University of Virginia Library

Scene I.

—A Chamber in Arria's House.
Enter Pythias and Calanthe.
Pyth.
So, my Calanthe, you would waste the moon
Of Hymen in this lonely spot?

Cal.
In sooth
I would, for 'tis the fairest place in Sicily:
A dell, made of green beauty; with its shrubs
Of aromatic sweetness, growing up
The rugged mountain's sides, as cunningly
As the nice structure of a little nest,
Built by two loving nightingales. The wind,
That comes there, full of rudeness from the sea,
Is lull'd into a balmy breath of peace,
The moment that it enters; and 'tis said
By our Sicilian shepherds, that their songs
Have in this place a wilder melody.
The mountains all about it are the haunts
Of many a fine romantic memory!
High towers old Ætna, with his feet deep clad
In the green sandals of the freshful spring;
His sides array'd in winter, and his front
Shooting aloft the everlasting flame.
On the right hand is that great cave, in which
Huge Polyphemus dwelt, between whose vast
Colossal limbs the artful Grecian stole.
On the other side,
Is Galatea's dainty dressing-room,
Wrought in the living marble; and within
Is seen the fountain where she us'd to twine
The ringlets on her neck that did ensnare
The melancholy Cyclop.—But what care you,
A soldier, for such fantasies? I know
A way that better shall persuade you to
That place for our sweet marriage residence—
There Damon hath his villa—Ha! you seem
Determin'd by the fast proximity
Of such a friendship, more than all my love.

Pyth.
Does Damon dwell there?

Cal.
No; his Hermion
And his young boy—O! 'tis a beauteous child!—
Are sent there from the city's noxious air,
And he doth visit them, whene'er the state
Gives him brief respite. Tell me, Pythias,
Shall we not see the Hymeneal moon
Glide through the blue heavens there?

Pyth.
My own ador'd one,
If thou should'st bid me sail away with thee,
To seek the isles of the Hesperides,
I would, with such a pilot, spread my sail
Beyond the trophies of great Hercules,
Making thine eyes my Cynosure!
Enter Lucullus.
How now, Lucullus?

Luc.
Where is my lord? I was inform'd
That I should find him here—a senator
Bade me require him instantly.

Pyth.
He waits here,
To attend us to the temple, and if things
Of weight demand his ear, you'll find him yonder
In the pale cypress-grove.
[Exit Lucullus.
Nothing I hope
Has happen'd to withdraw him from the rite
That makes thee mine.

Cal.
I hope not.—Who is this
That seeks him out so earnestly?

Pyth.
He is
A brave Italian, whom the Carthage pirates
Seiz'd on his native coast, and sold a slave.
Damon hath given him back his liberty,
But yet, of his free will, he tends him still:
And more than very freedom doth he hold
The right to serve a man that is fine touch'd
With a most merciful spirit.

Cal.
Nay, my Pythias,
Make not your friend's high qualities for aye
The burthen of your eloquence—In sooth,
I should be almost jealous of a steed
I saw you pat with a too liberal hand;
And—ha! he comes.

Enter Damon.
Damon.
Pythias— (aside)
I must not let
Calanthe read my purpose. Calanthe,
The blessing, and the bounty of the gods
Be with you, over you, and all around you,
Thou gentle girl!—Pythias, a word with you. (Aside to Pyth.)

What heard I, think you, Pythias, even now?

Cal.
There has been Pythias, all this forenoon,
Would speak to me of nothing but the esteem
In which he held thee, Damon.

Damon.
What! no word
Touching the quality of that foolish love
He bears the fair Calanthe? (To Pyth. aside.)
We are undone,
We, and our wretched city, Pythias!

Pyth.
(Aside to Damon.)
What dost thou mean?

Cal.
No, not a single word—
Thou, thou alone mad'st up his eulogy.

Damon.
What think'st thou, Pythias? A king? (Aside.)


Pyth.
(Aside to Damon.)
What! who?

Damon.
(To Cal.)
Heed not
His silken praises of me.— (To Pyth. aside.)
Dionysius
Is to be crowned in the senate-house.

Pyth.
Can it be possible?

Damon.
I say thee, yea—
His soldiers line the streets.

Pyth.
But will the senate,
The coward senate sanction it? Will none
Oppose him in it?

Damon.
Oppose him!— (Aloud.)
all the gods
So help, or strike me, as I will oppose him!
Let Etna vomit fire upon his side,
And I alone—Ha! I forgot my dagger.

[Searching about him.
Cal.
How now, my Pythias?

Pyth.
He is mov'd, Calanthe,
By some most urgent matter of the state;
Nay, heed him not!

Damon.
Pythias, as I intended
To be a witness to thy wedding-rite,
I did not bear a weapon—give me thy poniard.

Pyth.
Speak, to what end?

Damon.
No matter, give it me.

Cal.
Ha! what does he intend? Now, by my love
Pythias, I do adjure thee,—

Pyth.
Whither, Damon,
Where would'st thou go?

Damon.
Unto the senate-house.

Pyth.
Then I will with you, too.

Cal.
He shall not!

Damon.
No!
Thou say'st aright,—he shall not! Fair Calanthe,
This is no hour to leave thee! What, Calanthe,
Should bridegrooms give the law, and 'gin to rule
Even on their wedding-day? I charge thee, sweet,
Assert thy brief dominion, while thou canst:
'Twill speedily be his turn. (Aside to Pyth.)

It shall not be! It is against the law
For any soldier in the senate-house
To lift his helm of war, and what avail
Were thy companionship? Calanthe, take him,
Take him away, and heaven be o'er you both!

Pyth.
But thou wilt promise me, upon the faith
Of an old friendship, that thy sudden hand
Will not attempt a rashness?

Damon.
Be thou satisfied,
I will do nought in passion. Come, Calanthe, (Aside.)

Assert thy right in him, and bear him hence
Unto the garden-walk, and tell him o'er
The names of all thy favourite plants; I pray thee,
Keep him in busy trifles, till the hour
For the sweet rite be come—That's well, my girl—
There, take him by the arm!

Cal.
Come, Pythias, come!
I thank thee, Damon, for thy tender counsel.

Pyth.
Nay, Damon, nay, Calanthe—

Cal.
Nay me no nays;
I say it shall be so.

Damon.
May the gods pour
Their blessing o'er your heads!—Farewell! farewell!
I have no time to bide here, but my heart
Shall be beside you at the altar-place.
Perhaps it is an idle fear compels me
Hence from your sight—I will, if possible
Return and see you wedded.—Fare you well!
Now, Syracuse, for thee!—And may the fates
So bless, or curse me, as I act in this!

[Exeunt severally.