University of Virginia Library

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.