Part 44 (2/2)

Will _you_ betray him by this order?

SYNORIX.

See, I tear it all to pieces, never dream'd Of acting on it. [_Tears the paper_.

CAMMA.

I owe you thanks for ever.

SYNORIX.

Hath Sinnatus never told you of this plot?

CAMMA.

What plot?

SYNORIX.

A child's sand-castle on the beach For the next wave--all seen,--all calculated, All known by Rome. No chance for Sinnatus.

CAMMA.

Why said you not as much to my brave Sinnatus?

SYNORIX.

Brave--ay--too brave, too over-confident, Too like to ruin himself, and you, and me!

Who else, with this black thunderbolt of Rome Above him, would have chased the stag to-day In the full face of all the Roman camp?

A miracle that they let him home again, Not caught, maim'd, blinded him.

[CAMMA _shudders_.

(_Aside_.) I have made her tremble.

(_Aloud_.) I know they mean to torture him to death.

I dare not tell him how I came to know it; I durst not trust him with--my serving Rome To serve Galatia: you heard him on the letter.

Not say as much? I all but said as much.

I am sure I told him that his plot was folly.

I say it to you--you are wiser--Rome knows all, But you know not the savagery of Rome.

CAMMA.

O--have you power with Rome? use it for him!

SYNORIX.

Alas! I have no such power with Rome. All that Lies with Antonius.

[_As if struck by a sudden thought. Comes over to her_.

He will pa.s.s to-morrow In the gray dawn before the Temple doors.

You have beauty,--O great beauty,--and Antonius, So gracious toward women, never yet Flung back a woman's prayer. Plead to him, I am sure you will prevail.

CAMMA.

Still--I should tell My husband.

SYNORIX.

Will he let you plead for him To a Roman?

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