{"id":738,"date":"2013-07-13T01:30:05","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=738"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:30:05","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:05","slug":"43-rodogune-act-one-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\/43-rodogune-act-one-scene-3-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-43_Rodogune-Act One-Scene-3.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

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

\n

\n <\/div>\n

\n

\n <\/div>\n

\nCleopatra’s antechamber in the palace.
\nCleopatra seated, Rodogune.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIt is their horsehooves ride into my heart.
\nIt shall be done. What have I any more
\nTo do with hatred ? Parthian Rodogune,
\nHave you forgotten now your former pomps
\nAnd princely thoughts in high Persepolis,
\nOr do your dreams still linger near a throne ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI think all fallen beings needs must keep<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSome dream out of their happier past, \u2014 or else<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHow hard it would be to live!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO, if some hope survive
\nIn the black midst of care, however small,
\nWe can live, then only, O then only.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nI have forgotten how men hope.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIs your life hard
\nIn Syrian Antioch, Rodogune, a slave
\nTo your most bitter foemen ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNot when you speak
\nSo gently. Always I strive to make it sweet
\nBy outward harmony with circumstance
\nAnd a calm soul within that is above<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 353<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nMy fortune.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nParthian, you have borne the hate
\nMy husband’s murder bred in me towards all
\nYour nation. When I felt you with my heel,
\nI trampled Tigris and Euphrates then
\nAnd Parthia suffered. Therefore I let you live
\nHalf-loving in your body my revenge.
\nBut these are cruel and unhappy thoughts
\nI hope to slay and bury with the past
\nWhich gave them birth. Will you assist me, girl?
\nWill you begin with me another life
\nAnd other feelings ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIf our fates allow
\nWhich are not gentle.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy life begins again,
\nMy life begins again in my dear sons
\nAnd my dead husband lives. All’s sweetly mended.
\nI do not wish for hatred any more.
\nThe horrible and perilous hands of war
\nAppal me. <\/b> O, let our peoples sit at ease
\nIn Grecian Antioch and Persepolis,
\nMothers and children, clasping those golden heads
\nDeep, deep within our bosoms, never allow
\nTheir going forth again to bonds and death.
\nPeace, peace, let us have peace for ever more.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd will peace take me to my father’s arms ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOr else detain you on a kingly throne.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 354<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThere are happier fetters.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIf it must be so!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nArt thou insensible or fear’st to rise ?
\nI cannot think that even in barbarous lands
\nAny called human are so made that they prefer
\nSerfhood and scourge to an imperial throne.
\nOr is there such a soul?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nShall I not know
\nMy husband first?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI did not ask your choice,
\nBut gave you a command to be obeyed
\nLike any other that each day I give.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nShall I be given him as a slave, not wife ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou rise, I think, too quickly with your fate.
\nOr art thou other than I saw or thou
\nFeignedst to be? Hast thou been all this while
\nOnly a mask of smooth servility,
\nThou subtle barbarian ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSpeak not so harshly to me
\nWho spoke so gently now. I will obey.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHop’st thou by reigning to reign over me<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 355<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nRestoring on a throne thy Parthian soul?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat shall I be upon the Syrian throne
\nExcept your first of slaves who am now the last,
\nThe least considered? I hope not to reign
\nNor ever have desired ambitious joys,
\nOnly the love that I have lacked so long
\nSince I left Parthia.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nObey me then. Remember,
\nThe hand that seats thee can again unthrone.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI shall remember and I shall obey.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe retires to her station.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHer flashes of quick pride are quickly past.
\nAfter so many cruel, black and pitiless years
\nShall not the days to come conspire for joy?
\nThe Queen shall be my slave, a mind that’s trained
\nTo watch for orders, one without a party
\nIn Syria, with no will to take my son from me
\nOr steal my sovereign station. O, they come!
\nSlowly, my heart! break not with too much bliss.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEunice comes in swiftly.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAm I the first to tell you they have come?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO girl, thy tongue rain joy upon the world,
\nThat speaks to me of heaven!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPage \u2013 356<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nThey are more beautiful than heaven and earth.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(to Cleopatra)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nThy children’s feet are on the palace stairs.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO no! not of the palace but my heart;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI feel their tread ascending. <\/b> Be still, be still,
\nThou flutterer in my breast. I am a queen
\nAnd must not hear thee.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nThoas and Melitus enter bringing
