King Lear's Wife; The Crier by Night; The Riding to Lithend; Midsummer-Eve Part 31

DANAe _obeys._

Why came you by the sea?

SOPHRON. Lady ... the sea?...

LAODICE.

Does not the way by land still fit mine urgence?

SOPHRON.

Your safety's urgence made it seem most good To search the straits for masts of Ptolemy.

LAODICE.

Ha.... Yes.... And did you speak with any such?

_DANAe looks at SOPHRON and shakes her head._

SOPHRON.

The seas were void of alien keels to-night.

LAODICE.

Are there Egyptians seen in Ephesus?

SOPHRON.

None since the aged men who mummied the king.

LAODICE.

Tell me the common talk of Egypt's plan; And what device to handle Ptolemy Is in your friendly mind.

SOPHRON.

There's but a common fear of Egypt's secret.

We cannot meet him yet unless the cities, Yes, all these cities of men, take hands with us.

LAODICE.

Must I keep house in Smyrna still, my man?

Play queen in a corner harmlessly?

SOPHRON. Madam, The coast is safer here than at Ephesus, Retreat on Sardis safer and more ready.

LAODICE.

I more withdrawn apart from my main kingdom, Baffled from drainage of the unended East.

I have required you here because a word, Perhaps a word malicious, has crept here: It has been said that some Ephesian men Have bartered for my town with Ptolemy-- Do you know any of these? Do they live?

SOPHRON.

There are none known: such could not sell past me.

LAODICE.

They use my palace: examine those about you.

SOPHRON.

There is no need: I know them to be clean.

_DANAe again shakes her head, but more eagerly._

LAODICE, _turning her head and looking up at DANAe suddenly._ Why do you tremble, girl? There's nought to fear.

_As she begins to speak_ DANAe'S _hair is shaken loose; a rose falls from it and breaks on_ LAODICE'S _shoulder._ LAODICE _laughs and plays with the petals, continuing without pause._

LAODICE.

Do you drop me a sleepy kiss, maiden, my rare one?

But, O, you have so tumbled your hair to cull it-- Come hither, kneel, and I will bind it up.

DANAe, _obeying._ Lady, I coiled it carelessly.... Indeed Such ministration is my precious pardon.

LAODICE.

Silk, silky silk so delicious to finger....

Rose I held; ruby-glows; then dark hair in my hands....

Nay, I am hot; I burn; stay there and fan me....

Dear, do not cease at all.

_To_ SOPHRON.

Well, my captain?

SOPHRON.

You shall have men's minds searched in Ephesus.

LAODICE.

I like your mind. Also, I have considered You must shut up your port, let out no ship; Then Ptolemy shall be more sure each night That he has wiped the seas ... till you slip out.

SOPHRON, _in stupefaction._ Slip ... out?

LAODICE.

Ay, Sophron, fall on him.

SOPHRON, _eagerly._ Yes, yes: These things shall be, and you shall not complain.

LAODICE.

Nay, go not now; be my great guest this night.

The tide will take you not until more day, And in the dawn, white hour of clearest thought, I need more counsel from you for my deeds.

_She claps her hands:_ BARSINE, _a Persian, enters._

Let this strong captain be well feasted now In winy webs of my embroidering-- Or--no--a purple suits his temper best; And send a slave to him for him to rule.

SOPHRON.

Graciousness, yours: let me but stay my seamen.

LAODICE.

Haretas the Pisidian shall go down Into the place of ships, but not my guest: Entrust your ring to this, and she will bear it.