The Love of the Nightingale

we are ready

I came not out of greed but in the cause of justice

stay if you wish

No I must return north there has been trouble while I conducted this war what I want is to bring some of your country mine manners ease civilized discourse

are rather independent

I have always that culture was kept by the women

encouraged to go abroad

But they have a reputation for wisdom is that false

our women are the best

so

quiet little girl

I will love and respect you

does she ask for her sister

she didn’t explain she insisted I come to you and I did what she asked

Procnes not ill

She was well when I left she has her child companions

what do you think tereus

You’re her father

And you’re her husband

I only meant Procne would accept any decision you made it is a long journey

do you know this play tereus

No

heart I bring low

That sound

Do you have good theater in Thrace

We do not encourage art

Phaedras fallen in love with Hippolytus

Her own stepson thats wrong isn’t it

I have strayed from the path of good sense

Why should we pity her these plays condone vice

That is Gods will

Terrible advice

Philomele you are talking to a king

and to a brother let her speak Pandion

you were a child

we have no art no philosophy in Thrace philomele

i beg you pass me by

ah

don’t you?

no

Tereus whats the matter

nothing the heat

i feel so sorry for Phaedra

you pity her philomele

its not phaedras fault she loves him

she could keep silent about it

in your tenderness

how do you know all this philomele

crying to escape

philomele

hippolytus has dared to assault my wife

phaedra has lied thats vile

and tereus isnt phaedra look

i have expert sailors i dont think well crash against the rocks

its such a long journey

we’ll travel swiftly Procne is so impatient to see her sister we much go soon or she’ll fall ill with worry

when?

tomorrow

ah

youre crying philomele

you have to promis

why are the sails up captain

we have a good wind tereus

take them down

they’re tired tereus

we’re sailing too fast its frightening philomele

I love to feel the wind tereus

why arent you asleep

I was watching the fires on athos

athos yes the hooded men

the captain was telling me about them

lower the sails captain

but tereus

this isnt a battle we have time

i’ll take philomele down with me my lord

not yet come and talk to me philomele

entertain his lordship philomele

well you were talking easily enough when i came above

tell me about my sister tereus

i’ve already told you

how does she occupy her time

i dont know she has women with her

what do they talk about

what women talk about i didnt ask you to grill me philomele talk to me talk to me about the night

the night

the night something what were you saying to the captain

how well they sing what an eery tune

do you want to be marrie philomele

i am with my brother niobe

you can go niobe

the queen said i was not to go far

youre beautiful

has she kept that in all her years

in the moonlight your skin seems transparent

does she laugh with her women

i dont know

does she laugh at you

philomele

yes brother

what sort of man do you want to marry a king

or a noble captain

not necessarily from Athens

as long as he is wise

wise

they have to be or they wouldnt be kings

you are born a king nothing can change that

all is well when power smiles that i know

philomele would you marry a king

sisters sisters

if procne were

procne

if procne were to become ill

tell the captain to go faster

i didnt say that but it

yes i had many sisters

things happen

my love will protect her and yours too tereus

yes but should

sister we will be so happy

philomele

tereus

yes

he wants to speak to you

speak

we’ve had enough

i have my reasons

yes what reasons

you must trust me am i not your leader

yes tereus but

my knowledge is greater than yours…that glory fame i have seen it all along

wheres the enemy

i have information

id rather something happen anything

I know this is difficult for you…trust me and youll understand all in time

philomele and niobe enter (scene 11)

philomele

dont make him angry

philomele

ill bring some to procne

philomele

and heres some wild thyme procne loves its bitter taste

philomele

what is this plant Niobe? smell it its salty ive never seen it before procne will know

philomele

quiet brother youre disturbing the butterflies procne would not like that

procne procne procne is dead…perhaps better not to find it

never look for a battered body its worse than the death that came to it

mourn philomele mourn with me she was my wife

procne

sister beloved sister my sister

not mine between us above us

traitor traitor traitor a young girl defenseless go to the underworld with your shame around your neck be more careful philomele

where is tereus

here a delay

theres blood on your hands

a wild beast or a god in disguise unnameable

my sister

not here

no drowned

but i am here

heres the king hold back your tongue philomele

now i wish you didnt exist

when will you explain tereus

explain

why the cause i wish to understand

i dont know what to do with you

is that it answer

what

do they know the real you your soldiers your subjects

thats enough

shall i tell them yes i will talk

quiet

a man of pseudo spirit who abused power for his own means

i said that was enough

they will all know what you are

i warn you

men and women of thrace come and listen to the truth about this man

i will keep you quiet

i will go i dont know what she wants

you should have kept quiet i did what i had to do you threatened the order of my rule how could i allow rebellion i had to keep you quiet i am not sorry except for your pain but it was you or me you are more beautiful now in your silence i could love you you should have allowed the god to have his way you should kept quiet niobe you will look after her this is to ease the pain why werent you more careful let me kiss those bruised lips you are mine my sweet my songless my caged bird

will you come with me this time tereus

no

you have to be born one

but you’ll be a king itys thats almost as good and almost as powerful

arent you

yes

would you like that

not yet

oh how i miss my sister

i wish to spend time with itys

do you love him

i now believe his is the only thing in this world i have ever truly loved and you

i am the son of a king and i command you

its daylight at last the revels are over time to go home its time for you to go home go on stager home procne tell your women to go home

philomele is revealed

i had wanted to say

say what tereus

if i could explain

you have a tongue

beyond words