all the windings of the river. The current is rapid, and the bed, too,
shallow and stony. I hold it impossible to proceed more quickly.
JULIAN.
Thirty days! And then there is the city to be taken,—the Persian army to
be routed,—peace to be concluded. What a time all this will take! Yet
there were some among you foolish enough to urge upon me an even more
roundabout route. Ha-ha; they would compass my ruin!
NEVITA.
Never fear, sire; the expedition shall advance with all possible speed.
JULIAN.
It must indeed. Can you imagine what Alexander tells me? The frenzy of
the Galileans has passed all bounds since my departure. And it increases
day by day. They understand that my victory in Persia will bring their
extirpation in its train; and with that shameless Gregory as their
leader, they now stand, like a hostile army in my rear; in the Phrygian
regions secret things are preparing, no one knows to what end——
NEVITA.
What does this mean, sire? What are they doing?
JULIAN.
What are they doing? Praying, preaching, singing, prophesying the end of
the world. And would that that were all!—but they carry our adherents
away, and entice them into their rebellious conspiracies. In Caesarea
the congregation has chosen the judge Eusebius to be their
bishop,—Eusebius, an unbaptised man—and he has been so misguided as to
accept their call, which, moreover, the canon of their own church
declares invalid.
But that is far from being the worst; worse, worse, ten times worse is
it, that Athanasius has returned to Alexandria.
NEVITA.
Athanasius!
PRISCUS.
That mysterious bishop who, six years ago, vanished into the desert.
JULIAN.
A council of the church expelled him on account of his unseemly zeal.
The Galileans were tractable under my predecessor.
Yes, just think of it—this raging fanatic has returned to Alexandria.
His entrance was like a king’s; the road was strewn with carpets and
green palm-branches. And what followed? What do you think? The same
night a riot broke out among the Galileans. George, their lawful bishop,
that right-minded and well-disposed man, whom they accused of
lukewarmness in the faith, was murdered—torn to pieces in the streets of
the city.
NEVITA.
But, sire, how were things suffered to go so far? Where was the
governor, Artemius?
JULIAN.
You may well ask where Artemius was. I will tell you. Artemius has gone
over to the Galileans. Artemius himself has broken by force of arms into
the Serapeion, that most glorious of earthly temples,—has shattered the
statues—has plundered the altars, and destroyed that vast treasury of
books, which was of such inestimable value precisely in this age of
error and ignorance. I could weep for them as for a friend bereft me by
death, were not my wrath too great for tears.
KYTRON.
Truly, this surpasses belief!
JULIAN.
And not to be within reach of these miserable beings to punish them! To
be doomed to look idly on while such atrocities spread wider and wider
around!—Thirty days, you say! Why are we loitering? Why are we pitching
our tents? Why should we sleep? Do my generals not know what is at
stake? We must hold a council of war. When I remember what the
Macedonian Alexander achieved in thirty days——
_JOVIAN, accompanied by a man in Persian garb, unarmed, enters from the
camp._
JOVIAN.
Forgive me, sire, for appearing before you: but this stranger——
JULIAN.
A Persian warrior!
THE PERSIAN.
[_Prostrating himself to the earth._] No warrior, oh mighty Emperor!
JOVIAN.
He came riding over the plains unarmed, and surrendered at the
outposts——
JULIAN.
Then your countrymen are at hand?
THE PERSIAN.
No, no!
JULIAN.
Whence come you then?
THE PERSIAN.
[_Throws open his garments._] Look at these arms, oh ruler of
the world,—bleeding from rusty fetters. Feel this flayed
back,—sore upon sore. I come from the torture chamber, sire!
JULIAN.
Ah—a fugitive from King Sapor?
THE PERSIAN.
Yes, mighty Emperor, to whom all things are known! I stood high in King
Sapor’s favour until, impelled by the terror of your approach, I dared
to prophesy that this war would end in his destruction. Would you know,
sire, how he has rewarded me? My wife he gave as a prey to his archers
from the mountains; my children he sold as slaves; all my possessions he
divided among his servants; myself he tortured for nine days. Then he
bade me ride forth and die like a beast in the desert.
JULIAN.
And what would you with me?
THE PERSIAN.
What would I after such treatment? I would help you to destroy my
persecutor.
JULIAN.
Ah, poor tortured wretch,—how can you help?
THE PERSIAN.
I can lend wings to your soldiers’ feet.
JULIAN.
What mean you by that? Rise and explain yourself.
THE PERSIAN.
[_Rising._] No one in Ctesiphon expected you to choose this route——
JULIAN.
I know that.
THE PERSIAN.
Now ’tis no longer a secret.
JULIAN.
You lie, fellow! You Persians know nought of my designs.
THE PERSIAN.
You, sire, whose wisdom is born of the sun and of fire, know well that
my countrymen are now acquainted with your designs. You have crossed the
rivers by means of your ships; these ships, more than a thousand in
number, and laden with all the supplies of the army, are to be towed up
the Tigris, and the troops are to advance abreast of the ships.
JULIAN.
Incredible——!
THE PERSIAN.
When the ships have approached as near Ctesiphon as possible—that is to
say, within two days’ march—you will make straight for the city,
beleaguer it, and compel King Sapor to surrender.
JULIAN.
[_Looking round._] Who has betrayed us?
THE PERSIAN.
This plan is now no longer practicable. My countrymen have hastily
constructed stone dams in the bed of the river, on which your ships will
run aground.
JULIAN.
Man, do you know what it will cost you if you deceive me?
THE PERSIAN.
My body is in your power, mighty Emperor! If I speak not the truth, you
are free to burn me alive.
JULIAN.
[_To NEVITA._] The river dammed! It will take weeks to make it navigable
again.
NEVITA.
If it can be done at all, sire! We have not the implements——
JULIAN.
And that this should come upon us now—just when so much depends on a
speedy victory.[12]
THE PERSIAN.
Oh ruler of the world, I have said that I can lend your army wings.
JULIAN.
Speak! Do you know of a shorter way?
THE PERSIAN.
If you will promise me that after your victory you will restore the
possessions of which I have been robbed, and give me a new wife of noble
birth, I will——
JULIAN.
I promise everything; only speak,—speak!
THE PERSIAN.
Strike straight across the plains, and in four days you will be under
the walls of Ctesiphon.
JULIAN.
Do you forget the mountain chain on the other side of the plains?
THE PERSIAN.
Sire, have you never heard of that strange defile among the mountains?
JULIAN.
Yes, yes, a chasm; “Ahriman’s Street” it is called. Is it true that it
exists?
THE PERSIAN.
I rode through “Ahriman’s Street” two days ago.
JULIAN.
Nevita!
NEVITA.
In truth sire, if it be so——
JULIAN.
Miraculous help in the hour of need——!
THE PERSIAN.
But if you would pass that way, oh mighty one, there is not a moment to
be lost. The Persian army which had been assembled in the northern
provinces, is now recalled to block the mountain passes.
JULIAN.
Know you that for certain?
THE PERSIAN.
Delay, and you will discover it for yourself.
JULIAN.
How many days will it take your countrymen to get there?
THE PERSIAN.
Four days, sire!
JULIAN.
Nevita, in three days we must be beyond the defiles!
NEVITA.
[_To the PERSIAN._] Is it possible to reach the defiles in three days?
THE PERSIAN.
Yes, great warrior, it is possible, if you make use of this night as
well.
JULIAN.
Let the camp be broken up! No time now for sleep, for rest! In four
days—or five at the utmost—I must stand before Ctesiphon.—What are you
thinking about! Ah, I know.
NEVITA.
The fleet, sire!
JULIAN.
Yes, yes, yes, the fleet!
NEVITA.
Should the Persian army reach the defiles a day later than we, they
will—if they cannot injure you in any other way—turn westward against
your ships——
JULIAN.
And seize a vast amount of booty, wherewith to continue the war——
NEVITA.
If we could leave twenty thousand men with the ships, they would be
safe——
JULIAN.
What are you thinking of! Twenty thousand? Well nigh a third of our
fighting strength. Where would be the force with which I must strike the
great blow? Divided, dispersed, frittered away. Not one man will I
detach for such a purpose.
No, no, Nevita; but there may be a middle course——
NEVITA.
[_Recoiling._] My great Emperor—!
JULIAN.
The fleet must neither fall into the hands of the Persians, nor yet cost
us men. There is a middle course, I tell you! Why do you falter? Why not
speak it out?
NEVITA.
[_To the PERSIAN._] Do you know whether the citizens of Ctesiphon have
stores of corn and oil?
THE PERSIAN.
Ctesiphon overflows with supplies of all sorts.
JULIAN.
And when we have once taken the city, the whole rich country lies open
to us.
THE PERSIAN.
The citizens will open their gates to you, sire. I am not the only one
who hates King Sapor. They will rise against him and straightway submit
to you, if you come upon them, unprepared and panic-stricken, with your
whole united force.
JULIAN.
Yes; yes.
THE PERSIAN.
Burn the ships, sire!
NEVITA.
Ah!
JULIAN.
His hate has eyes where your fidelity is blind, Nevita!
NEVITA.
My fidelity saw, sire; but it shrank from what it saw.
JULIAN.
Are not these ships like fetters on our feet? We have provisions for
four full days in the camp. It is well that the soldiers should not be
too heavily laden. Of what use, then, are the ships? We have no more
rivers to pass——
NEVITA.
Sire, if it be indeed your will——
JULIAN.
My will,—my will? Oh, on an evening like this,—so angry and
tempestuous,—why cannot a flash of lightning descend and——
MAXIMUS.
[_Entering hastily from the left._] Oh chosen son of Helios—hear me,
hear me!
JULIAN.
Not now, my Maximus!
MAXIMUS.
Nothing can be more pressing than this. You _must_ hear me!
JULIAN.
Then in the name of fortune and wisdom, speak, my brother!
MAXIMUS.
[_Draws him apart, and says in a low voice._] You know how I have
striven to search and spell out, both in books and through auguries, the
issue of this campaign?
JULIAN.
I know that you have been unable to foretell anything.
MAXIMUS.
The omens spoke and the writings confirmed them. But the answer which
always came was so strange that I could not but think myself mistaken.
JULIAN.
But now——?
MAXIMUS.
When we departed from Antioch, I wrote to Rome to consult the Sibylline
Books——
JULIAN.
Yes, yes——!
MAXIMUS.
This very moment the answer has arrived; a courier from the governor of
Antioch brought it.
JULIAN.
Ah, Maximus,—and its purport——?
MAXIMUS.
The same as that of the omens and the books; and now I dare interpret
it. Rejoice, my brother,—in this war you are invulnerable.
JULIAN.
The oracle,—the oracle?
MAXIMUS.
The Sibylline Books say: “Julian must beware of the Phrygian regions.”
JULIAN.
[_Recoiling._] The Phrygian——? Ah, Maximus!
MAXIMUS.
Why so pale, my brother?
JULIAN.
Tell me, dear teacher—how do you interpret this answer?
MAXIMUS.
Is more than one interpretation possible? The Phrygian regions? What
have you to do in Phrygia? In Phrygia—a remote province lying far behind
you, where you need never set your foot. _No_ danger threatens you,
fortunate man—_that_ is the interpretation.
JULIAN.
This oracle has a twofold meaning. No danger threatens me in this
war,—but from that distant region——
Nevita, Nevita!
NEVITA.
Sire——!
JULIAN.
In Phrygia? Alexander writes of secret things preparing in Phrygia. It
has been foretold that the Galilean is to come again——
Burn the ships, Nevita!
NEVITA.
Sire, is this your firm and irrevocable will——?
JULIAN.
Burn them! No delay! Lurking dangers threaten us in the rear.
[_To one of the captains._
Give close heed to this stranger. He is to be our guide. Refresh him
with food and drink, and let him have thorough rest.
JOVIAN.
My Emperor, I implore you—build not too securely on the reports of a
deserter like this.
JULIAN.
Aha—you seem perturbed, my Galilean councillor! All this is not quite to
your mind. Perhaps you know more than you care to tell.
Go, Nevita,—and burn the ships!
[_NEVITA bows and goes out to the left. The captain leads the
Persian away among the tents._
JULIAN.
