Chapter VI: Part 6

Diu and Serandib! Far east in the Indian sea——

MAMERTINUS.

I do not hesitate to say: beyond the orb of the world——

JULIAN.

Bid the barber come!

[_A courtier goes out to the right._

I will receive the envoys in seemly guise,—yet without display or adornment. So would the august Marcus Aurelius have received them; and him I make my pattern, rather than the Emperor whose death we have lately had to mourn. No more parade of transitory mundane things! Even the barbarians shall see that wisdom—in the person, truly, of her meanest servant—has resumed her place upon the throne.

[_The courtier returns with EUNAPIUS, the barber, who is
magnificently attired._

JULIAN.

[_Looks at him in astonishment, then goes to meet him, and greets him._] What seek you here, my lord?

EUNAPIUS.

Gracious Emperor, you have commanded my attendance——

JULIAN.

You mistake, friend; I have not sent for any of my councillors.

EUNAPIUS.

Most gracious Emperor——

URSULUS.

Pardon me, sire; this man is the imperial barber.

JULIAN.

What do I hear? Can it be? This man—oh, you jest—this man, in silken raiment, with gold-embroidered shoes, is——? Ah, indeed! So you are the barber! [_He bows before him_] Never shall I presume to let myself be served by such delicate hands.

EUNAPIUS.

Most gracious Emperor,—I pray you, for God and my Saviour’s sake——

JULIAN.

Ho-ho! A Galilean! Did I not think so! Is this the self-denial you boast of? But I know you well! What temple of what godhead have you plundered, or how many dips have you made into the Emperor’s coffers, to attain such magnificence as this?—You may go; I have no occasion for you.

[_EUNAPIUS goes out to the right._

Tell me, Ursulus, what is that man’s wage?

URSULUS.

Gracious Emperor, by your august predecessor’s command, the daily maintenance of twenty men is assigned him——

JULIAN.

Aha! No more than that?

URSULUS.

Yes, sire; latterly he has had free stabling in the imperial stables, together with a certain yearly allowance of money, and a gold piece for every time he——

JULIAN.

And all this for a barber! What, then, must the others——? This shall not last a day longer.——Admit the foreign envoys!

[_NEVITA goes out by the back._

I will receive them with uncut hair. Better so; for although I know well that it is not the unkempt hair, nor the tattered cloak, that makes the true philosopher, yet surely the example given by both Antisthenes and Diogenes may well be respected by one who—even on the throne—desires to follow in such great teachers’ footsteps.

_He ascends the daïs on which stands the throne. The court ranges itself
below. The Envoys, introduced by NEVITA and the Chamberlain
EUTHERIUS, enter in magnificent procession, accompanied by slaves,
who bear gifts of all sorts._

NEVITA.

Most gracious Lord and Emperor! Not being possessed of the noble idiom which so many eloquent men, and you yourself not the least, have perfected beyond all other tongues,—and therewith fearful of letting barbarous sounds offend your ear,—these envoys from the princes of the East have deputed me to be their spokesman.

JULIAN.

[_Sitting on the throne._] I am ready to hear you.

NEVITA.

First, the King of Armenia lays at your feet this suit of mail, begging you to wear it in battle against the foes of the empire, although he knows that you, invincible hero, stand under the protecting eye of the gods, who will suffer no weapon of mortal man to wound you.—Here are priceless carpets, tents, and saddle-housings from the princes beyond the Tigris. They thereby acknowledge that, if the gods have granted those lands exceeding riches, it was with the design that these riches should be at the service of their favourite.—The King of Serandib, and likewise the King of Diu, send you these weapons, sword, spear, and shield, with bows and arrows; for, they say, “We esteem it wisest to stand unarmed before the victorious lord who, like a divinity, has shown himself so mighty as to overwhelm all opposition.”—In return, all pray for the supreme favour of your friendship, and especially beg that if, as report says, you propose next spring to annihilate the audacious Persian king, you will spare their territories from hostile invasion.

JULIAN.

Such an embassy cannot come quite as a surprise to me. The gifts shall 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.

Ah, here we have the good Caesarius,—numerously accompanied, and with a face that betokens urgent business.

CAESARIUS.

Most gracious Emperor, will you permit your servant to ask a question, in his own name, and that of these much disquieted men?

JULIAN.

Ask, my dearest Caesarius! Are you not my beloved Gregory’s brother? Ask, ask!

CAESARIUS.

Tell me, then, sire——[_He observes HEKEBOLIUS._] What do I see! Hekebolius here?

JULIAN.

Newly returned——

CAESARIUS.

[_Trying to draw back._] Then I beg leave to defer——

JULIAN.

No, no, my Caesarius; this friend may hear everything.

CAESARIUS.

Friend, say you? Oh my Emperor, then you have not ordered these imprisonments?

JULIAN.

What mean you?

CAESARIUS.

Do you not know? Nevita—the general-in-chief, as he now calls himself—is instituting prosecutions under pretext of your authority, against all the trusted servants of your predecessor.

JULIAN.

Investigations, highly necessary investigations, my Caesarius!

CAESARIUS.

Oh sire, forbid him to go about it so harshly. The book-keeper Pentadius is being hunted down by soldiers; and likewise a certain captain of Praetorians, whose name you have forbidden us to mention; you know whom I mean, sire—that unhappy man who is already, with his whole household, in hiding for fear of you.

JULIAN.

You do not know this man. In Gaul, he cherished the most audacious designs.

CAESARIUS.

That may be; but now he is harmless. And not he alone is threatened with destruction; the treasurer, Ursulus, is imprisoned——

JULIAN.

Ah, Ursulus? So that has been found needful.

CAESARIUS.

Needful? Could _that_ be needful, sire. Think of Ursulus, that stainless old man—that man before whose word high and low bend in reverence——

JULIAN.

A man utterly devoid of judgment, I tell you! Ursulus is a prodigal, who, without any demur, has gorged the rapacity of the court servants. And besides, he is useless in affairs of state. I have found that to my cost. I could never trust him to receive the emissaries of foreign princes.

CAESARIUS.

And yet we beg you, sire—all who are here present—to be magnanimous, both to Ursulus and to the others.

JULIAN.

Who are the others?

CAESARIUS.

Too many, I fear. I will only name the under-treasurer, Evagrius, the late chamberlain, Saturninus, the supreme judge, Cyrenus, and——

JULIAN.

Why do you stop?

CAESARIUS.

[_With hesitation._] Sire—the late Empress’s reader, Hekebolius, is also among the accused.

JULIAN.

What!

HEKEBOLIUS.

I? Impossible!

CAESARIUS.

Accused of having accepted bribes from unworthy office-seekers——

JULIAN.

Hekebolius accused of that——? A man like Hekebolius——?

HEKEBOLIUS.

What shameful slander! Oh Christ—I mean to say—oh heavenly divinities!

CAESARIUS.

Ah!

JULIAN.

What mean you?

CAESARIUS.

[_Coldly._] Nothing, most gracious Emperor!

JULIAN.

Caesarius!

CAESARIUS.

Yes, my august master!

JULIAN.

Not master; call me your friend.

CAESARIUS.

Dare a Christian call you so!

JULIAN.

I pray you banish such thoughts, Caesarius! You must not believe that of me. How can I help all these accused men being Christians? Does it not merely show that the Christians have contrived to seize all the lucrative posts? And can the Emperor suffer the most important offices of the state to be badly administered?

[_To the others._

You surely do not think that it is your creed which has kindled my wrath against dishonest officials? I call all the gods to witness that I will permit no proceedings against you Christians that are not consonant with law and justice, nor will I suffer any one to do you wrong. You, or at any rate many of you, are pious in your way, since you too adore that Lord who is all-powerful, and who rules over the whole visible world.—Oh, my Caesarius, is it not he whom I also adore, though under other names?

CAESARIUS.

Suffer me, gracious Emperor——

JULIAN.

Moreover, it is my intention to show clemency wherever it is fit that I should do so. As to Hekebolius, his secret enemies must not imagine that they will be suffered to injure him by tale-bearing or any other sort of paltry intrigue.

HEKEBOLIUS.

My Emperor! My shield and my defence!

JULIAN.

Nor is it my will that all the minor court servants should be unmercifully deprived of their subsistence. I have specially in mind that barber whom I dismissed. I am sorry for it. The man may remain. He seemed to me one who understood his business thoroughly. All honour to such people! So far I can go, my Caesarius, but no further. I cannot interfere on behalf of Ursulus. I must act so that the blind, and yet so keen-eyed, Goddess of Justice may have no reason to knit her brows over a mortal to whom she has confided so great a responsibility.

CAESARIUS.

