University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

SCENE I.

—Apartment in a Palace near Rome.
Enter Godfrey.
Godf.
Are these the men who babble of the spheres,
And while they point to the vast frame of heaven,
Make it the looking-glass of their self-love,
Which virtue stamps to atoms?—which a child,
In the simplicity of strength can search
With the first pebble of its upward thought,
As David brained the giant?—these the men,
Who for our common frailty intercede,
Being themselves all purity and truth!
Oh, counterfeit of goodness! get ye hence,
Lest we the cloven footmarks of your way
Identify, and turn our prayers to whips.
Hildebrand—Gregory—most potent cheat!
Here will I frame my net of iron meshes;
And though it cost me years to compass thee—
[Clarion sounds outside.
Who comes?

Enter an Attendant.
Att.
Count Eberardus, please you, my lord.

Godf.
From Germany direct?

Att.
My lord, I think so.

Godf.
Say, I wait his pleasure.
[Exit Attendant.
What can portend
This journey and this visit?—not my wife?
Doth, then, the Emperor tire of wanton wars,
And turns he now again his salient bow,
Hot-headed arrows of loose hopes to wing
'Gainst one already in benighted ways,
Lost to all love and truth!

Enter Eberardus.
Ebe.
How fares Duke Godfrey?

Godf.
Sir, well enough, I thank you.

Ebe.
Well enough!

Godf.
Will you advise me of your business, sir?
For, to be plain, I do not like your master;
And it may be that I shall like your errand
As little.

Ebe.
This is strange, sir! How should the Emperor
Give pain to you in sending me to hold
A serious conference with you—or your lady—
If it be that you hint at?

Godf.
That I hint at!
Oh, how much more! for 'tis impossible
A sober thought should measure his wild will.
Why should this touch me, do you ask, my lord?
And wonder as you ask;—lifting your eyebrows;
Putting one palm forth with a reasoning air
Of mild appeal, your attitude presenting
The most surprised and moderate man in the world?
Sir, it does touch me—nearly. You are a courtier,
And love your master, as all courtiers have done
Since osier crowns were woven in old woods:
But, whatsoe'er your loyalty or skill,
Your mission here I shall turn inside out,
Baring his purpose to contempt, which thus,
With all due ceremony, you shall take back.

Ebe.
My lord, I've borne your temper patiently,
But you rush through all bounds; and much I fear
Your high nobility you set at stake,
In losing courtliness. What mission, think you,—
What purpose brings me hither?

Godf.
Purest virtue.
Know you the Emperor hath seen Matilda?
Hath spoken with her, also? You forget it?
Perhaps, you never knew it? Hast not heard
That the damned Gregory hath ratified
Matilda's separation?

Ebe.
You are too hasty, sir;
Blind jealousy misleads you. I am sped
Towards Rome; and pause to tell you that I bear
Dispatches from the Emperor touching Gregory.

Godf.
Gregory?

Ebe.
Ay, Hildebrand: call him as ye may.

Godf.
Gregory! To what purport? to invest him
With further territories; to assist
With armies and with money; to exhort
All Italy to worship?—

Ebe.
To depose him!

Godf.
Him! Gregory! Depose Gregory, do you say?

Ebe.
I do.

Godf.
Imperial Henry hath a noble spirit.—
Why, this is news!—And, courteous lord, forgive
My ill reception of you; well you know
That I have cause for much disquietude.—
But how is this, and when shall it be done?

Ebe.
Forthwith.

Godf.
How? When?

Ebe.
My lord, the occasion
Is fixed, albeit the Emperor doth command
My secrecy therein.

Godf.
Well, sir; 'tis well.
I will accompany you, and lend all aid
Within my scope to render his disgrace
A terror and a warning.

Ebe.
Sir, I thank you:
And 't was the Emperor's wish you should be there.

Godf.
My wish, no less. Now, Gregory! thy power
Rocks to its base, and it shall strew the plain
In fragments ghastly as a murderer's dreams.
O, sir! you chase the shadows from my soul—
You light my path with fire! Let us away!

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

—Palace of the Countess Matilda, in Rome.
Enter Matilda, with a letter.
Mat.
The Emperor's mother favouring Gregory,
Is a brave sound to go forth to the world.
The Dowager Empress, then, hath deeply felt
My late appeal.
(Reads).
“I shall attend your summons instantly;
And doubt not I may reach you ere my letter.”
What if she change her mind?—it 's possible.
I shall not change—rather increase my efforts.
Devotion, doubled now, claims acts with thoughts,
For I am all involved. What hurrying step—
Enter the Empress Agnes.
The Dowager Empress! Madam, my arms rejoice
To hold you thus! but wherefore this disguise?

