Complete Works of Henrik Ibsen (173 page)

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
FROMENTIUS,
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 flight 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 tom 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.
Ah!

JULIAN.
[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 C
omes 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, W
ith
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! Me 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 — ?

ORIBASIS.
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 hot 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 ill the life of the soul, not in that of the body? So far the Galileans are righty 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 hot 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.

EUTIIERIUS
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 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, Jet 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