G0QfRID7\ 
 
 OOnnlDAVIDJSOM
 
 ■^ \ 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 RIVERSIDE
 
 GODFRID A
 
 By the Same Author 
 
 New Ballads 
 Ballads and Songs 
 Fleet Street Eclogues 
 A Random Itinerary 
 Plays
 
 GODFRIDA 
 
 A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS 
 
 JOHN LANE: THE BODLEY HEAD 
 
 NEW YORK AND LONDON 
 
 1898
 
 1)3 <^ ^^ 
 
 All rights, including acting rights, reserved. 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1898, by John Davidson, 
 
 in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 Entered at Stationers' Hall. 
 
 Snibtrsttg i|ress: 
 John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U. S. A.
 
 PROLOGUE 
 
 Interviewer 
 Poet 
 
 Interviewer. I understand you are about to publish a 
 play which you have written for the stage. 
 
 Poet. Yes. 
 
 Interviewer. Pardon me, but do you think it wise to 
 publish a play before it has been produced ? 
 
 Poet. I intend to produce it before publication. 
 
 Interviewer. Ah, yes; to secure the dramatic rights. 
 But I mean that people will not read a play which they 
 have not seen. 
 
 Poet. I would not care to invite an audience to witness 
 a play which I could not invite my readers to peruse. 
 
 Interviewer. Well. — Is it in verse ? 
 
 Poet. Principally. There is some prose dialogue. 
 
 Interviewer. Then is it a continuation of your attempt 
 to revive the Jacobean poetic drama ? 
 
 Poet. My attempt to do so ? I never made such an 
 attempt.
 
 2 PROLOGUE 
 
 Interviewer. I understood you had done so in your 
 early plays, just as you attempted lately to revive the 
 Elizabethan eclogue. 
 
 Poet. Nothing was further from my mind than either 
 revival. My endeavour was always to write Victorian 
 plays, Victorian eclogues. 
 
 Interviewer. Then, do you assure me that your early 
 plays were written for the stage ? 
 
 Poet. I had the stage in my mind, but constantly lost 
 sight of it, except in " Scaramouch in Naxos ; " it I hope 
 to see performed some day. 
 
 Interviewer. But is not verse on the stage a lapse 
 from modernity — a backsliding 1 
 
 Poet- I think not. 
 
 Interviewer. You have expressed somewhere in your 
 writings an intense admiration of Ibsen. Will his influ- 
 ence be found in your play ? 
 
 Poet. I think not. 
 
 Interviewer. Have you ceased to admire Ibsen ? 
 
 Poet. Oh, no ! I share the opinion of those who re- 
 gard him as the most impressive writer of his time, as the 
 most expert playwright, and most original dramatist the 
 world has seen. 
 
 Interviewer. But you are not a disciple ? 
 
 Poet. No ; nothing comes of discipleship except mis-
 
 PROLOGUE 3 
 
 interpretation. That seems to me the history of all 
 schools. 
 
 Iiiteruieiver. But if Ibsen is as great as you say, would 
 it not be wise to follow in his steps ? 
 
 Poet. No; it would be as foolish, as it is unneces- 
 sary, to attempt to do over again what Ibsen has 
 done. 
 
 Interviewer. Can you not extend the path he has laid 
 down, then ? 
 
 Poet. No ; any step forward from Ibsen would land 
 me in some mystical abyss, or some slough of Naturalism. 
 For me Ibsen is the end, not the beginning. 
 
 Interviewer. Do you propose your own play as a new 
 beginning ? 
 
 Poet. No. Before I sat down to write "Godfrida" 
 I read over my early plays, and the lot was cast for 
 Romance. 
 
 Interviewer. What do you mean by Romance ? 
 
 Poet. A pertinent question. I mean by Romance the 
 essence of reality. Romance does not give the bunches 
 plucked from the stem : it offers the wine of life in chased 
 goblets. I have moulded and carved my goblet to the 
 best of my art ; and I have crushed wine into it. To 
 leave this Euphuism, I take men and women as I know 
 them — the brain-sick, Isembert, Ekmengarde; the
 
 4 PROLOGUE 
 
 healthy, Godfrida, Siward ; but that I myself may 
 realise them, and make them more apparent and more 
 engaging to ah audience, I place them in an imaginary 
 environment, and in the colour and vestments of another 
 time. 
 
 Interviewer. What is the main idea of your play ? 
 Can you tell ? 
 
 Poet. It has been my companion long enough for that, 
 
 I hope. You may find the poles of my play in this 
 
 quotation : — 
 
 "... no felicity 
 
 Can spring in men, except from barbed roots 
 
 Of discontent and envy, deeply struck 
 
 In some sore heart that hoped to have the flower," 
 
 and in this, — 
 
 " I have had a vision of the soul of life, 
 And love alone is worthy." 
 
 Interviewer. What was your object in writing this 
 play? 
 
 Poet. My object was to give delight. 
 
 Interviewer. Do you consider that a high aim ? 
 
 Poet. I consider it the highest aim of art. 
 
 Interviewer. To give delight ? 
 
 Poet. Yes; to give delight is to impart strength most 
 directly, most permanently.
 
 PROLOGUE 5 
 
 Interviewer. Is there anything else you wish to say 
 about "Godfrida" ? 
 
 Poet. Yes. When I was a boy I knew by heart Kings- 
 ley's " Hereward the Wake," having read it every Sun- 
 day for several years in a bound volume of Good Words. 
 As I developed my play a memory of " Hereward," which 
 I did not recognise at first, besieged my fancy. Becom- 
 ing conscious of its source, and being quite unable to get 
 away from it, I obtained the kind permission of Kings- 
 ley's representatives to use it. The matter I have taken 
 occupies a few paragraphs of the novel ; but it is impor- 
 tant in the play. 
 
 Interviewer. When will it be produced in London ? 
 
 Poet. I have made no arrangements. 
 
 Interviewer. Thank you. 
 
 Poet. Good-day.
 
 THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY 
 
 ISEMBERT The Chancellor of Provence. 
 
 SiWARD The Constable of Provence. 
 
 Adomar A foolish person. 
 
 Cyprian Isetnberf s secretary. 
 
 Ingleram Godfrida' s uticle. 
 
 Dagobert Siward's predecessor in office. 
 
 Berthold A drunkard. 
 
 Pages to the Duchess. 
 
 Gaucelm Seneschal of the Palace. 
 
 LuDOVic The Captain of the Guard. 
 
 Thangbrand ....... Siward^s man, 
 
 Marcabrun ) „ , . 
 
 \ itpadassins. 
 
 Melchior ) 
 
 The Lieutenant of the Guard. 
 
 Ermengarde The Duchess of Provettce. 
 
 Godfrida. 
 
 Clare Godfrida' s companion. 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen^ Men-at-arms, Halberdiers and Servants. 
 
 Time : The tniddle of the Foiirtecnth Century. 
 
 Scene; Provence. The first three acts take place in Aries on the 
 forenoon^ afternoon^ and evening, respectively, of one day ; the 
 fotirth act among the ruins of Theodoric's Castle at some distance 
 from Aries on the evening of the day followitig.
 
 GODFRIDA 
 
 ACT I 
 
 SCENE. — A room in IngleraiiCs house in Aries. At 
 the back a large door opens into a garden. Through 
 the trees in the garden glimpses of the horizon^ a 
 rolling wooded line., arc seen. On the left of the 
 garden the backs of other houses arc visible. There 
 are doors right and left, that on the left being well 
 back. A broad latticed window at the back looks on 
 the gardens a smaller otic in a recess commands the 
 street. The walls are hung with tapestry. In front 
 on the right a table with foiir chairs set about it: a 
 flask of wine and glasses are on the table. There is 
 a seat in the recess; and on the window-sill several 
 vellum-bound books. In front on the left a couch. 
 Chairs on which are the hats of Ingleram, etc., are 
 set conveniently . A spinning-wheel near the large 
 window. A summer morning.
 
 8 GODFRIDA [act I 
 
 When the act-drop rises Ingleram is closing the 
 door at the back j and Dagobert and Berthold 
 are seated at the table. Ingleram is sto7it ; grey 
 hairy motistache, and pointed beard ; abotit fifty ; richly 
 dressed. Berthold is pouring out wine for him- 
 self; his hair is untidy., and he has a dissipated 
 appearance J about thirty five ; his dress has been 
 splendid^ but is faded and stained. Dagobert, 
 about thirty, lottnges with his head on his handj 
 richly dressed. 
 
 With the exception of Godfrida, Ingleram, 
 Clare, and the servants., the persons in this act 
 enter and go ottt by the door on the left. 
 
 Berthold. Cyprian is coming. 
 
 Ingleram {^sitting at the head of the table^ Rejoins 
 us, then. 
 
 Berthold. Yes. 
 
 Ingleratn. I have not seen him since he returned from 
 Algiers. 
 
 Berthold. He is the portrait of discontent. If he 
 were the only creature left alive, I believe he would cut 
 Iiis own throat to be avenged on mankind. 
 
 Inglerafn. He was shamefully neglected. 
 
 Berthold. More so than we imagined. He tells me
 
 ACT i] GODFRIDA 9 
 
 that besides his own venture, he sailed upon business for 
 the Duchess herself when the Dey's galleys seized him. 
 
 Inglerain. And she would not ransom him ! 
 
 Berthold. Oh, she promised ! But the late Duke left 
 the treasury at a low ebb ; and then came the war with 
 Esplandian to keep her coffers empty, 
 
 Ingleram. That will not solace Cyprian. 
 
 Berthold. No ; it is difficult to console a man for a 
 year's slavery; his very soul is tanned and wealed. 
 
 Dagobert. It puzzles me to think why Isembert should 
 have paid his ransom. 
 
 Ingleram. Isembert, having climbed into the Chan- 
 cellorship by the usual ladder of friends, kicked the 
 ladder down in the usual way. Now, a man in power, if 
 he has no friends, must have creatures ; and so Isembert 
 hopes he has bought Cyprian, body and soul. 
 
 Berthold. But I know better. Cyprian serves only 
 his own ends ; and that Lucifer will find. 
 
 Ingleram. Lucifer ? 
 
 Berthold. His excellency, the Chancellor, Isembert 
 the proud. 
 
 Ingleratn. Proud is too good for him ; an impudent, 
 fantastical, spurious sort of genius. Provence is tired 
 of him. 
 
 Dagobert. But why the devil is Cyprian late ? We
 
 lO GOD FK ID A. [act i 
 
 shall see no part of the tournament if we have not our 
 talk over quickly. 
 
 Berthold. True. And the tournament will not see us, 
 which would set tongues wagging. I wonder if he is 
 near. \Goes out atid re-enters iininediately .^ Here he 
 comes ! \_Sits and pours out wine for himself. 
 
 Enter Cyprian. He stands near the centre of the stage. 
 He is plainly dressed in dark garments j his face is 
 almost black J his hair grizzled. He has an inkhorn 
 and case of pens at his girdle. 
 
 Ingleram [rises and offers his hand. Cyprian gives 
 him a fngerl. Welcome back to Provence, Cyprian. 
 Our plot needed only you. You shall bring us luck ; fate 
 has some peculiar use for a man who is snatched from 
 the grave. 
 
 CyPrian. From a worse place. 
 
 Ingleram [jocosely']. Indeed, you have been singed. 
 [Resumes his seat.^ Sit, Cyprian. We have little 
 time. 
 
 Cyprian [doggedly]. I must know more than Ber- 
 thold has told me. I must know the individual roots of 
 your conspiracy. My own ill-will at the world is of the 
 simplest, the deepest. I thought myself as others do, a 
 careless, gallant fellow, capable of heroism — when there
 
 ACT I] GODFRIDA II 
 
 is nothing else for it. A cut or two of the bastinado, 
 and I howled out my recantation. 
 
 Datrobert. Forswore the cross ! 
 
 Cyprian. And was despised for mj' pains; set to the 
 most laborious and meanest employments : chained and 
 scourged. If I know myself, I take my stand deliber- 
 ately on the side of evil. l\Iy purse is empty ; my misery 
 fathomless. Your plot promises — to me, wealth ; to 
 Isembert, whom I hate for his arrogant appropriation 
 of my life, ruin and despair ; but before I sit with you 
 I must know why you, and you, and you have become 
 traitors : to secure myself against betrayal I must be 
 certain tliat it is your pleasure to sacrifice the world's 
 good opinion and your own self-respect. 
 
 Ingleram [unc'usi'/f]. Well — 
 
 Berthold \angrily\ Oh ! 
 
 Dagobert. Bravely pronounced. \Rises'\ You face 
 the naked fact. 
 We 're ruined too, bankrupt in purse and soul. 
 Old Ingleram !ias spent his niece's dower; 
 Under the Duchess shame, imprisonment, 
 Perhaps a halter, lie in wait for him. 
 Berthold is deep in debt to Ingleram ; 
 And for myself — 
 
 Ingleram {starting up']. I shall account for you.
 
 12 GODFRIDA [act i 
 
 Our poor Dagobert — there 's for your " old Ingleram " 
 — I say our simple Dagobert, as you know, was once 
 Constable of Provence. Surely that is reason enough 
 why he should avenge himself on Siward, a wandering 
 fellow, who changed defeat into victory, drove Esplan- 
 dian over the border, and supplanted Dagobert in her 
 Grace's favour. 
 
 Dagobert. Eclipsed, abandoned, broken, thrust aside, 
 Except as traitors we are wholly lost. 
 Wealth, power, and vengeance will repay our crime 
 If to Esplandian we deliver up 
 The Duchess and her coveted Provence. 
 
 Cyprian. Yes. Well; I join you. [They all sit. 
 
 Ingleram \efftisively\ My dear Cyprian — 
 
 Cyprian. No hypocritical fellowship. We know what 
 we are. — Why will the Duchess not wed Esplandian ? 
 That no one has ever told me. He is her cousin, and 
 the next heir. It would be a most politic union ; besides, 
 it would deliver her from Isembert, at whose control she 
 begins to chafe. 
 
 Itiglera?n. There it is ! The late Duke urged the mar- 
 riage on his death-bed ; and that is Esplandian's excuse 
 for his former invasion, for the invasion which is pre- 
 paring, and for our policy. 
 
 Dagobert. Then he is much older than she ; and, if
 
 ACT l] GOD FR ID A 1 3 
 
 she were to wed him, she would become of no importance 
 in the state, he being, as you say, the next heir, and an 
 exceedingly crafty ruler. Moreover, she is resolved never 
 to wed at all. In fact — 
 
 Berthold \_nses, i)iipaticntly\ She is a woman, and 
 will have her own way. \Crosses to doot- on the IcftJ] 
 I 'm for the tournament. There is no more to be said. 
 Come, we shall be missed. 
 
 \^A general movement toiuards the left door. 
 
 Cyprian. This will end, as it begins, with the spilling 
 — of wine. You have no plot. 
 
 Ingleratn. Nonsense ! Esplandian has stolen across 
 the Rhone already, and I expect an immediate message 
 from him. 
 
 Efiter IsEMBERT. He ts tally clean-shaved ; iron-grey 
 hair hanging to his shoulders ; between forty and 
 fifty ; richly dressed. 
 
 Ingleram. The Chancellor ! 
 
 Dagobert. Isembert ! 
 
 Berthold [swaggers up to Isemhert and offers his 
 haftd, which Imsebert declines\ Most opportune! 
 We four desperadoes, plotting some means of restora- 
 tion to her Grace's favour, talked of you this very mo- 
 ment ; and, you know, talk of the devil —
 
 14 GOD FR ID A [act i 
 
 Isembert. And don't tell him too much of your mind. 
 
 \^Crosscs to Ingleram. 
 
 Berthold {blustering after Isembert]. You disdain 
 me, sir? 
 
 Isembert [over his shoulder']. I disdain your condi- 
 tion. 
 
 Berthold. By stoop and cup, sir, I would have you 
 know that I can be brimful of wine and yet not drunk ! 
 
 Isetnbei't. So can a bottle. — Ingleram, I want you. 
 [Ingleram boivs stiffly. As the others seem indisposed 
 to leave., Isembert looks from them to the door on the 
 left J and they go out, Dagobert jmtntily, and Ber- 
 thold in a fume. As Cyprian goes out Isembert 
 gives him a significant glance^ to which he replies with a 
 nod.] What keeps Godfrida from the tournament? 
 
 Ingleram. I wish I knew ! Not her own will. 
 
 Isembert. Whose then ? 
 
 Ingleram. The Duchess flatly bade her stay at home. 
 [Isembert walks across the stage in deep thought, 
 paying no heed to the rest of Ingleram's 
 speech.] 
 It puzzles me. They were companions — friends 
 Since childhood ; daily meetings, messages. 
 Letters and gifts cense suddenly, no cause 
 Assigned. — I am afraid I tire you.
 
 ACT I] GODFRIDA \c 
 
 Isembert. No ; 
 
 I was n't listening. 
 
 InglerajH. Then what brings you here? 
 
 Isembert. I wish to see your niece. 
 
 Ingleratii. Concerning what ? 
 
 Isejubert. I love her. 
 
 Inglerain \astonishcd\ You among the fry of boys, 
 Of widowers, dotards, and adventurers 
 Wlio seek her for her fortune and her face ! 
 
 Isembert [scornfully]. Her fortune ! 
 
 \_Goes up stage. 
 
 Ingleratn [to himself]. Does he know? . . . What 
 hope have you ? 
 
 Isembert. The highest hope. This is the day the fate 
 Within me has appointed to disclose 
 The love that in Godfrida's heart and mine, 
 Unhidden though unuttered, waits my word. 
 
 Ingleratn. Godfrida is a girl, and you as old 
 Almost as I. 
 
 Isembert. Time is the earliest thrall 
 Enslaved by men who shape the world. My years 
 Are all attainments in Godfrida's eyes. 
 
