Becket And Other Plays Part 47

_Re-enter_ CAMMA.

CAMMA.

Where is Antonius?

SYNORIX.

Where? As I said before, you are still too early.

CAMMA.

Too early to be here alone with thee; For whether men malign thy name, or no, It bears an evil savour among women.

Where is Antonius? (_Loud_.)

SYNORIX.

Madam, as you know The camp is half a league without the city; If you will walk with me we needs must meet Antonius coming, or at least shall find him There in the camp.

CAMMA.

No, not one step with thee.

Where is Antonius? (_Louder_.)

SYNORIX (_advancing towards her_).

Then for your own sake, Lady, I say it with all gentleness, And for the sake of Sinnatus your husband, I must compel you.

CAMMA (_drawing her dagger_).

Stay!--too near is death.

SYNORIX (_disarming her_).

Is it not easy to disarm a woman?

_Enter_ SINNATUS (_seizes him from behind by the throat_).

SYNORIX (_throttled and scarce audible_).

Rome! Rome!

SINNATUS.

Adulterous dog!

SYNORIX (_stabbing him with_ CAMMA'S _dagger_).

What! will you have it?

[CAMMA _utters a cry and runs to_ SINNATUS.

SINNATUS (_falls backward_).

I have it in my heart--to the Temple--fly-- For _my_ sake--or they seize on thee. Remember!

Away--farewell! [_Dies_.

CAMMA (_runs up the steps into the Temple, looking back_).

Farewell!

SYNORIX (_seeing her escape_).

The women of the Temple drag her in.

Publius! Publius! No, Antonius would not suffer me to break Into the sanctuary. She hath escaped.

[_Looking down at_ SINNATUS.

'Adulterous dog!' that red-faced rage at me!

Then with one quick short stab--eternal peace.

So end all pa.s.sions. Then what use in pa.s.sions?

To warm the cold bounds of our dying life And, lest we freeze in mortal apathy, Employ us, heat us, quicken us, help us, keep us From seeing all too near that urn, those ashes Which all must be. Well used, they serve us well.

I heard a saying in Egypt, that ambition Is like the sea wave, which the more you drink, The more you thirst--yea--drink too much, as men Have done on rafts of wreck--it drives you mad.

I will be no such wreck, am no such gamester As, having won the stake, would dare the chance Of double, or losing all. The Roman Senate, For I have always play'd into their hands, Means me the crown. And Camma for my bride-- The people love her--if I win her love, They too will cleave to me, as one with her.

There then I rest, Rome's tributary king.

[_Looking down on_ SINNATUS.

Why did I strike him?--having proof enough Against the man, I surely should have left That stroke to Rome. He saved my life too. Did he?

It seem'd so. I have play'd the sudden fool.

And that sets her against me--for the moment.

Camma--well, well, I never found the woman I could not force or wheedle to my will.

She will be glad at last to wear my crown.

And I will make Galatia prosperous too, And we will chirp among our vines, and smile At bygone things till that (_pointing to_ SINNATUS) eternal peace.

Rome! Rome!

_Enter_ PUBLIUS _and_ SOLDIERS.

Twice I cried Rome. Why came ye not before?

PUBLIUS.

Why come we now? Whom shall we seize upon?

SYNORIX (_pointing to the body of_ SINNATUS).

The body of that dead traitor Sinnatus.

Bear him away.

_Music and Singing in Temple_.

ACT II

SCENE.--_Interior of the Temple of Artemis_. Small gold gates on platform in front of the veil before the colossal statue of the G.o.ddess, and in the centre of the Temple a tripod altar, on which is a lighted lamp. Lamps (lighted) suspended between each pillar. Tripods, vases, garlands of flowers, etc., about stage. Altar at back close to G.o.ddess, with two cups. Solemn music. Priestesses decorating the Temple.

(_The Chorus of_ PRIESTESSES _sing as they enter_.)

Artemis, Artemis, hear us, O Mother, hear us, and bless us!

Artemis, thou that art life to the wind, to the wave, to the glebe, to the fire!

Hear thy people who praise thee! O help us from all that oppress us!

Hear thy priestesses hymn thy glory! O yield them all their desire!

PRIESTESS.

Phoebe, that man from Synorix, who has been So oft to see the Priestess, waits once more Before the Temple.