Andthedrugsaresimples;’tishellebore,Nepenthe,upas,anddragon’sblood,Absinthe,andmandrake,andmandragore。
Hugo:
Iwilldrinkit,although,bymassandrood,IamjustaswiseasIwasbefore。
SCENE——ARough,HillyCountry。
HUGOandORIONridingatspeedonblackhorses。
Mountainsinthedistance。Night。
Hugo:
See!thesparksthatflyfromourhoof-strokesmakeAfierytrackthatgleamsinourwake;
Likeadreamthedimlandscapepastusshoots,Ourhorsesfly。
Orion:Theyareusefulbrutes,Thoughsomewhatskittish;thefoamiswhit’ningThecrestandreinofmycourser\"Lightning\";
Hepullsto-night,beingshortofwork,Andtakeshisheadwithasuddenjerk;
Stillheelandsteadyhandonthebit,Forthatis\"Tempest\"onwhichyousit。
Hugo:
’TisthebraveststeedthateverIback’d;
Did’stmarkhowhecrossedyoncataract?
FromhooftohoofIshouldliketomeasureThespaceheclear’d。
Orion:HecanclearatleisureAgreaterdistance。ObservethechasmWearenearing。Ha!didyoufeelaspasmAsweflewoverit?
Hugo:Notatall。
Orion:
Nathless’twasanuglyplaceforafall。
Hugo:
Letustryaracetoyonmountainhigh,Thatrearsitsduskypeak’gainstthesky。
Orion:
Iwon’tdisparageyourhorsemanship,Butyoursteedwillstandneitherspurnorwhip,Andishastyandhardtosteerattimes。
Wemusttravelfarerethemidnightchimes;
Wemusttravelbackeretheeastisgrey。
Ho!\"Lightning\"!\"Tempest\"!Away!Away!
[Theyrideonfaster。]
SCENE——APeakinaMountainousCountryOverhangingaRockyPass。
HUGOandORIONonblackhorses。Midnight。
Hugo:
Thesesteedsaresprungfromnocommonrace,Theirvigourseemstoannihilatespace;
Whathastthoubroughtmeheretosee?
Orion:
Noboisteroussceneofunhallow’dglee,Nosabbatofwitchescoarseandrude,Butamysticandmusicalinterlude;
Youhavelong’dtoexplorethescrollsofFate,Dismount,asIdo,andlistenandwait。
[Theydismount。]
Orion(chanting):
Spiritsofearth,andair,andsea,Spiritsunclean,andspiritsuntrue,Bythesymbolsthreethatshallnamelessbe,Oneofyourmasterscallsonyou。
Spirits(chantinginthedistance):
Fromthebowelsofearth,wheregleamsthegold;
FromtheairwherethepowersofdarknessholdTheircourt;fromthewhitesea-foam,Whencethewhiterose-tintedgoddesssprung,Whompoetsofeveryagehavesung,Everwecome!wecome!
Hugo:
Howclosetoourearsthethunderpeals!
Howtheearthbeneathusshuddersandreels!
AVoice(chanting):
Woetotheearth!Wheremengivedeath!
Andwomengivebirth!
TothesonsofAdam,byCainorSeth!
Plentyanddearth!
TothedaughtersofEve,whotoilandspin,Barrenofworth!
Letthemsigh,andsicken,andsuffersin!
Woetotheearth!
Hugo:
WhatisyonphantomlargeanddimThatoverthemountainseemstoswim?
Orion:
’TisthescarletwomanofBabylon!
Hugo:
Whencedoesshecome?Wherehasshegone?
Andwhoisshe?
Orion:Youwouldknowtoomuch;
ThesearesubjectsonwhichIdarenottouch;
AndifIweretotryandenlightenyou,Ishouldprobablyfail,andpossiblyfrightenyou。
Youhadbetterasksomelearneddivine,Whoseopinionisp’rhapsworthasmuchasmine,Inhisownconceit;andwho,besides,Couldtellyouthebrandofthebeastsherides。
Whatcanyouseeinthevalleyyonder?
Speakout;Icanhearyou,forallthethunder。
Hugo:
Iseefourshadowyaltarsrise,Theyseemtoswellanddilateinsize;
Largerandclearernowtheyloom,Nowfiresarelightingthemthroughthegloom。
AVoice(chanting):
Thefirstagolden-huedfireshows,Ablood-redflameonthesecondglows,Theblazeonthethirdistingedliketherose,Fromthefourthacolumnofblacksmokegoes。
Orion:
Canyouseeallthis?
Hugo:Iseeandhear;
Thelightsandhuesarevividandclear。
Spirits(singatthefirstaltar):
Hail,Mammon!whilemanbuysandbarters,Thykingdominthisworldissure;
Thyprophetsthouhastandthymartyrs,Greatthingsinthynametheyendure;
Thyfettersofgoldcrushthemiser,Theusurerbendsatthyshrine,AndthewealthiernationsandthewiserBowwithusatthisaltarofthine。
Spirits(singatthesecondaltar):
Hail,Moloch!whosebannerfloatsblood-red,Frompoletoequatorunfurl’d,Whoselawsredlywrittenhavestoodred,Andshallstandwhilestandeththisworld;
Cladinpurple,withthydiademgory,Thysceptretheblood-drippingsteel,Thysubjectswithusgivetheeglory,Withusatthinealtartheykneel。
Spirits(singatthethirdaltar):
Hail,Sovereign!whosefiresarekindledBysparksfromthebottomlesspit,Hasthyworshipdiminish’dordwindled?
Dotheyokesofthyslaveslightlysit?
Nay,themenofallclimesandallracesArestirr’dbytheflamesthatnowstirus;
Then(aswedo)theyfallontheirfaces,Crying,\"Hearus!Oh!Ashtaroth,hearus!\"
Spirits(allinchorus):
Thevulturehercarrionswallows,Returnstohisvomitthedog。
InthesloughofuncleanlinesswallowsThehe-goat,andrevelsthehog。
Menarewisewiththeirschoolsandtheirteachers,Menarejustwiththeircreedsandtheirpriests;
Yet,inspiteoftheirpedantsandpreachers,Theybackslideinfootprintsofbeasts!
Hugo:
FromthesmokyaltarthereseemstocomeAstifledmurmur,adroninghum。
Orion:
Withthatwehavenothingatalltodo,Or,atleast,notnow,neitherInoryou;
Thoughsomedayorother,possiblyWemayseeitcloser,bothyouandI;
Letusvisitthenearestaltarfirst,Whencetheyellowfiresflickerandburst,Liketheflamesfrommoltenorethatspring;
Wemaystandinthepaleoftheouterring,Butforbeartotrespasswithintheinner,Lestthesinsofthepastshouldfindoutthesinner。
[Theyapproachthefirstaltar,andstandwithintheoutercirclewhichsurroundsit,andneartheinner。]
Spirits(sing):
Beneathusitflashes,Theglitteringgold,ThoughitturnethtoashesAnddrossinthehold;
Yetmanwillendeavour,Byfraudorbystrife,TograspitandneverToyielditwithlife。
Orion:
Whatcanyousee?
Hugo:Somedecrepitshapes,Thatareneitherdwarfs,nordemons,norapes;
InthehollowearththeyappeartostoreAndraketogethergreatheapsofore。
Orion:
Thesearethegnomes,coarsespritesandrough;
Comeon,ofthesewehaveseenenough。
[Theyapproachsecondaltarandstandasbefore。]
Spirits(singing):
Aboveusitflashes,Theglitteringsteel,ThoughtheredbloodsplashesWhereitsvictimsreel;
YetmanwillendeavourTograpplethehilt,AndtowieldthebladeeverTillhislifebespilt。
Orion:
Whatseeyounow?
Hugo:Arockyglen,Ahorridjumbleoffightingmen,AndafacethatsomewhereI’veseenbefore。
Orion:
Comeon;thereisnaughtworthseeingmore,ExceptthealtarofAshtaroth。
Hugo:
TovisitthataltarIamloth。
Orion:
Whyso?
Hugo:Nay,Icannotfathomwhy,ButIfeelnocuriosity。
Orion:
Comeon。Standclosetotheinnerring,Andhearhowsweetlythesespiritssing。
[Theyapproachthirdaltar。]
Spirits(sing):
Aroundusitflashes,ThecestusofoneBornofwhitefoam,thatdashesBeneaththewhitesun;
Letthemortaltakeheart,heHasnothingtodare;
Sheisfair,QueenAstarte,Hersubjectsarefair!
Orion:
Whatseeyounow,friend?
