THE VIRGIN GODDESS All Kights Reserved Ex Libria C. K. OGDEN THE VIRGIN GODDESS A TRAGEDY By RUDOLF BESIER LONDON J. M. DENT & CO. 29 & 30 BEDFORD STREET, W.C. 1907 All communicah'ons re^ardt'tti; performitti^ or translating^ rights in this filay should be addressed to— THK INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT BUREAU, LTD. Oswaldestre House, Norfolk Street, Strand, London, IV.C P ^ SANTA B A r '^ A T? A ' ' ^ 60 3 TO LILY BRAYTON NOTE It is hardly necessary to say that The Firgin Goddess is not strictly modelled on the Attic drama. It was written for performance on the modern stage, and should be judged as an acting play, not as a literary tour deforce. In compliance with our stage conventions the curtain descended twice during the performance. R B. VII CHARACTKRS I7i^* Oftiom taJctJ tloit in ihf mar hie courtyiird before the I emple of Artemis.^ Crttphonta Ahhfa ■ CUito . Hfphititiot: IphicUi . The Virgin A Herald Priest King of Artis. The Queen. The King's Mother. The King's Brother, A Captain. Priestess of Artemis. Attendant The Chorus^ Virgins^ ff'^arriorsy Priests and Citizens oj Artis. The Virgin Goddess was produced on 23rd October 1906, by Mr. Otho Stuart at The Adclphi Theatre. THE VIRGIN GODDESS The marble courtyard before the Temple of Artemis. In the background L. to C.a broad flight of steps leading to the temple. In front of the temple door is a statue of Artemis with an altar before it. A flight of steps leading to the kin^ s palace R. Deep blue sky and brilliant sunshine. \Three Warriors stand about the steps leading to the temple door. Almost immediately the curtain goes up two Warriors rush in."] I St Warrior. Iphicles hath returned, and seeks the Queen. ind Warrior. \One of them standing about the steps] Iphicles ! [^They evince excitement.'] I St Warrior. Even he. Last night he crept Through the besiegers to the eastern wall And clomb into the city all unscathed. He beareth urgent news. Where is the Queen ? Other Warriors. What news ? What news ^ I St Warrior. News of our vanished army. [^Tremendous excitement. They rush up to the new- comers^ A Warrior. Now praise the gods ! Another Warrior. Are they alive, our men } Another Warrior. Return they ? a THK VIRGIN GODDESS Another Warrior, Arc they dead? Ml lt\irrior. lie will not speak His tidings save unto the Oueen alone. [Iffiuhs tntns lucompanied lyy two Warriors\ The trarrtors. Iphicles, hail ! ji If'itrrior. The news? Another liarrior. Are they alive? Iphicles. My news is for the ^ueen. Go tell her thou Iphicles hath returned. [Exit a Warrior.'] A IViirrior. We deemed, my friend, That weary of our city and our King, Thou hadst deserted to the rebels. Iphicles. [Imiignant/y] What ! Ye dared impute such infamv to me? Obedient to command I left the city On perilous quest, the which I have fulfilled. Ye deemed I had deserted ! Are ye mad ? [ Jyhile he is speakittg the soutid of singing comes from the distance.^ What song is that ? A IVarrior. The King hath doffed his arms For priestly robes — Iphicles. \_lVith a sneer] Befits him well ! The ff^arrior. — And now W^ith ceremony to the temple goes, There to instal before the inmost shrine Of Artemis three virgins robed in white — THE VIRGIN GODDESS 3 As is our custom in the hour of peril — And at the shrine must these abide in prayer Until the holy goddess speak her will. Iphicles. [Drawing two of the Warriors in front of him^ Make not my presence known unto Cresphontes, Ere I have spoken with the Queen. A JVarrior. 'Tis well. [ The Chorus of seven Youths and seven Maidens, all robed i?i white, file singing on to the stage, down the palace steps, youths and maidens alternately. They are followed by seven Priests and three Virgins, the rear being brought up by Cresphontes, who bears a naked sword lying flat across his hands. The Chorus, singing all the while, form a wide semi- circle about the statue, the Priests form up at the temple door, and the Virgins come to a stand between the statue and altar and facing the audience. Cresphontes pauses before the altar and facing the statue.