 | Sequences, Hymns, and Other Ecclesiastical Verses |  |
183
V.
Constantine issued the first from the Cavern; the morning in glory
Reigned, like the Queen of the East; the blue waves rippled more darkly,
Where, not as yet, the Sun had capped the ridges of Tmolus.
Princeliest galleys bedropped the main, bound outward or inward;
Nearer the shore crept in, well laden, and heavy, the trawlers.
He, when his prayers were prayed, and he cast his eyes to the rock-arch,
Much was his heart perplexed, and he hastily called to his brethren:
“Brethren and friends! Was the error mine own, that a beautiful platane
Full in its foliage, and tall, stood overhanging the cavern?
Platane is none, but a stump with its moss in the beauty of ages.”
Forth they came in their turn. All wondered, all owned to have seen it,
Marvelling much at the mist that thus had been cast o'er their eyelids.
Next ascended the prayer of the morn, and the infant Te Deum.
Then when the hymn had been sung, said Maximian, mighty in Scripture;
“Keep we the fast till the ninth hour wanes; meanwhile for the City,
Each, in his several place, and for us, shall make intercession.
Nooks there are many at hand where all, as it was with Elijah,
Communing deeply with God, may have grace to be heard and be answered.”
All went slowly their way, each choosing the path he thought meetest:
John alone entered the cave for a moment: him needed some matter,
Left when he issued that morn, but he swiftly returned to his brethren.
“I too shall tell of a marvel; the Collybi stored for consumption
Deep in the innermost cave, have vanished. What beast of the forest
Stealing through men undisturbed has dragged them away to his hiding?
Us, too, why did he spare, fitter morsel for such a marauder?”
Mused they awhile: till out spake Constantine, prudent in counsel:
“This is a morning of wonders; but let whatsoe'er be the lesson
Mine is the duty of action; I bought them; and I will rebuy them;
Wending my way to the City, nor less in your orisons joining.”
Each one offered himself for the danger; for perilous surely
Was it for those so known to enter in Ephesus boldly.
Till at the last “Be it so,” said Maximian, “as thou hast offered;
Go, and the Lord be with thee.” And Constantine bowed and departed.
Wrapped in his prayer he went, nor turned to the right nor the left hand,
While the high morn was pouring down beauty on hill side and Ocean,
Till to the teal-tree he came. Then presently, skirting the way-side,
Cottages, three parts roof, went straggling through vine-yard or garden.
But when he came on his way, to the line of cottages sloping
Up to the side of the hill, or down to the brink of the Ocean,
Cottages, each like each, half hidden in foliage and fruitage,
Each with its low white wall, where the heliotrope basked in the sunbeam,
Each with its mountain of roof where the pumpkin ripened and goldened,
Then was he 'ware by degrees of a change indescribable; something
Felt by him rather than seen; a strangeness was over the landscape;
Dresses were quaint and uncouth; and the old and familiar faces
Peeped o'er the wicket no more; and the children whose heads he had patted
Hailed not his footsteps at all, nor delighted his ear by their prattle.
Language, though brokenly heard, it seemed him, was alien and faltering,
Nor did he not perceive that himself was a stranger with strangers.
Whispers and smiles said as much, and the finger, though secretly pointed.
Children forsook their sports, and followed with wonder and laughter.
Still he passed on through the hamlet; but when he came to the rye-fields
Stretched between that and the City, his thoughts took form in his bosom:
Reigned, like the Queen of the East; the blue waves rippled more darkly,
Where, not as yet, the Sun had capped the ridges of Tmolus.
Princeliest galleys bedropped the main, bound outward or inward;
Nearer the shore crept in, well laden, and heavy, the trawlers.
He, when his prayers were prayed, and he cast his eyes to the rock-arch,
Much was his heart perplexed, and he hastily called to his brethren:
“Brethren and friends! Was the error mine own, that a beautiful platane
Full in its foliage, and tall, stood overhanging the cavern?
184
Forth they came in their turn. All wondered, all owned to have seen it,
Marvelling much at the mist that thus had been cast o'er their eyelids.
Next ascended the prayer of the morn, and the infant Te Deum.
