Becket and other playsTennyson, Alfred Tennyson, Baron
General
Becket and other plays
Tennyson, Alfred Tennyson, Baron
Drama; Thomas, à Becket, Saint, 1118?-1170 -- Drama
[CAMMA _utters a cry and runs to_ SINNATUS.
SINNATUS (_falls backward_).
I have it in my heart--to the Temple--fly--
For _my_ sake--or they seize on thee. Remember!
Away--farewell! [_Dies_.
CAMMA (_runs up the steps into the Temple, looking back_).
Farewell!
SYNORIX (_seeing her escape_).
The women of the Temple drag her in.
Publius! Publius! No,
Antonius would not suffer me to break
Into the sanctuary. She hath escaped.
[_Looking down at_ SINNATUS.
'Adulterous dog!' that red-faced rage at me!
Then with one quick short stab--eternal peace.
So end all passions. Then what use in passions?
To warm the cold bounds of our dying life
And, lest we freeze in mortal apathy,
Employ us, heat us, quicken us, help us, keep us
From seeing all too near that urn, those ashes
Which all must be. Well used, they serve us well.
I heard a saying in Egypt, that ambition
Is like the sea wave, which the more you drink,
The more you thirst--yea--drink too much, as men
Have done on rafts of wreck--it drives you mad.
I will be no such wreck, am no such gamester
As, having won the stake, would dare the chance
Of double, or losing all. The Roman Senate,
For I have always play'd into their hands,
Means me the crown. And Camma for my bride--
The people love her--if I win her love,
They too will cleave to me, as one with her.
There then I rest, Rome's tributary king.
[_Looking down on_ SINNATUS.
Why did I strike him?--having proof enough
Against the man, I surely should have left
That stroke to Rome. He saved my life too. Did he?
It seem'd so. I have play'd the sudden fool.
And that sets her against me--for the moment.
Camma--well, well, I never found the woman
I could not force or wheedle to my will.
She will be glad at last to wear my crown.
And I will make Galatia prosperous too,
And we will chirp among our vines, and smile
At bygone things till that (_pointing to_ SINNATUS) eternal peace.
Rome! Rome!
_Enter_ PUBLIUS _and_ SOLDIERS.
Twice I cried Rome. Why came ye not before?
PUBLIUS.
Why come we now? Whom shall we seize upon?
SYNORIX (_pointing to the body of_ SINNATUS).
The body of that dead traitor Sinnatus.
Bear him away.
_Music and Singing in Temple_.
ACT II
SCENE.--_Interior of the Temple of Artemis_. Small gold gates on
platform in front of the veil before the colossal statue of the
Goddess, and in the centre of the Temple a tripod altar, on which is a
lighted lamp. Lamps (lighted) suspended between each pillar. Tripods,
vases, garlands of flowers, etc., about stage. Altar at back close to
Goddess, with two cups. Solemn music. Priestesses decorating the
Temple.
(_The Chorus of_ PRIESTESSES _sing as they enter_.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account