^ Chorus of Youths. \As they move up the stage. '\ Long since a shepherd on the lonely hills Of Arcady beheld in waking dream, Parting with silver feet the daffodils That fringed his highland stream, And followed by her nymphs in fluttering race, And with wild light upon her face. Immortal beauty out of moonlight wrought, Artemis armed and sandalled for the chase. Tin- \'IR(;iX C.ODDKSS CHORI'S OK M/ViDhNS. [yls they move up the sta^e^ Singing wild songs that glimmering revel passed Into the forest and were lost to him ; Rut fired with deathless love he followed fast Through h..unted woodlands dim, And down still glens that only hunters know, And over peaks of ancient snow, And where the torrents of the mountain hurl Thunder and foam unto the j-ilain below. Chorus of Youths. O fleet his feet, hut fleeter fiir was she Whose face had lured him from the mountain side, And by the margin of the alien sea, He failed at last and died ; And the wild people of the shore that came To tend his spirit's dying flame. Caught from his tongue strange rumours of a dream And mystic loveliness without a name. Chorus of Maidens. And where he died there rose our city white And lovelv as her face for whom he died, And in the gracious favour of her sight We grew in power and pride. And gathered lordly wealth from far away, And palms of glory from the fray ; We sent our spears abroad, and fought and won. And many cities passed beneath our sway. THE VIRGIN GODDESS 5 Chorus of Youths and Maidens. [They sing^ raising imploring hands to the statue.'] But now upon the ridge of night we stand, With unrelenting menace at our gate, And cry in vain for thy sustaining hand And for thy counsel wait. O tender healer of the wounded deer ! O Refuge for all things in fear ! Forsake us not in this the hour of need, O Virgin Goddess, hear ! \_A t the last time they all sink on their knees and remain thus during Cresphontes' prayer, their hands outstretched to the statue^ Cresphontes. Goddess, who lendest no unwilling ear To the lone cry of forest things pursued, The cornered wolf, the stricken hind, O hear ! For we, thy children, on the perilous edge Of ruin call upon thee as of old We called on thee, nor ever called in vain. Then with wise counsel or with sudden hand Didst thou repel the foeman and defend Thy virgin city from his ravishing sword. Lo now, in this extreme of agony Wilt thou withhold thy counsel and thine aid ? Have we failed aught in reverence ? From thy shrines Have not the winds borne sweetest smoke to thee And solemn litanies and silver hymns ? Hail, then, and hearken for we can no more. And lift thy hand before the doom descend ! 6 Tlir VIRC.IX ('.(^DDl'SS [//«• (iHiis (he altar, and a thiik smoke rises. ^feami'hile Althea enters hurriedly and Utoks atLviously about her\ AUhc still! ... Crrsphontts. Hcphx'stion Is far away ; he has no love for home. His city may go down into the dust — What care to him ^ Alihe.i. A lie. You drove him forth With bitter insults from a jealous heart. He loved his citv — but he loathed his King — His brother — and a coward. . . . Cresphontes. I'll not endure To he:ir his name — from thy lips least of all, Woman ! Althen. His very name is dread for thee. Cresphontes. No more. \Diirkly\ I have heard enough to read thy heart. [ To the lVarriors'\ Do ye, each man to his allotted post Return. [ 7 the Priests'] Lead on into the temple. [ The Priests, the Chorus, the Virgins and finally Cresphontes pass into the temple.] A Warrior. \To the Queen., who stands motionless with averted face] ^ueen, I speak for these : do thou but give command, And we will fling the gates apart and fall Like a thunderbolt upon the enemy. Warriors. Ay, speak ! Command ! THE VIRGIN GODDESS ii Althea. \Coldly\ Did you not hear the King Bid you to your allotted posts ? . . . {They move uneasily away. The Queen stays theinP[ My friends, Go : it is good to obey. But as ye go, Take comfort. Soon may dawn the hour when one, Whose valour not a god may quench, will lead The ordered