Hugo:Woodandwold,Andformsthatlooklikethenymphsofold。
Thereisnothinghereworthlookingattwice。
Ihaveseenenough。
Orion:Youarefartoonice;
Nevertheless,youmustlookagain。
Thoseformswillfade。
Hugo:Theyaregrowinglessplain。
Theyvanish。IseeadoorthatseemsToopen;arayofsunlightgleamsFromawindowbehind;avisionasfairAstheflushofdawnisstandingthere。
[Hegazesearnestly。]
Orion(sings):
Higherandhotterthewhiteflamesglow,Andtheadamantmaybethaw’dlikesnow,Andthelifeforasinglechancemaygo,Andthesoulforacertainty。
Oh!vainandshallowphilosopher,Dostfeelthemquicken,dostfeelthemstir,Thethoughtsthathavestray’dagaintoHER
Fromwhomthouhastsoughttofly?
Lo!thefurnaceisheatedtillsevenfold;
Isthybrainstillcalm?IsthybloodstillcoldTothecurlsthatwanderinripplesofgold,Ontheshouldersofivory?
Dothelarge,darkeyes,andthesmall,redmouth,Consumethineheartwithafierydrouth,Likethefiercesiroccothatsweepsfromthesouth,Whenthedesertsareparch’danddry?
Aye,startandshiverandcatchthybreath,Thestingiscertain,thevenomisdeath,Andthescalesareflashingthefruitbeneath,Andthefangstrikethsuddenly。
Atthecoretheashesarebitteranddead,Buttherindisfairandtherindisred,Ithaseverbeenpluck’dsincetheserpentsaid,ThoushaltNOTSURELYdie。
[Hugotriestoentertheinnerring;
Orionholdshimback;theystruggle。]
Hugo:
Unhandme,slave!orquailtotherod!
Agatha!Speak!inthenameofGod!
[Thevisiondisappears;thealtarsvanish。
Hugofallsinsensible。]
SCENE——TheWaysideHouse。
HUGOwakinginhischamber。ORIONunseenatfirst。Morning。
Hugo:
Vanish,fairandfatalvision!
Fleetingshadeoffever’dsleep,ChidingonewhoseindecisionWakingsubstancefailedtokeep;
Pictureintolifehalfstarting,Asinlifeonceseenbefore,Partingsomewhatsadly,partingSlowlyatthechamberdoor。
Weremywakingsensesduller?
HaveIseenwithmentaleyeLightandshade,andwarmthandcolour,Plainerthanreality?
SunlightthatontangledtressesEveryripplegildsandtips;
Balmandbloom,andbreathofkisses,Warmondewy,scarletlips。
Darkeyesveilinghalftheirsplendour’Neaththeirlashes’darkerfringe,Dusky,dreamy,deepandtender,Passingsmileandpassingtinge;
Dimplingfastandflushingfaster,Ivorychinandcoralcheek,Pearlystrings,byalabasterNeckandarmsmadefaintandweak;
Drooping,downcastlidsenduringGazeofmanunwillingly;
Sudden,sidelonggleamsalluring,Partlyarchandpartlyshy。
DoIblessorcursethatbeauty?
AmIlonging,amIloth?
Isitpassion,isitdutyThatIstrivewith,oneorboth?
RoundaboutonefierycentreWaywardthoughtslikemothsrevolve。
[HeseesOrion。]
Ha!Orion,thoudidstenterUnperceived。IpraytheesolveThesetwoquestions:Firstly,tellme,MustIstriveforwrongorright?
Secondly,whatthingsbefellme——
Facts,orphantasies——lastnight?
Orion:
First,yourstrifeisallasham,youKnowaswellasIwhichwins;
Second,wakingsinswilldamnyou,Nevermindyoursleepingsins;
BothyourquestionsthusIanswer;
Listen,ereyouseekorshun:
Iatleastamnoromancer,Whatyoulongformaybewon。
TurnagainandtravelRhineward,Treadoncemoretheflowerypath。
Hugo:
Aye,theflowerypaththat,sinwardPointing,endsinsinandwrath。
Orion:
Songsbylove-birdslightlycaroll’d,Eventhejustmanmayallure。
Hugo:
Tohisshame;inthiswiseHaroldSinn’d,hispunishmentwassure。
Orion:
Nay,theDanewasworsethanyouare,Baseandpitilesstoboot;
Doubtlessallarebad,yetfewareCruel,false,anddissolute。
Hugo:
SomesinsforeigntoournatureSeem;wetakenocreditwhenWeescapethem。
Orion:Yetthecreature,Sin-created,livestosin。
Hugo:
Beitso;comegood,comeevil,RidewetotheRhineagain!
Orion(aside):
’GainstthelogicofthedevilHumanlogicstrivesinvain。
SCENE——ACampNeartheBlackForest。
RUDOLPH,OSRIC,DAGOBERT,andfollowers。ORIONdisguisedasoneoftheFree-lances。Mid-day。
Osric:
Now,byaxeofOdin,andhammerofThor,AndbyallthegodsoftheViking’swar,Iswearwehavequittedourhomesinvain:
Wehavenothingtolookto,glorynorgain。
WillourgalleyreturntoNorway’sshoreWithheaviergold,orwithcostlierstore?
Willourexploitsfurnishthescaldwithasong?
Wehavetravell’dtoofar,wehavetarriedtoolong。
Say,captainsall,isthereeveravillageFormilesaroundthatisworththepillage?
WillitpaythecostsofmymenoryoursToharrythehomesteadsofGermanboors?
HavewecauseforprideinourfeatsofarmsWhenweplunderthepeasantsorsackthefarms?
Itellthee,RudolphofRothenstein,Thatwerethysoldierswillingasmine,AndIsoleleaderofthisarray,IwouldgivePrinceOttobattlethisday。
Dostthoucallthyfollowersmenofwar?
Oh,Dagobert!thouwhoseancestorOntheneckoftheCaesar’soffspringtrod,Whowasjustlysurnamed\"TheScourgeofGod\"。
Yetinflightliessafety。SkirmishandrunToforestandfastness,TeutonandHun,FromthebanksoftheRhinetotheDanube’sshore,AndbacktothebanksoftheRhineoncemore;
Retreatfromthefaceofanarmedfoe,Robbinggardenandhen-roostwhere’eryougo。
Lettheshortalliancebetwixtuscease,IandmyNorsemenwillgoinpeace!
Iwotitneverwillsuitwithus,Suchexistence,tameandinglorious;
Icouldlivenoworse,livingsingle-handed,Andbetterwithhalfmymendisbanded。
Rudolph:
JarlOsric,whatwould’stthouhavemedo?
’GainstOtto’sarmyourmencountfew;
Withonechanceofvictory,fight,sayI!
Butnotwhendefeatisacertainty。
IfRudigerjoinsuswithhisfree-lances,Ourchancewillbeequaltomanychances;
ForRudigerisbothpromptandwary;
Andhismenaregallantthoughmercenary;
ButtheknaverefusestosendalanceTillhalfthemoneyispaidinadvance。
Dagobert:
Mayhisavaricewitherhimlikeacurse!
Iguesshehasheardofourlatereverse;
But,Rudolph,whetherhegoesorstays,ThereisreasoninwhatJarlOsricsays;
Ofprovisionsweneedafreshsupply,Andourbuttsandflasksareshallowordry;
Mymenarebeginningtogrumblesadly,’Tisnowonder,sincetheymustfaresobadly。
Rudolph:
Wehaveplentyofforagersout,andstillWehaveplentyofhungrymouthstofill;
And,moreover,bysomemeans,foulorfair,Wemustraisemoney;’tislittleIcare,Solongasweraiseit,whenceitcomes。
Osric:
Shallwesittillnightfallbitingourthumbs?
Theshortestplaniseverthebest;
Hasanyoneheregotaughttosuggest?
Orion:
ThecornfieldsaregoldenthatskirttheRhine,Fataretheoxen,strongisthewine,Inthosepleasantpastures,thosecellarsdeep,Thato’erflowwiththetearsthatthosevineyardsweep;
Isitsilveryoustandinneedof,orgold?
Ingotorcoin?ThereiswealthuntoldIntheancientconventofEnglemehr;
Thatisnotsoveryfarfromhere。
TheAbbot,esteem’daholyman,Willholdwhathehasandgraspwhathecan;
Thecreamofthesoilhelovestoskim,Whynotlevyacontributiononhim?
