Chapter 12

Helena.

And all this you have borne in secrecy——!

Julian.

All know it, except you. All mock at Caesar’s powerlessness. I will bear it no longer! I will not bear it!

Helena.

But the great battle——? Tell me,—has rumour exaggerated——?

Julian.

Rumour could not exaggerate.—Hush; what was that? [Listening towards the door.] No, no; I only thought——

I may say that in these months I have done all that mortal man could do. Step by step, and in spite of all hindrances in my own camp, I drove the barbarians back towards the eastern frontier. Before Argentoratum, with the Rhine at his back, King Knodomar gathered all his forces together. He was joined by five kings and ten lesser princes. But before he had collected the necessary boats for his retreat in case of need, I led my army to the attack.

Helena.

My hero, my Julian!

Julian.

Lupicinus, with the spearmen and the light-armed troops, outflanked the enemy on the north; the old legions, under Severus, drove the barbarians more and more to the eastward, towards the river; our allies, the Batavians, under the faithful Bainabaudes, stood gallantly by the legions; and when Knodomar saw that his case was desperate, he tried to make off southwards, in order to reach the islands. But before he could escape, I sent Florentius to intercept him with the Praetorian guards and the cavalry. Helena, I dare not say it aloud, but certain it is that treachery or envy had nearly robbed me of the fruits of victory. The Roman cavalry recoiled time after time before the barbarians, who threw themselves down on the ground and stabbed the horses in the belly. Defeat stared us in the face——

Helena.

But the God of Battles was with you!

Julian.

I seized a standard, fired the Imperial Guards by my shouts, made them a hasty address, which was, perhaps, not quite unworthy of a more enlightened audience, and then, rewarded by the soldiers’ acclamations, I plunged headlong into the thickest of the fight.

Helena.

Julian! Oh, you do not love me!

Julian.

At that moment you were not in my thoughts.I wished to die; for I despaired of victory. But it came, my love! It seemed as though lightnings of terror flashed from our lance-points. I saw Knodomar, that redoutable warrior—ah, you have seen him too—I saw him fleeing on foot from the battlefield, and with him his brother Vestralp, and the kings Hortar and Suomar, and all who had not fallen by our swords.

Helena.

Oh, I can see it; I can see it! Blessed Saviour, ’twas thou that didst again send forth the destroying angels of the Milvian Bridge!

Julian.

Never have I heard such shrieks of despair; never seen such gaping wounds as those we trampled on, as we waded through the slain. The river did the rest; the drowning men struggled among themselves until they rolled over, and went to the bottom. Most of the princes fell living into our hands; Knodomar himself had sought refuge in a bed of reeds; one of his attendants betrayed him, and our bowmen sent a shower of arrows into his hiding-place, but without hitting him. Then, of his own accord, he gave himself up.

Helena.

And after such a victory do you not feel secure?

Julian.

[Hesitatingly.] On the very evening of the victory an accident occurred, a trifle——

Helena.

An accident?

Julian.

I prefer to call it so. In Athens we used to speculate much upon Nemesis.—My victory was so overwhelming, Helena; my position had, as it were, got out of balance; I do not know——

Helena.

Oh, speak, speak; you put me on the rack!

Julian.

It was a trifle, I tell you. I ordered the captive Knodomar to be brought before me, in the presence of the army. Before the battle, he had threatened that I should be flayed alive when I fell into his hands. Now he came towards me with faltering steps, trembling in every limb. Crushed by disaster, as the barbarians are apt to be, he cast himself down before me, embraced my knees, shed tears, and begged for his life.

Helena.

His mighty frame quivering with dread—I can see the prostrate Knodomar.—Did you kill him, my beloved?

Julian.

I could not kill that man. I granted him his life, and promised to send him as a prisoner to Rome.

Helena.

Without torturing him?

Julian.

Prudence bade me deal mercifully with him. But then—I cannot tell how it happened—with acry of overflowing gladness, the barbarian sprang up, stretched his pinioned hands into the air, and, half ignorant as he is of our language, shouted with a loud voice: “Praise be to thee, Julian, thou mighty Emperor!”

Helena.

Ah!

Julian.

My attendants were inclined to laugh; but the barbarian’s shout flew like a lightning-flash through the surrounding soldiery, kindling as it went. “Long live the Emperor Julian,” those who stood nearest repeated; and the cry spread around in wider and ever wider circles to the furthest distance. ’Twas as though some Titan had hurled a mighty rock far out into the ocean;—oh, my beloved, forgive me the heathen similitude, but——

Helena.

