GIFT OF oP A Play in Five Acts AARLOWE COPYRIGHT 1902 BY HARRY M. GOLDBERG. ALL RIGHTS RKSERVED. ... Press of WALTER N. BRUNT, 537 Clay St. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., U. S. A. 3535 M/I/ , N ROLAND. "Oh, how I have prayed that I might be that man who could make the world like unto a single nation." Act 5, Scene i. 329411 Respectfully Dedicated to Mr. J. Goldberg of San Francisco As a Token of Esteem By the Author. THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY. MEN. ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. DIETRICK OF DRACHENFELS. MORDECAI. ALONSO. DAVID. CURIO. COUNT FALKENSTEIN. BARON WALDEMAR. BARON HOFFMANN. JOHN (A Peasant). OLD MAN. HERALD. WOMEN. HlLDEGUNDE. BEATRICE. ELS A. ANNIE (A Peasant Woman). AND Gypsies; Duelists; Peasants and Villagers of Honnef; Servants; Soldiers of Roland, Dietrick, and Falkenstein ; Barons ; Dancing Girls ; etc. DISTRIBUTION OF SCENES. ACT I. Garden of Castle Drachenfels. Night. ACT II. On the Banks of the Rhine near Rolandseck. Early morning of the next day. ACT III. The Apartments of Hildegunde at Castle Drachenfels. Forenoon. ACT IV. On the Banks of the Rhine near Rolandseck. Noon. ACT V. SCENE 1. Public Square at Honnef. Late Afternoon. SCENE 2. Great Hall at Castle Drachenfels. Night. TIME : Latter part of Sixteenth Century. THE FIRST ACT II ACT I. Garden of Castle Drachenfels. It is a mellow moonlight night. The upper part of the stage is bounded by a wall overgrown with ivy. In the center of this wall is the main entrance. On the right hand is the entrance leading into the Castle, the door of ivhich is studded with antique iron knobs. On the door hangs a massive iron knocker. Above the door Jiangs a finely-wrought black iron lamp. Down the stage [left] a carved marble bench, as used in the days of Homer, and so often seen in the pictures of Sir Alma Tadema. Facing this bench [D. C.~\ a seat of like design, for one person. Hildegunde is silting on the bench [D. L.] with her head in her hands, deeply engrossed with her own thoughts. Beatrice leans over the back of the bench, sympathetically. Just before the curtain has risen she has been twining red roses into garlands many of the roses have slipped from her listless fingers, and cover the bench and surrounding space. Both women are dressed in white flowing robes. David faces them in the attitude of performing. [David is an old minstrel, blind, and about 70 years old] Soft strains of harp music from behind the scenes, while the curtain is still down. The theater is dimly lighted, so as to blot out all impres sions of the commonplaces of every-day life; so as to set the imagination in touch with the play. David is improvising upon the harp. The effect the music is intended to produce is inspiration : that of a soul struggling to paint what it feels in the highest moment of its passion. 12 ROLAfiD OF ROLANDSECK. HILDEGUNDE. [With deep feeling ] [8he looks into vacancy and sits in troubled silence] Is life LIFE? How is it that we cling to it ? What do we fear ? Why this longing after immor tality ? and why the hope ? Aye ! the hope ? May it only be answered ! BEATRICE. [Touching her slightly on the shoulder with the pur pose of arousing her out of her dreamy reverie.] Hilde- gunde. [Hildegunde starts.] Hilde gunde? HILDEGUNDE. Yes? BEATRICE. [Very softly] You say much very much of life BUT, [she lingers on the word] were it only as beautiful as beautiful as love ; how GRAND it would be ! [Hildegunde is affected ~by Beatrice s enthusiasm, they loth look at each other and laugh softly with womanly sym pathy. Then Beatrice speaks to Hildegunde teasingly, with a touch of coquetry .] Do you know HILDEGUNDE. [Slightly embarrassed] Yes? What? BEATRICE. [With mystery] Do you know what love is? HILDEGUNDE. [Very simply and with feeling] YES. BEATRICE. What is it like ? HILDEGUNDE. [With simple passion] It is like the grandest music from the grandest organ ! God is the musician ; our hearts the keys. ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 13 BEATRICE. Cousin, you are very wise, but even with, all your wis dom you play at the game of LOVE. HILDEGUNDE. [As if speaking to herself] I do and I hold good cards. BEATRICE. [Continuing as if not interrupted] You sigh, and when you re not sighing, you re frowning. [She laughs lightly and resumes in a bantering tone.] [In a jesting manner] Nightly, as the stars peep out of the windows of the sky, I whisper my secret thoughts to Heaven. [She laughs prettily and seeing that Hildegunde has again fallen into a reverie as before, she checks herself, her mood changing to regret, and then, to sympathy. She goes to where Hildegunde is sitting and sits down quietly, and takes her cousin s hand very gently in hers.] Dear you re in love. Tell me. Let ME rejoice with you. [Strokes her cousins hand] Come, do tell DO ! HILDEGUNDE. Why should I ? [Quizzically] BEATRICE. Because it will make you feel BETTER. It will be such sweet pain and sad pleasure Its inhuming fires will burn again, and HILDEGUNDE. [Looks at her in a questioning manner] And BEATRICE. [Pleadingly and humorously } I DO so want to know! HILDEGUNDE. [Very simply ] I wandered one day into the forest. It was towards evening I was thinking of Life I found love. It is the only Life the life of the soul. [Leaning for ward and clasping her kneel Ah! beautiful, beaut iful l_o_ v _ e f 14 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. DAVID. [The voice of Hildegunde has thrilled him and his fin gers have been wandering unconsciously over the strings of the harp.] [He plays a few bars of music, with sweet ness, yet melancholy.] [He swigs.] If love is pain, tis a sweet sad pain ; Life were nought without it. Then were all things, stupid and vain; A hell were earth to doubt it. I met thee once in the virgin glow; My love my heart my rose! I spoke of love, sweetly, soft and low; Care s volume closed ! Care s volume closed ! [Toivards the close of this song the stage becomes a tri fle darker. It lias thrown all the characters into a medi tative mood. After the music there is a pause. Beatrice crosses to the door of the castle picking up, as she does so, a few roses, which she places gracefully in the ivy that is entwined around the pillars of the doorway. She hums to herself a pretty and romantic air some Italian ditty Hildegunde takes up a book, the leaves of which she turns listelcssly. A bell tolls in the distance, the sound of which comes from the village of Plonnef. It rings nine times.] HILDEGUNDE. [Softly] Nine o clock. [Sighs.] BEATRICE. [Beatrice goes up center to main entrance. She leans her arm on a pillar and rests her hand on the top of her head. Right hand on hip striking a pose. [When in pose] Yes. [After a brief pause] Ah! what a lovely night! The very air is laden with romance ! [Moves languidly to Hildegunde s side] [D. L.] [Looks into her face and says] How happy would I be, if I were only in love on a night like this ! ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 15 HILDEGUNDE. [Laughs softly to herself] Aren t you ashamed of your self, you silly girl? [Touching her lightly on the cheek ] BEATRICE. Should I be ashamed because I want to be in love? HILDEGUNDE. No, not that, but keep it to yourself. BEATRICE. I see. You were telling me something about what hap pened in the forest let me see what was it ? HILDEGUNDE. I said I found BEATRICE. [With rapture] Love. HILDEGUNDE. Yes, I found it in the forest How well I remember It was growing dark. The moon like a fiery ruby, lit the lurid shadows of high heaven with the clearest glow! [Beatrice here interrupts.] BEATRICE. Yes yes - HILDEGUNDE. [Continuing ] Nature s song of rest lulled the tired day to sleep. Nothing stirred. Twas calm in the palace of God. What a wonderful creation the world is ! How quiet and solemn it was! What infinite peace! What restful silence ! Oh, God is sublime, sub lime ! All of a sudden there seemed to be a sound, not of the forest s making. It grew in volume, no doubt some soli tary horseman had lost his way in the wood. I was not afraid, although my heart beat fast. In another moment my doubts were confirmed, for before me HE stood. I loved him ere he uttered a word. He asked me the way I told him. He thanked me, and made a move as if to go, 16 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. although I felt sure he wanted to stay. Something prompt ed me to ask his name I told him mine. He answered "Mine is an ugly one/ 5 Modesty alone prevented my say ing that if he -spoke it, it would sound like the music of a lute. Much as I longed to, I could not bid him, a stranger, stay, and he on his part could not offer to do so unasked. We were at a loss for words. I sighed and turned away. He broke the silence by say ing "Do you know these woods well?" I answered "Yes, I know and love them." You should have seen the light in his eyes as he said "I, too, love them/ \WitJi animation] I could have kissed those eyes! [A brief pause.} He went away every day since we have met in the same place. God overhead and love within. [Slow music.] BEATRICE. [Slowly] What is his name? HILDEGUNDE. [With a tinge of regret] I do not know; that is the one- thing he has never shown any disposition to confide to me. I think he is one of those men who lay violent hands on the riches of others. BEATRICE. Be assured that he is, Did he not steal your heart, and is it not your father s right to choose for you a husband ? HILDEGUNDE. No. It is my right, and every heart, if I had a thousand hearts, to him would I give them all. DAVID. [He has listened to the conversation. It has aroused within him thoughts that are always present in his mind.] [NOTE. David has always loved his Art and his blind ness has even strengthened that love. The one great sor row of his life has been the loss of his only son. People like himself are positive in their opinions; they even verge towards egotism in their sorrows, thinking that everything they have felt or suffered has been in the highest degree.] ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 17 DAVID. [In a natural tone } [Dreaming] It was evening. The bells tolled and kissed with a plaintive sigh the silence of the coming night. It seemed to me as if men were not. No passions, no hates, no desires. Peace reigned supreme. As if the world were a closed book wherein all thoughts were at rest. [With deep feeling] Life where is thy pain? It is, to live. We are put on earth to suffer. [Slow music] All is an endless night with me. The day of death is very near. I seem to see into the soul of the Master, as my spirit travels on the music that swells my heart. That heart, too, beats like a tired stag when its race for life is run. These stately trees they wear branches; like them, I, too, was proudly blest. My son was in the summer of his life. One day he was out row ing on the Rhine with the girl who was shortly to become his wife. A storm came up, their boat was driven on the rocks. She was drowned. They picked him up later. He had lost his reason. HILDEGUNDE. I pity you, David, indeed I pity you ! DAVID. It is I who pity you, not you who should pity me. I told you the story of my son so as to warn you. You have al ways been happy until now try and be content with what you have. Do not seek further. A quiet life amid pleas ant surroundings is sufficient for a happy life. I ve travel ed, not as others travel, with listless eye and look of dull content, and what I ve seen I ve ne er forgot. Once when I was in England I heard some one sing a simple ballad, so like my own sorrow that I ve often sung it when alone. Maybe you would like to hear it? HILDEGUNDE. I would very much like to. DAVID. [Plays the introduction.] 18 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. And no we alas ! for thy sad losse, I ll ever more weep and sigh; For thee I only wisht to live, For thee I wish to dye." [lie finishes the music for the first verse. A soldier en ters and announces. ] SOLDIER. There is a man outside who begs to be admitted. HILDEGUNDE. Bid him enter. [Exit soldier. ] [Beatrice crosses to right and stands in the doorway of the Castle. David in original position, center. Hilde- gunde crosses to left, sits on bench as before. ] BEATRICE. I am so happy tonight. I don t know why it is, but I am. HILDEGUNDE. I, too, but I know why. I am thinking of HIM. If I could look into his eyes, feel his breath upon my cheeks, be pressed to his strong heart what would I not give, ah, what would I not give ! [Roland enters through center door unnoticed.] [Over his own costume he wears the gown of a pilgrim. The hood of the gown is drawn over his head.] [He sees Hilde- gunde and stands slightly embarrassed. ] HILDEGUNDE. [She continues with deep feeling, as if speaking to her self] I love him so ! [David is thinking. His mind* is just where it left off when the soldier entered to announce the arrival of the stranger. David has taken no part in the conversation since finishing his song. Beatrice still in the doorway, picking a rose to pieces.] ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 19 ROLAND. [Steps forward a few paces ] Pardon, do I intrude? HILDEGUNDE. [Rising] You are welcome. ROLAND. Thanks. BEATRICE. [To Hildegunde] May we continue with the song? ROLAND. Indeed, I am very sorry for having interrupted it. As I neared the castle I heard the music. It was charming. I thought to myself as I walked along, what wonders there are in music ! It is a cordial of comfort. [To nildegunde t ] With your permission, we will listen to the rest of the song. HILDEGUNDE. [To David} Will you kindly continue? DAVID. [A pause, few chords of music and David sings. ] "And will he ne er come again ? Will he ne er come again? [This a trifle sadder"] No, he is dead and laid in his grave, Forever to remain." [His voice is choked ivith emotion his listeners are vis ibly affected.] "His cheek was redder than the rose; The comliest youth was he ! But he is dead and laid in his grave, Alas and woe is me !" [Buries his head in his hand. Short silence. The other characters hold the pause out of sympathy.] [Hildegunde crosses to him, under the influence of the present emotion and says softly, laying her hand on David s shoulder ] : 20 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. HILDEGUNDE. Da vid ? DAVID. [Slowly gains control of himself and looks her in the face] [With a fatherly tone] God bless you, God bless you ! I only hope you will never know what it is to suffer for those you love. [Hildegunde kisses him on the forehead gently. ] HILDEGUNDE. Thanks. [Hildegunde moves slowly away from David and faces up-stage. As Hildegunde is turning away from David, Beatrice moves toward David, and speaks as follows] : BEATRICE. Come, let us go inside. Let the past bury the past, live in the present. DAVID. [Rising slowly with Beatrice s aid] The past is all I have, child. I MUST remember it it is all I have. [Exit both Beatrice and David. Slow music.] [While Beatrice is speaking, ROLAND lias taken his place down right near the upper pillar of the doorway which leads into the Castle. Hildegunde and Roland are both in touch with the scene. Hildegunde moves down left to bench. She fingers the roses and turns the leaves of a book absent-mindedly. Roland with his eyes follows the retreat ing figures. There is an unspoken sympathy between the two characters. He, of course, knows from whence it comes, she does not, except that she has heard his voice before, but cannot exactly place where. ] HILDEGUNDE. [Meditatively] Such is the memory of youth when the hair is silvered and the knee is bent with Time ! ROLAND. If that is the case may I never reach its ripeness ! ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 21 HILDEGUNDE. Age is like a rich stone ! It all depends upon the cut ting and how the stone is set, A provident youth makes old age a triumph. ROLAND. In boyhood s happy state it is what we are to be; great stores of gems, dazzling magnificence of earthly potentates, unlimited wealth, power, fame and glory ! Boyhood s dream is a great one. It s the dream of coming greatness. [He pauses a moment to think, because the next is HIS dream. ] After the boy, comes the man; he ponders deeply what he has, and what he has not. This is a dream of doubt. There are no more the joyous footsteps, treading on the fancied air all that remains is doubt. [A slight pause. Harp music from within the Castle. Music of David s song. Roland says the next words facing that direction] Then comes, the last dream. Age, old, wint ry age; living on sweet recollection; the dreams and follies of youth ; the sole remaining enemy of childish chatter. Death s a friend. It is the age of ruins dreams what might have been ! [A slight pause.] HILDEGUNDE. Is it not the fear of Death that makes life sweet?. . . . ROLAND. [Sits on bench] It is. All life s a picture. If you were to take the picture away, what would be left ? Noth ing. Everything is made beautiful to us through the chan nels of thought. The beauty of God lies in the thought of God. Now, for example, I suppose you take me for a pious man ? If you do, you re wrong ! HILDEGUNDE. I think I have heard your voice before. ROLAND. [TWtf/i a tinge of unctuous humor] Madam, this man tle covers a multitude of sins ! 22 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. Believe me, everything seems what it is not Religion has its symbols Nations, their flags Love, its tokens They ALL picture an emotion. The lover, in a far-off land burns with passion, rains kisses upon the picture of the one he loves best The inquisitor perpetrates cruel deeds, and prays to the cross to make him strong and firm A colored piece of bunting, with no intrinsic value, when unfurled in the midst of a band of warriors, inspires them to risk their lives for love of country That piece of bunting represents a thought That cross, a master That lover s picture of his love, an ideal We are all more or less insane the world wants a name. its people want to imagine things they like to believe that THEY are the ones to move the world. What is man, when he s balanced on the scale of reason ? Nothing but an earth-worm, a seeker after pleasure, immersed in self-love, by turns a God, a devil, and A MAN A creature ruled by passion half God half I don t know what, who acts his wretched part until the life comedy comes to an end. HILDEGUNDE. [Listening attentively] Tell me your name. ROLAND. My name is Roland. HILDEGUNDE. Are you he, who lives in the Castle of Rolandseck ? ROLAND. I AM Roland, of Rolandseck. I left my father s house when quite young. I went abroad to see the world. They called me back. My father had died. I have tasted of all that goes to make life sweet I care not for wealth, rank, nor do I worry much about fame ! That I was born, I re gret ! But I live, and will continue to live, until my name ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 23 is called by the Sargeant of the Regiment of Death. Madam, I speak to a purpose men fear me because what I say is law. They call me a robber-knight; in plain terms un alloyed by romance a common thief ! I came here to rob a woman of her heart,, and here I stand confessed ! Really, Fm not often so heroic, so deal kindly with me ! HILDEGUNDE. [Playfully, yet with a hidden meaning ] But if she should give you that heart, nay, even more, suppose she has given it to you already, would you not be ashamed and repent of your misdeeds ? ROLAND. When I finish my tale you can the better judge. I have told you that I am of noble parentage; should a man in whose veins flows the blood of kings turn merchant and barter for petty gains; or should he become a courtier and kiss the ground before some fat, over-fed monarch, or should he turn actor, and, with a tragic smile and air of bombast, say I am 7; else should he become a second Barabas to trade in stones of value and finger daily the sweaty coin bled from wretched souls and cramm it into his over-crowded coffers? [fie changes his tone and draws himself up proudly] Bah ! say I. I ll hold my head erect, and this, MY SWORD. shall serve its master. HILDEGUNDE. [Amused. With a sly smile} But isn t this a strange code? ROLAND. [Takes his place in the center of the stage] One mo ment, you must listen until I have finished. I will explain to you in detail my very peculiar theory. I ll set myself right in your eyes. I bow, thusly [suits action to words ] I stand