Dagobert:
Thestrangerspeakswell;notfarawayThatconventlies;andonesummer’sdayWillsufficeforahorsemantoreachthegate;
Thegarrisonsoonwouldcapitulate,Sincethearmedretainersarenexttonone,Andthewalls,Iwot,maybequicklywon。
Rudolph:
Ikeptthosewallsfortwomonthsormore,WhentheyfearedtheridersofMelchior!
Thatwaslittleoverthreeyearsago。
TheirAbbotisthrifty,aswellIknow;
HehaggledsorelyaboutthepriceOfourservice。
Dagobert:Rudolph,hepaidtheetwice。
Rudolph:
Well,whatofthat?SincethenI’vetriedToborrowfromhim;nowIknowheliedWhenhetoldmehecouldnotsparethesumIasked。Ifwetohisgatesshouldcome,Hecouldspareitthoughitweredoubled;andstill,ThiswarwiththeChurchIlikeitill。
Osric:
Thecreedofourfathersiswell-nighdead,AndthecreedoftheChristianreignsinitssteadButthecreedoftheChristian,too,maydie,ForyourcreedsoryourchurcheswhatcareI!
IftherebeplunderatEnglemehr,Letusstrikeourtentsandthitherwardsteer。
SCENE——AFarm-houseontheRhine(AboutamilefromtheConvent)。
HUGOinchamberalone。EnterERIC。
Eric:
What,Hugo,stillattheRhine!IthoughtYouwerehome。Youhavetravell’dbystagesshort。
Hugo(withhesitation):
Ourhomewardmarchwaslabourinvain,Wehadtoretraceourstepsagain;
ItwashereorhereaboutsthatIlostSomepapersofvalue;atanycostImustfindthem;andwhichwayliesyourcourse?
Eric:
IgotorecruitPrinceOtto’sforce。
Icannotstudyasyoudo;I
Amweariedwithinactivity;
SoIcarryabladeengrim’dwithrust(Thatahandsloth-slacken’dhas,Itrust,Notquiteforgottenthewaytowield),Tostrikeoncemoreonthetentedfield。
Hugo:
Fightingisallamistake,friendEric,AndhasbeensosincetheageHomeric,WhenGreecewasshakenandTroyundone,Tenthousandlivesforaworthlessone。
YetIblameyounot;youmightwelldoworse;
BetterfightandperishthanlivetocurseThedayyouwereborn;andsuchhasbeenThelotofmany,andshall,Iween,Bethelotofmore。IfThurstonchoosesHemaygowithyou。TheblockheadabusesMeandthelifeIlead。
EnterORION。
Orion:Greatnews!
TheEnglemehrmonkswillshakeintheirshoes;
InthesolesoftheircallousfeetwillshakeThebarefootedfriars。Thenunswillquake。
Hugo:Wherefore?
Orion:TheoutlawofRothensteinHascomewithhissoldierstotheRhine,Back’dbythosehardyadventurersFromthenorthernforestsofpinesandfirs,AndDagobert’shorse。TheymarchasstraightAstheeagleswoopstotheconventgate。
Hugo:
Wemustdosomethingtosavetheplace。
Orion:
Theyaresuretotakeitinanycase,Unlessthesumthattheyaskispaid。
Eric:
Someeffortonourpartmustbemade。
Hugo:
’TisnotsomuchforthemonksIcare。
Eric:
NorI;buttheAbbessandnunsarethere。
Orion:
’Tisnotourbusiness;whatcanwedo?
Theyaretoomany,andwearetoofew;
Andyet,Isuppose,youwillsave,ifyoucan,Thatlady,yourward,oryourkinswoman。
Hugo:
Sheisnokinswomanofmine;
HowfarisOtto’scampfromtheRhine?
Orion:
ToofarforhelpinsuchtimeofneedTobebrought,thoughyouusedyourutmostspeed。
Eric:
Nay,thatIdoubt。
Hugo:AndhowmanymenHavethey?
Orion:Toyouronetheycouldmusterten。
Eric:
IknowCountRudolph,andtermsmaybemadeWithhim,Ifancy;forthoughhistradeIsaroughonenow,gainsayitwhocan,Hewasonceaknightandagentleman。
AndDagobert,thechiefoftheHuns,Badasheis,willsparethenuns;
ThoughneitherhenortheCountcouldcheckThoselawlessmen,shouldtheystormandsackTheconvent。JarlOsric,too,Iknow;
Heisratheraformidablefoe,Andwilllikelyenoughbetroublesome;
Buttheothers,Itrust,totermswillcome。
Hugo:
Eric,howmanymenhaveyou?
Icancountascore。
Eric:Ihaveonlytwo。
Hugo:
AteveryhazardwemusttrytosaveThenuns。
Eric:CountRudolphshallthinkwehaveAforcethatalmostequalshisown,IfIcanconferwithhimalone。
Orion:
Heiscloseathand;bythistimehewaitsTheAbbot’sreplyattheconventgates。
Hugo:
Wehadbettersendhimaherald。
Eric:Nay,Iwillgomyself。[Ericgoesout。]
Hugo:Orion,stay!
SothisisthereedonwhichI’veleaned,Thesearethehopesthouhastfostered,theseTheflamesthouhastfanned。Oh,lyingfiend!
Isitthusthoudostkeepthypromises?
Orion:
Stronglanguage,Hugo,andmostunjust;
Youwillcryoutbeforeyouarehurt——
Youwilllivetorecallyourwords,Itrust。
FearnothingfromOsricorDagobert,Theseareyourfriends,ifyouonlyknewit,Andwouldtaketheadviceofafriendsincere;
Neglecthiscounselsandyoumustrueit,ForIknowbyasignthecrisisisnear。
Acceptthetermsoftheseoutlawsall,AndbethankfulthatthingshavefallenoutExactlyasyouwouldhavehadthemfall——
Youmaysavetheonethatyoucareabout;
Otherwise,howdidyouhopetogainAccesstoher——onwhatpretence?
WhatweretheschemesthatworriedyourbrainTotemptherthereortolureherthence?
Youmusthavebungled,andraisedascandalAboutyourears,thatmightwellhaveshamedTherudestHun,theveriestVandal,Longoreverthebirdwastamed。
Hugo:
Theconventisscarcesurroundedyet,WemightreachandholditagainsttheirforceTillanothersunhasrisenandset;
AndshouldIdespatchmyfleetesthorseToOtto————
Orion:ForAbbot,orMonk,orFriar,Betweenourselves,’tislittleyoucareIftheirhallsareharriedbysteelandfire:
Theiravariceleftyourheritagebare。
Forsakethem!Mitres,andcowls,andhoodsWillcoverviceswhileearthendures;
ThroughthegreenandgoldofthesummerwoodsRideoutwiththatprettybirdofyours。
Ifagainyoufailtoimproveyourchance,Why,then,myfriend,IcanonlysayYouaredullerfarthanthedullestlanceThatridesinDagobert’stroopthisday。
\"Faeminasemper\",frownnotthus,Thegirlwasalwaysgiddyandwild,Vain,andfoolish,andfrivolous,Sinceshefledfromherfather’shalls,achild。
IsoughttoinitiateyouonceInthemysticloreoftheoldChaldean;
ButIfoundyoufartoostubbornadunce,Andyourtastesarecoarserandmoreplebeian。
Yetmarkmywords,forIreadthestars,Andtracethefutureinyondersky;
Totherightarewarsandrumoursofwars,Totheleftarepeaceandprosperity。
Fearnaught。TheworldshallneverdetectTheclovenhoof,socarefullyhidBythescholarsostaidandcircumspect,Sowiseforoncetodoashe’sbid。
RememberwhatpangscomeyearbyyearForopportunitythathasfled;
AndThorainignorance。
Hugo:Namenother!
Iamsorelytemptedtostriketheedead!
