by Edgar Allan Poe
(1835)
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
POLITIAN, Earl of Leicester. | A MONK. |
DI BROGLIO, a Roman Duke. | LALAGE |
COUNT CASTIGLIONE, his son. | ALESSANDRA, betrothed to Castiglione. |
BALDAZZAR, Duke of Surrey, Friend to Politian. | JACINTA, maid to Lalage. |
The Scene lies in Rome
I.
ROME- A Hall in a Palace
ALESSANDRA and CASTIGLIONE.
ALESSANDRA
Thou art sad, Castiglione.
CASTIGLIONE
Sad!- not I.ALESSANDRA.
Methinks thou hast a singular way of
showing
Thy happiness!- what ails thee, cousin of mine?
Why didst thou sigh so deeply?
CASTIGLIONE
I was not conscious of it. It is a fashion,
A silly- a most silly fashion I have
When I am very happy. Did I sigh? (Sighing)
ALESSANDRA
Thou didst. Thou art not well. Thou hast
indulged
Too much of late, and I am vexed to see it.
Late hours and wine, Castiglione,- these
Will ruin thee! thou art already altered-
Thy looks are haggard- nothing so wears away
The constitution as late hours and wine.
CASTIGLIONE (musing)
Nothing, fair cousin, nothing- not even deep
sorrow-
Wears it away like evil hours and wine.
I will amend.
ALESSANDRA
Do it! I would have thee dropCASTIGLIONE
I will drop them.ALESSANDRA
Thou wilt- thou must. Attend thou also more
To thy dress and equippage- they are over plain
For thy lofty rank and fashion- much depends
Upon appearances.
CASTIGLIONE
I'll see to it.ALESSANDRA
Then see to it!- pay more attention, sir,
To a becoming carriage- much thou wantest
In dignity.
CASTIGLIONE
Much, much, oh! much I wantALESSANDRA (haughtily)
Thou mockest me, sir.CASTIGLIONE (abstractedly)
Sweet, gentle Lalage!
ALESSANDRA
Heard I aright?CASTIGLIONE (starting)
Cousin! fair cousin!- madam!(Enter DI BROGLIO)
DI BROGLIO
My son, I've news for thee!- hey?- what's the
matter? (observing Alessandra)
I' the pouts? Kiss her, Castiglione! kiss her,
You dog! and make it up, I say, this minute!
I've news for you both. Politian is expected
Hourly in Rome- Politian, Earl of Leicester!
We'll have him at the wedding. 'Tis his first visit
To the imperial city.
ALESSANDRA
What! PolitianDI BROGLIO
The same, my love.ALESSANDRA
I have heard much of this Politian.
Gay, volatile and giddy- is he not?
And little given to thinking.
DI BROGLIO
Far from it, love.ALESSANDRA
'Tis very strange!CASTIGLIONE
Ridiculous! Now I have seen Politian
And know him well- nor learned nor he.
He is a dreamer, and a man shut out
From common passions.
DI BROGLIO
Children, we disagree.
II.
ROME- A Lady's apartment, with a window open and looking into a garden. LALAGE, in deep mourning, reading at a table on which lie some books and a hand mirror. In the background JACINTA (a servant maid) leans carelessly upon a chair.
LALAGE.
Jacinta, is it thou?
JACINTA (pertly)
Yes, ma'am, I'm here.LALAGE.
I did not know, Jacinta, you were in
waiting.
Sit down!- Let not my presence trouble you-
Sit down!- for I am humble, most humble.
JACINTA (aside)
'Tis time.LALAGE
"It in another climate, so he said,
"Bore a bright golden flower, but not this soil!"
(pauses- turns over some leaves, and resumes)
"No lingering winters there, nor snow, nor
shower-
"But Ocean ever to refresh mankind
"Breathes the shrill spirit of the western wind."
O, beautiful!- most beautiful- how like
To what my fevered soul doth dream of Heaven!
O happy land (pauses) She died!- the maiden died! A
still more happy maiden who couldst die!
Jacinta!
(JACINTA returns no answer, and LALAGE presently resumes)
Again!- a similar tale
Told of a beauteous dame beyond the sea!
Thus speaketh one Ferdinand in the words of the play-
"She died full young"- one Bossola answers him-
"I think not so- her infelicity
"Seemed to have years too many"- Ah luckless lady!
Jacinta! (still no answer) Here 's a far sterner
story,
But like- oh, very like in its despair-
Of that Egyptian queen, winning so easily
A thousand hearts- losing at length her own.
She died. Thus endeth the history- and her maids
Lean over and weep- two gentle maids
With gentle names- Eiros and Charmion!
Rainbow and Dove!- Jacinta!
JACINTA (pettishly)
Madam, what is it?LALAGE
Wilt thou, my good Jacinta, be so kind
As go down in the library and bring me
The Holy Evangelists?
JACINTA
Pshaw! (Exit)LALAGE
If there be balm(Re-enter JACINTA, and throws a volume on the table)
There, ma'am, 's the book. Indeed she is very troublesome. (Aside)
LALAGE (astonished)
What didst thou say, Jacinta? Have I done
aught
To grieve thee or to vex thee?- I am sorry.
For thou hast served me long and ever been
Trustworthy and respectful. (resumes her reading)
JACINTA (aside)
I can't believeLALAGE
What didst thou say, Jacinta? Now I bethink
me
Thou hast not spoken lately of thy wedding.
How fares good Ugo?- and when is it to be?
Can I do aught?- is there no farther aid
Thou needest, Jacinta?
JACINTA
Is there no farther aid!LALAGE
Jewels! Jacinta,- now indeed, Jacinta,
I thought not of the jewels.
JACINTA
Oh! perhaps not!LALAGE
Poor Lalage!- and is it come to this?
Thy servant maid!- but courage!- 'tis but a viper
Whom thou hast cherished to sting thee to the soul!
(Taking up the mirror)
Ha! here at least 's a friend- too much a
friend
In earlier day- a friend will not deceive thee.
Fair mirror and true! now tell me (for thou canst) A
tale- a pretty tale- and heed thou not
Though it be rife with woe. It answers me.
It speaks of sunken eyes, and wasted cheeks,
And Beauty long deceased- remembers me
Of Joy departed- Hope, the Seraph Hope,
Inurned and entombed:- now, in a tone
Low, sad, and solemn, but most audible,
Whispers of early grave untimely yawning
For ruined maid. Fair mirror and true- thou liest not!
Thou hast no end to gain- no heart to break-
Castiglione lied who said he loved-
Thou true- he false!- false!- false!
(While she speaks, a monk enters her apartment, and
approaches unobserved)
MONK
Refuge thou hast,LALAGE (arising hurriedly)
I cannot pray!- My soul is at war with God!
The frightful sounds of merriment below
Disturb my senses- go! I cannot pray-
The sweet airs from the garden worry me!
Thy presence grieves me- go!- thy priestly raiment
Fills me with dread- thy ebony crucifix
With horror and awe!
MONK
Think of thy precious soul!LALAGE
Think of my early days!- think of my father
And mother in Heaven think of our quiet home,
And the rivulet that ran before the door!
Think of my little sisters!- think of them!
And think of me!- think of my trusting love
And confidence- his vows- my ruin- think- think
Of my unspeakable misery!- begone!
Yet stay! yet stay!- what was it thou saidst of prayer
And penitence? Didst thou not speak of faith
And vows before the throne?
MONK
I did.LALAGE
'Tis well.MONK
Daughter, this zeal is well.LALAGE
Father, this zeal is anything but well!
Hast thou a crucifix fit for this thing?
A crucifix whereon to register
This sacred vow? (He hands her his own) Not that- Oh!
no!- no!- no! (Shuddering) Not that! Not that!- I tell
thee, holy man,
Thy raiments and thy ebony cross affright me!
Stand back! I have a crucifix myself,-
I have a crucifix Methinks 'twere fitting
The deed- the vow- the symbol of the deed-
And the deed's register should tally, father!
(Draws a cross-handled dagger, and raises it on high)
Behold the cross wherewith a vow like mine
Is written in Heaven!
MONK
Thy words are madness, daughter,LALAGE
'Tis sworn!
III.
An apartment in a Palace. POLITIAN and BALDAZZAR
BALDAZZAR
-Arouse thee now, Politian!
Thou must not- nay indeed, indeed, shalt not
Give away unto these humors. Be thyself!
Shake off the idle fancies that beset thee,
And live, for now thou diest!
POLITIAN
Not so, BaldazzarBALDAZZAR
Politian, it doth grieve mePOLITIAN
Baldazzar, it doth grieve meBALDAZZAR
To the field, then- to the field-POLITIAN.
Alas! Alas!BALDAZZAR
I heard it not.POLITIAN
Then I but dreamed.BALDAZZAR
Give not thy soul to dreams: the camp- the
court,
Befit thee- Fame awaits thee- Glory calls-
And her, the trumpet-tongued, thou wilt not hear
In hearkening to imaginary sounds
And phantom voices.
