THE IMMORTAL *' L URE CALE YOUNG RICE Class. TS 3^3 5 Copyright }1"^_ ' COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. THE IMMORTAL LURE THE ORTAL LURE BY CALE YOUNG RICE AUTHOR OF A NIGHT IN AVIGNON, YOLANDA OF CYPRUS, CHARLES DI TOCCA, DAVID, MANY GODS, NIRVANA DAYS, ETC. Garden City New York DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY MCMXI ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, INCLUDING THAT OF TRANSLATION' INTO FOREIGN LANGUAGES, INCLUDING THE SCANDINAVIAN COPYRIGHT, igll, BY GALE YOUNG RICE PUBLISHED, FEBRUARY, IQII g Cl.A28:iUll \3 ^5^ & " Infinite passion, and the pain Of finite hearts that yearn." CONTENTS PAGE GlORGIONE I Arduin 27 0-ume's Gods r i The Immortal Lu rr 73 GIORGIONE CHARACTERS GiORGlONE . . . . A Young Painter Aretino . . . . a Dissolute Poet Titian Another Painter Bellini The Former Master of Giorgione and Titian GiGiA An old woman sennng Giorgione and ISOXTA GIORGIONE Scene: A work-room of Giorgione on the edge of the Lagoon in which lie the Campo Santo and Murano. It is littered with brushes, canvases, casts, etc., and its walls are frescoed indiscrimi- nately with saints and bacchantes, satyrs and Madonnas, on backgrounds religious or wood- land. A door is on the right back; and foliate Gothic windows, in the rear, reveal the magic water with its gliding gondolas. On a support toward the centre of the room is a picture — covered, and not far from it, a couch. Late Afternoon. Giorgione, who has been sitting anguished on the couch, rises with determined bitterness. As he does so, Bellini enters anxiotisly. 3 4 GIORGIONE Bellini . Giorgion e ! Giorgione (turning). It is you? Bellini. Your word came to me, In San Lazzario where I labored late, And shakes my troubled heart. You will not do this ! Giorgione. Yes! Bellini. How, my son! her picture! as a wanton's! Giorgione. Tho it has been till now my adoration! The fairest of my dreams and the most holy! Yes, by the virtue of all honest women. If such there be in Venice, I swear it shall be borne by ribald hands Thro the very streets. Bellini. My son! Giorgione. A public thing I [Points to picture. Fit for the most lascivious! who now Shall gaze on what I had beheld alone. On what was purer to me than the Virgin ! The very pimps and panders of the Piazza GIORGIONE 5 Shall if they will whet appetite upon it, And smack their losel lips. Bellini. And to what end? Giorgione. Her shame! Bellini. The deeds of wounded pride and love Work not so, but fall back upon the doer — Or on some other. Giorgione. I care not! Bellini. Nor have, Ever, to heed me! as Aretino, Who turns your praise to Titian, has told. For your wild will runs ever without curb. And I who reared you, as my very own, Must pay the fall. Giorgione. No! Bellini. And the piety I would have won you to in the past days Is wasted. The Madonnas I painted with a heart inspired of Heaven You paint with pride. 6 GIORGIONE Giorgione. But with all gratitudel Ah yes, believe me, And with a rich remembrance! For scarce oblivion could wipe from me How as a wasted lad I came to V^enice — A miserable, patched and pallid waif, With but an eye to see and hand to shape! You took me from the streets and taught me all The old can teach the yoimg, until my name Is high in Venice — Linked with that of Beauty — "Giorgione! our Giorgione!" do they cry On the canals, the very gondoliers. And in a little while it should have glowed Immortal on the breast of Italy, As does Apelles on the page of Greece, For I was half-divine, until Bellini. Until A girl whom you had fixed your heart upon With boundless folly, you who should have lived GIORGIONE 7 With but one passion — that of brain and brush — Until she Giorgione. Say it! Bellini. This Isotta Giorgione. Ail Whom I had chosen o'er a hundred others To soar with! To soar and then in wedded peace to prize! This false Isotta Whom in poverty I found, as you found me, and loved to madness. This fair Isotta Whom I would have made All Venice to be a halo for — as were Cities of old for queens of sceptred love: Until she leaves, departs, forsakes me, goes Away, worthless away, from my true arms, With Luzzi, a lank boy. Bellini. So. And most strange. Giorgione. No, nothing a woman does is ever strange! 