Orion:
Nay,Ihardlythinkyouwilltakemylife,TheangelMichaelwasoncemyfoe;
Hehadalittlethebestofourstrife,Yethenevercoulddealsostarkablow。
SCENE——AChamberintheNuns’ApartmentsoftheConvent。
AGATHAandURSULA。
Agatha:
MysireinmychildhoodpledgedmyhandToHugo——Iknownotwhy——
Theywerecomradesthen,’neaththeDuke’scommand,InthewarsofLombardy。
Ithought,eremysummershadturnedsixteen,Thatminewasagrievouscase;
Saveonce,foranhour,IhadneverseenMyintendedbridegroom’sface;
Andmaidensvowsoftheirownwillplight。
UnknowntomykinsfolkallMylovewasvowedtoaDanishknight,Aguestinmyfather’shall。
Hisfootfelllightestinmerrydance,Hisshaftnevermissedthedeer;
Hecouldflyahawk,hecouldwieldalance,Ourwildestcolthecouldsteer。
HisdeepvoiceringingthroughhallorglenHadneveritsmatchinsong;
Andlittlewasknownofhispastlifethen,OrofDorothea’swrong。
Ilovedhim——LadyAbbess,IknowThatmylovewasfoolishnow;
Iwasbutachildfiveyearsago,Andthoughtlessasbirdonbough。
OneeveningHugotheNormancame,And,toshortenawearytale,Ifledthatnight(letmebeartheblame)
WithHaroldbydownanddale。
Hehadmountedmeonadappledsteed,Andanotherofcoal-blackhueHerodehimself;andawayatspeedWefledthroughmistanddew。
Ofmileswehadriddensomehalfascore,Wehadhaltedbesideaspring,WhenthebreezetoourearsthroughthestillnightboreAdistanttrampleandring;
Welisten’donebreathingspace,andcaughtTheclatterofmountedmen,WithvigourrenewedbytheirrespiteshortOurhorsesdash’dthroughtheglen。
Anotherleague,andwelisten’dinvain;
Thebreezetoourearscamemute;
Butweheardthemagainonthespaciousplain,Fainttidingsofhotpursuit。
InthemistylightofamoonhalfhidBythedarkorfleecyrack,Ourshadowsoverthemoorlandslid,Stilllisteningandlookingback。
Sowefled(withacheeringwordtosayAttimesaswehurriedon),Fromsoundsthatatintervalsdiedaway,Andatintervalscameanon。
Anotherleague,andmylipsgrewdumb,AndIfeltmyspiritquailing,Forcloserthosesoundsbegantocome,Andthespeedofmyhorsewasfailing。
\"Thegreyiswearyandlametoboot,\"
QuothHarold;\"theblackisstrong,Andtheirsteedsareblownwiththeirfiercepursuit,Whatwonder!ourstartwaslong。
Now,lady,behindmemounttheblack,Thedoubleloadhecanbear;
Wearesafewhenwereachtheforesttrack,Freshhorsesandfriendswaitthere。\"
ThenIsatbehindhimandheldhiswaist,AndfasterweseemedtogoBymossandmoor;butforallourhasteCamethetrampofthenearingfoe。
Adykethroughthemistbeforeushover’d,And,quicken’dbyvoiceandheel,Theblackoverleap’dit,stagger’d,recover’d;
Stillnearerthatmuffledpeal。
Andlouderonswardthehoof-strokesgrew,Andduller,thoughnotlessnigh,Ondeadersand;andadarkspeckdrewOnmyvisionsuddenly,Andasinglehorsemaninfleetcareer,Likeashadowappear’dtoglideTowithinsixlances’lengthsofourrear,Andthereforaspacetobide。
QuothHarold,\"Speak,hasthemoonreveal’dHisface?\"Ireplied,\"Notso!
Yet’tisnoneofmykinsfolk。\"Thenhewheel’dInthesaddleandscannedthefoe,Andmutter’d,stillgazinginourwake,\"’Tishe;nowIwillnotfightThebrotheragain,forthesister’ssake,WhileIcanescapebyflight。\"
\"Who,Harold?\"Iasked;butheneverspoke。
Bythecryofthebitternharsh,Andthebull-frog’sdull,discordantcroak,Iguess’dthatwenear’dthemarsh;
Andthemoonbeamflash’donwaterysedgeAsitbrokefromastripofcloud,Raggedandjaggedabouttheedge,Andshapedlikeadeadman’sshroud。
Andflagg’dandfalter’dourgallantsteed,’Neaththeweightofhisdoubleburden,Aswesplash’dthroughwaterandcrash’dthroughreed;
Thenthesoilbegantoharden,Andagainwegain’d,orweseem’dtogain,Withourfoeinthedeepmorass;
Butthosefleethoofsthunder’d,andgain’dagain,Whentheytrampledthefirmergrass,AndIcried,andHaroldagainlook’dback,AndbademefastenmineeyesonTheforest,thatloom’dlikeapatchofblackStandingoutfromthefainthorizon。
\"Courage,sweetheart!wearesaved,\"hesaid;
\"Withthemoorlandourdangerends,AndclosetothebordersofyondergladeTheytarry,ourtrustyfriends。\"
WherethemossyuplandsriseanddipOntheedgeoftheleafydell,Withalurch,likethelurchofasinkingship,Theblackhorsetoppledandfell。
Unharm’dwelitonthevelvetsward,AndevenasIlitIlay,ButHarolduprose,unsheath’dhissword,Andtoss’dthescabbardaway。
Andspakethroughhisteeth,\"Goodbrother-in-law,Forbearance,atlast,isspent;
ThestrifethatthysoulhathlustedforThoushalthavetothysoul’scontent!\"
Whilehespoke,ourpursuerpastusswept,Ereherein’dhiswar-horseproud,Tohishaunchesflung,thentotheearthheleapt,Andmylover’svoicerangloud:
\"Thricewelcome!HugoofNormandy,Thouhastcomeatourtimeofneed,Thisladywillthankthee,andsowillI,Fortheloanofthysorrelsteed!\"
AndneverawordLordHugosaid,Theyclos’d’twixtthewoodandthewold,AndthewhitesteelflickeredovermyheadInthemoonlightcalmandcold;
’Midthefeatherygrassescrouchinglow,Withfacebow’ddowntothedust,Iheardtheclashofeachwardedblow,Theclickofeachparriedthrust,Andtheshufflingfeetthatbruis’dthelawn,Astheytraversedhereandthere,Andthebreaththroughtheclench’dteethheavilydrawnWhenbreaththerewasnonetospare;
Sharpringingswordplay,dull,tramplingheel,Shortpause,spentforcetoregain,Quickmuffledfootfall,harshgratingsteel,Sharpringingrallyagain;
Theyseem’dlonghours,thosemomentsfleet,AsIcountedthemonebyone,Tilladeadweighttoppledacrossmyfeet,AndIknewthatthestrifewasdone。
WhenIlookedup,afteralittlespace,Asthoughfromafearfuldream,ThemoonwasflingingonHarold’sfaceAwhiteandaweird-likegleam;
AndIfeltmineanklesmoistandwarmWiththebloodthattrickledslowFromaspotonthedoubletbeneathhisarm,Fromaghastlygashonhisbrow;
Iheardthetreadofthesorrel’shoofAsheborehislordaway;
Theypassedmeslowly,keepingaloof,Likespectres,mistyandgrey。
IthoughtLordHugohadleftmethereTodie,butitwasnotso;
YetthenfordeathIhadlittlecare,Mysoulseem’dnumb’dbytheblow;
Afaintnessfollow’d,asicklyswoon,Alongandadreamlesssleep,AndIwoketothelightofasultrynoonInmyfather’scastledkeep。
Andthus,LadyAbbess,itcametopassThatmyfathervow’dhisvow;
MusthisdaughterespousetheChurch?Alas!
Isshebetterorwisernow?
Forsomearefeebleandothersstrong,AndfeebleamIandfrail。
Mother!’tisnotthatIlovethewrong,’TisnotthatIloathetheveil,Butwithheartstillreadytogoastray,Ifassail’dbyafreshtemptation,IcouldsinagainasIsinnedthatday,Foragirl’sinfatuation。
See!Harold,theDane,thousay’stisdead,YetIweepNOTBITTERLY;
AsIfledwiththeDane,soImighthavefledWithHugoofNormandy。
Ursula:
Mychild,Iadvisenohastyvows,YetIpraythatinlife’sbriefspanThoumay’stlearnthatourChurchisafairerspouseThanfickleanderringman;
ThoughfencedforatimebytheChurch’spale,Whenthattimeexpiresthou’rtfree;
Andwecannotforcetheetotaketheveil,Nay,wescarcecancounselthee。
EntertheABBOThastily。
Basil(theAbbot):
Iamsorelystrickenwithshameandgrief,Ithascomebytheself-samesign,Asummonsbrieffromtheoutlaw’dchief,CountRudolphofRothenstein。
LadyAbbess,ereworsethingscometopass,Iwouldspeakwiththeealone;
Alackandalas!forbytheroodandmassIfearweareallundone。
SCENE——AFarm-houseNeartheConvent。
AChamberfurnishedwithwritingmaterials。HUGO,ERIC,andTHURSTON
ononeside;ontheotherOSRIC,RUDOLPH,andDAGOBERT。
Osric:
Wehavegrantedtoomuch,yeaskformore;
Iamnotskill’dinyourclerklylore,Iscornyourlogic;IhadratherdieThanlivelikeHugoofNormandy:
IamaNorseman,frankandplain;
Yemustreadtheparchmentoveragain。
Eric:
JarlOsric,twicewehavereadthisscroll。
Osric:
Thouhastreadapart。
Eric:Ihavereadthewhole。
Osric:
Aye,sinceIattachedmysignature!
