home. Love conquers, and he decides to go with her to Massilia and become a Greek. Ing. Here, here, Parthenia, this way, by this path. Ing. Hold, hold! that is to danger, see you not? This way, give me thy hand. [They descend the path on to the stage. When wilt thou trust me? Hast thou forgotten yesterday, the moor Where, following thine own will, the ground gave way From off my arm thrown my broad shield, whose face Par. Ing. And I with thee. I should have sunk! I think thou wouldst. Yes, yes, I was preserved from death, and by thine arms, Par. It seems as if that path Ing. Again! Why, look, the wood is ended here, And the mountain grows more level. Par. Ah! thou art right; the forest spreads behind us : It seems to me I ought to know this place. To seek my father, on my knees I pray'd The gods for courage, strength, and victory? Ing. Ah! say not so. Far, far from here, I'd have Thy home. Par. Yes, here it was. [She turns to the background and recognizes Massilia Ah! and behold, there rolls the sea; And yonder, shining in the purple light, Appears Artemis' temple. - O Massilia, [Kneeling You bring me home again. O, thanks and praise ! morass! Par. [Rising and coming forward, accompanied by INGOMAR.] My father, mother, I shall see them again; Weeping with joy shall sink into their arms, And kiss the falling tears from their pale cheeks. See how the evening light plays on each column, What ails thee? why art thou now grown sulky, The frost of night, and the rough path, and now Ing. I-I rejoice? In the dark forest, the bleak wilderness, Where these accursed walls cast their cold shades, Par. Not here; come with me to the city. Ing. Ah me! And yet I? Yonder, with polished Greeks, caged in dark walls? I, the barbarian, the free man? No, yonder Enough: farewell, farewell! [Rushes out. Par. Ingomar! stay, hear me ! — He heeds me not; He flies up the steep cliff; he's gone, and I Shall never see him more! Why, how is this? What! tears? I must not weep; no, no, I must not. Thou good, thou generous one! Lost-lost! [Weeps. INGOMAR re-enters and slowly approaches. Ing. Parthenia! Par. Ah! come back again? Ing. I am: I cannot, will not leave thee. I will go with thee to the city; I I will become a Greek! Par. How sayest thou? Ing. Thou dost not despise me, Parthenia; no, My nation, my rough ways: there's remedy No Greek, yet I'm a man, for 'tis the soul That makes the man, and not his outward seeming: I will become a Greek. And, now I've said it, Par. Thou'lt follow me? learn, but thou wilt teach me, When 'tis done, Ing. I know I've much to And that will make all easy. Thou'lt love me then! thou wilt, I feel it here; Ay, like a sunbeam in my heart it glows; It shouts like the loud triumph of a conqueror; My soul thou'lt love me then! thou'lt love me then! [Exit. LEAH, THE FORSAKEN. AUGUSTIN DALY. ACT IV. SCENE II. CHARACTERS: LEAH, a Jewish maiden and a fugitive to Bohemia during a persecution of her race. RUDOLF, the son of an old Christian magistrate, falls in love with Leah, but is shortly after persuaded that she has accepted a sum of money to discard him. While labouring under this impression, he is induced by his parents to marry MADALINA, the niece of FATHER HERMAN, the village priest. The marriage ceremony has just been solemnized in the church when LEAH wanders into the church-yard. SCENE: Night. The churchyard behind an Austrian village church. Tombstones and graves about; at back, the side of the church, showing its stained-glass windows, and a little sacristy door leading from it to yard; among the gravestones, a little to the left of centre of stage, is a half-broken white column. Enter LEAH, slowly, her hair streaming over her shoulders. Leah. [Sola.] What seek I here? I know not; yet I feel I have a mission to fulfil. I feel that the cords of my soul are stretched to their utmost effort. Already seven days! So long! As the dead lights were placed about the body of Abraham, as the friends sat nightly at his feet and watched, [Slowly sinking down.] so have I sat for seven days, and wept over the corpse of my love! [With painful intensity.] What have I done? Am I not a child of man? Is not love the right of all, like the air, the light? And, if I stretched my hands towards it, was it a crime? When I first saw him, first heard the sound of his voice, something wound itself around my heart. Then first I knew why I was created, and for the first time was thankful for my life. [Laying her hand on her brow.] Collect thyself, mind, and think! What has happened? I saw him yesterday,-no! eight days ago! He was full of love: "You'll come," said he. I came. I left my people. I tore the cords that bound me to my nation, and came to him. He cast me forth into the night. And yet, my heart, you throb still. The Earth still stands, the Sun still shines, as if it had not gone down for ever for me. [Low.] By his side stood a handsome maiden, and drew him away with caressing hands. It is her he loves, and to the Jewess he dares offer gold. [Starting up.] I will seek him! I will gaze on his face,-[Church lit up, windows illuminated, organ heard soft.] that deceitful, beautiful face. I will ask him what I have done, that-[Hides her head in her hands and weeps; organ swells louder, and then subsides again to low music.] Perhaps he has been misled by some one, some false tongue! His looks, his words seem to reproach me. Why was I silent? Thou proud mouth, ye proud lips, why did you not speak? [Exultingly.] Perhaps he loves me still. Perhaps his soul, like mine, pines in nameless agony, and yearns for reconciliation. [Music soft.] Why does my hate melt away at this soft voice with which Heaven calls to me? That grand music. [Listening.] I hear voices; it sounds like a nuptial benediction; perhaps it is a loving bridal pair. [Clasping her hands, and raising them on high.] Amen amen! to that benediction, whoever you may be. [Music stops.] I, poor desolate one, would like to see their happy faces; I must this window. Yes, here I can see into the church. [Goes to window, looks in, screams, and comes down; speaks very fast.] Do I dream? Kind Heaven, that prayer, that amen, you heard it not. I call it back. did not hear my blessing. You were deaf. Did no blood You |