [Music, to which singers sing the zvords] 
 
 Bid care take wings, and flee away, — 
 Give to glad joy the fullest sway; 
 With flying feet, let's beat the time 
 To music sweet that hearts doth bind. 
 
 Cho. Forever and forever, — 
 
 With flying feet let's beat the time 
 
 To music sweet that hearts doth bind, — 
 
 Forever and forever. 
 
 Come now, each lord and lady fair, 
 Ask not of each what prize ye bear; 
 But trip the waltz with gladsome heart 
 And tune your minds to friendship's art. 
 
 Cho. Forever and forever, — 
 
 So trip the waltz, with gladsome heart, 
 And tune your minds to friendship's art, — 
 Forever and forever. 
 
ZORABELLA 43 
 
 Master of Ceremonies. Ho ! ho ! 
 
 Attend my words, that ye may straightway hear 
 On whom the trophy falls. This couple here 
 
 [Designating Candaules and Hermogena, who are still 
 masked^ 
 Have drawn the judges' verdict to their skill 
 In mask and dance. To them be due these gifts, 
 
 [Large golden plates are shown] 
 The noblest works of zealous artisans, 
 Who in rare metals toil. So, gentles all, 
 Dismiss yourselves awhile ; lay your masks by, 
 That openly we may the prizes give, 
 For what, concealed, they skillfully have done. 
 
 [Exeunt all. Returning one by one, unmasked] 
 
 First Lord. Who can it be? What think'st? 
 Second Lord. 'T is like the king. 
 
 It was his height. 
 Third Lord. Nay, nay ; he's taller far. 
 
 Second Lord. I say, it is. 
 
 First Lord. Then what fair dame? 
 
 Third Lord. Behold! 
 
 They come. I shall be sworn ! It is the king ! 
 Gyges. [Loudly] And Hermogene! 
 [Aside to Zorahella] 
 What say'st thou now, my queen? 
 
 Was not prediction true? 
 Zorahella. Oh, sick am I ! 
 
 I'm stricken sore. Alas, faint is my heart ! 
 
 I am undone ! 
 Gyges. List now. 
 
 ^Master of Ceremonies. This prize thou'st won, 
 
 O king, for thy famed Terpsichorean skill, 
 
44 ZORABELLA 
 
 As well as noble sway. And as for thee, 
 Thou beauteous princess of fair Lydia's realm, 
 This gift be thine. 
 [Giving Candaules a plate of gold and one to Hermo- 
 gena. As Hermogena bends to receive the 
 plate, the folds of her garment are dropped 
 aside and the brooch of Zorabella is ex- 
 hibited] 
 Zorabella. [Rising in anger from her seat] High 
 heaven, succor me ! 
 
 [Turning to king] 
 Is this thy triumph, king? Outraged am I! 
 Yea, vended, bartered, sold ! Dost call me queen ? 
 Oh, take from me all titles and all sway. 
 If I have lost thy love! Yea, to be queen! 
 Be nothing now. I'd trust in Lucifer, 
 If that bright gem that sparkles on her breast 
 Speak not the proof of her most occult guilt 
 And thy foul lechery! Oh, ill am I, — 
 Oh, faint ! 
 
 [To courtiers] 
 Out with the lights, I say ! Away ! 
 Out with the lights. Away! Away! 
 [Stage is darkened, and after a fezv moments relighted, 
 shonnng only Zorabella and Gyges in ani- 
 mated conversation] 
 Zorabella. Well, well, 
 
 What sayst thou now? Was't wise? 
 Gyges. That thou shouldst know 
 
 Sans mine advice. Howe'er, I trow, my queen. 
 Thou shouldst have stemmed thy rage. 
 Zorabella. My rage ! What harm ? 
 
ZORABELLA 45 
 
 Yea, by this sceptre, since thou broached the 
 
 words, 
 I bid thee speak ! 
 Gyges. Would thou hadst seen thyself ! 
 
 Thou wouldst be bold and firm in thy resolve 
 Ne'er to offend again. 
 Zorahella. What dost thou mean? 
 
 Gyges. Thou seest one's rage is like the streamlet's 
 
 flood, 
 That rises to a crest, — would o'erleap all. 
 Would break all boundaries in its wild escape, — 
 Yet when the crucial time so soon is past 
 And one would look for those confines again, 
 That were the pride and glory of the stream. 
 They are not there ; and in their place lies ruin : — ■ 
 Huge upturned roots, and rocks from foundments 
 
 torn 
 Stand ugly, gaping and exposed, alas ! — 
 For, with a little mildness and less haste. 
 How much more gently would the waters glide, 
 How much more meetly would the stream have 
 
 passed ! 
 Zorahella. Thou twitt'st my rage. But to the purpose 
 
 speak, 
 Gyges. Thou'st wrecked our plans. What thou hast 
 
 bade me do. 
 Hast thou undone. Didst not importune me 
 To give thee proof ? Did I not lead thee where 
 They parleyed in the swaying arborage. 
 Of Hstening ears un'ware? Did I not guide 
 Thine own fair judging eyes unto her breast, 
 Where shown the brooch by his false hands trans- 
 posed ? 
 
46 ZORABELLA 
 
 Then didst thou not, mistaking this for proof, 
 In wrath all Lydia's festal torches quell? 
 
 Zorahella. I did indeed. 
 
 Gyges. Ah! there thou didst o'erleap. 
 
 Hadst thou but left them to their full intent 
 Upon a night of such convivial joys, — 
 What might they not have done ? 
 
 Zorahella. Thou teachest me 
 
 To call my wrath my fool. Yea, I did err. 
 
 Gyges. Thou didst indeed. For thus we have no 
 proof. 
 Why, might their actions not be courtesy, — 
 Or might they not be accident ? Chance not 
 On weighty matters such as this, I pray; 
 Then know thou, too, that countless innocents, — 
 Whose hearts are purer than the air they 
 
 breathe, — 
 .Beneath the jaws of scandal's vice are crushed, 
 By most foul circumstances misjudged. There is 
 Such thing as chance which oft to guiltless souls 
 A false attaint doth lay. 
 
 Zorahella. Ha! Think'st thou that? 
 
 Gyges. Why should I not ? Must I not needs be fair ? 
 
 As yet he is not innocent, nor e'en 
 
 Is he acknowledged false — 
 
 Zorahella. Thou cloak'st thy thought. 
 
 Thou hast some purpose in't. 
 Gyges. By heav'n, I swear 
 
 I do not, queen! List now. Hath he confessed? 
 
 Have they been found by us so trafficking 
 
 In evil deeds that bear such certain proof 
 
 That all might ridicule imaginings ? 
 
ZORABELLA 47 
 
 Zorahella. W'hy, no, not yet. But that's the task in 
 which 
 Thou wert with me enleagued. 
 
 Gyges. Hope withers now, — 
 
 Our proof is Wight. There are things else I 
 
 know, — 
 But lo, a weak and ravenous gull thou'dst be 
 To lend thy credence to the words I'd speak, 
 Wherein thine eyes did fail to see. 
 
 Zorahella. Doubt I 
 
 What to mine ears thou breathest now? Oh, 
 
 speak, — 
 If aught thou know'st. Oh, let me claw thy 
 
 brains. 
 That I might pick the shredding of thy mind ! 
 Unto the least accounting of thy thoughts 
 Let me be secretary. Here bow I down, — 
 Lo, what a lordly sovereign thou art now, 
 Ensceptered with my soul's deep mystery ! 
 Gyges. [Aside] And yea, would I were sovereign 
 
 o'er thy heart! 
 Let time proclaim thee that, while self-restraint 
 Compels my silence now. My hatchment works. 
 [Aloud] What wouldst thou have me say? — that 
 
 he is false? 
 And when thou askest proof, then cry to me : 
 ''Base imp of perjury!" 
 Zorahella. Far be't from that. 
 
 If thou but wilt, thou canst go further on; 
 We'll spy again. 
 
 Gyges. Therein I must say nay. 
 
 Thy fault's not mine. Why need one double do 
 
48 ZORABELLA 
 
 What he once well hath done? I'm but half sure 
 That these our over-bold conjecturings 
 Would in the fact have e'er proved true. And yet, 
 I'd leave the matter now. He is my friend, — 
 Leave me to grant him 'vantage of the doubt ; 
 And, with thy leave to speak mine honest heart, — 
 Since there's no proof of but suspected sin, — 
 I loathe to think him false. 
 Zorahella. Base renegade! 
 
 Dost play the crab? Renounce? Hast thou not 
 
 breathed 
 The fire of envy in my restless soul ? 
 Have I not risked my virtue at thy feet 
 To beg thee delve the truth? Now, dost thou 
 
 speak 
 Of fallacy? By heavens, it cannot be 
 That thou'rt indeed the liar of all men, 
 And chaste as Cupid's bow is he ? List now : 
 If thou hast trifled with my husband's love, 
 Thou'dst better be a soul fore'er condemned 
 To bear the twinging torment of hell fires 
 Than rue it 'neath the torture of the rack 
 That I shall put thee to. Prove these thy words, 
 Or count thy life as naught. 
 Gyges. Ah, there thou art, 
 
 Cleft on the rocks of doubt and surety ! 
 Yet fail thou not to see my rigorous task 
 And what a crime it is to false a friend. 
 You know I loved the king. Mere loyalty, — 
 And ne'er a thought of hate, nor greed, nor 
 
 gain,— 
 Bade me to ope my mouth in trust to thee. 
 But oh, how few would bear a single tale, 
 
ZORABELLA 49 
 
 If idle gossip charged such loads as this! 
 
 Zorahella. Go on. I'll wait no prefacing, since thou 
 Art set to speak. 
 
 Gyges. Oft have I heard him say- 
 
 That he did love her. 
 
 Zorahella. Love her? Ha! 
 
 Gyges. But more: 
 
 The ties of wedlock deemed he heartsick bonds, — 
 Yea, clogs on liberty and man's free will, — 
 Which lightly formed, should easily be broke. 
 The soul's caprice, taught he, is man's true goal, 
 And that should guide his love. 
 
 Zorahella. Oh, said he that ? 
 
 Yea, 'tis his brutish thought. What else of her? 
 
 Gyges. Ofttimes would he commend her eyes or 
 hair, 
 And sing sad lays that mourned unhappy love; 
 Then, when his soul was rapt in lighter mood, 
 Would he declare were he again to wive 
 His heart's first drawing would be she. 
 
 Zorahella. Oh, woe! 
 
 O painted devil ! O base, ungrateful brute ! 
 Cloyed now with this my stale and timeworn love, 
 Doth he abandon me! But one thing more: 
 Did he e'er breathe a word of wrong with her? 
 
 Gyges. He did, my queen, but guarded was his 
 tongue 
 And double was his speech. Of course, when I 
 Did gossip on his side, he grew more bold. 
 But all the while did blanket so his thoughts, — 
 With clouds of broad assertion and denial 
 So shrewdly shift in everywise, — that I 
 Could get no logic from his speech. 
 
50 ZORABELLA 
 
 Zorahella. Enough ! 
 
 Now, by the heavens, I swear my lord is false! 
 
 So oft he toyed to sweat mine innocence, 
 
 Then, fearing lest mine anger should arise, 
 
 Would he his words unsay. 
 Gyges. Ah, there, my queen, 
 
 Did he unto his rank, foul nature give 
 
 The surest, sternest sign. 
 Zorahella. I do believe! 
 
 Ye gods above ! O ye avenging powers ! 
 
 Hurl down your thunders now. O Cupid, thou'rt 
 fall'n 
 
 From heaven to hell. No more in pomp dost thou 
 
 Earth's blissful souls in hallowed bonds conjoin, 
 
 But stoop'st to shame and basest procury ! 
 
 I'd be revenged. But yet, — ye gods above! — 
 
 Keep murder farthest from mine anguished soul 
 
 That I may woo it not ! 
 Gyges. Thou shouldst be free 
 
 From such foul bonds of love. 
 Zorahella. I shall be free, — 
 
 I should be free, — yet anything but that, — 
 
 Yea, anything ; I would not slay my lord. 
 [Exit Zorahella] 
 
 [Re-enter Candaules] 
 
 Candaules. [To Gyges, who is putting out the lights] 
 
 Who's there? 
 Gyges. Thine officer, my liege ! 
 
 Candaules. The queen, — 
 
 Is she abed? 
 Gyges. Not yet, my liege, nor will, 
 
ZORABELLA 51 
 
 If I do read her mind. She'll not be urged. 
 