here I draw my sword a man stands there [points with sword about two paces down center] to that man I bow I bow a grand, grand bow; thus [suits ac tion to words ] I open my mouth ; I speak "Sir, you have much gold, let us share your gold like brother shares with 24 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. brother. Do you want to live in luxury and do you want me to crave a bone ? No, you can t be as mean as all that. And what s more, I think I won t let you. [Gives a very grand smile] [Still addressing imaginary person] My tastes are just as rich as yours, I dare say even richer. I adore poetry I admire art and above all I love women. One can t have all these adorations, likes and loves and be happy without satisfying them; so you see, my dear, ad mired friend, I must, aye, I MUST have what they call money; therefore I m under the necessity of asking you for a trifle. I shall call it a sum loaned to myself; I as sure you that I ll pay you, in the other world [points to Heaven ]. I know it s far away, but I promise you upon the honor of a gentleman, the pay is certain. No? You refuse, you refuse to lend me money ? Well, you ll have to, that s all. [Advances] [Smiles blandly and bows]. Thanks, thanks, my friend, a thousand thanks. [Puts out his hand to receive money and bestotvs it about his person.] Indeed, my friend, you re very kind. You did it, let me assure you, with such grace, such elegance 1 you really charmed me ! "Au plaisir" a-s they have it in France. I ll pay you, what I owe you, when I meet you among the angels." [Bows gravely.] HILDEGUNDE. [Hardly able to contain her amusement ] But your con science ROLAND. I expected } r our question, and have a ready answer, but first promise me that if I answer it, you will be satisfied. HILDEGUNDE. [With humor] I promise. ROLAND. It is the story of Alexander the Great and the Robber. If you have already heard it I crave your indulgence. "Dion- ides was brought before Alexander. Alexander said Vile Brigand ! how dare you infest the seas with your mis deeds? And YOU, said the pirate, by what right do YOU ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 25 ravage the world? Because I have only one ship I am called a Brigand; but YOU, who have a whole fleet, are termed a conqueror. [He gives a sly look towards Hildegunde with a know ing air] Have 1 satisfied you ? HILDEGUNDE. [Laughing and much pleased ] Yes, and what s more, I think it s quite ROLAND. [Looks at her ardently] Q u i t e? HILDEGUNDE. [Looks at him with a laugh and toss of her head] Just qu ite. [To be said as she is crossing in front of him in order to enter the doorway of the Castle ] [When she has reached the doorway, and is under the light, she pauses, and wraps her shawl around her shoulders, pretending as if it were chilly. She comes forward again a few paces. Roland has shown signs of embarrassment. ] I m afraid I must leave you now. It is quite chilly out here, and besides I must call my father. [She moves away with reluctance] [Slow music. Picture.] ROLAND. [In a pleading tone] "Stay, fair lady, turn again, and dry those pearly tears; for see beneath this gown of gray, thy own true love appears !" [Removes gown.] HILDEGUNDE. [With a rippling laugh, brimming over with playfulness she comes to the center of the stage and shaking her fin ger in Roland s face, says ] Oh, you impostor! How dare you ! I knew it was you all along [She laughs] [There is a slight pause her laughter dies out. Roland is gazing at her with tender and passionate earnestness. They stand thus for a short space of time, in mute admira tion.] Bo land. [Lovingly] [Drawn to his arms by the mag netism of mutual affection looks into his face and re peats ] Ro land ! It s a pretty name ! 26 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. ROLAND. [He places his hands upon her shoulders, gazes into her eyes with subdued passion. They hold the position slow music light effects Hildegunde drops her eyes} Love s lantern lights thy brilliant eyes. Eyes fuller and softer than the stars of Heaven. We meet in the month of June. Thou, like a rose-bud, and, I like its stem. Nay, not like a rose-bud, for that fades and dies then the stem is wid owed. Be the earth that nourishes and feeds the stem, bearing it the fruit of wedlock. Rich shall be the dower of our union undying love ! HILDEGUNDE. Lo ve ! Lo ve ! [Her mood changes ] It was all so dark till I met you. Now, how different everything is ! [Her face close to his} Yes ! it was dark, now, now, Fve found, I ve found a light to guide me ! Seal you my lips with a gentle kiss. Tell me, tell me, my love, HOW MUCH you LOVE ME ! ROLAND. My lips will speak my love. [Kisses her.} HILDEGUNDE. [Looking passionately into his face with a hungry long ing look. She hangs in transport about his neck} The seal is sundered ! Seal it once again ! The more you kiss me, the more my very heart rises to my lips. Ten thousand with all their quantity of love could not love you half so much as I do ! I want to think your thoughts I want to breathe your breath I want to be a part of you THEN ONLY will I be happy. ROLAND. You shall be ! HILDEGUNDE. [Almost beside herself ivith happiness} Oh, that this hour would never end ! Just just one more kiss. Tis panacea for every pain, thy arms my waist entwining. [Roland presses her closely to his breast.} ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 27 HILDEGUNDE. [Looking around anxiously] Roland, you must go there s danger here. ROLAND. [With no attempt to release her] Tis here then, in thine arms. HILDEGUNDE. [Puts her hand to his chest and gradually releases her self] What if my father should find us here? ROLAND. You re right, I never thought of that. [Stepping back a little] HILDEGUNDE. [Pleadingly] Go, I beg of you to go. ROLAND. [Pleadingly] Must I? HILDEGUNDE. [Feverishly] Yes, yes, you must go you can t stay here you don t know how angry my father would be. Go ; please ! [Roland bows his consent and makes as if to go.] [Bewitchingly] Now ! Ro land ! [Roland takes her hand, bou-s over it, kisses it gallantly, and then looks into her face.] [Hildegunde, looking proudly at him takes a rose from her bosom, and hands it to him.] ROLAND. [Accepts rose and raises it to his lips.] A rose is for love. [Goes slowly and picks up gown where it lias fallen. Crosses to the left-hand side of the stage. Hildegunde is on the right.] SENTRY. [From without] All s well ! All s well ! [The cry is taken up and echoed through the mountains.] 28 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. ROLAND. Let us hope all WILL BE well. [Goes up to her and speaks with fervor} Let us place our trust in God ! [Slow music.} HILDEGUNDE. [Starts in alarm ] Hush I hear my father coming ! [Roland quickly puts on his gown.] Quick ! DIETRICK. [From within Castle off right] Lights, I say lights ! [Plildegunde crosses down left. Roland retires up cen ter. Enter two servants holding lights. They stand each by opposite pillars of the doorway. Enter Dietrich. He stands in the doorway. Hildegrunde crosses to him.~\ HILDEGUNDE. Ah, father ! Are you coming into the garden ? DIETRICK. Yes, child, I want to speak with you. [He notes, for the first time, the presence of Roland.] [Addressing Hildegunde] I see you have a stranger with you. [Turning to Roland almost gruffly] Explain your presence. ROLAND. [With meelcness] I am a pilgrim on my way down the Rhine. May I be placed in your debt for this night s shel ter? DIETRICK. I like not the pilgrim kind, my daughter shall say "yea" or "nay." [Waves his hand toward her.] HILDEGUNDE. Yea, father. DIETRICK. [To Roland] Thou hast heard my daughter. I bid thee welcome, although I like not your kind. ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 29 [Moves with Hildegunde down left] Come, sit tliee here. [Both sit on bench ] [Roland stands up right cen ter, presumably unconcerned.] [Holding Hildegunde s hand] My child, there is a law in the world called duty. It keeps the world in motion I mean, by "keeping the world in motion" that we have to do our dutv towards the race. In doing what is re quired of us, the world progresses. I, you, in fact all of us, have some duties to perform ! HILDEGUNDE. Yes, father. I have always tried to do my best. My duty? I ve done all that has ever been asked of me, still, you must have some object in speaking as you do. What is it, father? DIETRICK. My child, you are discerning ! It is a very simple thing which I ask of you I want you to marry. [Effect on Roland and Hildegunde, whose eyes unconsciously meet.] The man I want you to marry is Count Falkenstein. HILDEGUNDE. [Slowly] Father, no one knows their own duty better than themselves. I know mine. Granted, you ARE my father I love you as a daughter should love her father that is all. We have not come in contact with each other as often as is the custom. But it s not my fault. It now appears that you want to use me, and with your wonted diplomacy, you talk to me of duty. A little while ago you said that I was discerning and so I am. Do you think that I will give you my soul because you want it? Give it to you to satisfy the demands of some friend? No! I m no such fool. I shall wed the man I love. That is my answer ! DIETRICK. So it seems that you are wiser than I gave you credit for! HILDEGUNDE. It seems so, father. 30 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. DIETRICK. [Dryly ] Y e s ! [Thinking hard] Y e s ! Lis ten to me. I have asked you to marry this man because I want him as a friend. I can t see what objection you have to him. He has worldly position and wealth. If you do not love him now, you can learn to. Our country is unsettled, especially this part of it. Every Baron here abouts claims precedence over his neighbor. It is my wish to crush the weaker ones, and through you I mean to do it ! The most powerful of my enemies is Roland of Rolandseck. [Here Hildegunde and Roland exchange glances.] [Hildegunde stands immovable.] I hate him, as I hate no other. He has thwarted me at every turn. He has set the people against me. This MUST end ! It is my purpose to organize a League. This Roland, amongst others like him, will fall under the ban. [A pause.] HILDEGUNDE. [Full of calm and terrible repose she looks at Dietrich with eyes full of fire] Know then I love your enemy ! DIETRICK. [The disclosure makes no great impression upon him at least not discernible] You love him? HILDEGUNDE. [Unflinchingly] As God is my witness! DIETRICK. Never never as long as I live, will you marry that wretch ! I would rather see you dead at my feet ! HILDEGUNDE. [The words of her father burn themselves into her brain] [She repeats them to herself slowly.] ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 31 You. .would, .rather, .see. .me. .dead. .at. .your., feet! You. .would, .rather, .see. me. .dead Oh! [in horror] And you call yourself my FATHER! You would rather see me dead than happy; oh, hor rible, horrible [hoarsely ] [She sinks down on the bench overcome her head in her hands.] [A pause.] DIETRICK. [Standing over her solemnly] My child, we are the Lords of Drachenfels ! We come of a great race we ve never married for love it s not our destiny. It is power that we want power only ! HILDEGUNDE. [Hysterical between her sobs she speaks in a simple voice] You can have the power, father GIVE ME, the the love! [Piteously] I want only, HIS lo ve ! only his lo ve! DIETRICK. [With great solemnity] Des tiny. My child, it s not our destiny to gain our happiness through love. HILDEGUNDE. [Gives a wild hysteric laugh with a burst of passion ate feeling] But I say it is my destiny ! It is 7 who marry the man. He s to be MY husband not some dead ancestor s and I I will choose ! ROLAND. [Moves down stage and faces both H. and D.] [Speaks with dignity and conscious power] [Addressing Hilde- gunde] You are right I say it humbly. [Turns to Dietrich] I would ask you a question. Can your child share her joys, sympathize with a man she does not love or honor you will answer me, if you are a man NO. Marriage is a sacred thing a union of two souls it is not her fault that she is in love nor is it her fault that she loves your enemy. Love is the soul of God that 32 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. speaks in mortal souls when you despise its power, you despise the power that gave you life that made you what you are. DIETRICK. [Looks at Roland coldly] Stranger, you were not asked. I told you I did not like your kind. [Turns to Hildegunde] Listen to me to-morrow night there is a banquet in thy father s halls among those pres ent will be Count Falkenstein. I want you to look well I want you to smile for nothing pleases as much as a smile. Look your best for the Count s sake. He ll be your future husband. ROLAND. [Between his teeth] Never ! DIETRICK. [Commandingly] See that you are ready. HILDEGUNDE. I am going away far away from here. [As if speaking to herself.] DIETRICK. [Sarcastically ] So ? You re going away, eh ? HILDEGUNDE. I am going into a convent I want to forget the world. DIETRICK. You want to rob the earth of a treasure; you want to rob [Roland throws off his disguise and finishes the sen tence for DietrickJ] ROLAND. Baseness of a victim ! [A picture. ] [Up center] [Comes down and faces loth] [With a tremendous burst of vitality, he glares at Dietrick with rage.] A father who is not a father. A wretch MORE than a wretch. ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 33 A base, selfish, unnatural parent, a man who would sell his soul in order to crush his own flesh and blood. [Advances upon him and looks him in the eye} Mon ster ! Tremble, crouch, if you were not her father I would exterminate you as something leprous ! [Dietrick makes a move as if to call for help.} Call, and I ll KILL YOU ! [A pause, during which participants become more com posed.} [Dietrick ceases his efforts to arouse assistance.] I want to speak with you. I want to reason with you, as I would with a friend ; and I want you to listen. Some men are strong they conquer passion ! Some stifle it forever ! Others cover it, and play the hypocrite ! But there is a time when passion bursts forth with re newed energy, come of long suffering then there are no flood-gates to stem its furious velocity ! I tell you this because I want you to know that if YOU have suffered, I have suffered also ! If YOUR heart has bled, MINE has bled! You are ambitious so am I. It seems that you want power, that you want gold, I ll give you both of them. I ll subjugate all the ambition that I have, to your usage. All I have, everything that is mine or ever will be mine, is yours. I ask but one thing the hand of Hildegunde still I rob you for of all riches she is the richest ! I want her to come to me with her father s blessing. I repeat I will give you anything you ask for ! DIETRICK. [With long suppressed venom] I. .would, .have, .your ..HEAD! [Roland recoils.] I want to hold it in my hands and cry out to the world, "Behold my enemy !" I want to spurn it with my foot, I want to throw it to the wolves and I want to hear their hungry music ! 34 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECE. HILDEGUNDE. [Piteously] Oh ! for God s sake, don t say that, father don t ! DIETRICK. [Repulsing her] Go you are NOT my child any longer ! [Hildegunde sobs violently, goes up-stage and leans against something upright.] [To Roland] I am an old man you, you came into my house, you robbed me of my only child, and now, sir, I say to you that you ve earned an old man s curse to follow you to your grave. [With emphasis] [A pause.] Go ! I ve had my say ! [Die-trick walks sloivly to right, towards the entrance into the Castle.] [He reaches the step, places one of his feet on the first. He is arrested by the voice of Hilde gunde.] HILDEGUNDE. [Her voice is like that of a little child as if she was about six years old] [It brings back to Dietrick fond memories of days of long ago] Fa. .th..er! [She ap proaches him] Don t be hard on him, father ! [Roland has his back half turned up stage.] Father, father dear, for mother s sake if not for mine. Mercy ! DIETRICK. [Sad, almost reproachfully] You were not merciful to your father. You lulled me to sleep in a blissful dream, and when you kissed me, false were your lips. You must have laughed at my gray hairs. [Voice choked] [A pause] Why didn t you tell me? [Hildegunde sobs, and as he talks she turns away.] All that went to make me proud a father s love for his child you gave to a stranger. You ve shattered what little faith I still have in mankind. Why didn t you wait till I was dead? [Hildegunde sobs again. Roland, unnoticed, goes up ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 35 center, turns as the emotion possesses him, to regard Hildegunde. He soon will take his place actively in the scene.] [Dietrick waits for an answer to his question. There is none forthcoming. A fatal silence settles on the scene.] [With decision] If you choose this man, I know you no more. HILDEGUNDE. [Raises her head slowly. Looks at Dietrick for a mo ment] [With simple womanliness and feeling] But I ll still know YOU, father. I have never known you to treat me [Her voice breaks] [She sobs hysterically] Fath er ! Pardon me. Speak that one word "PARDON." DIETRICK. [Gently but firmly] Is it duty or is it love? Will you obey ME, or will you go away with the man who has your father s curse? [Hildegrunde stands transfixed.] [Dictrick on the right hand side of the stage. Hilde gunde down center towards left. Roland up center. Hilde gunde is hysterical her eyes are staring into vacancy.] [A pause.] Duty or love ! HILDEGUNDE. [She looks at Roland almost a happy smile illu minates her face. She goes towards him a step or so, sud denly she looks at her father. This makes her give an involuntary shiver. She stands thus for a few seconds undecided, then looks at Roland again she murmurs hy sterically.] Duty duty [She then staggers forward towards both men she toi lers and with an "Ah," falls back unconscious into her father s arms. A pause. Roland thinks she has given him up. lie is crestfallen. He slowly gains control of himself. Dietrick has shown no sign of emotion but within he is exultant.] 36 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. [Roland center near door.] ROLAND. I honor the lovely burden in your arms, for doing what she calls her duty ; but duty is only a word. I go but think not, to defeat. If HER duty is by her father s side, MINE is surely by the side of my people. Dietrick, Lord of Drachenfels, we meet again. I want to tell you this before I leave. It takes more than a word to conquer Eoland of Eolandseck. Your men are BUT men your threats BUT threats, trifles light as air and I know none better than I [stops as if with a hidden mean ing ] Beware ! I might have cause to curse you but farewell ! [Exit center.] [Quick curtain.] THE SECOND ACT ACT II. On the banks of the Rhine near Rolandseck. Early morning. Castle Drachenfels seen across the river. This is the spot where the Rhine takes a graceful curve. Trees both left and right. Music ivhen curtain rises. Sounds of the forest rustling of trees, birds, etc. No one on the stage when curtain rises. Effects of dawn and sundry other light effects. Love and forest melodies blended in the music. ] [Enter Roland, without disguise. He has wandered during the night. After the events which took place in the Castle he has made his way to the river bank. He has crossed over to the Rolandseck side and wanders about aimlessly .] [The Prayer of Roland.] ROLAND. The smiling face of Heaven, in all its radiant splendor, so vast so boundless above me spreads and nature, an imated, plays a sacred hymn. The Master bids the solemn organ breathe, and love-inspired, voiceful grown, resounds the proudest jewels of the treasured mind. Many a time have I wandered among these lordly elms, and heard the music pour forth from the golden throats of the singing birds. What pleasing landscapes spread beneath their eyes! [A pause. ,] These are the haunts of the solitudal soul these the scenes from which nature s noblemen draw their inspiring breath where fancy charms, in a thousand different ways, and sweet meditation holds its sway. Oh, God ! tis Thy celestial music that thrills my soul. I love Thee and I love Thy world ! Thou hast given me eyes wherewith to see. I see around me Thy Mansion 40 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. Beautiful ! I honor and love all Thy creatures and lov ing them, I love and honor Thee! Father, Father in Heaven, the woman I love I ask of Thee ! I ask Thee to give me the happiness that comes of woman! [He lies down and falls asleep under a great tree.] [Music. ] [Music continues for a while and then gradu ally dies away.