Complete Works of Robert Browning Volume 8 - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ... THE RETURN OF THE DRUSES A TRAGEDY 1843 PERSONS The Grand-Master's Prefect. The Patriarch's Nuncio. The Republic's Admiral. Loys De Dreux, Knight-Novice. Initiated Druses -- Djabal, Khalil, Anael, Maani, Karshook, Raghib, Ayoob, and others. Uninitiated Druses. Prefect's Guard. Nuncio's Attendants. Admiral's Force. Time, 14-- Place -- An Islet of the Southern Sporades, colonized by Druses of Lebanon, and garrisoned by the Knights- Hospitallers of Rhodes. Scene -- A Hall in the Prefect's Palace. ACT I Enter stealthily Karshook, Raghib, Ayoob and other initiated Druses, each as he enters casting off a robe that conceals his distinctive black vest and white turban; then, as giving a loose to exultation, -- Karshook. The moon is carried off in purple fire: Day breaks at last! Break glory, with the day, On Djabal's dread incarnate mystery Now ready to resume its pristine shape Of Hakeem, as the Khalif vanished erst In what seemed death to uninstructed eyes, On red Mokattam's verge -- our Founder's flesh, As he resumes our Founder's function! Raghib. -- Death Sweep to the Christian Prefect that enslaved So long us sad Druse exiles o'er the sea! 10 Ayoob. Most joy be thine, O Mother-mount! Thy brood Returns to thee, no outcasts as we left, But thus -- but thus! Behind, our Prefect's corse; Before, a presence like the morning -- thine, Absolute Djabal late, -- God Hakeem now That day breaks! Karshook. Off then, with disguise at last! As from our forms this hateful garb we strip, Lose every tongue its glozing accent too, Discard each limb the ignoble gesture! Cry, 'T is the Druse Nation, warders on our Mount 20 Of the world's secret, since the birth of time, -- No kindred slips, no offsets from thy stock, No spawn of Christians are we, Prefect, we...