{"id":189,"date":"2013-07-13T01:26:28","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=189"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:26:28","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:26:28","slug":"44-the-maid-in-the-mill-act-1-sc-5-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/01-sabcl\/07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07\/44-the-maid-in-the-mill-act-1-sc-5-vol-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","title":{"rendered":"-44_The Maid in the Mill Act-1 Sc-5.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n

\n
\nSCENE V <\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

\nIsmenia’s antechamber.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>waiting<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is too dark. I can see nothing. Hark!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSurely it was the door that fastened then.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy heart, control thyself! Thou beat’st
\ntoo quickly<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd wilt break in the arms of happiness.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBrigida.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nHere. Enter, my lord, and take her.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nIsmenia<\/font>!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nAntonio! Oh Antonio!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy heart’s dearest!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nBring your wit this way. Sir.
\nIt is not needed.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nExit with Basil.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nO not thus! You shame me.
\nThis is my place, dear, at your feet; and then
\nHigher than is my right.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nI cannot suffer
\nBlasphemy to touch my heaven, though your lips<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 865<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHave hallowed it. Highest were low for you.
\nYou are a goddess and adorable.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlas, Antonio, this is not the way.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI fear you do not love me, you despise me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCome, do you not despise me?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe leaf might then
\nDespise the moonbeam that has come to kiss it.
\nI love and reverence.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen you must take me,
\nAs I have given myself to you, your servant,
\nYours wholly, not to be prayed to and hymned
\nAs a divinity but to be commanded
\nAs a dear handmaid. You must rule me, sweet,
\nOr I shall spoil with liberty and lose you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMust I ? I will then. Yet you are so queenly,
\nI needs must smile when I attempt it. Come,
\nShall I command you?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDo, sweet.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLay your head
\nUpon my shoulder so and do not dare
\nTo lift it till I give you leave.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlas,
\nI fear you’ll be a tyrant. And I meant<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 866<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nTo bear at most a limited monarchy.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNo murmuring. Answer my questions.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWell,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat’s easy and I will.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAnd truly.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOh,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut that’s almost impossible. I’ll try.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCome, when did you first love me ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDear, today.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhen will you marry me?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTomorrow, dear.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHere is a mutinous kingdom to my hands.
\nNow truly.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTruly then, seven days ago,
\nNo more than seven, at the court I saw you,
\nAnd with the sight my life was troubled; heard you
\nAnd your voice tore my heart out. O Antonio,<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 867<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nI was an empty thing until today.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI saw you daily, but because I feared<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhat now I know, you were Lord Beltran’s son<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI dared not ask your name, nay shut my ears<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo knowledge. O my love, I am afraid<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYour father seems a hard vindictive man.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhat will you do with me, Antonio ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFasten
\nMy jewel safe from separating hands
\nHolily on my bosom. My father ? He
\nShall know not of our love, till we are sure
\nFrom rude disunion. Though he will be angry
\nI am his eldest and beloved son,
\nAnd when he feels your sweetness and your charm
\nHe will repent and thank me for a daughter.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhen ’tis your voice that tells me, I believe
\nImpossibilities. Well, let me know \u2014
\nYou’ve made me blush, Antonio, and I wish
\nI could retaliate \u2014 were you not amazed
\nAt my mad forwardness, to woo you first,
\nA youth unknown ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYes, even as Adam was
\nWhen he first saw the sunrise over Eden.
\nIt was unsunlike to uplift the glory
\nOf those life-giving rays, unwooed, uncourted.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAlas, you flatter. Did you love me, Antonio ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThree days before I had the bliss to win<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 
\nPage \u2013 868<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe wonder of your eyes.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThree days! Oh me,
\nThree days, Antonio ? Three whole days before
\nI loved you ? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThree days, dearest.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI<\/font>SMENIA
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOh,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou’re made me jealous. I am angry. Three
\nWhole days! How could it happen ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI will make
\nYou compensation, dear; for in revenge
\nI’ll love you three whole days, when you have ceased
\nTo love me.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO not even in jest, Antonio,
\nSpeak of such separation. Sooner shall
\nThe sun divorce his light than we two sunder.
\nBut you have given me a spur. I must
\nLove you too much, I must, Antonio, more
\nThan you love me, or the account’s not even.
\nA noise ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOne passes in the street.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe are
\nToo near the window and too heedless, love.
\nCome this way; here ’tis safe; I fear your danger.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 \n<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 869<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nExeunt. After a while enter Brigida.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNo sound ? Se\u00f1or! Ismenia! Surely they cannot have embraced
\neach other into invisibility. No, Cupid has flown away with them.
