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?