Becket And Other Plays Part 46

First kiss. (_Kisses her_.) There then. You talk almost as if it Might be the last.

CAMMA.

Will you not eat a little?

SINNATUS.

No, no, we found a goat-herd's hut and shared His fruits and milk. Liar! You will believe Now that he never struck the stag--a brave one Which you shall see to-morrow.

CAMMA.

I rise to-morrow In the gray dawn, and take this holy cup To lodge it in the shrine of Artemis.

SINNATUS.

Good!

CAMMA.

If I be not back in half an hour, Come after me.

SINNATUS.

What! is there danger?

CAMMA.

Nay, None that I know: 'tis but a step from here To the Temple.

SINNATUS.

All my brain is full of sleep.

Wake me before you go, I'll after you-- After _me_ now! [_Closes door and exit_.

CAMMA (_drawing curtains_).

Your shadow. Synorix-- His face was not malignant, and he said That men malign'd him. Shall I go? Shall I go?

Death, torture-- 'He never yet flung back a woman's prayer'-- I go, but I will have my dagger with me.

[_Exit_.

SCENE III.--_Same as Scene I. Dawn_.

Music and Singing in the Temple.

_Enter_ SYNORIX _watchfully, after him_ PUBLIUS _and_ SOLDIERS.

SYNORIX.

Publius!

PUBLIUS.

Here!

SYNORIX.

Do you remember what I told you?

PUBLIUS.

When you cry 'Rome, Rome,' to seize On whomsoever may be talking with you, Or man, or woman, as traitors unto Rome.

SYNORIX.

Right. Back again. How many of you are there?

PUBLIUS.

Some half a score.

[_Exeunt Soldiers and Publius_.

SYNORIX.

I have my guard about me.

I need not fear the crowd that hunted me Across the woods, last night. I hardly gain'd The camp at midnight. Will she come to me Now that she knows me Synorix? Not if Sinnatus Has told her all the truth about me. Well, I cannot help the mould that I was cast in.

I fling all that upon my fate, my star.

I know that I am genial, I would be Happy, and make all others happy so They did not thwart me. Nay, she will not come.

Yet if she be a true and loving wife She may, perchance, to save this husband. Ay!

See, see, my white bird stepping toward the snare.

Why now I count it all but miracle, That this brave heart of mine should shake me so, As helplessly as some unbearded boy's When first he meets his maiden in a bower.

_Enter_ CAMMA (_with cup_).

SYNORIX.

The lark first takes the sunlight on his wing, But you, twin sister of the morning star, Forelead the sun.

CAMMA.

Where is Antonius?

SYNORIX.

Not here as yet. You are too early for him.

[_She crosses towards Temple_.

SYNORIX.

Nay, whither go you now?

CAMMA.

To lodge this cup Within the holy shrine of Artemis, And so return.

SYNORIX.

To find Antonius here.

[_She goes into the Temple, he looks after her_.

The loveliest life that ever drew the light From heaven to brood upon her, and enrich Earth with her shadow! I trust she _will_ return.

These Romans dare not violate the Temple.

No, I must lure my game into the camp.

A woman I could live and die for. What!

Die for a woman, what new faith is this?

I am not mad, not sick, not old enough To doat on one alone. Yes, mad for her, Camma the stately, Camma the great-hearted, So mad, I fear some strange and evil chance Coming upon me, for by the G.o.ds I seem Strange to myself.