 | The Siege of Troy |  |
SCENE THE LAST.
In Troy, near the Palace of Æneas [R.], and the Temple of Vesta [L.]. Red lights at wing.
Enter Helen, crouching and terrified [R.].
Helen.
Alas! where shall I fly? Report declares
Great Hector has been slain. The city glares
One blaze of triumph, lit with real Greek fire,
Which, from the frying-pan of Trojan ire,
I'm likely to fall into! Noble Hector!
Dear friend and champion! Helen's sole protector!
From whom it ne'er has been my fate to find
A deed ungentle, or a thought unkind.
When others cursed the auth'ress of their woe,
Thy pity check'd my sorrows in their flow.
The fate that I have caused how must I moan!
Sad Helen has no friend if thou art gone!
I am pursued! Where shall I fly—ay, where?
Ha! Vesta's Temple—though I've small right there.
[Runs into temple, L.
Enter [R.] Priam, Antenor, Hecuba, Andromache, Trojan Women, &c.; Paris being carefully muffled up and codled by the women; Troilus, with his sword drawn, escorting them.
Troi.
In for your lives—yon temple's sacred screen
Will shelter you.
Andro.
Where last was Hector seen?
Troi.
Where I must join him—in the thickest fight,
A Troilus. Ho!
[Exit R.
Priam
[to Paris].
Puppy, does not the sight
Of such a child in arms your blood provoke?
Paris.
Think of one's hands, papa, in such a smoke.
Impossible! On to the sacred dwelling!
Hecuba.
If I could only catch that hussy, Helen!
Priam.
Into the temple quick—the heat increases.
[Exeunt L.
Enter Homer, wildly excited [R.].
Homer.
Ilion has fallen. Let's pick up the pieces!
[Exit L. Patroclus runs across the stage after him, R. to L.
Enter Æneas [R.], with his aged father on his back, his little son by the hand. Servants following with household gods, &c.
Æneas.
Come, governor, our house we'd better quit—
There's a distress in—by a moonlight flit.
Though all the gods side with the Grecian banner,
At least one Trojan dares to shoot Diana.
[Helen is heard to scream from the temple. She rushes out, pursued vindictively by Hecuba and other Trojans, the whole party of fugitives following. Other Trojans enter R.
Hecuba.
The shameless wretch, to dare to show her face
With decent people, and in such a place!
A Trojan.
Down with the hated cause of all our strife!
Helen
[crouching].
Have pity on my face, if not my life!
Hecuba.
To tear her eyes out is at least my duty.
Mob.
Stone her to death—
[They are about to rush on Helen. Cupid, armed with a dart and buckler, springs through the scene and protects her.
Cupid.
Who dares to spoil my beauty?
Love only was the cause of her delusion,
And love has brought its fruits to a conclusion.
The siege of Troy is ended.
Hecuba.
But Troy's chief,
Our gallant son?
Andro.
[aside].
I tremble like a leaf.
Enter Homer [L.], Patroclus following.
Homer.
I grieve to say the melancholy task
Devolves on me to answer what you ask.
Great Hector is no more—
[Andromache faints, and is borne out by her maids. The others show deep signs of grief.
Priam.
'Tis true, then?
Homer.
Yes;
The fact's already telegraph'd to press.
Priam.
Oh! then it must be—
Patro.
[aside to Homer].
I say, you're mistaken.
Homer.
Don't interrupt.
Priam.
To hear the worst unshaken,
I'll like a Trojan strive.
Homer
[moved].
My facts, you see,
Are from the best authority.
Patro.
[aside].
That's me!
Homer.
Achilles Hector slew.
Patro.
[aside].
Who said so?
Homer.
Wait!
The same authority proceeds to state
The ruthless victor, having stripp'd the body—
Patro.
Shocking! I didn't—
Homer.
Silence, you tom-noddy!
Encased his martial limbs in tops and smalls,
And dragg'd him three times round the city walls,
Tied to his dogcart's tail.
Patro.
Here!
Homer,
Silence, monkey!
Priam.
His noble corse trick'd out like a stuff'd flunkey.
The villain's motive?
Homer.
To insult the dead.
Patro.
[unable to restrain himself any longer].
I'm blest if he's spoke a word of what I said.
Homer.
Villain! 'tis what you swore to me as fact,
And which already off to press I've pack'd
Verbatim, to instruct each age and nation,
With some slight ornament and emendation.
Patro.
I only said—
Priam.
Speak.
Patro.
I saw great Thetis' son,
Driving his four-in-hand, like lightning run,
And Hector after him.
Homer.
In tops and smalls,
Lifeless.
Patro.
[loud].
No! All I said was, round the walls
Hector was like a tiger after him.
I meant as fierce as one—
Homer
[overwhelmed].
Oh, this is trim!
Of history I've caused some nice confusions.
Moral: ye writers, jump not at conclusions.
I thought he meant liveried like a slave
Hector he saw, and this side of the grave
Hector to that I knew would not submit;
Therefore I thought him dead, and posted it.
Cupid.
You, in your next epistle, can explain it.
Homer.
Hanged if I do—litera scripta manet.
Cupid.
Take heart, thou too imaginative youth;
E'en at the worst you're always near the truth.
Hecuba.
Oh, say not so!
Cupid.
Be patient, queen, I wish you;
See, hither comes the melancholy issue
Of the dread strife 'twixt Thetis' son and thine.
Helen.
Oh! I must hide my eyes.
Hecuba.
As I must mine.
[Dead March. Enter the Greek chieftains in melancholy procession, two and two—Agamemnon, Ulysses, Menelaus, Diomed, Talthybius, Teucer. After them Achilles, in a Bath chair, wrapped in blankets or cloak, and looking very miserable. Thetis in agony, attending upon him. Hector, perfectly safe and sound, guiding the chair, and attending his late adversary with much solicitude.
Homer
[aside].
That's near enough to my description, quite.
Hector.
How do you feel, old fellow, now?
Achilles
[his teeth chattering].
All right.
Thetis.
The stars be thank'd! Pray get him something warm.
Priam.
The meaning of this incident inform—
Hector.
A good half-hour we in fierce strife debated,
Then in the field got somehow separated.
Achilles, to work off his surplus dander,
Must needs engage with Xanthus and Scamander,
The river gods, and, where their two streams meet,
Plunged—
Thetis.
He so delicate about the feet!
Aga.
When gallant Hector dived his foe to save—
Hector.
For which a testimonial you gave,
In shape of easy terms of peace and ransom.
Priam.
Humane society! How very handsome!
Cupid.
Jump up, Achilles. Let's an end make quick to it.
Homer
[aside].
I like my version best, and mean to stick to it.
Hector.
With all our sorry hits and clumsy cuts,
And straggling arrows aim'd at noble butts,
I trust there's no one wounded seriously.
Enter Ajax [L.], his arm in a sling, his face bound up and plastered.
Ajax.
Your pardon—an exception make of me.
Hector.
Not mortally?
Ajax.
No, I'm alive and kicking.
I merely call'd to state I got that licking.
Hector.
And didn't like it?
Ajax.
Tell that to your mother.
Didn't I? I'm impatient for another.
Hector.
I trust to give you one per night for weeks,
[To audience].
If, as staunch Trojans and as merry Greeks,
Our struggles are approved; for, after all,
It rests with you if Troy must stand or fall.
[Troilus and Cressida come in reconciled. Cupid joins their hands.
In Troy, near the Palace of Æneas [R.], and the Temple of Vesta [L.]. Red lights at wing.
Enter Helen, crouching and terrified [R.].
Helen.
Alas! where shall I fly? Report declares
Great Hector has been slain. The city glares
One blaze of triumph, lit with real Greek fire,
Which, from the frying-pan of Trojan ire,
I'm likely to fall into! Noble Hector!
Dear friend and champion! Helen's sole protector!
From whom it ne'er has been my fate to find
A deed ungentle, or a thought unkind.
44
Thy pity check'd my sorrows in their flow.
The fate that I have caused how must I moan!
Sad Helen has no friend if thou art gone!
I am pursued! Where shall I fly—ay, where?
Ha! Vesta's Temple—though I've small right there.
[Runs into temple, L.
Enter [R.] Priam, Antenor, Hecuba, Andromache, Trojan Women, &c.; Paris being carefully muffled up and codled by the women; Troilus, with his sword drawn, escorting them.
Troi.
In for your lives—yon temple's sacred screen
Will shelter you.
Andro.
Where last was Hector seen?
Troi.
Where I must join him—in the thickest fight,
A Troilus. Ho!
[Exit R.
Priam
[to Paris].
Puppy, does not the sight
Of such a child in arms your blood provoke?
Paris.
Think of one's hands, papa, in such a smoke.
Impossible! On to the sacred dwelling!
Hecuba.
If I could only catch that hussy, Helen!
Priam.
Into the temple quick—the heat increases.
[Exeunt L.
Enter Homer, wildly excited [R.].
Homer.
Ilion has fallen. Let's pick up the pieces!
[Exit L. Patroclus runs across the stage after him, R. to L.
Enter Æneas [R.], with his aged father on his back, his little son by the hand. Servants following with household gods, &c.
Æneas.
Come, governor, our house we'd better quit—
There's a distress in—by a moonlight flit.
Though all the gods side with the Grecian banner,
At least one Trojan dares to shoot Diana.
[Helen is heard to scream from the temple. She rushes out, pursued vindictively by Hecuba and other Trojans, the whole party of fugitives following. Other Trojans enter R.
Hecuba.
The shameless wretch, to dare to show her face
With decent people, and in such a place!
A Trojan.
Down with the hated cause of all our strife!
Helen
[crouching].
Have pity on my face, if not my life!
Hecuba.
To tear her eyes out is at least my duty.
