 | Belisarius |  |
SCENE I.
The Palace.Marcella, Antonina, Junius.
Ant.
Methinks these walls are changed with their inhabitants;
Dark do they seem, and hateful to the sight.
Is this the place where sedulous attention,
Obsequious homage, and the voice of gladness
Pursued our steps? Where each beholder's eye
Caught at our transient looks? our transient smiles?
Mar.
The change is in ourselves. The fickle croud
Surrounding greatness, like the flies of June
Ope to the sun their many-coloured wings;
When damps arise, and evening dews descend,
They sicken, and are seen no more.
Ant.
Unused to fear, I tremble, and my knees
Unstable, scarce support my aged frame.
Who passes yonder? Decius! Tho my soul
Abhors communication with that traitor,
He may be useful.—Decius!
Dec.
Who are ye,
That in despite of happiness and joy
Enter these walls array'd in weeds of sorrow?
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O affecttation vile! Insulting meanness!
From thee that question? Know'st thou not the daughter
Of Belisarius? Oft hast thou before him
Duck'd low thy pliant head, often to her,
Often to me, cringed like a fawning spaniel.
Are happiness and joy within these walls?
False as thou art, thou wilt not dare assert it.
The fate of heroes hangs in dread suspense,
And all who feel one glimmering ray of virtue
Grieve in their hearts. Narbal and all his slaves,
Tho clad in smiles, are tortured with anxiety.
Justinian, Theodora, have their fears.
Dec.
Was it thy purpose to upbraid me thus?
Shame to my easy nature which obey'd
The call of pride. Vain woman! to the winds
Cast thy reproaches. Decius hears no more.
[Exit
Ant.
Thou groveling miscreant hence!
Enter Eumenes.
Say, are our features
Unknown to thee? are we so soon forgotten?
Eum.
Forget you! know you not! The sun shall cease
To roll in heaven, e'er I forget the family
Of Belisarius, and of Phorbas.
Mar.
Worthy,
Kind, kind Eumenes!—Decius cross'd our way—
We hoped by his assistance to have gain'd
Admission to the empress. He most tauntingly,
Most cruelly, ask'd who we were.
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'Tis true, 'tis true by heaven!
Excuse me O Eumenes! not like him
Art thou, the hungry flatterer of greatness,
The needy vassal of a slavish courtier.
Forgive the peevish error of my tongue,
Designed for him, not thee: the stroke oblique
Aim'd at another, sprung from inward pride,
And female spleen. Alas! alas! Eumenes!
Suppliants we come; wilt thou from Theodora
Humbly request an audience?
Eum.
If the dart
Of death were pointed to oppose my entrance.
Tho much I fear she will not see you, much
If seen, her ear will be to your request
Most marble-nerved.
Ant.
Yet try her I conjure thee.
Eum.
Is there a task Eumenes would refuse
At thy desire? I will return with speed,
And bear her answer.
[Exit.
Ant.
Tender-natured man!
I for thy sake retract the rash opinion
Which I had well nigh form'd, and think there may be
Some honesty remaining in a court.
Mar.
Will she admit us think'st thou?—Hark! he comes!
Was she e'er moved by melting pity?—Hark!
I marvel at his stay.—Oh! for a tongue
Of most persuasive eloquence, to move
As music did of old, the rocks and trees,
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All will be frustrate.—How I dread this interview!
Not yet! not yet!—She will not surely see us.
Oh! she is stern, and not to be intreated.
I had methought conn'd in my mind a lesson;
But it is flown—quite lost—confusion reigns.
Poor Junius!—oh! thy mother's heart, my boy,
Is torn asunder.—Generous Eumenes!
Enter Eumenes.
Will she admit us? How did she receive thee?
What said she? Did she frown upon thy message?
Eum.
Most noble, and revered! too rash was I.
Propitious is the hour. To Theodora
I proffer'd your petition; she, with calmness,
By the soft motion of a gentle smile
Only disturb'd, bade me to introduce you.
Ant.
Supporter of the weak! whose words revive
The drooping heart of sorrow, be our guide!
Should'st thou be e'er unhappy, may'st thou find
A friend congenial with thyself, to pity,
And lend thee succour! Rather may'st thou ne'er
Need his assistance! O ye gods shower down,
Shower down your choicest blessings from above,
And crown his days with happiness and peace!
[Exeunt.
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