 Candaules. What sayst, my lord? Hast thou yet 
 talked with her? 
 
 Gygcs. She hath just now gone hence. 
 
 Candaules. Hast thou done naught ? 
 
 Gyges. Nothing, my lord. But 't is no fault of mine. 
 Think not that I have been undiligent. 
 Would that success were measured by my toil, 
 Then wouldst thou know ! 
 
 Candaules. I blame thee not, my lord. 
 
 I know the task. But tell, — how answered she, 
 And in what mood? 
 
 Gyges. She would say naught, my liege. 
 
 Caudaules. She nothing said? By Zeus, I'll see her 
 then. 
 I'll know the truth. I'll solve her mystery? 
 
 Gyges. But hold! my liege, wouldst thou heap coals 
 on fire, — 
 Add oil to flame ? She will not heed thee now, 
 I am assured. Deep ills must run their time 
 Ere they subside. Then when the hour is come 
 Do on my promptest interpleading count. 
 
 Candaules. O noble friend, I trust in thine advice. 
 Thou art mine all in all dependency. 
 Good luck to thee, thou wooer of my queen. 
 But for her husband's sake. O woe is me ! 
 Full sorrows doth the lap of nature hold. 
 And never do they seem to empty quite. 
 Could I be steeled thereto ! But kings are men, — 
 Have human ills. From her I shall refrain; 
 To mine own bed retire. [Exit] 
 
 Gyges. [Aside] Thou'rt safest there. 
 
 Yet restless be thy proud uncertain head, — 
 
52 ZORABELLA 
 
 Thou'rt marked for death. E'en art thou 'dan- 
 
 gered there, 
 If this my plot work true. To-night, I hear, 
 A secret conference of the lords is called 
 Whereunto he, the king, alone is bidd'n. 
 I doubt not but that on Bogolsa's fate 
 They will debate, since his desired release 
 Will seem to right the rupture in the realm. 
 By his most late ill-starred rebellion rent. 
 But, lo! that must not be. He must not live 
 To breathe of how I did enlist his heart 
 In that ill-fated cause; and he must die 
 That I may to the queen's rash judgment prove 
 The king him slew for Hermogena's love. 
 Thus I shall go, armed with most weighty proof 
 That Lydia keep from traitors' lives aloof. 
 [Exit] 
 
ACT IV 
 
 Scene I 
 
 Conference room of the palace; Candaules, Moroz, 
 Gyges, and lords in session. 
 
 Candaules. Speak out ! Tell me what is your 
 pleasure, lords, 
 In brave Bogolsa's fate? For mine own part, 
 I think 'twould please our dark foreboding 
 
 queen, — 
 Where I for love would in all things else yield, — 
 To speak for his release. 
 
 Moroz. And I, my liege ; 
 
 For that would down her envious jealousy. 
 Which bodes for thee and Lydia's sceptre harm. 
 If thou shouldst pardon him, thou pleasest her, 
 And this alike shall gladden Hermogena, 
 Whose meek-borne wrongs have zealous hosts 
 
 upraised. 
 To rally 'round her cause. Thy task it is 
 To solve this riddle, — rivet up the breach, — 
 Which doth o'er all our realm huge terror tend. 
 
 Candaules. True, when thou lift'st'the scales' most 
 heavy weight 
 On but one side, down goes the opposite; 
 Thus, lift the load that weighs her brother's life. 
 And down shall fly her galling jealousy. 
 
 Moroz. This is most meet. 
 
 53 
 
54 ZORABELLA 
 
 Gyges. I beg thy pardon, king ; 
 
 But this hold lord hath not consistency. 
 Erstwhile did he with treason charge my soul, 
 And justice asked upon't. Be witness here, — 
 Though he ne'er proved an item of his charge, 
 Yet he did name't a crime most terrible. 
 Now doth he ask a traitor's rash release, — 
 One in delicto, tried, adjudged, condemned, — 
 That may be well for those of kith and kin 
 Whose pity might our kingdom's law o'erride; 
 Yet for this blusterer 't is most unmeet 
 To send the guiltless headless from the block, 
 But felons thus convict would liberate. 
 What think'st thou on't ? 
 
 Moroz. If thou art then so bold, 
 
 Know this : my charges are not yet disproved. 
 
 Gyges. What, swaggerer, call'st thou me traitor yet ? 
 
 Moroz. Cairt whatsoe'er thou wilt, for aught I care. 
 'Tis plain. Where favor court'sies to the cause, 
 Conviction ever stands aloof. Dost see? 
 
 Gyges. By all the gods of Lydia, thou li'st. 
 
 And this mine arm shall prove't! [Drawing^ 
 
 Moroz. I stand prepared. 
 
 I court this test of arms. 'Twill prove my words. 
 Since Pallas' sword be bent. 
 
 Candanles. [Raising sceptre^ Come, cavil not! 
 Do ye not fear we might arouse the queen ? 
 Forbear, forbear, my lords ! What might she say 
 If such most heath'nish brawl as this cried out 
 Our harmless secrecy? Forbear! I say. 
 
 Moroz. I ask one stroke, — but one! 
 
 Gyges. I'll answer thee ! 
 
 Candaules. Hold, hold I Help ! Help ! Ye guards ! 
 
ZORABELLA 55 
 
 [Fight hetzveen Moroz and Gyges is stopped by guards, 
 who rush in] 
 
 I thank you, sirs. 
 Let there be peace! And without more ado 
 This matter to election I will put: 
 The greater count shall win. 
 Gyges. I see defeat 
 
 'Midst these 'fore whom I have been slandered so, 
 But thine's the pleasure, king. I'll bite my teeth 
 Till I have evened with this scurvy lord. 
 Who hath mine honor questioned. 
 Moros. Thou hast none. 
 
 Candaules. Niay, peace! I cry thee, lords! Speak 
 not, I say, 
 Lest each response should stir new enmity. 
 I would please all, — I would I could, — but since 
 There is no hope, the poll hath privilege 
 To say us "y^^/' or "nay." 
 
 [To one of lords-in-waiting] 
 
 The ballots bring. 
 Let us have peace, — of this rude strife no more. 
 Too much its horrid head contention shakes 
 O'er this our realm, and frights the dove of peace. 
 That she no more with us would bide. 
 [Ballots are distributed, on zuhich each writes and de- 
 posits in urn] 
 
 What now ? 
 Have ye all cast ? Then speak, O sacred urn, 
 Your silent will. 
 
