The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 57

_Pyrr._ We're moving!

_Bia._ Yes, You know,--to safer waters. Listen, Pyrrha, To me--to _me_!

_Pyrr._ Those sounds----

_Bia._ [_Kneels_] Hear _me_! My head I'll votive lay till you may set your feet Like tangled roses in my curls----

[_Pyrrha springs toward the door, but Biades is before her. The noises increase. Groans, blows, shouts_]

_Pyrr._ Aside!

I'll pa.s.s!

_Bia._ O, save our bones. I am the stronger.

You know 't.

_Pyrr._ You! I'll wind you like a thread!

_Bia._ You didn't.

_Pyrr._ Didn't....

_Bia._ When we wrestled.

_Pyrr._ When....

Oh, _then_! My arm was lame. Come, I will pa.s.s!

_Bia._ Nay, 'twas your heart that spared me!

_Pyrr._ Ay, like this!

[_Throws him aside. He staggers against the wall for support. She opens door. Two soldiers in armor silently oppose spears to her pa.s.sage. She slowly closes the door_]

_Pyrr._ Where are we going?

_Bia._ You love me. What an arm!

'Twas never lame!

_Pyrr._ Come! Tell me what's our port, Then I shall know one place we do _not_ go.

_Bia._ Tut, love! Pry into men's affairs? Be calm----

_Pyrr._ What does this mean? [_Advancing_] I'll know!

_Bia._ [_Retreating_] You shall! It means "The last lie wins." We go to harbor.

_Pyrr._ Ah!...

Those rowers....

_Bia._ Faithful and fleet as ever bore An Athenian general home. They came upon Your signal----

_Pyrr._ Mine?

_Bia._ They lay at watch, not Phernes.

Look on those lights! O, trinal star, set high By my beloved! My honor's flaming hedge----

_Pyrr._ You fly, But in a net! The Spartans heard those shouts.

They are in chase--you'll see----

_Bia._ They're unprepared.

The captains off their s.h.i.+ps, the guards in doubt, And oarsmen half asleep. But let them come Far as they dare, and if they dare too far From Persia's shelter, the Athenian fleet Will close like jaws about them.

_Pyrr._ [_Sits, with sudden hopelessness_] You have won, My lord.

_Bia._ I have.

_Pyrr._ What will you do with me?

_Bia._ I'll wed thee, sweet.

_Pyrr._ I'll not----

_Bia._ Yes, love, you will.

There is a dagger hangs in Phelas' shop, Shall be your bridal gift. A prized blade Of coppered gold, hued like a battle morning.

Smooth-cheeked as Artemis, although inlaid With pictured tale. A captured Amazon, Wrought palely in alloy,--a silvered fear On th' bronzen flush of courage,--bows before Her conqueror, a knight who gently bends As I do now----

_Pyrr._ [_Thrusting him off_] No! Never! I'll not trust Your dolphin nature! Long as fish have fins You'll sport in every sea! Go--go to Phania!

_Bia._ [_Turns angrily from her_] Ay, by my G.o.ds that I have found again, I shall wed none but an Athenian maid!

[_Pyrrha swoons. He rushes to her_]

Her heart is still. O, curse my double-tongue!

She's dead--she's dead! She takes the Spartan way-- To die, not yield! Oh, Pyrrha, Pyrrha, Pyrrha!

[_Rushes about distractedly_]

I will not live! I'll leap into the sea!

_Pyrr._ [_On her elbow, as he reaches door_] You might catch cold.

[_He stares at her. She sits up_]

Is this your grace in love?

Your pictured ease, with no dissuasive line?

_Bia._ O, Pyrrha, peace! Let us be done with cheat And mockery!

_Pyrr._ [_Rising_] My heart on that, my lord!

_Bia._ Own thou art mine! My world when sunsets die!

My breath of meadows lying past the moon!

Compa.s.sionate this earth, and in my soul Fix thee its centre. Say thou'lt come!

_Pyrr._ My lord, Could I be sure....