Chapter X: Part 10

Yes, yes, we _must_ advance,—northwards. Maximus must soon be here. I have sent to the rear for the Etruscan soothsayers; they shall try once more—— I have also discovered some Magians, who say they are well versed in the Chaldean mysteries. Our own priests are taking the omens in nine different places——

NEVITA.

Sire, whatever the omens may say, I tell you we must go hence. The soldiers are no longer to be depended on; they see clearly that our only hope lies in reaching the Armenian mountains.

JULIAN.

We will do so, Nevita,—whatever the omens say. Nevertheless it gives one a great feeling of security to know that one is acting, as it were, in concert with those unfathomable powers who, if they will, can so potently influence our destinies.

NEVITA.

[_Goes from him, and says shortly and decisively._] Anatolus, strike the Emperor’s tent!

[_He whispers some words to the Captain of the Guard, and goes
out to the right._

JULIAN.

All auguries for these forty days have been inauspicious; and that proves that we may place trust in them; for in all that time our affairs have made but scant headway. But now, you see, my Oribases,—now that I have a fresh enterprise in view——

Ah! Maximus!

MAXIMUS.

[_Entering from the plain._] The army is already on the march, sire; get to horse!

JULIAN.

The auguries—the auguries?

MAXIMUS.

Oh—the auguries! Ask not about the auguries.

JULIAN.

Speak! I demand to know what they say.

MAXIMUS.

All auguries are silent.

JULIAN.

Silent?

MAXIMUS.

I went to the priests; the entrails of the sacrifices gave no sign. I went to the Etruscan jugglers; the flight and cries of the birds said nothing. I went also to the Magians; their writings had no answer to give. And I myself——

JULIAN.

You yourself, my Maximus?

MAXIMUS.

Now I can tell you. Last night I studied the aspect of the stars. They told me nothing, Julian.

JULIAN.

Nothing.—Silence—silence, as though in an eclipse. Alone! No longer any bridge between me and the spirits.

Where are you now, oh white-sailed fleet, that sped to and fro in the sunlight and carried tidings between earth and heaven?

The fleet is burnt. That fleet too is burnt. Oh all my shining ships.

Tell me, Maximus—what do you believe as to this?

MAXIMUS.

I believe in you.

JULIAN.

Yes, yes—believe!

MAXIMUS.

The world-will has resigned its power into your hands; therefore it is silent.

JULIAN.

So will we read it. And we must act accordingly,—although we might have preferred that—— This silence! To stand so utterly alone.

But there are others who may also be said to stand almost alone. The Galileans. They have but one god; and one god is next thing to no god.

How is it, then, that we daily see these men——?

ANATOLUS.

[_Who has meanwhile had the tent struck._] My Emperor, now must you get to horse; I dare not let you remain here longer.

JULIAN.

Yes, now I will mount. Where is my good Babylonius? See now; sword in hand——

Come, my dear friends!

[_All go out to the right._

SCENE SECOND.

_A marshy, wooded country. A dark, still lake among the trees.
Watch-fires in the distance. Moonlight, with driving clouds._

_Several soldiers on guard in the foreground._

MAKRINA AND THE WOMEN.
[_Singing without, on the left._

Woe to us! Woe!
Upon us all
God’s wrath will fall!
Death we shall know!

ONE OF THE SOLDIERS.

[_Listening._] Hark! Do you hear? The Galilean women are singing over yonder.

ANOTHER SOLDIER.

They sing like owls and night ravens.

A THIRD SOLDIER.

Yet would I willingly be with them. ’Tis safer with the Galileans than with us. The God of the Galileans is stronger than our gods.

THE FIRST SOLDIER.

The thing is that the Emperor has angered the gods. How could he think of setting himself up in their place?

THE THIRD SOLDIER.

What is worse is that he has angered the Galileans’ God. Have you not heard, they say positively that, a few nights since, he and his magician ripped open a pregnant woman, to read omens in her entrails?

THE FIRST SOLDIER.

Ay, but I do not believe it. At any rate, I am sure ’twas not a Greek woman; it must have been a barbarian.

THE THIRD SOLDIER.

They say the Galileans’ God cares for the barbarians too; and if so, ’twill be the worse for us.

THE SECOND SOLDIER.

Oh, pooh—the Emperor is a great soldier.

THE FIRST SOLDIER.

They say King Sapor is a great soldier too.

THE SECOND SOLDIER.

Think you we have the whole Persian army before us?

THE FIRST SOLDIER.

Some say ’tis only the advance-guard; no one knows for certain.

