Royal Blossom, Or, Trisevyene

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ROYAL BLOSSOM

YALE CLASSICAL STUDIES

II PUBLISHED ON THE FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED IN MEMORY OF MARTIN KELLOGG

WORKS BY KOSTES PALAMAS IN THE ORIGINAL TITLES • Tpayoºta rās II arplôos uov. (Out of print.) , Tuvos els rhv'A6mvāv. • Tà Márta rās Wux?s uov. (Out of print.)

-

"Iaugot kal'Aváratarot. "O rapos. Oi Xalperua pºol ris H\loyévvmtms. ‘H’AaróNevrº Zará. (Translated by Aristides E. Phoutrides. volumes, Harvard University Press, 1919, 1921.)

(Out of print.)

IIoM rela kal

ris

Kamuol

Movačvá. Auvo0á\agoas.

apačelo'ww.

II

II

páros A&yos rôv

#

Ol "H '0 'H.

v

"O Aw8ekáAoyos roſ, Túprov. PAoyépa roß Baqi)\ta.

Táqos.—'0

Two

Tà Xaripukä Tupuyáovata.

Bwuol (IIptºrm 2elpá). Tô pyov roſ, Kpward X\m. 20\wuðs (Big\offixm Mapao Aff). Tpáppara (Tópot 2). 'Hpwikā IIpêorwira kal Kelueva. ”AparoréAms

Baxawpirms (Big\offixm 'Extrauðevrtkoú 'OutMov).

Tà IIpóra Kotrikā (Big\loërm Péâm).

'EAévm roſ, Bepápev. 6ávaro IIós rpayověojue

Aristides

rô

ris

Köpms.

apákaupa.

II

Tà Tà Aekaterpágrixa

(#köoam “Toappºdrow").

Almyſiuara.

E. PHOUTRIDES

KosTES

PALAMAs.

KostES PALAMAs. MoDERN

GREEK

A

THE CHORUS OF EURIPIDEs. LIGHTS AT DAWN. PoEMs. THE FALL OF THE House of DUCAS. KostES PALAMAs. LIFE IMMOVABLE. HUNDRED

Royal STORIES

TRAGEDY.

VoICEs.

BLossomſ

(witH

A

WORKS BY ARISTIDES

or TRISEVYENE.

DEMETRA

VAKA).

E.

A

kai B'). (Translated University Press, 1923.) trides. Yale

by

Touretºyevn (gröorm ‘H

•

Aristides Phoutrides (Translated Company, Modern Greek Stories, Duffield 1920.)

in

€4varos IIaxxmkapuoſ

E.

by

&

'O

Bºwmvös kal KpvaráA\ms. *Iow\tos TvráXöos.

Phou

Kostes

R O YA L B L OSS O M O R

TRIS EVY EN E TRANSLATED BY

'

A R IS TI D E S E.

P. H.

O U T R ID E S

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THE TRANSLATOR

NEW HAVEN

YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS LONDON - HUMPHREY MILFORD - OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

MDCCCCXXIII

Copyright, 1923, by ty Press

THE MARTIN KELLOGG FUND The present volume is the first work published by the Yale University Press on The Martin Kellogg Memorial Fund. This Foundation was established January 19, 1914, by a bequest to Yale University from the late Louise

W. B. Kellogg,

made

“in accordance with the expressed Martin Kellogg,” a member of the

wish of her husband, Class of 1850 Yale College, who died August 26, 1903. Under the terms of the will the income of the Founda

tion mentioned is to be “devoted to the promotion of classical learning,” and on the recommendation of the Department of Classics, the President and Fellows of

Yale University

have authorized the publication

of the present work under the imprint of The Martin Kellogg Memorial Fund, to perpetuate the memory of his devo tion to the University and of his desire to promote the welfare of the Department of Classics.

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

BY THE TRANSLATOR

INTRODUCTION

BY THE AUTHOR

.

I9

ROYAL BLossomſ—TRISEVYENE FIRST PART

25

SECOND PART

68

THIRD PART

IO3

FOURTH PART

127

INTRODUCTION BY THE TRANSLATOR1 . . . does not aim especially at presenting rôles and and stage setting, nor at portraying social manners and

to

is

main object things something deeper, something beyond these conscience that bursts out now and then and

a

show through such casualties,

a all

popular customs of a certain period;

. . .

costumes

its

“This drama

in

it

in

KostEs PALAMAs,

to

.”

me now.

. .

encompasses

is

of

. . .

I

. . of .

it

to

of

or

. . .

a

of

it

. its . .

in

lightning flashes. soul that manifests itself may be, this drama has found “However seed the emo story by simple real life. Then various elements tion created birth; give there were memories and combined images, thoughts and sorrows, signs some place where lived Together with the little some time that has passed. my birth there greater village the fatherland which Preface

Trisevyene.

in

a

of

N

key-note the interpretation not only this particular drama but of all his creative work. Life in all its multi these words Kostes Palamas strikes

is

plicity and concreteness the infinite hunting ground for his emotions. His heart and his mind cannot react of

to

make without the simple and little things that combine human experience. But once the reac the great jungle to of A

of

of

9

a

of

In

to

a

1

general account Palamas, see For the life and work my introductory essays Life Immovable and Hundred Voices, published by Harvard University Press, 1919, 1921. the appeared 1922 also French translation selections from fall

ROYAL, BLOSSOM

is

as

to

it

he

of

or ful

tigii hās occurred; Palamas is never satisfied with a faith portrayal may admire Zola actualities. Although Chekhov for their power mirror life and of

he

is

has risen above

never satisfied with pure portrayal. He mountain top and never rest before to a

must stand

a

birthplace,

on he

of

an

he

although would himself disregard artistic creation the earth and sea and air its that does not smell

the casual

sees farther and clearer

greater

than the carnal

conscience

that

eye. Though his

always suspecting

is

as a

that something deeper stirs he

and one

is

to

to

in

he

it

imagery overflows with tangibility, never his wish reveal life the nude; rather uses life cloak symbolism for his thought. This tendency lures him

of a

the heart

Ly

at

in

a

is

this characteristic. The drama opens by

of

of

draws. behind every concrete image Royal Blossom clear manifestation The tragedy

to

an

a

in

Eugène Clément, professor the poet's works the Nice preface by ceum, two volumes. The first volume contains Philéas Lebesgue, introduction by Clément with valuable bio graphical information, and prose translations from the Hymn

of

of

Athena, The Eyes my Soul, Iambs and Anapaests, The Grave, Immovable, the Gypsy. The second Life and The Twelve Words volume contains selections from The King's Flute, The Lagoon's Town and Wilderness, and Altars. All these passages are repre Palamas. His prose taken from the metrical works Man's Death, with three other sented by the translations III, Royal Blossom. Clément's Act Scene short stories and the original and display Celtic grace translations are faithful of

of a

to

of

ii,

of A

is

of

Regrets,

IO

fr.

R.

13

of

of

their own. For the appreciation the scope and excellence the poet's work, his two volumes are indispensable. (Costis Pala mas, Oeuvres Choisies, traduites du Néo-Grec par Eugène Clément, Chiberre, éditeur, pp. 533, 50.) Tome I-II, Paris,

ROYAL BLOSSOM a its

is

all

village or town by the sea, an element that can shine with agonies and the beauty of life and frown with fountain with terrors. In the center of the scene there

artist

the townfolk

its

a

foreign

to

the gift

of

is

It

about

it.

of

its

of

At

a

on

Gorgon's statue the top with fragments missing. first we see nothing but the picturesqueness the charming outline against the back monument and ground the blue sea and sky. But soon we hear more

life and

at

the fountain closer

to

gon

of

to

to

drink from water. Then we hear who come daily that the model for the statue was our heroine's good and that town from some beautiful mother, who had come where overseas and had died there. This brings the Gor the same time

of

its

to

it

of

to

of

a

at

in

it.

Then we learn that the people the farther from joy aimlessly moment unrestrained struck town the Gorgon the fountain where they came daily present crippled state. drink and brought Royal Blossom and the Gorgon modelled after her mother becomes broader and profounder. Like the Gorgon, Royal Blossom, too, an

Soon the physical likeness between

is a

of

of

of

of at at

of

is

ornament for the people the town. She, too, grace and beauty and goodness for those who fountain another moment blind merriment strike aimlessly her. Those who make the beauty the Gorgon and of

Royal Blossom part their life and envelop them with religious love are only few, like Nikaros, the fid the world

as

of

the rest Both are considered beings, apart from normal society.

In

by

dler, and Pothula, the fairy-struck girl, with light shadow. queer

their simplicity and truthfulness, they are not very far from Dostoiefsky's

II

ROYAL BLOSSOM Blossom is struggling with death, Pothula sums up Royal Blossom's life and her isolation in the midst of the world who love her and make her

Idiot. While

Royal

I

“I

felt thirsty,” she says, “and ran to the fountain to drink without fear at all; and my eyes were lifted towards the Gorgon, and it seemed the suffer at the same time.

to

is

to

I

is it,

as

is;

Gorgon was stirring and looked even more crippled than Royal and the Gorgon's face was the same she turned Blossom's. The stone was living; and seeing stone myself.” What stone the world the best

all

of

that life wholly ex life can give; yet none partakes cept Royal Blossom herself, Pothula, the dreamer, and Nikaros, the fiddler. To the world all three are mad, of

of

to

of

this sym

the atmosphere

the Sea; but, just

as of

or

bolism, something that reminds The Wild Duck The Lady the Norwegian master clings

of us

is

tain whose Gorgon they have crippled. something Ibsenesque Of course, there

in

seers

as

or

ghosts; and this they think while they drink incessantly from the beauty revealed by those they drink from the water they scorn, just the foun

ghosts,

the fiords and desolate

is a

is

is

all a

or

a

of

a

of

is

of a

of

of

so

his country, Palamas makes his symbolism reflect the amethyst the Corinthian Gulf and the tem Dionysiac folk. What there gray and perament relentlessly tense becomes here blue and balanced with Grecian symmetry shadow and light. There kinship thought between the two but kinship which imitation. does not degenerate into repetition poet easily detected above That Palamas

wilds

His constant effort for

I

2

even from this prose drama.

the

ROYAL BLOSSOM right-sounding

word betrays easily the master of the verse. Then there is a poetic feeling throughout the play sustained not only by a strong symbolism but also by concrete imagery and the interweaving of such characters as Nikaros and Pothula, whose very actions and thoughts are essentially poetic. Sometimes

the poet seems to thrive

at the expense of the dramatist. For often Palamas tends to prefer reflection to movement and diction to a more vivid representation of physical action. Once or twice he shows distinct aversion to what might be seized by the average present-day playwright as an eminently dramatic scene by reporting it through a narrative rather than allowing it to be acted before the audience. These are tactics with which students of the ancient Greek drama are familiar; only in Palamas they are the spon taneous expression of racial impulses rather than the result of studied effort. Equally spontaneous is his failure in the beginning of the play to make an exposition of antecedent circum stances leading to the action of the drama. This may remind us of Sophocles' peculiarity in explaining things by degrees; but at closer scrutiny it becomes evident that in both cases it is a poet's sacrifice of the dramatic art to a more reflective treatment. At the close of the first act of Royal Blossom there is a great deal missing from the exposition. We know very little of the two prin cipal characters, Petros Flores and Panos Tratas. The enmity between Dendrogales and Petros Flores is not

all

adequately explained before the third act. Nor do we suspect at another important force for the develop

I3

ROYAL BLOSSOM the enmity between Petros Flores and

ment of our drama,

Karales, a relation about which very little is said in the entire play. The average professional playwright would emphasize and clarify such forces as seem vital for the easy inter pretation of the play. But Palamas prefers to present them in a life-like manner as scattered little brooks, often hidden from view, which suddenly break forth into flooded streams. We have to search in order to discover

a

its

their sources. Only after such a search do we discover that the tragedy of Royal Blossom is a plea for freedom profoundest aspect, freedom that rises above in

of

superman

is

It

other such masters.

not

over inferior beings,

a

but the brothers whose joys and toils and aspirations

do

of

the freedom freedom

itself among

of

it

master

of

of

it

political and sociologic considerations until purges the all the stains convention and renders individual soul

sin against life which leads

to

a

freedom death.

is

A

in

not interfere with each other's lives except the violation of this love of measure of untarnished choice. sorrow and

Often such violations do not blaze out as flames of their occurrence.

reach even the appearance

of

they fail

to

destruction from the moment

of

Often

dramatic con a

of

spoken

the hatred that divided

fatally the house

I4

in

this

There was the origin

in

heroic

little things. picturesque

of

of

nothing particularly

out

Likewise

of

develop

or

play, tragedies

catastrophes.

human

so

the bottom

of

at

of a

A

word, the silent influence another, mute development distorted will, are sometimes found flict.

Dendro

ROYAL BLOSSOM gales and that of Flores. Nothing very dramatic in Flores'

Royal Blossom's ardent wish to failure to understand follow him on his trip. Nothing particularly astonishing in Royal Blossom's action to borrow a small amount of money

from her husband's enemy to do some charitable work, especially when Panos Tratas fails to appreciate motive in almsgiving.

all

Royal Blossom's

these little acts something vital was violated, the soul's freedom. In the first case was the interference

it

Yet in

the

latter

do, i.e.,

to

to

he

of

Dendrogales' second wife that prevented had originally planned from doing what

to

to

of

by

to

give back old Flores his vineyard and his home. The Flores, refusing allow Royal Blossom son follow him, restrained both his own freedom and hers. It was his consideration for the world and its conventional

of

of

a

he

in

he

alone,

a

to

ways that made him force Royal Blossom lead life course, utter isolation his absence. Panos Tratas, good friend for Flores made was there. But although

he

a

of

a

to

was too much convention's thrall make proper companion for the undaunted soul Royal Blos subtle tragic irony, Panos Tratas pronounces som. By his own condemnation. When sorely offended by Royal

I

in

a

to

at

be

to

retorts: “Foolish! Because was Blossom's reproach, your escort willing the fair the Monastery appear before the world four months’ where you were

friend but

a

of

a

in

a

to

a

of

your bride with your husband far away, cast out cursed daughter, without your husband father's house, Royal Blos lean on!” There we have vivid picture the midst of such world with no som's isolation patronizing, conventional tyrant who was

I5

ROYAL BLOSSOM constantly conscious of the great service he was render ing his friend in his absence. Royal Blossom, the very essence of freedom,

chained on such a rock!

Finally, Royal Blossom's innocent act of dancing with Karales and borrowing from Karales, Petros Flores' enemy—what a scandal in the eyes of the world! Even those of us who claim the largest share of impartial judg

in

as

or as

if

there

any reason

to

that hatred. One feels inclined

that

believe

is

is

in

as

to

be

it.

Yet why shouldn't ment are ready to condemn her for long Royal Blossom free act she acted there was nothing wrong either the act the motive? Flores hated Karales, but there no reason for

and his enemy

no of

reconciliation between her husband

if

be

of

it

must be the fact that Karales alone had Flores. Royal Blossom's cour detected the mean side tesy and obligation might easily made the link

a

a

or of

of

Royal outsiders had interfered with the freedom either Blossom Petros Flores. But convention was offended, people were scandalized, and even friend like Panos fool and then an unconscious traitor Tratas turned first to

of

he

of

to

he

protect, his brother, the very being whom wished Royal Blossom, whose and became the chief executioner respect cut off with all the deadly weight freedom able convention.

of

of

all

is

not very far from the rough Panos Tratas, after all, field-guard, Kostas Burnovas, whose law blood has the fierceness and simplicity the mountains. While the

thought and action.

I6

of

a

speech, has

the honesty

of

subtle

wise

and harsh, dignity, veneer

unmannered,

Of

and

is

Panos Tratas

plain-spoken, in

appears

in is

latter

º

**

a.

ROYAL BLOSSOM both there is no doubt, as there is none about their cruelty, too. Only where Kostas Burnovas would strike at the body, Panos Tratas strikes at the soul. Naturally, Panos Tratas has a better mind and is more pliable to reason and fact. Hence when Royal Blossom takes her life, he does not fail to see the real reason and to pro nounce himself as the chief sinner before everybody. It is the kind of courage that honesty from the courage of the field-guard sin as he sees it even at the door of Yet it is not in these men that we

gives and is not far who dares denounce death.

find the truth. That

from Pothula and Nikaros. In the innocent girl friend of Royal Blossom truth is all eyes and instinct. Pothula does not reason nor preach. She only sees and

comes

worships. Nikaros, the fiddler, has the power of song and to him is given the close of the argument between himself and the two pillars of convention, Kostas Burnovas and Panos Tratas. “The fairy's wings should not be clipped. Her behavior should not be measured after the ways of other women. Neither

her

We had no right to bind her with chains. father nor her husband had that right;

daughters than women.”

and

a

all

neither the world nor anyone. We should allow her to weave with her magic hands from end to end her own matchless life at her own will. She should have been left free. Then she would have been a daughter more precious woman without peer among ARISTIDES

17

E. PHOUTRIDES.

INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHOR

IKE

a drama, too,

in order to be complete must live a double life; a retired life within the pages of a book and a worldly life on the stage.

|

man,

This drama has not

been written for the sole purpose of

I

being acted; and yet do not consider it unfit for the stage. Above all, think that the artists who might en deavor to perform it should not forget that the persons concerned in this play, in spite of the fact that they belong

I

to the people, have a poetic meaning for every simple trait that they display. This poetic value is something that transcends nature and goes beyond a balanced por trayal of real life.

as

as

to

he

of

all

in

to

he

is,

Moreover, the actor must never forget that, no matter must always use his how independent an artist he play the poet's music long order instrument display his art. necessary means the poet gives him all, must understand the central motive ani First to

it

to

to

in

mating the work, the tone prevailing through the entire play, order suit his action and make his per

I9

of

as

in

its

of

or

to

formance not only masterly and life-like, but also faithful the poetic thought. Then the actor must never change, omit, transpose the wording the play written by place the words the the poet. Everything has

ROYAL BLOSSOM poet and the least transposition may ruin a whole struc ture of beauty. do not mean to apply this rule only to a metrical play where an interpolation is rather difficult.

I

Even greater care should be taken with prose. In artistic work, prose is altogether impossible; and often an artist's prose is most vivid verse. One more thing I should like to say here. This drama, has been written, does not aim especially

at present ing rôles and costumes and stage-setting nor at portraying social manners and popular customs of a certain period; its main object—unless am mistaken—is to show through deeper, something these things something beyond such casualties, conscience that bursts out now

it

as

a

all

I

This

does not mean that such creatures

to

impulse that bursts suddenly into flames moment afterwards.

go

an

of

as

of a

so

be

in

a

in

lightning soul that manifests itself and then and this play may flashes. Likewise the men who struggle much the symbols will that offers resolute not they are the playthings unreasoning resistance out the

are not for the

the most tranquil and Drama can exist even lives. For even such lives may stirred silent strife that the more tragic because takes place be

against Fate,

will

as

them

rocks that

opposition.

the prevailing law

against the will

drama, others

against their own consciences;

and

rises

2O

war or

whose

create

of

men

create dramatic characters,

all

course, war

or

of

Of

is

to

is

it

not always necessary the currents never yield

hidden from the

of

order

of to to

of

In

the world.

the soul and

is

it

all

is

of

of

the innermost depths eyes

by in a

in

stage.

the

ROYAL BLOSSOM dramatic combatant

must have a will. But we must not

of will as of something entirely by itself which goes always ahead and is always active. have read some where that the science of psychology distinguishes three conceive

I

stages in will.

will;

First

we test in our mind that which we to

will; and

then we put our

will

all

then we decide

any

of

as

nourished and blossoms

in

for drama

is

as

to

all

men into action. Now it is impossible for the will of pass through these three stages. Some reach the first, some come only far the second.—But the seed these three

of

am mistaken the persons this play not wholly uniformly developed. will and Some be

a

possess

of

I

Unless

do

ZOneS.

be, this drama

simple story

of

by

as

it

has found its seed

in

to

or

to

overdeveloped their will zones are shown some again appear atrophic. Perhaps they are not for this may life less human. However reason less true the emotion

created

I

persons

had loved

or

its

to

anger,

of or of

tears

or

passed, marks

of

I

of

it

to

a

a

life. Then various elements strong and combined gradually with one another into forms; inseparable whole give shape birth and there were memories and images, thoughts and sorrows, signs some place where lived some time that had real

not waste much thought on am not disgusted

My

heart

is

it

I

even wonder whether the matter. already. with

I

do

the result and

I

worth

in

I

is

it

is do in

of

I

convictions had embraced. Together with the little vil my birth there lage the greater fatherland which any encompasses me now. not know whether there

now flying eagerly

2I

towards other works

ROYAL BLOSSOM which

I

have not finished and others

which

I

have not

yet, Callimachos, the Murderer, the Redeemer, the Teacher, and Digenes Akritas. Only my mind is ab Sorbed now as ever in the lessons of some dear and

started

who have been either rulers of my imagination or strong guides of my language. know not what compels me now to conclude by consecrating my venerable

masters

I

to the memory of the old Cretan, Chortatses, the poet of Erophile, father of our new dramatic art which is now dawning. KOSTES PALAMAs. thoughts

22

ROYAL BLOSSOM

The drama takes place somewhere town by the sea, forty years ago.”

in Rumele,

in a

The persons who weave the drama are: Dendrogălès',”

a landowner.

Pé'tros Flo'rés, a sea captain. Pă'nos Trä'täs, a shipbuilder. Käräl'es, a seaman. Kos’tås Burno'vas, a field-guard. Nik'āros, a fiddler. The Wife of Dendrogales. Trisé'vyéné or Royal Blossom, daughter of drogales by his first wife.

Kyrä” Altana, Kyrā’ Kale, Praxithé'a,

{mnia

Den

WOmen.

girls. Pothul'a, Women and Men. 1 Central Greece. * The play was written in 1902. * Derived from 6evöpoyaxtá, a tree snake. *An approximate phonetic transliteration of rpore&yevm “thrice noble,” an untranslatable word. It combines nobility, tenderness,

simplicity, and beauty. “Royal Blossom” is my last resort, but by no means a satisfactory one. (See A Hundred Voices, p. 219.) * Pronounce kérá; kvpā means lady, a term of respect preceding the first name of older and married women.

23

FIRST PART A

In

square

by the sea which is visible in the background.

the center there is a fountain with a Gorgon's"

at the top. The statue is crippled and fragments

statue

are

miss

ing from its ends. To the right and left, streets with little houses lead to the main part of the town. It is daybreak in spring. Praxithea and Kyra Kale are waiting for their turn to fill their jars at the fountain. At this moment Pothula is filling her jar and bends over it with evident

indifference

to all that happens

about

her.

There are three or four other women of the same neigh borhood, who have come for the same purpose. In the background, seamen come and go with their little boats. Some people set foot on shore and others embark

in

order to pass to other ends of the town.

KYRA KALE [Suddenly startled, looks towards the street to right.

Did you

hear that?

PRAXIT H E A What is it? of the Greeks today and they much of the old lore about the Sirens. (See N. G.

1 The Gorgons have inherited

are the mermaids

Polites, MeMérm trept roß Stov ráv Newrépwy'EXAftww.v, Athens, pp. 61-65.)

25

1871,

ROYAL BLOSSOM KALE

IK Y R A

There is trouble in Dendrogales' home.

PRA

XIT H E A

Sure enough. What a racket!

IKY R A R ALE Look at that window! Dendrogales' wife is looking for something; calling for somebody.

PRAXIT H E A She is after her stepdaughter

Her

Royal

again,

Blossom.

voice sounds very angry.

IKY R A R ALE More

scared

than angry,

I

should say.

PRAXIT H E A That girl is at

some trick or other again.

A

Girl

WOMAN

or devil?

PRAXIT H E A Girl or devil,

she is beautiful among the beautiful.

R Y R.A. KAL E

26

it

to

a

its

What good is that to her? place “A thing of silk must have good man keep safe.” And

ROYAL BLOSSOM NOT H E R W O M A N

A

I

Silk? Rather a torrent, should say. Nobody can stop her rush. Not even her father.

PRAX IT H E A

what her stepmother says how she acts, Royal Blossom

All

the same, the stepmother

the worse.

No matter no

or

she is

to

and with her stepmother

all

What can her father do? She never knew her mother; her and matter turns out wilder than ever.

does

never treats her too well.

on

FIRST WOMAN

A

to

fair,

O

N

an

to

M

W.

or

a

door,

a

A

window,

HIF.

sea; just D.

boat and put out A T

into

a

to

or

That's how she has always been. From her childhood nobody. She would run away jump she would bow have her whim.

all-night party; these

are her hunting grounds. R A

all

It

to

to

is

as

as

Singing and defiant. Just ready open her arms you depends she chase you with stones. her whim.

on to

R

ALE

Y

R

W

in

on is

like the fairy

her she becomes

flame, anything.

M

A N

snake,

a

camel,

her. She

moment you lay hands

O

The

A

dog,

a

a

the story.

sure

of

can never

a

You

be

SE COND WOMAN

-

Have you heard the tales about her and Petros Flores? 27

ROYAL BLOSSOM R Y RA KAL E She don't care a snap!

their tales, people are just spellbound incense-burning for her. and their gossips turn

her;

happening

in

Keep quiet. Something

R ALE

is

R

KY

A

to

With

by

all

PRAXIT H E A

Dendrogales'

N excited.

the street now.

there, too!

right. Let

neighbors

Do you

open.

suppose

E us

all

be

The

are stopping. Windows

IKY R.A. KAL Your turn will

Good gracious!

I

A

go

of

it.

is

The whole household Passersby get wind pretty crowd! Let's would lose my turn?

on

See the old man rushing out

A

M

all

W

O

A

home.

go. Come, Praxithea;

some good

today.

times

E

PRAX IT H

A

is

or

of

be

are

to

Oh, the jars! them [smiling]. One trouble Pothula will take care after another; Christ protect us! [Pointing towards always dreaming. awake, she Pothula] Asleep there

a

by a

of

on a

What can you expect her? She was born Satur day; she has light shadow, and she has been struck fairy. 28

ROYAL BLOSSOM RY R A Lord

save us! Take

R A LE

care of our things, Pothula, and

may you live long! We will be right back. [They

run towards the street to the right. When they are gone, Pothula raises her head and looks in the same direction.

PO T H U L A Ah! again!

I wish they were away from me always! I breathe I might talk with the fountain then and make

friends with the sea! Today and every day they have something to say against my Royal Blossoml [Enter Nikaros, the fiddler, from the street to the left, with his violin hanging from his shoulder. He has heard Pothula’s last words.

N IFK AR OS Good morning, Pothula. Is it Royal Blossom you are talking about to yourself? Did some fairy strike her, too? What would your mother say about it? She can undo an evil spell, they say. P OT H U L A

My

mother,

the sorceress, every time she meets Royal

Blossom greets her with a song:

“Yours is a fairy's body! Your beauty has no equal!” strike her! She strikes others. My poor mother, at least, is not ungrateful. Wherever she goes she Nobody

can

29

ROYAL BLOSSOM likes to sing the graces of Royal Blossom. There is hardly anyone who is not bound to Blossom for some benefit or other. Only to look on her is God's joy! cannot under stand these people.

I

NIR A R OS Have you ever looked closely fountain?

on the Gorgon of this

P OT H U L A Born on a Saturday! Have a light shadowl Struck by a fairy! Asleep or awake, always dreaming! Oh, well, how much better are these proper people with their open eyes? Disgusting! When she is away, they bark at her; when she comes near them, a lady bountiful, the same people crawl before her and lick her hands. Behind her back they would sting her with their evil-spoken tongues; and as soon as they face her they are ready to bless her and to sing her praises. N

I KAR OS

A

R

is

OS

30

a

to

Teachers never know anything. About thirty years ago foreigner happened come our place, Frenchman. to

a

NIR

A

a

I

have heard from Themistocles, the teacher, that statue from the ancient times.

it

L

OT H

U

P

its

Have you ever looked closely on the Gorgon of this story? fountain? Do you know

ROYAL BLOSSOM He looked like a great lord but he was only a great artist, it seems, a sculptor. He had come to spend his summer here. He liked the place; everything was a delight to him,

the people, the sky, the air. We received him well, too. Before he went away, he wanted to give us something and so he built this fountain for us. On top of it he placed the statue of the Gorgon.

PO T H U L A

I

wonder; is it a statue or a real Gorgon turned to stone? At midnight, fairies dance about her and drag with them mortals with light shadows. Mother has seen them. N

I have

seen nothing.

I KAROS

I only

know that the water of this fountain has something that other fountains never have. It can raise the dead. At first, everybody was blinded with the Gorgon's beauty. Our faults are many; but God has given us one great gift, the gift of getting drunk with the wine of beauty now and then.

It

is a pity that at all

other times we should be drunk with every sort of wine but this! After some time they began to find fault with the statue; they spoke evil of the French artist and called his work strange and useless. PO T H U L A True, we find fault with everything and like to speak evil of everyone.

3I

ROYAL BLOSSOM NIIR AROS One year, the people went to the Monastery near our town to celebrate St. Mary's Festival. In the evening as they were coming back with their arms, one of them, mad with the drink, pulled out his pistol and—bing!—

That

was enough. The statue

all

he shot once at the statue. common

as

as

at

all

of

is

the

or

target for who had pistols rifles with them. That how the Gorgon was shattered. them shouted: “Stop, madmen! What are you One they doing?” They stopped once and soon became

singing mourning songs and cursing its

should you

eyes without tears, not

those who had broken

it.

After that, why surprised about Royal Blossom? Tell me

of

be

even the eyes

the same time:

those antichrists who did

no

of

on

“May evil come the heads grace.” There were not pity

at

of

to

a

to

themselves, they felt they had done sinful had come thing and ran like murderers hide. Next day there was weeping and wailing throughout the town. Men and the statue, women were crying about the broken body

something

som's grace and the malice live about her.

L

the graceless

people who

KAROS

I

N

of

course,

know. Something has happened, that will show once more Royal Blos

of

don't care

HU

to

I

T

PO

A

what happened?

Even

as

my girl. Nobody

we are, we are better than others. 32

blame. Let me drink to

the people,

is

Don't blame

ROYAL BLOSSOM

I

from your jar, my girl; am thirsty. It is about time for the sun to rise—my hour for sleep. All night and every night

I have

to play for one party or other, play and sing,

I can

hardly drag myself. Such a golden hour! After a night's dissipation walk half-awake, like a man in a strange kind of sleep. Yet at this moment my too. Worn out!

I

soul wakes up again and

of

the night's revel.

I begin

to relax from the torment

I

And

now, when feel the desire to live with myself, to sing my own song to the tune of my

own violin, in my own way, sleep overpowers

me.

PO T H U L A that beautiful night, Uncle Nikaros, about a week ago, when you passed our street singing that song—I shall never forget “The streets are narrow for my pain remember

deep and wide

. .

so

That

is

it:

Do you

.”?

NIR AROS A

I

a

A

rare night and rare joy, too. was with Petros miracle. Two men who never Flores and Panos Tratas.

A

OT H U

L

P

I

or

revels—that night they seemed like care about parties had never seen before. different men, like men

feel the song

it.

could see her from my ears. still ringing

33

I

sound

in

I

our house.

every

of

catch

is

eager

to

Royal Blossom just hung from the window; she came near falling while she was bending over the window sill,

ROYAL BLOSSOM

NIR AROS Yes, my girl: “The streets are narrow for my pain

.”

I

stop

. . .

.

as

I

it;

I

That is so deep and wide . always sing sang that song. and

A

A

N

will tell you everything that

happened.

dot.

R A

Y

R

R

LE

A

won’t leave out

a

I

I

Just listen:

A

IK YRA

L T

[The women come back, Kyra Kale, Praxithea, and Kyra Altana among them.

[To Pothula.

I

so

a

Your jar has been overflowing for long time now, my girl; was your hand crippled that you couldn't place my jar under the faucet? suppose the fairies didn't let w

you. They haven't taken your voice; but they haven't left you any brains either. [Pothula turns her back and stands aside.

KYRA ALTANA

PRAXIT H Why? 34

E A

in

on to

on

a

he

so

up

Listen. Today, before daybreak, old Dendrogales woke pain and called Royal Blossom. He has with sleep the same room forced her for some time now might keep his eyes that her.

ROYAL BLOSSOM R Y R.A A L T ANA

It

seems he got wind of what is going on with Petros

XIT H

all

E A

PRA

a

fit to

Flores. He told her . . . and you know the Dendrogales keep secret. —both man and wife—are never

is

in

Well, there nothing secret our town. We are one family here, one mind. No secrets. Everybody lives for everybody else.

ANA do

go

T

L

A

KYRA

no

is

E

K

A

KY R.A

what happened. N

A

Just

L

be.

A

Let that

AL

T A

R

tell

Y

R

us

to

I

is

beyond the limit. But the Dendrogales couple think their daughter like them, too. There thought that flashes through their minds that they aren't proclaim before the whole town. ready

he

he

Royal Blossom: About six months ago warned “Keep your head about you, little wench,” said. “Some story has reached my ears. People are dragging your name through the dust mother, remember.

way

he

I

I

a

I

in

don't like. am not like can kill you!” With the word pulled out his knife and touched her neck lightly with

Holy Virgin! 35

A

H

L

T

PO

U

the edge.

ROYAL BLOSSOM R Y R.A A L T A N A

I

have that from her stepmother. her a little bit.

The knife scratched

PRAXIT H E A She did look as

if a thin ribbon

had been drawn tight

about her neck. What a beautiful neck, too.

KYRA ALT ANA Royal Blossom never said a word. Neither yes nor no. Just dumb.

KY R A

R A LE

She never yields. What then?

R Y R.A A L T A N A Royal Blossom did yield to her father, though. always minds her father.

KY R A

She

R AL E

He is the only man she has any respect for.

KY R.A

ALT A NA

For six months now she has been sleeping in the same room. The old man has been quiet ever since. This morn

no

it;

ing, when he tried to wake Royal Blossom up to do some thing for his pain, he found the cover tucked up as if Royal Blossom but someone was sleeping under W

Oh! Oh! Bad signs! 36

O

H

E

T

L L

A

was there.

MEN

ROYAL BLOSSOM IK YRA A L T A N A

The old man was wild. You might think he was to have a stroke. He went up and down the house. She could not be found anywhere. He woke up his wife and they searched every place. Roof, attic, cellar, entrance, rooms, yard, neighborhood—all in vain. Old Dendrogales started shouting—the dogs began barking and the whole neigh borhood was up in a storm. No Royal Blossom anywhere.

R Y R A R A LE The fairies must have taken her away! What do you think, Pothula? Do you suppose she fell asleep near the fountain at midnight?

PO T H U L A They

[To Nikaros.

Blossom again, always a lady above them, and they will bow before her once more. will

see

Royal

NIR A R OS

[To Pothula.

Royal Blossom deserves a song!

R Y R.A A L T A N A Old Dendrogales looks like a man lost in a storm. He won't speak of it but you can see he is afraid. The thought that his daughter might have been kidnapped makes him shake with fear. A W

Do you

O

MAN

suppose she had the same bad luck as Marigo,

the daughter

of the wife of Anastases? 37

Two armed

Al

ROYAL BLOSSOM banians with masks snatched her from her mother's arms

—do you

remember?

KY R A K AL E And have you forgotten Angelica? How Demetres Chrysicos carried her down a ladder from her own win dow three hours before daybreak? A

NOT H E R W O M A N

And Vasilike, the daughter of Barbarias? How she picked up every jewel from her mother's chest and every coin from her father's cash-box

and disappeared?

R Y R A K AL E She did come back, though,

humbled with shame, until one morning they found her drowned in the well. Poor foolish thing! She was a relative of my husband's.

R Y R.A A L T A N A Somehow,

he found out that Petros Flores had

been

making sweet eyes at his daughter and that his daughter had been having sweet dreams about Petros Flores.

KY R A

RA

LE

Petros Flores—lovesick! P R.A.XIT H E A What do you find strange in that?

A

K AL E

cold, proud, conceited man he 38

is.

KY R A

The Lord

gave him

ROYAL BLOSSOM a schooner,

and he hired sailors from Galaxidi. He was

too good to humble himself to the town of his birth.

NIR A R OS Don't talk when you don't know.

KYRA KALE And what do you know? Is there anything you know beside your fiddle? My husband has told me. Flores can not get along with anybody but Panos Tratas, another peevish man.

KY R.A

I

A L T ANA

of a

is

in

it.

Old Dendrogales cannot believe Petros know really love with his daughter. There was Flores deadly feud between Dendrogales and the late father on

be in

to

love with his daughter he

as

her and avenge his father. Still the old anybody else. That why wise as

shame

to

only pretending he

to

Flores just

is

he

Petros Flores. They say the old father moved heaven died, graft his hatred his son. and earth before That makes Dendrogales suspicious. He thinks Petros

is

is

Sure enough.

It

PRAXIT H

A

E

a

in

is

in

to

man thinks played the savage man with his daughter and forced her sleep the same room with him. After all, this not man has been love with Royal Blossom. the first time

a

borhood become like

it

as

a

isn't the first time she has burned man's heart. She can charm anyone and drive him crazy. right out. Hasn't our neigh well say We might just church, open day and night for 39

ROYAL BLOSSOM men to come and burn incense for their love and candles

for their Sorrow?

NIR A R OS only, my girl? Say rather the whole town. Old Chamodrakos, the man who had seen many countries in the world, used to tell me while he was still

Your

its

neighborhood

he

if

A

living—God rest his soul—that every place has own peculiar sound rising into the air. man with trained ears could hold him could distinguish the various sounds is

self high above the ground. Well, the sound our village nothing but carousers’ songs and scatters into the sky A

OT H U

L

P

lovers' sighs. [With striking eagerness.

in

up

on

I

of

I

at

noontide, when fall asleep the shade the haunted fountain, see the fairies ride from the blue and yellow horses, followed by handsome sea Sometimes

at

night the moonbeams And sometimes caress me like hands and touch me like lips bright

I

haven't gone

to

O S

R

the first time that

sleep

an

Today

is

NIR

A

.

lads.

to

I

a

all-night revel. The day has come with something after unusual, and, like human being, am anxious know

end?

bad end

A

R

it Y

The

A

R

A R

the end.

will

LE

be. The whole town will be

4O

. .

-

» a

a

“I

I

call them: astir. Shameful ways, took you for rose and you turned out

ROYAL BLOSSOM P R.A.XIT H E A But we are not sure yet. We talk without knowing.

What happened then, Kyra Altana? There seems to be quiet again in Dendrogales’ home.

KY R.A

A L T ANA

I

I

don’t know any more than what have said. They searched everywhere. Nothing could be seen of her. left them and came to you. No sound is heard now. Have any

I

of you seen Royal Blossom anywhere?

I

WOMEN

[All

except Pothula.

haven’t.

NIR A R OS What do you want with her? What will you do to her? What do you care where she is? Ask me, Nikaros, the fiddler. have never played on this fiddle of mine in the country, at the inn, under a roof, or under the stars with

I

any company but the carousal would end with a word or song about Royal Blossom. You will find her everywhere —a girl you should be proud of. R Y RA

You may

KALE

be proud of her. We have our daughters

and we must look out for them. You might sing of her at the inns. We must close our doors on her. There are other doors that might welcome her.

4I

.

.

ROYAL BLOSSOM PO T H U L A

[Speaking

to herself.

“Our daughters!” Homely, brainless, sly things, with vulgar mouths! “Our daughters!”

KY R.A But what

A L T ANA

has ever become of her?

I am

so excited.

A WOMA N

Her hour has come. What she has sown she will reap.

NIR A R OS “Yannos climbed the mountain side And Mary crossed the plain

.

.

.”

[Suddenly, quickly and quietly, Royal Blossom appears from the street to the left. She takes hold of one of the empty jars, the first that comes handy to her, and pretends to be waiting for her turn to fill it with water. She is dressed in white and looks like an air spirit. There is something in in her manner, but one cannot tell whether it is the result of self composure and carelessness or the heat of tense and

quick

excitement.

NIR A R OS Mary

has come without her Yannos.

A L L T H E W O MEN [With amazement.

Royal Blossom! 42

ROYAL BLOSSOM ROYAL

BIL OSS O M

What's the matter? Did you take me for a ghost? IK

Y R.A A L T A N A

What is the matter! Where do you come from? Where have you been wandering? R A LE

IKY R A You

have

driven your people

stirred up every neighbor

I

ROYAL. couldn’t be lost.

I

Your father

mad.

has

in the street, looking for you. B L OSS O M

am no child to be lost.

one of those who get lost either.

I

I

am not

I

had gone a short distance only . . . for some household matter. . . . Anyway was not lost. Is that a reason for people to be driven mad and to raise a whole neighborhood up? Here

am.

I

my jar?

is

know

where

My

N

A

A

T

R Y R.A

L

ought

A

I

Where

to

O

ROYAL BIL OSS M be. My jar—where

to

very well. All we want That's have you been?

is

all

PRAXIT H E A

girl, it's your father who has gone mad about you;

43

drop

water

at

father will hear that we had

M of

My

BIL OSS

no

ROYAL

O

don’t blame us!

ROYAL BLOSSOM home. Our house servant is very weak with the chills so

I

took pity on her and went out before daybreak to fill our jars. When came to the fountain remembered that one of the hoops of our barrels was out of order, just as

I

I

I

I

had a thousand other cares in my mind. did want to have an early start and put everything in order; so went

I

first to the blacksmith to ask him to adjust the hoop of the barrel. Then . . .

KY R A Is

R A LE

that the blacksmith next to Petros Flores' house?

ROYAL Yes, madam.

It is

B L OSS

OM

the blacksmith next to Petros Flores'

house.

A

A WO MA N

[With low voice.

NIR A R OS

[With low voice.

lie!

Hang every truth before her lie!

KY R A

R

AL E

[To Royal Blossom who turns to the fountain with a jar in her hand.

Excuse me! You have taken my jar by mistake.

ROYAL

B

L OSS OM

I

in

your house, Kyra Kale. But

at

just been looking for you you weren't home.

I

it

it.

Oh, Kyra Kale, before forget With your question nearly slipped my mind. have about the blacksmith,

44

ROYAL BLOSSOM

KY R A

R AL E

How was that?

ROYAL.

L OSS OM

B

Everybody who has seen that fine cloth you wove for me with the gold brocade . . . R Y R A R AL E

It

is past a year and a half ago.

isn't past

OSS

BIL,

O

beauty though;

M who see

it

It

its

ROYAL

all

That's an old story.

are

it.

it.

They They bless the hands that made solid and delicate. few saw work lady came through our town—the wife days ago that English lord, you know—who was looking for just that a

of

A

so

charmed with say they never

all

it

all

at

if it

a

to

to

of

high cloth take her country. She has paid kind only looked price for everything she set her eyes on, like yours—even though was much cheaper and could never have compared with your work. She has sent

it

to

a

be

A

remember

me

KALE all

R

RY

I

be

her

by.” The whole piece will

present yours.

as

back

to

might give

it

I

is

to

I

to in

the villages and out men looking for such work myself: “Kyra Kale's towns about us. Yesterday said simply too good wasted. don’t need now. work

a

I

Darling, you should not have taken that trouble for gift. generous accept me. cannot such 45

ROYAL BLOSSOM ROYAL.

My

B

L OSS OM

Kyra Kale, you will find it at your home by noon. And with it I will send you that Kalamata scarf you admired so much. Do you remember it? good

KY R A K AL E My

dear child, may you live a thousand years. You make me your slave. haven’t the power to say no to you.

I

ROYAL

I will

BIL OSS O M

Kyra Kale, and will ask you for a favor. I have lost my jar. Let me borrow yours for the water I need [with a smile]. Just for five or ten minutes, Kyra Kale, forget that it is your jar. be your slave,

KY R A K ALE Why not? For

ten years,

[To

too.

the other women]

of

a

all

She isn't a bad girl. She is so lively people are apt to her ways, she has heart misunderstand her. With

ROYAL

BIL OSS

O

gold. M

R.A

a

have

fine day. It's

ANA

L T

Y

R

to

we are going

A

looks Saturday, too.

if

as

It

[While she fills Kyra Kale's jar with water.

