University of Virginia Library

ACT III.

SCENE I.

—A spacious Apartment in an ancient Palace. The pretended Prince of Beneventum is discovered at the further end, upon a Couch, enveloped in an embroidered coverlid.
Enter Gregory with the Major-Domo.
Gre.
He hath not dwelt within this palace long?

M.-Do.
But a few days, so please your Holiness.

Gre.
And came he hither sick?

M.-Do.
Great sir! he did.

Gre.
(abstractedly).
It was a noble edifice,—but methinks
An air of strangeness now pervades the walls;
A silent, yet a busy brooding air,
As of a spirit clinging to its clay,
Which rots e'en while 'tis grasped. Let all things rot
When they have stood their time!—thus power and fame,
Possessions manifold and large respect,
With wise corruption are made ripe to fall
Into progressive reproducing hands.
Yonder he lies!—Think you his death-hour near?

M.-Do.
We think it is, dread sir! he cannot sleep,
But hath deep trances.

Gre.
So: announce me to him.

[The Major-Domo moves towards the Couch.
M.-Do.
His Holiness approaches, honoured Prince.

Prin.
(faintly).
I thank his gracious kindness. Leave the chamber.

[Exit Major-Domo.
Gre.
(aside).
How changed his voice since last I heard him speak!
(Advancing a few paces).
How farest good Prince?—Hath age with moss and weed
O'ergrown the movements of life's radiant wheel;
Or doth moist sickness prematurely sap
Thy grey tower's dignity?

Prin.
(feebly).
Come near my couch.

Gre.
(advancing after a pause).
Into the terrors of a future state,
What mortal step can take us all alone!
The dragons of our past life foam behind—
Demon-lined avenues interminable,
Stretch far away before the dying soul!
Therefore—

Prin.
Therefore, we must solicit aid,
From all that can bestow it.

Gre.
Thou say'st well.

Prin.
I hold possessions—

Gre.
(advancing).
Not to hold them long!

Prin.
Not long—ah! no—my golden ocean ebbs,
E'en with this little inland rill of blood.

Gre.
Hast thou done good with all this wealth through life?

Prin.
I have not. To be brief—for I do feel
This must be ended presently—I bequeath
All my fair lands unto thy pastoral charge,
That so their distribution may assist
Man's welfare, and my peace within the tomb.

Gre.
Thy countenance in death shall be all light!
White-robed and sceptred, on thy brow I fix
A heavenly star!

Prin.
(feebly).
That is a glittering gift:
My gift, though of the earth, doth lack not brightness.

Gre.
Where is the deed of this so bright bequest?

Prin.
(fiercely).
Here!

[Godfrey thrusts out his mailed arm from beneath the coverlid; then rises.
Enter Fabio and Tancredi, armed.
Godf.
Utter a word—and thou diest instantly!

Fab.
Thou ow'st allegiance to the Emperor!

Tan.
And hast defied him.

Godf.
Cease my lords, I pray!
It is a time for deeds. (To Gre.)
Ay, brilliant deeds!
Behold me ready to command a force
That shall oppose your blind and misled troops,
And foot them into dust—using your name!

Tan.
(loudly).
Count Centius!

[Centius appears at an opposite door.
Godf.
To your safe charge we commit
A tyrant—he is mortal!

Cen.
Pass this way!

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

—Gardens of a Villa in Tivoli.
Enter Eberardus and a German Officer.
Ebe.
Why hath the Emperor followed me:—why thus
Peril his person?

Off.
Sir, 't was his intent
To burst all unannounced, as from the sky,
And glare through Rome, striking a final blow
On Gregory's fall.

Ebe.
Who still reigns paramount,
And hurls destruction on the Emperor's head!
Say you our royal master is apprised
Of how the event hath turned?

Offi.
The news outsped
The proof, as doth a screaming cormorant
The coming storm.

Ebe.
Oh, Majesty! how sad
And hollow is thy earth; for while, above,
A chorus rings thy praises in the clouds,
Echoes, beneath thy very throne, the truth
With melancholy modulations breathe;
Near and remote, as is the voice of death.

Offi.
My lord—the Emperor!

Ebe.
How shall I meet his passion?

Enter the Emperor, wildly.
Emp.
Deposed! deposed!—and excommunicate!
Monstrous and mad audacity! This Gregory!
This whirlpool-seated spawn! this offal-god
For ideot fish to stare at all agape!
This horned king o' the cloven herd of Rome!
How dares he thus to jest with our decree,
And feign this big retort! Is it not feigned?
Is it not mere inflation of his state?
Knows he our heel can stamp him flat as coin?
Or can it be that he—O, Eberardus!
Tell—tell me all thy mind; what doth he mean?