 [Looking out at the back.] 
 She has Just now left the garden. Bid her come. 
 
 Ingleram. This overweening style of yours to me !
 
 1 6 GODFRIDA [act I 
 
 Isembert. To you, sir. Bid her come. 
 
 \Covtes down stage. 
 Ingleram \to himself \ What does he know? 
 
 [Goes out at the back. 
 Isembert crosses quickly to the door on the lefty 
 which he opens. Re-enter Cyprian. 
 Cyprian. You want me ? 
 
 Isembert. Yes. Hide somewhere in the street. 
 
 When Ingleram has gone, return. [QwKXh^ goes out.'\ 
 \Re-enter Ingleram />-(?;« the gar den. '\ 
 
 She comes ? 
 Ingleram. After a little. She is with the maids. 
 Isembert. She is a famous housewife, I believe. 
 I shall await her here. Follow your friends. [Ingleram 
 
 goes out surlily by the door on the left.'\ 
 This drudge was once a man ! Ignoble aims 
 Meanly pursued would rot a hero's heart. 
 
 [Re-enter Cyprian.] 
 Well ; a conspiracy ? 
 
 Cyprian. As you divined. 
 
 I am hand and glove with them to share the spoil 
 After Esplandian's [ironically'] certain victory. 
 Isembert. They know Esplandian has crossed the 
 Rhone ? [Cyprian assejits.'] 
 What is the arch — the keystone of their scheme .''
 
 ACT i] GODFRIDA I7 
 
 Cyprian. 'T is all unhewn. They wait Esplandian's 
 
 stroke. 
 Isemberi. But Siward's prowess: have they counted 
 
 that? 
 Cyprian. They have counted nothing but necessity — 
 Their debts, disgraces, losses, wounded pride. 
 Isembert- Well, we shall see. Back with you to the 
 lists. 
 And not a word of this to Ermengarde : 
 If she should ask for me, say I am busy. 
 
 [Cyprian goes out. 
 
 Enter Godfrida from the garden ; beautiful ; twenty 
 years old. She is grave on her entrance., but as soon 
 as she sees Isembert the cloud passes from her face. 
 
 Godfrida. Oh, my lord Chancellor ! My uncle said — 
 And doggedly refused the suppliant's name — 
 A hapless lover sought his coup-de-grdce. 
 Good-morning, Isembert. 
 
 Isetnbert {holding her hand]. I am tongue-tied 
 Before your beauty, now that I have come 
 To claim it for my own. 
 
 Godfrida [withdraws her hand, amazed at first; 
 then pleasantly]. Well-acted, sir! 
 What part shall I play in your comedy ? 
 
 2
 
 1 8 GODFRIDA [act i 
 
 Isembert. You . . . No ! My love for you unknown 
 to you ? 
 Have you not watched and felt yourself become 
 The essence, the idea of my life? 
 Your eyes are branded on my heart ; your voice 
 Stored in my hearing like a golden hoard; 
 The lustre of your presence gilds the world ; 
 Your haunting memory lights my loneliness : 
 And I believed you loved me. 
 
 Codfrida [sadfy]. That was rash. 
 
 But men will still mistake good-will for love. 
 
 [Goes up stage. 
 
 Isembert. You love me not ! [Godfrida is about to 
 go out.] Godfrida! [Godfrida turns.'] Hate 
 me then. 
 This sorrow, this majestic tenderness 
 Disarms and baffles me. Be petulant ; 
 Be scornful ; sting my pride ; then could I hate 
 And wound you with a scorpion-lash of words : 
 Give me your hate ; for I must love or hate. 
 
 Godfrida. But it is thanks I owe you, Isembert. 
 I think that love when it is love indeed 
 Exceeds in value everything besides : 
 When I shall love I hope for thanks at least. 
 Believe me, sir, I thank you from my heart. 
 
 [Goes out at the back.
 
 ACT i] GODFRIDA 1 9 
 
 Isembert [^sitiks on the couch, then rises slowly^ 
 Must I distrust my passion and my hope, 
 The angels of my life, that ne'er till now 
 Misled me? Can it be that like the ruck 
 Of humankind my passion and my hope 
 Are only lackeys to my vanity ? 
 I know not what to do, or what to think ! 
 This is defeat — for me, whose thoughts are deeds. 
 
 [Goes up stage and looks out.'\ 
 Already gone ! When in her heart she feels 
 And truly understands tliat I . . . Yes ! Clare ! 
 Kilter Clare frofn the garden ; about forty j calm and 
 gentle, without the appearance of a depoidatit. 
 Clare. Your excellency ? 
 
 Isetnbert. I shall come to-day again — ' 
 
 To-day. 
 
 Clare. To see my mistress, sir ? 
 Isembert. To-day — 
 
 After the tournament. [Goes out. 
 
 Clare sunnnons seriumts, who enter from the 
 right and remove the flask and glasses. God- 
 FRIDA re-enters from the right, and sitting in 
 the window-seat becotnes abso^'bed in a book. 
 Clare. The Chancellor 
 
 Will visit you to-day again, he says.
 
 20 GODFRIDA [act i 
 
 Godfrida. Indeed, I hope not, and I think not, Clare. 
 [ When the servants have gone, Godfrida takes 
 her book to the table atid begins to pore over 
 it. Clare sits at the spinning-wheel. 
 
 Clare. What are you reading ? 
 
 Godfrida. Magic, sorcery ; 
 
 Of love-charms and of love. 
 
 Clare. You are in love. 
 
 Godfrida [startled]. I never said it, Clare. 
 
 Clare. No, but I know : 
 
 You are in love with Siward. 
 
 Godfrida. What is this? 
 
 Siward ? My champion is Sir Adomar, 
 
 Clare [amused]. Oh ! Adomar ! 
 
 Godfrida. He wears my ribbon. 
 
 Clare. True ; 
 
 He is your valentine ; but that is play : 
 You have not said three words to Adomar. 
 
 Godfrida. I have not said one word to Siward yet; 
 Nor met him ; nor been near him. ' 
 
 Cla7-e. But your thoughts 
 
 Have parleyed : you remember when he rode, 
 After his first great victory, down the street, 
 How from your lattice — Oh, I watched you well ! — 
 His eyes drank in a look of yours. And then
 
 ACT I] GODFRIDA 21 
 
 Your constant talks with Anselm, Siward's friend, 
 And yours — nothing but Siward and his deeds, 
 His beauty and his strength ! 
 
 Godfrida [half angry, half happy\ You witch ! For 
 shame ! 
 I talk of whom I please. 
 
 Clare. Who pleases you. 
 
 Godfrida. Does Anselm think I love this Norseman, 
 then? 
 Clare, do they talk of this ? Is this supposed ? 
 I am a woman : I can veil my thoughts : 
 It cannot be; a child can hide her love. 
 
 Clare. Not from a witch. A silly prating boy, 
 Like Anselm, sees it not ; nor any one 
 Save me : your secret is your own and mine . . . 
 And Siward's too. 
 
 Godfrida. Impossible ! — Clare ? — Speak! 
 
 Clare. If to Godfrida Anselm talks of Siward 
 In frankest innocence and boyish pride. 
 He talks to Siward of Godfrida too. 
 A soldier knows the world : in Anselm's looks 
 Fresh from your presence Siward sees a glass 
 That holds an image of your secret love. 
 And now I think of it, another knows : 
 Do you not guess why you are driven from court ?
 
 22 GODFRIDA [act i 
 
 Codfrida. The Duchess's caprice. Thrice in a month 
 She has commanded me to keep the house. 
 She has the power, and treats me like a girl. 
 
 Clare. No more than that you think. 
 
 Godjrida. What do you mean ? 
 
 Clare. The tournament. To-day Siward will fight 
 And carry off the prize. 
 
 Godfrida. I hope so. Well 1 
 
 Clare. Why, every time you have been driven from 
 court 
 Some festival or pageant was on foot. 
 
 Codfrida. What then? 
 
 Clare. Siward and you have never met. 
 
 Godfrida. In God's name, cousin, tell me what you 
 mean ! 
 
 Clare. The Duchess Ermengarde is jealous of you. 
 It all grows clear to me now as we talk. 
 
 Godfrida. Jealous of me ! Does she love Siward too? 
 
 Clare. You are her only rival in the land j 
 As rich, as beautiful, and people say 
 Sweeter, and of a nobler mind than she. 
 
 Godfrida. This cannot be ! In love with Siward ? No ; 
 The Duchess means to live and die unwed ; 
 Often she told me so when we were friends. 
 What friends we were too, Clare! But that is past.
 
 ACT I] GODFRIDA 23 
 
 During her reign I was to rule, she said : 
 She reigns ; and all our friendship is forgot. 
 
 Clare. Her jealousy. 
 
 Godfrida [with an impatient gesture returns to her 
 book. After a brief pause\ Clare, did you ever 
 make 
 A philtre of a wr}^neck smoked and ground ? 
 
 Clare. That have I. 
 
 Godfrida. Did the philtre work your will ? 
 
 Clare. She whom I made it for obtained her wish. 
 
 Godfrida. Let us make such a love-compelling charm. 
 
 Clare. There 's art more subtle, magic braver far. 
 And craft more potent than a shelf of books. 
 No spell, no philtre, no melodious charm 
 Did ever make a hateful woman loved, 
 Or make her lovely. Beauty, youth, and grace 
 Enchant against the strongest sorcery. 
 
 Godfrida. But that 's no news ; for five strange years 
 have men 
 Blushing or bronzed, or silvered, at my feet 
 Or at my window, said and sung such things. 
 Now, tell me of the philtre that you made. 
 Was it most mighty ? 
 
 Clare. It had no more might 
 
 Than any other beakerful of wine.
 
 24 GODFRIDA [act i 
 
 Godfrida. What wrought the purpose of the giver 
 then? 
 
 Clare. The purpose of the giver — 
 
 Godfrida [with sudden conviction] . Wrought itself ! 
 When love has wrenched and broken all their pride, 
 Then luckless ladies turn to sorcery ; 
 But win their will by virtue of their will, 
 And not by means of thrice-decocted draughts. 
 The fixed resolve to wed the men they love. 
 Despite their soul's perdition, leads them on 
 To woo so sweetly and so valiantly, 
 That what their happier beauty could not do, 
 The beauty of despair accomplishes. 
 Philtres and charms, indeed ! My own desire 
 Enchants my soul, and shall enchant the soul 
 Of him whom I delight in and adore. 
 
 Clare. Si ward. 
 
 Godfrida. Yes, Siward. Oh ! I love him, Clare. 
 
 [Kneels at Clare's side, and lays her head in her 
 lap.] 
 What must I do, Clare ? Shall I send him word ? 
 Clare. I think you must not send him word. 
 Godfrida. Why, Clare ? 
 
 Ladies in straits like me have broken rules. 
 And won true husbands ; who have worshipped them
 
 ACT I] GODFRIDA 25 
 
 Because they had the courage of their love. 
 You think me foolish ? 
 
 Clare. Only rash, sweetheart. 
 
 Codfrida. And I think brave. I would be always 
 brave. 
 Wise ? Yes ; but not with guile ; and always brave. 
 Siward is brave. 
 
 Clare. Patience a little ! Soon 
 
 Your purpose, as you said, may work itself 
 In some delightful, unexpected way. 
 
 Codfrida. You think so, Clare ? 
 
 \^A knock is heard at the door on the left. Clare 
 goes to the door. Codfrida sits at the wheel. 
 
 Clare [at the door']. Who 's there ? 
 
 Anselm [off stage"]. I, Anselm. 
 
 Codfrida [whispering]. No ! 
 
 Clare [opening door]. Codfrida is engaged. 
 
 Anselm. Tell her I know 
 
 The issue of the tournament. 
 
 Codfrida [whispering eagerly]. Yes, yes ! 
 
 [Clare admits Anselm. He is a tall, handsome 
 boy in his sixteenth year.] 
 Well, saucy boy, truant again ? 
 
 Anselm. OIi, no ! 
 
 I was forbidden to attend the lists.
 
 26 GODFRIDA [act i 
 
 Godfrida. For what new mischief, sir ? — But tell 
 me, now ; 
 Have.you determined yet to run away, 
 And be a viking bold and scour the seas ? 
 
 [Anselm hangs Ms head.'\ 
 What, Anselm, — sulky , Not a kiss for me? 
 Indeed, it 's time that ended. I protest — 
 Look, Clare ! His upper lip ! But yesterday 
 Smoother than mine : and now, behold ! 
 
 [Anselm runs to Godfrida and kisses her cheek.] 
 
 Young man. 
 You must be muzzled. 
 
 Anseltn. With a helmet ! Yes ! 
 
 Next year I 'm going with Siward to the wars. 
 Godfrida, I have grown an inch since Christmas. 
 Godfrida. You '11 be a giant, Anselm. 
 Anselm. Do you know 
 
 I measure round the chest almost as much 
 As Siward .? Yes, and I can swing his sword. 
 
 Godfrida. You '11 match him some day, Anselm, never 
 
 fear. 
 Ansehn. But do you think so? Would it not be 
 great 
 If I, unknown, could meet and conquer him, 
 And then, unhelmed, beg pardon on my knees?
 
 ACT i] GODFRIDA 27 
 
 And yet I should not like to conquer him : 
 He never has been conquered. 
 
 Godfrida. Has he not ? 
 
 This tournament may bring about a change. 
 I think you said you had some news of that. 
 I think he said so, Clare ? 
 
 Anselm. I said so; yes, 
 
 Wishing to enter here. 
 
 Godfrida. You lied to me ! 
 
 Begone ! 
 
 Ansebn. Well — 
 
 Godfrida. Go ! 
 
 Anselm. But I can truly tell 
 
 The issue of the tournament. I can ! 
 You know, they fight in companies to-day — 
 A score against a score with naked steel : 
 And Si ward said — j'ou mustn't say I told — 
 He meant to win the ribbon from your knight. 
 
 Godfrida. From Adomar ! What did he know of 
 that ? 
 You mean to say you talk to him of me ? 
 
 Anselm. To you of him ; of him, to you ; what else ? 
 Ah ! But he knew, as everybody knew, 
 Who wore your favour. So he challenged him: 
 And Adomar turned white, but took the gage.
 
 28 GODFRIDA [act I 
 
 Siward will wear your favour now. Some day 
 Perhaps I shall. 
 
 Godfrida. You foolish little boy ! 
 
 Anselm. You know you promised me to be my wife. 
 
 Godfrida. I know. I was your sweetheart ; you were 
 ten, 
 And I was fifteen. You are fifteen now — 
 And tall and strong and handsome as a man. 
 
 Anselm. Oh, damn ! Boy, man ; man, boy ! God- 
 frida, which ? 
 
 Godfrida [laughing]. Not man enough to storm 
 becomingly. 
 
 [Anselm is about to go in a huff.] 
 Going already ? Come and say good-bye. 
 Come ; kiss me, Anselm. Will you not? Well, then; 
 
 [She goes to Anselm and kisses him.] 
 This is the last time I shall kiss you, boy. 
 There, sir, and there ! Henceforth you are a man. 
 Good-bye, good-bye ! 
 ' Anselm. No ! keep me boy forever ! 
 
 Godfrida. I would I could ! 
 
 Anselm. Your little sweetheart ! 
 
 Godfrida. No. 
 
 Next year you '11 be a gallant cavalier, 
 And have a little sweetheart of your own.
 
 ACT I] GODFRIDA 29 
 
 Go; be a man. {^{^'^s^'LU goes out sadly. '\ 
 
 A flower has withered, Clare. 
 
 \Gocs out at the back. 
 
 Re-enter Anselm triumphantly., followed by Siward. 
 
 SlWARD is twenty-seven j strong, handsome facej 
 
 yellow hair ; long Norseman's moustache. He wears 
 
 a complete suit of tilting annour, with his vizor 
 
 raised. He has a crimson ribbon in his hand. 
 
 Anselm. Siward is come, victorious. 
 
 - [^Looks about for Godfrida. 
 
 Clare. In the garden. 
 
 Siward [laying his hand on Anselm's shoulder"]. 
 My horse is at the door, dappled with froth, 
 Will you be kind to me, and ride him home .'* 
 Give him a pint of wine and see him groomed. 
 
 Anselm. Ride Siward's horse? 
 
 [Flings up his cap, and goes out joyfully. 
 
 Siward. Say not that I am come ; 
 
 But say a. messenger from Siward. 
 
 Clare. Why ? 
 
 Siward. We have not met ; but I would know her face, 
 And see none other in a chosen throng 
 Of the world's beauties : if her eyes greet me 
 As certainly my errand is half done.
 
 30 GODFRIDA [act i 
 
 Clare. I '11 say a messenger from Siward, sir. 
 
 [Goes out at the back. 
 Siward removes his gauntlets, unbuckles his sword, and 
 lays them on the table. Re-enter Godfrida, carry- 
 ing roses. She leans against the garden-door in her 
 surprise at beholding Siward. Siward does not see 
 her entrance. 
 Godfrida [to herself]. Siward himself! 
 
 [Comes down stage. Siward approaches Godfrida 
 eagerly.] From Siward ! Is he well ? 
 Siward. Never so happy in his life before. 
 By me he sends Godfrida deference, 
 And something that was hers and now is hers 
 Again. [Offers the ribbon. Godfrida lays her roses on 
 the table, but docs not take the ribbon. 
 Godfrida. And how did Siward come by that? 
 Siward. Clusters and throngs of eyes massed up to 
 heaven 
 Girt the loud tournament ; but Siward watched 
 This only, streaming like a crimson flame 
 Above the inelie on a lofty crest. 
 He spurred through drifts of dust and blood-stained 
 
 plumes : 
 Three knights who barred the way he overthrew 
 With one unsplintered lance : then Adomar —
 
 ACT I] GODFRIDA 3 1 
 
 A foolish knight, but strong and deft in arms — 
 Fell at his touch like one by lightning struck. 
 Godfrida. And is he killed ? 
 
