FOURTH SCENE.
Archibald Alexander translation
Teja.
Theodemir. Euric.
Ildibad.
The Watcher. The Lords.
Teja.
I have sent away the women and the priest; for what comes now concerneth us warriors alone. Where is the watcher? Come forth, man. The Men (muttering). The watcher from the hill! The watcher!
Teja.
Hereby ye know, men: the ships are lost. (Tumult. Cries of horror.)
Teja.
Quiet, friends, quiet! Thy name is Haribalt. Watcher. Yea, Sire!
Teja.
How long hast thou stood at thy post? Watcher. Since early yesterday, Sire.
Teja.
Where are thy two companions? Watcher. They remain above, as thou hast commanded, Sire.
Teja.
Good, then what saw ye? Watcher. The smoke of Vesuvius, Sire, descended upon the sea, beyond the promontory of Misenum. Thus we saw nothing until to-day about the sixth hour of the evening. Then suddenly the ships appeared five in number quite near the shore, there where it is said a city of the Romans lies buried in ruins.... One of us determined to hasten away, since----
Teja.
Stay! What signal bare the ships? Watcher. The foresail bound crosswise and----
Teja.
And? Watcher. A palm branch at the stern.
Teja.
Ye saw the palm branch? Watcher. As I see thee, Sire.
Teja.
Good, go on. Watcher. Then we perceived that the fishing-boats with which the Byzantians take their food, closely surrounded the ships, and then----
Teja.
What then? Watcher. Verily, Sire, they steered quite peaceably toward the camp of the enemy. There they unloaded. (The men cover their heads. Silence.)
Teja.
(Who looks, smiling, from one to the other.) It is good.... That is: thou shalt say nothing there without.... From me they should learn it. (Exit Watcher.)