be deposited in my treasury, and through you I apprise your masters that
it is my will to maintain friendship with all nations who do not—whether
by force or guile—thwart my designs.—As to your being led, in your
distant lands, to regard me as a divinity on account of my fortunate
victories, I will not enter further into the matter. I reverence the
gods too highly to arrogate to myself an unmerited place in their midst,
although I know that frequently, and chiefly in the days of old, there
have lived heroes and rulers who have been so greatly distinguished by
the favour and grace of the gods, that it has been difficult to
determine whether they should rightly be reckoned among mortals or
immortals. Of such things, however, it is rash to judge, even for us
Greeks. How much more, then, for you? Therefore, enough of
that.—Eutherius conduct the strangers to repose, and see that they lack
nothing.
[_The Envoys and their train leave the hall, conducted by
EUTHERIUS. JULIAN descends from the daïs; the courtiers and
orators surround him with admiring congratulations._
THEMISTIUS.
So young,—and already so highly honoured above all other Emperors!
MAMERTINUS.
I ask: will not Fame lack lungs to proclaim your renown, if the gods, as
I confidently hope, grant you a long life?
THEMISTIUS.
The yell of fear, uttered by the flying Alemanni on the furthest shores
of the Rhine, has swept eastward until it dashed against Taurus and
Caucasus——
MAMERTINUS.
——and now rolls, like the echoes of thunder, over the whole of Asia.
NEVITA.
What has so overawed the Indians is the likeness between our Greek
Julian and the Macedonian Alexander——
MAMERTINUS.
Oh where is the likeness? Had King Alexander secret enemies in his own
camp? Had he to struggle against an envious and backbiting imperial
court?
NEVITA.
True, true; and there were no incapable generals to clog Alexander’s
progress.
JULIAN.
Ursulus, it is my will that the coming of these envoys shall be made
known both in the city and through all regions of the empire. Everything
shall be exactly set forth,—the places whence they came, and the gifts
they brought with them. I will withhold from my citizens nothing that
concerns my government. You may also allude in passing to the strange
belief among the Indians, that Alexander has returned to earth.
URSULUS.
[_Hesitatingly._] Pardon me, most gracious Emperor, but——
JULIAN.
Well?
URSULUS.
You have yourself said that in this court no flattery is to be
tolerated——
JULIAN.
True, my friend!
URSULUS.
Then let me honestly tell you that these envoys came to seek your
predecessor, not you.
JULIAN.
What do you dare to tell me?
THEMISTIUS.
Pooh, what preposterous nonsense!
MAMERTINUS.
What a fable!
URSULUS.
It is the truth. I have long known that these men were on their
way,—long before the Emperor Constantius closed his eyes. Oh, my most
gracious lord, let not a false vanity find its way into your young
mind——
JULIAN.
Enough, enough! Then you mean to say that——
URSULUS.
Think for yourself. How could your victories in Gaul, glorious as they
have been, reach the ears of such distant nations with such rapidity?
When the envoys spoke of the Emperor’s heroic deeds, they had in mind
the war against the King of Persia——
NEVITA.
I did not know that the war against King Sapor had been so conducted as
to spread terror to the ends of the earth.
URSULUS.
True; fortune has been against our arms in those regions. But ’twas the
rumour of the great armament which the Emperor Constantius was preparing
for the spring that alarmed the Armenians and the other nations.—Oh,
reckon out the time, sire, count the days if you will, and say if it can
possibly be otherwise. Your march hither from Gaul was marvellously
rapid; but the journey of these men from the Indian isles——; it would be
tenfold more marvellous if——; ask them, and you will hear——
JULIAN.
[_Pale with anger._] Why do you say all this to me?
URSULUS.
Because it is the truth, and because I cannot bear to see your fresh and
fair renown darkened by borrowed trappings.
THEMISTIUS.
What audacity!
MAMERTINUS.
What brazen audacity!
JULIAN.
You cannot bear, forsooth! You cannot bear! Oh, I know you better. I
know all you old courtiers. It is the gods whose glory you would
disparage. For is it not to the glory of the gods that through a man
they can compass such great things! But you hate them, these gods, whose
temples you have thrown down, whose statues you have broken to pieces,
and whose treasures you have rifled. You have scarcely even tolerated
these our most beneficent deities. You have scarcely suffered the pious
to cherish them secretly in their hearts. And now you would also break
down the temple of gratitude which I have dedicated to them in my heart;
you would rob me of the grateful belief that I am indebted to the
immortals for a new and much-to-be-coveted benefaction;—for may not
renown be so termed?
URSULUS.
The one God of heaven is my witness that——
JULIAN.
The one God! There we have it again! So are you always. What
intolerance! Contrast yourselves with us. Do we say that our gods are
the only ones? Do we not esteem both the gods of the Egyptians and that
Jewish Jehovah, who has certainly done great things among his people?
But you, on the contrary,—and a man like you, too, Ursulus—! Are you a
Roman born of Grecian race? The one God! What barbarous effrontery!
URSULUS.
You have promised to hate no man for his convictions’ sake.
JULIAN.
That I have promised; but neither will I suffer you to treat us too
insolently. These envoys have not come to——? That is to say, in other
words, that the great and divine Dionysus, whose especial gift it is to
reveal what is hidden,—that he is not as powerful now as in bygone ages.
Ought I to suffer this? Is it not overweening audacity? Am I not forced
to call you to account?
URSULUS.
Then all Christians will say that it is their faith you are persecuting.
JULIAN.
No one shall be persecuted by reason of his faith. But have I the right
to overlook whatever faults you may commit, simply because you are
Christians? Shall your delusions shield your misdeeds? What have not
your audacious crew for long been doing, both here at court and
elsewhere? Have you not flattered all vices, and bowed before all
caprices? Ay, what have not you yourself, Ursulus, connived at? I am
thinking of that shameless, bedizened barber, that salve-stinking fool,
who just now filled me with loathing. Are not you treasurer? How could
you give way to his impudent demands?
URSULUS.
Is it a crime to have done my master’s bidding?
JULIAN.
I will have nothing to do with such luxurious servants. All those
insolent eunuchs shall be hunted out of the palace; and all cooks, and
jugglers, and dancers after them. A becoming frugality shall once more
be enforced.
[_To THEMISTIUS and MAMERTINUS._
You, my friends, shall aid me in this.—And you, Nevita, on whom, as a
mark of special distinction, I bestow the title of general-in-chief,—you
I depute to investigate how the offices of state have been administered
under my predecessor, especially of late years. You may call in the aid
of competent men, at your own choice, to decide with you in these
affairs.
[_To the older courtiers and councillors._
Of you I have no need. When my lamented kinsman, on his death-bed,
appointed me his successor, he also bequeathed to me that justice which
his long illness had prevented him from administering. Go home; and when
you have given an account of yourselves, you may go whither you please.
URSULUS.
The Lord God uphold and shield you, my Emperor!
[_He bows, and goes out by the back, together with the older
men. NEVITA, THEMISTIUS, and MAMERTINUS, with all the
younger men, gather round the Emperor._
NEVITA.
My august master, how can I sufficiently thank you for the mark of
favour which you——
JULIAN.
No thanks. In these few days I have learnt to value your fidelity and
judgment. I also commission you to draw up the despatch concerning the
eastern envoys. Word it so that the beneficent gods may find in it no
reason for resentment against any of us.
NEVITA.
In both matters I will carry out my Emperor’s will.
[_He goes out to the right._
JULIAN.
And now, my faithful friends, now let us praise the immortal powers, who
have shown us the right way.
THEMISTIUS.
The immortals, and their more than mortal favourite! What joy there will
be throughout the empire, when it is known that you have dismissed those
violent and rapacious men!
MAMERTINUS.
With what anxiety and impatient hope will the choice of their successors
be awaited!
THEMISTIUS.
All the Greeks will exclaim with one voice: “Plato himself has taken the
helm of state!”
MAMERTINUS.
No, no, worthy friend; all the Greeks will exclaim: “Plato’s ideal is
realised—‘Only a god can rule over men!’”
THEMISTIUS.
I can but trust that the goodwill of the beneficent powers may follow
Nevita. He has received a great and difficult charge; I know little of
him; but we must all hope that he may prove himself to be the right——
MAMERTINUS.
Undoubtedly; although there might perhaps be other men who——
THEMISTIUS.
Not that I would for a moment imply that your choice, oh peerless
Emperor——
MAMERTINUS.
No, no; far from it!
THEMISTIUS.
But if it be an error to burn with zeal to serve a beloved master——
MAMERTINUS.
——then, in truth, you have more than one erring friend——
THEMISTIUS.
——even if you do not honour them, as you have honoured the
thrice-fortunate Nevita——
MAMERTINUS.
——even if they have to be content without any visible token of your
favour——
JULIAN.
We will leave no capable men unemployed or unrewarded. As regards you,
Themistius, I appoint you chief magistrate of this city of
Constantinople; and you, Mamertinus, prepare to betake yourself to Rome
during the coming year, to enter upon one of the vacant consulships.
THEMISTIUS.
My Emperor! I am dizzy with so much honour——
MAMERTINUS.
So high a distinction! Consul! Was ever consul so honoured as I? Was
Lucius? Was Brutus? Was Publius Valerius? What were their honours to
mine? They were chosen by the people, I by Julian!
A COURTIER.
Praise be to the Emperor, who makes justice his guide!
ANOTHER COURTIER.
Praise be to him, whose very name strikes terror to the barbarians!
THEMISTIUS.
Praise be to all the exalted gods, who have united in casting their
enamoured eyes on one single man, so that when the day comes—distant may
it be!—when he shall for the first time inflict pain on us by departing
hence, this one man may be said to have cast Socrates, Marcus Aurelius,
and Alexander into the shade!
JULIAN.
There you touch the kernel of the matter, my Themistius! ’Tis to the
gods that we must uplift our hands and hearts. I say this, not as
instructing you, but merely to remind you of what has so long been
forgotten at this court. By no means would I seek to coerce any one. But
can I be blamed because I would fain have others share in the sweet
rapture which possesses me when I feel myself uplifted into communion
with the immortals? Praise, praise to thee, vine-clad Dionysus! For it
is chiefly thou who dost bring about such great and mysterious things.
Depart now each to his task. I, for my part, have ordered a festal
procession through the streets of the city. It shall be no mere revel
for my courtiers, nor a banquet within four walls. The citizens shall be
free to join me or to hold aloof; I will discern the pure from the
impure, the pious from the misguided.
Oh Sun-King, shed light and beauty over the day! Oh Dionysus, let thy
glory descend in floods upon our minds; fill our souls with thy sacred
storm-wind; fill them till all trammels are burst asunder, and ecstasy
enfranchised draws breath in dance and song!—Life, life, life in beauty!
[_He goes out hastily to the right. The courtiers break up into
whispering groups, and gradually disperse._
SCENE THIRD.
_A narrow street in Constantinople._
_A great concourse of people, all looking in one direction down the
street. Noise, singing, and the music of flutes and drums is heard
at some distance._
A SHOEMAKER.
[_At his house-door, calls across the street._] What a foot, dear
neighbour?
A SHOPKEEPER.
[_In the house opposite._] They say ’tis some Syrian jugglers that have
come to town.
A FRUIT-SELLER.
[_In the street._] No, no, ’tis a band of Egyptians going around with
apes and dromedaries.
EUNAPIUS THE BARBER.
[_Poorly clad, trying in vain to slip through the crowd._] Make room,
you fools! How the devil can any one chatter and play the fool on such a
day of misfortune?
A WOMAN.
[_At a small window._] Hist, hist, Eunapius! My comely master!
EUNAPIUS.
How dare you speak to me in the open street, you procuress?
THE WOMAN.
Slip in by the back way, sweet friend!
EUNAPIUS.
Fie upon you! Am I in the humour for folly——
THE WOMAN.
You shall soon be in the humour. Come, fair Eunapius; I had a
consignment of fresh doves the day before yesterday——
EUNAPIUS.
Oh sinful world! [_Tries to pass._] Make room, there, in Satan’s name;
let me pass!
Hekebolius.
[_Clad for a journey, and followed by a couple of laden slaves, comes
from a side-street._] Has the town turned into a madhouse? Everyone
seeks to out-bellow his neighbour, and no one can tell me what is astir.
Aha,—Eunapius, my pious brother!
EUNAPIUS.
All hail to you, reverend sir! So you have come back to town?
HEKEBOLIUS.
This very moment;—I have consecrated the warm autumn months to quiet
devotion, on my estate in Crete. And now pray tell me what is afoot
here?
EUNAPIUS.
Confusion and disaster. The new Emperor——
HEKEBOLIUS.
Yes, yes, I have heard strange rumours——
EUNAPIUS.
The truth is ten times worse. All faithful servants are hunted out of
the palace.
HEKEBOLIUS.
Is it possible?
EUNAPIUS.
Alackaday; I myself was the first——
HEKEBOLIUS.
Terrible! Then, perhaps, I too——?
EUNAPIUS.
Most certainly. All accounts are to be examined, all gifts resumed, all
irregular perquisites——
HEKEBOLIUS.
[_Turning pale._] God have mercy on us!
EUNAPIUS.
The Lord be praised, I have a good conscience!
HEKEBOLIUS.
I too, I too; but nevertheless——! Then no doubt it is true that the
Emperor has sacrificed to Apollo and Fortuna?
EUNAPIUS.
Certainly; but who cares for such trifles?
HEKEBOLIUS.
Trifles? See you not, my short-sighted friend, that it is our faith, as
good Christians, that he is persecuting?
EUNAPIUS.
What do you say? God’s cross, is it possible?
WOMEN.
[_In the crowd._] There they come!
A MAN.
[_On a housetop._] I can see him!
OTHER VOICES.
Who comes? Who, who?
THE MAN ON THE HOUSETOP.
The Emperor Julian. He has vine-leaves in his hair.
PEOPLE IN THE STREET.
The Emperor!
EUNAPIUS.
The Emperor!
HEKEBOLIUS.
Come, come, my godly brother!
EUNAPIUS.
Let me go, sir. I am in no wise godly.
HEKEBOLIUS.
Not godly——?
EUNAPIUS.
Who dares accuse me of——? Do you want to ruin me? Godly? When was I
godly? I once belonged to the sect of the Donatists; that was years and
years ago. Devil take the Donatists! [_He knocks at the window._] Hi,
Barbara, Barbara; open the door, old she-cat!
[_The door is opened and he slips in._
THE MULTITUDE.
There he is! There he comes!
HEKEBOLIUS.
All irregular perquisites——! Accounts examined! Oh thunderbolt of
disaster!
[_He slips away, followed by his two slaves._
[_The procession of Dionysus comes down the street.
Flute-players go foremost; drunken men, some of them dressed
as fauns and satyrs, dance to the measure. In the middle of
the procession comes the EMPEROR JULIAN, riding on an ass,
which is covered with a panther-skin; he is dressed as the
god Dionysus, with a panther-skin over his shoulders, a
wreath of vine-leaves round his head, in his hands a staff
wreathed with green, and with a pine-cone fastened on its
upper end. Half-naked, painted women and youths, dancers and
jugglers, surround him; some carry wine-flagons and goblets,
others beat tambourines, and move forward with wild leaps
and antics._
THE DANCERS.
[_Singing._]
Potions of fire drain from goblets o’erflowing!
Potions of fire!
Lips deeply sipping,
Locks unguent-dripping,
Goat-haunches tripping,
Wine-God, we hail thee in rapturous quire!
THE WOMEN.
[_Singing._]
Come, Bacchanalians, while noontide is glowing—
Come, do not flee us—
Plunge we in love-sports night blushes at knowing!
There rides Lyaeus,
Pard-borne, delivering!
Come, do not flee us;
Know, we are passionate; feel, we are quivering!
Leaping all, playing all,
Staggering and swaying all—
Come, do not flee us!
JULIAN.
Make room! Stand aside, citizens! Reverently make way; not for us, but
for him to whom we do honour!
A VOICE IN THE CROWD.
The Emperor in the company of mummers and harlots!
JULIAN.
The shame is yours, that I must content myself with such as these. Do
you not blush to find more piety and zeal among these than among
yourselves?
AN OLD MAN.
Christ enlighten you, sire!
JULIAN.
Aha, you are a Galilean! And you must put in your word? Did not your
great Master sit at meat with sinners? Did he not frequent houses that
were held less than reputable? Answer me that.
EUNAPIUS.
[_Surrounded by girls, in the doorway of BARBARA’S house._] Yes, answer,
answer if you can, you fool!
JULIAN.
What,—are not you that barber whom——?
EUNAPIUS.
A new-made freeman, gracious Emperor! Make way, Bacchanalians; room for
a brother!
[_He and the girls dance into the ranks of the Bacchanalians._
JULIAN.
I like this well. Take example by this Greek, if you have a spark of
your fathers’ spirit left in you. And this is sorely needed, you
citizens; for no divinity has been so much misunderstood—ay, even
rendered ridiculous—as this ecstatic Dionysus, whom the Romans also call
Bacchus. Think you he is the god of sots? Oh ignorant creatures, I pity
you, if that is your thought. Who but he inspires poets and prophets
with their miraculous gifts? I know that some attribute this function to
Apollo, and certainly not without a show of reason; but in that case the
whole matter must be regarded in quite another aspect,—as I could prove
by many authorities. But this I will not debate with you in the open
streets. This is neither the place nor the time. Ay, mock away! Make the
sign of the cross! I see it! You would fain whistle with your fingers;
you would stone me, if you dared.—Oh, how I blush for this city, so sunk
in barbarism that it knows no better than to cling to an ignorant Jew’s
deluded fantasies!—Forward! Stand aside,—do not block the way!
THE DANCERS.
There rides Lyaeus,
Pard-borne, delivering!
THE WOMEN.
Know, we are passionate; feel, we are quivering;
Come, do not flee us!
[_During the singing of the refrain the procession turns into a
side-street; the crowd looks on in dumb astonishment._
SCENE IV.
_The Emperor’s library in the Palace. Entrance door on the left; a
lesser doorway, with a curtain before it, on the right._
_The Chamberlain EUTHERIUS enters from the left, followed by two
servants, bearing carpets._
EUTHERIUS.
[_Calling out to the right._] Agilo, Agilo, warm rose-water! A bath for
the Emperor.
[_He goes out to the right, with both servants._
_The EMPEROR JULIAN enters hastily from the left. He still wears the
panther-skin and the vine-leaves; in his hand is the
green-wreathed staff. He paces the room once or twice, then flings
the staff into a corner._
JULIAN.
Was there beauty in this——?
Where were the white-bearded elders? Where the pure maidens, with the
fillets on their brows, modest, and of seemly bearing, even in the
rapture of the dance?
Out upon you, harlots!
[_He tears off the panther-skin, and casts it aside._
Whither has beauty fled? When the Emperor bids her come forth again,
will she not obey?
Out upon this stinking ribaldry!——
What faces! All the vices crying aloud in their distorted features.
Ulcers on soul and body——
Faugh, faugh! A bath, Agilo! The stench chokes me.
THE BATH-SERVANT AGILO.
[_In the doorway to the right._] The bath is prepared, gracious sire!
JULIAN.
The bath? Nay, let that be. What is the filth of the body compared with
all the rest? Go!
[_AGILO goes out again. The Emperor stands some time in
thought._
The seer of Nazareth sat at meat among publicans and sinners.—
Where lies the gulf between that and this?——
[_HEKEBOLIUS enters from the left, and stops apprehensively at
the door._
JULIAN.
What would you, man?
HEKEBOLIUS.
[_Kneeling._] Sire!
JULIAN.
Ah, what do I see? Hekebolius;—is it indeed you?
HEKEBOLIUS.
The same, and yet another.
JULIAN.
My old teacher. What would you have? Stand up!
HEKEBOLIUS.
No, no, let me lie. And take it not ill that I presume on my former
right of entrance to your presence.
JULIAN.
[_Coldly._] I asked you what you would have?
HEKEBOLIUS.
“My old teacher,” you said. Oh that I could cast the veil of oblivion
over those times!
