Anna Dickinson SPEECHES & WRITINGS FILE PLAYS "Aurelian" Printed copy, annotated, 1879HOWARD M. HOYT'S Indestructible Book Binding PATENTED APRIL 4th, 1876 4th Ave. cor. 82nd St. N.Y. HOWARD M. HOYT'S Indestructible Book Binding PATENTED APRIL 4th, 1876 4th Ave. cor. 82nd St. N.Y.The Property of Anna E. Dickinson AURELIAN; OR ROME'S RESTORER A TRAGEDY, BY ANNA E. DICKINSON. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1879, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PHILADELPHIA: THOMAS WILLIAM STUCKEY, PRINTER, NO 53 NORTH SEVENTH STHEET, 1879People Represented Aurelian, Emperor of Rome. Tacitus, First of the Nobles. Claudius Pompianus, Son of Tacitus. Mucapor, a Roman General. Sejanus, brother of Mucapor. Antoninus, } Roman Nobles. Marcus Valerius, } Cornelius Laco, } Otho, } Roman Soldiers. Aemilianus, } Decius, } Papinian, } Pertina[s,] } Mamercius, } Charicles, } Palmyrenean Nobles. Antipas, } Lucius Cantilus, } A Palmyrenean Citizen. Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra. Faustina, Niece of Tacitus. [*2]Fadilla, Attendant on Faustina. [*1]Valeria, " Zenobia. Zarah, an old Jewess. Officers, Soldiers, Citizens, &c. Scene.—Rome and Palmyra. Time.—A. D. 273 and 274FIRST ACT. AURELIAN, OR ROME'S RESTORER ___________ Act One. ______ A ROOM IN THE HOUSE OF TACITUS Scene first. [Enter Tacitus looking around. Tacitus. She is not here. [Strikes silver ball on the table. Enter Fadilla. I would speak with my niece. Fadilla. [Holding back curtain. She is here, master [Enter Faustina. Faustina. And being here, she would fain encounter a warmer greeting than is promised by that averted eye. Though I, be not so fair, in fact, as Fadilla, there is in her own fancy. [Fadilla makes dissenting gesture, I am not a Medusa. Come, uncle, smile on me. Tac. [Smiling. And on thy beauty,—but not thy lawlessness. Faus. [Throws herself on couch. unfastening her bracelets. Here, girl, I like not these bracelets, bring me another pair [Fadilla takes them and exits. My lawlessness, [Laughs scornfully. good uncle, your phrase smells of the Vivaria! What have we to do with laws and lawlessness? We are not slaves, nor freedmen, nor yet Aurelian's well beloved people, that we should alter color or texture of garment, ornament or equipage, at his command. "Tis is enough, that prohibition lies twixt these and me, for me, to wear them. What should this German peasant, born on a shield, bred in camps, know of patrician wants and princely needs? What! he will deny us jewels, and silks, and cloths of gold. [Enter Fadilla. Anon, he will have us arrayed in the primitive simplicity, of a single robe. Fad. [Busy about Faus. And then none! Is't not so, mistress? his barbarian dames do dress themselves?Act 1. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer 5 Faus. No, fool, no. In skins and furs, nose high, and finger deep, With more regard to sanctity, than elegance-as he, himself, would say. Elegance! [Laughs scornfully. It might make a stoic smile, to hear how he defines that word. Fad. Hath he enough of learning, to define at all? Faus. Aye, through deed. For now I do bethink me, that he, who grudges all men else their pleasure, spares not his own. 'Tis said, his armor rivals the sun, in splendor, and that that of each of his brother soldiers (as he calls the filthy legions) rivals his. Is't not so, uncle? Tac. (Looking up from parchment, I marvel not, that last night, I did dream of eating figs--since 'tis a dream presaging foolish talk! 'Tis not to profit, a wise man listens to the chattering of magpies, over an eagle! What should you know, of such an one as Aurelian? Faus. But is't not true? Tac. What? Faus. That, I did ask thee, of the soldiers' arms and armor? Are they not heavy with silver, and rich with gold? Tac. Aye, not alone to teach them care, but that they may fight the better, and hold to them with more desperate tenacity even in defeat; since many a man will contend to the death for his gold, who would turn and flee at the first onset, if but his honor fell to the hands of a foe! Aurelian knows men, and how to evolve the best that is in them. Faus. His own kind? Tac. Nay, if he knew none but his own kind, he would dwell in solitude; for the gods lend us his kind but once in a century. Faus. For me--in the name of all the arts and graces--I thank the gods, their loan is not more frequent. [To Fadilla, who has been fanning her, Go, get me the case of jewels, that lies within. [Exit Fad. Tac. And I, and all, who love Rome, that they have granted him to these present times.6 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. Act 1. Faus. Why, -- what has he done for Rome? Degraded our order; made the rabble rich, and the nobles poor; banished elegance and luxury; condemned feasting and gaiety, and scorned even the gods by his prohibition of divination, and the mysteries of the seers! Truly, if his days be prolonged, Rome, will have to thank him that it has been relegated to the rudeness of its primitive manners, and barbarian youth! Is it for this? that you, Tacitus, a scholar, a philosopher, first of the senators, oldest of the nobles, are grateful? -- more than content, that this Pannonian peasant, this savage, whom they say has slain in battle with his own hand a thousand men, holds domination over us? and fills the chair of the Caesars? Tac. Aye girl, for that--that he fills the chair of the Caesars; that he has the wisdom and splendid power of him, who was first of the name! That he, or any man was found to check the empire, in its mad race to death. When Cimmerian darkness closed on the empire, none heaved a sigh! now, we lament as though at the funeral of the state, that we have at our head the greatest general Rome has known since Caesar, the stern but needful reformer of a degenerate age, one whose conduct gives sanctions to his own laws. For me, again I thank the gods, that noble and senator though I be, -- names of infamy in these last days of Rome,--I have still the vision to see, and the virtue to adore, a spark of the divine fire, though it burn in eyes of a peasant, and glow through the body of a legionary soldier, and common man. [Re-enter Fadilla, with jewel case. Faus. So! (taking crown from case,) then, wilt thou not object to this new bauble that Demetrius hath designed, and I, have bought? Tac. A crown! For whom? Faus. For Rome's next Empress! [putting it on. Though he likes not splendor, he delights in power, sinceAct 1. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 7 while he toils as do slaves beneath the lash, and dons a robe the poorest he, in all the senate-house might match, he is the first ruler, since great Tarquin died, who has dared to wear a crown? Tac. [Smiling. Thinkest thou to rival his power? Faus. And to command it. Tac. Command Aurelian! Faus. As men have been, and will be commanded, since life began, and while time endures! Tac. He, is no slave to his senses. Faus. Nor yet, hath he any despotical power over his passions. He is a man. Tac. More of a German than a Roman, with all the reverence, my great ancestor did write, that e'en in his day, possessed these strong men of the north for the women of their tribes, who were their companions, not their mistresses, nor yet their slaves. Faus. He is a man. Tac. Thou wilt have speedy opportunity to test thy charm. Faus. Aurelian comes hither? Tac. To-day. Faus. To feast? Tac. To work. Toil, is his Saturnalia. He comes to study on some parchments that lie within, and knowing I hold them dearer than priceless gems, he comes to them lest carrying them to him, should cause me a moment's pang. Faus. [Taking off crown, handing it to Fad. 'Tis the act of a common person. [Fadilla busies herself with jewels. Tac. 'Tis the act of a generous, and so most uncommon man.8 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. Act 1. Faus. More incense? When thy god is mine, I, too, will swing the censer. Till then, spare me! The fumes are over heavy! They do strangle me. A truce to Aurelian! Tac. Granted--the more freely that I must go to welcome him-- and thou? [Indicating her jewels with inquiring gesture. Faus. Will await him, ornamented, here, [Exit Tacitus. and conquer him. I will make this serf my slave, and seize the sceptre, that by right should have fallen to my hand [Enter servant. Well? Servant. My lady, one doth wait. Faus. Let him turn waiting to quitting. Tell him to begone. Ser. Your highness, this---- Faus. I will see no one. Well! are you lingering for the rod, to speed your tardiness? When have you ever found my nay,- yea? Ser. Pardon, my gracious lady, but this one you did say should be admitted, whenso'er she might crave entrance. [Enter Zarah, casket in hand, smiling and bowing Exit servant Zarah. Which mighty princess, she ventures to make for herself. One who is sure of welcome, need not tarry long, at the door. Faus. Zarah! Zarah. She. Faus. Back from Alexandria? Zarah. And Palmyra, with priceless Eastern spoils, [indicating casket.] Faus. The furies, then, have not yet claimed thee? Zarah. They were content to leave me yet awhile to the hands of their handsome sister.Act 1. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 9 Faus. Impudent as ever! Zarah. What would you? One must live. My tongue is my trade. Faus. Lying and cajoling, wheedling people out of their last sesterce, and cheating them of their very eyes, -that is thy trade. Zarah. Truly, old Zarah has not lived in the two-and-seventy years, for naught. Whoso helps another to live hastens his own death. Why should I thrust on people naked truth, and get turned out of doors for my pains, when I shall have princely entertainment, if I bring with me a whole troop of gilded lies? Go to! let us live with the living, unless we be fools; in the which case, we may be humble and thank the fates, we are of some use, that others may live upon us. [Through this she has been busy about the straps, &c., of her casket. Faus. You need not unpack your casket. I have no mind to serve as your feast to-day. Zarah. [To Fadilla. Bring me that stand. Faus. For what? Zarah. To open out my beauties. [Indicating casket. Faus. I will not look at them. Zarah. [To Fad., who has stood irresolute. Did you hear me, simpleton? Faus. [To Fadilla. Get you gone. [Fadilla goes up for table. Zarah. Put it here. [Fad. laughs and does as bade. So, - [handing Fadilla the casket.] - now put it, there (indicating table) carefully. It is precious, -precious! Faus. [with affected indifference. You can spare your talk. I do not hear it. Zarah [Busy over the jewels. She of Sheba, ever had rarer splendors when she came to see the great king, Solomon10 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. Act 1. Fad (Looking on in ecstacy. Oh! Faus. Get you gone, idiot Zarah. For a mirror, girl, to let the handsome princess see her beauty in this most beauteous setting. (Exit Fad. Zarah takes out jewels. Sapphires, to match her eyes, -coral, to rival her lips, -pearls, that will blend with the satin smoothness of her skin=and here,-the diamond she did command Faus. So long ago, she hath forgotten it. (enter Fad.) Zarah. Nay, my pretty princess, what is worth possession, is worth patience. Why should old Zarah bring thee a poor thing in haste, when she can bring thee a rich thing at leisure! Since thou art one of those, who have sight as well as eyes-look, and judge. (shows diamond), Faus. (with affected carelessness. 'Tis no great, matter. Fad. Oh, my lady! 'Tis a glance of Phoebus Apollo! 'Tis an imprisoned goddess! 'Tis Venus herself, mother of beauty! May I be blind if old Zarah hath not kept her promise to bring thee the rarest diamond in all the East. Faus. Folly [Nonsense], girl! Doubtless, 'twould pale its [ineffectual fires] lustre beside a score of splendors, that blaze from Zenobia's diadem. Zarah. Wrong, princess wrong! The great queen herself did strive to own this jewel, but 'twas in the hands of one of my own people, and I, won it as I said for thee. Thou wilt not make me a liar by proving thyself a fool, and leaving it in my hands. Faus. (Eagerly) Zenobia, sent to purchase it? Zarah. Aye. Faus. And was disappointed at not gaining it? Zarah. Vexed nigh to a green sickness. Faus. Now thou jeerest me! She disdains such follies. Zarah. As flies, do, honeyAct 1. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 11 Faus. Hath she such weaknesses? this creature who is too wise to talk with a woman? and too cold, to love a man? Zarah. She hath a Greek's taste, for beauty, an Egyptian's, for richness, a Jew's, for splendor; a Scythian's, for valor; a Persian's for pomp; and a Roman's, for power. She would be empress of the world. Faus. [Eagerly. By wedding with Aurelian? Zarah. By conquering it. Faus. She thinks to conquer Rome? Zarah If Rome forces her to contest. [Still busy at casket. Faus. She is a fool. Zarah. Then, will she win,-since fools, are fortunate. But she is none, so may she fail-as mighty souls have failed before her-tempted on to majestic undertakings, reserved by fate for their destruction, such, [Looking at picture she has taken from casket. will be thy undoing Faus. What say'st thou? Zarah. [Holding picture. I speak but to a painted semblance. Faus. Of Zenobia? Zarah. [Offering it. Even so. Faus. [Takes it. This, Zenobia? She hath no fairness that should make men bow to her, and women fear her! Call you beautiful? Where does her beauty lie? I see it not. In cheek? or lip? or eye? Find it, and show me. Zarah. Nay, now, my princess; I am not so young in folly, as to wear swaddling clothes, nor so old, as to have reached second childhood! A fine task, truly! to show beauty in one woman, to the eyes of another who cannot find it herself! Faus. She a beauty! I have seen handsomer creatures among our12 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. Act 1 beggar girls! She a queen! Fortune bestows her gifts unwittingly. Zarah. Not when she hath set such beauty as a snare, to catch all her smiles (Putting necklace on Faus while Fad. holds mirror. Faus. What is this? Aurelian? (looking at carved ornament.) Zarah [Clasping on bracelets. And here, and here (Same head in bracelets) Faus. Foolish woman! Why tempt me, with what the imperial revenues alone can buy? Thou knowest my uncle will not aid me to break the laws, Aurelian hath commanded. Zarah. To break them by wearing these, will be to pay for them. Faus. Thou thinkest, then, his austerity is amenable to flattery? 'Tis said to be a woman's dish that pleaseth not masculine palates. Zarah. As it is seasoned, my princess; as it is seasoned! Women like it delicately tempered, and spread out thin, to last long, like candied fruits upon a child's dry crust; but your masculine palate, will swallow the whole dish, platter and all, at a single mouthful, tho' it be so hot of spices as to make the tears start, if a fair hand hold it. (Busies herself about Faus. What do you fear my princess? He is cold say you? A volcano sleeps beneath that rock,- and why do such men as he sleep, bur for such women as you to wake them? Ta! ta! let the clasps alone. Put on the tiara; blaze in the diamonds, (putting them on,) blind his eyes, enchant his senses, old Zarah is not afraid but that in due season, she will be thrice paid (cunningly), with Claudius debts, beside. Faus. (Starts. Claudius? Why speak of hi? When did you see him? Where? WAs it well or ill with him? Zarah. He, and some of Zenobia's nobles, seemed to have a pleasant enough time in Palmyra, when I last saw him. They kept the gaming board warm. Faus (Angrily. With his losses. Zarah. I heard him utter some maledictions over a desperate run of ill fortune, a hundred thousand sesterces or so. Faus. (Looks off. Hist! who comes there?Act 1. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 13 Zarah. [Looks off. Aurelian! Faus. Get thee within. Zarah. I fly. [Going. Faus. [Pointing to jewels. Clog thy wings with that freightage: I will see more of it, and of thee, anon. Zarah. [Gathers up all save the miniature, which she drops and exits. 'Till presently. [Faustina catches up embroidery frame as Aurelian and Tacitus enter. Aurelian in deep conversation scarcely noting Faustina, and when he speaks, going back closely to the speech with Tacitus. Faustina, aside, showing her chagrin. [Enter Aurelian and Tacitus. Tacitus with open parchments. Aurelian. And they would have me sanction a new law, against informers? [Sees and bows to Faus.) The gods send thee health, and happiness, fair lady. [Turns to Tac. Tac. Out of their love. Au. No. They are influenced by neither, fear nor love; but only, by an inordinate passion for slavery. The sight of an unmasked face, and the free [?] of an unbridled tongue, are sights, and sounds, so rare at Rome, as to fright its senators. Tac. They deem it best for thy security. Au. Mine own security? or the continuance of my power? Tac. Both. Au. For the first, - I shall die when my hour strikes. For the second, - I am where I am, because the gods have made me what I am. When I can no longer hold my power, but by the aid of a spy's eye, and an assassin's hand, may the great mother of us all, receive me! Tac. Meanwhile, what of Rome? However, thou art safe, thy safety is the pledge not only of her power, but her continuance.14 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. Act 1. Au. Tacitus, my friend, as I in honor ask, so thou, in honor answer. In what respect would Rome be better, if I, who have played my part as becomes a man, through base love of life and power, should sink to the monstrous infamy of those whose cowardice, and cruelty, have flung them from the necks of mankind? Tac. In none. Au. Enough. Tell thou the senate so, and tell them, likewise, [smiling,] I would be a fool to punish any man, who sits in judgment on the acts of one, who oftener has reason to condemn, than to commend himself. Tac. Still, would it not be wise, to pay some heed to the harsh words Mucapor's acrid tongue hath spoken to the legions? – or dost thou doubt them? Au. [Smiling. Nay, I doubt them not. He is amply able to speak all that hath been related. What then? This man, who in some fit of temper, hath railed at me, would, the first moment after, mount his steed and die for me. Shall I begrudge his tongue to him who would give all for me. Faus. But pardon, my emperor, are you not afraid he may corrupt the legions? Au. No more afraid than I am that my hand, my foot, my eye, will mutiny against me! I did not buy my soldiers, more than these. The whole universe could not divorce us, more than sense from form, and leave the life behind. Tac. [Touching parchments, Then thou wouldst have these slain? Au. Past hope of reviving. Have they passed my ordinances of provisions, for the citizens? Tac. [Handing parchments. Somewhat shorn. Au. [Reading here and there. To each citizen each day–bread–meat–pork–no wine? Tac. [Smiling. There is thy own ordinance against drunkenness. Au. No man would lose his wits by the gain of a small skin of sour vintage. (Handing back parchment.) Tell them I will have my law as I did draft it.Act I. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 15 Tac. [Hesitating. May I speak? Au. [Smiling. Else, why hast thou tongue? Tac. Then, good my emperor, the people are not gods; they are human. Grant them the vestibule, they will claim the house -or tear it down. Judgment, should be twin sister of generosity. Whoso gives more than is needed, gives to the hurt both of the bestower, and the receiver. [Servant enters with wine. Au. Right, my Tacitus, (wine offered,) and meanwhile, that no man may say his emperor denies to others, what he takes himself, (crosses to table and pours water,) this shall be my nectar. Faus. [Taking wine. What profit then, hath king or emperor beyond the beggar? Au. None, save that he hath wider service. Faus. [Putting down wine in amazement. Service! Au. Aye. He rules best, who serves best; not the follies, but the needs of his kind. Tac. [Smiling as he puts down goblet. An aphorism! Is Aurelian turning philosopher? Au. Forbid it, Jupiter! Philosophers!-they are men, who talk with the wisdom of owls, and act, with the folly of geese. Your only sense, worth living by, is common sense. Tac. Which is to say, the rarest of all genius is the best! For the rarest of all genius is the sense, called, common. Au. [Smiling. Come, then, my genius, shed they light upon the problem of -clothes! This memorial doth state the ladies of illustrious quality, to say naught of their masculine confederates, would rather part with life, than its adornings. Tac. [Pointing to Faustina. Behold, the proof. Au. [Glancing abstractedly from parchment. I marked it not.16 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. Act I. Faus. [With chagrin, quickly recovered. Even so, my emperor. [Rising and, with gaiety, half kneeling. If it be death to break thy laws, slay me with thine own hand. Au. [Brightly. I have never killed any ladies of what quality soever, and know not how to go about it. Tac. [Looking at Zarah's jewels. These are new. Faus. Aye. Tac. [With admiration. They are rarely done. Faus. They are Greek handicraft. Tac. The Greeks are masters of all arts. Au. [Turning from parchment. Even that of withering valor and corrupting manhood! They have sapped to the last drop the virility of their own State, and are poisoning that of Rome! Tac. [Looking more closely and lifting the jewel. Whose carved this should scarce meet Aurelian's condemnation. Au. Wherefore not? [Looking.] I know naught of art, yet, have I the keenness to discern that fitness is the chief attribute of adorning. This rude head would better become the weather-beaten helmet of a storm-tried solder, rather, than the lily neck or arm, of a fair lady's beauty. F[aus.] [Significantly. 'Tis said, Zenobia wears it. Au. [Smiling, and putting his arm across his breast. On her shield? If so, it is placed well. Since hold she her proper place of subordination to the power of Rome, Rome's emperor would gladly stand 'twixt her, and all her foes. Faus. No. Au. Not on her shield? [Again smiling, and lifting hand over his hand. Scarce on her helmet?Act 1. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 17 Faus. (With asperity. 'Tis said,- I know not,- (Pointing insultingly to her foot,) Upon her sandal. Au. Most saying, are lies,- that are not follies. [Turns to Tac. Hast thou had word from Claudius? Tac. None. Au. He will be here, ere nightfall. One of my day-runners, reports his coming. Tac. May Minerva counsel this Eastern Queen, that she send reasonable messages; for surely, burthensome and ungainful to all concerned, is the occupation of war. Au. I think not so. 'Tis a good purge, for bad humors. No great state, can remain at rest long, together,-its stormy currents if they find no outlet, strew its own bosom with the wrecks of its own power. If one must die, that another may live, better my enemy than my ally, better my ally, than myself. (Going up stage. Tac. That last is scarce spoken like Aurelian. Au. 'Tis spoken, like the guardian, of the prosperity, of Rome. [Exit Au. and Tac. Faus. Rome! Rome! He is an insensate beast with his eternal Rome. (Enter Zarah.) He has no eyes, no ears, no senses save for this something, he calls Rome! As I sat here, he saw me not, nor noted me, more than the couch,-the embroidery within my hand. (Flings it away.) Had I been one of his soldiers-a thing whose blood would help cement his power- I would have been as patent to his senses, and as pleasing, as perfumes of Arabia to mine. He, a man! I tell thee, in him the lust of domination burns with a flame so fierce, as to consume all other passions. Save for this fire, he is ice. Zarah. Now, thou speakest with more heat, than light. Faus. No more of him. Zarah. And no more thought of that? (Pointing to crown. Faus. Empress! Wife to one who is slave, e'en to the slaves. He cares for them! A slave's life (so runs his latest ordinance) -is to be guarded by the laws as straightly as a senator's. It chokes me to speak of him.18 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. Act I. Zarah. Folly! my princess, folly! A dirty road serves when it leads to the goal. One can stoop (pointing to diamond) to pick that sort of pebble from the mire. If life lie in the draught, one can drain the cup, though it be earthen and the dregs be gall. Thou likest not Aurelian. (Laughs.) He is not Claudius. (Laughs.) Why is one Empress, if one cannot have lover as well as husband? The poorest she in all the city may possess one or the other. [ Faus looks off. Starts. Faus. Ah! [Rushes off. Zarah. [Looking after. Claudius! He must have slipped aside from the great press, and entered unnoticed, that he might have a moment with her alone. She shall wed Aurelian, and pay that fool's debts, it will need the pairing of whole provinces, and he?- (shakes her head,)- he will long for the purple, but will ne'er attempt it. [Exit. [Enter Aurelian and Otho. Au. [Very pleasantly, but with touch of satire. Thou would'st speak with me alone? Before Mucapor and the rest appear? Hast somewhat to communicate concerning my own peace and welfare? Well! the theme should interest me. Surely, a man may listen, when the oration hath for its substance his own self. Speak on. [Looking at dress. If I mistake not thy legion, thou servest near Mucapor. Otho. Aye, great emperor, and 'tis of him- Au. Of him, thou would'st tell me? Otho. Of him and his ill speech. Au. It will bear the repetition, I doubt not, for though his tongue be blunt, it can pierce! it can pierce! Well! I have a tongue, too,- the gods have not denied me that! What says he? If we are to have a word combat, I must needs know his weapons [Laughs again. Otho. He says- pardon my lips- that thou art grown effeminate, luxurious, slothful: that thou dost delight in rare appareling, dainty cates, sweet wines. [Au. laughs.] That men stand in the emperor's as they stand in the censor's books- Au. [seriously. No, not that.Act I. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 19 Otho. E'en so. That thou, being firm in the saddle, will soon show thy legions what ace thou wilt ride. Au. I will. I pledge myself to that. Otho. He says, that fawning complaisance, and flattery, are undermining thee; and that, in due time, he doubts it not, thou wilt grow a silken Caesar. Au. Said he so? [Laughs]. A silken Caesar! nay, boy, thou shalt carry him good thanks, for such fair promise of length of days. A silken Caesar! [Spreading and looking at hands. If I do live till these change their rude strength, and the austere and pungent soul within droop to kindred weakness, I, shall be on earth, immortal. Otho. Would thou couldst be so. Au. Nay: I would live out the measure of my day, and crowd it, too, but therefore, be the more content to sleep, when night shall come. So my garment is too fine? Otho. E'en so. Au. Tell him, as he doth grow, the lion changes his covering, but not his nature,--and I have grown fond of lady dishes, dainty cates, and delicate sweet wines?[laughs] sweet wines! Why it was but yestere'en, that some one of the nobles---who was't? Marcus Valerius?--did say, the wine turns sour, if that churl does but look at it. Otho. And he still lives--! Au. Why not? Did'st think the amiable word would stick in his throat and choke him? Otho. You laugh! Au. Why not? In verity, were I given to tears, I have so much occasion to weep over others, thou likest me ill, to begrudge me the poor pleasure of laughing at myself. So he finds fault with my fine feeding? Go thou back to him, paint his words where all may read them--side by side with a list of what Mucapor hath this day devoured and add had the emperor six such men in his army, he would needs hang them all: such rascals, would soon create a famine.20 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. Act I. Otho. [Wonderingly. No more. Au. No more. And harkye boy, I love you; loved your father slain in battle. He was a soldier, spite of his patrician blood. I like thy speech, but never more use it as steed to carry malice. If one speak well of me, love him. If ill, I will not say, hate him not; but answer him to his face, and utter naught concerning him to mine. Thou wast made for a hero, not an informer. Go, and the gods go with thee. Otho. [Kissing Au.'s hand. And thou, for one of them. [Exits. Au. 'Tis a good boy, for a patrician! Have these nobles, even the best of them, so long crept in servitude to their fears and their emperor that even if their masters abdicate they know not the uses of liberty? [Crosses to table. Alas! how much easier it is to conquer a whole nation than to make of one slave a man! [Sits and sees picture. What is here? [Taking and looking at it. Not a Roman face? --No. [Puts it down. Where are my tablets? [Finds them. Let me see. [Muses. It will need six million sesterces for the new wall, and this -- [Again takes picture. --who is't? Not a priestess, for her trappings are gilded follies; yet is the face clear enough to stand at the altar, and grand enough to wear a helmet. She minds me -- the thought, I doubt not, would be a jest for Otho -- of my mother. Yet 't is the best word a man can speak when to him his mother has been more of a goddess than a mortal. [Turns again to tablets. Where raise it? Dacia can bear no more; nor Spain. [Smiling and again taking up picture. I have somewhere heard that some are iron; others lodestone: sure this face is lodestone. [Enter Tacitus, Aurelian hastily thrusts picture into his robe. Tac. Caught in the act! Even Aurelian, then, wears ornaments! Au. [Jestingly. But out of sight, that others may not plead his ill example. [With affected seriousness. Nay, friend, it is not mine, but thine. So thou canst accuse me, not of frivolity, but theft. Tac. Mine? No. Au. 'Tis in thy house. Thine by habitation; mine by possession. I will restore it thee, if thou wilt tell me who she is.Act I. Aurelian or Rome's Restorer. 21 Tac. She! she! What day in the calendar is this, that Aurelian asks of a she? Au. 'Tis the first. Tac. The day, or the lady? Au. The last. Tac. The worse for thee. He, who waits to eight-and-twenty years to suffer the distemper, that should have befallen him when [twenty] a boy, needs a good physician, or he may chance die of it. Au. I like thy eloquence, but not its theme. Tac. Not like my theme? Love is a good theme! Has been the subject to call forth the best alike, of poets and of sages. Au. And the worst in man. Tac. No. Au. Yes. In some 'tis folly--folly I condemn. In some a wickedness --wickedness I hate. In some a madness, madness when 'tis of the gods, is to be reverenced; when of a man's own choosing, scorned. In most a weakness, weakness , I disdain. Tac. Nay, love, not its semblance, nor poor counterfeit, but love is a great passion, --- and so for thee, since all greatnesses are thine. [Enter officer, bows to Au., speaks to Tac. Officer. My lord, thy son Claudius Pompianus, with thy brother Antoninus, and the rest of the embassy returned from Palmyra, are at the gates and ask as they see Caesar's chariot at the door, whether they shall pause here? or go to await him at the capitol? [Tac. turns to Au., who answers. Au. Bid them enter here. [Officer bows and exits.] Thou wilt be glad to embrace thy son. I trust they bring good tidings. Tac. In Aurelian's vocabulary, may that mean war or peace? Au. In this case, Peace. [Enter embassy, who bow low, and say in chorus, Hail Caesar!22 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. Act I. Au. Ye are well met at Rome. [Claudius passes on to Tac., who embraces him. Tac. Welcome my son. Au. The seas were smooth, and the winds sped you, or ye would yet lag upon your journey. 'Tis said good news is of swift wing, ye then should be the bearers of right welcome messages. Found ye Palmyra fair? Claud. [Eagerly. Fairer than Rome, with all Rome's majesty. Marcus Silanus [Also eagerly. With walls and battlements, beside which even thy new wall, great Emperor, looks as a rush hedge. Antoninus Within beauty, order, dignity, elegance. All that art, or learning, or taste can demand, invention create, and wealth bestow. Without an army as mighty and, seemingly, as rigidly disciplined as our own. Au. What! are ye no longer Romans? Come ye back Palmyreneans? Sent I my senators to welcome at their return Zenobia's subjects. I will the better know what chorus to sing to these your verses, when my ears have heard what word her lips have sent me. Holds she this strength and splendor in the great name and for the might of Rome or in mad rivalship? Sends she allegiance to the Emperor? Well, have ye lost the gift of tongues? Ye are as slow of answering as ye were offering money to an elephant. Be your tidings good or ill, speak out. Antoninus? Ant. They are ill. Au. She will not treat with me? Ant. As an ally, not as a subject. Au. Does she [realize] know that destruction waits on denial? Said ye so to her? Ant. Aye. At which she laughed, answering only, here am I ready for battles. Tell your Emperor to think how he is to win them, and then will I consider whether I ought to lose them. [*Au*] She is then eager for war? Mucapor. [Harshly. She is tongue-valiant: foolhardy. Palmyra, Rome! [*[laughs]*]Act. 1. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 23 As we will bring to this war the same requisites we brought to former wars, we may look, for the same results. So soon, as the war begin, each, will do that which he has learned to do:---Rome, will conquer, its opponent will run. Au. No so, has Zenobia taught Palmyra's legions. They have shown faces, even to Roman soldiers, who could not see them unless, by chance, their heads were twisted backwards on their shoulders, ere they were hewn from craven bodies. M.S. She hath not forgotten. Au. Spake she of former triumphs? M. S. [*assents*] And from them presaged future victory. Ant. Though she was warned that one such antagonist as Aurelian will be sufficient to counterbalance them all. Au. [smiling. She is a hero. Claud. Thou wilt accept her as an ally ? Au. No; but as a most honorable foe, and will fight her till she is glad to [accept] yield my terms of peace. Ant. What if she reject them even in defeat? Au. Then to her annihilation! Tac. 'Tis a decision bloody, and most unrighteous. Au. Tacitus thou art bold. Tac. I make no boast of courage, but a Roman senator, who speaks at all should speak the truth. Au. Speak on. Tac. To destroy Palmyra, would be fratricide. Palmyra's queen, hath fought Rome's battles, ere Rome possessed a head, [bowing to Au.]; beaten its foes in the East; driven back alike the Persians, and the barbarians;---24 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. Act 1. Au. And gathered up the spoils, not to restore to the afflicted empire, but by them and on its ruins to build a power, that if it be not overthrown, will overthrow the mistress of the world. Tac. Can Rome have no twin sister? No second self? Au. None. Let her defy the might of Rome, the king of every nation, governor of every province, even the chief of each barbarian tribe will follow in her steps. It may not be. Vile as Rome is, tainted with sloth, [crossed out]; and shame, she is the head to mould into fair beauty and stately order the dun chaos weltering about her. She is the heart that sends the life-blood through the world. As I stand here, her Emperor, I swear, that as I found her maimed and bound, I will leave her healed and whole, in more than pristine strength and beauty, or I will die by my own hand and give my place to on who will do, what I could only dare. Speak! [Drawing his sword.] Who is here that will not swear both life and death for Rome? [All draw swords, pointing to hss point, making picture, crying For Rome! Curtain. END OF FIRST ACT.The Property of Anna E. Dickinson SECOND ACT.Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 26 Act Second. Scene First. SCENE IN FRONT OF AURELIAN'S TENT, NEAR TO PALMYRA, SOME SOLDIERS AND YOUNG OFFICERS PLAYING DICE, LOUNGING, ETC. OTHO AND SEJANUS AT TENT-DOOR. AEmilianus. Trays again! If Aurelian would allow stakes as well as throws, thou would'st soon rival Croesus. Decius. [Holding up his purse. This will soon rival a pricked bladder, an we find no city hold out against us long enough to earn fire and pillage. AE. Truly if Palmyra be no more ravenous than her allies for battle all here will soon be done. Papinian. For which the gods be thanked! Dec. How, villain! When we came hither to reap a golden har- vest, wilt thou thank the gods that we are to be sent back empty-handed to plant cabbages at Tiber? Pap. These Eastern slaves prefer to gather their own harvest. Mamercius. 'Tis good wisdom. He is a fool who would not rather keep his purse and his life, than risk both on a hazard by which he gains nothing. Otho. Nothing! Are then his country and his honor nothing? Dec. Bah! he was not talking of a Roman. AE. Oh, of these! that is another affair. Otho. Might not one find valor even here? Dec. When you can find whales in the Euxine Sea.Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 27 Otho. 'Tis true. Every city has been betrayed, every gate opened by its own citizens. Hitherto, Aurelian hath won no glory, since, to his rage, every battle has been gained by their treachery. Sejanus. He will find different weather, now he has quit these latter- day possessions of Zenobia's, and struck her ancient kingdom. Otho. The stormier, the better, if it shake down a rich fruitage. Dec. Tyana would have proved a tough nut, to crack. Sej. The furies seize Mesgabus, for betraying it into our hands. Dec. What a kernel, --what meat, and oil, and richness! Sej. Enough to sate a whole army. Otho. Why, thou blood-thirsty satyr! thou art ravening for carnage. Sej. Not I! but for a bout with Venus, Bacchus, and Jupiter! Aurelian will grant us no touch of the three, unless we win it in a stormed city. Dec. And that, he grudges us. Æ. The ill word, choke thee. He grudges us, nothing. Dec. One can see thou wast born in a stable, from thy four-footed manners. I meant it not so, but that he will gain any place by clemency, in preference to arms. Otho. In that, he showeth himself the Emperor, rather than the soldier. Dec. He is a well-fed lion, now, -wait, till he is a hungry one. Sej. He will grow an appetite, under the walls of Palmyra! Pap. Is she, then, of so stout a courage?Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 28 Sej. Ask Mamercius, there. He was of one of the legions of Gallienus [licans] that did run from her. Mam. She hath the evil eye! a woman, who doth so far forget herself Dec. (laughing. As to beat Roman soldiers-- Mam. As to drop the spindle-- Æ. She, never held it-- Mam. To grasp the sword- Dec. And wield it, right manfully- Mam. Must be accomplice of the furies. Otho. If she, then, do send us home like whipped school boys, we may console our pride and valor, by the thought that they were crushed through no, human agency. Mam. If she do beat us, we had best ne'ver go home. E'en across such space, the pernicious influence of her behavior, will make each woman there, so contumacious as to reduce each man to the necessity of fawning complaisance, if he would live,--I will not say in peace, but e'en live at all. Dec. (With mock solemnity. Great Mars! hearest thou Mamercius? Assist us, we pray, as men who must destroy our foes, on penalty of perishing by our friends (All laugh and cry, with a sort of chant, Death! Death to Palmyra, and Palmyra's queen! (Enter from tent Au. and Tac. Otho and Sej. bow and go into tent. Au. Ye ravening wolves!--are ye so thirsty for a draught of blood? Methought, we come hither rather to sow for Rome, than to reap from Palmyra,--if so it might be. Dec. (Set on by the others. My Emperor, we spake not public wisdom, but private wit; though forsooth, and in straight earnest, if for the general weal, in body we are to sow; in detail, for sufficient cause, we would fain, reap. (Holding up purse. Au. Jupiter, god of wealth, hear him! Would'st be a householder?Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 20 (Turning to Tacitus. Though he hath numbered scarce twenty years of time, speaks he with the parsimony, of sixty,-and, by their greedy looks, he is the orator for the whole body. (All laugh. Dec. To the last legionary! Au. When we do enter Palmyra-(All cry Palmyra! Palmyra! I shall find my veterans claiming release, that they may turn usurers. AE. 'Tis a good trade. Dec. Not so good as that of emperor. By working at it but an hour a day, one may make provision for a whole week. Pap. Without obligation to one's neighbors. Au. Are ye so poor? Dec. (Shows tunic. Behold! Au. (Smiling. 'Tis a good covering Dec. Covering? (Puts his hand through hole. Au. Woulds't load thyself with such a multitude of garments, as Seutonius reports of Augustus? Enough to clothe a family! Lack ye in food? Dec. Oh-as-to-that! Au. Perhaps ye thought Asia would furnish you with tongues of nightingales.-Enough to drink? (All cry Oh! oh! oh! Ye are not so thirsty as to dry up your voices. Dec. They will last till we reach Palmyra. Au. And then, need oiling? Dec. Only to shout, life to the emperor. [All shout, Life to the Emperor. Au makes motion of dismissal, and they go off with their half chant of Death to Palmyra and Palmyra's queen. Au. (Looking after them. I like it not.Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 30 Tac. [Looking at Au. Nor I. Au. [Turning. What likest thou not? Tac. Pardon, Aurelian, I have said it oft. Au. It must be a good saying that so severe a critic as Tacitus will oft repeat. Speak it again,--thou likest not the freedom of my speech, and liberal manner with the legionaries. Tac. [Smiling. Speakest with discernment. Au. Nay, now, my father the great Julias Caesar who boasted his descent on the one side from a line of kings, from a race of gods on the other jested as freely with his men as they did fight for him. Sure, I, who am but peasant born, and adore the gods, not as my ancestors, but as my superiors, can well afford an equal pastime. Tac. No. Au. Why no? Tac. For the cause thou hast stated. Au. I have stated. Tac. That thy origin was theirs. Hadst thou, like Caesar, sprung from a line of gods, thou couldst afford to play in the kennels. Au. Thy pride strangle thee! What e'en thou,--in spite of the puny poverty of the patrician blood and courage, will flaunt in my face the intolerable insolence of thy pernicious order. What! had I crept from the withered loins of princely penury, I could abase myself, but be exalted; while, if I shoot from the soil an oak of strength, a cedar of majesty, I must not e'en droop my leaves towards the fresh mould and juicy earth that yield me sustenance! I tell thee and all of thine, whose state is propped by a pillar of gold, and staid with pride, nature, takes care of her own majesty. Tac. [Quietly. Thy simile is a bad one-- Au. Choppest logic with me? Tac. A bad one for thy own argument. If the oak bend,--itAct 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 31 breaks. Aurelian right well knows I spoke no out of princely pride, but out of an old man's observation. E'en your philosopher, while b words they disclaim the honors of magnificent descent, by acts do deify it. Why should fools show themselves masters of greater wisdom? Au. Why, indeed! when I, their master, am a slave alike to passion and to prejudice. My father, thous need's patience! Tac. [Smiling. Rather, my emperor, thou lackest it. If I want for aught-- Au. 'Tis for a spice of fury. [embracing him. Take it of me, I will still possess of it an imperial inheritance. Tac. Why not? if one be born a giant, one must pay the penalty and bear the weight alike of virtues and of vices greater than common men's. Au. Master them, thou meanest. Tac. If I meant it, 'tis for thee to say it. Au. Lest upon thy bark I bite? which camp jest-- [Men chant outside, "Death! Death to Palmyra and Palmyra's queen," and those sounds remind me-- Tac. Of what did trouble thee,--thou saidst--at the beginning-- "I like it not." What didst not like? Au. The effect of Asia on my legions: its sloth and riches will corrupt them. Their fortitude has borne deep wounds, harsh winters, and laborious summers; but i pray their valor be not over long subjected to the test of this. Would that Zenobia were wise and willed to end the war by a quick submission. Tac. [Jestingly. For her own sake? Au. For her's and mine. I would my soldiers were elsewhere. They grow a rapacious greed, will not be satisfied short of splendid spoils. I wish but submission unto Roman rule and right supremacy, and to preserve unharmed Roman possessions. Emesa, Antio, above all Palmyra, are too much to the world, for the world to spare them to glut the voracious maws of soldiers starved by long waiting, and furious with the third of wounds and loss, and the insatiable longing of revenge.Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 32 Tac. Thou hast sent her fresh messages since teaching obedience to Egypt and Bythinia? Au. Aye, and send again to-day. One kind of answer will give her safety, power, light, and, if she will so regard it, liberty! what the other will entail on her and hers, I feel horror only to think. Tac. Minerva incline her to prefer submission and security to rebellion with ruin. Whom wilt thou send to her? Au. Marcus Silanus and Cornelius Laco. Tac. [Shaking his head. The one will speak angrily and with extremity,--the other calmly but with mediocrity. (Muses.) I have a thought! Au. Give it form. Tac. Thou wilt laugh at it. Au. An I do, I will be thy debtor for the opportunity. Tac. Why dost not go thyself. Au. To her? Tac. To her. Au. I go to her? I, my own ambassador? not "aurelian to Zenobia greeting," but Aurelian summoning this stiff-necked Queen to a just judgment face to face. Laugh? slow as I am to apprehend a jest I can laugh at a right rich one. Laugh? why e'en Saturn's self might stretch his leaden cheeks at it! Tac. Thou has not outgrown all of the boy in thee; that is plainly to be seen. Au. And heard. Tac. I meant,--now thou wilt give thy lungs free play--not that thou should'st go in thy own proper person, but--if thou wilt--in masquerade; not in helmet and harness, or Rome's great soldier, but in wig and robe, as one of its peaceful senators. Au. Stop! if one come this way he will think not only that theAct 2 Australian, or Rome's Restorer p. 33 boy still lives, but that he has not grown past infancy, and that his mother's nature, springs to his eyes; thou wilt make me laugh till the tears run. Aurelian playing buffoon, and the sedate and serious Tacitus, master of robes and ceremonies! Truly, thy masquerade should make a success, greater than Neros. Tac: Hast thou seen her? Au: Zenobia? Tac: She. Au: No. Tac: Would'st see her? Au: Yes, and in all her splendor. Tac: In which thou would'st fain preserve her? Au: Even so. Tac: There is not one in all thy armies,- not even I, who should have been rich in peaceful wisdom,-who has thought clearly as thou of what is for the best good of all; not one who feels it as strongly. Au: That, being so- Tac: Who can so urge it on another? There is an edge to firm belief, that cuts like a knife; an eloquence in earnestness, that strikes, not alone to the reason, but to the soul of the hearer. Though she turn a deaf ear to every other voice, she will hear and heed, thine. Au: If I though so- Tac: Yes? Au: In wig? and robe? [laughs], and yet- a wise man might well play the part of a buffoon to serve the cause of wisdom's self. Tac: And by her, be crowned a seer for showing reverence to the substance of herself, by action; rather, than to the shadow of herself, by manner. Au: [with sudden decision. So it shall be. Is Claudius still within? [Motioning towards tent.Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. p. 34 Tac: He is. [Goes up.] Au: I have work for him. Tac: Goes he with thee? Au: For special service. He hath rare subtlety of speech; would I , could learn his trick of tongue. Tac: Would, he could learn from thee to act with [splendor] vigor, rather than thou from him, to speak with effeminate elegance. Au: Effeminate? there, thou wrongst thy own blood. Wilt bid him hither, and see that a messenger is sent to summon Marcus Silanus, and Cornelius Laco. Tac: [Makes motion in tent door.] On the instant. [Exits.] Claud: [Enters as Tac. exits.] Hail Caesar! Au: [Takes his arm.] Apollo warm thee. We will walk here for a space, where his beneficent beams will shine on us; perchance, they will illume my thought and the speech, I would have with thee. Claud: [Looking upwards as indicating sun.] Thou wast bound to him in thy infancy. Au: E'en so. [Partly aside.] Would ere my night falls, I could add some rays, to his great lustre, [turning to Claud] I, go to Palmyra. Claud: [Amazed.] Thou! Au: For speech, with Zenobia. Will tell thee more, in the saddle. [I can speak freer when I have freer motion than these do grant me.] [looking at feet] Thinkest thou she will listen to reason? Claud: No; nor even hear it, through the deafness of her pride, and insolent security. Au: So-That sounds ill. (Considering and recovering bright manner.) What has not been put to the test, has not beenAct 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer 35 proven. (Turning back to Claud ) Thou wilt ride to Palmyra with the embassy. Wilt enter with it,— wilt hear what it may say— what may be said to it. If it do fail; if she throw[s] down the scabbard, and the naked sword be adjudged umpire, [do thou] remain,-—see her alone. Tell her by this sign (taking signet ring,) Aurelian is her friend,-—would save her, and her people, from self-immolation; and, that when she sees her armies routed, her legions slain, her people, who will fight with more zeal than endurance, waning cold in courage, her allies failing her, her supplies cut off, her subjects starving, and her pride alone standing 'twixt her and her submission, if she will but let one of her trusty followers yield the gate, her city shall have the same treatment accorded it, as though it gave allegiance at the first, and her great name, will shine undimmed. The world will say, Zenobia was not conquered, —she was undermined. Claud. Thou, would'st do this! Thou—for her—why? Au. She was Rome's best friend before she was Rome's worst foe. She is a great soldier. I would spare her pride, [Exits into tent. Claud. It is then the wish of the gods, Palmyra should last a longer time. Be it so. Their wish, shall not be circumvented. Fortune, I thank thee that thou thyself hast afforded me the materials, for embodying my designs [Claudius exits into tent. Scene opens.Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 36 Second Scene{ MAGNIFICENT ROOM IN ZENOBIA'S PALACE. NOBLES, COURTIERS, LADIES, ETC. Charicles. Of a verity, great[*,] is the fortune of Aurelian; great and terrible his name! Zabdas defeated, Egypt lost, the Prince of Bythinia abandoning his alliance,- is he then to confirm in the East the fame the West[*,] has accorded him? Lucius Cantilius. Truly, if fortune so favors him as to send him speedy death. If he [do] live, she will take from him more than the gift of life. Char. He dies in good season[*,] who dies at high noon. L.C. Another day will see his sun[*,] drop like a meteor. Antipas. May chaos, mother of death and night, swallow it! He burns[*,] where he shines. Char. I fear him. Ant. A Palmyrenian fear a Roman emperor! Think on Valerian, and Gallienus, and take heart of courage. Char. Aye, fear that his matchless skill,- he[*,] is no Valerian nor yet Gallienus,- the rigid discipline of his legions, and the impetus of success which ever bears onward like the incoming tide, will bring him e'en to the surrounding desserts. Ant. So be it. Palmyra hath need of slaves, and the desert wolves and jackalls[*,] of a full feast. L.C. He will find the ebb-flow of his victorious sea[*,] at Tyana. He will needs like there[*,] till fever wilt, and thirst[*,] wither, and famine waste his legions. Tyana[*,] will make a good grave for him. First Noble [Enters. Tyana! who speaks its name! A birth hath whispered to the air, that Tyana's gates have opened to Aurelian. [Zenobia enteres. Zenobia. The bird is not fledged[*,] whose wings could bear such news. An eagle would sink[*,] beneath the weight of a so tremendous falsehood. Tyana[*,] is an ancient city of Palmyra,-not a possessionAct 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 37 possession of yesterday. Its citizens were born, not to cowardice and treachery, but to valor and to honor. By these[*,] she has lived; through these[*,] she cannot die. Soldier. [Enters. Kneels. True, oh Queen! yet is Tyana dead-to thee,- Zen. Death reward they slander!-one of my own soldiers!- art thou not a Roman in disguise? Sold. Mighty Queen, what motive then would bear me to thee with news for my undoing[*?] Zen. [Half smiling. Speaks he with the argumentative tongue of Palmyrenean[?] (Seriously.) What motive, then, has thou to blaspheme the fair fame of a Palmyrenian city [*?] Sold. No other motive have [*,] I but truth, great Queen. Zen. Again! [*c]anst thou look in the face of Tyana's sovereign, and tell me that my people,-mine,-whom I love as my own flesh, nay, as the essence of my being, have turned from the noble and ardent passion for their country[*,]to some base appetite for their country's foes[*!] Sold. I said not so, great sovereign,- not that Tyana yielded, but[*,] that she was betrayed by one of her own people. Zen. While the rest slept, ate, drank, talked, danced, were merry. Where were their eyes they did not see, their ears they did not hear, their hands they did not fight this treachery? Wilt tell me I have a city, if not of cowards, then of deaf mutes, of handless, footless, mindless idiots? I, its queen, do not so know Tyana. Char. What, if it were true? Zen. Wouldst thou have me pre-suppose a lie for my people's shame? Char. But if it were true? Zen. Well, tenacity, an'it were true [this][*that] is falsehood's self[*?] Char. Aurelian will advance with swift sure steps towards Emesa. Zen. Go on! And then to Antioch,-and then to Palmyra,-thenAct 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 38 to its temple of the sun and my own palace. Why pausest in thy route? If he begin, why should he not end it? Char. Most mighty Queen, because I fear such ending, I would have thee check the beginning. Zen. Why, and so would I,-not that I fear the end, but like not the beginning. Char. Yielding[*,] means peace. Zen. Do my senses reel[*?] of is the Charicles[*?] and am I Zenobia[*?]-the one speaking, the other hearing such treason 'gainst our country[*?] Who hath taught thee [*,] the language of her foes? Char. Charicle's tongue is too old to learn a new language; it hath too long spoken as Palmyra's advocate[*,] to speak now as Palmyra's adversary. Zen. I had rather meet the spear-heads of my adversary, than the wounds of such an advocate: Aurelian's self could do no worse! Is my past so poor in successes[*,] that my future must needs be rich in disasters? Char. On the contrary, I fear for thee lest to some god, Fortune, herself, should seem too bountiful. I would that ere this tough hadst found thyself deceived by her; that though might'st now consider not alone those things which are expected, but those also which may occur. Zen. That Aurelian may be mast of Palmyra[*,] and Zenobia walk in chains at his chariot wheels,- a spectacle for Rome? [All cry, No! No! No! Char. E'en so: the most prosperous fortune is least to be depended on. A certain peace is better[*,] and safer[*,] than a victory in prospect. Zen. Peace, certain peace! Think you to find it with rapacious spirit of Rome? Char. Is it well to risk on the hazard of a single hour the sublime successes of so many bounteous years? Were it not better to be content with a form of tribute that leaves actual liberty, than[*,] to incur the dubious risk of sovereignty and slavery? The gods themselves[*,] may frown on a spirit of such unyielding pride[*,] and stern audacity. Zen. Then[*,] I defy the gods!Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. p. 39 Char: Defy the gods! [All recoil. Zen: Aye! why should I adore as gods beings, whom I would despise as men? In whose ears is it a crime? who, here resents the cry that says, Palmyra should be queen of the universe? [All cry, None! None! Think you that a word of lip-service, will satisfy the greed of these ravening wolves of Rome? Palmyra, stands the example and stay of kingly government and free sovereignity against which Rome has fought from the beginning. Ye say, 't is but lip-service and word-tribute that is demanded. All is said in that one word — Demanded! If, with our own hands, we take but a single stone from our great edifice at Rome's demand, that stone, must be the corner stone, and the whole edifice will crumble about us, - a drear dissolution of slow decay, more dismal, than any death of earthquake, or volcano. I know Rome, of the past: I know Aurelian of the present. I know this is a final contest, that will decide whether Rome, or Palmyra shall give laws to the world. Let us then, (taking counsel neither of selfishness nor fear) resolve to end the war, either by a [memorable] [*resplendent*] victory, or [a splendid] [*an immortal*] death. [All cry, Victory or death. Zen. So it shall be. Char: So be it. Zen: My old friend, we are then one, again. Char: To the death. [Kneels. Zen: Nay, I have still the strength of my fate before me, and am well assured I have not yet done, with grasping the hand of felicity, nor of embracing glory. Char: [With great feeling, kissing her hand and then rising. The gods grant it, for chaos and night will indeed fall upon the world when that embrace, is done. [Enter officer. Zen: Well? Officer: Mighty queen, there stand without fresh messengers, from the Roman camp, who crave speech with Zenobia for Aurelian. Zen: His camp is rich in speechmakers!- Bid them come in. [Exit officer.Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 40 L.C. I thought Aurelian was a spendthrift in blows, a miser in words. He hath grown liberal in civility. Zen. Palmyra can well dispense, both with his courtesy and his presence, that gives it opportunity. [Looking off. They come. [Rises and waves hand to nobles. Give a gracious greeting to those who are so soon, to greet death. [Enter embassy, all bow low. Your message? [*music &c*] Cor. Laco. Great sovereign, we come, justly and righteously deputed by the mighty Aurelian, Rome's Emperor, to entreat dispassionate hearing of Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra. Zen. Zenobia, at the outset, makes the "dispassionate" answer, that if ye do indeed speak justly, and righteously ye will say, that ye bear messages not "from Aurelian, Emperor of Rome, to Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra!"- but from the Emperor of the West, to the Emperor of the East,- greeting." Au. Illustrious sovereign, that is the rock, on which Rome and Palmyra split. If it be rooted up, there will be found no enemies on either side it, -only brothers. Zen. Courteous, sir, if I have read aright the story of Rome's beginning, 't is better to be the enemy than the brother, of a Roman,- if it be better to live, than die. Au. An the phrase please thee not, I will amend it, and substitute friend, for brother. If, at all times Romans have not shown the tenderness of fraternal love, when has a plighted ally ere had cause to question Roman faith? Zen. I will not answer that. The shades of Jugurtha, Rome's friend and ally, marched in chains to grace a Roman triumph, flung to the torturer and the executioner in Roman dungeons, can respond better than I. Au. 'Tis not a friendly answer. Zen. We, are not friends. Mar. Sil. Nor a courteous. Zen. It holds more truth than courtesy,- there was more of dignity than veracity in the remark that called it forth. WeAct 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. p. 41 are not come face to face to bandy compliments,- ye are here to speak a message from your emperor;-speak on. Au: 'Tis a peaceful one; but if it is to be uttered to deaf ears, best keep the time, and silence. Zen: If they be deaf, it is because the noise of Roman arms upon my soil, hath made them so. Au: Aurelian, would fain withdraw them. Zen: Retreat is always easy-where none oppose! Mar. Sil: Retreat! He spoke not of retreat! but of a friendly quitance. [Aurelian, through this, tries to stop him, but Silanus will not see him, in his eagerness.] Retreat is for the vanquished. Rome's victorious standards have advanced through all the countries of thy allies, to thy own boundaries. Even now, they shine from the walls of thy great city of Tyana,-the gates not beaten in but opened wide, in welcome. Zen: [Furiously.] Thou liest! Char: Zenobia! L.C. Empress! Zen: It is a Roman tongue that speaks. I, will be silent. Au: It speaks the truth. Alas! for thee, great Queen, but happily for the cause of peace the spirit of thy people, matches not thine own. Because of this,- because Aurelian wishes not to watch the struggle, 'twixt indomitable courage and inevitable fate,- he entreats thee yield a hopeless contest while thou mayst with honor. Zen: Inevitable fate embodied, in his person? Au: In the Roman arms. Of old, it was decreed, that they, must rule the world. Zen: By what right? not, by that of inhering greatness, since, whatsoever they have, they have stolen. From the beginning, they have been thieves;- they stole their land, their wives, their arts, their learning,- even, their gods! Not by the right of unbroken conquests, since of old, they were at theAct 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. p. 42 mercy of the Etrurians once and again, and yet again, at the mercy of the Gauls, and in these latter days, have bought their peace from the barbarians, while their captive legions rotted in Persia, and their emperor, a Roman Caesar, day by day served as the footstool from where a Persian tyrant leaped to his saddle, while Romans cowered behind their walls, and the sole vindicator of their honor, and barrier 'twixt them and their extinction, was the woman, they would now destroy. Au. Pardon, great Queen--the woman who wrung the spoils of Rome from Persian conquest, only to keep them for herself. Where was Rome's gain? If her possessions did but pass from Persia to Palmyra? Its loss was the same. If my friend do fight my enemy, in my behalf, for the loaf of bread that he hath stolen, and then devour it, am I the less an hungered? Did Zenobia combat for Rome, or for herself? Zen. In truth for neither, but for the triumph of arts, of learning, of good government, 'gainst a barbarian world. Au. A gallant champion! Still, were it not wiser to make common cause with their former guardian? Rome stands the bulwark of civilization, 'mid a raging sea of brutal forces. Why should Zenobia make a breach within its walls to admit the furious tides? Zen. I pray you, sure, put sophistry and figurative speech aside. I wished well to Rome; would fain have clasped its hand; made common cause with it in all good work and warfare; stood its equal and its ally, seeing no just reason, why Rome and Palmyra, should not halve the world. Aurelian will not have it so; demands submission, not alliance; asserts that peace cannot exist beside division,--that the two, must be one, and that one, Rome. Au. Because, for centuries, Rome has been the heart of the world. Stab, it, all dies. Zen. Spoken like a Roman! So, thinks Aurelian. Why should not Zenobia think so, of Palmyra? Shall that master passion of ambition be accounted a virtue in him, that he declares a crime in me? For, if he deceive himself, he deceives not me. Not alone as Rome's emperor, but, as Aurelian, he covets the empire of the world. Au. Not unworthily. If it be so, it is because he feels within the power, rightly to govern the empire of the world. Zen. Let him, then, conquer it. Au. Thou wilt not make common cause, with him?Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. p. 43 Zen. I will strike hands : I will not bow my head to him. Au. Wheresoever, Aurelian hath fought, he hath conquered: even Zenobia's allies. Thou, brave Queen, art stripped of all extraneous aid,--must fight thy fight alone, with none to help thee, and thy people. I would thy courage were less,--that, but a small ingredient of fear, were mingled in thy nobler dust, that thou would'st yield the terms of peace. Zen. Fear! I, Zenobia, the daughter of a line of kings, Queen of this resplendent city, Empress of the East, what have I to fear from this Pannonian peasant,--this slayer of barbarians, a barbarian himself! Shall I run with swift steps to fling his trophies at his feet, that are my discrowning! Go, tell your Emperor, that what Rome wants she must win; what he would have, he must take. Tell him, I call the gods to witness which, hath been the aggressor, that on him may fall all, the calamities of this war,--but, that even if they desert me, I will still fight, on, till [Aurelian's bones] [*the bones of Aurielian*] and those of his legions, whiten my deserts, or, till Palmyra's self, is desert sands. I have sworn,--the gods deal so with me, as I do keep my oath. Au. [Sadly and with dignity. There is no more to speak, but great deeds to be done, [Coming to her and taking her hand, over which he kneels or bows profoundly. yet, ere I depart let me so do homage to valor, that must bring Jove himself to its aid. [going. Would it were with Aurelian, not against him. [Exits with the others. Zen. [To Antipas. See, thou, to their escort. [Exit Antipas. Zenobia turns to the others with gesture. I pray you, friends, no words now ; leave me a space alone. [Exit all but Valeria. Alone! When am I not alone? - whether it be amid the throng, or in the white heat and stillness of the desert, pressed by a crowd, or compassed round with solitude, when am I not alone?--Oh, to find one hand, that mine could grasp to stay me, one arm to lean upon, one voice to guide! Out of the multitude of adorers, enviers, suppliants, followers, advisers, slaves, to find one, friend. Val. If to be a queen is to be condemned to such loneliness, I would not be a queen for the whole realm. Zen. Art thou there, child? (Val. going.) Stay. It is not the bauble of a crown that condemns to heart-solitude,--'tis the doom of greatness; that must be borne alone. There stir within me hopes--fears--Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 44 Val. Fears! Zen. Aye, fears, longings, desires, dreads, I ache, to speak to another. Val. And will not? Zen. And cannot. There are depths within the soul, from whence no voice can issue, unless, summoned forth by a companion soul. Why should one speak to the deaf? make signs to the blind? cry to the stone dead? Of what use, to utter language to ears that comprehend it not, and for which there is no interpreter? How, could I say to those who heard me, rend the empyrean to reach the ear of Mars, the avenger, that with the next breath, I could sit me down, and weep, weak tears? - that the heat and flame, at which others do warm their courage, unfed by any helping hand, burns my own heart, to the ashes of despair. The sea itself, would grow dry, did earth, air, sky, drink of its waters, and give no moisture back again. Val. [Madame] Madam - if you could love. Zen. Love! Why so I do. I love thee, thou foolish infant. Val. Nay, [madame] madam, I meant not such love, but the love - the love - Zen. That thou, and other tender goslings like thee, give to their devourers? If thou wast born to love a chain, why, wear it; but for Zenobia! - what has an eagle to do with men's cages, being mean for the sky? Val. But - [Zen. Well, but - ] [Madame] Madam, even an eagle hath her mate. Zen. So! - the child argues! wonders, have not ceased. The eagle does not mate with a crow, a raven, a bird of any weaker wing, or meaner plumage. I have seen, and see a plenty such, - the air thick with them. I have not seen, one eagle! Val. An' thou would'st look, I could show him thee. Zen. So many motes have strained my vision, I would look with gratitude, at any stately sight, mine eyes might rest upon.Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 45 Val. E'en if he were thy foe? Zen. The readier for that, - what! - thou meanest - I see it by the spot to which thy tell-tale eye is wandering, - thou meanest him, - what - what is his name? He, the ambassador who spoke to me, an' I were a dove to be torn by the talons of his eagle, his Aurelian. Val. [Madame] Madam, I only meant, there was something in his eye, and voice, and mien, I ne'er saw, nor heard before. Zen. Thou meanest, that looking at him, thou didst see a man: in all the universe, the rarest sight thine eyes can rest upon. Likenesses of men, there be by millions, - here, and there, a man. Thou art right, my child; something spoke through him, that did touch my soul. Rome is [fortunate in having] rich in such a senator. I must know his name. 'Tis well 'tis not Aurelian. Fortune, bestows her gifts blindly. Had she given such an one to be Rome's Emperor, I might be content to hold but mine ancient state, and leave the empire of the world, to hands steadier and stronger. Val. Stronger? Zen. Because steadier. Mine, grasps and relaxes, - his, is the sort that grasps and holds. [Enter Antipas. They are gone? Ant. Beyond the palace gates, all, save one of their attendants, who craves a moment's audience alone, with thee, on an affair of personal moment. Zen. What can he have to say to me? Val. Thou wilt not see him? hear him? Zen. I will hear all that Rome may say, and answer. Val. Dear Queen, - mighty Zenobia, - alone? Zen. Why, what dost thou fear? As thou sayest, am I, not Zenobia? Val. He is a Roman. He may murder thee. Zen. Foolish child, though they delight in public slaughter, they are not private butchers. Have him come in.Act. 2 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 46 Val. No father. Zen. Thou hast not made his child of thine a good soldier; she is a coward. Have him come in. [Exit Antipas Val. [Pointing to the curtain. Then, will I sit here. Zen. To fight with him at need? I spoil thee. Have thy way. [Exit Valeria. [Enter Antipas and Claudius. Antipas, wait thou without. [Exit Antipas. Well, sir, what fresh, foolish, furious word, bring you from Aurelian? Claud. [Kneeling. Mighty Queen, I come not , from that peasant slave who soils the imperial purple. I, Claudius Pompianus, son of Tacitus, first of the Roman senators, a Roman noble, who, once before did gladden his eyes, with sight of thee- Zen. [Who has been looking at intently, I do remember. Claud. Do kneel in homage of thy greatness, and to pray that thou would'st rid thyself and Rome alike, of a scourge, that will strike all great things down in blood, if itself, be not broken. It is in they hand,-break it, great Queen. Zen. Art thou mad, to pray Zenobia's enmity 'gainst Aurelian? Is it needful to entreat the heart to beat, the lungs to breathe? If hate and zeal, courage and arms, can break the scourge, be sure it will be broken. Claud. 'Tis more easily done,- 'tis already within thy grasp, if, thou wilt close thy fingers. He, Aurelian, has been in thy city, in thy palace, in thy presence,- has assailed thine ears with insults and with threats of dismal vengeance. Wilt thou let him 'scape thee? Zen. Thou meanest his ambassador,- that is not he. Claud. I mean the man who stood there, was Aurelian's self. Hadst thou torn aside the [venerable whiteness of] [*masqueing*] his hair, robe, thou wouldst have found the crisp-curled locks, and warlike harness of Rome's plebeian emperor. Zen. That, Aurelian!Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. p. 47 Claud. Aye. He is still within thy walls. Have thy guards seize him,-slay him! Zen. [Sir] You do mistake you hearer. I am an empress,- not a murder. Claud. Thou wilt betray no faith, break no. pledge,-he is no ambassador. He is a soldier in an enemy's camp, a spy within thy citadel,-as such, his life is forfeit [were] ?? he [an] emperor, or [the] meanest legionary. Zen. Why bringest thou this to me? 'Tis with a motive. Claud. I have said it, to serve thyself, to whom he will show no mercy, and to free Rome. I, Claudius Pompianus, whom he, being gone, the legions will declare emperor, swear, that I will yield thee back thine own, and give indemnity for all that thou hast suffered at Aurelian's hands. Thou doubt'st me? I swear, by all the gods,- Zen. [Sir] An assassin's [word] oath is not to be trusted, [understood.] I do not believe thee, and, if I did, I tell thee. I would rather have him for my foe, than thee for my friend. More,- if the choice rested 'twixt the loss of my whole empire, and a deed of shame, I would lose my crown. Without there,- [Enter Antipas and guards.] Seize that man! [They do so.] Valeria! [Enter Val., who after sits at table.] Claud. I, am a Roman Zen. Thou art a criminal. Bind him. [Guards do so. He struggles.] Claud. 'Tis infamous. Zen. Thou, art infamous. An' thou speak again, they shall gag thee. Valeria, write. [She does so.] Zenobia to Aurelian:- I send thee one who doth propose to murder thee. Slay thou him, if thou would'st free the earth of a serpent. He hath betrayed to me thy presence in the embassy, with the bribe to be my friend as Rome's next emperor, if I have thee killed, as a spy within my gates. Zenobia is not thy executioner, nor the executioner of thy criminals. Deal thou with him. I will conquer thee, but not by treachery.- A seal! [See ring on Claud's finger.] What is that. Anti. [Looks.] Aurelian's signet.Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 48 Zen. Give it to me [Ant. takes it off. Val. Drops wax Zen. puts on seal. 'Twill be the best service it did ever render him! [Hands letter and ring to Ant. Take these, take him, fling them at Aurelian's feet, with Zenobia's greeting and the messages, that I slew him [*my great enemy] not in infamy within my walls, but with honor [*,] will slay him in battle. Quick. Begon! [Scene closes on picture.Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 49 Scene Third: {Near Palmyra. Tent in flat. Tacitus stands at door, looks earnestly. Starts eagerly when he sees Aurelian, who comes in with others, whom he waves back. They exit. He comes forward. Au. Thou here! Tac. Impatience spurred me to ride close behind. Some of my people, have cast a tent; wilt have a bite and sup, ere we take saddle? Au. Gladly, and strip off this inasque, and unaccustomed garment. It irks me. I was born to be a soldier, and walk with a free step. This, trips me. Tac. What pace did'st move with her? Au. With that of Calipides, who used the energy might cover miles, but advanced not an inch. Tac. She would not hear thee? Au. [Smiles. But she did,- and answered too. Tac. You grudge not that? To her who is already given to death, the judge, denies not, the liberty of the tongue. Au. I, grudge her nothing, save the indomitable soul within, that will cost her, her empire, and brand me, as her own speech did, a barbarian, for the destruction of the fairest fabric of power and glory, that adorns the world. Tac. It must, be? Au. It must be. Rome's name shall stand, clear as Apollo's brow, though, to establish it, mine, shall be sunk in dusky infamy. Tac. Go we within? [Motioning to tent. Au. assents. Both exit. Enter Claudius and guard.Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 50 Ant. That [*,] was Aurelian? First Soldier. Aye. Ant. [Looks to see the letter is properly fastened. 'Tis secure. Put him at the tent door[*,] and leave him. [Exits. Claud. My men, will you earn much [*,] for little? First Sold. That depends, master, one might earn much sorrow for little sin. Second Sold. Or a great headache [*,] for a small drunkenness. I [*,] have done it [*,] and found it not profit. Claud. I cannot bandy words with fools- but I can give you the ransom of a king for this small bit of paper,--yes? or no? First Sold. No. Claud. Put your hand here, [Indicates by look. and here. [Soldier draws out diamonds. Well? First Sold. Truly, as thou sayest, a king's ransom,- or my eyes know not the shine of diamonds. Claud. This letter [*,] is for Aurelian. First Sold. Even so. Claud. If[*,] it do fail to reach him now, neither she wrote nor he who [*is to] read, will be the loser. if it [do] reach him by-and-bye, I shall be the gainer. If ye will not give it to me, take it, hold it, find another and more willing messenger than I who bear it,-- and take these for the added trouble [*,] that was not in your orders. Ant. [Without, Why halt you there? First Sold. Can we? Second Sold. Dare we?Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 51 Claud. [Laughs If your conscience fright you, ye can struggle with me, - and the paper fall into your hands. On the instant, - yes or no? First Sold. Yes. Claud. Done! Fling me down yonder. First Sold. At the door? Claud. Aye. [They do so. Second Sold. [Going. We risk our heads. First Sold. Men, risk their heads to become kings, why not we, to earn a king's ransom? Come on. [Exit soldiers. Enter from tent Au. and Tac. Au. I saw him not as I did leave her palace, nor indeed remembered him, so wrapped was I in thought of her heroic speech and action, or, I would have brought him with me. Claud. [At side of tent. Would thou hadst. Thou might'st have spared thine eyes this shameful sight. Au. Who hath done this? Who dared? Claud. Ask thou Zenobia. Au. Zenobia! Thou didst see her? Claud. Aye. Au. And spoke thy message? Claud. For the which, I am here. Au. It cannot be. Claud. [Shows chain. These are Palmyrenean manacles. Au. Chains on an ambassador! My messenger, Rome's mouthpiece, flung like the carcass of a dog upon the highway!Act 2. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 52 Now by Mars and Vulcan, I swear her pride- [*I would have spared*]- shall get as low, as he, lies there! [Assists him. I promise thee, that when the Roman storm sweeps into Palmyra, thou shalt lead the lurid forces. As she flung thee forth in shame, thou shalt return in triumph. Claud. [Sullenly.] 'Tis not enough. Au. What would'st thou more? Claud. Her life. When thou hast slain her pride, let the life follow. Au. [With entire change. [The gods forbid. I will fight till her power is powerless" -but magnanimity is the valor of a conqueror. Thou hast been wronged by her, and in my service. I,Aurelian, in her behalf, do crave thy pardon. Ask no more.] [*Her life! The gods, forbid! (reviling, then as tho he had betrayed himself- with change of manner.) What 'ere the provocation, magnanimity, is the valor of a conqueror. I will fight her till her power is powerless, & she, a supplicant -- Claud. (showing his chains) And these --------? Au. Enough! Met thou all Rome - all Rome, could ask no more. [Picture. CURTAIN. END OF SECOND ACT. [*The property of Anne E. Dickinson*] THIRD ACT.Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 54 Act Third. [OPEN SPACE NEAR PALMYRA; SOME INDICATION OF THE CITY IN THE DISTANCE. Scene. TENT AT ONE SIDE. GROUP OF SOLDIERS IN FRONT. AT THE REAR, CLAUDIUS, MUCAPOR, AND SEJANUS LISTENING AND WATCHING.] Æmilianus. What, then, are we the better, for our long toils? Decius. Rome hath reaped a harvest of ripe glory. Papinian. Does that fill any man's belly? Rome's glory, feeds not Roman appetites. Dec. Not when they are so voracious as thine, that would have lard fried in butter, and eat it with a spoon. Pap. Thou, would'st not be slow, to aid at the feast. Æ. I would that for eight-and-forty hours, Mucapor were our head. Dec. That thy hands might find service? Æ. A change, is always to profit; these [Spreading his hands. know so well the touch of iron, they would be the better for making the acquaintance of gold. Mamercius. 'Twas not so in the days of Gallienus. Dec. Thou would'st not speak the name of Gallienus with the same breath, as that that forms Aurelian! Mam. I say gold was plenty, in the days of Gallienus. Dec. And cowards were plenty; and shame, most plenteous for Rome.Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 55 Mam. Well, were we the worse for it? Gold, is a good plaster for bad bruises, be they in the body, or in that shadow, called, reputation. Æ. Thirty thousand, of our comrades lie here in Asia. Three weeks halted we before Emesa and Antioch; twice, fought we desperate frays in front of them; two long months have we endured burning heats, desert miseries, sleepless nights and bloody days, in the face of a sleepless and implacable foe. For what? That Zenobia herself, should escape. We gain no honor, by the capture of a city that the treachery of its own people hath given into Aurelian's hands, nor any benefit of profit to ourselves. Pertinax. I say, 'tis hard. [Sejanus comes down stage. Sejanus. Bah! I say the sick man is not to be pitied, who carries the remedy in his own sleeve, and will not use it. Pap. What does he mean? Sej. My masters, have you ever seen an old woman break her pitcher? and then put the pieces together? and then say? "that's how it was." Æ. Why? Sej. Oh, nothing! - Have you ever seen a boy, out of whose hand a bird has just escaped, look into his empty hand and say, Oh! [All cry, Why? Why? Sej. Oh, nothing! Æ. What does he mean with his nothings, and his pitchers, and his birds, and his old women, and his riddles to puzzle a fox wit? Sej. What does he mean? He means that where the army is, afar from Rome, 'tis its own master, master of its master, and can help itself; but that when it reaches Rome, it can only cry, - so I might have done, and did not. [All cry, Oh! oh! oh! Dec. He talks mutiny. Pap. 'Tis done with a ill tongue.Act. 3 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 56 Dec. Aurelian! Aurelian! Life to the emperor! [All cry, Aurelian! Aurelian! All exit. Mamercius bringing up the rear, shaking his head. Mam. And yet gold, is a better dish than glory. (*ex Mam*) [Claud and Muc. come down the stage and join Sej Mucapor. The time, is not yet ripe. Sej. All dogs have their day, even the rabid ones. His, is not yet done. Claudius. They are still mad about their plebeian idol. Muc. How-plebeian? Claud. I meant no offence to thee. Muc. Speak none, then. Thou shalt be emperor, and I, general of the legions, since I know more of blood than of parchments; but, remember, thou hast more to lose by me, than I to gain by thee,--therefore, look to thy tongue. Sej. Come, come, Mucapor, thou canst hit with thy own weapon to the breaking of a man's bones; why bandy terms of scurrility, that may difference you, when ye are one, in the same cause? Muc. A cause that lacks the bones and sinews, lacking money. Claud. His cursed obstinacy, in keeping terms of faith with that overfed city, prevents us from mighty spoils, as they, [Indicating soldiers. from a day's plunder. Muc. Where is, Zenobia? Sej. Gone (they say because so many have failed her she would not trust another) with her crown jewels in her own keeping, in some obscure disguise, to buy the help Sapor promised, but granted not, in her dire extremity. Muc. She knows not, that her own people have yielded up her city?Act. 3 Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 57 Claud. Not she; or ere this, she would have flown back on the wings of the wind. Sej. Why? She cannot recall the irrevocable past:----Palmyra, has surrendered. Claud. She can prevent that, which Aurelian deems the inevitable future,-peace and submission. Sej. (assenting) Even now, her presence in its midst, would, if she chose, call them again to arms. Claud. What, if we chose? That, would be more to profit. Muc. I understand thee not. Claud. Thus, then;--Aurelian has gone onward, with the hostages, and his vanguard. Muc. Well? Claud. How many troops has he left in garrison at Palmyra? Muc. Why ask a fool's question? Thou knowest as well as we,- less than a thousand. Claud. He hath confidence in Palmyrenean faith! Sej. And fear of him, and worse consequences ensuing! Claud. A word discreetly spoken, here and there, on the air of Palmyra, will fill the whole city,--this: Zenobia comes with arms ,--with troops from Sapor; not innumerable forces, but enough, if she be aided. If from within, the Roman garrison is slain, she from without, can enter, and hold her own again. Muc. They will not believe it. Claud. Men are quick to believe what promises, their own profit. Sej. But they must see her, her troops, or some proof of them. Claud. Multitudes, are easily confused, and sedition strikes blindly.Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 58 Muc. But art thou sure of its effect on him? Of late, he doth so affect self-government and the mastery of passion, he may pause, even at this outrage. Claud. I tell thee, he will be so drunk with his own rage, that even we will tremble! Woe to Palmyra! Muc. And yet, a thousand of Rome's best soldiers! Claud. Would'st pause at such a stake, the gain being an empire? Sej. Our, risk? Claud. [Snapping fingers. That for our risk! I have so shaken hands with desperate resolutions, as to feel at home with them. He, who has nothing to lose, can afford all risks. To Rome, I dare not return lean, as I left it. I had as lief die here in haste, as there to fall a prey to my creditors. Sej. [Laughing, Enough of this sort [Showing an enormous emerald, would soon placate them. Muc. What an emerald! Where didst find it? Sej. Where each man may find it, or at least, something. In the keeping of his Palmyrenean host. Claud. Thou dost not mean -- Sej. I mean the possession of an enemy, is the fair spoil of a Roman. If I have not leave, I take it (laughs significantly), be it my host's emerald, or his wife; his diamond, or his daughter. Muc. I thank the gods Aurelian hath gone out of hearing. Sej. If they (indicating Palmyra) cry out, Mucapor will not listen, or can silence them. [Enter Roman soldier. Claud. Well? Soldier. The blaze burns to a conflagration. The whole city is at white heat of anger, hope, raging desire, and dire intent, while the soldiers of the garrison sleep in dumb security.Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 59 Claud. "Tis well; do farther as I bade thee. [Exit soldier. Muc. [Suspiciously and angrily. What is this? Claud. Time taken by the forelock. What I but now unfolded to you, I did already, through him, (indicating soldier,) and others, begin to weave so soon as Aurelian went onward. Muc. Taking no counsel even of us? Claud. Taking no counsel even of fear; wherefore waste time in talk that may better be applied to action. When inactivity is ruin, and temerity may be crowned with success, hesitation, even for a moment, is folly. Muc. Why now you talk, not like a spineless senator, but a stout soldier. Why did'st not show this spirit earlier? Claud. It is not always expedient for a man to show all his posses- sions. Wisdom, lies in concealing, rather than in revealing. Sej. Which is to say, your liar is the wisest man, and your truth- teller, a fool. [Enter Au. and Tac., others not seeing them. Muc. [Laughing and striking him on shoulder. Good. We will drink on that. [Go up stage. Claud. Since Aurelian is not here to play the tyrant on men's appe- tites. [Exit into tent. [Au. and Tac. come down stage. Au with absent manner: Tac, through scene, watches him with anxiety and affection. Au. Would he could play it on his own. They make me their slave, if, it is to be a slave for a man not to be able to turn aside, nor wring his neck out of the collar wherein, he himself hath thrust his {own} head. Why dost thou gaze on me with such strange eyes, as though thou knew me not? Tac. In truth, I do not understand thee. Au. With reason. In verity I no longer understand myself. Tac. Never before, did I know thee waver in thy plans --Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 60 Au. Yet here am I, who have thrice started to Rome, turning back to Palmyra, uncertain as a weather-cock in veering winds. Tac. Thou art wont to be as parsimonious of time as thou art liberal in all else - Au. Yet do I waste my hours and days, as though they were a spendthrift's gold. Tac. Thou art more given to acting than to speaking, - to doing than to meditation - Au. Yet do I muse and muse, as though I were turned philosopher, - one of those beings who dream what stronger men, perform. Tac. For the first time, since I have had the happiness to know thee, I have followed thee, not to take, but give; because the curious state that garments thee, makes thee seem naked to an unfriendly eye, I would cover thee. Thou art not compassed about with thyself, and the emenations of thy strong soul. What ails thee? Is it not sickness? Au. [Stretching his arm and hand. Sickness? I have an athlete's vigor, - a barbarian's strength to slay barbarians - [Aside, as he comes down. so, she said. Tac. Sure thou art not angered with thyself, for having yielded so easy terms to thy vanquished foe? Au. No. Here, as elsewhere, I had rather leave a greater monument to friendly clemency, than to warlike prowess. 'Tis easy to desolate; difficult to reclaim. Tac. And thou likest the harder task. 'Tis natural. Au. [Smiling. Of mine enemy I had rather make a friend, than a dead body. Tac. Can it be doubt of Mucapor's discipline? If that be so, why leave the army with him? Why not take with thee, by forced marches, home? Au. No. 'Tis true I like not his control. He indulges the licentiousness of the soldiers, and then punishes them with rigor. But he is better than another; and here and there, I must needs have a proxy.Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 61 Tac. Halt we here? Au. Perhaps. Tac. Thou wilt not go onward to Palmyra? Au. I know not. Tac. If the people see thee again among them, they will think thou art grown so fond of thy new conquest, as to abandon Rome, and fill the vacant throne of their fugitive sovereign. I wonder where is she? Au. [Eagerly. If thou wilt tell me for a certainty, the next moment will see my uncertain movements, turned to arrow-like action. I will speed as straight as though a bow sent me. Tac. Would'st have her to grace thy triumph? Wilt thou not have enough of splendor without her presence? Au. No. My chariot waits for her. Tac. Aurelian, what serpent hath bitten thee, to so poison the pure stream of thy generous blood? Thou would'st not, in imitation of old-time brutish spectacles, drag this queen and woman as a captive at thy chariot-wheels? Au. When my wheels may drag her, may they crush me, - and yet, without her, the thought of all the splendor of the pageant seems to my senses but as a troubled dream, that I would were ended, and the day come. Tac. Nay, if glory has grown dim to thee, the blind god must have touched thine eyes, and stricken thee with his own malady. Love alone, could shadow fame in Aurelian's vision, - and yet - it cannot be! Au. I know, not. Hitherto, have I had but one aim, one object, one desire. If it be a sin to covet glory, then have I been the most offending soul alive. I have hungered for it, as starving men in dungeons, hunger for bread; thirsted for it, as one parched for days with these desert heats and sands, thirsts, for the crystal stream of water that he hears afar, with strength too spent to reach it; run the race for it with eye more single, and feet more surely bent to the goal, than Atlanta's, since I would not pause nor turn aside, even for golden fruit of any sort of rest, pleasure, or what others, call happiness. In an instant, all this life, is dead, and the oneAct 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 62 living thing in the whole universe, is a woman's face, and its sole sound a woman's voice, that I have scarce heard, save in tones of enmity. Fear, I know not. The roar of battle sounds in mine ear, but as the sighing of the summer wind. Yet as I saw her mid the flame and carnage, something quaked here. (striking his heart,) and for her I was a very coward. And now, - now when I should be within a day's march of Rome, I am here but a stone's throw from Palmyra, in the vague hope that somewhere, somehow, fate may give to my hands, a prisoner, I would fain enfold within my heart, till she should find herself at home there! Am I mad? and is this to be a man? Tac. Aye, mad with the divine madness, and, till now, I dare swear thou wast never to the full, a man. Well for thee that thou art one, who lets not disappointment cause despondency, nor difficulty, despair. Au. She hates me? thinkest thou? and is hatred then so hard to overcome? I have heard it said a woman's hate, is more easily turned to love, than her indifference, changed to it. - Will she be implacable? Tac. I said not so. Yet think not to sail upon a summer sea, where thou mayst drift, before the wind. [Laughs heartily. Thou hast conquered millions of men, I will be full of wonder to watch thy campaign 'gainst this one woman. I shrewdly suspect her's, will be the more difficult conquest, - and to thee, the richer prize. Au. Thinkest thou, she will e'er forgive me for conquering her? Tac. If thou canst subjugate the woman, she, will make the Queen forgive thee, - have no fear of that. Mars and Venus in conjuction! Good! The gods speed the marriage! It will be the best ending, ever given a war! Palmyrenean Citizen. Mucapor! Mucapor! Justice! justice! [Without. Au. Who, cries so loud? P.C. [Without. Justice! Mucapor! Au. I have a mind to watch the course of Mucapor's justice, unimpeded by my presence. Stand we here. [Au. and Tac. go aside. [P.C. enters, followed by mass of soldiers and Palmyreneans. P.C. Where is Mucapor? Where the general? I call for Roman justice on a Roman villain!Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 63 Muc. [Enters from tent followed by Claudius and Sejanus. What would'st thou, with Mucapor? P.C. Justice! I cry for justice at Mucapor's hands. Muc. Thou had'st best not; did he give thee and thy whole city, justice, ye would think it administered under rough forms. [Laughs rudely. P.C. Standest thou not, in Aurelian's stead? Muc. Thou sayest it. P.C. Then hast thou the power of life and death, over thy soldiers. I do demand death, for that man. [Points to Sej. Muc. Dost thou think this is a holiday, and that Roman soldiers are to die to pleasure a Palmyrenean? This is not an amphitheatre. [Soldiers laughs rudely. Nor these, gladiators. [Soldiers laugh. Get thee home, and thank the fates thou art allowed to go there. P.C. Home? I have no home. My home is left unto me, desolate. He, that man, [Points at Sej. was quartered in my house; served as a brother, since he was one of Aurelian's officers, and we knew Aurelian held faith pledged, as sacred. He saw a jewel, into which I had turned the half of my fortune, that, if evil days fell [upon] on Palmyra, I could have, e'en were I a fugitive, bread for my wife, and child. He saw my daughter, a fair lily, grown on a stem, watered and nurtured by the hand of tenderest love, and closest care, - my only one. He last night, stole the jewel. I would have given it to him, to have wrought no greater evil; but, ere, he went forth, - he crept to the spot where lay the bloom of my old life, - the couch, that held my innocent child, - and left her soiled, and broken. So that with her own hand, (having in brief gasps told her dismal story,) she let out the life that would, if it remained, but be a shame to her. Dec. Shame! Shame! Pap. If, it be so. [All the soldiers cry, Shame! shame! Muc. Aye, if it be so. [Soldiers change manner and fall back. 'Tis a mad story, told by a furious fool. Let him be taken hence. [Soldiers seize him.Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 64 P.C. Mucapor! Muc. Peace! Begone! P.C. Mucapor? Muc. I will not hear thee. [Soldiers are dragging him away. Au. comes forward, throwing back his covering. Au. But I, will. Speak thou on. [Soldiers release him, and all cry, Aurelian! Aurelian! [Muc., Sej., and Claud. are falling back to tent. Au. stops them by a gesture. Au. Let no man stir. Remember you, [To soldiers. that ye are Roman soldiers, I, your elder brother. I will inquire. He, [Indicating P.C. shall answer. You, shall judge. [All cry, Life to the Emperor. Old man, what are thy proofs of this most awful accusation; faith betrayed, oaths broken, robbery done with the work of the ravisher? P.C. Mighty Emperor, there are men among thy own legionaries, can tell whether 'tis true that he lodged with me. Au. [To soldiers. Is this true? [A number cry, It is true. P.C. And there be those, who have seen my daughter. [Au. turns to soldiers, with inquiring gesture. Dec. A rare, sweet maid. P.C. And here is one, of whom thou thyself, knowest. [Pointing to a Palmyrenean noble, Au. looks and assents. Au. I know him. An honorable man. P.C. From him, had I the emerald. Au. [To Noble. Is this true?Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 65 Noble. It is true, - I swear by the great god of light. P.C. And [*he] lights it there! [Pointing violently to Sej., the ornament showing, where he has hastily thrust it into his robe. Behold, where it shines within the folds of his garment. [Sej. tries to cover it. Au. takes it from him. It hath a head of Diana, carved upon it. [Au. looks: makes assenting gesture. As Sej. would speak, stops him by another gesture. Au. Even so. [To P.C. Be silent! [To Sej. For the rest of thy tale, what proof? P.C. [Points off. It lies there. Au. Let it come in. [Sad music. Men bring in bier and put it in front of Au. Put it down, [He turns down sheet, and looks at face. Alas! how sad, a blight, lies on this bloom. She is dead, and by violence, - the violence; say'st thou, of her own hand? [Au. looks at P.C., who bows sadly, then takes the dead hand. 'Tis a slight hand, to do so great a deed; the cause must have been desperate. - Sejanus! Sej. [Recoiling. I swear I never saw her. Au. See her now! Dost hear me? Advance! [Sej. hesitating, &c. Look, on the girl's face. Look, I say! Sej. [With bravado soon failing him. Why, and so I will. Au. Do it then. [Sej. looks. Now, put thy hand on her still heart, - cover the wound, - and swear by Apollo, thou did'st not do it. [Sej. recoils violently. There is no more need of words. I am done. Soldiers, judge ye. [All cry, Guilty! Guilty! His doom? [All cry, Death on the instant! Death! [Au. relaxes stern manner. Good. Ye are still Roman soldiers. [Sej. cowers. Muc. [With anger. Aurelian, remember his wounds gained in thy service.Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 66 Au. His wounds? They, will not offset this. Muc. He is my brother! - Mucapor's brother! Au. Were he fifty times thy brother, aye, and my own, for such a deed as this, he dies. [Soldiers close round. Away with him. [They take him off. Take up the bier. [Music. Bearers take it up. Bear it tenderly to yonder tent. [To the P.C., as he passes. She shall have fit tending. [Exit P.C., bier, &c. Claud. Aurelian, hast thou no clemency? Au. Not for such a crime. In Rome, 'twould be an infamy; in Palmyra, 'tis a blasphemy 'gainst the gods. There, it would be one 'gainst one; a wrong done by man, to man. Here, 'tis the general faith, - pledged for the good conduct of the whole army, - broken in his person. In a city, yet warm from conflict to stir the embers! over prostrate foes - who have failed in fortune, not in courage, and who have received pledges of honor and protection, to crack the whip as over beaten slaves, - 'tis infamous! [Groans and hoots outside. Claud. looks off. Claud. He has sprung from his shield upon their spears! 'Tis a harsher judgment than would be accorded him, for the same deed at Rome. Au. With equity - as with a friend, one, may give less, than right, but with an enemy, one must grant more than justice. Claud. But - Au. Peace! Because thou art thy father's son, I have let thee say too much, already. The time for thee to speak, was when thou stood'st there, silent, in the face of wrong. Though knowest - (no man better,) that it demands more power, to change one honest mind yonder, than to subdue the whole city by the sword. They have believed, and still believe in their Queen, - her right, and power, and regard Rome, as a tyrant, and oppressor. I cannot - in a breath - teach them, to become loyal subjects, instead of angry prisoners. There are diseases, that require time rather than remedies. They must learn faith and love - unconsciously, as they do breathe the air, - and to that end, they must have confidence in the sworn promises of their vanquishers, - and shall. [At gesture from Au., Claud. exits Au. joins Tacitus. If my punishments are terrible, they are also, merciful, since, whether for condemnation or for warning, they are rarely needed, more than once. [Great uproar without. What hideous outcry now is this? a fresh outrage?Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 67 Tac. [Looks off. It is a Roman soldier, spent, and bloody. [Enter soldier followed by excited crowd. Au. Gods, what a face! Thy knees, knock together and thine eyes, seem to regard some horrid phantasm, not, the warm reality of light, and air. [Soldier gasping and propped by another. Sold. And so they do - they are yet filled by the dread sight they saw, but now, and must see, till they close. Au. [Eagerly. What sight? Give it form to others. Sold. Mighty Aurelian, I am too weak for speech, - my strength scarce bore me here, to tell the tale of yonder butchery. [Muc. and Claud. seize one another with anxiety. Au. What butchery? Sold. Thy garrison - Au. My garrison! What have they done? Sold. What has been done to them? They, will do no more. Au. [Furiously. Death and fury! say what thou meanest, or hold thy speech forever. What, of my garrison. Sold. All, slain. Au. Thy wits are slain, - who, should harm them? Sold. [Gaspiny. Zenobia - [Au starts violently. The word went through the city she would be there - with re-enforcements - from Sapor, - to murder the garrison and open the gates, - so much, I last night heard through a half-drunken slumber - 'Tis done, - while one and all slept in security, - save the two sentinels, they were all slain, - not a man of the thousand lives - but he who tells their fate - [Falls. Tries to speak. Dies. Claud. has gone to him. Claud. And dies! What now? [Soldiers all cry, Death to Palmyra! Death to Zenobia! Death! Death!Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 68 Au. Death? 'Tis too weak a word for the fate that shall be theirs. [What!] Was it for this I have held my patience, forborne revenge. withstood my own legions? Was it for this I gave gain for loss, and friendly offices for scorn? Hear it, avenging Mars! and ye implacable, and inexorable furies hear! To you, I dedicate Palmyra! To the manes of these my slaughtered soldiers, will I sacrifice it and its people! Fire and blood, rapine and murder end it! Hovel and palace, fortress and temple, man, woman, young, old, rich, poor, shall pile their funeral pyre! Such faith as they, have kept with you, (to soldiers,) keep you with them! Where'er a Palmyrenean lives, bring death, - that treachery and cowardice die, with them. Burn them with fire, drown them in blood, - make of their city a desolation, drear as this desert! Let the sands blow where it stood, that not even its ruins, make a monument to its treason. Go! Cry it through the camp, - a general assault! Death to Palmyra! License, without restraint! Death, without mercy! [Soldiers all yell, Aurelian! Claud. And she? - the chief traitor? - Zenobia? Au. She, shall be the common property, of the whole camp! [Soldiers all cry, Aurelian! No. Take her alive. She shall go to Rome! I will drag that proud head of hers in the dust, to make sport for the whole city, and die in the common amphitheatre! [Soldiers cry, Aurelian! Does she fight as a wild beast, - not a soldier, - she shall die by her own kind! Tigers shall rend, and lions slay her! Begone! [Soldiers all yell, Aurelian! Aurelian! Death to Zenobia! Death! Death! and exit. Tacitus goes into tent with looks of horror. Au. alone, - draws picture from his garment. Looks at it. Au. Zenobia! Zenobia! Art thou such a thing! As I do treat thy counterfeit, so shall Rome treat thee. [Zenobia rushes in behind him as he flings down picture and stamps on it. Zenobia. 'Tis just. Slay, and spare not! Au. Thou here! Thou art doomed to die! Zen. I know it. [Opening her arms. Strike here.Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 69 Au. [Hesitating, with sword, and then violently recoiling. I cannot seize, nor kill thee. Fly! Zen. Wherefore should I fly? I came of my own will. I am here for death. Au. Thou should'st have died while thou wert still a hero. Zen. That hour, is not yet, done. Au. What! Thou defendest thy act? Zen. What act? It is no crime to seek assistance of an ally, to defeat a foe. All the world may know of any act of mine. I have no need to blush for it. Au. Are then murder and treason, virtues in thy calendar? Zen. Murder and treason never yet knew Zenobia, nor her people, as she has known them. Aurelian! Aurelian! What have you and yours done to Palmyra to pervert it so? Au. I done! Gods! why do not I strangle thee! What hast thou done, and why art thou here? Zen. I am here, because, out on the desert where I lay checked in my journey, I did hear the hideous horror of thy slain soldiers, and fled with swift steps to throw these (her jewels,) and Zenobia at thy feet. Use them - (the jewels,) - (they were to buy Persia's aid) - for the families of thy murdered men, and (Au. angrily dissents,) let me die, I care not by what death, to atone for the mad fury of my people. Let me, their Queen, stand in stead for them. Au. [Eagerly. It was not done at thy command? Zen. Thou mockest me! If I would not slay thee [Enter Claudius, who shows fright at seeing them together. when in my hand, entreated by thy own officer, would I break thy weapons? Au. What meanest thou?Act 3. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 70 Zen. Thou, askest me? - and in his presence? [Au. turns to look, but Claud. rushes to side, waves arms and cries to soldiers, Claud. Death! Death! Zenobia! Au. Silence, I say! Claud. Soldiers! Legionaries! Zenobia! Zenobia is here! [Soldiers all crowd in crying, Death! Death! Zenobia! Where! Where! Zen. [Taking centre of stage Here! Au. Ye, have, Palmyra! Claud. [Points to Zen. First, have her! Au. No! Claud. [To soldiers. Ye, were, promised. [Soldiers utter angry groans and close down to seize her. Au. [Pointing to her. Take, her then. [Flinging her on her knees, behind him with left hand, drawing sword with right. But over me! PICTURE AND CURTAIN. END OF THIRD ACT.[*The Property of Anna E Dickinson] FOURTH ACT.Act Fourth. Scene First. } ROOM IN THE HOUSE OF TACITUS AT ROME. }ENTER CLAUDIUS AND FAUSTINA. Claudius. But if I stake my life to win the crown, and lose my stake, - and in losing that, lose thee, lose all? Faustina. Why, then, 't is but dying once, and thou art quit of it, forever. I had rather die in striving to gain my wish, than live, without it. Thou art afraid to make a throw (lest fate play thee false,) even 'gainst her life, whose every hour, menaces thine. Thou dost not dare to come within the walls of this, thy father's house, when she, this fallen Zenobia, given by Aurelian as honored guest to Tacitus, to the dungeons and the amphitheatre, is here, [instead of] rather, than at his Tiberian villa. Once for all, had I put myself in the power of this woman, as thou didst at Palmyra, and she were at my mercy, that mercy would be brief. See to her death, if, thou would'st stay thine own. Claud. What can harm her here? Aurelian labors for her honor, Tacitus, for her security and happiness, as thou she were the best gift of the gods. They are Argus-eyed in care, and watchfulness. Did any harm befall her, woe to her harmer. Faus. What if her protector were her destroyer? What if Aurelian's self should be her murderer? How then? who should punish him? Claud. What if Cupid, slay love and Mars, kill war? If thou could'st call all spirits to thine aid, of good and ill; summon all powers from the void to sharpen human faculty, thou could'st not find the cause, would steady Aurelian's hand against his captive. Faus. [Bitterly. Does he love her so? Claud. He wears his mask. No man closer. Yet, can I see 't is but the lava, over Vesuvius. Faus. And she, hates him. Had he been her helpful friend, instead of her destroying foe, her pride of power would have held love in abeyance, had he sued for it. What can he hope for now?Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 73 Claud. He hopes[*,] for nothing. Faus. And yet despairing[*,] still hopes on. He holds himself[*,] with the merciless grip he puts on all things,-yet[*,] the strong tides so stir in him[*,] as to sway him to folly,-and so to my plan, and her destruction. Claud. Thy plan[*,]-what is it? Faus. I have once and again, with keenest subtlety of speech at my command, cut to the core of love's signs, symbols, servants, discoursed of charms, philters, all that his stern soul has laughed to scorn, or condemned as worse than crime. What then? A man's owl of to-day becomes his nightingale of tomorrow, his heresy his religion, when he turns from sober sense[*,] to lover's madness. Claud. [Kisses her hand. It is so. Faus. The poison works in him. He knows of Zarah as the wisest she[*,] of all her kind in Rome. I, have seen to that. She shall cross his path soon,-pretend to dive into his secret, lead him, step by step, through desire to design, sell him that[*,] will seal Zenobia's death by Aurelian's hand. Claud. Poison? No. Faus. Wherefore not? Claud. She would sooner end her own life[*,] than harm Zenobia. Witch, hag, devil,-she has one passion in purity,-love[*,] of her own people. She hates Aurelian[*,] because he has confounded Jew and Nazarene[*,] in his proscriptions. She serves me, because I give her madness free way, and ne'er deny that if I govern Rome, Jerusalem shall lift its walls again. In the whole world[*,] no sovereign power has used its hand save to crush the Jews, with the one[*,] only exception of Palmyra. Zenobia, whether it be that, as 'tis said, she hath a strain of Israelitish blood, or[*,] that she doth respect all faith[*,] and folly of belief, has granted them protection, and when [*??] with[*,] has laughed, and said only, the world belongs to those who take it; if a Jew can grasp a piece of it, to him[*,] it doth belong, not to another. I tell thee, Zarah will die for Zenobia[*,] rather than destroy [*her.] Faus. Had'st listened but a moment[*,] thou could'st have spared thyself speech. Zarah knows only that, that I have told her; enough[*,] thou'lt see to [*??] our purpose. She ne'er dreams[*, ??] that the woman for whom she is to serve this good turn[*,] is Zenobia. I sent to bid her come to me[*,] at the twelfth hour, and bide me[*,] here, (significantly,) and then[*,] having made secure of life, it will be time to contend for glory.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 74 Claud. 