PLAY AND POEMS 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM WATTS 
 
 KING PHILIP IV 
 LYCIDAS AND FELICIA 
 CLEOPATRA'S DREAM 
 
 BENTON HARBOR. MICHIGAN 
 
 U. S. A. 
 
 FIRST EDITION 
 
PLAY AND POEMS 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM WATTS 
 
 KING PHILIP IV 
 LYCIDAS AND FELICIA 
 CLEOPATRA'S DREAM 
 
 BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN 
 
 U. S. A. 
 
 FIRST EDITION 
 
4 
 
 
 .4-' 
 
 <K 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY 
 
 WILLIAM WATTS 
 
 OCT 26 1916 
 
 ©CI.A445355 
 
 TMP92-007533 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 KING PHILIP IV 5 
 
 LYCIDAS AND FELICIA 27 
 
 CLEOPATRA'S DREAM 31 
 
DRAMATIS PERSONAE 
 
 Philip IV l^i«J? of Spain 
 
 Don Juan of Austria Son of King Philip 
 
 Count of Olivares the King's Councillor 
 
 Duke of Osuna Governor of Naples 
 
 Marquis of Spinola General of King's Army 
 
 Don Luis de Haro Nephew to Olivares 
 
 Lujanes A Courtier 
 
 Prince Charles of England Prince of Wales 
 
 Duke of Buckingham Councillor to the Prince 
 
 Sir Francis Cottington. .Gentleman-in- Waiting to the Prince 
 
 Francois Friend to Don Luis de Haro 
 
 Don Angelo Lieutenant of King's Bodyguard 
 
 Powder A Poet 
 
 Lapatto A Tavern Host 
 
 I'KINCE I j^oval Servants 
 
 Quicklife ) 
 
 Mercica Lady-in-Waiting to the Princess 
 
 Marpetta A Flower Girl 
 
 Two Nuns 
 
 Lords, Ladies, Maids of Honor, Nobles, Courtiers, Officers, 
 
 Soldiers, Foresters and Other Attendants. 
 
 Scene — Spain. 
 
KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 ACT FIRST 
 
 SCENE I 
 
 A Street in Madrid 
 
 Enter the Count of Olivares and Don Luis de Euro, meeting. 
 
 De Euro. Good morrow, uncle. 
 
 Olivares. Good morrow unto you, my noble nepliew. 
 
 Will you come with me ? I have audience 
 Of great importance with our sovereign king. 
 Already he has banished Duke Uceda, 
 And driven from his court the priest, Aleazn ; 
 So it does happen that this morning 
 The Duke Osufia will be tried in council, 
 Whereof much disappointment awaits him. 
 
 De Earo. Then it is true that this arch traitor duke 
 
 Did purpose to usurp the crown of Naples? 
 
 01 i cares. As bitterly he will repent of it 
 
 When he hears sentence that will eschew all 
 His proud insignia, forfeiture of his lands. 
 Exempt of heirs through confiscation. 
 Therefore, his guilt stands to be acquitted 
 As death to treason. 
 
 De Earo. Think you, the king's mercy, which has prevailed 
 
 Through many bloody wars, will arbitrate 
 Between the king and duke? 
 
 Olivares. Forsooth, the king will not show mercy. 
 
 Our neighbor France makes war against us. 
 While Enghmd frowns again upon our shores- 
 Our peace is broken with the Valtellines, 
 Which have revolted and are up in arms, 
 Swearing allegiance to the king of France, 
 Whose pow'rful army allied with Duke Savoy 
 Will not with Spain make any valid truce 
 Until-the Venetian province in dispute 
 Be sequestered to the Pope of Rome. 
 
6 KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 De Haro. Tlius Duke Osufia does by traitorous acts 
 
 Condemn himself forever. 
 
 Olivares. Now, by my sword. 
 
 We will wage war with France a hundred years 
 To hold what we have won in rightful conquest. 
 
 De Haro, I pray you, uncle, take me to the trial 
 
 Of this disgraceful duke. 
 
 Olivares. Well, so I shall. Let us go together. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE II 
 
 A Path in the Forest 
 
 Enter Francois and Mercicu. 
 
 Mercica. Ask me no more until to-night. 
 
 Here in the forest we will sit and rest 
 On blue-eyed violet banks. The youthful day 
 Begins his tardy, brilliant pilgrimage 
 Toward the western hills. Here we will talk 
 Of kings and queens, of courts and palaces. 
 When does handsome Charles, the Prince of Wales, 
 With the good-looking Duke of Buckingham, 
 Visit our Spanish court? 
 
 Francois. To-morrow they arrive. 
 
 And should our lovely princess match with 
 
 Charles, 
 Sealing the nuptials for a royal wedding. 
 There will be great rejoicing through the land. 
 But it is known that there is deadly enmity 
 Between the English Duke of Buckingham 
 And our hot-blooded Count of Olivares, 
 Which, like as not, when they shall meet at court 
 Will suddenly blaze forth in violent quarrels ; 
 Granting it so, our side must bear the brunt. 
 'Twould force the prince to stand by Buckingham, 
 Who favors as a wife for England's heir 
 The French king's daughter. 
 
 Mercica. Our princess would have cause to grieve, indeed; 
 
 And I do hope she will be England's queen. 
 
 Francois. But, Mercica, why talk of queens and kings 
 
 When we mav talk of love and wedding rings ? 
 
KING PHILIP IV. 7 
 
 Hear me, dear lady, as a lover plead 
 To prove, to have, my heart's devotion heed; 
 When morning dews like heavenly pearls are laid. 
 Bedecking flow'r-crowned wood and forest 
 sward — 
 
 Mercica. Then it is time to wake and be astir. 
 
 Francois. When the sun wheels his golden chariot 
 
 Chasing the shadows through the silver sky. 
 
 Mercica. Then should fair ladies shun his brightest rays. 
 
 Fran<^ois. When wild, sweet-scented herbs blow through 
 
 green woods. 
 Dotted with ox-lips, ferns and leafy places, 
 Where nymphs, tired elves, and fairy tenants sleep 
 From pleasant labor of the sylvan night — 
 
 Mercica. Then do the nightingales sing sweet o' nights. 
 
 Francois. When it is sweet to hear the w'oodland dove 
 
 Calling her truant mate, I love Mercica. 
 
 Mercica. Do you love me, Frangois? What does love do? 
 
 Love lights his flaming torch at fires divine 
 To guide true lovers tow^ard Hymen's shrine. 
 There shines from it the spirit of sweet youth,' 
 The light of Avisdoni and the zeal of truth ; 
 The kindness which substitutes deformity — - 
 For that deformed, so no defect there be; 
 The gentleness of sorrow^ the strength of joy, 
 The heart's content which pride nor riches cloy; 
 The courage of virtue, blazing like a sun. 
 The book in which love's golden thought is spun; 
 The mirror on which Beauty breathes to see 
 Time's cloudy day reflected as 'twill be; 
 How then can you, who see not this in love, 
 Say that you love me, listening to a dove ? 
 
 Frangois. Then Heaven be the witness of my love 
 
 For you, fair lady ; as I kiss your hand, 
 Accept this ring as token of my love; 
 And, if you will, when will you marry me? 
 
 Mercica. Why, on that day when Charles, the Prince, of 
 
 Wales, 
 Shall wed our princess, you shall marry me. 
 
 Frangois. We will go home and so inform our friends. 
 
 This happy scene shall live in memory; 
 This forest a church, these trees the audience. 
 Their silver tongues sweet-tuned like wedding 
 bells. 
 
KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 Not harsli. but joyful; and to make lasting 
 This glad rehearsal ere we truly wed, 
 Our lips must meet as we embrace in love. 
 One kiss, indeed, one kiss from your rare lips, 
 Makes me despoil the choice of all your harms; 
 ^lore is not wislied than this all-sweet consent 
 A\ hich you so lovingly approve and give. 
 
 [Exeunt FranQois and Mcrcica. 
 
 SCENE III 
 A Park Near the Palace 
 
 Enter Charles, the Prinee of IT'a/r.s, and the Duke of Buck- 
 ingh a m , disgu ised. 
 
 Charles. Now, Buckingham, you lose your thou-and 
 
 crowns! 
 Yonder conies Cottington, walking slowly. 
 It is discernible in his face 
 That the fair ])rincess is not praised enougls. 
 As you shall hear. 
 
 Buckingham. How now, dear Charles? 
 
 Rumor's hearing does captivate you. 
 She may be lovely and well qualified 
 To Avin the approval of your subjects 
 Sliould you think her worth equal to your crown ; 
 But the French king's fair daughter, I am sure, 
 Does match the Infanta's rank and beauty. 
 That marriage I pray Heaven to bring about 
 Which will keep peace between France and Eng- 
 land. 
 
 Enter Sir Franeis Cottington 
 
 Charles. Sir Francis, did you behold the princess ? 
 
 Cottington. My liege, we met in the palace garden. 
 
 She is most lovely, and not false, I swear. 
 My admonition is, beware of her! 
 The light of Heaven kindles her youthful eyes : 
 Her graceful form is Nature's perfect mould ; 
 There seemed to be sweet music in her voice. 
 
 BuckingJiain. You have observed her closely, Cottington. 
 'Tis well you accomplished it adroitly. 
 
KING PHILIP IV. 9 
 
 Charles. I am anxious to see this fair princess. 
 
 We will, my dear friends, throw off our disguises. 
 And presently meet at the court of Spain. 
 Then, if King Philip receives us kindly. 
 You may take time to learn what concerns us, 
 While I go a-courting with Maria. 
 
 Cottington. So, that it pleases you, we will return 
 To our lodgings. 
 
 Charlefi. Our country unto Spain we will make known 
 
 By message to the king. 
 
 BucJcingJtatH. [Aside to Cottington.] Our prince will quickly 
 want to go to France 
 When I have speech with Count of Olivares. 
 
 [Exeunt the Prince of Wales, the Duke of 
 Buckingham, and Sir Francis Cottington. 
 
 Enter Lu janes and Mercica 
 
 Lujcinfs. You are now near the summer of your love. 
 
 Which will increase the passionate pleadings 
 Of your lover ; his burning words are born 
 With unfledged wings of thought, which in good 
 
 time 
 Will be full grown. 
 
 Mercica. I hope his voice grows wise, — 
 
 What do you think this madcap Francois said 
 As, 'neath a fan, I looked into his eyes ? 
 
 Lu janes. Did he declare his love with tearful sighs? 
 
 Mercica. He gave me a red rose and spoke like this : 
 
 ''I'll kiss your lips, the sun does kiss your hair. 
 
 And I am jealous ; I'll kiss your eyes, 
 
 Then they shall see my lips and not the sun!" 
 
 Lujancs. He has this fault, and you have patience 
 
 With which to subjugate his vanity. 
 
 [Exeunt Lujancs and Mercica. 
 Enter Marpetta 
 
 Marpetta. Unhappy day! unhappy day for me, 
 
 Where seems much happiness for all but me! 
 Go hide, thou sun, in never ending night, 
 Shine not again upon a wicked world. 
 For thou art false, and everything is false. 
 Open thy door, thou dismal tomb of death, 
 One knocks without who waits to enter in, 
 For love is dead! 
 
 [Exit. 
 
ACT SECOND 
 
 SCENE I 
 
 The Throne Room in the Palace 
 
 Enter King Philip, the Marquis of Spinola. the Count of 
 
 Olivares, Don Luis de Haro, the Duke of OsuTia, 
 
 Don Angelo, Lu janes, tSenators, Officers, 
 
 Soldiers, and Attendants. ^ 
 
 Philip. To you, my lords and councillors, greetings. 
 
 To that which is approved remembrance shall 
 Establish history. For those faults constrained 
 There is forgiveness asked for ignorance. 
 It is essential to want wisdom. 
 So that in the transformation of thought 
 That which gains honor may get forbearance. 
 So well you have pleased us, Count 01ivart>^. 
 With your valuable services to Spain, 
 Which 1, your king, perceiving happily, 
 Find we are much indebted unto y<ni. 
 Let me now read what documents you have. 
 Or hear of matters which purport unto 
 Our kingdom's welfare. 
 
 Olivares. My sovereign king. 
 
 I take ambitiously what you l)estow; 
 Such high regard' helps that dear service, 
 Which weighs with the privilege of agreensent: 
 But to make the dread presence in the realm 
 Of usurpation setting forth opinion 
 Against the maintenance of proud titles, 
 Of lofty favors born with star-like honor 
 From the bosom of civil peace ; to edge 
 Sedition with a serpent's tooth, which reeks 
 As foul with treason as a battle's stench ; 
 To fawn with gloved hands while the bristling 
 
 heart 
 Thrusts forth its venomed daggers and inflicts 
 Into the honest body of allegiance 
 A death-dealing blow! You. Duke Osuna. 
 Have sold our soldiers to the Valtellines, 
 Stirred them to revolt, and by means of w;ir 
 Would wrest fair Naples fromthe crown of Spain. 
 I accuse you of treason, Duke Osufla! 
 Hope that you obtain mercy from your king. 
 
 Philip. What ! what ! a viper in our midst ? What ! you ? 
 
 Duke Osuiia, do you stand guilty 
 
KING PHILIP IV. 11 
 
 In this conspiracy against our kingdom, 
 Our army and possessions beyond Spain ? 
 
 Osuiia. My sovereign king. I do confess my guilt. 
 
 And seek your pardon with repenting heart; 
 May Jesus Christ have mercy on my soul. 
 
 Philip. Duke of Osuiia, governor of Naples, 
 
 To-day, my poor but loyal subjects 
 Do render unto me a rich account ; 
 Nay, let not tears of shame run down your cheeks 
 When our wrenched liearts let fall great drops 
 
 of blood. 
 Look then to Heaven alone for mercy! 
 Be it known to all, by virtue of our seal. 
 You are deprived of honor and title. 
 Your heirs shall not claim lineal descent : 
 Your rich estates and all your property 
 Shall be impounded as royal treasure ; * 
 You shall be imprisoned in a dungeon 
 With never hope to come from it again. 
 Look to your prisoner, Don Angelo! 
 
 [Exeunt Osuiia and Don Angelo, guarded hy 
 soldiers. 
 
 Spinola. My gracious king, Charles, the young Prince of 
 
 Wales, 
 Attended by the Duke of Buckingham, 
 With Sir Francis Cottington, now makes known 
 His visit in your kingdom. He forwards 
 Greetings and wishes audience with your majesty. 
 
 Philip. Cleneral, go welcome them to our court, 
 
 I will await them. 
 
 [Exit Spinola. 
 
 SCENE II 
 
 The Garden of the Palace 
 
 E)itcr the Marquis of Spinola, the Count of Olivarcs. the 
 
 Prince of Wales, the Duke of Buckingham, Sir Francis 
 
 Cottington, the Princess Maria, Frangois, Mercica. 
 
 Courtiers, and Ladies. 
 
 Spinola. Princess Maria, these royal visitors 
 
 Have come o'er seas from friendly England 
 To be our guests. This is the Prince of Wales, 
 Beside him stand the Duke of Buckingham 
 And that good knight, Sir Francis Cottin^^ton. 
 
12 KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 Charles-. Fair princess, this meeting niakes our visit 
 
 Yet wanting, since much praise still lacks much 
 
 praise, 
 When we would graciously show that pleasure 
 Which speaks ovir thanks to meet you in person. 
 
 BuckhKjJiani. Be sure, fair princess, this occasion does 
 
 Add mine to the Prince of Wales's pleasure. 
 
 Cottington. I plead for this extended courtesy, 
 
 To kneel before you as you honor me. 
 
 Maria. I thank you all and welcome you to Spain. 
 
 Had you pleasant voyage? 
 
 Charles. A sea at times 
 
 Like polished glass mii-rored our happy sails, 
 Or with wind so fair that tlie whistling shrouds 
 Made every heart keep merry all the way. 
 
 Maria. Then you must keep as merry while on land; 
 
 Here we have games which northern countries 
 
 scold. 
 Saying they are too naughty to he seen ; 
 But would you like to have a Spanish rose? 
 And tell me if our roses can compare 
 With those you grow in England's gardens fair; 
 For I have heard that English roses are 
 More beautiful than any in the world. 
 
 Charles. Show me your Spanish games, for ours are dull; 
 
 Show me, I beg you. through your lovely garden; 
 Here the sun shines longer than in England. 
 And there is not an English rose that grows 
 That has more beauty than your Spanish rose. 
 [Exeunt Charles, Maria, Mercica, Spinola, Cot- 
 tington, Courtiers and Ladies. 
 
 Buckingham. Now, what, indeed, does make the prince praise 
 more 
 What is in Spain, which not o'er-equals that 
 What is in France and England? How comes it 
 That this contention, augmented by proof, 
 To his young eyes appears differently? 
 
 Olivares. How now, indeed? He may not look behind 
 
 Unless he likes ! Why should not our great Spain 
 Enlarge the young Prince of Wales's vision? 
 She's wealth and war strength which equal 
 
 England's, 
 And she's as much as France or yet much more; 
 Or yet as much as France and England have. 
 
KING PHILIP I\^. 
 
 13 
 
 Budcingliam. Well, this I know that when he seeks a wife, 
 
 France has that much more than Spain and 
 
 England, 
 And when she shall be crowned England's queen. 
 So that much more will England stronger be ; 
 And, if you please, what then will poor Spain do? 
 
 Olivares. Before that day, proud Buckingham, take care 
 
 That England does not sue to Spain for peace.. 
 
 Buckingham. Before that day England will make the terms. 
 Which Spain will willingly be glad to take„ 
 
 Olivares. Now, speaking for my most sovereign king. 
 
 Who receives this insult as from England, 
 • I wish you clear from Spain without ctelay. 
 
 Taking along your big boy, the Prince of Wales. 
 Go, tell the king of England what I say, 
 And coddle with that bird-brained king of Fra sice. 
 Be off yourself as quickly as you can. 
 Were it not for the Princess Maria, 
 Who now returns to stop your braggart tongue^ 
 I would cross swords Avith you, to show you how 
 Your little England and your lesser France 
 Should taste defeat, great Duke of Buckingham, 
 When Spain 'gainst France and England clash 
 in war! 
 
 Buckingham. God speed the opportune time, Olivares. 
 
 When you shall find me great as j^ou declare! 
 
 Re-enter Charles, Cottington, Splnola, Francois, 
 Maria, Mercica, Courtiers, and Ladies. 
 
 Maria. What! angry words between the duke and count? 
 
 Oh, Charles, by their pale faces, something's 
 wrong ; 
 
 Hate shoots like lightning from their fiery eyes. 
 
 Will you, for my sake, try to make them friends t 
 Charles. I will speak privately with Buckingham, 
 
 So let your heart have hope and not alarm. 
 
 Farewell, sweet princess! 
 
 Maria. A sad farewell, indeed. 
 
 Should I not see your face again, dear Charges I 
 
 Spinola. Do not let sudden grief control you, madam; 
 
 For, just as sure as music wants a plaj^er. 
 If you will look around, you'll truly find 
 Some sudden joy to drive these tears awaj'. 
 
 [Exeunt Charles, Buckingham' and Cottington; 
 in opposite directions, Olivares, Spinohf, 
 Maria, Mercica, Francois, Courtier's and 
 Ladies. 
 
14 
 
 KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 SCENE III 
 
 A Tavern Yard 
 
 Enter Prince, QuicJclife and Powder. 
 
 Poioder. Majestic hue. 
 
 Prince. Declaim not so early in the day. 
 
 Powder. Of Venus' fleecy sky! 
 
 Quicklife. Go fetch wine, poet. 
 
 Poioder. Sleeps on her fleeting couch the Goddess Love! 
 
 Prince. Wake her not, Powder. 
 
 Powder. To part the silver mists her shoulders move — 
 
 Quicklife. Immediately buy wine as atonement! 
 
 Powder. O chaste Diana! why by Neptune's brook 
 
 Art idly wondering if the water's cold ? 
 Wilt shortly take thy bath? 
 
 Prince. Lord, Quicklife, can mortals endure more? 
 
 Powder. Fall not in. How'd Olympus save thee 
 
 Full fifty thousand starry leagues away? 
 
 Quicklife. Olympus be twice drowned and damned 
 
 Ere thou declaim of him again. 
 
 Powder. But stern Achilles, proud to pigmy Avars, 
 
 Forth upon the field which giant Ajax strode 
 Sought battle of the challenging conqueror. 
 Then came Ulysses to Achilles' camp. 
 Plaiting the mane of the great war-horse. Pan. 
 
 Prince. Fish-pan, Powder? 
 
 Powder. Pan in the Homeric sense I'll continue — 
 
 Quicklife. [Striking him] Thou shalt discontinue and be 
 
 cudgeled. 
 Poioder. Desist! Wine like a river shall floAV — 
 
 Oh ! my precious back, what an immense blow ! 
 
 [Exit Powder. 
 
 Quicklife. Prince, by my soul, I like the fellow well, 
 
 For he's the brilliant flame of merry wit. 
 The wick of happy thought, what say you then 
 If we hold to him and make him our pal ? 
 
 Prince. I say I mind not: Powder will help make 
 
 Our round of pleasure in a tedious Avorld! 
 And h^re he comes Avith tliree jugs of good Avine. 
 
