Page:Scribner's Magazine, Volume 37-0524.jpg

Thus, slim and single. So, but more golden-haired.
Her mother walked among them. Even so
Our faces quivered, and our lips were still.
She loves. When will she know? She does not dream
In this great happiness, how terrible
The guest who comes unbidden, evermore
To hold the secret chambers of her heart.
Nor can she see how close death stands behind,
Waiting to cast his shadow on her face.
I would have spared her—I was merciful!
I would have spared her love and death!

ACT II

Scene I.—The garden. Late afternoon.
 Father. You would go down for me
To the plague-stricken city, there to do
The service that compels me?

 Luigi.that compels me? ‍Sir, at once,
And gladly.

 Father.gladly.‍You say you love my daughter.
How can you then so lightly turn your face
From love and joy, and, for her father’s sake,
Venture to certain death?

 Luigi.to certain death? ‍Did I not say
I love her?

 Father. In your youth and strength you dare
Face the great fear unflinching?

 Luigi.the great fear unflinching? ‍Torture me
No longer! Let me go at once! No saint
Am I, and in this battle I must fight
I can acquit myself more valiantly
With horse beneath me and the road ahead.
Maybe I shall return; and death itself
For me is terrorless. It does not mean
Your final shutting of an iron door;
I am of those who hold its endless hope,

  

The father points to Vittoria, who sits at her window embroidering.

 Luigi (his hands clenched, and the sound of a sob in his throat). I who would die to serve her cannot let
Her father perish, as flies perish.

 Father.father perish, as flies perish.‍Go,
Go then and save me.

 Luigi (walking swiftly away). I return to hear,
Before I start, the message I must bear.

 Father. Knowledge of death is in his eyes, and love
Is written on his mouth, and yet he goes.
(Calls.) Come back! Come back!

  

[The scholar turns slowly, not once lifting his eyes to Vittoria’s window.

You are pure gold, my son.
I did but try you. All I hold most dear
Is yours. I longed, upon my dying bed,
To say, “He is found worthy, and will keep
The secret for her.” Surely you forgive!
Go, and drink deep of joy. What I must do
No man can do for me. Long years ago,
In a quick tumult of the city street,
I saw one strike, and saw another fall.
Suspicion rested on the innocent,
Yet no man touched him, and I held my peace,
Letting my silence punish other sins
Of him, most guilty. He who struck that blow
Was my one friend. Now I am near to death
And know that I was wrong. I go to swear
The oath that clears my enemy, and that
My tongue alone can fashion. You must live
If you would serve me truly. Does my child
Know of your love?

 Luigi.Know of your love? ‍She knows!
  

[There is a loud knock at the convent gate. When it is opened, a horseman, dusty, dishevelled, leans from his horse to say hurried words to the brother who has gone to receive him. Frate Giacomo crosses himself at the news.

 

Father (looking toward the window and smiling). She does not tremble! Nineteen years of age,

Yet not afraid to hear a sudden knock
Upon the gate! Through all these years my heart
With each new sound of knocking at the door
Has answered to old sorrow, with a thought
Of coming pain.

 

Frate Giacomo (muttering to himself as he hurries from the gate). Four hundred stricken dead

Within the city yesterday, to-day!
Four hundred dead! Their bodies in the streets
Unburied and unshriven! For our souls
Ora, Maria! Ave Maria! Pray——

 

Father (starting).Oh, I must go, or I shall come too late!

Why have I lingered here day after day
When precious was each hour? Now it grows late;
In early morning will I journey on.
No second sunset finds me lingering here.

 

Luigi. Your strength is spent, and you are old: once more

I pray you, let me go.

 Father.pray you, let me go.‍The seal of death
Is on me. If the plague seize me or no,
My days are few. To her I say farewell
As one who journeys only for a day.
Perhaps I steal away without a word,
For she is wilful, as all maidens are,
And eager to go with me. When a thought
Seizes upon her, all her life is set
In that one way. She is too quick in act
As in resolve. My son, when I am gone
Guard well her happiness! You both are young,
And is not youth immortal? Live for her,
Standing ’twixt her and fear. Give me your oath
That you will guard her, far as in you lies,
From knowing aught of death.

 Luigi.nowing aught of death.‍So help me God!

 Father. Then I go on content; but ere I start
I fain would see you in the chapel there
Wedded before the altar.
[Luigi bares his head.

Scene II.—The garden, a little later. Vespers in the chapel. The sound of the litany mingles with the sound of the sea.

 Vittoria. Teresa waits for me; I must go in.
See, all along the west the sky has turned
The color of these saffron roses here,
Yellow, with crimson at the heart. How pale
The one star shines above the cypress-trees!

 Luigi. One moment only while we hear them sing!
(To himself.) Ah, they are praying for the newly dead.
[The monks chant
Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine.