{"id":749,"date":"2013-07-13T01:30:10","date_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=749"},"modified":"2013-07-13T01:30:10","modified_gmt":"2013-07-13T01:30:10","slug":"08-act-two-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\/08-act-two-scene-3-vol-06-collected-plays-part-i-volume-06","title":{"rendered":"-08_Act Two-Scene-3.htm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

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

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

\n

\n <\/div>\n

\nAn orchard garden in Syria by a river-bank: the corner of a
\ncottage in the background.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\nPerseus, Cydone.<\/i><\/font>  <\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>YDONE
\n\t<\/font>(sings)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n\t\tO the sun in the reeds and willows!
\n\t\tO the sun with the leaves at play!
Who would waste the warm sunlight ?
And for weeping there’s the night.
But now ’tis day.<\/font>\n\t<\/p>\n

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

\nYes, willows and the reeds! and the bright sun<\/font><\/p>\n

\nStays with the ripples talking quietly.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd there, Cydone, look! how the fish leap<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo catch at sunbeams. Sing yet again, Cydone. .<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tC<\/font>YDONE
\n\t<\/font>(sings)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n\t\tO what use have your foolish tears ?
What will you do with your hopes and fears ?
They but waste the sweet sunlight.
Look! mom opens: look how bright
The world appears!<\/font>\n\t<\/p>\n

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

\nO you Cydone in the sweet sunlight!
\nBut you are lovelier.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou talk like Iolaus.
\nCome, here’s your crown. I’ll set it where ’tis due.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nCrowns are too heavy, dear. Sunlight was better.<\/font><\/p>\n

 
\nPage \u2013 66<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\n‘Tis a light crown of love I put upon you,
\nMy brother Perseus.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPERSEUS<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nLove! but love is heavy.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nNo, love is light. I put light love upon you,
Because I love you and you love
\nIolaus.
I love you because you love Iolaus,
And love the world that loves my
\nIolaus,
Iolaus my world and all thy world.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOnly for Iolaus. Happy Cydone,
\nWho can lie here and babble to the river.
\nAll day of love and light and Iolaus,
\nIf’t could last! But tears are in the world
\nAnd must some day be wept.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tCYDONE<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWhy must they, Perseus?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhen Iolaus becomes King in Syria
\nAnd comes no more, what will you do, Cydone?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhy, I will go to him.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAnd if perhaps,
\nHe should not know you ?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThen it will be night.<\/font>
\n <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 67<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nIt is day now.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nA bright philosophy,
\nBut with the tears behind. Hellas, thou livest
\nIn thy small world of radiant white perfection
\nWith eye averted from the night beyond,
\nThe night immense, unfathomed. But I have seen
\nSnow-regions monstrous underneath the moon.
\nAnd Gorgon caverns dim. Ah well, the world
\nIs bright around me and the quick lusty breeze
\nOf strong adventure wafts my bright-winged sandals
\nO’er mountains and o’er seas, and Herpe’s with me,
\nMy sword of sharpness.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYour sword, my brother Perseus ?
\nBut it is lulled to sleep in scarlet roses
\nBy the winged sandals watched. Can they really
\nLift you into the sky?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThey can, Cydone.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat’s in the wallet locked so carefully?
\nI would have opened it and seen, but could not.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n‘Tis well thou didst not. For thy breathing limbs<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWould in a moment have been charmed to stone<\/font><\/p>\n

\nAnd these smooth locks grown rigid and stiffened,
\nO Cydone,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nThy happy heart would never more have throbbed<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo Iolaus’ kiss.<\/font><\/p>\n

\nWhat monster’s there ?<\/font>
\n <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 68<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nIt is the Gorgon’s head who lived in night.
\nSnake-tresses frame its horror of deadly beauty
\nThat turns the gazer into marble.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nUgh!
\nWhy do you keep such dreadful things about you?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhy, are there none who are better turned to stone
\nThan living?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nO yes, the priest of the dark shrine
\nWho hates my love. Fix him to frowning grimness
\nIn innocent marble. (Listening)<\/i> It is Iolaus!
\nI know his footfall, muffled in the green.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

\nPerseus, my friend, \u2014<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThou art my human sun.
\nCome, shine upon me; let thy face of beauty
\nBecome a near delight, my arm, fair youth, possess thee.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI am a warrant-bearer to you, friend.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOn what arrest?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nFor running from the knife
\nA debt that must be paid. They’ll not be baulked<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 69<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nTheir dues of blood, their strict account of hearts;<\/font><\/p>\n