 Siward. No ; Si ward spared his life ; 
 
 I have his ransom here. But if you wish 
 He shall be killed? 
 Godfj-ida. Oh, God forbid ! 
 
 Siward. Nay, tlien, 
 
 This Siward was a fool to waste his strength. 
 Farewell. He shall return to Adomar 
 The favour which it seems was rightly his. 
 
 Godfrida. You — you are Siward. You — have come 
 to me ! 
 
 [Siward takes her hand; gradually draivs her 
 into his embrace^ and bends down to kiss her.] 
 Nay, let me go, sir. 
 
 Siward. To Sir Adomar .-' 
 
 Godfrida. How can you say it ! 
 
 [Takes the ribbon and ties it on his arm.] 
 
 In the sight of men 
 Wear this and guard it, if in heaven's sight 
 You mean to wear my love about your heart. 
 
 Siward. About my heart ! Accoutred in your love 
 Shall I not move unsmirched through courts : through 
 war
 
 32 GODFRIDA [act I 
 
 Unwounded ; and through fire and flood unscathed. 
 
 \He embraces her; but she turns her face away 
 when he would kiss herJ] 
 Must I not kiss you ? Ah ! you love me not ! 
 
 Godfrida. I love you so, that were your ease concerned 
 I think I could compel my love to die. 
 But do not kiss me yet, Siward ; not yet. 
 
 [ They sit on the couch. She helps him to remove 
 his helmet.'] 
 And you are Siward ! Let me see you, close. 
 Is it not strange ? — most strange ! But yesterday 
 You were a being of another sphere. 
 Beyond my hail and seldom seen by me; 
 And now you are my hero in my arms. 
 Siward. When shall I kiss you ? 
 Godfrida. When the time has come. 
 
 A kiss of love is the most hallowed thing 
 That women have to give. I pray you wait. 
 Our first kiss must be sweet and wonderful ; 
 And we must wear it like a talisman 
 Upon our lips, and in our memories 
 Enshrine and seal it everlastingly. 
 
 Siward. Nay, all our kisses, though their number be 
 More than the flowers, more than the stars, shall live 
 Forever singly in our thoughts, each one
 
 ACT I] GODFRIDA 33 
 
 Denoted by its character, but all 
 
 Most fragrant, radiant, rich, and sacro-sanct. 
 
 Godfrida. All sacro-sanct ! And I shall whisper, 
 " Now," — 
 Nay, you shall know without a murmured word 
 When we must kiss. What — what if I should die 
 At the first kiss of love ? 
 
 Siward. Death might seal up 
 
 Our kiss more certainly than life : the grave 
 Is the securest casket. 
 
 Godfrida. Death — of death 
 
 We talk, now that our lives begin to be 
 Of worth ! 
 
 Siward. For everything receives from love 
 Glory and virtue, grace and dignity 
 Before unknown ; and chiefly shapeless death 
 Becomes most debonair and beautiful. 
 
 Godfrida. How great and how courageous is the world 
 That has within it such a quenchless fount 
 Of beauty and delight for all to drink ! 
 
 Siward. Do you remember when our thirsty eyes 
 Partook their eager, earliest draught of love ? 
 
 Godfrida. You rode bareheaded from your victory : 
 The happy people shouted " Siward ! " 
 
 Siward. Yes ! 
 
 3
 
 34 GODFRIDA [ACT I 
 
 And I looked up and at a lattice saw 
 
 Your face ! [Godfrida closes lier eyes and he hisses hcr.'\ 
 
 Our second kiss i Our souls first kissed 
 When first our glances blended. 
 
 \^Enter Thangbrand Imrriedly. About thirty-Jive j 
 with a rough likeness to Siward.] 
 
 \_S tar ting 7ip.'\ Thangbrand ! 
 
 Tha7igb}'atid. The Duchess bade me find you. She 
 expects you now. 
 
 Godfrida [^has risen']. The Duchess ! 
 
 Thangbrand. She is not one that puts off till to- 
 morrow. When Sir Siward left the hsts she flung down 
 her baton and despatched me for my master and the 
 Seneschal for you, madam. 
 
 Godfrida. For me ! 
 
 Thangbrand. He is close behind me. — Shall I wait 
 on you at home, sir ? 
 
 Siward. Surely. I must doff my harness before I 
 go to court. 
 
 Thangbrand \at the door\ Here is master Gaucelm, 
 sir. \Gocs out. 
 
 Enter Gaucelm, passing Thangbrand at the door. 
 About fifty, wearing a chain of office. 
 
 Gaucelm [to Godfrida]. The Duchess commands 
 your attendance at the palace. 
 
 Godfrida. The Duchess shall be obeyed. At what time ?
 
 ACT i] GODFRIDA 35 
 
 Gaucclm. Witliin an hour. 
 
 [GoDFRiDA assents. Gaucelm goes out. 
 
 Shvard. The Duchess has some pique against you. 
 
 Gocifrida. Yes. 
 
 She is jealous of mc, Siward ; jealous — jealous ! 
 
 Siward. Jealous of you ? 
 
 Godfrida. She loves you, Siward. 
 
 Siward. Me ! 
 
 She only loves her country and herself. 
 
 Godfrida. How could she fail to love her warrior ! 
 Siward, if she should offer you her hand ? 
 
 Siward. She will not. 
 
 Godfrida. If she did, what would you do ? 
 
 Siward. I should reject it. 
 
 Godfrida. Are you sure of that ? 
 
 We gather violets because the skies 
 Are far beyond our reach ; but if a star 
 Came down to us with sweet fire overbrimmed. 
 We mi;;;ht forget the simple violets. 
 
 Siward. And when the moon comes we forget the stars. 
 No other planet in the firmament 
 Can make my heart leap since )'Our love-lit eyes 
 Looked on me from your lattice earnestly, 
 And all the aimless longing of my life 
 Began to flow in one full tide to you. 
 
 \_He embraces her and goes 07it by the door on the left.
 
 36 GODFRIDA [ACT i 
 
 GoDFRiDA walks across the stage slowly. Re-enter 
 IsEMBERT nnseen by Godfrida. He goes iip 
 the stage and watches her. Godfrida, crossing 
 again., takes a rose from the table, 
 Godfrida [to herself]. And all the aimless longing of 
 my life 
 Began to flow in one full tide to you ! 
 Isembert {comes down qttickly\ I passed your flashy 
 ruffian at the door ! 
 Are you Godfrida — or a serving-maid, 
 Whose heart goes pit-a-pat to hear a drum ? 
 Siward ! — a ruthless, wanton vagabond 
 Who puts his sword to auction — and his love ! 
 What ! do you keep him, then ? — I heard them join 
 Your name with Siward's — as I hear the wind 
 That whispers naught for me. Could I believe 
 She who had known the treasure of my soul 
 In jewelled speech and silences that set 
 The thought to music, would degrade her heart 
 For a mere daub and signboard of a man — 
 A common fighting bully with a lie 
 In every word, a wench in every street ! 
 
 Gndf7-ida. I cannot pardon this that you have said 
 Against my lover, though upon your face 
 Prone in the dust, you begged me all your life.
 
 ACT ]] GODFRIDA 37 
 
 Isembert. Prone in the dust ! — And so I broach your 
 hate: 
 It shall have cause to flow, I promise you ! 
 
 [GoDFRiDA with a contcinptuoiis look turns to go. 
 Isembert seizes her hand, and the rose falls 
 at her feet.'] 
 I have more to say. I came this time to plead — 
 I, who exalt myself above mankind, 
 Came meekly to implore a thing denied; 
 For I forgave what I conceived to be 
 Perplexity at love's unlooked-for dawn. 
 Instead I find a sin against mj'self : 
 You knew me, and preferred a sort of slave, 
 A despicable huckster of his blood. 
 Now, though my senses still cry out for you, 
 I would not for a kingdom have your love. 
 But I shall make you mine in hate — a bond 
 Most intimate, most durable, most cliaste. 
 
 [ With a smothered scream Godfrid A runs into the 
 garden. Isembert crosses to go out. Look- 
 ing about with his liaiid oti the door, he sees 
 the flower that fell from Godfrida's handj 
 goes quickly and picks it itp — stealthily, as if 
 ashamed to fnd himself doing so.
 
 38 GODFRIDA [act ir 
 
 ACT II. 
 
 SCENE. — A lawn in the palace gardens. On the right 
 at the back, an arbour, open to the stage, overgrown 
 with roses. Through the trees on the left terraces are 
 seen ascending towards the palace, a wing of which 
 is visible in the distance. Towards the front the 
 ground rises on the left and is crested %vith shrtibbery. 
 On the right near the front is an orjtamental porch 
 overgrown with ivy j above it a grotto. At the 
 back and on both sides tall trees, shrubs, and flowers. 
 There are eiitrances at the back and on the right. 
 
 When the curtain rises Ermengarde is seated in 
 the arbour. She is about twenty-three j handsome, 
 restless. On the ground near her lies Scipio, a negro 
 page J beside hi?n a lap-dog on a cushion. Courtiers 
 and Maids-ofhonour, among whom is Cynthia, with 
 a lute, are grouped on the slope on the left. Gaucelm 
 and attettdants stand on the right. Cynthia's song 
 is begun before the C7trtain rises. Duri)ig the first 
 verse Ermengarde rises and looks out at the back, 
 then stands just within the arbour. Music is con-
 
 ACT II] GODFRIDA 39 
 
 timtous to the end of the song, the dialogue taking place 
 during the symphony between the verses. 
 
 Cynthia {_si'!ging']. 
 
 Is it worth the learning 
 
 This love tliey bless — 
 Pale lovers 3'earning 
 For happiness ? 
 Why do they glory in the night? 
 What dream is theirs of proud delight ? 
 Is it worth the learning? 
 
 Cyprian ejitcrs at the back before the close of the verse, 
 and goes at once to Ermengarde, loho takes a step 
 towards hi/n. 
 
 Ermengarde. Where is the Chancellor, Cyprian? 
 Cyprian. At home, your Grace, 
 
 Absorbed in business of the state. 
 Ermengarde. ./ The state ! 
 
 l^Withdraus into the arboiir impatiently, while 
 Cyprian comes dozon and stands beside 
 Gaucelm. 
 Cynthia [singifig]. 
 
 My heart is burning; 
 It cries to me.
 
 40 GODFRIDA Tact ir 
 
 Is it worth the learning 
 
 What this may be ? 
 Why do I walk alone all day ? 
 " She is in love," the maidens say. 
 
 Is love worth learning ? 
 
 At the close of the secofici verse Isembert enters at the 
 back quickly. Ermengakde meets him. 
 Ermengarcle. My lord, we have waited for you here ! 
 Isefnbcrt. While I 
 
 Have wrought for you. 
 Ermengarde. You never want excuse. 
 
 Isembert. I am chiefly sorry that I cannot stretch 
 The minutes into hours to serve your Grace 
 With vigilance and effort sixty-fold. 
 
 [Ermengarde goes into the arbour. Isembert 
 follows her. Duri?ig the song they arc seen to 
 converse, Ermengarde haughtily at first, 
 then with her eyes bent on the groufid ; Isem- 
 bert, surprised, appears to expostulate. 
 Cynthia [singing]. 
 
 Was it worth the learning? 
 
 He kissed my liand ! 
 Is love worth learning? 
 I understand,
 
 ACT II] GODFRIDA 4 1 
 
 Though love may come and love may go, 
 It is the only thing to know : 
 Love 's worth the learning. 
 
 Ermengarde [leaving the arbotir']. Thanks for your 
 music. [Courtiers, etc. rise. Ermengarde is 
 about to go out by the right, when Isembert 
 intercepts her]. I shall see them here ; 
 But not together; Siward first, and then 
 Godfrida. When he comes send word to me. 
 I am wearied out ; so sick with hope and fear 
 That like one poisoned I must walk, or faint. 
 
 [Tries unsuccessfully to evade Isembert. 
 Isembert. Your Grace intends to marry Siward? 
 Ermengarde. Yes. 
 
 Isembert. And to propose it bluntly to himself .-^ 
 Ermengarde, And to propose it frankly to himself. 
 Isembert. If you would prosper, madam, give me 
 leave 
 To mould a matter so momentous. 
 
 Ermengarde. No ! 
 
 In this I take my heart's advice alone. 
 I know I venture on an enterprise 
 Most hazardous ; but which I may not shirk, 
 Because it leads me forward to myself —
 
 42 GODFRIDA [act il 
 
 A truer, greater self that waits beyond. 
 
 \^She goes to SciPio and fondles the lap-dog; then 
 looks about suddenly. '\ 
 But where is Anselm, Scipio ? 
 Scipio. Runaway ! 
 
 Ertnengarde. Why, Gaucelm, do you suffer these 
 affronts ? 
 The boy defies you : rule him better, sir. 
 
 \To the Maids-of-honour.] March on before us — 
 singing as you go. 
 
 [Cynthia resu7nes her song, and all except Isem- 
 BERT and Cyprian go out by the right. The 
 song is heard dying away in the distance. 
 Isembcrt. Did you observe the Duchess, Cyprian ? 
 Cyprian. I never saw her so unlike herself. 
 Isembert. What do you think distracts her ? 
 Cyprian. I should say, 
 
 But for her fixed resolve to die unwed, 
 That she had fallen in love. 
 
 Isembert. And so she has — 
 
 With Siward : crude instinctive savages 
 Love makes of women ! 
 
 Cyprian. And of men, my lord. 
 
 Isefnbert. Mere males and females, Cyprian: that is 
 all
 
 ACT II] CODFRIDA 43 
 
 The power of love can do. — I wish to write. 
 
 [Cyprian ffzwj Jiiin materials, and he writes and 
 folds a letter, talking the while. '\ 
 A crowing fellow with a fair moustache 
 Struts up the street, and the whole hen-house clucks 
 With passion ! — I am ousted, pecked away ; 
 The Duchess undertakes her own affairs ! 
 Well, other palates shall be scarified 
 By this same feast of thistles spread for mine. 
 
 [^Gives the letter to Cyprian.] 
 To Ludovic, at once. Her Grace commands 
 Her army to be ready for the field 
 Upon a sudden call ; and darkly hint — 
 This I have left unwritten — it may chance 
 That he shall lead. — Send Adomar to me ; 
 He waits an audience : since the stalwart fool 
 Is mixed in this, we must get rid of him ; 
 An ass may do more adventitious ill 
 Than twenty tigers. — Then search Berthold out. 
 And probe the heart of that conspiracy : 
 Perhaps I may require it for myself. 
 
 [Cyprian goes out at the back.'] 
 I have a choice to make. [^Sits in arbour.] Should 
 
 Ermengarde 
 Marry the Norseman, and my head escape
 
 44 GODFRIDA [ACT II 
 
 The axe, I sink into oblivion ; 
 
 Or under Siwarcl's tliumb abide the turn 
 
 Of fortune's wheel ; but if Godfrida wins 
 
 The ruffian, my dominion is renewed, 
 
 For in the shipwreck of her hopes, her Grace 
 
 Must cling to me. Thus either accident 
 
 Would test my fibre, twist and stretch my soul 
 
 Upon the rack of his or her delight 
 
 Whom most I hate ! \^Rises.'\ By my intelligence 
 
 I swear that neither love-sick simpleton 
 
 Shall marry Siward ! By my wit, my will, 
 
 His golden locks and he have had their day ! 
 
 \^Enter Adomar at the back. He is strongly built j 
 stupid; anxiojis to be thought well of by himself and 
 others. ] 
 
 \Gaily.'\ Well, Adomar, in what can I befriend you? 
 
 Adomar. I wished to see you, Isembert. You 
 know — 
 Perhaps you saw my overthrow to-day. 
 
 Isembert. I heard of it. 
 
 Adomar. It was an accident. 
 
 Now, will you tell the Duchess how it chanced ? 
 
 Isembert. Tell her yourself. 
 
 Adomar. But if it came from you —
 
 ACT ii] GODFRIDA 45 
 
 Rc-cntcr Gaucelm by the right. 
 
 Gaticehn. Her Grace would know if Siward has ar- 
 rived. 
 
 Isembert. Not yet. Assure lier Grace that she shall 
 hear 
 The moment of his coming. 
 
 [Gaucelm goes out.] 
 Now, confess, 
 That Siward is the better man. 
 
 Adomar. Perhaps; 
 
 I care not. 
 
 Isembert. No ; why should you ? 
 
 Adomar. Every man 
 
 Must some day meet his master. 
 
 Isembert. Yet no man 
 
 Is master every day. 
 
 Adomar. Nor in all things ! 
 
 He dances badly. 
 
 Isembert. A barbarian ! 
 
 Adomar. I scarcely was prepared : he rode me down 
 Before my beast had gained his tilting speed. 
 
 Isembert. I doubt it not. 
 
 Adomar. And for the ribbon — well ; 
 
 Let Siward keep it. What? a rag of silk ! 
 
 Isembert. Let Siward flaunt it !
 
 46 GO DF RID A [ACT ii 
 
 Adomar. Till I win it back 
 
 In the next tourney. I shall challenge him : 
 He took me at a disadvantage. 
 
 Isembert. Nay, 
 
 Siward must wed Godfrida. 
 
 Adomar \in much amazc7neJit\ Must he! Why? 
 
 Isembert. And promptly, too, unless we want a duke. 
 Re-enter Gaucelm very hurriedly. 
 
 Gaucelm. Her Grace is most impatient. 
 
 Isembert. So am I ! 
 
 I shall myself announce him when he comes. 
 
 [Gaucelm goes out reluctantly. 
 
 Adomar \importantly\ Tell me of this. 
 
 Isembert. Our haughty Ermengarde 
 
 Is torn with passion for the Norseman. 
 
 Adomar. No ! 
 
 Isembert. And bent on marriage. 
 
 Adomar. But it must not be. 
 
 We will not have the Norseman on our necks. 
 Let Siward wed Godfrida — now — to-day ! 
 
 Isembert. Most bravely counselled! Ah ! how strong 
 is he 
 Who holds his heart subjected to his will ! 
 
 Adomar. I never loved her much. It is a wrench; 
 But — is she not too slight for me ?
 
 ACT II] GODFRIDA 47 
 
 Iscmbert. By far ! 
 
 Besides, the state demands the sacrifice. 
 
 Adomar. A man must pocket up his heart sometimes 
 When duty calls. 
 
 Iscmbert. Now that I think of it, 
 
 I know how you may make the world forget 
 Your overthrow. 
 
 Adomar. Oh ! tell me, Isembert. 
 
 Isembert. Ride to Theodorlc's tower and bring us word 
 If Count Esplandian approaches Aries. 
 
 Adotnar. The Count Esplandian in Provence again ! 
 
 Isembert. Go quickly ; be the earliest with the news. 
 
 Adomar. Returning, breathless, tired, and travel- 
 stained — 
 My horse, perhaps, dead at the palace-door — 
 I shall be famous, envied ! 
 
 Isembert. That you shall ! 
 
 Adomar. I go then. Not a word to any one ! — 
 Why do you look so strangely, Isembert ? 
 
 Isembert. I think of Solomon's own vanity 
 When he declared that all is vanity. 
 
 Ado7iiar. What is the wisdom of it, Isembert? 
 
 Isembert. That even the very grossest fools exist 
 Not all in vain, because once in their lives 
 They are made to serve some wise man's exigence,
 
 48 GODFRTDA [act it 
 
 If it were only by being easily 
 Kept out of the way. 
 
 Adomar. Ha ! Siward ! Yes, I see. 
 
 We '11 keep him in the dark ! — eh, Isembert.'' 
 He '11 hang his head when I come riding in ! 
 A fop, a Norse adventurer ! You know 
 I\Iy lance slipped, and he caught me by a fluke 
 Right on the vizor : children could upset 
 Giants with such a stroke. 
 
 Iseinbert. I am sure of it. 
 
 Inform me, first of all, when you return. 
 Adomar. I will, and thank you kindly, Isembert. 
 
 \^Goes out by the right. 
 Enter Attendant at the back. 
 Isembert. Is Siward there .'' 
 
 Attendant. My lord, he has just arrived. 
 
 Isembert. Send him this way. 
 
 [^Re-enter Ermengarde/;w« the right.'] 
 
 Siward has come, your Grace. 
 Ermengarde. I wonder . . . Yes. Be near, most 
 faithful friend. 
 
 [Isembert goes out by the right. 
 
 [Enter Siward at the back. Ermengarde receives him 
 graciously. Siward, in a courtier'' s dress, is wearing 
 Godfrida's ribbon. ]
 
 ACT ii] GODFRIDA 49 
 
 [Harshly. ] What 's that ? 
 
 Siward. A pledge of love. 
 
 Ertnengarde. I know ; but whose ? 
 
 Siward. IVIadam, my own. 
 
 Erj)ienga7-de Sj'iiriotis\ Who gave it to you, sir ? 
 
 Siward. Godfrida, madam. 
 
 Erfnetigarde [sinks down on tlic seat\ Ah ! 
 
 [Controlling herself, she rises and comes close to 
 Siward.] I knew, my friend, 
 
 Your fancy to Godfrida turned : my page, 
 The truant, Anselm, all unconsciously. 
 Revealed the secret, gossiping : and she 
 Is fair and wise, and worth a warrior's love — 
 If there were none more fair, none worthier. 
 
 Siward. I will not understand you. 
 
 Ermengarde. But you do ! 
 
 When post-haste from the tournament you rode — 
 Discourteously: [Siward dissents.'\ it was indeed a 
 
 fault, 
 Most heinous in the office that you hold ! — 
 I guessed your errand, sir. Did Adomar 
 Give up the ribbon for his life .'' 
 
 Siward. He did. 
 
 Ermengarde. In that you scarce were chivalrous, I 
 think. 
 
 4
 
 50 GODFRIDA [act ll 
 
 Siward. Madam, you wrong yourself to blame me thus : 
 We fought a outrance ; and Sir Adomar 
 Had taken up my challenge. What of this ? 
 The petty laws of silken marshal's men 
 Are fit for those who heed them. For myself 
 I serve the state, and the state's noble head ; 
 But live in my own world, a Norseman free. 
 To win my true love's gage 1 fought to-day, 
 And having won it left the mimic war. 
 
 Ermengarde. I take them back : the Duchess Ermen- 
 garde 
 Withdraws her words ! [ReUirns to the arbour. '\ 1 would 
 
 not hurt a hair 
 Upon your head — not one bright hair ; and lo, 
 I wound the very marrow of your pride ! 
 But, Norseman, Norseman, these are southern shores 
 Where ladies carry lightning in their veins. 
 How can I say that which I mean to say, 
 That which I must say ? 
 
 Siward. You have said it, madam. 
 
 And I, your Grace's servant, honour you 
 With a more poignant reverence, knowing now 
 Your high heart's tender secret. All my days 
 Await you like an escort cloaked in night. 
 My thoughts, my study of the storied world.
 
 ACT II] GODFRIDA 5 1 
 
 My courage and mj' skill in peace and war, 
 
 Are yours as long as they are mine to spend. 
 
 My love Godfrida has. 
 
 \Du7ing the folloiving Siward gradually t7irns 
 
 his face away from Ermengarde. 
 
 Ennengarde. It must be mine! 
 
 A hated wooer sought me ; when you came 
 
 And whipped him off, I looked for you to ask 
 
 The recompense they said j'ou sought, my hand. 
 
 \_Paiiscs, expecting Jiiin to speakJ] 
 
 Your lofty spirit marks you out my mate : 
 
 My rank empowers and sanctions every way 
 
 The course I take in offering my crown, 
 
 My duchy and myself to one most wise, 
 
 Most noble, valiant, generous, and true. 
 
 [Sinks into the seat, trembling.^ 
 
 At first your silence hurt me : now I feel 
 
 How beautiful it is. 
 
 Siward. My silence — 
 
 lie-enter Attendant at the back. Ermengarde rises 
 relieved by the intert-uption . 
 
 Ermefigarde [to Attendant]. Well 1 
 
 Attendant. Godfrida, madam. 
 
 Ermengarde. Wait. — [7>'SnvARU.] I shall demand 
 Your spoken answer later. Leave me now :
 
 52 GODFRIDA [act ii 
 
 Go to your house : consider all your life ; 
 Think of my love. To-morrow you shall speak. 
 
 [SiWARD goes out by the back.'\ 
 Ask my lord Chancellor to come to me. 
 
 \^She points the way and the Attendant ^^^j out by 
 the right. '\ 
 He dare not fling my offer in my face. 
 
 [Re-enter Isembert/t^w the right. 'l 
 I have over-rated, overtaxed my strength. 
 It is more arduous, more terrible 
 Than I imagined in my weakest hours. 
 
 Isembert. What, madam ? 
 
 Ermengarde. To confront a hostile will. 
 
 I trusted — must we always trust our hopes ? — 
 That like a goddess I should graciously 
 Descend and make a home in Si ward's love. 
 I found it closed : it is inhabited : 
 A face looked out upon me from his heart. 
 
 Isembert. How did you deal with him ? 
 
 Ermengarde. I lost myself ! 
 
 He wore Godfrida's ribbon ; and I stormed 
 And chid him as a nurse would rate a child : 
 I felt him scorning me. What shall I do? 
 
 Isembert. Godfrida comes? 
 
 Ermengarde. She is waiting.
 
 ACT 11] CODFRIDA 53 
 
 Isembert. See her now 
 
 Announce your marriage with the Constable, 
 And tell her since the gossip of the court 
 Has linked their names, she must at once declare 
 In pubhc that the rumour is untrue. 
 
 Ermengarde. But if she loves him that will break her 
 heart ! 
 
 Ise?nbert. Will yours be mended if she marries 
 Si ward ? 
 Amaze her, daunt her : in her fresh alarm 
 I '11 overpower her with a crowd — to-day 
 The city is your guest — and suddenly 
 Requiring her denial, so confound 
 Her judgment, that she shall comply 
 Outright with our demand. 
 
 Ermengarde. And afterwards? 
 
 Isembert. Why, she will hang herself, or die of grief; 
 For courage is her idol. Siward then, 
 Hurt by Godfrida's fickleness and urged 
 By new ambition and the popular voice. 
 Will gladly marry you. 
 
 Ermengarde. But if her strength 
 
 Should not desert her ? 
 
 Isembert. But it shall ! The crowd, 
 
 By my instruction deeply overjoyed
 
 54 GODFRIDA [act ii 
 
 At your betrothal, shall appear her foe ; 
 Alone, without a friend, against your will, 
 Against your people's will, her heart must break ! 
 
 Ermengarde. Already I 've been overharsh with 
 her: 
 Why need we break her heart? Live and let live, 
 As kindly people say. 
 
 Isembert. Kill or be killed 
 
 As people calmly do. \_Watchmg her keenly. '] I '11 send 
 
 your guard ; 
 And after bring your guests. [Ermengarde «'/jj'^«/j'.] 
 
 How did you mean 
 To treat Godfrida ? 
 
 Ertnengarde. Oh ! I cannot tell. 
 
 Ise?nbert. Madam, you must not flinch. With my 
 advice 
 This glaring crisis never should have been : 
 But as the world must know what you have done — 
 So openly, so wilfully ! — proceed 
 High-handed to the issue ; or forbear — 
 That fools may flay your vanity, and make 
 Your heart a butt for shafts of ridicule ! 
 
 [Ermengarde goes up stage distractedly, and 
 Isembert goes out at the back, 7'eturning 
 abnost immediately with Godfrida.]
 
 ACT iij GODFRIDA 55 
 
 \_To Godfrida], Mine you begin to be, love 
 — mine, in hate. 
 
 {Goes out at the back. 
 [Godfrida is muck agitated and looks wistfully 
 at Ermengarde, who regat'ds her coldly. 
 Ermengarde. Did Siward pass you ? 
 Godfrida {recovering self possessioti\. Yes; I spoke 
 
 to him. 
 Ermengarde \co?nes close to GoiWRlux and speaks at 
 her ear']. You shall not have the Norseman: he 
 is mine. 
 You shall renounce him publicly to-day : 
 I sent for him and told him all my love: 
 We sliall be married soon. 
 
 Godfrida {proudly]. He came to me. 
 
 Ermengarde. While I must send ! How dare you ! 
 ... So I did, 
 Godfrida ! Yes, and be you warned liy that. 
 I am neither cruel nor tyrannical ; 
 But I must wed this gentle god of war; 
 Nothing shall stay me : I have sent a spy 
 Into the darkest corners of my soul. 
 And find no enemy within myself 
 Powerful enough to combat my desire. 
 Godfrida. Siward will marry me.
 
 56 GODFRIDA [act ii 
 
 Erme7igarde. Tliat shall he not! 
 
 And when I ask you, now, before the court 
 You shall declare you never loved him. 
 
 Godfrida. 1 1 
 
 I will not ! 
 
 Ermengarde. But you shall ! by heaven, you shall! 
 Godfrida. By Siward's love for me, by mine for him — 
 Erjnengarde. You shall ! 
 Godfrida. No ! I shall not ! 
 
 Ermengarde. No enemy 
 
 Is half so fatal as a friend estranged. 
 I am jealous of you ! Do my will, or dread 
 My vengeance. I have pledged myself : he knows, 
 And now you know, my passion and my purpose, 
 And none shall thwart or scorn me. You, indeed ! 
 
 Godfrida \_ivith malice'\. Permit me now to go; for 
 Siward waits : 
 He said he would attend my coming forth. 
 Ertnengarde. I shall take care you meet him not 
 again 
 Till you have given him up before the world. 
 
 [Godfrida bows disdainfully, and is about to go 
 out., when she is met by the Lieutenant with 
 the guaj-d, who enter at the back, saltite and 
 fortn, blocking the way. Godfrida 07>er-
 
 ACT ii] GODFRIDA 57 
 
 cones her amazement and turns defiantly on 
 Ermengarde. 
 Godfrida. Madam, althougli you were to bury me 
 Deep in a dungeon or an unknown grave, 
 Our happy love would not be desolate ; 
 For on my mouth is Siward's kiss; on his 
 My kiss lies, an inviolable bond ; 
 And you can never sever from my soul 
 The soul of Siward, mine in life, in death. 
 
 Ermengarde. Now friendship, pity, die indeed ! To eat 
 Your words, to drink your tears, to swallow down 
 Your bursting heart before the court, and I 
 Seated triumphantly observing you ! 
 Oh ! you will find that worse than chains or death. 
 Re-enter Isembert with Ladies and Gentlemen at the 
 back. Anselm enters last and leans against a tree, 
 disconsolately. Isembert leads Godfrida up stage 
 and stations her on the left of Ermengarde, who 
 stands in front of the arbour. Isembert then looks 
 about anxiottsly and crosses to Anselm. Gaucelm, 
 Cynthia, Courtiers and Maids-of-Honour re-enter 
 front the right. 
 
 Isembert [to Anselm]. Is Siward here ? 
 Anselm. He is not coming. 
 
 Isembert. Not.''
 
 $8 GODFRIDA [act ii 
 
 Anselm. The Duchess sent him home. 
 
 Ise7nbert. Impossible! 
 
 A bungled message. Bid him come at once : 
 I saw you with him in the palace-hall. 
 
 Anselm. I told liim so ! He '11 think me wiser now. 
 
 \Goes out at the back. 
 
 [ISEMBERT goes Up stage and stands on Ermen- 
 
 GARDE's right. The crowd is mostly on the 
 
 rights leaving the back entrance visible to the 
 
 audience. 
 
 Isembert. Upon her Grace's part I welcome you. 
 Your loyalty, your sympathy — your hearts 
 Our mistress needs ; not as a ruler now, 
 But as a friend. — More burdensome it is 
 To wield authority than to obey. 
 If mighty kings, discerning sovereign power 
 To be dull torture, abdicate their thrones, 
 Or maddened by dominion, to themselves 
 Impute prerogatives of deity, 
 Some doom more evil still may overwhelm 
 A woman, set alone above the world. 
 Therefore her Grace determines to forsake 
 The lofty solitude wherein the hearts 
 Of monarchs grow unhuman, and to steep 
 Her life in the brave love and happy care
 
 ACT iij GODFRIDA 59 
 
 That wives and mothers know. 
 
 Voices. God save her Grace! 
 
 Isevibcrt. It was her earlier design to live 
 A maiden all her days, lest, marrying, 
 She should provoke that destiny untoward, 
 A ruthless master for herself and you — 
 Such as the Count Esplandian of Toulouse 
 Who thought to win lier love with battering-rams. 
 But he who beat that stubborn warrior back — 
 
 Voices [^astonished and pleased\ Si ward ! 
 
 Erntettgarde [oi'erjoyed]. You love him too.'' 
 
 Voices. Yes, yes, your Grace; 
 
 Siward ! A Siward ! » 
 
 Enticngarde. Loyal, generous friends, 
 
 I thank you from my heart. 
 
 Voices. God save your Grace ! 
 
 [GODFRIDA shrinks back i)ito the arbour. Isem- 
 BERT, passing behind Ermengarde, takes 
 Godfrida's hand and leads her forward. 
 
 Ermengarde [to Godfrida]. Now is the time I spoke 
 of. 
 
 Iseinbert. All her life 
 
 Her Grace's confidante shall be Provence ; 
 Her people is her only bosom-friend : 
 And not one film of slander must obscure
 
 60 GODFRIDA [act i i 
 
 Her happy marriage, fated to control 
 The tides of your contentment and of hers. 
 I understand a shapeless rumour walks 
 Haunting this lady's name : but she herself 
 Will lay the phantom now. 
 
 Ermengarde. Godfrida, speak 
 
 In all good faith, and let my people know 
 Siward was never anything to you. 
 
 Godfrida \i'ecovers presence of mind. With all her 
 force\ She lies ! The Duchess lies ! Siward is 
 
 mine ! 
 [ISEMBERT is intensely surprised, and stares in ad- 
 miration at Godfrida. Ermengarde with 
 a cry lifts her hand clenched to strike God- 
 frida, when Siward enters with Anselm. 
 Siward. Godfrida ! 
 
 [Godfrida runs to Siward and falls into his 
 anus. 
 Ermengarde \sinks into the seat}. Ah ! 
 Isembert [z« Ermengarde's ear}. Bid me dis- 
 
 miss them, madam, 
 Godfrida. I was afraid a moment — only one. 
 Isembert. Bid me dismiss them, madam. 
 Ermengarde. No ; not yet. 
 
 \To Siward.] What brings you here ?
 
 ACT III GODFRIDA 6 1 
 
 Siivard. The kindest destiny. 
 
 Ermengardc \_rises\ But I forbade you, sir. 
 
 [SlWARD looks to ANSELM ; AnSELM looks to ISEM- 
 
 dert; Y.K'si'EiiGAKii'E. follows their glances. 
 Isevibert. I sent for him. 
 
 Erniengarde [looks wildly at Isembert, then steps 
 forward atid cries in a piercing voice]. My people, 
 now I need your constant hearts ! 
 Voices. God save your Grace ! 
 
 Ermengarde. Those whom I trusted most 
 
 Have covered me Vvith shame before you all ! 
 I am betrayed! Who is on my side — who? 
 
 Isetnbert [drawing his sword]. For Ermengarde ! 
 All the Men [with drawn swords]. Provence 
 
 and Ermengarde ! 
 Isembert. Madam, you are betrayed: look in your 
 heart, 
 And find the traitor there. 
 
 Ermengarde. My heart, indeed ! 
 