After this, I have not a word more to say for those unfortunates. I only crave permission to leave the court and city.

JULIAN.

Would you leave me?

CAESARIUS.

Yes, most gracious Emperor!

JULIAN.

You are stiff-necked, like your brother.

CAESARIUS.

The new order of things gives me much to reflect upon.

JULIAN.

I had great designs for you Caesarius! It would be a great joy to me, if you could renounce your errors. Can you not?

CAESARIUS.

God knows what I might have done a month ago;—now I cannot.

Julian.

A marriage into one of the most powerful families should stand open to you. Will you not bethink you?

CAESARIUS.

No, most gracious lord.

JULIAN.

A man like you could quickly mount from step to step. Caesarius, is it not possible that you can give me your aid in furthering the new order of things?

CAESARIUS.

No, most gracious lord!

JULIAN.

I do not mean here, but in other places. It is my intention to depart from here. Constantinople is very unpleasing to me; you Galileans have spoiled it for me in every way. I shall go to Antioch; there I shall find better soil to work upon. I thought you would accompany me. Will you not, Caesarius?

CAESARIUS.

Most gracious lord, I too am bound for the east; but I will go alone.

JULIAN.

And what will you do there?

CAESARIUS.

Visit my old father; help Gregory to strengthen him for the coming struggle.

JULIAN.

Go!

CAESARIUS.

Farewell, my Emperor!

JULIAN.

Happy father, with such unhappy sons!

[_He makes a gesture with his hand; CAESARIUS and those with him
bow low, and go out to the left._

HEKEBOLIUS.

What reckless and most unseemly defiance!

JULIAN.

My heart is wounded to the quick by this and many other things. You, my Hekebolius, shall accompany me. The ground burns beneath my feet in this poisoned Galilean city! I will write to those philosophers, Kytron and Priscus, who have won so great fame of late years. Maximus I expect every day; he shall go with us.—I tell you there are joyful days of victory awaiting us, Hekebolius! In Antioch, my friend,—there we shall meet the incomparable Libanius,—and there we are nearer Helios at his rising. Oh, this irresistible yearning towards the Sun-King——!

HEKEBOLIUS.

Yes, yes, yes——!

JULIAN.

[_Embracing him._] My Hekebolius!—Wisdom; light; beauty!

ACT SECOND.

SCENE FIRST.

_A spacious vestibule in the Emperor’s Palace, at Antioch. An open
entrance in the background; on the left is a door, leading into
the inner rooms._

_On a raised seat in the foreground, to the right, sits the EMPEROR
JULIAN, surrounded by his court. Judges, Orators, Poets, and
Teachers, among them HEKEBOLIUS, sit on lower seats around him.
Leaning against the wall near the entrance stands A MAN, dressed
as a Christian Priest; he hides his face in his hands, and seems
rapt in prayer. A great gathering of citizens fills the hall.
Guards at the entrance, and at the door on the left._

JULIAN.

[_Addressing the assemblage._] So great success have the gods vouchsafed me. Hardly a single city have I approached on my journey, whence whole troops of Galileans have not streamed forth to meet me on the road, lamenting their errors, and placing themselves under the protection of the divine powers. Compared with this, what signifies the senseless behaviour of the scoffers? May not the scoffers be likened to dogs, who in their ignorance yelp at the moon? Yet I will not deny that I have learned with indignation that some inhabitants of this city have spoken scornfully of the rule of life which I have enjoined on the priests of Cybele, the good goddess. Ought not reverence for so exalted a divinity to protect her servants from mockery? I say to those foolhardy men: Are ye barbarians, since ye know not who Cybele is? Must I solemnly remind you how, when the power of Rome was so gravely threatened by that Punic commander, whose grave I saw not long since in Libyssa, the Cumaean Sybil counselled that the statue of Cybele should be taken from the temple in Pessinus, and brought to Rome? As to the priests’ way of life, some have wondered that they should be forbidden to eat roots, and everything that grows along the earth, while they are allowed to partake of upward-growing herbs and fruits. Oh, how dense is your ignorance—I pity you if you cannot understand this! Can the spirit of man find nourishment in that which creeps along the ground? Does not the soul live by all that yearns upward, towards heaven and the sun? I will not enter more largely into these matters to-day. What remains to be said you shall learn from a treatise I am composing during my sleepless nights, which I hope will shortly be recited both in the lecture-halls and on the market-places.