Mob.
Stone her to death—
[They are about to rush on Helen. Cupid, armed with a dart and buckler, springs through the scene and protects her.
Cupid.
Who dares to spoil my beauty?
45
And love has brought its fruits to a conclusion.
The siege of Troy is ended.
Hecuba.
But Troy's chief,
Our gallant son?
Andro.
[aside].
I tremble like a leaf.
Enter Homer [L.], Patroclus following.
Homer.
I grieve to say the melancholy task
Devolves on me to answer what you ask.
Great Hector is no more—
[Andromache faints, and is borne out by her maids. The others show deep signs of grief.
Priam.
'Tis true, then?
Homer.
Yes;
The fact's already telegraph'd to press.
Priam.
Oh! then it must be—
Patro.
[aside to Homer].
I say, you're mistaken.
Homer.
Don't interrupt.
Priam.
To hear the worst unshaken,
I'll like a Trojan strive.
Homer
[moved].
My facts, you see,
Are from the best authority.
Patro.
[aside].
That's me!
Homer.
Achilles Hector slew.
Patro.
[aside].
Who said so?
Homer.
Wait!
The same authority proceeds to state
The ruthless victor, having stripp'd the body—
Patro.
Shocking! I didn't—
Homer.
Silence, you tom-noddy!
Encased his martial limbs in tops and smalls,
And dragg'd him three times round the city walls,
Tied to his dogcart's tail.
Patro.
Here!
Homer,
Silence, monkey!
Priam.
His noble corse trick'd out like a stuff'd flunkey.
The villain's motive?
Homer.
To insult the dead.
Patro.
[unable to restrain himself any longer].
I'm blest if he's spoke a word of what I said.
Homer.
Villain! 'tis what you swore to me as fact,
And which already off to press I've pack'd
Verbatim, to instruct each age and nation,
With some slight ornament and emendation.
Patro.
I only said—
Priam.
Speak.
Patro.
I saw great Thetis' son,
Driving his four-in-hand, like lightning run,
And Hector after him.
46
In tops and smalls,
Lifeless.
Patro.
[loud].
No! All I said was, round the walls
Hector was like a tiger after him.
I meant as fierce as one—
Homer
[overwhelmed].
Oh, this is trim!
Of history I've caused some nice confusions.
Moral: ye writers, jump not at conclusions.
I thought he meant liveried like a slave
Hector he saw, and this side of the grave
Hector to that I knew would not submit;
Therefore I thought him dead, and posted it.
Cupid.
You, in your next epistle, can explain it.
Homer.
Hanged if I do—litera scripta manet.
Cupid.
Take heart, thou too imaginative youth;
E'en at the worst you're always near the truth.
Hecuba.
Oh, say not so!
Cupid.
Be patient, queen, I wish you;
See, hither comes the melancholy issue
Of the dread strife 'twixt Thetis' son and thine.
Helen.
Oh! I must hide my eyes.
Hecuba.
As I must mine.
[Dead March. Enter the Greek chieftains in melancholy procession, two and two—Agamemnon, Ulysses, Menelaus, Diomed, Talthybius, Teucer. After them Achilles, in a Bath chair, wrapped in blankets or cloak, and looking very miserable. Thetis in agony, attending upon him. Hector, perfectly safe and sound, guiding the chair, and attending his late adversary with much solicitude.
Homer
[aside].
That's near enough to my description, quite.
Hector.
How do you feel, old fellow, now?
Achilles
[his teeth chattering].
All right.
Thetis.
The stars be thank'd! Pray get him something warm.
Priam.
The meaning of this incident inform—
Hector.
A good half-hour we in fierce strife debated,
Then in the field got somehow separated.
Achilles, to work off his surplus dander,
Must needs engage with Xanthus and Scamander,
The river gods, and, where their two streams meet,
Plunged—
Thetis.
He so delicate about the feet!
Aga.
When gallant Hector dived his foe to save—
Hector.
For which a testimonial you gave,
In shape of easy terms of peace and ransom.
Priam.
Humane society! How very handsome!
Cupid.
Jump up, Achilles. Let's an end make quick to it.
Homer
[aside].
I like my version best, and mean to stick to it.
Hector.
With all our sorry hits and clumsy cuts,
47
I trust there's no one wounded seriously.
Enter Ajax [L.], his arm in a sling, his face bound up and plastered.
Ajax.
Your pardon—an exception make of me.
Hector.
Not mortally?
Ajax.
No, I'm alive and kicking.
I merely call'd to state I got that licking.
Hector.
And didn't like it?
Ajax.
Tell that to your mother.
Didn't I? I'm impatient for another.
Hector.
I trust to give you one per night for weeks,
[To audience].
If, as staunch Trojans and as merry Greeks,
Our struggles are approved; for, after all,
It rests with you if Troy must stand or fall.
[Troilus and Cressida come in reconciled. Cupid joins their hands.
FINALE.
| The Siege of Troy | |