Becket And Other Plays Part 51

Drink and drink deep, and thou wilt make me happy.

[SYNORIX _goes up to her. She hands him the cup. He drinks_.

SYNORIX.

There, Gamma! I have almost drain'd the cup-- A few drops left.

CAMMA.

Libation to the G.o.ddess.

[_He throws the remaining drops on the altar and gives_ CAMMA _the cup_.

CAMMA (_placing the cup on the altar_).

Why then the G.o.ddess hears.

[_Comes down and forward to tripod_. ANTONIUS _follows_.

Antonius, Where wast thou on that morning when I came To plead to thee for Sinnatus's life, Beside this temple half a year ago?

ANTONIUS.

I never heard of this request of thine.

SYNORIX (_coming forward hastily to foot of tripod steps_).

I sought him and I could not find him. Pray you, Go on with the marriage rites.

CAMMA.

Antonius---- 'Camma!' who spake?

ANTONIUS.

Not I.

PHOEBE.

Nor any here.

CAMMA.

I am all but sure that some one spake. Antonius, If you had found him plotting against Rome, Would you have tortured Sinnatus to death?

ANTONIUS.

No thought was mine of torture or of death, But had I found him plotting, I had counsell'd him To rest from vain resistance. Rome is fated To rule the world. Then, if he had not listen'd, I might have sent him prisoner to Rome.

SYNORIX.

Why do you palter with the ceremony?

Go on with the marriage rites.

CAMMA.

They are finish'd.

SYNORIX.

How!

CAMMA.

Thou hast drunk deep enough to make me happy.

Dost thou not feel the love I bear to thee Glow thro' thy veins?

SYNORIX.

The love I bear to thee Glows thro' my veins since first I look'd on thee.

But wherefore slur the perfect ceremony?

The sovereign of Galatia weds his Queen.

Let all be done to the fullest in the sight Of all the G.o.ds.

Nay, rather than so clip The flowery robe of Hymen, we would add Some golden fringe of gorgeousness beyond Old use, to make the day memorial, when Synorix, first King, Camma, first Queen o' the Realm, Drew here the richest lot from Fate, to live And die together.

This pain--what is it?--again?

I had a touch of this last year--in--Rome.

Yes, yes. (_To_ ANTONIUS.) Your arm--a moment--It will pa.s.s.

I reel beneath the weight of utter joy-- This all too happy day, crown--queen at once.

[_Staggers_.

O all ye G.o.ds--Jupiter!--Jupiter! [_Falls backward_.

CAMMA.

Dost thou cry out upon the G.o.ds of Rome?

Thou art Galatian-born. Our Artemis Has vanquish'd their Diana.

SYNORIX (_on the ground_).

I am poison'd.

She--close the Temple door. Let her not fly.

CAMMA (_leaning on tripod_).

Have I not drunk of the same cup with thee?

SYNORIX.

Ay, by the G.o.ds of Rome and all the world, She too--she too--the bride! the Queen! and I-- Monstrous! I that loved her.

CAMMA.

I loved _him_.

SYNORIX.

O murderous mad-woman! I pray you lift me And make me walk awhile. I have heard these poisons May be walk'd down.

[ANTONIUS _and_ PUBLIUS _raise him up_.

My feet are tons of lead, They will break in the earth--I am sinking--hold me-- Let me alone.

[_They leave him; he sinks down on ground_.

Too late--thought myself wise-- A woman's dupe. Antonius, tell the Senate I have been most true to Rome--would have been true To _her_--if--if---- [_Falls as if dead_.

CAMMA (_coming and leaning over him_).

So falls the throne of an hour.

SYNORIX (_half rising_).

Throne? is it thou? the Fates are throned, not we-- Not guilty of ourselves--thy doom and mine-- Thou--coming my way too--Camma--good-night.

[_Dies_.

CAMMA (_upheld by weeping Priestesses_).

Thy way? poor worm, crawl down thine own black hole To the lowest h.e.l.l. Antonius, is he there?

I meant thee to have follow'd--better thus.

Nay, if my people must be thralls of Rome, He is gentle, tho' a Roman.