THE SHIP
Jutta [Within]. Softly splendid, to his rest
Steals the godhead—to my breast!
JOANNA [Within]. Mute, magnificently male,
Hidden in the holy veil,
Thou and I prepare the rite
Of this night of his delight.
Joun [Within]. Every brother to his ward !
Every hand to hilt of sword !
Every buckler to its arm,
Lest the Holy One take harm !
(Without, a clash of steel.
Chorus. The warrior lords are wake and ware,
Three hundred blades of steel are bare.
Their threescore corporals stand steady.
Five captains, all alert and ready,
Watch, lion-heart, against surprise,
As each man had an hundred eyes.
[4 gain, the clash of steel. Then music played (joa and
ORCHESTRA), growing ever softer. As it fades away,
enter from the trees three men: a CHINESE armed witha
scourge and a rope, a ved man, like an Aras, with a
hammer and three nails, and a warrior chief, like a zuvu,
with an assegat. They move somewhat furtively, and as
if afraid. The CHINESE accosts JOVIAN.
CHINESE. I am the dragon brother of your priest,
And we are come from north and south and east
To build your god a new and nobler shrine.
JOVIAN. Give me the sign. [Done, each gripping the other's
throat.|
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