^v?5y4ji';;;j{7'3-«TO*'/Si5^^ ;f '■■,'.■' .^"- ,' ■•;.■;. i 
 
 Umbria 
 
 By Lucy Heald 
 
Class, T3 
 
 Book ,F \^ LG- 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 
 
LOVE IN UMBRIA 
 
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 Love in 
 Umbria 
 
 ji Drama of the First 
 Franciscans 
 
 By Lucy Heald, A.M. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE 
 
 ptintcB at <Xbt llit>et|*itit fttH 
 
 1912 
 
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 COPYRIGHT, 191 2, BY LUCY HEALD 
 ACTING AND RECITATION RIGHTS RESERVED 
 
 Published by the 
 Class of i8g^f Smith College 
 
 ©^10 30117 
 
TO 
 
 S. A. B., 
 
 E. M. deL., 
 
 AND 
 
 H. P. H. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 Washington's acquaintance with the Warring- 
 tons is not recorded in history. With such a 
 precedent — si parva licet componere magnis — 
 I do not hesitate to state that many incidents 
 in the following pages cannot be verified by 
 any authentic biography of or even legends 
 
 concerning St. Francis of Assisi. 
 
 L. H. 
 
DRAMATIS PERSONM 
 
 Tristan, Conte di Sensoli "j 
 
 V to be played by one actor 
 Valente, his brother J 
 
 ViVlANA 
 
 Felice, a gardener ^ her servant 
 
 Innocenza, a peasant girl of Assisi 
 
 LuiGi, Marchese d'Alessi, brother to Vivian a 
 
 Vivian A* s Duenna 
 
 Bianca ^ 
 
 Emilia >■ servants to the Marchese 
 
 Beppo . 
 
 GiACOMO, servant to Conte di Sensoli 
 
 Maddalena 
 
 ^'gossiping neighbors 
 
 Tessa 
 
 Niccolo 
 
 loungers 
 
 GuiDO 
 
 PiETRO, a beggar 
 
 Giovanni, another beggar 
 
 Sofia, a Jiower- seller 
 
 Gabriella ] 
 
 ^peasant girls of Perusia 
 Angiola J 
 
viii Dramatis Personjb 
 
 Maria, Come from Assisi to trade 
 
 Bargainers y gossips ^ loungers, children in the square at 
 Perusia 
 
 Father Francesco, the Little Poor Man 
 
 Brother Leo 
 
 Brother Paolo, the little Boy-brother 
 
 Brother Juniper, A Cobbler y ** the plaything ofjesu Christ"*"* 
 
 Brother Giles, the Reasoner 
 
 Brothers Simon, Masseo, The Sacristan, and other Brothers 
 
 Two little boys of Assisi 
 
 Sister Clare 
 
 Sister Innocenza, the youngest of the nuns, and other Sisters 
 
 Prologue. Scene: a public square in Perusia 
 Act I. Scene: the kitchen of the Portiuncula at Assisi 
 Act II. Scene: the garden of the Villa d"* Ales si 
 Act III. Scene i : a cross-roads in the fields near Assisi 
 Scene 2: the garden at Saint Damian^s 
 
PROLOGUE 
 
 Scene : A public square in Perusia. A street 
 runs through the square from left to rights 
 centre. At right is seen the Villa d^Alessi^ 
 facing on the square. In centre^ a fountain 
 where women are washing clothes and filling 
 jars with water. Other houses line the street 
 that runs through the square and also an 
 alley leading back from the front of the stage^ 
 centre. At left, fronts a booth where flowers 
 and fruit are sold. Vender s, loungers, beg- 
 gars, shoppers make the square a changing 
 spectacle, 
 Bianca {sorting the clothes at the fountain) 
 Emilia, it's bad luck you will bring to the 
 Lady Viviana by your carelessness. Madonna 
 protect her, for the signs are terrible ! See how 
 you've mixed the women's and children's 
 clothes with the men's! Did you ever know 
 that sign to fail to bring misfortune ? 
 
 Emilia 
 My mistress laughs at signs. Only yesterday 
 
X Prologue 
 
 I shivered to hear her mock at the fortune- 
 teller for predicting sorrow. 
 
 Bianca 
 Did you ever know, I say, of misfortune's 
 not coming when the women's and children's 
 clothes get mixed with the men's ? 
 Emilia {troubled) 
 There's but one thing I can do, Bianca. 
 Those candles I was meaning to burn to keep 
 some one faithful, I '11 offer for my Lady Vivi- 
 ana instead ! 
 
 Bianca 
 That would be wise. 
 
 {Enter from the left, Conte di Sensoli pre- 
 ceded by his servant y Giacomo, who clears 
 the way, 'The Count walks with bent 
 head and general appearance of abstraction. 
 The loungers make way in surly fashion. 
 Some children, whose play is interrupted, 
 begin to cry. The Count is admitted by 
 Beppo to the Villa d*Alessi.) 
 Tessa {on a roof -gar den, to her neighbor, on a 
 balcony across the alley.) 
 Signior Valente is a patient wooer. 
 Maddalena {on her balcony) 
 That Signior Valente in the pall-colored 
 
Prologue 
 
 XI 
 
 garb? Not he! This Sir Pensieroso is the elder 
 brother, as like Sir Allegro as a shadow is like 
 the real image in the sun. This sombre one *s 
 the Count, and wonderfully rich, but who could 
 marry a shadow! 
 
 ^essa 
 
 I marked the difference. The same features, 
 only sallow-hued and glum. Not Signior Va- 
 lente's stride or his smile, as if the thing he 
 looked on was the thing he liked best. 
 
 Maddalena 
 
 That 's the man precisely. — And his looks 
 range everywhere. 
 
 Niccolo {a lounger) 
 
 It *s a rare sight to see Conte di Sensoli in 
 the streets. A year ago he was prominent 
 enough in council. I Ve heard him speak in this 
 very square, promising good laws and plenty to 
 the poor. Now we are threatened with a corn 
 famine, and what does he do to advise us ? They 
 say he will dole out gold when urged, but what 's 
 the value of gold when there 's no corn to buy ? 
 Yet he called himself a "lover of Perusia." 
 Guido {another lounger) 
 
 A lover of Perusia! Curse him! His sleek 
 varlet would have jostled me into the street if 
 
Xll 
 
 Prologue 
 
 I had not been braced. It 's we folks that have 
 no grand masters that feel the pinch most. This 
 Felice, the Marchese's lazy gardener, is fat 
 enough ! 
 
 I have thought it was time he went for the 
 settlement. But it was the other brother I have 
 seen. 
 
 Maddalena (as Tristan and the Marchese appear 
 on the balcony) 
 We shall soon know what to think. 
 
 (^hey gesture to each other their surmises 
 during the conversation between the Mar- 
 chese and the Count.) 
 Marchese 
 Shall we talk here ? 
 
 Tristan 
 
 The rest is briefly put. 
 In this respect I hold myself most happy. 
 That to the Lady's rank and loveliness 
 Her virtue can be comparable. I thank you, 
 That you are pleased, my Lord, to rate as worthy 
 The name of Countess that I offer her. 
 
 Marchese 
 The name Sensoli is a warrant, — further. 
 My sister is inclined to you. 
 
Prologue xiii 
 
 Tristan 
 
 An honor 
 That I had not presumed or estimated. 
 
 Marcbese 
 To be honest. Sir, one of your family- 
 Seemed like to win her, — young Signior Valente, 
 Who will come wooing here weekdays and 
 
 Sundays, 
 Morning, noon, and night ! 
 
 'Tristan 
 
 A hot Perusian, 
 Forever in the saddle or on his knees 
 Before a lady or a shrine. The boy 
 Is dear to me, — but duty to my house 
 Constrains my marriage. He would fling away 
 His life for a gauntlet on his wedding morn. 
 
 Marcbese (besitating) 
 They are both young and blithe. 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Fear not for her. 
 Although she leaves the gallant for the recluse. 
 My pensive life among my books shall cast 
 No shade on her. Can I not value hope 
 And gaiety although I have it not ? 
 
 Marcbese 
 Youth is still yours. Why will you waste its zest 
 
xiv Prologue 
 
 In self-appointed exile? We have missed you 
 In council-room and market-place. 
 Tristan {pointing to the crowd in the square) 
 
 Why struggle 
 To lift this inert mass ? 
 
 Marchese 
 
 Let not your pique 
 At being foiled the first time hinder you 
 From future benefactions. Pardon me, 
 I was your prophet and you willed to fail me. 
 
 Tristan 
 Not wilfully but out of desperation. 
 Oh, I have had my dreams ! I thought to right 
 The world. The glorious, idle dreams of youth! 
 But better men than I have failed, and Vice 
 Goes by unchallenged, and Holiness is reviled 
 And stoned by the rabble. I am done with the 
 world! 
 {A beggar climbs up on the balcony, holding 
 out his hand,) 
 
 Pietro {the beggar) 
 Alms, for the love of God! Only a penny! 
 {Whispering) Listen, you that call yourself the 
 
 lover 
 Of Perusia ! 
 
 1'ristan 
 Take your alms and be off again! 
 
Prologue xv 
 
 Pietro (whispering) 
 Listen. I know a scheme to aid the city 
 From threatened famine. 
 
 (Aloud) One penny more, good Signior ! 
 Marchese 
 Your kinsman hath the zeal ; unite your wit. 
 That so Perusia's fortunes may be owed 
 To the name Sensoli. 
 
 T!ristan 
 
 I tell you, I am done 
 With bickerings and shifts and bargainings 
 And counter-plots! 
 
 Pietro (whispering) 
 For the sake of Perusia, hear me! 
 Tristan (as he strikes down the beggar s hand) 
 (To the Marchese) I owe no duty to my state 
 
 except 
 To keep myself untainted. 
 Marchese (watching Pietro as he clambers down) 
 
 That*s a bold beggar. 
 He puts twopenny value on his neck ! 
 
 (Looking down the street,) 
 My sister is approaching; she's attended 
 By Signior Valente. 
 
 Tristan 
 Shall we sign the papers? 
 (They enter the house. A beggar approaches 
 
xvi Prologue 
 
 a monk in a brown robe who has been 
 going from one to another exhorting them^ 
 and is now being teased by some little boys,) 
 Juniper {the monk) 
 Let be, let be, you little rogues ! 
 
 Giovanni (the second beggar) 
 Alms for the love of the Cross you wear ! 
 
 Juniper 
 Alas, I have nothing to give thee, dear 
 Brother. The Brothers of my House will not 
 leave anything lying around, for they say I would 
 give everything away, and I am expressly for- 
 bidden to give any part of my habit away. But 
 stay — I have thought of a scheme! If thou 
 shouldst take my cloak off my back, that would 
 not be giving it away ! 
 
 {He leans over and the beggar pulls off the 
 cloak.) 
 
 Guido 
 Do not rob him. He is a simple good fellow 
 that knows nothing but cobbling. — What will 
 you say to your Superior, good Brother ? 
 
 Juniper 
 I '11 say a good man took my cloak and ran 
 off with it. 
 
 {He speeds Giovanni, who runs off. Mean- 
 
Prologue 
 
 XVll 
 
 while Viviana has entered^ left, with her 
 Duenna and Valente. He scatters the 
 children by throwing pennies for which 
 they scramble. He must bow right and 
 left to acknowledge salutations.) 
 Maddalena 
 Now, then, do you see any difference ? 
 
 Tessa 
 Else I should have a gourd's head on my 
 shoulders ! But look, Maddalena, the lady is 
 ill-pleased or indifferent. 
 
 Maddalena 
 What can you argue from indifferent looks ! 
 This is baffling. 
 
 Viviana {stopping before the flower booth) 
 No camellias this morning? I would give five 
 soldi for camellias for a shrine. 
 
 Sofia {the flower-seller) 
 There 's not a camellia in Perusia this morn- 
 ing, Lady. But here are tube-roses. They say 
 that tube-roses are like incense to the Madonna. 
 (Viviana buys the tube-roses and goes in 
 with Valente and the Duenna. Enter ^ 
 rights a flower-girl accompanied by a 
 woman who carries a baby strapped upon 
 her back.) 
 
xviii Prologue 
 
 Innocenza {the flower-girl) 
 Let us go home. My basket will not be no- 
 ticed here. 
 
 Sofia 
 My good girl, let me see your camellias ; I 
 would give two soldi for camellias to deck a 
 shrine. How much for this little bunch? 
 
 Innocenza 
 Two soldi. 
 
 Maria {her companion, nudging her) 
 Innocenza, that is the finest bunch you have. 
 — Three soldi, she says. 
 
 Sofia 
 Holy Virgin ! Three soldi for camellias that 
 are wanted to deck a shrine ! Would you rob 
 the Lord Almighty himself? 
 
 Felice {approaching) 
 My mistress would give four soldi for ca- 
 mellias, as Sofia knows. 
 
 Maria 
 These came from Assisi and are very fine. 
 
 Felice 
 My mistress would give five soldi for camel- 
 lias from Assisi. 
 
 Innocenza 
 A soldo for yourself. Sir. 
 
Prologue xix 
 
 Felice 
 Five is the least she would deign to give. 
 And she loves especially the golden asters that 
 bloom earliest in Assisi. 
 
 Innocenza {eagerly) 
 A few weeks more and they will be in bloom, 
 
 Felice 
 I know. Each spring I must search the coun- 
 tryside. 
 
 Sofia 
 My mistress likes tube-roses best. She 
 bought all mine this morning. 
 Felice (turning his back on Sofia and drawing 
 Innocenza aside) 
 How much richer is Assisi than Perusia in 
 golden asters and golden tresses ! It enraptures 
 me to picture how golden earrings would set 
 off those tresses ! 
 
 Maria (whispering to Innocenza) 
 He offers you gold, the bridegroom's gift! 
 (Meanwhile Viviana and Valente have ap- 
 peared on the balcony.) 
 Viviana 
 Why will you weary me with being importunate? 
 I am complaisant to your jesting always. 
 You know the mood that pleases. 
 
XX Prologue 
 
 Valente 
 
 I would teach you 
 What pleases me. 
 
 Viviana {turning from him) 
 
 The square is brisk to-day ; 
 Trading and gossip; — you will feed the glut- 
 tons 
 With savory morsels. 
 
 Pietro (clambering up again) 
 Alms ! (JVhispering,) For the love of Perusia, 
 Listen this time. 
 
 Valente [gravely) 
 
 You may not ask me twice 
 In Perusia's name. 
 
 Pietro 
 Oh, now you are awakened ! 
 You are nobler now with loveliness at your 
 
 side ! — 
 Pardon, your worship, I never spake with 
 
 you 
 Before. *Twas some ignoble noble spurned 
 me! 
 
 Valente (courteously) 
 Be brief What is your claim ? 
 
 Pietro 
 
 O gentle sir. 
 
Prologue xxi 
 
 Believe me in despite of all my rags. 
 'T is my necessity that makes me keen. 
 A farmer of Foligno hath made known 
 To me how corn can be procured. 
 Valente (sharply) 
 
 The means ? 
 Pietro 
 Your worship knows the long-time enmity, 
 Shrinking from war, Foligno entertains 
 Against our city. 
 
 Valente 
 Yes. What then ? 
 Pietro 
 
 Last year 
 At planting time and harvest many men 
 Were drawn to war. Whereat Foligno mer- 
 chants, 
 Anticipating famine in the spring 
 For us, bought up the Umbrian corn and 
 
 now, 
 When we 're in need, Foligno will not sell. 
 Pretending scarcity of their own crops. 
 He, my informant, being overheard. 
 Was flung in prison. I myself escaped. 
 To-night they burn the stores lest hated Perusia 
 Should come to buy ! 
 
xxii Prologue 
 
 Valente (rising) 
 
 We '11 go a-marketing. 
 (^hey whisper together, Valente/)«/j a chain 
 about the beggar s neck,) 
 Viviana 
 Haggling over an alms ? Here, Master Nimble, 
 The fee you '11 need for the apothecary ! 
 
 (He clambers down with difficulty and wav- 
 ing his hand to Signior Valente blows the 
 whistle on the chain, 1'here is at once a stir 
 in the square. Armed men come running in, 
 to whom the beggar communicates his 
 news,) 
 
 Valente 
 My answer! I must have it now! My sword 
 Shall not be drawn again till thou hast blest it. 
 My answer ! 
 
 Viviana 
 Sir, I lack the wit to guess 
 The answer till I 've heard the question. Since 
 You seem in haste, I 'd stay you not. Farewell, 
 (She extends her hand. Meanwhile the square 
 has filled with soldiers. One leads a charger 
 to the door of the Villa d' Ales si. Valente 
 motions for his horse to be led beneath the 
 balcony. He steps upon the parapet^ 
 
Prologue xxiii 
 
 Valente (calling) 
 Are there any hungry here ? 
 