 [ To lord-in-waiting ] 
 
 What counsel doth it give ? 
 
 Lord. [Reading] ''Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye, aye," — 
 
56 ZORABELLA 
 
 full twenty 'ayes, 
 And but one nay. 
 Candaiiles. [Joyfully] Then be Bogolsa free! 
 Gyges. [Scornfully to Moros] Ne'er dart thine eyes 
 
 at me. I did not cast — 
 Moroz. Indeed! I saw thy hand. 
 Gyges. What if thou didst? 
 
 MoroB. It proves thy treachery. Him thou'dst con- 
 demn, 
 Though thou through his ascent didst plant thy 
 
 hope 
 To cap thyself with Lydia's crown. Ne'er fear. 
 I'll prove my challenge yet. 
 Gyges. A lie! A lie! 
 
 Candaules. Peace, — peace! Although I cannot take 
 your tongues, 
 I can cut off your lives. List now to me ! 
 The lord who breathes that hateful word again, 
 Though't be he were my very heart of hearts, 
 Or clung to me in ties of birth and blood, 
 By Jove, I swear he dies ! [Raising sceptre] 
 Moroz. 'My gracious liege, — 
 
 Gyges. I'll rest. 
 
 Candaules. How meet it is ! Ye should take hands. 
 Yet I'll not ask you to. That's to your choice, — 
 'Tis each man's right to have what friends he 
 
 will 
 And aliens to cast off. Now to th' affair. 
 Hand me that writ. Oh, that this hand might 
 
 cure 
 Our queen's deep jealousy! [Writing] 
 Moroz. Such is our hope, 
 
ZORABELLA 57 
 
 My gracious majesty. 
 Candaides. Go, Gyges, go, 
 
 And set Bogolsa free! Come one, come all! 
 Let's to our pillows, — drown this day's sad deeds 
 In adamantine slumber. To-morrow smiles 
 The queen. We've bowed us to her stubborn will 
 And stamped approval on her deep'st desire. 
 Good-night ! 
 
 Lords. Good night, our most kind Majesty! 
 [Exeunt all but Gyges, zvlio lingers, scrutinizing zwit] 
 Gyges. O ye infernal gods ! Thus am I thwart. 
 
 Blocked, barred, and obstacled ! Mine own foul 
 
 plot 
 Hath through a miry channel quicked itself 
 And choked in its own slime! O treachery! 
 Thou art out-distanced now ! But hold ! Let's 
 
 see, — 
 Let's see, let's see! — What if this writ were 
 
 changed ? 
 'T were but a simple task! 
 
 [Extinguishes all lights hut candle] 
 
 Out there, ye lights! 
 I '11 add a *'not" to the "released" and here 
 'T is "execute for treason 'gainst the realm." 
 Ah ! ha ! 'T is done. Ah me ! What miracle ! 
 This changed writ doth speak thy sure-set doom, 
 O charming, amorous prince! If I were not 
 In trapping for the queen too deep engaged, 
 Then might I set my snare for thy betrothed, 
 Whose spotless beauty I'd prefer. Thou'rt freed ! 
 But death's the guardsman that shall let thee pass 
 To thine eternal liberty. All's well. 
 
58 ZORABELLA 
 
 Would that kind fortune soon vouchsafe to me 
 The rights I now usurp ! This forgery 
 Already crowns me king. My headsmen true, — 
 Well skilled by practice in their sorry tasks, — 
 Now murder without qualm. Fll call them here 
 This warrant to receive. It shall explain 
 This night's dark deeds to our confiding queen. 
 When then the drowsy earth to deeds shall rouse 
 With her dread clamors for revenge, O ho ! 
 Ho ! here, Morashna ! here Zulesha ! Here ! 
 [Enter Morashna and Ztdesha] 
 
 Morashna and Zulesha. Here are we at thy ser- 
 vice, noble lord. 
 
 Gyges. Now straightway serve this writ. Then haste 
 ye here 
 When its command be done. 
 
 Morashna. We shall, my lord, 
 
 With all due promptness. 
 
 Gyges. Hold! One thing besides, — 
 
 Morashna. What, sir? 
 
 Gyges. Should ye be asked who gave it you, 
 
 Remember, 't was the king. Ye see his hand 
 Afifixed thereto? Enough. Naught do I know. 
 Is that not plain? 
 
 Morashna. [Under standingly] Most plain indeed, 
 my lord. 
 
 Gyges. Then be ye ofif! 
 
 [Morashna and Zulesha, going] 
 
 Zulesha. [Muttering] This business I love not, — 
 These secret executions. 
 
 Morashna. That is naught. 
 
 We need have but esteem for his employ; 
 Besides, our heads do stand between. 
 
ZORABELLA .59 
 
 Gyges. [Looking after them] Not gone? 
 
 Be nimbler, sirs. Think of the great reward 
 That shall be yours. In tears this brat shall plead 
 With words of such compelling strength, and give 
 Such cogent proofs whereby no man should die 
 Till senile nature lops him off, that ye 
 May feel your hearts to sink, but heed it not : 
 Conditions make us wield our daggers keen 
 Not as we would, but as we must. 
 
 Morashna. Fear't not. 
 
 [Exeunt Moraslina and Zulesha] 
 Gyges. My plot works well. Soon shall our mistress 
 know 
 The king hath writ against her brother's life : 
 This be the chord I shall her heart attune 
 To dreader dirges than the groans of him 
 Who guards the gates of hell. To her I'll go, 
 And bear the message. [Starts to go, but is un- 
 expectedly met by Zorabella, who has been 
 aroused by the previous quarrel] 
 
 [Enter Zorabella and attendants] 
 
 Ah ! How now, my queen ? 
 Zorabella. My lord! Where went the king? His 
 voice I heard, — 
 Or thought I heard it ring as if to still 
 A bloody fray. Tell me, — what bloodshed's here? 
 Or was it but a lusty nightmare's call, 
 That waked me from my slumbering? Know'st 
 aught ? 
 Gyges. They held a council here : them I opposed 
 And all the machinations of their crew. 
 
