Domnei: A Comedy of Woman-Worship

by James Branch Cabell

  "You ask, in earnest, for the life of this Demetrios, this arch-foe ofour Redeemer, this spawn of Satan, who has sacked more of my towns thanI have fingers on this wasted hand! Now, now that God has singularlyfavoured me--!" Theodoret snarled and gibbered like a frenzied ape, andhad no longer the ability to articulate.

  "Beau sire, I fought the man because he infamously held Dame Melicent,whom I serve in this world without any reservation, and trust to servein Paradise. His person, and this alone, will ransom Melicent."

  "You plan to loose this fiend!" the old King cried. "To stir up allthis butchery again!"

  "Sire, pray recall how long I have loved Melicent. Reflect that if youslay Demetrios, Dame Melicent will be left destitute in heathenry.Remember that she will be murdered through the hatred of this man'sother wives whom her inestimable beauty has supplanted." Thus Perionentreated.

  All this while the cardinal and the proconsul had been appraising eachother. It was as though they two had been the only persons in thedimly-lit apartment. They had not met before. "Here is my match,"thought each of these two; "here, if the world affords it, is my peerin cunning and bravery."

  And each lusted for a contest, and with something of mutualcomprehension.

  In consequence they stinted pity for Theodoret, who unfeignedlybelieved that whether he kept or broke his recent oath damnation wasinevitable. "You have been ill-advised--" he stammered. "I do not darerelease Demetrios--My soul would answer that enormity--But it was swornupon the Cross--Oh, ruin either way! Come now, my gallant captain," theKing barked. "I have gold, lands, and jewels--"

  "Beau sire, I have loved this my dearest lady since the time when bothof us were little more than children, and each day of the year my lovefor her has been doubled. What would it avail me to live in howeverlofty estate when I cannot daily see the treasure of my life?"

  Now the Cardinal de Montors interrupted, and his voice was to the earas silk is to the fingers.

  "Beau sire," said Ayrart de Montors, "I speak in all appropriaterespect. But you have sworn an oath which no man living may presume toviolate."

  "Oh, true, Ayrart!" the fluttered King assented. "This blusterer holdsme as in a vise." He turned to Perion again, fierce, tense and fragile,like an angered cat. "Choose now! I will make you the wealthiest personin my realm--My son, I warn you that since Adam's time women have beenthe devil's peculiar bait. See now, I am not angry. Heh, I remember,too, how beautiful she was. I was once tempted much as you are tempted.So I pardon you. I will give you my daughter Ermengarde in marriage, Iwill make you my heir, I will give you half my kingdom--" His voicerose, quavering; and it died now, for he foreread the damnation ofTheodoret's soul while he fawned before this impassive Perion.

  "Since Love has taken up his abode within my heart," said Perion,"there has not ever been a vacancy therein for any other thought. Howmay I help it if Love recompenses my hospitality by afflicting me witha desire which can neither subdue the world nor be subdued by it?"

  Theodoret continued like the rustle of dead leaves:

  "--Else I must keep my oath. In that event you may depart with thisunbeliever. I will accord you twenty-four hours wherein to accomplishthis. But, oh, if I lay hands upon either of you within thetwenty-fifth hour I will not kill my prisoner at once. For first I mustdevise unheard-of torments--"

  The King's face was not agreeable to look upon.

  Yet Perion encountered it with an untroubled gaze until Battista spoke,saying:

  "I promise worse. The Book will be cast down, the bells be tolled, andall the candles snuffed--ah, very soon!" Battista licked his lips,gingerly, just as a cat does.

  Then Perion was moved, since excommunication is more terrible thandeath to any of the Church's loyal children, and he was now morefrightened than the King. And so Perion thought of Melicent a whilebefore he spoke.

  Said Perion:

  "I choose. I choose hell fire in place of riches and honour, and Idemand the freedom of Demetrios."

  "Go!" the King said. "Go hence, blasphemer. Hah, you will weep for thisin hell. I pray that I may hear you then, and laugh as I do now--"

  He went away, and was followed by Battista, who whispered of amakeshift. The cardinal remained and saw to it that the chains weretaken from Demetrios.

