Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays Part 254

a.n.a.lYTIKOS [_very ominously_]. Who can read the secret of the Fates?

MENELAUS [_frightened_]. What do you mean?

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. He is the son of Priam, King of Troy.

TSUMU [_adding fuel_]. And of Hecuba, Queen of the Trojans.

[_She rushes out to spread the news._]

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. That makes the matter international.

MENELAUS [_quickly_]. But we have treaties with Troy.

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. Circ.u.mstances alter treaties. They will mean nothing.

MENELAUS. Nothing?

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. No more than a sc.r.a.p of papyrus. Sparta will fight to regain her Queen.

MENELAUS. But I don't want her back.

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. Can you tell that to Sparta? Remember, the King can do no wrong. Last night I dreamed of war.

MENELAUS. No! No! Don't say that. After the scandal I can't be expected to fight to get her back.

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. Sparta will see with the eyes of chivalry.

MENELAUS [_fuming_]. But I don't believe in war.

a.n.a.lYTIKOS [_still obdurate_]. Have you forgotten the oath pledged of old, with Ulysses and Agamemnon? They have sworn, if ever the time came, to fight and defend the Queen.

MENELAUS [_bitterly_]. I didn't think of the triple alliance.

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. Can Sparta ask less of her King?

MENELAUS. Let's hear the other side. We can perhaps arbitrate. Peace at any price.

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. Some bargains are too cheap.

MENELAUS [_hopelessly_]. But I am a pacifist.

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. You are Menelaus of Sparta, and Sparta's a nation of soldiers.

MENELAUS [_desperately_]. I am too proud to fight!

a.n.a.lYTIKOS. Here, put on your s.h.i.+eld. [_A great clamor comes up from the courtyard, a.n.a.lytikos steps out on the balcony and is greeted with shouts of "The King! The King!" Addressing the crowd._] People of Sparta, this calamity has been forced upon us. [_Menelaus winces._] We are a peaceful people. But thanks to our unparalleled efficiency, the military system of Sparta is the most powerful in all Greece and we can mobilize in half an hour.

[_Loud acclaims from the people. Menelaus, the papyrus still in hand, crawls over and attempts to stop a.n.a.lytikos._]

a.n.a.lYTIKOS [_not noticing him_]. In the midst of connubial and communal peace the thunderbolt has fallen on the King. [_Menelaus tugs at a.n.a.lytikos' robe._] Broken in spirit as he is, he is already pawing the ground like a battle steed. Never will we lay down our arms! We and Jupiter! [_Cheers._] Never until the Queen is restored to Menelaus.

Never, even if it takes ten years. [_Menelaus squirms. A loud cheer._]

Even now the King is buckling on his s.h.i.+eld. [_More cheers. a.n.a.lytikos steps farther forward and then with bursting eloquence._] One hate we have and one alone! [_Yells from below._]

Hate by water and hate by land, Hate of the head and hate of the hand, Hate of Paris and hate of Troy That has broken the Queen for a moment's toy.

[_The yells grow fiercer._]

Zeus' thunder will shatter the Trojan throne.

We have one hate and one alone!

[_Menelaus sits on the floor dejectedly looking at the papyrus. A thunder of voices from the people._]

We have one hate and one alone. Troy! Troy!

[_Helmets and swords are thrown into the air. The cheers grow tumultuous, trumpets are blown, and the_

_Curtain falls._]

THE SHADOWED STAR

BY MARY MACMILLAN

Copyright, 1913, by Stewart & Kidd Company.

All rights reserved.

CAST

A WOMAN, _the mother_.

AN OLD WOMAN, _the grandmother_.

TWO GIRLS, _the daughters_.

A MESSENGER BOY.

A NEIGHBOR.

ANOTHER NEIGHBOR.

THE SHADOWED STAR is reprinted from "Short Plays" by Mary MacMillan by permission of Messrs. Stewart & Kidd Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. The acting rights of this play are reserved by the author. Address all correspondence to the author in regard to production.

THE SHADOWED STAR

BY MARY MACMILLAN