Eric:
Beforeandsince!
Rudolph:Nay,ofthisbesure,Thouhastsigned;infairnessnowletitrest。
Osric:
Ihadratherhavesign’duponHugo’screst;
HehasarguedthequestionmouthtomouthWiththewordyloreofthesubtlesouth;
LethimoranyoneofhisbandComeandarguethequestionhandtohand。
Withtheaidofmybattle-axeIwillshowThatascoreofwordsarenotworthoneblow。
Thurston:
Tothedevilwiththeeandthybattle-axe;
Iwouldsendthepairofyebackinyourtracks,WithananswerthateventothyboorishbrainWouldscarceneedrepetitionagain。
Osric:
ThouSaxonslavetoamilksopknight,Iwillgivethybodytoravenandkite。
Thurston:
Thouliest;Iamafreebornman,Andthyhugecarcase——incubitandspanLikethegiant’sofGath——’neathSaxonsteel,Shallfurnishthekiteswithafattermeal。
Osric:
Now,byOdin!
Rudolph:JarlOsric,curbthywrath;
Ournamesaresign’d,ourwordshavegoneforth。
Hugo:
Iblamethee,Thurston。
Thurston:AndI,too,blameMyself,sinceIfollowaknightsotame!
[Thurstongoesout。]
Osric:
TheSaxonhound,hesaidIlied!
Rudolph:
Ipraythee,goodViking,bepacified。
Osric:
Whydowegrantthetermstheyask?
Tocrushthemallwereaneasytask。
Dagobert:
Thatknow’stthounot;ifitcometowar,Theyarestronger,perhaps,thanwebargainfor。
Eric:
JarlOsric,thoumay’strecallthywords——
Shouldwemeetagain。
Osric:Shouldwemeetwithswords,Thou,too,may’strecallthemtothysorrow。
Hugo:
Eric!wedally。SirCount,good-morrow。
SCENE——TheGuestChamberoftheConvent。
HUGO,ERIC,andORION。
Eric:
Hugo,theirsiegewemighthavetried;
ThisplacewouldbeeasierfortifiedThanIthoughtatfirst;itisnowtoolate,Theyhavecutoffouraccesstothegate。
Hugo:
Ihaveweigh’dthechancesandcountedthecost,AndIknowbythestarsthatallislostIfwetakeupthisquarrel。
Eric:Soletitbe!
Iyieldtoonewhoiswiserthanme。(Aside。)
Nevertheless,IhaveseenthedayWhenthestarswouldscarcelyhavebadeusstay。
EntertheABBOT,CYRIL,andotherMonks。
Hugo:
LordAbbot,wegreetthee。Goodfathersall,Webringyougreeting。
Orion(aside):Andcomfortsmall。
Abbot:
God’sbenedictiononyou,mysons。
Hugo:
MayHesaveyou,too,fromNorsemenandHuns!
Sincethegatesarebeleaguer’dandwallsbegirtBytheforcesofOsricandDagobert;
’Tisaheavypricethattheknavesdemand。
Abbot:
WerewetomortgagetheChurch’slandWenevercouldraisewhattheywouldextort。
Orion(aside):
Thepriceistoolongandthenoticetooshort。
Eric:
Andyouknowthesternalternative。
Abbot:
Ifwediewedie,ifwelivewelive;
God’swillbedone;andourtrustissureInHim,thoughHischast’ningsweendure。
Twomessengersrodefromherelastnight,ToOttotheycarrynewsofourplight;
OnmyswiftesthorsesIsawthemgo。
Orion(aside):
Thenhisswiftesthorsesarewondrousslow。
Eric:
Oneoftheseiscaptiveandbadlyhurt;
BytherecklessridersofDagobertHewasovertakenandwell-nighslain,Notaleaguefromhereontheopenplain。
Abbot:
Buttheotherescap’d。
Eric:Itmaybeso;
Wehadnowordofhim,butweknowThatunlessyoucankeepthesewallsforadayAtleast,thePrinceistoofarawayToaffordrelief。
Abbot:ThenahopelesscaseIsours,andwithdeathwearefacetoface。
Eric:
Youhavearm’dretainers。
Cyril(aMonk):Aye,somehalfscore;
Andsomefewofthebrethren,lessormore,Haveinyouththebruntofthebattlebided,Yetourarmouryisbutillprovided。
Hugo:
Wehavetermsoftrucefromtherobbersinchief,Thoughthetermsarepartial,thetrucebutbrief;
ToAbbess,tonuns,andnovicesall,Andtoeverywomanwithinyourwall,Wecanofferescort,andtheyshallrideFromhenceinsafetywhate’erbetide。
Abbot:
Whatescort,Hugo,canstthouafford?
Hugo:
SomescoreofriderswhocallmelordBideatthefarmnotamilefromhere,Tillwerejointhemtheywillnotstir;
Mypageandarmourerwaitbelow,Andallourmovementsarewatch’dbythefoe。
Strictstipulationwasmade,ofcourse,That,exceptourselves,neithermannorhorseShouldenteryourgates——theywerekeentoshunThechanceofincreasingyourgarrison。
Eric:
Iholdsafeconducthereinmyhand,Signedbythechiefsofthatlawlessband;
SeeRudolph’sname,nodisgracetoaclerk,AndDagobert’sscrawl,andOsric’smark;
Jarlsignedsorelyagainsthiswill,Withascratchliketheprintofaraven’sbill;
Butthefoehavemuster’dinsightofthegate。
Foranotherhourtheywillscarcelywait;
BidAbbessanddamepreparewithhaste。
Hugo:
LordAbbot,ItelltheecandidlyThereisnogreatlovebetweenthouandI,Aswellthouknow’st;but,nevertheless,Iwouldweweremore,orthyfoeswereless。
Abbot:
IwillsummontheLadyAbbessstraight。
[TheAbbotandMonksgoout。]
Eric:
’Tishardtoleavethesementotheirfate,NorsemenandHunwillneverrelent;
Theirdayofgraceuponearthisspent。
[Hugogoesout,followedbyOrion。]
SCENE——TheCorridorOutsidetheGuestChamber。
HUGOpacingupanddown。ORIONleaningagainstthewall。
Hugo:
Mydayofgracewiththeirsispast。
Imighthavesavedthem;’tistoolate——
Toolateforboth。Thedieiscast,AndIresignmetomyfate。
God’svengeanceIawait。
Orion:
Theboundary’twixtrightandwrongIsnotsoeasytodiscern;
Andmanisweak,andfateisstrong,Anddestinyman’shopeswillspurn,Man’sschemeswilloverturn。
Hugo:
Thouliest,thoufiend!NotunawaresThesinnerswallowsSatan’sbait,Norpitsconceal’dnorhiddensnaresSeeksblindly;whereforedostthouprateOfdestinyandfate?
Orion:
Whofirstnamedfate?Butnevermind,Letthatpassby——toAdam’sfallAndAdam’scurselookback,andfindIniquitythelotofall,Andsinoriginal。
Hugo:
ButIhavesinn’d,repented,sinn’d,TillseventimesthatsinmaybeByseventymultiplied;thewindIsconstantwhencomparedwithme,Andstableisthesea!
Myhopesaresacrificed,forwhat?
Fordaysoffolly,lessormore,Foryearstoseethosedeadhopesrot,Likedeadweedsscatter’dontheshore,Beyondthesurfsthatroar!
Orion:
ThewilesofEveareswifttosmite;
Aye,swifttosmiteandnottospare——
Redlipsandroundlimbssweetandwhite,Darkeyesandsunny,silkenhair,Thybettersmayensnare。
Hugo:
Notso;thestrife’twixthellandheavenIfeltlastnight,andwellIknewThecrisis;butmyaidwasgivenTohell。Thou’stknownthecrisistoo,Foroncethou’stspokentrue。
Havingforetoldit,thereremainsForgracenotime,forhopenoroom;
EvennowIseemtofeelthepainsOfhell,thatwaitbeyondthegloomOfmydishonour’dtomb。
Thouwhohastlivedanddiedtosave,Ussinners,ChristofGalilee!
Thygreatlovepardon’dandforgaveThedyingthiefuponthetree,Thoucanstnotpardonme!
