Part 15 (1/2)

_Lys._ Thanks, my lord, and as I know you will be weary with the long day's work and your great anxieties, I am going to lay a little friendly compulsion upon you. You must leave the banquet to-morrow and go to rest by eleven o'clock at latest.

_Meg._ Well, my lord, I am not so young as I was, and if I have your permission to leave before all is over, well and good. No one knows what an anxious day is before me, and I have no doubt I shall have earned my night's rest by then. But I have much yet to do, so with your permission I will wish you good night.

[_Exit_ MEGACLES, _bowing low to each with exaggerated gestures._

_Lys._ Poor soul, poor soul! If any fight comes, it would be as cruel to let him take his part with men as it would be if he were a woman or a child.

_Enter_ ASANDER.

Welcome, my Lord Asander. Hast thou seen our men, and are they ready for to-morrow?

_Asan._ I have just come from them, and they are ready, But I am not. I pray you, let this be; Send back these men to-night. I am oppressed By such o'ermastering presages of ill As baffle all resolve.

_Lys._ My Lord Asander, It is too late. Wouldst thou, then, break thy oath?

Wouldst thou live here a prisoner, nor behold Thy father, though he die? Wouldst thou thy country Should spurn thee as the traitor whose malignance Blighted her hard-won gains? It is too late!

It is too late!

_Asan._ I am grown infirm of will As any dotard. I will go on now So that thou dost no murder.

_Lys._ Why was it We came in such o'erwhelming force, but that We sought to shed no blood?

_Asan._ I will be ready, Though with a heavy heart. To-morrow night At stroke of twelve, when all the feast is done, And all asleep, we issue from the palace, Seize the guards at their posts, and open wide The gates to the strong force which from the s.h.i.+ps At the same hour shall land. The citizens, Heavy with wine, will wake to find their city Our own beyond recall.

_Lys._ Ay, that's the scheme, And nought can mar it now. Good night, my lord.

Sleep well; there is much to do.

_Asan._ Good night, my lords!

[_Exit_ ASANDER.

_Lys._ No bloodshed! Why, what fools love makes of men!

I have seen this very lad dash through the ranks Of hostile spearmen, cut and hack and thrust As in sheer sport. There will be blood shed, surely, Unless these dogs have lost their knack of war As he has; but we have them unprepared, And shall prevail, and thou shalt be avenged My father slain, and thou, my murdered brother, Shalt be avenged! My lords, you know what work Is given each to do. Be not too chary Of your men's swords; let them strike sudden terror.

Slay all who do resist, or if they do not, Yet slay them still. My lords, give you good night.

To-morrow at midnight, at the stroke of twelve-- At the stroke of twelve!

[_Exeunt omnes._

SCENE III.--_The council chamber of the Senate of Cherson._

ZETHO _and_ Senators; _afterwards_ GYCIA.

_Zet._ Most worthy brethren, Senators of Cherson, In great perplexity of mind and will I summon ye to-night. The Lady Gycia, Our Lamachus's daughter, sends request, Urgent as 'twere of instant life and death, That I should call ye here. What care can move Such anxious thought in her, on this the eve Of the high festival herself has founded, I know not, but 'twould seem the very air Is full of floating rumours, vague alarms, Formless suspicions which elude the grasp, Unspoken presages of coming ill Which take no shape. For whence should danger come?

We are at peace with all. Our former foe Is now our dearest friend; the Prince Asander, Though of a hasty spirit and high temper, Dwells in such close, concordant harmony With his loved wife that he is wholly ours; And yet though thus at peace, rumours of war And darkling plots beset us. Is it not thus?

Have ye heard aught?

_1st Sen._ Zetho, 'tis true. Last night, a citizen Sware he heard clang of arms and ring of mail At midnight by the house of Lamachus!

_2nd Sen._ My freedman, coming home at grey of dawn, Saw a strange s.h.i.+p unload her merchandise, And one bale chanced to fall, and from it came Groanings and drops of blood!

_3rd Sen._ Two nights ago, The ways being white with snow, I on the quay Saw the thick-planted marks of armed feet; But, rising with the dawn, I found the place Swept clean with care!