No More Learning

He's young and brave, and a patrician.
LUCRETIUS.
His name? and quickly, for if he's the paragon you claim
then hast thou well fulfilled thy part in this affair.
CATULLUS.
Bring hither Eunomia, thy wife, and to you both I shall
disclose his name. Then let us thank the gods.
Exit Lucretius, left.
SCENE XIL
Re-enter Caius Memmius.
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
(In his cups) Ha, ha, ha, hast thou resolved the riddle.
Say whom shall Julian wed? She must be fair,' -- she must
be rich. Ha, ha, ha, -- come name the maid.
CATULLUS.
The matter is most difficult (inspirationally). Yet now
I think me of a maid who will in all respects fulfill thy
most exacting terms.
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
Bravo, -- ^bravo. What's her name?
CATULLUS.
She's called Hermia. (Pause) But art thou sure that
she will please thy son?
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? CAIUS MEMMIUS.
Ha, ha, ha! Julian shall marry whom I select, be she
as ugly as a Satyr. (He looks up and sees Lucretius and
Eunomia approaching by the peristyle from right. ) Now,
by the Shades, who comes here?
CATULLUS.
That's my friend, Lucretius, -- (surprised) dost thou
know him?
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
Ha, ha, ha! Know I him? Aye, I know him well. He's
a swindler and a cheat.
CATULLUS.
What is the cause of discontent between ye?
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
An affair of long standing.
CATULLUS.
Aye! but of what?
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
Oh, an affair of three thousand Phillippeans.
CATULLUS.
Three thousand Phillippeans! ! a princely sum! Hast
thou no recourse on him for it?
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
The evidence is lost, and now he flounts to my face. He
is a scoundrel and a knave
CATULLUS.
(Gleefully) Ha, ha, ha! I think I may secure the debt
for thee.
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
Full well, I know that thou art clever -- but he is craftier
than thou. Nay, the sum is lost unless I find the evidence.
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? CATULLUS.
We'll see, -- leave him to me (confidentially), and now in
all that I propose, give thou thy full consent.
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
My consent?
CATULLUS.
Aye, thy full consent; v*^e'll conquer craft by craft.
SCENE XIIL
Re-enter Lucretius & Eunomia from peristyle, right.
r Lucretius regards Caius Memmius with surprise ")
j and contempt; Caius Memmius regards him with j
? { pompous dignity and disdain; Catullus, center stage, )?
I observes them both with gleeful satisfaction, whilst |
L Eunomia remains left, a silent witness of the scene. J
LUCRETIUS.
(Impatiently to Catullus) What trick of fate has brought
this swearing wine bibber hither?
CATULLUS.
He's come to seek my counsel upon matter of import.
LUCRETIUS.
(Suspiciously) So, so, he's prating still about that old
affair -- (warmly) -- I'll never pay an abol of it.
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
(To Catullus) What said he?
CATULLUS.
(To Caius Memmius) He'll never pay an abol of it.
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
(To Catullus) Ha, ha, ha, I told thee that.
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? CATULLUS.
(To Caius Memmius) Patience, patience (he crosses
to Lucretius). Nay! he comes to seek a wife for his son,
and I, being friend to thee, have bethought me of thy
daughter Hermia. The match would be a worthy one, for
Julian is beloved by Caesar and sure to gain renown.
LUCRETIUS.
(Dumfounded) Would he consent? (looking at Caius
Memmius. )
CATULLUS.
I doubt not, if thou art generous with thy daughter's
dower.
LUCRETIUS.
(Reflecting) What sum would he propose. (To Euno-
mia) Come hither, wife; I need thy counsel.
CATULLUS.
1*11 ask him (he crosses to Caius Memmius). Now back
me stoutly in my demand. What is the sum he owes you?
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
Three thousand Phillippeans.
CATULLUS.
(Crossing to Lucretius) Three thousand Phillippeans!
LUCRETIUS.
(Dumfounded) (Aloud) . Three . thousand -- Phillip-
peans! ! -- Ka, ha, ha, the sum that he pretends I owe him --
(Furiously) Enough -- Enough! -- I see the trick. He thinks
to win by craft that which by law he cannot gain, ha, ha,
ha! I'll none if it, no, by the gods!
EUNOMIA.
(Pleading) Softly, softly.
LUCRETIUS.
(Furiously) I'll none of it, I say -- I'll none of it.
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? EUNOMIA.
Yet such a match would please me much, and might
please Hermia.
LUCRETIUS.
I'll none of it, no, by the gods! (He crosses to Caius
Memmius. ) Where is this paragon of virtue called thy
son?
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
(Surprised) In Rome, but what in that to thee?
LUCRETIUS.
