The Two Lovers of Heaven: Chrysanthus and Daria: A Drama of Early Christian RomeCalderón de la Barca, Pedro
Religion
The Two Lovers of Heaven: Chrysanthus and Daria: A Drama of Early Christian Rome
Calderón de la Barca, Pedro
Christian martyrs -- Italy -- Rome -- Drama
CLAUDIUS.
That he 's leaving his apartment
This harmonious strain suggesteth,
Since to counteract his gloom
He by music is attended.
(Enter Chrysanthus richly dressed, preceded by musicians playing and
singing, and followed by attendants.)
CHRYSANTHUS.
Cease; my pain, perchance my folly,
Cannot be by song diverted;
Music is a power exerted
For the cure of melancholy,
Which in truth it but augmenteth.
A MUSICIAN.
This your father bade us do.
CHRYSANTHUS.
'T is because he never knew
Pain like that which me tormenteth.
For if he that pang incessant
Felt, he would not wish to cure it,
He would love it and endure it.
POLEMIUS.
Think, my son, that I am present,
And that I am not ambitious
To assume your evil mood,
But to find that it is good.
CHRYSANTHUS.
No, sir, you mistake my wishes.
I would not through you relieve me
Of my care; my former state
Seemed, though, more to mitigate
What I suffer: why not leave me
There to die?
POLEMIUS.
That yet I may,
Pitying your sad condition,
Work your cure:--A great physician
Comes to visit you to-day.
CHRYSANTHUS (aside).
Who do I behold? ah, me!
CARPOPHORUS.
I will speak to him with your leave.
CHRYSANTHUS (aside).
No, my eyes do not deceive,
'T is Carpophorus that I see!
I my pleasure must conceal.
CARPOPHORUS.
Sir, of what do you complain?
CHRYSANTHUS.
Since you come to cure my pain,
I will tell you how I feel.
A great sadness hath been thrown
O'er my mind and o'er my feelings,
A dark blank whose dim revealings
Make their sombre tints mine own.
CARPOPHORUS.
Can you any cause assign me
Whence this sadness is proceeding?
CHRYSANTHUS.
From my earliest years to reading
Did my studious tastes incline me.
Something thus acquired doth wake
Doubts, and fears, and hopes, ah me!
That the things I read may be.
CARPOPHORUS.
Then from me this lesson take.
Every mystery how obscure,
Is explained by faith alone;
All is clear when that is known:
'T is through faith I 'll work your cure.
Since in that your healing lies,
Take it then from me.
CHRYSANTHUS.
From you
I infer all good: that true
Faith I hope which you advise.
CARPOPHORUS (to Polemius).
Give me leave, sir, to address
Some few words to him alone,
Less reserve will then be shown. (The two retire to one side.
Have you recognized me?
CHRYSANTHUS.
Yes,
Every sign shows you are he
Who in my most perilous strait
Fled and left me to my fate.
CARPOPHORUS.
God did that; and would you see
That it was His own work, say,
If I did not then absent me
Through His means, could I present me
As your teacher here to-day?
CHRYSANTHUS.
No.
CARPOPHORUS.
How just His providence!
Since I was preserved, that I
Here might seek you, and more nigh
Give you full intelligence
Leisurely of every doubt
Which disturbs you when you read.
CHRYSANTHUS.
Mysteries they are indeed,
Difficult to be made out.
CARPOPHORUS.
To the believer all is plain.
CHRYSANTHUS.
I would believe, what must I do?--
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