ACT TWO.
Basil of Caesarea (looks up from his book).
What mean those wild cries?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
A ship from Ephesus has landed.
Basil of Caesarea.
With new disciples?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Yes.
Basil of Caesarea (rises).
Then we shall have a clamorous night. Come, Gregory; let us not look upon all that wantonness.
Gregory of Nazianzus (points out to the left).
Look there. Is that a more delightful sight?
Basil of Caesarea.
Prince Julian –; with roses in his hair, with flushed face –
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Yes, and behind him this reeling, glassy-eyed throng. Hear how their slack tongues babble with wine! They have sat the whole day in Lycon's tavern.
Basil of Caesarea.
And many among them are our own, Gregory; they are Christian youths –
Gregory of Nazianzus.
So they call themselves. Did not Lampon call himself a Christian, – he who violated the oil-merchant Zeno's daughter? And Hilarion of Agrigentum, and the two others, who did that which I am loath to name –
Prince Julian (is heard calling outside to the left).
Eia, look, look, – Castor and Pollux from Cappadocia!
Basil of Caesarea.
He has caught sight of us. I will go; I cannot bear to see him thus.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
I shall stay; he has need, surely, of a friend.
Many in the crowd.
Long live the light of Athens! Long live the lover of wisdom and eloquence!
Prince Julian.
All flattery is wasted. Not one verse more shall you have today.
Sallust of Perusia.
When our leader falls silent, we feel it empty, like the morning after a night's feast.
Prince Julian.
If it must be, then let it be something new. Let it be a trial-game.
The whole throng.
Yes, yes, yes; Prince Julian on the judgment seat!
Prince Julian.
Away with the prince, you friends –
Sallust of Perusia.
Step up, you incomparable one!
Prince Julian.
I should presume –? Yonder stands the man. Who is so versed in the law as Gregory of Nazianzus?
Sallust of Perusia.
That is true!
Prince Julian.
On the judgment seat, my wise Gregory; I am an accused man.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
I beg you, friend, leave me out of it.
Prince Julian.
On the judgment seat, I say! On the judgment seat! (to the others.) What is my crime?
Some voices.
Yes, what shall it be? Choose for yourself!
Sallust of Perusia.
Let it be something Galilean, as we ungodly call it.
Prince Julian.
Right; something Galilean. Now I have it. I have refused to pay the emperor tribute –
Many voices.
Ha-ha; not bad! Excellent!
Prince Julian.
Here I am led forth; shoved by the neck; with bound hands –
Sallust of Perusia (to Gregory).
Blind judge – yes, I mean, inasmuch as justice is blind –, behold this audacious man; he has refused to render the emperor tribute.
Prince Julian.
Allow me to cast a word into the scales of deliberation. I am a Greek citizen. How much does a Greek citizen owe the emperor?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
What the emperor demands.
Prince Julian.
Good; but how much, – yes, answer now as if the emperor himself were present in the court –, how much dare the emperor demand?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
All.
Prince Julian.
That was truly the answer, as if the emperor himself were present. But now there is a knot; for it is written: render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, – and unto God what is God's.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
And what then?
Prince Julian.
Then tell me, o shrewd judge, – how much of what is mine belongs to God?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
All.
Prince Julian.
And how much of God's property am I permitted to give the emperor?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Dear friends, no more of this game.
The disciples (amid noise and laughter).
Yes, yes; answer him!
Prince Julian.
How much of God's property dare the emperor demand?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
I will not answer. This is unseemly both toward God and the emperor. Let me get away!
Many voices.
Form a ring about him!
Prince Julian.
Hold him fast! What, you most hapless judge, you have muddled the emperor's cause, and now you would escape it? You would flee? Whither, whither? To the Scythians? Forth before me! Answer me, you budding servants of the emperor and of wisdom, – has he not sought to withdraw himself from the emperor's power?
The disciples.
Yes, yes!
Prince Julian.
And what punishment do you set for such a misdeed?
Voices.
Death! Death in a wine-vat!
Prince Julian.
Let us consider. Let us answer, as if the emperor himself were present. Where is the limit of the emperor's power?
Some in the crowd.
The emperor's power is without limit.
Prince Julian.
That I should think. But to seek to withdraw from the limitless, o you friends, is that not madness?
The disciples.
Yes, yes; the Cappadocian is mad!
Prince Julian.
And what, then, is madness? What did our forefathers judge of that condition? What did the Egyptian priests teach? And what do Maximus the mystic and the other friends of wisdom in the eastern lands say? They say that the heavenly riddle reveals itself in the madman. Our Gregory – inasmuch as he sets himself up against the emperor – is therefore in especial league with the heavenly. – Pour out wine for the Cappadocian; sing songs in our Gregory's praise; – a monument of honour for Gregory of Nazianzus!
The disciples (amid laughter and jubilation).
Praised be the Cappadocian! Praised be the Cappadocian's judge!
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Why, look, – I do believe my brother Julian is proclaiming wisdom in the open marketplace!
Prince Julian.
Say folly, my precious one; wisdom has, after all, wandered out.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Has wisdom wandered out?
Prince Julian.
Or about to wander out; for, is it not so, you too are minded to go down to Piraeus?
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
I, my brother; what should I do in Piraeus?
Prince Julian.
Our Libanius is, then, the only teacher who does not know that a ship from Ephesus has lately landed?
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Eh, friend, what do I care about that ship!
Prince Julian.
It is laden to the brim with sprouts of learning –
Libanius the teacher of wisdom (scornfully).
It comes, after all, from Ephesus!
Prince Julian.
Is the gold not equally weighty, wherever it comes from?
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Gold? Ha-ha! The golden ones Maximus keeps for himself; those he does not let go. What sort of disciples are they who usually come here from Ephesus? Tradesmen's sons, the firstborn of artisans. Gold, you say, my Julian? I say lack of gold. But this lack of gold I will turn to account, to coin from it a true and weighty gold coin for you, you young ones! Or is perhaps a profitable teaching for life, – when it is set forth in an ingenious and attractive form – not to be likened to a full-weight gold coin? –
Hear, then, if it so please you. It was said here that certain men have in haste hurried down to Piraeus? Who are they, these hasty ones? Far be it from me to name names; they call themselves lovers of wisdom and teachers of wisdom. Move yourselves now in thought down to Piraeus. What is going on there at this moment, while I stand here in your kindly listening cluster? I shall tell you what is going on. Those men, who hold themselves to love and to proclaim wisdom, they crowd together on the landing-bridge; they jostle, they wrangle, bite, forget all decency and set all decorum aside. And why? To be the first on the thwarts, – to snatch to themselves the best-dressed youths, lead them to their houses, take them in there, hoping thereafter to draw profit from them in all manner of ways. – What shamefulness, what awakening into emptiness, as after a drunkenness, when after a little while it appears – ha-ha-ha! – that those youths scarcely brought with them what was needful to pay for the arrival-feast! – Learn from this, you young ones, how ill it becomes a lover of wisdom, and how little it pays, to covet those goods which lie outside the truth.
Prince Julian.
Oh, my Libanius, when I hear you with closed eyes, then I sink down into a sweet dream that Diogenes is reborn among us.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Your mouth is princely lavish, my dearly beloved!
Prince Julian.
Nothing less. And yet I was near to breaking off your speech; for this time at least one of your brethren will hardly feel disappointed.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
My friend jests.
Prince Julian.
Your friend assures you that the governor Milon's two sons are aboard.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom (grasps him by the sleeve).
What do you say?
Prince Julian.
That successor of Diogenes who has them to bring up will hardly have need, for poverty's sake, to drink from the hollow hand.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
The governor Milon's sons! That noble Milon, who sent the emperor seven Persian horses with saddle-gear sewn with pearls –
Prince Julian.
Many found that it was too paltry a gift for Milon.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Very true. Milon should have sent a poem; or he should have sent a well-composed speech or a letter. Milon is a richly endowed man; the whole of the governor Milon's kin is richly endowed.
Prince Julian.
Most of all the two youths.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
That I can well believe. The gods grant, for the sake of the benevolent and generous father, that they may fall into good hands! So you were right after all, o Julian; the ship truly brought gold from Ephesus. For are not the gifts of the spirit the genuine gold? But I have no peace within me; these young men's welfare is in truth an important matter; so much depends on who first gets hold of them. My young friends, if you think as I do, then let us reach these two strangers a guiding hand, help them to make the most profitable choice of teacher and lodging and –
Sallust of Perusia.
I am with you!
The disciples.
To Piraeus! To Piraeus!
Sallust of Perusia.
We shall hew like wild boars for Milon's sons!
Prince Julian (follows them with his eyes).
See how they frolic, like a herd of fauns. How they lick the corners of their mouths in lust after the meal that will be had tonight. (turns to Gregory.) Had they at this moment a sigh to God, it should be that he would empty their bellies of their breakfast.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Julian –
Prince Julian.
Just look at me; I am sober.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
I know it. You are temperate in all things. And yet you live this life along with them.
Prince Julian.
Why not? Do you or I know when the lightning will strike? Why, then, not live one bright sunny day? Do you forget that I have dragged out both my childhood and my first years of youth in a golden slavery? It had become a habit to me, yes, I may say a kind of necessity, to feel that certain dread over me. And now? This grave-stillness on the emperor's side; – this lurking dumbness! I left Pergamon without the emperor's consent; the emperor kept silent about it. I went on my own to Nicomedia; I lived there and learned both from Nicocles and from the others; the emperor let it happen. I came to Athens, sought out Libanius, whom the emperor had forbidden me to see; – the emperor has kept silent to this day. How shall I interpret this?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
You shall interpret it in love, Julian!
Prince Julian.
Oh, you do not know –! I hate this power outside me, terrible when it acts, – yet more terrible when it rests.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Be honest, friend, and tell me whether it is only this that has led you onto all those strange paths.
Prince Julian.
What do you mean by strange paths?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Is it true, what rumour says, – that you spend your nights exploring the heathen mysteries in Eleusis?
Prince Julian.
Ah, what! I can assure you, there is little to be gained from those riddle-loving dreamers. Let us speak no more of it.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
So it is true after all! Oh, Julian, how could you seek this shameful intercourse!
Prince Julian.
I must live, Gregory, – and this here at the school of wisdom, it is not life. This Libanius! I shall never forgive him that I have loved him so dearly! Did I not, on my arrival, go humble and trembling with joy before that man, bow before him, kiss him and call him my great brother.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Yes, it was all Christians' opinion that you carried it too far.
Prince Julian.
And yet I came here with solemnity in my soul. I saw in the spirit a mighty struggle between us two, – the truth of the world, which should wrestle against the truth of God. – What has it come to? Libanius has never in earnest wanted this struggle. He has never wanted any struggle at all; he wants only his own. I tell you, Gregory, – Libanius is no great man.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Yet all enlightened Hellas cries out that he is.
Prince Julian.
And yet he is no great man, I tell you. A single time have I seen Libanius great; it was that night in Constantinople. Then he was great, because he had suffered a great wrong, and because a lofty wrath filled him. But here! Oh, what have I not here been witness to! Libanius has great learning, but he is no great man. Libanius is greedy; he is vain; he is inflamed with envy. Or do you think he could have endured the renown that I, – admittedly in great part through my friends' indulgence – have been so fortunate as to acquire? Come to Libanius, and he can reckon up for you the essence and marks of all the virtues. He has them ready to hand, just as he has the books in his book-hall. But does he practise these virtues? Is his life like his teaching? He a successor of Socrates and of Plato, – ha-ha! Did he not flatter the emperor before he was driven out? Did he not flatter me at our meeting in Constantinople, that meeting which he has since made a most unfortunate attempt to set in a ridiculous light! And what am I to him now? Now he writes letters to Gallus, to Caesar Gallus, to the emperor's heir, and wishes him joy of his progress against the Persians, although this progress has hitherto been paltry enough and although Caesar Gallus distinguishes himself neither by learning nor by any notable eloquence. – And this Libanius the Greeks persist in calling the king of the lovers of wisdom! Ah, I will not deny that this vexes me. I did think, to tell the truth, that the Greeks should have been able to make a better choice, if they fixed their eyes a little more on those cultivators of wisdom and eloquence who in recent years –
Basil of Caesarea (comes from the right side).
Letters! Letters from Cappadocia!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
For me too?
Basil of Caesarea.
See here; from your mother.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
My pious mother!
Prince Julian (to Basil).
Is it your sister who writes?
Basil of Caesarea (who has come with his own letter open).
Yes, it is Macrina. She reports both heavy and strange tidings.
Prince Julian.
Which; which?
Basil of Caesarea.
First of your exalted brother Gallus. He exercises a stern rule in Antioch.
Prince Julian.
Yes, Gallus is hard. – Does Macrina write «stern rule»?
Basil of Caesarea (looks at him).
Macrina writes «bloody» –
Prince Julian.
Ah, I thought as much! Why did the emperor give him this dissolute widow, this Constantina, in marriage!
Gregory of Nazianzus (reading).
Oh, what unheard-of infamy!
Prince Julian.
What is it, friend?
Gregory of Nazianzus (to Basil).
Does Macrina mention nothing of what is going on in Antioch?
Basil of Caesarea.
Nothing more particular. What is it? You are pale –
Gregory of Nazianzus.
You knew, surely, the noble Clematius, the Alexandrian?
Basil of Caesarea.
Yes, yes; what is the matter with him?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
He is murdered, Basil!
Basil of Caesarea.
What do you say! Murdered?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
I call it murdered; – they have executed him without law or judgment.
Prince Julian.
Who? Who has executed him?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Yes, who? How can I say who? My mother relates the circumstances thus: Clematius's mother-in-law had been inflamed with an impure love for her daughter's husband; but when she could get nowhere with him, she gained for herself, through a back door, admittance to the palace –
Prince Julian.
Which palace?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
My mother writes only the palace.
Prince Julian.
Well? And then –?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
One knows only that there she presented to a distinguished and powerful woman a very costly jewel, to bring about a death-sentence –
Prince Julian.
Ah, but that they did not get!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
They got it, Julian!
Prince Julian.
Oh, Jesus!
Basil of Caesarea.
Terrible! And Clematius –?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
The death-sentence was sent to the governor Honoratus. This weak man did not dare to oppose so high a command. Clematius was imprisoned and executed early the next morning, without his being able, as my mother writes, to open his mouth in defence.
Prince Julian (softly and pale).
Burn these dangerous letters; they can bring us all into misfortune.
Basil of Caesarea.
Such open violence; in the midst of a great city! Where are we; where are we?
Prince Julian.
Yes, well may you ask, where are we! A Christian murderer, a Christian harlot, a Christian –
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Complaints do not mend this matter. What do you intend to do?
Prince Julian.
I? I will go no more to Eleusis; I will break off all intercourse with the heathens, and thank the Lord my God that he took the temptation of power from me.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Good; but then?
Prince Julian.
I do not understand you –
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Then hear. You must not think the murder of Clematius is enough. This unheard-of deed of infamy has struck down like a plague over Antioch. All evil wakes up and swarms forth from its hiding-holes. My mother writes that it is as if a stinking abyss had opened. Wives denounce their husbands, sons denounce their fathers, the priests their own congregation-members –
Prince Julian.
This will spread further. The abomination will corrupt us all. – Oh, Gregory, if I could flee to the world's end –!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Your place is at the world's navel, Prince Julian!
Prince Julian.
What do you demand?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
You are this bloody Caesar's brother. Step forth before him, – he calls himself a Christian, after all. Cast his deed in his face; strike him to the ground in terror and remorse –
Prince Julian (shrinking back).
Madman, what are you thinking!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Do you hold your brother dear? Will you save him?
Prince Julian.
I held Gallus dear as no one else.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
You held –?
Prince Julian.
As long as he was only my brother. But now –; is he not Caesar? Gregory, – Basil, – oh you precious friends, – I tremble for my life, I breathe in dread of Caesar Gallus. And I should think of stepping before his eyes, I, whose mere existence is a danger to him!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Why did you come to Athens? You had it proclaimed with great pomp over the lands: Prince Julian travels from Constantinople to fight against the false wisdom, – to uphold the Christian truth against the lie of heathendom. What have you accomplished in that respect?
Prince Julian.
Oh, it was not here either that the battle was to be fought.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
No, it was not here; – not with phrase against phrase, not with book against book, not with the word's fencing game in the lecture-hall! No, Julian, it is out in life that you shall come forth, with life in your hands –
Prince Julian.
I see it; I see it!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Yes, as Libanius sees it! Him you mocked. He knew the essence and marks of all virtues; but the teaching was to him only a teaching. How much of what is yours belongs to God? How much dare the emperor demand?
Prince Julian.
You said yourself, it was blasphemy –
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Against whom? Against God or the emperor?
Prince Julian (quickly).
Very well; shall we go together?
Gregory of Nazianzus (declining).
I have my little circle; I have my kin to protect. Further than that goes neither my power nor my abilities.
Prince Julian (would answer; suddenly he listens toward the right and cries):
To the bacchanal!
Basil of Caesarea.
Julian!
Prince Julian.
To the bacchanal, you friends!
Basil of Caesarea (nearer).
Julian, will you hear me?
Prince Julian.
Look, look! They have led their new friends into the bath, – anointed their hair. See how they swing the cudgels; how they howl and beat on the cobblestones. What do you say, Pericles? I think I perceive your wrathful shade –
Basil of Caesarea.
Come, come!
Prince Julian.
Ah, see him whom they drive naked among them. Now come dancing-girls. Ah, do you see what –!
Basil of Caesarea.
Fie, fie; – turn your eye away!
Prince Julian (after a short silence).
Tell me, Basil, why was the heathen sin so beautiful?
Basil of Caesarea.
You err, friend; the heathen sin has been beautifully sung and told of; but it was not beautiful.
Prince Julian.
Oh, what do you say? Was Alcibiades not beautiful when, hot with wine, he stormed like a young god through the streets of Athens at night-time? Was he not beautiful in his defiance, when he mocked Hermes and hammered on the citizens' doors, – when he called out for their wives and daughters, while the women within trembled and in sighing breathless silence wished for nothing so much as to –
Basil of Caesarea.
Oh, I beg you imploringly, lend me your ear.
Prince Julian.
Was Socrates not beautiful at the symposium? And Plato and all the merry carousing brothers! And yet they did things that those Christian half-swine over there would swear before God they were innocent of, if anyone accused them of it. And think besides of Oedipus, Medea, Leda –
Basil of Caesarea.
Poetry, poetry; – you mix poetry and truth together.
Prince Julian.
Have not the minds and wills of poetry the conditions of created beings? And look then to our holy scriptures, both the older and the new. Was sin beautiful in Sodom and Gomorrah? Did not Jehovah's fire avenge what Socrates did not shrink back from? – Oh, when I live this life in storm and revel, then I often think on whether truth might be beauty's enemy.
Basil of Caesarea.
And in such an hour can you sigh after beauty? Have you so easily forgotten what you lately heard –?
Prince Julian (covers his ears).
Not a word more of those horrors! All that from Antioch we will shake off. – –
Tell me, what does Macrina write further? There was something else; I think you said –; what did you call the other tidings?
Basil of Caesarea.
Strange.
Prince Julian.
Yes, yes; – what was it?
Basil of Caesarea.
She writes of Maximus in Ephesus –
Prince Julian (animated)
The mystic?
Basil of Caesarea.
Yes, this enigmatic man. Now he has turned up again; this time in Ephesus. All the surrounding regions are in ferment. Maximus is named on all lips. Either he is a mountebank, or he stands in an ill-boding pact with certain spirits. Even Christians are strangely drawn by his blasphemous signs and deeds.
Prince Julian.
More, more; I beg you!
Basil of Caesarea.
There is no more of him. Macrina writes only that in Maximus's reappearance she sees a testimony that we are under the Lord's wrath. She believes that great tribulations lie before us for our sins' sake.
Prince Julian.
Yes, yes, yes! – Hear, Basil, she must surely be a rare woman, your sister.
Basil of Caesarea.
In truth, she is.
Prince Julian.
When you impart to me from her letter, then it is as if I perceived something whole and full, that I had long sighed after. Tell me, is she still minded to turn away from the world and to live in a desolate region?
Basil of Caesarea.
That thought stands always firm with her.
Prince Julian.
Truly? She, over whom all gifts seem to be strewn down? She, who is said to be both young and beautiful; she, who has riches in waiting and who commands a – for a woman to possess – most unusual learning! Do you know, Basil, that I burn to see her? – What does she want in the solitude?
Basil of Caesarea.
I have told you, after all, her bridegroom died. She holds him to be her waiting husband, to whom she owes all her thoughts and whom she is bound to meet pure.
Prince Julian.
Strange, how many are drawn toward the solitude in these times. – When you write to Macrina, you can tell her that I too –
Basil of Caesarea.
She knows it, Julian; but she does not believe it.
Prince Julian.
Why not? What does she write?
Basil of Caesarea.
I beg you, friend, spare me –
Prince Julian.
If you hold me dear, then you will not conceal a word of what she writes!
Basil of Caesarea (hands him the letter).
You will it; – read; it begins there.
Prince Julian (reads).
«Every time you write of the emperor's young kinsman, who is your friend, then my mind is filled with a great and radiant joy –». Oh, Basil, be you my eye; read on for me.
Basil of Caesarea (reads).
«Your account of all the confident certainty with which he came to Athens was to me like an image from the time of the old scriptures. Yes, I believe he is the reborn David, who shall strike down the heathens' champions. God's spirit be over him in the strife and all his days».
Prince Julian (grasps him by the arm).
Let that be enough of this! She too? What is it that you all, as if with one mouth, demand of me? Have I given you any bond of debt to wrestle with the lions of power –?
Basil of Caesarea.
Whence comes it that all believers in breathless expectation look toward you?
Prince Julian (walks a couple of times up and down in the colonnade, stops and reaches for the letter).
Give it here; let me see. (reads ) «God's spirit be over him in the strife and all his days». –
Oh, Basil, if I could –! But I feel myself like that Daedalus between heaven and sea. A dizzying height and an engulfing depth –. What meaning is there in these voices that cry to me from east and west that I shall save Christianity? Where is it, this Christianity that is to be saved? Is it with the emperor or with Caesar? I think their deeds cry out: no, no! Is it with the mighty and the distinguished, – with these lustful half-men of the court, who fold their hands over the sated belly and pipe: is the Son of God then created out of nothing? Or is it with the enlightened, with those who, like you and me, have drunk beauty and learning from the heathen springs? Do not most of these our brothers incline to the Arian heresy, for which the emperor himself has so great a fondness? And now the whole ragged rabble in the realm, – all those who rage against the temples, who murder heathens and heathens' kin! Is it for Christ's sake? Ha-ha! afterward they fall to blows among themselves over the slain ones' leavings. – You may ask Macrina whether Christianity is to be sought in the solitude, – on the pillar, where the pillar-saint stands on one leg. Or is it in the cities? Perhaps with those bakers in Constantinople, who lately fought with their fists to settle the question whether the Trinity consists of three persons or of three hypostases! – Which of all these would Christ care to take into his mouth, if he descended to earth again? – Forth with the lantern of Diogenes, Basil! Light up in this gloom of night. – Where is Christianity?
Basil of Caesarea.
Seek the answer there, where it was to be found in all frail times.
Prince Julian.
Do not close up the well of your knowledge! Slake my thirst, if you can. Where shall I seek and find?
Basil of Caesarea.
In the writings of the holy men.
Prince Julian.
The same answer of despair. Books, – always books! Came I to Libanius, then it rang out: books, books! Come I to you, – books, books, books! Stones for bread! I cannot use books; – it is life I hunger for, communion, face to face with the spirit. Was Saul made to see by a book? Was it not a flood of light that struck toward him, a vision, a voice –!
Basil of Caesarea.
Do you forget the vision and the voice that that Agathon from Macellum –?
Prince Julian.
An enigmatic message; an oracle-cry that I cannot interpret. Was I the chosen one? The realm's heir, it said. And which realm –? A thousand doubts brood over that matter. This only I know: the lion's den is not in Athens. But where, where? Oh, I grope like Saul in the night. If Christ wants something of me, then he must speak plainly. The finger in the nail-wound –
Basil of Caesarea.
And yet it is written –
Prince Julian (throws out his hand).
I know all that is written. This matter of the written word, it is not truth in the flesh. Do you not feel disgust and nausea, as if aboard a ship in a dead calm, tossed about between life, scripture, heathen wisdom and beauty? There must come a new revelation. Or a revelation of something new. It must, I say; – the time is at hand. – Yes, a revelation! Oh, Basil, could you pray it down over me! The blood-death, if so it must be –! The blood-death –, ah, I reel in its sweetness; the crown of thorns about my temple –! (he grasps his head with both hands, takes hold of the rose-wreath, which he tears off, collects himself a long while and says softly:) This one. I had forgotten it. (throws the wreath away.) One single thing have I learned in Athens.
Basil of Caesarea.
What, Julian?
Prince Julian.
The old beauty is no longer beautiful, and the new truth no longer true.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom (still at a distance).
Now we have him; now we have him!
Prince Julian.
Him? I thought you had them both.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Which two?
Prince Julian.
Milon's sons.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Ah, yes, them I have too. But we have him, my Julian!
Prince Julian.
Who, precious brother?
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
He has caught himself in his own net!
Prince Julian.
Aha, – a wise man, then?
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
The adversary of all wisdom.
Prince Julian.
Who, who, I ask?
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Do you really not know it? Have you not heard the news of Maximus?
Prince Julian.
Of Maximus? Oh, have the goodness –
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
To that it had to come with this restless enthusiast, – step by step, into madness –
Prince Julian.
In other words: into the highest wisdom.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Yes, such may be said. But now it is a matter of acting and seizing the moment. You, our highly esteemed Julian, you are the man. You are the emperor's near kinsman. The hope of all true friends of wisdom is directed at you, both here and in Nicomedia –
Prince Julian.
Listen, o excellent Libanius, – inasmuch as I am not all-knowing –
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Then learn that Maximus has lately stepped forth openly with that which lies at the bottom of his teaching.
Prince Julian.
And for that you blame him?
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
He has declared that he can command spirits and shades.
Prince Julian (seizes his cloak).
Libanius!
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
All on the ship were full of the most wondrous tales, and here (brings forth a letter) here my brother Eusebius writes in detail of the matter.
Prince Julian.
Spirits and shades –
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
In Ephesus Maximus has lately, in a great assembly, both of followers and of adversaries, practised forbidden arts with Hecate's statue. It happened in the goddess's temple. Eusebius writes that he himself was present, and was witness to everything, from first to last. It was raven-black night around them. Maximus spoke strange incantations; thereupon he sang a hymn that no one understood. Then the marble torch kindled itself in the statue's hand –
Basil of Caesarea.
Ungodly work!
Prince Julian (breathless).
And then –?
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
And in the strong bluish light they all saw that the statue's face took life and smiled toward them.
Prince Julian.
What more?
