Part 13 (1/2)
Rienzi . . . . . . . _A Traitor._
THE GREEK SLAVE.
SCENE FIRST.
[_Apartment in the palace of_ Irene.
Irene, _reclining upon a divan._]
Irene. How strange a fate is mine! Young, fair, and highborn, I may not choose on whom I will bestow my love! Betrothed to a prince whom I have never seen; compelled to honor and obey one whom my heart perchance can never love, alas! alas!
And yet, they tell me that Constantine is n.o.ble, brave, and good. What more can I desire? Ah, if he do but love me I shall be content [_noise without; she rises_]. Hark! 'tis his messenger approaching with letters from the queen, his mother. I will question this amba.s.sador, and learn yet more of this young prince, my future husband [_seats herself with dignity_].
[_Enter_ Rienzi. _Kneels, presenting a letter._
Rienzi. The queen, my mistress, sends thee greeting, lady, and this scroll. May it please thee, read. I await your pleasure.
Irene [_takes the letter and reads_]. My lord, with a woman's curiosity, I fain would ask thee of thy prince, whose fate the G.o.ds have linked with mine. Tell me, is he tender, true, and n.o.ble? Answer truly, I do command thee.
Rienzi. Lady, he is tender as a woman, gentle as thy heart could wish, just and brave as a king should ever be. The proudest lady in all Greece were well matched with our n.o.ble Constantine.
Irene. And is he fair to look upon? Paint me his likeness, if thou canst.
Rienzi. I can but ill perform that office. Thou must see if thou wouldst rightly know him. The G.o.ds have blessed him with a fair and stately form, a n.o.ble face, dark locks, and a king-like brow that well befits the crown that rests upon it. This is he, our brave young prince; one to honor, lady; one to trust and--love.
Irene. 'Tis a n.o.ble man thou hast painted. One more question and thou mayst retire. Hath he ever spoken of her who is to be his wife? Nay, why do I fear to ask thee? Does he love her?
Rienzi. Lady, I beg thee ask me not. Who could fail to love when once he had looked upon thee?
Irene. Thou canst not thus deceive me. Answer truly: What doth he think of this betrothal and approaching marriage?
Rienzi. He hath not seen thee, princess, knows of thee nothing save that thou art beautiful, and one day to become his wife. But he is young, and hath no wish to wed, and even his mother's prayers have failed to win his free consent to this most cherished plan, that by uniting thy fair kingdom unto his, he can gain power over other lands and beautify our own.
Irene. Perchance his heart is given to another. Has no fair Grecian maiden won the love he cannot offer me?
Rienzi. Nay, lady. He loves nought but his mother, his subjects, and his native land. But soon we trust, when thou art by his side, a deeper love will wake within him, and thou wilt be dearer than country, home, or friends.
Irene. 'Tis well; thou mayst retire. I will send answer by thee to thy queen, and seek some gift that may be worthy her acceptance. And now, adieu! [Rienzi _bows and retires._] He does not love me, then, and I must wed a cold and careless lord. And yet--so tender to all others, he could not be unkind to me alone.
Oh, that I could win his love unknown, and then when truly mine, to cast away the mask, and be myself again. Stay! let me think. Ah, yes; I see a way. Surely the G.o.ds have sent the thought! I will disguise me as a slave, and as a gift sent to his mother, I can see and learn to know him well. I will return with the amba.s.sador, Rienzi. I spake to him of a gift. He little thinks in the veiled slave he shall bear away, the princess is concealed. Yes, Constantine, as a nameless girl will Irene win thy heart; and when as a wife she stands beside thee, thou shalt love her for herself alone.
[_Tableau._
CURTAIN.
SCENE SECOND.
[_A room in the palace of_ The Queen.
The Queen _alone._]