THE THIRD SOLDIER.

I would I were among the Galileans.

THE FIRST SOLDIER.

Are _you_ going over to them, too?

THE THIRD SOLDIER.

So many are going over. In the last few days——

THE FIRST SOLDIER.

[_Calling out into the darkness._] Halt—halt! Who goes there?

A VOICE.

Friends from the outposts!

[_Several soldiers come from among the trees, with AGATHON the
Cappadocian in their midst._

THE SECOND SOLDIER.

Ho-ho; a deserter.

ONE OF THE NEW-COMERS.

No; he has gone out of his mind.

AGATHON.

I have _not_ gone out of my mind. Oh, for God’s great mercy’s sake,—let me go!

THE SOLDIER FROM THE OUTPOSTS.

He says he wants to slay a beast with seven heads.

AGATHON.

Yes, yes, yes, I will, I will. Oh, let me go! See you this spear? Know you what spear it is? With this spear will I slay the beast with seven heads, and then I shall get back my soul again. Christ himself has promised me that. He was with me to-night.

THE FIRST SOLDIER.

Hunger and weariness have turned his brain.

ONE OF THE NEW-COMERS.

To the camp with him; there he can sleep his weariness away.

AGATHON.

Let me go! Oh, if you but knew what spear this is!

[_The soldiers lead him off by the front, to the right._

THE THIRD SOLDIER.

What could he mean by that beast?

THE FIRST SOLDIER.

That is one of the Galilean secrets. They have many such secrets among them.

[_EUTHERIUS and ORIBASES enter hastily from the right, looking
anxiously about._

EUTHERIUS.

Do you not see him?

ORIBASES.

No.—Ah, soldiers!—Tell me, good friends, has any one passed by here?

THE FIRST SOLDIER.

Yes, a detachment of spearmen.

ORIBASES.

Good, good! But nobody else? No great person? None of the generals?

THE SOLDIERS.

No, none.

ORIBASES.

Not here then! Oh, Eutherius, how could you——?

EUTHERIUS.

Could I help——? Could I help it——? I have not closed my old eyes for three nights——

ORIBASES.

[_To the soldiers._] You must help us to search. I demand it in the name of the general-in-chief. Spread yourselves among the trees; and should you find any great person, report it at the watch-fire yonder.

THE SOLDIERS.

We will not fail, sir!

[_They all go out by different ways, to the left. Soon after,
the EMPEROR emerges from behind a tree on the right. He
listens, looks round, and beckons to some one behind him._

JULIAN.

Hist! Come forward, Maximus! They did not see us.

MAXIMUS.

[_From the same side._] Oribases was one of them.

JULIAN.

Yes, yes; both he and Eutherius keep watch on me. They imagine that—— Has neither of them told you aught?

MAXIMUS.

No, my Julian! But why have you awakened me? What would you here in the darkness?

JULIAN.

I would be alone with you for the last time, my beloved teacher!

MAXIMUS.

Not for the last time, Julian!

JULIAN.

See that dark water. Think you—if I utterly vanished from the earth, and my body was never found, and none knew what had become of me,—think you the report would spread abroad that Hermes had come for me, and carried me away, and that I had been exalted to the fellowship of the gods?

MAXIMUS.

The time is at hand when men will not need to die, in order to live as gods on the earth.

JULIAN.

I am pining with home-sickness, Maximus,—with home-sick longing for the light and the sun and all the stars.

MAXIMUS.

Oh, I beseech you—think not of sorrowful things. The Persian army is before you. To-morrow will come the battle. You will conquer——

JULIAN.

I—conquer? You do not know who was with me an hour ago.

MAXIMUS.

Who was with you?

JULIAN.

I had fallen asleep on my couch in the tent. Suddenly I was awakened by a strong red glare, that seemed to burn through my closed eye-lids. I looked up and beheld a figure standing in the tent. Over its head was a long drapery, falling on both sides, so as to leave the face free.

MAXIMUS.

Knew you this figure?

JULIAN.

It was the same face which I saw in the light that night at Ephesus, many years ago,—that night when we held symposium with the two others.

MAXIMUS.

The spirit of the empire.

JULIAN.

Since then it has appeared to me once in Gaul,—on an occasion I would fain forget.

MAXIMUS.

Did it speak?

JULIAN.

No. It seemed as though it wished to speak; but it did not. It stood motionless, looking at me. Its face was pale and distorted. Suddenly, with both arms, it drew the drapery together over its head, hid its face, and went straight out through the tent-wall.

MAXIMUS.

The decisive hour is at hand.

JULIAN.

Ay, truly, ’tis at hand.

MAXIMUS.

Courage, Julian! He who wills, conquers.

JULIAN.

And what does the conqueror win? Is it worth while to conquer? What has the Macedonian Alexander, what has Julius Caesar won? Greeks and Romans talk of their renown with cold admiration,—while the other, the Galilean, the carpenter’s son, sits throned as the king of love in the warm, believing hearts of men.

Where is he now?—Has he been at work elsewhere since that happened at Golgotha?

I dreamed of him lately. I dreamed that I had subdued the whole world. I ordained that the memory of the Galilean should be rooted out on earth; and it was rooted out.—Then the spirits came and ministered to me, and bound wings on my shoulders, and I soared aloft into infinite space, till my feet rested on another world.

It _was_ another world than mine. Its curve was vaster, its light more golden, and many moons circled around it.

Then I looked down at my own earth—the Emperor’s earth, which I had made Galileanless—and I thought that all that I had done was very good.

But behold, my Maximus,—there came a procession by me, on the strange earth where I stood. There were soldiers, and judges, and executioners at the head of it, and weeping women followed. And lo!—in the midst of the slow-moving array, was the Galilean, alive, and bearing a cross on his back. Then I called to him, and said, “Whither away, Galilean?” But he turned his face toward me, smiled, nodded slowly, and said: “To the place of the skull.”

Where is he now? What if _that_ at Golgotha, near Jerusalem, was but a wayside matter, a thing done, as it were, in passing, in a leisure hour? What if he goes on and on, and suffers, and dies, and conquers, again and again, from world to world?

Oh that I could lay waste the world! Maximus,—is there no poison, no consuming fire, that could lay creation desolate, as it was on that day when the spirit moved alone over the face of the waters?

MAXIMUS.

I hear a noise from the outposts. Come, Julian——

JULIAN.

To think that century shall follow century, and that in them all shall live men, knowing that ’twas I who was vanquished, and he who conquered! I _will_ not be vanquished! I am young; I am invulnerable,—the third empire is at hand——

[_With a great cry._

There he stands!

MAXIMUS.

Who? Where?

JULIAN.

Do you see him? There, among the tree-stems—in a crown and a purple robe——

MAXIMUS.

’Tis the moon glimmering on the water. Come—come, my Julian!

JULIAN.

[_Going threateningly towards the vision._] Avaunt! Thou art dead! Thy empire is past. Off with the juggler’s cloak, carpenter’s son!

What dost thou there? At what art thou hammering?—Ah!

EUTHERIUS.

[_From the left._] All gods be praised!—Oribases,—here, here!

JULIAN.

What has become of him?

ORIBASES.

[_From the left._] Is he here?

EUTHERIUS.

Yes.—Oh my beloved Emperor!

JULIAN.

Who was it that said, “I am hammering the Emperor’s coffin”?

ORIBASES.

What mean you, sire?

JULIAN.

Who spoke, I ask? Who was it that said, “I am hammering the Emperor’s coffin”?

ORIBASES.

Come with me to your tent, I implore you.

[_Shouts and cries are heard far away._

MAXIMUS.

War-cries! The Persians are upon us——

EUTHERIUS.

There is already fierce fighting at the outposts.

ORIBASES.

The enemy is in the camp! Ah, sire, you are unarmed——!

JULIAN.

I will sacrifice to the gods.

MAXIMUS.

To what gods, oh fool? Where are they—and what are they?

JULIAN.

I will sacrifice to this god and to that. I will sacrifice to many. One or another must surely hear me. I must call upon something without me and above me——

ORIBASES.

There is not a moment to be lost——!

JULIAN.

Ah—saw you the burning torch behind the cloud? It flashed forth and went out in the same instant. A message from the spirits! A shining ship between heaven and earth!—My shield! My sword!

[_He rushes out to the right. ORIBASES and EUTHERIUS follow
him._

MAXIMUS.

[_Calling after him._] Emperor, Emperor—do not fight to-night!

[_He goes off to the right._

SCENE THIRD.

_An open plain, with a village far away. Daybreak and cloudy weather._

_A noise of battle. Cries and the clashing of weapons out on the plain.
In the foreground Roman spearmen, under AMMIAN’S command, fighting
with Persian archers. The latter are driven back by degrees
towards the left._

AMMIAN.

Right, right! Close with them! Thrust them down! Give them no time to shoot!

NEVITA.

[_With followers from the right._] Well fought, Ammian!