 I'he Crowd 
 
 I! I! My children! 
 Valente 
 Who '11 go a-marketing with me? 
 
 T^he T^roop 
 
 Here, Captain ! 
 Valente {looking hack with a swift ^ devoted gaze ^ 
 
 then leaping down) 
 God and Saint Laurence for Perusia! 
 Viviana (looking ruefully at her outstretched 
 
 hand) 
 A gallant lover ! 
 
 (The Duenna comes out,) 
 Duenna 
 What *s all this broil about ? 
 Viviana 
 Your hero *s grown domestic, — gone to market. 
 He said. 
 
 Duenna (^looking after the soldiers) 
 You let him go unanswered ? 
 Viviana 
 
 Look 
 At this foolish hand outstretched for him to 
 kiss. 
 
xxiv Prologue 
 
 Duenna 
 I can make nothing of this. Where are your 
 eyes? 
 
 Viviana 
 There never was a school-girl more in love 
 With soldier's glitterings than thou. 
 
 Duenna 
 
 We love 
 The soldier not that he goes forth to slay, 
 But haply to be slain. You are a child; 
 Do riches touch your heart ? 
 
 Viviana {thoughtfully) 
 
 Who knows what touches 
 The heart ? 
 
 Duenna 
 Dear child, I '11 pray you may be happy. 
 (She goes in, The Count comes out on the 
 balcony, Viviana greets him with frank 
 pleasure,) 
 Felice {leading Innocenza to the balcony) 
 Mistress, here are fine camellias. 
 
 {He climbs up a little way, holding out the 
 basket, which Tristan takes.) 
 Sofia 
 Folks of queer manners come out of Assisi. 
 Bold hussies and mad friars. We all know 
 Francesco Bernadone for a roisterer. 
 
Prologue 
 
 XXV 
 
 Innocenza {fiercely) 
 He is a holy saint! 
 
 Tristan {returning the basket without taking 
 out any flowers^ hut -putting a coin into 
 Felice's hand) 
 They are all too pale or sickly sweet for thee. 
 A flower that 's all a vivid gaiety, 
 Nor hides its crimson heart in paler petals. 
 Nor languishes upon its stem, but glances 
 In every breeze. A poppy in the grass! 
 (T^o Innocenza) Bring me red poppies and you 
 shall be rich. 
 
 Innocenza 
 The first red poppies shall be hers, your worship. 
 
 Viviana 
 Buy poor Sofia's flowers. They are hungry here, 
 And she loves Felice, 
 
 (Tristan gives more money to Felice, point- 
 ing to Sofia. Felice does the errand with 
 a grimace.) 
 
 See, your tube-roses 
 Are better than camellias for my shrine. 
 
 Tristan 
 It suits my lady's pleasure to be indulgent. 
 Why do you look so fondly on this scene ? 
 Dwelling on some fair picture in the mind? 
 
XXVI 
 
 P R O L O G U 
 
 Viviana 
 Is it not bright and beautiful to see ? 
 The little children earnest at their games ; 
 The idlers basking, gossips sedulous. 
 Grandmothers benevolent, the bargainers 
 Out complimenting one another ; then 
 A moment ere you came, the thrill and lift 
 Of brave, impetuous men ! Only you 
 Arecalm and wiser! {With averted gaze ^ Lastly 
 
 you may see 
 The rueful, unregarded monk. 
 
 Tristan 
 
 The measure 
 Of my lady's charms I had not found ; — she 's 
 
 grown 
 Philosophical. In that I may make claim 
 To teach you much. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Why, Sir, doth it require 
 Philosophy to see what is plain, and love ? 
 
 T^ristan 
 By your sweet blindness you may not discern 
 Greed and deception, sloth, the menace lurking 
 In beauty of age's ugliness. Ah, now 
 I have dimmed your vision more myself who 
 would 
 
Prologue xxvii 
 
 Cherish your gaiety, for I am sad ! 
 Forget those words and praise my simile! 
 This brooch I wear to mind me of the child 
 I was — I found this topaz hidden away 
 In a secret drawer whose spring my prying hand 
 Had chanced upon. Oh, wonder, for within 
 Must burn a magic fire! It harmed me not. 
 Yet it blazed fiercer than firelight ! 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Silly child! 
 Quaint philosopher ! 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Day after day 
 I drew it, trembling, from its hiding-place. 
 My breast. Some day, I said, it cannot fail 
 To burn to ashes. So I true believed. 
 
 Viviana 
 The round-eyed rogue! 
 
 'Tristan 
 But never the jewel failed 
 To flash in the sun. And now I know my jewel, 
 Because it is a jewel, must glow forever! 
 Now for my simile — 
 
 Viviana {anticipating) 
 
 Philosophy 
 Came late with me. This gem, the mate of yours, 
 
xxviii Prologue 
 
 I bade my mother hoard till I was grown 
 And could wear it in a ring. All vanity ! 
 
 'Tristan {urgent) 
 Even as Lady Viviana *s destined 
 To be the Child of Joy. Wouldst thou hear more 
 Of similes ? 
 
 Viviana 
 Your rhetoric is skilful ! 
 Juniper [demanding to be heard) 
 Dearly beloved, flee from the world and put 
 away sin! Render to others their due if you 
 would escape from Hell; follow the command- 
 ments of God to love God and your neighbor, 
 if ye would possess the kingdom of Heaven. 
 Dearly beloved, flee from the world. 
 
 Tristan 
 A sombre interruption. Yet the man 
 Kindles the fancy ! Ecstasy in rags ! 
 There may be matter in this frenzy worth 
 My study. 
 
 Fiviana 
 As philosopher I *d rate you 
 Beneath the poet ! 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Come, the simile. 
 
 (Tbey go in together,) 
 
Prologue xxix 
 
 Maddalena 
 She never listened so long to Signior Valente, 
 God keep him ! 
 
 A Perusian {running in) 
 Why are you not all at the gate ? Our troop 
 is marching. Shall we speed them with our 
 prayers ? 
 
 ^he People in the Square 
 Yes, to the gate. Our deliverers ! 
 
 {Soon the square is emptied and the people 
 at windows and on balconies and roof- 
 gardens have disappeared. Enter from 
 the left a youth carrying a cage of turtle- 
 doves. He looks about the empty square 
 with disappointment. He sets the cage 
 upon the counter and rests, Tou can hear 
 the voice of a street-singer. Soon he ap- 
 pears^ a brown-clad friar. As he comes 
 down the alley he looks up at the houses^ 
 singing to them, 'The youth spies him and 
 hastens with alacrity to greet a possible 
 customer, The friar blocks the alley with 
 his arm, Tou can see the phases of the 
 interview ; astonishment^ chagrin, disap- 
 pointment, contrition, satisfaction on the 
 part of the youth. He returns the way 
 
XXX Prologue 
 
 he had come. The friar enters the square^ 
 bearing the bird-cage. He looks about the 
 empty square, resuming his song. T^hen he 
 passes out, singing, and as he goes, releas- 
 ing the birds from the cage.) 
 'The Friar 
 
 My heart 's aflame with love ! 
 
 My heart 's aflame with love ! 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
DRAMATIS PERSONS 
 
 Tristan, Conte di Sensoli 
 
 to be played by one actor 
 Valente, his brother 
 
 ViVIANA 
 
 Felice, a gardener^ her servant 
 
 Innocenza, a peasant girl of Assisi 
 
 LuiGi, Marchese d'Alessi, brother to Vivian a 
 
 Viviana's Duenna 
 
 BlANCA ■" 
 
 Emilia \ servants to the Marchese 
 
 Beppo > 
 
 GiACOMO, servant to Conte di Sensoli 
 
 Maddalena "I 
 
 V gossiping neighbors 
 Tessa J 
 
 NiCCOLO ^ 
 
 > loungers 
 GuiDO J 
 
 Pietro, a beggar 
 
 Giovanni, another beggar 
 
 Sofia, a Jiower-seller 
 
 Gabriella ^ 
 
 >peasant girls of Perusia 
 Angiola J 
 
xxxii Dramatis Persons 
 
 Maria, Come from Assist to trade 
 
 BargainerSy gossips, loungers, children in the square at 
 Perusia 
 
 Father Francesco, the Little Poor Man 
 
 Brother Leo 
 
 Brother Paolo, the little Boy- brother 
 
 Brother Juniper, A Cobbler, ** the plaything ofjesu Christ^"* 
 
 Brother Giles, the Reasoner 
 
 Brothers Simon, Masseo, The Sacristan, and other Brothers 
 
 Two little boys of Assisi 
 
 Sister Clare 
 
 Sister Innocenza, the youngest of the nuns, and other Sisters 
 
 Prologue. Scene: a public square in Perusia 
 Act I. Scene: the kitchen of the Portiuncula at Assisi 
 Act II. Scene: the garden of the Villa d^ Alessi 
 Act III. Scene i : a cross-roads in the fields near Assisi 
 Scene 2: the garden at Saint Damian^s 
 
Love in Umbria 
 
 ACT I 
 
 Scene : Kitchen of the House of Portiuncula at 
 Assist, Brother Juniper, with great zeal 
 and show of busyness ^ is building a great fir e^ 
 left. Brother Paolo is sweeping. On a 
 pallet, right, half reclines a sick man, Tris- 
 tan, CONTE DI SeNSOLI. 
 
 Juniper 
 THIS kitchen is the room of all the House 
 Wherein the Devil works mischief. Here I stay, 
 Wasting the time that I might spend In prayer 
 On things to tempt our lustful appetites. 
 I have bethought me how this grievous sin 
 May be avoided. 
 
 {PFithout some one knocks timidly, 'The Broth- 
 ers cease their work and kneels praying si- 
 lently, The knock is repeated more boldly ; 
 then a third knock, impatient^ 
 
2 Love in Umbria 
 
 Juniper {rising) 
 We should be prepared, 
 Having repeated thrice the Pater Noster, 
 To greet the stranger. — In the name of God, 
 Enter! 
 
 {He admits, rear^ two little boys; one carry- 
 ing chickens tied by the legs ; the other 
 laden with kettles swung over his shoul- 
 ders as well as in his hands ^ 
 Juniper 
 God save you, little friends ! Ye come 
 Just on the hour. God shall reward you 
 
 both 
 For service greater than ye understand. 
 Hast thou no greeting, Brother Paolo? 
 
 Paolo {shyly) 
 The Lord give you His peace. 
 
 Elder Boy {staring at Paolo) 
 
 We may not stay. 
 It was forbid. 
 
 Juniper 
 Well spoken, little son. 
 I would not hinder thine obedience. 
 Another time. Which is the elder, thou? 
 Then take this silver bell into thy charge. 
 If trouble come to either, thou shalt find 
 
Love in Umbria 3 
 
 The value of it. Fare ye well, my sons. 
 
 Fear God and obey your mother ! 
 
 (They go out, reluctant, wondering. As they 
 
 pass Paolo, the younger thrusts a handful 
 
 of chestnuts into the Little Brother s hand.) 
 
 Tounger Boy {to Elder) 
 
 Does he play 
 Like us? 
 
 Elder Boy 
 
 Hush, he must pray! 
 
 Tounger Boy 
 
 What puts that shine 
 Into his eyes? 
 
 Elder Boy 
 
 Hush, mother says the angels 
 Speak in his ear! ['The door closes after them,) 
 
 Paolo {glowing) 
 
 Oh, look ! All these for me ! 
 {To Tristan.) Oh, Sir, if thou couldst eat them — 
 
 Tristan 
 
 No, my child. 
 But let me see you feast. Your little cheek 
 Is not too round. — Good Brother, pray explain. 
 Do you prepare a royal banquet here ? 
 
 Juniper 
 Hast thou not guessed my plan ? I have ar- 
 ranged 
 
4 Love in Umbria 
 
 This morning to prepare abundant food 
 To last a fortnight. For I count it sin 
 If but one Brother stay away from prayers. 
 I went about and begged the food and pots. 
 
 Tristan 
 A noble task! 
 
 Juniper 
 But one thing now I lack, 
 An herb that groweth in the meadow near. 
 Brother Paolo shall tend thee whilst I go 
 To gather it. Hast need of anything? 
 
 'Tristan [wearily) 
 Of nothing. I will call our little Brother 
 If there be need. 
 
 Juniper (bending over the sick man) 
 Still far too pale and wan, 
 Yet marvellously hast thou mended since 
 That sorry day I found thee on the ground. 
 Flung from thy horse. *T was God's own blessed 
 
 hand 
 That led thee hither. 
 
 Tristan 
 So I should believe, 
 Dear Brother. 
 
 Juniper 
 Peace unto this House. 
 
Love in Umbria 5 
 
 Tristan and Paolo 
 
 Farewell. 
 {As Juniper puts on his cloak^ Paolo runs 
 up to hiniy pulling at his cloak.) 
 Paolo 
 Dear Brother Juniper, be very careful ! 
 Remember thou hast been forbidden to give 
 Any part of thy habit away. This cloak is ragged 
 And the air is chill to-day. Let no one take 
 Anything away from thee, or else the Guardian 
 Will chide 1 
 
 Juniper 
 Fear not, my little Guardian ! 
 {He goes out, rear. Tristan seeming to be 
 asleep^ Paolo roasts his chestnuts at the 
 fire^ singing softly,) 
 
 Paolo {singing) 
 Little Brother Fish, 
 Beware the wriggling worm ! 
 The fisher too is hungry, 
 I saw his cruel hook. 
 I speak as thy brother. 
 Little Brother Fish. 
 
 Little Sister Ant, 
 Why such foolish haste ? 
 
6 Love in Umbria 
 
 Fear not for the morrow, 
 The Lord will provide ! 
 I speak as thy brother, 
 Little Sister Ant. 
 
 Little Sister Bird, 
 Spread thy shining wings. 
 Fly for me from North to South, 
 From East to West, and make the 
 
 Cross ! 
 I love thee as thy brother, 
 Little Sister Bird ! 
 
 (Tristan stirs, Paolo runs to him.) 
 Paolo 
 Oh, Sir, thou couldst have slept but for my 
 
 song, 
 And I, thy nurse ! 
 
 Tristan 
 
 No, boy, I cannot sleep. 
 Sit here, our Little Brother-to-the-sick. 
 Come closer, so. Do you find happiness 
 Here in this House, and never long to play 
 With village children ? 
 
 Paolo 
 
 Nay, I am happy here : 
 I work and pray and sing. Hast thou no work? 
 
Love in Umbria 7 
 
 Tristan 
 Yes, to be brain and will for a hundred oafs 
 Who earn their bread of me ; whereby more 
 
 beggars 
 Are born into the world. 
 
 Paolo 
 
 Our Father saith 
 Whoever benefits God's poor is blest 
 A thousand thousand fold. 
 
 1'ristan 
 
 'T is only death 
 Can aid the poor. 
 
 Paolo 
 We all do pray for death — 
 Tristan 
 Ah, hush, my child — 
 
 Paolo 
 
 May I not speak ? I wish 
 That thou wouldst teach me how to hold thy 
 
 sword. 
 Dost thou wear it thus ? Our Little Father 
 
 saith 
 Some men may fight, but we are men of peace. 
 Look how it gleams ! 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Aye, for the stains of blood 
 
8 Love in Umbria 
 
 Were cleansed long ago. Men say the Count 
 Disdains to fight ; they dare not say he dares not. 
 This gleaming thing is symbol of revenge. 
 Your tender hands shall not be sullied. 
 
 Paolo 
 
 Nay, 
 I was 'ware of the blade. 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Come, put away the sword, 
 But ask whatever else you will. 
 
 Paolo 
 
 I wish 
 That I might touch this great golden jewel 
 Thou wearest on thy hand. 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Why, you shall wear it. 
 Paolo 
 Oh, Sir, how beautiful ! The Brothers say 
 Thou must be rich, and Brother Elias said, 
 " Perchance he '11 give some money to the 
 Order." 
 
 'Tristan 
 What said the others ? 
 
 Paolo 
 
 Brother Leo said, 
 " Are we not named the Order of Poor Brothers ? 
 
Love in Umbria 9 
 
 "I pray he'll give his heart unto the Order.** 
 " Amen," said Brother Juniper, and I 
 And all the rest spake likewise. How much gold 
 Didst thou have to give to buy this jewel ? 
 
 'Tristan 
 
 None. 
 It was a gift, exchanged. 
 
 Paolo 
 
 How thou must love 
 The giver ! 
 