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
Terror gripped the minds of most. All rushed toward the exit. Many have lain in sickness or delirium afterward. But he himself, – would you believe it, Julian? – in spite of the fate that struck both his brothers in Constantinople, presses on along his dangerous and offensive way.
Prince Julian.
Offensive? Do you call this way an offensive way? Does not the goal of all wisdom issue in this? Communion between spirit and spirit –
Basil of Caesarea.
Oh, precious erring friend –!
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
More than offensive, I say! What is Hecate? What are the gods at all to the understanding of the enlightened? Happily we do not live, after all, in the time of that old blind singer. Maximus ought to know better than that. Has not Plato – and after him the rest of us – cast the light of interpretation over the whole? Is it not offensive, now, in these our own days, again to want to wrap up in riddles and misty dreams this admirable, tangible and, I dare well say, laboriously erected edifice of concept and of exposition, which we, as the lovers of wisdom, as the school, as –
Prince Julian (impetuously).
Farewell, Basil! I glimpse a light on my way!
Basil of Caesarea (throws his arms about him).
I will not let you go; I hold you fast!
Prince Julian (twists himself free of him).
No one holds me; – kick not against the pricks –
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
What a fit of madness! Friend, brother, brother in the faith, where would you go?
Prince Julian.
There, there, where torches kindle and where statues smile!
Libanius the teacher of wisdom.
And that you could do! You, Julian, you, our pride, our light, our hope, – you would hasten to this blinded Ephesus to give yourself into a mountebank's power! Know that in the same moment that you abase yourself so deeply, in the same moment you have stripped from yourself the glorious renown for learning and for eloquence which you in these years both in Pergamon and in Nicomedia and especially here at the academy of Athens –
Prince Julian.
Oh, school, school! Stay you with your books; – now you have pointed out the man I was seeking.
Libanius the teacher of wisdom (looks a while after him).
This princely youth is dangerous to scholarship.
Basil of Caesarea (half to himself).
Prince Julian is dangerous to more.
ACT THREE.
Eutherius the steward.
Yes, yes; I assure you, it is all true.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Impossible! Do not make mock of us.
Basil of Caesarea.
You jest, friend! How can your master be expecting us? No one knew of our departure from Athens; no halt delayed us on the way; we have sailed in a race with the clouds and the wild cranes.
Eutherius the steward.
Look about you; see the table there. On ordinary days he lives on herbs and bread.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Yes, undeniably; every sense bears you out; – the wine-jugs, twined about with flowers and greenery; lamps and fruits; the incense that fills the hall with its scent; the flute-players before the house-door –
Eutherius the steward.
Early this morning he had me called. He seemed to be unusually glad; for he walked up and down the floor and rubbed his hands. «Prepare an abundant meal», he said, «for before evening two friends will come from Athens –»
Basil of Caesarea.
Is he there?
Eutherius the steward (nods in answer; then he gives the servants a sign to withdraw; they go out through the larger door on the right; he himself follows after).
Prince Julian (goes toward them and greets them with great vehemence).
I see you! I have you! Thanks, thanks, that your spirit flew on ahead of your bodies!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Julian!
Basil of Caesarea.
My friend and brother!
Prince Julian.
I have been like a languishing lover for your handclasp. The court-vermin, coveting the approval of certain folk, called me an ape; – oh, had I but the ape's four hands, that I might press your four at once!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
But explain –; your servants meet us with flute-playing before the house-door, would lead us to the bath, would anoint our hair and adorn us with roses –
Prince Julian.
I saw you last night. It was full moon, you know, – and then the spirit is always so wondrously active in me. Within, at my table, I sat in the book-hall and had fallen asleep, weary, oh, you friends, so weary of searching and writing. Then the house was filled as if by a storm; the curtain lifted fluttering upward, and I looked out into the night, far over the sea. I heard sweet song; but those from whom the song came were two great birds with women's faces. They cut in slanting flight toward the coast; there they sank gently down; the bird-shapes dissolved like a whitish mist, and in a soft dawning gleam I saw you two.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Are you sure of all this?
Prince Julian.
Were you thinking of me; were you speaking of me last night?
Basil of Caesarea.
Yes, yes, – forward in the ship –
Prince Julian.
What time of night was it?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
What time of night did you have that vision?
Prince Julian.
An hour after midnight.
Gregory of Nazianzus (with a glance at Basil).
Wondrous.
Prince Julian (rubs his hands; up and down the floor).
You see! Ha-ha; you see, do you not?
Basil of Caesarea (follows him with his eyes).
Oh, then it is true after all –
Prince Julian.
Which? What is true?
Basil of Caesarea.
The rumour of the secret arts that you practise here.
Prince Julian.
Eh, what can rumour not exaggerate? – But what does rumour say of me, by the way? I have been told that many rumours are abroad about me. If I cared to put faith in the assurance of certain people, then I would have to believe there were few men in the realm of whom so much is spoken as of me.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
That you may safely believe.
Prince Julian.
And what then does Libanius say to all this? It was always unwelcome to him that the multitude should busy itself with anyone other than him. And what do the many unforgettable friends in Athens say besides? One knows well enough that I am in the disfavour of both the emperor and the whole court?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
You? I do regularly hear news from the court-camp; but of that my brother Caesarius writes nothing.
Prince Julian.
I cannot read it otherwise, good Gregory! On every side they think it advisable to keep an eye on me. Lately Caesar Gallus sent his house-priest Aëtius here to find out whether I hold fast to the unadulterated doctrine.
Basil of Caesarea.
And then –?
Prince Julian.
I do not lightly neglect any morning devotion in the church. I also reckon the martyrs among the most excellent of men; for it is in truth no small matter to suffer such great pains, yes, even death, for the sake of one's opinions. On the whole I do believe that Aëtius was well satisfied with me when he departed.
Basil of Caesarea (grasps his hand).
Julian, – for the sake of our heartfelt friendship, – speak openly of your position.
Prince Julian.
I am the happiest son of earth, you dear friends! And Maximus, – yes, he bears his name by right, – Maximus is the greatest who has ever lived.
Gregory of Nazianzus (prepares to go).
We only wished to see you, lord!
Prince Julian.
Can this make brother so strange toward brother? You shrink in dread from the enigmatic. Oh, yes, it does not surprise me. Thus I too shrank, before I became seeing and before I divined that which is the kernel of life.
Basil of Caesarea.
What do you call the kernel of life?
Prince Julian.
Maximus knows it. In him is the new revelation.
Basil of Caesarea.
And it has fallen to your lot?
Prince Julian.
Almost. I stand close beside it. This very night Maximus has promised me –
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Maximus is a visionary, or he deceives you –!
Prince Julian.
How dare you judge of the hidden things? This is not for your learning, my Gregory! The way into the great glory is terrible. Those dreamers in Eleusis were near the right track; Maximus found the track, and I after him – by his hand. I have wandered through dark ravines. A heavy swampy water was on my left side; – I believe it was a stream that had forgotten to flow. Sharp voices spoke confusedly, suddenly, and as if without any cause in the night. Now and then I saw a bluish light; terrible figures brushed past me; – I walked on and on in the terror of death; but I withstood the trial. –
Since, since, – oh, you precious ones – with this my body transformed into spirit I have been far within the regions of paradise; the angels have sung their hymns of praise for me; I have beheld the midmost light –
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Woe upon this ungodly Maximus! Woe upon this heathen mountebank forfeited to the devil!
Prince Julian.
Blindness, blindness! Maximus reveres his brother who went before; he reveres both those great brothers, both the lawgiver from Sinai and the seer from Nazareth. – –
Do you know how the spirit of knowledge filled me? – It happened one night during prayer and fasting. Then I perceived that I was caught up far – far out into space and out of time; for it was high sun-quivering day about me, and I stood alone upon a ship with slack sails in the midst of the bright radiant Greek sea. The islands towered, like thin, congealed layers of cloud, far away, and the ship lay heavy, as if it slept, upon the wine-blue plain. –
Behold, then this plain grew more and more transparent, lighter, thinner; at last it was there no more, and my ship hung over an empty terrible abyss. No green, no sun down there, – only the dead, slimy, black sea-bottom in all its loathsome nakedness. –
But above, in the infinite vault that before had seemed to me emptiness, – there was life; there the invisible took forms and the stillness took tones. – Then I grasped the great redeeming knowledge.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
What knowledge do you mean?
Prince Julian.
That which is, is not; and that which is not, is.
Basil of Caesarea.
Oh, you are squandered and lost in this web of light and mists!
Prince Julian.
I? Do not signs and wonders happen? Do not both omens and certain strange occurrences among the stars proclaim that the divine will has something yet undisclosed in mind concerning me?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Believe not such signs; you cannot know whose work they are.
Prince Julian.
Should I not believe in auspicious signs that have already confirmed themselves?
I may let you know, you friends, that a great upheaval is at the door. Caesar Gallus and I shall before long come to share the dominion over the world, – he as emperor, and I as –, yes, what shall I call it? The unborn cannot, after all, be named by name; for it has none. Therefore no more of this before the fullness of time. But of Caesar I may well speak. – Do you know anything of that vision for which the citizen Apollinaris in Sidon has been imprisoned and tortured?
Basil of Caesarea.
No, no; how can we know –?
Prince Julian.
Apollinaris has declared that he heard someone knock repeatedly on the door at night. He then rose and went outside the house; and behold, – out there he caught sight of a figure, – man or woman –, he did not know. And the figure spoke to him and bade him procure a purple robe, such as newly chosen rulers wear them. But when Apollinaris in terror would refuse so dangerous a thing, the figure was there no more, and only a voice cried: go, go, Apollinaris, and get the purple robe quickly ready!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Was it this sign you just said had confirmed itself?
Prince Julian (nods slowly).
Seven days later Caesar's wife died in Bithynia. Constantina has always been his evil angel; therefore she had now to depart, according to the change that has come about in the divine will. Three weeks after Constantina's death the emperor's envoy, the tribune Scudilo, came with a great retinue to Antioch, showed Caesar Gallus imperial honour and bade him, in the emperor's name, to be a guest at the court-camp in Rome. – Caesar's journey is now like a conqueror's procession through the lands. In Constantinople he has held races in the hippodrome, and the multitude cheered loudly when he, though as yet but Caesar in name, stepped forth in the manner of the emperors of old and handed the wreath to that Corax who won the race. So wondrously does God again exalt our race, which was sunk under sin and persecution.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Strange. In Athens other rumours were abroad.
Prince Julian.
I have sure knowledge. There is urgent need of the purple robe, Gregory! And should I then doubt the things Maximus has foretold as near at hand for me? Tonight the last veil falls. Here within, the great riddle shall be revealed. Oh, stay with me, my brothers, – stay with me in these night-hours of dread and expectation! When Maximus comes, you shall be witness to –
Basil of Caesarea.
Never!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
It cannot be; we are on our homeward journey to Cappadocia.
Prince Julian.
And what has so abruptly driven you from Hellas?
Basil of Caesarea.
My mother is a widow, Julian!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
My father is weak both in health and in mind; he surely needs a support.
Prince Julian.
Oh, but stay at the inn; only till tomorrow –!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Impossible; our travelling-party sets out at daybreak.
Prince Julian.
At daybreak? Before midnight the day might dawn for you.
Basil of Caesarea.
Julian, let me not go away in all too great dread. Tell me, – when Maximus has interpreted all riddles for you, – what then?
Prince Julian.
Do you recall that river Strabo writes of, – that river which has its sources on the Libyan mountain? It grows and grows in its course; but when it is at its greatest, it seeps out into the desert sand and buries itself in that mother-womb of earth from which it sprang.
Basil of Caesarea.
Surely you do not yearn toward death, Julian!
Prince Julian.
What you in bondage hope for beyond death, that is just what the great mystery aims to procure for all the initiated here in our earthly life. It is restoration that Maximus and his disciples seek, – it is the forfeited likeness to the godhead. Why so doubting, you brothers? Why do you stand there, as if before something insurmountable? I know what I know. In each of the changing generations there has been one soul in which the pure Adam was reborn; he was strong in the lawgiver Moses; he had the power to make the earth subject to him in Alexander the Macedonian; he was almost perfect in Jesus of Nazareth. But behold, Basil, (he grasps him by the arm) they all lacked what is promised to me, – the pure woman!
Basil of Caesarea (tears himself loose).
Julian, Julian!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
You blasphemer, – thither has your heart's pride drawn you!
Basil of Caesarea.
Oh, Gregory, he is sick and deluded!
Prince Julian.
Why all this scornful doubt? Is it my slender stature that bears witness against me? Ha-ha; I tell you, this coarse fleshly race shall pass away. That which is to come shall be conceived more of the spirit than of the body. In the first Adam there was equilibrium, as in those images of the god Apollo. Since then there has been no equilibrium. Had not Moses a stammering tongue? Did not his arms have to be supported when he was to hold them up in exhortation yonder by the Red Sea? Did not the Macedonian regularly need to be fired by means of certain strong drinks and other artificial aids? And now Jesus of Nazareth? Had he not a frail body? Did he not fall asleep on the ship, while the others yet kept awake? Did he not sink down under the cross, that cross which the Jew Simon bore with ease? The two robbers did not sink down. – You call yourselves believers, and yet have so little faith in the revealing power of the wondrous. Wait, wait, – you shall see; – the bride shall surely be granted me, and then –, hand in hand we will go toward the east, thither where some say that Helios is born, – into the solitude, hide ourselves, as the godhead hides itself, seek the grove by the banks of the Euphrates, find it, and there –, oh, glorification – from there a new race in beauty and equilibrium shall go out over the earth; there, you scripture-bound doubters, there shall the empire of the spirit be founded!
