Collected Works (Vol. II)

THE GOD-EATER 131 Wilt thou not lull it into rest, Some strong repoge More satisfying than pale sleep ; Than death more long, more deep? Hail! at the twilight as at dawn! The sunset close Even on the lake as on the lawn! The red ray glows Across the woven stardrift’s ways In mystery of Maurya’s praise. Hear me, thy priest, at eventide ! These subtler throes Than love’s or life’s, invade, divide The world of woes. Thy smile, thy murmur of delight, be enough To fill the world with life and love ! [He bends over into deep reverence, yet with the air of one expecting a grace. [Maurya, dike one in trance, rises slowly, gathers her robes about her, and descends to the altar. Reaching over it, she bends and lifts him by his outstretched arms. She puts her lips to his forehead, and he, with a deep gasp, as of one in ecstasy not to be borne, drops back, breath- | ing deeply. She lifts her hands, and brings them slowly, very for- cibly, forward, and says solemnly : The Blessing of Maurya. Blessed be the House of the Servants of Maurya. Blessed be the Stones of the House. Blessed be the Tree of the House. Blessed be the Food of the House. Blessed be the Men of the House. Blessed be all the Universe for their sakes. The Blessing of Maurya. [A short szlence. [MAURYA goes back and lays her crown and robes on the throne. She is now dressed in wonderful close-fitting crimson stlk, trimmed with ermine. Her bronze-gold hair 2s cotled wonderfully about her head. She comes down stage to CRIOSDA, who rises on one knee and takes her thereon. She removes his ‘helmet and strokes gently his hatr. Criosda, my brother ! , Criospa. Maurya, little sister! [He smiles with deep tenderness ; suddenly a pang catches him ; he strikes at his throat, and cries sharply: [Shivers with terrible emotion. The Ah! MAuRYA. Criosda, ever the same! old world runs On wheels of laughter for us little ones ; To you, whose shoulders strain, the chariot seems A poised fiend flogging you to hell. CRIOSDA. These thoughts, Maurya,—Maurya ! they become you not. Child, to see sorrow is to taste it. MAURYA. No; For such a sorrow is its own calm joy. But—share me now your pain. Criospa. [/x agony.| No! no! not that ! MauRYA. [Srzling.] The priest has secrets from the goddess? CRIOSDA. [With acry as of physical pain, deadly sharp. Stop! No jesting there. MAURYA. I did not mean to jest. As brother to sister? CRIOSDA. Ah! that hurts, that hurts. Maurya. I am heavy? Criospa. Ileavy as my own heart’s fear, MAuRYA. You fear? Am Jin fault? Is Maurya maid The foe to Maurya goddess? CRIOSDA. Ah, indeed! Maurya. Is not the work nigh ready? [CRIOSDA grips his caduceus, which he has dropped, and presses it savagely to his breast. Then, with a mingled burst of ferocity and joy, dashes MAURYA aside to the ground, reaches his hand towards the empty throne, apostrophising it, and cries with a strident laugh: