THE BEGGAR.
SCENE. — Hall of Panoplies. To the left a door. In the background a gallery with apertures, through which the sky is visible. Plain walls of basalt. General appearance rude and severe. Complete suits of armour set up against the pillars. As the curtain rises, THE BEGGAR is discovered leaning on his staff, in the front of the stage; his eyes are fixed on the ground, and he seems the prey of sorrowful thoughts.
THE BEGGAR (alone). The hour is come to strike the fateful blow! All might be saved: but we must risk it all. What matters it, if God be on my side!
O — Germany, my country, how thy sons Have fallen! In what state, I find thee now, After my weary exile. Philip dead, And Ladislas a fugitive, and they Have poisoned Henry. With an easy mind They sold Richard the Lion-Hearted just As they would sell Achilles. Fearful fall!
Complete decadence! Unity is lost.
The bonds which held the States are loosening.
In this land, once the home of bravest men, I — I — see Lorrainers, Flemish, Saxons, Franks, Moravians, and Bavarians; but of Germans, Not one! Adepts these men are in their arts. It’s for the monk to sing, the priest to preach, It’s for the page to bear his master’s lance.
For lord barons to rob, for kings to sleep.
Those who’ve not learned to rob, can only groan, And tremblingly, as in the Salic days, Kneel at a shrine and kiss its relics. Bah!
All men are either brutes or cowards, vile Or cruel. The Elector Palatine As carver, has the first voice after Treves, He sells it. Unrespected goes the truce Of lords. Bohemia’s king is Slav; he is Elector. Every man is bound to stretch To his full stature. Horrors everywhere, And violence, and force the only right!
The sock is trampled into lance of steel, While scythes forsake the harvest fields for war.
Incendiarism’s in the air. The tramp Who passes singing by the cottage door Conceals his flint and steel beneath his cloak.
The Vandals own Berlin, — most fearful sight!
The Pagans are at Dantzic. The Moguls At Breslau. All these horrors crowd themselves Persistently upon my aching brain.
Oh, shame! There is no money. All is dead, —
The country, cities, and surrounding lands!
How will the Strasburg spire be raised? By whom The banner of the towns be borne? By Jews, Who have grown rich out of our civil war.
Oh, degradation! Sorrow! This empire Leaned on great pillars once, — on Guelders, Cleves, On Holland, Luxemburg, Juliers. All gone!
We have no Poland, no more Lombardy.
Our only help against a bold attack Is Ulm and Augsbourg, — homes of bad church-men.
The work of Charlemagne and pious Othon Exists no more. Our eastern frontier’s lost.
The counts of Alsace claim Upper Lorraine, And Lower is possessed by Counts Louvain. No more Teutonic order. At Gauvain There are but eight and twenty cavaliers, One hundred men-at-arms, and Denmark threatens, While England agitates her Ghibelines And Guelfs; Lorrainers are all traitors. Brabant grows, and fire is smouldering at Turin, lie’s strong, Philip Augustus; Genoa Demands a price; the interdict hangs still. The Holy Father, seated on his throne, Uncertain, haughty, dreams away, in Rome. And not one leader — God! at such a time. The mad electors crown whoever pays; They fight each other, digging their own graves. And as a victim, bleeding, must succumb When four strong horses rend his limbs apart, So these electors let four emperors From Ratisbonne to Anvers, and Lubeck To Spire, dismember our great empire. God! O Germany — poor Germany! Alas! [His head falls on his breast; he slowly exits through the back. OTBERT, who entered an instant before, follows him with his eyes. THE BEGGAR disappears under the arches of the gallery. Suddenly OTBERT’S face brightens with joy and surprise. REGINA appears on the side opposite where THE BEGGAR went out; she is radiant with happiness and health.
OTBERT, REGINA.
OTBERT.
Regina! Is it possible? ‘T is you!
REGINA.
Yes, dear Otbert! I speak, I breathe, I live! My feet have life in them. My lips have smiles. I’m free from suffering, full of vigour new; I live, I’m happy, I belong to you.
OTBERT (gazing at her).
Oh, joy!
REGINA.
I slept last night in such great calm. If aught stirred in my brain, ‘t was thought of you! What a sweet sleep! without a single pain. And when the morning sun awoke me, love, It was a birth into another world. The sparrows’ cheerful song fell on my ear; The flowers unclosed their leaves so ardently I felt them breathe. My soul had sympathy For everything with voice, for everything With life, and tears fell from my happy eyes. I cried to the sweet birds, to the sweet flowers “ ‘T is I, O dear companions, it is I!” Otbert, I love you!
[Throws herself into his arms; she draws the phial from her breast.
Your elixir ‘s life. You’ve cured me, won me from Death’s arms, Otbert; Now save me from Hatto’s!
OTBERT.
I will, my love! My beauty, my Regina! Oh, my joy ‘ I will not leave my work undone. But do Not praise me. I am nothing; neither good Nor virtuous nor strong. I’ve naught but love. You live, and life begins also for me! You live: my soul is born again like yours. Look in my eyes. God! you are beautiful. Is ‘t true you do not suffer any more?
REGINA.
The pain is truly gone, forever gone!
OTBERT.
My God, I thank you!
REGINA.
I thank you, Otbert! [They remain clasped in each, other’s arms for an instant;
then REGINA draws herself away. Our good Count Job expects me. Oh, my king, I only came to say I loved you. Now, I’ll go. Good-bye!
OTBERT. Come back.
REGINA.
Yes, by-and-by, But I must hurry now; he waits for me. — (Exits.
OTBERT (falling on his knees, and lifting his hands to heaven).
I thank thee, God in heaven. She is saved!
[GUANHUMARA appears up stage.
OTBERT, GUANHUMARA.
GUANHUMARA (placing her hand on OTBERT’S shoulder). Well.
OTBERT (with horror). Guanhumara!
GUANHUMARA. Are you satisfied? You see, I kept my promise.
OTBERT.
I’ll keep mine.
GUANHUMARA.
Without relenting?
OTBERT.
Without weakness. Then — [Aside.’] I’ll kill myself.
GUANHUMARA.
You will be waited for To-night at twelve.
OTBERT. Where?
GUANHUMARA.
By the tower which floats The black flag.
OTBERT.
‘T is a ghastly place. No one Dares go there. It is said the rock is marked —
GUANHUMARA. With blood. It creeps from out a window which O’erhangs the torrent.
OTBERT (with horror).
Blood? It’s blood, you say? Blood burns and stains forever!
GUANHUMARA.
No, it cleans;
It quenches thirst!
Alone and masked.
OTBERT. What orders to your slave? Whom shall I find there?
GUANHUMARA.
You will find a man.
OTBERT. What then?
GUANHUMARA.
You’ll follow him.
OTBERT.
‘T is well!
[GUANHUMARA violently seizes the dagger which OTBERT wears at his belt; she draws it out and fixes a terrible look on its blade, then lifts her eyes to heaven.
GUANHUMARA. O mighty skies! Mysterious depths! Great fecund ocean of eternal blue! Night, calm, majestic, sad, serene! You, whom I clung to through my long exile, You, link of my old chain, my faithful friend, Bear witness now! And you, walls, castle, oaks, Which lend your shade to hide vindictive steps, Listen to me! To this avenging knife I dedicate the life of Fosco, lord Of forests, rocks, and fields; as dark as you, O night! as old as you, great oaks!
OTBERT.
Who is This Fosco?
GUANHUMARA. By your hand he dies to-night.
[Giving back dagger.
Farewell, till midnight!
[She goes out through the gallery at the back, and does not see JOB and REGINA, who come in from the opposite side.
OTBERT (alone).
Pity me, my God!
OTBERT, REGINA, JOB.
REGINA (enters running, then goes back to COUNT JOB, who is following slowly). Yes, I can run! My lord, look! see! I can — [Approaches OTBERT who seems to be yet listening to the last words of GUANHUMARA; he has not seen them come in. Otbert, we ‘re here!
OTBERT (starting from his reverie).
My lord and countess! Yes!
JOB.
This morning, heavier than usual, grief Oppressed me. What the beggar said last night Flashed every moment through my weary brain. [To REGINA.] I thought of you almost in Death’s cold arms, Of your sweet mother, whose pale shadow haunts This place —
[To OTBERT.] When suddenly into my room, Fresh, rosy, sparkling eyes and radiant brow, She bursts, this girl — my child. A miracle! I laugh, I weep. I tremble for great joy. “ Come thank Sir Otbert,” she exclaims; and I — I answer, “ Let us run to thank him. Come!” We crossed the whole deserted castle —
REGINA (gaily).
And —
We’ve run to you —
JOB (to OTBERT). What mystery is this? Regina’s health restored? Quick, tell me all! Whence did you get the power to save her? Speak!
OTBERT.
It was a philtre sold me by a slave.
JOB.
From this day forth that slave is free. I give Him fields and vines, one hundred livres in gold;
I pardon all our men condemned to death;
I grant the franchise to a thousand peasants Whom our Regina shall select. [He takes their hands.
