Part 7
Never! Never!
The door behind the dais opens, a golden light fills the passage-way thus revealed, and MERCURY, brilliantly arrayed as in the second scene of the play, stands forth upon the platform. His step gives no sound; and, as he extends his hands (one holding the winged wand) gently forward over the company, all the men feel the soothing influence without turning their heads to observe its source; while ULYSSES, and the others who stand, sink quietly to their seats in motionless attitude. ULYSSES slightly bows his head. The inmates of the palace are not affected like the guests; they maintain their former demeanor; but CIRCE lowers her hand with the wand to the table before her.
MERCURY
By the Father sent I come this time, to loose the tangled web Of crossing motive, Circe, in thy bowers. He in the scales of fate the fortunes weigh’d Of these thy mortal visitors all, thine own, Of thy beloved nymphs; and bade me speed, Taking my wand, wherewith for woe or weal I seal men’s eyes and, when I will, unseal.
The offending youths—already are they Themselves in closer toils of slumber caught Than the charm’d herb upon the maiden brought. At my behest their living phantoms glide; Upward or downward their blind steps I guide.
[_Without turning, the god raises his wand gently with backward movement of the hands, and in the wide opening behind him the forms of PHILEMON and XENIAS appear, standing side by side. Their eyes are closed; their features pallid in the weird light; their look is of complete unconsciousness. THRATTIS strikes major chords._]
Their fault the Father pardons; and decrees They shall be toss’d no more on billowy seas, But to their lives’ end tread the enchanted soil Which of its bloom they plotted to despoil.
[_MERCURY sways the wand slowly from behind forward, and the two sleepers (PHILEMON first, XENIAS close behind him) guided by the spell pass across the dais, gliding down behind the banqueters until they reach a position between THERMIA and PHILINNA’S couch. Their footsteps give no sound; their movement is mechanical; in the place indicated they stand stiff and motionless with closed eyes._]
MERCURY
Arise, Ulysses!
[_ULYSSES stands up; and simultaneously his men all rise silently to their feet._]
Now thy waiting bark Swims in the darkling haven; but full soon Eos her saffron portals will unbar And wake the convoy breezes. Tarry not!— Thy crew the Father’s stern assignments claim; I sign them to _march_, FORWARD! in his name.
[_The funeral march which closed the song of THRATTIS is played softly, and the men pass out behind MERCURY in single file, moving noiselessly and with the utmost precision, as if under the hypnotizing influence of the wand waved above them. The company of EURYLOCHUS marches first, headed by their leader and GLAUCUS, THERON and ELPENOR bringing up the rear. The other company, excepting PHILEMON and XENIAS, immediately follows. ULYSSES, who has donned his helmet, begins to speak as the last man passes and the music ceases._]
ULYSSES
To gloom of future fates beholden fast, The parting hour yet beckons toward the past. What blessings lay beneath rapt moments hidden Now to the pictured memory rise unbidden; Each, as with pointed stylus’ steely smart, Prick’d and deep graven on the shrinking heart.— Farewell! O sorceress benign, farewell! He knows not _life_, who knows not CIRCE’S spell.
[_ULYSSES turns and goes out. The music begins again in the major key. MERCURY, poised upon one foot in an attitude similar to that presented by a familiar statue of the god, leans far forward with wand pointed straight at the sleepers. PHILINNA opens her eyes and slowly rises to a sitting posture on her couch. PHILEMON and XENIAS open their eyes and draw long breaths. PHILINNA, turning first toward CIRCE, with one hand clasps the left hand of the Enchantress; then, with the other, recognizing PHILEMON, takes his right. THERMIA, when XENIAS wakes, seizes his left hand with her own, and with a joyous look lays her right upon his shoulder. The two youths have themselves joined hands. MYRTO seated, whom_ Mikkos _strives to reach, holds him firmly at arm’s length by the collar. GRAEA, standing beside THRATTIS, whip in hand, glares fiercely at the exit._
_The countenance of CIRCE is deeply sad. Her wand lies relinquished upon the table. She continues to gaze, as if into vague distance, in the direction of her departed guest._]
CURTAIN