{"id":693,"date":"2013-07-13T01:29:45","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:29:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=693"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:29:45","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:29:45","slug":"10-act-three-scene-2-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/01-works-of-sri-aurobindo\/01-sabcl\/06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06\/10-act-three-scene-2-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-10_Act Three-Scene-2.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

\n
\nSCENE II<\/b><\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/b><\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\n <\/div>\n

\nIn the Temple of Poseidon.
\nCireas.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\tCIREAS<\/font><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI am done with thee, Poseidon Ennosigaios, man-slayer, ship-breaker, earth-shaker, lord of the waters! Never was faithful
\nservice so dirtily rewarded. In all these years not a drachma,
\nnot an obolus, not even a false coin for solace. And. when
\nthou hadst mocked me with hope, when a Prince had promised
\nme all my findings, puttest thou me off with two pauperized
\nmerchants of Babylon? What, thou takest thy loud ravenous
\nglut of the treasures that should have been mine and roarest.
\nderision at me with thy hundred-voiced laughters? Am I a
\nsponge to suck up these insults? No! I am only moderately
\nporous. I will break thy treasury, Poseidon, and I will run.
\nThink not either to send thy sea-griffins after me. For I will
\nlive on the top of Lebanon, and thy monsters, when they come
\nfor me, shall snort and grin and gasp for breath and return to thee
\nbaffled and asthmatic.<\/font> 
\n<\/p>\n

\nAs he talks Iolaus and Perseus enter.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat, Cireas, wilt thou run? I’ll give thee gold
\nTo wing thy shoes, if thou wilt do my bidding.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI am overheard! I am undone! I am crucified! I am disembowelled! .<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBe tranquil, Cireas, fool, I come to help thee.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDo you indeed! I see, they have made you a god, for you
\nknow men’s minds. But could old father Zeus find your newborn<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 82<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\ngodhead no better work than to help thieves and give wings to
\nrunaways? Will you indeed help me, god Iolaus? I can steal
\nthen under thy welcome protection? I can borrow Poseidon’s
\nsavings and run?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSteal not: thou shalt have gold enough to buy
\nThy liberty and farms and slaves and cattle.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPrince, art thou under a vow of liberality? or being about
\nto die, wilt thou distribute thy goods and chattels to deserving
\ndishonesty? <\/b> Do not mock me, for if thou raise hopes again in me and break them, I can only hang myself.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI mock thee not, thou shalt have glut of riches.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat must I do? I’ld give thee nose and ears
\nFor farms and freedom.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWherefore dost thou bribe
\nThis slave to undo a bond my sword unties?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI shrink from violence in the grim god’s temple.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nZeus, art thou there with thy feathers and phosphorus? I
\npray thee, my good bright darling Zeus, do not come in the
\nway of my earnings. Do not be so cantankerously virtuous, do
\nnot be so damnably economical. Good Zeus, I adjure thee by
\nthy foot-plumes.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 83<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nCireas, wilt thou bring forth the wretched captives<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nWho wait the butcher Polydaon’s knife<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith groanings? we would talk with them. Wilt thou?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWill I ? Will I ? I would do any bad turn to that scanty-hearted
\nrampageous old ship-swallower there. I would do it for nothing,
\nand for so much gold will I not? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS
\n\t<\/font>.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd thou must shut thine eyes.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nEyes! I will shut mouth and nose and ears too, nor ask for
\none penny extra.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nDost thou not fear?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOh, the blue-haired old bogy there? I have lived eighteen
\nyears in this temple and seen nothing of him but ivory and
\nsapphires. I begin to think he cannot breathe out of water; no doubt, he is some kind of fish and walks on the point of his
\ntail.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEnough, bring forth the Babylonian captives.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI run, Zeus, I run: but keep thy phosphorus lit and handy
\nagainst Polydaon’s return unasked for and untrumpeted.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe runs out.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO thou grim calmness imaged like a man<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 84<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThat frown’st above the altar! dire Poseidon!
\nArt thou that god indeed who smooths the sea
\nWith one finger, and when it is thy will,
\nRufflest the oceans with thy casual breathing?
\nArt thou not rather, lord, some murderous
\nAnd red imagination of this people,
\nThe shadow of a soul that dreamed of blood
\nAnd took this dimness ? If thou art Poseidon,
\nThe son of Cronos, I am Cronos’ grandchild,
\nPerseus, and in my soul Athene moves
\nWith lightnings.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI hear the sound of dragging chains.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCireas returns with Tyrnaus and Smerdas.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSmerdas and thou, Tyrnaus, once again
\nWe meet.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSave me, yet save me.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIf thou art worth it,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI may.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou shalt have gold. I am well worth it.
\nI’ll empty Babylonia of its riches
\nInto thy wallet.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHas terror made thee mad?
\nRefrain from speech! Thine eyes are calm, Tyrnaus.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 85<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tT<\/font>YRNAUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI have composed my soul to my sad fortunes.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYet wherefore sad? Fate has dealt largely with me. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have been thrice shipwrecked, twice misled in deserts,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWounded six times in battle with wild men<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor life and treasure. I have outspent kings:<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have lost fortunes and amassed them: princes<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHave been my debtors, kingdoms lost and won<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBy lack or having of a petty fraction<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf my rich incomings: and now Fate gives me<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis tragic, not inglorious death: I am<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe banquet of a god. It fits, it fits,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd I repine not.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut will these help, Tyrnaus,
\nTo pass the chill eternity of Hades ?
\nThis memory of glorious breathing life,
\nWill it alleviate the endless silence?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>YRNAUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut there are lives beyond, and we meanwhile
\nMove delicately amid aerial things
\nUntil the green earth wants us.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS
\n\t<\/font>(shearing his chains with a touch of his sword)<\/i><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYet awhile
\nOf the green earth take all thy frank desire,
\nMerchant: the sunlight would be loth to lose thee.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO radiant helpful youth! O son of splendour!
\nI live again.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou livest, but in chains,
\nSmerdas.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 86<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut thy good sword will quickly shear them.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou wilt give me all Babylonia holds
\nOf riches for reward?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMore, more, much more!<\/font><\/p>\n

\nP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut thou must go to Babylon to fetch it.
\nThen what security have I of payment?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nKeep good Tyrnaus here, my almost brother.
\nI will come back and give thee gold, much gold.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou’ld leave him here ? in danger ? with the knife
\nSearching for him and grim Poseidon angry?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat danger, when he is with thee, O youth,
\nStrong radiant youth?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYourself then stay with me,
\nAnd he shall bring the ransom from Chaldea.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHere? here? Oh God! they’ll seize me yet again
\nAnd cut my heart out. Let me go, dear youth,
\nOh, let me go; I’ll give thee double gold.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou sordid treacherous thing of fears, I’ll not<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 87<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nVenture for such small gain as the poor soul
\nThou boldest, nor drive with danger losing bargains.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOh, do not jest! it is not good to jest
\nWith death and horror.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI jest not.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOh God! thou dost.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tD<\/font>IOMEDE
\n\t<\/font>(without)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS
\n\t<\/font>(jumping)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nWho? who? who?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIs’t not a woman’s voice?
\nWithdraw into the shadow: let our swords
\nBe out against surprise. Hither, Tyrnaus.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tD<\/font>IOMEDE<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCireas! where are you, Cireas <\/b>? It is I.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt is the little palace scamp, Diomede.
\nPlague take her! How she fluttered the heart in me!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSay nothing of us, merchant, or thou diest.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nIolaus, Perseus and Tyrnaus withdraw into the dimness
\nof the Temple. Andromeda and Diomede enter.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 88<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tCIREAS<\/font><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPrincess Andromeda!<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS
\n\t<\/font>(apart)<\/i><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAndromeda!
\nIolaus’ rosy sister! O child goddess
\nDropped recently from heaven! Its light is still
\nUpon thy face, thou marvel!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy little sister
\nIn these grim precincts, who so feared their shadows!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nCireas, my servant Diomede means
\nTo tell you of some bargain. Will you walk yonder?<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCireas and Diomede walk apart talking.
\n<\/i>Art thou, as these chains say, the mournful victim
\nOur savage billows spared and men would murder?
\nBut was there not another ? Have they brought thee
\nFrom thy sad prison to the shrine alone ?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe,\u2014he,\u2014<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHas terror so possessed thy tongue,
\nIt cannot do its office ? Oh, be comforted.
\nAlthough red horror has its grasp on thee,
\nI dare to tell thee there is hope.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat hope?
\nAh heaven! what hope! I feel the knife even now
\nHacking my bosom. If thou bring’st me hope,
\nI’ll know thee for a goddess and adore thee.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 89<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

Be comforted: I bring thee more than
\nhope,
\nCireas!<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou’ll give me chains ? you’ll give me jewels ?<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

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

\nAll of my own that I can steal for you.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>IREAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Steal boldly,
\nO honey-sweet image of a
\nthief, steal and fear
\nnot. I rose for good luck after all this excellent morning! O i
\nPoseidon, had I known there was more to be pocketed in thy dis-
\nservice than in thy service, would I have misspent these eighteen
\nbarren years?<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

\nUndo this miserable captive’s bonds.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat! I shall be allowed to live! Is’t true?<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

No, I’ll undo them, Cireas; I shall
\nfeel
\nI freed him. Is there so much then to unlink?
\nO ingenuity of men to hurt
\nAnd bind and slay their brothers!<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n


\n‘Tis not a dream,
\nThe horror was the dream. She smiles on me
\nA wonderful glad smile of joy and kindness,
\nMaking a sunshine. Oh, be quicker, quicker.
\nLet me escape this hell where I have eaten
\nAnd drunk of terror and have slept with death.<\/font>  \n\t\t<\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 90<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

Are you so careless of the friend who
\nshared
\nThe tears and danger? Where is he? Cireas!<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>YRNAUS
\n\t<\/font>(coming forward)<\/i><\/font>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n


\nO thou young goddess with the smile!
\nBehold him,
\nTyrnaus the Chaldean.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NDROMEDA
\n\t<\/font>(dropping the chain
\nwhich binds Smerdas)<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Already free!
\nWho has forestalled me ?<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>YRNAUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Maiden, art thou vexed
\nTo see me unbound ?<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

I grudge your rescuer the happy task<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

Heaven meant for me of loosening your
\nchains.<\/font> <\/p>\n

It would have been such joy to feel the
\ncold<\/font> <\/p>\n

Hard irons drop apart between my
\nfingers!<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nWho freed you? <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>YRNAUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

A god as radiant as thyself,
\nThou merciful sweetness.<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Had he not a look
\nLike the Olympian’s ? Was he not bright like Hermes
\nOr Phoebus?<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>YRNAUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

He was indeed. Thou know’st him then?<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

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

\nIn dreams I have met him. He was here but now?<\/font>
\n \n<\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 91<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tT<\/font>YRNAUS<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe has withdrawn into the shadow, virgin.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Why do you leave me bound, and talk,
\nand talk,
\nAs if Death had not still his fingers on me ?<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NDROMEDA
\n\t<\/font>(resuming her task)<\/i><\/font>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Forgive me! Tyrnaus, did that radiant
\nhelper
\nWho clove thy chains, forget to help this poor
\nPale trembling man?<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>YRNAUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nBecause he showed too much
\nThe sordid fear that pities only itself,
\nHe left him to his fate.<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Alas, poor human man!
\nWhy, we have all so many sins to answer,
\nIt would be hard to have cold justice dealt us.
\nWe should be kindly to each other’s faults
\nRemembering our own. Is’t not enough
\nTo see a face in tears and heal the sorrow,
\nOr must we weigh whether the face is fair
\nOr ugly ? I think that even a snake in pain
\nWould tempt me to its succour, though I knew
\nThat afterwards ‘twould bite me! But he is a god
\nPerhaps who did this and his spotless radiance
\nAbhors the tarnish of our frailer natures.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Oh, I am free! I fall and kiss
\nthy robe,
\nO goddess, O deliverer.<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

\nYou must<\/font>  \n\t\t<\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 92<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

Go quickly from this place.
\nThere is a cave<\/font> <\/p>\n

Near to those unkind rocks where you
\nwere shipwrecked,<\/font> <\/p>\n

A stone-throw up the cliff. <\/b>
\nWe
\nfound it there<\/font> <\/p>\n

Climbing and playing, reckless of our
\nlimbs<\/font> <\/p>\n

In the sweet joy of
\nsunshine, breeze and movement,<\/font> <\/p>\n

When we were children, I and Diomede.<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

None else will dream of it. There have
\nI stored<\/font> <\/p>\n

Enough of food and water. Closely lurk<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

Behind its curtains of fantastic stone:<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

Venture not forth, though your hearts
\npine for sunlight,
\nOr Death may take you back into his grip. ,
\nWhen hot pursuit and search have been tired out,
\nI’ll find you golden wings will carry you
\nTo your Chaldea.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Can you not find out divers
\nWho’ll rescue our merchandise from the sunk rocks
\nWhere it is prisoned ?<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tTYRNAUS<\/font><\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

You have escaped grim murder,
\nYet dream of nothing but your paltry gems!
\nYou will call back Heaven’s anger on our heads.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe cannot beg our way to far .Chaldea.<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Diving is dangerous there: I will not
\nrisk<\/font> <\/p>\n

Men’s lives for money. I
\npromised Cireas what I have,<\/font> <\/p>\n

And yet you shall not go unfurnished
\nhome.<\/font> <\/p>\n

I’ll beg a sum from my brother lolaus<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

Will help you to Chaldea.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\n
\nO my dear riches!<\/font>  \n\t\t<\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 93<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

Must you lie whelmed beneath the Syrian
\nsurge
\nUncared for ?<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tA<\/font>NDROMEDA
\n\t<\/font>(to Diomede)<\/i><\/font> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Take them to the cave. Show Cireas
\nThe hidden mouth. I’ll loiter and expect you
\nUnder the hill-side, where sweet water plashes
\nFrom the grey fountain’s head, our fountain. Merchants, go;<\/font> <\/p>\n

Athene guard you!<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>YRNAUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Not before I kneel
\nAnd touch thy feet with reverent humble hands,
\nO human merciful divinity,
\nWho by thy own sweet spirit moved, unasked,
\nNot knowing us, cam’st from thy safe warm chamber
\nHere where Death broods grim-visaged in his home,
\nTo save two unseen, unloved, alien strangers,
\nAnd being a woman feared not urgent death,
\nAnd being a child shook not before God’s darkness
\nAnd that insistent horror of a world
\nO’ershadowing ours. O surely in these regions
\nWhere thou wert born, pure-eyed Andromeda,
\nThere shall be some divine epiphany
\nOf calm sweet-hearted pity for the world,
\nAnd harsher gods shall fade into their Hades.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tS<\/font>MERDAS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

You prattle, and at any moment, comes
\nThe dreadful priest with clutch upon my shoulder.
\nCome! come! you, slave-girl, lead the way, accursed!
\nYou loiter?<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Chide not my servant, Babylonian.
\nGo, Diomede; darkness like a lid
\nWill soon shut down upon the rugged beach<\/font>  \n\t\t<\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 94<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

And they may stumble as they walk.
\n<\/b> Go, Cireas.<\/font> <\/p>\n

Diomede and Cireas go out,<\/i><\/font>
\nfollowed by the merchants.
\n<\/i>Alone I stand before thee, grim Poseidon,
\nHere in thy darkness, with thy altar near
\nThat keeps fierce memory, of tortured groans
\nAnd human shrieks of victims, and, unforced,
\nI yet pollute my soul with thy bloody nearness
\nTo tell thee that I hate, contemn, defy thee.
\nI am no more than a brief living woman,
\nYet am I more divine than thou, for I
\nCan pity. I have torn thy destined prey
\nFrom thy red jaws. They say thou dost avenge
\nFearfully insult. Avenge thyself, Poseidon.<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

She goes out: Perseus and lolaus
\ncome forward.<\/i><\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Thou art the mate for me, Andromeda!
\nNow, now I know wherefore my eager sandals
\nBore me resistlessly to thee and Syria.<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

This was Andromeda and not Andromeda,
\nI never saw her woman till this hour.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Knew you so ill the child you loved so
\nwell,
\nlolaus?<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Sometimes we know them
\nleast
\nWhom most we love and constantly consort with.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

How daintily she moved as if a hand<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

She loved were on her curls and she
\nafraid<\/font> <\/p>\n

Of startling the sweet guest!<\/font>
\n \n<\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 95<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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


\nO Perseus, Perseus!
\nShe has defied a strong and dreadful god,
\nAnd dreadfully he will avenge himself.<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>ERSEUS<\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nIolaus, friend, I think not quite at
\nrandom<\/font> <\/p>\n

Athene led me to these happy shores<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

That bore such beautiful twin heads for
\nme<\/font> <\/p>\n

Sun-curled, Andromeda and lolaus,<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

That I might see their beauty marred
\nwith death<\/font> <\/p>\n

By cunning priests and blood-stained
\ngods. Fear not<\/font> <\/p>\n

The event. I bear Athene’s sword of
\nsharpness.<\/font> <\/p>\n

They go out.<\/i><\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 96<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE II   In the Temple of Poseidon. Cireas.   CIREAS I am done with thee, Poseidon Ennosigaios, man-slayer, ship-breaker, earth-shaker, lord of the waters!…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","wpcat-15-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/693","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=693"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/693\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}