8 GIORGIONE Will they not cloak a lie in innocence, A treachery in veiling soft caresses — Tho to the Mass unceasingly they fare And say like her their aves night and noon? Have they a want that wantons not with guile, A tear that is not turgid with deceit? Are not their passions blown by every wind? Have they not all the straying heart of Helen? Then why must I, Who had in me a hope That rivalled Raphael's or Leonardo's, Keep, cozened so, that I contemn her shame? Bellini. Because she is a woman — whom you tempted, Tho with all trust to wed her — and you know not Whether her going was of shamelessness. Giorgione {laughing bitterly). Or whether she may not yet return, today. And with a heart that is a nymph's, a soul That is a nun's, Beguile me back to doting? GIORGIONE 9 Whether she may not — With that body God Might once, deceived, have moulded angels after — ? Then flaunt her thralling of me to the world, Whose ready lips should laugh where'er we went And whisper, "Isotta, there! Giorgione's mis- tress! Who makes a mocking of him?" Bellini. Never! never! Only your unrelenting brain would think it. For this I know of her, that tho she has Deserted you for what must seem to be Only a new-foimd passion — Yet is she womanly, and did you give her, As now you mean, to avid lusting eyes, Life would be smitten from her. Giorgione. As it should! Bellini. And then from you, repentant of her fate? No, no, my son, I have not seen you rise, A planet from the sea, the world's first painter, 10 GIORGIONE To set in this: You owe my fathering more. And listen, I have brought to you a way Of laurels for forgetting. I have come With a commission from the Signoria, [Takes it from his breast. Which names you the chief glory of this city And votes you proud permission to adorn San Marco's highest altar with perfection. Giorgione. And which I spurn, an insult in its pity! [Flings it from him. As they shall learn — these silk and velvet Signors, Whose condescending ducats buy the dreams Of the immortal! Or no! . . . I meant not that — to wound a kindness. Bellini. Your ways have ever been the ways of wounding. Giorgione. And to the end must be. {Brokenly) For now my hand GIORGIONE II Is palsied! I can never paint again. Colour and shaping light turn in my soul To chaos and to blindness — to despair! The brush I lift, to sterile pain more loth! I yearn and impotence alone arises. That picture has dried beauty's vein within me And left me . . . Ah! . . . She shall atone it! (calls) Gigia! Shameless she is and shall be seen it! — Gigia! — [Walks bitterly. Aretino, who is the tongue of lewdness, And Titian, who trips to it, may gloat, [Gigia hobbles in. But they Bellini. Giorgione! you have sent for them? Giorgione {to Gigia). Whoever seeks my door is bidden — all ! Gigia. Yes, Messer Giorgio. Giorgione {as she delays). Go. Gigia. Before I speak? Giorgione. Of what? 12 GIORGIONE Gigia. How can I tell you, if I may Not speak? And you should hear. . . {Cross- ing herself) It is the plague. A whisper is about That it has broken out at last in Venice. [GiORGiONE staring at her, trembles and seems slowly stricken — while his eyes fill as with some evil irrecoverable remembrance. Bellini {fearing for him). Giorgione! Giorgione. Oh! . . . and yet . . . nothing ... a dream That came to me last night — as if from death. Bellini. Then, O my son, it is a premonition, A pall against tliis purpose! that you may Not let these ribald two — Aretino, this poet and depraver. And Titian snared within his pagan senses, Enter and gaze upon. . . . O boy, you will not! Despoil the picture, Scatter it to the seas, GIORGIONE 13 And vow never again to paint another, Tho that would break my heart, but promise me [A knocking interrupts, and a voice without calls lustily: Voice: The gods of paint and passion ever gird us! Where's Messer Giorgione? Ho! Ho, ho! [GiGiA hurries out. Giorgione {after a pause, calling). Aretino! Aretino. Ai, light of ladies' eyes! And with him a better! Shall we sing for entrance? {Begins) — A wench I had, But where is she — ? A-ho! Old Gigia, is it? Then we come apace, [Enters leeringly with Titian. Like satyrs to the piping of Adonis! [With irony. A health to you, O heaven-born of Venice! [To Bellini. 14 GIORGIONE And to you, glorious dauber of Madonnas! But, bah! the smell of melancholy! Come, What is it? The tale is out about the maid? And therefore tears? [Laughs, Well, by the lids of Venus, Giorgio, It serves you well — or Eve was not a woman! There were too many ripe for your assay. Why, I believe that every damsel's lips On the lagoons were pinched with longing for you! Titian. Or enough, at least, to send spleen, Giorgio, Into my eyes. Giorgione. They will no more, Titian. Aretino. In sooth! for since one wench in all the world Prefers another, he will play the monkl Since she, the amorous sun-kissed Isotta, Had charms too fair for otie to satisfy! And yet — to choose tliis Luzzi, This swaddling acolyte of Innocence, GIORGIONE 15 For her new light-o'-love! to choose him out, When, for a whifT, she might have had my arms [GiORGiONE quivers. O, Titian, by the gods! Bellini. Aretino! . . . Giorgione. Stay, let him speak, my master, as he wills. Aretino. I say then, Seraph, of your amorosa, That she deceived me — That I thought her dreams Were chaster than the moon, or by my beard. Which is not born, I should have tricked her senses Away from you ... if lies and treachery And tempting honeyed verses could have done it! For an Elysium like her warm round body I never looked upon. Bellini. Aretino ! Giorgione. Peace! he shall speak! for this is what should be. Aretino. Ai, Messer Bellini, and your age for- gets i6 GIORGIONE That he is well consoled with the dear thought That her first joy was his. Bellini. Ah! . . . Aretino. And that vision — ! Why, I have peeped upon her face, no farther. But to have seen the beauty he has seen, The Aphrodite-dream of loveliness, I would have dared virginity's last door. Giorgione. Then you shall see it. Bellini. My son! Giorgione. Yes, tho I die! Aretino. How, what is this? Giorgione {going to picture). Aretino, Titian — You are here, tho there is less than love between us: For, pardon, if I say that you sometimes Have loathed my triumphs. Titian. That is so, Giorgione. But with the brush I yet shall equal them. Giorgione. You shall surpass them. For my last is done. Titian. Come, do you jest? GIORGIONE 17 Giorgione. My last, and it is there! [Points to picture. There that you two whose tongues have been so busy About the streets with laughing and innuendo, From ear to ear with jest and utter joy — You, Titian, a sycophant of Fame, And you, Arctino, who incarnate lust, May know that Giorgione is above you. You coveted Isotta with your eyes. Now you shall have her as shall all the w^orld! [Flings the curtain back from the picture then sinks to the couch. As they gaze on the unclothed form, Bellini turns away, when he sees Isotta enter. She is pale and ill, but moves smilingly down toward Giorgione, till happening to see the picture, she gives a deep cry. Giorgione, springing to his feet, dazedly beholds her. Bellini {speechless till he sees Isotta's pallor). i8 GIORGIONE Isotta! you are ill! .... O would my breath Had never lasted to this evil hour — ! Shall I not bring the leech? {when she does not answer; to Giorgione) This price has pride! [He goes: then Aretino and Titian. The curtain falls back. Isotta {whose eyes have closed). The flesh of women is their fate forever! My poor, poor body! all I had to give So desecrated. Giorgione {hoarsely). Why have you come here? Isotta. To see Messer Giorgione — who is brave. [Smiles as one shattered. To hear Messer Giorgione — who is gentle And honourable to women who are weak. To — heal Messer Giorgione — then to die! Giorgione. Rather to kill! Isotta. Why, it may be. If love Still leads me, it were best that it be slain. Giorgione. The love of a wanton? Isotta {slowly). Who beholds her body GIORGIONE 19 Given ... to unabated