46

time.

must have

a

plenty

M

I

BIL OSS

of

He can wait. There

is

ROYAL

O

If

he

is

waiting for you, Royal Blossom. Don't you knew the fuss made. take too much time.

Your father

ROYAL BLOSSOM

I

I

all

you hear me?—all of you and

the

A

L

A

N

LE

A

KY

A

short notice? How can we get ready? R

it

rather

a

R Y R.A Isn't

our

Geranos.

T A

our Lady

of

of

chapel

must attend mass with me tomorrow,

R

neighborhood

the other women

at of

from you about the plan have in mind. good. have a vow to make All of us here—do you hear? Kyra Altana, Kyra Kale, Praxithea, my own Pothula, do good answer

PRAX IT H

E A

We must ask our husbands, you know.

Joy

and pleasure

A

OT H U

L

P

And how can we leave our homes?

always! Bless Royal Blossom's

de

PRAXIT H

E A

sire!

Bless her goodness, tool

ROYAL

No

pretense.

O

B

Just joy and pleasure

as

the homes.

L

OSS M Leave out the where and how and the husbands

and

Pothula say

to

it.

of

be

is

It

or

The husbands must not have anything do. our own care and affair. We will open the little country chapel and will have our mass there. The only Agapios, the priest, who will the party will men

put

there

in

celebrate

the mass,

and

old Gabriel who will take us

Arcadi, his little boat. 47

ROYAL BLOSSOM get into his boat?

K AL

E

its

IKY

R A

Can we

all

PRAXIT H E A

OSS OM

B

L

ROYAL.

as

as

its

I

should say! Old Gabriel's boat with white sails many thirty people. red flag can carry and

we get there.

HU

At

be

L

T

PO

A

will tack about till

is

If

It

on

won't take much more thought. We will get board tonight with the moon. the wind not favorable we

remember

T

ANA

the good time we had

at

Do you

L

IK YRA

A

asleep, and the sea that hour the winds will fairies will push the ship with their hands.

the

Monas

L

the mills under the grapevine

flower from the sea; and

the pines as

under

I

like

M

can see the Monastery

in a

came

up

at

I

Remember? and our play

OSS

B

ROYAL.

O

tery last year?

the sun

remember

the

A

to

of

if

as

sport we had the ravine hidden among the thick olean we had been lost the ders and osiers and feeling the world. Do you remember that, too? rest

How could

we forget

WOMAN it? May you live long, Royal

Blossom, may you live long! 48

ROYAL BLOSSOM

I know

a song about

it,

NIR AROS too!

“Above the hill of Geranos

OSS

B

L

ROYAL

O

The stars are beaming bright; They dance and sail and toss Their glitter through the night.” M

of

Nikaros, you will come with us, too. Boatman, Priest, you three. and Fiddler. We can't get along without any

Joy and

Song!

R

A

OS

ministrants? Sea, Prayer, and But—I must break my word

us

three

of

Aren't we

all

NIR pleasure!

with two parties, who expect me Saturday evening. BIL,

of

T

PO

HU

A

the world.

L

the parties

Our Lady

OSS OM

leave them out. We certainly are better

in

than

have

all

You

to

ROYAL

Geranos—isn't the cave with the pigeons

there?

L

will land

in

we

OSS OM on

The very spot

B

ROYAL.

the evening.

The

in

up

in

of

Golden Cave. We will spend the night without much cere mony by the hut Uncle Metros, the country laborer, the Golden Cave itself. When we under the plane trees morning the we will startle the wild pigeons wake 49

ROYAL BLOSSOM that come there in flocks to drink from the fresh water of the two little hollows near us.

NIR AROS be afraid, little pigeons,” we will tell them; “we are no game hunters. Pick up your courage and start mocking us if you wish. We will not wait for you you. We are with bullets. We will only shoot songs just joy hunters and song makers.” at in

lie

“Don’t

BIL OSS

these things.

M

be

ROYAL

O

one must get ready for

Well—but

all

E A

PRAXIT H

is

a

be

I

responsible will for everything. Everything ready. By six o'clock tonight there will nothing miss ing. Pothula will lend me hand, too.

IKY R.A ALTANA what about your home? Have you thought out well? What will your stepmother and your father say? To tell you the truth, you don't seem me your right mind. Some kind wine must have gone your head. of

ROYAL My

home?

My

home?

BIL,

You

OSS

O

to

up in

be

to

to

it

All right—but

M

are right—my

stepmother

your vow—that the whole affair 50

. .

is

the festival

is

to

.

will grumble and my father will back her up. you will go, Kyra Altana, them and you will tell

But

them

yours,

ROYAL BLOSSOM Invite her too. After all, we can't like her likes and dislikes. Nikaros, the evening. rowboat pulls shore. [In the background it.

to

a

depend

in

on

or something

N OVA

Still it's

synagogue?

women's

wonder

in a

U

S

B

O S

TAS

no

this

a

Is

IK

R

to

a

field-guard, lands and Kostas Burnovas, square walks across the towards the street the right.

place where even men act like women! the right

to

[From the house

Dendrogales

and

OVAS

N

U

R

A S

B

T

S

R

O

his wife rush out hastily.

to

GAL

S

E

E S

R

D

N

YAL

BIL OSS

fill my jar. 5.I

O

O

have

to

I

Father,

M

once!

R

at

Home,

BIL OSS

there right away, father. D E

be

I

ROYAL will

O

R

Home! O

red with anger]

GAL

Kostas Burnovas! [To Royal Blossom

moment,

O

Just

a

DE N

D

The field

closing.

. . .

is

I

to

you, Dendrogales! was just coming see Health you. We must settle our accounts now that the year

M

ROYAL BLOSSOM DEN DRO

For

GAL E S

an hour now we have been watching you talking

and talking and idling as home at once! Go!

ROYAL evil tongue

Some

if

nothing had happened.

Go

BIL OSS O M

your tongue

must have poisoned

against me. DE NDRO

GAL E S

And your tongue drips with dirty lies!

ROYAL.

B

L OSS OM

What is my offense?

DE N D

RO

GAL

ES

is,

Cunning simpleton! You know very well what your but you pretend you know nothing. You must offense hear what your offense is—must you? You think every

will sing

S

GAL

E

it.

O

R

W IIFE OF DEN

D

H

E

T

to

I

is

thing music for play. Come home now and you your music, since you wish hear

ROYAL

BIL,

OSS

O

is

us a

right. Don't make laughing-stock before the world, my girl. Just come home!

He

M

52

will

hear

no

have done wrong

of

I

I If

to

it

it

right out before everybody. openly the world. claim

pro

home

or

a

to

mother me. Father and you, madam, passing for No! No! Whatever you know about me you must speak

ROYAL BLOSSOM Let the sky be our Everybody face everybody else. This moment I accused and I must be tried before the judge. Let

home shelter. shelter. am the

You know

me very well.

the people be my judge then! ents?

You talk

What

to me like strangers.

you are my par You are my step

if

mother only—that is enough. As for you, father, you have put me to shame before the world. Before the same world I want to have this shame taken from me! Royal

speaks, Dendrogales Blossom tries to answer and to rush towards her but

[While

his wife holds

ROYAL Then what do

I

him

back

with her hands.

BIL OSS O M

care about the world?

take the world into account. Nor am

I

I afraid

[Continues.

don’t ever of it. But

I

judgment. Call on the whole creation. Now at sunrise—there is the sun—I demand judgment. Altana, Pothula mine, Kyra Kale, Praxithea, you ladies of my neighborhood! And you whose goodness is sweeter than demand

your violin, and whose justice is more evident than your goodness—speak for me. Do deserve hanging?

I

NIR A R O S Forgive me, good master Dendrogales, to say a word. Your daughter is right.

R O STAS

if

I

make bold

B U R N OVA S

Why do you mix yourselves in this affair, shameless fellows? Dendrogales, drag the girl into the house and They have filled her head with make her understand. foolishness. It's your part to bring her to her senses. 53

ROYAL BLOSSOM DEN DRO GAL ES are right. Everything will be made clear at home.

You

house is good and honorable.

us, too,

as

of

no

one

spent

In

life that would have martyred life!

be

the people, though

to

to

of

particular.

A

the fountain and

in

owns her

as of

be

is

belongs

it

to

true that when we quarrel your daughter. May we quarrel like brothers? The girl proud her. But the girl she live long and may you proud her lives among us, too, and we are just we are the Gorgon the fountain. The Gorgon, too,

belong

to of

one family. Isn't

But

of

Your

all

NIKAR OS

empty most

of

homes? Aren't our fireplaces

all

of

of

a

be

this place within four walls would one person and the life are one. Aren't the life we spending our time, summer and winter, outside our the time?

And

DRO GAL

My

S

DE

E

our hands than our oars and picks? N

flutes work harder

in

don't our streets and shores resound always with our song and our talks and our secrets? And don’t our violins and

I

STAS

admire your patience,

R

U

R

N

no

the meaning

of

leave me alone—what B

all this?

Just

O

serenades.

is

is

in

your senses? What Christian man, are you time for makes you start your serenading now? This

OVAS

Dendrogales!

I

What

mean,

master

Dendrogales, 54

is

I

N KAROS this: Why are

ROYAL BLOSSOM you afraid of the world? In other places the people are either strangers or enemies. Here the people are every body's big brother. Forgive me for my liberty in coming between you uninvited. Let your good daughter speak out freely; don't upset her in this manner. And you, lady, don’t be afraid to open your mouth before us. We will be your judges. [He is silent for a moment, but when Dendro gales makes an effort to speak, he resumes.

Has she done anything wrong? Let her punishment be all the heavier with us here as witnesses of her offense. Is she worthy of forgiveness?

Then let her be forgiven before everybody so that no one will be able to imagine things against her as he might if the matter is kept secret. What do you say, my ladies?

R Y R.A ALT ANA Captain

Dendrogales, the poor girl must have been stung to the quick with your unjust words to answer you so boldly. The pain that the injustice and scorn of a father has caused her, is painted on her face. You can -

see how she stands.

PRAXIT H E A Royal Blossom spoke just right. She came out at daybreak to fill her

Just listen

jar at

to us, Captain Dendrogales,

the fountain—that's

all!

KY R A And then she remembered

R

AL E

that the hoop of your barrel 55

ROYAL BLOSSOM was

out of order and went to the blacksmith next to

Petros Flores’ house. DE N

DRO

GAL ES

Next to Petros Flores?

ALL THE WOMEN She hasn't been out of sight. She hasn't done anything

wrong. Don't put any evil notions into your head. Just forgive her. P OT H U L A Royal Blossom has no fault! [She stoops

to kiss Royal Blossom's

T H E W II" E OF DEN

The

great

D RO

GAL

hand.

ES

Poor people—how she can throw

seducer!

ashes in the eyes of men and women!

DE N DRO GAL E S Cursed be the hour cursed be the hour cursed

I

I

in this place! And you, shameless woman! And

was born

begot

be the hour that cast me in my old age among

and cripples and revellers. Someone must have cursed this place. In the old days, the Turks were afraid of our men. Now our men tremble with wine and are

women

slaves to debauch.

IKOST AS Dirty guitars and dirty

B

U R N OVAS

songs and

Prodigal, dissipated, shameless men! 56

dirty love affairs!

ROYAL BLOSSOM the good old days

ES

these people would urge me

to

In

GAL

all all

DEND RO

to

strangle you! Now they hold my hands and touch my forgive you. knees begging me

ROYAL

BIL OSS

OM noth

the accuser

am

S

voice.

. .

S

E

O

R

D

GAL

that you got

an

The wrong you did

is

D E

N

Turns beautiful, my lass

.”

touches you

up

“The sin that

daybreak.

I

be

O

R

A

[In low

the song too:

is in

it

NIIR So

have done

I

I

don't want your forgiveness, father. ing wrong. Though the whole world not guilty.

hour before the wish this of

to

The wrong you did

is

in

us.

been brought

on

in

to

to

to

is

it

I

.

of

. .

will speak since idlers know exactly what has happened, not crowd judge you and me according our deserts, but just everything that concerns us; revel the wrong that has been done and the shameland misfortune that have

that you went My blood

went out 57

.

is

.

a

.

it

times

the house early

in

again!

have said

M

of

I I

will say

slander!

it

a

lie!

BIL OSS

O

I

so

I

and

a

ROYAL It's

thousand

of

at

to

out—ah, shameless thing!—went boiling the thought it—I wish my hands were not might finish you. trembling that

ROYAL BLOSSOM of

I

to

DROG AL

is

IN

S

OF DE

E

E

W II?

man, don't trouble yourself about her. She

as

My

H

E

I

no

T

to

I

I

to

fill

our jar and have the hoop our am tired repeating the barrel fixed and then— Well, am nobody's slave. same thing over and over again. bow man nor grief. can raise my head the stars without remorse. the morning to

just

she

at

a

is

as

big. Even child would stop and weigh her words before speaking. She just bubbles over all. without any consideration careless

ROYAL that,

OSS OM

considerate

a

you! There word inconsiderate, should strike you is

are not my mother,

or

No! You

BIL,

GAL

E S

O

R

N

D

D E

dumbl Keep silent!

so

the daytime and sing

in

things

weave tales about

ROYAL

BIL OSS

O

at

you. They will stir night. their gossips

will whisper and

up

nice, behind your back

be

to

of

Keep silent yourself! All these people about you, even yours who before you pretend these advocates

M

GAL

coupled with his conduct

love that

he

I

Your conduct and your name and his name! You know whom

E S

O

D

DE IN

R

What will they sing and gossip about?

am talking about!

The

shows you and the scorn that you don't show 58

ROYAL BLOSSOM

I

him. Scorn? You are doing something even worse! have seen his frequent coming and going in front of my house and your idling at the windows and on the roof. The way you have been acting, both of you . . . T H E W II* E OF DE N

You might add their

DRO

GAL E S

secret kisses, too.

DE N D

GAL

RO

ES

And his all-night watches . . . And your foolishness and my shame. To make a long story short—tell me, dissolute woman, where have you been so early in the morning? What about your name? That is my namel Sure, it is my name that is now in everybody's mouth.

ROYAL

BIL OSS O M

I

Father, your anger carries you away. have no relation bad or good with anyone. I don't care for anyone. We have nothing in common. For me he is . . . if worse comes to worst, I am not supposed to give any account to anybody about him. Yet he is nothing to me. Leave me alone! Let no man trouble himself about me. Let no

I am

a

to

E S

everybody—were

the prince

bride of

the land, and the he

sought

in

O

D

D E

GAL

the only young man

by

groom

he

Were

I

just what am. Father, you you? You will make done

R

I

What have me yet!

N

will regret Turk out

of it.

man interfere with me.

the

to

to

he

he

fairy tale and had Solomon's own treasures, and were give you come and kneel before me, begging me 59

ROYAL BLOSSOM for his wife, again

I

would still hesitate. No! The son of Flores must have some evil plan in his mind. He is the son of Flores, that peevish and malicious man who lost his fortune, and blamed it on me, and declared war against me, and left to his son his hatred and his curses

I

should he ever stop persecuting me. This is what would answer to this son of Flores: “Go your ways, my son; know you hide some evil plan in your mind—I won't give you my daughter.”

ROYAL

I

BIL OSS O M

All your trouble is in vain. Petros Flores never thought of me nor does he care about persecuting you— It seems to me . . . Just speak for me, good neighbors, Kyra Altana, Kyra Kale, Praxithea, for your love of God. Who believes that he has inherited his father's hatred? Nobody speaks evil of him anyway.

R Y R.A A L T A N A To tell you

the truth, Petros Flores is the best captain in our town. A man without a blemish, a brave and wise

Iſlan.

DEN His

D RO

GAL ES

dead father was an odd man who at the end turned

out ungrateful, too. God forgive me for speaking of now.

it

KY R A KALE Peculiar he was, very peculiar. Every time he sailed away, the farther he went from his wife the more he 6o

ROYAL BLOSSOM for her. He swore by her name and he was impa tient to return to her. Then he would come back. As long

longed

as he stayed at home he would not even look on his wife.

My

blessed mother

prac Dendrogales] He

used to say that someone

had

witchcraft on him. [Pointing to did claim that master Dendrogales had cheated him and ruined him and left his hatred to his son. But the son ticed

of Flores is not bad—he may be proud and snobbish, never bad. [To Royal Blossom] There you see! T H E W II? E OF DEN

D RO

GAL E S

The son of Flores is a dissipated man without any scruple, a mean woman-hunter! Pity any woman that falls into his hands. May God save you from any rela tions with such a man. Else, you are a lost soul.

ROYAL

B

L OSS OM

[Impatiently.

Who? I? Lost? A woman-hunter? Is it you speaking such words? Listen, then! Ah, have to come to it sooner or later. Let the whole creation hear it from the stars to

I

the dry seaweeds!

Let

the whole world know

father to you, stepmother! die for Petros Flores!

I love

DE N DRO

Jade!

I will

it from my

Petros Flores!

I

would

GAL E S

kill you! [He searches himself for his knife, then rushes against Royal Blossom. The women sur round him and hold him back.

6I

ROYAL BLOSSOM ROYAL

I

won't recognize

B

L OSS

M

O

father or home! The son of Flores loves me, loves me madly and will have me for his wife, whether he will or not, because This morn wish ing didn't steal out home fill my jar have the to

or

to

just went

never

look

S

E

O

R

GAL

you again! Out

of

I

May

D

D E

on N

in

of

Kyra Kale.

see

I

of

I

our barrel fixed, to meet him his own house!

hoop

or it.

I

to

either

my house!

Cursed, cursed woman! to

of

Dendrogales, Kyra Altana, Kyra [The wife Kale, Praxithea, strain every effort push

to

to

at

is

and drag old Dendrogales back into his house, while he writhes and foams and speak escape wnable all. He tries

to

from their hands, but he cannot, and looks wretched. The other women follow. Nikaros, Kostas Burnovas, Pothula, and Royal Blossom are left outside. Royal Blos have exhausted all her spirit som seems half-fainting and leans on the fountain. Pothula hastens towards her and wishes to tend her, but she stands

to

hands,

not daring

on her with anxiously.

with outstretched touch her, and looks and fear, timidly and

love

gone to

Dendrogales

is

Kostas Bur novas advances angrily towards Royal Blos strike her, but som and raises his staff When

Nikaros springs the staff back 62

between

them

with his fiddle.

and

holds

ROYAL BLOSSOM R O STAS This staff is not

U R N OVA

B

A

enough!

S

knife is what you need,

shameless one! [Altana comes back, whispers something to Pothula and they both take Royal Blos som and lead her through

the street to the

This

is

has passed.

time and the time

the hour for Nikaros'

NIR STAS

fiddle.

of A R it! U

R

R

the knife

OS

B

am proud O

I

As for that,

of

Still, everything has

its

right towards their houses. Royal Blossom follows without resistance and looks as if her mind were wandering far away.

N OVAS

in

The good old times are gone when Captain Tromaras this very town could empty his blunderbuss into Panoria’s breast.

NIR AR OS a

it.

N OVA

S

up

to

R

U

STAS

B

R

O

in

of

it

I

song. He did know The story has been put into through the open window while Panoria, poor girl, was combing her hair front her mirror.

had sung

song about her secret passion for 63

Nikaros

a

in

Is

And who set Captain Tromaras that deed? Pa Kyra Vasilo, herself, that noria's mother Soterchas' wife. your song, too? And what had Panoria done? Nothing! Only her name had been talked about and some other

ROYAL BLOSSOM Georges Petas, the rich young lad of the town. Yes, times

tie

have changed since the days of Politarches and his rope. He had one daughter, his only child, Helen. Helen fell in love with the aga, the son of Muchtar Pasha, and every

so

at

up

a

of

string about her wrist night she would one end and hang the other end outside her window. The aga the string and she would wake and would pull they could meet. One night while Helen was fast asleep

before the aga had come, her mother saw the string, watched and found out everything. She told her husband and the same night Helen was found hanged from the of

in

of

front her home with the same string. No olive tree body made any complaint and everybody approved

no

it

do

as no

of

R

NIIR

free

to

is

hand. Only your fiddle

A

of

at

a

of

of

Politarches. Years have passed since that time, and these things sound like fairy tales. Now you are noth ing but wretched crowd idlers without any sense shame, honor all. Impudent chatterers with force the act

pleases.

OS

My

1

difficult

recognize.

Turkish official. 64

to

than you have ever dreamed to

clearer

it

to of

it

is

to

come voice has always something that seems very far away. Just the same, my fiddle the echo brings your voice back voice; but because

from your you

be, you find

it

of

of

it.

as a to

it

of

a

It

in as

as

far fiddle? That's something that reaches only your ears. must reach your mind, too, before you are My fiddle! You will always position talk about place, strange thing, out course. Its think

ROYAL BLOSSOM IKOST AS B U R N OVAS

I

you; talk the language of Rumele.

don't understand

I am

I

to

a man of Rumele and talk talk the same language. don't seem

its

NIR A R OS language.

Still we

Your Rumele talk

as

of

is

your staff and my fiddle are different from each other, though they both may have the selfsame wood. Who knows? Still been carved out different from mine. Just

I

I

believe that with my fiddle

see things clearer than you

vile woman. It's

wonder

to

clear that you simply hang

the lips

of a

OVAS on

U

R N

O

STAS

a

Ha! haſ

So

R

B

with your staff and your threats.

me you didn't kneel before

her.

it:

NIR AROS

in

of

is

as

is

my reason for This vile woman with her Here beauty and her youth, with her impulses and her follies, thoughtless she and unruly and disobedient and you rash, has more merit than the whole lot the

in

to a

of

be

to

to

if

If

of

as a

us

whole town. Who can say whether she hasn't been born sign that we great sign good luck, among you want get ahead must honor and not scorn? life, you want good and whole, you must learn beauty when you see beauty how drink the wine

Saint's image. 65

a

a

as

in

of

your midst, the perfect gift Heaven. Don't scorn her with your meanness and don't threaten her with your you worship stupidity. Worship beautiful woman

ROYAL BLOSSOM B U R N OVAS

this for Royal Blossom?