'Twill be no easy contest. Though he is as reckless of his life as he were weary of it, he is still too much beloved by both mob and army, to strike at him, and not be self-destroyed, by the recoil of the blow. Faus. Dost thou hope for, or merely covet the purple? Claud. Thou knowest. Faus. Hope, gives courage, and courage finds opportunity, when circumstance, denies it. If he do carry out this new scheme of Eastern warfare, Mucapor will be a good tool, with which to cut the life-lines. Claud. He, but bides the time. He hates Aurelian, with the double hatred of envy, and revenge. Faus. Good. They, are a pair of steeds will draw on a man to any desperate resolution. Chamberlain. [At door. The Lady Faustina's chariot waits. Claud. [Bows and exits. Shall I go with thee? Faus. [Extending her hand and smiling. To my content. As we ride, I will talk further. [Go up stage and meet Tac. and Au. at C. Both bow profoundly to Au. who recognizes salutation, but again fixes his eyes on something outside, gazing intently. Tac. Go you abroad? Claud. Yes, my father. Tac. Health attend you. 'Tis a rare day. [Exit Claud. and Faus. Au. and Tac. come forward. Au. She, is then here. Tac. How knowest thou? Can'st thou feel her presence in the air, without corporeal sense? Au. Nay, I used my senses, - and sharply. Mine eyes beheld Valeria, yonder.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 75 Tac. She hath been here for some days gone, attending on her father, with whom[*,] the air of Rome[*,] agrees not. Au. I fear me a foreign air[*,] is never wholesome to a homesick exile. She, too droops. Alas! what wonder? I would, if I could, give her the medicine to heal her hurt, but cannot. In all the world[*,] she has no home. Her empire[*,] dead,-her great city[*,] so utterly destroyed[*,] that not e'en the wolves[*,] and foxes[*,] can find hiding-spots in it. Tacitus, my friend, why could not I have learned [*(]at somewhat less of cost to her, to me,[*)] to play the Caesar in myself, and dominate the unruly legions of my furious passions. Over all the splendid record[*,] I have striven to grave on enduring marble for after times to read, will run the dimming blot[*,] of that tremendous crime. Tac. Thou had'st a cause[*,] for which not e'en I can blame thee. When thou wast brought to the straight pass of abandoning her,[*(]the woman thou dost love-and such a woman,[*)]-to the brutal fury of thy legions, or of holding to thy word concerning her treacherous city, what was there for thee to do[*,] save[*,] that thou did'st? Au. I[*,] should have waited[*,] till I was master of myself, ere I sat in judgement on a whole people. Gods! how easy 'tis to say thus[*,] and thus[*,] was the right thing o have accomplished[*,] when the wrong thing has been done!And where was the power of which I have made my boast[*?] the authority of a regnant soul[*?] when, like a puppet of the soldiers and the populace, I had yield to both[*;-]to hold to the decree of ruin for Palmyra, -[*(]repented almost before promulgated,[*)]-and the promise of showing he in chains,-[*(]bejewelled splendors though they were[*)] to grace my triumph. Tac. Aurelian, this man, however great, has not lived[*,] who, sometime in his life has not been compelled to yield[*,] if he would continue to command. It is the link of weakness whereby the gods[*,] do bind him to his kind. Au.. And thereby thrust him farther from them-since he is compelled to stop the gap they have discovered in his strength[*,] by the harsh cement of sternness. They fear me more[*,] and love me[*,] less. I did govern them as children, they have made of me[*,] a master. What strange fatality drives the multitude to create an idol, having created him[*,] fills them with longing to find flaws in him, and, having found, destroy him-or harden him to crush them. I would I could see in them the same features[*,] that mine eyes beheld at the beginning. I cannot. These are jaundiced. [Touching eyes. Tac. I do bethink me[*,] a strong ray of happiness[*,] would clear their vision. Au. The luminary that could cast it on me[*,] hides itself in clouds.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 76 Tac. Disperse them. Thou art Apollo's child. Warm them to dissolving. Au. If I dared - Tac. I thought Aurelian a soldier! Au. And so he is, and will stand to take what fate may give him. I will speak with her. Tac. And so thou shalt, [Looking off. on the instant. Au [change of manner. On the instant? She is not here? Tac. Aye, but she is. Did come with me from Tiber not an hour agone being restless, and wearying for change. [Goes to centre door. Even now, she comes this way. Au. Another time. Tac. Now! Au. Be it so. [Enter Zenobia, Tac. takes her hand, brings her a step forward. Tac. Zenobia, my honored guest, - Cæsar, thy friend and mine, desires some converse with thee, - wilt thou give ear? Zen. Thou dost not need, to ask. Tac. Enough. [Bows over hand, and exits at rear. Zen. [Continuing. It is the Emperor's right to speak, as it is the duty of his captive to listen. Au. Not so. The emperor is not here, - Aurelian has naught to say of right, or duty, to Zenobia - 't is a boon he craves. Zen. What has Rome left, for Palmyra to grant?Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 77 Au. Forgiveness. Friendships, should be immortal, - enmities, mortal. Zen. [I am not yet immortal.] When I am done with mortality, I may be done with hatred. Au. Not, till then? Zen. Put thyself in my stead, and answer. Au. That would be to do thee, injustice. Because I do believe thy soul to be greater than mine, I dare to ask, that thou wilt give to me thy wrongs, thy woes, thy loss and bitterness, and in their stead, take the reparation that can be found in the devotion of a life, and the twin-headship of the Roman world. Zen. Thou would'st make me thy wife? Wherefore? To add one more trophy to thy triumph? That the world may say she was conquered, now, she assents to her own degradation? She was a captive, now, she consents to be a slave. Au. I thought Zenobia too proud a woman, to care for the yea or nay, - the good, or ill opinion, of the rude masses. Is it because of what the world may she? she does, or leaves undone? Zen. We will then leave the world, outside, - straightly - 'twixt thee and me alone - I say, I had rather be flung to wild beasts in the amphitheatre, than by my own hand set the seal of approval on the man, who gave me and mine, their overthrow. Why speakest thou thus to me? What wantest thou of a woman, whose memories are ghosts? - whose thoughts are scorpions when she gazes on thee, - save, that she feed thy pride, by the voluntary surrender of her own? Wife? I thy wife? What should a man take in his hands, fold in his arms, gather to his heart in that word, wife? Au. If the man be Aurelian, constancy, earnestness, a lofty pride, courage, ardor, a pure soul, an impassioned heart! Zenobia, [when first I saw thee, thou didst say thou would'st speak straightly; so I speak to thee.] from the first moment I beheld, I loved thee; nay, in thy counterfeit presentment, which I knew not for thee, found an answering spirit gaze from thine eyes. If at the first, I did wrong thee, I did not so intend it. For the harm I did thee later, the wound is not deeper in thy heart, than here in mine. My rude tongue, cannot express the freedom of my sentiments: but in brief, as Emperor, I will restore more than I wrung from thee; as man, I will love thee as such a man as I can love, with my whole being, to the death, and, if the gods permit it, through the dread beyond. Wilt thou be my wife?Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 78 Zen. If first[*,] thou canst give what I shall ask thee? Au. If it take my all. Zen. I will not ask thee for my crown, for[*,] in thy estimation[*,] Rome's crown is more than a counterpoise to Palmyra's. Nor for my ancient state,-thou wilt tell me the new one[*,] will be more resplendent. Nor for the fields laid waste, the cities burned, the palaces and temples turned to dust and ashes. Why mourn for vanished splendors, or cry for them, when Aurelian's bounteous hand can replace[*,] nobler monuments than those he hath o'erthrown[*?] Nor for my shattered legions slain in honorable strife, man to man. Whoso consents to the arbitration of the sword[*,] accepts the penalty. But I will ask thee[*,] to restore Palmyra[*,] accepts the penalty. But I will ask thee[*,] to restore Palmyra[*,] and its dead. If thou canst summon from their bloody sepulture the innocent babes, the happy children, delicate fair maids, proud matrons, old granddames tottering 'neath the weight of honorable years; replace the life torn from them by torture, the chastity ravished, the honor crushed[*,] ere death fell on them,-if thou canst still in mine eat[*,] the cried of fear, the shrieks of agony, the mornings of slow dissolution, the voices that cry to me-to me, their queen, to succor, aid, save them-why then, will I have sense to hear thy words[*,] and give thee[*,] other answer. [Going. [*Thou caust not?- Then all is said!*]] Au. Zenobia[*,] stay. If thou [dost] [*should'st*] hate me with a fiercer hatred, yet[*,] will I speak the truth to thee. I tell thee, thou myself[*,] art answerable for thy people's fate. [She is again going. Nay, hear me to the end. Needless to recapitulate the past, -[*(] what thou I believed[*,] each[*,] of respective power,[*)]-we fought. I offered thee, by my own chosen messenger, means of capitulation[*,] that would save alike[*,] the welfare of thy city[*,] and thy honor. Rather than yield to Rome[*,]-to me[*,]-thou didst turn to Persia[*,]-to Sapor[*,]-with the intent,[*(]if he would help thee to my overthrow,[*)] to be his slave, give Palmyra to his barbarian domination,-and thyself-thy proud imperial womanhood[*,] to his degrading lust. Was this for the peace and liberty of thy empire and its citizens[*?] or[*,] was it to feed an obstinate pride[*?] and unheroic enmity? Hadst thou staid at Palmyra, Palmyra would this day stand, and thou[*,] Stan in it, with splendor scarcely tarnished. [If thou hadst thought [*x*] and acted only as a great sovereign with no alloy of petty [*x*] pride, there would be no need to nourn buried Palmyra. [*x*]] If I was its sword of destruction, thy hand could have staid the blow. [Going. Am I merciless? Thou drivest me to it. [Turns at door. I would[*,] thou wouldst take better than mercy[*,] from my hands. [Exit. Zen. [Alone. [*"]If I was its sword of destruction[*,] thy hand[*,] could have staid the blow.[*"] [Angrily and proudly. He will then turn my accusing[*,] to self defense. I, Zenobia, the murderer of Palmyra! Beside the love I bear it, I do hate[*,] myself-and yet-no, no. I will not think it. [Walks about.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer 79 "Rather than yield to Rome--to me".--What what did I say--long since? That I was glad to try my strength with an equal and that I would gain all or have nothing left to lose.--Was that for Palmyra? or, for my pride? So, asked he. I have no need to answer. Oh, I hate him! hate him! hate him,--doubly now! Why now? What need to shudder from thyself? He is not here. Answer thyself. Why hate him doubly now? Because 't is true that thou did'st care more for thyself, than for thy people? True, that while thou said'st Palmyra should be free, thou wert content to see it under the heel of Persia, rather, than bow thy head to him? No. No. I will not. It will madden me. Palmyra! Palmyra! I thy murderer? My pride, thy executioner? No! No! I see thy streets, running with flame and gore, -- I see palace and hovel, temple and fortress heaped in hideous overthrow. I see the faces of my people all turned to me, their eyes bent on me, their voices searching my ears and soul, crying, did'st thou do it?--Is this thy work? or his? Mercy! Mercy! I will look no longer. I will see no more. [Staggers to curtain and falls on couch. Presently Zarah looks in from opposite side; looks round; comes in. Zarah. [Looks around. Here, was I to wait, till she came to me? Yes this was the room. I grow old, old, but I am not so old, as to forget what I have known, and I know every secret-passage way, in every palace, in this venal city. [Enter Au. from rear looking around. Soft! who comes there? Aurelian! [Exits. Au. I was too harsh with her, but she maddened me. To see her, hear her, know her gracious, generous, loving, __kind to others and so cold to me, burned in my blood, till my brain seethed. I must speak with her again. [Looking round. Did she go this way? or this? Perchance, into the gardens. [Exit Au. into gardens, oversteps at back. Zarah has watched and listened through this with her door half open, she creeps out and looks after him. Zarah. He is a stately column, yet, must he fall. So perish all, who oppress the Lord's anointed! [Walks about. Why is the wise man's wisdom, folly? Forsooth, he must run mad about some painted doll, when, had he possessed the sense this withered finger holds, --he would have wedded Zenobia instead, of fighting her, and saved his empire. For, had he given such an empress to Rome, he should have lived in spite of stars, suns, devils, lived, I say, where now, he dies. Soft! why should I wait for that beautiful hell-cat? Who is it, she will now destroy? No matter. "Tis but one more of this evil brood, sent a little earlier to Gehenna. [Laughs cunningly. Old Zarah though, would like to try her skill on him, and make him break his own laws, --and she can! she can! [Changes manner. T--s--s--t! 'tis no great matter, for they are all alike, Jew and Gentile, emperor and slave, they will break fifty laws for one woman, when their blood's aflame.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 80 Au. [Comes back, shaking his head. Zarah watches him. Not there! Zarah. [Fawningly cominy forward. Great Emperor, would'st thou know where? Au. [Violently starting. Who art thou, who - Zarah! Again at Rome? and here? under the roof of Tacitus? Knowest thou not, for one of thy calling to be found in this city, is to find her death? [Turns away. Diviners, procurers, sorceresses, Rome shall have done with them, and their deceptions Zarah Mighty Aurelian, old Zarah will swear by all the prophets, her boasted power, is not deception. She is enough a sorceress, to dive even to the heart's core of Cæsar. Au. [Significantly, Best, not attempt it; the trial might strangle thee. Zarah. [Pretending to misunderstand. Even so great Prince; for the air there, is heavy. Au. What sayest thou, witch? Zarah. Witch enough, to discern that Aurelian, son of Apollo - though he be the child of light, [and] has long been done with dreams of the sun and stars, in their clear splendor; that he no longer sees limpid fountains, smooth waters, and fruitful green trees, - (which are visions of healthful sleeps) - but that the day's unrest makes stormy nights for him. Au. Weak witchcraft. A fool could say as much, and even know it. Zarah. [Cunningly. And know the wherefore? Au. [Angrily. Enough. [Waves her off. Zarah. [Cringingly. 'Tis not like the august Aurelian, to put even such a worm as old Zarah to the test, and then deny her the ordeal. Au. She appeals to Justice! She! art not afraid, even the word may crush thee? [Then with easier manner. Well, what, would'st thou say more? Zarah. What if old Zarah, could tell the Emperor he hath a fireAct 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 81 that burns him here, - (striking her breast), - that his fever hath for its cause, one, whom he hath harmed, yet, whom he loves. [Au. Starts. Shall I say more? Au. Say on. Zarah. That he ne'er will find himself at peace, till she shall lie her head, there (points to his breast,) to cool the consuming pain, and that she ne'er will do it, till he call to his aid, the powers that he hath scorned; for, that though he be mightiest of the earth, they, are mightier, and will prove their power. Au. [Does not look at her through his speech. Ashamed, yet dragged on. Get thee gone. Stay! - Come hither! Thou meanest thou hast in thy possession some drug, philter, charm, - will turn loathing to loving, - hate to tenderness? Is it so? Zarah. Dread Emperor, old Zarah, hath a draught will turn the fiercest scorn to calm, - the deadliest enmity to peace. If she do drink it, she will never more dispute the embraces of thy lips, and arms. If it be not so, kill me in torture. Au. [Still not looking at her. Hast thou it about thee? Zarah. [Taking out vial. Here. Au. [Hastily slips off splendid ring, takes vial, gives ring. Zarah retires up stage, but not out of hearing. Give it to me. Begone. To what an infamy have I descended, when I shrink from the gaze of this most shameful woman. [Looks at vial. I will not. I will save the respect of my own manhood. - And yet! - to have her come of her own will to me, - when I do ope my arms, for her to fill them, - rest her head here, - her arms about my neck, - the thought, maddens me! But how? - what is this accursed philter I hold here? If it do work its charm, 'twill (if I have read aright) but touch the sense, and leave the heart, cold. - And to steal on her! trap her! take her by evil arts, and foul inventions! - No! No! - off demon! [Flings it away. If I can win Zenobia, I will wear her; but I will not summon the furies, to my aid. Zarah. [Rushes down stage, flings herself at his feet, clutches his robe. She? - Cæsar, a boon!Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 82 Au. Away, hag, - lest I do myself and thee the wrong to punish thee, by laws myself have broken. Zarah. [Holds fast Punish me, if thou wilt, - torment, kill - but I pray answer me, was that philter for the great Queen of the East? - Zenobia? Au. I know not why I answer, - yet, I do answer. It is she. Zarah. [Starting up with change to noble manner. Thou answerest, because the great Jehovah thou knowest not, but who knows thee, regards the innocent. What! they would strike at her, by his hand. Why fall not the heavens on such iniquity? Au. [Amazed, watching her. Is she mad? Zarah. I am not mad, most mighty Emperor, but thou wilt be, when I have told thee what lies there! [Points to philter. Au. Speak and be quick, then, that I may the sooner regain my reason. Zarah. I care not what thou dost with me, so thou make them taste death slowly drop by drop, - this, would have done the deed, - Au. [Starts violently. Gods! What deed? Zarah. Death! Au. Death? for her? [Rushes at Zarah, then recoils. Not by me. I, will not strangle thee. [Then aside, and meditating new thought. And yet, she needed not to speak. [Turns to her. Why tellest me now? Zarah. Wilt thou hear me? Au. Were I an adder, I would hear. But quickly, - for the wild beast within me tears at his chain. Thou sayest this, is poison? Zarah. Painless, and swift, and sure. Au. For her? - I cannot speak her name.