ACT SECOND

Julian.

You saw that!

Agathon.

I saw it. And then he spoke and said: “Agathon; arise, seek him out who shall inherit the empire; bid him enter the lion’s den and do battle with the lions.”

Julian.

Do battle with the lions! Oh, strange, strange!—Ah, if it were——! The meeting with that philosopher—A revelation; a message to me—; amIthe chosen one?

Agathon.

Assuredly you are!

Julian.

Do battle with the lions!—Yes, I see it;—so itmust be, my Agathon! It is God’s will that I should seek out Libanius——

Agathon.

No, no; hear me out!

Julian.

——worm from him all his arts and his learning—smite the unbelievers with their own weapons—fight, fight like Paul—conquer like Paul, in the cause of the Lord!

Agathon.

No, no! that was not the intent.

Julian.

Can you doubt it? Libanius—is he not strong as the mountain lion, and is not the lecture-hall——?

Agathon.

I tell you it is not so; for the vision added: “Proclaim to the chosen one that he shall shake the dust of the imperial city from his feet, and never more enter its gates.”

Julian.

Are you sure of that, Agathon?

Agathon.

Absolutely sure.

Julian.

Not here, then! Do battle with, the lions? Where, where? Oh, where shall I find light?

Prince Gallus, a handsome, strongly-built man of five-and-twenty, with light curly hair, and fully armed, enters by the avenue on the left.

Julian.

[Rushing up to him.] Gallus!

Gallus.

What now? [Points toAgathon.] Who is that man?

Julian.

Agathon.

Gallus.

What Agathon? You have so many strange companions——Ah, by heaven, it is the Cappadocian! You have grown quite a man——

Julian.

Do you know, Gallus—the Emperor has asked for you.

Gallus.

[Anxiously.] Just now? To-night?

Julian.

Yes, yes; he wanted to speak with you. He seemed greatly angered.

Gallus.

How know you that? What did he say?

Julian.

I did not understand it. He asked what some oracle had answered.

Gallus.

Ah!

Julian.

Hide nothing from me. What is the matter?

Gallus.

Death or banishment is the matter.

Agathon.

Gracious Saviour!

Julian.

I feared as much! But no, the Empress spoke hopefully. Oh, say on, say on!

Gallus.

What shall I say? How should I know more than you? If the Emperor spoke of an oracle, a certain messenger must have been intercepted, or some one must have betrayed me——

Julian.

A messenger?—Gallus, what have you dared to do?

Gallus.

How could I live any longer this life of doubt and dread? Let him do with me as he pleases; anything is better than this——

Julian.

[Softly, leading him some paces aside.] Have a care, Gallus! What is this about a messenger?

Gallus.

I have addressed a question to the priests of Osiris in Abydus——

Julian.

Ah, the oracle! The heathen oracle——!

Gallus.

The heathenism might be forgiven me; but—well, why should you not know it?—I have inquired as to the issue of the Persian war——

Julian.

What madness!—Gallus—I see it in your face: you have asked other questions!

Gallus.

No more; I have not asked——

Julian.

Yes, yes; you have inquired as to a mighty man’s life or death!

Gallus.

And if I had? What can be of more moment to both of us?

Julian.

[Throwing his arms around him.] Be silent, madman!

Gallus.

Away from me! You may cringe before him like a cur; but I have no mind to endure it longer. I will cry it aloud in all the market-places—— [Calls toAgathon.] Have you seen him, Cappadocian? Have you seen the murderer?

Julian.

Gallus! Brother!

Agathon.

The murderer!

Gallus.

The murderer in the purple robe; my father’s murderer, my step-mother’s, my eldest brother’s——

Julian.

Oh, you are calling down destruction upon us!

Gallus.

Eleven heads in one single night; eleven bodies; our whole house.—Ah, but be sure conscience is torturing him; it shivers through the marrow of his bones like a swarm of serpents.

Julian.

Do not listen to him! Away, away!

Gallus.

[SeizesJulianby the shoulder.] Stay;—you look pale and disordered; is it you that have betrayed me?

Julian.

I! Your own brother——!

Gallus.

What matter for that! Brotherhood protects no one in our family. Confess that you have secretly spied upon my doings! Who else should it be? Think you I do not know what people are whispering? The Emperor designs to make you his successor.

Julian.

Never! I swear to you, my beloved Gallus, it shall never be! I will not. One mightier than he has chosen me.—Oh, trust me, Gallus: my pathis marked out for me. I will not go thither, I tell you. Oh, God of Hosts—I on the imperial throne! No, no, no!

Gallus.

Ha-ha; well acted, mummer!

Julian.

Ay, you may scoff, since you know not what has happened. Myself, I scarcely know. Oh, Agathon—if this head were to be anointed! Would it not be an apostasy—a deadly sin? Would not the Lord’s holy oil burn me like molten lead?

Gallus.

Were that so, then were our august kinsman balder than Julius Caesar.

Julian.

Beware how you speak! Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s——

Gallus.

My father’s blood——your father’s and your mother’s——!

Julian.

Oh, what know we of those horrors? We were children then. The soldiers were chiefly to blame; it was the rebels—evil counsellors——

Gallus.

[Laughing.] The Emperor’s successor rehearses his part!

Julian.

[Weeping.] Oh, Gallus, would I might die or be banished in your stead! I am wrecking my soul here. I ought to forgive—and I cannot. Evil grows in me; hate and revenge whisper in my ear——

Gallus.

[Rapidly, looking towards the church.] There he comes!

Julian.

Be prudent, my beloved brother!—Ah, Hekebolius!

The church door has meanwhile been opened. The congregation streams forth; some pass away, others remain standing to see the Court pass. Among those who come out isHekebolius; he wears priestly dress.

Hekebolius.

[On the point of passing out to the left.] Is that you, my Julian? Ah, I have again passed a heavy hour for your sake.

Julian.

Alas! I fear that happens too often.

Hekebolius.

Christ is wroth against you, my son! It is your froward spirit that angers him; it is your unloving thoughts, and all this worldly vanity——

Julian.

I knowit,it,my Hekebolius! You so often tell me so.

Hekebolius.

Even now I lifted up my soul in prayer for your amendment. Oh, it seemed as though our otherwise so gracious Saviour repulsed my prayer,—as though he would not listen to me; he suffered my thoughts to wander upon trifling things.

Julian.

You prayed for me? Oh, loving Hekebolius, you pray even for us dumb animals—at least when we wear court dress?

Hekebolius.

What mean you, my son?

Julian.

Hekebolius, how could you write those shameful verses?

Hekebolius.

I? I swear by all that is high and holy——

Julian.

I see in your eyes that you are lying! I have full assurance that you wrote them. How could you do it, I ask—and under the name of Libanius, too?

Hekebolius.

Well, well, my dearly beloved, since you know it, I——

Julian.

Ah, Hekebolius! Deceit, and lies, and treachery——

Hekebolius.

Behold, my precious friend, how deep is my love for you! I dare all to save the soul of that man who shall one day be the Lord’s anointed. If, in my zeal for you, I have had recourse to deceit and lies, I know that a gracious God has found my course well pleasing in his sight, and has stretched forth his hand to sanction it.

Julian.

How blind have I been! Let me press these perjured fingers——

Hekebolius.

The Emperor!

[TheEmperor Constantius, with his whole retinue, comes from the church.Agathonhas already, during the foregoing, withdrawn among the bushes on the right.

The Emperor.

Oh, blessed peace of heaven in my heart.

The Empress.

Do you feel yourself strengthened, my Constantius?

The Emperor.

Yes, yes! I saw the living Dove hovering over me. It took away the burden of all my sin.—Now I dare venture much, Memnon!

Memnon.

[Softly.] Lose not a moment, sire!

The Emperor.

There they both stand.

[He goes towards the brothers.

Gallus.

[Mechanically feels for his sword, and cries in terror.] Do me no ill!

The Emperor.

[With outstretched arms.] Gallus! Kinsman!

[He embraces and kisses him.]

Lo, in the light of the Easter stars, I choose the man who lies nearest my heart.—Bow all to the earth. Hail Gallus Caesar![9]

[General astonishment among the Court; a few involuntary shouts are raised.

The Empress.

[With a shriek.] Constantius!

Gallus.

[Amazed.] Caesar!

Julian.

Ah!

[He tries to seize theEmperor’shands, as if in joy.

The Emperor.

[Waving him aside.] Away from me! What would you? Is not Gallus the elder? What hopes have you been cherishing? What rumours have you, in your blind presumption——? Away; away!

Gallus.

I—I Caesar!

The Emperor.

My heir and my successor. In three days you will set out for the army in Asia. I know the Persian war is much on your mind——

Gallus.

Oh, my most gracious sire——!

The Emperor.

Thank me in deeds, my beloved Gallus! King Sapor lies west of the Euphrates. I know how solicitous you are for my life; be it your task, then, to crush him.

[He turns, takesJulian’shead between his hands, and kisses him.

And you, Julian, my pious friend and brother—so it needs must be.

Julian.

All blessings on the Emperor’s will!

The Emperor.

Call down no blessings! Yet listen—I have thought of you too. Know, Julian, that now you can breathe freely in Constantinople——

Julian.

Yes, praise be to Christ and the Emperor!

The Emperor.

You know it already? Who has told you?

Julian.

What, sire?

The Emperor.

That Libanius is banished?

Julian.

Libanius—banished!

The Emperor.

I have banished him to Athens.

Julian.

Ah!

The Emperor.

Yonder lies his ship; he sails to-night.

Julian.

[Aside.] He himself; he himself!

The Emperor.

You have long wished it. I have not hitherto been able to fulfil your desire; but now——; let this be a slight requital to you, my Julian——

Julian.

[Quickly seizing his hand.] Sire, do me one grace more.

The Emperor.

Ask what you will.

Julian.

Let me go to Pergamus. You know the old Aedesius teaches there——

The Emperor.

A very strange wish. You, among the heathens——?

Julian.

Aedesius is not dangerous; he is a high-minded old man, drawing towards the grave——

The Emperor.

And what would you with him, brother?

Julian.

I would learn to do battle with the lions.

The Emperor.

I understand your pious thought. And you are not afraid——; you think yourself strong enough——?

Julian.

The Lord God has called me with a loud voice. Like Daniel, I go fearless and joyful into the lions’ den.

The Emperor.

Julian!

Julian.

To-night, without knowing it, you have yourself been his instrument. Oh, let me go forth to purge the world!

Gallus.

[Softly to theEmperor.] Humour him, sire; it will prevent his brooding on higher things.

The Empress.

I implore you, Constantius—set no bar to this vehement longing.

Hekebolius.

Great Emperor, let him go to Pergamus. Ifear I am losing hold of him here, and now ’tis no longer of such moment.

The Emperor.

How could I deny you anything in such an hour? Go with God, Julian!

Julian.

[Kissing his hands.] Oh, thanks—thanks!

The Emperor.

And now to a banquet of rejoicing! My Capuan cook has invented some new fast-dishes, carp-necks in Chios wine, and—— Forward;—your place is next to me, Gallus Caesar!

[The procession begins to advance.]

Gallus.

[Softly.] Helena, what a marvellous change of fortune!

Helena.

Oh, Gallus, dawn is breaking over our hopes.

Gallus.

I can scarce believe it! Who has brought it about?

Helena.

Hush!

Gallus.

You, my beloved? Or who—who?

Helena.

Memnon’s Spartan dog.

Gallus.

What do you mean?

Helena.

Memnon’s dog. Julian kicked it; this is Memnon’s revenge.

The Emperor.

Why so silent, Eusebia?

The Empress.

[Softly, in tears.] Oh, Constantius—how could you make such a choice!

The Emperor.

Eleven ghosts demanded it.

The Empress.

Woe upon us; this will not appease the ghosts.

The Emperor.

[Calls loudly.] Flute-players! Why are the rascals silent? Play, play!

[All, exceptPrince Julian, go out to the left.Agathoncomes forward among the trees.

Julian.

Gallus his successor; and I—free, free, free!

Agathon.

Marvellously are the counsels of the Lord revealed.

Julian.

Heard you what passed?

Agathon.

Yes, everything.

Julian.

And to-morrow, my Agathon, to-morrow to Athens!

Agathon.

To Athens? ’Tis to Pergamus you go.

Julian.

Hush! You do not know——; we must be cunning as serpents. First to Pergamus—and then to Athens!

Agathon.

Farewell, my lord and friend!

Julian.

Will you go with me, Agathon?

Agathon.

I cannot. I must go home; I have my little brother to care for.

Julian.

[At the balustrade.] There they are weighing anchor.—A fair wind to you, winged lion; Achilles follows in your wake.

[Exclaims softly.]

Ah!

Agathon.

What was that?

Julian.

Yonder fell a star.

ACT SECOND

In Athens. An open place surrounded by colonnades. In the square, statues and a fountain. A narrow street debouches in the left-hand corner. Sunset.

Basil of Caesarea, a delicately-built young man, sits reading beside a pillar.Gregory of Nazianzusand other scholars of the University stroll in scattered groups up and down the colonnades. A larger band runs shouting across the square, and out to the right; noise in the distance.

Basil.

[Looks up from his book.] What mean these wild cries?

Gregory.

A ship has come in from Ephesus.

Basil.

With new scholars?

Gregory.

Yes.

Basil.

[Rising.] Then we shall have a night of tumult. Come, Gregory; let us not witness all this unseemliness.

Gregory.

[Points to the left.] Look yonder. Is that a pleasanter sight?

Basil.

Prince Julian——; with roses in his hair, his face aflame——

Gregory.

Ay, and after him that reeling, glassy-eyed crew. Hear how the halting tongues babble with wine! They have sat the whole day in Lykon’s tavern.

Basil.

And many of them are our own brethren, Gregory; they are Christian youths——

Gregory.

So they call themselves. Did not Lampon call himself a Christian—he who betrayed the oil-seller Zeno’s daughter? And Hilarion of Agrigentum, and the two others, who did what I shudder to name——

Prince Julian.

[Is heard calling without on the left.] Aha! See, see—the Cappadocian Castor and Pollux.

Basil.

He has caught sight of us. I will go; I cannot endure to see him in this mood.

Gregory.

I will remain; he needs a friend.

Basilgoes out to the right. At the same moment,Prince Julian, followed by a crowd of young men, enters from the narrow street. His hair is dishevelled, and he is clad in a short cloak like the rest. Among the scholars isSallust of Perusia.

Many in the Crowd.

Long live the light of Athens! Long live the lover of wisdom and eloquence!

Julian.

All your flattery is wasted. Not another verse shall you have to-day.

Sallust.

When our leader is silent, life seems empty, as on the morning after a night’s carouse.

Julian.

If we must needs do something, let it be something new. Let us hold a mock trial.

The Whole Crowd.

Yes, yes, yes; Prince Julian on the judgment-seat!

Julian.

Have done with the Prince, friends——

Sallust.

Ascend the judgment-seat, incomparable one!

Julian.

How could I presume——? There stands the man. Who is so learned in the law as Gregory of Nazianzus?

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