THE BIRTH OF THE WHITE ROSE.

On a high mountain at the foot of the great,
magic Tree of Life, and near the Fountain of
Mysticism, the crystal stars of the pure white
snow lay dying, for the rays of the sun had pierced
the heart of the snow and the gentle winds wafted
its farewell prayer to the Tree of Life.

"I am the soft, white snow, symbol of purity"
it murmured, "all winter I have lain at thy feet.
I have smoothed thy branches with the touch of my
soft white hands and I have given beauty to the
world. I have glowed with the color of the moon
and I have reflected the flaming glory of the set-
ting sun. I have danced and sparkled with its
joyous rays; and with the shadows of the clouds I
have been sad in the silent moonlight. I have made
crystals of the falling dew, and I have reflected
the rainbow in the vast dome above.

Gentle spring is murmuring at my delay. I
pray thee with my dying voice to give birth to the
budding rose whose cradle I have covered with my

2

white mantle, making it white in memory of me. Let
it be white as the lily, white with ethereal loveli-
ness, pure, as a symbol of my mantle - let its beauty
be Perfect."

Then like the stars above in whose myriad like-
ness the snow was made, with gently falling tears,
it faded away at the rising of the sun.

Spring had come, into whose care the Tree of Life
had given the birth of the budding Rose. The green
leaves in their softness had come to perfection, but
the tender bud lay still unawakened. The little
leaves folded their hands in prayer.

"O sacred Tree, give me life, life, life! prayed
the bud.

The Tree of Life replied, "A great gift has been
asked for thee -- Perfection -- it is not given even
to the gods. Thou canst be pure and white but before
thou canst have Perfection thy spirit must go forth
into the world and prove itself worthy. I lay on thee
a hard task, yet with thee I will send the gentle
zephyr to waft thee on thy way."

So the spirit of the bud went forth and returned

3

the following day.

"What hast thou seen" asked the Tree of Life.

"Purity, Beauty, Goodness" answered the Bud.
"In visions such as come with dreams I saw a great King who had two daughters, one born with a crown of Sorrow, one with a crown of Pride. She who wore the crown of Pride was fairer and more lovely to look upon, for the earth had breathed upon her its earthly beauty. She lived in a castle that overlooked the sea, surrounded by a high wall, high as the palm trees in her garden. Like a goddess she walked among a 'carnival of flowers' such as grow in exotic lands. Like a goddess her body was covered with a veil of opalescent gauze, and a jewelled girdle held the soft folds which fell to her feet. Her hair like fine gold hung in waves over her unveiled throat and arms. As pearly shells seen through the foam of the flowing sea, so throat and arms revealed her soft, white beauty.

"In her castle by the sea this princess dwelt protected from all evil, all sights of suffering, all knowledge of sorrow outside the wall. It was the time

4

of famine and war in the land, yet she sang like a
bird in her cage, with no lines of thought and no
lines of suffering on her lovely face. She sent
money and gifts, this gracious Princess, to the
poor who she was told lived beyond the wall, but she
had never been allowed to see the poor because it
would have made her sensitive soul sorrowful. O Tree
of Life have I not seen Purity, Innocence, Beauty and
Goodness?"

And the Tree of Life made answer:

"Thou hast seen but the glory of beauty's body.
This mighty King's high wall was not called a prison,
yet it was a prison to body and soul since Truth had
been denied this Princess, - Truth, that unresting
seeks the heart of all things, - Truth that illumes
the dark with its flaming soul, - Truth that would
have told her of the suffering of others. The beauty
of the world as well as the suffering had been con-
cealed from her, - knowing nothing of the suffering
of others she had never experienced the feeling of
pity and knowing nothing of temptation, she had no
knowledge either of her own weakness or of her own

5

strength - so that in this beautiful face there was
as yet no promise of sympathy for those who suffered,
or counsel for those who struggled.

"Didst thou see no other vision?"

"Yea, a vision of sorrow. The other daughter
of gentle mien and manners fine was as dark as her
sister was fair. Her hair was black as shadows cast
from the moon's rays, in a pool at the foot of a
great rock. Her eyes were deep as waters made blue
from Eastern skies; such eyes as dream with thought.
Eyes eager and yearning, O Tree of Life. Born into
the world with the crown of sorrow, born into the
world without a friend, yet all the world her friend.
She lived in the valley by the roadside, and I heard
her sing this song:-

With outspread hands, my love I cast,
Where Love had need to be,
To little ones whom Love had past,
To all who needed me.
The fragrance of my love flows out,
A great unbounded sea
All that I give, I cannot doubt

6

Flood-tide comes back to me!