~\ [Sound of oars striking the water, mingles with Hilde- gunde s voice. She has alighted from the boat some dis tance away. ] [She calls from off right.] HILDEGUNDE. Ro land ! Eo land ! [Her voice grows in volume as she approaches.] [Ro land awakes, comes to a sitting posture, and listens with attention and marked surprise.] HILDEGUNDE. [Still calling] Ro land! Ro land! ! [Roland rises and walks toward the place from whence the sound of the voice comes.] [Enter Hildegunde.] [Roland moves impetuously towards her takes both her hands in his.] ROLAND. How came you here? I thought that you were a pris oner in your father s castle? HILDEGUNDE. He does not know that I am here. I felt that I MUST see you ! [Pleadingly] Don t send me away ! ROLAND. Send you away? How could I? HILDEGUNDE. [Glad and thankful] I knew you wouldn t. ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 41 [A joyous, yet embarrassed silence.] [She lays her hand caressingly on his shoulder a speechless look in her eyes.] ROLAND. [Expressing in his face the rapture he feels ] Mark the sweet silence the perfume of the morn how tender the blooming youth of life ! How sad the spirit of the south wind ! HILDEGUNDE. [With a deep breath. She has caught his enthusiasm] Lo vely ! Lo . . ve . . ly ! [This takes her across the stage. She sits down in a picturesque attitude on a boulder. Her eyes follow the windings of the river. Roland wanders over to her side musingly. They are both happy and at peace. After a thoughtful interlude, Roland speaks.] ROLAND. Suppose that we were to sail down the Khine, passing castle after castle; in the end we would find ourselves in the lap of the lofty Alps, a step we are in Italy but what a step ! Love .there, is warm ; it burns itself with its own fire. In the south music is the voice of love! Here, it is deep the more I think of it, it seems to say to me HILDEGUNDE. [Preoccupied. Gazes vacantly towards the river. Her soul has been dreaming. She awakens with a little start, rises slowly and looks up into his face.] [With incredulity] What does it seem to ? ROLAND. [Speaking slowly and with intensity] It says, "Give me more." HILDEGUNDE. More ? ROLAND. More. 42 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. HILDEGUNDE. [Bewildered ] Am I not your friend nay, more your beloved? Do I not love you with all my heart? [A little timidly shamefacedly] Some day, when my father and you have made peace with each other I shall he your wife besides, even now in thought I am your wife ! ROLAND. [With a touch of sarcasm] "Your wife!" [Roland crosses to left first entrance and repeats to him self]: "My wife!" [This takes him up left. Then he crosses to her again.] [Hildegunde watches him with astonishment.] [With honest indignation] Oh, it makes me mad to be trifled with ! Women ! they are ALL false. THEY call it love Oh, it s cruel, cruel ! Oh, sun, where is thy face winter rules the world ! [Roland crosses to right first entrance.] [Slowly] I m sick of it all ! HILDEGUNDE. [Crushed by this sudden outburst she comes up to him from center to right first entrance.] [Pleadingly] Eoland, don t act like this. [Roland becomes a trifle calmer.] ROLAND. There s no harm in what I say; besides the sentence is so full of courtesy so pleasing so melodious [with deri sion] [Lingering on the words] Besides even now in thought I am your husband ! [Laughs ironi cally.] HILDEGUNDE. Do not jest with me. ROLAND. Jest with you ? No ! It is YOU who jest with ME. The last few days have almost turned my brain. There is a ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 43 fever in my head and in my heart. If we wait until your father gives his consent we ll never be man and wife. [Pauses excitedly] [Controls himself, although under a strong emotion.] What constitutes a marriage? A bit of soiled parchment ? No ! That s an outworn idea. HILDEGUNDE. [Turns on him with astonishment gradually realizing his meaning] An outworn idea? Surely you do not think that the preservation of a woman s good name is an outworn idea ? ROLAND. Listen to me. I want to go back to the events of last night. When your father said "duty or love", you should have come to me. Your duty is by the side of the man you love no matter what happens. A woman once belonging to a man in the eyes of the world, is his forever: father mother all ties are noth ing. You say you love me what then is love if not duty ? [Comes up to her passionately] Am I a man or do you take me for a pulseless monument? Have I not, like other men, a sense of right and wrong ? [He pauses she is silent.] [Reproachfully] Can I trust in you, when every little while you change? I can t help thinking that you re only amusing yourself with me. [Continues very serious ly and with intense feeling] Hilda, my love for you en titles me to speak my mind freely. If you love me, don t break my heart. I ve had a hard life you ve been the only ray of sunshine in it. Do not stifle what little faith I have left. I d rather you would say "good-bye" NOW; return to your home, let me love and lose, but don t, don t play on me, don t play on me ! [He pauses and continues quietly] Return to those at home your peace of mind your gaiety marry the man your father wills you to. ... I ve fought with the few men who love me my fight with the world and I can keep on fighting in the same way with no woman s voice to cheer me till the end. [He pauses] Go ! .... take with you your woman s dignity and honor, and leave me to myself ALONE ! 44 ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. HILDEGUNDE. [With simple passion] Bo land! I love you in spite of all you do or say. I will stay with you I ll leave all for your sake. It shall be as you have said one s duty is by the side of the man one loves !. . . .THERE is A TIME IN THE LIFE OF EVERY WOMAN WHEN A MAN CAN MAKE, OR MAR, HER FUTURE ! [Moves closer to him and lays her hands caressingly on him ] Make or mar mine, and let me do the same for you ! [Speechless silence] [The sun shines on the river, which becomes like unto silver. A few little dark clouds pass in the background.] [She takes his hand in hers. Her face is full of hope. His is moody] Look ! Look ! [Points to the clouds] Cour age! See, the clouds yonder; my mother used to say to me that every cloud has a silver lining. Hope Hope. It s all that we have in life. Smile even though you re sick at heart. ROLAND. [Releases her hands. He is in a troubled mood] That s the philosophy of a woman patience. If you build cas tles in the air, as I have done, contemplate their fall as I do, you would very soon seek out some new philosophy. My enemies would like very much to have me under lock and key or better still [with a grimace, points down ward] send me down to the old gentleman below. No ! I have seen enough of life; I know that everything worth while must be fought for that the man who waits keeps on waiting, and the man who doesn t wait carries off the prize. It is a selfish world the ready soldier wins. HILDEGUNDE. [With a touch of sadness] I ve ventured more than you I ve given you myself. YOUR love is all I have. "Love is of man s life but a part, tis woman s whole ex istence." [Clasps her hands and lowers her head] You men you are ambitious you go through fire and water to do great things while we, we women are forced to look on ! ROLAND OF ROLAND8ECK. 45 ROLAND. [Becoming more animated. His next words are said in a piquant, comedy strain the emotion of which is scin tillating] Oh, how I love you I love you better than life. I love you as the moonbeams love the tranquil sea I love you, like I love the languid spirit of the summer night, I love you as I love a melody of sad and pleasant thoughts, as I love an angel s tear that wipes away a dark sin, so DO I LOVE YOU. [Pause. ] [Hildegunde is delighted] Your FACE, my queen HILDEGUNDE. [In the same manner as Roland piquant] My face? [She pauses puts it right up to him] [Quickly] Do you like it? [Bubbling over with inward mirth.] ROLAND. Ah, your face, whereon sweet music has set its liquid seal. It steals its color from the rose. Your LIPS cher ries ripe to fullness, kissed by the scent of wild flowers. I kiss them, too. [Kisses her on the lips.] [Hildegunde laughs prettily. Crosses him, taking one of his hands as she does so, and leads him to a seat.] HILDEGUNDE. Now; you sit THERE. [Forcing him down.] ROLAND. [After he is seated] Ah ! HILDEGUNDE. I will sit HERE. [Places herself next to him on the left] Now, I want you to give me your hand. [Suits the action to the words] Now, just imagine [Roland signifies "YES" with a nod.] This is a ROOM it is NIGHT we are alone 46 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. ROLAND. [With a touch of comedy ] Nobody with us. HILDEGUNDE. There is a fire on the hearth. ROLAND. Won t summer do? HILDEGUNDE. [Smiles] No. I like winter best. We sit like this the fire the room the ROLAND. Isn t there a child on the hearth-rug? HILDEGUNDE. [Laughs ] You silly boy ! Listen [pleadingly] PLEASE. We sit hand in hand, THUS I lean my head on your shoul der, THUS, and NOW, WE DREAM WE DRE AM ROLAND. [TP/io is pleased at the imagined situation] WE DREAM [sighs] Ah ! HILDEGUNDE. [Growing serious] Not of a love of wanton and base desires, but of a love of soul to soul. The doors of our minds will be opened; opened, too, will be our hearts. Our souls, flooded with sunshine. MY heart will be a palace, and y o u will rule my heart ; y o u, my king ! ROLAND. My mind loves your mind my body loves your body. All must be harmonious, else there can be NO REAL JOY. You are too supremely mental, I m afraid. Soul and body must comingle. Wisdom s akin to folly. Hilde gunde! [He draws her with gentle force to him] [After a pas sionate look, his lips seek hers] Sweet is the fruit of YOUR LIPS, my Hilda; they re the way to Heaven. [He holds her away from him] [With ecstasy] Oh! how full of bliss is this moment! ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 47 HILDEGUNDE. [A little frightened] [She looks at him] You re trembling. ROLAND. [Showing surprise] Am I? HILDEGUNDE. [Still frightened] Like an aspen in the wind. ROLAND. [Rises and walks up and down with rapid strides] [Un der a severe strain of emotion] [He pauses in his walk in front of her gazes into her eyes] Oh, why are you so beautiful ! [Continues half sadly] Oh, Hilda, it is your beauty that robs me of my manhood ! [A pauseJ] [He leans close over her his eyes are rivited upon her eyes. Hildegunde seems to be fascinated] [There is a pause, during which the souls of these two characters seem- to be at passionate war with each other.] [His breath coming quickly] Hilda I am your slave! I want you I want you YOU YOU ! [In a hoarse whisper] Let us go. I want to taste the highest bliss ! [Roland endeavors to embrace her with rapture] [Hildegunde starts away from him with sudden alarm her face ashen pale.] HILDEGUNDE. Not THAT, not THAT ! [She stands upright. Her bosom palpitating her eyes have a wild stare in them,] [He stands center.] [There is a pause.] [Roland slowly gains control of himself. She comes up to him slowly; very, very slowly, some great emotion moving her along. Her two hands are up to her chin, her face bloodless; with the wild look of a woman trying 48 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. to protect herself from harm] [The color leaves Roland s face, and strong as he is at times, he grows cowardly be fore this woman s emotion. When close to him there is a pause during which both of them look at each other. } Roland ! Look MY FACE ! MY FACE ! [Passionate ly] Do you see in letters of fire, that word "LUST" im printed there? [Pauses] [Frenzied] If you do, you lie. you lie ! It s NOT there ! It s not THERE ! [Intense pause] [She laughs hysterically, then contin ues with terrible irony, lingering on every word] Whereon sweet music has set its liquid seal ! [Crosses on next line] Oh, the hypocrisy that abides in the heart of man! Oh, you are cunning, all of you; you try your best to ruin innocent women ! Oh, how you have deceived me! Sinned against! played with! [Comes up to him CENTER] [Furiously] And YOU YOU have done this YOU whom I almost worshipped as a God! You did it YOU! [A pause.] ROLAND. [Stands stern and quiet] Hear me. HILDEGUNDE. [Still impassioned] Hear you ! [Laughs mockingly] Hear YOU YOU whom I loved whom I would have left my home and my friends for. Oh, it s too much ! ROLAND. [Quietly] [With the simplicity in which the following is said, lies the strength] Compose yourself. I am too honest to add hypocrisy to my other sins; if, in a moment of passion, I so far forgot myself as to propose what I now deem the very height of folly, show your graciousness, pardon my boldness, excuse it on the score of human frailty. HILDEGUNDE. [Lowers her head in thought Under the spell of his voice she has become calmer. She walks slowly from ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 49 where she is up to the right third entrance, pauses on the banks of the river, and falls into a melancholy reverie.] ROLAND. [Quietly with pleading in his voice] Hil da, you will forgive me will you not? [Hildegunde.is silent. She looks down at the flowers nestling at her feet. Roland, not receiving a reply to his question, lowers his head in disappointment] [There is a second s pause] [Her bosom palpitates, her eyes gleam. She is looking out upon the river, entranced with its beauty. She seems to breathe in something of what it tells her. Her feeling breaks out as follows] : HILDEGUNDE. Beau ti ful, beau ti ful Khine! Thou glideth on ward, a song on thy lips vine-clad, castle-clad, thy banks like a huge silver vein; you, the twining serpent. God of Rivers, guard us from our foes ! The little flowers that nestle here on thy banks say to thee, "Oh, river, thou dost cherish me. I am grateful to thee. I thank thee for thy bounty." [She kneels on one knee and strokes the flower as if it were human. She uses the higher register of her voice when she speaks what the flower says to the river; and the middle register with more strength and feeling, when the river answers the flower.] [She looks toward the river, then turns to the flower, and speaks as if the river answers the flower.] [Slowly and full of musical feeling] "Thou art beautiful, oh flower ! I love thy per fume ! To see thee bloom, and TO KNOW that thou art happy is the joy of my life ! [She pauses] [Rises cold ly and faces Roland in marble-like repose] [He is now master of himself in all his actions] [With coldness] But you men, you are never satisfied, you always want what you haven t got. You re like chil dren. You want to be amused, but you want REAL toys ! We poor creatures think that you re all that s noble; until the veil is drawn from oft 7 the mask, then we find, that you are all SELF, SELF ; even when you marry us, you 50 ROLAND OF ROLANDSEOK. ROLAND. [Interrupting] There I must set you right. What you say of men is false. There are circumstances; both sexes are not angels; we re all human; the animal in us has the mastery. Culture is what WE add it is the veil over the mask. Strife of all kinds should be but a name. There will come a time when we ll go never to return, and then, who knows We should not be too exacting even in morals. Everything is too much so now-a-days. In religion it should be what our reason teaches us about God, not what men see fit to say. The best guide for us to fol low in this life is intuition common sense, call it what you may. My common sense says to me that I am wrong, that I have made a mistake. Will you forgive me? You have been deceived in me, and I, in myself. I have no stability, like most men. I m not good, like you are. Hilda, you do not know me. "To err is human, to forgive Divine." HILDEGUNDE. [Tenderly] I forgive. You are a good man. You have fared ill on life s great sea. True, you are weak, but with it all, there is in your soul Heaven s own harp; ill airs of passion have been played upon it, still it is there, and it is in tune with all that is great and good on earth and in Heaven. ROLAND. [Reproachfully, to himself] W T hat a wretch I have been to have tried to injure her ! HILDEGUNDE. Virtue is woman s crown. With it, she is rich with out it, poor and alone. A GOOD WOMAN WALKS BY THE SIDE OF GOD; AND I WANT TO BE A GOOD WOMAN. ROLAND. [Admiringly~\ You are pure, and what is more than purity, you have strength of mind. You will trust me? HILDEGUNDE. [Tenderly } Surely, how can you ask that? ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 51 ROLAND. My love. I promise, will be an honest one. I give you the rose you have given me; take it, the blushing herald of a heart that has cast off sin! [About to kiss the rose, when Hildegunde stops him.] HILDEGUNDE. Oh, don t do that ! [Coquetishly.] ROLAND. [Stops in wonderment] Why? ^ HILDEGUNDE. [Slightly embarrassed, with a touch of naivete] It s a pity to waste em. [Roland laughs with pleasure] [They Iciss] [Hilde gunde slowly draws away from Roland towards right] [Slow music.] ROLAND. [Following her] When do we meet again? HILDEGUNDE. In the same old place, this afternoon. [TFitf/i concern] You will be careful in the meantime ? Do not place your self in danger. ROLAND. [With tender passion] I promise not to, for your sweet sake. HILDEGUNDE. [Bewitchingly] Good bye. ROLAND. Good-bye, my love, God keep you. [Picture of leave-taking. Lights all out.] CURTAIN. THE THIRD ACT ACT III. Hildegunde s apartments at Castle Drachenfels. [Door, right second entrance. Bookcase, up right cen ter Another door up left third entrance. Small table near door, right second entrance. Large door with dra peries up center main entrance, through which may be seen adjoining alcove, with flowers; through the windows of this alcove one may get a view of the surrounding coun try. Medium size table down right center. Chair on either side of table. In front of this table is a small stool. Sofa placed at an angle of 45 degrees over to the left center. To the left of the sofa, touching it, is a small table, on which a person seated on said sofa could easily place his or her hand. A small round table up left center near main door, on which is placed a lamp of the period. There are also other decorations of the period, chairs, etc., placed ad libi tum. A few bars of light music before drop ascends, con tinuing until exit of servant. Elsa seated in chair, left of table down right. Curio on sofa left. Both have books in their hands, pretending to read; their backs half turned to each other. They are just after having a lovers quarrel. A servant, in livery, enters from right door. He places a vase, filled with roses, on table down right. He pauses a second, while there, and gazes with a half perceptible smile, from Elsa to Curio, then crosses behind sofa, stops to take a decanter from table left and exits from door up left Elsa and Curio sigh deeply, start to look at each other and then turn away quickly, then sigh woefully, and read with added industry. Elsa suddenly throws herself back in her chair, with a little sighJ\ 56 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECE. ELSA. I m so happy ! [This makes Curio sigh in great distress. He rises as if to go.~] CURIO. Hap py ! [Curio crosses in front of table left and goes to center, as if he intended to leave by door right. Elsa starts to bury her head in some fancy work which she has taken from the table, and applies herself to same assiduously. Curio pauses and looks at her.~\ You are happy, are you? Well, Fm just miserable. [A slight pause] [Elsa seems to think that there is a great deal to do on the fancy work, all of a sudden. He gazes at her and finding that she won t answer him, takes a sudden interest in the flowers on the table. Goes behind table, smells of the flowers, remarking] : Aren t they beauties ? [Elsa nods her head without looking at him.] [Curio goes to chair right of table and sits down thoughtfully trying his best to pave the way towards a reconciliation] Keally, now do you know, Elsa I some times think [Elsa looks up and laughs.] Oh! really, now I DO think, sometimes. I m not al ways that gay but that I have my sober moments, like the rest, and ugly sober moments they are, too, believe me. [Laughs good-naturedly] Well, then, I won t say that I think I ll just say I fancy. Just to PLEASE you. ELSA. "Please," that s better. [Goes to work again.] CURIO. [With thoughtful animation] I fancy [At this moment Elsa seemingly, by accident, tears her embroidery work. She gives an involuntary exclamation and rises and goes to the center.] ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 57 ELSA. [Poutingly] How aggravating! Now you see what you ve done; you ve gone and made me that nervous that Fve torn what I ve been working on for the last month. [Stamps her feet and turns her back on him] Oh ! CURIO. [Quietly, yet seriously, with a touch of emotional com edy] El sa ! Just fancy that my heart is that delicate piece of finery that you hold in your hands, yes perhaps you smile, but nevertheless, it is just as apt to be torn by those same hands that have torn it. [A moment s pause] Yeu will mend IT, why not mend my heart, likewise? It is woman s tender office to come with her love as with her needle and thread no! I m not joking; and sew up the little places the grief rends made by the rude buf feting of the world, "and, ELSA. [Continues in the same tone as used by him, but adds to it a feeling of womanly pride] And sometimes we make the rent worse don t we? and sometimes we tear the work out of spite. [Crosses to the right.] CURIO. [Follows her and with manliness continues her thought] Yes, and sometimes the seamstress gets caught, too ! ELSA. [Turns round to him and laughs] Really? [Moves near table right and waves a rose at him, chang ing her tone as she does so] Won t you have a ROSE? [emphasizes the word rose.] CURIO. [Very near her] I will, with pleasure! ELSA. [As she is about to give it to him, some of the thorns prick her fingers. She gives a little cry of pain. Crosses to center] Oh! 58 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. CURIO. [Follows tenderly] Oh, did it hurt? Fm so sorry! .... Poor . . hand ! . . . . ELSA. [As his pity grows so does the pain] Oh! CURIO. [Taking her hand] Poor little hand! [She turns away as if she knew what was coming. He to kes a ring from out of his pocket and places it on her finger.] [Continuing with delicious humor] Is. .it. .better. . now? ELSA. [Blushes] [Nods her head] [Kisses the ring looks up laughingly into his face and says softly and with warmth] : Yes. [Elsa and Curio embrace.] ELSA AND CURIO. Ah! CURIO. Ah, you make me happy, so happy! ELSA. So am 7. [Elsa extricates herself from his embrace and goes to the stool in front of the table which is down right. He is indeed happy, but in a roguish mood up to any sort of mischief she likewise is overflowing with spontaniety and good spirits, and taps the carpet with impatience, tak ing a pleasure in showing him her dainty little foot.] Do you know aught of the Lord Roland and the Lady Hildegunde? Do you believe that they love each other, or are they only friends? CURIO. I do not know. Love is a "LIFE" story; and friendship is a sort of carrier-pigeon to love and just like a carrier- ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 59 pigeon, friendship flies away and comes back with a little billet-doux around its neck. [As he delivers this speech, he advances toward her and looks at her out of the corners of his eyes merrily.] ELSA. [Clasping her hands together, enraptured with his ex planation] Oh, please don t stop ! CURIO. [Half smiling to himself as if appreciating his own glibness] Well then, I will tell you, and possibly my dis course will give you the whole course of love. Now. it is my idea that the first thing a man does is to lay siege to a woman s heart. At the door of that heart stand two sen tinels; one is called "HOPE," the other, "FEAR." When the lover defeats these two, he reaches passion s sea. That s the time delicious the best of all just before the avowal ! ELSA. What of THAT? CURIO. THAT is the first chapter in the story of love. He tells her how true is his love ! He speaks to her words, words that she has starved all her life to hear ! He whispers in her ear how much he loves her, the air she breathes, the very ground upon which she walks. [He watches the ef fect of his words upon her.] ELSA. [Wonderingly] Is it all HIM is there nothing of "HER"? CURIO. Her? [Raising his eyebrows] Well, she s a little, de ceitful, sparkling-eyed, pouting-lipped, dimple-cheeked lit tle devil, and ELSA. And? [Raising her eyebrows] CURIO. And she just makes his heart rise to blood heat ! 60 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. ELS A. [Musingly] What s the second chapter in your "LIFE" story ? CURIO. [Growing more serious watching her more closely] [Takes on an air of retrospection} That is the sublime mo ment in both their lives. It comes only once. He, who has plucked the fair flower, now describes to that flower tUc Infinitude of Love; he tells her that the love in his heart is of God born, and, with a sigh, and a kiss, says he to her, the path to Paradise lies on her lips. ELS A. [Following him closely] What, .would. .YOU. .say. .if YOU the lover were? [Looks into his eyes longingly.] CURIO. This. There is no purer fame than the love a man bears to a good woman everything else in life is a mere trifle compared to a man s love and a woman s. In life, love is everything; ambition nothing. Love is unlike ambition, from this standpoint, that it does not die in the casket, that it does not breathe the baleful air of corrup tion. True love is no heir to Mortality s last resting- place. It rises like a captive from the darkness of death, breathing the dreamful song of Heaven. [A sigh of con tent escapes from the lips of Elsa.] ELSA. [Satisfied] Ah, if you would only say that to me! [Al most under her breath.] CURIO. [Grows suddenly cold and diplomatic] [Comes slowly over to her and adds with a touch of solemnity] : That was the second chapter the third, and last is marriage. My friends tell me that once they have a thing they grow tired of it, and as for myself, it is MY opinion that the whole charm of love lies in the courting, and what comes after merely bores one. ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 61 ELSA. [Gives him a look of scorn; becomes motionless and says, almost between her teeth] : BRUTE! [Leaves him abruptly, goes to door right; stands there, looks at him with an air of a great lady, and with a pro nounced haughteur says] : Sir ! s i r ! I scorn thee ! [Stamps her foot, exits abruptly through door right] CURIO. [He keeps his equanimity until she is off the stage, then breaks out into a low laugh and mimics her tone] "Sir! S i r ! I scorn thee !" [He laughs at the recollec tion] [First stops and puts his hands to his chin, then points with his finger] Woman a volcano. A volcano a woman. "Sir, I scorn thee I" [Laughs again] Pshaw ! a waiting maid a waiting maid. It was my idea that I should marry a princess of the blood Eoyal. Ah ! Fm a fool! [Reasons with himself] Suppose that I were married I know I would get tired looking at the same woman 9 11 the time; the best thing I can do is to drive in single har ness; still, marriage isn t half bad when you look at it in the right light it has its good points, too. [He thinks very hard, then with decision, goes towards door and says abruptly] Yes, I m going to chance it I m going to do it just for a change! [He laughs is about to leave by door right; during the meantime in the hesitancy of his decision, Hildegunde and Beatrice have entered from main entrance center.] HILDEGUNDE. [Near center door] Curio ! [ This arrests his depart ure.] [Beatrice down left.] CURIO. [Turns politely towards Hildegunde and bows] Madam ? HILDEGUNDE. I promised to hear you read from your book. 62 ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. CURIO. You had that goodness, madam. It is more out of the kindness of your heart, than any merit of mine, I can as sure you. BEATRICE. [Pleasantly] He s modest is he not? CURIO. No, that I m not; call it being just. It is the really great who are modest. HILDEGUNDE. [Going left] Well, will you read? Have you your book handy? We will ourselves judge of its merit. CURIO. [Coming center] First, will you grant me a favor? [Hildegunde shows signs of vexation.] [Apologetically] It s only a trifle I ask you see I m in love. [Beatrice laughs lightly] Oh, pray, don t, don t offend my feelings. [Aesthetic manner] I possess a very delicate organism. HILDEGUNDE. I m sure Beatrice is very sorry if she has hurt your feelings. You have our permission to retire. [With inter est] Stay, do you really love this woman? CURIO. [Stops midway near the exit and comes back to center and speaks with enthusiasm] Ah, madam, you never could know how much I love her. SHE sits in my heart like a little bird. All day long this little bird sings such lovely little songs [Stops and adds with a sigh] Oh! I love her handsomely, devotedly. HILDEGUNDE. [Kindly] I wish you all the joy you can wish. ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 63 CURIO. [To the right of the table and on the right side of the stage] A thousand thanks. [Bows.] HILDEGUNDE. [Crosses to right. She arranges flowers on table] If you should happen to see David on your way, give him word of us. CURIO. Your wishes are my commands. [Slowly retires bows and exits] Madam, I have the honor ! HILDEGUNDE. [With a languid yawn] Ah ! BEATRICE. [Lightly] Don t you think people are happier when they haven t as much as we have? Take, as an example, the fool who has just left us HILDEGUNDE. Yes. He s much happier than we are they ALL are there is nothing that we can call our own. [She laughs bitterly.] BEATRICE. [With sympathy] No not even our hearts. HILDEGUNDE. No, not even our hearts ! BEATRICE. [Goes towards Hildegunde and speaks with self-con tained vitality and as if thoroughly convinced of ivJiat she says] Hildegunde, you are mad absolutely mad. If I were in your place what wouldn t I do for the man I love ! I have never had the chance you have it and you let it slip by. No one ever thought that my heart was worth winning. [Tenderly] Let me live my love in yours oh, if you only would Cousin, I bid you go to the man you love. 64 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. HILDEGUNDE. [Sadly] It is too late ! BEATRICE. Why not forget everything your father worldly opin ion go to arms of .your lover. Your father raised you from childhood, and why did he do it, pray? [Enter David, center } [Hildegunde and Beatrice do not see him. He stands listening. ] Have you ever asked yourself that question? No. Do not let your father use you. [Hildegunde sits during this speech. Her head has been resting in her hands; when Beatrice finishes she looks up.] HILDEGUNDE. You forget I am only a woman ! Oh, if I had the strength of a man ! ! DAVID. Here I am I am here ! The blind have ears [Hildegunde and Beatrice are surprised and turn to wards David. ] HILDEGUNDE. But what can YOU do ? DAVID. Child, tis my music that will give you strength. [David walks down stage slowly. Beatrice leads him to chair left of the table on the right. David sits. Beatrice goes up stage to bring David a small harp. Hildegunde crosses to him and takes him by the hand.} HILDEGUNDE. It was only yesterday, David, that you said you pitied me. DAVID. I forget did I ? [Beatrice comes down stage, with harp, crosses and sits left.] [Hildegunde stands meanwhile. ] ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 65 HILDEGUNDE. Yes, yes, you did. You pitied me; Fm in need of it now. [Hildegunde kneels, David caresses her.] They say that love feeds on music. It it not so, David ? DAVID. It has been said, child, by many wise heads and poets of long ago. HILDEGUNDE. Then play something I m in need of such music. [Beatrice has crossed during this scene and now gives David the harp. Hildegunde falls into a reverie. David plays. Beatrice, influenced by the music, walks up to table left of center door. She relaxes into a poetical attitude. Music ceases. Hildegunde sighs. Beatrice comes down slowly to left center.] [Absentmindedly sings this snatch of an old English ballad, in a quaint way~] : "Once I kissed Sir Roland beneath the greenwood tree; Once I kissed Sir Roland s mouth, before he married me." [She laughs vacantly] [Beatrice grows attentive. David relapses into thought.] [Speaks as if to herself] No ! I shall not marry him ! BEATRICE. [Comes to Hildegunde s left. Touches her slightly on the shoulder. Hildegunde starts out of her reverie.] Whom? HILDEGUNDE. The Count Falkenstein. BEATRICE. You were accursed else. Love those who love us, and, from what you say, Roland is a man to love. [Hildegunde weeps silently] Do not weep ! HILDEGUNDE. [Sadly and with deep feeling] What are tears anyway when the heart is breaking? The pity of it, Beatrice, 66 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. the pity of it! Here, in this house, a prisoner, because one loves. I saw him only this morning I came home thinking soon to see him again and now all doors are barred against me. [Sarcastic ] My father s locked me in but he can t lock the doors of my soul, no, he can t do that; my soul, that is free, thank God. [She crosses down left] To think that even the birds breathe a sweeter air than we do. Oh, God ! why can t we be a little happy while we have the chance? Death comes so soon Heaven knows this life is but a minute in the world s ten thousand years. They say that Nature in her goodness deals kindly with us poor souls, and I know in my heart that it s all a- lie, a living lie a lie. [Breaks out and sobs. Sinks down with exhaustion on chair, right. ] [A pause.] [Dietrich has entered meanwhile from door left. He comes into the room a little way, stands there and takes in the situation. ] DIETRICK. Hildegunde! What ails you, my child? You do not answer me? Have you no welcome for your father, or is he then your father no longer? HILDEGUNDE. [Turns and spealcs to David] I want you to sing for my father the verses that I ve composed in his honor. I am sure they will please him. Indeed, I m very sure ! Play, David, it is my wish. DAVID. [Sings and plays.] Alas ! Tis true that stern ambition Is but a child of moulded clay, And that love doth reign forever; God be blessed, right has its day. He is not who wields the scepter The brightest gem, the richest stone, Tis he with soul as pure as crystal, That forms the basis of HIS throne ! ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 67 [During this song Hildegunde and her father gaze at each other. Beatrice to one side. In the look of Hilde gunde there is pride. Dietrich s face shows cold penetra tion.] [A pause.] DIETRICK. THIS is the welcome you have prepared for me ? 7, who am your father! HILDEGUNDE. Is it not a lovely welcome? [Naively ] Could you want for a better? See, father, I welcome you in music Rome could not have done more for Caesar. Music brought tears to the eyes of the redoubtable Julius, why, then, will it not bring tears to yours? Surely you axe as great a man as he was ! Still, it does not seem to please you ; come, a dance a dance play, play a dance a dance. [Busi ness of joyousness ] DIETRICK. [Deeply to himself] This from my own flesh, my own blood ! Hilda let us have more of those kind of verses I, I like them. [He laughs low and cynically ] Perhaps you don t know it, but I myself am some what of a poet a trifle tragic I admit but still, somewhat of a poet. I write hymns [Pointedly] I think Fll write you one that ll make your blood curdle yes, that very same blood that you ve got from me from me. [Hildegunde laughs lightly, endeavoring to hide her fear.] [Beatrice up center.] HILDEGUNDE. Do you REALLY think so? DIETRICK. [Ironically] Y e s! I REALLY do. HILDEGUNDE. [Turns on him savagely] Never! 68 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. DIETRICK. [Shrugs his shoulders] Tut! I expected that BUT, my dear, my obedient child there are MEA.NS ! HILDEGUNDE. [With nobility of feeling] YES, there are means, means to be great in soul, to hold converse with one s God ; those are means you know nothing about, cruel father that you are ! Let me tell you, there are worse things than death ! DIETRICK. [Breaking out passionately ] Yes yes marriage, and to beget daughters like YOU ! [Advances to center] Yes YOU, with all your fine discrimination your moods like the air one blows through a pipe. [Imitates her in a mocking tone] "I would have music, David I" One would imagine you were somebody ! You ! [Loses control of himself] This is MY castle. [Makes a sweeping gesture with his hand] These are MY serv ants, the very garments you wear are mine what would you be but for me? Ingrate! Through me you know what you know. It is my own gold that laughs at me now. [Fiercely] Do you hear me? I own you, body and soul all, ALL! I own you and I ll do with you what I like ; understand me I am King in my own Castle ! BEATRICE. [Comes down from center, between Dietrick and Hilde- gunde] [Dietrick backs to left. Hildegunde right. Da vid in chair left of table right] [Interrupts with a cour tesy and burlesques him] Your Majesty ! Your Majesty ! [Bowing.] DIETRICK. [Controlling himself] Ah, ha, my little subject, with you, too, there will be a day of reckoning. Have no fear I ll rid myself of all of you your clowns your sick musicians your servants your. . . . HILDEGUNDE. Stop ! What you have to say, say it against me. May ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 69 Heaven forgive me for what I am about to do. Would that David were my father instead of you ! [Picture.] [Dietrich, overcome, sinks in chair.] DIETRICK. [Deeply distressed] Good God! [Pause ] DAVID. [Addressing Hildegunde] Don t talk that way, no mat ter how full of sorrow your soul might he. He is your blood father; before the world he is more to you than I am. Blood is thicker than water ; still, were you my own child, I could not love you more than I do now. [Hildegunde strokes David s head] [Off right the voices of children are heard] [Beatrice moves from center to door right] [Dietrich still seated, left] [The voices of the children grow in volume as they approach] [Cue for their entrance just after "I DO NOW."] [Enter a little boy and a little girl, simply but neatly dressed. As they step into the room, they turn back to wards the other children on the outside, and putting their fingers to their lips, say, "SH ! SH !" They advance towards Hildegunde] [Each carries a bunch of flowers] LITTLE GIRL. Mother sent you these flowers, dear lady. [Courtesying] HILDEGUNDE. How sweet! Thanks, thanks! LITTLE BOY. [Shyly] These, too! HILDEGUNDE. Thank you, my little man ! [Hildegunde kneels on one knee and continues in a motherly tone] And how is your mother, children? 70 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. [The rest of the characters on the stage pay their re spective interest in this scene according to their rank. The mind of each character remains in the same state as before the entrance of the children.] LITTLE GIRL. The doctor says mother is much better, thanks to God s will and your kindness, dear lady. HILDEGUNDE. And do you pray to HIM, EVERY NIGHT ? LITTLE GIRL. Yes! [Shaking her head] Because mother says if I didn t my soul wouldn t go to Heaven. HILDEGUNDE. [With a broken voice, but with an attempt to smile, and occasionally looking towards her father, as if speaking to him, although addressing the children ] When you pray to-night, pray a little for me, too. I need your prayers. LITTLE GIRL. I always pray for you, because I like you. [Hildegunde looks pleased] [Hildegunde seats herself on chair right.] HILDEGUNDE. Now, then, little ones, come and sit upon my lap. [They do so] When you little people grow to be big people like us, you ll have to go out into the big world and every one in the big world is very, very hard. [She stares into vacancy and her voice falters] Some do good for others, some only for themselves ! LITTLE BOY. We ll do good for others, won t we, sister? LITTLE GIRL. Yes! [Shaking her head.] Because mama says if we do, we ll go to Heaven ! ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 71 HILDEGUNDE. [Addressing the girl] Yes, that s right. [Addressing the boy] Never forget that it was your mother who suffered most to bring you here. If ever you see some one else s sister who is weak and helpless, try and remember, you, too, had a sister. A good deed is a star in Paradise ! [Turning to the girl] And you, sweet child, try and re member that a woman s lot is patience. It s a woman destiny to shape another s future, to bend to her wish that which bends to naught else on earth. Now then, I m going to give each of you a kiss and say good-bye. There [As she places them on the floor.] [Little girl and boy run towards door, waving good-bye.] [Calling after them] Tell your mother I ll visit her soon ! [Hildegunde moves to door, watching them as they go, and listening to their good-byes.] Just think that some day, they, too, will know what it is to love! DIETRICK. [He rises, stands looking at Hildegunde with a passive countenance] Hil de gunde. HILDEGUNDE. [Looking off as before] They will feel what I feel; their little hearts will beat faster when they hear the name of the one they love, as mine does 1 DIETRICK. [As before] Hilde gunde. HILDEGUNDE. [Turns half way round, with a sigh] Did you call me, father? DIETRICK. Yes, child, I did call you! My time is precious. I must soon leave you ! 72 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. HILDEGUNDE. [Goes to him with no trace of the struggle just over] [Very sweetly] But father, I would rob you of your time only to amuse you! [Pleadingly] Now, do please sit down; David will play and I will sing, and we ll have Curio to recite some thing. What s your favorite tune, father? DIETRICK. [Dwelling upon the words, like the voice of Fate] My time is precious ! HILDEGUNDE. [With a touch of old-world politeness; very gravely] [This is done as if by an actress in the brilliant, old, court- dress comedies] Father, even if you were a King, you could not pay me a higher compliment than you have just done; your time, being, as you say, so very precious to you, you deign to honor ME with your society. It shows me that I m not without some fascination, and my heart is glad ! Ah ! it is exceedingly kind of you, dearest father ! DIETRICK. [Looks quizzically at her] M m m Yes ! [Hold ing his chin] [Beatrice who is up center, pushes the portieres aside,pre- tends to enjoy the scenery without. The audience get a better glimpse of the surrounding country. Beatrice is apparently absorbed in contemplation of said scenery] BEATRICE. What a beautiful view ! [Languidly] Shall we go out for a walk, Hildegunde? HILDEGUNDE. No, I m afraid not father says that I am ill, or seems to think so. [Laughs sarcastically] He has posted his numerous physicians at my doors. No, Beatrice, I think I ll stay indoors and read. [She goes up right and opens bookcase and pretends to look for a congenial book.] ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 73 DIETRICK. It seems that you are blessed with the happy faculty of turning what is black into what is white ; now, I want you to answer a question that I m going to put to you ; it must be answered "yes" or "no;" there is no middle course. HILDEGUNDE. [Turning round ] That depends what the question is. DIETRICK. Well, will you do as I say will you marry the man I want you to marry ? I think you had better put that book down. It s not an idle question, you can readily see. HILDEGUNDE. [Very -frankly} Of course it s not an idle question, but I like the book more than the question. Yes, it s true most every woman must answer it one time or another. DIETRICK. I find you in a sensible frame of mind. You will have the pleasure of seeing him to-night. HILDEGUNDE. Who, father? DIETRICK. Him \Looks at her } Your husband, that is to be. HILDEGUNDE. Oh, so, my husband eh? indeed, how very delight ful ! Tell me, father, is he a handsome man ? DIETRICK. Very, my child. HILDEGUNDE. [Dreamily} And his voice, father, is that rich and beautiful ? DIETRICK. It is tuneful, as far as I can judge. 74 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. HILDEGUNDE. [Enthusiastically ] Oh, I do like a voice that is full of music; don t you, David? [Addressing David.] DAVID. I do, if it s true music, not artificial, and the heart of the man is good ! HILDEGTJNDE. [To David] That s just what I think. [To Dietrich] And his face, father, is it interesting? I mean, con tern plative? DIETRICK. I think our views differ on that subject. HILDEGTJNDE. I wanted to know, although it doesn t matter, because, I like a dreamy face I think all women do. And his hair what shade is that? DIETRICK. Black I think. HILDEGUNDE. How fortunate I am. Father, you have my taste ex actly ! Black is my favorite color. [She sighs her mood changes] [She goes over to David and places her right hand on his shoulder very gently] So many people are busied about ambition ambition to rule, lust for power, that with insatiable desire they forget their God. In this world there are so many beautiful objects, but they are painted devils in disguise, that draw us from God; but there are those in this world, who know the worth of each, that do not despise the treasures of thrift, still are they above being slaves of gold. I am one of these. Money is very good in its place never to be thought lightly of, but happiness is what money can never buy. THE WOMAN WHO MARRIES WITH HER EYES OPEN, A RICH MAN, AND ONLY FOR HIS MONEY, IS THE MOST MISERABLE, MOST PITI- ARLE OBJECT IN THIS WORLD ! I will not be that woman, father. ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 75 DIETRICK. [Agha-st] What! You have been making a fool out of me, in my own house ! You dare ! HILDEGUNDE. [Cold and passionate] I dare anything! DIETRICK. [Boiling inwardly] I ll bend and break you ! [A pause.] [Gains control of himself] Then you will not do, I see, as I wish you to in this matter. HILDEGUNDE. [Cold; in the same politic strain as used by her father] No! DIETRICK. [Smoothly] I would persuade you to. HILDEGUNDE. [Very erratic] [Her face flushed with excitement] You would find that a waste of words. [Breaking out pas sionately] Oh, how I wish you d leaye me ! DIETRICK. [Not ruffled in the slighest] Now, suppose, I were to say to you that I am very glad that you love this man, Eoland. HILDEGUNDE. Your lips could not form the words. DIETRICK. Only supposition, I assure you supposition, merely that but just suppose for instance, it were a question of this man s life would you save it? HILDEGUNDE. [Nonplussed appearance of calm but inwardly hysteri cal] There is no question of that. 76 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. DIETRICK. I was only thinking how lucky some men are. I m pos itive that there is no man who would willingly lay down his life for me, and yet, here is a man, you, or perhaps others, would die for. How strange ! [Wonderingly.] [This takes him up left. He pretends to leave] I think I shall retire into the privacy of my apartments and set me up a glass, wherein I may see mine own image and prove to mine own satisfaction, how it is, and why it is I mean the reason of it why some one will die for some one else for the love of it, for the love of it as they seem so anxious to do in the case of of this this [Turning to Hildegunde] What is his name? HILDEGUNDE. [Her throat dry] Roland, so please you, sir. DIETRICK. Oh, yes, I had quite forgot the name. I thank you, in deed I do. HILDEGUNDE. These are very fine words. What is it you mean ? DIETRICK. [Graciously] Pray, be seated; Fll explain it s a habit I have if I receive a kindness I always like the pleasure of returning it the old story, "you kiss me on one cheek, I kiss you on the other." Y-e-s ! I think we will have David play us a wedding march yes ; I M PRETTY SURE IT WILL BE A WEDDING MARCH ! HILDEGUNDE. [Stands like a statue ] Is he your prisoner? DIETRICK. Oh, don t be so severe. No, he s not that; he s merely detained, that s all. You re a trifle harsh ! HILDEGUNDE. What do you intend doing? ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 77 DIETRICK. [A pause, in which their eyes meet] Will you marry Count Falkenstein? [Coldly, questioningly and smiling to himself] I think I have your consent, eh ? [A pause.] DAVID. [With prophecy in his voice] Patience, my child ! I m blind, yet sometimes I see things that are not for the eyes of man! Wait, wait and hope! DIETRICK. [Laughs mockingly] That s it, wait, wait and hope. [With a touch of unctuousness] Take the good man s ad vice I assure you it will do you no harm. HILDEGUNDE. [TF/io has been watching him intently, adds with a touch of firmness] I I don t believe you ! DIETRICK. [At first astonished their eyes meet flashing light ning]. [He goes up to her slowly, then with suppressed and hissing rage, says, with both hands extended] : You say this to me again and I ll bring you his head ! HILDEGUNDE. [Recoils from him with her hand over her face as if struck by a blow. Her whole being shudders, and she speaks in the tone of a woman who has undergone much suffering] You must spare me you must you must! No, I do not doubt your word I do not; you see me I am quite quite calm. You have won, but you must be merciful you must you will you will ! Give me time in which to think time. [Repeats to herself] Time to think, only to think! DIETRICK. [Interrupting her] [He speaks in a composed and even tone, with no trace of emotion. Does not look at her, his eyes are turned upward] I want you to marry this man, 78 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. Falkenstein, because I wish it. Everything shall be yours ; the alternative is you will see the man you love tortured before your very eyes. If you do as I say, he shall be free. [A pause. } HILDEGUNDE. [Suppresses her sobs and draws herself up proudly turning to her father slowly and with the air of a queen dismissing a subject] Tell them to set him free. I give you my word. DIETRICH. [Advances a step and bows ] Let me be the first to con gratulate you. Farewell, until to-night. [When he goes out there is a pause, a pause of realiza tion.] [Beatrice comes slowly up to her with her face full of mute inquiry mingled with awe. Hildegunde answers them both there are no heroics in her voice, simply childish in nocence and strength, the calm and majesty of approaching death, coupled with the strength of a soul bowed down in sorrow. ] HILDEGUNDE. Y-e-s ! It shall be done ! I shall marry him, then I shall marry death ! Yet, mighty that narrow space twixt slumber and strife; tis a realm of rest for ALL. [Her right hand limply laid on David s shoulder. Beatrice turns her face away and cries softly to herself.] [With resignation] God s will be done! CURTAIN. THE FOURTH ACT ACT IV. Stage set in the same way as Act 2. [Enter Elsa.] She carries under one arm a well- filled basket, containing an assortment of dainties,, a few bottles of red wine, glasses, etc. These articles are sent by Hilde- gunde to the mother of the two children who appeared in the preceding act. Elsa has led Curio a lively chase through the woods. She pauses in this place to laJce a much needed rest. She sinks down breathlessly on a near by boulder.] ELSA. Pshew ! I m out of breath. Oh ! if men only knew the half of what we women think of them they would be a thousand times bolder than they are. They don t I m sorry to say that s just the worst part of it ! They think we re all angels. [Laughs merrily. ] [Enter Curio. He steals up behind her, unseen by her. ] Oh, the rogues I DO wish they would wake up and be alive. [With secret mirth, permeated with coquetry] I could just love a whole regiment of them. CURIO. [Dryly] What did you say about the men, eh? ELSA. [Turns quickly surprised] You you were listen ing? CURIO. [Dry humor] Oh, I heard! [To be said with a rising inflection.] 82 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. ELSA. Say you won t be angry with me ! CURIO. Angry not in the least! In fact I was never angry in my life. [Elsa seats herself as before. ] Do you mind my asking a question? I have decided to ask you whether you will marry me. Will you? ELSA. [In a teasing mood] I haven t quite decided whether I will or not. However don t despair there s a possibility of success [Curio advances eagerly. ] Some day. CURIO. Oh, be assured, I ll not despair ! [Curio goes to basket, takes a bottle of wine and says: May I? [Before Elsa has time to answer in the negative, he re cites in a light-hearted manner, the following verse from the old Persian poet] : "Oh, come with old Khayyam, and leave the wise To talk ; one thing is certain, that life flies ; One thing is certain, and the rest is lies; The flower that once is blown, forever dies." That s it, Elsa, Khayyam was right. "Eat, Drink and Be Merry for To-morrow We Die." [Pours wine into glass.~\ Here s to the wine! Spark ling wine ! Rich wine ! Ruby wine ! Blood of the moun tain ! Source of ALL joy ! [He drinks. } [Continues in a different strain.] "Here s to YOU and ME, dear Lassie ONLY You and ONLY Me May we ever love each other Love each other truthfully. Here s to YOU ONLY You and ONLY Me." ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 83 [He takes another drink and totters somewhat, then steadies himself. He is very much overheated. ] A kiss come, a kiss, dear Lassie ! Let me twine mine arms around you, until my soul melts on your lips! My heart is full of love ! Come come while the blood is warm and the heart is true! Come! Live to-day, to morrow, too Come come. Withdraw the cork from bottled pleasure, and ALL, ALL will be JOY, JOY, now and forever ! [Endeavors to embrace her passionately. ~\ ELSA. [Repulsing him] Cu rio! CURIO. [Out of breath. ] [He has caught her and kissed her on the lips. ] [She struggles to free herself from his embrace. ] [Naively] My dear/ [To be said with a rising inflection.] [Enter Roland.] [He goes up center.] [His mood is sad and melancholy.] [His hair disheveled.] ELSA. [Breathless and still struggling to free herself] Let me fo let me go, I say no, no, you shall not, you shall not iss me ! My lips are for my husband. ROLAND. [Steps down stage angrily] How dare you ! I d kill a man who gives offense to any woman in my presence. [Curio releases her and recovers himself.] CURIO. I m afraid you do not know the &ex as well as I. This is the kind of "offense" they like. It s of a pleasurable sort. ROLAND. [He looks at Curio coldly and with his eye measures him from top to toe] I ll not waste words on such as you! But bear this in mind. What is there good in woman to be loved, when only that which makes her so, has left her ? 84 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. It is her innocence that man should revere ! I have learned that lesson YOU, and every man, who is a man, should learn it also. [Roland goes up stage and takes his stand in a pictures que attitude looking off towards right. ] ELSA. [Down left. Repeats, as if to herself] : "And every man, who is a man, should learn it also." Ah ! [Sighs, as if to herself.] How lucky SHE will be! [Looks towards Roland.] CURIO. [Soberly, as if to himself] Some men are BORN good men; some, knaves; some, become knaves from choice. It all ends in one way SMOKE. Each a puff of wind. I have tried to be a good man, but the Great Stage Manager thought otherwise; thought me better in the other part. [Deeply] A fool, a knave. [Elsa watches him. Curio pauses.] [Without looking at her] Elsa? ELSA. Yes? [Questioningly.] CURIO. Come here. ELSA. Yes? [Elsa goes to him.] CURIO. Elsa. Tell me. ELSA. What? CURIO. Do you know a remedy for love? [Elsa nods her head in token of assent.] What, Elsa ? ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 85 ELSA. To be loved by the one you love. [Curio laughs.} CURIO. Tell me. ELSA. What? CURIO. Do you know a remedy for sorrow? [Elsa again nods in assent.] CURIO. What, Elsa ? ELSA. Let me see Sorrow, being a cat, it has nine lives. Do with sorrow as you would with a cat drown it ! CURIO. [Laughs] You re right, Elsa. Wine, wine death to cat sorrows; eh, Elsa? Ha, Ha, Ha Wine, Elsa, wine [He drinks again] I alvays sed that you vas pruty ; very, very pruty ; he, he, he, ha, ha, ha I luf you; I luf you; I do. [He rushes around after her. She tries to avoid him.] [Roland, who has been watching the surrounding coun try, casts his eyes upon the drunken Curio. Roland comes down from where he is.] ROLAND. Shame upon you ! Shame upon you ! Have you no re spect for yourself or for others? CURIO. Ha, ha, ha [Turns to Roland in wonderment] Thou art turned PREACHER ! Ha, ha he, he [Roland looks contemptuously at him and walks away in disgust.] Ha ha ha He vould like to have you himself, but he can t because I luf you. I want to kiss you and hug you tight. [He rocks with drunken and idiotic laughter^] 86 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. He chases her about the stage and sinks down in a con venient spot, exhausted. [Bugle call heard off left. The sound comes from the Rolandseck side of the river, the side that the stage repre sents. The auditor hears the drum-call "to arms," distant commands, etc. ] [ON STAGE.] [KOLAND on elevation up center, deeply interested in what is taking place. CURIO, place where he fell, with a glad drunk, rapidly approaching forgetfulness. ELBA watches Roland. She does not know whether to go or stay.] [OFF STAGE.] Desultory firing from right far in the distance. It is Roland s out-posts being pressed backward by the enemy. Sharp, decisive bugle call heard off left. This is from Roland s camp sound of sabers, etc. Enter from left a trooper. Before he enters you hear the hoof beats of his horse, and when the horse comes to a standstill; he has dismounted outside and then entered, laboring under great excitement.] TROOPER. [To Roland] It is the Count Falkenstein, who is driv ing back our advanced post at Godesberg. [Giving mil itary salute.] ROLAND. [Commandingly] Signal our force that is across the river at Konigswinter, to march opposite Godesberg, as has already been decided upon leave a small guard there to destroy the ferry then, to cross with the main part of their force to Godesberg, and take the enemy in their rear. We shall attack them in front, with our main force; but for victory we must depend upon the party in their rear. Go lose no time for the heart and soul of glory is in a second s breath. TROOPER. [Saluting and backing out.] I humbly take my leave ! [Exit Trooper.] ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 87 [OFF STAGE.] Sharp blast from bugle off left. This is answered im mediately, by the sound of an answering bugle from the other side of the river. This signal and it s answer is in ac cordance with the orders of Roland.] [Enter from right Roland s hard-pressed pickets, slowly retreating before Falkenstein s advance. They seek the surrounding stones and trees for cover. One or two stagger in mortally wounded. All are fighting with the courage born of despair, contesting every inch of ground. Roland meanwhile has drawn his sword. He speaks to them from the depths of his manhood~\ : ROLAND. Courage, lads, courage ! A story with every bullet ! [The eyes of the retreating men seem glued upon the on coming foe. Roland s men grow weaker. Roland goes among them, endeavoring to cheer their spirits. ] [With passionate strength and deep feeling. ] For all that s dear to us For our sweethearts and our wives For that land of ours For that God of ours For us and for all time. Strike! STRIKE I STRIKE ! till the last drop of the blood of life has painted our German soil. Fight, lads FIGHT ! FIGHT ! [Off left the sound of marching men, drums, etc., are heard again.] [Enter from left large detachment of Ro land s men.] [Between the outpost retreating from right and the men who have just entered from left, continues, with concen trated enthusiasm] Look to your arms the enemy the foe is on the soil; we shall soon meet them eye to eye blade to blade. For us there is no DEATH only GLORY ! Twas on this sacred ground, my countrymen, that MY father, YOUR fathers, and those before them, lived as free men SHALL WE BE SLAVES? No! There is your 88 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. answer ! [Pointing off right towards enemy ] Tis LIB ERTY or DEATH ! Be the heart of freedom s sons in our voices as we cry "TO ARMS !" Forvarts ! For the grand Past and the bright Future 1 Forvarts ! The invader is on the soil ! Strike, swift and surely, for your green hills and rivers blue ! Strike for THE FATHERLAND ! [Decisively-] FORWARD MARCH ! ! ! The pickets who have retreated from the right, with a yell, bound forward to the charge, like tigers. Roland in the midst of all, encouraging and commanding. The yell is taken up by the detachment that had entered from the left. They all exit right. A steady volley from the enemy is heard off right. One in answer from Roland s men. Then desultory firing and other sounds of battle. ] \As the soldiers are leaving, Elsa runs up center and takes her position upon the rocky elevation there, waving her handkerchief.] [A Pause] [For effect. ] ELSA. [Speaking from where she is~] There he is brave as a lion. The music of the battle has made a giant of him. There, right in the midst of a garden of swords. They spring upon He s down ! They are fighting for his body ! [She turns away horrified] Oh, horrible, horrible ! [Roland is brought in by two soldiers, one on either side. He comes in backwards, his eyes turned towards the sounds of the battle. He has the semblance of being forced to re tire from the action. With gentle force they make him recline upon a boulder.] ROLAND. Leave me, friends! You re needed at the front! We can t spare the strength of even one good right arm ! FIRST SOLDIER. Let us remain with you; you need our aid. ROLAXD OF ROLANDSECK. 