DearLord!hearThoumylatestprayer,Forprayermustdiesincehopeisdead;
ThyFather’svengeanceletmebear,NorletmyguiltbevisitedUponaguiltlesshead!
Ah!Godisjust!FullsureIamHeneverdidpredestinateOursoulstohell。Ourselveswedamn——
[ToOrion,withsuddenpassion]
Serpent!Iknowtheenow,toolate;
Cursethee!Workoutthyhate!
Orion:
Ihatetheenot;thygrievousplightWouldmovemypity,butIbearAcursetowhichthycurseseemslight!
Thywrongisbetterthanmyright,Mydayisdarkerthanthynight;
BesidethewhitesthopeIshareHowwhiteisthydespair!
SCENE——TheChapeloftheConvent。
URSULA,AGATHA,NunsandNovices。
(HymnoftheNuns):
Jehovah!weblessThee,AllworksofThinehandExtolThee,confessThee;
Byseaandbyland,Bymountainandriver,Byforestandglen,TheypraiseTheeforever!
Andever!Amen!
TheheathenareragingAgainstThee,OLord!
TheungodlyarewagingRashwaragainstGod!
Arise,anddeliverUs,sheepofThypen,WhopraiseTheeforever!
Andever!Amen!
ThouShepherdofZion!
ThyfirstlingsdidsttearFromjawsofthelion,Fromteethofthebear;
ThystrengthtodeliverIsstrongnowasthen。
WepraiseTheeforever!
Andever!Amen!
ThinearmhathdeliveredThyservantsofold,Hathscatter’dandshiver’dThespearsofthebold,HathemptiedthequiverOfbloodthirstymen。
WepraiseTheeforever!
Andever!Amen!
NathlessshallThyrighthandThosecounselsfulfilMostwiseinThysight,andWebowtoThywill;
ThychildrenquailneverFordungeonorden,TheypraiseTheeforever!
Andever!Amen!
ThoughfiercetribulationEndureforaspace,YetGod!oursalvation!
WegainbyThygrace,Atendoflife’sfever,Blisspassingman’sken;
TheretopraiseTheeforever!
Andever!Amen!
SCENE——TheGuestRoomoftheConvent。
HUGO,ERIC,andORION。EnterURSULA,AGATHA,andNuns。
Ursula:
Hugo,werejectthineoffers,NotthatwecanbuySafetyfromtheChurch’scoffers,Neithercanwefly。
Fartoogreatthepricetheyseekis,LettheirlawlessthrongCome,wewaittheircoming;weakisMan,butGodisstrong。
Eric:
Thinkagainonourproposals:
ItwillbetoolateWhentherobbersholdcarousalsOnthissidethegate。
Ursula:
FormyselfIspeakandothersWeakandfrailasI;
WewillnotdesertourbrothersInadversity。
Hugo(totheNuns):
DoestheAbbessthusadvanceherWillbeforeyeall?
ANun:
Wewillstay。
Hugo:Isthisthineanswer,Agatha?ThewallIsapoorprotectiontruly,Andthegatesareweak,AndtheNorsemenmostunruly。
Come,then。
ANun(toAgatha):Sister,speak!
Orion(asidetoHugo):
Pressher!Sheherfearsdissembling,Standsirresolute;
Shewillyield——herlimbsaretrembling,Thoughherlipsaremute。
[Atrumpetisheardwithout。]
Eric:
Hark!theirsavagewar-hornblowingChafesatourdelay。
Hugo:
Agatha,wemustbegoing。
Come,girl!
Agatha(clingingtoUrsula):MustIstay?
Ursula:
Nay,mychild,thoushaltnotmakemeJudge;IcannotgiveOrderstoanovice。
Agatha:Takeme,Hugo!Letmelive!
Eric(toNuns):
Foolishwomen!willyetarry,Spiteofallwesay?
Hugo:
MustweuseourstrengthandcarryYoubyforceaway?
Ursula:
Badenoughthouart,SirNorman,YetthouwiltnotdoThisthing。Shame!——onmenmakewar,man,Notonwomenfew。
Eric:
Heedhernot——herlifeshebarters,Ofherfreeaccord,Forherfaith;and,doubtless,martyrsHavetheirownreward。
Ursula:
IntheChurch’scausethyfatherNevergrudgedhisblade——
Hugo,didherueit?
Orion:Rather!
Hewaspoorlypaid。
Hugo:
Abbess,thisisnotmydoing;
Ihavesaidmysay;
HowcanIaverttheruin,Evenforaday,Sincetheycounttwohundredfairly,Whilewecountascore;
AndthineownretainersbarelyCountadozenmore?
Agatha(kneelingtoUrsula):
Ah!forgiveme,LadyAbbess,BlessmeereIgo;
ShewhoundersodandslabisLying,coldandlow,ScarcewouldturnawayinangerFromachildsofrail;
Notdearlife,butdeadlydanger,Makesherdaughterquail。
Hugo:
Eric,willthosefacestearfulToGod’sjudgmentseatHauntus?
Eric:Deathisnotsofearful。
Hugo:No,butlifeissweet——
Sweetforonce,tome,thoughsinful。
Orion(toHugo):Earthisscantofbliss;
WisesthewhotakeshisskinfulWhenthechanceishis。
(ToUrsula):
LadyAbbess!stayandwelcomeOsric’ssavagecrew;
Yetwhenpainsofdeathandhellcome,Thouthychoicemay’strue。
Ursula(toOrion):
Whatdostthou’neathroof-treessacred?
Manorfiend,depart!
Orion:
Dame,thytongueissharpandacrid,YetIbearthesmart。
Ursula(advancingandraisingupacrucifix):
IconjuretheebythissymbolLeaveus!
[Oriongoesouthastily。]
Hugo:Ha!theknave,Hehasmadeanexitnimble;
Abbess!thouartbrave。
Yetoncegone,we’repastrecalling,Letnoblamebemine。
See,thysisters’tearsarefallingFast,andsoarethine。
Ursula:
Fareyouwell!TheteardropsplashesVainlyontheice。
Yewillsorrowo’erourashesAndyourcowardice。
Eric:
SorryamI,yetmysorrowCannotalterfate;
ShouldPrinceOttocometo-morrow,Hewillcometoolate。
Hugo:
Nay,oldcomrade,shehathspokenWordswemustnothear;
Shallwepauseforsignortoken——
Tauntedtwicewithfear?
Yonder,hilttohiltadjusted,StandtheswordsinwhichwetrustedYearsago。Theirbladeshaverusted,So,perchance,havewe。
Ursula!thywordsmayshameus,Yetweoncewerecountedfamous,Morituri,salutamus,Autvicturi,te![Theygoout。]
SCENE——TheOutskirtsofRudolph’sCamp。
RUDOLPH,OSRIC,andDAGOBERT。HUGO。
Rudolph:
LordHugo!thyspeechismadness;
Thouhasttax’dourpatiencetoofar;
Weoffer’dtheepeace——withgladness,Wegladlyacceptthywar。
Dagobert:
AndtheclemencyweextendedTotheeandthinewerecall;
Andthetreaty’twixtusisended——
Wearereadytostormthewall。
Osric:
Nowtearyonparchmenttotatters;
ThoushaltmakenofurtheruseOfoursafeguard;thewindthatscattersThescrollshallscatterthetruce。
Hugo:
JarlOsric,tosavethespillingOfblood,andthewasteoflife,Iamwilling,ifthouartwilling,Withtheetodecidethisstrife;
Letthycomradesdrawtheirforceback;
Idefytheetosinglefight,Iwillmeettheeonfootorhorseback,AndGodshalldefendtheright。
Rudolph:
NosinglecombatshallsettleThisstrife;thouartoverbold——
Thouhastputusallonourmettle,Nowthegameinourhandswehold。
Dagobert:
Ourlancesroundtheehavehover’d,Haveseenwherethyfellowsbide;
Thyweaknesswehavediscover’d,Thynakednesswehavespied。
Osric:
Andhearken,knight,tomystory——
Whensack’daretheconventshrines,Whentheconventthresholdsaregory,Andquaff’daretheconventwines:
Whenourbeastswithpillageareladen,AndthecloudsofourblacksmokeriseFromyontower,onefair-hairedmaidenIssingledasOsric’sprize。
IwillfitherwithchainandcollarOfredgold,studdedwithpearls;
Withbraceletofgold,SirScholar,Thequeenofmycaptivegirls。
Hugo(savagely):
MaytheMostHighGodofbattlesTheLordandRuleroffights,Whobreakeththeshieldthatrattles,Whosnappeththeswordthatsmites,Inwhosehandsarefootmenandhorsemen,Atwhosebreaththeyconquerorflee,NevershowmeHismercy,Norseman!
