KARMA KARMA A RE-INCARNATION PLAY IN PROLOGUE, EPILOGUE & THREE ACTS BY ALGERNON BLACKWOOD AUTHOR Ot "JULIUS LE VALLON," "THE WAVE," ETC. AND VIOLET PEARN NEW YORK E. P. BUTTON & COMPANY 681 FIFTH AVENUE COPYRIGHT, 1918, Y E. P. BUTTON & COMPANY Printed in the United States of America CONTENTS PAGE PROLOGUE. PRESENT DAY 3 ACT I. THEIR FIRST LIFE TOGETHER. TIME 2000 B.C. EGYPT 38 ACT II. THEIR SECOND LIFE TOGETHER. TIME 325 B.C. GREECE 81 ACT III. THEIR THIRD LIFE TOGETHER. TIME- FIFTEENTH CENTURY. ITALY .... 123 EPILOGUE. PRESENT DAY . 189 PROLOGUE PRESENT DAY CHARACTERS PHILLIP LATTIN (45), British Agent in Egypt. MRS. LATTIN, his wife (40), mentally and phys- ically ill; a woman of strong personality and exacting. THE DOCTOR, unpretentious, simple in bearing, gentle in manner. NURSE. PROLOGUE SCENE Room in LATTIN'S London house. MRS. LATTIN lies on sofa. A picture of Ancient Egypt, showing the Nile, palms and temples on wall easily visible to her. TIME Present day, evening. Mrs. Lattin . What time is it, nurse now ? Nurse Close on half -past five. Mrs. Lattin (With irritability of a sick woman.) Not later? Are you sure? It's so dark. Nurse (Soothingly.) The dusk is closing in; I'll light your lamp. 3 4 KARMA Mrs. Lattin Half -past five, you said? My husband expected to be back before this. Hasn't he come? The appointment was for half- past two. Nurse The Foreign Office takes its time. Mr. Lattin will come to you the moment he gets in. Mrs. Lattin You're sure? I thought I heard his step. Nurse I'll go and see the moment the lamp is lit. But he never forgets. He always comes in here first. Mrs. Lattin But he's so long to-day, longer than usual. And he looked so grave, nurse, when he left. He looked worried, I thought. You noticed it? KARMA 5 Nurse He is taken up with these politics just now. It's only natural, considering the crisis in Egypt. But he's always so in earnest, isn't he ? I noticed nothing unusual. The Government is lucky to have him at such a time. No one could fill his place. (Brings lamp.) There's the lamp. Is the shading right ? Mrs. Lattin Fill his place! No, indeed. Phillip understands the natives better than anybody in the world. And the country too (wist- fully) . If only I could bring myself to go back to Egypt with him. (Irritably.) The light catches my eye there. To the left a little. Now to the right. Thank you. Nurse The doctors all agree it's best not, don't they? The dry climate 6 KARMA Mrs. Lattin It's not that, nurse. Dryness is what I need warmth and dryness. It's some- thing else. Egypt frightens me. I can't sleep there. Dreams come to me. Nurse The doctors said it was the effect of the climate on the nerves. Mrs. Lattin Oh, I know. I'd face it if I could an- other winter. It means so much to Mr. Lattin, doesn't it? Nurse! It's curious it's strange, don't you think that Mr. Lat- tin feels nothing of that I feel there? I mean . Nurse Hark! I think that's Mr. Lattin's step. I'll go and see. Mrs. Lattin It can't be the new doctor, can it? KARMA 7 Nurse Dr. Ogilvie? Not yet. Six o'clock he was to come. He won't be here before his time. These great specialists are busy men. ' Mrs. Lattin (Wearily.) I've seen so many doctors. I hardly feel as if I had the strength for a new examination. Dr. Ogilvie will do me no good. Nurse Still you will see him. For your hus- band's sake. Mrs. Lattin Ah, yes, for Phillip's sake. I think my husband's coming, nurse. (Enter PHILLIP.) Nurse Good-evening, Mr. Lattin. Mrs. Lattin is a trifle better. I'll leave you for a little, but she must not tire herself. We are ex- pecting Dr. Ogilvie at six. 8 KARMA Phillip I'll be very careful. [NURSE exit. (PHILLIP comes to Ms wife.) Mrs. Lattin At last, Phillip. I'm so glad you've come, dear. I've been waiting and longing so. They kept you but you belong to me, don't you? You're tired, poor old thing. Come to me, Phillip closer. (Stretches out hand.) Phillip I am a bit late. I'm sorry, Little Child. They kept me, yes. But you ? Mrs. Lattin I'm well enough to listen. You're back; I forgive you. And it's all arranged as you wished as you hoped? Phillip Sir George was kindness itself KARMA 9 Mrs. Lattin You saw the Foreign Secretary! PMOip You didn't know I was such a big-wig, did you? It is important, you see, dear. The situation out there is complicated. I've left them in the lurch a little, and my ad- vice er my knowledge, Sir George was good enough to say at such a time Mrs. Lattin In the lurch, Phillip! How in the lurch? You're only asking a longer leave than usual. Phillip There, there. I don't want you to worry your dear head with politics. The new doc- tor will be here any minute now. That's far more important. Mrs. Lattin I would rather know exactly. It doesn't worry me. 10 KARMA Phillip It's all been arranged most satisfactorily, dear; and I'm very pleased. So you re pleased with me eh? Mrs. Lattin Phillip what has been arranged? PhiUip Sir George was most complimentary. The Government would recognise my services my long services, he called it. He even dis- cussed with me asked my advice, if you must know the full weight of honour placed upon me! as to my successor Mrs. Lattin Successor! Phillip But, darling, some one must fill my place. There must be a locum tenens, as they say in the church. Mrs. Lattin You've resigned ! KARMA 11 Phillip Dear one, there was no other way. It's a formality, you see. I can always take it up again where I left it off. Our man in Egypt just now must be there. He must be on the spot, of course Mrs. Lattin But six months' leave! Surely, six months' leave Phillip Means the entire winter. There, there, Little Child, it's nothing. You must not exaggerate like this. What is my work in Egypt compared to being with you. The doctors forbid you to go out. It's quite simple: I prefer to stay with you. My world lies in your heart. I I can always take up the work again when when you're better. Mrs. Lattin Resigned, resigned! You have actually resigned. Your career I have broken your 12 KARMA career at last completely. Is it wrong, then, that I need you so? Phillip Hush, dearest Mrs. Lattin You have paid this tremendous price and I have made you pay it. Phillip I wish to be always with you. That is my only wish, my only happiness. Mrs. Lattin For my sake you have sacrificed Phillip It's I who am selfish to tire you with all this stupid Government