Agn.
In haste I left the imperial court, much fearing
Detention through delay: e'en while I speak,
Count Eberardus may have entered Rome,
To publish the decree.

Mat.
He dare not do it.

Agn.
Oh, I had hoped young Henry had not dared.
Bethink you, madam, how't must wring my heart,
To find myself the opponent of my son!

Mat.
I have thought of it; and do honour you,
Imperial lady, for your constancy
Unto the Vatican. The struggle 's hard;
But therein do you shew yourself more strong,
Pure, and devout: and, truly, is it not
Most wise maternity to check a son
Who rushes towards a pitfall?—pray you speak!

Agn.
It is my best belief, my strong support.

Mat.
'T was rumoured here that, flushed with wine, he claimed
To nominate the hierarchy of Rome!
The which when Gregory heard, he straightway wrote,
And bade the Emperor think no more of it.
Now comes this Eberardus to reply,
The Emperor doth depose his Holiness,
Wishing a more obsequious church!

Agn.
Oh, madam!
This is, indeed, too true; and I do feel
That, by a hand of power—

Mat.
Should be withdrawn
His sceptre—for a time?

Agn.
Should this be done? O, God!

Mat.
It should—it must!
Call you to mind his inexperience—
His dangerous passions; and at once resolve
To save him by a well-timed, strong reproof!

Agn.
I am resolved.

Mat.
The Saints speak in you, madam!
Submission must be taught him—how to stoop,
And bow to the triple-crown of the Vatican.

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

—Corridor in the Tower of Centius in Rome. Folding doors at the back. Knocking outside.
Enter Centius, closing the doors behind him.
Cen.
Open the gates whoe'er the man may be.
Nay—stop! Since that I have a place of strength,
It were as well to choose my visitors.

Enter an Attendant.
Att.
This ring, my lord.

Cen.
Admit the applicant.
[Exit Attendant.
'T is Godfrey!—sure this bodes us something good:
A strong ally.
Enter Godfrey.
My lord, you 're welcome here.

Godf.
Thanks, noble Centius: come I not in time?

Cen.
You find the city in some trouble, sir.
(Aside).
In time!—

[Looking towards the folding doors.
Godf.
With greater troubles pending.

Cen.
Do you think so?

Godf.
I do, and think they may be forthright ended
By one sure blow.

Cen.
Ah! I would gladly see it!

Godf.
And aid it, wouldst not?

Cen.
With my soul I would.

Godf.
And I with my sword!—Curses on Gregory!

Cen.
I say so too.

Godf.
And on the Emperor.

Cen.
Of that hereafter; but the matter in hand
Is Gregory's deposition. I perceive
You know of this.

Godf.
And therefore came I here.

Cen.
We 'll set our shoulders to his downward wheel!
His fall is compassed—and, to make it sure,
I have some friends here, you shall look upon.

[Centius opens the folding doors.
Enter Guido, Fabio, and Tancredi.
Godf.
I do rejoice to meet such friends, and feel
The strength of a united purpose. Centius!
My life for Gregory's death!

Cen.
His death, my lord?
His deposition and discomfiture,
Perchance his banishment—that did we wish;—
But for his death?

Gui.
It were the safest measure.

Cen.
Do you advise it?

Gui.
Albeit, I would not
That ye should kill him.

Fab.
'T were a dangerous task.

Cen.
And difficult withal.

Godf.
Not dangerous, nor difficult! mark me well:
I have forecast the means.

Cen.
So prompt—proceed, sir.

Godf.
(laying his hand on his breast).
I will not speak to ye of my wounds here,
And why I seek his life.

Gui.
Oh, you have cause,
Most bitter cause, my lord.

Godf.
This I'll pass over.
At the Grand Conclave, when in pontifical state,
Uttering his brazen fiats, Gregory sits,
My emissary shall forthwith appear
And lure him to our grasp: then while he sits
On his coiled chains with clenched teeth, Eberardus
With safety may proclaim his deposition.
Thus will the fresh-pierced veins of his disgrace
Give colour to his sudden taking off,
(aside to Cen.)
And seem the Emperor's will.

