Plays, Roswitha of Gandersheim [readera ebook reader TXT] 📗

the bond of Christ’s love, you shall live with us in our palace, and be treated with as much honour as though you were our own son. Gallicanus What temptation is to be feared more than the lust of the eyes? Constantine None, I know. Gallicanus Then is it right that I should see her too often? As you know, I love her more than my own kin, more than my life, more than my soul! Constantine You must do what you think best. Gallicanus Thanks to our Lord Christ and to my labours, your army was never so strong as now. Give me leave, then, to transfer my service to that Emperor through Whose power I have returned victorious, and to Whom I owe any success I have won in life. Constantine To Him be praise and glory. All creatures should serve Him. Gallicanus Above all those whom He has generously helped in time of need. Constantine That is true. Gallicanus I am giving to my daughters the portion of my property which is theirs by right. Another I am devoting to the support of pilgrims. With the remainder I propose to enrich my slaves⁠—whom I have freed⁠—and to relieve the poor. Constantine You are disposing of your wealth wisely, and you will be rewarded. Gallicanus As for me, I long to go to Ostia and become the disciple of the holy man, Hilarion. In his brotherhood I hope to spend the rest of my life praising God and helping the poor. Constantine May the Divine Being to Whom all things are possible bring your plans to a happy issue! May you always do the will of Him Who lives and reigns in the Unity of the Trinity, and at last attain eternal joy! Gallicanus Amen. Part II Scene I Julian The cause of the unrest in our Empire is clear enough. These Christians enjoy too much liberty. Their claim that they obey laws made in the time of Constantine is false. Consuls It would be a disgrace to tolerate it. Julian I do not intend to tolerate it. Consuls Those words are worthy of you. Julian Soldiers, arm yourselves and strip the Christians of all they possess. Remind them of these words of their Christ: “He who does not renounce all that he possesses for my sake cannot be my disciple.” Soldiers We will carry out your orders instantly. Scene II Consuls The soldiers have returned. Julian Is all well? Soldiers Well indeed. Julian Why have you returned so soon? Soldiers We will tell you. We had planned to seize Gallicanus’s castle and occupy it in your name. But no sooner did one of us set foot on the threshold than he was straightway stricken with leprosy or madness. Julian Return and force Gallicanus to quit the realm or sacrifice to the gods. Scene III Gallicanus Do not waste your breath, fellows. Your advice is useless. I hold all that exists beneath the sun as nothing compared with eternal life. Banished for Christ’s sake, I shall retire to Alexandria, where I hope to win the martyr’s crown. Scene IV Soldiers Gallicanus, exiled by your orders, fled to Alexandria. He was arrested in that city by the Governor, Ratianus, and has perished by the sword. Julian That is well. Soldiers But John and Paul still defy you. Julian What are they doing? Soldiers Travelling up and down the country giving away the fortune Constance left them. Julian Bring them before me. Soldiers They are here. Scene V Julian John and Paul, from the cradle you have been attached to the Emperor’s household. You served my predecessor. John That is so. Julian Then what could be more fitting than that you should serve me also in this palace where you were brought up? Paul We will not serve you. Julian You refuse? John We have said it. Julian Do you deny that I am Augustus? Paul No, but we say you are Augustus with a difference. Julian How do I differ from my predecessors? John In your religion and your virtue. Julian What do you mean? Paul We mean that those most famous and glorious princes, Constantine, Constantius and Constance, whom we served, were very Christian rulers who were zealous in the service of God. Julian I know, but in this I do not choose to follow their example. Paul You follow worse examples. They frequented the churches and, laying their diadems on the ground, adored Jesus Christ on their knees. Julian And you think that I should imitate them? John You are not made of the same stuff. Paul By doing homage to the Creator they elevated the Imperial dignity⁠—yes, they transfigured it with the splendour of their virtue and their holy lives. So they deserved the success which crowned their enterprises. Julian As I do. John In a very different way, for the divine grace was with them. Julian Absurd! Once I too was fool enough to believe in these meaningless practices. I was a priest of your Church. John Do you hear, Paul? How do you like this priest? Paul Very well⁠—as the devil’s chaplain. Julian But when I found that there was nothing to be gained from it, I turned to the worship of the true Roman gods, thanks to whom I have been raised to the highest pinnacle of power. John You cut us short with this boast to avoid hearing the righteous praised. Julian What is it to me? Paul Nothing; but we would add something which does concern you. When the world was no longer worthy of those princes, they were summoned to the choir of angels, and this unhappy realm fell under your power. Julian Why unhappy? John Because of the character of its ruler. Paul Have you not renounced the true religion and adopted the superstitions of idolatry? Because of this we have shunned you and your court. Julian You show yourselves greatly wanting in the respect due to me, yet I am ready to pardon your presumption and raise you to the highest office in my palace. John You waste your breath, apostate! We shall yield neither to blandishments nor threats. Julian I will give you ten days’ grace, in the hope that you will come to