{"id":747,"date":"2013-07-13T01:30:08","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=747"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:30:08","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:08","slug":"06-act-two-scene-1-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\/06-act-two-scene-1-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-06_Act Two-Scene-1.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

\nAct Two <\/font><\/p>\n

<\/b> 
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n
\nSCENE I<\/font><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/div>\n

\nThe audience-chamber<\/i>, in the Palace of Cepheus.
\nCepheus and Cassiopea, seated.<\/i><\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat will you do, Cepheus?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThis that has happened<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIs most unfortunate.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat will you do ?
\nI hope you will not give up to the priest
\nMy Iolaus’ golden head ? I hope
\nYou do not mean that?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGreat Poseidon’s priest
\nSways all this land: for from the liberal blood
\nMoistening that high-piled altar grow our harvests
\nAnd strong Poseidon satisfied defends
\nOur frontiers from the loud Assyrian menace.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nEmpty thy treasuries, glut him with gold.
\nLet us be beggars rather than one bright curl
\nOf Iolaus feel his gloomy mischiefs.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI had already thought of it. Medes!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n
\nWaits Polydaon yet?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 43<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nHe does, my lord.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nCall him and Tyrian Phineus.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nMedes goes out again.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBid Tyre save
\nAndromeda’s loved brother from this doom;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe shall not have our daughter otherwise.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThis too was in my mind already, queen.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPolydaon and Phineus enter.
\n<\/i>Be seated. King of Tyre: priest Polydaon,
\nPossess thy usual chair.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWell, King of Syria,
\nShall I have justice ? Wilt thou be the King
\nOver a peopled country? or must I loose
\nThe snake-haired Gorgon-eyed Erinnyes
\nTo hunt thee with the clamorous whips of Hell
\nBlood-dripping?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBe content. Cepheus gives nought
\nBut justice from his mighty seat. Thou shalt
\nHave justice.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI am not used to cool my heels
\nAbout the doors of princes like some beggarly
\nAnd negligible suitor whose poor plaint
\nIs valued by some paltry drachmas. I am
\nPoseidon’s priest. <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 44<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nThe prince is called to answer here
\nThy charges.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAnswer! Will he deny a crime
\nDone impudently in Syria’s face? ‘Tis well;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThe Tyrian stands here who can meet that lie.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy children’s lips were never stained with lies,
\nInsulting priest, nor will be now; from him
\nWe shall have truth.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd grant the charge admitted,
\nThe ransom shall be measured with the crime.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat talk is this of ransom? Think’st thou. King,
\nThat dire Poseidon’s grim offended godhead
\nCan be o’erplastered with a smudge of silver ?
\nShall money blunt his vengeance ? Shall his majesty
\nBe estimated in a usurer’s balance ?
\nBlood is the ransom of this sacrilege.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAh God!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>EPHEUS
\n\t<\/font>(in agitation)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTake all my treasury includes
\nOf gold and silver, gems and porphyry
\nUnvalued.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe gods are not to be bribed,
\nKing Cepheus.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 45<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tC<\/font>ASSIOPEA
\n\t<\/font>(apart)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nGive him honours, state, precedence,
\nAll he can ask. O husband, let me keep
\nMy child’s head on my bosom safe.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nListen!
\nWhat wouldst thou have ? Precedence, pomp and state ?
\nHundreds of spears to ring thee where thou walkest ?
\nSwart slaves and beautiful women in thy temple
\nTo serve thee and thy god? They are thine. In feasts
\nAnd high processions and proud regal meetings
\nPoseidon’s followers shall precede the King.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMe wilt thou bribe ? I take these for Poseidon,
\nNor waive my chief demand.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat will content thee?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nA victim has been snatched from holy altar:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo fill that want a victim is demanded.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI will make war on Egypt and Assyria
\nAnd throw thee kings for victims.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThy vaunt is empty.
\nPoseidon being offended, who shall give thee
\nVictory o’er Egypt and o’er strong Assyria?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nTake thou the noblest head in all the kingdom
\nBelow the Prince. Take many heads for one.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 46<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nShall then the innocent perish for the guilty ?
\nIs this thy justice? How shall thy kingdom last?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou hear him, Cassiopea ? he will not yield,
\nHe is inexorable.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMust I wait longer?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHo Medes!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIolaus comes not yet.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n\tC<\/font>ASSIOPEA
\n\t<\/font>(rising fiercely)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPriest, thou wilt have my child’s blood then, it seems!
\nNought less will satisfy thee than thy prince
\nFor victim?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPoseidon knows not prince or beggar.
\nWhoever honours him, he heaps with state
\nAnd fortune. Whoever wakes his dreadful wrath,