business. There, now; you've talked too much and I have done you harm. There's only happiness in my heart. No more nonsense-talk about sac- rifice. You must lie quiet and rest again. I can be always with you. KARMA 13 Mrs. Lattin Yes, to the end my end and yours. O God! Why did I not understand before? Phittip You must not speak like that. Love our love knows no end. Mrs. Lattin Oh, I am miserable, Phillip, miserable, miserable. Phillip Please, do not say such things. Mrs. Lattin But I must, I must. My selfishness has brought you to this last renouncement. Egypt has meant so much to you. Phillip Too much, Mary, too much. Egypt was coming between us. 14 KARMA Mrs. Lattin Your work there, the great work I have ruined . . . ! Egypt meant home to you. Phillip Home is where you are, dearest, and no- where else. You have taught me this in time. (To himself.) Egypt! Ah, Egypt! Mrs. Lattin I hate it. It terrifies me. There is pain for me in Egypt. An instinctive dread comes over me always something from very far away. I have struggled against it, for your sake, but oh, it's so, so strong. If only you could forgive me 1 Phillip Hush, dearest! Mrs. Lattin But it has come between us. You love it so. And it's my fault that you can't your career, I mean KARMA 15 Phillip Dear one, whatever is, is right. There is nothing to regret. Egypt, indeed, has drawn me strangely. There is some power out there a spiritual power that has cast a glamour over me. It has been a passion with me. Mrs. Lattin My instinctive terror! Phillip And my instinctive love! [They glance together in silence at a great picture above the bed an Egyptian night-scene, with stars and Nile. Yes . . . yes . . . strange indeed ! From my earliest days it drew me. Those palms and temples, that majestic desert 1 Mrs. Lattin Phillip, don't! Those stars, that river bring me sadness immense regret. I feel 16 KARMA them always rising over me. They watch me! Phillip Forgive me. It was the marvellous beauty took me. I Mrs. Lattin But it's an unearthly beauty. And some- thing in it lost. It's lost to you. And I oh, but I do love you so; for ever and ever you are mine aren't you? [He stoops and kisses her. She half rises, whispering : Phillip, dearest something strange comes over me. I see a lifting of this heavy English sky. I have been through this be- fore I have done this very thing before long, long ago injured you somehow! Oh, Phillip, can it be that we have lived before pre-existence is it true? (Sinks back.) I think ... I think I must be near to ... death! KARMA 17 PUUip Hush, hush, my darling. These are sick fancies only. Your brain is tired. We must not talk like this. Mrs. Lattin I am tired, yes ; but it is my soul that aches and not my body. Phillip, I want your forgiveness. Phillip There is nothing to forgive. I love you. Mrs. Lattin (Spiritually tortured and perplexed.) I want your real forgiveness before I go. I have been suffering deeply, deeply. Cur- tains have been rising. I almost see. Some- thing seems growing clearer to me. I've done wrong somewhere ! Why have I pulled against you all these years against your work? It cannot be my love that is at fault. You're wholly mine and yet I want your forgiveness somehow 18 KARMA Phillip (Deep patience.) All the love and for- giveness in the world I give you, Little Child. But you ask for what was always yours. Mrs. Lattin Your broken mission. You alone have the strength and patience Egypt needs. I have ruined all, all, alll Phillip There! I forgive you, then. (Kisses her.) I forgive you all, all, all. But please calm yourself. This excitement does you harm. You torment yourself for nothing. It is I who have been, and am, the egoist. All men who think their work is a mission are shameless egoists. Mrs. Lattin Thank you, Phillip, for this great gift of your forgiveness. But it is not enough. KARMA 19 I want to understand and so forgive my- self. Phillip You must rest now a little. It was criminal of me to let you talk so much. No r not another word. I'll leave you for a bit. You must be calm to see the Doctor. It's nearly six Mrs. Lattin Dr. Ogilvie can't help me. Phillip What! The first man of the day! His wonderful cures Mrs. Lattin He cures the body only. ?Z need a soul physician. Oh, Phillip, I believe sometimes my yearning must bring him to me. PUWp My darling, it is your body alone that is ill. Your suffering gives you these strange fancies. 20 KARMA Mrs. Lattin You love me too well to understand. (Sighs.) My illness is not only of the body. Now, leave me, dearest. I wish to see him quite alone. Phillip Little Child, you shall. You can dismiss the nurse. (Glances at clock.) It is close on six. Mrs. Lattin Kiss me. (He kisses her softly and goes out. ) If only ah, if only my great yearn- ing ... [She lies back exhausted. Sighs. Covers her face with her hands. After a moment she uncovers her face and half sits up again. She stares hard at Egyptian picture on the wall. The fault lies in my soul, and it comes first from there from Egypt. The river is rising, rising once again. The stars are KARMA 21 rising too. They watch me, and they wait. They're always watching us. O God! If only some one could make me understand! If some great doctor of the soul . . . ! (Sinks back. Her eyes close. She lies very still.} [A big clock on the mantelpiece strikes the first three strokes of six o'clock, then stops. The door opens slowly and a man enters quietly. He looks round the room,, sees her on the sofa apparently asleep, and stands still., a few feet inside the door. He looks steadily at her a moment, then glances at the picture of Egypt on the wall. He smiles gen- tly. His figure is a little bent, perhaps. He is not a big man with any marked presence. As he smiles, she opens her eyes and sees him. She shows surprise and slight embarrassment. She raises herself 22 KARMA on one arm. Her voice is hushed rather when she speaks. He re- mains near the open door. I beg your pardon. Is it Dr. Ogilvie? Doctor I am the Doctor. Mrs. Lattin I must apologise. Did no one ? Doctor I found my way. [Both pause, gazing. Mrs. Lattin (With relief.) Ah! Thank you. [She makes an unfinished gesture to- wards a seat. Her eyes remain fixed on his. She smiles faintly. Doctor You called for me. (He makes one step nearer. ) KARMA 23 Mrs. Lattin My husband, I believe, did write. We expected you. Doctor I am come. Mrs. Lattin It is exceedingly it is more than kind of you. You are so good. I mean (stam- mers; sinks back upon the cushions, unable to maintain the effort). I am very ill. Doctor I know. Mrs. Lattin You know ! Ah yes you know. Doctor That is why you called me. That is why I am here now. Mrs. Lattin I can tell you very briefly what 24 KARMA Doctor It is unnecessary. Mrs. Lattin But Doctor I have been watching you. [He straightens up a little; a new dignity is in him. She gazes in- tently. She stretches out a hand, then withdraws it, hesitatingly, again. Mrs. Lattin You mean ? Doctor I knew that you would send for me. Mrs. Lattin Ah! The medical journals! My case, of course its peculiar er its hopeless- ness. KARMA 25 Doctor There are no hopeless cases. (He smiles. His voice is very gentle. ) Mrs. Lattin (Bewildered.