My heart Will burst with joy — [Looking at them tenderly.
‘T is happiness enough For me to look at you!
[He takes a few steps forward and seems lost in a sombre reverie.
‘T is true, I am accursed! I’m old, alone, and sad. I hide myself Down in the dungeon of my sires, and there Dejected, dumb, and lost, I sit and watch The shadows hemming in my loneliness. Life is so dark! I turn my glance afar O’er Germany and find nothing but hate, But tyrants, butchers, steeped in wine or blood. Poor country! whom a thousand arms push down The precipice, where it must lodge at last, Unless God lets some giant soul go by Who will have pity and will hold it back. My country tortures me! As to my race, My children, and my home, all’s evil, hate, And wrong. Hatto against Magnus, and Gorlois Against Hatto. The whelp defiant snarls And gnashes at the wolf. My race makes me Afraid. It makes me look into myself, Into my life! I blench before it, God! Such a revolting mask wears every act Which memory calls up from out my soul. Yes, dark — all dark! My country’s rent by demons; I have begotten monsters, and black spectres Haunt my dark soul. When my gaunt eye grows sick Of gazing on this waste, this triple night, And vainly seeking God and God’s daylight, Dares to escape the desert, where I dream, I need to see you, holy rays of sun, You saints, who hover merciful near hell, You children, shining with the grace of life, You brave young man, you pure and radiant girl, Who, when you turn your virgin eyes on me, Are like two angels bringing peace to Satan.
OTBERT (aside).
Sorrow!
REGINA. Alas! my lord.
JOB.
Come! let me clasp You both close to my heart.
[To OTBERT, looking at him tenderly. Your glance is true: One knows you would be faithful to an oath, — As faithful as the eagle to the sun, As is the steel unto the magnet. Yes, All that he promises, this boy will do. [To REGINA.] Is it not so?
REGINA.
I owe my life to him.
JOB.
Before my fall, I was like him, — as pure, As chaste, as true as is a virgin or An unfleshed sword! — [Goes to window.
Soft air, a smiling sun, Give new assurance to the sinking heart.
[Coming back to REGINA and indicating OTBERT. Look you, Regina, yon brave figure there Reminds me of a boy, my last born son. It seemed like pardon, when he came to me. ‘T is twenty years! A child to my old age, How great a gift! I stood beside his cradle Ceaselessly, e’en while he slept. I talked So gaily! We ‘re most foolish when we ‘re old. And nights, I held his blond head on my knee. You cannot know, for then you were not born. He prattled back those words which make us laugh. Not one year yet! Oh, he was very bright; He knew me always, — I can’t tell it all. He laughed; and I, old dotard that I was, With that sweet laughter drank in life’s sunshine. I thought to rear him great, a conqueror. I called him George. One day, — sad memory! — While he was playing in the fields — oh, when You are a mother never let your boy Play far from you — they took him from me! Jews! A woman! Why? To slaughter him, they said, Upon their Sabbath day. ‘T is twenty years, And yet I weep to-day, the same as then. I loved him so! He was my little king. I was quite mad with joy — quite drunk with joy. When his sweet hands played with my old grey beard, I felt as any soul must feel when heaven Is opening and celestial joys float down Upon it! That is all! It breaks my heart! [To OTBERT.] He would have been your age. He would have had Your noble brow! He would be innocent, Like you. I love you! Come, come to my arms! [GUANHUMARA has come in before this, and, has observed this scene from the back, without being seen. JOB presses OTBERT in a close embrace and weeps. Sometimes, in seeing you, I’ve said, “ ‘T is he!” By a strange fascinating miracle, Your eyes, your air, your voice, your ways, In bringing back this lost son to my soul, Make me remember and forget him too. Oh, be my son!
OTBERT. My lord!
JOB.
Yes, son. Hear me! You splendid boy, in love with truth and right, Child of nobody, orphan, without home, But with a great heart, filled with noble dreams, When I say, “ Young man, be my son,” to you, Do you know what I mean? All that I mean? [To OTBERT and REGINA.] I know. My children, listen. It is hard To pass long days with an old man whose face Is turned forever to the tomb; to live From dreary morn to evening in a cell When womanhood is beautiful and manhood Is supreme. Oh, it would be inhuman, Odious, and vile, if in that gloomy cell, In spite of the old man, whose eyes are dull One could not give a look or catch a smile! What I do mean is this: the old man sees, He knows what love is, and he bids you wed.
REGINA (beside herself with joy). Kind Heaven!
JOB (to REGINA). I’ll complete your cure, my child!
OTBERT.