Ebe.
My liege, I crave your pardon, 'tis too true.

Emp.
True! true! dost think he will resist me then,
And to resistance add supremacy,
Deposing me instead?

Ebe.
Your Majesty
Can never be deposed from hearts that love you.

Emp.
That love me!—be deposed! Thou poisonous madman!
Thy dreams are plagues! I see—I see thou think'st it!
But what of that—what if all Germany think so?
Their thinking shall not make it come to pass:
Still shall my subjects know me for their king.
Enter an Attendant with a scroll.
What's this? a list of all the nobles' names:
All who besought to attend me hither!—what!
Withdrawing—yes, withdrawing fealty—
Their sworn allegiance to the Imperial throne!

Ebe.
Great sir! I do beseech you not to lose
All fortitude in this extremity!

Emp.
Confederate princes! Oh, confederate devils!
I will but lose myself in extreme hate
At such desertion. Never more shall day
Afford them ease or pastime; every night
I'll stuff with vague and multiplying fears;
And when their turrets flame above their heads,
And split like glass, through the red smoke my voice,
Following the trumpet's all remorseless blast,
Shall taunt their very ashes!

Ebe.
Pray you, my liege!

Emp.
What ho!—it shall be done!
This instant shall my couriers mount and away!
With orders to my army, which ere now
Hath reached the frontiers. Where are my guards?
What ho!—no answer!—ho! within, I say!
All silent? palsied!—are they anathematised?
A few hours since, and lackies to my nod,
Were plenteous as the gnats around a bough,
Swayed by a summer breeze!
Enter an Officer, slowly.
You come with speed, sir!
Your loyalty finds wings to take our orders!

Off.
I rather come to bring intelligence
To your late Majesty.

Emp.
Late!

Off.
Of your late army.

Emp.
Late army!—Majesty!

Off.
Its leaders, sir,
Advanced beyond the frontiers, have declared
The throne is vacant.

Emp.
Oh!

[Sinks on a couch.
Ebe.
Do—do they say this?

Off.
You'll find they do, sir, if you take horse and meet them.

[Exit.
Emp.
Confederate nobles—army—all desert
An excommunicated king! King! I am none!
Crown—sceptre—sacred head—all sink i'the dust
When swords turn traitors. Knew'st thou of this before?

Ebe.
I did in part, my liege, anticipate
Some wide disaster from the anathemas
Pronounced against you. Much I feared the army,
Soon as the princes and chief captains heard
You had arrayed yourself against the church—

Emp.
(rising).
How have I done so?

Ebe.
By opposing Gregory,
Whom all Rome's sanctity elects and favours.

Emp.
Curses! Oh, tenfold curses light upon him,
And those who love him!—What—what can be done?

Ebe.
By violence nought, my liege; or worse. But reason
Would counsel to conciliate, not provoke.
I pray your Majesty set out forthwith
For Rome.

Emp.
For Rome! and lay myself along
The Vatican steps, to soften the ascent
Of arrogant Gregory?

Ebe.
My liege, consider.

Emp.
Consider dost thou say—consider what?
Oh, I can read thy face; thine altered face!
The lines and shades equivocate, and tell
Of truths that blink on seeing first the light:
A novel charge; a doubt is written on it,
In the blank space of gone security.
Yet speak—yet give the words—consider what?

Ebe.
That thou art—

Emp.
Throneless, and bereft of power!
But I have soldiers still, who may be true.

Ebe.
Pardon me, sire; there 's something left untold,
Full well I know that Gregory now is leagued
With Duke Rhodolpho of Suabia,
'Gainst whom your armies will no longer strive.
Moreover, 'tis believed that while he seeks
The Normans for allies, by secret means,
Shaming his sacred office, he has urged
The Saxons to revolt. Return you cannot:
By countless spies we 're watched.

Emp.
Take you this sword!
I know the use of't, and on human grounds
Would never blench at any mortal foe;
But heaven, or hell, or both alternately,
Will have me prostrate. I will go to Rome,
Or anywhere you wish—I ask not why—
But I do think I never shall return!

[Exeunt.

SCENE III.

—Apartment in the Palace of Matilda, in Rome.
Enter Matilda, and Agnes.
Agn.
Is it his custom to absent himself,
And pass long hours in solitary prayer?

