{"id":733,"date":"2013-07-13T01:30:03","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=733"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:30:03","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:03","slug":"07-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\/07-act-two-scene-2-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-07_Act Two -Scene-2.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

\n
\nSCENE II<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n

\n <\/div>\n

\nA room in the women’s apartments of the palace.
\nAndromeda, Diomede, Praxilla.<\/font> <\/font><\/i><\/p>\n

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

\nMy brother lives then?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThanks to Tyre, it seems.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThanks to the wolf who means to eat him later.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou’ll lose your tongue some morning; rule it, girl.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThese kings, these politicians, these high masters!
\nThese wise blind men! We slaves have eyes at least
\nTo look beyond transparency.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBecause
\nWe stand outside the heated game unmoved
\nBy interests, fears and passions.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHe is a wolf, for I have seen his teeth.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYet must you marry him, my little princess.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat, to be torn in pieces by the teeth?<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 57<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nI think the gods will not allow this marriage.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI know not what the gods may do: be sure,
\nI’ll not allow it.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nFie, Andromeda!
\nYou must obey your parents: ’tis not right,
\nThis wilfulness. Why, you’re a child! you think
\nYou can oppose the will of mighty monarchs ?
\nBe good; obey your father.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYes, Praxilla?
\nAnd if my father bade me take a knife
\nAnd cut my face and limbs and stab my eyes,
\nMust I do that?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhere are you with your wild fancies ?
\nYour father would not bid you do such things.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBecause they’d hurt me ?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\nIt hurts me more<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo marry Phineus.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO you sly logic-splitter!
\nYou dialectician, you sunny-curled small sophist<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 58<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nChop logic with your father. I’m tired of you.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nFather, I have been waiting for you.<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\nWhat! you?
\nI’ll not believe it. You? (caressing her) My rosy Syrian!
\nMy five-foot lady! My small queen of Tyre!
\nYes, you are tired of playing with the ball.
\nYou wait for me!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI was waiting. Here are
\nTwo kisses for you.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOh, now I understand.
\nYou dancing rogue, you’re not so free with kisses:<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have to pay for them, small cormorant.
\nWhat is it now? a talking Tyrian doll?
\nOr a strong wooden horse with silken wings
\nTo fly up to the gold rims of the moon ?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI will not kiss you if you talk like that.
\nI am a woman now. As if I wanted
\nSuch nonsense, father!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOh, you’re a woman now?
\nThen ’tis a robe from Cos, sandals fur-lined
\nOr belt all silver. Young diplomatist,
\nI know you. You keep these rippling showers of gold
\nUpon your head to buy your wishes with.
\nTherefore you packed your small red lips with honey.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 59<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nWell, usurer, what’s the price you want?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI want,\u2014
\nBut, father, will you give me what I want?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI’ld give you the bright sun from heaven for plaything
\nTo make you happy, girl Andromeda.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI want the Babylonians who were wrecked
\nIn the great ship today, to be my slaves,
\nFather.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWas ever such a perverse witch?
\nTo ask the only thing I cannot give!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nCan I not have them, father?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThey are Poseidon’s.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOh then you love Poseidon more than me!
\nWhy should he have them ?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nFie, child! the mighty gods
\nAre masters of the earth and sea and heavens,
\nAnd all that is, is theirs. We are their stewards.
\nBut what is once restored into their hands
\nIs thenceforth holy: he who even gazes
\nWith greedy eye upon divine possessions,
\nIs guilty in Heaven’s sight and may awake<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 60<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nA dreadful wrath. These men Andromeda
\nMust bleed upon the altar of the God.
\nSpeak not of them again: they are devoted.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIs he a god who eats the flesh of men?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO hush, blasphemer!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nFather, give command,
\nTo have Praxilla here boiled for my breakfast.
\nI’ll be a goddess too.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