} You are very ki good. I thank you, already. Doctor (Shaking his head quietly.) And you al- ready I see are on the way to your recovery. Mrs. Lattin Recovery ! Doctor Since you realise that you are very ill. Mrs. Lattin Oh in that sense. Doctor In every sense. [She is more and more aware of some- thing unusual in him. She keeps 26 KARMA Tier gaze steadily on his face. She makes a gesture towards him, then hesitates. She seems on the point of saying more speaking more freely. Mrs. Lattin I think there must be a mistake some- where. I don't quite understand how you Doctor There are no mistakes. Mrs. Lattin But you are sure it is me you have come to see? Doctor It is you. Mrs. Lattin Mrs. Lattin? [He bows his head. In this street and house 13 Bristol Square? KARMA 27 This street, this square (moves nearer and puts his hand upon her head), this very house you occupy for the moment. [She stares at him. They smile. She is aware of another meaning in his words. A touch of awe shows in her manner. Mrs. Lattin (Low.) This body? Doctor Which, for the moment, you are occupy- ing, Littl^ Child. Mrs. Lattin (Awed.) You know that name! My husband's secret name ! Doctor It is your name. [He moves back a step so that she can see the picture. One hand he 28 KARMA stretches towards her as in blessing. Her eyes turn from the Egyptian night-scene to his face again. Mrs. Lattin (Softly, to herself.) My little secret love- name. It is too marvellous this. I am completely at a loss to (breaks off> as he looks down and smiles at her). Doctor Love names truly always. Mrs. Lattin He . . . has . . . always . . . called me so. Doctor He has loved you truly always. Mrs. Lattin (Sitting up.) But you know everything in the world! Who are you really? (Awe increases in her.) KARMA 29 Doctor I am the Doctor. Mrs. Lattin Doctor! The greatest calling in the world! A doctor's powers Doctor Are, by rights, divine. Mrs. Lattin Life or death Doctor Life and death. Mrs. Lattin (Hushed.) But you are more than doctor; you are also Priest. Doctor I am at your service. 30 KARMA Mrs. Lattin (Light breaking on her face. She stretches out a hand to him. He takes it.) To heal me. I feel great power pouring from you into me. It is like wind and fire. Doctor Life is a wind and fire. It is life you feel. Your claim is great, because of your great wish, your true desire. You deserve. And I have come. Mrs. Lattin (Puzzled.) Deserve! My great desire! My claim . . . ! Doctui Your sickness is not of the heart, but of the soul. Your desire was prayer. Mrs. Lattin You have read my heart. Doctor Little Child, it is in your eyes. KARMA 31 Mrs. Lattin And you know my very soul. Doctor Little Child, I am come to heal it. Mrs. Lattin Recovery! You said recovery. While I lie dying here by inches 1 Doctor ,You love. Mrs. Lattin With all my heart. Doctor And soul? [He looks questiordngly down at her with great tenderness. Her expres- sion shows the dawn of compre- hension. 32 KARMA Mrs. Lattin (Very low.) I love wrongly some- where. I forgot my soul. And I have wrecked him, wrecked his life, his work. Doctor (To himself.) Again. Mrs. Lattin (Not catching his word.) Is there re- covery for that? Can you heal that? Doctor He does not question your love for him? Mrs. Lattin He is too big-hearted. He has sacrificed all for me. It is regret and remorse that kill me now they bring death more quickly. If only I could understand 1 Doctor You shall. KARMA 33 Mrs. Lattin (Bitterly.) When it is too late. Can you give recovery for that? Can the forgiveness that I crave his forgiveness undo what has been? (Hides her face and sobs.) I must die without forgiveness. Doctor Recovery begins with understanding. Mrs. Lattin I want his forgiveness. Doctor You must forgive yourself. Mrs. Lattin Oh, oh, I do not understand. My re- morse goes with me even into the grave. Doctor Remorse brings weakness. The forgive- ness of another affects that other only. 34 KARMA Mrs. Lattin (Looking up.} Yes? Doctor Understand. Then, without regret, go forward. To forgive yourself is true for- giveness. Mrs. Lattin I feel something wonderful in you. Your words bring life again ... I ... There seems something I remember remember al- most very dim and far away. . . . (Her eye falls upon the Egyptian picture. She gazes fascinated at it.) The stars . . . the river . . . are rising, surely . . . Doctor You remember lif e. And life shall teach you this. Mrs. Lattin Life! My life! Oh, what is it rising in me? A curtain lifts. I see . . . myself. Ah, now it goes again . . . The pain . . . KARMA 35 the pain is awful! It all has been before somewhere, I know . . . Have I done this before, then? If only I could see, I might understand. Doctor You shall see. Understanding shall bring recovery. [As he speaks he retires slowly back- wards towards the open door. Her eyes remain fixed upon the picture. Mrs. Lattin Recovery ! I half remember ... I begin to ... understand . . . ! Doctor The soul reaps ever its own harvest, for the soul is linked to all its past. Mrs. Lattin (Faintly.) The pastl My past . ... 1 Our past together . . . 