Cen.
Nay, but that 's good.

Gui.
(aside).
Would it were done! I see him manacled!
I see him dungeoned, while the inward throes
Draw square his nether jaw, and his fierce thoughts
Shake his large shadow on the lamp-lit wall!
(Aloud).
But how effected—if it needs must be?

Cen.
My lords, we are too hasty: first secure
And bring him hither—then decide his fate.

Tan.
Ay, that 's the best, and now the means—the means?

Godf.
He must be bidden to a lonely palace,
By urgent message of some embassy
From foreign powers on secret policies.

Cen.
He will not go: he will command them straight
Into his presence.

Fab.
What if your noble lady
Were feigned to send?

Godf.
My lord!—We met as friends.
Were he worse devil, and worse enemy,
And that I hated him a thousand fold,
I would not—pardon me—we 're wasting time—
Say, shall we tell him that some dying noble,
Some aged prince, craves help and consolation
In his last moments from the Pontiff's presence?

Gui.
And add, be sure, this aged prince bequeaths
Unto the pastoral care of Gregory,
His sunny lands with all the flocks upon them;
Else, he 'll not move.

Cen.
Lord Guido's dulcimer,
Methinks will charm the shepherd from his fold.

Gui.
Ay, ay; ye 'll find I read him very close:
The man is not profound. His present power
Grew from no real orthodox eloquence:
He owes it all to his Memnonian voice!
He has no genius.

Cen.
But he has strong friends.

Gui.
Alas! that 's true.

Godf.
And enemies.

Gui.
Still, 't is true:
And most of all I fear the Greek-god head,
And stony eye of Cardinal Brazute.
Howbeit the cunning toils are most my trust,
Framed out of hearing.

Cen.
(deliberating).
'T is a feasible scheme—
The sunny lands and flocks—it may be done.

Godf.
I 'll answer for the rest: lands he shall have—
The widest—those that stretch beyond the grave—
And, be the records of his crimes, his flocks,
While wolves in darkness howl his monody!

[Exeunt.

SCENE IV.

—Grand Conclave, lighted with splendour. Gregory, seated as Pontiff, surrounded by Ambassadors, Cardinals, Nobles, the Empress Agnes, the Countess Matilda, Brazute, Damianus, &c.
Gre.
I claim the empire of the West: and, claiming,
The cities and the people bow assent.
Into the bosom of light, as to its source,
Were nations conscious of their best behoof—
Would all authority be gladly poured;
But since mankind do need a helping hand,
It is the province of paternal sway
To lift them from blind earth, and place with care
I'the sanctuary of peace. We live in a time
When lion-mouthed war with brutalised force prevails,
And monarchs bathe in most abhorrent glory:
The which, not sanctioning—but from my soul
Loathed as man's self-made pestilence—I denounce.
Take up the world in your hand, and look at it!
You see on one side sworded kings—on the other,
Our lofty ordinances! Here are two powers:
Christ's mission, and man's sword—ye are to choose.
Clear are my words, and palpable to sense
As yon high crucifix! Wherefore, 'tis good,
Most just, and dutiful, ourselves to range
'Neath heaven's white banner, and take special charge
Of all that lives and moves. It is not much—
My children—'tis not much. What embassies
Are here assembled?

Amb. of France
(rising).
On the part of France
In your Supremacy's presence I appear
To offer reverence and gratulation,
From our loved king, who, in his people's name,
Vouches all fealty and devout regard.

Gre.
'T is well: bid him remember!

Amb. of Venice
(rising).
From the Doge
Of Venice, may it please your Holiness,
I bring most humble tribute of all duty,
And deep assurances of stedfast love.

Gre.
Bid thou the Doge thy master to repent
His manifold vices, lest we turn our back,
And darken supplication. I am advised
That Geisa, King of Hungary, and the Princes
Of Capua and Beneventum, swear
All fealty.

Enter an Officer.
Off.
Craving audience straight,
Lanfranc from England, greets your Eminence.

Gre.
(after a pause).
Admit him!
[Exit Officer.
(Aside).
He hath pitched his tone full high.

Enter Lanfranc.
Lanf.
William of England, surnamed the Conqueror,
Sends friendly greetings towards the Vatican;
Offering his duty to the Roman See,
And unto Gregory his mailed hand.

