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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/17944-8.txt b/17944-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bee18be --- /dev/null +++ b/17944-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2819 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The House of Rimmon, by Henry Van Dyke + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The House of Rimmon + A Drama in Four Acts + + +Author: Henry Van Dyke + + + +Release Date: March 8, 2006 [eBook #17944] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE OF RIMMON*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 17944-h.htm or 17944-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/9/4/17944/17944-h/17944-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/9/4/17944/17944-h.zip) + + + + + +THE HOUSE OF RIMMON + +A Drama in Four Acts + +by + +HENRY VAN DYKE + + + + + + + +[Frontispiece: "Behold the sacrifice! Bow down, bow down!"] + + + + +New York +Charles Scribner's Sons +1908 +Copyright, 1908, by +Henry Van Dyke +All rights reserved +Published in October + + + + +THE HOUSE OF RIMMON + + + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + BENHADAD: King of Damascus. + + REZON: High Priest of the House of Rimmon. + + SABALLIDIN: A Noble of Damascus. + + HAZAEL ) + IZDUBHAR ) Courtiers of Damascus. + RAKHAZ ) + + SHUMAKIM: The King's Fool. + + ELISHA: Prophet of Israel. + + NAAMAN: Captain of the Armies of Damascus. + + RUAHMAH: A Captive Maid of Israel. + + TSARPI: Wife to Naaman. + + KHAMMA ) + NUBTA ) Attendants of Tsarpi. + + Soldiers, Servants, Citizens, etc., etc. + +SCENE: _Damascus and the Mountains of Samaria._ + +TIME: _850 B. C._ + + + + +ACT I + +SCENE I + +_Night, in the garden of NAAMAN at Damascus. At the left, on a +slightly raised terrace, the palace, with softly gleaming lights and +music coming from the open latticed windows. The garden is full of +oleanders, roses, pomegranates, abundance of crimson flowers; the air +is heavy with their fragrance: a fountain at the right is plashing +gently: behind it is an arbour covered with vines. Near the centre of +the garden stands a small, hideous image of the god Rimmon. Back of +the arbour rises the lofty square tower of the House of Rimmon, which +casts a shadow from the moon across the garden. The background is a +wide, hilly landscape, with a high road passing over the mountains +toward the snow-clad summits of Mount Hermon in the distance. Enter by +the palace door, the lady TSARPI, robed in red and gold, and followed +by her maids, KHAMMA and NUBTA. She remains on the terrace: they go +down into the garden, looking about, and returning to her._ + +KHAMMA: + There's no one here; the garden is asleep. + +NUBTA: + The flowers are nodding, all the birds abed, + And nothing wakes except the watchful stars! + +KHAMMA: + The stars are sentinels discreet and mute: + How many things they know and never tell! + +TSARPI: [_Impatiently._] + Unlike the stars, how many things you tell + And do not know! When comes your master home? + +NUBTA: + Lady, his armour-bearer brought us word + An hour ago, the master will be here + At moonset, not before. + +TSARPI: + He haunts the camp + And leaves me much alone; yet I can pass + The time of absence not unhappily, + If I but know the time of his return. + An hour of moonlight yet! Khamma, my mirror! + These curls are ill arranged, this veil too low,-- + So,--that is better, careless maids! Withdraw,-- + But warn me if your master should appear. + +KHAMMA: + Mistress, have no concern; for when we hear + The clatter of his horse along the street, + We'll run this way and lead your dancers down + With song and laughter,--you shall know in time. + +[_Exeunt KHAMMA and NUBTA, laughing. TSARPI descends the steps._] + +TSARPI: + My guest is late; but he will surely come! + Hunger and thirst will bring him to my feet. + The man who burns to drain the cup of love,-- + The priest whose greed of glory never fails,-- + Both, both have need of me, and he will come. + And I,--what do I need? Why everything + That helps my beauty to a higher throne; + All that a priest can promise, all a man + Can give, and all a god bestow, I need: + This may a woman win, and this will I. + +[_Enter REZON quietly from the shadow of the trees. He stands behind +TSARPI and listens, smiling, to her last words. Then he drops his +mantle of leopard-skin, and lifts his high-priest's rod of bronze, +shaped at one end like a star, at the other like a thunderbolt._] + +REZON: + Tsarpi! + +TSARPI: + The mistress of the house of Naaman + Salutes the keeper of the House of Rimmon. + +[_She bows low before him._] + +REZON: + Rimmon receives you with his star of peace; + +[_He lowers the star-point of the rod, which glows for a moment with +rosy light above her head._] + + And I, his chosen minister, kneel down + Before your regal beauty, and implore + The welcome of the woman for the man. + +TSARPI: [_Giving him her hand, but holding off his embrace._] + Thus Tsarpi welcomes Rezon! Nay, no more! + Till I have heard what errand brings you here + By night, within the garden of the man + Who hates you most and fears you least in all Damascus. + +REZON: [_Rising, and speaking angrily._] + Trust me, I repay his scorn + With double hatred,--Naaman, the man + Whom the King honours and the people love, + Who stands against the nobles and the priests, + Against the oracles of Rimmon's House, + And cries, "We'll fight to keep Damascus free!" + This powerful fool, this impious devotee + Of liberty, who loves the city more + Than he reveres the city's ancient god: + This frigid husband who sets you below + His dream of duty to a horde of slaves: + This man I hate, and I will humble him. + +TSARPI: + I think I hate him too. He stands apart + From me, ev'n while he holds me in his arms, + By something that I cannot understand, + Nor supple to my will, nor melt with tears, + Nor quite dissolve with blandishments, although + He swears he loves his wife next to his honour! + Next? That's too low! I will be first or nothing. + +REZON: + With me you are the first, the absolute! + When you and I have triumphed you shall reign; + And you and I will bring this hero down. + +TSARPI: + But how? For he is strong. + +REZON: + By these, the eyes + Of Tsarpi; and by this, the rod of Rimmon. + +TSARPI: + Speak clearly; tell your plan. + +REZON: + You know the host + Of the Assyrian king has broken forth + Again to conquer us. Envoys have come + From Shalmaneser to demand surrender. + Our king Benhadad wavers, for he knows + His weakness. All the nobles, all the rich, + Would purchase peace that they may grow more rich: + Only the people and the soldiers, led + By Naaman, would fight for liberty. + Blind fools! To-day the envoys came to pay + Their worship to our god, whom they adore + In Nineveh as Asshur's brother-god. + They talked with me in secret. Promises, + Great promises! For every noble house + That urges peace, a noble recompense: + The king, submissive, kept in royal state + And splendour: most of all, honour and wealth + Shall crown the House of Rimmon, and his priest,-- + Yea, and his priestess. For we two will rise + Upon the city's fall. The common folk + Shall suffer; Naaman shall sink with them + In wreck; but I shall rise, and you shall rise + Above me! You shall climb, through incense-smoke, + And days of pomp, and nights of revelry, + Glorious rites and ecstasies of love, + Unto the topmost room in Rimmon's tower, + The secret, lofty room, the couch of bliss, + And the divine embraces of the god. + +TSARPI: [_Throwing out her arms in exultation._] + All, all I wish! What must I do for this? + +REZON: + Turn Naaman away from thoughts of war; + Or purchase him with love's delights to yield + This point,--I care not how,--and afterwards + The future shall be ours. + +TSARPI: + And if I fail? + +REZON: + I have another shaft. The last appeal, + Before the king decides, is to the oracle + Of Rimmon. You shall read the signs! + A former priestess of his temple, you + Shall be the interpreter of heaven, and speak + A word to melt this brazen soldier's heart + Within his breast. + +TSARPI: + But if it flame instead? + +REZON: + I know the way to quench that flame. The cup, + The parting cup your hand shall give to him! + What if the curse of Rimmon should infect + That wine with sacred venom, secretly + To work within his veins, week after week + Corrupting all the currents of his blood, + Dimming his eyes, wasting his flesh? What then? + Would he prevail in war? Would he come back + To glory, or to shame? What think you? + +TSARPI: + I? + I do not think; I only do my part. + But can the gods bless this? + +REZON: + The gods can bless + Whatever they decree; their will makes right; + And this is for the glory of the house + Of Rimmon,--and for thee, my queen. Come, come! + The night grows dark: we'll perfect our alliance. + +[_REZON draws her with him, embracing her, through the shadows of the +garden. RUAHMAH, who has been sleeping in the arbour, has been +awakened during the dialogue, and has been dimly visible in her white +dress, behind the vines. She parts them and comes out, pushing back +her long, dark hair from her temples._] + +RUAHMAH: + What have I heard? O God, what shame is this + Plotted beneath Thy pure and silent stars! + Was it for this that I was brought away + Captive from Israel's blessed hills to serve + A heathen mistress in a land of lies? + Ah, treacherous, shameful priest! Ah, shameless wife + Of one too noble to suspect thy guilt! + The very greatness of his generous heart + Betrays him to their hands. What can I do? + Nothing,--a slave,--hated and mocked by all + My fellow-slaves! O bitter prison-life! + I smother in this black, betraying air + Of lust and luxury; I faint beneath + The shadow of this House of Rimmon. God + Have mercy! Lead me out to Israel. + To Israel! + +[_Music and laughter heard within the palace. The doors fly open and a +flood of men and women, dancers, players, flushed with wine, +dishevelled, pour down the steps, KHAMMA and NUBTA with them. They +crown the image with roses and dance around it. RUAHMAH is discovered +crouching beside the arbour. They drag her out before the image._] + +NUBTA: + Look! Here's the Hebrew maid,-- + She's homesick; let us comfort her! + +KHAMMA: [_They put their arms around her._] + Yes, dancing is the cure for homesickness. + We'll make her dance. + +RUAHMAH: [She slips away.] + I pray you, let me go! + I cannot dance, I do not know your measures. + +KHAMMA: + Then sing for us,--a song of Israel! + +RUAHMAH: + How can I sing the songs of Israel + In this strange country? O my heart would break + With grief in every note of that dear music. + +A SERVANT: + A stubborn and unfriendly maid! We'll whip her. + +[_They circle around her, striking her with rose-branches; she sinks to +her knees, covering her face with her bare arms, which bleed._] + +NUBTA: + Look, look! She kneels to Rimmon, she is tamed. + +RUAHMAH: [_Springing up and lifting her arms._] + Nay, not to this dumb idol, but to Him + Who made Orion and the seven stars! + +ALL: + She raves,--she mocks at Rimmon! Punish her! + The fountain! Wash her blasphemy away! + +[_They push her toward the fountain, laughing and shouting. In the +open door of the palace NAAMAN appears, dressed in blue and silver, +bareheaded and unarmed. He comes to the top of the steps and stands +for a moment, astonished and angry._] + +NAAMAN: + Silence! What drunken rout is this? Begone, + Ye barking dogs and mewing cats! Out, all! + Poor child, what have they done to thee? + +[_Exeunt all except RUAHMAH, who stands with her face covered by her +hands. NAAMAN comes to her, laying his hand on her shoulder._] + +RUAHMAH: [_Looking up in his face._] + Nothing, + My lord and master! They have harmed me not. + +NAAMAN: [_Touching her arm._] + Dost call this nothing? + +RUAHMAH: + Since my lord is come. + +NAAMAN: + I do not know thy face,--who art thou, child? + +RUAHMAH: + The handmaid of thy wife. These three years past + I have attended her. + +NAAMAN: + Whence comest thou? + Thy voice is like thy mistress, but thy looks + Have something foreign. Tell thy name, thy land. + +RUAHMAH: + Ruahmah is my name, a captive maid, + The daughter of a prince in Israel,-- + Where once, in olden days, I saw my lord + Ride through our highlands, when Samaria + Was allied with Damascus to defeat + Asshur, our common foe. + +NAAMAN: + O glorious days, + Crowded with life! And thou rememberest them? + +RUAHMAH: + As clear as yesterday! Master, I saw + Thee riding on a snow-white horse beside + Our king; and all we joyful little maids + Strewed boughs of palm along the victors' way; + For you had driven out the enemy, + Broken; and both our lands were friends and free. + +NAAMAN: [_Sadly._] + Well, they are past, those noble days! The friends + That fought for freedom stand apart, rivals + For Asshur's favour, like two jealous dogs + That snarl and bite each other, while they wait + The master's whip, enforcing peace. The days + When nations would imperil all to keep + Their liberties, are only memories now. + The common cause is lost,--and thou art brought, + The captive of some mercenary raid, + Some profitable, honourless foray, + To serve within my house. Dost thou fare well? + +RUAHMAH: + Master, thou seest. + +NAAMAN: + Yes, I see! My child, + Why do they hate thee so? + +RUAHMAH: + I do not know, + Unless because I will not bow to Rimmon. + +NAAMAN: + Thou needest not. I fear he is a god + Who pities not his people, will not save. + My heart is sick with doubt of him. But thou + Shalt hold thy faith,--I care not what it is,-- + Worship thy god; but keep thy spirit free. + Here, take this chain and wear it with my seal, + None shall molest the maid who carries this. + Thou hast found favour in thy master's eyes; + Hast thou no other gift to ask of me? + +RUAHMAH: [_Earnestly._] + My lord, I do entreat thee not to go + To-morrow to the council. Seek the King + And speak with him in secret; but avoid + The audience-hall. + +NAAMAN; + Why, what is this? Thy wits + Are wandering. Why dost thou ask this thing + Impossible! My honour is engaged + To speak for war, to lead in war against + The Assyrian Bull and save Damascus. + +RUAHMAH: [_With confused earnestness._] + Then, lord, if thou must go, I pray thee speak,-- + I know not how,--but so that all must hear. + With magic of unanswerable words + Persuade thy foes. Yet watch,--beware,-- + +NAAMAN: + Of what? + +RUAHMAH: [_Turning aside._] + I am entangled in my speech,--no light,-- + How shall I tell him? He will not believe. + O my dear lord, thine enemies are they + Of thine own house. I pray thee to beware,-- + Beware,--of Rimmon! + +NAAMAN: + Child, thy words are wild; + Thy troubles have bewildered all thy brain. + Go, now, and fret no more; but sleep, and dream + Of Israel! For thou shall see thy home + Among the hills again. + +RUAHMAH: + Master, good-night, + And may thy slumber be as sweet and deep + As if thou camped at snowy Hermon's foot, + Amid the music of his waterfalls + And watched by winged sentries of the sky. + There friendly oak-trees bend their boughs above + The weary head, pillowed on earth's kind breast, + And unpolluted breezes lightly breathe + A song of sleep among the murmuring leaves. + There the big stars draw nearer, and the sun + Looks forth serene, undimmed by city's mirk + Or smoke of idol-temples, to behold + The waking wonder of the wide-spread world, + And life renews itself with every morn + In purest joy of living. May the Lord + Deliver thee, dear master, from the nets + Laid for thy feet, and lead thee out, along + The open path, beneath the open sky! + Thou shall be followed always by the heart + Of one poor captive maid who prays for thee. + +[_Exit RUAHMAH: NAAMAN stands looking after her._] + + + + +SCENE II. + +TIME: _The following morning._ + +_The audience-hall in BENHADAD'S palace. The sides of the hall are +lined with lofty columns: the back opens toward the city, with +descending steps: the House of Rimmon with its high tower is seen in +the background. The throne is at the right in front: opposite is the +royal door of entrance, guarded by four tall sentinels. Enter at the +rear between the columns, RAKHAZ, SABALLIDIN, HAZAEL, IZDUBHAR._ + +IZDUBHAR: [_An excited old man._] + The city is all in a turmoil. It boils like a pot of lentils. The + people are foaming and bubbling round and round like beans in the + pottage. + +HAZAEL: [_A lean, crafty man._] + Fear is a hot fire. + +RAKHAZ: [_A fat, pompous man._] + Well may they fear, for the Assyrians are not three days distant. + They are blazing along like a waterspout to chop Damascus down like + a pitcher of spilt milk. + +SABALLIDIN: [_Young and frank._] + Cannot Naaman drive them back? + +RAKHAZ: [_Puffing and blowing._] + Ho! Naaman? Where have you been living? Naaman is a broken reed + whose claws have been cut. Build no hopes on that foundation, for + it will upset in the midst of the sea and leave you hanging in the air. + +SABALLIDIN: + He clatters like a windmill. What would he say, Hazael? + +HAZAEL: + Naaman can do nothing without the command of the King; and the King + fears to order the army to march without the approval of the gods. + The High Priest is against it. The House of Rimmon is for peace with + Asshur. + +RAKHAZ: + Yes, and all the nobles are for peace. We are the men whose wisdom + lights the rudder that upholds the chariot of state. Would we be + rich if we were not wise? Do we not know better than the rabble what + medicine will silence this fire that threatens to drown us? + +IZDUBHAR: + But if the Assyrians come, we shall all perish; they will despoil + us all. + +HAZAEL: + Not us, my lord, only the common people. The envoys have offered + favourable terms to the priests, and the nobles, and the King. No + palace, no temple, shall be plundered. Only the shops, and the + markets, and the houses of the multitude shall be given up to the + Bull. He will eat his supper from the pot of lentils, not from + our golden plate. + +RAKHAZ: + Yes, and all who speak for peace in the council shall be enriched; + our heads shall be crowned with seats of honour in the processions + of the Assyrian king. He needs wise counsellors to help him guide + the ship of empire onto the solid rock of prosperity. You must be + with us, my lords Izdubhar and Saballidin, and let the stars of + your wisdom roar loudly for peace. + +IZDUBHAR: + He talks like a tablet read upside down,--a wild ass braying in the + wilderness. Yet there is policy in his words. + +SABALLIDIN: + I know not. Can a kingdom live without a people or an army? If we + let the Bull in to sup on the lentils, will he not make his breakfast + in our vineyards? + +[_Enter other courtiers, following SHUMAKIM, a crooked little jester, +in blue, green and red, a wreath of poppies around his neck and a +flagon in his hand. He walks unsteadily, and stutters in his speech._] + +HAZAEL: + Here is Shumakim, the King's fool, with his legs full of last night's + wine. + +SHUMAKIM: [_Balancing himself in front of them and chuckling._] + Wrong, my lords, very wrong! This is not last night's wine, but a + draught the King's physician gave me this morning for a cure. It + sobers me amazingly! I know you all, my lords: any fool would know + you. You, master, are a statesman; and you are a politician; and + you are a patriot. + +RAKHAZ: + Am I a statesman? I felt something of the kind about me. But what + is a statesman? + +SHUMAKIM: + A politician that is stuffed with big words; a fat man in a mask; + one that plays a solemn tune on a sackbut full o' wind. + +HAZAEL: + And what is a politician? + +SHUMAKIM: + A statesman that has dropped his mask and cracked his sackbut. Men + trust him for what he is, and he never deceives them, because he + always lies. + +IZDUBHAR: + Why do you call me a patriot? + +SHUMAKIM: + Because you know what is good for you; you love your country as you + love your pelf. You feel for the common people,--as the wolf feels + for the sheep. + +SABALLIDIN: + And what am I? + +SHUMAKIM: + A fool, master, just a plain fool; and there is hope of thee for that + reason. Embrace me, brother, and taste this; but not too much,--it + will intoxicate thee with sobriety. + +[_The hall has been slowly filling with courtiers and soldiers: a crowd +of people begin to come up the steps at the rear, where they are halted +by a chain guarded by servants of the palace. A bell tolls; the royal +door is thrown open; the aged King crosses the hall slowly and takes +his seat on the throne with the four tall sentinels standing behind +him. All bow down shading their eyes with their hands._] + +BENHADAD: + The hour of royal audience is come. + I'll hear the envoys of my brother king, + The Son of Asshur. Are my counsellors + At hand? Where are the priests of Rimmon's House? + +[_Gongs sound. REZON comes in from the rear, followed by a procession +of priests in black and yellow. The courtiers bow; the King rises; +REZON takes his stand on the steps of the throne at the left of the +King._] + +BENHADAD; + Where is my faithful servant Naaman, + The captain of my host? + +[_Trumpets sound from the city. The crowd on the steps divide; the +chain is lowered; NAAMAN enters, followed by six soldiers. He is +dressed in chain-mail, with a silver helmet and a cloak of blue. He +uncovers, and kneels on the steps of the throne at the King's right._] + +NAAMAN: + My lord the King, + The bearer of thy sword is here. + +BENHADAD: [_Giving NAAMAN his hand, and sitting down._] + Welcome, + My strong right arm that never failed me yet! + I am in doubt,--but stay thou close to me + While I decide this cause. Where are the envoys? + Let them appear and give their message. + +[_Enter the Assyrian envoys; one in white and the other in red; both +with the golden Bull's head embroidered oh their robes. They come from +the right, rear, bow slightly before the throne, and take the centre of +the hall._] + +WHITE ENVOY: [_Stepping forward._] + Greeting from Shalmaneser, Asshur's son, + The king who reigns at Nineveh + And takes his tribute from a thousand cities, + Unto Benhadad, monarch in Damascus! + The conquering Bull has come out of the north; + The south has fallen before him, and the west + His feet have trodden; Hamath is laid waste; + He pauses at your gate, invincible,-- + To offer peace. The princes of your court, + The priests of Rimmon's house, and you, the King, + If you pay homage to your overlord, + Shall rest secure, and flourish as our friends. + Assyria sends to you this gilded yoke; + Receive it as the sign of proffered peace. + +[_He lays a yoke on the steps of the throne._] + +BENHADAD: + What of the city? Said your king no word + Of our Damascus, and the many folk + That do inhabit her and make her great? + What of the soldiers who have fought for us? + The people who have sheltered 'neath our shield? + +WHITE ENVOY: + Of these my royal master did not speak. + +BENHADAD: + Strange silence! Must we give them up to him? + Is this the price at which he offers us + The yoke of peace? What if we do refuse? + +RED ENYOY: [_Stepping forward._] + Then ruthless war! War to the uttermost. + No quarter, no compassion, no escape! + The Bull will gore and trample in his fury + Nobles and priests and king,--none shall be spared! + Before the throne we lay our second gift; + This bloody horn, the symbol of red war. + +[_He lays a long bull's horn, stained with blood on the steps of the +throne._] + +WHITE ENVOY: + Our message is delivered. Grant us leave + And safe conveyance, that we may return + Unto our master. He will wait three days + To know your royal choice between his gifts. + Keep which you will and send the other back; + The red bull's horn your youngest page may bring; + But with the yoke, best send your mightiest army! + +[_The ENVOYS retire, amid confused murmurs of the people, the King +silent, his head sunken on his breast._] + +BENHADAD: + Proud words, a bitter message, hard to endure! + We are not now that force which feared no foe; + Our host is weakened, and our old allies + Have left us. Can we face this raging Bull + Alone, and beat him back? Give me your counsel. + +[_Many speak at once, confusedly._] + + What babblement is this? Were ye born at Babel? + Give me clear words and reasonable speech. + +RAKHAZ: [_Pompously_] + O King, I am a reasonable man; + And there be some who call me very wise + And prudent; but of this I will not speak, + For I am also modest. Let me plead, + Persuade, and reason you to choose for peace. + This golden yoke may be a bitter draught, + But better far to fold it in our arms, + Than risk our cargoes in the savage horn + Of war. Shall we imperil all our wealth, + Our valuable lives? Nobles are few, + Rich men are rare, and wise men rarer still; + The precious jewels on the tree of life, + Wherein the common people are but brides + And clay and rubble. Let the city go, + But save the corner-stones that float the ship! + Have I not spoken well? + +BENBADAD: [_Shaking his head._] + Excellent well! + Most eloquent! But misty in the meaning. + +HAZAEL: [_With cold decision._] + Then let me speak, O King, in plainer words! + The days of independent states are past: + The tide of empire sweeps across the earth; + Assyria rides it with resistless power + And thunders on to subjugate the world. + Oppose her, and we fight with Destiny; + Submit to her demands, and we shall ride + With her to victory. Therefore return + This bloody horn, the symbol of wild war, + With words of soft refusal, and accept + The golden yoke, Assyria's gift of peace. + +NAAMAN: [_Starting forward eagerly._] + There is no peace beneath a conqueror's yoke, + My King, but shame and heaviness of heart! + For every state that barters liberty + To win imperial favour, shall be drained + Of her best blood, henceforth, in endless wars + To make the empire greater. Here's the choice: + We fight to-day to keep our country free, + Or else we fight forevermore to help + Assyria bind the world as we are bound. + I am a soldier, and I know the hell + Of war! But I will gladly ride through hell + To save Damascus. Master, bid me ride! + Ten thousand chariots wait for your command; + And twenty thousand horsemen strain the leash + Of patience till you let them go; a throng + Of spearmen, archers, swordsmen, like the sea + Chafing against a dike, roar for the onset! + O master, let me launch your mighty host + Against the Bull,--we'll bring him to his knees! + +[_Cries of "War!" from the soldiers and the people; "peace!" from the +courtiers and the priests. The King rises, turning toward NAAMAN, and +seems about to speak. REZON lifts his rod._] + +REZON: + Shall not the gods decide when mortals doubt? + Rimmon is master of the city's fate; + He reigns in secret and his will is law; + We read his will, by our most ancient faith, + In omens and in signs of mystery. + Must we not hearken to his high commands? + +BENHADAD: [_Sinking hack on the throne, submissively._] + I am the faithful son of Rimmon's House. + Consult the oracle. But who shall read? + +REZON: + Tsarpi, the wife of Naaman, who served + Within the temple in her maiden years, + Shall be the mouthpiece of the mighty god, + To-day's high-priestess. Bring the sacrifice! + +[_Gongs and cymbals sound: enter priests carrying an altar on which a +lamb is bound. The altar is placed in the centre of the hall. TSARPI +follows the priests, covered with a long transparent veil of black, +sewn with gold stars; RUAHMAH, in white, bears her train. TSARPI +stands before the altar, facing it, and lifts her right hand holding a +knife. RUAHMAH steps back, near the throne, her hands crossed on her +breast, her head bowed. The priests close in around TSARPI and the +altar. The knife is seen to strike downward. Gongs and cymbals sound: +cries of "Rimmon, hear us." The circle of priests opens, and TSARPI +turns slowly to face the King._] + +TSARPI: [_Monotonously._] + _Black is the blood of the victim, + Rimmon is unfavourable, + Asratu is unfavourable; + They will not war against Asshur, + They will make a league with the God of Nineveh. + Evil is in store for Damascus, + A strong enemy will lay waste the land. + Therefore make peace with the Bull; + Hearken to the voice of Rimmon._ + +[_She turns again to the altar, and the priests close in around her. +REZON lifts his rod toward the tower of the temple. A flash of +lightning followed by thunder; smoke rises from the altar; all except +NAAMAN and RUAHMAH cover their faces. The circle of priests opens +again, and TSARPI comes forward slowly, chanting._] + +CHANT: + _Hear the words of Rimmon! Thus your Maker speaketh: + I, the god of thunder, riding on the whirlwind, + I, the god of lightning leaping from the storm-cloud, + I will smite with vengeance him who dares defy me! + He who leads Damascus into war with Asshur, + Conquering or conquered, bears my curse upon him. + Surely shall my arrow strike his heart in secret, + Burn his flesh with fever, turn his blood to poison, + Brand him with corruption, drive him into darkness; + He alone shall perish, by the doom of Rimmon._ + +[_All are terrified and look toward NAAMAN, shuddering. RUAHMAH alone +seems not to heed the curse, but stands with her eyes fixed on NAAMAN._] + +RUAHMAH: + Be not afraid! There is a greater God + Shall cover thee with His almighty wings: + Beneath his shield and buckler shalt thou trust. + +BENHADAD: + Repent, my son, thou must not brave this curse. + +NAAMAN: + My King, there is no curse as terrible + As that which lights a bosom-fire for him + Who gives away his honour, to prolong + A craven life whose every breath is shame! + If I betray the men who follow me, + The city that has put her trust in me, + The country to whose service I am bound, + What king can shield me from my own deep scorn, + What god release me from that self-made hell? + The tender mercies of Assyria + I know; and they are cruel as creeping tigers. + Give up Damascus, and her streets will run + Rivers of innocent blood; the city's heart, + That mighty, labouring heart, wounded and crushed + Beneath the brutal hooves of the wild Bull, + Will cry against her captain, sitting safe + Among the nobles, in some pleasant place. + I shall be safe,--safe from the threatened wrath + Of unknown gods, but damned forever by + The men I know,--that is the curse I fear. + +BENHADAD: + Speak not so high, my son. Must we not bow + Our heads before the sovereignties of heaven? + The unseen rulers are Divine. + +NAAMAN; + O King, + I am unlearned in the lore of priests; + Yet well I know that there are hidden powers + About us, working mortal weal and woe + Beyond the force of mortal to control. + And if these powers appear in love and truth, + I think they must be gods, and worship them. + But if their secret will is manifest + In blind decrees of sheer omnipotence, + That punish where no fault is found, and smite + The poor with undeserved calamity, + And pierce the undefended in the dark + With arrows of injustice, and foredoom + The innocent to burn in endless pain, + I will not call this fierce almightiness + Divine. Though I must bear, with every man, + The burden of my life ordained, I'll keep + My soul unterrified, and tread the path + Of truth and honour with a steady heart! + But if I err in this; and if there be + Divinities whose will is cruel, unjust, + Capricious and supreme, I will forswear + The favour of these gods, and take my part + With man to suffer and for man to die. + Have ye not heard, my lords? The oracle + Proclaims to me, to me alone, the doom + Of vengeance if I lead the army out. + "Conquered or conquering!" I grip that chance! + Damascus free, her foes all beaten back, + The people saved from slavery, the King + Upheld in honour on his ancient throne,-- + O what's the cost of this? I'll gladly pay + Whatever gods there be, whatever price + They ask for this one victory. Give me + This gilded sign of shame to carry back; + I'll shake it in the face of Asshur's king, + And break it on his teeth. + +BENHADAD: [_Rising._] + Then go, my never-beaten captain, go! + And may the powers that hear thy solemn vow + Forgive thy rashness for Damascus' sake, + Prosper thy fighting, and remit thy pledge. + +REZON: [_Standing beside the altar._] + The pledge, O King, this man must seal his pledge + At Rimmon's altar. He must take the cup + Of soldier-sacrament, and bind himself + By thrice-performed libation to abide + The fate he has invoked. + +NAAMAN: [_Slowly._] + And so I will. + +[_He comes down the steps, toward the altar, where REZON is filling the +cup which TSARPI holds. RUAHMAH throws herself before NAAMAN, clasping +his knees._] + +RUAHMAH: [_Passionately and wildly._] + My lord, I do beseech you, stay! There's death + Within that cup. It is an offering + To devils. See, the wine blazes like fire, + It flows like blood, it is a cursed cup, + Fulfilled of treachery and hate. + Dear master, noble master, touch it not! + +NAAMAN: + Poor maid, thy brain is still distraught. Fear not + But let me go! Here, treat her tenderly! + +[_Gives her into the hands of SABALLIDIN._] + + Can harm befall me from the wife who bears + My name? I take the cup of fate from her. + I greet the unknown powers; [_Pours libation._] + I will perform my vow; [_Again._] + I will abide my fate; [_Again._] + I pledge my life to keep Damascus free. + +[_He drains the cup, and lets it fall._] + +_CURTAIN._ + + + + +ACT II + +TIME: _A week later_ + +_The fore-court of the House of Rimmon. At the back the broad steps +and double doors of the shrine: above them the tower of the god, its +summit invisible. Enter various groups of citizens, talking, laughing, +shouting: RAKHAZ, HAZAEL, SHUMAKIM and others._ + +FIRST CITIZEN: + Great news, glorious news, the Assyrians are beaten! + +SECOND CITIZEN: + Naaman is returning, crowned with victory. Glory to our noble + captain! + +THIRD CITIZEN: + No, he is killed. I had it from one of the camp-followers who saw + him fall at the head of the battle. They are bringing his body to + bury it with honour. O sorrowful victory! + +RAKHAZ; + Peace, my good fellows, you are ignorant, you have not been rightly + informed, I will misinform you. The accounts of Naaman's death are + overdrawn. He was killed, but his life has been preserved. One of + his wounds was mortal, but the other three were curable, and by + these the physicians have saved him. + +SHUMAKIM: [_Balancing himself before RAKHAZ in pretended admiration._] + O wonderful! Most admirable logic! One mortal, and three curable, + therefore he must recover as it were, by three to one. Rakhaz, do + you know that you are a marvelous man? + +RAKHAZ: + Yes, I know it, but I make no boast of my knowledge. + +SHUMAKIM: + Too modest, for in knowing this you know what is unknown to any other + in Damascus! + +[_Enter, from the right, SABALLIDIN in armour: from the left, TSARPI +with her attendants, among whom is RUAHMAH._] + +HAZAEL: + Here is Saballidin, we'll question him; + He was enflamed by Naaman's fiery words, + And rode with him to battle. Good, my lord, + We hail you as a herald of the fight + You helped to win. Give us authentic news + Of your great general! Is he safe and well? + When will he come? Or will he come at all? + +[_All gather around him, listening eagerly._] + +SABALLIDIN: + He comes but now, returning from the field + Where he hath gained a crown of deathless fame! + Three times he led the charge; three times he fell + Wounded, and the Assyrians beat us back. + Yet every wound was but a spur to urge + His valour onward. In the last attack + He rode before us as the crested wave + That heads the flood; and lo, our enemies + Were broken like a dam of river-reeds, + Burst by the torrent, scattered, swept away! + But look! the Assyrian king in wavering flight + Is lodged like driftwood on a little hill, + Encircled by his guard, and stands at bay. + Then Naaman, followed hotly by a score + Of whirlwind riders, hammers through the hedge + Of spearmen, brandishing the golden yoke: + "Take back this gift," he cries; and shatters it + On Shalmaneser's helmet. So the fight + Dissolves in universal rout: the king, + His chariots and his horsemen melt away; + Our captain stands the master of the field, + And saviour of Damascus! Now he brings, + First to the king, report of this great triumph. + +[_Shouts of joy and applause._] + +RUAHMAH: [_Coming close to SABALLIDIN,_] + But what of him who won it? Fares he well? + My mistress would receive some word of him. + +SABALLIDIN: + Hath she not heard? + +RUAHMAH: + But one brief message came: + A tablet saying, "We have fought and conquered," + No word of his own person. Fares he well? + +SABALLIDIN: + Alas, most ill! For he is like a man + Consumed by some strange sickness: wasted, wan,-- + His eyes are dimmed so that scarce can see; + His ears are dulled; his fearless face is pale + As one who walks to meet a certain doom + Yet will not flinch. It is most pitiful,-- + But you shall see. + +RUAHMAH: + Yea, we shall see a man + Who took upon himself his country's burden, dared + To hazard all to save the poor and helpless; + A man who bears the wrath of evil powers + Unknown, and pays the hero's sacrifice. + +[_Enter BENHADAD with courtiers._] + +BENHADAD: + Where is my faithful servant Naaman, + The captain of my host? + +SABALLIDIN: + My lord, he comes. + +[_Trumpet sounds. Enter company of soldiers in armour. Then four +soldiers bearing captured standards of Asshur. NAAMAN follows, very +pale, armour dinted and stained; he is blind, and guides himself by +cords from the standards on each side, but walks firmly. The doors of +the temple open slightly, and REZON appears at the top of the steps. +NAAMAN lets the cords fall, and gropes his way for a few paces._] + +NAAMAN: [_Kneeling_] + Where is my King? + Master, the bearer of thy sword returns. + The golden yoke thou gavest me I broke + On him who sent it. Asshur's Bull hath fled + Dehorned. The standards of his host are thine! + Damascus is all thine, at peace, and free! + +BENHADAD: [_Holding out his arms._] + Thou art a mighty man of valour! Come, + And let me fold thy courage to my heart. + +REZON: [_Lifting his rod._] + Forbear, O King! Stand back from him, all men! + By the great name of Rimmon I proclaim + This man a leper! On his brow I see + The death-white seal, the finger-print of doom! + That tiny spot will spread, eating his flesh, + Gnawing his fingers bone from bone, until + The impious heart that dared defy the gods + Dissolves in the slow death which now begins. + Unclean! unclean! Henceforward he is dead: + No human hand shall touch him, and no home + Of men shall give him shelter. He shall walk + Only with corpses of the selfsame death + Down the long path to a forgotten tomb. + Avoid, depart, I do adjure you all, + Leave him to god,--the leper Naaman! + +[_All shrink back horrified. REZON retires into the temple; the crowd +melts away, wailing: TSARPI is among the first to go, followed by her +attendants, except RUAHMAH, who crouches, with her face covered, not +far from NAAMAN._] + +BENHADAD: [_Lingering and turning back._] + Alas, my son! O Naaman, my son! + Why did I let thee go? Thou art cast out + Irrevocably from the city's life + Which thou hast saved. Who can resist the gods? + I must obey the law, and touch thy hand + Never again. Yet none shall take from thee + Thy glorious title, captain of my host! + I will provide for thee, and thou shalt dwell + With guards of honour in a house of mine + Always. Damascus never shall forget + What thou hast done! O miserable words + Of crowned impotence! O mockery of power + Given to kings, who cannot even defend + Their dearest from the secret wrath of heaven! + Naaman, my son, my son! [_Exit._] + +NAAMAN: [_Slowly, passing his hand over his eyes, and looking up._] + Am I alone + With thee, inexorable one, whose pride + Offended takes this horrible revenge? + I must submit my mortal flesh to thee, + Almighty, but I will not call thee god! + Yet thou hast found the way to wound my soul + Most deeply through the flesh; and I must find + The way to let my wounded soul escape! + +[_Drawing his sword._] + + Come, my last friend, thou art more merciful + Than Rimmon. Why should I endure the doom + He sends me? Irretrievably cut off + From all dear intercourse of human love, + From all the tender touch of human hands, + From all brave comradeship with brother-men, + With eyes that see no faces through this dark, + With ears that hear all voices far away, + Why should I cling to misery, and grope + My long, long way from pain to pain, alone? + +RUAHMAH: [_At his feet._] + Nay, not alone, dear lord, for I am here; + And I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee! + +NAAMAN: + What voice is that? The silence of my tomb + Is broken by a ray of music,--whose? + +RUAHMAH: [_Rising._] + The one who loves thee best in all the world. + +NAAMAN: + Why that should be,--O dare I dream it true? + Tsarpi, my wife? Have I misjudged thy heart + As cold and proud? How nobly thou forgivest! + Thou com'st to hold me from the last disgrace,-- + The coward's flight into the dark. Go back + Unstained, my sword! Life is endurable + While there is one alive on earth who loves us, + +RUAHMAH: + My lord,--my lord,--O listen! You have erred,-- + You do mistake me now,--this dream-- + +NAAMAN: + Ah, wake me not! For I can conquer death + Dreaming this dream. Let me at last believe, + Though gods are cruel, a woman can be kind. + Grant me but this! For see,--I ask so little,-- + Only to know that thou art faithful,-- + Only to lean upon the thought that thou, + My wife, art near me, though I touch thee not,-- + O this will hold me up, though it be given + From pity more than love. + +RUAHMAH: [_Trembling, and speaking slowly._] + Not so, my lord! + My pity is a stream; my pride of thee + Is like the sea that doth engulf the stream; + My love for thee is like the sovran moon + That rules the sea. The tides that fill my soul + Flow unto thee and follow after thee; + And where thou goest I will go; and where + Thou diest I will die,--in the same hour. + +[_She lays her hand on his arm. He draws back._] + +NAAMAN: + O touch me not! Thou shall not share my doom. + +RUAHMAH: + Entreat me not to go. I will obey + In all but this; but rob me not of this,-- + The only boon that makes life worth the living,-- + To walk beside thee day by day, and keep + Thy foot from stumbling; to prepare thy food + When thou art hungry, music for thy rest, + And cheerful words to comfort thy black hour; + And so to lead thee ever on, and on, + Through darkness, till we find the door of hope. + +NAAMAN: + What word is that? The leper has no hope. + +RUAHMAH: + Dear lord, the mark upon thy brow is yet + No broader than my little finger-nail. + Thy force is not abated, and thy step + Is firm. Wilt thou surrender to the enemy + Before thy strength is touched? Why, let me put + A drop of courage from my breast in thine. + There is a hope for thee. The captive maid + Of Israel who dwelt within thy house + Knew of a god very compassionate, + Long-suffering, slow to anger, one who heals + The sick, hath pity on the fatherless, + And saves the poor and him who has no helper. + His prophet dwells nigh to Samaria; + And I have heard that he hath brought the dead + To life again. We'll go to him. The King, + If I beseech him, will appoint a guard + Of thine own soldiers and Saballidin, + Thy friend, to convoy us upon our journey. + He'll give us royal letters to the king + Of Israel to make our welcome sure; + And we will take the open road, beneath + The open sky, to-morrow, and go on + Together till we find the door of hope. + Come, come with me! + +[_She grasps his hand._] + +NAAMAN: [_Drawing back._] + Thou must not touch me! + +RUAHMAH: [_Unclasping her girdle and putting the end in hand._] + Take my girdle, then! + +NAAMAN: [_Kissing the clasp of the girdle._] + I do begin to think there is a God, + Since love on earth can work such miracles! + +_CURTAIN._ + + + + +ACT III + +TIME: _A month later: dawn_ + +SCENE I + +_NAAMAN'S tent, on high ground among the mountains near Samaria: the +city below. In the distance, a wide and splendid landscape. +SABALLIDIN and soldiers on guard below the tent. Enter RUAHMAH in +hunter's dress, with a lyre slung from her shoulder._ + +RUAHMAH: + Peace and good health to you, Saballidin. + Good morrow to you all. How fares my lord? + +SABALLIDIN: + The curtains of his tent are folded still: + They have not moved since we returned, last night, + And told him what befell us in the city. + +RUAHMAH: + Told him! Why did you make report to him. + And not to me? Am I not captain here, + Intrusted by the King's command with care + Of Naaman's life, until he is restored? + 'Tis mine to know the first of good or ill + In this adventure: mine to shield his heart + From every arrow of adversity. + What have you told him? Speak! + +SABALLIDIN: + Lady, we feared + To bring our news to you. For when the king + Of Israel had read our monarch's letter, + He rent his clothes, and cried, "Am I a god, + To kill and make alive, that I should heal + A leper? Ye have come with false pretence, + Damascus seeks a quarrel with me. Go!" + But when we told our lord, he closed his tent, + And there remains enfolded in his grief. + I trust he sleeps; 't were kind to let him sleep! + For now he doth forget his misery, + And all the burden of his hopeless woe + Is lifted from him by the gentle hand + Of slumber. Oh, to those bereft of hope + Sleep is the only blessing left,--the last + Asylum of the weary, the one sign + Of pity from impenetrable heaven. + Waking is strife: sleep is the truce of God! + Ah, lady, wake him not. The day will be + Full long for him to suffer, and for us + To turn our disappointed faces home + On the long road by which we must return. + +RUAHMAH: + Return! Who gave you that command? Not I! + The King made me the leader of this quest, + And bound you all to follow me, because + He knew I never would return without + The thing for which he sent us. I'll go on + Day after day, unto the uttermost parts + Of earth, if need be, and beyond the gates + Of morning, till I find that which I seek,-- + New life for Naaman. Are ye ashamed + To have a woman lead you? Then go back + And tell the King, "This huntress went too far + For us to follow; she pursues the trail + Of hope alone, refusing to forsake + The quarry: we grew weary of the chase; + And so we left her and retraced our steps, + Like faithless hounds, to sleep beside the fire." + Did Naaman forsake his soldiers thus + When you went forth to hunt the Assyrian Bull? + Your manly courage is less durable + Than woman's love, it seems. Go, if you will,-- + Who bids me now farewell? + +SOLDIERS: + Not I, not I! + +SABALLIDIN: + Lady, lead on, we'll follow you for ever! + +RUAHMAH: + Why, now you speak like men! Brought you no word + Out of Samaria, except that cry + Of impotence and fear from Israel's king? + +SABALLIDIN: + I do remember while he spoke with us + A rustic messenger came in, and cried + "Elisha saith, let Naaman come to me + At Dothan, he shall surely know there is + A God in Israel." + +RUAHMAH: + What said the King? + +SABALLIDIN: + He only shouted "Go!" more wildly yet, + And rent his clothes again, as if he were + Half-maddened by a coward's fear, and thought + Only of how he might be rid of us. + What comfort could there be for him, what hope + For us, in the rude prophet's misty word? + +RUAHMAH: + It is the very word for which I prayed! + My trust was not in princes; for the crown, + The sceptre, and the purple robe are not + Significant of vital power. The man + Who saves his brother-men is he who lives + His life with Nature, takes deep hold on truth, + And trusts in God. A prophet's word is more + Than all the kings on earth can speak. How far + Is Dothan? + +SOLDIER: + Lady, 'tis but three hours' ride + Along the valley northward. + +RUAHMAH: + Near! so near? + I had not thought to end my task so soon! + Prepare yourselves with speed to take the road. + I will awake my lord. + +[_Exeunt all but SABALLIDIN and RUAHMAH. She goes toward the tent._] + +SABALLIDIN; + Ruahmah, stay! [_She turns back._] + I've been your servant in this doubtful quest, + Obedient, faithful, loyal to your will,-- + What have I earned by this? + +RUAHMAH: + The gratitude + Of him we both desire to serve: your friend,-- + My master and my lord. + +SABALLIDIN: + No more than this? + +RUAHMAH: + Yes, if you will, take all the thanks my hands + Can hold, my lips can speak. + +SABALLIDIN: + I would have more. + +RUAHMAH: + My friend, there's nothing more to give to you, + My service to my lord is absolute. + There's not a drop of blood within my veins + But quickens at the very thought of him; + And not a dream of mine but he doth stand + Within its heart and make it bright. No man + To me is other than his friend or foe. + You are his friend, and I believe you true! + +SABALLIDIN: + I have been true to him,--now, I am true + To you. + +RUAHMAH: + And therefore doubly true to him! + O let us match our loyalties, and strive + Between us who shall win the higher crown! + Men boast them of a friendship stronger far + Than love of woman. Prove it! I'll not boast, + But I'll contend with you on equal terms + In this brave race: and if you win the prize + I'll hold you next to him: and if I win + He'll hold you next to me; and either way + We'll not be far apart. Do you accept + My challenge? + +SABALLIDIN: + Yes! For you enforce my heart + By honour to resign its great desire, + And love itself to offer sacrifice + Of all disloyal dreams on its own altar. + Yet love remains; therefore I pray you, think + How surely you must lose in our contention. + For I am known to Naaman: but you + He blindly takes for Tsarpi. 'Tis to her + He gives his gratitude: the praise you win + Endears her name. + +RUAHMAH: + Her name? Why, what is that? + A name is but an empty shell, a mask + That does not change the features of the face + Beneath it. Can a name rejoice, or weep, + Or hope? Can it be moved by tenderness + To daily services of love, or feel the warmth + Of dear companionship? How many things + We call by names that have no meaning: kings + That cannot rule; and gods that are not good; + And wives that do not love! It matters not + What syllables he utters when he calls, + 'Tis I who come,--'tis I who minister + Unto my lord, and mine the living heart + That feels the comfort of his confidence, + The thrill of gladness when he speaks to me,-- + I do not hear the name! + +SABALLIDIN: + And yet, be sure + There's danger in this error,--and no gain! + +RUAHMAH: + I seek no gain; I only tread the path + Marked for me daily by the hand of love. + And if his blindness spared my lord one pang + Of sorrow in his black, forsaken hour,-- + And if this error makes his burdened heart + More quiet, and his shadowed way less dark, + Whom do I rob? Not her who chose to stay + At ease in Rimmon's House! Surely not him! + Only myself? And that enriches me. + Why trouble we the master? Let it go,-- + To-morrow he must know the truth,--and then + He shall dispose of me e'en as he will! + +SABALLIDIN: + To-morrow? + +RUAHMAH: + Yes, for I will tarry here, + While you conduct him to Elisha's house + To find the promised healing. I forebode + A sudden danger from the craven king + Of Israel, or else a secret ambush + From those who hate us in Damascus. Go, + But leave me twenty men: this mountain-pass + Protects the road behind you. Make my lord + Obey the prophet's word, whatever he commands, + And come again in peace. Farewell! + +[_Exit SABALLIDIN. RUAHMAH goes toward the tent, then pauses and turns +back. She takes her lyre and sings._] + + SONG. + + _Above the edge of dark appear the lances of the sun; + Along the mountain-ridges clear his rosy heralds run; + The vapours down the valley go + Like broken armies, dark and low. + Look up, my heart, from every hill + In folds of rose and daffodil + The sunrise banners flow._ + + _O fly away on silent wing, ye boding owls of night! + O welcome little birds that sing the coming-in of light! + For new, and new, and ever-new, + The golden bud within the blue; + And every morning seems to say: + "There's something happy on the way, + And God sends love to you!"_ + +NAAMAN: [_Appearing at the entrance of his tent._] + O let me ever wake to music! For the soul + Returns most gently then, and finds its way + By the soft, winding clue of melody, + Out of the dusky labyrinth of sleep, + Into the light. My body feels the sun + Though I behold naught that his rays reveal. + Come, thou who art my daydawn and my sight, + Sweet eyes, come close, and make the sunrise mine! + +RUAHMAH: [_Coming near._] + A fairer day, dear lord, was never born + In Paradise! The sapphire cup of heaven + Is filled with golden wine: the earth, adorned + With jewel-drops of dew, unveils her face + A joyful bride, in welcome to her king. + And look! He leaps upon the Eastern hills + All ruddy fire, and claims her with a kiss. + Yonder the snowy peaks of Hermon float + Unmoving as a wind-dropt cloud. The gulf + Of Jordan, filled with violet haze, conceals + The rivers winding trail with wreaths of mist. + Below us, marble-crowned Samaria thrones + Upon her emerald hill amid the Vale + Of Barley, while the plains to northward change + Their colour like the shimmering necks of doves. + The lark springs up, with morning on her wings, + To climb her singing stairway in the blue, + And all the fields are sprinkled with her joy! + +NAAMAN: + Thy voice is magical: thy words are visions! + I must content myself with them, for now + My only hope is lost: Samaria's king + Rejects our monarch's message,--hast thou heard? + "Am I a god that I should cure a leper?" + He sends me home unhealed, with angry words, + Back to Damascus and the lingering death. + +RUAHMAH: + What matter where he sends? No god is he + To slay or make alive. Elisha bids + You come to him at Dothan, there to learn + There is a God in Israel. + +NAAMAN: + I fear + That I am grown mistrustful of all gods; + Their secret counsels are implacable. + +RUAHMAH: + Fear not! There's One who rules in righteousness + High over all. + +NAAMAN: + What knowest thou of Him? + +RUAHMAH: + Oh, I have heard,--the maid of Israel,-- + Rememberest thou? She often said her God + Was merciful and kind, and slow to wrath, + And plenteous in forgiveness, pitying us + Like as a father pitieth his children. + +NAAMAN: + If there were such a God, I'd worship Him + For ever! + +RUAHMAH: + Then make haste to hear the word + His prophet promises to speak to thee! + Obey it, my dear lord, and thou shalt lose + This curse that burdens thee. This tiny spot + Of white that mars the beauty of thy brow + Shall melt like snow; thine eyes be filled with light. + Thou wilt not need my leading any more,-- + Nor me,--for thou wilt see me, all unveiled,-- + I tremble at the thought. + +NAAMAN: + Why, what is this? + Why shouldst thou tremble? Art thou not mine own? + +RUAHMAH: [_Turning to him._] + Surely I am! But take me, take me now! + For I belong to thee in body and soul; + The very pulses of my heart are thine. + Wilt thou not feel how tenderly they beat? + Wilt thou not lie like myrrh between my breasts + And satisfy thy lonely lips with love? + Thou art opprest, and I would comfort thee + While yet thy sorrow weighs upon thy life. + To-morrow? No, to-day! The crown of love + Is sacrifice; I have not given thee + Enough! Ah, fold me in thine arms,--take all! + +[_She takes his hands and puts them around her neck; he holds her from +him, with one hand on her shoulder, the other behind her head._] + +NAAMAN: + Thou art too dear to injure with a kiss,-- + Too dear for me to stain thy purity, + Or leave one touch upon thee to regret! + How should I take a gift may bankrupt thee, + Or drain the fragrant chalice of thy love + With lips that may be fatal? Tempt me not + To sweet dishonour; strengthen me to wait + Until thy prophecy is all fulfilled, + And I can claim thee with a joyful heart. + +RUAHMAH: [_Turning away._] + Thou wilt not need me then,--and I shall be + No more than the faint echo of a song + Heard half asleep. We shall go back to where + We stood before this journey. + +NAAMAN: + Never again! + For thou art changed by some deep miracle. + The flower of womanhood hath bloomed in thee,-- + Art thou not changed? + +RUAHMAH: + Yea, I am changed,--and changed + Again,--bewildered,--till there's nothing clear + To me but this: I am the instrument + In an Almighty hand to rescue thee + From death. This will I do,--and afterward-- + +[_A trumpet is blown, without._] + + Hearken, the trumpet sounds, the chariot waits. + Away, dear lord, follow the road to light! + + + + +SCENE II. [*] + +[*] Note that this scene is not intended to be put upon the stage, the +effect of the action upon the drama being given at the beginning of Act +IV. + + +_The house of Elisha, upon a terraced hillside. A low stone cottage +with vine-trellises and flowers; a flight of steps, at the foot of +which is NAAMAN'S chariot. He is standing in it; SABALLIDIN beside it. +Two soldiers come down the steps._ + +FIRST SOLDIER: + We have delivered my lord's greeting and his message. + +SECOND SOLDIER: + Yes, and near lost our noses in the doing of it! For the servant + slammed the door in our faces. A most unmannerly reception! + +FIRST SOLDIER: + But I take that as a good omen. It is mark of holy men to keep + ill-conditioned servants. Look, the door opens, the prophet is + coming. + +SECOND SOLDIER: + No, by my head, it's that notable mark of his master's holiness, + that same lantern-jawed lout of a servant. + +[_GEHAZI loiters down the steps and comes to NAAMAN with a slight +obeisance._] + +GEHAZI: + My master, the prophet of Israel, sends word to Naaman the + Syrian,--are you he?--"Go wash in Jordan seven times and be healed." + +[_GEHAZI turns and goes slowly up the steps._] + +NAAMAN: + What insolence is this? Am I a man + To be put off with surly messengers? + Has not Damascus rivers more renowned + Than this rude, torrent Jordan? Crystal streams, + Abana! Pharpar! flowing smoothly through + A paradise of roses? Might I not + Have bathed in them and been restored at ease? + Come up, Saballidin, and guide me home! + +SABALLIDIN: + Bethink thee, master, shall we lose our quest + Because a servant is uncouth? The road + That seeks the mountain leads us through the vale. + The prophet's word is friendly after all; + For had it been some mighty task he set, + Thou wouldst perform it. How much rather then + This easy one? Hast thou not promised her + Who waits for thy return? Wilt thou go back + To her unhealed? + +NAAMAN: + No! not for all my pride! + I'll make myself most humble for her sake, + And stoop to anything that gives me hope + Of having her. Make haste, Saballidin, + Bring me to Jordan. I will cast myself + Into that river's turbulent embrace + A hundred times, until I save my life + Or lose it! + +[_Exeunt. The light fades: musical interlude. The light increases +again with ruddy sunset shining on the door of ELISHA'S house. The +prophet appears and looks off, shading his eyes with his hand as he +descends the steps slowly. Trumpet blows,--NAAMAN'S call;--sound of +horses galloping and men shouting. NAAMAN enters joyously, followed by +SABALLIDIN and soldiers, with gifts._] + +NAAMAN: + Behold a man delivered from the grave + By thee! I rose from Jordan's waves restored + To youth and vigour, as the eagle mounts + Upon the sunbeam and renews his strength! + O mighty prophet deign to take from me + These gifts too poor to speak my gratitude; + Silver and gold and jewels, damask robes,-- + +ELISHA: [_Interrupting._] + As thy soul liveth I will not receive + A gift from thee, my son! Give all to Him + Whose mercy hath redeemed thee from thy plague. + +NAAMAN: + He is the only God! I worship Him! + Grant me a portion of the blessed soil + Of this most favoured land where I have found + His mercy; in Damascus will I build + An altar to His name, and praise Him there + Morning and night. There is no other God + In all the world. + +ELISHA: + Thou needest not + This load of earth to build a shrine for Him; + Yet take it if thou wilt. But be assured + God's altar is in every loyal heart, + And every flame of love that kindles there + Ascends to Him and brightens with His praise. + There is no other God! But evil Powers + Make war against Him in the darkened world; + And many temples have been built to them. + +NAAMAN: + I know them well! Yet when my master goes + To worship in the House of Rimmon, I + Must enter with him; for he trusts me, leans + Upon my hand; and when he bows himself + I cannot help but make obeisance too,-- + But not to Rimmon! To my country's king + I'll bow in love and honour. Will the Lord + Pardon thy servant in this thing? + +ELISHA: + My son, + Peace has been granted thee. 'Tis thine to find + The only way to keep it. Go in peace. + +NAAMAN: + Thou hast not answered me,--may I bow down? + +ELISHA: + The answer must be thine. The heart that knows + The perfect peace of gratitude and love, + Walks in the light and needs no other rule. + Take counsel with thy heart and go in peace! + +_CURTAIN._ + + + + +ACT IV + +SCENE I + +_The interior of NAAMAN'S tent, at night. RUAHMAH alone, sleeping on +the ground. A vision appears to her through the curtains of the font: +ELISHA standing on the hillside at Dothan: NAAMAN, restored to sight, +comes in and kneels before him. ELISHA blesses him, and he goes out +rejoicing. The vision of the prophet turns to RUAHMAH and lifts his +hand in warning._ + +ELISHA: + Daughter of Israel, what dost thou here? + Thy prayer is granted. Naaman is healed: + Mar not true service with a selfish thought. + Nothing remains for thee to do, except + Give thanks, and go whither the Lord commands. + Obey,--obey! Ere Naaman returns + Thou must depart to thine own house in Shechem. + +[_The vision vanishes._] + +RUAHMAH: [_Waking and rising slowly._] + A dream, a dream, a messenger of God! + O dear and dreadful vision, art thou true? + Then am I glad with all my broken heart. + Nothing remains,--nothing remains but this,-- + Give thanks, obey, depart,--and so I do. + Farewell, my master's sword! Farewell to you, + My amulet! I lay you on the hilt + His hand shall clasp again: bid him farewell + For me, since I must look upon his face + No more for ever!--Hark, what sound was that? + +[_Enter soldier hurriedly._] + +SOLDIER: + Mistress, an arméd troop, footmen and horse, + Mounting the hill! + +RUAHMAH: + My lord returns in triumph. + +SOLDIER: + Not so, for these are enemies; they march + In haste and silence, answering not our cries. + +RUAHMAH: + Our enemies? Then hold your ground,--on guard! + Fight! fight! Defend the pass, and drive them down. + +[_Exit soldier. RUAHMAH draws NAAMAN'S sword from the scabbard and +hurries out of the tent. Confused noise of fighting outside. Three or +four soldiers are driven in by a troop of men in disguise. RUAHMAH +follows: she is beaten to her knees, and her sword is broken._] + +REZON: [_Throwing aside the cloth which covers his face._] + Hold her! So, tiger-maid, we've found your lair + And trapped you. Where is Naaman, + Your master? + +RUAHMAH: [_Rising, her arms held by two of REZON'S followers._] + He is far beyond your reach. + +REZON: + Brave captain! He has saved himself, the leper, + And left you here? + +RUAHMAH: + The leper is no more. + +REZON: + What mean you? + +RUAHMAH: + He has gone to meet his God. + +REZON: + Dead? Dead? Behold how Rimmon's wrath is swift! + Damascus shall be mine: I'll terrify + The King with this, and make my terms. But no! + False maid, you sweet-faced harlot, you have lied + To save him,--speak. + +RUAHMAH: + I am not what you say, + Nor have I lied, nor will I ever speak + A word to you, vile servant of a traitor-god. + +REZON: + Break off this little flute of blasphemy, + This ivory neck,--twist it, I say! + Give her a swift despatch after her leper! + But stay,--if he still lives he'll follow her, + And so we may ensnare him. Harm her not! + Bind her! Away with her to Rimmon's House! + Is all this carrion dead? There's one that moves,-- + A spear,--fasten him down! All quiet now? + Then back to our Damascus! Rimmon's face + Shall be made bright with sacrifice. + +[_Exeunt forcing RUAHMAH with them. Musical interlude. A wounded +soldier crawls from a dark corner of the tent and finds the chain with +NAAMAN's seal, which has fallen to the ground in the struggle._] + +WOUNDED SOLDIER: + This signet of my lord, her amulet! + Lost, lost! Ah, noble lady,--let me die + With this upon my breast. + +[_The tent is dark. Enter NAAMAN and his company in haste, with +torches._] + +NAAMAN: + What bloody work + Is here? God, let me live to punish him + Who wrought this horror! Treacherously slain + At night, by unknown hands, my brave companions: + Tsarpi, my best beloved, light of my soul, + Put out in darkness! O my broken lamp + Of life, where art thou? Nay, I cannot find her. + +WOUNDED SOLDIER: [_Raising himself on his arm._] + Master! + +NAAMAN: [_Kneels beside him._] + One living? Quick, a torch this way! + Lift up his head,--so,--carefully! + Courage, my friend, your captain is beside you. + Call back your soul and make report to him. + +WOUNDED SOLDIER: + Hail, captain! O my captain,--here! + +NAAMAN: + Be patient,--rest in peace,--the fight is done. + Nothing remains but render your account. + +WOUNDED SOLDIER: + They fell upon us suddenly,--we fought + Our fiercest,--every man,--our lady fought + Fiercer than all. They beat us down,--she's gone. + Rezon has carried her away a captive. See,-- + Her amulet,--I die for you, my captain. + +NAAMAN: [_He gently lays the dead soldier on the ground, and rises._] + Farewell. This last report was brave; but strange + Beyond my thought! How came the High Priest here? + And what is this? my chain, my seal! But this + Has never been in Tsarpi's hand. I gave + This signet to a captive maid one night,-- + A maid of Israel. How long ago? + Ruahmah was her name,--almost forgotten! + So long ago,--how comes this token here? + What is this mystery, Saballidin? + +SABALLIDIN: + Ruahmah is her name who brought you hither. + +NAAMAN: + Where then is Tsarpi? + +SABALLIDIN: + In Damascus. + She left you when the curse of Rimmon fell,-- + Took refuge in his House,--and there she waits + Her lord's return,--Rezon's return. + +NAAMAN: + 'Tis false! + +SABALLIDIN: + The falsehood is in her. She hath been friend + With Rezon in his priestly plot to win + Assyria's favour,--friend to his design + To sell his country to enrich his temple,-- + And friend to him in more,--I will not name it. + +NAAMAN: + Nor will I credit it. Impossible! + +SABALLIDIN: + Did she not plead with you against the war, + Counsel surrender, seek to break your will? + +NAAMAN: + She did not love my work, a soldier's task. + She never seemed to be at one with me + Until I was a leper. + +SABALLIDIN: + From whose hand + Did you receive the sacred cup? + +NAAMAN: + From hers. + +SABALLIDIN: + And from that hour the curse began to work. + +NAAMAN: + But did she not have pity when she saw + Me smitten? Did she not beseech the King + For letters and a guard to make this journey? + Has she not been the fountain of my hope, + My comforter and my most faithful guide + In this adventure of the dark? All this + Is proof of perfect love that would have shared + A leper's doom rather than give me up. + Can I doubt her who dared to love like