What is our hope, what ought to be our aim, Comnenus. I never knew a woman placed in peril Ay-true : Thou would'st intrust me with thy safety, Anna? Oh! it were easy, that; Foes are as plentiful as lukewarm friends. Eudocia. Why, Anna, can your tongue too play the Comnenus. My cousin, may you ne'er have cause to The fervour of your friends.-Hark! there's the bell: Is it for vespers ? Anna. Comnenus. then, It is even-song. And you attend it ?-tell the Abbess, That I detain my sister-has she leave? [Exit ANNA. Comnenus. My time is short; but something must Which 'twere as well she heard not. Why it is The knowledge which to me, though loth to learn, Comnenus. From Theodora: I attended her, A summons came And found her ready to betray her father. Eudocia. She is more passionate than politic, Yet lacks not cunning: she has then despair'd Of winning you by fairer means? Comnenus. And these Have fail'd her likewise: I refused her suit. Eudocia. But not her tidings? Comnenus. I refused them too. It went against my nature to accept them. Or shall be on the morn. Provision's made To thee, Eudocia, I need not say How ruin should be met. Eudocia. If it be well, Then no instructor will my brother need Comnenus. Enough. That's as it may fall out. My brows, in sooth, I heard strange stories of a feast last night, you : Comnenus. It makes for me that it should pass for true. 'Twas a Damoclean feast, and we sat down M Where memory evocates imperial deeds Such as betray'd Britannicus of old. Another such has waited me too long. Be strong of heart-be like thyself.-Farewell. [Exit. Eudocia. And I could say to thee Be strong of heart,' But that were needless; and 'Be like thyself' Were an injunction I would qualify. ACT II. SCENE I.-The Palace of the Cæsars. Nicephorus. Priests are even all but kings, and would be kings, But that the diadem disdains bald crowns. That snake engender'd amid Rome's green ruins, Their interdicts, and call my crown my own, no Enter Attendant. Comes not our reverend lord the Patriarch yet? Attendant. Not yet, my liege. Nicephorus. Ha! what hast got beneath thine upper vest? Here, here; 'tis steel! Attendant. The star you bade me wear. Nicephorus. Ay, true-the star-thou hast deserved it well. The Patriarch, as I think, is past his hour; The moon should rise at eight, and we should see her, Nicephorus. Ay, true, 'twas thou; thou art a trusty knave. What's doing in the streets? Attendant. Sire, here and there The people gather, and shout out the name Nicephorus. Why so let them. What, saw'st thou nought of the other faction, ha? Attendant. My liege, there's none can see them; they're so few And cowardly they dare not venture forth. Nicephorus. Well let me know the hour. : [Exit Attendant. There never was a kingdom but comprised Some thousands of bold men who hate the king, In killing of this king would quench the hate, The smouldering hate which burns these bosoms black. Now it is strange, that men hang, burn, and drown For love, religion, pride, I know not what, Cast away life for very wantonness, Yet of these thousands you shall not find one Through life till toothless age. Now I am one -And they are yet more hated than they hate; Careless withal, incautious, eating, drinking, Sporting and sleeping like a Goth or Frank After a victory. Then wherefore fear them? The Church is willing too to bear my burden; And kings should never seem to be men's foes, There being always some to take that part Whose malice, seeming to be bridled in, Is spurr'd the while, and chafes with neck high-arch❜d, Till, once let go, it gallops to its goal, And hath the scandal for its guerdon fair. Thus with this headstrong priest, in extreme age Enter Patriarch. Most reverend lord, May the host We give you hearty welcome. Patriarch. Of heaven in all good thoughts preserve the king! Nicephorus. I sent for thee through pressure of some ills That weigh but heavily on ourself and state. |