AMMIAN.

Oh sir, why come not the cavalry to our help?

NEVITA.

They cannot. The Persians have elephants in their front rank. The very smell strikes terror to the horses. Thrust—thrust! Upwards, men,—under their breastplates?

KYTRON.

[_In night-clothes, laden with books and rolls of paper, enters from the right._] Oh that I should be in the midst of such horrors!

NEVITA.

Have you seen the Emperor, friend?

KYTRON.

Yes, but he heeds me not. Oh, I humbly beg for a detachment of soldiers to protect me!

NEVITA.

[_To his followers._] They are giving ground! The shield-bearers forward!

KYTRON.

You do not listen to me, sir! My safety is of the utmost importance; my book, “On Equanimity in Affliction,” is not finished——

NEVITA.

[_As before._] The Persians have been reinforced on the right. They are pressing forward again!

KYTRON.

Pressing forward again? Oh this bloodthirsty ferocity! An arrow! It almost struck me! How recklessly they shoot; no care for life or limb!

[_He takes to flight by the foreground on the left._

NEVITA.

The battle hangs in the balance. Neither side gains ground.

[_To FROMENTINUS, who comes with a fresh troop from the right._

Ho, captain,—have you seen the Emperor?

FROMENTINUS.

Yes, sir; he is fighting at the head of the white horsemen.

NEVITA.

Not wounded?

FROMENTINUS.

He seems invulnerable. Arrows and javelins swerve aside wherever he shows himself.

AMMIAN.

[_Calling out from the thick of the fight._] Help, help; we can hold out no longer!

NEVITA.

Forward, my bold Fromentinus!

FROMENTINUS.

[_To the soldiers._] Shoulder to shoulder, and at them, Greeks!

[_He hastens to the help of AMMIAN; the mellay rolls backwards a
little._

_ANATOLUS, the Captain of the Guard, enters
with followers from the right._

ANATOLUS.

Is not the Emperor here?

NEVITA.

The Emperor! Is it not your business to answer for him?

ANATOLUS.

His horse was shot under him,—a terrible tumult arose; it was impossible to get near him——

NEVITA.

Think you he has come to any harm?

ANATOLUS.

No, I think not. There was a cry that he was unhurt, but——

MANY OF NEVITA’S FOLLOWERS.

There he is! There he is!

_The EMPEROR JULIAN, without helmet or armour, with only a sword
and shield, escorted by soldiers of the Imperial Guard,
enters from the right._

JULIAN.

’Tis well I have found you, Nevita!

NEVITA.

Ah, sire—without armour; how imprudent——

JULIAN.

In these regions no weapon can touch me. But go, Nevita; take the supreme command; my horse was shot under me, and——

NEVITA.

My Emperor, then after all you are hurt?

JULIAN.

No; only a blow on the head; a little dizzy. Go, go—— What is _this_? So many strange multitudes thronging in among us!

NEVITA.

[_In a low voice._] Anatolus, you must answer for the Emperor.

ANATOLUS.

Never fear, sir!

[_NEVITA goes off with his followers to the right. The EMPEROR
JULIAN, ANATOLUS, and some of the Imperial Guard remain
behind. The fight on the plain rolls further and further
back._

JULIAN.

How many of our men think you have fallen, Anatolus?

ANATOLUS.

Certainly not a few, sire; but I am sure the Persians have lost more than we.

JULIAN.

Yes, yes; but many have fallen, both Greeks and Romans. Do you not think so?

ANATOLUS.

Surely you are unwell, my Emperor. Your face is so pale——

JULIAN.

Look at those lying there,—some on their backs, others on their faces, with outstretched arms. They must all be dead?

ANATOLUS.

Yes, sire, beyond a doubt.

JULIAN.

They are dead, yes! They know nought, then, either of the defeat at Jerusalem or the other defeats.—Think you many more Greeks will fall in the battle, Anatolus?

ANATOLUS.

Sire, let us hope the bloodiest work is over.

JULIAN.

Many, many more will fall, I tell you! But not enough. Of what use is it that _many_ should fall? None the less will posterity learn——

Tell me, Anatolus, how think you the Emperor Caligula pictured to himself that sword?

ANATOLUS.

What sword, sire?

JULIAN.

You know he wished for a sword wherewith he might at one blow——

ANATOLUS.

Hark to the shouts, sire! Now I am sure the Persians are retreating.

JULIAN.

[_Listening._] What song is that in the air?

ANATOLUS.

Sire, let me summon Oribases; or still better,—come,—come; you are sick!

JULIAN.

There is singing in the air. Can you not hear it?

ANATOLUS.

If it be so, it must be the Galileans——

JULIAN.

Ay, be sure ’tis the Galileans. Ha-ha-ha, they fight in our ranks, and see not who stands on the other side. Oh fools, all of you! Where is Nevita? Why should he attack the Persians? Can he not see that ’tis not the Persians who are most dangerous?—You betray me, all of you.

ANATOLUS.

[_Softly to one of the soldiers._] Hasten to the camp; bring hither the Emperor’s physician?

[_The soldier goes out to the right._

JULIAN.

What innumerable hosts! Think you they have caught sight of us, Anatolus?

ANATOLUS.

Who, sire? Where?

JULIAN.

Do you not see them—yonder—high up and far away! You lie! You see them well enough!

ANATOLUS.

By the immortal gods, they are only the morning clouds,—’tis the day dawning.

JULIAN.

’Tis the hosts of the Galilean, I tell you! Look—those in the red-edged garments are the martyrs who died in blood. Singing women surround them, and weave bowstrings of the long hair torn from their heads. Children are with them, twining slings from their unravelled entrails. Burning torches——! Thousandfold—multitudinous! They are hastening hitherward! They are all looking at me; all rushing straight upon me!

ANATOLUS.

’Tis the Persians, sire! Our ranks are giving way——

JULIAN.

They _shall_ not give way!—You _shall_ not! Stand fast, Greeks! Stand, stand, Romans! Today we will free the world!

[_The battle has in the meantime swept forward over the plain
again. JULIAN hurls himself with drawn sword into the
thickest of the fight. General confusion._

ANATOLUS.

[_Calling out to the right._] Help, help! The Emperor is in deadly peril!

JULIAN.

[_Among the combatants._] I see him; I see him! A longer sword! Who has a longer sword to lend me?

SOLDIERS.

[_Streaming in from the right._] With Christ for the Emperor!

AGATHON.

[_Among the new-comers._] With Christ for Christ!

[_He throws his spear; it grazes the Emperor’s arm, and plunges
into his side._

JULIAN.

Ah!

[_He grasps the spear-head to draw it out, but gashes his hand,
utters a loud cry and falls._

AGATHON.

[_Calls out in the tumult._] The Roman’s spear from Golgotha!

[_He casts himself weaponless among the Persians, and is seen to
be cut down._

CONFUSED CRIES.

The Emperor! Is the Emperor wounded?

JULIAN.

[_Attempts to rise, but falls back again, and cries_:] Thou hast conquered, Galilean!

MANY VOICES.

The Emperor has fallen!

ANATOLUS.

The Emperor is wounded! Shield him—shield him, in the name of the gods!

[_He casts himself despairingly against the advancing Persians.
The Emperor is carried away senseless. At that moment,
JOVIAN comes forward upon the plain with fresh troops._

JOVIAN.

On—on, believing brethren; give Caesar what is Caesar’s!

RETREATING SOLDIERS.

[_Calling to him._] He has fallen! The Emperor has fallen!

JOVIAN.

Fallen! Oh mighty God of vengeance! On, on; ’tis God’s will that his people shall live! I see heaven open; I see the angels with flaming swords——

THE SOLDIERS.

[_Hurtling forward._] Christ is among us!

AMMIAN’S TROOPS.

The Galileans’ God is among us! Close round him! He is the strongest!

[_A wild tumult of battle. JOVIAN hews his way into the enemy’s
ranks. Sunrise. The Persians flee in all directions._

SCENE FOURTH.

_The Emperor’s tent, with a curtained entrance in the background.
Daylight._

_The EMPEROR JULIAN lies unconscious on his couch. The wounds in his
right side, arm, and hand are bound up. Close to him stand
ORIBASES and MAKRINA, with EUTHERIUS. Further back BASIL OF
CAESAREA, and PRISCUS. At the foot of the bed stands MAXIMUS THE
MYSTIC._

MAKRINA.

He bleeds again. I must bind the bandage tighter.

ORIBASES.

Thanks to you, tender woman; your heedful hands do us good service here.

EUTHERIUS.

Is it possible that he still lives?

ORIBASES.

Certainly he lives.

EUTHERIUS.

But he does not breathe.

ORIBASES.

Yes, he breathes.

_AMMIAN enters softly, with the Emperor’s sword and shield,
which he lays down, and remains standing beside the
curtain._

PRISCUS.

Ah, good captain, how go affairs without?