 Tristan 
 Golden as the gem and flashing. 
 {The bell rings for Sext. The murmur of the 
 antiphons may be heard; the voice <?/" Little 
 Brother Paolo, shrill and sweety rises 
 above the other voices as they recite the 
 Salutation to the Virtues^ 
 Paolo and the Brothers {unseen) 
 Hail, Queen Wisdom! The Lord save thee 
 with thy holy sister, pure Simplicity. O holy 
 Lady Poverty, may the Lord save thee with 
 thy holy sister Humility. O holy Lady Charity, 
 may the Lord save thee with thy holy sister. 
 Obedience. O all ye most holy virtues, may the 
 Lord, from whom ye proceed, save you. 
 
 Amen. 
 
lo Love in Umbria 
 
 Paolo {rising from bis knees) 
 Oh, take it back! I fingered it in my prayer. 
 *T is a great sin ! 
 
 'Tristan 
 
 No sin, you foolish boy — 
 Paolo 
 I will confess. Father Francesco knows 
 How I was tempted. Once he carved a vase 
 Of wood, and when he said the prayers for 
 
 Tierce, 
 He thought a moment of the vase. " Since 
 
 this," 
 Quoth he, " hath power to stop the sacrifice 
 " Of praise that I was offering to the Lord, 
 " It shall be sacrificed." Gems are a snare. 
 And all beautiful things. 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Would you not see 
 The wonders I have seen : fine palaces 
 And armored knights and lovely little maids 
 Fairer than angels ? 
 
 Paolo 
 
 Nay, what I have seen 
 Is yet more wonderful. 
 
 Tristan 
 
 How, starry eyes ? 
 
Love in Umbria ii 
 
 What hast thou seen, the which remembered 
 
 brings 
 That flush — the radiance of the acolyte 
 Bearing the sacred taper? 
 
 Paolo {hesitating at firsts but reassured by Tris- 
 tan's smile^ 
 
 On a night 
 When Father Francesco lay by me, I tied 
 My cord to his, because I wished to know 
 Whither he goes by night. For I had marked 
 How after Compline he doth lay him down ; 
 But at the midnight, whilst the others sleep, 
 He riseth up. So waking from a dream 
 Of him, I found the cord unloosed, and rose 
 And went in search of him, and in a field 
 I found him, rapt in prayer. I knelt beside. 
 Touching his cloak, and it was cold and dark. 
 {In ecstasy) But presently a marvellous light 
 
 from Heaven — 
 Oh, brighter than the sun — shone all about! 
 And in that glory I beheld our Lord 
 And Mary Mother and the blessed John 
 With a multitude of angels : and they spake 
 Unto my Father. Blinded by that light 
 I swooned and fell upon the ground, and there 
 He must have found me when the vision faded. 
 
12 Love in Umbria 
 
 And next I felt the warmth of his own breast. 
 
 For then our Father lifted me 
 
 And bore me homeward tenderly ; 
 
 Resting in his arms, asleep. 
 
 As doth the Shepherd with His sheep. 
 
 'Tristan {when at length the boy has remembered 
 
 his presence^ 
 Only the pure in heart shall see God. 
 The vision hath been hidden from my sight. 
 
 Paolo 
 Oh, Sir, thou art a noble gentleman ! 
 'T is thou and Brother Juniper I love 
 After our Little Father. That is why 
 I grieve when thou art suffering and when 
 Thou chidest me, for I do ever try 
 To please thee. 
 
 Tristan 
 Child, the fault is mine. Thy dream 
 Was " yet more wonderful " than palaces 
 And knights and little maidens. 
 
 Paolo 
 
 It was true ! 
 {Enter Juniper, rear^ with a bunch of herbs. His 
 cassock is ungirdled, Paolo inspects him anxiously.^ 
 
 Juniper {briskly) 
 All 's well ? Now, little one, thy task is done. 
 Haste to thy prayers. 
 
Love in Umbria 13 
 
 Paolo 
 Oh, Brother, where 's thy cord ? 
 I almost know the Guardian will be angry ! 
 
 Juniper 
 But who would call a cord a part of one's habit ? 
 A poor man lacked a rope to lead his cow ! 
 (Paolo goes out, reluctant, right,) 
 Tristan 
 I am persuaded — almost — to remain 
 Here with you always, so that I may learn 
 Simplicity from you, and charity. 
 
 Juniper 
 Ah, not from me ! I am the worst of men ! 
 But from the Little Poor Man. He can speak 
 So thou wouldst be persuaded to renounce 
 All worldly pleasures. When he shall return 
 All will be well ! 
 
 (Tristan falls asleep. Juniper puts all the 
 pots on the fire. He drops in eggs in their 
 shells and chickens with their feathers on, 
 ^he fire being fierce, he ties a plank to his 
 body and so leaps from pot to pot, skim- 
 ming the stew. Enter Brother Leo, right, 
 ^hey greet each other silently for Juniper 
 signals that Tristan is asleep, Leo is 
 amazed at the many pots and the great 
 
14 Love in Umbria 
 
 fire. He lifts a lid and puts it down hast- 
 ily^ holding his nose,) 
 Leo 
 It is a wedding feast 
 Methinks thou art preparing. 
 
 Juniper 
 
 Thou shalt see ! 
 Leo 
 Our invalid, is he to have his share? 
 
 Juniper 
 
 Nay, \ is too rich for him ; but here 's fresh milk. 
 
 {Enter y right. Brother Simon. He too marvels at 
 
 the cookings making signs of amazement to Leo.) 
 
 Juniper 
 The stew is cooked. Now I will ring the 
 bell. 
 (When he has rung the bell, many of the 
 Brothers pass y from rear to right , through 
 the kitchen to the refectory. Juniper car- 
 ries in one of the pots and is heard crying) 
 Juniper 
 Eat well and then to prayers. No one need think 
 Of cooking for a fortnight. 
 
 Leo (hastily^ 
 
 I will stay 
 To tend this gentleman. 
 
Love in Umbria 15 
 
 Simon {hurrying away^ rear) 
 
 And I must go 
 To guard the altar that the Sacristan 
 May eat, which Brother Juniper hath done 
 This morning. 
 
 {L.to feeds Tristan, who has been roused by 
 the bell.) 
 
 Leo 
 Milk is better food for thee. 
 {Presently the Sacristan hurries through the 
 kitchen to the refectory,) 
 
 Sacristan {muttering) 
 Never again shall Brother Juniper 
 Be left on guard! Two silver bells are gone. 
 Torn from the altar cloth; and one, I know. 
 Given to a beggar woman! 
 
 Tristan {to Leo) 
 
 I could tell 
 To whom the other one was given. 
 
 Leo 
 
 I fear 
 Dear Brother Juniper must suffer for this; 
 But he taketh joy in suffering. 
 
 I'ristan 
 
 Such joy 
 Is all you know, who dwell within this House. 
 
i6 Love in Umbria 
 
 And yet you bear you like to men that find 
 The secret of joy. 
 
 Leo 
 Our Father taught us how 
 To find the perfect joy. 
 
 'Tristan 
 
 Then, in God*s name, 
 I pray you tell me how. 
 
 Leo 
 
 Right willingly. 
 Whenas our Little Father and his son 
 Were journeying from Perusia in winter 
 Unto Saint Mary's, and were sore distressed 
 From cold and rain and hunger; then said he: 
 "O Brother Leo, little lamb, wouldst know 
 "Wherein is perfect joy?" "Right gladly, 
 
 Father." 
 " If haply when we reach Saint Mary's door, 
 "The porter cry in anger, 'Get you gone. 
 "*Ye be two rogues!' and when we knock 
 
 again, 
 "He rush upon us with a knotty stick; 
 "Then if we bear such slander and abuse 
 " Right patiently, nay, even with delight, 
 "From thinking on the wounds of Jesu Christ, 
 "Therein is perfect joy!" 
 
Love in Umbria 17 
 
 'J'ristan 
 
 Alas for me! 
 I am unworthy. In my heart I know 
 I would have seized that stick and beaten him 
 With all the knots thereof! 
 
 Leo 
 
 I pray thy soul 
 May be redeemed from such unrighteousness. 
 Canst thou instruct me how to find a joy 
 Intenser? 
 
 Tristan 
 Each man's is superlative 
 To him. 
 
 Leo {doubtfully) 
 And thine? 
 
 1'ristan 
 I shine but by reflection. 
 Leo 
 The Count Sensoli's name shineth in Umbria 
 By its own lustre. 
 
 'Tristan {with a shrug) 
 
 You have lived in the world, 
 You know how soon a man perforce exhausts 
 The adventures of our life: love, war, domin- 
 ion; 
 Recoiling on the world of thought. 
 
i8 Love in Umbria 
 
 Leo 
 
 Aspiring 
 To the world of spirit. 
 
 Tristan 
 
 If you name it so. 
 Leo 
 Dominion tempted thee? 
 
 lyrist an 
 
 Must I be taught 
 A second time the market price of honor P 
 
 Leo 
 And war hath sickened thee? 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Two ravening hosts 
 Each claiming God for General ! 
 
 Leo 
 
 One thing 
 Remaineth — art thou free from passion's fet- 
 ters? 
 Tristan {laying one hand over the other) 
 I owe a duty to my house — moreover, 
 I would not tarnish her most perfect joy. 
 Think you to hoard it all? And as for me, 
 'Tis sweet to own a jewel always flashing — 
 
 Leo 
 Gems are a snare 1 
 
Love in Umbria 
 
 19 
 
 Tristan 
 — Whene'er I have the will 
 To gloat on it. {His hands fall apart,) 
 
 Leo 
 Brother, what of her soul? 
 Yet thou wouldst tarnish that ? 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Pardon me, Sir, 
 Your zeal is indiscreet. 
 
 Leo 
 Discretion is 
 Anathema unto the Brothers Minor. 
 But I forget thy weak estate. 'Tis prayer 
 Thou needest rather than monition. Rest 
 And be content. Wilt thou not drink again ? 
 (Tristan takes the cup again from Leo. 
 Brothers Ruffino and Masseo pass 
 through the kitchen^ from right to rear.) 
 Masseo 
 Eggs in their shells and fowls unplucked! 
 
 Didst see 
 The anger of the Guardian? Quoth he, 
 "There is no pig in all the land of Rome 
 " So famished as to eat this stew ! " 
 
 Ruffino 
 
 Dear fool, 
 This is his day of trouble : 
 
20 Love in Umbria 
 
 'Tristan {to Leo) 
 
 How is this? 
 Leo 
 Didst thou not mark how he prepared the stew ? 
 
 Tristan 
 I was asleep. 
 
 Leo 
 *T was even as they said. 
 Tristan 
 Dear blessed fool ! *T would be a noble task, 
 He thought. 
 
 Leo 
 In truth his aim is always noble. 
 Tristan 
 Now, tell me. Brother Leo, in good faith, 
 Did you fast right willingly? 
 
 Leo 
 
 Right willingly. 
 {They check their laughter as Juniper enters ^ 
 very dejected; attended by Paolo, who 
 watches him wistfully^ 
 Leo 
 He Cometh, sad of look. I will depart. 
 For he would be alone. To-morrow I 
 Am sent unto Perusia and will bear 
 A message to thy kinsman of thy gain 
 In strength and ease. 
 
Love in Umbria 21 
 
 'Tristan 
 
 I thank you, Brother Leo. 
 (Leo goes out^ yight^ without speaking to 
 Juniper. The latter seats himself in a 
 corner and begins to mix a mess of flour ^ 
 assisted by Paolo, who is eager to help.) 
 Tristan 
 Dear Brother, do not look so sad. 
 
 Juniper 
 
 Alas! 
 I am the worst of men ! One was condemned 
 To lose his eyes, another to be hanged 
 For evil deeds ; far more do I deserve 
 For wasting many of the useful things 
 Of God and of the Order. 
 
 Paolo 
 
 Say not so ! 
 Dost not remember what our Father said ? 
 " I need a forest of such Junipers ! " 
 
 Juniper 
 Dear lamb ! 
 
 Paolo 
 'T is true ! He spake before us all, 
 {Enter the Guardian.) 
 Guardian 
 How farest thou to-day, good sir ? 
 
22 Love in Umbria 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Right well. 
 I lack not with such care. I thought to rise 
 To-day — I would not tax your kindness 
 more. 
 
 Guardian 
 Nay, Sir, such haste were dangerous. Accept 
 Our humble care, I pray. 
 
 (Juniper kneels before Guardian, offering the 
 bowl of pottage.) 
 
 Juniper 
 
 O Guardian, 
 When thou reproachedst me, thou didst shout 
 
 so loud 
 That thou wert hoarse ; remarking which I made 
 This pottage, excellent for swollen throats. 
 I pray thee, taste. 
 
 Guardian 
 
 What now, O foolish one ? 
 Dost think to offer me another dish ? 
 How many times hast thou deserved reproach 
 To-day? Thy cord is lost, the altar robbed 
 Of silver bells, another waste of food ! 
 
 Paolo {loudly to Tristan) 
 As soon as Father Francis comes, he '11 grieve 
 That Poor Men trim the altar with such gauds ! 
 
Love in Umbria 
 
 23 
 
 Juniper 
 I thank thee for these words, O Guardian. 
 Reproach is sweet. But eat thy pottage, pray. 
 For it will ease thy throat : 't was made for thee. 
 (Guardian refuses by an angry gesture^ 
 Then if thou wilt not, I *11 refresh myself 
 For I am faint. 
 
 {He begins to eat the pottage, 'The Guardian 
 marvels at the many pots on the dead fire.) 
 Guardian 
 Oh, what unprofitable 
 And foolish work 1 Yet was he edified 
 And thought to serve us. Now how meek his 
 
 look. 
 His face all red from toiling ! Brother dear. 
 Since thou wouldst have it so, we two will 
 
 eat 
 Together. {He sits down by Juniper.) 
 
 Juniper {when they have finished) 
 Art refreshed ? 
 
 Guardian 
 
 Aye, of a truth. 
 By thy devotion am I more refreshed 
 Than by the food. Thy penance shall be light. 
 
 Juniper 
 I pray thee, make it hard, O Guardian ! 
 
24 Love in Umbria 
 
 Guardian 
 If haply that the Father do return 
 To-night, thou shalt confess thy fault to him. 
 
 (Guardian goes out^ right.) 
 Juniper 
 Oh, Sir, he saith the Father may return 
 To-night ! Then shall my heart be comforted 
 And all this House shall thankfully rejoice. 
 He too hath known reproach and shame and 
 
 sin. 
 And he is ever mindful of our pain. 
 
 Tristan 
 The man you term "The Father," is not he 
 Son of the merchant Bernadone ? One 
 Scorned by his father, driven from his home, 
 Men say ? 
 
 Juniper 
 *Tis true. Rejected and despised 
 Even as One other. 
 
 Tristan 
 
 But his youth 
 Was sinful. 
 
 Juniper 
 Dissolute and idle ; first 
 In wicked daring of Assisi's knights. 
 Ah, he whom thou shalt see is bent and worn ! 
 
Love in Umbria 25 
 
 His face is pinched, yet lovely to our eyes. 
 A face that children smile at ; all the birds 
 Answer his call ; even the beasts of the field 
 Fawn at his feet, begging for his caress. 
 
 'Tristan 
 But what have I to do with such as he ? 
 
 Juniper 
 He giveth hope to all that are in sin. 
 "None need despair/' quoth he, "since I have 
 
 turned 
 " From sins so grievous." 
 
 Tristan 
 
 He would count my sin 
 Of doubt most grievous. 
 
 Juniper 
 
 Hark thou, friend, it is 
 The Devil prompts these doubts ! 
 
 {Enter Brother Giles, right) 
 
 Here cometh one 
 That reasons shrewdly. Tell thy doubt to him, 
 That he may cast it out. 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Then, Brother Giles, 
 In all your reasoning, have you found the 
 
 clue 
 Out of the maze ? 
 
26 Love in Umbria 
 
 Giles 
 Is it not written plain? 
 " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy 
 heart — " 
 
 I'ristan 
 Hear me ! 
 
 No man's blood is on my hands, 
 No man's goods have I robbed, 
 Nor broken faith with man or maid ! 
 You thought me a knave afraid to die? 
 
 Giles 
 
 Not so. 
 Perchance the Pharisee. 
 
 Tristan 
 
 Believe me, no. 
 Perplexed rather than proud. This world 's a 
 
 maze 
 Wherein I lose myself. 
 
 Giles 
 
 There is a path, 
 *T is narrow, yea, but straight ; obedience 
 Doth lead unto all good ; the road to sin 
 Is disobedience. For if a Brother 
 Have given another promise to obey. 
 And it should hap, that whilst an angel spake 
 With him, the Brother should be summoned, 
 then 
 
Love in Umbria 27 
 
 He ought to run to do obedience, 
 Leaving the angel. Like unto an ox 
 That boweth low beneath the yoke and thus 
 Tilleth the furrows straight ; in selfsame wise 
 The true Religious doth obey ; unyoked. 
 The ox would wander wide and so the fields 
 Be barren and untilled. 
 