\nIt cannot have been the devil, for I smell no brimstone. Well,
\nif they are so tedious I will not mortify myself with solitude
\neither. I have set Don Cerberus on the stairs out of respect for
\nthe mythology. There he stands with his sword at point like the
\npicture of a sentinel and protects us against a surprise of rats
\nfrom the cellar; for what other wild beasts there may be to
\nmenace us, I know not. Don Mario snores hard and Donna
\nClara plays the violin to his bassoon. I have heard them three
\nrooms off. These men! these men! and yet they call themselves
\nour masters. I would I could find a man fit to measure tongues
\nwith me. I begin to feel lonely in the Alpine elevation of my own
\nwit. The meditations of Matterhorn come home to me and I
\nfeel a sister to Monte Rosa. Certainly this woman’s fever is
\ncatching, and spreads a most calamitous infection. I have over-
\nheard myself sighing; it is a symptom incubatory. Heighho!
\nwhen turtles pair, I never heard that the magpie lives lonely. I
\nhave at this moment a kindly thought for all suffering animals.
\nI begin to pity Cerberus even. I will relieve him from guard.
\nHist! Se\u00f1or! Don Basil!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter Basil.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs all quiet?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNot a mouse stirring!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPut up your sword, pray you; I think there is no danger, and if
\none comes, you may draw again in time to cut its tail off.<\/font> 
\n\t<\/font>B<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAt your service, Se\u00f1orita. If it were not treason to my wit, I
\nbegin to feel this strip of a girl is making an ass of me. I am transformed; <\/font>
\n <\/font><\/p>\n

 \n<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 870<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nI feel it. I shall hear myself bray presently. But I will
\ndefy enchantment, I will handle her. A plague! Must I continually be stale-mated by a will-o’-the-wisp, all sparkle and nowhere? Courage, Basil.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou meditate, Se\u00f1or? If it be to allay the warmth you have
\nbrought from the stairs, with the coolness of reflection, I would
\nnot hinder you.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn bare truth, Se\u00f1orita, I am so chilled that I was even about to
\nbeg of you a most sweet and warming cordial.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFor a small matter like that, I would be loth to deny you. You<\/font> 
\n<\/font>shall have it immediately.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWith your permission, then.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAh, Se\u00f1or, beware. Living coals are dangerous; they burn,
\nSe\u00f1or.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI am proof.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAs the man said when he was bitten by the dog they thought mad;<\/font> 
\n<\/font>but it was the dog that died. Pray, Sir, have a care. You will
\nput the fire out. <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCome, I have you. I will take ten kisses for the one you refused
\nme this forenoon.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 871<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat is too compound an interest. I do entreat you. Sir, have a
\ncare. This usury is punishable by the law.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI have the rich man’s trick for that. With the very coin I have
\nunlawfully gathered, I will stop her mouth.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO Sir, you are as wasteful an accountant of kisses as of words.
\nI foresee you will go bankrupt. No more, Se\u00f1or, what noise was
\nthat on the stair ? Good, now you have your distance. I will even
\ntrouble you to keep it. No nearer, I tell you. You do not observe
\nthe laws of the duello. You take advantages.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWith me? Pooh, you grow ambitious. Because I knew that to
\nstop your mouth was to stop your life, therefore in pity I have
\nrefused your encounter.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWas it, truly ? Alas, I could weep to think of the violence you
\nhave done yourself for my sake. Pray, sir, do not torture your-self so. To see how goodness is misunderstood in this world! Out of pity? And made me take you for a fool!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWell.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO no, Se\u00f1or, it is not well, indeed it is not well. You shall not do
\nthis again. If I must die, I must die. You are scatheless. Pray
\nnow, disburden your intellect of all the brilliant things it has so
\npainfully kept to itself. Plethora is unwholesome and I would not
\nhave you perish of an apoplexy of wit. Pour it out on me, conceit,
\nepigram, irony, satire, vituperation; flout and invective, tuquoque <\/font>
\n <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 872<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nand double-entendre, pun and quibble, rhyme and unreason,
\ncatcall and onomatopoeia; all, all, though it be an avalanche. It will be terrible, but I will stand the charge of it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSt. Iago! I think she has the whole dictionary in her stomach.
\nI grow desperate.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPray, do not be afraid. I do not indeed press you to throw yourself at my head, but for a small matter like your wit, I will bear
\nup against it.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis girl has a devil.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy are you silent, Se\u00f1or ? Are you angry with me ? I have given
\nyou no cause. This is cruel. Don Basil, I have heard you cited
\neverywhere for absolutely the most free and witty speaker of the
\nage. They told me that if none other offer, you will jest with the
\nstatues in the Plaza Mayor and so wittily they cannot answer a
\nword to you. What have I done that with me alone you are
\ndumb?<\/font>  <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI am bewitched certainly.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSe\u00f1or, is it still pity? But why on me alone?