Thinkest thou that he is worth three thousand Phillip-
peans? Ha, ha, ha, three thousand Phillippeans.
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
He's drunk
CATULLUS.
Nay! for he's a water drinker. But listeri -- (The voices
of Julian and Hermia are heard off scene singing. )
JULIAN AND HERMIA SING.
O, thou fair lake where waters quaff,
The light of heaven like Lydia's sea.
Rejoice my beautiful, my own.
Sweet Sirmio, greet me back to thee.
r As they sing, they cross the peristyle from right to 1
[ left, their arms about each other's necks in perfect j
? { content, oblivious of the presence of their parents. 1"
I All turn and regard the lovers in amazement. Ca-
I tuUus points to them as the music dies away. J
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
(Exclaims) Julian! !
LUCRETIUS AND EUNOMIA.
(Exclaim) Hermia! !
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? LUCRETIUS.
Can I believe mine eyes? Yet there she walks in love's
embrace and flouts me spite of all. (Crossing to Caius
Memmius. ) Was that thy son?
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
(Perplexed) It was.
LUCRETIUS.
I thought he was in Rome. How comes it then that
here I find him with my daughter in his arms?
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
(Dumfounded) I know not.
LUCRETIUS.
(Tauntingly) Oh, ha, ha, ha, he does know, ha, ha, ha, --
Avaunt, thou rogue, I see the trick, -- my daughter for thy
son; three thousand Phillippeans for thee. Then might
thou mock me to my face, and bid the world be merry. I'll
none of it, no, by the gods, I'll none of it.
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
Thou fool, thou dolt, thou knave, thou babbling water
drinker, thou. No kith or kin of thine are equal to my
family.
LUCRETIUS.
Oh, ha, ha, ha, and now he flaunts his family in my face.
Enough, I say.
CATULLUS.
(Interrupting both) Aye, enough! Now list to me.
This morn he came to me and begged me for my counsel.
(To Caius Memmius) I have found thee a worthy wife
for thy son. (To Lucretius) And thou a worthy husband
for thy daughter. If now ye do not both consent and
sanctify this union, then m. ay the gods in wrath and anger
punish ye. (Seriously) Have a care, for there is a power
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? greater than man, aye, greater than the gods themselves.
The power of Fate, -- and whatsoe'er is planned by Fate
no man may ever hinder.
LUCRETIUS.
I'll not consent!
(Exit Lucretius, left. )
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
Nor I!
(Exit Caius Memmius, right. )
CATULLUS.
Then may ye both be punished by the gods, for as I live>>
I'll plead with ye no more. Come hither Eunomia, Thou
hast a gentle heart; essay to calm thy husband's wrath.
EUNOMIA.
I'll add my plea to thine, good friend, for well I know
that wherever love holds sway the will of man is impotent.
CATULLUS.
Thou art a noble soul, Eunomia. Be firm, be brave, and
fortune favor thee, for if these children be not in love and
honor wed, their hearts will break, and sighs and tears will
rend our home, where joy should hold full sway. Fare-
well! ! (Exit Eunomia, left. )
r Catullus seats himself despondently upon the couch, 1
J when suddenly Julian and Hermia run to him and [
I fall upon their knees before him, imploring his bless- j
L ing. J
SCENE XIV.
Re-enter Julian and Hermia from chamber, right.
JULIAN.
Thy blessing, Catullus.
HERMIA.
Thy blessing, gentle friend, and say the gods have fa-
vored our design.
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? (Catullus arises, places his hand gently upon the head
of each and bids them rise. )
CATULLUS.
Alas! my children, my plea has been in vain, but there
is still a greater power on high, that guides our lives and
destinies. Then join with me, and in a glad refrain, we'll
chant a hymn of praise, to Jove and all the gods above,
and pray that they may hear our Plea of Love.
Sing
JULIAN AND HERMIA.
No. 8.
HYMN TO JOVE.
O, great and glorious Jove,
Who from thy throne above,
In majesty this wondrous world doth sway.
Hear thou our plaintive plea,
Made in sincerity.
And bid thy servants seek thy righteous way.
Two lovers haply met.
Who now are sore beset.
In pity seek thy all abiding care.
Our fathers torn with rage.
No reason can assuage.
Deny our wish and drive us to despair.
Then great and gracious Jove,
Hear thou our plea of love,
And bid our parents give their free consent.
Then shall we sing thy praise.
Who guidest all our ways.
And love shall guide our lives in sweet content.
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? At the conclusion of the chanting of the hymn to '
Jove, Catullus, who has remained standing, passes
behind the couch, upon which Julian and Hermia
have seated themselves, and in a low voice filled
with emotion, recites the Incantation to Love here-
with. The lovers are oblivious of his presence and
much too content to heed his words or comprehend
their meaning.
