The Mortal Gods and Other Plays Part 61

_Ste._ Listen, You women. Though we are thus righted----

_Sac._ Humph!

_Ste._ In man's and Heaven's eye, we yet will bow To your own wish in this. As once we gave Your sighs the right of way, we now will ease This second woe by taking swiftest means To part this clucking pair.

_Sac._ You'll yield to _us_?

_Arc._ How like you, Sachinessa, this high place Above the G.o.ds?

_Sac._ They shall be parted?

_Ste._ Ay, We do consent.

_Sac._ Nay, you shall please yourselves.

For my own part, I will not break their bonds And set their hearts a-bleeding.

_Arc._ No, nor I.

_Ste._ How now, vapidity?

_Arc._ I mean, my lord, You have convinced me, and this marriage bond Shall be as Zeus has made it.

_Sac._ Pelagon, Your reason captures mine, and I repent My mockery. This strange event's no more Uncouth, now you have pried the way for me To wisdom's bed of truth. I clearly see Thai man and woman of one mother born May be no kin. The marriage shall stand.

_Pel._ In name of Zeus!

_Arc._ Yes, in his name.

_Ste._ Nay, wife, We know your simple heart, and read its horror Through this pretence so suddenly clapped on.

We shall reject a forced and sad submission----

_Pel._ Ay, ay, we shall! I'll act at once, and stop Their kisses, riveting a bond unblessed----

_Sac._ Unblessed?

_Pel._ My golden joy, I speak your thought Not mine.

[_A clamor in street_]

_Ste._ They come for us.

_Pel._ I hear my name.

We'll out and greet them.

_Ste._ No, my friend.

Let them come in unnoted.

_Pel._ Ay, we'll sit Withdrawn, in gentle argument. Here's shade.

[_They go aside. Enter Lysander, Agis, Creon, Menas, and a score of Spartans and Athenians_]

_Lys._ Is Stesilaus here? We must be heard.

_Arc._ He's here.

_Menas._ And Pelagon! Where's Pelagon?

_Sac._ His good ear's toward, sir.

_Pel._ [_Unable to keep aside_] Did I not hear My name?

_Sac._ Why, so I said.

_Agis._ [_Advancing to Stesilaus_] My lord, we come----

_Ste._ What haste, good Agis? Goes the world so fast?

_Agis._ As fast as Fate can drive it, and you, my lord, Are under foot.

_Pel._ [_Who has been listening to Menas_] You hear it, Stesilaus!

Athens is ashes! We're betrayed, betrayed!

[_Biades, Pyrrha, Phania, Alcanor, and their companions swarm in, lower right_]

_Ste._ Silence, and let us hear! Now, Agis, speak.

_Agis._ And grieve that 'tis my part. The Spartans know Your treachery----

_Ste._ Who dares to give such a name To deed of mine?

_Agis._ Denial comes too far Behind the proof, my lord.

_Ste._ The proof? What proof?

_Lys._ 'Tis known to all. The very curb cries out That Pyrrha is Athenian born, the child Of Pelagon.

_Pyrr._ Oh, Zeus!

_Bia._ Bear up, my Pyrrha!

_Agis._ Ay, Athens weds with Athens, and on that You build the peace of Sparta! A bold deceit Of yours and Pelagon's, whereby we're sold To a foeman's pleasure!

_A Spartan._ Though the heart of Athens Be in the knot that binds your traitorous bargain, We'll cut it through!

_Agis._ Will you deny you changed Your babes in cradle?

[_Silence_]