A Greek Slave Dialogue Following Song No. 21

A Greek Slave
Dialogue Following Song No. 21 — Act II

(Heliodorus and Diomed appear on the balcony. Saturnalia slaves break up into groups.)

Heliodorus:

There's your chance. Go out in the world and enjoy yourself. Disappear with the crowd and never come back to Rome. I'll give you your freedom.

Diomed:

My freedom is not yours to give. You sold me to the Princess.

Heliodorus:

I sold the Princess too. But what's that to you? If you are going to run away what does it matter whom you run away from?

Diomed:

My honour is pledged.

Heliodorus:

Honour! The honour of a slave! Well, well, that's the worst of belonging to the lower classes, you are expected to keep your word.

(Some of the slaves see Diomed and Heliodorus)

Slaves:

There's Diomed!

Melanopis:

And Heliodorus! My Heliodorus!

Archias:

Hullo, master! Have you given any love philtres to the wrong people lately?

Nepia:

How are the Oracle's tips? Any winners?

Heliodorus:

Bah! Impudence! How I hate a public holiday! Give a slave his liberty and he takes more liberties! (To Diomed) If ever you let me see your face again, you are a fool! Off! I shan't miss you!

(Heliodorus exits into Villa)

Archias:

(To Diomed) Well, my Eros — immortalised by my artist's chisel as the God of Love — I suppose you are too proud to speak to anyone beneath the rank of a Princess!

1st Slave:

The Great Diomed! (Laugh)

2nd Slave:

The Aristocratic Diomed! (Laugh)

3rd Slave:

Imperial Diomed! Where's your purple toga?(Laugh)

Diomed:

(Coming down) Laugh away, boys, jeer at me if you like; it's always safe to make fun of a friend in misfortune.

Archias:

Misfortune! And you betrothed to the beautiful Antonia! You are the luckiest slave alive!

Diomed:

There's no luck in getting the lovliest lady in the world if she does not happen to be the one you want.