These were the wild flowers that grew by the little
stream, while the flowers from her garden, she sold
to Lords and Ladies passing by. An old hermit taught
her wisdom from old books, at twilight on the mountain
side. Wisdom of books she learned from the old her-
mit but through living she learned a great and over-
powering love.

One day she disappeared, whither no one knew,
and her world felt sorrowful and the little children
wept.

The old hermit went to her stone cabin, and
there covering the doorway grew a Red, Red Rose Tree.
The hermit tried his utmost to push aside the branches
of the Rose Tree but they grew and grew and twined so
tightly that he could not tear them asunder.

He cried out to the Red Rose to let him pass.

"Nay, thou wouldst not understand," the Red Rose
answered. "Thou and they kind have never known the
joy or sorrow of great Love, - Love, that is the
passion of soul; love that is the passion of body."

"'Yea but I know Eternal Love'" the old hermit

7

replied.

'Thou dost not know the world thou livest in,
how then canst thou know Eternal Love? -- What knowest
thou of the fellowship of mankind?' and the hermit bowed
his head.

"Art thou satisfied O Tree of Life?" asked the
Bud.

"Nay, thy tale is incomplete, so forth again."

The second night the Bud returned. "Oh Tree my
vision was one of sorrow. Again I saw the proud fair
maid. She was fairer than ever. It was twilight and
she was alone in her garden by the sea. A mist lay
over the sleeping sea, a mist lay over her soul. In
her garden a fountain played and cast its spray upon
the opening lips of flowers. She was bending over a
mirrored fountain that threw back her form in all its
loveliness -- a dream an unawakened dream lay on her
face. -- then with parted lips and a startled look, I
heard her say.

'I hear the sound of the wind in the reeds. I
hear a sound like the morning wind in the trees. It is
strange to me. It is a human voice. She turned her

8

gaze to the bird in the tree. 'Fly to the top branch
and tell me what thou seest O Bird.'

And the bird answered 'A woman is lying at thy
gate, Fair Princess -- a woman of a dark strange beauty.
Her weary feet can carry her no further. Her face is
pale, pale like ivory, but her hair is raven black. An
arrow has pierced her white breast yet there is no blood
on the wound.'

'Carry gold to her, -- all my gold,' said the
Fair Princess. 'Let me not see her suffer, -- let me
not look upon so much pain, nor touch her world-stained
garment.'

After a little space the bird returned.

'Thou hast brought back my gold, faithless bird?'

'Yea, Virtuous Princess. The strange woman mur-
mured -- 'Gold is not what I want. Gold is not the balm
to heal my heart.' Then as her voice sank to a whisper
she said: Lap me close with thy loving wings, dear bird.
Fan my brow with thy crimson plumage. Press they warm
breast upon my heart. Breathe thy sweet breath on my
wound, dear bird. O mortal hearts in the toils of
mortal struggles! Love is Great, Love for a man or

9

woman, Love for a friend, Love for a little child. I
gave my love and my life for Love. I can do no more.
O Eternal Beauty I awake to the consciousness of God!'

'Hark, I hear the wind sighing,' the Princess
said.

'It is the chant of Love, fair Princess' said
the Bird.

'Hark, I hear the wind whispering among trees.'

'It is the chant of the spirit of love, of beauty,
of unseen things, fair Princess.'

'Is the dark woman still at my gate?'

'She is gone, fair Princess.'

'Send for my women, my soldiers, and the King,'
cried the Princess, awakening.

The King exclaimed in alarm as he gazed on her. 'O
fair princess, sorrow and sympathy and love have changed
your mortal beauty.'

'Fling wide the gate!' the Princess cried.

But the King with sceptre held on high cried, 'I,
man and King, command the earth. Here in all my power,
with sceptre and sword I hold sway. No woman shall
pass the gate or see beyond!'

'Prison of body and prison of soul,' the Princess

11

Weary and sad of heart the little Bud in a trance
hung over the Fountain of Mysticism and now and again
sipped of it's waters. Many voices were heard singing
from the Tree of Life. The rays from the moon shed a
kindly light. The little Bud bowed its head in sorrow,
for many a joy is born in sorrow and many a sorrow is
born in joy. The wind caught the spray from the Foun-
tain of Mysticism and bathed the heart of the trembling
Bud as it gave birth to the white, white Rose.