NIR

OS

A R

And

all

R O STAS

a

N

R

U

OVAS

madman!

a

Words of

STAS

B

R

O

is a

a

of

be

is

to

to

Dendrogales nor Royal Blossom does not belong Petros Flores. She neither mine nor yours. She cannot thought apart from the town. She isn't woman, soul and crown! like the others. No, sir! She

tula, and

the

other

women

come

back

to

[He turns his back on him and goes away. Kyra Altana, Kyra Kale, Praxithea, Poth take their jars, which they had left by the

fountain.

A

ANA

OS

Poor Royal Blossom! 66

.”

deep and wide

. .

so

is

“The streets are narrow for my pain

That

it?

the house

Pothula lingers behind.

R

NIR

go out.

A

[The women

come

of

to

is

in

up

I

my house now. What your jars. Nothing done Let's go. Take today and it's nearly lunch time. have her

in

IK YRA

mad

L T

till

A

ness

mess we got into today! We mixed with we turned mad ourselves!

a

What

KALE

R

Y

R

ROYAL BLOSSOM P OT H U L A Oh, to hear her speak! She is no woman! “A fairy's beauty clothed In raiment white and fair!”

67

SE COND PART The afternoon

of the same day. A harbor on a barren

island about two hours from the town. It is called Port Island. The larger ships of the town are stationed there because the waters safer anchorage.

of its harbor are deeper and offer a

Part of a wooden cabin set up on the barren island for the seamen whose vessels are anchored

near the place and

for the passengers who come there to embark. The visible part of the cabin is half bare; a few boxes are seen in one corner and a table in the middle with two or three benches. A trapdoor leads to the cellar. The window opens to the sea, which is seen in the background. Pictures of ships and women hang on the walls. Petros Flores and Panos Tratas sit near the table smoking. PANO

S

T R ATAS

There's not a soul here today. The cabin is deserted. Uncle Spyros, the keeper of the lighthouse, is taking his nap in the next room.

PET ROS FLORES All

The work on the schooner now we can have a quiet talk. the better.

68

is done;

so

ROYAL BLOSSOM PAN

I don't believe

T

OS

ATAS

R

you are very anxious to talk. Your mind

seems to be far off somewhere.

PET R O S FLORES

I

No,

am just thinking of the long trip ahead

of us;

Trieste, Dardanelles, the Bosporus, and then the Black Sea, not leaving out the Azof. Loading, unloading, and a thousand things to take care of. And our schooner on her maiden

trip. PAN

T R ATAS

OS

The first really big ship we

She is well built though.

have come to own. There's nothing that is missing.

Calk

S

PET

R O

on

to

its

ing and tarring have been done in perfect fashion. Every place from the mizzen-mast thing is in the figure the prow. head

FLORES

a

be

to

as

a to

it

is as a

It

I

a

in

It

hard job finding men. had look for pity that we have Galaxidi. name them good seamen. As soon they heard that was long trip our fellow townsmen lost courage. Some turned was such

a

others

of

the spot,

R

S

69

on

us

to

body could measure

ATAS

were the best sea captains and

up

In

the old days,

T

N

O

a

burden!

P

their gossip for such

we A

to

on

poured out flood drop their all excuses. How could you expect them night parties and their play and their love-making and their backs

no

the open sea. Now we

ROYAL BLOSSOM have gone down even at that. Sometimes

Flores, whether

I wonder,

Petros

we are very different from our fellow

toWnSmen.

PET ROS FLORES

I don't

know; we may be just a little different. PAN

OS

T R A TAS

We must be setting sail tomorrow or day after tomor row. Don't lose any time.

I

PET ROS FLORES know it. We must load her at Patras as soon as

possible.

PAN

By

OS

T

R

ATAS

the way are you going to take Karales with you?

PET ROS FLORES No;

I

don't even speak to him. He was mixed up in some disreputable affairs. PAN

I think

OS

T R ATAS

he is to be engaged soon; and he was planning

to have you for his best man.

PET R O S FLORES don't care to hear from him even on my deathbed. and mean, though

deep and silent stream. 7o

he doesn't

show

A

He is unreliable

it.

I

ROYAL BLOSSOM PANO

S

T RATAS

I

know him more than well. While he was in danger of getting into prison, you went out of your way to help him. When with your sweat you built the fortune you have and became a shipowner, he stuck to you like an oyster. He clung to you so that he could pull you down easier. But in good times he is always first.

PET ROS FLORES Yes; no man can get ahead of him in dance and song. He makes fun of his friends and seduces women.

A god

Still men are bound to be such. They kiss a Turk's feet and pull out a Christian's eyes. God rest my father's soul! He used to tell me that every time. mocker.

PAN O S Your father

had suffered

T R ATAS much

at men's hands.

member well the day thirty years ago.

I

I

re

was just a child then. It was Sunday in the market-place chock-full of people. can see old man Flores, wild with anger and passion, beside himself, throwing at Dendrogales’ face a

I

bagful of dollars. The dollars were scattered on the ground and the passersby were trying to pick them up.

PET ROS FLORES Dendrogales was always a man of many jobs and with empty home. He would begin one thing after another and never finish one. He has been a boatman,

raisin merchant,

a merchandise

dealer,

a fisherman, a gardener.

a He

ran into debt and my father went surety for him. He 71

ROYAL BLOSSOM could not pay his debt and his surety had to stand the consequences. My father's house and vineyard were sold at auction and who should be the buyer but Dendro gales himself!

Yet

he managed

to make my father believe

that he had bought them for my father's sake and that he intended to return them to him and to pay off his debt. “The trouble,” he said, “is that had to borrow the

I

money

I

to buy your house and vineyard. God knows how

I

to raise the loan. So shall wait for you, my master and benefactor, till you find that money and managed

then house and vineyard will be yours again.” My father believed him as he believed everybody else and gave his money right and left never to be returned. But no man had played such a mean, dirty trick on him in his mis fortune as Dendrogales. The poor man went to work to gain back his house and vineyard. He had nothing left to him any more and he looked on those possessions with a deep passion that worried him sick and bound him to them. Within two years he managed to save the money and took it to Dendrogales; but Dendrogales would not listen to him. He denied that he had ever promised him anything and he never returned either house or vineyard! P A NO

Yet

I

S

T RATAS

have heard men say Dendrogales was not

alto

It

was his second wife's fault: the priest's daughter who makes him do anything she pleases. She holds him spellbound with bridle and reins. As long as gether to blame.

his first wife lived, that queenly woman, Royal Blossom's mother, Kyra Basilike, whom he had brought from Vla 72

ROYAL BLOSSOM chia—it is a mystery how he ever got hold of her—he was a different man.

FLORES

PIE TROS

[Somewhat

startled.

Royal Blossom? What's that you say about Royal Blossom? PANO

T R ATAS

S

I just

Nothing;

said that she had a queenly woman for her mother. They say the French artist modelled the Gor gon of the fountain in your neighborhood after her—it was many years ago.

FLORES

P E TROS

silent for a while, as in thought. startled from sleep, he begins again] Yes, my

[He

Then as

if

remains

in a in all

Oh!

was telling you stories?”

he

all

up

“Did you think

I

drogales.

go

to

father stood like one stricken stiff. Then he gathered his strength home. He piled the money dollars and sterling and Turkish pounds, tied them handkerchief and went back to the market to find Den

he

to

it;

in

to

of

in

at

all

he

of

he

is

your money! Give me back my blood!” flung the money his face front No answer. Then the people, who didn't know what make prosper and cursed him never his lifetime. He said. “Here

73

to

to

brought my

he

low

as

I

to

my father

as

felon who wronged father.

a

in

I

of it

I

he

a

up in

to

him again. Nor did ever come out see anyone since that day. He shut himself cellar my poor Every arms, despised man. died time and bring the think want strike back, want never spoke

ROYAL BLOSSOM PA NOS T

R

ATAS

not be any worse. Before your wrath could overtake him he has certainly been overtaken by God's

He

could

wrath. All the wealth he had amassed is gone. He is lead ing a miserable life in his old age. All he has to depend on is a piece of poor land. His second wife has brought him no good, though she has tied him to her apron strings, a helpless man. He had certainly led a different kind of life with his first wife; Basilike had a royal name and heart. Some of her goods

that are still left are in Royal

I

a

in

is

in

all

Blossom's possession. She reminds me a little of her mother, although she is unlike anyone. Royal Blossom is without peer or equal. She has nothing by halves. She has perfect. But the energy the world and her beauty her, too. think she has whole devil sometimes

PET

ROS FLO RES

am not going away.

schooner and stow her sails. her rigging and her spars

to

know the result

You

can unload the

You might just

as

I

then? Well,

to

Do you wish

watch for the result.

well scatter

the four winds. Sink her,

to

a

it

to

at

Who? Royal Blossom? For several days now you have point fling her name me suddenly and made

I

as

I

I

of

Calm

yourself,

TAS

A

R

T

N

O S

P A

I

a

her, bonfire am not going away! will stay here, am dying with love for Royal Blossom just am dying with rage against her father, the infamous scoundrel.

make

Petros Flores, calm 74

yourself;

what

ROYAL BLOSSOM might anybody think of you if he saw you in this state, cool captain of the sea?

PET

ROS

FLORES

I

There's nobody here. am not one of those who parade the sacred things of their hearts at the crossroads. You are the only one who hears me now, and you are a brother to me. The sea has taught us at the same time the words that go deep and the secrets we love. We are life's labor ers and life's masters. More than a night's carousal at wine-shops, we love a quiet opening of the heart in a quiet corner. Just as we are solitary and remote, so are our Sorrows timid and difficult to unlock.

P A N O S T R ATAS Still, be as silent and secret as you wish and scorn the rumor-loving mob as much as you can, nothing can escape that mob. They have found you out and your names are in their mouths already. Perhaps you aren't expecting such words from me, but must confess that your love makes me wonder and fear about you. Not that you don't make a splendid couple; but I can't help worrying some times and asking myself what fate has led the son of

I

Flores and the daughter of Dendrogales together, and where this violent meeting of tempest and north wind will end—a meeting unlike any other meeting in the world! Then my fear passes away and am calm again most of

I

I

the time. know you too well for that; and though fate frightens me, believe in God.

I

75

ROYAL BLOSSOM PET R O S FLORES Your doubt and fear are nothing compared with mine. The more deeply I feel her in my heart, the more the

I

anger within me grows; and the hatred which

have

in

from my father against her family becomes a wild beast ready to spring. It isn’t for nothing that we are children of the sea that swallows us fiercely at the same herited

that she carries us gently on her lap. From the moment felt Royal Blossom take root in my life some thing told me: Take her for your matel Make her your crown! Then immediately after that another impulse came: Take her and shame her and then send her back moment

I

to her father with greetings from the son of Flores! That would be a good payment of my debt to my father; and, after that, the ghost of the old man wouldn't come to disturb my dreams. PAN

Tell

OS

T R ATAS

me now, do you believe in dreams?

PET R O S FLORES Why not? Of

I have

course,

my own way of interpret

I

ing dreams, a way that isn't found in books. have in vented it myself. When in my dreams see from unknown shores the sun setting down an endless sky know am gain something to from somewhere. am to be the win

I

ner. When expecting So when

I

I

I

I

I

I

I

walk abroad naked, wake up to get into some wretched trouble somewhere. see my father in a dream, wake up with the see that

I

terrible burden of a great debt that 76

I have

not paid.

ROYAL BLOSSOM PANO

S

T RATAS

when you see Royal

What happens

Blossom in your

dreams?

PIE TROS

I

FLORES to

R

T

S

you treat your work. Don't forget only the sea. You were proud

a

it

of

of

a

ATAS

as

Treat your love captain you are

N

O

P A

of

I

all

wake up startled and am unable to sleep again. So night trying stay up find some explanation for her love. the strange warning

little while ago—were you not? You said we are life's laborers and life's masters.

Would you

be

PET ROS FLORES

try

a

R

T

S

O

ATAS

should succeed, but

I

don't know whether

I

N

would

it.

I

P

A

as

a

to

passion with the able master such you would ship? same coolness and forethought

PET speak them

FLORES so

In

easily! We our town we find words beautifully and skillfully that we are per

so. so

You think

ROS

he

A

as

as

do

fectly satisfied with their mere utterance. We think words well actions. drunken man always talks will thinks that with his profuse talk with animation and be

it in

doing

a

is

he

very well com lot. We two may not pared with drunkards, but you see we always have our blood and we breathe the same air. ing

77

ROYAL BLOSSOM PAN

T R ATAS

O S

be

to

another's trouble double heart me of a in

have

a

to

to

always easier your own. seem

of

S

master

R O

FLORES

I

than

of is

It

PET

be

of

I

a

to

I

it.

Possibly, but what can you do? “A people's practice is always a law code's chapter,” a popular saying has try strengthen my heart with little mind. like everything master about me.

of a

to

to

or

a

sea that has not known any mind yet: The heart captain, cool and wary, setting out towards definite other; and then the tor port unload some cargo menting heart sea-corsair who sets out kill and

S

be

of

being fond words were might startled now.

FLORES

am far from her that

feel like

a

I

ATAS

I

only when

is

It

PET

R O

I

in

If

us

what you said about my ears, not still sounding

all R

N

T

revenge. O S

P A

of

destroy for the sake

I

a

in

I

a

a

of

a

of

I

a

pirate.—But the mo double man, sea captain and face her and stand near her, feel me the ment ship. Near her anguish soul like the soul am

could

a

of

it

a

or

on a a

a

answer

R

T

S

O

N

ATAS

you? See how you can 78

How

I

P A

at

a

or

or of

timber that might once have been part brig, rowboat; schooner, sloop, battered and disfigured wreckage drifting sea that can toss about will. Why? Oh, why? piece

tune

ROYAL BLOSSOM that beat in you. Above all, tune your will to your love. Something deceitful and crooked threatens you in your grief. Wrestle well. Either hold yourself at arm’s length from her love so that you together

its

these two or ten hearts

is

or

in

a

to

be

of

all

bright light which may tread the straight path with love; worth more than the flame make yourself slave her love that you may her master turn. But always walk straight and stand upright. Avoid the

he

of

is

to

on

all

dark places. Your father was wronged and died; God has heaped the wrong-doer the sufferings the man wronged. What else there for you wish? With the

it

it to

he

to

if

as

a

it

in

of

of

an

your wrath you had raised anathema against the midst this anathema she grew like him. Then little tree. Do you suppose wasn't God himself who you: planted that little tree there would say this little tree and take care of till “Give water stones

a

a

in

it

of

a

of

brings forth flower and fruit; and with the stones the garden!”? Why not fence, fence for anathema build that light? think

speak like

learned

FLORES man.

T

S

O

A

N

book. P

words from

a

You

a

PIE TROS

Your words sound like

RATAS

I

I

I

if

don’t know much about books; and ever came could not understand them and they could across any not touch my soul. Educated men don't write them for us.

I

wish your words would build 79

a

PET ROS FLORES master ship like those

its

ROYAL BLOSSOM a

you build with your craft, so that it might take me on voyage. But for me you are not only master shipbuilder.

want you hear everything haven't told you everything yet.

is

T

I

every one

there

us

believe

of

Do you

S

O

P A N

I

from my own lips.

of of

to

are my brother and

You

RATAS

anything secret here? The life

I

don't care.

S

FLORES

shall always know something

no

I

PET

R O

is

like the voice which from the bottom even the deepest ravines comes back reëchoed with double and triple volume.

for myself

on

a

is

It

he

a

is

one about me can suspect. [He silent for which speaks again with lowered voice] little while, and then more than month now. With early dawn she comes

RATAS

T

N

O S

P A

as

to

my house every day. She comes the wing and flies away before full daylight. Pure she comes and she leaves pure. the house

up

if

they People have already discovered your love. Even don't know about your meetings they will make them a

as

fact; with imagination and will rumor them abroad and you know people hit the target even when they aim blindly.

PET ROS FLORES cannot know how quick and how savage They don't know how we first saw each other

our love

and how we first spoke

to

people

is.

Still

each other. And how the blood

8o

ROYAL BLOSSOM of our fathers was seething in the heart of each one of us ready to spring out and swallow the other. And how from that silent struggle slowly and gradually spread an enchanting languor. And how in the midst of my longing for her felt her defiance that sought to trample me under foot, just as did not care to hide my anger and

I

I

all

contempt for her. And how soon the tide rolled in with the land and the blowing southwester and flooded every pass.

RATAS

has covered

In

It

without warning. and still glides on.

the sand

a

little while

will

the window.

spreading fast of

the devil! See, the tide

it

of

Speaking

is

[Looking out

of

T

O S

P

A N

covered

the beach

reach the door

like sea-gulls skimming over

.

. .

I

it

A

is

a

is

It

light the lamp. damp afternoon and very coming little boat calm. Look! What's that there? very clearly yet can't see this way. to

going

the waves. Uncle Spyros

is

of

of

the cabin. Your ship stands out the tallest the lot anchored out there alone. The houses of the town look

PET ROS FLORES Today

happened

I

at

in a

strange

all of

which keeps me great deal. worrying was not expecting her; but sudden she came, somewhat late. There was something her bearing the same time calmer and more daring than usual. She stretched her arms across the doorway a

something

8I

on

a

on

a

to

the posts she kept me from passing. and holding fast There was smile her lips and cloud her fore

ROYAL BLOSSOM head. Then she darted out into my little garden,

all

a pick that happened

seized

to be in her way, and began digging

little shrubs and mints that grew bring there half green, half dry. She said she was going her own and rare plants that she had me flowers phantom ordered especially for me. She looked like the neglected

all

a

in

of

to

up

if

as

of

talking her dress white and she was never tired she were filled with the knowledge about everything

a

cast myself

slave

I

to

or

to

I

must

Suddenly “Holy Virgin!

am lost!” she cried, with her voice choked,

fright just

I

and slipped away

as

I

be too late!

her shame

. . .

her feet forever

in

at

without any remorse

I

a

to to

in

I

I

it.

of

As was watching her felt my impulse stronger my seize her and stronger and something urged me flame until arms and let my passion burn itself could find out whether was abandon her afterwards

was stretching my

I

a

to

to

my breast. After while, press her close arms heard the noise which she had heard first: confused voices in

I

I

all

of it

of

of

our neighbor and sounds coming from the fountain her house, and the midst hood and from the direction thought could hear her name spoken by knew something unusual had happened. hurry meet you for the great journey to

be

must

coming here is

Who young sailor. See him stoop

82

other boat near

it.

is

a

it?

It

that boat!

for some message. There that man Looks like in

drags Petros Flores towards

no

the window] Look

at

Why, Petros Flores! [He

TAS

A

R

T

S

N

O

P A

I

was ahead of us

. . .

But

in a

I

several tongues.

ROYAL BLOSSOM and crouch? There! He sits up again! The coat fell off his shoulder! There goes his cap, too. can’t believe my eyes.

I

Is

it a woman's hair that hangs about the head? He is standing up now. Sure enough, it is a woman! That is a woman's form and a woman's dress. A woman alone with a boat on the sea at such an hour!

.

PET R O S FLORES Christ! That's shel That's shel Her very self! PAN

T R ATAS

OS

Who? PIE TROS F L ORIES Royal Blossom! PA NO

The boat

T R ATAS

S

has pulled to shore now.

I

am going.

[He goes out hastily. Petros Flores looks out of the window in extreme excitement, then walks towards the door and paces up and down the floor impatiently. He tries to speak but the sound dies out in his mouth before it becomes a voice. He goes to the window and watches some scene that is taking

PET

place on the shore.

ROS

FLORES

She is coming this way. Every part of her body and

her dress has something

of the flow and ripple of the

wave! 83

ROYAL BLOSSOM [He fixes his eye on the door and waits like one turned to stone. Royal Blossom ap pears with a sailor's cape thrown carelessly over her shoulder and reaching to her feet. She holds the cap in one hand and with the other she is trying to adjust her hair which has been loosed during her struggle the oars in the boat.

ROYAL.

I

Here

B L OSS O M

am! And you weren't expecting me either.

PET

ROS

FLORES

Here you are? What for? What has happened

ROYAL

B L OSS

to you?

OM

would have been proper not to come. Now it's all

I

all

It

with

alone not go back to town at this hour that old boat! am dead tired rowing for two hours. sailor; and passed for keep my head down had could

my home

a

for

while,

then

little too early

in

up

lost: They woke today and couldn't

I

play

is

My

silent

as all

to

[She sits down and she begins again.

is

I

painful.

hide my face. That made my job twice am dying.

be a he

the time

I

to a

I

I

in

over.

found. The truth

to

a

to

It

it

understood all. into my father's mind and came him like knife through his heart, worse than kill me once. the knife with which he had threatened

flashed

84

ROYAL BLOSSOM PET

R O S FIL ORIES

I

don't want you to talk about your father. Just tell me about yourself.

ROYAL

I did

BIL,

OSS

my best to get there before

O

M

it

was too late.

I tried

to patch the matter up. The whole neighborhood had come to the fountain—quite a crowd—I made up my mind to win the people to my side with flatteries. It was a gamble.

PET R O S FLORES in gambling and flattering! You don’t seem to have any scruples talking so plainly about bothl

You are

an expert

ROYAL

BIL OSS

I

OM

I

Yes! am an expert in everything, and do know the conflict that stirs in me all the time; care and con tempt for the world. You haven't forgotten the school where

as boys and girls we used

to go. Boys and girls

I

talked plainly about their thoughts and spites and cast them roughly in their teeth. kept nothing secret and never cared about restraint. hated

me

there

because

I

Only when we played blind-man's-buff and you were it and you had to grope about blindfolded and they slipped away and laughed at you, couldn't stand it and would turn informer and lie. would sneak up to you and whis

I

I

I

per to you whom to catch and how to catch them. And at the same time manage to loosen the handkerchief so that you might see a little. Then would lure the others

I

85

all

ROYAL BLOSSOM near you with

of

kinds sweet words and caresses till they fell into your net like beguiled birds.

FLORES

PIE TROS

Why recall these things now?

to

as

I

was

I as

slaves.

O

them?

M

afraid they might tell my father and make them keep my secret. didn't want my

to

I

was

I

I

OSS

of

S

this? Were you afraid

ROYAL

could not hide

FLORES

L

all

But why

had come from.

could use them

PET

wanted

B

to

I I

knew where that from them; but

No!

They

slip from them with sweet words and promises.

B

They

fall

ever. Ready

them for the same reason. me, and humble me. So

R O

all to

ready

to

were ready

am the same

to

fool others and

on lie

to

I

To remind you that

OSS OM

L

ROYAL

be

I

do

A

to

frightened by know. creature like me can't father anything now. But love my father and pity him. P E

TROS FLORES

doesn't deserve even your pity.

OSS OM

L

ROYAL.

B

He

to

crumb

of

never knew but whom

I

I

my mother whom

is

he

all

I

a

is

It

from your table, my reveller, and didn't want hurt him any even that offends you? my old father and the husband more. After only

86

have always

tell me that she deserves such

a

worshipped. They

all

ROYAL BLOSSOM worship.

in

in

a

moment [Her emotion overcomes her for her hands; but and she hides her face quickly she raises her head, holds herself erect, and speaks with controlled fervor,

The people yielded

to

her usual

manner.

my caresses and flatteries

it

of

I

on

of

in

in

it

to

a

child and they tried hide me. But was my home. vain. They had guessed everything light There was your shadow before me—a shadow everybody's that couldn't part from. Your name was lips, and was mated with my name. The sun our all

changeable

like

a

was now

stranger.

Still

I

I

me and my house.

a

I

of

love had startled their eyes still sleepy and sickly from pit had opened between the night. saw that the hold did pity as

a

is a

I

be

a

I

In

I

to

my father and indifferent; tried even posed your denier. weapon and war lie, too, most effec tive one. But then heard someone insulting you, the very

a

all at

a

a

in

place

house

everything: care, duty, sorrow, shame,

all

I

I

I

who had taken my mother's

in

my father's house, the place that should have remained always empty. flame, felt new strength burn me like Then strength that cannot explain with words; and once threw into the pit that had opened between me and my person

those

is

am again what

I

I

air.

have always been since my 87

of

I

to

is

to

I

I

to

So

to

on

up

I

crippled and crooked things; felt some wings that grew me and lifted me the heights, and from those proclaimed my love. heights have nothing hide bind me any longer. That how turned and nothing the sun with body and soul. My new home back

child

all

all

ROYAL BLOSSOM

on

of

on

of

of

the freedom the world, beyond hood—free with walls and fences, out on the shores the sea, on desert islands, high plateaus the wide stretch the plains,

my heart

PET

full

in

I

I

mind; and

in

is

I

to

have come meet you with my and peaks; and grown wings. Here the end. have nothing

my

have nothing but you!

FLORES

ROS

. .

L

OSS OM

B

ROYAL

.

A

to

it

a

it

to

is

in

something locked my heart; something too my lips. longing deep for me reach and bring binds me with chains and struggle stirs me There

go

I

to he to

at

Iis,

up

Then my father cursed me and turned me out. The my home. gave could back there before truth my father's feet, and beg him forgive evening, fall

I

it

I

be a

be

to

he

is

he

would have forgiven me because more forgive shows. But ask my father tender than like deceiving him once more. Would not me would lie? don't wish anybody's forgiveness. Would

me; and

A

to

to

I

So

I

I

I

I

A

lie! Would confess was wrong? lie! wouldn't mind humbling myself before him, but would have shown him mind deceiving him, my father. you than by going back greater respect by coming here my home. forget you?

ROS

FLORES

deserves

is

he

Your father isn't worth either contempt and war. 88

respect

or

PET

love.

What

ROYAL BLOSSOM ROYAL

BIL OSS O M

I

know the worm that gnaws you. There is a father that stands beside you from the other world. I, with my light brain, have cast out my living father; you haven't you and you have to obey! The dead bids you hate my father, Dendro gales, and make war on him and on everything that comes from his blood. That is why your love for me— cast out the dead. The dead commands

cover

it with April

roses as much as you may—is like the

I

of

to

I

S

O

PET

R

. . .

I

it!

I

go

muzzle of a rifle turned against me. am like a hunted expect from bird to you, my hunter. It isn’t joy that straight you and the place am proud of sacrifice; and know

FLORES of

Dendrogales; you are not the daughter you have Royal Blossom only, and nothing else. Just mother, you will more know your father. have killed him for you. Though my hand was slow, my mind has committed the murder. This was the war that was are

worm;

a

eating into my vitals—not thing ended. You were

a a

I

no

no

as

You

flame!

Now every

I

of

an

is

is

I

no

It

of

to

is

double being for me. had destroy the breed Dendrogales. seems the desire have won my end. There's father nor daughter now. you, one, orphan orphans, my Royal left What think

of

of

all

it,

of

I

Blossom. Your name tells me everything. When the rushes our plains and all the lilies

our

89

end.

O

love mine me give you the kiss

to

let

murmur your sweet name from end and shelter, star and light, come,

of

gardens bathe me with their fragrance; and our seashores

ROYAL BLOSSOM that knows no end. Royal guide!

Blossom, my wife and my

[He makes an effort stops

Blossom her hands steps.

ROYAL

I

to

him

before

embrace her. Royal unyielding, stretching

her and retreating

a few

BIL OSS O M

I

am the daughter of Dendrogales. have denied my father's house and have taken the burden of his curse

I

on me—but to deny my father's grief and to cast out my

I

father's name, never! am not ashamed of my father's name and I tell you that in this hour, which will never come again, the hour in which you make me the present of your name. PIE TROS

FLORES [As if speaking

I

to himself.

Asleep or awake, still hear my father's voice: drogales was my ruin!”

ROYAL

“Den

B L OSS O M

Dendrogales is a ruined man, as was your father. Ever since was a child my father's words ring in my ears. It was a moment's weakness that made him commit a

I

wrong. He had not planned to deceive him. When the moment to pay back his debt had come, some hand held him back. He hadn't the power to push that hand aside and to walk the straight path. When he fell back on his word, don't forget he didn't have his first wife, but the other one. The first one—I can assure you of that—was 90

ROYAL BLOSSOM a light to his mind just as the other one holds him bound

I

with chains. Once and only once heard him murmur in an unexpected explosion of anger: “One woman is enough to save us and one woman is enough to ruin us.” never again. “Yes, my saw him angry with my stepmother

I

Lady,”

word she spoke. Just as you are sorry for old Flores, who, though dead, still lives in you, you should have mercy for old Dendrogales, who he would say to every

although living is like one dead

.

.

.

PET R O S FLORES What has become of Panos Tratas?

[He calls

out of

Where are you? Where did

the window]

Panos Tratas! you hide! Come up, now!

[Panos

Tratas comes in.

P A N O S T R A TAS At your

command.

I was the

first to receive the young

lady—but

she wouldn't pay the least

She asked

if you

attention to me.

were here and as soon as

I

showed

I

where you were she slipped out of my sight. Am

her not

right?

PET

ROS F L O RES

I

Right. She came to her betrothed. To you first trust my great secret, since you were the only one who guessed it—in the right way, and kept it with friendly care.

I

am to marry Royal Blossom.

PANO

Your joy is

S

my joy, too!

T R ATAS

I 9I

am happy now! Never

in

ROYAL BLOSSOM the world was there a better match for man and woman.

Yet

I

I

am not your spokesman;

am your friend who

takes care of you. You have granted me that already. Have your wedding. But you must match your great joy to the big work ahead of you. You must not postpone unless you mean to be

delay will you injury. Can you com

A

all

your trip even for your marriage your business. left behind in

moment's

do

only bind your hands, and bine your wedding and your sailing?

FLORES

ROS

the

as

ATAS

O S

R

T

P A N

as

Never mind. Forget the ship. The first thing wedding possible. Then comes the trip. soon

is

PET

so

as

is

as

Nothing first and nothing last. Both must meet some just important how, because the one the other. That's my opinion. Never was your need for haste pressing.

a

he

friends

BIL OSS

92

it.

take her

me and though

OM

open his door

thousand

for

to

No matter who might should beg me

to

to

ROYAL

or R

O S

Aren't there any relatives little while?

to

a

T

is

ATAS

P A

N

she left

in

go

Royal Blossom cannot back town The door of her home closed her.

as

FLORES

PIE TROS

times,

you know, Panos

ROYAL BLOSSOM

I

Tratas,

am not the kind of woman

who would cross his threshold. don't want anybody's charity or grace. would rather go with the gypsies—oh, happy gypsy

I

I

women!

PAN

T R ATAS

OS

it.

is

to

to

in

be

to

You will

FLORES

ROS

Father Agapios

the Monastery—it

an

go

PET

at

It

it.

Now listen me. We will spend the night great! agree, Petros Flores? The night morning before we know Tomorrow, Sunday, will every way have our wedding; and day we will try after tomorrow we set sail. Agreed?

That ends here. Do you

to

is

as

as

to

is

open the hour's sail. You will tell him town, get ready whatever neces little chapel. Run simple you can. For wedding crowns use sary. Just vine or rushes. It’s all the same to me. You will be the

about half

best man. Let's have everything done by tomorrow night.

ROYAL

BIL,

OSS OM

FLORES

fast— Let me speak 93

you first

.

ROS

.

so

Don't

go

PET

.

life

to

come to

the ship's figurehead

. . .

you? Say that you will—let me

be

And then sail away—what? You will take me with you—won't you? You will take me aboard your ship and you will set me by your side, your fellow pilot—won't

ROYAL BLOSSOM ROYAL

BIL OSS O M

I

wish to run to you, away from everybody, sailing towards all the seas of the world. Ever since was a

I

I

child a secret longing made my heart beat. couldn’t explain it and yet could hear it groan deep within me.

I

I

I

me. The house

choked

longed to be the wife of Petros Flores know it now. and a fairy of the sea. The walls were always heavy on

I would always

The

me.

neighbors

sickened

me.

find some excuse to climb on the window sill, run out into the street, play on the beach, go sailing in the little boats, help in the washing at the river, reap in the fields, pass the nights under the stars, plan out festivals, mingle my dance with the gladness of the sun,

I

and join the merriment of the wind. Haven't lived all this time with the burning desire and sleepless expecta

open the way for me and

to

it to

a

I

all

tion of another life deeper and freer, a life more precious vague dream, some and more perfect? Then it was thing that couldn't exactly define; and now you come show me this

life

revealed;

is a

It

of it

new birth. Do you see them now,

all these seas with their storms

see them,

and calms,

the shores

I

as

with

a

a

a

of

I

is

clearly. still very far away but can see life movement, terror, and love, life all those things new youth and whose death ends whose age becomes

these things

I

your side, Petros Flores? 94

a

be

to

do

I

a in

by

all

of

with their headlands, the cities and their ports with their ships sailing and out? want hosts woman of the sea and traveller! Should not have

ROYAL BLOSSOM PET R O S FLORES are my love and

its

in

its

to

it.

to

my wife and my life, the root How could you wish me trust you and foundation of the waves? No-you will not come with me. You will my house, stay here keeper and mistress, and

You

is

worth, with

its is

of it

to

of

I

in

he

A

you will wait for my return. man not happy because travels; happiness lies the return. wish for some thing most precious balance the greatness the sea; be as limited as the sea vast. What would and let be

terrors

.

to

in

to

he

seaman

if

a

beyond all description, could not look ahead the day when find the corner of his home his he would return the life

ROYAL Your

home,

BIL OSS

O

be

in

is

as

as

faithful and simple the sea my home, which now false and fickle? You will stay your home. will heart's companion

M

Petros Flores? Your home?

I

in

in

is

Across the my father's home and his curse will filter through street my ears every minute and hour. the walls and will buzz shall have to live the midst of that crowd of Then of

at

a

to

I

of

day infect you with drunkenness and will drag you wings! its train—and have been dreaming

clearly lighted image.

I

could not see

Until now

95

in

FLORES

make your wings stronger. a

I

I

PIE TROS

will

in

its

it,

I

if

to

or

to

joy-hunters and gossipers, crowd drunkards ready me, accord burn incense before me throw stones ing their whim. This crowd—I wonder should tell you this—no matter how much you scorn will some

my love

didn't know

ROYAL BLOSSOM our passion would be our salvation or our ruin. A dead man and a living man—men of our own blood— were to blame. But now there comes to me a power to will whether

I

and to decide and see clearly. So from the moment you become my wife, feel it is my duty to speak to you the in a plain language. Now can lighten my love of

I

all

I

I as

I

love my girl, take his words is

it

understand and respect your love. For that worth, say, “Bravo!” brother. Royal Blossom,

I

Now

RATAS all

PAN

T

guide you. O S

you and

to

envelop

to

is

It

it.

to

I

to a

wine that made me reel and wander. However passionate my duty drunkard's song may be, must stifle you, and with open my manly and sober soul

holy communion.

PET ROS FLORES of

The fairy

The

people's

of

of

I

of

on

I

of

I

of

as

idol! Neither the you only dream one nor the other. From now my home. the queen hate the customs this place the life you have been used and altogether am afraid the sea!

in

let

a

to

until now. Dendrogales' Royal Blossom has lived; she good soul. Now let Flores' Royal Blossom live. was the world about you trouble you the least; Don't

96

in

to

by

my home.

a

I

if

of

by

I

let

of

the world beyond your birthplace but don't dream either. Keep away from their service and from their love, come back from my great journey me too. When your home. the world and loved find you forgotten you you were come with me? What would become want cloudless sky No! You are not for the sea;

ROYAL BLOSSOM ROYAL

OSS

BIL,

O

M

[After a little while of silent thought.

Just

as you wish.

Your wish

commands.

PET ROS FLORES And don't forget our brother and guide. Panos Tratas will always stand by you, a master in ships as in life. [Voices of people coming near are heard from outside. Panos Tratas hurries to the win

dow to see.

PAN boats

have pulled ashore. Some men and women

is;

Two

T RATAS

OS

of

of

of

to

OSS OM

L

ROYAL.

B

up

is

is

Kyra Altana, the wife are coming here. There she Demoulas, one them. Well, well! The whole neigh Midfield, though here, the field-guard borhood he comes from Souli. What's his name?

Kostas Burnovas.

ATAS be

Karales, too! Why should

he

R

T

IN

O S

PA

coming?

. . .

or

my way,

RATAS

T

N

O S

P A

Karales? He'd better keep out

of

PET ROS FLORES

to

to

is

Keep cool, Petros Flores; this neither the hour nor hold one account. Let me receive them. the place They had better not suspect you are here. Go down 97

ROYAL BLOSSOM

it.

through the trap, then out through the back door and aboard the ship, while they are searching for you in here. Royal [After a pause] Well, we might have thought of

So

suppose,

unusual. They couldn't miss moonlit night! Here they come.

ROYAL of

BIL OSS

to

M

PET No,

of

be

afraid Are we going them, Petros Flores? to

Now! afraid

with something such fun this beautiful

amuse themselves

O

I

anything,

to

to

to

on

is

Blossom lost. That could set the whole town buzzing. They would guess she had eloped and they know Petros they Port Island. What could they lose? Flores find her, coax her, deride her, have hurried here

them? Are you

FLORES

ROS

to

Don't worry.

need be, tell them

our

S

T

our decision. O

P A N

joy. You can announce

If

them and muzzle them up.

of

of

to

us

all

I

of

I

am sick them. don't want see them, they will only kill my time and will spoil my joy with their prying and their meddling, and their shameless ways. the schooner. Meet there soon, Rather straight Panos Tratas. Now you can receive the whole pack

RATAS

[Petros Flores and Royal Blossom go down the trapdoor. The voices outside become Burnovas, Karales, more distinct. Kostras

Kyra Altana, Praxithea, Kyra other

men, women,

98

and children

Kale and rush in.

ROYAL BLOSSOM R Y R.A A L T A N A Where is she?

R Y R A K AL E To Let and

take wings in that boat alone, the little witch!

R A R AL E S I will take her back

me handle this.

will

to her father

make him forgive her.

PRA

XIT

HEA us

ANA

T

Y

R.A

L

R

A

or

let

And we were expecting to have a good time at Our Lady's of Geranos. She ought to know. Are we going not?

They told

us

PRAX IT H they

had

E A

where else

Geranos.” The stars are gone some

. . .

more “over the hill

of

of

on

Geranos? Still harping that? My poor Our Lady little Praxithea, “The stars aren't beaming bright” any

seen her come here and that

N OVA

S

U

R

STAS

B

R

O

Petros Flores was expecting her.

I

to

I

you, crazy women, that you should What had done drag me here, willy-nilly? have been wasting my time

We couldn't start out for

A

T

L

a

KY R.A

A

since daybreak with your mad tricks!

NA

two hours' sail without

99

any

of

Royal Blossoms!

could

OVAS

N

A.S Blu

least see Petros Flores, that crazy captain

“Do what And cast

it is

I

who made her crazy, they say:

might try

to

at

I

If

KOST

R

be

us

one to accompany us. We are women, and we can't

all

ROYAL BLOSSOM

open

his eyes. As

good and kind,

from your mind.”

up

IKY R.A. KALE in

A

he

to

to

are full play have made about her. Nikaros had

on a

the streets and wine-shops

of

AL ES

it

All

R

R

A

of

go

to

is

big crowd has stirred about her. hear the news. No one filled the landing, waiting town will bed tonight before knows what has Royal Blossom. become Everybody

song they his fiddle.

U

N OVAS

fine end!

T

L

KY R.A

A

A

end that way.

R

STAS

IK

B

was bound O

Petros Flores.

fuss about it? She has eloped with

to

make such

It

Why

a

KYRA KALE

ANA

Better say Petros Flores has eloped ruins our party anyhow. IOO

with her. That

ROYAL BLOSSOM. R Y R.A. KALE Do you

suppose

I lose

my gift, too? Were those words

of hers just air? She is a wise woman and knows her business.

R A R AL ES

ATAS care

if

I

hide from you nor

do

R

T

S

O

N

you

haven’t the least desire answer you. wasting words. Must you have it? It's none

of

I

to

Only

be

know

to

have nothing

it.

I

P A

.

it.

Say something, Panos Tratas! Are you trying to hide her shame? Everybody knows about it and drums are beating Do you

whole

town

is

S

L

E

A

R

The

our business?

waiting for

R

T

ATAS

let

PAN

O S

. . .

None the news

of

R

A

I

shall your business.

it

Well, then, them know Petros Flores and Royal Blossom Dendrogales are engaged. They have done

without even asking your leave. Tomorrow they will have their wedding the Monastery and am going their best man.

I

N

Ah, that's different now. Good luck

IOI

to

M

E

W

O

H

E

T

be

to

at

shamelessly,

them!

RóYAL BLOSSOM KARAL

ES

Wait until tomorrow. “The bishop of

the night turns

metropolitan at dawn” sometimes. P A N O S T RATAS

A good

match, aren't they? Youth, energy, love, wealth.

Nothing will be missing at their wedding tomorrow at the Monastery. IK O

STAS

B U R N OVAS

Master, you are mistaken. Something will be missing. P A N O S T R ATAS Are you thinking of Nikaros and his fiddle? We won't have time for any festivities.

KOST AS

I

BU RN

OVAS

wasn't thinking of that, master; what they will miss

is a father with his blessing.

IO2

THIRD PART SCENE Four Early

I

later. The same scene as in the first part. morning. Kyra Altana, Kyra Kale, and Praxithea

months

are seen at the fountain. Now and then songs are heard in the distance.

IKYRA AI, TAN A

I

Oh, my head is still buzzing. wish yesterday had can't bring myself to stay at home. never passed away.

I

KYRA KALE You don’t think, Kyra Altana, do you? since

I

I have

I

am much better off,

lost track of my children. It is two days only hear the have set eyes on my husband.

I

sound of his voice sometimes, in the songs that reach my ears from the streets nearby. have just come home myself.

I

PRAXIT H E A Never in my life have

I

been in a more cheerful

cele

in

all

bration than yesterday. The Monastery simply burned with the lightning and thunder of the merrymakers. The young men, their best clothes, firing their rifles and their blunderbusses; the little church with its swarm IO3

vow

an

to

the new brides who had to

the celebration

as a

to

ing crowd; and then

all

ROYAL BLOSSOM come

easy child-birth.

KYRA KALE to

of

of

Starvrakena, Aph There were Renula, the daughter Kivotos, not mention rodite my cousin, and Marigo our own girls.

IKY R.A ALT ANA How could

they make any impression side by side with

her faults and

her folly, she deserves

all

With

all

all

PRAXIT H

E A

Royal Blossom?

the

N

A

T A

L

IK Y R.A

A

I

I

If

of

in

the world. She was not like any other guest admiration the festival; nor like any other woman. She was the could only see her once more Heaven's joy, the witch. might give my life.

be

a

is

is

of

The truth truth. From the day her wedding her bright with her grace. And what soul! For her home friends there's no sacrifice she won’t make. She feeds the is

to

or

gifts poor. Where there's alms given the giver the same: Royal Blossom. She has sealed even the lips of her enemies. E

PRAXIT H A Still

her father hasn't forgiven her.

That yellow thing

of a

with that nose that drips with poison won't let him. Every time you mention her stepdaughter's stepmother

IO4

ROYAL BLOSSOM name

“May

the sign of the cross and says,

she makes

God give her light, my children!”

R Y R A KALE

I heard

her say the other day: “She is going down

hill

fast. She is bound to come to ruin. Oh, her poor old father!” Why should she say that? Do you suppose she knows something?

IKY R.A ALT ANA

I

old growler, that

don't believe so. She is a withered wife of Dendrogales.

PRAXIT H E A

R

Y

R.A

AI, TAN

Both the old man They have hardly

A

and his wife keep themselves shut come out since that morning.

in.

