 | Jesus of Nazareth |  |
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Scene IV.
Same night. Street not far from Mary's house.(Enter Valerius and Tibullus).
Tibullus.
The world grows dark—a poisonous blackness pours
Its murky streams across the shuddering air,
Extinguishing the pale stars one by one
And leaving nought but midnight. Oh, Valerius,
Before I slay thee I would speak with thee,
Resume old days, yea call thee once more friend!
When, shouting barbarous shouts, the Gallic host
Charged in that wild affray and when their leader
Held me dismounted, swordless, at his mercy,
Rememberest thou how that strong sword of thine
Flashed in the air? our glittering foeman fell
Headlong, and all his life-blood stained the corn
Deep-red; but now our swords must cross. Valerius,
My brain is dazed, my thoughts like reinless steeds
Gallop at fiery random where they will,
Tossing their manes and foaming . . . After all
Is love worth friendship? Is it worth our while
To quarrel over such a jade as this?
Women were surely fashioned by the gods
First to fan high the flame of lust in man,
Then with sweet hands to quench it! Even the gods,
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That they must take on mortal forms whereby
To accomplish passion: even the king of gods,
Jove, must win Danaë in a shower of gold,
Pursue Europa as a milk-white bull,
Court Leda in a wild swan's graceful form,
And so for ever. Can it matter now?
Can aught of evil wrought beneath the sun
Move me? Aye, even in Hades where the crowds
Of pale and shadowy ghosts flock to and fro
Between me and the phantoms one fair face
Would ever rise, one voice would cry “Valerius!”
(As even just now I heard)—“I love Valerius!”
And all my heart would hunger at the cry,
Hunger and thirst for blood; for nought can save
A soul who having loved is thus betrayed
Save only vengeance, vengeance sweet and full:—
Yea, were the sire of gods, the mighty Jove,
Proud passionate Mary's kingly paramour,
My soul would, seeking, mount up to the stars,
And, having found them sinning, 'mid the stars
My human sword should flash and stain the stars
With God's blood crimson—draw thy sword, Valerius,—
At once . . . quick, draw thy sword.
Valerius.
What must be, must.
Have at thee, then! The Fates no man can bribe.
They weave our destinies at varying looms,
But one gift bear they earthward never—pity.
I loved thee—and I love her—hear thou this.
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But that I love her so that all the world
Fades from my gaze when she with queenly tread
Passes its vestibules, as Juno might,
Pausing awhile from dalliance with the gods
To yield one kiss to mortals. Mary's lips—
Yes, I have kissed her . . .
Tibullus.
Nay! enough, enough—
Must sudden onslaught slay thee?
Valerius.
Till one falls!
(They fight. Valerius falls).
Tibullus
(stooping over the body).
Dead! dead! and I have slain him. Oh! my friend,
My friend.
My brain grows clearer now. 'Twas clogged with blood.
My sword that pierced to brave Valerius' heart
Has lanced my brain as well, and now the blood
That clogged it leaves it clear. I understand.
The world's a fraud—one ghastly subterfuge
Whereby the gods that rule—misrule—Olympus
Would cheat and cozen mortals. Nought is right,
Save only wrong; friendship's a hollow name
And love is mockery; passion's nought but lust;
The man who worships woman—as I worshipped—
Commits a crime against the most high gods,
In that the contrast of his pure performance
Cries shame upon their deeds,—and so the gods,
Furious, hurl vengeance on him. Ah! the gods
Approve the base, honour the foul seducer:
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Oh not to these a woman's love is given!
The lover who would die for her, wins nought,
But he who damns her soul and laughs, wins all.
(Enter Roman Officer, with company of SOLDIERS).
Arrest me: I am ready.
(Pointing to the corpse).
See, there lies
Valerius,—I have slain him.
Officer.
We arrest you.
(Exeunt Officer and SOLDIERS, leading Tibullus under arrest and bearing away gently the body of Valerius).
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