ACT II
SCENE II.
A forest near Rome. Horns and cry of hounds heard.
2.2.1
In Greek mythology, Artemis was often described as the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin sister of Apollo.
She was the Hellenic goddess of the hunt; wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity and protector of young
girls, bringing and relieving disease in women; she often was depicted as a huntress carrying a bow and arrows. The
far flung Romans there held the act in keeping faith with the tradition. The hunters came dressed in their bet hunting
attire; the buckskins and weapons of the hunt; the long rifles, and pistols with the machete. The ladies dressed in
their best attire of flowery gowns to match the wild flowers while they travel on the mules that plod on a slower ride.
The servants also in their best if you consider the daily wear was one. The men rode ahead on their horses with the
servants scouting ahead for the prey, while the ladies followed in the rear. There was no danger of any Goths, so the
security was lax.
Titus Adrian rode ahead with his sons with their rifles drawn.
“The hunt is up, the morn is bright and grey, the fields are fragrant and the woods are green. Uncouple here and let
us make a bay and wake the leader and his lovely bride. Rouse the prince and ring a hunter's peal, that all the court
may echo with the noise.” Titus told his servants. “Sons, let it be your charge, as it is ours, to attend the leader's
person carefully.”
Titus looked to his sons which had rode on. He then muttered to himself.
“I have been troubled in my sleep this night, but dawning day new comfort hath inspired.” Titus comforted himself.
The sounds of the preys were heard while they were herded by the servants. The preferred preys were the deer and
also the panthers, but of late the preys were few, so any breed was welcome. Titus saw his leader had arrived with
the new Queen and the newly wedded couple of Bastion and Lavinia. Titus frowned on seeing the sons of the Queen
at the rear of the leader as they were his own.
“Many good morrows to our leader.” Titus greeted the leader. He then turned to address the Queen. “Madam, to
you.”
Titus refused to call her Queen and continued on.
“As many and as good: I promised your grace a hunter's peal.”
“And you have rung it lustily, my baron.” Saturday replied to Titus. He yawned to show his displeasure to be
awakeened from his sleep. “Somewhat too early for new-married ladies.”
The assembled there laughed at the coarse statement. Bastion being the new husband looked to his bride.
“Lavinia, how say you?”
“I say, no; I have been broadly awakened two hours and more.” Lavinia replied. Bastion smiled for it was he who
woke her to invoke another ritual of man overpowering the woman for his own.
“Come on, then; horse and chariots let us have to our sport.” Saturday announced the start of the hunt. He then
looked towards Tamara. “Madam, now shall ye see our Roman hunting.”
“I have dogs, my lord, that will rouse the proudest panther in the chase, and climb the highest promontory top.”
Micheal approached the leader to impress him. Titus then followed suit to add his own.
“And I have horse will follow where the game makes way, and run like swallows o'er the plain.”
Both proud Adrian tried to impress the new leader since their last encounter was unfavorable. They did not notice
the two devious young men planning behind their back.
“Chiron, we hunt not with horse nor hound, but hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground.” The two young men sneaked
off into the forest.
No comments:
Post a Comment