PYGMALION, _an Athenian Sculptor_, MR. KENDAL. LEUCIPPE, _a Soldier_ MR. HOWE. CHRYSOS, _an Art Patron_ MR. BUCKSTONE. AGESIMOS, _Chrysos’s Slave_ MR. BRAID. MIMOS, _Pygmalion’s Slave_ MR. WEATHERSBY. GALATEA, _an Animated Statue_ MISS M. ROBERTSON. CYNISCA, _Pygmalion’s Wife_ MISS CAROLINE HILL. DAPHNE, _Chrysos’s Wife_ MRS. CHIPPENDALE. MYRINE, _Pygmalion’s Sister_ MISS MERTON.
⁂ _The action is comprised within the space of twenty-four hours._
[_Several classical statues are placed about the room; at the back a temple or cabinet containing a statue of GALATEA, before which curtains are drawn concealing the statue from the audience._]
[_MIMOS, a slave, is discovered at work on a half finished statue. To him enters AGESIMOS._]
_Ages._ (_haughtily_). Good day. Is this Pygmalion’s studio?
_Ages._ And has Pygmalion slaves! A sculptor with a slave to wait on him: A slave to fetch and carry--come and go-- And p’raps a whip to thrash him if he don’t! What’s the world coming to?
_Ages._ This: Chrysos will receive Pygmalion At half-past three to-day; so bid him come.
_Ages._ (_disconcerted_). Well, no I’m not. That is, not altogether: I’m, in fact, His slave.
_Ages._ (_very proudly_). My name’s Agesimos!
_Mim._ And has Agesimos a master then, To bid him fetch and carry--come and go-- And wield a whip to thrash him if he don’t? What’s the world coming to!
_Ages._ Poor purblind fool! I’d sooner tie the sandals of my lord, Than own five hundred thousand such as you. Whip! why Agesimos would rather far Be whipped by Chrysos seven times a day, Than whip you hence to the Acropolis; What say you now?
_Mim._ Why, that upon one point Agesimos and I are quite agreed. And who is Chrysos?
_Ages._ Hear the slave, ye gods! He knows not Chrysos!
_Ages._ He is the chiefest man in Athens, sir; The father of the arts--a nobleman Of princely liberality and taste, On whom five hundred starved Pygmalions May batten if they will.
_Ages._ I’m Chrysos’s slave--my name’s Agesimos. Chrysos has heard of you: he understands That you have talent, and he condescends To bid you call on him. But take good care How you offend him: he can make or mar.
_Pyg._ Your master’s slave reflects his insolence! Tell him from me that, though I’m poor enough, I am an artist and a gentleman. He should not reckon Art among his slaves: She rules the world--so let him wait on her.