One Act Plays

Becket and other plays

BECKET. Friend, am I so much better than thyself That thou shouldst help me? Thou art wearied out With this day's work, get thee to thine own bed. Leave me with Herbert, friend. [_Exit_ SERVANT. Help me off, Herbert, with this--and this.

Chapters

18. Chapter 18

SCENE.--_Interior of the Temple of Artemis_. Small gold gates on platform in front of the veil before the colossal statue of the Goddess, and in the centre of the Temple a tripo...

21. Chapter 21

MILLY. The little 'ymn? Yeäs, Miss; but I wur so ta'en up wi' leädin' the owd man about all the blessed murnin' 'at I ha' nobbut larned mysen haäfe on it.

19. Chapter 19

1ST FARMING MAN. Why, o' coorse, fur it be the owd man's birthdaäy. He be heighty this very daäy, and 'e telled all on us to be i' the long barn by one o'clock, fur he'll gie us...

20. Chapter 20

DOBSON (_handing_ DORA _basket of roses_). Not like me, Miss Dora; and I ha' browt these roses to ye--I forgits what they calls 'em, but I hallus gi'ed soom on 'em to Miss Eva a...

3. Chapter 3

_On one side of the stage the doors of an inner Council-chamber, half-open. At the bottom, the great doors of the Hall_. ROGER ARCHBISHOP OF YORK, FOLIOT BISHOP OF LONDON, HILAR...

13. Chapter 13

JOHN OF SALISBURY. Thomas, I would thou hadst return'd to England, Like some wise prince of this world from his wars, With more of olive-branch and amnesty For foes at home--tho...

6. Chapter 6

HENRY. Crown'd! by God's eyes, we will not have him crown'd. I spoke of late to the boy, he answer'd me, As if he wore the crown already--No, We will not have him crown'd. 'Tis...

11. Chapter 11

ROSAMUND. The boy so late; pray God, he be not lost. I sent this Margery, and she comes not back; I sent another, and she comes not back. I go myself--so many alleys, crossings,...

16. Chapter 16

Frescoed figures on the walls. Evening. Moonlight outside. A couch with cushions on it. A small table with flagon of wine, cups, plate of grapes, etc., also the cup of Scene I....

9. Chapter 9

BECKET. A notice from the priest, To whom our John of Salisbury committed The secret of the bower, that our wolf-Queen Is prowling round the fold. I should be back In England ev...

1. Chapter 1

BECKET. Friend, am I so much better than thyself That thou shouldst help me? Thou art wearied out With this day's work, get thee to thine own bed. Leave me with Herbert, friend....

4. Chapter 4

BECKET. God bless you all! God redden your pale blood! But mine is human-red; and when ye shall hear it is poured out upon earth, and see it mounting to Heaven, my God bless you...

5. Chapter 5

2. Nay, let him make it his own, let him reign in it--he, it is he, Love that is born of the deep coming up with the sun from the sea.

7. Chapter 7

ROSAMUND. O yes, the child We waited for so long--heaven's gift at last-- And how you doated on him then! To-day I almost fear'd your kiss was colder--yes-- But then the child _...

12. Chapter 12

ROGER OF YORK. Nay, nay, my liege, He rides abroad with armed followers, Hath broken all his promises to thyself, Cursed and anathematised us right and left, Stirr'd up a party...

14. Chapter 14

a flight of steps leading to the Choir, another flight on the left, leading to the North Aisle. Winter afternoon slowly darkening. Low thunder now and then of an approaching sto...

15. Chapter 15

As the curtain rises, Priestesses are heard singing in the Temple. Boy discovered on a pathway among Rocks, picking grapes. A party of Roman Soldiers, guarding a prisoner in cha...

17. Chapter 17

SYNORIX. I have my guard about me. I need not fear the crowd that hunted me Across the woods, last night. I hardly gain'd The camp at midnight. Will she come to me Now that she...

2. Chapter 2

RETAINER OF BECKET. And then they mock'd us and we fell upon 'em, For we would live and die for thee, my lord, However kings and queens may frown on thee.

10. Chapter 10

GEOFFREY. There was a bit of yellow silk here and there, and it looked pretty like a glowworm, and I thought if I followed it I should find the fairies.

8. Chapter 8

ELEANOR. Up from the salt lips of the land we two Have track'd the King to this dark inland wood; And somewhere hereabouts he vanish'd. Here His turtle builds: his exit is our a...