Hadrian & Antinous

ACT IV - SCENE II

SCENE II - Enter GUARD I to GAIUS's holding chamber.

GUARD: Speak doth I quick, I bring news for thee.

The Empress has writ something thou must see.

But once thou reads, after the message is clear,

Thou shalt leave, and my guidance, here.

GAIUS: Is this but allowed? The lover of she,

Not Hadrian, the man who falls to his knees,

Can read what she writ, is that not too free?

Guard, dost the Emperor know of what thee give to me?

GUARD: Hadrian set sail to Egypt last night,

Now must I serve his Empress divine.

All of what occurred in this recent fight,

Means nothing for me to complete my line.

Inside this, she spoke, is payment late due,

For thou services to her loving spouse.

Open not it I, of that tempt she shooed,

For thine money is matter to thine house.

From my hand to thee, this transfer I now,

I hope fortune depends not on this trade.

Strange Gaius, I leave it with thee I vow.

On to my next mission, doth now I fade.

But if the notice proves not so moral,

I'll find thee, we'll have deadliest quarrel.

(GUARD hands envelope to GAIUS.)

GAIUS: Of virtue are thee, to pity on me.

Don't worry my knight, this transfer is bright.

Services will see the trade of money.

And not of a fight, this not bring on night.

Private, art true, tis respectful to do,

With affairs of trade, so see that thou fade.

With worries be few, hear my guard, adieu.

You'll be not afraid, nor of word betrayed.

To Hadrian respect, evil defect.

And Gaius so bleak, like a dirty creek.

Good that thee inspect, good that thee reject.

Such a man so weak, but Vibia speak.

So give others company, leave me here.

And thou art not of gluttony, thou art feared.

GUARD I: Tis torture to stay, I leave thee at once.

(GUARD leaves.)

GAIUS: To bark like dog claiming I aren't a man.

Foolish guard, leaving me to this quiet.

Now what ask my love, to kill Hadrian?

Am I too hopeful, with vile diet?

Envelope, envelope, open too fast,

And wilt evil release? Or something like mad?

Tomorrow wilt innocence be the past,

After just a night, make Emperor sad.

Envelope, envelope, open too slow,

And wilt meaning die? Or something like death?

Tomorrow wilt innocence live like doe,

After attempt to end, wilt it have breath?

Envelope, envelope, offer me truth.

Give me such faith that it restores my youth.

(Open envelope, take out letter from VIBIA.)

GAIUS: Payment, indeed, payment, tis true.

To hear words of love, my hope renews.

(Reads letter aloud)

"Gaius, my love, my faithful companion. Wherever thou art, read this alone. Hadrian and Antinous leave tonight for Egypt. Tonight in Egypt, happiness post-poned. Antinous has cast a spell on Hadrian, and Lucius may fall victim too. That is why I am writing thee to end his life, because Lucius may not that do. I love thee, Gaius. With all of my heart. If thou dost too, take away the part of Hadrian keeping Greece from glory, and then we may rewrite thine story."

My love, Vibia doubts of Lucius.

And asks me to Egypt once I am gone.

Vibia, wilt I, for thou love Gaius,

And I love thee, so we can't be wrong.

Venture wilt I to land to my south,

Great Egypt, where my future begins.

To secure this love in the Nile's mouth,

If Lucius cannot, I wilt to win.

Antinous, death approaches thee quick,

Make thy life light until fate settles in.

For soon my knife to thy body will stick.

Thou dreams will die, and thine breath soon grow thin.

Vibia, tis not far from thine revenge,

And for my love, every fate shall avenge.

Guard, tis now time to enter again,

Welcome thyself inside, the envelope is read.

(GUARD returns.)

GUARD: Are the numbers right, are you paid what thee deserve?

GAIUS: Oh yes, my guard nothing of it absurd.

GUARD: Good, now time for thine exit from Greece, until orders change, until problems cease.

GAIUS: Lead the way out the city limits. As long as Hadrian rules, won't I revisit.

GUARD: Tis not the creed, but thou can keep leave.

GAIUS: I know it is not, but I from here I shall stay.

GUARD: If that's what thou wishes, now to move on, on our way.

(Both exit.)