Traitors in my own camp! Wait, wait,—I shall get to the bottom of these
machinations.
The camp shall break up! Go, Jovian, see that the vanguard is afoot
within an hour. The Persian knows the way. Go!
JOVIAN.
As you command, my august Emperor!
[_He goes out to the right._
MAXIMUS.
You would burn the fleet? Then surely you have great things in your
mind.
JULIAN.
Tell me, would the Macedonian Alexander have ventured this?
MAXIMUS.
Did Alexander know where the danger threatened?
JULIAN.
True, true! _I_ know it. All the powers of victory are in league with
me. Omens and signs yield up their mystic secrets to advance my empire.
Is it not said of the Galilean, that spirits came and ministered unto
him?—To whom do the spirits now minister?
What would the Galilean say, were he present unseen among us?
MAXIMUS.
He would say: the third empire is at hand.
JULIAN.
The third empire is here, Maximus! I feel that the Messiah of the earth
lives in me. The spirit has become flesh and the flesh spirit. All
creation lies within my will and my power.
See, see,—there are the first sparks drifting aloft. The flames are
licking up the cordage and the clustered masts.
[_He shouts in the direction of the fire._
Spread; spread!
MAXIMUS.
The wind anticipates your will. ’Tis rising to serve you.
JULIAN.
[_Commanding with clenched hand._] Swell into a storm! More westerly! I
command it!
FROMENTINUS.
[_Enters from the right._] Most gracious Emperor,—suffer me to warn you.
A dangerous disturbance has broken out in the camp.
JULIAN.
I will have no more disturbances. The army shall advance.
FROMENTINUS.
Yes, my Emperor,—but the refractory Galileans——
JULIAN.
The Galileans? What of them?
FROMENTINUS.
Before the tables where the paymasters were distributing the soldiers’
pay, your august image had been set up——
JULIAN.
It is always to be so for the future.
FROMENTINUS.
Every man was ordered, as he came forward, to cast a grain of incense
into the braziers——
JULIAN.
Yes—well, well?
FROMENTINUS.
Many of the Galilean soldiers did so unthinkingly, but others refused——?
JULIAN.
What! they refused?
FROMENTINUS.
At first, sire; but when the paymasters told them that ’twas an old
custom revived, in no wise pertaining to things divine——
JULIAN.
Aha! what then?
FROMENTINUS.
——they yielded and did as they were bidden.
JULIAN.
There you see; they yielded!
FROMENTINUS.
But afterward, sire, our own men laughed and mocked at them, and said,
unthinkingly, that now they had best efface the sign of the cross and
the fish which they are wont to imprint upon their arms; for now they
had worshipped the divine Emperor.
JULIAN.
Yes, yes! And the Galileans?
FROMENTINUS.
They broke out into loud lamentations——; listen, listen, sire! It is
impossible to bring them to reason.
[_Wild cries are heard without, among the tents._
JULIAN.
The madmen! Rebellious to the last. They know not that their master’s
power is broken.
[_Christian soldiers come rushing in. Some beat their breasts;
others tear their garments, with loud cries and weeping._
A SOLDIER.
Christ died for me, and I forsook him!
ANOTHER SOLDIER.
Smite me, oh wrathful Lord in heaven; for I have worshipped false gods!
THE SOLDIER AGATHON.
The devil on the throne has slain my soul! Woe, woe, woe!
OTHER SOLDIERS.
[_Tearing off the leaden seals which they wear round their necks._] We
will not serve idols!
OTHERS AGAIN.
The Apostate is not our ruler! We will go home! home!
JULIAN.
Fromentinus, seize these madmen! Hew them down!
[_FROMENTINUS and many of the bystanders are on the point of
falling upon the Christian soldiers. At that moment a vivid
glare spreads over the sky, and flames burst from the
ships._
OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS.
[_Terror-stricken._] The fleet is burning!
JULIAN.
Yes, the fleet is burning! And more than the fleet is burning. In that
blazing, swirling pyre the crucified Galilean is burning to ashes; and
the earthly Emperor is burning with the Galilean. But from the ashes
shall arise—like that marvellous bird—the God of earth and the Emperor
of the spirit in one, in one, in one!