Then when the hymn had been sung, said Maximian, mighty in Scripture;
“Keep we the fast till the ninth hour wanes; meanwhile for the City,
Each, in his several place, and for us, shall make intercession.
Nooks there are many at hand where all, as it was with Elijah,
185
All went slowly their way, each choosing the path he thought meetest:
John alone entered the cave for a moment: him needed some matter,
Left when he issued that morn, but he swiftly returned to his brethren.
“I too shall tell of a marvel; the Collybi stored for consumption
Deep in the innermost cave, have vanished. What beast of the forest
Stealing through men undisturbed has dragged them away to his hiding?
Us, too, why did he spare, fitter morsel for such a marauder?”
Mused they awhile: till out spake Constantine, prudent in counsel:
“This is a morning of wonders; but let whatsoe'er be the lesson
186
Wending my way to the City, nor less in your orisons joining.”
Each one offered himself for the danger; for perilous surely
Was it for those so known to enter in Ephesus boldly.
Till at the last “Be it so,” said Maximian, “as thou hast offered;
Go, and the Lord be with thee.” And Constantine bowed and departed.
Wrapped in his prayer he went, nor turned to the right nor the left hand,
While the high morn was pouring down beauty on hill side and Ocean,
Till to the teal-tree he came. Then presently, skirting the way-side,
Cottages, three parts roof, went straggling through vine-yard or garden.
187
Up to the side of the hill, or down to the brink of the Ocean,
Cottages, each like each, half hidden in foliage and fruitage,
Each with its low white wall, where the heliotrope basked in the sunbeam,
Each with its mountain of roof where the pumpkin ripened and goldened,
Then was he 'ware by degrees of a change indescribable; something
Felt by him rather than seen; a strangeness was over the landscape;
Dresses were quaint and uncouth; and the old and familiar faces
Peeped o'er the wicket no more; and the children whose heads he had patted
Hailed not his footsteps at all, nor delighted his ear by their prattle.
188
Nor did he not perceive that himself was a stranger with strangers.
Whispers and smiles said as much, and the finger, though secretly pointed.
Children forsook their sports, and followed with wonder and laughter.
Still he passed on through the hamlet; but when he came to the rye-fields
Stretched between that and the City, his thoughts took form in his bosom:
“Can it be God's good will that some charm should have puissance upon me;
Turning the new to the old, and blotting the old from remembrance?
—Charms are for those that believe them; let pagans, if so they will, trust them;
I will go forth in the strength of the Lord, Whose Name is Almighty,
Now and through all my days: and will mention His righteousness only.”
Thus did he speak in his heart as he tightened his girdle a little,
Then strode brisklier on, till he came to the gate of Caÿster.
Marvel of marvels! Above the entablature, delicate marble,
Rose at the summit of all the Cross, as the Crown of the portal:
Golden the letters beneath: Christo regnante per œvum.
Still not then did the faith that had manfully faced persecution
Fail, nor the hope grow faint: “If it seems Thee, O Lord, in Thy Wisdom
Good, that enchantments like this should shadow my vision and reason,
Still Thy Will be done: I have said it a thousand times; once more
Now I repeat it; Thy Will be done, whatsoever, not my will.”
Thus as he spake, he entered. He sought the shop of Almirus,
(Libellatic was he, but hoping in due time for penance.)
He in a street obscure, unnamed, but fast by the sea-wall,
Catered the poorest of food, as he might, for the poorest of workmen,
Collybi, fish of the sun, oil, dates, assafœtida, garlic.
Swept were each alley and lane out of memory; never a waymark
Guided his steps as he went, save the street of Artemis only,
Leading right on to the Agora's self from the gate of Caÿster.
But when he came to the spot where it wont to debouch on the shambles,
Marvel again beyond marvels! the whole had utterly vanished;
There was a stately erection, with wings of cruciform beauty,
Crowned by a towering dome, and the dome by a Cross was surmounted.
While through the portico hastened a multitude, gravely and slowly,
Bent, as it seemed, on some rite, that all had in common a share in.
