{"id":700,"date":"2013-07-13T01:29:48","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:29:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=700"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:29:48","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:29:48","slug":"60-rodogune-act-five-scene-4-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\/60-rodogune-act-five-scene-4-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-60_Rodogune-Act Five-Scene-4.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

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

\n

\n <\/div>\n

\n

\n <\/div>\n

\nA guard-room in the palace.
\nAntiochus, alone.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat were Death then but wider life than earth
\nCan give us in her clayey limits bound ?
\nDarkness perhaps! There must be light behind.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs he speaks, Phayllus enters.
\n<\/i>Who is it?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPhayllus and thy conqueror.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIn some strange warfare then!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI came to see<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBefore thy end the greatness that thou wert;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor thou wert great as mortals measure. Thou hast
\nAn hour to live.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nShorter were better.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAn hour!
\nIt is strange. The beautiful strong Antiochus
\nIn one brief hour and by a little stroke
\nShall be mere rotten carrion for the flies
\nTo buzz about.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThinkest thou so, Phayllus ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 453<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nI know it, and in thy fall, because thou wert great,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI feel my greatness who am thy o’erthrower.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI long to probe the mightiness thou art<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd know the thoughts that fill thee at this hour,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor it must’ come to me some day. The things<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWe are, do and are done to! Let it be.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDost thou not ask to kiss thy wife ? She’ld come,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThough she must leave thy brother’s bed for it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tANTIOCHUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat a poor lie, Phayllus, for the great man
\nThou think’st thyself!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThou know’st not then for her
\nThou diest, that his hungry arms may clasp
\nHer warm sweet body thou hast loved to kiss ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSo didst thou work it ? Thou art a rare study,
\nThou Graeco-Syrian.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI am what my clay
\nHas made me. It does not hurt thee then to know
\nThat while thou art dying, they are hard at work
\nEven now before thy kingly corpse is cold ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat a blind owl thou art that see’st the sun
\nAnd think’st it darkness! Hence! I weary of thee.
\nThou art too shallow after all. Outside
\nIs it the dawn?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe dawn. Thou wak’st too early<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 454<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nFor one who shall not sleep again.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYes, sleep
\nI have done with; now for an immortal waking.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThat dream of fools! Thou art another man
\nThan any I have seen and to my eyes
\nThou seem’st a grandiose lack-wit. Yet in defeat
\nI could not move thee. I have limits then ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYes, didst thou think thyself a god in evil
\nAnd souls of men thy subjects ? Leave me, send
\n<\/b>Thy executioner. Let him be quick.
\nI wait!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPhayllus goes.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nI fear he still will loiter. Waiting
\nWas ever tedious to me: I will sleep.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe lies down, after a pause.
\n<\/i>Is this that other country? Theramenes
\nBefore me smiling with his twenty wounds
\nAnd Mentho with the breasts that suckled me!
\nWho are these crowding after me so fast ?
\nMy mother follows me and cousin Eunice
\nTreads in her footsteps. Thou too, Timocles ?
\nThoas, Leosthenes and Philoctetes,
\nGood friends, will you stay long ? The world grows empty.
\nWhy, all that’s great in Syria staggers after me
\nInto blind Hades; I am royally
\nAttended.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTheras enters.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPhayllus’ will compels me to it,
\nOr else I do not like the thing I do.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 455<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nWho is it? Thou art the instrument. Strike in.
\nKeep me not waiting. I ever loved proud swiftness
\nAnd thorough spirits.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI must strike suddenly or never strike.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe strikes.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI pass the barrier.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWill not this blood stop flowing?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe blood? Let the gods have it; ’tis their portion.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nA red libation, O thou royal sacrifice!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have done evil. Will sly Phayllus help me?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe was a trickster ever. I have done evil.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nTell Parthian Rodogune I wait for her
\nBehind Death’s barrier.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe world’s too still. Will he not speak again<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nUpon this other side of nothingness ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO sounds, sounds, sounds! The sentries change, I think.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI’ll draw thy curtains, O thou mighty sleeper. – .<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe draws the curtains, extinguishes the light and
\ngoes out. All is still for a while, then the door opens
\nagain and Eunice and Rodogune enter.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 456<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tE<\/font>UNICE<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTread lightly, for he sleeps. The curtain’s drawn.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tR<\/font>ODOGUNE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO my Antiochus, on thy hard bed<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn the rude camp with horses neighing round<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou well mightest slumber nor the undistant trumpet<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nStartling unseal thy war-accustomed ears<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nFrom the sweet lethargy of earned repose.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut in the horrible silence of this prison<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHow canst thou sleep ? It clamours in my brain<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMore than could any sound, with terror laden<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n\tE<\/font>UNICE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI’ll wake him.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tR<\/font>ODOGUNE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nDo not. He is tired
\nAnd you will spoil his rest.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>UNICE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe moves no more<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThan the dead might.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tR<\/font>ODOGUNE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSpeak not of death, Eunice;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWe are too near to death to speak of him.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>UNICE
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe must be waked. Cousin Antiochus,
\nYou sleep too soundly for a prisoner. Wake!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tR<\/font>ODOGUNE<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThere is some awful presence in this room.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>UNICE<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI partly feel it. Wake, wake, Antiochus.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 457<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nShe draws apart the curtain and puts
\nin<\/i><\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nher arm, then hastily withdraws it.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nO God, what is this dabbles so my hand,
\nThat feels almost like blood ?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(tearing down the curtain)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

She falls half-swooned against the
\nwall. There
\nis a silence, then noise is heard in the corridors
\nand the voice of Nicanor at the door.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tNICANOR <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Guard carefully the doors; let no
\nevasion
\nDeceive you.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tR<\/font>ODOGUNE
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Antiochus! Antiochus!
\nAntiochus!<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>UNICE
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Call him not; he will wake
\nAnd Heaven be angry. O my Rodogune,
\nLet us too sleep.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tR<\/font>ODOGUNE
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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

\nNicanor enters armed with soldiers
\nand light.<\/i><\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Am I in time ? Thou, thou ? How cam’st
\nthou here ?
\nWho is this woman with the dreadful face?
\nCan this be Rodogune ? Eunice, speak.
\nWhat is this blood upon thy hands and dress ?
\nThou dost not speak! Oh, speak!<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>UNICE
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

I am going, I am going to my chamber
\nTo sleep.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 458<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tNICANOR <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Arrest her, guards.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

He approaches the bed and recoils.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nAwake the house!
\nSound the alarm! O palace of Nicanor,
\nThou canst stand yet upon thy stony -base
\nUntroubled! The warlike prince Antiochus
\nLies on this bed most treacherously murdered.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

Cries and commotion outside.
\n<\/i>Speak, wretched girl. What villain’s secret hand
\nProfaned with death this royal sanctuary?
\nHow cam’st thou here or hast this blood on thee ?<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

There enter in haste Callicrates,
\nMelitus,
\nCleone; afterwards Phayllus and others.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>LEONE
\n\t<\/font>(to Nicanor)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Thou couldst not save him then for all
\nmy warning ?
\nIn vain didst thou mistrust me!<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>(entering)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

It is done. Yet Theras came not! Do I
\nfail!
\nFortune, my kindly goddess, help me still
\nIn the storm, I have yet to weather.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Thou hast come!
\nThis is thy work, thou ominous counsellor.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

\nIn all the land who dare impugn me, if it be ?<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou art a villain. Thou shalt die for this.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

One day I shall, for this or something
\nelse.
\nBut here’s the King.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 459<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

No more a king for me<\/font>
\n<\/font>
\nOr Syria.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

Timocles enters followed by
\nCleopatra.<\/i><\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>ELITUS<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe Queen comes cold and white and shuddering.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>LEOPATRA
\n\t<\/font>{speaking with an
\nunnatural calmness)<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Why do these cries of terror shake the
\nhouse
\nRepeating Murder<\/i> and Antiochus7
\n<\/i>Nicanor, lives my son?<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Behold,
\nO woman,
\nThe frame you fashioned for Antiochus,
\nCast from your love before, now cast from life,
\nBy whose unnatural contrivance, let them say
\nWho did it.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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

It is not true, it is not true!
\nThere can be no such horror; <\/b> O, for this,
\nFor this you gave him back!<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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


\nO gods! Phayllus,
\nI did not think that he would look like this.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>ELITUS<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nCover this death. It troubles the good King.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>(recovering himself)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

This is a piteous sight, beloved
\nmother;<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

Would that he lived and wore the Syrian
\ncrown
\nUnquestioned.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 460<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

Timocles ? I will not credit
\nWhat yet a horror in my blood believes.
\nThe eyes of all men charge you with this act;<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

Deny it!<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

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

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

Deny it!<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Alas, mother!<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

\nDeny it!<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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


\nO mother, what shall I deny?
\nIt had to be. Blame only the dire gods
\nAnd bronze Necessity.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Call me not mother!
\nI have no children. I am punished, gods,
\nWho dared outlive my great unhappy husband
\nFor this!<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nShe rushes out.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Is this thy end,
\nO great
\nSeleucus?
\nWhat Fury rules thy house ? The Queen is gone
\nWith desperate eyes. Who next?<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

There enter in haste Philoctetes,
\nThoas, Leosthenes
\nand others of Antiochus’ party.<\/i><\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 461<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

It is true then,
\nIt is most true! O high Antiochus,
\nHow are thy royal vast imaginations
\nAll spilt into a meagre stream of blood!
\nAnd yet thy eye\u00a7 seem to gaze royally >
\nInto death’s vaster realms as if they viewed
\nMore conquests there and mightier monarchies.
\nWhen we were boys and slumber came with noon,
\nOften you’ld lay your head upon my knee
\nEven thus. O little friend Antiochus,
\nWe are again in hundred-gated Thebes
\nAnd life is all before us.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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


\nO insupportable!
\nThou styled by men a king, no king of mine,
\nAcquit thyself of this too kindred blood.
\nNo murderer sits in great Seleucus’ chair
\nLonger than takes the movement of my sword
\nOut of its scabbard. I live to ask this question.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tL<\/font>EOSTHENES
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Nor think thy royal title nor thy
\nguards
\nShall fence thy life, thou crowned fratricide,
\nNor many ranks of triple-plated iron
\nShut out swift vengeance.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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

\nHis eyes look up and seem to smile at me.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Thoas, thy anger ranges far too wide.
\nRespect the blood of kings, Leosthenes.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

\nSee dabbled on this couch the blood of kings<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 462<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

Thus by a kindred blood respected.<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

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

The hearts
\nOf kings are not their own, nor yet their acts.
\nThis was an execution, not a murder.
\nIn better time and place you shall have proofs:<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

Phayllus knows it all. Be satisfied.<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

Lift up this royal dead. All hatred now<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

Forgotten, I will royally inter<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

His ashes guarding still his diadem<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

And sword and armour. All that most he
\nloved<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

Shall go with him into the silent
\nworld.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tRODOGUNE <\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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

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

The voice of Rodogune! That woman’s
\nform
\nThe shadowy anguished robe concealed! She here
\nBeside my brother!<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

We had forgotten how piteous was this
\nscene.
\nO you who loved the dead, forbear a while;<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

All shall be sternly judged.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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


\nO Rodogune,
\nThe dead demands thy grief, since he too loved thee,
\nBut not in this red chamber pay thy debt,
\nNot in this square of horror. In thy calm room
\nGently bedew his memory with tears
\nAnd I will help them with my own. Me too
\nHe loved once.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 463<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tL<\/font>EOSTHENES
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Shall our swords yet sleep ? He wooes
\nHis brother’s wife beside his brother’s corpse
\nWhom he has murdered.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Yet, Leosthenes.
\nFor Heaven has borne enough from him. At last
\nThe gods lift up their secret thunderbolts
\nAbove us.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tNICANOR <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

She totters and can hardly move.
\nAssist her or she falls.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HILOCTETES
\n\t<\/font>(raising his head)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n


\nO Rodogune,
\nWhat wilt thou with my dead ?<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Shall it be allowed?<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tTIMOCLES <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

I do not grudge this corpse her sad
\nfarewell.
\nO Rodogune, embrace the unresponsive dead;<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

But afterwards remember life and
\nlove
\nAre still on earth.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Afterwards, Timocles.
\nGive death a moment.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nThere is a silence while Rodogune bends
\nswaying over the dead Antiochus.<\/i><\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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


\nO my Rodogune,
\nLeave now the dead man’s side whose debt is paid.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 464<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

Return to life, to love.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tR<\/font>ODOGUNE
\n\t<\/font>(stretching out her arms)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

My king! My king!
\nLeave me not, leave .me not! I am behind thee.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

She falls dead at the feet
\nof Antiochus.<\/i><\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>UNICE<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nO take me also!<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

She rushes to Rodogune and throws
\nherself on the dead bodies.<\/i><\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Raise the princess up;<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

She has swooned.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Her heart has failed her: she is dead.<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tTIMOCLES <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nRise up, my Rodogune.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

She is dead, Timocles;<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

She is safe from thee. Thou goest not
\nalone,
\nMy King, into the darkness.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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

Look to the King!<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>(speaking with difficulty)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\nLives she?<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tM<\/font>ELITUS
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

No, she is dead. King Timocles.<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 465<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

Brother, the King!<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

Timocles has been tearing at the
\nrobe round
\nhis neck. Phayllus, Melitus and others crowd<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nround to support him as he falls.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tNICANOR <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

It is a fit at worst
\nWhich anger and despair have forced him to.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

\nIt is not death? I live then.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Death, thou intriguer!
\nArt thou not Death who with thy wicked promptings
\nAnd poisonous whispers worked to dangerous rage
\nThe kindly moods of Timocles ? Seize him,
\nHe shall atone this murder.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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

You build too soon
\nYour throne upon these prostrate bodies. Your King
\nLives still, Nicanor.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Not to save thee from death,
\nNor any murderer. Drag him hence.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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

\nThe King revives.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

Save thyself, brother.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tL<\/font>EOSTHENES
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Ten kings should not avail
\nTo save him.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 466<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tNICANOR <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Drag hence that subtle Satan.<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tTIMOCLES <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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

And I remember!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

Sleepest thou, Phayllus?<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

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

\nMy King, they drag me hence to murder me.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>{vaguely at first)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Who art thou? Thou abhorred and crooked
\ndevil,<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

Thou art the cause that she is lost to
\nme.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

Slay him! And that shrewd-lipped,
\nrose-tainted harlot,<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

Let her be banished somewhere from
\nmen’s sight<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

Where she can be forgotten.
\nO brother,
\nbrother,<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

I have sent thee into the darkling
\nshades,<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

Myself am barred the way.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

What I have done,
\nI did for this poor king and thankless man.
\nBut there’s no use in talking. I am ready.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>(half-rising, furiously)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Slay him with tortures! Let him feel
\nhis death
\nAs he has made me feel my living.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Take him
\nAnd see this sentence ruthlessly performed
\nUpon this frame of evil. May the gods
\nIn their just wrath with this be satisfied.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 467<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nAnd yet I loved thee, Timocles.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

He is taken out, guarded.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNICANOR <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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

Eunice, rise.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>UNICE
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

I did not know till now
\nLife was so difficult a thing to leave.
\nHer going was so easy!<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Ah, girl, this tragic drama owns in
\npart<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

Thy authorship! Henceforth be wise and
\nhumble.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

To her chamber lead her.<\/font>
\n<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\n\tE<\/font>UNICE
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Do with me what you will.
\nMy heart has gone to journey with my dead.
\nO father, for a few days bear with me;<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

I do not think that I shall long
\ndisplease you
\nHereafter.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nShe goes, attended by Melitus.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tN<\/font>ICANOR
\n\t<\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Follow her, Callicrates,
\nAnd let no dangerous edge or lethal drink
\nBe near to her despair.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nCallicrates follows.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

This cannot keep us
\nFrom those we loved.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 468<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tNICANOR <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Syrians, what yet remains
\nOf this storm-visited, bolt-shattered house
\nLet us rebuild, joining our strength to save
\nThe threatened kingdom. For when this deed is known,
\nThe Parthian lion leaps raging for blood ^
\nAnd Ptolemy’s dangerous grief for the boy he cherished
\nDarkens on us from Egypt. Syria beset
\nAnd we all broken!<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tTIMOCLES <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Something has snapped in me
\nPhysicians cannot bind. Thou, Prince Nicanor,
\nArt from the royal blood of Syria sprung
\nAnd in thy line Seleucus may descend
\nUntainted from his source. Brother, brother,
\nWe did not dream that all would end like this,
\nWhen in the dawn or set we roamed at will
\nPlaying together in Egyptian gardens,
\nOr in the orchards of great Ptolemy
\nWalked with our arms around each other’s necks
\nTwin-hearted. But now unto eternity
\nWe are divided. I must live for ever
\nUnfriended, solitary in the shades;<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

But thou and she will lie at ease
\ninarmed
\nDeep in the quiet happy asphodel
\nAnd hear the murmur of Elysian winds
\nWhile I walk lonely.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

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

We too without thee now
\nBreath-haunted corpses move, Antiochus.
\nThou goest attended to a quiet air;<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

Doomed still to live we for a while
\nremain
\nExpecting what the gods have yet in store.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

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

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 469<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE IV     A guard-room in the palace. Antiochus, alone. ANTIOCHUS What were Death then but wider life than earth Can give us in…<\/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-700","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\/700","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=700"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}