Diminutive dramas

Scene.—A room in Ariadne’s house at Naxos. Discovered: Ariadne and Œnone, her attendant.

Ariadne. When Theseus comes, show him in here directly. I am expecting Dionysus in half an hour. If he comes sooner, which he probably will do, don’t announce him, but show him into the dining-room, and then come in here and make up the fire so that I may know he’s there. You quite understand?

Œnone. Yes, perfectly.

Ariadne. There is Theseus walking up the drive. Go and let him in quickly.

[Œnone goes out.

[Ariadne arranges herself by a spinning-wheel, near a fire where myrtle-twigs are burning, in an attitude of simple, brave, and unaffected dejection. She rubs her eyes with a silken scarf to make them appear red.

Enter Theseus

Ariadne (smiling bravely). It’s wonderful of you to be so punctual.

Theseus. Yes, I——

Ariadne. Sit down here. Or do you mind the fire?

Theseus. No, I assure you.

Ariadne. Are you quite sure you don’t mind the fire?

Theseus. I like it, really.

Ariadne. Perhaps you would like a screen?

Theseus. No, I promise you.

[Ariadne rings a small silver hand-bell.

No, please don’t ring.

Enter Œnone

Ariadne. You may just as well have the screen. It’s there. Œnone, will you please bring a screen for the Duke? The fire’s so hot.

[Œnone goes out.

Ariadne. Would you like a little wine?

Theseus. No, thank you, really; I never drink wine in the morning.

Ariadne. There’s some in the next room, if you would like to have some.

Enter Œnone, bringing a screen, which she puts in front of Theseus

Theseus. Oh, thank you so much!

[Œnone goes out.

Ariadne. Is that right for you?

Theseus. That’s perfect! (With nervous decision) I’ve come to tell you that I’m so sorry I was rude yesterday, and that of course I didn’t mean——

Ariadne. When you get to Athens I want you to do something for me. Do you think you will have time? Do you think you could possibly remember it? It would be too heroic of you if you would.

Theseus. Of course I would; but——

Ariadne. It’s the most tiresome commission ... I want you to send me two pounds of Hymettus honey.

Theseus. But I really wasn’t thinking of——

Ariadne. Will you have it sent by the next messenger, care of the King, to Crete, and then I shan’t have to pay the duty?

Theseus. But really, Ariadne——

Ariadne. And you won’t forget to give your father a hundred messages from me, will you? I hope they’ve packed the Minotaur’s head properly. It would be a terrible tragedy if the horns were broken.

Theseus. I haven’t had anything packed yet. I really——

Ariadne. Œnone will help to pack for you. She’s a wonderful packer. (She rings the bell.) She packs like an angel.

Theseus. But my slave can do it; besides, I really want——

Enter Œnone

Ariadne. Oh, Œnone, I want you to go round to the Duke’s house later—when the doctor comes—and help to pack the Duke’s things; and at the same time you might see that the slaves pack the Minotaur’s head properly.

Œnone. Yes.

[She goes out.

Theseus. Ariadne, I must really tell you.

Ariadne. Let me think: you will get to Athens the day after to-morrow. You won’t forget to let me hear what kind of a crossing you have. And you must take warm enough things with you. It’s always quite bitter on board that ship. But of course you’re a good sailor, aren’t you?

Theseus. I don’t mind a long voyage, but sometimes just crossing the isthmus upsets me.

Ariadne. I have got some wonderful stuff Æsculapius gave me. It’s quite harmless. You take one dose two hours before starting and one dose when you get on board; then you lie down; but you must eat nothing. It’s wonderful. It’s called Asphodol. I like the name so much, don’t you? You had better have the Minotaur registered straight through to the Piræus. Then you won’t have any bother at the other ports with the Customs. If you do have any tiresome bother, you can use my father’s name; I will give you the passport he had made out for us. I have scratched my name out, but that will not matter. I have always found them very civil in Greece. They let me bring in bushels of silk from Tyre. You must give my love to Hippolyta, if you see her. She’s not been well lately.

Theseus. Really?

Ariadne. No, poor darling! I’ve been rather worried and anxious about her. She’s been having that horrible neuritis again. I had a letter yesterday from Athens, saying that she had lost her buoyancy and had had to give up riding altogether! Isn’t it too terrible? She was such an inspired rider, wasn’t she? with those hands and that unerring judgment. I can’t imagine anything more ironical and more tragic; and they say she’s so brave about it. She would be, of course. Don’t you think people like that always surprise one by being a little better than their best in an emergency?

Theseus. Yes.

Ariadne. Don’t you think Hippolyta is the most straight and true character we have ever known?

Theseus (uncomfortable). Yes, yes——

Ariadne. And almost more beautiful than anybody?

Theseus. Yes, she is beautiful.

Ariadne. I love her straightness of line, and her strong capable hands, and that magic cast in her left eye, which gives a kind of strangeness to her face, doesn’t it?

Theseus. She is very good-looking.

Ariadne. But don’t you think much more than that? Don’t you put her almost higher than anybody for charm?

Theseus. I’d never thought about her like that.

Ariadne. And then isn’t she quite unlike any one else? Doesn’t one feel absolutely certain with her, like one does with a perfect chariot-driver?

Theseus. Yes, she has a very fine character.

Ariadne. Almost more than fine, isn’t it? Something rare.

Theseus. But, Ariadne, I really must——

Ariadne. You needn’t go yet. You’ve lots of time to pack. Œnone will help with the packing. You don’t sail till sunset, do you? Because of the tide. I hope you’ve got the right pilot. The old man with one eye. He’s too charming. He’s my greatest friend.

Theseus. Ariadne——

Ariadne. I shall watch you from the hill. I shan’t come down to the quay because of the crowd—you might wave from the ship. You will be able to see me. I shall stand next to the clump of cypress-trees and watch the ship till she’s out of sight. There’s a new moon to-night, just as there was the first night you arrived at Crete. Do you remember how papa bored you by talking about astrology? And you were so angelically kind to him and patient. You bore it so well. It was like you. I don’t think you know how devoted papa is to you, and how much he will miss you.

Theseus. Ariadne—please——

Ariadne. You won’t forget to write and say whether the Minotaur arrives safely, will you? Because papa will simply be longing to know, and he’d be miserable if anything went wrong.

Theseus (getting up and knocking down the screen in his agitation). Ariadne, I simply can’t bear this any longer. I must speak. You must and shall hear me. The whole thing’s a mistake—a nightmare. I swear I didn’t mean a thing yesterday. It was too stupid of me to—to say—I mean I didn’t mean—I mean I lost my temper—just like any one. Of course I didn’t mean, really.

Enter Œnone. She brings in a large bundle of firewood, which she throws on to the hearth

Ariadne (getting up). I’m afraid you oughtn’t to stay another minute now, or else you will miss the ship—Œnone will go with you and help you to pack. Good-bye, Theseus. It’s been too perfect, hasn’t it? I have loved it all so. You won’t forget the honey, will you? Two pounds. Now you’ll really have to run—and I have got the doctor coming in one second. Good-bye, Theseus, and my best love to your father and to dear Hippolyta if you see her. Œnone, please go with the Duke.

[Ariadne shakes hands with Theseus.

Theseus. But, really——

Ariadne. I’m afraid I must fly. I hope you’ll have a perfect crossing.

Theseus (hopelessly). Good-bye, Ariadne——

[He goes out very sadly with Œnone L. As soon as they are gone, Ariadne gently opens a door R. and calls: Dionysus!

Enter Dionysus

Dionysus. Has he gone?

Ariadne. Yes, at last, I think. Haven’t I managed it too beautifully? He was longing not to go away at all.

Dionysus. When does he sail?

Ariadne. At sunset. Sit down. We’ve got millions of things to say, haven’t we? Do you mind the fire? There’s the screen there on the floor—if you do—

Dionysus. No, I love it.

Curtain.