Emperor Julian! He said Emperor Julian!

Julian.

What did the rude Aleman know of Constantius, whom he had never seen? I, his conqueror, was in his eyes the greatest——

Helena.

Yes, yes; but the soldiers——?

Julian.

I rebuked them sternly; for I saw at a glance how Florentius, Severus, and certain others stood silently by, white with fear and wrath.

Helena.

Yes, yes,they—but not the soldiers.

Julian.

Before a single night had passed my secret foes had distorted the affair. “Caesar has induced Knodomar to proclaim him Emperor,” the story went, “and in requital he has granted the barbarian his life.” And, thus inverted, the news has travelled to Rome.

Helena.

Are you sure of that? And through whom?

Julian.

Ah, through whom? through whom? I myself wrote at once to the Emperor and told him everything, but——

Helena.

Well—and how did he answer?

Julian.

As usual. You know his ominous silence when he means to strike a blow.

Helena.

I believe you misinterpret all this. It must be so. You will see that his envoy will soon assure you of——

Julian.

Iamassured, Helena! Here, in my bosom, I have some intercepted letters, which——

Helena.

Oh, Lord my God, let me see!

Julian.

By-and-by.By-and-by.

[He walks up and down.

And all this after the services I have rendered him! I have put a stop to the inroads of the Alemanni for years to come, whilst he himself has suffered defeat after defeat on the Danube, and the army in Asia seems to make no way against the Persians. Shame and disaster on all sides, except here, where he placed a reluctant philosopher at the head of affairs. Yet none the less am I the scorn of the court. Even after the last great victory, they have lampooned me, and called me Victorinus. This must come to an end.

Helena.

So I, too, think.

Julian.

On such terms, what is the title of Caesar worth?

Helena.

No; you are right, Julian; things cannot go on thus!

Julian.

[Stopping.] Helena, could you follow me?

Helena.

[Softly.] Have no fear for me; I will not fail you.

Julian.

Then away from all this thankless toil; away to the solitude I have sighed for so long——!

Helena.

What do you say? Solitude!

Julian.

With you, my beloved; and with my dear books, that I have so seldom been able to open here, save only on my sleepless nights.

Helena.

[Looking him down from head to foot.] Ah, that is what you mean!

Julian.

What else?

Helena.

Ay, truly; what else?

Julian.

Yes, yes—I ask, what else?

Helena.

[Coming nearer.] Julian—how did the barbarian king hail you?

Julian.

[Shrinking.] Helena!

Helena.

[Still nearer.] What was the name that echoed through the ranks of the legions?

Julian.

Rash woman; there may be an eavesdropper at every door!

Helena.

Why should you fear eavesdroppers? Is not God’s grace upon you? Have you not been victorious in every encounter?—I see the Saviour calling upon you; I see the angel with the flaming sword, who cleared the way for my father when he drove Maxentius into the Tiber!

Julian.

Shall I rebel against the ruler of the empire?

Helena.

Only against those who stand between you. Oh, go, go; smite them with the lightning of your wrath; put an end to this harassing, joyless life! Gaul is an outer wilderness. I am so cold here, Julian! I pine for home, for the sunshine of Rome and Greece.

Julian.

For home and your brother?

Helena.

[Softly.] Constantius is but a wreck.

Julian.

Helena!

Helena.

I can bear it no longer, I tell you. Time is flying. Eusebia is gone; her empty seat invites me to honour and greatness, while I am ageing——

Julian.

You are not ageing; you are young and fair!

Helena.

No, no, no! Time speeds; I cannot bear this patiently; life slips away from me!

Julian.

[Gazing at her.] How temptingly beautiful, how divine you are!

Helena.

[Clinging to him.]AmI so indeed, Julian?

Julian.

[Embracing her.] You are the only woman I have loved,—the only one who has loved me.

Helena.

I am older than you. I will not age still more. When all is over, then——

Julian.

[Tearing himself away.] Hush! I will hear no more.

Helena.

[Following him.] Constantius is dying by inches; he hangs by a hair over the grave. Oh, my beloved Julian, you have the soldiers on your side——

Julian.

No more, no more!

Helena.

He can bear no agitation. What is there, then, to recoil from? I mean nothing bloody. Fie, how can you think so? The terror will be enough; it will fold him in its embrace and gently end his sufferings.

Julian.

Do you forget the invisible bodyguard around the Lord’s anointed?

Helena.

Christ is good. Oh, be pious, Julian, and He will forgive much. I will help. Prayers shall go up for you. Praised be the saints! Praised be the martyrs! Trust me, we will atone for everything later. Give me the Alemanni to convert; I will send out priests among them; they shall bow under the mercy of the cross.

Julian.

The Alemanni will not bow.

Helena.

Then they shall die! Like sweet incense shall their blood rise up to Him, the blessed One. We will magnify His glory; His praise shall be made manifest in us. I myself will do my part. The women of the Alemanni shall be my care. If they will not bow, they shall be sacrificed! And then, my Julian—when next you see me——; young, young once more! Give me the women of the Alemanni, my beloved! Blood—’twould be no murder, and the remedy is a sovereign one—a bath of young virgins’ blood——

Julian.

Helena, the thought is crime!

Helena.

Is it crime to commit crime for your sake?

Julian.

You beautiful, you peerless one!

Helena.

[Bowing herself down over his hands.] My lord before God and men!—Draw not back this time, Julian! My hero, my Emperor! I see heaven open. Priests shall sing praises to Christ; my women shall assemble in prayer. [With upraised arms.] Oh, thou blessed One! Oh, thou God of Hosts,—thou, in whose hand lie grace and victory——

Julian.

[With a look towards the door, exclaims:] Helena!

Helena.

Ah!

The Chamberlain Eutherius.

[From the back.] My lord, the Emperor’s emissary——

Julian.

Is he come?

Eutherius.

Yes, my lord!

Julian.

His name? Who is he?

Eutherius.

The tribune Decentius.

Julian.

Indeed? The pious Decentius!

Julian.

Has he talked with any one?

Eutherius.

With no one, my lord; he has this moment arrived.

Julian.

I will see him at once. And listen; one thing more. Summon the captains and officers to me here.

Eutherius.

It is well, most gracious lord.

[He goes out by the back.

Julian.

Now, my Helena, now we shall see——

Helena.

[Softly.] Whatever happens, forget not that you can trust in the soldiers.

Julian.

Ah, trust, trust——; I am not sure that I can trust in any one.

TheTribune Decentiusenters from the back.

Helena.

[Meeting him.] Welcome, noble Decentius! A Roman face,—and, above all, this face,—oh! it sheds genial sunlight over our inclement Gaul.

Decentius.

The Emperor meets your longing and your hope half-way, noble Princess! We may hope that Gaul will not much longer hold you in its chains.

Helena.

Say you so, messenger of gladness? So the Emperor still thinks lovingly of me? How is it with his health?

Julian.

Go, go, my beloved Helena!

Decentius.

The Emperor’s health is certainly no worse.

Helena.

No, surely not? I thought as much. All those alarming rumours——; God be praised that they were but rumours! Thank him most lovingly, good Decentius! And let me thank you too. What splendid gifts have heralded your coming! Imperial——no, let me say brotherly gifts indeed! Two shining black Nubians,—you should see them, my Julian!—and pearls! See, I am wearing them already. And fruits,—sweet, luscious fruits! Ah, peaches from Damascus, peaches in chalices of gold! How they will refresh me;—fruit, fruit; I am pining away here in Gaul.

Julian.

A feast shall end the day; but business first. Go, my precious wife!

Helena.

I go to the church,—to pray for my brother and for all good hopes.

[She goes out to the right.

Julian.

[After an instant’s pause.] A message, or letters?

Decentius.

Letters.

[He hands him a roll of paper.

Julian.

[Reads, represses a smile, and holds out his hand.] More!

Decentius.

Noble Caesar, that is well-nigh all.

Julian.

Truly? Has the Emperor sent his friend all this long way only to——?

[He bursts into a short laugh, and then walks up and down.

Had Knodomar, the King of the Alemanni, arrived in Rome ere you left?

Decentius.

Yes, noble Caesar!

Julian.

And how fares he in the strange land, ignorant as he is of our tongue! For he knows nought of it, Decentius! He was positively a laughing-stock to my soldiers. Only think, he mixed up two such common words as Emperor and Caesar.

Decentius.

[Shrugging his shoulders.] A barbarian. What can one expect?

Julian.

No, what can one expect? But the Emperor has received him graciously?

Decentius.

Knodomar is dead, my lord!

Julian.

[Stopping suddenly.] Knodomar dead!

Decentius.

Dead, in the foreigners’ quarters, on the Coelian hill.

Julian.

Dead? Indeed!—Ah, the Roman air is unwholesome.

Decentius.

The King of the Alemanni died of home-sickness, my lord! The longing for kindred and freedom——

Julian.

——wastes a man away, Decentius; yes, yes, I know that.—I should not have sent him living to Rome. I should have had him killed here.

Decentius.

Caesar’s heart is merciful.

Julian.

H’m——! Home-sickness? Indeed!

To the Master of the Horse,Sintula, who enters by the back.

Are you there, old faun? Tempt me no more.

[ToDecentius.] Since the battle at Argentoratum, he is for ever talking to me of the triumphal chariot and the white horses. [ToSintula.] ’Twould be like Phaeton’s career with theLybian sun-horses. How did that end? Have you forgotten—have you forgotten your heathendom, I had almost said?—Pardon me, Decentius, for wounding your pious ear.

Decentius.

Caesar delights his servant’s ear; he cannot wound it.

Julian.

Yes, yes; bear with Caesar’s jesting. In truth I know not how else to take the matter.—Here they are.

SeverusandFlorentius, together with other captains and gentlemen of Caesar’s court, enter from the back.

Julian.

[Advancing to receive them.] Greeting to you, brothers in arms and friends. Blame me not overmuch for summoning you hither, straight from the dust and toil of the march; truly, I should not have grudged you some hours’ rest; but——

Florentius.

Has aught of moment happened, my lord?

Julian.

Aye, truly. Can you tell me—what was lacking to complete Caesar’s happiness?

Florentius.

What should be lacking to complete Caesar’s happiness?

Julian.

Now, nothing. [ToDecentius.] The army has demanded that I should enter the city in triumph. They would have had me pass through the gates of Lutetia at the head of the legions. Captive barbarian princes, with pinioned hands, were to march beside my chariot-wheels; women and slaves from twenty conquered peoples were to follow, crowded closely together, head against head—— [Breaking off suddenly.] Rejoice, my valiant fellow soldiers; here you see the Tribune Decentius, the Emperor’s trusted friend and councillor. He has arrived this morning with gifts and greetings from Rome.

Florentius.

Ah, then indeed naught can be lacking to complete Caesar’s happiness.

Severus.

[Softly toFlorentius.] Incomprehensible! Then he is in the Emperor’s grace again!

Florentius.

[Softly.] Oh, this unstable Emperor!

Julian.

You seem all to be struck dumb with astonishment.—They think the Emperor has done too much, goodDecentius!Decentius!

Florentius.

How can Caesar think such a thought?

Severus.

Too much, noble Caesar? By no means. Who doubts that the Emperor knows how to set due bounds to his favour?

Florentius.

This is in truth a rare and remarkable distinction——

Severus.

I should even call it beyond measure rare and remarkable——

Florentius.

And especially does it afford a striking proof that our august Emperor’s mind is free from all jealousy——

Severus.

An unexampled proof, I venture to call it.

Florentius.

But then, what has not Caesar achieved in these few years in Gaul?

Julian.

A year-long dream, dear friends! I have achieved nothing. Nothing, nothing!

Florentius.

All this your modesty counts as nothing? What was the army when you took command? A disorderly rabble——

Severus.

——without coherence, without discipline, without direction——

Julian.

You exaggerate, Severus!

Florentius.

And was it not with this undisciplined rabble that you took the field against the Alemanni? Did you not win battle after battle with these levies, till your victories transformed them into an invincible host? Did you not retake Colonia Agrippina——?

Julian.

Come come, you see with the eye of friendship, my Florentius!—Or is it really so? Is it a fact, that I drove the barbarians out of the islands of the Rhine! That I placed the ruined Tres Tabernae in a posture of defence, making it a bulwark of the empire? Is it really so?

Florentius.

What, my lord! Can you be in doubt as to so great deeds?

Julian.

No, I cannot but think—— And the battle of Argentoratum? Was I not there? I cannot but fancy that I defeated Knodomar. And after the victory——; Florentius, have I dreamt it, or did I rebuild Trajan’s fortress, when we marched into German territory?

Florentius.

Noble Caesar, is there any man so mad as to deny you the honour of these exploits?

Severus.

[ToDecentius.] I praise the destiny that has vouchsafed to my old age so victorious a leader.

Florentius.

[Also to the Tribune.] I dare scarcely think what turn this inroad of the Alemanni might have taken, but for Caesar’s courage and conduct.

Many Courtiers.

[Pressing forward.] Yes, yes; Caesar is great!

Others.

[Clapping their hands.] Caesar is peerless!

Back to Index Next