Basil of Caesarea.
Oh, I must indeed wring my hands in sorrow over you. Are you that same Julian who three years ago departed from Constantinople!
Prince Julian.
In that time I was blind, as you are now; I knew only the way that stops at doctrine.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Do you know where your way stops?
Prince Julian.
Where the way and the goal are one. – For the last time, Gregory, Basil, – I implore you, stay with me. The vision I had last night, – both it and much else, points to an enigmatic bond between us. To you, my Basil, I had so much to say. You are, after all, the head of your kindred; and who knows whether all that is alluring promised to me –; whether not through you and in your house –
Basil of Caesarea.
Never! With my will none shall be led into your madness and into your wild dreams.
Prince Julian.
Ah, what do you speak of will? I espy a writing hand on the wall; soon I shall interpret the writing.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Come, Basil!
Prince Julian (with outstretched arms).
Oh, you friends; you friends!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Between us there is a parting from this day.
Prince Julian (looks after them a while).
Yes, go! Go, go! – What do you two learned men know! What do you bring with you from the city of wisdom? You, my strong defiant Gregory, – and you, Basil, more maiden than man, – you know only two streets in Athens, the street to the school and the street to the church; the third street, over Eleusis and beyond, that you do not know, and still less –. Ah!
Maximus the mystic (goes, without heeding Julian, over to the veiled object, stops and gives the servants a sign; they withdraw soundlessly).
Prince Julian (softly).
At last!
Maximus the mystic (draws the cloth away; one sees a bronze lamp on a high tripod; then he brings out a little silver jar and pours oil into the lamp-bowl. The lamp lights itself of its own accord and burns with a strong reddish gleam).
Prince Julian (in tense expectation).
Is the time come?
Maximus the mystic (without looking at him).
Are your mind and your body pure?
Prince Julian.
I have fasted and anointed myself.
Maximus the mystic.
Then the night's festival may begin!
Prince Julian.
Maximus, – what is this?
Maximus the mystic.
Roses in the hair! Sparkling wine! See, see yonder the fair limbs at play!
Prince Julian.
And in the very midst of this tumult of the senses you would –?
Maximus the mystic.
Sin is only in your view of the sinful.
Prince Julian.
Roses in the hair! Pearling wine!
Ah, what was in the wine?
Maximus the mystic.
A glow of the fire that Prometheus stole.
Prince Julian.
My senses exchange their functions; I hear brightness and I see tones.
Maximus the mystic.
The wine is the soul of the grape. The freed, voluntary prisoner. Logos in Pan!
The dancing girls (sing in the forecourt).
Prince Julian (drinks).
Yes, yes, there is liberation in the intoxication. Can you interpret this bliss?
Maximus the mystic.
The intoxication is your wedding with the soul of nature.
Prince Julian.
Sweet riddle; tempting, alluring –! What was that? Why did you laugh?
Maximus the mystic.
I?
Prince Julian.
There is whispering at my left side! The silk cushion crackles –
Maximus, we are not alone!
Maximus the mystic (calls).
We are five at table!
Prince Julian.
A symposium with the spirits!
Maximus the mystic.
With the shades.
Prince Julian.
Name my guests!
Maximus the mystic.
Not now. Hark, hark!
Prince Julian.
What is it? It roars like a storm through the house –
Maximus the mystic (shrieks).
Julian! Julian! Julian!
Prince Julian.
Speak, speak! What is happening to us?
Maximus the mystic.
The hour of annunciation is upon you!
Prince Julian (springs up and shrinks far back from the table).
Ah!
Maximus the mystic (throws himself wholly down).
The eye toward the light!
Prince Julian.
Yonder?
Maximus the mystic.
Yes, yes!
The girls' song (muted from the forecourt).
Prince Julian (stares toward the gleam of light).
Maximus! Maximus!
Maximus the mystic (softly).
Do you see anything?
Prince Julian.
Yes.
Maximus the mystic.
What do you see?
Prince Julian.
I see a shining face in the light.
Maximus the mystic.
Man or woman?
Prince Julian.
I do not know.
Maximus the mystic.
Speak to it.
Prince Julian.
Dare I?
Maximus the mystic.
Speak; speak!
Prince Julian (nearer).
Why did I come to be?
A voice in the light.
To serve the spirit.
Maximus the mystic.
Does it answer?
Prince Julian.
Yes, yes.
Maximus the mystic.
Ask more.
Prince Julian.
What is my work?
The voice in the light.
You shall establish the realm.
Prince Julian.
What realm?
The voice in the light.
The realm.
Prince Julian.
And by what way?
The voice in the light.
By the way of freedom.
Prince Julian.
Speak out fully! What is the way of freedom?
The voice in the light.
The way of necessity.
Prince Julian.
And by what power?
The voice in the light.
By willing.
Prince Julian.
What shall I will?
The voice in the light.
What you must.
Prince Julian.
It pales; it fades –!
Speak, speak! What must I?
The voice in the light (lamenting).
Julian!
Maximus the mystic (looks up).
Gone?
Prince Julian.
Gone.
Maximus the mystic.
Do you now know?
Prince Julian.
Now least of all. I hang over the rampart of the engulfing abyss, – midway between light and darkness.
What is the realm?
Maximus the mystic.
There are three realms.
Prince Julian.
Three?
Maximus the mystic.
First is that realm which was founded on the tree of knowledge; then that realm which was founded on the tree of the cross –
Prince Julian.
And the third?
Maximus the mystic.
The third is the realm of the great mystery, the realm which shall be founded on the tree of knowledge and the tree of the cross together, because it hates and loves them both, and because it has its living Springs under Adam's grove and under Golgotha.
Prince Julian.
And that realm shall come –?
Maximus the mystic.
It is at the door. I have reckoned and reckoned –
Prince Julian (breaks off sharply).
There is whispering again! Who are my guests?
Maximus the mystic.
The three cornerstones under the wrath of necessity.
Prince Julian.
Who, who?
Maximus the mystic.
The three great helpers in denial.
Prince Julian.
Name them!
Maximus the mystic.
That I cannot; I do not know them; – but I could show you them –
Prince Julian.
Then show me them! At once, Maximus –!
Maximus the mystic.
Beware –!
Prince Julian.
At once; at once! I will see them; I will speak with them, one by one.
Maximus the mystic.
Upon yourself be the guilt.
Take shape and show yourself, you first sacrificial lamb of election!
Prince Julian.
Ah!
Maximus the mystic (with veiled face).
What do you see?
Prince Julian (muted).
There he lies; right before the corner. – He is great, like Heracles, and fair –, yet no, not – –
If you can, then speak to me!
A voice.
What would you know?
Prince Julian.
What was your task in life?
The voice.
My crime.
Prince Julian.
Why did you transgress?
The voice.
Why did I not become my brother?
Prince Julian.
No evasions. Why did you transgress?
The voice.
Why did I become myself?
Prince Julian.
And what did you will, as yourself?
The voice.
What I had to.
Prince Julian.
And why did you have to?
The voice.
I was myself.
Prince Julian.
You are sparing of words.
Maximus the mystic (without looking up).
In vino veritas.
Prince Julian.
You hit it, Maximus!
Bathe yourself in the wine-scent, my pale guest! Refresh yourself. Breathe it in, breathe it in, – it rises into the air like a sacrificial smoke.
The voice.
Sacrificial smoke does not always rise.
Prince Julian.
Why does that stripe on the brow redden? No, no, – do not stroke the hair over it. What is it?
The voice.
The sign.
Prince Julian.
Hm; no more of that. And what fruit has your crime borne?
The voice.
The most glorious.
Prince Julian.
What do you call the most glorious?
The voice.
Life.
Prince Julian.
And the ground of life?
The voice.
Death.
Prince Julian.
And death's?
The voice (fades away, as in a sigh).
Yes, that is the riddle!
Prince Julian.
Gone!
Maximus the mystic (looks up).
Gone?
Prince Julian.
Yes.
Maximus the mystic.
Did you know him?
Prince Julian.
Yes.
Maximus the mystic.
Who was it?
Prince Julian.
Cain.
Maximus the mystic.
That way, then! Search no more!
Prince Julian (throws out his hand).
The next, Maximus!
Maximus the mystic.
No, no, no; – I will not do it!
Prince Julian.
The next, I say! You have sworn to me to get to the bottom of certain things. The next, Maximus! I will see him; I will know my guests!
Maximus the mystic.
You have willed it, not I.
Come forth and show yourself, you willing slave, you who helped at the next great world-turning!
Prince Julian (stares a moment into the empty space; suddenly he stretches out his hand in a warding gesture toward the seat right beside him and says in a muted voice):
No nearer!
Maximus the mystic (turned away).
Do you see him?
Prince Julian.
Yes.
Maximus the mystic.
How do you see him?
Prince Julian.
I see him as a red-bearded man. He has torn clothes and a rope about his neck. – –
Speak to him, Maximus!
Maximus the mystic.
You must speak.
Prince Julian.
What were you in life?
A voice (right beside him).
The twelfth wheel of the world-chariot.
Prince Julian.
The twelfth? The fifth is already reckoned useless.
The voice.
Where would the chariot have rolled without me?
Prince Julian.
Where did it roll by you?
The voice.
Into the glorification.
Prince Julian.
Why did you help?
The voice.
Because I was willing.
Prince Julian.
What did you will?
The voice.
What I had to will.
Prince Julian.
Who chose you?
The voice.
The master.
Prince Julian.
Was the master foreknowing when he chose you?
The voice.
Yes, that is the riddle!
Maximus the mystic.
You are silent?
Prince Julian.
He is here no more.
Maximus the mystic (looks up).
Did you know him?
Prince Julian.
Yes.
Maximus the mystic.
What was he called in life?
Prince Julian.
Judas Iscariot.
Maximus the mystic (springs up).
The abyss shoots forth blossoms; the night betrays itself!
Prince Julian (shrieks at him).
The third forth!
Maximus the mystic.
He shall come!
Come forth, you third cornerstone! Come forth, you third great freedman under necessity!
What do you see?
Prince Julian.
I see nothing.
Maximus the mystic.
And yet he is here.
By Solomon's seal, by the eye in the triangle, – I conjure you, – show yourself! – –
What do you see now?
Prince Julian.
Nothing; nothing!
Maximus the mystic (swings the staff again).
Come forth, you –! – –
Ah, lightning in the night! I see it; – all art is in vain.
Prince Julian (rises).
Why? Speak, speak!
Maximus the mystic.
The third is not yet among the shades.
Prince Julian.
He lives?
Maximus the mystic.
Yes, he lives.
Prince Julian.
And here, you said –!
Maximus the mystic.
Here, or yonder, or among the unborn; – I do not know –
Prince Julian (presses in upon him).
You lie! You deceive me! Here, here, you said –!
Maximus the mystic.
Let go of my cloak!
Prince Julian.
Then you or I! But which of us?
Maximus the mystic.
Let go of the cloak, Julian!
Prince Julian.
Which of us? Which? Everything hangs on this one thing!
Maximus the mystic.
You are more knowing than I. What did the voice in the light proclaim?
Prince Julian.
The voice in the light –?
The realm! The realm? Establish the realm –!
Maximus the mystic.
The third realm!
Prince Julian.
No; and a thousand times no! Begone, corrupter! I renounce you and all your work –
Maximus the mystic.
From necessity?
Prince Julian.
I defy necessity! I will not serve it. I am free, free, free!
Maximus the mystic (listens toward the right).
What terror and cries –?
Prince Julian.
Strangers are pressing into the house –
Maximus the mystic.
Your servants are being maltreated; they mean to murder us!
Prince Julian.
Be calm; no one can strike us.
Eutherius the steward (comes hastily across the forecourt).
Lord, lord!
Prince Julian.
Who causes that noise outside?
Eutherius the steward.
Strangers have surrounded the house; they have set guards at all the exits; they are breaking in – almost by force. There they come, lord! There they are!
Leontes the quaestor.
Forgive me, I implore you a hundred times, my most gracious lord –
Prince Julian (a step back).
What do I see!
Leontes the quaestor.
Your servants would forbid me to enter; and as it was so highly urgent for me –
Prince Julian.
You here in Ephesus, my excellent Leontes!
Leontes the quaestor.
I have travelled nights and days as the emperor's envoy.
Prince Julian (pale).
To me? What does the emperor want with me? I am truly conscious of no crime. I am sick, Leontes! This man (points toward Maximus) is with me as a physician.
Leontes the quaestor.
Permit me, gracious lord –!
Prince Julian.
Why does one force one's way violently in to me? What is it the emperor wants?
Leontes the quaestor.
He would gladden you, lord, with a great and important message.
Prince Julian.
I beg you, let me know what message you bring.
Leontes the quaestor (kneels).
My most exalted lord, – praising your fortune and my own, I greet you as Caesar.
The quaestor's retinue.
Long live Caesar Julian!
Maximus the mystic.
Caesar!
Prince Julian (shrinks back with an exclamation).
Caesar! Stand up, Leontes! What madness do you speak!
Leontes the quaestor.
I bring the emperor's command.
Prince Julian.
I – I Caesar! – Ah, where is Gallus?
Leontes the quaestor.
Oh, do not ask.
Prince Julian.
Where is Gallus? I conjure you, – where is Gallus?
Leontes the quaestor (stands up).
Caesar Gallus is with his beloved wife.
Prince Julian.
Dead!
Leontes the quaestor.
In bliss with his wife.
Prince Julian.
Dead; dead! Gallus dead! Dead in the midst of his triumphal march! But when, – and where?
Leontes the quaestor.
Oh, precious lord, spare me –
Gregory of Nazianzus (struggles with the guard at the entrance).
I must get in to him! Aside, I say. – Julian!
Prince Julian.
Gregory, brother, – so you came again after all!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Is it true, what rumour casts like a rain of arrows over the city?
Prince Julian.
I am myself as if struck by rumour's arrows. Dare I believe in this mingling of fortune and misfortune?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
For Christ's sake, drive the tempter from you!
Prince Julian.
The emperor's command, Gregory!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
You would tread upon your brother's bloody corpse –
Prince Julian.
Bloody –?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Do you not know it? Caesar Gallus has been murdered.
Prince Julian (with clasped hands).
Murdered!
Leontes the quaestor.
Ah, who is this audacious one –?
Prince Julian.
Murdered; murdered! (to Leontes.) He lies, surely?
Leontes the quaestor.
Caesar Gallus has fallen by his deeds.
Prince Julian.
Murdered; – who murdered him?
Leontes the quaestor.
What has happened was a necessity, high lord! Caesar Gallus has misused his power like a madman here in the Eastern lands. His position as Caesar was no longer enough for him. His conduct, both in Constantinople and elsewhere along the way, showed in full what he was plotting.
Prince Julian.
I do not ask about his crime; the other thing I will know.
Leontes the quaestor.
Oh, let me spare your brotherly ears.
Prince Julian.
My brotherly ears can bear what my filial ears have borne. Who slew him?
Leontes the quaestor.
The tribune Scudilo, who accompanied him, found it advisable to have him executed.
Prince Julian.
Where? Surely not in Rome?
Leontes the quaestor.
No, lord, it happened on the journey there, – in the city of Pola in Illyria.
Prince Julian (bows).
The emperor is great and just. – The last of the kindred, Gregory! – Emperor Constantius is great.
Leontes the quaestor (takes a purple cloak from one of the retinue).
High Caesar, deign to clothe yourself –
Prince Julian.
Red! Away with it! Was it that one he wore in Pola –?
Leontes the quaestor.
It has come new from Sidon.
Prince Julian (with a glance at Maximus).
From Sidon! The purple robe –!
Maximus the mystic.
Apollinaris's vision!
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Julian; Julian!
Leontes the quaestor.
Behold, it is sent to you by your kinsman, the emperor. He bids you be told that he, childless as he is, hopes that you will heal this deepest wound of his life. He wishes to see you in Rome. Thereafter it is his will that you go as Caesar to Gaul. The Alemannic border-peoples have crossed over the Rhine-stream and made a dangerous incursion into the realm. He builds securely upon your fortune and your success against the barbarians. In dreams certain things have revealed themselves to him, and his last words to me at my departure were that you would surely succeed in establishing the realm.
Prince Julian.
Establish the realm! The voice in the light, Maximus!
Maximus the mystic.
Sign against sign.
Leontes the quaestor.
How so, high Caesar?
Prince Julian.
To me too certain things have been foretold; but this –
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Say no, Julian! It is the wings of perdition that they would fasten to your shoulders.
Leontes the quaestor.
Who are you, who defy the emperor?
Gregory of Nazianzus.
My name is Gregory; I am the son of the bishop of Nazianzus; – do with me what you will.
Prince Julian.
He is my friend and brother; let no one touch him!
Basil of Caesarea (forces his way through the crowd).
Do not take the purple, Julian!
Prince Julian.
You too, my faithful Basil!
Basil of Caesarea.
Do not take it! For God the Lord's sake –
Prince Julian.
What terrifies you in this?
Basil of Caesarea.
The horrors that will come.
Prince Julian.
By me the realm shall be established.
Basil of Caesarea.
Christ's realm?
Prince Julian.
The emperor's great fair realm.
Basil of Caesarea.
Was it the emperor's realm that stood in light before your eyes, when as a child you proclaimed the doctrine from the graves of the Cappadocian martyrs? Was it the emperor's realm that you left Constantinople to establish on earth? Was it the emperor's realm –
Prince Julian.
Mists, mists; – all that lies behind me like a wild dream.
Basil of Caesarea.
Better were it for you that you yourself, with a millstone about your neck, lay on the bottom of the sea, than that this dream should lie behind you. – Do you not see the tempter's work? All the glory of the earth is laid at your feet.
Maximus the mystic.
Sign against sign, Caesar!
Prince Julian.
A word, Leontes!
Where are you leading me?
Leontes the quaestor.
To Rome, lord!
Prince Julian.
That I do not ask. Where are you leading me; to fortune and power, – or to the slaughter-bench?
Leontes the quaestor.
Oh, lord, such a scornful mistrust –
Prince Julian.
Gallus's body is scarcely rotted yet.
Leontes the quaestor.
I can dispel all doubt. (takes out a paper.) This letter from the emperor, which I would rather have handed you in private –
Prince Julian.
A letter? What does he write? –
Ah, Helena! – Oh, Leontes! Helena, – Helena to me!
Leontes the quaestor.
The emperor grants her to you, lord! He grants you this beloved sister, for whom Caesar Gallus asked in vain.
Prince Julian.
Helena to me! The unattainable won! – But she, Leontes –?
Leontes the quaestor.
At the parting he took the princess by the hand and led her over to me. A stream of maidenly blood shot up into her fair cheeks, she cast down her eyes and said: greet my dear kinsman, and let him know that he has always been the man who – –
Prince Julian.
Go on, Leontes!
Leontes the quaestor.
With those words she fell silent, the modest and pure woman.
Prince Julian.
The pure woman! – Wondrously is all fulfilled!
The purple cloak about me!
Maximus the mystic.
You have chosen?
Prince Julian.
Chosen, Maximus!
Maximus the mystic.
Chosen, despite sign against sign?
Prince Julian.
Here it is not sign against sign. Maximus, Maximus, you have been blind, you seeing one! – The purple cloak about me!
Basil of Caesarea.
It is done!
Maximus the mystic (mutters to himself, with uplifted hands).
Victory and light over the willing one!
Leontes the quaestor.
And now to the governor's dwelling; the people would greet Caesar.
Prince Julian.
Caesar remains in his exaltation what he was, – the poor lover of wisdom who took everything from the emperor's grace. – To the governor's dwelling, you kindly gentlemen!
Voices among the quaestor's retinue.
Make way, make way for Caesar Julian!
Basil of Caesarea.
Gregory! In whatever may come, – let us hold together.
Gregory of Nazianzus.
Here is my hand.
ACT FOUR.
Princess Helena.
What a throng! The whole city streams out to meet them. – Hush! Myrrha, – do you not hear flutes and drums?
Myrrha the slave-girl.
Yes, I do think –
Princess Helena.
You are lying! The din is too loud; you can hear nothing. (springs up.) Oh, this tormenting uncertainty! Not to know whether he comes as victor or as fugitive.
Myrrha the slave-girl.
Do not be anxious, my mistress; Caesar has always come as victor, after all.
Princess Helena.
Yes, before; after all the smaller clashes. But this time, Myrrha! This great, terrible battle. All these conflicting rumours. If Caesar had come as victor, why should he then have sent that letter to the city magistrates and forbidden them to meet him with marks of honour outside the gates?
Myrrha the slave-girl.
Oh, you know, mistress, how little your exalted husband strives after such things.
Princess Helena.
Yes, yes, that is true enough. And if he had suffered some defeat – in Rome they would surely have to know it – would the emperor then have sent us this envoy, who may well be here this very day, and whose express courier has brought me all these rich jewels and gifts? Ah, Eutherius! Well, well?
Eutherius the steward (from the background).
My princess, it is quite impossible to learn anything reliable –
Princess Helena.
Impossible? You deceive me! The soldiers themselves must surely know –
Eutherius the steward.
They are only barbarian auxiliary troops that are marching in, – Batavians and others, – and they know nothing.
Princess Helena (wrings her hands).
Oh, have I deserved this anguish! Sweet, holy Christ, have I not called upon you night and day –
Ah, my Julian! I hear him! – Julian; my beloved!
Caesar Julian (in dusty armour, comes quickly from the background).
Helena!
Eutherius the steward.
My exalted Caesar!
Caesar Julian (embraces the princess with vehemence).
Helena! – Bar all the doors, Eutherius!
Princess Helena.
Beaten! Pursued!
Eutherius the steward.
My lord!
Caesar Julian.
Double guards at the doors; let no one in! Listen; has any envoy come from the emperor?
Eutherius the steward.
No, my lord; but an envoy is expected.
Caesar Julian.
Go, go! (to the slave-girl) Away with you.
Princess Helena (sinks down into the armchair).
So it is all over with us, then!
Caesar Julian (draws the curtain together)
Who knows. Only be wary, and the storm may yet –
Princess Helena.
After such a defeat –?
Caesar Julian.
Defeat? What are you talking about, my beloved?
Princess Helena.
Have the Alemanni not beaten you?
Caesar Julian.
Had they beaten me, you would not have seen me alive again.
Princess Helena (springs up).
But, Lord of heaven, what has happened, then?
Caesar Julian (softly).
The worst, Helena; – an immeasurable victory.
Princess Helena.
A victory, you say! An immeasurable victory? You have conquered, and yet –?
Caesar Julian.
You cannot grasp how I stand. You know only the golden outer side of all a Caesar's misery.
Princess Helena.
Julian!
Caesar Julian.
Can you blame me for having concealed such things from you? Did not both duty and shame bid me –? Ah, – what is that? What a change –!
Princess Helena.
What? What?
Caesar Julian.
What a change in you these months! Helena, have you been ill?
Princess Helena.
No, no; but tell me –?
Caesar Julian.
Yes, you have been ill! You must be ill still; – these fever-hot temples, these blue-brown rings about the eyes –
Princess Helena.
Oh, nothing, my beloved! Do not look at me, Julian! Only anguish and night-watches for your sake; burning prayers to the most highly blessed one upon the tree of the cross –
Caesar Julian.
Spare yourself, you precious one; it is, after all, quite uncertain whether this zeal bears so much fruit.
Princess Helena.
Fie; your mind is not pious. – But speak of your own affairs, Julian! I beg you, conceal nothing from me.
Caesar Julian.
There can be nothing concealed any longer. Since the empress's death I have not been able to take a single step here in Gaul without its being ill-interpreted at the court. If I went cautiously to work against the Alemanni, then it was said that I was timorous and inactive. They mocked at the lover of wisdom, who could not rightly accustom himself to bearing war-armour. If I won an advantage over the barbarians, then I had to hear that I ought to have been able to achieve more.
Princess Helena.
But all your friends in the army –
Caesar Julian.
Who do you think are my friends in the army? Not one, my beloved Helena! Yes, a single one, – that Perusian knight, Sallust, to whom, during our wedding festivities in Milan, I had to refuse a modest request. He has magnanimously come to me in the camp, has reminded me of our old friendship in Athens and begged to be allowed to follow me into all dangers. But what does Sallust count for at the imperial court? He is, after all, one of those whom they there call heathens. He can profit me nothing. – And then the others! The commander Arbetio, who left me in the lurch when I lay shut up in Sennones! Old Severus, who is weighed down under the feeling of his own incompetence, and who yet cannot reconcile himself to my new conduct of war! Or do you think I can lean upon Florentius, – the praetorian prefect? I tell you, this restless man strives after the highest things.
Princess Helena.
Ah, Julian!
Caesar Julian (walks up and down).
If only I could get on the track of their intrigues! Every week secret letters go from the camp to Rome. Everything I undertake is reported and distorted. No thrall in the realm is fettered like Caesar. Do you know, Helena, that the bill of fare my cook has to abide by, it has been sent to him from the emperor, and I am not permitted to alter anything in it, neither to add nor to take away!
Princess Helena.
And all this you have borne secretly –!
Caesar Julian.
Everyone knows it, except you. Everyone mocks at Caesar's impotence. I will bear it no longer! I will not bear it!
Princess Helena.
But the great battle –? Tell me, though, – has the rumour exaggerated –?
Caesar Julian.
The rumour has not been able to exaggerate. – Hush; what was that? (listens toward the door.) No, no; I only thought –.
I dare say that in these months I have accomplished all that stood within human power. Step by step, and in spite of all hindrances in my own camp, I drove the barbarians back toward the eastern frontier. Before Argentoratum, with the Rhine at his back, King Knodomar drew all his fighting forces together. Five kings and ten lesser princes joined him. But before he had managed to gather the boats needful for crossing in case of need, I let my army advance to the attack.
Princess Helena.
My hero, my Julian!
Caesar Julian.
Lupicinus with the javelin-throwers and the light-armed went round the enemy in the north; the old legions under Severus drove the barbarians more and more eastward toward the river; the Batavians, our confederates, under the faithful Bainabaudes, stood honourably by the legions, and when Knodomar perceived that all was in peril, he sought to escape toward the south to reach over to the islands. But before that could happen I let Florentius meet him with the praetorians and the horsemen. Helena, I do not care to say it aloud, but certain it is that treachery or envy had nearly robbed me of the fruits of victory. The Roman riders gave way time after time before the barbarians, who threw themselves to the ground and stabbed the horses in the belly. I saw our defeat before my eyes –
Princess Helena.
But the God of battles was with you!
Caesar Julian.
I seized a banner, fired the imperial household troops with my shouts, held in all haste a speech to them, a speech that perhaps would not have been quite unworthy even of a more enlightened circle of hearers, and thereupon, as soon as the soldiers' shouts of applause had rewarded me, I plunged straight into the thickest tumult of battle.
Princess Helena.
Julian! Oh, you do not love me!
Caesar Julian.
In that moment you were not in my thoughts. I wished to die; I knew no other way out. But it came, my beloved! It was as if a lightning-striking terror flashed out of our lance-points. I saw Knodomar, that terrible warrior – yes, you have indeed seen him yourself – I saw him flee on foot from the battle, and with him fled his brother Vestralp and the kings Hortar and Suomar and all who did not fall beneath our swords.
Princess Helena.
Oh, I see it; I see it! Blessed saviour; it was you who again sent forth the angels of murder from the Milvian bridge!
Caesar Julian.
Never have I heard such cries of woe; never have I seen such gaping wounds as those we trod in, as we waded over the fallen. The river did the rest; the drowning fought among themselves until they rolled over and went to the bottom. Most of the princes fell alive into our hands; Knodomar himself had sought refuge in a clump of reeds; one of his companions betrayed him, our men sent a rain of arrows in toward the hidden one, but without striking him. Then he came forward of his own free will and gave himself up.
Princess Helena.
And after such a victory you should not feel secure?
Caesar Julian (hesitating).
After the victory, that same evening, there occurred an incident, a trifle –
Princess Helena.
An incident?
Caesar Julian.
I would rather call it so. In Athens we brooded so much over Nemesis. – My victory was so overwhelmingly great, Helena; my position had, as it were, come out of equilibrium; I do not know –
Princess Helena.
Oh, speak then; you frighten me!
Caesar Julian.
It was a trifle, I tell you. I had the captive Knodomar led before me in the sight of the army. Before the battle he had threatened that I should be flayed alive when I fell into his hands. Now he came toward me with uncertain steps, trembling over his whole body; broken by misfortune, in such a way as is the manner of barbarians, he cast himself down before me, clasped my knees, poured out tears and begged for his life.
Princess Helena.
With a shudder of terror through his powerful limbs. I see the prostrate Knodomar. – Did you kill him, my beloved?
Caesar Julian.
I could not kill this man. I assured him of safety and promised to send him as a prisoner to Rome.
Princess Helena.
Without torturing him?
Caesar Julian.
Prudence bade me act mildly. But then, – I cannot grasp how it came about, – in overflowing joy, and with a howl upon his lips, the barbarian sprang up, stretched his bound hands into the air and, little versed as he was in our tongue, cried with a loud voice: praised be you, Julian, you mighty emperor!
Princess Helena.
Ah!
Caesar Julian.
My companions were about to laugh; but the barbarian king's cry struck down like a kindling lightning among the clusters of soldiers. «Long live emperor Julian», cried the bystanders; and the cry spread in wider and wider rings to the remotest distance; – it was as if a Titan had hurled a mountain out into the world-ocean; – oh, my beloved, forgive me this heathen simile, but –
Princess Helena.
Emperor Julian! He said: emperor Julian!
Caesar Julian.
What did the rude Aleman know of Constantius, whom he had never seen? I, his vanquisher, was to him the greatest –
Princess Helena.
Yes, yes; but the soldiers –?
Caesar Julian.
I rebuked them sharply; for I saw it well, – Florentius, Severus and certain others stood about in silence, white with terror and wrath.
Princess Helena.
Yes, yes, – they, but not the soldiers.
Caesar Julian.
Scarcely had a single night run to an end before my secret enemies had distorted the matter. Caesar has let Knodomar proclaim him emperor, it was said, and in return he has granted the barbarian king his life. – Thus, turned upside down, it has also been reported to Rome.
Princess Helena.
Are you sure of it? And by whom?
Caesar Julian.
Yes, by whom? By whom? I myself wrote in haste to the emperor and told him the whole of it, but –
Princess Helena.
Well, – and what has he answered?
Caesar Julian.
As usual. You know that ill-boding silence when he means to strike someone.
Princess Helena.
Yet I think you misinterpret all this. It cannot be otherwise. See now; the envoy will soon bring you assurance that –
Caesar Julian.
I have assurance, Helena! Here on my breast I keep intercepted letters, which –
Princess Helena.
Oh, Lord my God, let me see!
Caesar Julian.
Later, later.
And all this after the services I have shown him! Here I have cast the Alemanni's onslaught to the ground for long times to come, while he himself has suffered defeat upon defeat at the Danube and while the army in Asia does not seem to gain a single step's advance against the Persians. Shame and ill-luck on all sides, except here, where a reluctant friend of wisdom was set at the head of affairs. And yet I am mocked all the same at the court. Yes, even after the last great victory they have made a lampoon on me and called me Victorinus! This must have an end.
Princess Helena.
Yes, I think so too.
Caesar Julian.
What is a Caesar's dignity on such terms!
Princess Helena.
No, you are right, Julian; we cannot remain standing at this.
Caesar Julian (stops).
Helena, could you follow me?
Princess Helena (softly).
Fear not for me; I shall not draw back.
Caesar Julian.
Away, then, from all this thankless toil; away to the so long coveted solitude –!
Princess Helena.
What do you say? Solitude!
Caesar Julian.
With you, my beloved; and with my dear books, which here I have so seldom been able to open, and which I have only dared to devote my restless nights to.
Princess Helena (looks down at him).
Ah, so!
Caesar Julian.
What else?
Princess Helena.
Well yes; what else?
Caesar Julian.
Yes, yes, – I ask, what else?
Princess Helena (closer).
Julian, – how did the barbarian king greet you?
Caesar Julian (drawing back).
Helena!
Princess Helena (closer again).
What name was it that resounded in the soldiers' ranks?
Caesar Julian.
Imprudent one; here perhaps a listener stands outside every door!
Princess Helena.
What do you fear from listeners? Is not God's grace over you? Have you not been the fortunate one in all encounters? – I see the admonishing saviour; I see the angel with the flaming sword, who made a way for my father when he cast Maxentius into the Tiber!
Caesar Julian.
I should rise up against the ruler of the realm!
Princess Helena.
Only against those who stand between you two. Oh, go, go; smite them with the lightning of your wrath; make an end of this consuming, joyless life! Gaul is a wasteland. I freeze here, Julian! I want to go home again, to the sun's warmth, to Rome and Hellas.
Caesar Julian.
Home again to your brother?
Princess Helena (softly).
Constantius is decrepit.
Caesar Julian.
Helena!
Princess Helena.
I can endure it no longer, I tell you. Time passes. Eusebia is gone; her empty seat stands beckoning toward honour and glory while I grow old –
Caesar Julian.
You do not grow old; you are young and fair!
Princess Helena.
No, no, no! Time passes; I cannot bear this with patience; life is slipping from me!
Caesar Julian (looks at her).
How temptingly fair, how godlike you are!
Princess Helena (clings to him).
Am I that, Julian?
Caesar Julian (embraces her).
You are the only woman I have loved, – the only one who has loved me.
Princess Helena.
I am older than you. I will grow no older. When all is over, then –
Caesar Julian (tears himself loose).
Be still! I will hear no more.
Princess Helena (goes after him).
Constantius dies a little each day; he hangs by a hair over the grave. Oh, my beloved Julian, you have the soldiers on your side, after all –
Caesar Julian.
Hush, hush!
Princess Helena.
He can bear no agitations of the mind. What, then, is there to shrink back from? I mean nothing bloody, after all. Fie, how could you think it? The terror will be enough; it will take him into its arms and lovingly end his sufferings.
Caesar Julian.
Do you forget the invisible bodyguard about the anointed one?
Princess Helena.
Christ is good. Oh, be pious, Julian, and he will forgive much. I will help. Prayers shall be sent up for you. Praised be the holy men! Praised be the martyrs! Believe me, we shall atone for everything afterward. Grant me the Alemanni for conversion; I will send out priests among them; they shall bow down beneath the grace of the cross.
Caesar Julian.
The Alemanni do not bow down under it.
Princess Helena.
Then they shall die! Like a sweet smoke shall the blood rise up to him, the most highly blessed. We will increase his glory; his praise shall be proclaimed through us. I will be there myself. The Alemannic women for me! If they do not bow, then they shall be sacrificed! And then, my Julian, – when you see me again –; made young again, made young again! Grant me the Alemannic women, you beloved! Blood –, it is no murder, after all, and the means shall be unfailing –, a bath in young virgin-blood –
Caesar Julian.
Helena, you are sinning!
Princess Helena.
Is it a crime to sin for your sake?
Caesar Julian.
You fair one, you only one!
Princess Helena (bends down over his hands).
My lord before God and men! – Do not yield this time, Julian! My hero, my emperor! I see heaven open. The priests shall sing praises to Christ; my women shall gather in prayer. (with uplifted arms.) Oh, you blessed one! Oh, you God of hosts, – you who hold grace and victory in your hand –
Caesar Julian (with a glance toward the door, cries out):
Helena!
Princess Helena.
Ah!
Eutherius the steward (from the background).
My lord, the emperor's messenger –
Caesar Julian.
Has he come?
Eutherius the steward.
Yes, my lord!
Caesar Julian.
His name? Who is he?
Eutherius the steward.
Decentius the tribune.
Princess Helena.
Really? The pious Decentius!
Caesar Julian.
Whom has he spoken with?
Eutherius the steward.
With no one, my lord; he came this very moment.
Caesar Julian.
I will see him at once. And listen; one thing more. The generals and the commanders shall present themselves to me.
Eutherius the steward.
Good, most gracious sire!
Caesar Julian.
Now, my Helena, now it will show itself –
Princess Helena (softly).
Whatever shows itself, do not forget that you can rely on the soldiers.
Caesar Julian.
Ah, rely, rely –; I do not know whether I can rely on anyone.
Princess Helena (toward him).
Welcome, noble Decentius! A Roman face, – and above all, this face, – oh, it lays a living gleam of sunshine over our unkind Gaul.
Decentius the tribune.
The emperor meets your longing and your hope halfway, exalted princess! We may believe that Gaul shall not fetter you much longer.
Princess Helena.
Do you say so, you bringer of joy? The emperor thinks of me always with love, then? How is it with his health?
Caesar Julian.
Go, go, my beloved Helena!
Decentius the tribune.
The emperor's health has by no means worsened.
Princess Helena.
No, is it not so? That was what I knew. All these alarming rumours –; God be praised that it was only rumours! Thank him most lovingly, you pious Decentius! And be thanked yourself. With what rich gifts have you not heralded your arrival! Imperial gifts –; no, no, brotherly gifts in truth! Two shining black Nubians, – you should see them, my Julian! – and pearls! Those I am wearing already. And fruits, – sweet, swelling; ah; peaches from Damascus, peaches in golden bowls! How they will refresh me; – fruit, fruit; I languish here in Gaul.
Caesar Julian.
A feast of joy shall end the day; but business first. Go, my precious wife!
Princess Helena.
I go to the church, – to pray for my brother and for all hopes.
Caesar Julian (after a moment's pause).
Message or dispatches?
Decentius the tribune.
Dispatches.
Caesar Julian (reads, suppresses a smile and stretches out his hand).
More!
Decentius the tribune.
Exalted Caesar, that is about all.
Caesar Julian.
Really? Has the emperor sent his friend the long way only to –?
Had the Aleman king Knodomar come to Rome before your departure?
Decentius the tribune.
Yes, exalted Caesar!
Caesar Julian.
And how does he manage in the foreign land, unversed in the language as he is? Yes, he is most unversed, Decentius! He was downright a laughing-stock for my soldiers. Just think, he confused such common words as emperor and Caesar.
Decentius the tribune (shrugs his shoulders).
A barbarian. What is there to say?
Caesar Julian.
No, what is there to say? But the emperor is gracious to him, though?
Decentius the tribune.
Knodomar is dead, my lord!
Caesar Julian (stops).
Knodomar is dead?
Decentius the tribune.
In the strangers' camp on the Caelian hill.
Caesar Julian.
Dead? So? – Yes, the air in Rome is unhealthy.
Decentius the tribune.
The Aleman king died of homesickness, my lord! The longing for kin and freedom –
Caesar Julian.
– it consumes, Decentius; yes, yes, I know it. – I should not have sent him living to Rome; I should have had him killed here.
Decentius the tribune.
Caesar's mind is mild.
Caesar Julian.
Hm –! Homesickness? Indeed!
Are you there, old faun? Tempt me no more. (to Decentius.) Ever since the battle of Argentoratum he is always talking to me of the victory-chariot and the white team. (to Sintula.) It became Phaethon's ride with the Libyan sun-horses. How did it end? Have you forgotten – have you forgotten your heathenism, I was about to say. – Forgive me, Decentius, that I wound your pious ear.
Decentius the tribune.
Caesar tickles his servant's ear; but he does not wound it.
Caesar Julian.
Yes, yes; bear with Caesar if he jests. I really do not know how to take it otherwise. – There we have them.
Caesar Julian (goes to meet them).
Good morning, you brothers in arms and friends! Do not be too vexed that I call you straight here from the dirt and toil of the highroad; I should surely have granted you some hours' rest; but –
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
Has anything particular happened, my lord?
Caesar Julian.
Yes, in truth, there is. Can you tell me, – what was lacking in Caesar's fortune?
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
What should be lacking in Caesar's fortune?
Caesar Julian.
Now nothing. (to Decentius.) The army has demanded that I should hold a victory-entry into the city. At the head of the legions they wished that I should ride in through Lutetia's gates. Captive barbarian princes with bound hands were to walk by the wheels of the chariot; women and slaves from twenty conquered peoples were to follow after, closely crowded, head by head – (breaks off suddenly.) Rejoice, my brave fellow-fighters; here you see Decentius the tribune, the emperor's confidential friend and counsellor. He came this morning hour with gifts and greetings from Rome.
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
Ah, then surely nothing is lacking in Caesar's fortune.