 Re-enter Powder 
 
KING PHILIP IV. 15 
 
 Poicder. Hark, comrades! didst hear that merman's flute? 
 
 Whilst billowy waves dashed on the foam-flecked 
 
 rocks, 
 I heard his flute above the Atlantic's roar. 
 
 QuicJcUfe. Hear us, and let the laughing mermaids sing. 
 
 Knowest thou that we in observation wise, 
 In judgment merciful and rich apparel, 
 Find yet some virtue in thy ambition ? 
 Henceforth, Powder, thou walkest with greatness. 
 
 Poicder. lovely wine! drawn from the purple necks 
 
 Of Inscious grapes. 
 
 Prince. Necks, Powder ? 
 
 Poicder. . Necks in the literal sense — Valencia grapes. 
 
 Quicldife. Wilt thou not drink ? 
 
 Poicder. ^^'here Orpheus greets the jjink-eared dawn of 
 
 spring 
 The glorious Heaven bespeaks Orpheus' joy 
 In Mesapotamia. 
 
 Quicl-lifc. [Striking hiyn] For this thou receivest excellent 
 
 cudgeling. 
 
 Powder. Enough! spare, indeed, my splendid bones, 
 
 Which men to come will guard with reverence 
 When I am sleeping in old earth's green tomb; 
 wine, in thy red mirror there appears 
 A witch with hanging tongue o'er boiling pot 
 Of human blood. Hark, my comrades, she sings! 
 
 Prince. Sing the witch's song, Powder. 
 
 Quicklife. !?ing, or be valianth^ cudgeled! 
 
 SONG 
 Poicder, ])eath blows out the flame of life; 
 
 His sharp scythe reaps bones and skull. 
 Curst be they who watch his wife 
 Magic take from cauldron full. 
 
 W^hat are famine, cold and heat? 
 Food to make the cauldron's feast. 
 What are fever, war and hate? 
 Evil fire, my Beauty Beast. 
 
 Heap the cinders, spiders weave ; 
 Black cat howl and white bat fly; 
 Tired eyelids raise to grieve. 
 All make ill to quickly die! 
 
 Prince. She's a wicked, toothless, croaking old witch. 
 
16 
 
 KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 Quicklife. 
 Pcncder. 
 
 Angelo. 
 
 Prince. 
 Angelo. 
 
 Powder. 
 
 Angelo. 
 
 Prince. 
 
 Quicklife. 
 
 Powder. 
 
 Prince: 
 Powder. 
 
 Quicklife. 
 
 Marietta. 
 
 Away with you to 
 What strange crea- 
 
 And she toothlessly eroaketh wickedly. 
 I see — 
 
 Enter Don Angelo 
 
 Ho, Prince and Quicklife! 
 
 court, 
 Wine-drinking servants ! 
 
 ture's this ? 
 Powder, the poet. 
 
 Poet, you are commissioned to write an ode 
 On the king's birthday. 
 I have an hundred odes ready. 
 PU recite them. 
 
 Wilt thou now? First let me mount my horse! 
 
 [Exit Don Angelo. 
 
 [St7-iking him] We'll royal-ode you for frighten- 
 ing Don Angelo. 
 
 [Choking him] We'll royal-ride ye, ye moon-eyed, 
 long shanked, 
 
 Unassailable bagpipe o' words! 
 
 Swear on thy knees for gracious pardon! 
 
 Yon burning blush of sunrise on the hills 
 Glory environed — 
 
 Drink thy wine, Powder ! \Miat dost thou know ? 
 I know a tale for none but naughty ears. 
 But which, like good wine to the moderate man. 
 Is to the seasoned mind worth listening to. 
 
 That tale we'll hear when we have time to hear it ; 
 Come, Prince and Powder, we'll not longer stav. 
 
 As servants of the king we. must obey. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
 SCENE IV 
 
 A Room in Don Lujanes's House. 
 
 Enter Marpetta. 
 wild-eyed jealousy! Thou imp of hell! 
 Make harder than the warrior's battle-steel 
 ]\Iy woman's heart! Be thou more cruel 
 Than winter winds that freeze up mountain caves 
 With starving beasts ; more pitiless than 
 The heat of the sun which drives the traveler 
 
 mad 
 Upon the desert wastes! Thou sweet, bright 
 
 eye of night, 
 Which in the silver sky doth flood this room 
 With golden light from yon glorious heaven, 
 Hide thou from murder behind this curtain! 
 
KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 17 
 
 Or thy pale countenance, like a ghostly judge, 
 Will invoke my soul to innocence and come 
 Between me and this deed. That knock at the 
 
 door 
 Does summon me to hear the sound of death. 
 Work, poisoned cup! Who drinks thee gives 
 life up! 
 
 Enter Lujanes 
 
 Ln janes. A happy evening to my sweetheart! What 
 
 Bright angel whispered in these pearl pink ears, 
 Kissed these rose lips with gentle, winning smiles. 
 And, loving her, gave me a goddess ? 
 
 Marpetta. \'\'hen you are rested and refreshed with wine. 
 
 Then let me answer you ; now drink your wine. 
 See how it sparkles in a silver cup ! 
 Beneath the window I will sit and play 
 Sweet music which shall chase dull care away. 
 
 Lujanes. Hope, like a star, 
 
 Sits in the crown of my ambition 
 To gain royal favor. 'Tis the ripe time 
 For further action, when, by hewing down 
 The tops of greatness, I become as great. 
 The king will soon grow tired of Olivares; 
 How soon shall I become his favorite ? 
 
 Marpetta. Did you speak, Lujanes? I will come to you. 
 
 Lujanes. I was praising your sweet music, angel — 
 
 Wealth will do much, high tides and winds of 
 
 chance 
 Favor my sails. Then, Fortune, come to me ; 
 Cut loose the wreckage with thy golden axe 
 Which fouls my sea. It will be then a dream. 
 Dreams dream themselves and life is full of 
 
 dreams. 
 That swim in mortals' eyes, lodge in their ears; 
 Bury the living and unearth the dead; 
 Make monarchs tremble and the voices crack. 
 Which thunder through the hours of crowded 
 
 courts 
 Their kingdom's rule. Ha ! what do dreams not do ? 
 Tliey rob from honest men their well-earned rest. 
 And in the thickness of night's eyebrows hatch 
 Dissensions in great rulers, bloody wars. 
 The birth of nations, the abuse of usury, 
 Quarrels' reactions, hell's heresy, ravaging lust : 
 Murderous affrays, vicious hates, self-slaughter; 
 All that is foul on earth, all damned in hell! 
 There's not a wolf that howls with bloody tongue 
 At morning's door, but is enchained in dreams; 
 Heaven itself dreams would dismantle, 
 But that their mighty hands do barely reach 
 Divinity's top-tower! 
 
18 
 
 KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 Marpetta. More wine, drink more? 
 
 Lu janes. No more. Cease not to play sweet music! 
 