Mat.
At times, he does so.

Agn.
In some oratory;
Some private chapel, or deep-foliaged grove,
He poureth out his soul?

Mat.
I have heard him, often.

Agn.
Heard him?

Mat.
No, madam! you mistake my words—
I have heard that Gregory doth this frequently.
'T is commonly known—or said.

Agn.
Then 't is most certain
Deep meditation holds him from our sight?

Mat.
Oh, madam! to speak truly, I am, indeed,
Most sick at soul, for much I fear his absence
Is fraught with peril. Where he is, I know not!

Agn.
How 's this? not know!—what peril should he dread?

Enter Godfrey.
Mat.
(aside).
Godfrey here!
And cased in armour underneath his robe!
Then danger and disaster fill the air.

Agn.
Your animosity, my lord, we know:
Your injuries we doubt.

Godf.
Doubt you the pain
Of a fond husband whom his wife deserts:
Who separates herself from all his love,
To kneel to a brazen idol, and believe
Its hisses heavenly music?

Mat.
Godfrey, forbear!
In mine own right, a princess of fair realms,
I do claim equal right over myself,
Once fair in your regard, and not made foul
By your now jaundiced eyes.

Godf.
Have I not cause
For all the jaundice which a pestilent wrong
Can pour into the blood?

Agn.
You trample down
All delicacy, my lord, in your fierce speech.

Mat.
Why com'st thou, Godfrey, to disturb me thus?

Godf.
I answer briefly: give thy signet to me,
In token of command!

Mat.
To command whom?

Godf.
The Tuscan armies.

Mat.
Never, Godfrey! wherefore—
Wherefore dost ask it?

Godf.
Gregory's fate is fixed
If you refuse.

Mat.
How fixed: where is he, then?

Godf.
Locked in a tower: I will not tell thee where.

Agn.
(aside).
Ah! is it thus?

[Exit hastily.
Mat.
What madness burns thy sense?
And think'st thou, then, by this atrocious threat
To cause me give thee means of execution!
The Tuscan armies are for Gregory!

Godf.
(solemnly).
Oh, wretched woman! once of soul so bright,
So holy, pure, and full of all sweet gifts,
That the corruption of the entire gross world
Changed not thine earthliest thought into itself,
But rather didst thou make an atmosphere
To freshen mortal nature, and make clear
The opening heavens, ascending higher and higher!
Oh, wretched woman! now behold thy state—
Polluted fanatic, lost to all shame!

Mat.
(aside, in agony).
His words sink down upon my brain like lead!
(Aloud).
Godfrey, no more!—cease these insulting taunts.

Godf.
More thou must hear!—why hast thou separated
Thyself from me; why hath this Gregory
That separation ratified;—why didst thou
Allure the Emperor's love?

Mat.
'T is false!

Godf.
(seizing her arm.)
'T is true!—thou didst it to obtain his power
For Gregory's use; and, failing, didst intrigue
To bring his Empress mother into Rome,
Enlarging thus the wing of the arch-fiend!
This is not all—s' death! thou shalt hear the rest:
Why hast thou, in thy palace-hall, reared up
A winding stair that reaches to the roof?
Why, but for prompt communication
By secret galleries, with the Vatican!

Mat.
Godfrey! thy curses—these opprobrious words
And vicious thoughts, keep for thy proper use:
To me they not apply, nor will I bear them!
Go, sir! and do your worst!

Godf.
(abstractedly, after a pause).
What is our life?—
Oh, Innocence! white-bosomed purity!
Sweet essence of the heart, and its best hopes;
Whose breath is of the heavens, whose path is peace;
Whose presence fills all places with a light;
Whose loss makes dark the sun, and poisons time;
Can man mistake thee, and can woman feign,—
Using thy pure divinity as a mask;
Or, from the depths of nature, tearing up
A power to hide the anguish and the crime
That blot thy vacant throne!

Mat.
Do you apostrophise
Man's victim, or man's conscience? If you seek
To force me to your will, or to my grave,
In neither shall you triumph.

Godf.
Am I defied?

Mat.
Utterly!

Godf.
And cursed: no spark of feeling left?

Mat.
I did not curse thee—and I do not now;
I but defied you utterly.

Godf.
(dejectedly).
With scorn
And placid hate.