Severus the general (softly to Florentius).
Inconceivable! So once more in the emperor's favour!
Florentius the praetorian prefect (softly).
Oh, this fickle emperor!
Caesar Julian.
It seems as if a wondering muteness had struck you all. – They find that the emperor has done too much, good Decentius!
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
How can such a thing come into Caesar's mind?
Severus the general.
Too much, exalted Caesar? By no means. Should the emperor not know how to choose the right bounds for his grace?
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
To be sure, this is a great and rare distinction –
Severus the general.
I would call it exceedingly great and rare.
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
And in particular it gives a shining testimony that our exalted emperor's mind is free of all envy –
Severus the general.
A testimony without precedent; that I may well say.
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
But what, then, has Caesar not also accomplished in these few years in Gaul?
Caesar Julian.
A year-long dream, you precious friends! I have accomplished nothing at all. Nothing, nothing!
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
And your modesty reckons that as nothing? What was the army when you took it over? A disordered rabble –
Severus the general.
– without cohesion, without obedience, without leadership –
Caesar Julian.
Exaggeration, Severus!
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
And was it not with this unbridled rabble that you went against the Alemanni; did you not beat them with these bands, which through victories you transformed into an army of victors; did you not take Colonia Agrippina back –?
Caesar Julian.
Ah, ah, you see with friendship's eye, my Florentius! – Or is it really true? Is it so, that I drove the barbarians away from the islands in the Rhine? That I set the decayed Tres Tabernae in a state of defence for the good of the realm's security? Is it really so?
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
How, my lord? Can you doubt such great things?
Caesar Julian.
No, in truth, I think –. And the battle of Argentoratum? Was I not there? It hovers before me so surely that I was victorious over Knodomar. And after the victory –; Florentius, have I dreamed; or did I not build Trajan's fort up again, when we marched into the Germanic regions?
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
Exalted Caesar, is there any man so insane that he would dispute you this honour?
Severus the general (to Decentius).
I praise fate, which granted me in my old age to follow so fortunate a leader.
Florentius the praetorian prefect (likewise to the tribune).
What turn the Alemannic assault might have taken without Caesar's valour and prudence, I scarcely dare to think of.
Several courtiers (press forward).
Yes, my lord, Caesar is great!
Other gentlemen (clap their hands).
Caesar is without equal!
Caesar Julian (looks for a while by turns at Decentius and the others; then he bursts out in a loud short laugh).
So blind is friendship, Decentius! So blind, blind!
Here stand quite other things! Listen, and drink it in like a refreshing dew of recognition. It is the emperor's announcement to all the governors round about in the realm; – our excellent Decentius has brought a copy with him. Here it stands: I have accomplished nothing in Gaul. It was a dream, as I just said. Here we have the emperor's own words: it was under the emperor's fortunate auspices that the peril overhanging the realm was averted.
Florentius the praetorian prefect.
All the affairs of the realm enjoy success under the emperor's auspices.
Caesar Julian.
More, more! Here it is reported that it is the emperor who has fought and conquered at the Rhine; it is the emperor who has raised up the humbly pleading Aleman king who cast himself down before him. My name I do not succeed in finding anywhere in this document, – nor yours, Florentius, nor yours either, Severus! And here, in the description of the battle of Argentoratum –; where was it I had it? yes here; here it stands; it was the emperor who ordained the order of battle; it was the emperor himself who, at peril of his life, hewed his sword blunt, fighting in the foremost ranks; it was the emperor who, by the terror of his presence, drove the barbarians into headlong flight –; read; read, I say!
Severus the general.
Exalted Caesar, your word is enough.
Caesar Julian.
And what, then, are you driving at with your deluding talk, you friends? Will you, out of excessive love for me, make me a parasite whom you feed with the abundance you pilfered from my kinsman's table? – What do you think, Decentius? What do you say to this? You see that in my own camp I must keep an eye on adherents who at times in their blindness are on the way to stray beyond the boundary-stakes of rebellion.
Florentius the praetorian prefect (quickly to the tribune).
In truth, my words have been grossly misinterpreted, if –
Severus the general (likewise to the tribune).
It could never come into my mind in that way to –
Caesar Julian.
So shall it be, you brothers in battle; let us all together swallow our pride. I asked before what was lacking in Caesar's fortune. Now you know it. It was the recognition of truth that was lacking in Caesar's fortune. Your silver helmet will not come to be covered by the dust of the triumphal procession, brave Florentius! The emperor has held a victory-entry for us in Rome. He finds, therefore, that all solemnities here are superfluous. Go, Sintula, and see to it that the intended processions are called off. The emperor wishes to grant his soldiers a beneficial rest. It is his will that they shall remain in the camp outside the walls.
Caesar Julian.
Was I not once a friend of wisdom? So they said, at least, both in Athens and in Ephesus. So weak is the human mind in prosperity. I was near becoming unfaithful to wisdom. The emperor has reminded me. Thank him most humbly, Decentius! Have you more to report?
Decentius the tribune.
One thing yet. After all that the emperor has learned, and according to the letter you wrote to him from Argentoratum, the great work of peace has been happily brought to an end here in Gaul.
Caesar Julian.
Surely; the emperor, partly by his valour and partly by his magnanimous mildness –
Decentius the tribune.
The realm's frontier is secured toward the Rhine.
Caesar Julian.
By the emperor, by the emperor.
Decentius the tribune.
In the provinces around the Danube, on the other hand, affairs stand badly, and still worse in Asia; King Sapor steadily gains ground.
Caesar Julian.
The audacious man! Rumour says that the emperor this summer also has not been pleased to let his generals crush him.
Decentius the tribune.
The emperor intends to crush him himself in the spring. (takes out a roll of paper.) Here is his will, exalted Caesar!
Caesar Julian.
Let me see, let me see! (reads.) Ah!
So it is the emperor's will that –? Good, good, noble Decentius; the emperor's will shall be complied with.
Decentius the tribune.
It is necessary that it be complied with this very day.
Caesar Julian.
This very day; of course. Come here, Sintula! Now, where is he? Ah, so! – Fetch Sintula back!
Florentius the praetorian prefect (in a subdued voice to the tribune).
I beg most earnestly, do not misinterpret what I said before. When I ascribed the honour to Caesar, it was of course not thereby meant that –
Severus the general (softly).
Never could it come into my thought that it was not the emperor's supreme wise leadership that –
A courtier (on the tribune's other side).
I beg you, noble sir, – put in a word for me in the court-camp, and release me from this painful post with a Caesar who –; yes, he is the emperor's exalted kinsman, but –
Another courtier.
I could unfortunately tell you things that bear witness as much to boundless vanity as to foolhardy hopes –
Caesar Julian.
This very day! Let a word be said, Decentius! It would be my highest wish, if I could lay down this responsible dignity.
Decentius the tribune.
That shall be reported to the emperor.
Caesar Julian.
I call heaven to witness that I never –; ah, there is Sintula; so then we can – (to the tribune.) You are going?
Decentius the tribune.
I have to confer with the generals, exalted Caesar!
Caesar Julian.
Without my intervention?
Decentius the tribune.
The emperor has charged me to spare his precious kinsman.
Caesar Julian (looks at him for a while).
Sintula!
Sintula the master of the horse.
Yes, exalted lord!
Caesar Julian.
Come nearer. – Yes, truly, you look honest. Forgive me; I have never thought that you could be so devoted to me.
Sintula the master of the horse.
Whence do you know that I am devoted to you, my lord?
Caesar Julian. (points at the roll of paper).
Here I can read it for myself; it says that you are to leave me.
Sintula the master of the horse.
I, my lord?
Caesar Julian.
The emperor is dissolving the Gallic army, Sintula!
Sintula the master of the horse.
Dissolving –?
Caesar Julian.
Yes, what else is it than a dissolution? The emperor needs to reinforce himself, both in the Danube region and against the Persians. Our Batavian and Herulian auxiliary troops are to depart in all haste, in order to be able to stand in Asia by the spring.
Sintula the master of the horse.
But these are impossible things, my lord! You have, after all, solemnly sworn to these very confederates of ours that they must on no account be used beyond the Alps.
Caesar Julian.
Just so, Sintula! The emperor writes that I gave that pledge in rashness and without his consent. That, to be sure, I have never known; but so it stands. I am to be forced to break my word, to dishonour myself in the eyes of the army, to turn the barbarians' unbridled wrath, perhaps their death-dealing weapons, against me.
Sintula the master of the horse.
It will fail, my lord! The Roman legions will offer you their breast for a shield.
Caesar Julian.
The Roman legions? Hm; – guileless friend! From each Roman legion three hundred men are to be drawn out, who likewise are to be sent to the emperor by the shortest roads.
Sintula the master of the horse.
Ah, this is –!
Caesar Julian.
It is well calculated; is it not? All the army-divisions are to be stirred up against me, so that with all the less danger they may make me weaponless.
Sintula the master of the horse.
And I tell you, my lord, that not a single one of your generals will let himself be used for this.
Caesar Julian.
My generals will not come into temptation either. You are the man.
Sintula the master of the horse.
I, my Caesar!
Caesar Julian.
Here it stands written. The emperor entrusts to you to arrange all that is needful and thereupon to lead the selected divisions to Rome.
Sintula the master of the horse.
And that is entrusted to me? Here, where men like Florentius and old Severus –
Caesar Julian.
You have no victories on your list of sins, Sintula!
Sintula the master of the horse.
No, that is surely true. Never here would anyone grant me the opportunity to show –
Caesar Julian.
I have been unjust toward you. Thank you for your faithfulness.
Sintula the master of the horse.
So great an imperial grace! My lord, may I see –
Caesar Julian.
What do you want to see? You will not let yourself be used for this, after all.
Sintula the master of the horse.
God forbid that I should refuse the emperor obedience!
Caesar Julian.
Sintula, – you could disarm your Caesar!
Sintula the master of the horse.
Caesar has all his days set little store by me. Caesar has never been able to forgive me that he had to endure about him a master of the horse who was chosen by the emperor.
Caesar Julian.
The emperor is great and wise; he knows how to choose.
Sintula the master of the horse.
My lord, – I burn to do my duty; may I ask for the emperor's command?
Caesar Julian (hands him one of the papers).
Here is the emperor's command. Go, and do your duty.
Myrrha the slave-girl (comes hurriedly from the right).
Oh, merciful saviour!
Caesar Julian.
Myrrha! What is it?
Myrrha the slave-girl.
Oh, gracious heaven, my mistress –
Caesar Julian.
Your mistress, – what of her?
Myrrha the slave-girl.
Sickness or madness –; help, help!
Caesar Julian.
Helena ill! The physician! Oribases shall come, Sintula! Fetch him!
Princess Helena.
Loosen the comb! Loosen the comb, I say! It is red-hot. Fire in my hair; I burn, I burn!
Caesar Julian.
Helena! For God's mercy's sake –!
Princess Helena.
Is there no one who will help? They are murdering me with needle-pricks!
Caesar Julian.
My Helena! What has happened to you?
Princess Helena.
Myrrha, Myrrha! Save me from the girls, Myrrha!
Oribases the physician (comes from the background).
What message of horror is being told –? Is it true? Ah!
Caesar Julian.
Helena! My love, light of my life –!
Princess Helena.
Away from me! Oh, sweet Jesus, help!
Caesar Julian.
She is beside herself. What can it be, Oribases? Look, – look at the eyes, how large –!
Oribases the physician (to Myrrha).
What has the princess partaken of? What has she eaten or drunk?
Caesar Julian.
Ah, you think –?
Oribases the physician.
Answer, women; what have you given the princess?
Myrrha the slave-girl.
We? Oh, nothing, believe me; she herself has –
Oribases the physician.
Well, well!
Myrrha the slave-girl.
Some fruits; it was peaches, I think; – oh, I do not know –
Caesar Julian.
Fruits! Peaches? Of those that –?
Myrrha the slave-girl.
Yes – no – yes; I do not know, my lord; – there were two Nubians –
Caesar Julian.
Help, help, Oribases!
Oribases the physician.
Alas, I fear –
Caesar Julian.
No, no, no!
Oribases the physician.
Quiet, gracious sire; she is coming to herself.
Princess Helena (whispering).
Why did the sun go down? Oh, holy, mysterious darkness!
Caesar Julian.
Helena! Listen; collect your thoughts –
Oribases the physician.
My exalted princess –
Caesar Julian.
It is the physician, Helena! (takes her hand.) No, here, where I stand.
Princess Helena (tears herself loose).
Fie; there he was again!
Caesar Julian.
She does not see me. Here, here, Helena!
Princess Helena.
The loathsome one; – always he is about me.
Caesar Julian.
What does she mean?
Oribases the physician.
Step aside, gracious sire –!
Princess Helena.
Sweet stillness! He has no inkling –; oh, my Gallus!
Caesar Julian.
Gallus?
Oribases the physician.
Go, exalted Caesar; it is not fitting –
Princess Helena.
How your thick curly hair curves defiantly about the neck. Oh, this short, fleshy neck –
Caesar Julian.
Abyss of all abysses –!
Oribases the physician.
The delirium increases –
Caesar Julian.
I notice, I notice. We must investigate, Oribases!
Princess Helena (laughs softly).
Now he wants to investigate again. – Ink on the fingers; book-dust in the hair, – unwashed; fie, fie, how he stinks.
Myrrha the slave-girl.
My lord, do you not command that I shall –?
Caesar Julian.
Away with you, woman!
Princess Helena.
How could you let yourself be overcome by him, you brown, swelling barbarian? He cannot overcome women. How I am sickened by this virtue of impotence.
