 | Isaac Comnenus |  |
Scene II.
—Evening.—An outpost of the camp. Tents in the distance. Fires at intervals, reaching to the shore and throwing light across the Propontic. Soldiers lying on their arms. In front a Sentinel walking his rounds.Sentinel.
So, so! There is like to be wild work tomorrow, and as to what is to happen to me, it may be
known or it may not. It was scarcely right and just a
little venturesome of my wife, to betake herself to the
but with a wooden leg. Why, what then? My
threescore and ten in this world is well-nigh out, and Father
Jerome says a man may stump about in heaven with a
wooden leg as stoutly as with the best.
Enter Alexius.
Alexius.
Thou art one of Count Isaac's men, art not?
Sentinel.
How dost thou know that? Methinks by thy sunburnt face thou shouldst belong to my Lord
Alexius.
Alexius.
True, I am from the east; but we are comrades for all that.
Sentinel.
Yes; for we are all Count Isaac's men now, mind'st thou.
Alexius.
True.
Sentinel.
Count Alexius is now no more than second in command.
Alexius.
No more.
Sentinel.
And in so small an army that is next to nothing.
Alexius.
'Tis little, but as much as he deserves.
Sentinel.
Nay, I did not mean that: only I would have thee understand that thy master serves my master.
Alexius.
He does. There are few men worthy to serve thy master. I would that Count Alexius were.
Sentinel.
Not that I mean any ill of Count Alexius; he's young.
Ay, but one might be wiser, even at his years.
Sentinel.
Nay, I know not that. When I was two and twenty I know not if I had much more sense than he
has now. 'Tis a miracle how sense will grow upon a
man after he has mounted guard a few years. Thou
wouldst not believe how many thoughts come and go
in a wise man's head as he walks his four hours backwards
and forwards upon an outpost.
Alexius.
How long hast thou been walking here?
Sentinel.
The matter of an hour.
Alexius.
And what thoughts have come and gone in thy head?
Sentinel.
The matter of four.
Alexius.
What was thy first thought?
Sentinel.
I bethought me that the wind was easterly and one ought to hear the waves break upon the
Symplegades.
Alexius.
What was thy second thought?
Sentinel.
I thought when the moon rose I should see the tops of the fig-trees at Galatá; that's my birth-place.
Alexius.
And thy third?
Sentinel.
I thought if I was to fall to-morrow, I could like it were thereabouts.
Alexius.
Thy fourth?
Sentinel.
I thought when Count Isaac was Emperor, he would be for recasting the army, and I should tell
him I was getting old in the service and could like to be
one of the Immortals.
That I'll be bound for him thou shalt.
Sentinel.
How canst thou tell?
Alexius.
I know he takes care of those that stick to their old generals and look cold on the new.
Sentinel.
How know'st thou that? Thou art of the eastern forces.
Alexius.
None knows thy master better.
Enter an Officer.
Officer.
My Lord, your brother waits you hard by where the roads meet.
Alexius.
I come. Farewell to thee. See thou keep a keen look-out to the north and west; the moon will
soon be up, and on the scout side of the field; all thou
need'st take heed of comes between thee and the light.
Farewell. I'll tell Count Isaac thy deserts.
[Exeunt Alexius and Officer.
Sentinel.
Holy Mother of God! that will be the young Count himself. 'Tis well he takes it no worse;
for, to say the truth, I did him but scant justice. What
was it I said to him? No doubt but I told him plain
out every thought that has come into my head for this
year and more.
| Isaac Comnenus | |