IfIshowmercytothee。
Osric:
What,ho!artthoudrunk,SirNorman?
Hasthewinemadethypalecheekred?
Now,IswearbyOdinandThor,man,AlreadyIcounttheedead。
Rudolph:
IcravethypardonforbaulkingThefloodofthineeloquence,Butthoucanstnotscareuswithtalking,Ithereforepraytheegohence。
Osric:
ThoughImaynottakeupthygauntlet,Shouldwemeetwherethesteelstrikesfire,’Twixtthycasqueandthycharger’sfrontletThechoicewillperplexthysquire。
Hugo:
WhentheNormanrowelsaregoading,WhenglitterstheNormanglaive,ThoushaltcalluponThorandOdin:
Theyshallnotheartheenorsave。
\"Shouldwemeet!\"Aye,thechancemayfallso,Inthefuriousbattledrive,SomayGoddealwithme——more,also!
Ifweseparate,bothalive!
SCENE——TheCourt-yardoftheOldFarm。
EUSTACEandotherfollowersofHUGOandERICloungingabout。
EnterTHURSTONhastily,withswordsunderhisarm。
Thurston:
Nowsaddleyourhorsesandgirththemtight,Andseethatyourweaponsaresharpandbright。
Come,lads,getreadyasfastasyoucan。
Eustace:
Why,what’sthisbustleabout,oldman?
Thurston:
Well,itseemsLordHugohaschangedhismind,Astheweathercockveerswiththeshiftingwind;
HehasgoneinpersontoOsric’scamp,Totellhimtopackuphistentsandtramp!
ButIguesshewon’t。
Eustace:ThenIhopehewill,Theyareplentytoeatus,aswellastokill。
Ralph:
AndIhopehewon’t——IbegintofeelAlongingtomoistenmythirstysteel。
[Theybegintosaddleandmakepreparationsforaskirmish。]
Thurston:
I’veacoupleofbladestolooktohere。
IntheirscabbardsIscarcelycouldmakethemstirAtfirst,butI’llsharpenthembotherelong。
AMan-at-arms:
Hurrahforaskirmish!Who’llgiveusasong?
Thurston(sings,cleaningandsharpening):
Hurrah!forthesword!Iholdonehere,AndIscourattherustandsay,’Tistheumpirethis,andthearbiter,Thatsettlesinthefairestway;
Foritstaysfalsetonguesanditcoolshotblood,Anditlowerstheproudone’screst;
Andthelawofthelandissometimesgood,Butthelawoftheswordisbest。
Inalldisputes’tistheshortestplan,Thesurestandbestappeal;——
Whatelsecandecidebetweenmanandman?
(Chorusofall):
Hurrah!forthebrightbluesteel!
Thurston(sings):
Hurrah!fortheswordofHugo,ourlord!
’Tisatrustyfriendandatrue;
Ithashelditsownonagrassysward,Whenitsbladeshonebrightandblue,Thoughitneverhasstrickeninangerhard,Andhasscarcelybeencleansedfromrust,SincethedaywhenitbrokethroughHarold’sguardWithourfavouritecutandthrust;
YetOsric’scrownwilllooksomewhatred,Andhisbrainwillbeapttoreel,Shouldthetrenchantbladecomedownonhishead——
(Chorusofall):
Hurrah!forthebrightbluesteel!
Thurston(sings):
Hurrah!fortheswordofourallybold,Ithasdonegoodservicetohim;
Ithashelditsownonanopenwold,Whenitsedgewasinkeenertrim。
Itmaybaffletheplotsofthewisestskull,Itmayslackenthestrongestlimb,Makethebrainsfullofforethoughtvoidandnull,Andtheeyesfulloffar-sightdim;
Andthehastyhandsarecontenttowait,Andthekneesarecompelledtokneel,Whereitfallswiththeweightofadownstrokestraight——
(Chorusofall):
Hurrah!forthebrightbluesteel!
Thurston(sings):
Hurrah!forthesword——I’veoneofmyown;
AndIthinkImaysafelysay,Givemyenemyhis,letusstandalone,Andourquarrelshallendoneway;
Onewayortheother——itmattersnotmuch,Sothequestionbefairlytried。
Oh!peacemakergood,bringingpeacewithatouch,Thyclientswillbesatisfied。
Asajudge,thoudostjudge——asawitness,attest,Andthousettestthyhandandseal,Andthewinnerisblest,andtheloseratrest——
(Chorusofall):
Hurrah!forthebrightbluesteel!
[HugoandEricenterduringthelastverseofthesong。]
Hugo:
Bootandsaddle,oldfriend,Theirdefiancetheysend;
Timeisshort——makeanendOfthysong。
LettheswordinthisfightStrikeashardfortherightAsitoncestruckformightLeaguedwithwrong。
Ha!Rollo,thouchampestThybridleandstampest,FortherushofthetempestDostlong?
Ho!thekiteswillgrowfatterOnthecorpseswescatter,InthepathswhereweshatterTheirthrong。
WhereOsric,thecraven,Hathrearedtheblackraven’GainstmonksthatareshavenAndcowl’d:
WheretheTeutonandHunsit,Inthetrackofouronset,Willthewolves,erethesunset,Havehowl’d。
Retributionisgood,Theyhaverevell’dinblood,LikethewolvesofthewoodTheyhaveprowl’d。
Birdsofpreytheyhavebeen,Andofcarrionunclean,Andtheirownnests(Iween)
Theyhavefoul’d。
Eric:
TwomessengerssinceYestermornhavegonehence,AnderelongwillthePrinceBringrelief。
Shallwepause?——theyaretenToourone,buttheirmenAreill-arm’d,andscarcekenTheirownchief;
Andforthiswegivethanks:
Theirdisorderlyranks,Ifassail’dintheflanks,WillasliefRunasfight——loonsandlords。
Hugo:
Mountyoursteeds!drawyourswords!
Takeyourplaces!MywordsShallbebrief:
Rideroundbythevalley,Throughpassandgorgesally——
ThelindentreesrallyBeneath。
Then,EricandThurston,Theirrankswhileweburston,TrywhichwillbefirstonTheheath。
(Aside)
Lookagain,mothermine,Throughthehappystarshine,Formysinsdostthoupine?
Withmybreath,See!thypangsarealldone,Forthelifeofthyson:
ThoushaltneverfeeloneForhisdeath。
[TheyallgooutbutHugo,wholingerstotightenhisgirths。Orionappearssuddenlyinthegateway。]
Orion:
Stay,friend!IkeepguardonThysoul’sgates;holdhardonThyhorse。HopeofpardonHathfled!
Bethinkonce,Icravethee,Canrecklessnesssavethee?
HellsoonerwillhavetheeInstead。
Hugo:
Back!Mysoul,tempest-toss’d,HathherRubiconcross’d,Sheshallfly——savedorlost!
Voidofdread!
Sharperpangthanthesteel,Thou,oh,serpent!shaltfeel,ShouldIsetthebruisedheelOnthyhead。
[Heridesout。]
SCENE——ARoomintheConventTowerOverlookingtheGate。
URSULAatthewindow。AGATHAandNunscrouchingorkneelinginacorner。
Ursula:
See,Ellinor!Agatha!Anna!
Whileyetfortheladderstheywait,JarlOsrichathrear’dtheblackbannerWithinafewyardsofthegate;
Itfacesourwindow,theraven,Thebadgeofthecruelsea-kings,ThathascarriedtoharbourandhavenDestructionanddeathonitswings。
Beneathustheythrong,thefierceNorsemen,ThepikemenofRudolphbehindAremustered,andDagobert’shorsemenWithfacestorearwardinclined;
Comelast,ontheircoursersbroad-chested,Rough-coated,short-pastern’dandstrong,Theircasqueswithwhiteplumesthicklycrested,Theirlancesbarb-headedandlong:
Theycomethroughtheshadesofthelinden,Fleetridersandwar-horseshot:
TheNormans,ourfriends——wehavesinn’dinOurselfishness,sisters,Iwot——
Theycometoaddslaughtertoslaughter,Theirhandfulcanne’erstemthetideOfourfoes,andourfatewerebutshorterWithoutthem。Howfiercelytheyride!
And\"HugoofNormandy!\"\"Hugo!\"
\"Arescue!arescue!\"ringsloud,Andrightonthemanythefewgo!
Aswayandaswerveofthecrowd!
Aspringingandsparklingofsword-blades!
Acrashingand’counteringofsteeds!
Andthewhitefeathersfly’neaththeirbroadbladesLikefoam-flakes!thespear-shaftslikereeds!
ANun(toAgatha):
Pray,sister!
Agatha:Alas!IhavestrivenTopray,butthelipsmoveinvainWhentheheartwithsuchterrorisriven。
Lookagain,LadyAbbess!Lookagain!
Ursula:
Asleavesfallbywintrygustsscatter’d,Asfallbythesickleripeears,Asthepinesbythewhirlwindfallshatter’d,Asshatter’dbyboltfallthefirs——
Totherighthandtheyfall,tothelefthandTheyyield!Theygodown!theygiveback!
Andtheirranksaredividedandcleft,andDispers’danddestroy’dinthetrack!
Where,stirruptostirrup,andbridleTobridle,down-tramplingtheslain!
Ourfriends,wieldingswordsneveridle,HewbloodyanddesperatelaneThroughpikemen,socrowdedtogetherTheyscarcefortheirpikescanfindroom,LedbyHugo’sgiltcrest,thetallfeatherOfThurston,andEric’sblackplume!
ANun(toAgatha):
Pray,sister!
Agatha:FirstpraythouthatheavenWillliftthisdullweightfrommybrain,Thatcrusheslikecrimeunforgiven。
Lookagain,LadyAbbess!Lookagain!
Ursula:
CloseunderthegatesmenarefightingOnfootwheretheravenisrear’d!
’Neaththatsword-stroke,throughhelmandskullsmiting,JarlOsricfalls,cloventothebeard!
AndHugo,thehiltfirmlygrasping,Hisheelonthethroatofhisfoe,Wrenchesback。Icanhearthedullrasping,Thesteelthroughthebonegratinglow!
Andtheravenrocks!ThurstonhaslandedTwostrokes,welldirectedandhard,Onthestandardpole,wielding,two-handed,Abladecrimson’duptotheguard。
Likethemastcutintwobythelightning,Theblackbannertopplesandfalls!
Bewildering!back-scattering!affright’ning!
Itclearsawidespacenextthewalls。
ANun(toAgatha):
Pray,sister!
Agatha:Doesthesinnerunshriven,Withnaughtbeyondthislifetogain,Prayformercyonearthorinheaven?
Lookagain,LadyAbbess!Lookagain!
Ursula:
Thegatesareflungopen,andstraightway,ByAmbroseandCyrilledon,Ourownmenrushoutthroughthegateway;
Onecharge,andtheentranceiswon!
No!ourfoesblockthegateandendeavourToforcetheirwayin!Oathandyell,Shoutandwar-crywaxwilderthanever!
ThosechildrenofOdinfightwell;
Andmyearsareconfusedbythecrashing,Thejarring,thediscord,thedin;
Andmineeyesareperplex’dbytheflashingOffiercelightsthatceaselesslyspin;
Sowhenthundertothunderiscalling,Quickflashfollowsflashintheshade,Soleapingandflashingandfalling,Bladeflashesandfollowsonblade!
Whilethesward,newlyplough’d,freshlypainted,Growspurplewithbloodoftheslain,Andslippery!HasAgathafainted?
Agatha:
Notso,LadyAbbess!Lookagain!
Ursula:
Nomorefromthewindow;intheoldyearsIhavelook’duponstrife。NowIgoTothecourt-yardtorallyoursoldiersAsImay——facetofacewiththefoe。
[Shegoesout。]
SCENE——ARoomintheConvent。
THURSTONseatednearasmallfire。
EnterEUSTACE。
Eustace:
Wehavecomethroughthisskirmishwithhardlyascratch。
Thurston:
Andwithoutus,Ifancy,theyhaveafullbatchOfsickmentolookto。Thoserobbersaccurs’dWillsoonputoursoundestontermswithourworst。
NathlessI’dhavebartered,withneverafrown,TenyearsforthosesecondswhenOsricwentdown。
Where’sEthelwolf?
Eustace:Dying。
Thurston:AndReginald?
Eustace:Dead。
AndRalphisdisabled,andRudolphissped。
Hemaylasttillmidnight——notlonger。NorTyrrel,NorBrianwilleverseesunrise。
Thurston:ThatCyril,Themonk,isaveryrespectablefighter。
Eustace:
Notbadforamonk。YetourlosshadbeenlighterHadheandhisfellowsthrownopenthegateAlittlemorequickly。Andnow,spiteoffate,Withthirtypickedsoldierstheirsiegewemightweather,ButtheAbbessisworthalltherestputtogether。
[EnterUrsula。]
Thurston:
Hereshecomes。
Ursula:CanIspeakwithyourlord?
Eustace:’Tistoolate,Hewasdeadwhenwecarriedhiminatthegate。
Thurston:
Nay,hespokeafterthat,forIheardhimmyself;
Buthewon’tspeakagain,hemustlieonhisshelf。
Ursula:
Alas!ishedead,then?
Thurston:AsdeadasSt。Paul。
Andwhatthen?to-morrowwe,too,oneandall,Die,tofattentheseravenouscarrionbirds。
IkneltdownbyHugoandheardhislastwords:
\"Howheavythenighthangs——howwildthewavesdash;
Sayamassformysoul——andgiveRolloamash。\"
Ursula:
Nay,Thurston,thoujestest。
Thurston:AskEric。IswearWelistenedandcaughteverysyllableclear。
Eustace:
Why,hishorsewasslain,too。
Thurston:’Neaththelindentreesgrey,Eretheonset,youngHenryrodeRolloaway;
HewillhastenthePrince,andtheymayreachyourgateTo-morrow——thoughto-morrowforusistoolate。
Hugorodetheboy’smare,andshe’sdead——ifyoulike——
Disembowel’dbythethrustofafreebooter’spike。
Eustace:
NeitherHenrynorRolloweevershallsee。
Ursula:
Butwemayholdthewallstillto-morrow。
Thurston:Notwe。
Inanhourorless,havingralliedtheirforce,They’llstormyouroldbuilding——andtakeit,ofcourse,Sinceofus,whoaloneinwar’sscienceareskill’d,One-thirdaredisabled,andtwo-thirdsarekill’d。
Ursula:
Artthouhurt?
Thurston:AtpresentIfeelwellenough,Butyourwaterisbrackish,unwholesomeandrough;
Bringaflaskofyourwine,dame,forEustaceandI,Letusgailygivebattleandmerrilydie。
[EnterEric,witharminsling。]
Eric:
Thouartsafe,LadyAbbess!Theconventissafe!
Toberobbedoftheirpreyhowtheravenswillchafe!
ThevanguardofOttoisloominginsight!
Atthesheenoftheirspears,see!thyfoementakeflight,Theirforemostarescarcehalfamilefromthewall。
Thurston:
Bringthewine,lestthoseGermansshouldswallowitall。
SCENE——TheChapeloftheConvent。
DirgeoftheMonks:
Earthtoearth,anddusttodust,Ashesuntoashesgo。
Judgenot。Hewhojudgethjust,Judgethmercifulalso。
Earthlypenitencehathfled,Earthlysinhathceasedtobe;
Pilethesodsonheartandhead,MiserereDomine!
Hominumetangelorum,Domine!precamurteUtimmemorsismalorum——
MiserereDomine!
(Miserere!)
Willthefruitsoflifebroughtforth,Prideandgreed,andwrathandlust,Profitinthedayofwrath,Whenthedustreturnstodust?
EvilflowerandthornyfruitLoadthewildandworthlesstree。
Lo!theaxeisattheroot,MiserereDomine!
Spes,fidesque,caritasque,Frustrafatigantperse,Frustravirtus,forsque,fasque,MiserereDomine!
(Miserere!)
Fairwithoutandfoulwithin,Whenthehoney’dhusksarereftFromthebittersweetsofsin,Bitternessaloneisleft;
YetthewaywardsoulhathstrivenMostlyhell’sallytobe,Inthestrife’twixthellandheaven,MiserereDomine!
Heu!heu!herbalatetanguis——
Caroherba——carnivae——
Solumpurgat,Christisanguis,MiserereDomine!
(Miserere!)
PraythatinthedoubtfulfightManmaywinthroughsoredistress,ByHisgoodnessinfinite,AndHismercyfathomless。
Prayforonemoreoftheweary,Headbow’ddownandbendedknee,Swelltherequiem,Miserere!
MiserereDomine!
Bonum,malum,quifecistiMaliimploramuste,Salvefratrem,causaChristi,MiserereDomine!
(Miserere!)
[EndofAshtaroth。]