The white Rose bloomed and shed forth its fragrance
and beauty, but on the heart of its petals a delicate
shadow lay, a shadow as delicate as the crescent moon
just before"the breath of twilight blows to flame the
misty skies," and lights the evening star.

The birds and the wind said the shadow was the re-
flection of a sorrow. The sun-beams said it was the
waves of the moon and the envious reeds bent their heads
and whispered: "The Lily is more fair and she has no
thorns; she holds her head aloof in proud disdain; she is
like a queen." But the nightingale sang of the Tender
Rose, and of Love-out-of-Pain, and all nature carried the
birth-song down the stream and through the forest, and out

12

to the ear waves of the listening sea and up above the
silver cloud land where the stars like Will, O, Wisps
light the mystic darkened way, and all nature chanted its
triumphant song in the silence of the night.

But the sacred Tree of Life said: "Thou hast one
more thing to accomplish before thou canst achieve Per-
fection -- thou must go forth again and although thou wilt
lose thy life many shall be born after thee; the thorn and
the shadows will remain, but thou shall stand for the
incarnate spirit of Spiritual Love and abide as the symbol
of Eternal Beauty.

Then a great wind blew from the mountain and the
slender stem of the white Rose bent and broke, and the
winds enfolded the white Rose and bore it away and tender-
ly laid it on the bare white breast of the dark woman.
Then it spread out its petals and covered the scar on her
bosom. And a great wind blew in the valley and the slender
stem of the Red Rose bent and broke, and the wind enfolded
the Red Rose and bore it away and tenderly laid it on the
heart of the strange dark woman.

3.

## PROLOGUE.

### SCENE 1:

An ancient palace looms on one side.
In the tower of the palace, near the
ground, is a long, low casement with lead-
ed windows that open outward. A cushion-
ed seat can be seen within, stretching along
the window ledge.

On either side of the doorway leading from the
palace, stone flambeaux wherein fires flame at
night.

Opposite the palace is a mysterious forest of
dark, towering pines, with a narrow pathway lead-
ing into it. Extending from the palace is a high
stone wall, surmounted by a watch tower. In the
center is a pool, surrounded by a low carved stone
coping, aged and moss grown. On the right, beneath
the towering pines is a carved stone seat.

YOMANA lies in the cushioned seat, leaning out of
the casement.

RICARO enters from the narrow path which leads to
the mysterious forest.

### YOMANA

( calling )

Ricaro: Ricaro!

( He does not seem to hear. He walks towards
the fountain, and flings himself down near
it, gazing dreamily into the forest from
which he has come.)

5.

TEARS.

Tears of gladness,
Tears of sorrow,
Just the same?
Only little dew drops falling,
Some in joy,
Some in pain.
Tell me little dew drops
Are they joy,
Are they sorrow.
Tell me little dew drops falling
Are they just the same?

( Ricaro still dreams and does not hear her.)

Yomana

Ricaro, don't you hear me? Will you not help me
finish the sea-palace for the mermaid?
Will you not play with me?

( She touches his arm gently, and looks
pleadingly into his face. He brushes
her hand away, absent-mindedly, pertly
awaking from his day-dream.)

Ricaro

( impatiently )

I cannot play ! I wish the little Princess who
lives in the shadowy woods would come and play
with us again. Her hair is all gold ! It danc-
ed in the sunlight: it is not dark like yours and
mine. Her eyes are the colour of your amber
beads, but - - -

6.

( His eyes flash, and he clenches his hands ).

but - - - I would like to kill her!

Yomana.

( startled, sitting up and looking at him with wide open, wondering eyes. )

Not kill her - not really kill her !

Ricaro.

Well, not really, perhaps! When I give you a rose out of my garden, little Mana, you put it in water. That is not the way with the princess who lives in the shadowy woods. When I took her to my favourite corner in the garden, and gave her a red rose, she tossed it high in the air. Then she laughed, and ran away. She laughed !

Yomana
(puzzled)

Then why do you want to go and play with her
in the shadowy woods? Her palace is so vast
that you would get lost there, and the shadowy
woods are so deep that you can easily lose
your way in them. Stay here, Ricaro, and
play beside the cool green water with me.

Ricaro

( gazing longingly into the mysterious woods )

9.

## ACT I.

Scene 1-
One side a thick, dark mysterious wood. A seat cut out of stone, near the trees. On the other side steep steps lead to an unseen castle.

The Princess descends the stone steps, robed in a dress of dull cloth of gold, clinging lightly to her figure, a gauze shawl the colour of green leaves, falling to the ground, or fluttering behind her in the breeze, like the wings of a butterfly. Her curling golden hair caught about her head by a gold net cap edged with emeralds, and three hanging chains of emeralds falling over her ears from each side of her cap.

Ricaro enters from the path through the woods opposite. He approaches, and passionately kisses the hands of the Princess ZASKA.

### Princess
(surprised)

I did not expect you so soon, my lord. You said you were not coming until tomorrow.

### Ricaro.

Tomorrow seemed a long distant future. Ah, Princess, I could not stay away - I could not wait. All night I dreamed of you. Did you

10.

not hear me calling you in your dreams ?
I longed for the dawn. I welcomed the sun
in joy, because I knew I could go to you.
Sometimes I think it is the love of madness
that I have for you. I am like a prisoner
set about with chains of love. Free me !
Free me, and give me your love.

Princess
( smiling mockingly )

Not so fast, my lord.

Ricaro.

My love gives me no peace, night or day.
You are cold and cruel. Just as a child
you tossed my rose into the air, given to
you with a boy's shy and tender love, so
now with my love ! You toss and play with
that, too - is it fair?

Princess
( laughing and tossing her golden curls )

What a passionate knight !

( he seizes both her hands and gazes into
her eyes. )

Ricaro

I cannot see beyond your amber eyes and dark

11.

Every passing light raises my heart to one
brief joy. When I kiss your hand, the
past - the future - are nothing to me.
Memory is gone. . . . . . . only the present
seems eternity to me.

Princess
(still smiling)

And what would you do for me, my noble lord ?
What prize would you lay at my feet to prove
such mad love ?

Ricaro

My life -- is that naught ?

Princess

You can win me with less than your life, my
lord. Bring me a red rose to wear the day
of the Great Tournament.

Ricaro.

A red rose ! Now that the summer is gone !

Princess

A simple request, my lord -- only a red rose !

12.

Ricaro.

Zaska - sometimes I think you love me -
you lead me on - you feed me with flame -
and then - you lay your icy hand upon my
heart. I hear your sweet voice, sweeter
than the low hum of a bee smoking his joy in
a spring blossom. . . . Then suddenly,
your lips mock me. Now that the red roses
are dead and gone, you offer me your love
and hand for a red rose !

( A Knight enters from a narrow path in the deep woods.)

Princess.

Welcome ! - you are well timed - - I am
offering my love for a red red rose.

Amato.

Then, know, bewitching Princess, that to-
night I set out for the end of the world -
you shall have a red rose.

( he kissed the Princess' hand, and bows
to Ricaro )

We touch swords, cousin. We are rivals for
the most beautiful, bewitching, fascinating,
delightfully wicked Princess in the land.

13.

Ricaro
( looking fiercely at Amato )

You were but saying ...

Amato.
( whispers, and looks at the Princess,
who is annoyed. )

Hark thee, Ricaro, you and I are rivals for
the Princess' hand - but if she turns from me,
or if you find the fated rose, and win the
Princess, the Circle of Circes, I would stir
your memory and bring to your mind a fair and
gentle lady well worth winning, beloved through-
out the land, whose most tender lips parch one's
own with desire, whose soul is full of wisdom.

Ricaro.

Whose wisdom would not fail her to discover a
fool from a wise man. ( his face darkens
with intensity, as he draws his sword and
continues ) Enough I Think you for one
moment you are worthy of her ?

Amato.

Why this display of temper, cousin ? It is
unseemly before so fair a princess. I was
but saying, Princess ...

14.

Ricaro
( unsheathing his sword, and looking steadily at Amato )

You were but saying ?

Amato.

A pretty sword - - - - a dainty sword !
We are rivals.

Ricaro.

( looking fiercely at Amato )

You were but saying -- ?

Amato
( merrily )

That is the second time you have made that remark. I would not repeat myself, cousin, - it is a sign of old age. Yet, as I look at you, it would seem you are still young.

Ricaro.

Tomorrow we will fight for our love.

15.

Amato.

Then look to it that the moon plays you no tricks. Its shadows are black. And see that you do not fall on the snags by the way.

Princess.

You are over-confident, my lord, and bold withal.

Amato.

And if bold, think you my lady likes a coward?

Princess.

And if the lady refuse ?

Amato.

Refuse ? The bold man does not ask.

Princess
(interrupting)

Cease, my lord, I command. Hold your right arms for the Great Tournament, or I will have done with both of you. Unsheath your

16.

swords, touch ends, and let me pass beneath
as your pledge and promise.

(They touch the ends of their swords,
end, passing underneath, the Princess
says)

He who brings me red red rose wins my love,
and wears my colours in the Great Tournament.

Ricaro.

So be it. I will fight with you in the Great Tournament for my honour and my lady's love.

Amato.

Mark you, Princess, he puts his honour first.

Ricaro
(interrupting)

If I had no honour to offer I would have no
love to gain.

A-ato

I am off for the red rose !

(As he goes he sings)

CURTAIN

12.

## ACT 11.

THE SETTING is the same as in the First Act. It is twilight, and an evening star is seen in the sky. ZENKA, a shepherd lad, is sitting on the wall with a small flute in his hand.

YOMANA, within the castle, opens the case-ment. She leans from her window and speaks to the shepherd.

Yomana.

Zenka, is there no sign of your master, Ricardo? Pipe again !

Zenka.

There is no sign, but I will pipe again, and listen for my master's answer.

( Zenka pipes a low plaintive tune on his flute, waits a few moments, and then speaks. )

Zenka.

My master does not answer, oh, my mistress.

21.

Yomana

Had I flaming eyes like stars
To penetrate the night,
I would see thee, love, afar,
And guide thee with my light.

If Heaven were a mirror,
And I could gaze above,
I could see thee now, Ricaro,
I could see thee now, my love.

Oh stars, look down from Heaven,
Look down into the sea,
All Heaven is reflected,
For this I envy thee.

Yomana.

Pipe again, good Zenka ! I am very anxious,
I have no peace !

( From the Tower, Zenka pipes his call )

Zenka.

I see ... I see ...

Yomana.

Quick + is it your master ?

22.

( She leans eagerly from the casement.)

Zonka.

No, Dear Mistress, I thought --- But it is not my master. Wait! It is! It is! I hear his answering call!

( Ricaro's call is heard.)

It is he! He enters the forest path! His man has taken his horse. He comes! He comes!

( Ricaro enters hurriedly. He does not see Yomana in the casement. He is about to enter the palace when Yomana calls.)

Yomana

Welcome home, oh, Ricaro! You are very late in coming. I was so distressed!

( Ricaro goes to the casement and kisses her hand.)

Yomana

I will join you.

23.

( She leaves the easement and joins him. He kisses her on the forehead. She puts her hand on his arm, tenderly )

Yomana

There is peace again in my heart. Hast thou gained thy quest ?

Ricaro

Hey, my search was unavailing.

( As Yomana steps back, Ricaro sees the rose in her hair. )

Ricaro
(astonished)

The Rose ! The Rose in your hair ! Where did you get that Rose ?

Yomana

In unexpected places we find rare things !
I found this rose a moment ago - there, under
your window, in a sheltered spot, hidden away.
Why do you look at me so? Your eyes speak a
trouble that your lips do not utter. Speak
to me Ricaro !

24.

Ricaro.

I would give my life for a red rose !

Yomana.

And I would give you happiness with my life !

(Yomana takes the rose from her hair,
and offers it to Ricaro.)

It is your, Ricaro ! The gift is a gift
of my love. Take it !

(She places the rose in his hand and looks
tenderly into his eyes.)

Ricaro.

I cannot take it ! It is not for myself
that I want the rose !

Yomana.

Yes, I know ! Yet I love you so much that
I would make you happy. It is yours — —

25.

Take it !

CIFT SONG.

( Ricaro takes the Rose, and bonds over
her hand, kissing it tenderly.
Yomana ascends the steps. )

( Amato enters from the forest, and sees the
rose in Ricaro's hand. )

Amato.

Ah ! A rose ! A red rose !

( a pause )

Cousin Yomana, may I wear the colours of the
sweetest lady in all the lands on the day
of the Great Tournament?

( Be approaches Yomana and they
enter the house. )

Ricaro
(watches them enter, then follows
in sudden anger. At the top
of steps he pauses, and gazes at
his rose. A laugh is heard from
the forest and Zasla enters)

26.

Ricaro

( descends the steps, triumphantly holding out the red rose. Smiling, She places it in her hair. As she does so, the petals fall to the ground. She crushes it angrily with her foot.)

Ricaro

My heart with it, Zaska !

( desperately, he grasps her hand )

Zaska.

( wrenches her hand from him and goes towards the forest. At the entrance she turns )

Zaska.

You can still win my love, my lord.

( Ricaro is silent )

Bring me the perfect heart of a woman.

Ricaro

( angry and indignant )