The Mortal Gods and Other Plays - LightNovelsOnl.com
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_Bia._ Ay, moves A very sylph!
[_Sybaris comes on, lower right_]
_Syb._ A fair day's greeting, friends!
_Bia._ We double it for thee.
_Pha._ My dearest Syb!
Do you turn snail, you keep your house so long?
Why, _hours_, I think!
_Syb._ Indeed!
_Bia._ Where lovers watch The dial, that's an age.
_Pha._ Oh, so!
_Bia._ [_To Phania_] Do I Not know?
_Syb._ An age? Ay, love grows old and fades in 't.
_Bia._ A thousand moons in journey o'er my love Would leave 't no withered hour! By the fair soul Of one who knows me true!
_Syb._ That is no woman.
_Pha._ A pretty oath!
_Syb._ But not a new one, dear.
_Bia._ Plead, Phania, dove! Let her not chide Poor penitence on knee. In two days' time I sail to war, yet stony Sybaris Would break love's wings with doubt--put me aboard With sighs to sink my s.h.i.+p----
_Pha._ Nay, Sybaris!
I'll vow him constant now.
_Syb._ Inconstancy Once stopped for breath, and fools came with a chair.
_Bia._ No thaw in thee? Plead, Phania, sweet! Your lips Are unimpeached where mine too oft have worn Conviction's droop.
_Pha._ Forgive, dear Sybaris!
_Bia._ Ay, be my tongue! Tell her that as the bee Betrays the honey-buds yet hiveward flies, I've left all by-roads for the true home-path.
_Syb._ Then you have trailed all others stale. There's none Left new but that.
_Bia._ Tell her when I have sailed From Athens' eyes into the sun that eve May skirt with blood----
_Pha._ No, no!
_Bia._ --to walk with you The haven's brim, watching the waves that throw The sea-heart there, and know that from my s.h.i.+p Pulses a heart to love's dream-sandalled feet As constant as the sea to Athens' sh.o.r.e.
[_Sybaris moves relentingly nearer. Biades behind Phania, who sits on bench, leans to talk into her ear, but keeps his eyes tenderly on Sybaris_]
Ah, tell her, Phania, sleep is slow to come Where warriors bed, and unforgiven hours Are th.o.r.n.y comrades for an age-long night.
_Syb._ Then here's my hand. Pray Pallas 'tis no fool's!
_Bia._ Yours too, my Phania! In one breath I seal Judge and defender mine! [_Kissing their hands_]
Now with my s.h.i.+p Will prayers go tendant, mending every sail That storm may batter. Typhon, whirl the sea To insurrection,--send her meekest wave To crinkle round the sun, and hiss from Heaven The mariner's port-star,--I shall be safe While I have implorators fair as ye To melt the G.o.ds!
_Syb._ Ah, Biades, thou must Be loved or die. Is 't heart or vanity, That's so insatiate?
_Pha._ Nay, you have forgiven!
_Syb._ But will not coo yet. Is that Creon comes?
[_Looking to upper right_]
You'll meet him, Phania?
_Pha._ He knows his way.
_Bia._ Has news!
I'll pick the pigeon. [_Goes up right_]
_Pha._ O, my Sybaris, Thanks for this generous peace! But who could long Be harsh to Biades?
_Syb._ Such steel's not in me.
I but stood off, a shadow of resolve, To hear him woo me back. His coldest words Are ta'en from music, but when warm in suit, Then music sues to him.
_Pha._ Woo _you_? Didst say _Woo you_? Couldst think--couldst dream--couldst let blind sense So flatter?
_Syb._ Blind? Well, you've no eye to lend.
_Pha._ His words were all for me, and through my heart Were sifted to your ears.
_Syb._ For you, my dear?
Now what a gosling 'tis!
_Pha._ Oh! Ask him then!
_Syb._ You'll beat that bush. I have no doubt in cover.
[_Biades returns with Creon_]
_Cre._ You'll not go out?
_Bia._ No, friend.
_Cre._ I warn you, sir!
It is your reputation left i' the street That knocks for you.
_Bia._ 'Twill care for itself.