this? + +SABALLIDIN: + O master, doubt her not,--but know her name; + Ruahmah! It was she alone who wrought + This wondrous work of love. She won the King + By the strong pleading of resistless hope + To furnish forth this company. She led + Our march, kept us in heart, fought off despair, + Offered herself to you as to her god, + Watched over you as if you were her child, + Prepared your food, your cup, with her own hands, + Sang you asleep at night, awake at dawn,-- + +NAAMAN: [_Interrupting._] + Enough! I do remember every hour + Of that sweet comradeship! And now her voice + Wakens the echoes in my lonely breast; + The perfume of her presence fills my sense + With longing. All my soul cries out in vain + For her embracing, satisfying love, + her eyes and called her my Ruahmah! + +[_To his soldiers._] + + Away! away! I burn to take the road + That leads me back to Rimmon's House,-- + But not to bow,--by God, never to bow! + + + + +TIME: _Three days later_ + +SCENE II + +_Inner court of the House of Rimmon; a temple with huge pillars at each +side. In the right foreground the seat of the King; at the left, of +equal height, the seat of the High Priest. In the background a broad +flight of steps, rising to a curtain of cloudy gray, embroidered with +two gigantic hands holding thunderbolts. The temple is in half +darkness at first. Enter KHAMMA and NUBTA, robed as Kharimati, or +religious dancers, in gowns of black gauze with yellow embroideries and +mantles._ + +KHAMMA: + All is ready for the rites of worship; our lady will play a great part + in them. She has put on her Tyrian robes, and all her ornaments. + +NUBTA: + That is a sure sign of a religious purpose. She is most devout, our + lady Tsarpi! + +KHAMMA: + A favourite of Rimmon, too! The High Priest has assured her of it. + He is a great man,--next to the King, now that Naaman is gone. + +NUBTA: + But if Naaman should come back, healed of the leprosy? + +KHAMMA: + How can he come back? The Hebrew slave that went away with him, when + they caught her, said that he was dead. The High Priest has shut her + up in the prison of the temple, accusing her of her master's death. + +NUBTA: + Yet I think he does not believe it, for I heard him telling our + mistress what to do if Naaman should return. + +KHAMMA: + What, then? + +NUBTA: + She will claim him as her husband. Was she not wedded to him before + the god? That is a sacred bond. Only the High Priest can loose it. + She will keep her hold on Naaman for the sake of the House of Rimmon. + A wife knows her husband's secrets, she can tell---- + +[_Enter SHUMAKIM, with his flagon, walking unsteadily._] + +KHAMMA: + Hush! here comes the fool Shumakim. He is never sober. + +SHUMAKIM: [_Laughing._] + Are there two of you? I see two, but that is no proof. I think there + is only one, but beautiful enough for two. What were you talking to + yourself about, fairest one! + +KHAMMA: + About the lady Tsarpi, fool, and what she would do if her husband + returned. + +SHUMAKIM: + Fie! fie! That is no talk for an innocent fool to hear. Has she a + husband? + +NUBTA: + You know very well that she is the wife of Lord Naaman. + +SHUMAKIM: + I remember that she used to wear his name and his jewels. But I + thought he had exchanged her,--for a leprosy. + +KHAMMA: + You must have heard that he went away to Samaria to look for healing. + Some say that he died on the journey; but others say he has been + cured, and is on his way home to his wife. + +SHUMAKIM: + It may be, for this is a mad world, and men never know when they are + well off,--except us fools. But he must come soon if he would find + his wife as he parted from her,--or the city where he left it. The + Assyrians have returned with a greater army, and this time they will + make an end of us. There is no Naaman how, and the Bull will devour + Damascus like a bunch of leeks, flowers and all,--flowers and all, + my double-budded fair one! Are you not afraid? + +NUBTA: + We belong to the House of Rimmon. He will protect us. + +SHUMAKIM: + What? The mighty one who hides behind the curtain there, and tells + his secrets to Rezon? No doubt he will take care of you, and of + himself. Whatever game is played, the gods never lose. But for the + protection, of the common people and the rest of us fools, I would + rather have Naaman at the head of an army than all the sacred images + between here and Babylon. + +KHAMMA: + You are a wicked old man. You mock the god. He will punish you. + +SHUMAKIM: [_Bitterly._] + How can he punish me? Has he not already made me a fool? Hark, here + comes my brother the High Priest, and my brother the King. Rimmon + made us all; but nobody knows who made Rimmon, except the High + Priest; and he will never tell. + +[_Gongs and cymbals sound. Enter REZON with priests, and the King with +courtiers. They take their seats. A throng of Khali and Kharimati +come in, TSARPI presiding; a sacred dance is performed with torches, +burning incense, and chanting, in which TSARPI leads._] + + CHANT. + + _Hail, mighty Rimmon, ruler of the whirl-storm, + Hail, shaker of mountains, breaker-down of forests, + Hail, thou who roarest terribly in the darkness, + Hail, thou whose arrows flame across the heavens! + Hail, great destroyer, lord of flood and tempest, + In thine anger almighty, in thy wrath eternal, + Thou who delightest in ruin, maker of desolations, + Immeru, Addu, Barku, Rimmon! + See we tremble before thee, low we bow at thine altar, + Have mercy upon us, be favourable unto us, + Save us from our enemy, accept our sacrifice, + Barku, Immeru, Addu, Rimmon!_ + +[_Silence follows, all bowing down._] + +REZON: + O King, last night the counsel from above + Was given in answer to our divination. + Ambassadors must go forthwith to crave + Assyria's pardon, and a second offer + Of the same terms of peace we did reject + Not long ago. + +BENHADAD: + Dishonour! Yet I see + No other way! Assyria will refuse, + Or make still harder terms. Disaster, shame + For this gray head, and ruin for Damascus! + +REZON: + Yet may we trust Rimmon will favour us, + If we adhere devoutly to his worship. + He will incline his brother-god, the Bull, + To spare us, if we supplicate him now + With costly gifts. Therefore I have prepared + A sacrifice: Rimmon shall be well pleased + With the red blood that bathes his knees to-night! + +BENHADAD: + My mind is dark with doubt,--I do forebode + Some horror! Let me go,--I am an old man,-- + If Naaman my captain were alive! + But he is dead,--the glory is departed! + +[_He rises, trembling, to leave the throne. Trumpet sounds,--NAAMAN'S +call;--enter NAAMAN, followed by soldiers; he kneels at the foot of the +throne._] + +BENHADAD: [_Half-whispering._] + Art thou a ghost escaped from Allatu? + How didst thou pass the seven doors of death? + O noble ghost I am afraid of thee, + And yet I love thee,--let me hear thy voice! + +NAAMAN: + No ghost, my King, but one who lives to serve + Thee and Damascus with his heart and sword + As in the former days. The only God + Has healed my leprosy: my life is clean + To offer to my country and my King. + +BENHADAD: [_Starting toward him._] + O welcome to thy King! Thrice welcome! + +REZON; [_Leaving his seat and coming toward NAAMAN._] + Stay! + The leper must appear before the priest, + The only one who can pronounce him clean. + +[_NAAMAN turns; they stand looking each other in the face._] + + Yea,--thou art cleansed: Rimmon hath pardoned thee,-- + In answer to the daily prayers of her + Whom he restores to thine embrace,--thy wife. + +[_TSARPI comes slowly toward NAAMAN._] + +NAAMAN: + From him who rules this House will I receive + Nothing! I seek no pardon from his priest, + No wife of mine among his votaries! + +TSARPI: [_Holding out her hands._] + Am I not yours? Will you renounce our vows? + +NAAMAN: + The vows were empty,--never made you mine + In aught but name. A wife is one who shares + Her husband's thought, incorporates his heart + With hers by love, and crowns him with her trust. + She is God's remedy for loneliness, + And God's reward for all the toil of life. + This you have never been to me,--and so + I give you back again to Rimmon's House + Where you belong. Claim what you will of mine,-- + Not me! I do renounce you,--or release you,-- + According to the law. If you demand + A further cause than what I have declared, + I will unfold it fully to the King. + +REZON: [_Interposing hurriedly._] + No need of that! This duteous lady yields + To your caprice as she has ever done; + She stands a monument of loyalty + And woman's meekness. + +NAAMAN: + Let her stand for that! + Adorn your temple with her piety! + But you in turn restore to me the treasure + You stole at midnight from my tent. + +REZON: + What treasure? I have stolen none from you. + +NAAMAN: + The very jewel of my soul,--Ruahmah! + My King, the captive maid of Israel, + To whom thou didst commit my broken life + With letters to Samaria,--my light, + My guide, my saviour in this pilgrimage,-- + Dost thou remember? + +BENHADAD: + I recall the maid,-- + But dimly,--for my mind is old and weary. + She was a fearless maid, I trusted her + And gave thee to her charge. Where is she now? + +NAAMAN: + This robber fell upon my camp by night,-- + While I was with Elisha at the Jordan,-- + Slaughtered my soldiers, carried off the maid, + And holds her somewhere in imprisonment. + O give this jewel back to me, my King, + And I will serve thee with a grateful heart + For ever. I will fight for thee, and lead + Thine armies on to glorious victory + Over all foes! Thou shalt no longer fear + The host of Asshur, for thy throne shall stand + Encompassed with a wall of dauntless hearts, + And founded on a mighty people's love, + And guarded by the God of righteousness. + +BENHADAD: + I feel the flame of courage at thy breath + Leap up among the ashes of despair. + Thou hast returned to save us! Thou shalt have + The maid; and thou shalt lead my host again! + Priest, I command you give her back to him. + +REZON: + O master, I obey thy word as thou + Hast ever been obedient to the voice + Of Rimmon. Let thy fiery captain wait + Until the sacrifice has been performed, + And he shall have the jewel that he claims. + Must we not first placate the city's god + With due allegiance, keep the ancient faith, + And pay our homage to the Lord of Wrath? + +BENHADAD: [_Sinking hack upon his throne in fear._] + I am the faithful son of Rimmon's House,-- + And lo, these many years I worship him! + My thoughts are troubled,--I am very old, + But still a King! O Naaman, be patient! + Priest, let the sacrifice be offered. + +[_The High Priest lifts his rod. Gongs and cymbals sound. The curtain +is rolled back, disclosing the image of Rimmon; a gigantic and hideous +idol, with a cruel human face, four horns, the mane of a lion, and huge +paws stretched in front of him enclosing a low altar of black stone. +RUAHMAH stands on the altar, chained, her arms are bare and folded on +her breast. The people prostrate themselves in silence, with signs of +astonishment and horror._] + +REZON: + Behold the sacrifice! Bow down, bow down! + +NAAMAN: [_Stabbing him._] + Bow thou, black priest! Down,--down to hell! + Ruahmah! do not die! I come to thee, + +[_NAAMAN rushes toward her, attacked by the priests, crying "Sacrilege! +Kill him!" But the soldiers stand on the steps and beat them back. He +springs upon the altar and clasps her by the hand. Tumult and +confusion. The King rises and speaks with a loud voice, silence +follows._] + +BENHADAD: + Peace, peace! The King commands all weapons down! + O Naaman, what wouldst thou do? Beware + Lest thou provoke the anger of a god. + +NAAMAN: + There is no God but one, the Merciful, + Who gave this perfect woman to my soul + That I might learn through her to worship Him, + And know the meaning of immortal Love. + Whom God hath joined together, all the Powers + Of hate and falsehood never shall divide. + +BENHADAD: [_Agitated._] + Yet she is consecrated, bound, and doomed + To sacrificial death; but thou art sworn + To live and lead my host,--Hast thou not sworn? + +NAAMAN: + Only if thou wilt keep thy word to me! + Break with this idol of iniquity + Whose shadow makes a darkness in the land; + Give her to me who gave me back to thee; + And I will lead thine army to renown + And plant thy banners on the hill of triumph. + But if she dies, I die with her, defying Rimmon. + +[_Cries of "Spare them! Release her! Give us back our Captain!" and +"Sacrilege! Let them die!" Then silence, all turning toward the +King._] + +BENHADAD: + Is this the choice? Must we destroy the bond + Of ancient faith, or slay the city's living hope! + I am an old, old man,--and yet the King! + Must I decide?--O let me ponder it! + +[_His head sinks upon his breast. All stand eagerly looking at him._] + +NAAMAN; [_Holding her in his arms._] + Ruahmah, my Ruahmah! I have come + To thee at last! And art thou satisfied? + +RUAHMAH: [_Looking into his face._] + Belovéd, my belovéd, I am glad + Forever! Come what may, the only God + Is Love,--and He will never part us. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE OF RIMMON*** + + +******* This file should be named 17944-8.txt or 17944-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/9/4/17944 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The House of Rimmon</p> +<br> +<br> +<p> A Drama in Four Acts</p> +<br> +<p>Author: Henry Van Dyke</p> +<br> +<p>Release Date: March 8, 2006 [eBook #17944]</p> +<br> +<p>Language: English</p> +<br> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<br> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE OF RIMMON***</p> +<br> +<br><br><center><h3>E-text prepared by Al Haines</h3></center><br><br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<center> +<a href="images/img-front.jpg"> +<img src="images/img-front.jpg" height=450 alt=""Behold the sacrifice! Bow down, bow down!""></a> +<h4>[Frontispiece: "Behold the sacrifice! Bow down, bow down!"]</h4> +</center><br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H1 ALIGN="center">THE HOUSE OF RIMMON</H1> +<br> +<H2 ALIGN="center">A DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS</H2> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H4 ALIGN="center">BY</H4> +<br> +<H3 ALIGN="center">HENRY VAN DYKE</H3> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H4 ALIGN="center">NEW YORK</H4> +<H4 ALIGN="center">CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS</H4> +<H4 ALIGN="center">1908</H4> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H5 ALIGN="center">COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY</H5> +<H5 ALIGN="center">HENRY VAN DYKE</H5> +<br> +<H5 ALIGN="center">All rights reserved</H5> +<H5 ALIGN="center">Published in October</H5> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H2 ALIGN="center">THE HOUSE OF RIMMON</H2> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H3 ALIGN="center">DRAMATIS PERSONAE</H3> +<br> +<center> +<table cellpadding="2"> + <tr> + <td colspan="2">BENHADAD:</td> + <td>King of Damascus.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2">REZON:</td> + <td>High Priest of the House of Rimmon.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2">SABALLIDIN:</td> + <td>A Noble of Damascus.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>HAZAEL<br>IZDUBHAR<br>RAKHAZ</td> + <td><span class="triple">}</span></td> + <td>Courtiers of Damascus.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2">SHUMAKIM:</td> + <td>The King's Fool.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2">ELISHA:</td> + <td>Prophet of Israel.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2">NAAMAN:</td> + <td>Captain of the Armies of Damascus.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2">RUAHMAH:</td> + <td>A Captive Maid of Israel.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="2">TSARPI:</td> + <td>Wife to Naaman.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>KHAMMA<br>NUBTA</td> + <td><span class="double">}</span></td> + <td>Attendants of Tsarpi.</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td colspan="3">Soldiers, Servants, Citizens, etc., etc.</td> + </tr> +</table> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<table> + <tr> + <td>SCENE: <I>Damascus and the Mountains of Samaria.</I><br> </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td>TIME: <I>850 B. C.</I></td> + </tr> +</table> +</center> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H2 ALIGN="center">ACT I</H2> +<br> +<H3 ALIGN="center">SCENE I</H3> +<br> +<p class="noindent"><I>Night, in the garden of NAAMAN at Damascus. At the +left, on a +slightly raised terrace, the palace, with softly gleaming lights +and +music coming from the open latticed windows. The garden is full +of +oleanders, roses, pomegranates, abundance of crimson flowers; the +air +is heavy with their fragrance: a fountain at the right is plashing +gently: behind it is an arbour covered with vines. Near the centre +of +the garden stands a small, hideous image of the god Rimmon. Back +of +the arbour rises the lofty square tower of the House of Rimmon, +which +casts a shadow from the moon across the garden. The background is +a +wide, hilly landscape, with a high road passing over the mountains +toward the snow-clad summits of Mount Hermon in the distance. Enter +by +the palace door, the lady TSARPI, robed in red and gold, and +followed +by her maids, KHAMMA and NUBTA. She remains on the terrace: they +go +down into the garden, looking about, and returning to her.</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<p>There's no one here; the garden is asleep.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NUBTA:</p> +<p>The flowers are nodding, all the birds abed,</p> +<p>And nothing wakes except the watchful stars!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<p>The stars are sentinels discreet and mute:</p> +<p>How many things they know and never tell!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI: [<I>Impatiently.</I>]</p> +<p>Unlike the stars, how many things you tell</p> +<p>And do not know! When comes your master home?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NUBTA:</p> +<p>Lady, his armour-bearer brought us word</p> +<p>An hour ago, the master will be here</p> +<p>At moonset, not before.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI:</p> +<p class="ind4">He haunts the camp</p> +<p>And leaves me much alone; yet I can pass</p> +<p>The time of absence not unhappily,</p> +<p>If I but know the time of his return.</p> +<p>An hour of moonlight yet! Khamma, my mirror!</p> +<p>These curls are ill arranged, this veil too low,--</p> +<p>So,--that is better, careless maids! Withdraw,--</p> +<p>But warn me if your master should appear.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<p>Mistress, have no concern; for when we hear</p> +<p>The clatter of his horse along the street,</p> +<p>We'll run this way and lead your dancers down</p> +<p>With song and laughter,--you shall know in time.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Exeunt KHAMMA and NUBTA, laughing. TSARPI descends +the steps.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI:</p> +<p>My guest is late; but he will surely come!</p> +<p>Hunger and thirst will bring him to my feet.</p> +<p>The man who burns to drain the cup of love,--</p> +<p>The priest whose greed of glory never fails,--</p> +<p>Both, both have need of me, and he will come.</p> +<p>And I,--what do I need? Why everything</p> +<p>That helps my beauty to a higher throne;</p> +<p>All that a priest can promise, all a man</p> +<p>Can give, and all a god bestow, I need:</p> +<p>This may a woman win, and this will I.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Enter REZON quietly from the shadow of the trees. +He stands behind +TSARPI and listens, smiling, to her last words. Then he drops his +mantle of leopard-skin, and lifts his high-priest's rod of bronze, +shaped at one end like a star, at the other like a thunderbolt.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>Tsarpi!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI:</p> +<p class="ind2">The mistress of the house of Naaman</p> +<p>Salutes the keeper of the House of Rimmon.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>She bows low before him.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>Rimmon receives you with his star of peace;</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>He lowers the star-point of the rod, which glows +for a moment with</I></p> +<p><I>rosy light above her head.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p>And I, his chosen minister, kneel down</p> +<p>Before your regal beauty, and implore</p> +<p>The welcome of the woman for the man.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI: [<I>Giving him her hand, but holding off his +embrace.</I>]</p> +<p>Thus Tsarpi welcomes Rezon! Nay, no more!</p> +<p>Till I have heard what errand brings you here</p> +<p>By night, within the garden of the man</p> +<p>Who hates you most and fears you least in all Damascus.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON: [<I>Rising, and speaking angrily.</I>]</p> +<p class="ind2">Trust me, I repay his scorn</p> +<p>With double hatred,--Naaman, the man</p> +<p>Whom the King honours and the people love,</p> +<p>Who stands against the nobles and the priests,</p> +<p>Against the oracles of Rimmon's House,</p> +<p>And cries, "We'll fight to keep Damascus free!"</p> +<p>This powerful fool, this impious devotee</p> +<p>Of liberty, who loves the city more</p> +<p>Than he reveres the city's ancient god:</p> +<p>This frigid husband who sets you below</p> +<p>His dream of duty to a horde of slaves:</p> +<p>This man I hate, and I will humble him.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI:</p> +<p>I think I hate him too. He stands apart</p> +<p>From me, ev'n while he holds me in his arms,</p> +<p>By something that I cannot understand,</p> +<p>Nor supple to my will, nor melt with tears,</p> +<p>Nor quite dissolve with blandishments, although</p> +<p>He swears he loves his wife next to his honour!</p> +<p>Next? That's too low! I will be first or nothing.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>With me you are the first, the absolute!</p> +<p>When you and I have triumphed you shall reign;</p> +<p>And you and I will bring this hero down.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI:</p> +<p>But how? For he is strong.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p class="ind2">By these, the eyes</p> +<p>Of Tsarpi; and by this, the rod of Rimmon.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI:</p> +<p>Speak clearly; tell your plan.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p class="ind2">You know the host</p> +<p>Of the Assyrian king has broken forth</p> +<p>Again to conquer us. Envoys have come</p> +<p>From Shalmaneser to demand surrender.</p> +<p>Our king Benhadad wavers, for he knows</p> +<p>His weakness. All the nobles, all the rich,</p> +<p>Would purchase peace that they may grow more rich:</p> +<p>Only the people and the soldiers, led</p> +<p>By Naaman, would fight for liberty.</p> +<p>Blind fools! To-day the envoys came to pay</p> +<p>Their worship to our god, whom they adore</p> +<p>In Nineveh as Asshur's brother-god.</p> +<p>They talked with me in secret. Promises,</p> +<p>Great promises! For every noble house</p> +<p>That urges peace, a noble recompense:</p> +<p>The king, submissive, kept in royal state</p> +<p>And splendour: most of all, honour and wealth</p> +<p>Shall crown the House of Rimmon, and his priest,--</p> +<p>Yea, and his priestess. For we two will rise</p> +<p>Upon the city's fall. The common folk</p> +<p>Shall suffer; Naaman shall sink with them</p> +<p>In wreck; but I shall rise, and you shall rise</p> +<p>Above me! You shall climb, through incense-smoke,</p> +<p>And days of pomp, and nights of revelry,</p> +<p>Glorious rites and ecstasies of love,</p> +<p>Unto the topmost room in Rimmon's tower,</p> +<p>The secret, lofty room, the couch of bliss,</p> +<p>And the divine embraces of the god.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI: [<I>Throwing out her arms in exultation.</I>]</p> +<p>All, all I wish! What must I do for this?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>Turn Naaman away from thoughts of war;</p> +<p>Or purchase him with love's delights to yield</p> +<p>This point,--I care not how,--and afterwards</p> +<p>The future shall be ours.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI:</p> +<p class="ind2">And if I fail?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>I have another shaft. The last appeal,</p> +<p>Before the king decides, is to the oracle</p> +<p>Of Rimmon. You shall read the signs!</p> +<p>A former priestess of his temple, you</p> +<p>Shall be the interpreter of heaven, and speak</p> +<p>A word to melt this brazen soldier's heart</p> +<p>Within his breast.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI:</p> +<p class="ind2">But if it flame instead?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>I know the way to quench that flame. The cup,</p> +<p>The parting cup your hand shall give to him!</p> +<p>What if the curse of Rimmon should infect</p> +<p>That wine with sacred venom, secretly</p> +<p>To work within his veins, week after week</p> +<p>Corrupting all the currents of his blood,</p> +<p>Dimming his eyes, wasting his flesh? What then?</p> +<p>Would he prevail in war? Would he come back</p> +<p>To glory, or to shame? What think you?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI:</p> +<p class="ind4">I?</p> +<p>I do not think; I only do my part.</p> +<p>But can the gods bless this?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p class="ind2">The gods can bless</p> +<p>Whatever they decree; their will makes right;</p> +<p>And this is for the glory of the house</p> +<p>Of Rimmon,--and for thee, my queen. Come, come!</p> +<p>The night grows dark: we'll perfect our alliance.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>REZON draws her with him, embracing her, through +the shadows of the +garden. RUAHMAH, who has been sleeping in the arbour, has been +awakened during the dialogue, and has been dimly visible in her +white +dress, behind the vines. She parts them and comes out, pushing +back +her long, dark hair from her temples.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>What have I heard? O God, what shame is this</p> +<p>Plotted beneath Thy pure and silent stars!</p> +<p>Was it for this that I was brought away</p> +<p>Captive from Israel's blessed hills to serve</p> +<p>A heathen mistress in a land of lies?</p> +<p>Ah, treacherous, shameful priest! Ah, shameless wife</p> +<p>Of one too noble to suspect thy guilt!</p> +<p>The very greatness of his generous heart</p> +<p>Betrays him to their hands. What can I do?</p> +<p>Nothing,--a slave,--hated and mocked by all</p> +<p>My fellow-slaves! O bitter prison-life!</p> +<p>I smother in this black, betraying air</p> +<p>Of lust and luxury; I faint beneath</p> +<p>The shadow of this House of Rimmon. God</p> +<p>Have mercy! Lead me out to Israel.</p> +<p>To Israel!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Music and laughter heard within the palace. The +doors fly open and a +flood of men and women, dancers, players, flushed with wine, +dishevelled, pour down the steps, KHAMMA and NUBTA with them. +They +crown the image with roses and dance around it. RUAHMAH is +discovered +crouching beside the arbour. They drag her out before the +image.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NUBTA:</p> +<p class="ind2">Look! Here's the Hebrew maid,--</p> +<p>She's homesick; let us comfort her!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA: [<I>They put their arms around her.</I>]</p> +<p>Yes, dancing is the cure for homesickness.</p> +<p>We'll make her dance.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [She slips away.]</p> +<p>I pray you, let me go!</p> +<p>I cannot dance, I do not know your measures.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<p>Then sing for us,--a song of Israel!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>How can I sing the songs of Israel</p> +<p>In this strange country? O my heart would break</p> +<p>With grief in every note of that dear music.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">A SERVANT:</p> +<p>A stubborn and unfriendly maid! We'll whip her.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>They circle around her, striking her with +rose-branches; she sinks to +her knees, covering her face with her bare arms, which bleed.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NUBTA:</p> +<p>Look, look! She kneels to Rimmon, she is tamed.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Springing up and lifting her arms.</I>]</p> +<p>Nay, not to this dumb idol, but to Him</p> +<p>Who made Orion and the seven stars!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">ALL:</p> +<p>She raves,--she mocks at Rimmon! Punish her!</p> +<p>The fountain! Wash her blasphemy away!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>They push her toward the fountain, laughing and +shouting. In the +open door of the palace NAAMAN appears, dressed in blue and +silver, +bareheaded and unarmed. He comes to the top of the steps and +stands +for a moment, astonished and angry.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Silence! What drunken rout is this? Begone,</p> +<p>Ye barking dogs and mewing cats! Out, all!</p> +<p>Poor child, what have they done to thee?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Exeunt all except RUAHMAH, who stands with her face +covered by her +hands. NAAMAN comes to her, laying his hand on her shoulder.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Looking up in his face.</I>]</p> +<p class="ind2">Nothing,</p> +<p>My lord and master! They have harmed me not.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Touching her arm.</I>]</p> +<p>Dost call this nothing?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">Since my lord is come.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>I do not know thy face,--who art thou, child?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>The handmaid of thy wife. These three years past</p> +<p>I have attended her.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">Whence comest thou?</p> +<p>Thy voice is like thy mistress, but thy looks</p> +<p>Have something foreign. Tell thy name, thy land.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Ruahmah is my name, a captive maid,</p> +<p>The daughter of a prince in Israel,--</p> +<p>Where once, in olden days, I saw my lord</p> +<p>Ride through our highlands, when Samaria</p> +<p>Was allied with Damascus to defeat</p> +<p>Asshur, our common foe.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">O glorious days,</p> +<p>Crowded with life! And thou rememberest them?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>As clear as yesterday! Master, I saw</p> +<p>Thee riding on a snow-white horse beside</p> +<p>Our king; and all we joyful little maids</p> +<p>Strewed boughs of palm along the victors' way;</p> +<p>For you had driven out the enemy,</p> +<p>Broken; and both our lands were friends and free.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Sadly.</I>]</p> +<p>Well, they are past, those noble days! The friends</p> +<p>That fought for freedom stand apart, rivals</p> +<p>For Asshur's favour, like two jealous dogs</p> +<p>That snarl and bite each other, while they wait</p> +<p>The master's whip, enforcing peace. The days</p> +<p>When nations would imperil all to keep</p> +<p>Their liberties, are only memories now.</p> +<p>The common cause is lost,--and thou art brought,</p> +<p>The captive of some mercenary raid,</p> +<p>Some profitable, honourless foray,</p> +<p>To serve within my house. Dost thou fare well?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Master, thou seest.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">Yes, I see! My child,</p> +<p>Why do they hate thee so?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">I do not know,</p> +<p>Unless because I will not bow to Rimmon.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Thou needest not. I fear he is a god</p> +<p>Who pities not his people, will not save.</p> +<p>My heart is sick with doubt of him. But thou</p> +<p>Shalt hold thy faith,--I care not what it is,--</p> +<p>Worship thy god; but keep thy spirit free.</p> +<p>Here, take this chain and wear it with my seal,</p> +<p>None shall molest the maid who carries this.</p> +<p>Thou hast found favour in thy master's eyes;</p> +<p>Hast thou no other gift to ask of me?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Earnestly.</I>]</p> +<p>My lord, I do entreat thee not to go</p> +<p>To-morrow to the council. Seek the King</p> +<p>And speak with him in secret; but avoid</p> +<p>The audience-hall.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN;</p> +<p class="ind2">Why, what is this? Thy wits</p> +<p>Are wandering. Why dost thou ask this thing</p> +<p>Impossible! My honour is engaged</p> +<p>To speak for war, to lead in war against</p> +<p>The Assyrian Bull and save Damascus.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>With confused earnestness.</I>]</p> +<p>Then, lord, if thou must go, I pray thee speak,--</p> +<p>I know not how,--but so that all must hear.</p> +<p>With magic of unanswerable words</p> +<p>Persuade thy foes. Yet watch,--beware,--</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind4">Of what?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Turning aside.</I>]</p> +<p>I am entangled in my speech,--no light,--</p> +<p>How shall I tell him? He will not believe.</p> +<p>O my dear lord, thine enemies are they</p> +<p>Of thine own house. I pray thee to beware,--</p> +<p>Beware,--of Rimmon!