\nOr mine or thine they’ll have to crown their altars.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhy, do but make thy tender breast the altar
\nAnd I’ll not grudge my heart, sweet Iolaus.
\nWho’s this accountant?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPoseidon’s dark-browed priest,.
\nAs gloomy as the den in which he lairs,
\nWho hopes to gather Syria in his hands
\nUpon a priestly pretext.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nChange him, Perseus,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nInto black stone!<\/font><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

\nOh, hard and black as his own mood!
\nHe has a stony heart much better housed
\nIn limbs of stone than a kind human body
\nWho would hurt thee, my Iolaus.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHe’ld hurt
\nAnd find a curious pleasure. If it were even
\nMy sister sunbeam, my Andromeda,
\nHe’ld carve her soft white breast as readily
\nAs any slave’s or murderer’s.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAndromeda!
\nIt is a name that murmurs to the heart.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOf strength and sweetness,<\/font>
\n <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 70<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nThree days you are given to prove yourself a god!
\nYou failing, ’tis my bosom pays the debt.
\nThat’s their decree.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\n.Turn them to stone, to stone!
\nAll, all to heartless marble!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThy father bids this?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHe dare not baulk this dangerous priest.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAh, dare not!
\nYes, there are fathers too who love their lives
\nAnd not their children: earth has known of such.
\nThere was a father like this once in Argos!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nBlame not the King too much.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nTurn him to stone,<\/font><\/p>\n

\nTo stone!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nHush, hush, Cydone!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nStone, hard stone!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI’ll whip thee, shrew, with rose-briars.<\/font>   <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 71<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nWill you promise
\nTo kiss the blood away? Then HI offend
\nDaily, on purpose.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nLove’s rose-briars, sweet Cydone,
\nInflict no wounds.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nOh yes, they bleed within.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe brow of Perseus grows darkness!<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nRise,
\nAnd be my guide. Where is this temple and priest?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe temple now?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nSoonest is always best
\nWhen noble deeds are to be done.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWhat deed?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI will release the men of Babylon
\nFrom their grim blood-feast. Let them howl for victims.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nIt will incense them more.<\/font>
\n <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 72<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nMe they have incensed
\nWith their fierce crafty fury. If they must give
\nTo their dire god, let them at least fulfil
\nWith solemn decency their fearful rites.
\nBut since they bring in politic rage and turn
\nTheir barbarous rite into a trade of murder,
\nNor rite nor temple be respected more.
\nMust they have victims ? Let them take and slay
\nPerseus alone. I shall rejoice to know
\nThat so much strength and boldness dwells in men
\nWho are mortal.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMen thou needst not fear; but, Perseus,
\nPoseidon’s wrath will wake, whose lightest motion
\nIs deadly.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMine is not harmless.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nAgainst gods
\nWhat can a mortal’s anger do ?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nWe’ll talk
\nWith those pale merchants. Wait for me; I bring
\nHerpe my sword.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nThe wallet, Perseus! leave not the dear wallet!<\/font><\/p>\n

\nPerseus goes out towards the cottage.<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nMy queen, have I your leave?<\/font>
\n <\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 73<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

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

\nGive me a kiss
\nThat I may spend the hours remembering it \/
\nTill you return.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tI<\/font>OLAUS
\n\t<\/font>(kissing her)<\/i><\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nWill one fill hours, Cydone?<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI fear to ask for more. You’re such a miser.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nYou rose-lipped slanderer! there! Had I the time
\nI would disprove you, smothering you with what
\nYou pray for.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nCome soon.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nI’ll watch the sun go down.
\nIn your dark night of tresses.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

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

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

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

\nI am ready.<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nStone, brother Perseus, make them stone for ever.<\/font><\/p>\n

\n\tPerseus and Iolaus go out.
(Sings)<\/i><\/font><\/p>\n

\n\t"Marble body, heart of bliss
Or a stony heart and this,
Which of these two wilt thou crave ?<\/font>\n<\/p>\n

\nPage \u2013 74<\/font><\/p>\n

\n

\nOne or other thou shalt have."
\n"By my kisses shall be known
\nWhich is flesh and which is stone.
\nLove, thy heart of stone! it quakes.
\nSweet, thy fair cold limbs! love takes
\nWith this warm and rosy trembling.
\nWhere is now thy coy dissembling ?
\nHeart and limbs I here escheat
\nFor that fraudulent deceit"
\n"And will not marble even grow soft,
\nKissed so warmly and so oft ?"<\/font><\/p>\n

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

\nPage \u2013 75<\/font><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SCENE III   An orchard garden in Syria by a river-bank: the corner of a cottage in the background. Perseus, Cydone.  CYDONE (sings) O the…<\/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-749","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\/749","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=749"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=749"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=749"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worksofthemotherandsriaurobindo.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=749"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}