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

who seeks to gain the love which I can give only to Thee, be turned from his unlawful purpose. Take his daughters to Thyself, and pour the sweetness of Thy love into their hearts that they may despise all carnal bonds, and be admitted to the blessed company of virgins who are consecrated to Thee! Artemia Hail, most noble Constance! Imperial highness, hail! Constance Greeting, my sisters, Artemia and Attica. Stand up, stand up! No, do not kneel. Salute me rather with a loving kiss. Artemia We come joyfully to offer you our homage, lady. We are ready to serve you with our whole hearts, and we seek no reward but your love. Constance We have one Lord Who is in heaven. He alone should be served like that. We owe Him a love and fidelity which must be shown not only with whole hearts but with whole bodies. That is if we would enter His kingdom with the virgin’s palm. Artemia We do not question this. You will find us eager to obey you in all things, but never so eager as when you exhort us to confess our faith and keep our vow of purity. Constance That is a good answer, and one worthy of a noble mind. I see that through divine grace you already have the faith. Artemia How could we poor idolators have any good thought if light had not been given us from above? Constance The strength of your faith makes me hope that Gallicanus too will believe some day. Artemia He has only to be taught. Then he must believe. Constance Send for John and Paul. Scene VI John You sent for us, Highness. We are here. Constance Go at once to Gallicanus and attach yourselves to his person. Instruct him little by little in the mysteries of our faith. Perhaps God means to make us the instruments of winning him to His service. Paul God give us success! We shall do all we can. Scene VII Gallicanus You are welcome, John⁠—and you, Paul. I have awaited your coming with impatience. John As soon as we received our lady’s commands we hastened at once to put ourselves at your service. Gallicanus Your offer to serve me gives me a pleasure that nothing else could give. Paul That is natural, for, as the saying goes, “The friends of our friends are our friends.” Gallicanus A true saying. John The love our lady bears you assures us of your goodwill. Gallicanus You can rely on it. Come, tribunes and centurions, assemble the troops. Soldiers in my command, I present to you John and Paul, for whose arrival our departure has been delayed. Tribunes Lead us on. The tribunes gather round Gallicanus.7 Gallicanus We must first go to the Capitol, and visit the temples to propitiate the gods with the customary sacrifices. That is the way to obtain success for our arms. Tribunes That is certain. John Let us withdraw for a time. Paul We cannot do otherwise. Scene VIII John The General is leaving the temple. Let us mount our horses and ride to meet him. Paul This moment. Gallicanus I noticed you were not with us. Where have you been? John We were seeing to our baggage. We have sent it on ahead that we may ride with you unencumbered. Gallicanus Well planned! Scene IX Gallicanus By Jupiter, tribunes, I see the legions of an immense army advancing! The diversity of their arms is enough to make the stoutest heart tremble. Tribunes By Hercules, the enemy! Gallicanus Let us resist with courage, and show them we are men! Tribunes It is useless to attempt resistance to such a host. Gallicanus What, then, do you propose? Tribunes Surrender. Gallicanus Apollo forbid! Tribunes By Pollux, we must surrender! See, we are surrounded on every side⁠—we are being mown down⁠—we perish! Gallicanus Ye gods! What will happen if the tribunes refuse to obey me, and surrender? John Promise you will become a Christian, and you will conquer. Gallicanus I swear! And I will keep my vow. One of the Enemy Woe to us, King Bradan! Fortune, who but now promised us victory, was mocking us. Our men are weakening, their strength is exhausted⁠—they have lost heart and are giving up the struggle. Bradan I am uncertain what to do. A strange faintheartedness has seized me also. There is but one course⁠—we must surrender. The Enemy There is nothing else to do. Bradan Gallicanus, do not destroy us! Be merciful! Spare our lives and do with us what you will. Gallicanus Have no fear. There is no need to tremble. Give me hostages, acknowledge yourselves tributaries of the Emperor, and you shall live happy under a Roman peace. Bradan You have only to name the number and rank of the hostages, and the tribute to be exacted. Gallicanus Soldiers, lay down arms. Slay no one, wound no one, but embrace as friends these men whom you had to fight as enemies of the Empire. John How much more powerful is one fervent prayer than all the pride of man! Gallicanus That is true indeed. Paul What mighty succour God in His mercy sends to those who humbly trust in Him! Gallicanus I have had good proof of it. John But the promise made when the storm was raging must be kept now it is calm. Gallicanus I agree. It is my wish to be baptized as soon as possible, and to devote the rest of my life to the service of God. Paul You are right. Scene X Gallicanus Look! That vast crowd of citizens has gathered to see our entry into Rome! See how they flock to acclaim us, bearing according to custom the symbols of victory! John It is only natural. Gallicanus Yet the glorious victory was not won by my valour nor by the help of their gods. John No, assuredly; the glory belongs to the one true God. Gallicanus That being so, we must pass the temples without going in. John A wise decision. Gallicanus And instead make a humble confession of faith in the Church of the Apostles. Paul O happy man! And most happy thought! In this you show yourself a true Christian. Scene