Constantine held no longer at that: but summoning courage
Spake and addressed a youth, who himself was one of the enterers;
“Something a stranger I am, though long I have dwelt in the City:
This is the end,—is it not?—of the street of Artemis? Tell me.”
Turning the new to the old, and blotting the old from remembrance?
—Charms are for those that believe them; let pagans, if so they will, trust them;
189
Now and through all my days: and will mention His righteousness only.”
Thus did he speak in his heart as he tightened his girdle a little,
Then strode brisklier on, till he came to the gate of Caÿster.
Marvel of marvels! Above the entablature, delicate marble,
Rose at the summit of all the Cross, as the Crown of the portal:
Golden the letters beneath: Christo regnante per œvum.
Still not then did the faith that had manfully faced persecution
Fail, nor the hope grow faint: “If it seems Thee, O Lord, in Thy Wisdom
Good, that enchantments like this should shadow my vision and reason,
190
Now I repeat it; Thy Will be done, whatsoever, not my will.”
Thus as he spake, he entered. He sought the shop of Almirus,
(Libellatic was he, but hoping in due time for penance.)
He in a street obscure, unnamed, but fast by the sea-wall,
Catered the poorest of food, as he might, for the poorest of workmen,
Collybi, fish of the sun, oil, dates, assafœtida, garlic.
191
Guided his steps as he went, save the street of Artemis only,
Leading right on to the Agora's self from the gate of Caÿster.
But when he came to the spot where it wont to debouch on the shambles,
Marvel again beyond marvels! the whole had utterly vanished;
There was a stately erection, with wings of cruciform beauty,
192
While through the portico hastened a multitude, gravely and slowly,
Bent, as it seemed, on some rite, that all had in common a share in.
Constantine held no longer at that: but summoning courage
Spake and addressed a youth, who himself was one of the enterers;
“Something a stranger I am, though long I have dwelt in the City:
This is the end,—is it not?—of the street of Artemis? Tell me.”
“Truly, good sir,” said the youth, his eyes distended with wonder,
“Truly a memory you have for the old, old times that are byegone;
Artemis' name it bore once, but now it is called from S. Clement.”
Constantine turned, sick at heart: who was he? and what his companions?
Now did he deem 'twas a dream, and now that his senses were failing.
Still he retained his faith, and his prayer went up to the Highest:
“As in Thee I have trusted, so let me not now be confounded.”
Just as he turned him away, he beheld the like place he was seeking;
Food for the poor man on sale, and the seller awaiting a bidder.
Great was that seller's amaze, when his customer came to the street-board,
Drew some coins from his pouch, and asked for the Collybi needed.
“Stranger—,” he said, “good sir, I perceive, both by garb and by accent.”
Constantine paused one moment in prayer, then answered on this wise:
“Ephesus here was my birthplace, and long, long years was my dwelling.”
“Ay,” said the other, “indeed! By your speech I had held you Bithynian.
That must be long time since.”
“Truly a memory you have for the old, old times that are byegone;
Artemis' name it bore once, but now it is called from S. Clement.”
193
Now did he deem 'twas a dream, and now that his senses were failing.
Still he retained his faith, and his prayer went up to the Highest:
“As in Thee I have trusted, so let me not now be confounded.”
Just as he turned him away, he beheld the like place he was seeking;
Food for the poor man on sale, and the seller awaiting a bidder.
Great was that seller's amaze, when his customer came to the street-board,
Drew some coins from his pouch, and asked for the Collybi needed.
“Stranger—,” he said, “good sir, I perceive, both by garb and by accent.”
Constantine paused one moment in prayer, then answered on this wise:
194
“Ay,” said the other, “indeed! By your speech I had held you Bithynian.
That must be long time since.”
But Constantine answered no further:
Only demanded the price of the purchase, and paid and was going.
“Stay,” cried the dealer, “awhile; there is somewhat needs explanation:—
What are these coins? Here is Decius, and Decius, and Antonine; here too,
Commodus, Decius again, and so with the rest of the number.
Sir, it is clear as the day: you have some-where lit on a treasure;
Treasure belongs to the Cæsar by right; and the Cæsar shall have it.
This is a case for the Præfect to judge:—no use in resistance:
Help, men of Ephesus, help! Let us hence to the Asiarch straightway.”
