and this blessed worker of prodigies!
VALENTINUS.
Oh, merely a little skill, reinforced by healing onion juice and oil of
balsam!
ASTERIUS.
We must have a feast, a regular banquet to celebrate the glorious event!
Nerva, give orders that this shall be done instantly!
TERTULLA.
Oh, joyful day! A banquet! But first, Maronis, come, help me improve the
fashion of my hair! [_Looking at herself critically in the mirror._]
MARONIS.
[_Laughing happily._] Hear that now! Like Narcissus she will fall in love
with her own reflection! [_TERTULLA goes with MARONIS and QUARTILLA, all
talking happily._]
ASTERIUS.
[_To VALENTINUS._] Ask of me, demand what you will in repayment! It
is yours unchallenged! Meanwhile to each of my household his heart’s
desire! For you, you impudent rascal Nerva, remission of all the
floggings you already deserve, and will deserve during the coming
hebdomad. Also all the sweets you can stuff yourself with! As for you,
Pertinax, my faithful Pertinax, on the soonest day that the Prætor sits
in Court, you shall go before him to have the rod of liberty laid on
your head! More. In addition to your freedom will I bestow on you the
beginnings and makings of a farm of your own!
PERTINAX.
[_Overcome with joy._] Freedman and landed proprietor ... I ... Pertinax!
Oh, felicitous omen!
ASTERIUS.
In gratitude I declare myself follower of your faith, Valentinus! Myself
and my entire household!
VALENTINUS.
Again, softly! It may not be achieved so hastily!
ASTERIUS.
What! If any one of my family refuses to believe what I order him to
believe I’ll have him flogged till he does so believe! Oh, come what may
of it, you’ll find there’s no better Christian in Italy than I! Come,
now; to the banquet!
PERTINAX.
[_Advancing._] Master ... I mean, Asterius; as one freedman and landed
proprietor to another I ask your daughter Asteria Tertia in marriage!
ASTERIUS.
[_Nearly speechless with wrath._] What! Do my ears play me tricks? This
... this ... this scum asks ... Tertulla....
PERTINAX.
My blood, Asterius, is not ignoble! I was not bought from a dealer’s cage
in the market! I am no tippler at the hot liquor shops, or gossiper in
the ante-room, like certain ones! [_Looking at NERVA who is stifling his
mirth at the anger of ASTERIUS._] I have some scholarship, and, as you
should know, no little agricultural skill! And if the maid should not
look on me with disfavour....
ASTERIUS.
Away with you to extreme and uttermost perdition! May you be buffeted
with fists....
NERVA.
[_Enjoying this, echoes._] Buffeted with fists!
ASTERIUS.
... jerked with rods....
NERVA.
That’s it; jerked with rods!
ASTERIUS.
... pricked with goads!...
NERVA.
Pricked with goads ... sharp, sharp goads!
ASTERIUS.
... pinched with red-hot tongs....
NERVA.
... with sizzling, red-hot tongs....
ASTERIUS.
... roasted over scorching flames and thrown to wild beasts to be
devoured! [_He goes by the curtained way._]
NERVA.
... hungry wild beasts ... munch ... crunch! to be devoured! M-m-m! [_He
follows ASTERIUS._]
PERTINAX.
Oh, infamous! And all because of your abominable miracles! [_To
VALENTINUS. He goes out by the door._]
[_VALENTINUS sits quietly meditating in the waning light, and to him
comes QUARTILLA with her caged bird._]
QUARTILLA.
Everybody is unhappy and my dove has ceased to coo!
[_She sets the cage among the flowers, then, seating herself beside
VALENTINUS, slips her hand into his. Thus are they when ASTERIUS enters
quietly, and also seats himself. After a slight pause he speaks._]
ASTERIUS.
Will you baptise me a Christian to-night or to-morrow, Valentinus?
VALENTINUS.
Neither then nor now, Asterius, nor ever, while your heart remains hard
and your spirit proud!
ASTERIUS.
But, consider, now.... Had Tulla remained blind I could have borne with
the fellow’s impudence; might even have reconciled myself to the match!
But Tulla with her eyesight is another matter! My eldest daughter is
married to a man with a porch to his house as large as one belonging to
a public building! My second son-in-law has an estate at the seventh
milestone on the Appian Way! I myself do not need to go to the public
baths; I have added a fine equipment to the house with the most elaborate
devices for warm and cold water and hot air!
[_There is a slight pause._]
VALENTINUS.
Hark!
QUARTILLA.
What do you hear?
VALENTINUS.
A ring-dove, calling for its mate!... Quick, Tilla! Set your poor
prisoner free! [_Putting the cage into her hand and opening the door that
leads into the lane._]
QUARTILLA.
[_Almost crying._] What, my dove that I paid money for?... Let it go?
VALENTINUS.
Why, now, child, it is for this very thing you paid your money ... to
give it back its stolen happiness!... See, already it lifts its drooping
head ... ready to answer the call of life, and spring, and love!
QUARTILLA.
[_Opening the door of the cage as she goes out._] Farewell, my dove!...
Drop a feather from the wing of your happiness, and send a note from your
song of joy back to Quartilla!... Kindly fare you well!
ASTERIUS.
[_Rising, addresses VALENTINUS._] You think me in the wrong, but Tulla
herself is averse to the idea! [_VALENTINUS makes no reply._] I will
send her here that you yourself may question her!
TERTULLA.
[_Entering._] How wonderful to learn the world all over again!
Valentinus! I would speak with Valentinus!
QUARTILLA.
[_Enters with her empty cage._] It has flown away! [_She sighs._] I’m
glad someone is happy at last! Poor Pertinax is pacing up and down the
lane with a face three cubits long!
ASTERIUS.
[_With contempt._] Pertinax, forsooth! Come with me, Quartilla!
[_QUARTILLA goes with him._]
TERTULLA.
[_Also with contempt._] Pertinax, indeed! My father informed me of his
presumptuous proposal! Shall one who has been honoured by a god put on
the saffron-coloured wedding veil and slippers for a gardener? [_PERTINAX
appears at the door._]
VALENTINUS.
But such a gardener! [_Indicating the flowers._]
TERTULLA.
[_In surprise._] Oh! How came these here? Flowers that by the grace of
Faunus, blossom for Tertulla while the gardens of others are still a
barren waste!
VALENTINUS.
Brought by the human deputy of the divinity ... good Pertinax!
TERTULLA.
[_Thoughtfully._] Pertinax! [_She fondles the flowers._] My friends! Do
you know that at last I see you with the eyes of my body as of my spirit?
[_Kisses the flowers._]
[_PERTINAX sighs. TERTULLA hearing, starts up._]
Who sighed then? Surely not Faunus! Surely Faunus is no longer angry
with his handmaiden? Valentinus, you always counsel wisely! How can I
propitiate the god, assuring him of my continued loyal service?
VALENTINUS.
True service implies many things, Tertulla, among which not the least is
gratitude! Under the favour of Heaven human hands were needed to protect
the tender roots from the cruelties of winter, to water them in days of
drought, and foster their growth! The miracle of the god could be wrought
only by the devotion of a man!
TERTULLA.
[_After a slight pause._] If Pertinax is within hearing let him advance
to receive my thanks!
[_At a sign from VALENTINUS, PERTINAX obeys, on which TERTULLA addresses
him with much dignity._]
Although not condoning the presumption of your suit, Pertinax, yet....
[_She breaks off with a slight cry._] Why ... yours was the last face
I saw before my vision went to sleep, when you, a boy, drew me from the
reach of the all-devouring flames! [_She turns aside with emotion._] An
act but for which I should still be.... How unmindful have I been all
these years! But now ... you shall find me not ungrateful!
PERTINAX.
I ask nothing, Asteria Tertia, but pardon for the offence of having
lifted my own eyes toward you!... With the freedom your Jove-like father
has this day bestowed on me I withdraw from his service, never to cross
the threshold of your life again!... Kindly fare-you-well! [_He turns to
go._]
TERTULLA.
[_With a little cry._] Oh! But my garden!... Valentinus, what, think you,
would Faunus have me do with my affairs in such case? [_In a whisper to
VALENTINUS._]
VALENTINUS.
What does your own heart counsel you, Tertulla? [_He places in her hand
a blossoming spray._] Close your eyes again and dwell for a space in the
chambers of your spirit! [_TERTULLA does as he bids._] What see you now?
TERTULLA.
Of course the image of the god Faunus is lodged in the sacred penetralia,
never to be displaced by other object of veneration. [_PERTINAX sighs
heavily. She continues hesitatingly._] And yet....
VALENTINUS.
Ah? And how appears the god; in what image, Tulla?
TERTULLA.
Strange! A circumstance beyond my power to explain, but.... [_She speaks
confidentially so that PERTINAX shall not overhear._] Think me not
sacrilegious, Valentinus, when I say he resembles Pertinax!
PERTINAX.
[_Having crept close to listen._] O felicitous omen! Accept it, Asteria
Tertia, and that you shall not repent yourself of it will I dedicate my
life!
TERTULLA.
[_Opening eyes._] Would you? [_To VALENTINUS._]
VALENTINUS.
[_Nodding assent._] I would indeed, were I Tertulla!
TERTULLA.
Then, Pertinax, since what even now seemed presumption on your part is
presented to me as an act commended by the immortal gods and goddesses...!
[_Holds out a hand to him._]
PERTINAX.
O joyful day! Words fail me! Even Anacreon disowns me! I can only express
myself in terms of horticulture! Already the myrtle beloved of Venus puts
forth shoots, and blossoming with the rose, twines itself in a nuptial
wreath about Tertulla’s brow!
TERTULLA.
How beautiful! Speak more to me in such fashion! [_Draws him aside._]
ASTERIUS.
[_In the inner room._] Bring in the banquet. Set the tables. Place the
couches! Let nothing be wanting to the feast! [_He enters, followed by
NERVA and slaves bearing lamps, dishes, and all the material for a royal
feast._] This spot, which witnessed the prodigy of my child’s restoration
to sight, shall witness equally our gratitude!... Well, Valentinus! Has
Tulla convinced you of her loathing for that insect Pertinax? If so we
will amuse ourselves while feasting in devising means to torture him,
after which we will all be baptised! I understand your god insists on
mercy to one’s enemies, wherefore I delay allegiance to him till Pertinax
shall have been torn limb from limb!
NERVA.
[_Smacking his lips._] Limb from limb! M-m! [_Suddenly catches sight of
the two lovers, and exclaims, nearly dropping the dish he holds._] Now,
by Hercules...!
ASTERIUS.
[_Making for NERVA with stick._] Thumb-fingered one!
QUARTILLA.
O see my sister who clasps hands with Pertinax!
ASTERIUS.
[_Also seeing the two._] What! Does my vision play me tricks? Worker of
prodigies, is this your deed?
QUARTILLA.
[_Dancing about._] A miracle! A miracle!
VALENTINUS.
Only the miracle of youth!
TERTULLA.
[_Imploring._] Father!
PERTINAX.
[_Also imploring._] Father-in-law!
ASTERIUS.
[_Almost speechless._] Father and father-in-law! Now, by— [_NERVA
splutters with laughter, on which he raises his stick to him, then drops
it._] O ye gods! In vain do I remind myself that I am a Roman father!
Vainly do I call to mind the portico of one son-in-law, the estate at the
seventh milestone of the other! Even the bath fails me, the bath equipped
with hot and cold water and hot air! I am not enraged as I should be!
Even the brazen-tongued Nerva causes me mirth rather than fury!
QUARTILLA.
[_Dancing about._] A miracle! A miracle!
VALENTINUS.
Only the miracle of kindness working in your own good heart, Asterius!
ASTERIUS.
Then without more words let us to the banquet lest the meats grow cold
while miracles are multiplied!
[_ALL take places at table._]
TERTULLA.
[_Whispers to VALENTINUS._] Think you will Pertinax forgive me for my
adoration for the god Faunus?
VALENTINUS.
Surely, by the aid of the miracle of love!
PERTINAX.
[_Also goes to VALENTINUS, speaking to him apart._] Think you that my
wife will expect impossible deeds of me, mistaking me for a god?