Gre.
(to Mat.)
This Norman woodcutter must be endured;
He may be over-strong for our reproof.
(Aloud).
We take his hand; and herewith ratify
His royal claim unto the throne he holds.
Enter an Officer.
Speak! (after a pause).
Why, speak!

Off.
Your—from Germany—supreme—

Gre.
Who comes from Germany?

Off.
Count Eberardus.

Gre.
Well, on what?—take that trembler from our presence,
And send the other in.

[Exit Officer, accompanied.
Mat.
(aside to Agnes).
Madam, be firm!

Enter Eberardus. He advances to the centre. Enter Godfrey, Centius, and Guido; who stand aside.
Gre.
Big with what errand come you, sir, to Rome
Thus suddenly; and, lacking reverence,
Usher yourself, all unapprised, before us?
I trust your royal master doth preserve
His soul's health with his body's?

Ebe.
Hildebrand!

[Loud murmur, ending abruptly in silence.
Godf.
(aside).
Oh, this is premature! Would he had waited!

Ebe.
Thus in full conclave am I bade to speak,
By our imperial sovereign, Henry!

Gre.
Speak, then, for your sovereign.

Ebe.
Hildebrand!
Self-styled and self-created Roman Pontiff,
With titles, revenues, authorities,
As Gregory the Seventh—down from thy chair
Descend! Put off thy triple crown! and know,
Imperial Henry sanction doth refuse
To thy election, and deposes thee!

[The whole Assembly rise.
Braz.
(calmly).
Shall the rocks fear the shipwreck?

A Car.
Strike him down,
Low on his knees!

Voices.
Down! down!

[Cardinals and Nobles rush towards Eberardus. Gregory descends, and interposes.
Gre.
Forbear! stand back! A more becoming answer
Should Gregory make.
(To Agnes).
Madam, do you know this gentleman?

Agn.
(with scorn).
I do: he is the valet of my son.

Ebe.
The Empress Dowager!

[Gregory resumes his throne.
Agn.
Ay, sir; and hither
I came to raise my voice against the crime
Of my son's impious message to the Pontiff.

Ebe.
Could it be thought!

Gre.
(solemnly).
Return to Germany!
And bear my mandate to the Emperor,
That he should straightway from his throne descend;
Put off his crown, and fill it full of dust,
Which sprinkling on his head, let him repeat
His words to me, applying them to himself.
Clad in the garment of supernal wrath,
An impious creature visiting, I take
Health from his body; from his limbs and thews,
The life elastic; with his fluent blood
A sluggish vapour mingle; and i'the face
Of the last frantic hope that rushes out
From the fierce-flaming prison of his soul,
The gates of Mercy close in thunder!
[Rises with extended arms thrown forward.
Behold!
He is deposed, and excommunicated!

Voices.
Away!

[Eberardus is hurried out.
Cen.
(to Godf.)
Must it end thus! What 's to be done?

Godf.
(to Cen.)
'S death! but 't is plain, despite all secrecy,
That Gregory was prepared.

Cen.
(to Godf.)
Then we are foiled!

Godf.
(to Cen.)
Not foiled!—it shall not be!—my plan still holds,
And tenfold reason for its execution.
See! 't is my emissary!

Gre.
Dismiss the Conclave!

[Descends from his throne. Exeunt Nobles, Cardinals, Agnes, Matilda, &c.
Enter a Major-Domo, meeting Gregory.
M.-Do.
With profound reverence I approach the feet
Of Sanctity, and present my master's duty!

[Kneels.
Gre.
Well?—
Who is he?

M.-Do.
The aged Prince of Beneventum.

Gre.
Well?

M.-Do.
He has but now arrived in Rome, and lies
On his death-bed.

Gre.
And what is this to me?
Can I give him back his youth?—can I stop him,
Does he think?

M.-Do.
He would unburden, ere he passes,
His soul of all its loads; and thereunto
His vast possessions add most grievous weight,
Not knowing how he should bestow them best—
But seeking your advice.

Gre.
Oh!—he shall have it.

M.-Do.
Beseech your Sovereign Holiness lose no time!

Gre.
Lead me to where he lies.

[Exeunt Gregory and the Major-Domo.
Gui.
Said I not well?
All merciful Heaven, thy servant's thanks receive!

Godf.
Stalk to thy dungeon!

Gui.
Hist! hist!

Cen.
Follow now!

[Exeunt cautiously after Gregory.