THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES .73. TO MY FIRST AND BEST CRITIC MY WIFE I DEDICATE THIS BOOK THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD A PLAY IN FIVE ACTS BY JAMES BERNARD PAGAN PRODUCED UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF OTHO STUART, ADELPHI THEATRE SEPTEMBER 19, 1904 Entered at Stationers' Hall Entered according to Act of Congress, in tJte Year 1904, by James Bernard Pagan in the Office oftlie Librarian of Congress at Washington, U.S.A. R. BRIMLEY JOHNSON, ADAM STREET, ADELPHI 1904 CHARACTERS BISHOP OF ANDOLA. BRACCIO SCORLA (Gonfalonier of Andola). DEMETRO UGOLINI (Master of Horse*,. NICCOLO MALAVOLTI (Captain of the Guard). PICO DEL AMARE. THE PODESTA. BEPPO (a Fool). CALANDRO (an Astrologer). A STEWARD. A SACRISTAN. AN ACOLYTE. FIRST SOLDIER. SECOND SOLDIER. A PAPAL ENVOY. PRIOR (of the Monastery of San Bruno). FRA BARTOLOMEO (Sub-Prior). FRA BERNARDO. FRA LUCCA. PIETRO (Servant). FRA ANDREA (a young Monk not yet a priest). ILARIA VISCONTI (Duchess of Andola). MADDALENA ( Wife of Ugolini). FIAMETTA. VALERIA. LADIES, CITIZENS, SOLDIERS, PEASANTS, MONKS, &c. THE SCENE is laid in Andola, a small independent State unknown to history in the Marches in Italy. TIME : 1500 A.D. 786751 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT I The scene is in the Garden of the Monastery of San Bruno heavily wooded on either side, open at the back, where the scene ends in a steep decline fringed by a low broken wall. Beyond this can be seen the sides of the mountain pass stretching away to the open plain, and on the horizon a range of snow-capped mountains. On the right a high gateway. Left, the entrance to the Monastery buildings. On the right front is the beginning of the monks' ceme- tery. Several rude crosses mark graves, and there are two graves newly begun. It is evening in the late autumn. FRA BER- NARDO, a genial old monk with snow-white hair, is seated near the steps R. Further back, almost out of sight, kneels a monk whose face is hidden. FRA LUCCA, a young monk, is seated by the edge of a grave newly begun R. He is closely examining the contents of a spadeful of earth which he has dug. As the. Curtain rises, the bell at the gate is rung violently. A moment later a SERVANT crosses from the Monastery and slides back the wicket of the gate. SERV. What is thy name, and thy business ? VOICE (without) My business is a letter for the Father Prior ; my name is my own business. SERV. Nay, friend, no offence. {Opening the door) But when the bell rings, the wolf is at the door as often as the lamb. (Takes the letter.} Wilt thou come in and rest ? 6 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT 1. VOICE No, good gaoler. Tis but a week since I left prison, and my limbs ache at the sound of bolts and bars. Fare thee well. SERV. May thy fare be as good as thy manners. (Closes the gate and comes down.) FRA BERN. Whose was the voice, good Pietro ? SERV. A soldier's ; a surly dog, whose tongue hath as many points as his armour. FRA BERN. Still, he hath brought us a letter. Let us give him thanks for that. SERV. 'Tis for the Father Prior. FRA BERN. We shall know soon what the news is. Perhaps perhaps, if it be good that we should know. \_ffe resumes his office. FRA BARTOLOMEO, a fa//, gaunt, austere- looking monk, enters L. back and stands watching the scene unobserved. As PIETRO crosses, FRA LUCCA beckons him over and examines the letter with awed curiosity. Then PIETRO goes off into the Monastery. As he does so FRA BARTOLOMEO comes down and lays his hand lightly on FRA LUCCA'S shoulder. FRA BART. Why should a man cheat his immortal soul ? Thou know'st it is ordained we pass each day A little hour in digging our own graves. But we must build these our last earthly homes Not with our hands alone, but with our thoughts ; For it is writ, Remember thy last end, And thou shalt never sin. LUCCA Brother, forgive. ACT I. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 7 FRA BART. Ask not of me forgiveness ; am I not A sinner even as thou ? Pray that thy sin May be forgiven thee. Correct thy flesh, And let thy mind dwell ever in the grave Wherein this body vile must feed the worm. \JHe goes off into the Monastery in gloomy abstraction. FRA LUCCA kneels with bent head, striking his breast and muttering ' mea culpa? Enter the PRIOR with a letter in his hand. He is a pompous, kindly old man. PRIOR Good Brother Lucca, you must leave your prayer. [LUCCA comes to him with alacrity. Go seek the hospitaller, bid him care That the guest chamber be in order set. \Exit LUCCA. PRIOR The Duchess of Andola, on her way Back from Foligno to the city, writes That she will visit us. FRA BERN. Praised be Heaven ! For I have longed to look upon her face. The people of the city call her Saint ; And peasant folk, an angel bearing peace. PRIOR Aye, that is true. Rumour hath furnished her With all the virtues that her father lacked. FRA BERN. The woman sent to crush the serpent's head ! PRIOR Heaven give her strength ! But yet I fear for her ; For though the Duke be dead, his scourge remains : Scoria and that vile mercenary band THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT i. That live on rapine, lust, and horrid war ; Who will curb them ? FRA BERN. A woman best of all. [ The young Monk at the back rises from prayer, comes down a little, where he stands listening. It is ANDREA. PRIOR How shall a woman single-handed fight Against the spirit of degenerate times ? For Italy, where Nature smiles most fair, Lies like a leper, rotting in the sun : Corruption 's fastened on the country's blood ; Princes and people poison with decay The sacred soil. Nay, brother, had we not The Master's word why, almost might one think The gates of hell prevailed against the rock. Now hath the wicked in his heart exclaimed ' God hath forgotten ! ' For no light has come To pierce the darkness, and no voice is heard To bid the evil cease. ANDREA (eagerly) Here, on these heights Hath God given us his light, and voices too That evil cannot dumb. Unto what end, Father, unto what end ? PRIOR What end, my son ? That all our voices may give thanks to Him Who hath vouchsafed us light. [ANDREA, staring earnestly at him, is about to speak, but checks himself and bends his head submissively. PRIOR Now must I in. Time presses ; and her Highness writes : ' We come Close on the heels of this our messenger.' \He goes into the Monastery. ANDREA stands watching him. ACT I. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ANDREA (intensely to himself) The light is given us, that it may not shine ; And voices that we may be dumb. FRA BERN, {going to him) Brother Andrea, you are troubled. What ails you ? ANDREA Nothing, my brother nothing. I am well. FRA BERN. In body ? ANDREA Aye, in body. FRA BERN. And in mind ? ANDREA My spirit is weary. FRA BERN. Weary, son, of what? ANDREA Weary of sloth, weary of selfish peace, Of useless blessedness ; sick with desire For action that will smother nature's cries And still the torturing consciousness of self. Brother, I long for some great enterprise, Something to strive for, or to overcome ; Some task that I may grapple with my hands With all my body and with all my soul. FRA BERN. This is the sin of worldliness, my son. Pray, for by prayer alone can we subdue This spirit of the world. io THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT I. ANDREA Oh, I have prayed ; And praying for a time will soothe to sleep The riot of my blood. But it sleeps light. Now, when the Father Prior spoke, there came A frenzy o'er me till I almost cried : ' Darkness and evil are upon the land ; Let us go forth to light the dark, to cast The evil out. Oh, in the name of God Let us do something more than pray.' FRA BERN. My son, Such thoughts are but the devil's subtlety To draw thee off from God. ANDREA Nay, if that be The devil, there must be around my soul Legions of fiends. FRA BERN. Give, therefore, praise to God, Whose grace hath husbanded thee here To save thy soul in peace. ANDREA Aye, we are safe, Our feet are on a rock. [Going up and gazing out c. Yet far below There lies a raging sea, in whose dark waves Thousands of souls are battling for their lives. Did you believe you stood on such a rock, Brother, what would you do ? FRA BERN. I should kneel down And pray unto the Saviour of the World To save them too. ANDREA I do not think that I Could pray upon my knees ; but I could pray With breast upon the sea, with arms that beat The waves. ACT I. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD u FRA BERN. Brother, I fear you too might drown. ANDREA So be it ! I would rather drown than watch. [ The sound of voices laughing and chattering is heard outside, with the jingle of spurs and bridles and the noise of a cavalcade approaching. FRA BERN. That sound ! ANDREA The sound of voices. FRA BERN. By the Saints ! 'Tis her Magnificence already here. The Prior must receive her ; I will go And seek him out. Bid Pietro to the gates ! Go, find him quick ! [Exit hurriedly into Monasterv. [The voices are now close. Fascinated by the sound, ANDREA does not go, but moves a step nearer the gates. ANDREA The world is at our door. The world, where life is movement. The great world Of action ! [A sensuous ringing woman's laugh sounds above the chatter. ANDREA starts, almost frightened, then crosses himself, and moves slowly away from the gates. BROTHER LUCCA runs on, followed by another Monk. LUCCA It is true then ; they are here. [ANDREA bends his head and passes rapidly into the Monastery. They laugh ! Hark ! By my faith, that laughter means A merry life ! [The bell is rung. The PRIOR hurries on, followed by FRA BARTOLO.MEO and other Monks. THE PR A YER OF THE SWORD ACT i. PRIOR They ring ! Let someone go And open to them. Haste ! FRA BART. Pietro will go And open to them. Let us not forget Our dignity. PRIOR Where should I welcome them ? Near to the gates ? FRA BART. No ; stand you where you are, And let them come to you. The Church needs not Cringe to each petty prince who passes by. [The be/I rings again. FRA BERNARDO hurries on, with PIRTRO panting behind. FRA BERN. Sluggard ! to sleep while her Magnificence Wearies her arm on our unanswered bell ! PIETRO (very much out of breath, sliding back wicket) What is thy name and thy FRA BART. Hist ! Open, fool ! Set wide the gates. [PIETRO throws open the gates. ILARIA enters, followed by DEMETRO UGOLINI (her Master of Horse, an old man) and BRACCIO SCORLA (the Gonfalonier of the State). Then come MADDALENA (UGOLINI'S wife, a young woman), VALERIA, FIAMETTA, and with them the dainty Pico DEL AMARE, exquisitely curled and scented, with a rose stuck behind his ear. NICCOLO MALAVOLTI (the Captain of the Guard) and a number of ladies and gentlemen com- plete the party. ACT I. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 13 PRIOR (bowing low) Welcome, Magnificence, To our poor house. Highness, that you have deigned To visit us, brings joy to all our hearts. ILARIA Here neither Highness nor Magnificence ; Only a daughter of our Holy Church, Who craves your blessing, father, for her needs. [She kneels at the PRIOR'S y&/.' PRIOR (blessing her) O Benedicite ! my child. (-Raising her) Now rise. It fits not that our noble patroness Should kneel before us in the dust. ILARIA Alas! You do remind your patroness how long Her visit was delayed. But since the death Of the late Duke, our father, we have had But little leisure, and of State affairs Messere Ugolini knows how much Better than we. UGO. Her Highness speaks bare truth. The State was as a barren fruit tree grown, At which the skilful gardener lops and prunes. Her Highness is the early springtide sun Beneath whose rays the tree will bear again SCORLA Demetro Ugolini, Reverend Prior, The skilful gardener, he who lops and prunes ILARIA Nay, more, far more than that ; to me he is A second father, counsellor and friend. So Messer Scoria, since he needs must sheathe i 4 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT I. His sword, has sharped his tongue. I do not doubt That he had rather lop and prune the trees Of all our neighbours. SCORLA Aye, Magnificence, That I might strew the spoils before your feet. ILARIA Tribute of withered bow and rotten branch ! SCORLA When your foot trod them they would flower again, As at the touch of spring. ILARIA Sir, sheathe your tongue. \A Monk comes from t/ie Monastery and whispers to the PRIOR. PRIOR Magnificence, will you walk through our grounds Till such time as refreshment be prepared ? Your coming hard upon the news thereof Must be excuse for our unreadiness. ILARIA We are more honoured, greeted unprepared. For warmer is the welcome of one heart Than that of many hands. UGO. {to MALAVOLTl) We tarry here Some little time. Give order that the grooms Unsaddle, that the horses may have rest. MALA, (bowing) 'Tis done, Messere. [Exit through gate PRIOR 1 will be your guide, Magnificence, and you may then perceive Those things we have, as well as those we lack. ACT I. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 15 ILARIA Command us, Reverend Prior. Ladies, come ! ILARIA and PRIOR begin to move out, followed slowly by the rest, L. SCORLA has been seated apart at back. MADDALENA lingers behind the others. MADDA. Will you not come, Braccio mio ? SCORLA No, Maddalena ; the monks weary me. [ Unfastens his sword belt. MADDA. I should not weary you. SCORLA Nay, I would not be thinking of love with priests about ; I should seem to taste matrimony. MADDA. My husband is there, caro mio, to take the taste out of youi mouth. SCORLA Per Dio, a husband has his uses. [Lays his sword on a bank, where he reclines . MADDA. Is that all you say? At one time I believed the fires of Etna would fade sooner than your love. But now it is cooled is il not ? SCORLA You should not tell me so, carissima. The mind is like a brood- ing hen, and the little thoughts that come so easily are hatched into real chickens. MADDA. Mother of Pity, it is true then ? SCORLA Not so, by nay what shall I swear by ? Venus' doves are moulting, and Christian oaths are stale. By by this (kissing her} it B 1 6 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT I. is not true, and the oath will hold as long as blood is red, and lips are soft and warm. MADDA. And when I am old ? SCORLA There is no future in love's philosophy. Run after the monks ; make friends with them now, and they will give you Heaven to play with when you are old. MADDA. Swear me the oath again, then, and I will go. [He kisses her again ; as he does so, MALAVOLTI enters R. He bends his head and gazes on the ground till MADDALENA goes off. SCORLA You saw nothing, my good Malavolti ? MALA. In your service, Excellency, I am as blind as Cupid. SCORLA And what if you had seen ? MALA. By the wives of Solomon, I should be none the wiser. I pin my faith to the gospel of husbands Blessed are they that see and do not believe. SCORLA Heaven grant Messer Ugolini prove orthodox should his faith be tested. | ANDREA, bearing a pitcher of wine, and another Monk with a basket of fruit and bread cross from L. and go out by the gates. MALA. How much longer are these pilgrimages to last ? SCORLA Life is a pilgrimage, my friend, and the length of it is none of our making. CT i. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 17 MALA. Then, as good pilgrims, Excellence, we should lose no time in reaching the shrine of our idolatry. I am tired of burning candles to other people's saints. SCORLA Patience, good Niccolo, patience ! MALA. Patience is the road to nowhere. Think you Ludovico Sforza climbed into the throne of Milan by waiting till the crown should drop upon his head ? By St. Hercules, no ! He made the clock strike to his own desire, and his right hand steeled what his left hand stole. SCORLA It is better to wait for the ripe fruit than to get a colic by eating the green. MALA. Body of Bacchus ! Some fruit never ripens. SCORLA But time always does, and great fruit is only plucked in the ripe time. MALA. The ripe time. By the bones of Peter, a command of two hundred men-at-arms is good enough to make harvest at all times. Use force, Excellency, and at any time you can be master of Andola. SCORLA For how long, good Niccolo ? (laughing). What we take by force, we must hold by force. Two hundred men will not hold Andola long. They will appeal to Rome, to Milan, to Venice pest ! they might even fight, much as they dislike the pastime. No force is the last road to Andola. MALA. Tell me a better, Excellence. 