SEVERAL VOICES.
Madness has seized him!
NEVITA.
[_Entering from the left._] It is done.
JOVIAN.
[_Approaching hastily from the camp._] Quench the fire! Out, out with
it!
JULIAN.
Let it burn! Let it burn!
AMMIAN.
[_From the camp._] Sire, you are betrayed. That Persian fugitive was a
traitor——
JULIAN.
Man, you lie! Where is he?
AMMIAN.
Fled!
JOVIAN.
Vanished like a shadow——
NEVITA.
Fled!
JOVIAN.
His guards protest that he disappeared almost under their very eyes.
AMMIAN.
His horse, too, is gone from its pen; the Persian must have fled over
the plains.
JULIAN.
Quench the fire, Nevita!
NEVITA.
Impossible, my Emperor!
JULIAN.
Put it out, I say. It shall be possible!
NEVITA.
Nothing could be more impossible. All the cables are cut; the rest of
the ships are all drifting down upon the burning wrecks.
PRINCE HORMISDAS.
[_Coming from among the tents._] Curses upon my countrymen! Oh sire, how
could you give ear to that deceiver?
CRIES FROM THE CAMP.
The fleet on fire! Cut off from home! Death before us!
THE SOLDIER AGATHON.
False god, false god,—bid the storm to cease! bid the flames die down!
JOVIAN.
The storm increases. The fire is like a rolling sea——
MAXIMUS.
[_Whispers._] Beware of the Phrygian regions.
JULIAN.
[_Shouts to the army._] Let the fleet burn! Within seven days you shall
burn Ctesiphon.
ACT FIFTH.
SCENE FIRST.
_A barren, stony desert, without trees or grass. To the right, the
Emperor’s tent. Afternoon._
_Exhausted soldiers lie in knots on the plain. Detachments now and again
pass by from left to right. Outside the tent are the philosophers
PRISCUS and KYTRON, with several others of the Emperor’s suite,
waiting in restless anxiety. The captain of the bodyguard,
ANATOLUS, stands with soldiers before the opening of the tent._
KYTRON.
Is is not incredible that this council of war should last so long?
PRISCUS.
Ay, truly; one would think there were only two courses to choose
between: to advance or to retire.
KYTRON.
’Tis utterly incomprehensible——
Tell me, good Anatolus, why, in the name of the gods, do we not advance?
PRISCUS.
Yes, why alarm us by halting here in the middle of the desert?
ANATOLUS.
See you the quivering air on the horizon, to the north, east, and south?
KYTRON.
Of course, of course; that is the heat——
ANATOLUS.
It is the desert burning.
PRISCUS.
What say you? The desert burning?
KYTRON.
Do not jest so unpleasantly, good Anatolus! Tell us,—what is it?
ANATOLUS.
The desert burning, I tell you. Out yonder, where the sand ceases, the
Persians have set the grass on fire. We can make no progress till the
ground cools.
KYTRON.
Oh is not this appalling! What barbarians! To have recourse to such
means——!
PRISCUS.
Then there is no choice left us. Without provisions, without water——;
why do we not retreat?
ANATOLUS.
Over the Tigris and Euphrates?
KYTRON.
And the fleet burnt! What way is this to conduct the war? Oh, why does
not the Emperor think more of his friends! How shall I get home again?
ANATOLUS.
Like the rest of us, friend!
KYTRON.
Like the rest? Like the rest! That is a fine way to talk. With you it is
quite another matter. You are soldiers. ’Tis your calling to endure
certain hardships to which I am not at all accustomed. I did not join
the Emperor’s suite to go through all this. Here am I tortured with
gnats and poisonous flies;—look at my hands!
PRISCUS.
Most certainly we did not come for this. We consented to accompany the
army in order to compose panegyrics on the victories the Emperor
intended to win. What has come of these victories? What has been
achieved during the six toilsome weeks since the fleet was burnt? We
have destroyed a few deserted towns of the sorriest kind. A few
prisoners have been exhibited in the camp, whom the advance-guard are
said to have taken—truly I know not in what battles! The prisoners,
methought, looked more like poor kidnapped shepherds and peasants——
KYTRON.