[_He rises._

And with this, my friends, if no one has anything further to bring forward——

A CITIZEN.

[_Pressing to the front._] Oh most gracious Emperor, let me not go unheard!

JULIAN.

[_Sitting down again._] Surely not, my friend. Who are you?

THE CITIZEN.

I am Medon, the corn-merchant. Oh, if my love for you, exalted and divine Emperor——

JULIAN.

Come to your case, man!

MEDON.

I have a neighbour, Alites, who for many years has done me every imaginable injury; for he, too, is a dealer in corn, and takes the bread out of my mouth in the most shameful way——

JULIAN.

Aha, my good Medon; yet you look not ill-fed.

MEDON.

Nor is that the matter, most gracious Emperor! Oh, by the august gods, whom every day I learn to love and praise more highly—his affronts to me I could overlook; but what I cannot suffer——

JULIAN.

He surely does not insult the gods?

MEDON.

He does what is worse,—or at least equally shameless; he—oh, I scarce know whether my indignation will permit me to utter it,—he insults you yourself, most gracious Emperor!

JULIAN.

Indeed? In what words?

MEDON.

Not in words, but worse—in act.

JULIAN.

Then in what act?

MEDON.

He wears a purple robe——

JULIAN.

A purple robe? Oho, that is bold.

MEDON.

Oh, great wing-footed Mercury, when I think how he would have paid for that robe in your predecessor’s time! And this garment of vainglory I have daily before my eyes——

JULIAN.

This garment, bought with money that might have been yours——

MEDON.

Oh most gracious Emperor,—punish his audacity; let him be expelled the city; my love for our great and august ruler will not suffer me to remain a witness of such shameless arrogance.

JULIAN.

Tell me, good Medon, what manner of clothes does Alites wear, besides the purple cloak?

MEDON.

Truly I cannot call to mind, sire; ordinary clothes, I think; I have only remarked the purple cloak.

JULIAN.

A purple cloak, then, and untanned sandals——?

MEDON.

Yes, sire; it looks as ludicrous as it is audacious.

JULIAN.

We must remedy this, Medon!

MEDON.

[_Joyfully._] Ah, most gracious Emperor——?

JULIAN.

Come early to morrow to the palace——

MEDON.

[_Still more delighted._] I will come very early, most gracious Emperor!

JULIAN.

Give your name to my Chamberlain——

MEDON.

Yes, yes, my most gracious Emperor!

JULIAN.

You will receive from him a pair of purple shoes, embroidered with gold——

MEDON.

Ah, my most generous lord and Emperor!

JULIAN.

These shoes you will take to Alites, place them on his feet, and say that henceforth he must not fail to put them on, whenever he would walk abroad by daylight in his purple cloak——

MEDON.

Oh!

JULIAN.

——and, that done, you may tell him from me, that he is a fool if he thinks himself honoured by a purple robe, having not the power of the purple.—Go; and come for the shoes to-morrow!

[_The Corn Merchant slinks away, amid the laughter of the
citizens; the Courtiers, Orators, Poets, and the rest clap
their hands, with loud exclamations of approval._

ANOTHER CITIZEN.

[_Stepping forward from the crowd._] Praised be the Emperor’s justice! Oh how richly this envious corn-miser deserves his punishment! Oh hear me, and let your favour——

JULIAN.

Aha; methinks I know that face. Were not you one of those who shouted before my chariot as I drove into the city?

THE CITIZEN.

None shouted louder than I, incomparable Emperor! I am Malchus, the tax-gatherer. Ah, grant me your aid! I am engaged in a law-suit with an evil and grasping man——

JULIAN.

And therefore you come to me? Are there not judges——?

MALCHUS.

The affair is somewhat involved, noble Emperor. It concerns a field, which I leased to this bad man, having bought it seven years since, when part of the domain belonging to the Apostles’ Church was sold.

JULIAN.

So, so; church property, then?

MALCHUS.

Honestly purchased; but now this man denies either to pay me rent, or to give up the property, under pretext that this field once belonged to the temple of Apollo, and, as he declares, was unlawfully confiscated many years ago.

JULIAN.

Tell me, Malchus,—you seem to be a follower of the Galilean?

MALCHUS.

Most gracious Emperor, ’tis an old tradition in our family to acknowledge Christ.

JULIAN.

And this you say openly, without fear?

MALCHUS.

My adversary is bolder than I, sire! He goes in and out, as before; he fled not the city when he heard of your approach.

JULIAN.

Fled not? And why should he flee, this man who stands out for the rights of the gods?

MALCHUS.

Most gracious Emperor, you have doubtless heard of the book-keeper, Thalassius?

JULIAN.

What! That Thalassius who, to ingratiate himself with my predecessor, whilst I was being slandered and menaced in Gaul, proposed, here in Antioch, in the open market-place, that the citizens should petition the Emperor to send them Julian Caesar’s head!

MALCHUS.

Sire, it is this, your deadly foe, who is wronging me.

JULIAN.

Truly, Malchus, I have as great ground of complaint against this man as you have.

MALCHUS.

Tenfold greater, my gracious Emperor?

JULIAN.

What think you? Shall we two combine our quarrels, and prosecute him together?

MALCHUS.

Oh, what exceeding grace! Oh tenfold happiness!

JULIAN.

Oh tenfold foolishness! Thalassius goes in and out as before, you say? He has not fled the city at my approach. Thalassius knows me better than you. Away with you, man! When I indict Thalassius for my head, you may indict him for your field.

MALCHUS.

[_Wringing his hands._] Oh tenfold misery!

[_He goes out by the back; the assembly again applauds the
Emperor._

JULIAN.

That is well, my friends; rejoice that I have succeeded in making a not altogether unworthy beginning to this day, which is specially dedicate to the feast of the radiant Apollo. For is it not worthy of a philosopher to overlook affronts against himself, whilst he sternly chastises wrongs done to the immortal gods? I do not recall whether that crowned cultivator of learning, Marcus Aurelius, was ever in like case; but if he was, we must hope that he did not act quite unlike me, who hold it an honour to follow humbly in his footsteps.

Let this serve as a clue for your future guidance. In the palace, in the market-place, even in the theatre—did I not loathe to enter such a place of folly—it is fit that you should greet me with acclamation and joyful applause. Such homage, I know, was well received both by the Macedonian Alexander and by Julius Caesar, men who were also permitted by the Goddess of Fortune to outshine other mortals in glory.

But when you see me entering a temple, that is another affair. Then I desire you to be silent, or direct your plaudits to the gods, and not to me, as I advance with bent head and downcast eyes. And above all, I trust you will be heedful of this to-day, when I am to sacrifice to so transcendent and mighty a divinity as he whom we know by the name of the Sun-King, and who seems even greater in our eyes when we reflect that he is the same whom certain oriental peoples call Mithra.

And with this—if no one has more to say——

THE PRIEST AT THE DOOR.

_[Draws himself up._] In the name of the Lord God!

JULIAN.

Who speaks?

THE PRIEST.

A servant of God and of the Emperor.

JULIAN.

Approach. What would you?

THE PRIEST.

I would speak to your heart and to your conscience.

JULIAN.

[_Springing up._] What voice was that! What do I see! In spite of beard and habit——! Gregory!

THE PRIEST.

Yes, my august master!

JULIAN.

Gregory! Gregory of Nazianzus!

GREGORY.

Yes, gracious Emperor!

JULIAN.

[_Has descended and grasped his hands; he now looks long at him._] A little older; browner; broader. No; ’twas only at the first glance; now you are the same as ever.

GREGORY.

Oh that it were so with you, sire!

JULIAN.

Athens. That night in the portico. No man has lain so near my heart as you.

GREGORY.

Your heart? Ah, Emperor, you have torn out of your heart a better friend than I.

JULIAN.

You mean Basil?

GREGORY.

I mean a greater than Basil.

JULIAN.

[_Glooming._] Ah! So that is what you come to tell me? And in that habit——

GREGORY.

I did not choose this habit, sire!

JULIAN.

Not you? Who then?

GREGORY.

He who is greater than the Emperor.

JULIAN.

I know your Galilean phrases. For the sake of our friendship, spare me them.

GREGORY.

Let me, then, begin by telling you how it is that you see me here, ordained a priest of the church you are persecuting.

JULIAN.

[_With a sharp look._] Persecuting!

[_He ascends the daïs again and sits down._

Now speak on.

GREGORY.