eyes — yet lives? I think it must be so. Giorgione. Alluring lies! Out of pale lips of treachery but lies! You have returned to me, whom you have cursed With craving for you, With an immortal love, Because this lisping Luzzi, With whom you fled, weary of falsity, Has cast you off. Isotta {gently). Kind Luzzi! Giorgione. Ah! and blind? Not knowing that you now are here again, Where you disrobed to my adoring soul, But thinking that you wait him with fair eyes Of fond expectancy — as once for me ! Believing that your breath is beating only With ecstasy for him! Isotta. He is — but Luzzi! Giorgione. And I but Giorgione, smiling quean ! [She turns paler. 20 GIORGIONE But Giorgione, a vassal to your sway? Back to your orgies I and may Venus, goddess Of black adulteries, but not of love, Be with them! May your blood, that I believed Vestal to all but me, run vile with passions As any nymph's of Bacchus! May your body, That I have painted here, be to all time An image of soul-cheating chastity! [His words have struck her down — and over- whelm him. O, I am lost, lost, lost forevermore. [Falls into a seat. Isotta {at length, from the couch, gathering strength) . No, I have come for saving, Giorgione. Now I can speak — but there is little time, (Strangely) For Night is coming. Giorgione (startled to questioning). Isotta? Isotta. The still Night, With Death's dark Gondola to waft me o'er. [Then as he realizes. GIORGIONE 21 Nay, stay, stay! leave me not. There is no help. For it must be. . . A voice Beyond has said it. And ere I drift out on the darkening ebb Giorgione. Isotta! Isotta. Peace must be Giorgione's too. Giorgione. Speak — yet it cannot be — my heart is dead. Isotta. Then it shall rise again. — O Giorgione, My lover once and lord, could you believe, Even tho I went away from you and with Another, that unchastity could touch This body which had been holy to you? Giorgione . Isotta ! Isotta. It is true that I deceived you, [With mystic fervor. True that I went away from you and wed Another Giorgione. Ah! Isotta. And yet it was not Luzzi! [As he gazes. 2a GIORGIONE Do you not know? you who so oft have told On saintly walls the Magdalen's sad tears? Sin, sin had seized me I Sin with you to whom I gave my body and soul unboundedly. We revelled in unwedded ecstasy, Laughed in our love over the starred lagoons. Sang till the lute was like a thing that lived, Danced happy as the fauns and nereids That oft you told rae of — And clasped and kissed, O kissed — until I knew that but one way Was left to save my soul, Giorgione, one — To wed me with the vows and veil to Christ. [Gazes at a crucifix Giorgione. Isotta ! Isottd. I am His! I fled to Him! The Convent opened its grey arms to take me, Santa Cecilia of the Healing Heart, And Luzzi kindly led me to its door — That you might so be foiled of following. GIORGIONE 23 And with long vigils, fasts and penances And prayers I sought oblivion of your face. Until this illness strangely fell upon me. I could not die until you, shriven too .... Giorgione. Isotta! My Isottal [Falls penitent before her, weeping. Isotta (her heart eased). Peace, at last. Giorgione (rising). Ah yes! and I am viler than the vilest! For who remembers not that purity Is priceless, ends impoverished of honour. And yet . . . there is no wrong irreparable! And you must live tho all the angels die — Live and be loosed from vows too vainly breathed, That wedded we may win again delight! Still I am Giorgione, and the sin That we have sinned shall be painted away With holy pictures . . . Isotta. Only the dead are holy, Or they who die, tho living, to the world. [Sees the picture. 24 GIORGIONE And eyes have looked upon me — Hot eyes that burn my body up with shame. Farewell, the tide will cool me, the lone wave That washes in from Lido to my grave. [Looks toward the Campo Santo. Giorgione. Isotta! Isotla (fainter). Night, the Night! . , . Giorgione. O stay! . . . Isotta {in a fixed vision). It comes, The Gondola! {as if to an unseen Presence) Row on, row on. [She dies. He sinks beside her stricken and still. GiGiA enters. Gigia . ]\Iesser Giorgione, one has come to say [Sees them, goes near and lifts Isott.