  "In consequence of Messire de la Foret's--as I must term it--mostunchristian decision," said the cardinal, "it is not impossible,Messire the Proconsul, that I may head the next assault upon yourterritory--"

  Demetrios laughed. He said:

  "I dare to promise your Eminence that reception you would most enjoy."

  "I had hoped for as much," the cardinal returned; and he too laughed.To do him justice, he did not know of Battista's makeshift.

  The cardinal remained when they had gone. Seated in a king's chair,Ayrart de Montors meditated rather wistfully upon that old time whenhe, also, had loved Melicent whole-heartedly. It seemed a great whileago, made him aware of his maturity.

  He had put love out of his life, in common with all other weaknesseswhich might conceivably hinder the advancement of Ayrart de Montors. Inconsequence, he had climbed far. He was not dissatisfied. It was aman's business to make his way in the world, and he had done this.

  "My cousin is a brave girl, though," he said aloud, "I must certainlydo what I can to effect her rescue as soon as it is convenient to sendanother expedition against Demetrios."

  Then the cardinal set about concoction of a moving sonnet in praise ofMonna Vittoria de' Pazzi. Desperation loaned him extraordinaryeloquence (as he complacently reflected) in addressing this obduratewoman, who had held out against his love-making for six weeks now.

  15.

  _How Perion Fought_

  Demetrios and Perion, by the quick turn of fortune previously recorded,were allied against all Christendom. They got arms at the Hoteld'Ebelin, and they rode out of the city of Megaris, where the bonfireslighted over-night in Perion's honour were still smouldering, amid loudexecrations. Fra Battista had not delayed to spread the news of KingTheodoret's dilemma. The burghers yelled menaces; but, knowing that anendeavour to constrain the passage of these champions would proveunwholesome for at least a dozen of the arrestors, they cannilyconfined their malice to a vocal demonstration.

  Demetrios rode unhelmeted, intending that these snarling little peopleof Megaris should plainly see the man whom they most feared and hated.

  It was Perion who spoke first. They had passed the city walls, and hadmounted the hill which leads toward the Forest of Sannazaro. Their roadlay through a rocky pass above which the leaves of spring were likesparse traceries on a blue cupola, for April had not come as yet.

  "I meant," said Perion, "to hold you as the ransom of Dame Melicent. Ifear that is impossible. I, who am a landless man, have neitherservitors nor any castle wherein to retain you as a prisoner. Iearnestly desire to kill you, forthwith, in single combat; but whenyour son Orestes knows that you are dead he will, so you report, killMelicent. And yet it may be you are lying."

  Perion was of a tall imperious person, and accustomed to command. Hehad black hair, grey eyes which challenged you, and a thin pleasantface which was not pleasant now.

  "You know that I am not a coward--." Demetrios began.

  "Indeed," said Perion, "I believe you to be the hardiest warrior in theworld."

  "Therefore I may without dishonour repeat to you that my death involvesthe death of Melicent. Orestes hates her for his mother's sake. Ithink, now we have fought so often, that each of us knows I do not feardeath. I grant I had Flamberge to wield, a magic weapon--" Demetriosshook himself, like a dog coming from the water, for to consider anextraneous invincibility was nauseous. "However! I who am Demetriosprotest I will not fight with you, that I will accept any insult ratherthan risk my life in any quarrel extant, because I know the moment thatOrestes has made certain I am no longer to be feared he will takevengeance on Dame Melicent."

  "Prove this!" said Perion, and with deliberation he struck Demetrios.Full in the face he struck t
he swart proconsul, and in the ensuingsilence you could hear a feeble breeze that strayed about thetree-tops, but you could hear nothing else. And Perion, strong man, thewilling scourge of heathendom, had half a mind to weep.

  Demetrios had not moved a finger. It was appalling. The proconsul'scountenance had throughout the hue of wood-ashes, but his fixed eyeswere like blown embers.

  "I believe that it is proved," said Demetrios, "since both of us arestill alive." He whispered this.

  "In fact the thing is settled," Perion agreed. "I know that nothingsave your love for Melicent could possibly induce you to decline aproffered battle. When Demetrios enacts the poltroon I am the mosthasty of all men living to assert that the excellency of his reason isindisputable. Let us get on! I have only five hundred sequins, but thiswill be enough to buy your passage back to Quesiton. And inasmuch as weare near the coast--"

  "I think some others mean to have a spoon in that broth," Demetriosreturned. "For look, messire!" Perion saw that far beneath them acompany of retainers in white and purple were spurring up the hill. "Itis Duke Sigurd's livery," said Perion.