Only demanded the price of the purchase, and paid and was going.
“Stay,” cried the dealer, “awhile; there is somewhat needs explanation:—
What are these coins? Here is Decius, and Decius, and Antonine; here too,
Commodus, Decius again, and so with the rest of the number.
Sir, it is clear as the day: you have some-where lit on a treasure;
Treasure belongs to the Cæsar by right; and the Cæsar shall have it.
This is a case for the Præfect to judge:—no use in resistance:
195
Meekly commending himself to the Father of men and of spirits,
Constantine, haled along, was hurried before the tribunal.
Stately and solemn it rose; all granite from pavement to cornice:
But o'er the pediment here was the Cross, as over the portal,
Girt with the mystical words, Christo regnante per ævum.
Up to the judgment seat, (for cause was none then in hearing)
Made they their way, the accused and accuser; the multitude round them
Marvelled at that strange garb, and questioned what fellow might this be.
Then when a hush had been made, and the accusation been stated,
Calm from the Asiarch's chair spake Lucius Memmius Rufus:
“Tell us, good fellow, what coins are these? And how in thy keeping?
Gathered together by chance? Incredible! Found as a treasure?
Greater in value belike are behind, and the Cæsar must have them.”
Constantine held no longer; his spirit was fainting within him.
“God be my witness,” he said, “Whom purely I serve from my fathers,
These were the coins that I had when I yestereve went from the city,
Seeking with others some rest for awhile from the great persecution.
Not that we feared for ourselves: (what boots to deny we are Christians?)
But that we sought some little repose from such visions of anguish.
Yesterday only we saw Theodora, the glorious Martyr,
Render her spirit to God, the days of her agony over:
Then to the spot we had chosen for hiding we hastened together.
Back to the City this morning I came to purchase some victual:
Henceforth all is confusion and haze; a dream and enchantment.
God only knows what it means; and God only knows that I speak true.”
Constantine, haled along, was hurried before the tribunal.
Stately and solemn it rose; all granite from pavement to cornice:
But o'er the pediment here was the Cross, as over the portal,
Girt with the mystical words, Christo regnante per ævum.
Up to the judgment seat, (for cause was none then in hearing)
Made they their way, the accused and accuser; the multitude round them
Marvelled at that strange garb, and questioned what fellow might this be.
Then when a hush had been made, and the accusation been stated,
196
“Tell us, good fellow, what coins are these? And how in thy keeping?
Gathered together by chance? Incredible! Found as a treasure?
Greater in value belike are behind, and the Cæsar must have them.”
Constantine held no longer; his spirit was fainting within him.
“God be my witness,” he said, “Whom purely I serve from my fathers,
These were the coins that I had when I yestereve went from the city,
Seeking with others some rest for awhile from the great persecution.
Not that we feared for ourselves: (what boots to deny we are Christians?)
But that we sought some little repose from such visions of anguish.
197
Render her spirit to God, the days of her agony over:
Then to the spot we had chosen for hiding we hastened together.
Back to the City this morning I came to purchase some victual:
Henceforth all is confusion and haze; a dream and enchantment.
God only knows what it means; and God only knows that I speak true.”
Angrily thus from his chair the Asiarch Memmius Rufus:
“Yesterday, was it? And saw Theodora? And ‘great persecution?’
This is a madman or knave; but the prison shall teach him repentance.”
Thus as he spoke, was a hush in the crowd, and a general rising;
Entered with slow, grave steps the Exarch of Ephesus, Memnon.
Sixth was the rank that he held in God's Hierarchical College;
Asia bowed at his word, and he ruled like another Apostle.
Slowly he passed to the Bema, the multitude opening before him;
There took his seat by the judge, and enquired the crime of the culprit.
(Part of the tale he had heard as he came, and therefore was present).
So when that tale was told, he addressed him in question and answer,
Tracing God's hand in this, and marvelling where it would lead to.
“Tell me, my son, if you saw the passion of blest Theodora
Yesterday, what day was that? And who was the Præfect that judged her?
Who, too, the Bishop that governed the see I unworthily hold now?”
Constantine answered at once: “'Twas the fourth of the Kalends of August;
Celius Plancus the judge that day, and the Bishop was Rufus;
He whose blessing we asked before going down to the Arena.”
Pondered the Bishop awhile; for this was the third of the Kalends;
Then he commanded his deacon, “Bring hither the Acts of the Martyrs.”
While they were sought in the church, deep silence fell upon all men,
For that they saw their Prelate in prayer as beseeching for wisdom.
When he had opened the book—“The stranger is right to the letter;
Plancus was judge, and Rufus, the afterward martyr, was prelate.”
Then, as by some sudden impulse stirred up, he continued on this wise:
“Christian thou art, say'st thou? Then repeat me the Creed of Nicæa.”
Constantine marvelled, and said: “Such Creed, blessed Father, I never
Heard in our churches, nor took on my lips, nor have known of its mention:
Only the Creed of Apostles and Gregory's; these are our landmarks.”
“Hear, then,” Memnon replied. He rose, and the multitude rose too;
Then with a voice as solemn and grave, yet sweet as is honey,
(As when he stood in his place in the great Œcumenical Council),
Did he recite the Creed that told of the Consubstantial.
“Dost thou believe, my son?”
“Yesterday, was it? And saw Theodora? And ‘great persecution?’
This is a madman or knave; but the prison shall teach him repentance.”
198
Entered with slow, grave steps the Exarch of Ephesus, Memnon.
Sixth was the rank that he held in God's Hierarchical College;
Asia bowed at his word, and he ruled like another Apostle.
Slowly he passed to the Bema, the multitude opening before him;
There took his seat by the judge, and enquired the crime of the culprit.
(Part of the tale he had heard as he came, and therefore was present).
So when that tale was told, he addressed him in question and answer,
Tracing God's hand in this, and marvelling where it would lead to.
“Tell me, my son, if you saw the passion of blest Theodora
199
Who, too, the Bishop that governed the see I unworthily hold now?”
Constantine answered at once: “'Twas the fourth of the Kalends of August;
Celius Plancus the judge that day, and the Bishop was Rufus;
He whose blessing we asked before going down to the Arena.”
Pondered the Bishop awhile; for this was the third of the Kalends;
Then he commanded his deacon, “Bring hither the Acts of the Martyrs.”
While they were sought in the church, deep silence fell upon all men,
For that they saw their Prelate in prayer as beseeching for wisdom.
When he had opened the book—“The stranger is right to the letter;
200
Then, as by some sudden impulse stirred up, he continued on this wise:
“Christian thou art, say'st thou? Then repeat me the Creed of Nicæa.”
Constantine marvelled, and said: “Such Creed, blessed Father, I never
Heard in our churches, nor took on my lips, nor have known of its mention:
Only the Creed of Apostles and Gregory's; these are our landmarks.”
“Hear, then,” Memnon replied. He rose, and the multitude rose too;
Then with a voice as solemn and grave, yet sweet as is honey,
(As when he stood in his place in the great Œcumenical Council),
Did he recite the Creed that told of the Consubstantial.
201
“I believe and adore and receive it;
Only the words I never have heard; but the truths are my heart-truths.”
“Where then are those other six whom you left, as you say, in the cavern?”
“Three hours' hence in Mount Latmos; and there they await my returning.”
Question was heaped upon question, and answer succeeded to answer;
Making the sign more clear and revealing God's marvellous doings.
Forthwith was Constantine set, the multitude putting him forward,
Right in the Bema itself, in the seat next the seat of the Exarch.
Then rose Memnon and spake; and he spake to a listening people.
“See ye, my brethren, how God, our God Who reigneth in heaven,
Still worketh wonders for us, as He did in the days of our Fathers?
Now that our love has grown weak, and faith waxes fainter and fainter,
Heresies, fears from without, and contentions seething within us,
So that we hardly dare to be called the seed of the Martyrs,—
Here have we one who, belonging to them, belongeth to us too,
One who has noted the race and rejoiced in the goal of the athletes,
One who bindeth together the trial of bitter affliction,
After two hundred years, with the season of gladness and triumph.
