Tell then his name
Who writes them, and to whom.
Alessa. I will not.
Mauria. Then
It is some guilt you hide! – And touching her
You dote on – lady Yolanda!
Alessa. Shame!
Mauria. Some guilt
Of one, then, in this castle! – See, her lips
Betray it is.
Maga. No, Mauria! no! no! (holds her) hush!
[Forms appear without.
Mauria. O, loose me.
Maga. There, on the loggia! Hush, see —
Our lady and Sir Camarin.
Alessa (fearful). It is…
They heard us, Maga?
Maga. No, but —
Mauria (to Alessa). So? that mouse?
Alessa. You know not, Mauria, what thing you say. —
He is troubling her; be still.
[Stepping out as Berengere enters.
My lady?
Berengere (unwillingly). Yes.
It is time, now, for your lamps,
And for your aves and o'erneeded sleep.
But first I'd know if yet lord Renier —
[Sees Alessa's face.
Why are you pale?
Alessa. I?
Berengere. So – and strange.
Alessa. We have
But put away the distaff and the needle.
Camarin enters.
Berengere. The distaff and the needle – it may be.
And yet you do not seem —
Alessa. My lady – ?
Berengere. Go.
And send me Hassan.
[The women leave.
Camarin – you saw?
They were not as their wont is.
Camarin. To your eyes,
My Berengere, that apprehension haunts.
They were as ever. Then be done with fear!
Berengere. I cannot.
Camarin. To the abyss with it. To-night
Is ours – Renier tarries at Famagouste —
Is ours for love and for a long delight!
Berengere. Whose end may be —
Camarin. Dawn and the dewy lark!
And passing of all presage from you.
Berengere (sits). No:
For think, Yolanda's look when by the cypress
We read the verses! And my dream that I
Should with a cross – inscrutable is sleep! —
Bring her deep bitterness.
Camarin. Dreams are a brood
Born of the night and not of destiny.
She guesses not our guilt, and Renier
Clasps to his breast ambition as a bride —
Ambition for Amaury.
Berengere. None can say.
He's much with this Venetian, our guest,
Though Venice gyves us more with tyranny
Than would the Saracen.
Camarin. But through this lady
Of the Pisani, powerful in Venice,
He hopes to lift again his dynasty
Up from decay; and to restore this island,
This verdure-dream of the seas, unto his house.
'Tis clear, my Berengere!
Berengere. Then, her design?
And, the requital that entices her?
[Rises.
Evil will come of it, to us some evil,
Or to Yolanda and Amaury's love. —
But, there; the women.
Camarin. And too brief their stay.
What signal for to-night?
Berengere. Be in the garden.
Over the threshold yonder I will wave
The candle-sign, when all are passed to sleep.
Camarin. And with the beam I shall mount up to you
Quicker than ecstasy.
Berengere. I am as a leaf
Before the wind and raging of your love.
Go – go.
Camarin. But to return unto your breast!
[He leaves her by the divan.
[The women re-enter with silver lighted lamps; behind them are Hassan and the slave Smarda. They wait for Berengere, who has stood silent, to speak.
Berengere (looking up). Ah, you are come; I had forgotten.
And it is time for sleep. – Hassan, the gates:
Close them.
Hassan. And chain them, lady?
Berengere. Wait no longer.
