Household Gods

Auris. Why, did I say I loved you? I say no. Crassus. Why do you make love? Aurcta. To beguile the hour; To crown my rose-wreath with a greener flower; To do my master's bidding, that’s to give Life to yourself, who only think you live. But listen! Have you seen the nine waves roll Monotonous upon the shoal, Rising and falling like a maiden asleep; ‘Then with a lift and a leap The ninth wave curls, and breaks upon the beach, And rushes up it, swallowing the sand? Lam that ocean. . . . Now, you understand? Crassus. Alicial O! this is unbearable. Surely this wave washes the shore of hell! Aurcta, Each follows each Remorseless and indifferent as Nature Is to each creature. 27