Becket And Other Plays Part 42

Tut--fear me not; I ever had my victories among women.

I am most true to Rome.

ANTONIUS (_aside_).

I hate the man!

What filthy tools our Senate works with! Still I must obey them. (_Aloud_.) Fare you well. [_Going_.

SYNORIX.

Farewell!

ANTONIUS (_stopping_).

A moment! If you track this Sinnatus In any treason, I give you here an order [_Produces a paper_.

To seize upon him. Let me sign it. (_Signs it_.) There 'Antonius leader of the Roman Legion.'

[_Hands the paper to_ SYNORIX. _Goes up pathway and exit_.

SYNORIX.

Woman again!--but I am wiser now.

No rus.h.i.+ng on the game--the net,--the net.

[_Shouts of_ 'Sinnatus! Sinnatus!' _Then horn. Looking off stage_.]

He comes, a rough, bluff, simple-looking fellow.

If we may judge the kernel by the husk, Not one to keep a woman's fealty when a.s.sailed by Craft and Love. I'll join with him: I may reap something from him--come upon _her_ Again, perhaps, to-day--_her_. Who are with him?

I see no face that knows me. Shall I risk it?

I am a Roman now, they dare not touch me.

I will.

_Enter_ SINNATUS, HUNTSMEN _and hounds_.

Fair Sir, a happy day to you!

You reck but little of the Roman here, While you can take your pastime in the woods.

SlNNATUS.

Ay, ay, why not? What would you with me, man?

SYNORIX.

I am a life-long lover of the chase, And tho' a stranger fain would be allow'd To join the hunt.

SlNNATUS.

Your name?

SYNORIX.

Strato, my name.

SlNNATUS.

No Roman name?

SYNORIX.

A Greek, my lord; you know That we Galatians are both Greek and Gaul.

[_Shouts and horns in the distance

SINNATUS.

Hillo, the stag! (_To_ SYNORIX.) What, you are all unfurnish'd?

Give him a bow and arrows--follow--follow.

[_Exit, followed by Huntsmen_.

SYNORIX.

Slowly but surely--till I see my way.

It is the one step in the dark beyond Our expectation, that amazes us.

[_Distant shouts and horns_.

Hillo! Hillo!

[_Exit_ SYNORIX. _Shouts and horns_.

SCENE II.--_A Room in the Tetrarch's House_.

Frescoed figures on the walls. Evening. Moonlight outside. A couch with cus.h.i.+ons on it. A small table with flagon of wine, cups, plate of grapes, etc., also the cup of Scene I. A chair with drapery on it.

CAMMA _enters, and opens' curtains of window_.

CAMMA.

No Sinnatus yet--and there the rising moon.

[_Takes up a cithern and sits on couch. Plays and sings_.

'Moon on the field and the foam, Moon on the waste and the wold, Moon bring him home, bring him home Safe from the dark and the cold, Home, sweet moon, bring him home, Home with the flock to the fold-- Safe from the wolf'----

(_Listening_.) Is he coming? I thought I heard A footstep. No not yet. They say that Rome Sprang from a wolf. I fear my dear lord mixt With some conspiracy against the wolf.

This mountain shepherd never dream'd of Rome.

(_Sings_.) 'Safe from the wolf to the fold'---- And that great break of precipice that runs Thro' all the wood, where twenty years ago Huntsman, and hound, and deer were all neck-broken!

Nay, here he comes.

_Enter_ SINNATUS _followed by_ SYNORIX.

SINNATUS (_angrily_).

I tell thee, my good fellow, My arrow struck the stag.

SYNORIX.

But was it so?

Nay, you were further off: besides the wind Went with _my_ arrow.

SINNATUS.

I am sure _I_ struck him.

SYNORIX.

And I am just as sure, my lord, _I_ struck him.

(_Aside_.) And I may strike your game when you are gone.

CAMMA.

Come, come, we will not quarrel about the stag.

I have had a weary day in watching you.