Plays and Lyrics

by Cale Young Rice

"Plays and Lyrics" by Cale Young Rice is a collection of dramatic works and poetry written in the early 20th century. The volume features the previously unpublished play "Yolanda of Cyprus," alongside various new and previously published lyrics. The themes of love, honor, and the struggles of human emotion are likely central to the collection, with the play focusing on complex character dynamics set against the backdrop of Cyprus in the 16th century. At the start of "Yolanda of Cyprus," we are introduced to the Lusignan Castle on the island of Cyprus, where various characters gather amid a tense atmosphere concerning love and loyalty. The narrative opens with a group of women discussing the arrival of Olympio, who bears news from Lord Amaury. As secrets and unspoken tensions begin to unfold, Yolanda, the ward of Berengere, grapples with her feelings for Amaury while being indirectly tied to Camarin, a Baron and another character embroiled in romantic and political entanglements. The scene sets the stage for a tale filled with passion, suspicion, and the looming threat of conflict, as characters navigate their desires and fears amidst the complexities of their relationships.