A Greek Slave Dialogue Following Song No. 26

A Greek Slave
Dialogue Following Song No. 26 — Act II

(Enter Heliodorus; sees statue)

Heliodorus:

Now who brought that here? The prefect must have seized it at my house after I left. Well, Antonia has nothing to conplain of. She bought the statue and she's got it!

(Enter Manliusfrom villa, followed by Iris)

Manlius:

I told her the news, girl, and her heart is broken.

Iris:

Well, there's a nice job for you — mend it!

Manlius:

Too delicate work for a soldier, I'm afraid.

(Enter Maia)

Maia:

Does the princess know that Diomed has run away?

Manlius:

She knows that she is deserted — she beliees that Eros has returned to marble.

Maia:

But he might come to earth again. The God of Love is a queer creature and (Significantly) assumes many different forms.

Iris:

The Princess liked his last form very much indeed.

Maia:

She shall have the spirit of Eros in a new body. Last time he took the state of Diomed the Greek slave — next time he shall be — — what will suit her best, Iris?

Iris:

Why, Manlius the Roman soldier, of course!

Manlius:

No, I'll not stoop to deceive a woman I love.

Iris:

You needn't; she'll deceive herself. But you don't mind stooping to deceive Marcus Pomponius, the Prefect, do you?

Manlius:

No, not if I can serve the Princess.

Maia:

Then go with Iris.

Iris:

Yes, come along. We'll have a marriage yet — without the god of love.

(Exit Iris and Manlius into villa)

Maia:

(Looking after them) I'm afraid there are a good many marriages nowadays without the god of love. And a good deal of love with the god of marriage.

(Enter Diomed)

Maia:

Diomed, why have you come back?

Diomed:

Because I have done wrong and I'm miserable.

Maia:

You'll be more unhappy still if the Prefect gets hold of you.

Diomed:

No, he can't make me suffer more than I should far away in exile without you. Maia, I made you a promise you should never have exacted — up to now I have kept it.

Maia:

Well, keep it a little longer — just for my sake. It is not much I ask.

Diomed:

You know I would willingly die for you, but —

Maia:

What's the good of dying for me when I want you to live with me? Be patient, Diomed.

Diomed:

And continue to deceive the Princess!

(Antonia appears on the balcony)

Diomed:

No, Maia. Your trick — the Prefect's trick — my trick, if you like — may have succeeded, but it's nothing to be proud of; we have stolen the love of a simple young girl, and I'm heartily ashamed of my share in the plot.

Antonia:

(Aside) My Eros!

Maia:

You've nothing to be ashamed of, Diomed. You make the most sought after woman in Rome madly in love with you.

Diomed:

Pooh! It was the god she loved — not the man.

Antonia:

(Aside, moaning) No, no, the man, not the god!

Diomed:

She was flattered because she thought me divine.

Maia:

It wasn't that; all women think their lovers divine. Don't worry yourself — when she learns that you are only a Greek slave, her love will turn to someone more worthy of her.

Diomed:

Then the sooner she learns the truth, the better. Maia, my mind is made up — I will tell everything to Antonia.

Maia:

And sacrifice me! is that your love?

Diomed:

Yes. It is because I love you that I will not betray another woman's love. No, Maia, I will rather give up love for ever than take you away to share my disgrace.

Maia:

But, Diomed, what will the Princess say? What will she do to us when she learns how she has been tricked?

Diomed:

She must decide.

Antonia:

She must! Your crime has been cruel!

Diomed
and
Maia:

The Lady Antonia!

Antonia:

Yes, and I have heard all.

(Maia goes on her knees)

Maia: