| |
A Greek Slave
Dialogue Following Song No. 7 — Act I
Maia: You see, Prefect, if we urged you suit too directly, Antonia would suspect the plot. You see, wealthy girls are suspicious now-a-days. So many of them have been taken in by husbands in high positions.
Marcus: Well, what are we to do?
Maia: Make her ridiculous in the eyes of her friends, if necessary in the eyes of all Rome, then in her downfall she'll turn to the most powerfull husband who offers himself.
Heliodorus: Like Serope —
Marcus: No, Merope — Well, I don't care how you work your oracle or how your oracle works Antonia. You must make her my wife and depend on my protection. Fail and —
Heliodorus: Yes, I know. Drowning, wild monkeys. Don't allude to it again.
Marcus: Would you like to sit cross-ways on a ladder with a sharp knide at the top and a weight on each of your feet? (Goes out chuckling) That's an original idea of mine. How funny he would look.
Heliodorus: I don't like that man's idea of humor at all.
(Exit MARCUS and LICTORS)
Maia: Didn't I get you well out of it?
Heliodorus: I'm not out yet — how will you work the princess?
Maia: Trust me to manage a love matter. See how splendidly I managed my own. You won't forget you promise about Diomed?
Heliodorus: (Aside) That reminds me I must get rig of him. Well, if ever a man really lived in an atmosphere of love that man is a necromancer!
(Exit Heliodorus)
Maia: (Goes laughuingly to curtain) Come out now, my real live Eros! Come on!
(Enter DIOMED)
Maia: The portrait's finished, isn't it?
Diomed: Yes, Maia. And I'm getting used to be a sculptor's model. First I'm a satyr., then I'm the god of Agriculture, then I'm an Arm, then a leg, then a forehead, and my latest character is Eros, the God of Love.
Maia: Well, it passes your time, and saves you having any hard work to do. I arranged that for you.
Diomed: And I'm grateful — but it's not what you'd call an invigorating occupation for an active minded man — is it?
Maia: But if won't last long — I'm going to get you out of it.
Diomed: (Shrugging his shoulders) What then? A slave is a slave — whatever he has to do. I have no future to look forward to — hardly a destiny to fulfil.
Maia: Haven't you thought — I'm your destiny.
Diomed: I wish I could think so, my Maia. It's too good a fate for me even to dream of. Fancy a miserable Greek slave marrying his master's daughter.
Maia: Well, I mean you to as soon as I have got through a scheme of mine that you must help me with.
Diomed: I'll help you with my life.
Maia: We don't want your life. Now, listen. The great lady Antonia will fall in love with that staue.
Diomed: But I have nothing to do with that Statue.
Maia: No — I know, but you must stand on the pedestal and pretend to be Eros, God of Love.
Diomed: Well! What then?
Maia: Then you must teach Antonia what love is - she doesn't know poor girl — but you must only pretend you know or I'll be jealous
Diomed: You needn't be, Maia, but you know I hate deception.
Maia: And you hate slavery more. Promise me on your solemn wordt o do as I tell you, and then when the Lady Antonia is done with, you will be given your freedom and me.
Diomed: For such a reward, I'll solemnly promise anything,
Maia: And then —
Diomed: Then I will be your slave
Maia: Yes, that' s precisely what I mean you to be.
Page created 7 October 2001
|
|