 It is too true to me ! — Give up your sword ! 
 Isembert [yielding his sword to Ermengarde]. Into 
 
 your hands. 
 Ermengarde. And yours, Sir Constable. 
 Siward [yielding his sword to the Lieutenant]. Madam, 
 this is as guilty as its lord.
 
 62 GODFRIDA [act n 
 
 Ermengarde. These traitors I shall question privately ! 
 But do not leave me, friends : it gives me strength 
 To think my people are within my house : 
 And when this pitiful, this childish plot 
 Is sifted, as it shall be instantly, 
 I may again take counsel with your hearts. 
 
 {Pointing to Siward and Godfrida 
 Sever these two ; and see you guard them well. 
 
 \Pointingto Isembert. 
 Lead him now to the hall. 
 
 Voices. God save your Grace ! 
 
 ACT-DROP.
 
 ACT III] GODTRIDA 63 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 SCENE. — The Hall of the Palace. At the back to the 
 left a high and broad doorivay. Above the doorway 
 is a gallery with a small window., and doors. On the 
 right at the back a la7ge window: on the extreme 
 rights a small door surviounted by a cross. Down 
 right is a large window, and below it, near the front, 
 a door. On the left toward the front is a dais, on 
 which a throne stands. Below the dais a door. The 
 walls are hung with tapestry, and there is stained 
 glass in all the windows. Lamps, conveniently. A 
 few seats about the dais. It is sunset when the act 
 opens. The moon rises about the tniddle of the act. 
 Ermengarde is seated on one of the seats near the dais, 
 and IsEMBERT is led in by the large door when the act- 
 drop rises. 
 
 Ermengarde. You are the head of this conspiracy ? 
 Isembert. Madam, I know of no conspiracy. 
 Ermengarde. Why summon Sivvard then? The thing 
 was schemed 
 To tame me to your power. 
 
 Isembert. Unjustly urged !
 
 64 GOD FR ID A [act in 
 
 Ertncngarde. "The Duchess lies!" she said; "the 
 Duchess lies ! " 
 Would even a crazy creature, in the power 
 Of arbitrary rivalship, alone, 
 And unabetted, helplessly invoke 
 Immortal enmity ? " The Duchess lies ! " 
 
 Isembert. Madam, your jealousy has blinded you. 
 
 Erniengarde. You mean it has unsealed my eyes. 
 Disclose 
 The secret of this treason ! — Speak ! — Confess ! 
 Sir, there's a spindle underground, the rack, 
 Famous for winding up conspiracies ; 
 And I shall have you all three wrung at once 
 To scream against each other. 
 
 \Goes out by the door on the left. 
 
 Isejnbert. Madam ! [Ti? himself.'] Time 
 
 I must have now ! What shall I do } Make love ! 
 [At the door.] Madam ! 
 
 Re-enter Ermengarde. 
 
 Erniengarde. One word : will you confess the truth ? 
 
 Isembert. Question me : you shall judge. 
 
 Ermengarde. Why did you send 
 
 For Siward ? 
 
 Isejnbert. That he might abhor your Grace, 
 Beholding your abuse of power.
 
 ACT III] CODFRIDA 65 
 
 Ermengardc [amazed]. But why? 
 
 Isembc7-t. Because I would not have you marry 
 him : 
 I would not have you marry any one. 
 1 meet you every day : I touch your hand : 
 J see you in your most enthralling moods 
 (jf informality and indolence : 
 I know your subtle brain, your fiery soul ; 
 To me you are the very source of life. 
 
 [Ermengarde iur)is her face from hw!, unable to 
 hide her gratification. He relieves himself 
 ivith a grimace.'] 
 But were your gracious spirit coffined up 
 In wedlock, the devouring sepulchre 
 Of beauty, eminence, distinction, love — 
 Should you, who are the sun, become a lamp 
 For household uses, then the world would end 
 Here in Provence. I beg you not to wed ! 
 Ermengarde {turns towards him]. Poor Isembert! I 
 understand you not ; 
 Jkit feci a faithful passion in your words. 
 You must not thwart me further : I have none 
 To trust liut you. 
 
 Isembert. Trust me, and I obey : 
 
 But when you bring me suddenly to work 
 
 5
 
 66 GODFRIDA [act in 
 
 Upon a secret purpose of your own, 
 No wonder I upset it. 
 
 Ermengarde. Yet, the doubt I — 
 
 Oh, sir, be true ! — What gave Godfrida strength 
 To brave my power ? 
 
 Isetnbert. Need a true lover ask ? 
 
 Ermettgarde. But does she love like me ? 
 
 Isetnbert. True lovers feel 
 
 As if their passion were original — 
 A virgin revelation to themselves 
 Aione imparted. 
 
 Ermengarde. Would Godfrida die 
 Were I to marry Sivvard ? 
 
 Isembert. If her love 
 
 Is absolute — perhaps. 
 
 Ermengarde. My love is absolute : 
 
 My life is all transmuted into love : 
 Help me to save my life. Show me the way 
 To wreak my vengeance on the sorceress 
 Who stole my Sivvard's heart. 
 
 Isetnbert. The sorceress ? 
 
 Ermengarde. Godfrida. When our friendship held, 
 we played 
 With philtres and enchantments, she and I ; 
 But she has used her craft.
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 6/ 
 
 I s ember t. It must be so : 
 
 How else could any man of Siward's rank 
 Reject you and your throne ? 
 
 Eriiiengarde. How else, indeed ? 
 
 And I shall have her tried for sorcery. 
 Kill or be killed — your motto, Isembert : 
 Highhanded to the end ! 
 
 Isetnbert. But warily ; 
 
 The highest hand is that which works unseen. 
 Commit your happiness to me ; my love 
 Will bear the proof. 
 Ermejtgarde. What will you do ? 
 
 Isembert. The best. 
 
 Events and passions blindly hurry by; 
 I touch them as they pass, deflecting them 
 Towards my aim. 
 
 Ermejigaj'de. I give you leave. 
 Isembert. First then, 
 
 • I see Godfrida here alone. 
 
 Eriiiengarde. Suppose — 
 
 Suppose that I see Siward here alone, 
 Beforehand ! Has it reached his brain, his heart. 
 What marriage with me means ? Not yet, I think ; 
 I'ut if in all my state I came to him,
 
 68 GODFRIDA [ACT in 
 
 And kneeling, laid my coronet at his feet ! — 
 
 I am inspired with this ! 
 
 Ise7}ibert. And being scorned 
 
 Your Grace would die of shame, 
 
 Erviengarde. It is my life 
 
 I seek to purchase ; for without his love 
 
 I 'd scorn myself and be ashamed to live. 
 
 {^Crosses to the left quickly. 
 
 Isembert. I am a prisoner still. 
 
 Ennengarde. Summon the guard. 
 
 [Isembert brings iji Halberdiers fi-om the back, 
 
 who promptly guard hif/t.'l 
 
 Your charge is at an end. 
 
 [Halberdiers salute and go out.'\ 
 
 Oh, now I know 
 That I shall win him. 
 
 Isembert. And if not? 
 
 Ermengarde. Why then 
 
 You shall proceed unfettered. But this time 
 My heart is sure : he shall at last perceive 
 How strong, how passionate, how great I am ! 
 
 {Goes out by the door on the left. 
 
 Isembert. This, now, is love — the desperate, jealous 
 love 
 To anguish doomed ; for no felicity 
 Can spring in men, except from barbcid roots
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 69 
 
 Of discontent and envy deeply struck 
 
 In some sore heart that hoped to have the flower. 
 
 \^Goes out by the door on the right. 
 Enter Gaucelm by the door on the left j and Attend- 
 ants by the large door. They light the lamps. 
 The 'moonlight begins to shine on the windows. The 
 Attendants have gone out, and Gaucelm is about 
 to go out, when Anselm and Thangbrand enter by 
 the door on the right. 
 Anselm. Gaucelm ! Gaucelm ! Can we see her Grace ? 
 Gaucelm. Where have you been rambling all day, sir? 
 I am amazed that you should have the foolhardiness to 
 propose to come into her Grace's presence. 
 
 Anselm. But 1 am foolhardy, Gaucelm. Will you 
 ask her Grace if Siward's man, Thangbrand, may wait 
 upon him ? 
 
 Gatuebn. I will, sir; and say something besides. 
 
 \^Goes out by the door on the left. 
 Anselm. He will now accuse me of insubordination. 
 Well, never mind. We are in luck, Thangbrand. I can 
 show you how Siward shall escape. \_Leads Thang- 
 brand to the small door at the back.'] Remember, you 
 must be sure to say to him at once that it was my plan, 
 Thangbrand. Ynu will say it was my plan .'' 
 
 Thatigbrand. Your plan, young master. Where is 
 his cell?
 
 70 GODFRIDA [act III 
 
 Anselm. Oh, he is not in a cell! This chapel leads 
 to the corridor upon which the room opens where Siward 
 is imprisoned. A sentinel is on guard. As soon as you 
 are admitted you must change habits with Siward. I 
 shall come along the corridor as if by chance, and enter 
 into conversation with the sentinel. 
 
 Thangbrand. Not if I were the sentinel. 
 
 Anselm. But you are not the sentinel. Then Siward 
 must knock, and when the door is opened he steps out in 
 your habit, and I say, " Ah, Thangbrand ! How docs 
 Siward take his fall?" — or something like that — you 
 see? When the sentinel peeps into the room before 
 fastening the door again, he shall see only your back, 
 for you must be looking out at the window in Siward's 
 habit. Meanwhile Siward and I saunter up the corridor, 
 and through the chapel to this gallery, from which a pas- 
 sage leads directly out of the palace. 
 
 Thangbrand. It may succeed ; but not if I were the 
 sentinel. — And what will they do with me, do you think? 
 
 Anselm. And with me ? I would risk anything for 
 Siward. 
 
 Thangbrand. And so would I ! 
 
 Re-enter Gaucelm. 
 
 Gaticelm. The Duchess permits Thangbrand to visit 
 his master. 
 
 Anselm. Splendid !
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 7I 
 
 Gaucclm. The Duchess commands her disobedient 
 page, Ansehn, to wait upon her unmediately. 
 Anselm. But — 
 
 Gaucebn. On pain of imprisonment. 
 Ansehn. Oh ! — You will wish you had held your 
 tongue, master Seneschal. I shall tread upon your toes 
 for this — upon every corn in your splay-footed vanity. 
 
 \^Goes out iffipaiiently by the door on the left. 
 Thangbrand stares stolidly at Gaucelm 
 and goes out by the door en the right. 
 
 Enter Ingleram and Dagobert by the large door. 
 
 Gaucelm. Good evening, Sir Ingleram. Good even- 
 ing, sir. 
 
 Ingleram. What is tliis ridiculous story about my 
 niece ? 
 
 Gaucelm. I think she hardly finds it ridiculous, sir, 
 
 Ingleratn. It is true, then. She is in prison ? 
 
 Gaucelm. Her liberty is certainly restrained. 
 
 Ingleratn. And Siward and Isemberl ? 
 
 Gaucelm. They also are under guard. 
 
 Ingleram. On a charge of conspiracy ? [Gaucelm 
 
 assents. \ I pray you, say to the Duchess that I will 
 become surety for my niece. 
 
 Dagobert. And I also, if her uncle is not sufficient.
 
 72 GODFRIDA [act III 
 
 Gaucehn. Frankly, gentlemen, I cannot promise. I 
 carried a request to her Grace just before you came : she 
 granted it, but she forbade me to trouble her again. 
 
 Dagobe7't. Entreat one of her ladies to carry it. 
 
 Gaucebn. I shall endeavour the utmost. Will you 
 wait? 
 
 Inglet'am. I shall be much your debtor. 
 
 Dagobert. And I. 
 
 [Gaucelm goes out by the door OJi the left. 
 
 Jngleram. Can we be suspected ? 
 
 Dagobert. I think not. 
 
 Enter Cyprian and Berthold by the large door. 
 Berth OLD has reached the grave and wise stage of 
 intoxication. 
 
 Cyprian. We saw you enter the palace and came 
 after to know the news. 
 
 Inc'leram. The news of what? 
 
 Berthold. Any — news. 
 
 Inglcratn. Your feet stumble and your tongue trips, 
 sir. 
 
 Berthold. Policy — good policy. 
 
 Ingleratn. Policy ! I call it drunkenness. 
 
 Bej-thold. The same thing. You can never be sup- 
 posed conspirators so long as I frequent your company.
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA •^'^ 
 
 Keep a good heart : for I shall be continually drunk till 
 Esplandian comes : that will obviate all suspicion. 
 
 Cyprian. Have you the message from Esplandian you 
 spoke of in the morning? 
 
 Inglcram. Yes ; but let mc tell you, sir, I suspect 
 you. You are Isembert's right-hand man. What do 
 these sudden arrests mean ? 
 
 Cyprian. How should I know? Some caprice of the 
 Duchess's. 
 
 Dagobo-t. The Duchess's caprices have hitherto been 
 dictated by Isembert. 
 
 Cyprian. He is himself a prisoner. 
 
 Dagobert. We are not to be blinded by that, 
 
 Cyprian. Umph ! Can you not understand? Isem- 
 bert bought me, and used me, taking my ignoble nature 
 for granted. The conquest of Provence by Esplandian 
 will ruin him : I shall see him reduced to ask alms of me. 
 Show me the letter. 
 
 Ingleram. 1 shall come to you with it after my busi- 
 ness here. 
 
 Cyprian. But this is an excellent rendezvous. In the 
 hall of the palace, and accompanied by tlie politic Ller- 
 thokl, who shall suspect us? [Ingleram gives iiim a 
 letter, which he reads.] Ah ! here is no stealthy whisper 
 in an alcove, of less value than a lover's sigh ! Stout
 
 74 GODFRIDA [ACT III 
 
 parchment and black ink ! Dagobert to be Constable ; 
 you to have Godfrida's estate ; and lands and money for 
 all your associates. 
 
 Ingleram. I call it a substantial promise. 
 
 Cyprian {returns the letter\ And a simple piece of 
 villainy too. When the battle joins we are to kill Siward, 
 and go over to Esplandian with all who will follow us. 
 
 /ngleram. That is his meaning. 
 
 Cyprian. He seems to be heartily afraid of Siward. 
 
 Ingleram. He knows Siward's quality by experience. 
 
 Berthold [^buttonholing Ingleram with one hand and 
 flourishing the other at Dagobert]. Extraordinary 
 men — men who interfere with the common course of 
 events — should always be killed. We must kill Isembert, 
 too. 
 
 Cyprian. Oh, no ! we reserve him for a worse fate. 
 Indigence to men like Isembert is more terrible than 
 death. 
 
 Berthold. I would have him killed. He called me a 
 bottle. Superior persons should be killed : to be superior 
 is to have an unjust advantage over the rest of the world. 
 
 Cyprian. The whole philosophy of envy! — Come 
 along, Berthold ; you shall impart all your wisdom to me. 
 — [To Ingleram.] Shall I see you to-night? 
 
 Ingleram. Yes ; at my house.
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 75 
 
 [Cyprian and Berthold go out by the large door. 
 Re-enter Gaucelm with Halberdiers by the 
 door on the left.'\ 
 
 Well, Gaucelm ? 
 
 Gaucelm. As I feared ; none dared intrude. 
 
 But you must go. She comes to question Siward. 
 
 [Ingleram attempts to take Gaucelm aside. ^^ 
 
 No ; no ! I cannot listen, [/"i? the Halberdiers]. Clear 
 the hall ! 
 
 [Ingleram and Dagobert go out reluctantly by 
 the large door, followed by the Halberdiers, 
 who form outside the door. Then Gaucelm 
 ushers Ermengarde by the door on the left. 
 Anselm and Maids-of-Honour attend her. 
 She is in her robes of state, and wears a ducal 
 crown. She sits on one of the chairs near the 
 dais. At a sign from her Gaucelm, An- 
 selm, and Maids-of-Honour go out by the 
 door on the left. Then Siward is brought 
 in by the door on the right. 
 
 Ermengarde. Siward, I cannot, will not, give you up. 
 [Siward makes an impatient gesture.'] 
 Indeed, there is none like you, Siward — none ! 
 A crafty man would soon have groped his way
 
 76 GODFRIDA [act hi 
 
 To my soul's inner room ; your loyalty 
 Halted upon the threshold of my thought, 
 Nor cast a single curious glance within. 
 Until I spoke had you no hint, no glimpse 
 Of my consuming love ? Did you not hear 
 Across the slumbering city, how my heart 
 Kept nightly vigil, beating " Siward, Siward " ? 
 
 Siward. To me you were the symbol of the state 
 In whose defence I rose to eminence. 
 Release Godfrida ; set me also free : 
 Then shall I think you love me. 
 
 Ermengarde. Bitter ! — rude ! 
 
 Why do you love Godfrida ? 
 
 Siward. Why do you 
 
 Love me ? 
 
 Ermengarde. Because you are the only man 
 In all the world to whom I would entrust 
 My body and my soul. — Godfrida's love ? 
 A sweet and fair domestic comedy ! 
 A toy — a paltry feather in your cap. 
 That in the tumult of a soldier's life 
 Must soon grow limp and drop into the mire. 
 My love, begirt with wars, with cares of state 
 Heavily jewelled, would fulfil and deck 
 Your span of years as richly as the night
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA yy 
 
 Is belted, bossed, and overhung with stars : 
 Lo ! at your feet I and my passion lie ! 
 
 \_Kni:i:ls and lays her crown at SiwARD'sy^fA He 
 lifts the crown^ replaces it on her head, and 
 leads her to a seat. 
 
 Situard. Godfrida has my love ; but I have done 
 With all reproach and censure, and will speak 
 Solicitously now, and heedfuUy 
 As mortals should when the strong wine of life 
 Maddens a suffering soul — humbly, indeed, 
 For I have drunken deep of the same cup. — 
 A landless wanderer, shackled to my sword, 
 I followed chance and peril, knowing love 
 But as a pastime, till a miracle 
 Befell me in your city. 
 