Mat.
With neither. I have chosen
My part in life, and that will I fulfil!
And what are these our small domestic feuds,
Amidst a struggle shaking now the arch
Of mortal time o'er the eternal gulph?
In the contention of mere temporal power
'Gainst spiritual and temporal, you have taken
No single-minded part; or if a part,
Then opposite to mine. A mighty cause
Hath driven us asunder, not my hate.

Godf.
(taking her hand).
Do you believe I love you?

Mat.
You once loved me—
That I believe: why you should love me still,
I do not know, nor can I have your love.

[Withdraws her hand.
Godf.
Ah, wherefore not? it is as fond as ever!

Mat.
Where hast thou hidden Gregory the Seventh?

Godf.
Ha!

Mat.
Prove thy love: I ask thee where he is?

Godf.
Sorceress! bewitched fool! 'tis the last time
That I will seek thee: he shall die like a dog!
The Emperor comes!—I'll mar the weak repentance,
And urge him—though I hate him for thy sake—
To vigorous action! I'll stir up all Rome,
And head a multitude that shall enforce
The imperial mandate against Gregory,
And justify his death; his dog-like death,
There, where he lies, held down as in a den,
And watched by men who thirst to see his blood!

Mat.
Go, take them by the hand then: I give mine
To uphold the Pontiff—to dethrone the King—
And load your jailor friends with their own chains!

[Exeunt, at opposite sides.

SCENE IV.

—A chamber, with a grated window, in the Tower of Centius. Gregory, in a penitent's garment, stands among some dark pillars at the back.
Greg.
A curse upon strong nerves and bones and thews;
They listen not to caution. What a farce
Is this vile trap!
(Advancing).
Why did I covet lands,
And new-born strength of means from coffers old?
I could have done without them—and as well.
This garment, too!—my robes of state torn off—
Guido's suggestion, doubtless, and intended
To sink my body and soul back to a monk—
His great prescription for humility!
(After a pause).
If I should die here?—'twere an unworthy end
To shovel my bones up in a little heap
In yonder corner! (Pauses.)
What I have done stands firm;
And I, the doer, throned i'the highest place—
'T will make it dangerous work for murderers.
They 'll hardly venture it. Yet it may be done.

Enter Godfrey, in his armour.
Godf.
At length the mighty Hydra is chained down!
His many-headed and arm-branching vices,
Spread out to meet the axe!

Gre.
It sounds like justice.

Godf.
Justice it is, and justice you shall have
Unto the last degree.

Gre.
And that 's the least.
What are my crimes? array them first before me!
If proved, your conscience and the popular voice
Are sure to acquit you; but I claim a hearing.

Godf.
Oh, you shall have your claim—be satisfied:
Good hearers are at call. My lords!—I pray ye
Come hither to pass sentence!
Enter Centius, Fabio, Tancredi, and Guido.
'T is the trial
Of an apostate, sacrilegious monk,
Who would amuse us first with his defence.

[Godfrey seats himself in the centre, with Centius and Fabio on one side, and Guido and Tancredi on the other.
Gre.
(aside).
They sit—their swords hang passive.

Godf.
Prisoner!
Approach and hear the charge.

[Gregory slowly approaches.
Cen.
I 'll make the first,
With your permission, lords. (To Gre).
The popular voice
Is strong against the extortions of your state;
Your new enactments gall their social life;
And your contention with the Emperor
Will ultimately cost much blood and gold,
Forced from the mass of men for no one good.

Gre.
Are you a vassal of the Emperor?

Cen.
No.

Tan.
We are loyal.

Fab.
Loving.

Gui.
So am I.

Gre.
Is Godfrey loving to the Emperor?

Godf.
Peace, criminal! Most reverend Guido, speak!

Gui.
I would not trample on a wretched man,
Full soon, perchance, to quit this mortal scene;
But duty urges me a charge to make,
Where crimes so manifold pollute the time.
How he obtained his power by fraud and force;
By murder, sacrilege, and cunning, kept it;
By rapine and extortion heaped up wealth,
For bribes and scheming villanies of all kinds;
Is common in men's mouths as Tiber's water,
Though black as Acheron when thus compared.
Edicts detestable, and heresies,
Whereby we know not aught for what it was—

Gre.
Divining, chiromancy, gift in signs;
A phœnix faculty to dance in fire,
And special learning in the magic arts;
Whereby we know not aught for what it was!

Godf.
Your gibes are loose mould on the edge of a grave,
And wait the wafting wind!