36 KARMA Doctor Your pain and prayer may lift for once the curtain. Remembering, you shall under- stand. And, understanding, you shall learn to forgive yourself. [A light falls on his face and figure by the door. Just before he disap- pears she tears her gaze away from the picture, and turns to him with outstretched hands. He raises his hands as though he were lifting a curtain and holding it up. Mrs. Lattin It lifts, it lifts! I hear wind among the palms, and lapping waters. A voice is whispering . . . "Little Child" . . . yet in ^v another tongue . . . [From beyond the door his last words reach her with a distant, half- chanting sound. KARMA 37 Doctor Egypt! Where you began with him. Your earliest life. Then other lives as well. See and understand. [She sinks back exhausted. Her face is radiant through her tears. She has ju$t strength enough to touch the pneumatic bell beside the bed. CURTAIN ACT I THEIR FIRST LIFE TOGETHER. TIME 2000 B.C. EGYPT CHARACTERS MENOPHIS, a young Egyptian, well born, about 30. NEFERTITI, an Egyptian dancing-girl. SETHOS, Egyptian youth. RAMES, High Priest in Temple of Aton. ACT I SCENE Banks of the NUe. White temple visi- ble m distance. Kephren's Pyramid seen very far away. Late evening, sunset. (NEFERTITI and SETHOS enter and pause.} Nefertiti Now leave me, Sethos. And go swiftly. ( With gesture of pushing him off. ) I must be alone. You follow me as wind follows a bird. Sethos Yet never touch you as wind does the bird. And when you dance your feet dance on my heart. No other dancing-girl com- pares with you. Nefertiti Last moon Pharaoh himself told me that. I know it. But now leave me. I am here to worship. 41 42 KARMA Sethos (Supplicating.) May I not stay a mo- ment at least, until Menophis ? Nefertiti Sethos, you heard me. It is the sacred night. The tear of Isis falls into our River when the dusk has passed to darkness. And I must worship. Sethos Menophis comes also with the dusk. You meet here every evening ; anJ when he comes I am forgotten. May I not stay and be remembered till he comes? (Implores.) Your beauty makes me slavish. Out of his plenty he will not miss so little, and I starve. Nefertiti Not now. Sethos, I tell you, go! His coming, as you know, makes the dry desert live for me. I would not have him troubled KARMA 43 for so little. He hardly is aware of your ex- istence as yet. But, should I ever need you slave ! Sethos (Eagerly.) As yet! Need me! Oh, Nefertiti, if you could use me I should die of happiness. Nefertiti Then prepare to die, for the time may come. Sethos Oh, may it happen soon! Nefertiti (Teasing.) The Gods alone know what may happen, and when. You are my slave. Then, vanish ! Sethos (Bowing.) Your slave obeys. (Rising.) But your lover will wait among the palm- trees yonder. Menophis may not come. 44 KARMA The Gods know what will happen, and it is said the Gods have claimed him for them- selves. He is a prize, it seems, that earth a 'id heaven both desire. I have heard rumours. (Moves off Ungeringly.) If you need escort back to Memphis your lightest call will reach me. Nefertiti Go! I shall not need your escort. My happiness and his are in the keeping of the Gods. Leave me to worship. Sethos (With boy's passion.) Oh, Nefertiti, the wild sweetness of the desert is in your breath ! To me you are holy as our sacred River! May the Gods grant you all your heart's de- sire. Sethos is your slave for ever even though his heart should break. [Exit, slowly, looking back. KARMA 45 Nefertiti (Smiling to herself.) A slave is always useful for slavish purposes. I may put you to the test some day! [She watches him out of sight behind the palms, then goes to the water's edge and splashes idly with her bare foot several times in succes- sion, accompanying each splash with a remark. He'll bury himself in the Temple. . . . He'll bury himself in my arms. . . . He'll become a monk at Rames' bidding. . . . He'll become mine. (Makes biggest splash of all.) I've got him . . . under this very foot! (Hears his footstep.) Menophis (Entering.) You here! Nefertiti! (She pretends not to Jiear. She is worshipping.) Nefertiti! Nefertiti ( Startled. ) Menophis ! 46 KARMA Menophis You worship here at dusk . . . beside the Nile! Nefertiti I often come at sunset as you know. Menophis I ... had . . . forgotten. Nefertiti Forgotten! Has some Afreet blinded you? Only last night, too, you passed me by without a glance on your way to Aton's new Temple. MenopMs It was moonless and I did not see you. No Afreet power could hide you in the sunshine. Nefertiti (Mocking.) Oh, thank you, Menophis. I thought your heart was too full perhaps to see me. KARMA 47 Menophis You have been worshipping alone and you were lonely. Forgive me, Little Child, I Nefertiti I forgive you, O handsome Menophis. But I was not lonely. S ethos kept me com- pany awhile. Menophis Sethos! The Syrian banker's son! You can find pleasure in such company? Nefertiti (Softly.) You did not come here to talk with me of Sethos. You came, like me, to worship ! Menophis He is rich. Nefertiti He is forgotten too. When you call me "Little Child" the whole world is forgotten. There is only You. 48 KARMA Menophis Little . . . Child. Nefertiti ( Goes closer. ) Your eyes seem strange to me to-night: they look far away into space. Your voice sounds distant like the desert jackal's cry. (She puts a hand on his and looks searchingly into his eyes. ) Yet you call me Little Child, as of old, when we met here every evening in the dusk ... to play and talk and dream together ... of the future. Menophis (taking his other hand and draw- ing her body closer to him ) , will you not tell me your Little Child this sacred night when the Tear of Isis bids our river rise tell me what wonderful new dream has crept into this faithful heart? (Lowers her head as though to hear its beating.) I hear an- other music in your blood. (Lifts her face to his.) And it is ... beautiful. (Waits for his reply.) KARMA 49 Menophis It is the Sacred Night. That means Had you forgotten? Nefertiti (Alarmed, but half teasing.