Dios! This cruelty—this treachery!
Lucia
No, no, no. Paulo, do not think of me——
Paulo
It is too late. (To Medici, with effort.) Your vile scheme means this, then: that I submit my art to your paid dictation, become your creature, or you will—(struggles violently). Let me free! (to Men). This bastard is not fit to live.
A Man
Hush! He is a Medici—Cosimo’s own brother.
Medici
My gondola waits. My new Palazzo lies but half an hour distant—ready to welcome its first fair ornament.
Paulo
(Wild.) To be broken and thrown away when done with! Death is better now.
[Tries to injure his right hand against a sword.
Medici
(To Men.) Careful. Hold him. Or your lives——
Lucia
(Frantic.) Beloved, it is not too late. Forget that I live—oh, forget me—for your work’s sake! Remember beauty only——
Paulo
(Tender patience.) Little Child! My work and beauty live with liberty. (Very softly.) Had you forgotten? Did belief in me waver, or did love guide you strangely—misconceiving——?
Medici
(Impatient.) The light fails rapidly. The gold and scarlet should be laid on now, before dusk falls. (To Men.) One of you go and prepare my gondola—for a lady. (Man goes to door.) Lay a soft silken scarf upon the cushion—there must be no screams in Venice. (To Paulo.) Oh, I will do it gently, Signor, with my own two hands. There shall be no roughness, no unkindness. (Man gives scarf.) Oh, here is the very thing. (Goes towards Lucia.) You will take this small attention from me, I beg, if nothing else.
Lucia
I hate you! Your touch is poison.
[Struggles.
Medici
You should not ask favours, then, of those who poison you. (Puts scarf round her arms.) For the mouth I have a yet softer silk, as you shall see. Ah, the Medici, they say, are fortunate in love, and I shall find a way to win you. These arms I am forced to bind shall yet twine willingly about my neck——
Paulo
(Shouts.) All I possess to him who kills him!
Medici
All you possess!
Paulo
(Yields.) And more—my liberty. Let her go!
Medici
So reason returns, at last. The remedy works already towards a cure.
Paulo
Set her free. I give my word.
Medici
Though I trust no man, I trust your word, Salviati.
Paulo
(Stammering.) Unfasten me. Give me my palette.
Medici
(To Men.) Release him. Release the lady too. But watch him closely, lest he hide a weapon.
Paulo
(Free.) This is my only weapon (takes brushes, etc.). With it I put chains upon my soul. So—and so.
[Dabs on paint. Lucia silent. Collapses to her knees and hides her face.
Medici
Improved already! So swiftly! You are, indeed, the greatest of them all. We shall beat Verio out of court, and Gagliano will die of envy on the spot. (To Men.) Begone with you! No, stay a moment—take the picture with you and lay it carefully in the gondola. It shall be finished under my own eye—before the ceilings are begun. (Men obey.) Carefully! One smear and your lives are forfeit. (Turns to Lucia and raises her.) You are not quick to thank me, Signora, yet I have fulfilled my promise to you. All that you begged of me is accomplished. Henceforth Salviati, your husband, shall work in comfort and lack nothing.
Lucia
(Faint.) How—how could I have done this thing? What ancient deep perversity—what lack of faith—what hidden destiny in me? (To Paulo.) Paulo, look, look at me! (He keeps his back to her. Medici watches them quietly.) Hark!
[Sound of water lapping heard outside.
Medici
So you will not thank me—either one of you? No matter. I like a little spirit. (Goes to door.) Carefully, now! The edges safe. No flick of dust, mind.
[Stands looking down steps.
Lucia
(Low.) Hark! (To Paulo.) It is another sound I hear. (Whispers.) Paulo! It is water. (Stands listening intently to the lap of the sea. Distress increases. Passes hand over forehead, as if trying to remember something.) The rising water! (She turns her head slowly to look at Paulo. He turns slowly too. Their eyes meet. Very low.) You hear? (Whispers.) That sound is in my soul. Paulo—I half remember—something—that hides behind it, yet comes with it. (Goes up and clings to him.) I have done this thing before—destroyed you—with my selfish love.
Paulo
Hush, hush!
Lucia
You look so strangely at me. Your face changes. Dios! (Frantic.) Speak to me, beloved! If you cannot forgive—say that you understand. Oh, what is it in your eyes? (Fear.)
[Dusk increases.
Paulo
(Tender whisper.) The night is coming—with her stars. In my eyes is only love. (Patiently.) There is nothing to forgive. (Embraces her for several moments. Then breaks suddenly away.) Where is the gold—the scarlet? (Bewildered. To Medici.) What is my Lord’s desire?
Lucia
(Screams.) Oh, I have killed—killed again.
[Falls.
Paulo
(Catching her.) Little Child!
Medici
(Turning at the scream.) She is even more beautiful than I first thought. Well, well, the picture is mine at any rate, and she—(smiles). A good evening’s work. How dark it grows. And the rising tide is at the full. Ho! Without there! My gondola!
[Exit.
[Paulo and Lucia in each other’s arms.
CURTAIN
EPILOGUE
PRESENT DAY
CHARACTERS
- Phillip Lattin.
- Mrs. Lattin.
- The Doctor.
EPILOGUE
Scene—Same as Prologue.
Time—Present.
(Mrs. Lattin opens her eyes slowly. The Doctor, near the bed, is seen making a gesture with his arms as if lowering a curtain. Mrs. Lattin shows bewilderment.)
Mrs. Lattin
(Dreamily.) Where am I? Florence … Greece … Egypt … where are they? I am back again. But who am I?
Doctor
You are your Past.
Mrs. Lattin
I slept? But yet I lived it. I understand at last. I have found life.
Doctor
You cannot die, nor can you sleep.
Mrs. Lattin
But time.…
Doctor
Is the body’s measuring.
[She looks round the room, and finally into his face. He moves slowly backwards towards the door.
Mrs. Lattin
(Thinking.) It was not a dream. I was in Greece with Phocion … with Paulo in Italy … with.… Oh, it is too long ago, too far away. It’s fading. (Eagerly.) Oh, I would not forget!
Doctor
The results lie in you. That is memory.
Mrs. Lattin
Each time I injured … thwarted the highest in him by my selfish love. How small my love! Oh, tell me it is not now too late.…
Doctor
(By door.) There is no “too late.” What he could do without was added to him. You have taught Menophis, Phocion and Paulo to become … Phillip.
[He begins to fade.
Mrs. Lattin
(Joyfully.) I understand at last, and I am healed. I delayed Menophis. I shall inspire Phillip. I shall go with him … back to … Egypt. Phocion, Paulo, how happy they will be!
Doctor
(Almost invisible.) He is coming now. I leave you.
Mrs. Lattin
But he must see you too.…
Doctor
(Invisible, only a voice heard.) He cannot.
[Door opens. Phillip enters quietly. He shows surprise at finding her sitting up. Her hands are stretched out towards the door where the Doctor has vanished. As he enters, the clock strikes the last three strokes of six o’clock.
Phillip
You rang. I just slipped back to see——
Mrs. Lattin
(Low.) Phocion … my faithful.…
Phillip
Eh? Are you all right? I mustn’t stay. Doctor Ogilvie will be here any minute.
Mrs. Lattin
(Low.) Paulo … my dear one.… I——
Phillip
(Puzzled.) You slept a moment probably. Good! (Startled by her happy expression.) You look … so much better!
Mrs. Lattin
He came. And I am healed.
[Nurse enters hurriedly.
Nurse
(Whispering to Phillip so that Mrs. Lattin does not hear.) Dr. Ogilvie has just telephoned. He is detained. He cannot get here till seven o’clock.
Phillip
All right. Hush!
[Exit Nurse.
Mrs. Lattin
He told me … showed me … everything.
Phillip
(Humouring her.) He gave you hope—the best? I see it in your eyes.
Mrs. Lattin
It’s not—I am not—too late. That’s all.
Phillip
Hush! Hush! Lie quiet a little longer. (Goes on to ask, still humouring her.) You mean the doctor says——?
Mrs. Lattin
I am so happy. I know and understand now. It’s glorious.
Phillip
My darling! Gently, gently! Do not excite yourself. Lie still and sleep, if you can, again. He has given you something? Later, you shall tell me——
Mrs. Lattin
Ah, your great patient strength! It is too wonderful. And to think that my weakness helped, my selfish——!
[Sits up and peers closely at him, shading her eyes with one hand.
Phillip
(Anxious, puzzled.) The lamp is in your eyes. I’ll move it. Do not stir. There, is that better?
Mrs. Lattin
Thank you, but I do not mind the light. I mind nothing. Thank you (the name comes back suddenly), Phillip. Ah, it is Phillip! I know you again—as you are—to-day!
[Passes hand over forehead. Sighs and leans back. But face happy and at peace.
Phillip
Mary!
Mrs. Lattin
Not Mary: Little Child.
Phillip
My—Little Child. (Doubting and perplexed.)
Mrs. Lattin
Phillip, dear heart, I’ve seen—I’ve seen my past—with you.
Phillip
(Soothingly.) Yes, yes. When you’re more rested you shall tell me everything. Your dreams——
Mrs. Lattin
I must speak now. I’ve seen our past.
Phillip
(Bewildered.) Tell me, then, dearest, tell me. Then you must lie still——
Mrs. Lattin
(Firmly.) Life!
Phillip
(Impressed.) Life!
Mrs. Lattin
I have recovered. I love you more—but differently. I can forgive myself at last.
Phillip
Recovery! Forgiveness! I do not understand.
Mrs. Lattin
You have not seen. I understand for both of us.
Phillip
You have had dreams that troubled you. I implore you, dearest——
Mrs. Lattin
Look in my face. There is no trouble there—but only joy and life.
Phillip
Yes, yes, but—my darling, what can you mean?
Mrs. Lattin
He came—and went.
Phillip
And left one word behind him only——?
Mrs. Lattin
One word—Life.
Phillip
(Almost convinced.) Then——?
Mrs. Lattin
(Radiant, rising from couch.) I shall go back with you.
Phillip
To Egypt!
Mrs. Lattin
I shall never delay or thwart again. Ah, so many times I have—by my selfish love—(breaks off). Your work is a mission—always. It is your soul’s career. I understand at last.
Phillip
Hush, hush, Little Child! You say wild things. I could never hear of it. I know your dread, your shrinking fear of Egypt. It would make you ill again. All the doctors agreed——
Mrs. Lattin
I have no dread! My shrinking was—a memory. It was instinctive—a cowardice that shirked sweet expiation—there, where it is due. (In spite of him, she rises to her feet. Vigorous.) I am well again. I shall go back with you. Your work—my work—lies out there—in Egypt. Oh, Phillip, be glad with me, for I am forgiven, I am healed!
Phillip
(Stirred.) Dear heart! Your soul is too grand for this frail, precious body. You injure yourself. Such sacrifice from you I could never, never——
[Breaks off, as he notes the radiant expression in her face. They stand close together beneath the picture.
Mrs. Lattin
(Inflexibly.) It is no sacrifice. It is love, love, love!
Phillip
(Tenderly.) That deep love I never doubted. But—the ingrained dread, the fear, the shrinking that have undermined your willing strength. How can you——?
Mrs. Lattin
They are gone for ever. Phillip, how often must I tell you? I am healed. I go back with you. We go together. Our life is there, in Egypt.
Phillip
(Almost convinced.) I feel some great new reality in you. You are most wonderfully changed. Some star of life is rising over us—again. (He gazes into her radiant face with a touch of respect and wonder.) If—if——
Mrs. Lattin
You must at once withdraw your resignation. There is no “too late”! (Laughs a little.) You promise me!
[Amazement in him gives place to dawning belief at last. Yet he still hesitates.
Phillip
I will see the doctor myself. I promise that if he——
Mrs. Lattin
You cannot.
Phillip
Cannot! (Awe.) You mean—you have had a vision?
Mrs. Lattin
He has—gone.
Phillip
(Convinced.) It was a vision…?
[She turns slowly and looks up at the picture on the wall above them. He turns with her. He is speechless. He holds her very close. They stare together at the palms, the river, the stars, the temples.
Mrs. Lattin
(Softly.) Egypt—where I first delayed and thwarted him, loving him for myself alone—Egypt, beneath your risen stars, beside your rising river—I shall undo—at last.
[A new expression steals into his face. He gazes at the picture with her. He holds her still closer to him.
Phillip
(Moved and wondering.) Little Child! It is very strange. Almost, it seems, some dream, some memory of long, long ago stirs in me.
[A slight pause, as they gaze side by side at the picture.
(With effort.) It is beyond me somewhere, but there is great beauty—that deep, unearthly Egyptian beauty in it. (Lowers voice.) Those palms are rustling, those stars seem to move, the Nile flows down towards the sea. Perhaps.… The Tear of Isis falls.…
Mrs. Lattin
Listen … yes…!
Phillip
(Turns to her.) Something about you, something new and—and familiar almost—steals upon me. I half believe.…
Mrs. Lattin
(Whispering.) Phillip, my faithful one, I heard another name as you said that. I heard an ancient name—was it Menophis?
Phillip
(Hushed voice.) I thought a name came to me too. It floated past—Nefertiti. It must have been the beating of your heart against my own.
[They stand motionless, gazing, listening.
Mrs. Lattin
Dear, ancient names. How sweet they sound!
Phillip
(Smiling.) I think we are bewitched!
Mrs. Lattin
Egypt! (Pause. Adds softly.) I understand—at last.
[He draws her head back and looks tenderly into her eyes.
Phillip
All but one thing.
Mrs. Lattin
Which is——?
Phillip
That what you call delay has helped and taught me.
Mrs. Lattin
(Low.) Perhaps I understand that too. That which the soul can do without is added to it. (Whispers.) Is it not that?
Phillip
Ah, you put it so. Perhaps you put it better. I only know that you have given me the thing I needed most—perspective, the longer sight. My vision clears. (Bends down and kisses her.) I feel new power for my work. I see it whole.
Mrs. Lattin
Then my forgiveness is complete.
CURTAIN