 | Gycia |  |
SCENE II.
—The banquet hall.At a table, on a dais, Zetho, Asander, Gycia, and Senators; Lysimachus, and Courtiers of Bosphorus. Magnates of Cherson at cross tables. Asander, Lysimachus, the Courtiers, and Senators Seem flushed with wine.
Zetho.
I drink to him whose gracious memory
We celebrate to-day. In all our Cherson,
Which boasts descent from the Athenian race,
Who one time swayed the world, there was no man,
Nor ever had been, fired with deeper love
Of this our city, or more heartfelt pride
In our republican rule (Lysimachus sneers)
, which freeborn men
Prize more than life. I do not seek to bind
Those who, long nurtured under kingly rule,
Give to the Man the love we bear the State;
But never shall the name of King be heard
In this our Cherson.
Lys.
Archon, 'twere unwise
To risk long prophecies.
Bard.
Be silent, sir,
If you would not offend.
Zetho,
I bid you all
Drink to the memory of Lamachus
And weal to our Republic.
Lys.
Shall we drink
Its memory, for it has not long to live,
If it be still alive?
Bard.
It will outlive thee.
Thou hast not long to live.
Lys.
Longer than thou,
If swords be sharp.
Zetho.
I pray you, gentlemen,
Bandy not angry words.
Gycia.
My Lord Asander,
Thy cup is empty. Shall I fill it for thee?
Thou lovedst Lamachus?
Asan.
Ay, that I did;
And I love thee. But I have drunk enough.
I must keep cool to-night.
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Nay; see, I fill
My glass to drink with thee.
Asan.
Well, well, I drink,
But not to the Republic.
Gycia.
Ah! my lord,
There is a gulf still yawns 'twixt thee and me
Which not the rapture of recovered love
Can ever wholly bridge. To my dead father
I drink, and the Republic!
Lys.
Which is dead.
Bard.
Nay, sir, but living, and shall live when thou
Liest rotting with thy schemes.
Enter Megacles.
Meg.
My Lord Asander,
A messenger from Bosphorus, just landed,
Has bid me give thee this.
[Gives Asander letter.
Asan.
(reading)
“My Lord, the King
Is dead, asking for thee.” Oh, wretched day!
Had I but gone to him, and left this place
Of sorrow ere he died!
Gycia.
My love, my dear!
Thou wilt go hence too late. I would indeed
The law had let thee go. Sorrow like this
Draws parted lives in one, and knits anew
The rents which time has made.
Lys.
The King is dead!
Ay, then long live the King of Bosphorus!
And more ere long!
Bard.
Think you that he will live
To wear his crown?
Zetho.
Brethren, the hour is late,
And draws to midnight, and 'tis time that all
Should rest for whom rest is. (To Bardanes aside)
We must consider
What change of policy this weighty change
Which makes Asander King may work in us.
Bard.
(aside).
Nay, nay, no change!
He is a murderer still,
And shall be punished were he thrice a king.
Asan.
Good night to all. And thou, good Megacles,
Thou wert my father's servant, take thy rest.
Go hence with these.
Meg.
I have no heart to marshal
These dignitaries forth. My King is dead;
I am growing old and spent.
Zetho.
Daughter, remember
Thy duty to the State.
Gycia.
I will, good Zetho.
I am my father's daughter. Gentle Sirs
And Ladies all, good night.
[Exeunt omnes except Asander and Gycia; Lysimachus and Courtiers by one door, then the Chersonites by another opposite.
Asan.
Dearest of women,
How well this fair head will become a crown!
I know not how it is, but now this blow
Has fallen, it does not move me as I thought.
I am as those who come in tottering age
Even to life's verge, whom loss of friend or child
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Precede them but a stage upon the road
Which they shall tread to-morrow. Yet am I
Young, and thou too, my Gycia; we should walk
The path of life together many years,
But that some strange foreboding troubles me.
For oh, my dear! now that the sun of love
Beams on our days again, my worthless life
Grows precious, and I tremble like a coward
At dangers I despised. Tell me, my Gycia,
Though I am true in love, wouldst thou forgive me
If I were false or seemed false to thy State?
Hast thou no word for me? May I not tell thee
My secret, which so soon all men shall know,
And ask thy pardon for it?
Gycia.
Say on, Asander.
Asan.
Know, then, that soldiers sent from Bosphorus
Have long time hid within our palace here—
Long time before I knew, or I had nipt
The treason in the bud; and in an hour
Or less from when we speak, they will go forth,
When all the citizens are wrapt in sleep
After the toilsome day, and seize the gates,
And open to the army which lies hid
On board the ships without. They will not shed
The blood of any, since the o'erwhelming force
Will make resistance vain. I never liked
The plot, I swear to thee; but, all being done,
And I a subject, dared not disavow
That which was done without me. But I have forced
A promise that no blood be spilt.
Gycia.
Asander,
I have known it all, and have discovered all
[Asander starts.
The secret to the Senate! But I knew not,
Save by the faith that is the twin with love,
That thou didst follow only in this plot,
And wert unwilling; and I do rejoice
Thy hands are free from blood. But oh, my love,
Break from these hateful men! Thou art now a King,
Thou canst command. Come, let us fly together;
There yet is time! I tell thee that this plot
Is doomed to ruin. Ere the morning dawns,
All but the guilty leaders will be sent
Prisoners to Bosphorus, and thou with them.
I have gained this on my knees; but for the guilty
The State has punishments.
Asan.
Gycia, thou wouldst not
That I should break my faith? 'Tis a King's part
To keep faith, though he die. But when they have seized
The city, then, using my kingly office,
I will undo the deed, and make alliance
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Taking my Queen with me.
Gycia.
Then must I go;
I cannot live without thee.
Asan.
Now to rest,
If not to sleep.
Gycia.
Good night, my love; farewell.
Asan.
Nay, not farewell, my love!
Gycia.
Ah yes, farewell!
Farewell! farewell for ever!
[Exeunt.
| Gycia | |