} Oh, you Solemnity! Forgotten what? Menophis (Gravely.) A choice a decision made to-night is made for ever. Nefertiti (Low.) I know. Menophis Little Child, it is for me a crisis, and I must choose between great issues. My life, too, is rising. I must decide in what direc- tion it shall flow. Nefertiti You mean . . with whom? 50 KARMA Menophis For whom. [He turns his head a moment towards the distant Temple of Aton, just visible still in the last sunset light. Its whiteness gleams. She notices the gesture. Nefertiti How cold it has grown. Menophis . . . I feel the desert-wind's fingers at my heart. It is the North wind from the sea. You, too, seem distant suddenly. (Lowering voice.) I fear for you. Why is it? I fear something . . . for myself ... as well Menophis There is no fear this sacred night. There is courage only. Life increases everywhere. The river rises. The Tear of Isis falls into the Nile and KARMA 51 Nefertiti Hark! (She listens.) There are awful things about in Egypt when MenopJus She is alive, that's all. Nefertiti Listen! Menophis It is the lapping waves. It is the wind among the palms. Nefertiti (Whispering.) The waters! That cold desert wind! It blows between us between you and me. There is a shadow! (Shud- ders closer to him.) Surely great Kephren bowed this way 1 Menophis The stars shine over us. They cast no shadow. The pyramid stands fast. 52 KARMA Nefertiti Yet something passed between us, for I felt it. (Grips him.) You are all mine? MenopTus (Holds her close.) There is no room. A shadow cannot separate us. Anything real would bind us closer only. Nefertiti Then why are you so solemn, your eyes so far away, your voice so distant? This crisis that you speak of it could not take you from me? MenopTiis Nothing can take you from me, or me from you for long. The chain of our past and future lives is bound together beyond all breaking. Nefertiti What is it, then, that frightens me? KARMA 53 Menophis (With grave tenderness.) Ah, Nefertiti, Little Child, to-night I stand we stand to- gether at the very gates of life. The choice is difficult, for it involves you too. Since first, three years ago, I saw you flit- ting, like a swallow, down the river bank at Memphis since those enchanted days I have had no other human love but you Nefertiti (Startled.) No other human love! Menophis (Slowly.) There is another love, my Nefertiti a greater; not more enduring, perhaps, but nobler. For it demands the greater sacrifice. And, cold though it seem to your warm, passionate heart if it should call me Nefertiti (Catching him by the arm.) Greater! Yet would take you from me ! But you are mine! 54 KARMA Menophis Your beauty troubles me; my blood re- bels. I cannot look at you and hear the call this sacred night may bring me. I must make a still place for my soul to listen. (Slotcly.) Oh, Xefertiti, you must leave me for a little. Nefertiti Not knowing what is in your troubled heart! Not hearing from your own lips if we shall meet again ! Menophis (Sees RAMES approaching.) You should know all. If not from my lips, then from Nefertiti (Sees RAMES too.) Rames, the great Priest ! I understand. He would steal you from me for his dismal Temple, steal you away from life. KARMA 55 Menophis He is among the wisest and noblest of our land, the Great One of Vision, Aton's ser- vant. Nefertiti ( Pouting, alarmed. ) Aton ! MenopMs Hush! Be careful! Even if Aton takes me, the chain of lives must bring us again together. It were but a brief separation a sacrifice of pain and joy we both may offer as one being. And when, in our next life, we meet again, what ecstasy of strengthened, purified love would be ours to know each had been faithful to the other for His sake. Nefertiti (Roused.) Me grow old in loneliness while you satisfy your soul with selfish wor- ship ! Our sacrifice ! MenopJiis In dreams we still 56 KARMA Nefertiti We should never meet; a dream's a dream. No children would come to me. Menopkis You would not pine. It would be, for both of us, a preparation for our meeting in a future life Nefertiti (Playing on Ms feelings.) You are right, Menophis. I should not pine, for I should marry and know joy. Your sacrifice, if you choose it, you may bear alone, for Nerf ertiti will not certainly be lonely. There is no lack of those who offer life to her in place of the dream that Rames sets before you Menopkis Others! Is there another? Nefertiti ! (Approaches.) KARMA 57 Nefertili (Withdraws.) Rames is coming. I hear his cautious step. Make your choice with him. I will not influence you. You wished to be alone; I'll leave you. (Makes to move away.) Menophis (With passion and regret.) One mo- ment more. Will you not say farewell? And if and if until you hear from my own lips Nefertiti (Softly.) If you decide to leave me, Menophis, you will not quite forget Menophis Little Child, you know. Always I shall think of you Nefertiti (Mocking.) As happy and light-hearted with another. I am no "dream" to Sethos. 58 KARMA Menophis Your beauty tortures me. Nefertiti You do not torture me; you cannot. If you loved me you could not give me up so lightly. You may think of me of us walking along this river bank at sunset with laughter and without regret, talking maybe of Menophis, and his passing dream. The echo of our laughter may reach into your little cell. Menophis (Advancing.) Unsay those haunting words. Nefertiti It is but impulse that betrays you. You have a "greater love" than me. I have one too! Farewell. I shall not come again un- less you call me. [Eocit. [MENOPHIS paces to and fro, hides his face in his hands, sighs, looks after the girl, pauses, then bows his head KARMA 59 and waits while RAMES comes up to him. Rames Your eyes are troubled, although I cannot see them. (Looks down at the young man's footsteps.) And your steps leave an uneven pattern on the sands. Menophis (Looking up. ) There are too many voices in my ears; and all are sweet. I know not which is true. I am unhappy and afraid. My peace of yesterday is gone. Rames These stars that watch you now shall watch your future lives as well. Before they pale at dawn they shall have marked your choice. They are rising in the east. They watch you and they wait. 60 KARMA Menophis (Turning his look away from the sky.) I came here to find peace between the sun- set and the sunrise. Barnes Sunrise and sunset the two great mo- ments of the day. Death and resurrection the two great moments of our life. ( Watches him closely.) Menophis Not death a disappearance only (smiles) for a little time. Barnes (Pleased.) To return again and again, each new life linked to those that went be- fore; and each determined by opportunities left or taken. Menophis The choice! Oh, Rames, there are two calls in me. I hear two voices always. My KARMA 61 future life hangs upon the decision that I make. Rames You will not make it. It will make itself. The stronger call must win (points across the Nile towards the sinking sun}. It is whether you shall live unto yourself alone, or consecrate your powers to Aton. (Points towards the Temple.) It is not alone your future life that hangs upon the choice; it is your future lives. [They spread their arms and bow to- wards the West. The sun sinks below the Libyan horizon of the desert. The dusk creeps up. Menophis (Rising.) If only the whole of me could choose. I should then know that I am worthy. Rames (Approving.) There can be no half- heartedness in the service of our Deity. 