fury of your storming spears Straight to their goal. . . . A Warrior. \_As they go out] What means the Queen .? Another Warrior. I know not. {Exemit all save Althea and Iphicles^ Althea. At last we are alone. . . . Now tell me quick How found you him } His words } And where is he 1 Iphicles. Under a mystery of midnight boughs In a dreamy folding of the Arcadian hills I met him bearing to a little shrine An offering for the goddess of his soul. He is a votary of Artemis, Virgin and wholly dedicate to her, A mighty hunter of the hills is he, Far famed for deeds of prowess in the chase. Queen, I told him of our army lost, And of Cresphontes' weak unstable rule ; 1 told him of our vassals' swift revolt ; How we were driven back by force of arms Within the city ; of the city's plight, la Tin- VIRGIN GODDESS Zoncii .ill about with brls^lu, relentless steel, PcstilcMce-strickcM, taniine-wasted. . . . AtthcA. Ah ! Was he not moved ? IphiiUs. Nay, Oueeii, he laughed and said : ' Let that fell hound, Crcsphontes reap the harvest His hand hath sown ! ' And all in vain I prayed : ' Come down and help us ! ' Then 1 spake thy name And told him it was thou that sent me forth. Aithcii. [/;/ a 'whisper] And then ? Iphicles. A great light leapt into his eyes, He flung his leopard skin about his form, And spake no word, but bade me lead the way. And after many days of tireless march We reached the rebel lines. Then he with art Most cunning passed unharmed among the foe. I left him there to spy upon their plans And learn their leaguered might. Before the sun Touches the sea he swore to gain our walls. Althea. \_IIalf aside] For ten long years I have not seen thy face, Hephaestion. . . . How looked he, Iphicles ? Iphicles. Bearded and vast and thewed as Heracles, And in his motion free as mountain winds And irresistible as mountain floods In autumn, and his eyes are bold and pure As are the eyes of one that knows not love. Althea. [^Sloivly] As are the eyes of one that knows not love. . . . the; VIRGIN GODDESS 13 \_Cleito falters slozvly down the palace steps!\ Iphides. \In a low voice] Althea, the mother of the King is here. Althea. Go then, my friend, but tell this news to none. \Exit Iphides^ Cleito . . . [ Goes up to her and takes her hand,] Thy hands are cold. Cleito. Ay, cold, so cold 1 think I never shall be warm again. . . . Lead me into the sun I cannot see. Althea. Thou standest in the sunshine. Art thou sick } Cleito. Ay, sick with apprehensions horrible. Althea. Open thy heart, beloved. Cleito. I must speak. I have been silent long, now I must speak, And warn thee of thy peril imminent — Peril that comes in a beloved form, And urged by fate malign. Althea. Peril to me ? Cleito. Home from his wanderings somewhere in the world Heph^stion returns . . . Althea. \_Amazea'] Hephasstion ! [Aside] How did she hear ? Well, and what then ? Cleito. What then ? — The avalanche of gathered doom on thee. Althea. On me ? On me ? What means this drift of words } 14 nil-: \lKcilN C'.ODDIlSS How canst thou know 1 Icjtha'stion returns? Ami how should his return hring doom on me ? Cltito. Listen, What time ten years ago you wed The KinLj, Meph.fstion bode with us awhile, And every night he slept within our walls Upon my soul there crept an awful dream. Against a blackness blacker than the night That broods for evermore on these blind eyes Stood robed in white and veiled a woman's form, And all adown the whiteness of her robe, Down to her feet, poured a bright stream of blood. All motionless as Niobe she stood Until that crimson torrent ceased to flow ; Then with dead hand she raised her veil and bared Her bosom . . . Lo, between her breasts the hilt Of the King's sword stood out. . . . And every night So long as he abode within our walls That dream returned . . . But when the hate that lives Between my sons brake into open strife, And from our walls Hephasstion stormed awav. My sleep passed dreamless into morn. Last night The dream returned. . . , \^She buries her face in her hands.'