The daughters of the king, and other poems; being a sequel to Through the night and Onward

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Cornell University Library PR 5499.S58D2

The daughters of the king, and other poe

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THE DAUGHTEES OF THE KING .... X

A LEGEND OE THE SEINE 3 77

Scene I

A grassy movmtwin slope. Above, a forest and rocks. On one side a deep fissure.

Amos and Seth.

AUOS.

Here let us sit a while And watch the plain drink in the evening sun, Smiling as we smile when we drink at night The red juice of our vines.

SEIH.

So he it then.

This hour my legs have aped our father's age. Why must we thus grow old ?

AMOS.

Because of sin And death.

B 2

THE DAUGHTERS OP THE KING.

SETH.

But we sinned not. — nor you nor I.

AMOS.

Not yet, it may be. In our simple lives. Tending our flock or wooing our young fields, Far from the converse of our fallen kind, And with our father's voice like that of Grod, 'Tis hard to sin.

SETH.

And yet our brother died Writhing with torture.

AMOS.

One of the mysteries.

Perhaps each pang was germ of joy eternal ; Perhaps we all have sown the seeds of crime That should bear fruit had not Grod taken him.

SETH.

First punishing for that he did not do. I cannot fathom it.

AMOS.

Who can ? Oh, Seth, Look out on the great world, and think of Him Who drew it forth from nothing. Who may fathom

His ways ? He made us : then 'tis ours to listen

To listen and believe.

THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING.

SBIH.

You have said well.

If I have spoken aught that doth offend, I am sorry. Adam sinned, and that was much. E'en now men that Grod made but live to sin. Lo where it spreads out in His own bright sun — From this green slope we see it plainer still — Yon sea of roofs — the cursed roofs of Cain. I've that to tell you on this eve — nay, now — That well might make their sheen seem glimmer of

hell.

For twice a hundred years no male born child Hath lived within those walls : they sacrifice Them all to Moloch.

AMOS.

What ! Not their own sons ?

SKTH.

Yes, their own sons. They have no natural love,

Those fierce old men, the cruel breed of Cain.

A brother's blood branded their father's brow,

And now in deadliest descent of ill

They slay their future rivals in their sons.

Hereto our father's will forbade me frame

In words such act; but now that he hath joined you

In this my journey, he hath bade me speak,

And I have spoken, knowing well you wiser

In many things than I, though I am elder,

And stronger as I think ; but let that pass.

There is a poison in those walls that needs

An antidote in knowledge — such his words —

Poison in all the air. From mom till night

Young girls are twining through their streets in dance

Before some idol that they bear along.

I walk with downcast eyes, I scarce know why,

When I have thus to tread the hated ground,

Feeling to gaze were treason to the Lord.

AMOS.

Ay, to the Lord of Nature, that made man. Female and male, that each finding in each Its mystic complement might pair in friendship Fruitful and pure and endless as in heaven.

SETH.

And yet I would we all were men : then had been Perhaps no sin.

AMOS.

Peace, Seth ! We had a mother.

Poor mother ! that hath died and left no trace Save in one memory.

SETH.

My father's, Amos ?

THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING.

AMOS.

Ay, Seth, our father. Long ago I heard — My hed being nearest and my sleep less sound — Him sighing when I woke, and knew ere long Wherefore he grieved and prayed. Now he grows

feebler.

He wakes the more, and prays, but sighs the less.

SETS.

She was a daughter of the Sons of God,

Pure and unspotted, with no fetid drop

Of Cain's black blood. But for those wicked ones —

Oft think I, Amos, would the Lord would send

Us down with club and sword to smite them all.

You with your staff, and me with my good sword,

Till none were left to do Him injury.

AMOS.

What ! but we two against the multitude?

SETH.

Ay, we two and the Lord. I tell you, brother,

If He commanded that we raze yon cliffs.

They'd melt before us like the morning mist.

One man with Him may strive against a thousand-

For one day, as I slept in yonder walls

In the fierce noontide heat, a sudden tumult

Awoke me, and I sprang up, as a girl

Crouched to my side, an infant in her arms —

An infant that the fiends sought for their gods.

I drew my sword and smote, and as they came

On rushing, smote and smote, and had no wound.

I felt the great Archangel held his shield

Above me as I strove. And lo the woman

Pushed through a loophole in the outer wall

And dropped down with her man-child in her arms.

And then they left me, and I had no wound.

But walked about the streets and did my will,

And no man injured me ; but as I passed

From out the city gate with my piled mule,

A little child, a little graceful child,

Ran out and threw a chain upon my neck

And then was gone — a heavy chain of gold.

I gave it to my father, and he counselled silence.

But changed that bidding too last night.

AMOS.

It may be He feared I seeing you thus chosen of Heaven Might grieve less favoured.

SEIH.

And now, wiser grown, Fears it no more.

THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING.

AMOS.

He need have never feared.

Since first we climbed the trees about our hut I've had a joy in your bold deeds. Oft then I'd lie upon the grass to gaze half giddy Upon your laughing daring as you rose.

I have no fear of death- — rather of sickness, Age, and decrepitude. Had I my will.

It were to die unbent ere yet

\_A peal of thunder is heard.

Thunder !

And the clear sun is all undimmed.

AUOS.

The clouds Are working up behind. 'Tis time we looked After our mules.

SEIH.

One moment, ere we go.

There is a thought that sometimes puzzles me : How is it, brother, that the Lord, being good And justice infinite, can love the pain And blood of things that do no ill ? If we Who sinned must die, why should they die who sinned not,

And die a bloody death in sacrifice ?

I often grudge my poor lambs to the knife.

AMOS.

I think our father sees.

Why hide it then ?

AMOS.

I know not. It may be he dares not open

Such depth of thoughts divine to you and me.

When I've so questioned him a glow of love

Made his brow beautiful beyond its wont,

And, laying his thin hand upon my head,

He said, ' My son, thou too mayest know some day ;'

But other answer made he none.

'Tis strange.

AMOS.

Most things are strange. And yet you said but now

You would like well to be Grod's holocaust ;

For so I deem your words might stand interpreted.

SEIH.

Ay, but in battle freely, not like a slave.

THE DAUGHTEES OF THE KING. H

Then you, being good and brave, deserve the pain Less than your lambs.

SETH.

I cannot reason on it.

I only know I feel that He is good Beyond all thought and compassing of man, And I His soldier.

l_A cry of hownds h&neath.

AMOS.

Hark below !

SETH.

Their dogs.

They train them to pursue the fleeing deer. And men and women follow in their wake Shouting encouragement.

AMOS.

Not the soft deer — The gentle mild-eyed deer ? Have they no wolves. Tigers, or lions, if they must take life ?

SEIH.

And yet it is a race, limb against limb.

That well may fire the blood. See where it comes —

The quarry toiling upwards through yon rocks.

12 THE DAtJGHTEKS OF THE KING.

AMOS.

And now the barking of the dogs draws nearer — Not a loud bark, as though they felt their strength Needed for deeds, not sounds. There, there they

come ! — There, by yon outer pine-trees — three, four, five, In single line winding amid the stones. Still keeping to the track with keener sense Than Grod has given to man. So oft perchance The evil ones pursue a hard-set soul With gaping fang, and almost mute at last In their dread hate and keen expectancy. Lo now !

SETH.

The deer ! the hunted deer ! Poor wretch ! How it has crouched against the rocks beneath us. As though it asked for pity.

AMOS.

And I do pity.

Why should men torture thus a blameless beast, That but this morn was happy ? Now, by Heaven, I may not choose but help it.

SBIH.

Stay ! stay ! He's gone.

And soon will have the hunters swarming roimd

Like hornets. Come, old sword : we'll stand by him If worst comes worst.

SCENE II. The rocks helow

Akvah, Seth, and Amos.

ABVAH.

"What ! both at one ? Then I, too, wait for odds.

8EIH.

You lie, girl, if a girl you are. I stayed Your blows — ^that only.

ARVAH.

Then stand you aside.

And let him strike.

SEIH.

He wars not with a girl.

ABVAH.

Grirl ! When yon stag first sprang out from his lair, A hundred hounds leaped down upon the track. And all the woods resounded with the shouts Of hurrying men. Where are they now ? A girl ! What good is there in man that I have not ? Strength, courage, swiftness, I have all. The rest

Is but the cruelty and wrong that's bom

Of strength. These have I not, nor wish to have.

AMOS.

Then why war thus upon that gentle beast ?

ABVAH.

Why slay the gentler ones your shepherds tend ? I warred upon no beast. It was my dogs, That did their nature's bidding. Eail at her — Nature — not me. I did but follow them To make my young step firm, my breathing sure, E'en as you eat your sheep to make you strong.

AMOS.

My nature bade me save the deer.

ARVAH.

And kill The dog that was my friend ; that lay by me At night, and would have died to save my finger ; That lived but for my love and praise. I tell you. When all at fault the baffled pack was dumb, And he would strike the track as was his wont, Those poor dead eyes would turn to me in triumph. You shall have vengeance, friend ! Stranger, if man You are, why, show yourself a man. Your blood Or mine I

AMOS.

Mine be it then. I will not strive

With you ; but I can die. If blood must flow,

Take mine.

SETH.

Brother, you are mad ; you know them not — The cruel race. [To Aruah.'] By Heaven ! you may not strike.

ARTAH.

'Tis true, I may not. Fool, drop you that sword ! His is the deeper insight. Fare you well. Poor dog, poor faithful wretch ! I go, old friend. And now, you boaster, see what girl can do.

\_She leaps across the fissure.

Farewell. A storm is brewing. There is shelter This side, but you would fear the leap.

SETH.

By Heaven ! she braves us with that scoff. I'll follow her.

AMOS.

You must not. 'Tis a desperate leap.

SETS.

More shameful If I follow not.