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A young woman appeals to the goddess of love, Venus, for help. She says her greedy father forbids her from marrying a young man from a poor family. "If only you would send a fiery chariot to take us away to that new province," she says.
A young woman appeals to the goddess of love, Venus, for help. She says her greedy father forbids her from marrying a young man from a poor family. "If only you would send a fiery chariot to take us away to that new province," she says.
A young woman appeals to the goddess of love, Venus, for help. She says her greedy father forbids her from marrying a young man from a poor family. "If only you would send a fiery chariot to take us away to that new province," she says.
woman who is the daughter of a wealthy senator. She is kind, generous, and willful, but not very worldly. The Situation: Clara loves a young Roman man, Marcus. He is from a poor family, and her father forbids them to marry. In this scene, Clara appeals to Venus, the goddess of love and passion, for help. (This takes place around 105 A.D., before the Romans converted to Christianity.) Clara: Oh Venus, Goddess of Love, hear my plea! Give me insight to what I should do! (Clara kneels in prayer, her voice low, her head bowed as a sign of respect.) My horribly greedy and stubborn father will not permit me to marry the man I love, even though Marcus truly is a man of great honor and courage. Marcus was exceptionally valiant to ask Father for my hand in marriage, not only once, but several times! As I watched from behind the window draperies that last time, I saw Fathers face. He was so angry, I thought he would explode! If only Marcus were from a rich and noble family! Father wishes only that my marriage bring him more wealth and land; he cares not that Marcus would make me happy! Father still thinks of me as a silly puella, a girl with nothing but air between her ears. (Claras face displays scorn for her stubborn father.) He wants me to marry Graccius, that horribly fat and wrinkled old man. A man whos had more wives than years Ive lived. But Marcus, now theres a handsome young man! (Clara smiles dreamily.) Unlike Graccius, he cares for me, not just for my wealth and my looks. (She
peers around the room and spies on
the wall a mosaic of the Romans conquering Britain.) If only you would send a fiery chariot to take us away to that new province, Britannia! Please, oh powerful and merciful Goddess, help me, for surely this is a just cause! (Clara stands and, still deep in thought, bows to the image of Venus. Then, just as she is about to turn and leave, her face suddenly lights up.) Thats it! Why dont we just drive off in a chariot! What my father doesnt know cant hurt him. I know he doesnt want us to marry, but theres nothing he can do about it if we just run off before he gets wind of it. Oh, what a marvelous idea! What I wouldnt give to see Fathers face when he finds out! Though Id give more to be safely out of his control when he does learn that weve gone! (Clara giggles at the thought, the corners of her mouth turning up in a smile. Her eyes shine with delight and her face flushes with excitement.) Thank you, Sweet Goddess, for this precious, divine inspiration! If we are going to succeed with this risky scheme, I must make it as foolproof as possible. So much depends on my fathers rather convenient ability to ignore me for days at a time as if thats a punishment! Despite all our planning, I pray nothing will go wrong. This plan may have some serious flaws, but its our only hope. Thats why, dear Venus, we need your help so desperately. Please guard and keep us on our journey to Britannia! (Clara bows respectfully again, the stands up, all traces of seriousness now gone.) Now, if youll please excuse me, I have an elopement to plan and a bridegroom to surprise! (Clara bows low to the image of Venus and dashes from the