University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

An Apartment in the Palace.
Justinian, Theodora.
Theo.
We are not yet so lost; our guards are firm.
Fly, didst thou say! O word of abject shame!
Do I forget my station! Do I yield
To womanly despair? Is my cheek pale?
Feel I the cold and shivering fit upon me?
Let multiplying perils thicken round,
Tho Phorbas lives, and thus avows his treason,
Tho Caius and Eumenes march beside him,
Yet— (Enter a Messenger)
(shouts)
what portend those shouts?

Mess.
They are advanced
Near to the gate, which they prepare to storm,
On either side the mingled shouts arise.
Soon will begin the desperate shock; I fear
Lest Phorbas—

Theo.
Hah! is every breast appall'd?
Nothing but terror, and the dreaded name
Of Phorbas!—What tho he commands without?
Have we not Narbal? Claudius? have we not
Within, the valiant Decius? Add to these
The imperial name, an army in itself?
And right, and justice? Add our walls, these towers,
To force impregnable? Go, bear from hence
Courageous looks, warm hopes, by confidence
And fortitude of mind inspired; from me
Take thou the gift, impart it to thy fellows.
A short resistance will disperse this wild
Unthinking croud, or they will soon rebel
Against their leader. Let me not behold
Thy face again, unless with tidings fraught
Of our success, and their disgraceful flight.

[Exit Messenger.
Just.
Oh! how will rash-form'd judgment hurry on,
And lose itself in error! prompt to raise
The worst of evils, blind when they approach!
Such is thy state. While I pursuing still
The advice of others, diffident myself,
Am lost beneath thy guidance; in the morn
Lord of the best part of this ample globe,
And what to night!

Theo.
Haste! send submissive terms!
Crouch to these slaves, who long to spill my blood,
Then yield me up, and be content to reign
A mock and pageant emperor.—I will mount
This instant on the loftiest tower, from thence
Should I behold the daring hand of treason
Urged by success, roll the fierce tumult on,
And penetrate these inner walls; think not
I will survive; the honours of my life
Shall ne'er be wrested from me but by death.

(Exit.
Just.
Tempestuous woman! Ever violent!
Is there an act throughout my lengthened reign
Which I have wished undone, from thee it sprang.
Too late I rue my easiness of soul,
How oft hath fear assail'd my nighty pillow,
How oft hath danger cross'd my path by day
Of thy procuring!—Might this storm pass by,
Thy power is o'er.—This solemn vow to heaven!
If not! 'twere vain to strive.—I too can die
Resign'd to the awful mandate.

[Exit.