60 ZORABELLA 
 
 Then came harsh words to swords, and when thy 
 
 lord 
 Saw I would triumph o'er mine armed foes, — 
 Who, as thou know'st, are his proud favorites, — 
 Then cried he, "Peace !" His harsh command thus 
 
 giv'n, 
 Naught favored me, but spared their lives. 'Twas 
 
 that, 
 
 queen, thou heard'st and naught beside. Thou 
 
 see'st, 
 
 1 was constrained to stave my bloodless sword 
 Back in its sheath again without a thrust. 
 
 Zorahella. Thou didst not strike? What shame! 
 But tell me now; 
 What deep laid plot? What butt, — what end, — 
 
 what aim? 
 'Gainst whom? 
 Gyges. 'Gainst thee! 
 
 Zorahella. Ne'er hath he dared ere this 
 
 T'usurp my power. How moves he 'gainst me 
 now? 
 
 [Re-enter Morashna and Zulesha from execution of 
 Bogolsa, carrying blood-stained writ] 
 
 Gyges. Here come mine officers, who, I surmise. 
 His most foul will were bade to execute, 
 Me basely superseding. Hear their deeds. 
 Their message shall spare speech. 
 Zorahella. [To Morashna and Zulesha] Oh, speak 
 
 thereof ! 
 Morashna. [Handing writ to Zorahella] Here is the 
 writ the king did bid us serve, — 
 
ZORABELLA 61 
 
 A labor done in fear that were't not done 
 The self -same labor might on us be wrought 
 To our discomfiture. I do confess, 
 My noble queen, a weakness in my soul 
 To cling to li£e as long as life be spared. 
 And that's wherefore I did this mission do, — 
 Not that I wished it, nay ; mine eyes did squint 
 To see his speech-stilled palate quiver so 
 As't bid his headless body's breath adieu. 
 Zorabeila. Oh, let me see! 
 
 [Snatching writ from his hand] 
 
 Gyges. [Pretending to read] Look there ! 'Tis 
 stained with blood ! 
 So I had thought. 
 Zorabeila. Alas ! My brother's slain ! 
 
 Alas ! My poor unhappy kin ! 
 [Looks angrily at Morashna and Zulesha] 
 And did ye that, 
 Base hounds of Lydia ? 
 
 [Raising sword to strike them] 
 
 Gyges. Hold thy sword, my queen. 
 
 Their duty is our lordships but to serve. 
 They have no power to stretch or mince the thing. 
 If thou dost doubt, but scan the writ thyself 
 And see thy brute lord's name affixed thereto. 
 
 Zorabeila. [Reading] O all ye heavenly powers! 
 Alas ! Alas ! 
 O blameless youth ! O lovely wayward boy ! 
 O had I freed thee! But thou didst obstruct 
 My lecherous sovereign's amorous desires ! 
 And must thou thus be quarried here, my boy, 
 As one who is the realm's most dungeoned slave ? 
 
62 ZORABELLA 
 
 Ye gods, grant me the strength of murderous man, 
 That I may combat him. Unsex me now. 
 Unsex the world that woman's strong mailed arm 
 May buckle swords with man. Oh, scoff no more, 
 Ye who have scorned her strength. Let me re- 
 solve ! 
 Yea, Clytemnestra played a manly part. 
 To slay her guilty spouse! 
 
 Gyges. Resolve thee now ! 
 
 'Tis that which thee to thine own ruin wills, — 
 Like him, who now hath thus been juggled off, — 
 Or rescues thee from ill. 
 
 Zorahella. Oh, must I slay? 
 
 High Jove, look down from heaven and answer 
 
 me 
 How to appease a woman's aching heart 
 And yet not stoop to crime. Impossible ! 
 Then be my purpose fell and sure as death, 
 That not the all-hereafter hand of time 
 May rue the fateful day that made me forge 
 The bond to this my vow ! 
 
 Gyges. Lov'st thou not life 
 
 As much as these thy servants do? And then 
 Wouldst thou, mute, plant thy helmet on the block, 
 And bid him strike? 
 
 Zorahella. O heavens ! Yea ; he must die ! 
 
 In truth he must ! O gods, what wary loves 
 Can move the gentlest souls to deeds of crime! 
 Yea, yea ; this night he dies. Thou are my friend. 
 Thou shalt join hand in this. 
 
 Gyges. [Aside] A hand I'll join, — 
 
 [Aloud] Indeed, [Aside] and so, I hope, a heart. 
 
 Zorahella. What say'st? 
 
ZORABELLA 63 
 
 Gyges. Oh, naught, my queen. The deed, if 'tis well 
 
 done, 
 
 That service is my pay. 
 Zorahella. Oh, thou'lt reap more. 
 
 Gyges. [Aside] If these thy words shall not be 
 prov'n true. 
 
 Then I'm a simple weakling in the realm 
 
 And its most futile plotsman. [Aloud] He sleeps 
 now; 
 
 How should the deed be done? 
 Zorahella. Instruct thou me! 
 
 What very justice to a panderer? 
 
 It must be done abed ! Nerved to the rack, 
 
 My feeble frame in sweaty terror quakes. 
 
 But I shall do't. In hist'ry have proof, 
 
 How scorned wives from husbands ransomed 
 are, — 
 
 Yea, they are ever murdered in their beds. 
 
 Oh, must these weak and trembling hands of 
 mine 
 
 Such awful vengeance wreak? O horrid time! 
 
 Let no star shine upon this monstrous deed. 
 
 Come, draw the curtains o'er each pitying eye 
 
 That no restraining power may stretch its hand 
 
 Until my dagger's wound is past its cure! 
 
 'We must choose divers routes. Now draws the 
 day 
 
 That shall to all the world our deed lay bare 
 
 Unless we hasten on. Hence to his room 
 
 Ere it be dawn. 
 Gyges. I shall not fail thee, queen. 
 
 I'll serve thee well. 
 
 [Exit Zorahella'] 
 
64 ZORABELLA 
 
 ' Wherein I serve myself 
 Most potently. 
 
 [Morashna and Zulesha talk apart] 
 My generals heard not? Nay. 
 Morashna I do trust, the other, fear; 
 For his soft nature is too pliable 
 To conscience' sting to thrust the murderer's 
 
 sword, 
 Which hands, — not hearts, — must wield. Well, 
 
 I must go. 
 I see my crown. If I mistake me not, 
 To-morrow shall new regents ruling see 
 In charge of Lydia's high-arched monarchy. 
 Oh ho ! Oh ho ! my lords, come, come with me ! 
 {Exeunt] 
 
ACTV 
 
 Scene I 
 
 Sleeping chamber of king; Candaules asleep in alcove. 
 