62 KARMA Menophis ( With enthusiasm. ) Our Deity the sun ! [Turns and gazes at the great Temple of Aton whose white columns stitt gleam in the golden after-glow some distance across the desert. Rames (Moving closer, with hand on his shoul- der. ) Egypt, our great land, now witnesses the climax of her splendour. A change, which is divine, steals over her. It is no longer the mere disc of the sun we worship ; it is the power behind. Menophis (Reverently.) The heat and glory that are in Aton, eternal and all-loving Deity. Rames (Smiling.) Who calls you for the offer- ing of yourself. (Pauses.) The Temples of our regenerated Egypt demand the best. KARMA 63 Menophis (Eagerly.) And I might help towards this great uplifting? Rames ( Gravely. ) Menophis, Aton calls you to himself. Menophis (Enthusiasm and awe on his face.) I hear the call! Rames (Slowly.) But other, lesser, calls as well? Menophis There can be no turning back! Rames No turning back. Menophis I must be sure! Rames It is for ever. 64 KARMA Menophis (Very low.) I know which call is high- est, yet I hear that sweeter voice. If only I could smother it. Rames ( Understanding. ) It is the lust of life of woman 1 Menophis It is love. [The dusk is turning into darkness. The stars begin to peep. Rames I may not influence you. Years ago I heard these two calls, as you do, singing in my soul. Menophis (Looking eagerly, tvith respect, into the old mans face.) And you have never known regret? Rames (Gravely.} I have known perfect joy. KARMA 65 Menophis To yield what is most dear to another is very hard. Oh, Rames, I am so young, the choice is difficult. If I had some sign that Aton accepts me ! (With rising pas- sion.) Aton, guide my decision and grant my choice be wise! [NEFERTITI is seen returning. SETHOS is with her. They are laughing together. SETHOS' arm is about NEFERTITI. MENOPHIS does not see them, Rames Weigh carefully. Hear every call with honesty. Aton, indeed, does call you, but it is all or nothing. ( Withdraws slowly down river bank towards the Temple. Waves his hand solemnly.) I leave you to yourself. [Exit. Menophis Great Aton, guide me. 66 KARMA [Stretches arms to the sky; looks up at stars. Then bows his head upon his hands in prayer. NEFEKTITI draws near with SETHOS. Sethos My head spins, Nerfertiti. Then it was in play that you dismissed me? I can hard- ly believe my happiness is real. [Tries to embrace her. Nefertiti (Escaping gaily.) Everything's real at the moment when you've got it. [MENOPHIS hears their voices. Turns and sees them. Menophis With .-, . Sethos .....! (To her. ) You Ve come back . . . ! Nefertiti (Pretending she has just noticed him.) The river bank is public, I believe. All Memphis will be here presently this sacred KARMA 67 night. (Mocking.) Forgive me forgive us if we disturbed your meditations. (Glancing at SETHOS.) We enjoy the star- light like the other lovers! Menophis Together ! Sethos A young girl does not come out unat- tended. I am proud that Nefertiti accepts my protection as before. Menophis Little Child! Nefertiti (To SETHOS, laughing.) Menophis, you know, is half a priest already. He has put aside all common things youth, dancing, laughter love. Sethos (Half insolently.) Wise Menophis! I envy a man grown old before his time. He has had some bitter disappointment prob- ably. 68 KARMA Menophis (Suffering keenly.) If you really love each other, I Sethos Come this way, Nefertiti. I hear a pipe. (Melody on pipe heard faintly.) Let's go and dance. This atmosphere is too holy. (Tries to drain: her away.) Menophis (Pain.) Can this be a sign from Aton that you are worthless? Nefertiti (Stung.) We'll dance, yes, as we did at Memphis when the harvest ripened. And then we'll bathe together, Sethos. It all is worship, and my blood this sacred night is burning Sethos (Wild.) And to-morrow I may see your father ? KARMA 69 [NEFERTITI whispers in Ms ear. They laugh. He tries again to kiss her. She escapes again, and dances se- ductively, taking care to go close past MENOPHIS., who makes several half movements towards her, but controls himself. Neferiiti (Singing mischievously to the tune of the distant pipe, and holding SETHOS by the hand. As she goes past MENOPHIS she holds out her free hand to him temptingly.) "Come, dance together. Take my hand Beside the rising river; We'll dance upon the starlit sand, And then through life for ever!" Menophis (Catching at her hand as she flits past.) Nefertiti! Nefertiti (Escaping his touch. Still hand in hand with SETHOS.) I heard a dead voice call- 70 KARMA ing from a Tomb. (To SETHOS.) It's not for us. We are alive! [Sings as bejore, glancing mockingly at MENOPHIS,, who again would seize her as she goes by. "The rising river takes our feet, And life flows full of laughter; Come, dance with me while youth is sweet " Menophis ( Touching her. ) Little Child ! Nefertiti (Slowing down. Sings last line linger- ingly.) "The wedding follows after!'* Menophis My Little Child. Sethos (Trying to draw her away.} Come, Ne- fertiti. Come with me, lest the Temple snatch you, too. KARMA 71 Menophis Listen! The waters wait the sign! (Warningly.) A few brief moments and the Tear of Isis falls and the choice is made, not for this life only, but for ever. (Solemnly to NEFERTITI. ) You would bind your soul to his ... for all future lives . . . for ever? Nefertiti (Drawing back.) "For ever"! "For all future lives"! For an hour a few hours, perhaps Sethos You swore to me that you Nefertiti I danced and played and sang with you. You dance lightly and your voice is sweet. But if it is true that vows taken to-night can bind me to your soul for ever Menophis It is true. 72 KARMA , > Nerfertiti . . .the journey would tire me. Sethos Nef ertiti ! Menophis (Steps between them. NEFERTITI hesi- tates.) Let her alone. Since her eyes first opened to the sun she has been mine. A hundred future lives shall take our feet to- gether. And she knows it. She plays with you this singing, dancing. She lives with me. (Seizes her, all else forgotten.) Leave us together, Sethos. Go! Nefertiti I played with you. You know it. (To MENOPHIS.) You had forgotten our ap- pointment! I did it for my love's sake. [SETHOS shrinks from his sudden vio- lence, startled, but keeps her hand. Menophis She has finished with you. Go! KARMA 73 Sethos '(Sneers.