A Greek Slave
Dialogue Following Song No. 8 — Act I


(Enter Heliodorus sees Diomed)

Heliodorus:
That reminds me I must get rid of him. Well, if ever a man really lived in a atmosphere of love that man is a necromancer!

(Enter Melanopis)

Melpanopis:
Two queer old women demand an audience.
Heliodorus:
I can't see anybody today but princesses. But there! We must not turn money away. Admit them. Summon the slaves.

(Melanopis exists and re-enters. Enter Nepia and Slaves. They arrange themselves.)

Melanopis:
Two visitors, Heliodorus! (Enter Antonia and Iris disguised as and with the gait of old women. Heliodorus goes to Iris)
Heliodorus:
Salve! You are welcome here!
Iris:
(Aside to Heliodorus)What do you think of this disguise? (Discloses herself) She's the Lady Antonia.

(Heliodorus goes to princess)

Heliodorus:
Welcome lady. What would you with the Seer?
Antonia:
(In assumed voice) Can you fortell the future of an old woman?
Heliodorus:
If you are so very old there's not much future to foretell.

(Princess turns, annoyed)

Iris:
(aside toHeliodorus) You'd better let Maia attend to this customer.
Heliodorus:
All right. (To Antonia) Old lady, you shall consult the blind oracle from Memphis. Bring her forth.

(Melanopis and a Slave usher in Maia blindfolded. Heliodorus makes magical passes over her, and she takes her place on pedestal)

Heliodorus:
(To Antonia) Question her, and she must answer.

(Exit Heliodorus)

Antonia:
(Approaches Maia) I am old, yet happy and contented.
Maia:
The happy and contented do not consult fortune-tellers.
Antonia:
I have all I want — save one thing.
Maia:
(Aside to Iris) What does she want?
Iris:
A nice young husband.
Maia:
(To Antonia) And you ask the oracle is that one thing attainable? I answer...
Antonia:
Yes, yes!
Maia:
Not from this Earth.
Antonia:
(Disappointed) - Oh! Am I then too old, too ugly for any man to love ?
Maia:
Old and ugly — surely you cannot be either. I see you young and fair and highly born. The gods are with me and I can see the blood of Cæsar everywhere around, you are a lady beloved of all men yet —
Antonia:
Yet — what?
Maia:
Yet loving no man. And the fates will disclose to me the reason why.
Antonia:
(Excitedly) )'Tis true I love no man. I have never loved. I cannot love — oh, tell me, Oracle, the reason.
Maia:
The Oracle cannot commune with disguises. Avow yourself, Lady Antonia, or the gods will leave me and I must be silent.
Iris:
(Helping Antonia her to take off her disguise) A pretty mess you have made of being an old woman.
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Page created 15 November 2001