VALENTINUS.
Fear not! That danger will be prevented by the miracle of marriage!
[_ALL take places at the tables, reclining on the couches that servants
have brought. Musicians begin a prelude on flute, lyre, and harp.
Suddenly QUARTILLA starts up, lifting a hand for silence._]
QUARTILLA.
Oh, listen! [_There is a general hush._] My dove ... my dove has found
its mate!
THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESOS
_Easter_
THE SEVEN SLEEPERS OF EPHESOS
CHARACTERS
_THE SEVEN SLEEPERS. Lads, of the time of Decius who reigned
over the Roman Empire from A. D. 249 to 251, named CONSTANTINE,
DION, MAXIMUS, IOANNES, MARTINUS, MALCHUS, and SERAPÍON._
_A YOUNG SLAVE named CONSTANTINE and six Schoolboys, of the
time of Theodosius II, who reigned from A. D. 408 to 450, named
DION, MAXIMUS, IOANNES, MARTINUS, MALCHUS and SERAPÍON._
_Other persons of the same day, including_
_THE EMPEROR and his suite_,
_THE SCHOOLMASTER, called by the boys Didaskalos_,
_A PRIEST, a CONTRACTOR, an OVERSEER, a CENTURION and SOLDIERS,
the MAGISTRATE, the TOWNCLERK, other OFFICIALS, SLAVES working
in the quarry, AN OLD SLAVE WOMAN, grandmother of CONSTANTINE_,
_HOLIDAY-MAKERS with their attendant SLAVES, and_
_A FRIEND who belongs to all ages and countries_.
FOREWORD
Let us take a flight backward over fifteen centuries to a date somewhere
about A. D. 410. The Roman Empire is the centre of the civilised world,
with Constantinople for its capital and Theodosius II upon the throne.
Let us imagine ourselves in Asia Minor, visiting a city of Lydia which
we are accustomed to call in Roman fashion Ephesus, but which we will
to-day spell Ephesos to remind us of a fact of which it was too proud
ever to forget ... its Greek origin. Indeed Ephesos at all times seems to
have held its head high. It prided itself for one thing on its commercial
importance, its situation rendering it an admirable starting-place
for Roman legions on their eastward march of conquest no less than an
admirable port from which the spoils of the orient, brought across the
desert routes by caravan, could be shipped to western markets. From this
it gained the name of Key, or Gateway, to the eastern Empire. In the
earlier days of its history Ephesos had also proudly styled itself the
Temple-Keeper City on account of its devotion to the great nature-goddess
Artemis in whose honour a magnificent sanctuary had been erected there
some thousand years before this day we are to relive in the reign of
Theodosius II. Little gold and silver shrines of Artemis were fabricated
and sold in Ephesos while Christianity was still under a ban, and, as
you will recall, it was the fear of the guild of smith-craftsmen that the
new religion would deprive them of this industry that caused an uprising
against the Apostle Paul during his missionary labours there. Then when
Constantine the Great declared in favour of Christianity, causing it to
be the officially established religion of Imperial Rome, we find Ephesos
priding itself on the zeal with which it renounces its ancient deities,
and either razing the temples of these or converting them into churches
with forms of worship adapted to the new creed.
It is a holiday in spring, and holidays here seem much the same as
elsewhere. Schoolboys freed from the rule of didaskalos go to the shores
of the River Kaÿstros to skip oyster shells, or they play hide-and-seek
in the fields of wheat and millet that grow high as a man’s head. Perhaps
when the back of the Centurion with his vine-branch rod is turned they
will form a group in the pleasant shade of some portico to match coins.
“Heads or ships?” we shall hear them say, if by chance a Roman piece
has found its way among the locally minted currency. Picnic parties
attended by slaves bearing huge baskets of provisions will be seeking
the quarried sides of Prion and Kóressos, the beautiful mountains that
overlook Ephesos. Stories will be told by the old to the young: legends
of the days when the Temple of Artemis ... now but a picturesque ruin ...
was sanctuary during a Persian invasion; later fables of the persecutions
instituted by the Emperor Decius against the professors of the new
religion who were fain to meet by stealth in upper chambers to worship,
or be scourged, thrown, perchance, to beasts in the arena. Perhaps some
antiquarian will have discovered a papyrus on which he has deciphered a
hymn in praise of Artemis, coupled with an ode to the City, to be sung by
the Epheboi, the youths of the place, and the girls destined to be Temple
priestesses, at the great festival of springtide when nature’s self
celebrates the glory of resurrection after its winter sleep, and decks
the world with flowers. In those days the month of festival was called
Artemision, but now it is known as Easter! Listen to the chants from the
churches dedicated to St. Paul, St. John! But even as you hear the “Glory
to the Father” the winds that acknowledge no religion, old or new, and
the echoes that witness them all, bring back to life the strains of the
ancient processional, sung to flute, harp and lyre, in praise of the
banished goddess Artemis by boys and girls over whose graves the flowers
of nigh two centuries have grown!
HYMN TO ARTEMIS
O Artemis,
Great goddess-mother, born
When from primeval night’s abyss
Primeval rose the morn!
To well-strung lyre
Thy choric praise we sing,
Libations pour, tend sacred fire,
Bear garland-offering.
As Prion’s peak
Strains toward sky-swung star
So conquerors thy favour seek,
O goddess tutelar!
Unbought, unsold,
Abides thine altar-stone,
Nor subjugate by Crœsus’ gold,
Nor pride of Macedon!
Thy columned fane
From quarries hewn of time,
Oft razed, but rears itself again
In grandeur more sublime!
In war or peace
Then grant, as aye before,
Arms’ victory and earth’s increase,
In peace, goddess, or war!
HYMN IN PRAISE OF THE CITY EPHESOS
O City Temple-Keeper, praise be thine
For fruitful olive, corn, and clustered vine,
Sweet-watered plain,
And prospered orchard, flocks on sunny sides
Of hills where silver-tracked Kaÿstros glides
To trackless main!
O wide thy roads that height and desert span
For mustered troop and laden caravan,
An Empire’s key
From morning star to star at eve that dips
Into yon harbour whence our gallied ships
Go down to sea!
O fair thine iris-mead and cypress grove
Where Egypt’s queen and Roman soldier wove
Love’s dream of joy!
Mighty thy pride of old Ionic race,
Altar and hearth no power can abase
Nor time destroy!
The winds fold their wings among the hills and the echoes slip back into
the valleys with their memories of boys and girls with their flowering
garlands, incense bearers, priests and priestesses of long ago who
used to march through the city and climb the hill to the Temple in the
month of Artemision; and the cross over the gateway that we see in the
distance, and the peal of the Gloria from the churches remind us that
this is a modern and Christian Ephesos through which we are wandering
at Eastertide in the year 410. From the market-place we have passed to
the stadion where the young athletes of the place are practising for
the games that will be held later on, and now our steps have brought
us beyond city bounds in the direction of Kóressos. Here we find that,
although it is a holiday, gangs of slaves directed by an overseer are
busily quarrying the grey marble for which this mountain is famed.
Mingling with the bystanders we pause to watch them as they tear down a
pile of loose, large stones that seem at some time to have been stacked
up against what looks like a solid wall of masonry. As the sun is high
and we are wearied with our climb we join a group sitting in the shadow
of a plane tree, enjoying the view, listening to the distant chimes and
the anthems of praise from the churches. Meanwhile our attention is
arrested by the talk that goes on about us.
THE OVERSEER.
[_As a huge block rolls down._]
Good! Still a few such blocks, and lo! fulfilled
My contract!
A PRIEST.
[_Passing, pauses._]
Working! Through what greed of gain
Profane you thus the holy festival
Of Eastertide?
THE OVERSEER.
A holy work, in truth,
Good presbyter! Aye; albeit delayed
Through curious reluctance of these slaves ...
Dogs, Would you slacken when my back is turned!
[_He menaces the SLAVES who seem to work most
unwillingly; then continues_]
... to quarry the grey ribs of Kóressos
For marble for the final resting-place
Of an Apostle!
THE PRIEST.
[_Enlightened._]
What! To line the tomb
Of blessed Paulos destined, then, these stones?
