_Bion._ Hail to you, Banissat!

 _Ban._                        I seek a dove
 That fled my hand last night. Has 't flown your way?

 _Bion._ Our sister is with us.

 _Ban._                        Then search ends here.

 _Bion._ Her flight meant no ingratitude, my lord.
 Her father's arms grown cold, she came to ours
 By the shortest way, bringing her honor home
 Where none might question it.

 _Ban._                       We love her more
 For watchful care of what to us is precious
 As to herself. Heaven-pure must be the bride
 Of Banissat, and tainted Heaven will put
 The earth to blush ere she will bring us shame.
 I offer her my princedom.

 _Ard._ [_Stepping out_] One whose veil
 Is lost? Whose face is common to the eyes
 Of beggars by the road?

 _Ban._                 O, bald and bitter!
 But did not one, our Lady of Paradise,
 Walk with bare brow among our counsellors?
 And you are pure as she. Who dares to soil
 The chosen of Banissat with whisper that
 He saw you on this journey, forfeits eyes
 And tongue. So silence shall give burial deep
 To every slander.

 _Ard._           You will not forget.

 _Ban._ Yourself shall be my dear oblivion.
 For Beauty keeps no records, has no past;
 Her arms engird love's moment, and there is
 No other time.

 _Ard._        Nay, Beauty's history
 Is writ beneath her bloom, and when that goes
 The deep, uncovered scars are hated more
 Because of love that kissed them unaware.
 I dare not wed you, but say that I dared,
 Wouldst grasp my broken fortunes when you need
 Strong Antioch's staff and sceptre to make good
 Your gates 'gainst Oswald? And I've heard, my lord,
 That Antioch's daughter is a prize you seek.

 _Ban._ Be not o'er-jealous, Ardia of the Stars,
 For Antioch shall serve thee. There my suit
 Is but a fair appearance,--there I woo
 To make thy state secure, and thou shalt be
 Bride of my heart unrivalled.

 _Ard._                       Hear me then!
 I am betrothed to Bertrand. He is sworn
 To me as I to him.

 _Vig._            Death to your tongue!
 You'd wed your father's slayer?

 _Ard._                         I would wed
 Lord Bertrand. [_Kneels to Biondel_] Brother!

 _Vig._                                       Give no ear to her!

 _Ard._ If you would save Avesta and yourselves,
 Make peace with Oswald. Trust not Antioch.
 When Bertrand comes----

 _Vig._ He will not come! He's not
 A fool as thou!

 _Ard._ He comes!

 _Vig._ [_Lifting his sword_] Then here's his welcome!

  [_Bertrand comes out and walks slowly to the group. Vigard, amazed,
      lowers his sword_]

 _Ber._ My friends, well met. You cut my journey short.

      [_Gives his sword to Biondel_]

 _Bion._ You have come back ... to death?

 _Ber._                                  The blow, my lord.
 Your work is wellnigh done. An easy stroke
 Will finish it.

 _Vig._         And whose is that?

 _Bion._                          Not mine.
 I do condemn him, but can lift no hand
 To seal mine order.

 _Vig._             I am not so weak.
 This blow for Charilus!

 _Ard._ [_Staying him_] If Bertrand dies
 My honor goes unto a grave so deep
 No shoot of green will ever from it spring
 For the world's eye to light on.

 _Bion._                         You make much
 Of broken troth. There's many a maid has lived
 In wedded honor with a second choice.

 _Ard._ But I may not.

 _Bion._              Peace, sister.

 _Ard._                             Let him live,
 And Suli's glory will enwrap my name
 Stainless and safe.

 _Ban._             'Tis safe with me. Ay, safer.
 Let Antioch enlist with me, and I
 Shall wear the name of Suli with my own.

 _Ard._ You've yet to hear ... you do not know, my lord....

 _Ber._ Sweet, plead no more. Let me go on to Heaven
 If 't be God wills his gates shall ope to me.

 _Vig._ You'll stop in hell a thousand years or so!

 _Ard._ Wait! I will tell----

 _Vig._                      You've said too much!

 _Bion._                                          Speak, Ardia.

 _Ard._ In Suli castle where I was betrothed
 To Bertrand, just one sun agone--but one--
 He spent the night with me.

 _Vig._                     She lies!

 _Ard._                              Say now
 If Banissat, or any lord save Bertrand,
 Will make me wife.

 _Bion._           Must I believe you?

 _Ban._                               No.
 A woman's trick.

 _Ard._ There's proof. Ask whom you will
 Of Oswald's train--the lords who saw me cast
 From Suli's door, too vile for word or touch.
 Ask any trooper, jesting by the way,
 And hear my name made foul. The army rings
 With it. Ask any gossip of the tents----

 _Ban._ O, stop her tongue! It thunders on me! All
 The air is storm! Peace, or I'll strike her down!

 _Bion._ This seals your death, Lord Bertrand. Now my hand
 Is hot and willing.

      [_Enter a messenger below. He gives a packet to Banissat_]

 _Messenger._ Antioch sends this,
 O, prince!

 _Bion._ [_To Bertrand_] I had your word above all oaths
 That you would guard our sister. When the priest
 Strips bare the shrine, not outraged God or man
 Shall show him mercy.

 _Ard._               He is innocent!
 'Twas Oswald's plot to cast me in the dust--
 And there I lie where all the world may see--
 But Bertrand's soul is guiltless----

 _Vig._                              Guiltless! Tush!
 Your puzzle's clear. [_To Biondel_] She dies with him.

 _Ard._                                                I die
 If Bertrand dies. But, oh my brothers, we
 Are young--we love--will you not let us live?

 _Bion._ [_To Vigard_] 'Tis best she dies.

 _Ber._                                   You will not dare----

 _Bion._                                                     The prince
 Shall be her judge.

 _Ban._             First let us speak aside,
 For Antioch fails us, and we've more to weigh
 Than the quick death of this too-guilty pair.

      [_Banissat, Biondel, and Vigard go off above_]

 _Ber._ I have brought death upon you.

 _Ard._                               Life, 'tis life
 Now beating in the dawn! What music! Hear it!
 O, we shall live, my lord, and live together!

 _Ber._ In Heaven, love.

 _Ard._                 True, for this planet too,
 Ay, even this earth, is set in Heaven as deep
 As any star. 'Tis we are heaven to eyes
 In other worlds, and would be to our own
 Could we believe. O, hope with me, my Bertrand!
 No, no, not hope, whose other half is doubt,
 And to its dark and fearful double owes
 Its very radiance, too, too unlike
 Belief's transmuting sun!

 _Ber._                   Ah, love, no man ere broke
 Undrained his cup, or brewed again those drops
 To his desire----

 _Ard._           Nay, every man is new
 In destiny, his star his own, and foots
 Unmeasured paths.

 _Ber._           On mortal feet.

 _Ard._                          Be 't so,
 Each birth is a high venture of the soul
 Feeling an untried way for deity's dream,
 And none may know where th' deep and twilight trail
 Shall flash with God-rift, and the dawn be his.

 _Ber._ O, bravest, bow thy head----

 _Ard._                             Nay, nay, my lord!
 Lock up your spirit, let mine rule this hour,
 Or be with me the flame of faith that leaps
 To deed in God. For we do help him, dear.
 Our parcelled strength is whole and new in His,
 A power born that touches us again,
 Breeding our greater self that yet gives back
 His own increase, until the way is strewn
 Even with his miracles and ours. So works
 The unending drama out, where every act
 Begets an act yet greater than itself.

 _Ber._ Let me but kiss thy hands.

 _Ard._                           You will not help?
 You'll not believe? Is it so strange
 That you should live?

 _Ber._               That hate should let me live.

 _Ard._ Is it more strange that halo should grow love-still,
 Than that the wind should cease, as now it does,
 To strip the bloom from yonder bough, and lie
 Unfelt within its silent place? More strange
 That life should keep its flow in your warm veins
 Than that the sun now creeping on the peaks
 Should wander down and on and lay in gold
 The valleys of the world, moved by no hand
 We see or name, but know, but know!

      [_Biondel, Vigard, and Banissat re-enter_]

 _Ard._                             He lives!

 _Bion._ He lives. Speak the conditions, prince.