Caesar Julian.
Aside, all of you! Not so near, Oribases! I myself will watch over the princess.
Princess Helena.
Are you angry with me, you glorious one? Gallus is dead, after all. Beheaded. What a stroke it must have been! Not jealous, you my first and last. Burn Gallus in the fire of hell; – it was, after all, only you, you, you –!
Caesar Julian.
Not nearer, Oribases!
Princess Helena.
Kill the priest too! I will not see him after this, you know our sweet secret, after all. Oh, you longing of my days, rapture of my nights! It was you yourself, after all, – in the shape of your servant – in the prayer-chamber; yes, yes, you were there; it was you – in the darkness, in the air, in the veiling clouds of incense, that night when the Caesar-to-be beneath my heart –
Caesar Julian (recoils with a cry).
Ah!
Princess Helena (with outspread arms).
My lover and lord! Mine, mine –!
Caesar Julian (stands for a moment motionless; then he clenches his hand in the air and cries out):
Galilean!
Sallust the knight.
The princess in a swoon! Oh, so it was true after all!
Caesar Julian (seizes the physician by the arm and leads him aside).
Tell the truth! Have you before today known that –; well now, you understand me; have you before today known anything of – of the princess's condition?
Oribases the physician.
I, like all others, my lord!
Caesar Julian.
And you have said nothing to me, Oribases!
Oribases the physician.
How, my Caesar?
Caesar Julian.
How could you dare to keep silent about such a thing!
Oribases the physician.
My lord, there was one thing of which we were all ignorant.
Caesar Julian.
And that was?
Oribases the physician.
That Caesar knew nothing.
Caesar Julian.
Where to?
Oribases the physician.
To try the remedies that my art –
Caesar Julian.
I believe that your art will prove useless.
Oribases the physician.
My lord, it might yet be possible that –
Caesar Julian.
Useless, I say!
Oribases the physician (a step back).
Exalted Caesar, it is my duty to be disobedient to you in this.
Caesar Julian.
How do you interpret my words? Go, go; try what your art –; save the emperor's sister; the emperor would feel inconsolable if his loving care should draw any misfortune after it. Yes, you know well that those fruits were a gift from the emperor?
Oribases the physician.
Ah!
Caesar Julian.
Go, go, man, – and try what your art –
Oribases the physician (bows reverently).
I believe my art is useless, my lord!
Caesar Julian.
Ah, you, Sallust! What do you think? Now the waves of fate begin to roll in over the family again.
Sallust the knight.
Oh, but there is rescue. Oribases will –
Caesar Julian (curtly and dismissively).
The princess is dying.
Sallust the knight.
Oh, if I dared to speak! If I dared to trace the secret threads in this web of corruption!
Caesar Julian.
Be comforted, friend; all the threads shall come to light, and then –
Decentius the tribune (comes from the background).
How shall I approach Caesar's countenance! How inscrutable are the ways of God! Crushed to pieces –; would that you could read in my entrails! I, the messenger of sorrow and misfortune –!
Caesar Julian.
Yes, you may well say that twice, noble Decentius! And how shall I find words soft and veiling enough to bring this into a tolerable presentation for the emperor's brotherly ear!
Decentius the tribune.
Ill-fated, that such a thing should happen almost at the same time as my mission! And just now! Oh, this lightning-stroke from the cloudless heaven of hopes!
Caesar Julian.
Yes, this sea-storm of fate, rising up and engulfing, just as the ship seemed about to run into a long-wished-for harbour; this, this –; grief makes us eloquent, Decentius, – you as well as me. But business first. The two Nubians shall be imprisoned and interrogated.
Decentius the tribune.
The Nubians, my lord? Do you think my wrathful zeal could endure that those two careless servants a moment longer –?
Caesar Julian.
How? Surely you have never –?
Decentius the tribune.
Call me a hot-tempered man, exalted Caesar; but my love for the emperor and for his grief-stricken house would in truth have to be lesser than it is, if in such an hour it could give room for cool deliberation.
Caesar Julian.
You have had both slaves killed?
Decentius the tribune.
Had they not sevenfold deserved death, the negligent ones? They were two heathen savages, my lord! Their testimony would have served no purpose; it was impossible for me to press anything else out of them than that they had let those important things stand a rather long time in the antechamber without guard, accessible to each and all –
Caesar Julian.
Aha! Indeed, Decentius!
Decentius the tribune.
I accuse no one. Oh, but, precious Caesar, I warn you; for you are surrounded by faithless servants. Your court – what an ill-fated misunderstanding! – they have thought to glimpse a kind of disfavour, or whatever I shall call it, behind the measures that the emperor has been compelled to take here; in short –
Sintula the master of the horse (comes from the background).
My lord, you have given me a charge that I can in no way carry out.
Caesar Julian.
The emperor has given you the charge, good Sintula!
Sintula the master of the horse.
Take it from me, my lord; I am truly not equal to it.
Decentius the tribune.
What has happened?
Sintula the master of the horse.
The camp is in wild uproar. The legion troops and the confederates are banding together –
Decentius the tribune.
In defiance of the emperor's will!
Sintula the master of the horse.
The soldiers cry out that they will hold to Caesar's promises.
Caesar Julian.
Hear, hear; these roars outside –!
Sintula the master of the horse.
The swarm storms hither –
Decentius the tribune.
Let no one in!
Sallust the knight (at the window).
It is too late; the whole square is filled with threatening soldiers.
Decentius the tribune.
Caesar's precious life is in danger! Where is Florentius?
Sintula the master of the horse.
Fled.
Decentius the tribune.
The boastful wretch! But Severus, then?
Sintula the master of the horse.
Severus declares himself ill; he has had himself driven out to his country estate.
Caesar Julian.
I will myself speak with the raging men.
Decentius the tribune.
Not from the spot, exalted Caesar!
Caesar Julian.
What now?
Decentius the tribune.
It is my duty, most gracious sire; the emperor's command –; his precious kinsman's life –; Caesar is my prisoner.
Sallust the knight.
Ah!
Caesar Julian.
So it came after all!
Decentius the tribune.
The household troops, Sintula! You are to convey Caesar in safety to Rome.
Caesar Julian.
To Rome!
Sintula the master of the horse.
What do you say, my lord!
Decentius the tribune.
To Rome, I say!
Caesar Julian.
Like Gallus! (cries through the window.) Help, help!
Sallust the knight.
Flee, my Caesar! Flee, flee!
Cries among the soldiers.
Caesar, Caesar!
Other voices.
Caesar, why have you betrayed us?
Yet others.
Down with the faithless Caesar!
Caesar Julian (throws himself with outspread arms right in among the soldiers and cries out):
Fellow-fighters, brothers in war, – save me from my enemies!
Decentius the tribune.
Ah, what is this –!
Wild cries.
Down with Caesar! Strike Caesar down!
Caesar Julian.
Close a ring about me; draw your swords!
Maurus the standard-bearer.
They are already drawn!
Women.
Cut him down; cut him down!
Caesar Julian.
Thank you for coming! Maurus! Honest Maurus! Yes, yes; on you I can rely.
Batavian soldiers.
How dare you send us to the ends of the earth? Was that what you swore to us?
Other confederates.
Not over the Alps! We are not bound to that!
Caesar Julian.
Not to Rome! I will not go; they will murder me, as they murdered my brother Gallus!
Maurus the standard-bearer.
What do you say, my lord?
Decentius the tribune.
Do not believe him!
Caesar Julian.
Do not touch the noble Decentius; he is without guilt.
Laipso the under-officer.
It is true; Caesar is the guilty one.
Caesar Julian.
Ah, is it you, Laipso! Brave friend, is it you? You struck well at Argentoratum.
Laipso the under-officer.
Caesar remembers that?
Varro the under-officer.
His promises he does not remember!
Caesar Julian.
Was it not the dauntless Varro's voice that I caught there? There we have him! Your wound is healed, I see. Oh, you well-deserving warrior, – that it should yet be denied me to make you a captain!
Varro the under-officer.
Have you really wished it?
Caesar Julian.
Do not lay it to the emperor's charge that he refused my request. The emperor knows none of you as I know you.
Decentius the tribune.
Soldiers, hear me –!
Many voices.
We have nothing to do with the emperor.
Others (press forward threateningly).
Caesar shall render us account!
Caesar Julian.
What power, then, has your unhappy Caesar, you friends? They mean to lead me to Rome. They refuse me the management of even my own affairs. They seize my share of the spoils of war. Five gold pieces and a pound of silver I had meant to grant each soldier, but –
The soldiers.
What does he say?
Caesar Julian.
It is not the emperor who forbids it; it is evil and envious counsellors. The emperor is good, you dear friends! Oh, but the emperor is ill; he can accomplish nothing –
Many soldiers.
Five gold pieces and a pound of silver!
Other soldiers.
And that is denied us!
Yet others.
Who dares deny Caesar anything!
Maurus the standard-bearer.
So they deal with Caesar, the father of the soldiers!
Laipso the under-officer.
With Caesar, who has been more a friend than a lord to us! Or has he perhaps not?
Many voices.
Yes, yes, he has!
Varro the under-officer.
Should not Caesar, the victor, be able to choose as captains whom he will?
Maurus the standard-bearer.
Should he not have free disposal over the booty that has fallen to him?
Loud shouts.
Yes, yes, yes!
Caesar Julian.
Alas, what would it profit you? What use can you make of earthly goods, you who are to be led away to the remotest lands to go to meet an uncertain fate –
The soldiers.
We will not go!
Caesar Julian.
Do not look at me; I am ashamed; for I am near to pouring out a stream of tears when I think that within a few months you are to be given up as a prey to diseases, to hunger and to the weapons of a bloodthirsty enemy.
Many soldiers (crowd about him).
Caesar! Good Caesar!
Caesar Julian.
And then your defenceless wives and children, whom you must leave behind in the scattered homes! Who shall shield these pitiable ones, these widows- and orphans-to-be, who will soon be exposed to the Alemanni's vengeful assault?
The women (weeping).
Caesar, Caesar, take care of us!
Caesar Julian (likewise in tears).
What is Caesar? What can the fallen Caesar do?
Laipso the under-officer.
Write to the emperor and let him know –
Caesar Julian.
Alas, what is the emperor? The emperor is sick in mind and body; he is broken down by care for the welfare of the realm. Is it not so, Decentius?
Decentius the tribune.
Yes, surely; but –
Caesar Julian.
How it cut me to the heart when I learned – –
Pray for his soul, you who worship the good Christ! Bring offerings for his health, you who have remained faithful to your fathers' gods! – – Do you know that the emperor has held a victory-entry in Rome?
Maurus the standard-bearer.
Has the emperor?
Varro the under-officer.
What? Beaten, as he came from the Danube?
Caesar Julian.
As he came from the Danube he has held a victory-entry for our victories –
Decentius the tribune (threateningly).
Exalted Caesar, consider –!
Caesar Julian.
Yes, it is true, what the tribune says; consider how the emperor's mind must be clouded, when such things can happen? Oh, my sorely afflicted kinsman! When in Rome he rode through Constantine's mighty arch, he thought himself so great that he bent his back and bowed his head down toward the saddle-bow.
Maurus the standard-bearer.
Like a cock in a gateway-arch!
A few voices.
Is that an emperor!
Varro the under-officer.
And him we are to obey!
Laipso the under-officer.
Away with him!
Maurus the standard-bearer.
Caesar, take the rule yourself!
Decentius the tribune.
Rebellion –!
Many voices.
Take the power; take the power, Caesar!
Caesar Julian.
Madmen! Is that to speak like Romans? Will you imitate the Alemannic barbarians? What was it Knodomar cried at Argentoratum? Answer me, good Maurus, – what did he cry?
Maurus the standard-bearer.
He cried: long live emperor Julian!
Caesar Julian.
Ah, hush, hush! What are you saying?
Maurus the standard-bearer.
Long live emperor Julian!
Those standing behind.
What is going on?
Varro the under-officer.
They proclaim Caesar Julian emperor!
Loud cries.
Long live the emperor! Long live emperor Julian!
Caesar Julian.
Oh, I implore you –! Soldiers, friends, comrades in battle, – see, I stretch out my trembling arms –! Be not anxious, my Decentius! – Oh, that I should have to live to see this! I lay nothing to your charge, you faithful ones; it is despair that has driven you. You will have it so. Good; I submit myself to the will of the army. – Sintula, let my commanders be assembled. – You, tribune, can bear witness for Constantius that I only of necessity – (turns to Varro.) Go, captain, and proclaim in the camp this unexpected change. I myself will without delay write to Rome –
Sallust the knight.
My lord, the soldiers want to see you.
Maurus the standard-bearer.
A golden ring about your head, emperor!
Caesar Julian.
Such an ornament I have never owned.
Maurus the standard-bearer.
This one can do it.
Shouts outside.
The emperor; the emperor! We want to see the emperor!
Soldiers.
Onto the shield with him! Up, up!
Caesar Julian.
The will of the army be done! I bow to the inevitable and renew all my pledges –
Legionaries.
Five gold pieces and a pound of silver!
Batavians.
Not over the Alps!
Caesar Julian.
We will establish ourselves firmly in Vienna. That city is the strongest in Gaul and besides rich in all manner of stores. There it is my intention to wait until we see whether my downcast kinsman approves what we here, for the good of the realm, have resolved –
Sallust the knight.
That he will not do, my lord!
Caesar Julian (with uplifted hands).
Divine wisdom, shine into his darkened soul and lead him to the best! Be with me, you fortune, that have never failed me before!
Myrrha and the women (wailing outside to the right).
Dead, dead, dead!