89 ROLAND. [As if fascinated] Yes, I need your aid! There, there, on the fighting line [Pointing] Tell your com rades there, with the blood from their left arms to make a bloody boundary, and defend it with their right ! Go ! FIRST SOLDIER. We leave you much against our will. [Exit soldiers.] ROLAND. Brave lads. [Soliloquizing]. World, thou art indeed much more than a name ! See ! how they are dealing death blows at one another, and for whom ME ! MB ! Ha, ha, ha ME ! A soldier of many dreams that s all ! [Change of mood] Oh, for the strength of ten men! f Turning away ivith a sigh] Ah ! the sight of so much in nocent blood sickens me. [He perceives for the first time Elsa] Pray, what do you there, little woman? Perhaps you do not realize it, but you re in danger where you are ! ELSA. [Coming doivn] Is it right to always think first of others ? You are wounded, too ! ROLAND. Slightly ! [Elsa starts to tear her apron, to be used as bandages. He talks during this action.] We advanced in the face of a merciless fire. I was stunned by a sudden blow from behind it felled me to the ground. My men thought that I was killed; both sides fought over my body at last I was saved from being crushed to death and here I am. ELSA. [Bandaging his head] I wish I were a man to fight like that ! ROLAND. Bravery is a hollow mockery, little woman ! How many men outlive the memory of their own generation! Who 93 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. will ever hear of me ? Nobody ! Those poor misguided fellows out there cut each other s throats, and enjoy it, too and who will ever hear of them? Nobody! But you, you women, with your pity your soothing, ministering touch your love tis you, and you alone, who are the sol diers of the Lord. [New mood] We men gamble with your lives and you women watch over us ! You forgive us our faults ; you praise us for virtues that we lack, and you ask from us no reward ; and when we give in return just one little word of kindness you smile sadly as if you knew, and say no word in return, only, your eyes are filled with joy ! [A pause.] [Elsa has finished bandaging his head, during the fore going speech. The fighting has grown less and less, but all of a sudden it increases in volume.] [Gratefully] Thank you. Do you think you could tell me what is taking place? [Elsa nods her head and does his bidding] [She goes up stage and mounts the rocky eminence as before. What do you see ? [A shout from off right. Cries of alarm, etc.] ELSA. Everything is in confusion ! Your soldiers have made the enemy retire ! ROLAND. [Becoming animated] Gallant lads ; I knew they would ! ELSA. They seem to be waiting for something [A volley off right.] The enemy are charging upon them. ROLAND. [Becoming more animated] Yes, yes. A OLAA 7 /) OF ROLAXDSECK. 91 ELSA. They stand fast no, they are breaking they are coming towards us, step by step, but always back; every inch a life. [Shouts heard off right as before, coming from Falken- stein s men.] ROLAND. [To himself] Oh, will it never end ? [To Elsa] I ve heard enough already ! This is my cue to die They ve given me my last part to play I shall do it well ! Come, little woman, save yourself while there is yet time tell your mistress for me that my last breath was for her tell her that before the end came, I had hoped in some way to have taken the place to-night of Falken stein that to-night she would have been my wife instead of his, but that God willed it otherwise. Bid her live, and forget a man who was not worthy of her. [He almost breaks down completely.] [A bugle call far off right sounding the charge. Roland listens and his face lights up with hope.] My God! What s that? [Elsa with lightning-like rapidity dashes up to the ele vation and looks off right with all her eyes.] ELSA. They re flying for their lives ! ROLAND. [Wildly] Who, who s flying, who ? ELSA. The enemy! ROLAND. [Sinks down exhausted; speaking out of the depths] Thanks be to Thee, Great Sovereign, thanks ! ELSA. They come this way. [Alonso enters, with his cheering followers.] 92 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. ROLAND. [Going to meet him takes his hand without speaking J\ [Picture. } Bravo, my friend. Twas well done ! ALONSO. [Turning to Mordecai, who ha-s entered with the rest and who has stood modestly to one side] I wish to point out to you a brave man. He did much to gain the vic tory. ROLAND. My hand. [H e offers if} [Mordecai takes it and says : MORDECAI. And your heart? ROLAND. They go together. [Continues ivith interest] Are you not a stranger to these parts ? MORDECAI. I am. I have no home, Sir Knight. There is no place I can call a home, except perhaps in the bosom of my persecutors there I have a place. [Roland s men group themselves round about, showing an interest in what is taking place.] ROLAND. Tell us of your name and country. MORDECAI. [Quietly] [With feeling] My name, Sir Knight? Once it was an honored one; that was many years ago now, alas, it s the poor smile-maker, the butt for scorn. I am of that race upon whose fallen splendor the Church of Christ has reared its mighty Citadel. [With a gesture of suffering, but with quiet naturalness] Misery ! How I ve grown to love thee! Thy place is here! Over me thou hast spread thy garment, till like the wandering caravan of the desert, I pause at some oasis, drinking greedily the ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 93 beautiful, soothing, crystal drops that wash the thirst away ! I do not know why, that of all men, I and my race, are treated as we are. You say, "because we are Jews." It is no fault of ours ! And is it a fault to be a Jew! No, Sir Knight! It is no fault to stand at bay against an overwhelming host, and to laugh at them all ! Ah, it s grand to laugh the world in the face to say to it, boldly, triumphantly as WE do [Subdued intensity] "World, thou hast no terrors for us, we stand alone, and die as we stand! What are your instruments of torture, made to tear and rack our bodies; they are good for naught, for we defy them all ! The more you crush us, the stronger grows our will ! WE LOVE GOD ! WHOM ELSE SHOULD WE OBEY? ROLAND. [From the depths of his soul] None else ! [As he has said this he has stepped forward and has grasped Mordecai s hand. This is done as if by impulse. They stand looking into each other s eyes. From the Con vent of Nonnenwerth is heard the sound of an organ, and a choir of sweet girlish voices. All on the stage listen in tently, each with different feelings. Some of the rude sol diers sink on one Icnee, one by one their caps are removed the music carries Mordecai away the music ceases; i. e., the voices first and then the music, with a few grand chords.] [NOTE The Convent of Nonnenwerth is on an island in the middle of the Rhine. It is a picturesque building dat ing back as far as the twelfth century.] [After the music ceases, there is a slight pause.] MORDECAI. [As if inspired] Oh, bountiful Providence still the copious pain ! Let the Godhead face the Kingdom of Eeconciliation ! One in All, All in One ! ! [Music in Orchestra.] [Mordecai becomes suddenly transfixed as if with hor ror.] 94 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. I hear the dreaded charge ! Heretic ! Heretic ! The rude awakening,, the thirsting stake, the fiendish yells, the piercing death cry, the fiery entry into the world beyond ! [He recovers somewhat, and draws himself up proudly to his full height.] A thousand winters we have fretted at the bit ! Kein, drawn tight, lash, fetted and unstrung its steely venom hath driven us asunder that once noble tribe, whose Cap tain was the Lord Jehovah ! [A film seems to pass over his eyes. He becomes for getful of his surroundings; as he conjures up to his mind s eye the suffering of his proud race] Scattered far o er the earth s face all for a deed of destruction committed long, long ago, when the world was barbarous and oppres sive ! Tens of thousands of lives, wearing the badge of misfortune dejected, wretched, gloomy; a band of endur ing martyrs; crucified, not once, but a thousand times; bleeding from many wounds; from those that call them selves Christians ! ROLAND. [Goes up to Mordecai and takes his hand kindly, almost fatherly. He looks him in the eye again ivith an un spoken God-like humanity, full of the milk of human kindness. There is a peculiar smile on Roland s face, one of suffering humility. Mordecai reads the message from Roland s eyes and with a sigh lets his head sink upon his breast. Roland continues for some time to look at his friend.] [Music is heard again from the Convent of Nonnen- werth. This time only beautiful chords music gradually dies away upon the breeze.] [Slowly] On that lovely music ascends our love to Heaven ! [That which he speaks next is a laconic soldier prayer] [All treat it as such] Please God, that some day, the souls of men join themselves together and blot out from the earth things that all mankind should shudder at. So says Roland. One God, one religion, one people ! ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 96 SOLDIERS. Amen. [A bugle call is heard from off right, also the tramp of marching men.] ROLAND. What is that noise, Alonso? ALONSO. Have you forgotten that we have taken some prisoners, Captain ? ROLAND. I had forgot the prize, but not the deed. ALONSO. [Smiling ] You are too kind ! ROLAND. What manner of man is he ? Does he wear his thoughts upon his sleeve, or is he a man full of hidden meaning tell me? ALONSO. He is deep, Captain; sullen, too. I had the pleasure of meeting him some years ago, and from what I knew of him then, I should judge him to be a man somewhat in clined towards rashness; still, you will find him cautious, no doubt. They tell me he nurses some great ambition and besides, I ve found him to be as cutting as the wind ROLAND. [Smiling] That passess harmlessly. [They both laugh] I thank you. I promise to be guided to some ex tent by your picture of the man in question, but see, he comes [Enter soldiers with Falkenstein] [The stage rapidly becomes filled with armed men. They form themselves into picturesque groups] [Falkenstein down right] [Ro land center] [Alonso a little to Roland s right] [Mor- decai left center, a little down stage] [Roland and Fal kenstein eye each oilier keenly, as if they could discern each other s thoughts.] 96 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. I m truly sorry that you are obliged to sup with me to night. Believe me, I do not speak disparagingly of your company, but I have in mind that it is due to no willing ness on your part that we meet as we do now. FALKENSTEIN. [A trifle sarcastic} I dine in pleasant company, I as sure you. ROLAND. I admit it is not as pleasant as in the society of the mpst lovely Hildegunde; but take us for all in all, we are a jo vial lot ; good fellows, I assure you a king could not wish for more ! FALKENSTEIN. [Coldly ] [With a touch of sarcastic defiance] All but yourself ! Nature made you a fool, and what Nature makes endures forever. ROLAND. [Smoothly, with sangfroid] Ah ! good Falkenstein, you do me wrong ; indeed, you do me wrong ! FALKENSTEIN. Nothing offends my eyes to a greater degree than your unworthy self. You mocker of liberty you dema gogue ! ROLAND. [Stroking his chin with his right hand and smiling to himself] Oh, so FALKENSTEIN. [Angered more ~by the manner of Roland] You vile snake ! You ROLAND. [As before] So, I am a snake, am I? [He laughs.] FALKENSTEIN. Yes, a snake ! A snake is a thing that creeps YOU creep. ROLAND. [Breaking out passionately] Aye, you fool; I am a snake, with you ; I creep like a snake, with YOU ! But be ware of my fangs; YOU [Pointing.] ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 97 FALKENSTEIN. Ha, ha your fangs Ha, ha ! ROLAND. Aye, I say my fangs ! [He puts his hand menacingly on his sword] You you would rob me of the woman I love, you; I ll tear your heart out! [Continues with re newed energy } YOU fool idiot knave! You come here as if by contract, as if she were some chattel to be bar tered for! [Continues sarcastically] You! You would spoil the unsullied jewel ! Would rob her of her richness her love! [Gives a terrible laugh and continues with fiery eloquence] Base, ignoble villain; death s too good dungeon a palace hell a paradise for such as YOU! [Falkenstein laughs coldly. Roland looks at him from top to toe.] Have you no shame! Have you no pity ! Is there nothing gentle in your breast nothing ! Are you made of stone? Answer me? [Roland s men make a motion as if to seize him] [Ro land stays his men, with a gesture.] [Composedly] No my friends forbear; this man is our prisoner; we must deal fairly with him, give him all the justice that is his due ! [To Falkenstein] See, even we outcasts have what we call a code of honor of our own. FALKENSTEIN. [With sarcasm] Such honor and manliness as you dis play would make pity accessible even to a heart of "stone." ROLAND. [With penetration] Is it your own heart you speak of? FALKENSTEIN. [Laughing lightly] No, my heart is of steel I wear it, always handy. [Touches his sword] Tis a good sword; at least others have said so. [Suggestively] [Roland ignores the suggestive remark.] 98 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. ROLAND. [Trying to become familiar] Come, Falkenstein, be fair with me; tell me for what purpose you came here; surely it was for something else than marrying a woman you ve never set eyes on? Come, tell me frankly will you? FALKENSTEIN. Frankly yes ! A man were a fool indeed to do kTight in this life, without a purpose in view; I love but to gain an end ! Fm not that man who resigns himself unto the dreary list of baffled aspirations; and so, since you have asked me, I ll tell you, and if I can gain this end through you, well and good; if not [8hrugs his shoulders ] Tis but a MASK this professed liberty ! [Roland s men make another and more violent move ment to attack Falkenstein. Roland divines their inten tion and stays them with his hand. The same hand used in this gesture falls with decision upon the hilt of his sword, and he fixes his eyes upon Falkenstein. Roland s men fall back and form a circle. Roland and Falkenstein draw swords. They circle round, their eyes fixed on each other like two wrestlers playing for a hold. Falkenstein comes to a stand.] Before we fight I beg of you but one brief moment perhaps it will be my last. It will do you no harm, and me, me, well, may be, just a little good. I have seen a strange light in your eyes, a light I have never seen in any man s before ; methinks it betokens no good for me ! I ve lived a reckless life, and this perhaps is a fitting close to it. The name of God has never passed my lips in years. [Eyes Heavenward.~\ I repent me of my sins and by my repentance may I merit a share of Your mercy ! [To Roland] I am ready, if you are ! [Pauses slightly.] Roland I acknowledge you to be a true gentleman; your cause, a glorious cause; would that I had known it sooner! And now, by your leave, we shall put our skill to the test ! ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 99 ROLAND. And by your leave, Sir Knight, I shall show you how a man battles for liberty and for the honor of the woman he loves ! [They salute and engage] [A fierce encounter ensues] [During this, first one then the other gets the better. Ro- land beats down Falkenstein s guard and runs him through. He stands over Falkenstein, after the deed is done, with something akin to pity.] [A pause] [Then Roland mo tions his men to carry the body away.] [With feeling] Give to him a soldier s burial. [Exit some with body of Falkenstein, borne in state. Slow music. Soldiers uncover their heads.] [Roland stands in the center of the stage, leans upon Jiis sword and looks into vacancy. All gather around him, waiting for him to speak] [A pause.] [Raises his head slowly and with a peculiar ring in his voice says : To-night, to-night ! CURTAIN. THE FIFTH ACT ACT V. SCENE 1. Public Square of Honnef. NOTE Honnef lies in a charming valley. The valley is surrounded by the Drachenfels, Wolkenburg and the Tree Clad Lowenberg. The lovely situation of the little town has won for it the name of "The Garden of the Seven Mountains/ In these days it had for its popula tion in the neighborhood of 5,000 inhabitants. In the days of which we write, the little town of Honnef was considered a city of some importance. The streets are quaint the buildings picturesque. The Square in which this scene passes is lined on either side by little shops. On the right hand side is a small church. The church has an entrance on the Square, with steps leading down to the Square, and a platform on which a few people can stand comfortably. The doors open inward and outward. Beautiful stained glass above the door. One obtains a per spective of the streets leading to the Square. Flags and banners are flying from the different houses. The bell of the church tolls. Up left third entrance there is an arch through which the people enter from that side. This arch is decorated with flags, and the shields of different principalities, knights, etc. The village people enter. It is a holiday called "Kurmess." Kurmess is an ancient custom in all the wine districts of Germany, a day set apart to celebrate, before making the wine. Every one is in jovial spirits. Curtain rises and discovers the stage as above men tioned. Before the entrance of the people, there have 104 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. been various groups already on the scene. These groups are in different stages of animation; some are discussing politics of the day, some of the nation, and some their own private affairs. When the curtain rises the scene becomes active, and the action clean cut. GROUP NO. 1. Peasants sitting on tables and on steps of shops. Some laugh, others smoke long Tyrolean pipes, still others are partaking of wine. Flower girls pass among them, smil ing gaily and distributing their wares. There are some girls in the laps of the country gallants. A party of peasants and merchants of Honnef, strang ers, etc., cross the stage and enter the church. An old crony sits on the steps of the church. She is approached by a flashing, beautiful peasant girl; pantomimically the old crony tells this peasant girl her fortune. The girl smiles at the prediction. GROUP NO. 2. Two middle-aged men are seated at a game of cards. They are watched by some of the younger ones. GROUP NO. 3. A few of the younger bloods are shaking dice in a cor ner. GROUP NO 4. Two handsome swashbucklers, full of the dust of travel, are fencing, up right center. GROUP NO. 5. A handsome gallant lunges with his sword at a target he has picked out with his eye. GROUP NO. 6. A clownish-looking villager is juggling beer mugs in an out-of-the-way corner. Lively music. Laughter. ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 105 The main incident in the foreground, as the curtain rises, is a beautiful dancing girl, a gypsy. She is very much disheveled, and dances wildly, losing herself in her art. Her strolling companions, a rather homely gypsy girl, and two handsome young gypsies one of the latter plays upon the mandolin, the other upon the guitar. All the onlookers in the foreground applaud her dancing vig orously. She continues to dance a little while, then strikes an attitude of triumph, conscious of her success. All applaud this attitude. She sits on the table, with one leg dangling over, lights a cigarette and ogles the men some of these approach her. She mischievously blows smoke in their faces. They take it as a joke and laugh. An old man enters from left third entrance, crosses the stage diagonally and enters the church. As the door of the church opens, organ music is heard, and ceases as the door is closed. The two swashbucklers, up right third entrance, have, become very much excited. They go at it hard. The one furthest up stage presses the other one down stage diagonally to left first entrance. When down left first entrance the younger man makes a stand and duels for his life. He disarms his older opponent. All the younger bystanders on the scene applaud him and cry "BRAVO/ The young duelist, flushed with triumph, crosses over to the gypsy girl seated on the table, and addresses her amorously. DUELIST. May I claim a kiss? [Gypsy girl presents her lips and he kisses her] Ah ! GYPSY GIRL. Another if you like. [He kisses her again, and we leave them engaged in conversation.] [The revelers laugh heartily. The gypsy girl jumps down from the table and dances wildly to the middle of the stage. One of her companions urges her on, while the other plays with wild enthusiasm, the tune to which 106 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. she dances. The whole populace catch from her the fever of the dance. They form a ring around her. Catchy music.] [Enter Curio. He enters from arch up left third en trance. Curio impresses all with his self-conscious pomp. The dancers stop. They exclaim : "Ah !" CURIO. Tis I, Curio, the Great! [All laugh.] VOICE FROM CROWD. I say, give us a tune. CURIO. What shall it be? VOICE FROM CROWD. Anything something, so long tis merry. CURIO. [Takes instrument from one of the gypsies] Well, then, here s one: "I want thee, my darling, I want no renown. If thou thy love bring, Then scorn to a crown/ [Strikes an attitude and with open arms gazes at the psy girl. All laugh. Curio g they form a circle around him.] gypsy girl. All laugh. Curio goes among the women the ^Oh, sweet charming sirens, Come, list to my lay Love my heart rends, I am, dears, thy prey." [Kisses one after another. As he does so he says to the first] "Thy kiss is sweeter than liberty." [As he kisses the second] "And thine, darling, is like a tear in the eye of Venus." ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 107 [As he kisses the third an ugly one} "Thine, sweet heart [he pauses comically ] is like a sour grape." [As he kisses the fourth] "Ah, thine, thine with thy kiss I can ring the bell-rope of Heaven." [They all laugh and form into a group around him. ] [Down left first entrance. A man and his wife, shab bily clothed. The woman carries a babe in her arms.] WIFE. [Tearfully] The little one is cold. Poor little thing it has to suffer for the misfortune of its parents. HUSBAND. [Gloomily] So s the world, Annie. It s not balanced right. WIFE. [Quietly] For pity s sake, John, get us something to eat. HUSBAND. How? How? Should I go and beg? Me, beg? Me? I d sooner starve ! [He laughs with a touch of imbecil ity.] WIFE. [Coaxingly] Ah, John the child [Tearfully] John the child our child John ! [She looks at the little one tenderly, hugs it to her bosom and almost whispers to herself] MY child ! MY child ! HUSBAND. [With his throat dry and his voice hard and cold] Look, wife, look ! [Points to group] . See how merry they are. WIFE. [Sorrowfully] And how hungry we are! [They have occupied the corner down left, and sustain by their presence the tragic end of the situation.] [Music.] [Enter through archway up third entrance a bevy of pretty girls, all dressed in white. They bear the branches 108 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. of the vine over their heads; i. e., an end in each hand. The leaves of the vine are entwined in their hair. They dance a few figures to music, and then mingle with the assembled people. All laugh and do various pantomime. } [Enter Roland and Mordecai down left first entrance. They come into the scene a few paces. Roland is dressed in sombre black. His face is pale. Mordecai is attired in somewhat the same manner. After the laughter from the merry-makers has subsided; the wife in the tragic episode advances to Roland. She still carries the child in her arms.] [With motherly feeling] Can yon give me a trifle, sir! I do not beg for myself. It is this poor child it s hun- gry. Fm only a mother,, and a mother always loves her child better than herself .... please . . ROLAND. [Giving money] Take this for the little one. Here s some, too, for yourself. [John and his wife walk off stage.] [To Mordecai] Is it not sad, Mordecai, that there are some who live in the lap of luxury, while others, less for tunate, are in need of the mere necessities of life? [Peasants laugh loudly.] [To Mordecai]. Come, Mordecai, let us go; this mer riment grates upon me. [Peasants dance wildly. They chant a sort of Bacchic song. Roland and Mordecai are about to leave when the shrill sound of a Herald s trumpet is heard from off left. When this is heard, the dance is at its height. Enter Her ald, two trumpeters on each side of him, from arch up left.-] HERALD. [After being announced by the two trumpeters] A party of Barons, rulers of our land, hither come. Bow ye in homage to their will. ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 109 [The peasants still dance. Enter a party of soldiers through arch up left they roughly make a path through the people. One or two of the soldiers grab a pretty girl. The women run off shrieking. The stage rapidly fills with excited peasants and villagers. Martial music. Af ter this a party of Barons, Barons Waldemar and Hoff mann at their head, march across the stage from arch up left diagonally to right first entrance. The soldiers push the people back. The principal Barons are mounted and gorgeously dressed. They are in pairs and chat as if they were at home before a good fire and a still better glass of wine. They exit. The soldiers, who have held back the people, taunt them as they follow their masters. The people growl angrily. The growl rises to a steady mur mur. A cloud has settled down upon the populace. Dur ing this scene Roland has been standing down left, Mor- decai by his side. They have been absorbed in what has taken place.] ROLAND. [Half to himself and half to Mordecai] Oh, Spirit of Creation, thou hast indeed made men of milk and water ; creatures with souls steeped in fear ! [To Mordecai, but really intended for the mob] Such a difference in the past. Oh, if I had only the power to crush this race of bondsmen ! The love I bear my country revolts to see them breathe a progeny, partakers of what they deem a virtue. (MEANING SUBMISSION.) [Cries of amazement from the mob] [Roland grows in power and intensity ] Such a change from the past, Mordecai ! Years long since laid aside on the shelf of time, dead, but living still in memory, eternally glorified. [More cries of execration from the mob. Roland now almost wholly addresses them. His oratory becomes of the mob-inspired sort] The watch-fires of liberty shown like pearly gems from the majestic tops of the vine-clad mountains; the people erect, stately, proud; that was an age, blazoned as sacred; free was the land, the people, too, were free ! [Roland turns on them and points with his finger at them, meanwhile speaking to Mordecai.] See, see, Morde- 110 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. cai; see those dumb graveling things. Every smile has its inward curse. A Race of Bondsmen ! [The mob surges with cries of execration. Roland takes advantage of a passage that is open in their midst, and, with rapid strides, crosses the stage to the steps of the church, and takes his stand upon the platform there. The crowd surge towards him, crying "HE CALLED us BONDS MEN." Others yell wildly. Roland speaks to them when their clamor has reached its height] Yes, I called ye bondsmen, and bondsmen ye will remain ! [They are astonished and become silent for a moment, but their silence is worse than their storm ] [A voice calls out from the mob "DOWN, DOWN WITH THE TY RANT/ [With lightning glibness, answers ] Yes, down with the tyrant. Would that I were a tyrant ; but no, I m that poor thing they term a patriot, and in this age they are even more to be despised than tyrants ! [Cries of "KILL HIM/ mingled with those of "NO, NO"] [8ome, more frantic than the rest, try to make a passage and to assault Roland. A free fight ensues.] Friends, friends, I implore you, hear me, for God s sake, hear me ! [A ruffian, held by a few of the more kindly spirits, tries to attack Roland; not succeeding, he yells at him, LIAR, THIEF, THIEF."] [Mordecai springs at him and succeeds in clearing a space around Roland. During the foregoing scene, Morde cai has mingled with the mob, awaiting the right moment to lend Roland his aid.] MORDECAI. Stand back, I say LET him speak! [A pause.] [Grumblingly they all look towards Roland. Roland collects himself and says with intense suppressed passion-. ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. Ill ROLAND. There are those among you who suffer ; to those I say that I, too, suffer. Know that were my death an end to smooth one wrinkle from your burdened brows I would yield up my life with joy. What? You will not listen to me do I speak then, to men of stone ? [To himself] Oh ! now could I weep tears of blood ! Oh, that I should outlive the hour when liberty is liberty no more! [All sullen] Men, of the Germanland nay, not that not while your swords are rusted to the scab bards ! Not while rapine stalks abroad like a hungry wolf ! Not while force unbars the virtue of your daugh ters! Not while your wives are dishonored and are ashamed to meet the glances of their husbands ! Not while your hearts are desolated ! ISTot while your very souls are ground down like the stones in the roadway ! Not while [A roar of vengeance from the mob] [Cries of "TYRANT/ "VENGEANCE/ etc] [In a new strain] Can you find it in your hearts to hate him who would raise you and yours to Freedom s Height? Can you? [Cries of No ! NO !" ) Can you hate the man that will make you MEN ? I can t believe it. [An old man steps out of the crowd] [He is down left. He says with an air of grandeur] : OLD MAN. We would bless and sanctify his name ! We would hang upon his every word ! We would [Cries of "YES, YES !"] ROLAND. Is there one among you who is not a victim to the ty rant s power? You are silent! Friends, I, too, have been robbed of all that s dear to me. In yonder castle lives the woman I love they thought to give her to Count Falkenstein to-night. Falkenstein is no more. Twas I who killed him. But why do I speak of myself, when it is for you, and you only that I should live ; perchance even now your children cry aloud for bread; I weep for them 112 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. poor unconscious sufferers ! Weep, weep ? When others smile? smile at our misfortunes? No, why should we weep? Eather make them weep. OLD MAN. [Solemnly ] It is so. He speaks the truth. [They all form a circle around the old man. ] [Characters on the stage are placed as follows They form a circle down left around the old man. Also a circle around Roland. Men between the two parties. ] [Continues quietly and with awe } I had a child my only one. She was the purest of the pure. [To himself] Sweet little Irene. [To himself, but loud enough for the others to hear~\ Joyous and merry, with a voice envied by the birds of the wood, who, forest-like, sang her their songs. She was as good as she was pure the pride of my old heart. One day they came they saw her they Ah! [Then covers his eyes as if to hide a hideous dream] [He recovers himself] She s dead. Twas I that saved her from shame ! [A pause.] [A cry from the mob, as if one voice] MOB. Death ! Death to the despoilers of our homes ! Death ! Death ! ROLAND. [He spealcs after this outburst has somewhat spent it self] [The words seemed to be burned on his lips] Are we still human to endure this? Are we not born in the same manner? Was it not the same God that ordained you, and you and you [pointing] as the Eoyal Scion of rare antiquity? [Cries of "IT WAS/ ] Do we not breathe the same air as the descendant of ac cumulated wealth? [Cries of "WE DO !"] Then, why are we not free ? Have we not the same lan guage the same body as he who slumbers under the sol emn majesty of Imperial Palace ? ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 113 [Cries of "EQUALITY/ ] Is there not some mysterious longing some burning wish ready to waken into life something that whispers, "Oh, God, give me liberty ? [Cries of "LIBERTY."] [Some cry "REVENGE."] [They are ready to rush off at Roland s bidding a huge, seething mass of humanity ready for any and everything.] Friends, listen to me [Cries of "ROLAND," "An !" etc.] [Roland composed] Once I had a dream a vision sub lime the shadowy reason of my mind rose supremely grand ! Oh, and what a dream it was ! I worship this dream and kneel at its altar ! Friends, let your minds march, as it were, backward across the ages, for years; then centuries; aye even gen erations; till at last they reach the fountain-head of crea tion. GOD ALONE WITH HIS WORLD ! Then God thought, and thought was passion, and passion is the root of all evil ! A race came into life how or why I know not. They took upon themselves the right of calling themselves MEN ! These men were FREE ! They were as free as the air they breathed. It was for them, as it is with us, destiny to serve in the fields of suffering and of sorrow ! [His gaze becomes inspired.] [A detached thought, coming as it does as a flight of in spiration] In the midnight when all seems dark and dreary . . When life s candle wavers There will come a most beautiful music That music is The Music of Eternity There will shine a beautiful light to guide us WAIT, WAIT, FOR GOD is A JUST GOD. [lie stands as if spell-bound gazing towards Heaven.] MORDECAI. See, the Nation s love is mapped upon his face ! The rights of men enthroned upon his lips! ROLAND. [Continuing] And when passion came, strife came with it; tyrants were born into the world. These tyrants sold 114 ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. their fellow-beings into captivity and bondage. In their turn likewise, the tyrants were killed! Others, less bar barous, took their places, and did as those before them. Blood flowed, rivers of blood. Here and there, some martyr was born to fight for the cause of liberty and to brighten the leaves on the pages of history. They, like the others, passed away ! OH, HOW I HAVE PRAYED THAT I MIGHT BE THAT MAN WHO COULD MAKE THE WORLD LIKE UNTO A SINGLE NATION ! All peace, peace and justice ! [Approaching thunder] [The rumble grows louder] [The people are awed and silent. ] Hear, my friends, this mighty element music ! See, how the thunder-awakened air ruffles the naked beauty of the sky, like waves of tyranny in a sea of peace ! [Loud peal of thunder] Harken to the voice of the Giant Combat! Hurl back the stigma of shame from the horizon of OUR sky ! [Tremendous peal] [The loudest of all] Hear, tis Heaven that answers us ! [The mob has its back to the audience] [They show signs of deep emotion.] This is not chance, my friends ; this is a cry, a deafening cry, sent to you, from God ! "Tis charged with all His wrath ! It is for YOU to answer Him. [As if one voice, the mob yell, "REVENGE/ "ROLAND/ "LIBERTY/ ] [All exit off right upper entrance] [Ro land and Mordecai in their midst.] [When the clamor has subsided there is a pause the doors of the church open and the light from within streams upon the scene. The dying cadence of a grand fugue is heard as it solemnly melts into the night air. Those who were inside of the church cross stage in the form of a pro cession and exit through archway up left third entrance. [Music continues in the church.] CURTAIN. ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 115 SCENE NO. 2. Great Hall at Castle Drachenfels. Wall, extending down right first entrance, up stage, for a few feet. On this watt armor hung picturesquely. This wall bends about 45 Deg. to the left, ending between right- center and right. It meets a large alcove, supposed to repre sent the end of a banquet hall. This alcove is between right-center and center, back. In the alcove there is a long table. The portion of this table seen by the spec tator is the head. The dining-room is in Baronial style. It is oblong. From the end of this alcove, the end towards center, a wall runs back in an angle for a few feet until it reaches extreme upper center. The back of the alcove is equal to this point. The point I have mentioned is exactly center. Main entrance from center to left-center. Two small walls on each side of door; this door sinks back be tween two angles that diverge towards if. A wall from lower left to left first entrance. Through this wall there is a door; this is Uildegunde s room. From left first en trance to upper left center is a wall high enough to sit on with ease. From this wall rise three arches; the middle one is the entrance from the balcony without; the other two are more ornamental. They are Spanish in type, like those seen in Granada. Throiigh these arches are seen the clouds lowering, still with streaks of silver. One also sees in the distance shadowy outlines of the Seven Mountains. On the ceiling of the room just described, extends from center, in direction of left center, a large rafter. It is not overly long. A light hangs from it. Left center a couch. Also around room chairs well placed. The time this scene commences is just about wlien Ro land finishes in the public place at Honnef. HILDEGUNDE discovered on couch left. BEATRICE seated upon wall down left, one nearest the audience. Curtains are drawn hiding those who are dining in the alcove. The banquet spoken of in the preceding acts is now taking place. Those seated at the table are: Diet- rick, at the head; Barons Waldemar and Hoffmann to the 116 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. right. To the right of these two Barons are seated other Barons of prominence. We will leave them for the pres ent with the curtains drawn. Hildegunde s face is full of sweet melancholy. Her right elbow rests upon the end of the couch, supporting her chin. Her face is towards the audience. Her lips move slightly, fi.<? if muttering to herself. Beatrice has her back partly to the audience. Her face is turned toward the village. Stage dimly lighted. Curtain rises. Those on stage hold their positions. HILDEGUNDE. [Speaking to some unseen power ] Oh, give ! Oh, give me back my love ! BEATRICE. [Who has been listening to her, but has been looking towards the village ] All is quiet in the village. [A drunken laugh from alcove. Baron Waldemar, freighted with a heavy weight of liquor, now draws aside the curtains from the banquet-hall and staggers upon the stage. He endeavors to cross to Hildegunde, which he does, after some difficulty. He is followed by others in the same condition as himself. Dietrick also enters from the same place and stands behind the two women. All of the Barons carry goblets in their hands, except Dietrick. Diet- rick preserves all his diplomacy and is as cool and collected as usual. ] WALDEMAR. Here s a health to thee! A health to thee, gentle star of love ! May I ever taste such wine as this, to drink it with. [Looking at the wine] Splendor of the Rhine; its color savors of your ruby lips, which, by the bye, I have never tasted of. "Pis a healthy fluid, lady, like the blood of Venus in a virgin s veins. Ha, ha, ha, come my lads, drink a health, a health! Drink, drink, to the fairest of the fair! ALL. [All drinking] Hildegunde! [Dietrick watches everything like a shrewd diplomat.] ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 117 HILDEGUNDE. [Rising and speaking with dignity] I do not know what to say, my Lords. Your sayings are strange to me. If, by my sadness, I show a tendency to mar your pleasure, forgive me. I have heard you talk of valiant deeds, of breaches, storms, and midnight rides that do adorn your martial ensigns, crowning a soldier s fondest hope, and bid a warlike world admire. To me, they are conceits, bub bles in history s unfinished volume. The Empire which I so dearly sought is lost to me forever. That which for all Eternity lives in a woman s heart, one true love ! [She finished this speech with difficulty. } [Dietrich is impassive, as ever.] Save me your gibes, gentlemen. They are the mockery of praise. [With a side glance at Dietrick] The weak are ever wont to bow down to the might of the strong. [Hoffmann gallantly steps forivard as if to pay her a compliment, but she, divining his intention, interrupts him, courteously.] I pray you, my Lord, keep your intended compliment for some other woman. Do not think me ungrateful; others, I know, will feel the prouder for even one tender word from a man so highly esteemed as yourself. [He is pleased and mingles among the other Barons ] [The Barons are grouped in front of alcove, to down right. They form into a circle and mumble together. Foremost among those who do the talking are Barons Hoffmann and Waldemar. One hears such expressions as these "WE LL TELL. A SHAME, etc.," They are aware of the trick Diet- rick is playing upon his daughter to get her consent to marry Count Falkenstein. Hildegunde and Beatrice are down left, as before. Dietrick stands left center, intently watching the Barons.] DIETRICK. [Speaking loftily, with a touch of superiority] I pray you, dear gentlemen, give me your attention. From friends, tis my custom to have no secrets. You are all aware, no 118 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. doubt, of the unrest of our land; the grumbling masses over whom it is for us to rule. It would be unwise, gen tlemen, to underrate their power, that is, if that power rose against us. Beport has it, that even now they tug at the chains which bind them to us. They lack only the last link a leader ! [ The Barons here give all their atten tion.] Gentlemen, it is only the fear of our ancient names and the dread of our punishments that make them still fear us. With it all, my friends, we live in glass houses and wear masks, and under the masks there are faces pale and trem bling. If they only knew these things, our glass houses would tumble about us and bury us in their ruins ! It is for this, gentlemen, I have brought you together. It has been my plan to join us all in a sort of League to take action against those who could do us ought of harm. [There is a murmur of assent] We are all here all ex cept Count Palkenstein. This gallant knight I have chosen to be the husband of my daughter. Gentlemen, I beg of you to drink with me his good health. Falkenstein ! [Lifting his glass.] ALL THE BARONS. FALKENSTEIN- ! [The positions of those on the stage are as follows Hildegunde and Beatrice down left. Barons down right. Dietrick center towards right. They are just in the act of drinking when shouts are heard from wiihoui, also rapid firing and the clash of swords. Roland s men and those inflamed townspeople who have followed him, are shouting wildly "DEATH, DEATH, LIBERTY, BOLAND, etc." The Barons, hearing these fierce cries, huddle them selves together with blanched faces. Dietrick draws his sword and yells passionately at the Barons.] DIETRICK. You cowards, why don t you draw your swords and fight for j^our own land ? [With contempt] Cowards! [Enter Roland, door left center. He stands in the door way with his men behind him. He holds Dietrich s eye. There is a picture. The picture is broken by a shout of ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 119 "LovE," "LIBERTY/ etc., from a band of men under Mor- decai, who have scaled the wall of the colonade. Morde cai stands in center arch, his men around him. } [A pause. ] ROLAND. [Quietly to the Barons] Gentlemen, have the goodness to put up your swords. [Barons comply. ] I am master here. [A shout from Roland s men both on and off stage.] HILDEGUNDE. [She has felt all the passions of the foregoing scene. She now moves slowly up stage to where Roland is and holds out her hands to him, with a look of speechless happiness on her face, and says to him,, as if he were her God] : Ro land love liberty ! [A pause.\ [Then, as if drawn by an unconscious impulse, they slowly come together and embrace.] ROLAND. Thank Heaven, that you are safe. For this I am satis fied ! [Turns to Alonso] Alonso, I have given you your in structions regarding the prisoners. Do your duty. ALONSO. I will, my Lord ! [Pie salutes] [After salute turns to men, who, having already had their instructions, surround the Barons, and Alonso gives a sign to men to march. Alonso s men quickly leave the stage with prisoners.] ROLAND. [To Mordecai who has still remained] Will you see that all is safe, Mordecai? MORDECAI. I will, my Lord. But ere I go, my Lord, may I take the liberty to ask if your heart is safe in such fair com pany? [He smiles.] 120 . ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. ROLAND. [Returning smile] It is safe, [he looks at Mordecai] Mordecai. [As he says the name "Mordecai" he looks at Hildegunde.] MORDECAI. Would that mine were safe also. [Looking at l)oth women. ] BEATRICE. You flatter us. MORDECAI. [Bowing severally] Ladies, my Lord, I take my leave. [Exit Mordecai. ] ROLAND. [As if to himself] Fine fellow ! [Gradually all traces of a storm disappear. The clouds fade away, and the rays of the moon break through the clouds and cast a soft and mellow light upon the colonade and arches, which also streams into the old hall.] [Roland, Hildegunde and Beatrice on the scene.] BEATRICE. Hildegunde s father said that you were his prisoner. [Roland has been in a sort of reverie from which Beat rice s words awaken him.] ROLAND. Said, what? BEATRICE. That you were his prisoner, and he also said that if Hildegunde would marry Count Falken stein, he would give to you your liberty. ROLAND. So? But Hildegunde what what did you do? HILDEGUNDE. I promised to marry him and th en ROLAND. Then? ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 121 BEATRICE. After you had your liberty, she would have become the BRIDE OF DEATH. ROLAND. [Taken aback ] You would have done this for me, Hildegunde ? HILDEGUNDE. [Simply ] Yes. ROLAND. Bless you. [They embrace unaffectedly.] [Beatrice slips out unnoticed, leaving the lovers alone] [They are so wrapt up in each other they don i heed Beat rice s departure] [He takes Hildegunde by the hand and leads her to the colonade. She seats herself on the first arch down left, with her back partly turned to the audience. She has a contented, happy look upon her face. He stands beside her, lost in thought. The moonlight plays upon them.] [Breaking the silence] It s a strange world that we live in, Hildegunde, isn t it? [She nods her head in assent.] Not long ago I came into this castle, almost as a thief; and to-night I am its master. [He moves away a few steps from Hildegunde and says almost to himself: Even in my wildest dreams, I never dreamt that I would be master here! Alas, am I only a (He would have finished this sentence with the word "DREAMER.") HILDEGUNDE. [She has not been looking at him, or hearing what he has said, as she, too, has been dreaming.] [The word "ROLAND" escapes from her lips unconsciously.] ROLAND. [With a start, as she has broken his dream] Was it you who spoke my name? HILDEGUNDE. [Looking at him, her very soul in her eyes] Come into the moonlight ! 122 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. ROLAND. [He gazes at her tvith intoxicated eyes] How how beautiful you are ! [Hildegunde, under the spell of Roland s gaze, gives an unconscious nervous movement, as if uneasy.] Nay, do not move, Hildegunde, but stay in the moon light. [He sits facing her. He takes a deep breath, full of the joy of life] How happy I ought to be! [There is a silence between them] [Roland bends over, very close to her] Would that we could die now; die to gether. [They look each other in the eye] [Hildegunde sighs AH ! ] [By some great impulse they are drawn together, their lips meet, in one long kiss; simply and with deep feeling.] [A pause the silence of true love.] HILDEGUNDE. [Womanlike, she is the first to control herself, and leads the way to the future] What will you do Eoland, now that you have conquered? ROLAND. [His mind is filled with so many conflicting emotions that he stares into vacancy, as if without a thought] What will I do? [Gives a foolish little laugh, almost inaudibly. He then turns to her, and his face brightens up] Let us speak of other things of ourselves. Come near nearer to me, Hildegunde. That s it. I want to feel your pres ence ! [She laughs, peculiarly. Roland is a trifle hurt] Why do you laugh? HILDEGUNDE. Did I ? I m so sorry. [Seriously] I was thinking of my father ! ROLAND. Of your father? [Pauses] Then looks at her quickly, as if he would like to read her innermost thoughts] I, 7 am here; and I, 7 LOVE YOU. ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 123 HILDEGUNDE. [Simply forgetting everything but him] And I love you. ]They take each other s hands and look into each other s eyes spellbound.] ROLAND. [Breaks the spell] Oh! how this love intoxicates me! Makes me drunk with happiness. [He looks at her and notes a sadness which has passed over her] Why why are you so sad, Hildegunde ? Why so sad? HILDEGUNDE. [Peculiarly] I was looking in your face. [A short pause] [Slowly and with deliberation] It is the face of a DREAMER ! ROLAND. [The word "DREAMER" causes him to start slightly] [This has been a thought that has ever occurred to him. One that he has been afraid to acknowledge even to him self, lie forgets everything and looks into something out side of the world.] [To himself] And are they only dreams, after all? Those GLORIOUS thoughts that sit so heavy upon my soul ? Dreams only dreams ? HILDEGUNDE. [Instinct telling her that something is wrong] Roland! What s the matter? ROLAND. [His eyes have a wild look; he rises; his right hand goes to his head, as if he would stop the throbbing of his brain, and his breath comes with difficulty] Nothing! Noth ing! [He turns to her quickly] It s your your eyes. They they [Turns from her and again quickly puts his hand to his head]No, no, [TO BE SAID QUICKLY] it s nothing, nothing 124 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. only this pain in my head! [TO BE SAID SLOW LY] Oh ! God ! it can t be that I am that I am [cry and a look of anguish] Oh ! God ! no, no, no, not now, not now [Staggers and is about to fall. } HILDEGUNDE. [Trying to support him] Ro land ! Ro land ! ROLAND. Fm better now. Thanks! It was nothing! Only, so strange as if the sea drew me down till till the end. HILDEGUNDE. [Sympathetically] Calm yourself ! ROLAND. I am calm. [Falls into a reverie] And yet I was think ing, that all men who ARE men those who raise them selves by their own efforts, to rule their fellows, always per ish before they have done what they set out to do. There was the great Caesar, hewed down in the height of his glory, by the hand of an assassin and why ? Because he craved the empty title of a King ! HILDEGUNDE. [Trying to rouse him from his dreams] Roland ! ROLAND. [As before] There was Cyrus, over whose tomb the traveler reads, "I am Cyrus, the King, the Akharmenian." [Roland laughs peculiarly] "Cyrus, the King!" Ro land the [Laughs again strangely] And how did Cyrus die? In some insignificant brawl on his own fron tiers ; perhaps stabbed by the hand of a drunken soldier. HILDEGUNDE. [Trying to rouse him as before] Roland ! ROLAND. [As before] And Alexander, greatest of them all; in the hey-day of his conquering fame, seized upon by a a fever. What a miserable end for genius ! ROLAND OF ROLAXDSECK. 125 HILDEGUNDE. But what has this to do with you, dear? ROLAND. [He pauses, looks at her, and says ] : Nothing, but that I, too, have dared to wing my flight into some great climax in world progress, and that now I ve reached the end ! [Puts his hand to his head~\ My brain 1 dread my brain ! [He laughs that little strange laugh again.] [There is something in this laugh as if lie were laughing at himself. ] [Changes his mood and tone] But see, the clouds are passing; the moonlight will soon die away. Is it late, do you think? HILDEGUNDE. Yes. I must go to my room. [A silence] Good-night. [She extends her hand, which he takes] I ll dream of you to-night. ROLAND. ]In the same tone as used ~by her] And I, of you ! HILDEGUNDE. [After having gone to her door she now returns] No more dreads, Roland. You must not be so foolish. The main thing you need is rest ; but where will you ROLAND. [Interrupts] Here on this couch. Kiss ! [They kiss and stand silently as if enraptured then she, with a deep passionate sigh, releases herself from his embrace, and glides quickly and gracefully to the door of her room as if she were afraid to stay any longer. When at the door she turns, gracefully throws him a kiss, and with a smile, she exits.] [During this, Roland has stood immovable, as if fas cinated. His breast is heaving and his eyes follow her every movement. After a little time he walks over to the couch and sinks down upon it exhausted. He looks at the door of Hildegunde s room, and his eyes as much as say he 126 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. wished he were on the other side of it. He laughs again that peculiar laugh, stretches himself out on the couch and goes to sleep. As soon as his head touches the pillow the stage becomes entirely dark. Mysterious and weird music in the orchestra, ivith wild chords, etc. After a little while,, Roland is heard moaning in his sleep. A calcium light is thrown upon him. His face is pale and terror- stricken. He emits inarticulate sounds, as if trying to throw off some horrible thing that has fastened itself on his mind. A mysterious voice in an awe-inspiring tone is heard to say, in very slow and labored accents : VOICE. Roland thy time has come ! ROLAND. [Roland, in his sleep, writhes and murmurs hoarsely] No, no, not now NOT NOW ! (This voice is part of Roland s madness. It is supposed to come from his brain, but I have made it audible so as to give it definiteness.) VOICE. [More emphatic] Eoland thy time has come ! [Roland rises from his couch under great emotion] [He is haggard and has a mad look in his eyes. He speaks to the voice as if trying to sway it by his passionate appeal.] ROLAND. [Hoarsely] I ask not for mercy I beg but for her the woman I love. Twill kill her to see my face set in the cold, metallic mask of death. [Continues wildly] Oh ! let me fight every Baron in the land one by one, till I fall from wounds, loss of blood or exhaustion. [Rolo,nd drains his sword] Where are my foes where are they? Where are they, I say ? [He gives a mocking laugh at some imaginary adversary] Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! [NOTE He sees all those to whom he speaks and acts as if he really were surrounded by a circle of foes] Cow ard I took thee for a man ! [Bowing haughtily] I beg your pardon for the error ! ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. 127 [As if addressing all] Well, will none of you fight! ! Gentlemen, tis sweet music, steel to steel. You there [pointing] in the scarlet cloak I challenge you! ! No? [Advancing to him] Must I beg you? You are afraid ! Ha ! afraid a man afraid ! [H e laughs as if it were a joke and goes up to imaginary person in a tragical, yet comical manner, as if to tease him into anger] Come child let me coax you. Ah ! [Disgusted] Well, cowards, is there none of you who has the courage of a man? [After Roland has said this, there is a moment s silence, and then a weak, yet manly voice is heard to say] : VOICE. I love to fight the boldest Knight, And if tis my luck to die ; I know I fall before the right An honored death I die. ROLAND. [Roland stares at the person, who is supposed to speak. He is overcome by this display of chivalry] [Bowing gravely] My compliments ! [He salutes with his sword] [Places himself on guard and sees his adversary before him. He parries, advances, retreats, and speaks to his op ponent, like a fencer whose blood is up.] Hear the clashing of the swords. Ah ! Once, twice, thrice quick as a flash ! [Roland lunges, hews and hacks breathlessly, then with an exultant "An/" runs his adversary through] [He stands over him in a breathless and triumphant attitude] He s mine mine! Ah! [Laughs triumphantly.] [All of a sudden his sword falls from his nerveless hand. His eyes become almost idiotic and his hands go to 1>is head in abject terror] Great God ! I m mad mad mad ! [He staggers, almost fainting to the door of Hildegunde s room] [He shouts] : Help I m mad mad ! [He beats frantically on the door, and receiving no answer, he rushes wildly up to door, upper-left-center, opens it, and shouts down the passageway] : Help ! Help ! [He gets wealer and weaker and totters down center just as the noise of ap- 128 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. proaching footsteps is heard without. As he is about to fall backwards, his men enter from upper left center doer, and some also rush in along colonade. They are very much surprised and show it. Some say "WHAT S THE MATTER?" others "WHAT S HAPPENED?" [Hildegunde appears at the door of her apartment. She holds in her right hand a light. She is robed in a loose white garment. Her hair flowing. Her face has a star tled expression. She murmurs with the rest "WHAT HAS HAPPENED?" As no one seems to know, she looks from face to face, and not receiving an answer, she sees Roland in the midst of the men, and with a little "An !" she goes up to him, with mute inquiry.] HILDEGUNDE. What has happened? [Roland stares blankly a,t her~\ ^Hildegunde takes in Roland s condition at a glance and says : Roland ! [Roland looks blankly from one to the other. He laughs idiotically. 1 [Hildegunde turns away in horror.] He s mad mad. [She breaks down and sobs silently. ] [All present gaze at Roland pitifully. There is a pause, during which he scans each face. He stares at each one separately. Reason returns to him for a moment and he reads in their faces what they are afraid to say. Sudden ly he breaks out.] ROLAND. No, no. It can t be true ! It s not true ! It s a lie A LIE A LIE A LIE. [Mental agony convulses him physi cally] [They all advance as if to support him, but he waves them aside, and after a manful struggle conquers the pain, and stands limp and submissive.] fie pain, [Quiet tly] I m dying. MORDECAI. No, Roland, you ve long to live yet. ROLAND. I have seen the sun set for the last time. [A pause.] ROLAND OF ROLAND8ECK. 129 [A far-away look- comes into his eyes and he speaks feel ingly.] My friends, I want you to let my remains repose on the banks of the river I loved so well. [He turns to the moonlight and speaks to it] Oh, love ly night, take to your bosom the soul of a soldier. Take, oh ! take a fevered spirit. [He is near Hildegunde now. She takes his hand and fondles it, falling on her knees. He addresses her with in tensity ] I loved you better than my hope of Heaven, but, darling, twas not to be ! [He forces himself away from her and with a choking sensation addresses his friends] Farewell, dear friends, my last fare [Just as he is about to say the second "farewell" all of his vitality leaves him, and he pulls him self together with a great effort.] [He stands in the mid dle of them all and draws himself up to his full height] Let me hear the roll of drums .... [There is a pause.] [Roll of drums is heard.] Louder ! Louder ! [Increase of sound.] Let the bugles sound the "charge." [After a slight pause bugles are heard] [Roland s face brightens at the sound. His men partake of his spirit] Tell me what we love? ALL. [Wildly] FREEDOM! FREEDOM!! ROLAND. [As they are shouting he goes amongst them. He is slowly dying, and as he dies he shouts to them : LOUDER, LOUDER ! [All the while he is doing this he is laughing like a maniac. They think that he is his old self again. His laugh loses its strength, and their cries increase in volume. He totters and looks once again at Hildegunde.] 130 ROLAND OF ROLANDSECK. [Hildegunde has her head resting on the couch, down left. She has tried to shut out the sound, knowing that Roland is dying all the while that they have been shouting. He staggers once again on his face is the mad exultation of battle. He falls back dead! As he dies they are still shouting.] CUKTAIN. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY BERKELEY THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW M%?i^!*E^K^ are *Ject to a fine JUL 26 1929 SOw-7/16 YC 16800 U.C.BERKELEY LIBRARIES 00455^5251 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY