Collected Works (Vol. II)

THE GOD-EATER* A TRAGEDY OF SATIRE 1903 [The idea of this obscure and fantastic play is as follows :— By a glorious act human misery is secured (History of Christianity). Hence, appreciation of the personality of Jesus is no excuse for being a Christian. Inversely, by a vile and irrational series of acts human happiness is secured (Story of the play) Hence, attacks on the Mystics of History need not cause us to condemn Mysticism. Also, the Knowledge of Good and Evil is a Tree whose fruit Man has not yet tasted: so that the Devil cheated Eve indeed; or (more probably) Eve cheated Adam. Unless (most probable of all) God cheated the Devil, and the fruit was a common apple after all. Cf. H. Maudsley, ‘‘ Life in Mind and Conduct. PERSONS. CRIOSDA, aged 33. MAuRYA, Ais sister, aged 16. RuPHA, the Hag of Eternity. The scene of the Tragedy ts laidin an anctent Scottish Hall, very remote. The time is the One-and-Twentteth Century after Christ. The action of the play occupies many years. THE GOD-EATER. ACT I. CriospA, MAURYA. [Zhe Scene ts an old Barontal Hall, elabor- ately, yet somewhat grotesquely (from the incongruity), fitted up as an antique Egyptian temple. Centre: an altar be- tween two obelisks ; om tt a censer vomits smoke in great volumes. Above at back of stage isa stately throne, square and simple, on steps. In it sits MAURYA, guiet and stlent. She is dressed in sontbre green robes, lightened with old rose facings. She ts heavily braceleted and ankleted with gold, and her crown is a gold disc, supported in silver horns, rising "] from her forehead. Above her ts a rude painted board, representing the Winged Globe in many colours. Before the altar CRIOSDA zs kneeling; he is dressed in a white robe fastened by a blue sash. A leopard’s skin ts over his shoulders, clasped with a golden clasp about his neck. He bears an ‘‘ankh” in his left hand, in hts right a caduceus! wand. On his head ts the winged helmet of Mercury, and his sandals are winged also. Hes muttering low some fervent prayer, and anon casts incense upon the censer. The low muttering continues for a considerable time, MAURYA re- maining quite still, as one rapt in her own thoughts. Suddenly, with startling vehemence, the song breaks out. CRIOSDA. HaiL! HaiLt! Halt! [MauRYA, startled, looks up and half rises. Then sits again, with a strange sweet smile of innocence and tenderness. CriosDA. [Lower.] The world is borne upon thy breast Even as the rose. 1 The wand of Mercury. * For the foundations of this play the student may consult any modern treatises on Sociology. 130