 Draw back the curtains; let the air stream in. 
 Methinks my body burns with fever! 
 What dancino- fire stabs my eyeballs thus 
 With lightning pain? What villainy's afoot? 
 Wliat treachery's here? hell! I'm poisoned.' 
 Hot irons blind me! Where art thou, girl? 
 Give me some water ! water ! water ! 
 To quench this fearful fiame u})on my tongue! 
 Hell burns me up! Burst, you closed clouds 
 And pour down oceans of your winter rain, 
 That I may wet my lips before I die! 
 W^ater, ^larpetta! ^^"here's there a rock 
 That I may cling to and avert my doom 
 Ere I plunge into this bottomless abyss? 
 Where's my dagger ? my trusted, faithful dagger ? 
 I will fall on its jutted front of steel. 
 To drink my own warm blood and vomit 
 The monster death upon the face of murder! 
 
 [He falls. 
 Oh, for an ounce of strength! A drowning sea! 
 I laughed at death, but now death laughs at me! 
 
 ' [He dies. 
 
 Marpetta. Keep with the dead, thou prostrate body! 
 
 Thy soul shall keep with me! No more shall life 
 Enter this temple fair, nor harrowing care 
 Furrow the sweetest face that e'er was man's. 
 He was my morning sun, my evening star, 
 ]My bright and gentle day, my heart's desire, 
 My bosom's fond delight, my hope divine. 
 My more than mortal part 'twixt heaven and 
 
 earth ! 
 Then, you immortal gcKls, receive his soul, 
 For I will journey whither he will go, 
 And be the shadow of his heavenly wing. 
 Rather than live to mock his body's dust 
 Which sleeps with death. thou bright moon. 
 Gazing in wonder through the peaceful night. 
 Spread in the shadow of this silent room 
 A golden circle which shall be our tomb! 
 'Tis said, that at heaven's gate sweet music's 
 
 heard 
 Wliich was commanded there when love was born 
 To signify that never love hath end. 
 Your bright dagger, Lu janes, helps me to you. 
 Hide in my bosom ! 
 
 [Stabbing ]ierscJf"\ Farewell, thou unkind world! 
 
 [Slie dies. 
 
ACT THIRD 
 
 SCENE I 
 
 An Open Place in a Forest 
 
 Enter King Philip, Princess Maria, Mercica, Don Luis de Haro, 
 Fra7iQois, Don Angelo, Prince, Quicklife, Lords and 
 Ladies costumed as hunters; Soldiers and 
 Foresters afoot 
 
 Philip. Let there be brought here, my two swift hounds, 
 
 Apollo and Diana ; I will match them 
 Against my incomparable falcons, 
 Longears and Shortspurs. 
 
 [Exit Prince. 
 
 Don Angela. Your Majesty, there comes. 
 
 Good report from the Marquis of Velez; 
 The Catalans are in flight before him. 
 Suffering great defeat. 
 
 Pliilij). - This is good news 
 
 To hear on an excellent hunting morn; 
 Did not Apollo run from Diana 
 In this same forest but a month ago? 
 
 Don Angelo. Your ^Majesty forgets, it was the hound 
 Diana that o'ertook the fallow deer ; 
 Your two hounds covered the ground neck by 
 
 neck, 
 Until the deer twisted betAveen the trees. 
 
 Re-enter Prince loith hounds and falcons 
 
 Philip. Apollo and Diana shall have start 
 
 Of my two falcons full a hundred yards; 
 Go, set them in the forest that they chase 
 The hare toward us ; the hound and falcon 
 That are winners of this speedy race 
 1^11 match again. 
 
 [Exit Prince with hounds and falcons. 
 
 De Haro. Your Majesty, this word 
 
 Is sent by messenger from the palace ; 
 Our gracious Prince, Don Juan of Austria, 
 Inflicting great loss to his enemies, 
 With but a small loss of his brave soldiers, 
 Has taken Lerida. 
 
20 KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 Philip. Yet better news! 
 
 Methinks my brave son Juan will wear my 
 
 crown, 
 A mighty king. Don Angel o, go bear 
 On swiftest horses to the town Lerida, 
 My message to Don Juan of Austria: 
 That 1, the king, am proud of him to-day, 
 And Spain will welcome home her warrior 
 
 prince. 
 
 Don Angela. Your Majesty's message shall soon reach him. 
 
 [Exit Don Angclo. 
 
 Philip. Does my falcon Longears now weigh more 
 
 Than greedy Shortspurs? 
 Francois. Botli weigh alike, 
 
 Yet always Shortspurs proved the fleetest bird; 
 
 Both falcons are in fine mettle to-day. 
 
 Philip. 'Tis time, methinks, to hear the huntsman's horn 
 
 From yonder clump of trees — let me hear it! 
 
 {Exit QuicJdife. 
 Enter Olivares 
 
 Olivares. Thus happily I find your ^lajesty 
 
 To offer you my congratulations 
 On the acquisition of an estate. 
 Which has worth of twelve hundred thousand 
 
 crowns ; 
 The Duke of Braganza having rebelled. 
 Incited by Eleanora de Guzman, 
 Who has had put to death Vasconcellos, 
 Governor of Portugal ; this traitor Duke 
 Proclaims himself John IV of Portugal, 
 Calling on our subjects to crown him king; 
 Therefore, his estates are confiscated. 
 
 Philip. Yes, look that the mischief be remedied; 
 
 Here they come ! Now haste thee, good Diana ! 
 Oh, thou art running pretty. Oh, Longears! 
 Oh, my brave falcon! Now do j^our sharp spurs 
 Uplift the panting hare! Well done, Diana! 
 Much like a silver arrow you broke through 
 The green thicket. 'Twas a grand race! 
 My falcon, your bright eyes of victory 
 Are humble now, like waters of a stream 
 Which brightened, then went into peaceful shade. 
 Lead them before me into the forest ; 
 This race between them shall yet prove the best; 
 We will ride after them and shield our eyes 
 From the noon sun. 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
KING PHILIP IV. 31 
 
 SCENE II 
 
 A Graveyard at Night 
 
 Tico nuns discovered digging a grave 
 
 Enter Don Luis de Haro. 
 
 De Haro. God's peace be here with you, good sisters; 
 
 It moves me with compassion to behold 
 How nobly in the cause of charity 
 You toil beneath a little lantern's rays. 
 The heavens surely witness this kind act, 
 And God receives it. Gentle sisters, rest 
 While I perform this pitiful duty 
 Which you would do. I knew the maid 
 Whose corpse you'll bury in this hallowed 
 
 ground ; 
 My tears shall fall into her woeful grave, 
 ^^'^th poignant sorrow from my weeping eyes. 
 As a friend's last rites, so you permit me? 
 
 First Xuji. Here is the spade, sir; may God requite you — 
 We would know more of the maid we bury. 
 
 De llaro. It was a murderous hand that struck her down, 
 
 Which will show guilty on the Judgment Day 
 Stained with the blood of an innocent maid. 
 
 Second Xiin. We will watch o'er your labor with our prayers 
 Commended unto God. 
 
 [y««s retire to a distance. 
 
