 | The Priestess |  |
Scene I.
—Exterior of the Proconsul's Palace. Steps leading to it. Enter Rudiger, disguised as a beggar.Rud.
How long, ye awful deities, how long
Must this breast hide th' impatience of its beatings
Under these squalid rags, while here in triumph
Your enemy and mine, the hated Roman.
Resides in sumptuous state?—Or, is the Druid
Indeed a thing of the past, and his religion,
His ancient lore traditional (recorded
Only in faithful memories)—is it now
No longer the salt of the earth, the truth supreme,
But a detested fable, never more
To win belief from men? It cannot be!
The gods who gave the truth will yet avenge it.
To this rock have I clung though storms have beat
Upon this aged head, and though I've been
Abandoned solitary to their rage,
And darkness has involved me,—here I've clung,
And here will cling forever, in the faith
My fathers gave me, and which death itself
Shall not have power to vanquish or to shake.
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Arn.
That form—that gait—I cannot be mistaken.
Old man, why turn from me?
Rud.
I know you not.
Arn.
But I know you—th' Arch Druid—Rudiger.
Rud.
And you? the renegade, Arnulf!
Arn.
Not so loud!
That's the proconsul's palace. Like yourself
Am I proscribed. We'll keep each other's secret.
They thought to hold me prisoner at Rome—
But I escaped amid a popular riot
Just as we entered the imperial city;
And I am here to help you put an end
To this fair state of things. And first, of Norma.
Rud.
Ah! but for her the Roman power in Gaul
Could be laid low to-morrow.
Arn.
Not a week
Returned, more have I done than all your Druids
In their own cause.
Rud.
Explain.
Arn.
First learn that Norma
Is the proconsul's wife.
Rud.
Norma! unfaithful
To that paternal dedication which
Pledged her a vestal priestess!—I'll proclaim it
To all the people—rouse their fury—send them
To burn and sack the Roman's palace—then
Consign her to the penalty prescribed
For such offenders.
Arn.
Wild—impracticable!
What care the people for your Druid laws?
Norma has but to claim from all the gods
(I beg their pardon—I forget their number)
A special vision abrogating all
Her virgin pledges, and commanding her
To wed Octavian, and the fatuous people
Will ratify the union with huzzas.
Be this your secret for the present.
Rud.
Well.
But should the power return, let her beware!
What wouldst thou do?
Arn.
What I have done is this:
Invoked the demon of domestic discord!
Long since, this dolt, Octavian, was becrazed
By the soft glances of a maid attendant
Upon the temple's service, Adalgisa.
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By her seclusion, have I brought together
(How, when, and where, no matter) thro' one Bertha;
And the old flame now threatens to break forth
With added fury.
Rud.
But 't is sacrilege!
Arn.
(Aside.)
The duper his own dupe! Sacrilege truly!
(To Rud.)
Pshaw! What of that, so we inveigle Norma
To her own ruin—rend the tie that binds her
To the proud Roman—make her rouse the people
In your behalf—then leave her to be dealt with
(When all is won) after your gentle fashion?
Rud.
This must be thought of. You've gone deep, I see,
Into the possibilities.
Arn.
I'll show
Cause for reliance. On! We're interrupted.
(Looking off.)
Otho, the Roman knight, with an attendant,
Post-haste most like from Rome! There must be news.
(Exeunt Rudiger and Arnulf. Enter Otho and Marcus.)
Otho.
(To Marcus.)
See that our horses are provided for,
Then be within my summons at the palace.
(Exit Marcus. Enter Servant from the palace.)
Otho.
Is the proconsul stirring?
Servant.
He approaches.
(Exit Servant. Enter Octavian.)
Oct.
Otho! my friend! What could be more unlooked for
Than to see you in Gaul?
(Enter Arnulf, who listens a moment, then exit.)
Otho.
I bring the news
Of your recall. Rome wants you nearer home.
(Gives him a scroll.)
This from the emperor!
Oct.
(After reading.)
Recalled with honor.
An intimation, too, of something higher!—
Now shall I smile or frown at this discharge?
It does not take effect till my successor
Is on the spot.
Otho.
Him you may look for daily.
Is it ill news? Dejected? Can it be
Octavian, once the courted, the caressed
By the high dames of Rome, I see content
To bury in provincial privacy
Endowments due to the metropolis?
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Jingle your gewgaws in the ears of boys.
Have you forgotten that I'm married? Hush!
'Tis still a secret.
Otho.
(Laughing.)
Ay, I had forgotten;
Or rather counted on your constancy
As on the west wind's blowing. Pardon me;
Your spouse must be a paragon indeed
To've kept you stable. But I've made you serious.
Oct.
O! speak of her with reverent admiration,
The brave, the gentle, the magnanimous,
The faithful Norma!
Otho.
There's a sequel to
That rhapsody.
Oct.
There is. Before I met her,
I had seen Adalgisa, and my heart
Is constant to that vision.
Otho.
(Laughs.)
Constancy
Is then thy failing here! Thou art too constant!
Oct.