 Ermetigardc \jmder her breath\ What! 
 
 Siwa^-d. I rode 
 
 One evening from a field where victory 
 Had flattered me ; the doting multitude 
 Shouted my name ; my horse on garlands trod ; 
 I ceased to think, and yielded to the hour. 
 On my entranced and twilight mood there fell 
 Godfrida's eyes, still and devout with love. 
 Her spellbound brows shed from her lattice power 
 Upon my fancy and upon my will.
 
 78 GODFRIDA [ACT III 
 
 It seemed to me my life was rooted up 
 And set anew in virgin ground, wliose strength 
 Brought forth a sudden passion as divine 
 As that which ripened in Godfrida's breast. 
 I love her and shall love her always. None 
 Came ever fresher from on high than she. 
 Your Grace must suffer love to work its will. 
 Ermengarde. I do ! I suffer — for your happiness. 
 Siward. Our lives are tangled in a lover's knot, 
 Which may not be undone — except by you. 
 Ermengarde. That would be by my death, then : I 
 should die 
 If you were married to Godfrida — her 
 Who gave the lie to me ! Disgraced and scorned, 
 'T is I shall cut this knot — and this one too ! 
 
 \She tries to snatch Godfrida's ribbon from 
 Siwaud's arm. He grasps her wrists and 
 she screams. 
 Siward. You might as well attempt to wrench the 
 moon 
 From her deep home in heaven. My heart is heaven, 
 For there Godfrida dwells. 
 Re-enter Isemdekt hnrried/y by the door on the right. 
 Ermengarde \to Isembert]. Do what you will ! 
 
 \Goes out by the door on the left.
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 79 
 
 Siivard. How comes it you are free ? 
 Isembert. Her Grace has found 
 
 My treachery peculiar diligence 
 In her behalf. 
 Siivard. Are you my enemy ? 
 
 Isembert. If you suspect me, then I must be so: 
 Fear makes an enemy of truth itself. 
 
 {Brings in Si ward's Guard by the door on the 
 right. 
 Siivard. When I regain my freedom I shall ask 
 A clear account of your complicity 
 In these unworthy dealings. 
 
 Isembert. Understand, 
 
 I answer my inferiors as I please. 
 Siivard. And with my sword I punish insolence. 
 
 \Goes out., guarded., by the door on the right. 
 Isembert. So ! 
 
 {Re-enter Cyprian by the large door.'\ 
 
 Cyprian ! The plot .-* 
 
 Cyprian. An idle toy — 
 
 A bubble. If Esplandian wins, tliey hope 
 To profit in the scramble. 
 
 Isembert. Shallow apes ! 
 
 Cyprian. What must I say, my lord, if I am asked, 
 As I will be, concerning your arrest ?
 
 80 GODFRIDA [act hi 
 
 Isernbert. Say I am free! — Go, now, and tell the 
 guard 
 The Duchess waits to see Godfrida here. 
 
 [Cyprian goes out by the door on the right. 
 
 Adomar\off the stage\ I must ! I will ! Stand back ! 
 
 {Enter Adomar by the large door, booted, spurred, 
 travel-stained, excited.'] 
 
 Esplandian comes ! 
 I saw his outposts from Theodoric's tower. 
 Where is the Duchess? 
 
 [Crosses to left door. 
 Isetnbert. Adomar ! 
 
 Adomar. What now? 
 
 Isetnbert. You cannot see her. 
 Adomar. Cannot see her ? 
 
 Isembert. No. 
 
 {Crosses to Adomar and leads him to the door at 
 the back.] 
 You love Godfrida ? Well ; strange things have chanced. 
 You must withhold these tidings for a while. 
 Adojnar. But, Isembert — 
 
 Isembert. Tell no one. Everything 
 
 Depends upon your silence. 
 Adomar. On the way
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 8 1 
 
 I passed another riding with the news : 
 He may forestall me if I speak not now. 
 
 Isembert. A childish thought! For shame! Wait 
 patiently ! 
 I have a great surprise in store for you. 
 
 {^Bundles Adomar otit by the large door. 
 GoDFRiDA is ushered in by the door on the right. 
 
 Godfrida. Where is the Duchess ? 
 
 Isembert. You are left to me. 
 
 Godfrida. To you I — Unquestioned — now — at once ? 
 
 Isembert. At once ! 
 
 My vengeance never waits on providence. 
 I have devised a torture that shall last 
 Your time and mine : for you shall be my wife. 
 
 Godfrida. Indeed.? Two people would be tortured 
 then. 
 
 Isembert. A fiery furnace for us both ! — To-day 
 Twice have I put your spirit to the test ; 
 You shrank before the promise of my hate; 
 But in the grip of it your courage came : 
 So when I heard you say " The Duchess lies ! " 
 You conquered me. And I must conquer you : 
 I will have victory. 
 
 Godfrida. I fear you not : 
 
 You are of those who follow ruthlessly 
 
 6
 
 82 GODFRIDA [act hi 
 
 Their self-determined aims, who deem themselves 
 The governors of destiny ; but let 
 Ingenuous natures their intrigues withstand, 
 Then these presumptuous overseers of fate, 
 Rebuked and quelled, are lost in impotence. 
 
 Isembert. In impotence ! Your liberty, your life — 
 I hold them in the hollow of my hand ! 
 
 Godfrida. I understood it was my love you sought. 
 
 \^A pause. 
 
 Isembert. And hope to capture even yet. Your scorn 
 Bruising my heart, releases gentle thoughts 
 To help me at my need. — Is it my age 
 Repels you ? Maiden, love for me is still 
 Wonder and adoration. Fresh as yours 
 My heart is, and as young. Ambition held 
 Me prisoner : when at last I burst its bonds 
 And reached the height of power, I found you there : 
 For on the day I grasped the seal you came 
 To wish me joy — the laughing girl I tossed 
 A word to sometimes, in a moment grown 
 A woman, far off, sweet and grave as night ; 
 Deep mystery in her eyes, and starry chains 
 Of passion for my new-delivered soul. 
 
 Godfrida. I did, indeed, admire you, Isembert; 
 But never dreamt of love.
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 83 
 
 Isembert. I dreamt of it ; 
 
 And wooed you long. Was I too haughty ? Now 
 Let me make full amends. 
 
 \He kneels and takes her hand, which she 7vith- 
 draivs. He then grasps her skirt.'] 
 Oh ! I am sure 
 That Siward loves you not so tenderly 
 As I do ; and I thuik no soul of man 
 Did ever suffer pangs more merciless 
 Than mine, desiring you for my delight, 
 My mistress, and my wife. 
 
 Godfrida. You shame yourself 
 
 To crawl so at my feet. 
 
 Isembert \7-ises\ What must I do ? 
 
 Be great, and tell me how to win your love ! 
 
 Godfrida. I am content to undergo the hate 
 You offered first. 
 
 Isembert. But I am not content 
 
 To be the abject hateful thing that hates : 
 I have had a vision of the soul of life, 
 And love alone is worthy ! 
 
 Godfrida. Love alone ! 
 
 Then you will pardon Sivvard's love and mine, 
 And envy not at our felicity ; 
 For love must pardon love — must pardon fate.
 
 84 GODFRIDA [act hi 
 
 Jsemberi. And who shall pardon me ? My life must 
 shrink, 
 And all the strength and sweetness of my love 
 Decay to nourish your felicity — 
 Your sleek felicity ! Who shall forgive 
 My fate — my infelicity ? Reply ! 
 
 Godfrida. Our wills are at a deadlock ! 
 
 Isenibert. Truly ! Death 
 
 May be the only pardoner for us ! — 
 You choose my hate ? 
 
 Godfrida. I choose my love ! 
 
 Jsembert. And make 
 
 Me mean and devilish ! To be the king 
 Of all the world, or of the noblest sphere 
 That space can boast, the masterpiece of time, 
 Would not console my infinite distress ! 
 Not to be loved, loving you as I do ! — 
 Oh, it is monstrous, horrible, unjust 
 That men should suffer thus ! — You doom my soul, 
 Most capable of every lofty joy, 
 To fester in a slough of jealousy, 
 Of envy, malice, rancour ! Pitiless 
 As happy love itself my hate shall be ! 
 
 [Godfrida stands in deep distress. Isembert 
 brings in Ladies and Gentlemen, the Lieu-
 
 ACT III] GODFKIDA 85 
 
 tenant ivith Halberdiers and Adomar by 
 the la7ge door; Ermengarde, Gaucelm, 
 Anselm, and Maids-of-Honour by the door 
 on the left. While the crowd is arranging 
 itself IsEMBERT and Ermengarde talk ear- 
 nestly together^ and ascend the steps oj the 
 dais. 
 Ermengarde. Once more, Provence, I need your 
 loyalty : 
 
 My happiness is founded on your hearts. 
 
 You witnessed my betrayal : now behold 
 
 How swiftly justice follows treachery ! 
 
 [Indicatifig Isembert.] 
 
 For this most faithful friend, he erred through zeal 
 
 In my behalf ; no blame is linked with him. 
 
 Sit, Isembert. 'T is you shall judge this cause, 
 
 Since I myself must testify against 
 
 The wanton sorceress who stole from me 
 
 What most on earth I prized. 
 
 Voices. God save your Grace ! 
 
 [Isembert has a chair placed on the dais, and 
 whoi Ermengarde is seated in it, he takes 
 the throne. Anselm stations himself at the 
 door on the right; Gaucelm at that on the 
 left. Ladies are seated in the chairs about
 
 86 GODFRIDA [act hi 
 
 the dais. There is a clear space froin the 
 front of the dais to the door on the right. 
 The rest of the stage is crowded. Godfrida 
 stands near the centre of the stage, well 
 towards the front. As soon as Isembeut 
 begins to speak, Anselm slips out by the door 
 on the right. 
 Isembert. Godfrida, you are charged with sorcery 
 Upon the accusation of her Grace. 
 
 Godfrida. With sorcery! — Indeed, her Grace knows 
 well 
 The compass of my magic ! 
 
 Isembert Ito Ermengarde]. You were friends 
 Atone time, madam. 
 
 Ermengarde. Yes, and played at witchcraft 
 
 With amulets and charms and periapts, 
 Till she employed her art to work her will. 
 Isembert. How do you know she used her heathen 
 power 
 On Siward's mind ? 
 
 Ertnengarde. By tokens manifold. 
 
 Is it not known to all that till to-day 
 Godfrida and the Norseman never met? 
 No word, no letter, not a syllable, 
 No message, gift, or sign between them passed :
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 8/ 
 
 And yet you saw how Siward galloped off 
 Like a rude bandit from the tournament 
 The moment her enchanted ribbon touched 
 His hand, gauntleted though it was. 
 
 Isetnbert. This seems like witchcraft. Was there any 
 reason 
 Why Siward should have spurned Godfrida's love 
 Had he been free from her resistless spell ? 
 
 Ermengardc. There was : he might have won a nobler 
 love. 
 
 Isembert. What was the nature of Godfrida's charm ? 
 
 Ertnengarde. Siward himself in his delirious talk 
 Revealed the method of her sorcery. 
 In ambush at her window long she watched 
 Till fortune brought him riding past her lair. 
 Then over him she flung with silent spells 
 So searching and so terrible a look, 
 That she extorted from his inmost will 
 All power to change or choose, and made him hers 
 Until the charm be broken. Now he raves 
 Of miracles and of a flowering plant 
 That blossoms in his heart. Most sad it is 
 To see his noble spirit overcome 
 By such unhallowed means. 
 
 Isetnbert. How overcome?
 
 88 GODFRIDA [act III 
 
 Save in his frenzied passion, I suppose 
 He has his wits and can command himself. 
 
 Ermengarde. In everything but this. 
 
 Isetnbert. A fatal sign ! 
 
 Godfrida, have you anything to say ? 
 
 Godfrida. Nothing to you, and nothing to her 
 Grace ; 
 For you are clearly leagued to ruin me : 
 But I appeal to every open mind. 
 Enchantments, necromancy, mysteries 
 Of numbers, and the wisdom of the stars 
 Her Grace and I together conned : we sought 
 Occult abilities in stones and herbs, 
 In earths and subtle creatures of the dark : 
 But innocently, with a child's delight 
 In things prohibited ; or if the use 
 Of magic tempted us — as, I confess. 
 It tempted me at divers idle times — 
 We still resisted while our friendship held : 
 Nor have I yielded since. 
 
 Ermengarde. You dare to hint 
 
 That I — 
 
 Godfrida. I dare do anything but lie ; 
 For am I not contending for my love ? 
 If there be any here who feel, who think,
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 89 
 
 Whose hearts say now, or who remember still 
 
 What love is, I beseech them to believe 
 
 That nature was tlie only sorceress. 
 
 And passion all the magic that we knew — 
 
 Siward and I, bewitching and bewitched. 
 
 I loved him ere I saw him, hearing told 
 
 The story of his prowess, while his name 
 
 On eager tongues o'er-ran the murmuring street 
 
 Like one who sickens till the judge pronounce 
 
 Immediate life or death, pulseless I watched 
 
 His crowded passage : had he not looked up 
 
 I think I should have died ; but our eyes met ; 
 
 Our souls saluted proudly, swift to guess 
 
 How great a thing had happened in the world — 
 
 Eniicngarde. How great a thing! 
 
 Godfrida. Was it not great indeed 
 
 That we two for each other made and marked 
 Should thus encounter — he, out of the North, 
 A casual roving visitant ; and I 
 A southern home-bird ? Kneel with me — kneel down, 
 
 \^Kneels.'\ 
 All gentle people, and implore her Grace 
 To thwart no love decreed by destiny 
 Like mine and Siward's — a surpassing love, 
 Most strangely sprung to perfect life, a thing
 
 9© GODFRIDA [ACT III 
 
 To tell of always, beautiful and great ! — 
 Will no one help ? 
 
 Isembert. Your witchcraft fails you here. 
 
 You are upon your knees ; confess your crime, 
 And beg her Grace's pardon. 
 
 [GoDFRiDA springs to her feet ^ 
 No! — the law 
 Condemns the sorceress to die by fire. 
 Are you determined to be burned alive ? 
 
 Godfrida. No! [/« a piercing voice. ~\ Si ward! 
 Si ward ! 
 
 SiWARD in Thangbrand's dress enters the gal- 
 lery unseen by any one on the stage. Anselm 
 re-enters by the door on the right. 
 Isembert. Till the spell be broken 
 
 You shall not see him. Would you, while you burn. 
 Behold him looking on, or would you live 
 A free maid once again? Godfrida, choose. 
 
 Godfrida. I have no choice. Siward and I are one. 
 Isembert \to Ermengarde]. For your old friendship's 
 sake, and since her soul 
 Seems powerless to repent, by gentle means 
 Let us deliver her if it may be. 
 Were she to wed some worthy man, I think 
 The sinful charm might end.
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 9 1 
 
 Ermengarde. I think it might. 
 
 Isembert. Not long ago she loved Sir Adomar ; 
 And he returned her love. Let them be — 
 
 Godfrida. Shame ! 
 
 Adomar ! \_Looks about.'] Adomar ! — I saw him here. 
 [S/te catches Adomar's eye, and he comes for- 
 ward 7-eluctantly.'] 
 Answer me, sir, as if I were tlie judge 
 Of all things. Did I ever make 3'ou think 
 By word or glance, by any faintest sign, 
 That you were more to me than one I knew ? 
 
 Adomar. Never. [Turns back into the crowd. 
 
 Isembert. He wore your ribbon. 
 
 Godfrida. Adomar ! 
 
 My ribbon, sir, how came it to be yours? 
 
 [He faces Godfrida. 
 
 Adomar. By chance. 
 
 Godfrida. Say when. 
 
 Adomar. It was no fault of mine. 
 
 He had a ribbon too ; and so had he — 
 And he — and he : I could not help myself. 
 Godfrida's ribl->on fell to me by lot 
 Upon the morning of St. Valentine. 
 
 Isembert. Tnit why are )'0u tlie only pair whose names 
 Were coupled when the sport that joined them ceased?
 
 92 GODFRIDA [act hi 
 
 Godfrida. Answer! [Keeps her eyes fixed on Adouak. 
 
 Adoviar. Because I wore her ribbon still; 
 
 And talked of marrying her; and bragged — and talked. 
 
 Isembert. On what pretence ? 
 
 Adoviar. Because I thought . . . because 
 
 I am a fool, I fear. 
 
 Godfrida. An honest one ? 
 
 Isembert. Did you desire to marry her? 
 
 Adomar. I did. 
 
 Isembert. And do you now ? 
 
 Adomar. No. 
 
 Isembert. Why not, Adomar ? 
 
 Adomar. Sometimes T thought she was too slight for 
 me, 
 Because she seemed so simple and so sweet; 
 But knowing now how great her spirit is, 
 And since she seems — [^(^ Godfrida] I pray you, 
 
 pardon me — 
 A witch, I fear I am no mate for her. 
 
 [Returns into the crowd. 
 
 Isembert. Is not this witchcraft? Here is Adomar, 
 The very vainest man in all Provence, 
 Professing poverty of soul, because 
 Godfrida eyed him closely. It must end. 
 And as she will not marry Adomar,
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 93 
 
 And he refuses her, she shall be matched 
 Beneath her rank ; for Sivvard must be loosed 
 From her malignant power immediately. 
 Ermengarde. Marry her to a beggar from the streets. 
 Isc7nbert. It shall be done ! Godfrida, ere we send 
 To fetch your husband, will you break the spell. 
 Confess and be forgiven? 
 
 [Godfrida is stunned j the bystanders are much 
 moved, and ominous glances are cast at Isem- 
 BERT.] Choose again. 
 
