{"id":715,"date":"2013-07-13T01:29:55","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:29:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=715"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:29:55","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:29:55","slug":"45-rodogune-act-two-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\/45-rodogune-act-two-scene-2-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-45_Rodogune-Act Two-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

\n

\n <\/div>\n

\nThe same.
\nEunice, Rodogune.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tRODOGUNE <\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nHeaven had a purpose in my servitude!
\nI will believe it.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOne sees not now such men.
\nWhat a calm royalty his glances wield!
\nWe are their subjects. And he treads the earth
\nAs if it were already his.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAll must be.
\nI have lived a slave, yet always held myself
\nA nobler spirit than my Grecian lords;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut when he spoke, O when he looked at me,
\nI felt indeed the touch of servitude
\nAnd this time loved it.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO, you too, Rodogune!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI too! What do you mean ? Are you, Eunice \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI mean our thorny rose Cleone too
\nHas fallen in love with pretty Timocles.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou slanderer! But I thought a nearer thing
\nThat ran like terror through my heart.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 371<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nAnd so<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou love him?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat have I said, Eunice ? What have I said ?
\nI did not say it.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou did not say it, no!
\nYou lovely fool, hide love with blushes then
\nAnd lower over your liquid love-filled eyes
\nTheir frightened lashes! Quake, my antelope!
\nI’ll have revenge at least. O sweet, sweet heart,
\nMy delicate Parthian! I shall never have
\nAnother love but only Rodogune,
\nMy beautiful barbarian Rodogune
\nWith the tall dainty grace and the large eyes
\nAnd vague faint pallor just like twilit ivory.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy own Eunice!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThey embrace. Phayllus enters.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HAYLLUS
\n\t<\/font>(stroking his chin)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI always hated waste.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYour steps too steal, Phayllus ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI have a message.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI do not like the envoy. Find another
\nAnd I will hear it.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 372<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nCome, you put me out.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOf your accounts ? They say there is too much
\nYou have put out already for your credit..<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou’re called. The Queen’s in haste, Cleone said.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEunice goes.
\n<\/i>Parthian, will you be Syria’s queen or no ?
\nI startle you. The royal Timocles
\nBy your beauty strives ensnared. Don not your mask
\nOf modesty, keep that for Timocles.
\nI offer you a treaty. By my help
\nYou can advance your foot to Syria’s throne:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHis bed’s the staircase and you shall ascend,
\nNor will I rest till you are seated there.
\nCome, have I helped you ? Shall we be allies ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou speak a language that I will not hear.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOh, language! you’re for language, all of you.
\nAre you not Parthia’s daughter? Do you not wish
\nTo sit upon a throne ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNot by your help,
\nNor as the bride of Syrian Timocles.
\nWhat are these things you speak ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWeigh not my speech,
\nBut only my sincerity. I have a tongue
\nDispleasing to all women. Heed not that!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 373<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMy heart is good, my meaning better still.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPerhaps! But know I yearn not for a throne.
\nAnd if I did, Antiochus is king
\nAnd not this younger radiance.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThat’s your reason ?
\nYou are deceived. Besides he loves you not
\nNor ever will put on a female yoke.
\nPrefer this woman’s clay, this Timocles
\nAnd by my help you shall have empire, joy,
\nAll the heart needs, the pleasures bodies use.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI need no empire save my high-throned heart,
\nI seek no power save that of sceptred love,
\nI ask no help beyond what Ormuzd gives.
\nEnough. I thank you.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou’re subtler than these Greeks.
\nMust he then pine ? Shall he not plead his cause ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI would not have him waste his heart in pain
\nIf what you say is true. Let him then know
\nThis cannot be.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHe will not take from me
\nAn answer you yourself alone can give.
\nI think you parry to be more attacked.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThink what you will, but leave me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 374<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nIf you mean that,
\nThe way to show it is to let him come.
\nYou feign and do not mean this, or else you would
\nDeny him to his face.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tR<\/font>ODOGUNE
\n\t<\/font>{flushing angrily)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI will, tell him to come.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI thought so. Come he shall. Remember me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nI did not well to bid him come to me.
\nIt is some passing fancy of the blood.
\nI do not hear that he was ever hurt
\nBut danced a radiant and inconstant moth
\nAbove the Egyptian blossoms.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nTimocles enters hastily, hesitates, then rushes and
\nthrows himself at the feet of Rodogune.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nRodogune!
\nI love thee, princess; thou hast made me mad.
\nI know not what I do nor what I speak.
\nWhat dreadful god has seized upon my heart ?
\nI am not Timocles and not my own,
\nBut am a fire and am a raging wind
\nTo seize on thee and am a driven leaf.
\nO Rodogune, turn not away from me.
\nForgive me, O forgive me. I cannot help it
\nIf thou hast made me love thee. Tremble not,
\nNor grow so pale and look with panic glances
\nAs if a fire had clutched thee by the robe.
\nI am thy menial, thy poor trembling slave
\nAnd thou canst slay me with a passing frown.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 375<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nRODOGUNE <\/font><\/font><\/p>\n

\nTouch not my hand! ’tis sacred from thy touch!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIt is most sacred; even the roseate nail
\nOf thee, O thou pale goddess, is a mystery
\nAnd a strange holiness. Scorched be his hand
\nWho dares with lightest sacrilegeous touch
\nProfane thee, O deep-hearted miracle,
\nUnless thy glorious eyes condone the fault
\nBy growing tender. O thou wondrous Parthian,
\nFear not my love; it grows a cloistered worship.
\nSee, I can leave thee! see, I can retire.
\nLook once on me, one look is food enough
\nFor many twelve months.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nEunice returns.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou wrong your mother, cousin.
\nHer moments linger when you are not there;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAlways she asks for you.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy mother! you gods,
\nForbid it, lest I weary of her love.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nWhat was this ? Speak.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWas Fate not satisfied
\nWith my captivity ? Waits worse behind ?
\nIt was a grey and clouded sky before
\nAnd bleak enough but quiet. Now I see
\nFresh clouds come stored with thunder toiling up
\nFrom a black-piled horizon.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 376<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nTell me all.
\nWhat said Phayllus to you, the dire knave
\nWho speaks to poison?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHe spoke of love and thrones and Timocles;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe spoke as selfish cunning men may speak
\nWho mean some evil they call good.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd how
\nCame Timocles behind him?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nCalled by him,
\nWith such wild passion burning under his lids
\nI never thought to see in human eyes.
\nWhat are these movements ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWe move as we must,
\nNot as we choose, whatever we may think.
\nYour beauty is a torch you needs must carry
\nAbout the world with you. You cannot help it
\nIf it burns kingdoms.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI pray it may not. God who only rulest,
\nLet not the evil spirit use my love
\nTo bring misfortune on Antiochus.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nWhich is the Parthian?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 377<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

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

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

\nAntiochus
\nDesires you in his chamber with a bowl
\nOf Lesbian vintage.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nDoes he desire ? The gods then choose their hour
\nFor intervention. Move, you Parthian piece.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSend someone else. I cannot go.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI think
\nYou have forgotten that you are a slave.
\nYou are my piece and I will have you move.
\nMove quickly.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSurely he did not speak my name?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhy do you fear, my child ? He’s good and noble
\nAnd kind in speech and gentle to his servants.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tR<\/font>ODOGUNE
\n\t<\/font>(low, to herself)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt is not him I fear, it is myself.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nFear me instead. You shall be cruelly whipped
\nUnless you move this instant.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nPage \u2013 378<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nWhipped savagely! I’ll sacrifice so much
\nFor a shy pawn who will not move ? Go, go,
\nAnd come not back unkissed if you are wise.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe pushes Rodogune to the door and
\nshe goes followed by Mentho.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nHis heart’s not free, nor hers, or else I’ld try
\nMy hand at reigning. As the gods choose through her,
\nI may rule Syria.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 379<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE II     The same. Eunice, Rodogune. RODOGUNE   Heaven had a purpose in my servitude! I will believe it. EUNICE One sees not…<\/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-715","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\/715","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=715"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/715\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=715"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=715"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=715"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}