THE OVERSEER.
The contract so attests!
A DANDY.
[_Passing by with an OFFICIAL pauses._]
Increased the land
In value, neighbouring the tomb, since all
Of ardent faith interred will seek to lie
Near bones canonical and sanctified!
Let us go bargain for it secretly!
THE OFFICIAL.
Forget you, marts are closed and business waits
On Eastertide?
THE DANDY.
’Tis true, worse luck to it!
A YOUNG SLAVE.
This is the last stone that I roll away!
[_The other SLAVES mutter assent._]
THE OVERSEER.
[_Angrily._]
Silence! Or taste the lash!
THE PRIEST.
[_Apostrophising the mountain._]
O Kóressos,
How many pagan fanes in bygone days
Your sides have yielded! Now your very heart
The mortal part of immortality
Shall shrine! Hallow’d such toil on hallow’d day,
How must ye love it! [_To the SLAVES._]
THE SLAVES.
[_In contemptuous derision._]
We!
THE YOUNG SLAVE.
[_Offering his tools to the PRIEST._]
An like it you
So greatly, come, then; take my place at it!
[_This daring act causes a sensation._]
THE PRIEST.
[_Unable to credit his ears._]
What, I? A father of the church!
THE YOUNG SLAVE.
Why not,
If hallowed task you deem it fits it not
Your calling?
THE PRIEST.
[_Unable to credit his senses._]
Eyes, deceive ye me? O ears,
Be ye discredited! Slave this? Ye gods!
[_No sooner has he made this slip of the tongue
than he becomes uncomfortably conscious of it
from the shocked amusement of the bystanders._]
THE YOUNG SLAVE.
[_With sardonic mirth._]
Upon the gods he calls! This man of God
On ancient gods, on banished gods and banned
Is fain to call for witness! Hear him, gods!
[_This daring speech causes a great sensation._]
THE PRIEST.
O blasphemous! For trifling tongue-slip thus
To be construed as utterance profane!
Heaven, avenge Thy servant! Lightning-shaft
And bolted thunder strike this slave! [_With arms upraised._]
THE YOUNG SLAVE.
[_With a sneer._]
Too clear
The face of morning! Did fulfilment wait
Such miracle though, easier its death
Than the life-haunting frenzy that predooms
Who delve into this mountain’s mystery!
AN OLD SLAVE.
Truth speaks he!
[_The other SLAVES murmur assent._]
THE OVERSEER.
[_Angrily._]
Truth or falsehood, his next word
Will earn a whipping!... Are the oxen yoked?
[_He looks toward a point beyond our vision._]
Then load with these the drays!
[_He indicates the stones already quarried,
accordingly the SLAVES slip a noosed rope
about the largest of these and drag it away._]
THE PRIEST.
[_In a temper._]
Lash-threat I deem
Too light a penance for his saucy tongue!
Centurion! [_He calls and beckons to someone._] What, ho! Centurion!
This city’s wretchedly policed!
THE CENTURION.
[_Majestically stalks on._]
Who calls,
And wherefore?
THE PRIEST.
Yon’s a slave whose tongue offends.
CENTURION.
In course of nature! Slaves should all be born
Untongued, were I consulted!... Slaves, and boys
Of schooling years!
[_He shakes his rod threateningly at a group of
SCHOOLBOYS who are imitating his stride, then
continues, addressing the OVERSEER._]
The wretch your chattel is.
Why not yourself chastise him?
THE OVERSEER.
[_Shaking his head._]
Sinewed brawn
I can’t afford to quarrel with. His lead
The others follow. Mutiny ’twould cause.
THE PRIEST.
[_Appealing, angrily._]
Unscathed such blasphemy? Centurion....
THE OVERSEER.
[_Appealing, anxiously._]
Undone the work! Centurion....
THE CENTURION.
The noon
Is sunful, steep the climbing hill, and I
No longer in my sapling years. Where shade
Invites I’ll weigh the matter duly, which
Hath greater claim on Rome’s authority:
A partly holy man, wholly alive, [_Indicating the PRIEST_]
Or an Apostle, wholly holy, dead!
[_He sits under the tree and falls into a doze._]