AMMIAN.

Better than here. Is he already——?

PRISCUS.

No, no, not yet. But is it certain that we have defeated the Persians?

AMMIAN.

Completely. It was Jovian who put them to flight. Three noblemen have even now arrived as envoys from King Sapor, to beg for a truce.

PRISCUS.

And think you Nevita will accede to it?

AMMIAN.

Nevita has yielded up the command to Jovian. All flock around him. All see in him our one hope of safety——

ORIBASES.

Speak low; he moves.

AMMIAN.

He moves. Mayhap he is awakening to consciousness! Oh, if he should live to see this!

EUTHERIUS.

What, Ammian?

AMMIAN.

Both soldiers and leaders are taking counsel as to the choice of the new Emperor.

PRISCUS.

What say you?

EUTHERIUS.

Oh, what shameful haste!

AMMIAN.

The perilous situation of the army partly excuses it; and yet——

MAKRINA.

He is waking;—he opens his eyes——

[_JULIAN lies for a time quite still, looking kindly at the
bystanders._

ORIBASES.

Sire, do you know me?

JULIAN.

Very well, my Oribases.

ORIBASES.

Only lie quiet.

JULIAN.

Lie quiet? You remind me! I must be up!

ORIBASES.

Impossible, sire; I implore you——

JULIAN.

I must up, I say. How can I lie quiet now? I must utterly vanquish Sapor.

EUTHERIUS.

Sapor is vanquished, sire! He has sent envoys to the camp to beg for a truce.

JULIAN.

Has he, indeed? That is good news. So him, at least, I have conquered.

But no truce. I will crush him to the earth.—Ah, where is my shield? Have I lost my shield?

AMMIAN.

No, my Emperor,—here are both your shield and your sword.

JULIAN.

I am very glad of that. My good shield. I should grieve to think of it in the hands of the barbarians. Give it me, on my arm——

MAKRINA.

Oh, sire, ’tis too heavy for you now!

JULIAN.

Ah, _you_? You are right, pious Makrina; ’tis a little too heavy for me.—Lay it before me, that I may see it. What? Is that you, Ammian? Are you on guard here? Where is Anatolus?

AMMIAN.

Sire, he is now in bliss.

JULIAN.

Fallen? My trusty Anatolus fallen for my sake!—In bliss, you say? Ha——

One friend the less. Ah, my Maximus!—I will not receive the Persian king’s envoys to-day. Their design is merely to waste my time. But I will grant no terms. I will follow up the victory to the utmost. The army shall turn against Ctesiphon again.

ORIBASES.

Impossible, sire; think of your wounds.

JULIAN.

My wounds will soon be healed. Will they not, Oribases—do you not promise me——?

ORIBASES.

Above all things rest, sire!

JULIAN.

What a most untimely chance! Just at this moment, when so many weighty matters are crowding in upon me. I cannot leave these things in Nevita’s hands. In such matters I can trust neither him nor others; I must do all myself.—’Tis true, I feel somewhat weary. How unfortunate!—Tell me, Ammian, what is the name of that ill-omened place?

AMMIAN.

What place, my gracious Emperor?

JULIAN.

The spot where the Persian javelin struck me?

AMMIAN.

’Tis called after the village of Phrygia——

MAXIMUS.

Ah!

JULIAN.

What is it called——? What say you the region is called?

AMMIAN.

’Tis called from the village over yonder, the Phrygian region.

JULIAN.

Ah, Maximus—Maximus!

MAXIMUS.

Betrayed!

[_He hides his face, and sinks down at the foot of the bed._

ORIBASES.

My Emperor, what alarms you?

JULIAN.

Nothing—nothing——

Phrygia? Is it so? Nevita and the others will have to take the command after all. Go, tell them——

AMMIAN.

Sire, they have already, on your behalf——

JULIAN.

Have they? Yes, yes, that is well.

The world-will has laid an ambush for me, Maximus!

MAKRINA.

Your wound bleeds afresh, sire!

JULIAN.

Oh, Oribases, why did you seek to hide it from me?

ORIBASES.

What did I seek to hide, my Emperor?

JULIAN.

That I must die. Why not have told me before.

ORIBASES.

Oh, my Emperor!

BASIL.

Julian—Julian!

[_He casts himself down, weeping, beside the bed._

JULIAN.