You know what were my thoughts of things divine, during our happy comradeship in Athens. But then it was far from my purpose to renounce the joys of life. Neither ambition nor the thirst for riches, I can truly say, has ever tempted me; yet I should scarce tell the truth if I denied that my eye and my mind dwelt wonderingly on all the glories which the old learning and art of Greece revealed to me. The wranglings and petty schisms in our church afflicted me deeply; but I took no part in them; I served my countrymen in temporal things; nothing more——

Then came tidings from Constantinople. It was said that Constantius had died of terror at your proceedings, and had declared you his heir. Heralded by the renown of your victories, and received as a superhuman being, you, the hero of Gaul and Germany, had ascended the throne of Constantine without striking a blow. The earth lay at your feet.

Then came further tidings. The lord of earth was girding himself up to war against the Lord of heaven——

JULIAN.

Gregory, what do you presume——!

GREGORY.

The lord of the body was girding himself up to war against the Lord of the soul. I stand here before you in bodily fear and trembling; but I dare not lie. Will you hear the truth, or shall I be silent?

JULIAN.

Say on, Gregory!

GREGORY.

What have not my fellow Christians already suffered during these few months? How many sentences of death have been passed, and executed in the cruellest fashion? Gaudentius, the state secretary; Artemius, the former governor of Egypt; the two tribunes, Romanus and Vincentius——

JULIAN.

You know not what you speak of. I tell you, the Goddess of Justice would have wept had those traitors escaped with their lives.

GREGORY.

That may be, my Emperor; but I tell you that one sentence of death has been passed which the God of Justice can never forgive you. Ursulus! The man who stood your friend in times of need! Ursulus who, at the risk of his own life, supplied you with money in Gaul! Ursulus, whose sole crime was his Christian faith and his sincerity——

JULIAN.

Ah, this you have from your brother, Caesarius!

GREGORY.

Punish me, sire; but spare my brother.

JULIAN.

You well know that you risk nothing, Gregory! Besides, I will grant you that Nevita acted too harshly.

GREGORY.

Ay, that barbarian, who tries in vain to hide his origin under a Greek veneer——!

JULIAN.

Nevita is zealous in his duty, and I cannot myself be everywhere. For Ursulus I have mourned sincerely, and I deeply deplore that neither time nor circumstances allowed me to examine into his case myself. I should certainly have spared him, Gregory! I have thought, too, of restoring to his heirs any property he has left behind.

GREGORY.

Great Emperor, you owe me no reckoning for your acts. I only wished to tell you that all these tidings fell like thunderbolts in Caesarea and Nazianzus, and the other Cappadocian cities. How shall I describe their effect! Our internal wranglings were silenced by the common danger. Many rotten branches of the Church fell away; but in many indifferent hearts the light of the Lord was kindled with a fervour before undreamt-of. Meanwhile oppression overtook God’s people. The heathen—I mean, my Emperor, those whom _I_ call heathen—began to threaten, to injure, to persecute us——

JULIAN.

Retaliation,—retaliation, Gregory!

GREGORY.

Far be it from me to justify all that my fellow Christians may have done in their excessive zeal for the cause of the Church. But you, who are so enlightened, and have power over all alike, cannot permit the living to suffer for the faults of the dead. Yet so it has been in Cappadocia. The enemies of the Christians, few in number, but thirsting after gain, and burning with eagerness to ingratiate themselves with the new officials, have awakened fear and perturbation among the people both in town and country.

I am not thinking chiefly of the insults we have had to suffer, nor of the infringements of our just rights of property, to which we have been constantly exposed of late. What most grieves me and all my earnest brethren, is the peril to souls. Many are not firm-rooted in the faith, and cannot quite shake off the care for earthly goods. The harsh treatment which has now to be endured by all who bear the name of Christian has already led to more than one apostasy. Sire, this is soul-robbery from God’s kingdom.

JULIAN.

Oh, my wise Gregory,—how can you talk so? I wonder at you? Should you not rather, as a good Galilean, rejoice that your community is rid of such men?

GREGORY.

Gracious Emperor, I am not of that opinion. I have myself been indifferent in the faith, and I look upon all such as sick men, who are not past cure, so long as they remain in the bosom of the Church. So, too, thought our little congregation at Nazianzus. Brethren and sisters, in deep distress, assembled to take counsel against the perils of the time. They were joined by delegates from Caesarea and other cities. My father is infirm, and—as he owns with sorrow—does not possess the steadfast, immovable will which, in these troublous times, is needful for him who sits in the bishop’s chair. The assembly determined that a younger man should be chosen as his helper, to hold the Lord’s flock together.

The choice fell on me.

JULIAN.

Ah!

GREGORY.