SCENE III – On the lawn outside Venus's Temple, prestigious officials gather for the opening, enter PEASANTS.
PEASANT I: Watch how the palace grows in size
As every regal goes inside.
My eyes never saw so much wealth,
Until the emperor built it himself.
PEASANT II: You speak like those Kings enterin' those gates.
I pray you remember of your estates!
PEASANT III: It is not hard to speak with their tongue,
Act all proper and you've already begun!
YOUNG PEASANT: Yes, I could be a King like that man up there, just give me a moment to fix myself. (Stands more 'properly') How does it read?
PEASANT I: Keep working my child, you'll grow when you need.
(Enter VIBIA and HADRIAN amongst others approaching stand where GAIUS is about to introduce HADRIAN, ANTINOUS follows a few people behind, dressed as a peasant.)
GAIUS: All Greeks, hear my voice, I welcome you hence.
Today our goddess of love is honor'ed.
By your emperor, Hadrian, best that he presents
The temple of the lady, as he had plann'ed.
(aside to HADRIAN) My lord, I offer thee the stand,
Come now and address your fellow man.
VIBIA: (aside to HADRIAN) The crowd has gathered for thy virtuous speech.
Now allow them to hear of your thoughts.
Of your intention, I know you'll preach.
And glorify Venus, or else I'm lost.
HADRIAN: Sit down my wife, I know the cost.
(VIBIA sits, HADRIAN takes GAIUS's place and addresses the crowd.)
My fellow Greeks, who now join me today,
At the temple of the goddess of love.
And in this temple, I hope that thee pray
For peace so harmonious it's soft as dove.
(Pause, ANTINOUS reveals himself.)
Though Venus loves all, she does tempt us so,
She clenches and grasps till pleasure unfolds.
We watch it inflate, until we must go.
Wherever we must, to reach a new hold.
But that is just love, we mustn't fall flat,
We mustn't fall victim, or let hearts go.
Until we are certain that the love is fat,
And will grow as fast as the children grow.
Welcome to the temple of thy goddess,
Remember, value Venus's softness.
(ANTINOUS covers himself up, GAIUS takes the stand once more.)
GAIUS: Therefore, temple of Venus, open thy doors.
Let all enter, from gods, queens, and moors.
Today we glorify the love it endures,
Enter at once, and find your soul soars.
(All but PEASANTS leave stage, ANTINOUS stays.)
PEASANT I: The temple of love.
PEASANT II: Tis a beautiful speech, and a beauteous emperor.
ANTINOUS AS A PEASANT: I agree, friends, a work of Venus.
PEASANT III: A work of the goddess, I say. Tis true he has a love other than the empress?
PEASANT II: Nay, that's just Venus whispering in our ears. A love other than sweet Vibia? May it be not so.
ANTINOUS AS A PEASANT: Venus would whisper words of love, not despair.
Such whispers are that of the hellish Hades.
Evil desire, jealousy, are his whispers, not hers.
PEASANT I: Which shall be commenting in thine ears, then?
ANTINOUS AS A PEASANT: Neither, all I hear is Hadrian.
YOUNG PEASANT: Tis foolish, thine ears are false. Hadrian hath spoken, the emperor speaks not now!
(ANTINOUS starts to follow the crowd.)
PEASANT III: The voice of a loved one can be heard whenever their lover shall choose. Hadrian has a lover here. (See ANTINOUS has left.) Or there, goodbye, thee lover!
ANTINOUS AS A PEASANT: Goodbye, strange peasant. Anon, adieu.
(All exit.)
YOU ARE READING
Hadrian & Antinous
Historical FictionExplore the love affair of the Ancient Greek Emperor Hadrian and his lover, a Greek man named Antinous, in this classically-written, full-length stage play. Based on a true story, the play also fills in the details lost to history with author Anthon...