They did take it to heart, though.

bygones and not take

to

is

it

A

blame for everything. She will never

her man. She must drag him IOS

by

of

go

let

woman

that sort. We are

human flesh.

PRAXIT H That

much

E

feed

on

to

no to

heart. Our town can't stand things dragons

was

forget his anger with time. so

bygones

but it

be

He should

let

only proper for the old man

it,

her father's blessing

of

have

to

she didn't

on

in

of

grumpy old age. Petros Flores by taking The spite Royal Blossom for his wife has forgiven Dendrogales' the town. Of course, sins. He was the best bridegroom

the nose.

ROYAL BLOSSOM is,

IKYRA IKALE

It

at

do

a

is

Royal is so, of course, it is so. But the truth stretching the rope little too much. You Blossom the fair yesterday proper, don't call her conduct you?

IKY R.A ALT ANA She behaved

IKY R.A. KAL

wine they had

E

danced and made the people drunk with never drunk before.

a

or

propriety folly, my Christian woman? like the sun and the moon. She rose and

of

Why talk

in

where she had come for her vow and where she was married.

at

that only four months after her wedding

the very

the very church

LT ANA

Oh, well, Panos Tratas, her husband's devoted stood by her, didn't he?

makes

friend,

R

A R

ALE

all the worse. As soon as Karales

in

all

That

it

RY

fair

A

IK YRA

at

of

is

she danced

in

I

daggers with Karales, who with her husband. Everybody knows they are enemies; everybody; and yet she danced with Karales front mean

Ioé

word

to

furious. He went away without saying there will be trouble.

a

to

his party, she forgot about Panos Tratas. She danced with Karales and that made Panos Tratas

vited her

her, and

ROYAL BLOSSOM IKY R.A AI, TAN A

If

I

I

only know that is so don't know what to say. that everybody in the fair was spellbound with Royal Blossom's grace.

PRAX IT H E A They are still coming back from the Monastery. In a little while the hautboy and the song will be deafening our ears. The boatmen have found a job now. It isn't very wise to stay here long.

The

will

soon be filled with drunkards. Time to take care of our homes, too. streets

with their jars. From the di rection of the beach comes Nikaros, the fiddler, and from the other side Pothula with her jar.

[They go away

P OT H U L A Good morning, Uncle Nikaros!

NIIR AROS

I

Good morning! the fair.

thought

I caught a glimpse of you

at

P OT H U L A

I

Oh, at the fair! was there until late in the evening bring flowers every year to Our Lady with my mother. of the Monastery. It is a vow of mine. This year had

I

I

planted carnations for her in my garden. The whole year took care of them—they were double carnations with the color of flame. And to confess my sin to you, instead

I

IoW

ROYAL BLOSSOM of placing them before the image of Our Lady them to somebody else.

I

gave

NIR A R OS To whom? PO T H U L A To Royal

I gave

And

Blossom!

N I KAR OS her my violin.

PO T H U L A How?

NIR A R OS My

I was

at Karales' party with other men and played for her and she led in women. Then she came. violin!

I

I

accompanied the dance. Then she sang and her song. played and she danced again. Then played and Then

I

crowd, young men and beautiful girls, the island ant hill with the people who thronged chapel covered with green garlands and

that seemed like

it,

an

its

and

I

I

sang for her and she saw that everything about me, the fair

she sat down to hear me. Then Smiled. Suddenly

I

little the filled with light, the bay that glittered far away sun, the whole creation and every living thing, were like them all shadows and lies, and the biggest, saddest fiddle, kind lie that knows was Nikaros with his lie

is

of

it

of

to a

lie

in

the

in

I

I

so

of

of

a

pass into truth. So and hasn’t the power the many shadows, the dance could see one midst true and living being revealed, Royal Blossom; and

Io8

ROYAL BLOSSOM

I

felt sick and ashamed; and had my revenge on my fiddle; broke it into a thousand pieces and threw it at her feet. The people thought was drunk, but Royal

I

I

I

a

it.

Blossom came up to me and said: “Nikaros, never mind For some time the old fiddle; you did well to break very old fiddle that have been keeping for you now is

of

I

to

it

able

play

any fiddle. no your grace, and

I

never

on

shall

to

I

song

had been dreaming and was afraid of. Such

be

I

the song

a

I

I

do

I

a

you.” And wonderful sound. will give said: “Lady, what can with the fiddle? This the end the world for me. Today have heard the fairy's song; has

I

to

it

I

foolish, meaningless

words. Yet

I

them

as of a

as

at

it

a

longer need fiddle. sacrifice place your feet, Lady!” The thoughtless people the about me laughed because they took my words man drunk with wine. Perhaps so. They took words was the great

A

OT H U

L

P

drunkard and the great victim whom the beautiful fairy had struck.

I

I

heard the fairy's voice, too. Every time

I

Blossom speak,

heard Royal

was thrilled with the suspicion that her

I

I

I

be

human. Now words came from lips that could not can swear that heard the fairy speak yesterday, and am not afraid that she will make me dumb. Even to

I

A

Io9

the Virgin with

to

a

of

mother brought me little silver image her little crown. “Royal Blossom sends Holy Virgin! said, “for your flowers.”

it

to

I

in

speak though she does, shall have me her voice me. This morning was hardly awake yet when my you,” she

ROYAL BLOSSOM

NII up

broken pieces crippled body; and picked

smashed my fiddle

had ever loved

I

I

more than

I loved

its

I had

a

After

AR OS

to

I

to

be

to

or

bury them somewhere make amulets you! am sleepy. with them. Health them

S

AL

E

R

R

A

[Karales comes and stops him. Pothula goes away.

OS

I

R

I

R

Go and ask Royal Blossom

a

OS

. . .

NIR

be

a

S

E

fiddle and

wedding without Nikaros can’t A

I

IO

to

hear Karales’ answer. Karales very the end speaks freely and loudly he had not seen Panos Tratas.

if

lingers

to

he

to

is

[Panos Tratas seen passing by and going towards the street the left. When he hears Royal Blossom's name, without show ing that he has heard goes slower and as

there.

A

be

Bah! That will never you will wedding.

AL do. You will find

A

R

to

at

your command.

at

I

to

by

have

possess

come

fiddle now. tomorrow afternoon shall one Else, look for someone else. fiddle

the fair broke my

If

pieces.

no

You know yesterday my drink

be

R

NIR

A

do

I

I

Get ready, Uncle Nikaros, was looking for you. am having my wedding tomorrow afternoon. We cannot without your fiddle.

ROYAL BLOSSOM

NIKAR OS

[Continues.

—Royal Blossom, the wife of Petros Flores, your friend, to send me the

fiddle she has promised me.

I

IKARAL ES

I

didn't know it before. am just coming from her house. have nothing against Petros Flores, in spite of what people say. Only my bride has pestered me Too bad

I

to death; “She must have Royal Blossom,” she says. Then she came and kept us company and spoke so heart ily and gently at the Monastery Fair. felt it my duty to invite her. That is why went there. She said neither yes nor no. She will see.

I

I

I

have done my duty anyway.

Then she is under some small obligation to me

.

.

.

NIR A R OS What obligation?

KARAL

ES

She had some difficulties and

I

A

I

straightened

them out

little money— shouldn't speak of it though. So don't you be found missing. for her.

N

I KAROS

I told you I don't know.

It

is hardly half an hour since have come back from the Monastery. can hardly stand. Health be to you!

But

I

RARAL E S

Till

we meet again!

III

I

ROYAL BLOSSOM

SCENE In

II

porch. A large sofa. Flower pots. A table with sewing things and the house of Petros Flores. A glass-covered

various pieces of cloth. Two or three chairs. On the one side a door leading to a bedroom. On the other another door leading to the stairs. Royal Blossom stands near the second door, while someone is coming up the stairs.

ROYAL

BIL OSS O M

Welcome, best man! [Panos Tratas is seen standing on the thresh old with a stern and sullen face.

P A N O S T RATAS Madam, you have done wrong!

ROYAL

B L OSS

OM

How do you come like that into my house? P A N O S T R ATAS the house of Petros Flores, my brother. He has me swear that would take care of his house as

This is made

I

I

long as it was left without your husband's shadow. was to be that shadow for his wife, he said, and a guardian in his house. Your husband it was who chose me for his brother and his counsel.

ROYAL My

BIL OSS O M

husband is my master and my counsel, and you are

II2

ROYAL BLOSSOM our good brother. But or your manner.

I can't

understand your complaint

P A N O S T RATAS You do; only you don't

seem to like them.

Do you

wish me to speak right out? You haven't behaved well. Your behavior wasn't that of Royal Blossom, the wife of Petros Flores, but of a thoughtless

ROYAL

BIL OSS

woman.

OM

I

Thoughtless? Why?

Give me your reasons, quick! want to hear everything. You won't be a man, you won't be Panos Tratas, if you don't speak out my fault.

PAN O S T RATAS Don't flare up. Be a little

There is time yet to make up for any failings. The ship is well built. Its sails are well sewn. Its rigging is perfect. All it needs is a little ballast.

ROYAL

calmer.

BIL OSS

OM

I am

sick of parables. Panos Tratas, speak out clearly and bravely. Don't talk Hebrew. Be a man! PANO

S

T RATAS

Only shameless fellows can't restrain their words and blurt them out without any consideration. These words of mine that you laugh at have given courage once to Petros Flores. That's how his love for you became stronger. made him understand that the daughter of Dendrogales could become his wife in the eyes of

II3

all

I

the world.

ROYAL BLOSSOM ROYAL

BIL OSS

OM

Royal Blossom won Petros Flores with her own sword!

had better let this sword grow rusty in

scab

L

B

I

These aren’t the words of

ROYAL

shall have

ATAS

R

T

S

O

N

M

fear my husband

wise woman.

BIL OSS

O

-

P A

I

to

begin The moment stopped loving him.

OSS

a

ROYAL.

O

of

to

hold always sharpened bard and find another one your hands, the fear your husband.

in

You

its

P A N O S T R ATAS

M

to

I

care

to

take

care

you and

to

am under oath

of

I

O

M

in

B

my house?

ATAS

R

T

N

OSS

inquisitor

O S

P to A

And who made you

an

ROYAL.

L

is

I

or

annoy you don't care whether not! What that you are shaming your husband. about

I

Do

A

R

T

to

TAS

N

S

O

P A

I

you and my stepmother. Such wisdom leave you know, you are rather annoying?

Petros Flores, my brother, protect you.

II.4

ROYAL BLOSSOM ROYAL

BIL OSS

OM

Petros Flores was counting more on your brotherhood than on your foolishness.

PAN os TRATAs [Angry beyond control.

I

Foolish! Because was willing to be your escort at the fair in the Monastery where you were to appear before the world, a four months’ bride, with your husband far away, cast out of your father's house, a cursed daughter, without your husband's shelter! And you went to worship there and to make a vow to Our Lady and to pray that she may send the traveller back to you soon with able winds. Foolish!

Because

I

favor

you to be

have wished

thoughtful and restrained and honored! Foolish! Because you turned your back shamelessly on me as if had never been there by your side; I, Panos Tratas, your

I

a

a

all

relative, your brother, your shadow! Because you forgot yourself and lost control and you ran away like stallion without rider and you mixed with everybody,

all

a

a

at

if

as

if

as

you had never seen any people greedily and thirstily, you had never been fair, chat such before and ting and cackling and acting altogether like thoughtless

all

the eyes

of

dance with but Karales!

In

to

no

to

no

if

And

as

this wasn’t enough, you call me other company foolish because you went and picked mix with but Karales! Because you found other person

person.

the world,

to

II

5

if

to

a

newly wedded bride, without your husband, raving dance Nikaros' endless fiddling with whom but mad you had forgotten how your husband Karales! As

you,

ROYAL BLOSSOM spoke of Karales, and how he was wronged and what he thinks of Karales . . .

ROYAL

by Karales,

B L OSS O M

[Making a great effort to control herself.

Come to your senses, Panos Tratas, come to your senses. Believe me, was only joking. didn't win him with my sword. Forgive me. It was you who spoke good and wise words to him, you who rejoiced thoughtfully in

I

I

our joy and who took us into your heart, was PAN

I

OS

it

not?

T R A TAS

I

Now, too, am thoughtfully sorry and with my heart tell you that you have made a mistake.

ROYAL You

B L OSS O M

speak to me like a stepmother

and like one whom

a stepmother drags by the nose. You speak to me as all the bad people about me speak, the blind and light headed, and jealous, and worthless ones.

I

did laugh and talk and dance with Karales without any guile and with out any design, as would have done with any other man from our town or anywhere who behaved with courtesy and consideration towards me at that fair. True, didn’t

I

I

I

a

I

II6

it,

in

of

I

no

to

a

I

if

it.

ought to think of anything else. You must be right. But haven't thought isn't have thought of proof that my place evil thoughts have that you swear meant nothing wrong. mind?

ROYAL BLOSSOM P A N O S T RATAS Now we have come to swearing. The next thing will be tears . . .

ROYAL

It

BIL OSS O M

was only a way of speaking. Tears from me?

I don't

course,

feel obliged

Of

I consider my

to take an oath.

conduct as sacred as an oath every time. You ought to thought that you, too, were happy in my know that. happiness. You ought to know that. That is how acted. my heart after happiness and One moment went with was happy for the happiness the people another

I

My joy

of

was

so

hearty and guileless that all the mad enjoyment the world the

O S

N

T

my husband never failed me once. P A

thought

of

the midst

of

in

who were there.

all

I

of

all

I

I

RATAS

a

I

am

.

do

ATAS

swear that

thought . .

I

talk like

conceited

woman.

I

R

O S

a

I

swear that you are

M

T

stranger.

P A N

less man and like

to

BIL OSS

swear that you have come

a

do

I

ROYAL

O

to

Though you refuse the oath, your imagination doesn't fly. refuse

swear that

I

know whether

they

will find anything 117

to

do

to

of

no

is

be

your ruin! swear that your thought better than the thought those men who live from mouth and don't realize that what they ate yes hand they terday was found for them by mere chance, nor

your conceit will

eat tomorrow.

ROYAL BLOSSOM You

seem to forget everything behind you and to plan

nothing ahead. You neither consider nor care to consider anything. What happened yesterday is gone out of your memory altogether. What will happen tomorrow is noth ing to trouble you. You are in danger of forgetting every thing, shame and honor, too!

ROYAL

BIL,

OSS OM

Shame and honor? These words for me?

PAN

I am

OS

T R A TAS

only thinking of your good. Consider, and change

your ways. Soon it will be too late. Petros Flores will not be long in coming.

ROYAL

OSS OM

to open to you a heart that doesn't open easily

all

I wished

BIL,

conceited

T

S

woman

with

sharp

Per

right. You

to

haps something worse, too. Your stepmother come to ruin. are bound

tongue.

is

are

RATAS a

You

a

O

P A N

I

it.

Know once for that to anyone. You don't deserve sermons, hate and threats never move me. You are not only foolish; you are mean besides!

[Pothula comes in.

ROYAL Good morning, Pothulal

BIL OSS

II8

OM

ROYAL BLOSSOM P OT H U L A

-

I

Lady, may you live a thousand years! have received the little Madonna with the silver crown. A thousand blessings

from my mother. Am

ROYAL No, Pothula

I

.

.

.

BIL OSS O MI

dear, you are welcome.

Sit down; don't go

away.

PAN OS T Your ambition the end of you. pression

I

to show off before the world will be

Your only

on them.

R ATAS

im

dream is how to make an

I thought marriage

would change your

mind, but was wrong. Had you not been so conceited you wouldn’t have gone near Karales at any fair, no matter how courteous

he was to you.

You would

never

allowed him to come up your stairs, and never, never would have deigned to borrow money—from whom? from him! have

BIL OSS O M [Somewhat

.

do

.

take

feel

you think? from stingy people

What

it

I

course. Was

to . .

a

of be

to

I

of

I

lady always

lot .

There are

poor people and orphans suffering about me. help them. My money had gone some obligation must Money;

I

money.

an

good with

course,

a

Of

it.

do

wanted

to

I

needed

told you that? Money? it.

Who

startled.

.

ROYAL

me

to

for

I

It

ask him again.

II9

a

a

I

is

did ask Karales. He and simple-minded counsels? honest man, understands real need, and woman like was at the fair. asked him and he didn’t wait me.

ROYAL BLOSSOM P A N O S T RATAS

Do you know why Karales danced with you and why he was so courteous to you? To offend me! Do you know why he has come to invite you to his wedding? To offend your husband! Do you know why he loaned you cash? might almost believe To stain your name. And you?

I

you are getting ready to show up at his wedding tomor r0W.

ROYAL

mean

ATAS

R

T

S

O

N

I

it.

He has invited me, and Karales' wedding. believe

P A

to

go

to

You must

BIL OSS O M

of

as

as

A

I

it!

any foolish act and knew Of that well even sin you are capable; because you are conceited and undisciplined. thousand husbands like Petros Flores prudent.

BIL OSS

OM

is

have one guide only, your beauty, and

it

R

T

S

ATAS dead

up

You

N

O

have only one guide that never fails me, my heart.

P A

I

ROYAL

or

could never make you humble

BIL OSS

M

settle.

I

two I2O

to

nothing for

us

There

is

ROYAL

O

its

on

to

go

you always hold the looking blind! Wherever you yourself. Any wind can blow you away and any glass back. You have neither ballast wave can sweep you nor helm.

wish you were

ROYAL BLOSSOM like Karales. Tomorrow he will be married. He has only to express his wish and will be his bridesmaid. Do you like that?

I

P A N O S T R ATAS To attend another festivity like that of yesterday, to have the chance to appear once more in full dress before

the dazzled eyes of the world, and to mirror yourself once more in their eyes, you would be willing to be not only his bridesmaid but dust at his feet, too, and some thing worse. P OT H U L A

For

the love of God, master, be silent, master!

Don't

listen to him, Royal Blossom; good lady, don't listen to him!

P A N O S T R ATAS Conceited, vain, heartless,

extravagant woman! Petros Flores has left you a thousand comforts, he has deprived you of nothing. And you? Do you think don't know

I

what is going on? Instead of settling down in your home like a good mistress to manage it with care and thrift, you opened your hands to everybody. He didn't take you aboard his ship because he expected you to manage his house for him and not to scatter his wealth abroad just

I2

to

edibles,

cash,

oil

clothes,

from your boxes and cellars anything from this year's olive

anyone

I

give out

to to all

to show yourself. Every beggar, every cripple, and every swindler, the idlers and rakes have found you out you with “Long live our generous lady!” You and flock

ROYAL BLOSSOM

all

your silver wares, just to hear your praises and to glut yourself with flatteries. Just wait and see what Petros this. Flores will have to say about BIL OSS

OM

R

T

S

N

O

not Panos Tratas.

P A

Petros Flores

is

ROYAL

ATAS

as

to

he

We agree there. He isn’t like Panos Tratas. That's you with my patience. He will why will not listen you have found him not waste words with you. Just in

his love,

Petros Flores.

I

hands

of to

I

it.

its

in

so

you will find him his anger, too. The heart that created you with fire will have neither the right nor the make you melt with power touch you. But you will not escape from the beyond control

know him better than you.

ROYAL

on

BIL OSS

OM

R

P

ATAS

T

N

O S

ever. Don't worry.

A

as

and kiss

as

you think, narrow me one can lay his hand minded man. The touch of Petros Flores will be caress

No

No! You don't know Petros Flores well. Else you

of a

is,

a

to

is

do

as

you do. And you don't know him because wouldn't talk you haven't loved him. How can you know what heart make fool man and love is? All you can to

fool

of

greater

a

a

yourself. The truth you don't thing! And you want have everything, though know you never know just what you want.

and

I22

ROYAL BLOSSOM ROYAL

I forgot to send

OM

BIL OSS

[To Pothula.

I

you

my life sings!

To

BIL OSS

course, the song that

M all

song,

of

ROYAL

O

We will see what song your husband will sing when he comes back.

My

at

ATAS to

R

O S

T

N

A

P

I

it.

of

it,

Nikaros that fiddle as had promised him; and he will need too. Oh, that song his the Monastery! shall never forget

ATAS

For

the love

of

A

OT H U

brainless and

L

P

on

your back the tune He will sing unworthy woman.

of a

R

T

S

O

P

A N

my tune.

heaven, Royal Blossom,

don't give him

any answer. [To

Panos

Tratas.

my housel A

OT H

L

P

Out

U

of

ROYAL BLOSS OM

ATAS

R

T

S

N

O

P A

Master, forgive her anger.

is

to

is

not your house! Neither this nor any other yours! You are doing your best ruin and house shame your husband's house; your father's house has cast

This

I23

ROYAL BLOSSOM you out and cursed you. The street! That is your house. Petros Flores, the master of this house, put me here. You will have to answer him.

ROYAL

BIL OSS

OM

I

your power, neither my house, tell you!

in

And that

of is

must first jump over

is a

it. it,

Out of my house! will answer none but myself. Be tween you and me, between Petros Flores and me, too, pit. To reach me you there if you must know

RATAS

ROYAL

BIL OSS

he

Petros Flores;

will soon

be

T

S

O

N

O

Sing these things

to

P A

in

of

I

small and worthless person—out the power Petros Flores, the strong and —nor worthy man. No one will ever touch me.

back.

M

to

Hear something else, too, you who have fooled your self with the thought that you can frighten me and make me the me beg your forgiveness every time you chant

I

a

I

I

to

I

of

Petros Flores. Petros Flores didn't marry me; brought him married him! his house. My spite and myself bound him with chains. made myself love him made him love me. He had conceived different and

name

me company.

I24

to

or

he

my master shipbuilder,

sit

you like

it,

if

or

or

he

I

it

he

I

in

carry out his mind about me but forced him spoke and was done. When comes back, another. later, will take his holy bread from my hand sooner not and whether will not. Now whether you will

plan

down and keep

ROYAL BLOSSOM [She

draws

near

her hand as

if

him boldly and spreads

out

she meant to pull him in or is a movement of anger and

strike him. It contempt at the same time; it is difficult to make out its meaning. Panos Tratas with

most vividly on back and goes out exclaim

disgust and horror painted his face draws

ing with a choked voice.

