University of Virginia Library

Scene II.

—A Street near the Palace of the Cæsars.— Isaac Comnenus and Macrinus meeting.
Macrinus.
Count Isaac, by my life! Well met, my Lord—
Nay, your Imperial Highness—pardon me
If my first meeting with my sovereign Lord
Be something overjoyful.

Comnenus.
Good Macrinus,
There's none entitled to a larger share
Of whatsoe'er of joy this hour affords.
Where is my brother?

Macrinus.
In the palace, Sire,
And with the rest awaiting you.

Comnenus.
And where
Have you disposed the soldiery?

Macrinus.
They crowd,
And with them half the city, to the square
Before the palace; all expectant wait
To hail you Monarch ere they doff their mail
And with rejoicings close the glorious day.

Comnenus.
Something too soon, Macrinus. And my guard?

Macrinus.
They are within, my Lord.

Comnenus.
So far is well.
Are those deserters looked to?

Macrinus.
Which, my Lord?
I knew not that a single friend proved false.

Comnenus.
Ay, but the false proved friends. Observe them well.
I mean that Mæsian cohort—they that oped
The Atrian gate to Eulas.

Macrinus.
By my faith
They were but now before the palace; yes;
A Lombard shirt of mail they wear, and sword
Much like a Frank's—I marked them there but now.

Comnenus.
March out my guard, and let them be disarmed.

Macrinus.
'Twill cause much discontent, my Lord.

Comnenus.
Why so?
They'll share the donative; so say, Macrinus.
I will reward them, but I will not trust them.

Macrinus.
It shall be done, my Lord. And will you then
Indulge the impatient multitude that longs
To shout their gratulations?

Comnenus.
Noise and pomp
Is what they long for. They will have it soon.
To-morrow comes the coronation; then
They'll have it to their hearts' content; to-day
There's something I would say to them . . . no matter.
The Count Alexius, said you, was within?

Macrinus.
He is, my Lord.

Comnenus.
A noble youth is he.

Macrinus.
Indeed he is.

Comnenus.
And a good soldier too.

Macrinus.
There's not a man on either side his peer.
He has a martial heart.

Comnenus.
And therewithal
The rapid eye, ubiquity of presence,
And quickness and collectedness of thought
Which give a natural command in war.

Macrinus.
He has, my Lord.

Comnenus.
For he was from a boy
By care taught conduct. No state-weakling he,
Born in the purple and so bred a fool.
He is, though young, well practised in affairs.

Macrinus.
Surely, my Lord.

Comnenus.
In him there is besides
The strong vivacity of youth and health,
With something of a gallantry of spirit
That wins upon the multitude.

Macrinus.
Most true.
The troops he has commanded love him well.

Comnenus.
A word with thee, Macrinus—— Hark! the throng
Are bellowing my name.

Macrinus.
My Lord, they wait
To take you home in triumph. They're nigh mad.
There never was a people so o'erjoyed,
Nor ever yet a city that so rang
With acclamations; not a troop files by
With the Comnenian standard, but the shout
“Long live the Emperor Isaac” peals on high
As from a thousand voices in one breath.
Long may he live and reign!

Comnenus.
My friend, my friend,
There's more mortality about this frame
Than known to those who tell its term of years.
The worm within may make the building weak
Ere Time has leant his weight upon the walls.
Well; let us to the palace. I had meant——
But it is needless. From the terrace walk
Above the palace gates I'll speak some words
To thee, to Count Alexius, and the people.
So let us to the palace. But disarm
The Mæsian cohort first, forget not that.

Macrinus.
I'll lose no time, my Lord. Hark! there, again!