University of Virginia Library

A wood—Camp in distance—Moonlight.
Enter Maximus.
The moon has passed the midnight; the hour is past
That Nohordates pledged: would it were over!
How calm it is! no sounds come through the air,
Though they might pass the impalpable element
Like light through the clear deep of waters. I
Would rather front the whirlwind of the desert,
Or voice of thunder with its wild concomitants,
Lightning and swelling winds and sheeted rains,
Than this placidity of Nature. Gazing
Thus on yon stedfast stars I could half fancy
That supernatural eyes looked down on me
From the calm depth of Heaven: and this breathless
Pause in the world's life, seems as if all earth
Was hushed, that not a sound might interrupt
The ear of the omnipresent Deity.
Why is it thus with me? I have been wont
To meet all dangers with an equal eye.
I have been stedfast to my mighty aim,
And have made kings my puppets; and religion
A game, through which I grasp a glorious stake.
I have well weighed my species, and assayed
Their worth, and coined them for mine own good ends.
All are my tools, and I have laughed at all!
Then wherefore do I feel oppressed? That madman,
Cyrus in aim, shall be in fate Cambyses:
And like a skilful alchymist, I draw
Good from his evil—from his woe my weal;
From Rome's debasement my advancement:—Good.
So I am fortune's minion, and hold fate
Reined like a mettlesome steed. I do but lack
This consummation, and the world is mine!
What care I for opinion? He that rules
Is master of opinion—ay, is 't so
Indeed? thence hangs much controversy. They
Who doubt, dispute by times, and disputation
Hath other weapons than the tongue.

(muses.
Enter Nohordates
(muffled.
MAXIMUS.
Ho, friend!
Who art thou? speak.
(Nohordates uncovers.
Persian, I welcome thee.
Thou hast been spendthrift of good time, thy hours
Are most improvident loit'rers.

NOHORDATES.
Curses on him
That guide—but he has paid his penalty.
This hour, the ill-conditioned slave has led me
Through fen and forest, like an ignis fatuus.
Yet my debt 's paid.

MAXIMUS.
How so, my Lord?

NOHORDATES.
I slew him!
Ay, ay, I deemed him treacherous. Nay—start not,
We 're hasty reasoners in this land o' th' sun;
Quick in our passions, sudden in our anger.
Why muse you? he was but a bondsman.

MAXIMUS.
Satrap,
I will be plain: 'tis not the deed disturbs me,
Nor the condition of the victim, but
The breach of faith this argues. I could pardon
A salutary violence for great ends;
But petty treachery, to wreak despite,
Or sooth a vain fear, that I cannot brook.
Sir, answer not: I'm deep read in men's minds.
Excuse I wave—your anger I regard not.

NOHORDATES.
Well, Maximus, you 're master of your thoughts;
Yet let me say, I 'd aim my shaft again
At higher game, upon less provocation.
And now to business.

MAXIMUS.
(aside.
Raise the earth-worm up,
And he will threat. 'Tis his mean nature speaks,
And not the King who sent him. Yet, 'twere well
To pause.

NOHORDATES.
My Lord, you seem dissatisfied.
If aught from my poor lip disquiets you,
Think it unsaid. Freely do I disclaim
Words, that so ill give utterance to my heart.
My sovereign sends his gentlest greeting to you;
Health, riches, power, rank, glory; whatsoe'er
Ambition grasps at, or desert secures.

MAXIMUS.
Much have I now, and thank not him: but softly,
King Sapor promised—(for men cannot be
Too strict, explicit, circumspect, when matters
Of such high import are at issue)—Sapor
Did pledge his signature on certain points
Conditional to our true amity,
To save all future cavil. Your credentials?

NOHORDATES.
Behold! Peruse these presents; and besides,
As earnest of the love he holds you in,
He sends this jewel from his hand.

MAXIMUS.
A bauble!
Had I a thought for things like these, the worth
Of thrones had decked my person. I seek not
That whose sole value is conventional:
Power is intrinsic, and commands all else.
That is the heaven my eagle-wing ascends,
The sun my eye out-dazzles. (He reads)
I've perused
This paper, and am satisfied.

NOHORDATES.
Then quickly
Say, for night wanes, have you prepared the troops?

MAXIMUS.
Yes, certain officers. The common men
Love Julian: but there are some I have found
Whose merits, as they judge, have been ill-weighed;
Men of some breeding—none more dangerous,
And ripe for any mischief: they are prepared.
Now, mark me: he that to our camp this morning
Came as a fugitive, was well received.
He played his hook well, and the bait was swallowed.
We raise our leaguer of proud Ctesiphon,
And plunge into the desert after you:
Be wary and we 'scape not the decoy.

NOHORDATES.
Oh, fear not—we shall fly you like the sand
Swept by the breeze; till, with its mighty arm,
The storm collects its pillars. Then we crush you.

(Exit.
MAXIMUS.
I care not whom you crush, so I am raised.
Here is my firm assurance—
(regarding the paper
I have no choice left.
I cannot still be as I am: my web
Hath been too finely spun with Julian; soon
He cuts it with the sword. And he hath cause,
For I have been his evil genius; made
His conscience but a stepping-stool; and fashioned
My fortunes by his foibles. He hath been
My slave mechanical, my artizan,
Whom now, his labour done, I would discharge.
The chain hath galled of late, and he hath chaf'd,
And wreaked on me his humours. Well, he hath cause,
And shall have ere we part. Constantia, ah!
Would thou hadst been less in my light! In sooth
I could have pitied thee. But I have cased
My heart in proof:—who shall withstand me?

(Exit.