  Demetrios forthwith interpreted and was amused by their common ruin. Hesaid, grinning:

  "Pious Theodoret has sworn a truce of twenty-four hours, and inconsequence might not send any of his own lackeys after us. But therewas nothing to prevent the dropping of a hint into the ear of hisbrother in-law, because you servitors of Christ excel in thesedistinctions."

  "This is hardly an opportunity for theological debate," Perionconsidered. "And for the rest, time presses. It is your instantbusiness to escape." He gave his tiny bag of gold to his chief enemy."Make for Narenta. It is a free city and unfriendly to Theodoret. If Isurvive I will come presently and fight with you for Melicent."

  "I shall do nothing of the sort," Demetrios equably returned. "Am I theperson to permit the man whom I most hate--you who have struck me andyet live!--to fight alone against some twenty adversaries! Oh, no, Ishall remain, since after all, there are only twenty."

  "I was mistaken in you," Perion replied, "for I had thought you lovedDame Melicent as I do. I find too late that you would estimate yourprivate honour as set against her welfare."

  The two men looked upon each other. Long and long they looked, and theheart of each was elated. "I comprehend," Demetrios said. He clappedspurs to his horse and fled as a coward would have fled. This was oneoccasion in his life when he overcame his pride, and should inconsequence be noted.

  The heart of Perion was glad.

  "Oh, but at times," said Perion, "I wish that I might honourably lovethis infamous and lustful pagan."

  Afterward Perion wheeled and met Duke Sigurd's men. Then like a reapercutting a field of wheat Sire Perion showed the sun his sword and wentabout his work, not without harvesting.

  In that narrow way nothing could be heard but the striking of blows onarmour and the clash of swords which bit at one another. The Comte dela Foret, for once, allowed himself the privilege of fighting in anger.He went without a word toward this hopeless encounter, as a drunkard tohis bottle. First Perion killed Ruggiero of the Lamberti and after thatPerion raged as a wolf harrying sheep. Six other stalwart men he cutdown, like a dumb maniac among tapestries. His horse was slain and layblocking the road, making a barrier behind which Perion fought. ThenPerion encountered Giacomo di Forio, and while the two contended Guliothe Red very warily cast his sword like a spear so that it penetratedPerion's left shoulder and drew much blood. This hampered the lonechampion. Marzio threw a stone which struck on Perion's crest and brokethe fastenings of Perion's helmet. Instantly Giacomo gave him threewounds, and Perion stumbled, the sunlight glossing his hair. He felland they took him. They robbed the corpses of their surcoats, whichthey tore in strips. They made ropes of this bloodied finery, and withthese ropes they bound Perion of the Forest, whom twenty men hadconquered at last.

  He laughed feebly, like a person bedrugged; but in the midst of thissuperfluous defiance Perion swooned because of many injuries. He knewthat with fair luck Demetrios had a sufficient start. The heart ofPerion exulted, thinking that Melicent was saved.

  It was the happier for him he was not ever destined to comprehend thestandards of Demetrios.

  16.

  _How Demetrios Meditated_

  Demetrios came without any hindrance into Narenta, a free city. Hebelieved his Emperor must have sent galleys toward Christendom to gettidings of his generalissimo, but in this city of merchants Demetriosheard no report of them. Yet in the harbour he found a trading-shipprepared for traffic in the country of the pagans; the sail was nakedto the wind, the anchor chain was already shortened at the bow.Demetrios bargained with the captain of this vessel, and in the outcomepaid him four hundred sequins. In exchange the man agreed to touch atthe Needle of Ansignano that afternoon and take Demetrios aboard. Sincethe proconsul had no passport, he could not with safety endeavour toelude those officers of the Tribunal who must endorse the ship'spassage at Piaja.

  Thus about sunset Demetrios waited the ship's coming, alone upon theNeedle. This promontory is like a Titan's finger of black rock thrustout into the water. The day was perishing, and the querulous sea beforeDemetrios was an unresting welter of gold and blood.