POLITIAN
It is a phantom voice!BALDAZZAR
I heard it not.POLITIAN
Thou heardst it not!- Baldazaar, speak no
more
To me, Politian, of thy camps and courts.
Oh I am sick, sick, even unto death,
Of the hollow and high-sounding vanities
Of the populous Earth! Bear with me yet awhile!
We have been boys together- schoolfellows-
And now are friends- yet shall not be so long-
For in the eternal city thou shalt do me
A kind and gentle office, and a Power
A Power august, benignant and supreme-
Shall then absolve thee of all further duties
Unto thy friend.
BALDAZZAR
Thou speakest a fearful riddlePOLITIAN
Yet now as FateBALDAZZAR
Indeed I hear not.POLITIAN
Not hear it!- listen now!- listen!- the
faintest sound
And yet the sweetest that ear ever heard!
A lady's voice!- and sorrow in the tone!
Baldazzar, it oppresses me like a spell!
Again!- again!- how solemnly it falls
Into my heart of hearts! that eloquent voice
Surely I never heard- yet it were well
Had I but heard it with its thrilling tones
In earlier days!
BALDAZZAR
I myself hear it now.POLITIAN
Be still!- it comes again!
VOICE (very faintly)
"And is thy heart so strongBALDAZZAR
The song is English, and I oft have heard
it
In merry England- never so plaintively-
Hist! hist! it comes again!
VOICE (more loudly)
"Is it so strongBALDAZZAR
'Tis hushed and all is still!
POLITIAN
All is not still!BALDAZZAR
Let us go down.
POLITIAN
Go down, Baldazzar, go!BALDAZZAR
The hour is growing late- the Duke awaits
use-
Thy presence is expected in the hall
Below. What ails thee, Earl Politian?
VOICE (distinctly)
"Who hath loved thee so longBALDAZZAR
Let us descend- 'tis time. Politian, give
These fancies to the wind. Remember, pray,
Your bearing lately savored much of rudeness
Unto the Duke. Arouse thee! and remember
POLITIAN
Remember? I do. lead on! I do remember.
(Going)
Let us descend. Believe me I would give,
Freely would give the broad lands of my earldom
To look upon the face hidden by yon lattice-
"To gaze upon that veiled face, and hear
Once more that silent tongue."
BALDAZZAR
Let me beg you, sir,VOICE (loudly)
Say nay!- say nay!POLITIAN (aside)
'Tis strange!- 'tis very strange- methought the
voice
Chimed in with my desires, and bade me stay!
(Approaching the window)
Sweet voice! I heed thee, and will surely
stay.
Now be this Fancy, by Heaven or be it Fate,
Still will I not descend. Baldazzar make
Apology unto the Duke for me;
I go not down to-night.
BALDAZZAR
Your lordship's pleasurePOLITIAN
Good-night, my friend, good-night.
IV.
The gardens of a Palace- Moonlight
LALAGE, and POLITIAN
LALAGE
And dost thou speak of love
To me, Politian?- dost thou speak of love
To Lalage?- ah, woe- ah, woe is me!
This mockery is most cruel- most cruel indeed!
POLITIAN
Weep not! oh, sob not thus!- thy bitter
tears
Will madden me. Oh, mourn not, Lalage-
Be comforted! I know- I know it all,
And still I speak of love. Look at me, brightest
And beautiful Lalage!- turn here thine eyes!
Thou askest me if I could speak of love,
Knowing what I know, and seeing what I have seen.
Thou askest me that- and thus I answer thee-
Thus on my bended knee I answer thee. (Kneeling)
Sweet Lalage, I love thee- love thee- love thee;
Thro' good and ill- thro' weal and woe I love thee.
Not mother, with her first-born on her knee,
Thrills with intenser love than I for thee.
Not on God's altar, in any time or clime,
Burned there a holier fire than burneth now
Within my spirit for thee. And do I love? (Arising)
Even for thy woes I love thee- even for thy woes-
Thy beauty and thy woes.
LALAGE
Alas, proud Earl,POLITIAN
Speak not to me of glory!LALAGE
Why dost thou pause, Politian?
POLITIAN
And then, perchanceLALAGE
Why dost thou pause, Politian?POLITIAN
And still together- together.
LALAGE
Now Earl of Leicester!POLITIAN
Oh, Lalage!(Throwing himself upon his knee)
And lovest thou me?
LALAGE
Hist! hush! within the gloom(Walks across and returns)
I was mistaken- 'twas but a giant bough
Stirred by the autumn wind. Politian!