 The choice is threefold : freedom, death by fire, 
 Or marriage with a beggar. 
 Ertnengarde. What .^ — She spoke .? 
 
 Isembert. Her heart is vexed beyond the power of 
 words. — 
 Anselm, go quickly to the street; bring in 
 The first man you encounter ; rich or poor, 
 Base-born or noble, she shall marry him, 
 If he be single and will have her. Haste ! 
 
 [Anselm goes out by the door on the right and 
 SiWARD leaves the gallery. '\ 
 The sight of him whose hand can rescue her 
 From burning may decide her preference. 
 Godfrida. Madam, you loved me once . . . What 
 can I say?
 
 94 GODFRIDA [ACT iii 
 
 Is there no pity anywhere ? No help ? 
 
 Hush ! That 's not right ! There was a word I had : 
 
 Sweetly and vaHantly ! Yes ! I am his : 
 
 And you can never sever from my soul 
 
 The soul of Siward, mine in life, in death. 
 
 \UnsJieatJies a dagger which she wears in her belt. 
 Anselm ushers in Siward by the door on the 
 right. Siward's hat hides his face. GoD- 
 FRIDA is the first to recognise him. Dropping 
 her dagger she rushes silently into his arms. 
 As she approaches hifn Siward throws off 
 his hat. 
 
 Voices. Siward ! — Long life to Siward and Godfrida ! 
 
 [ISEMBERT, quickly concealing his discomfiture, 
 
 rises and faces Ermengarde, who has also 
 
 risen in fear atid anger. 
 
 Isembert. I am guiltless here. Chance is too strong 
 
 for us. 
 
 Enter LuDOVic by the large door, accompanied by Men- 
 at-arms. They push their way th?-ough the crowd to 
 the front. 
 
 Ludovic. Madam, a messenger, arrived but now 
 Declares Esplandian has crossed the Rhone, 
 And marches on St. Andiol.
 
 ACT in] GODFRIDA 95 
 
 Isembert. I know. 
 
 You had my mandate to prepare for war ? 
 
 Ludovic. And I obeyed. 
 
 Isembert. When can our troops set out ? 
 
 Ltidovic. Now. 
 
 Isembert. Admirable ! You shall lead them. Go. 
 
 Captains and Men-at-arms. No ! Siward ! Siward ! 
 
 Ludovic. Siward, I say too. 
 
 Isembert. That cannot be. 
 
 Voices. Siward ! Siward must lead ! 
 
 Ermengarde [demoralised by the clamour^ Let Siward 
 lead. 
 
 Voices. Give him his sword again ! 
 
 Ermengarde [to Gaucelm]. Bring me his sword. 
 
 Isembert [delaying Gaucelm with a gesture^ But 
 our revenge ? 
 
 Ermengarde. At once ! 
 
 [Gaucelm goes out by the door on the left. ] 
 I cannot face an outraged people. You — 
 Speak to them, reconcile them, Isembert. 
 
 Isembert [reluctantly ., to Siward]. Her Grace re- 
 stores your freedom and command. 
 
 Siward. I thank her Grace; but neither will I 
 have 
 Unless Godfrida be released.
 
 96 GODFRIDA [act hi 
 
 Voices. Riglit, sir ! 
 
 Long live Godfrida ! Set her free, your Grace ! 
 
 Ermengarde \i7i a choking voice\. I set her free. — 
 
 Speak for me, Isembert! 
 [Franiicaily.] It was his doing: I am not to blame ! 
 
 [^Sinks into her chair ^ wringing her hatids in fear 
 and shame. 
 
 Re-enter Gaucelm with Siward's sword. He offers it 
 to the Duchess., but Isembert takes it. 
 
 Voices. Down with him ! Villain ! Death to Isembert! 
 
 Isembert. Good friends, and noble foes — since both 
 are here — 
 
 Voices. All foes ! 
 
 Isembert. All foes, then ! On myself I take 
 
 Whatever culpability may be 
 In these proceedings ; but condemn me not 
 Unheard. My scrupulous, unselfish aim 
 Contemplated the service of Provence 
 In liberating Siward from a bond 
 Which I believed, and honestly believed, 
 A danger to the state, knowing that war 
 Knocked at our gates again. 
 
 Voices. A lie ! A lie ! 
 
 Down with the upstart ! Death to Isembert !
 
 ACT III] GODFRIDA 97 
 
 [ISEMBERT endeavours to secu7-e silence by his 
 lofty and patient bearing; but as the clamour 
 continues^ he at last throws his glove on the 
 stage, and the shouting ceases. Siward lifts 
 the glove. 
 Isembert. Take my defiance, then ! 
 Siward. Our private feuds 
 
 Must wait until we conquer outward peace. 
 
 Isembert. Then — now — at any time I will maintain 
 Asfainst the world that this malicious witch 
 Corrupted Siward and deserves to die ! 
 Siward. Unhallowed liar ! 
 
 Isembert {returning his sword to Siward]. Your 
 sword, Sir Constable. 
 
 Act-drop rapidly.
 
 98 GODFKIDA [act iv 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 SCENE. — Theodoric's Tower. The ruins of a Gothic 
 castle situated on the crest of a low hill. A juoulder- 
 ing ivy-covered wall stretches obliquely frotn right to 
 left. The wall decreases in height toward the left, 
 and is finally broken away, showing the ridge crowned 
 in the near distance by a tower. On the left down to 
 the front are trees : on the right, a gateway and a few 
 trees. In the tniddle of the wall is a latge window 
 about three feet from the grouftdj the ivy grows all 
 round and outside the window. On the extrcfne right 
 is a low doorway in the wall. A^ear the centre of the 
 stage a fragment of juasonry to serve as a seat. Be- 
 hind and over the wall the sky alone is visible. 
 There are five entrances : by the window in the 
 centre; by the low doorway on the right; by the gate- 
 way j and an upper and lower left entrance. 
 
 It is evening when the act opens, and the suti has 
 sunk by the end of it. 
 
 On the rising of the act-drop Ingleram is stand- 
 ing at the window and Dagobert is looking out on 
 the left.
 
 ACT IV] GODFRIDA 99 
 
 With the exception of Axselm, /;/ this act all the 
 tnen are armed according to their rank. 
 
 Inglerajn \_lurning to Dagobeut]. Well, and I care 
 not who knows it, I would sooner watch a battle from 
 this window, than have the whole credit of gaining 
 one. 
 
 Enter Cyprian, lower left. 
 
 Dagobert. Have you seen Berthold ? 
 
 Cyprian. I passed him on my way hither. Adomar 
 had him in his clutches. 
 
 Ingleram {who has crossed to the left~\. Here comes 
 Berthold — with Adomar. We shall never get rid of the 
 fool. [Comes down stage. They stand close together.'] 
 Are we agreed ? Is the signal understood ? 
 
 Dagobert. Yes ; when the battle is about to begin, 
 Esplandian's trumpets shall sound retreat, and in the 
 amazement and confusion of this we change sides. 
 
 Ingleram. And we four together charge Siward. 
 
 CyPriati. How many men have you ? 
 
 Dagobert. Why, half the army is with us in spirit. 
 The rank and file hate the Norseman and his tight rein. 
 
 Cyprian. But have you no list of names? 1 trust only 
 acknowledged traitors. 
 
 Dagobert. Oh, yes ! some hundreds.
 
 lOO GODFRIDA [act iv 
 
 Cyprian. And these will go over compactly in the 
 sight of both armies ? 
 Dagobert. Yes. 
 
 E7iter Berthold and Adomar, upper left. 
 
 Adomar [before and as he enters']. Now, for my 
 part, sorcery is one of those things that a man may very 
 well consider twice or thrice before — 
 
 Ingleram. Berthold, we had some words yesterday — 
 your hand. 
 
 Berthold. I have forgotten. 
 
 Ingleram. In the palace. 
 
 Berthold. No ; my memory is like an empty sponge, 
 and my head aches like a beaten anvil. Adomar, tell 
 them the news. 
 
 Adotnar. Why, gentlemen, the Duchess has come 
 into the camp with a bevy of ladies. They have watched 
 Siward carry all before him in the lists — including me. 
 Now they wish to see him win a battle. And here they 
 will take their stand. 
 
 higleram. Ay, ay, Adomar ! Well, since the Duchess 
 is the prize for which Esplandian fights, it is fitting she 
 should be in evidence. 
 
 Adomar. Yes. But do you know what Isembert is 
 saying ? 
 
 Ingleram. No, Adomar.
 
 ACT IV] GODFRIDA lOI 
 
 Adoviar. He says that I have developed a fine vein 
 of irony — which was unsuspected in me. 
 
 Iftglerat/i. Ah ! 
 
 Adofuar. But is your niece really a sorceress, 
 Ingleram ? 
 
 Ingla-a/n. Oh yes ! like all handsome ladies. The 
 vein of irony, Adomar; show us the splinter that pleased 
 Isembert. 
 
 Adomar. Why, it was thus. The Duchess asked me 
 to marry Godfrida, but I said, " No ; seeing she is so 
 high-spirited, I perceive I am no mate for her." [They 
 stare at Jihii blankly.'] Well, Isembert thinks it highly 
 ironical. I did n't mean it, of course ; but I said it : you 
 see Godfrida looked at me so fixedly I spoke without 
 thinking. 
 
 Cyprian. That is how the truth always leaks out. 
 
 Adomar. Is irony truth ? 
 
 Dagobert \J)omting to the lcft\ Look ! Si ward with 
 Ludovic and those of his person. 
 
 [Godfrida enters on the right., and seeing her 
 uncle goes out i?n7ncdiately.'\ 
 
 Berthold. They are coming this way. 
 I7igleram. No ; I think not. They can observe tlie 
 enemy as well where they arc. 
 
 Berthold. We b.avc a better view here.
 
 I02 GODFKIDA [act iv 
 
 I/igleraffi. Let us slip past them. The trees will 
 screen us. 
 
 Adomar. Isembert said it was irony. He said I must 
 have meant it ironically, and I believe Isembert. 
 Cyprian. Stick to that, Adomar. 
 
 \_All except Adomar go out by lower left. 
 Adomar. Yes ; but don't you also think it highly 
 ironical 1 \_About to go out. 
 
 Re-enter Godfrida on the right. 
 Godfrida. Adomar ! Adomar ! 
 Adomar. Godfrida ! 
 
 Godfrida. Help me, Adomar. Tell Siward I am here. 
 Adomar. Tell Siward ! — Yes ; but why not go to him 
 yourself .? 
 
 Godfrida. It must not be known that I have come, 
 unless Siward sanctions my presence. See that no one 
 hears you but Siward. Quickly, I beg you, Adomar. 
 
 [Adomar goes out upper left. Godfrida, screen- 
 ing herself behind the trees, looks out left for 
 several seco?ids j then with a gesttire of de- 
 light crosses to the window. 
 Enter Siward, upper left 
 Godfrida. Siward ! 
 Siward. Godfrida ! 
 
 Godfrida. I have come to you !
 
 ACT IV] GOD FE ID A IO3 
 
 Siward. Alone ? 
 
 Godfrida. Alone. 
 
 Siward. On foot? 
 
 Godfrida. On Pericles, 
 
 My palfrey. In a wood I tethered him 
 A mile away : if I had ridden here 
 I might have been discovered by my foe 
 Ere I had seen you. Will she send me back ? 
 Oh, may I stay ? 
 
 Siwara. My word is here supreme ! 
 
 And stay you shall, most gallant wanderer. 
 
 Godfrida. Who, if not I, should see you in the field .'' 
 Let me not hinder you. Where shall I go? 
 
 Siward. The battle is not yet. 
 
 Godfrida. When will it be ? 
 
 Siward, I cannot tell. I wait to be attacked. 
 
 Godfrida. But is it brave to wait ? 
 
 Siward. ' Sometimes it is. 
 
 Courage endures vexation and delay, 
 Biding its time while frantic cowardice 
 Leaps to unlooked-for ruin. Timid souls 
 Are always in a hurry. 
 
 Godfrida. Am I then 
 
 A timid soul ? I hurried ; I w'as vexed. 
 I thought how other ladies watching you
 
 104 GODFRIDA [act iv 
 
 Would quail and flush again with fear and joy, 
 And jealous of them all I took the road. 
 
 Siisjard. Out of your shining eyes your brave soul leans 
 As from your lattice once your body bent ; 
 You are all light and fragrance, fire and dew. 
 
 Godfrida. Oh, as I galloped hither, in my ears 
 The rushing wind like war-trumps sang ! I heard 
 The snap of riven lances, and the clash 
 Of blades, the thudding mace, extorted cries, 
 Deep groans and stifled breath ! — drums, cymbals, bells ; 
 And in a flashing vision you I saw 
 Order the battle horsed on victory. 
 
 Siward \_pre-ocaipied. Pointing through the windoiv]. 
 The victory will be thrust upon our hands : 
 Esplandian cannot wait. He shifts his front; 
 Moves here and there, extends this wing or that, 
 Until his army like a restive horse 
 Unaptly managed, plunges desperately. 
 Here you can watch the fight. Now I must go. 
 
 Godfrida. Let me go with you. Just a little way. 
 
 [ They go out upper left. 
 Enter Ermengarde, Isembert, Ludovic, Anselm, and 
 Lieutenant, with Ladies, Maids-of-Honour and Hal- 
 berdiers. 
 
 Ertnengarde. He is not here.
 
 ACT IV] GODFRIDA IO5 
 
 Ludovic. Madam, he went this way. 
 
 Adomar came for him. 
 
 [ISEMBERT, looking out upper left, points out Si- 
 ward and GoDFRiDA to Ermengarde, %vho 
 then comes down to the centre of the stage and 
 sits, holding her hand to her heart. Her 
 maids come about her with assistance, but she 
 motions them away. 
 Ermengarde. Leave me awhile. 
 
 \^All go out except Isembert, and he is about to follow. 
 Not all alone. [Isembert stands beside her.'\ — I should 
 
 have burned the witch ! 
 The brilliant day a smoky hovel seems 
 While she free-hearted breathes. Oh, Isembert, 
 Can nothing help me now ? 
 
 Isembert [with disdain^ A steadfast will; 
 That always can avail. Clasp to your mind 
 The reason why you set Godfrida free : 
 Your Duchy was at stake, and Siward's sword 
 Your only hope : you dared not thwart his love. 
 
 Ermengarde. I care not for my Duchy ! I was faint 
 With rending passions, and my memory 
 Oblivious of the true alternative — 
 Her life or mine. Counsel me now again. 
 Isembert. They are not married yet.
 
 I06 GODFKIDA [act iv 
 
 Ermengarde \rises eagerly']. True, Isembert ! 
 
 What then, my friend ? 
 
 Ise?nberL Nothing, except that chance 
 
 Is active in the world. 
 
 Ermengarde. The chance of war? 
 
 Isembert. A thousand things may happen. 
 
 Ermengarde. Certainly ! 
 
 Siward may fall. That would not be amiss. 
 I hate him while I love him. 
 
 Isetnbcrt. Love is blind 
 
 Until it learns to hate the thing it loves. 
 
 Ermengarde. Godfrida . . . Isembert ! The chance 
 of war ! 
 Godfrida — she might fall ! 
 
 Isembert. Hardly by chance. 
 
 Ermengarde. But it might seem to be ! If she were 
 dead, 
 Out of her grave my life would grow again ! 
 Her life or mine ! Oh, you can help me now ! 
 
 Isembert. The chance of war.^ The license of the 
 camp : 
 The sutler's men ; the rabble — murderers 
 Among them ; robbers, bravos. Killed ? — and robbed ? — 
 But Siward would not love you. 
 
 Ertnengarde. What of that !
 
 ACT IV] GODFRIDA IO7 
 
 It matters little now who has his love, 
 If this one hated creature be not she. 
 Oh, will you understand a woman's heart ! 
 She was my rival, and she baffled me. 
 
 Isenibert. If I devise Godfrida's murder, think 
 Whose death would follow quickly. 
 
 Ermengarde. Whose, then? 
 
 Isetnbert. Mine. 
 
 You see, I understand one woman's heart. 
 
 Ermengarde. What ! I would have you killed ? 
 
 Isenibert. I n fall i bly . 
 
 Er}!te7igarde. Because I would be in your power ? 
 
 Isetnbert. Even so. 
 
 Ermengarde. You understand me not at all, my 
 friend. — 
 Who knows my subtle brain, my fiery soul ? 
 Nay, I remember all your adoration ! 
 Oh, if you love me let Godfrida die ! 
 
 Isembert. And afterwards ? How soon should my 
 time come ? 
 
 Ermengarde. When it should please you. , 
 
 Isembert. Please me ? 
 
 Ermengarde. If my life 
 
 Be by her death preserved — and in her death 
 Alone lies hope for me ! — I owe my life.
 
 I08 GODFRIDA [act iv 
 
 Isembert. Your life ? 
 
 Ermengarde. Myself. 
 
 Isembert. You owe yourself to me? 
 
 Ermengarde. It would amaze the world ! But we 
 should stir 
 Amazement more profound ; for we have brains. 
 What could we not accomplish, Isembert? 
 We 'd make Provence a kingdom once again ! 
 
 Isembert. You mean to marry me — to be my wife ? 
 
 Ermengarde. If you will have so deeply scorned a gift 
 As my poor broken heart. 
 
 \WatchingY,^':AY.^Gk.YiiyE. closely , Isembert kisses 
 her hand, and then her cheek. 
 
 Isembert. By chance of war. 
 
 Ermengarde. My wounds begin to heal. 
 
 \^A confused noise of voices is heard from the left. 
 Isembert. What is it now ? 
 
 \^Re-enter by the lower left LuDOViC, Lieutenant and Hal- 
 berdiers with Marcabrun atid Melchior. The 
 Ladies crowd in the entrance. Marcabrun and 
 Melchior are dressed in rags and rusty armour. 
 They carry long-swords ; and have the appearance of 
 thorough scoundrels. ] 
 
 Who are these, Ludovic ?
 