\'s hand. Then, dropping it with terror. The plague! the plague! Ah! Giorgione {rising). Woman, is it true? [GiGiA flees. GIORGIONE 25 (Mortally moved) Isotta, this kiss then of all the kisses That I have slain thee with will God who dwells In universal chastity forgive. [Ee kneels and presses his lips fervently to hers. Curtain ARDUIN CHARACTERS Arduin {of Provence) An Alchemist Ion His Nephew Rhasis An Arab, his attendant and assistant Myrrha . . . . a Greek Girl ARDUIN Time: The Fifteenth Century. Place: Egypt. Scene : The laboratory of Arduin in a house on Nile opposite Cairo. It is a large room on the walls of "which my Stic figures of the Hermetic philosophy are drawn, together with the zodiac and other astronomical signs; and many strange objects, animal and mineral, are to be seen placed about. In the rear centre is a large sarcophagus. On either side broad window openings reveal the Egyp- tian night, and one frames the moonlit Sphinx and Pyramids. Toward the right front is a furnace with alembics, retorts, etc.; right and left are doors, and on the left and back another alcove before which hang curtains. Lamps burn. 39 30 ARDUIN Rhasis, who is btisy about the furnace, in a troubled manner, lifts a skull and is gazing at it, when Ion e7iters suddenly and stops, pale with purpose. Ion. Rhasis RJiasis (starting and looking round) . Young master Ion! what is this? [Drops the skull. Why have you left the city and come here? Are you aware what hour you have chosen? Ion. That of his dreams. I learned today: yet came. Rhasis. And wherefore? Ion. To restrain calamity, Which must await his reasonless belief — And to regain his love that I have lost. Rhasis. And have not pondered what calamity Would fall on you Who would not learn his Art, But from its heritage to penury turned, If here and now he saw you ARDUIN 31 At this hour When he believes that he shall raise the dead? Ion. His curse; for he would think me come to thwart him, And that I had forgot whatever wrong, Unexpiated still, my father did him; [Looks at sarcophagus. And yet I will not go, for I have purposed — And you tonight shall help me — {pauses) Rhasis. Unto what? Ion. Forgiveness of my disobedience — That may be won from him with Myrrha's face. Rhasis. Myrrha's! Ion. Which can alone of earthly sights, If what you tell of his dead wife be true: And well you know it is! — He must behold her — And hear our pleading. Rhasis. At an hour like this! Ion. Let her be placed yonder within those curtains. 32 ARDUIN While he is mingling here his mysteries, And when he Rhasis. By the Prophet who is Allah's, Myrrha! Within this chamber! and tonight! [Ion goes to the door and leads Myrrha in. Is there no heed in youth or hesitation, But only hurrying want! Do you not know He is without there, at this moment, saying Unto the seven planets in their spheres, The seven incantations against death? And that he Ion. I know only he must see her. Rhasis. And of all nights in the world, only tonight ! Myrrha. No, Ion! let us go. I fear this place. Its strangeness and that still sarcophagus Appal me. Ion. And make you forget our love, And the long bridal-hope of it deferred? Rhasis. Young master, she does not, in pen- ury too! ARDUIN 33 But pleas tonight would ope no nuptial way. Better than you I know it is not wise. For ten years is it I have dwelt with him While he has sought in vain this great Elixir. Ten passings of the pilgrims of! to Mecca His wife has lain in that sarcophagus, Embalmed and waiting, as he thinks, to rise. And now, this hour, he hopes that it shall be. Ion. And should it, will he not the more forgive me? Or should it not, then seeing Myrrha's face, Myrrha whom you have said is so much like her, Will he not Myrrha. Ion, no! but might — I fear! So fond his grief is and unfaceable! Let us return again unto the city And to my kindred who will hold us dear. [Starting. Listen, is it not he? {Rhasis goes to window) Take me away! 34 ARDUIN Ion. And have him at the breaking of his dream With none near — and our love's desire be lost? Myrrha. It will not: let us wait another time! Ion. Than this when most your face would deeply move him? I cannot, and 'twould shame me! for you know How dear to him is his dead wife who lies there, [Takes her hand. And know our severed days! And shall we bend the knee to cowardice. Which ever has a premonition ready, When you who are so like her might tonight [She starts back, for Rhasis, exclaiming, leaves the mndoio. Rhasis. He comes. Ion. Now? Rhasis. Go: or take this on yourselves. Ion. Upon me be it ! For there is no rest Until his pardon weds us — and I pay him. ARDUIN 35 Rhasis. Then but a word remains, young mas- ter, more: To tell you — that I fear — lest thro long toil, His mind. . . . Myrrha. Oh! {recoils) Ion. It is not true! ... No Myrrha! no! [Takes her in his arms. And is ingratitude I scorn to heed. [Turns away. Come then and by your beauty's likeness win him. {He leads her behind the curtains then goes, door left. A moment, which leaves Rhasis distraught, and Arduin enters. He pauses, as if at some presence; then, gazing on the sarcophagus, shudders with hope and comes down. Arduin. The night at last when I again shall clasp her And banish death to biers beyond the stars! RItasis {kneeling). Master! 36 ARDUIN Arduin. Rise up and never kneel again! For from henceforth I shall be lord of life, The secret of the phoenix in my hand. [Lifts an alembic. Gray have I grown in quest of it and old, Youthless and as a leper to delight. But it has come at last — at last has come! [Sets vessel down. Rhasis. And I rejoice, master, for I have toiled With you these many years — but is it sure? Arduin. As the moon is in heaven! as the skies! [In an ecstasy. For last night I beheld In dreams deeper than day how it must be. I saw a tomb far-hidden in the earth And Life within it Mixing salt and sulphur — Twin elements Of the great trinity. ARDUIN 37 I saw her hands pour out quick mercury Upon a bat's wing wrought with hieroglyphics, And then I saw her cast in gold and silver That melted with strange voice and sudden flame, The while she gazed on me most meaningly. And then . . . when all was done. . . . [The vision consuming him. My wife, my Rhea, lit with loveliness And as a spirit clad with resurrection, Rose up within my dream . . . fair, young and glad! . . . Rhasis. But, master . . . are dreams true? Arduin. Such dreams as these? [Kindling. Rhasis. Pardon ! I know not — only that you say Some come of Ophiuchus — The demon you have warned me of — who oft With thwarting laugh has struck the secret from you. . . . Many before have followed the mirage 38 ARDUIN Of dreams — but to more thirst: trust not too much! Arduin. But fear? fear? you are falling from me too? Like Ion the son of him who . . . you? you too? At the prime moment? Rhasis. No, my master, no! But I would spare you pain unbearable. Arduin. Ha! and believe — you do? — that all wise men Of all the world could so have been deceived? Believe — do, do? — that she cannot arise? Did not great Hermes say of the Elixir It should be found — And did not Polydos, The Greek, chancing upon it, raise his friends In battle slain? . . . Did not the Jew of Galilee, the Christ, Whom even you name Prophet, likewise win it? [Peacelessly . ARDUIN 39 Speak! Rhasis. Master, yes! . . . But 0! trust not too much. Wiser, I know, than all Arabia Are you — like to Mahomet — were it not That you have set within your heart a woman. But if, perchance, the Elixir does not prove Arduin. Availing? Have not all things pointed to it? The day she died Did I not hear a voice That breathed into my brain she should arise? And as I waited did a book of wisdom Not chance into my hands to show the way? Were the first words I read not, In ten years The miracle shall come — Revealed to you within the land of the Sphinx? Rhasis. So read it, so! But Arduin. Is this not that land? Are not those stones the pyramids that thro The ages have stood waiting for this hour — 40 ARDUIN When I shall bring her beauty back , today? Is not that face the Sphinx, Whose