# De Chatillon/De Chatillon, Act Five

ACT V.
Scene I.—A Hall in the Fortress occupied by De Chatillon's followers.
Knights listening to a Troubadour.
Her. No more soft strains of love. Good Vidal, sing The imprison'd warrior's lay. There's a proud tone Of lofty sadness in it.
troubadour sings.
'Twas a trumpet's pealing sound! And the knight look'd down from the Paynim's tower, And a Christian host in its pride and power Through the pass beneath him wound. "Cease awhile, clarion! clarion, wild and shrill, Cease! let them hear the captive's voice—be still!
"I knew 'twas a trumpet's note! And I see my brethren's lances gleam, And their pennons wave by the mountain-stream, And their plumes to the glad wind float "Cease awhile, clarion! &c.
"I am here with my heavy chain! And I look on a torrent sweeping by, And an eagle rushing to the sky. And a host to its battle-plain! Cease awhile, clarion! &c
"Must I pine in my fetters here? With the wild wave's foam, and the free bird's flight,
And the tall spears glancing on my sight, And the trumpet in mine ear! Cease awhile, clarion!" &c.$^1$
Aymer enters hurriedly.
Aym. Silence, thou minstrel! silence!
Her. Aymer, here! And in that garb! Seize on the renegade! Knights he must die!
Aym. (scornfully.) Die! die!—the fearful threat! To be thrust out of this same blessed world, Your world—all yours! (Fiercely.) But I will not be made A thing to circle with your pomps of death, Your chains, and guards, and scaffolds! Back! I'll die As the free lion dies! [Drawing his sabre.
Her. What seek'st thou here?
Aym. Naught but to give your Christian swords a deed Worthier than——Where's your chief? in the Paynim's bonds! Made the wild Arabs' prize! Ay, heaven is just! If ye will rescue him, then follow me: I know the way they bore him!
Her. Follow thee! Recreant! deserter of thy house and faith! To think true knights would follow thee again! Tis all some snare—away!
Aym. Some snare! Heaven! heaven! Is my name sunk to this? Must men first crush My soul, then spurn the ruin they have made? —Why, let him perish!—blood for blood!—must earth Cry out in vain? Wine, wine! well revel here! On, minstrel, with thy song!
troubadour continues the song.
"They are gone—they have all pass'd by! They in whose wars I had borne my part, They that I loved with a brother's heart, They have left me here to die! Sound again, clarion! clarion, pour thy blast! Sound, for the captive's dream of hope is past!"
Aym. (starting up.) That was the lay he loved in our boyish days— And he must die forsaken! No, by heaven!
He shall not! Follow me! I say your chief Is bought and sold! Is there no generous trust Left in your souls? De Foix, I saved your life At Ascalon! Du Mornay, you and I On Jaffa's wall together set our breasts Against a thousand spears! What! have I fought Beside you, shared your cup, slept in your tents, And ye can think——[Dashing off his turban. Look on my burning brow! Read if there's falsehood branded on it—read The marks of treachery there!
Knights. (gathering round him.) No, no! come on! To the rescue! lead us on! we'll trust thee still!
Aym. Follow, then!—this way. If I die for him, There will be vengeance! He shall think of me To his last hour! [Exeunt.
Scene II.—A Pavilion in the Camp of Melech.
Melech, Sadi.
Mel. It must be that these sounds and sights of war Shake her too gentle nature. Yes, her cheek Fades hourly in my sight! What other cause— None, none! She must go hence! Choose from thy band The bravest, Sadi! and the longest tried, And I will send my child——
Voice without. Where is your chief?
De Chatillon enters, guarded by Arab and Turkish soldiers.
Arab Chief. The sons of Kedar's tribe have brought to the son Of the Prophet's house a prisoner!
Mel. (half drawing his sword.) Chatillon! That slew my boy! Thanks for the avenger's hour! Sadi, their guerdon—give it them—the gold! And me the vengeance!
(Looking at Rainier, who holds the upper fragment of his sword, and seems lost in thought.)
This is he That slew my first-born!
Rai. (to himself.) Surely there leap'd up
A brother's heart within him! Yes, he struck To the earth a Paynim——
Mel. (raising his voice.) Christian! thou hast been Our nation's deadliest foe!
Rai. (looking up and smiling proudly.) 'Tis joy to hear I have not lived in vain!
Mel. Thou bear'st thyself With a conqueror's mien! What is thy hope from me?
Rai. A soldier's death.
Mel. (hastily.) Then thou wouldst fear a slave's?
Rai. Fear! As if man's own spirit had not power To make his death a triumph! Waste not words; Let my blood bathe thine own sword. Infidel! I slew thy son! [Looking at his broken sword. Ay, there's the red mark here!
Mel. (approaching him.) Thou darest to tell me this! [A tumult heard without.
Voices without. A Chatillon!
Rai. My brother's voice! He is saved!
Mel. (calling.) What, ho! my guards!
Aymer enters with the knights, fighting their way through Melech's soldiers, who are driven before them.
Aym. On with the war-cry of our ancient house: For the Cross—De Chatillon!
Knights. For the Cross—De Chatillon!
[Rainier attempts to break from his guards.
Sadi enters with more soldiers to the assistance of Melech. Aymer and the knights are
are overpowered. Aymer is wounded and falls.
Mel. Bring fetters—bind the captives!
Rai. Lost—all lost! No! he is saved!
(Breaking from his guards, he goes up to Aymer.)
That which I did to save thee? Speak! forgive!
Aym. (turning from him.) Thou see'st I die for thee! She is avenged!
Rai. I am no murderer! Hear me! turn to me! We are parting by the grave!
Moraima enters veiled, and goes up to Melech.
Mor. Father! Oh! look not sternly on thy child. I came to plead. They said thou hast condemn'd A Christian knight to die——
Mel. Hence—to thy tent! Away—begone!
Aym. (attempting to rise.) Moraima! hath her spirit come To make death beautiful? Moraima! speak.
Mor. It was his voice! Aymer! [She rushes to him, throwing aside her veil.
Aym. Thou liv'st—thou liv'st! I knew thou couldst not die! Look on me still Thou livest! and makest this world so full of joy— But I depart!
Mel. (approaching her.) Moraima! hence! Is this A place for thee?
Mor. Away! away! There is no place but this for me on earth! Where should I go? There is no place but this! My soul is bound to it!
Mel. (to the guards.) Back, slaves! and look not on her!
[They retreat to the background. 'Twas for this She droop'd to the earth.
Aym. Moraima, fare thee well! Think on me! I have loved thee! I take hence That deep love with my soul! for well I know It must be deathless!
Mor. Oh! thou hast not known What woman's love is! Aymer, Aymer, stay! If I could die for thee! My heart is grown So strong in its despair!
Rai. (turning from them.) And all the past
Forgotten!—our young days! His last thoughts hers! The Infidel's!
Aym. (with a violent effort turning hit head round.) Thou art no murderer! Peace Between us—peace, my brother! In our deaths We shall be join'd once more!
Rai. (holding the cross of the sword before him.) Look yet on this!
Aym. If thou hadst only told me that she lived! —But our hearts meet at last! [Presses the cross to his lips. Moraima! save my brother! Look on me! Joy—there is joy in death! [He dies on Rainier's arm.
Mor. Speak—speak once more! Aymer! how is it that I call on thee, And that thou answer'st not? Have we not loved? Death! death!—and this is—death!
Rai. So thou art gone, Aymer! I never thought to weep again— But now—farewell! Thou wert the bravest knight That e'er laid lance in rest—and thou didst wear The noblest form that ever woman's eye Dwelt on with love; and till that fatal dream Came o'er thee! Aymer! Aymer! thou wert still The most true-hearted brother! There thou art Whose breast was once my shield! I never thought That foes should see me weep! but there thou art, Aymer, my brother!——
Mor. (suddenly rising.) With his last, last breath He bade me save his brother! (Falling at Melech’s feet.) Father, spare The Christian—spare him!
Mel. For thy sake spare him That slew thy father's son!—Shame to thy race! (To the soldiers in the background.) Soldiers! come nearer with your levell'd spears! Yet nearer!—gird him in! My boy's young blood Is on his sword. Christian, abjure thy faith, Or die: thine hour is come!
Rai. (turning and throwing himself on the weapons
of the soldiers.) Thou hast mine answer, Infidel!
Knights of France! Herman! De Foix! Du Mornay! be ye strong! Your hour will come!—— Must the old war-cry cease? [Half raising himself, and waving the cross triumphantly. For the Cross—De Chatillon! [He dies.
(The curtain falls.)