And to think of burning the fleet! Said I not from the first that it
would be a source of disaster?
ANATOLUS.
I did not hear you say so.
KYTRON.
What? Did I not say so? Oh Priscus, did you not hear me say it?
PRISCUS.
Truly, I do not know, friend; but I know that I myself in vain denounced
that luckless measure. Indeed I may say that I opposed the whole
campaign at this time of year. What rash haste! Where were the Emperor’s
eyes? Is this the same hero who fought with such marvellous success upon
the Rhine? One would think he had been struck with blindness or some
spiritual disease.
ANATOLUS.
Hush, hush;—what talk is this?
KYTRON.
’Twas indeed no fitting way for our Priscus to express himself. Yet I,
too, cannot deny that I observe a deplorable lack of wisdom in many of
the crowned philosopher’s recent proceedings. How precipitate to set up
his busts in the camp, and claim worship as if he were a god! How
imprudent so openly to scoff at that strange teacher from Nazareth, who
undeniably possesses a peculiar power, which might have stood us in good
stead in these perilous conjunctures.
Ah! here comes Nevita himself. Now we shall hear——
[_NEVITA comes out of the tent. In the opening he turns and
makes a sign to some one within. The physician ORIBASES
immediately comes out._
NEVITA.
[_Drawing him aside._] Tell me openly, Oribases,—is there anything amiss
with the Emperor’s mind?
ORIBASES.
What should make you think that, sir?
NEVITA.
How else can I interpret his conduct?
ORIBASES.
Oh my beloved Emperor——!
NEVITA.
Oribases, you must hide nothing from me.
KYTRON.
[_Drawing near._] Oh valiant general, if it be not indiscreet——
NEVITA.
Presently, presently!
ORIBASES.
[_To NEVITA._] Do not fear, sir! No misfortune shall happen. Eutherius
and I have promised each other to keep an eye upon him.
NEVITA.
Ah, you do not mean to say that——?
ORIBASES.
Last night he had well nigh shortened his life. Fortunately Eutherius
was at hand——; oh speak of it to no one!
NEVITA.
Do not lose sight of him.
PRISCUS.
[_Drawing near._] It would greatly relieve our minds to hear what the
council of war——?
NEVITA.
Pardon me; I have weighty matters to attend to.
[_He goes out behind the tent._
_At the same moment Jovian enters from the opening._
JOVIAN.
[_Speaking into the tent._] It shall be done, my gracious Emperor!
KYTRON.
Ah, most excellent Jovian! Well? Is the retreat decided on?
JOVIAN.
I would not counsel any one to call it a retreat.
[_He goes out behind the tent._
KYTRON.
Oh these soldiers! A philosopher’s peace of mind is nothing to them. Ah!
[_The EMPEROR JULIAN comes out of the tent; he is pale and
haggard. With him come the Chamberlain EUTHERIUS and several
officers; the latter go off over the plain to the right._
JULIAN.
[_To the philosophers._] Rejoice, my friends! All will soon be well now.
KYTRON.
Ah, gracious Emperor, have you discovered an expedient?
JULIAN.
There are expedients enough, Kytron; the only difficulty is to choose
the best. We will slightly alter the line of advance——
PRISCUS.
Oh, praise be to your wisdom!
JULIAN.
This eastward march—it leads to nothing.
KYTRON.
No, no, that is certain!
JULIAN.
Now we will turn northward, Kytron!
KYTRON.
What, sire,—northward?
PRISCUS.
Not westward?
JULIAN.
Not westward. Not by any means westward. That might be difficult on
account of the rivers. And Ctesiphon we must leave till another time.
Without ships we cannot think of taking the city. It was the Galileans
who brought about the burning of the fleet; I have noted one thing and
another.
Who dares call this northward movement a retreat? What know you of my
plans? The Persian army is somewhere in the north; of that we are now
pretty well assured. When I have crushed Sapor—one battle will finish
the matter—we shall find abundant supplies in the Persian camp.
When I lead the Persian king as my captive through Antioch and the other
cities, I would fain see whether the citizens will not fall at my feet.
CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS.
[_Pass singing over the plain._