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 83 Zarah. It was for her to whom, thou should'st give it. The Lady Faustina, knew right well whom that she might be, - old Zarah knew it not, or, she would have sooner drank, her own poison. Au. Faustina! beware what thou sayest! Faustina! - thou dost not mean - Zarah. I mean Faustina, niece of Tacitus, wife to Claudius. Ah - h, is it there! is it there! Now, I know the cypher, and can read clear. Thus, - she hath held converse with me, bade me work on thee, - [Au. makes indignant gesture, pardon a worm's presumption, - commanded me to bring the poison for some fool, whom thou didst love, and she did hate, - hate, because thou didst love her. So thought Zarah, blind old fool, not to see that there was something more than her stabbed vanity, at having lost thee. It was to save him, that poisonous thing that she calls husband, Zenobia was condemned. Au. To save him? Into what labyrinth art thou plunging, and how am I to follow thee? Zarah. Oh these wise men! How much they see afar, how little, 'neath their eyes. Had'st thou used them, long since, thou could'st have seen that Claudius Pompianus, hated thee. Au. [Quietly. I have, seen it. Zarah. Has toiled by all paths he can travel, to thy destruction. Au. [Scornfully. He! Zarah. Failing other means, (while he was in the East - before Palmyra, thou didst send him on a special mission to Zenobia - Au. Thou knowest this? Then thou dost also know, it was her scorn of it, did work her ruin. Zarah. She could not scorn, what she did never know. Au. She knew, and had him flung at my feet, in ignominious chains. Zarah. She knew - what he told her. He spoke, - but to his own purpose. He did betray thy presence, urge her to murder thee as a spy within her gates, - in his own name, as Rome's next Emperor, promised her peace and indemnity.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 84 Au. And she? Zarah. She had him bound, a letter written and fastened on him, and thought that he and it, were soon within thy keeping. Au. That letter - Zarah. It was taken from him by his guard, at cost to him of kingly ransom. One of them, was of my people, of my own kindred. He did part with it, to me. All things double their value, if they be held long enough! It fills, small space. What is in your own keeping, rasps not your anxiety. I, do carry it about me. It is here. Au. [Reads the letter. My own seal Zarah. [Who has drawn out ring. And here, it is. [Faus. laughs outside. Zarah goes hastily up stage. Au. And this, is the shaft I have broken, this, the woman I have more than slain. Zenobia! Zenobia! well may'st thou have scorned, Aurelian! Scorn him now! [Faus. again laughs outside. Zarah comes down hastily. Zarah. They come, - Claudius and Faustina. Au. Get thee gone. I will see thee again. The good thou hast done, so shines upon the evil, as to blind my eyes to it. Zarah. 'Tis like Aurelian's generosity, - but thou wilt be more just, with them? [Zarah kisses his hand. Au. Fear not. [Zarah exits. They, shall have justice. [Enter Faus. and Claud., stage begins to darken, afterwards strong moonlight. Faus. Zarah! 'Tis long past the twelfth hour. Zarah! Zarah! [Goes to panel. Not here? [Au. comes down. Au. Zarah, hath gone hence. Faus. [Recoils against Claud. Aurelian! Thou here?Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 85 Au. Wherefore not? Claud. Mighty Cæsar, she thought not to see thy gracious presence here, alone. It startled her. Au. Why startled her? Is my face so great a stranger to this house? or its features so forbidding, as to fright so strong a nerve as Faustina's? Claud. There is something in thine eye, thy voice, when they look and sound as now, to awe lions. Let me bear her hence. Au. Is she faint? Claud. Thyself canst see. Au. Let her rest, here. Why, take her hence? [Indicates philter. Here is some subtle cordial, Zarah gave me, but now, that should have been trusted to her hands, half-spilled, but still, doubtless enough to work, marvels. Pour it, and give it her. Claud. [Pretending to comply, then to consider. I know not its ingredients. It may harm her. Au. No. Surely not. She, herself, can vouch for it. It was to be given an honored guest beneath this roof. What is good for Zenobia, cannot harm Faustina. Give it her, I say. Claud. Some other draught, Aurelian. Au. [Aside. Is it so potent? [To him. This, and none other? Claud. By-and-by. Au. Now. Claud. [Falls on knees. Mercy! Mercy! Not by my hand. Au. Wherefore not by thy hand? Could a healing draught come from more friendly fingers? By thine. Claud. [Flings it away. I will not.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 86 Au. So; enough! Thou wilt not give Faustina. Faustina will not drink the deadly draught, mingled, for Zenobia? Faus and Claud. Aurelian! - Au. Speak not, or by the great god of light I swear, ye will both die, here. For what ye have wrought 'gainst me, I speak no sentence. Nay, for thy father's sake (to Claud.) I would forgive, thee; but, for what has been devised 'gainst her, and that no after treachery may spring its deadly growth, I give ye three days in which to die. Get you from hence, - from Rome. Choose ye the method, - hold the silence, - for the sake of Tacitus, neither shame nor pain, shall be found by me, - find ye, the death. [Picture a moment, then Au. exits. Claud. on knees, in abject misery. Faus. watches him a moment, then breaks into mad laughter. Claud. lifts head, and looks at her in fright. Claud. She laughs! Have the gods deprived her of reason ere she loses life? Faus. No. Frantic I am, but mad? no. And this unseasonable laughter, is not so ill-timed, as those unmanly tears. Of what avail to waste a moment, when one fights with death? Claud. Thou wilt contend with him? 'Tis useless. Faus. Not so. All things are to be hoped for, while one still lives. Nothing, is irreparable but death. Claud. Thy voice fills me with courage. What is in thy thought? Faus. He will set no watch on us this night. 'Tis not his way. He doth think his word, sufficient. Go! Do! Die! To-morrow, he will know us gone; three days hence, dead. Cease shuddering! Spare your strength! The night is ours. Claud. What can we, and the night accomplish? Faus. His doom. Haste to Mucapor. Where is he? Claud. As the bird flies, but a stone's throw hence. [Pointing across garden. He hath the supervision of the building of the new wall, and is in the camp, beyond the gates.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 87 Faus. If he be not in his tent, thou canst find him. Tell him thou hast overheard Aurelian, in converse with thy father, give him to death. (He will believe thee; for though it be not true, he right well knows it should be:) that if Aurelian perish not this night, his eyes will never see again the sun go down. Claud. We can find no followers. Faus. Nor need them. Somewhere, somehow, ere the moon wane, you will find him alone. Claud. [* x *] 'Tis true. He hath a fashion of night-watching, and lonely musing. Sometimes, even among the Praetorian guards, and at the camp. Faus. Careless and unguarded? [Claud. assents. Ye will find your time. Dispatch him. Claud. What if he do struggle? Faus. Ye are two, 'gainst one, and life the stake. Claud. Enough. 'Tis done. [Both go hastily up stage. Faus. Vengeance and fury, guide thy sword. Away! [Exit Claud. into garden. Faus. exits. Zenobia rises slowly from couch, and with half-tranced manner comes forward. Zen. [Alone. Great Jove, what sounds have stunned mine ears[*?*] as I lay half-tranced, yonder! Have dreams possessed[*?*] and visions dawned on me[*?*] or has all this, been reality? Aurelian loves me with a tender, great, heroic love? He would have save me, — sent by Pompianus. What am I doing? what saying? {[*whose cause pleading? Will the sole subject he hath left me — myself— turn traitor? Have done.**] [Struck by sudden thought. He! he is in danger. He? It cannot be that by the flames lit [by] at such torches his power can be consumed? [And i]If so [*What is that to thee?*] [*Was*] he not thy foe, merciless, implacable,— inexorably thy destroyer? Well, and for that [would'st thou] shall I be a murderer? Tacitus?— No[,]! [h]He must not know. Aurelian would spare him that. I will send to him. Thou wilt go thyself, —a messenger might be waylaid, a missive lost, -- they have [been lost before;][*so failed before. But now thyself didst hear how loss of one, cost thee, thy empire. That gone, thou livest — nay can'st be happy but*] if he be lost [by this], why then, confess it! — nought will be left for thee, Zenobia but, to die. About thy work, and quickly. [Zen exits. Presently enter servants with lights, then exit. Afterward enter Muc. and Claud.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 88 Muc. Our meeting was fortunate,-truly! [Laughs harshly. Meditates. This night[*?*]- in the midst of his guards? Even though he be alone,-no! The very winds of the camp[*,*] would defend him. Claud. Where then? Much [again meditates. Has he gone hence? Claud. [looks off into gardens. ho. he walks yonder,-my father meets him. Aurelian recoils from the touch of his hand. [Laughs bitterly. 'Tis natural! Muc. [Again muses, ten abruptly speaks. It shall be here. Claud. [Thou art mad to say it.] [*Here*] Muc. [*E'en*] so. The best masque for such a deed[*,*] is audacity. If he can be found alone here, in this house, or yonder in those gardens, and there be struck down, all Rome would cast its eyes elsewhere, to find his murderer. Not one thought[*,*] would point to any member of thy father's household. Claud. Alone here[*?*] He is not like to be found [*,*] alone. Muc. If he do go to the camp, as is his wont, the chances are at least[*,*] even, that he will pass that way. [Points to garden. Claud. It may be. Muc. It will be worth the waiting. Claud. Tho art right. [Looks off. They come this way. Goes to panel Here[*,*] is an exit. In! In! [Exit Claud. and Muc., enter Au. and Tac. Tac. Thou art so plunged in gloom,- unless it irks thee,- I would fain keep near thee. Au. I would not cast my shadow on thee. 'Tis too drear. Tac. I had rather have thy shadow[*,*] than another's light.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 89 Au. Points across garden 'Tis best hidden in my tent, yonder. Tac. [Reluctantly. If thou wilt have it so. [Going. I will see thee attended. Some of thy own guard, are without. Au. No. Tac. I know thy habit, but 'tis not well, to walk thus alone. Au. Near my own soldiers, --in the midst of my own people! What should I fear from them? Tac. Death, watches such an one as thou, with sleepless eyes. Au. Then, will not I waste my life in watching him. With Caesar, I will die but once. Tac. Some of those thy just severity hath angered, might meet thee, alone. Au. [Smiling. Then, would be man, to man. Tac. But, with risks unequal. Any class, could easy furnish another criminal, but the whole world could find no second Aurelian.--More, I would I could dissuade thee from warlike perils, as well, as from private danger. Thou hast long enough been a Caesar, it is time for thee to be an Augustus. If this new Eastern war must be, let others die for thee; live thou, for Rome. Au. Thou bid'st me live? Tac. ['Tis a strange question.] Not I, but Rome. It is more to her great future thou should'st not die, than that any other million men should live. Au. Wrong, dear and faithful friend, wrong. It will not be an ill day that closes on my death, if thou still shalt be. Rome will find in thee a better head, than I have ever been. Tac. Aurelian, what wild words are these? I, thy survivor! I, emperor! If thou wert not, what headship would Rome find in me? How could I lead its armies? or serve its glory? Au. The last in all ways. War has been waged long enough ifAct 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 90 what I have gained[*,] another will hold securely. Rome[*,] now needs a mind, not a body; a sovereign, not a soldier. Tac. She hath both. Au. Not so. Fate[*,] apportions her gifts. To be a destroyer and a builder[*,] is not marked for one man. Tac. Thou[*,] wilt prove otherwise. Au. No.-And yet, if she had loved me she-[*(*]this strange compound of natural simplicity, philosophic learning[*,] and Eastern fire,[*)*] I might have won as large triumphs for peace[*,] as I have[*,] from war. What Caesar projected for this great empire, I would have performed. Tac. Have? Aurelian, thou turnest my blood cold in my old veins. What is this in thy voice? Have! Thou speakest as one dead might speak from the tomb. Au. [Smiling, and with forced animation. It may be my dreams. Of late[*,] they have afflicted me. Dost believe in them? Tac. It would be proof of folly[*,] to say otherwise. I do believe in them as courteous revelations[*,] of noble essences, that bear a friendly regard to us on earth. Au. [It may be.] [*Perchance*] I know not. One thing I know, the visions and promises of the night to the capacity of fulfillment of the day[*,] are as a multitude to one; Who knoweth? Of late[*,] I have oft thought that life itself[*,] may be but as a vision of the night, a dream crammed with suggestions of large doing, and that the soul[*,] may hereafter find[*,] endless day. Tac. 'Tis a great thought.- Yet[*,] would I have thee content thy eager brain[*,] with what lies nearer. Enough of my enforced society. I see that thou would'st be alone. [Au moves toward garden Not[*,] that way. Content thee here, none will disturb thee. If thou wilt work, there are some charts to serve the. Au. [Hesitates. Yields. Have thy way. Tac. By-and-by I will return. If thou art gone-well. If not, I will discourse farther[*,] concerning these Eastern plans. [Points to chart.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 91 Au. The which, remind me thou hast not promised me-- Tac. What should I refuse thee? Au. Thou must swear ere again, I am buckled in battle-harness, if I do fall, to fill my place. Tac. That I cannot do. If thou [dost] shouldst fall, (which the heavens forfend)--there is not one, no, nor a whole legion, all combined, could fill the space left, by Aurelian. [Going. Therefore, guard thy life. Au. [Looks after him. The gods forbid, that he should ever know how base a wretch fate, hath decreed him for a son, — or [that son's real ending.] [*the cause of that son's ending.*] Justice, must have its way; but I pray it cut not too deep a furrow in his heart. How [sore] heavy a burden is this, that power lays on one [Sits. Takes up book. I cannot read. [Puts it down. Turns to Chart. I will work. Nor fix my thoughts on these. [Thrusts them aside. They can wait, to-morrow. [To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow!] What a long day should that morrow be, to hold all that is held for it. [Rises and walks. Oh mortal! filled with immortal longings, creature of limitations, scourged by illimitable desires, what a thought is that, of a day upon the illumination and the duration of which, no night, shall fall. Is it true? Can it be true? —who shall answer? What voice can respond to that that no tongue can fairly utter?—the dumb desires, stronger than wishes, wider than hopes? Oh, ye pale multitudes of the dead, ye innumerable legions, whom we shall see on earth, never more, if ye are, wherever in the boundless invisible your tents are pitched, whether you dwell in some illimitable region beyond the outermost star, or crowd around these old haunts of earth, wherever ye are, if ye can speak, answer! In vain, — the void gives no reply. Zen. [Without. Aurelian! Aurelian! [art thou here] Au What is that? voice from the dead. Zen [Enters. No. A voice from the living, that warns thee of death. Au. Zenobia! Thou [here] comest to me! Zen. Speak not of me. I am here, (having sought elsewhere) but to bid thee save thyself. Au. What should harm me?Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 92 Zen. Claudius and Mucapor will this night seek to slay thee,—in thy tent,—somewhere,—where thou may'st be found alone. With my own ears[*,] I heard the plan marked by Faustina. [Claud. and Mucapor [approach] [*at*] door of garden. [*Show by signs that what they would do must be done quickly.*] Au. And thy magnanimous soul sent thee hither to warn thy enemy. As heretofore, thou would'st have him dead, but not[*,*] by treachery. Zen. I would have thee live. Au. Thou would'st have me live,—wherefore?—Because I suffer? Zen. Because,—because— [Au. looks at her eagerly, and opens his arms. I love thee. [She rushes into his embrace [*Claud & Mucapor have closed down, unseen, on either hand*] Au. Has my danger taught thee— Zen. But to know my heart. From the first hour, it dumbly felt thee[*,*] its master, and struggled blindly[*,*] 'gainst its chains. Au. Death[*,*] were an easy price to pay for this. [Claud. and Muc. have come down stage.] Zen. hears noise. Moves. Sees the [*drawn sword*] Flings herself across Au. Receives the the[*steel aimed at Aurelian*] Claud. [Strike[s with sword]ing}. 'Tis paid. [Zen. falls [down][*Au. lost to all else sinks beside her, she gasps: -) Zen Save, thyself. (dies) Au. Save myself? (shaking his head, then seeing the knife in Mucapor's belt, whispers) I will avenge thee! (Mucapor & Claudius laugh brutally. *] Muc. [*Save thyself!"*] None are within hearing. Thou[*,] hast no weapon. Claud. Thou shalt feel thyself die. [Au. [*springing*] seizes Mucapor's dagger and fights with it. Au. Here is one [*plunging it to Mucapor's heart & sizing his sword turning to Claudius.*]] —and I am not yet dead. [He kills Claudius with dagger, and seizes his sword, is wounded, but kills [mucapor] [*Claudius*] Guards and people rush in, afterwards Tacitus. [Guards cry, Treason! treason! Au. I am slain, [Sees Tacitus, struggles to speak. Tacitus! He[*,] must not know.—Mucapor[*,] struck.—Claudius[*,] defended.—I can[*,] no[*,] more.Act 4. Aurelian, or Rome's Restorer. 93 Tac. [Who supports him, & with agonized entreaty Aurelian! Aurelian! Live! Au. [Lifting himself about the neck of Tacitus In thee. [then breaks away and stands alone. My soldiers, shout for me, once more. Tacitus!-next Emperor! Tacitus! Shout, I say. [Soldiers, in grief and consternation, cry, Tacitus! and break into sobs. Au. 'Tis well!—————And now, Zenobia. [Falls on dead body. PICTURE AND CURTAIN END OF FOURTH ACT AND OF THE PLAY.