Basil,—friend, brother,—we two have lived beautiful days together——

You must not weep because I depart from you so young. ’Tis not always a sign of the Fates’ displeasure when they call a man away in his prime. What, after all, is death? ’Tis nought but paying our debt to the ever-changing empire of the dust. No lamentations! Do we not all love wisdom? And does not wisdom teach us that the highest bliss lies in the life of the soul, not in that of the body? So far the Galileans are right, although——; but we will not speak of that. Had the powers of life and death suffered me to finish a certain treatise, I think I should have succeeded in——

ORIBASES.

Oh my Emperor, does it not weary you to talk so much?

JULIAN.

No, no, no. I feel very light and free.

BASIL.

Julian, my beloved brother,—is there nought you would recall?

JULIAN.

Truly I know not what it should be.

BASIL.

Nothing to repent of, Julian?

JULIAN.

Nothing. That power which circumstances placed in my hands, and which is an emanation of divinity, I am conscious of having used to the best of my skill. I have never wittingly wronged any one. For this campaign there were good and sufficient reasons; and if some should think that I have not fulfilled all expectations, they ought in justice to reflect that there is a mysterious power without us, which in a great measure governs the issue of human undertakings.

MAKRINA.

[_Softly to ORIBASES._] Oh listen—listen how heavily he breathes.

ORIBASES.

His voice will soon fail him.

JULIAN.

As to the choice of my successor, I presume not to give any advice.—You, Eutherius, will divide my possessions among those who have stood nearest to me. I do not leave much; for I have always held that a true philosopher——

What is _this_? Is the sun already setting?

ORIBASES.

Not so, my Emperor; ’tis still broad day.

JULIAN.

Strange! It seemed to me to turn quite dark——

Ah, wisdom—wisdom. Hold fast to wisdom, good Priscus! But be always armed against an unfathomable something without us, which——

Is Maximus gone?

MAXIMUS.

No, my brother!

JULIAN.

My throat is burning. Can you not cool it?

MAKRINA.

A draught of water, sire?

[_She holds a cup to his lips._

ORIBASES.

[_Whispers to MAKRINA._] His wound bleeds inwardly.

JULIAN.

Do not weep. Let no Greek weep for me; I am ascending to the stars——

Beautiful temples—— Pictures—— But so far away.

MAKRINA.

Of what is he talking?

ORIBASES.

I know not; I think his mind is wandering.

JULIAN.

[_With closed eyes._] ’Twas given to Alexander to enter in triumph—into Babylon.—I too will—— Beautiful wreath—crown’d youths—dancing maidens,—but so far away.

Beautiful earth,—beautiful life——

[_He opens his eyes wide._

Oh, Helios, Helios—why didst thou betray me?

[_He dies._

ORIBASES.

[_After a pause._] That was death.

THE BYSTANDERS.

Dead—dead!

ORIBASES.

Yes, now he is dead.

[_BASIL and MAKRINA kneel in prayer. EUTHERIUS veils his head. A
sound of drums and trumpets is heard in the distance._

SHOUTS FROM THE CAMP.

Long live the Emperor Jovian!

ORIBASES.

Oh, heard you that shout?

AMMIAN.

Jovian is proclaimed Emperor.

MAXIMUS.

[_Laughing._] The Galilean Jovian! Yes—yes—yes!

ORIBASES.

Shameful haste! Before they knew that——

PRISCUS.

Jovian,—the victorious hero who has saved us all! The Emperor Jovian assuredly deserves a panegyric. I trust that crafty Kytron has not already——

[_He hastens out._

BASIL.

Forgotten, ere your hand is cold. And for this pitiful splendour you sold your immortal soul!

MAXIMUS.

[_Rising._] The world-will shall answer for Julian’s soul!

MAKRINA.

Blaspheme not; though surely you have loved this dead man——

MAXIMUS.

[_Approaching the body._] Loved, and led him astray—Nay, not _I_!

Led astray like Cain. Led astray like Judas.—Your God is a spendthrift God, Galileans! He wears out many souls.

Wast thou not then, this time either, the chosen one—thou victim on the altar of necessity?

What is it worth to live? All is sport and mockery.—To _will_ is to _have to will_.

Oh my beloved—all signs deceived me, all auguries spoke with a double tongue, so that I saw in thee the mediator between the two empires.

The third empire shall come! The spirit of man shall re-enter on its heritage—and then shall offerings of atonement[13] be made to thee, and to thy two guests in the symposium.

[_He goes out._

MAKRINA.

[_Rising, pale._] Basil—did you understand the heathen’s speech?

BASIL.

No,—but it dawns on me like a great and radiant light, that here lies a noble, shattered instrument of God.

MAKRINA.

Ay, truly, a dear and dear-bought instrument.