Gui.
Of heresies,
It were enough for proof, to steal one glance
At his new calendar of saints—a thought
Surpassing credence in a future age!
Of edicts—uttered with a tongue as bitter
As a green stick; yea, as the holly sap;
Or written in blood—what more detestable,
More tyrannous, than his divorce of priests
From loving wives? enforcing celibacy,
While that himself in deep-secluded hours,
So far removed from purity—

Godf.
Proceed!—
Proceed to further charges!

Gre.
Guido, beware!
And you, Count Centius, Fabio, and Tancredi,
Take you good heed of him who urges you,
From personal motives to commit foul deeds.
I do believe the popular voice is with me:
Offer me violence, and ye'll be arraigned
As base assassins; or, perhaps, torn to pieces
By Rome's infuriate mob, without a trial,
As now ye threaten me!

Godf.
Listen not to him!
Tried you shall be, condemned, and executed.

Gre.
This you determine previous to my trial,
Most second-sighted judge!

Cen.
(to Godf.)
Condemned to chains
Within this tower?

Gui.
(whispering).
For life, with little food.

Godf.
Oh, my lords, shame on all these half resolves!
He nought denies the charges here alleged;
The plague o' the time must ne'er again be sent
Into the world. By his detested arts—
Be they of magic, charms, occult, or common,
Abuse of heavenly things, or nature's weakness,
He has ensnared from all allegiance,
As from all love, the Emperor's royal mother;
The Duchess Beatrice, his kinswoman—
Both these having great weight and influence—
And Tuscany's princess. I could say much more;
For I have greater cause than any here,
To know and punish this usurper's crimes.

Gre.
It is a novel and a noble sight,
Just, excellent, and edifying withal,
To see the chief complainant act the judge.

Gui.
(starting up, and listening).
What?

Gre.
The judge plays conjurer now, and makes the winds
Alarm Lord Guido's soul!

Godf.
You play with words;
But if we lack an executioner,
Myself will play the headsman.

Gre.
(loudly).
You look like one, clad there in complete steel!
Instead of grave and senatorial robes,
Shining all over with imposture!

Godf.
(rising furiously, and drawing his sword).
Wolf-head!
[Rushes at Gregory.
Thou shalt not live to vent another sound!

[Shouts outside.
Gre.
My voice hath passed through yonder grated window,
To those outside! They recognise it mine!
Go some one forth, and pacify my people!

[Noise increased. Exit Centius, hurriedly.
Gui.
(aside).
I thought 't would end in this! 'T was even now
I heard a hum in the air of distant voices.

[Violent blows upon the gates, and cries for Gregory.
Re-enter Centius.
Cen.
The populace surround the tower with torches,
And threaten conflagration!

Godf.
Let them threaten!
Flames slowly mingle with deep walls of stone.
We 'll bear our prisoner downward to the vaults,
And wait the event.

[Shouts and blows. A glare of light from below is seen through the grated window.
Gre.
Meantime, my lords, 'twere well,
Ere we descend unto these vaults below,
I should a few mild words address to the crowd
Through yonder grate, to prove myself not murdered.

Cen.
Do so at once. Be brief.

Godf.
And then descend.

[Gregory ascends to the grating. A loud shout: he waves his hand, and it ceases.
Gre.
Be pacified, my children! I am safe:
And that I may continue safe—this instant
Burst open the gates!

[The gates are burst open. The populace rush in with torches. Godfrey fights his way out: the rest are secured.
Enter Matilda, Agnes, and Brazute, with Attendants.
Gre.
(coming forward).
Where is the man in steel!
I do not see him with the prisoners.
My faithful guards! Hark you, sir!
(Aside to an Officer).
Take a troop
And follow Godfrey wheresoe'er he flies:
Hack off his armour piecemeal from his limbs,
And if the limbs fall too, God's will be done!

Agn.
The impious villains!—chain them to the wall.

Braz.
Pyrrhicasii!

Agn.
(to Cen).
Let the populace applaud!

Mat.
The Emperor hath in Rome this night arrived.

Gre.
In good time comes he to perform his penance.
(Aside).
But one day sooner, and events had changed.
(Aloud).
A penance, measured by his weight of crime.
(To the prisoners).
We 'll think of ye, my lords, and at our leisure,
Ye shall hear further. Give me a robe!
[They cover Gregory with a splendid mantle.
Lead on!
Now for this sun-set Shadow of a King!

[Exeunt Gregory, Matilda, Agnes, Brazute, and suite, with guards and populace.
[Manent Centius, Guido, Tancredi, and Fabio, chained along the wall.