SYNORIX. Then that I serve with Rome to serve Galatia. That is my secret: keep it, or you sell me To torment and to death. [_Coming closer_. For your ear only-- I love you--for your love to the great Goddess. The Romans sent me here a spy upon you, To draw you and your husband to your doom. I'd sooner die than do it. [_Takes out paper given him by Antonius_. This paper sign'd Antonius--will you take it, read it? there! CAMMA. (_Reads_.) 'You are to seize on Sinnatus,--if----' SYNORIX. (_Snatches paper_.) No more. What follows is for no wife's eyes. O Camma, Rome has a glimpse of this conspiracy; Rome never yet hath spar'd conspirator. Horrible! flaying, scourging, crucifying------ CAMMA. I am tender enough. Why do you practise on me? SYNORIX. Why should I practise on you? How you wrong me! I am sure of being every way malign'd. And if you should betray me to your husband------ CAMMA. 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 pass 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? CAMMA. I fear not. SYNORIX. Then do not tell him. Or tell him, if you will, when you return, When you have charm'd our general into mercy, And all is safe again. O dearest lady, [_Murmurs of_ 'Synorix! Synorix!' _heard outside_.