University of Virginia Library

Scene II.

—A hall in the house of Charon. Arms and armour are strewed about the floor.
(Pelopidas—Androclides—Gorgidas—Theopompus —Melon—Cephisidorus—and Democlides are busied putting on their armour. Charon and Clymene are assisting.)
Pelop.
This breast-plate is too small.

Melon.
Try this.

Charon.
Here's one
Might clip a giant in. But use good haste:
The signal is put up that all goes well,
And we must hold us ready.—Will that fit?

Pelop.
Somewhat too wide:—but 'tis the better fault.

Andro.
Thank you, dear lady.

Clymene.
Wherefore do you shake?

Andro.
Oh! ask me not: I have no tongue to-night.
My soul seems coiled up for one desperate spring,
And likes no motion else. If I do shake,
'Tis as some burning mountain, when the fires
Are gathering for a burst.—Thanks, lady—thanks.

Pelop.
And this, you say, the sword Ismenias wore.—

Charon.
The same.

Pelop.
'Tis a rare blade,—and fits my hand.
He still shall wear it,—for his deadliest foe
This night shall be its sheath.

(A loud knocking at the outward gate.)
Cephisi.
What noise is that?

(They pause, and look toward the door.)
Clymene.
Fear nothing, gentlemen: 'tis but some gossip
Who comes to tell me of her morning's head-ache:—
Or that her daughter lost a tooth last night—
Or that her lap-dog's ailing.

(Enter Pherenicus in haste. He stands silent.)
Pelop.
What's amiss?
Why dost not speak?

Pheren.
I fear we are undone!

Pelop.
Then tell us how.—We have our armour on,
And will do something.

Pheren.
Here's a messenger,
Puffing with hot haste—sent from the Polemarchs,
With stern demand that Charon instantly
Do go before them.

(A pause. They look anxiously at one another.)
Pelop.
Does he say the business?

Pheren.
No—and I ask'd him not,—for he look'd strange.

Charon.
Bid him return, and I will follow him.

Pheren.
His order is, he says, most peremptory
Not to return without you. (A pause).


Pelop.
Charon, go—
If we're discover'd—dash the signal-light,
As you pass by it, to the ground.—We're arm'd,
And, seeing that, will forth at once,—and do
What fate will let us.

Gorgidas.
But he may be seiz'd—
Tortur'd—or threaten'd with an instant death
If he reveal not:—what awaits us then?
I would not have him go at all.—Send word
That he is ill, and in his bed.

Charon.
No—no—
Then would they seek me here,—and that were worse.
Suspicion often is a coward cur
That, fairly met—turns tail and slinks away:—
But—run from—may become a furious beast,
And worry you to death. I'll go at once.
The business may be foreign to our fear;—
But, should the worst be true,—my voice in this
Is with Pelopidas,—that, on the instant,
Ere they are well awak'd, ye sally forth,
And strike the tyrants down.—Behold this glass—
(Taking up an hour-glass)
I turn it now.—If, half its sands run out,
I come not back,—delay no moment more:—
Unsheathe your swords, and get about your work.
If I return there needs no signal else.—
Hath this your sanctions?—

Pelop.
I am well content.

Andro.
And I.

Melon.
And I.

Pelop.
Why are you silent, sirs?

(The others whisper. Exit Clymene.)
Theopompus.
It is not, Charon, that we aught misdoubt
Your perfect truth, and zeal—

Charon.
Go on, sir, pray.

Gorgidas.
We all esteem you, sir, most honorable.

Several Choices.
All—all—

Cephis.
And shall be ever bound to you,
As a most noble gentleman.

Charon.
Well, sirs—
I see what scares you. Should they threaten death,
Or show the torture,—I'm too soft a plant
To live in such a tempest,—that's your thought. (A pause.)

I blame you not;—for 'tis well known to all
That I'm no soldier;—never saw a battle:—
And 'tis, too oft, the noise and strut of war
That goes for bravery:—but I have known
As firm a heart in a soft woman's breast
As ever heav'd up mail.—Come to the proof—
He that misdoubts me:—let him thrust his hand
Into this fire with me,—and, if I start,
Or snatch away the first, then trust me not.

Pelop.
No—no—it shall not be—

Several.
We want no proof.

(Enter Clymene hastily, with her little son in her arms.)
Clymene.
You doubt my Charon!—here are hostages,
Myself—and this far dearer— (puts down the child)

When he's false,
Let us not live.—You'll have your vengeance so,—
And we shall 'scape our shame!—Here—take him, sirs—
Take both—and spare us not!—

Charon
(embracing her).
Belov'd Clymene!—
Here, gentlemen,—you have your hostages.

Pelop.
If there's that man in all this company
So vile to take this gage—I cast him off—
And hold him in my hatred!

Andro.
There's no wretch,
Even the worst in Thebes, would stoop to this!

All.
We'll have no hostages.

Several
(together and in succession).
Dear Charon, go.—

Theopompus.
Charon, forgive me if I knew you not.

Charon.
Then, sirs, I have your confidence again?—

All.
For ever, Charon!

Charon.
For these hostages,
They shall remain with you.

Pelop.
No, Charon, no!
Do not degrade us. I'd as soon take pawn
For money lent to my most honor'd friend,
As take your pledge in this.

Andro.
It shall not be—
Remove them, rather, from all reach of harm:—
So, if you perish, may your son yet live
T'avenge his country's wrongs.

Charon.
I thank you—No!
Let us together live, or die. What fate
More glorious could I wish him, than to fall
In such a struggle, where his father falls,
And such a band of friends.—My pretty boy!
Farewell— (embracing him)
farewell!

Boy.
Where are you going, father?

Charon.
Not far, dear boy. I shall be back anon.
Belov'd Clymene! (embracing her)
as the breath to life—
So art thou to my soul! The Gods protect thee! (He kneels.)

Immortal Jove! oh! hear us now!—Our foes
Are tyrannous, and strong;—and bow us down
With misery to the earth!—but let them fall
By our just hands,—and send our country peace!—
Hear us—and give the sign!

(A loud burst of thunder.)
All.
Our prayer is heard!
The Gods are for us!—

Charon.
Oh! all ruling Jove
Our hearts do thank thee!

(He rises.)
Pelop.
Charon—get thee hence—
Or I cannot abide.

Charon.
Kind friends—adieu—
Look to the hour-glass. Give one parting grasp—
(He shakes hands with all.)
Clymene!—one fond kiss—My boy—ah! rogue!
The spring will soon be here, and thou shalt ride.
Now get thee to thy bed. Adieu—adieu!

[Exit.
Pelop.
Are we all arm'd?

Several Voices.
Yes—all—

Pelop.
Let every sword
Leap freely from the scabbard:—every dagger
Be ready for the grasp.—Come, dear Clymene,—
Thou hast a hero for thy lord. Be gay—
All shall go well.—Come, where's our woman's gear?
Time is a race-horse now, and near the goal.
Show us the way.

Clymene.
Bear you the hour-glass, sir,—
And warily—for every dropping sand
May tell a brave man's life.—Come, gentlemen—
A woman fitly may lead warriors on,
Who go to play the woman.

Pelop.
Lead the way.
Bring Charon's armour:—he will need it soon.

Gorgidas.
I have it here, Pelopidas.

[Exeunt omnes.