 [Enter Zorahella, with sheathed dagger] 
 
 Zorabella. Alas ! thou hast done treason to my love, — 
 That crime thou diest for. I would be spared 
 From this dark hour. O dismal, woeful time ! 
 O most false perjurer! That I must be 
 Thine executioner! How thou li'st there, — 
 How innocent thou sleep'st ! Oh, that thy life, 
 Like now thy placid sleep, had no more sin, — • 
 That I should have no sorrow! How my heart 
 Doth ache to wield the dagger that it must! 
 O brute adulterer! Know, 'tis not I 
 That dare exhaust this laboring pump of life. 
 But 'tis thine own weak, pale infirmities, 
 Now scourged by justice, hallow'd and divine. 
 
 [Unsheathes dagger] 
 Up with this arm ! Down, down ! One fatal 
 
 stroke 
 Shall loose the sin that now doth loose thy life. 
 No more, — my lord, — no more ! Alas ! No more ! 
 Oh, could I but take out thy wicked heart. 
 And let thee live, — and let thee live, my prince, 
 And love thee undefiled! Then take this kiss, 
 
 65 
 
66 ZORABELLA 
 
 A loving kiss, — one more, — so tender 'twas. 
 As was thy love grown harsh. Mine eyes flood 
 
 tears, 
 But this my sorrow's naught. 
 [Stabs Candaules, whereupon the curtain of alcove 
 
 zvhere he is sleeping is drawn. A bell is rung 
 
 by Zorabella. Exit] 
 
 [Enter Gyges, Morashna, and Zulesha] 
 
 Gyges. [To Morashna and Zulesha] The bell hath 
 rung, the sign whereby we know 
 Her mute and awful vengeance is complete. 
 All's well ! Guard well the door that no one 
 
 pass, 
 While I shall penetrate that inner shrine 
 And to me introduce its butchery. 
 
 [Exeunt Morashna and Zulesha] 
 
 [Re-enter Zorabella, with bleeding dagger] 
 
 Gyges. Oh, is it done, my queen? Thou need'st not 
 speak. 
 Thy reeking dagger's crimson tongue repeats 
 What vengeance thou hast wrought. Think'st 
 
 thou that now 
 The deed be truly done? Did he not wake 
 As thou didst pierce his side? 
 
 Zorabella. Nay, nay, my lord; 
 
 He slumbered on. 'T was an unending sleep, 
 Wherefrom he shall no more awake, — no more! 
 
 Gyges. Then saw he naught, nor oped his eyes? 
 
 Zorabella. Nay, sir, — 
 
ZORABELLA 67 
 
 As true as that I breathe, — naught could he know. 
 
 'Twas 'but a sudden, wished-for franchisement. 
 
 Whereby from this life's troubled shore he sprang 
 
 To that dim island of eternity. 
 
 Nor time, nor will had he to look behind 
 
 For faithful soundings of his fleeting course 
 
 That he might leave't to after voyagers. 
 
 Gygcs. Good, then, my queen ! So tremble not, nor 
 fear 
 That ever ghost shall rise to bruit the tale, 
 Since his life's eyes did bear no evidence, 
 That might to sheeted progeny be lent. 
 
 Zorahella. Oh, thou dost teach me well. I shall be 
 bold. 
 I'll clench my fists. I'll say that 't is not done. 
 But lo! It is, — it is! O heavens! Alas! 
 What bloody dagger wakes me from my dreams? 
 
 Gyges. Come, come ; 'tis not a time for conscience 
 keen, 
 Nor scruples such as this. We must away 
 With this foul taint of crime. It must 'be hid 
 From sight of gods and men, — I say, it must. 
 
 Zorabella. Would that thou couldst ? I fear we can- 
 not scour 
 The baser dross, but with the brighter gold, 
 And thus cleanse all away. Let's bare the truth, — • 
 'T will come to light. 
 
 Gyges. Hush, hush, thou woman, — hush, — 
 
 Let man rule here. No weak-kneed cowardice 
 Be ours. Prompt be our acts. By bells and fifes 
 This house, — roused up in dire and dread alarm, — 
 Shall mourn to see its noble master slain. 
 
68 20RABELLA 
 
 Doubt not but they will question this dread 
 
 deed, — 
 Which question is our hope. 
 
 Zorabella. Nay, 't is the snare 
 
 By which we shall be gyved. 
 
 Gyges, This bloody ring, — 
 
 I'll drop it here. 'Tis Moroz', from him filched, — 
 This is a deed of mine own hammering, — 
 And it shall train such shaft at Moroz' head 
 That none shall seek for further proof. 
 
 Zorabella. Fair craft ! 
 
 Keen wit! Yet Moroz was, as all do know. 
 The king's most bosom friend? Why should he 
 slay? 
 
 Gyges. The better reason. Hast thou not oft heard 
 That 'blackest traitors spring from loyal friends? 
 Of many such I know, where those who fawn 
 False hearts do wear, and sugar-coated tongues. 
 Sheathed daggers 'neath their smiles. 
 
 Zorabella. But 't must be proved. 
 
 Gyges. Why, 'tis well known how they to issue came 
 
 On thy dear brother's fate ; Moroz played fair, 
 
 And for him plead. 
 Zorabella. Then taint not him therefor. 
 
 Gyges. Why, this is policy. List now besides : 
 
 'Tis known that monarchy he did abhor. 
 
 He led the commons 'gainst plutocracy. 
 Zorabella. I do recall. But he'll deny the crime 
 
 Most vigorously. 
 Gyges. V\\ warrant thee, he'll not. 
 
 A letter, forged in secret, him advised 
 
 How this late king did fret to take his life, — 
 
ZORABELLA 69 
 
 Suspecting gross, foul plots against the crown, — 
 
 Whereat he fled. 
 Zorahella. How wise thou art in craft! 
 
 Thy wit should win thee this usurper's seat, 
 
 Whom now I slew. 
 Gyges. [Aside] And shall most shortly, too. 
 
 But still, my tongue, and answer when she can 
 
 The title unencumbered give, and when 
 
 I fitter am to take it. [Aloud] O my queen, 
 
 I thank thee. Mayst thou prosper! When thou 
 hear'st 
 
 The fray mine officers shall sound abroad. 
 
 Then hasten hither, and, with wondrous stare, 
 
 Put question to the deed. 
 
 [Exit Zorahella] 
 
 [Morashna and Zulesha enter, signaled by Gyges] 
 
 Ring out the bells ! 
 Sound loud the fife! So drawl her heavy notes 
 That every soul be roused up turbulent. 
 As from an evil dream. [Exit] 
 [Morashna and Zulesha ringing and fifing. Curtain 
 falls on noise of hells and horns and rushing 
 together of lords] 
 
 Scene II 
 
 Same as Scene I ; Gyges and Zorahella in animated 
 conversation. 
 
 Gyges. 'T was eas'ly won ! 
 
 Through me, on Moroz' head the blame is laid. 
 
70 ZORABELLA 
 
 And we the bolt of censure have escaped. 
 
 Thy partner in the sowing of thy hopes, 
 
 Why, then, exempt me from the harvesting? 
 
 We do but waste the time. Come, let us wed. 
 
 A priest but standeth by to join our hopes, 
 ■ Then we may seize the realm with such a gripe, 
 
 That none might shake us from the throne. 
 Zorabella. Alas ! 
 
 My heart rebels at this. Thou know'st my 
 thoughts, — 
 
 They are but woman's ! There need be no haste, 
 
 Nb matter what a widow's choice may be, — 
 
 Yet am I 'counted queen. 
 Gyges. This answer's naught. 
 
 Thou dost not know thyself. I care no whit 
 
 With horrid scenes to load thy memory. 
 
 Nor speak how ably didst thou plunge the sword 
 
 That carved its passage to thy great lord's heart, — 
 
 Of that I will not speak. Our secret 't is, 
 
 And not for others' ears. 
 Zorabella. If that thou plann'st, — 
 
 Then execute! I'll answer then thy charge. 
 
 Thou didst but counsel all. 
 Gyges. Shall that thee shield? 
 
 Didst thou not do the deed? 
 Zorabella. Yea, murder 't was, — 
 
 Most foul, — that fouler grows to think thereon. 
 
 Oh, must I bow my head before that thought? 
 
 Did I so stoop ? Alas ! Did these my hands, — 
 
 My hands ! — What gory stains ! — yet I had 
 cause — 
 Gyges. Canst answer to a crying kingdom thus 
 
 Who did the very walks and lanes adore 
 
ZORABELLA 71 
 
 Wherein their master trod? 
 
 Zorabella. Oh, do relent! 
 
 I shall be kind, subservient, gentle too. 
 Here is my pledge, yet to such loathsome bond 
 
 [Handing sceptre to Gyges] 
 I will not, cannot yield. All that thou wilt, — 
 All titles, fortunes that I owe, — take all, — 
 But never ask my hand. 
 
 Gyges. I wish naught else. 
 
 I speak my love. Didst think my heart was cold 
 Because I ne'er paid court to thee, my queen, 
 In schoolboy fashion? Nay, I risk'd my life 
 To serve thy cause. When thou by him wast 
 
 wronged 
 Who came to rescue thee? By deeds I sought 
 My love to prove, not by sheer words, dear queen. 
 [Approaching and grasping Zorabella s hand] 
 The heart that doth its passion now unfold 
 Doth love thee more than life. The water's spray 
 That doth but gently babble, queen, thou know'st. 
 Springs from the deepest fount. Oh, come, — 
 assent ! 
 
 Zorabella. Away ! Do not my sacred person touch 
 With thy foul hands. Could I believe thy vows, 
 Wouldst thou consent to wear the tottering crown 
 That from Candaules' head I now did throw? 
 Think'st thou that I did free me of his love 
 To seek a lesser in another's breast? 
 
 Gyges. It is a greater love, I swear. 
 
 Zorabella. Swear not. 
 
 The gods forbid ! Thou know'st I cannot yield. 
 What of the host who sip this rank abuse 
 Of how our sovereign master met his death? 
 
72 ZORABELLA 
 
 What of the exiled lord, who'd scurry back, 
 Intrenched with arms of law and evidence. 
 Heard he of this? 
 
 Gyges. My strength shall answer that. 
 
 Zorabella. Thy strength, — thy strength ? O heavens ! 
 Wherefore this? 
 Boast of thy strength, if so thy pleasure be, 
 But thou shalt never make me yield. 
 
 Gyges. By Jove ! 
 
 I'll change my tune, I'll plead no more with thee. 
 Know that I've wrest from thee the crown I 
 
 begged 
 And bear the name of king. No more defy ; 
 Lest I should seize thee, — traitor to my cause, — 
 And cry thy dagger's practice to the skies, 
 That all may hue thy death. Rest thou assured, 
 That if to-morrow crowns thee Lydia's queen. 
 So shall it crown me king. 
 
 Zorabella. My guards I'll call. 
 
 Thou shalt be seized. [Zorabella calls on atten- 
 dants, hut none anszver] I know thy treason 
 now, — 
 Oh, had I known't before ! This is thy plot ! 
 I am thy victim now! 
 
 Gyges. Yea, call thy men. 
 
 Thou shalt find none. 
 
 Zorabella. Alas ! Thus hath my wicked wrath 
 
 Sought vengeance on my life ! Oh, curse the day 
 That I did steep my hands in his dear blood 
 To face such brutish monster now. Ye gods ! 
 Must I be scourged by mine unshriven sin 
 And cowered into lust ? Dost thou not know 
 A woman's heart ? Canst feel a woman's love ? 
 
ZORABELLA 73 
 
 Sink in her heart no colder, chiller steel 
 Than love enforced. O brutish, villainous man! 
 Here kneel I down 'fore thee. Yea, if thou wilt; 
 Come with this sword and take thy triumph now, 
 But for mine erring soul show pity still, 
 And drive me not to that deep den of lust 
 That thou hast signaled me. Here, take this 
 blade, — 
 
 [Handing dagger to Gyges] 
 I know its steel, — 't was proved in my king's 
 
 breast, — 
 And plunge it in my heart. I'll ask no more. 
 
 Gyges. [With defiant sneer] Away! away! thou 
 patch of tattering tears ! 
 Think'st thou I have regard for woman's sighs, 
 Or that their mildness melts heroic hearts 
 That know naught but of might and soldiery? 
 Bethink thee yet a while, and bring to me 
 More fit response. [Leaving] 
 
 Zorabella. Oh, stay. Oh, go not yet ! 
 