 Tristan 
 
 I could not bow 
 Beneath a yoke of obedience ! 
 
 Juniper 
 
 Blast this pride. 
 Lord Jesu, bend his stubborn heart till he 
 Shall bow beneath the yoke ! 
 
 Tristan 
 
 I cannot, nay, 
 I will not! 
 
 Juniper 
 Struggle no more, my brother. God 
 Will send thee victory in His own time. 
 Be quiet now and sleep. Be not afraid. 
 God is thy guard, so if the tempter knock. 
 Safe in thy castle thou canst make reply, 
 " Begone ! the fortress is already ta'en, 
 " And no more folk may enter here within ! " 
 
 Tristan {fretfully) 
 Take off this velvet cloak. It burdens me. 
 
28 Love in Umbria 
 
 Juniper 
 But none were dangerous. 
 
 {He takes a cloak from a peg,) 
 
 Spread over him 
 The Robe of Poverty ! 
 
 'Tristan {smiling^ unresisting) 
 
 That being poor 
 In person, therefore God will grant me grace 
 To be poor in spirit ? 
 
 Giles {coldly) 
 
 We will pray to God 
 To work that miracle. And let me warn thee, 
 Who wears this robe, puts it not lightly on. 
 {Fervently) For knowest thou not how it was 
 
 consecrated ? 
 One was there in this evil land of Rome 
 Who yearned to bear in his own flesh the 
 
 pains 
 Of bleeding Christ. And when he stood alone. 
 Reviled, stoned, shivering in the market-place, 
 Out from the church-door came the Man of 
 
 God, 
 Had pity and wrapped this robe about him. 
 
 We 
 Whom he hath chosen have a fair ensample. 
 For God hath sent His own Poor Little One 
 
Love in Umbria 
 
 29 
 
 To be the light of Umbria ! Yea, I 
 
 Will prophesy — this city set on a hill, 
 
 Assisi, light, shall justify its name ; 
 
 This hut become a shrine for far-off pilgrims ; 
 
 And our mean selves remembered since he 
 
 loved us, 
 Francesco, Little Poor Man ! 
 
 'Tristan 
 
 Strange is his sway, 
 For I have pondered much the lives of men, 
 Marvelled at many, loved a few, but none 
 Compelled me ! 
 
 Paolo 
 Wilt thou stay and be my brother ? 
 Our Father comes to-night. 
 
 Tristan {pushing the boy aside gently) 
 
 You have my love 
 And gratitude as kindly hosts, but ask 
 No more. I am aweary. 
 
 Juniper 
 
 Little one. 
 Another bundle of fagots on the fire, 
 And then we '11 leave our brother to his rest. 
 
 Paolo 
 But look ! What gleams here in the coals, 
 brighter 
 
30 Love in Umbria 
 
 Than firelight ? 'T is my lord's great golden 
 
 jewel 
 He wears upon his hand. Oh, pity ! 
 
 Giles 
 
 Beware ! 
 The jewel will not burn, but thy soft fingers 
 Would smart. 
 
 'Tristan 
 The careless child was playing with it. 
 Paolo 
 Oh, Sir, I gave it back ! It spoiled my prayer ! 
 
 Giles 
 My Lord, it must have rolled away unfelt. 
 Thy hand is wasted. — To-morrow, little brother, 
 Thou *lt sweep it from the ashes. 
 
 Juniper 
 
 Oh, to think 
 How many poor that bauble would supply 
 With food and raiment ! 
 
 Paolo 
 
 But he loves the giver. 
 [He embraces Tristan timidly,) 
 I thank thee for thy scolding, it was sweet ! 
 
 (Tristan returns the caress, smiling.) 
 Juniper 
 God give thee peace ! 
 
Love in Umbria 31 
 
 Giles [as the three Brothers go out) 
 
 Urge him no more. A dreamer 
 Who hath no kin with Poor Men. He is dainty. 
 And being sick, mistakes for piety 
 His humor. 
 
 Juniper 
 Dare we deny one penitent ? 
 
 {"They go out) 
 {^he room has grown dim. The fire burns 
 fitfully, A shaft of moonlight falls across 
 the bed, Tristan stirs restlessly^ 
 Tristan 
 So all my life were plain before me — prayer, 
 Fasting, and labor, with a quiet heart ; 
 And over common things a poetry 
 Like moonlight silvering a dusty road. 
 What hath the world vouchsafed that I should 
 
 shrink 
 To part therefrom ? Riches, estate ? But they 
 Afford more leisure for that contemplation. 
 The malady of ease ! Who of my peers 
 Delights me more than this quaint cobbler 
 
 fellow ? 
 Ah, they are wise, these simple folk that choose 
 The way of peace ! How dim the past has 
 grown. 
 
32 Love in Umbria 
 
 As if my life began within this House. 
 Darkly I see Perusia's towers, my kindred, 
 Dim save one vision burning on mine eyes. 
 Her face ! Those eyes alight and lips aflame 
 And signal of my coming in her cheeks. 
 A poppy glowing through the grass — she said. 
 Being urged, that name pleased most. And is 
 
 it nature 
 The poppy should take on the lily's hue ? 
 Or bridal raiment change to this dull garb ? 
 The Virgin bride of Christ ! — Forgive me, Love, 
 Thy jewel in the soot! 
 
 [He strives to reach it, but falls back weakly. 
 Without, some one is approaching, singing 
 with poignant sweetness^ 
 'The Voice 
 My heart's aflame with love! 
 My heart's aflame with love! 
 My heart 's aflame with love! 
 Tristan [curious, thrilled) 
 
 Who mocks them here? 
 The Voice 
 I wed a bridegroom new, 
 
 The little lamb of love. 
 When on the ring he drew 
 He wounded me to prove 
 
Love in Umbria 
 
 My heart can break in two. 
 Now I in prison move. 
 
 33 
 
 Now He hath conquered me, 
 
 All enmity doth cease 
 And love in verity 
 
 Attends upon our peace. 
 'Tis Christ enamours me. 
 
 I am mighty through His grace. 
 My heart shall faithful be 
 To Christ who comforts me. 
 
 My hearths aflame with love! 
 
 'Tristan {sinking back) 
 "Aflame with love!" 'Tis I who have been 
 
 mocked! 
 (Enter^ rear, through the moonlight a stranger in 
 the habit of the Brothers Minor, The cowl 
 hides his face. He bears in his arms a 
 wounded hare. He moves softly to the pallet 
 and bends over Tristan, questioning: then 
 lifts the cloak, revealing the rich garments 
 beneath. Believing Tristan to be asleep, he 
 replaces the cloak gently. Then he makes a 
 bed of straw by the fire for the hare. 
 The Stranger {fondling the hare) 
 Little Brother, why didst thou let thyself be 
 caught 
 
34 Love in Umbria 
 
 In the cruel trap ? I have delivered thee 
 And thou shalt be at ease. Be quiet now. 
 Fluttering heart ! Thy brother holds thee safe. 
 {He sings softly as he lays the hare upon its bed) 
 My heart's aflame with love! 
 My heart *s aflame with love! 
 My heart's aflame with love! 
 Tristan [roused, watching the Stranger idly) 
 Ah, Tristan, Count Sensoli, can it be 
 Thou wouldst endure to wear such dingy garb. 
 Be shrunk to such mean stature, wear that look 
 Of humble poverty ? 
 
 [As the Stranger kneels, the cowl falls from 
 his face ; and the fire, blazing suddenly, 
 illumines the beauty of the Little Poor 
 Man.) 
 
 Ah, God, the face! 
 Who art thou? 
 
 (Tristan staggers from his couch. Francesco 
 springs to support him, greeting him with 
 a kiss,) 
 
 Francesco 
 Poor Little One of Jesu Christ, 
 His Shepherd. Welcome, brother little sheep ! 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
ACT II 
 
 (Lady Viviana and her duenna are walking in 
 the garden, Felice, the gardener ^ approaches 
 with a bouquet of golden asters for his mis- 
 tress, Innocenza is waiting bashfully at 
 
 the gate,) 
 
 Duenna 
 
 WHY are you not content? I've heard you 
 
 praise 
 This garden, call it " Joy in Quietude," 
 " Dream o* the Heart," — more names than I 
 
 remember; 
 Yet now it irks you. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 I '11 not be content 
 With terraced lawns and cypress shade and urns 
 Of cactus, whilst the fields are pied with flowers. 
 Look where that line of white doth cut the green 
 Of corn-fields ! 'Tis acacia making sweet 
 The highway to Assisi. Every hedge 
 Is twined with honeysuckle ; cyclamen, 
 
36 Love in Umbria 
 
 Campanula swinging its bells, pale clematis, 
 Rosemary, violets perfume every hedge. 
 {Noticing Felice.) Ah, lad, thou knowest what 
 
 I love ! My flower 
 That with the nightingale doth bring in May. 
 Where didst thou gather them? 
 
 Felice 
 
 It was not I — 
 
 Viviana 
 *T is not thy gift ? 
 
 Felice 
 
 Dear lady, I told her how 
 I bring thee every May the earliest blooms. 
 She *11 watch too for the earliest poppies. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Then 
 
 I know who found these. 
 
 Felice 
 
 She 's to be my bride. 
 Viviana 
 Thy bride ! Hear, Madam, this boy I *m wont 
 
 to tease 
 To blushes — how the olive glows — this boy 
 Would have a wife ! 
 
 Duenna 
 Most foolish 1 
 
Love in Umbria 37 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Nay, secure ! 
 For all their love is hoarded for each other 
 Since first he sighed to the moon, since first she 
 
 blushed 
 To her glass. 
 
 Felice 
 My Innocenza bade me say 
 She prayeth every night that joy will come 
 Unto the Lady Viviana. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Tell her 
 To burn her candles for another wish. 
 I have no lack of joy. I '11 pray for her. 
 But was she grown ? 
 
 Felice [pointing to Innocenza) 
 Look again ! 
 Viviana 
 
 Fetch her hither ! 
 (Felice runs to fetch Innocenza. ^hey ap- 
 proach their mistress hand in hand, wait- 
 ing for her to notice them, Viviana has 
 put some of the asters in her hair,) 
 Duenna 
 A child would love their gold, but why shouldst 
 
 thou 
 Cherish the weeds ? 
 
38 Love in Umbria 
 
 As children do. 
 
 Becometh thee. 
 
 Viviana 
 For that I love the gold 
 
 Duenna 
 A taste more delicate 
 
 Viviana 
 Is it unmaidenly 
 Preferring gold to lead, and life to death? 
 
 Duenna 
 I beg thee guard thy tongue, dear Viviana; 
 I never spoke such words. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Last night we paced 
 The terrace whilst the nightingale complained 
 To the stars. And when I cried," Ah, me ! to thrill 
 " With the lark in the fields at dawn ! " I heard 
 
 thy sigh. 
 Despair not. Madam, *t is this fault of mine 
 For which Tristan doth love me. " Like my 
 
 jewel, 
 {fingering her brooch) " Thou must forever 
 
 gleam.'* Then I replied — 
 Pray stop thine ears, dear Madam, for my tongue 
 I will not — " Ever I shall flash in the sun. 
 'T is thou 
 
Love in Umbria 39 
 
 <( 
 
 Who art my sun!" — Oh, I can guess your 
 thought — 
 My sun 's ofttimes obscured ! I am the breeze 
 That clears the sullen clouds before my lord. 
 The Sun ! 
 
 Duenna 
 I cannot stop all ears that hear thee. 
 {To Felice.) Poppet ! She 's but a child for thee 
 
 to tend 
 And thou needst mother more than wife. What 
 
 skill 
 Hath she in housewife duties ? 
 
 Felice 
 
 All the ways 
 To keep my house — to bake, to sew — 
 
 Duenna 
 
 Speak, girl. 
 Innocenza {with sudden boldness) 
 Madam, my mother taught me how to serve 
 My husband, how to keep him warm and fed. 
 Obey him, love him — 
 
 Duenna 
 Spoken well. Too young 
 But promising. Now keep thy kettles bright. 
 Thy linen fresh, never forget thy prayers. 
 
 {She gives Innocenza a coin,) 
 
40 Love in Umbria 
 
 Felice 
 
 Our thanks, sweet lady. 
 
 Innocenza 
 
 The Virgin bless thee, Madam. 
 
 (^he Duenna crosses to the other side of the 
 
 garden,) 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Where didst thou pluck this flower? A violet 
 
 grown 
 In Perusia's meadows? 
 
 Felice 
 
 In Assisi, my lady. 
 Viviana 
 Assisi ? She can tell me, then — My child. 
 Come hither. Felice, away. We two will talk 
 Together, we women. 'T is not for thee to hear. 
 (Felice returns to his task of clipping the 
 hedges, Viviana seats herself upon a mar- 
 ble bench, Innocenza stands before her,) 
 Thou art Assisi born ? And dost thou know 
 That strange community of friars that call 
 Themselves the Brothers Minor ? 
 
 Innocenza 
 
 Yes, my lady. 
 Viviana 
 
 " Their Little Portion," is it rude and bare ? 
 
 And would one suffer there in sickness ? 
 
Love in Umbria 41 
 
 Innocenza 
 
 Rude 
 And bare their lodging is, but merciful 
 And tender are the Brothers unto all 
 That suffer, be it pain or sin. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 There's one 
 Lies there in pain whom I would tend. Ah, me ! 
 There winds the road ! Were it a thousand miles, 
 He could be no further from me. 
 
 Innocenza 
 
 Do not grieve. 
 The Little Father with his blessed hands 
 Perchance doth tend him. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 The Little Father? 
 Innocenza 
 
 He 
 We called Francesco Bernadone once. 
 
 Viviana 
 Tell me of him. 
 
 Innocenza 
 
 My mother served his mother, 
 Lady Pica. When I was a child he gave 
 Me toys. To me he was a Prince, and all 
 Assisi flattered him. But now, — ah, lady. 
 
42 Love in Umbria 
 
 He Is a saint of God ! Men say he bears 
 The wounds of God in his own flesh. Myself 
 Have seen a wonder. Once when we had roamed 
 In the fields, returning, I by chance espied 
 The Little Poor Man, so I lingered last 
 To win his smile. And then my heart stood still, 
 For after him there crept a horrid wolf. 
 Ere I could scream, he turned and said, "Fare- 
 well, 
 " My Brother," and the wolf went on his way. 
 
 Viviana 
 A wonder truly, or the wolf was fed 
 Till satisfied. Methinks I can recall 
 Tales of youth that left a life of ease 
 And mirth for poverty. To me 't is dark 
 Why men should think God can be praised 
 
 alone 
 By groans. Dost hear the chaffinch chaunting 
 
 there 
 In the mimosa ? He is praising God 
 With blithesome voice that soundeth sweet to 
 
 Him 
 As the nightingale's lament. This world 's for 
 
 Joy, 
 
 Beauty, Romance : for lovers* amorous sighs 
 As well as prayers. What thinkest thou, Inno- 
 cenza? 
 
Love in Umbria 43 
 
 Innocenza 
 Even so, my lady. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Loose that yellow tress. 
 Thy hair will match a ribbon I will give thee. 
 'Tis brighter even than mine. For shame to 
 
 play 
 The lady ! 
 
 Innocenza 
 All my parents* kin are brown. 
 It shameth them that I should have such hair. 
 But Felice likes it. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Aye, he doth, I *11 warrant. 
 Innocenza 
 He wrote a song about my yellow hair. 
 That 's what he 's singing — made upon the day 
 He saw me first. I wore this cowslip gown. 
 
 Viviana 
 [Aside) Not faded yet ! — Who could not be a 
 
 poet 
 With such a gown to rhyme about ? We *11 lis- 
 ten. 
 
 (Felice can be heard singing,) 
 Whene'er she combs her tresses. 
 Veil that *s spun of foam and sun 
 
44 Love in Umbria 
 
 Must fold those little shoulders 
 In lingering caresses. 
 
 Innocenza [demurely) 
 Now I *11 surprise him ! i^^^P^s) 
 
 The dark-eyed stranger mocks me, 
 
 I plaited smooth my tresses. 
 Felice [appearing above the hedge) 
 Thou saucy mocking-bird : [Singing) 
 
 She thinks her milk-white kerchief 
 Hides from me those darling curls. 
 But see on her quiet forehead 
 One curl that *s strayed in mis- 
 chief. 
 Innocenza [singing) 
 My mother will call me foolish 
 To wear my finest kerchief. 
 Felice [singing) 
 There 's nothing that can compare. 
 Flower o' the broom, thou art too dull. 
 Bloom o' the wheat, 't is paler. 
 Silk o* the corn, \ is rougher 
 Than Some One's golden hair ! [, ' 
 Viviana 
 Oh, sweet! There's more? Felice, I would 
 
 rank 
 Thee greatest of poets save one other. 
 