  He thought of how he had won safely through a horde of dangers, and thegross man chuckled. He considered that unquestioned rulership of everyperson near Demetrios which awaited him oversea, and chiefly he thoughtof Melicent whom he loved even better than he did the power to sneer ateverything the world contained. And the proconsul chuckled.

  He said, aloud:

  "I owe very much to Messire de la Foret. I owe far more than I canestimate. For, by this, those lackeys will have slain Messire de laForet or else they will have taken Messire de la Foret to KingTheodoret, who will piously make an end of this handsome idiot. Eitherway, I shall enjoy tranquillity and shall possess my Melicent until Idie. Decidedly, I owe a deal to this self-satisfied tall fool."

  Thus he contended with his irritation. It may be that the man was neversane; it is certain that the mainspring of his least action was aninordinate pride. Now hatred quickened, spreading from a flicker ofdistaste; and his faculties were stupefied, as though he faced agirdling conflagration. It was not possible to hate adequately thisPerion who had struck Demetrios of Anatolia and perhaps was not yetdead; nor could Demetrios think of any sufficing requital for thisPerion who dared to be so tall and handsome and young-looking whenDemetrios was none of these things, for this Perion whom Melicent hadloved and loved to-day. And Demetrios of Anatolia had fought with acharmed sword against a person such as this, safe as an angler matchedagainst a minnow; Demetrios of Anatolia, now at the last, accepted almsfrom what had been until to-day a pertinacious gnat. Demetrios wasphysically shaken by disgust at the situation, and in the sunset'sglare his swarthy countenance showed like that of Belial among thedamned.

  "The life of Melicent hangs on my safe return to Nacumera.... Ey, whatis that to me!" the proconsul cried aloud. "The thought of Melicent issweeter than the thought of any god. It is not sweet enough to bribe meinto living as this Perion's debtor."

  So when the ship touched at the Needle, a half-hour later, that spur ofrock was vacant. Demetrios had untethered his horse, had thrown awayhis sword and other armour, and had torn his garments; afterward herolled in the first puddle he discovered. Thus he set out afoot, ingrimy rags--for no one marks a beggar upon the highway--and thus hecame again into the realm of King Theodoret, where certainly nobodylooked for Demetrios to come unarmed.

  With the advantage of a quiet advent, as was quickly proven, he foundno check for a notorious leave-taking.

  17.

  _How a Minstrel Came_

  Demetrios came to Megaris where Perion lay fettered in the Castle ofSan' Alessandro, then a new building. Perion's trial, condemnation, andso on, had consumed the better part of an hour, on account of thedrunkenness of one of the Inquisitors, who had vexatiously impededthese formalities by singing love-songs; but in the end it had beensalu
tarily arranged that the Comte de la Foret be torn apart by fourhorses upon the St. Richard's day ensuing.

  Demetrios, having gleaned this knowledge in a pothouse, purchased astout file, a scarlet cap and a lute. Ambrogio Bracciolini, head-gaolerat the fortress--so the gossips told Demetrios--had been a jongleur inyouth, and minstrels were always welcome guests at San' Alessandro.

  The gaoler was a very fat man with icy little eyes. Demetrios took hismeasure to a hair's breadth as this Bracciolini straddled in thedoorway.

  Demetrios had assumed an admirable air of simplicity.

  "God give you joy, messire," he said, with a simper; "I come bringing aprecious balsam which cures all sorts of ills, and heals the troublesboth of body and mind. For what is better than to have a pleasantcompanion to sing and tell merry tales, songs and facetious histories?"

  "You appear to be something of a fool," Bracciolini considered, "butall do not sleep who snore. Come, tell me what are youraccomplishments."

  "I can play the lute, the violin, the flageolet, the harp, the syrinxand the regals," the other replied; "also the Spanish penola that isstruck with a quill, the organistrum that a wheel turns round, the waitso delightful, the rebeck so enchanting, the little gigue that chirpsup on high, and the great horn that booms like thunder."

  Bracciolini said:

  "That is something. But can you throw knives into the air and catchthem without cutting your fingers? Can you balance chairs and do trickswith string? or imitate the cries of birds? or throw a somersault andwalk on your head? Ha, I thought not. The Gay Science is dying out, andyoung practitioners neglect these subtile points. It was not so in myday. However, you may come in."