I suspect only. I feel you planning dangerous things that must take you from me. Those silent footsteps on our causeway in the dusk, the shadows that pass between the pillars, the rising waters--Phocion! your strange deep love of Athens takes no account of me, your little, suffering wife. _Phocion_ The love of Athens is _ours_. It is the love of country that the Gods call sacred. (_Looks out across the fading city._) Hellas, your valleys and mountains, streams and happy groves … beautiful, beloved … who would not die for you…! _Lydia_ I love _you_. If you live for me, you live for Hellas even more. Athens lives in our hearts, not otherwise. _Phocion_ (_Sternly._) If a barbarian rule our dear city, our hearts are dead. It is better for my heart to mingle with the soil of Hellas than beat as the slave of Alexander. _Lydia_ I love you too much to see you run on death. Your wild plot to save our city is but the Fates’ way of taking you away from me. _Phocion_ Try, Lydia, to love me as I love Athens. _Lydia_ You ask too much of me. I love Hellas, but I love you more. _Phocion_ Then--not enough. (_Looks away._) You make it hard for me. I see the right so clearly, but your clinging love makes me weak. _Lydia_ There is nothing in the world for a woman but her love. If you were lost to me, Phocion, these lips could kiss one other only--the rising flood (_shudders_) of our little Athenian river--or the sea. _Phocion_ What comes, sweet wife, comes to both of us together. You are overwrought with sleeplessness and watching. Trust me and love me--more I cannot tell you now. Your love shall give me strength. (_He embraces her and moves slowly off towards the colonnade._) And if there is a greater love than yours, some day we shall find it--know it both together. What comes to me to do now--I must do. [_Goes slowly off._ _Lydia_ (_At him._) A greater love! Ah, Phocion--you’re going from me--going towards death. I know not what you mean. There is no greater love. (_Watches him disappear._) Then I must save you, since you will not save yourself. I cannot lose you. My love, I cannot let you--(_Covers her face with her hands_). My love shall save you from yourself. If I do wrong the Gods forgive---- [_Knocking is heard. She starts and looks round. A MESSENGER is seen in the courtyard._ (_Cautiously._) You would see--whom? _Messenger_ The wife of Phocion. _Lydia_ (_Frightened._) Hush! Come softly, I am she. (_MESSENGER enters stealthily._) You bring a message for me? You bring a token? _Messenger_ (_With respect._) She who sends me bids me say as token this: From one who loves her Lord more than his earthly glory--to her who loves as greatly. _Lydia_ (_Faintly._) To her who loves as greatly. (_Hesitates, shows agitation, a distraught expression on her face._) It is to save him that I do it--to save his life for--both of us. (_Turns to MESSENGER._) Your great mistress bid you bring an answer back to her? _Messenger_