Part 41 (1/2)

BOY.

These grapes are for the house of Sinnatus-- Close to the Temple.

SYNORIX.

Yonder?

BOY.

Yes.

SYNORIX (_aside_).

That I With all my range of women should yet shun To meet her face to face at once! My boy, [_Boy comes down rocks to him_.

Take thou this letter and this cup to Camma, The wife of Sinnatus.

BOY.

Going or gone to-day To hunt with Sinnatus.

SYNORIX.

That matters not.

Take thou this cup and leave it at her doors.

[_Gives the cup and scroll to the Boy_.

BOY.

I will, my lord. [_Takes his basket of grapes and exit_.

_Enter_ ANTONIUS.

ANTONIUS (_meeting the Boy as he goes out_).

Why, whither runs the boy?

Is that the cup you rescued from the fire?

SYNORIX.

I send it to the wife of Sinnatus, One half besotted in religious rites.

You come here with your soldiers to enforce The long-withholden tribute: you suspect This Sinnatus of playing patriotism, Which in your sense is treason. You have yet No proof against him: now this pious cup Is pa.s.sport to their house, and open arms To him who gave it; and once there I warrant I worm thro' all their windings.

ANTONIUS.

If you prosper, Our Senate, wearied of their tetrarchies, Their quarrels with themselves, their spites at Rome, Is like enough to cancel them, and throne One king above them all, who shall be true To the Roman: and from what I heard in Rome, This tributary crown may fall to you.

SYNORIX.

The king, the crown! their talk in Rome? is it so?

[ANTONIUS _nods_.

Well--I shall serve Galatia taking it, And save her from herself, and be to Rome More faithful than a Roman.

[_Turns and sees_ CAMMA _coming_.

Stand aside, Stand aside; here she comes!

[_Watching_ CAMMA _as she enters with her Maid_.

GAMMA (_to Maid_).

Where is he, girl?

MAID.