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The Lament of Aeneas<br />
Ariayné Hilliard<br />
Character List<br />
Aeneas<br />
Chorus (shades of Aeneas’ crew)<br />
Shade of Dido<br />
Opening Scene: The stage is empty, except for bed that will remain unnoticed<br />
until its use. The lights are low/dim and fog swirls about. There is a lone, dull<br />
spotlight fuzzily focused on Aeneas. As he restlessly paces back and forth, he<br />
mutters to himself deep in thought.<br />
Aeneas: Some would lament my condition. Some would<br />
hate my situation. I, th’ unwittng<br />
victim of the gods, have taken up<br />
arms and fought my way home. ‘Tis far too easy<br />
to run upon a sword, recall my<br />
once beloved Dido, queenly woman no<br />
warrior blood beneath her skin beat fast<br />
ruler of a nation, for a time this<br />
man too. Lord his own, founder of an<br />
empire. Old age creeps merciless, but<br />
at what cost, yes, ‘tis true an unfair contrast<br />
I do make. The gods, aye the gods! Call<br />
me forth, their choice son, bearer of a<br />
message. My heart shan’t fall prey to my<br />
mind. Aeneas, forget not yourself lest<br />
in doing so, you lose sight of your<br />
task. Pace; keep walking for once you lie down<br />
you will be as one amongst the shades. Hark,<br />
a noise? A foot fall p’rhaps? Some slight<br />
whimper reaches my feeble ears. Draw the<br />
covers round, pitiful fool, once fearless one.<br />
Steal your courage for you are but alone.<br />
Th’ encircling shadows round you come, gird<br />
your heart as a soldier of old. In bed I lie,<br />
dwell here thoughtfully. Make not a sound,<br />
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