\nO Sir, have pity
\non the whole world and be always silent. Well I see your benevolence is unconquerable. With your leave, we will pass from
\nunprofitable talk; I would be glad to recall the sound of your
\nvoice. You may come nearer, since you decline the duello.<\/font> 
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI thank you, Se\u00f1orita. Whose sheep baaed then?<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 873<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDon Basil, shall we talk soberly?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAt your pleasure. Madam.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNo Madam, Se\u00f1or, but a poor companion. You go to Count
\nBeltran’s house tomorrow?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt is so intended.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO the masque, who play it?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMasquers, Se\u00f1orita.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO Sir, is this your pity? I told you, you would burst if you kept
\nin your wit too long. But who are they by condition ? Goddesses are the
\ncharacters and by rule modern they should be live goddesses who play them.<\/font> 
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThey are so.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAre they indeed so lovely?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEuphrosyne, Christofir’s daughter, is simply the most exquisite
\nbeauty of the kingdom.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou speak very absolutely, Se\u00f1or. Fairer than Ismenia?<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 874<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI speak it with unwillingness, but honestly the Lady Ismenia,
\nrarely lovely as she is, could not stand beside this miller’s
\ndaughter.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI think I have seen her and I do not remember so outshining a
\nbeauty.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen cannot you have seen her, for the wonders she eclipses,
\nthemselves speak to their disgrace, even when they are women.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPardon me if I take you to speak in the pitch of a lover’s eulogy.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWere it so, her beauty and gentleness deserve it; I have seen
\nnone worthier.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI wish you joy of her. I pray you for permission to leave you,
\nSe\u00f1or.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSave one indeed.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAh! and who was she?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou will pardon me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI will not press you. Sir, I do not know her, do I?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO ’tis not so much as that either. ‘Twas only an orange-girl I<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 875<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nsaw once at Cadiz.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOh!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHa! she is galled, positively. This is as sweet to me as honey.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWell, Se\u00f1or, your taste is as undeniable as your wit. Flour is the
\nstaff of life and oranges are good for a season. What does this
\nparagon play?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nVenus; and in the after-scene, Helen.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSo? May I know the others? You may find one of them to
\nbe a poor cousin of mine.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCatriona, the bailly’s daughter to Count Conrad, and Sofronia,
\nthe student Geronimo’s sister; she too is of the Count’s house-hold.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is not then difficult to act in a masque.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA masque demands little, Se\u00f1orita. A taking figure, a flowing
\nstep, a good voice, a quick memory \u2014 but for that a speaking
\nmemory hard by in a box will do much at an emergency.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTrue, for such long parts must be a heavy tax on the quickest.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThere are but two such, Venus-Helen and Paris. The rest are<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 876<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nonly a Zephyr’s dance in, a speech and a song to help the situation and out again with a scurry.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGod be with you. You have a learned conversation and a sober,
\nand for such I will always report you. But here comes a colon
\nto it. We will keep the full stop for tomorrow.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter Antonio and Ismenia.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI think the dawn moves in the east, Brigida.
\nPray you, unlock the door, but noiselessly.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTeach me not. Though the wild torrent of this gentleman’s
\nconversation have swept away half my wit, I have at a desperate
\nperil saved the other half for your service. Come, Sir, I have need
\nof you to frighten the mice away.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>ASIL
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nSt. Iago!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nExit Brigida with Basil.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDear, we must part. I would have you my necklace
\nThat I might feel you round my neck for ever,
\nOr life be night and all men sleep that we
\nNeed never part: but we must part, Antonio.
\nWill you forget me ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhen I cease to feel.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI know you cannot, but I am so happy.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI love to play with my own happiness<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd ask it questions. Dear, we shall meet soon.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 877<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nI’ll make a compact with you, sweet. You shall
\nDo all my will and make no question, till
\nWe’re married; then you know, I am your servant.
\nWill you, till then?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTill then and after.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tISMENIA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGo now,
\nLove, I must drive you out or you’ll not go.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NTONIO<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOne kiss.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou’ve had one thousand. Well, one more,
\nOne only or I shall never let you part.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnter Brigida.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAre you both distracted? Is this, I pray
\nyou, a time for lingering and near dawn over the east? Out with you, Se\u00f1or, or I will
\nset your own Cerberus upon you, and I wager he bites well,
\nthough I think poorly of his bark.<\/font> 
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nExit -with Antonio.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>SMENIA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO I have given all myself and kept<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNothing to live with when he’s gone from me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy life’s his moon and I’m all dark and sad<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWithout him. Yesterday I was Ismenia,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nStrong in myself, an individual woman.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nToday I’m but the body of another,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNo longer separate reality.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWell, if I gain him, let me lose myself,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd I’m still happy. The door shuts. He’s gone.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 878<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nRe-enter Brigida.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAh, Brigida.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCome, get in, get in. Snatch a little sleep, for I promise you, you
\nshall have none tomorrow.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tISMENIA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHow do you mean by that ? Or is it jest merely ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tB<\/font>RIGIDA
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLeave me alone. I have a whole drama in my head, a play in a
\nplay and yet no play. I have only to rearrange the parts a little
\nand tomorrow’s sunlight shall see it staged, scened, enacted and
\nconcluded. To bed with you.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nExeunt.<\/i><\/font> <\/p>\n

\n
\nCurtain<\/i><\/font><\/span><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 879<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE V     Ismenia’s antechamber. ISMENIA waiting It is too dark. I can see nothing. Hark! Surely it was the door that fastened then….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-07-collected-plays-part-ii-volume-07","wpcat-6-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=189"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/189\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}