Wherefore my rede is this; that we go to the cave in Mount Latmos,
Singing and praising the Lord, Who alone doeth wondrously ever;
There to make known these things to the brethren, and solemnly bring them
Back to the City in triumph, with Cross and with Banner and Anthem.
Then that we show them in turn our offices, altars, and Churches,
Telling them all the good things that the Lord hath done for his people.”
Only the words I never have heard; but the truths are my heart-truths.”
“Where then are those other six whom you left, as you say, in the cavern?”
“Three hours' hence in Mount Latmos; and there they await my returning.”
Question was heaped upon question, and answer succeeded to answer;
Making the sign more clear and revealing God's marvellous doings.
Forthwith was Constantine set, the multitude putting him forward,
Right in the Bema itself, in the seat next the seat of the Exarch.
Then rose Memnon and spake; and he spake to a listening people.
202
Still worketh wonders for us, as He did in the days of our Fathers?
Now that our love has grown weak, and faith waxes fainter and fainter,
Heresies, fears from without, and contentions seething within us,
So that we hardly dare to be called the seed of the Martyrs,—
Here have we one who, belonging to them, belongeth to us too,
One who has noted the race and rejoiced in the goal of the athletes,
One who bindeth together the trial of bitter affliction,
After two hundred years, with the season of gladness and triumph.
Wherefore my rede is this; that we go to the cave in Mount Latmos,
203
There to make known these things to the brethren, and solemnly bring them
Back to the City in triumph, with Cross and with Banner and Anthem.
Then that we show them in turn our offices, altars, and Churches,
Telling them all the good things that the Lord hath done for his people.”
These were his words, and the people agreed with a great acclamation.
Constantine, sitting, then spake; and his voice was broken and feeble:
“Brethren and friends, go you on: the way is easy without me;
Right to the East ye must keep, to the utmost headland of Latmos;
Me God seems to be calling, Who knoweth the times and the seasons.”
Constantine, sitting, then spake; and his voice was broken and feeble:
“Brethren and friends, go you on: the way is easy without me;
Right to the East ye must keep, to the utmost headland of Latmos;
204
“Not yet, brother, not yet,” said the Exarch of Ephesus; “once more
Thou must behold the rest, that ye all may have gladness together:
Meanwhile here in the Church—hard by, of S. Babylas,—waiting,
Thou shalt have quiet and rest in the Sceuophylacion. Lead him
Some of you, down to the place, and give him due care and refreshment.
We will set forth meanwhile, as on some high festival season,
Singing together the “Holy Almighty, have mercy upon us.”
So they set forth; and the long street glowed with Banners and Crosses;
Incense arose in clouds, and hymns antiphonally echoed.
So they set forth to the East; they passed the gate of Caÿster,
Kept the hill-path o'er the Mount, and still pressed onward to Latmos.
Thou must behold the rest, that ye all may have gladness together:
Meanwhile here in the Church—hard by, of S. Babylas,—waiting,
Thou shalt have quiet and rest in the Sceuophylacion. Lead him
Some of you, down to the place, and give him due care and refreshment.
We will set forth meanwhile, as on some high festival season,
Singing together the “Holy Almighty, have mercy upon us.”
205
Incense arose in clouds, and hymns antiphonally echoed.
So they set forth to the East; they passed the gate of Caÿster,
Kept the hill-path o'er the Mount, and still pressed onward to Latmos.
Infant, because the germ of the Western Te Deum is of Eastern origin, beginning: “Day by day will I magnify Thee.”
The term applied to those who, unwilling to sacrifice themselves, yet afraid to face the consequences of down-right refusal, paid some pagan to personate them in the act, and then received a libellus that they had obeyed the magistrate.
The difference of the modern and ancient estimate of assafœtida does not arise from difference of taste. There is a very interesting letter of Bentley's (235), in which he enters into the subject. “That the modern assa, corrupted from laser, is the ancient Silphium, I have long been convinced; but our merchants import commonly the worst rotten stuff, which has deservedly given it the epithet of fœtida. I once met with a quantity so good, that I convinced Dr. Mead and other physicians that it was genuine silphium,” &c.
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