(_Calling back to PHOCION._) The Gods will not desert us…! _Phocion_ (_With dignity._) You are the conqueror of Athens. _Alexander_ Lesser men than you I do not need. Give me your allegiance (_pointing significantly to the scroll_) and I give you--these lives! _Lydia_ (_Whispering._) Phocion, you cannot sacrifice such men! _Citizen_ Do not think of us! What is life to the conquered? Gladly would we die for Athens. _Alexander_ I wait your decision, Phocion. _Phocion_ (_Bitterly._) Phocion, Military Governor of Alexandria, is Alexander’s host. _Alexander_ The word of Phocion is enough. (_Burns the scroll unread._) Lysander, the boy, shall be Captain of your Bodyguard in Egypt. The Gods--your Gods--are witness to what I say. [_ALEXANDER salutes PHOCION and goes out. PHOCION is alone with LYDIA. There is a moment’s silence._ _Phocion_ (_Brokenly._) Athens! I have failed you! My life is broken in pieces. [_Hides face in hands._ _Lydia_ But I meant to save you, Phocion. My love would save you. Have I done wrong? Oh, tell me. _Phocion_ (_Low._) You have done--your--best. No one--no woman--can do more. _Lydia_ I could not face life without you. I could not see you die. My love made the desperate plan. I bargained with Alexander’s queen--life with honour and glory for you in Egypt, the land you love. Oh, Phocion, beloved, do not judge me hardly. You do not speak. _Phocion_ (_Patiently._) There is something here I cannot understand. [_His hand touches the gift from Egypt. He looks at it curiously, then looks out away from her._ _Lydia_ I love you too much. Is that hard to understand? _Phocion_ (_Sadly._) Yet the love the Gods bring is otherwise … I think. CURTAIN ACT III THEIR THIRD LIFE TOGETHER. TIME--FIFTEENTH CENTURY ITALY CHARACTERS PAULO SALVIATI, a painter, age about 25. LUCIA, his wife, a beautiful Florentine. PRINCE DAMIANO DI MEDICI, art patron. ACT III SCENE--_PAULO’S studio in Venice. A bare room of obvious poverty. PAULO painting at a large canvas._ (_Enter Lucia._) _Paulo_ (_Turning happily._) Lucia! At last you return. My love, how I have missed you. (_Kisses her._) It seemed so long. (_Examining her._) You are excited! Then my uneasiness was not for nothing. Tell me. An adventure, perhaps? An admirer, _of course_! This flush…! (_Laughs._) Little Child…! (_Teasingly._) _Lucia_ I’ve been but a short hour, my Paulo. And, as for adventures and admirers, they have but one name--Paulo. (_Looks embarrassed slightly._) How quick you are! _Paulo_ Love makes me quick. I think I guess. _Lucia_ (_Ashamed a little._) Listen! (_They listen. The waves of the sea are audible beating against the outer walls._) You hear? _Paulo_ (_Patiently._) I hear, but I do not understand. It is the water only---- _Lucia_