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">Child, thy words are wild;</p> +<p>Thy troubles have bewildered all thy brain.</p> +<p>Go, now, and fret no more; but sleep, and dream</p> +<p>Of Israel! For thou shall see thy home</p> +<p>Among the hills again.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">Master, good-night,</p> +<p>And may thy slumber be as sweet and deep</p> +<p>As if thou camped at snowy Hermon's foot,</p> +<p>Amid the music of his waterfalls</p> +<p>And watched by winged sentries of the sky.</p> +<p>There friendly oak-trees bend their boughs above</p> +<p>The weary head, pillowed on earth's kind breast,</p> +<p>And unpolluted breezes lightly breathe</p> +<p>A song of sleep among the murmuring leaves.</p> +<p>There the big stars draw nearer, and the sun</p> +<p>Looks forth serene, undimmed by city's mirk</p> +<p>Or smoke of idol-temples, to behold</p> +<p>The waking wonder of the wide-spread world,</p> +<p>And life renews itself with every morn</p> +<p>In purest joy of living. May the Lord</p> +<p>Deliver thee, dear master, from the nets</p> +<p>Laid for thy feet, and lead thee out, along</p> +<p>The open path, beneath the open sky!</p> +<p>Thou shall be followed always by the heart</p> +<p>Of one poor captive maid who prays for thee.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Exit RUAHMAH: NAAMAN stands looking after +her.</I>]</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H3 ALIGN="center">SCENE II.</H3> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TIME: <I>The following morning.</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent"><I>The audience-hall in BENHADAD'S palace. The sides +of the hall are +lined with lofty columns: the back opens toward the city, with +descending steps: the House of Rimmon with its high tower is seen +in +the background. The throne is at the right in front: opposite is +the +royal door of entrance, guarded by four tall sentinels. Enter at +the +rear between the columns, RAKHAZ, SABALLIDIN, HAZAEL, IZDUBHAR.</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">IZDUBHAR: [<I>An excited old man.</I>]</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">The city is all in a turmoil. It boils like a pot of lentils. +The +people are foaming and bubbling round and round like beans in the +pottage.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">HAZAEL: [<I>A lean, crafty man.</I>]</p> +<p>Fear is a hot fire.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RAKHAZ: [<I>A fat, pompous man.</I>]</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Well may they fear, for the Assyrians are not three days distant. +They are blazing along like a waterspout to chop Damascus down +like +a pitcher of spilt milk.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN: [<I>Young and frank.</I>]</p> +<p>Cannot Naaman drive them back?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RAKHAZ: [<I>Puffing and blowing.</I>]</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Ho! Naaman? Where have you been living? Naaman is a broken reed +whose claws have been cut. Build no hopes on that foundation, for +it will upset in the midst of the sea and leave you hanging in the +air.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>He clatters like a windmill. What would he say, Hazael?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">HAZAEL:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Naaman can do nothing without the command of the King; and the +King +fears to order the army to march without the approval of the gods. +The High Priest is against it. The House of Rimmon is for peace +with Asshur.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RAKHAZ:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Yes, and all the nobles are for peace. We are the men whose +wisdom +lights the rudder that upholds the chariot of state. Would we be +rich if we were not wise? Do we not know better than the rabble +what +medicine will silence this fire that threatens to drown us?</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">IZDUBHAR:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">But if the Assyrians come, we shall all perish; they will despoil +us all.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">HAZAEL:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Not us, my lord, only the common people. The envoys have offered +favourable terms to the priests, and the nobles, and the King. No +palace, no temple, shall be plundered. Only the shops, and the +markets, and the houses of the multitude shall be given up to the +Bull. He will eat his supper from the pot of lentils, not from +our golden plate.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RAKHAZ:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Yes, and all who speak for peace in the council shall be enriched; +our heads shall be crowned with seats of honour in the processions +of the Assyrian king. He needs wise counsellors to help him guide +the ship of empire onto the solid rock of prosperity. You must be +with us, my lords Izdubhar and Saballidin, and let the stars of +your wisdom roar loudly for peace.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">IZDUBHAR:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">He talks like a tablet read upside down,--a wild ass braying in +the +wilderness. Yet there is policy in his words.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">I know not. Can a kingdom live without a people or an army? If +we +let the Bull in to sup on the lentils, will he not make his +breakfast +in our vineyards?</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Enter other courtiers, following SHUMAKIM, a +crooked little jester, +in blue, green and red, a wreath of poppies around his neck and a +flagon in his hand. He walks unsteadily, and stutters in his +speech.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">HAZAEL:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Here is Shumakim, the King's fool, with his legs full of last +night's +wine.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM: [<I>Balancing himself in front of them and +chuckling.</I>]</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Wrong, my lords, very wrong! This is not last night's wine, but a +draught the King's physician gave me this morning for a cure. It +sobers me amazingly! I know you all, my lords: any fool would +know +you. You, master, are a statesman; and you are a politician; and +you are a patriot.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RAKHAZ:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Am I a statesman? I felt something of the kind about me. But +what +is a statesman?</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">A politician that is stuffed with big words; a fat man in a mask; +one that plays a solemn tune on a sackbut full o' wind.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">HAZAEL:</p> +<p>And what is a politician?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">A statesman that has dropped his mask and cracked his sackbut. +Men +trust him for what he is, and he never deceives them, because he +always lies.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">IZDUBHAR:</p> +<p>Why do you call me a patriot?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Because you know what is good for you; you love your country as +you +love your pelf. You feel for the common people,--as the wolf +feels +for the sheep.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>And what am I?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">A fool, master, just a plain fool; and there is hope of thee for +that +reason. Embrace me, brother, and taste this; but not too +much,--it +will intoxicate thee with sobriety.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>The hall has been slowly filling with courtiers and +soldiers: a crowd +of people begin to come up the steps at the rear, where they are +halted +by a chain guarded by servants of the palace. A bell tolls; the +royal +door is thrown open; the aged King crosses the hall slowly and +takes +his seat on the throne with the four tall sentinels standing +behind +him. All bow down shading their eyes with their hands.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p>The hour of royal audience is come.</p> +<p>I'll hear the envoys of my brother king,</p> +<p>The Son of Asshur. Are my counsellors</p> +<p>At hand? Where are the priests of Rimmon's House?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Gongs sound. REZON comes in from the rear, +followed by a procession +of priests in black and yellow. The courtiers bow; the King +rises; +REZON takes his stand on the steps of the throne at the left of +the +King.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD;</p> +<p>Where is my faithful servant Naaman,</p> +<p>The captain of my host?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Trumpets sound from the city. The crowd on the +steps divide; the +chain is lowered; NAAMAN enters, followed by six soldiers. He is +dressed in chain-mail, with a silver helmet and a cloak of blue. +He +uncovers, and kneels on the steps of the throne at the King's +right.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>My lord the King,</p> +<p>The bearer of thy sword is here.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD: [<I>Giving NAAMAN his hand, and sitting +down.</I>]</p> +<p class="ind2">Welcome,</p> +<p>My strong right arm that never failed me yet!</p> +<p>I am in doubt,--but stay thou close to me</p> +<p>While I decide this cause. Where are the envoys?</p> +<p>Let them appear and give their message.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Enter the Assyrian envoys; one in white and the +other in red; both +with the golden Bull's head embroidered oh their robes. They come +from +the right, rear, bow slightly before the throne, and take the centre +of +the hall.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">WHITE ENVOY: [<I>Stepping forward.</I>]</p> +<p>Greeting from Shalmaneser, Asshur's son,</p> +<p>The king who reigns at Nineveh</p> +<p>And takes his tribute from a thousand cities,</p> +<p>Unto Benhadad, monarch in Damascus!</p> +<p>The conquering Bull has come out of the north;</p> +<p>The south has fallen before him, and the west</p> +<p>His feet have trodden; Hamath is laid waste;</p> +<p>He pauses at your gate, invincible,--</p> +<p>To offer peace. The princes of your court,</p> +<p>The priests of Rimmon's house, and you, the King,</p> +<p>If you pay homage to your overlord,</p> +<p>Shall rest secure, and flourish as our friends.</p> +<p>Assyria sends to you this gilded yoke;</p> +<p>Receive it as the sign of proffered peace.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>He lays a yoke on the steps of the throne.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p>What of the city? Said your king no word</p> +<p>Of our Damascus, and the many folk</p> +<p>That do inhabit her and make her great?</p> +<p>What of the soldiers who have fought for us?</p> +<p>The people who have sheltered 'neath our shield?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">WHITE ENVOY:</p> +<p>Of these my royal master did not speak.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p>Strange silence! Must we give them up to him?</p> +<p>Is this the price at which he offers us</p> +<p>The yoke of peace? What if we do refuse?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RED ENYOY: [<I>Stepping forward.</I>]</p> +<p>Then ruthless war! War to the uttermost.</p> +<p>No quarter, no compassion, no escape!</p> +<p>The Bull will gore and trample in his fury</p> +<p>Nobles and priests and king,--none shall be spared!</p> +<p>Before the throne we lay our second gift;</p> +<p>This bloody horn, the symbol of red war.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>He lays a long bull's horn, stained with blood on +the steps of the throne.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">WHITE ENVOY:</p> +<p>Our message is delivered. Grant us leave</p> +<p>And safe conveyance, that we may return</p> +<p>Unto our master. He will wait three days</p> +<p>To know your royal choice between his gifts.</p> +<p>Keep which you will and send the other back;</p> +<p>The red bull's horn your youngest page may bring;</p> +<p>But with the yoke, best send your mightiest army!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>The ENVOYS retire, amid confused murmurs of the +people, the King silent, his head sunken on his breast.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p>Proud words, a bitter message, hard to endure!</p> +<p>We are not now that force which feared no foe;</p> +<p>Our host is weakened, and our old allies</p> +<p>Have left us. Can we face this raging Bull</p> +<p>Alone, and beat him back? Give me your counsel.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Many speak at once, confusedly.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p>What babblement is this? Were ye born at Babel?</p> +<p>Give me clear words and reasonable speech.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RAKHAZ: [<I>Pompously</I>]</p> +<p>O King, I am a reasonable man;</p> +<p>And there be some who call me very wise</p> +<p>And prudent; but of this I will not speak,</p> +<p>For I am also modest. Let me plead,</p> +<p>Persuade, and reason you to choose for peace.</p> +<p>This golden yoke may be a bitter draught,</p> +<p>But better far to fold it in our arms,</p> +<p>Than risk our cargoes in the savage horn</p> +<p>Of war. Shall we imperil all our wealth,</p> +<p>Our valuable lives? Nobles are few,</p> +<p>Rich men are rare, and wise men rarer still;</p> +<p>The precious jewels on the tree of life,</p> +<p>Wherein the common people are but brides</p> +<p>And clay and rubble. Let the city go,</p> +<p>But save the corner-stones that float the ship!</p> +<p>Have I not spoken well?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENBADAD: [<I>Shaking his head.</I>]</p> +<p>Excellent well!</p> +<p>Most eloquent! But misty in the meaning.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">HAZAEL: [<I>With cold decision.</I>]</p> +<p>Then let me speak, O King, in plainer words!</p> +<p>The days of independent states are past:</p> +<p>The tide of empire sweeps across the earth;</p> +<p>Assyria rides it with resistless power</p> +<p>And thunders on to subjugate the world.</p> +<p>Oppose her, and we fight with Destiny;</p> +<p>Submit to her demands, and we shall ride</p> +<p>With her to victory. Therefore return</p> +<p>This bloody horn, the symbol of wild war,</p> +<p>With words of soft refusal, and accept</p> +<p>The golden yoke, Assyria's gift of peace.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Starting forward eagerly.</I>]</p> +<p>There is no peace beneath a conqueror's yoke,</p> +<p>My King, but shame and heaviness of heart!</p> +<p>For every state that barters liberty</p> +<p>To win imperial favour, shall be drained</p> +<p>Of her best blood, henceforth, in endless wars</p> +<p>To make the empire greater. Here's the choice:</p> +<p>We fight to-day to keep our country free,</p> +<p>Or else we fight forevermore to help</p> +<p>Assyria bind the world as we are bound.</p> +<p>I am a soldier, and I know the hell</p> +<p>Of war! But I will gladly ride through hell</p> +<p>To save Damascus. Master, bid me ride!</p> +<p>Ten thousand chariots wait for your command;</p> +<p>And twenty thousand horsemen strain the leash</p> +<p>Of patience till you let them go; a throng</p> +<p>Of spearmen, archers, swordsmen, like the sea</p> +<p>Chafing against a dike, roar for the onset!</p> +<p>O master, let me launch your mighty host</p> +<p>Against the Bull,--we'll bring him to his knees!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Cries of "War!" from the soldiers and the people; +"peace!" from the +courtiers and the priests. The King rises, turning toward NAAMAN, +and seems about to speak. REZON lifts his rod.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>Shall not the gods decide when mortals doubt?</p> +<p>Rimmon is master of the city's fate;</p> +<p>He reigns in secret and his will is law;</p> +<p>We read his will, by our most ancient faith,</p> +<p>In omens and in signs of mystery.</p> +<p>Must we not hearken to his high commands?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD: [<I>Sinking hack on the throne, +submissively.</I>]</p> +<p>I am the faithful son of Rimmon's House.</p> +<p>Consult the oracle. But who shall read?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>Tsarpi, the wife of Naaman, who served</p> +<p>Within the temple in her maiden years,</p> +<p>Shall be the mouthpiece of the mighty god,</p> +<p>To-day's high-priestess. Bring the sacrifice!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Gongs and cymbals sound: enter priests carrying an +altar on which a +lamb is bound. The altar is placed in the centre of the hall. +TSARPI +follows the priests, covered with a long transparent veil of +black, +sewn with gold stars; RUAHMAH, in white, bears her train. TSARPI +stands before the altar, facing it, and lifts her right hand holding +a +knife. RUAHMAH steps back, near the throne, her hands crossed on +her +breast, her head bowed. The priests close in around TSARPI and +the +altar. The knife is seen to strike downward. Gongs and cymbals +sound: +cries of "Rimmon, hear us." The circle of priests opens, and +TSARPI +turns slowly to face the King.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI: [<I>Monotonously.</I>]</p> +<p><I>Black is the blood of the victim,</I></p> +<p><I>Rimmon is unfavourable,</I></p> +<p><I>Asratu is unfavourable;</I></p> +<p><I>They will not war against Asshur,</I></p> +<p><I>They will make a league with the God of Nineveh.</I></p> +<p><I>Evil is in store for Damascus,</I></p> +<p><I>A strong enemy will lay waste the land.</I></p> +<p><I>Therefore make peace with the Bull;</I></p> +<p><I>Hearken to the voice of Rimmon.</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>She turns again to the altar, and the priests close +in around her. +REZON lifts his rod toward the tower of the temple. A flash of +lightning followed by thunder; smoke rises from the altar; all +except +NAAMAN and RUAHMAH cover their faces. The circle of priests opens +again, and TSARPI comes forward slowly, chanting.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">CHANT:</p> +<p><I>Hear the words of Rimmon! Thus your Maker speaketh:</I></p> +<p><I>I, the god of thunder, riding on the whirlwind,</I></p> +<p><I>I, the god of lightning leaping from the storm-cloud,</I></p> +<p><I>I will smite with vengeance him who dares defy me!</I></p> +<p><I>He who leads Damascus into war with Asshur,</I></p> +<p><I>Conquering or conquered, bears my curse upon him.</I></p> +<p><I>Surely shall my arrow strike his heart in secret,</I></p> +<p><I>Burn his flesh with fever, turn his blood to poison,</I></p> +<p><I>Brand him with corruption, drive him into darkness;</I></p> +<p><I>He alone shall perish, by the doom of Rimmon.</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>All are terrified and look toward NAAMAN, +shuddering. RUAHMAH alone +seems not to heed the curse, but stands with her eyes fixed on +NAAMAN.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Be not afraid! There is a greater God</p> +<p>Shall cover thee with His almighty wings:</p> +<p>Beneath his shield and buckler shalt thou trust.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p>Repent, my son, thou must not brave this curse.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>My King, there is no curse as terrible</p> +<p>As that which lights a bosom-fire for him</p> +<p>Who gives away his honour, to prolong</p> +<p>A craven life whose every breath is shame!</p> +<p>If I betray the men who follow me,</p> +<p>The city that has put her trust in me,</p> +<p>The country to whose service I am bound,</p> +<p>What king can shield me from my own deep scorn,</p> +<p>What god release me from that self-made hell?</p> +<p>The tender mercies of Assyria</p> +<p>I know; and they are cruel as creeping tigers.</p> +<p>Give up Damascus, and her streets will run</p> +<p>Rivers of innocent blood; the city's heart,</p> +<p>That mighty, labouring heart, wounded and crushed</p> +<p>Beneath the brutal hooves of the wild Bull,</p> +<p>Will cry against her captain, sitting safe</p> +<p>Among the nobles, in some pleasant place.</p> +<p>I shall be safe,--safe from the threatened wrath</p> +<p>Of unknown gods, but damned forever by</p> +<p>The men I know,--that is the curse I fear.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p>Speak not so high, my son. Must we not bow</p> +<p>Our heads before the sovereignties of heaven?</p> +<p>The unseen rulers are Divine.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN;</p> +<p class="ind4">O King,</p> +<p>I am unlearned in the lore of priests;</p> +<p>Yet well I know that there are hidden powers</p> +<p>About us, working mortal weal and woe</p> +<p>Beyond the force of mortal to control.</p> +<p>And if these powers appear in love and truth,</p> +<p>I think they must be gods, and worship them.</p> +<p>But if their secret will is manifest</p> +<p>In blind decrees of sheer omnipotence,</p> +<p>That punish where no fault is found, and smite</p> +<p>The poor with undeserved calamity,</p> +<p>And pierce the undefended in the dark</p> +<p>With arrows of injustice, and foredoom</p> +<p>The innocent to burn in endless pain,</p> +<p>I will not call this fierce almightiness</p> +<p>Divine. Though I must bear, with every man,</p> +<p>The burden of my life ordained, I'll keep</p> +<p>My soul unterrified, and tread the path</p> +<p>Of truth and honour with a steady heart!</p> +<p>But if I err in this; and if there be</p> +<p>Divinities whose will is cruel, unjust,</p> +<p>Capricious and supreme, I will forswear</p> +<p>The favour of these gods, and take my part</p> +<p>With man to suffer and for man to die.</p> +<p>Have ye not heard, my lords? The oracle</p> +<p>Proclaims to me, to me alone, the doom</p> +<p>Of vengeance if I lead the army out.</p> +<p>"Conquered or conquering!" I grip that chance!</p> +<p>Damascus free, her foes all beaten back,</p> +<p>The people saved from slavery, the King</p> +<p>Upheld in honour on his ancient throne,--</p> +<p>O what's the cost of this? I'll gladly pay</p> +<p>Whatever gods there be, whatever price</p> +<p>They ask for this one victory. Give me</p> +<p>This gilded sign of shame to carry back;</p> +<p>I'll shake it in the face of Asshur's king,</p> +<p>And break it on his teeth.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD: [<I>Rising.</I>]</p> +<p>Then go, my never-beaten captain, go!</p> +<p>And may the powers that hear thy solemn vow</p> +<p>Forgive thy rashness for Damascus' sake,</p> +<p>Prosper thy fighting, and remit thy pledge.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON: [<I>Standing beside the altar.</I>]</p> +<p>The pledge, O King, this man must seal his pledge</p> +<p>At Rimmon's altar. He must take the cup</p> +<p>Of soldier-sacrament, and bind himself</p> +<p>By thrice-performed libation to abide</p> +<p>The fate he has invoked.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Slowly.</I>]</p> +<p class="ind2">And so I will.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>He comes down the steps, toward the altar, where +REZON is filling the +cup which TSARPI holds. RUAHMAH throws herself before NAAMAN, +clasping his knees.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Passionately and wildly.</I>]</p> +<p>My lord, I do beseech you, stay! There's death</p> +<p>Within that cup. It is an offering</p> +<p>To devils. See, the wine blazes like fire,</p> +<p>It flows like blood, it is a cursed cup,</p> +<p>Fulfilled of treachery and hate.</p> +<p>Dear master, noble master, touch it not!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Poor maid, thy brain is still distraught. Fear not</p> +<p>But let me go! Here, treat her tenderly!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Gives her into the hands of SABALLIDIN.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p>Can harm befall me from the wife who bears</p> +<p>My name? I take the cup of fate from her.</p> +<p>I greet the unknown powers; [<I>Pours libation.</I>]</p> +<p>I will perform my vow; [<I>Again.</I>]</p> +<p>I will abide my fate; [<I>Again.</I>]</p> +<p>I pledge my life to keep Damascus free.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>He drains the cup, and lets it fall.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent"><I>CURTAIN.</I></p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H2 ALIGN="center">ACT II</H2> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TIME: <I>A week later</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent"><I>The fore-court of the House of Rimmon. At the back +the broad steps +and double doors of the shrine: above them the tower of the god, +its +summit invisible. Enter various groups of citizens, talking, +laughing, +shouting: RAKHAZ, HAZAEL, SHUMAKIM and others.</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">FIRST CITIZEN:</p> +<p>Great news, glorious news, the Assyrians are beaten!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SECOND CITIZEN:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Naaman is returning, crowned with victory. Glory to our noble +captain!</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">THIRD CITIZEN:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">No, he is killed. I had it from one of the camp-followers who saw +him fall at the head of the battle. They are bringing his body to +bury it with honour. O sorrowful victory!</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RAKHAZ;</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Peace, my good fellows, you are ignorant, you have not been +rightly +informed, I will misinform you. The accounts of Naaman's death +are +overdrawn. He was killed, but his life has been preserved. One +of +his wounds was mortal, but the other three were curable, and by +these the physicians have saved him.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM: [<I>Balancing himself before RAKHAZ in +pretended admiration.</I>] +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">O wonderful! Most admirable logic! One mortal, and three +curable, +therefore he must recover as it were, by three to one. Rakhaz, do +you know that you are a marvelous man?</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RAKHAZ:</p> +<p>Yes, I know it, but I make no boast of my knowledge.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Too modest, for in knowing this you know what is unknown to any +other in Damascus!</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Enter, from the right, SABALLIDIN in armour: from +the left, TSARPI +with her attendants, among whom is RUAHMAH.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">HAZAEL:</p> +<p>Here is Saballidin, we'll question him;</p> +<p>He was enflamed by Naaman's fiery words,</p> +<p>And rode with him to battle. Good, my lord,</p> +<p>We hail you as a herald of the fight</p> +<p>You helped to win. Give us authentic news</p> +<p>Of your great general! Is he safe and well?</p> +<p>When will he come? Or will he come at all?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>All gather around him, listening eagerly.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>He comes but now, returning from the field</p> +<p>Where he hath gained a crown of deathless fame!</p> +<p>Three times he led the charge; three times he fell</p> +<p>Wounded, and the Assyrians beat us back.</p> +<p>Yet every wound was but a spur to urge</p> +<p>His valour onward. In the last attack</p> +<p>He rode before us as the crested wave</p> +<p>That heads the flood; and lo, our enemies</p> +<p>Were broken like a dam of river-reeds,</p> +<p>Burst by the torrent, scattered, swept away!</p> +<p>But look! the Assyrian king in wavering flight</p> +<p>Is lodged like driftwood on a little hill,</p> +<p>Encircled by his guard, and stands at bay.</p> +<p>Then Naaman, followed hotly by a score</p> +<p>Of whirlwind riders, hammers through the hedge</p> +<p>Of spearmen, brandishing the golden yoke:</p> +<p>"Take back this gift," he cries; and shatters it</p> +<p>On Shalmaneser's helmet. So the fight</p> +<p>Dissolves in universal rout: the king,</p> +<p>His chariots and his horsemen melt away;</p> +<p>Our captain stands the master of the field,</p> +<p>And saviour of Damascus! Now he brings,</p> +<p>First to the king, report of this great triumph.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Shouts of joy and applause.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Coming close to SABALLIDIN,</I>]</p> +<p>But what of him who won it? Fares he well?</p> +<p>My mistress would receive some word of him.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>Hath she not heard?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">But one brief message came:</p> +<p>A tablet saying, "We have fought and conquered,"</p> +<p>No word of his own person. Fares he well?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>Alas, most ill! For he is like a man</p> +<p>Consumed by some strange sickness: wasted, wan,--</p> +<p>His eyes are dimmed so that scarce can see;</p> +<p>His ears are dulled; his fearless face is pale</p> +<p>As one who walks to meet a certain doom</p> +<p>Yet will not flinch. It is most pitiful,--</p> +<p>But you shall see.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">Yea, we shall see a man</p> +<p>Who took upon himself his country's burden, dared</p> +<p>To hazard all to save the poor and helpless;</p> +<p>A man who bears the wrath of evil powers</p> +<p>Unknown, and pays the hero's sacrifice.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Enter BENHADAD with courtiers.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p>Where is my faithful servant Naaman,</p> +<p>The captain of my host?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p class="ind2">My lord, he comes.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Trumpet sounds. Enter company of soldiers in +armour. Then four +soldiers bearing captured standards of Asshur. NAAMAN follows, +very +pale, armour dinted and stained; he is blind, and guides himself +by +cords from the standards on each side, but walks firmly. The doors +of +the temple open slightly, and REZON appears at the top of the +steps. +NAAMAN lets the cords fall, and gropes his way for a few paces.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Kneeling</I>]</p> +<p class="ind2">Where is my King?</p> +<p>Master, the bearer of thy sword returns.</p> +<p>The golden yoke thou gavest me I broke</p> +<p>On him who sent it. Asshur's Bull hath fled</p> +<p>Dehorned. The standards of his host are thine!</p> +<p>Damascus is all thine, at peace, and free!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD: [<I>Holding out his arms.</I>]</p> +<p>Thou art a mighty man of valour! Come,</p> +<p>And let me fold thy courage to my heart.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON: [<I>Lifting his rod.</I>]</p> +<p>Forbear, O King! Stand back from him, all men!</p> +<p>By the great name of Rimmon I proclaim</p> +<p>This man a leper! On his brow I see</p> +<p>The death-white seal, the finger-print of doom!</p> +<p>That tiny spot will spread, eating his flesh,</p> +<p>Gnawing his fingers bone from bone, until</p> +<p>The impious heart that dared defy the gods</p> +<p>Dissolves in the slow death which now begins.</p> +<p>Unclean! unclean! Henceforward he is dead:</p> +<p>No human hand shall touch him, and no home</p> +<p>Of men shall give him shelter. He shall walk</p> +<p>Only with corpses of the selfsame death</p> +<p>Down the long path to a forgotten tomb.</p> +<p>Avoid, depart, I do adjure you all,</p> +<p>Leave him to god,--the leper Naaman!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>All shrink back horrified. REZON retires into the +temple; the crowd +melts away, wailing: TSARPI is among the first to go, followed by +her +attendants, except RUAHMAH, who crouches, with her face covered, +not +far from NAAMAN.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD: [<I>Lingering and turning back.</I>]</p> +<p>Alas, my son! O Naaman, my son!</p> +<p>Why did I let thee go? Thou art cast out</p> +<p>Irrevocably from the city's life</p> +<p>Which thou hast saved. Who can resist the gods?</p> +<p>I must obey the law, and touch thy hand</p> +<p>Never again. Yet none shall take from thee</p> +<p>Thy glorious title, captain of my host!</p> +<p>I will provide for thee, and thou shalt dwell</p> +<p>With guards of honour in a house of mine</p> +<p>Always. Damascus never shall forget</p> +<p>What thou hast done! O miserable words</p> +<p>Of crowned impotence! O mockery of power</p> +<p>Given to kings, who cannot even defend</p> +<p>Their dearest from the secret wrath of heaven!</p> +<p>Naaman, my son, my son! [<I>Exit.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Slowly, passing his hand over his eyes, and +looking up.</I>]</p> +<p class="ind4">Am I alone</p> +<p>With thee, inexorable one, whose pride</p> +<p>Offended takes this horrible revenge?</p> +<p>I must submit my mortal flesh to thee,</p> +<p>Almighty, but I will not call thee god!</p> +<p>Yet thou hast found the way to wound my soul</p> +<p>Most deeply through the flesh; and I must find</p> +<p>The way to let my wounded soul escape!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Drawing his sword.