\ Althea. But me this dream concerns not, Even should Hephaestion return to Artis. Ckito. The face of the dead woman and thy face Were one. THE VIRGIN GODDESS 15 Althea. But thou hast never seen my face. Blind were thine eyes long, long before we met. Cleito. And yet I know the dead face was thy face. . . . Kneel. \_Althea kneels before her.'\ I am blind — [Feeh Althea s face^ And yet my hands have eyes — My hands have eyes. Not living as this face, But like to alabaster, white and dead, And awful in triumphant agony — And yet thy face . . . thy face. . . . Althea. [Pushing Cleito' s hands away and rising] I'll not believe it. These be sick fancies of the fevered brain. [Aside] And yet these fancies told her that he comes, And told her truly. ... Ah ! \Sound of approaching shouts.] Cleito. [Rising to her feet] What sounds be these ^ Althea. [In a whisper] Can it be he ? [The sound grows louder. Iphicles rushes in.] Iphicles. O Queen, he is here ! Althea. [In a whisper] So soon } Cleito. Who spake but now } Iphicles. I, Iphicles. Cleito. Then tell me — For it seems a chill wind blows upon my heart — What mean these shouts } Althea. \With a sign to Iphicles] It is thy son. Cleito. My son ^, i6 Till-: \ I Re. IN GODDESS Jpktdes. That borne with jublhiticni hither comes, Cutio. \^H'ith suiUcn unimiHiofij My son, the King, Cres- phontcs, borne along. Triumphant out of victory returned ! They said his father's spirit in him was dead. Thcv lied, such lofty spirit cannot die ! Lead him to me that 1 may kiss his brow, My son, the King. [SriYnj/ 1 1 'it mors rtdsit shouting on to the stage. They fonu an avenue for Ilephcestion, who enters^ a leopard skin throivn over his head and armour. Seeing Althea he starts back and stands for a moment staring at her as though in fear. The shouting dies dozvn into si/ence.] Althea. Thy mother calls for thee. Heph^stion. [^Turning to Cleito'] Mother ! [ Takes her hands ] Cleito. [^Drawing them away with a cry] O me, what son is this? Althea. Hephasstion ! Hepluestion. Beloved mother, it is I. \Seeks to embrace her.'\ Cleito. \J''ehemently repulsing hiyn] Away ! The world is wide. Get hence into the world ! Put the resisting hills 'twixt thee and us, The untravelled deserts and the lonely seas ! Go, as you love me — go ! Hephd'Stion. What words are these ? What sorry greeting after many years ? [ Takes her hands] THE VIRGIN GODDESS 17 Ah, but thy hands are marble cold, beloved ! Why dost thou tremble ? Cleito. Ask me not, but go ! \Suddenly holding his hand to her heart] O child, I yearn toward thee with a love Strong as the terror which impels my tongue To bid thee leave our city to its fate . . . Althea, speak : beseech him to return Into that far-off land from whence he came To menace thee and thine. . . . Hephcestion. From whence I came To menace thee, Althea ? 1 grope in gloom. What meaning underlies these mystic words.'' Althea. She is ill and visited with evil dreams Which fever conjures into warnings — Cleito. Nay — Althea. Be still. I charge thee say no more. Thy son Comes hither with a glorious rage inspired, And to fulfil the purpose of the gods. Hephaestion, speak. Hephcestion. I come to give my arm And brain to Artis. I am here to assist The resurrection of her lofty name, That now lies trampled in the shameful dust, To avert with stubborn force the impending doom. And wash with blood these insults from her face. And seal the sorry breaches in our walls With the red spoil of war. Not yours henceforth To await behind a fence of crumbling stone, i8 nil': VIRGIN CiODDESS Like ctirncrcd r;its, a iiiiscrahic death. Wli.it tlu)iiu;}i we be initnuinlK-rcd man for man, Wc are mighty in a passion for revenge, And in the conquering worship of" our land ! O now for vou the broad and open held. The shock and countershock of charging spears, The long-drawn thunder of the earth that shudders Under the tramp of feet and galloping hoofs ; The glorv and gloom and all the pomp and sound Of unrelenting battle to the death. All this my presence here in Artis means : Hither I came to lead you forth and fight Up to a stern and iron-crashing close. YTitviultuous cheers fro7n those assembled^ Praise ye the Queen, for it was she whose voice Urged me to Artis from afar. The U^aniors. \^ff 1th a great shout] Althea ! Cleito. [To Althea] Is this the truth r Did thy voice urge him hither ? Althea. Yes. Cleito. Then I say no more. Let come what will, I am resigned. We may not parry fate. [Exit, led by a Warrior^ \A Priest enters from the temple door.] The Priest. The King is much in wrath and bids me learn Wherefore ye raise these shoutings and disturb The solemn rites within the temple. THE VIRGIN GODDESS 19 Alihea. Tell him We have more cause for shouts than he for prayer. Hephaestion hath returned. Priest. \Ama%ed'\ Hephasstion, thou ! Hephcestion. Even so, my friend, 'tis I. Go tell the King I await him here. Priest. 'Tis well. \Exit:\ Hephastion. What does the King ? Althea. Safe in the shrine of Artemis he prays With boys and girls assembled. Lo, his sword, Thy father's dreadful sword of fierce renown, A sacrifice upon the altar lies ! He hath doffed his arms and donned the garb of priest. The enemy storm our gates and crush our walls. We starve within. He prays with boys and girls. \^Murmurs?^ Hephcestion. My father's sword ! \He takes it from the altar'] Alas, what depths we have reached ! O friends, this sword it was that made our name Shine with prevailing glory in the world. Once was this sword the terror of our foes When in my father's unremorseful hand It flashed, a very thunderbolt of Zeus ! Now in this sombre hour it lies untouched, Harmless, neglected. Lo, the very blade Is dull with shame ! [Murmurs.] A Warrior. But thou canst make it clean ! 20 TIIK VlRCilN GODDESS ^inolfur U'drrior. Take thi)u thy tuthcr's sword and lead us on ! Another ff'itrrior. We'll follow thcc till death and out beyond! [Tumultuous s/iouts.^ I/efh.rstion. ' I'is well ; hut now 1 charge you to your posts. There to await me. In disguise I have crept Among the rebels and have learned their plans, And formed mine own. Be ready ; for to-night We sally forth in quest of victory. [It.tfu/it all except llepliastion and Alt/iea.] [There is a moment's silence. Buckling- his father s sivord on his thigh he approaches her.] Alrhea, is this indeed thy face I see.'' Althea. [Looking awaf\ Why dost thou ask ? Uephcestton. Thy face ... so strange it seems And like a memory of^long ago . . . [Takes her hands'] Look at me. Dost thou still recall that hour \N"hen first we met ^ Althea. [Drawing away her hands] That hour when first we met .'' It was the night before my marriage morn. I could not sleep, and rose and wandered away By the sea-shore . . . Hephigstion. And I, approaching Artis From seaward, came upon thee loitering Under the moon and in the sound of waves. Althea. Ah, how thy presence startled me — so vast In the dim light I THE VIRGIN GODDESS 21 HephcBStion. And like a spirit thou, Strayed from the shadow valleys of the dead : White was thy robe and white thy hands, and whiter Thy face, Althea. Altliea. My heart was full of trouble. Heph^estion. We talked awhile and parted dreamily. Althea. When next we met I was thy brother's wife. \She looks away ; a pause, then with animation^ And then how suddenly you left the city — Too suddenly to bid me one farewell ! Hephastion. Yea, for I left in the white heat of wrath Against Cresphontes. From the womb we grew In hate together, and as the years went by. That mutual hatred kindled more and more Until at length it brake into wild flame After he wed thee . . . And I left my land For ever, as I deemed. Althea. [Smiiingl But thou art here. Hephastion. {With sudden ardour] Could I resist the voice that called me home — Thy voice, Althea ? [Touches her hand.] Althea. [Drawing it away] And all those many years We dwelt apart how fared the world with thee ? Thou art a votary of Artemis, A mighty hunter. Tell me all. Hephastion. O Queen, How good it was to feel the long, soft winds Breathing upon thy face from the unknown ! 22 1111- \IK(^.1\ r.ODDKSS The enormous ocean liherty was mine, And mine the earth, and 1 was tree to choose. 1 Nvaiulercd tar into the sunset gold And tar into the morn, and north and south Revealed their secret wonders to my gaze. But in the hills ot Artemis my soul Found home, and then my wandering feet were still. I built a hut for shelter from the storm, I huilt a little shrine to Artemis, And gave myself to her, and lived the life Of a free hunter roaming in the woods, Careless, untramelled, unallied — a man. ^iithea. [.Is though to herself^ And yet more surely bound than others. . . . Heph.rstion. I ! How so ? Althea. Art thou not bound to Artemis With vows that only death can break ? Hephcestion. 'Tis true. Althea. [/;/ a low passionate voiced Others may taste the sweets of human love — Not thou. . . . Neph^estion. [Hoarsely^ seizing her hands\ Althea! Althea. \In a strangled voiced Let go my hands. . . . [She frees herself^ and as the temple door opens passes out up the palace steps. Enter Cres- phontes from the temple. The brothers regard each other silently ?[ THE VIRGIN GODDESS 23 Cresphontes. \Harshly\ Put back My sword. Hephastion. Thy sword — Cresphontes. 1 tell thee put it back Upon the holy altar where it lay. To Artemis I sacrificed my sword. How darest thou — Hephastion. I dared because I knew Such sacrifice were loathsome in her eyes. [ With an exclamation of fury Cresphontes ad- vances towards him.'\ Let be. I put it back again to rest In shame awhile, obedient to thy will. [/« silence he goes to the altar and lays the sword upon it, then turns to Cresphontes with a sudden change of manner.'] Nay, brother, for I come not here in wrath, But hither drawn by deathless love I come ! Now in this hour of reconciling peril Let us be one and burn up ancient feuds And smouldering hatred of the sundered years In one embracing flame of patriot love. Cresphontes. I never sought thy hurt or crossed thy will, Save in defence of my just right as King. Whence art thou ? Hephastion. From Arcadia, where I dwell, A hunter dedicate to Artemis, Among the hills made holy by her feet. Cresphontes. Why art thou here ? 24 THF. VIRGIN GODDKSS Hcph-csiun. \ low canst thou ;isk ? Is Artis So safely 'stablishcd that her sons may roam The Nvorki unmindful oi her welfare ? Cresphi^ntira. Ah ! . . . This sudden patriot love is strange and new And sits upon thcc well. How came the tidings Ot our sore straits to thee? Ilephrstion. Through Iphiclcs. Cresphontcs. [/;/ a changed voice^ Iphicles ? Htph.rsiion. Well, what then ? Cresphontcs. Iphicles went, Obedience to Althca's secret word, To search tor tidings of our vanished ships. Hepkrsfwn. Well? Cresphontcs. And he seems among the Arcadian hills To have sought them and — tound thee. Hephxstion. Have I denied it ? What willst thou more.'* Cresphontcs. I fain would hear thee say That Iphicles went forth without command To seek thee. Hephi£Stion. Were that then so strange ? Cresphontcs. So strange I'd not believe it. Nay, my friend, we know It was my wife, Althea, who sent for thee. Hephjestion. Well, and what then ? Cresphontcs. O food for laughter merely ! Dost thou remember thy tremendous oath THE VIRGIN GODDESS 25 Never again to pass within these walls ? But when Althea beckons thee, the oath Dissolves in air, and like a faithful dog Hephasstion returns. He-phastion. I am here to-day Because I know that Artis needs a man. Fighters there be, and priests there be who stand Safely ensancturled and sing and pray While others battle — but no man to lead. Cresphontes. \_In sudden fury] So now at length I see thy naked soul ! Thou art come as ever in old time thou camest To thwart my purpose and to flout my will. Thou art the man to lead, and I to follow — Thou to command, I to obey. Heph^stion. Enough ! The call of Artis shall not be denied. All through the long years of thy craven rule I stood aside and held my peace and watched Our city slowly from that eminence sink On whose proud heights our father with strong toil Raised her and many wars. She is fallen, she lies Hard on the edge of doom because of thee. No longer will I stand aside. She called me, I came to raise her up, and I remain. Cresphontes. Thou fool, dost think I cannot read thy heart, Cloud it about in phrases as thou wilt ? It was her face that lured thee from the hills, Her words, because they came from her — Althea. 