Love in Umbria 45 
 
 Felice 
 
 Pardon, 
 My lady, Innocenza is the song — 
 I made the words and tune. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Incomparable 
 Then I must rank your poesie! 
 
 Innocenza 
 
 Thou dolt, 
 To thy work ! 
 
 Felice 
 Pardon again, my lady. Try me 
 *Gainst all the maiden rhymers of the town 
 And I will warrant to outdo them all. 
 
 Viviana 
 Then bring them in. I warn thee I am stern 
 In judging rhymes. 
 
 (Felice runs to the house and calls beneath 
 the window^ 
 
 Felice 
 Emilia, Bianca! 
 {He runs to the gate and calls,) 
 Sofia, Gabriella, Angiola! 
 
 {Two heads appear at the window.) 
 Come out and try your skill with me at rhyming. 
 Our mistress doth command it. 
 
46 Love in Umbria 
 
 Bianca 
 
 We're obedient. 
 (^hey hurry out, Gabriella, Angiola, and 
 Sofia appear at the gate,) 
 Sofia 
 What's all this chattering about? 
 
 Emilia 
 
 Come, girls, 
 We'll bring the blushes to Felice's cheeks! 
 
 {They whisper together, Felice slings a guitar 
 over his shoulder,) 
 Felice 
 Who's ready? 
 
 Emilia [stepping forward) 
 Sharpen your wits. Sir! 
 
 [They begin to dance side by side, Felice 
 playing an accompaniment to her song,) 
 Emilia (singing with mock chagrin) 
 Felice, lovely lad. 
 Thy wooing makes Perusian maidens sad! 
 
 (Felice, still dancing and playing, selects a 
 palm leaf and casts it at Emilia's feet?) 
 Felice {singing) 
 Flower o' the palm! 
 
 Familiar beauties leave me cold and calm. 
 But strange delights have strangest power to 
 charm. 
 
Love in Umbria 47 
 
 Viviana 
 Well begun! 
 
 Gabriella {waving her handkerchief to Beppo, who 
 has appeared in the doorway, and taking 
 Emilia's place beside Felice) 
 The calf would plough, the fledgling fly. 
 Since young Felice goes a-wooing by! 
 
 (Beppo claps his hands,) 
 Innocenza 
 Now, then, Felice, bestir thyself! 
 
 {He selects a stalk of aloe and presents it to 
 Gabriella.) 
 
 Felice {singing) 
 Flower of the aloe ! 
 
 Alas, how age can turn fair maidens sallow! 
 Yet youth must learn old age to fear and hallow ! 
 
 Beppo {to Gabriella) 
 Yield now! 
 
 (Felice throws a wreath of roses around In- 
 nocenza's neck.) 
 
 Felice {singing) 
 Flower o* the rose! 
 
 In praising thee, hark how my music flows! 
 You listen and the crimson deeper grows ! 
 
 Viviana 
 You approach a climax! 
 
 (Bianca takes her turn.) 
 
48 Love in Umbria 
 
 Bianca [singing) 
 Felice, worthy is thy pride! 
 With kisses we will welcome home thy bride ! 
 
 Viviana 
 That 's the sweetest poesie I have yet heard ! 
 (Felice selects for her a bouquet of mignon- 
 ette) 
 
 Felice (singing) 
 Flower o' the mignonette! 
 Bianca*s beauty keeps me quivering yet. 
 Though Innocenza bids me to forget! 
 
 Fiviana 
 A trifle overdone, Innocenza? 
 
 Innocenza 
 I am no judge of rhymes, sweet lady ! 
 
 (Sofia comes forward.) 
 Sofia [singing spitefully) 
 Since vain you frayed your shoes before my 
 
 garden-door. 
 You seek new paths, new beauties to adore. 
 Soon you'll be barefoot, so one pang the 
 more! 
 (Felice picks a squash vine and throws it 
 about her neck) 
 
 Felice (singing) 
 Flower o* the squash! 
 
Love in Umbria 49 
 
 Some lips speak wisdom, others only bosh! 
 I choose to kiss the crimson cheeks that wash! 
 {All the other girls cry out exultantly.) 
 Viviana 
 What skilful jesting! There you were hard 
 pressed, Felice! 
 
 Sofia {going away) 
 I Ve no more time to waste. Trade is good 
 to-day. 
 
 Felice 
 One more song, girls ! 
 
 (They form a ring about Viviana. Felice, 
 
 singing, as they all throw before her 
 
 branches of hawthorn which Felice has 
 
 broken.) 
 
 Flower o' the thorn ! 
 
 For my poor rhymes our mistress hides her 
 
 scorn. 
 Fair as the starlight, fairer than the morn 1 
 
 Innocenza {kneeling) 
 Flower o' the golden star, 
 Mary, send healing out of Heaven afar! 
 
 (Beppo, who had re-entered the house after 
 Gabriella's song, now reappears,) 
 Beppo 
 Signior Valente waits within. He seeks 
 My master. 
 
so 
 
 Love in Umbria 
 
 Viviana 
 Signior Valente here? What news? 
 Thou hast not dared to come without a mes- 
 sage! 
 
 Beppo 
 The Count Sensoli is restored. 
 Viviana {to Duenna who has been looking on) 
 
 Good Madam, 
 Thou hearest ? — Say the master 's gone, I know 
 Not where. Conduct Signior Valente hither. 
 Children, away with you ! {'To Angiola) I '11 
 
 hear thy song 
 Another day, and will award the prize. 
 And thou shalt have thy ribbon, Innocenza. 
 But now away with you. 
 
 {They withdraw, Bianca and Emilia to the 
 house, Angiola, Sofia, and Gabriella to 
 the square, and Felice and Innocenza to 
 the upper terrace, where Felice resumes his 
 work,) 
 
 Beppo {returning) 
 
 Signior Valente 
 Entreats thy pardon, but he may not stay 
 Till he hath found Marchese d'Alessi. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Sirrah, 
 
 Conduct him hither ! 
 
Love in Umbria 
 
 51 
 
 Beppo 
 
 Aye, my lady. 
 Viviana 
 
 So 
 That lean-faced friar spoke truth. But 't was 
 
 twelve days 
 Ago he came, twelve lagging days without 
 A message from him ! — Madam, 't is no marvel 
 Messer Valente falters. You remember 
 How last he figured before me ? Here was my 
 
 hand 
 Awaiting his farewell. Before the act 
 The shouts insisted. Then he wrenched his 
 
 sword — 
 " God and Saint Laurence for Perusia ! '* 
 And he was gone ! 
 
 Duenna 
 Would you have stayed him ? 
 Valente {entering) 
 
 Ladies, 
 Your servant greets you. 
 
 Duenna {giving her hand) 
 
 Welcome, Signior. 
 Viviana 
 
 Hail, 
 O conqueror! 
 
52 Love in Umbria 
 
 Valente (sombrely) 
 
 God guard thee, dearest lady. 
 Viviana 
 And thee, Sir Long Face. What I thought to 
 
 hear 
 Was " Hail, Conqueror of all hearts." Such 
 
 speech 
 Was wont to become you better. Drooping 
 
 plume 
 And trailing colors ? Thou dost wear the front 
 Of the vanquished ! Thou, the Champion of 
 
 the Corn ! 
 Have we not greeted you with laurelled pomp 
 But yesterday ? To-day you sulk. Nay, this 
 Is grief! Tristan ! You have deceived me! 
 
 Valente 
 
 Nay, 
 He is restored. I swear it by the mass I 
 
 Viviana 
 When have you seen him ? Tell me, is he 
 wasted ? 
 
 Valente 
 He was asleep — 
 
 Viviana 
 Then, why could you not stay 
 Till he should wake? 
 
Love in Umbria 53 
 
 Valente 
 
 I can return anon — 
 Before the summons comes again to war. 
 For marketing hath grown a dangerous trade. 
 My brother's letter I read in my saddle. I 
 
 spurred 
 My horse and never stayed until I reached 
 The House of Portiuncula. Be assured 
 It is well with him ! 
 
 Duenna 
 Fie on those foolish cheeks ! 
 Viviana 
 I *11 see the letter. 
 
 Valente 
 
 Nay, I have it not. — 
 Viviana 
 Thou stupid ! What message hath he sent ? 
 
 Valente 
 
 He sent — 
 His blessing. 
 
 Viviana 
 Oh, you never were in love ! 
 Is this the hero all Perusia's maids 
 Adore ? Pray, do you wear such doleful looks 
 Before my Lady Laura or Lady Tessa 
 Or Maddalena on her balcony ? 
 
54 Love in Umbria 
 
 Valente 
 
 They 
 Heed not my frowns nor I their mirth : but 
 
 only 
 My Lady Viviana. 
 
 Viviana 
 Now at last 
 I know thee for Valente. How was it 
 I could deny the soldier for the scholar? 
 
 Valente {mirthlessly) 
 'T is plain — 
 
 Viviana 
 Ah, true ! But come, sit here with me 
 And talk of him. — Canst bear to listen, 
 Madam ? 
 
 {Enter Marchese, left.) 
 
 Marcbese 
 
 You here ? O God in Heaven, curse thou the 
 
 name 
 Sensoli here and in Hell forever — Why 
 Am I come too late ? I should have been the 
 
 first 
 To tell thee. Could my body shield the blow, 
 My life for thine ! 
 
 Viviana 
 Tristan ? 
 
Love in Umbria 55 
 
 Marchese 
 
 Behold your work, 
 Assassin, accomplice! Her cheeks will be no 
 
 whiter 
 In her coffin ! 
 
 Valente 
 Tristan is alive ! 'T is thou 
 Hast killed her ! I could tell her nothing. 
 
 Tiuenna 
 
 Child, 
 He is alive ! Dost hear, my darling ? 
 
 Marchese 
 
 Dearest, 
 All that I have is thine. Thou shalt be mis- 
 tress 
 Here always. But there are braver men and 
 
 truer 
 Who love thee. Spurn his memory ! 
 
 Viviana 
 
 The truth ! 
 Will no one tell me ? 
 
 Valente 
 
 I must tell thee. God 
 Instruct me how to speak ! — My brother 
 
 Tristan, 
 Having renounced all riches and rank and one 
 
56 Love in Umbria 
 
 Dearer than life, to save our souls with his, 
 Hath taken the unalterable vows of a Brother 
 Minor ! 
 
 Duenna 
 Oh, Mary, spare this child ! Smite me for her ! 
 
 Valente 
 Assassin ! The word was true ! 
 ^ Marchese 
 
 To save his soul ? 
 Nay, to be damned to everlasting hate ! 
 The market-place is ringing with the scandal ! 
 Valente, we were friends before. And now — 
 
 Valente 
 *T is ended now ? Be it so. There will be time 
 To talk of that henceforth. She needs us now. 
 
 Marchese 
 My brave girl ! 
 
 Duenna 
 I 'd rather see her tears. 
 Viviana 
 
 The letter ! 
 
 Valente 
 Here. Shall I read it thee? 
 Hear how he loves thee ; written in agony. 
 
 {Reading) "You to whom I write now bear 
 alone the name Sensoli. For Count Sensoli is 
 
Love in Umbria 57 
 
 minded to put on the habit of the Lesser 
 Brothers and hath elected to be known as 
 Brother Humble." 
 
 Duenna 
 But stop ! It is yet too late ? 
 
 Valente 
 
 'T is three days past — 
 
 "Our age is vapid, somnolent, besotted. I 
 
 weary of the world and I had wandered in a 
 
 wilderness till now a path appears leading to 
 
 peace ! " 
 
 Marchese 
 A path for children and the blind, perchance. 
 But not for men. 'T was ever thou, Valente, 
 I loved best, honored most. What other word 
 Befits the man that will not beat his path 
 Even through the wilderness — I who admired 
 
 him 
 And would advance him — I must ask what other 
 Befits him as doth " Coward " ! 
 
 Fiviana 
 
 I forbid you ! 
 
 Valente 
 'T is past endurance ! Sir, my brother's honor — 
 
 Duenna 
 Oh, Sirs, forbear ! 
 
58 Love in Umbria 
 
 Viviana 
 The letter ! 
 Valente 
 
 Pray, forgive. — 
 " I charge thee sell our father's lands, to which 
 I am the heir, and give the money among the 
 poor." 
 
 Marchese 
 He robs his only kin! 
 
 Valente 
 
 He is the heir. — 
 " Communicate my purpose to Marchese 
 d* Alessi ; and say to her I was about to wed, that 
 God has saved me from the wrong I would, in 
 ignorance, have wrought her — " 
 
 Viviana 
 No wrong save this ! 
 
 Valente 
 " I bid her cleanse her heart of sinful, vain de- 
 sires for earthly marriage ; which to perform she 
 shall betake herself unto the convent of Saint 
 Damian's — " 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Ob, dreadful ! 
 
 T>uenna 
 
 Is't a face 
 To hide beneath the veil? 
 
Love in Umbria 59 
 
 Valente 
 
 Wilt hear the end ? — 
 "Where she shall find the perfect joy. This I 
 command her, by our love ; and by thine honor 
 and our bond of blood, I charge thee make no 
 hindrance. I pray for thee, that God will turn 
 thee from thy delight in worldly things. Oh, 
 brother, would that thou might taste the joy I 
 have found within this House." 
 
 Marchese 
 The end ? 
 
 Valente 
 Forbear ! 
 
 Luigi {snatching the letter from him) 
 "Make no effort to dissuade me, for I deem it 
 best that thou be denied entrance. These gray 
 walls, this bed of rushes, are transformed into a 
 chamber for the fairest of brides, my Lady 
 Poverty." 
 He *s welcome to his bride, the fool ! 
 
 Duenna 
 
 Oh, Sirs ! 
 Pray take your quarrel elsewhere. Leave us 
 
 now. 
 I need to tend her as she were my child 
 Again. 
 
6o Love in Umbria 
 
 Viviana 
 Yes, leave me. 
 
 Marchese 
 
 Sister, dost thou think 
 I 'd leave thee now ? 
 
 Duenna 
 Oppose her not, my lord, 
 I beg. My darling, do not grieve too much. 
 It may be thou art spared the agony 
 A wife can know. Oh, I had feared for thee, 
 Thou Child of Joy ! It is as if he died 
 In youth, sinless, and leaving thee for Hea- 
 ven. 
 Wilt send me from thee ? 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Go, all but Valente. 
 And, Madam, I do not think to grieve thee 
 
 more 
 With that unseemly gaiety he loved — 
 
 Duenna 
 Thou torturest me ! 
 
 (Marchese and Duenna retire^ 
 Viviana 
 
 That word, it was not true? 
 Valente 
 A cursed lie ! 
 
Love in Umbria 6i 
 
 Viviana 
 So help me to believe ! 
 {^he clock of a neighboring church strikes six,) 
 The hour is Sext. The Brothers are at prayer. 
 
 Valente 
 Your face shall come across his prayer. 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Perchance. 
 A little while the poppies shall look red 
 As lips ; the wind crisping the grass shall sound 
 Like silken skirts, and then — he will forget. 
 Deny me not, I know. I 've watched that face 
 Grow pensive even whilst he vowed, "I love 
 
 thee!'* 
 My sigh, a touch, and the wavering flame leaped 
 
 forth 
 All glorious. And I have been content. 
 Yonder he 's praying God to cleanse my heart 
 "Of sinful, vain desires." An hour ago 
 Here in this garden a young peasant maid 
 Sang me her lover's song, sweet as the call 
 Of birds. But she was sinful ! Hark to the 
 
 blackcap 
 Calling his mate ! How high and wild and 
 
 sweet ! 
 O sinful world of God ! 
 
62 Love in Umbria 
 
 Valente 
 God's wounds ! Ah, Tristan, 
 Was it worth the piteous cost to save your soul ? 
 If so one climbs to Heaven, I '11 writhe in Hell. 
 
 Viviqna 
 " As if he died in youth, sinless ! " Why, then. 
 Are broken vows no sin ? Forgive me, dearest, 
 I know your heart is rent, praying for me. 
 And I must pray for you, or else in Heaven 
 Your virtue be counted evil. " I command her 
 " By our dear love — " So, then, I must obey. 
 