 _Ban._ [_To Bertrand_]                         Your life
 Is spared that she whose name is lost
 May wear your own. You shall remain on Kidmir peak,
 And make her yours by every priestly rite
 With open, fair observance. Then Earl Oswald
 Must greet as daughter one he vilely mocked
 From his proud door, and far and wide acclaim her
 Princess of Suli. Will his love for you
 So bow his heart?

 _Ber._           I may not speak for him.

 _Ard._ He will consent.

 _Ban._                 And, further, he shall give
 To Biondel the governorship of Ilon.
 And grant Ramoor to Vigard.

 _Ber._                     Not for price
 Of my poor life will Oswald yield these towns
 To any save a Christian.

 _Ban._                  So we think.
 And therefore will these lords forswear
 The Prophet for your Christ.

 _Ber._                      Such sudden change----

 _Vig._ Not sudden, sir. We've long debated it
 In secret talk, but loved too well our prince
 To so forsake his banner.

 _Bion._                  Now the day
 Is here when as his true and Christian friends
 We may best serve him, and yet keep the peace
 For which our father died.

 _Ber._                    He is alive again
 If you be true. Though wonder is in the hour
 I will not stare or question.

 _Ard._                       Question nothing.
 Do you not live?

 _Bion._         The prince will summon Oswald
 To earliest parley, and make our offer known.

 _Ban._ Nor lose an instant. Here begins my journey.

      [_Signs to retainers who start down the pass_]

 _Bion._ We need not give you thanks when you've our hearts
 That hold them.

 _Ban._         By the sunset hour the earl
 Shall give me answer. Meet me in Avesta
 'Tween dark and light.

 _Bion._               We will, my lord.

      [_Exit Banissat_]

 _Ber._                                 O, strange!
 Will he keep faith?

 _Bion._            If you must doubt his heart,
 Trust his affliction. Antioch lost to him,
 What can he do but smile on Christian Oswald?
 By that same argument I am condemned,
 But beg a respite till this pushing peace,
 Upsprung in haste, may bear you buds of proof.

 _Ber._ What world is this?

 _Vig._                    Climb you no farther, sir.
 Your wounds forbid. Our servants shall be sent
 To bear you up.

 _Bion._        Ay, wait you here, my lord.

      [_Exeunt Biondel and Vigard above_]

 _Ber._ Love, see the sun!

 _Ard._                   It is my heart, my heart!

                  [_Curtain_]

ACT IV

SCENE: _Same as first act. An altar near wall, left. Seven maidens
putting fresh garlands about the hall._

 _Mylitta._ She must be dressed by this. Come, let us sing!

 _Mirimond._ No, wait! Our part is yet undone. Here hangs
 A withered garland.

 _Alenia._          Here another. See!
 And there! Well, we are slack.

 _Eudora._                     Who would not be?
 We've cause for sleepy wits and fingers too,
 With seven days and nights of revelling.

 _Garla._ And Charilus warm in 's grave.

 _Myrana._                              He'll be no colder
 Let come a hundred months. Ten years, ten days,
 'Tis all the same i' the ground.

 _Daphne._                       And yet, I think
 The daughter smiles too soon.

 _Mylitta._                   Troth, I would smile
 For such a lord if all the world beside
 Were wrapped in shroud.

 _Mirimond._            I would the English knights
 Were come! Full fifty, Barca said, would ride
 From Suli.

 _Mylitta._ I know you, chit. Your eyes will find
 Their way.

 _Mirimond._ Mayhap not all of us will take
 The homeward ship for Corinth. Did we think
 When we set sail we'd come in time to see
 Our Ardia married?

 _Mylitta._        You will dream.

 _Garla._                         If dreams
 Were men, what maid would go unwed? Not you,
 Mylitta.

 _Myrana._ Come, our song! 'Tis time!

 _Eudora._                           Come, all!

      [_They sing by Ardia's door_]

    Mornings seven have we been
      Wardens at thy door;
    Now thy lord shall enter in,
      And we come no more.

    Mornings seven have we strewn
      Lilies at thy door;
    Now the virgin watch is done.
      And we come no more.

    Mornings seven have we sung
      At thy maiden door;
    Now the seventh morn is rung,
      And we come no more.