PAN

T R ATAS

OS

Anathema! Anathema! Your house is haunted, Flores! A fiend! A fiend!

Petros

Tratas is gone, Royal Blossom stands at first motionless with eyes staring before her as if something had struck her. Then she sinks down and falls on the sofa. She buries her face in her hands and sobs while she struggles to hold back her tears. Pothula runs to her and kneels before her in sympathy and fear.

[When Panos

ROYAL

B L OSS

OM

Petros Flores! Petros Flores! Poor me! Petros Flores! Oh! Oh! There is no joy for me! No joy! witch!

My

fate is a

P OT H U L A

Your fate is bright. Don't cry! You aren't born

ROYAL Do you

.

BIL OSS O M

come to me often, Pothula, to keep me company,

This is

dear.

to cry!

. .

a prison house for me and

Don't fail me. I25

I am

lonely. Only

ROYAL BLOSSOM all

P OT H U L A

. . .

It

be

Everything will be happy again. will

You mustn't cry

right, Royal Blossom, and you was nothing but anger and threats because with you the whole world

in a

some time

her

L

OT H

for

remains

U

P

hands and trance.

her face again

buries

as

Blossom

A

[Royal

in

cries.

OSS OM

BIL,

[Stands

Oh, yes, yes! Tomorrow. The wedding,

up.

course.

L

A

HU

let

T

PO

of

ROYAL

is

it

all

to

keep you com Bad people's gossip. Do you want me day tomorrow? You know Sunday tomorrow pany and Karales' wedding day.

a

I

to

ROYAL

BIL,

OSS

O

a

it

go

Good lady, one favor, me ask you favor once. wedding. go, that don't know why, Don't don't seems like bad sign for you. Don't go! Don't go! M

I

help me dress.

come tomorrow early

I

the afternoon

Do

will

go!

I

wear tomorrow. to

to

am going

in

I

I

I

I

can't grant you that favor. [She bends Pothula dear, and kisses her. Then she speaks with decision and without will go, yes, will go. will show you what restraint] must!

[They go towards the bedroom.

[Curtain.]

I26

FOURTH PART Three months later. The same scene as in the first part. Just about dawn in stormy weather. The stage is empty. Petros Flores appears going hastily toward the shore. A boy follows him with a trunk. From the opposite side Panos Tratas appears and meets Petros Flores. PANO

was just looking for you.

I

on

it

the boat.

ATAS

R

T

O

A

P

will

over. [To the boy] Go, put be there soon.

is

N

It

ROS FLO RES

all

PET

S

I

T R ATAS

S

I

all

R

ATAS

FIL

O

O S

didn't close my eyes

night.

RES

was my fault, my fault.

I

blame.

T

S

I

you.

It

to

is

O

N

PET one

there until the steamer

I

to

P A of

I

was thinking

No

will stay

R

my ship.

FLO RES

Patras. am bound for Trieste again am through now.

take me

I

to

comes

the Monastery. to

To

S

PET

R O

Where to?

I27

found

ROYAL BLOSSOM

to

even

to

up

an

I

a

it

to

of

I

far my father, whom they had brought crime for the sake cruel end. Surely was Dendrogales who killed him, my mind had made that sacrilegious scoundrel.

I

had sworn

as

to

expect?

as

What could

go

to

go

it!

myself chained. Curse upon To marry his daughter! Myself and light the flame that was burn me!

in

as

to

it

to

of

an

pay him back, eye for eye anywhere and anyway, putting her though should come sin. Yet instead anyone would have done my place, and shame,

T

N

O S

A

P

So

I

worshipped her and took kicking her out afterwards, once more Dendrogales has been my ruin. her up.

RATAS

FLORES

place for me! No one helps me. There me up. Someone

So

brace

whipping And the Black Woman move. Only words, mourning songs,

us

of

to

with some spell, the Black Woman the old tale, perhaps. we are men from head to waist and stones from waist to foot. one

has bound

no

ROS

us

no

than she.

is

a

is

PET This

worse

to

and sweeps away everything! Don't your senses. little. Come Consider

be

be

or

Calm yourself, my boy; don't see things that way. You sink too deep. You are just like your either fly too high any more like her. Oh, that wife. Don't let yourself stubbornness of hers! That stubbornness! It roots out

my guide, and then draw back

I28

in

go

is

and we cannot cries, and sobs. Neither hands nor feet. Nobody will stand by my right. half-way. You give me light, become Even you only fear and slip away.

ROYAL BLOSSOM P A N OS T R ATAS

I want

My

raise them

is

more solid foundation and

them.

FLORES

me about

it,

Why did you write

to

PET

S

destroy

again

R O

to

not

on a

up

to

I

I

to

wish is to give a hand for support and strength. and want to make things build; and when sometimes bring down things only

it fit

to mend things.

then?

Why did you

to

tell me the whole story? Why did you bring me here? Why didn't you leave me alone my fortune, ignorant

to

of

in

in

at

I

so

of

that might suspect nothing when every body pointed his finger me? She would surely like my eyes cast dust front the whole world. Why everything

with it? You know you can't a

without the dan drop everything and me fishing boat come here, why? moment

queen

in

a

lady,

S

R O

was my mistake, P E T

ATAS

R

S

O

P A N it

Perhaps

mistress,

a to

I

had

. . .

a

I

imagined that And my home, bee

a

cross the rough sea

a

ruin. Why did you make in

of

neglect such things even for ger

its

to

its

the cares that

T

and

go

all

to

to

I

did you make me cut my trip short while was planning sail beyond Kerteh? Why did you make me abandon Vangeles alone my ship fate, trusting cargo

-my

mistake, perhaps.

FLORES

it

it

I

tell you was not your mistake. No one's mistake. Do you suppose was your letter alone? Apostoles Sav

I29

ROYAL BLOSSOM vas came to see me one night at the port there and his

first words were: “Greeting from your wife. She was at the Monastery fair. She danced with Karales!” and so forth, the whole story. didn't hear of it from your letter

I

From whom? From Karales! [He stands silent for a while, then he begins again] I couldn't have made my will and my mind clearer to her. You alone. And even cash!

would think she was just waiting for my departure to deceive me. Don't you call this deceiving? What greater expect? To shame me with another man? shame can Perhaps even that has come to my lot and hasn’t reached

I

my ears yet. Perhaps you know it now and you won’t tell me because you pity me. PAN

T RATAS

OS

Don't go too far. Don't take things that way. It isn't your wife's nature to go as low as that. If she has been at fault at all, her fault is not beyond forgiveness. can tell you that though she has driven me mad with her be

I

havior,

if

she only comes to understand

PIE TROS

A

.

.

.

FLORES

that came into my life as she has come and held me spellbound as she did, and worshipped me as she did, and made me crazy for her as she did, and then be woman

haved as she did—is capable

of anything.

[He comes to the fountain, drinks water and sits on the stone.

PANO

The

neighbors

S

T R ATAS

begin to stir. Let us go out of the way.

I3o

ROYAL BLOSSOM PET

FLO RES

ROS

it]

I

I

so on

sit

There. [He points to a stone out of the way in the background and they go and am bound for weak, can’t even the Monastery and my feet are

to

I

I

a

be

I

I

jump into the boat. Did you think would have the strength? Did you dream would have any influence? ghost And did you imagine my name would frighten her? You were sure that when came back of

the

not held spellbound by the Black Woman you are? the old tale just Am

R

T

O S

to

believe that!

FLORES held the thunderbolt

in

thought

I

when

I

PET Just

ATAS

rather hard S

should find

N

R O

I

I?

it P A

as

I

beast!

of

her place and become the tamer

in

would put her

my

till

yesterday.

You know

I

up

I

a

me

I

I

held

as

to

something

is

I

I

a

thunderbolt struck me! You saw me last night came with the fishing boat and you felt sorry for when wish God were today was yesterday. [He me. silent and then begins again] was maimed man but

hand,

am

.

.

a

I

up

to

to

was expecting

I

shame about anything. As

it,

I

it,

of

feel

no

I I I

of

I

So

to

I

.

dying for Royal Blossom There are still moments say myself: “You are hers, her slave! Let ship, when duty, honor, and everything else hang beside her!” try pick strength every time hear voice from my heart: “You are bound.” Sometimes the bottom just bear am ashamed sometimes sometimes came back suddenly,

surprise her and make her writhe with I31

ROYAL BLOSSOM

I

before me, her judge and avenger! said to myself: “She will see me so and will come to her senses. She will cry and faint; she will fall at my feet and beg me to forgive her; she will become sober and remember

penitence

her place. She will confess her mistake did see instead? Ah!

I

PAN

OS

.

.

.” And

what

T R A TAS

What? Did she dare slight you, too? Did she use her sharp tongue against you as she did against me? The brazen woman! PIE TROS

FLORES

Something worse. In the first place, she fell into my arms, not at my feet. Beg forgiveness? She? Just listen,

I

might tell you this first—I wonder if told you about it? seem to be forgetting

I

I

have already

things.-I

can't

I

very well. Oh, yes; last night as soon as landed was met by Karales. used to turn my back on him before, but just then had to speak to him. He had come to welcome me. Something compelled me to do so remember

I

I

I

I

against my will. even went as far as to speak sweet words to him and to wish him happiness for his marriage. “By the way,” said, casually and with an air of indiffer

I

ence, “we have some little business to settle, haven't we?”

I32

he

said, “if you “All right,” that way.” “How much?” “Two hundred drachmas.

have the cash, thank God.” feel

I

it

at

let

“Oh, a little matter!” he answered, the cunning fool. your that worry you; you will pay your debt “Don’t right now when “Oh, no; let me pay convenience.”

ROYAL BLOSSOM Here is the paper.” And he took out of his bosom the paper, a promissory note, signed by her own hand! PAN

T R ATAS

OS

Royal Blossom's hand?

PET Her

own.

I took

FLORES

ROS

the paper, paid him the two hundred

I

I

and then, before knew how, had given him one thud with my fist, right on his head, and he fell down there for all know. flat with a groan. He may still

I

arms about me.

pushed

I

start and threw her

her back and began

to

the house. She gave

a

went

to

on

I

lie

drachmas

speak

I

them!

They hate me go

“lies,

of

lies!” she answered,

all

to

had given Karales. Then she knelt before me. “They are lies!” she said, “all lies! They are just slandering me!” “Is Karales telling lies? And Savvas Apostoles and Panos Tratas?” “Yes, her words harder than the knock

at

at

it

to

lie

R

T

S

O

P A N

is

ture!

threw the paper her face. “No! false paper!”

It

I

and

me? And isn't this your own signature?”

isn't my signa

a

trying

to

“I

I

to

do

at

to

me harm!” “Didn't you the fair and want the Monastery?” “No, didn't.” “Didn't you dance didn't.” “Weren't you Karales' with Karales?” wedding?” “No, Petros Flores, no!” “Didn't you borrow cash from Karales?” “No!” “Then was Panos Tratas

ATAS

Christ! And did you stand there with folded hands, Petros Flores, you? I33

ROYAL BLOSSOM FLORES

PETROS

I just

Oh, what a shudder! Only once in his life can one shudder that way. It wasn't hatred, no! am not ashamed to confess it to you! That shudder was just fear! felt as if were in the hands of

At that

moment

I

shuddered!

I

I

It

was past midnight.

I

my deadliest enemy and as if a vampire were passing his hands over my body. I stood paralyzed. A man can meas ure himself with a man or a wild beast even but not with opened the window.

me

I

it

couldn't tell whether warm. All could see was the starlit sky. savage could hear the great sea roaring like a

beast,

but open and frank. She had something and honor that the creature beside me—a handful

truth dust, at

I

Far away

sweat covered

of of

was cold

A cold

I

over.

or

all

a ghost.

go

to

I

up

I

stood, weird and unsearchable—didn’t have. There my mind the window, praying for dawn. had made away anyhow. Far from that haunted place and the

haunting woman. To another life! To the bright air! To the pure sea shores! To the wide seas! To the great jour

A

R

T

S

TAS

right, Petros Flores. Go

to

That's

O

P A N

neys, without return.

your ship! The

S

PET

R O

Sooner the better.

FLORES

to

I34

it

of

it is

time. Without return. Go quietly, quietly, while Still, without rousing any suspicion, before the world knows my secret, before the whole town gets wind and comes shout into my ears something much more

ROYAL BLOSSOM terrible, something that my mind can't grasp yet. Slip away like a thief before daybreak. Then could hear from the streets the fiddlers going mad in the coffee

I

and in the midst of it fiddle apart from the

all

houses and their shameless songs;

go

to

or

I

to

a

to

I

I

could distinguish Nikaros' came out rest. The joy-hunters! The joy-hunters! day the Monastery and wait there two for the had take my trunk steamer that will take me away. on

to

at

all

it

with me and went back home with the boy. She under hang my once and was bold enough stood

I

a

I

on

neck: “Where are you going? No! You won't go! You howling. never saw her embrace can't go!” She kept felt snake coiled about me. She me like that before.

liars.

So

terrible!” The fiend go

pen, something

to of

on

crying and shaking: “Don’t leave me! Don't leave me! Don't leave me! Something terrible will hap

went

that she

.

.

.

as

crowd rushing that way

. . .

There's

a

as

I

to

might have another chance another fair and suppose. Let come what may! dance again with Karales, Fire burned me, let fire burn her, too. Will you come with far the Monastery? What's the matter? me to

[Cries are heard from the street the left. go Petros Flores and Panos Tratas forward

FLORES TAS

A

R

O S

T

cries are coming from my house!

P A N

The

S

PET

R O

to See.

of

I

is

up. They call for help! The whole neighborhood see your window open. That's the voice that girl— I35

what's her name? Pothulal People rushing from tions!

all

ROYAL BLOSSOM direc

PIE TROS FIL ORES himself

anger.

with sudden

not her trick! She means to make be

that

of is

Blast me

if

[Beside

I

the world.

RATAS

Something unusual must have happened. that way first and then

me

.

Let

go

O S

of

the eyes

T

me ridiculous

P A N

Making

in

on

to

so

I

a

it.

public scandal That's her voice. She must screaming from the window that cast her out, suppose, that everybody may come lavish and left her forever pity her and revile me and prevent me from going!

FLORES

PIE TROS

is

it

as

have

to

to

nothing but contempt for the her looking-glass; she world and yet she clings always brings the world before me; the world her She pretends

against me; the world

is

weapon

the chain with which

The devil!

she keeps me bound.

it,

What

is

A

L

home!

ATAS

R

T

S

O

P A N

Go home, Petros Flores, for God's sake,

go

POT

H U

D

N

T A N A A

L

R.A

A

R Y

of

[Men and women, sailors, boatmen, and work men rush in. Kyra Altana and Pothula run breath like mad women. They are out hardly speak. and can

for God's sake, what has happened?

I36

ROYAL BLOSSOM PET ROS FLORES

I

his waist scarf and hand weapon starts while

his

a

for

searches

he

[He brings

to

is,

won't stand for it any longer, no! Woman, harlot, tigress, vampire, fiend, whatever she she won't escape me this time!

in

towards his house. But Nikaros stops him rushing and shouting. R

is

A

L

ANA

The doctor! The doctor! Go home, Petros Flores,

go

L T

R Y R.A

poisoned! A

poisoned! She

dying!

OT H U is

is

P

Help! Royal Blossom! She

She

OS

A

NIR

home! with

like one half-awake from repeats

Poison! The doctor! [He raises his hand from his waist scarf, where had been searching; the hand clutch ground. ing knife which soon falls on the moment he totters and about to For faint, but Panos Tratas holds him. Then is

himself

and

takes to

towards his house. Soon

few

steps

he

braces

a

he

is

a a

stops again and hold himself, then

new effort turns back, pushes Panos Tratas aside and walks with big, decisive steps towards the shore. makes

a

Dying!

deep sleep

mechanically.

he

Help!

blow. Then he

like one stunned

a

[Stands

FLORES a

PIE TROS

I37

ROYAL BLOSSOM P E TROS

To

boat.

the Monastery!

It

FLORES

[Panos Tratas follows back

I

is getting late.

towards

Petros

must go to my

him. The others go Flores’ house. Then

his wife, and Kostas

Dendrogales,

Burnovas

appear.

KOST AS BURNOVAS At last,

we could not have expected a better day than

this, Dendrogales! You must have a look at the field with your own eyes and let the lady here, who takes care of everything, make an arrangement with the workmen. You see am a little different from your honor. Then you can come back in the afternoon. We will eat whatever is

I

handy in my hut. T H E W II* E OF DE IN

All

DRO

GAL

agreed now! We won't have to talk

DE N

DRO

ES

it over again.

GAL E S

It's a little cold; is your hut warm? R O STAS

B U R N OVA S

We can light the fire. We will go by boat. The sea is pretty quiet . . . [Praxithea and Kyra Kale come in running.

RY R A

R AL E

Dendrogales and you, lady, excuse us for stopping you. Your child is very ill. 138

ROYAL BLOSSOM DEN DRO

GAL E S

What child?

R Y R A R A LA AND PRAXIT H E A Royal Blossom! D E

N

D R O GAL

ES

Royal Blossom! THE

WIFE OF

DE N

DRO

GAL ES

We have no child.

R O STAS

B U R N OVA S

Don't waste any time; the boatman is waiting.

PRAXIT H E A She

has

taken

poison, Dendrogales; your daughter,

Royal Blossom!

R O STAS

B U R N OVAS

I

just saw her husband in a boat sailing towards the Monastery. What are you talking about?

KY R A K AL E Well, Royal Blossom is dying! You might just as well know it.

PRAXIT H E A And there is no relative near her! Neither husband nor father.

I39

ROYAL BLOSSOM DEN

D RO

GAL ES

I

I

O Christ! wish had never been born! is dying, wife! Is she dying?

My

God! She

THE WIFE OF DEN DROGALES Are you in your senses, man? Go on with your work. Are you going to be bothered with what people say? You have been told her husband has just boarded the Monastery.

That

a boat for

doesn't look like trouble.

DE

IN D R O

GAL E S

Her husband, Petros Flores,

a conceited

man, without

scruple or conscience!

THE WIFE

OF DEN DROGALES

Have we got anything to divide with him, or his house, or his wife? Do we know anything? Have they asked us about anything? Do we own any child? We have only liars and godless things about us. The thread is snapped once. So don’t worry about anything. DE N And

abusers

neighbors!

I had

DRO

GAL E S Go to your business,

and slanderers! a child once;

R O STAS

U R N OVAS

all

B

she is dead.

The boat? I40

S

GAL

E

O

R

be

the boat?

OF DE N

D

W II"

E

E

is T

Where

H

as

about such children! Come, Best to forget lucky with the they are waiting for us. We won't weather another day. Sure.

ROYAL BLOSSOM R O STAS Right

B U R N OVAS

there! DE N D RO

To

the boat!

Is

GAL E S

she dying?

[His wife takes him by the hand and leads him away. They go out.

II

SCENE

The home of Petros Flores. The porch as in the end of the third part. Pothula and Nikaros.

PO T H U L A Lost?

NIIR A R OS Nothing

So the doctor says.

can save her.

She can

R

NIR Her husband?

I4I

OS

A

N

at

A

failing. She isn't stirring A

is

She

A

R.A

Y

R

hope.

she?

L T

burned. There's vitals are comes from the bedroom] How

is no

all

only live a few hours. Perhaps, a little longer, too. She is strong and she won't give up easily. Her mind is still whole. She bears the pain bravely. The doctor said her

all.

[Kyra Altana

ROYAL BLOSSOM R Y R.A A L T A N A Panos Tratas came back alone. It was impossible to bring him home. Panos Tratas, alone, poor man, stands by her. He is at her feet and speaks no word, as if he were the one who took poison.

NIR A R OS Neither husband nor father. Even in her death strug gle, she must be with the world. And what a world! Still it had to be that way.

R Y R.A A L T A N A

If we

hadn't happened to be on hand

going mad.

I

I

.

.

.

My

head

I

is

don't know whether am in a dream. can still hear that voice of yours, Pothula, ringing in my ears; don't exactly understand yet what happened . . .

I

P OT H U L A Neither do

I!

What a night

I

Was it a dream, thought we had gone

spent!

I

Or was it a vision? long journey a and we were coming

perhaps?

back from that forest of almond trees at Midfield. We were coming back loaded with flowers, and was so tired, oh, so tired! And my eyes were very dim. The poplars we passed by seemed

I

to make signs to me with hands that had grown from their branches. Shadows of all sorts crowded about me and heard

whispering voices

I

fiddle, too, Nikaros. home almost fainting.

I

I

could hear your was numb with fright and came was very sleepy and wanted to teasing

me.

I

sleep but could not. Outside of my window

I42

I could see the

ROYAL BLOSSOM through the branches

of a willow tree; and tree and moon became one and were inviting me with signs. Suddenly saw that was standing on my feet and felt thirsty. ran to the fountain to drink without any fear and my eyes were lifted towards the Gorgon; and at

I

seemed the Gorgon was stirring and looked even more

is;

it

I

I

all

moon

and the Gorgon's face was the same The stone was living and before stone myself.

it

N

A

Y

R.A

A

R

L T

turned

A

to

I

as

crippled than she Royal Blossom's.

at

you first started screaming? know.

I

R

R A

N

That's

what we want

to

to

us

is

A

struggling with death here, and you are strug soul last, my girl, gling with dreams and ghosts. Do tell find yourself near her the moment how did you happen

OS

I

denly

heard

A

be

told whole. Don't interrupt me. Sud voice calling: “Pothulal Pothulal” and

story must a

My

OT H U

L

P

fit

is

do

Pothula's words come from another world, the world going now. Why you start? where Royal Blossom They the hour.

there

was

the voice,

the same

I43

I

I

a

last. The moon

the willow.

voice,

I

still playing behind the branches

at

and was awake

of

got

up

bed.

I

in

It

I

up

of

complaint and entreaty that pierced sprang through my heart. and looked about me. was not at the fountain. was all dream and was the voice was full

was

listened;

only weaker

and

ROYAL BLOSSOM more heart-rending this time: “Pothulal Pothulal” It was like a voice knew and tried to recollect. searched

I

all my memory and stirred

up

all

I

my reasoning power.