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

\n‘Tis thus
\nShe talks. Oh but it gives me a shivering fever
\nSometimes to hear her.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat mean you, dread gods ?
\nPurpose you then the ruin of my house
\nPreparing in my children the offences
\nThat must excuse your wrath? Andromeda,
\nMy little daughter, speak not like this again,
\nI charge you, no, nor think it. The mighty gods
\nDwell far above the laws that govern men
\nAnd are not to be mapped by mortal judgments.
\nIt is Poseidon’s will these men should die
\nUpon his altar. ‘Tis not to be questioned.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIt shall be questioned. Let your God go hungry.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 61<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nI am amazed! Did you not hear me, child ?
\nOn the third day from now these men shall die.
\nThe same high evening ties you fast with nuptials
\nTo Phineus, who shall take you home to Tyre.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(aside<\/i>) <\/i>
\nOn Tyre let the wrath fall, if it must come.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nFather, you’ll understand this once for all, \u2014
\nI will not let the Babylonians die,
\nI will not marry Phineus.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOh, you will not?
\nHere is a queen, of Tyre and all the world;<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHow mutinous \u2014 majestically this smallness
\nDivulges her decrees, making the most
\nOf her five feet of gold and cream and roses!
\nAnd why will you not marry Phineus, rebel?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHe does not please me.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSchool your likings, rebel.
\nIt is most needful Syria mate with Tyre.
\nAnd you are Syria.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhy, father, if you gave me a toy, you’ld ask
\nWhat toy I like! If you gave me a robe
\nOr vase, you would consult my taste in these!
\nMust I marry any cold-eyed crafty husband
\nI do not like?<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 62<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nYou do not like! You do not like!
\nThou silly child, must the high policy
\nOf Princes then be governed by thy likings?
\nTis policy, ’tis kingly policy
\nThat made this needful marriage, and it shall not
\nFor your spoilt childish likings be unmade.
\nWhat, you look sullen? what, you frown, virago?
\nLook, if you mutiny, I’ll have you whipped.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou would not dare.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNot dare!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOf course you would not.
\nAs if I were afraid of you!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou are spoiled,
\nYou are spoiled! Your mother spoils you, you wilful sunbeam.
\nCome, you provoking minx, you’ll marry Phineus ?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI will not, father. If I must marry, then
\nI’ll marry my bright sungod! and none else
\nIn the wide world.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYour sungod! Is that all ?
\nShall I not send an envoy to Olympus
\nAnd call the Thunderer here to marry you?
\nYou’re not ambitious ?<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 63<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nIt is not that she means;<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe speaks of the bright youth her brother rescued.
\nSince she has heard of him, no meaner talk<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs on her lips.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWho is this radiant coxcomb ?
\nWhence did he come to set my Syria in a whirl ?
\nFor him my son’s in peril of his life,
\nFor him my daughter will not marry Tyre.
\nOh, Polydaon’s right. He must be killed
\nBefore he does more mischief. Andromeda,
\nOn the third day you marry Tyrian Phineus.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

<\/i><\/p>\n

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

\nThat was a valiant shot timed to a most discreet-departure.
\nParthian tactics are best when we deal with mutinous daughters.<\/font>  <\/p>\n

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

\nAndromeda, you will obey your father?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou are not in my counsels. You’re too faithful.
\nVirtuous and wise, and virtuously you would
\nBetray me. There is a thing full-grown in me
\nThat you shall only know by the result.
\nDiomede, come; for I need help not counsel,<\/font><\/p>\n

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

<\/i><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat means she now! Her whims are as endless as the tossing of
\nleaves in a wind. But you will find out and tell me, Diomede.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI will find out certainly, but as to telling, that is as it shall please<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 64<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nme \u2014 and my little mistress.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou shall be whipped.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

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

<\/i><\/p>\n

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

\nThe child is spoiled herself and she spoils her servants. There
\nis no managing any of them.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 65<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE II   A room in the women’s apartments of the palace. Andromeda, Diomede, Praxilla. ANDROMEDA  My brother lives then? PRAXILLA Thanks to Tyre, it…<\/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-733","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\/733","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=733"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/733\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=733"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=733"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=733"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}