 Valente 
 What will you do ? 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Why, I will go my way 
 Unto the Convent of Saint Damian's — 
 
 Valente 
 By Heaven — 
 
 Viviana 
 Farewell, my Joy in Quietude. 
 My roses, yield your sweets : I '11 treasure them 
 In my heart forever. The place is dark and cold 
 Whither I 'm going, dark and cold. But there 
 I shall be nearer him. And all the world 's 
 Grown dark and cold. 'T is thou who art my 
 sun ! 
 
Love in Umbria 63 
 
 Valente 
 Look at me, lady. Nay? I say you shall. 
 
 Viviana 
 I did not know your eyes were so like his ! 
 
 Valente 
 Curse him ! Look close. Does the flame waver? 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Forbear ! 
 
 Valente 
 
 Nay, you shall hear me now. I '11 give to thee 
 
 Roses, free air, thy thoughts shall soar like birds. 
 
 And homing find a nest in my heart. The 
 
 cloister 
 Would be your prison cell, a tomb 1 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Free air 
 And roving thoughts ? 
 
 Valente 
 And gems and silken robes ! 
 Viviana 
 Oh, shame ! You think me a wilful girl that 
 
 weeps 
 For stolen trinkets? 
 
 Valente 
 
 Sweet, mistake me not. 
 I could not let that rough, ugly robe 
 
64 Love in Umbria 
 
 Touch you. I know you tender women : you 
 Would wear your martyrdom like a crown till 
 
 the thorns 
 Sting you to death. Oh, let me be thy ser- 
 vant. 
 My love is humble. God ! I did not come 
 To speak such words ! When first I read his 
 
 letter 
 I marvelled how a man could be so noble. 
 And then I thought of thee ! My brain whirled, 
 And now but this is clear, — I curse his name 
 Who wrought thee woe ! — I love thee 1 
 
 Viviana 
 
 I forbid ! 
 
 Valente 
 I rode to the House of Portiuncula. 
 They told me he was sleeping; and at prayer 
 When I knocked again. I would have burst the 
 
 door 
 Had not one Brother spoke so graciously. 
 I rode away ashamed. His holy look 
 Softened me till I saw thy stricken face. 
 
 Viviana 
 I charge you, help me to perform his will. 
 
 Valente 
 Are you a marble saint or breathing flesh. 
 
Love in Umbria 65 
 
 My beauty? How long before you loathe your 
 
 prison? 
 He never loved you ! 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Once before you clamped 
 My hand like this ; but at the shout of soldiers 
 Forgot your courtesy, my Captain ! 
 
 Valente 
 
 Then 
 You choose a coward ? 
 
 Viviana 
 
 Hush, you make me scorn 
 Myself and you. I should be proud, proud, 
 *T was leaving me for Heaven. 
 
 Francesco {appearing at the gate) 
 
 The Lord give you 
 His peace ! 
 
 Viviana 
 Ah, peace ! You speak that word who 
 wrought 
 Me agony ? Tell him I will obey, 
 1 *11 pray I may forgive him — say his jewel 
 Hath burned to ashes ! 
 
 Innocenza {to Felice as she runs to open the gate) 
 
 Look, the Little Poor Man ! 
 Here 's my Felice. He *s an honest lover 
 
66 Love in Umbria 
 
 Who gives me golden earrings. Bless us now. 
 Dear Father ! 
 
 (♦S*;^^ kneels before binty dragging Felice down 
 beside her.) 
 
 Viviana 
 Bid them cleanse their sinful hearts 
 Of love ! 
 
 Valente 
 Oh, hush ! You mock a holy man ! 
 Francesco 
 Thou here, my little Sister ? Be good children, 
 And love your Lord ! 
 
 {He blesses them and dismisses them, ad- 
 vancing down the terrace steps,) 
 
 I come to bring good tidings 
 Of great joy, even I, Poor Little One 
 Of Lord Jesu Christ. I come to bid 
 Thee welcome to our life of poverty. 
 O perfect joy! O bliss ineffable! 
 Above all graces and all gifts that He 
 Vouchsafes to His beloved, is the pearl 
 Most precious, sacred, and most lovable, 
 'Tis holy poverty ! *Tis this that hung 
 With Christ upon the Cross, with Christ was 
 
 buried. 
 With Christ it rose again, with Christ ascended 
 
Love in Umbria 67 
 
 To Heaven. Therefore let us pray to Him 
 To make us worthy to become true lovers 
 Of sacred Poverty! 
 
 Viviana {awed) 
 
 Does his face shine 
 Like yours ? 
 
 Francesco 
 He yearns that thou too mayest know 
 The perfect joy ! 
 
 Viviana 
 My joy was perfect. Then 
 His face would shine like yours? 
 
 Valente 
 
 Now I have lost you! 
 (He kneels before, her^ bowing his head upon 
 the hilt of his sword.) 
 And I have stained my name with slandering 
 My brother. Only my sword is honest. Bless 
 The wielding of it 1 When thou art shriven and 
 
 veiled. 
 Bespeak me oft to God, for I am sinful! 
 
 Viviana {wavering) 
 I might have girded it upon thy side! 
 {^0 Francesco) Take me away from him ! 
 
 (Francesco throws his arm protectingly about 
 Viviana.) 
 
68 Love in Umbria 
 
 Valente {sadly ^ quietly) 
 
 I cannot harm thee! 
 (Francesco places his hand upon the hilt of 
 Valente's sword, blessing it.) 
 Francesco 
 Lord Jesu Christ, bless thy child. 
 Make his heart pure and mild ; 
 Grant him grace coming and staying, 
 Waking and sleeping, living and dying. 
 Amen. 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
ACT III 
 
 Scene i. 
 
 Scene : A cross-roads in the fields near Assisi, 
 'The roads cross the stage diametrically^ the 
 one leading to the rear winds through a little 
 copse on rising ground. In the foreground^ 
 right y a great rock, from beneath which bub- 
 bles a spring. Enter, right. Brother Hum- 
 ble. Shading his eyes with his hand, he gazes 
 long up the winding road. At length he seats 
 himself on the rock. 
 
 Humble 
 
 ''TIS proved how Brother Ass can ease the 
 burden 
 
 For Brother Soul. The more I am a-wearied, 
 
 The more content. Bare feet and rough attire 
 
 Prove potent medicine for world-weariness. 
 
 Here cometh one, whose garb, although 'tis 
 motley, 
 
 Denotes our kinship. 
 
70 Love in Umbria 
 
 {EnteVy righty Glacomo, in a tattered livery. 
 Humble opens his wallet and takes out food.) 
 
 Brother, wilt thou dine 
 With me? 
 
 Giacomo {eagerly) 
 For two good reasons, Father : first, 
 I am famished ! second, you owe me something, 
 
 you 
 Of the brown-clad friars. For once I had a 
 
 home 
 And master, but my master chose to change 
 His velvet for your garb. So I was driven 
 Into the world with only a piece of gold! 
 Next day the gold was gambled at the fair! 
 My wife grows thin and ugly and the babies 
 Are always crying — Once I had a roof — 
 {He looks closely into Humble*s face, then 
 throws the bread into the ditch.) 
 Master, the bread I fed your hounds was sweeter! 
 
 {He goes out.) 
 Humble {calmly) 
 This robe is mail against ingratitude's 
 Fierce shafts that can no longer reach my heart. 
 {In the distance some one is singing. In the 
 pauses of the song, the nightingale sings 
 as if in answer.) 
 
Love in Umbria 71 
 
 I'he Voice 
 
 Love, Love, who thus hast wounded me, 
 
 1 can proclaim no other name than Love. 
 
 Love, Love, let me be joined to thee, 
 
 1 shall embrace none other dear as Love ! 
 
 Humble 
 He Cometh, heavenly poet 'mid our age 
 Of vicious prose. I think the very leaves 
 Lean lovingly to him, the flowers yearn 
 To be plucked. Hark, now, the nightingale 
 
 would sing 
 As sweet ! He counts the universe his kin. 
 Francesco {singing) 
 
 Love, Love, thou so entrancest me, 
 My heart is always quivering with love. 
 
 1 am quivering for thee. 
 Love, but to be with thee! 
 O Love, for courtesy, 
 Make me to die of love! 
 
 (Humble hastens to greet Francesco as he 
 appears in the leafy path^ centre.) 
 Francesco 
 Why wert thou silent, Brother? I had harked 
 Along the way for thy response. 
 
 Humble 
 
 I have 
 No skill in singing. 
 
72 
 
 Love in Umbria 
 
 Francesco 
 Little Sister Bird 
 Sang antiphon to me. A thankful heart 
 Makes sweetest melody. Our tongues should 
 
 have 
 No use but to exalt the Lord. My rule 
 Enjoins that ye go singing on your way. 
 I name my children CaroUers of God. 
 
 Humble 
 Once I delighted me with deathless words 
 Of singers long since dust. But now I walk 
 Familiar with a poet that transmutes 
 Our homely tongue to music. 
 
 Francesco 
 
 I command, 
 Call it not poesie, my praise of God ! 
 It sings untutored on my lips. O Thou 
 Most sweet, my God ! My spouse ! Delight of 
 my soul ! 
 
 Humble 
 Thou art fain to sing the world to righteousness. 
 
 Francesco 
 My voice is weak, but I must lift it up 
 So long as I have breath. What of thy quest? 
 This first endeavor I have laid on thee? 
 
 Humble 
 This food, a prayer or two for benediction. 
 
Love in Umbria 73 
 
 Gibes from a knave that knew me 'neath my 
 
 cowl, 
 And peace within. 
 
 Francesco 
 Take heed to preach the Word 
 Acceptably, nor whatever dwells within, 
 Be it peace or storm. 
 
 Humble 
 
 It was tranquillity 
 I sought in putting on this garb. 
 
 Francesco 
 
 Nay, then. 
 Thou erred. Thou canst not buy the peace of 
 
 God 
 With cord and cassock. Furthermore, His 
 
 peace 
 Is something sweet and fiery that thrills 
 The heart a-quivering. 
 
 {He lays the food on the rock,) 
 We are unworthy 
 Of such great treasure. 
 
 Humble 
 
 Pray, how canst thou speak 
 Of treasure where there is such poverty? 
 I Ve chosen poverty, I *11 bear the sting 
 Of toil and hunger willingly — 
 
74 Love in Umbria 
 
 Francesco 
 
 My son, 
 I do not shun the sting, I count it bliss. 
 
 Humble 
 For there shall be reward? What if we lack 
 For cloth and knife and porringer and board 
 And home and servants? It shall be accounted 
 For virtue verily. 
 
 Francesco 
 
 I had no thought 
 Of gaining a reward. I was reminded 
 Of God's sweet courtesy. He that vouchsafes 
 To send His rain alike upon the just 
 And the unjust, hath fashioned this broad stone 
 To be our table, and hath given a spring 
 Of crystal water that the thirsty pilgrim 
 May be refreshed. Therefore I count it treasure. 
 For our inn was not prepared by human hands. 
 
 Humble 
 Oh, keep me with thee always ; I would drink 
 Of the fount that leaps within thy heart. 
 
 Francesco 
 
 No more 
 Of thee or me, but eat and pray, then onward. 
 {Praying) Sweet Jesu, thou hast fed us like the 
 ravens. 
 
Love in Umbria 75 
 
 In Thee is all our trust. Amen. 
 
 {^hey eat sparingly^ Behold 
 
 The covetous ants are seeking for their portion. 
 
 But they shall be denied ; they have forgot 
 
 The words of Jesu Christ, since they take 
 
 thought 
 For the morrow. Therefore let us feed the 
 
 birds, 
 Who best obey Him. 
 
 (He scatters some crumbs on the ground. One 
 bird darts down and seizes a crumby then 
 another and another until a flock is hover- 
 ing over the rock?) 
 Francesco (advancing^ finger on lip) 
 
 Behold, the Little Religious, 
 The hooded lark! 
 
 [He fills his hands with crumbs, ^he birds 
 alight on him and peck the crumbs. He 
 begins to preach to them softly.) 
 
 My sisters of the air. 
 Much bounden are ye unto God your Maker, 
 For He hath given you the power to fly 
 Where'er ye will. — See how they ruffle their 
 
 wings ! 
 They understand my words. — He hath pre- 
 served 
 
76 Love in Umbria 
 
 Your seed in the ancient ark of Noah, lest 
 Your happy race be lost. The boundless air 
 He appointeth for your home. And more than 
 
 this. 
 Ye sow not, neither do ye reap, for God 
 Will feed you ; streams and fountains hath He 
 
 given 
 To be your drink. The mountains and the 
 
 vales 
 Are for your refuge with their mighty trees 
 Whereon to make your nests. And since ye 
 
 lack 
 The skill to spin and sew, God clotheth you 
 In shining feathers, double and triple raiment. 
 Therefore, my little sisters, since your God 
 Hath shown such love for you, avoid the sin 
 Of ingratitude and study ever more 
 To sing praises unto God. 
 
 {He makes over them the sign of the Cross, 
 
 'They soar aloft y singing joyously,) 
 
 Behold, they fly 
 To the four parts of the heavens. Even so 
 My Brethren shall preach the Cross of Christ 
 Throughout the world ; even so my sons, 
 Possessing nothing of their own, commit 
 Their lives unto the providence of God. 
 
Love in Umbria jj 
 
 Humble 
 
 I would 
 Our Little Brother could have heard thy ser- 
 mon 1 
 
 Francesco 
 My little child ! The first to trust in me, 
 Leaving his toys for prayer. He will believe 
 When all else falter. 
 
 Humble 
 None can ever leave thee, 
 Our Little Father ! 
 
 Francesco 
 
 Some there are who name 
 Me father, yet they are no kin of mine ! 
 For whoso doeth the will of my Father which 
 
 is 
 In Heaven, the same is my brother and sister 
 and mother. 
 
 Humble 
 Teach me thy will that I may be thy kins- 
 man. 
 Behold what comes — a charger riderless, 
 With sable trapping for a warrior's death. 
 How many other saddles too were empty 
 Before that rider fell ! A score of days. 
 And he will be forgot, unless perchance 
 
78 Love in Umbria 
 
 His charger neigh for him. Epitome 
 Of the world of strife ! 
 
 {Enter y left, a soldier of low rank, leading a charger. 
 Humble begs alms of him.) 
 Francesco 
 
 God save his soul ! 
 Soldier {giving a coin to Humble) 
 
 Aye, Father, 
 We all need prayers. But I must think that 
 
 God 
 When He looked down and saw him scale the 
 
 wall 
 Hath thought, " This man will make a valiant 
 
 angel 
 "To storm the gates of Hell." So now he 
 
 serves 
 Under the Lord of Hosts! 
 
 {He uncovers his head,) 
 Francesco 
 
 A prayer to speed him, 
 Whilst thou, dear Brother Humble, spread our 
 
 store 
 And welcome our guest to our inn. 
 
 (Francesco begins to pray. Humble offers 
 the soldier food. Suddenly Humble notices 
 the trappings of the horse,) 
 
Love in Umbria 79 
 
 Humble 
 
 Sensoli arms 
 Embroidered here ? The loss is mine alone ! 
 (He flings his arms across the saddle^ bow- 
 ing his head upon the charger s neck.) 
 Pietro^ the soldier 
 You loved my Captain? Ah, I know you 
 
 now! 
 Could I ever mistake your face for his ? Mark 
 
 you, 
 Each man hath changed his costume since that 
 
 day 
 I climbed to your balcony. The beggar's earned 
 A soldier's mail ; the pall lies over one ; 
 And you, wearing the garb of charity. 
 Would give the bread denied when I entreated 
 In Perusia's name. 
 
 (T!he charger whinnies mournfully^ 
 Come, my bonny girl. 
 Thou goest to feed in quiet pastures where 
 This arched leg shall stiffen and thy mane 
 Bristle with burrs. And when upon thy face 
 The black hairs whiten and the film of blue 
 Shall cloud thy sight, even then at times thy 
 
 nostrils 
 Shall foam when thou art dreaming of the battle 
 
8o Love in Umbria 
 
 And thy bold master's rein. It should have been 
 For both one last wild plunge from reddest life 
 To death ! 
 
 [He goes out, right , leading the charger,) 
 
 Francesco 
 Praised be my Lord for Sister Death ! 
 To righteous souls she bringeth only blessing. 
 These green fields, do they speak to thee of hope, 
 The hue of Paradise ? The chant of birds, 
 How harsh compared with the unending praise 
 Of angels ! 
 
 Humble 
 Nay, the universe is foreign. 
 And I am homeless, without kin. Your beasts 
 Are not my brothers, your sisters of the air, 
 I heed them not ! 
 
 Francesco 
 
 Hast thou not chosen me 
 To be thy kin? Wilt thou deny me. Brother? 
 
 Humble 
 Have you no other name to call me? 
 