} Finished! You are mistaken, Menophis. Only a while ago she said my love was precious to her (Realising.) You (to her) have strange ideas of play. You're a Menophis (Threateningly.) Enough, Sethos. You knew, at least, that we belonged to one an- other. You have yourself to blame. Nefertiti (Proud of him.) Of course. Sethos says the same sweet things to many another maiden too. Sethos (Bitterly.) The Gods have set me free of you, and I am glad. When next we meet, Menophis, you shall hear the soft promises she made me (turns his back to go)., and how she spoke of you! (Moves faster, as MENOPHIS advances threatening- ly.) She called you half woman and half 74 KARMA monk no man at all (runs), fit. . .only. . . for..;. the Temples! [Exit. Neferiiti (A last shot at him.) Yet if I raised my little finger you'd come tumbling back a helpless slave! (Turns to MENOPHIS.) I am ashamed. (Demurely.) I did pretend he pleased me. Menophis Little Child.-.-. Nefertiti (Happy.) I was a little jealous of of your Aton. Menophis And I, perhaps, of your . . . Sethos. [They smile and embrace. The pipe is heard. She breaks away and dances before him happily. Nefertiti (sings) "Come, dance with me, and take my hand Beside the rising river; KARMA 75 We'll dance upon the starlit sand, And then through life for ever." MenopJtis You are a daughter of the sun! Nefertiti Isis and Aton both are in our blood! Menophis Your beauty blinds me. I hear no other voice than your dear singing. I see no stars, your twinkling feet are everywhere. Nefertiti (Triumphantly.) It is the call of Life. \_A sound is heard,, like wind in an EoUan harp, faint. Menophis (Startled.) Listen! The moment comes. [With the sound is mingled the lapping of water. 76 KARMA Nefertiti (Awed.) It is here. \_A star falls from the sky. Both together The Tear of Isis! Menophis Our river takes it. Nefertiti The waters rise. Menophis Our choice is made for ever. Nefertiti My beloved. (Embrace.) Mine. . .for ever and ever ... all our future lives. Menophis The Temple was a dream. Your beauty makes me see it. (Breaks off as he sees KARMA 77 RAMES and SETHOS approaching through the palms.) Rames comes. (Makes to hide.) Great One of Visions! Nefertiti (Triumphantly.) And Sethos with him. Let them see us both. (Catches his arm.) Do not hide, but tell them boldly of your glorious choice. [RAMES and SETHOS have been talking together. SETHOS now turns and goes off towards the Temple, walk- ing slowly with bowed head, but looking back over his shoulder sometimes. Disappears. RAMES comes slowly forward. Holds up his hands to bless them. Rames (Smiling gravely.) May Aton bless you both now and in all lives to come. Nefertiti (Confidently.) Aton has blessed us both. 78 KARMA Menophis (Dazed, troubled.) Rames you come to know my choice. ( Very gravely. ) The Tear has fallen. The river is rising, and I (lowers head) I have heard the call. Rames The choice is yours (solemnly) and Tiers. Menophis. I havel . ~. Nefertiti. He has f mg waters and the risen stars bear witness. Rames They . . . bear..-. . witness. Menophis (Half sadly to RAMES.) I have weighed both voices. Another a worthier than I must replace me in the Temple. Rames Aton does not compel. The call will come to you again in following lives, until KARMA 79 Nefertiti (Interrupting.) Our love comes from Aton. He has given Menophis to me for my own. Rames All gifts are his. Menophis Holy Rames, I cannot let her go from me. Rames (Solemnly.) The choice is made. The future lives will bring again, and yet again (turning to NEFERTITI), this same deep op- portunity, when you again shall lead his soul higher, or (with emphasis) delay and hinder by vain selfish love. Nefertiti '(Defiant, yet frightened.) He is mine for ever. No priest or god shall rob me of him. I keep him for myself. (Clutches him. ) 80 KARMA Rames The rising water bears witness to your vow. (With prophetic and intense grav- ity.) Where the Temple gleams white in the sunlight, and where the palaces run down to the sea, you shall hear the waters in your soul and shall remember. Nefertiti (Alarmed.) Listen! He prophesies! Menophis (Awed.) Great One of Visions! CURTAIN ACT II THEIR SECOND LIFE TOGETHER. TIME 325 B.C. GREECE CHARACTERS PHOCION (40), Athenian General. LYDIA (35), his wife. LYSANDER, a youth, PHOCION'S brother. ALEXANDER THE GREAT. ATHENIAN CITIZENS. ACT II SCENE Room in PHOCION'S house in Athens. Simple. Altar to Zeus with brazier burning. Col- onnade with pillars and view towards Acropolis. Late evening. ( LYDIA is half -kneeling, half -leaning over the marble balustrade., gazing into the dis- tance. Enter PHOCION. He comes near and touches her.) Lydia How you startled mel Phocion Were your thoughts so far away, Little Child? Lydia I was thinking. Phocion And gazing across the sea as usual. What is there so attractive beyond that dim hori- zon? The future or ? 83 84 KARMA Lydia Perhaps its dimness only. That's south- wards, is it not? There Egypt lies, and Alexandria you said the great, new city. Phocion (Searchingly.) Distance still haunts your eyes. Little wonder that I startled you. (Kisses her.) But do not speak of Alexander's city. Our thoughts lie nearer home in Athens. i Lydia Where have you been, Phocion? All day I've missed you. Phocion On the hills alone. I have been think- ing. Lydia Thinking you too! KARMA 85 Phocion I came home by way of Theseus' Temple, saying a prayer for our loved city and for ourselves. Lydia But you are weary, and your feet are splashed with mud. Phocion I crossed the Ilissus to be sooner home, and found it rising in flood almost. Yes- terday's rains on Mount Hymettus (breaks off as she makes a sudden gesture). Why, what ails you, Lydia? Do I startle you a second time? Lydia Forgive me, Phocion; do not notice my little weaknesses. It was merely there, I've often told you a rising river is an omen that causes me strange uneasiness. 