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p>Come, my last friend, thou art more merciful</p> +<p>Than Rimmon. Why should I endure the doom</p> +<p>He sends me? Irretrievably cut off</p> +<p>From all dear intercourse of human love,</p> +<p>From all the tender touch of human hands,</p> +<p>From all brave comradeship with brother-men,</p> +<p>With eyes that see no faces through this dark,</p> +<p>With ears that hear all voices far away,</p> +<p>Why should I cling to misery, and grope</p> +<p>My long, long way from pain to pain, alone?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>At his feet.</I>]</p> +<p>Nay, not alone, dear lord, for I am here;</p> +<p>And I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>What voice is that? The silence of my tomb</p> +<p>Is broken by a ray of music,--whose?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Rising.</I>]</p> +<p>The one who loves thee best in all the world.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Why that should be,--O dare I dream it true?</p> +<p>Tsarpi, my wife? Have I misjudged thy heart</p> +<p>As cold and proud? How nobly thou forgivest!</p> +<p>Thou com'st to hold me from the last disgrace,--</p> +<p>The coward's flight into the dark. Go back</p> +<p>Unstained, my sword! Life is endurable</p> +<p>While there is one alive on earth who loves us,</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>My lord,--my lord,--O listen! You have erred,--</p> +<p>You do mistake me now,--this dream--</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Ah, wake me not! For I can conquer death</p> +<p>Dreaming this dream. Let me at last believe,</p> +<p>Though gods are cruel, a woman can be kind.</p> +<p>Grant me but this! For see,--I ask so little,--</p> +<p>Only to know that thou art faithful,--</p> +<p>Only to lean upon the thought that thou,</p> +<p>My wife, art near me, though I touch thee not,--</p> +<p>O this will hold me up, though it be given</p> +<p>From pity more than love.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Trembling, and speaking slowly.</I>]</p> +<p class="ind2">Not so, my lord!</p> +<p>My pity is a stream; my pride of thee</p> +<p>Is like the sea that doth engulf the stream;</p> +<p>My love for thee is like the sovran moon</p> +<p>That rules the sea. The tides that fill my soul</p> +<p>Flow unto thee and follow after thee;</p> +<p>And where thou goest I will go; and where</p> +<p>Thou diest I will die,--in the same hour.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>She lays her hand on his arm. He draws back.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>O touch me not! Thou shall not share my doom.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Entreat me not to go. I will obey</p> +<p>In all but this; but rob me not of this,--</p> +<p>The only boon that makes life worth the living,--</p> +<p>To walk beside thee day by day, and keep</p> +<p>Thy foot from stumbling; to prepare thy food</p> +<p>When thou art hungry, music for thy rest,</p> +<p>And cheerful words to comfort thy black hour;</p> +<p>And so to lead thee ever on, and on,</p> +<p>Through darkness, till we find the door of hope.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>What word is that? The leper has no hope.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Dear lord, the mark upon thy brow is yet</p> +<p>No broader than my little finger-nail.</p> +<p>Thy force is not abated, and thy step</p> +<p>Is firm. Wilt thou surrender to the enemy</p> +<p>Before thy strength is touched? Why, let me put</p> +<p>A drop of courage from my breast in thine.</p> +<p>There is a hope for thee. The captive maid</p> +<p>Of Israel who dwelt within thy house</p> +<p>Knew of a god very compassionate,</p> +<p>Long-suffering, slow to anger, one who heals</p> +<p>The sick, hath pity on the fatherless,</p> +<p>And saves the poor and him who has no helper.</p> +<p>His prophet dwells nigh to Samaria;</p> +<p>And I have heard that he hath brought the dead</p> +<p>To life again. We'll go to him. The King,</p> +<p>If I beseech him, will appoint a guard</p> +<p>Of thine own soldiers and Saballidin,</p> +<p>Thy friend, to convoy us upon our journey.</p> +<p>He'll give us royal letters to the king</p> +<p>Of Israel to make our welcome sure;</p> +<p>And we will take the open road, beneath</p> +<p>The open sky, to-morrow, and go on</p> +<p>Together till we find the door of hope.</p> +<p>Come, come with me!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>She grasps his hand.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Drawing back.</I>]</p> +<p>Thou must not touch me!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Unclasping her girdle and putting the end +in hand.</I>]</p> +<p class="ind2">Take my girdle, then!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Kissing the clasp of the girdle.</I>]</p> +<p>I do begin to think there is a God,</p> +<p>Since love on earth can work such miracles!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent"><I>CURTAIN.</I></p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H2 ALIGN="center">ACT III</H2> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TIME: <I>A month later: dawn</I></p> +<br> +<H3 ALIGN="center">SCENE I</H3> +<br> +<p class="noindent"><I>NAAMAN'S tent, on high ground among the mountains +near Samaria: the +city below. In the distance, a wide and splendid landscape. +SABALLIDIN and soldiers on guard below the tent. Enter RUAHMAH in +hunter's dress, with a lyre slung from her shoulder.</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Peace and good health to you, Saballidin.</p> +<p>Good morrow to you all. How fares my lord?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>The curtains of his tent are folded still:</p> +<p>They have not moved since we returned, last night,</p> +<p>And told him what befell us in the city.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Told him! Why did you make report to him.</p> +<p>And not to me? Am I not captain here,</p> +<p>Intrusted by the King's command with care</p> +<p>Of Naaman's life, until he is restored?</p> +<p>'Tis mine to know the first of good or ill</p> +<p>In this adventure: mine to shield his heart</p> +<p>From every arrow of adversity.</p> +<p>What have you told him? Speak!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p class="ind2">Lady, we feared</p> +<p>To bring our news to you. For when the king</p> +<p>Of Israel had read our monarch's letter,</p> +<p>He rent his clothes, and cried, "Am I a god,</p> +<p>To kill and make alive, that I should heal</p> +<p>A leper? Ye have come with false pretence,</p> +<p>Damascus seeks a quarrel with me. Go!"</p> +<p>But when we told our lord, he closed his tent,</p> +<p>And there remains enfolded in his grief.</p> +<p>I trust he sleeps; 't were kind to let him sleep!</p> +<p>For now he doth forget his misery,</p> +<p>And all the burden of his hopeless woe</p> +<p>Is lifted from him by the gentle hand</p> +<p>Of slumber. Oh, to those bereft of hope</p> +<p>Sleep is the only blessing left,--the last</p> +<p>Asylum of the weary, the one sign</p> +<p>Of pity from impenetrable heaven.</p> +<p>Waking is strife: sleep is the truce of God!</p> +<p>Ah, lady, wake him not. The day will be</p> +<p>Full long for him to suffer, and for us</p> +<p>To turn our disappointed faces home</p> +<p>On the long road by which we must return.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Return! Who gave you that command? Not I!</p> +<p>The King made me the leader of this quest,</p> +<p>And bound you all to follow me, because</p> +<p>He knew I never would return without</p> +<p>The thing for which he sent us. I'll go on</p> +<p>Day after day, unto the uttermost parts</p> +<p>Of earth, if need be, and beyond the gates</p> +<p>Of morning, till I find that which I seek,--</p> +<p>New life for Naaman. Are ye ashamed</p> +<p>To have a woman lead you? Then go back</p> +<p>And tell the King, "This huntress went too far</p> +<p>For us to follow; she pursues the trail</p> +<p>Of hope alone, refusing to forsake</p> +<p>The quarry: we grew weary of the chase;</p> +<p>And so we left her and retraced our steps,</p> +<p>Like faithless hounds, to sleep beside the fire."</p> +<p>Did Naaman forsake his soldiers thus</p> +<p>When you went forth to hunt the Assyrian Bull?</p> +<p>Your manly courage is less durable</p> +<p>Than woman's love, it seems. Go, if you will,--</p> +<p>Who bids me now farewell?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SOLDIERS:</p> +<p class="ind2">Not I, not I!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>Lady, lead on, we'll follow you for ever!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Why, now you speak like men! Brought you no word</p> +<p>Out of Samaria, except that cry</p> +<p>Of impotence and fear from Israel's king?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>I do remember while he spoke with us</p> +<p>A rustic messenger came in, and cried</p> +<p>"Elisha saith, let Naaman come to me</p> +<p>At Dothan, he shall surely know there is</p> +<p>A God in Israel."</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">What said the King?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>He only shouted "Go!" more wildly yet,</p> +<p>And rent his clothes again, as if he were</p> +<p>Half-maddened by a coward's fear, and thought</p> +<p>Only of how he might be rid of us.</p> +<p>What comfort could there be for him, what hope</p> +<p>For us, in the rude prophet's misty word?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>It is the very word for which I prayed!</p> +<p>My trust was not in princes; for the crown,</p> +<p>The sceptre, and the purple robe are not</p> +<p>Significant of vital power. The man</p> +<p>Who saves his brother-men is he who lives</p> +<p>His life with Nature, takes deep hold on truth,</p> +<p>And trusts in God. A prophet's word is more</p> +<p>Than all the kings on earth can speak. How far</p> +<p>Is Dothan?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SOLDIER:</p> +<p class="ind2">Lady, 'tis but three hours' ride</p> +<p>Along the valley northward.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">Near! so near?</p> +<p>I had not thought to end my task so soon!</p> +<p>Prepare yourselves with speed to take the road.</p> +<p>I will awake my lord.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Exeunt all but SABALLIDIN and RUAHMAH. She goes +toward the tent.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN;</p> +<p>Ruahmah, stay! [<I>She turns back.</I>]</p> +<p>I've been your servant in this doubtful quest,</p> +<p>Obedient, faithful, loyal to your will,--</p> +<p>What have I earned by this?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">The gratitude</p> +<p>Of him we both desire to serve: your friend,--</p> +<p>My master and my lord.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p class="ind2">No more than this?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Yes, if you will, take all the thanks my hands</p> +<p>Can hold, my lips can speak.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p class="ind2">I would have more.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>My friend, there's nothing more to give to you,</p> +<p>My service to my lord is absolute.</p> +<p>There's not a drop of blood within my veins</p> +<p>But quickens at the very thought of him;</p> +<p>And not a dream of mine but he doth stand</p> +<p>Within its heart and make it bright. No man</p> +<p>To me is other than his friend or foe.</p> +<p>You are his friend, and I believe you true!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>I have been true to him,--now, I am true</p> +<p>To you.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">And therefore doubly true to him!</p> +<p>O let us match our loyalties, and strive</p> +<p>Between us who shall win the higher crown!</p> +<p>Men boast them of a friendship stronger far</p> +<p>Than love of woman. Prove it! I'll not boast,</p> +<p>But I'll contend with you on equal terms</p> +<p>In this brave race: and if you win the prize</p> +<p>I'll hold you next to him: and if I win</p> +<p>He'll hold you next to me; and either way</p> +<p>We'll not be far apart. Do you accept</p> +<p>My challenge?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p class="ind2">Yes! For you enforce my heart</p> +<p>By honour to resign its great desire,</p> +<p>And love itself to offer sacrifice</p> +<p>Of all disloyal dreams on its own altar.</p> +<p>Yet love remains; therefore I pray you, think</p> +<p>How surely you must lose in our contention.</p> +<p>For I am known to Naaman: but you</p> +<p>He blindly takes for Tsarpi. 'Tis to her</p> +<p>He gives his gratitude: the praise you win</p> +<p>Endears her name.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">Her name? Why, what is that?</p> +<p>A name is but an empty shell, a mask</p> +<p>That does not change the features of the face</p> +<p>Beneath it. Can a name rejoice, or weep,</p> +<p>Or hope? Can it be moved by tenderness</p> +<p>To daily services of love, or feel the warmth</p> +<p>Of dear companionship? How many things</p> +<p>We call by names that have no meaning: kings</p> +<p>That cannot rule; and gods that are not good;</p> +<p>And wives that do not love! It matters not</p> +<p>What syllables he utters when he calls,</p> +<p>'Tis I who come,--'tis I who minister</p> +<p>Unto my lord, and mine the living heart</p> +<p>That feels the comfort of his confidence,</p> +<p>The thrill of gladness when he speaks to me,--</p> +<p>I do not hear the name!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p class="ind2">And yet, be sure</p> +<p>There's danger in this error,--and no gain!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>I seek no gain; I only tread the path</p> +<p>Marked for me daily by the hand of love.</p> +<p>And if his blindness spared my lord one pang</p> +<p>Of sorrow in his black, forsaken hour,--</p> +<p>And if this error makes his burdened heart</p> +<p>More quiet, and his shadowed way less dark,</p> +<p>Whom do I rob? Not her who chose to stay</p> +<p>At ease in Rimmon's House! Surely not him!</p> +<p>Only myself? And that enriches me.</p> +<p>Why trouble we the master? Let it go,--</p> +<p>To-morrow he must know the truth,--and then</p> +<p>He shall dispose of me e'en as he will!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>To-morrow?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">Yes, for I will tarry here,</p> +<p>While you conduct him to Elisha's house</p> +<p>To find the promised healing. I forebode</p> +<p>A sudden danger from the craven king</p> +<p>Of Israel, or else a secret ambush</p> +<p>From those who hate us in Damascus. Go,</p> +<p>But leave me twenty men: this mountain-pass</p> +<p>Protects the road behind you. Make my lord</p> +<p>Obey the prophet's word, whatever he commands,</p> +<p>And come again in peace. Farewell!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Exit SABALLIDIN. RUAHMAH goes toward the tent, +then pauses and turns back. She takes her lyre and sings.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p>SONG.</p> +<br> +<p><I>Above the edge of dark appear the lances of the sun;</I></p> +<p><I>Along the mountain-ridges clear his rosy heralds run;</I></p> +<p class="ind2"><I>The vapours down the valley go</I></p> +<p class="ind2"><I>Like broken armies, dark and low.</I></p> +<p class="ind2"><I>Look up, my heart, from every hill</I></p> +<p class="ind2"><I>In folds of rose and daffodil</I></p> +<p class="ind2"><I>The sunrise banners flow.</I></p> +<br> +<p><I>O fly away on silent wing, ye boding owls of night!</I></p> +<p><I>O welcome little birds that sing the coming-in of light!</I></p> +<p class="ind2"><I>For new, and new, and ever-new,</I></p> +<p class="ind2"><I>The golden bud within the blue;</I></p> +<p class="ind2"><I>And every morning seems to say:</I></p> +<p class="ind2"><I>"There's something happy on the way,</I></p> +<p class="ind2"><I>And God sends love to you!"</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Appearing at the entrance of his +tent.</I>]</p> +<p>O let me ever wake to music! For the soul</p> +<p>Returns most gently then, and finds its way</p> +<p>By the soft, winding clue of melody,</p> +<p>Out of the dusky labyrinth of sleep,</p> +<p>Into the light. My body feels the sun</p> +<p>Though I behold naught that his rays reveal.</p> +<p>Come, thou who art my daydawn and my sight,</p> +<p>Sweet eyes, come close, and make the sunrise mine!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Coming near.</I>]</p> +<p>A fairer day, dear lord, was never born</p> +<p>In Paradise! The sapphire cup of heaven</p> +<p>Is filled with golden wine: the earth, adorned</p> +<p>With jewel-drops of dew, unveils her face</p> +<p>A joyful bride, in welcome to her king.</p> +<p>And look! He leaps upon the Eastern hills</p> +<p>All ruddy fire, and claims her with a kiss.</p> +<p>Yonder the snowy peaks of Hermon float</p> +<p>Unmoving as a wind-dropt cloud. The gulf</p> +<p>Of Jordan, filled with violet haze, conceals</p> +<p>The rivers winding trail with wreaths of mist.</p> +<p>Below us, marble-crowned Samaria thrones</p> +<p>Upon her emerald hill amid the Vale</p> +<p>Of Barley, while the plains to northward change</p> +<p>Their colour like the shimmering necks of doves.</p> +<p>The lark springs up, with morning on her wings,</p> +<p>To climb her singing stairway in the blue,</p> +<p>And all the fields are sprinkled with her joy!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Thy voice is magical: thy words are visions!</p> +<p>I must content myself with them, for now</p> +<p>My only hope is lost: Samaria's king</p> +<p>Rejects our monarch's message,--hast thou heard?</p> +<p>"Am I a god that I should cure a leper?"</p> +<p>He sends me home unhealed, with angry words,</p> +<p>Back to Damascus and the lingering death.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>What matter where he sends? No god is he</p> +<p>To slay or make alive. Elisha bids</p> +<p>You come to him at Dothan, there to learn</p> +<p>There is a God in Israel.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">I fear</p> +<p>That I am grown mistrustful of all gods;</p> +<p>Their secret counsels are implacable.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Fear not! There's One who rules in righteousness</p> +<p>High over all.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">What knowest thou of Him?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Oh, I have heard,--the maid of Israel,--</p> +<p>Rememberest thou? She often said her God</p> +<p>Was merciful and kind, and slow to wrath,</p> +<p>And plenteous in forgiveness, pitying us</p> +<p>Like as a father pitieth his children.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>If there were such a God, I'd worship Him</p> +<p>For ever!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">Then make haste to hear the word</p> +<p>His prophet promises to speak to thee!</p> +<p>Obey it, my dear lord, and thou shalt lose</p> +<p>This curse that burdens thee. This tiny spot</p> +<p>Of white that mars the beauty of thy brow</p> +<p>Shall melt like snow; thine eyes be filled with light.</p> +<p>Thou wilt not need my leading any more,--</p> +<p>Nor me,--for thou wilt see me, all unveiled,--</p> +<p>I tremble at the thought.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">Why, what is this?</p> +<p>Why shouldst thou tremble? Art thou not mine own?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Turning to him.</I>]</p> +<p>Surely I am! But take me, take me now!</p> +<p>For I belong to thee in body and soul;</p> +<p>The very pulses of my heart are thine.</p> +<p>Wilt thou not feel how tenderly they beat?</p> +<p>Wilt thou not lie like myrrh between my breasts</p> +<p>And satisfy thy lonely lips with love?</p> +<p>Thou art opprest, and I would comfort thee</p> +<p>While yet thy sorrow weighs upon thy life.</p> +<p>To-morrow? No, to-day! The crown of love</p> +<p>Is sacrifice; I have not given thee</p> +<p>Enough! Ah, fold me in thine arms,--take all!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>She takes his hands and puts them around her neck; +he holds her from +him, with one hand on her shoulder, the other behind her head.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Thou art too dear to injure with a kiss,--</p> +<p>Too dear for me to stain thy purity,</p> +<p>Or leave one touch upon thee to regret!</p> +<p>How should I take a gift may bankrupt thee,</p> +<p>Or drain the fragrant chalice of thy love</p> +<p>With lips that may be fatal? Tempt me not</p> +<p>To sweet dishonour; strengthen me to wait</p> +<p>Until thy prophecy is all fulfilled,</p> +<p>And I can claim thee with a joyful heart.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Turning away.</I>]</p> +<p>Thou wilt not need me then,--and I shall be</p> +<p>No more than the faint echo of a song</p> +<p>Heard half asleep. We shall go back to where</p> +<p>We stood before this journey.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">Never again!</p> +<p>For thou art changed by some deep miracle.</p> +<p>The flower of womanhood hath bloomed in thee,--</p> +<p>Art thou not changed?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">Yea, I am changed,--and changed</p> +<p>Again,--bewildered,--till there's nothing clear</p> +<p>To me but this: I am the instrument</p> +<p>In an Almighty hand to rescue thee</p> +<p>From death. This will I do,--and afterward--</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>A trumpet is blown, without.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p>Hearken, the trumpet sounds, the chariot waits.</p> +<p>Away, dear lord, follow the road to light!</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H3 ALIGN="center">SCENE II. [*]</H3> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[*] Note that this scene is not intended to be put +upon the stage, the +effect of the action upon the drama being given at the beginning of +Act IV.</p> +<br> +<br> +<p class="noindent"><I>The house of Elisha, upon a terraced hillside. A +low stone cottage +with vine-trellises and flowers; a flight of steps, at the foot of +which is NAAMAN'S chariot. He is standing in it; SABALLIDIN beside +it. +Two soldiers come down the steps.</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">FIRST SOLDIER:</p> +<p>We have delivered my lord's greeting and his message.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SECOND SOLDIER:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Yes, and near lost our noses in the doing of it! For the servant +slammed the door in our faces. A most unmannerly reception!</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">FIRST SOLDIER:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">But I take that as a good omen. It is mark of holy men to keep +ill-conditioned servants. Look, the door opens, the prophet is +coming.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SECOND SOLDIER:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">No, by my head, it's that notable mark of his master's holiness, +that same lantern-jawed lout of a servant.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>GEHAZI loiters down the steps and comes to NAAMAN +with a slight obeisance.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">GEHAZI:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">My master, the prophet of Israel, sends word to Naaman the +Syrian,--are you he?--"Go wash in Jordan seven times and be healed."</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>GEHAZI turns and goes slowly up the steps.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>What insolence is this? Am I a man</p> +<p>To be put off with surly messengers?</p> +<p>Has not Damascus rivers more renowned</p> +<p>Than this rude, torrent Jordan? Crystal streams,</p> +<p>Abana! Pharpar! flowing smoothly through</p> +<p>A paradise of roses? Might I not</p> +<p>Have bathed in them and been restored at ease?</p> +<p>Come up, Saballidin, and guide me home!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>Bethink thee, master, shall we lose our quest</p> +<p>Because a servant is uncouth? The road</p> +<p>That seeks the mountain leads us through the vale.</p> +<p>The prophet's word is friendly after all;</p> +<p>For had it been some mighty task he set,</p> +<p>Thou wouldst perform it. How much rather then</p> +<p>This easy one? Hast thou not promised her</p> +<p>Who waits for thy return? Wilt thou go back</p> +<p>To her unhealed?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">No! not for all my pride!</p> +<p>I'll make myself most humble for her sake,</p> +<p>And stoop to anything that gives me hope</p> +<p>Of having her. Make haste, Saballidin,</p> +<p>Bring me to Jordan. I will cast myself</p> +<p>Into that river's turbulent embrace</p> +<p>A hundred times, until I save my life</p> +<p>Or lose it!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Exeunt. The light fades: musical interlude. The +light increases +again with ruddy sunset shining on the door of ELISHA'S house. +The +prophet appears and looks off, shading his eyes with his hand as +he +descends the steps slowly. Trumpet blows,--NAAMAN'S call;--sound +of +horses galloping and men shouting. NAAMAN enters joyously, followed +by +SABALLIDIN and soldiers, with gifts.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Behold a man delivered from the grave</p> +<p>By thee! I rose from Jordan's waves restored</p> +<p>To youth and vigour, as the eagle mounts</p> +<p>Upon the sunbeam and renews his strength!</p> +<p>O mighty prophet deign to take from me</p> +<p>These gifts too poor to speak my gratitude;</p> +<p>Silver and gold and jewels, damask robes,--</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">ELISHA: [<I>Interrupting.</I>]</p> +<p>As thy soul liveth I will not receive</p> +<p>A gift from thee, my son! Give all to Him</p> +<p>Whose mercy hath redeemed thee from thy plague.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>He is the only God! I worship Him!</p> +<p>Grant me a portion of the blessed soil</p> +<p>Of this most favoured land where I have found</p> +<p>His mercy; in Damascus will I build</p> +<p>An altar to His name, and praise Him there</p> +<p>Morning and night. There is no other God</p> +<p>In all the world.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">ELISHA:</p> +<p class="ind2">Thou needest not</p> +<p>This load of earth to build a shrine for Him;</p> +<p>Yet take it if thou wilt. But be assured</p> +<p>God's altar is in every loyal heart,</p> +<p>And every flame of love that kindles there</p> +<p>Ascends to Him and brightens with His praise.</p> +<p>There is no other God! But evil Powers</p> +<p>Make war against Him in the darkened world;</p> +<p>And many temples have been built to them.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>I know them well! Yet when my master goes</p> +<p>To worship in the House of Rimmon, I</p> +<p>Must enter with him; for he trusts me, leans</p> +<p>Upon my hand; and when he bows himself</p> +<p>I cannot help but make obeisance too,--</p> +<p>But not to Rimmon! To my country's king</p> +<p>I'll bow in love and honour. Will the Lord</p> +<p>Pardon thy servant in this thing?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">ELISHA:</p> +<p class="ind2">My son,</p> +<p>Peace has been granted thee. 'Tis thine to find</p> +<p>The only way to keep it. Go in peace.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Thou hast not answered me,--may I bow down?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">ELISHA:</p> +<p>The answer must be thine. The heart that knows</p> +<p>The perfect peace of gratitude and love,</p> +<p>Walks in the light and needs no other rule.</p> +<p>Take counsel with thy heart and go in peace!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent"><I>CURTAIN.</I></p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<H2 ALIGN="center">ACT IV</H2> +<br> +<H3 ALIGN="center">SCENE I</H3> +<br> +<p class="noindent"><I>The interior of NAAMAN'S tent, at night. RUAHMAH +alone, sleeping on +the ground. A vision appears to her through the curtains of the +font: +ELISHA standing on the hillside at Dothan: NAAMAN, restored to +sight, +comes in and kneels before him. ELISHA blesses him, and he goes +out +rejoicing. The vision of the prophet turns to RUAHMAH and lifts +his +hand in warning.</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">ELISHA:</p> +<p>Daughter of Israel, what dost thou here?</p> +<p>Thy prayer is granted. Naaman is healed:</p> +<p>Mar not true service with a selfish thought.</p> +<p>Nothing remains for thee to do, except</p> +<p>Give thanks, and go whither the Lord commands.</p> +<p>Obey,--obey! Ere Naaman returns</p> +<p>Thou must depart to thine own house in Shechem.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>The vision vanishes.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Waking and rising slowly.</I>]</p> +<p>A dream, a dream, a messenger of God!</p> +<p>O dear and dreadful vision, art thou true?</p> +<p>Then am I glad with all my broken heart.</p> +<p>Nothing remains,--nothing remains but this,--</p> +<p>Give thanks, obey, depart,--and so I do.</p> +<p>Farewell, my master's sword! Farewell to you,</p> +<p>My amulet! I lay you on the hilt</p> +<p>His hand shall clasp again: bid him farewell</p> +<p>For me, since I must look upon his face</p> +<p>No more for ever!--Hark, what sound was that?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Enter soldier hurriedly.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SOLDIER:</p> +<p>Mistress, an arméd troop, footmen and horse,</p> +<p>Mounting the hill!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">My lord returns in triumph.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SOLDIER:</p> +<p>Not so, for these are enemies; they march</p> +<p>In haste and silence, answering not our cries.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p>Our enemies? Then hold your ground,--on guard!</p> +<p>Fight! fight! Defend the pass, and drive them down.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Exit soldier. RUAHMAH draws NAAMAN'S sword from +the scabbard and +hurries out of the tent. Confused noise of fighting outside. Three +or +four soldiers are driven in by a troop of men in disguise. +RUAHMAH +follows: she is beaten to her knees, and her sword is broken.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON: [<I>Throwing aside the cloth which covers his +face.</I>]</p> +<p>Hold her! So, tiger-maid, we've found your lair</p> +<p>And trapped you. Where is Naaman,</p> +<p>Your master?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Rising, her arms held by two of REZON'S +followers.</I>]</p> +<p class="ind2">He is far beyond your reach.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>Brave captain! He has saved himself, the leper,</p> +<p>And left you here?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">The leper is no more.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>What mean you?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">He has gone to meet his God.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>Dead? Dead? Behold how Rimmon's wrath is swift!</p> +<p>Damascus shall be mine: I'll terrify</p> +<p>The King with this, and make my terms. But no!</p> +<p>False maid, you sweet-faced harlot, you have lied</p> +<p>To save him,--speak.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH:</p> +<p class="ind2">I am not what you say,</p> +<p>Nor have I lied, nor will I ever speak</p> +<p>A word to you, vile servant of a traitor-god.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>Break off this little flute of blasphemy,</p> +<p>This ivory neck,--twist it, I say!</p> +<p>Give her a swift despatch after her leper!</p> +<p>But stay,--if he still lives he'll follow her,</p> +<p>And so we may ensnare him. Harm her not!</p> +<p>Bind her! Away with her to Rimmon's House!</p> +<p>Is all this carrion dead? There's one that moves,--</p> +<p>A spear,--fasten him down! All quiet now?</p> +<p>Then back to our Damascus! Rimmon's face</p> +<p>Shall be made bright with sacrifice.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Exeunt forcing RUAHMAH with them. Musical +interlude. A wounded +soldier crawls from a dark corner of the tent and finds the chain +with +NAAMAN's seal, which has fallen to the ground in the struggle.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">WOUNDED SOLDIER:</p> +<p>This signet of my lord, her amulet!</p> +<p>Lost, lost! Ah, noble lady,--let me die</p> +<p>With this upon my breast.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>The tent is dark. Enter NAAMAN and his company in +haste, with torches.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">What bloody work</p> +<p>Is here? God, let me live to punish him</p> +<p>Who wrought this horror! Treacherously slain</p> +<p>At night, by unknown hands, my brave companions:</p> +<p>Tsarpi, my best beloved, light of my soul,</p> +<p>Put out in darkness! O my broken lamp</p> +<p>Of life, where art thou? Nay, I cannot find her.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">WOUNDED SOLDIER: [<I>Raising himself on his arm.</I>]</p> +<p>Master!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Kneels beside him.</I>]</p> +<p class="ind2">One living? Quick, a torch this way!</p> +<p>Lift up his head,--so,--carefully!</p> +<p>Courage, my friend, your captain is beside you.</p> +<p>Call back your soul and make report to him.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">WOUNDED SOLDIER:</p> +<p>Hail, captain! O my captain,--here!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Be patient,--rest in peace,--the fight is done.</p> +<p>Nothing remains but render your account.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">WOUNDED SOLDIER:</p> +<p>They fell upon us suddenly,--we fought</p> +<p>Our fiercest,--every man,--our lady fought</p> +<p>Fiercer than all. They beat us down,--she's gone.