A Greek Slave Dialogue Following Song No. 25

A Greek Slave
Dialogue Following Song No. 25 — Act II

(Enter Heliodorus; sees statue)

Heliodorus:

Now who brought that here? The prefect must have seized it at my house after I left. Well, Antonia has nothing to conplain of. She bought the statue and she's got it!

(Enter Marcus with slaves)

Marcus:

I have been looking for you.

Heliodorus:

I'm sorry you have found me.

Marcus:

Scoundrel — come here!

(Heliodorus approaches nervously)

Marcus:

You have deceived the beautiful and innocent princess!

Heliodorus:

No, Marcus, never! (Aside) Except at your command.

Marcus:

Your Eros has gone back to marble.

Heliodorus:

(Confidentially) No, not back to marble — back to Greece — I've got rid of him and sent him home.

Marcus:

Don't contradict! I say he's gone back to marble — and here he is!

Heliodorus:

(Squares up to statue, pulls it's nose) Marcus must be right — and the wretch has deceived the Princess! (Kicks statue) How dare you, villian! Impostor! (Still pummelling statue) But he has deceived a beautiful and innocent Princess!

Marcus:

Come, come, Heliodorus! Although you are a wonderful magician, you can't hurt stone!

Heliodorus:

(Desisting) No, I forgot that!

Marcus:

But you can hurt him when he comes to life.

Heliodorus:

When he does — yes.

Marcus:

And we know that you can bring statues to life.

Heliodorus:

Sometimes — when the gods so will it.

Marcus:

Well, bring this one to life again! Here, slaves! Slaves!

(The slaves approach)

Marcus:

Tie this fellow to the statue by his thumbs!

(Heliodorus is tied on to statue)

Marcus:

Now bring him to life and run away with him. I'll be glad to get rid of you both.

(Exit Marcus and slaves. Heliodorus is left tied to statue making frantic efforts to get free. Enter Melanopis.)

Melanopis:

The statue! And Heliodorus! What are you doing cuddling that thing? You are always cuddling something.

Heliodorus:

I can't help it this time.

Melanopis:

You are as bad as the Princess — in love with a marble figure.

Heliodorus:

Yes, I'm very much attached to it — by a cord.

(Melanopis sits down and contemplates him)

Heliodorus:

Here, unloose me! I don't want to be tied up for life.

Melanopis:

Well, I do. Heliodorus, (she rises and goes to him)) if I release you from that unresponsive stone, will you love your little Melanopy?

Heliodorus:

I'll have you flogged if you don't undo me!

Melanopis:

(sits down again) Then I'm safer as I am. Marcus will be back presently with his private suite of torturers.

Heliodorus:

Oh you beast! I'll — I'll — (cajolingly) Melly dear, aren't you fond of your Hely dear?

Melanopis:

(going to him) Now you are your own sweed self again.

Heliodorus:

Well, untie me!

Melanopis:

Perhaps I'd better wait till Marcus says I may.

Heliodorus:

Melanopis, have you ever thought seriously of marriage?

Melanopis:

Thought of it! I should think I had! I have brooded over it, hankered after it, dreamt of it, and now my dreams are going to come true! Aren't they, dear?

Heliodorus:

Well, just now I'm united to another, but when I am free once more, I'll try to make you happy.

Melanopis:

(cutting him free) Well, come to my arms!

(Enter suddenly Licinia, Flavia, Cornelia, Tullia, Silius, Lollius, and Curius)

Curius:

I'm afraid we are interrupting two interesting lovers.

Flavia:

Why, it's the necromancer and his housekeeper!

Licinia:

They must be fond of each other, kissing in the garden!

Heliodorus: