University of Virginia Library

Scene VI.

—A large Hall leading to the Banqueting Chamber in the Palace, from which guests are passing out at intervals. In front is the Steward of the Household, with Musicians and other Attendants.
Steward.

The healths come faster now. Aye, aye, they're breaking up and not a second too soon. Hark!
that is our young Emperor's health they're drinking, and
his is the last. Now, my masters of sing-song, give him
your good e'en.

Music.
Thou that many a night hast found
Soldier's bed on guarded ground,
There to sleep and thence to leap
Lightly at the trumpet's sound,
Softer bed be thine to-night;
Other summons than to fight
Wake thee with the morning light;
Rise to-morrow and be crowned.

[Whilst this is sung, Theodora has entered, as a suitor, in a mourning dress with her face veiled.
Steward.
Stand all aside, the guests are coming out.
What wait'st thou for? Make way there! Ho! make way.

Theodora.
I wait for Count Comnenus.

Steward.
He's not here.

Theodora.
He's coming here?

Steward.
I cannot tell. Stand close.
Count Cataculo coming out—make room—
That brave commander—noble Cataculo.

Theodora.
Is he not coming here?

Steward.
I cannot tell;
He ne'er was well affected to a feast,
And speaks irreverently—friends, stand back—
Of wine that's older than himself—room ho!—
The only sin that I can charge him with,
God save his soul in heaven!

Theodora.
Amen, amen.

Steward.
Paleologus coming out—St. George!
That bark's deep laden; Scian wine's aboard;
Yon was a heavy lurch.

Paleologus.
Good friends, good night.
Your servant. Let me hold you by the arm;
For, pardon me, you seem to walk but so-so;
Nay, never mind, I'll steady you; I'm sound;
No milksop neither; but I hold it good
That alway one keep sound to help the rest.
So,—steadily—on this side of that lady—
This side the lady in the grave-clothes—Ha!
This side the apparition—cleared, by Jove!
And so a fair good-night to ghosts in black.
[Going, returns.
And tell Count Isaac, I forgive Count Isaac
For being thrifty of his bounteous presence;
For I've a guess, a shrewd one, mark you me,
A shrewd conjecture of the why and wherefore,—
And to be wise and say no more about it,
I think it may be he's too drunk to come.

[Exit.
Theodora.
Hark you; the matter that I bring the Count
Concerns his life.

Steward.
How mean'st thou?

Theodora.
Yea, it doth.
The scurvy citizens are not content,
And ever and anon some knave cries out
His house is plundered and Count Isaac's men
Have stolen his supper and debauched his wife.
Then lays the rogue his hand upon his hilt
And turns the matter in his beggarly mind,
Feeling dissatisfied: so walks he forth,
And no one's eye is on him.

Steward.
In good truth,
Thou hast described a dangerous man; i' faith,
They're very dangerous, your hungry men;
They have no charity for us that eat;
I ever said, put hungry men in prison,
Else you shall surely have them discontent.

Theodora.
Yet for the time, seeing there's no offence,
They go at large unheeded.

Steward.
No offence?
What call you then the lack of charity?
The lack of Christian charity? What, none?
By my salvation, 'tis a foul offence,
An infamous transgression, which begets
Much peril to us powers that be.

Theodora.
I say
There is a danger nearer to the Count
Than any you surmise: where is he?

Steward.
Well,
He will be here anon and thou shalt see him.
Away. The guests are rising all. Away.