GYCIA
Reading edition
A TRAGEDY
IN FIVE ACTS
by
LEWIS MORRIS
M.A.; HONORARY FELLOW OF JESUS COLLEGE, OXFORD
KNIGHT OF THE REDEEMER OF GREECE, ETC., ETC.
SECOND EDITION
LONDON
KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH & CO., 1, PATERNOSTER SQUARE
1886
(The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved.)
Preface
Dramatis Personæ
Act I Scene 1 Bosphorus. The King's palace.
Scene 2 Outside the palace.
Act II Scene 1 Lamachus' palace, Cherson.
Scene 2 Outside the palace of Lamachus.
Scene 3 A street in Cherson.
Scene 4 The garden without the banqueting-room.
Act III Scene 1 Cherson, two years after. The palace of Lamachus.
Scene 2 The same.
Scene 3 A room in the palace.
Scene 4 Irene's prison.
Scene 5 Outside the palace.
Act IV Scene 1 Cherson. Irene's prison.
Scene 2 Room in Lamachus's palace.
Scene 3 The council chamber of the Senate of Cherson.
Act V Scene 1 Lamachus's palace.
Scene 2 The banquet hall.
Scene 3 Outside the banquet hall.
Scene 4 The Senate-chamber.
Notices of the press
PREFACE.
The following Drama was written with a view to Stage representation, and it is therefore rather as an Acting Play than as a Dramatic Poem that it should be judged by its readers.
It follows as closely as possible the striking story recorded by Constantine Porphyrogenitus in his work, "De Administratione Imperii." Nor has the writer had occasion (except in the death of the heroine) to modify the powerful historical situations and incidents to which it is right to say his attention was first directed by his friend the well-known scholar and critic, Mr. W. Watkiss Lloyd.
The date of the story is circa 970 a.d.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
PEOPLE OF BOSPHORUS.
The King of Bosphorus.
Asander, Prince of Bosphorus.
Lysimachus, a statesman.
Megacles, a chamberlain from the Imperial Court of Constantinople.
Three Courtiers, accompanying Asander and accomplices in the plot.
Soldiers, etc.
PEOPLE OF CHERSON.
Lamachus, Archon of the Republic of Cherson.
Zetho, his successor.
Theodorus, a young noble (brother to Irene), in love with Gycia.
Bardanes, first Senator.
Ambassador to Bosphorus.
The Senators of Cherson.
Two Labourers.
Gycia, daughter of Lamachus.
Irene, a lady—her friend, in love with Asander.
Melissa, an elderly lady in waiting on Gycia.
Child, daughter of the Gaoler.
Citizens, etc.