Hadrian & Antinous

ACT II - SCENE II

SCENE II - Enter LUCIUS and PEASANTS in a marketplace in Greece.

LUCIUS: The day grows warm, but I sense it will end cold.

For the night is contagious and the day grows old.

I pray to Apollo every dusk,

To return soon, and disregard the cost.

My life has seen several things go wrong,

Robbed, was broken, desperateness prolonged,

Need I some type of monetary hope,

To help me return, to help me cope.

PEASANT I: Was not I who stole from the gent ov'r there.

Was not I, I pray. Was not-

PEASANT II: Dost thou swear?

PEASANT III: If he swears, why dost thou care?

PEASANT II: Know not I, I'm not too bright.

PEASANT I: Tis true, and not a very pretty sight.

PEASANT III: It was not thee, or me, or she, perhaps they're more peasants around.

YOUNG PEASANT: It was me! I swear, I stole from the gent ov'r there.

PEASANT I: Quiet young one, there's darkness in th' air.

(Enter GAIUS in the background.)

LUCIUS: I hope, I pray at his alter all days,

I sit, I plan where I place my hands.

I need work that's worthy, need work that pays,

And for it I'll help some unholy stands.

"Give me work!" I would aim, but be defied,

"Give me time," I would ask, as it went wrong.

"But thee smirk" They would claim, as if I lied.

"And you rhyme" They would bask, as doubts are long.

Now Lucius waits, and prays, and still waits.

Lucius plans, and he tries, as he can.

Yet nothing has come, so he loses his faiths,

To Gods who take and never help this man.

Give me some hope, oh Apollo I beg,

Help me to cope, so I rise from the dead.

GAIUS: (aside) Spoken so true,

And my job's transferr'ed.

Kill not I Antinous,

But this man who now begs.

LUCIUS: I sense there's a darkness headed towards me,

But already in darkness, I cannot see.

Tis not possible to get out easily,

So jump as I will, and hope I land well.

GAIUS: (approaching LUCIUS) If thou wishes to jump,

I'll provide thee the spring.

And the pay for my duties,

Will outjump the sting.

LUCIUS: (addressing GAIUS) Strange man, what's thy quest?

What brings you to me?

I was begging to Apollo,