      [_Door opens and Ardia comes out. Gaina follows_]

 _Ard._ A kiss to all! Who's happier here than I
 Shall have my place.

 _Mirimond._         We'll ask Lord Bertrand that.
 Thou'rt no more mistress of your yeas and nays.

 _Ard._ O, but I am! I have a votary now
 Who'll make my words his wishes and himself
 Bring them to pass.

 _Mylitta._ No doubt. You'll cough
 In oracles. He'll puzzle o'er your sneeze
 That he may do its meaning. I have heard
 Such husbands do inhabit a green moon,
 And one may come to earth.

 _Ard._                    Kiss me, Mylitta!
 Naught else will stop your mouth. O, dearest girls,
 No father's here to give me to my lord,
 And yet I smile, I wed. For why?--his love
 Is not in earth with his dear body. No!
 'Tis all about me here, bathing my heart,
 Now on my brow, now whispers at my ear,
 Now runs before my eyes to make a light
 Where they would rest. He loves this day as I do!
 Yet I had stayed this busking marriage
 Had not my brothers pressed me to such haste
 And peace not waited on it. Think, dear maidens,
 Peace everywhere! Avesta safe and free,
 And Oswald's sword in sheath--
                               What is that chanting?

 _Gaina._ [_Looking from parapet_] A train comes up the heights.

 _Mylitta._                        The English Lords!

      [_Enter Barca, left_]

 _Ard._ Barca, who comes?

 _Barca._                Prince Banissat, my lady,
 With all his court attending.

 _Mirimond._                  Banissat!
 This is a Christian wedding.

 _Ard._                      We are at peace.

 _Barca._ He brings you gifts. Your brothers go to meet him.

 _Ard._ Where is Lord Bertrand?

 _Barca._                      Near at hand. He comes
 This way.

      [_Exit Barca, left_]

 _Ard._ My girls, wouldst see what dainties lie
 In yonder chamber?

 _Mylitta._        Nay, we'll wait.

 _Ard._                            Moonstones
 For golden hair--crescents and amber stars
 For tresses dark----

 _Girls._            O! O!

 _Ard._                   Veils of spun silver----

      [_Maidens buzz through door right_]

 _Ard._ Go, give them all!

 _Gaina._                 All, mistress? Not----

 _Ard._                                         Go, go!

      [_Exit Gaina. Bertrand enters, left. He is in princely costume_]

 _Ber._ Art found, my heaven?

 _Ard._                      Thou'st not a fear thy Heaven
 Is lost in me?

 _Ber._        A doubt were my soul's shame.
            [_Points up the heights_]
 Does not yon giant cross arise to say
 Christ reigns on Kidmir? Far as Suli plain
 Men see the sun upon its silver sides
 And hands upborne in prayer forget the sword
 That sleeps unwakened.

 _Ard._                Will it sleep for long?

 _Ber._ Ay, else your father's death were devils' sport,
 Not Heaven's will.

 _Ard._            What word to-day from Oswald?

 _Ber._ You name him?

 _Ard._              Is he not our father?

 _Ber._                                   O,
 God's angel thou, not mine!

 _Ard._                     Does Biondel
 Now wear the crown of Ilon?

 _Ber._                     That's confirmed.
 And Vigard has Ramoor.

 _Ard._                They profit much
 By their new faith.

 _Ber._             Do they not spare my life?
 So Oswald gives these crowns. You think he pays
 Too dear?

 _Ard._ O, barest alms! I'd have the earth.
 No less,--then want the sun,--ay, circling heaven,
 And yet be beggared losing thee! But they
 Must wear their purple o'er a Christian heart.
 I would not doubt ... and yet....

 _Ber._                           They are the sons
 Of Charilus.

 _Ard._      And Banissat?

 _Ber._                   He vows
 An endless peace with Suli.

 _Ard._                     And you are Suli.
 Why am I fearful, knowing doubt is death?

 _Ber._ Come, love, look down--nay, farther, toward the sea.
 That sprawling mass that darkens now the plain,
 Seeming to hugely breathe and cloud-like move,
 Is Oswald's army making feast to-day,
 For I, the prince, go wiving. Now I seem
 To hear our names joined high in Heaven's air.
 And Christ, too, listens smiling, knowing one land,
 One throne is his forever. Sweet, 'twas he
 Drew me from sheltered cell and flowered garth
 To be his sovereign servant. He it was
 Who called through you, who cried in Charilus' death
 To wake my soul that shall not sleep again
 Till Love has garnered all these eastern lands.

 _Ard._ Amen, my husband-knight! I am content
 To be your love next Christ. Within your heart.
 'Twill be sweet, gleaning where he walks before.

 _Ber._ These words be your sole dower, for they hold
 More sun for me than shining gold!

 _Ard._                            The guests!
 Do you not hear them? Leave me now, my lord.

 _Ber._ Thank patience and my stars, we reach the end
 Of these stale ceremonies! Seven days
 Of long, superfluous rites to make you mine
 When our first kiss did wed us!

 _Ard._ [_Mocking_]             So ungentle
 To your proud honors, sir? Nay, it is fit
 Your wedding be as famous as your name,
 O, Prince of Suli!
            [_Voices heard, left_]
                   Go, to come again!

  [_Exit Bertrand, right. Ardia turns to enter her room and faces Vigard
      who comes on left. She draws her veil_]

 _Vig._ Stay, sister.

 _Ard._              Would you have me seen?

 _Vig._ [_Throws back her veil_]            Art fair
 Again? As Kidmir skies!

 _Ard._                 It is my joy.

  [_Enter left, Biondel, Banissat, and lords. Banissat pauses. The others
      pass off, right_]

 _Vig._ [_Taking Ardia'a hand to detain her_]
 We have surprised our sister.

 _Ban._                       Blest the hour!
 Now may I lay this gift within her hand--
 Poor gift, that has no worth until that hand
 Caresses it to splendor.

      [_Kneels, offering her a small packet_]

 _Ard._ [_Taking packet_] Courteous prince,
 My thanks. And more than thanks that you should climb
 Kidmir's uneasy steep to dearly grace
 This day--for smiles of friends, more than fair gifts,
 Do best adorn my bridal. [_Draws her veil and moves right_]

 _Ban._             Night is come.
 And through her mist the stars! [_Exit Ardia_]

 _Vig._                         Her bloom is washed
 Somewhat with tears for Charilus, but she
 Will flower again.

 _Ban._            Now by the Prophet's soul
 He who has kissed her lips had better've kissed
 A flame of hell than so have touched
 What shall be mine!

 _Vig._             As thou dost love revenge,
 Be patient.

 _Ban._     Patience to the ox, to beasts
 That dream 'twixt cud and whip! Am I not man?

 _Vig._ You have endured, by truth.

 _Ban._                            Endured!

 _Vig._                                    And now
 Revenge! Ere night yon braggart cross shall bear
 A burden that will start Earl Oswald's eyes
 When he looks up from Suli plain.

 _Ban._                           This day
 Shall see it! Come, once more let us look down.
 See where the hosts of Allah charge upon
 The sottish infidel! All yet is well.
 The banner o'er Avesta signals still
 The Prophet wins!

 _Vig._           And when the tower of Suli
 Gleams with the hoisted crescent, we shall know
 Oswald is taken.

 _Ban._          Ha! There's no way out!
 The powers of Ilon, Avesta, and Ramoor,
 Pen him in bloody triangle. Old rat,
 You're in the trap! I should be there, not here,--
 There at his throat----

 _Vig._                 Nay, here, my lord, you'll have
 Your dearest triumph. Please you now, go in.
 I'll watch here for the sign.

 _Ban._                       Your watch be short.

      [_Exit, right. Re-enter Ardia_]

 _Ard._ [_Holding out a flaming ornament_] Brother, see this!
                   The jewel of the house
 Of Banissat. 'Tis sacred to his name.
 I cannot take it, and he dare not give it.

 _Vig._ It seems he dared.

 _Ard._                   What does he mean, dear Vigard?

 _Vig._ To honor Suli's princess as most fit.

 _Ard._ I tremble still from his deep look of fire,
 And when I saw this burn methought his eye
 Was yet upon me.

 _Vig._          Fool, go to your maidens!

      [_Enter Barca, left, with Ramunin_]

 _Vig._ You're late, my man.

 _Ram._ And yet in season, sir. [_Points up the heights_]
 The cross is bare.

 _Vig._            Get you within.
      [_Exeunt Barca and Ramunin, left_]
                                  Now, sister--
 What, do you faint?

 _Ard._             That face! Ramunin's face.
 I saw it once, and shuddered many a day
 Remembering it. The public crucifier,
 Who serves the bloody prince of Antioch.
 The same. What does he here upon this day
 Of all the days of time?

 _Vig._                  'Tis by your wish
 That Kidmir gates are open.

 _Ard._                     And by yours.

 _Vig._ Ay, let the world be witness you are made
 The honored bride of Suli.

 _Ard._                    But Ramunin?
 He said the cross was bare. Why such a jest
 As horrid as his life? [_Looking out_] And all the knights
 That were to come from Oswald--where are they?

 _Vig._ They drank too deep last night for journeying
 Up Kidmir road--or else they dare not cross
 This outraged portal.

 _Ard._               Have we not forgiven?
 Ah, what is there? Look, Vigard, do you see?
 A floating crescent!

 _Vig._              Where?

 _Ard._                    O'er Suli tower.
 O, this is Oswald's greeting to our house,
 Better than any band of armèd knights!
 He lifts the Prophet's banner to his towers,
 Even as you set the Savior's crucifix
 On Kidmir! Now the one eternal God
 Lives in his sign when cross and crescent smile
 Love-set in the same heaven!

 _Vig._                      Allah be praised!

 _Ard._ And Christ--forget not Christ!

 _Vig._                               We'll make an end now.
                                                 [_Exit, right_]

 _Ard._ An end? Am I a bride--or sacrifice?

  [_Goes in, right, at sound of approaching music. Enter, left, young
      musicians playing flutes and harps. They pause before altar,
      cross to right and seat themselves about Ardia's door. Guests
      enter, filling rear of hall, and parapet. A maiden comes on,
      dancing the grain-dance and scattering sesame. At the close of
      dance, Ardia's maidens enter, each bearing a lighted candle
      which she places on the altar. A Greek chant is heard as priest
      approaches left. All wait his entrance, and the curtain falls,
      rising again on the close of the ceremony. Bertrand and Ardia
      stand centre. An aged priest at altar. Biondel and Banissat
      conspicuous among the guests. Vigard not seen_]

 _Bion._ Is all now done?

 _Priest._               All's done. The spouse of Suli
 May bow herself unto her master's feet,
 Bespeaking so the love that has no wish
 But service, no desire save her lord's will.

      [_As Ardia would kneel, Bertrand prevents her_]

 _Ber._ You shall not kneel.

 _Ard._                     'Tis custom, dear my lord.

 _Ber._ Then here it dies.

 _Ard._                   My mother did so much
 For him who made her wife.

 _Ber._                    Thy knees shall bend
 To God, and to none less. Reign at my side,
 Princess of Suli, not my feet.

 _Bion._                       We hail
 The bride of Suli!

 _Guests._         Bride of Suli, hail!

 _Vig._ [_Unseen_] Ho! Seize the traitor! Ho!

      [_Enter Ramunin, right, and armed guards_]

 _Ber._                     Who speaks? And who
 Is traitor here?

 _Vig._ Thou, foulest murderer!

 _Ber._ Who speaks?

 _Vig._            Dead Charilus.

 _Ard._                          'Tis Vigard's voice.
            [_Vigard steps forth_]
 What, Vigard, art thou mad? Wouldst shatter the globe
 Of Heaven?

 _Vig._    Nay, it was broken that same hour
 When died our father.

 _Ber._               Son of Charilus, speak
 Your will. If you demand my life, 'tis yours.
 I hold it by your gentle lease and love.
 But while I ask not one poor breath for me,
 I beg you pause, nor cast the innocent
 To feed the vengeful and life-reaping fire
 Oswald will kindle for his hapless son.

 _Vig._ You think no fires will burn but of his kindling?

 _Ard._ O shame! The crescent over Suli greets
 The cross on Kidmir!

 _Vig._              Ay, the crescent flies
 From Suli, thanks to faithful Moslem hands
 That set it there.

 _Ard._            Ah.... Moslem hands?

 _Vig._                                You fool,
 To think that Oswald fluttered compliments,
 When he was dreaming how he'd bid you drink
 Of that same cup he gave to Charilus!

 _Ban._ Now, dearest lady, you are safe. To-day
 The Faithful battled with the infidel,
 And that bright crescent is the silent sign
 We have the victory. Ramoor and Ilon
 With pointed sword bore down on either side
 The glutted, drunken army, while in front
 Avesta like a whirlwind swept----

 _Ard._                           O, traitor!
 You vowed unbroken peace with Suli!

 _Ban._                             Yea,
 Will keep it too, for I am Suli now.

 _Ard._ [_To her brothers_] Were you not sworn to Christ?

 _Bion._                              We are the Prophet's.

 _Ard._ O, Heaven, hear not this! And Oswald's knights?

 _Vig._ Sleep in Avesta's dungeons.

 _Bion._                           Banissat,
 Avesta's golden prince, speak you the doom
 Of Bertrand----

 _Ard._         Doom? O----

 _Ber._                    Do not waste the breath
 A kiss may save. A thousand times, your lips!

 _Ard._ [_To Biondel_] Let him not die!

 _Vig._ You'll pray soon that he may!
 Speak, noble prince.

 _Ban._              I, lord of conquered Suli,
 Condemn the son of Oswald unto death
 By crucifixion. Be his body nailed
 Upon the cross now raised on Kidmir peak,
 That Oswald may behold his groaning son,
 And every Christian dog look up and see
 How dies the Prophet's enemy.
         [_To Ramunin_] Away!
 Prick him with delicate tortures that yet leave
 Him heart to heave his agony. Hear you!
 If he live not three days upon the cross
 Yourself shall hang beside him.

 _Ram._                         I've a hand
 Has had some practice, sir.

 _Ban._                     We know it, fellow,
 And therefore we employ you.

 _Ram._                      I put the nails
 In young Deobus, he who hung five days
 'Twixt heaven and earth, and to the fifth eve groaned
 As he would pull his heart up. I've a medal
 Struck by the city for it.

 _Ban._                    I will match it,
 If you match me the service.

 _Ram._                      That I'll do.
 These English have strong hearts--will suck at pain
 As life were in her dugs.

  [_Exit Ramunin, guards, and Bertrand. Priest and guests follow. The
      maidens huddle at door, right_]

 _Bion._                  Sister, you stare
 Too hardly on this grief. It is a woe
 That Heaven smiles on, and the cure now waits
 In Banissat's fair mercy. You shall be
 His royal wife, and Suli's princess still.

 _Vig._ Speak to the prince.

 _Ban._                     Nay, let her hear my vow.
 O, star of Kidmir, dear and beautiful,
 I'll set thee in a bosom that shall be
 A tender heaven round thee. Beat to earth
 Is murmurous suspicion, and again
 You shine unto the world, swept free of taint
 By noble marriage with most careful rites----

 _Ard._ I doubt, I doubt! One part, one point, one rite,
 Broken in act, left gaping and divided,
 One half performed, one half left all undone,
 Leaves me dishonored still. She is not widowed
 Who was not wife----

 _Vig._              All's done! What more canst wish?

 _Ard._ To lay my forehead on my husband's feet,
 Which by the ancient custom of our house
 Is maidhood's closing act, as 'tis the first
 Of wifehood true. This thou wilt grant----

 _Vig._                                    You're bound
 By rites enough!

 _Bion._         Canst stand uncertain on
 So slight a matter?

 _Ard._             Slight? Ah, you know naught
 Of woman! Teach him, prince, that not a nick,
 Or turn, or shade of custom would she spare
 From this most holy ceremony. Wanting but
 The smallest portion that gives leave to say
 The measure lacks, she all her life will grieve,
 Shed secret tears, and wear a blanchen face
 When none knows why.

 _Bion._             You shall not move us. Peace!

 _Vig._ A brawling fancy!

 _Ard._                  Avesta's prince, thou who
 Shalt be my lord, if any lord of earth
 Be mine again, wouldst have my love, or hate?

 _Ban._ Thy love, fair Ardia.

 _Ard._                      Then I pray you, sir,
 Move thy forbearance yet one farther step
 And pluck this boon for me. 'Tis near thy hand,
 And O, how small a thing for you to give,
 But as the sun of all my days to me!
 Without it I may die----

 _Ban._                  Speak not of death. So sweet
 I'll shelter thee, Death's self must bloom
 If he creep near thy bower.

 _Ard._                     May I, my lord,
 Keep honored place by thee when memory mocks
 That place and honor? Grant me this, but this,
 And here I swear if any act of man
 May move a widowed heart, mine shall grow warm
 To thee!

 _Ban._ Do you speak truth?

 _Ard._                    Believe me, sir,
 So dear a thing is this for which I sue,
 That he who gives it must grow dear thereby;
 And if he lift to him my prostrate life,
 This gentle moment shall immortal be
 And sweeten every hour we pass together.
 Remembering this, my captive breast shall be
 His free dominion, and my lips on his,
 If they know warmth, shall take it from this cause,
 This first dear tenderness.

 _Ban._                     We'll please you, mistress.
 Bring in the man again.

      [_Exit a guard_]

 _Vig._                 I beg you, prince----

 _Ban._ By Allah, she shall have her beggar wish,
 For no more reason than she wishes it!

 _Vig._ It is her sickish humor, sir, to look
 On him again. All this wild pother means
 No more than that.

 _Ban._ No more? We'll please her then
 For our good peace to come.

 _Bion._                    A princely kindness.

      [_They talk together. Ardia crosses to altar_]

 _Ard._ Now one more miracle! God live in me,
 And Christ direct my hand!

 _Bion._                   What do you say,
 My sister?

 _Ard._ But a word to mine own heart.

 _Ban._ Nay, mine now, is it not?

 _Ard._                          So much of it
 As dearest lenience may buy, my lord.

      [_Bertrand is brought in guarded_]

 _Bion._ The man is here. Now have your foolish will.

  [_Ardia turns and looks at Bertrand. He is stripped of his rich dress
      and wears only a girdled tunic falling to his knees. Arms and
      feet are bare_]

 _Ban._ [_To Bertrand_] Sir, we permit the lady of our soul
 To end as her heart wills the rite that makes
 Her wife and widow. Touch her not, nor speak.

      [_Bertrand crosses to altar_]

 _Ard._ Why should we touch, when souls inhabit eyes
 And journey on a look? My heaven-lord,
 Here is no priest to bless this act of mine,
 But God will know his altar and the gift
 I lay upon it. The life we thought to live--
 That might have failed, and killed the dream now safe
 From tarnish of the days. Earth has enough
 Of blind and baffled lives, but great her need
 Of dreams. And ours we leave with her, unworn,
 Unpaled, warm round the love-seed she shall nurse
 To million-budded life.

 _Bion._                Come, make an end!

 _Ard._ An end of love? The God of all the worlds
 Cannot do that. Love born this darkest day
 Shall be in flower on man's millennial path
 And touch his step with Heaven.

 _Vig._                         Peace! Be done!

 _Ard._ Ay ... done. My lord, think thou art in the world
 Celestial, and from there smile on me--now--
         [_Draws dagger from her bosom and stabs him. He falls_]
 High God, as thou art Love, I struck for thee!
                                             [_Bends over body_]
 True aim. Full in the heart. I know the place,
 For there my home is--there I live--and now
 My house is down, I, too, must fall----

 _Ban._                                 I'll pay thee!
 What hast thou done?

 _Ard._ What done? A miracle!
 Who now can harm my love?

 _Ban._                   Your promises!
 Your oaths!

 _Ard._     I'd keep them, sir--ay, every one,
 If grief would let me live to be your wife.
 But I am weary, and my heavy stars
 Have left their skies to hang upon me here.
 My veins are empty, all their strength is out.
 Does 't take so much to lift this little blade
 And let it fall again?
      [_Biondel takes the dagger from her_]
                       Think you I need
 So poor a thing? Nay, God has struck for me,
 As I for Him. I go with Vairdelan. [_Kneels by body_]
 Look on this brow, if shame will let ye look.
 An angel shaped it. Ye've unfashioned here
 The work of Heaven. Sweet lips, no roses left?
 Your hand, my lord, and now the sinless star. [_Dies_]

                  [_Curtain_]