86 KARMA Phocion Little Child, I understand. I know your feelings. Athens herself is on edge these days and little wonder. Lydia Phocion, let me tell you honestly I am afraid. Phocion Anxious, perhaps, but not afraid. The mood of our beloved city takes you with it, as it takes us all. We all are patriots to-day. But the wife of Phocion has proved herself no coward. Lydia (Low voice.) Alexander is so powerful. Some say the Macedonian is a God. Phocion Pshaw! In his own land, perhaps. But Athens has her own Gods. He is a con- queror, yes; but a conqueror can only take a city, not the souls who dwell in it. KARMA 87 Lydia (Softly.) Phocion, when I hear your words my fear melts away. Yet Athens is conquered. Our city trembles Phocion Hush, Lydia. I do not like to hear you say such things. Lydia Who can stand against him, then? Who is there can oppose this conqueror of the Persians? Phocion Every Athenian every Greek who loves our city more than he fears the Macedonian. Lydia All Athens, then! Phocion All the best in Athens. [LYDIA looks nervously over her shoul- der towards the city and Acropolis. 88 KARMA The dusk deepens. The first star shows. Lydia (Shudders.) Your speech is often mys- terious like this now dark with meaning. Each night as twilight gathers from the sea about our city, there are footsteps on the causeway that make me tremble. No sooner has Hymettus darkened than shad- ows move silently over the courtyard and between the pillars. (Turns and flings her arms about him.) Oh, my Phocion, it is for you, not for myself, I am afraid. Phocion Calm yourself, beloved. I am an Athen- ian who obeys his unconquerable Gods. I do no more than accept the destiny they lay upon him who loves his country Lydia But if Alexander discovered you if ! KARMA 89 Phocion Discovered me! What thought is this? Lydia If he discovered you were true to Athens, I was about to say. If he took you from me! Oh, Phocion! In dreams I have seen you lying dead at his feet lost to me for ever. Phocion Not lost, most loving woman. If the Gods take me if I die for Athens Lydia Am I, then, less than Athens? Phocion Athens is great because of women like you, Lydia. You would not see her less? Lydia How less? Phocion Less free. Liberty is the breath of life. 90 KARMA Lydia What is my liberty if I lose you? Your voice, your touch, your living presence here beside me (embraces him) I want you alive and loving Phocion Our love has grown with Athens. On the green Cephissian banks we first discovered it, and that evening on Hymettus when the honey ah, I see it in your eyes, dear heart you remember even as I remember. If Athens live Lydia But if you die! If Alexander crush you, kill you! Oh, my Phocion, this struggle against the conqueror is vain. You tempt the Gods. I fear for you and for your hope- less schemes Phocion My schemes! Lydia, what do you know? KARMA 91 Lydia I suspect only. I feel you planning dan- gerous things that must take you from me. Those silent footsteps on our causeway in the dusk, the shadows that pass between the pillars, the rising waters Phocion! your strange deep love of Athens takes no account of me, your little, suffering wife. Phocion The love of Athens is ours. It is the love of country that the Gods call sacred. (Looks out across the fading city.) Hellas, your valleys and mountains, streams and happy groves . . . beautiful, beloved . . . who would not die for you . . . ! Lydia I love you. If you live for me, you live for Hellas even more. Athens lives in our hearts, not otherwise. 92 KARMA Phocion (Sternly.) If a barbarian rule our dear city, our hearts are dead. It is better for my heart to mingle with the soil of Hellas than beat as the slave of Alexander. Lydia I love you too much to see you run on death. Your wild plot to save our city is but the Fates' way of taking you away from me. Phocion Try, Lydia, to love me as I love Athens. Lydia You ask too much of me. I love Hellas, but I love you more. Phocion Then not enough. (Looks away.) You make it hard for me. I see the right so clearly, but your clinging love makes me weak. KARMA 93 Lydia There is nothing in the world for a woman but her love. If you were lost to me, Phocion, these lips could kiss one other only the rising flood (shudders) of our little Athenian river or the sea, Phocion What comes, sweet wife, comes to both of us together. You are overwrought with sleeplessness and watching. Trust me and love me more I cannot tell you now. Your love shall give me strength. (He embraces her and moves slowly off towards the colon- nade.) And if there is a greater love than yours, some day we shall find it know it both together. What comes to me to do now I must do. [Goes slowly off. Lydia (At him.) A greater love! Ah, Phocion you're going from me going towards death. I know not what you mean. There 94 KARMA is no greater love. (Watches him disap- pear.) Then I must save you, since you will not save yourself. I cannot lose you. My love, I cannot let you ( Covers her face with her hands). My love shall save you from yourself. If I do wrong the Gods forgive [Knocking is heard. She starts and looks round. A MESSENGER is seen in the courtyard. ( Cautiously. ) You would see whom ? Messenger The wife of Phocion. Lydia (Frightened.) Hush! Come softly, I am she. (MESSENGER enters stealthily.) You bring a message for me? You bring a token? Messenger ( With respect. ) She who sends me bids me sav as token this: From one who loves KARMA 95 her Lord more than his earthly glory to her who loves as greatly. Lydia (Faintly.) To her who loves as greatly. (Hesitates, shows agitation, a distraught ex- pression on her face. ) It is to save him that I do it to save his life for both of us. (Turns to MESSENGER.) Your great mis- tress bid you bring an answer back to her? Messenger Without delay my orders are. Lydia Have you no more to say? No further message? Do you bring only the token that you come from her? Messenger She bid me say that you should feel per- fect confidence. Lydia The word of Alexander ? 96 KARMA Messenger Has been given, and cannot change. Lydia Though it concern the life of one who was his enemy? Messenger The Queen bid me assure you. He has given her his promise. It will not alter. Lydia (Whispers.) Then take this message back to her who sent you : To one who comes hither to-night when the moon is high enough to cast a shadow I will reveal what I have promised to reveal. In return I claim the boon the conqueror has sworn through her to give me. Messenger Her word and