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Legend: A Romance
by
SHE.
I think . . . I am going . . . to cry.
HE.
And tears. Tears are a slave’s answer. Speak. Defend yourself.
Why do you stay here? Why do you deny yourself happiness?
Why won’t you come with me?
SHE.
I cannot.
HE.
Always the same phrase that means nothing. Ah, Violante, lady of few words, you know how to baffle argument. If I could only make you speak! If I could only see what the thoughts are that darken your will!
SHE.
Don’t.
HE.
By God! I wonder that I don’t hate you instead of love you. There is something ignobly feminine about you. You are incapable of action– almost incapable of speech. Your lips are shut tight against kisses, and when they open to speak, all that they say is “Don’t.”
SHE.
What do you expect to gain by scolding me?
HE.
I gain the satisfaction of telling you the truth–that you have the most cowardly soul that was ever belied by a glorious body. Who would think to look at you that you were afraid?
SHE.
It’s no use bullying me.
HE.
I know that, Violante. It’s the poorest way to woo a woman. But I have tried every other way. I have pleaded, and been answered with silence. I have wooed you with caresses, and been answered with tears.
SHE.
I am sorry, Luciano.
HE.
I want you to be glad.
SHE.
I am glad–glad of you–in spite of everything.
HE.
Gladness is something fiercer than that.
You are too tame. Oh, if I could reach and rouse your soul!
SHE.
My soul is yours already….
HE.
And your body…?
SHE.
It is impossible.
HE.
No. It isn’t impossible. But I’ll tell you what is impossible. This–for me to go on loving you and despising you…. I came here today to make one last appeal to you. I don’t mean it as a threat. But I am going away tonight for ever–with you, or without you. You must decide.
SHE.
( rising )
But–I don’t want you to go, Luciano!
HE.
You will miss me, I know.
But don’t think too much of that.
You will find a new friend–if you decide against me.
SHE.
And I must decide now?
HE.
Yes–now.
SHE.
But how can I? Oh, Luciano!
HE.
I know it is hard. But I will not make it harder. Violante: I have sought to appeal to your emotion when my appeal to your will was in vain. But tonight I will leave you to make your own decision. You must come to me freely or not at all. There must be no regrets.
SHE.
I cannot do it.
HE.
If you say that when I return I will accept it as a final answer. I am going out on the balcony–for a long minute. And while I am gone you must decide what to do. Will you?
SHE.
Yes.
HE.
( turning at the window )
And if while I am gone you wish to recall my arguments to your mind–( he points to the box on the table )–look in your mirror there. Your beauty will plead for me. As Don Vincenzio said: Look long and well into that mirror, lady, and profit by what you see.