 | Julian The Apostate |  |
168
Enter tumultuously groups of Soldiers, worn as if by long travelling. After them, Nevitta, Jovian, and other Officers, expostulating. Then Maximus.
NEVITTA.
Shame on you!
By glorious Mars! comrades, I shame to see you
Why, scarce a week since and ye laughed to scorn
These paltry Persians. You were as weary then
With toiling through these deserts, as ye now are.
Stand to your arms I say, cowards! or forfeit
Your Roman name for ever.
MAXIMUS.
They are brave, Sir,
As you or any man: I will avouch it
Spite of your ready frown. Ay, is the scene
Unchanged indeed? These wastes were wild and lonely
Before, as they are now: but we could brave them
169
Now—
A SOLDIER.
Why, look there, my masters: look at yon' track
Lined out along the desert by our ruin.
What see you there? dead horses, dying men,
Women, that to the shattered carriages
Cling shrieking—and afar the coming spoiler!
Here do we stand the while, poor worn anatomies,
Fit for death only.
MAXIMUS.
'Tis too true, Nevitta.
We have been cozened, ideots as we were,
By flatterers, madmen, traitors.
SOLDIER.
Why are we here?
Seek Sapor in the desert? Ye should have known it
Before ye risked men's lives. A lonely traveller
Upon that drear expanse, picks up with pain
A scanty meal. Ay, the half-loaded camel
Falters beneath the burning atmosphere.
170
True, my poor fellow, true. We are stout soldiers,
But perishable men.
NEVITTA.
As soldiers, therefore,
Hearken to me—leave cowards to repine
O'er our undoubted evils. Yonder 's the foe,
Come on, brave hearts: let 's toss these baiting curs
As bulls do from their horns.
MAXIMUS.
My counsel, comrades,
Is peace, is peace. Why should we perish? wherefore?
To sooth the vanity of one rash man?
The hot air smells of carnage—shall we die
On points of ceremony?
NEVITTA.
Art thou mad?
Be silent: you unman us, when we need
Firm courage most.
171
I say, 'tis peace we need—
Bread, water, sleep. These now were worth an empire.
(A trumpet sounds.
NEVITTA.
Now, if there 's half a Roman heart among you,
To arms, to arms! stand to the foe.
(Persian cavalry gallop, shouting beyond the bank of underwood.)
Voices within.
A spring!
A spring, a spring! water—a spring, a spring!
(Soldiers all rush to the side.
Enter Julian.
JULIAN.
Oh, brave companions! Where would they fly, Nevitta?
NEVITTA.
They have found a spring.
(Maximus retires.
JULIAN.
Is this a time? hold, hold!
172
Return—the foe 's upon us. Soldiers, soldiers!
Shame not our ancient glories—face to the enemy.
What, will you leave your General? By the Gods!
I plant my foot here, be 't for life or death.
Now, if you dare, abandon me. Dear friends,
I know your better feelings.
(Soldiers gather round him and applaud, clashing their arms.)
We 'll lash these jackalls
Back to their desert: then, oh, then! how sweetly
Will taste these waters to our weariness.
Tumultuous cry of Soldiery.)
A charge! huzza, huzza! Julian, Julian!
(All rush off the scene; clash of arms and shouts. The Persians fly back, pursued.)
Re-enter Julian, Nevitta, &c.
JULIAN.
Thanks, gallants, we have bravely chidden them—
Bravely. Now where 's the spring? a clear, cool draught
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Its bubbling way through the green grass, were worth
Beakers of wine at the full board of peace.
(Soldier brings in water—offers it to Julian.
JULIAN.
No, my good friend, no. While a man of you
Thirsts, not a drop for me: my brave Nevitta,
Drink thou. Nay, I command. You, Anatolius,
And you, and you, and you—so, my turn next.
A brimming helmet, mind ye.
NEVITTA.
Oh, Sir, thus ever
To our wants you postpone your own: ay, ever.
Heaven shield us from ingratitude!
JULIAN.
Amen!
But some there are—I had one in my eye
Even as I entered.
NEVITTA.
Ah, the hypocrite!
174
No more—but keep an heedful eye upon him.
The day is come, Nevitta, when we shall need
Our noblest energies. Then 'ware all traitors!
Here is a glorious field to act war's tragedy.
We 've won a night of rest: hail to a morning
Of final, desperate strife.
NEVITTA.
Thanks to the Gods!
I hear of battle once more.
(A Soldier brings water to Julian.
JULIAN.
Comrade, your hand:
I thank you: ay, that draught is pure and wholesome.
I am a man again. Where 's Anatolius?
Ha, Anatolius! (to him, entering.)
Dagalaiphus—all,
I 'm glad we meet. Eusebia—where is she?
ANATOLIUS.
Her tent is safe beside the welcome springs:
She has a noble courage.
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It was ever so.
Look to her, Anatolius, when I'm gone.
ANATOLIUS.
Oh, Cæsar, wherefore?
JULIAN.
Nay, nay, let that rest.
Old Sallust, in these gorges, we confront
The peril, like bold Romans.
SALLUST.
Our thin ranks
May here make head—here only.
JULIAN.
Sallust, I feel
A weight beyond my sorrows in my heart:
If aught befal me—well, well—only thus much;
Should I fall, choose the worthiest. Now to our tent.
To each I give his charge, and then good night,
And may sweet sleep restore you.
(Exeunt.
| Julian The Apostate | |