Fointama: A Play

Scene V

39 Scene V The Princess’s chamber at Fuli She is sitting down Neatly and royally dressed. She is very composed and relaxed. But it is obvious from her facial appearance that she has come up dry. She hits her fore head. Then the Prince of Belo comes in. Ayeah Is the morning good? Princess Is this where you come to find out whether your morning is good? Ayeah No noble one. I am here for peace. For my mind has lots of battles; Battles of endless ages since my rage Pushed me into exercising my irrational freedom. I am for peace That we may agree upon your discourse that will Free me from the laws of this land. I am for peace And I stand at your mercy; might and understanding That will restore my place. Please may your noble voice speak kind words to this disparate soul; Tormented by its own acts; tormented by its desire to express love and alas! Some stupid action as the Tribe will think and say and judge. I am for peace And I come for peace. 40 Princess I understand. I will and am ready to keep my part of the bargain. But I am not able to conceive a lie. You know as I do that it is a difficult and expensive art. I will need to train myself for a while to the exercise. Ayeah [To himself] You are noble but naïve. Ever since the gods climbed into the uppermost part of Boyo, nobility has resided in deceit and the ability to deal with a strong enemy and usurp his place. [To the Princess] That issue is partly solved. If you shall agree to make rumour true. This is a jungle. Princess And what rumours are going on? Ayeah The Princess was slapped. Princess What? Ayeah The Princess was slapped. Princess How did they know? Ayeah The jungle has its roles and every tale and play is revealed even without substance. The rumour continues that she was slapped by the hunter Fointama. Princess It is not true. You did this. 41 Ayeah That will mean hurting you the more. That will mean digging my grave deeper. I have no hand in this rumour. But I think it is a good opportunity for me if you apply to this rumour. Princess Then Fointama will be killed. Ayeah No one, not even the Fon of Kom can dare to request his death. He is the greatest of our hunters. Kom respects him and will do all to save his soul. Even you will fight for his rescue later. Just apply to this rumour to see my soul freed from the battles and dreams of Sowe. Princess Then I shall tell my father the rumour is true and when the game is over, you shall never come my way. Ayeah That is the deal. [Exit.] 42 ...