26 TUK VIRC^N r.ODDKSS When hist thou turricdst here 1 iiuirked thine eyes Kecd on her t:ice with hot desire . . . IltphiTstioft. Thou licst ! Crtsphofttfs. She loathed me ever and she burned for thee — She burned for thy caressing lips and hands, Until at length she sent tor thee, and now — Hepfupstioti. Revile me as thou wilt, no whit care I. But tilthy slander spat upon the Oueen I'll not endure. Cresphonles. Then get thee gone ! [Efi/rr Iphiclcs and a IVarnor.] Iphicles. O King, A herald from the foe craves speech with thee. Cresphonles. ['/b himself] What now ? . . . [7"(5 Iphicles] Then bid him enter. \^Exii the Warrior.] \Enicr Althea down the palace steps.] Iphicles. Queen, a herald Approaches from the rebel lines. Althea. A herald ? What need for further parley at this hour ? \Entcr Herald, accoiipanied by several Warriors^ Herald. \Sees Heph^stion] Hephaestion ! Hephcestion. Well, I know thy face, my friend. Of old thou wast a citizen of Artis. Herald. [In a low voice] And still had been with thee as King, Hephasstion. Cresphonles. [ To the Herald] What is thy will ? THE VIRGIN GODDESS 27 Herald. Cresphontes, from the spears Leagued and confederate against thy rule I come, the bearer of pacific words And fair proposals. Althea. \_Scornfully to Hephastion\ Even as I thought ! The news hath reached them of thine advent here. They know that Artis holds at length a man, Whose strangling hands shall grip the throat of Fate — And now they fain would slink like beaten hounds Away — Cresphontes. Be still ! This is no time or place For reckless boasting and the froth of spite. [To the Herald\ Speak on, my friend. Herald. King, I am bidden say : Conquest is not the goal of our resolve, Nor hate the force that urged us to rebel. We to the cause of liberty are vowed. Yet little lust is ours to shed the blood Of those that are our kindred from of old. But since it is ordained the strong must rule. And since we are proven in the lists of war Stronger than you, we claim by right of strength Lordship of all the cities 'neath thy sway. Save Artis, where thou still mayst rule as King And live in peace. {^Contemptuous murmurs from the Warriors^ These are our just demands ; Grant these, and we with all our spears will turn 2S Tin: VIRC.IN GODDESS Homeward in peace before the morrow's sun. Refuse them, and we'll tight thee to the death. Cresphonus. Now, friend, I praise the gods — Ilfph^stion. O, praise them not Kre vet thev shower upon thee gifts for praise ! y.lpprovifii:^ munnurs frotn the Warriors.] Cresphontcs. [^Omifwusly^ What mean these words } lieph.rslion. Didst thou not hear this man Fling down his subtle insult at thy feet ? Shall we endure that those who in the past Cowered in the shadow of our father's frown Should dare — Cresphontes. Endure — I'll not endure thy voice Thrust into councils which concern thee not. Heplutsiion. But speak I will, and thou shalt hear my words. It was thy listless and reluctant rule That lured these men into revolt who now Lie in grim wait before our holy walls. Behold, thev dare with proffer of shameful peace To come before thee. One reply thou hast. And only one — Cresphontes. And that reply is mine. But ere I speak it take these words : The sun Slopes westward ; ere his foot shall touch the sea I bid thee leave these walls for evermore. I'll brook no more thy domineering mien, The hot and venomous hatred of thy heart, And dark intrigue to undermine my power. THE VIRGIN GODDESS 29 Get hence into the wilds from whence thou earnest, And never show thy face in Artis more. [AU/iea starts forward with a cry, but Hephastion restrains her. The Warriors murmur together.^ Hephastion. Is this the end ? Cresphontes. I have spoken. Hephastion. It is well. Althea. [Passionately'] Cresphontes, art thou mad ? And wilt thou slay The last hope of the city ? Cresphontes. I will shield Artis with my protection and wise love From ruin. [To the Herald] Friend, return to those that sent thee, And say the King accedes to their demands. And bid them homeward turn their steps in peace. This tell them, and farewell. Althea. Cresphontes, not This final shame ! Cresphontes. I have spoken. [To the Herald] Go thy ways. Herald. King, I will take thine answer with great heart To those that wait without. Farewell. [Exit.] Althea. [In a fierce whisper to Heph^stion] Then kill him! Hephcestion. [Under his breath] Cresphontes.-* Althea. Kill him for the city's sake. [In a lower voice] Kill him for mine, beloved. Heph^stion. I will. 30 Tin; \ llvC.lN GODDESS [To J/>hic/c's, i overfly] Do thou Detain awhile the Herald at our L!;atcs. He switt and secret. IphiiUs. It is well. [Exit nipidly.\ CresphoHies. A 1 1 hea, And men of Artis, you that murmur now At my decision in the teeth of fate, 1 pardon, suffering in my pride with you. But vou will sec the wisdom of my choice In the tair days now dawning on the land. P'or is not peace far lovelier than war, And lite than death ? We have our city still, The breeze is ours, the sun and moon and stars Shine for us, and we are free to go our ways Unhaunted by the menace of the grave ; In peaceful trust to till the patient fields, And reap the harvest in unthinking joy. Praise ve the goddess in your hearts, and I Will lay my dole of thanks before her feet. [He goes slowly back hito the temple. A silence.] Althea. There is one thing to do and only one. Hephcestion. And I, obedient to thy least command, Will do it now. [To the fi^arriors] Mv friends, I have detained The Herald at our gates. He must not take Cresphontes' word unto the rebel chiefs, If still ye are wedded to the stern resolve That death is fairer than this shameful peace. [ They answer him with affirmitig shouts.] THE VIRGIN GODDESS 31 Then must I do the deed that Fate begat Far off in the miraculous womb of time. Straight is the path up which my feet must tread, And crimson is the close, and out beyond Darkness. [To a Warrioir\ Thy sword. Althea. Upon the altar there Behold thy father's sword. HephcBStion. My father's sword ! \Goes to the altar] The sword Cresphontes shamed. [Takes //.] 'Tis well, my Queen. Now will I wash with blood that shame away. A Warrior. What wilt thou do ? HephcBstion. The man who was your King Hath sold the rights of Kingship and of man. He is no longer worthy of the sun, And he must die. [He goes up steps and turns at the door of the temple.'] Keep watch before the door. And see that no man enter. [Exit into the temple.] [A pause. Then Althea utters a sudden cry.] Althea. Nay, come back ! [She rushes towards the temple door, but is stopped by the Warriors^ Hephasstion, pause ! [Seizing the spears which bar her way] I charge thee let me pass ! 32 TTir: VTRGIN GODDESS ^y ff^arrior. O Ouccn, no torcc oi thine CAn hold him now. ^Ithea. \^In a frenzy] He must not do this deed or wc are doomed ! iVl;ikc wav ! oi4t the temple steps. Suddenly the ^i^reat doors of the temple fall apart and Hephizstion appears on the threshold. Perceiving him, the people fall gradually silent. He moves sloivly doiun the steps to the altar and they shrink away, so azcful is the tragedy of his face. He lays his sivord upon the altar,"] HephiHstion. The Queen is dead. . . , \^A silence.] Chorus. Inscrutable are they That wield supernal power : From depths of dark decay They rear the splendid flower ; On waste and fruitful soil They spend the sun and rain ; They lavish to despoil, And wreck to raise again. CURTAIN COLSTON AND COY. LIMITED, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH T.Tnr.AKY SANTA BARBAr.A Tin LIBRARY IMVERSl rv ()I CALIIORMA Sani.i It.irh.ira (iolfia, California THIS HOOK IS 1)1 E ON Till LAST DATE STAMPED 15ELOU. AVAIL.^^,^^ roR nKClT,'.Ti(..N^ niifctETn'Hlil ^i 20m-3/59(A552>4)476 Illiilililiiiiii A A 001 417 129 2 3 1205 021 2 2559 k.,:vW^f.Ut..