1 8 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT I. SCORLA The road lies past the altar, and the guide might be a woman's hand. MALA. Marriage Madonna liana ! By the groves of Cyprus, I believe you love. SCORLA (half to himself) As the poet loves the stars, the snow upon the highest hills so do I love Ilaria. Yet I do know that did I make her mine, and climb the highest summit of my hopes, the snow would vanish at my touch, the stars would still be far above my head. MALA. Snakes of Purgatory ! What white-livered conspiracy is this ? SCORLA You fool ! Do you not see that this marriage will give me as a right what you would have me win by force ? It will give me Andola's allies for my own, and at a stroke change all my enemies to unwilling friends. MALA. Your mind is too political, Excellency. You have eyes for all the issues. A blind man is fearless of the dangers he cannot see. I would you were blind ; you would be Duke of Andola to-morrow. SCORLA To-morrow is not enough for me, good Niccolo. I must have my hand on the day after. [Goes up to back. MALA. And how long will your Excellency spend in this wooing ? SCORLA If I have not won in half a year, I may think of other ways. ACTI. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 19 MALA. Half a year good Excellency ! ( To himself) Six months hence will find us on the last road. [Sunset begins. The Monk who crossed with ANDREA enters from the gateway, bearing the empty basket and wine pitcher at the same moment FRA LUCCA comes on from the Monastery. LUCCA Will your Excellencies be pleased to partake of some refresh- ment? SCORLA Our Excellencies will be mightily pleased. What say you, Malavolti ? MALA. That even in the cloister the flesh must have its due. LUCCA The Prior awaits your Serenities in the guest chamber, where her Magnificence the Duchess Ilaria is already regaled. [Bowing low. SCORLA Per Dio, a perfect courtier ! Do they cringe like this to Heaven, I wonder? \They go off, preceded by FRA LUCCA and followed by the other Monk ; as they are going off, FRA ANDREA appears in the gateway and stands watching them disappear, then he comes down, looking after them. Then he sits down upon the bank where SCORLA was, and letting his hands fall by his side, one of them touches the sword. He takes it up, examines it, draws it from its scabbard, and sits gazing at it. ANDREA Why should the very touch of this cold thing Set all my veins on fire ? My life is vowed To peace, and all my thoughts to gentleness, Yet can this steel- tongued messenger of death Summon hot blood to thaw my frozen soul, Make all the arteries of my willing arm THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT I. Prolong their courses, till th' inanimate blade Is quickened into life. [He swings the sivord through the air. How lustily It sings i' the air ! And yet I know the song Is made of mothers' cries, of widows' groans, And all the long-drawn litany of woe. Millions of tears have washed the guilty stains From this relentless face : this hungry edge Was sharpened on the sorrows of mankind. Scourge of the nations, lord of misery ! What mourning multitudes have called thee cursed Thou iron vampire of the ages, fed On blood of kings and countless nameless men. [He moves up, picks up the sheath as though about to return the sword, then pauses. No, I do slander thee ! The sword did sweep The infidel from out the sacred east, And slept not till unto the sunset's shores Was borne the Cross that won the world for Heaven. Oh, thou art holied by that enterprise. Not all thy murderous memories can dim That glory shining in thee still. Behold ! Thy destiny is written on the skies. Arm thou the right ; let order's cause be thine : Lead thou the slave to freedom ; guard the weak ; Arise, and win the equal rights of man. Lord, hear my soul that echoes this great call That I who work by prayer might pray by work ; Work with the sword, pray with the sword, wage war With prayer of sword, on all the powers of ill That turn the world from thine eternal law. [As he stands gazing in rapt enthusiasm at the sword, FR A BARTOLOMKO enters L. and pauses, eyeing ANDREA. FRA BART. What should the sword do, brother, in your hand ? ANDREA I dreamed of a new gospel, where the sword Might conquer sin. ACT I. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 21 FRA BART. Forget you then the old, Where it is writ that they that take the sword Shall perish with the sword ? ANDREA How can a man Die better, so his cause be just? FRA BART. For you There is but one just cause to save your soul. \Takes the sivord, picking up slieatk and belt. Are you so weak a vessel that your mind Is stirred by each breath from the world outside ? ANDREA Twas not the world outside, it was the world Within. FRA BART. No, brother ; it was through the eye Temptation came to you. In this bright steel You saw the glitter of the evil star That tempted Lucifer. ANDREA Nay ; I beheld The splendid vision of a star that called On me to rise, to leave this little task Of self-salvation, and to work for all ; To toil for others, for my fellow-men. FRA BART. And for this idle dream you risk your soul ? ANDREA Who risks his life for others' lives, does well ; How infinitely better he who risks His soul ! THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT I. FRA BART. Vain fool ! Were you to save the souls Of all the peoples now upon the earth, What would it profit you without your own ? ANDREA Must I then live for profit, like a Jew ? Barter my life with Heaven for my soul, And bargain like a grasping Florentine For everlasting usury ? FRA BART, (fiercely) Be still ! Lest in thy blindness thou blaspheme the Lord. Canst thou not see the peril at thy feet ? The abysmal gulf where sinful pride did hurl The offending angels headlong into hell ? Madness has seized thee, else the coldest sweat Of mortal terror must bedew thy limbs. O we must crush this rebel spirit down, Cast forth this devil of pride, fight for thy soul ! Go, I command thee, brother, to thy grave ! Forget the sword, and take unto thyself The weapons of the soul. Pray without cease ; Humble thy spirit and chastise thy flesh ; Take up thy spade, and in the wormy earth See where the greatness of the world must lie ! When earth has claimed its dusty loan, the soul Leaps to the question of eternity. [ANDREA bows his head and obeys meekly, while FRA BAR- TOLOMEO walks about with bent head, striking his breast and uttering at times a suppressed groan. Then when he has mastered his agitation, he stands gazing stonily at ANDREA, and says in his usual gloomy passionless tones: My brother, pray. Pray for the peace of God, Pray for the peace of the grave. [He goes out L. ANDREA digs a spadeful of earth, and then, leaning on the spade, bends his head in prayer. The sound of women laughing lightly is borne along the Cloister, and a moment later ILARIA appears L. with VALERIA and FIAMETTA. ANDREA is unconscious of their presence, and at first they do not see him. ACT I. THE PR A YER OF THE S WORD 23 FIA. Magnificence, Indeed the cloister is the last resource Of disappointed love. [VALERIA and ILARIA laugh. VAL. I have no wish To take the veil, but ILARIA Peace, you foolish girl ! VAL. Ah, you are free from fear, for you keep love At arm's length. FIA. Tis those fools that seek it most That love plays false withal. \They laugh. VAL. Hush ! See, a monk ! ILARIA He seems as lost in prayer. VAL. O horrible ! FIA. What mean you ? VAL See you not ? he digs a grave. FIA. Jesu Maria ! (Making fatatura) Highness, come away! I cannot bear to look upon a grave. ILARIA Someone he loves is to be buried there, Perhaps. 24 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT i. FIA. O Highness, speak not of such things, For all my heart turns cold at thought of death. I prithee, Highness, let us go from here. ILARIA No, I will speak to him. [S/te goes fonvard to ANDREA. The other two shrink out of sight in the Cloister. For whom make you The grave ? [ANDREA looks up and gazes in ivonder before ILAKIA ; then bends his head before her. Forgive me, I have rudely broke Upon your prayer. You know me not. I am The Duchess of Andola. ANDREA (looking up dazed) You are then The Lady Ilaria ! ILARIA That is my name ! For whom make you the grave ? ANDREA 'Tis for myself. [ILARIA starts slightly. Tis custom of the order that we dig Thrice in each day a spadeful of that earth Whereto we go. ILARIA I understand ; it is A kind of prayer. ANDREA Yes, 'tis a kind of prayer. ILARIA Twere easy to pray here, I think ; so far Above the world, hearing the earth's mute prayer, The eternal silence of the hills. -ACT I. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 25 ANDREA In truth, Nature does pray with us in solitude. ILARIA (looking out over the hills) From these calm heights you can look down and see The storms below that hide the heavens from men. There are no troubles in this solitude, Where one can hear the still air cry that God Is good and loves the world. ANDREA Our nature calls, Even upon the solitary path, With many voices ; these must trouble him Who fears to lose his way. ILARIA Yet in this place The voice of Nature seems a far-off cry ; Life but some strange, sad memory, and the world Farther away than Heaven. ANDREA Iron gates And walls of stone cannot shut out the world. Some of the world is born in us ; we too Are men. ILARIA Is it the world that troubles you ? ANDREA I know not ; yet my spirit knows no rest. You, lady, rule a people's destinies : You live your life for them. Your ministers, Whose subtle woven policies and toils Uphold the State their lives are lived for you. The forest birds build nests and rear their young : These for their offspring live their lives. The sun Shines for the earth ; earth bears her fruits for man ; Man lives for all the men to follow him. 26 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT I. All things that have a purpose in God's world Join in the prayer of universal life. But I must stand alone. My life is for Myself alone. I only live to save One soul my own. ILARIA You mean that in the work We do for others lies true peace of soul. ANDREA Yes ; life has more worth even for one task Done for a fellow-man. I am below The meanest of your subjects who can say ' In this work have I served my sovereign well.' ILARIA If you would serve me, grant me then your prayers. I need their help. ANDREA Then will I pray for you. Prayer heals the soul. But it can never still The body's throbbing pulses, nor assuage The clamouring for action in the blood. Times come when man cries out for other prayer A fuller, wider prayer than that of words : To make oblation of his energies, To offer up a holocaust of strength, To pray with all the vigour of his arms. I pray now with my arms making this grave : But 'tis a selfish prayer ; even the grave Must be my own. ILARIA One day we all must beg The service of a grave. ANDREA I would serve life, Not death. Work for the living, be your guard, Fight for you, do you service with the sword. ACT I. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 27 ILARIA I live for peace. I have laid by the sword. ANDREA That is a foolish wisdom. Even here Peace comes not till the soul is armed with prayer. I think it must be so too in the world Peace comes unto the armed man. ILARIA I pray Never to need the service of the sword. ANDREA I say Amen. Yet in these times of strife, Who knows, a day might come when even I Could serve your cause ? ILARIA You are a monk, and none May call you from your holy work. ANDREA One may To holier work. I do believe that you, The temple of sweet goodness upon earth, Stand foremost in the watchful eye of Heav'n. Did you need help, God would arm men. The sword Would come from Heav'n ; and if it come, I pray That mine may be the hand to carry it. ILARIA If Heaven send the sword unto your hand, Then must you use it it is Heaven's will. And now, farewell ! ANDREA The Virgin keep you safe. ILARIA Remember me in prayer (as she goes down). 28 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT I. ANDREA In prayer I will Remember. [UGOLINI hurries on to VALERIA and FIAMETTA, who are in t/ie Cloister. UGO. Knows her Highness how the hours Outstrip us ? (Sees ILARIA) See, Magnificence, the dusk Dims all the east. If that we go not now, The night will catch us ere we reach the plain. [UGOLINI 'is followed by SCORLA, with whom is the PRIOR. Then MALAVOLTI, FRA BERNARDO, Pico, MADDALENA, Ladies a?id Gentlemen and several Monks. ILARIA Let us then go. UGO. (to MALAVOLTI) Go see the grooms be up. [MALAVOLTI goes out. PRIOR leaves SCORLA and goes to ILARIA. The Ladies and Gentlemen begin to move out. ILARIA Now must we go ; but I shall bear away Some of the peace that all-pervades the air. PRIOR I know your Highness bears with you our prayers, Our blessings, our goodwill. [ILARIA with the PRIOR : SCORLA, UGOLINI, and FRA BERNARDO move towards the gate through which the others have already gone. She bends her knee before him, and he blesses her. PRIOR Our order sees But little of the world. Yet may we hope That we again shall see our patroness. ACT I. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 29 ILARIA Father, I know that I shall come again When that I am world-weary ; I shall come To this sweet resting-place. Farewell ! [She goes out. SCORLA and U GOLIN i follow, bowing to PRIOR, who with FRA BERNARDO stands at the gate watching them mount. The Monks below are whispering together excitedly, and trying to get a last glimpse of the strangers. ANDREA still stands by the grave, leaning on the spade and gazing at the grou?id. SCORLA (calls without) The road Unto Andola lies straight on. FRA BERN, (shouting) Straight from The setting sun. SCORLA I thank you. Fare you well ! [The PRIOR comes down. BERNARDO closes the gates and follows. Noise of the cavalcade and chatter and laughter heard moving away. The Monks, still in a flutter of ex- citement, are gossiping together. FRA BARTOLOMEO enters L. back to two Monks L. FRA BART. t Brothers, it is the hour of Vespers. Come ! [He goes off into Cloister. The Angelus rings. At the first beat of the bell a deathlike silence comes over the scene, all heads are bent, and those ivho were moving across the scene stand motionless. ANDREA alone does not hear, until the bell begins for the third time. Then he wakes from his reverie, and kneeling hides his face. As the Angelus finishes, the Monks in the scene hurry off at various paces into the Cloister, but ANDREA still remains with his face covered. Then he looks up with a cry of anguish. 30 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT I. ANDREA The Virgin's face appears not to my prayer. One woman's face hides all the earth and heaven. \He rises and steals up to the back, and leaning over a rock stands gazing down the mountain, with the sunset light o?i his face. A chorus of laughter comes faintly up from below. Then from the Chapel comes the sound of the organ and the Monks chanting Vespers. ANDREA turns as though drawn by the sound. [CURTAIN.] Six months elapse. ACT II SCENE I The great Cloister in the Monastery of San Bruno. Entrance to Chapel L. Six months have elapsed since the last Act. It is evening. FRA BERNARDO is standing at the back, gazing out at the sky through the arches. T/te PRIOR comes i^.from the Chapel. FRA BERN. The clouds are racing from the south. PRIOR (coming to his side and looking out) A storm ! FRA BERN. Yon grey streak seems to stretch across the sky Like a gaunt finger of the hand of doom Threatening the east. PRIOR 'Tis there Andola lies. Even in the east the menace is fulfilled. FRA BERN. A menace to Andola ? PRIOR Hast not heard ? [FRA BARTOLOMEO enters L. Our lady is in trouble. There is news From one, a goatherd who brings gossip here : The Scoria's mask is fall'n : he doth proclaim Himself Andola's lord ; more, he would force Ilaria to wife. And all the while c 32 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT II. Her followers but gape. He who does more Is exiled by the long road from Andola Or the short road from earth. FRA BERN. Heaven send her help ! PRIOR Help is in Heaven alone. FRA BART. Touching this news PRIOR You heard FRA BART. I heard. But let these tidings be. Let us not feed the younger brethren's ears With them. Such echoes of a worldly strife Are but distraction and a source of sin. Have you forgot the visit of the Court ? Forgotten how the spirit of the world Did shake the soul of Brother Andrea? PRIOR God was his shield. Brother Andrea now Has passed the heavy years of ordeal. To-morrow he becomes ordained priest Sets an eternal seal upon his bond. FRA BERN. What joy to my old eyes to see him stand, When that irrevocable step is ta'en, Before the altar, priest of the Most High ! PRIOR Brother Bartolomeo, you are sure That his vocation is confirmed ? SCENE i. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 33 FRA BART. As sure As of my own. If doubt torment you still, Let him be hither brought and question him. PRIOR Well thought on. Brother, call him from his cell. [FRA BERNARDO goes out L. FRA BART. I told you that I am as sure of him As of myself. Now let me tell you why. When that I came upon him in the hour Of his temptation, and beheld how far The world had power on his immortal soul, I vowed that in the spirit or the flesh I should be ever at his side. That hour Began the struggle for his soul. I prayed, Wrestled with him in spirit, watched with him. I took his soul within my hands and raised It upwards from the earth. I crushed the taint Of worldliness from out his body yea, From out the marrow of his bones. This is My work the work shall justify itself. [ANDREA enters from the Monastery. He is much changed from the preceding Act. His movements have less resolution, his face is paler, more ascetic, and his eyes have in tJiem something of the far-away look of the mystic. His voice, too, while as full of earnestness as formerly, has almost lost tlie ringing human note. ANDREA What is your will, my father ? PRIOR I did send For you, my son, to set at rest my doubts. [FRA BARTOLOMEO, who has watched ANDREA'S entrance in triumph, goes up c. You are upon the eve of what must prove C 2 34 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT n. The crowning day of all your earthly life To-morrow you become a priest. My son, Are you prepared for this great sacrament ? \ ANDREA I do believe I am. PRIOR And have you striven To render yourself worthy ? ANDREA I have prayed. PRIOR And the world's voice no longer tempts your soul ? ANDREA It troubles me no more. I am in peace. \TIie bell begins to toll for Vespers. I do believe the end of man is this : To do the will of Heaven. I believe That Heaven's will is shown to all who ask. In those days when my soul yearned for a call Into a wider world's activities, I begged a sign to point the way : I prayed For some clear light. The sign has never come. A silent Heaven speaks the will of God. The light is clear, at last. I am content. [Two Monks enter L. 2, one after the other, and go through the doorway of the Church L. PRIOR May peace abide with you, my son ! The bell Calls to the church for Vespers. 'Tis the hour When nature rests and peace falls on the world, And weary souls seek out their rest in prayer. Pray, and have peace in God. [Another Monk enters L. 2, and goes into the Church. The PRIOR crosses L. and follows him. FRA BAR- TOLOMEO comes down, watching ANDREA, who stands R. with bent head. He is following the PRIOR into the Church when FRA BERNARDO enters R. SCENK (. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 35 FRA BERN. Four of the brothers are returned FRA BART, (turning at the Church door} But now ! What hath delayed them till the Vesper hour ? FRA BERN. They bear the body of an old man dead. See, they are here ! [FRA LUCCA and three other Monks enter R., bearing on a rough litter made of branches the apparently lifeless body of old UGOLINI, dishevelled and covered with dust. He has bled much from a wound in the neck. We found him in the pass, Fallen by the road. A courtier by his dress An old man, too FRA BART. What matter age or rank ? The man is dead. \The Vesper bell stops. LUCCA He must have bled to death From this great wound. Shall we not lay the corpse Within the church ? FRA BART. No set the body here. [ They lay the litter on the ground. What know we of this man, or how he died ? Or what unshriven sins weigh down his soul ? We should perchance profane the house of God By sheltering there his enemy. Go in (to the Monks) The Vesper bell has ceased. Go to your prayer. \Thefour Monks into the Church L. FRA BERN, (bending over the body and touching the sword} An old man armed. His was a fighter's death. 'Tis sad for one so old. 36 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT n. FRA BART. Even with the sword Whereby he lived, he fell. Heaven is just. (To ANDREA) My brother, stay thou here and keep a watch Over this body till we have decreed The burial. [ANDREA bows his head and comes c. FRA BERNARDO goes into the Church, wlience the Monks can be Jteard chanting the Responses. FRA BARTOLOMEO, tvho follows, turns at the door. (Pointing to the body) In that cold clay there lies The world's epitome. Pray, and mark this : Had that dead man been emperor of the earth His soul stood naked as a beggar's now, Shivering in rags of sin before the throne. \He goes into the Church. The chanting swells up, then dies down again. ANDREA stands looking down at the body. A low rumble of distant thunder is heard ; he crosses him- self, goes up to the back and looks out through t/ie arches at the sky. Then he returns to body, and going on one knee gazes pitifully at it. ANDREA God must be merciful to all like thee Whom death strikes suddenly. Why should the coward Be given time to shrive his sickly soul When better men are stricken straight to hell ? Old warrior, the church's doors are shut Against thy body. Yet I think thy soul Knocks not in vain upon the gates of God. \Tenderly he takes UGOLINI'S hands and lays them crosswise on his breast. What tale of battle, eye to eye with death, Lies locked in that still tongue ! \He starts ; then rises to his Jeet, staring eagerly at the face. The lips ! they moved As they would answer me. Nay I but dream. It is the shade of dusk that tricks the i_ye. [He bends down. Those lids are closed for ever on the day. Mother of Heaven ! the eyelids quivered then SCENE I. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 37 The lips part ! (He bends closer?) Living breath stirs him again Who seemed as dead. (Looking round) Water ! the lips are parched. [He rises and goes out by the Refectory door R. A moment later he returns, bearing a pitcher of water and a drinking- cup. He kneels down, tears a scarf from UGOLINI'S clothing, bathes his face and then moistens his lips from the cup. UGOLINI revives somewhat, ANDREA raises him to a reclining position and holds the cup to his lips. He drinks, then presses his hand to his head a moment and opens his eyes. UGO. (faintly) My horse ! help me to mount. Where is my horse ? Andola lies yet many leagues ahead ! And night comes I must on ! [He brushes his hair from his eyes and stares at ANDREA. A monk ! What place Is this ? ANDREA The monastery. UGO. San Bruno? ANDREA Aye. UGO. How come I here ? ANDREA They found you in the pass. UGO. I had grown faint I fell. But what of that ! I must ride on ! I need a horse ! You hear ? Go get me one you shall have all you ask A hundred florins anything ; but haste ! A horse ! O for God's love, man, quick ! a horse ! [He sinks back exhausted. 3 8 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT IT. ANDREA We have no horses here ; nay, if there were, You lack the strength to ride, for you have bled Almost to death. UGO. Ah yes, one wretch did strike A coward blow behind. They fell on us Full three to one ; cut-throats in Scoria's pay ! ANDREA Whence come you ? UGO. From Foligno. Where at noon This word came from the Lady Ilaria : ' Come to my aid ; I am in peril. Haste.' I rode with six, till, entering the pass, An ambush foul entrapped us, out of which But I spurred on alone. [His voice falls away at the end. ANDREA (eagerly) Who are you ? speak Have I not seen you here ? Did you not come Once with the Lady Ilaria ? UGO. Even so. She is in mortal peril now, and I Am from her side . (Struggling to rise) Help me ! I go to her. Help me to rise, good monk. ANDREA In peril how ? UGO. Scoria has risen ; danger threatens her Her life perchance yet here I lie. Away ! \He raises himself on one knee. On to Andola. If there be no horse My feet must serve no man shall stay me ! O ! [A cry of mortal agony breaks from him as he sinks Uaning on one Jiand. SCENE i. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 39 No man but Death, who doth forbid my feet. I have spent all. I die. ANDREA (hastily) I am not yet A priest. Lie still I will call one. UGO. (detaining him) No, no ! Go not. I am but lately shriven. Monk, Hold thou my hand, that I die not alone. [A look of perplexity gradually overshadows ANDREA'S face. He takes UGOLINI'S hand. A low growl of thunder is heard. The Monks in the Church are repeating the Litany of the Saints, but only the invocations in unison. The ' Ora pro nobis ' and the ' Orate pro nobis' can be heard faintly at short intervals. UGO. I seem to hear the voices of the dead That cry out, ' Pray for us. 5 ANDREA It is the monks Who say the Litany. UGO. Aye, pray for us. Pray sometime for my soul ; and, O good monk, Pray for the Lady Ilaria. All my life Has been a prayer for her. And now I die She is in peril and alone. ANDREA By day And night I'll pray for her. UGO. A prayer of words ? for a man of deeds to be her stay ! ANDREA 1 am a monk. 40 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT n. UGO. Nay, thou art first a man. The sap of life runs green in thee : thou hast All that I lack to serve our lady's cause. ANDREA I will do all that is the will of God ! UGO. (raising himself, with growing intensity} God's will how canst thou doubt it here ? Therefore He gives me breath again, to bid thee go. Thou hast a tongue go forth ! Proclaim her need. Dost thou still doubt ? Have I not come to thee From past the grave ? O monk ! upon the edge Of all eternity men do not lie ! All men shall follow at thy word. Arise ! Go forth and for thy weapon take my sword ANDREA (in ecstasy) The sword it is the sign ! Now can I pray. UGO. Ah, God is good ! [His voice gradually fails away. That is the prayer to save Our lady. Go and pray pray with thy strength Pray with the sword [He falls back dead. ANDREA Amen ! God rest your soul ! [He takes off his cloak and reverently spreads it over the body. ' If Heaven send the sword unto your hand, Then must you use it ; it is Heaven's will.' [He draws the sword from its sheath. The sign has come at last ! Lord, I obey. [He goes out R. A louder rumble of thunder. Then the sound of t/ie Monks' voices. [CURTAIN.] SCENE ii. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 41 SCENE II In the Palace of the Duchess of Andola* A Loggia on the first story. Steps lead up from the gardens R. Through the open- ings R. and c. can be seen the tops of the trees of the gardens, and beyond, the city. Beyond that the spires of the city ; and beyond all, the hills and the sky. Wide entrance L. Entrance down steps L. back. Several Women, including MADDALENA, are seated R. c., working at a tapestry frame. Pico is perched on a ledge near them with a paper in his hand, from which he has been reading to them. FIAMETTA is reclining on the steps L. As the Ciirtain rises, the voice of the FOOL is heard from below, singing. FOOL (without] what tho' I fast, Tho' I wither of thirst, If thou love me, if thou love me All my sorrows are past ; 1 will welcome the worst If thou love me, if thou love me. All the rains cannot chill me, the sun need not shine ; I will caper in rags, nor in sickness repine ; The whole world cannot hold all the joys that are mine If thou love me. [As he sings the last hvo lines he comes on, and stands at the head of the steps making a sweeping gesture of salutation to all the ladies, ivho receive him with cries of delight. FIA. Who is she ? who is the happy thou ? FIRST WOMAN Is it I ? [ The FOOL smiles at them all, finger on lips. THE OTHERS Or I ? Or I ? Or I ? FIA. Nay, I am she. 42 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT 11. FOOL I may not tell. [ They laugh. FIA. Tell us more of her. FOOL Would you ? ALL Yes, yes more ! FOOL The key changes somewhat. But 'tis the property of keys in this world. 'Tis thus (in a minor key} But all this is past. I am woefully curst If thou wed me, if thou wed me. The hours that fled fast Seem to lag from the first, If thou wed me, if thou wed me. By the rain I am drenched, by the darkness perplexed, While I shiver in rags, and by vapours I'm vexed. This world cannot hold me I long for the next If thou wed me. [ The verse is received with laughing protest ; some of the Women shake their fingers at him. VALERIA enters R. hurriedly. VAL. Peace here! peace, all of you. (To the FOOL) Who bade you sing? (The FOOL shrugs his shoulders.} Her Highness is in no humour for songs and laughter to-day. FOOL I thought to bring her comfort. VAL. Who bade you think ? Begone, and take your comfort elsewhere, f She goes out R. The FOOL looks after her with a wry face. FOOL (humming to himself} This world cannot hold me I long for the next If thou wed me. SCENE 1 1. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 43 FIA. What news to-day of Scoria ? (Coming to him.} FOOL (suddenly grave) It is whispered this morning in the town (the Women prick up their ears one comes forward} that last night FIA. (coming nearer] Aye! FOOL He slept (they burst forth in protest he stops them with a mysterious gesture} a troubled sleep FIA. (awed} A heavy conscience ! FOOL Nay, a heavy supper, if rumour may be trusted. \The Women exclaim in annoyance. Pico saunters dow?i. PICO "Tis now three days since Messer Scoria declared himself Supreme Lord of Andola. Yet who of us hath heard the clash of arms, the sounds of strife ? who of us hath seen the flow of blood ? 'Tis a revolution in good sooth, yet I call it most delicately done. FOOL O that I might see thee delicately done, Messere (Pico stares at him} spitted sweetly on a sword's point and held punto reverso to a hot fire as one might roast a lark. [Pico strikes at him with his switch ; the FOOL bows gracefully and the blow passes over his head. Pico goes up in a pet. MADDA. (defiantly) Yet he says true. No one hath suffered in this change. FOOL Oh, ho ! There are some twenty excellent gentlemen, not to be found, whose testimony I would fain have to that. Your lord Messer Ugolini is doubtless safe home by now. 44 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT II. MADDA. (with a slight start) He is awaited hourly. [She goes up c. and stands looking out. The FOOL begins to scratch the ground with his foot. FIA. What mean you ? FOOL Precious stones and dead men must be sought in the earth, and neither may say how they came there. FIA. (coming to him mysteriously) Shall I tell thee a secret ? (He nods.) Messer Scoria has twice in these two days begged our mistress's hand in marriage. FOOL (loudly) Mona Maddalena, wilt thou tell me a secret ? When does the Scoria mean to wed ? MADDA. I what should I know of his meaning ! (Sullenly.) FOOL Truly ; why should we see what lies under our nose though it smell never so loud ? MADDA. (stamping her foot) Oh ! I would the fiend that wags thy tongue might choke thee. [She turns away angrily and stands looking out R. The FOOL makes a suggestive grimace at FIAMETTA. The other Women whisper to each other. ILARIA enters slowly L. She pauses on the stei>s. ILARIA What news of Messer Ugolini ? [A slight pause. FIA. None, Magnificence. There is no word of him. SCENE II. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 45 1LARIA Again to-day no word ! {Coming down,} MADDA. Magnificence, I will go ask once more ; have I your leave ? ILARIA Do so, good Maddalena. May the saints Send him safe home ! [MADDALENA exits L. back. ILARIA crosses R. and stands lean- ing against one of the pillars, looking out. MALAVOLTI enters L. back, and comes down. MALA. Magnificence ! [ILARIA turns ; he bows low I come From the most noble Scoria, who attends Your pleasure to receive him. [ILARIA starts slightly and remains silent. What command Must I bear back to him ? ILARIA May we then still Command ? MALA, (bowing uncomfortably) Highness ! ILARIA All save obedience. Say that I shall await his coming here. [MALAVOLTI bows and retires. ILARIA remains motionless, with troubled face. The FOOL comes up behind her. FOOL What ails thee, lady ? ILARIA Many things. I need help, I need counsel, I need friends. 46 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT 11. FOOL Then Heaven help thee, for I cannot. But sometimes when the moon makes me whine o' nights, I pray to God or to the Devil, or to the Pope, to send thee a man who has lost the use of his tongue. [ScORLA enters L. back, preceded by MALAVOLTI. SCORLA I kiss your hands, Magnificence. (Bowing.} ILARIA Messere. SCORLA 'Tis now the third day that I come to you. You know my errand, and I claim your word. Permit that I may speak with you alone. ILARIA (dismissing tier women with a gesture} I pray you give us leave a little while. [ The FOOL, who is out on the steps R. hack, crouches down be- hind the parapet and disappears from view. Pico and the Women go out L. SCORLA Highness, I will be brief as honesty. Two days together have I sought to gain A simple answer to a simple suit, And you have baffled me. I come to-day To know your mind at last. I do not go Till you have answered me. ILARIA So let it be, Since you will have it so. You make demand That I become your wife. I answer No. SCORLA No will not serve. A straw more easily May stem a torrent mad to reach the sea Than all the noes that ever women spoke Turn me from my desire. SCENE ii. THE PRA YER OF THE SWORD 47 ILARIA I love you not. Why would you wed me ? SCORLA For that I love you. ILARIA I hear it from your lips, but in your deeds SCORLA My deeds, had they but tongues, would echo me. Even in the ill I do, you must believe I love. ILARIA Where have you proved it ? SCORLA In my dreams. Give me the future, I will show you there The world that glory shall create, for love. ILARIA Love hath found strange companions. I have known Your treachery, your false faith but your love ! SCORLA You give hard words, and yet my thirsty ear Drinks gladly of your voice, for I do love Your anger as a strong man loves the storm. I am a soldier and my tongue is rude ; I have no song nor trick to whisper love In lisping accents like the leaves in June. I can but say I love you, and my love Strikes from my heart-strings only silent chords That quiver with a fierce desire for sound To make their presence known. 48 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT n. ILARIA I only know That I am prisoner in my palace. I, Your sovereign mistress SCORLA 'Tis at my command The safety of your person. ILARIA That, I pray, Lies in another's keeping. I know not Wherefore I should be guarded from my own My subjects. SCORLA Some are to be feared ! ILARIA I know. The subject who is none, who breaks his oath And solemn pledge of fealty, who comes With traitor's mind and lover's lips to woo By force where craft is vain. Him must I fear, But let him speak no sacrilege of love. [She turns away from SCORLA, who stands irresolute with his head bowed. She looks at him for a moment, and continues in pleading tones. Messere Scoria, I have known you long As one both strong and cruel ; yet I thought You honest, for you served my father well. Will not the memory of that loyalty Find yet some little left for me ? Is there not in the love you do profess One touch of gentleness to bid you spare A woman much perplexed, who only prays To live her life in peace ? SCORLA (after a pause) You bid a man Who stands upon the hill's crest, fling himself SCENE II. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 49 Down to the lowly plain from whence he climbed. I am too old to start the climb again. I have made many dreams of high ambition, And each of them was lighted by your face. You are the white soul of my purposes, The spirit that would make my sword sublime. Stand at my side, I shall become a power To raise Andola to a pinnacle, At whose impregnable and giddy height The rest of Italy shall blink and bow. ILARIA Such heights are scaled on steps of misery. I would not share your dream. SCORLA You stand alone Share then my strength. For though you love me not, Princes must wed for power to hold their own. Power only holds the throne whose narrow seat Has little room for love. ILARIA Love on a throne Might sway a people like a melody, The music of two souls in harmony. Discord would cease and hate be lulled to sleep, And all the people be attuned to love. Oh ! that were power indeed ; it is the power That made and saved the world. SCORLA Dreams idle dreams ! Love may not rule in a world of hate and war. All Italy is in the melting-pot. The times are big with danger. There is one Sits with the greed of empire in his eyes : Pope Alexander Borgia, who enslaves Romagna for the bastard brood of Rome. His frenzied nepotism sweeps the land : Forli and Imola before it fell ; 50 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT n. Rimini trembles and Faenza prays. There is an ill-starred hour awaiting us When Caesar Borgia and his swarthy horde Will be upon us like the raging sea. The hour of danger calls upon a man. This is Andola's hour, Magnificence, And I the man ! ILARIA If the hour of danger call, My subjects with God's aid will answer it. Between our souls there lies a dark abyss Your words but light its depth. I love you not : And save where I may love I will not wed. And now I pray you go. SCORLA I plead in vain. Content. Yet will I bridge that dark abyss, Though 'twere the yawning mouth of hell itself. Why should I plead ? Your throne is on my sword. Andola goes with me, and you must choose To rule with me, or fall and fall alone. {He folds his arms. I will abide your answer where I stand. [ILARIA draws herself up, with clenched hands, for a moment, then the helplessness of her position comes over her, a hunted look comes into her face, her hands fall nervelessly by her side, and she goes slowly R., where she stands looking out, her eyes filled with tears. MALAVOLTI slinks in hurriedly L. back. MALA, (in low quick tones} Excellence ! (He conies down a little L.) SCORLA (turning) Peste ! What would you ? MALA. There is one Below Conrad brings word we are attacked SCENE ii. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD SCORLA What folly's this ? By whom ? MALA. A rabble horde ; Hill-folk and peasants most, but fierce as Turks SCORLA Man, art thou mad ? MALA. Belike ; but half your men Are missing, slain or half the rest make stand Upon the bridge below the market-place Fifty against a host. SCORLA The devil's work ! Said you hard pressed ? MALA. As far as death they swarm. SCORLA Away then ! Take my guard summon the men From San Martino's tower. I follow go ! [MALAVOLTI runs off~L. SCORLA turns toward ILARIA Lady, there is some riot in the town That calls me hence. I go but I return. Let the time serve to balance what you stake See that you answer wisely when I come. [ He goes out quickly L. back. A moment later the FOOL'S head appears round the corner of the balustrade. FOOL Is he gone, Madonetta ? [He crawls in on his hands and knees. ILARIA bends her head : the FOOL rises. What said they riots what ? [Jfe creeps up to entrance L. and looks after SCORLA. 52 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT n. that the rabble would take him to eat ! (Shaking fist.} So might they 'scape famine for a twelvemonth. \He turns, and comes down towards ILARIA. Why, thou art all a-tremble. Come, come, little mistress, thou art yet Duchess of Andola, and men's skins are not as thick as masonry. ILARIA ! I found brave enough words for my lips, But all the while my heart would whisper me 1 Thou'rt but a woman,' till I almost wept. Good Beppo, I am most alone. I wait, Yet no one comes. Not one of all my friends Even old Ugolini. There is not One arm to be my shield not one not one ! {She hides her face on her arm. FOOL 1 was there, Madonetta. Thou didst not know it, but I was watching over thee. Thou didst not see me, but I lay crouched up there in the part of the lady's faithful hound ready to spring at a word. ( Waving his bauble. ) ILARIA (turning, and smiling faintly through her tears) What wouldst thou do ? Wouldst break thy wit upon him till he broke thy neck ? FOOL Nay, I had a jest fit to the occasion, else were I a dull fool. (He pulls at the head of the bauble. The stick is the sheath of a sharp dagger attacJied to the head.) A riddle, lady, with a fine point and no answer. (!LARIA, touched, lays her hand lightly on his shoulder.) Courage, little mistress. A woman's wit or a fool's folly (sheathing the dagger) is a match for all the villainy in hell. ILARIA O my poor Fool ! my dear Fool ! Might not we two go away from here and leave it all ? We could wander alone through the world only we two. And thou shouldst sing in the villages where we rested, and we should eat in the sunshine and sleep under the stars, and if the way seemed long thou shouldst tell me stories to make me laugh to make me forget that I that I that I am Andola whence I may never go. (c.) [Pico appears on the steps L. SCENE II. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 53 PICO Master Calandro, the astrologer. [MASTER CALANDRO comes out on the steps, a lean, wizened old man. He bows obsequiotisly. CALANDRO Magnificence ! ILARIA 111 tidings, by your face. CALANDRO Tidings both good and ill. \He comes down. ILARIA Speak them ! Fear not We cannot bend the courses of the stars By stopping up our ears. CALANDRO An hour ere dawn, Which was the hour of Mercury, behold A strange star, radiant as a comet, flashed Within the plane of your nativity. The skies were full of wonder, and so changed That I did cast your horoscope anew. ILARIA A star a strange star ! What might this portend ? CALANDRO Thus say the stars. Out of the west, with Mars In the ascendant, good shall come to thee. Then Venus reigns. But in the cadent house The stars stand adverse, Saturn rules supreme, Threatening with evil misery and death. [ILARIA goes R., where she sits deep in t/iougkt. 54 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT II. FOOL (coming to CALANDRO and bowing with mock courtesy) Good Master Calandro, now, as thou art a man and a devil, hook us down a couple of propitious stars, and pluck the entrails of good omen from them. [CALANDRO gives him a lofty look of contempt and exit L. Several of the Women, including VALERIA and FIAMETTA, have joined Pico round the steps L. ILARIA Does fooling never make thee weary, Fool ? FOOL Nothing may weary him who keeps an eye clapped on the ever- changing jest of life. A man is born into this wretched world a weird jest wasted on an infant understanding. He loves O wonderful and many-sided jest ! He marries the humour coarsens, 'tis buffoonery. He dies ah, that might be the greatest jest of all could he but hear the laugh that follows it. VALERIA (coming between ILARIA and the FOOL) Begone, Fool ! Begone ! Her Highness is out of humour for fooling. Begone ! (She claps her hands at him.) FOOL (skipping round her) Thou little shrew, One foot by two, Tis I, not you, Have here to do. Go to ! go to ! And likewise pooh ! \He puts his fingers to his nose at her. Then he turns to ILARIA. Let them not send me away, Madonna. I will fool you into humour, or humour into you, or prithee let me stay (wheedling) Madonetta lest I should come to harm elsewhere. (ILARIA smiles at him). A smile, a smile ! I have fished a tiny sprat a little smile from your left eye. Does the way seem long, Madonetta ? Shall I tell thee a story to make thee laugh ? SCENE 1 1. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 55 ILARIA I cannot laugh at thy story whilst I have my own to make me weep. PICO (coming up to her with a paper in his hand) Let me read thee my verses, lady. They are to thy humour, of an exquisite melancholy and full of tears. \The FOOL snatches tJie paper from Pico and wrings it in his hand like a sponge. FOOL I'll wring this spongy poem lest we drown. [He skips away, dodging among the Women, pursued by Pico. As he runs he opens t}te paper, reads, and cries out : O Jupiter ! What a line ! it goes on four lame feet like a spavined ass. [Pico snatches the paper from him, and stands trembling with anger and smoothing it out. ILARIA Since when art thou a critic of verses ? FOOL (coming to her chair) Since Cupid made me doctor to all sick love-songs. Hast not heard, Madonna, I am Venus's pet leech? My great-great-grand- father was a slug, the lineal descendant of that very snail who stuck to the door of Noah's Ark and took the names of the cooing couples as they came in and out. [ILARIA and the Women laugh. He plays on the lute slung from his shoulder, and sings : Daintily tripping upon the green, I tune my lay ; Every maiden I crown a queen who comes my way. ' Thou art the prettiest I have seen,' to each I say ; ' Stay with me, I will sing thee songs of love.' ( To First Woman) First comes a moon-eyed maiden, Her soul with sad love laden. I sing my passion nightly, For her I shed my tears like rain. ( To Second Woman) Then comes a maiden sprightly, Mv song runs bubbling brightly. 56 THE PRAYER Of THE SWORD ACT n. (Turns to First) O thou hast rent my heart in twain ! (Back to Second) But thou shalt make it whole again ! Prettily pouting, the maidens come in twos and threes, Laughing aloud or demurely dumb as I may please. My heart is a hive where you hear the hum of those sweet bees Who sip their honey from songs I sing of love. O love ! O love ! [The last note of the FOOL'S song is broken into by the excited agonised cry of a man whose voice is heard coming nearer along the corridor from the left. The FOOL stops suddenly, breaking off his accompaniment ; the others start and listen. VOICE (off^.) Ohe you there ! Where does her Highness stay ? What sayest? (Coming nearer) Nay, but hell has loosed itself Upon the town. Fly for your lives ! Away ! [ One of SCORLA'S Soldiers rusJies on, L. back. He is almost breathless, and his face is foul with sweat and blood. He is bareheaded, across his forehead is an ugly gash, and his clothing is dusty and disordered. The distant clangour of an alarm bell. SOLDIER Highness from Messer Scoria am I come. He bids me say he follows. All is lost. You must be ready instantly for flight [He staggers forward. ILARIA rises. The Women start in terror. ILARIA What say'st thou ? Speak, man ! SOLDIER An armed rabble sweeps Through all the streets. Our men were crushed Ere Scoria came. [ The clangour of the bell sivells louder. Hark ! the alarum bell Upon the Signory ! They fear a sack [Some of the Women scream and clutch each other. SCENE 1 1. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 57 ILARIA Be still ! What men are these ? SOLDIER Peasants in dress, But devils in disguise. And at their head A ragged madman with a naked sword. [A distant shout heard approaching. Hear them ! They come ! [The Women crowd round ILARIA. FIA. O let us fly ! ANOTHER Away ! ANOTHER O mistress, come ! ANOTHER (on her knees) Mother in Heaven, pray For us. [ILARIA stands perplexed in the midst of the waiting-women. The STEWARD has entered, followed by the PODESTA and two old Magistrates. STEWARD (to ILARIA) 'Tis the Podesta prays your leave ? PODESTA Magnificence, know you aught of these men Who swamp the city crying on your name ? ILARIA My name ! PODESTA Ilaria is their battle-cry. ILARIA I know them not. Whence come they ? 58 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT II. PODESTA It is said From the Apennines out of the west ! ILARIA The west ! Out of the west ! The star ! [The voice of SCORLA is heard off L., and the shouting comes nearer. SCORLA (shouting) Close the great gates ! They are upon us ! Stand by the postern gate ! Our way lies there. [He rushes on, followed by five or six battle-stained men who stand panting at the back. Highness, we must away To San Martino's tower. Come you with me And let your women follow. I do not go. ILARIA As they please SCORLA Lady, your lives may hang Upon the moments that you squander now. ILARIA And even then I stay ! [SCORLA stamps his foot. FOOL (on the steps L. back, screaming) Mistress ! Between The devil and the deep sea, choose the sea ! Stay while I let in fortune on the flood. [He rushes out L. The shouting on the left is quite close now. SCORLA Whether you will or no, you go with me. Here, women, take your mistress. On your lives Be it if you delay. [The Women beseech ILARIA in gesture to come. SCENE ii. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 59 PICO (at the steps R. back, screaming in terror} Fly ! We are lost ! (Pointing out R.) See where they scale the garden walls ! [ScoRLA rushes to the balustrade R. and looks oaf. SCORLA (to the men who have sprung forward) Away ! They come but singly to the gardens, all ; And hack them as they climb ! [The men rush down the steps L. But three as yet Are crossed. On them, and hew them down ! [At Pico's alarm most of the Women have retreated in terror to the steps of the big archway L. Now they will be too late. The rascals swarm By twenty ways at once. [A great shout wells up on the left, then rings louder as though in the building itself, and then dies down into a low storm of muttering which comes rapidly nearer. SCORLA turns. By Heaven ! that shout ! [He comes down to ILARIA, who stands L. with the PODESTA and the two old men. You shall come with me on the instant now, Though I must bear you in my arms by force. PODESTA Messere Scoria ! [He steps forward, raising his arm to shield ILARIA, who shrinks back to the steps L. Stand aside, old man ! [MALAVOLTI rushes on, L. back. MALA. All's done ! The cursed fool has drawn the bolts, And through the gates they stream ! [He rushes to the steps R. This road is clear. [He stops at the top of steps. By all the fiends ! Now come they this way, too ! [He runs down R. Excellence, they have got you in a trap. 6o THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT II. SCORLA (whipping out his sword) Then let them come and take me out of it ! [He puts his back against a pillar R. ANDREA rushes on L., in ragged peasant dress and sword in hand. His men crowd behind him. They are a motley crew peasants, goat- herds, mountaineers, a few lanzknechts. Their arms are equally varied some have swords, others spears, some have reaping-hooks lashed on oak staves, others nothing better than flails or pitchforks. As ANDREA enters, his eyes first fall on ILARIA, his face lights up, then he sees SCORLA. He stops, Jwlds up his hand and cries to his men as they rush up the steps R. and pour in L. ANDREA Stand there and keep the entrance. Hold that way Our goal is here. Scoria, the day is fought And thou hast lost. Its blood be on thy head. Yield, for thou art but one against a host. SCORLA Though ye were twenty hosts I do not yield To any brawler in a beggar's rags. Now if your host will have me, let them come That they may pay the price. ANDREA So let it be ! A fair fight one to one. ( Turning to the rest) If I do fall, Take thou my place, and so on to the last. [J7e advances on SCORLA. Set on ; for though I die upon thy sword, My cause must conquer thee. \Ttie men shout. ILARIA comes swiftly forward, atid as the swords meet she dashes up between the combatants, who step back. She turns fiercely on SCORLA. ILARIA Cease ! or I swear I fling my body on your swords. Thou hast SCENE II. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 6r Shed blood enough. Against this hopeless odds It is no shame to yield. Give up thy sword, And in return we pledge our princely word That they shall spare thy life and set thee free. SCORLA (after a moment's pause) I do accept the terms. Right willingly I yield my sword into your Highness' hand Which gave it me. Judge not in wrath this steel : Your own eyes tempered it it would have stood For you against the world. [He offers her the sword. ILARIA It has betrayed Itself and me. I will it not. The spoil Is to the victor. Render there your sword. [She points to ANDREA. SCORLA scowls at him. SCORLA If the ill fortune of this day decree That I unto this stranger yield my sword, By all the laws of war and chivalry I may demand of him his name, estate, His titles, and from whence he comes. [ILARIA starts. A pause. All watch ANDREA eagerly. ANDREA A name, As the world uses, have I none. Let me Be nameless. I am one sent with the sword That the just will of Heaven may be done. \A murmur of astonishment. SCORLA Lady, this steel that served your father's cause, And wrote the name of victory on his reign, Shall not survive the shame of this defeat. Chance, not the rabble scum, outnumbers me, 62 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT 11. And to nameless vagrant, thus I yield My sword. \Breaking his sword across his knee, he flings the pieces at ANDREA'S feet. A hoarse shout of execration comes from the men. SCORLA is roughly seized and }ieldfast by those on the right. From all sides break forth cries : ' Death to the Scoria ! ' ' Death ! Aye, let him die ! ' which are ecJioed outside. ILARIA Our word is passed that he shall live, And we abide by it. Let him be led Without the city walls. There set him free. (To SCORLA) Messere Scoria, upon pain of death We banish you from this our city here, From all our territories and our lands. Look, as you live, that never while you live You wander in Andola's ways again. \As SCORLA is led up guarded, ANDREA picks up the cross-hilt of the broken sword and goes to him. ANDREA I know but little of the ways of war, Yet something have I learned of tribute paid To brave and vanquished foes. I pray you take This for my will to do like courtesy. It is the better part of that you lost. \He offers him the hilt. SCORLA takes it. SCORLA Stranger, I take your gift, and every day Before it on my bended knees I'll pray [Holding it up like a cross. Pray for the resurrection on the cross ; Pray on the cross that from the cross the blade May grow again. [JTe goes off defiantly, accompanied by the guard. Most of those L. back follow him off. The Women are whispering together on the steps. The PODESTA is conferring L. back with the two old men. ILARIA has moved down R. ANDREA comes slowly down to her. In the following scene tfiey are standing apart, speaking in low tones, conscious of no other presence. SCENE II. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 63 ANDREA (kneeling before her) That which I prayed has come. The word of God came to me with the sword. ILARIA This I behold is strange beyond belief, Or else a miracle. ANDREA A miracle indeed ! Do you remember in the monastery Your words : ' If Heaven send the sword- ILARIA I do Remember ! ANDREA Even so it came to pass. An old man seeming dead was borne at eve Into the cloister. As I prayed alone, He who was dead arose, called on thy name, Bade me go forth and do the will of God, Speed to thy rescue, saying that all men Who heard my word would follow me. Whereon He thrust this sword into my hand and died. ILARIA And this old man his name ? (Anxiously.) ANDREA I know not. Yet He came with you that day ILARIA Oh, now I know 'Twas Messer Ugolini. ANDREA He is dead. 64 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT 11. ILARIA faithful soul, sweet Heaven be thy meed ! \She bows her head in grief, ANDREA Fear not. That soul had passed the gates of Heav'n, And came back like an angel visiting earth God's messenger to summon aid for thee. ILARIA 1 owe to you all that I prize in life : My heart is full to thank you, though my tongue Finds but poor words. ANDREA Wherefore should I have thanks, Who am for ever blest to be the means Of Heaven's grace to you ? ILARIA I thank you still. What purpose hold you now ? ANDREA My work is done. I must return ILARIA Into the monastery. ANDREA E'en so. ILARIA Yet not to-day. ANDREA I must ILARIA To-day ? SCENE II. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 65 ANDREA I should I must to-day. They know not there Why I am gone nor where. ILARIA Nor any here, Save I alone, knows who you are. ANDREA Tis true. And yet O lady, I must go ! The work I came to do is done. PODESTA Magnificence, Scoria is fallen. A gonfalonier And captain of the people in his stead Must now be sought. Humbly do we commend The stranger for this honoured post. The State Needs a strong arm I pray you plead for us. \He bows and retires. ANDREA stands with clenched handS) staring before him. ILARIA You hear? (Timidly.} ANDREA They do not know. ILARIA Yet speak they true The State needs someone. In these troublous times A woman is as nothing ; and the men Who were my strength are gone the best, the last Old Messer Ugolini lacking him, I am a woman utterly. [ANDREA bows his head. Ah ! no ! I wrong you thus to plead with you. And yet Almost it seemed as you were sent by Heaven To fill his place. To stay even a while A month, no more. And then - But now I know 66 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT 11. ANDREA I do believe that you can do no wrong. Heaven in your accents speaks. Answer for me Your word shall be my conscience. I will do Your will. ILARIA Then you will stay ? ANDREA I stay. [ILARIA holds out her hands in a swift gesture of thanks, then goes up, and turning to the people, cries : ILARIA Hear me, My people, hear ! The stranger will remain. Hail to the Gonfalonier of the State ! [A great shout of ' Hail to the Gonfalonier of the State ! ' ANDREA stands alone, with bowed head. ILARIA watching him, ivith one hand stretched out towards the crowd. [CURTAIN.] 6; ACT III The same as Act II., Scene II. A moonlight night. A month has elapsed. Through the doors on the left come the soimd of musicians playing and the hubbub of conversation and laughter rising and falling, and the noise of the feast. As the Curtain rises the Steward of the Household is seen hurrying a couple #/" Servants laden with bottles, who make their exit through the doors L. MADDALENA dis- covered with FIAMETTA. FIA. Tis better here ! Rest you a while and let the air revive you. I must return to her Highness. MADDA. I'faith, she is like to have need of thee. [FIAMETTA looks at her. O, the complaint is never lack of air. FIA. What then ? MADDA. 'Tis lack of love, Fiametta. I know not whether it be slow or rapid fever with her, but by my faith she hath it badly. FIA. Lack of love ! You mean MADDA. I mean the stranger goes away from us to-night. 68 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT in. FIA. Eh Maria ! and to-night closes the first year of her reign. MADDA. I warrant 'tis a grievous fast day in her heart, for all this feasting. 'Tis Cupid's vigil she is keeping there. FIA. Hush! MADDA. Well, think you it be aught else ? FIA. Yes, yes ; but when our thoughts take tongues they are in reach of every gossip-catching ear. [FIAMETTA goes back to Hall R. ANDREA appears coming up the steps from the Courtyard. MADDA. (aside) Behold ! the stranger ! (Aloud} Sir, you come too late ; The feast is almost spent. ANDREA So am I come Too early, for my errand is to say Farewell ; and truly farewell is a guest To spoil a feast. MADDA. It is a company We do not like our friends to keep (Rising} I will Go tell her Highness you are here. ANDREA Not so, I pray you. It might seem to set a term To mirth. I will return again anon. ACT in. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 69 MADDA. Tell me, why do you go from us to-night ? ANDREA My labour here is done. Why should I stay ? MADDA. Yet have you served the State as no one hath. ANDREA Nay, I was but the hand that bore the sword ; Andola hath her sons to fill my place More worthily when I am gone. Yet now, Before I go, there is one thing I know, That for a purpose I had kept from you Who had most right to hear. I have had news Of Messer Ugolini. MADDA. What of him ? Demetro Ugolini was my lord. Since for a month no tidings of him came I think him dead. I cannot feign to grieve To me 'tis freedom, for I loved him not. ANDREA He was a gallant gentleman. But since You loved him not I shall not speak of him. \He is about to go. MADDA. I do believe that he did love me once. I pray you tell me what you know of him. ANDREA Only that I was with him when he died. And in his death was that nobility That most men fail to compass in their lives. 70 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT in. MADDA. Then he is dead ? ANDREA He died within these arms. MADDA. How did he meet his death ? ANDREA Words are but cold, Wanting the colour of reality To paint the passing of a soul so rare. He died as die the heroes of the world Upon the path of duty. Called to aid Of his beloved mistress, he had spurred On from Foligno through the Apennines. A treachery checked him ; but his courage swept The danger from his path, and bore him on, Wounded and weary, on his way, until The body failed the spirit and he fell. They found him fall'n, the untamed fire of youth Wrecked in the withered frame of weary age. The snow-hair stained with blood ; in the old eyes The sweat and dust of life, and mists of death. Yet once again, after the darkness came, The soul within that rusted prison blazed, Struggling to rise, crying ' A horse ! a horse ! On to Andola ! Help me ! I must on ! '- Then night the loyalty that vainly called For answer from the frail and vanquished flesh, Bore his great soul to heaven. Lady, you weep. MADDA. In sorrow and in shame. This noble death So pitifully knocks against my heart, That would not open to his living love. ACT III. 1HE PRAYER Vt THJb. SWURD 71 ANDREA The love you owed in life, pay to him dead, And shrine him in a passionate memory. MADDA. Where is his resting-place ? ANDREA The monastery Tis called San Bruno in the Apennines. MADDA. San Bruno in the Apennines ? I know. [She pauses suddenly \ then looks at him with curiosity. But you you come thence were you then a monk ? [ANDREA starts, seeing he has betrayed his secret, and then says quietly : ANDREA That which I was I am. Ever to you Let me be but the memory of one Who brought a message from the dead. And now I pray you tell her Highness I return To take my leave. Forget it not. [He goes slowly away, down the steps. MADDA. (drying her tears") A monk ! From cloister fled and by the act outlawed ! Had I known this that day that Scoria fell, My word had turned to victory his defeat, Dungeoned his conqueror, and set at naught The banishment that desolates my heart. [MALAVOLTI enters at Hie back and comes softly down behind her. She wipes away the last tears. My eyes weep for my husband ; but for thee, O Braccio, my heart weeps tears of blood. \She clasps her hands and looks up. 72 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT in. Mother of Dolours, I will light thy shrine With thrice a hundred tapers if thou wilt Enrich my days with one look from his eyes. [She covers her face with her hands, MALAVOLTI touches her gently on the shoulder. MALA. The prayer is heard, madama. Give the wax to me ! MADDA. (looking up} What mean you ? MALA. He whom we waited for is come. Scoria is in the city in disguise. MADDA. (rising) Scoria Scoria is here ! MALA. Hush! MADDA. Oh ! At his life's risk ! MALA. A soldier's stake with fortune, and the odds on us ! Great things are footing. Scoria is leagued with C?esar Borgia ; and while the Borgia besieges Pesaro with arms, his way into Andola must be paved with Roman gold. MADDA. Malavolti does he remember ? doth he love me still ? MALA. Love ah ! If it be otherwise may I ne'er speak truth again. MADDA. Spoke he then of his love ? ACT in. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 73 MALA. Of love hot as the noonday sun and tender as the moon at mid- night. He said, besides, 'twould serve him much kept you a curious eye upon her Highness' suite, to let him know who may be sounded to his policy. MADDA. His policy of what ? MALA. By the ears of Midas ! The tune of Joshua's trumpets flattened the walls of Jericho. Our Scoria thinks the music of Borgia's chinking ducats may do the same for Andola. MADDA. I will do all for him. O but to see his face, to hear his voice ! Good Malavolti, bring him here to me to-night softly, when all sleep. MALA. Lady, you must be patient. His affairs many to-night must see him. We must work swiftly and secretly. Did this affair leak out come to the stranger's ears the mine were blown. MADDA. The stranger goes to-night. MALA. 'Tis given out so ; but, for my part, would we had him under lock and key ! MADDA. Is he so feared? MALA. Many do love him, therefore must we fear. MADDA. I have a word would turn their love and turn that key on him. 74 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT HI. MALA. How what ? MADDA. Aye, lay him in a dungeon by the heels. MALA. What ! Speak, speak ! MADDA. Not to your ears, good Malavolti. Bring me your master here, and I will make his arm against this man stronger than steel. MALA. This is love's trick MADDA. Tis not, I swear. My secret is surer than the dagger's point, more powerful than an army. MALA. Body of Hector, is this so ? MADDA. Put me to any oath MALA. Good he will come to-night late ! There is yet much golden grain to sow. MADDA. There is no fear the guards. MALA. The guards ! (laughing softly}. Good fellows of no bias milk- white men of mine own choosing. Bless them, they are politicians their minds are open and their pockets gape. [The doors of the Hall open, and Guests begin to come out, going down into the Courtyard. ACT in. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 75 MADDA. See, we are disturbed ! (MADDALENA points.} There lies my room close by the stairway. I sleep alone, and I will leave the door ajar. MALA. I will tell him so. (He goes up to one of the Signers as he comes from the Hall.} Good sir, well met ! I have something for your ear. ( The Signor looks about him cautiously.) We'll discuss it as we go along 'tis but a new prayer I have learnt from Rome [ Goes with him down the steps. A few more Guests foMow, then ILARIA comes out with FIAMETTA, VALERIA, Pico DEL AMARE, FOOL, Ladies and Gentlemen. PICO Magnificence, now that we are under the eye of heaven once more, will you not hear the verse I have made to this occasion ? ILARIA The verse that I love best under the eye of heaven is the rhythm of the silence of night. I pray you do not murder it with sound. PICO Nay, but I have caught your image in a very rhapsody of meta- phor, wherein your hair is the first ray of the rising sun, your eyes fresh springs in banks of violets, your mouth a ILARIA Oh, sir, spare my anatomy, or you will so transfigure me that I shall never know myself again. FOOL O wise Madonna ! true The poet is an executioner, And in the torture chamber of his mind The sane ideas of ordinary folk Are twisted in a hundred horrid shapes, Stretched on the rack of his imagination, And blown by fancy at the wondering stars. 