{"id":706,"date":"2013-07-13T01:29:51","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:29:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=706"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:29:51","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:29:51","slug":"14-act-four-scene-3-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\/14-act-four-scene-3-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-14_Act Four -Scene-3.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

\n
\nSCENE III<\/b> <\/font><\/p>\n

<\/span>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\n <\/div>\n

 A room commanding the outer court of the palace.
\nNebassar, Praxilla.<\/i> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\n\tPRAXILLA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI have seen them from the roof; at least ten thousand
\nMarch through the streets. Do you not hear their rumour,
\nA horrid hum as of unnumbered hornets
\nThat slowly nears us ? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNEBASSAR <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIf they are so many,
\nIt will be hard to save the princess. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPRAXILLA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSave her!
\nIt is too late now to save anyone. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNEBASSAR<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nI fear so. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPRAXILLA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut never is too late to die
\nAs loyal servants for the lords whose bread
\nWe have eaten. At least we women of the household <\/font><\/p>\n

\nWill show the way to you Chaldeans. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\t. NEBASSAR <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe are soldiers,
\nPraxilla, and need no guidance on a road
\nWe daily tread in prospect. I’ll bring my guards. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe goes out saluting Cassiopea who enters.<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nSwift Diomede must have reached by now, <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 131<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tPRAXILLA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI hope so, madam. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe goes out to the inner apartments.<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPIA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen Iolaus
\nIs safe. My sad heart has at least that comfort.
\nO my Andromeda, my child Andromeda,
\nThou wouldst not let me save thee. Hadst thou too gone,
\nI would have smiled when their fierce fingers rent me. <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n\tCEPHEUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe mob is nearing; all my Syrian guards
\nHave fled; we cannot hope for safety now. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThen what is left but to set rapid fire
\nTo the rafters and prevent on friendly swords
\nThe rabble’s outrage? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCEPHEUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWas it for such a fate
\nThou earnest smiling from an emperor’s palace,
\nO Cassiopea, Cassiopea! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor me <\/font><\/p>\n

\nGrieve not. <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\tCEPHEUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO Lady, princess of Chaldea,
\nPardon me who have brought thee to this doom. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nYet 1 meant well and thought that I did wisely: <\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut the gods wrest our careful policies
\nTo their own ends until we stand appalled
\nRemembering what we meant to do and seeing <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 132<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWhat has been done. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWith no half soul I came
\nTo share thy kingdom and thy joys; entirely
\nI came, to take the evil also with thee. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCEPHEUS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs there no truth in our high-winging ideals ?
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy rule was mild as spring, kind as the zephyr: <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt tempered justice with benevolence <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd offered pardon to the rebel and sinner; <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI showed mercy, the rare sign of gods and kings.
\nIn this too difficult world, this too brief life
\nTo serve the gods with virtue seemed the best.
\nA nation’s happiness was my only care; <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI made the people’s love my throne’s sure base <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd dreamed the way I chose true, great, divine. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut the heavenly gods have other thoughts than man’s; <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTheir awful aims transcend our human sight.
\nAnother doom than I had hoped they gave. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPIA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA screened Necessity drives even the gods.
\nOver human lives it strides to unseen ends; <\/font><\/p>\n

\nOur tragic failures are its stepping-stones. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCEPHEUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMy father lived calm, just, pitiless, austere,
\nAs a stern god might sway a prostrate <\/b>world: <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAdmired and feared, he died a mighty king.
\nMy end is this abominable fate. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnother law than mercy’s rules the earth. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 133<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tCEPHEUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIf I had listened to thee, O Cassiopea,
\nChance might have taken a fairer happier course.
\nAlways thou saidst to me, "The people’s love
\nIs a glimmer on quicksands in a gliding sea: <\/font><\/p>\n

\nToday they are with thee, to-morrow turn elsewhere. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nWisdom, strength, policy alone are sure." <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI thought I better knew my Syrian folk. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs this not my well-loved people at my door, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis tiger-hearted mob with bestial growl, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis cry for blood to drink, this roar of hate? <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAlways thou spok’st to me of the temple’s power, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nA growing danger menacing the State, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIts ambition’s panther crouch and serpent pride <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd cruel craft in a priest’s sombre face: <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI only saw the god and sacred priest. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo priest and god 1 am thrown a sacrifice. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe golden-mouthed orator of the market-place, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTherops, thou bad’st me fear and quell or win <\/font><\/p>\n

\nGaining his influence to my side. To me <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe seemed a voice and nothing but a voice. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nToo late I learn that human speech has power <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo change men’s hearts and turn the stream of Time. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThy eyes could read in Phineus’ scheming brain. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI only thought to buy the strength of Tyre <\/font><\/p>\n

\nOffering my daughter as unwilling price. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe has planned my fall and watches my agony. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAt every step I have been blind, have failed: <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAll was my error; all’s lost and mine the fault. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nBlame not thyself; what thou hadst to be, thou wert,
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd never yet came help from vain remorse.
\nIt is too late, too late. To die is left; <\/font><\/p>\n

\nFate and the gods concede us nothing more. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 134<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tCEPHEUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut strength to meet the doom is always ours.
\nIn royal robes and crowned we will show ourselves
\nTo our people and look in the eyes of death and fate.
\nWhat is this armoured tramp? <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe Chaldean guards enter with
\nNebassar at their head.<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCAPTAINS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO King, we come
\nTo die with thee, the soldiers of Chaldea; <\/font><\/p>\n

\nFor all in Syria have abandoned thee. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCEPHEUS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nI thank you, soldiers. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES <\/font>OUTSIDE
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPoseidon, great Poseidon! we are Poseidon’s people. In, in, in!
\nKill the cuckold Cepheus, tear the harlot Cassiopea. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCEPHEUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nVoices of insolent outrage
\nProclaim the heartless rabble. On the steps
\nOf our own palace we’ll receive our subjects. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis, this becomes thee, monarch. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNEBASSAR <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nSoldiers, form
\nWith serried points before these mighty sovereigns. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe mob surges in, Therops and Perissus at their
\nhead, Polydaon a little behind, Damoetes, Morus
\nand the rest. Praxilla and others of the household
\ncome running in.<\/i><\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 135<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tMOB <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOn them! on them! Cut the Chaldeans to pieces! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tTHEROPS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nHalt, people, halt: let there be no vain bloodshed <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nHere is a tender-hearted demagogue! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tTHEROPS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCepheus and Cassiopea, ’tis vain and heinous
\nTo dally with your fate; it will only make you <\/font><\/p>\n

\nMore criminal before the majesty
\nOf the offended people. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCEPHEUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

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

\n\tCASSIOPEA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nAn unwashed majesty and a wolf-throated! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tTHEROPS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nInsolent woman, to thee I speak not. Cepheus, <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCEPHEUS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nUse humbler terms. I am thy King as yet. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tTHEROPS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe last in Syria. Tell me, wilt thou give up
\nThy children to the altar, and thyself
\nSurrender here with this Chaldean woman
\nFor mercy or judgment to the assembled will
\nOf Syria. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA tearing mercy, a howling judgment! <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 136<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTherops, why do you treat with these ? Chaldeans! <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd you, Praxilla! women of the household! <\/font><\/p>\n

\nBring out the abominable Andromeda <\/font><\/p>\n

\nWho brought the woe on Syria. Why should you vainly <\/font><\/p>\n

\nBe ripped and mangled? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES OF <\/font>WOMEN
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBring out Andromeda!
\nBring out the harlot’s daughter, bring her out! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES OF <\/font>MEN
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAndromeda! Andromeda! Andromeda!
\nBring out this vile Andromeda to die! <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAndromeda enters from the inner Palace, followed
\nby slave-girls entreating and detaining <\/b>her.<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPRAXILLA <\/font>(sorrowfully)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nWilt thou be wilful even to the end? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlas, my child! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tANDROMEDA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMother, weep not for me. Perhaps my death
\nMay save you; and ’tis good that I should die,
\nNot these poor innocent people. Against me
\nTheir unjust god is wroth. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCEPHEUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO my poor sunbeam! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tANDROMEDA <\/font>(advancing and showing herself to the people)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nO people who have loved me, you have called me
And I am here.
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA fierce roar from the mob.<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 137<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tTHEROPS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHow she shrinks back appalled! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPRAXILLA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGod! What a many-throated howl of demons!
\nTheir eyes glare ,death. These are not men and Syrians.
\nThe fierce Poseidon has possessed their breasts
\nAnd breathed his awful blood-lust into all hearts
\nDeafening the voice of reason, slaying pity: <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPoseidon’s rage glares at us through these eyes,
\nIt is his ocean roar that fills our streets. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nCries from the mob.<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tBALTIS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nSeize her! seize her! the child of wickedness!
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tVOICES OF <\/font>WOMEN<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nThrow her to us! throw her to us! We will pick
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe veins out of her body one by one. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tDAMOETES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nThrow her to us! We will burn her bit by bit, <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMORUS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nYes, cook her alive; no, Damoetes? Ho, ho, ho! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tVOICES OF <\/font>MEN<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe has killed our sons and daughters: kill her! kill her. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tVOICES OF <\/font>WOMEN<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe is the child of her wicked mother: kill her! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMOB<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nThrow her to <\/b>us! throw her to us! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMEGAS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe’ll tear her here, and the furies shall tear her afterwards forever in Hell. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 138<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tTHEROPS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nPeace, people’ she is not yours, she is Poseidon’s. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tANDROMEDA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlas, why do you curse me ? I am willing
\nTo die for you. If J had known- this morn
\nThe monster’s advent, I would have gone and met him
\nWhile you yet slept, and saved your poor fair children
\nWhose pangs have been my own. Had I died first,
\nI should not then have suffered. O my loved people,
\nYou loved me too: when I went past your homes,
\nYou blessed me always; often your girls and mothers
\nWould seize and bind me to their eager breasts
\nWith close imprisonment, kiss on their doorways
\nAnd with a smiling soft reluctance leave.
\nO do not curse me now! I can bear all,
\nBut not your curses. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPERISSUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nAlack, my pretty lady!
\nWhat madness made you do it? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShe has rewarded
\nYour love by bringing death upon you, Syrians,
\nAnd now she tries to melt you by her tears. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMOB <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nKill her, kill her! Cut the Chaldeans to pieces! We will have
\nher! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPASITHEA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO do not hurt her! She <\/b> is like my child
\nWhom the fierce monster tore. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMEGAS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nUnnatural mother! <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 139<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWould you protect her who’s cause your child was eaten? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPASITHEA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nWill killing her give back my child to me ?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMEGAS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nNo, it will save the children of more mothers. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tDAMOETES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nGag up her puling mouth, the white-faced fool! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tVOICES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nTear, tear Andromeda! Seize her and tear her! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tWOMEN<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nLet us only get at her with our teeth and fingers! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNEBASSAR<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nUse swords, Chaldeans. <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOrder, my children, order!
\nChaldean, give us up Andromeda,
\nAnd save your King and Queen. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNEBASSAR <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat, wilt thou spare them ? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThou wilt not give my child to him, Nebassar ?
\nThou dar’st not’ <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNEBASSAR <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nQueen, ’tis better one should die
\nFor all. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 140<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI swear to thee, I will protect them. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nTrust not his oaths, his false and murderous oaths. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNEBASSAR <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHe is a priest; if we believe him, nothing
\nWe lose, something may gain. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMEGAS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhat wilt thou do?
\nThe people do not like it. See, they mutter. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nLet me have first their daughter in my grip, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nBe sure of the god’s dearest victim. People,
\nI am Poseidon’s priest and your true friend.
\nLeave all to me. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nLeave all to Polydaon! the good priest knows what he is doing. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nSoldiers, give up the Princess. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNEBASSAR <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShall she be only given to Poseidon?
\nWill you protect her from worse outrage ? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

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

\n\tPRAXILLA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nLook! what a hideous triumph lights the eyes <\/font><\/p>\n

\nOf that fierce man. He glares at her with greed
\nLike a wild beast of prey, and on his mouth <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 141<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThere is a cruel unclean foam. Nebassar,
\nO do not give her. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tNEBASSAR <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIf there were any help!
\nGo forth, O princess, O Andromeda.- <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy child! my child! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tANDROMEDA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGive me one kiss, my mother.
\nWe shall yet meet, I think. My royal father,
\nAndromeda farewells you, whom you loved
\nAnd called your sunbeam. But the night receives me. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCEPHEUS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\n.Alas! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tDAMOETES <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHow long will these farewells endure ?
\nThey are not needed: you shall meet presently
\nIf Death’s angels can collect your tattered pieces. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nO savage Syrians, let my curses brood
\nUpon your land, an anguished mother’s curse.
\nMay the Assyrian come and flay you living,
\nImpale your sons, rip up your ravished daughters
\nBefore your agonising eyes and make you feel,
\nWho drag my child from me to butcher her,
\nThe horror that you do. I curse you, Syrians. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tANDROMEDA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nHush, mother, mother! what they demand is just. <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 142<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tNEBASSAR <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLead back the King and Queen into the Palace,
\nWomen. We too will from this sad surrender <\/font><\/p>\n

\nRemove our eyes. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCASSIOPEA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI will not go. Let them tear her
\nBefore me: then surely Heaven will avenge me. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCEPHEUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCome, Cassiopea, come: our death’s delayed
\nBy a few minutes. I will not see her slain. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nCepheus and Praxilla go in, forcibly leading Cassiopea;<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nthey are followed by the slave-girls and then by Nebassar
\nand the Chaldeans: Andromeda is left alone on the steps.<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES OF THE <\/font>MOB
\n\t<\/font>(surging forward)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nDrag her, kill her, she is ours. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTherops and thou, Perissus, stand in front
\nAnd keep the people off, or they will tear her,
\nDefraud Poseidon. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPERISSUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCheer up, my princess, come!
\nYou shall be cleanly killed. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tTHEROPS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPeople of Syria,
\nRob not Poseidon of his own! ’tis not the way
\nTo turn his anger. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tVOICES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nRight, right! leave her to Poseidon: out with her to "the sea-monster
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 143<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tGARDAS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nTherops is always right. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tDAMOETES <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWe will have her first: we will dress his banquet for him: none
\nshall say us nay.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMORUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGood; we will show Poseidon some excellent cookery.
\n<\/b>Ho, <\/b>ho, ho! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMEGAS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNo, no, no! To the rocks with her! Strip her, the fine dainty
\nprincess, and hang her up in chains on the cliff-face. <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n"Strip her! Off with her broidered robe and her silken tunic!
\nWhy should she wear such, when my daughter carries only coarse
\nwoollen?<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tA WOMAN <\/font>(shaking her fist)<\/i>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nCurse the white child’s face of thee: it has ruined Syria.
\n<\/b>Die,
\n<\/b>dog’s daughter. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tDAMOETES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs she to die only once who has killed so many of us ? I say, tie her to one of these pillars and flog her till she drops.
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMORUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThat’s right, skin her with whips: peel her for the monster,
\nho, ho, ho! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tBALTIS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nLeave her: Hell’s tortures shall make the account even. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn order, children: let all be done in order. <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 144<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tTHEROPS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShe droops like a bruised flower beneath their curses,
\nAnd the tears lace her poor pale cheeks like frost
\nGlittering on snowdrops. I am sorry now
\nI had a hand in this, <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tANDROMEDA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou two have faces
\nLess cruel than the others. I am willing
\nTo die, \u2014 oh, who would live to be so hated?
\nBut do not let them shame or torture me. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPERISSUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOff! off! thick-brained dogs, loud-lunged asses! What do you
\ndo, yelping and braying here? Will you give a maimed meal
\nto Poseidon’s manhound? Do you know me not? Have you
\nnever heard of Perissus, never seen Perissus the butcher? I guard
\nPoseidon’s meat, and whoever touches a morsel of it, T will make
\nmeat of him with my cleaver. I am Perissus, I am the butcher. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tVOICES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt is Perissus, the good and wealthy butcher. He is right.
\n<\/b>To the rocks with her! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tVOICES OF <\/font>WOMEN
\n\t<\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBind her first: we will see her bound! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPERISSUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIn all that is rational, I will indulge you,
\nWhere is a cord ? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nA cord, who has a cord ? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tDAMOETES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nHere is one, Perissus. Tis rough and strong and sure.
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 145<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tPERISSUS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nCome, wear your bracelets. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tANDROMEDA<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nO bind me not so hard! <\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou cut my wrists. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe weeps.<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPERISSUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou are too soft and tender.
\nThere, dry your eyes, \u2014 but that, poor slip, you cannot.
\nSee, I have tied you very lightly: say not
\nThat this too hurts. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tANDROMEDA <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI thank you; you are kind. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPERISSUS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nKind! Why should I not be kind? Because I am a butcher must I have no bowels ? Courage, little Princess: none shall hurt
\nthee but thy sea-monster and he, I am sure, will crunch thy little
\nbones very tenderly. Never had man-eater such sweet bones to
\ncrunch. Alack! but where is the remedy? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNow take her to the beach and chain her there
\nUpon the rocks to bear her punishment.
\nPerissus, lead her forth! We’ll follow you. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nNot I! not I! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tDAMOETES <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nYou’ld kill us, Polydaon!
\nPoseidon’s anger walks by the sea-beaches. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 146<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThe fierce sea-dragon will not hurt you, friends, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nWho bring a victim, to Poseidon’s altar
\nOf the rude solemn beaches. I’ll protect you. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nWe’ll go with Polydaon! with the good Polydaon!
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nPerissus, go before. We’ll quickly come. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPERISSUS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nMake way there or I’ll make it with my cleaver.
\nHeart, little Princess! None shall touch thee. Heart! <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPerissus and others make their way
\nout with Andromeda,<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nHem, people, hem the Palace in with myriads: <\/font><\/p>\n

\nWe’ll pluck out Cepheus and proud Cassiopea. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nKill Cepheus the cuckold, the tyrant! Tear the harlot Cassiopea.
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tTHEROPS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIs this thy sacred oath? <\/b> Had not Nabassar
\nThy compact, priest? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI swore not by Poseidon.
\nWilt thou oppose me? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tTHEROPS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThy perjury too much
\nFavours my private wishes. Yet would I not
\nBe thou with such a falsehood on my conscience. <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 147<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy, Therops, be thyself and thou shalt yet
\nBe something great in Syria. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tDAMOETES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhere’s. Iolaus? <\/font><\/p>\n

\nShall he not also die? <\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nToo long forgotten!
\nO that I should forget my dearest hatred!
\nBy this he has concealed himself or fled
\nAnd 1 am baulked of what I chiefly cherished. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tTHEROPS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nOh, do them justice I the great house of Syria
\nWere never cowards. The prince has been o’erwhelmed
\nOn his way hither with rash sword to rescue: <\/font><\/p>\n

\nSo Aligattas tells, who came behind us.
\nHe’s taken to the temple. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHeard you? <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMOB <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

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

\n\tBALTIS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nBut what’s the matter now with our good priest?
\nHis veins are all out and his face is blood-red! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tDAMOETES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis joy is too great for him. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI am a god,
\nA god of blood and roaring victory. <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 148<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOh, blood in rivers! His heart out of his breast,
\nAnd his mother there to see it! and I to laugh
\nAt her, to laugh! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tTHEROPS <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nThis is not sanity. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font>(controlling himself with a great effort)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe sacrilegious house is blotted out
Of Cepheus. Lei not one head outlive their ending!
Andromeda appoints the way to Hades
Who was in crime the boldest, then her brother
Yells on the
\naltar: last Cepheus and his Queen \u2014 <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nTear her! let the Chaldean harlot die. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nShe shall be torn! but not till she has seen
\nThe remnants of the thing that was her daughter: <\/font><\/p>\n

\nNot till her sweet boy’s heart has been plucked out
\nUnder her staring eyes from his red bosom.
\nTill then she shall not die. But afterwards
\nStrew with her fragments every street of the city. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nHear, hear Poseidon’s Viceroy, good Polydaon! <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tMEGAS<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn! in! cut off their few and foreign swordsmen. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCRIES<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn! in! let not a single Chaldean live. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe mob rushes into the Palace; only
\nTherops and Polydaon remain.<\/i> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 149<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tPOLYDAON <\/font><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGo, Therops, take good care of Cassiopea,
\nOr she will die too mercifully soon. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tTHEROPS <\/font>(aside)<\/i>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHow shall we bear this grim and cruel beast
\nFor monarch, when all’s done! He is not human. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe goes into the Palace.<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPOLYDAON<\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have set Poseidon’s rage in human hearts; <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHis black and awful Influence flows from me.
\nThou art a mighty god, Poseidon, yet
\nAnd mightily thou hast avenged thyself.
\nThe drama’s nearly over. Now to ring out
\nThe royal characters amid fierce howlings
\nAnd splendid, pitiless, crimson massacre, \u2014
\nA great finale! Then, then I shall be King. <\/font><\/p>\n

\n(As he speaks, he gesticulates more<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nwildly and his madness gains upon him.)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou luckless Phineus, wherefore didst thou leave
\nSo fortunate a man for thy ally ?
\nThe world shall long recall King Polydaon.
\nI will paint Syria gloriously with blood.
\nHundreds shall daily die to incarnadine
\nThe streets of my city and my palace floors,
\nFor I would walk in redness. I’ll plant my gardens
\nWith heads instead of lilacs. Hecatombs
\nOf men shall groan their hearts out for my pleasure
\nIn crimson rivers. I’ll not wait for shipwrecks.
\nAssyrian captives and my Syrian subjects,
\nNobles and slaves, men, matrons, boys and virgins
\nAt matins and at vespers shall be slain
\nTo me in my magnificent high temple
\nBeside my thunderous Ocean. I will possess
\nWomen each night, who the next day shall die,
\nEncrimsoned richly for the eyes’ delight. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 150<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMy heart throngs out in words! What moves within me?
\nI am athirst, magnificently athirst, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd for a red and godlike wine. Whence came <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe thirst on me? It was not here before. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTis thou, ’tis thou, O grand and grim Poseidon, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHast made thy scarlet session in my soul <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd growest myself. I am not Polydaon, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nJ am a god, a mighty dreadful god, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe multitudinous mover in the sea, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe shaker of the earth: I am Poseidon <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd I will walk in three tremendous paces <\/font><\/p>\n

\nClimbing the mountains with my clamorous waters <\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd sec my dogs eat up Andromeda, <\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy enemy, and laugh in my loud billows. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe clamour of battle roars within the Palace! <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have created it, I am Poseidon. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nSit’st thou, my elder brother, charioted <\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn clouds? Look down, O brother Zeus, and see <\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy actions! they merit thy immortal gaze. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe goes into the Palace.<\/i> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 151<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE III    A room commanding the outer court of the palace. Nebassar, Praxilla.   PRAXILLA I have seen them from the roof; at least…<\/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-706","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\/706","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=706"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/706\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=706"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=706"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=706"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}