You say —
JOB (to REGINA). Your mother left you to my care. She was my niece. Alas! she is no more. I watched her die. And seven of my sons, I watched them die. They were my bravest sons.
Then George — they robbed me of my pretty boy! And my last wife, she died! I lost them all. That is the penalty of living long. We see death follow death, with certain law, Just as month follows month, while every year Brings new funereal garments to the home! But you, at least, Regina, shall be happy; You shall marry each other. It is right. Hatto would crush you, flower that you are! When your good mother died, I said to her, “ Your daughter is my daughter. Have no fear. If need be, I will shed my blood for her!”
REGINA.
A good, kind father you have been to me.
JOB.
I promised it.
[To OTBERT). YOU, son, grow tall and rugged; Be a warrior. You’ve no possessions, But I will give for dowry to your bride My fief of Rammerberg, dependency Of Heppenheff. Go, seek your destiny As Nimrod did, and Caesar, and Pompey. I had two mothers, — one, a woman; one, A sword. I was the bastard of a count, And son legitimate of my own deeds. Do you, as I did. [Aside] All except the crimes. [Aloud.] Above all things, be honest and be brave I’ve thought about this marriage a long time. The free knight Job can well ally himself With Otbert, the free archer. I suppose You’ve said, “ I’ll have to live a wretched life, Condemned to be a page to the old count, A dog to the old lion, chained to him As long as he shall live.” Ah, no, my son!
I love you for your happiness, not mine.
Old men are not as selfish as you think.
Let us arrange it all. I fear Hatto.
We’ll have no words about it here. ‘T were death.
[Lowering his voice.
My tower has a passage to the moats. I keep the keys. Otbert, to-night, with guards You shall depart. The rest concerns yourselves.
OTBERT.
But —
JOB (smiling).
You refuse?
OTBERT.
To enter Paradise?
Oh, no!
JOB.
Then do not say another word. But do as I have bid you. When the sun Has set, you must depart in haste. I’m here To keep Hatto from going in pursuit. The marriage can take place at Caub — [GUANHUMARA, who has heard everything, goes out. JOB takes the arm of each within his own and looks at them tenderly.
And now, My lovers, tell me I have made you happy, Ere you leave me.
REGINA. My dear father, yes!
JOB.
I want a last word full of love from you. Think what my life will be, when you are gone!
When my dark past, grown heavier every hour, Surrounds me once again!
[To REGINA.] Alas! my child, Though we can silence memory sometimes, Its voice is never rendered dumb.
[To OTBERT.] I feel All will be well. I’ll let Gunther, my chaplain, Go with you. Some day you’ll come back to me. Restrain your tears for I need all my strength. You ‘re happy! You are lovers! You are young! What does it matter if an old man weeps? Take what life gives at twenty years. Good-bye! God surely will not let me suffer long. Wait for me here. Otbert, you know the door. I go to get the keys. I’ll bring them here.
[He goes out through door on the left.
OTBERT, REGINA.
OTBERT (watching him with bewilderment, as he goes out).
Heaven, kind Heaven, I do not understand!
Fly with Regina from this fearful place?
Oh, if I’m dreaming, lady, pity me, And do not wake me! Is it truly you?
You, angel, you belong to me? To-night?
Oh, let us fly at once ‘ God! if you knew.
There Eden radiant, and behind me, hell.
To fly to happiness! To fly from crime!
REGINA.
My love, what say you?
OTBERT.
Nothing. I will fly. My oath! Regina, love, I swore an oath! It does not matter. I’ll escape. I’ll fly! God, who is just, will judge me. He was kind. That old man is a saint. I love him! Yes, We’ll fly! Come quickly; everything will help, I feel it! Nothing would have heart to bar The way to our sweet happiness!
[During the last moments, GUANHUMARA has come back through the gallery. She has brought HATTO, and with her finger points to OTBERT and REGINA who are locked in each other’s arms. HATTO makes a sign, and behind him enter a crowd of Princes, Burgraves, and Soldiers. THE MARQUIS points to the two lovers, who, absorbed in each other, hear nothing and see nothing. When, with a start, OTBERT turns to go, drawing REGINA with him, HATTO bars the way. GUANHUMARA has disappeared.
OTBERT, REGINA, HATTO, MAGNUS, GORLOIS, the Bur- graves, Princes, GIANNILARO, Soldiers, afterwards THE BEGGAR, afterwards JOB.
HATTO (to OTBERT).
Why not? REGINA.
Heavens! Hatto!
HATTO (to the Archers).
Seize that woman and that man!
OTBERT (drawing his sword and with a gesture stopping the Soldiers). My lord, you are a wretch! A traitor! Vile And base! I’d like to see if terror too Lies at the bottom of your recreant heart, Choked as it is with every hideous vice. Between ourselves, my marquis, I suspect You ‘re nothing but a coward; and these lords, Who doubtless are more brave than you, will see When I have struck the mask of valour off, A sickly hue of fear creep o’er your face. By her own sovereign choice, I speak for her, — Regina, noble, Countess of the Rhine. Prince, she refuses you and marries me. I challenge you to meet me on the sward Near to the Wisper, not three miles from here, With any weapon, single combat, now, Without delay, mercy, or quarter, face Uncovered, on the borders of the stream. Into the stream the vanquished will be thrown. We kill or die!
[REGINA faints; her women carry her off. OTBERT bars the way to the Archers who try to approach.
Beware! Let no one stir! I speak to all these lords. Pray, listen well. You princes, who unto this mount have come, Duke Gerhard, Sir Uther the pendragon of Brittany, Darius the Burgrave, And Burgrave Cadwalla, before you all I strike this baron in the face and claim, In order to chastise him for his crimes, The right of the free archers ‘gainst free counts. [He strikes his glove across HATTO’S face. THE BEGGAR enters, unnoticed among the crowd.
HATTO.
I’ve let you talk!
[Low to ZOAGLIO GIANNILARO, who stands near him in the crowd of Princes.
My sword is trembling yet, Giannilaro, in its sheath.
[To OTBERT.] NOW, sir, For you! Who may you be, my daring friend? Speak! Are you son to king or sovereign, duke Or margrave, that you dare defy me thus? Come! Let us hear your name, — if you know it! You call yourself Otbert, Archer —
[To Lords] He lies! [To OTBERT.] YOU lie! Your name is not Otbert. I know From whence you come, whose family you are, What you are worth! Your name, my master, is Yorghi,— ‘t is Yorghi Spadaceli, and you Are not so much as noble. Come, I know! Your sire was Corsican, your mother Slav. You ‘re but a cheat! A slave, son of a slave! Away!
[To nobles.’] My lords, we’ve many princes here.
If they will stand by him, I’ll fight them all.
Firm foot, at any place, at any time, Two daggers to the hand and naked breast.
[To OTBERT.] But you, presumptuous brigand, Corsican, Escaped from apes, throw your gloves to the valets!
OTBERT.
You wretch!
THE BEGGAR (talcing one step toward HATTO). Marquis, I’m ninety-two years old, But I’ll stand up against you! Ho! A sword!
[He throws away his staff and takes a sword from one of the panoplies suspended on the wall.
HATTO (bursting into a laugh). A fool was lacking to this feast, my lords! Behold him! From whence comes the churl? We’ve jumped from gipsy to a beggar! Well! What is your name?
THE BEGGAR. ‘T is Frederic of Suabia, German Emperor!
MAGNUS. ‘T is Barbarossa! [Surprise and stupefaction. Everybody moves and forms a sort of circle around THE BEGGAR, who disengages a cross which is suspended around his neck and holds it up, in his right hand; his left rests on the sword, whose point sticks into the ground.
THE BEGGAR. Behold the cross of Charlemagne!
[All eyes are fixed upon the cross; moment of silence. He continues.
Yes, I!
Lord of the mountain whereon I was born, King of the Romans and crowned emperor, Sword-bearer to almighty God, and King Of Burgundy and Aries. The holy tomb Where great Charles slept, unworthy, I profaned. I’ve made atonement for it. Twenty years On bended knees I’ve wept, despaired, and prayed, Within a desert, living on the herbs Of nature and the dews from heaven. I was A phantom horrible to all who saw.
The whole world thought me lost among the dead, But in those depths I heard my country call. I left behind my chosen solitudes. For high should every patriot stand to-day. Who here can recognize me?
MAGNUS (approaching).
Show your arm, You Roman Caesar!
THE BEGGAR. Yes, the trefoil’s there Which one of you burnt on it.
[Holds out his arm to MAGNUS. Look!
[MAGNUS bends over and examines THE BEGGAR’S arm carefully, then straightens himself up.
MAGNUS (to spectators).
It is!
Since I have recognized him, I will speak. ‘T is Emperor Frederic Barbarossa!
ALL.
Ah!
[Surprise is at its height; the circle grows larger. THE EMPEROR, leaning on the great sword, turns towards the guests and fixes a terrible glance on them.
THE EMPEROR. You’ve heard my steps before within these vales, When golden spurs clanked on my heels. Look well, And recognize the master, O burgraves, Who subjugated Europe, gave new birth To Othon’s Germany and made her queen; Whom three sovereigns in Mersebourg, two popes In Rome, made supreme judge, because he was An honest noble and good emperor;
I who gave a crown to Suénon, the tiara Unto Victor, and with the sceptre touched Their brows; who overthrew the Hermann’s throne;
Who subjugated in Icóne and Thrace, The cailiff Arslau, Isaac emperor;
Who, Genoa, Pisa, Milan keeping down, Suppressing wars and cries and treacheries and rage, Held all the hundred towns of Italy In his large hand. He is the one who speaks, Who rises up before you now!
[Takes a step forward; all fall back. I’ve known How to track wolves. I’ve known how to judge kings.
I’ve had the chiefs of seven Lombardian cities Hung. I have broken through ten thousand halberds With which Albert the Bear defied my will!
My footsteps are in every road. My hands Dismembered Henry’s kingdom, took away His duchies, provinces, and with the wreck Made fourteen princes. Yes, for forty years, With iron fingers I’ve been pulling down Your Rhenish towers, stone by stone. Bandits, Yon recognize me! Now I come to say That I feel pity for my country’s state, That I intend to blot you from the earth And blow your shameful ashes to the winds.
[Turns to the Archers. Your soldiers understand me. They are mine. I count on them. They shared my glory ere They shared your shame. ‘T was under me They served before our land was blighted, and They’ve not forgotten their old emperor. Am I not right, my veterans, comrades, friends?
[To the Burgraves.] Ah, wretches, recreants, ravagers of homes!
My death gave life to you. Well, touch and hear And see, ‘t is I!
[Taking long strides among them; all fall back. No doubt you think yourselves Brave cavaliers! You ‘re saying, under breath, “ We ‘re sons of barons and great noblemen; We continue the race!” Continue it? Your fathers, great in mind as well as size, Fought in great wars. They made great marches, leaped O’er bridges, which the enemy broke down; Dared pike-men, squadrons; music at their head, And clarions blowing, faced a world entire, And held their own. However high the castle, Mountain, they could take the strongest tower With a mere wooden ladder, bending ‘neath Their weight and braced against defended walls, Whence sulphur rained down. Yes, on a cord, These warriors, more like fiends than men, have rocked In the abysses, while the night winds lashed Their bodies ‘gainst the jagged rocks. If any Blamed these night assaults, the captains bold Threw their defiance at the Emperor And waited, one ‘gainst twenty, in the shade For day to come and bring their sovereign.
‘T was thus they gained their castles, cities, lands.
So well they fought, that after twenty years When eyes looked ‘round to see how things had changed, Behold! small men were dukes, great men were kings.
But you, like jackals and like vultures, hid Behind the copse, behind the osier-trees, Vile, silent, crouching, dagger in your hand, Dreading the bite of every vagrant dog;
You lie in wait, sunk in some loathsome marsh, Close to those roads considered dangerous For sound of footstep or for bell of mule. You go a hundred strong to rob one man; Then, with your booty, fly back to your rock. Do you dare call yourselves your fathers’ sons, — Your fathers, strong among the strong, and great Among the greatest? They were conquerors, While you are only robbers’
[The Burgraves bow their heads with humiliation, indignation, and terror. He continues.
Had you hearts, Could you be made to feel, I’d say to you, “ You are too infamous.” What moment, cowards, Do you choose to follow this great business? Speak! Good God! You choose the hour when Germany Expires! What ignominy! Wicked sons, You rob your mother as she gasps for life. She weeps, and lifting high her stiffening arms, Cries with the breath that rattles in her throat, “ Be cursed!” What she inaudibly has said, I say aloud. I am your emperor. I am no more your guest. I claim my rights, — Now, on the instant! Having scourged myself, I’ve come to wreak God’s vengeance on you all. [He perceives the two Margraves, PLATON and GILISSA, and walks up to them. Lord of Moravia, Marquis of Lusatia, What do you on the borders of the Rhine? Is this your place? While with these bandits, here, You clash your glasses, in the East one hears The champ of war-steeds. Oriental hordes Stand at Vienna’s gates. To the frontier, My lords! Move on! Remember bearded Henry, Ernest the Breast-plated! To the front! Away! We guard the battlements. You guard the moat.
[Perceiving ZOAGLIO GIANNILARO. Giannilaro, I’m not pleased to see You here. What do you want? Come, Genoese, Go back to Genoa! [To the Pendragon of Brittany.
And what wants he, Sir Uther? Bretons too? We seem to have All earth’s adventurers here.
[To the two Margraves, PLATON and GILISSA.
Margraves, you pay One hundred thousand marks of fine.
[To COUNT LUPUS.] YOU ‘re young, But wickeder than young. You ‘re nothing now. Your city I make free!
[To DUKE GERHARD.] She lost her county, Countess Isabel. You were the thief. You go to Bale; the imperial chamber we Will convene there and publicly, my prince. You’ll walk a mile, and in your arms carry A Jew!
[To the Soldiers.] Now liberate your prisoners, And link the cruel chains they’ve worn so long Around their master’s neck.
[To the Burgraves.] ‘T is a surprise? You had not counted on this resurrection? No! You spent your hours in feasts and wine and dance, You sang your songs, you shouted loud for joy, You gaily dug your nails into the flesh Of your poor victims! Yes, this nation which I love, you tore its limbs asunder, and Between your greedy selves, you parcelled out The palpitating spoils. But suddenly, To this lair of monstrosity, he comes, — The great avenger, furious and strong!
He scales the walls called inaccessible, And like an eagle, swoops upon his prey. [.All are dumb with consternation and terror. JOB has entered the hall during the speech, and has silently joined the crowd of nobles. MAGNUS alone has listened to THE EMPEROR without fear, and has looked fixedly at him the whole time. When BARBAROSSA has finished, MAGNUS looks at him once more from head to foot, then his countenance changes to a wild expression of joy and of fury.
MAGNUS (his eye fixed on THE EMPEROR). Yes, it is he indeed — alive!
[ With a violent gesture he pushes aside Soldiers and Princes, goes up stage, with a single bound ascends the six steps of the staircase, with his two fists seizes hold of the battlements of the gallery, and cries to those outside with a voice of thunder.
What ho!
Treble your sentinels! Lift up the bridge!
Go, archers, to the turrets; slingers to The wings! Down the portcullis! Man the walls!
A thousand in the battlements, a thousand In the gorge. The rest go to the woods!
Cut granite and cut trees, — the biggest blocks, The tallest trees; and on this mound which keeps A world in awe, we’ll build a gallows worthy Of this great emperor! — [He comes down.
He gave himself!
He is our prisoner!
[Folding his arms and looking at THE EMPEROR face to face.
I must admire You, sire. Where are your people? Harbingers?
Shall we soon hear your trumpets blow? Will you Upon this stronghold which you mean to raze Strew salt as at Lubeck, or hemp, as once You did at Pisa? What? We hear no sound!
Have you come all alone? No army, Caesar?
No troops? I know that is your usual way’
I know’t was in this fashion, all alone, Your sword in hand, your name upon your lips, You burst the gates and captured Tarsus and Coré. One step sufficed. It needed but One cry to force Utrecht and Genoa, and Rome degenerate; Iconium bent Before you, Lombardy grew pale as soon As Milan shivered at your breath of steel.
All that we know! But know you who we are?
[Pointing to Soldiers. Just now I heard you speaking to these men. You called them veterans, comrades! Good! But see. Not one of them has stirred an inch. Because You ‘re nothing here. My father is the man, — The man they fear, the man they love! To Job These men belong more than they do to God! Unto the bandit lord there’s nothing sacred But his guest, and you are our guest no more! You said it but a moment since, yourself.
[.Indicating JOB. That is my father, — look, that old man there! T was he who branded you upon the arm. That mark is better proof of your estate Than all the sacred oil rubbed off your brow. The hatred of you twain outweighs your years. You put a price upon his head; he did The same by yours. And now he holds it. You Are here alone, unharmed, and in our power.
Fritz-Hohenstaufen, gaze upon us well.
Sooner than enter here, in this dumb crowd Of princes, fierce, revengeful, mad with hate, Darius, Gorlois, Hatto, Magnus, Job, —
Mighty Count Job, the burgrave of Taunus, Sooner than enter here, you King of Aries, Who scarcely know with whom you speak, you madman Whose rash folly is a sure guarantee That you are Barbarossa, — mark me now, It would have been far better had you gone By darkest night into some fearful den Of Africa, and suddenly amid The gloom found you were hemmed in by wild beasts, By tigers, lionesses, on the spring, With lust of murder in their gleaming eyes. [ While MAGNUS has been talking, the circle of Burgraves has drawn itself closer around THE EMPEROR. Behind the Burgraves a treble line of Soldiers, armed to the teeth, have ranged themselves in silence; above them rises the great standard of the burg, red and white equally divided, with a silver axe embroidered on a field of gules; this motto is under the axe, “Monticomam, viro caput.” THE EMPEROR, without yielding a step, overawes this crowd. Suddenly, when MAGNUS has concluded, one of the Burgraves draws his sword.
