Becket And Other Plays Part 48

PHOEBE.

We will let her know.

[_Signs to one of the Priestesses, who goes out_.

Since Camma fled from Synorix to our Temple, And for her beauty, stateliness, and power, Was chosen Priestess here, have you not mark'd Her eyes were ever on the marble floor?

To-day they are fixt and bright--they look straight out.

Hath she made up her mind to marry him?

PRIESTESS.

To marry him who stabb'd her Sinnatus.

You will not easily make me credit that.

PHOEBE.

Ask her.

_Enter_ CAMMA _as Priestess (in front of the curtains_).

PRIESTESS.

You will not marry Synorix?

CAMMA.

My girl, I am the bride of Death, and only Marry the dead.

PRIESTESS.

Not Synorix then?

CAMMA.

My girl, At times this oracle of great Artemis Has no more power than other oracles To speak directly.

PHOEBE.

Will you speak to him, The messenger from Synorix who waits Before the Temple?

CAMMA.

Why not? Let him enter.

[_Comes forward on to step by tripod.

Enter a_ MESSENGER.

MESSENGER (_kneels_).

Greeting and health from Synorix! More than once You have refused his hand. When last I saw you, You all but yielded. He entreats you now For your last answer. When he struck at Sinnatus-- As I have many a time declared to you-- He knew not at the moment who had fasten'd About his throat--he begs you to forget it.

As scarce his act:--a random stroke: all else Was love for you: he prays you to believe him.

CAMMA.

I pray him to believe--that I believe him.

MESSENGER.

Why that is well. You mean to marry him?

CAMMA.

I mean to marry him--if that be well.

MESSENGER.

This very day the Romans crown him king For all his faithful services to Rome.

He wills you then this day to marry him, And so be throned together in the sight Of all the people, that the world may know You twain are reconciled, and no more feuds Disturb our peaceful va.s.salage to Rome.

CAMMA.

To-day? Too sudden. I will brood upon it.

When do they crown him?

MESSENGER.

Even now.

CAMMA.

And where?

MESSENGER.

Here by your temple.

CAMMA.

Come once more to me Before the crowning,--I will answer you.

[_Exit Messenger_.

PHOEBE.

Great Artemis! O Camma, can it be well, Or good, or wise, that you should clasp a hand Red with the sacred blood of Sinnatus?

CAMMA.

Good! mine own dagger driven by Synorix found All good in the true heart of Sinnatus, And quench'd it there for ever. Wise!

Life yields to death and wisdom bows to Fate, Is wisest, doing so. Did not this man Speak well? We cannot fight imperial Rome, But he and I are both Galatian-born, And tributary sovereigns, he and I Might teach this Rome--from knowledge of our people-- Where to lay on her tribute--heavily here And lightly there. Might I not live for that, And drown all poor self-pa.s.sion in the sense Of public good?

PHOEBE.

I am sure you will not marry him.

CAMMA.

Are you so sure? I pray you wait and see.

[_Shouts (from the distance_), 'Synorix! Synorix!'

CAMMA.

Synorix, Synorix! So they cried Sinnatus Not so long since--they sicken me. The One Who s.h.i.+fts his policy suffers something, must Accuse himself, excuse himself; the Many Will feel no shame to give themselves the lie.

PHOEBE.

Most like it was the Roman soldier shouted.

CAMMA.

Their s.h.i.+eld-borne patriot of the morning star Hang'd at mid-day, their traitor of the dawn The clamour'd darling of their afternoon!

And that same head they would have play'd at ball with And kick'd it featureless--they now would crown.

[_Flourish of trumpets_.