JULIAN.
[_As before._] I understand. You mean that——
HEKEBOLIUS.
Oh that I could sink into the earth, and hide the shame I feel! See,
see,—here I lie at your feet, a man whose hair is growing grey—a man who
has pored and pondered all his days, and has to confess at last that he
has gone astray, and led his beloved pupil into error!
JULIAN.
What would you have me understand by that?
HEKEBOLIUS.
You called me your old teacher. See, here I lie in the dust before you,
looking up to you with wonder, and calling you my new teacher.
JULIAN.
Rise, Hekebolius!
HEKEBOLIUS.
[_Rising._] You shall hear everything, sire, and judge me according to
your righteousness.—When you were gone, life at your august
predecessor’s court became almost intolerable to me. I know not whether
you have heard that I was promoted to be the Empress’s reader and
almoner. But ah, could posts of honour console me for the loss of my
Julian! I could scarce endure to see how men who made great show of
outward virtue accepted gifts and bribes of every kind. I grew to hate
this daily intercourse with greedy sycophants, whose advocacy was at the
beck of any one who could pay down sounding gold for sounding words. Oh
my Emperor, you do not know what went on here——!
JULIAN.
I know, I know.
HEKEBOLIUS.
A frugal life in retirement allured me. As often as I might, I withdrew
to Crete, to my modest Tusculum—my little country house,—where virtue
did not seem to have utterly forsaken the world. There I have been
living this summer as well; meditating upon human life and heavenly
truths.
JULIAN.
Happy Hekebolius!
HEKEBOLIUS.
Then the rumour of all your marvellous exploits reached Crete——
JULIAN.
Ah!
HEKEBOLIUS.
I asked myself: Is he more than mortal, this peerless youth? Under whose
protection does he stand? Is it thus that the God of the Christians is
wont to manifest his power——?
JULIAN.
[_In rapt attention._] Well; well!
HEKEBOLIUS.
I set myself to search once more the writings of the ancients. Light
after light dawned upon me——; oh, to have to confess this!
JULIAN.
Speak out—I beseech you!
HEKEBOLIUS.
[_Falling on his knees._] Punish me according to your righteousness,
sire; but renounce your youthful errors on things divine! Yes, most
gracious Emperor, you are entangled in error, and I—oh, I marvel that
the shame does not kill me—I, I have helped to lead you astray——
JULIAN.
[_With outstretched arms._] Come to my closest embrace!
HEKEBOLIUS.
Oh, I entreat you, show gratitude to the immortal gods, whose darling
you are! And if you cannot, then punish me because I do it in your
stead——
JULIAN.
Come, come to my open arms, I tell you!
[_He lifts him up, presses him in his arms, and kisses him._
My Hekebolius! What a great and unlooked-for joy!
_Hekebolius._
Sire, how am I to understand this?
JULIAN.
Oh, then you do not know——? When came you to the city?
HEKEBOLIUS.
I landed an hour ago.
_Julian._
And hurried hither at once?
HEKEBOLIUS.
On the wings of anxiety and remorse, sire!
JULIAN.
And you have spoken to no one?
HEKEBOLIUS.
No, no, I have spoken to no one; but——?
JULIAN.
Oh, then you cannot have heard——
[_He embraces him again._
My Hekebolius, listen and know! I too, like you, have cast off the yoke
of error. The immortal Sun-King, to whom we mortals owe so much, I have
restored to his ancient state; Fortuna has received her offering from my
humble hands; and if, at this moment, you find me weary and somewhat
unstrung, it is because I have but now been celebrating a festival in
honour of the divine Dionysus.
HEKEBOLIUS.
I hear, and am amazed!
JULIAN.
See,—the garland is still in my hair. Amid the joyous acclaim of the
multitude—yes, I may call it a multitude——
HEKEBOLIUS.
And I did not even dream of such great things!
JULIAN.
Now we will gather around us all friends of truth, and lovers of wisdom,
all seemly and reverent worshippers of the gods;—there are already
some—not very many——
_The physician CAESARIUS, accompanied by several officials and
notables of the former court, enters from the left._
JULIAN.