\nHe throws down into Erebus for ever.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBeware! Thou shalt not have my child. Take heed<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nEre thou drive monarchs to extremity.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou hopest in thy sacerdotal pride<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo make the Kings of Syria childless, end<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nA line that started from the gods. Think’st thou<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIt will be tamely suffered? What have we<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo lose, if we lose this ? I bid thee again<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTake heed: drive not a queen to strong despair.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 47<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nI am no tame-souled peasant, but a princess
\nAnd great Chaldea’s child.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>OLYDAON
\n\t<\/font>(after a pause)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWilt thou confirm
\nThy treasury .and all the promised honours,
\nIf I excuse the deed?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThey shall be thine.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe turns to whisper with Cassiopea.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tP<\/font>HINEUS
\n\t<\/font>(apart to Polydaon)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nDost thou prefer me for thy foeman?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSee
\nIn the queen’s eyes her rage. We must discover
\nNew means; this way’s not safe.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThou art a coward, priest, for all thy violence.
\nBut fear me first and then blench from a woman.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWell, as you choose.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFather, you sent for me ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThere is a charge upon thee, Iolaus,
\nI do not yet believe. But answer truth
\nLike Cepheus’ son, whatever the result.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 48<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhatever I have done, my father, good
\nOr ill, I dare support against the world.
\nWhat is this accusation?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nDidst thou rescue
\nAt dawn a victim from Poseidon’s altar ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI did not.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nDar’st thou deny it, wretched boy?
\nMonarch, his coward lips have uttered falsehood.
\nSpeak, King of Tyre.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHear me speak first. Thou ruffian
\nIntriguer masking in a priest’s disguise, \u2014<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHear him, O King!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSpeak calmly. I forbid
\nAll violence. Thou deniest then the charge?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAs it was worded to me, I deny it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSyria, I have not spoken till this moment,
\nAnd would not now, but sacred truth compels
\nMy tongue howe’er reluctant. I was there,
\nAnd saw him rescue a wrecked mariner
\nWith his rash steel. Would that I had not seen it!<\/font>
\n<\/font> <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 49<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou liest, Phineus, King of Tyre.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAlas!
\nIf thou hast any pity for thy mother,
\nRun not upon thy death in this fierce spirit,
\nMy child. Calmly repel the charge against thee,
\nNor thus offend thy brother.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI am not angry.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nIt was no shipwrecked weeping mariner,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nCondemned by the wild seas, whom they attempted,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut a calm god or glorious hero who came<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBy other ways than man’s to Syria’s margin.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNor did rash steel or battle rescue him.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWith the mere dreadful waving of his shield<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHe shook from him a hundred threatening lances,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThis hero hot from Tyre and this proud priest<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nNow bold to bluster in his monarch’s chamber,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nBut then a pallid coward, \u2014 so he trusts<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nIn his Poseidon!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHast thou done?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nNot yet.
\nThat I drew forth my sword, is true, and true
\nI would have rescued him from god or devil
\nHad it been needed.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nEnough! he has confessed!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 50<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nGive verdict. King, and sentence. Let me watch
\nThy justice.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBut this fault was not so deadly!<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI see thy drift, O King. Thou wouldst prefer
\nThy son to him who rules the earth and waters:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou wouldst exalt thy throne above the temple,
\nSetting the gods beneath thy feet. Fool, fool,
\nKnow’st thou not that the terrible Poseidon
\nCan end thy house in one tremendous hour ?
\nYield him one impious head which cannot live
\nAnd he will give thee other and better children.
\nGive sentence or be mad and perish.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nFather,
\nNot for thy son’s but for thy honour’s sake
\nResist him. ‘Tis better to lose crown and life,
\nThan rule the world because a priest allows it.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nGive sentence. King. I can no longer wait,
\nGive sentence.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>EPHEUS
\n\t<\/font>(helplessly to Cassiopia)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhat shall I do?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMonarch of Tyre,
\nThou choosest silence then, a pleased spectator?
\nThou hast bethought thee of other nuptials ?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 51<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nYou wrong my silence which was but your servant<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo find an issue from this dire impasse,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nRescuing your child from wrath, justice not wounded.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe issue lies in the accuser’s will,
\nIf putting malice by he’ld only seek
\nPoseidon’s glory. <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe deed’s by all admitted,
\nThe law and bearing of it are in doubt.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n(To Polydaon)<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nYou urge a place is void and must be filled
\nOn great Poseidon’s altar, and demand
\nJustly the guilty head of Iolaus.
\nHe did the fault, his head must ransom it.
\nLet him fill up the void, who made the void.
\nNor will high heaven accept a guiltless head,
\nTo let the impious free.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPhineus,<\/font>
\n\u2014<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBut if
\nThe victim lost return, you cannot then
\nClaim Iolaus: then there is no void
\nFor substitution.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nKing,<\/font> \u2014<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe simpler fault
\nWith ransom can be easily excused
\nAnd covered up in gold. Let him produce<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 52<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThe fugitive.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nTyrian, \u2014<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI have not forgotten.
\nPatience! You plead that your mysterious guest
\nBeing neither shipwrecked nor a mariner
\nComes not within the doom of law. Why then,
\nLet Law decide that issue, not the sword
\nNor swift evasion! Dost thou fear the event
\nOf thy great father’s sentence from that throne
\nWhere Justice sits with bright unsullied robe
\nJudging the peoples ? Calmly expect his doom
\nWhich errs not.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThou art a man noble indeed in counsel
\nAnd fit to rule the nations.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI approve.
\nYou laugh, my son ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nI laugh to see wise men
\nCatching their feet in their own subtleties.
\nKing Phineus, wilt thou seize Olympian Zeus
\nAnd call thy Tyrian smiths to forge his fetters ?
\nOr wilt thou claim the archer bright Apollo
\nTo meet thy human doom, priest Polydaon ?
\nTis well; the danger’s yours. Give me three days
\nAnd I’ll produce him.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPriest, art thou content?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 53<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nExceed not thou the period by one day,
\nOr tremble.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>EPHEUS
\n\t<\/font>(rising)<\/i><\/font>
\n\t<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nHappily decided. Rise
\nMy Cassiopea: now our hearts can rest
\nFrom these alarms.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nCepheus and Cassiopea leave the chamber.<\/i><\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS <\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nKeep thy knife sharp, sacrificant.
\nKing Phineus, I am grateful and advise
\nThy swift departure back to Tyre unmarried.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nWhat hast thou done, King Phineus ? All is ruined.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat, have the stripling’s threats appalled thee, priest?<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThou hast demanded a bright dreadful god
\nFor victim. We might have slain young Iolaus:<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWilt thou slay him whose tasselled aegis smote
\nTerror into a hundred warriors ?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPriest,
\nThou art a superstitious fool. Believe not
\nThe gods come down to earth with swords and wings,
\nOr transitory raiment made in looms,
\nOr bodies visible to mortal eyes.
\nFar otherwise they come, with unseen steps
\nAnd stroke invisible, \u2014 if gods indeed
\nThere are. I doubt it, who can find no room<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 54<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nFor powers unseen: the world’s alive and moves
\nBy natural law without their intervention.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nKing Phineus, doubt not the immortal gods.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThey love not doubters. If thou hadst lived as I,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nDaily devoted to the temple dimness,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd seen the awful shapes that live in night,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd heard the awful sounds that move at will<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhen Ocean with the midnight is alone,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThou wouldst not doubt. Remember the dread portents<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nHigh gods have sent on earth a hundred times<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhen kings offended.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWell, let them reign unquestioned
\nFar from the earth in their too bright Olympus,
\nSo that they come not down to meddle here
\nIn what I purpose. For your aegis-bearer,
\nYour winged and two-legged lion, he’s no god.
\nYou hurried me away or I’ld have probed
\nHis godlike guts with a good yard of steel
\nTo test the composition of his ichor.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat of his naming aegis lightning-tasselled ?
\nWhat of his winged sandals, King?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe aegis?
\nSome mechanism of refracted light.
\nThe wings ? Some new aerial contrivance
\nA luckier Daedalus may have invented.
\nThe Greeks are scientists unequalled, bold
\nExperimenters, happy in invention.
\nNothing’s incredible that they devise,
\nAnd this man, Polydaon, is a Greek.<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 55<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nHave it your way. Say he was merely man!
\nHow do we profit by his blood?<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO marvellous!
\nThou hesitate to kill! thou seek for reasons!
\nIs not blood always blood? I could not forfeit
\nMy right to marry young Andromeda;<\/font> <\/font><\/p>\n

\nShe is my claim to Syria. Leave something, priest,
\nTo fortune, but be ready for her coming
\nAnd grasp ere she escape. The old way’s best;<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nExcite the commons, woo their thunderer,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThat plausible republican. Iolaus<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOnce ended, by right of fair Andromeda<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nI’ll save and wear the crown. Priest, over Syria<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd all my Tyrians thou shalt be the one prelate,<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

\nShould all go well.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAll shall go well. King Phineus.<\/font>
\n<\/font><\/p>\n

They go.<\/i><\/p>\n

\nPage <\/font>
\n\u2013 56<\/font><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Act Two   SCENE I   The audience-chamber, in the Palace of Cepheus. Cepheus and Cassiopea, seated. CASSIOPEA What will you do, Cepheus? CEPHEUS This…<\/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-747","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\/747","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=747"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}