Becket And Other Plays Part 52

[_Sinks back into the arms of the Priestesses_.

ANTONIUS.

Thou art one With thine own people, and tho' a Roman I Forgive thee, Camma.

CAMMA (_raising herself_).

'CAMMA!'--why there again I am most sure that some one call'd. O women, Ye will have Roman masters. I am glad I shall not see it. Did not some old Greek Say death was the chief good? He had my fate for it, Poison'd. (_Sinks back again_.) Have I the crown on? I will go To meet him, crown'd! crown'd victor of my will-- On my last voyage--but the wind has fail'd-- Growing dark too--but light enough to row.

Row to the blessed Isles! the blessed Isles!-- Sinnatus!

Why comes he not to meet me? It is the crown Offends him--and my hands are too sleepy To lift it off. [PHOEBE _takes the crown off_.

Who touch'd me then? I thank you.

[_Rises, with outspread arms_.

There--league on league of ever-s.h.i.+ning sh.o.r.e Beneath an ever-rising sun--I see him-- 'Camma, Camma!' Sinnatus, Sinnatus! [_Dies_.

THE FALCON

DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

The Count Federigo Degli Alberighi.

Filippo, _Count's foster-brother_.

The lady Giovanna.

Elisabetta, _the Count's nurse_.

THE FALCON

SCENE.--_An Italian Cottage. Castle and Mountains seen through Window_.

Elisabetta discovered seated on stool in window darning. The Count with Falcon on his hand comes down through the door at back. A withered wreath on the wall.

ELISABETTA.

So, my lord, the Lady Giovanna, who hath been away so long, came back last night with her son to the castle.

COUNT.

Hear that, my bird! Art thou not jealous of her?

My princess of the cloud, my plumed purveyor, My far-eyed queen of the winds--thou that canst soar Beyond the morning lark, and howsoe'er Thy quarry wind and wheel, swoop down upon him Eagle-like, lightning-like--strike, make his feathers Glance in mid heaven. [_Crosses to chair_.

I would thou hadst a mate!

Thy breed will die with thee, and mine with me: I am as lone and loveless as thyself. [_Sits in chair_.

Giovanna here! Ay, ruffle thyself--_be_ jealous!

Thou should'st be jealous of her. Tho' I bred thee The full-train'd marvel of all falconry, And love thee and thou me, yet if Giovanna Be here again--No, no! Buss me, my bird!

The stately widow has no heart for me.

Thou art the last friend left me upon earth-- No, no again to that. [_Rises and turns_.

My good old nurse, I had forgotten thou wast sitting there.

ELISABETTA.

Ay, and forgotten thy foster-brother too.

COUNT.

Bird-babble for my falcon! Let it pa.s.s.

What art thou doing there?

ELISABETTA.

Darning your lords.h.i.+p.

We cannot flaunt it in new feathers now: Nay, if we _will_ buy diamond necklaces To please our lady, we must darn, my lord.

This old thing here (_points to necklace round her neck_), they are but blue beads--my Piero, G.o.d rest his honest soul, he bought 'em for me, Ay, but he knew I meant to marry him.

How couldst thou do it, my son? How couldst thou do it?

COUNT.

She saw it at a dance, upon a neck Less lovely than her own, and long'd for it.

ELISABETTA.

She told thee as much?

COUNT.

No, no--a friend of hers.

ELISABETTA.

Shame on her that she took it at thy hands, She rich enough to have bought it for herself!

COUNT.

She would have robb'd me then of a great pleasure.

ELISABETTA.

But hath she yet return'd thy love?

COUNT.

Not yet!

ELISABETTA.

She should return thy necklace then.

COUNT.

Ay, if She knew the giver; but I bound the seller To silence, and I left it privily At Florence, in her palace.

ELISABETTA.

And sold thine own To buy it for her. She not know? She knows There's none such other----

COUNT.

Madman anywhere.

Speak freely, tho' to call a madman mad Will hardly help to make him sane again.