 | The Martyr |  |
SCENE I.
Before the gate of Nero's palace: guards, with their officers, discovered on duty.Enter to them another officer, speaking, as he enters, to the soldiers.
1st offi.
Strike up some sacred strain of Roman triumph;
The Pontiff comes to meet the summon'd council.
Omit not this respect, else he will deem
We are of those who love the Nazarenes.
Sing loud and clearly.
Enter Pontiff, attended.
SACRED HYMN by the soldiers.
That chief, who bends to Jove the suppliant knee,
Shall firm in power and high in honour be;
And who to Mars a soldier's homage yields,
Shall laurell'd glory reap in bloody fields;
Who vine-crown'd Bacchus, bounteous lord, adores,
Shall gather still, unscath'd, his vintage stores;
Who to fair Venus lib'ral off'ring gives,
Enrich'd with love and sweet affection lives.
Then, be your praises still our sacred theme,
O Venus, Bacchus, Mars, and Jove supreme!
Pontiff.
I thank you, soldiers! Rome, indeed, hath triumph'd,
523
The sov'reign warrior-nation of the world;
And, favour'd by great Jove and mighty Mars,
So may she triumph still, nor meanly stoop
To worship strange and meaner deities,
Adverse to warlike glory.
[Exit, with his train.
1st offi.
The Pontiff seems disturb'd, his brow is lowering.
2d offi.
Reproof and caution, mingled with his thanks,
Though utter'd graciously.
1st offi.
He is offended,
Because of late so many valiant soldiers
Have proselytes become to this new worship;
A worship too, as he insinuates,
Unsuited to the brave.
3d offi.
Ay, ay! the sacred chickens are in danger.
2d offi.
Sylvius is suspected, as I hear.
1st offi.
Hush! let us to our duty; it is time
To change the inner guard.
[Exeunt, with music, into the gate of the palace.
| The Martyr | |