POLITIAN
My Lalage- my love! why art thou moved?
Why dost thou turn so pale? Not Conscience' self,
Far less a shadow which thou likenest to it,
Should shake the firm spirit thus. But the night wind
Is chilly- and these melancholy boughs
Throw over all things a gloom.
LALAGE
Politian!POLITIAN
O, wilt thou- wilt thouLALAGE
A deed is to be done-POLITIAN
And he shall die! (Exit)LALAGE (after a pause)
And- he- shall- die!- alas!
Castiglione die? Who spoke the words?
Where am I?- what was it he said?- Politian!
Thou art not gone- thou are not gone, Politian!
I feel thou art not gone- yet dare not look,
Lest I behold thee not; thou couldst not go
With those words upon thy lips- O, speak to me!
And let me hear thy voice- one word- one word,
To say thou art not gone,- one little sentence,
To say how thou dost scorn- how thou dost hate
My womanly weakness. Ha! ha! thou art not gone-
O speak to me! I knew thou wouldst not go!
I knew thou wouldst not, couldst not, durst not go.
Villain, thou art not gone- thou mockest me!
And thus I clutch thee- thus!- He is gone, he is gone
Gone- gone. Where am I?- 'tis well- 'tis very well!
So that the blade be keen- the blow be sure,
'Tis well, 'tis very well- alas! alas!
V
The suburbs. POLITIAN alone
POLITIAN
This weakness grows upon me. I am faint,
And much I fear me ill- it will not do
To die ere I have lived!- Stay, stay thy hand,
O Azrael, yet awhile!- Prince of the Powers
Of Darkness and the Tomb, O pity me!
O pity me! let me not perish now,
In the budding of my Paradisal Hope!
Give me to live yet- yet a little while:
'Tis I who pray for life- I who so late
Demanded but to die!- what sayeth the Count?
(Enter BALDAZZAR)
BALDAZZAR
That knowing no cause of quarrel or of feud
Between the Earl Politian and himself.
He doth decline your cartel.
POLITIAN
What didst thou say?BALDAZZAR
That he, Castiglione' not being aware
Of any feud existing, or any cause
Of quarrel between your lordship and himself,
Cannot accept the challenge.
POLITIAN
It is most true-BALDAZZAR
No more, my lord, than I have told you,
sir:
The Count Castiglione will not fight,
Having no cause for quarrel.
POLITIAN
Now this is true-BALDAZZAR
My lord!- my friend!-POLITIAN (aside)
'Tis he!- he comes himself? (aloud)
Thou reasonest well.
I know what thou wouldst say- not send the
message-
Well!- I will think of it- I will not send it.
Now prythee, leave me- hither doth come a person
With whom affairs of a most private nature
I would adjust.
BALDAZZAR
I go- to-morrow we meet,POLITIAN
At the Vatican.(Exit BALDAZZAR)
(Enter CASTIGLIONE)
CASTIGLIONE
The Earl of Leicester here!
POLITIAN
I am the Earl of Leicester, and thou seest,
Dost thou not? that I am here.
CASTIGLIONE
My lord, some strange,POLITIAN
Draw, villain, and prate no more!CASTIGLIONE
Ha!- draw?- and villain? have at thee then at
once,
Proud Earl! (Draws)
POLITIAN (drawing)
Thus to the expiatory tomb,CASTIGLIONE
(letting fall his sword and recoiling to the extremity of the stage) Of Lalage!POLITIAN
Thou wilt not fight with me didst say, Sir
Count?
Shall I be baffled thus?- now this is well;
Didst say thou darest not? Ha!
CASTIGLIONE
I dare not- dare not-POLITIAN
Now by my halidomCASTIGLIONE
Ha!- coward!- this may not be!
(Clutches his sword and staggers towards POLITIAN, but his
purpose is changed before reaching him, and he
falls upon his knee at the feet of the Earl) Alas! my
lord,
It is- it is- most true. In such a cause
I am the veriest coward. O pity me!
POLITIAN (greatly softened)
Alas!- I do- indeed I pity thee.
CASTIGLIONE
And Lalage-POLITIAN
Scoundrel!- arise and die!
CASTIGLIONE
It needeth not be- thus- thus- O let me die
Thus on my bended knee. It were most fitting
That in this deep humiliation I perish.
For in the fight I will not raise a hand
Against thee, Earl of Leicester. Strike thou home-
(Baring his bosom)
Here is no let or hindrance to thy weapon-
Strike home. I will not fight thee.
POLITIAN
Now, s' Death and Hell!CASTIGLIONE
Now this indeed is just!