That which challenges our mind the most, but for what we have the strongest yearning, is, in truth the pursuit and ambition of our heart.
Elysia and Aesycles
A play in two acts.
“Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.” - W.A. Mozart
Personae Dramatae:
Aesycles: An apprentice to Aristotle.
Elysia: A daughter of Solomon.
Aristotle: A famous philosopher.
Thales: Elysia's father and Aesycles's uncle.
Erianthe: Elysia's mother.
Pericles: Elysia's fiancee.
Leonidas: A cunning warrior.
Actaeus: The king of Athens.
Lethe: A river of forgetfullness.(death personified)
Dentros: A tree.(nature personified)
Faunus: A faun.
Elpida: Elysia's unicorn.
ACT I
SCENE I: A garden outside an Athenian temple. Aristotle: (Walks into the garden, looks about and sits on a nearby bench) What wonder there is in nature, - what inspiration! It is so peaceful, full of mystery. It seems as if all the secrets, all the questions a man possess to himself are being revealed here, quietly whispering into our ears. The butterflies chase after one another, the birds sing and the stream murmurs jokingly - what a sight to behold! The earth is indeed a paradise - if only people discovered it! Faunus: A wiseman disarmed by a mere sight?
Aristotle: Inspiration is armed with awe. Faunus: It doesn't last long then. Aristotle: Alas, spring is not eternal. Faunus: Then the Earth is not a Paradeis yet. Aristotle: Come, come now my friend. What news from the forest? Faunus: There has been a strange occurance. Aristotle: Is that so? Faunus: A tree has sprung up in the mids of the abandoned temple. It is unlike any Oak I have ever seen. It has leaves as if of purple velvet, and its flowers shine like gold. Aristotle: That's most peculiar. Are you sure it wasn't a dream? Faunus: I did perceive it clearly, there was a strange feel to it - I felt as if enchanted by it. What could it mean? Is it a sign from the Gods? Aristotle: I am not sure. I shall see to it at once. Come. SCENE II: A Greek countryside, a nearby creek. It is the first day of spring. Aesycles is playing a flute in seclusion while Elysia chases a butterfly leading her to Aesycles. Elysia: Aesycles! Can you enchant the butterfly to sit on my nose? Aesycles: Elysia! (they embrace) Aesycles: I wish, - I am not an Orpheus! Elysia: Why do you always wonder so far from the others? Sometimes it makes me think you take an offence in me! Aesycles: There is no offence in love. Elysia: (sarcasticly)You make it seem so. Aesycles: I grow tired of it. Elysia: Does something bother you? Aesycles: O Elysia! Even if I had the courage of Hercules, would I ever upset you with the caprices of my mind? Elysia: You underestimate me. I, for myself always seek out a friend's advice when in time of need. We must share with others what we cannot keep to ourselves. Or else what will become of us? Why keep yourself imprisoned so? Aesycles: Why confess yourself to a masquerade mask? Elysia: You mock me! Aesycles: I am a good actor. Elysia: Come, let us dance! No trouble will come in the way of joy! (they begin to dance) Aesycles: Here's a curious thing!(picks up a flower) Elysia: Ah, What is it? Aesycles: Ignorance. Elysia: Will you play with fate? (mockingly) Aesycles: I need a comic relief. Loves me, doesn't love me, loves me, doesn't love me, loves me... Elysia: Don't be so naive. Aesycles: All truth comes from the heart. Elysia: I protest. How many times have I been tossed from one end to another in the endless sea of my emotions - was it not a fault of my heart? Aesycles: No, only of your judgement. Elysia: One has to judge lest he never decides on anything. Aesycles: With an open mind! Always with an open mind! Elysia: Enough of your wisdom, cousin! Will you come for dinner this evening? Aesycles: I shall obey, my kind sister! Elysia: See you then! Aesycles: Till then! SCENE III: Alone. Deep forest. Aesycles: O Heavens! Why are men made so, that we can never keep our feelings to ourselves? What we feel - what tears us asunder - must we sacrifice others for the sake of easing our pain? Is attachment not selfish? We spent our lives in hopes of our dreams, our ambitions - the bangs of fate, the scars of missed oppurtunities, unfulfilled desires. All this for naught and with a void of our heart still unfullfilled, we entrust ourselves to someone in whom we can encompass our whole world, - the entire universe, feeling inside inside each other invinceble to threats and judgements of others, the hardships of life. And why shouldn't we? One trusts his love so completely - faith is the essence of love, without it, lovers can't surrender to one another. Forgiveness! All true love takes root in forgiveness! Dentros: My roots run deep. Will you also forgive yourself? Aesycles: Who's there? (looks around and sees the abandoned temple. He walks in and sees the tree.) Dentros: (grunts) Aesycles: If you be the devil, have the courage to show yourself! Dentros: I hide from no one. Aesycles: Great, now the tree is talking. All these soliloquys never lead to anything good. Dentros: Oh please. It gets so boring here. I need you to keep me company. Aesycles: I would gladly plant another tree here. You'll have some company eventually. Dentros: I don't appreciate your sarcasm. Aesycles: I am not the one acting all human here, - like trees really need company. Dentros: Talking trees do. Aesycles: You are pathetic. Dentros: It's too bad I am not an apple tree - or you would end up being an Adam. Aesycles: I am a greek. That's all greek to me. Dentros: You are turning this into a comedy. Aesycles: Is life not a comedy? Dentros:(to the audience, mockingly) That's always his excuse. Aesycles: Shh! Dentros: Hide! (Aristotle and Pan enter carrying on a conversation) Aristotle: He doesn't know yet. Faunus: It shall become known to him eventually. You know that. Aristotle: That would be a disaster. Faunus: You have no right to keep it a secret from him. Aristotle: He is my disciple. I have to protect him against passion - that will only lead him to his doom. Faunus: Love always leads to enlightenment - we must face all the challenges. It is only through love that we can overcome them. Aristotle: He is not ready. (walk into the temple) Faunus: Behold! Aristotle: It is indeed magnificent. Faunus: Talk to it. Aristotle: Why would I talk to it? Trees don't talk, - it's all your foolish superstition. Dentros: Why, you don't deem me worthy? Aristotle: Gods protect us! Faunus: We come in peace! Reveal yourself! Whence art thou? Dentros: I am you. Know thyself! (Aristotle and Pan look at each other incomprehensibly) Faunus: (murmuring) What does it mean? I am you? Dentros: Stop murmuring! Here, take one of my leaves. Pour some water in it from a nearby creek, and look in the water. Aristotle: I'll do it. Dentros: What do you see? Aristotle: (in anguish) That is not who I am! Dentros: Hmm. Aristotle: Forgive me. I will destroy my arrogance with the fire of love! Dentros: Don't destroy, let. You must let things go their way - your wisdom means much to others, but we must always fear to become despots of judgement. You are a great man, Aristotle - many generations will speak your name in awe. It is in humility, however, that the true greatness is found. Faunus: Shall I also look? Dentros: Do you fear the truth? Faunus: I don't fear myself. (takes a leaf, pours water in it and looks) Dentros: What do you see? Faunus: I see a hard life...I see - it is so beautiful! Dentros: You see love. We all have that within ourselves. Dentros: Go now, both of you and spread the word. Whoever comes to me shall not be turned away, yet he must have the courage to do what is right! Tell all! (Aristotle and Pan exiunt) Aesycles: Forgive me. Dentros: There's nothing to forgive, my child. Aesycles: What did they speak of? I cannot believe my master hiding anything from me! Dentros: His intention was good. Don't blame him - your happiness has always been his utmost goal. Dentros: (hands him a leaf, pouring water in it) Here. Aesycles: I see Elysia! Dentros: You love her. Aesycles: She is my cousin! Dentros: Do you doubt your heart? Aesycles: How can she not be? Dentros: We must always doubt what we hold to be so certain. Learn to differentiate between Reality and non-Reality, my dear Aesycles! Aesycles: Who am I? Dentros: Your parents had died when you were very young. Your uncle has raised you as his own before you've been taken as an apprentice by Aristotle. Aesycles: Who were my real parents? Dentros: Protectors of the forest. They were truly great human beings who knew God and cared for his Creation. They loved you, Aesycles but the war took toll on them. Aesycles: I don't believe this! Dentros: You must accept what you cannot deny. Gods will protect you. Aesycles: I have to leave. I must be by myself. I thank you a thousands times! My friends of friends! You have healed my deepest wounds. Now, I must have patience with myself. Dentros: Beware of deceit Aesycles! Look within yourself! (Aesycles exit) SCENE IV: Elysia and her Unicorn. A garden near pasture, Elysia is sitting down combing Unicorn's hair. Elpida: You look melancholy. What's wrong? Elysia: Oh nothing. It's Aesycles. I am worried for him. Elpida: Don't bother yourself so. He loves you. Elysia: He's my cousin. We've been together since always, since we were kids - he means so much to me. I wish I knew what is troubling him, but he wouldn't tell me. Elpida: Come. I'll show you a place. Elysia: Wait! Where are you going? Elpida: Follow me!
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