A Greek Slave Dialogue Following Song No. 10

A Greek Slave
Dialogue Following Song No. 10 — Act I

(Enter two Lictors and Marcus)

Marcus:

I want to know how Antonia got on. Where's Heliodorus?

(Enter Heliodorus)

Heliodorus:

Everything is proceeding satisfactorily, Prefect. The Lady Antonia rushed at the bait like a starved turbot. She thinks the god Eros is coming down from Olympus to marry her.

Marcus:

He isn't — I suppose?

Heliodorus:

Now, we are going to give her a statue of him, and she'll never marry that.

Marcus:

Some women will marry anything, so long as he looks like a man.

Heliodorus:

But this is hard, cold stone, and there's no woman on earth who can bring stone to life — not even the Lady Antonia.

Marcus:

Yes, it's a good idea, all Rome will see her making love to a statue. I say, What a fool she will look!

Heliodorus:

Then in her folly, she'll turn to you — no, I don't mean that — I mean when wisdom returns to her, she'll seek solace in the arms of the Prefect.

(Enter Iris)

Marcus:

And a very advantageous match for her —

Iris:

Some people might prefer a statue —

Marcus:

Antonia's pretty Greek girl! What are you here for?

Iris:

(coyly) Mayn't I have my little love affairs, too, noble Prefect? You see, I'm fond of the man who made the statue.
(To Heliodorus) You'll send Archias home with him, won't you, Heliodorus? That's my share of the business.

Heliodorus:

You all want so much, there'll be nothing left for me. Well, with the permission of the Prefect, we'll see what time will bring forth.

Iris:

It will bring me a husband, I hope.

Marcus:

And me the Lady Antonia, I hope.

Heliodorus:

And me the Tiber — I hope not!

Page created 15 November 2001