The Four Corners of the World Part 56

Calpurnius: There are no longer men marching.

Gleva: All have gone over the hill to the sea.

Calpurnius: Yes. There's a freshness in the air, a breath of wind. The morning comes----

Gleva: I cannot conquer Rome.

[_A trumpet rings out clear from the top of the hill. The morning is beginning to break. There is the strange light which comes when moonlight and the dawn meet._]

Calpurnius: The reveille! (_He turns to her._)

Gleva: And----

Calpurnius (_nods_): My summons. Gleva!

Gleva: My Lord will bid farewell to his slaves. (_She calls aloud_): Bran, Caransius.

Calpurnius: Oh, before they come! (_He holds out his arms to her._) Gleva! (_She comes slowly into his embrace._) I shall remember this night. Some of our poets say that we are born again in another age. So may it be with us! We shall grow old and die, you here, I where my Emperor shall send me. May we be born again, love again, under a happier star.

[_He kisses her, she clings to him. Behind enter Bran, Caransius.

They approach carefully._]

But now there's Rome in front of me.

[_He tries to draw away from her. She clings about his neck._]

And I must go.

Gleva: Not yet, my Lord--Calpurnius.

Calpurnius: Farewell! and the G.o.ds prosper you. (_He is seized from behind on a gesture from Gleva. She utters a cry._)

Gleva: Do him no hurt! Yet hold him safe. (_They bind him. Calpurnius struggles._)

Calpurnius: Help! Romans, help!

[_The two men gag him._]

Gleva: Do him no hurt!

[_They lay him on the bank. Gleva goes to him._]

No, I cannot conquer Rome, but one Roman--yes. You taught me, Calpurnius, the lesson of the road. I thank you. I learn another lesson. (_She is speaking very gently._) On that long, crowded way from the edge of Gaul to Rome many a soldier of your legion will be lost--lost and remain unheard of. Calpurnius, you shall stay with me, reign with me, over me. You shall forget Rome.

[_Once more the trumpet sounds only more faintly. Calpurnius utters a stifled groan. The morning broadens. A cracking of bushes is heard. From the right enters third attendant excitedly._]

Attendant: Mistress! Mistress!

Gleva: Well?

[_She turns, stands between Calpurnius and attendants, e. g._:

Bran.

Third Attendant. Gleva. Calpurnius.

Caransius.]

[_Footlights._]

Attendant: They have gone! The hill is empty; the camp is scattered.

Gleva: They march to the coast. The Valeria Victrix.

[_A movement from Calpurnius, who is working his hands free._]

Third Attendant: They are putting out to sea. The harbour's black with s.h.i.+ps. Some have reached the open water.

Gleva: All have gone.

Third Attendant: All. Already there's a wolf in the camp on the hill.

Calpurnius (_freeing his hands and mouth, plucks out his sword. He buries it in his heart._) Rome! Rome! (_In a whisper._)

[_Gleva turns and sees Calpurnius dead. She stands motionless. Then she waves her attendants away. They go silently. Gleva seats herself by Calpurnius's side. She runs her hand over his hair._]

Gleva (_with a sob_): My Lord Calpurnius!

[The Curtain Falls Slowly.]

FOOTNOTE: [Footnote 1: Acting rights of this play are reserved.]