\nin Antiochus and Timocles.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nQueen, we bring her sons<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo Cleopatra.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI thank you both; approach.
\nWhy dost thou beat so hard within to choke me?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe motions to them to stop and
\ngazes on them in silence.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThis is my mother. She is what I dreamed!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO high inhabitants of Greek Olympus,
\nWhich of you all comes flashing down from heaven
\nTo snare us mortals with this earthly gaze,
\nThese simulations of humanity ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSay to the Syrians they shall know their king
\nIn the gods’ time and hour. But these first days
\nAre for a mother.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 357<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nNone shall grudge them to thee,
\nRemembering the gods’ debt to thee, Cleopatra.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThoas and Melitus leave the chamber.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy children, O my children, my sweet children!
\nCome to me, come to me, come into my arms.
\nYou beautiful, you bright, you tall heart-snarers,
\nYou are all your father.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMother, my sweet mother!
\nI have been dreaming of you all these years,
\nMother!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd was the dream too fair, my child ?
\nO strange, sweet bitterness that I must ask
\nMy child his name!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI am your Timocles.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou first within my arms! O right, ’tis right.
\nIt<\/b> is your privilege, my sweet one. Kiss me.
\nO yet again, my young son Timocles.
\nO bliss, to feel the limbs that I have borne
\nWithin me! O my young radiant Timocles,
\nYou have outgrown to lie upon my lap:<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nI have not had that mother’s happiness.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMother, I am still your little Timocles
\nPlaying at bigness. You shall not refuse me
\nThe sweet dependent state which I have lost<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 358<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIn that far motherless Egypt where I pined.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd like a child too, little one, you’ld have
\nAll of your mother to yourself. Must I
\nThen thrust you from me ? Let Antiochus,
\nMy tall Antiochus have now his share.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHe is all high and beautiful like heaven
\nFrom which he came. I have not seen before
\nA thing so mighty.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMadam, I seek your blessing; let me kneel
\nTo have it.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nKneel! <\/b> O, in my bosom, son.
\nHave you too dreamed of me, Antiochus ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOf great Nicanor’s widow and the Queen
\nOf Syria and my sacred fount of life.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThese are cold haughty names, Antiochus.
\nNot of your mother, not of your dear mother ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou were for me the thought of motherhood,
\nA noble thing and sacred. This I loved.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNo more ? Are you so cold in speech, my son ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO son Antiochus, you have received<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYour father’s face; I hope you have his heart.<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 359<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nDo you not love me ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSurely I hope to love.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou hope!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO madam, do not press my words.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI do press them. Your words, your lips, your heart,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYour radiant body noble as a god’s<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI, I made in my womb, to give them light<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBore agony. I have a claim upon them all.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou do not love me ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe thought of you I have loved,
\nHonoured and cherished. By your own decree
\nWe have been to each other only thoughts;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut now we meet. I trust I shall not fail
\nIn duty, love and reverence to my mother.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHis look is royal, but his speech is cold.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nShould he debase his godhead with a lie ?
\nShe is to blame and her unjust demand.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIt is well. .My heart half slew me for only this!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nO Timocles, my little Timocles,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLet me again embrace you, let me feel<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy child who dreamed of me for eighteen years<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 360<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIn Egypt. Sit down here against my knee
\nAnd tell me of Egypt, \u2014 Egypt where I was born,
\nEgypt where my sweet sons were kept from me!
\nDear Egypt, hateful Egypt!<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI loved it well because it bore my mother,
\nBut not so well, my mother far from me.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat was your life there ? your mornings and your evenings,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYour dreams at night, I must possess them all,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAll the sweet years my arms have lost. Did you<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nRising in those clear mornings see the Nile,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOur father Nile, flow through the solemn azure<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPast the great temples in the sands of Egypt ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou have seen hundred-gated Thebes, my Thebes,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd my high tower where I would sit at eve<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWatching your kindred sun ? And Alexandria<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith the white multitude of sails ? My brother,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe royal Ptolemy, did he not love<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo clasp his sister in your little limbs ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThere is so much to talk of; but not now!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEunice, take them from me for a while.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTake Rodogune and call the other slaves.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nLet them array my sons like the great kings<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThey should have been so long. Go,<\/b> son Antiochus;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nGo, Timocles, my little Timocles.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWe are the future’s greatness, therefore owe
\nSome duty to the grandeurs of the past.
\nThe great Antiochus lies hardly cold,
\nGarbed for his journey. I would kneel by him
\nAnd draw his mightiness into my soul
\nBefore the gloomy shades have taken away
\nWhat earth could hardly value.<\/font> <\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 361<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nThis was a stab.
\nIs there some cold ironic god at work?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe great Antiochus! <\/b> Of him you dreamed ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou are his nephew! Parthian, take the prince<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo the dead King’s death-chamber, then to his own.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nShe was the Parthian! Great Antiochus,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nSyria thou leav’st me and her and Persia afterwards<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo be my lovely captive.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n\tT<\/font>IMOCLES
\n\t<\/font>(as he follows Eunice)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTell me, cousin, \u2014
\nI knew not I had such sweet cousins here, \u2014
\nWas this the Parthian princess Rodogune ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPhraates’ daughter. Prince, your mother’s slave.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThere are lovelier faces then than Syria owns.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nYou gods, you gods in heaven, you give us hearts
\nFor life to trample on! I am sick, Cleone.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhy, Madam, what a son you have in him,
\nThe joyous fair-faced Timocles, yet you are sick!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBut the other, O the other! Antiochus!<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 352<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nHe has the face that gives my husband back to me,
\nBut does not love me.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYet he will be king.
\nYou said he was the elder.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nDid I say it?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI was perplexed.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHe will be king, a man
\nWith a cold joyless heart and thrust you back
\nInto some distant corner of your house
\nAnd rule instead and fill with clamorous war
\nSyria and Parthia and the banks of Indus
\nTaking our lovers and our sons to death!
\nOur sons! Perhaps he will take Timocles
\nAnd offer him, a lovely sacrifice,
\nTo the grim god of battles.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy Timocles! my only joy! Oh, no!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWe will have peace henceforth and bloodless dawns.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMy envoys ride today.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHe will recall them.
\nThis is no man to rest in peaceful ease
\nWhile other sceptres sway the neighbouring realms.
\nWar and Ambition from his eyes look forth;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHis hand was made to grasp a sword-hilt. Queen,
\nPrevent it; let our Timocles be king.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat did you say ? Have you gone mad, Cleone ?<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 363<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe gods would never bless such vile deceit.
\nO, if it could have been! but it cannot.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIt must.
\nTimocles dead, you a neglected mother,
\nA queen dethroned, with one unloving child, \u2014
\nChildless were better, \u2014 and your age as lonely
\nAs these long nineteen years have been. Then you had hope,
\nYou will have none hereafter.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIf I thought that,
\nI would transgress all laws yet known or made
\nAnd dare Heaven’s utmost anger. Gods who mock me,
\nI will not suffer to all time your wrongs.
\nHush, hush, Cleone! It shall not be so.
\nI thought my heart would break with joy, but now
\nWhat different passion tugs at my heart-strings,
\nCleone, O Cleone! O my sweet dreams,
\nWhere have you gone yielding to pangs and fears
\nYour happy empire ? Am I she who left
\nLaughing the death-bed of Antiochus ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe goes into her chamber.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWe must have roses, sunlight, laughter. Prince,
\nNot cold, harsh light of arms. Your laurels, laurels!
\nWe’ll blast them quickly with a good Greek lie.
\nWhere he has gone, admire Antiochus,
\nNot here repeat him.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPage \u2013 364<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE III     Cleopatra’s antechamber in the palace. Cleopatra seated, Rodogune. CLEOPATRA It is their horsehooves ride into my heart. It shall be done….<\/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-738","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\/738","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=738"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/738\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=738"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=738"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}