ATTENDANT (_aside_).
My lord, the men!
SINNATUS (_aside_).
Our anti-Roman faction?
ATTENDANT (_aside_).
Ay, my lord.
SYNORIX (_overhearing_).
(_Aside_.) I have enough--their anti-Roman faction.
SINNATUS (_aloud_).
Some friends of mine would speak with me without.
You, Strato, make good cheer till I return.
[_Exit_.
SYNORIX.
I have much to say, no time to say it in.
First, lady, know myself am that Galatian Who sent the cup.
CAMMA.
I thank you from my heart.
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 G.o.ddess.
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. (_s.n.a.t.c.hes 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 pa.s.s 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?