Hush!
She does not know it.

GIULIANA. 'Tis dark now.

LEONORA. Ay, I know.
I let them play a little after dark
Sometimes, when the weather's fine. I would not have them
Afraid of shadows. They think I do not know
Darkness from light.

ELENORA. There's father now!

RIGO. I see him!

[Elenora, Louis and Rigo run off the stage and along the path.]

LEONORA. He is late home today. I cannot think
What may have held him. 'Twill be deep night already
In the woods.

CESCO. [Off stage, harshly.] Down! Down! Do you run back to your mother!
See you not I am in haste?--Hang not upon me!

EUG. La! He is in a temper!

LEO. I never knew him
So out of patience with them.

GIU. He is hungry, maybe.

LEO. He is often hungry, but I never knew him
So out of patience. [The children come running back. To Elenora.]
Why do you weep, my heart?

LUI. Father is someone else tonight.

ELENORA. [Weeping.] He pushed me!

[Enter Cesco, with game on his shoulder, or a basket of mushrooms.]

SEVERAL WOMEN. Good-even, Cesco.

CES. [To Leonora.] Look you, Leonora,
Have we a bed fit for a queen to lie in?

LEO. Nay, faith! Not we!

GIL. She can have my bed, mother.

GIN. Ay, true. There is a bed in my house, Cesco.

GIO. What will the queen do here?

GIU. I would indeed
She had let us know that she was coming!

CES. The Queen
Knew not herself. Nor is she coming of herself.
They are bringing her,--on a litter of crossed boughs,

GIL. She is not dead?

CES. Nay. Wounded in the arm
A little, and in a swoon. But the young King
Of Lagoverde is no more!

WOMEN. How so?

CES. I tell you my two eyes have looked this day
On a sad and useless thing!--A fine lad, young,
And strong, and beautiful as a lad may be,
And king of a fair country, thrust from horse
By a foul blow, and sprawled upon the ground,--
Legs wide asunder, fist full of brown mud,
Hair in his eyes,--most pitiful unkingly!
Bring me a mug of wine, good wife! [Leonora goes out.]

GIO. You, Gilda!
There is a queen you would not be tonight,
I'll warrant you,--the Queen of Lagoverde,
With her two fatherless babes!

EUG. Nay, now, good Cesco,
What is this matter?

CES. You'll know it quick enough.
They will be bringing the queen here ere I have breath
To tell you. They are coming by the road,
I took the mountain-path, and ran.