side a cromlech whereon_ LAMORA _lies bound_: CORLUN _beside
her with an uplifted blade of gold. On the other side
Druids--around a pot of serpents over a fire in the cavern of
an uprooted tree._
[BRUDE _is among them, watchful._
_Corlun (chanting)._ Orpo!--Ai!--
Now shall the Roman
Backward be driven,
O gods!
Orpo!--Ai!--
For to the death stroke
Lamora's given,
O gods!
Orpo! Ai!--
Her skyward soul
Thro the dank dark shall rise,
As the morn's sun
Unto your halls
Far o'er the skies.
And she shall say
Thus Druids crave
Help of the helpers of men.
_Druids (incanting around the cavern)._ Orpo!--Ai!--
Serpents are spawned
Of devils' spit,
O gods!
Orpo!--Ai!--
Spit boiled with blood
In caverns lit
By fungous fangs
From Mona's wood.
[_They circle._ BRUDE _steals behind_ CORLUN.
Orpo!--Ai!--
Serpents are spawned
In magic broth
To coil and wriggle,
Writhe and twist;
Till their froth
Becomes a mist,
Till the mist
An egg shall form--
Charm that Druids prize.
_Brude (with a sudden cry)._ Corlun, the gods
Wait for thy soul!
[_Slays him._
Lamora, fly!
With me, fly--
Thro the black forest!
[_Has cut her bonds._
Great Lactantius,
Maker of gods,
Loves _not_ the maiden's death-cry!
[_They escape._
_Druids (in terror)._ Corlun is slain!
Corlun! slain!
Woe to the Druids!
Woe from the heavens!
Woe from the ireful Queen!
[_They pursue confusedly._