 Francesco 
 
 Friend, 
 Our guest did scorn our entertainment. Where- 
 fore 
 Hath he reproached thee? 
 
LoveinUmbria 8i 
 
 Humble 
 
 Must I heed every beggar 
 Whose claim must be most just ? 
 
 Francesco 
 
 They said to Jesus, 
 "When saw we thee a-hungered and we fed 
 Thee not?" 
 
 Humble 
 I do entreat you, Father, tell me 
 Again how looked Valente*s eyes when you 
 Denied him entrance? 
 
 Francesco 
 
 At the last he wept 
 And begged thy prayers and blessed thee. 
 
 Humble 
 
 Aye, *t is Hke. 
 My way to him was always wisest, noblest. 
 When we were boys he used to beg me read 
 The tales of martial deeds: Leonidas, 
 Horatius, some foolhardy knight. And both 
 He marvelled at alike, the storied hero 
 And his dear scholar. How I loved to watch 
 His crimson deepen ! Now his face gleams white 
 In death ! 
 
 Francesco 
 God chose him for His warrior ! 
 
82 Love in Umbria 
 
 Humble {bitterly) 
 So on men's lips his name shall be heroic; 
 And I am Brother Humble. 
 
 Francesco 
 
 There are deeds 
 As valiant God shall lay on thee; our task 
 Is now to learn His bidding. I command 
 That thou by holy obedience turn round 
 And round in the road and never cease to 
 
 turn 
 Until I speak. 
 
 Humble {puzzled) 
 What is your will ? 
 Francesco 
 
 Obey! 
 Humble {sullenly) 
 Aye, prove me as thou wilt ! 
 
 (Francesco kneels in the road and begins to 
 pray. Humble turns round so many times 
 that he becomes dizzy and falls ; but rises 
 and continues his task,) 
 
 Francesco {with closed eyes) 
 
 Brother, stand still. 
 Which way art thou facing now ? 
 Humble {shortly) 
 
 It is the north. 
 
Love in Umbria 83 
 
 Francesco 
 That is the way that God would have thee go. 
 {Opening his eyes,) And I face southwards. By 
 
 our dear Lord's grace, 
 It is the road that leadeth to Saint Damian's. 
 Beneath that olive shade mine eyes, grown dim 
 From weeping o'er my sins, shall be restored ; 
 There shall my spirit quicken through the serv- 
 ice 
 Of holy Clare. Come hither to me when thou 
 Shalt have performed thy mission. 
 
 Humble 
 
 What 's your will ? 
 Francesco 
 Yon lies Perusia. Preach in the market-place 
 The sweetness of repentance and the love 
 Of God. 
 
 Humble 
 Thou knowest not my people ; they 
 Are vapid, volatile, ignoble ; deaf 
 To heavenly poesie ! 
 
 Francesco 
 
 Hast thou never loved 
 Thy neighbor, then how shalt thou love thy 
 
 God? 
 My son refuses ? 
 
84 Love in Umbria 
 
 Humble 
 Let me counsel thee. 
 Francesco 
 Is not the Lord our Counsellor, who shewed 
 The way? I speak with His authority, 
 Who am the vilest of all sinners; thus 
 Mankind may know all virtue and all power 
 Proceed from God and not from any creature. 
 O Brother Humble, Brother Humble, yield 
 To God ! 
 
 (Humble turns without speakings taking 
 the road up the hill, rear.) 
 
 And on thy way lift up thy voice 
 In antiphon of praise, that I may know 
 My son remembereth his Father's will. 
 {Singing.) Now He hath conquered me 
 All enmity shall cease ; 
 And love in verity 
 
 Attend upon our peace. 
 Humble {hidden by the trees ; with faltering voice) 
 'T is Christ enamours me, 
 
 I am mighty through His grace ! 
 My heart shall faithful be 
 To Christ who comforts me. 
 My heart 's aflame with love ! 
 (When the voice has ceased, Francesco 
 sinks down upon the rock ; spent, lonely.) 
 
Love in Umbria 85 
 
 Francesco 
 Francesco, thou art homeless, without kin ! 
 My kindred of the earth and air, I pray, 
 Be very kind to me ! Good Messer Sun, 
 Veil me thy rays a little, lest thy glory 
 Shall blind me ! [Bathing his eyes,) 
 
 Pure and gentle Sister Water, 
 Thy touch is like my mother's hand; and I 
 Am homeless, without kin ! But once I found 
 A consolation in the chill embrace of snow. 
 
 {He breaks flowering branches from a tree 
 and makes of them three mounds ; one long 
 and a little one on either side. He kneels 
 beside them?) 
 
 I am not alone. Here lies my wife. 
 And here my little children. 
 
 {He caresses them^ kissing the blossoms?) 
 
 What 's to do, 
 My darlings ? I who lack for time to serve 
 The Lord, how shall I care for you ? Call 
 
 me 
 No more, no more, my own most dear ! The 
 
 Lord 
 Hath need of me ! Call me no more, no more! 
 {He rises from his knees and goes out, right, 
 singing joyously.) 
 
86 Love in Umbria 
 
 My heart shall faithful be 
 To Christ who comforts me ! 
 My heart's aflame with love! 
 My heart 's aflame with love ! 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
ACT III 
 
 Scene 2. 
 
 Scene: ^he garden at Saint Damians, Dawn, In 
 the rear and across the sides ^ the cloister. In 
 the foreground^ rights a little hut of wil- 
 low boughs. At rear^ left^ a wide gate open- 
 ing upon the road, I'he Poor Ladies may 
 be heard chanting the " Praise of the 
 Creatures.'' Francesco appears at the door 
 of the hut, groping his way. He listens ecstat- 
 ically to his hymn, 
 
 'The Poor Ladies {singing) 
 
 MOST high, all-powerful, benignant Lord, 
 
 To Thee all praise and honor we accord ! 
 
 Thine be all blessing. Thine all laud and fame. 
 
 No man is worthy to pronounce Thy name ! 
 
 Praised be my Lord for all that Thou hast 
 
 done: 
 For all Thy creatures, specially Messer Sun, 
 Our Brother, who bestows the light of day. 
 
88 Love in Umbria 
 
 How beautiful and splendid is his ray, 
 Whereby Thy majesty he must display ! 
 
 Praised be my Lord for Sisters Moon and Star, 
 So clear and lovely set in Heaven afar! 
 
 Praised be my Lord for Brother Wind ; for air 
 And clouds ; as well for stormy weather as fair ; 
 Since all Thy creatures rest beneath Thy care. 
 
 Praised be my Lord for Sister Water ; lowly 
 Yet precious, useful, and exceedingly holy. 
 
 Praised be my Lord for Brother Fire, our light 
 That can illume the darkness of the night ; 
 Robust and jocund is he, strong and bright. 
 
 Praised be my Lord likewise for Mother Earth, 
 Who hath been nurse and guardian from our 
 
 birth ; 
 Of grass and flower and fruit she knows no 
 
 dearth. 
 
 Praised be my Lord for all who grant forgive- 
 ness 
 For love of Thee; or bear distress and weakness 
 
Love in Umbria 89 
 
 In peace. O blessed folk, in verity, 
 
 For Thou shalt crown them for eternity. 
 
 Praised be my Lord for Sister Death-of-the- 
 
 Body, 
 From whom no living man escapeth, truly. 
 Ah, woe to them that mock Thy holy will ! 
 But blessed are they that all Thy laws fulfil ; 
 To them the second death can work no ill. 
 
 Praise ye and bless the Lord, and thankfully 
 Serve Him forever with humility. 
 
 Amen. 
 (Clare enters from the cloister, rear. She 
 hastens to Francesco, supporting him to a 
 bench.) 
 
 Francesco 
 Ah, Clare, 't is thou ? 
 
 Clare 
 Who else, my blessed Father ? 
 None else shall tend thee in these hours of pain. 
 Hast thou enjoyed the little house I made ? 
 Thy look declares thou art refreshed by sleep. 
 What of the night ? 
 
 Francesco 
 
 I could not sleep for pain. 
 
90 Love in Umbria 
 
 Clare 
 Alas! 
 
 Francesco 
 And yet my soul hath been refreshed 
 By greater gift than sleep. 
 
 Clare 
 
 What means thy look ? 
 Thou art transfigured ! 
 
 Francesco 
 I have heard God's voice ! 
 Clare 
 
 holy saint ! 
 
 Francesco {turning from her and speaking coldly) 
 What is the hour ? 
 Clare 
 
 *T is Prime. 
 Thou needst refreshment now. 
 
 Francesco (absently) 
 
 I need no food. 
 
 1 am satisfied. 
 
 Clare 
 This suffering wasteth thee. 
 And I must tend thee. Could I bear the pain 
 Thou shouldst not suffer it. 
 
 Francesco 
 
 My tender Clare ! 
 
Love in Umbria 91 
 
 I should have failed and fallen from our faith 
 Without thee. Take my blessing now, lest never 
 I rest again beneath this shade — 
 
 Clare 
 
 No more ! 
 This cannot be the end ! 
 
 Francesco 
 
 Sister, I know 
 That we shall meet in Paradise. 
 
 Clare {humbly but ecstatically) 
 
 Amen ! 
 Francesco {whispering with a look of awe) 
 It was revealed to me. Ah, Clare, Clare, 
 Thou kneel to me ? Once more my little maid 
 Fleeing to me at night ? The jewelled hair 
 Shorn at the altar, all those shimmering robes 
 Put off for these sad garments ! Do they lie 
 About thee softly ? 
 
 Clare 
 Tenderer than velvet. 
 (^he bell at the gate rings, 'through the bars 
 may be seen two brown-clad figures?^ 
 A message from the Portiuncula. 
 
 Francesco 
 God send good tidings from a little son 
 Concerning whom my heart is heavy laden ; 
 
92 Love in Umbria 
 
 I fear me lest the Devil, like a wolf. 
 Shall seize my lamb ! 
 
 Clare 
 But thou, the watchful shepherd, 
 Can save thy flock. 
 
 {She admits Brothers Juniper and Humble. 
 Juniper bows low before her without look- 
 ing into her face. Humble looks at her 
 curiously. Clare receives their salutations 
 humbly, with averted look?) 
 Juniper 
 The Lord give thee His peace. 
 Most holy Sister Clare. 
 
 Clare 
 
 God save you both, 
 But name me not as holy who am but 
 A poor vile woman. 
 
 Humble (aside) 
 
 The garb of poverty 
 Mars not the loveliness of high-born beauty. 
 This austere loveliness makes ruddier cheeks 
 Look blowzy. 
 
 Juniper 
 Brother Humble greeteth thee, 
 Who recently hath come to dwell with us. 
 Leaving a high estate for lowliness. 
 
Love in Umbria 
 
 93 
 
 Humble 
 The very winds are gentle here ; the flowers 
 Bloom frailest, loveliest ; the only birds 
 Soft murmuring doves. Within is quietude, 
 Save for the chant of prayer and praise of hymn. 
 Here faces wear the pallid loveliness 
 Of Heaven. 
 
 Clare [coldly) 
 Since here are human hearts, here too 
 Are sin and sufl^ering. This is a house 
 Of penitence and labor. 
 
 [She points to a Sister who goes and comes in 
 the far corner of the garden^ laboriously 
 filling jars of water at the well.) 
 
 God befriend her ! 
 Her mind 's well-nigh distraught. A hidden sin, 
 I fear, blacker than penances reveal. 
 Yet she confesses fault enough, desires 
 Of the flesh, pride, wilful disobedience. 
 
 Humble 
 I Ve marked the Religious at his penances. 
 As ardent as a lover. What is here 
 But frailty and languor and a mind 
 Distraught ? 
 
 Clare 
 I must increase the penances. 
 Lest she should die unshriven. 
 
94 Love in Umbria 
 
 Juniper 
 
 Sister Clare, 
 We are all sinners, I, the worst of men. 
 The Devil spreads his toils for Brother Humble; 
 Wherefore against his will I came with him. 
 
 Clare (looking full at Humble) 
 He is expected. 
 
 Juniper 
 We have been delayed. 
 For on our way we met some stranger folk 
 Who, when they saw our garb, saluted us 
 Most reverently and would have kneeled to us. 
 But the Poor Brethren rather would be scorned 
 And mocked even as their Master was. So I, 
 To make them scorn me, mounted on a log 
 With children playing see-saw ; till at leagth 
 They turned and left us, saying, " He *s a fool ! " 
 Whereby I was more pleased than by their 
 
 awe 
 And reverence. 
 
 Clare 
 Oh, Brother Juniper, 
 Thou plaything of Jesus Christ ! 
 
 Humble 
 
 Then it is holy 
 To play the fool 1 
 
Love in Umbria 95 
 
 Juniper 
 Revile me all thou wilt, 
 But guard thy tongue from speaking blasphemy ! 
 Sweet Brother Humble, I would succor thee; 
 I can advise thee how to keep thy tongue 
 From speaking evil. I myself have kept 
 For six months silence in this manner : first, 
 For love of God in Heaven ; the second day, 
 For love of Jesu Christ, His Son; the third. 
 For love of the Holy Spirit; on the fourth. 
 For reverence to the Holy Virgin Mary ; 
 And thus each day, for love of some sweet saint, 
 I kept the six months' silence. Likewise thou — 
 
 Humble 
 For all the saints in Heaven, be silent now ! 
 
 Clare 
 Thy Father yearneth for thy coming. Go 
 Confess thyself to him. And he is blind 
 And suffering. Canst thou bring comfort ? 
 
 Humble 
 
 Blind, 
 
 Those luminous eyes ? {Aside.) But they shall 
 
 read my soul ! 
 
 (Clare beckons Juniper into the chapel. As 
 
 they pass the Sister at the well, Juniper 
 
 addresses her gently.) 
 
96 Love in Umbria 
 
 Juniper 
 The Lord give thee His peace, dear Sister. 
 Dolorosa [startled^ tremulous^ then reassured by 
 
 bis face) 
 
 Peace ! 
 Here is no lack of peace ! Rather a surfeit ! 
 Could you not die of peace ? Listen ! No sound 
 But placid, passionless content of doves. 
 No vivid hue, only the fragile beauty 
 Of flowers that languish in the cloister shade. 
 
 Humble [transfixed by her voice) 
 Blighted and torn ! As if it could be nature 
 The poppy should take on the lily*s hue. 
 
 Dolorosa 
 The silence deafens, or a mockery 
 Of voices call to me ! I pray and beat 
 Mine ears, yet ever the luring voices shrill 
 Above the sacred peace. The strum of lutes. 
 The flutter of fans, and spurs ringing ! The 
 
 laugh 
 Of children here in a house of barren women ! 
 Yet Sister Clare 's content, and you look happy. 
 Something exalts your face — something, some- 
 thing — 
 
 Juniper {pityingly) 
 *T is only a poor cobbler, my lady. 
 
Love in Umbria 97 
 
 Clare 
 
 He 
 
 Remembereth our Lord's command, "Whoso 
 " Will come after me, let him deny himself." 
 
 Dolorosa 
 Then I should be most happy. Have I not 
 Denied myself? Put off a wedding robe 
 For this sad garb ? Aye, sadder than the hue 
 That honors death ! I might be crowned with 
 
 grief. 
 Touched by the glory of the heroic dead. 
 This is the hue of life that ne'er was quick, 
 Of death-in-life! 
 
 Humble {aside) 
 Wouldst make me hate the dead ? 
 Dolorosa 
 But when I lived carelessly, I was good, 
 For then I loved to pray. But now my prayers 
 Find no acceptance in God's sight. 
 
 Clare 
 
 Pray on. 
 
 When thou art worthy, thou shalt find an answer. 
 
 {Meanwhile Humble has filled the jar and 
 
 is about to bear it to the cloister; but 
 
 Clare forbids by a gesture. She enters^ 
 
 followed by Juniper.) 
 
98 Love in Umbria 
 
 Dolorosa {dully) 
 Obedience is best. 
 
 {She goes to the gate and opens it.) 
 I know the secret 
 Of the lock. The gate is open wide. Where 
 
 should 
 I go ? That garden where the flowers bloom 
 The gayest — there a haunting memory 
 Brings faintness like the wind o*er lily fields. 
 Where should I hide me with my shaven head 
 And ragged gown ? It is my appointed labor. 
 {She takes the jar from Humble and lifts 
 it, staggering, to her shoulder. She enters 
 the cloister,) 
 I thank you, Sir. Obedience is best. 
 
 Humble 
 O beautiful white vision, like a star. 
 Flooding the wide earth for a gleaming moment, 
 Whereby I saw the world, and it is good ! 
 That lost, quick-pulsing world, wherein I moved 
 A shadow *mid the quick ! 
 