 ACT IV] GODFRIDA IO9 
 
 Ludovic. They look like spies. 
 
 We found them lurking in a thicket near. 
 
 Isembert. Most problematic rogues ! Leave them to me. 
 
 Ermengarde {affecting gAiety\ Come, let us find our 
 amorous general. 
 
 [Ermengarde, Ludovic, Anselm, a;/^///^ Ladies 
 go out by tlie upper left. 
 
 Isembert {to Marcabrun and Melchior]. Come 
 here. [To Lieutenant.] Stand aside. [Lieutenant and 
 Halberdiers dra%u off, and the Spadassins approach Isem- 
 bert, tkjho is seated.'] What are you ? 
 
 Melchior. We are poor fellows, sir. 
 
 Isembert. You look like crafty rascals. Arc you spies ? 
 
 Marcabrun. Oh, no, sir ! Crafty rascals, but not spies. 
 
 Melchior. There 's no deceiving you, sir. We are 
 Provencals. 
 
 Isembert. Of what town? 
 
 Melchior. Saddlers of Aix, sir. 
 
 Isembert. And why have you left your work? 
 
 Marcabrun. It left u.s, sir. 
 
 Isembert. You must not lie to me. You robbed your 
 masters and decamped. You are thieves, human vul- 
 tures, come hither to strip the dead. And I suspect you 
 of another trade. These long-swords. If a man had an 
 enemy, now ?
 
 1 10 GODFRIDA [act iv 
 
 Melchior. What do you take us for? 
 
 Marcabrun. For cut-throats, to be sure ! He has an 
 enemy. 
 
 Isembert. What if I had an enemy ? 
 
 \He 7-ises^ and the three draw close together. 
 
 Marcabrun. For ten broad pieces you could say 
 indeed, "I had an enemy." 
 
 Isembert. Both of you sliall have a score of broad 
 pieces. 
 
 Melchior. In hand? 
 
 Isembert. Five in hand. The rest when the deed is 
 done. 
 
 Melchior. Ten in hand. 
 
 Isembert. Five in hand ; or you shall hang off- 
 hand. 
 
 Marcabrun. Let it be. — When and where shall we 
 receive the balance ? 
 
 Isembert. Be at the gate of the Cathedral of Aries 
 to-morrow by sunset. 
 
 Marcabnm. Who shall bring it ? 
 
 Isembert. I, or another. 
 
 Marcabrun. Who are you, sir? 
 
 Isembert. That is not in the bargain. — I shall keep 
 you under arrest in the meantime. When I set you free, 
 you must hide in my neighbourhood. After the battle
 
 ACT iv] GODFRIDA III 
 
 joins, seeming to fly in terror, you shall observe a lady 
 standing beside me on my left. 
 
 Marcabrun. Observe a lady standing on your left. 
 
 Iscmbert. Your swords are in your hands as you rush 
 past 
 
 Marcabrun. And being beside ourselves with fear we 
 might in our panic wound the lady. 
 
 Isemberi. Death. 
 
 Marcabrun. Kill her outright by one of those unto- 
 ward accidents. — And afterwards ? 
 
 Iscmbert. Continue your flight. Save yourselves. 
 [The pair move a little aside and consult in whispers. 
 
 Marcabrun. On your left, sir? 
 
 Iscmbert. On my left. 
 
 [The pair agree together, and hold out their hands 
 
 to ISEMBERT. 
 
 [Giving money.'] I shall seem to repel your attack; 
 but heed nothing I may do or say. 
 
 Marcabrun. It is understood, sir. 
 
 Melchior. Unless we see a clear way of escape we 
 harm no one, remember. 
 
 Iscmbert. That also is understood. [Recalls Lieu- 
 tenant.] Resume your charge. These are not spies. 
 Proceed. 
 
 [Lieutenant a«^ Halberdiers march Marcabrun 
 attd Melcmior o:it lower left.
 
 112 GODFRIDA [act iv 
 
 Isembert. She means my death : she could not marry 
 me! 
 Yet stranger things have been ... I kissed her cheek. 
 Would mere dissimulation suffer that ? . . . 
 I'll play the great game as it should be played: 
 There is one way alone — the way to win. 
 
 {^Keitle-drmns are heard from the valley. Re- 
 enter Lieutenant with Marcabrun, Mel- 
 CHIOR, and Halberdiers. 
 
 Well 1 
 Lieutenant. The Duchess is returning, sir, 
 Isembert {takes Marcabrun and Melchior to the low 
 doorway at the back]. Down there ; and see you do your 
 duty. [Marcabrun a«(/ Melchior go out. 
 
 Re-enter Ermengarde lower left. 
 
 Isembert. Esplandian descends into the plain. 
 
 Ermengarde. As Siward said he would. — Is it 
 prepared ? 
 
 Isembert. Yes. 
 
 Ermengarde. Shall I see it ? 
 
 Ise?nbert. Yes, if you look on. 
 
 Ermengarde. I spoke to her — Oh! civilly enough! — 
 Her senses reel with love and pride. She comes 
 To watch the battle here.
 
 ACT IV] GODFRIDA II3 
 
 Isembert. And that is well, 
 
 For she must stand by me. 
 
 Er?nengardc. I shall take care. 
 
 Iscvibert {indicating Halberdiers]. These must be 
 furtlier off. 
 
 Ervicngarde. Appoint their place. 
 
 Isembert. Station yourselves among the cypresses. 
 [Lieutenant and Halberdiers a)-e about to file oiit, 
 upper left, when Godfrida and Anselm 
 ettter quickly^ and cross to the window, 
 Maids-of-Honour and Ladies enteral some 
 upper and some lower left, and look over 
 the wall where it is lowest. The Halberdiers 
 go out, but re-enter when the trumpet sounds 
 and look oi'er the wall among the ladies. 
 Ermengarde, standing near the centre of the 
 stage, watches Godfrida. Isembert, near 
 the front, on the left, watches the whole scene. 
 
 Anselm [seated in the window"]. I cannot see him yet. 
 
 Godfrida. There, Anslem ! Look ! 
 
 He rides to battle ! 
 
 Anselm. And I am dangling here 
 
 Among the women on a ruined wall ! 
 I have no chance, Godfrida! 
 
 Godfrida. You shall see 
 
 8
 
 114 GODFRIDA [ACT IV 
 
 Your hero triumph. Is not that enough ? 
 The sky broods over him ; the breathless winds 
 Are hstening: when the silver clarions sound 
 Siward shall gather victory like a rose. 
 
 [/J trumpet sotmds from the valley. 
 Erviengarde \_ruslics to the windouf]. What's that? 
 Isembert \_goes to the window^. A note of truce or of 
 retreat ! 
 Our troops go over to the enemy ! 
 Ermengarde. What! my Proven9als! God, I cannot 
 look! 
 
 \Comes down stage and sinks on the seat. 
 
 Godfrida. They strike at Siward ! 
 Anselm. Ah ! he is betrayed \ 
 
 They hem him round ! His own men turn against him ! 
 Ermengarde. Who leads the rebels ? 
 Isetnbert. Dagobert, I think. 
 
 They swarm and shift. What ! — No ; I cannot tell. 
 
 \^Comes down quickly to the front. 
 ITo himself .'] This was their plot then! And my 
 Cyprian 
 The foremost in it — sombre, subtle knave ! 
 
 Godfrida. But look at Siward, fighting! See him 
 there! 
 He makes a space about him !
 
 ACT IV] CODFRIDA I 1 5 
 
 Anselvt. Back to back, 
 
 Some one supports him ! Thangbrand it must bo. 
 I too shall help him ! 
 
 \Goe<! out by the window. 
 Godfrida. Go, my brave one ; go ! 
 
 Tell Siward I am waiting for him here. 
 Isembsrt \^at the fro7it. To himself ^ On whose left 
 shall I stand ? 
 
 If Siward falls 
 Godfrida might be mine. That I must watch. 
 
 {Goes quickly to the window. 
 Is Siward down ? I cannot see him now. 
 
 Godfrida. 1 think he cut his way out of the 
 
 throng. 
 Isembert [comcs down to Ermengarde]. Madam, 
 
 you must determine — 
 Ermengarde [weakly\ Let me be ! 
 
 Isembert \comcs down to thef'ont. To himself \ Prov- 
 ence is doomed ! This feeble halting soul, 
 Aghast in her despair, would cling to me 
 With poverty and ruin for her dower. 
 The other woman, like a fount of hope, 
 Could help a beaten man to win the world. 
 On whose left shall I stand ? The temptress there, 
 The woman who desires tlie other's death,
 
 Il6 GODFRIDA [act iv 
 
 Deserves herself to die. [Ermengarde sobs.'\ Madam, 
 
 I think 
 I 'd better put an end to your distress. 
 
 [/J restless movefnent has been itt progress among 
 the Halberdiers. One or two have already 
 stolen stealthily out. 
 Lieutenant \_panic-stricken'\. Esplandian charges 
 home; the game is up; 
 Our men on all sides fly ! Each for himself ! 
 
 \Cot7ies down to Ermengarde. 
 Madam, you must with us. Come ! 
 Halberdiers. Save yourselves ! 
 
 \_The panic becomes general. Halberdiers a7id 
 Ladies rush out upper left. One of the Hal- 
 berdiers drops his halbert. Ermengarde 
 staggering to her feet picks it up. 
 Ermengarde {leaning on the halberf]. Here shall I 
 stay, and this shall guard me now ! 
 
 [Lieutenant ^tfi?j out upper left. 
 You paltry coward ! 
 
 Isembert \to hi7nself\ So! some courage yet ! . . . 
 The quaking murderers must now be near. . . . 
 Why should they kill at all ? I see no cause ; 
 No end to serve, since Siward's overthrow 
 Destroys the world I make. Or does some power
 
 ACT IV] GODFRIDA \\y 
 
 Abash my spirit ? — I am purged of self ! 
 Before the hurrying issue, life or death, 
 I have become impartial destiny : 
 I hold the balances ; I must be just ! 
 Neither shall die ! 
 
 Re-enter Marcabrun «;;^Melchior by the low doorway 
 at the back, ninnittg with drawn swords. Seeing i 
 ISEMBERT sta7iding alone, they halt. Isembert signs 
 to thetn to withdraw; but Ermengarde attacks them 
 frantically with the halbert. 
 
 Ermetigarde. More cowards still ! Go back ! 
 Back ! Would you live for ever ? Back and fight ! 
 
 [The Spadassins defend themselves. Isembert 
 rnnning to Ermengarde's assistance gets 
 upon her right. 
 
 Isembert. Hold, villains ! Hold your hands ! 
 Maixabrun and Melchior. Upon your left ! 
 
 {They wound Ermengarde and run out on the 
 right. The halbert falls from Ermen- 
 garde's hands. Isembert supports her, and 
 GoDFRlDA ru7is to Jicr assistance. 
 
 Ermengarde. Godfrida. {Tries to push her away. 
 GoDFRiDA moves from her.'] Isembert, did they 
 mistake ?
 
 1 1 8 GODFRIDA [act iv 
 
 My heart ... Oh ! Oh ! ... I should have burned 
 
 the witch. 
 Isembert. Help her, Godfrida. 
 
 Godfrida. No ; my post is here. 
 
 Ermengarde. The tournament is over. . . . Home, my 
 
 lords ! 
 Godfrida. Poor lady ! I will go a little way. 
 
 [Isembert a7id Godfrida help Ermengarde out, 
 loiuer left. 
 Enter Dagobert, upper left, meeting Ingleram who 
 enters, wounded, on the right. 
 
 Dagobert. I cannot find him anywhere, 
 
 Ingleram. Nor I. 
 
 Is that Godfrida ? 
 
 Dagobert. Yes, with Isembert. 
 
 They help the Duchess hence. Her reign is done. 
 Where are the others ? 
 
 Inglerajn. Berthold fell ; I saw 
 
 The thirsty earth lap up the drunkard's life. 
 
 Dagobert. But Cyprian ? 
 
 Ingleram. Wounded to death, he sa3's. 
 
 Dagobert. If Si ward has escaped I'll find him yet. 
 
 \_Goes out by the right. 
 
 Ingleratn. And I'll find out a surgeon. If this fop 
 Encounters Siward single-handed, why
 
 ACT IV] GODFRIDA II9 
 
 Siward will slice him as I would a joint. 
 
 Berthold and Dagobert and Cyprian dead, 
 
 Old Ingleram's the only gleaner left 
 
 After Esplandian's harvest in Provence ! 
 
 I'll find a surgeon for old Ingleram — 
 
 A gentle surgeon for old Ingleram. 
 
 And for this damsel-errant niece of mine, 
 
 I'll yoke her with a husband speedily. 
 
 {Goes out upper left. 
 
 Re-enter Godfrida lower left. She crosses to the win- 
 doiv and looks out. Then I'e-enter Isembert. He 
 stands for a fuonient, then goes to Godfrida and lays 
 his hafid on her shoulder. 
 
 Isembert. Godfrida. 
 
 Godfrida. Leave me, sir. 
 
 Isembert. The Duchess paid 
 
 Her life for yours. I would have saved you both : 
 IJut malice, in tho saddle, spurs a course 
 Uncurbed, although repentance leap behind. — 
 The past is done with ; here for us begins 
 Another age, another world. Defeat, 
 Like death, opens the gate of life : my soul 
 Arises from the mouldering sepulchre 
 Of mean ambition, spotless to achieve 
 A new device, a cognizance divine.
 
 120 GODFRIDA [act iv 
 
 I dedicate my life to you : no word 
 
 Of love, no hint, no glance shall trouble you : 
 
 You shall be high and sacred. Come ! 
 
 Godfrida. I wait 
 
 On Siward. I am his. 
 
 Isenibcrt. Siward is dead. 
 
 Godfrida. He is not dead ! I saw death at his side 
 In ghostly armour like an angel tight 
 Against his foes. 
 
 [^Re-enter Siward by the window. He has lost his hel- 
 met, but is wiwoimded. ] 
 
 If he be dead 
 Behold his radiant spirit ! 
 
 Siward. Isembert, 
 
 I underlie your challenge, and shall rob 
 The gallows of a villain. — Quickly, sir. 
 
 Ise7nbert [choking']. Devil ! who sends you here to 
 damn my soul ? 
 Out of the earth an elemental hate 
 Invades my spirit at the sight of you, 
 Dethrones my newly crowned benevolence, 
 And hurls me at your throat, stark ruffian ! 
 Now, for Godfrida ! 
 
 Siward. For Godfrida, sir ! 
 
 [ They fight.
 
 ACT iv] GODFRIDA 121 
 
 Isembert. Now ! now ! 
 
 \^He stumbles. 
 Siward. You '11 spit yourself upon my sword. 
 
 Take time ; take breath. 
 
 Isembert. Your breath I mean to take ! 
 
 He who in single combat conquers you, 
 The undefeated warrior, reaps your fame. 
 And on my brow I swear to set that wreath. 
 
 \_Aitai-ks Siward. 
 Siward. Not in this region was my coiKjucror born. 
 
 \^Hc drives Isembert towards the window. 
 Isembert. Now ! For Godfrida ! Now ! Help me, 
 my heart ! 
 
 \He is driven over the window mortally wounded, 
 the word " heart " being prolonged into a des- 
 pairing shriek. Siward crosses quickly to 
 the right and listens intently. Godfrida 
 looks fearfully over the window, and then 
 ru?is to Siward. 
 Godfrida. Unsparing death ! most terrible it seems ! 
 Must we die too ? 
 
 Siward. Yes ; when our time shall come ; 
 
 Not now. 
 
 Godfrida. Rut, Siward, Ermengarde is dead. 
 Siward. How did she die ?
 
 122 GOD FR ID A [act iv 
 
 Godfrida. By treachery. I fear 
 
 She fell upon the swords she aimed at me. 
 
 Siward. Treason on every hand — a pestilence 
 Inherent in the air ! — They come ? — Not yet ! 
 
 Godfrida. Who come .-' 
 
 Siward. My horses. Thangbrand 
 
 brings them up, 
 And Ansclm. Hearts of gold ! They will not fail : 
 When Thangbrand sounds his horn the way is clear. 
 
 Godfrida. Betrayed and hunted, why are you so glad, 
 So like a conqueror .? 
 
 Siward. And so I am ! 
 
 I cleft a passage through a hundred foes ! 
 Each nerve and sinew, every sounding pulse 
 That marks the tramp of life along my veins 
 Is charged to do my will triumphantly. 
 Anselm shall guide us safe to Avignon, 
 And there we shall be married. 
 
 Godfrida. When ? 
 
 Siward. To-morrow. 
 
 Knight-errant and his lady, we shall ride 
 Across the plains of France, home to the north 
 Where kindly cold can temper human hearts, 
 And faith unflinching welds the souls of men. 
 
 Godfrida. Our souls are welded.
 
 ACT IV] GOD FR ID A 1 23 
 
 Siioard {taking both her hands]. Will you come 
 with me ? 
 
 Godfrtifa. Now, as I am. Take me to life or doatli. 
 
 Siward. The way is long. 
 
 Godfrida. My love will never end. 
 
 Siward. I have no friend, no fortune but my sword. 
 
 Godfrida. I bring you nothing — nothing but my love. 
 
 Siward. Peril shall haunt our steps. 
 
 Godfrida. Peril is wine : 
 
 I know its exaltation ! 
 
 Siward. Calumny 
 
 May overcast your fame. 
 
 Godfrida. Not in your thought ! 
 
 You cannot frighten me. I am your mate ! 
 
 Siward. My mate ? my queen ! 
 
 {The lo7c< note of a bugle is heard on the right.'] 
 The signal! — Think again. 
 Godfrida, will you, dare you follow me ? 
 
 Godfrida. Sweetly and valiantly through all the 
 world. 
 
 Curtain.
 
 
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