CATULLUS.
(Speaking to soft music. )
O, gentle Eros, god of Love,
Whose power is sent thee from above.
Come hither now and cast thou magic spell.
The day is gone, the night has come,
And here I leave them all alone.
Come hither thou and all their cares dispell.
Cast over them a mystic sleep.
Yet o'er them both a vigil keep.
And v/reathe about them garlands fair as May.
Then hither bring the Graces three,
Thyself and all fair company.
And wake them with a merry rondelay.
Ho! Eros, hither! ! (Exit Catullus. )
SCENE XV.
Enter Eros, and later
-- The Three Graces. --
Enter Eros.
Eros is a pretty child about fourteen years of age,
dressed as Cupid, bearing in his hand a bow and
arrow, and on his back a quiver of darts; he runs
noiselessly up behind the lovers and touches them
with one of his darts. The touch of Cupid inspires
them and they arise and sing the Love Duo here-
with. Eros exits silently during the song, but returns
again as it concludes.
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? No. g.
LOVE DUO-- JULIAN AND HERMIA.
" 'Tis Love That Conquers All the World. "
HERMIA.
Recit. Behold the moon upon the lake its
silver radiance shedding,
JULIAN.
Recit. And lo! the evening star ascends,
its trembling light dispelling,
HERMIA.
Recit. Propitious omens these,
JULIAN.
Recit. Bright omens for a wedding.
JULIAN.
Sings. O, Even Star, O, star of love,
Shed on us thy tranquil ray.
Queen of all the stars above.
Be our beacon till the day.
Weary wanderers are we all.
Lost in loves enticing wiles,
None resist thy ardent call,
None withstand thy gracious smiles.
HERMIA.
Sings. O, glorious moon, O, beauteous night,
List thou to our fervent plea.
Mother of all glories bright.
Guide us in sincerity.
Goddess of the realms on high.
Bid us drink of love's full store,
And we'll sing thy praise alway.
We shall bless thee evermore.
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? REFRAIN.
Duo.
'Tis love that conquers all the world.
To all mankind appealing,
His gentle sway, we feel alway.
As softly it comes stealing.
None can foretell, whence comes this spell,
Which naught but death can sever.
This joy divine, that doth entwine.
Our hearts and lives forever.
As the Love Duo concludes, Eros reappears silently
behind the lovers and casts his mystic spell over
them; they appear to be overcome by sleep. Julian
falls upon the couch and reclines his head upon his
arm, holding Hermia's hand. Hermia falls at his
feet and reclines her head upon his knee in a grace-
ful attitude. They fall asleep and remain thus until
awakened by Eros and the Graces. The music which
has accompanied this scene, now bursts into a sym-
phonic dream motive, which is supposed to portray
the beautiful thoughts of their dream. During the
performance of this important number, Eros runs to
right and left, and touches the flambeaus with his
dart; they light immediately, and cast a weird glare
upon the scene. At his command the Graces, three
pretty children, bring garlands of flowers and
wreathe them about the lovers -- festoons of ivy and
bay deck the peristyle as if by magic -- flowers de-
scend from above at the call of Eros, who, now
elated at his success runs hither and thither, crying --
Hi-up, Hi-up, touching a flower here and another
there with his magic dart, until the whole scene is
aglow with luminous flowers. The new moon has
ascended on the horizon and casts its radiance on
the lake, and as the symphony concludes, the three
Graces group themselves about the lovers. Then
Eros withdraws to right and regards the scene with
satisfaction; at this instant a powerful light illumines
the lovers and the Graces, and the divided curtains
descend until the symphony is concluded.
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? When the curtains are raised a moment later, Eros
and the Graces have disappeared and the lovers are
discovered alone, covered with flowers, but still
asleep. The flambeaus and magic flowers have been
extinguished and the scene remains as Eros and the
Graces left it. Decorated for the lovers' wedding.
SCENE XVI.
Re-enter Caius Memmius, right; Lucretius and Eunomia,
left.
LUCRETIUS.
(To Eunomia) What miracle is this! These garlands
of ivy and bay! These flowers! all! some festal scene por-
tend.
EUNOMIA.
(Impatiently) Lead me to my child -- My Hermia, oh,
where is she (calling), Hermia, Hermia!
As she descends the steps of peristyle, she observes v
Julian and Hermia lying covered with flowers. She
gives a cry of joy and runs to them, takes Hermia's
hand and covers it with kisses. She then attempts I
to awaken her, but Hermia falls back lifelessly.
CAIUS MEMMIUS.
(Attempts to bestir Julian, but he also falls back appar-
ently lifeless. ) Alas! alas! what evil deed is this! They're
dead!
EUNOMIA.