 Canst thou e'er say I sought thy service, sir, 
 For ends unchaste ? Was not my purpose pure, 
 As I did think my lord was false? 
 
 Gyges. Well,— well? 
 
 Zorabella. I would not have thee think, my lord, that 
 I 
 Did e'er mine honor taint. A gem it is 
 More precious than my life. 
 
 Gyges. That's naught to me. 
 
 Thou dost evade. 
 
 Zorabella. No longer then will I — 
 
 In reminiscing, sir, I needs must grant 
 The vengeance that my steel so sadly wrought 
 
74 ZORABELLA 
 
 Was rashly tak'n. Yea, him I slew, — alas ! — 
 
 But for a sign. Thus was his flagrant sin 
 
 Ne'er overt shown, nor e'er confessed, ne'er 
 
 proved ; 
 But this thy treason 'boldly standeth out, 
 Naked and exposed. The goddess bids me weigh 
 Your two offenses now. Poised is the scales ! 
 Thine tips the beam. Minerva lifts her voice, 
 And this I hear: ''Avenge, avenge, avenge!" 
 There is mine answer, sir. 
 
 [Stabs Gyges] 
 
 Gyges. [Falling, strikes at Zorabella, zuounding her] 
 
 Oh, treachery ! 
 Take that for thee! 
 
 Zorabella. Oh, ah ! I'm slain, — I'm slain ! 
 
 [Enter Lords, running] 
 
 First Lord. Ah me! What quarry's here? 
 
 Second Lord. Why, 't is our queen ! 
 
 She's wounded, sirs. 
 
 Third Lord. And Gyges ! What hath happ'd ? 
 
 First Lord. O horrible! Each hath the other slain. 
 
 Gyges. [Rising on arm] No, still I live, but ah ! 
 't is true, I fear. 
 Oh, how my wheel of fortune thus is gripp'd, 
 And I am halt ! Oh, how mine awful sins 
 Do weigh me heavier than my steel. What peace 
 Have I? Not all the Himalayan snow 
 Can cleanse my black heart white, nor strike out 
 
 now 
 The dreadful crimes of blood and treachery 
 That I am guilty of. Justice divine ! 
 
ZORABELLA 75 
 
 Thou art in all supreiiDe! Thou humble'st me 
 And mak'st me to confess. Oh, oh, oh, oh; 
 Oh, that we might grow older, wiser, young, 
 And backward weave the threads of destiny, — 
 From hoary hairs to youth's soft trundle-bed, — 
 Oh, then, how few would die unshrift ! Oh, here ! 
 [Dies, pointing to zvound] 
 
 Second Lord. What mysteries doth his parting soul 
 divulge ! 
 His base heart's door that he in life did bar. 
 Now in his death is oped. 
 
 Zoroibella. [Rising] Did Gyges speak? 
 O monster of deceit! What gull was I 
 To take his words for truth. My lord was true, — 
 Oh, true! 
 
 Third Lord. But look ! Surprise comes on surprise ! 
 Here is the fugitive. 
 
 [Enter Moroz, followed by Zulesha] 
 
 Lords. We greet you both. 
 
 [To Moros] 
 First Lord. Here is sad news. Didst thou not flee, 
 
 my lord? 
 Moroz. True I did flee, but on my way did meet 
 Two men in combat, — one, Zulesha here. 
 The other, proud Morashna, who swift fell, 
 Pierced by Zulesha's spear. He oped mine eyes 
 With tales ye all shall long to hear. These tales 
 Taught me what depth of treason stalked abroad, 
 And my return compelled. I'll prove my 
 
 charge, — 
 Gyges a traitor is. 
 
76 ZORABELLA 
 
 First Lord. 'T is proved ere this. 
 
 There doth he He, hy Zorabella slain. 
 
 Moroz. Oh, let me see ! or else I'll not believe. 
 [Approaching Gyges' body] 
 Now hear Zulesha speak. 
 
 Ziilesha. When it is breathed 
 
 That he our greatest traitor was, — all's said. 
 'Neath him I labored till my veins grew cold 
 With working treacherous deeds. My soul re- 
 belled, 
 But when I sought to leave his services, 
 Morashna, his best spokesman, took offense, 
 And in the fray that from our words ensued 
 Perforce I slew him. 
 
 Moroz. Thou need'st not explain. 
 
 Thou'rt justified. 
 
 Zorabella. One word before I die: 
 
 What know'st thou of Candaules' faith to me? 
 
 Zulesha. No truer man e'er on this earth did live. 
 That traitor stirred thy soul to murder foul, 
 To claim the throne. 
 
 Zorabella. Exultant then I die. 
 
 To know I 'venged his wrongs ! O Hermogene, 
 Thou who hast suffered sadly 'neath my charge, 
 Take for my pardon these thy rights again. 
 And added to them be the crown ; 't is thine 
 And mayst thou nobly rule. Oh, I am faint ! 
 What see I there? Candaules? ho! my lord? 
 How purer 'bove all else thy graces glow ! 
 
 [Vision of Candaules is seen] 
 Oh, be thou sainted for thy martyrdom 
 That I did bring on thee ! Oh, there, thou flee'st 
 To that dim, faint beyond I soon shall see. 
 
ZORABELLA 77 
 
 And leav'st the cold dank air to blanket me. 
 O spirit, whither bound? Oh, pardon me! 
 But nay, alas! alas! — ^Thou'rt gone, gone, gone! 
 [Dies] 
 
 Moroz. The queen's at rest. O noble Hermogene, 
 Thine is the crown, and may the heavens lend 
 
 grace 
 And pleasant reign and lasting benison. 
 In Gyges' stead, Zulesha, thou succeed'st, — 
 And nobler far wilt thou his office fill. 
 
 Hermogena. Oh, let us to the gods now breathe a 
 prayer, 
 That with their kindly blessings I may rule. 
 Not thoughtless of my dear departed prince. 
 Whose life was shorn ere that his time were due. 
 Come one, come all, let's join in amity; 
 And when befitting burial we have giv'n 
 To each sad corse, let us establish straight 
 Our Lydian realm upon full, firmer ground 
 And right the wrongs that did her honor wound. 
 
 Curtain