Synorix monologue (Act 5) — Becket and other plays

(_seeing her escape_) The women of the Temple drag her in. Publius! Publius! No, Antonius would not suffer me to break Into the sanctuary. She hath escaped. [_Looking down at_ SINNATUS. 'Adulterous dog!' that red-faced rage at me! Then with one quick short stab--eternal peace. So end all passions. Then what use in passions? To warm the cold bounds of our dying life And, lest we freeze in mortal apathy, Employ us, heat us, quicken us, help us, keep us From seeing all too near that urn, those ashes Which all must be. Well used, they serve us well. I heard a saying in Egypt, that ambition Is like the sea wave, which the more you drink, The more you thirst--yea--drink too much, as men Have done on rafts of wreck--it drives you mad. I will be no such wreck, am no such gamester As, having won the stake, would dare the chance Of double, or losing all. The Roman Senate, For I have always play'd into their hands, Means me the crown. And Camma for my bride-- The people love her--if I win her love, They too will cleave to me, as one with her. There then I rest, Rome's tributary king. [_Looking down on_ SINNATUS. Why did I strike him?--having proof enough Against the man, I surely should have left That stroke to Rome. He saved my life too. Did he? It seem'd so. I have play'd the sudden fool. And that sets her against me--for the moment. Camma--well, well, I never found the woman I could not force or wheedle to my will. She will be glad at last to wear my crown. And I will make Galatia prosperous too, And we will chirp among our vines, and smile At bygone things till that (_pointing to_ SINNATUS) eternal peace. Rome! Rome!