timeless and intemperable meaning No man has read in desert, star, or sea. But which must be the secret I unsphere? Rhasis. O master! Arduin. Fail, fail, fail? now to restore her? Who died as you shall know, here ere she rises, Because my brother — aieh! the father of Ion — Who bore as well that name — Desiring her, vilely accused her Myrrha {involuntarily, behind curtains). Oh! . . Arduin {bewildered). Who spoke? It was her voice? [Rmis to sarcophagus. Rhasis. No, master, no! . . . Arduin {slowly returning). Fail, fail to bring her fairness from the tomb! Her face which can alone sow finitude's Fell desolation with enverdured dreams And fill the ways of the world again with hope? ARDUIN 41 I tell you she eternal must arise — Tho God die for it! [Begins to gird himself. Must! . . . and the hour is now! — Venus is in the house of ready Taurus, The moon is full, and as I toiled today, [Goes to furnace. From the alembic a strange cloud arose. And once again her face! . . . Prepare! pre- pare! Rhasis. I will do all you say. But, master, if Arduin (immitigably) . No death- word more of doubt. It is the power Which holds us futile from omnipotence. Mete out the sulphur Into the alembic Of Cleopatra's crystal. — I must see her! [Rhasis hastens. See her again, my Rhea, as she was, When plucking first the poppies of Provence! And hear flow from her 42 ARDUIN Words sweeter than Memnon's in the wind of dawn! Here's gold and silver {hands them). She shall rise and say: "Years pale you, pale your brow, my Arduin, And touch to gray the treasure of your hair, But not Antinous could be so fair To me — or wonderful : For you have brought me from the cold tomb to life! . . . The bat's wing then! And to the sarcophagus To lift its lid ! for I will wait no longer [Takes alembic, as Rhasis obeys, and continues invokingly: But now, vial of immortality! By the presaging of the seven planets. And by the searchless sources of the Nile, And by the prayers of Christian and of Heathen, And by the elements earth, air and fire, That hold within their intermingled veins The secret of illimitable life — By fate and time and God — I here conjure you ARDUIN 43 Bring forth the Elixir which shall make her rise! [He pours the ingredients, and quickly fumes arise. They clear and a liquid is seen in the bottom of the glass. With a cry he starts toward the sarcophagus, when Myrrha's face — which, excited, has parted the curtains — stops him enspelled. Rhasis, unnerved, quits the room — leavhig them agaze. Arduin {at length, as if to a spirit). I do not dream? . . . you have arisen? . . . Rhea! [Starting toward her. Arisen ere I touched you? — O fear not! For I am Arduin! do you not know me? [She trembles speechless. wonderful awaking! O ... at last! Tho yet the memory of the tomb is on you ! . . . This land is Egypt, whither in my grief 1 brought you, my dead bride! Look on me! see! [Stops quickly. 44 ARDUIN But no, not yet! until my youth comes back, As now it will, Over the sea from France! Already passion lifts away the years That weight its wings and I am as I was. Now gaze upon me, now! Is it not I? Myrrha. Sir — ! Arduin. Sir! quickly see. For to ray breast Again has striving brought you, to my bosom! The bitter nights are ended — the blind pits Sleepless and infinite. Awake! stare not So strangely! press your lii)s in praise to mine, Your breast upon my breast! . . . Delay you still? Myrrha. O sir — ! Arduin. See, see! the years have been too long. [Clasps her, dropping alembic. My arms have waited an infinitude. [She struggles. Do you not now remember with my lips ARDUIN 45 To yours, the brimming beauty of our youth? Myrrha. Release me! Arduin. Awake and know me! It is I! Your lover Arduin whom once you wooed: Whose every word was to you as a wind Of God! whose every kiss. . . . Do you not see? Myrrha. No, no! I'm not your love — Arduin. Not — ? You uprisen? Has the tcmb treachery to change the soul? Ye skies, must I go mad now at this moment When I have brought her back from destiny? Not mine? . . , Awake! Oblivion enthralls you. [Suddenly starting from