The Assasin

Excerpt from The Assasin: A Tragedy in Four Acts Harold. Did you see his face? Was it not wonderful? Joe. His face? Of course I saw it. W hat should I be looking at, his uniform? Not but I saw that, too. He wears more gold of late. Harold. His face was noble; set with high resolve. Joe. A mask to cover his ambition up. Come, let's to work. Hold you this steadv. Harold. (still gazing into space.) I never can forget that face. It bore the dignity of other worlds. Joe. For my part I would rather see it in the fight, blackened with powder-smoke, and torn with fury. I like not warriors when they turn toward peace. Harold. He is our great dictator. Joe. Emperor, you should be saying. Harold. I do not fear the word. He is our emperor. Joe. Fools' tongues are quick familiar with new words. Here, look at what you do. Harold. I see him there, so stately, mild, and calm, turning from fate of war to faith of peace. Joe. 'twere better you should see this nail I'm driving. You're less apt to come out with a damaged thumb. As for heroes, if that's what you've come to the city to see, why, you will have them on this stage in the course of an hour; just as big heroes as your Emperor, too. Did I not tell you, you would see Philip legrand? Harold. My father has often preached against the stage. Joe. As I have Often preached against your mother for marrying your father. Still, she did well enough. Harold. And, yet, I have Often longed to be an actor. Joe. Well, being an actor, and longing to be one, are as far apart as you and Philip legrand himself. Hand me my saw. (saws off stick.) Then, too, La Teresita is coming this afternoon to try one Of her dances. She's greater than Philip legrand in my eye; though there are plenty who will not agree with me in that. Harold. It were better I did not see them today. After beholding the Emperor's face I should be shallow to be diverted by a play-actor. Joe. Oh, things come hot and then cold in the city. You have to get used to it, my boy.(enter Teresita Flores in dancing costume. She is about thirty, capricious, passionate.) teresita. All alone, Joe? Joe. All alone, Miss. Teresita. Now you are not alone, either. Joe. Only my nephew from the ranchos, Miss. He doesn't count. Teresita. Every young man counts one, Joe. Joe. Oho! And the Old men? DO they count for noth ing, Miss Flores? Teresrra. After an Old man has counted a million, why, sometimes, only sometimes, we consider him. But I should hardly say we counted him, even then. (turning very kindly to Harold May,) What is your name, youth? Harold. (with some confusion.) Harold is my name: Harold May. Teresita. That is why your hair is so flaxen; and curling, too. But where's your curling beard? Harold. I shaved it Off after coming to the city. Uncle Joe said no one wore a beard in the city. Teresita. Uncle Joe is a fool. Eh, Joe? Joe. If you say so, Miss. But I think I was right. Teresita. It is the way Of fools. Let your beard grow, boy, let it grow. And your name, you tell me, is George. Harold. My name is Harold. Teresita. No, I think it is George. St. George I shall call you, I think. Have you ever killed any dragons? Harold. Dragons don't grow on the plains. If they did, I don't think I could kill them. I can't kill a calf, or a sheep. Everybody says I'm a coward. Teresrra. I don't say that. And I am Teresita. You will remember? Harold. Yes. Teresrra. Yes, what, youth? Harold. I will remember. Teresita. What will you remember, St. George? Harold. (confusedly.) That you are Teresita. Teresita. Very good. And you say the name prettily. Now, st.george, I am enslaved by a dragon. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com