CADWALLA (drawing his sword). Yes, Caesar, give us back our citadels.
DARIUS (drawing his sword) Our burgs, which are no more than nests for birds.
HATTO (drawing his sword). The friends you killed, who come to haunt our turrets When the fierce night winds moan and blow!
MAGNUS (seizing his axe).
Yes, yes!
You come out from the tomb? Well, then, go back. I’ll send you there, that, on the instant when A thousand voices rapturously cry, “ He lives!” dull echo will retort, “ He’s dead!” Oh, tremble, fool, who thought to menace us! [The Burgraves with swords drawn and violent cries press around BAKBAROSSA. JOB comes out of the crowd and raises his hand; all are silent.
JOB (to THE EMPEROR). My son Magnus has told you, sire, the truth. You are my enemy. I was the man, The furious soldier, who gave you the wound. I hate you, but I want a Germany Within the world! My country’s breaking, sire. She’s tottering o’er her grave. You can save her. Where they defied you, on my knees I fall, Prostrate before my emperor, whom my God Brings back.
[He kneels before BARBAROSSA, then half turns to the Princes and Burgraves.
Kneel, all of you! Cast down your swords! [All throw down their swords and kneel, except MAGNUS.
JOB, still kneeling, speaks to THE EMPEROR. This hapless nation needs you, — only you! Help us! Without you, the whole country’s lost. There are in Germany two Germans left: You ‘re one, and I am one. That is enough! Reign, sire. — [Designating the others.
I let them talk, poor foolish men! Excuse them; they are young!
[To MAGNUS, who is still standing. Magnus, obey!
[MAGNUS, a prey to some gloomy irresolution, appears to hesitate; his father makes a gesture; he falls on his knees. JOB continues. It is a truth that serfs and barons, naked feet And visored brows, that labourers and hunters Must always live on hate. Eternally The mountain-tops have fought the fields. You know It, sire. Now, without anger, I admit The barons acted ill, — the mountain-tops Were wrong. — [Rising up: to the Soldiers.
Go, set the captives free, at once! [The Soldiers obey in silence, and detach the chains of the prisoners, who during this scene have stood in groups in the gallery at the back of the stage. JOB continues. Now, burgraves, you, take as great Caesar bids Their chains and clogs!
[The Burgraves rise up in indignation. JOB looks at them with authority.
Begin with me! [ With a gesture he orders a Soldier to put one of the iron collars on his neck. The Soldier drops his eyes and turns away his head. JOB repeats the sign, the Soldier obeys. The other Burgraves allow themselves to be chained without resistance. JOB, with his chain attached to his neck, turns to THE EMPEROR.
Behold!
We are as you would have us. Emperor, In his own palace Job becomes a slave And brings his head to you. But if the brow Which years of fearful struggle have not bent, Deserves your pity, listen, O my king! When you, our master, go to the frontier, Let us, — grant us this one, this final prayer, — Let us go with you, prisoners, soldiers too. We’ll keep our chains, but put us face to face With your worst enemies, the most inhuman, The most depraved; and be they Vandals, Maygars, Be they Hungarians wild, be they more thick Than is the hail of springtime or the snows Of winter: be they more in numbers than The grains of wheat in a rich harvest time, You’ll see us, scourged and humbled as we are, With eyes cast down, rebellious ‘gainst our shame, Sweep, — in God’s sight I swear it! — sweep these hordes Like dust before your eyes. Chained, terrible, And dauntless, soaked from head to foot in blood, We who are convicts here, there will be gods!
CAPTAIN OF ARCHERS OF THE BURG (advancing toward JOB, and lowing, awaits his orders).
My lord!
[JOB shakes his head and signs to him to address THE EMPEROR, who stands motionless and silent. THE CAPTAIN turns to THE EMPEROR and salutes him with great respect.
Sire!
THE EMPEROR (indicating the Burgraves). Take them off to prison! [The Soldiers lead the Burgraves off, all except JOB, who, upon a sign from THE EMPEROR remains. All go out. When they are alone, FREDERIC approaches JOB and unfastens his chain. JOB, stupefied, lets him do it. A moment of silence.
THE EMPEROR (looking into JOB’S face).
Fosco!
JOB (shuddering with horror).
Great heaven!
THE EMPEROR (putting his finger on his lips). Hush! Speak not a word.
JOB (aside).
My God
THE EMPEROR. Watch for me there, where you go every night.