her. Or is it that there in the grave, another — ? Myrrha. No, no ! but — Arduin. Ha, then! if not — if it be not — Is it that here returned you wish another? You who so gaze upon my goaded brow 46 ARDUIN And face grown old with toil to conquer death? O youth ruthless to age! e'en tho its furrows Were got for your delight! — Ingratitude! — Have I so hungered thro long years to pluck A flower of Hell back to the light! . . . No, No! It cannot be! . . . You shall be mine! Myrrha (in terror). Sir, sir! Ardiiin. Mad will I be, as they have thought me, mad In holding that which I have given life. Myrrha. But you mistake! ... I am not what you think. Hear me, for I love one who Arduin. Is not — I? [.45 to invisible judges. You hear her say it? Myrrha. O, I love but Ion, Your — Arduin. Ion, my brother! Then, God! it was true, ARDUIN 47 And being true thy Heaven is but a brothel ! She was unfaithful to me, as he said! And in the other world has met and clasped him! Myrrha. No, let me speak! Arduin. And spurn me more with it? Shall I abide mockery like a mummy! Ha-ha! {A laugh that racks him.) Years but to hear her say that she loves him! To see her come back from the grave, where she Has still embraced him, still — and to my face, On which the rage of sleepless toil is wrought, Tell me. . . . She shall die for it! God, whose stars Are vermin, she shall die! Myrrha. O! Arduin (frenziedly) . Die, die, die! As trustless women should: until no womb Of lies is left in the world! Die, and be shut Again into the curst sarcophagus From whence I brought her . . . Myrrha {in his grasp) . Sir ! — help ! — sir ! do not ! 48 ARDUIN 0, I will love you! Arduin. Liar! and turn from him Whom you betrayed me for — and swear again False love to me? Then ... in the tomb do it! [Begins to choke her. Myrrha. O ! Arduin. Aieh! cry out to him! will he not help you? Myrrha. Ion! Arduin. That word withering in your throat Shall stale you past all hope of resurrection. [Strangles her — and then looks around. So, it is dgne. . , . And now, back to your tomb. Which I will bury in the desert sands So deep that not eternity can find it. [Begins to draii' her totvard sarcophagus. And yet (stopping stricken) all is not well . . . I now could weep. [With lone anguish. ARDUIN 49 I know not wherefore — only that my heart Is wounded and seems bleeding o'er the hours That I must live! . . . O Rhea! ... 0, my love! [Strangely kissing her. Do you not hear the nightingale that sang The song of our betrothal in Provence? It sits upon. . . . [Changing again. Accursed face! accurst! forevermore! Within the tomb lie (dragging her) blind, deaf, motionless, Until — [Looking into the coffin becomes transfixed, while Myrrha's limp body slips sloicly from his arms. He gazes at her, at his wife, and tries to understand. But can- not, and so, standing long troubled, moans: I am not well; perchance Rhasis will come And tell me what it is that I desired. so ARDUIN Men should not toil o'ermuch; there's madness in it. [Then seeing Myrrha's face and starting from it wildly: Rhasis! Rhasis! Rhasis! . . . Oh-oh-oh-oh! [Runs madly off right, as Ion and Rhasis enter left. They look around, see Myrrha and rush to her — with a cry. Curtain 0-UME'S GODS CHARACTERS 0-UmE A Samurai Girl Ama Her Servant, an old woman Sanko A Young Samurai and A Young Jesuit Priest 0-UME'S GODS Time: The Sixteenth Century. Place: Japan. Scene: A room in the house of 0-Umi in a province near the sea. Its shoji, or sliding paper doors, open in the rear upon a wistaria arbor over- hanging a river, upon which lighted lanterns, sent forth on the night of the Feast of the Dead, are dimly floating; while the moon above gleams upon the pale distant snow-cone of Fujiyama. The room with its deep straw mats and walls delicately portrayed with pine and bamboo has a paper-paned door on the right leading to a garden, and is lighted by andon — one beneath a shrine to Buddha on the left wall, and one to the left centre where 0-Ume and Ama are sitting Si 54 0-UME'S GODS on their heels, constrained, foreboding and vcri^- ing to2c