It

I

as

I

as

It

was Royal Blossom's voice. was coming from her home. quickly The time was just about daybreak. dressed

My

I

mother

She seemed

be

dream.

to

than

a

a

I

was still fast asleep. ran and different being, came here. There was Royal Blossom, like Lazarus risen from the dead, only more beautiful could.

expecting

me; she was

is

good lady, what

troubling

is

gone!

I

is

He

I

sweetly.

“My

He will never come back not his fault. Mine!” she whispered very have lost him; am cursed by father “Now

It

again.

.”

to

talk with you you?” “Nothing!

. .

I

I

of

to

at

recognize me all. Yet she didn't seem thought altogether. “Did you call me?” “No! But you! You are the only person who knows me; did want

not startled

to up

of

all

and husband, cursed by kinsmen and strangers.” That's sorts what she was telling me. [While Pothula speaks, people, men and women, come up silently and quietly, one by one. First they stand timidly, then cast restless

to

stand, half-spoken, strange

I

a

to

in

delirium. Sometimes disturb her with my presence. “Why did you early? How did you leave your mother? don't

I

come

so

seemed

as

to

I

to

about, and finally

to

they take courage and gather about Pothula and her company listen her was near her and seemed words] Then she forgot talk herself. They were broken words, hard under glances

I

need you,

am expecting

him. He will come back.” She

if

spoke always quietly; but her words sounded sadder than they were spoken with tears and breast-beatings.

I44

ROYAL BLOSSOM IK YRA A LTA N A

all

And it never came to your mind that she had decided to kill herself? Why didn't you try to prevent her by

HU

Of

course, you can talk that way

in

no

Oh, how you talk! part since you had

L

T

PO

A

means?

terrible dance

the

that she

account

of

some time ago, you know,

on

a

a

it

I

of

I

to

join against my will. Poor me, never forced me thought she had thought the evil that was coming. quarrel with her husband and that must have had big quarrel after her break with Panos Tratas, been that fair where

The evil hour!

I

she had danced with Karales.

supposed

to on

I

I

to

to

Petros Flores had gone and left her like that without making up. didn't want leave her alone and tried something comfort her. The more saw her eyes fixed

go

to

I

a

to

to

I

to

I

quiet her. was invisible and dreadful, the more eager stop, threw my arms about her and begged her said, bed and try rest while until plain daylight, to

wanted

to

to

to

my eyes and

I

were coming

to

I

at

to

I

be

to

promised her near her, watch over get everything ready for her. And her household, and me, tears was her feet begging her listen while

until sunrise.

scream.

Not

felt her agony, didn't feel that very much. my heart, my dear, felt her But deep, very deep despair, fairy-like face. She didn't look like woman she had come directly from the haunted foun but in

I

at

a

at

fairy that had gone there midnight the hour when the waters are asleep. herself tain,

to

if

as

a

I

in

I

I

because

I45

bathe stood

ROYAL BLOSSOM before

her like one stunned,

expecting

like a thing of stone.

she would become

I

was

foam and air and vanish from my eyes. And said to myself: “Am still dream ing? Can sorrow have such beauty? And does a being so beautiful deserve to suffer so?”

I

I

[Praxithea and Kyra Kale come in.

P R.A.XIT H E A

I

tell you, her husband

will find

some way to console

himself. Pity her who had to meet such an unmerciful death.

KY R A KALE Why do you

blame

and she did.

her husband? She wanted

to die

PRAXIT H E A No! No! Her

husband

drove

her to it.

A WOMAN Praxithea is right. A MIA N

Kyra Kale is

more

right. Who is to blame

for her

death? [The people about listen with emotion. Some talk with each other. Others go on tiptoe towards the door of the bedroom where Royal Blossom is lying and listen to catch any sound. The women wipe their eyes. Sighs

whispers are heard and restrained by people from who talk themselves.

I46

ROYAL BLOSSOM

NIR AROS More

and

more people are coming; always coming;

from every neighborhood. There is a big crowd outside the house. They are dropping their work for this. The whole town is moving this way. Everybody asks about Royal Blossom.

And more and more are coming up.

R Y R.A ALTA NA [To

the people about her.

Don't come into the house like that! Keep quiet! A woman is struggling with death. It is her last struggle. Don't talk so loud! What will the master of the house say?

NIR AROS what do you need

of the house;

There is no master him for?

PRAXIT H E A How could

she have

the heart to take poison!

could shel

How

POT HULA right there and looked at the sea shining with the morning light. heard her say: “And what the sea has taken once She stood

The

I

sea

will

never bring

it

back.”

I

Then she embraced me and said words that have kept and will remember one by one: “All my loves have turned to vipers for me. loved my mother, a shadow from an

I

other world; and she turned a viper against me. She made I47

ROYAL BLOSSOM a sympathy for the world burn in my blood, and the

I

world turned viper against me and gives me death. loved you, too, father, and you cursed me—another viper—but

I

it wasn't

your fault. was the one who cast you away for the sake of another man whom I loved.” She went on

saying—“why myself

on

O

.

.

always daring and true”—she went didn't your love teach me how make

Why didn't

to

I

as

to

on a

I

a

learn defend the love that humbled me before you and made me child, telling lies escape punishment?” And she went speaking words that kept faithfully just she said catch her them one after another, stopping often

it,

match for the sun?

to to

freedom-mad,

.

all

and on and on . . ."I cast my father away for you, for you, for you!” she said, “yet you were right in hurling Royal Blossom, against me the worst of curses

a

of

of in

all

I

I

have for you, who breath. “Lies, lies for the love the world with my head stood with defiance against my high, always proud and distant, yet, the bottom anyone, always heart and without the knowledge

on

wretched

I

to

in

miserable,

R.A

T

Y

R

of

of

the land and the victim

L

.”

A

sea

. .

my own self, the victim

of

“I

of to

on

a

an a

thing. That's how before my knees without you, evil hour, found myself will, liar—O Holy Virgin—a thoughtless weak liar.” saying while her voice grew stronger And she went see her husband standing and stronger and she seemed am the victim the world, the victim before her: slave

ANA

How could she, oh, how could she take that poison!

I48

the

ROYAL BLOSSOM P OT H U L A And

I

stood listening with fear and trembling.

“I

she turned and said:

I

can't stand on my feet any longer.

am going to sleep. Take care of the house.

I

stay.

At last

may be quieter

I

if

You must

have a little sleep.”

I

And

in.

blessed her wise thought.

And she went into her bedroom Hardly had two minutes gone when

and shut herself heard her moan—oh,

heard her, too,

I as I

I

A

L T

A

NIIR

OS

R

bors.

N

sleep!”

was then you screamed aloud and roused the neigh A

It

R Y R.A

want

A

“I

writhing and stammering,

to

a

in

I

that unspeakable moan!—I and found her lying down with bottle beside rushed her empty, the bottle that had the poison. She was still

was coming back from my usual

like

a

started

up

he

all-night revel and hurried here. [Kostas Burnovas comes in. Nikaros continues]. Petros Flores was mad heard the noise the people were making and when savage beast. He thought his wife was

suck her blood, when

he

to

a

to

he

playing him some bad trick; imagined some deceitful rush with knife Scandal or other and he was about learned what had happened.

pay ransom for

R N

yet. Else we shouldn't

seeing what we see.

I49

be its

God hasn't forgiven

has

OVAS to

cursed place, this.

U

It

B

STAS

it

sins.

is a

It

R

O

[Pothula goes into the bedroom.

ROYAL BLOSSOM A W

O

MAN

True, good man. God would have given light to this poor woman and she wouldn't have brought this great misfortune on her husband.

R O STAS This is

B U R N OVAS

not the great misfortune.

The great misfortune

is that the woman took poison before her husband give her a lesson with his knife!

could

R Y R.A A L T ANA Shut your mouth and go back to your mountain, man with a cruel soul! What words are these you are speaking!

R O STAS You

be silent, woman!

B U R N OVAS

I

say the way things go they

aren't right nor just. There was need for a sound lesson once for all; and shout this to the world once more: Instead of killing herself with poison by her own hand, she should have been killed by her husband's knife. But when the husband came to that point, it was too late. He

I

had realized

too late that he ought to resist like a man.

Such women have no place either in a home or in the world either as daughters

or as wives.

[Many women raise indignant voices against Burnovas’ words.

PRAX IT H E A Two paces from here a lady is struggling with death! The rose of April and May is withering. We are losing I5o

ROYAL BLOSSOM our compassionate friend, the open-hearted, the generous lady with a hand of God. Our queen of beauty is dying; strangers passing by will no longer bless our place made fragrant with such a flower. And you try to insult her with your tongue! Go back to your fields! [While Praxithea speaks, the women

cry

out

and shed tears.

WOMEN That's the truth, the truth! You are right, my girl, your words are true.

R O STAS That was

B U R N OVAS

work. He didn't give her an atom of brain but he did give her the poison. And so, after driving a world mad during her life, she makes them stark Beelzebub's

mad after her death . . . The way she acted she did deserve to be killed by a man and make another example like that of Panoria, daughter of Soterchas, and Helen, daughter of Politarches. [Panos Tratas, coming quietly, hears Kostas

of the bedroom Burnovas' words. out

R Y R.A A L T A N A How is she? PAN

OS

T R ATAS

Burnovas, this is neither the hour nor the place to open your mouth in that man

In

the same trance.—Kostas

for the house of Petros Flores. Your rancor touches a human being in her last agony. In your

ner. Have respect

I5I

ROYAL BLOSSOM watches

in the field, you have forgotten the ways of the

world.

R O STAS You do pose now as a man. Yet the evil tongues worse than

I

BURN

OVAS and God-fearing

compassionate say

it

was you who touched

her

ever did and you who brought her husband

here to enjoy that touch. -

A

He must

VOICE

be drunk! Get out. Shame!

OT H E R V OICES

[Together.

the man

ANA

who had his wife shut

in

is

This

R.A

T

Y

R

L

regret

A

it.

Keep quiet, Uncle Burnovas, keep quiet, or you will

the forest

U

R

B

S

IKOST

A

is

of

he

away from everybody and killed her with beating and privations. That's the kind man and his words kind, are after that too. N OVAS

he

of

is

of

it

to

is

not your house, nor yours, women. Panos Tratas, this hurt you hear me? There the door. Only one Does here, the master man can chase me out the house;

nor

go

of

I

I,

to

is

not present because his conscience bade him keep away. The same thing happened with the father, any one you, too. Who should pay any attention drunk! don't drink any wine, meddlesome bodies? and

picnicking with fiddlers, nor waste my nights I52

play

ROYAL BLOSSOM ing, nor lose my head for any hussy's black my rifle, my father's heirloom, am keeping your fathers' vineyards. In the older days on the border, was a soldier then. My blood

I

eyes.

guard over kept guard

I

I

With

comes from

have

seen such waters;

never

you see

is

But you

all

Souli—you know that is a place that breeds fighting men. —Do my words smell with wine to you? No! They only overpower you as they sweep over you like angry waters.

OF MIE N AND W

M

E

VOICES

O

shallows and swamps. N

Put him out! him.

a

O S

in

. . .

us

his heart,

truer

sor

sounds worse than

he

nor very deep. But what

sees

gives out

he

are rather bold. He doesn't see very far

as

His words

of

A

sorrow moans many here

he

is.

he

row than that

of

be.

towards

R

NIR Let him

threatening

advance

A

[Some

sees

a

a

to

can talk

a

N

R

U

from yours. All

as us

eyes are different

OVAS of

My

STAS

B

R

O

to

to

is

it.

to

He doesn't care mince anything. You don't lack heart, Kostas; what you need eyes see and mind your heart. give light

of

see

all

this house

I

Right

in

of

at

do

as

your songs open and loud lot. Our words are just you need houses for? Confound you! night. What you are just like one, and every one you talks All with everybody else about everything. We can't change. I53

these people

gathered

now

ROYAL BLOSSOM uninvited. They are the kind of people who live on excite ment and gossip. Their words—open and loud though they be—are

words that come from dissipated men blinded with the passions and temptations that pull them down. They need to hear the words that lift up, too. All uphill paths are rough. You can't lift up a people with Nikaros' fiddle.

NIIR AROS My

fiddle, too, is a father's heirloom like that rifle of which you are so proud; and ever since was a child my fiddle led me down to the seashores. It taught me how to the things

the world with music, and how

all

measure

of

all

I

to

to

I

in

all to

I

in

to

put music into things, and how love things proportion with the music find and honor them. learned how be as careful of men's lives as struggle

be

to

a

up

by

in

of

I

my fiddle's pieces. They are pieces that make you kneel and forget everything their sound; pieces filling your flesh with fire and spirit. that lift you Royal Blossom was such piece, sent from God was

heard here; and she was heard and she filled our night

R

U

She went from one mad act

N OVAS

to

RO STAS

B

. .

.

a

with enchantment and she transformed men's leaden sleep heavenly world into

another and from one

curse to another.

I54

an

to

it

be

beautiful things, this piece had And like stopped and pass away before came end.

to

all

NIIRAIR OS

ROYAL BLOSSOM KOST A S

Blu R N

OVAS

Foolish and cursed with her father; foolish and cursed Before her marriage she was the tempter of her neighborhood and her town; after her mar

with

her husband.

riage a scandal for her town and her neighborhood. was bound to come to such an end.

She

NIR A R O S She was the source of grace and power. She could plant

in this town greatness and progress. But to stand in her grace and power—it might seem strange to you—she had to lack certain marks—call them virtues, burdens, con ventions, duties, whatever you will, the marks of other people, common

folk like us, who need to have them. She had to scorn some sacred idols that we worship and fear just as we have been taught to worship and fear them without knowing why. She was a fairy who showed us the favor of living among us. Now she leaves us and we cry for her. THE WO True! True! Royal Blossom!

MEN

[Together.

Oh, his words! Just like a song!

Poor

R Y R.A ALT ANA

ATAS

R

T

S

N

O

P A

let

Born of sunlight and beautiful like sunlight. Our Lady her live! of the Monastery, show your power and

I55

not fit

to

and like bullets. Drunk or sober he

is

Kostas Burnovas' words fall like the blows of an axe live

ROYAL BLOSSOM with people. Nikaros' words are songs—he thinks he is always playing his fiddle. Yet it seems the fiddler sees farther than the field-guard. Now listen to me, both of you and all. am the man who is to blame most. This

I

I

sin is on my head. am the cause of the husband's return and of the terrible war that started between them. did

I

I

not mean to harm her and did mean to do good to my friend and brother. Now that it has come to this end, more than anybody else can bear witness that her death

I

is a brave and good death, like a sacrifice. The fearless soul, if one should come to know her, did tremble before and the soul that trembled in secret, wanted always to appear before him plain-spoken and true. Here is where Fate ensnared her. Her care for the one man

she loved,

the world, the blindness of her anger, her fear, her pride —I don't know just what—and something still deeper unknown and unfathomable, compelled her to appear before him foolish and false and improper. Then she saw that she had slipped down a precipice in in her, something

to

so

I

go

fit

live. his eyes and she said to herself: “I am not while still have dignity and my love.” And Let me she took poison. OS

R

A

clipped. Her ways the ways other people. of

by

measured

no

should not

be

The fairy's wings should not

be

NIR

to

to

to

right bind her with chains. Neither her We had father nor her husband had that right; neither the world weave with her magic nor anyone. We should allow her end her own matchless life at her own hands from end

I56

ROYAL BLOSSOM and

a

daughters

Holy Virgin, your miracle!

M

E

W

O

H

E

peer among women.

T

woman without

more precious than a

been a daughter

all

will. She should have been left free. Then she would have

N

Save her! Save our darling!

N

U

R

STAS

B

R

O

Save Royal Blossom!

OVAS

tell you,you are sick bodies and unsteady brains. That's what your everlasting carousals have done for you! wine-shops and women the Men wasting their nights

image and

madonna

and

god and

if

all

woman fairy and holy a

make out

of a

This devil a

you are trying a

whom

them:

I

there's any brains left

into your heads once for

a

only take

it

once more;

have told you once and don't mind telling to in

it

thresholds.

I

in

at

I

And

don’t know what to

I

else, this woman, tell you, took poison because she lost die her bet with Beelzebub and Beelzebub forced her

in

of

so

a

in

to of

every making fools dog. She couldn't succeed like every body near her that they could say “Amen” spite her, the prince thing. When she was discovered, of the devils made her tear her own vitals once and for ever.

ANA

L T

R.A

A

Y

R

for oncel Or clear out

of

Shut

up

[And the other women. here.

[Pothula comes back from the bedroom.

I57

ROYAL BLOSSOM P OT H U L A can't stay there any longer, she said. She wants us to bring her here onto the porch. Here, she says. The doctor said so, too. She needs Quiet!

Quiet. She spoke.

She

air, she says, light. Don't crowd so. Make a little room. Where can one get air or light with you! [She

PAN

Make room;

OS

goes back

to the bedroom.

T RATAS

room; get out. Crowd toward the door, and don't talk. We are tormenting her. How can she be comfortable with such a crowd? make

[He goes back to the bedroom.

ROS TAS

BU RN

OVAS

Health to you! This world is full of muddy springs, swamps, marshy shores, lowlands. Let me go back to my mountain. [He goes out. There

is perfect silence but no They one else leaves. all make room and eager expectant. stand and The stage is left for a little while in this silence stirred only by some very low whispers. Suddenly they hear moans and sobs from the bedroom. Praxithea, Pothula and Panos Tratas ap pear.

THE TWO WOMEN [With ineffable

She passed away in our hands. 158

sorrow and pain.

ROYAL BLOSSOM

PRAXIT H E A Just

as we were lifting her up to bring her here. The women make the sign of the cross and pray. The men surround Panos Tratas.

[General

emotion.

A

VOICE

Call the wife of Demetres

to sing her mourning songs.

A WOMAN She is here, ready.

POT H U L A They Songs .

broke the little .

fountain, and now mourning

.

PRAXIT HEA She asked

for air. She wanted

to be brought to the

light. Her last words: “Petros Flores!”

POT HULA She had him in mind as

if

he had never left her side.

PRAXIT H E A She thought of her father, too. “Father will never come back! Father never yields,” so she said.

PO T H U L A She didn't forget her mother

I59

either.

“I

never blamed

ROYAL BLOSSOM

I

you, mother! have wasted blood was fire in me!”

everything of yours. Your

PRAXIT H E A Then she stammered something about poison, the poison she took, thought she said, “Pure suppose.

I

I

poison; not like love; love is not pure.” P A N O S T RATAS Poor woman! She saw clearly even in her death strug gle. Love was not pure. The flame that makes and purifies is different; and different is the water that cleanses and refreshes. Spite and hatred could not unite in purity. See now. The drink was defiled. Curse the hour!

P OT H U L A

I

[Crying to Nikaros.

Who is worthy to sing a mourning song for her?

NIR A R OS

I

wish my fiddle and my song were silent for a long this time time and were left alone with myself think out song for Royal Blossom. a

to

all

I

outer door opens and Petros Flores comes. Panos Tratas meets him and throws

[The

R

T

Too late!

She

is

come now?

ATAS

[All

I6o

gone!

go

You

N

O S

P A

his arms about him.

towards

Petros

Flores.

ROYAL BLOSSOM VOICES A

long life to you, Petros Flores. [People stretch their hands to offer their sym pathy. Petros Flores refuses to shake hands with anyone motionless. and speaks.

PET

ROS

and stands on the threshold, He only turns to Panos Tratas

FLORES

goes a few steps for ward and with a loud voice speaks to all the people about

You can stay, Panos Tratas. [He

[General surprise.]

him] Clear out of my house!

P A N O S T RATAS [Hurries to take Petros

Flores

aside.

More gently, Petros Flores!

PETROS

FLORES [With the same loud voice.

I

can't be gentle.

No

use talking.

Clear out of my

house! [Angry whispers crowd which

begin

to be heard from the is stirred up.

PAN O S T R ATAS excuse us, boys. Do us the favor, ladies. Don't take his words to heart, friends. His sorrow makes him

Just

rough.

KY R A KALE That's how you thank us for helping you in your trou ble! see I had the right opinion about you . . .

I

I6I

ROYAL BLOSSOM PET ROS FLORES

want. We can't divide her now. Go! Do you A

H

go, too, captain? R

NIR

A

I

Am

to

T

PO

L

I

That's hear?

U

all

Out of my house! No time for words now. You haven't allowed me to have her alive. Let me have her dead.

OS

And Nikaros, too, captain?

I

All! All!

nothing against any

have

of

PET ROS FLORES you

indi

I

as a

vidually. Neither you, my innocent girl, nor you, song am against you all crowd. All! All! Leave master.

Let him

T

L

ANA

that now!

it.

PRAXIT H Couldn't have expected

have his way.

E A

you think

of

do

RATAS

cooler again.

IKY R.A What

T

S

O

N

A

till

is

Just

he

go

P A

my house!

Let

none

might try another way. Isn't there room for you I62

to

I

Quick!

mine. Leave them you stay here. Else in

me. Quick!

mine; the dead

is

house

of

The

is

PET ROS FLORES

the

ROYAL BLOSSOM wide town? [He is more furious now and begins to push people with his hands] Clear out of my house! [They go one by one, men and women. Some angry

go and threaten him. Others quietly and, more rather amused with Petros Flores' manner, forget for the mo are

ment the cloud of sorrow. Petros

Flores

is

left with Panos Tratas alone.

PIE TROS

At

FLORES

last! [He goes towards starts coming

as he

the bedroom, but suddenly hears the steps of someone

up the stairs, slowly and heavily.

PIE TROS

FLORES [Turns back, beside himself.

Won't they leave me alonel Christ! Kick him down the stairs, Panos Tratas, just kick him down!

PA NOS T

R ATAS

[He opens the door and stoops to look.

Impossible.

I haven’t

the power to turn back this man. [Dendrogales

End of

appears at the door.

the Fourth Part and of the Drama.

(No one, may stage this play without the writer's permission.)

I63

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA