Standard Selections Part 84

The compact with thy mistress, Artemis, Gave thee a heaven-sent right to punish me.

I've learnt to take whate'er the G.o.ds may send.

[GALATEA, _at first delighted, learns in the course of this speech that_ PYGMALION _takes her for_ CYNISCA, _and expresses extreme horror_.

GAL. [_with an effort_]. But then, this woman, Galatea--

PYG. Well?

GAL. Thy love for her is dead?

PYG. I had no love. A miracle Did crown my handiwork, and brought to life The fair creation of my sculptor's skill, I yielded to her G.o.d-sent influence, For I had wors.h.i.+ped her before she lived Because she called Cynisca's face to me; But when she lived--that love died--word by word.

GAL. That is well said; thou dost not love her then?

She is no more to thee than senseless stone?

PYG. Speak not of her, Cynisca, for I swear

_Enter_ CYNISCA, _un.o.bserved_

The unhewn marble of Pentelicus Hath charms for me, which she, in all her glow Of womanly perfection, could not match.

GAL. I'm very glad to hear that this is so.

Thou art forgiven!

PYG. Thou hast pardoned me, And though the law of Artemis declared Thy pardon should restore to me the light Thine anger took away, I would be blind, I would not have mine eyes lest they should rest On her who caused me all this bitterness!

GAL. Indeed, Pygmalion, 'twere better thus; If thou couldst look on Galatea now, Thy love for her, perchance, might come again.

PYG. No, no.

GAL. They say that she endureth pains That mock the power of words.

PYG. It should be so.

GAL. Hast thou no pity for her? [CYNISCA _comes down_.

PYG. No, not I.

The ill that she hath worked on thee, on me, And on Myrine, surely were enough To make us curse the hour that gave her life.

She is not fit to live upon this world!

GAL. Upon this worthy world, thou sayest well.

The woman shall be seen of thee no more.

[_Takes_ CYNISCA'S _hand and leads her to_ PYGMALION.]

What wouldst thou with her now? Thou hast thy wife!

[_She subst.i.tutes_ CYNISCA _in her place, and retires, weeping_. CYNISCA _takes him to her arms and kisses him. He recovers his sight_.

PYG. Cynisca! see! the light of day is mine!

Once more I look upon thy well loved face!

_Enter_ GALATEA

MYR. Pygmalion!

See--Galatea's here! [GALATEA _kneels_.

PYG. Away from me, Woman or statue! Thou the only blight That ever fell upon my love--begone,

[CYNISCA _comforts her_.

For thou hast been the curse of all who fell Within the compa.s.s of thy waywardness!

CYN. No, no; recall those words, Pygmalion, Thou knowest not all.

GAL. Nay, let me go from him; That curse--his curse still ringing in mine ears, For life is bitterer to me than death. [_She mounts the pedestal_.

Farewell, Pygmalion, I am not fit To live upon this world--this worthy world.

Farewell, Pygmalion. Farewell, farewell!

[_The curtains conceal her_.

CYN. Thou art unjust to her as I to thee!

Hers was the voice that pardoned thee--not mine.

I knew no pity till she taught it me.

I heard the words she spoke, and little thought That they would find an echo in my heart; But so it was. I took them for mine own, And asking for thy pardon, pardoned thee!

PYG. Cynisca! Is this so?

CYN. In truth it is.

GAL. [_behind curtain_]: Farewell, Pygmalion! Farewell--farewell!

[PYGMALION _tears away the curtain, discovering_ GALATEA _as a statue._

BOOKS IN PUBLIC SPEAKING

By ROBERT I. FULTON, late of Ohio Wesleyan University, and THOMAS C.

TRUEBLOOD, University of Michigan

ESSENTIALS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

(Second Edition)

This book shows the relation of intellect, feeling, and gesture to the elements of effective expression in oratorical and dramatic art. It treats the elements of expression in their simplest and most natural order, showing their application to the various sentiments and emotions, and provides exercises in the technic of voice and action. In ill.u.s.tration of the principles full selections as well as ill.u.s.trative pa.s.sages are given, together with the necessary explanation, _xiv_ + _250 pages_