 | Julian The Apostate |  |
111
Enter Crowd of Citizens.
1ST CITIZEN.
Well, neighbour, when d'ye think the shew will come.
2nd.
Oh, soon: I heard but now the swell of music
Come faintly up the street. It is so winding
We catch but snatches: at the next turn you'll hear
A glorious burst of sound.
1st.
'Tis a good deed
Thus to revive our warlike ceremonies.
3rd.
Like you this war, good neighbour?
1st.
Nay, not I:
Howbeit I come a gazer here. Not I—
I have a son with the army; when he left me
A raven flew thrice round his head. His mother
Hath ever since been drooping.
3rd.
And my daughter
112
With her fond spouse, new wedded: there they loitered
Beneath the cypress grove, bounding my garden,
(Juno avert the omen,) till their young hearts
Half broke with pain of parting.
2nd.
Well, Sirs, for me
I'm well content: being but a bachelor,
I have small cares to thwart me. I am, therefore,
Well pleased to hear of battles, and love glory.
1st.
Has blood been spill'd yet? Heard you, friend?
3rd.
'Tis likely.
The Prefect's vanguard had just passed the borders,
Pushing for Perisabor. So said the messengers.
2nd.
Then shall we hear of blows soon: I would wager
By this our Cretan archers have essayed
Their strong bows—and our horse of Thessaly
Put forth their paces on the Syrian meadows.
A sudden sound of music.
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Gods! what a crash of music: here they come.
Fall back, fall back, keep silence, and make way.
(Enter Julian and Officers, Maximus as Pontifex, with Priests, &c. &c. in procession.—They enter the Gate of the Temple.)
| Julian The Apostate | |