 De Haro. Let flowers arise 
 
 Upon this place where sounds the tolling bell; 
 As you were young. Love's fires light the nights, 
 So that on youth's flowers it will not be dark; 
 As you had virtue when bright nights are done. 
 Sun, keep Love's flres a-light with golden days ; 
 As you had hope you sang through joyous reeds, 
 Tilf their full volume called together all 
 The sweet musicians of the air and land. 
 To purple vineyards, to daisied meadows, 
 To tree-fringed hills, to violet valleys, 
 To green-leafed lanes, to woodland cathedrals, 
 Refreshing dews fall wlien the earth is parched, 
 And make clear fountains to allay their thirst. 
 As you had beauty Avhicli consented to 
 Share with the beauteous rose its joyful wealth, 
 So this ugly death which now conceals you 
 
22 KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 With chilling breath, is like cloudy va}X)r 
 When it obscures the beautj' of the rose. 
 It melts away as the great golden sky 
 Sends down its radiant, generous warmth : 
 Your grave, sweet maid, is only clouded o\er 
 With thieving time's unfavorable mist 
 Which fears the presence of coming angels. 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 SCENE III 
 
 The Throne Room in the Palace 
 
 Enter King Philip, Don Luis de Haro. fJie Count of Olirarcs, 
 
 the Marquis of ^pinola, Don Juan of Austria, FranQois. 
 
 Don Angelo, Senators and Xohles, Lords and Ladies, 
 
 Soldiers, Attendants, ete. 
 
 Philip. When the reaction of ai)peal offends 
 
 As silent witness to indignities 
 ^^'hich, through false presumption, made tlieir 
 
 cause 
 To make more power than granted power, 
 In the acquiescence rises insult, 
 In the full knowledge shame is brazen 
 With reputation poor as shifting sand. 
 Stand forth before our presence, 01ivare>. 
 To listen to these true indictments 
 Which would undo our reign of government. 
 
 Don Juan. You did weaken by improper measures 
 The garrisons of soldiers in Seville, 
 Malaga, Valladolid, Badajos, 
 Valencia, Toledo, Cuenca, 
 Mii-anda, La Corruna, Aquilas, 
 Huesca, Cordova and Granada; 
 From which our armies in the Netherlands 
 Could not draw forces to withstand defeat. 
 
 De Haro. Our wealthy possessions beyond the seas 
 
 Stand wounded by the fleets of England, 
 France and Holland. Our misgoverned provinces, 
 Lorraine and Italian Burgundy, 
 Have kindled with the flaming torch of war. 
 Which spreads hot revolts in cities and towns. 
 Our Portugal, the golden gate of Spain, 
 Is one huge arsenal of our enemies. 
 Whose barking throats gape wide for bloody war! 
 You did consent in secret conference 
 To make with France dishonorable peace, 
 
KING PHILIP IV. 23 
 
 Off'ring to the Frencli king's emissaries 
 
 Five hundred thousand crowns of Spanish gold. 
 
 Which you adjudged could by base deficits 
 
 Unsignatured from the kingdom's treasure 
 
 Be as unnoticed loss. That waste of gold 
 
 Would in equivalent value build up 
 
 A fleet of warships in Barcelona, 
 
 Cadiz and Balboa. Our far islands 
 
 In the blue Indian seas have blood-stained shores, 
 
 Dyed more with our brave dead than Axith our 
 
 dead foes. 
 Yet qualms of conscience may make you tremble. 
 Still the giant finger of accusation 
 W^ill point to more! 
 
 Olivarcs. Hear me, mv sovereign king: 
 
 There is conspiracy amongst your lords, 
 Your great nobles, senators and statesmen, 
 Not to prove the fundamental truth of things, 
 But to employ artifice of falsehood; 
 Which, like wild pounding waves against the 
 
 rocks, 
 Make but noisy and resultless actions, 
 While the calm ocean }>erforming service 
 Labors to benefit the land from which 
 It is inseparable. These nobles, 
 These statesmen who accuse me will concede 
 They are as branches of the Tree of State 
 And should grow to it in strong succession 
 Of loyalty's achievements ; they should be 
 So strongly steeped with its pregnant sap 
 That poisoning rains of calamity. 
 Or warring storms that shake the stronger trunk 
 Strike to recoil, and that which does attack 
 Should be likewise attacked. 
 
 Philip. Speak no more, sir! 
 
 What pardon we withheld you have quite lost, 
 Trying to l)lind our actual knowledge. 
 Which will not budge. We speak now in anger. 
 Which has been roused by your condemnation 
 Of those whose honor wears to brighter age; 
 Therefore, your trial ends. Thus, I proclaim 
 Don Luis de Haro your successor ; 
 Gaspar de Guzman, Duke of Simances, 
 Count of Olivares, I, Philip of Spain, 
 Do order you to exile in Toro, 
 Thence to Italy. At dawn to-morrow 
 You will be ready for your long journey. 
 
 [Eccit Olivares, guarded by soldiers. 
 
ACT FOUR 
 
 Scene I 
 
 Interior of a Tavern 
 
 Enter Prince, Quicklifc, Poiccler, and Lapatio. 
 
 Qnicldife. Our stomachs are the columns that support us; 
 
 Let us have goodly venison, Lapatto. 
 
 We'll drink with it a cheerful bowl of wine. 
 Lapatto. Welcome, my friends; I will serve you quickly. 
 
 Drink and make merry to your heart's content. 
 
 [Exit Lapatto. 
 Powder. Is graceful deer that erstwhile browsed knee-deep 
 
 'Mongst forest ferns, now food for royal feast? 
 
 Prince. Oh, you dear bard, you shall eat cold horned 
 
 Is thy paunch ready to accept it? [stag! 
 
 Quicklifc. He who lives longest has the most, — 
 
 We are the jolly comrades of Bacchus, 
 So here's a song: 
 
 SONG 
 QnickHfe. Who would merrier live than I? 
 
 Heigh-ho, tell me, I pray? 
 Love me or my heart will die; 
 Love me not, or tell me why, 
 Be't Michaelmas or May! 
 
 Chorus : 
 My sword shall guard a maiden's glance, 
 When maiden's charm's mine eyes entrance. 
 
 W ho has fewer cares than I, 
 In rose-time and autumn ? 
 Not a world my love shall buy. 
 But thy true heart alone may try, 
 If it be worth that sum ? 
 
 Chorus : 
 Oh, mine is not an injured heart; 
 Cupid ne'er shot his cruel dart. 
 
 Enter Lapatto hearing food and mne 
 
 Prince. Here while we sit at pleasant feast, Powder, 
 
 We will listen wisely to you, begin. 
 
 Poicder. This is the story of Brozzario. 
 
 Qnicldife. The wondrous story of Brozzario! 
 
 Poicder. Hills, rocks, ravines, torrents and roaring lions — 
 
 Quicklifc. Halt, Powder! The roaring lions will not do; 
 
 You may, for substitute, say hungry wolves. 
 
KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 25 
 
 If my knowledge does serve me truthfully, 
 There is but one lion in the whole of Spain. 
 And he is liberally stuffed Avith straw. 
 
 Prince. Commence anew; let there be no mistakes. 
 
 Poicder. Hills, rocks, ravines, torrents and hungry wolves ! 
 
 Forked lightnings flash and fearful thunders roar! 
 Between the horns of tempests, spouting clouds 
 Of hell's red fire tear night asunder, 
 The frighted wolves rush down the mountain 
 In rear of brave Brozzario; he holds [sides 
 
 The fortress pass. Dawn comes. The bristling 
 
 foe 
 Climbs to the assault o'er steep jagged rocks; 
 The wolves of hell snarl at his iron-shod heels. 
 "Back!" shouts Brozzario to his enemies.: 
 '•'A tliousand of thy slain shall hurl thee back, 
 To feed the vultures!" With this Fernandez, 
 Advancing chieftain of his brigand band, 
 Thrice circling his sword above his head. 
 Attacks Brozzario. Hark! how his sword 
 Breaks on Brozzario's shield to pieces — 
 
 [Poirder seizes the tico swords of Prince and 
 Quicklife, and acting the fury of Brozzario, 
 liilcks one of the wooden henches. 
 Prince. Hold, Powder! Thou art spoiling the king's 
 
 sword ! 
 Powder. Swords clash! lightnings fall! thunders crack! 
 
 Brozzario lights! chops! beats! kills his foes! 
 
 Quicklife. Stop, mad poet ! Will you give me my sword ? 
 
 [Poivder lunges and pricks Prince and Quick- 
 life and drives them from the tavern. 
 Poivder. Out! out you vile rascals, run for your lives! 
 
 Now I am the master of these servants, 
 Who for too long a time have mastered me : 
 This trophy of a bloodless fight I'll wear. 
 To let him know who dares encounter me 
 In brawls or arguments that I will make 
 ~SIy sword go further with a bloody wound. 
 Come forth, Lapatto, from your hiding place! 
 
 Re-enter Lapatto 
 You are presented with a soldier's gift, 
 To use right well against your enemies; 
 Lift high your sAVord Avith mine and shout with 
 me: 
 Powder "Long live the king! Hurrah for victory!" 
 
 Lapatto. "Long live the king! Hurrah for victory!" 
 
 [Exeunt. 
 
26 KING PHILIP IV. 
 
 SCENE II 
 
 Before the Gates of the Palace 
 
 Soldiers in background icaiting to convey OUvares into exile 
 
 Enter OUvares. 
 
 OUvares. How like a glorious sun Spain's grandeur shines 
 
 Upon the distant shores of all the world. 
 While the foundation of her kingdom stands 
 A mountainous rock of gold, surrounded by 
 A jewel-freighted sea. Spain, thou art yet 
 The seat of mighty kings, whose mounting 
 
 spirits 
 Ride on the wings of victory to discover 
 New lands to conquer ; whose challenges to war, 
 Blowing from Fame's loud trumpet with lier 
 
 breath 
 Like threatening storms which blacken summer 
 Weaken the valor and hostile defiance [skies. 
 Of watchful enemies. Tliy throne shines on 
 The breeding hives of warriors, whose arms 
 Vanquish the war-ribbed world by land and sea 
 In bravest battles. Here, as I kneel 
 To kiss my love to thee upon my sword. 
 And pay thee homage from my grieving heart. 
 Dear homeland of sweet-breathing vineyards, 
 Fair gardens inlaid with glittering palaces 
 And treasured castles! from thee, dear Spain, 
 I take a handful of my native earth 
 Which shall pluck misery from my banished 
 
 years, 
 As death robs life of terror. These sharp-edged 
 So small, yet cruel, shall be my trowels, [flints, 
 This virgin dust my loam, my hands the masons 
 Which shall build walls of darkness round my 
 
 eyes. 
 Blinding me to Italy's l)eauty, but restoring 
 To my lost eyesight when in exile 
 The matchless beauty of my lovely Spain, 
 And more beloved. Yonder the morning light 
 Heralds the sun climbing the eastern sky, 
 And floods with crimson gold the palace windows 
 Where Philip sleeps at ease beneath his crown. 
 Now my extenuated hour expires — 
 Come, soldiers, come, and do your duty. 
 
 (Soldiers tale him. 
 God forgive you, soldiers! 1 forgive you. 
 Farewell, my king; farewell, farewell, dear Spain! 
 The end. 
 
27 
 
 LYCIDAS AND FELICIA 
 
 Lovid rang the chimes one summer's morn, 
 
 Across the burnished, flaming gold 
 Of gossamer, furze, and wild hawthorn; 
 
 Across the valley, lea and wold — 
 To wealth and beauty, grace and pride. 
 
 To noble, w^arrior-knight, and churl; 
 To Lycidas and his fair bride, 
 
 Felicia, daughter of an earl, 
 
 Thrice-happy rang the wedding bells. 
 
 In gardens fair the summer flow'rs 
 Dropped honey from their fragrant wells 
 
 On bordered paths in golden hours; 
 The blossoms floated down the brook. 
 
 The rivulet sang in the dell, 
 The lily's triple shadow shook, 
 
 The Vipe fruit in the orchard fell. 
 
 A band of gold enringed her head, 
 
 Her bridal robes hung snowy white, 
 On her bosom slept a moss-rose red, 
 
 In her large eyes shone love's pure light. 
 The lark, soaring heaven Avard, spilled 
 
 In silver chimes his sweetest song, 
 The ringing, falling echoes filled 
 
 Purple woodland and valley long; 
 
 Fern-deep forest and mossy dell. 
 
 Herb-scented copse and leafy glen. 
 Where radiant streaming sunbeams fell 
 
 Upon the golden-crested wren; 
 \Yhere roaming deer could slake their thirst 
 
 At brooks half hid in silvery gloom; 
 'Twas there the light of Summer burst 
 
 ^^'ith rose-buds into perfect bloom. 
 
 Proudly the silver trumpets blew 
 
 From parapets and castle halls ; 
 The rich silk-shining banners flew 
 
 Their colors from the castle walls; 
 Through glittering lances pennant-hung, 
 
 Through one long chain of armor'd light, 
 Through one long lane of henchmen strong 
 
 Rode Lycidas with sword sun-bright. 
 
28 LYCIDAS AND FELICIA 
 
 On his great battle-horse, proud inaiied, 
 
 Black as the raven's wing; head plumed, 
 Golden-stirruped, Arabian blood A'eined, 
 
 Arch-necked, breast mail illumined ; 
 On her white steed with flowing hair, 
 
 White-robed Felicia, angel-browed, 
 Sat like a goddess strangelv fair. 
 
 A crown'd queen riding through a crowd. 
 
 Crusader of the Holy Land 
 
 Was Lycidas; for God's good truth 
 Rose armed knights at his command, 
 
 Defenders of the Christian faith; 
 Ui)on his gleaming helmet shone 
 
 Her crown of gold ; his strong, fierce face 
 Was set to win and make him known, 
 
 A Saxon chieftain of his race. 
 
 Oh, nobly to the castle rode 
 
 The gallant bridegroom, happy bride; 
 Oh. fair-set in the sunlight glowed 
 
 The ancient castle tall and wide; 
 One flashing trumpet's silver sound ' 
 
 Rolled clear and far as twilight fell — 
 Rolled from a silver throat, and found 
 
 An answer in one evening bell. 
 
 The crimson fire of sunset wore 
 
 To golden gleam of molten light, 
 As peaks of darkness towered o'er 
 
 The refluent moon-hung dawn of night ; 
 Till, hazed in twilight's amber glow 
 
 And cloudy-veiled with fiery spray. 
 Flickered in one long flaming row, 
 
 The gold-burnt ashes of the day. 
 