 (Francesco has risen from his bench and 
 gropes his way to Humble.) 
 Francesco 
 
 Who is it near me ? 
 My little sheep of God ? 
 
Love in Umbria 99 
 
 Humble {without turning) 
 
 I have obeyed thee. 
 Francesco 
 What of the harvest ? 
 
 Humble 
 
 Barren. 
 Francesco 
 
 Then thou art 
 A thriftless husbandman. 
 
 Humble 
 
 The soil is worthless. 
 Francesco 
 Only untilled. The seed of God's dear word 
 Will sprout in barren places if the sower 
 Be diligent. What said thou unto them, 
 And they to thee ? 
 
 Humble 
 Ah, there was scorn and insult 
 To satisfy the lowliest of the Brothers. 
 Even the zany cobbler would be content. 
 " My Lord in rags ? " bawled out a dirty fellow ; 
 " Now he *11 rub elbows with us common folk! " 
 And jostled me down into the gutter. 
 " Is she still fair, your Lady Poverty?** 
 Who spoke those words was to have called me 
 brother. 
 
loo Love in Umbria 
 
 Then one opposed, " The garb he wears is holy!'* 
 Another, "Shame! Would lovers of Perusia 
 " Mock at the kinsman of her martyred hero ? " 
 I know not who spoke thus, but all the throng 
 Took up the words, unbonneted, and thus 
 They let me pass from out the market-place. 
 Where trophies and funereal trappings hung, 
 And eyes filmed swiftly at my brother's name. 
 O Heaven, the bitterness ! 
 
 Francesco 
 
 So, Brother Faintheart, 
 Hear my commandment. Go thou once again 
 Unto thy people. Say to them, " Give ear 
 " To my confession and forgive, for I 
 " Shall only be absolved by you. My life 
 " Was like an empty cup to fevered lips, 
 "A stone to the starving. Therefore God denies 
 " The sanctuary I seek." My little son. 
 What other words are true ? 
 
 (Humble makes no reply. His face is sullen.) 
 
 Then shalt thou say, 
 " Now am I come to ask some service mean 
 " Enough to prove my penitence — " 
 
 (Francesco hesitates, pondering. Suddenly 
 
 they hear without the tinkle of a bell, as 
 
 if moving.) 
 
Love in Umbria loi 
 
 A sign 
 From Heaven ! Dost hear the leper's warning 
 
 bell 
 That speaks for him, " Beware, I am unclean!" 
 Hearest thou not the cry his heart would utter, 
 "Outcast, alone!" God hath appointed thee 
 To be their guardian. 
 
 Humble {aghast) 
 
 The leprosy! 
 Francesco 
 Thou hearest my command. Thou shalt obey, 
 Answer me by the merit of holy obedience. 
 {He waits wistfully for an answer. Receiv- 
 ing none, he turns toward the chapel. On 
 the way he hesitates^ 
 But sinners are brought back to God rather 
 By gentleness than wrath. — My little son! 
 {Enter Sister Dolorosa carrying a howl of 
 milk. She persuades him to return to the 
 bench.) 
 
 Dolorosa 
 I have been bid to offer you this food. 
 
 Francesco 
 Is this the voice I heard beside the well ? 
 
 Dolorosa 
 Aye, Father. 
 
I02 Love in Umbria 
 
 Francesco 
 I have heard that voice before 
 In another garden — 
 
 Dolorosa 
 — Where the flowers were gay 
 And peasant children sang of love and I 
 Was the Child of Joy! 
 
 Humble {within the hut of willow) 
 My Child of Joy! 
 Dolorosa 
 
 But here 
 The Sisters name me Sister Dolorosa. 
 
 Francesco {listening) 
 We are alone? Then silently and soon 
 The vow of holy obedience has been kept. — 
 Thou shalt be Child of Blessedness, my Sis- 
 ter. 
 Dolorosa {singing softly as she twines a wreath 
 of white roses) 
 There 's nothing that can compare I 
 Silk o' the corn, *tis rougher 
 Than Some One's golden hair ! 
 
 {She flings down the flowers,) 
 A curious song to offer at the Hours; 
 It mingles with the prayer, discordant strives 
 To outshrill canticle. Do vou remember 
 
Love in Umbria 103 
 
 The last dear glimpse of earth ere you were blind ? 
 
 Does it not burn before your eyes? 
 
 Francesco 
 
 The darkness 
 
 Was gathering slowly — 
 
 Dolorosa {looking up at the lowering sky) 
 
 Like the sky above. 
 
 What if a hand was smote across your eyes, 
 
 A blow for a caress ! or if your ears 
 
 Were deafened suddenly, would not the last 
 
 Dear sound re-echo evermore ? 
 
 Francesco 
 
 My Sister, 
 
 The voice of God shall speak to thee above 
 The mockery of earthly sounds. This night 
 Within my little cell I heard God's voice. 
 Wouldst listen for that sweet mysterious mes- 
 sage? 
 
 Dolorosa 
 
 Nor prayers nor penances unstop mine ears 
 To hear your mysteries. 
 
 Francesco 
 
 Wilt thou not eat 
 
 For me? I need no food. 
 
 Dolorosa {taking the cup from him) 
 Yes, I am hungry. {She puts it down.) 
 And yet I cannot eat. 
 
I04 LoveinUmbria 
 
 Francesco 
 
 But daintiness 
 And piety cannot agree. 
 
 Dolorosa 
 
 When I 
 Was better fed, I prayed the more. 
 
 Francesco 
 
 This robe 
 Discomforts thee? 
 
 Dolorosa 
 Ah, shivering where my jewel 
 Was wont to glow! 
 
 Humble [aside) 
 How lightly slipped my gem 
 Into the soot! 
 
 Dolorosa 
 'T is curious how gems 
 And hearts are different. For always the fire 
 Will glow within the jewel. 
 
 Francesco 
 
 Wilt thou listen 
 Unto God's word? 
 
 Dolorosa 
 
 Yes, I will listen, only 
 I shall not understand, for I was born 
 Of flesh, and you do claim to be a kinsman 
 
Love in Umbria 105 
 
 To sunshine and the cloud, fire and the wind, 
 Starlight and water. Even the very earth 
 You tread is dear to you. My love was little. 
 Encompassed all in one. 
 
 Francesco 
 
 Where is thy hand? 
 I charge thee, listen. In the night I cried 
 To God, "Give grace to me. Thy lamb, that 
 
 through 
 " No weakness of the flesh I fall from thee ! '* 
 For I was crazed with fever in mine eyes. 
 Straightway there came an awful voice from 
 
 Heaven : 
 "Francesco, answer me, thy Lord. Were all 
 "The earth of gold; were all the rivers, founts, 
 "And seas of balm; were all the mountains, 
 
 hills, 
 " And rocks of precious stones ; and it were true 
 "That thou hadst found a treasure dearer far 
 "As gold is far more precious than earth, and 
 
 balm 
 "Than water, likewise precious stones than 
 
 rocks 
 "And hills ; then if that far more precious treas- 
 ure 
 "Were granted thee, together with this pain, 
 
io6 Love in Umbria 
 
 "So oughtest thou not therewith to be content 
 "And very light of heart?" I marvelled so 
 I scarce could answer. At length I murmured, 
 
 "Lord, 
 " I am unworthy of such precious treasure." 
 Again the Word of God came out of Heaven; 
 "Be of good cheer, Francesco, this affliction 
 " Of pain and weakness is a sign to thee 
 "Of what I have in store for thee, the treas- 
 ure 
 " Beyond all treasures, the gift of life eternal." 
 {He ceaseSy spent with ecstasy. Dolorosa has 
 
 been intent rather upon the exaltation of 
 
 his look than on his meaning. She speaks 
 
 quietly y at length.) 
 
 Dolorosa 
 I love to think his face must shine like yours ; 
 Uplift to God and rapt in ecstasy ! 
 Before his eyes the shining mysteries. 
 And God's voice calling him from Heaven. 
 
 Almost 
 Am I content. 
 
 Humble {aside) 
 
 The torture of Hell ! To stand 
 Transfixed before a mirror where I see 
 My hideousness ! 'T is but a masquerade, 
 
Love in Umbria 107 
 
 My garb and title of humility. 
 A mockery of God. Oh, to have worn 
 My velvet with a braver grace, to die. 
 So to earn laurels from my people ; even 
 To be dear to mine own knaves who flouted 
 me! 
 
 warrior angel, with what wounding eyes 
 Thou leanest down to me ! Seest thou me 
 Entirely now ? What need hadst thou of Heaven 
 Who found earth worth the living and the 
 
 dying ! 
 Beats there in me one pulse akin to thine? 
 
 1 am abandoned of earth and Heaven, of all 
 Save her I marred the most! 
 
 Dolorosa 
 
 Why do you weep? 
 That 1 am sinful, all-unhallowed 
 By that white radiance that shines on him ? 
 But you are blind from weeping. Sister Clare 
 Shall comfort you. Tell me before you go 
 The penance for my words. 
 
 Francesco {opening the door and calling) 
 
 Art thou within, 
 Sister Innocenza ? 
 
 Innocenza [appearing) 
 Little Father ! 
 
io8 Love in Umbria 
 
 Francesco 
 Thou shalt have aid of Sister Dolorosa 
 To prune thy roses. {He goes in.) 
 
 Innocenza {shyly, at her task) 
 
 'T is the task I love 
 More than the praises and the prayers, almost 
 As dear to me as perfuming the altar. 
 The sheltering walls are kind to my white roses. 
 
 'Dolorosa 
 This branch had rooted on the other side. 
 The topmost flower is crimson ; here below 
 The petals pale. How long before the vine 
 Forgets it ever bore a crimson blossom ? — 
 I hear another footstep in the garden. 
 
 Innocenza 
 We are alone. Sometimes I think the buds 
 That die unblown are wisest. 
 
 Dolorosa 
 
 Why? 
 Innocenza 
 
 The wind 
 Shall shatter the full blown. 
 
 Dolorosa {turning up Innocenza's/^f^) 
 
 Ah, better so 
 Than to be shrivelled in the bud! — I heard 
 A sigh within the hut ! 
 
Love in Umbria 109 
 
 Innocenza 
 
 What I have heard 
 Was mirthful music coming near. 
 
 Dolorosa 
 
 Your ear 
 Is eager for the noises of the world 
 That pass your gate. 
 
 Innocenza 
 
 Nay, I do tell my beads 
 Aloud when wanton gaiety goes by. 
 Listen ! The air is strangely like the song 
 I Ve heard thee murmur at thy penances. 
 
 {She remembers herself and begins to tell her 
 heads ^ 
 
 Chorus {approaching) 
 " When'er she combs her tresses, 
 Veil that 's spun of foam and sun 
 Must fold those little shoulders 
 In lingering caresses ! " 
 (In a burst of sunshine the wedding party of 
 Innocenza and Felice go by,) 
 Innocenza {the bride) 
 Sing softly here ! Ah, sing no more ! 
 
 Felice 
 
 True heart, 
 Sad on thy wedding day ? 
 
no Love in Umbria 
 
 Innocenza {selecting a wreath of scarlet 'poppies 
 from her garlands^ 
 
 These are her flowers. 
 Shall they give balm or sorrow? She will know 
 My heart doth bleed for her. 
 
 {She throws the wreath over the gate.) 
 Felice 
 
 No clouded eyes 
 To-day ! My song again, the song she loves ! 
 {'The bridal party passes singing.) 
 There 's nothing that can compare. 
 Flower o' the broom, thou art too dull. 
 Bloom o' the wheat, 't is paler, 
 Silk o' the corn, *t is rougher 
 Than Some One's golden hair I 
 Sister Innocenza {tenderly y wondering) 
 Ah, Sister Dolorosa, what shall be 
 Our name for thee since thou hast learned to 
 
 weep ? — 
 The garden seems to echo with her cry — 
 Poppies are gay. Why should they make thee 
 
 weep ? 
 How came they here ? 
 
 Dolorosa 
 
 A bride went singing by. 
 Innocenza 
 I would not hear the song ! 
 
Love in Umbria m 
 
 Dolorosa {significantly) 
 
 Her name like yours 
 Is Innocence! — A bridal gift for me ! 
 What can I know of bridals save the giving? 
 
 Innocenza {troubled) 
 Let us go in. My roses, nestle your heads 
 Under the leaves ; the clouds are black with 
 storm. 
 {She enters the cloister. Humble bars the 
 entrance to Dolorosa.) 
 Humble 
 Heart of my heart, I '11 love thee into joy 
 Again ! 
 
 {He peers into her face and starts back.) 
 Dolorosa 
 O Mother of God ! That hour has come 
 I thought would bring me death. 
 
 Humble 
 
 O God, for mercy 
 A miracle ! Breathe flame to dying ashes 1 
 
 Dolorosa {praying) 
 O God, wilt Thou refuse Thy voice to me 
 Alway? O Mary, woman, dost Thou hear? 
 Do saints forget in Heaven they loved on earth ? 
 Teach me to answer him! 
 
 (T^he door of the chapel opens. Brother Juni- 
 
112 Love in Umbria 
 
 per comes down the steps^ passing them 
 without noticing them. Tou see through the 
 open door a narrow cell, and at the end of 
 the corridor the lights of the altar, shining 
 through the gathering darkness, There is 
 a murmur of chanting.) 
 Juniper 
 
 O pitying God, 
 Keep Brother Humble holy ! Sweet my Lord, 
 Keep Brother Humble holy ! Even thus 
 I '11 pray a hundred times at every Hour, 
 And thrice a hundred if 1 chance to wake 
 At night — nay, I will lie upon the ground 
 Lest I should sleep and thus the prayers be lost. 
 Most gentle Lamb, keep Brother Humble holy! 
 {He passes through the gatCy still repeating 
 his prayer. Dolorosa lets the flowers slip 
 from her arms.) 
 
 Dolorosa 
 O pitying God, Thou shinest on my heart, 
 And my desire is open. Sweet my Lord, 
 No chiding but the gift of heart's desire ! 
 Most gentle Lamb, keep Brother Humble holy! 
 {Aside^ 'T is nothing to be feared, the voice of 
 
 God! 
 A little stilling of the heart, music 
 
Love inUmbria 113 
 
 Of far-ofF harmonies, like coming sleep, 
 And light on everything ! 
 
 {She gazes contentedly at her cell.) 
 Now I must know 
 I shall go softly evermore. 
 
 {She turns as if remembering him suddenly y 
 but not poignantly.) 
 
 I had 
 Forgot ; you have been near to death. You must 
 Be lacking food. {She holds out the cup.) 
 
 Humble {yielding at length) 
 
 Always from thee to me ? 
 {He takes the cup from her.) 
 Dolorosa 
 What heavenly visions do you see ? Your eyes 
 Are mystical! 
 
 Humble 
 I see the sacrament 
 Your hands hold out to me. 
 
 {Again the bell tinkles.) 
 Dolorosa 
 
 What do you hear ? 
 Humble 
 The altar bell ! 
 
 Dolorosa 
 What do you wait ? 
 
114 Love in Umbria 
 
 Humble 
 
 Forgiveness. 
 Dolorosa {withdrawing) 
 The Lord give thee His peace! 
 
 {She passes through the door into her cell, 
 'The chanting grows distinct.) 
 The Sisters (within) 
 I beseech Thee, O Lord, that the sweet and 
 fiery strength of Thy love may draw my soul 
 from all things under Heaven, that I may die 
 for love of Thy love even as Thou didst deign 
 to die for love of my love. Amen. (The door 
 closes.) 
 
 Humble 
 " He wounded me to prove 
 " My heart can break for love ! " 
 
 (Stretching out his arms to the sky.) 
 Spirit of flame ! My soul kindles and leaps 
 To prove its kinship ! 
 
 (His tone and gesture become those of 
 Valente.) 
 
 I am born again 
 Into some shape of thee! Now may God send 
 A valiant, dear endeavor for the world 
 Two that I love found purposeful and sweet. 
 
 {Again the bell tinkles.) 
 
Love in Umbria 115 
 
 O God, the sign ! For me the garb of meekness, 
 [exultant) For me the storm, for me the leprosy! 
 Blow, winds, and smite me to the earth ! And 
 
 rain. 
 Stain me and drench my limbs into a fever ! 
 And I will sing, for singing on the lips 
 Of agony is bitterer than tears ! 
 
 {'I'be gate clangs behind him. The storm 
 sweeps down, blotting out the scene. But 
 above the storm may be heard the voice of 
 Brother Humble singing) 
 He wounded me to prove 
 My heart can break for love ! 
 My heart *s aflame v/ith love ! 
 My heart's aflame with love ! 
 
 CURTAIN 
 
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