BASIL.

Christ, Christ—how came it that thy people saw not thy manifest design? The Emperor Julian was a rod of chastisement,—not unto death, but unto resurrection.

MAKRINA.

Terrible is the mystery of election. How know we——?

BASIL.

Is it not written: “Some vessels are fashioned to honour, and some to dishonour”?

MAKRINA.

Oh brother, let us not seek to fathom that abyss.

[_She bends over the body and covers the face._

Erring soul of man—if thou wast indeed forced to err, it shall surely be accounted to thee for good on that great day when the Mighty One shall descend in the clouds to judge the living dead and the dead who are yet alive!—— ——

THE END.

-----

Footnote 9:

The name “Caesar” was at this period used as the title of the heir to
the throne, the Emperor himself being entitled “Augustus.”

Footnote 10:

See Ibsen’s _Correspondence_, Letter 115, to George Brandes.

Footnote 11:

The original edition here reads “benådet,” and this reading is
followed in the translation. In the collected edition of Ibsen’s works
(Copenhagen 1899) the word becomes “beåndet,” which is probably a
misprint, but may, on the other hand, be a correction. In that case,
for “highly-favoured” we should have to read “specially inspired.”
Ibsen uses the word “beåndet” several times in “Hedda Gabler.”

Footnote 12:

In the collected edition (1899) the word “sejre” (to conquer) of
earlier editions is replaced by “rejse” (journey). This is almost
certainly a misprint.

Footnote 13:

Here occurs the one clear case I have observed of a revision of the
text. In earlier editions the phrase ran “da skal der tændes
rögoffer,” meaning literally “then shall burnt-offerings
(smoke-offerings) be lighted.” In the collected edition (1899)
“sonoffer” (offerings of atonement) is substituted for “rögoffer.”
This can scarcely be a printer’s error; and as one deliberate
alteration has been made, it would seem that the alterations noted on
pp. 382 and 417 (especially the former) may also be due, not to the
printer, but to the poet.

-----

Printed by BALLANTYNE & CO. LIMITED
Tavistock Street, London

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transcriber’s Note

There are quite a few instances of missing punctuation. The conventional period following the character’s name is sometimes missing and has been added for consistency’s sake without further comment. Those missing from setting and stage direction are also added without comment, since there is no obvious purpose to be served by the omission. However, the restoration of punctuation missing from dialogue is noted below, since the punctuation is frequently expressive.

Volume I of this series included errata for each succeeding volume, but noted none in this Volume V.

Errors deemed most likely to be the printer’s have been corrected, and are noted here. The references are to the page and line in the original.

xiii.14 not the actual composition[:] Restored.
4.11 I had it from Memnon himself[.] Added.
7.2 give it him, dear brother[.] Added.
7.22 Oh, you abandoned hound[!] Added.
14.19 Stand, stand;—I am armed[.] Added.
17.13 [I ]am sure my old Mardonius Restored.
23.19 fire rained from heaven night by night[.] Added.
31.15 along with the[ the] stranger. Removed.
48.27 I know it[,] my Hekebolius! Added.
66.34 once more arisen in our midst[.] Added.
70.28 calling him my great brother[.] Added.
75.20 in the midst of a great city[!] Added.
79.2 To the bacchanal, friends[!] Added.
82.19 and living in the wilderness[?] Added.
86.31 dizzy with its sweetness[;] Added.
147.2 By-and-by[,/.] Replaced.
158.26 has done too much, good Decentius[!] Added.
171.23 what have you given the Princess[?] Added.
179.2 noble Caesar[,/.] But my Replaced.
182.7 auxiliaries, and other allies[,] climb Removed.
182.14 Caesar, Caesar[!] Added.
182.18 Down with the faithless [Cæsar. Caesar!] Inconsistent.
188.19 Caesar, do you take[ take] the helm! Removed.
209.19 Think[?/.] Replaced.
210.32 [“]Either with us or against us”? Added.
243.28 to sp[r]ead terror to the ends of the earth. Inserted.
300.7 cry their wares[.] Added.
300.9 talking eagerly[.] Added.
308.1 sanctuary, the very house of Apollo[,] which Added.
322.17 [t/T]here you are not far wrong. Replaced.
326.29 No, no, it needs more than that[.] Added.
408.29 Ah, sire, you may well marvel[?/!] Replaced.
428.21 Woe, woe, woe[!] Added.
352.24 Arise, friend[?/!] Replaced.
461.4 _To FROMENTI[N]US_ Inserted.