When state necessity induced this marriage,
I struggled (and still struggle) to subdue
All memory of that other; but of late
The sight of her in all her loveliness,
Revives the dangerous transport, and when you
Told me of my recall, the coward thought
Shot through my brain, now can I fly with her,
Forsaking Norma.
Otho.
And does she—does Norma
Suspect your dereliction?
Oct.
No; the thought
Would come to her as the tornado comes
When you can see no cloud.
Otho.
A little rain,
A flash or two perhaps, and all is over.
Be not alarmed. I have myself inflicted
Some such surprises in my day, and found
A strange capacity of convalescence
In women being so wounded.
Oct.
(Aside.)
Ay, by you!
Otho.
Here is my counsel now: abandon both!
No? Then select the younger and the prettier—
In short, the one you fancy.
Oct.
I am pulled
By passion and by duty different ways.
O! like a strong man take me in the arms
Of a strong will, and carry me perforce
The way of right—for tho' 'tis plain before me,
My will is wavering, and my flesh is weak.
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Come then, it shall be Norma; for possession
Gives her the prior claim.
Oct.
But Adalgisa—
When she finds him she trusted in, a traitor—
Otho.
Well! you must be that either way. What's left?
The women both are fair, and both in love.
What if you take them both?
Oct.
You only sport
With my distress.
Otho.
Pardon an old campaigner.
Who never gave such trifles serious thought.—
Looking off.
Who is that stately woman in the veil,
Pacing yon garden walk?
Oct.
'Tis she! 'Tis Norma!
Now, Otho, would you see the veriest coward,
Look upon Rome's proconsul.
Otho.
(Going.)
Look on me!
Retreating panic-stricken from the danger
And leaving the wounded in the enemy's hands.
Oct.
Go in, and order all things as becomes
Octavian's guest.
Otho.
Looking off.
She lifts her veil. Octavian—
I say—I'd rather be where thunderbolts
Are falling thick, than, having wronged, confront her.
[Exit into the palace.
Oct:
What! shall this heart, that fluttered not to rush.
On the Sicambrian phalanx, sink and cower
Before a woman?—Ah! it is not she—
'Tis not the gloom and lightning of those eyes
That thus abashes—'tis the sickened conscience
Shuddering at wrongs which passion meditates.
(Enter Norma.)
Nor:
(Approaching to caress him.)
Octavian!
Oct.
Hold! not here in the public eye!
Nor:
The time has come when without fear we may
Proclaim our union.
Oct:
O, not yet, not yet!
Nor:
This separation from thee for long hours—
This seeing thee by stealth when I do see thee—
Is irksome and should end.
Oct:
And soon it shall.
We'll talk of it tomorrow.
Nor:
Well, tomorrow.
What troubles thee?
Oct:
Affairs of state. No more.
Nor:
Not so! I know the cause.
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Thou know'st the cause?
Nor.
Why this alarm if 'tis affairs of state?
Oct.
(Aside.)
Knows she?
Nor.
Come, be an honest husband—tell me—
Even though it be to my disquiet—tell me!
For 'twixt us, candor should be so complete
That not a quickened heart-beat should be felt
By one and not reported to the other.
Oct.
My heart beats placidly.
Nor.
(Putting forth her hand.)
That let me test.
How? Dost thou shrink?
Oct.
Not here!
Nor.
Why art thou troubled?
Oct.
Why ask me, if thou knowest?
Nor.
For I'd have it
From thy own lips in full sincerity,
Even though to spare me pain thou keep'st it back.
But do not fear for that. The pain is over—
All that the news could give!
Oct.
(Aside.)
What does she mean?
Nor.
Who was the stranger, on whose parting heels
I came but now?
Oct.
An officer from Rome.
Nor.
What message brought he?
Oct.
Message?
Nor.
I will tell you:
You are recalled: you fear the news will be
A blow to Norma: therein lies your trouble.
Were you so tender of my reckoned grief
You dared not tell me this? Did you distrust
My readiness to quit home, country, people,
For thy dear sake? Ah! 'tis no sacrifice
To love like mine—rather a joy to show thee
How prompt, how faithful, how uncalculating
Its action is.
Oct.
(Aside.)
So! she knows nothing more.
(To Norma.)
Think of the journey's dangers.
Nor.
Thou wilt meet them!
Why should not I? In thy sweet company
Dangers shall not affright—hardships shall wear
An ever smiling front. Should duty lead thee
To rugged climes of everlasting snow.
Or to those regions, courted by the sun.
Where reptile life is rank, and beasts of prey
Lurk in the torrid swamps, would I not go
With thee, watch by thee, wert thou ill or wounded.
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Befalling thee, to be a constant sharer?
Indeed I would!
Oct.
(Aside.)
On, on, and thou'lt prevail!
(To her.)
But there are ties detaining thee in Gaul—
Public and pious ties, forsaking which,
Regret will sting.
Nor.
Regret—while thou art kind?
Ties?—O! what ties can have the sanctity
Of those the promise of a wife takes in,
Binding her to that circle of attraction
Which is her husband's sphere of love and duty?
Was it with half a heart I wedded thee,
Keeping the other for a round of thoughts
And occupations, that to thee pertained not?
No! The true wife must be her husband's wholly.
And there's a magic in her fast affection,
Exalts even homeliest drudgery to an act
Of queenly moment—finds a recompense,
Richer than wealth could compass, in a smile!
Establishes a palace of content
In a pure heart, let outward circumstance
Frown as it may, and makes her happiness
O'erflow in loving and in being beloved!
Ah! even the service of the gods grows irksome.
Compared with thine—my pray'rs all follow thee.
If still I hold my station in the temple
'Tis but to meet thy wish; and my release
From all that can abridge a wife's devotion,
Will be a joyful freedom.
Oct.
(Aside.)
She prevails.
And makes my intent seem hateful. (To her.)
We will go
Together, Norma. With thee ever near
I shall be strong. To-night I'll visit thee,
And we'll decide upon an instant course
Touching the proclamation of our marriage.
Nor.
Wilt thou come early? My expecting moments
Lag wearily, and bring a troop of fancies,
That make my heart their sport, presenting thee
In all varieties of danger, till,
Sick of their conjurations, I rush forth
Into the night to find thee.
Oct.
Thou shalt be
Requited in the future.
Nor.
The requital
Comes when we meet. Remember!
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I'll not fail.
[Exit Norma
So shall it be!
And I will shun, as I would mortal danger,
Another interview with Adalgisa.
Why not proclaim at once my marriage? That
Will terminate temptation!
(Enter Arnulf and Adalgisa.)
Arn.
There you see him,
Nursing his grief, torn by despairing thoughts.
He flies from Gaul—abandons every hope—
Because of thy rejection—that he may,
In distant scenes, o'ercome his unrequited,
His fatal passion. He has planned to go,
Taking no leave, shunning the sight of thee.
O! give him, for content in future years,
One parting word, if not of love, of kindness.
[Exit
Adal.
Yes, prudence shall not bar that poor return.
Oct.
Ha! Adalgisa! Now the gods bear witness,
Thee, of all human objects I would shun!
Yet here thou com'st with thy imploring eyes
And gaze of innocent wonder, to undo me
And fool to ruin. Hence! thou sorcery! hence!
Or I shall grow to hate thee.—Nay, forgive me;
But, go! in mercy, leave me! Let me not
Hear those soft tones, or see that face again.
Remorse and shame, despair and death are in them!
(Exit Adalgisa.)
Gone! (Calls.)
Adalgisa! (She reënters.)
Dost thou leave in anger?
Adal.
Anger? O, no! Obeying, I believed
'T was thy heart's wisdom spake—and so, 't was well
That we should part forever, and in silence.
Oct.
Forever?
Adal.
Thou wilt leave us.
Oct.
Thou didst know it,
And yet couldst part so calmly?
Adal.
Ay; so calmly.
'T is the calm grief abideth.
Oct.
Thou wilt grieve?
Adal.
'T is probable.
Oct.
O! perfect in thy art!
Now dost thou know, that hadst thou come with signs
Of anguish, hair dishevelled, streaming eyes,
Speech-breaking sobs and accents of upbraiding,
I had been disenchanted—thou hadst lost me!
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Kindlest my fire with ice: but thou shalt fail—
I'm not the dupe thou look'st for.
Adal.
Peace be with thee!
Farewell! (Going.)
Oct.
Stay! Whither goest thou?
Adal.
To the temple—
Whence I should ne'er have wandered.
Oct.
To the temple!
With all the lustre of thy youth about thee
To sink into its gloom!—'T is Fate waylays me,
And in his fierce and unrelenting grasp
Bears me along! Why wrestle with him further
Since I at last must yield?
Adal.
My lord, farewell!
Oct.
Thou shalt not leave me. Thou shalt go with me
To Rome—there be my honored wife.
Adal.
To Rome?
Oct.
Ay! Thither I return tomorrow—now—
Soon as my equipage is ready! Come!
Thou shalt be my companion. We will make
The journey short; and I will watch thy litter
As parent eagles do their nest. Delay
Is fraught with danger. Come! Thou dost refuse?
Dost calculate? Thou lov'st me not!
Adal.
Too well!
Or I were not so tempted.—But the vow
That binds me to the temple—
Oct.
Wert thou bound
By chains of tested steel, love's flame should melt them!
And still thou waverest?
Adal.
Norma can release me.
Oct.
Norma! Fly rather to the end of the earth
Than seek for such release.
Adal.
Do what thou wilt!
I'll go with thee.
Oct.
'T is bravely said. Prepare!
An hour hence, meet me in yon garden walk
Ready for flight. A host of things press on me,
Claiming despatch. The reasons for this speed
Are vital. Trust me for them. Be discreet,
[Exit Adalgisa
'T is the irrevocable die! Now, Norma,
One word to keep thee quiet—then for Rome!
[Exit
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Adal.
My lord Octavian! Gone? He thought of Norma
As of a harsh, unsympathizing mistress.
That is she not. My hope is, she'll absolve me
From my religious vows. 'T were to defy
The gods, and bring perhaps their persecution
On me and him, should I forsake their service
In an unsanctioned haste.—Norma shall have
My confidence—and speed me with her blessing!
[Exit
| The Priestess | |