 Truth ever folds in his strong arms 
 
 Love's sister. Grief; bestowing rest, 
 Revealing peace, but more, he warms 
 
 With softened glow the haunted breast ; 
 UnAvatched, his gliding footsteps trace 
 
 A pathway through the darkest night ; 
 A shadow falls across a face — 
 
 The darkness of the night is light! 
 
LYCIDAS AND FELICIA 39 
 
 Throughout the fragraut siunmer nights 
 
 The nightingale sang out her song ; 
 The thin moon gilded mountain heights, 
 
 The abbey-tower, the castle strong ; 
 Where paced Felicia, fair to see, 
 
 But, moving to a higher pride, 
 \Yrung her white hands in agony. 
 
 \Yith pensive-stricken face she cried: 
 
 "What curse has fallen upon me, 
 
 That I remain a childless wife? 
 motherhood ! beholding thee, 
 
 I see in thee the good of life; 
 The light of joy, the soul's reward, 
 
 The breath of virtue, patient fear — 
 Though on thy good lips die unheard 
 
 The saddest W(U-ds that none shall hear, 
 
 Sometimes dim forms of those she knew. 
 
 Sometimes dark pictures vast and deep. 
 Painted by Death, leapt into view, 
 
 Or startled her in fretful sleep ; 
 Once, dreaming that her absent lord 
 
 Upon the battlefield la}' dead, 
 Felicia in a vision heard 
 
 A A^oice she knew not, and which said: 
 
 "Steal forth into the shrouded night; 
 
 Search for a mother at whose breast 
 Sucks a sweet babe ; make her eyes bright 
 
 With gifts of gold, and presents prest 
 In her warm palm ; calm her wild fears ; 
 
 Persuasion's angel thou mayst be 
 To stay her anguish and her tears. 
 
 Her wretched shame and poverty. 
 
 ''Heaven's law hath sealed thy childless womb, 
 
 But a brave heir the babe shall prove. 
 To bow in vigil at thy tomb, 
 
 To cherish and obey thy love; 
 Yet from thy Lord Lycidas keep 
 
 The secret locked within thy breast ; 
 Lest he be wrathful, lest thou weep 
 
 In nights of sorrow shorn of rest." 
 
30 LYCIDAS AND FELICIA 
 
 A tremblino- fioure clothed in black, 
 
 Treading a path of pale moonlight 
 Along a darksome forest track, 
 
 Knocked at a peasant's hut one night. 
 A voice of sweetness touch'd with love 
 
 Spoke through a richly-woven veil ; 
 A mother's prayer reached heav'n above, 
 
 A mother's sob, an infant's wail. 
 
 Then spake Felicia once again: 
 
 "Sweet soul, for thy sake and for mine. 
 My bosom carries half thy pain. 
 
 Thou spar'st one child from all of thine." 
 Forever, as the morning gray 
 
 Stole o'er the forest breathing sweet, 
 Forever passed a night away 
 
 That nevermore with time would meet. 
 
 Three years had lapsed since Lycidas 
 
 Embarked for Holy Palestine, 
 Now he returned victorious, 
 
 With kindled features half -divine. 
 In wild joy clashed the abbey-bells. 
 
 On castle-walls, on mountain-spires. 
 On rugged peaks, on pine-crowned hills. 
 
 The bright day died in golden fires. 
 
 The vapors of the dying day, 
 
 Ladened with perfume, lingered when 
 The W'oodland songs had passed away. 
 
 When life was hushed in sleep again: 
 Broad shadows from the red dusk ran 
 
 Athwart the slopes of fading light, 
 And bright stars, rising one by one. 
 
 Sang in the darkened fields' of ni^ht. 
 
 Fair grew the boy in nature's sun. 
 
 With golden ringlets, eyes as blue 
 As full-blown violets in June, 
 
 With heart and soul commingling true. 
 Some presence shap'd his life for good. 
 
 Some tidal happiness his sky ; 
 Each winter l)uilt him sturdy blood. 
 
 Each summer lit his face with joy. 
 
LYCIDAS AND FELICIA 31 
 
 He looked in the blue vault of heaven 
 
 Through dreaming larch and cypress wood, 
 He heard the hunter's shrill blast given 
 
 To let in streams the stag's hot blood; 
 Holding aloof from fame, he heard 
 
 His father's valiant praise of war, 
 Rushing waters where sedges stirred, 
 
 Tlie calm's low sound, the tempest's roar. 
 
 He did not know through changing years 
 
 Tlie thought invisible that grew, 
 The two-fold love through secret tears. 
 
 The care that from his nature drew 
 The thorns that wake to prick the blood, 
 
 The guilt of vice, the unlearned mind, 
 The ear that feeds on slander's food, 
 
 The clownish spirit of his kind. 
 
 CLEOPATRA'S DREAM 
 
 Far in his flight, the vulture, with spread wings, 
 Between the distant pyramids tracks the night; 
 
 Beyond them turns again, wiien failure swings, 
 Unnoted 'neath the long sky's golden height. 
 
 And far from its black evil, as they run 
 Toward the silver river's banks of green — 
 
 Girt with the forest leopard's spots of sun — 
 Proclaim the royal heralds Egypt's queen. 
 
 Music of harps from temples softly steals 
 
 Round shimmering mists that incensed torches bear; 
 The cushion'd camel in the desert kneels. 
 
 Blowing the hot sand to the evening air; 
 
 The moon shines on his bridle's ivory shells. 
 
 The slaves under the palm-trees watch and wait; 
 Egypt's God of Love in the sweet night dw^ells, 
 
 While sleeps the Egyptian God of Hate. 
 
32 CLEOPATRA'S DREAM 
 
 On the bright river iioat tlie shore's loose weeds, 
 The curv'd reeds' sliadows widen in the waves, 
 
 Tlie heron's nest rocks on the nodding reeds, 
 While Cleopatra in the cool Nile bathes, 
 
 Cleansing her eyes in Nature's pool of joy. 
 And stirs the water's silence when she moves ; 
 
 Before her minstrels their sweet art employ 
 
 To play on shepherds' pipes the songs she loves. 
 
 Stopped by her shadows, in the dusk of each, 
 
 The same face peers through them a moment's while; 
 
 She grasps the rushes' darkness within reach 
 That banks the stream of moonlight on the Nile. 
 
 In Night's dark robe, her pleading shoulders hide 
 The pale fear of their fronts that miss the shore; 
 
 Her lifted lips of beauty bid the wide 
 
 Sky's downcast orb of light be clouded o'er; 
 
 Which o'er the flowing Nile, the sunless sand. 
 The sandal'd feet, the bells of opening sound. 
 
 Throws down its heatless rays on Eg;s'pt's land. 
 The imitate of day that lights the ground. 
 
 \Miich lovely makes the music of tlie night. 
 
 The breaking echoes, the swift herald's fame; 
 
 The desert's entrance welcome to the sight; 
 
 Which lovely makes the praise fast following blame. 
 
 Over the desert's halting places falls 
 
 The palm-trees' shade, bringing no running brooks : 
 On the stone steps within her palace walls 
 
 Egypt's Queen into her oldest slave's eyes looks! 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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