</p> +<p>Rezon has carried her away a captive. See,--</p> +<p>Her amulet,--I die for you, my captain.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>He gently lays the dead soldier on the +ground, and rises.</I>]</p> +<p>Farewell. This last report was brave; but strange</p> +<p>Beyond my thought! How came the High Priest here?</p> +<p>And what is this? my chain, my seal! But this</p> +<p>Has never been in Tsarpi's hand. I gave</p> +<p>This signet to a captive maid one night,--</p> +<p>A maid of Israel. How long ago?</p> +<p>Ruahmah was her name,--almost forgotten!</p> +<p>So long ago,--how comes this token here?</p> +<p>What is this mystery, Saballidin?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>Ruahmah is her name who brought you hither.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Where then is Tsarpi?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p class="ind2">In Damascus.</p> +<p>She left you when the curse of Rimmon fell,--</p> +<p>Took refuge in his House,--and there she waits</p> +<p>Her lord's return,--Rezon's return.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">'Tis false!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>The falsehood is in her. She hath been friend</p> +<p>With Rezon in his priestly plot to win</p> +<p>Assyria's favour,--friend to his design</p> +<p>To sell his country to enrich his temple,--</p> +<p>And friend to him in more,--I will not name it.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Nor will I credit it. Impossible!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>Did she not plead with you against the war,</p> +<p>Counsel surrender, seek to break your will?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>She did not love my work, a soldier's task.</p> +<p>She never seemed to be at one with me</p> +<p>Until I was a leper.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p class="ind2">From whose hand</p> +<p>Did you receive the sacred cup?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">From hers.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>And from that hour the curse began to work.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>But did she not have pity when she saw</p> +<p>Me smitten? Did she not beseech the King</p> +<p>For letters and a guard to make this journey?</p> +<p>Has she not been the fountain of my hope,</p> +<p>My comforter and my most faithful guide</p> +<p>In this adventure of the dark? All this</p> +<p>Is proof of perfect love that would have shared</p> +<p>A leper's doom rather than give me up.</p> +<p>Can I doubt her who dared to love like this?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SABALLIDIN:</p> +<p>O master, doubt her not,--but know her name;</p> +<p>Ruahmah! It was she alone who wrought</p> +<p>This wondrous work of love. She won the King</p> +<p>By the strong pleading of resistless hope</p> +<p>To furnish forth this company. She led</p> +<p>Our march, kept us in heart, fought off despair,</p> +<p>Offered herself to you as to her god,</p> +<p>Watched over you as if you were her child,</p> +<p>Prepared your food, your cup, with her own hands,</p> +<p>Sang you asleep at night, awake at dawn,--</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Interrupting.</I>]</p> +<p>Enough! I do remember every hour</p> +<p>Of that sweet comradeship! And now her voice</p> +<p>Wakens the echoes in my lonely breast;</p> +<p>The perfume of her presence fills my sense</p> +<p>With longing. All my soul cries out in vain</p> +<p>For her embracing, satisfying love,</p> +<p>her eyes and called her my Ruahmah!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>To his soldiers.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p>Away! away! I burn to take the road</p> +<p>That leads me back to Rimmon's House,--</p> +<p>But not to bow,--by God, never to bow!</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TIME: <I>Three days later</I></p> +<br> +<H3 ALIGN="center">SCENE II</H3> +<br> +<p class="noindent"><I>Inner court of the House of Rimmon; a temple with +huge pillars at each +side. In the right foreground the seat of the King; at the left, +of +equal height, the seat of the High Priest. In the background a +broad +flight of steps, rising to a curtain of cloudy gray, embroidered +with +two gigantic hands holding thunderbolts. The temple is in half +darkness at first. Enter KHAMMA and NUBTA, robed as Kharimati, or +religious dancers, in gowns of black gauze with yellow embroideries +and +mantles.</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">All is ready for the rites of worship; our lady will play a great +part +in them. She has put on her Tyrian robes, and all her ornaments.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NUBTA:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">That is a sure sign of a religious purpose. She is most devout, +our +lady Tsarpi!</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">A favourite of Rimmon, too! The High Priest has assured her of +it. +He is a great man,--next to the King, now that Naaman is gone.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NUBTA:</p> +<p>But if Naaman should come back, healed of the leprosy?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">How can he come back? The Hebrew slave that went away with him, +when +they caught her, said that he was dead. The High Priest has shut +her +up in the prison of the temple, accusing her of her master's +death.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NUBTA:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Yet I think he does not believe it, for I heard him telling our +mistress what to do if Naaman should return.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<p>What, then?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NUBTA:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">She will claim him as her husband. Was she not wedded to him +before +the god? That is a sacred bond. Only the High Priest can loose +it. +She will keep her hold on Naaman for the sake of the House of +Rimmon. +A wife knows her husband's secrets, she can tell----</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Enter SHUMAKIM, with his flagon, walking +unsteadily.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<p>Hush! here comes the fool Shumakim. He is never sober.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM: [<I>Laughing.</I>]</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Are there two of you? I see two, but that is no proof. I think +there +is only one, but beautiful enough for two. What were you talking +to +yourself about, fairest one!</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">About the lady Tsarpi, fool, and what she would do if her husband +returned.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">Fie! fie! That is no talk for an innocent fool to hear. Has she +a +husband?</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NUBTA:</p> +<p>You know very well that she is the wife of Lord Naaman.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">I remember that she used to wear his name and his jewels. But I +thought he had exchanged her,--for a leprosy.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">You must have heard that he went away to Samaria to look for +healing. +Some say that he died on the journey; but others say he has been +cured, and is on his way home to his wife.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">It may be, for this is a mad world, and men never know when they +are +well off,--except us fools. But he must come soon if he would +find +his wife as he parted from her,--or the city where he left it. +The +Assyrians have returned with a greater army, and this time they +will +make an end of us. There is no Naaman how, and the Bull will +devour +Damascus like a bunch of leeks, flowers and all,--flowers and all, +my double-budded fair one! Are you not afraid?</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NUBTA:</p> +<p>We belong to the House of Rimmon. He will protect us.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM:</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">What? The mighty one who hides behind the curtain there, and +tells +his secrets to Rezon? No doubt he will take care of you, and of +himself. Whatever game is played, the gods never lose. But for +the +protection, of the common people and the rest of us fools, I would +rather have Naaman at the head of an army than all the sacred +images +between here and Babylon.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">KHAMMA:</p> +<p>You are a wicked old man. You mock the god. He will punish you.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">SHUMAKIM: [<I>Bitterly.</I>]</p> +<div class="inddiv2"><p class="noindent">How can he punish me? Has he not already made me a fool? Hark, +here +comes my brother the High Priest, and my brother the King. Rimmon +made us all; but nobody knows who made Rimmon, except the High +Priest; and he will never tell.</p></div> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Gongs and cymbals sound. Enter REZON with priests, +and the King with +courtiers. They take their seats. A throng of Khali and +Kharimati +come in, TSARPI presiding; a sacred dance is performed with +torches, +burning incense, and chanting, in which TSARPI leads.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p>CHANT.</p> +<br> +<p><I>Hail, mighty Rimmon, ruler of the whirl-storm,</I></p> +<p><I>Hail, shaker of mountains, breaker-down of forests,</I></p> +<p><I>Hail, thou who roarest terribly in the darkness,</I></p> +<p><I>Hail, thou whose arrows flame across the heavens!</I></p> +<p><I>Hail, great destroyer, lord of flood and tempest,</I></p> +<p><I>In thine anger almighty, in thy wrath eternal,</I></p> +<p><I>Thou who delightest in ruin, maker of desolations,</I></p> +<p><I>Immeru, Addu, Barku, Rimmon!</I></p> +<p><I>See we tremble before thee, low we bow at thine altar,</I></p> +<p><I>Have mercy upon us, be favourable unto us,</I></p> +<p><I>Save us from our enemy, accept our sacrifice,</I></p> +<p><I>Barku, Immeru, Addu, Rimmon!</I></p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Silence follows, all bowing down.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>O King, last night the counsel from above</p> +<p>Was given in answer to our divination.</p> +<p>Ambassadors must go forthwith to crave</p> +<p>Assyria's pardon, and a second offer</p> +<p>Of the same terms of peace we did reject</p> +<p>Not long ago.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p class="ind2">Dishonour! Yet I see</p> +<p>No other way! Assyria will refuse,</p> +<p>Or make still harder terms. Disaster, shame</p> +<p>For this gray head, and ruin for Damascus!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>Yet may we trust Rimmon will favour us,</p> +<p>If we adhere devoutly to his worship.</p> +<p>He will incline his brother-god, the Bull,</p> +<p>To spare us, if we supplicate him now</p> +<p>With costly gifts. Therefore I have prepared</p> +<p>A sacrifice: Rimmon shall be well pleased</p> +<p>With the red blood that bathes his knees to-night!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p>My mind is dark with doubt,--I do forebode</p> +<p>Some horror! Let me go,--I am an old man,--</p> +<p>If Naaman my captain were alive!</p> +<p>But he is dead,--the glory is departed!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>He rises, trembling, to leave the throne. Trumpet +sounds,--NAAMAN'S +call;--enter NAAMAN, followed by soldiers; he kneels at the foot of +the throne.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD: [<I>Half-whispering.</I>]</p> +<p>Art thou a ghost escaped from Allatu?</p> +<p>How didst thou pass the seven doors of death?</p> +<p>O noble ghost I am afraid of thee,</p> +<p>And yet I love thee,--let me hear thy voice!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>No ghost, my King, but one who lives to serve</p> +<p>Thee and Damascus with his heart and sword</p> +<p>As in the former days. The only God</p> +<p>Has healed my leprosy: my life is clean</p> +<p>To offer to my country and my King.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD: [<I>Starting toward him.</I>]</p> +<p>O welcome to thy King! Thrice welcome!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON; [<I>Leaving his seat and coming toward +NAAMAN.</I>]</p> +<p class="ind2">Stay!</p> +<p>The leper must appear before the priest,</p> +<p>The only one who can pronounce him clean.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>NAAMAN turns; they stand looking each other in the +face.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p>Yea,--thou art cleansed: Rimmon hath pardoned +thee,--</p> +<p>In answer to the daily prayers of her</p> +<p>Whom he restores to thine embrace,--thy wife.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>TSARPI comes slowly toward NAAMAN.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>From him who rules this House will I receive</p> +<p>Nothing! I seek no pardon from his priest,</p> +<p>No wife of mine among his votaries!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">TSARPI: [<I>Holding out her hands.</I>]</p> +<p>Am I not yours? Will you renounce our vows?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>The vows were empty,--never made you mine</p> +<p>In aught but name. A wife is one who shares</p> +<p>Her husband's thought, incorporates his heart</p> +<p>With hers by love, and crowns him with her trust.</p> +<p>She is God's remedy for loneliness,</p> +<p>And God's reward for all the toil of life.</p> +<p>This you have never been to me,--and so</p> +<p>I give you back again to Rimmon's House</p> +<p>Where you belong. Claim what you will of mine,--</p> +<p>Not me! I do renounce you,--or release you,--</p> +<p>According to the law. If you demand</p> +<p>A further cause than what I have declared,</p> +<p>I will unfold it fully to the King.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON: [<I>Interposing hurriedly.</I>]</p> +<p>No need of that! This duteous lady yields</p> +<p>To your caprice as she has ever done;</p> +<p>She stands a monument of loyalty</p> +<p>And woman's meekness.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p class="ind2">Let her stand for that!</p> +<p>Adorn your temple with her piety!</p> +<p>But you in turn restore to me the treasure</p> +<p>You stole at midnight from my tent.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>What treasure? I have stolen none from you.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>The very jewel of my soul,--Ruahmah!</p> +<p>My King, the captive maid of Israel,</p> +<p>To whom thou didst commit my broken life</p> +<p>With letters to Samaria,--my light,</p> +<p>My guide, my saviour in this pilgrimage,--</p> +<p>Dost thou remember?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p class="ind2">I recall the maid,--</p> +<p>But dimly,--for my mind is old and weary.</p> +<p>She was a fearless maid, I trusted her</p> +<p>And gave thee to her charge. Where is she now?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>This robber fell upon my camp by night,--</p> +<p>While I was with Elisha at the Jordan,--</p> +<p>Slaughtered my soldiers, carried off the maid,</p> +<p>And holds her somewhere in imprisonment.</p> +<p>O give this jewel back to me, my King,</p> +<p>And I will serve thee with a grateful heart</p> +<p>For ever. I will fight for thee, and lead</p> +<p>Thine armies on to glorious victory</p> +<p>Over all foes! Thou shalt no longer fear</p> +<p>The host of Asshur, for thy throne shall stand</p> +<p>Encompassed with a wall of dauntless hearts,</p> +<p>And founded on a mighty people's love,</p> +<p>And guarded by the God of righteousness.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p>I feel the flame of courage at thy breath</p> +<p>Leap up among the ashes of despair.</p> +<p>Thou hast returned to save us! Thou shalt have</p> +<p>The maid; and thou shalt lead my host again!</p> +<p>Priest, I command you give her back to him.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>O master, I obey thy word as thou</p> +<p>Hast ever been obedient to the voice</p> +<p>Of Rimmon. Let thy fiery captain wait</p> +<p>Until the sacrifice has been performed,</p> +<p>And he shall have the jewel that he claims.</p> +<p>Must we not first placate the city's god</p> +<p>With due allegiance, keep the ancient faith,</p> +<p>And pay our homage to the Lord of Wrath?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD: [<I>Sinking hack upon his throne in +fear.</I>]</p> +<p>I am the faithful son of Rimmon's House,--</p> +<p>And lo, these many years I worship him!</p> +<p>My thoughts are troubled,--I am very old,</p> +<p>But still a King! O Naaman, be patient!</p> +<p>Priest, let the sacrifice be offered.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>The High Priest lifts his rod. Gongs and cymbals +sound. The curtain +is rolled back, disclosing the image of Rimmon; a gigantic and +hideous +idol, with a cruel human face, four horns, the mane of a lion, and +huge +paws stretched in front of him enclosing a low altar of black +stone. +RUAHMAH stands on the altar, chained, her arms are bare and folded +on +her breast. The people prostrate themselves in silence, with signs +of +astonishment and horror.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">REZON:</p> +<p>Behold the sacrifice! Bow down, bow down!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN: [<I>Stabbing him.</I>]</p> +<p>Bow thou, black priest! Down,--down to hell!</p> +<p>Ruahmah! do not die! I come to thee,</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>NAAMAN rushes toward her, attacked by the priests, +crying "Sacrilege! +Kill him!" But the soldiers stand on the steps and beat them back. +He +springs upon the altar and clasps her by the hand. Tumult and +confusion. The King rises and speaks with a loud voice, silence +follows.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p>Peace, peace! The King commands all weapons down!</p> +<p>O Naaman, what wouldst thou do? Beware</p> +<p>Lest thou provoke the anger of a god.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>There is no God but one, the Merciful,</p> +<p>Who gave this perfect woman to my soul</p> +<p>That I might learn through her to worship Him,</p> +<p>And know the meaning of immortal Love.</p> +<p>Whom God hath joined together, all the Powers</p> +<p>Of hate and falsehood never shall divide.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD: [<I>Agitated.</I>]</p> +<p>Yet she is consecrated, bound, and doomed</p> +<p>To sacrificial death; but thou art sworn</p> +<p>To live and lead my host,--Hast thou not sworn?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN:</p> +<p>Only if thou wilt keep thy word to me!</p> +<p>Break with this idol of iniquity</p> +<p>Whose shadow makes a darkness in the land;</p> +<p>Give her to me who gave me back to thee;</p> +<p>And I will lead thine army to renown</p> +<p>And plant thy banners on the hill of triumph.</p> +<p>But if she dies, I die with her, defying Rimmon.</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>Cries of "Spare them! Release her! Give us back +our Captain!" and +"Sacrilege! Let them die!" Then silence, all turning toward the +King.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">BENHADAD:</p> +<p>Is this the choice? Must we destroy the bond</p> +<p>Of ancient faith, or slay the city's living hope!</p> +<p>I am an old, old man,--and yet the King!</p> +<p>Must I decide?--O let me ponder it!</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">[<I>His head sinks upon his breast. All stand eagerly +looking at him.</I>]</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">NAAMAN; [<I>Holding her in his arms.</I>]</p> +<p>Ruahmah, my Ruahmah! I have come</p> +<p>To thee at last! And art thou satisfied?</p> +<br> +<p class="noindent">RUAHMAH: [<I>Looking into his face.</I>]</p> +<p>Belovéd, my belovéd, I am glad</p> +<p>Forever! Come what may, the only God</p> +<p>Is Love,--and He will never part us.</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE OF RIMMON***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 17944-h.txt or 17944-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/9/4/17944">http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/9/4/17944</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/17944-h/images/img-front.jpg b/17944-h/images/img-front.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3de7185 --- /dev/null +++ b/17944-h/images/img-front.jpg diff --git a/17944.txt b/17944.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1f9c793 --- /dev/null +++ b/17944.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2819 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The House of Rimmon, by Henry Van Dyke + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The House of Rimmon + A Drama in Four Acts + + +Author: Henry Van Dyke + + + +Release Date: March 8, 2006 [eBook #17944] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE OF RIMMON*** + + +E-text prepared by Al Haines + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 17944-h.htm or 17944-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/9/4/17944/17944-h/17944-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/9/4/17944/17944-h.zip) + + + + + +THE HOUSE OF RIMMON + +A Drama in Four Acts + +by + +HENRY VAN DYKE + + + + + + + +[Frontispiece: "Behold the sacrifice! Bow down, bow down!"] + + + + +New York +Charles Scribner's Sons +1908 +Copyright, 1908, by +Henry Van Dyke +All rights reserved +Published in October + + + + +THE HOUSE OF RIMMON + + + + +DRAMATIS PERSONAE + + BENHADAD: King of Damascus. + + REZON: High Priest of the House of Rimmon. + + SABALLIDIN: A Noble of Damascus. + + HAZAEL ) + IZDUBHAR ) Courtiers of Damascus. + RAKHAZ ) + + SHUMAKIM: The King's Fool. + + ELISHA: Prophet of Israel. + + NAAMAN: Captain of the Armies of Damascus. + + RUAHMAH: A Captive Maid of Israel. + + TSARPI: Wife to Naaman. + + KHAMMA ) + NUBTA ) Attendants of Tsarpi. + + Soldiers, Servants, Citizens, etc., etc. + +SCENE: _Damascus and the Mountains of Samaria._ + +TIME: _850 B. C._ + + + + +ACT I + +SCENE I + +_Night, in the garden of NAAMAN at Damascus. At the left, on a +slightly raised terrace, the palace, with softly gleaming lights and +music coming from the open latticed windows. The garden is full of +oleanders, roses, pomegranates, abundance of crimson flowers; the air +is heavy with their fragrance: a fountain at the right is plashing +gently: behind it is an arbour covered with vines. Near the centre of +the garden stands a small, hideous image of the god Rimmon. Back of +the arbour rises the lofty square tower of the House of Rimmon, which +casts a shadow from the moon across the garden. The background is a +wide, hilly landscape, with a high road passing over the mountains +toward the snow-clad summits of Mount Hermon in the distance. Enter by +the palace door, the lady TSARPI, robed in red and gold, and followed +by her maids, KHAMMA and NUBTA. She remains on the terrace: they go +down into the garden, looking about, and returning to her._ + +KHAMMA: + There's no one here; the garden is asleep. + +NUBTA: + The flowers are nodding, all the birds abed, + And nothing wakes except the watchful stars! + +KHAMMA: + The stars are sentinels discreet and mute: + How many things they know and never tell! + +TSARPI: [_Impatiently._] + Unlike the stars, how many things you tell + And do not know! When comes your master home? + +NUBTA: + Lady, his armour-bearer brought us word + An hour ago, the master will be here + At moonset, not before. + +TSARPI: + He haunts the camp + And leaves me much alone; yet I can pass + The time of absence not unhappily, + If I but know the time of his return. + An hour of moonlight yet! Khamma, my mirror! + These curls are ill arranged, this veil too low,-- + So,--that is better, careless maids! Withdraw,-- + But warn me if your master should appear. + +KHAMMA: + Mistress, have no concern; for when we hear + The clatter of his horse along the street, + We'll run this way and lead your dancers down + With song and laughter,--you shall know in time. + +[_Exeunt KHAMMA and NUBTA, laughing. TSARPI descends the steps._] + +TSARPI: + My guest is late; but he will surely come! + Hunger and thirst will bring him to my feet. + The man who burns to drain the cup of love,-- + The priest whose greed of glory never fails,-- + Both, both have need of me, and he will come. + And I,--what do I need? Why everything + That helps my beauty to a higher throne; + All that a priest can promise, all a man + Can give, and all a god bestow, I need: + This may a woman win, and this will I. + +[_Enter REZON quietly from the shadow of the trees. He stands behind +TSARPI and listens, smiling, to her last words. Then he drops his +mantle of leopard-skin, and lifts his high-priest's rod of bronze, +shaped at one end like a star, at the other like a thunderbolt._] + +REZON: + Tsarpi! + +TSARPI: + The mistress of the house of Naaman + Salutes the keeper of the House of Rimmon. + +[_She bows low before him._] + +REZON: + Rimmon receives you with his star of peace; + +[_He lowers the star-point of the rod, which glows for a moment with +rosy light above her head._] + + And I, his chosen minister, kneel down + Before your regal beauty, and implore + The welcome of the woman for the man. + +TSARPI: [_Giving him her hand, but holding off his embrace._] + Thus Tsarpi welcomes Rezon! Nay, no more! + Till I have heard what errand brings you here + By night, within the garden of the man + Who hates you most and fears you least in all Damascus. + +REZON: [_Rising, and speaking angrily._] + Trust me, I repay his scorn + With double hatred,--Naaman, the man + Whom the King honours and the people love, + Who stands against the nobles and the priests, + Against the oracles of Rimmon's House, + And cries, "We'll fight to keep Damascus free!" + This powerful fool, this impious devotee + Of liberty, who loves the city more + Than he reveres the city's ancient god: + This frigid husband who sets you below + His dream of duty to a horde of slaves: + This man I hate, and I will humble him. + +TSARPI: + I think I hate him too. He stands apart + From me, ev'n while he holds me in his arms, + By something that I cannot understand, + Nor supple to my will, nor melt with tears, + Nor quite dissolve with blandishments, although + He swears he loves his wife next to his honour! + Next? That's too low! I will be first or nothing. + +REZON: + With me you are the first, the absolute! + When you and I have triumphed you shall reign; + And you and I will bring this hero down. + +TSARPI: + But how? For he is strong. + +REZON: + By these, the eyes + Of Tsarpi; and by this, the rod of Rimmon. + +TSARPI: + Speak clearly; tell your plan. + +REZON: + You know the host + Of the Assyrian king has broken forth + Again to conquer us. Envoys have come + From Shalmaneser to demand surrender. + Our king Benhadad wavers, for he knows + His weakness. All the nobles, all the rich, + Would purchase peace that they may grow more rich: + Only the people and the soldiers, led + By Naaman, would fight for liberty. + Blind fools! To-day the envoys came to pay + Their worship to our god, whom they adore + In Nineveh as Asshur's brother-god. + They talked with me in secret. Promises, + Great promises! For every noble house + That urges peace, a noble recompense: + The king, submissive, kept in royal state + And splendour: most of all, honour and wealth + Shall crown the House of Rimmon, and his priest,-- + Yea, and his priestess. For we two will rise + Upon the city's fall. The common folk + Shall suffer; Naaman shall sink with them + In wreck; but I shall rise, and you shall rise + Above me! You shall climb, through incense-smoke, + And days of pomp, and nights of revelry, + Glorious rites and ecstasies of love, + Unto the topmost room in Rimmon's tower, + The secret, lofty room, the couch of bliss, + And the divine embraces of the god. + +TSARPI: [_Throwing out her arms in exultation._] + All, all I wish! What must I do for this? + +REZON: + Turn Naaman away from thoughts of war; + Or purchase him with love's delights to yield + This point,--I care not how,--and afterwards + The future shall be ours. + +TSARPI: + And if I fail? + +REZON: + I have another shaft. The last appeal, + Before the king decides, is to the oracle + Of Rimmon. You shall read the signs! + A former priestess of his temple, you + Shall be the interpreter of heaven, and speak + A word to melt this brazen soldier's heart + Within his breast. + +TSARPI: + But if it flame instead? + +REZON: + I know the way to quench that flame. The cup, + The parting cup your hand shall give to him! + What if the curse of Rimmon should infect + That wine with sacred venom, secretly + To work within his veins, week after week + Corrupting all the currents of his blood, + Dimming his eyes, wasting his flesh? What then? + Would he prevail in war? Would he come back + To glory, or to shame? What think you? + +TSARPI: + I? + I do not think; I only do my part. + But can the gods bless this? + +REZON: + The gods can bless + Whatever they decree; their will makes right; + And this is for the glory of the house + Of Rimmon,--and for thee, my queen. Come, come! + The night grows dark: we'll perfect our alliance. + +[_REZON draws her with him, embracing her, through the shadows of the +garden. RUAHMAH, who has been sleeping in the arbour, has been +awakened during the dialogue, and has been dimly visible in her white +dress, behind the vines. She parts them and comes out, pushing back +her long, dark hair from her temples._] + +RUAHMAH: + What have I heard? O God, what shame is this + Plotted beneath Thy pure and silent stars! + Was it for this that I was brought away + Captive from Israel's blessed hills to serve + A heathen mistress in a land of lies? + Ah, treacherous, shameful priest! Ah, shameless wife + Of one too noble to suspect thy guilt! + The very greatness of his generous heart + Betrays him to their hands. What can I do? + Nothing,--a slave,--hated and mocked by all + My fellow-slaves! O bitter prison-life! + I smother in this black, betraying air + Of lust and luxury; I faint beneath + The shadow of this House of Rimmon. God + Have mercy! Lead me out to Israel. + To Israel! + +[_Music and laughter heard within the palace. The doors fly open and a +flood of men and women, dancers, players, flushed with wine, +dishevelled, pour down the steps, KHAMMA and NUBTA with them. They +crown the image with roses and dance around it. RUAHMAH is discovered +crouching beside the arbour. They drag her out before the image._] + +NUBTA: + Look! Here's the Hebrew maid,-- + She's homesick; let us comfort her! + +KHAMMA: [_They put their arms around her._] + Yes, dancing is the cure for homesickness. + We'll make her dance. + +RUAHMAH: [She slips away.] + I pray you, let me go! + I cannot dance, I do not know your measures. + +KHAMMA: + Then sing for us,--a song of Israel! + +RUAHMAH: + How can I sing the songs of Israel + In this strange country? O my heart would break + With grief in every note of that dear music. + +A SERVANT: + A stubborn and unfriendly maid! We'll whip her. + +[_They circle around her, striking her with rose-branches; she sinks to +her knees, covering her face with her bare arms, which bleed._] + +NUBTA: + Look, look! She kneels to Rimmon, she is tamed. + +RUAHMAH: [_Springing up and lifting her arms._] + Nay, not to this dumb idol, but to Him + Who made Orion and the seven stars! + +ALL: + She raves,--she mocks at Rimmon! Punish her! + The fountain! Wash her blasphemy away! + +[_They push her toward the fountain, laughing and shouting. In the +open door of the palace NAAMAN appears, dressed in blue and silver, +bareheaded and unarmed. He comes to the top of the steps and stands +for a moment, astonished and angry._] + +NAAMAN: + Silence! What drunken rout is this? Begone, + Ye barking dogs and mewing cats! Out, all! + Poor child, what have they done to thee? + +[_Exeunt all except RUAHMAH, who stands with her face covered by her +hands. NAAMAN comes to her, laying his hand on her shoulder._] + +RUAHMAH: [_Looking up in his face._] + Nothing, + My lord and master! They have harmed me not. + +NAAMAN: [_Touching her arm._] + Dost call this nothing? + +RUAHMAH: + Since my lord is come. + +NAAMAN: + I do not know thy face,--who art thou, child? + +RUAHMAH: + The handmaid of thy wife. These three years past + I have attended her. + +NAAMAN: + Whence comest thou? + Thy voice is like thy mistress, but thy looks + Have something foreign. Tell thy name, thy land. + +RUAHMAH: + Ruahmah is my name, a captive maid, + The daughter of a prince in Israel,-- + Where once, in olden days, I saw my lord + Ride through our highlands, when Samaria + Was allied with Damascus to defeat + Asshur, our common foe. + +NAAMAN: + O glorious days, + Crowded with life! And thou rememberest them? + +RUAHMAH: + As clear as yesterday! Master, I saw + Thee riding on a snow-white horse beside + Our king; and all we joyful little maids + Strewed boughs of palm along the victors' way; + For you had driven out the enemy, + Broken; and both our lands were friends and free. + +NAAMAN: [_Sadly._] + Well, they are past, those noble days! The friends + That fought for freedom stand apart, rivals + For Asshur's favour, like two jealous dogs + That snarl and bite each other, while they wait + The master's whip, enforcing peace. The days + When nations would imperil all to keep + Their liberties, are only memories now. + The common cause is lost,--and thou art brought, + The captive of some mercenary raid, + Some profitable, honourless foray, + To serve within my house. Dost thou fare well? + +RUAHMAH: + Master, thou seest. + +NAAMAN: + Yes, I see! My child, + Why do they hate thee so? + +RUAHMAH: + I do not know, + Unless because I will not bow to Rimmon. + +NAAMAN: + Thou needest not. I fear he is a god + Who pities not his people, will not save. + My heart is sick with doubt of him. But thou + Shalt hold thy faith,--I care not what it is,-- + Worship thy god; but keep thy spirit free. + Here, take this chain and wear it with my seal, + None shall molest the maid who carries this. + Thou hast found favour in thy master's eyes; + Hast thou no other gift to ask of me? + +RUAHMAH: [_Earnestly._] + My lord, I do entreat thee not to go + To-morrow to the council. Seek the King + And speak with him in secret; but avoid + The audience-hall. + +NAAMAN; + Why, what is this? Thy wits + Are wandering. Why dost thou ask this thing + Impossible! My honour is engaged + To speak for war, to lead in war against + The Assyrian Bull and save Damascus. + +RUAHMAH: [_With confused earnestness._] + Then, lord, if thou must go, I pray thee speak,-- + I know not how,--but so that all must hear. + With magic of unanswerable words + Persuade thy foes. Yet watch,--beware,-- + +NAAMAN: + Of what? + +RUAHMAH: [_Turning aside._] + I am entangled in my speech,--no light,-- + How shall I tell him? He will not believe. + O my dear lord, thine enemies are they + Of thine own house. I pray thee to beware,-- + Beware,--of Rimmon! + +NAAMAN: + Child, thy words are wild; + Thy troubles have bewildered all thy brain. + Go, now, and fret no more; but sleep, and dream + Of Israel! For thou shall see thy home + Among the hills again. + +RUAHMAH: + Master, good-night, + And may thy slumber be as sweet and deep + As if thou camped at snowy Hermon's foot, + Amid the music of his waterfalls + And watched by winged sentries of the sky. + There friendly oak-trees bend their boughs above + The weary head, pillowed on earth's kind breast, + And unpolluted breezes lightly breathe + A song of sleep among the murmuring leaves. + There the big stars draw nearer, and the sun + Looks forth serene, undimmed by city's mirk + Or smoke of idol-temples, to behold + The waking wonder of the wide-spread world, + And life renews itself with every morn + In purest joy of living. May the Lord + Deliver thee, dear master, from the nets + Laid for thy feet, and lead thee out, along + The open path, beneath the open sky! + Thou shall be followed always by the heart + Of one poor captive maid who prays for thee. + +[_Exit RUAHMAH: NAAMAN stands looking after her._] + + + + +SCENE II. + +TIME: _The following morning._ + +_The audience-hall in BENHADAD'S palace. The sides of the hall are +lined with lofty columns: the back opens toward the city, with +descending steps: the House of Rimmon with its high tower is seen in +the background. The throne is at the right in front: opposite is the +royal door of entrance, guarded by four tall sentinels. Enter at the +rear between the columns, RAKHAZ, SABALLIDIN, HAZAEL, IZDUBHAR._ + +IZDUBHAR: [_An excited old man._] + The city is all in a turmoil. It boils like a pot of lentils. The + people are foaming and bubbling round and round like beans in the + pottage. + +HAZAEL: [_A lean, crafty man._] + Fear is a hot fire. + +RAKHAZ: [_A fat, pompous man._] + Well may they fear, for the Assyrians are not three days distant. + They are blazing along like a waterspout to chop Damascus down like + a pitcher of spilt milk. + +SABALLIDIN: [_Young and frank._] + Cannot Naaman drive them back? + +RAKHAZ: [_Puffing and blowing._] + Ho! Naaman? Where have you been living? Naaman is a broken reed + whose claws have been cut. Build no hopes on that foundation, for + it will upset in the midst of the sea and leave you hanging in the air. + +SABALLIDIN: + He clatters like a windmill. What would he say, Hazael? + +HAZAEL: + Naaman can do nothing without the command of the King; and the King + fears to order the army to march without the approval of the gods. + The High Priest is against it. The House of Rimmon is for peace with + Asshur. + +RAKHAZ: + Yes, and all the nobles are for peace. We are the men whose wisdom + lights the rudder that upholds the chariot of state. Would we be + rich if we were not wise? Do we not know better than the rabble what + medicine will silence this fire that threatens to drown us? + +IZDUBHAR: + But if the Assyrians come, we shall all perish; they will despoil + us all. + +HAZAEL: + Not us, my lord, only the common people. The envoys have offered + favourable terms to the priests, and the nobles, and the King. No + palace, no temple, shall be plundered. Only the shops, and the + markets, and the houses of the multitude shall be given up to the + Bull. He will eat his supper from the pot of lentils, not from + our golden plate. + +RAKHAZ: + Yes, and all who speak for peace in the council shall be enriched; + our heads shall be crowned with seats of honour in the processions + of the Assyrian king. He needs wise counsellors to help him guide + the ship of empire onto the solid rock of prosperity. You must be + with us, my lords Izdubhar and Saballidin, and let the stars of + your wisdom roar loudly for peace. + +IZDUBHAR: + He talks like a tablet read upside down,--a wild ass braying in the + wilderness. Yet there is policy in his words. + +SABALLIDIN: + I know not. Can a kingdom live without a people or an army? If we + let the Bull in to sup on the lentils, will he not make his breakfast + in our vineyards? + +[_Enter other courtiers, following SHUMAKIM, a crooked little jester, +in blue, green and red, a wreath of poppies around his neck and a +flagon in his hand. He walks unsteadily, and stutters in his speech._] + +HAZAEL: + Here is Shumakim, the King's fool, with his legs full of last night's + wine. + +SHUMAKIM: [_Balancing himself in front of them and chuckling._] + Wrong, my lords, very wrong! This is not last night's wine, but a + draught the King's physician gave me this morning for a cure. It + sobers me amazingly! I know you all, my lords: any fool would know + you. You, master, are a statesman; and you are a politician; and + you are a patriot. + +RAKHAZ: + Am I a statesman? I felt something of the kind about me. But what + is a statesman? + +SHUMAKIM: + A politician that is stuffed with big words; a fat man in a mask; + one that plays a solemn tune on a sackbut full o' wind. + +HAZAEL: + And what is a politician? + +SHUMAKIM: + A statesman that has dropped his mask and cracked his sackbut. Men + trust him for what he is, and he never deceives them, because he + always lies. + +IZDUBHAR: + Why do you call me a patriot? + +SHUMAKIM: + Because you know what is good for you; you love your country as you + love your pelf. You feel for the common people,--as the wolf feels + for the sheep. + +SABALLIDIN: + And what am I? + +SHUMAKIM: + A fool, master, just a plain fool; and there is hope of thee for that + reason. Embrace me, brother, and taste this; but not too much,--it + will intoxicate thee with sobriety. + +[_The hall has been slowly filling with courtiers and soldiers: a crowd +of people begin to come up the steps at the rear, where they are halted +by a chain guarded by servants of the palace. A bell tolls; the royal +door is thrown open; the aged King crosses the hall slowly and takes +his seat on the throne with the four tall sentinels standing behind +him. All bow down shading their eyes with their hands._] + +BENHADAD: + The hour of royal audience is come. + I'll hear the envoys of my brother king, + The Son of Asshur. Are my counsellors + At hand? Where are the priests of Rimmon's House? + +[_Gongs sound. REZON comes in from the rear, followed by a procession +of priests in black and yellow. The courtiers bow; the King rises; +REZON takes his stand on the steps of the throne at the left of the +King._] + +BENHADAD; + Where is my faithful servant Naaman, + The captain of my host? + +[_Trumpets sound from the city. The crowd on the steps divide; the +chain is lowered; NAAMAN enters, followed by six soldiers. He is +dressed in chain-mail, with a silver helmet and a cloak of blue. He +uncovers, and kneels on the steps of the throne at the King's right._] + +NAAMAN: + My lord the King, + The bearer of thy sword is here. + +BENHADAD: [_Giving NAAMAN his hand, and sitting down._] + Welcome, + My strong right arm that never failed me yet! + I am in doubt,--but stay thou close to me + While I decide this cause. Where are the envoys? + Let them appear and give their message. + +[_Enter the Assyrian envoys; one in white and the other in red; both +with the golden Bull's head embroidered oh their robes. They come from +the right, rear, bow slightly before the throne, and take the centre of +the hall._] + +WHITE ENVOY: [_Stepping forward._] + Greeting from Shalmaneser, Asshur's son, + The king who reigns at Nineveh + And takes his tribute from a thousand cities, + Unto Benhadad, monarch in Damascus! + The conquering Bull has come out of the north; + The south has fallen before him, and the west + His feet have trodden; Hamath is laid waste; + He pauses at your gate, invincible,-- + To offer peace. The princes of your court, + The priests of Rimmon's house, and you, the King, + If you pay homage to your overlord, + Shall rest secure, and flourish as our friends. + Assyria sends to you this gilded yoke; + Receive it as the sign of proffered peace. + +[_He lays a yoke on the steps of the throne._] + +BENHADAD: + What of the city? Said your king no word + Of our Damascus, and the many folk + That do inhabit her and make her great? + What of the soldiers who have fought for us? + The people who have sheltered 'neath our shield? + +WHITE ENVOY: + Of these my royal master did not speak. + +BENHADAD: + Strange silence! Must we give them up to him? + Is this the price at which he offers us + The yoke of peace? What if we do refuse? + +RED ENYOY: [_Stepping forward._] + Then ruthless war! War to the uttermost. + No quarter, no compassion, no escape! + The Bull will gore and trample in his fury + Nobles and priests and king,--none shall be spared! + Before the throne we lay our second gift; + This bloody horn, the symbol of red war. + +[_He lays a long bull's horn, stained with blood on the steps of the +throne._] + +WHITE ENVOY: + Our message is delivered. Grant us leave + And safe conveyance, that we may return + Unto our master. He will wait three days + To know your royal choice between his gifts. + Keep which you will and send the other back; + The red bull's horn your youngest page may bring; + But with the yoke, best send your mightiest army! + +[_The ENVOYS retire, amid confused murmurs of the people, the King +silent, his head sunken on his breast._] + +BENHADAD: + Proud words, a bitter message, hard to endure! + We are not now that force which feared no foe; + Our host is weakened, and our old allies + Have left us. Can we face this raging Bull + Alone, and beat him back? Give me your counsel. + +[_Many speak at once, confusedly._] + + What babblement is this? Were ye born at Babel? + Give me clear words and reasonable speech. + +RAKHAZ: [_Pompously_] + O King, I am a reasonable man; + And there be some who call me very wise + And prudent; but of this I will not speak, + For I am also modest. Let me plead, + Persuade, and reason you to choose for peace. + This golden yoke may be a bitter draught, + But better far to fold it in our arms, + Than risk our cargoes in the savage horn + Of war. Shall we imperil all our wealth, + Our valuable lives? Nobles are few, + Rich men are rare, and wise men rarer still; + The precious jewels on the tree of life, + Wherein the common people are but brides + And clay and rubble. Let the city go, + But save the corner-stones that float the ship! + Have I not spoken well? + +BENBADAD: [_Shaking his head._] + Excellent well! + Most eloquent! But misty in the meaning. + +HAZAEL: [_With cold decision._] + Then let me speak, O King, in plainer words! + The days of independent states are past: + The tide of empire sweeps across the earth; + Assyria rides it with resistless power + And thunders on to subjugate the world. + Oppose her, and we fight with Destiny; + Submit to her demands, and we shall ride + With her to victory. Therefore return + This bloody horn, the symbol of wild war, + With words of soft refusal, and accept + The golden yoke, Assyria's gift of peace. + +NAAMAN: [_Starting forward eagerly._] + There is no peace beneath a conqueror's yoke, + My King, but shame and heaviness of heart! + For every state that barters liberty + To win imperial favour, shall be drained + Of her best blood, henceforth, in endless wars + To make the empire greater. Here's the choice: + We fight to-day to keep our country free, + Or else we fight forevermore to help + Assyria bind the world as we are bound. + I am a soldier, and I know the hell + Of war! But I will gladly ride through hell + To save Damascus. Master, bid me ride! + Ten thousand chariots wait for your command; + And twenty thousand horsemen strain the leash + Of patience till you let them go; a throng + Of spearmen, archers, swordsmen, like the sea + Chafing against a dike, roar for the onset! + O master, let me launch your mighty host + Against the Bull,--we'll bring him to his knees! + +[_Cries of "War!" from the soldiers and the people; "peace!" from the +courtiers and the priests. The King rises, turning toward NAAMAN, and +seems about to speak. REZON lifts his rod._] + +REZON: + Shall not the gods decide when mortals doubt? + Rimmon is master of the city's fate; + He reigns in secret and his will is law; + We read his will, by our most ancient faith, + In omens and in signs of mystery. + Must we not hearken to his high commands? + +BENHADAD: [_Sinking hack on the throne, submissively._] + I am the faithful son of Rimmon's House. + Consult the oracle. But who shall read? + +REZON: + Tsarpi, the wife of Naaman, who served + Within the temple in her maiden years, + Shall be the mouthpiece of the mighty god, + To-day's high-priestess. Bring the sacrifice! + +[_Gongs and cymbals sound: enter priests carrying an altar on which a +lamb is bound. The altar is placed in the centre of the hall. TSARPI +follows the priests, covered with a long transparent veil of black, +sewn with gold stars; RUAHMAH, in white, bears her train. TSARPI +stands before the altar, facing it, and lifts her right hand holding a +knife. RUAHMAH steps back, near the throne, her hands crossed on her +breast, her head bowed. The priests close in around TSARPI and the +altar. The knife is seen to strike downward. Gongs and cymbals sound: +cries of "Rimmon, hear us." The circle of priests opens, and TSARPI +turns slowly to face the King._] + +TSARPI: [_Monotonously._] + _Black is the blood of the victim, + Rimmon is unfavourable, + Asratu is unfavourable; + They will not war against Asshur, + They will make a league with the God of Nineveh. + Evil is in store for Damascus, + A strong enemy will lay waste the land. + Therefore make peace with the Bull; + Hearken to the voice of Rimmon._ + +[_She turns again to the altar, and the priests close in around her. +REZON lifts his rod toward the tower of the temple. A flash of +lightning followed by thunder; smoke rises from the altar; all except +NAAMAN and RUAHMAH cover their faces. The circle of priests opens +again, and TSARPI comes forward slowly, chanting._] + +CHANT: + _Hear the words of Rimmon! Thus your Maker speaketh: + I, the god of thunder, riding on the whirlwind, + I, the god of lightning leaping from the storm-cloud, + I will smite with vengeance him who dares defy me! + He who leads Damascus into war with Asshur, + Conquering or conquered, bears my curse upon him. + Surely shall my arrow strike his heart in secret, + Burn his flesh with fever, turn his blood to poison, + Brand him with corruption, drive him into darkness; + He alone shall perish, by the doom of Rimmon._ + +[_All are terrified and look toward NAAMAN, shuddering. RUAHMAH alone +seems not to heed the curse, but stands with her eyes fixed on NAAMAN._] + +RUAHMAH: + Be not afraid! There is a greater God + Shall cover thee with His almighty wings: + Beneath his shield and buckler shalt thou trust. + +BENHADAD: + Repent, my son, thou must not brave this curse. + +NAAMAN: + My King, there is no curse as terrible + As that which lights a bosom-fire for him + Who gives away his honour, to prolong + A craven life whose every breath is shame! + If I betray the men who follow me, + The city that has put her trust in me, + The country to whose service I am bound, + What king can shield me from my own deep scorn, + What god release me from that self-made hell? + The tender mercies of Assyria + I know; and they are cruel as creeping tigers. + Give up Damascus, and her streets will run + Rivers of innocent blood; the city's heart, + That mighty, labouring heart, wounded and crushed + Beneath the brutal hooves of the wild Bull, + Will cry against her captain, sitting safe + Among the nobles, in some pleasant place. + I shall be safe,--safe from the threatened wrath + Of unknown gods, but damned forever by + The men I know,--that is the curse I fear. + +BENHADAD: + Speak not so high, my son. Must we not bow + Our heads before the sovereignties of heaven? + The unseen rulers are Divine. + +NAAMAN; + O King, + I am unlearned in the lore of priests; + Yet well I know that there are hidden powers + About us, working mortal weal and woe + Beyond the force of mortal to control. + And if these powers appear in love and truth, + I think they must be gods, and worship them. + But if their secret will is manifest + In blind decrees of sheer omnipotence, + That punish where no fault is found, and smite + The poor with undeserved calamity, + And pierce the undefended in the dark + With arrows of injustice, and foredoom + The innocent to burn in endless pain, + I will not call this fierce almightiness + Divine. Though I must bear, with every man, + The burden of my life ordained, I'll keep + My soul unterrified, and tread the path + Of truth and honour with a steady heart! + But if I err in this; and if there be + Divinities whose will is cruel, unjust, + Capricious and supreme, I will forswear + The favour of these gods, and take my part + With man to suffer and for man to die. + Have ye not heard, my lords? The oracle + Proclaims to me, to me alone, the doom + Of vengeance if I lead the army out. + "Conquered or conquering!" I grip that chance! + Damascus free, her foes all beaten back, + The people saved from slavery, the King + Upheld in honour on his ancient throne,-- + O what's the cost of this? I'll gladly pay + Whatever gods there be, whatever price + They ask for this one victory. Give me + This gilded sign of shame to carry back; + I'll shake it in the face of Asshur's king, + And break it on his teeth. + +BENHADAD: [_Rising._] + Then go, my never-beaten captain, go! + And may the powers that hear thy solemn vow + Forgive thy rashness for Damascus' sake, + Prosper thy fighting, and remit thy pledge. + +REZON: [_Standing beside the altar._] + The pledge, O King, this man must seal his pledge + At Rimmon's altar. He must take the cup + Of soldier-sacrament, and bind himself + By thrice-performed libation to abide + The fate he has invoked. + +NAAMAN: [_Slowly._] + And so I will. + +[_He comes down the steps, toward the altar, where REZON is filling the +cup which TSARPI holds. RUAHMAH throws herself before NAAMAN, clasping +his knees._] + +RUAHMAH: [_Passionately and wildly._] + My lord, I do beseech you, stay! There's death + Within that cup. It is an offering + To devils. See, the wine blazes like fire, + It flows like blood, it is a cursed cup, + Fulfilled of treachery and hate. + Dear master, noble master, touch it not! + +NAAMAN: + Poor maid, thy brain is still distraught. Fear not + But let me go! Here, treat her tenderly! + +[_Gives her into the hands of SABALLIDIN._] + + Can harm befall me from the wife who bears + My name? I take the cup of fate from her. + I greet the unknown powers; [_Pours libation._] + I will perform my vow; [_Again._] + I will abide my fate; [_Again._] + I pledge my life to keep Damascus free. + +[_He drains the cup, and lets it fall._] + +_CURTAIN._ + + + + +ACT II + +TIME: _A week later_ + +_The fore-court of the House of Rimmon. At the back the broad steps +and double doors of the shrine: above them the tower of the god, its +summit invisible. Enter various groups of citizens, talking, laughing, +shouting: RAKHAZ, HAZAEL, SHUMAKIM and others._ + +FIRST CITIZEN: + Great news, glorious news, the Assyrians are beaten! + +SECOND CITIZEN: + Naaman is returning, crowned with victory. Glory to our noble + captain! + +THIRD CITIZEN: + No, he is killed. I had it from one of the camp-followers who saw + him fall at the head of the battle. They are bringing his body to + bury it with honour. O sorrowful victory! + +RAKHAZ; + Peace, my good fellows, you are ignorant, you have not been rightly + informed, I will misinform you. The accounts of Naaman's death are + overdrawn. He was killed, but his life has been preserved. One of + his wounds was mortal, but the other three were curable, and by + these the physicians have saved him. + +SHUMAKIM: [_Balancing himself before RAKHAZ in pretended admiration._] + O wonderful! Most admirable logic! One mortal, and three curable, + therefore he must recover as it were, by three to one. Rakhaz, do + you know that you are a marvelous man? + +RAKHAZ: + Yes, I know it, but I make no boast of my knowledge. + +SHUMAKIM: + Too modest, for in knowing this you know what is unknown to any other + in Damascus! + +[_Enter, from the right, SABALLIDIN in armour: from the left, TSARPI +with her attendants, among whom is RUAHMAH._] + +HAZAEL: + Here is Saballidin, we'll question him; + He was enflamed by Naaman's fiery words, + And rode with him to battle. Good, my lord, + We hail you as a herald of the fight + You helped to win. Give us authentic news + Of your great general! Is he safe and well? + When will he come? Or will he come at all? + +[_All gather around him, listening eagerly._] + +SABALLIDIN: + He comes but now, returning from the field + Where he hath gained a crown of deathless fame! + Three times he led the charge; three times he fell + Wounded, and the Assyrians beat us back. + Yet every wound was but a spur to urge + His valour onward. In the last attack + He rode before us as the crested wave + That heads the flood; and lo, our enemies + Were broken like a dam of river-reeds, + Burst by the torrent, scattered, swept away! + But look! the Assyrian king in wavering flight + Is lodged like driftwood on a little hill, + Encircled by his guard, and stands at bay. + Then Naaman, followed hotly by a score + Of whirlwind riders, hammers through the hedge + Of spearmen, brandishing the golden yoke: + "Take back this gift," he cries; and shatters it + On Shalmaneser's helmet. So the fight + Dissolves in universal rout: the king, + His chariots and his horsemen melt away; + Our captain stands the master of the field, + And saviour of Damascus! Now he brings, + First to the king, report of this great triumph. + +[_Shouts of joy and applause._] + +RUAHMAH: [_Coming close to SABALLIDIN,_] + But what of him who won it? Fares he well? + My mistress would receive some word of him. + +SABALLIDIN: + Hath she not heard? + +RUAHMAH: + But one brief message came: + A tablet saying, "We have fought and conquered," + No word of his own person. Fares he well? + +SABALLIDIN: + Alas, most ill! For he is like a man + Consumed by some strange sickness: wasted, wan,-- + His eyes are dimmed so that scarce can see; + His ears are dulled; his fearless face is pale + As one who walks to meet a certain doom + Yet will not flinch. It is most pitiful,-- + But you shall see. + +RUAHMAH: + Yea, we shall see a man + Who took upon himself his country's burden, dared + To hazard all to save the poor and helpless; + A man who bears the wrath of evil powers + Unknown, and pays the hero's sacrifice. + +[_Enter BENHADAD with courtiers._] + +BENHADAD: + Where is my faithful servant Naaman, + The captain of my host? + +SABALLIDIN: + My lord, he comes. + +[_Trumpet sounds. Enter company of soldiers in armour. Then four +soldiers bearing captured standards of Asshur. NAAMAN follows, very +pale, armour dinted and stained; he is blind, and guides himself by +cords from the standards on each side, but walks firmly. The doors of +the temple open slightly, and REZON appears at the top of the steps. +NAAMAN lets the cords fall, and gropes his way for a few paces._] + +NAAMAN: [_Kneeling_] + Where is my King? + Master, the bearer of thy sword returns. + The golden yoke thou gavest me I broke + On him who sent it. Asshur's Bull hath fled + Dehorned. The standards of his host are thine! + Damascus is all thine, at peace, and free! + +BENHADAD: [_Holding out his arms._] + Thou art a mighty man of valour! Come, + And let me fold thy courage to my heart. + +REZON: [_Lifting his rod._] + Forbear, O King! Stand back from him, all men! + By the great name of Rimmon I proclaim + This man a leper! On his brow I see + The death-white seal, the finger-print of doom! + That tiny spot will spread, eating his flesh, + Gnawing his fingers bone from bone, until + The impious heart that dared defy the gods + Dissolves in the slow death which now begins. + Unclean! unclean! Henceforward he is dead: + No human hand shall touch him, and no home + Of men shall give him shelter. He shall walk + Only with corpses of the selfsame death + Down the long path to a forgotten tomb. + Avoid, depart, I do adjure you all, + Leave him to god,--the leper Naaman! + +[_All shrink back horrified. REZON retires into the temple; the crowd +melts away, wailing: TSARPI is among the first to go, followed by her +attendants, except RUAHMAH, who crouches, with her face covered, not +far from NAAMAN._] + +BENHADAD: [_Lingering and turning back._] + Alas, my son! O Naaman, my son! + Why did I let thee go? Thou art cast out + Irrevocably from the city's life + Which thou hast saved. Who can resist the gods? + I must obey the law, and touch thy hand + Never again. Yet none shall take from thee + Thy glorious title, captain of my host! + I will provide for thee, and thou shalt dwell + With guards of honour in a house of mine + Always. Damascus never shall forget + What thou hast done! O miserable words + Of crowned impotence! O mockery of power + Given to kings, who cannot even defend + Their dearest from the secret wrath of heaven! + Naaman, my son, my son! [_Exit._] + +NAAMAN: [_Slowly, passing his hand over his eyes, and looking up._] + Am I alone + With thee, inexorable one, whose pride + Offended takes this horrible revenge? + I must submit my mortal flesh to thee, + Almighty, but I will not call thee god! + Yet thou hast found the way to wound my soul + Most deeply through the flesh; and I must find + The way to let my wounded soul escape! + +[_Drawing his sword._] + + Come, my last friend, thou art more merciful + Than Rimmon. Why should I endure the doom + He sends me? Irretrievably cut off + From all dear intercourse of human love, + From all the tender touch of human hands, + From all brave comradeship with brother-men, + With eyes that see no faces through this dark, + With ears that hear all voices far away, + Why should I cling to misery, and grope + My long, long way from pain to pain, alone? + +RUAHMAH: [_At his feet._] + Nay, not alone, dear lord, for I am here; + And I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee! + +NAAMAN: + What voice is that? The silence of my tomb + Is broken by a ray of music,--whose? + +RUAHMAH: [_Rising._] + The one who loves thee best in all the world. + +NAAMAN: + Why that should be,--O dare I dream it true? + Tsarpi, my wife? Have I misjudged thy heart + As cold and proud? How nobly thou forgivest! + Thou com'st to hold me from the last disgrace,-- + The coward's flight into the dark. Go back + Unstained, my sword! Life is endurable + While there is one alive on earth who loves us, + +RUAHMAH: + My lord,--my lord,--O listen! You have erred,-- + You do mistake me now,--this dream-- + +NAAMAN: + Ah, wake me not! For I can conquer death + Dreaming this dream. Let me at last believe, + Though gods are cruel, a woman can be kind. + Grant me but this! For see,--I ask so little,-- + Only to know that thou art faithful,-- + Only to lean upon the thought that thou, + My wife, art near me, though I touch thee not,-- + O this will hold me up, though it be given + From pity more than love. + +RUAHMAH: [_Trembling, and speaking slowly._] + Not so, my lord! + My pity is a stream; my pride of thee + Is like the sea that doth engulf the stream; + My love for thee is like the sovran moon + That rules the sea. The tides that fill my soul + Flow unto thee and follow after thee; + And where thou goest I will go; and where + Thou diest I will die,--in the same hour. + +[_She lays her hand on his arm. He draws back._] + +NAAMAN: + O touch me not! Thou shall not share my doom. + +RUAHMAH: + Entreat me not to go. I will obey + In all but this; but rob me not of this,-- + The only boon that makes life worth the living,-- + To walk beside thee day by day, and keep + Thy foot from stumbling; to prepare thy food + When thou art hungry, music for thy rest, + And cheerful words to comfort thy black hour; + And so to lead thee ever on, and on, + Through darkness, till we find the door of hope. + +NAAMAN: + What word is that? The leper has no hope. + +RUAHMAH: + Dear lord, the mark upon thy brow is yet + No broader than my little finger-nail. + Thy force is not abated, and thy step + Is firm. Wilt thou surrender to the enemy + Before thy strength is touched? Why, let me put + A drop of courage from my breast in thine. + There is a hope for thee. The captive maid + Of Israel who dwelt within thy house + Knew of a god very compassionate, + Long-suffering, slow to anger, one who heals + The sick, hath pity on the fatherless, + And saves the poor and him who has no helper. + His prophet dwells nigh to Samaria; + And I have heard that he hath brought the dead + To life again. We'll go to him. The King, + If I beseech him, will appoint a guard + Of thine own soldiers and Saballidin, + Thy friend, to convoy us upon our journey. + He'll give us royal letters to the king + Of Israel to make our welcome sure; + And we will take the open road, beneath + The open sky, to-morrow, and go on + Together till we find the door of hope. + Come, come with me! + +[_She grasps his hand._] + +NAAMAN: [_Drawing back._] + Thou must not touch me! + +RUAHMAH: [_Unclasping her girdle and putting the end in hand._] + Take my girdle, then! + +NAAMAN: [_Kissing the clasp of the girdle._] + I do begin to think there is a God, + Since love on earth can work such miracles! + +_CURTAIN._ + + + + +ACT III + +TIME: _A month later: dawn_ + +SCENE I + +_NAAMAN'S tent, on high ground among the mountains near Samaria: the +city below. In the distance, a wide and splendid landscape. +SABALLIDIN and soldiers on guard below the tent. Enter RUAHMAH in +hunter's dress, with a lyre slung from her shoulder._ + +RUAHMAH: + Peace and good health to you, Saballidin. + Good morrow to you all. How fares my lord? + +SABALLIDIN: + The curtains of his tent are folded still: + They have not moved since we returned, last night, + And told him what befell us in the city. + +RUAHMAH: + Told him! Why did you make report to him. + And not to me? Am I not captain here, + Intrusted by the King's command with care + Of Naaman's life, until he is restored? + 'Tis mine to know the first of good or ill + In this adventure: mine to shield his heart + From every arrow of adversity. + What have you told him? Speak! + +SABALLIDIN: + Lady, we feared + To bring our news to you. For when the king + Of Israel had read our monarch's letter, + He rent his clothes, and cried, "Am I a god, + To kill and make alive, that I should heal + A leper? Ye have come with false pretence, + Damascus seeks a quarrel with me. Go!" + But when we told our lord, he closed his tent, + And there remains enfolded in his grief. + I trust he sleeps; 't were kind to let him sleep! + For now he doth forget his misery, + And all the burden of his hopeless woe + Is lifted from him by the gentle hand + Of slumber. Oh, to those bereft of hope + Sleep is the only blessing left,--the last + Asylum of the weary, the one sign + Of pity from impenetrable heaven. + Waking is strife: sleep is the truce of God! + Ah, lady, wake him not. The day will be + Full long for him to suffer, and for us + To turn our disappointed faces home + On the long road by which we must return. + +RUAHMAH: + Return! Who gave you that command? Not I! + The King made me the leader of this quest, + And bound you all to follow me, because + He knew I never would return without + The thing for which he sent us. I'll go on + Day after day, unto the uttermost parts + Of earth, if need be, and beyond the gates + Of morning, till I find that which I seek,-- + New life for Naaman. Are ye ashamed + To have a woman lead you? Then go back + And tell the King, "This huntress went too far + For us to follow; she pursues the trail + Of hope alone, refusing to forsake + The quarry: we grew weary of the chase; + And so we left her and retraced our steps, + Like faithless hounds, to sleep beside the fire." + Did Naaman forsake his soldiers thus + When you went forth to hunt the Assyrian Bull? + Your manly courage is less durable + Than woman's love, it seems. Go, if you will,-- + Who bids me now farewell? + +SOLDIERS: + Not I, not I! + +SABALLIDIN: + Lady, lead on, we'll follow you for ever! + +RUAHMAH: + Why, now you speak like men! Brought you no word + Out of Samaria, except that cry + Of impotence and fear from Israel's king? + +SABALLIDIN: + I do remember while he spoke with us + A rustic messenger came in, and cried + "Elisha saith, let Naaman come to me + At Dothan, he shall surely know there is + A God in Israel." + +RUAHMAH: + What said the King? + +SABALLIDIN: + He only shouted "Go!" more wildly yet, + And rent his clothes again, as if he were + Half-maddened by a coward's fear, and thought + Only of how he might be rid of us. + What comfort could there be for him, what hope + For us, in the rude prophet's misty word? + +RUAHMAH: + It is the very word for which I prayed! + My trust was not in princes; for the crown, + The sceptre, and the purple robe are not + Significant of vital power. The man + Who saves his brother-men is he who lives + His life with Nature, takes deep hold on truth, + And trusts in God. A prophet's word is more + Than all the kings on earth can speak. How far + Is Dothan? + +SOLDIER: + Lady, 'tis but three hours' ride + Along the valley northward. + +RUAHMAH: + Near! so near? + I had not thought to end my task so soon! + Prepare yourselves with speed to take the road. + I will awake my lord. + +[_Exeunt all but SABALLIDIN and RUAHMAH. She goes toward the tent._] + +SABALLIDIN; + Ruahmah, stay! [_She turns back._] + I've been your servant in this doubtful quest, + Obedient, faithful, loyal to your will,-- + What have I earned by this? + +RUAHMAH: + The gratitude + Of him we both desire to serve: your friend,-- + My master and my lord. + +SABALLIDIN: + No more than this? + +RUAHMAH: + Yes, if you will, take all the thanks my hands + Can hold, my lips can speak. + +SABALLIDIN: + I would have more. + +RUAHMAH: + My friend, there's nothing more to give to you, + My service to my lord is absolute. + There's not a drop of blood within my veins + But quickens at the very thought of him; + And not a dream of mine but he doth stand + Within its heart and make it bright. No man + To me is other than his friend or foe. + You are his friend, and I believe you true! + +SABALLIDIN: + I have been true to him,--now, I am true + To you. + +RUAHMAH: + And therefore doubly true to him! + O let us match our loyalties, and strive + Between us who shall win the higher crown! + Men boast them of a friendship stronger far + Than love of woman. Prove it! I'll not boast, + But I'll contend with you on equal terms + In this brave race: and if you win the prize + I'll hold you next to him: and if I win + He'll hold you next to me; and either way + We'll not be far apart. Do you accept + My challenge? + +SABALLIDIN: + Yes! For you enforce my heart + By honour to resign its great desire, + And love itself to offer sacrifice + Of all disloyal dreams on its own altar. + Yet love remains; therefore I pray you, think + How surely you must lose in our contention. + For I am known to Naaman: but you + He blindly takes for Tsarpi. 'Tis to her + He gives his gratitude: the praise you win + Endears her name. + +RUAHMAH: + Her name? Why, what is that? + A name is but an empty shell, a mask + That does not change the features of the face + Beneath it. Can a name rejoice, or weep, + Or hope? Can it be moved by tenderness + To daily services of love, or feel the warmth + Of dear companionship? How many things + We call by names that have no meaning: kings + That cannot rule; and gods that are not good; + And wives that do not love! It matters not + What syllables he utters when he calls, + 'Tis I who come,--'tis I who minister + Unto my lord, and mine the living heart + That feels the comfort of his confidence, + The thrill of gladness when he speaks to me,-- + I do not hear the name! + +SABALLIDIN: + And yet, be sure + There's danger in this error,--and no gain! + +RUAHMAH: + I seek no gain; I only tread the path + Marked for me daily by the hand of love. + And if his blindness spared my lord one pang + Of sorrow in his black, forsaken hour,-- + And if this error makes his burdened heart + More quiet, and his shadowed way less dark, + Whom do I rob? Not her who chose to stay + At ease in Rimmon's House! Surely not him! + Only myself? And that enriches me. + Why trouble we the master? Let it go,-- + To-morrow he must know the truth,--and then + He shall dispose of me e'en as he will! + +SABALLIDIN: + To-morrow? + +RUAHMAH: + Yes, for I will tarry here, + While you conduct him to Elisha's house + To find the promised healing. I forebode + A sudden danger from the craven king + Of Israel, or else a secret ambush + From those who hate us in Damascus. Go, + But leave me twenty men: this mountain-pass + Protects the road behind you. Make my lord + Obey the prophet's word, whatever he commands, + And come again in peace. Farewell! + +[_Exit SABALLIDIN. RUAHMAH goes toward the tent, then pauses and turns +back. She takes her lyre and sings._] + + SONG. + + _Above the edge of dark appear the lances of the sun; + Along the mountain-ridges clear his rosy heralds run; + The vapours down the valley go + Like broken armies, dark and low. + Look up, my heart, from every hill + In folds of rose and daffodil + The sunrise banners flow._ + + _O fly away on silent wing, ye boding owls of night! + O welcome little birds that sing the coming-in of light! + For new, and new, and ever-new, + The golden bud within the blue; + And every morning seems to say: + "There's something happy on the way, + And God sends love to you!"_ + +NAAMAN: [_Appearing at the entrance of his tent._] + O let me ever wake to music! For the soul + Returns most gently then, and finds its way + By the soft, winding clue of melody, + Out of the dusky labyrinth of sleep, + Into the light. My body feels the sun + Though I behold naught that his rays reveal. + Come, thou who art my daydawn and my sight, + Sweet eyes, come close, and make the sunrise mine! + +RUAHMAH: [_Coming near._] + A fairer day, dear lord, was never born + In Paradise! The sapphire cup of heaven + Is filled with golden wine: the earth, adorned + With jewel-drops of dew, unveils her face + A joyful bride, in welcome to her king. + And look! He leaps upon the Eastern hills + All ruddy fire, and claims her with a kiss. + Yonder the snowy peaks of Hermon float + Unmoving as a wind-dropt cloud. The gulf + Of Jordan, filled with violet haze, conceals + The rivers winding trail with wreaths of mist. + Below us, marble-crowned Samaria thrones + Upon her emerald hill amid the Vale + Of Barley, while the plains to northward change + Their colour like the shimmering necks of doves. + The lark springs up, with morning on her wings, + To climb her singing stairway in the blue, + And all the fields are sprinkled with her joy! + +NAAMAN: + Thy voice is magical: thy words are visions! + I must content myself with them, for now + My only hope is lost: Samaria's king + Rejects our monarch's message,--hast thou heard? + "Am I a god that I should cure a leper?" + He sends me home unhealed, with angry words, + Back to Damascus and the lingering death. + +RUAHMAH: + What matter where he sends? No god is he + To slay or make alive. Elisha bids + You come to him at Dothan, there to learn + There is a God in Israel. + +NAAMAN: + I fear + That I am grown mistrustful of all gods; + Their secret counsels are implacable. + +RUAHMAH: + Fear not! There's One who rules in righteousness + High over all. + +NAAMAN: + What knowest thou of Him? + +RUAHMAH: + Oh, I have heard,--the maid of Israel,-- + Rememberest thou? She often said her God + Was merciful and kind, and slow to wrath, + And plenteous in forgiveness, pitying us + Like as a father pitieth his children. + +NAAMAN: + If there were such a God, I'd worship Him + For ever! + +RUAHMAH: + Then make haste to hear the word + His prophet promises to speak to thee! + Obey it, my dear lord, and thou shalt lose + This curse that burdens thee. This tiny spot + Of white that mars the beauty of thy brow + Shall melt like snow; thine eyes be filled with light. + Thou wilt not need my leading any more,-- + Nor me,--for thou wilt see me, all unveiled,-- + I tremble at the thought. + +NAAMAN: + Why, what is this? + Why shouldst thou tremble? Art thou not mine own? + +RUAHMAH: [_Turning to him._] + Surely I am! But take me, take me now! + For I belong to thee in body and soul; + The very pulses of my heart are thine. + Wilt thou not feel how tenderly they beat? + Wilt thou not lie like myrrh between my breasts + And satisfy thy lonely lips with love? + Thou art opprest, and I would comfort thee + While yet thy sorrow weighs upon thy life. + To-morrow? No, to-day! The crown of love + Is sacrifice; I have not given thee + Enough! Ah, fold me in thine arms,--take all! + +[_She takes his hands and puts them around her neck; he holds her from +him, with one hand on her shoulder, the other behind her head._] + +NAAMAN: + Thou art too dear to injure with a kiss,-- + Too dear for me to stain thy purity, + Or leave one touch upon thee to regret! + How should I take a gift may bankrupt thee, + Or drain the fragrant chalice of thy love + With lips that may be fatal? Tempt me not + To sweet dishonour; strengthen me to wait + Until thy prophecy is all fulfilled, + And I can claim thee with a joyful heart. + +RUAHMAH: [_Turning away._] + Thou wilt not need me then,--and I shall be + No more than the faint echo of a song + Heard half asleep. We shall go back to where + We stood before this journey. + +NAAMAN: + Never again! + For thou art changed by some deep miracle. + The flower of womanhood hath bloomed in thee,-- + Art thou not changed? + +RUAHMAH: + Yea, I am changed,--and changed + Again,--bewildered,--till there's nothing clear + To me but this: I am the instrument + In an Almighty hand to rescue thee + From death. This will I do,--and afterward-- + +[_A trumpet is blown, without._] + + Hearken, the trumpet sounds, the chariot waits. + Away, dear lord, follow the road to light! + + + + +SCENE II. [*] + +[*] Note that this scene is not intended to be put upon the stage, the +effect of the action upon the drama being given at the beginning of Act +IV. + + +_The house of Elisha, upon a terraced hillside. A low stone cottage +with vine-trellises and flowers; a flight of steps, at the foot of +which is NAAMAN'S chariot. He is standing in it; SABALLIDIN beside it. +Two soldiers come down the steps._ + +FIRST SOLDIER: + We have delivered my lord's greeting and his message. + +SECOND SOLDIER: + Yes, and near lost our noses in the doing of it! For the servant + slammed the door in our faces. A most unmannerly reception! + +FIRST SOLDIER: + But I take that as a good omen. It is mark of holy men to keep + ill-conditioned servants. Look, the door opens, the prophet is + coming. + +SECOND SOLDIER: + No, by my head, it's that notable mark of his master's holiness, + that same lantern-jawed lout of a servant. + +[_GEHAZI loiters down the steps and comes to NAAMAN with a slight +obeisance._] + +GEHAZI: + My master, the prophet of Israel, sends word to Naaman the + Syrian,--are you he?--"Go wash in Jordan seven times and be healed." + +[_GEHAZI turns and goes slowly up the steps._] + +NAAMAN: + What insolence is this? Am I a man + To be put off with surly messengers? + Has not Damascus rivers more renowned + Than this rude, torrent Jordan? Crystal streams, + Abana! Pharpar! flowing smoothly through + A paradise of roses? Might I not + Have bathed in them and been restored at ease? + Come up, Saballidin, and guide me home! + +SABALLIDIN: + Bethink thee, master, shall we lose our quest + Because a servant is uncouth? The road + That seeks the mountain leads us through the vale. + The prophet's word is friendly after all; + For had it been some mighty task he set, + Thou wouldst perform it. How much rather then + This easy one? Hast thou not promised her + Who waits for thy return? Wilt thou go back + To her unhealed? + +NAAMAN: + No! not for all my pride! + I'll make myself most humble for her sake, + And stoop to anything that gives me hope + Of having her. Make haste, Saballidin, + Bring me to Jordan. I will cast myself + Into that river's turbulent embrace + A hundred times, until I save my life + Or lose it! + +[_Exeunt. The light fades: musical interlude. The light increases +again with ruddy sunset shining on the door of ELISHA'S house. The +prophet appears and looks off, shading his eyes with his hand as he +descends the steps slowly. Trumpet blows,--NAAMAN'S call;--sound of +horses galloping and men shouting. NAAMAN enters joyously, followed by +SABALLIDIN and soldiers, with gifts._] + +NAAMAN: + Behold a man delivered from the grave + By thee! I rose from Jordan's waves restored + To youth and vigour, as the eagle mounts + Upon the sunbeam and renews his strength! + O mighty prophet deign to take from me + These gifts too poor to speak my gratitude; + Silver and gold and jewels, damask robes,-- + +ELISHA: [_Interrupting._] + As thy soul liveth I will not receive + A gift from thee, my son! Give all to Him + Whose mercy hath redeemed thee from thy plague. + +NAAMAN: + He is the only God! I worship Him! + Grant me a portion of the blessed soil + Of this most favoured land where I have found + His mercy; in Damascus will I build + An altar to His name, and praise Him there + Morning and night. There is no other God + In all the world. + +ELISHA: + Thou needest not + This load of earth to build a shrine for Him; + Yet take it if thou wilt. But be assured + God's altar is in every loyal heart, + And every flame of love that kindles there + Ascends to Him and brightens with His praise. + There is no other God! But evil Powers + Make war against Him in the darkened world; + And many temples have been built to them. + +NAAMAN: + I know them well! Yet when my master goes + To worship in the House of Rimmon, I + Must enter with him; for he trusts me, leans + Upon my hand; and when he bows himself + I cannot help but make obeisance too,-- + But not to Rimmon! To my country's king + I'll bow in love and honour. Will the Lord + Pardon thy servant in this thing? + +ELISHA: + My son, + Peace has been granted thee. 'Tis thine to find + The only way to keep it. Go in peace. + +NAAMAN: + Thou hast not answered me,--may I bow down? + +ELISHA: + The answer must be thine. The heart that knows + The perfect peace of gratitude and love, + Walks in the light and needs no other rule. + Take counsel with thy heart and go in peace! + +_CURTAIN._ + + + + +ACT IV + +SCENE I + +_The interior of NAAMAN'S tent, at night. RUAHMAH alone, sleeping on +the ground. A vision appears to her through the curtains of the font: +ELISHA standing on the hillside at Dothan: NAAMAN, restored to sight, +comes in and kneels before him. ELISHA blesses him, and he goes out +rejoicing. The vision of the prophet turns to RUAHMAH and lifts his +hand in warning._ + +ELISHA: + Daughter of Israel, what dost thou here? + Thy prayer is granted. Naaman is healed: + Mar not true service with a selfish thought. + Nothing remains for thee to do, except + Give thanks, and go whither the Lord commands. + Obey,--obey! Ere Naaman returns + Thou must depart to thine own house in Shechem. + +[_The vision vanishes._] + +RUAHMAH: [_Waking and rising slowly._] + A dream, a dream, a messenger of God! + O dear and dreadful vision, art thou true? + Then am I glad with all my broken heart. + Nothing remains,--nothing remains but this,-- + Give thanks, obey, depart,--and so I do. + Farewell, my master's sword! Farewell to you, + My amulet! I lay you on the hilt + His hand shall clasp again: bid him farewell + For me, since I must look upon his face + No more for ever!--Hark, what sound was that? + +[_Enter soldier hurriedly._] + +SOLDIER: + Mistress, an armed troop, footmen and horse, + Mounting the hill! + +RUAHMAH: + My lord returns in triumph. + +SOLDIER: + Not so, for these are enemies; they march + In haste and silence, answering not our cries. + +RUAHMAH: + Our enemies? Then hold your ground,--on guard! + Fight! fight! Defend the pass, and drive them down. + +[_Exit soldier. RUAHMAH draws NAAMAN'S sword from the scabbard and +hurries out of the tent. Confused noise of fighting outside. Three or +four soldiers are driven in by a troop of men in disguise. RUAHMAH +follows: she is beaten to her knees, and her sword is broken._] + +REZON: [_Throwing aside the cloth which covers his face._] + Hold her! So, tiger-maid, we've found your lair + And trapped you. Where is Naaman, + Your master? + +RUAHMAH: [_Rising, her arms held by two of REZON'S followers._] + He is far beyond your reach. + +REZON: + Brave captain! He has saved himself, the leper, + And left you here? + +RUAHMAH: + The leper is no more. + +REZON: + What mean you? + +RUAHMAH: + He has gone to meet his God. + +REZON: + Dead? Dead? Behold how Rimmon's wrath is swift! + Damascus shall be mine: I'll terrify + The King with this, and make my terms. But no! + False maid, you sweet-faced harlot, you have lied + To save him,--speak. + +RUAHMAH: + I am not what you say, + Nor have I lied, nor will I ever speak + A word to you, vile servant of a traitor-god. + +REZON: + Break off this little flute of blasphemy, + This ivory neck,--twist it, I say! + Give her a swift despatch after her leper! + But stay,--if he still lives he'll follow her, + And so we may ensnare him. Harm her not! + Bind her! Away with her to Rimmon's House! + Is all this carrion dead? There's one that moves,-- + A spear,--fasten him down! All quiet now? + Then back to our Damascus! Rimmon's face + Shall be made bright with sacrifice. + +[_Exeunt forcing RUAHMAH with them. Musical interlude. A wounded +soldier crawls from a dark corner of the tent and finds the chain with +NAAMAN's seal, which has fallen to the ground in the struggle._] + +WOUNDED SOLDIER: + This signet of my lord, her amulet! + Lost, lost! Ah, noble lady,--let me die + With this upon my breast. + +[_The tent is dark. Enter NAAMAN and his company in haste, with +torches._] + +NAAMAN: + What bloody work + Is here? God, let me live to punish him + Who wrought this horror! Treacherously slain + At night, by unknown hands, my brave companions: + Tsarpi, my best beloved, light of my soul, + Put out in darkness! O my broken lamp + Of life, where art thou? Nay, I cannot find her. + +WOUNDED SOLDIER: [_Raising himself on his arm._] + Master! + +NAAMAN: [_Kneels beside him._] + One living? Quick, a torch this way! + Lift up his head,--so,--carefully! + Courage, my friend, your captain is beside you. + Call back your soul and make report to him. + +WOUNDED SOLDIER: + Hail, captain! O my captain,--here! + +NAAMAN: + Be patient,--rest in peace,--the fight is done. + Nothing remains but render your account. + +WOUNDED SOLDIER: + They fell upon us suddenly,--we fought + Our fiercest,--every man,--our lady fought + Fiercer than all. They beat us down,--she's gone. + Rezon has carried her away a captive. See,-- + Her amulet,--I die for you, my captain. + +NAAMAN: [_He gently lays the dead soldier on the ground, and rises._] + Farewell. This last report was brave; but strange + Beyond my thought! How came the High Priest here? + And what is this? my chain, my seal! But this + Has never been in Tsarpi's hand. I gave + This signet to a captive maid one night,-- + A maid of Israel. How long ago? + Ruahmah was her name,--almost forgotten! + So long ago,--how comes this token here? + What is this mystery, Saballidin? + +SABALLIDIN: + Ruahmah is her name who brought you hither. + +NAAMAN: + Where then is Tsarpi? + +SABALLIDIN: + In Damascus. + She left you when the curse of Rimmon fell,-- + Took refuge in his House,--and there she waits + Her lord's return,--Rezon's return. + +NAAMAN: + 'Tis false! + +SABALLIDIN: + The falsehood is in her. She hath been friend + With Rezon in his priestly plot to win + Assyria's favour,--friend to his design + To sell his country to enrich his temple,-- + And friend to him in more,--I will not name it. + +NAAMAN: + Nor will I credit it. Impossible! + +SABALLIDIN: + Did she not plead with you against the war, + Counsel surrender, seek to break your will? + +NAAMAN: + She did not love my work, a soldier's task. + She never seemed to be at one with me + Until I was a leper. + +SABALLIDIN: + From whose hand + Did you receive the sacred cup? + +NAAMAN: + From hers. + +SABALLIDIN: + And from that hour the curse began to work. + +NAAMAN: + But did she not have pity when she saw + Me smitten? Did she not beseech the King + For letters and a guard to make this journey? + Has she not been the fountain of my hope, + My comforter and my most faithful guide + In this adventure of the dark? All this + Is proof of perfect love that would have shared + A leper's doom rather than give me up. + Can I doubt her who dared to love like this? + +SABALLIDIN: + O master, doubt her not,--but know her name; + Ruahmah! It was she alone who wrought + This wondrous work of love. She won the King + By the strong pleading of resistless hope + To furnish forth this company. She led + Our march, kept us in heart, fought off despair, + Offered herself to you as to her god, + Watched over you as if you were her child, + Prepared your food, your cup, with her own hands, + Sang you asleep at night, awake at dawn,-- + +NAAMAN: [_Interrupting._] + Enough! I do remember every hour + Of that sweet comradeship! And now her voice + Wakens the echoes in my lonely breast; + The perfume of her presence fills my sense + With longing. All my soul cries out in vain + For her embracing, satisfying love, + her eyes and called her my Ruahmah! + +[_To his soldiers._] + + Away! away! I burn to take the road + That leads me back to Rimmon's House,-- + But not to bow,--by God, never to bow! + + + + +TIME: _Three days later_ + +SCENE II + +_Inner court of the House of Rimmon; a temple with huge pillars at each +side. In the right foreground the seat of the King; at the left, of +equal height, the seat of the High Priest. In the background a broad +flight of steps, rising to a curtain of cloudy gray, embroidered with +two gigantic hands holding thunderbolts. The temple is in half +darkness at first. Enter KHAMMA and NUBTA, robed as Kharimati, or +religious dancers, in gowns of black gauze with yellow embroideries and +mantles._ + +KHAMMA: + All is ready for the rites of worship; our lady will play a great part + in them. She has put on her Tyrian robes, and all her ornaments. + +NUBTA: + That is a sure sign of a religious purpose. She is most devout, our + lady Tsarpi! + +KHAMMA: + A favourite of Rimmon, too! The High Priest has assured her of it. + He is a great man,--next to the King, now that Naaman is gone. + +NUBTA: + But if Naaman should come back, healed of the leprosy? + +KHAMMA: + How can he come back? The Hebrew slave that went away with him, when + they caught her, said that he was dead. The High Priest has shut her + up in the prison of the temple, accusing her of her master's death. + +NUBTA: + Yet I think he does not believe it, for I heard him telling our + mistress what to do if Naaman should return. + +KHAMMA: + What, then? + +NUBTA: + She will claim him as her husband. Was she not wedded to him before + the god? That is a sacred bond. Only the High Priest can loose it. + She will keep her hold on Naaman for the sake of the House of Rimmon. + A wife knows her husband's secrets, she can tell---- + +[_Enter SHUMAKIM, with his flagon, walking unsteadily._] + +KHAMMA: + Hush! here comes the fool Shumakim. He is never sober. + +SHUMAKIM: [_Laughing._] + Are there two of you? I see two, but that is no proof. I think there + is only one, but beautiful enough for two. What were you talking to + yourself about, fairest one! + +KHAMMA: + About the lady Tsarpi, fool, and what she would do if her husband + returned. + +SHUMAKIM: + Fie! fie! That is no talk for an innocent fool to hear. Has she a + husband? + +NUBTA: + You know very well that she is the wife of Lord Naaman. + +SHUMAKIM: + I remember that she used to wear his name and his jewels. But I + thought he had exchanged her,--for a leprosy. + +KHAMMA: + You must have heard that he went away to Samaria to look for healing. + Some say that he died on the journey; but others say he has been + cured, and is on his way home to his wife. + +SHUMAKIM: + It may be, for this is a mad world, and men never know when they are + well off,--except us fools. But he must come soon if he would find + his wife as he parted from her,--or the city where he left it. The + Assyrians have returned with a greater army, and this time they will + make an end of us. There is no Naaman how, and the Bull will devour + Damascus like a bunch of leeks, flowers and all,--flowers and all, + my double-budded fair one! Are you not afraid? + +NUBTA: + We belong to the House of Rimmon. He will protect us. + +SHUMAKIM: + What? The mighty one who hides behind the curtain there, and tells + his secrets to Rezon? No doubt he will take care of you, and of + himself. Whatever game is played, the gods never lose. But for the + protection, of the common people and the rest of us fools, I would + rather have Naaman at the head of an army than all the sacred images + between here and Babylon. + +KHAMMA: + You are a wicked old man. You mock the god. He will punish you. + +SHUMAKIM: [_Bitterly._] + How can he punish me? Has he not already made me a fool? Hark, here + comes my brother the High Priest, and my brother the King. Rimmon + made us all; but nobody knows who made Rimmon, except the High + Priest; and he will never tell. + +[_Gongs and cymbals sound. Enter REZON with priests, and the King with +courtiers. They take their seats. A throng of Khali and Kharimati +come in, TSARPI presiding; a sacred dance is performed with torches, +burning incense, and chanting, in which TSARPI leads._] + + CHANT. + + _Hail, mighty Rimmon, ruler of the whirl-storm, + Hail, shaker of mountains, breaker-down of forests, + Hail, thou who roarest terribly in the darkness, + Hail, thou whose arrows flame across the heavens! + Hail, great destroyer, lord of flood and tempest, + In thine anger almighty, in thy wrath eternal, + Thou who delightest in ruin, maker of desolations, + Immeru, Addu, Barku, Rimmon! + See we tremble before thee, low we bow at thine altar, + Have mercy upon us, be favourable unto us, + Save us from our enemy, accept our sacrifice, + Barku, Immeru, Addu, Rimmon!_ + +[_Silence follows, all bowing down._] + +REZON: + O King, last night the counsel from above + Was given in answer to our divination. + Ambassadors must go forthwith to crave + Assyria's pardon, and a second offer + Of the same terms of peace we did reject + Not long ago. + +BENHADAD: + Dishonour! Yet I see + No other way! Assyria will refuse, + Or make still harder terms. Disaster, shame + For this gray head, and ruin for Damascus! + +REZON: + Yet may we trust Rimmon will favour us, + If we adhere devoutly to his worship. + He will incline his brother-god, the Bull, + To spare us, if we supplicate him now + With costly gifts. Therefore I have prepared + A sacrifice: Rimmon shall be well pleased + With the red blood that bathes his knees to-night! + +BENHADAD: + My mind is dark with doubt,--I do forebode + Some horror! Let me go,--I am an old man,-- + If Naaman my captain were alive! + But he is dead,--the glory is departed! + +[_He rises, trembling, to leave the throne. Trumpet sounds,--NAAMAN'S +call;--enter NAAMAN, followed by soldiers; he kneels at the foot of the +throne._] + +BENHADAD: [_Half-whispering._] + Art thou a ghost escaped from Allatu? + How didst thou pass the seven doors of death? + O noble ghost I am afraid of thee, + And yet I love thee,--let me hear thy voice! + +NAAMAN: + No ghost, my King, but one who lives to serve + Thee and Damascus with his heart and sword + As in the former days. The only God + Has healed my leprosy: my life is clean + To offer to my country and my King. + +BENHADAD: [_Starting toward him._] + O welcome to thy King! Thrice welcome! + +REZON; [_Leaving his seat and coming toward NAAMAN._] + Stay! + The leper must appear before the priest, + The only one who can pronounce him clean. + +[_NAAMAN turns; they stand looking each other in the face._] + + Yea,--thou art cleansed: Rimmon hath pardoned thee,-- + In answer to the daily prayers of her + Whom he restores to thine embrace,--thy wife. + +[_TSARPI comes slowly toward NAAMAN._] + +NAAMAN: + From him who rules this House will I receive + Nothing! I seek no pardon from his priest, + No wife of mine among his votaries! + +TSARPI: [_Holding out her hands._] + Am I not yours? Will you renounce our vows? + +NAAMAN: + The vows were empty,--never made you mine + In aught but name. A wife is one who shares + Her husband's thought, incorporates his heart + With hers by love, and crowns him with her trust. + She is God's remedy for loneliness, + And God's reward for all the toil of life. + This you have never been to me,--and so + I give you back again to Rimmon's House + Where you belong. Claim what you will of mine,-- + Not me! I do renounce you,--or release you,-- + According to the law. If you demand + A further cause than what I have declared, + I will unfold it fully to the King. + +REZON: [_Interposing hurriedly._] + No need of that! This duteous lady yields + To your caprice as she has ever done; + She stands a monument of loyalty + And woman's meekness. + +NAAMAN: + Let her stand for that! + Adorn your temple with her piety! + But you in turn restore to me the treasure + You stole at midnight from my tent. + +REZON: + What treasure? I have stolen none from you. + +NAAMAN: + The very jewel of my soul,--Ruahmah! + My King, the captive maid of Israel, + To whom thou didst commit my broken life + With letters to Samaria,--my light, + My guide, my saviour in this pilgrimage,-- + Dost thou remember? + +BENHADAD: + I recall the maid,-- + But dimly,--for my mind is old and weary. + She was a fearless maid, I trusted her + And gave thee to her charge. Where is she now? + +NAAMAN: + This robber fell upon my camp by night,-- + While I was with Elisha at the Jordan,-- + Slaughtered my soldiers, carried off the maid, + And holds her somewhere in imprisonment. + O give this jewel back to me, my King, + And I will serve thee with a grateful heart + For ever. I will fight for thee, and lead + Thine armies on to glorious victory + Over all foes! Thou shalt no longer fear + The host of Asshur, for thy throne shall stand + Encompassed with a wall of dauntless hearts, + And founded on a mighty people's love, + And guarded by the God of righteousness. + +BENHADAD: + I feel the flame of courage at thy breath + Leap up among the ashes of despair. + Thou hast returned to save us! Thou shalt have + The maid; and thou shalt lead my host again! + Priest, I command you give her back to him. + +REZON: + O master, I obey thy word as thou + Hast ever been obedient to the voice + Of Rimmon. Let thy fiery captain wait + Until the sacrifice has been performed, + And he shall have the jewel that he claims. + Must we not first placate the city's god + With due allegiance, keep the ancient faith, + And pay our homage to the Lord of Wrath? + +BENHADAD: [_Sinking hack upon his throne in fear._] + I am the faithful son of Rimmon's House,-- + And lo, these many years I worship him! + My thoughts are troubled,--I am very old, + But still a King! O Naaman, be patient! + Priest, let the sacrifice be offered. + +[_The High Priest lifts his rod. Gongs and cymbals sound. The curtain +is rolled back, disclosing the image of Rimmon; a gigantic and hideous +idol, with a cruel human face, four horns, the mane of a lion, and huge +paws stretched in front of him enclosing a low altar of black stone. +RUAHMAH stands on the altar, chained, her arms are bare and folded on +her breast. The people prostrate themselves in silence, with signs of +astonishment and horror._] + +REZON: + Behold the sacrifice! Bow down, bow down! + +NAAMAN: [_Stabbing him._] + Bow thou, black priest! Down,--down to hell! + Ruahmah! do not die! I come to thee, + +[_NAAMAN rushes toward her, attacked by the priests, crying "Sacrilege! +Kill him!" But the soldiers stand on the steps and beat them back. He +springs upon the altar and clasps her by the hand. Tumult and +confusion. The King rises and speaks with a loud voice, silence +follows._] + +BENHADAD: + Peace, peace! The King commands all weapons down! + O Naaman, what wouldst thou do? Beware + Lest thou provoke the anger of a god. + +NAAMAN: + There is no God but one, the Merciful, + Who gave this perfect woman to my soul + That I might learn through her to worship Him, + And know the meaning of immortal Love. + Whom God hath joined together, all the Powers + Of hate and falsehood never shall divide. + +BENHADAD: [_Agitated._] + Yet she is consecrated, bound, and doomed + To sacrificial death; but thou art sworn + To live and lead my host,--Hast thou not sworn? + +NAAMAN: + Only if thou wilt keep thy word to me! + Break with this idol of iniquity + Whose shadow makes a darkness in the land; + Give her to me who gave me back to thee; + And I will lead thine army to renown + And plant thy banners on the hill of triumph. + But if she dies, I die with her, defying Rimmon. + +[_Cries of "Spare them! Release her! Give us back our Captain!" and +"Sacrilege! Let them die!" Then silence, all turning toward the +King._] + +BENHADAD: + Is this the choice? Must we destroy the bond + Of ancient faith, or slay the city's living hope! + I am an old, old man,--and yet the King! + Must I decide?--O let me ponder it! + +[_His head sinks upon his breast. All stand eagerly looking at him._] + +NAAMAN; [_Holding her in his arms._] + Ruahmah, my Ruahmah! I have come + To thee at last! And art thou satisfied? + +RUAHMAH: [_Looking into his face._] + Beloved, my beloved, I am glad + Forever! Come what may, the only God + Is Love,--and He will never part us. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HOUSE OF RIMMON*** + + +******* This file should be named 17944.txt or 17944.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/9/4/17944 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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