76 THE PR A YER OF THE SWORD ACT HI. Dio ! I remember a poet once who, in a fit of metaphoric frenzy, transformed a pig's liver into a moonlight night. How he did it, only the Muses know for, as the gross conceit lay writhing on a sheet of parchment, Jove made the poet sane for an instant, and he slew it with a stroke of the pen. PICO 'Twas ever so a fool turns critic when as poet he has failed. FOOL Tis a poor trade. The Muses keep but indifferent company starveling fellows in foul linen, who sit in garrets and sing loud on empty stomachs. Faugh ! 'tis a disease ! I thank the gods I be rid of it. PICO Is thy state then so much better ? FOOL Per Dio ! when I looked upon the world and saw the fools how they were fat, and the poets how they were lean, I cried, ' Jove, make me a fool ! ' ILARIA And did he make a fool of thee ? FOOL The answer came in a dream : ' Content thee, thou wast born one.' MADDA. (softly to ILARIA) Magnificence, the gonfalonier Came ere the feast had ris'n. He bade me say He would return to take his leave of you. ILARIA Wherefore was I not told when he was here ? MADDA. He would not have it so, Magnificence ; But saying that he would return anon, Departed. ACT in. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 77 ILARIA Tell them we would be alone. [To the others as MADDALENA speaks to the Women. Good gentlemen, I bid you all good-night And thank you for your company. \_The men go off L. back; ILARIA'S Women by the arched entrance L. The FOOL goes with them, making mock love in whispers to two of the Women. FIAMETTA and VALERIA make tfieir exit L. PICO Magnificence, since you decline my verse In sober garb of speech, I will away, Fashion it wings of music, till some night Birdlike it fly in at your balcony. ILARIA Farewell, then, Signer Nightingale. \She sits c. PICO (bowing) Farewell, Rose of my rhapsody ! \He trips off L. back. ILARIA (tO MADDALENA, who lingers) How soon comes he Again ? MADDA. He said ' anon,' Magnificence. ILARIA Tis late ; art sure he will return ? MADDA. He bade Me tell you so. ILARIA Goes he in truth to-night ? 78 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT in. MADDA. He said to-night, Magnificence. [She goes out softly, L. ILARIA The end- It is the end ; the hour is come. The stars Foretold me evil, misery, and death ! Evil and misery to part from him ; And death why, death is sleep ! O may it speed To steep my sad heart in oblivion ! [She looks round restlessly. Why comes he not ? [She rises, goes R. to balustrade and looks out. Then, leaning against a pillar, stands watching the sky. Pale watchers of the night, Fate-haunted eyes that stare upon our souls, Ye are grown old with looking on our pain ! Does my voice reach your spheres ? Can ye not show One gleam of hope in all those silver fires That are the beacons of eternity ? [The FOOL is heard singing O/'L., coming down the steps. FOOL (sings) Men are men, and maids are maids : The world belongs to youth, sir. Tho' logic frown, we'll set it down That ' two are one ' is truth, sir. [He comes on and stands at head of steps. So let us all to bed. [He ends with a loud yawn, stretching himself sleepily. Would my bed were in a church, then were I sure of sleep, fleas or no fleas ! (Seeing ILARIA, Ju comes up behind her.) Dost count the stars, Madonetta ? ILARIA No, Fool ! FOOL Count them ! Tis a good plan, so may one know how many liars there be in Heaven. ILARIA If the stars lie, where shall we find what is true ? ACT in. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 79 FOOL In our hearts, Madonna ; but no one listens to them. Therefore the world was, is, and ever will be, tuned to the liar's tongue. ILARIA So I must seek truth in my heart and wisdom in my fool ? FOOL (nodding) And thy fool's wisdom tells thee that thy heart's truth is love. Now, we wise fools be agreed that love is a disease of the mind. Good ! As the diseased body is doctored with drugs, so the sick mind is physicked with philosophy. ILARIA Can philosophy cure love ? FOOL Tis thought so ; your philosopher can cure all evils but his own. For my part, I have two remedies for lovers. I say to each : ' Friend, either you must marry, or go hang yourself.' One way or t'other the cure is certain ; and, in truth, many who married have after cursed me that they had not hanged themselves first. ILARIA Begone ! Thy wit is drowsy and would sleep. (Calls off L.) Maddalena, take my cloak ; it wearies me. ( To the FOOL) Take thyself off thou too art weary. Fools should sleep at this hour. \_She goes out L. The FOOL gazes wistfully after her. FOOL Madonna ! Madonna ! you are yet young in the keeping of tame sorrows. (He leans against the parapet.') Beshrew me, but that same planet of love is a foul magician. Maids touched are changed to women, boys to men, men into angels, and many angels into beasts. Fools are made wise, and wise men fools ; the poor are rich with it. the rich that lack it poor. So it goes on a mad world under a merry star. Soft here comes one of the maddest, yet the madness seems not of this world. [ANDREA comes up from the Courtyard* F 8o THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT in FOOL Signer, I give thee good day. ANDREA You mean good night, Fool. FOOL 'Tis a good night now. No need to give thee what we have already. Therefore I give thee good day. ANDREA A good to-morrow then. FOOL Aye, or any number of to-morrows, had you but eyes to see and hands to take them. ANDREA Art a keeper of days then, being so prodigal of time ? FOOL Nay, I am a prophet of possibilities. For the fool that knows the secrets of hearts may dip his hand into the pocket of posterity. ANDREA Then out of your wisdom tell me where I may find her Highness, your mistress. FOOL Truly, to speak by the almanack, hovering between the verge of Elysium and the orifice of despair : staring wide-eyed at the misty essence of infinity ! ANDREA I am too dull to take your meaning, Fool. Give me a better direction. ACT in. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 81 FOOL O blind stranger, were I a dog and had thee on a leading string, I could take thee the road to a better Heaven than lies up the narrow way ! There, eyes might see the Lady Ilaria like the sun filling the universe. But go your ways. (Going) It is wisely said of the blind, 'tis best they see not that which they cannot perceive. [He goes off R. dock, singing to himself. Fate is unkind, And love is blind, But wherefore also dumb, sir ? Tis gospel truth, Youth must to youth So let what may come, come, sir. [Exit. ANDREA Like to the sun that fills the universe With light, so is Ilaria. Mine eyes Are blind, for they have looked upon the sun. The world is but a distant shadowland, And Heaven a childish memory of the stars. O fool, well didst thou bid me go my ways. Why am I drifted here ? I must begone ! My shore lies far ahead, and I must on An empty boat upon a tideless sea. [He makes a movement to go, t/ien stops and turns back. Yet will I look upon her face once more. All else I leave, but memory goes with me ; This will I make so rich in beauty's spoil, That it shall fill the dead cold hours with joy, And stir the dreary pulses with a dream, Pale ghost of exquisite reality. [An accompaniment of viols is heard from the gardens below, and then the FOOL'S voice singing. ILARIA comes on L. and stands gazing at ANDREA, and he at her, as though held spellbound by the song. FOOL Hear thou the heart of my song Crying aloud ! Hear thou my measure of wrong, Lady most proud ! J- 2 82 THE PR A YER OF THE SWORD ACT in. Wherefore art thou alone cold, Watching the young years grow old, Leaving life's story untold : Love unavowed ? [ILARIA goes to the balustrade and stands looking down at the singer. Leaves to the winds whisper love. Fondly the rose Wafts perfumed incense above Earth, whence it grows. Love is the call of the dawn, Waking the woodland and lawn ; Love from out nature has drawn All that life owes. Thou who art fair as the day, Haste, lest the night, Hiding thy beauties away, Beggar our sight. Life is the thrall of the grave ; Love is the soul we must save. God giving love to us gave Infinite might. [He goes, the song dying sloivly away in the distance ; snatches of the song are heard faintly, afar off, during the scene that follows, ANDREA Highness, the month you bade me stay is gone. I linger but to say farewell to you. Farewell ! We say it parting with our lips ; Do we in truth think those we leave fare well ? ANDREA Well must you always fare ; so loved by all, That for your welfare they will give their ov ILARIA Midnight is gone ; why must you go to-night ? ACT in. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 83 ANDREA Unwilling go I, yet to-night must go. I shall outstay my promise if the dawn Should find me in Andola. Stay but one little day ! ILARIA But one day ANDREA One day but adds Its struggle to the next. That which must be, Must now be, or the will grows faint. 'Tis hard To go ; yet when I seek within myself For some just cause to stay for some clear call From God my soul is silent ; there is none. Therefore I know it right that I should go. ILARIA I do not think it were a sin to stay. ANDREA I am afraid to think. Thought leads the soul Into such strange and unaccustomed paths. Old sins are there clothed in shining truth, And many virtues crooked and deformed ; And o'er the face of duty lies a cloud Of ever-changing colour. One must fear, When that the soul, bewildered, full of doubt, Reels like a drunkard, and the guiding stars That shone so clear are blurred and meaningless. ILARIA I do you so much wrong to bid you stay, If words of mine have wrought your disposition, That I shall bend my wishes to your will, And you shall go. All that I owe to you, The language of a lifetime cannot say ; How can a moment compass then my thanks ? 84 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT in. ANDREA Do not thank me ; for I, until I die, Blaze with an inward joy that what I did Was done for you. Faith floods my soul I know God has you in his keeping like a flower That may not wither though the world grow old. ILARIA Then will I think you living in that faith, Though living we may never meet again. ANDREA One day we live again. Till then, farewell ! [ANDREA, bending on one knee, kisses her hand. ILARIA . Farewell ! O leave me quickly now ! Farewell ! [ANDREA rises. ILARIA stands rigid, staring in front of her, not daring to look at him. He moves away a step, turns, looks at her for a moment, and then, with bent head, goes slowly up to the back. As he reaches tJu head of the step, ILARIA, in a low breaking cry, calls his name. ANDREA comes slowly back$ with the face of one lost in a beivildering dream. ILARIA covers her eyes with her hands and shrinks away as he comes nearer. ILARIA Away, away ! O do not look on me ! The frail complexion of my thought infects ; The laden air I breathe is quick with dread ; Oh, for my soul's sake, leave me ere I fail. ANDREA The voice I heard, that called to me my name, Seemed like the song of all the world's old years Echoing in the untrod hills beyond. I stand upon the threshold of myself, Wond'ring if this unknown be mine indeed ACT in. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 85 That I see dimly. Let me see your face, For in your eyes I know must dwell The oracle of my perplexity. [Slowly ILARIA draws her hands from her eyes, and they stand gazing into each other's souls. Now am I answered, and my tongue is free To cry out to the limits of the spheres, I love thee ! and I love thee, and again I love thee, till the echoes, coming back, Break countless on thine ear like ceaseless waves That sing the burthen of the infinite sea. ILARIA Oh, with that spell you have disarmed death. The sacramental words of life are said, And you have given me immortality. Speak them again : the creeping hours stand still, Earth holds her breath and with my listening soul Hangs languid on thy lips. ANDREA I love thee so, That heaven fades beyond my vision far, And I can see no further than the sun. ILARIA (stretching out her hand} I cannot see the earth, but blindly move Where time has ceased to be, and only love Has being and gives life. [ANDREA, taking far hands, draws her to him and their lips meet ILARIA'S Jiead sinks on his breast. ANDREA Thy lips have wrought a wonder to the world ! Now do I know the mysteries of the stars, The message that the winds have told the trees, The cry of all the voices of the sea. ILARIA (looking up at him} My world is in thine eyes there I behold All things in love's light glorified. 86 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT HI. ANDREA Most loved, Let me repeat thy name Ilaria. Ilaria the night trembles to hear, As though the passionate air so loved the sound That it would never let the echoes die. ILARIA Tell me, Andrea, tell me with thy lips That nothing now can part us, and that we Are one for ever indivisible. ANDREA He who made love more strong than man must know That love hath made us one. Love is His gift, For sure it is not given to be spurned. ILARIA O lord of all my world, that lift'st my heart Heav'n-high upon a throne of perfect joy ! [ILARIA goes up to the back, pointing out to where the dawn is breaking. See, in the east the flushed and breathless dawn Shepherds the stars into the fold of day. [A shiver passes over her. Now is the hour passed when thou shouldst have gone ; And on a purpose changed in the night, Sphinx-like the cold-eyed morn anon will stare. O love, what if we sin against the light In plucking our two lives from out the gloom ! ANDREA (kneeling before her) Thou canst not sin. If my resolve offend Against the Lord of Heav'n, I sin alone ; Yet though His will did part us here on earth, From this hour ever am I one with thee. ILARIA (holding her hands above his head) O ! I was one with thee ere the first dawn Grew grey upon the new-awaked sea. ACT ill. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 87 Rise, love ! or if thou wilt not, I will kneel, And so together in this dawn we two Shall plight our troths and pray for our own day. [She kneels beside him, and he takes her hands. At this hour night and day are hand in hand. ANDREA It is the hour of promise. ILARIA Lo ! the dawn Comes over all. ANDREA The promise of our day. [ They kneel hand in hand, gazing at the dawn. M ALA VOLTI comes up the steps at the back stealthily and in silence, followed by a figure muffled in a cloak. MALA VOLTI points to door L. back, and goes out. The figure pauses at the door, bends forward, a flash of light shows the face of SCORLA. The first bird calls to the morning, day groivs in the east. The figure of SCORLA is gone. [The Curtain falls slowly. Three days elapse.] 88 ACT IV. ACT IV The Church of San Giovanni in Andola. The centre of the building, under the dome ; on the left are the altar rails and the choir. L. back can be seen a door which leads from the sanctuary to the altar. The altar itself is not visible. Before the altar rails are two prie-Dieu. On the right is a little shrine of the Virgin^ hidden from the centre by pillars and a bronze screen. In t/ie distance can be heard joy-bells ringing. The Church is hung with banners and decorated as for a great occasion. An old SACRIS- TAN is filling ivith oil the lamp before the shrine R. Several Monks of various orders cross the scene ', going back into tJie choir. An ACOLYTE conies from the sanctuary with a lighted taper to light the lamp of the shrine. ACOLYTE (as the trembling hands of the old man are fumbling with the lamp] Not yet ! Dio ! but you are slow ! SACRISTAN (stopping) Slow ! Eh, the Virgin ! 'tis wonder we are not dead. The wedding of her Magnificence, and but two days to prepare the church ! ACOLYTE Prating will not help. Hearken ! The bells ! The procession has left the palace. SACRISTAN (stopping again} Ah the times move too fast these days. To learn one morn that the stranger is about to leave the city for ever ; and in three days, behold ! he leads our good duchess to the altar. (Shaking his head} 'Tis too soon 'tis too soon. ACOLYTE (taking t/ie lamp from his hand and lighting it} What is it to you ? No one will lead you there. ACT iv. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 89 SACRISTAN Ah, in my young days ACOLYTE That may be ; but I have still a hundred tapers to light. \He goes off R. Muttering to himself, the SACRISTAN picks up the oil jar and hobbles across tmvards the sanctuary. SCORLA and MADDALENA come on R. The former wears a heavy cloak, in the hood of which his face is hidden. SCORLA Vex not your mind, my soul, for you were bound By every law of conscience to reveal This secret of the stranger. MADDA, Braccio, They love each other so. How can they part ? SCORLA He is a monk he has no right to love. \He makes a sign to a white-robed Monk kneeling in the sanctuary, who comes forward. It is FRA BARTOLOMEO. MADDA. That will not make the suffering less. SCORLA Brother, This lady's tender conscience makes a sin Out of the pretty treason, that has armed The Church against this sacrilege most foul, This most unholy bond. FRA BART. That which prevents The sin of others cannot be a sin. 90 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT iv. SCORLA Come, let these words set peace upon your soul. \Distant shouting is heard coming nearer. Hark ! by these shouts the bridal cavalcade Is near. (To MADDALENA) Leave us, beloved. We must be close, And 'scape the vulgar eye, until the hour Of this great crisis shall be on the stroke. MADDA. Then, as I love you, may you have success ! [She moves across R. Yet would that any other tongue than mine Had given him the word with which to strike. [Unseen by SCORLA, she falls on her knees before the shrine R. SCORLA (to FRA BARTOLOMEO) Be near, lest he deny the charge. FRA BART. Fear not, For he is fearless. He will not deny. I know him he is honest even in sin. SCORLA Love is a fire may melt his honesty. But neither honesty nor want of it Can serve him now. I have sent hot to Rome To ring the alarum 'gainst this marriage here, Which steels Andola's duchy with a man And bars the way to Caesar Borgia. FRA BART. The Pope will strike, then, for the Church ? SCORLA The Pope Will strike first for his son. Thus whispered I Into the ear of Rome : ' This monk must prove ACT iv. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 91 A check to Caesar's path, unless forthwith You force him back to cloister.' This must work. So surely can the peril of the whelp Rouse the old lion of the Vatican, That ere the occasion can be put in words Thou'lt hear his roar come thundering down the wind. [MALAVOLTI appears cautiously R. SCORLA goes to him quickly. FRA BARTOLOMEO goes into the sanctuary. SCORLA What news from Rome ? MALA. None ! SCORLA None ! [MADDALENA rises and, hearing tJie voice close, listens. MALA. I have watched the road to Rome since early dawn. SCORLA Peste ! They will come too late. MALA. Excellency, the subtle wrist would have served us better than this waiting game. By the bones of Brutus, 'twas my advice. Strike once and quickly. SCORLA And make a martyr of a recreant monk ! Pshaw ! you are gross. This is our course, and we must through with it. Unmask the renegade before the crowd ; make him stink in the nostrils of the Church. MALA. And what if he defy the Church ? 92 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT IV. SCORLA Then he will be fit meat for daggers, and none will care who sheathes a poignard in him. If by the end of this day's work he be not cowled again and in his cloister cell why, then, good Malavolti, you and I must seek him out and try the point of this persuasive argument. Let the wrist contain its subtlety till then. [ The doors of the Church are heard opening and the hum of people coming in. M ADDA LENA, who has been listening close to the screen with terror-stricken face, falls crouching on her knees before the shrine. SCORLA Come, let us pray for our enterprise. [SCORLA and MALAVOLTI kneel R. The organ and choir begin a Te Deum. A crowd is visible on the extreme R. filling up the space that leads up to the centre. The cortege begins to arrive. A gay procession of courtiers and ladies, officers of the city, &c. Last come ANDREA and ILARIA. ILARIA is in splendid bridal attire and crowned with flowers. ANDREA is clad in a plain suit of dark armour and bare-headed. ANDREA and ILARIA take up their positions before the prie-Dieu in front of the sanctuary. A moment later the BISHOP enters the sanctiiary, accompanied by Prelates, Acolytes, Thurifers, &~"c., who take up their positions. All stand till the Te Deum is finished. BISHOP People of this city of Andola, My children in the Church, here are we come To consecrate this day in history Which will unite for ever in sacred bond This woman and this man. Give them your prayers In this great hour, and loyalty till death. [A murmur runs through the people. (To ANDREA and ILARIA) Now do I charge you both upon your souls, If ye know any reason or just cause Why marriage may not of you two make one, That, as you live, you give it utterance. ACT IV. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 93 ANDREA (firmly) Just cause or reason. Bishop, know I none. ILARIA (faintly) Nor do I know of one. BISHOP If that there be Within these holy walls a man who knows Or cause or reason just, now let him speak, Or else hereafter ever hold his peace. [A paitse. SCORLA rises from his knees. SCORLA Lord Bishop, hear me hear from me the truth, As from that man you now have heard a lie. [A cry of astonishment comes from those near him as he reveals himself. And a whisper of his name glides round the church as the people recognise him. BISHOP Scoria, thy words are bold thy presence here, Banished on pain of death, bolder than all. SCORLA Then for my words my boldness be my bond. Bishop, this man is steeped in sacrilege, Perjured, profane, breaker of vows to Heaven, A traitor to the King of Kings, a monk ILARIA My Lord ! We will not hear this man. His tongue Is cankered with his infamy. His words Sully the air with baseless obloquy. (To Guards) Seize him and take him hence. \Several Guards seize SCORLA. SCORLA My words are true, And I have proof of them. Bishop, I swear 94 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT IV. BISHOP Lead him away ! \Uproar. SCORLA Now by the living God On peril of your souls, I do adjure BISHOP Silence his tongue ! {Outcries. ANDREA No, Bishop ; let him speak. \The tumult dies down, and ANDREA continues amid deep silence. This that I do must openly be done. Firm is my faith that this my act is just And right in the all-seeing eyes of God. If then I hide it from the eyes of men, Shall they not say I flinch because I fear, And fear because I sin ? (To SCORLA) Say on, say all And before God and man I'll answer you ! SCORLA I do avouch this man apostate monk ; Whereof in witness take another's word. Brother Bartolomeo, speak for me. [FRA BARTOLOMEO has come slowly forward from the choir at the end of ANDREA'S speech. His hood has fallen back and his face is rapt, gazing intensely at ANDREA as though conscious of no other presence. He speaks to him as if they were alone. FRA BART. Brother, my brother on the brink of sin, I see thy soul for which I strove and prayed. By all the prayers that I have said for thee, By all the penance I for thee have done The long night's agonies upon the ground, The sweats of fear that mingled with the dews, The lashes, groans, and torments of the flesh I do conjure thee now to come with me. ACT iv. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 95 ANDREA Brother, our ways are parted. This is mine, And in good faith and hope I follow it Unto the end. FRA BART. Now, in God's name, come back ! ANDREA In God's name I must stay. FRA BART. So be it then. Lord Bishop, I denounce this wanton monk Fled from San Bruno in the Apennines, And from your jurisdiction here I claim The penalty, that he be dragged from hence, And into prison cast. (To ANDREA) O craven soul, Thou hast denied the Lord. BISHOP Are these things true ? Stranger ! What answer do you make to them ? ANDREA Lord Bishop, priests, and people, here I stand To strip my soul and answer you as though I stood before the judgment seat of Heaven. That once I was a monk, that I did leave The monast'ry San Bruno, is most true. \The BISHOP throws up his hands with a gesture of despair. A murmur of astonishment sweeps through the Church, Judge not ; but hear how from the cloistered vows I made to Heaven, Heav'n has set me free. While yet I dwelt within the monast'ry, Peace fled my soul ; my body burned to serve G 96 THE PRA YER OF THE SWORD ACT IV. God with the strenuous service of its arms, And every vein and sinew seemed to cry : * Lord, let us serve thee with this glorious strength, With all the restless vigour Thou hast made.' And one day, visiting the monast'ry, This lady spoke with me ; and having heard My mutiny, my longing for a prayer Of work, not words, and my desire to serve Her, praying with the sword, made answer thus : ' If Heaven send the sword unto your hand, Then must you use it it is Heaven's will.' Henceforth my only hope was for the sign ; My only fear, that Heaven willed it not. When lo ! Upon the vigil of the day That must have made me priest, behold the sign ! Old Ugolini, slain before our gates, Was borne into the cloister. As I knelt Alone by that still corse, the wonder came. He who was dead arose, and crying, ' Pray ! Our lady is in peril ! Pray with this ! ' Gave me his sword and his soul back to God. [Exclamations of wonderment are fieard on all sidts and whispered excitement. Then with the sword I went forth on my way, Adjuring all I found to follow me ; Men of the mountain, dwellers of the plain, Stray fighting men, and robbers from the hills, Goatherds and pressers of the vine, and those That sweat in war against the stubborn soil. And no man doubted, questioning my word, But, panoplied in faith, led by our cause, Armed by God, and irresistible As is the torrent offspring of the storm, So did we sweep from out the Apennines Against the treachery that choked the State. A VOICE A miracle ! A miracle ! [ 77^1? cry is taken up> and the crowd bursts forth in acclama- tion on all sides : ' This is the work of Heaven ! ' ' Hail to the stranger ! ' ' Hail, hail, Saviour of the State ! ' As the tumult subsides, SCORLA cries out. ACT IV. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 97 SCORLA What need of words ? Bishop, away with him ! He hath confessed. ANDREA I do confess the faith that holds me here. [Drawing his sword. Even with this sword God summoned me to aid Our lady in her peril, and I came. Even with this love kindled in our two souls, He calls me now to guard her until death Therefore I stay. These are my purposes, My reasons, my defence. Judge me, for I have done. [An excited murmur suddenly hushed to silence. BISHOP Praised be the Lord, Who, in this miracle, Saved by Thy hand her Highness and this State. Heaven of a truth opened thy cloister gates. Envoy of God ! Behold ! I judge thee here, Stainless and conscience-free. [Loud cries of joy from the crowd, who acclaim ANDREA. FRA BART. Fools ! Fools ! These words That ye acclaim, thunder against the heavens To summon vengeance on the utterer. Lord Bishop, in the name of Holy Church, I claim this cloister's soul. 'Tis mine for God ! Mine, and my work the victory I won. BISHOP Peace, monk ! Look to thine own pride-blinded soul. Come, we will stay these rites no more. [The BISHOP makes a sign to ANDREA and ILARIA to come forward. Murmurs of satisfaction. A VOICE (crying loud without the door) From Rome ! From Rome ! [ Within, with a tramp of men and spurs. G 2 98 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT iv SCORLA From Rome ! Let not this sacrilege Assail the ear of Rome. Now from the rock Of Peter is the judgment come. A VOICE (nearer) Way there ! Way for the envoy of his Holiness ! \Enter hurriedly a Papal Envoy, with guard in the livery of the Pope. They are dusty and travel-stained. ENVOY Lord Bishop of Andola, in the name Of his Most High Celestial Holiness The Pope, greeting, and these with all despatch. {Kneeling, he presents the missives. The BISHOP breaks the seals. BISHOP (having read) My judgment is forestalled. His Holiness Gives sentence that annuls my late decree. The will of Heaven be done. Perforce we must Bow to the Holy See. (To ANDREA) Sir, art thou one Andrea, monk of San Bruno, now called The Stranger in Andola ? ANDREA I am he. BISHOP Thus am I charged to cite thee, by the Pope. (Reads) ' We order that he straightway do renounce The offices he holds, that he return Forthwith unto the cloister he has left. This let him do on peril of our curse.' [Murmurs of consternation sweep through the Church. ACT IV. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 99 ANDREA My lord, I will to Rome, and plead my cause Before the Pope himself. BISHOP It is too late. (Holding out the bttll} Rome speaks, thou must obey. ILARIA O good my lord Some false report hath wrought this. Let him go To Rome, for when his Holiness shall hear This miracle he must relent. BISHOP Alas ! It may not be. ILARIA Lord Bishop ! FRA BART. On the bull Tis written that he do return forthwith ! BISHOP So must he. I am bound here to obey, Therefore again I summon thee. My son, Lest thou be excommunicate, go back. ANDREA How can I from the fear of Hell renounce The great command of Heav'n ? FRA BART. Thou man of sin, Tremble ! Thy soul hangs in the scale. ioo THE PRA YER OF THE SWORD ACT iv. ILARIA My lord, Grant him some respite ! FRA BART. There is none. BISHOP Tis true. Once more I cite thee to the Pope's decree : This time the last. Christian, obey ! Go back, I charge thee on thy soul. I stay. ANDREA No ! On my soul SCORLA He flouts the Holy See. Have mercy ! ILARIA O Heav'n, FRA BART. F ecreant, thy doom is sealed ! Bishop ! [Drawing a cross from his breast, he stretches out an arm in appeal to the BISHOP. BISHOP Pronounce anathema ! '[Holding out the cross, FRA BARTOLOMEO strides for- ward, his face lighted by a frenzied zeal. FRA BART. O thou Accursed of the Lord, may Heaven's face, Like to this cross, turn from thee in thy need ! Go thou unsacramented till thou die. ACT iv. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 101 Friendless, alone, despised, and full of fears, Thy life is all men's prey ; and dead, thy corse Shall go unburied to eternity. \T]ie crowd shrink back, ILARI A flings herself between ANDREA and the Monk. ILARIA Thou dost blaspheme to speak so in God's name. FRA BART. I am the voice of vengeance. Ring your bells ! Quench all your candles ! To eternal night I send thy soul ! Like as these flames go out, I give thee, body and soul, for evermore To Satan's power. \Flings down his torch and tramples it out. Lo ! all the light is gone. God is avenged ! Out, out into the dark, Damned throughout endless ages of despair. \He falls back, exhausted by his frenzy, into the arms of the by standing priests, by whom he is led off. The people shrink aivay shuddering during the curse. All the bells are ringing, all the candles extinguished, and the Church wrapped in gloom save for the light from a stained-glass window that falls in the centre of the scene and reveals ANDREA standing erect, looking upward toward the altar, with ILARIA kneeling at his feet. [CURTAIN.] When the Curtain rises again, the Church is empty save for the two lonely figures standing out against the gloom. 102 ACT V. ACT V A room in the Fortress of San Martino. Outside the city gate. A stone chamber ornamented with rough carving. R. a window, opening on a balcony; c. an opening, curtained, leading to another room ; L. a heavy door which leads to tfie stairs. It is the evening of the same day. Two SOLDIERS discovered. The first is armed, the other arming slowly. FIRST SOLDIER Stir thyself, comrade ! The Pope's Legate commands we be at the Signory before sundown. SECOND SOLDIER Our stranger's a brave man. We are cowards to leave him so. FIRST SOLDIER Holy Vulcan ! this is no soldier's business. I will fight men : but curses and devils ugh ! (Crosses himself.} SECOND SOLDIER Curse their devils, and the devil take their curses. Here I stay I defy them ! There ! (Throws down his sword and helmet} FIRST SOLDIER Is thy armour proof against hell-fire shafts ? Come, man, come ! Our mates are gone this half-hour. Away ! \He goes out L. ANDREA enters c. ANDREA Why dost thou stay, friend ? 'Tis at thy soul's peril. I pray thee be gone. SOLDIER Messere I ACTV. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 103 ANDREA Thou dost forget ; no layman may speak with i me. SOLDIER I have fought for and against you, Messer Captain. Must I play coward now ? ANDREA Peace, good friend, and go (giving him sword and helmef) I may not take thy sacrifice. We must obey the law. I too obey, however it seem otherwise. I thank thee, friend. Go quickly. [SOLDIER goes out L. ANDREA closes the door. Obey but what ? Obey the light thou hast ; There is no other law. Yet could there be A light sent to mislead ? Traps set for sin ? This fellow, who hath now obeyed my word, At my word would have set himself against The Church's law, braved all its penalties, To obey his light, to keep his soldier's faith. If our offence may in our duty lie If to obey God's Word I must defy The canon of His Church, duty is sin, Truth lies, faith false, and man foredoomed to fall. O ! 'tis unthinkable. I must to Rome Rome shall set right what Rome has wrongly laid Against its faith. Error is still a part Of our inheritance ; faith is the light That makes its darkness day. Lord, I believe ! Faith like a shield hath fended up my soul : The curse did fall no farther than the ear ; Thou hast not spoken it my soul is free ! See ! I can pray, and know that Thou wilt hear ! {He falls on his knees before shrine R., hiding his face ; alow hurried knock comes at the door. Who knocks ? [ Two figures in black monks* robes enter, their faces hidden in their hoods. They close the door. Holy Fathers, what is your will ? FOOL (throwing back his hood} Neither fathers nor mothers but a lover and a fool. [He takes the gown from. ILARIA'S shoulders. 104 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT v. ANDREA Ilaria, thou spirit of blessed grace, Tell me there is no curse upon my soul. \He takes her in his arms, ILARIA Even were it so, my love would medicine Thy dear soul's hurt and make it blessed again. FOOL Let Heaven physic sick souls. Madonna, we are the surgeons to the body's danger. ILARIA danger of such hidden terrors full, The mind faints at it. Love, thou must begone ! Murder's abroad there's danger to thy life ; And all the shadows here are quick with steel. ANDREA 1 go to-night to Rome. ILARIA No, not to-night, But now ! As thou lov'st me, stay not an hour ; Each minute, armed with a separate fear, Stabs at my heart. ANDREA Whom should I fear ? ILARIA Scoria. And more still, Malavolti's treacherous hand. I came on Maddalena unawares, Who wept, and cried she had betrayed my love, Telling her chance-found secret of thy vows. And through her half-repentant tears I gleaned How she had overheard them in the church Purpose some ill to thee ; and then she sobbed : ' Let him be warned ; bid him go ere the night.' More would she not impart ; but oh ! I know They mean thy death. ACT v. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 105 ANDREA 'Tis better I await The night, and leave unseen. Knowing their minds, I need not fear their swords. ILARIA 'Tis not their swords That menace. They are slabbers in the back, Who come with open face and hidden hand, And do their killing 'twixt the jest and smile. Andrea, by the love I bear thee, go, Now, ere they come. FOOL (at the window} Dio ! Too late ! Behold ! The Devil and his shadow in the sun. [ILARIA goes qtiickly to window. ILARIA How slow and how deliberate they come ! Like to a creeping fear at night. Oh ! I grow sick with terror. Quick, good Fool ! Make fast the door, and bar them out. [ The FOOL goes to the door and slips the heavy bolt. ANDREA 'Tis strange ! And yet I know not wherefore they should fear A man so fall'n enough to wish his death. I think that Maddalena may have dreamed This dread that troubles thee. ILARIA This is no dream : Almost I feel their footsteps on my heart. FOOL (at the window} O serpent wisdom, they are . not come alone. See those two slouching ruffians who creep this way under the shadow of that wall? (ILARIA comes to the window} Yonder by those poplars another three ready within call. Pretty carrion bircl-i that watch and wait. io6 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT v. ILARIA Heaven, help us ! We are all beset, FOOL (slipping into the monk's robe) If Heaven will not, the Church shall make amends. In this I go unchallenged (pulling the cowl over his head). Messere, where be your men ? ANDREA They have been summoned to the Signory. FOOL Tis good ! If there be among them those that love you, you shall have an armed guard to set you safe upon the way to Rome. ( Going to the door) Cheer thee, Madonetta ! [He slips the bolt back and goes out. ILARIA goes to the door^ and bolts it again. ILARIA May the saints speed thee, Fool ! [She stands listening by the door. ANDREA No greater hurt Than they have done me can they bring me now. 1 think thy love hath made thy fears. ILARIA No sound As yet. O Fool, let our need sharp thy wit Against this evil hour ! ANDREA (looking from the window) I see them not Upon the road. Like they are now below. ILARIA I can hear nothing, Stay ! there came a noise ! Faint hum of voices. Now I hear no more, Nothing but silence. ACTV. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 107 ANDREA They are passed. ILARIA O ! still ! A step sounds on the stairway. ANDREA Tis the Fool. ILARIA No, there are two. The footfalls nearer grow Like horror treading slow. O God, they come ! [ANDREA makes a movement towards the door. She stretches out her arm to ivarn him back, and then shrinks noiselessly to where he stands. The two watch the door in silence. A pause. The steps of two men are heard outside. Then the door is tried, first softly, then again more roughly. SCORLA (without} Messer Andrea ! ILARIA (whispering) Answer not. Perchance They will believe you gone. \A pause. SCORLA Thou art within, We know. We passed a friar even now Who came from you. [ANDREA is about to speak ILARIA checks him (Shouting} Good Gonfalonier, 'Tis I, Scoria, and Malavolti here Would speak with you. ANDREA What brings you here ? [ILARIA has again tried to silence io8 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT v SCORLA Praise Heav'n, You be not gone ! We bring you word of grace From the Pope's envoy. ILARIA (in terrified whisper) O, believe them not ! SCORLA Open, that we may bear your answer back. ILARIA I know they lie. ( Whispering.} ANDREA What is this word of grace ? SCORLA In virtue of his powers he may remove The curse that weighs your soul. On certain terms Which he entrusted me, this will he do. ANDREA The terms ? SCORLA I know them not. I bear them here, Under his proper hand and seal, in this The letter he hath sent you. [ANDREA makes a movement to approach the door. ILARIA, standing between it and him^ in agonised dumb entreaty prevails on him not to go. After a moment's pause SCORLA speaks agai;:. Will you not read His offer ? \Again ILARIA raises her clasped hands to ANDREA, who stands irresolute^ but does not move. If you will not, we must go Unanswered back, and say that he who braved The power of Rome now sulks behind a door And dare not meet two messengers of peace. So fare you well ! \His voice moves away on the last line. ACTV THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 109 ANDREA Stay ! I will open. [ILARIA'S head falls on her breast in a paroxysm of terror. ANDREA draws his sword from the scabbard which lies with his armour at the back, and sets it leaning against the right of the chair c., wfiere it is concealed by the folds of his cloak thrown over the back of the chair, ANDREA (whispering) Love, Fear not ! My sword is ready here to hand Should they mean treachery, which I do not think. \He leads her up to tfie back. Sweet love, hide here, and thou shalt prove thy fear Is fanciful. For by my faith and sword, Danger sits lightly on me at this hour. [ffe kisses her ; she goes out through the curtains, almost col- lapsed with_ dread. ANDREA comes down, slips back the bolt, and goes to the chair c., where he stands leaning with his right arm on the back of it. An instant later the door is pushed open from without, and, after a moment's pause, SCORLA enters, followed by MALAVOLTI. Both are cloaked and their weapons concealed. SCORLA advances a few steps. MALAVOLTI closes the door. SCORLA Messer Andrea, you and I must know The colour of our thoughts to one another. You have had little love from me, and I Am nowise in your debt. Foes have we been, But that we come in friendly office now Yourself shall testify. \During this speech MALAVOLTI has noiselessly slipped in the bolt of the door with his hand behind his back, and then crossed in front ^/" ANDREA towards R. MALA. 'Tis fear makes foes. What should we fear from you who stand alone ? Look there ! \Going up to the window and pointing out. Why, none will even dare the sight Of walls that shelter you. By holy rood I swear we come as friends. no THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT v. ANDREA (c. watching) Questioned I then This friendship, that you do profess it so ? SCORLA You shall not question it. But to our suit. The Papal envoy bade us first demand To know what purpose you now hold. ANDREA I go To-night to Rome. SCORLA You may perchance postpone That journey when you learn what he has writ. [MALAVOLTI, his hand under his cloak, creeps gradually behind ANDREA. ANDREA Where is this letter ? SCORLA (searching beneath his cloak} It is here. [He produces a sealed packet which he weighs in one hand. I know But little of the terms. Yet I believe (coming up to him) That when you read them you will be assured That our intent in this is [As SCORLA holds out the letter, dagger in hand, MALAVOLTI springs forward. ANDREA Treachery ! [ With his right hand, which is leaning on the back of the chair, Jie grasps his sword, and with the same movement Jie flings the chair back in fro?it of MALAVOLTI, who stumbles over it and fails forward. ANDREA then furiously attacks SCORLA, who at his first movement has thrown doivn his cloak and revealed himself sword in hand. SCORLA is so taken aback by the vigour and suddenness of ANDREA'S onset, \that he is forced back L., and after a few passes ACT v. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD in ANDREA disarms him with a fierce thrust, and, badly wounded, he falls near the door. ANDREA turns and faces MALAVOLTI, who in the. meantime has risen and drawn his sword. ILARIA is seen watching with terror-stricken face. ANDREA, still forcing the encounter, drives MALAVOLTI back R. MALAVOLTI stands his ground there, fighting with his back to the window. SCORLA raises himself to a sitting posture, and seeing ANDREA fighting with his back to- wards him, SCORLA draws his dagger and begins to drag himself slowly along the floor towards ANDREA. When he reaches the table c., fie raises himself to his feet by means of it, and, still supporting himself by the table, lurches forward and raises his arm to strike. A t this moment ILARIA sees him, and gliding quickly down, seizes his wrist with both hands. There is a brief struggle, in which the dagger just scratches her neck ; then sJie wrenches it from SCORLA'S enfeebled grasp. SCORLA staggers back and falls heavily L. of table. An instant before, ANDREA runs MALAVOLTI through, who falls backwards into the window embrasure, where his body lies hidden from view. ANDREA turns as SCORLA is falling, and rushes to ILARIA, who, drop- ping the dagger, utters a cry of horror and covers her eyes. ANDREA Ilaria ! ILARIA O love ! thy life did hang Even from these hands. But thou art safe ? ANDREA Safe, love ! Not one hair hurt. ILARIA () ! I could kiss my hands For saving thee ! ANDREA Heaven! What blood is this ! Thou hast a wound upon thy neck. U2 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT v. ILARIA A wound ! O how love's eyes do magnify his hurt ! Tis but a tiny scratch the dagger gave, Just so much wound that I might say ' Behold ! In love's cause thou hast shed thy blood one drop [ Touching her neck with her finger and looking at it. Flushed with the joy of being spilled for thee ! ' \She puts it to her lips. ANDREA Beloved, thou hast given life to my soul, And now my body owes thee life. This debt Must beggar nie. ILARIA Pay me by keeping safe That life that love makes more than mine to me. O ! I stand midway betwixt joy and sleep. Sorrow is swept away, and happiness Lies round us like the fields. All things are well With us. ANDREA All things are well love makes them so. \A (hep groan is heard from SCORLA, wfio moves slightly. ANDREA and ILARIA start asunder at the sound. SCORLA (raising himself a little} ! I am withered with a burning fire. For pity give me drink. ILARIA (looking round] 'Tis here. [She goes R., where stand a pitcJier and goblet, and pours out some wine. Poor wretch ! 1 pity him. [ANDREA supports SCORLA into a reclining position, while ILARIA holds the goblet to his lips. SCORLA, having drunk, raises his eves and looks at ILARIA. ACT v. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD n; SCORLA Where is the monk the renegade ? Is there Yet life in him ? ANDREA I live, and I am here. SCORI.A Peste ! I remember. You, Magnificence, Did come between us. Lady, I do fear I hurt you with the dagger. 'Twas but a little scratch. ILARIA Heed it not : SCORLA So little ! Ah ! (laughs quietly) Small causes serve great ends, and you and I May come together yet. Monk ! ANDREA What wouldst thou ? SCORLA Thou thinkst to have outplayed me in this game ? ANDREA I have no cause against thy soul. I would That thou couldst die in peace. SCORLA By Lucifer I do. For death, whose subject I now am, Has thrown a main to make the loser win. (To ILARIA) Lady, together you and I must go To those dark realms where lovers' lips are cold. Not all earth's skill can keep thee here, Nor kisses draw the venom from thy blood. The dagger's poisoned. ANDREA (flinging him away') Fiend ! U4 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT v. SCORLA (laughing faintly] I go, But not alone. Monk, I have cheated thee ! [His laugh is cut short by a groan, and he falls forward, dead. ILARIA stands leaning against the table, gazing at him. ANDREA seizes SCORLA by the shoulders fiercely, ANDREA 'Tis false thou liest ! Art thou not afeard To die in sin ? Speak, speak ! Deny thy word ! Say that 'tis false ! If thou art dumb, this lie Will burn thy soul with triple fires in hell. Speak ! answer me ! ILARIA (putting her hand on his shoulder) O love, death has no tongue, Else must he tell thee that his words are true : A strange cold numbness creeps o'er me and binds My senses in a frozen dream I go ! ANDREA (taking Jier in his arms] Cold fear has cast its spell upon thy blood : And terror, sightless prophet of despair, O'ermasters thee with wild imaginings. It is no more ! Art cold ? cling close to rue ; My blood is warm for thee, and these mine arms A citadel against adversity. ILARIA Loved one, I have no fear : only methinks The sun fails, or the lamp is dim ; mine eyes Weary and loose their hold upon the world ANDREA liana, awake ! Open thine eyes ! Speak to me ! Tell me thou wouldst only sleep ! [She shakes her head slowly. If this be, true, the eye of God is blind ; I'll not believe it. O, there is yet help In earth or heav'n ! Help there without ! Bring aid ! The wound ! See, I will suck this poison out ! [He bends his head over her ; she clasps Jier hands fiercely upon her neck. ACT v. THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD 115 ILARIA Swear to me not to touch it with thy lips. O, wouldst thou rob me of my more than life The joy that I shall die for thee ? Indeed, I have no fear to die ; for in the light Of our great love, Death's face doth smile on me. See, there is yet a little left of day. Lead me where I may sit me in the sun, That its last light may guide me on my way. [ANDREA leads her to the window \ ivhere she sits in a great high- backed chair with the last rays of the setting sun streaming in on her. How warm and soft the sunlight seems ! ANDREA (kneeling beside her) See now, Thou dost revive ! That dying wretch did lie. Twas but the dizzy faintness of thy fear That overcame thee. ILARIA Love, be not deceived. I feel the slack waves of the ebbing tide Bear me away. [Her eyes dose. ANDREA hides his face on his arm, with a groan. The Angelas is heard ringing in the distance. I hear a bell or 'tis The memory of a bell, it sounds so far. ANDREA It is the Angelus. ILARIA 'Twas at the hour Of Angelus that in the monastery I parted from thee first. Andrea ! ANDREA Love ! ILARIA Thou wilt return there yes, I know thou wilt, Led by the same inevitable hand That takes me hence. n6 THE PRAYER OF THE SWORD ACT v. ANDREA Ilaria ! Stay ! Leave Me not alone ! ILARIA Nay, I shall be with thee, For thou shall bear me to the monastery And make my resting-place that little grave Where I did see thee first. Pray there each day Pray for my soul that waits. O love ! {She puts her hands as though to take his face between them. Kiss me ! [As ANDREA bends forward to kiss her, her hands drop in her lap, and her head falls back. ANDREA stops rigid, staring at her face. A murmuring of men is heard coming rapidly nearer, and a knocking at the door. FOOL (without, breathlessly] Open, Messere ! Open ! (Knock.} I bring aid ! (Knock, then pause.} Madonna ! (Pause.} Madonna Ilaria ! (Longer pause.} Madonna ! (The last cry has an agony of fear in its tone.} [CURTAIN.] TABLEAU : The Monastery Garden again, lighted by the last rays of setting sun. An old white-haired monk with the face of ANDREA kneels in prayer beside a grave overgrown with ivhite flowers. The Angelus is ringing. THE END. PF!VTF BY fet'OTTISWOODE AND CO. LTD., NEY.-STKHET SQUARE LONDON UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form L9-100m-9,'52(A3105)444 PR 6011 F21up